And We're back. But honestly, here's another chapter after I believe a month of waiting. I'll try to put up another chapter later this week to make up for it. And on a lighter note, there are new face claims up on our profile page for you guys to check out. Be sure to leave us a review if you liked this chapter. -Peeta and Brittany
Knock. Knock. Knock
"Anyone in there?" Dominic asked, placing a few knocks on Draco's shared office with Hermione. He smiled, and spoke from the other end of the closed door. "Any dead bodies in there I should know about?"
The door opened rather quickly, Hermione stared back into Dom's eyes, looking more than surprised to see him. "Oh... Dom. I didn't know you were coming." She took a couple steps back, allowing him to come in and walking back over to her desk, sitting in her chair and pushing her hair behind her ears. "Draco's not here, I'm afraid. As far as I know, Izzy's still refusing to bail him out." She glanced up at him as she spoke.
"I know. I passed by the house on my way here. Stubborn, my sister. But that's not why I'm here."
"It's not?"
"I'm not here for Malfoy." He bellowed a low chuckled in his throat, gracing the floor with his gaze before glancing back up Hermione, shaking his head. "Sorry for barging in like this unannounced, but I just wanted to see how you were doing. I assumed you'd be up to your ears in paperwork but I thought I'd stop by and see for myself."
Hermione let out a small sigh. "Draco's been gone for almost a week now. I've had to pick up all his slack."
She gave Dom a small smile. "You should convince your sister to bail him out. I'd do it, but, she's not the easiest of witches to convince." Her smile fell suddenly, now glancing back down at her paper.
"Well that's a frown if I ever saw one." Dominic started to make his way towards her. She looked so sad and downtrodden, and it bothered him a lot to see her that way. "Fess up Granger. What wrong?"
"Ron and I have now been divorced for a week, and I've been so busy with the kids-"
"You look like you're in serious need of a distraction." Dom sat on the edge of Hermione's desk, glancing over at her. "Look, how about you and I go out tonight. Nothing fancy or anything. Probably just a bite to eat or we could go to that Carnival in town."
"Oh..." Hermione looked down at her paperwork nervously. "I don't know Dominic. I mean, a distraction would be nice, more than nice actually, but it's only been a week since Ronald and I split. I don't know if that would be... appropriate." She gave him a small smile. "Plus I have the kids till the weekend."
He chuckled his deep throaty laugh, "Just as friends, Hermione. I'm not going to try and steal your virtue, and we can bring the kids. I don't mind them accompanying us. In fact, I'm sure they could use some fun too. What do you say?"
"Well..." Her thoughts went to Ron finding out about her already going out with another man. But why should she care? They weren't together anymore. He had no say in her life anymore. "Well, alright. I suppose it couldn't hurt. But only as friends." She pushed more hair behind her ears, looking Dom over and blushing slightly when she realized what she was doing. He was attractive, in a different way then Ron. And maybe that's what she liked about him. She could feel chills running down her arms as her eyes met his smile, but she quickly tried to push it away.
Friends. They were friends.
"You make me sound as if I'm some kind of pervert only after a shag." He joked and then realized how stupid it sounded coming out of his mouth.
"I'm sorry." He apologized, looking down at the table sheepishly, "Friends. Nothing more."
Good job Dom. You just made yourself look like an idiot. Brilliant.
Hermione smiled at him, noticing his sudden change in composure. "Dominic..." She called, wanting him to look at her. "It's fine. I'm not some teenager anymore." She chuckled slightly. "I know you're not just out for a shag."
Dom turned and threw her a forced smile standing up from her desk. "How does Friday sound? 6 o' clock? This way it won't be so dark for the kids." He wanted to get out and leave as quickly as possible before having something else stupid and insulting come out of his mouth.
Hermione nodded, picking her quill off the desk to go back to work. "Thank you, Dominic." She gave him half a smile. "For coming here, checking on me. It was... sweet of you."
"Call me Dom, Granger. And don't worry about it; I'm sure you would have done the same." A lightbulb went off in his head, "That reminds me," and he pulled a tiny box out of his pocket and placed it on her desk. "Something sweet always helped Isabella feel better after a rough time." With that, he made his departure, gently closing the door behind him, leaving Hermione staring blankly at the door, even after he had left.
Slowly, she lowered her gaze to the small box sitting on her desk now. She reached for it, opening it up and pulled out a sugar quill, smiling, even laughing slightly. Nobody had given her candy as a present in... years.
"Well... Friday should be interesting." She said as she placed it back in the box and into her bag for her take home later that night when she eventually got done what she needed for the day.
