If You Were Mine

Godric's Hollow

A few uneventful days past by, Hermione was starting to feel a little isolated and lonely. She hadn't seen or heard from anyone, which she guessed was probably a good thing. Draco had stayed away and she hadn't had one single owl delivered, nothing from the ministry and nothing from her friends.

She used the alone time to reflect on everything that had happened since the battle at Hogwarts. She realised she would never be the same again, something had changed inside her that day and she wasn't sure if she liked the new version of herself. The old version would not be secretly hoping Draco Malfoy would pay her a visit. The old version of herself would be utterly disturbed by her recent behaviour and disappointed in her... Harry would be disappointed in her too, she thought.

She spent some time sorting through the house, making sure everything was back in place for when her parents returned. She was trying to remain hopeful and not dwell on the fact her mission was almost completely impossible. When she thought about what would happen if she failed... a deep sense of doom loomed over her, threatening to crush her.

The Prophet arrived on her kitchen counter one morning. Which meant Draco had been there. She wondered if his recent performance had shamed him into keeping his distance? It was probably for the best, she thought. She didn't like the effect he was having on her, the less she saw him the better.

The front page of the prophet featured a very unflattering picture of Hermione with Kingsley on the day she visited the Ministry. The title read.

Minister approved, by Rita Skeeter

Former Aura turned Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt meets with resistance leader Granger. Evidence and cases are being put forward to bring justice to those harmed during the Voldemort rein of terror.

While many of the Dark Lords supporters have gone to ground, condemning them; others are coming forward, denying their involvement or blaming the Imperius curse on their actions. The Wizengamot will decide their fates soon enough.

Under the article was a list of wanted Death Eaters that had vanished. There was another list of Voldemort supporters who would be investigated and were pending trial. Draco was on the list, but his parents were not. Hermione gulped. She wondered what possible inside information Lucius had given the New Order to secure his freedom? The fact he had chosen to save himself instead of his son was disconcerting and she felt a pang of sympathy for Draco.

Saving him was resting heavily on her shoulders, but what more could she do? She had no real evidence of his innocence, nothing tangible to support her claims! Ron could testify that Draco had helped them once, and Rodolphus's memories could corroborate her story about Draco paying her ransom fee... but he was in hiding, and there was no guarantee they would even use her evidence in Draco's case. Apart from those two small acts of kindness, was he innocent? Did that make a difference? All that mattered was making others think he was, if the public believed he was a double agent, the New Order would listen. Proof or no proof... the Prophet had power.

A horrible idea flashed in Hermione's mind, a deplorable despicable idea... that would surely cause Harry to turn in his grave.

*

With no owl and no way to contact Draco, Hermione would have to pay him a visit at the Manor. Which wasn't even the worst idea she had come up with that week. Either her plan would work, or she would end up on the same undesirable list as Draco in the next Prophet.

She dressed in dark clothing; black jeans, t-shirt, black hoodie under her denim jacket, the invisibility cloak still with her. She tried to mentally prepare herself before landing outside the tall Manor gates.