Disclaimer: Harry Potter is a property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 1
Draco could really never fully understand how he ended up in the situation he currently was. But mind you he wasn't complaining just wondering.
The time after the war had not been rosy and pink. The general public considered him guilty even when the Wizegamont didn't. The going had been pretty rough after he returned to the real world after having spent one year completing his education in Hogwarts with the others from his year. Things at Hogwarts had been tense too but nothing he couldn't have handled. While the purebloods now shied away from associating with the Malfoy's, Blaise and Pansy had been at his side during the worst. So even though they annoyed him too much, got ludicrous ideas, they were still his friends. After Narcissa's death and the hostile aftermath of the war, Draco had retreated to spending all his time in the manor and avoiding people like plague. The people, he couldn't after all avoid for eternity had been his above mentioned friends. So they had seeked help from professionals and he was counseled. The counseling program run by the ministry helped him a lot. A lot of baggage was shredded and even small specks of the blood purity crap were cleaned. Well one just does not survive a war and not change. The change hopefully in Draco's case was positive. He got his zeal to live and enjoy life back even with people on the road sneering at him or avoiding eye contact. On Blaise's persistence he applied for a job at the auror office. By some miracle he got accepted and was really excited to work with Blaise. But maybe the gods weren't as kind as he thought because he, to his utter dismay, was chosen to be partnered with the one and the only, Ron Weasley. Apparently the Weasel hadn't gone straight for aurorship after school ended but instead helped with the wildly popular joke shop run by the only surviving Weasley twin. Blaise got matched with Anthony Goldstein, some Ravenclaw bloke from their year. Things were awkward and a little volatile at first but when you go on life endangering missions you have to trust your partner with your life. It had been difficult; to trust Weasley and he would often look over his shoulders for any danger. Things thawed a bit over time. Blaise and Anthony would stop by, time to time at their desk and Potter was always meandering around. They went to a bar together one night, their odd group of two Gryffindors, two Slytherins and a Ravenclaw. It had been tough but now he could admit to people that Ron isn't really that bad without scowling. The Gryffindors too had been quite civil with him whenever he had chanced upon them during the odd party thrown by Ron he attended. And to his astonishment he also found that the only girl Weasley, now Mrs. Potter, was actually the coolest of them all
The sound of a toddler's laughter brought him back to the situation he was wondering about. Ron was on a weeklong off as he had gone to meet his dragon trainer brother in Romania, who, in Draco's opinion was a total badass. Though this was an opinion he kept only to himself. So saint Potter surprisingly made him babysit his two children while he took Ginny out for a dinner date. But Draco got a hell of a surprise when he flooed to Grimmauld place and found Hermione Granger balancing little Albus in her arms while Ginny was giving her instructions on what to and how much to feed them both and places to search if James tried to hide at bed time. Granger was only half listening as her attention was focused on making funny faces to make Albus laugh.
"I know that by heart you know that, don't you?"
"Yes, of course you do, then why is James always awake when I return home is beyond my comprehension." Ginny admonished.
Hermione had the decency to blush a little.
"It is always because of Ron. He doesn't take your rules seriously." Granger whined.
Draco cleared his throat to make his presence known. Two heads turned to look at him as Albus was now busy being fascinated by a button on Hermione's top.
"Oh great, Draco's here. I would like to thank you again for coming tonight." Ginny said smiling.
"Potter is making me do it. He has promised that he would partner with Anthony for the game night this week."Draco entered the room fully and sat down on the sofa.
"Why does it seem I am missing something here? Ginny you didn't tell me that Malfoy would be here." Hermione looked perturbed.
Malfoy made a face at that and said "Don't look so excited Granger."
Hermione scoffed.
"It's not only you who have been left in the dark. Pray tell Ginny when were you going to tell me about my babysitting partner."
"Shut up you two."
Both of them just rolled their eyes and crossed their arms over their chest. As they saw each other do the same thing Draco averted his eyes that were till then glaring at Hermione and Hermione uncrossed her hands and let them fall to her sides.
"You know Hermione you cannot handle both of them on your own."
"Of course I can."
At Ginny's amused glance she retracted.
"Okay, maybe I can't but you could have asked someone else to come. Like Neville or Luna possibly."
"Would you stop whining? It doesn't become you Granger."Draco called from the sofa.
"Hermione, Draco's good with the kids and he was free for the evening too. Would you rather want Neville to cancel his date with Hannah to let me go on mine?"
"No, of course not. But couldn't you have told me beforehand so I could be prepared."
Ginny had an amused look on her face.
" You are talking as if spending an evening with Draco is as difficult as convincing the Wizegamont to pass the elf protection law."
"Well, to me it is."
"You both know that I am right here."Draco replied with an amused look on his face. "I can listen to everything you are saying. And where is Potter, aren't you getting late already."
Draco stood from the couch and made his way to Ginny. The grace with which he did that made Hermione want to sign up at Draco Malfoy's Classes for being socially impeccable at all times.
"And apologies for not telling you that this dress makes you look divine at the earliest moment."
This was the new version of Draco Malfoy, Hermione had encountered after the war. He had charmed Ron into being his friend and Harry soon followed. Though Draco still smirked and acted like a prat, he had no actual malice behind it. Even Hermione agreed to that. But he was a loathsome cockroach who grated on her nerves and somehow still manage to make all the ladies swoon. Just like how he effortlessly complimented Ginny and took on his role of the charmer.
"What else would I look other than divine?" Ginny replied smiling.
At that precise moment two pairs of feet could be heard descending the staircase.
"No James you cannot have ice cream for dinner. Aunt Hermione would cook something equally tasty for you."
"But why Dad, Uncle Ron would always give me some." James whined.
"That was because he didn't know our rule of having sweets only on Saturday nights."
James shut his mouth at that but didn't seem too pleased about the rule that barred him from eating ice creams. He then proceeded to run down the stairs and into the room.
"Hey James how are you?" Hermione asked the kid who seemed quite annoyed.
James ignored everyone and went straight to the kitchen and sat on a chair with his mouth set in a frown.
"Looks like someone doesn't want to talk to you Granger." Draco quipped from his place.
"Sorry but he has been moody for the last week" Potter, who has just entered the room, remarked sheepishly.
"But, both of you do not bend down any rules to cater to his demands. I will know if you did anything like this." Ginny said seriously.
"Don't worry too much. Everything would go on smoothly."Hermione assured them.
"OK, Ginny lets go or we will be late for our reservation. And see you guys at 10. We won't be late than that. Thanks Hermione for looking after the kids though."Harry said.
"Hey why don't I get a thanks too?"Draco asked.
"Because you aren't doing it for free."Harry shot back.
Ginny pulled harry by the arm towards the floo. She picked up some floo powder and flooed to the destination before another word could be exchanged.
That left Hermione on the chair, Draco standing, Albus on Hermione's lap and James missing.
AN- This is going to be a short story. Anyone who would like to beta the upcoming chapters do message me.