A/N: Thanks for the reviews and favs. The story is coming together I think. I'm a chapter outline or two ahead of what's published and the responses to reviews are not automatic. But they do get considered.

And Wake Me With The Morning Light

9. An Evening With Friends

"Are you kidding – you are kidding, right?"

"Hell no. Why would I be."

"They're all fucking Gryffindors Granger – that's why."

"Oh you're making a big deal out of nothing. It's been years now."

"It was just a couple. They probably all still hate my guts."

"That's mental – and you know it."

"Look... if you want to go out with your friends – that's fine. But you don't have to drag me along."

"Don't have to drag you along?" she mocked. "It's a couples get together – and you're my husband."

"Oh – I'm your husband now," he added, sullenly.

"That's what you've been telling me," she countered.

"I'm your husband when it's convenient."

"That's not fair," she pleaded and began running fingers through her bushy hair..

"It feels fair – I'll tell you that," he replied, forcefully.

Hermione, realizing the implication, looked away and rolled her eyes.

"Look – I know it's been hard on you," she said and rose from her chair. She went around behind the wizard and threw her arms around his shoulders and spoke into his ear. "It's been hard on me too. But it would help me if you would come. Besides Ron might show up."

‡‡‡‡‡

The 'Station' was a unique club in that it had a U-shaped floor with a band stand at one end and dining and drinks available at the opposite far end. The kitchen was stuck in the middle of the U and provided some insular relief for those that didn't come there for the music. Few came there for the food, but the drinks were good enough and, if you really tried, you could carry on a conversation at the far end.

Luna had stumbled on the place with Neville. The two began dating until after the war when Neville gave up on Luna's eccentricities and started a hot thing with Hannah Abbott, who had taken over the Leaky Cauldron.

Luna barely had the time to notice when she met Rolf Scamander at a preservationist convention for magical creatures. These two offbeats hit it off instantly and made frequent trips about the country while scouring the land in search of rare and magical creatures. Rolf, the grandson of the famous Magizoologist, Newt Scamander, was nearly as well known as his grandfather. It would be Rolf's pretentious personality that would most likely grate on Draco's before the night was over. Also attending, and a potential sore spot for Draco, was Katie Bell. She'd been seeing Seamus Finnegan and still had hard feelings toward Draco for hexing her in her sixth year. Cho Chang had recently broken up with a wizard she'd been seeing for some time and was the only free witch in the group.

Hermione had been dragging Draco all the way and arrived at the club fashionably late. They found the party at the end of the horseshoe farthest from the music.

"There they are," Hermione informed Draco casually.

"Super."

"Ginny! Cho!" Hermione called out to her old school chums.

Hermione ran up to the two girls and Luna jumped up to join them. Solemnly, Draco hung a few steps back and looked tactfully around the table for the best place to sit. There were two open seats between Rolf and Seamus Finnegan. A bad choice either way with maybe Finnegan getting the slight edge. There were also a couple of seats at the very end, but he doubted Hermione would go for that. Just as he had imagined, they were mostly Gryffindors except for Scamander who'd been the hero of Hufflepuff. Oh well, at least there was no sign of the Weasel. He was suspicious Hermione had made that bit up, just to get him there.

Finally done with the greetings and hugs Hermione preceded over to the vacant gap between Finnegan and Scamander. Draco hung there just to see if she would look back for him, but she never did. Damn, it felt good to be loved. She greeted Scamander and after a few words she took the seat next to Seamus and said hello to him. Fine, he would be sitting next to Scamander. The evening was shaping just great. After greeting Seamus and Katie, Hermione finally looked around for her missing husband and noticed he'd never moved. She rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders as if to say, what the hell are you doing over there?

"Don't be bashful old man," piped in Scamander.

Draco faked a smile and headed toward the empty seat. He hated Scamander and that 'old man' crap of his. Sucking it up, he bit his lip he grabbed the last chair between his wife and the eccentric wizard. Rolf had curly yellow hair, flying in all directions, and Draco always thought his personality was just about the same.

