Disclaimer: Nope, I'm still not J.K. Rowling. I'm just borrowing her story.
Hermione Jean Granger, now 21, lived in a cottage in Hogsmeade with her two year old daughter Anna Marie Granger. Only a couple of people knew who her daughter's father was since she didn't want everyone to know. They had only given up on their relationship because he wanted her safe after all. But now, the war was over and yet, she did not tell him that they had a child. Hermione had not talked to Draco Malfoy for over four years now.
It had been in their seventh year that they had even started getting along, later on they had realized their feelings for each other. No one had known of their relationship. They both knew that war would begin soon and for Hermione's safety they had split up. Little did either of them know that there was something that would bring them back together again. Towards the end of the year the battle had finally begun and ended in the same day. Harry had defeated Voldemort but many lives had been lost. Ron Weasley being amongst the dead. Harry and Hermione had mourned the loss of Ron, he had been their best friend.
Since the war, Hermione had learned of her pregnancy and dealt with it on her own, since she didn't want to let Draco know. She figured that there was nothing between them anymore. Half a year after the child was born she got Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood to help her baby-sit the child while she went searching for a job. Luckily, she found a job at Hogwarts. It was the place that she had been hoping to work. She ended up getting the position for Charms Professor since Flitwick had retired.
A new year was beginning now and Hermione had just dropped off Anna at Luna's. She then apparated to Hogsmeade and went into Hogwarts. She greeted Headmistress McGonagall.
"Hello Hermione. I'm glad to see you back again this year," McGonagall said. She told her this every year that she returned.
"Thank you Minerva. I was wondering. Did you happen to find a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?"
"Yes I did. It was a bit last minute too," McGonagall replied with a nod of her head.
Hermione looked at her expectantly and said, "May I ask who?"
"Draco Malfoy," McGonagall replied. Hermione's eyes widened slightly but McGonagall didn't seem to notice because she had just checked her watch. "I'm sorry to cut this meeting short. But the feast is beginning in a few minutes. We had better get into the Great Hall." Hermione nodded and followed the older woman into the Great Hall. She was still shocked at the news she had just received. What would happen when her and Draco set eyes on each other again? She tried not to worry about it to much as she took her seat next to McGonagall at the Head's table.
As Hermione waited for the students to enter her eyes landed on Draco Malfoy sitting a few seats down the table from her. Her breath seemed to catch in her throat at the sight of him. He looked mostly the same as the last time she saw him, except for the fact that he looked a little older. She quickly turned away before he noticed her looking at him. She watched as first years walked up to be sorted.
The students were sorted into their houses and the feast began. Hermione filled her plate and ate her food mostly keeping quiet. Occasionally McGonagall or the other Professor next to her talked to her and she responded when she was spoken to. From time to time she felt eyes on her and knew that the eyes weren't from students watching her. She avoided looking over at the blonde and was rather glad that the feast had finally ended. McGonagall had given the last announcements and dismissed everyone.
Since McGonagall knew of Hermione's situation with Anna she had allowed her to return home in the evenings. Hermione bade the Headmistress goodbye and left the Great Hall. As she was heading toward the entrance of the school she felt a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from going any further. She turned around to meet the familiar silvery blue eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you Hermione. I just wanted to say hello," Draco said with a smile. He removed his arm from her shoulder and dropped it at his side.
"Hello Draco," Hermione replied awkwardly. She wasn't sure how to act around him now since they hadn't seen each other for four years. Even though she needed to go home to Anna she decided to try to strike up conversation with him. "How have you been?" She asked.
"Fine, I guess. Actually, I've missed you a lot. I've been hoping that I would see you sometime. And how have you been?" Draco replied.
