Thank you for the lovely reviews. ;) My heart is swelling! Sorry for the long wait….Pokemon Go ruined my life…As the cold sets in (Minnesota cold), Poke season ends. You have my full attention until Spring or the end of this story….which ever comes first. One chapter per week is all I can promise. I am making it up as we go along. Happy Reading. READ REVIEW REPEAT!

Chapter 3

"Don't play with me, Potter. Where is she?"

Harry scratched his head, "Déjà vu."

"What?"

"We've had this conversation before Malfoy….nine years ago."

Draco rubbed his temple, "Rinse and repeat. It's the story of my life."

Harry laughed, "Yeah." He handed Malfoy a glass of whiskey.

Draco declined, "I stopped drinking."

"Since when?"

"Since now."

Harry took a sip of his glass, "You know, I never pegged you for the romantic type."

"Do you think I'm being romantic?"

"Aren't you?" Harry laughed.

Draco sat down, "I'm glad I amuse you…but no. I'm not trying to be romantic. I don't have some preconceived notion that we are going to get married and runaway."

"Then why are you here?"

"I don't know. I just-….."

Harry nodded, understanding the other man's confusion all too well, "I'm sorry Draco. You won't find her, unless she wants to be found."

"Shit!" Draco sighed, "Why am I always the last to know? First Ella…now this." He grabbed Harry's glass of whiskey and gulped it down. "I have a son." He shook his head, "Why didn't she tell me? Why does no one ever tell me?"

Harry shrugged, "It wasn't our place..but if it means anything, I told her to tell you."

Draco refilled the glass, "Sometimes I feel like…Why doesn't she trust me? Have I ever given her a reason not to? I just feel like…I'm always chasing her. Even when I catch her, I haven't really got her. Is any of this worth it?"

"I cant answer that for you, Malfoy."

Draco stared at the whiskey. He swirled it around the glass, "I love her. I really do." He emptied the glass again, "But I cant keep doing this…running around in circles, chasing my own tail. She's never given me any hope, for anything." He sniffled, "I don't even know if she wants me. How can I fight for us, when I don't even know if she wants us to exist."

Harry nodded, "She loves you. That much I know. As for the other part, you'll have to ask her."

"Yeah, I be sure to ask her in five years, when she decides to pop back into my life."

"It's a bit different now, though, isn't it. It's not just you and Mione anymore."

Draco nodded, "I have a son. A son I have never met. A son who doesn't know I exist."

Harry smirked, "She can run from you…but your son….your flesh and blood?" Harry refilled Malfoy glass, "The Malfoy I know would never give up what is his."

/

"Mione?"

"Were you sleeping? Did I wake you?" She rubbed her hands together. It was cold. She hadn't really noticed until he opened the door. The warmth that rushed out towards her, had shocked her back into reality. How long had she been walking? Hours, maybe. "I shouldn't have come so late. I'll just come back tomorrow."

Neville stepped aside and waved her in, "Might as well come in. I'm awake now." He took her coat and gestured her towards the couch, "Tea?"

She stared blankly at the fireplace. It was dying. The logs had turned into ashes. A few embers remained…but only just. Was this her life? A dying fire?

He threw a couple more logs in. it seemed to break her trance. She stiffened as he walked towards her. Neville sat down across from her, "Tell me."

Hermione sniffled, "About?"

"You only visit me when you have no one else and no where else to go."

"That's not true. I love you. You are my best friend."

He laughed, "Best friend? I am your safety net."

She shook her head, "You are my rock."

He inhaled deeply, "I don't want to be your rock."

Hermione put her head in her hands, letting the tears come. "I'm sorry. I can't help it. I can't change it. I can't do anything."

Neville moved next to her, "I know Mione." He wrapped his arms around her, "I'm sorry. It's just hard sometimes I didn't mean it."

She wept into his chest, "You're right. You're always right. I'm so stupid."

He brush the hair out of her face, "That's because I am Mr. Right. Always have been. You were just to blind to see it."

She broke out into giggles. He always knew the right thing to say. Her Neville. He had all the answers. Why couldn't she love him? He loved her. She knew he did…even before he said it. She saw the way he looked at her. She knew his infatuation began at Hogwarts. He never hid it…but try as she did, she couldn't return his feelings. They already belonged to someone else.

If only she had never met that bastard, Malfoy. She might have loved Neville. He was perfect. He wasn't the same chubby awkward boy from their youth. He had become a strong, handsome man. He had many witches at his calling. She was lucky to have his affection. She knew this...but still her heart yearned for another.

"It's late. Spend the night."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

He rolled his eyes, "In the guest room."

"Thanks, but I should-."

Neville waved her off, "This isn't a Motel 6. We are going to have a long talk tomorrow."

Hermione smiled, "It's more like the Hilton."

He chuckled, "Who should I sent the bill to?"

"Harry. He's the reason I'm in this mess."

"Why does that not surprise me."

She laughed, "Harry fucking Potter. He'll be the death of us all."

"God's, I feel bad for Pansy."

"I'm sure she's enjoying the drama."

Neville shook his head, "You Gryffindor's and your obsessions with Slytherins. I'll never understand it."

She was having a giggling fit now, "Blame Professor McGonagall. Innerhouse unity. And besides…your a Gryffindor too."

He nodded, "Don't remind me. Oh God's, if I ever fall for a Slytherin, just kill me."

"I'll pray for you."

They joked until the fire died. Hermione couldn't remember the last time she laughed this hard. It was so easy to be with Neville.

Finally he bid her good night and made for the stairs, "Mione. Where is my godson?"

She smiled, "Somewhere safe."