The cameras flashing was off-putting. Hermione hadn't seen so much press since she received her Order of Merlin insignia. Class two, nothing remotely noteworthy. She was walking next to Kingsley behind the Malfoys, and he was smiling down at her. He leaned down and whispered something.
"They look happy, good job," she thought she heard.
"Thank you, sir," she murmured, and he helped her inside.
Kingsley offered her a chair once they were at their table and Hermione straightened her maroon dress as she sat down. The minister sat next to her and Lucius insisted on seating himself on her other side to her displeasure. She wasn't sure what the older Malfoy had planned, but she was still a tad bit more leery of him than needed.
"Thank you for coming," Kingsley declared, and a cute little waitress approached.
She set down waters for them and asked for their drink order. "Vitiano Rosato, please," Hermione ordered and sipped her water.
Kingsley smirked at her after ordering and tilted his head. "You always have to order the same thing, Miss Granger?"
Hermione bristled lightly and scowled. "Well, it is a good year here. I haven't been disappointed, and it is a nice start to the evening."
Draco snorted and waggled a finger at the waitress. "Do me a favor, bring her two?" he hissed, and the witch nodded with a smile.
"Malfoy, I am not going to drink two glasses of wine with dinner." Hermione retorted as the waitress bustled off to get their beverages.
"Never discard a good year," Lucius agreed, and Narcissa smirked.
"Ah yes, his hundred-year-old enchanted scotch. Minister, has Lucius had the pleasure of telling you about how he obtained such a bottle?"
Kingsley arched an eyebrow and Lucius waved him off. "An honest way, I assure you," he paused and turned to Hermione. "Miss Granger, you will appreciate this. I actually hunted down the ancient brewer myself through thorough research. You see, the caskets were enchanted hundreds of years ago, but the after effect caused the scotch to have interesting properties, so they closed the brewery down. However, a single wizard in Scotland still retained these barrels and did so in secret. If you do happen to find yourself in a rare assortment of oddities he is interested in trade only." Lucius paused and flicked his hand in animation. "I had to lose many first editions and an elegant flying carpet that dated back several hundred years. However, it was fairly worth it."
Hermione's mouth fell agape, and she raised her eyebrows. "What does it do?"
He leaned toward her and saw she was intrigued beyond belief. "A single serving can affect you differently than the last. I have had nights where I had electricity come from my fingers and others where I grew gills," he pulled away and laughed. "I find it quite fascinating. The body of the drink is incomparable."
Kingsley tilted his head and tapped the table. "Lucius we might have to convene for a drink later," he said with a grin, and Lucius chuckled with a nod.
"I look forward to it, minister."
Hermione tapped her cheek in thought. "That would mean quite possible that they used a preservation charm and maybe even a special ingredient," she murmured and dug through her small clutch.
Kingsley patted her arm. "Hermione, we aren't at the office, you need to relax and let go of the research for the night." He whispered, and she paused, noting everyone at the table looking at her.
"Oh, my apologies," she simpered and pulled her arm from her small bag.
Narcissa frowned after sipping her water glass. "Do you extend all of your bags, Miss Granger?"
"Some of them. I find it quite handy," Hermione murmured.
Kingsley hemmed. "Of course, not what we say at work, correct?"
Hermione smirked at him and nodded. "Of course not, sir. I don't own any undetectable ones," she agreed with a genuine smile.
Scorpius sighed and put his hands on the table. "This is boring, dad," he grumbled.
"Hey, Granger, you have anything for the boredom of a three almost four-year-old in there?" Draco grumbled, and she smiled.
Digging around in her bag, she pulled out a book. "This was Teddy's favorite at your age."
Scorpius reached for it as Draco took it from Hermione and nodded. "Thank you."
"Speaking of Edward Remus Lupin, how is he?" Kingsley inquired, and Hermione sighed.
"He's off to Hogwarts in a few short months, and I am miserable," Hermione said as she shook her head. "I don't know what I am going to do without my lovely Teddy."
