Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They all belong to JK Rowling. I merely thank her for writing such a compelling series that it sparks my imagination. No copyright infringement is intended. I make no money from this, I just use it to live out my fantasies.
The next morning Hermione woke up really late and had the worst hangover. She rolled over in bed and groaned as she tried to shield her eyes from the light.
"What time is it?" she muttered to Draco who was sleeping next to her. He didn't answer because he was out like a light and she had to roll back over and look at the clock. It was almost noon. She put her hand out and tried shaking Draco awake.
"Stop it," he muttered as he slapped her hand away. "I just need five more minutes."
"Wake up. It's nearly twelve. What the hell happened last night?" she asked confusedly.
He opened his eyes and peered over at her. "You don't remember?"
"No. I mean, I sort of remember some parts. Did we see Harry?"
"Uh, yeah. And it went smashingly well. I expect him to send us a fruit basket of congratulations at any moment now."
She held her head in her hands. "Oh God, now I remember. He was so upset. I thought that was just a bad dream but it really happened didn't it?"
"I'm afraid so. The cat is out of the bag. No more hiding me away like a dirty secret."
"That's not what I was doing. I was just trying to make sure we stayed happy. And I knew Harry would ruin it."
"He didn't ruin anything. I don't really care what he thinks."
"Well I do. I want him to be happy with me and not angry or disappointed," she lamented.
"Why does it matter so much what he thinks? He's your friend, not your bloody father. You don't need his approval over who you date."
"I know. I don't need the approval, but I want it. Is that so weird? Wouldn't you want your best friend to approve of your choices?"
"I don't know. Sort of. But it's not exactly like it would change my life if my friends didn't approve of something I did. In case you hadn't noticed, I did what I wanted and my friends just followed my lead. I'm not exactly used to looking for approval from other people. Not unless you count my parents, which I don't anymore since I'm not seeking their approval at the moment."
"You just don't understand then. All my life I did things in order to seek approval from others. It's just who I am. And it hurts when my friends don't approve. Like when I went to the Yule Ball with Victor. Ron gave me such a hard time I ended up in tears over it all. He said I was consorting with the enemy."
"So fuck him. I remember that night. I saw you crying on the stairs. I wondered what happened, but obviously I wasn't going to ask. But I noticed it. Was that because Ron was being a git to you?" Draco asked curiously.
"Yes. I didn't think you noticed me at all that night."
"Of course I did. Everyone did. You looked amazing," he smiled at her.
"Well thank you. I had no idea you even saw me."
"Well I did. And when I saw you crying I figured Victor did something stupid and made you cry. But now that I know it was one of your so-called friends who made you feel badly and cry, I'm even more pissed. Who does that to someone they claim to care for? Harry and Ron are not your keepers. This is your life to live and you can bloody well do whatever the fuck you want. And if they shun you because of me? Well then I don't think that makes them very good friends, now does it?"
"You're right. I know you're right. I mean, I'm always supportive of them no matter how stupid they are or what choices they make. If I were any more open minded about the choices they make my whole brain would fall out. So I don't really think it's fair I'm not afforded the same sort of luxury," she said, starting to get angry at the situation instead of feeling badly.
"You're very open minded. I'm sure there were loads of times you disagreed with them and you didn't just expel them from your life."
"Yeah. Like when Ron hooked up with Lavender. I wanted to bloody throttle him, but did I freak out on him and tell him he was snogging a whore? No. I kept quiet. Although I did accidentally set some attack birds on him, but that's neither here nor there. The point is, I kept my mouth shut."
"Attack birds? What do you mean?"
"Oh, it was silly I guess. But I conjured some birds just to make feel better and then Ron appeared and I just sort of attacked him with them. He had it coming."
"I love you more every day when I learn new things about you," Draco laughed.
"God Ron is gonna be way more upset than Harry, you realize. He's going to fucking freak out," Hermione complained.
"So what? You guys are over. He can't exactly claim to be jealous or anything since he's shagging some other bint. I mean, I know you're trying to be friendly with him still, but that never works out. Ex's just don't stay friends. It's too complicated."
"I don't know. I thought we were doing alright. But that'll be over now once Harry tells him. God, I wonder if he's already told him?"
"Love, it doesn't matter. What's done is done. And frankly, I'm relieved. I was sick of hiding from your stupid friends."
"I think Ron would take it better if I told him I was a lesbian now instead of shagging you. At least then he wouldn't feel inferior."
"Inferior? You think he's gonna feel inferior? Cause I kinda like that idea," Draco smirked.
"Of course he will. He's real sensitive like that. He was jealous of Harry and actually thought something was going on with us. Just because he was the Chosen One, Ron assumed I was in love with him. He was an idiot."
"Well I think everyone thought you and Harry were getting it on. I mean, people talked. And there was some article in the paper about it."
"That article was rubbish! And I don't understand why people can't get it through their heads that a man and woman can be just friends without anything naughty involved," she said haughtily.
"Because it's human nature to want to shag someone you feel close to."
"So since I feel close to Ginny I should shag her too?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No. Of course not. She's a girl. But if you were really lesbian, then yes, you'd be shagging her brains out right about now."
"That's not true! Lesbians don't sleep with every girl they're friends with just because they're gay. That's absurd."
"What do I know huh? I've never met a gay chick. I'm just saying that normally straight men and women can't be just friends. There's bound to be sexual tension and it just mucks it up."
"Well you're wrong. I've never wanted Harry like that, and I never will. We can be just friends and nothing more. And we are!"
"Alright, I believe you. I know you never fooled around with him. But however, he treats you like his girlfriend. All protective and shit. Like he actually has some say in your love life. But he doesn't. And neither does Ron. Right now the only one of your friends I actually like is Ginny. She's not a bitch like I expected her to be. She is after all a Weasley so I assumed she'd fucking hate me. But she's calmed down since the last time she threatened me at school when she was just a tiny little thing. It was cute how protective she was of Harry, even then," Draco said remembering the past.
