Hello, thank you for giving my story a chance. I'm having a lot of fun writing it so I hope you have a lot of fun reading it.

I will update as often as I can, hopefully every week

I own nothing

Chapter 1

Hermione was beginning to think she should have taken Ginny up on her offer to accompany her to Diagon Alley. The younger witch knew that the trip always entailed a visit to Flourish & Blotts, but she was willing to subject herself to an hour or so of boredom if it meant Hermione would return the favour when she browsed the latest brooms. Today, however, the brown-haired witch had been suddenly overcome with the desire to demonstrate her independence. With no one to chaperone her in the book store she may have gotten a tad bit carried away and was now trying to open the door with one hand, while juggling 8 books with the other. After 3 different attempts to open it first with her elbow, hip then leg she had finally managed to free up one hand just enough to grab the hand when… "Oh!"

The door flew open, Hermione flew backwards and the books fell with her. "Bollocks," she said, with a resigned sigh. Pushing back a strand of unruly hair that had now escaped from her bun, she gazed up at her assailant. "Watch where you're going Potter." She glared at him from her uncomfortable position on the ground, making no move to get up. He was staring back at her, holding the hand of young Teddy Lupin—his godson.

"You alright there Hermione?" He adjusted his glasses then squinted and bent down. Thinking he was offering her his hand, like any decent wizard, Hermione reached out with her own, then slumped back down when she realized he was only grabbing for one of her books. She huffed out a breath of annoyance and heaved herself up on her own. "Here, sorry, let me help you," said Harry, turning his attention away from her book.

"No, no, Mr. Potter," she snapped swatting his hands away, "you just go right back to inspecting MY book, which I dropped because you carelessly barged in like some barn owl—don't let me interrupt you." She hurriedly gathered the rest of her books, pausing only to snatch the one he still held out of his hand then abruptly turned on her heel and marched out of the still-open door.

Her eyes wandered to the book at the top of her pile. It wasn't a book so much as a 'historical' recount of the war that had taken place four years earlier. What had initially made it catch Hermione's eye was not the nondescript title, but the cover art that depicted the silhouettes of three figures. The one in the middle had unmistakeably bushy hair and was flanked by two boys who were no doubt meant to represent the remaining two thirds of the golden trio.

She had initially labelled it as another biased knock off designed to overplay the drama of the battle rather than confront the prejudices that lead up to it. A quote the author had decided to use on the back had caught her attention however, and apparently Harry's too.

"Hermione!" He called from behind her now, "come back!" She rolled her eyes despite him not being able to see her act of defiance but slowed her pace anyway. His face was slightly flushed when he caught up to her and she was suddenly reminded of how he used to look coming back to the common room after quidditch practice. She let her gaze soften just a little.

"Yes, Harry?" she said, still not looking at him, her chin lifted to maintain the illusion of dignity.

"What's gotten into you?" he said, "are you still coming for brunch tomorrow, because Molly said you hadn't replied to her owl last week and today you didn't want Ginny to come shopping with you so she sent us to—"

"Of course Ginny sent you, I can't have one day to myself without you all meddling in my affairs."

"Hermione that's not what—"

"And why wouldn't I be coming to brunch, I come every week don't I?"

"Mione—just stop for a second—"

"No Harry, you stop, I am more than capable of going to the shops by myself without yours or Ginevra's help, yes I will be at brunch, no I am not bringing a date—" she cut herself off suddenly and stood on her toes to look behind Harry. Following her gaze, he turned around in confusion.

"Are you alright?" he asked as the witch in front of him had completely shifted gears from anger to fear and was now looking around frantically.

"Harry, where's Teddy?!" she cried.

His jaw dropped slightly as he realized she was right, he seemed to have misplaced his godson. "Merlin's saggy—" He would have finished had Hermione not remembered she was a witch and cast a levitation charm on her collection of books then set off running back towards Flourish & Blotts, pausing only to elbow Harry in the side.

"Language Potter, now hurry up!"

They arrived at the shop in a flurry of brandished wands and anxiety. They split off into the rows of books calling out for the small boy, garnering confused glances from other patrons.

Their alarm was not wholly uncalled for. Only four years had passed since the war ended. Four short years to mourn the dead and rebuild. Physical damage had proven far easier to repair, and Hogwarts had been reconstructed within months. One crack still remained, however, a rather large one that ran straight through wizarding London. It wasn't visible to onlookers, but it existed there within the hearts and minds of everyone who had fought or lost or lived through the events of the war. It was a painful reminder that resurfaced every year on the 1st of May and remained throughout the rest of it to cause a rift through wizarding society.