"Which one is hers again?" Dominic muttered to himself, looking at the various buzzers, each pertaining to a specific room of an inhabitant of the apartment complex. "Forget it, I'll just do it the easy way." He sent his patronus to search for her residence, having the lion scour the building while he waited back down. The ghostly creature stopped in front of a door, the number 26 laced upon the door and disappearated through the heavy shield, immediately catching sight of Rose and Hugo siting on the carpeted living room watching a film on the telly. This had to be Hermione's house. Either that or someone had kidnapped her children and was taking good care of them.
Hermione walked over to the door, pushing the button on the intercom to unlock the door as Dominic buzzed from downstairs. "Come on up!" She yelled into it before walking away from it and back into the bathroom, looking over what she wearing, a knee high loose skirt, loose tank top, and a cardigan covering her arms and shoulders. She huffed and walked away. She didn't know why she was worrying about it. They were just going as friends anyway. She walked over towards her children. "You guys ready?"
Rose turned her attention away from the television. "Yeah mummy! I want to go to the carnival!"
Hermione smiled at her daughter, giving her a kiss on the top of her head. Dominic on the other hand, took in a few shaky breaths as he reached her door.
"Come on Dom. Be a man. You've dated plenty of people in your lifetime."
Then why was he so nervous about going out with her? They were going to a carnival, with Children, for Merlin's sake.
Dominic fixed his white undershirt he was wearing under his dark blue plaid long sleeve, to which he kept open. He then kept his hands in the pockets of his darkwash jeans; standing nervously in the hall, uneasily drifting the weight on each foot. He must have brushed his teeth at least three times to ensure his breath didn't stink after eating a burger filled with grilled onions and garlic; his black hair in its typical messy style, yet it looked neat and complimented him in its own strange way.
After a few moments of hesitation, Dominic reached for the knob and turned it, opening the door.
"Mr. Dom!" Rose ran at the doorway, jumping into Dom's arms, almost taking him to the ground by surprise.
Hermione popped from around the corner, Hugo in her arms. "Rosie! What did I tell you about doing that?"
Rose looked at her mom, lowering her gaze slightly in shame. "Sorry, mummy." She mumbled.
"It's alright." Hermione gave Dom a small smile. "Hello, Dominic."
"Its ok, Hermione, really." He smiled and laid his hand on Rosy's hair, gently ruffling it.
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. You keep it up. Don't let the boys push you around." He reached into his pocket and handed her a lollie, throwing her a wink.
Rosy giggled and happily took the treat to which Dominic immediately turned to Hermione after hearing a tiny huff of disapproval leave her lips. "Relax, Granger. It's low in sugar, no sense in giving me a lecture on keeping Cavities at bay." His pearly white teeth made an appearance as he smiled.
"It's fine." Hermione placed Hugo down on the ground, opening up the closet and grabbing his light jacket out and throwing it around his shoulders and onto his arms. "We're going to be surrounded by sugar where we're going. It's bound to happen anyway."
She looked at her daughter, sternly. "But don't take that as an excuse. Tonight's an exception."
"Yes, mummy. I'll be good."
"Its chilly out Granger, you sure, you want to be wearing that skirt?" Dom glanced down at her legs, keeping urge to go and run his hands over them to see how smooth they were, deep down.
"I'll be fine." She said, grabbing Rosie's coat and holding it out for her to take. "You can put this on, right, sweetheart?" Rose nodded, lowering herself from Dom's arms and grabbing the coat, throwing it around her shoulders as well and zipping it up. Hermione smiled at her, bending down and picking Hugo up off the ground, then turned to Dom. "Are we ready?" She asked, smiling at him.
"Dunno. Do you mind having a scary lion, carrying you there?" He asked Rose, with a playful demeanor.
"I like lions. Mum was a lion at school, and she was the smartest lion they had ever seen." Rose smiled, as Dominic bent down to pick her up and put her on his shoulder.
"Watch your head. This lion likes to run fast." He loved hanging around with Rose, even if she wasn't his own. Something about Children, drew him, their outlook on life and carefree lives, was something he envied.
Hermione smiled at her daughter as she complimented her, then turned off all the lights in the house before nodding towards the door. "Let's go then." She said, shutting the door after Dom had walked out, locking it behind her. "So, how exactly are we getting there?" Hermione asked, Hugo reaching his hand up and playing with Hermione's curls.
