Draco was fixing his hair a second time. No, he paused his hand and put it down. He was not going to feel awkward about last night. He shouldn't need to. It was an accident. She was the stupid little Gryffindor with the courage. It wasn't serious. It was just a kiss good night. It was bloody her fault; she leaned to him; besides it was just a simple peck. Harmless. Bugger…

Why did he insist on her having two glasses? She looked strung out all day long. Whatever happened the night before was awful. Not like Granger to be so irresponsible and late… Yes, he noted. Catching himself try to run a hand through his pale hair, he slammed his fist against the wall and huffed.

"Dad, when is Hermione going to be here?" Scorpius whined as he came into the room.

"Anytime, son," Draco grumbled.

As if summoned by there inquiries, there was a gentle knock at the door. Scorpius went and tugged open the door to reveal the witch smiling. "Good morning, gentlemen," she murmured, and Scorpius jumped around.

"Hermione, Hermione! I had so much fun last night," he shouted and jumped around. "Thanks for reading a book to me before bedtime."

The woman in jeans and a green t-shirt smirked and bent toward him. "Are you ready? I have a surprise for you today."

Draco hemmed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Hello, Granger," he mumbled and inwardly shamed himself for acting odd.

The witch stood up and nodded with a genuine smile. "Hello, Malfoy. Now, let's go," she said and waved them to follow.

Draco walked behind her and his son as they talked about unimportant things. It was bothering him. She wasn't in the least bit awkward that they were going out together? Why? Did she not remember what happened? Did it not ruffle her skirt like all the scandalous conversation yesterday? He was torn, even as they went through the fireplace and entered Diagon Alley.

Then it hit him as he saw bright red hair. "Ginny, I am glad you made good time," Hermione murmured as they approached her.

"My mom took Lily for me so I could do all the shopping I supposedly need to do," Ginny said and waved. "Hello, Malfoy."

Draco glanced between the two witches and then smirked. "Hello, Ginevra Potter. How is the family?" he questioned, and the redhead rolled her eyes.

"Busy. I am done. I said I wanted a daughter and I got one," Ginny snickered and waved her hand.

"Motherhood fits you," Draco grinned and the Potter bit down on a smile.

"Save your compliments for when you need them, Malfoy. It's going to be a long day. Boys, invite Scorpius to walk with you so the adults can chat."

James waved at Scorpius. "Hi, come on. My brother is shy too," James affirmed, and Scorpius wandered over.

Hermione walked on the other side of Ginny away from Draco, and the Potter pursed her lips. The witches shared a gaze and Draco looked at them through the side of his eyes. "Shall we take care of the harder things first? I have to get Harry a few new robes."

"That's excellent, I have to pick up a few things," Hermione murmured, and Ginny snorted.

"I told you to buy those bras when they were on sale, Hermione," Ginny snickered, causing the curly-haired witch to blush. James glared up at his mother before continuing his conversation about Diagon Alley with Scorpius and his Albus. "Oh, he is going through his prudish stage," Ginny whispered to Hermione.

"Firstly, I am not buying them… Also, Teddy wouldn't have had to tell him what a bra was if you didn't force me to buy that set when we were in London."

"The purple one?" Draco inquired, and Ginny smirked at him with a nod. "Why, thank you, Potter. I have to say it was a nice pair," He said with a wink.

Hermione ignored them and pulled out a list. "I also have to get owl treats, more quills for Teddy and some ingredients for dreamless draughts."

Ginny hemmed as they arrived at Madam Malkins. "Maybe we will go into London. You need to update your wardrobe, Hermione."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "Well, I wouldn't mind that either." He realized what he said as the women stared at him and he thinned his lips. "Going into London. I never get to shop in muggle stores."

Hermione groaned. "Come along, children. Let's hope your mummy can actually behavior herself," she murmured, and Ginny was stifling giggles.


They were sitting in the food court as Hermione was in line with Scorpius. He wanted fish and chips, which Hermione did not mind having, but they were in a line. Draco was watching his son chat with the witch, and the boy was smiling as he spoke. He liked that about her. She put in full effort to make his son feel special.

"So what happened last night that she wanted to drag me along?" Ginny inquired after sipping her straw.

"What do you mean?" Draco responded, turning to the Potter.

