HERMIONE P.O.V.
I sit down to continue reading after my first customer of the day leaves. Sighing with contentment as the smell of the musty pages hits my nose. It's been a pretty slow day in my little book shop. My grand opening was yesterday and it was packed with folks from all over wanting to catch a glimpse of their "Golden Girl" since she came back from being overseas in Australia for the last four years.
I had gone right after completing my final exams at Hogwarts. My parents had been found and were undergoing treatments to retrieve their memories. Reversing the memory charm I had put on was no easy feat, but with the anonymous donation to pay for the specialists and continued treatment, it finally worked. I moved down there and stayed until mum passed away from breast cancer. Once she was gone, dad no longer wished to stay so we moved back to London.
Because of my role in the war and with Ron and Harry's help, the Ministry gave my father permission to live with me in Wizarding London. He's been adjusting well and has gotten so used to me using magic around him that he doesn't even flinch while out and about and sees someone using their wand. He's become somewhat famous himself actually. Our first night out after moving into our cottage, we were at The Leaky and a wizard tried to pick a fight with my father. Little did that douche canoe know, Jasper Granger was his University boxing champ for three years straight and kept up with his training to stay fit. Let's just say, he laid that fucker out with one punch. Front page of the Prophet the next morning and everything!
The door chimed signalling that a customer had entered. I placed my bookmark to hold my spot in the novel and stood to greet them. "Good morning! Welcome to Bibliophile! Oh!" It had been years since I had seen him. He looked good, damn good. Standing there in Muggle denims and a black long sleeved Henley shirt and his signature dragon hide boots was Draco Malfoy. His hair was chin length with a bit of a wave to it and his eyes were bright, no longer haunted like the last time I had seen him during his trial.
"Good morning, Granger. You're looking well. I was wondering if you got the new Shrivelreich novel in yet?" I was staring. Dumbstruck. 'Speak you dummy!' I tell myself.
"Oh, um, let me check." I went to the adult fiction section and could hear him following me close behind. "My dad isn't in yet. He would know best. He stocked the shelves for me." Ugh! Why am I rambling like an idiot. Hermione, stop talking!
"Oh, is he well? Your father? I saw the Prophet the other week. Bloody brilliant!" He chuckled. He was being...dare I say...civil? "Some wizards are so stuck in their ways, I swear. War's over. The dark lost. You'd think they'd learn. But, what's that Muggle saying? You can't teach an old dog new tricks, innit?" I tripped over my own feet when I heard him say it, almost falling over. He caught my arm and it felt as if an electric current when through me. "Careful, Granger." He said smoothly.
Fuck he is hot! I wonder for a moment what it would feel like to be wrapped around him. To hear him moan my name; to moan his. "Erm, uh, thanks Malfoy." Why am I getting all flustered in his presence? I continue my search for the novel and after a few minutes I see it. "Ooh! Found it!" I grab the ladder to climb and hear him start to chuckle again. I turn and look at him, raising an eyebrow, "What?"
"Granger, you never cease to amaze me. You do realise that you are a witch, correct? Why risk breaking your neck by climbing that instead of using your wand?" I feel my face heat in embarrassment. I know I should use my damn wand but I always forget.
"Well, I rather like doing things the Muggle way. It stops me from being lazy." I say flippantly and huff in annoyance. This just makes him smirk at me. He then motions for me to continue. I climb and retrieve the book, climbing down as graceful as possible so he has no other remarks to make.
The door chimes again as I am handing him the book. I fight not to groan as his mother enters looking impeccable. "Draco, darling? Your son wants his daddy." Son? Oh Jesus, he's married. Married with a kid and I've been basically imagining fucking him senseless since he entered. "Oh! Miss Granger! Hello!" She smiles brightly at me and I smile back and greet her. I see the little boy that looks to be about two years old. He's hiding behind his grandmother's robes.
