11.

Draco woke up because of the lack of warmth in his arms. He opened his eyes just to discover that Hermione was not there. He sat up straight, thinking she had probably gone to the toilet when he noticed a small note on the coffee table, next to her favourite muggle book. He picked it up and read her carefully written note.

''Draco-
I'm at 'the Widow's Cloak' with Harry. He said it was urgent.
I don't know how long I'll be gone for, so you don't have to wait for me.
If you do wait for me, help yourself to something to eat or something to drink.
Don't touch the coffeepot, you'll either hurt yourself or break the coffeepot.

Love, Hermione''

He frowned. The Widow's Cloak? That was one of the darkest tearooms he knew. He could not recall anyone ever going there out of free will. And what the hell was so urgent that Potter had to meet her right now? And why wasn't he allowed to use the coffeepot? It was just a muggle object, like that could be difficult to use.

He walked into the kitchen and found the coffeepot. He stared it down, frowning and wondering what all those little buttons would do. No, first he should go and find Hermione. He didn't quite trust the whole situation. Giving the coffeepot one last glance, he walked out of the kitchen.

He was about to go outside to apparate when he remembered he had to stop by his own house and change into some.. Appropriate clothing. He stepped into the hearth, green flames engulfing him.


Hermione didn't have to look far when she entered the tearoom. Harry had stood up to show her where he was. She walked towards his table, which was in one of the deepest corners.

She could tell he was quite anxious by the way he kept shoving his glasses onto his nose, his fingers briefly touching his lightning bolt scar after. She felt her gut twisting and churning, hoping there wasn't anything wrong with him or Ginny or Ron.

''I'm sorry I couldn't find you at work so they told me you had a day off-''

''Harry please, sit down and just… calm down, okay? Are you okay? Are Ginny and Ronald okay?''

He sat down with great distaste, moving around on his chair.

''Yeah, they're okay. Although Ginny- It's Ginny.''

''Oh my god Harry, what is it? Please don't tell me it's something serious.'' She had subconsciously raised her hands to cover her mouth in shock, all sorts of magical and non-magical diseases running through her head and possible treatments.

Harry saw her concern and quickly interrupted her train of thought. ''No it's not that! It's… She's pregnant.'' He had said the last bit so soft she had to lean in to him so she could hear it, his voice pained.

''Oh but that's wonderful! Why aren't you happy? Is it..?'' she gasped before whispering, ''Is it not yours?''

''It is! Merlin Hermione. No everything Is fine, it's just… I'm freaking out. I can't be a dad, can I? I never had a solid example of how to do it, what if I mess it up?''

There was so much sincerity and worry in his voice, she could feel her heart breaking a little for him. She could feel her eyes watering before she knew it and took his hands.

''Oh Harry… You're going to be a great dad. You have such a kind heart and I promise you, I will always be there to help if you need any.'' She hesitated a second before adding, ''and I'm sure so will Ron. It's his cousin after all.'' She gave him a watery smile, feeling a slight pang of pain at the thought she could've been the aunt.

Harry smiled softly, squeezing her hands. ''You're still going to be their aunt, Hermione. You'll always be family to me. Maybe not in blood or through marriage, but you will be in any other way possible. I'm sorry Ginny and I didn't let you hear anything from us and it's quite unforgivable considering the position you were in…'' she saw his attention had drifted away from her, so she followed his gaze to somewhere outside of the tearoom.

''What is Malfoy doing here?''

she saw Draco standing outside of the tearoom, dressed in a black suit. It must've been a deep black and impeccable some time ago, but now it has started to look a little faded. He seemed to be waiting. She could've slapped herself there and then. She never should've put the name of the tearoom she was going to on the note.

''He is… I think he's waiting for me.'' She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, afraid to look Harry in the eyes just after they had reconciled.

''For you…? But why?'' ''He… is my new assistant. I think he might've forgotten I had taken the day off. Maybe he has some work he wants to talk about..'' She quickly got up, collecting her coat and heading to the door. Draco immediately looked up when he heard the door open.

''What are you doing here?'' she hissed, careful not to grab him or touch him. Anything that would raise anymore suspicion than Harry already had. He looked at her funny, not quite understanding why she was acting like this.