Ginny snorted and rolled her eyes. "Hermione came over and begged me to come along. Not that I like to make her embarrassments known, but you have been acting awkward as well."

Draco scrubbed his chin and huffed. "She was saying goodnight to my son, and I went to walk her out. When she was leaving, she leaned to me, and I wasn't thinking and quite possibly might have kissed her good night. It was nothing serious," Draco growled and shook his head. "My brain short-circuited, and that's what I used to do with my wife before going to sit with my father at night."

"A kiss? You both are twisted up over a kiss? A new level of awkward for her I swear," Ginny groaned.

"You sound disappointed," Draco pointed out with a smirk.

"Of course I am! Malfoy, she never does anything bad. She never does anything impulsive, and when she does, it is never something lasting. I want her to make messes because she hasn't in years. You know what she said when Trisha made her a bride's maid? 'Oh, I am so glad they're happy,' and I nearly vomited." Ginny grumbled and shook her head. "Not that I want her to shag you," she paused and tilted her head. "I was just hoping it was something a bit more exciting than a peck on the lips."

Draco frowned and scratched his arm. "Why was Hermione sick those years ago?"

Ginny slumped a bit. "Malfoy, I have my theories, but she wouldn't tell me. One of which makes so much sense that my brother avoids all conversation about those days."

"Which is? I am not a patient man, Potter." The Potter boys glanced up at him, and he chuckled. "I was talking to your mother." They ignored him and kept eating after.

"She never told me, but I thought she was pregnant. I was waiting for it. Harry was trying to pry it from Ron, and then she got sick. She stayed with Andromeda and spoke to no one. After she got better, she asked Harry to move her things, and that was the end of that. She told no one."

Draco scowled, and he felt his heart twist. "She lost the baby."

Ginny gave him a sympathetic stare and bobbed her head. "I believe so. Now, I don't know for sure, but I am pretty confident. Ever since then she has lived in her tiny box and increased her workload tenfold."

"Why would she never talk about it?" Draco muttered.

"That's Hermione. Something happened after the war. She stopped talking about her pain."

Draco didn't have a moment to recover as his son flopped down next to Albus. "I brought you extra chips. You said you wanted some," Scorpius said and handed the other boy a tray.

Hermione flopped down and grinned at Ginny. "They have the best fish," she muttered and glanced around. "My dad used to take me here when I was a girl."

"The first time I ever came here was when we went shopping the summer after the war," Ginny murmured, and Hermione smirked.

"We had to get you some pretty knickers for a hot date," Hermione teased, and Ginny snorted.

"Harry wouldn't have noticed. I don't think I had ever seen my husband so nervous before." Ginny declared and turned to Draco. "We were going to my parents to announce our engagement."

"Why would you need new knickers?" Draco inquired with a furrowed brow.

Ginny laughed and clapped her hands. "Well, for after, Malfoy. Didn't you and your wife have a celebration of sorts?"

Draco grinned and tilted his head. "That was every night, Potter."

Hermione's cheeks tinted, and she hemmed. "Well, that is both informative and too much information at the same time."

"She acts like a prude, but I have heard stories that would make your toes curl," Ginny hissed to Draco.

"Toe-curling?" Draco inquired loudly as his eyebrows rose to his hairline.

Hermione's blush evolved, and she turned to the children. "Who wants to make mummy spend lots on money on toys that Aunt Hermione is going to pick out?"

James and Albus shouted and cheered. "Yeah!" James hollered as Hermione smirked at Ginny.

"I love you too," Ginny grumbled, shaking her head.

"Wait, I am not caught up. Toe-curling?" Draco repeated with a wide grin.

"Malfoy, I am going to make you buy my children the toys for the whole year in exchange for stories." Ginny challenged and rolled her eyes.

"Done. Now, I want this information," Draco said and shrugged at her shock.

"I wasn't serious," Ginny said waving him off as she took in the angered curly-haired witch.

"I was," he said with a frown.

Hermione pressed her face to the table. "This was the worst idea." She grumbled, and Scorpius rubbed her arm.

"It's alright, Hermione. At least you have chips," he reminded her and Hermione burst into laughter.

"At least I have chips," she responded as she looked at him.


Nothing truly substance happened next as they finished lunch and went to a couple of stores. It wasn't until Hermione had bought two bags of muggle books and headed into a clothing store that Draco followed. He was glancing around at the boys clothing with Scorpius as Hermione and Ginny were looking at clothing for the Potters and Teddy.

