Chapter 11
Straight Talk
AN: ok.. so here's chapter 11, I really hope it doesn't take as long as chapter 10 did.
Thanks to all who reviewed. viola1701e, Lottielue1,
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING.
Hermione POV
I sigh as we land in the Leaky Cauldron, dusting ourselves off as we step from the floo and into the pub proper. It was cleaner than it had been before the war. Tom had finally had enough and sold to the Patil twins a few years after the war ended. I smile and wave over one of them as Ginny and I sit at a booth.
"Hey girls, here for lunch or just drinks?" Padma asks us.
"Lunch and drinks. It's been a long annoying few days. I think I deserve a nice big drink." I say with a grin. She chuckles and two menus pop into her hand and a drink menu, she sets them on the table.
"Well then you take your time and either call someone over when you're ready to order or just use that little stylus and tap what you want. Special today is curry of your choice with rice, flat bread, your choice of starter and side, plus dessert. Can I get you two something to drink, butter beer or wine?" she asks. I look over the drink menu with a sigh.
"Butterbeer for now, never got the taste for elf wine. I might want something stronger later thought." I tell her, she nods, looking to Ginny.
"Same for me, can we also have some chips with cheese and bacon? I have a horrible craving for salty and cheesy and totally unhealthy." Ginny says with a blush. Padma chuckles and makes a note on her pad.
"Coming right up, two butter beers and a plate of cheese and bacon covered chips. Any questions just wave me over ok?" Padma says with a smile, heading off to get our drinks and chips. I chuckle and look over the menu, shrugging out of my robes, shoving them into my bag.
"So what's on your mind Gin? Why come visit me today?" I ask as I look over my menu, nodding my thanks to Padma as my butter beer is set in front of me, taking a sip. She shrugs and takes a drink, wilting a little under my look.
"Harry called and said you had a hard few days with your latest charge... said you might need a girls-night. Do you wanna talk about it Hermione?" she asks softly, looking over at me. I sigh and shrug, casting a privacy bubble around us.
"I guess I should tell someone... but you have to promise not to tell anyone. Your brother most of all." I say, setting my menu, leaving it open. She nods.
"I promise not to tell Ron every, and Harry only if needed." She says with a grin. I roll my eyes and take another drink of my butter beer, smiling at Padma as she sets out chips and extra plates. I take some chips onto my plate and pick at them.
"I think... I might be slipping Gin. I mean Malfoy kind of came onto me, that's what my charge was, and I... I didn't say no. I know I've had a bit of a rough patch with men but... Malfoy? Of all people, he's the last one I thought I'd be... I don't know attracted to."
"Well... he IS hot Mione, tosser or not. Hell of a body from what I've heard too. And faked or not if he showed ANY attention I don't know if I'd of reacted any differently if my life was as shitty as yours has been. Look I know it's weird, I don't argue that fact but... it's Malfoy, for all we know he was just trying to get a rise out of you before he left. But... in all honesty... would it be a bad thing if you and he... I don't know... had a one-night stand? Became friends?" she asks me softly, watching me. I sigh and eat a few chips, licking the cheese off my fingers.
"I wish I knew Gin. I wish I knew WHY he did what he did. I don't like being this clueless; you know that. But you are right, I deserve to feel good... and god did it feel good. Having a guy that close and not trying to slobber all over me, someone making me feel wanted... even if it was just a trick to be annoying or whatever." I sigh and go back to my menu, chewing my lip.
"I think before the school year starts we need a real girls night, you, me, all our single or... at least unmarried girlfriends go to a pub and just... live. Maybe I'll feel better if I actually get laid." I chuckle. She blinks at me.
"Wait... you haven't... but I thought you and Ron..." she stumbles out, I shake my head.
"No... me and Ronald never. He was far too snippy when I said I wanted to wait and then he went off to be a slut so... it never happened. I still haven't... ever." I laugh softly at her face, nudging the menu at her.
"Figure out what you want to eat, I don't want to be sitting here waiting for you to decide, listening to my stomach grumble." I say with a grin, looking back over my menu. Maybe I should find someone to just do it with. I know that sounds crass but... what other choice did I have?
"I think the special sounds good actually, what about you? You can't just get fish and chips every time we go anywhere out. Come on, be adventurous for a change. For Merlin's sake, you were just talking about getting hot for Draco Malfoy. Surely, you can try something else." She clucks at me. I roll my eyes and look over the menu again, agreeing with her. I did need to... shake up my life a bit. Hell that's WHY I quit the job at the Ministry... it was all too... average.
