Somebody asked me if I knew you.
A million memories flashed through my mind
But I just smiled and said,
I used to.
Variation of the tune Revenge by Melody Melz
Chapter Notes:
Severus is alive.
All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. The storyline is mine.
Be warned: Rated T for language and basic romantic interludes.
Chapter 1: Time Has Stood Still
Back at Hogwarts no one would have ever thought that within seven years Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger would strike up a friendship, fall in love, get bonded and have a son. But it had happened. Many of the older wizards commented that Lucius had probably turned over in his grave because of it, but nobody really cared what Lucius would have thought. The times had changed.
From their first kiss that night at an Embassy function, Hermione and Draco knew they were meant for each other. They became inseparable. They had to separate for work purposes but other than that they were always together. In many cases, two people who are in love and who are constantly together tend to suffocate each other. This was not the case for Hermione and Draco. They loved being in each other's company and their love had thrived from it.
Hermione and Draco were perfectly matched sexually. They both had incredible sexual appetites. Draco smoldered even in the most basic of times, so most witches (and wizards) knew he probably excelled in the sexual arena. However, not many could tell by looking at Hermione that she often topped Draco when they made love. She and Draco were the perfect complement to each other.
Draco was very serious when he told Hermione over and over, "Sex with you is amazing love. You have given yourself to me and no other wizard will come near you in an intimate manner. Ever. If I find out you have been with another wizard, I will not be responsible for what occurs."
Hermione didn't worry when Draco got all scary about other wizards because she didn't have any plans to have sex with anyone other than Draco. Ever. Draco was her wizard for life.
Hermione's father had passed away shortly after coming home to England from Australia so he never got the chance to see Hermione marry and have a son. On the other hand, Hermione's mother Jean was there every step of the way. At first, Jean had a hard time believing Hermione had fallen in love with her number one nemesis Draco Malfoy, but Draco had won Jean over. Jean became one of Draco's staunchest supporters and vice versa. He would do anything for Jean and she for him. She was very nearly his only ally during the divorce. But that was later.
After their kiss that night at the Embassy, Draco and Hermione had dated for six months before Draco had declared his intentions. When he asked her, Hermione had thought about it for all of five seconds before she jumped into Draco's arms shouting her acceptance of his intent. One month after that, Draco had given Hermione a stunning, platinum and diamond engagement ring. One year later, Draco had slipped the matching wedding band on Hermione's finger.
Those would be the rings Hermione doesn't wear anymore and has locked away in a drawer, but I digress.
Narcissa and Jean completely took over the wedding planning. It all came down to Hermione and Draco having to do nothing except show up on their wedding day and then go on their honeymoon.
Hermione did have input into her color scheme. It had been touch and go for a bit when Narcissa tried to dissuade Hermione from the colors she had chosen, but Narcissa had to step back when Hermione dug in her heels refusing to budge. In the end, Narcissa admitted the colors Hermione had chosen were glorious.
Narcissa Malfoy, another survivor of the war, had welcomed Hermione into the family. She and Hermione grew to be very close and they remain close to this day.
When Hermione and Draco got together, he was willing to share with anyone within hearing distance how much he loved her. Almost from day one everybody knew how Draco felt about Hermione. Everybody. Draco Malfoy was not shy about extolling the virtues of his intended.
Hermione was the same way. The one thing Draco and Hermione knew above all else was they were destined to be together and would always be faithful to each other. There wasn't anyone else either of them wanted or needed. They had each other.
Harry Potter often commented that the war would have gone so much more smoothly had Hermione and Draco fallen in love a lot earlier. No matter how many times it was said, the comment drew a lot of laughter. And true to form, Hermione would go into a long explanation of why a relationship between her and Draco could not have worked out at that time. Hermione joked that Draco wasn't ready back then because he still needed time to marinate. This comment too always drew howls of laughter.
Those were the good times. Hermione and Draco were always surrounded by a small group of genuine friends and life was good. Hermione, Draco and friends worked hard and played even harder. One would be hard pressed to find a more closely knit group.
When the wizards and witches of the group began to find their love partners, the partners were brought into the select group as official members.
What was a little harder were breakups. When one in the group broke up with his or her partner, it became awkward if one moved on to another partner. The entire group at large had sat down one day and hacked out a set of rules. The most important of which became the most utilized. This particular rule read; If any one of the group broke up with his/her partner and wanted to remain in the group, that witch or wizard agreed not to bring their problems to the group.
The most notable time this rule was invoked had been between Harry and Ginny. Ginny wanted to cast about, but claimed it wasn't about finding someone else, it was about having the freedom to choose.
