June 4th 2008

It was nearly midnight when Hermione flooed to the manor, with Percy who gladly offered to carry her sleeping daughters, and a sleeping Scorpious in her arms . Ginny had been furious to know that Scorpious wasn't her son, she threatened to kill draco in most cruel manner she could think , dishes were broken, ginny's anger made sure that every window in her house crack , Hermione tried to calm her when she too was furious with herself too.

And when harry came he clamed his wife, he told her that he will make sure that Hermione divorces draco. He will pay for the bloody lawyer himself, he will present the matter to wizarding trial and seek the best lawyers, through this Hermione barely got 5 minutes of decent conversation with her friend. With ron it was super awkward until he brust out by saying he was dating luna lovegood and he was planning to propose her soon. This made Hermione smile, among all bitterness she was really glad for ron, she always thought ron deserved much better and she was happy that luna and ron were the most perfect couple besides harry and ginny.

But as she was leaving harry gave her a long hug as if to say apologize to her, he was really sorry for leaving her in moment when she needed him most, while Hermione was just happy she had her friends back.

Over all it was really a good day for her in years, Hermione felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders, the heaviness of missing her friends was too much on her, today she saw them, talked to them , laughed with them.

But her happiness wasn't long when she saw her bane of her life standing in front of fireplace.

Draco was smiling at her like a mad hatter , with two hands shoved in his pockets of pants he nodded at percy.

Percy glared at draco , being minister of magic himself , he made sure draco doesn't return to his job , dennis creevey had the honor now.

But draco seemed quite relived by such knowledge , he didn't seem very upset to lose it .

He held out his arms to take his girls from percy who looked that he will murder draco .

Draco just smirked.

"Malfoy , back from the dead I see". Percy spoke through his teeth.

"weasley able to leave your office I see". Draco just shrugged .

He took his girls to their room while percy addressed to Hermione.

" if you need my help , any help just owl me ok? I will be here the second you ask me". Percy voiced his concern.

" thank you percy but I don't think It will come to that , I dare not to trouble you". Hermione smiled

"you are my sister Hermione , I don't know why ron and ginny were idiots back then but I really missed you so just owl me if you need me allright? I will be here for you". percy 's concern was so admiring.

Hermione nodded and percy headed out. She placed scorpious in his bed and softly kissed on his forehead whispered goodnight to him and made sure he was tucked in.

Draco was in the kitchen , making tea he clearly was having hard time finding the tea.

" its in the top shelf" she spoke while she reached for her book and sat on the sofa .

" why did you move it there? It was always on down shelf " draco spoke while adding tea to the water.

Hermione didn't answer , instead she watched draco from the back, wearing casual shirt and pajamas he seemed very relaxed and casual for first time in her presence.

He had grown , apart from tall lanky boy she knew from hogwarts his shoulders broadned bit more and his hair was more relaxed than before, she did notice his changes since sixth year but this first time she dare to acknowledge them.

Before he left , he rarely talked to her, always shut himself in his room and work , he would hardly make time to get out and attend his family.

Hermione thought maybe he never considered her wife before. Just mother of his children and lady of the house that's it .

Lucuis even pointed out to spend time with her but Hermione very much didn't want to spent any time with draco would leave the table before draco even had a chance to say anything.

A soft thud broke her out of her thoughts when she noticed hot steaming cup of tea in front of her.

" drink granger, its not poisoned just tea". He smirked .

" as if you can poison me". She spoke while taking a sip ." you need me remember?"

"yeah I need you" he spoke quietly.

He made a point to sit on the same sofa but on the edge if not to scare her away. This almost made Hermione laugh atleast he knew where to push his boundries.

"well how was it? Any explosion?" he asked.

" thanks to you ginny would have been arrested for attempted murder , if not harry , your body would have been here lifeless". She smirked at him

Draco cringed," I always knew she weasel had a knack of killing people, and iam in her hitlist".

" the very top". Hermione spoke.

" while you were gone few owls came by , I don't know who but I thought you would like to read and no I didn't open". He pulled out some prachments and handed over her.

Hermione noticed a really elegant parchment , that must be from st mungo's , from narcissa and most surprising Theo.

