Fade Into You
Chapter 11 - The Worst Blow
When they get home from the fundraiser that night, the reality of everything begins to set in. Draco puts Scorpius to bed and Hermione makes sure that Cassie is settled then they meet in the kitchen, both seeking coffee.
The air is awkward and neither of them know what to say. How can they go back to being like this around each other after that small display of love and affection earlier? How can they admit that all of that is fake, surely it means something? These questions make Hermione's head hurt as she pours coffee into a mug.
She picks up the mug and turns around, preparing to walk out of the kitchen when a thick brown envelope hits the table with a sound that echoes around the empty kitchen.
Hermione turns around and frowns, "What's that?" She asks, looking at Draco.
"Divorce papers," Draco says, he sounds resigned, like he has already given up.
"What?"
"This isn't getting fixed Hermione," Draco says, "It was okay at the start and…I think I'm always going to love you. You are a huge part of my life and the kid's life. You were the first person I fell in love with and the first person to believe in me."
Hermione swallows hard, she knows what is coming but she is praying that it doesn't come.
"I won't play second fiddle to Potter anymore, I can't, it's killing me."
Tears spring up in Hermione's eyes, "We said we would think about this-"
"I've thought about it," Draco cuts in, "For Merlin's sake, I've thought about it for weeks! With you gone I've had plenty of time for thinking and we both know that things have been getting worse for months. You losing the show and having to work with him again was the final straw for us. We both know that, but neither of us have been saying it."
Hermione knows that he is right as she swallows a lump in her throat, "What about the campaign?"
"If you don't mind, I would like to keep this quiet until it's over," Draco says quietly, "But I can't keep these locked in my desk anymore. The guilt is eating at me. Ask for whatever you want, I'll give you pretty much anything apart from full custody. Just fill the papers in and give them back to me so I can file them."
Hermione is numb from the shock, "What about the kids?"
"We'll have to explain to them sooner or later," Draco says, "But they are old enough to understand. I was around Scorpius's age when I found out my Father had..."
"Had cheated on your Mother?" Hermione retorts, "Just like you have been cheating on me, you mean? How did that work out for you and your Father? Because if I remember correctly you hated him and were glad when he died."
"He was a Death Eater and a murderer," Draco says darkly, "This is different."
"So you haven't ever been a Death Eater or murdered somebody?" Hermione hisses, "The kids are going to find out one day you know. I made Harry and Ron promise not to tell them but when Cassie goes to Hogwarts people will talk."
"Are you threatening me, Hermione?" Draco asks angrily.
"No, I'm telling you that one day soon the truth will come out and they will realise that their Father isn't as good as he pretends to be," Hermione says honestly, a dark look in her eyes, "I know about what you did during the war, about what you and Pansy covered up."
Draco's eyes widen, "How..."
"I'm your wife Draco, I know you better than you think," Hermione whispers, "And I've been against you running for Minister from the very start in case it brought all your dirty secrets into our children's lives!"
"Well no dirty secrets are being brought into anyone's lives," Draco mutters, "I've made certain of it."
Hermione takes a shaky breath, "You really haven't thought this through at all have you? Not only has this campaign cost you our relationship, it could cost you your daughter. If we file for divorce, we will have to release all of our papers. That includes our marriage certificate and both of the kids birth certificates."
Draco narrows his eyes dangerously at Hermione, "This is really sounding like a threat now. You can't force me to stay with you to keep our secrets hidden!"
"Do you really think that's what I want?" Hermione snaps, "I'm just as unhappy as you are. But we have a daughter to think about and if we disclose her birth certificate there's no telling who could find out about her. Not to mention the fact they might not allow you custody!"
"Of course they'll allow me custody," Draco bites back, "I'm her Father in every way but blood. I was there when she was born, I was the first person in this world to hold her and I raised her! That gives me rights, Hermione!"
Hermione's head pounds and tears sting behind her eyes, "I'm not saying that it doesn't. I'm saying that I am going to have to read this very carefully and before we file anything we are going to have to have a talk with a very good lawyer."
"A very good lawyer such as Theodore Nott?" Draco asks in an undertone.
