Disclaimer: Spoilers - I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter 27

Draco had watched Hermione and her parents as they trekked from table to table laughing with each group. He noticed the easy handshakes and light hugs given to his fellow students and wondered with a swallow what would happen when her family reached their table. He wasn't sure how much her parents knew about the war, their previous years together, or his family's part in it all, but he was fairly sure if Hermione had ever spoken of him, it wouldn't have been good. He got lost in his thoughts of ways to escape the introductions and before he knew it they were in front of him. He stood when his friends did and prepared himself for whatever was about to happen.

"Um, these are my parents, Jean and Herb Granger. Mom, Dad, this is Pansy."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," she answered softly, her cheeks red and her breathing shallow.

"And, what house are you in, Pansy?" Hermione's mother asked with a smile.

"Um, Slytherin, Ma'am," Pansy whispered, as if ashamed to admit it. Then her shoulders fell a bit as she rambled, "We all are. Well, except for Parvati, but I'm sure you already know that."

Her father actually stepped back a bit from them when he asked his daughter, "Isn't that the house that…"

Hermione talked hurriedly over him, "And, this is Greg, Theo, you know Parvati, Millie, and uh Malf…um, I mean, Draco."

The Grangers had nodded stiffly to each as they were introduced. But, when she said Draco's name, both of their forced smiles fell and their backs stiffened even more. In the hostile short silence, Draco cleared his throat and lifted his chin.

But, his voice was low and sincere when he said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. "You've raised quite a young witch, uh, woman."

Her mother's eyes widened and her mouth fell open in confusion as she looked at him, but her intense dislike was clear. Draco noticed with an inner grin that she looked a lot like her daughter and even had the same smattering of freckles across her nose. Heck, she even looked at him the same way. Although, Hermione had stopped looking at him like that a while ago, he reminded himself. Her father, while not as similar to his daughter in appearance, had her personality and looked down his nose at Draco. And, he wondered once again how much they actually had heard about him. He stopped himself from stepping back from the bigger man's anger and kept his face impassive.

Herb Granger looked down at his daughter and demanded, "Am I correct in assuming that Malf is short for Malfoy?"

Hermione's father was a large man, his eyes level with Draco's, but his build more reminiscent of Greg's, and he looked quite formidable in his anger. Draco saw Hermione flinch at her father's tone as she gave a short nod and he braced himself.

Her father's mouth opened to let loose the string of things he'd always planned to say to the young jerk that had made his daughter's school days a misery, if he ever had the chance. But, before he got out the first word, Hermione jumped in again.

She pulled on his arm, "Uh, Dad, why don't we go get a drink?"

He wouldn't budge as he stared the younger man down, "Not until I say a few things to this…"

"Herbert!" her mother interrupted quietly. "Let's go."

He looked ready to argue and Draco wondered briefly if her father was about to start swinging. Finally, with a grunt and one last look of intense dislike at Draco, he allowed his wife to pull him away. As everyone around them relaxed back into quiet, nervous conversation, Hermione hovered between leaving and staying as she looked at the retreating backs of her parents. Finally, she turned to look up at Draco.

He kept his face blank and waited for her to speak. When she did, his tense jaw slackened in shock.

"I…I'm sorry about that, Malf…Dra…um…they only know about you from what they've heard from, well from people, or stuff they read in The Prophet. And, of course, they know what happened during the war at your…the Manor last year. And, they…well…um…I'm sorry. I haven't had a chance to really talk to them about things this year, so I…I'll…I'll talk to them."

Before he could respond, she was gone. He stared after her in awe for a moment longer before he quickly excused himself from his friends, and the stares he was receiving, and went towards the house. He didn't stop until he reached the front steps. Closing his eyes he took several calming breaths and wondered for the millionth time how he'd let Pansy talk him into coming for the day. He thought back to the conversation from a few days ago in the Slytherin common room, as he stared unseeing at the fields in front of him.

"But, you have to come," she whined. "It's her birthday!"

"Exactly, Pans," he sighed. "She wouldn't want me there marring her day."

Pansy got up and put her hands on her hips, "How many times do I have to tell you? She doesn't hate you any more, Draco. I promise. She actually lik…uh, she…look, you have to come!"

Draco shook his head, "Give me one good reason?"

"Well, she…I…well, I'll be there, too, and Theo and Greg. Even Millie's going. It'll be fun. And, we get to get out of here for a while. And, just think of all the new things we'll get to see and do. Come on Draco, please say you'll go."