"Sorry, I'm just grabbing this book." He bends down and puts his arms out. "Hey Scorp, buddy, come here." His sons tots over and jumps into his fathers arms. Malfoy then stands and puts his son on his hip. "Scorp, this is Miss Granger. Say hello."
His son looks just like him. Platinum locks, grey eyes, pointy features, yet so adorable. "Hello. Are you my daddy's fwend?" He squeaks out. Malfoy sniggers and his son turns bright pink as if embarrassed.
"We went to school together." I simply say.
Scorp moves his mouth to his father's ear and whispers loudly "She's pwitty daddy." Malfoy looks at me and smirks then "whispers" back, "Very pretty indeed Scorp." It's my turn to blush this time. "Why don't we get you a book too buddy? Would you like that?" Scorp nods his head and they walk to the children's section.
I walk back behind the counter and wait. Narcissa Malfoy is looking around a bit then heads in my direction. "Beautiful store. Is it just you here?" I tell her my father will be in shortly but that currently it is only me. "Quite the turn out yesterday. I couldn't even get in the door." I'm surprised that she actually came at all. I'd heard that a lot of people were waiting, but I was so busy that I hadn't had two minutes to take it all in.
"Thank you so much. I am sorry you weren't able to get in. It was very hectic yesterday." I smile and cannot stop my curiosity. "Where is your daughter-in-law? Is she well?" When the woman started to giggle, I felt my face flush in embarrassment.
"Oh, sweetheart. I don't have a daughter-in-law. No, Draco used a surrogate. A Muggle we found. He wanted to give my husband a grandchild before he passed away, but finding a witch seemed to be impossible. Nobody in England quite caught his fancy. You see," she craned her neck to look for her son, "he's been in love with a witch for years, but doesn't think he's good enough for her so he gave up on finding love. My sister Andy told him about the Muggle practice of surrogates and he went that route." She smiled sweetly then continued. "Scorp was born, my husband doted on him until we lost him a few months ago."
"I had heard about that. Please accept my condolences." Narcissa closed her eyes and shook her head.
"He was foul to you. There's really no need, but it is appreciated Miss Granger." Malfoy and his son came over with their books to check out. As I rung them up the door chimed again and my dad came in.
"Hello, hello!" He said in a sing song voice. "Oh! Good morning!" He said to the Malfoy's as he came around to the checkout counter. "Hope you all found everything okay. Peanut, Harry and Ron sent their regrets for dinner tonight. Something about getting stuck with an overnight training exercise." I nodded then bagged up the three books Malfoy purchased. One, I noticed, was a Muggle book. The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar, my favourite as a child. I smiled at them and thanked them for coming.
"Draco, we should invite the Granger's to dinner seeing as their plans fell through." My heart jumped and my stomach twisted.
"Mother, I don't think Granger wants to be stuck with our boring chatter and Scorp's nightly flinging of his peas. Unless, you're used to Weasley's eating habits that it won't bother you?" He smirked knowing I wanted so badly to say something back to him but wouldn't in my father's presence.
"What do you think, dad? Dinner with the Malfoy's?" My father's recognition of the name was apparent by the look on his face.
"You? You're that bloke that used to bully my daughter, aren't you?" My dad stood taller and walked closer as he spoke.
"Yes, sir. That would be me. I was quite the prat back then. The influence of bigoted family and friends made me a bit of an arse." He turned to his son, "Never repeat that word, buddy, it's a naughty word." Scorp nodded his head then looked up at my dad.
"Are you mad at daddy, mister? Daddy is good. He is vewy silly and tells the best stories." My heart melted immediately. How could it not? Malfoy or not, the kid was adorable as hell.
"Don't you worry, Scorp. My dad isn't mad at your dad, right dad?" I looked at my father pleading him with my eyes.
"No, no. Course not. By gones and all that, Mr. Malfoy." He smiled at the little boy in Malfoy's arms then made a silly face, making him giggle.
