Dedicated
Rated T: Fluff
Draco Malfoy sat quietly behind the table and Flourish and Botts. Mr. Flourish nodded at him as he got ready to open the doors to the shop to let in the long line of people waiting for Draco to autograph his book. "Ready Mr. Malfoy?"
"As I'll ever be," was Draco's response.
The crowd was much larger than he had ever imagined it to be and he was pleased. He signed autographs and listened to different fans tell him about how his book had opened their eyes or changed their lives. "Mr. Malfoy?"
He glanced up at the young woman in front of him. "Who should I make it out to?" he asked.
He red curls bobbed slightly as she grinned at him. "Rose Weasley, but if you don't mind I have a question for you Mr. Malfoy."
"Weasley aye? I'm sure I knew your father in school. Which one is it then?"
"Ronald Weasley. My mother is Hermione Granger Weasley."
"Aye then, I knew them both well. I read recently that your father had passed away. Tell your mum I'm sorry for her loss and for yours as well Ms. Weasley."
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy. But about my question?"
"Yes Ms. Weasley, I'll try to answer it for you."
"I have to be honest that I haven't read your book. I couldn't get past the dedication."
"Well that is rather sad Ms. Weasley. I've been told it's an excellent book about the feelings of a young boy who took the dark mark of Lord Voldemort in order to protect his family."
"Yes, yes, I'm sure it's well written otherwise you would not have published it Mr. Malfoy. But the dedication you see, it has me intrigued."
"What about it intrigues you Ms. Weasley?"
"Well, you dedicated the novel to those you loved the most," she flipped the front cover of the book in her hands open and read the paragraph there:
I dedicate this written work to those I love the most. My parents Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy who tried to protect me from the life of a death eater. My late wife Astoria who married me and tolerated me far more than she should have. My wonderful son Scorpius who is the light of my life. And HG who will always remain my true love and who saw well in me when no one else did.
Rose Weasley stared at him with her large hazel colored eyes. "I'm in school with Scorpius as I'm sure you know. This year has been particularly trying, but we are surviving."
"Is there a point to this Ms. Weasley?"
"He was unsure as to who HG was Mr. Malfoy. Your true love? One would think that your son would know who your true love was, especially if it wasn't his mother."
Draco smiled at the girl. "Somethings are better left unsaid Ms. Weasley."
Rose nodded. "Right, well I'm holding up the line Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for signing the book and I promise to read it now."
"You're welcome Rose, but you never did ask your question."
"I didn't have to Mr. Malfoy, I saw the answer in your eyes."
Draco startled at that comment, but smiled softly at her. "Give your mother my best Ms. Weasley."
"I'll be pleased too Mr. Malfoy. Or you could do it, if you wanted. I can find a reason to keep her in Diagon Alley until your book signing is over. We can meet you at the tea shop say around four?"
Rose didn't give him a chance to answer, but left him staring after her.
It was now five minutes till four and Draco had finished his book signing thirty minutes ago. He stood on the sidewalk just away from the tea shop that Rose had mentioned. He wanted to see her, just a glimpse. He had seen her every year on the platform as they dropped the kids off for the express, but Scorpius and Rose only had one more year and he wouldn't have that opportunity again.
He knew Ron had passed away. He had contracted a rare form of dragon pox and she had been with him until his last breath. He wouldn't really stay. He would just glimpse her through the window of the shop. If he stayed it would look like a betrayal from both him and she and he couldn't let her name be tainted. She was so pure and he would not see her dirtied.
He knew his thoughts were insane. After all he was the one that tormented her for years in school and called her a mudblood. He had never meant any of those words, but he had a character to play. Just a glimpse of her through the window of the tea shop and then he would leave. A glimpse was all he needed.
"Mr. Malfoy?" a voice said from behind him.
His heart leapt into his throat. "Hello Ms. Weasley," he said turning to face the red headed young woman.
She stood next to her. Her brown curls tamer than when they were children, but her eyes were the same. The deep hazel color that he could feel himself falling into as she smiled at him. "Draco," she said softly, "it is so good to see you. It's been to many years."
She wrapped her arms around his neck in a gentle embrace. She was radiant. "Hermione," he breathed. "You look amazing."
"Oh tosh, I look old and gray Draco. But you? You are as handsome as ever. He always had the dreamiest eyes Rosie."
Draco blushed slightly. "And you always had the wildest hair," he said with a smirk. "It's interesting to see that it has become more controlled with age, but I don't believe I see a bit of gray in it now. As far as old, Hermione dear you are lovely. As lovely as you ever were."
Hermione smiled at him and Rose was beaming. "Well shall we have tea you two? Or would you rather stand on the side walk and give each other odd compliments?"
"Allow me," Draco said, pulling the door to the tea shop open and ushering the women inside.
"Ah! Mrs. Weasley and Rose, it is so good to see you," a robust woman said from behind the counter. "Just the normal service then?"
"Yes Mary, but for three please Mr. Malfoy will be joining us today."
The warm woman grinned at him and clasped a hand to her chest. "Mr. Malfoy indeed. Your book was wonderful darling. It had me crying and laughing. The dedication to your parents is something you don't really see these days. Well expect for young Rose here and her brother Hugo. And of course your young man Scorpius. He's a keep, right Rose?"
Rose blushed. "I need a stop at the restroom. I'll join you in a tick mum."
Draco pulled out the chair for Hermione and helped her be seated before having a seat next to her. "I'm sorry about Weasley," he said in earnest.
"Thank you," she said softly. "It was a hard year and in the end I was ready for him to go. It made it easier in a way. I'm sorry about Astoria, I know it's probably too little too late."
"No, thank you Hermione."
"Rose speaks fondly of Scorpius. He and Ron were getting along well too. There was mention of having dinner together one night but then Ron got sick and things just didn't go according to plan."
"I think dinner would be a lovely idea. You tell me a place and time and I'll be there."
Hermione chuckled. "Ever the charmer Draco."
"If only I had been charming," he said softly.
She shook her head. "Don't think on that Draco. We have both led wonderful lives and have beautiful children to show for those lives. Things wouldn't have been as they are if you had been a charming young Mr. Malfoy."
Draco frowned at her. "You are right of course Hermione. Ever the know-it-all," he said in a kind voice with no malice at all.
"I enjoyed your book. I knew the details of course, but it was so different to read things from your perspective. I didn't realize the struggle you went through and the punishments you and your parents dealt with in order to protect us that night."
Draco nodded but didn't speak.
Hermione leaned over and tucked her hand in his beneath the table. "Is it me in the dedication?" she whispered.
He took a deep breath and glanced up at her with sadness in his eyes. He pulled her hand up and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "I knew from the moment that I met you trying to find Longbottom's toad on the Express that you were special. I told my father how amazing you were and he cautioned me to never get close because you stood for everything we fought against. But you were perfect. You were amazing. You are still amazing Hermione. If things had been different… if we had been different people or lived in a different time…"
Hermione squeezed his hand. "Hindsight is always 20/20 Draco."
Rose came skipping to the table then and sat down unaware of what had transpired between the adults. "Rosie?"
"Yes mum?"
"When we get home why don't you seen Scorpius an owl and invite him over for dinner." Hermione glanced back at Draco. "Say tomorrow night around seven?"
Rose smiled. "Of course mum. Mr. Malfoy would it be prudent to assume you will be in attendance as well?"
Draco squeezed Hermione's hand beneath the table. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Hermione smiled at Draco and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. "Tomorrow night then," she said pushing back from the table. "I'll see you at home Rosie?"
"Yes mum. I have something more to discuss with Mr. Malfoy."
Draco started at that statement. "You keep surprising me Ms. Weasley."
"And you keep eye fucking my mother, Mr. Malfoy."
"Beg pardon?"
"If you would like to date her you have my permission, but you'll need to speak to my brother Hugo as well. And you will do right by here," she said pointing a finger at him. "None of this walk of shame business. I'll not have her name sullied by the likes of you Mr. Malfoy."
Draco eyed Rose for a moment. "Of course Ms. Weasley," he said finally. "I would never dream of besmirching your mother's good name."
"And you'll dote on her? Treat her like the lady she deserves to be?"
"Of course Ms. Weasley. She will be cherished in the most appealing manner possible."
"Right then. I'm not sending an owl to Scorpius, but I expect the two of you to be at our home at 6:55 pm and not a minute later. Bring elf wine and flowers Mr. Malfoy. Gerbera daisies are her favorite."
Draco nodded. "Anything else Ms. Weasley?"
She grinned at him. "I don't believe so Mr. Malfoy, but tell me, if you were to develop a relationship with my mother would it be odd for both her and me to become Malfoy's? Scorpius and I have serious plans for our futures, but I'm sure he hasn't told you anything."
"Odd… well… yes possibly, but it wouldn't be anything we couldn't handle."
"Wonderful, see you tomorrow Mr. Malfoy."
"Tomorrow then Ms. Weasley."
Draco smiled at the retreating back of the young woman. He paid for their tea service and left the tea shop feeling lighter than he had in his entire life and even if nothing worked out with Hermione at least she was giving him a chance.
~FIN~