As much as he wanted to go, to spend time with Hermione and get to know her a little more, as well as to do some of things the group had planned, he couldn't suppress a shudder at another thought, "The Burrow? Weasleyland, Pans? Yeah, I'm sure they just can't wait to have a Malfoy share cake with them."

"Ginny said she'd take care of her family. They won't bother you," she answered.

When he didn't answer right away she sat back down next to him came to a decision. In barely a whisper, she confessed, "Hermione would want you there."

His snort was her answer, even as his eyes flew to hers in question. "Yeah, right. She barely stands my presence most days. She doesn't even talk to me unless it's about class."

"Just trust me, okay? And, say you'll come with us," Pansy persisted.

He thought about it for a long moment before he finally relented, "Fine, I'll come. Happy?"

When she smiled and nodded he continued, "Just remember this when you're carefully planned day falls apart."

Now, as he stood on the front porch of a home he had never thought to set foot in, he realized he'd never even considered her parents in the mix of things that could have gone wrong. He'd planned for the eventuality of the Weasleys' hatred. He'd prepared himself to be strong and silent and accept whatever rudeness they'd heap on him, but he hadn't thought about how he'd feel when faced with the parents of the brave witch he'd come to not only admire, but like more than he could say.

When he saw the look on her father's face at the mention of his name he'd been reminded of her face each time she'd looked at him prior to the war. Her father's held the same mix of dislike, pain, disappointment and anger. Draco had immediately wanted to apologize for every wrong he'd done her, but found his tongue tied. A part of him almost wished the man had hit him, knocked him out cold, so he wouldn't have to face their contempt any longer.

But, then she'd apologized to him for them and their actions. She'd tried to make him feel better. "I'll talk to them," she'd said. What would she say? It was all true, wasn't it? They had good reason to hate the very ground he stood on, as he'd been not only her mental tormentor for most of their years, but also one of the family members responsible for many of her physical sufferings throughout the years. The more he'd read about her each night, the more he realized how much he had missed in his prejudice and misplaced hatred. She was a strong girl who had taken far more than her fair share of bumps, bruises and near-death experiences as a child. And, she'd grown into an amazing young woman who had faced death more than once but still somehow maintained her spirit and hope. She was awe inspiring. She was a true friend to those she loved and trusted and a good acquaintance to everyone else.

A small smiled played around his lips as he realized he wanted very much to earn that friendship from her, have that trust, that lo…no, none of that yet. He needed to start slow. He needed a plan. He needed to figure out how to go about getting her to see him less as "Malfoy" and more as "Draco." He very badly wanted to hear her say his name without stuttering.

"Draco?" a quiet voice interrupted his musings.

His head snapped around to see Ginny Weasley leaning against the door of her home, looking at him pensively. Since the beginning of the year, she had watched him, but said little. As he'd watched her befriend Pansy, Theo, Greg, and even Millicent, he also noticed that she'd stayed away from him, except to stare at him every once in a while. He often wondered what the normally fiery young woman thought of him as she looked at him like an extremely confusing puzzle piece, but hadn't dared ask.

He straightened and crossed his arms across his chest, "Yes?"

She looked as if she had something to say, but stopped herself. Then she pushed away from the door, "Mom's ready to serve the cake. You should come on out back."

"Actually, I was thinking I should go back," he muttered and looked back out over the field. Then, more to himself than her, he sighed, "I don't belong here."

She seemed to struggle for the right thing to say and then leaned back against the doorjamb again. "Well, you're here now, so you might as well have cake."

Again, he spoke more to himself, "She doesn't deserve to have me ruin this birthday, too."

This time Ginny stepped away from the door to look up into his face for a long moment, "Hermione wants you here. And, I think, you want to be here…with her. So, stop the self-pity party, and come rejoin the real one."

When he just looked at her, she added, "Besides, if Pansy's right, then you need to start somewhere with her parents, don't you? To get what you want in the end you might as well start now."

With that she turned and left him standing with his mouth gaped open. Finally, he decided she was right, and straightened his spine and went back to the party. When he came around the side of the house, his eyes immediately found Hermione's across the lawn. He tensed for a moment, but then relaxed when he watched a small smile bloom on her blushing face before she looked away. Maybe she DID want him there. Just as a matching smile began to form on his face, he looked over her shoulder into the face of her father. The older man grimaced and looked away, and Draco knew she had done what she'd promised. She had defended him being there to her parents. That knowledge lightened his feet as he forced them across the lawn to the table with his friends.

