October, 2009
It was Friday.
Sitting at the counter of Florean's he sucked on a chocolate-and-kiwi ice cream, glancing at the person sitting fifteen feet away from him at the other end.
It was a switching day. 'Custody,' his mum told him. Ralph wiped a melted drop of ice cream off his nose.
"Raphael, has your father been buying you ice cream again?" asked the scolding voice behind him. "You know how much sugar is in this. You'll rot your teeth." He turned guiltily towards his mother and prepared to answer.
He was saved by Draco Malfoy, who got up from his seat at the other end of the counter to come defend his actions. "Hermione," Draco said, not saying 'Granger' as he normally did when he was angry with her. Only in front of Ralph did he show this courtesy. "I can give Ralph ice cream if I want. And for heaven's sake, it's not going to rot his teeth. He's got good, strong teeth. White and straight. Like his father." He smirked and Hermione blushed, an unknown old grievance coming to light.
"Hermione?" said a voice from behind them all. "Hermione, are you ready to go?" They all turned to see a dark haired man in blue robes.
"And who is this?" Draco asked, looking at Hermione, who didn't respond.
"It's Terry Boot," Ralph said, speaking for the first time since his mother had arrived. "Mum's… Mum's new boyfriend."
"Oh. Well then," Draco said coolly. "That's top, Hermione. Enjoy this one. Good luck, Boot." He walked a few feet before turning. "Oh, Hermione, I need Ralph to come to an event with me and Padma. Some old friends of mine are going to be there and they haven't seen him in years. It's this Tuesday, so let me know."
"Padma?" Hermione asked faintly.
"Padma Patil, Mum," Ralph said. "She's Dad's fiancée, didn't you know?"
"No, I didn't," Hermione replied, eyes fixed on Draco. "And when were you planning on telling me this?"
"It's not exactly customary to inform the ex-wife when one is getting remarried," Draco drawled. "I actually thought Ralph had told you, but I guess not." He winked at Ralph. "That's okay, son. I don't mind." He glanced at his watch. "I have to go now, since I'm meeting Padma for lunch and plans." He hugged Ralph. "See you Tuesday, son. Love you."
"Love you too, Dad," Ralph said.
Draco nodded at Hermione as he walked away, fishing for something in his pocket. Before he completely mixed into the crowd, he Disapparated with a loud pop.
"Come on, Ralph," Hermione said, pulling him along. "You'll see your dad on Tuesday. Lord knows what he would do if he didn't get his way all the time."
"Mum?"
"Yes, Ralph?"
Biting his lip and scaring up the courage, he said, "I want to live with Dad."