"Well, I thought we could fly there." He shrugged. "You know, nothing beats going over the ocean at lightning fast speed on the verge of falling." He smiled and laughed at the horror in Hermione's face. "I'm kidding by the way. Kidding." He said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Geez, breathe, Granger."
Dom flicked his head up at the fiery little red head on his shoulders, "You up for a little adventure Rose?"
"Yeah! Mummy, we're going on an adventure like you and daddy, and Uncle Harry!" Rose was practically jumping up and down with excitement, turning to face Dom. "I've always wanted to go on adventures like mummy did. Mummy says I'm going to be in Gryffindor, just like her!" She smiled proudly as she spoke.
"Oh really? You know, I was in Gryffindor, just like your mum. So that makes us housemates Rosy." He smiled, walking down the stairs holding Rose's hand. "You coming Granger?"
"Coming, Toretto!" Hermione yelled back with a smile, adjusting Hugo's coat and then quickly walking after them. "You know, you still haven't told me how we're getting there." She said when she caught up to them.
"Don't you like surprises, Granger?" Dom turned to face Hermione, Rosy still beside him. "Just quiet that pretty little mouth of yours and stop asking questions."
The group arrived at the edge of a field with nothing but barren landscape for miles around via apparation. It looked more like something out of a horror movie than an actual happy place.
"Well, so much for a carnival." Hermione stared around before turning to look at Dom. "Did you apparate to the right place?" She asked, adjusting Hugo on her hip.
"Yes." He smirked, "But you should look with your eyes, not with your brain. Things aren't always as they seem." With Rosy in his arms, he turned to her. "Rosy. Tell me what you see."
"I see trees, grass, the moon, you, mummy and Hugo."
Dominic pulled out his wand, "I want you to close your eyes Rose. Close them tight." She did as she was told and sealed them shut. "Now, I want you to imagine the perfect Carnival, Rose. Keep that picture in your head." He stepped into the field and waved his wand, emitting a thin elastic like shield from it. A sudden array of whistles, bells and music suddenly became audible, along with the bright shimmer of floating lights. "Are your eyes still shut Rose?"
"Yes. Mr. Dominic, they're closed tight." Her tiny hands were covering her face, as she giggled.
"Open them."
Rose's eyes lit up as bright as the lights sprouting out of the dark and reflected themselves in her eyes. She was completely flabbergasted and beaming with excitement, clapping her hands with joy and yanking at Dominic's collar.
"Mummy! Mummy, look! Look! The Carnival!" She exclaimed, pointing her finger at the festival all laid out for them, filled with various rides and games. Though for a Carnival, it was rather empty. In fact there wasn't anyone nearby, at all, except for the vendors and people operating the machinery.
"Still doubting me Granger?" Dom smirked, glancing over at her shocked face, her mouth dropped. She was awestruck, staring from the carnival back to Dom, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"I-I'm speechless." She turned back to look at the carnival, a small smile on her face.
"Mummy, I want to go play!" Rosie yelled, pointing towards the rides and games.
"Alright, alright, let's go then." She said, glancing once more at Dom, still in shocked from what he had done.
"I don't like waiting in line at these things." He shrugged, "Figured the kids wouldn't like it either. There's no one here except us."
"I'm just in shock... that's all." She turned to Hugo. "Wanna go on a ride, hunny?"
"Wide! Wide!" Hugo cried, pointing at the colorful contraptions that were in front of them.
"Mummy! Let's go!" Rose whined, yanking Hermione's arm near out of her socket as she pulled her towards the carnival rides. "I wanna play!"
Dom followed them, his hands in his pockets as he looked over the grounds, quite content with his life at the moment, although, there was one missing factor. And she was standing right before him.
"What do you want to go on first, Rosie?" Hermione asked.
"That one, mummy!" Rose pointed her finger high in the air, towards the flying swing set. Hermione licked her lips nervously. "Oh, hunnie that one's a bit scary for you, don't you think?" Hermione was just trying to get out of having to go on it herself. It was never one of her favorite rides. Just the thought of it made her heart race.
"Oh come on Hermione. Let her live a little. She's not going to hurt herself, we're right there with her." Dominic grabbed Rose in his arms and walked over to the ride in question. "If you wont take her, I will and you can sit on the bottom and let us have all the fun."
"W-Why don't you take her?" Hermione said quickly. "I"ll go take Hugo over to one of the smaller rides. He's too tiny to fit in the seats anyway." She felt relieved at the excuse to not go on the ride. It was well known she didn't like heights, so she was surprised Dom hadn't caught on and if he did, was being awful nice about it.
