A/N sorry to be so long updating! I kind of got stuck with this chapter. Its one I wanted to write but I'm still not sure I like it.

Thursday morning Draco Malfoy went into work as usual. During the war he had come of age and was granted access to his trust. He knew his father wasn't making the best choices in business so he quietly began making investments of his own in the muggle world. That way if his father lost it all he still had something to fall back on. It had been a wise decision on his part. He was surprised to realize he was rather savvy when it came to investments. After the war 98% of the Wizarding population refused to deal with him so he began his own muggle firm. He did deal with a few wizards who trusted him, and soon a few who may not have liked him but saw the results he achieved joined along the way. He kept up a rather nice set of offices in muggle London with a handful of muggle employees. He and Blaise had private offices with connections to the floo network for their wizard clients.

Thankfully he had been busy all morning with meetings but by lunch time everything that needed his attention was done for the day and he was free to sit and think and truth be told he was still reeling from the events of two nights before. Seeing Potter had been unsettling to say the least. The conversation with Granger had been enlightening as well. Certain things made much more sense now that he knew more of the story. But it also left him with even more questions, the most disturbing being where does this leave him and how he sees her. When he spoke to Blaise he had said nothing could ever happen because she's married. But now? Now he knows the truth. She's free to date. That opens doors he wasnt even thinking of going near before. Now he actually has to decide what he wants. Not right away of course. He is still very much grieving Astoria and she is still married. Even with their open agreement he could never see a married woman.

But what happens when the Weasel decides he's ready to move on? Its easy to admit that she is highly intelligent, they have a good bit in common, she is easy to talk to and has a somewhat sly sense of humor. And he would have never admitted it in school but he's always thought that she was rather pretty then and now she's simply beautiful. If they had no history the possibility is there. But they have history, not just history but HISTORY. A history they haven't even begun to address. His attitude and bullying in school was awful but how could they ever get past the fact that he literally just stood there and watched his crazy aunt torture her? It was kind of silently agreed that they don't talk about school or anything to do with the war but if their relationship was ever to be more than it is now they would have to deal with their past. How could he ask her forgiveness when he can't forgive himself?

Draco wasnt accomplishing anything and decided to leave work early. He needed to go talk to the jewlers about a peice he was having made for his mothers birthday. He had planned on just going directly there after work but realized he hadn't taken Scorpious out in ages. When Astoria was still alive they had taken him out all the time to explore muggle London. After her death he barely left the house so Scorpious never left. He had taken them to Diagon Alley when Scorpious was still a baby but he wouldn't remember it. This is really his first time that he would be able go enjoy and appreciate it. And the little boy wasn't letting him down. He was stopping at every shop window staring at the displays in wonder. So far the only store he had insisted on going into was the owl emporium. He had spent over 30 minutes checking out all the animals and then they picked out a special treat for their eagle owls. He then went running out to check out the next store.

"Daddy, look!" Scorpious squealed as they rounded a corner. It was very obvious what his son was so excited about. While all the shops had recovered from the war and worked to get shoppers attention there is still one that stands out. He knew he should be keeping a closer eye on his son but even Malfoy couldn't help but stare up at the giant head and arm lifting a top hat protruding off the side of the brightly colored building. Of course he had seen the building before but never allowed himself to stop and actually look. After a moment Scorpious turned and looked up at him, "can we go in? Please!" Draco know he couldn't deny that face. And he was kind of curious. He wasn't sure if the curiosity came from what he was seeing or knowing that this was Granger's lovers shop. Either way he opened the door. They weren't 2 steps into the door and George Weasley came around to greet them.

"Good afternoon young man!" He said with a great sweeping bow, "your him! Its you outside!" Scorpious squealed before Weasley could say anything else.

"You would be correct young man, George Weasley, Proprietor at your service." Weasley bowed again then looked up and saw Malfoy behind the young boy and continued, "and I would wager a guess you are the young Mister Malfoy? Welcome to Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes! Have you shopped with us before?" Scorpious shakes his head no, "No, well then let me give you the grand tour!" He nodded at Malfoy then began pointing out and explaining things that might interest the 4 year old. Malfoy stays near but looks around himself as well. Most of it was very childish and just plain ridiculous (U no Poo! The constipation sensation gripping the Nation!) But a lot of it was downright brilliant.

