"Should I be jealous?"
Hermione looked back at her husband as he playfully remarked. "It's been a minute and you've been staring at him." Draco further said.
The brunette flushed pink and didn't dare to look back in Harry's direction. "Draco, um-"
"Go have lunch with him," Draco suggested. "It's written all over your face that you want to talk to him."
Hermione stayed quiet for a moment when only she felt a kiss being placed on her head.
"I'm running late for the meeting," Draco said. "I suggest you both catch up with a cup of tea and clear out all the misunderstandings-"
"Draco, I have nothing to talk about!" Hermione cut him off.
The blonde merely smiled and gently pinched her chin. "I'm sure you both have loads to say. At least Potter does," He placed a small peck on her lips. "I'll see you and Scorp before dinner." He said before leaving her to stand idly in front of the auror department.
She didn't want to turn around and watch him look desperately at her.
Hermione knew that Harry had an ulterior motive of moving back to England.
And it was to gain back her trust and even her heart which now belonged to her husband and child.
She couldn't just let Harry steal her away from Draco.
What if he just wants friendship? Her mind wondered. It was possible that Harry wanted to mend up their broken ties and Hermione really wanted to do that too.
But she felt as if now wasn't the time for patching up with him.
Maybe it would take her days or even months for her to look into his eyes fearlessly.
The reason why she wanted to distance herself away from her ex lover was because she couldn't trust his decisions.
He might leave her alone all over again.
Why isn't she looking at me? Harry desperately thought as Hermione started to walk away. She's leaving-
"Hermione!"
Harry paused for a moment as the brunette ignored his voice and walking away. Why did he even call out for her?
"Hermione!" Harry called out again as he started to follow her. "Hermione, wait up!"
She suddenly stopped but didn't bother to turn around. Harry sighed in relief as he halted too, waiting for Hermione to acknowledge his presence.
As if Merlin heard his wishes, he watched as Hermione turned around and looked at him expressionlessly.
And were those tears in her eyes?
When it was time for him to speak, no words were uttered by Harry's mouth as he was too busy to admire the beauty in front of him after seven long years.
Hermione had grown into a radiant woman. Her brunette tresses once waist length, now crossed her shoulders, her freckles shone under the morning light. Her body was surprisingly curvier, probably after mothering a child. While her eyes, her beautiful chocolate orbs were still the very same.
Mesmerizing and full of tears; just as Harry saw them for the last time.
"Hi." Harry said stupidly and mentally cursed himself for saying it out loud.
For a moment he found the woman looking at him speechless but she soon cleared her throat.
"Hi." Hermione whispered meekly with a small smile, which nearly took Harry's breath away.
Merlin he missed her so much.
"How are you?" Harry asked her softly, yet awkwardly.
Hermione merely nodded and struggled to keep her unshed tears intact.
Her tears were fighting against his intense gaze.
"Good," She said. "What about you?"
Harry chuckled and shoved his fists into his pockets. "I'm just fine," He said. "Just got myself into the DMLE."
Hermione nodded and gave him a smile. "I'm just a couple of blocks away, in the Department of Mysteries." She said and there was a curtain of awkward silence drawn between the two of them.
Hermione didn't want them to be like this. She was sure that her heart was beating madly against her ribcage, aching for her to embrace him and tell Harry how much she missed him. She was so glad that he had managed to bring up an awkward yet short conversation while all she did was to ignore him and walk away.
All she wanted was his arms holding her tightly while she cried happily.
But Hermione wasn't ready to forgive him so easily.
Hermione straightened herself and looked again into his enticing emerald eyes. "Harry, I have some work to do," She said and saw his smile faltering. "If you want we can catch up during lunch. I mean, Draco won't be here today so I'll be on my own."
Harry nearly lost hope of talking to Hermione when only she suggested that they have lunch together. On that Malfoy wasn't there.
Perfect.
"Okay," He nodded. "How about in that muggle bakery cafe outside the Ministry?" He further suggested.
The brunette considered for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "Alright," She said and gave him another smile. "See you."
"See you," Harry greeted back as he watched Hermione walk away. He inwardly grinned to have her to talk to him.
He couldn't wait for the hours to pass by; Hermione would be with him.
That's all what mattered.
Hermione's fingers fidgeted nervously under the coffee table while her eyes occasionally glancing towards the door. It was ten past one and Harry hadn't yet arrived.
"Wonder what got me to ask him to meet me?" Hermione muttered to herself when a pair of stormy gray eyes came into her mind. "That stupid ferret!" The further whispered to herself; rather angrily.
It was when at bell at the entrance rang and she found Harry entering the bakery in a rather disheveled state. He looked like what Hermione remembered as his post-sex look-
"Shut up Granger, you're a married woman!" Hermione reminded herself as Harry spotted her and gave her a huge smile. She smiled back in response as we walked over to the table and sat on the vacant chair in front of her.
"Sorry if I kept you waiting," Harry apologized. "I actually got my first assignment as an auror and that got me running around the ministry like a headless chicken-"
"It's quite alright. I've seen Ron running around like that before," Hermione said cutting him off gently.
Harry uncomfortably shifted in his seat when a waitress came over to take an order. Hermione caught her smiling flirtatiously at Harry and frowned as Harry smiled back at her.
"Would you like to order sir?" She asked shyly, ignoring Hermione's presence.
Harry glanced towards the brunette witch who couldn't meet his eyes and grumbled under her breath. He then looked back at the waitress. "A simple vegetable sandwich and chamomile tea for the lady and a plate of fish and chips with a cup of strong coffee for me please." Harry said with a tight smile before looking at Hermione. "Do you want anything else?" He asked her to which she shook her head and looked at the waitress.
