The Decision

The following morning, Hermione pulled herself together. She was a professional; she could handle this. When she entered the courtroom, she greeted her clients politely and sat down to wait for the members of the Wizengamot to enter.

Minister Shacklebolt addressed the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, the members of the Wizengamot have discussed the case extensively. We are prepared to issue our decision now."

Amos Diggory spoke to the group. "It is the opinion of this court that Malfoy Industries and Black Pharmaceuticals should be allowed to continue distribution of the products in question. The good done by the products should not be stifled by blind adherence to ancient laws. To stop their distribution would be disruptive to the Muggle medical world. Not only would it harm Muggles but it would also draw undesirable attention to our world.

"However, it cannot continue without monitoring and regulation. As this work is unprecedented, the Wizengamot hereby authorizes the creation of Regulation of Magical Product Distribution Office. This department will report through the Improper Use of Magic Office. Any product that any wizard wishes to market to Muggles will have to seek approval through this office. The office will work with the Muggle Liaison Office to ensure that all proper licenses are obtained through the Muggle authorities.

"In addition, we must recognize that Malfoy Industries has broken the law. Regardless of the outcome, we cannot have companies or individuals taking the law into their own hands. As such, we will impose sanctions on Malfoy Industries for their past illegal actions.

"We have received both Advocate Weasley's proposal for sanctions and the counteroffer from Malfoy Industries. The Wizengamot is prepared to accept the counteroffer from Malfoy Industries.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot. Advocates Weasley and Granger, the Wizengamot thanks you for your service as well. This court is adjourned."

Hermione stood, but she didn't move at first from her spot. People started milling around her, shaking her hand and congratulating her. She smiled graciously, thankful for their kind words, but secretly aching to get away from this whole scene.

Hermione turned to Draco. He was beaming. Lyra also looked extremely pleased. Severus' face showed relief and, interestingly, determination.

"Draco, congratulations," Hermione stated warmly. "I am pleased that the work started by your business will be allowed to continue."

"We couldn't have done it without you, Granger. Tell me, what would it take to get you on my staff permanently?"

"Corporate law isn't my specialty, Draco. Defending the downtrodden is my area of expertise. Hopefully, this is the only time you meet that criteria." She managed a cheeky smile.

"Granger, the door's always open if you change your mind. Malfoy Industries or Malfoy Foundation, either one of them could use another good attorney."

Hermione raised her eyebrow. She hadn't realized he was offering her a position with the charitable organization now run by Mrs. Malfoy. "I'll keep it in mind, Ferret."

"You do that." Draco started to exit the room to catch up with his parents. Severus was standing right behind him.

"And Severus," she said, forcing a smile. "I suppose that means it is back to the lab for you. Good luck in the future, sir."

He was perplexed by her distance. "Thank you, Hermione." He turned and started to leave the courtroom.

"Lyra, it has been lovely to work with you." Hermione offered her hand to the blonde.

"Congratulations to you as well; you have done a great deal of good here today. You have set a wonderful example for non-magical people trying to live their lives in both worlds. I hope you continue to do so."

"Thank you, Hermione. You have been wonderful to all of us."

"Congratulations on your engagement as well," Hermione whispered, motioning to the beautiful ring that adorned Lyra's left ring finger.

Lyra paled. "Thank you; I didn't know what you would think. I was afraid it would be awkward."

Hermione struggled to find something positive to say. "You both deserve to be happy."

Lyra's smile turned genuine. "Please look for an owl from Mother and Father soon." Hermione felt like she was going to be ill. Lyra turned and exited the courtroom.

Hermione took a minute by herself. Or at least she thought she was alone. Severus remained in the doorway, watching her intently. He had watched the exchange with Lyra. He felt a pang of guilt for eavesdropping, but he found he couldn't look away. The news was obviously upsetting for Hermione. He heard something behind him, and he turned to see Harry Potter watching them both.

"Mr. Potter, can I help you?" Severus asked coolly.

"I was just coming back by to congratulate Hermione. It wasn't appropriate to say anything before with the other members of the Wizengamot present. I'm actually surprised she's still here. I would have thought she would have been celebrating. But she sure doesn't look like she's celebrating."