"Alright, scaredy cat." He mocked, and it made Rosy giggle, as the two entered the ride and were strapped into their seats.
"We'll see you in the bottom, Granger!" He and Rose waved at her as the operator started the ride and it began to move, lifting the two in the air.
"Oh, Merlin, I can't watch." Hermione walked away from the swing, walking over towards the carousel, not wanting to even watch her daughter take on her own biggest fear. "Come on, Hugo, let's go on the safer ride."
"'Orsies, ma!" Hugo yelled, squealing. The squeals and laughs from Rose and Dom carried all the way down to the grounds. They both looked so happy and excited, had you not known any better; you'd swear they were father and daughter.
When the ride ended and they both got off, as their feet touched the ground, their legs turned to jelly and they were dizzy getting off. "That was fun! Can we do it again?!" Rose said, holding to Dom's leg to keep herself standing.
"In a little sweetie, I just want to make sure we didn't kill your mother first."
Hermione held onto Hugo as he rode on top of one of the horses on the carousel. It slowly came to a stop and she grabbed onto Hugo, placing him down on the ground and letting him run around, spotting Rose and running straight for her. Hermione smiled at her two children, her eyes slowly coming up to meet Dom's.
"Enjoying ourselves are we?"
Hermione walked over to Dom, standing next to him as she watched her children running around, laughing. "Thank you Dominic. For doing this. Allowing me to bring the children." She paused for a second, just watching them play. "They haven't looked this happy in months."
"Don't-" He raised his hand, silencing her. "Don't say anything. I was happy to do it. Rose and Hugo deserve it; I wouldn't image them not being here." She smiled at him.
"You really do care for the kids don't you? I mean, not just mine. But Draco and Izzy's as well." She looked back at her children. "You're good with kids. Most guys aren't." She let out a small chuckle.
Dominic's eyes now falling on Hermione's warm brown ones. He didn't notice it but he was coming closer towards her, his voice falling to a whisper he continued to approach her. "Probably my lack of maturity."
She smiled at him, her eyes quickly falling onto his lips before going back to his eyes. "You're mature enough." She said gently. "I was just married for a Weasley for 6 years. I know immaturity when I see it."
"Do you?"
Without thinking, Dominic brought his lips down on Hermione's. His one hand caressing her jaw as he knelt down slightly to reach her. Hermione's scent enveloping every sense in his body. His other hand wrapping around his waist and pulling her closer to him.
Hermione lost herself in the kiss instantaneously, butterflies erupting in her stomach. She kissed him back, deepening the kiss herself. But suddenly, she realized what she was doing and pushed away from him, her eyes falling to the ground, feeling ashamed for loving the kiss as much as she did only a week after getting divorced.
"I-I'm sorry." She apologized quickly, not able to meet his eyes. "I-
"No. I'm sorry." He cut her off, his own heart stopping and his whole body numb, breaths heavy from the kiss. "I shouldn't have done that." He sighed and turned around, giving him her back. He craved that feeling of having Hermione's body against his; to call her his own. He could still feel her lips against his, mind going blank and filling with euphoria and delight all at once.
Hermione bit her lips together, staring at the back of his head, feeling bad. "Dominic, I am sorry." She said softly, eyes now on her kids. "It's not you. You're sweet and I do like you, it's just... I'm not ready for a new relationship yet. And I don't want to force the kids into that yet." She looked back over at the back of his head. "It's nothing personal."
"No, its fine. Hey, can't blame you right. I mean you're Hermione Granger. You probably have other suitors knocking on your door daily, right?" He was wounded, sarcasm deflecting every emotion running through his brain and playing it off, made it sound rude. He couldn't admit it to her thought, he wasn't one to show weakness, trait among the Toretto's. "If you want, I can take you home."
"Ummm... I suppose so. I'll get the kids." She walked away from him, feeling hurt and rejected at the same time. She gathered up her kids, who looked disappointed, but went along with it anyway. She grabbed Hugo, placing him on her hip and then grabbing onto Rosie's hand, walking back over to Dom. When he offered to take one of the kids off her hands, she shook her head. "No, it's okay. I can handle it."
With a wave of his hand, he had dismissed all the Carnival personnel, and soon after, retreating to the trio of Wizards he had brought with him. "Come on, I'll take you home." He threw a nod in the direction of the exit to the Carnival, waiting for Hermione to lead the way, while he followed, a look of sadness on his face.
