(1 month later)
Hermione is watching Ginny walk towards her. Hermione looks over at Harry and can tell he is truly happy; it is their wedding day after all. Hermione can't help, but have a small jab of jealous hit her. Will I ever feel that way again?
Their wedding was beautiful. Hermione sat at table holding a now sleeping Alex on her shoulder as she watched the happy couple dance. They shared the dance floor with Ron and Luna, who recently started dating, but Hermione could already tell they were both madly in love. She was happy for Ron, their relationship really had no hope when she left for school; they were both on two different tracks in life and resolved to save their friendship before anything ugly occurred.
"Come on Alex I think its time to head home," with that Hermione snuck out the back.
(1 week later)
"Happy Christmas Ms. Alex," Harry says as Hermione and her enter the burrow, "Happy Christmas Hermione."
"Happy Christmas Harry. How are you?"
"Wonderful and you?"
"Simply perfect," she says as she places Alex on the floor. Alexandra instantly rolls on her stomach and begins reaching for toys.
"Have you heard Malfoy has taken over his family business and is staying in London?" Harry asks slightly hesitant.
"Yes, I read it in the paper. I hope he is happy and no Harry I don't plan on telling him. I already tried that once and nothing changed," Hermione replied.
"I know, but he is her dad and deserve the right to know her. Even more so he is actual in the same country now!"
"Harry," Hermione says in a soft voice placing her hand on his shoulder, "I love that you care, I really do. But its Christmas can we analyze later. Please?"
He smiled, "Of course. Everyone is in the kitchen eating, Ill get Alex you relax and grab a plate."
"Thanks."
It was Alexandra's first Christmas, while she had no clue today was any different from yesterday Hermione wanted her first Christmas to be perfect. A couple days earlier Hermione had bought a tree and decorated while Alex played on her stomach. Alex spent hours just staring at the lights. She bought way too many presents and knew the Weasleys would have done the same.
Hermione was proven right when after dinner they all returned to living room to exchange gifts. Alex had a pile taller then her. The rest of the day Hermione enjoyed food and being able to relax since there were more then enough people willing to entertain Alex.
Long after Alex was asleep Hermione was found sitting with her friends around a fire. Everyone had been enjoying their Christmas and only a spare few seemed not to be indulging in firewhiskey. For a brief moment, in-between Ron and George making jokes and Harry and Ginny snuggling, Hermione felt like they were back and Hogwarts with their entire lives ahead of them. Then reality came right back when she realized the only one she had to share the holidays with was still in diapers. Hermione loved her daughter more then anything, but at times the realization of how different her life is from her friends was painfully obvious.
At that moment Hermione decided instead of dwelling on what she didn't have was too painful to stay. She bid everyone and good night, shrunk all Alexandra's gifts, and then headed upstairs to get her daughter. Ginny followed behind her.
"Hermione, I know I have offered before-" Ginny started.
"Oh Ginny,"
"Please he is a nice guy I promise. I have worked with him for almost a year. He knows you have a daughter and yet he still asks about you. Please let me set you two up?"
"Oh Gin, I don't know."
"Just one date. Then if you don't like him or think its too soon I will back off. But come on Hermione I saw you tonight, you are lonely."
Hermione just looked at her friend, wow am I that obvious?
"Fine Gin, one date. But lets wait till the new year. Alex is still so young and this is her first new years eve I want to be with her."
"Deal. Have a good night and Happy Christmas."
"Ya, Happy Christmas."
When Hermione arrived home she placed Alex in her crib thankful she didn't wake during their travels. Went to the kitchen for a cup of tea before turning in for the night. As she turned on the light she noticed a note on her table. Inside it said
Hermione,
Happy Christmas. I am sorry I have not wrote sooner. I am not sure if you heard, but I have taken over responsibility for the family business and it has kept me more occupied then originally thought. It's been over a month since I saw you in that shop, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Have dinner with me? I have so much I want to tell you. At least I hope the friendship we developed after the war is still in good standing. Please have dinner with me.
Draco.
(One month later)
"Hermione, please I am telling you, pick this dress you will look amazing!" Ginny pleaded.
"Yeah and it also looks like I am asking for sex. That doesn't sound like a first date kind of outfit."
"Oh Hermione," Ginny gave in hanging the small black dress back up.
"Look Dave said it was casual, I am sticking with what I have on. But, I do appreciate your help," Hermione added. Hermione had accepted to go to just dinner with Ginny's coworker Dave. The two had exchanged a couple letters, but nothing more. She choose dark black pants with a cream colored sweater, scarf, and flats. Her hair was up, it was too windy outside to deal with it down. Hermione only allowed Ginny to put on a small amount of make up on her.