It often took the form of unintentional prejudices, like the ones that had unknowingly manifested within even the golden trio themselves. It liked to make itself known at the most unexpected of times, such as this one, when our heroes stumbled upon a dimly lit nook at the back of the bookshop. Surrounded by children's books and nestled on a bean bag chair was none other than the misplaced Teddy Lupin and perched on the seat next to him was none other than Narcissa Malfoy.

Despite everything they had fought for, despite having vouched for hers and her son's freedom at their trials, despite being the chosen one and the brightest witch of her age, neither Harry nor Hermione put their wands away upon stumbling on the unlikely pair. Hermione was not able to stop the growing list of disarming spells and jinxes that suddenly popped into her head. Harry was not able to stop the ringing in his ears.

"Harry!" cried Teddy in delight, upon seeing the man. The sudden outburst coupled with the innocence in little Teddy Lupin's face snapped Hermione out of her reverie. She forced herself to lower her hand, no matter that it was shaking and that she wanted nothing more than to grab Teddy and apparate them to safety. We are safe she reminded herself.

It seemed Harry was also beginning to recall that the war was in fact over so Teddy being in the company of Narcissa Malfoy did not present any immediate danger beyond that of discomfort. Even a wand couldn't help with that, so Harry put his away. If even the saviours of the wizarding world weren't above prejudices after four years, what hope was there for the rest of them.

Hermione reasoned that at least they were aware of the unfair judgement they placed on Narcissa and she added it to the list of things she needed to work on.

"Teddy, please don't run off like that again," Harry said heavily.

"But I didn't." The five-year old looked at him in confusion. "You did."

Harry opened his mouth as if to speak but it seemed he couldn't find the right words.

Luckily Hermione had gathered her wits. "We're so sorry about bursting in like this Narcissa, you see, we overreacted when we couldn't find Teddy." She shifted her weight onto her other foot, waiting for the older witch to reprimand their idiocy.

Instead Mrs. Malfoy turned to Teddy and softly brushed some of his black hair—as it had been for the past few weeks— back, gazing intently at his face as if she was trying to memorize it. She slowly stood up with such grace that Hermione felt like a child in her presence. "I enjoyed keeping young Mr. Lupin company," she said softly, "I do have a son so I am not entirely without practice dealing with children." She glanced at Harry and Hermione as if in a trance then blinked twice. "Now." Her gaze hardened slightly. "I must be going."

She brushed her robes off then turned back to Teddy. All three adults were startled to find that the young boy had chosen to turn his hair to a very light blonde, mirroring that of the Malfoy matriarch. Something resembling tears shone in her eyes and she placed her hand on his cheek. Then without a word she turned and marched straight past them, stopping when she was a few feet away. "Do keep a better hold on him Mr. Potter," she said, "he is family, after all."

Then she was gone and Hermione was left blinking, not able to comprehend what had just taken place. Harry looked just as lost when Teddy grabbed his hand, still blonde and began to tug him towards the door. "Ice cream! Can we get ice cream?" the young boy cried unperturbed by the events that had unhinged his companions in a matter of minutes.

Hermione was considering just apparating straight home when her friend looked back at her, still holding Teddy's hand. She was still annoyed with his persistent meddling, but the look he gave her was one that she could not walk away from. It was the same look he had given her before going out to face the Hungarian Horntail in their fourth year. It was a look that told her he needed her, years later even after the battles had been fought and the war was won.

So off she went, trailing behind him as she had for years with the books still charmed and levitating after her.

—o—

"Ginny, I have had it with your matchmaking!" Hermione paced the kitchen at the Burrow. Her friends had been trying to set her up with everyone they knew. It wouldn't be so bad had they not all proved to be failures. She was beginning to think it wasn't entirely due to her friends' horrible judgement and perhaps it was she who gave off an aura that caused all the men to either bow upon arrival or ask for an autograph instead of her number. It was what had driven her to assert her independence the day before. As much as she thrived on routine and planning, she secretly held out hope that her romantic endeavors would be spontaneous and not forced.

"Mione, I just know how much you want kids," said Ginny, "and besides, it hasn't been easy for any of us to be alone since…" She trailed off, presumably thinking about the war and the nightmares that continued to plague many of them.

Hermione, though sympathetic to her friend's musings, was not in the mood. "I don't need a man to have children Gin and besides work keeps me busy."

The red head was not willing to give up however. "Hermione work keeps you busy because you allow it to. If you had a reason to come home early in the evenings, or even to take a break you would." She held up a finger when it appeared that the other witch was going to argue. "Crookshanks doesn't count because he can't talk back."

