Infinity [D.M x H.G]

11. In which breakfast is ruined

TW: mentions of trauma.

They broke apart, identical looks of horror on all three faces. Hermione bit her lip, she could sense already that this was not going to be good.

"Hi Weasel King." said Draco calmly, as though Ron hadn't just walked in on them while he had his arm around Hermione's waist.

"What the hell are you doing in my best friend's apartment?" Ron seethed, glaring at Malfoy.

"The better question to ask here would be how did you barge into Hermione's apartment at 9:30 in the morning. Without ringing the bell thingy outside."

"I have a key to this place Malfoy, I spend half my time here. Besides I came to pick 'Mione up for breakfast and then we're headed off to Grimmauld Place."

Hermione groaned, "I'm so sorry Ron, I completely forgot about our breakfast plans. It's just that Mason turned up here last night and then I had that nightmare again, ugh how could I have been so stupid."

"Mason turned up?" asked Ron furiously.

"Again?" muttered Draco at the same time.

Hermione gulped, facing both men as they watched her keenly. She stood rooted to the spot, deep in thought for a minute or two before coming to an conclusion.

"Ron listen to me very carefully, Draco go have breakfast." she said decisively.

They raised their eyebrows in unison, challenging her and she glared back defiantly. Ron took one look at the expression on her face and plopped down, he did not want to be the subject of Hermione's wrath this early in the morning. Draco however still glared at her and Ron watched in amazement as neither would back down. Finally, Hermione let out a long sigh and Draco smirked.

"Just go eat breakfast right now okay, I promise I'll tell you once I've explained to Ron." she said softly

"I thought we were gonna tell all three of them together?"

"Tell who what Hermione? You're confusing me." piped up Ron

Draco and Hermione shared a look and Draco nodded walking away to the kitchen while she approached Ron. There was a hard look on Ron's face that displeased Hermione but she looked up at him anyway.

"What's going on 'Mione? Why is he at your place?" asked Ron

"Look Ron, I wanted to tell you, Harry and Ginny together but not now alright? How about we visit that pub near Grimmauld Place this evening and Draco and I can explain what's been going on?"

Ron considered her offer for a minute and nodded, standing up, his usual grin back. "Unless you want to turn up at Grimmauld in your pajamas I suggest you go change quickly. I'll be waiting for you here."

Hermione laughed and dashed off to the kitchen first. She stifled a laugh watching Draco pick at his food moodily. Leaning down she whispered into his ear, "Thank you for breakfast and I'm sorry we didn't get to have it together."

He brightened up immediately, smiling up at her, "It's alright you don't need to apologise for Weasley's clear disregard of a doorbell."

She hit his shoulder lightly, "Don't be rude, remember what we've discussed in the contract?"

The smile wiped off his face at those words and he gave a curt nod. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed at the sudden change in his expression but chose to ignore it. She pressed a fleeting kiss to his cheek, giggling at his audible gasp and ran off to her room leaving Draco looking much like a gaping fish out of water.

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Ron watched this exchange with scrutiny and realization dawned on him. They were going out. Hermione, his best friend Hermione, was going out with that useless two-faced ferrety bastard. He didn't know why that surprised him really, he had always noticed a small spark between the two. Maybe what had left him so stunned was that Hermione had refrained from telling him and Harry. They always told each other everything didn't they? So why would she hide this from them? Nevertheless, if being with Malfoy made Hermione happy then Ron would bear the git. Anything for his best friend.

---------------------------------------------------

Hermione took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the mirror, her gaze trailing towards the scar on her arm. The scar that had been carved into her skin nearly 10 years ago as she faced the worst pain she had ever felt. Even the thought of it made her shudder still and she closed her eyes, hands curling into fists. She could feel her nails dig into her palm, feel the sting of it but she didn't let go. Tears prickled at the corner of her eyes as her mind travelled to the maddening look on Bellatrix Lestrange's face, the delight dancing in the eyes of the witch while she tortured her.

Her eyes flew open and she hastily brushed away the tears that had pooled at the corner of her eyes. It was going to be alright, she did not know when or how but she hoped. Tracing the scar again, she could no longer differentiate where her skin ended and the scar began. It didn't really hurt anymore but the pain and humiliation inflicted upon her that fateful night made it impossible to forget. For the final time, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and whispered "Mudblood and proud."

There was a knock on the door and she opened it, smiling. Ron looked as apprehensive as she felt while Draco watched the two from behind him.

Ron offered her his hand and she took it, "Ready?" he mumbled

"Ready." Hermione said.

She gazed up at Draco, "You can stay here if you want or you can go back to your place, you haven't been gone home since last night."

"I'm headed over to Blaise's house, call me when you're done alright? I'll come pick you up if you want." he told her.

She knew from the panicky look on his face that he wanted to ask her where she was headed and why, but had refrained himself from doing so for which she was very thankful. Of course she trusted Draco, especially now that they were to be spending so much time together but she could not bring herself to divulge this secret with him. Maybe some other day?

A/N: Well this was a bit different than the other chapters but I wanted to take a slightly different approach on the story here. Usually Dramione fics have Draco dealing with the trauma of his Death eater days and while I will be exploring that too I wanted to look into the ordeal the Golden Trio went through because even though they won the war, the things they went through while on the run and before are quite an untouched subject.

Ron, is not going to be a grey character here, he will be the understanding, brave, goofy best friend Hermione needs. Obviously he has hatred for Draco but that'll be explained more as the story continues. The other characters mentioned in the cast list like Rachel, Emily and Jake will be making an appearance very soon.

I hope you enjoyed it. Vote and comment if you liked the chapter, constructive criticism is always welcome :)

Thank you for reading, stay safe,

lots of love,

writinganewtale ✨