"Draco, if you don't mind sir. You can call me Draco." Then Malfoy held his hand out to shake hands with my father, my Muggle father. My dad shook his hand and Malfoy smiled up at him. "And it would be an honour if you would both join us for dinner. We have reservations at six at Juteuse in Diagon." Of course he had reservations at the most exclusive restaurant in Wizarding London.
"We'd be delighted, right Peanut?" Damn it.
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you, Draco." Was it my imagination or did he just blush too? Nah, must be the lighting.
"Narcissa, dear. And Mr. Granger? How are you liking it here in the Wizarding world. I see by that article in the Daily Prophet you can take care of yourself just fine." She batted her eyes at my dad and I almost choked.
"It has been quite an adventure, Narcissa. Please call me Jasper." Scorp made the announcement that he was hungry so they said goodbye and disappeared with a wave.
After they left, we did inventory then had some takeout from The Leaky Cauldron. As I ate my soup, my mind lingered to that morning. It felt as if Draco Malfoy was a polyjuiced version of himself. He was charming and nice to be around. Seeing him with his son did things to my ovaries. It was that thought that made me laugh to myself and wish Ginny wasn't in America touring with the Harpies.
She was my person. My sounding board. Harry and her had broken up after she was recruited. They talked every day still, still loved each other, but the stress and pressure of dating long distance wasn't there. Everyone knew they'd still end up together. Ron on the other hand was dating Katie Bell. They got reacquainted during an alumni Quidditch match last year. She didn't take any of his crap either. He needed someone like that in his life. That still didn't stop the rumours of him pining after me though. No thanks. Been there, done that. It was the most awkward two weeks of my life.
"Penny for your thoughts, Peanut?" My father's voice brought me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, just reminiscing about school days. Malfoy really surprised me. Did I tell you he used a Muggle surrogate to have his son? His mum told me. Said he thinks the witch he is in love with would never accept him or something. Says she's too good for him in his opinion." I shrugged and watched my dad's grin spread. "What? Why are you smiling like that? It's creepy." I laughed.
"I'd bet my last pound that it's you." He chuckled.
"Me what?" He cannot be seriously thinking that Malfoy is in love with me. I scoff at him, "Uh, no. Don't think so. He hated me in school."
"In school, yes, when you were kids and he was a prejudiced little shit, but did that young man today inviting us to dinner seem like he hated you? Nope. His mother sure did seem eager for us to join them." Damn it. He was making sense. Or...
"Or maybe she was so eager as you say because she wants to get to know you better, dad!" I laughed when he turned beet red. "Ooh! You have a little crush dad! How cute!"
Why the hell did we agree to this! Here I am standing outside of Juteuse with my father, paparazzi all over the place, and my childhood bully, his son and mother walking towards us. "Is that Draco and Narcissa Malfoy?" I hear one of the vultures ask.
"Let's go inside, dad." Nope.
"Don't be silly. Here come our new friends." He says nudging my side and sniggering. This man is going to be the death of me.
"Ah, Miss Granger! Good evening! Oh my, you look beautiful in that dress. Draco, doesn't Miss Granger look beautiful?" She pulls on his jacket. His very finely cut, hugging him in all the right places fucking suit. God! Kill me now!
He smiles slyly, eyes me up and down in a not so subtle manner, and says in his deep voice, "You look stunning, Granger. Absolutely breathtaking." My heart is about to beat out of my chest. Bloody bastard is smooth as hell even with a two year old on his hip. Fuck! I'm done for.
The maitre d opens the door for us and ushers us in, "No press! Back up!" The man yells at the paparazzi trying to get more photos. I like this place already. It is beautifully decorated and modern as there is actual lighting and not floating candles like most Wizarding restaurants. "This way sirs, madams." The man brings us to a private dining room and helps us with our cloaks and jackets. "Chef Nott will be with you shortly."