"Hermione please, a little lip stick?"
"Gin, why get dolled up? You have already done an amazing job, you have made me look managed to make me look beautiful. Besides, he should like me for who I am and not some doll I can dress up to be."
"Oh Hermione," Ginny just shakes her head and enters the living room. Tonight her and Harry would be watching Alex while Hermione went on her date. Currently Harry sat on the cough trying to help Alex to her feet.
"Harry I don't know if she is strong enough to do that yet," Hermione smiled at him.
"Oh did you hear that Alex your mom doesn't think you can do it," Harry answered.
"Oh you are horrible. Alexandra," Hermione says as she picks Alex up to hug her again before she leaves, "be good ok love? And if Harry says anything else bad about me just spit up on him ok?" Hermione grins, kisses her daughter again, and hands her back to Harry.
"Have fun Hermione, don't rush home we have it under control."
"Bye," Hermione says with one last look at Alex and leaves with a "pop."
Outside the restaurant Hermione takes a deep breath before walking towards the host stand. She was so focused on her destination she forgot to take in her surroundings.
"Hermione?" someone calls.
She turns around, Oh god its Draco, "What are you doing here?" she snaps unexpectedly.
"Hello to you too. Don't you look lovely this evening, have a date Granger?" Draco spats back. Hermione notices a tall thin blonde standing next to him who seemed completely unimpressed about where she was.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude you just startled me," Hermione says apologetically. Then she noticed a man approaching them. He was her height, which seemed so small compared to Dracos' tall frame; the man he had short brown hair and brown eyes.
"Hi Hermione I am Dave. Its nice to finally meet you in person," Dave said not noticing the tense situation he just walked into.
"Oh, hi yes nice to meet you as well," Hermione said unsure what to do next, "Well good seeing you Malfoy enjoy your evening." She makes a quick look at his date once more then turns and follows Dave to their table.
The entire evening was lovely. Dave was interesting enough, but conversation was forced. He studied in the states and moved to London after the war. He worked with Ginny, both wrote their own column in the paper. Hermione had a glass of wine with dinner and then a simple dessert afterwards.
He walked her out, "I had a lovely time tonight I hope you did as well?" he inquired.
"Yes, thank you for the evening. I enjoyed the meal, but I really should be getting home."
"Oh, I was hoping maybe getting a drink somewhere else and continue our conversation," He replied.
What conversation? Oh right about how great your job is and the many important people he meets. "Maybe some other time, but I really should check on my daughter. Thanks again."
Dave moved in to kiss her, but she turned her cheek to him and then gave him a hug. As Hermione backed away she noticed bright blonde hair out of the corner of her eye.
"Good night Dave," Hermione said as she started to walk away. She heard footsteps behind her, as she turned to apparate away she felt a hand engulf hers.
"Granger who was that?" Draco asked.
Hermione sighed, conceding to the fact she would have to talk him.
"A date, poor one at that, but I am headed home. Good night," Hermione relied hoping to leave quickly.
"Couldn't have been worse then mine," he grinned.
"I have to go."
"Why did you never answer my owl?"
"I don't know, why did you decide that after over a year it was finally time you write me!" Anger now taking over.
"I told you a need a break from everything. I told you how horrible life before was like and how worse it got when I became a spy for the order. I was only a kid –"
"Right you needed a break from me too then. And besides we were all just kids!"
"You're right, but still I needed time alone. I know you were ready to take on the world again, but I wasn't. I never said I needed a break from you specifically, just need to be able to think by myself," he moved closer as he talked, "However I am back now and I am finally on the same page that you are."
"No you aren't. If you were you would have replied to my letter I sent 5 months ago! Listen its been a long night and I need to get to sleep so I am not a complete wreck at work tomorrow. Good Night" This time Hermione stepped back and was able to leave before he reached for you.
She arrived in her room and fell on the floor. She did not know why he wasn't mean or rude, but somehow his words hurt and tears began to fall. Why now did he want her, why not then? When she is finally ready to move on he shows up. It isn't fare! Maybe it was simply because she couldn't have what was right in front of her and that's what hurt the most.
Her door opens, "Hermione? Oh no what happened? Ill kill him, I swear I will!" Ginny says.
"No Dave was fine. Well boring and pompous, I wont see him again. But he didn't do anything to hurt me. I saw Malfoy there with some stick figure of a blonde with him," Hermione continued on with what happened.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but maybe its time to tell him again. No listen Hermione he tried to reach out to you twice and both times you have turned him down. I would have done the same thing, but we are talking about a Malfoy he will only take rejection so many times. And, don't you owe it to yourself to see if you really do love him and not the idea of him?" Ginny finished.