Hermione walked away without saying a word to Dom, heading towards the exit. She felt bad, but was also slightly angry about the way he had acted towards her. She wasn't the type of girl to chase after a bunch of other guys, especially because of who she was. She knew she was more popular in the Wzarding world because of what her, Harry, and Ron had done in the past, but that meant nothing.
"Mummy... Mr. Dom looks sad." Rosie whispered to her mother.
"I know, sweetie." Hermione said. "He'll be fine. He's a grown up."
"Draco?" A voice called out in front of his cell, desperate to grasp his attention while a sleeping figure was laying inside on the uncomfortable looking cot.
"Malfoy! Wake up!"
Draco jumped in his sleep, blinking his eyes and lifting his head, looking around to see who had called him. Through his squinted eyes, he looked straight at Blaise. "Zabini?" He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What the hell are you doing here? Please tell me you're going to bail me out. I can't take another day in this damn place."
"Not exactly."
Draco groaned, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
"Izzy's not budging on the whole letting you out thing. She wants you to apologize first, so you'll set a good example on the kids."
"Of course she's not." Draco threw his feet over the bed, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
He sighed, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm dying in here, mate. It's been a whole week. I can't take it anymore. They're going to take me to trial in another three days. I could go to Azkaban. Imagine what that would do to the kids." He glanced up at his best friend. "You have to get me out of here. You have to."
"What do you want me to do, Draco? Go to your house, steal the key to your vault at Gringotts and bail you out that way?" He grinned, shaking his head.
Draco's smile made a reappearance as he eagerly curved the edge of his lip higher and higher until he looked very much like the Joker out of one of Tyler's old Comic Books. "Actually... that's an amazing idea." He stood up, walking towards the bars of his cell. "The key is in my office." Draco said, holding his hands out to try and get Blaise to understand his point. "I keep it in my filing cabinet. All the way in the back. Inside the 4th Row filed under: Confidential."
Blaise leaned in closer to the bars, keeping his voice low, out of earshot from the men in the adjacent cells. "Mate. If Izzy finds out I bailed you out-I'm a dead man."
Draco leaned in closer as well. "If I go to Azkaban, I'm a dead man." The thought of even doing so terrified him. "She takes the kids to the park almost every Saturday afternoon. That's tomorrow. If you go around noon, she shouldn't be there."
"You're sure Izzy won't find out about this? It's my arse on the line Malfoy and I'm dragging you with me if it blows up in my face." He warned, looking around nervously. Isabella truly was as scary as they come, but then again, his wife wasn't one to be in a bad mood the majority of the time.
"Blame it entirely on me." Draco said, nodding his head. "You won't get caught. I guarantee it. Just... just get me out of here."
"Alright. Alright. I'll do it."
Blaise flooed into the Malfoy manor, that next morning, slinking away after mentioning to Caroline that he had some business to take care of at work. His eyes quickly searching the place for any sign of someone being in the house with him. After he made sure there was no one in the house, he made his way up the stairs towards Draco's office, careful to keep his eyes and ears peeled the whole way. Slowly, he pushed open the door to the office and gently shut it, the lock clicking into place. He made his way towards the filing cabinet, making an attempt to pull it open, but noticing it was locked.
"Dammit." He muttered, pulling out his wand. He quickly unlocked it with one of the first spells he had ever learned, nearly yanking it from its hollowed crevice and running his hands through the files, desperately looking for the one Draco had mentioned earlier.
"Looking for something?" Isabella's voice shot up from the doorway. Her lips pursed in a scowl, and arms crossed tightly against her chest. "Or do you enjoy snooping around Draco's office for kicks?"
Blaise froze just as his hands reached the file, closing his eyes and letting out a defeated sigh. Slowly, he turned around and faced Isabella, throwing his hands at his sides in defeat. "Izzy, you need to let him out." Blaise said simply, knowing he wouldn't get through to her. "He's rotting away in there. They're putting him on trial in a couple days and then he might end up going to Azkaban. Imagine what that'll do to the kids."
"He's not going to Azkaban, Blaise. They don't throw you in Azkaban for fighting with someone. They'll let him out, trust me." She seemed very determined with her answer, and went over to him, locking the door with her wand and casting a silencing charm. "And lower your voice, the kids don't know he's in a cell. They just think he's on leave for business on a case."
Blaise sighed. "You're wrong, Isabella. He doesn't deserve to be there. You know as well as I do that Weasley really did set him up." He crossed his arms over his chest. "He's wanted to beat the shit out of Weasley for years now, but he kept himself under control because he knew you wouldn't want it and he felt bad about George losing his brother."