"Nott? As in Theo Nott? Wow! Haven't heard that name in years. Dad, you remember me telling you about my friend that I made my final year at Hogwarts right?" My dad nodded his head. "That's Theo! We lost touch after I moved to Australia. Oh what a treat! He's a chef?" Draco must not have expected me to be so excited because he looked surprised. Wait...did I just call him Draco?
"Um, yes, actually this is his restaurant. I'm a silent partner, but this is all Theo's." He looked proud of his friend and it warmed my heart.
"Hermione Granger, well aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" I stood and ran into his outstretched arms and he spun me around. "Little witch, I've missed your ass. And," he wiggled his eyebrows, "your other fine assets." I smacked his arm.
Malfoy looked annoyed when we got back to the table. "Granger, I had no idea you and my best mate here were so well acquainted with each other. Theo? Anything to share with the class?" He sounded snarky and every bit of the prat he used to be in that moment.
"Now, now Draco. Play nice." His mother said as she laughed lightly.
"Don't be silly, Drake. I told you Hermione and I were friends at Hogwarts, didn't I? Granger, any word on that friend of yours? You know the one." Yeah, and I could see Theo's infatuation with Luna Lovegood didn't lessen over the years.
"She's still traveling. Last I heard she was in Japan. I'll tell her you said hello. She'll be back in London the end of the month actually. Her father isn't well. Throat Cancer." I look quickly at my own father. He hated that word. That horrible C word that only reminded him of my mother, Gemma.
"Shit, I'm sorry to hear that. Give her my best. Let me know if you ever want a table. I'll get you both in. Kind of own the place so..." He smirked and then shrugged. "Scorp, I've got those cheesy noodles in the kitchen for you buddy." Scorp smiled and clapped his hands. "I have on our menu tonight to start a mushroom galette and crock of French onion soup, then you have a choice of Coq Au Vin, Chicken Paillard, Steak Au Poivre. The Coq Au Vin is a complete meal by itself but the others we have Potatoes Au Gratin and a vegetable medley as a side. To finish, I'll have a chocolate soufflé surrounded by fresh berries and topped with whipped cream."
My mouth was watering already, "The Coq Au Vin for me please, Theo." I announce and Malfoy smiles into his glass of wine. What the hell was that about.
"I'll have the same, but you knew that already." He declared.
"Your favourite. That's why I made it." Theo said as he took the rest of our orders. Dad got the steak and Narcissa the chicken.
My father had to open his gob and make me groan, "Funny, Peanut. Seems you and Draco have something other than your love of reading in common." He turned towards Narcissa and added, "Coq Au Vin is my daughter's favourite French dish as well. When she was 16, we took her on holiday to Paris and took a day trip to Saint-Germaine-en-Laye. There was this place we went to for dinner. The best Coq Au Vin we had ever tasted and the tiramisu!"
"L'Osteria?" Narcissa asked and we both laughed.
"So, you've heard of it?" I asked through my laugh. Malfoy smiled, his eyes soft as if seeing into my soul. Oh shitballs! His damn eyes!
"It's my favourite spot. We actually have a small villa in Saint Germaine actually. L'Osteria is right down the road from it." He eyed me and I felt as if I was in a trance.
"Oh, maybe we could go there sometime." He choked on his wine and I shook my head to clear it then blushed when I remembered that my father and his mother and son were also present. "Ah, ha, joking obviously." I muttered into my glass before taking a large gulp.
My father was trying (and failing miserably) not to laugh and Narcissa looked...ecstatic? Strange. Scorp suddenly laughed and we all looked at him. He had gotten out of his straps in the high chair he was in. "Uh oh! Jailbreak!" My dad laughed and the two Malfoy's looked befuddled.
"Oh, um, it's a Muggle term. Just means that someone broke out of prison, but some people say it when their child gets out of their crib or playpen or a pet gets loose and tries to escape." I explain and they both give an "Ah ha." in understanding.
