The rest of the summer was spent with the Grangers. Draco and Hermione absolutely adored Leo and Mrs. Granger let them spend all the time they wanted with him when she was present. Linda had most of the summer off, so they spent the majority of their days playing with Leo. Draco and Hermione read baby books, played peek-a-boo, and sung to the baby. When he was big enough for it to be safe, they put him in the baby swing under the watchful eye of Mrs. Granger. Draco grew completely comfortable being around Leo, and Hermione loved having a brother. Draco and Leo seemed to have a special bond that made them especially aware of each other. Leo smiled every time he saw Draco and tried to crawl towards Draco every time he was in Leo's range of sight. Draco spent hours sitting with Leo in his lap in the park as they listened to Hermione read. He also continued to fish with Mr. Granger every weekend. That summer was pure bliss, Draco had never felt like he belonged to something so much. He was always included, and even loved. It was a new sensation he had never realized he was missing.

It was August and the end of the summer was approaching. Draco knew that in ten days his mother and father would be paying enough attention to notice if he was gone the whole day. His idyllic summer of peace was coming to a close. During the summer, Draco and Hermione had collected a few pages worth of photos of all of them with Leo. Hermione's favorite was one of Draco sitting next to her with Leo in his lap as she read. He was leaning down and his bangs fell in his face; it was almost impossible to tell who he was. His very signature grey eyes were hidden, as well as his rather pointy nose that Hermione loved to tease him about. But the photo showed the wide smiles on each of their faces as they enjoyed the rare sunshine in the park. It was a good job the bench at the park was covered or they would have had to find somewhere else to meet.

The days were passing much too quickly; Draco knew he never wanted to leave his best friend. Finally, the last day had come.

"Promise you'll tell me everything that's happened to Leo as soon as you see me next?" Draco asked Hermione.

"Yes, of course, Draco. Plus, my mum's got a video recorder so we'll record the important stuff." Draco just seemed confused at what a video recorder was. "Oh, honestly, do you live under a rock?"

"No," Draco scoffed. "I just don't know everything like you do."

"I know you were trying to insult me, but that was actually a compliment," Hermione looked at him and haughtily huffed, "so thank you."

"It's not my fault you're hard to insult." He told her jokingly as he nudged her shoulder.

"You're right. And I take great pride in that."

"I'll miss you, Hermione. Pinky promise you won't find a new best friend."

"Pinky promise." They made the pinky promise and Hermione added, "Cross my heart and hope to die."

Draco looked horrified, "What?"

"It's just a way of promising something, Draco. I think it's like promising on your life."

"That doesn't make them any less disturbing," Draco mumbled. Hermione laughed.

"C'mon, it's easy! Go on, cross your heart! Cross it! Here, hold up your right hand." Draco slowly lifted his left hand. "The other one, silly."

Draco huffed, "Fine." This time his right hand was slowly raised into the air. For some reason, this felt like it meant something very important. "Now what?"

"Now put it over your heart." She guided his hand over to the left side of his chest. "Now make a cross sign." Draco complied and Hermione smiled at him. "Ok, now raise your right hand."

Draco's lifted his hand into the air and stared into his best friend's eyes. "I'll be your best friend forever, 'Mione. I promise, you and me, always and forever."

Hermione kept eye contact and crossed her heart too and said solemnly, "Always and forever." She smiled as she lowered her hand to intertwine his fingers with hers. "Bye, Draco. I'll miss you!"

Draco returned the smile and said goodbye to the Grangers and Hermione one more time.

He looked at Leo, "He's going to be so big the next time I see him. Is it alright if I visit on Christmas Eve again? That's as soon as I can visit, I think."

"That sounds wonderful, Draco." Mr. Granger answered.

"See you on Christmas Eve, Draco."

Draco picked Leo up and give him one last hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Leo. Don't you dare grow while I'm gone!"

The family and Draco separated, not to see each other again until Christmas Eve. At least he had a while to think of a present, Draco thought sarcastically. He really did miss the Grangers every day they were gone. That summer was definitely the best he had ever had.