Chapter 10: Subtle Progress

After a couple hours Ginny and Harry came back.

"Mommy! Guess what I did!" said Lily as she ran up to Ginny. Harry went to another room to find James and Draco.

"What, sweetie?" asked Ginny as she picked her up.

"Me and Aunt Mione watched a princess movie about a mermaid!" said Lily excitedly.

"Again? Haven't you already seen that one?" asked Ginny.

Lily gave a guilty smile and didn't say anything.

"Mommy, are mermaids nice like Ariel?" asked Lily.

"I don't think so, ask your father. He's encountered a few," said Ginny.

"Ok. I'll get him," said Lily as she got down and ran out of the room.

"Was everything ok?" asked Ginny.

"Yeah. Lily's great. I don't know why Draco said they were such a handful," said Hermione happily.

Ginny raised her eyebrows at her and said, "Oh? It's Draco now?"

Hermione smiled to herself.

"Can I ask what happened?" asked Ginny.

"Nothing really. He's just been telling our story. I was hoping that it would spark a few things. It did, but it wasn't good. Anyways it's kind of entertaining. I like watching him talk about it and I really like watching him with James. It's like he's a kid again himself," said Hermione getting a dreamy look on her face.

"Uh huh. Yep, what did I tell you? If you just stuck it out and give him a chance you'd fall in love!" said Ginny.

Hermione snapped out of her daydream.

"No! Excuse me, I'm not in love. I'm just getting used to him. I'm not the kind of person to jump into love as evidenced by our original story," said Hermione.

"But you think you could fall in love again?" asked Ginny.

"Maybe some day," she said.

"Well good for you. I hope you guys have fun or your memory comes back," said Ginny, "Anyways, I need to go get my children and Harry."

Ginny and Hermione found them all playing with various wizard toys.

"Sorry to drag you away from your toys Harry, but we should probably go," said Ginny interrupting them.

"Uh… yeah. Come on, Lily and James we need to go," said Harry getting up, slightly embarrassed.

"No! I don't wanna!" said James running to hide.

"James, you can come back any time, but you should probably go with them or you won't be able to," said Draco.

"Ohh, ok," said James very disappointed.

Draco picked him up and said, "No. Don't cry. Be a big boy."

James toughened up and said, "Yeah! I'm a big boy!"

Draco put him down and they went to the fireplace. After giving hugs, Ginny and Harry left with their children leaving Hermione and Draco in the living room.

"So, that wasn't so bad. I don't know why you said they were a handful," said Hermione.

"They normally are. This was rare form. You just got lucky," said Draco sitting on the couch.

Hermione followed and put her hand on her stomach thinking of her own baby. She smiled thinking that Draco would make an amazing father. He made a lot of changes from Hogwarts days to now and she was glad. She didn't fear him anymore and she was beginning to trust him more.

"So, we were interrupted. You were just about to tell me about the date that wasn't really a date," said Hermione.

Draco laughed.

"So you can see that now but you didn't see that then?" asked Draco.

"Well maybe I did but I didn't let on. I wish I could remember," said Hermione.

"You will. It will come back and then you can come back and tell me what you remember, but until then…" started Draco.

"So, where are we going?" asked Hermione.

"Just a little place I know," said Draco with a smirk, "Just take my arm and I'll apparate us there."

"Ok," said Hermione hesitantly.

After the sensation of being sucked through a tube stopped, Hermione opened her eyes and smiled.

"Are we… ?" asked Hermione.

"In France? Yes," said Draco, "I figured you wouldn't want to run into anyone right now. I come here all the time. The food is great."

They were in Paris in front of a cozy café.

"Umm, ok. Sounds great, but I don't have French money on me and how much is it anyways? I don't make tons of money," said Hermione.

"It's a wizarding café, so no worries there, and you don't have to pay. I'll pay. You've had a bad night, it's the least I could do," said Draco.

"What? No! I can do it. It's fine. I'm not going to make you pay," said Hermione.

"Hermione. There is no point in arguing. I'm Draco Malfoy; I always get my way," he said holding the door open for her.

"Until you met me," said Hermione with a smirk of her own as she went inside.

Draco shook his head and followed her inside. They were seated and took a few minutes to order.

"You're still going to lose this argument," said Hermione.

"Lose what argument?" asked Draco pretending not to know.

"You're not paying for me," said Hermione.

Draco smiled and shook his head.

"Think what you want," said Draco.

Hermione let the subject drop and they talked like old friends the entire time until they were finished. Hermione felt surprisingly safe with Draco. She liked being with him. He was different and challenging.

"I'll be right back," said Hermione as she excused herself.

Draco couldn't believe after that argument and being so stubborn that she would just leave at this moment. She was going to completely miss the check because she wasn't paying attention. While that took some of the fun out of winning, he still liked winning and called the waiter over. He quickly and quietly paid and waited for her to return.

Hermione returned and found Draco smirking… again.

"What?" asked Hermione.

"Nothing. Let's go," said Draco.

"We can't just go. We have to wait for the check," said Hermione.

Draco was still smirking and Hermione caught on.

"Merlin! I'm such an idiot! I can't believe I just left like that! You already paid didn't you?" asked Hermione.

Draco just nodded his head and smiled. Hermione stamped her foot in frustration and walked out before Draco.

Draco came up behind her and said, "You know, you're kind of cute when you're upset."

Hermione shivered at his voice. No one had ever done that to her before.

"Does that line normally work on people? But anyways you cheated! That doesn't count," said Hermione.

"It's not a line and it's not my fault you forgot," said Draco.

Hermione opened her mouth but then quickly closed it. She didn't have an argument back. He thought she was cute? Like, for real?

"That's what I thought," said Draco interrupting her thoughts, "I win."

Hermione playfully hit him on the arm and said, "Fine. Now take me back. I forgot my wand."

"Violence will get you nowhere," said Draco crossing his arms in defiance, "Apologize first."

Hermione stood there in silence and glared at him. Draco just stared back. After only a few more seconds Hermione couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing.

"Ok! I apologize. Please take me back," said Hermione smiling.

"I win again," said Draco with a smile as he apparated them back.

Sorry homework is killing me as of late... so I might not update every day, but I won't be one of those that goes forever in between posting either I promise. Hope you guys like it!