DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER


Three: It's nice to be back

Hermione and Draco enter the Leaky Cauldron. Just like before, it is a busy place. Some people there greeted them, shook hands with Hermione and welcoming her back to wizarding London. Draco stays behind her so she can have her moment. He asked the barman if the Potter has arrived. The barman told him that the Potters are at the corner table that has privacy charm. He nodded and hand over a few galleons on the barman.

He leads Hermione to the corner area and they immediately noticed them. Harry Potter is wearing his Auror uniform while Ginny is sitting beside him in her floral dress. Ginny saw them first and stood up. Hermione approaches them and hugged the youngest Weasley. Harry stood up and waits for his turn. Draco understands that aside from the Weasley and his own wife and children, Harry considers Hermione as his sister. They've been best friends for years and they treat each other like family.

Harry hugs his best friend and kisses her forehead. Then he lets go of her and smiles. "Welcome back, Mione"

Hermione smiled at him "Thanks, Harry. It's really good to see you in person"

"What? Video call and fire call wasn't that bad." Harry teases her. She slapped Harry's arm. "Shut up Harry" Hermione chuckles. Ginny looked at Draco "Hello Draco. What are you doing here?"

"Her little Rose is busy, so I accompany her to meet you and also, she will meet the realtor I know for her new home." Draco explained.

"Our home is still open, you know." said Harry.

Draco raised his hand as if stopping Harry to speak. "Please, Potter, stop being dumb like your guy best friend! Weasley and his wife visit you at least three times a week so 'Madam Weasley' can brag their small fortune." Draco huffed. "I bet my precious broomstick that their fortune is just my pocket money, for all I know" he stated.

Ginny laughed and shook her head. "Stop being a git, Malfoy. Just come and sit with us!" she said as they all sat down in their chairs. The waiter asked for their orders and left them.

"By the way, your home will not be enough for Granger. She needs a room for her library" he pointed out and smirks. Hermione smacks his shoulder. "You ferret! There's nothing wrong with a library." Hermione hissed. Ginny and Harry laugh.

"But of course, she needs her bat cave." Harry said. Hermione glares at Harry but she smiles at him.

Ginny speaks up. "You know what, if I didn't know you and Rose, I will really mistake you as sisters. I mean, look at you, you're so fit and sophisticated. Merlin! How I wish I had a body like that!" Ginny pouts.

Ginny wasn't bad at all. She's sexy in a voluptuous way. She's curvier compared to Hermione. Hermione is fit due to her four times a week work out and healthy diet. Because she's alone in Australia for years, she has time to take care of herself, hence, she looks like 10 years younger.

"I just have a lot of time in Australia, Ginny. Maybe it will be less now. I want to take care of Rose and Hugo." Hermione said.

"They might be the one who will take care of you." Harry stated. True, Rose is twenty-two now and Hugo is nineteen. She lost years of her children's lives due to divorce but she wants to make it up to them.

Hermione sighs. "I know. But it wouldn't be that bad if I make sure they eat properly and their places are clean"

Draco chimed in "Oh! Please do take care of Missus Rose, and please include my son, too. That boy eats unhealthy. Especially that pizza, I really don't get why he likes it so much."

"At least, Scorpius inherit you physical feature. That boy never gets fat. Mom always feeds him a lot yet he does still don't get fat. " Ginny said and took a sip of her drink. She looks at Hermione "Feed my babies, too, please?"

"What am I, a nanny? Jeez!" Hermione shook her head and chuckles at her friends. The four of them continue to chat while having a meal. Hermione is glad that Draco was with them. Whenever the topic has something to do with Ron, he always diverts it to another topic. Draco asked her a lot of question about Australia and even said that he might visit it soon.

After their lunch, Ginny told Hermione that she wants to help her in picking up her new furniture. She agreed because Ginny has a good taste in home decorating. She bid goodbye's to her friends and follows Draco. Draco brought her in a tall building. They went to the lift and go up to the tenth floor.

Draco's realtor was a nice man. He asked a lot of question on what Hermione likes for a home. Hermione explained everything and after thirty minutes of discussion, the realtor told her that he will be in contact with her as soon as he finds some potential property that fits her description.

