Chapter 36: Just Like It Should Be

Friday, April 16

Hermione

She and Draco were reading outside in the courtyard. They had a free period now, so she felt more comfortable sitting close to him in the deserted courtyard.

She enjoyed reading with him. He was one of the only people who was equally content just sitting in silence, getting lost in the stories and worries of someone else.

His brows were furrowed and eyes zipping across the pages. He muttered something to himself. The characters must be doing something idiotic. He had no patience for that. It amused her. He'd only ever read Shakespeare's dramas, so she'd recommended the comedies, forgetting how many of them relied on the premise of miscommunications and mistaken identities.

It had been a week since she'd gotten back. The sting of rejection was starting to be replaced by an ache. Her mother had written four times. She said her father just needed time. That he'd come around. That she should keep trying. Hermione had written back once, simply letting her mother know that she made it back to school safe and sound.

She didn't know where to go from here. If she was being honest with herself, she never really expected them to not forgive her. Sure, she'd worried about it. But they were her parents after all. Maybe they'd need time, but eventually it would all be okay. She hadn't ever truly considered what would happen if it wouldn't all be okay.

Draco scoffed and shut his book with a snap.

"Absolute idiots, each one of them," he said shoving the book in his bag.

She snickered.

He pulled out the alchemy book they'd been assigned for arithmancy and began to read it. She watched from the corner of her eye.

Her brain had a bad habit of short circuiting when they were particularly close. But in a moment like this, she couldn't turn off the voice in the back of her head asking incessant questions.

"What are we?" She asked abruptly.

He straightened his back and studied her.

"What do you want us to be?"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't do that. Don't answer my question with one of your own."

He thought for a moment. "I'm not trying to be difficult," he said, turning to face her. "I meant it. You said you didn't know what you want and that you didn't know your plan for after Hogwarts. I don't want to get in your way. If you want to be more, we can be more. Call it whatever you want. Make plans for the future. If you just want to study together and make out sometimes, that's fine too."

"But what do you want?" She asked quietly, grabbing his hand.

He sighed. "I told you. I'll do whatever you want for as long as you'll have me." He finally raised his eyes to hers. There were thoughts and emotions there she couldn't read. It made her a little sad. Every time she thought she'd figured out how far back the walls went, she was proven wrong.

"I…" she thought to find the right words. "I think I'd like to be… more."

His mouth upturned slightly, a true smile.

"Okay then. More it is." He kissed her knuckles. "Any more negotiation?"

She shook her head and scooted a little closer.

He opened his book back up and covered her hand with his, stroking her fingers.

"What do we tell people?" she blurted out.

"Hell if I care," he said, not looking up.

She was silent, stewing over the implications of all the scenarios.

"Theo pulled it out of me already and Pansy knows everything no matter how hard I try to keep secrets. And from the looks she keeps giving me, I think Weaslette has a decent idea as well."

Hermione nodded to herself.

"And I haven't heard of anyone vomiting slugs, so I suspect Weasley doesn't know anything. But he has been glaring at me more than usual."

She ignored this last thought.

"Well what about everybody else? Do you want it to be a secret? Or do we just start skipping around school holding hands and snogging in abandoned corners?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Would you prefer I took out an announcement in the Prophet?"

She shuddered. "God, no."

He shrugged. "Granger, I say this with full knowledge and appreciation of that extra powerful brain of yours." He tapped her temple. "You really need to learn to turn it off sometimes." He smirked. "And although I very much approve of your methods the other night, I don't think that will always be the best strategy."

She blushed.

"I just don't know how this works. I've never had a… boyfriend before." She wanted to chuck herself into the lake for the way her voice had lowered to a whisper at the mention of "boyfriend." "I mean, assuming that's what you'd want to be. I don't want to be presumptuous. I just… I guess I missed that lesson… when they taught all the other girls how to play these games. And it's not that I'm ashamed or anything. I just don't want people in my business. It's been hard enough over the years with Skeeter and now after the war… people really have nothing better to do. And… as much as I don't want to stroke your ego… you're quite… coveted by a lot of the girls. I suspect the Hogwarts gossip mill would explode."

He squeezed his lips together to keep from smiling and tucked some hair behind her ear, lightly brushing her neck with his fingertips. Her racing mind slowed slightly.

"Why don't we just start with telling our friends, hm? And when you feel like it, we can be more public. I didn't particularly mind your idea of snogging in abandoned classrooms." He trailed a finger up her thigh.