Hermione didn't respond for a few seconds. Honestly, she had been miserable, though she did appear to be happy when she was around Anna. She had missed Draco like he missed her. A million thoughts ran through her mind. If she told him she missed him too would they get back together? If she didn't tell him she knew she'd probably be even more miserable knowing Draco still must have been felt something for her. Also, she'd have to eventually tell him about Anna and she wasn't sure at all how he'd react. However, she did picture a few things in her mind and none of his reactions were good.
"I'm been good. I've been working here for a few years," Hermione replied with a shrug. Then she decided that she would tell him she missed him. "Well, I've been missing you too," Hermione said. She looked down at the ground.
Draco put a gentle hand on Hermione's chin and titled her head up to look at him. "Hermione, I'm sorry to have left you. I really am. You know I only left you for your safety. But, I still do love you and I hope that you could give me another chance," He said honestly.
Hermione looked at him, hesitating a moment before she responded. He still loved her, she could clearly see it in his eyes and she knew that she still loved him to. But, she wanted some time to think about this.
"I do believe you. It's just that I need some time to think about this. Can I think this through tonight and then give you my answer tomorrow?" Hermione replied her eyes apologetic.
"I'll give you all the time you need to think about this. I understand, it may be difficult, for us after what we had been through together before," Draco said.
"Thank you. Well, I really need to get going. I'll see you tomorrow then?" Hermione said.
"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Hermione. It was really nice getting to see you again," Draco replied with a small smile.
"It was. Bye Draco," Hermione said. She watched him leave in the opposite direction and then she headed out of the castle.
She ended up just walking home because her home was close enough to the school that she didn't have to walk. She opened her door and was greeted by Anna and Ginny. She picked up Anna and kissed her on the forehead. "Mama. I missed you," Anna told her giving her a hug. Hermione smiled and hugged her daughter back. Anna had curly blonde hair and silvery brown eyes. She had Hermione's appearance but also Draco's pale skin. Now that Hermione had seen Draco again she couldn't help but think of how much Anna looked like Draco.
"How was your first day back?" Ginny asked, distracting her from her thoughts.
Hermione shrugged. "Same as usual. Except, I ran into someone there," Hermione said.
"Who?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Draco Malfoy. He's teaching there now. Defense Against the Dark Arts," Hermione replied.
Ginny's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Did he talk to you?" Ginny said. Ginny was one of the few people who knew who Anna's real father was, along with Harry and Luna.
"Well, yes. He said he wanted me to give him another chance," Hermione said.
"And are you going to?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know. I told him I'd think about it tonight and let him know. If I do decide to give him a chance I know I'm going to have to tell him about Anna. I'm just worried about how he'll react," Hermione replied.
"Well, don't worry about it too much okay. Just follow what your heart tells you for once. I still don't like Malfoy but I knew he made you happy and you've been miserable without him," Ginny said.
"I know," Hermione replied sadly. "I'll make the right decision Ginny. Thank you for watching Anna tonight by the way," Hermione said.
"Oh, it was no problem. It's always a pleasure to watch her. I better get going though. Harry will be expecting me home soon," Ginny replied.
"Alright. I'll see you next Monday then," Hermione said.
Ginny waved goodbye at Anna. Hermione watched as Ginny disappeared with a pop and then she decided to make Anna some dinner. When her daughter was finished she got her ready for bed and then tucked her in. Anna asked her to read before she fell asleep so Hermione read to her, it had become something that she did for her every night.
When Anna finally fell asleep Hermione left the room making sure to keep the door cracked. She went to her own bedroom and dressed for bed. She was tired now so she laid down and tried to go to sleep. But her mind was distracted by a certain blonde. She knew what she had to do because it's what her heart wanted. She just hoped that everything would turn out alright for both her and Anna in the end.
A/N: Well, what did you think? I tried to make the dates where they make since. As you can tell Deathly Hallows is not a part of this story since the trio and other students finished school. Voldemort was defeated near the end of their seventh year. Anyways, the characters are probably OOC but that's okay I suppose. I'm not sure how long I make this but it will depend on how many people want to see more of this. Reviews would be appreciated.