Ginny's choice hadn't set well with Harry so he had moved on. He met and fell in love with Seamus' sister Seana. When Harry brought Seana into the group, Ginny had turned vengeful. Week after week there had been drama within the group until finally one Saturday night the group had spoken. Ginny was out. They would not tolerate her behavior any longer.
The decision was hard on the group as Ginny had been one of the original members, but the decision had to be made for the harmony of the group.
Hermione had cried the night they asked Ginny to leave the group. No matter what transpired, Ginny had been her best friend. Hermione worried that friendships were being tested and torn. That particular night, Draco had to take Hermione home and tend to her all night.
The group continued to meet on Fridays, Saturdays and sometimes during the week for special events. It had taken a while but the group had gone back to the friendly, harmonious entity it had always been. Soon, it was like Ginny had never been part of the group. The only direct casualty of tossing Ginny from the group had been Ron. He and his witch dropped out of the group because Ron didn't think they had been fair to Ginny. For a bit, Ron had even stopped talking to Harry and Hermione. Such were the growing pains of the former Hogwarts students and their love interests.
The friends had great times together. If they weren't together at a pub, restaurant or club, they were at Draco and Hermione's flat, Harry's house or Malfoy Manor. Yes, they often met at Malfoy Manor. Narcissa welcomed them all. She actually loved the company of Hermione and Draco's friends because they made her feel young.
Hermione was placed in charge of food and drinks at Malfoy Manor when the group visited. It wasn't a position Hermione had sought out, it had fallen to her by default. She was Draco's intended and Draco thought she should have the control when friends came over. Narcissa still controlled the manor in truth, but as the incoming bride, Hermione was given a lot of leeway. That's how time was spent and there had hardly been a ripple after Hermione and Draco got married. Everything stayed on point for a while.
Sometime after they married, Hermione and Draco began spending less time with their old group. They had started doing different things with other married couples.
When the group of old friends went on spur of the moment vacations, oftentimes Hermione and Draco were somewhere with their married friends. It wasn't as if Hermione and Draco didn't want to pal around with Harry, Seana, Theo, Hannah, Blaise, Seamus or Dean, it was just that as a married couple they now seemed to have more in common with their married friends.
Hermione talked to her new witch friends about babies, nappies, signs of pregnancy and all the rest of the married stuff while Draco marveled at the liberties the married wizards took with their vows.
Draco and Hermione hadn't completely given up on their longtime friends. There were still occasions when everybody got together, just not as often.
Draco and Hermione introduced their married friends to their old friends. Everyone got along fairly well except the dynamics were a bit different.
Within the married group there were witches and wizards who did not respect lines. Some married wizards (and witches) wanted more than friendship. They wanted time away from their husbands and wives. Hermione and Draco's former Hogwarts pals weren't used to that sort of behavior and several had commented. A number one rule in the former Hogwarts group was you never crossed a line with someone in a relationship or you never sought out comfort from someone else if you were in a relationship. That was the rule.
After a while, the Hogwarts group stopped attending any function which included the members of the married group. Hermione and Draco were caught in the middle but leaned more towards the married group. They believed they now had more in common with the married group than their old friends and had chalked it up to one of those things which happened as life pressed on.
No matter what group they were with, Hermione and Draco had their love and they had each other. Even though it was hard breaking apart from the witches and wizards they'd known most of their lives, they had moved away from them and for a time things went very well.
Then someone had slipped. All the promises and pledges Hermione and Draco had made to each other were damaged the night Hermione found Draco with another witch.
Hermione wasn't unaware of what went on between some witches and wizards of the married group. She had turned a blind eye because these were their friends now and everyone was grown and free to do whatever they wished. Hermione figured she didn't have to use their rules to be their friends. She and Draco were different. They didn't play those sort of games because they were bonded for life and bonded for life meant just that. At least it meant that for Hermione.
Being a good mother, there were times Hermione would stay home with Scorpius rather than go out with their friends. Hermione's absences had given a transplanted witch named Lois her in.
Lois really didn't care about Draco or Hermione. She was one of the new wave of witches who had migrated to London and who really didn't respect the old ways. The old ways being, don't touch another witch's wizard. Lois took whatever she wanted or at least tried to take what she wanted
Most wizards in the old group knew just what Lois was about and stayed clear of her. As sharp as Draco was in business and finances, he never expected to run into a witch who was willing to cross every line. One particular night while Hermione was at home with Scorpius, Lois had made a move and what came after caught Draco off guard and off balance as well.