"Yes," Hermione says quietly, "A very good, very discrete lawyer. Until we know the score, we don't say a word to the children, alright?"
Draco nods, "I'll set it up. Until then I won't say a word to anyone."
"Not even Pansy," Hermione says darkly.
Draco's eyes flash, "Are you going to tell Potter?"
"No," Hermione says irritably, "Because as I have told you, nothing is going on between us!"
Draco nods stiffly but it is apparent that he doesn't believe her, "Fine. If I were you I would hold off on going back to Australia, not until we've talked to Theo."
Hermione can only nod back as he turns around and makes his way up the stairs. She won't break down, not now, she won't give him that satisfaction.
When Hermione wakes up on Monday morning there is a note that has been slipped under the door by Draco to tell her that they will be meeting Theodore at midday. Hermione gets up, dresses and has breakfast. Then she gets the kids ready and sends them up to the library with their tutor, telling them she has some work to do in the UK before she can head back to Australia.
Hermione is fairly sure she has convinced them that everything is fine. But as she is preparing to leave, Cassie comes downstairs with a very serious look on her face.
"What's wrong, Cassie?" Hermione asks her daughter.
"You're going to a divorce lawyer," Cassie says.
"Hey, Cassie," Hermione says with a frown, "Now-"
"I know you are, Mum," Cassie says quietly, "I heard Dad arrange the meeting via floo...and I saw that woman leave the house one morning last week."
"What woman?" Hermione asks with wide eyes.
"The woman who ruined everything," Cassie says, an anger that Hermione has never seen there before stewing in her daughter's eyes, "The one on his campaign."
"He brought her here?" Hermione asks, she is seething inwardly at the idea.
Cassie nods miserably and Hermione sighs heavily as she pulls her daughter into a hug, "I am so sorry you have to be caught up in the middle of all of this Cass. Does your brother suspect anything?"
Cassie shakes her head and wipes her eyes, "No, I didn't say anything."
"Let's try and keep it secret for a little longer then," Hermione says, still holding her daughter tightly, "Your Dad and I have a lot to work out today. Alright?"
"Alright," Cassie says quietly as she pulls back from the hug.
"And all of this Cassie," Hermione says softly, "It doesn't mean we love you or Scorpius any less, okay? It just means that things between your Dad and I are really hard right now.
"I know," Cassie says, but she is still a little tearful as she walks towards the door, "I have to get back to tutoring," She says evasively and then she darts up the stairs.
Hermione lets her head fall onto the dining room table with a dull thud. Everything she has dreaded is happening, her life is falling apart before her very eyes.
When Hermione walks into a small Muggle café and sets her eyes on Draco, she has to repress the urge to punch him. She takes a deep breath and sits down next to him in the little booth. Theodore Nott has not arrived yet.
"I cannot believe you brought her to our family home," Hermione says in a dangerous tone as she shoots a sideways look at him.
Draco's eyes flash with surprise briefly, then that surprise is replaced with anger, "Have you been watching the house?"
Hermione scoffs, "How petty do you think I am? I know about your illicit affairs because our daughter told me this morning that she saw Pansy leaving the house early one morning last week. The last thing I wanted was to involve the kids and now Cassie is caught up in the middle of this whole thing!"
Draco, to his credit, does look genuinely guilty, "I never thought she would find out," He says honestly, "And I swear that was the only time it happened."
"Well it had better never happen again," Hermione hisses, "And if you intend to win this campaign you should probably end it! If our daughter can find out, I'm sure the bloody media can!"
"Thank you for your advice," Draco says coldly, "I'll take it on board."
"Oh that's fine," Hermione says bitterly, "Don't listen to the woman who has worked in entertainment for over a decade. It's not like she knows how the press works, what a mad idea!"
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you," Draco bites back as Theodore Nott arrives and slides into the seat across from them.
The tall, thin, ratty faced man surveys them for a moment before saying, "I got your incredibly vague message via floo Draco. What makes your divorce so difficult, exactly?"
"Apart from the fact I'm running for Minister?" Draco asks irritably.
"Your wholesome family image will certainly be ruined unless you can hold off on announcing the divorce until after the election," Theodore says.
