So you guys said that you wanted me to continue, so here's chapter 2.
I've got the first four chapters written out already, but I'm not sure how long this will be. I suppose we'll figure it out together.
Hermione hadn't answered the owl that Draco had sent her last night, not because she didn't want to see him again, but more so because she found it amusing. She wanted to know what his reaction would be to being ignored.
And yes, she realized it was a rather childish thing to do, and a small part of her thought that she should apologize, but an even bigger part of her found it too funny of an opportunity to pass up. Besides, like she'd thought before, she was curious about his reaction.
Not a good one, she presumed, as she saw a familiar head of blonde hair walking towards her store.
She couldn't hide her smile as she turned to continue cleaning off the glass cases, pretending that she hadn't seen him.
She heard the door open, and turned to see Draco standing in her store. She hadn't seen him in so long, so she still wasn't used to him and how much he'd changed over the years. Though the years had definitely done him justice.
And he could say the same about her. She'd turned into a beautiful young woman - not that she hadn't been attractive in school, but now it was a mature sort of attractiveness.
"Still good at bruising egos, I see." he said, a wry smirk on his face as he walked over to the counter she was currently cleaning.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." she said, an innocent smile on her face, toffee eyes sparkling.
A strange thought crossed Draco's mind about how her eyes reminded him of his favorite candy.
He pushed the thought aside and asked, "Why didn't you owl me back?"
"Did you honestly expect me to?"
"Well I took it as a good sign that you didn't hex me immediately after seeing me yesterday." he said, slightly uncertain now.
"Of course I wouldn't hex you, Malfoy. We're adults...a lot's changed since school."
He nodded. She couldn't have been more right.
Although the attraction towards the brunette witch in front of him wasn't one of those things. He could remember thinking of her back to as far as third year when she slapped him across the face.
Obviously they had been children then, and then the war had happened, but in their last year there had been an understanding between them. They hadn't exactly been friends, but they'd spoken and tried to at least move past what had happened.
And then he'd gone and married Astoria, and she'd been with Ron, and they'd just...forgotten the other had existed.
But that wasn't the case anymore.
Hermione was very much standing in front of him, and he had every intention of getting to know this woman who resembled the girl he'd known at Hogwarts, but was so fundamentally different at the same time.
"So then why didn't you?" he asked, repeating his question.
"Honestly?" she said, wiping down the last case before tossing the rag onto the chair behind her, "I wanted to know what you'd do."
He raised one perfectly shaped blonde eyebrow and asked, "Excuse me?"
"I wanted to know what you'd do." she repeated, leaning her hip against the side of another case while looking at him.
He shook his head, a slightly amused smile on his face, "You're ridiculous."
She shrugged, "How's Scorpius?"
He was a bit surprised by her question, but at the same time glad that she'd asked.
"Good. Asking about when he can come back to see you."
At his words Hermione smiled, unable to stop herself. She'd always had a soft spot for children, but there was something about Scorpius that really got to her.
It could've been how adorable he was, about how he'd barreled into her, about how fascinated he was with her hair - but regardless of why, she just was.
"Really?"
"Seems you had quite the impact on him."
More impact then Draco cared to admit. Scorpius had never taken to any of the women-friends in his life, and barely even spoke to Pansy, and he'd known her his entire life. But for some reason he'd immediately connected with Hermione, and Draco wasn't one to believe in signs, but if he did that would definitely be one.
"Well he's a very sweet little boy, so unlike his father." she said with a smirk.
Draco chuckled, "Careful now, Granger. You've already bruised my ego enough in the short time that we've met again."
She rolled her eyes, not believing him for a minute and asked, "Was there a reason you showed up here?"
"To ask you to get coffee with me. Again." he added the last part wryly.
She couldn't help the question that tumbled from her lips, always the curious one, "Why?"
He hadn't expected the question, though knowing her he should have.
After a moments pause he shrugged, "Because I want to. We can even pick one of these ridiculous muggle ones around here."
She chuckled softly at his offer but before she could answer Harry walked in with his youngest child, Lily.
"Hey, Mione. How are -" Harry stopped short when he saw Draco, clearly surprised by his presence.
Lily, on the other hand, was struggling to get out of her father's arms, and when Harry put her down, ran over to Hermione. She picked her up, pressing a kiss to her cheek, and cooed a few words to her while Draco and Harry spoke.
"Malfoy, I didn't expect to see you here."
"I wouldn't have expected to see myself here a few days ago." he said honestly.
"You've got a son don't you? Around James' age."
Draco had no idea how old James was, but nodded nonetheless, "Scorpius."
"I actually got to meet him yesterday." said Hermione, tuning into their conversation.