"Perhaps, Mr. Potter, as her oldest friend, you should go see what is bothering her."

"Why are you standing here watching her?"

"I was going to thank her for her help with the case, and I had also hoped to speak with her without an audience. However, given that she looks upset, I shall speak with her later. Go comfort her, Mr. Potter."

Harry smirked. Was it possible Snape actually had feelings for Hermione also? Harry thought he must, as he seemed genuinely concerned at Hermione's apparent distress. Harry shook his head to clear it and entered the courtroom to speak to Hermione again. Severus turned and walked away.

"Hermione, you were fantastic. Congratulations."

"Harry!" She gave him a hug, her face losing some of its prior gloom. "Thank you."

"Are you okay?" He frowned as he saw her face fall again.

"I...well, no, I'm not," she said, looking down at her hands and fidgeting.

"What's happened?"

"They're engaged." Her voice was low and pained.

"Who?"

Hermione looked irritated. "Severus and Lyra. He asked her last night. I had the distinct joy of listening to Lucius Malfoy wax poetic about his little girl getting married to the man I'm in love with. Lucius didn't know about my feelings, of course. Draco knows, though. I humiliated myself, running from the Manor like an embarrassed child. After yesterday, I really thought there was a chance."

"What happened yesterday?" Harry was incensed. It was one thing if her feelings had been hurt accidentally, but if someone had mistreated Hermione, there would be hell to pay.

"Nothing, really. We just had a good conversation. It felt like the door was open. Nothing was said about a romantic relationship, but there was a clear implication of spending more time together. And then I find out that he was going off to propose to her last night."

"Hermione, I'm so sorry. Let's get you out of here. " Harry wrapped his arms around his friend. She leaned into him for a moment, and he tried to comfort her. It didn't make sense. Snape wasn't the type to tease a woman. Why in the world would he have given her the impression that he wanted a deeper relationship with her if he did not?

"And then I have to watch her being all glowy today, and I have to try to be gracious. She even acknowledged that it might be awkward, and I had to lie and pretend I'm okay with it."

Harry led her to the Floo and to his home. Ginny greeted her husband and their friend. She tried to comfort Hermione, but Hermione was still reeling from the events of the past twenty-four hours. The children provided significant distraction, and she was able to pass the evening with no further tears.

*********************

The next morning, when she woke up in Harry and Ginny's guest room, she told herself she was fine. She was certainly disappointed and a little confused at how things had unfolded, but she could handle this. She'd survived a war, and she'd lost one great love; she was going to be just fine. This was just a setback.

Ginny watched her friend sadly. She didn't want to press Hermione for details, but she knew she was hurting. She had caught only snippets of the story. Hermione had feelings for Severus Snape; she had thought he returned them, but he had suddenly become engaged to another woman. Harry was right; it didn't make any sense. But Hermione was determined to push through it.

"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor, right?" Ginny gave Hermione an encouraging smile. Harry hugged his friend, and he and his wife watched her disappear into the Floo.

Hermione went back to her flat, put on her best suit and prepared to go to the office. For Hermione, work was a sanctuary for the brokenhearted; it was the place where Hermione had initially fled when Viktor had been killed. The champion of the downtrodden attacked her work like a woman possessed. She went through the pile of cases she had been working on, sending out a flurry of owls and memos to the various Ministry departments. She soon found herself looking at her pile of less urgent cases and ploughed through many of those as well. Rachel, Hermione's assistant, quietly placed a lunch on Hermione's desk. Hermione sighed and thanked Rachel shyly.

The next thing Hermione knew, Rachel was back again to say she was leaving for the day. "Shall I have dinner delivered for you, Hermione?"

"Yes, please."

Rachel headed back to her desk to order dinner for Hermione. The poor dear, Rachel thought sadly. She's taking the news harder than expected.

Hermione continued like this for several days. Harry showed up for lunch several times, as Rachel had secretly owled him asking him to help. At the beginning of the second week, the letter arrived that she'd been dreading. She saw the Malfoy crest, and immediately her heart sank again. She looked at the envelope, groaning when she saw Lucius and Narcissa's name, along with the formal lettering of a party invitation. She tossed the invitation unceremoniously into the trash bin and lit it on fire with her wand.

