A/N When I posted this the first time, I had a lot of people reviewing saying that they didn't like the end of this chapter, so Lily, my wonderful co-author re-wrote it for your reading pleasure, we both hope that you enjoy it. Please review at the end
Chapter 3
When Harry and Hermione returned to the sitting room, Draco was smoothing down his hair, and Ginny was re-applying lipstick and straightening her shirt. Hermione and Harry shared a glance that gave away the fact that they knew full well what Draco and Ginny had been doing, having done a lot of it themselves.
"So." Hermione began and smiled at the other people in her sitting room. "Thanks for coming everyone, umm, you all know each other..." Harry and Draco flinched. "Oh for Merlin's sake! I need a drink!" Hermione laughed and poured for herself and Ginny.
Harry levitated two Butterbeers over for himself and Draco. The blonde man winked and conjured a bottle of Vodka, which he added liberally to his bottle before easing himself back into the couch.
"So, Harry!" Draco began with a odd look on his face. "I hear the Auror squad was looking for a new head, now Moody has retired!" Harry nodded, unsure of what to make of Draco's suave expression. Moody had only called minutes before to announce his retirement, sooner than expected. "You know I've done several years of Auror training in Uruguay since we met last! Top of my class, graduated with Honours!" Harry still had no idea what Draco was on about. "You put in an application for top job, didn't you Harry?" Harry had, and was fairly confident too. The Minister had been dropping hints about a young head Auror all week, and had been rather nice to Harry as well. The replacement Chief of the Auror's Council was always voted before the current chief retired, so he could approve.
"Yes. I did. Why do you ask?" Harry was curt, his happiness from several minutes ago depleting.
"Well, Harry, it's like this." Draco sat up straighter. "Since my return from overseas study and... shall we say, conversion to the `good' side, the Minister has, knowing of my high qualifications, decided to reward me, as such."
Harry's eyebrows narrowed.
"I've been made Chief of the Auror's council, Harry." Draco smiled, and shrugged his shoulders. "A nice surprise, really! After all, I wasn't even particularly interested in the job! It will be nice I suppose..."
Harry rose to his feet and nodded to Draco, curtly. "Congratulations Draco." The blonde man smiled, looking up at Harry from his position on the couch.
"Thankyou Harry!" Draco was smiling, as if at his own little joke.
"You are welcome. Draco." Harry almost grunted out.
"No, no we can't have that!" Draco smiled, showing all his teeth. "It'll have to be `Boss' now, won't it!"
The air in the room could have been pierced with a knife. "I suppose it will." Harry said after several seconds of shocked silence. Draco laughed. Hermione fidgeted. Ginny looked scared. The clock chimed. Harry poured his butterbeer down Draco's shirt and walked out of the room.
"I think that's enough for tonight, don't you?" Hermione said, as Draco sat, open mouthed, sopping on the couch. Ginny stood, her face as red as her hair and pulled Draco, still dripping, from the room.
As Hermione heard Ginny and Draco apparated away, she dried off the couch and went to see Harry. This wasn't going to be easy.
When Hermione entered the master bedroom, Harry was pacing its length. When he saw that Hermione had entered the room, he began ranting to her.
"That was my job! MY JOB!"
"Harry"
What does that little ferret think he's doing? He doesn't deserve that job!"
"Harry!"
"What has he done for our Auror division anyway?"
"HARRY!" Hermione finally hollered
"Yes dear" Harry answered sweetly
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? THROWING YOUR DRINK ON DRACO LIKE THAT! I THOUGHT YOU WERE MORE MATURE THAN
THAT?" she shouted at him.
Harry looked stunned.
"You will go over there first thing tomorrow morning and apologise for your appalling behaviour. Ginny left here in tears, all she wanted was for you to be happy for her, but, oh no, that's to difficult for you, isn't it?" She turned and walked into the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom, leaving Harry stunned and staring at the spot where she had just been standing.
After a few minutes, Hermione came back out of the bathroom and bent
over to get the bed ready. Harry stripped off his shirt and changed into his boxers, went to the other side of the bed,
and sat down.
"I'm sorry," he quietly said.
Hermione looked at him, surprised at the sensitivity her husband has
shown.
"I'm sorry too," she said with a small smile.
"I know how much that job meant to you, I just wanted tonight to go well." Harry met her eyes.
"Draco's on our side now Harry." When Harry opened his mouth to reply, she stopped him.
"It doesn't make him any less of a jerk though, and I really wish he could put aside the differences you two have." She paused and put her hand on Harry's head.
"He can't forgive Harry. He's like Snape - his past overpowers his present. You are the one who has to
make a move to create a relationship with him. You two have to work together if anything is ever going to pan
out."
"It's up to me then, isn't it Hermione." Harry said with a small
smile.
"Yes, Harry, it is." And with that, Hermione kissed Harry's cheek and turned out the light.
A/N please review!!!! Tell us what you think of the ending this time.
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