On this one night, Draco told Hermione he was going out for a few drinks with the married wizards. Somehow he had ended up in one of the flats on the other side of London. Draco had come upon Lois crying and in distress. Being a friend, Draco tried to find out how he could help, but Lois had seized the chance to turn Draco's concern into something else, something physical.
Lois had wanted to taste Draco from the day she met him, She had seen this as her chance and had taken it. Under the guise of being comforted she had moved on Draco and let her hands go where they didn't belong. Before Draco could step back in outrage, he was found in this compromising position by Hermione who had decided to catch up and enjoy a night out with her husband. After her first gasp of shock, hurt and surprise at finding her husband in the hands of Lois, Hermione had hexed the shite out of Lois and left Draco standing there with rumpled clothing.
Hermione had been undone. Something inside her had broken. The wizard she loved, her husband, the father of her child had been with another witch. She and Scorpius were packed and out before Draco could even reach home.
Hermione took refuge at her mother's house and would not see Draco. In her worst nightmare she wouldn't have imagined it would come to this, but it had. Draco had broken trust.
Hermione did what she had to do and that thing was to contact an attorney. She was resolved not to stay with a wizard whom she couldn't trust. She decided she'd rather be alone. After a heated discussion with her mother who suggested Hermione calm down before making any decisions, she made her decision anyway. She was going to divorce Draco.
Draco tried everything he knew to get Hermione to talk to him, but she was in warrior mode. Hermione wanted to fight, not for her marriage but for her freedom. She didn't want to hear anything Draco had to say. His indiscretion had hurt her to the core and she had decided she would never go back to him. If Lois was who Draco wanted to sneak around with, then so be it. After their divorce, he wouldn't have to sneak around. He could bring his witch out into the open.
Hermione listened to her mother and Narcissa tell her to slow down, not make any decisions while she was so angry and to think about Scorpius.
Hermione had screamed "You should be talking to Draco. He's the one messing about with someone else with no thought about his son. There aren't any more decisions to be made. Draco has settled everything for everyone."
A week after she had caught Draco with Lois, Hermione and Scorpius were on their way to a new life which did not include her husband. The words that wouldn't leave her head were, Draco has chosen a quick shag over her and Scorpius.
Draco was inconsolable. Suddenly he needed his single friends. Suddenly, the rules all his friends lived by seemed the only way to live. Harry had been the hardest to talk to as he had been one of the first to denounce his and Hermione's new group of friends. He had come right out and said, "That's not a group I care to be around. They think rules don't apply to them. Don't be offended if I stay away."
Draco had dismissed Harry's opinion as Harry being old fashioned. Now here he was laying everything out to the boy who lived asking for help in getting his wife and son back.
Harry felt for his mate but there really wasn't anything he could do. He was on Hermione's side. Hermione's beliefs were his beliefs and always would be. Once you choose a person and agree to love them forever, then you love them forever. No question. No substitutes. No deviations.
Hermione still wouldn't see him. Draco understood she was angry. The fact he hadn't invited Lois' attentions didn't matter if his wife believed differently. He had let himself be put in a position which would have looked dodgy to anyone.
All that aside, Draco felt if he could touch her and hold her, she might calm down long enough for them to talk. He didn't think Hermione had forgotten the promises they had made to each other. She had to know that no matter how things looked, he loved her and their son. What they needed to do was talk things out. But it wasn't that simple, Hermione had made her position clear. She didn't want him in her life. She wanted him to leave her alone. He had appealed to Jean, but even that hadn't worked. Hermione wasn't listening to anyone.
Even though all their friends had sympathized with Draco, they had rallied around Hermione. No one would give Draco any information about his wife and son. By the time the smallest bit of information had filtered through to Draco, he was being handed divorce papers.
Draco never thought Hermione would go through with a divorce. She loved him and had assured him of her love at least once a day everyday for the last two years. She couldn't have given up on their relationship
After being served with the divorce papers, Draco withdrew from everyone. He didn't contest the divorce and for a time he wouldn't even talk to Jean or Narcissa. After a while, Jean had stopped trying to get through to him.
Draco stayed in a depressive state for almost a year. He didn't answer calls and he didn't go out with his friends. All he had done was work and go home. Narcissa fielded his calls for the first six months, after that she told Draco he needed to get on with his life. He had closed the door on his mother while she was still talking.
Then one day, Draco just snapped out of it. He had been ready to face what he'd done and fix it. He was a Malfoy and he wanted his family back. He hoped Hermione had calmed down enough to at least hear him out.
When the divorce papers had come through, he hadn't made demands in hopes Hermione would see he was trying to get back in her good books. She hadn't acknowledged his lack of demands in the least.