"I'm sure that will be possible," Draco says with an irritated glance Hermione's way.
Hermione rolls her eyes, "Whatever your career demands darling. No Theodore, the issue is that there is sensitive information in our lives which divorce papers could bring to light. Is there any way we can divorce and get shared custody of the children without submitting their birth certificates?"
Theodore shakes his head immediately, "No chance. They won't grant shared custody unless you can prove that you are the parents of those children. Is that going to be a problem?"
"Yes," Draco says darkly.
Theodore raises an eyebrow, "Why? I can't help you if you don't tell me anything Draco."
"Because Draco isn't the Father of our eldest child," Hermione says quietly.
Theodore's eyes narrows, "And does her certificate name her real Father?"
"No," Hermione replies, "It only names me as her Mother. But if we have to disclose the certificate and the press find out that Draco isn't her Father..."
"The scandal that would ensue could ruin both of your careers, I understand," Theodore says with a nod.
"So what can we do?" Draco asks desperately, "Because we cannot stay together. We're driving each other crazy."
Theodore sighs, "It depends on the situation. Did you legally adopt the child, Draco?"
"As soon as I could," Draco says with a nod.
"In which case you could divorce and get shared custody. But you will still have the problem of having to disclose the birth certificate and adoption paperwork," Theodore frowns, "And the only way you can really get around that is to divorce through a private firm rather than through the DMLE."
"How much would that cost?" Hermione asks quietly.
Theodore raises an eyebrow, "A lot."
"But it would all be kept private?" Draco asks.
"My firm operate the same discretion that I do in all matters," Theodore says pointedly, "And we could have it all filed within a few weeks. If we start the process now, you could announce it after the election has taken place and you are hopefully Minister for Magic."
"Then we'll do it," Draco says with a nod.
Hermione sighs, "Not that we have much choice," She mutters.
Theodore ignores the snide comment and says, "This is the paperwork you need to gather. Once you have it all, all you have to do is file it with me for the process to begin."
Draco nods and shakes Theo's hand, "Thank you Theo," He says with absolutely no regard for the fact he is talking about ending a 12-year marriage.
"When are we going to tell the kids?" Hermione asks Draco in an undertone after their meeting with Theodore Nott.
"Shouldn't we wait until after the election?" Draco asks with a shrug.
"The election is a week today, Draco," Hermione says irritably, "Cassie already knows somethings wrong. The longer we wait to tell them, the more chance there is that they will hate us for it."
Draco sighs and glances at Hermione, "What do you suggest then? Theo told us to keep quiet about it if we didn't want the press finding out."
"And you think Cassie or Scorpius will tell the press?" Hermione asks in disbelief, "The only people they would even think about telling would be your Mother, Hannah and Neville. Your Mother wouldn't do anything to ruin your precious campaign and Hannah and Neville would never tell the press. They know it would hurt the children and that's the last thing they would want to do. They are their Godparents for crying out loud!"
As much as he doesn't want to admit it, Draco knows that Hermione is right. He sighs heavily, "Then we should tell them tonight before you go back to Australia."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Hermione asks with a raised eyebrow, "We tell them we're getting divorced and then you disappear to your office all week and I run away to Australia?"
"I don't see many other options, Hermione!" Draco snaps.
"I do," Hermione says firmly, "We tell them tonight, I agree with that part. But after that I think I should take them to Australia with me. Missing a week of tutoring isn't a big deal and it takes them away from here where there will be all of this press."
Draco studies her for a moment, "That's a good idea," He admits.
Hermione nods stiffly, "We'll listen to the election on the radio on Monday afternoon and we'll all come back on Tuesday."
Draco nods again, "Fine. Tonight it is then...what are we going to tell them?"
"Not the truth, that's for sure," Hermione says darkly, "Cassie already knows about your affair but that doesn't mean that Scorpius has to. We say things have been hard and that we think they will be better if we spend time apart."
Draco nods, he looks as tired as Hermione feels.
Later that evening Hermione feels sick. She and Draco are standing in front of the fireplace in the drawing room. Cassie and Scorpius are sitting down on the sofa, waiting patiently for the announcement they have been warned of. Cassie knows what is coming, Hermione can see her fighting back tears already and it makes it all the more difficult for her to contain her own tears.