Looking toward his wife and seeing Seamus Finnegan and Katie Bell, he noticed Katie was sending him little hate bombs with her eyes. Oh, well – it was a shame – she'd been friendly enough at one time. Past Seamus and Katie was Ginny Weasley and Potter. Sanctimonious Potter. He quietly presided over the event like royalty looking down over the peasants. And right now he was staring pretty hard at Draco.

"Waiter!" Scamander flagged down the young Sommelier. The young man assented with a smile and returned with glasses for himself and Hermione. Rolf made a grand showing of pouring and praising the wine while Hermione continued her chatting with Seamus and Katie. Draco nodded thanks and sampled the drink.

"Not bad," he conceded to Rolf.

"It's a Bordeaux from a region Luna and I hunted for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks," he said.

"You don't say?" Draco went on, politely pretending to give a damn.

"Indeed Old man," he continued. "We never found the Snorkacks but the wine more than made up for it."

"That was fortuitous."

"Indeed it was old man – indeed it was."

"Dad swore when he was young, the place was run over with Snorkacks," piped in Luna. "Now all you find is Redcaps and Hinkypunks."

"Poaching of Magical creatures my dear," Scamander injected and threw his arm around the dizzy blonde. "We need new international regulations against that sort of thing."

"Our next project!" Luna announced, as if she'd just discovered gravity.

Draco was expecting another Indeed Old Man from Scamander, but he just smiled and raised his glass.

"I'll toast to that!" he shouted, and all those within earshot raised their glasses languidly and then went immediately back to conversations. Draco left Luna and Rolf to their own cooing and conversation and looked over toward his wife. She was still chatting non-stop to Seamus and Katie Bell. Katie was still sending hate bombs from across the table, and Seamus had never acknowledged his presence in any way.

The one exception in this magical menagerie was Cho Chang. She was sitting directly opposite Draco and Hermione and on Ginny and Harry's right. She seemed to notice that no one on her side of the table was paying any attention to Draco.

"So what have you two been up to?" she asked him and Hermione, but aimed it more at Draco. Hermione turned for a moment and went back to chatting with Ginny and Harry.

"You mean in the way of travel?" he asked her.

"In the way of anything I guess."

"Oh," he said and Hermione was still miles away. "Just trying to get back to where we were – before the accident that is."

"I was sorry to hear about that. Things are back to normal now I hope."

"We're working on it," he said, hoping Hermione would hop into the conversation.

"And he's been loads of help," Hermione suddenly piped in and hooked her arm through Draco's possessively.

"Oh, well I'm sure," Cho replied and smiled.

Hermione's arm in his felt good – like there was some point in his being there after all. Nevertheless, Hermione went back to chatting with Ginny and paid him no further attention. Finally Cho tapped Hermione on the arm and motioned for her to follow. Draco thought this was to be a trip to the loo as girls seemed to love going in pairs.

Inside the loo, Cho stood by the mirror to adjust her hair. Finding everything okay, she turned back toward Hermione.

"I couldn't help but notice," Cho began, "but Draco doesn't seem like his old self."

"Does he not? I really wouldn't know," she mused.

"Is everything okay – I mean after the accident?"

"From his point of view – probably not."

"Really – why?"

"Well, we didn't – I mean I didn't – just pick up where we left off."

Cho gave Hermione a puzzled look like she desperately wanted clarification but was afraid to ask.

"I mean in the sack," Hermione consented.

There was a long pause from Cho and then a look of befuddlement.

"Oh Hermione. Don't mean to pry girl – but why the hell not?"

"Because... I don't know him all that well – at least not yet. And I'd feel like a tart," she admitted and bowed her head.

Cho paused to shake her head.

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense Hermione, but who in the world would care? I mean he is your husband. My God - it's the perfect excuse to go to bed with a man you don't love."

"Cho!"

"Oh, I'm not serious – well, maybe I am, but still Hermione. Hogwarts was a long time ago. Take a good look girl - he's a hunk. And rich. A lot of women would jump him in a minute. You should be careful."

"I will."

‡‡‡‡‡

"So what keeps you busy these days," Rolf asked Draco, completely oblivious to the fact that Cho had already asked. "I was thinking you were with the Ministry?"

"No, that's Hermione."

"We knew she was there – with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Yes – very good," piped in Luna.