When they went out, Hermione looks very happy.

"So, Granger, what do you plan to do next?" Draco asked. Hermione didn't really know. She wants to roam around Diagon Alley but she knows that people will be all around her.

"I don't know. I guess I'll just go back to the flat?" Hermione shrugged. Draco looked at her. He knows that she wants to go around but being 'her' is not that easy to roam around. So, even it was an insane idea, Draco let out what's on his mind.

"How about I'll give you a tour of my company? I know you're a healer but it may interest you. You know; the potion and the muggle science and magical fusion."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Draco. She doesn't know why is he being nice but she's interested to see how Draco as a business tycoon. She huffed and faced him. "Okay, Mr. Malfoy. Lead the way." Draco smirks, hold her arm and apparates away.

They arrived at a large reception area. It was emerald, gold, and white in color and it looks very majestic. A woman approached Draco.

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy. I already cleared your schedule for today. But there are some papers that you need to sign in your office." The woman said.

"I will deal with that. Thank you, Ms. Thomas. By the way, this is Hermione Granger. She's with me. She's here to see the production and how our company works." Draco smirks. Hermione wonders why but then she was shocked when the ebony woman squeals like a fangirl. She holds Hermione's hand and shakes it excitedly. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Ms. Granger! I'm a huge fan of yours. My dad said you and he are good friends back in Hogwarts!"

Hermione just smiled at her. "Ohh… nice to meet you, Miss…"

"Donna Thomas. I'm Dean Thomas' daughter." Donna beamed happily. Hermione smiled back at her. She's happy to see Dean's daughter. She knows Dean married an American witch he meets in States. She attended the wedding with Ron and Rose was one year old by that time.

"Nice to meet you, Donna. How are your parents?" she asked.

The young lady smiles brightly. "They are great. They are in States now. Mom has some case to solve in Arizona. Dad is helping her." She babbled.

"Send my regards to them, will you?" Hermione asked. Donna nods enthusiastically. Draco placed a hand on her back. "Come on, Granger. I'll show you around. Follow us, Miss Thomas." Draco leads her to a hallway. Donna was behind them, still smiling like a girl seeing a real-life unicorn for the first time. Hermione leans toward Draco "She's something, huh?"

Draco smirks. "She's a fan of yours. Every time Rose visits me, she always had her way to talk to her. Rose doesn't mind but she always asks about you. I believe Donna was at the top her class in Hogwarts. She teased as 'Hermione Granger's shadow', and she didn't mind because you are her inspiration, really."

"I hope it wasn't an obsession" Hermione muttered. Draco chuckled. "No… She's a nice kid. She's just a fan of the Golden Girl". Hermione rolled her eyes on Draco.

Draco shows Hermione around his company. She was amazed at the production. It was a fusion of muggle machine and magic. The quality control area is very clean and neat. It looks like a normal muggle laboratory but with magic. Hermione watches Draco as he explains everything to her. This man is very different from the boy she meets three decades ago. The boy who used to call her 'mudblood' was long gone. This man in front of her was a business tycoon with a lovely family and a true gentleman.

After the tour around the company, Draco directs her to his office. Once they enter, minus Donna who fetch some snacks for them, Hermione noticed a man sitting on the edge of the huge mahogany table while reading some parchment. The man looked up at them and flashes a sexy smile.

Hermione gulped. Damn.

"When my wife said that my best mate is with Hermione Granger, I thought she's gone mad. But seeing you here now, I think my wife is still sane." The man stood up; place the parchment on the table and strides towards them. He stood an arm away from Hermione. Blaise took her hand and kissed the back of her palm.

"Welcome back, Granger." Blaise said. Hermione blushed and Draco smirks.

Draco coughs mildly and Hermione jerks up from reality. She pulled her hand from Blaise and smiled at him.

"Granger, remember Blaise Zabini, the Italian Slytherin Prince? He's my financial advisor. Zabini, believe it or not, this is Hermione Granger, the Golden Girl and the brightest witch of her age who fancies you during the fifth year." Draco smirks upon seeing Hermione gaped at him and looked back at Blaise. She's doing her best not to look awkward. Blaise laughed.