Draco clears his throat and begins, sensing that Hermione can't, "Your Mother and I have some bad news for you," He says, "You might have noticed that we've been fighting a lot over the past few months and it's for a lot of reasons that you two won't quite understand yet."
Hermione nods and swallows, "We think it's going to be best for all of us if your Father and I stop putting you through all of this fighting and pain. So we have decided that we're going to separate."
Cassie's tears begin to fall at that point and Scorpius just stares at his parents, "You mean, forever?"
"For a while at the very least," Draco says with a nod, "But it has nothing to do with either of you. We both love you so much and you'll still see both of us all of the time."
"We never see you at the moment anyway, Dad," Cassie says bitterly.
"Your Dad has just been busy with work, we both have," Hermione says gently, "And it's hard, I know it is. But we are going to get through this as a family."
"We aren't going to be a family if you get divorced," Scorpius says tearfully.
"We will be," Hermione says as she kneels down in front of the children, "We will always be a family because I will always be your Mum and your Dad will always be your Dad."
"We know this is going to be hard for you both," Draco says, also kneeling in front of them, "So your Mum thinks it would be a good idea for you to both go to Australia with her tonight. You'll get a little bit of a holiday and you won't be here when all of the newspapers and photographers are here for the election."
Cassie nods and glares at Draco, "I want to live with Mum in Australia for the whole summer."
"So do I," Scorpius says, "I hate you Dad! You're never here, that's why Mums leaving you!"
"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, have some manners when talking to your Father!" Draco snaps and it sends shivers down Hermione's spine because he sounds far too much like his Father.
"Hey now," Hermione says, shooting a glare at Draco and taking Scorpius's hand, "This isn't your Dad's fault Scorp. I've had to go away and work too."
"But at least you floo call us," Cassie says as she crosses her arms, "And you come to family days and take us out. You do nothing Dad! Uncle Harry would be a better Dad than you!"
Hermione's heart sinks at the insult. Cassie doesn't understand the damage her words have done. Draco pulls himself to his feet and says coldly and angrily, "I am your Father, whether you like it or not Cassiopeia! Whether you like it or not your Mother and I are divorcing, so go to your room and pack your bags for Australia right now!"
Cassie's tears fall even faster and harder as she gets to her feet and runs to her room.
Scorpius stands up too and glares vehemently at his Father, looking just as Draco had at his age, "I hate you, Dad!" He shouts again as he runs up the stairs after his sister.
Draco swears loudly and leaves the house, slamming the door loudly behind him. Hermione expects that he has run off to hook up with his mistress while he leaves her to deal with their grieving children. She takes a deep breath and wipes her eyes on her sleeve before walking up the stairs to her children's room, after that latest bout of anger Hermione is glad that Draco had agreed with her about taking the children to Australia for the following week.
"I don't really hate him," Cassie says the moment Hermione walks into her room.
"I know you don't and you have to tell him that," Hermione says softly, "Because he loves you Cassie and you hurt him."
"Why did he get so angry?" Cassie asks with a sigh, "I've never seen him that angry."
"I told you, he and your Uncle Harry do not like each other," Hermione says, understatement of the century, she thinks to herself.
"All because of what happened at school?" Cassie frowns, "That was years ago, it's stupid if they still hate each other because of that!"
"It's not just because of that," Hermione sighs, "And I suppose now is the right time to tell you about all of this. I wanted to tell you before you went to Hogwarts so you wouldn't find out from someone else."
"Tell me about what?" Cassie asks as she wipes her eyes.
Hermione sits down on the edge of her bed and sighs, "Well there is a lot you don't know about your Dad and I, sweetie."
Cassie's frown deepens, "What do you mean, Mum?"
"Your Dad and Uncle Harry don't just hate each other because one was a Gryffindor and the other was a Slytherin. Your Grandfather Lucius, that's your Dad's Father, he was a very bad man. During the Wizarding Wars he was a Death Eater," Hermione explains.