Just as he sat, Molly Weasley called out from the house and the back door opened for them all to see a high stack of huge books, sitting precariously on one shelf, floating out at them. Mrs. Weasley followed behind, her wand keeping the pile afloat. When she'd navigated the steps and began the short trek to Hermione's table, candles burst out on top of the pile and they finally understood it was the cake. Gasps of shock filled the air, applause broke out, and mouths watered as they stared at her creation. Mrs. Weasley smiled and preened at their appreciation and then beckoned everyone close to sing to the birthday girl. The students quickly crowded around eager for a piece of the cake to finish off their light lunch.

Draco's eyes went from the cake to Hermione's face and he laughed at the look of shock and hunger on it. He wondered if it was for the cake or the general idea of the large books. He didn't get to ponder it too long though, as he was bumped from behind by his friends as they hurried forward to get a piece of what had proved to be an eight layer cake, with alternating chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry layers. After Mr. Weasley floated out large crocks of ice cream everyone settled in to enjoy the treats.

A short while later, Molly made her way around the tables, as she gathered empty plates, utensils, and cups. She graciously accepted praise on her cake and thanked everyone as she went. Only when she approached the table of mostly Slytherin students did her smile falter and her shoulders stiffen defensively.

They all sat still as she bustled around the table quickly. None of them raised their heads to acknowledge her, each looking more uncomfortable than the last. Draco finally cleared his throat twice before he broke the awkward silence that engulfed their table. "That was delicious Mrs. Weasley. Thank you."

His voice penetrated her conscious before his words did and she dropped the huge pile she had gathered as her wand slid into her hand from her sleeve. Thankfully, she quickly understood what he'd said and her hand stayed by her side as she stopped all movement and stared at him in shock.

Pansy stood slowly and her voice shook as she whispered, "It was amazing. I, er, had two pieces."

When Molly turned her head to stare at her, Pansy sat down with a plunk and lowered her head. Theo shook his head slightly and said with forced gaiety, "Simply perfect, Mrs. Weasley. Um, can we help you with those?"

"What? Huh?" Molly asked in obvious confusion. When she saw where Theo pointed, and glanced around to see everyone watching them, she reddened and flicked her wand at the messy pile.

"No! I mean, no thank you, that won't be necessary. And, uh, thank you for the compliments. I am glad you liked the cake." She backed away as if afraid to take her eyes off of them, and her eyes darted from one face to the next.

Draco looked around and saw Hermione's parents watching the scene with their heads close together as they whispered back and forth. He remembered Ginny's earlier words and decided she was right. Maybe he could show Hermione's parents that he wasn't the same bloke they'd heard about. At least not anymore.

Molly gasped and spun in a quick circle when the pile was magically pulled from her, but stayed afloat. She froze when her eyes landed on Draco and his wand.

"Malf…" she began.

He smiled a little, though it pained him to do so, and cut her off, "It's the least we can do, help you clean up, I mean. You did invite everyone and do all the cooking and stuff. You haven't even had any of your own cake. Pansy, can you get the door? This pile is a bit on the heavy side."

Before Pansy could move, Hermione's voice rang out from a table over as she got up and hurried towards him, "I'll get it."

He turned his head to look down at her and found that her smile could have lit the entire Hogwarts castle.

"Thank you."

The rest of the party guests seemed frozen for a long moment, until Millicent's gruff voice broke the tension. "Well, come on then. We'll be late for the next thing if we don't get this mess cleaned up."

As one the guest began talking again as they moved around and collected the rest of the things from the tables. Most did it by hand so as to have an excuse to talk about what had happened. In only a few minutes the entire backyard had been cleaned and the tables and chairs stacked neatly against the back of the house.

Molly Weasley still stood in the same spot she had been in when the activity had begun. She jumped a little when Jean Granger's hand fell on her arm.

"Interesting," she said softly. "He was actually very polite."

Molly nodded and relaxed a bit, "Ginny told us he's changed quite a bit after all their doings and sufferings, and that we should…but, I can't forget he's a Malfoy. And, they…I'm sorry, I shouldn't be going on like this. It's our girl's birthday."

"Well, Hermione sure gave her father and me an earful for our reaction to seeing him here. Makes me wonder…I mean, what's he doing here? And, why does my little girl seem okay with it? Heck, more than okay with it? After all that family has done to her, to all of them…"

"I shudder to think," Molly sighed. "You don't think they're, I mean, they can't be, you know, friendly, can they?"

Jean looked at Molly for a long while, as several emotions moved across her expressive face. In many ways Molly had helped raise Hermione as much as any family member could've. For the past eight years, whenever Jean had had questions, concerns, or fears, it had been Molly who'd helped her through them. Every time her daughter had been hurt or in danger, it was Molly who'd kept them up to date and allayed their fears. It had taken Hermione until her fourth year to realize that hiding things from her and Herb wasn't working. She'd finally come around to talking to them, at least in her letters, about the truth of what was going on in her young life.