"Well... since I agree with you and can't have my normal fish and chips... I don't know what I'll get... the special does sound good but... I don't know. I'm not in a curry mood I guess, never really have gotten the taste for it actually, the recipe changes to much from one place to the next, maybe. I mean fish and chips is pretty much fish and chips wherever you go. I think I'll ask Padma what she recommends besides the curry." I say with a sigh, eating a few more chips, swirling them in the cheese and bacon. Ginny tisks at me and shakes her head, sipping her Butterbeer and waving Padma over.
"Ready to order then or did you have a question Hermione?" she asks. I chuckle and shake my head.
"Question actually. I'm not in much of a curry mood but wanted to know if there was something else, you would suggest for lunch. I usually get the fish and chips but we've agreed that I need to change up my life a bit, and lunch is as good a place to start as any." I say with a grin, sucking the cheese sauce of my fingers from the chips. Padma thinks for a moment, checking her note pad.
"Let's see here, if curry and fish and chips is out... how about soup, salad and a sandwich, Or a half sandwich... whichever you life. That seems to be an all time favorite since we redid everything. " she says, flipping my menu to the correct page. I smile and nod, looking over the choices.
"Sounds perfect, few more minutes I think..." I say with a small smile. Padma laughs and nods, heading off to check her other tables. I smile and look over the sandwiches, salads and soups. I wave her back over after a few minutes, letting Ginny go first.
"I think I'd like the special. Chicken curry, jasmine rice, meat samosa's for my starter, spice cauliflower for my side, garlic Nan bread, and... Rice pudding for dessert, no raisins please." she says with a smile, setting her menu to the side. Padma smile and writes it down, looking to me. I chuckle and look over the menu again, setting it down open as I give my order.
"Let's see, it all sounds so good Padma. I think I'll try the Tomato Basil soup, the Nutty Mixed-up Salad, and... All the sandwiches sound good. I think I'll try the Cuban Press, regular crisps. Not sure if I want anything for dessert just yet." I tell her. She nods and writes it all down, picking up the menus.
"Ok I'll go put this is, get you some more butter beers and bring out a dessert menu just in case you want something. I'll hold off on ordering your rice pudding Ginny, just tell me when you're ready for it if you want to change the order. Few minutes and I'll be out with your food." She says with a smile heading off to the kitchens. I sip my drink and sit back, letting my mind wonder.
"What are you thinking about now then? Your new job or the odd blond that tried to molest you?" Ginny asks as she eats a few chips, groaning in delight. I roll my eyes and sigh.
"All of the above and nothing I suppose. I can't waste my time worrying about what he did and why. I'd drive myself buggy if I did. Am I confused by it? Yes, for years, that little snot tormented me and made fun of me and now he's trying to get into my knickers... but I have to believe people can change Gin. I'm certainly not getting younger, and no one else seems to want me... I can't keep grudges over some petty schoolyard name-calling. He's still on probation but he hasn't done anything wrong... ever really... you know as well as I do he wasn't given a choice during the war, if he had said no he'd likely of been killed. I know everyone says it would be more honorable to die instead of knuckle under but... then you're dead. That makes no sense to me. You'd rather be dead than alive, on the wrong side, able to help or switch sides." I say with a sigh, taking a long drink of my Butterbeer.
"I think more than anything I'm worried about my new job. I mean I don't even know what McGonagall will have me doing; she's mentioned a class about the laws of the magical world. I could probably link that with muggle laws as well but... I don't know. I could be the librarian I supposed. I mean I know Wizards and Witches live longer than muggles but... I'm sure there's something else Mrs. Pince would like to do more than dealing with kids. I don't think she liked the students much when we were there, I mean I know we were a handful but... you'd think shed realize just how snotty some kids are before she took the job." I say sadly, shaking my head.
"She probably just got sick of it over the years. I mean think about how annoying your year was... and she had to deal with seven years every year... it adds up I'm sure." Gin says, sitting back in her side of the booth. I nod and sit back, eating some more cheese chips.