"Draco! I was being sarcastic. And I said abandoned corners, not classrooms."

He opened his book back up. "Well, just consider it. Think about how much more interesting History of Magic would be if you were imagining all the naughty things I did to you on Binns' desk while he's droning on about the giant wars of the 12th Century."

She was sure her face was as deep crimson as the hangings on her bed.

"Well, I will do no such thing. Can you imagine if Filch caught us?"

The bell rang and he scooted away from her to a respectable distance. Just as the sounds of footsteps started to echo in the castle.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Well, just know I'll be sitting there behind you, imagining the possibilities all the same." He placed a kiss on her cheek and squeezed her thigh before nipping at her ear with is teeth, stuffing his book in his bag. "See you later, Granger," he said casually, heading off to do god knew what.

Hermione just sat there, trying to will the blush on her cheeks to go away and wondering when the hell April had gotten so warm.

Saturday, April 17

Hermione

Hermione walked down the stairs on Saturday morning. Ginny and Ron were sitting on one of the couches, pouring over their plays in preparation for their last game against Hufflepuff. There was no one else around. She took a deep breath. No time like the present.

She went and sat down in front of them. It took them both a few moments to notice her.

"Oh!" Ginny said, smiling brightly. "Good morning, Hermione."

Ron smiled at her weakly. They'd reached some kind of unspoken truce. Neither had apologized, but they were at least speaking. "Morning."

She fidgeted with her sweater.

Ron and Ginny debated a bit more before Ginny looked at her curiously. "What's up, Hermione?"

Hermione forced herself to open her mouth.

"I need to say something. And I'd like if you didn't interrupt me."

Ginny studied her and Ron nodded, putting down his quill.

"Okay, well, Ron. I know things haven't been great between us. And… I'd like to apologize for anything I've done to offend you. I has never been my intention to make you feel like I don't care about your interests or Quidditch performance. As one of my best friends, I only want the best for you. I'll always root for you." She glanced up at him and he gave her a small smile and nod. "That being said, you were quite cruel. I know you were upset, but I've worked really hard to make the best of this… situation." He opened his mouth to retort, but she cut him off. "It's okay now, but I'll never accept that kind of treatment again."

He nodded.

She continued playing with her sweater.

"Is that it?" Ginny asked, looking a little confused.

"Uh… no. It's not. And this is the part where I'd like you to keep an open mind."

She was sure she'd never been so nervous, and that included O.W.L.s and her Sorting.

She sighed. "Well, Ron, I think I owe you another apology." She peeked up at him and he looked a bit confused, almost like she was trying to trap him. "You said… after that game… that… well, you alluded to the fact that there was something going on between Draco and I."

Ginny's eyes grew wide, and she pursed her lips together in an effort not to interrupt.

Ron had his eyes narrowed.

"Well, you see, I didn't think there was. I really didn't. I thought we were friends. But… he kissed me. And I decided I liked it."

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ron's face showed absolutely no emotion, except for an exceptionally slow blink.

"I really never expected it. But he's a good person, as it turns out. And I quite like being friends with him… and more I suppose. And… well… It just feels right." She brushed some lint off her shoulder. It was the same sweater she'd worn last week when she'd emergency portkeyed home. It still smelled like Draco. It emboldened her.

"I think…" she cleared her throat. "No, I've decided that I am going to keep seeing him. And I'm not interested at all in parading it around. I'd prefer to keep it quiet, but I think he's told his friends now, and I wouldn't want you to hear it from anyone but me."

Ron simply continued to stare at her. Ginny's eyes were sparkling with excitement and smugness.

"I just am asking that you be happy for me, because, despite everything, I am. I'm not asking you to be best friends or anything, but I'm asking you to trust me and be mature. We've all come a long way. We've all made a lot of mistakes. God knows, Draco has so much more to apologize for than the rest of us, but he's done his best. You know full well that if he'd treated me with anything less than perfect respect, I would have cursed him to hell and back. He makes me happy. Please just don't ruin it for me. Please. I don't know what I'd do without either of you."

She glanced to Ginny first. Ginny nodded and grinned. She knew Ginny would be alright with it. She'd hinted at it before.

She picked a hangnail and straightened some of the plays on the table before looking up at Ron.

He was staring at her, somewhat open mouthed and resigned. He opened his mouth, but she suddenly realized she didn't think she could stand the sting of his rejection or disapproval this early in the weekend.