"Ginny has been great. She was so calm about it. She even said you were handsome. She understood me. I wasn't expecting that. I thought she'd be angry just like everyone else. But she's a good person. She's like the sister I never had."
"Yeah? I like her too. So far anyway. She's nice and she thinks I'm handsome, so what's not to love right?"
"Don't get a big head about it. She has about as much interest in you as Harry does. She was simply saying she understood my attraction to you."
"Is it really my fantastic looks or is there more to it than that?" he wondered curiously.
She looked over at him. "Of course it's more than your looks, silly. I mean the first time I shagged you, it was about your looks. You were devilishly handsome and sexy and I just wanted to rip off your clothes. Which I did in fact do apparently. But now it's much more. I love you. The person you are. I see how you try and how you laugh and your smile lights up my world. You were always such a sullen boy when you weren't sneering at people. I never thought I'd see you smile in a genuine way. But you've shown me sides to you I never would have seen before. I love it all. The light and the dark. The happy and the sad. You're the one, Draco," she told him as she touched his face tenderly.
"My God, you have a way with words. I never thought anyone would ever make me feel this way. I never even thought I wanted to be in love. It seemed too much effort. But with you, it's different. I just fell and fell and when I landed, you were there. I love you so much. So please do not let your friends ruin what we share. I'd be devastated if you let them interfere with our happiness," he told her as he kissed her softly.
"I won't let them interfere. I promise. I'm sorry I'm freaking out over it. It's just a big deal for me. Just imagine that we just got caught fooling around by your parents. Imagine their distaste and horrification. That's how my friends feel."
"Yeah, but I don't care about my parents distaste or horrification. And you shouldn't care either. I'm a little dark and fucked up and I'm not exactly the picture of mental health. But I'm good to you, aren't I? I'm being a good man. For once in my life. I just want other people to see that about me so I can prove that I belong in this world and that I shouldn't be dead by now of an overdose or some sort of dark magical accident. I want to be good enough for you to feel proud to be with me."
"You are good enough. And I am proud. I've seen you change. I've watched your struggles. I've tasted your tears. I've seen your heart. No one else has done these things. So give them time. Perhaps one day they will see you the way I do? I don't know. But it was stupid of me to keep you hidden away because how would anyone else ever know how good you are if they never saw you?"
"It's not like I expect a bloody miracle. I know Potter and Weasel aren't my friends and probably never will be. But I just want them to chill the fuck out and give me a chance. If they're so worried about you and your welfare, I want to show them that I'm actually good to you."
"Well since it's no longer secret, you'll get your chance. But I'd not hold my breath about Ron. He's beyond stubborn. And overprotective is not a strong enough word to describe how he feels about me. I could be dating Prince William for all he cares and he'd probably say he wasn't good enough for me. Ron puts me on a pedestal. And I'm afraid of heights. He thinks I'm so pure and good and honest and boring. He actually asked me if I wanted to wait to get married to have sex. Can you believe that? Are we living in the Dark Ages? He was afraid I wouldn't want to wreck my purity."
Draco started laughing and couldn't stop. "Oh my God, does he even know you? You're insatiable. Wait for marriage? In what alternate universe would that have happened in? Was he actually willing to wait?"
"Yes! He said he was. Of course that just prompted him to ask me to marry him right away, which of course I said no. But he sees me like some kind of saint or something. It's dreadful. That's not who I am. I don't even know where he got that from. Sometimes I still feel like he sees me as an eleven year old girl and not a woman. That's why we just didn't work out. It was too weird and complicated. He was more of a brother to me than a lover. There was no spark," she explained.
"Well we have spark. Lots of spark. And I don't think of you as being eleven, I think of you as being my hot older woman defiling me every chance she gets," he said kissing her greedily and running his hands over her body.
"Stop doing that. I'm not in the mood. I'm still moping," she chastised his wandering hands.
"Well the best cure for moping is a good shag. Trust me. I know this first hand."
"Oh alright. You talked me into it."
"I barely even said anything and yet I talked you into it? Something tells me you wanted it anyway," he purred into her ear as he commenced with the inappropriate touching. She didn't stop him. He was right. This was a good cure for moping. And forgetting. But they barely got started when she heard someone pounding on her front door.
"Who the hell is that?" Draco complained, feeling frustrated at the intrusion.
"I have no idea. Probably my neighbor. Let's just ignore it," she said as she kissed him again. The pounding on the door was insistent and very annoying and finally Hermione broke free of Draco's kisses and sat up. "God damn it. Someone better be fucking dead or else it's not worth me answering the door," she muttered as she grabbed her robe and got up.
"Tell whoever it is to go away," Draco called out after her.
But she was already of the mind where she would tell whoever it was to get lost. It was her day off and she wanted to spend it indulgently without interruptions. When she got to the door she looked out the peephole and saw who it was. It was Ron. And he did not look pleased.
"Oh fuck me," she muttered under her breath before she opened the door cautiously. "What are you doing here?" she asked him exasperatedly.
"I think you know why I'm here. I talked to Harry this morning."
"So what? It's my day off. I'm busy. And if you're here to lecture me or warn me or whatever it is you have planned, can we just skip it?"
"Can I at least come in?" he asked her.
"Why?"
"Because we need to talk. And don't say we don't, because we do. Now let me in," he demanded.
She opened the door fully and let him walk in as she shut the door behind her. She folded her arms and stared at him. "So what do you want?"
"I want an explanation. Harry said you were with Malfoy, but I find that hard to believe. I had to ask you myself."
"Do you think Harry is lying?"
"No. But this is fucking crazy shit. It can't be real, can it?" he asked her desperately.
"It is real. Harry informed you fully, I'm sure of it. What more would you like for me to say? That I sobered up today and now I've broken it off with Draco? Fat chance. In fact, he's in my bed right now waiting for me to get back. So if you don't mind, you may leave now."
"He's in your sodding bed right now? Oh God. That's disgusting. Are you naked under that robe?"
"As if I'm telling you! Just get out of here. This is my life Ron. We're broken up. You're with Sarah. Do you see me marching into your flat while you're in bed with her and demanding explanations from you?"