Cassie's eyes widen and Hermione continues, "So your Dad didn't have a great childhood. That's why he wanted to make sure you and Scorp got a great one. Your Dad made some bad decisions when he was young, he used to bully your Uncle Harry, and me too."
"Why did you marry him if he bullied you?" Cassie asks in confusion.
"Because he wasn't always a bully," Hermione replies honestly, "He grew up after the war. But during the war...when your Dad was 16 he became a Death Eater."
"Dad is a Death Eater?" Cassie asks in disbelief, tears pricking at her eyes again.
"He was a Death Eater," Hermione corrects, "He was forced into it by Lord Voldemort. After the war I saw that he was a good person and I fell in love with him. That's why we got married and had you and Scorp. But Harry and Uncle Ron, they aren't as forgiving as I am and they don't like who he used to be."
"That's why they fight," Cassie realises, "But why does Dad hate Uncle Harry so much?"
"Because when we were younger, Uncle Harry and I used to be boyfriend and girlfriend," Hermione tells her honestly, "And Dad didn't like that."
Cassie's eyes widen, "I never knew about that."
"You didn't know about any of this for a reason Cass," Hermione says as she catches her daughter's eye, "You weren't old enough to know. But people will talk at Hogwarts, they might say bad things about your Dad especially if you're in Gryffindor. But I want you to know that whatever they say, it isn't true. You know the truth, don't you?"
"He's a great Dad," Cassie says honestly, "Or at least he was before the Minister campaign."
"He still loves you," Hermione promises, "Even if he's very busy at the moment. He's stressed and that makes him angry but he still loves you and your brother, I promise."
Cassie nods and leans forward to hug her Mother, "I wish we could stay with you in Australia all summer Mum."
"I know darling," Hermione says softly as she hugs her daughter, "But we can't afford a tutor out there and it's not fair to your Dad, is it? He'd miss you and Scorpius so much."
"I know," Cassie sighs.
Hermione pulls away from the hug and kisses Cassie on the forehead, "I've got to go and make sure that your brother is alright. Not a word of all of this to him, alright? He's still too young."
"I promise," Cassie says, pinky promising with Hermione as they had done since Cassie was small.
Hermione smiles at her daughter, "It's all going to be fine, I promise. But if you want that holiday to Australia you should get packing."
Cassie smiles genuinely and nods, "I will," she says as she pulls her suitcase from her wardrobe.
"Can I come in Scorp?"
There is a muffled yes. Hermione sighs as she realises that Scorpius has clearly been crying. She takes a deep breath and opens the door, stepping into her sons Quidditch clad bedroom and shutting the door behind her.
Scorpius is lying in his bed with the covers pulled around his head. Hermione sits down gently next to him and pulls the covers down enough to stroke his pure blonde hair as she had done when he was a baby. Scorpius sniffles and turns around so he can lie his head in Hermione's lap.
"I know this is hard sweetheart," Hermione says gently as she continues to stroke his hair.
"I wish things could be like they used to be," Scorpius says tearfully, "When we were all happy."
"I know," Hermione says, "But things can't always stay the same. All people change, and bad things like this happen to us. All we can do is get through them and be big and brave."
"Dad isn't brave," Scorpius says quietly, "He runs away every time something bad happens. Uncle Harry and Uncle Neville are brave."
"Well Uncle Harry and Uncle Neville were Gryffindors," Hermione explains, "Just like I was. They say Gryffindors are brave and strong, and Slytherins are smart and sneaky."
"I think you're brave and strong, Mum," Scorpius says quietly.
Hermione smiles slightly, "Well thank you, but I'm just a normal person. I'm not any braver or stronger than you or your big sister."
"Cassie's braver than me," Scorpius says, "She's going to be a Gryffindor."
"Do you think so?" Hermione asks her son, "I think she's going to be a Ravenclaw. She reads far too many books, just like me."
Scorpius laughs slightly, and it makes Hermione smile, "Now, when you see your Dad I think you are going to have to apologise. You don't hate him and that's an awful thing to say to your Father."
"I do hate him right now," Scorpius says quietly, "I wish he would take me to my Quidditch games and stay and watch like he used to. He doesn't even play Quidditch with me anymore and he stopped coming to family days."
