AN: Holy crap, it's been waaaaay too long since I posted a chapter. I hope the followers of this story have not forgotten about it! I plan on finishing it, so don't worry about abandonment. I have already outlined the next two chapters, and should post those sometime within the next 2 weeks. Thank you for continuing with this story and accept my apologies for being the worst writer ever.

Chapter 21

The Puddlemere United box was lively with excitement. Everyone was in high spirits, given that the team was having their best year yet. Having the Potter family in the box just added to the atmosphere. Draco's boss was thrilled that not only had Hermione come back, but that Harry Potter and his family had also showed up. He even hinted at a raise to Draco for the good press the team was sure to receive because of such high-profile people attending.

Throughout the evening, Harry, Draco, Ginny and the kids were all on their feet, cheering and yelling with the rest of the box. Hermione had fun talking to Lillian in the beginning, but soon stood next to Draco and Scorpius. She loved watching the pair and how into the match they were. She caught Ginny looking at her at one point, but the redhead just gave her a knowing smile and turned back to the match.

"Hermy! Wook! The Seeker!" Scorpius yelled while pointing excitingly to the Puddlemere Seeker.

"I see him, Scorpius. Let's hope he finds the Snitch soon," she replied.

Draco looked down and smiled at her. It felt like there was a Quidditch match inside her stomach. She returned the smile and felt her heart flutter, as well. He turned back to the match when Harry grabbed his shoulder.

"Malfoy, he sees the Snitch!" Harry cried.

"C'mon, mate – get it!" Draco yelled and Scorpius echoed his father.

Hermione couldn't help but get caught up. Soon she was yelling along with her friends. When the Puddlemere Seeker caught the Snitch, everyone jumped and yelled. People were hugging and giving each other high fives. Draco, who was holding Scorpius, gave him a big hug and turned to Hermione. As she felt herself being enveloped in his arms, she felt like it was where she belonged. She looked up at Draco, who was looking at her with an emotion she had yet to see on his face. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but it made her insides melt.

"Mate, that was a brilliant match," Harry said.

Draco cleared his throat and let go of Hermione. He turned to Harry and agreed.

"Thanks for coming, Potter. I know you don't root for Puddlemere, but I hope you had a good time," Draco answered.

"Are you kidding? That was so much fun!" Ginny exclaimed beside her husband.

"Yeah, thanks for letting us come, Mr. Malfoy," said James. Albus nodded his agreement.

"Any time, James. Your family is always welcome to come see a match," Draco responded.

James and Albus turned excitedly to one another and gleefully smiled.

"Daddy, can James and Albus come play at our house?" Scorpius asked.

Draco laughed, "Not right now, buddy. It's past your bedtime."

"Tomorrow?" he asked.

Before Draco could answer, Ginny said, "Why don't the two of you come over tomorrow? The boys can play together and you and Harry can talk quidditch and brooms."

Harry looked at her. "What about you, love?" he asked.

"Lily and I can go to Hermione's for lunch," she said.

Hermione knew what Ginny wanted to talk about – Draco. She knew she would have to talk about him with her friend sooner or later, so she nodded and said, "That sounds lovely."

The boys cheered and all the adults smiled. Hermione was so happy that Harry and Ginny were her best friends. They not only forgave Draco for his past, but they were willing to become friends with him.

As they left the stadium, the crowd was still celebrating. People were dancing, yelling and drinking copious amounts of firewhiskey. Draco took Hermione's hand in his. When she looked up at the unexpected touch, he explained, "I don't want you to get lost in the crowd."

Normally she would have said that she was perfectly able to follow him without his help, but she found the gesture endearing and sweet. Not to mention that the quidditch match that had been happening in her stomach earlier had resumed.

When they finally found an area that was less populated with revelers, they stopped to say their goodbyes.

"See you tomorrow, Malfoy?" Harry said as he shook Draco's hand.

"We'll be there," Draco answered.

Ginny hugged Hermione and whispered in her ear, "Reapply your lip gloss. You are getting kissed tonight!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled. She hugged Harry and the boys goodbye, and the Potters apparated home.

Hermione turned to Draco and said, "I've changed the wards at my place to let you and Scorpius in, so we can apparate there."

Draco smiled widely and told Scorpius, "Don't move, buddy. We're going to apparate to Ms. Hermione's house."

Scorpius dutifully held on tight to his father. Draco held out his hand to Hermione again and as she laced her fingers with his, they left the stadium.

When they appeared in Hermione's home, Scorpius demanded to be put down so he could check it out. Hermione laughed when Scorpius spotted her cat, Goozle, and tried to catch him.

"Thanks again for inviting my friends to the match today, Draco," she said.

"Of course. I could always use some new friends myself," he responded.

She smiled when she heard Scorpius say, "Kitty, kitty…come here, kitty."

Draco laughed and turned back to Hermione, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Would you like to have dinner with me on Friday evening?" he asked quickly.

"Like a date?" she asked.

"Yes. If that is okay with you," he answered.

Hermione couldn't help the smile that began to form on her face.

"It is more than okay with me," she said softly.

Draco's face soon matched hers.

"Wonderful. I'll pick you up at 6?"

"I'll be ready," she said.

"Daddy! I no can catch kitty," Scorpius said.

Draco turned to his son, "That's probably a good thing, Scorp."

He picked him up and stated, "It's time for bed, kiddo. Tell Ms. Hermione goodnight."

"I give hug," Scorpius said.

Draco handed him off to Hermione and she gave him a big hug.

"Have sweet dreams, Scorpius," she said.

Scorpius leaned in and kissed Hermione on the cheek.

"You have good night, too, Hermy," he said.

She smiled and gave him back to his father.

Draco said, "Thanks for coming tonight, Hermione."

"I had a lot of fun,"

"I will see you on Friday, then," he said, as he grabbed her hand and put it to his mouth.

She blushed at the light kiss and said goodnight as they apparated home. Hermione then collapsed on the couch, berating herself for acting like a giddy schoolgirl, but also smiling at the warm feelings that the evening had brought on. She knew that Ginny would eat this up. Hopefully she'll help me get ready on Friday, she thought as she made her way to her bedroom. Her last thoughts before falling asleep were of how Draco's lips had felt on her hand.