Then, when they'd returned to London, memories restored by their sobbing, apologetic daughter, it had been the Weasleys to whom they turned for support. Jean knew that no sister could have been closer to her than Molly was and she knew no other mother could love someone else's daughter more. It had long been a hope between them that Ron and Hermione would finally settle together, and for a while it had looked like they would get their wish. When things fell apart for the two of them, Molly and Jean had turned to one another in their sadness.

Now, faced with this newest obstacle, she wondered what worried Molly most; that Draco Malfoy had indeed changed and they might have to swallow their hatred of him for Hermione's sake. Or, that he hadn't and they would have to watch Hermione's tender heart get crushed by the sneaky Slytherin young man.

Finally, she shook her head, "I have no idea. I mean, Hermione's always had a good head on her shoulders, but she forgives too easily sometimes. She tends to look for the good in people. You said Ginny thinks he's changed; Hermione said the same to us. Maybe, he has and they've…I don't know. This is a lot to process in only an hour."

Molly nodded and sighed, "Well, at least for the today we can keep an eye on them and see what's going on with them."

Jean nodded in agreement and the two women parted to gather the group for the next surprise.

xxxxx

"But, Draco, this muggle day was you're idea!" Theo said in surprise when his blonde friend balked at leaving the Leaky Cauldron a while later.

The entire group had apparated to the pub, the Grangers in tow, and were preparing to head into muggle London. Hermione's shocked laugh when they all pulled out jeans, shorts and shirts from their bags had relaxed the last of the tension from the group. Most had never been outside of the magical world, though they'd all read about it or seen it on television. The excitement to see the muggle world, and be challenged to be wandless and not use magic for the remainder of the day, had most of them giddy with laughter and challenge.

The only one filled with trepidation was Draco, as he'd just realized he would be without the use of magic and in a world he'd only read about. He would have to rely on his limited knowledge, and the help of others to get him through the rest of the day. The thought of having to lean on people who barely tolerated his existence made his stomach roll.

He looked around the chattering group and saw Hermione smiling widely at everyone as her parents tried to get her attention. Shoving his hands in his pockets he sighed, "What if we do something really stupid, Theo?" Then he lowered his voice, "What if I, um, I mean, oh hell, what if I embarrass her?"

Theo smiled, "We won't. You won't. We've planned everything out. And, everyone knows what to do and not to do. No worries, mate."

"But…" Draco began.

"And, if you don't know what to do," Theo said as he interrupted with a sly grin, "you can always ask Hermione for help. I'm sure she won't mind."

Automatically, Draco's eyes sought her, and then he turned back to his smirking friend. But, before he could respond The Grangers opened the front door and shouted out that the coast was clear. Without another word he was left standing alone as everyone began to file out of the dark pub. As he watched the last few people go through the door, Draco examined his options. He could simply stay and then go back to school. He was pretty sure few would miss him, and then he wouldn't risk embarrassing himself or angering her family any more then he already had. But, if he didn't go, would she notice? Would that make him look more like a coward than everyone already knew him to be? Would she think he…

"We've got the taxis out front. Are you coming?" a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

Draco's head shot up and he looked into Hermione's eyes in an older face. He searched her face desperately for some sign of what he should do. From the way she looked at him, he felt like Jean Granger could read his mind, and he wondered what she was thinking and seeing. When he just stood there unsure of what to say or do, she tilted her head a bit and seemed to come to a decision. With a small nod to herself, she lifted her hand toward him and beckoned him forward with a tiny knowing smile on her face. Then, Draco saw the thing that made his decision for him; the same colors shone in her hair that he often noticed in Hermione's and he was drawn to them. Without him giving them permission, his feet carried him across the floor to her; his thanks shining in his eyes, his bag clutched tightly in his fist.

xxxxx

Herb Granger leaned against his taxi and watched the bustle of activity around him as the students and Weasley family members crammed bags into the boots of the long line of cars. He, his wife, Molly and Arthur Weasley were sharing one car and the three were waiting for all of the students to get into cars and then for Jean to join them. Herb smiled as Molly surreptitiously shot a shrinking charm at the bags of the car in front of them and the startled driver was suddenly able to shut the boot. All four students glanced nervously around to see who had done it, but quickly shrugged it off and clambered into the car.