The food comes out and everything is extraordinary. The Coq Au Vin is almost as good as the one at L'Osteria. I try dad's steak and a bit of potatoes and it's also to die for. The chocolate soufflé? Well, the noises I made when eating it were positively sinful if Malfoy's face was any indication. He cleared his throat and pour himself a cup of tea. "Anyone else? Tea." Did his voice just crack? I almost laugh, but instead hid my smile in my hand.
My father excused himself to use the loo and Narcissa conveniently had to change Scorp's nappy and left as well. I could feel him staring at me. In my head I was screaming, "SAY SOMETHING, DAMN IT!" But I stayed quiet, instead take one more bite of the soufflé and licking my spoon clean. I hear him groan and look up at him.
"You know you are slowly killing me here right?" He says lowly.
"Excuse me?" I feigned innocence. I know what the hell I am doing.
"Moaning like that. Licking that spoon oh so slowly. Looking so bloody sexy in that dress and those heels. Knowing it's driving me crazy." Okay, so maybe I knew he wanted me and could tell since the bookshop that I was extremely attracted to him as well.
"And?" I ask him wanting to know if he'll confess.
"And, I have wanted you since third year." Third year? Now that I think about it, that's the last year he'd called me that awful name. And he'd really not bothered me much since except when his Densaugeo hex missed Harry and hit me instead in fourth year.
"You, you're serious?" I say, mouth hanging open in shock. "But I thought you hated me." He shakes his head No and moves to my father's chair.
"No, I never hated you. Was jealous and confused about you, but never hated you." He takes my hand in his gently, "Hermione," he practically whispers it, "I have every intention of courting you, if you'll have me." Well, I sure as hell was NOT expecting that!
"Malfoy, I.." he puts his hand up to stop me.
"Please call me Draco. Just give me a chance. I know I'm not good enough for you, but please just one date. One date without my son and our parents in tow that is." He smiled brightly and kissed my wrist sending an electrical jolt in between my thighs. I whimper out a soft moan.
"So, is that a yes?" He smirked that sexy smirk he did so well.
I leaned closer and whispered into his ear, "That's a hell yes."
"Hermione!" I had just flipped over the open sign to the shop and took the first sip of my tea when Harry and Ron came trudging in. "What the bloody hell is this?" Ron slammed the Prophet on my counter, and I roll my eyes.
Is Hermione Granger the mother of Draco Malfoy's child? read the headline that accompanied the photo of him checking me out with Scorp in his hip outside Theo's restaurant last night.
Last night we got a real treat, my rabid readers! Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of her age, and her father Jasper "Golden Gloves" Granger we're waiting outside of the exclusive Juteuse when low and behold, they were joined by none other than the Malfoy and Black heir himself, his son, and the widow, Narcissa Malfoy.
They were awfully friendly and familiar with each other and an insider says the young couple seemed very much in love and shared a dessert together and got very cosy in a private booth while their parents watched over their son. We'd always speculated on the identity of young Scorpius Malfoy's mother and now we think we finally have our answer! Stay tuned for more!
"That vile woman is still writing that drivel." Looking up I see them staring at me. "Do you actually believe this? Oh gosh! Yes, we had dinner with both of our parents and his son in attendance. No, I am not Scorp's birth mother. That is a Muggle woman that acted as a surrogate. Andy told him about surrogacy and he had wanted to give his father a grandchild before his death, and the witch he truly wanted was not around, so there you are."
"Hermione." Harry was staring her down. "Who's the witch he wanted that wasn't around?" He knew. I knew he knew. Ron? Not so quick on the uptake.
"Well, she just so happened to be living overseas in Australia at the time." Harry nodded and picked up the paper, folding it neatly.
"That's weird, Hermione. You were in Australia too. Was there any other...WAIT! What!" and he finally got it.
"Well, he told me last night that he's been in love with me since our third year. He asked permission to court me, and I said yes. Before you both freak out, I really felt a connection with him. You know me. I have never had this happen. Not even with Victor" At first they seemed like they were going to argue with me, but decided against it.