"That doesn't mean you hate him, Scorpius," Hermione says, a firmness in her voice now, "Hate is a very strong and a very nasty word. You should only hate somebody if they have done something very awful to you. You don't hate your Father for missing out on some things at the moment, you are allowed to be angry at him but not hate him. Alright?"
"Alright," Scorpius says grudgingly.
"Now, do you want to go to Australia?" Hermione asks, glancing down at the boy with his bloodshot eyes and tearstained face.
Scorpius sits up and nods, wiping his tears away as he does so.
"Well in that case I think I should help you pack, shouldn't I?" Hermione asks, smiling at him with all of the false positivity that she can possibly muster.
That night the kids apologise to Draco, and he to them. They say their goodbyes, and while the kids are waiting for Hermione by the door she grabs a few minutes alone with her soon to be ex-husband.
"You are bringing them back, aren't you?" Draco asks sceptically.
"Of course I am," Hermione mutters, "They are your children Draco. I promised shared custody and I meant that. I just think a little space and some fun will do them some good at the moment. I just wanted to wish you luck with the election."
Draco nods, "Thank you. I'll need it, we have fallen massively behind Weasley."
Hermione sighs, "Well whatever the outcome, I hope we can stay civil when it's all over. For the kids as much as for ourselves."
"We'll make sure of it," Draco says quietly, "We have been enemies and we have been lovers. I'm sure we can manage friends."
Hermione manages a weak smile at that, "Alright then. Well, good luck."
Draco nods once more, "Have fun this week and... keep an eye on them."
"Of course I will," Hermione says softly, "I'll floo every couple of days so you can speak to them. I'll see you soon."
"See you soon," Draco agrees, waving to the children one last time as Hermione takes them out of the house. They walk down the garden path silently and then Hermione apparates them to the International Apparition Centre. The three of them play games to pass time in the waiting room and eventually they make it to the front of the line and go to Australia.
They had left England on Monday night and they arrive in Australia in the early hours of Tuesday morning. When they get into the hotel Hermione tells the kids to go to sleep in the twin beds in the room adjoining hers. She knows they will wake up in the middle of the day but it will be the easiest way for them to fix their sleep pattern. She on the other hand, is not tired so she spends the early morning sitting out on her balcony watching the sunrise as she writes some of the best stuff for the show she has written in weeks. Despite everything her mind is much clearer now, she finally feels like she has a sense of clarity.
The kids wake up at midday so Hermione sorts them out with breakfast and gives them a brief tour of the hotel. They grab an early light dinner together that night and then Hermione whips them off to the studio which involves a walk through Sydney which fascinates them both. When they arrive in the studio at 5pm, Hermione is immediately jumped on by Sebastian.
"Where have you been? You missed the first rehearsal yesterday and the stage set up today! We thought you weren't going to show up!" Sebastian exclaims.
"I was sorting the kids out," Hermione says with a pointed glance behind her, "They are staying with me in Sydney this week and they were pretty jetlagged. But it's fine, I'm here in time for hair and makeup."
"You better be glad that the show was moved to Tuesday this week," Sebastian says under his breath, "Thank your lucky stars for that important ministerial announcement that put us off air yesterday."
"I wouldn't have been so late if I hadn't known the show had been moved to today," Hermione says calmly, "I'm here now and I won't miss the second rehearsal. Is Chelsea angry?"
"Oh yeah," Sebastian mutters as he turns to the kids, "Hey Scorp, hey Cass! Wow you've gotten big."
"You haven't seen me in years Uncle Seb," Cassie says with a raised eyebrow.
"Well your Mum's work has been very busy," Sebastian says with a smile, "But it's awesome to have you guys here in Sydney. Come on through with your Mum and me to hair and makeup, I'll see if Rebecca can find you some snacks."
"Awesome!" Scorpius says, and he instantly follows Sebastian.
Hermione laughs as Cassie rolls her eyes at her Mother, "Does he think I'm still 8?" She asks.
"He doesn't have any kids, cut him a break you smarty," Hermione says with an amused smile as she leads Cassie into the hair and make-up room.