Hermione lowered herself onto one of the chairs and placed her head directly onto the table, staring at the wood causing her to go cockeyed. It hurt but not as much as her ears did. "It's like we're back in second year—well, my second year and your third—when McGonagall gave you that blasted time turner. You have no self control…"

Ginny continued to lecture until Hermione heard the door open and then slam shut, followed by the distinct footsteps of Ron shuffling his way into the kitchen, then Harry's lighter ones.

"What is it, what's happened?" She heard Ginny ask. Hermione could picture the look on both boys' faces. Shame mixed with fear of the small girl's wrath. She was actually looking forward to watching them squirm rather than her for a change. She tentatively lifted her head from the table, just enough that she could see, but not enough that it might attract Ginny's attention.

Ron stood leaning against the sink, his face flushed with anger. Huh, Hermione was sure it would be him getting reprimanded, as it usually was. But no, Mr. Harry James Potter was standing next to him, staring at the ground so intently he looked like he was searching for a horcrux. An evil smile spread across Hermione's face and she allowed herself to sit up fully.

"Tell 'em what you did Harry, go on. You face Voldemort I think you can face my little sister." Damn Hermione thought. Harry must have really hit a nerve if Ron was using the V card.

"Yeah go on Harry, tell us," she couldn't help but add smugly.

"I may have written Narcissa Malfoy."

This was followed by silence from his three companions, until Ron kicked him in the shin commanding him to continue.

"AskinghertocometoSundaybrunch." He said the last bit so fast Hermione was sure she had misheard and that her friend couldn't have been so foolish. "And she may have replied agreeing to be here by 11 o'clock sharp." He even had the audacity to check his watch and declare, "so that leaves you all about 10 minutes to put on your welcoming faces and drop your prejudices."

All the colour left Hermione's face and she decided staring at the table would be better than hexing her friend, even though a couple of nasty jinxes had suddenly clouded her thoughts and she was itching to use them. Underestimating her anger and overestimating the force required to return to her original position caused Hermione to hit the table too hard, nose first. She bounced backwards clutching at her face. "Fuck!"

She pushed her chair back just as Ginny pulled out her wand hopefully ready to recite the incantation for a bat-bogey hex. It seemed Potter wouldn't be getting off so easy despite Hermione's restraint. Hermione's chair hit Ron in the side of his leg. He stumbled into Harry who, in trying to avoid being within Ginny's line of fire, accidentally condemned his friend by using poor Ron as a shield.

"Oh no you don't!" said Ginny. There was a flash of light and Ron was hanging upside down in the air, Harry and Hermione were on the floor in a mess of tangled limbs and uttered curse words. In their confusion they failed to notice the owl that was perched on the window sill. Its head was cocked and it was staring at them curiously.

Hermione combed a hand through her hair then used the same hand to shove Harry's leg off of hers. "Get off!"

"I can't your elbow is on my stomach!"

"Your stomach is under my elbow!"

"That doesn't make any sense just get up!"

"I wouldn't have to get up if you hadn't sacrificed Ronald!"

"I didn't!"

"He didn't volunteer to get jinxed Harry!"

"Neither did I!"

"Can you both shut up!" said a wheezing Ron.

Ginny, as if suddenly remembering, lowered her brother and muttered a half ass apology, all the while shooting daggers at Harry. "Now explain why you're handing out olive branches to the people who gave me a cursed diary and tormented you for years?"

"Ginny that was years ago."

"So was the war Harry, doesn't mean I've forgotten."

Harry took off his glasses, now standing, and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I realized yesterday when I saw her, that she was right."

The trio looked at him expectantly.

"About being Teddy's family. She is and he doesn't have much of them."

"Nonsense!" cried Ginny, "we're his family and there's plenty of us."

"Yes Ginny, but what do I tell him when he's older and asks why he's never met his cousin Mal—I mean, Draco?"

"Wait a minute," Hermione interjected, "you said you wrote Narcissa, nobody mentioned Draco!"

"Yes, I did write directly to her, I thought she should come see Teddy and her sister."

"And you couldn't have arranged a private meeting for them?"

"We're all here anyway what difference does it make?"

Both Ron and Hermione began to argue loudly that it meant they wouldn't have to see her and why didn't Harry ever consider their feelings.

"WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP!" yelled Ginny. She was looking at the owl, still sitting by the window inspecting its feathers. Hermione followed her gaze and noticed the letter attached to its leg. "How long has it been there?" her younger friend asked.

Nobody had a clue, so they watched and waited as the orchestrator of this madness shuffled forward and accepted the note. Harry opened it and read through the contents silently. Hermione watched as his eyes widened and he began to fidget. That could only mean bad news.

When he was done, he handed it to her and she read aloud:

Potter,

I hope you and the Weasley's won't mind me accompanying my mother to brunch

Draco