"Please, don't say anything. Just mull it over. I know… it's a lot. I'm going to Hogsmeade to do some shopping and to interview someone for our Herbology project. I'll be done around 3 and plan to go visit Aberforth. If… you'd like chat more… civilly… well, that's where I'll be."

She turned on her heel and fled from the common room before either Ginny or Ron could say anything.

. . .

Hermione was nursing her second Butterbeer and chatting with Aberforth. He was grumbling about how busy his bar was, now that so many students frequented it. But she knew he was full of it. She'd always catch him grinning at the joking students when he thought no one was watching. She'd also seen him puttering around on the grounds with Hagrid and wistfully watching students. She suspected he enjoyed not being lonely for once.

A chair squeaked beside her. She looked over. It was Ron.

"Hi," she said in a high voice.

"Hi," he replied.

Aberforth brought her another Butterbeer and Ron ordered a Firewhiskey.

They sipped their drinks for a few awkward moments.

"So," he said slowly.

"Yeah," she replied.

He slammed his drink back and Aberforth brought him another one.

"I'm not mad," he said softly.

She whipped around to look at him. "Really?" she asked breathlessly.

He shook his head. "It's weird. Like… really weird. But… I think I get it. I've been watching you guys for the past few weeks. You do… seem happy. Lighter, somehow."

She stared at him blankly. She had not expected this.

"Really?" she repeated, unable to say anything else.

He swirled his drink around and nodded, sighing deeply.

"At first, I was just angry. But then I noticed that you seem comfortable around him in a way… you never did with us." He sighed quietly. "With me."

She put her hand on his arm. "Oh, Ron…"

He shook his head. "No, it's okay. That was the point. I do think I'm happier too. It was a lot of pressure… not being enough for you."

Her heart nearly broke. "Oh, Ron, that's not what it ever was. I wasn't right for you either. I think we would have made each other miserable."

He nodded. "I just… I wasn't quite done being sad. I always thought we'd end up together. And then it seemed like you fancied someone else. And I just snapped. I am sorry. I don't think I'm jealous anymore, though."

He finally looked her in the eye.

She threw her arms around him and could have cried with relief.

"I've barely slept, fretting about what you'd think. You're my best friend. Even more than Harry, I think sometimes. We've been through it all, watching him fall apart and put him back together again. I don't know what I'd do without you. I could never lose you."

He squeezed her back and withdrew.

She felt awkward. Perhaps physical touch wasn't the best idea.

They sat in silence for a while.

"Did it have to be Malfoy," Ron said in a resigned voice, though she could have sworn she heard just a molecule of humor there.

She smiled. "I never would have believed it either. You might even not hate him if you have him the chance."

Ron grimaced at her. "One thing at a time, Hermione." He comically looked over his shoulder in fear. "Oh Merlin, he's not going to show up, is he? This isn't some kind of set up, is it?"

She giggled. The last time he'd looked so terrified was about giant spiders. "No, it's just us."

He relaxed.

"So, we're friends again?" he asked.

She nodded fervently.

"Good. I'm flunking everything."

She laughed and berated him for his abysmal study habits.

It felt just like it should.

Sunday, April 25

Hermione

"Ready?" Draco asked, reaching out for her hand.

She looked around. There wasn't really anyone around.

Draco had somehow figured out that she didn't really want to make a spectacle of them. She definitely wasn't embarrassed by him or anything, she just didn't love people looking at her. People had pretty much gotten used to seeing them together, but she was dreading the inevitable barrage of questions that would come when it came out they were together.

She smiled and nodded, and Draco led her out of the Entrance Hall down towards Hogsmeade.

"This is nice," Draco said, motioning towards her dress.

"Oh, thanks," she muttered, smoothing the front. It was a beautiful day and Ginny had told her it was a good color on her.

"So, you only dress up for my mother?"

Hermione blushed. "No! I just thought it would be good to… You've never… I'm not really dressed up. At least not compared to you. You always look like you've stepped out of a bloody magazine—"

He pulled her into his side. "I'm just messing with you, Granger. You look very nice."

"Oh, well thank you."

They walked along the path for a while in silence.

"Thanks for doing this," Draco said.

She looked up at him. "Of course, your mother is lovely."

He rolled his eyes. "She'll be something else. I don't know how she'll get through the door carrying around all that smugness."

Hermione laughed. "Mine too. I haven't told her yet, but when I do, I'm sure I'll be in for the biggest 'I told you so' of my life. She wouldn't stop bugging me about you, you know."

Draco smirked down at her. "Oh yeah?"

