"This is bloody mental," Draco grumbled as he tugged his tie on his black shirt.

Hermione laughed shaking her head as she straightened his jacket; a very intimate behavior considering they were arguing. "Would you relax? I won't let anyone curse you."

Scorpius huffed and stomped his foot. "Inside now?"

Hermione lifted the boy as Draco fixed what Hermione just straightened; he liked it messy, and she wasn't going to boss him. "Would you please stop looking at me like that?" Draco hissed as Hermione scowled at him.

"I would if you actually answered my question," Hermione huffed as she tossed her hair.

Draco groaned and nodded. "Okay, yes, I accidentally saw your arse. It was not purposely."

"You came into my wing looking for your son," Hermione grumbled and scrunched her nose at Scorpius.

Scorpius ran his fingers over the woman's exaggeratedly curled hair. "So pretty," he sighed with a grin.

"Well, I was nervous, I still am nervous," he hissed as he glanced up at the large, awkward house. "What were you doing wandering around your sitting room almost starks anyway?"

Hermione's face darkened in the dim light. "I was trying to get my necklace down the stairs. I didn't realize there was a dress code in my quarters and if you had knocked, I would have told you I was in my knickers."

"If there were, you wouldn't listen, and I have been nothing but polite to you," He retorted as he brushed a loose curl from her face.

It all felt… too normal. Hermione jerked from his hand and marched up the pathway with the child in her arms. Draco groaned loudly and followed her with trepidation.

Hermione was in a lovely maroon dress with a low back- too low if you asked him. Her hemline was too high. She looked far also done up for a simple dinner, and he didn't like it; not one bit. However, he didn't want to seem domineering and brutish, so he didn't say anything. He wasn't looking at her and knew for a fact she was not looking at him.

When she opened the door, Draco saw the red hair inside. Immediately she was greeted by the fiery redheaded Potter. "Hermione! Merlin, where have you been? Harry got your letter yesterday, and we nearly died… oh, who's child is that?" Ginny said as she noted the boy clinging to Hermione.

"Gin, this is Scorpius Malfoy. Scorpius, this is my friend Ginny," Hermione declared with a nod before turning to the approaching father. "Malfoy, you remember Ginny, right?"

Draco waved awkwardly and cleared his throat. "Good evening, Potter."

Ginny glanced between the two adults and her eyebrows knitted at the witch. "Is he your date?"

Hermione opened her mouth in a rather comical way as her eyebrows shot up. "Date?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am," Draco voiced as his arm wrapped around the stunned woman.

"Oh," Ginny said as she blinked a couple of times.

Scorpius huffed and waved. "Hi," he said with an indignant tone.

It shook the witches from their paralleled shock, and Ginny nodded. "Good evening, Scorpius. Want to go play with the others up the stairs?" The redhead questioned.

Scorpius pouted and reached over for his father. "Okay, too much too fast, come here," Draco sighed as he let go of Hermione and took his son.

Hermione smirked at them and shrugged her shoulders. "He might be a bit shy, but I'm sure he'll come around when he sees the children."

"Well, come on in, I'm positive that mum is going to be batty," Ginny sighed and welcomed them inside officially.

Hermione leaned to Draco and breathed. "Why did you say you're my date?" Her narrowed eyes said it all.

"Because, Granger, I'm going to have fun if you drag me off to my death," Draco whispered before they stepped inside.

"There's my smartest sister!" George's voice announced their arrival.

Hermione exhaled and walked over to embrace the stalky Weasley. "Georgie, why aren't you in costume? Harry said you bought the toga and everything," she murmured.

His eyes traced the strange pair standing close to the door. "You brought a date? Who's the bloke?"

"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" Harry sounded, and Hermione watched him walk out of the kitchen.

Hermione waved him over, and Draco pinched his features as he walked over, son still in his arms. "Harry, he came with me tonight," she announced as her hand brushed the blonde wizard's shoulder in a sea of red hair.

"As her date," Draco said smugly.

Whatever idle chatter was happening around the cramped sitting room stalled. You could almost hear a pin drop it grew so quiet.

Harry buttoned his lips before reaching out a hand. "Good to have you, Malfoy," Harry responded with a nod. "Gin, where're the kids? Let's get," he paused.

