The pursuit of happiness

How the hero deals with a broken heart

A/N: Some of you may think that Draco and Hermione is moving to fast, well that may be but I really suck at angst, so I'll give you a chap break from Draco and Hermione.

And yes, I know I'm a little late in thanking you guys for your reviews. Better late than never, so here goes nothing:

Irishangel, thanks for the nickname never really had one and ever since I showed Eric (the bf) my review he's been calling me that. Thanks for the review, hope to hear from you again.

Mrs. Malfoy, well by now you know his reaction, sorry updates took so long, but I had a small string of bad luck. Think it's over now though, holler back.

Paigeey07, I'm really glad you like it, let me know if I slip.

Nonentity, in 98.5% of fics out there, (percentage I came up with all on my own, so don't quote me or anything) the relationship is hidden from her friends and most of the times when they do find out they flip. I just wanted to try something different. Don't get me wrong I'm not dissing anyone, just trying to do something a little different.

Tale, my intention is to get them together just have yet to figure out how. Ginny and Harry are okay, but just like you said a little out played. Like to hear from you again.

Jenna Glover, thanks I'm glad you think its great, and I have every intention to keep writing sometimes it will just take a little longer.

Ira, thank you, hope this is soon enough.

Kazfeist, thank you, like I said before I'm not really good with angst and war build up is full of it, plus I've got my hands full with Nina's fic, though I haven't really heard from her in a while. Anyway, hope you review some more.

You guys are the best, thanks for the kind words, now on with the goodies.

~~@~~


The Great Hall was abuzz with excitement, this was to be their first Hogsmead visit without constant fear of attack. Hermione was no different from her peers, she was supper excited.

“Morning,” she greeted her friends, noticing that Ginny was the only one with a fake smile on she made a note to herself that they needed to talk.

“So how's ferret face treating ya?” Ron asked over a mouth full of biscuits.

“Things are moving faster than I had expected, hell I hadn't expected it to move at all,” she smiled, blushing prettily.

“You mean he's already trying to get in your knickers,” Ron spat angrily at her.

Not again, she thought to herself. These little comments were getting old but they still managed to bait her in. “No, but if he had I'd let him, nothing better to replace the bad memories I have of you inside me,” oh shit, she had just now realized that her tone of voice had gotten louder than the chit chat and half the Great Hall was starring openly at them.


“Time to go Mia,” Ginny said tugging at Hermione's sleeve. It seemed like this was becoming routine for them, but right now she didn't care to over analyze things, and allowed Ginny to drag her out of the Great Hall.

“That was a bit harsh, don't you think?” Ginny smiled, but the sad look on her face told Hermione that something was up.

“Yes, I do. I've no idea where that came from, but he needs to stop being a jerk...” Hermione paused for bit, slowly choosing her next words. “Okay, I'm sorry for screaming at your brother in front of half the school, but you normally help me insult him, so what's up?” Hermione asked.

“I know, I just needed to be out of there and you gave me the perfect excuse... I'm doing it today,” Ginny sighed.

“And what is it that you are doing today?” Hermione asked as a sinking feeling settled in her stomach.

“I'mbreakingupwithHarry,” Ginny said in one quick breath.

“Just make sure you do it in separate words,” Hermione smiled encouragingly at her friend. This was a little overdue.

“You okay with this?” Ginny asked tentatively.

“This is nothing for me to be okay with or not, but I'm happy you are doing it, both of you need someone to really make you happy and you are just not 'it' for each other,” she wanted both of her friends to be happy.

“Now if only Harry would feel the same way,” another sigh. “Me and Blaise have been talking,” Ginny smiled brightly.

“Now there's a real smile, so I take it things went well,” maybe Blaise would make her friend happy, correct that, hopefully he would make her happy, Hermione was definitely thinking it, but thought it wise to keep it to herself.

“Yeah, we happened to be all alone in the library couple of nights ago, so he came to join me, at some point I actually leaned in for a kiss but he told me not while I belonged to someone else...” Ginny sighed a happy sigh, with a Luna-look stamped om her face she continued her tale.