"Don't let it go to your head. You're very charming when you want to be, and you damn well know it."

"Guilty," Draco said, winking.

"And she's really fine with it? With me? Us, I mean," Hermione asked nervously.

"Yes, Granger, for the hundredth time."

"She wouldn't prefer you with some posh high society witch?"

Draco barked with laughter. "She hasn't shut up about you since you assaulted me in the hallway at Tavish's. I'm pretty sure you could push me off a cliff and she'd claim that she never really liked me that much anyway."

"That's not true!"

He laughed and they continued walking for a bit. "In the past, I think she and my father had both hoped I'd marry someone who would further cement our family's social status. Their marriage was arranged, for all intents and purposes, but they did end up quite devoted to each other. Even now." He added the last two words with a sad snort. "Anyway, I think she always hoped that I'd find someone who I actually cared for. She never really approved of the pureblood tradition of marrying for status and then carrying on with barely subtle affairs. She is a dreadfully hopeless romantic."

"Oh." Hermione wasn't sure what to say. Love, devotion… marriage. She tried not to dwell on the implications. She couldn't decide if it was scarier to imagine or that her heart gave a favorable twinge at the thought.

It was far too soon for any of that. Her parents had dated for years before getting engaged. And they'd waited even longer to have her. She'd always imagined she'd follow a similar path.

"But, even if she was interested in a match for status, I couldn't do any better than you. You're the wizarding world's princess and Brightest Witch of Our Age."

Hermione blushed. She certainly didn't think that was a fair interpretation of her potential within magical society.

Draco squeezed her hand and she looked up at him. "But you know I don't care about any of that, right? I don't really give a damn about my reputation. And my mother doesn't either. She just wants me to be happy."

"And you are?"

"Very much so, Granger."

She smiled at her feet as they walked into the village, past the cottages and shops.

"I've never been to Madam Puddifoot's," Hermione said as they approached the center of the square. "I've only ever heard how much girls love it and how much boys hate it. Lots of ruffles and lace doilies."

Draco laughed. "You've got the gist. Mother is good friends with the owner."

Hermione nodded, looking at the shops as they approached madam Puddifoot's. She checked her watch. "Oh good, we're early. I was worried we'd be late. I always forget what a long walk it is—"

Draco tugged her away from the door as she went to open it. Before she knew what was happening, he was pushing her up against the a brick wall of the alley and kissing her furiously.

"Draco!" she gasped.

"Hm?" he said between kisses to her neck.

"Shouldn't we go inside?"

"You said we're early."

He started running his hands up and down the sides her torso and she effectively forgot why it was so important to go into the tea shop.

She didn't recall him kissing her like this before. It was frantic and heady, and it made her head spin. He kissed down her neck and across her collarbone before pushing her sleeve over her shoulder and sucking and biting on her skin. She knew there would be a mark there, right under where her bra strap lay.

A clock chimed somewhere far off and Draco stopped his efforts to completely ruin her knickers.

He re-rolled his cuffs while she leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.

He smoothed her hair placed a light kiss on her shoulder where he'd been worshipping it and straightened her dress, pulling up her sleeve. "I told you, I liked the dress," he smirked.

She hit him in the shoulder and let him tow her back around to the front of the shop, hoping that she looked at least somewhat like she hadn't just been snogged practically to death.

Draco

"Mother," Draco said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Mrs. Malfoy," Granger said breathlessly.

His mother pulled her into a tight hug. "Hermione, dear, we went over this over Christmas. It's Narcissa, please."

Granger nodded and sank into the chair he'd pulled out for her. She looked flushed and flustered and he smirked to himself.

Madam Puddifoot brought them tea and they all sat quietly listening to the sounds of spoons clinking on china.

"Thank you for meeting me this afternoon, Draco. Hermione."

Granger babbled next to him about how nice it was for his mother to invite them to tea.

His mother asked about their classes and Granger told her all about their Herbology project. She asked if Draco was staying on top of her studies and Granger asked if he'd ever written off with the book suggestions she'd compiled for his mother.

Draco rolled his eyes. His presence here was entirely unneeded.

After a while, Granger stood up to excuse herself to the restroom and Draco enjoyed watching the way that pretty maroon dress swished and swayed as she walked away.

"I didn't think she could be any lovelier, but I was wrong," his mother said with a sigh, shaking Draco out of his fantasy.

"Yes, mother."

"When you wrote to me to alert me of this update, I was so pleased. I must admit, I had hoped one or both of you would come to your senses after that Gala. I could see it then. I think she cares quite deeply for you, dear."