"Sarah isn't a fucking Death Eater! She's a secretary. She doesn't even say bad words. Why would you demand explanations?"
"I don't know why you think you're owed an explanation then. Just go back to your vacuous big boobed secretary and leave me and Draco alone!"
"Hermione, don't do this. Don't be difficult. I care about you. And Malfoy is trouble. Serious trouble! How could you honestly be with him? We hated him. We all did! You were like the president of the 'we hate Draco Malfoy' club. You socked him in the face! Don't you even remember that?" Ron pleaded with her.
"Of course I remember. I'm not brain damaged. But he's different now. He's changed. He's a good man. I already told Harry this, so I'm not going to go through it all again with you. Just get over it. I've moved on. And I don't care if you like him or not," she said heatedly.
"This is fucking bullshit! I can understand you moving on, but not to him! Anyone but him! I refuse to accept this. You've obviously gone insane. Where is he? In your room? I'm gonna bloody pummel the shit out of him!" Ron said pushing past her and heading down the hallway.
She ran after him and tried to stop him but he threw open her bedroom door. Draco was waiting and he was ready for a fight. He had his pants on but no shirt and was standing there holding his wand out aimed right at Ron.
"I don't suggest you coming any closer, Weasel. I'm not afraid to use this," he told him seriously.
"Like hell. You wouldn't curse me. You just like to talk tough. You're nothing but a sissy man," Ron spat at him.
"Take that back or I swear I will make you regret it," Draco told him seriously.
"Draco, put your wand down! Don't hurt him. He's not thinking clearly," Hermione pleaded with him.
"I'm thinking clearly. I'm thinking how I'd love to see your new boyfriend hex me so you can understand what a piece of shit he actually is. Go on Draco. Show her what you're made of. Crucio me. I dare you," Ron told him with a smirk on his face.
"No! No one is crucioing anyone!" Hermione stepped in between them.
Draco lowered his wand. "I never said I was gonna crucio you. You automatically assume I'm gonna use an unforgivable curse because I'm so evil?"
"Well then what were you gonna do to me?"
"I hadn't decided yet. Maybe set your clothes on fire? How'd you like that? Or I could just put the wand away and we can fight like men. You wanna punch me? Go ahead. I bet Hermione hits harder than you do," Draco taunted him.
"I'm gonna kill you," Ron said venomously, clenching his fist. Then he lunged at Draco and took a swing at him. Draco ducked out of the way and Ron sent his hand right through the wall.
"Ow! Fuck! That bloody well hurt! I think my hand is broken," he cried as he held his bloodied up fist.
"Serves you right. You cannot punch my boyfriend!" Hermione told him angrily.
"He told me to do it!"
"So? You didn't have to do it! Now look at my sodding wall. It's got a hole in it!" She picked up a pillow and started hitting Ron over the head with it repeatedly. He held up his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry! I won't punch anyone. Stop hitting me!" he cried to Hermione.
She flung the pillow aside and got in Ron's face. "Go away. You know I care for you, but you're making a fool of yourself. I want you to leave now. And don't come back unless you can act like a grown up about this. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, I understand. Fuck. You hit hard, woman!"
"It was a fucking pillow not a hammer. Grow a pair."
"I have a pair, thank you very much. But you're brutal. Maybe you and Draco are suited to one another? Have fun together. I'm outta here," Ron said, still cradling his wounded hand and his bruised ego. It had been stupid for him to confront the two of them. Obviously Hermione had lost her marbles. That was the only explanation. And Ron was done with her. They were over and he had no reasons to tie himself to her any longer. Sure he still loved her, but it was clear where her loyalties lay and they weren't with him any longer. He just walked out and slammed the door as hard as he could and stalked off back to work. It was all he could really do.
After Ron left, Hermione and Draco just sort of stood in the room and didn't know what to say. Hermione was really angry and so was Draco, but not at each other. Draco couldn't believe her ex had the nerve to come to her apartment and try to attack him. And Hermione was just livid that Ron didn't care enough about her to respect her choices. She was fed up with so-called well meaning friends trying to protect her or think she was insane.
"Will you look at the hole in my wall? I can't believe Ron punched that," Hermione complained.
"Yeah, that could have been my face. Looks like he hits a bit harder than I thought he would. Good thing I ducked out of the way."
"Ugh. I really hate him right now. He has some nerve coming here and trying to attack you. How did you know it was him that was here? I mean, you were all ready for battle when he burst in."
"He was shouting so loud I couldn't help but overhear. I wasn't letting him come in here to pummel me or hex me without getting the upper hand," Draco explained.
"Would you really have caught his clothes on fire?" she asked him curiously.
He shrugged. "I dunno. I'm not sure exactly what I would have done, but I was ready for anything. But I wasn't going to crucio him, just so you know. I probably would have just stupefied him or something. Anything to get him off my back."
"I'm really sorry you've had to deal with my stupid friends like this. It's not fair. They don't even really know you," she apologized.
"Don't be sorry. I'm actually sorry for you cause these are your sodding best friends. And they kind of suck."
"They don't suck. They really don't. I swear they're usually not this horrible. It's just they don't understand this. I knew they wouldn't. But honestly you'd think I told them I was dating Voldemort the way they're acting. So what if you were a jerk in school? And so what if you were a Death Eater? People change! Obviously if you were still horrid or evil I wouldn't be with you. Don't they trust me at all?" she complained.
"I think it's me they don't trust. They think I've snowed you or somehow confunded you. I guess I don't blame them really. We are a bit of an odd match. But it actually works, so I don't care. I'm not who I used to be, and you're not who I thought you were. So it's like we're two different people than before. But I don't know if anyone gets that."
"I don't suppose they do. It's complicated. Even for me sometimes to grasp. But I just know how I feel. Nothing else matters."
He went over and kissed her softly and hugged her. "I love you. And nothing will change that. I don't care if no one approves."
"Me neither."
"How about I fix that hole in your wall meant for my face, huh?" he offered.