"Scorpius," Draco added.

"Scorpius introduced," Harry concluded with a nod.

"Boys, stop running in the house!" Molly's shout was heard from the kitchen.

Soon a thunder of feet filled the room and children nearly toppled the witch in the maroon dress. "Aunt Hermione!" An older one with teal hair cried.

The witch ducked down among the children and laughed as she hugged them. "Teddy, you've gotten so big! James, don't hurt Fred," Hermione said to the children.

"They must have heard you, Potter," Draco mused as he watched the witch enveloped by the swarm.

"Aunt Hermione, who's that?" Teddy asked as they noted the child still clinging to his father.

Draco set the boy down, and anxiety wrenched him as Scorpius clung to his father's hand. Hermione removed herself from the mass of children and walked over. "This is Scorpius. Scorpius, this right here is Teddy. He's a distant cousin of yours," Hermione explained as she waved the older child over.

Teddy glanced at Hermione who just gave him a single nod. The boy smirked and ducked down. "Hey, wanna see a trick, Scorpius?" Scorpius nodded slowly, distrust still clear on his face. Teddy shook his head, and his hair turned silvery. "See, I look just like you," Teddy declared with a nod.

"Wow!" Scorpius exclaimed and walked over to the older child.

"Come on; we're going to go play with Uncle Fred's chess set!" Teddy announced and took the boy's hand.

Soon they were off. The children all cheering or laughing as they ran through the kitchen again. Hermione turned to Draco to see he was scowling quite a bit. "Relax, Teddy's a good boy and will watch after him. He'll fit right in," she murmured and touched his arm.

"So, Malfoy, what made you think you could wander in here and not bring drinks?" George snickered with a grin. "After all, I hear you get some interesting imports."

"I didn't realize it was my turn to bring the spirits," He said dryly before wrapping his arm around the nearly naked witch.

He still didn't like that she was so very bare.

Harry hemmed and tugged his collar. "You realize someone's going to have something to say. Mum might even be a bit upset," he mumbled.

Hermione waved him off and sighed. "I talked to her this morning, and she told me it was fine."

Draco grinned and waggled his eyebrows down at Hermione. "You think it will come to blows?"

"Malfoy," Hermione said with a warning tone.

"I know, I know, best behavior," he huffed and held up two fingers. "Wizard's honor."

"You both look cozy," Ginny remarked as she wandered over.

"Well, Ginerva, I can call you that right? I have decided the best way to tame a Gryffindor's vengeance is to give her what she wants," Draco teased.

Hermione pressed her palm to her forehead. "What have I done? Why did I ever think you would be normal?"

"It's my best quality," Draco retorted.

Angelina walked in from the kitchen and blinked. "Hermione? Merlin, Hermione! I hardly recognize you!" She hollered as she skipped over. "Your dress, that makeup… who's this?"

Draco frowned and glanced down at the mortified witch. "Do I look different? Is it the beard?"

Draco realized two things. One, Hermione hardly dressed up for anything and two… not a soul knew he was coming outside of the hostess of the dinner. It might be a long night.

"Yes, it's the beard, Malfoy," Hermione sighed while shaking her head.

"Malfoy? Wow, you're, grown up," Angelina stumbled and turned to her husband for help.

"He has a shy son too if you wouldn't believe it," George snickered with a grin.

"That's it," Ginny huffed and yanked Hermione from Draco. "You and me, right now, outside," she demanded and pulled Hermione toward the kitchen.

"I'll be right back!" Hermione shouted back at Draco before disappearing into the doorway.

"I have to give your wife credit, Potter. She's incredibly strong for her size," Draco mused before turning to the puzzled man next to him.

Harry rocked his head. "Yeah, you're telling me," he responded with a grimace.

"Malfoy, you don't have a drink, let's get you one. After that we'll reintroduce you to everyone," George declared as he nudged the pale wizard.

It was an odd thing. George helped him get a drink and introduced him to the Weasleys again, this time as a regular outsider to the affair. Percy and his wife. Bill and the blond girl from the tournament… They all were quite polite as they made the rounds. It wasn't until he was offered the loveseat that Harry sat down near him on the sofa and hemmed as the others got into conversation.

