The Glimpse

Chapter Two
Here's to Waking Up

Hermione felt herself waking up out of a very comfortable sleep. She twisted a bit stretching out her limbs. She noted how smooth the black silk nightgown was against her skin. Then of course she realized, she had no idea where she was or what had happened.

The last thing she remembered was taking that potion. Had something gone wrong with the spell? Where was her tour guide, her Ghost of Christmas Past? Was this some kind of alternate universe? Her mind was buzzing with questions. She carefully opened her eyes and forced herself to take in two large deep breaths. She needed to evaluate the situation. Perhaps this is just where the future Hermione lived, and she would need to find her to see her future. Very quietly she got up, so that if future Hermione was around she wouldn't see her. (She suddenly had Professor McGonagall's words from third year running in her head about how dangerous a time turner could be.)

She noticed how sexy the little nightie that she had on was, and she couldn't quite figure that out. For the time being, though, she decided to focus on one thing at a time.

Across the bedroom the door was ajar to a bathroom. She crept in, after first being sure no one else was occupying it. She stopped stunned as her eyes met her own.

"Well, someone must have had a long night." The mirror retorted. Hermione couldn't take her eyes off herself. She was...pretty. She was shocked. She could see the age in her face. Probably late twenties early thirties she guessed, but she looked good. Her hair was dark and smooth. "You are awfully quiet today!" The mirror yelled.

"Oh shut up." Hermione muttered to her own reflection.

"You weren't saying that last night from what I heard."

Hermione felt her cheeks burn with blush. She reached for the silk robe draped over the chair in front of what she assumed was her vanity. She certainly had not expected the glimpse to be anything like this. She thought she would see the future not be a part of it. She had no memories, only those up until the last drink of potion. So it was as though she had no clue who she was. The mirror's implications had made her begin to question.

That's when she noticed the large diamond ring on her left ring finger. There were two dazzling rings an engagement ring and a wedding ring! She was married. Hermione forced herself to take another deep breath.

Now with no fear that she would walk upon herself, since she was herself or however that worked. She strolled back into the bedroom to find something to tell her about her life. The room was beautiful, decorated in black and silver. There were no pictures, though, nothing to tell her which man she shared her life with. She began to wonder. Was it Ron? or Harry? Everything looked expensive. Perhaps Ron had become some famous Qudditch star and they were wealthy. Well, it could have happened? Maybe not Hermione thought to herself.

Just as she began to peer into the nightstand drawer, a loud POP echoed through the air.

A house elf appeared in front of her.

"Madame. Master wanted to know if you were awake and were going to have breakfast with him and the children?"

THE CHILDREN?!?! She was married and had children. OK no big deal. Two more deep breaths. "Can I ask a strange question?" Hermione looked to the house elf hoping for just a little help.

The little elf nodded with glee.

"How am I normally dressed for breakfast?"

The little elf smiled, "Like that with the robe Madame."

She nodded. "And where are we having breakfast this morning?"

The little elf smiled some more, "In the dining room, Tilly take you there. Come on." She turned and opened the door to the hallway. The elf walked down a large hall and through the living room. She opened the door and Hermione saw two young children sitting at a dining room table. The littler one was a girl, she looked maybe four or five. While the boy was older maybe ten or so. She walked towards the table.

"Good morning mommy," two voices chimed.

"Ah, good morning." She noticed that there was a copy of the Daily Prophet and a half drank coffee cup sitting at the head of the table. "Where is your daddy at?"

The boy spoke up, "Dad went to find some file for work today."

Just as he said that Hermione heard footsteps outside of the same door she had moments ago walked through. She turned her head trying not to look too interested in who would be coming through the door. But before the door opened she heard a glass crash to the floor. The little girl had dropped her glass. The little girl, her daughter she thought, began to cry. "I'm sorry."

"It's OK sweetie. We'll just have to clean it up."

POP "Tilly get it Madame."

That's when she heard the silky voice of a man behind her, "Yes, thanks Tilly. And don't worry Bella, Daddy will buy you a dozen more cups just like it."

Hermione's eyes couldn't believe what they saw. She was still standing her hand resting on the back of Bella's chair, as she felt her knees get weak. It couldn't be, but it was. Draco Malfoy. Daddy.

Dressed in long very posh black robes, he walked right up to her and kissed her chastely. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" He asked, then more quietly in her ear, "what little sleep you did get." His smirk hadn't changed a bit.

Hermione was trying to cover her disgusted and shocked expression. She played it cool. "Of course I slept well. Do you have a busy day ahead?"

Draco took his seat and motioned for her to sit too. "Yeah you know, today's the big day. So I've got to be ready."

Big day for what she wondered, but she just smiled and nodded trying not to blow it.

"You are still bringing Orion and Bellatrix down for lunch today, right? I want you guys there. The press will love it, plus its really important that we stand as a family."

"Of course I am. We wouldn't miss it for anything. Where are we supposed to meet you again?" She tried a tentative question, thinking it wouldn't be too off.

"That's a good question. I'm not sure where exactly I'll be at one. Let's see why don't you just meet me at the ministry entrance about one-ish. I'll come get you guys."

Hermione nodded, "OK that sounds good to me."

"Oh and wear your nice black robes with the velvet lining, they look so good on you." Hermione blushed.

Draco caught sight of her innocent blush. His eyes twisted into that famous Malfoy smirk once more. He pointed towards the living room door, and darted his eyes towards it. As if signaling her to get up, so she did.

He got up too, and she heard little Bella ask, "Where are you going? We haven't finished breakfast."

Malfoy with all the patience in the world replied, "We're going to talk for a minute we'll be right back."

Once in the hall he asked, "Herm, babe, are you ok? Did you not get enough sleep?" He winked, "Cause I know we were up late."

She thought quick trying to think of a response other than, 'I hate you and now am suddenly married to you and don't understand.' "I'm just a little overwhelmed that's all."

"I know, but its all going to go just fine. I promise you won't have to see Potter or Weasley at all today."

She spoke before she could stop herself, "Why wouldn't I want to see them?"

He rolled his eyes, "You don't have to pretend with me. Remember I am the one who has been with you through it all. I didn't give up on you or freak out when you did what needed to be done to end the war."

This was more information than she could handle.

He went on, "Hermione, listen I know that sometimes you wonder if it was worth it, but think about our life. We have two wonderful, intelligent kids. You are probably going to be the next Minister of Magic. The first female ever, and no matter how much you lost, Harry and Ron are happy and alive because of all that. Though I wonder if that part was worth it..."

He meant the last part as a joke, but she was too lost in her own thoughts to realize.

"I was kidding about that. Come on baby, what is wrong?" he was beginning to get frustrated.

She sighed, "I guess I'm just thinking back. It's like if you had told me ten years ago I would be here, I would never have believed it. I mean how in the world did you and I become you and I?" She asked what she really wanted to know, hoping on some off chance that he would answer the question that she could not figure out in anyway.

His eyes twinkled with nostalgia, "Ah, yes. The most strange and incredible night of our lives. It was a night to remember. It's in the pensive in the bedroom. Why don't you go relive it, and I will make sure the kids know when to be ready. I will get Tilly to make sure you come out on time and all that. Go remember why we are what we are, so that you can stop worrying your pretty little head off."

Then he kissed her. He kissed her like she'd never been kissed before. Deep and passionate.

And then he walked back into the dining room and left her with a thousand thoughts.