"Yes, please do. Otherwise I'll never get my security deposit back."
Draco used his wand and repaired the hole in the wall and then he set his wand down on the night table. "I don't know about you, but I'm famished. Why don't we get something to eat?" Draco offered.
"Yeah, sure. We could do that. I guess the mood we were in before is kind of lost," she sighed.
"Well I could get the mood back if you want?"
"No, that's fine. I am hungry. And I need some bloody aspirin. I was already hungover and Ron just made it worse. It's a miracle I didn't throw up onto him as he shouted at me."
"Now that would have been priceless. I would have gotten my camera out for that one," Draco laughed.
"The moment has passed now or else I'd march into his office at work and puke on his desk. Let him sort through those files," she said deviously.
"I like the way you think. People don't usually use vomit as a weapon, but it could be quite useful."
"It's definitely disgusting, that's for sure. Oh well, maybe next time. Not that there'll be a next time because I'm not planning on talking to him anymore after this. Not unless he bloody well apologizes to me and to you."
"Don't hold your breath."
"I won't. Come on, let's get dressed and go eat at that diner around the corner. It's one o'clock but I want breakfast food."
"Sounds good to me," he smiled at her.
Both of them just wanted to put the unpleasantness behind him. They both knew it was coming eventually but it was kind of ridiculous at the same time. Hermione was a grown woman and she was dating a guy she happened to love very much, who treated her very well. What was wrong with that? So what if they used to be enemies? That was a lifetime ago. And all of the dark things Draco had been involved in had been under coercion. He wasn't a bad person. Not anymore. Harry and Ron didn't even have the first clue as to what Draco was really like, so they shouldn't judge him so harshly. Or her, for that matter. They were acting as if she were feeble in some way and couldn't make her own choices. But she was done hiding away. And she was done feeling guilty for who she loved. Everyone else would just have to deal with it. And if they couldn't, then she'd just live without them. She didn't need people bringing her down. They should be happy that she was happy. But she knew it was more complicated than that. She still didn't care. It was her life. And she would live it the way she wanted to.
Some time went by and Hermione had not really talked to Harry or Ron at work. She avoided them like the plague. Especially Ron. He didn't seem to care much since he was being just as avoiding as she was. If he saw her coming, he immediately turned around and walked the other way. Harry was better. He did attempt to be pleasant to her, but their only conversations were superficial and incredibly short. She could tell he was highly uncomfortable yet trying really hard not to be. Hermione was slightly sad about the state of things, but she also didn't worry too much about it either. She couldn't allow herself to. If they really wanted to shun her because of her choice of boyfriend then they weren't worth her time. But she missed how it used to be. But such was life. She kept living her own and let them live theirs. She sat at her desk staring at an invitation that had been sent earlier in the day. The Ministry was putting on a big party at the end of the month and it was Halloween themed. It was supposed to be a bit of fun and costumes were optional, but she wasn't sure she really wanted to go. It would mean partying with her co-workers who weren't all that fun to party with. And also it meant Harry and Ron would be there most likely. And no way was she going to go alone. If she went, she wanted to bring Draco, but she had no idea if he'd even consent to a party at the Ministry. He very well may refuse to go. She wasn't sure. She just sat there contemplating her options and not getting any work done at all.
She finally packed it in for the day and took the invite with her. She went home and found Draco at her apartment, which wasn't all that unusual these days. He'd taken to just hanging out there with her cat and her telly and rarely went home to his own place anymore. She realized they might actually have unofficially moved in together, but neither one of them had actually said anything about it. But he was waiting for her on the couch with his feet up and two glasses of wine sitting on the coffee table. He smiled when she came in.
"How was your day, love?" he asked her.
She tossed her stuff down on the chair and sat down next to him. "It was alright. Just work. Nothing special. What did you do today?"
"I watched the telly all day. I'm addicted to this thing. There are some bloody good shows on. Oh and they had a Buffy marathon so I got to see a lot of shit I missed from before," he told her excitedly.
"How come you don't buy your own telly?"
"I don't know. I never knew I liked it so much until you made me watch it and I spent all this time at your place. Why should I buy one now when I have yours?"
"True. I guess it doesn't make sense since you're a permanent fixture in my flat these days."
"Is that a problem? I don't mean to be here all the time, but I just like it here. I could leave?" he offered.
She leaned over and kissed him. "No way. I like having you here. It beats coming home to an empty house. And I see you poured me wine, unless both these glasses are for you?"
"No, one is for you. I figured you might want it after a rough day at work."
She picked up one of the glasses and took a sip. "Heavenly. This is the good stuff again, isn't it?"
"It is. I splurged. You're worth it. I also have something else for you too. It's a present sort of. I did spend part of my day working on this, so I hope you like it," he told her.
"You made me a present?"
"Not exactly. I didn't handcraft it, but I put it together. You'll see what I mean. Here let me get it," he said as he got up and went over to the kitchen table and picked something up. He walked over and handed it to her. "It's a photo album. I put all the pictures I've taken since I got the camera into it. And I actually labeled stuff too, just in case we get old and senile and forget what the pictures are from."
She opened the album and flipped through it. In it were all the fun times they'd had together since he bought the camera. The bouncy house, the cake stealing, the Muggle road trip, a picture of Hermione lying in bed trying to make him stop taking the picture because she'd just woken up. It was all there in living, moving color. A huge smile came over her face.
"I love it, Draco. It's perfect. It's amazing. I didn't know you'd give me copies. Some of these are priceless. Like us in party hats from that child's birthday we crashed. It's hilarious."
"I'm glad you like it. I put up a lot of these pictures at my flat, but I figured maybe you wanted them too."
"I do. I totally want them. This is a really awesome present," she grinned at him as he leaned over to kiss him.
"We can add to it too. It's not filled up yet. I figured every time we get new pictures, we'll put them in here. At least until we need a new album. I suspect and hope we have many of these someday," he said a little unsure what the future looked like for them.