"Hermione, there you are-" Chelsea begins irritably, but she cuts herself off when she sees the kids, "- wait are these your kids?"
Hermione nods, "This is Cassie, she's 10, and this little guy is Scorpius, he's 8."
"Not that little," Harry says as he walks in from another door, "He's big enough to destroy the Swindon Swans at Junior League Quidditch."
Scorpius grins, "Hey Uncle Harry!" He says, running over to the man and hugging him.
"Hey," Harry says, ruffling Scorpius's hair and glancing over at Cassie, "You're too young to look like a huffy teenager Cass," He teases.
Cassie rolls her eyes, "Well everyone here is treating me like a child and I'm going to Hogwarts this year."
"You're too old for your years," Harry says with a smile, "Like your Mother."
Hermione resists the urge to roll her own eyes, "Well little miss clever clogs, you're going to have to find something to amuse yourself with because I have to get my hair and makeup done for this show."
"Here, read this Cass," Harry says, throwing her the book he has in his hands, "It's Roger Davies book, all about British Quidditch."
Cassie's eyes light up as she catches the book, "Wow, thanks Uncle Harry!"
Harry just smiles at her, "No worries," He says, patting her on the shoulder as he walks past her and takes his seat next to Hermione.
"Don't even ask," Hermione says as she senses his gaze on her.
"Come on," Harry says in disbelief, "You brought Cass and Scorp to Australia and you're expecting me not to ask? I don't even need to ask. Things are clearly going badly very quickly."
"Yes, they clearly are," Hermione agrees as she shoots him a sideways glance, "Not that it's any of your business mind you."
"I'm your best friend," Harry says irritably, "You used to tell me everything."
"We used to be slightly more intimately involved," Hermione mutters, "So of course I told you everything. Do you really want to know the ins and outs of my marriage with the guy who you claim was your arch-enemy during your Hogwarts days?"
"Well, no," Harry admits.
"Exactly" Hermione says with a sigh, "Frankly I'm stunned we managed to keep up a friendship after I married Draco."
"I'm still stunned you married him," Harry says under his breath, "If I had been there to tell you how stupid an idea it was there was no way you would have gone ahead with it."
"You're right, I probably wouldn't have," Hermione says, fixing her eyes on his intense green ones, "But you weren't there. You were in the rehabilitation ward of St. Mungo's for the 5th time, you were a drunken idiot. So don't try and make this out to be all my fault Harry."
Harry swallows whatever smart or catty response is stirring in his head. Instead he sighs and says quietly, "Hermione, has it ever crossed your mind that the reason I stayed your friend for all of these years despite Malfoy, is because I would miss you otherwise?"
"I know Harry," Hermione says quietly, "And I would miss you too. Why do you think I fought so hard to let you be a part of the kid's lives? To be a part of my life? I'm sorry that things ended the way they did but I couldn't give up our friendship too."
"And I appreciate that," Harry says honestly as he reaches over and grabs her hand.
Hermione swallows at the spark of electricity that shoots through her at his touch. She knows now that there is no turning back, the divorce with Draco is going ahead and Hermione can only keep fighting her feelings for Harry for so long.
"That show was awesome Mum!" Cassie says eagerly as she, Scorpius, Hermione and Harry walk back to the hotel together in the cool evening air.
"I can't believe we got to meet David Root, he's like the number one Quidditch player in the world!" Scorpius exclaims.
"And we met Susan Krum, she's amazing! She made Scotland such a good team, and she's so funny too," Cassie gushes.
Hermione chuckles, "We went to school with Susan, she was a lovely person back then too."
"And do you know how young David Root is?" Harry asks them in amusement.
Scorpius frowns, "About 24?" He guesses.
Hermione chuckles "No, you're a little bit off there."
"He's 17," Cassie says matter of factly, "The youngest person to play for England in over 100 years."
Harry smiles at Hermione in amusement, he is reminded of something similar she had said about him when he became a seeker in 1st year.
"That's right, where did you read that?" Hermione asks her daughter.
"In the book Uncle Harry let me borrow," Cassie says, turning her attention to Harry, "It's really good!"
"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Harry says brightly as they stop on the bridge and take a moment to admire the view.