For almost a year, Draco had to make due with seeing his son sporadically when Jean brought Scorpius to him on weekends or holidays. His son was growing so fast Draco couldn't keep up. He had missed Scorpius say his first word. He had missed him take his first step and he had been the last to see Scorpius' first tooth. Draco wanted more and as Scorp's father felt he deserved more. He just had to figure out how to get it.
Draco decided not to hide away any longer. Being out and about meant he might run into Hermione, but he was going to chance it. He went out on boys night and also began to attend events. Anywhere he went, he went alone. He wouldn't date anyone. Even though he had divorce papers, Draco still considered himself married.
One Friday when he was feeling particularly low, he had received a fantastic call. Jean called to ask if he wanted to help baby sit Scorpius while Hermione went out of town for the weekend.
Draco's heart had nearly broken in two when Jean mentioned Hermione going away for the weekend. He immediately thought Hermione was dating and it must be serious dating because she wouldn't go out of town with just any wizard.
Jean had come to know Draco well. She had heard the change in his voice and recognized what he was thinking. Softly she had said into the phone, "Draco, she's going away with the girls. It's the first holiday she's taken in a year. I can tell you she cried for a whole day trying to make the decision. She cried because she never figured she'd be taking a vacation without you. She still loves you, but the hurt is so deep she won't admit her feelings even if she's given truth serum."
Draco felt a little better. His wife wasn't seeing anyone and he didn't want her to start. This simple fact had lit a spark in Draco. He realized he had moped around long enough. It was time he actively tried to get his wife and son back.
Jean was calling his name. He asked, "Jean. Can we talk this weekend? Really talk. I'm going to need help getting my wife back."
Jean took a deep breath and answered, "I'll help any way I can and I'll start by telling my daughter you will be staying here this weekend. I don't want her to think we're going round her back."
Draco agreed. When he hung up his mobile he had sprung into action. He called his mother then he had called Harry. He needed help and support and couldn't think of two better people than his mother and his good mate.
Draco caught a case of nerves as he approached Jean's house on Friday. He hoped if he ran into Hermione, she would be in a good mood.
Harry, Jean and his mother had all had suggested he not try to get too close too fast to his ex-wife. They admitted Hermione was still a bit volatile even after a year. Draco took their suggestions under consideration, but had already decided he would try to speak with his wife.
When Draco got inside the house, Scorpius had come at him at a wobbly run. Draco bent over and lifted his beautiful son up in the air. Scorpius was giggling and gurgling when Hermione entered the living room.
For the first time in over a year Hermione addressed Draco, " Don't shake him unless you want to be covered in vomit. He's just eaten."
Draco put Scorpius down and replied, "Sorry. Thanks."
Hermione answered, "There's no need to be sorry. You couldn't have known."
Draco sat down on the couch and called his son to him. Scorpius wobbled over to his father and to Draco's surprise said, "Dadada." Draco had grabbed his son and hugged him as he called out, "Hermione, Jean. Did you hear that? Scorp just said da. He just called for me."
Both Jean and Hermione laughed. Hermione walked over to their son, picked him up and asked, "Did you just call for your daddy? What a big boy. Are you going to be a good boy for daddy and nana?" Scorpius turned and put out his arms to Draco who stood to take him from Hermione.
Draco brushed Hermione's arm as he grabbed his son and they both had let out small gasps. With Scorpius in his arms Draco had murmured, "Hermione, love." Hermione hesitated for several seconds before she stepped back without saying a word.
Draco had gotten close enough to smell his witch and his body had gone into overdrive. He wanted her more than he had wanted anything in his life. He wanted to be able to take her upstairs, undress her and make love to her all night long. He knew that wouldn't be happening, but that's what he wanted. He also felt there was hope for him to get her back judging by the gasp she had let out when they touched.
Hannah and Ginny showed up ten minutes later. The witches were all excited to be going to the beaches of France.
Hannah and Ginny greeted Draco as they played with Scorpius.
When Hermione went upstairs to get her things Ginny had whispered, "It's about time you and she were in the same room together. It's been a year. What's taken you so long to stand up for your wife? It won't be easy, but she still loves you as much as she did when she married you. Just let me tell you this, if you get back together and you hurt her again, I'll kill you. I'll go to Azkaban because I -will- kill- you."
Hannah bent over to whisper, "Make that two of us who will kill you. You got that Malfoy?"
In the face of those threats, all Draco could croak was, "I love her."
Hermione came back down all ready to go. Hannah and Ginny grabbed her by the arm before she started crying over leaving her son.
As the witches took their leave, Hermione's eyes met Draco's before she quickly turned away. The witches said goodbye and were gone.