"Why would he want to beat up George? What did he do to him?" She was curious now, and her mind was foggy, unable to recollect as to why or how Draco would have any real reason to pick a fight with the Weasley's besides the obvious (blood-status) clash with them since they were children.
Blaise shook his head, wondering if telling her would even matter, or if he was even supposed to know. "Ever since he found out about George practically forcing you to sleep with him, he's been itching to do so. Not to mention how he kidnapped you when you guys were in Canada. The guys a creep, Izzy. It's been almost 11 years and he's still in love with you. That's... not normal."
"He's not in love with me. I've never hinted that I saw him in that way after I met Draco. I think you've both gone crazy Blaise-" Her eyes immediately were darkening. "Wait a minute? Draco told you about that?!"
Blaise nodded, arms still crossed firmly across his chest. "Amazing how I kept it a secret for all these years and how Draco was nice enough not to do anything about it." Blaise couldn't help but get cross with her.
"He told you?!" She snapped.
"So what, your husband beat up your ex-boyfriend. You act like that's the first time it happened between any couple. I clearly remember you doing the same to Pansy back at Hogwarts when you and Draco first started 'dating'. The only difference is that he got caught by the authorities."
"That was different. Pansy threw the first punch and she started that shit when she insulted me for who I was." Izzy corrected, now fuming. "And as far as Pansy goes, I'm not finished with her, as soon as she shows her face around me, I am going to beat the shit out of her too; leave the bloody bitch unable to walk for a few decades." She turned to look at the drawers that Blaise had searched and went to her necklace.
"You were never going to find the key Blaise." Pulling at the chain, she held it up to the light, the key nestled in between the dogtags and charms. "Did you really think Draco would have the only copy of the key?"
Blaise sighed, shaking his head. "You're a hypocrite, Isabella. I love you in the most appropriate way that someone can love their best friend's wife, but what you just said makes no sense. You won't bail Draco out of jail for beating up George when you yourself just said that you were going to do the same to Pansy the next time you saw her." He scoffed, taking a couple steps towards her. "It's none of my business, but you should know that Draco's never going to apologize, and I'm going to continue to make sure he doesn't. Because he shouldn't have to." He pushed past Izzy, heading for the stairs and planning on flooing out of the house and going back home. He had enough of the Malfoys' for today.
"Draco Malfoy." The guard waved his wand, the tumblers turning in the lock and unlocking the cell. He held the door open and stepped aside. "Your bail has been paid. You're free to go." Draco stood up from his bed, not able to help the huge smile that was on his face. "Thank, Merlin." He walked out of the cell, not even bothering to look back at what had been his home for the past week now. He collected his things from the guard who was holding it for him, ready to hand it over, stuffing everything into his pocket, expect for his wand. He gently placed it inside of his cloak, the only place he felt comfortable enough leaving it.
With a nod of thanks to the guard, he made his way out to the sitting room to thank Blaise for risking being caught for him. "Did it take you long enough to-." But Draco froze at the person who was grinning at him, the one who had posted his bail. And it certainly wasn't Blaise.
"It didn't take long at all to finish the paper work. Quite easy when you have money."
Those eight years in Azkaban really took a toll on Lucius Malfoy, he seemed to have aged decades; face looking worn and hair as white as ever, even lighter than Scorpius'. He walked with a sort of hobble in his step, face a bit scared and hands worn.
Lucius grinned, using his cane as a method of keeping himself standing. "Hello son."
Draco just stared back at his father, his whole body ready to act if need be. His eyes were slightly wide, not able to help the frightened look his father created in him. He could feel his palms starting to sweat and he nervously licked his lips before speaking. "W-Why aren't you in prison?" Draco asked, his voice coming out slower and more defeated then he would have liked.
"Well if I were in prison, I wouldn't have been able to bail you out now could I?" He smirked. Something about him seemed off, and Draco couldn't place just what it was. His cane hit the floor with a thump as he walked, coming closer and closer to Draco. "You could say hello, or something in that sense. Even a thank you."
Draco wanted to take a step back, to keep his distance from his so called 'father', but found himself rooted to the spot. "I have nothing to thank you for." He was finally able to get out. "I should still be in that cell because you shouldn't have been able to bail me out because you should still be in Azkaban." Draco looked his father up and down. No matter how weak he looked, Draco still didn't trust him.
"Well the Wizengamot would argue with you on that one, seeing as some of us have been put on Parole. Under observation of course." He added, nodding at an official who was watching the conversation. "Like it or not, I am no longer in prison, Draco. A few of our fellow comrades would be glad to see you again as well."