"I have to know, what's going on? She didn't come over yesterday and now this," Harry said with a firm tone. "I'm worried about her."

Draco sipped his glass before bending toward his former rival. "Potter, she nearly collapsed on herself after he floo'd her on Valentine's Day announcing his engagement. She has to come to this party to celebrate it… give the witch a little credit; she's going through plenty," he whispered with a condensed brow.

"He told her? On Valentine's Day?" Harry asked and followed it with a groan. "Of course he did. That would be the most blunderous thing to do," he sighed.

"I come in peace, at least in regards to her. I can't stand to see witches cry anymore. I saw enough from my late wife," Draco said before drinking from his glass.

"Then you know?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded and tilted his head. "I do. She sozzled herself and told me all about it."

"Then you know why I'm so worried," Harry exhaled and reached for his cup on the side table. "Malfoy, tell me she's doing alright, please? Anything that helps me get some actual sleep."

"She's doing fine, Potter. She just needs the room to heal. Loss isn't digestible at that level. You have to expel it and then reexamine it several times over."

Harry chanced it and reached over, patting the other wizard's shoulder. "Thank you; she's the only real family I have outside of the Weasleys. She's like a sister to me, Malfoy. That means she's one of the most important people in my life. I'm sorry to hear about your wife."

"Don't get soft on me, Potter. I know what you harbor against me, and I have no excuse, nor do I blame you."

Their heart to heart was interrupted as a small form collapsed next to Draco. "So, you're her date, hm?" Ginny asked as Draco turned to her.

"Yes, is there a problem?" Draco asked as he side glanced Hermione sitting down next to Harry.

Ginny shook her head with a wild smile. "Not at all! I'm just glad that she's actually shagging someone," Ginny teased and watched Harry choke on his drink.

"I am not," Hermione affirmed as Harry glared at her.

Draco grinned wickedly and arched an eyebrow. "That little birthmark on her arse is quite pretty in dim light," He retorted.

Hermione covered her face and groaned as Harry glowered over at Draco. "What gives you any right to say those things?" Harry said through his teeth.

"Harry, please relax, he is just goading the situation, and I fear that's going to be an all-night affair," Hermione spoke with a firm tone.

Ginny crossed her legs as she cleared her throat. "You both are friendly?"

"Just friendly," Hermione clarified.

Draco exhaled as he relaxed in the seat. "I thought I meant more to you, Granger," he said with an exaggerated pout.

"So, this is the Malfoy we would have gotten if you weren't a shit in school?" Ginny questioned.

"No, I was always a shit, as you say. My wife tamed some of my hate and resentment; love did the rest. I have a son now and have not the energy for that in my life. I don't want him to become the sins of my father either," Draco said as he ran a hand through his beard.

Hermione shifted in her spot and cleared her throat. "I think I'm going to go get a glass of wine," she murmured.

Ginny watched her go with knitted brows and exhaled. "I wish she would let me invite Krum to visit. If only to get her out to dinner or something. I know it's too soon for anything else, but a bit of laughter and compliments would do her good."

"Technically, she can't do that; we're contracted, remember?" Draco asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Then you take her out, Malfoy," Ginny said and poked his arm. "You and her, nothing will happen, and it will give her something to look forward to when this marriage bill business is over. She'll remember what it's like to want that."

"Pardon? Are you suggesting I take her out on a date just for the sole purpose of her enjoyment? I may have changed, but I'm still a Slytherin," Draco hissed with a grimace.

"No, Gin, leave it alone. They aren't fighting or attempting to kill each other. Let's chop that up as catching the snitch and move on. Only less than a month and she can choose someone else," Harry responded with a nod.

Hermione wandered back into the room, and Ginny moved next to her husband. The curly-haired witch shifted before sitting down next to Draco with a sigh. Her posture was slumped forward, and her back was in clear view of the lone Slytherin. He did whatever he could not to linger on her revealed skin.

Arthur came in the room with an infant in hand. The baby was crying as he approached the group sitting, his face read regret. "Dumpling, could you take Lucy back. She started wailing when you left. It's the first time in hours she was quiet," He asked Hermione.