"Thank you," Hermione said with a fake smile as the waitress disappeared and yet again, as awkward silence engulfed their table.
Harry intently looked at the witch in front of him as she kept her gaze away from him. He had sensed discomfort in her eyes when the waitress tried to hit on him.
Hermione still cared about him how much ever she tried to hide it.
"You still remember," Harry heard her speak softly. "You still remember what I like."
He nodded and gave her an affectionate smile. "I remember," Harry agreed. "Do you still hate coffee?"
Hermione laughed and shook her head. "Draco got me a habit of loving it," She answered. "Especially when I was working so hard for getting into the ministry."
Hermione did notice the small frown which grazed into Harry's face before he came back to normal. "I saw your child in the newspapers and recently in person during the world cup. He's truly beautiful," He remarked as their eyes met. "His name is Scorpius, isn't it?"
Hermione smiled fondly at the mention of his son. "He's my little boy," She said. "Harry trust me, anyone can fall in love with him, he's just so-" She paused and laughed. "Well, he's a huge fan of yours."
"Really?" Harry asked in surprise to which Hermione nodded.
"Yes," she said. "It's probably because of Ron." Or me, she added in her mind.
Harry smiled along with her knowing that she was just being a proud mother of her young son.
"What about Malfoy?" He further asked. "How did you two exactly-" He paused feeling uncomfortable at the thought of seeing the young Malfoy with Hermione.
"Well Harry, he was there for me when I was all alone," Hermione said calmly, as all those memories of Harry leaving her ghosted her thoughts. "My mum passed away in a car accident just a week after you left and you know after we had cleared Draco's name in the trials, he and I had become good friends," She looked back into Harry's concerned yet guilty eyes and continued. "I tried to push everyone away, but Draco kept breaking through all the barriers-"
"Hermione why didn't you owl me?" Harry cut her off as tears started to threaten her eyes.
"Maybe because I didn't want to see your face after you dumped me!" She retorted angrily. "Or maybe because I thought that after whatever happened, you wouldn't reply back to my letters-"
"I would've done that," Harry defended himself. "Hermione you know how much I cared about your mum-" about you, he silently added.
"I know you did," Hermione said as a tear slid off her eye. "But I was- I was scared!"
Before Harry could ask her any other questions, the waitress came up with their orders and placed them on the table. As she left, he looked over at Hermione and found her staring at his coffee; rather nauseatingly.
"Harry, please take this coffee away from me," Hermione pleaded as her hand went to cover her nose and mouth.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly as she suddenly got on her feet and hurried towards the toilets. He kept wondering why had she done that; or was it because she was unwell?
Moments later Hermione appeared with a red face; probably because she was crying and had thrown up. She came back to sit on the chair, when Harry drew away his coffee mug from her.
"I thought you had come to like coffee." He remarked and watcher her sip on her tea. "Are you okay?"
Hermione nodded frantically and took a bite from her sandwich. Damn the pregnancy hormones and damn the sickness.
She didn't answer him but only continued to munch on her meal when Harry decided to do the same.
Minutes passed when Harry watched her as Hermione gently dabbed the napkin against her mouth. This had been a rather funny lunch as neither of them spoke after that small argument they had.
Hermione found him looking intently at her when she decided to speak. "I'm sorry for my outburst before," She said. "It's just that these hormones-"
"What hormones?" Harry cut her off when Hermione realized that she had slipped it off.
"Well Harry, I'm with a child," She said softly, to which Harry looked closely at her. "Another reason why we can't exactly patch up at this moment-"
"Don't give me excuses," Harry said rather irritated. "Congratulations in order but Hermione, I thought that we could-"he sighed. "Look, I accept that I shouldn't have left you or England, I was a git. But Hermione, all I'm asking is for your friendship. Merlin I miss you so much!" She looked up at him. "You've been my good luck charm ever since-" he paused and looked into her widened chocolate orbs. "Before every match I played, I always heard your voice; it always gave me a reason to win. Not for myself but for you. I do realize that I was a first class arsehole to dump for fucking quidditch, I still am in fact. Nevertheless, I miss my best friend and I want her back in my life." He closed his eyes. "I loved you Hermione and maybe I still do. If I can't get your love, I want your friendship. I'm sure you're a great mum and Malfoy is an amazing dad and I don't want to ever break you away from your family."
Tears filled into Hermione's eyes yet again at Harry's confession. She really wanted to forgive him and accept his friendship. She would be lying if she ever decided to ignore his sincere words.
Hermione just missed Harry so much!
She nodded before opening her wallet and placing the money on the counter before gathering up her robes and handbag. Before she got on her feet, she looked into Harry's teary eyes and said "Just give me some time Harry. My heart is beating strong for my family. You broke it all those years ago but Draco and Scorpius healed it. And with you back in my life again, I'm afraid it will be broken if you ever leave me again," Harry gave her a solemn look and shook his head. "Time is all I want Harry, that's all."
Harry nodded as he kept himself in her shoes and understood her situation. He couldn't blame her; she was waiting for him but soon gave up.
Watching her getting up and leaving hurt his heart.
But moments later her voice gave him hope.
"Harry," He turned around to find Hermione smiling sadly at him. "I want my best friend back too; I just miss him so much."
Those words brought up a huge smile on Harry's face.
A/N: Happy 2016 people! ^^
I don't have any New Year resolutions, except for finishing this story by July (probably)
I thought I'll just get over the part where Harry and Hermione meet up. And seeing my end semester exams are coming up next week (along my 20th birthday) I thought of giving you guys an early treat.
Trust me when I say things will get better by the next chapter. Until then showere me with your opinions and reviews!
Also, thanks for the follows and favorites; you guys are the best!