"I think we'll have loads of these albums someday. Shelves of them. Just imagine if we ever get married and have kids. We'll need a room just for photos and nothing else," she grinned at him.
"Get married and have children? You want to do that with me?" he asked curiously.
She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe? Someday. Not today or anything. But the thought has entered my mind. Is that scary?"
He shook his head. "No, it's not scary at all. I mean, someday. I'm still a little crazed right now and I don't think I'm ready to be that grown up yet, but definitely I see my future as being with you. There's no one else I'd rather marry and have a family with," he said sincerely.
"Conversations like this used to terrify me with Ron. But it doesn't scare me with you. I think maybe because we're on the same page about it. You're not insisting we run off and do it now and I should be preggers within the month."
"Did the Weasel actually suggest that? To get married and pregnant when you were so young?" Draco inquired.
"Yeah, he did. He was serious too. He kept using his parents as an example of how we should be. And then Harry was no help really because his parents married right out of school too and had Harry by the time they were twenty."
"But Potter isn't married yet. Is he? Did I miss something?"
"No, Harry and Ginny aren't married. Yet. But I suspect it won't be too long before they are. Ginny wants a big family. It makes Harry squirm when she talks about it. Especially when she tells him how twins run in her family," Hermione laughed.
"Twins would suck. My God, how would you look after them properly? I'd go nuts. Twins don't run in your family do they?"
"No. Well maybe? I think my grandmother had twin sisters. Does that count? I never met them."
"I think it still counts even if you never met them. They still existed," he laughed slightly.
"Well I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure we'll be fine whenever that moment arrives."
"I really only want one child. Then you can spoil them properly and there's no sibling rivalry and your affections don't need to be divided. Plus, there's the sanity factor in that one might be all I could handle," Draco told her seriously.
"Only one? Really? I thought you'd want more."
"Do you want more?"
"I don't know. Maybe two? One of each?"
"Meh, I don't know. I just want a son."
"Well what if you don't get a son right out of the gate? Wouldn't you try again?"
"I suppose so. Not that I have anything against little girls, mind you. I would be okay with a girl. But a son is my dream. I just want to mold him into a better me. Better than my father molded me. I want him to be everything I wasn't, and to shield him from the bad shit that I had to put up with. Hell I don't even care if he's a Slytherin."
"What? Are you even serious? You don't care?"
"Okay, so maybe I do care a bit. He should be a Slytherin. But if his mom was in Gryffindor, what could I do if he took after you? As long as he's not a bloody Hufflepuff. I'd be ashamed of that and have to pull him out of school and send him to Durmstrang."
"Don't I get a say in this? So what if our metaphorical son is a Hufflepuff? They're perfectly nice people," she said defending her fellow classmates.
"But they're like the joke of the school. It's like when the sorting hat has no idea what the fuck to do with you and they just throw you in Hufflepuff. It's like a dumping ground for unclassifiable people."
"Rubbish! Cedric Diggory was a Hufflepuff and he was so brave and talented he was chosen for the Twi-Wizard Tournament."
"Yeah, and he fucking died. What does that say about Hufflepuff?"
"That they're no match for Voldemort, who thankfully no longer exists."
"I guess. Are we really arguing over our fictional child's Hogwarts house when they don't even exist yet?"
She laughed slightly. "I have a feeling this is an argument we'll have a lot in our lives."
"Well it's a fun argument. It's nice to dream about someday. But I guess I should focus more on getting my act together today rather than dreaming of the future."
"You're not that hopeless you know. You haven't even had a nightmare in months."
"Yes, I have. I just didn't tell you about it. Luckily it wasn't the wake up screaming kind. It was the cold sweat shaking in my boots kind," he told her honestly.
"Why didn't you tell me? I thought things were better."
"Things are better. Mostly. But I have a lot of pent up shit."
"Maybe you should see a shrink?"
"A what?"
"You know, a shrink? A psychiatrist? They're Muggle doctors."
"You mean like one of those people who listen to your problems and then give you pills to make you numb to the horror your life is?"
"Yes."
"No way. I'm not doing that. I don't need a doctor. I just need to stop obsessing. But I am better. I don't drink during the day anymore at all. And I've almost quit cigarettes. Sort of," he told her.
"It was just a suggestion. I read something once in a magazine about how there are actual dream therapists who help you work through your issues by interpreting your dreams."
"I don't need them interpreted. They're pretty fucking clear. So thanks, but no thanks."
"Okay. No worries. I didn't expect you to say yes. But I was just throwing it out there."
"It's something I'll deal with on my own. Just meeting you has made all the difference. I feel alive again. And that's no small feat. I was so fucked up when I met you. I didn't think I'd ever be happy again. Or at all," he admitted.
"I know what you mean. I was in a low spot when we met too. I don't usually have nightmares anymore, but I was pretty confused about myself and my life and my future. I didn't know what I was doing," she said quietly.
"I know I was your biggest mistake in your low point, but I'm glad you stuck around and got to know me."
"You weren't my biggest mistake. You weren't a mistake. I mean, at the time I thought you were, but I was proved wrong."
He leaned over and kissed her. "You were my best drunken mistake I ever made. Who knew I'd actually fall in love with you almost instantly?"
"Well to hear you tell it, you always fancied me but were too much of a prick to do anything about it except insult me," she said with a sly grin.
"Guilty as charged. I did tell you that. And I meant it. Stupid as it sounds, I was always fascinated by you because you were the one thing I could never have. And the old Draco wasn't used to not getting whatever he wanted."
"Well the old Draco sucked. Sorry to say, but it's true. I like the new improved real Draco. He's pretty damn cool. So cool, that I'm thinking I should show you off in public," she said trying to hint her way into a discussion of her work party.
"Show me off in public? We go in public all the time."
"I know, but I meant other public. Like Wizarding public. See, there's this party at my work and I'd kind of like to go, but I don't want to go alone," she told him.
"A work party? At the Ministry? With Harry and Ron and countless other people who watched me be on trial for war crimes? Are you serious?" he asked incredulously.