Draco stirred more honey into his tea, even though it was sweet enough already.

"And you seem quite besotted yourself, Draco."

Draco wished he'd waited to add more honey as he now had nothing with which to distract himself.

"Yes, mother, I'm happy."

"I can tell." She reached across the table and stroked his cheek with her thumb like one would do for a fucking toddler.

He jerked away and crossed his arms. She glared at him and raised an eyebrow until he muttered an apology.

"Well, don't go pricing out floral arrangements or anything," he grumbled. "Neither of us are thinking that far ahead. I just want to enjoy it, okay?"

She snickered and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Draco. It's like you don't trust me at all."

He didn't.

Granger reappeared and Draco tried to wipe the petulant look from his face as his mother began grilling Granger on her courses and plans for after Hogwarts.

"—always enjoyed Charms the most. It came more naturally to me. I admit I never put in as much effort as I should have into Artithmancy. I regret that now."

Granger practically cooed. "Oh, I just love Arithmancy. And now that we're delving more into how it intersects with Alchemy, I love it even more. I found this fascinating book this morning and you might love it. It's all about the history and modern implications. I think it would be a great introduction if you ever…"

He watched Granger from the corner of his eye. Her parents had clearly raised her with impeccable manners. He didn't know if he'd ever seen this side of her before. Perhaps at the gala. But she'd also been supremely nervous and irritated, so it seemed like much of her manners had disappeared. It was so different than the way she normally clanked her spoon against the saucer and absentmindedly nibbled on scones and snacks while she was studying.

"Do you still plan to attend muggle university after you finish at Hogwarts?"

Granger blushed and looked up at him. "Yes, how kind of you to remember. I put in most of my applications to start in the next spring semester."

"Where will you attend?" his mother asked.

"Oh, well, um, I haven't exactly decided yet." She waved the spoon she'd been using to stir in the air, clearly her air of propriety forgotten.

Draco smiled. This impatient and flustered Granger was the one he liked best.

"I have quite a few choices and it's hard to decide."

"Oh! Then you must have been accepted in most of the places you applied," his mother said.

Granger nodded. Draco rolled his eyes. "She was accepted everywhere she applied, mother."

Granger glanced over and glared at him as though she'd forgotten he was even there. He didn't care. As far as he could tell, there wasn't anyone who touted her accomplishments near as much as she deserved.

His mother cooed about how impressive she was and asked about all the schools. After initially being uneasy, Granger slipped into a comfortable and excited explanation into the different schools and their specialties. He took the opportunity to just watch her, relishing in the bright smile and wonderous eyes that came about only when she talked about something about which she was passionate.

"—chose not to stay in England, I did apply to Sorbonne in Paris and a few in Australia and one in upstate New York."

"Oh, how lovely! Paris is one of my favorite places. But New York would be lovely since that's where Draco will be."

Draco gave his mother a murderous glare. "I highly doubt Granger would let something as mundane as a schoolgirl relationship dictate her future, mother."

Granger glanced at him with an expression she couldn't read. Draco didn't know whether to feel guilty or disappointed. The idea of exploring a new city with her on weekends where no one knew who they were was quite appealing. But he knew better. She wasn't likely to end up in America. If she ended up anywhere, it would be in London or close to her parents. They had carefully skirted this issue.

She took a deep breath and turned back to his mother.

"I think I will end up in Australia. It will take a lot of… well, it would be nice to be near my parents after all this time. And, of course, the weather is very desirable."

His mother straightened ever so slightly.

"How are your parents?" she asked, placing her hand over Granger's.

It was Granger's turn to fidget with her tea.

"Oh, fine. They're back at work now and mum is busy with her book club and garden. Dad… Well, he's having some trouble… adjusting."

His mother shot him a look that he interpreted as "her father didn't take it well?" He gave her an infinitesimal nod.

"Oh, dear, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure all will work out in the end. I'm sure he just needs time to adapt. I can imagine it's difficult for them to understand the… gravity of recent events in more detail. It's none of my business, of course, but I can't imagine your actions were anything but a desperate desire to spare them from any harm. Perhaps he just needs a bit of time to accept the reality of the dangers that they would have faced."

Granger nodded fervently and began playing with her hair. She sent Draco a look that clearly said, "Help me."

So, he changed the subject, trying not to think about the letter in the back of his desk that would clearly do exactly what his mother had just described.

Thanks for reading, as always :)