Hermione was so tired. She and Ron had been fighting for the past week. They were trying to find a place. It had been three weeks since Hermione was back in Wizarding World and she wanted a place that was hers and Ron's. Ron finally realized it was time to leave the Burrow when Molly and Arthur had not so kindly hinted at it.
But they couldn't agree on any place and that seemed to frustrated them and Ron's laidback nature which was one of the many reasons Hermione fell in love with him was starting to grate her nerves. She needed a break. As if reading her mind. There was a knock on the door.
Ginny ran in almost attacking Hermione with a bear hug. "Gin I saw you today morning. You and I had breakfast with Harry.". Still in the bear hug. Ginny merely smiled.
"I miss you is all. Everytime I see you I realise you're back. It's so nice to have you back." Ginny said looking down. Hermione felt a pang of hurt. Even though everyone knew why she had taken a break from the Wizarding World, she had forgotten that they would be effected by her decision as well. Maybe that was the reason she was fighting with Ron so much. Maybe there was some unresolved anger.
Hermione hugged Ginny. "I missed you so much Ginerva Weasley. And I love you. I'm back okay? For good. I'm not going again.". Ginny hugged her back tighter. Some tears were shed. And some words were said that included the best friend ever and Ron is an idiot.
After Hermione had truly caught up with Ginny and her life and her new friends. Ginny forced Hermione to go shopping with her.
"I'll introduce you to the Slytherins" was the promise she left the Brunette with..
Next Morning
Ron told Hermione. They needed space. She couldn't refute that. Even though her heart was yelling. Even though she knew she wanted him to just hold her and tell they were going to be okay. She knew they he was right. He had stayed with Dean and Seamus who were having a wizard chess night with a few other classmates from Hogwarts which included Nott and Pucey which suprised Hermione a bit. She never thought the Slytherins would make amends and be accepted so quickly as a part of society. She found it strange Ronald Weasley, of all people was okay with it. He was. He liked them. Just not Malfoy.
Talking about Malfoy. He had come to pick up Teddy when she was not there. So she wasn't able to analyse and find out about him as much as she wanted. He had left the invites though. The ball was the day after tomorrow. Yes, ofcourse Zabini and Parkinson would have a ball for their engagement. Ginny and Hermione were going shopping today for dresses. She dressed up in a white summery top and jeans. She was nervous about meeting Parkinson and Greengrass. She was war hero she thought to herself she can handle two Slytherin girls. But the muggle school bullied 10 year old in her just wanted to be accepted. The thought of them being okay with muggleborns and still not being okay with her was something she was scared of. It would confirm the theory she had feeling for weeks. That she was not good enough
Hermione had apparated to the new 'It' cafe in the Wizarding World. It was Parkinson's cafe. It was called Tabula Rusa which meant blank slate. Hermione was actually quite impressed at Parkinson knowing a bit about muggle philosophy. As she walked in she felt a pit in her stomach. But before she knew it she was greeted by a warm hug.
"Hope the Floofies kept you safe in the muggle world." Said the Blond haired beauty. Hermione smiled. Luna was one of the few people she had stayed in contact with from the Wizarding World. She was one of the nicest people she had met and despite her quirks had grown to become one of her close friends.
She smiled fondly at her "They did Luna. And honestly some days it was easier knowing they were there." Hermione then studied the cafe. It was so beautiful. It had a comic strip of the different professors from Hogwarts saying their catch phrases or inside jokes. The tables were snitches and the chairs were quaffles. The bar lounge had the rustic look from Leaky Cauldron and it looked so good. Exactly like Muggle Cafe. Wizards were pretty old fashioned so she was surprised Parkinson had incorporated so much muggle ideas to freshen it up.
Before Hermione could finsh her analysis. She heard a sweet voice "Luna, you were supposed to warm me when she came. I was going to bring some beingnets and make a good impression." Standing there was Pansy, she had altered her pug face a bit. She looked much prettier. She had cut her black hair into a bob that suit her and she worse summery yellow dress which made her look quite raidant. The diamond on her finger helped made her look even more posh and put together. And the beingnets in her hand looked
scrumptious.
Pansy walked down to greet the war hero. She looked nervous which made Hermione feel more calm and in control. She offered her as smile as she came closer. Pansy then stopped put the tray down. "Before I attempt to become one of the bestest friends you have. I want to apologise. For what I did in school. What I said. I was a brat influenced by the boy I was in love with which hindred my ability to form my own opinions. I was so into him.i didn't realise I hurt so many people. I think a part of me hated you so much. Because you were better than me. Even the boy I loved knew that. And that hurt that he thought you were better. My whole life I have been brainwashed that muggleborns were below me. But you challenged that. And the truth was I couldn't understand how you were better than me. After the war you were one of the reasons I knew what the Dark Lord said was wrong. And what I had believed was wrong. It took me some time to unlearn that racism. And change who I am. But I have. It was a struggle but I did. And I'm proud of who I am. I hope you will accept my apology. Even if you are not ready to be friends I understand. But I want you to know I'm truly apologetic".
What Hermione did next her even shocked her. She hugged Pansy. Even Pansy seemed a bit taken back but hugged her back.
"I would never blame you for what your teenage self did. I'm proud you changed and overcomed who you were. And I can't wait to get to know this version of you." She said still in embrace.
