Hey All! Hope you like the update, keep an eye out for the next one (hopefully next week!)
Big thanks to my friend, Edwin, for beta reading!
The next three days visiting the Burrow were a blur of reminiscing and fun with friends she had missed for years. Soon though Mrs Weasley realised just how close the wedding was getting and pulled her list of chores out. Hermione was assigned to clean the inside of the tent that would be used for the reception, and to her dismay, so was Harry.
They had started off with an awkward silence, but Harry soon decided to break the ice. "Do you remember in 6th year when you walked in on Ron with the bra?"
Hermione couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up from her mouth. "Yes, I was appalled that he'd stolen my bra. 'Blimey 'Mione, I was just trying to figure out how it worked.'" She was now clutching her stomach as she continued to laugh.
"So, how are things really going in France?" He asked when her laughter had died down. "Does Draco treat you well? I can't imagine living with my childhood bully." He shuddered at the thought.
"Honestly, I wasn't sure about Draco myself but," she smiled fondly, "we were exactly what the other one needed. He made me go out and meet people, he also made sure that I didn't lose myself in work, and in turn, I taught him about muggles and how to live in a more integrated society. You should have seen the first time I showed him the Telly."
"What about his parents? Are they ok with the two of you?"
At this Hermione snorted and stopped cleaning to look up at Harry. "The first time Draco brought his parents into our flat Lucius was so rude. He clearly was not ok with the living situation, and it almost caused a duel between him and Draco. Finally, Draco put his foot down and explained that this was just as much my home as it was his and if they had a problem with it they needed to leave.
Narcissa was the first one to come around, and since then she and I have become very close. She'd always wanted a daughter, and couldn't pass up the opportunity to drag me to Paris on shopping trips."
Hermione shook her head. "The odd thing is, when you look past the wealth and previously prejudice tendencies, they remind me a lot of my own parents, or even Mr and Mrs Weasley."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "please explain."
"He may not show it to those outside of the family, but Lucius is a doting husband." Hermione smiled wistfully. "I was shocked the first time I saw him spin her around their drawing room. We had a few drinks after Christmas dinner, and he turned on the wireless. She blushed like a first year when he took her hand. Draco looked disgusted, but I thought it was sweet."
They were silent for a moment when Harry moved closer toward her. "Do you remember when we danced? In the tent?"
Hermione bit the inside of her cheek but nodded.
"I think about that sometimes," he continued. "You know, I used to think we'd end up together." He sighed and stuck his hands into his pockets, and rocked back onto his heels.
Hermione took the moment of awkward silence that followed to excuse herself. She exited the tent as fast as she could, dropping the broom she'd been using on her way out.
Once outside she made a beeline for the small shed to the left of the house. It wasn't until she'd already closed the shed door behind her that she realised it was already occupied.
"D-Draco?" She shook her heading trying to make sense of what she was seeing.
Upon hearing his name, the wizard spun around. "Oh, uh, Hermione," he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.
The awkward moment was interrupted by Ginny moving from Draco's grasp and putting a hand to her ear. "What that's? Yeah, Mum. I'm coming." She quickly made her way out of the shed shutting the door behind her.
"So…" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
He looked toward an old dusty bench that sat in the corner and motioned for her to sit down. Once they were settled, she looked at him expectantly. He was silent for another few seconds before turning toward her.
"So, I've been seeing someone."
"Clearly," she rolled her eyes. "So Ginny is the reason you've been taking long work weekends then?"
Draco nodded.
"So, how long has this been going on? Why didn't you tell me?" She tried to remain calm, but the look in her eyes showed that she was hurt.
"When it started we didn't expect it to be anything more than," he cleared his throat, "physical. I ran into her after a meeting with the Harpies marketing team last January. Then again in February, but it wasn't until the third or fourth time that I asked her on a proper date." He took Hermione's hand. "It's not that I didn't want to tell you, we just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little while longer."