Draco was chuffed because when their eyes had met, he had seen lust in his wife's eyes. She wanted him. He picked up Scorpius and grinned, "Mum still wants daddy as much as daddy wants mum"
Jean stepped back into the living room to take Scorpius saying, "Give your son a kiss. It's time for his bath and then nap. I'll be back shortly and we can have a little chat."
Draco stood to hand Scorp over to his nana.
After Jean and Scorp left the room, Draco had sat there going over in his head the look he had received from Hermione. He soon had to stop thinking about being with Hermione because an erection had slowly begun to form and he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Jean.
Harry arrived at the house while Jean was still upstairs. Scorpius was being put down for a nap so Draco allowed a drink for himself and Harry. As they sat there savoring the fire whiskey Draco asked, "What am I going to do Harry? I love that witch more than you can imagine and I think she still loves me. What will I do if she finds another wizard?"
Harry laughed as he clapped Draco on the back. "Just do what you're doing. Let Hermione get used to having you around again. I'll tell you this because we wizards have to stick together even if one of us is a git. It probably wouldn't hurt if you touched her in small ways. No hugs, nothing big. Brush against her or let your fingers touch her arm. You know what I mean. As far as Hermione finding another wizard, no wizard in his right mind is going to ask Hermione out. She was your wife and she has your child. Every wizard I know fears you'd kill him if he touched Hermione. If she finds someone, he would have to be some stranger who doesn't know how mental you are."
Draco laughed as he replied, "Sounds like some good advice Harry. It'll either get me shagged or killed and I don't even want to think about her with another wizard. It's just too painful. I still can't figure out how I could have been so stupid."
Harry looked at his friend and retorted, "Didn't I try to warn you? Didn't I tell you what I thought they were about? Maybe next bloody time you'll listen."
"There won't be a next time for me, replied Draco. If I get Hermione back, I'm going to glue myself to her side."
Both wizards were sharing a laugh when Jean came back into the room.
Jean questioned what was so funny and Draco repeated for her what he had said to Harry about gluing himself to Hermione's side.
Jean smiled as she said, "I don't think you'll have to go that far. All you need to do is keep your arse out of compromising situations."
That remark had sobered Draco up immediately. He realized he wasn't in any position to joke about his relationship with Hermione.
Jean asked if she could speak frankly and Draco said he hoped she would.
"You're not going to like what I say but perhaps it needs to be said, Jean remarked. You and Hermione are standing still Draco. You should be trying to make a showing and not only when you want to see Scorp. She loves you but she's afraid she can't trust you. You'll have to find a way to convince her otherwise. As far as intimacy is concerned, you awakened things which are wonderful in a marriage but dangerous to the ex-husband. If you'll pardon me saying so, I believe she is ready to be with someone again. If you want that someone to be you, you need to get to work."
When Jean began to discuss intimacy, Harry had turned red and excused himself to the bathroom.
Draco sat there and let Jean's words sink in. He had been afraid of this. Hermione was soft and beautiful on the outside but she turned into a demon when they were in bed. She loved making love. He didn't want his wife to be inflamed by any wizard except himself. Ever.
Draco looked at Jean and softly asked, "Tell me what to do Jean. I've messed up but I don't want to lose my wife. I'll do whatever it takes."
Jean smiled inside. Finally. She had hoped her words would spur her son-in-law into action. He had moped around for a year allowing Hermione time to think he didn't want her back. It was bloody time for him to make some moves. She really had no idea what Hermione was thinking regarding intimacy with a wizard. They hadn't discussed it. She had just told a bit of a lie to jolt Draco into action. If a lie was what it took to get Draco back with his family, so be it.
"What do you think you should do Draco, Jean asked? You must have some ideas about how to get close to her."
"I do have some ideas Jean, remarked Draco. I'm going to start as soon as she gets back from holiday."
Harry peeked in to check if the intimacy conversation had finished before he stepped back into the room. Draco and Jean were sitting in companionable silence so Harry felt it was safe to return.
Draco looked at his mate before he began speaking as if asking for corroboration. "My three staunchest supporters have suggested I start slow, which is what I will do. I don't know how you two feel about me dropping bits of information to Hermione so she will know I haven't been with any other witch and that no other witch interests me."
Both Jean and Harry started to reply at the same time but Harry had deferred to Jean to hear what she would say. Jean remarked, "I realize you want Hermione to know you have been faithful, but don't let it backfire. My suggestion would be to answer honestly if the question comes up, but don't overload her with things that sound like self serving bull shite. You know your wife almost as well as I do. She won't be impressed."
Harry agreed and added, "That is exactly what I was going to say."