Yay! I've successfully survived all my finals and until the end of August I won't have to look at another textbook, 15 page paper, or anything of the sort.
What I will be doing is updating this story more frequently. So yay for that, too.
Thank you to everyone who wished me good luck on my finals, I really appreciate it. (:
Tina Powers brought up a good question about where Lucius was, and I don't think I've mentioned it, but he's in Azkaban - that's why Draco had to take over the business and build up the reputation again - but we'll talk about that more later.
Enjoy.
"You look amazing, Ginny." said Hermione, taking in her friend's extremely intricate looking Ariel from the Little Mermaid costume - and of course Harry had gone as Eric. The really adorable part was that their children had gone as Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle.
"You look great too. Black suits you."
"Told you so." murmured Draco, quiet enough so that only Hermione heard him.
She fought the blush from her face and said, "Thanks, Gin."
"Have you seen any of my fr -"
"Draco! You look awesome." said Pansy, walking over to them with Theo and Blaise in tow.
"You look good too." he said, "But who the hell are you supposed to be?"
"Um...I think her name's Bella...Bellinda..."
"Belle." said Hermione with a smile, "From Beauty and the Beast."
"Yes!" said Pansy, clapping her hands together, "Belle."
They made small talk for a few minutes before Draco took Pansy to the side and asked, "Did you see Astoria?"
Pansy sighed, "Yeah, I did."
"Why's she here? Why's she back?"
"She says that she's sorry. She basically feels like she fucked up and wants things to go back to the way they were...which I mean obviously that can't happen...but she's still my friend. I still care about her."
Draco ran a hand through his hair, glancing over at Hermione who was bouncing Scorpius on her hip while talking to Ginny, Harry, Blaise, and Theo.
"I know, but I don't want her in my life, Pans."
"Scorpius is still her son."
"Well then where the fuck was she when he needed her?" he snapped, "Even when she was here she couldn't be bothered to do anything for him, so don't you dare give me that bullshit. She wants the upper hand, and even though she's your friend, you know I'm telling the truth."
Pansy let out a deep breath and said, "Whatever we think doesn't really matter. What's in the past doesn't really matter either. What does matter is Scorpius knowing his mom, and if she's willing to try, why wouldn't you be?"
"Because she wants me back, Pansy, and I don't want her back. I'm...happy with Granger. And so is Scorpius for that matter. I told you what happened when Astoria showed up at my house. He ran to Granger, not her."
"I don't want to argue with you." she said, "You're my best friend, and I love you, and whatever decision you decide to make I'll support you...but I am still Astoria's friend."
"I wouldn't tell you not to be." he said simply.
She nodded, glancing over to Hermione before saying, "She's great with him."
"Yeah, she's pretty amazing." he murmured.
Pansy smiled and said, "I'm glad you're happy."
Draco smirked and said, "Yeah, yeah, come on."
He threw his arm around her shoulders and walked back over to where their friends were still standing and talking.
Draco wound an arm around Hermione, tugging her into his side before ruffling Scorpius' hair.
"...later this week."
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll be around almost everyday." she said to Blaise, glancing at Draco for a moment.
He took the opportunity to press a chaste kiss to her lips, causing a slight blush to tint her cheeks - though the mask did a good job of covering it.
"What are you two talking about?"
"I'm looking for a new watch, and I figured Granger's place would be the best place to look. I'm going to stop by some time this week." said Blaise.
Draco snorted, "Because you need more watches."
"Oh shut up." said Blaise with a chuckle.
The evening continued in a blur of laughter and good times, and before they knew it the children were all tucked away in one of Blaise's bedrooms upstairs fast asleep.
"You know, you're not half bad, Malfoy." said Harry, slightly less reserved because he'd had a few glasses of wine.
Draco chuckled, "Back at you, Potter."
Hermione and Ginny rolled their eyes but smiled nonetheless. They knew Harry and Draco would get along if given the opportunity.
"How are things with the business? asked Ginny, sipping on her glass of wine.
Draco shrugged, "It's good."
"As if it could be anything but good with Malfoy running it." said Hermione with a chuckle, "We all know how good he is at bossing people around."
Everyone laughed, Draco included.
"Speaking of bossing people around, when's the last time you spoke to Goyle?" asked Pansy.
Draco shrugged, "Not since he moved to America with that one bint."
"Margo?" offered Blaise.
"No, it was Marjorie." corrected Theo.
"No," said Pansy rolling her eyes, "It was Margret."
Hermione was trying not to laugh, and Ginny and Harry seemed to be struggling with the same issue. Sometimes they just forgot that even though they'd had their differences in school, Draco and his friends had a similar friendship.
"I thought Margret was the French performer." said Theo, making air quotes around the last word.
"No, that was Melodie." said Blaise, "I definitely remember her."
"You would." said Pansy, rolling her eyes.
The conversation continued and flowed easily - as if they'd all been friends for years instead of just a few weeks.
"It was a great party." said Ginny, holding a sleeping Lily in her arms, while Harry did the same with James and Albus.
"I'm glad you guys came." said Blaise, seeing them off.
Almost everyone had gone home at that point, the only people still there were Blaise, Draco, Hermione, Pansy, and Scorpius - who was fast asleep on Draco's hip.
"So I'll see you later this week?" Blaise asked Hermione as they stood at the door.
She nodded, "Yeah, I'll try to pull a few things I think you'd like and we can go from there."
"I think I'll join you." said Pansy, "I need a new bracelet."
Hermione was slightly surprised, but nodded, "Okay, I'll see both of you later then."
"Later guys." said Pansy, before apparating home.
"Well I'll see you later, mate." said Blaise, giving Draco a slap on the shoulder and shooting Hermione a smile.
After Blaise had gone inside Draco and Hermione had stepped down off the porch, wands in hand.
"I'll see you later then?" asked Hermione, fumbling around with her purse, so she didn't catch the look Draco was giving her.
"Oh no, you're coming home with me, love."
Surprised by the...tone his voice had taken she looked up and nearly lost her breath. His grey eyes were intense and the smirk on his face only seemed to add to the overall...Draco-ness that was currently happening.
"I...but..." Hermione shook her head and tried to gather her thoughts, "Is that a good idea?"
"I think it's a bloody brilliant idea."
Well that solved that, then.
Leave a review, let me know what you thought. (: