Chapter 7
"Mione do you have any more balloons? Albus found that he liked hugging them until they popped" Harry lightly grasped her elbow and gave her a guilty smile
"Oh of course Harry they are in the pantry, just charm them so he cannot pop anymore" Hermione replied then she turned to Draco and Blaise, Harry followed her line of sight and instantly stood straighter
"Blaise good to see you again" He held out his hand and Blaise shook it
"Like wise Potter" Harry turned to Draco and both of them seemed a little uncomfortable
"Potter" Was all that Draco said but in a friendly voice so it was better than normal
"Hello Malfoy, I trust you are doing well" Hermione patted Harry on the arm for being so nice, she was proud of how grown up he was acting
"I am, and you?" Draco just wanted this blasted conversation to be over with.
"Just fine, um nice seeing you both" Potter could not have ran from the situation any faster than he did, Hermione just sighed and ushered both of the men further into the room.
The level of awkwardness did not decline as they walked into the room. Hermione knew that Ron would not approach Blaise and Draco so she just left him to wallow in the corner waiting for his girlfriend. George was surprisingly inviting, he even seemed to keep up conversation with Draco as Blaise sat down to chat with Luna and Neville. Within the next hour Lucy and her sister Marie came to join the party. Marie was a spitting image of her older sister. She was thirteen and almost as tall as Lucy, longer brown hair but the same golden eyes and bright white smile. Lucy had managed to usher Marie off to Hogwarts for schooling. Marie seemed to enjoy it a lot; she got sorted into Ravenclaw, a smart girl indeed. Hermione had a soft spot for the girl, she often sent her books when she was in school, and Marie had a strong love for reading much to Lucy and Hermione's delight.
"Im just going to put on some tea" Hermione said standing from her spot at the table with Sophia in tow.
"Would you like some help?" Draco started to stand and Hermione smiled at him and walked with him towards the kitchen leaving Ginny with a knowing smile on her face that seemed to match Blaise's smirk.
XXOOXX
"Here, Draco would you mind holding Soph?" Hermione went to hand Draco the young girl in a sparkly pink tutu dress thing.
"Um Im not sure.." Draco was hesitant, he never held a baby before Hermione smiled and moved closer to him
"Oh here, it's easy just place her on your hip like this, put your arm around her…there perfect" Hermione stepped back to look at them she could not help but smile. Draco looked very out of place holding Sophia but she was laughing and smiling playing with the collar of his shirt.
"Aw she likes you!" Hermione clapped her hands together
"Come on Granger, all the ladies love me!" Draco smirked at her and she just smiled and rolled her eyes.
Unnoticed by the two smiling people standing in the kitchen Ginny was in the door way smiling as well. She snapped a picture of the three of them
"Its about bloody time" She mumbled to herself before she turned around.
XXOOXX
"I had a wonderful time this weekend Hermione!" Lucy was helping Hermione restack some books Monday morning.
"Im glad Lucy! It was wonderful to have you and Marie there, she has grown so much since I last saw her" Hermione stepped down from the ladder and picked up a box of potions.
"I know she is like a dang weed, she really does enjoy seeing you Hermione, I can't thank you enough for being there for both of us." Lucy stopped walking and looked up at Hermione. Lucy could never express the amount of love that she had for Hermione, She was so lost after the death of her parents and Hermione helped her. She even talked to the professors at Hogwarts and got them to allow Marie late entrance into the school.
"Lucy, you guys saved me as much as I have saved you, I love you both so much, now lets get back to work before we both start crying!" Hermione hugged Lucy and started to unpack the potions. The bell at the door rang and Lucy looked up to a pleasant surprise.
"John!" Hermione said with surprise in her voice, she walked around the counter to greet him.
"Hello Hermione! How are you doing this morning" He smiled at her
"I am just fine, how can I help you?"
"Well one of my nephews is turning 11 soon and he is very interested in all things Healer related, and I remembered you owned a store and I thought you could help me. Oh And Draco sent this for you" He handed over a sheet of paper to Hermione; she nodded and smiled at him.
"Oh thank you, um I will take care of this in my office, meanwhile John I am sure Lucy would be more than happy to help you" She turned to Lucy whose eyes were wide open
"Lucy could you help John find one of our finest books please" Hermione saw the glint of lust in Lucy's eyes
"Oh yes, of course, follow me John" She smiled at him and started walking into the isles
"my pleasure" John mumbled with a smile on his face
As Lucy led John towards a row of books for young readers she could hardly breathe. John was tall and had nice broad shoulders, and this beautiful hair that was brownish but had hints of blonde if the sun caught it just right. It was a little messy coming just past his ears; dark brown eyes contrasted his rather light complexion. And the best part of all, his hands; big and strong just how she liked them.
As Lucy was pondering where exactly he could be placing his hands John was having trouble tearing his eyes off of her. He had never seen such beautiful golden eyes, like honey. He was always the kind of guy to go for long blonde hair but Lucy's short darker hair was evoking a whole new emotion.
"Well here we go" John snapped back to reality when Lucy stopped walking and pointed to a self of brightly colored books.
"Oh, thanks for the help" He picked up the first book grazed his eyes over it and then smiled at Lucy
"I will take this one" He stated
"Really? You just picked on that quick?" Lucy seemed shocked it usually took her a good 15 minute debate on which book to read.
"yeah he is not picky" John smiled and Lucy nearly jumped him right there in the isle that was flooded with sunlight from a skylight.
"Oh, okay well then that was easy!" Lucy took the book and started walking to the front of the store, once John paid for the book they both stood there for a little just trying to prolong their interaction
"Um well if you want I can wrap the book up for you" Lucy was fidgeting with the parchment that was sitting on the counter.
"Oh yes that would be great!" John looked up at Lucy and smiled.
"Okay John can you give these to Draco?" Hermione walked out of the back office and looked up to see Lucy handing a neatly wrapped book to John, his hand lingering on hers as he thanked her once again. Hearing Hermione's voice they both looked at her and started to blush.
"What? Oh yes it's no problem at all" John stammered as he took the roll of parchment from Hermione smiling at both of the women and making his exit. Hermione turned to Lucy who was still in a daze.
"What was that about?" She said a smile hinting at her lips.
"Oh nothing, just the realization that John is COMPLETELY AND UTERLY THE MOST PERFECT WIZARD FOR ME!" Lucy stuck her arms out at her sides and started spinning in circles smiling at the ceiling Hermione started laughing happy that her friend finally found someone.
XXOOXX
Hermione was on her way to pick up Sophia, she was walking down the street with somewhat of a kick in her step. She thought to herself how finally things were looking up. Her store was doing very well, her friends all seemed to be content at the least, and Sophia was growing up so fast, saying her first words now. People tried to tell her that if Sophia is two she should be talking more but Hermione just shakes her head and says "All in good time". And Draco was nice….Draco, he was well more than nice. Let's face it Hermione was falling hard for the one wizard she promised herself she would stay away from.
She walked into the daycare for young children of witches and wizards and walked over to the front desk to sign Sophia out.
"Oh Hermione!" Said the witch sitting at the counter
"Hello Rose, how are you?" Hermione was scratching down her name on the sheet
"Just a heads up a man came in just a few moments ago, asked to see Sophia"
"What who was it? Is he here?" Hermione did not even wait for an answer she rushed through the doors towards the room for one to two year olds. She flung the door open and her eyes landing on a nicely maintained head of hair, blonde hair.
"Malfoy you prat!" Hermione stormed over and slapped him upside the head
"Merlin Hermione there are little ears in the room" Draco chuckled and pointed to a giggling Sophia on his lap, holding a book.
"What are you doing here?" She tried to hold back a smile at the sight of Sophia bouncing up and down on Draco's knee while chewing on the edge of a book.
"Well I had a question for you, I noticed the time figured I would meet you here" He shrugged and pulled the book out to the toddler's mouth
"Books are not for chewing Sophia, ask your mommy she reads enough of them" Draco smiled and earned himself a swat on the arm
"Hey!" Hermione tried not to let the laughter pass her lips.
"Oh um they had stuff for you at the desk place" Draco said pointing to the witch that was watching them through the glass window.
"Oh um okay I will be right back" Hermione started to walk out of the room when she turned and watched Draco with Sophia.
"Soph what is this?" Draco asked
"dwaggie!" Sophia exclaimed clapping her hands and smiling at Draco as if she were asking if she was correct.
"Good job sunshine! That's a Dog" Draco rubbed her back and turned the page, Hermione smiled it was odd to see Sophia acting so comfortable with Draco she was not even like this for George just Harry and Ron. And she would have to ask Draco about the nickname later.
"You have papers for me?" Hermione asked the witch that she just saw
"Ah yes here you go Hermione, by the way nice pick of a wizard over there, I have never seen a man with such happiness in his smile, with a drooling snotty nosed toddler that is" The witch laughed at her statement and Hermione smiled
"thank you" She handed the papers back "Have a good day" Hermione nodded at the lady and then went back to Draco and her daughter.
XXOOXX
"You really don't have to do this" Hermione said looking at Draco who looked a tad foolish. He was hunched over his arms extended to hold the hands of Sophia who was have a blast standing with her right foot on Draco's and her left foot on his other. Kind of how a father might dance with his daughter standing on his feet. She smiled at the thought
"Its alright Hermione, I was never around kids, so this is fun for me" He looked up at her through his wispy blonde hair and smiled she sighed
"Oh alright, the least I can do is cook you dinner, I mean for helping with Sophia and everything." Secretly she was pleading on the inside that he would say yes.
"That seems reasonable enough, don't you think so Soph?" He looked down at Sophia she squealed and yelled "Dwinner dwinner!" Draco scooped Sophia up in his arms her chocolate curls bouncing around her face
"Well then it is settled" Hermione said brushing the hair out of her daughters face.
XXOOXX
Draco was stopped in front of Hermione's fire place looking at the pictures muggle and wizard that were placed in glass and silver frames. His eyes brushed past pictures of her parents, he noticed she does not mention them at all. Next were pictures of her friends, some with her and Potter and Weasley, one with Krum and his wife when she was pregnant. His eyes stopped on one with her and Ginny sitting on a blanket on the grass, her hair blowing in the wind, and Albus running up to Hermione and handing her flowers he picked.
"How old is Albus" He asked Hermione as she walked in with Sophia on her hip.
"He is five now, incredibly smart for his age too" She placed Sophia in a play pen and walked up next to Draco, she smiled when she saw the picture he was looking at.
"Wait five? We only graduated five years ago, and Ginny is a year younger right?"
"Yes, She and Harry discovered she was pregnant before her last year in Hogwarts, she got a special parting, she finished her studies at home, officially graduating while raising Albus." Hermione smiled, it was difficult for Ginny but she had a lot of help so she made it through with all of the grace she was born with.
"Wow, always knew she was stronger than Potter" Draco chuckled and Hermione elbowed him
"Hey! Potter..I mean Harry is a lot stronger than he lets show" Hermione said with an air of smugness in her voice.
"Ha, yea sure" Draco scoffed and walked over to Sophia and picking her up, she dropped her toy to play with his tie.
"What do you thing Sunshine? Is Potter strong?" He poked her on her nose and she gurgled
"Ponner!" She squealed with delight
"Ha! Will you look at that she takes after me" Draco said laughing as Hermione walked over and poked him in the shoulder
"You. Will. Not. Teach. My. Daughter. To. Call. Her. Uncle. Potter." She said emphasizing every word with a poke.
"Gee sorry Mother" He drawled rolling his eyes
XXOOXX
"This is bloody delicious Hermione. Where did you learn to cook?" Draco was enjoying his chicken parmesan with pasta and garlic bread.
"Well, a couple of years back after me and Ron had a row, I took off. I needed time and space, I have always wanted to see Italy. So I went there, I knew a girl who was from this small town right on the coast, her family took me in. Her Nonna, her grandmother, spent the nights teaching me to cook she always said Il cibo è il cuore della casa. The food is the heart of the home." She took a deep breath and a sip of her tea "I loved it there, so warm. There was never a night that family was not swarming the house; they never needed an excuse to have a party. They said we are alive that is reason enough." Draco smiled at her; Hermione's eyes were dancing with good memories.
"Wow, sounds wonderful. If you don't mind me asking"
"I have a feeling you are going to ask anyway" She said rolling her eyes
"of course! What was your fight about?" Draco watched as Hermione set her glass down and handed a small piece of bread to Sophia who had sauce spread all over her mouth.
"Well, he was trying to convince me to stay in the ministry. He did not thing I could run a store all by myself, I told him that he was daft if he thinks that I would stay just because he said so. It was all so silly looking at it now, but I have been told my whole life what I was. Hermione you are a witch, Hermione you are the brightest witch of your age, Hermione you are a teacher's pet, Hermione you are a war hero. I got so sick of people trying to tell me who I was, and what I was going to do with my life. So one day I followed my heart and it took me to where I am now. "She stopped and smiled slightly at Draco who placed his hand over hers on the table, her skin tingling from the contact.
"Hermione, if anyone could do anything by themselves, it would be you. You have done rather well for yourself from what I can see." Draco held her gaze for a couple of moments then he pulled his hand away slowly. Hermione missed the tingle
"Yes well that is the past now, so no use worrying about it" Hermione stood to start cleaning off Sophia's face. Hermione moved her daughter over to her play area but the second Sophia's feet touched to blankets she started screaming.
"Here, Hermione let me hold her for you" Draco walked over and picked Sophia up, she stopped screaming and Hermione gave him a weird glance
"What?" He asked slightly bouncing to soothe the upset two year old.
"Nothing it's just, well, she doesn't do that for anyone. Not even Ron and he was always her favorite." She just shook her head and went to clear the table.
"I have a gift Hermione, why don't you just charm those to clean themselves?" Draco asked walking her to the kitchen.
"I don't know really, I don't use that much magic around here" She shrugged and placed the dishes in the sink.
XXOOXX
After Hermione finally got Sophia to bed she offered Draco some of her best muggle wine. Before they knew it they were both sitting on the floor in front of the fire place with an empty bottle of wine and toys at their feet.
"He would never listen! I mean really he was such a bloody prat some days!"
"Well it is Weasley what do you expect!" Draco raised his eyebrows at Hermione and she laughed
"Oh stop, he is a wonderful uncle to Sophia, that's all that matters" Hermione nodded her head in a matter of fact manner Draco gave her a long glance.
"Was there a time when Ron was, well not her uncle?" He was not sure how to phrase it and the wine was making it difficult for him to find the correct words.
"Oh" Hermione looked down at her lap, Draco instantly noticed his mistake
"You know what, no don't tell me, it is not my business" He looked away into the fire that was crackling softly into the night
"I always thought we could make good parents" Hermione started Draco kept his eyes trained on the flames
" We never got around to settling down, always a reason to leave I guess" She scoffed lightly but continued
"He knew how much I loved that girl, sure he was never really on good terms with Krum but I made sure that Ron understood that Viktor was indeed a best friend. When I got Sophia, it was not even a month after the tragedy when Ron asked when I was sending her to her grandparents. I guess I never really explained to him that they did not want her, but I did. At that point I guess I needed her, she was made from my best friend and in a way it is like having him around." She paused to wipe a small tear from falling across her face, Draco patted her hand and she gave him a soft smile, took a deep breath and continued.
"When I said that I was Sophia's mother now, he kind of lost it. Started yelling so loudly that Merlin himself could probably hear, acting like such a tosser. I would not budge, told him that if I were to pick between them that I would pick Sophia over him for the rest of my life. Looking back now it is a little harsh but I love her so much. I told him to get out, and he left. That was the end of anything we had for a relationship, after sometime he apologized and we moved on."
"and now he is her uncle?" Draco asked slowly just to fill in the empty space
"Yes, Harry and Ron both helped me so much. Since Harry had a son he knew some of the ins and outs so it was helpful" She turned her head and smiled at Draco, a slightly sad smile but a smile at that. Draco could not will himself to sit still; his hand came up to lightly cut her cheek, her eyes stayed focused on his.
"You are a wonderful mother Hermione, never doubt that. Sophia will never be short on love" Draco whispered to her, her eyes closing and her hand coming up to place on top of his. In that moment Draco felt like he was on the outside looking in. He watched as he leaned forward slowly, as Hermione's eyes fluttered open soon enough for Draco to place a small kiss on her lips.
Heaven, that's what muggles call it. So this is what they are talking about. For the short moment where they were connected Hermione felt her heart jump into her throat, Draco's soft but soothing lips on hers passing warmth and comfort through her veins. So this is heaven she thought.