"Merlin's ball! I didn't know you fancy me during that year. Honestly Granger, I almost invited you to attend the Slug Club party if the Carrow twins didn't drag me. Hell... We might become star cross lovers by then!" Blaise smiles and Hermione rolled her eyes and giggles.

"That wouldn't happen. Back in those years, a pureblood Slytherin won't tarnish the bloodline by dating a mudblood like me." Hermione said casually but she noticed both Draco and Blaise flinched because of it.

Blaise took a deep breath. "Now, now, Granger; we don't use that word anymore. Especially this git over here" He gestured at Draco who's not smiling and looks serious. "I may be a pureblood but I don't hate muggle-borns. I don't like them before, yes. But not hate. But that was in the past. The world has changed after the war. And we all grew up."

Hermione was still staring at Draco. He looked hurt and guilty at the same time. She thought she might offend him somehow. Then Blaise speaks again.

"I'm sorry, Granger but you are seven years late. I'm already married to Pansy Parkinson and we have a beautiful daughter." Blaise winks. Hermione smiled and shook her head.

"Speaking of Pansy, she said Anastasia can play a Bach piece in piano. She must get it from me." Draco says playfully. Blaise smacks his arm.

"She got it from me, you dolt. She's as smart and talented as me and she got her beauty from her mother"

"Ohh... Poor kid." Draco teased. Blaise scowled at his best mate. Hermione giggled. Donna came in with a tray of tea and muffins. Draco directs them to the two large leather couches that are facing each other with a glass table in between. Hermione and Blaise sat on one side and Draco sat on the other couch. Draco took his phone and secretly captures pictures of Hermione and Blaise as the Italian gentleman gave Hermione a cup of tea. Both of them looked at Draco who is looked amuse while looking at his phone.

"What did you do?" Blaise asked. Draco just smiled at his friends and placed his phone on his side. Hermione takes a sip of her tea. Blaise phone rang, he took it out and saw his wife's name, and he answered it. Hermione hears Pansy's voice clearly.

"What are you doing with Granger?!" Pansy shrieks on the other line. Blaise looked at his best mate who is laughing at that moment. Blaise took a breath before he answered. "Draco brought her here. The bastard shows her around and ends up here." Blaise covered his phone. "I'll get back to you." Blaise excuse himself and left the room.

Draco smirks and looked at his guest. Hermione is quietly sipping her tea.

"What? It's not like I could make Pansy jealous that often." Draco pointed out.

"Well, let's just wish that I never have to leave England again, just to avoid the wrath of Mrs. Zabini." Hermione says coolly. Draco chuckled. "No. Pansy is cool. She might be your friends sometimes. Ginny and she have this bickering friendship."

Hermione placed her cup on the coffee table. "You have an amazing company, Draco. Now I understand why my daughter adores you."

"I adore her, too. She's like a daughter to me, being my son's best friend and all. Too bad Rosie doesn't have any interest in my son, and him towards her. If only she does, she will be a perfect daughter-in-law."

Hermione giggled "Oh no. Ron might tie her up at the Burrow, just to stop her from being your daughter-in-law."

"Ronald is a git. He's more focused with his new family, that he rarely spends time with your children. Even he tries, Lavender will make something just to be a part of it or he wouldn't go." Draco stated. Hermione sighed. He's right. Ron rarely has time with their children because he's too focused on his new family. Maybe because Rose and Hugo are all grown up, but still, they need their father. She's glad that Draco is there for Rose.

"I'm sorry to ask this but Scorpius mentioned that Astoria died few months after their graduation. How did she die?" Hermione asked.

Draco looked to his right side where a portrait of him, Scorpius and his late wife, is hanging on the wall. Hermione looked at it too and stares at it. Astoria Greengrass Malfoy is an epitome of a perfect Lady Malfoy. "She died because of a blood curse that runs in their family. It was too late when we found out."

Hermione can see that Draco misses his wife. She noticed that Draco touches the wedding band on his left ring finger. "She was so happy during Scorpius graduation, but a bit disappointed when he said that he wants to explore the world before he works for our company. But she supports him. Mind you, Astoria is really fond of Rose, too. She even gave her a present which made the missus cry."