Narcissa was seeing the young witch open up and she quite like that. "You helped raise him?" she inquired as the drinks were being set down by the waitress.
Hermione had already started sipping on her wine glass and hemmed. "Oh, yes, I suppose. I have lived with them for years and went over there daily many before that. Andromeda has always looked after me. She and I would spend time cooking and reading together. Her input on my bills was nice as well. Teddy is my biggest fan; I could do no wrong in his eyes."
Narcissa's eyes grew sullen. "Ah, yes, my sister."
Hermione realized the situation she just walked herself into. "My apologies, I forgot she was your sister."
"No, it is quite alright. We just haven't spoken," Narcissa said, waving it off.
"Might be a nice conversation starter later," Kingsley offered, and Narcissa glanced at him with a perplexed expression.
"I doubt my sister wants to speak to us," she replied.
Hermione shifted in her chair, and the waitress returned. "Shall I take your order now?" she inquired, and the round robin started with Draco.
In fact, Hermione noted how flirtish the woman was with him, and it irked her lightly. Maybe it was just the fact that she flicked her hair a certain way and he smirked. By the time she was to Hermione, the witch was irritated. She ordered tersely, and Kingsley snorted, leaning toward her.
"Did she water down your wine?" he inquired, and the witch waved it off.
"Draco Malfoy?" a feminine voice inquired.
Hermione glanced over and saw the curly waves of none other than Romilda Vane herself. Tonight could not get any more awkward.
"Oh, Romilda, it is pleasant to see you," he declared waving as she closed the distance.
She grinned brightly and gasped. "You have a son, oh how cute are you!" she squeaked, and the boy glared over at her.
He held his book over his face and Draco bit back a groan. "He isn't chatty tonight, you will have to catch him when he is in a better mood," he insisted, and the witch bobbed her head with a bright smile.
"Of course. It is so nice to see you out. It seems like its been years," she responded, and Narcissa cleared her throat light.
"Romilda, my mother and father, our minister and I am sure you remember Hermione," Draco introduced them quickly.
"I was just here having dinner with some old friends, wow, it is so lovely to see you all. I won't keep you," she ducked down, and Hermione couldn't hear what she whispered with a smirk.
Draco smiled wildly and bobbed his head. "I will. Have fun," he murmured, and she erected herself with a small blush before waving and skipping off.
Hermione grabbed her wine glass and took a few heavy swallows. "She was loud. I don't like her," Scorpius mused and flipped a page in the book.
Draco pinched his expression and patted his son on the shoulder. "So glad to see your sour disposition has returned, son."
Kingsley laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "You can't prevent the honesty of children, can you, Mr. Malfoy?"
Hermione sighed and bobbed her head. "Teddy went through that phase too. He wouldn't talk to George for a whole month because he scared him with a firework one night."
"Was it him or the other Weasley boy that just had a little girl six months ago?" Narcissa inquired, and Lucius shook his head.
"The younger one. He named her some flower name," Lucius declared.
"Rose," Hermione murmured, then reached to empty her glass.
Kingsley glanced over at her sympathetically and patted her shoulder. "Yes, but it's quite alright we can move along to other matters."
Hermione drained her glass and cleared her throat. "I am going to excuse myself to the ladies' room. I shall return."
Hermione walked off, and Draco exhaled, scratching his chin. "Is she alright?" he asked.
Kingsley grimaced and bobbed his head. "It was a tough severing they went through. She was too sick to work at one point before it, but would not tell any of her co-workers why. If Hermione Granger is too sick to work, she is unwell to be certain. It is safe to say that Ronald Weasley is a subject we should avoid tonight if you all would not mind?"
The Malfoys nodded together, and Scorpius sighed. "Is she still sick?"
"No, son, Hermione is just fine now," Draco said gently.
"Good," he murmured and reached for his chocolate milk.
Narcissa knew that look well that the witch wore and frowned. "One more question if you don't mind before Miss Granger returns?" she inquired, and Draco groaned.
"Mother, her life isn't a gossip witch novel. Please, leave her alone," Draco insisted.