"Yeah? Well like it or not, I don't want to see them. I appreciate you bailing me out, but I need to get home to my family." Draco said, looking his father up and down once more. "So, if you'll excuse me-"
Lucius thrusted his cane, blocking Draco from taking another step as it hit him in the chest, making contact. "That's what I've come to talk to you about. I've come to apologize, make peace with you and your wife. Meet my grandchildren."
Draco scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I'm done making peace with people. That's how I ended up here in the first place." He pushed his father's cane off of his chest. "Isabella isn't going to want to have anything to do with you, and as for the children... you're not meeting them. You lost that privilege years ago."
"Draco. Listen to me. I'm not here to pose a threat to you, your wife, or your children." He sighed, pulling out the handle of his cane and showing it to Draco. The small enclave where his wand resided was empty. "The ministry has my wand, Draco. I am of no threat to anyone. My magic's been taken from me."
Draco looked down at it, his defenses falling slightly at noticing that he was telling the truth. He glanced back up at his father.
"You tried to kill Izzy, more than a few times if you count all the incidences where you brainwashed me into doing it. She hates you, more then she hates anybody in this world. She won't let you near the kids."
"Can't you convince her to let me meet the children? Look at me Draco." He gestured to himself, looking defeated both mentally and physically. "What harm could I possibly do to anyone? Hell, you could easily overpower me now. Or you could curse me with no problem whatsoever."
Draco shook his head. "Father, even I don't want you near the kids. If you have really changed, if you really want to meet them, then you need to convince me before you can even expect me to convince her. Honestly, I don't trust you, no matter how weak you are."
"Name it and it shall be done. I'll prove it to you." What Lucius did, brought shock to everyone in the room; it was so against his nature to do so. "Draco?" He asked, struggling to kneel down onto the ground, using his cane as a crutch. "Give me a chance. I've changed son. I really have."
Draco looked around the room, taking note of everyone now watching them. "Father, get off the floor, you look ridiculous." He walked to the side of Lucius, grabbing a hold of his arm and helping him to stand back up as his legs shook. "Come on, I'll buy you lunch." Draco said with a sigh once he had his father back on his feet again. "But the answer is still no."
The once quiet townhouse was filled with the subtle sounds of grunting. Its coffee brown walls inviting and filled the room with warmth, a cozy feel. Dominic's shirtless and muscled body was glistening with sweat as he did pull ups using the doorframe as a bar.
"45, 46, 47, 48-" He continued pulling himself up towards the ceiling, his chin gently hitting the wall with every motion, counting as well. "49, 50, 51, 52-"
There was a sudden knock on the front door. It came softly, but loud enough for it to be heard echoing across the apartments halls, and was caused by none other than Hermione Granger. She stood on the other side of the door nervously, feeling the need to run the second she knocked, wondering if this really was such a good idea. She knew Dominic had a temper of sorts. After watching him carry Isabella into the water despite her cries to let her go and the previous night when he had become very cross towards her when she simply pushed him away as he kissed her. But that kiss was what made her come here tonight. Something about it sparked something in her, something she had never felt before, and made her want to cry out for more.
"What in Bloody-" Dominic groaned, jumping off and letting his heavy boots hit the ground with a loud thud. He took the towel beside him and wiped the back of his neck, sweat dripping from it. In fact, his entire body was sweaty, every indentation, every ripple of his toned body was emphasized as he breathed, his chest rising and falling, slightly out of breath.
"Who the hell is it now?" He stormed towards the door, somewhat upset that someone had interrupted his workout session. The hand towel now in his left hand as he turned the knob of the entrance door with his right; "What do you-" He discovered it was Hermione standing before him, and let out an annoyed sigh. "Granger."
Hermione's eyes went slightly wide as she stared at his bare chest for a couple seconds, quickly looking away when she realized what she was doing. But really... could you blame her? Her cheeks turned a dark red from the embarrassment of catching him like this but she tried her best to force it away. She was an adult. She had two children and had just gotten divorced. She could handle standing in front of a shirtless man... with muscles.
"Well just don't stand there." He walked away from the door, and went to the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water.
"Dominic, I'm sorry if I interrupted something..." She glanced in towards his home slightly, hoping she hadn't caught him in the act of entertaining another woman.
"I was going to get interrupted eventually." He shrugged, taking gulps of water and setting the glass down on the counter, harder than he meant to. "Is there a reason you're here-Or were you in the neighborhood?"