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"It was a necklace, with a locket pendant. It has a picture of you and Rose when she's a baby. Astoria got the picture from Harry. She knows that your little Rose is sad because you weren't there. But Tori told her that even her mom wasn't there, she will always be in her heart. That she shouldn't be sad because you will know that and you will be sad. That she should be happy and visit you as soon as she can. That she's even willing to be her Mom for that day so she wouldn't be sad. I tell you, Granger, Rose cried like a mad woman that day. She cried on Tori's arms as my wife calms her and holds her in a tight embrace. Come to think of it, Tori became her Mother figure aside from Ginny while you're away. She likes your daughter very much." Draco said as he smiles while remembering his late wife. When he looked at Hermione, the woman was crying. She knows that Rose expected her that day but due to the presence of Ron and Lavender, she didn't go. It was still hard for her to see Ron with his new wife.

Draco stands up and approaches her. He sits beside her and comforts her. He understands how hard for her to be away for her children and seeing the man she loved with his new family. Draco takes his handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to her. She takes it and wipes her tears. "I'm sorry. T-that was very nice of Astoria. Rosie mentioned before that Astoria went with her to Muggle London to find some books she really likes."

"Ahh… I remember that day. After that shopping, Astoria demands to have a credit card after it. She saw Rose's card." Draco laughs.

"I hope I could repay her on what she did for my daughter." Hermione said as she looks at Astoria on the portrait.

"Just feed her son proper meal, she'll be pleased." Draco assures her. Hermione smiles and nods at him. She gave back his handkerchief to him.

Hermione stands up and Draco follows too. "Thank you for this day, Draco. But I need to go. I need to go to the muggle London to run some errands."

Draco nods and accompanies her to the floo network. Hermione air cheek kissed him. She bids goodbye and Draco smiles. It was a wonderful day for him. Spending time with Hermione, he feels happy, the happiness he felt when he was with Astoria. He shakes his head and went to the table to do some work.

A few hours later, Hermione got home. Rose is already in bed, still on her healer robe. Hermione cast a cleaning spell on her daughter and charms her clothes to be a comfy sleepwear. She also changes her clothes and went to the kitchen for some drinks and fruits.

While she's sitting on the kitchen stool, sipping white wine and munching some grapes, Scorpius came out from his room; hair is a mess, wearing some pajama pants and white shirt. Scorpius waved at her and grabs some water.

"How's your day, Scorpius?" she asked.

Scorpius shrugged. "It was okay. I went to Windermere. I took some photos and roam around."

Hermione gets curious. "You're a photographer?"

"Freelance photographer, yes, but I just do it as a hobby. I don't need to work, I'm a Malfoy" he smirks and Hermione shakes her head and sips her wine. "But, I work as a part-time curse breaker. I'm on-call when Uncle Bill needs me."

"You work for Bill?"

"Yes. He calls me when I'm needed, sometimes in complicated curses from an elite pureblood family."

Hermione smiles, "Bill rarely trust his juniors. You're amazing, Scorpius". Scorpius grins at her, picks grape from her plate, and pops it in his mouth. Hermione looks down to her wine. Scorpius noticed that she's smiling.

"Great day?" he asked.

Hermione stares at him. "Yes. Your father accompanies me to meet Ginny and Harry. We saw Ron and Lavender but it was a short chat. I also meet your father's realtor, went to your company and meet Donna and Blaise."

Scorpius gave Hermione a teasing look. "Uncle Blaise, huh?"

"Yes, your Uncle Blaise, who was called and yelled by his wife because your silly father took a picture of us and send it to Pansy." She stated. Scorpius laughed. "Wow. I would like to see Aunt Pansy one of these days and tease her."

Hermione scowls at him. "Scorpius."

"Fine, fine." Scorpius took his drink and finishes it. He placed his glass on the sink waved goodbye but before he exits the kitchen, he asked her, "Last question; are you glad you're back?"

Hermione sighs "Yes. It's nice to be back." She smiles.


A/N: Hah! After months of being hiatus in this fic, I finally updated! Woooh! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one. Sorry for some of my grammar error. I don't have a beta and I only use Grammarly to check my grammar. So, as you know, I have three fictions ongoing. I will try my best to update them all. Just spoiler, next chapter will be in the Burrow.