"Almost ready," Arthur said to no one in particular, as he scanned the group for any signs of trouble. Then he sniffed and shook his head slightly, "At least that Nott bloke seems decent enough."

Herb turned toward the car two behind them and saw the slender man assist his girlfriend into the car before getting in himself. When the much larger, dark haired Slytherin young man got in the front seat, Herb knew who they were saving a seat for and turned back to the doors of the pub. When he saw the blonde step out of the pub in front of Jean he felt his shoulders bunch and his fists clench.

Herb's eyes narrowed as the young man blinked at the bright sunlight while his eyes adjusted from the darkness of the pub. While Draco just stood there for a moment and looked around at everyone, Herb noticed the indecision in his eyes and the wariness in his stance. He watched Jean step up and point Draco in the direction of the car with his friends and saw Draco nod his thanks. Jean turned away to help the students in a car ahead and Draco straightened his shoulders, cleared his face and started the walk to the end of the line of cars.

It wasn't until Draco drew nearer to Herb and the Weasleys that his steps slowed. Herb saw that Draco struggled to not look their way as he past them, and he watched the young man's steps pick up in pace after he'd passed their car. As he stared at the back of the person whose name represented to him all things evil, but whom in person seemed nothing more than a lost, nervous, young man, he once again heard Hermione's words from earlier.

Her face was red as she whispered fiercely, "But, Daddy, it happened to me! If I can get past it enough to give him a chance, why can't you?! This year we've…"

"Because he hurt you. He and his evil, criminal lowlife scum of a family hurt MY DAUGHTER!" Herb hissed back. "How can you even think of…"

"Everything's different this year. We've all been hurt. We've all changed, and he's…"

"A leopard doesn't change his spots, Hermione!"

"Herb, let her talk," Jean said as she placed a hand on her husband's arm.

"Fine! Tell me why I should have to spend the day biting my tongue around that little shit!"

Hermione looked near tears, but he wouldn't let them get to him. His child had been hurt repeatedly by the boy she was for unknown reasons defending and he didn't like it.

"Well, he…I…that is the whole school is trying to come together. We are trying to get over the things that happened. Remember, I wrote you about each of us having counselors. Everyone's changed. Even Dra…Malf…him. And, he's trying Daddy. He's not the same this year. He lost a lot because of the things he and his family did. And, he's…I don't know how to explain it, but…just please Daddy, for me, just for today, leave him be."

"Hermione?" Jean said slowly. "Is there, uh, something else you want to tell us?"

Herb saw his daughter's face redden further even as she shook her head in denial and he finally understood, "I forbid it!"

Both women jumped at the force in his voice and Hermione gasped, "Forbid what?"

"You will not show interest in that foul, loathsome, evil, little git!"

His outburst, so like hers years earlier, made Hermione smile at him for a bit before she seemed to remember herself and flushed, "Uh, no. Daddy, I don't…I mean, we aren't…well, I…"

Jean stepped closer to Hermione and interrupted, "Honey, we'll talk about it later. Neither Daddy nor I will say anything to him…"

"Speak for yourself!" Herb huffed.

But, Jean continued over him, "…if that is what you want. But, we will discuss this further later."

Hermione nodded in agreement and hugged them both. When she'd walked away he had turned to his wife incredulously, "Do you honestly think I am going to stand by and…"

Her hands on her hips she turned to him, "Yes, you will! Our daughter asked you to do her a favor on her birthday, and you are going to do it!"

"But, Jean…" he began to whine.

"No, buts! We'll watch and see. We will try to see what she seems to see in him. Because, as much as you might not like hearing it, and she won't admit yet, Hermione has a crush on him."

"She does not! She wouldn't…not after all he…No!"

Jean sighed as she stepped forward to comfort her husband, "They seem to have all the same friends. Even Harry, Ron and Ginny aren't objecting to him being here. He's skinny, but cute, has suffered a lot this past year, and seems to have reformed. Think about it. You know our daughter. What would draw her in more?"

Herb's eyes refocused when Jean said his name and he realized he'd been staring off into space. Shaking himself he climbed into the taxi and wondered what else the day would hold.

xxxxx

Author's Responses: Once again, my thanks to each and every one of you who have read and/or reviewed this story! And, a triple thanks to those who have marked it or me as a favorite! Hugs and flowers to each oh you! I will tell you there are 3 more "main events" for her day. Any guesses as to what I came up with? Lol I'm sure you'll come up with all kinds of things I could have used. :-)

Rebecca: Thank you, hon! I hope you are still enjoying her birthday.

stella: Greg will be fine. But, that doesn't mean he isn't still attracted to her. Lol Thank you so much!