Harry raised a surprised eyebrow at her, "How'd that happen?"
"He ran into me." she said with a chuckle, bouncing Lily on her hip.
Draco couldn't help but notice how comfortable she was with Lily, much like she'd been with Scorpius the day before.
He listened while Hermione told Harry the story of their encounter, leaving out the part about him asking her to get coffee.
"Children," chuckled Harry, "The quick way to Mione's heart."
Hermione laughed and then asked, "So what are you doing here? I thought you and Ginny were redecorating?"
Harry groaned, not at all enjoying the redecoration process, especially because of how...picky, Ginny was with things like that.
"Well I'll let you guys talk. I'll just see you later, Granger." said Malfoy, slowly backing towards the door.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh come off it. We don't bite. Stay."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, maybe you can explain to me why the hell my wife thinks it's absolutely imperative to have the exact shade of blue that she wants for the bathroom."
Draco snorted, "Like I understand why women do anything."
Before Harry could agree with him, Hermione interrupted.
"As much as this unexpected bonding session is just tugging at my heart strings," she said sarcastically, "I'd love to know what I can actually help you with, Harry."
Harry chuckled and said, "Nothing really. I just came to invite you to the Burrow tomorrow. Molly and Arthur -"
"Harry," she sighed softly, "I know, but I just can't."
"Can't or won't?"
"Both." she answered honestly.
It wasn't that she still had feelings for Ron, because that wasn't the case. She was more than happy for him and Lavender. The problem was that Lavender was pregnant, and having to see them - that - would be a slap in the face to her, and she couldn't deal with that. She didn't want to deal with it.
The entire premise of their split had been because of her incapability to give him children, so he'd left to find someone who could give him that.
And it wasn't that she resented him for it. It wasn't that she was mad at him. She understood. She wanted to have a family more than anything, and he had too, so she couldn't imagine taking that away from him as well.
She'd actually been the one to propose the divorce. Not because they didn't love each other, but because they did love each other. Because Hermione wanted him to be happy, and knew that she wouldn't be able to do it.
But that didn't make it sting any less.
"Ron said that he really wants to see you again. Said that he hopes you come to the dinner." said Harry, attempting to convince his friend, even though he knew that she still wouldn't go.
"I know. I'd like to see everyone too, but...I'm sorry Harry. I'm not going." she said with a shrug.
Draco wondered if things had ended sorely between she and Ron, especially since she'd told him children had been a big part of it, but it wasn't his business, so he didn't ask.
"I figured." said Harry with a sigh, "But you know I had to ask."
"I know." she said with a chuckle. "You can tell Molly I found that necklace she was looking for though."
A few minutes of conversation later, some of which Draco even chimed in on, Harry and Lily left.
"Well since I know you don't have any plans, there's no reason you can't get a cup of coffee with me." he said with a smirk.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I could have other plans."
"Somehow I don't think you do, Granger." he said with a smirk.
She picked the rag up from the chair she'd tossed it on earlier, and walked towards the back of the store, Draco moving with her, but staying on the opposite side of the glass cases the entire time.
She tossed the rag into the back room, turning back around to face him again.
"So what do you say, Granger? Coffee tomorrow?" he asked, suddenly nervous for some unknown reason. He wasn't used to rejection with women, on any level, so having to deal with her made him uneasy.
She ran a hand through her curls before saying, "Alright. Coffee tomorrow."
"Any particular coffee house you prefer?" he asked, a confident smirk on his face.
"I'll leave it to you, Malfoy. You can owl me which one."
"Oh, because that worked out so well last time." he said wryly. "I don't think so, Granger. What's your number?"
She raised an eyebrow at him, "Now why would I give you my number?"
"So that if you don't answer me this time, I can just annoy you to death by ringing you." he said with a chuckle.
She couldn't help but laugh as well, before giving him her number.
Just then a customer walked in, a regular for Hermione.
"I'll call you tonight then." said Draco, backing up towards the door.
"And maybe I'll even answer."
He chuckled, amused at her smart mouth and said, "I'm sure you will. Until next time, Granger."
"Tell Scorpius I said hello!" she called after him.
A small smile crossed his face and he nodded before leaving her store.
Hermione didn't know what she was accomplishing by meeting with Draco to have coffee. A new friend?
It seemed possible. After all they were adults now, and even though they still fired sarcastic comments at one another, they weren't filled with malice like they once were.
For whatever the reason though, Hermione had every intention of meeting him for coffee.
And answering his call later tonight.
Alright, leave me a review and tell me what you thought. (: Like I said, not sure how long/how serious I'm going to make this, but I'll see where Hermione and Draco take me.