“His voice was so sexy I could have orgasmed just from listening to him,” she fanned herself with her hands.

Now, there was a subject Hermione was not really comfortable talking about, sex to her was a bit taboo. “It worked, your plan worked,” Hermione announced hoping to change the subject.

“Way to shut off my spot light, can't wait for you to get shagged senseless so that we can actually talk about something I'm an expert in,” Ginny pouted.

“I'm not turning it off just simply switching its colors, like I said *your* plan worked,” Hermione smiled, trying to force down the blush that was creeping up her cheeks.

“Oh, alright, but I knew it would work. Did you add in 'I want Draco'?” Ginny asked giving in to the change of subject.

“Yes that was on top of the list, I even added 'Hermione Weasley' scratched up for some extra effect,” Hermione grinned.

“I noticed you been avoiding your room, did he finally corner you?”

“Yeah last night, he kissed me,” she almost squealed in excitement.

“And why haven't you told me this earlier?” Ginny asked.

“He just kissed me last night.”

“No, about the plan.”

“Because I wasn't certain it had worked or not till just last night...”

“Okay I guess I can forgive you over dessert later, now where do you want to shop first?” they had been so involved in their conversation that the walk to Hogsmead had taken virtually no time at all.

“Don't matter,” Hermione answered.

“Candy?”

“Kay,” Hermione shrugged.

“I have to ask a favor though,” Ginny pouted giving Hermione the big dough eyes.

“I'm not breaking up for you,” Hermione answered quickly.

“I would never ask you to do that for me, but would you buy me some fire whiskey?”

“Only if you come spend the night,” Hermione winked.

“Done deal, we can play that game you thought me over the sumer,” Ginny suggested.

“Which one? Never have I ever?” Hermione guessed.

“Yeah, that one.”

“Well, it's not much fun if you play only with two, plus the game is a way of discovering other people's dirty little secrets, and I already know yours,” Hermione winked.

“We could invite the Slytherins.”

“Yeah, because that would go over real well. 'Oh Draco and Blaise come play a game with us so we can get you hammered and have our wicked way with you,'” Hermione mocked.

“You ladies don't have to get us hammered, just ask,” the sexy drawl of Blaise's voice stopped them dead on their track.

“Hey Blaise?” squealed Hermione.

“Yeah.”

“You're not alone, are you?” she whimpered.

“Hello Granger,” Draco greeted.

“Do you still have that time turner?” Ginny asked almost hopeful.

Hermione shook her head, time to face the music, she told herself as she slowly turned around.

“Would you guys like to join us for a little game later on?” she tried sounding nonchalant but the blush that stained her cheeks gave her away immediately.

“Does it really involve you ladies having your wicked way us?” Draco asked as they winked seductive at the girls.

Ginny groaned softly, and Hermione was at a loss. This was unfamiliar territory for her.

“We are stuck tutoring tonight, maybe some other night,” Blaise informed them, making Ginny's face fall slightly.

“Okay, your loss,” Hermione smiled tugging Ginny along with her.

“It has to be done today,” Ginny sighed.

“you think he would've agreed to play if you had broken up with Harry?”

“I don't know, but I really like him Hermione. Maybe it's not as intense as it is with you and Malfoy, but I really like to have a go at him,” Ginny sighed.

“What do you mean by as intense as me and Draco? Up until yesterday we did nothing but argue and insult each other,” Hermione explained failing to see how they were intense.

“Foreplay. The sexual tension between the two of you is almost tangible,” Ginny grinned.

“It's not,” Hermione debated.

“It's too,” Ginny chuckled.

“It's not,” Hermione whined.

“Okay, Hermione real mature,” Ginny laughed as Hermione stuck out her tong at her.

“It would be fun though, to know some of their secrets,” Hermione said after a minute of silence. They had been browsing a lingerie store, to hide from the boys, Gryffindor and Slytherin's alike.

“Yes it would, if we ever get the chance we should play truth or dare, now that's a game you play with Slytherins.”