"I like Australia," Scorpius says thoughtfully.
"It's a very beautiful place," Hermione says as she puts her hand on her son's shoulder.
"Do you think Dad would like it here?" Cassie asks curiously.
"I'm not sure," Hermione replies, aware that Harry has tensed up next to her, "I don't think so. You know that he doesn't like hot countries."
"Is he a vampire?" Harry jokes as they continue on their way.
"I don't think so," Scorpius says matter of factly, "I've never seen him kill anybody."
"Scorpius!" Hermione half-scolds, half-chuckles, "Your Father is not a vampire. He just has fair skin so he gets sunburned easily."
"What does fair skin mean?" Scorpius frowns.
"Skin that is pale like yours," Cassie says in her smart-arse voice, "You have really pale skin like Dad, and I have darker skin like Mum and Uncle Harry."
Hermione is starting to get worried by these comments, there is no way Cassie can know the truth...is there?
"Olive skin," Harry says with a smile, "Some people have fair skin and some people have olive skin. It means it goes a nice sort of golden colour in the sun, like your Mum and me. We've got good tans, right?"
Cassie nods, "I want a suntan too."
"You'll have one by the end of the week," Hermione says in amusement, "What do you want to do this week? I'll have to do a little writing with Chelsea but apart from that we can do anything you want."
"I want to go to the Sydney Quidditch Museum tomorrow!" Scorpius pipes up.
"But Mum, I want to go see the Sydney Opera House tomorrow!" Cassie argues.
Hermione opens her mouth to come up with a compromise but Harry beats her to it, "Well we can always divide and conquer. I can take you to the museum Scorp, and you and your Mum can go see the Opera House, Cass."
"Okay!" Scorpius says eagerly.
Hermione is slightly irritated that she doesn't get a say in the matter but she nods anyway. Harry has always been good with the kids and they love him like an Uncle or a Godfather even though he is officially neither of those things.
"Could we go to the Sea Life Centre or the Australian Magical Animals Park too?" Scorpius asks.
Cassie crosses her arms at her brother's request, "I will refuse to go to any of those places! They keep Kelpies in tiny tanks and Centaurs caged up! It's wrong, they should be living out in the open in their natural habitat!"
Hermione bites her lip at the knowing look Harry is giving her, "I think your sister is right Scorp, those places are cruel and I would prefer it if we didn't go to them."
"Dad says that they're just animals," Scorpius argues, "He says it doesn't matter."
"Well your Dad was never a member of spew," Harry smirks.
"Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare!" Hermione says automatically, it is more of a reaction than a voluntary comment these days.
Harry grins, "Honestly though Scorp, your Dad isn't right about everything. Kelpies are dangerous but they shouldn't be put in a tank for amusement. And Centaurs are very smart, wise and kind beings. It's not fair to put them in enclosures when they should be allowed to roam in the forest."
Scorpius sighs, "Fine."
Hermione gives him a firm nod and he walks slightly ahead with Cassie. This allows Harry to fall into step with her, "Some things really do never change."
"No," Hermione sighs, "Some aspects of a person never change."
"I don't mean this absolutely, but more in a general sense," Harry begins as he watches the two children, "You essentially have a mini Draco Malfoy, and a mini Hermione Granger there."
"I know," Hermione says as she watches the children too, "But Scorpius has some of me in him at least. He's sensitive and compassionate."
"I don't see any of Malfoy in Cass though," Harry muses, "Maybe that's why I get on with her a little better. I mean don't get me wrong I love Scorp, but he's much more impressionable."
Hermione simply nods her agreement, aware of how close to her Harry is. With the slight breeze she can smell his cologne and it is bringing back a whole boatload of memories.
"I wonder how she got none of her Father's traits," Harry continues to muse, and the sick feeling that has always arisen when she thinks about Cassie's true parentage, plagues Hermione once more.
"I don't know," Hermione lies, "Maybe she's just more of a Granger than a Malfoy."
Harry doesn't seem to detect her slip up or her uncomfortableness, he is too deeply in thought. He nods and says quietly, "And that's not necessarily too much of a bad thing."
Hermione can't disagree with that so she simply remains silent.
TBC :)