******************

A few days later, Hermione was in Diagon Alley picking up a few supplies when she spotted Severus. He had the nerve to try to catch her eye. She felt the urge to run away, but her stubbornness kicked in. She had things she needed; she was not going to run away.

"Hermione," he said politely as she passed him.

"Severus, how are you?"

"Fine, thank you. Do you have a moment?"

"I am in a bit of a hurry, Severus. I can spare just a moment."

"Well, I'm sure you know the Malfoys are throwing a huge engagement party. I was wondering ...." He froze mid-sentence. He had seen the look of terror on her face. Did she know what he was about to ask?

"I'm not attending, Severus. I'm sure you can understand how that particular event would be a bit uncomfortable for me."

He gave her a sympathetic look, which only served to make her blood boil.

She steeled her reaction. He would not see how badly she was hurting. Her pride would see to that.

He continued. "Of course. Well, in that case, Hermione, I was hoping that we could have lunch sometime. I enjoyed talking with you when we were working together. I had hoped we could continue our friendship," he said. He reached out gently and tried to touch her hand. She pulled back forcefully, as if she had been burned. The look on her face showed traces of both pain and anger.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Severus. Now, leave me be." She turned and stalked away quickly. Severus was stunned. Hermione Granger might lack tact, but Severus certainly didn't expect rude. Something wasn't adding up.

*****************************

Ginny Potter applied her make-up charms and headed down the stairs where Harry was waiting for her. She was excited for a night out with her husband. The fact that it was going to be a high society party only made her slightly giddier. Harry had taken the kids to the Burrow; they were on their own for the night.

Harry was less thrilled about the party, but he knew how much Ginny needed a night out. And Oliver and Ginny had remained friends for a long time. Oliver had Floo-called Ginny a few days before, apologizing profusely that there had been a mix-up with their invitation. Ginny had happily accepted his verbal invitation. When Ginny walked into the kitchen, Harry's heart leapt. Mrs. Potter was a striking woman. Harry considered himself a very lucky man.

"Well, shall we?" He offered his arm to his wife.

"Absolutely," she said with a grin.

Harry Apparated them to Oliver's home. They entered the foyer and were greeted by a house-elf, who took their coats and brought them a drink. Ginny and Harry began to mingle. Neville and Hannah Longbottom were the first couple they recognized. Harry and Ginny approached them eagerly.

"Harry, Ginny! It's good to see you." Neville smiled.

"Hello, Neville. Good evening, Hannah." Harry greeted them with a smile. Ginny and Hannah had already launched into a conversation. Harry laughed quietly. Ginny really needed a night out among adults.

"Is Hermione going to be here tonight?" Neville asked Harry with mild concern in his voice.

"I don't think so." Harry lowered his voice. "She's had a rough couple of weeks; I think she's lying low for a while."

"Well," Neville said with a sad smile. "I can see how this would be a difficult night for her. I do hope she's okay."

Harry gave Neville a questioning look, wondering what Neville could mean. He decided to let it drop. "I haven't seen Oliver yet this evening," Harry offered, changing the subject.

"Neither have I. Nor have I seen his fiancée. What an interesting match."

"Interesting? How so?"

"Well, the difference in their backgrounds, if nothing else. Don't get me wrong; she's quite nice, and he seems very happy. Still, it was quite a shock to learn about her, given her family."

Harry didn't wish to be rude, but these words out of Neville's mouth were nothing short of shocking. Neville was never the type to turn up his nose at Muggles. "Well, Neville, I haven't made it to the bar yet. I think I'll go get Ginny and me a drink. It was good to see you."

Harry took Ginny by the arm gently, and he asked if she wanted to go get a drink. She nodded and politely excused herself from Hannah's company.

Neville stood confused, wondering what he had said to upset his old friend. Shaking it off, he turned back to Hannah and the party.