"For sure," Rolf went on, "but I'd have figured you'd be there too."

"Well, I'm not," he replied.

"So what are you doing old man?" he needled.

"Trying to stay out of trouble."

"I see. Well, Hogwarts has awarded me a nice bundle of research funding for my next project. It's in Tasmania, by the way. Hopefully by this time next year, we'll have them a new collection of Tasmanian Tigers."

"That sounds exciting. When do you leave?"

Almost on the edge of exploding, Draco felt Hermione's arm on his shoulders and the two girls were back at the table. There was a few moments when all eyes were on Draco as if expecting him to blow a gasket.

"Draco..." said Cho, watching Draco's normally pale skin glow pink.

"Yes," he replied, glad to be focusing on anything but Rolf.

She rolled her shoulders into a shrug.

"Care to dance?"

"Sure," he fired back and jumped up from the chair. Hermione turned away from Ginny to stare at the quickly disappearing figures.

"I figured you were dying to get away from him," Cho said and chuckled.

"A few more minutes and I would have had to stun him."

Cho laughed and led Draco around the bend of the U and then the music changed into a slow number and she stalled.

"Let's hang here for a minute – this music's not right," she said and plopped down at a table somewhere in the middle.

Draco nodded, looked into space, and drew a deep lungful of air.

"So how are things really Draco – I've heard it's been rough."

Draco looked suspiciously at the question, and ditto at Cho in general.

"You've been a guardian angel this evening – how do you know so much?"

"I've got a girlfriend that works with Pansey... and she talks with Blaise."

"Oh – well then you probably know most of what there is to tell. I've got a wife that has no idea how she got involved with me and a mother that's cut me off for getting involved with her. It a lose-lose situation. I can tell you that."

"So, Hermione – any progress on that front?" she asked, rhetorically.

Again, he looked at her suspiciously. "Not much, but I think she's coming around," he lied with as much conviction as he could muster.

"Good!," she fired back. "Hey this is something I can dance to – shall we?"

"For sure."

Bouncing up, Cho was almost running to the dance floor. She paused and grabbed Draco by the hand to help pull him along.

"Come on," she said. Giving up on Draco she dropped his hand danced her way on to the floor.

There were already four brave couples having a go at it. The tune was a little faster than Draco's two left feet were trained for, but it was fun. Cho was very fluid on her feet, and it was no wonder she was so quick to ask. She'd always been a good looking girl to his eye – even if she was a Ravenclaw.

They stayed for one more until the music slowed to something no longer appropriate. When they turned back toward the tables there was a bushy brown haired witch waiting just off the floor.

"We were just coming back," he said and smiled unevenly.

"Well, I think I'm up for this one," Hermione announced and Cho chuckled and then quickly melted away.

"Sure," he said and escorted his wife onto the dance floor. The lights dimmed down low and they got very close. He could smell the scent of her hair mixed with perfume. In a matter of moments he'd forgot all about Cho and dancing with her.

"I hope this hasn't been too painful," she said, reaching up and speaking softly in his ear.

"It's not too bad. I hope you're having a good time."

"Rolf is an arsehole. And he doesn't know when to shut up."

"He never did."

The music slowed to a crawl and his hands fell to her waist and a little further. A few seconds later he noticed Ginny and Potter and the lights picked up a little.

"I think they're all getting tight on the wine," she said.

"At least Scamander got something right."

He kept his eye on Potter. He didn't know why – force of habit perhaps, but he did it nonetheless. The slow dance tune faded to a stop and some of the lights popped back on.

"You ready for a break?"

She looked at him and smiled. "I hope Cho didn't get the best of you."

"No, there's plenty left," he said and gave her a little slap on the bottom.

They strolled languidly back to the table and quickly assumed their original positions. Rolf was entertaining the group with mating calls from the Blibbering Humdinger. The more wine he drank, the louder the calls got. After thirty minutes of this even Luna turned red with embarrassment.

As the evening drug on, even Katie Bell and Seamus would make eye contact as they spoke in his direction. It seemed as though the most hardhearted Gryffindors were beginning to warm up to his being there. Before the night ended, Cho pulled all the guys up from the table for a dance, so as to prove she wasn't hitting on Draco.