"True enough but still, it's not like there aren't other things she could do. I highly doubt Dumbledore forced her to stay, even if she had a contract. I'll likely have tea with McGonagall in the next few days to discuss it all, see what she needs. I mean the war wasn't that long ago I'm sure some people who decided to stay on have gotten back into the swing of life or whatever... or have tried and it just isn't working out and need to move on. I really don't know what I want to do." I say with a sigh, perking up as Padma heads over with our plates.
"Here we go, how you two doing on the drinks? Want anything else?" she asks as she sets our food. We both look over our food, licking our lips.
"I don't think so... maybe some extra napkins... those are always welcomed." I say with a grin. Padma chuckles and nods.
"What about drinks, if there a special one or anything you'd suggest for two girls out too relax for the evening?" Ginny asks, already playing with her food.
"I'll go get a list of our specials. Most people don't ask you know, they know what they want so we haven't been pushing... mixed drinks and specials yet. Get everyone into the swing of the new food and what not, and then start working the drink angle. So a drink special menu and napkins, you girls want some water or anything to help cut the alcohol or you still good with that?" Padma asks with a grin.
"Yeah some ice water would be nice, lemon or whatever fruit you have handy." I tell her as I dig into my salad, letting my soup cool. She nods and heads off, checking her other tables. We eat for a few minutes before I sigh and stab at my salad, looking up at Ginny.
"Answer me something, and be honest. Am I doing the right thing about my career?" I ask her. She sighs and picks at her food, thinking.
"Honestly? Yes, I think you are. You're not happy with what you're doing now. True many people aren't happy with their jobs but... you have the ability to change work, to do something better. Why would you be in the wrong to follow your heart or gut or... whatever? What's wrong? I thought you were... I don't know, gung ho about changing jobs."
"I am... well maybe not 'gung ho' about it but. You know me... everyone thought I would be this wonderful Ministry worker... and marry Ron and I'm not... either of them and I just wonder... what in the hell happened?" I say with a sad huff. What happened in my life that everything changed so much? Ginny sets her fork and takes my hand, squeezing it till I look at her.
"Nothing changed Hermione... you tried; with the Ministry AND with Ron. Probably longer then you should have on both accounts. Now... each your lunch and then we're having a girls day. Get your mind off this mess. Deal?" she says with a grin. I chuckle and no, digging into my lunch.
"Deal."
oOo
Draco POV
I sigh as I come out into the manors entrance hall, stretching my shoulders as I step from the floo and call out.
"Mother? I'm home." I chuckle as a small elf pops up, bowing low, before hugging my leg tightly.
"Floppy is so happy master Draco be home after such a long time. Mistress is in the sunroom. Does master wish some tea? Light lunch?" she squeaks at me. I smile softly and pat her head, handing her my cloak.
"Yes lunch would be nice... thank you Floppy. Nothing to light now, soup and a sandwich would be lovely. I can walk myself; go get the food and some tea for mother... butter beer for me." I say, the little elf nodding before popping away. I shake my head and head to the sunroom, hugging mother from behind, kissing her cheek.
"Merlin I've missed you Mum." I say with a grin, chuckling as she turns and hugs me tightly.
"Oh my dear boy, I've been so very worried. I want you to know I never thought that woman could be so cracked. I mean we all cracked a bit after the war but... to turn a paying customer into a dragon... it boggles the mind." She rambles as she fusses over me. I smile and hold her hands still, sitting beside her.
"I'm fine mother, honest. Tired and hungry, but no worse for the wear. Though I should likely see our doctor soon just to make sure everything is healed up and what not. I was in dragon form for six odd months." I hold up my hand to stop her from interrupting.
"I WAS checked out by the healers at the dragon sanctuary but they agreed someone who knew ME might see something they missed. And my... I think they called them hormonal levels are a bit wonky so they will need to be checked out but I'm sure it's nothing. Now, I've had Floppy get us some lunch and tea for you and a Butterbeer for me. No, I do not want a welcome home party, maybe in a few days when the doctor has checked me out and everything. Right now I just want to be home and be human. Ok?" I ask her, she nods and sniffles, hugging me tightly again.
"Oh Draco... I was so worried... I didn't know what to do... and then they said you skipped out on your probation but I swore you wouldn't have because you knew what you did in the war was wrong and wanted to make right. Oh my poor baby." She sobs, clutching at me. I chuckle and hug her.
"I'm fine mother; it's all been cleared up. Even had Granger as a caseworker so I'm sure the paperwork will be done quickly and correctly... now can I have my shirt back... lunch is here and I'm sure you haven't been eating right." I say with a smile, patting her hand and pouring her tea when she lets go of me. She sips her tea slowly, settling as I dig into my sandwich.