During their friendship theo never wrote to her, he always flooed her or send patronus nothing more than that. but maybe draco's presence made him feel uncomfortable and that's why he resort to writing to her.

Hermione tried to open theo's letter. When draco snatched it from her.

" that's mine actually, its has has my name on it , why don't you read yours?".

Hermione noticed that indeed it was addressed to draco , but why would theo write to him?

She opened her official letter, an invitation to gala where annual fundraiser was held to raise the donations for children who cannot afford to treatment , all the workers were mandatory to attend , Hermione had attended several of these with theo , and sometimes they turned out to be fun.

Narcissa wanted to her to come on next weekend to dress fitting as she have been invited, being a generous donar she always made point to give as much to the hospital , and she was in co event the fundraiser as well.

" there is fundraiser and your mum asked me to go dress fitting, care to join?" she asked draco who was reading theo's letter.

Draco seemed off during her question, his eyebrows frowned and he made sure to read the letter several times.

Now Hermione was concerned what his letter said.

" draco ? draco what's wrong?" she asked gently.

" hmm nothing is wrong , everything is fine , what were you saying?" he hid the letter behind his back while his cheeks were glowing an angry red.

" draco what did theo wrote to you?". she asked

" nothing , now what about dress fitting?" he shoved the letter behind the cushion.

" your mother called for dress fitting, I think It will show how iam willing to forgive you in front of her". she said.

Draco seemed frustrated , she knew he didn't heard a word of it while his head was cocked in another direction , clearly thinking.

" honestly draco what did he write?" she asked reaching for the letter.

" nothing " came a reply.

" surely it must be something or you wouldn't be this upset? Did he insult you ? what did he say draco?" she asked.

" iam telling he wrote nothing, its just rubbish that's all".

"draco-"

"enough Hermione iam sorry to be this way but there is no way iam telling you that". he sternly replied.

Hermione didn't spoke, this was first time draco acted this way, scared and was first time he even showed his emotions in front of him besides his pathetic pleas.

Carefully Hermione reached to touch draco's arm , she doesn't know if draco will push her away or not but at the moment she felt fear for draco herself.

She shouldn't be feeling this way but seeing draco confused and lost , he reminded her of a boy who was as scared and lonely in her sixth year.

She gently ran her hand in his arms in soothing circles, draco and Hermione were far from husband and wife or friends but something happened at that moment, something like understanding .

She should hate him , hex him, curse him even let ginny murder him but draco at his vunerable was rare and childlike.

Draco immediately relaxed and didn't pushed her away.

" draco what did Theodore wrote?" she asked softly.

" nothing, I wish I could say something but I can't iam sorry for before though" he replied as softly. He then grabbed her hand softly, as if asking for permission he gave a gentle squeeze.

" Hermione I …I really am though" he said while he stared at her eyes.

Hermione understood what her soon to ex husband said , in that moment draco in his unclear words apologized without asking her to forgive him , for Hermione it was most selfless thing he ever did for her.

Time for Hermione stood still, draco didn't push her back, nor he broke his eyes from her but he just looked, Hermione thought maybe he was luring her , using her but those silvery grey which she saw on her daughters were filled with so many emotions.

Regret was one of them.

Hermione understood draco, she really did.

But the moment was soon broken when draco broke her gaze and quietly got up to leave.

" I have talked to Jenkins today, he will have the papers soon". He spoke with his back.

Hermione could only nod.

" draco , happy birthday". She spoke to his back.

Draco gave her a half smile and went to his room while Hermione stood dumbstruck .

As she cleaned up her coffee tables she saw the letter which theo wrote to draco , who apparently forgotten about it while in their moment.

She lurched forward to the parchment and a small gasp emitted from her throat.

Because it clearly said.

You don't deserve her, you ruined her, her life , everything, she will always resent you, let her go malfoy its for the best.

a/n I got so many mixed votes, but I think I have to open voting a bit longer , maybe a day or two till the final poll draws up, your reviews are amazing , thankyou ! do review this chapter! One thing more iam told to have beta I tried to pm the beta reader but it didn't work so iam going to ask you guys if any of you are interesting in beta for this story please do pm me I will explain to you how it will work till then take care !