"Umm..." She nervously folded her hands in front of her. "I wanted to come here and apologize, for the other night. I know things didn't work out like we wanted them to, on both of our parts, and I blame myself. You were just trying to be nice, and I ruined it. I apologize."
"Don't apologize, Granger." His tone was rude and he wanted to avoid touching the subject. "Besides, it's not like I should have expected anything different."
"Dominic, I'm not seeing anybody, and despite what you seem to believe, I don't have people chasing after me, even if I am Hermione Granger." She let out a small sigh. "I was hoping we could settle this and you'd join me for some dinner, but I can see you're too preoccupied. I'll just let you get back to... whatever you were doing." She looked at him one last time, then turned around, heading for the front door, shaking her head at what a stupid idea it was to even come here in the first place.
"So, that's it?"
"What?"
"That's all you're going to say?"
Hermione sighed, "I'm done with this conversation."
"See, this is something you have to change Granger!" His voice shot up, grasping her arm and pulling her back to him. "You give up and give in way too easily, and people are going to take advantage of that. Not to mention the fact that you won't even give yourself the least amount of blatant respect. You deserve to be happy, and this whole feeling guilty about everything and living in the past is going to haunt you for the rest of your life if you don't change. If you want to be miserable the rest of your life, I'm not going to stop you. But you shouldn't put that burden on Rose or Hugo. They deserve to go on with their lives, and you keeping them from moving on isn't fair. In fact, it's cruel."
Hermione yanked her arm from Dom's grasps, glaring at him. "It's funny, really, how well you think you know me. I do not give in way to easily. For your information, Toretto, I came here tonight, not because I felt bad for what happened, but because I wanted to give you a chance. I'm not stupid. Everybody knows that. I can see right through all your stupid sexual remarks, and asking me out on a date, saying we're just friends then kissing me." Hermione scoffed, shaking her head at him. "And if you must know, I came here because that kiss held something that I haven't felt in years!" She turned around, strutting back towards the door, not believing what she had just admitted to him.
"Are you kidding me right now?" He scoffed, "I asked you out with only the best intentions, if I wanted to shag someone, I could have gone out and picked a random whore on the street! I asked you out because I thought you needed the distraction, why else would I have let you brought Hugo and Rose, Granger?!" He yelled, now fuming, tying his best not to lose his temper while his patience was slipping.
She turned back around, facing him again. "Because you're good with kids! You love my children, probably as much as you love you own niece and nephews! And you're a nice guy... or so I thought." She bit her lips together, turning back around again and starting to walk away for the third time. "I'm done arguing with you. Coming here was a mistake. It's like I'm talking to Ron and didn't even get divorced."
"Yeah, I'm a mistake, you've made that very clear Granger. Now, if you're done insulting me, I'm rather busy doing nothing." He said sarcastically, swaggering over to the door and holding it open. "Here, you hate it so much, it's wide open, princess."
She glared at him, walking past him, but not before slamming her hands into his chest, shoving him back against the wall. "I may only be 25, and I may have just gotten divorced, but at least I'm not a 32 year old man who hasn't had a girlfriend in who knows how long. You keep going and finding all your 'random people on the street to shag'. Meanwhile, at least I can say that I found love, even if it was for a little while. And I have a 'family' now because of it. Two darling children who I love with all my heart. And meanwhile you can keep being an asshole to the one girl who actually wanted to give you a chance, and you, my friend, will never find love." She looked him up and down once more before storming towards the door. "Enjoy your lonely workout."
"Love is for the weak. All you end up getting in the end is hurt. There was once I girl that I loved, loved with every fiber of my being. But she ended up marrying this idiot bastard." He glared at the back of her head as she stopped momentarily at the sound of his voice. "Enjoy solitude Granger, you attract it like the plague. And good luck finding a bloke who will take a second look at you with two kids trailing around."
Hermione said nothing more and practically ran down the hall, heading for the stairway. She threw open the door to it, running down two flights of stairs before falling against the wall, her head falling into her hands as she found herself sobbing. It wasn't because he had hurt her, mentally or physically, but because she had really, truly, felt something in his kiss. And for the fact that he was right. Solitude really did follow her everywhere she went. It didn't matter what guy she had interest in, he would always hurt her way or another. Viktor, Ron, and now... Dom.
Dominic saw Hermione, running down the hall, but didn't bother to chase after her, instead he slammed the door and continued his let out his anger in the only way he knew how, by working out. Working his body to the point where he was incredibly sore and tired, his body begging for relief and yet he continued, pushing himself even further to a breaking point, and even then he didn't stop.