"It won't be bad. I promise. And the hearings were over ages ago. Plus, you were found innocent. That matters! No one is going to shun you or be mean to you. Except for Ron. But we'll stay away from him," she told him, trying to be convincing.
"I don't know. A Ministry party? Will there even be booze?"
"Yes. It said open bar. And who could pass up seeing the Minister of Magic drunk? No one. So you have to come."
"It's a little high profile for me. I don't think I want to go," he told her seriously.
"Oh please? I don't want to go alone. And even if it's not mandatory that I go, it's rather frowned upon to skip work functions because they want to promote a good image of a happy family of worker bees."
"Is this for Halloween? Do I have to dress up? If so, no way. I'm not doing that."
"Costumes are optional. We can wear regular clothes. In fact, I'd never wear a costume because I'd worry I'd end up being the only one."
"That would suck. You'd be in like a bunny costume and everyone else is in a tux and fancy dress. I'd die laughing," he told her with a grin.
"A bunny costume? As if. But I'm not going to chance it. When it doubt, wear normal clothes. It's safer. Do you have anything dressy anymore?"
"Dressy? Um, not really. I left almost all my clothes at home. I went out and bought new stuff. But if the party means that much to you, I'll get something. I still think it's a horrid idea for me to go though," he told her.
"You have to come out of hiding someday. And this will be like a debut. The new Draco Malfoy."
"I don't know. I don't think the world is ready yet for the new Draco Malfoy. Or maybe I'm not ready for it."
"It'll be okay. And if it's not, then we can leave. At least then I can say I showed my face there," she reassured him.
"Alright. I'll go. But this is gonna be a weird situation for me. Are you sure you really want me there?"
"I'm positive."
"Okay."
Draco only agreed to this because it meant a lot to her. But he was nervous. This wasn't his scene and with her hostile friends being in attendance there was no telling the disaster it might end up as. But he would be on his best behavior, that's for sure. So at least if there was trouble, no one could say he caused it. That was the important part.
When the night of the party arrived, they each got ready and dressed up nicely. It had been quite some time since Draco wore a suit or bothered to actually comb his hair. He looked into the mirror and he looked like his old self again. It was unsettling to him because it was a persona he'd tried very hard to shed, and yet with just a little window dressing, there he was again, staring right back at him in the mirror.
"You look great," Hermione told him as she came up behind him and hugged him.
"Are you sure? It's weird to see myself like this again. All dressed up and polished looking."
"I think you look very handsome. And just because you look like the old Draco, doesn't mean you are him," she reassured him.
"Yeah, I guess." He turned around to look at her. She was wearing a lavender dress with matching heels. "You look quite stunning," he told her with a kiss.
"Well thank you," she smiled up at him. "Shall we go now?"
"I guess. It's best to get it over with."
They set off to the party via the Floo Network and landed right in the lobby of the Ministry. They stepped out and loads of other people were arriving too. They were all heading to a ballroom on the third floor. Draco didn't really recognize anyone, but a few people seemed to recognize him. He saw them pointing and whispering as they headed for the elevators. He felt highly self conscious and told Hermione as much.
"It's alright. Maybe they were pointing and whispering because we look so awesome tonight?" she said hopefully.
"Yeah, I'll bet that's it," he said disbelieving. "People are probably wondering what I'm doing here and with you of all people."
"Let them wonder. I don't care," she said holding his arm tighter as they stepped onto a crowded elevator. They got to the floor quickly and followed everyone off and headed to the ballroom. The place was decorated up very nicely with a Halloween theme décor. Purple and orange lights glowed along the ceiling and there were pumpkins lying in the corners and some of the braver souls were dressed in costumes. Draco's eyes immediately scanned the room to find the open bar. He saw it and he took Hermione's hand and led them over there. They got drinks and just milled around by themselves for awhile. No one paid a lot of attention to them, which was great. But then someone came walking through the crowd with a camera and Draco could see the flashbulb going off at frequent intervals.
"Who's taking pictures?" he asked Hermione.
"I don't know. Probably just someone who wants to capture this night in their memory books."
"You don't think it's the press do you?" he asked worriedly.
"The press? Probably not. Don't worry about it," she said as she continued to sip her drink.
After a bit, Harry and Ginny caught sight of the two of them standing near the bar. Ginny poked Harry.
"You should go over and say hello to them," she urged him.
"I can't believe she actually brought him here," Harry lamented.
"Well who else would she have brought? Her cat? Draco is her boyfriend."
"I know, but it's still so weird to actually see them together."
"Will you please just get over it and go talk to them?" Ginny said with exasperation as she shoved Harry along.
They walked over and greeted the pair.
"Hello. Are you two having fun?" Harry asked politely.
"Yes, it's fun so far," Hermione answered.
"Yeah, it's a blast," Draco told him.
"Well good, I'm glad you're having fun.
"Look Potter, you don't have to make nice with me. I can see that it pains you to speak to me," Draco told him.
"No, it doesn't. It's fine. I'm just trying to get used to it all," he confessed.
"I didn't want to come. Hermione made me."
"Well maybe it's good to get out. And party's are usually fun," Harry told him.
"Yeah, usually. But I don't know how many of these people actually want me here."
"Don't be silly. I don't think anyone really cares," Ginny piped up.
"You think so?" Draco wondered.
"Well I haven't heard anyone say anything about your presence. In fact, I'm not sure that most of these stuffed shirts even know who you are," Ginny told him with a shrug.
Draco scanned the crowd and found one guy staring him down and giving him a hard look.
"I think that bloke cares I'm here. He's giving me the evil eye," Draco pointed out, nodding his head towards the guy.
Harry and Ginny both looked in his direction.
"That's Alan. Voldemort killed his parents. So I think he's a little sore about Death Eaters. And he knows who your family is," Harry told him.
Draco sighed. "My family didn't kill his family. We were lucky to survive ourselves."
Hermione put her arm around Draco. "Don't pay him any mind. I doubt he'll say anything to you."