“Yeah, right. They would probably have us perform oral sex on Professor Snape in the middle of lunch,” and both girls burst out laughing. They paid for their stuff, Hermione using her wand to shrink their bags and sticking them in their pockets.

“Now is my opportunity,” Ginny breathed deep and walked off as she spotted Harry walking towards them.

“Good luck,” Hermione whispered but Ginny was already out of ear range. She knew Harry temper was no where near as bad as Ron's, but she decided to keep an eye on them anyway. 'Just in case,' she reassured herself.

“Hey Gin,” Harry smiled leaning in to kiss his girlfriend. He knew something was off when she turned her face and his kiss missed it's target landing instead on her cheek.

“What's wrong baby?” he asked concerned.

“We need to talk,” there she said it, the four little words, death sentence to any relationship out there.

“Okay, so talk.”

“Here?”

“Why not?”

“Okay, I just thought that maybe we should go somewhere more private.” Ginny suggested.

“I am Harry Potter, there's no such place,” he snapped.

“I think we need some time-

“What?” he interrupted.

“I need some time, I'm not happy with you,” she told him flatly.

Rage. Undiluted rage pooled in his eyes, his whole body tensed making Ginny a bit wary.

“Have I done something?” he asked in an eerie calm.

“No Harry, I've just sort of lost it, I don't really know how to explain. I had the biggest crush for the longest time, but all you did was push me away,” she took in a deep breath waiting to see if he would try and defend himself.

“I had no other choice.”

“Oh quit it Harry, the choice wasn't yours to make, you spent most of our time together pushing me away then after the fall you just assume I was yours for the taking, never even bothered to ask me out...”

“Is that what this is about? Okay, Ginny will you be my girlfriend?”

“Too little too late.”

Harry chuckled, making the little hairs in the back of her neck stand up. “Who is he?”

“Who is who?” she fained innocence.

“The bloke you've fallen for, who is he?” Harry seethed.

“There's no one else,” she insisted as he grabbed her painfully by the upper arm.

“Don't. Fucking. Lie. To. Me.” with each word he shook her like a rag doll. At this point Hermione was ready to intervene till she noticed two wands pointing in the couple's direction.

“I'm not lying, there is no one else,” stinging pain shot down towards her hand and back towards her spine making her knees buckle.

“Don't you ever touch a lady like that again,” came the angry voice of none other than Blaise Zabini. Harry looked up to see the end of four wands pointed directly at his throat. He loosened his grip on Ginny arm, not being able to old herself up she felt her knees give and strong but yet gentle arms keeping her from hitting the ground hard. “I've got you Red,” he whispered softly into her ear.

“Oh, I see what's going on here. Ron, Hermione? What are you guys doing? You are pointing your wands at the wrong person,” he asked a bit incredulously.

“Apologize. NOW,” Ron bellowed.

Harry looked around almost in a haze, Ginny, why was she crying? Oh no, they had been talking, what had he done? “What have I done?” he whispered more to himself than to the others.

“You dared manhandle my sister, that's what you did,” Ron managed to keep his temper in check, but the trembling of his hand told the others he wouldn't keep it in check for much longer.

“Ginny... I'm... I am so sorry,” the sincerity in his words made the wheels in Hermione's head turn at full speed.

“No need to apologize Potter,” she spat his name with pure distaste, dusting herself off and getting back up on shaky legs. “We are over, don't you ever come near me again, come Hermione we still have shopping to do,” and as it had become routine Ginny tugged Hermione along.

They walked away, leaving the boys alone.

“Look Potter, I would never step into another man's territory so I've kept my distance so far. But I want you to know one thing, I ever even dream of you laying your hands on her again and I will not hesitate to finish the job the Dark Lord himself could not,” Blaise hissed, with that said he turned and walked away.

“Mate, I hate to say this but I agree with him, because we've been mates for a long time I'm giving you the benefit of being possessed by Satan himself,” Ron sighed, visibly calmer now.

“She mentioned needing some time and I just lost it, I don't know what came over me, do forgive me.”

“I'm not the one you need to ask forgiveness from,” Ron said as he too walked away, leaving Harry alone to his thoughts.