Harry was surprised to see Draco and Astoria Malfoy at the party. Then again, Astoria was Hermione's friend; it was possible that Draco and Oliver had become friends while Oliver and Hermione were together. However, that didn't explain why Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were at the party dressed in their finest. Oliver and his mystery woman were nowhere to be seen. But perhaps the biggest shock came when Harry spotted Severus Snape, standing off to the side of the room, talking to Kingsley Shacklebolt. He appeared to be alone.

Harry leaned over to Ginny and whispered, "Look who's here."

Ginny looked surprised. "Why would Oliver invite him? Merlin knows he was never nice to any of us in school."

"I know. Of all people for Snape to have connected with after the war, I wouldn't have guessed Oliver."

"The Malfoys are here, too," Ginny whispered. "All of them. That's just strange."

"Oliver isn't a social climber, is he?" Harry asked.

Ginny shot Harry a scathing look. "Of course not, Harry."

"Well, I didn't think so. I mean, Draco, I could see. He's a big Quidditch fan, and Hermione is close to Astoria. So, they probably were thrown together a lot. But his parents? I hope they behave themselves around Oliver's girlfriend. After that comment from Neville..."

"Fiancée."

"What?"

"Oliver's fiancée. He proposed to her a couple of weeks ago. This is their engagement party. Speaking of, I want to get a look at Snape's fiancée. Surely, she's here. I want to know want the mysterious Malfoy looks like."

"I don't think you ever told me Oliver's fiancée's name."

Ginny paused. "You are right. And you know what is even more interesting? I'm not sure I know her last name. I only met her the one time. She's nice, very intelligent, extremely pretty and reasonably funny. Her first name is Lyra."

Harry, who had just taken a drink, swallowed hard to keep from choking. "What does she look like?"

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "Tall, willowy, blonde, very pretty. A bit of a snobby air, but overall, a nice person."

Harry's confusion was reaching a fevered level. "You said she is a Muggle. Are you sure she's not a Squib?"

Ginny stopped and thought. "I don't remember what he said about her that made me think she is a Muggle. He may have said it directly, or I may have inferred it. What are you getting at?"

"You know Draco's sister, the one Hermione defended along with Snape and Draco?"

"Well, I never met her, but I heard you and Hermione talk about her. She's the one marrying Snape, right?"

"I'm beginning to think not," Harry said. "Her name is Lyra. She's a Squib."

"Oh, my." Ginny clapped her hand over her mouth. "If that's true, then ..."

"Then Hermione's confused ..."

"It can't be."

"Why else would the elder Malfoys be here?"

Just then, Lucius Malfoy walked to the center of the room and cast a Sonorous Charm. Harry and Ginny looked on in shock as he began to address the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming here tonight. Mrs. Malfoy and I, along with Mr. and Mrs. Wood, are so pleased you could join us to celebrate the engagement of our children. As many of you know, they have been courting for just over a year now. We are very pleased with the union, and we welcome Oliver into our family. May I have a round of applause for the happy couple!"

Oliver Wood walked into the room with Lyra Malfoy on his arm. Harry's jaw dropped. It all made sense now. Lyra was engaged. Snape was not. Snape was interested in Hermione. Lyra was concerned about Hermione's reaction, but for an entirely different reason than Hermione thought. Hermione was Oliver's longtime ex-girlfriend. That was why Neville had said this night would be hard for her. He thought she was still pining for Oliver. And the comment about her family had nothing to do with her being a Muggle, because she wasn't a Muggle. She was a Malfoy. Draco had also guessed wrong about Hermione's feelings. When she had run from the Manor, Draco had thought she was weeping for her former lover.

Heavens, this was a mess. Severus and Hermione, while both intelligent people, were both inexperienced in matters of the heart. She had always been oblivious to attention from the opposite sex, and Harry doubted Snape had actually received much of that type of attention. Something had to be done.

Harry waited impatiently through the toasts. His eyes scanned the room for Snape. Harry knew he probably wasn't the one to talk to Snape about Hermione; he couldn't imagine that would go well. But he couldn't let this continue. Who could help him? He spotted Astoria Malfoy. She was his answer. She, or perhaps Draco, would be able to talk to Severus, and she cared about Hermione's happiness, too.

"Ginny, please come with me." Harry wrapped his arm around his wife and began moving quickly through the crowd.