"What might that be, Mrs. Malfoy?" Kingsley responded after sipping his water.
Narcissa knitted her brows and thinned her lips. "She was ill, and they separated during?"
Kingsley shrugged his shoulders. "That would be a question for quite possibly one of her friends to answer you, Mrs. Malfoy. If there is anything Miss Granger excels at, it is keeping her work professional and separate from her private life. I had not known they separated until I received a wedding invitation for his marriage a year after."
Hermione returned shortly after and waved someone off. "Minister, did you see that Glendora was here? I did appreciate her special about your speech and other things you are working on fairly riveting the other night," Hermione sighed with a bright smile as she sat.
Kingsley grinned at her and bobbed his head. "Ah, yes, she is as big of a fan of my work as you are," he told her, and the witch laughed with a nod.
"What is your next step? Minister of Magic?" Lucius addressed Hermione, and she nearly dropped her second glass of wine.
"I- well- it hadn't occurred to me," she fumbled.
The food was being brought to the table and pleasantries were being tossed around as they started, thankfully dropping the question Lucius had asked her. Her future was unwritten as to what was next, and she did not feel like going into the complexities of her next steps. Honestly, Hermione wasn't feeling like talking much anymore. The disaster of her feelings and then talking about Ron so suddenly after seeing him happy last night was hard.
"Where is our future minister tonight, speaking of children with large intellects?" Kingsley asked, and Hermione was brought out of her thoughts.
"Oh, he is in Paris with his grandmother. She knew I had a work dinner and took him since she isn't getting her treatment. It is just a visit to see how the potion routine is affection the illness," Hermione murmured and turned entirely to Kingsley.
He frowned and bobbed his head. "I do hope it is good news. I would hate to hear that you learned how to make them for nothing."
"She has been showing remarkable improvement, so we are hopeful," Hermione responded with a smile.
"You say that Andromeda is ill?" Lucius inquired with an arched eyebrow.
Hermione nodded slowly. "Yes, she has an illness that is diminishing her magic and health. It has been taxing, but she is a strong witch."
"And how is Potter's new child? When he isn't working, he is home, so I have barely spoken to him," Kingsley asked.
Hermione grinned brightly and sighed. "Oh, Lily is so wonderful. The sweetest baby. Goodness, I always loved the boys and still do, but she is just darling."
She was starting to see a pattern and had to wonder. Why was he making such steady conversation about her and her life? He must have noticed her questioning stare because he arched an eyebrow and tilted his head toward Draco and Scorpius. Draco was skirting his plate with his fork and Scorpius was almost a clear echo of his father.
"Malfoy," Hermione declared, and he glanced up at her.
"Yes, Granger?"
"Do you feel like helping me with some shopping tomorrow?" she inquired, and Kingsley eased in his chair a bit; apparently it was a right call.
His face dropped, and he licked his lips before answering. "Well, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you with the staring we would receive."
"No, it isn't trouble. I think it would be great after the article tonight. You aren't hiding, you are just trying to live your life," Hermione murmured, and he smiled gently.
"I would like that," he paused and turned to his son. "You want to go out tomorrow?"
The boy clapped and grinned. "Please?"
"It would be perfect timing actually. I would love to borrow Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy for some ministry business tomorrow," Kingsley announced and Lucius arched an eyebrow at him.
"Hopefully none too negative?" Narcissa baited, and Kingsley laughed.
"No, not negative. I wanted to do a bit of a photo opt in showing you some of the changes the ministry has undertaken."
Hermione had to admit; he knew just how to make things seem serendipitous. She never could deny that Kingsley Shacklebolt had his reasons for everything. Maybe that is what brought such a relaxed nature about the Minister. So she supposed she was taking the Malfoys shopping tomorrow…
Hermione walked through the fireplace and Ginny had a spoon in the air with wide eyes. She had an ice cream carton in her lap and looked as if she was caught doing something naughty.
"Don't tell Harry," she mumbled through the ice cream in her mouth.