"Hey. I thought you would be be friendly. But Pansy you don't have to go outright and steal her" said the red haired beauty as she giggled. She had just come in to see Hermione Granger and Pansy Parkinson in an embrace. And that had her a bit startled.
Pansy stuck her tongue out at her. "Well you never make me Beingnets. Try it once. Maybe we'll think about that best friend tag" quipped the Brunette which led all of them to laugh. They were soon joined by Tracy Davis, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass who asked Hermione for a fresh start. They didn't really apologise because they had never been mean to her in school or had ever call her a mudblood. But it was easy to see they had shed their "blood purity" thoughts. They were all eating Beingnets as they waited for the Patil Twins and Lavender.
As the latter joined them. Hermione looked around the room. She had to admit this was the strangest group she had been in. But she was having fun. Daphne has a wicked sense of humor and was quite the impressionist. She was quite entertaining. And had made Hermione laugh so hard for the first time in a long time. Tracy and Astoria were dating which was the cutest thing. Everytime they would look at each other and kiss. Hermione felt both a sense of happiness for them but a pang of jealousy. She missed Ron. This was a scary thought trail she must change the subject.
"I love the decor and the layout. Also the name of you cafe. I never pegged you for a interest in muggle philosophy Pansy." The blacked haired beauty looked a bit shameful. " It wasn't my idea to be honest. It was Draco's. He's intellectual and into all this. The decor was my idea. Blaise and I loved this little quaint cafes in US when we had come. So I wanted to replicate it. I wanted the cafe to be a sign of a new start so Draco came up with the name. He's always been into Muggleborn literature. He's quite the book worm" "I agree. I think he'd give Mione a run for her money" said Ginny laughing. But Hermione was too gone to enjoy the entertainment and hear who Lavender is sleeping with. Draco Malfoy read Muggle Literature. He was always into. What the actual fuck.
Hermione didn't even noticed the Patil Twins walk in and gush about how Dean and Seamus were the perfect boyfriends. Or when they all left the cafe to go to the robes store. She couldn't get over Malfoy reading Muggle Literature.
Madame Malkins was so good as usual. Hermione had always been a bit of a Tom boy. Even in her teen years she was to busy fighting Voldemort to enjoy shopping. But now with 9 other girls she found out it was so much fun. Blaise had closed down the shop for his fiance. And they ordered champagne and Beingnets were brought by Pansy. And it was like a romcom clothes trial sequence. Every girl tried. And we're wooed or booed depending on how good it looked. Hermione was very happy with her dress. But you'd have to wait for the the day of the ball to know what it looked like. Astoria found it for her and said it would look beautiful on her. And it did. She felt happy for the first time in weeks. She was so relaxed and was just having fun. This was new for Hermione. And she wasn't going to lie. It was the best day ever.
Ginny and Hermione walked home. They were discussing their day. And laughing at the antics of the Patil Twins.
"I liked them I didn't think I would".
"Yeah I'm glad Millicent wasn't there. She's a okay person. But I don't think your impression of her would have been favorable on the first day. You have to ease into it. " That made Hermione laugh a little harder than she expected so much so walked into someone.
Draco Malfoy. "You got to be fucking kidding" Hermione said aloud before she even understood what had happened.
"Granger." nodded the Malfoy as he looked at her with a bit of confusion. He hugged Ginny and gave her a smile. Hermione found herself feeling a bit slighted that no smile was directed towards her.
"Draco I have missed you. Where have you been you are?"
"Teddy and I went to Florence to meet Mother and Aunt. He missed them a bit."
" Oh yeah when are they back?"
"For Blaise and Pansy's engagement. And then they'll go back if they don't find what they are looking for."
Hermione scowled at both of them for ignoring their existence and having a normal conversation. How does one even have a normal conversation with a Ferret?
" Hermione and I just finished shopping with Pansy."
"Hope you had fun Granger. Well I'm off. Bye Weaselette. Tell Potter he should'nt be late for quidditch. And you too don't be late"
Before Hermione could have even comprehended what had happened. Draco was off. He had addressed her without eye contact and went on his way.
" I know you need time before you become friends or even think about forgiving him. That's why I didn't push him or you towards conversation
I know he needs to do it on his own. Otherwise you won't think it's sincere. But Hermione he is nice. I never thought I would say that about him. But he is actually a genuinely good person though he'll never admit it or show it"
Hermione nodded and smiled at what Ginny had said. Maybe he had changed. She trusted Ginny's instincts. And Harry's more than anyone she knew. May be he wasn't bad.
"The quidditch match tomorrow before their engagement is between old classmates. It's fun. George and Draco are friends. Really close. That alone is a sight to behold. Also Harry will be there. And Neville, Dean and Seamus. A few Slytherins. But I think today was proof they have changed"
" I don't know Ginny. I think Ron and I need to talk it out. And spend tommorow together"
" I know Mione. That's why I called you. I know you don't like quidditch but tomorrow Ron is coming as well. It will be like old times. You, Harry, Ron and I can have lunch after? Like old times. You guys will have fun. You need fun"
Hermione actually felt excited. "Sounds quite good. Let's do it"
As she left she came home to a note saying don't wait took the night shift. Will see you tomorrow. She sent him a letter about Ginny's suggestion and went to bed with dreams of a sexy blonde quidditch player.