"What are you up to?" Ginny was taken aback by Harry's sudden determination, but she knew how Harry was when there was a problem to solve.

"I'm going to talk to Astoria and Draco. We need to help Hermione."

Ginny and Harry crossed over to Astoria and Draco. "Astoria," Ginny said sweetly. "It's good to see you."

"We need help," Harry stated bluntly. "Actually, we need your help." He looked at Draco pointedly. Draco's eyebrow shot up. He and Harry were civil now, but he was shocked to hear Harry ask for a favor.

"It's about Hermione, Astoria," Ginny said, knowing who the correct target was. Draco was dedicated to his wife, and Astoria was dedicated to her friend.

"Is she well? She hasn't returned any of my owls in two weeks. And Lyra was upset that she declined the party invitation."

"Astoria," Draco cut in, "she didn't take the news of the engagement well. She's not over Oliver, apparently."

"That's just it," Ginny said quickly and quietly. "She is completely over Oliver. She's really happy for him. I have no doubt she would be here tonight if she knew the truth. She thinks your sister is marrying someone else, someone who she is interested in now."

"What? Who?"

"Snape," Harry stated gravely. Draco looked shocked. "I know, I know, Malfoy. But Hermione and Snape were becoming close during the case. She thought there was a spark, and then somehow she got the mixed up message that Lyra was marrying him. She's devastated. She thinks Snape was toying with her."

"That makes no sense. Severus would never..."

"I don't know how it happened either, Draco," Ginny responded, "but she's seriously a mess."

"And he's been back to his old bat-like self for the past two weeks. He didn't say why, but ...." Draco rolled his eyes.

"She told me that he approached her in Diagon Alley and invited her to lunch. It made her angry, and she was quite rude to him," Harry explained, piecing it together.

"Snape asked her on a date? And then she turned him down rudely, not understanding the situation?" Draco turned to Ginny to make sure he was finally understanding.

"Right," Ginny said.

"What should we do?" Astoria asked, "Send a Patronus?"

A few minutes later, after a great deal of whispering between Harry, Ginny, Astoria and Draco, Draco Malfoy crossed the room to his godfather. More whispering followed. Shortly thereafter, Severus Snape gave his apologies to the party hosts and left quietly. Severus Snape was a known recluse, so nobody thought much of him making a quick appearance and then leaving. Well, nobody except the Potters and the Malfoys. Lucius and Narcissa didn't fully understand the urgency of his departure, but Draco's determined look told his parents that they should not pry. All would be revealed in good time.

************************

Hermione felt the wards shift outside her flat moments before she heard the knock at the door. She glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked an absolute fright. She knew the party was tonight, and that fact had broken through the walls she'd been building with her work. Tonight she wasn't able to soldier through it. Her eyes were red, and her hair was a wild mess. She crossed over to the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Severus. Hermione, we need to talk." He heard the lock click definitively.

"No, Severus, we don't. You need to leave me alone."

"Hermione, you don't understand. I didn't either until a little while ago. Open the door. I need to explain something." He leaned against the door.

"You need to be at the party."

"No, I don't. I need to talk to you."

She flung the door open. "What could you possibly have to say to me? Haven't you embarrassed me enough? Is this fun for you? Really, Severus, is it? Was it fun to watch me fall for you and make me think you had feelings for me as well, only to learn you are marrying someone else? Is this some bizarre holdover from when I was a bratty student?"

She paused, her eyes aflame. Her hair seemed to be growing wilder by the second. She was an absolute mess. He thought she was the most gorgeous mess he'd ever laid eyes on. He was torn between guilt over her pain, amusement at the absurdity of the situation, and raw desire to show her just how wrong she was about his feelings for her.

"Hermione, stop."

"No, I will not stop! You hurt me, Severus. You led me on. And then when I finally learned the truth, you continue to make a mockery of my disappointment and embarrassment!"

"Hermione, listen to me."

"Why? Why should I listen to you? So you can make some ridiculous excuse for making me think you had feelings for me?"