"I never said I loved him," Hermione said defensively.
"You didn't have to Hermione we can all see it. We noticed a change in you those months you were at Hogwarts. Then how defeated you looked when you returned."
Hermione just sat there. She was so focused on making a good life for her daughter and pushing her feelings aside she forgot how she truly felt back then. Did I love him?
"How was Alex?" Hermione asked.
Ginny sighed but answered, "Nice change in subject, but she was wonderful as always. Can't wait for Harry and I to start a family."
"I am sure we wont have to wait too long," Hermione grinned.
"Harry fell asleep, Ill wake him then we will go. Get some rest Hermione consider what I said you and Alex deserve happiness."
"Thanks Ginny," she said as she hugged her friend.
Hermione woke with a headache, but forced herself to shower quickly before Alex woke up. She decided to stop at a local bakery on the way into work today. Felt she needed the extra treat.
As she walked into work, "Morning, I brought breakfast," Hermione called out.
"Morning. Oh that smells wonderful, doesn't it Ms. Alex," Mrs. Smith said as she reached for the child. Alex giggled and practically jumped into her arms.
"See you later sweetie," Hermione kissed her and headed to the front of the store.
"Oh good you are here Hermione," Mr. Smith said, "we received a new shipment that needs to be put away."
"Ill start right away. There is coffee and breakfast in the back if you want some?"
"Fantastic, Ill come back shortly to help."
Hermione looked at the boxes of books, oh yes this would take some time she thought. She worked till late morning when the doorbell chimed out as someone entered. Hermione stood to greet them, but froze at the sight.
"Good Morning Hermione, this isn't the place I thought you would be working at?" Draco said.
"A good morning greeting and an insult all in one breath Malfoy you really haven't changed have you?" Hermione replied.
"That's not what I meant. I didn't mean to disrespect where you work, simply that if I had to guess where you worked after school this wouldn't have been on the list. However, looking into it a little more you do love to read, so maybe I don't know you as well as I thought."
"No you don't."
He walked closer, "Will you give me the chance to be your … friend, again?"
"Why?"
"Because I have never stopping think about our last night at Hogwarts together. If only we had more time together, but I was selfish and I needed to get away. Not from you, but from everything. I thought you understood and if not I apologize for not explaining better. There hasn't been anyone since you-"
"What about that blonde the other night?"
"It was just a date and a boring one at that, I already told you this. And how can you act all jealous you never answer my letter! I figured that meant you moved on as well, so I needed to try to do the same. Then when I saw you with that … man that's all I could think of all night long. Please let me just try again, I promise I am not going anywhere. The plan was to be gone much longer then a year, but a year was more then enough. In fact some days it felt like too much time, I missed you Hermione," by then end of his speech he was standing right next to her, his hands to tough her.
"Back to first names are we?" she replies softly
"Hermione," his tone is longing and he leans in and kisses her. The kiss was slow, as if trying to remember what it was like and make a memory of it incase it was their last. As they pull away Hermione's first though goes to Alex.
"Can you meet me out front? Ill go ask if I can have the afternoon off."
"Of course," Draco replies stealing one more kiss before walking away. As soon as the bell rings out and the door closes Hermione rushes to the back room.
"Mr. Smith, I am sorry to do this to you with the new shipment and all, but would it be possible if I took the afternoon off?" Hermione pleaded
"Hermione, I am an old man I can't do all that work alone," he says back.
"If I promise to come in tomorrow and complete it while the shop is closed?"
Mr. Smith looks at his wife who gives a half smile, "Go ahead Hermione, Ill leave the key in the usual spot for you."
"Fantastic, thank you. Come on Alexandra there is someone who is waiting for us," Hermione says as she bundles her back up.
"Who is meeting you dear," Mrs. Smith asks.
"Umm, its Draco actually. He is back in town. I figured one more try wouldn't hurt, maybe if he actually sees her he will stay," Hermione replied voice full of fear.
"Sounds brave. Let us know if you need anything dear. See you Monday," she gives Hermione and encouraging smile.
"Thank You. Bye. Say Bye Alex," Hermione says, Alex just giggles.
As Hermione walks through the bookstore she says, "Now Alex, no matter what happens today I will always love you."
She opens the door and Draco turns to greet her. His smile falls when he looks at Alex.
He is quite; they all are, just staring at one another. His eyes darting back and forth between the two.
Hermione starts, "Remember when I said I wrote you 5 months ago. Well it was to announce the birth of my daughter, our daughter Draco." She continues to look in his eyes hoping to read anything in them. She is unsuccessful. He remains quite, his face completely blank.