"Well I think Ginny and I are going to go mingle with some other people now. We'll see you guys later," Harry told them, just wanting to get away from an uncomfortable situation.
When they walked away Ginny looked at Harry. "That was a nice start, but you could have said more."
"More? What else was I supposed to say? It's weird talking to him. We never had a normal conversation in our entire lives. Just be glad I went over there and made nice," Harry told her.
"Fine, I guess you're right. I just feel bad for the two of them standing over there by themselves like two lepers. They're afraid to even mingle."
"Well that's not really my problem. They could mingle if they wanted to."
Back over at the bar Draco looked at Hermione. "This party sucks, love. How much longer do we have to be here?"
"It's barely started. We haven't even danced yet."
"There's going to be dancing?"
"Yes."
"Ugh, I don't want to do any dancing. Not with these people."
"Just have another drink. You'll feel better," she told him as she pulled him into the line for more refreshments.
Once the music started up and people began to dance, she forced him onto the floor amidst his protests.
"Don't tell me you don't know how to dance properly," she asked him.
"No I do. I had to learn back in school for the Yule Ball, remember? I just don't want to do it."
"Well indulge me."
They danced for a bit and then they accidentally ran into Ron and Sarah. Ron was giving them a glare and they tried to dance their way away from them, but it was without success. Ron and Sarah stopped dancing and Ron walked over to the two of them.
"Can I cut in?" he asked Draco.
"No mate, sorry."
"Look, I just want to talk to Hermione. You can dance with Sarah," Ron said, thrusting his date at Draco.
"But I don't want to…" Draco never finished his sentence because Ron just grabbed Hermione and started dancing with her. Draco wanted to punch his lights out but that might make too big of a commotion and he wanted to blend in and not cause mayhem at a Ministry party. He just looked over at Sarah.
"Looks like it's just the two of us. Do you want to dance with me?" Sarah asked cautiously.
"Sure. Why not?"
He took Sarah in his arms and they began dancing slowly, but he kept her at arms length. Her enormous boobs were still pressed against him and he couldn't help but glance down at them and enjoy the sight. He loved Hermione but he was still a man. And he was not at all comfortable with this situation.
"I think that it's a bad idea to try and come between Ron and Hermione," Sarah said sadly.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked her.
"Well she's all he talks about. And also you. He really hates you. But I think it's because he still loves her. I can't compete. Did you see how he just dumped me in your lap in favor of her?" Sarah lamented with tears forming in her eyes.
"Hey now, don't get all weepy. He doesn't have a chance in hell of getting Hermione back from me. She loves me," Draco insisted as he glanced over at Ron and Hermione dancing. They seemed awkward and they were holding each other at arms length too. Hermione looked perturbed, which pleased Draco. "Look at them. She's not at all happy by his presence," Draco pointed out to Sarah.
"Yeah, well it's not really her I'm worried about. It's him. He still loves her and it's killing him that she's with you. And I've done nothing but be the best girlfriend in the world to Ron. I give him everything. And it's not enough. The two of them have history. Ron's mum still refers to Hermione as her daughter in law, and they were never even married!" Sarah cried.
"I'm sorry. That's fucked up. Why do you still go out with him?"
"Because I love him. And I keep thinking if I try hard enough, he'll love me too. But maybe I'm just fooling myself."
"Ron is a total git. I mean look at you. You're beautiful. If he'd throw you away over someone who's already dumped him and moved on, then he's more of an idiot than I knew," Draco said comfortingly.
"You're really sweet. I don't know why Ron says you're evil and no good. You seem plenty good to me," Sarah smiled at him.
"Well thanks. I wasn't always this nice. But I'm trying."
Back over where Ron and Hermione were dancing the air was considerably chillier.
"How dare you cut in and take me away from Draco like that. Are you mad?" Hermione asked him as he forcefully made her dance.
"I just wanted to talk to you. I wanted to see if there was some chance for us. I mean, surely you can't really be serious about Draco?" Ron told her.
"I am serious about him! And what about Sarah?"
Ron glanced over to Sarah and Draco and saw Draco looking at Sarah's boobs. It was obvious.
Ron snickered. "He's checking out Sarah's boobs right now. Maybe he's not as faithful as you think he is."
Hermione looked over and noticed Draco had his eyes trained on Sarah's face and not her chest. "He's not looking at her boobs. He's looking at her face," she protested.
"Well you missed it then. But I saw it."
"And you're just okay with some other guy ogling your girlfriends chest?"
"I don't love her, Hermione. I love you. I'm always going to love you. Don't you get that?" Ron pleaded with her.
"Well I don't feel the same. So you're just going to have to let go of that dream."
"But we were in love since we were children. I loved you the moment we met. And Draco? You hated him the moment you met him. He called you horrible names. He actually once even said he hoped you died. How can you love him?"
"He was just a boy then. He was stupid. He's not like that now. And the fact that he did not make a scene here tonight when you ripped me out of his grasp speaks to his character and the changes he's made. He could have beat you up," she pointed out.
"As if he could beat me up. I'd sweep the floor with him."
"In your dreams, maybe. Just go back to Sarah. This dance is over," she told him as she pulled out of his grasp and walked over towards Draco.
Sarah was touching Draco's face. "You're a really great guy. Maybe if things don't work out with Hermione, you'll give me a go?" she said with a wink.
"Uh, that's a great offer, but I don't think I'll be taking you up on it. Don't get me wrong. You're lovely, but I'm planning to stick with Hermione," he told her as he peeled her arms off his shoulders, just as Hermione walked up and didn't look real pleased.
"I'm cutting back in," Hermione announced and she sort of shoved Sarah out of the way as she pushed her way back into Draco's arms. Sarah just stalked off, feeling defeated. "What were you talking about? It looked rather cozy with her touching your face," Hermione said feeling jealousy creep in.
"It was nothing. She came on to me a little bit, but I set her straight! I told her no way."
"Came on to you huh? What about Ron?"
"She's convinced he still loves you. So I guess she thought we could just swap or something," Draco explained.
"Well she's not wrong. Ron was being really stupid and saying stupid things. I think he's drunk."