"He's not home yet?" Hermione huffed, and Ginny shook her head. "Good. I need to ask you a huge favor. Gigantic. Colossal."
Ginny swallowed the mouthful and bobbed her head. "Okay, fire away."
"Come shopping with me and Malfoy tomorrow?"
"Nope!" Ginny yipped and nearly toppled the carton to the floor.
Hermione got on the ground and held her hands together in front of the witch. "Please, please, please!"
"Nope!" Ginny repeated and tried to pull away from the begging witch.
"Please just listen why?"
Ginny stopped her struggle to move and arched an eyebrow. "What did you do?"
Hermione exhaled and pressed her forehead to Ginny's knee. "Nothing, but I don't want to be alone with him."
"Hermione, did he hurt you? I will get a portkey right now and go curse him to oblivion," Ginny growled, and the older witch shook her head and sat on the ground.
"No, that's the thing. He didn't. He hasn't done anything truly horrible, and he actually apologized to me today for before- He was… friendly. I can't take it," Hermione huffed and scrubbed her face, not even caring about her makeup.
Ginny set down the ice cream and leaned closer to her friend. Hermione was glancing up at her, and she looked miserable. "So, he was friendly, and you can't take it. Hermione Jean Granger, are you getting taken with him?" she questioned with a furrowed brow.
"No, definitely not," Hermione said with a head shake.
Ginny sighed and stood up, walking over to their dining room table. "I can't believe I am doing this…" she grumbled and snatched a paper of the table. "I will come under one condition." She said approaching the witch on the floor.
"What's that?" Hermione questioned with a tilted head.
Ginny held out a page in front of her and Hermione groaned. "Really?"
"Yes, really. He asked about you twice. He asked me kindly to relay the message when I went to see their game today."
Hermione arched an eyebrow up at her. "You really think that is a good idea?"
"Merlin's beard, Hermione. He plays for the Puddlemeres, yes, I say do it." Ginny said with a smirk. "Even if you don't last, he has to be a half decent shag," Ginny teased, and Hermione bit down on a smile.
"That would be a bit nice to just see him again."
Ginny watched Hermione reach for the page but lifted it out of reach. "You have to truly owl him this time. He thinks I am in love with him or something for not relaying the messages. You can't tell a Gryffindor that you will set up a date and ignore his owls. Understood?"
Hermione climbed off the floor and snatched the note from her. "Fine, mother Potter," Hermione snickered and smiled lightly.
Ginny pursed her lips and shifted her hips. "He hit on you today," she declared, and Hermione's eyes grew.
"No, he did not."
"Draco Malfoy hit on you, and it freaked you out," Ginny teased and started to roll with laughter. "Oh, that is why you don't want to be alone with him!"
"No, I mean, he talked about his exploits and his parents are absolutely randy wankers, but he didn't hit on me." Hermione stumbled and huffed. "No, Gin."
Ginny was still laughing and sighed. "I bet you looked like an absolute wide-eyed doxie. I should have said no and made you go alone with him tomorrow!"
Hermione huffed and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I don't know why you find this funny. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever been. I felt like I was naked in the middle of a stage trying to cover up my bits with my hands."
"Because, I know you, Hermione. You are never going to admit that you thought it was fun," Ginny snickered and rolled her eyes. "I look forward to picking apart your reformed project tomorrow."
Hermione held up the note. "Well, I am going to pretend this conversation didn't take place and write a letter tonight," she retorted with a smirk.
"You do that. Try to be creative," Ginny said with a grin, and Hermione's eyes grew. "Oh? I see how much fun I am going to have tomorrow…" Ginny sighed with a bright smile.
"Good night, Ginevra," Hermione snickered.
Ginny hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Good night, Hermione. No dreaming about Malfoy, he is work not play," she teased, and Hermione groaned.
She walked toward the fireplace and shook her head. "I am never going to live this down," Hermione grumbled.
"Nope!"
Hermione threw the floo powder in and left the redheaded Potter to her ice cream and a funny handful of questions for the Malfoy.
