Chapter3

The light streaming through the window woke me from my sleep. It was early. I looked around and saw Ron wasn't in bed. Had he come home last night? I'd kind of expected to be woken up with a husband demanding drunken sex at 3am. It's what I'd come to know. I stretched out my arms, and sighed. I'd better get up and collect the damn suit.

After a quick shower I grabbed my purse and keys and apparated to Diagon Alley. I got the suit, and stopped to pick up a box of treats from sweet shop. Hopefully sugar quills will help to alleviate Ron's mood, I thought to myself.

I pottered around the house all morning, cleaning every nook and cranny. I changed the bed sheets, polished every surface. I baked some fresh bread, its delicious smell made my stomach grumble. I decided to flick through a photo album to pass the time. I found a photo of all of us at the burrow from Christmas a few years ago. Everyone looked so happy – the proper family. Little James Potter was still a babe in arms, and Ginny held him, and Harry smiled at them, ever the doting father. I was brooding. I thought to myself, there's not point tearing yourself up over something you can never have. I put the photo album away before I could work myself up further.

I decided that I couldn't bear to be in the flat a moment longer, not knowing, when and if Ron was coming back. It was no good. I would've normally arranged to see Ginny, but her, Harry and the kids had gone away for a long weekend to have one last family holiday before four became five. Both Luna and Neville were at work, so I couldn't see them. In any case, Luna was far too perceptive for her own good; I didn't want to have to answer her barrage of questions.

I thought back to my encounter with Malfoy yesterday. He'd invited me for coffee.

I couldn't seriously be considering meeting up with him could I? Ron would flip if he found out. Fuck it, I thought. I needed to get out this dammed flat, I'll deal with whatever the consequences. I quickly scribbled a note and sent it with Ron's hopeless owl. I prayed a silent prayer the note would make it there.

Little more than 10 minutes later an elegant black bird was tapping at my window. I took the note it had in its beak, gave it a treat, and asked for it stay just a moment. It obliged. I unfolded the paper,

Granger,

I'd love to. 13:30 at the coffee shop next to Madam Malkin's?

Malfoy

I smiled and scribbled a see you there on the back of his note, before sending it back with his owl. I looked at the clock, 13:10, that gave me 20 minutes to get there. I remembered to grab a coat and scarf – I had forgotten this morning, and regretted it very much, it was bitterly cold out

I arrived at the little coffee shop with about 5 minutes to spare. I found myself a table for two, and settled myself. I raked my fingers through my hair to try and make myself a little more presentable. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I'd tried to look presentable.

A full three minutes later, I heard the bell above the door ring, and in stepped Draco Malfoy. His hair was tousled by the wind, and his usually pale cheeks were flushed from the cold. He flicked his hair out of the face and made his way over to where I was sat.
"Granger," he smiled at me.
"Malfoy," I replied also smiling.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked politely. I asked for a Latte and he sauntered over to the counter to order our drinks, in only a way that Draco Malfoy could. He returned with two lattes, a slice of chocolate cake and a knife. I thanked him for the coffee.

"Do you want some?" he asked gesturing to the cake. I shouldn't really I thought, but ah well.
"Yes please."

He cut the slice in half, offered it to me and I graciously took a slice.

"I have to say, I'm rather surprised you're here," began Malfoy, "you gave me the impression yesterday, that you'd rather do anything else that go for coffee with me."
"I, umm, changed my mind. I do hope that's alright?" He nodded whilst taking a sip of his drink.

"So tell me Granger, what do you do with yourself these days? You seem to have somewhat dropped off the grid after the final battle."

"Well as you know, I married Ron," I offered. I didn't really know what to say to be honest. I didn't really do a great deal with myself these days.

"Do you have a job?" he asked.

"No."

"A family then?"

"No." I didn't like where this conversation was going.

"Oh?" he questioned.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Sorry," he apologised.

"What's with the Spanish Inquisition Malfoy? What are you doing these days?" I asked.

"The Spanish what?" his face crinkled in confusion.

"Don't worry, it's a muggle thing." I smiled at him.

"Oh. Well I'm running my own business, it's quite successful if I do say so myself," he began.

"Nice to see you haven't lost your modesty after all these years," I giggled.

"You wouldn't be mocking me would you?" he asked.

"Of course not," I deadpanned.

"I see." He raised his eyebrows at me. "Nice to see your sense of humour hasn't changed after all these years too."

Draco Malfoy was and odd thing, I had decided. We'd gone through Hogwarts making each other's lives hell, but here we were now having a laugh and enjoying each other's company.

"So you have a son?" I questioned.
"Yes, Scorpius. He's a wonderful child." Malfoy's eye's crinkled at the thought of his son. It looked bitter sweet to me.

"How old is he?"

"Almost four," he replied, "I can't believe how quickly the time's passed. My mother says he looks more like me every day."

"What are you going to do to celebrate his Birthday then?"

"I, err," Malfoy nervously dragged his hands through his hair. "I don't know. I haven't seen him for a while."

I raised my eyebrows at him. I didn't understand.
"Ever since Astoria passed away, it's been difficult. Scorpius… he's got his mother's eyes and his mother's smile. It's difficult to see him. It reminds me of her. He lives with my mother at the moment. I'm not a great Dad." He sighed. I looked Malfoy in the eyes. He looked lost. Upset. What father could leave their son? One in this much pain I concluded.

I don't know what possessed me, but I reached my hand across the table and squeezed his. He looked up at me, and gave me a small smile. This certainly wasn't the Malfoy I used to know.

I released his hand, and we drank our coffee in a sombre silence.
Once I was finished, I spoke.

"I'm going to have to go soon. I have to get back before my husband finishes work." I sighed.

Malfoy looked up at me. "You signed your message to me as Granger. Why?"

He was perceptive I had to give him that.
"I…" I couldn't explain to him the reason why. I didn't have to.

"You're not happy are you?" he asked softly.
I shook my head and whispered no. He squeezed my hand reassuringly as I had for him earlier.

"We can get through this," he whispered to me. I nodded noncommittally.

"Same time, same place, next week?" I asked.

"I look forward to it already," he replied.

We walked out into the cold winter's air. He unexpectedly pulled me into a tight hug.

"You know where I am if you need me," he said.

"As do you," I smiled at him. He released me, and apparated. I followed suit. I couldn't help but smile when I got home.