When at last Rolf could think of no new mating calls to imitate, the group knew it was getting late. Seamus and Katie were the first to call it quits. All the girls hugged and said their farewell while a few of the male Gryffindors shook hands and made promises to do it again before too long.

They all made promises not to apparate home as drinking and apparating was never a good idea. Draco and Hermione were feeling fine but, like all the rest, they agreed to take a train home.

‡‡‡‡‡

On the train home, and reflecting on the evening, Hermione took the liberty of resting her head on Draco's shoulder. The wizard put his arm around her, and while it felt a little strange at first she made every attempt to just go with it as Hippocrates had advised her. She kept hearing his words from their last meeting.

Of course I know it's difficult. Many things feel a little strange at first – but you must get used to them. I know you don't feel like Mrs. Malfoy yet, but perhaps if you just try it on for size? Please Hermione, don't let a lack of memory destroy what you have now. And don't let this situation fester into something worse.

Damn – did he have to make so much sense.

You need to allow love back into your life – and as soon as possible.

Oh shit – she tried to tune out the head-healer's words but then Cho's warning began, and just as loudly.

A lot of women would jump him in a minute. You should be careful.

Back inside the flat, Draco took off his jacket and threw it over a chair in the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he grabbed a pitcher of pumpkin juice and took a couple of glasses from the cupboard.

"Fancy something to drink?"

She didn't even have to think about the offer. "Why not."

He poured two glasses half full and slid a chair up to the table. Eager to see where this was going, she reached for a chair. There was several moments of soft lazy silence before Draco broke them.

"Look – I realize you don't love me. You're doing this because you think you should – because you think it's the right thing."

"Do you?" she said and grinned. "So now... are you going to drop me for Cho?"

"She did look good tonight," he countered. "but no... does that disappoint you?"

She shook her head and smiled.

"I know I married you," she began. "And at first I didn't understand why. But now... it's not such an incredible stretch," she confided and slid her palms over the top of the table and reached for his hands.

"About the love thing," she continued, and she felt Draco's grip tighten on her hands. "I'm just some silly girl who's lost half her mind – and all the good stuff at that," she went on trying to be cheerful. "I'd ask you for more time – but you've been so patient already."

"So, I'm out of time... are you leaving me for the Weasel?" he asked, and she laughed the question off.

"You know what Hippocrates told me at our last meeting?"

"Of course not."

"That I should get on with life."

"Get on with life?"

"Yeah. He said to stop trying to remember the past and just get on with life."

"He's a smart man, Hippocrates," he fired back with a little glint of light in his eye.

"You're too quick to agree," she teased. "I told him I'd get on with life when I could remember..." she said, and could see the light leave Draco's eyes. "I'm just messing with you. I didn't tell him that."

"Stop messing with me then," he griped.

"I won't. Not any more," she came back solemnly. "Maybe I should get on with life. But I'm not the kind of girl that does what she's told."

"Oh... are you not?" he came back, playfully.

"No, I'm not. But, I have thought that if I keep going this way – I might lose you," she confessed, and wrinkled her nose.

"So what are you saying?"

Hermione flushed and looked away.

"I'm just saying, I don't want to lose you – over something silly," she quickly added the last part.

"Over something silly? And what would that be?" he teased.

She looked long into cold eyes, grey as steel. Neither one made a move toward the other, but Hermione still had his hand in her's. Someone's hands were beginning to sweat but neither one could tell which. Not giving the witch a moment longer to change her heart, and still firmly hand in hand, he slipped up out of the chair and around the small table.

Pulling her up to her feet, he ran his hands along her back and into the bushy brown hair. Gently holding her head, he guided her mouth to his and kissed her for the longest time as if the two lost lovers had finally been reunited.

But she balked stoically as they approached her bedroom door. Her posture seemed to indicate she might still harbor doubts. He looked deep into her eyes but could find no answer. Not giving her a chance to refuse, he kissed her again. She swayed slightly and her defenses appeared to grow weaker. Her dreamy gaze said what her mouth couldn't will into words.

Leaning into her to gently nibble her ear, he pushed her through the open door. Tonight, Draco Malfoy would not be sleeping on the couch.