"I think Sarah is too. But he's not going to win you back is he? I mean, she was talking about how the two of us couldn't compete with your history together," Draco told her softly.
"Of course not! He's not winning me back. I'm not a prize to be won. Even if I wasn't with you, I wouldn't be going back to Ron. I've been there and done that, and it didn't work out. So stop fretting. I love only you," she reassured him with a kiss.
"I love only you too."
"So you weren't checking out Sarah's huge rack then?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You saw that?"
"So you did check it out?" she asked with a tone of disappointment and jealousy.
"It was just for a second! They were right there in my face. I couldn't help it."
"Men. They're all the same. Just horny bastards," she muttered.
"Oh come on. Women can be just as bad. If there was some hot guy walking around with a huge boner in his pants, don't tell me you wouldn't look at it," he scoffed.
"A huge boner? I'd probably die laughing if I saw that," she admitted with a giggle.
"You wouldn't be turned on?"
"I don't know. I might be curious if it looked really big or something," she admitted.
"Aha! So women can be cretins too. It's not just men. Besides, looking is harmless. It's not like I want her. I have you. You're the only one I want," he reassured her.
"Fine. But no more dancing with her."
"Fine by me. I don't want you dancing with Ron either. I hated seeing that."
"I'm surprised you allowed it. I expected you to protest or punch him or something."
"I wanted to. But how would it look if I started a brawl in the middle of a Ministry party? I didn't need to get arrested or thrown out for beating up one of their favorite employees," he explained.
"True. It wouldn't have gone over well if you attacked him."
"Besides, I'm trying to be nice. God only knows why since he's not nice to me. But I want people to see that I'm not a complete asshole."
"Well I think it's working. It's good of you to be nice even when people aren't nice to you. It takes a lot of strength to hold back, I'd assume," she told him.
"It does. In fact, I think I need another drink."
They walked off the dance floor and went to get in line for drinks again. They were standing there together and Draco had his arm around her. And then he leaned over and kissed her and then he heard the flashbulb go off. He looked up and saw someone had taken their picture. But before he could even question them, they had stalked off and took the camera elsewhere. Draco just shrugged it off. He figured it was just someone taking pictures for an office newsletter or something, so he just pushed it out of his mind and got his drink. They spent most of the evening just standing by the bar and finally Hermione said they could go home. They'd put in enough time. Draco was relieved to get out of there. But he did manage to go the whole evening without anyone saying anything bad to him. Or anything at all. It looked like no one really cared, which was a good thing. It was a far cry from how it was when he first left home. He supposed that enough time had gone by now that no one even gave him a second thought. That's just how he wanted it to be.
The next morning, they got up and went about their normal morning routine and Hermione was making them breakfast when the familiar owl arrived through her window dropping off a copy of the Daily Prophet. Draco never really read it and always just handed it to Hermione who liked to keep up on the news in the magical community. He picked it up off the windowsill and went to give it to her but then he caught the headline. War Heroine Hermione Granger Was Spotted Getting Cozy With Former Death Eater Draco Malfoy. And right there was a big picture of the two of them kissing while standing in line for their drinks.
"Oh bloody hell," he muttered as he stood there transfixed on the paper.
"What is it?" Hermione asked him curiously as she made eggs.
"Look at this headline. So much for keeping a low profile," he said as he tossed the paper at her.
She picked it up and read it and saw the accompanying picture. "Oh my God. This is ridiculous! We made front page news?" she asked astonished.
"I guess someone noticed I was there after all," he said miserably.
Hermione read the article and then just threw it back down on the counter. "It's a stupid article. It talks about how I jilted Ron in favor of you and that the entire magical community is in shock over it. Who the hell said that? No one even said a word to us! Who was in shock? All it says is 'sources close to the couple'. Who do you think that is?"
"It's either Ron or Harry. Take your pick. No one else would have talked to the press. My bet is on Ron. Especially after you made it quite clear to him last night that you were never going back to him."
"I can't believe this. Of all the stories to print, why this one? This isn't supposed to be a gossip rag. It's supposed to have actual news in it," she complained.
"Well apparently we're news."
Meanwhile, someone else was reading this same paper and the look on their face was a mixture of shock and elation. Narcissa Malfoy stood there in the study of her home staring at the picture of her long lost son. She thought she'd never see him again. But there he was. Right on the front page. But he was kissing Hermione Granger. That was a shocker. And it appalled her slightly, but her relief at seeing Draco's face overrode any unpleasant feelings she might have had. She called out to her husband.
"Lucius! Come in here quickly! Look at the paper!" she called out to him.
He walked into the room and looked at her curiously. "What is it?"
"Look at this. It's Draco!" She shoved the paper at him and he took it and read the headline and saw the picture.
"Draco is with Hermione Granger? Surely this is a misprint," he said disbelieving.
"No, it's not. It's really him. Look at him. Oh my God, I never thought we'd ever see him again. But there he is!"
"Yes, there he is. He looks well enough. But what on earth possessed him to take up with the Granger girl? No wonder he ran away. He knows we'd never approve of this nonsense. What is he thinking?" Lucius said shaking his head.
"Oh will you stop it. Who cares who he's with. He's alive and well and right there in the paper. Don't you realize what this means? We've found him!"
"Yes, well, I'm pleased at that. But he's kissing this girl. And the article says they've been seeing each other for months. That doesn't sound like our son."
"Will you please just get over his choice of romantic partner and understand that this means we might get our son back?" Narcissa scolded him.
"How do you propose we get him back? Are you planning to visit this Granger girl?"
"Yes. She obviously knows where he lives and I'm going to make her tell me."
Narcissa didn't much care who Draco's girlfriend was. It was a little shocking and unexpected, but all she really cared about was that he was okay. He was still out there in the world and even being invited to Ministry functions. He wasn't in trouble or hurt in some way. Now all she had to do was convince Hermione to lead her to him and then they could be a family again. It was the only thing Narcissa wanted and she'd do anything to get her son back.
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