"So, did he say this weekend?" Ginny inquired, and Hermione bobbed her head with a smile.

"He wrote back right away. He said after practice we could meet up for drinks," she muttered and picked up a shirt. "You think Teddy would like this?"

Ginny motioned agreement and patted her arm. "I am proud of you."

"It's just drinks."

"I know, but I am still proud. You are actually trying and with someone who loves how smart you are. He bragged chronically about it when we used to play against each other. Players talk tons about things before and after… he was wistful. Don't make me beg you to be happy for yourself, please."

Hermione sighed, and a tint of her cheeks rose. "Well, I am."

"Hey, look. This has a snake on it," Albus murmured and handed a shirt to Scorpius.

"Wicked! Dad, can I get it?" Scorpius inquired, and Draco nodded.

"Sure, of course."

"I am going to get one too," Albus said with a bob of his head and walked over to his mother with a copy of the shirt.

"I am going to go look over there," Hermione mumbled and wandered over to the ladies' ware.

Ginny smirked and put her hands on her hips. "Find something nice!"

Hermione waved her off and busied herself. Draco snorted and pulled a few more nice things out for Scorpius before strolling over to the men's ware. It was in view of the ladies section, and he watched her pick up pretty things. It made him smile to himself as he picked up a shirt and gazed at it with disinterest.

She was looking at a sheer black bra and his cheeks colored as he glanced at her through the corner of his eyes. He ignored it and shopped around a bit more before he went to pay for the items he picked out for him and his son. Hermione rushed over after he was done and placed her things bundled up on the counter. "Hermione, you forgot his shorts!" Ginny declared, and Hermione huffed.

"I will be right back," she told the shop girl who smiled and nodded.

Scorpius watched the blond girl ring up the items and tilted his head. "Do you work here every day?" he inquired, and Draco snorted.

"Yes," she told him and got to the intimates. "Aren't you cute? You look just like your dad." She said and glanced at Draco's ringless hand.

Draco arched an eyebrow at her and pulled out his muggle notes. "Here, and those pants over there that she is clutching while they are giggling like school girls," Draco grumbled.

"Oh," the girl mumbled, and her eyes fell as she took the money. "That is nice of you."

Draco smirked and waggled his eyebrows. "More than you know," he said with a wink, and the girl blushed.

Hermione ran over, and the girl huffed, taking the shorts with a polite smile. Once it was rung up, she factored in Draco's change as Hermione was busy digging for her purse among the plastic bags. "I promise, I have it. Hold on."

"Your change, sir," the blond murmured and handed Draco his change.

Hermione froze, and her cheeks burnt as she stared at the bags on the counter. "Excuse me?" Hermione inquired.

"Don't be shy, Granger. I can buy you nice things," he said with a wink and nudged his son. "I think I want ice cream. Come along, Scorpius."

Hermione watched him walk out of the store and exhaled loudly. "Why did he say he was paying for it?" Hermione asked the shop girl.

The woman shrugged her shoulders with a smile. "I suppose he wanted to do something nice for you." She leaned forward as Hermione grabbed the bags. "He saw your knickers." She finished with a wink and Hermione groaned.

"That is going to be the running joke forever," Hermione grumbled and turned to the redhead walking up with bundles of clothing.

"Why do you look like someone stole Christmas?" Ginny inquired and turned. "Come on boys!"

"Draco bought my things," Hermione grumbled and stomped. "He is such an arse."

Ginny laughed and sighed. "Well, you did buy some nice things, Hermione. You should probably be thankful it wasn't anything risqué."

Hermione groaned and shook her head. "Let's finish this day, so I can go home and scrub my skin. He makes it crawl."

"If you say so," Ginny mumbled, setting her items down and rolling her eyes. "More like a cold shower, but that's just observation."

Hermione tossed her hair behind her and snorted. "No, Ginny. Never." With that, she left the store and Ginny smirked.

"Funny girl, that one," the shop girl announced. "I wouldn't have minded him doing more than buying me knickers." She muttered and gazed out at the blond father.

"I am sure," Ginny retorted with a frown at her. "Trust me; you don't know him."

"Of course, mam," the girl said with a smile and started to ring the clothes.