Hermione placed her hand on his hand that held hers and gave it a little squeeze. "I understand, and I won't tell anyone, but you've got to let me be there when you tell Lucius." She grinned at him.
"Father might surprise you," he laughed. "He's accepted you after all."
"Mmm," she hummed, "I suppose you're right, but something tells me Lucius will have a much bigger issue with you dating the child of Arthur Weasley than he would if you were to bring a muggleborn home."
Draco shivered, "you might be right. I might need you there when I tell them."
Just as Hermione was about to reply the shed door swung open, and Harry stood in the doorway nervously. "Sorry to interrupt, but Pansy was looking for Hermione, and Ginny mentioned seeing the two of you walk in here." He looked at the floor between himself and the couple on the bench.
"I'm sure she did," Draco mumbled before leaning in and kissing Hermione's forehead. "Well, you'd better not keep the bride waiting. You know how Pansy can be."
Draco stood and led Hermione out of the shed, making sure to bump into Harry's shoulder on the way out.
After their awkward encounter, Hermione managed to avoid Harry for three days. She had the distinct feeling on the fourth day that her luck had worn out. Pansy had announced the night before that they wanted to do a combined party night out for herself and Ron. She'd also made it clear that she intended for the event to last the entire day,
That's how Hermione found herself in a sundress lounging beneath a tree by the small lake behind the Burrow. She looked up from her book periodically to smile at her friends as they splashed in the water. She was just getting to a rather steamy part in her romance book when she felt someone sit beside her.
"How'd you get out of getting into the water?" Hermione turned to see Ginny smiling at her.
"Well, after making me try on six dresses yesterday I told her she kind of owed it to me." She smirked.
"Well played," Ginny began to pull at the grass in front of her. "I've meant to talk to you about the other day."
Hermione waved her off, "don't worry about it, Gin. You and Draco don't owe me any explanation. I completely understand wanting to keep things to yourself for a while." She put a lock of hair behind her ear. "Is it serious with Draco?"
"I think it is," she bit her bottom lip, "but he can be hard to read sometimes. Like I thought we were just having fun, then I started to develop feelings and tried to end things. He made it nearly impossible though, and he owled for every day for two weeks straight asking for a real date."
"It must be something special," Hermione chuckled, "I've never seen him work that hard for anything, and he's seemed more cheerful in the last couple months. I had suspected he'd found someone." she was silent for a moment before turning toward Ginny. "What ended things for you and Harry?" After realising what she'd blurted out, she quickly covered her mouth. "I'm sorry. You don't have to answer that."
"No," Ginny laughed her friend's discomfort off, "it's nothing too exciting, really. As you know, we were engaged. Well, I started planning the wedding, and he was the doting fiance. Happily saying yes to everything that I wanted, but something was off.
He had changed while you were on the run. At first, I thought he was seeing someone else. He just seemed distant and distracted, but Harry is loyal to a fault. We just drifted apart. When I told him I thought it best we end it he was visibly relieved.
It wasn't until very recently I realised why he seemed off. He wasn't seeing someone else, but he wished her were, and if I'm being honest I think he still misses you."
"Me?" Hermione raised her eyebrows.
"I hope you're not angry, but Draco told me about the hunt. He told me about you and Harry. I'm sorry, Hermione, had I known I would never have accepted his proposal. Gods, I'm not even sure why he proposed in the first place, but I just want you to know I never meant to hurt you."
"I know you, Gin." Hermione gave her friend a sad smile. "I don't think you're right though. I mean if he missed me why wouldn't he come to find me after all these years? I've not exactly been hiding."
"I think he thought you were happier without him. You know how Harry's martyr complex is." Ginny shrugged. "Well, I had better get down there before Pansy notices I'm not there."
Once alone, Hermione took a moment to watch Harry. He had George on his shoulders while the pair tried to knock Draco from Ron's shoulders. Meanwhile, Ginny, Pansy and Angelina watched from the sidelines.
Sighing, she closed her book and decided it was time she went back inside for a little while. She had plenty to think about.