"Oh, of course, dad," Hermione said as she put down her glass.

Arthur handed the child over once Hermione leaned back, giving the patriarch a full view of Draco. The older wizard scowled deeply and scratched at his face. "Seems you did indeed bring company," Arthur mused as Hermione started to rock the fussy child.

"I'm her date," Draco announced, causing the witch to stiffen.

"Her date? Best not tell your mother, darling, she will be up in arms," Arthur told the witch.

"Of course, dad. We don't want to give the wrong impression," Hermione said through her teeth as she glared over at Draco.

Draco grinned as he scooped the witch underarm. "Of course not, Granger. We wouldn't want them to think this marriage would stick. You would be a widow before toasts," he snickered with a scrunched nose.

His enjoyment of her discomfort gave Arthur a pinched expression. "I don't appreciate the sentiment of lying, Mr. Malfoy. Don't cause my wife heart pains over the farse either," he spoke clear and concise; that wasn't just a request to keep the jesting at a minimum, that was a direct order.

Draco just gave the older Weasley a nod before the man turned around and walked over to his sons talking on the other side of the room. Draco glanced over and snorted as he tugged Hermione slightly. "I better watch it, or your family will lynch me."

She glanced over at him, and their eyes met. Hermione wasn't there; she was in her own little bubble with the red-haired child who was sleepily cooing in her arms. Her face read sadness, and Draco's face dropped as his thumb ran over her cheek. "Don't, just release it. If you want we can take a walk after the baby's asleep," he offered in a calm tone.

"Okay," she sighed and turned back to the little girl, a small tear slithered down her cheek.

"Oh, Granger, you kill me sometimes," Draco sighed and grabbed her wine glass. "Here, have a bit."

Hermione took the glass and sipped a good amount before he took it back. "Thank you, Malfoy. They come in waves. I'm going to go put her down in mum's room; I'll return in a moment. Sorry that I haven't been able to get you situated."

"Granger, I'm just here for your entertainment. You don't need to worry about me," He said with a bright smile.

Hermione strolled from the room, and Draco watched, his eyes maybe lingered longer than they should have. "How did you do that?" Harry asked, bringing him back to the Burrow sitting room.

"Do what?" Draco asked as he turned to Potter.

Ginny shook her head. "Malfoy, she doesn't let anyone do that."

"Do what?" He hissed with a frown.

Ginny waved in his direction dramatically. "What you did! The small comforts she doesn't seek when all of us have tried in the last six months."

Draco glanced between then and realized they were dead serious. "She doesn't open up?"

"That's what we're telling you," Ginny grumbled.

"I'll be right back, and we'll start the merriment when Ronnie gets here," George announced loudly and shuffled toward the kitchen.

Harry groaned. "Come on, Gin. We better go warn mum," he murmured.

Draco sat there a moment and stared at the contents in his glass. What did it mean? Was he doing a decent job helping her, or was he forcing her to face something she wasn't ready to look at? It did bother him that he felt… something. Attached? Maybe. Her broken pieces made him feel closer to her in a way.

"Malfoy," Hermione's voice reached his ear.

He smiled up at her, and she tilted her head with a smirk. "Want to come see what your son is doing?" she asked as she smirked.

Draco stood up and rocked his head. "Hopefully nothing terrible."

"No, it's rather cute," Hermione said as her cheeks tinted.

He set down his drink as he maneuvered around Hermione toward the kitchen. It was at that moment that several things happened within instants of each other. The first was the front door opened up, and Ron was standing there with his fiancee. The little cupids were flying around the room as confetti went off from hidden places; likely charmed only to go off when he arrived. George hollered from behind the pair, causing Hermione to turn toward Draco and glance around him with a snort. The pale wizard felt a sting in his shoulder, and suddenly the witch in front of him was undeniable.

Draco grabbed her and kissed her with a ravenous lust. Hermione squeaked against the surprise attack, and soon, the kiss was far more than just a shock for both involved… it was only the start of the event for the whole evening...


Author Notes: Dun, dun, dun! Cliff hanger! Hahaha, not to worry, I'll have more for you all soon.