''What was his problem?" he asked her softly with a cold undertone, nodding ever so slightly towards Harry, who was looking rather confused.

''I'll tell you later, maybe… Why are you here? Why didn't you wait at home?''

''I was just curious as to what was so important that you had to desert me for a guy who wholeheartedly dropped you when you divorced his best friend.'' She didn't know what to say to that. Because, even though she did not want to admit it, he was right.

''I still care for him,'' she answered softly. He scoffed, looking at her. ''Of course you do. Even in your eyes Potter can do no harm, can he?''

Angry tears were welling up in her eyes, burning red hot on her skin. ''You have no idea what you're talking about,'' she retorted softly and dangerously.

''There was a point he and Ron were my only family… Harry is all I have left, I can't afford not to care for him. I can't lose him next.'' She didn't expect him to understand. She really didn't. She waited for the moment he would walk away again, everything back to how it used to be and worse.

The silence stretched between them, like a barren wasteland waiting for a single drop of rain.

''I'll see you at work. Enjoy the rest of your tea.'' His voice was cold and emotionless, his face free of expression.

''Draco, please-'' she went to take his arm, but before she could even reach him he had already apparated away from her. Her breathing was coming in shallower as she tried to regain some control over herself. She could not face Harry like this.

She took a few deep breaths and checked her reflection in the window of some shop. She looked like crap, but to be fair she looked like crap before she even went in to see Harry so not much had changed. She went in, hoping Harry wouldn't notice the state she was in. Which was false hope, of course.

He immediately jumped up, his face a thundercloud. ''Why are you so upset? What did that git do?''

''Please, Harry… You know how he can be with his words, it's okay. We were done here, weren't we? I'd like to go home, I'm a little tired.'' Harry looked at her funny with a worried expression. ''Yes, of course…'' ''I'm sorry Harry, promise me we'll stay in touch from now on?'' she asked this very sternly, because she would not know what to do if he said no.

''Of course, Ginny misses you too. Please come over soon, we have missed you. I missed you.'' That made her smile. The innocence in his voice, like they were teens again. They had been through so much. How could she not care for him? She pulled him into a hug and said, ''I'd love to. Just send me an owl. Take care.''

They said goodbye, and she went out. There was something she had to do first before she went home. Only she did not know how to achieve this, for she had to know Draco's address. And she didn't. But she did have an idea who might know.

She apparated.

After feeling like she had been pulled through a tight tube, she found herself in front of the general entrance to the Ministry of Magic.

She went into the ladies room which was quite deserted. She flushed herself in, and stepped out. When she walked into the big hallway she caught some people staring at her, probably not used to seeing her in such casual clothing. Before she had gone to meet Harry she had put on some muggle jeans and a striped shirt that she had worn one too many times.

She hurried to one of the elevators and pushed the button for the Department of Law Enforcement. She was stood next to a rather smelly man who seemed to be having quite a bad cough.

They finally arrived. She nearly ran out and made her way to where she knew Blaise must be working. She arrived at an area filled with cubicles and people scribbling away, the only sounds the scratching of their quills. She spotted Blaise sitting at his desk, looking rather engrossed in a certain case.

''Blaise, I need your help.'' He looked up a little surprised. He raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, leaving the case for what it was.

''Hermione Granger, what is so urgent that you had to come here on a free day?''

''I need Draco's address, there is something we need to talk about.'' He gave her an odd look. ''Work related, of course,'' she added quickly with her cheeks burning.

''And that can't wait until after the weekend?'' ''It's urgent Zabini, please.'' He raised his hands in a defensive manner.

''If we're on surname basis it must be quite serious. He turned back to his desk and ripped off a piece of parchment and neatly scribbled an address on it. He held out the piece of paper.

She went to take it, but found it stuck in his hand. ''It better be extremely urgent, because Draco will kill me if he finds out I gave away his home address.''

He finally let go, and she cradled the paper to her chest. ''I owe you, Blaise.'' She hurried to her office.

After swiftly unlocking it and closing the door firmly behind her, she went to her hearth. She threw some floo powder in and suddenly emerald flames appeared.

She stepped in, and whispered his address.