"I AM sorry Draco but you have been gone for six months, a mother worries. I'll owl the doctor after lunch, soonest he can see you...?" she asks, taking a half sandwich, nibbling it. I nod and swallow my bite of sandwich, taking a drink.
"Would be nice yes, just so we can get it out of the way and I can get on with my life. I don't feel bad but since the healers at the reserve aren't used to me, aren't really used to non-violent wounds really, they thought it would be wise for my own doctor to check me up. See if he noticed anything different. It's really just to be sure, I'm sure I'm fine. Stop looking like that and eat your sandwich." I say with a grin, nudging her plate towards her. She smiles and pats my hand, eating her sandwich slowly, watching me.
I smile at her as she gets up to owl the doctor, eating another sandwich as I relax in the sun. One thing I didn't mind about being a dragon, I could sun myself all I wanted. I sigh and shake my head as I look out over the yard.
"Well... now I'm home... what now? Should likely get a job... I don't mind being lazy but... I WILL need to do something. Snape should likely know of something I could do well at. Maybe the school needs a teaching assistant or something. My grades weren't all that bad... crap I'm talking aloud to myself. Maybe I have gone mad..." I sigh and shake my head, heading up to my room. I sigh and flop on my bed, taking a bite out of the sandwich half I took from the plate as I settle into my mattress. Home... I was home. And I was already bored out of my skull. I grumble and flip myself over, snuggling into my pillow, breathing in the smell of home, of freshly washed sheets. Merlin I missed my room. I sigh and let myself drift off, relaxing into the wards of the house and my room, allowing them to keep me safe.
I wake up a bit later and stretch, groaning as I work my shoulders. I needed a good rub down I think, not full body of course but it would do wonders for my back. I make my way back downstairs and to the kitchen, sitting at the island, trying to figure out what to do now. I yawn and lay my head on the counter, stretching my arms over, trying to reach the other side; I needed to see the doctor. I look up as Mother enters the kitchen, the click of her heels alerting me to her presence.
"Hello dear... how are you feeling? I checked on you a bit ago but you seemed... very content with your bed so I didn't bother you." She says with a soft smile. I smile and nod, sitting back up.
"Tired still, glad to be home. When will the doctor see me?" I ask, taking the cup of juice from her.
"Tomorrow around lunch, I also scheduled a... what was it... physical therapist I think he called it. Someone to help you with your joints or something. He mentioned something about compression issues with going from such a large creature back to human form being an issue with larger animagi and since this is so close to that... he thought it might be helpful. They will be here at the same time, go over some things with him, make sure they aren't pushing you to hard... or not hard enough is suppose." She says, stroking my hair. I chuckle and sip my juice.
"Makes sense I suppose, I could use some stretching, I just feel... tight, like I would after a really long quidditch game but... I haven't played in ages so... yeah. I am glad to be home, I don't think I'll do much the next few days. Being a dragon was exhausting. Maybe sometime next week you can hold something small... if you must hold some sort of party for me." I tell her softly. She grins and hugs me tightly. I chuckle and hug her back, enjoying being home, in my mother's arms. Being safe at home. I push her away from my slightly, looking her over.
"Mother... now I want you to be honest with me, understand... I know you've been worried about me, being single and all. I... feel things for someone. Now I don't know WHAT I feel exactly but I think it's important, life changing, and... Well she's not exactly what I'm sure you envisioned for me. She's a witch, of course, she's pretty I suppose... talented... smart. Would you be ok... with whoever I end up with?" I ask softly, watching her face. My mother smiles at me and strokes my cheek lovingly.
"Of course dearest, I just want you to be happy. I don't think I would be thrilled about a muggle but... times have changed. Muggle-borns are helping the magical community more than any of us ever imagined. Squib birth rates are already down; magic is stronger and gaining strength. While I still agree with keeping lines pure for the most part... sometimes adding in muggle-born or muggle blood IS the answer to the problems. Complete purity was destroying the magical world. I want you to be happy above all else Draco. That's all I want."
AN: so how was that? Good I hope. Sorry if it took a while to post, life hates me. I used Jasonsdeli . com for Hermione's lunch, Ginny's was just standard curry food, No menu.
AN2: Please check my profile for any polls that need your vote.