Her words were cut off by his lips on hers. She squealed and fought against him for a moment, but he did not yield. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and his other hand tangled into that wild hair. He felt her melt into the kiss. She felt exquisite in his arms. Her small hands were pressed against his chest in a very weak sign of protest, but she was no longer resisting. He didn't want to break the kiss, but he knew he must.

"I'm sorry. That probably wasn't the best way to get you to stop talking, considering how angry you are with me. But, now that I have your attention, let me explain something." She looked up at him, breathless. He could see that she was thoroughly confused.

"I am not engaged to Lyra. I am not involved with her romantically. I have not been for years. We are still close, and I still care for her very much, but it isn't a romantic love. It never really was. I won't deny that there was an attraction, but it has long since evolved into a companionable working relationship."

"But Lucius said...and the ring...and the party? I don't understand."

"Lyra is engaged. But not to me."

"Then who? Why would they think I would be upset? Why did she think it would be awkward?"

Severus hesitated. He thought that the news that it was Oliver would be welcome to her, but given all of the confusion, he wasn't sure anymore. "Lyra is marrying Oliver Wood. Draco dragged her to one of the Quidditch games Oliver was coaching a while ago. I think it was a month or two after you and he ended your relationship. Astoria was concerned about you because you and Oliver have history. She shared this concern with Draco. With the amount of time that you and Oliver were together, Draco expected someone would have residual feelings."

"No. Oliver's girlfriend is a Muggle. That's what he told Ginny."

"Oliver told Ginevra Potter that Lyra was non-magical. Ginevra assumed Muggle. That was back when Lyra was reluctant to get serious with Oliver because she thought that her family wouldn't approve. He didn't want to deal with Weasley ire over being involved with a Malfoy if Lyra wasn't prepared to take their relationship public."

"Why wouldn't they approve of Oliver? He's pureblood, well-mannered, wealthy, and a former professional athlete."

"Who knows, Hermione? Lyra always expects her parents to disapprove of her choices. She still faults them for not knowing all the answers when she was a girl."

"It can't have been easy growing up as a Squib and a Malfoy."

He groaned. "I don't want to argue about the Malfoys and their parenting skills, Hermione." He continued more softly, "I have tried, on more than one occasion, to approach you about a social relationship. Obviously, if you thought I was involved with someone else, my advances were confusing to you. So, I'm here to clear things up, once and for all."

He tilted her face up to look at him. "Look, Hermione, I'm attracted to you, I enjoy your company, and I'd like to see if there's a chance that can lead to more. I'm not romantically involved with anyone. You're an adult, I'm an adult, and neither of us is beholden to anyone. If you aren't interested, I will leave you alone. But I'm not going to allow this ridiculous comedy of errors to continue. Yes or no, Hermione? Did you mean what you said earlier? Do you have feelings for me that you want to pursue?"

"I...yes...I still don't understand how things got so messed up. But yes, I am also attracted to you and want to see where this might go."

"Excellent." He leaned in and kissed her again, this time much more deliberately. There was no resistance this time; she leaned into him and enjoyed every moment of the kiss. She pressed her petite body up against his, and he had to fight the urge to moan out loud right then and there. He reluctantly tried to disentangle himself from her.

"Come inside," she said. She was shocked at herself, but there was nothing more right at this moment than the two of them being together.

He sighed and took a breath. "I don't think I should." She looked disappointed and slightly hurt. "Oh, trust me, the desire is there. But we've started things off on the wrong foot here. As much as I want to, I don't think we should take this any further tonight. Have dinner with me tomorrow. Let me take you out properly when your head is clear of thoughts of Lyra and Oliver and all of this confusion."

She nodded shyly. He was right. The last thing they needed was to make a rash decision they might regret later. He was interested. She was interested. For now, it was enough.

"That sounds lovely, Severus. What time tomorrow?"

"I will owl you, if that is acceptable."

She nodded. "Thank you for coming by and clearing things up. I am sorry for attacking you like that."

"I am sorry that I hurt you. Please know that it was unintentional. I will talk to you tomorrow."

She leaned up and kissed him again, this time on the cheek. She knew that another intense kiss would test her resolve more than she could probably handle, and she suspected that he might feel the same. "Have a good evening, Severus."

"Until tomorrow, Hermione."