He could hear Scorpious laughing at something Weasley was saying and it made him smile. Scorpious had always been a happy child but after Astorias death he rarely laughed anymore. Suddenly a loud noise sounding suspiciously like a toilet flushing sounded throughout the store, "excuse me gentlemen, that would be the floo" Weasley said as he turned to head towards the back.

As they worked there way towards the back they came near where the till was and standing behind it was the last person he wanted to see. Of course he knew the Weasel worked here and Granger had told him he sometimes worked the till but Malfoy was still shocked to see him. Really he hadn't changed much since school. A few more scars, probably from his days as an Aurour but still sporting that goofy grin. When he looked up and saw Malfoy standing in his shop surprise flashed across his face but it settled back into the same goofy smile, just a little more reserved than before.

"Malfoy, interesting to see you here. What brings you in today?"

"Had business nearby and decided to make an afternoon of it with my son. He just had to come in once he saw the display windows."

As his son looked around Malfoy couldn't help but hear the conversation going in the floo.

"Ya mum, he's still here..."

"We'll take her, just send her through. Love you to."

And then he stepped back as a little girl with bright red hair popped through the floo. She flung her arms around Weasley as she giggled. "Well little lady, we've got customers, wanna help me show 'em around?" He asked as he led her back into the main part of the store.

"Daddy!" She squealed again as soon as she saw the Weasel. Bryony ran and jumped into his arms. After a quick hug she saw Scorpious and began talking to him. Her and Weasley went back to showing Scorpious around again leaving Draco with Ron. Thankfully before they had to speak Scorpious came back with a few items in his hands and started explaining what everything did.

"This one is a treat that turns the person who eats it into a canary. These have two halves, one side makes you sick the other cures you. And look at these cool fireworks. Can we get some to celebrate Grandmother's birthday? Please daddy?"

"I tell you what. We can get these but you must promise to only sneak them to your uncle Theo and not around Grandmother, deal?" Once they fist bump Malfoy continues, "and let's look at these fireworks. If they are anything like I remember from school they might just be perfect for Grandmother's birthday."

After a few minutes deliberations they made their decisions and placed everything on the counter where the brothers were talking. The Weasel didn't look happy and turned to go to the back room. As Weasley was checking them out he leaned forward and shared in a conspiratorial tone, "I got an owl earlier today telling me to keep him late tonight and I would get the rights to a new product possibly an entire new line. I don't know whats up but I'm happy I'm not him tonight." As soon as the Weasel re-entered the room Weasley stood back up, "thank you gentlemen, its been a pleasure come back and see us any time." He then winked down at Scorpious.

As they were about to exit the front door Weasel stopped them, "thanks for not selling us out. If Hermione knew we had conspired to talk to you and spy on her she would have killed us both."

In a rare moment on generosity Malfoy decided to give a little warning, "You should know she thinks you held her up on purpose and isn't happy about it." With that they both nodded to each other and Malfoy walked with Scorpious out the front door. He didn't know exactly what was up but he knew he was thankful he wasn't in that man's shoes tonight.

-‐-

Hermione had indeed owled George earlier to ask him to make sure Ron stayed at the shop till 5:30 so she would have plenty of time to set everything up. It was a simple charm but she had added a twist and she was oddly excited to do this. Talking to Malfoy Tuesday had reminded her how much she used to love doing things like this and inspired her creativity. She was all ready now all she had to do was wait for him to get home. It was Thursday so Ron would come home and get ready to go out right away. So she started dinner for her and Bryony and waited.

As expected he came home said hi and ran back to his room to get a shower, from his room she heard, "what the bloody..." then he started coming down the hall, "Hermione why are all my underwear pink with kittens on them?"

"I dont know, why were you trying to stop me from going out Tuesday?" She replied with a smirk.

He knew better than to admit the truth so he let it go, also he was unnerved how much that smirk she gave him reminded him of Malfoy.

"Thanks, now I'll look like Umbridges office threw up on me." He muttered as he turned away.

"That was my inspiration." She smirked again. She couldn't wait to hear his reaction to the second part of the charm she used.