"Well, if you're sure and he makes you happy then I'm all for it." Harry said with a tight smile.
"Me too," added Ron, "even though he is still a stupid git in my opinion." I shook my head at him.
"Keep your opinion to yourself. I like him. He's changed so much, and you should see him with that baby of his." As if on cue, the blonde wizard came into the shop with a bag in one hand and Scorp in the other.
"Good morning beautiful, I come bearing goodies, oh! Hey Potter, Weasley." He places the bag on the counter and I can practically see the drool from Ron. "Chocolate stuffed croissants. Theo's specialty." He winked at me and smiled.
"Miss Mimey! I want Miss Mimey." Scorp days as he reached for me. I walk around the other side of the counter and Draco hands him over. Scorp, the adorable little boy that he is, hugs my neck and lays his head on my shoulder. "You smell nice. I like you." He says simply. My heart is light and I feel happier that I've felt in years.
"Aww, you're too sweet for words Scorp." I cuddle him and noticed three pairs of eyes watching me. "What?" Draco steps closer and wraps his arm around my waist.
"Do either of you have a camera?" He said with a shit-eating grin on his face. "We look like a proper family don't we?" He continued as Harry and Ron's faces became redder with each word falling from his pouty lips. For some odd reason it doesn't sound too bad. In a surprise move, he kisses my cheek and turns to my best friends. "I just want to say to you both how utterly sorry I am for the way I behaved towards you all in school. I let others dictate my thoughts and actions. If your amenable to it, I'd love a fresh start." They shook hands with him and I couldn't believe it was actually happening.
Could this man surprise me even more? I knew I was smiling hard enough for my cheeks to hurt. Scorp wrapped his little arms around my neck and gave a light snore. He'd fallen asleep. "Draco, he's fallen asleep on me." Draco looked and smile at his sweet boy.
He whispered, "Do you want me to take him?" And I nodded. He was getting heavy and I guess I really should get the deposit ready for dad to bring to Gringott's later. Harry and Ron left leaving us alone. Dad manned the counter as I took Draco and Scorpius into my office. I transfigured a chair into a small cot and he laid Scorp down on it.
He turned to face me then sauntered over to where I stood leaning on my desk. "You look really good with my child in your arms." He said seductively, "Made me want to kiss you right there in the shop in front of your friends." He was now toe to toe with me and had taken my waist. "Would you have been terribly cross with me?" Would I? I decide that I would not have been and shake me head slowly. "Merlin." He ducks his head and captures my lips.
Our lip lock quickly becomes more heated, more passionate. If it wasn't for the sleeping toddler on the other side of the room, I probably would have let Draco have his way with me right there and then. He lifted me to set me on my desk and stood between my open legs. Thank goodness I wore pants today. "Soon. Soon I'll have you all to myself." I tilted my head back and he trailed his tongue down my neck as his nipped and kissed me. "Smell so good." I could feel him hardening and pulled his back up to kiss his lips again.
"Mmm, Draco. We have to slow down." God, I don't want to but we need to. "Have dinner with me tonight? My dad is visiting with friends in London and staying overnight at my pseudo Uncle Glenn's house. I can cook for you, and we can have some," I look over his shoulder at his sleeping child, "alone time." I wasn't being very subtle. If he came over tonight, I was clearly going to fuck his brains out.
"Let me talk to my mother about watching Scorp?" He asks and I nod. "I'll Owl you, okay?" He kissed me again. Shit! I swear my toes literally curled! If he was driving me wild just by kissing me, I could imagine how it would be making love. Love? Could I love him? I look into his eyes. Those damn eyes that are like pools of molten silver, and I know that I could easily fall in love with him.
Once he left, I got the deposit bag ready. Over the last few days, we'd made an astonishing amount of money. Our grand opening saw a quarter of our inventory sold, I was getting mail orders in, and each day by the afternoon, we had a steady steam of customers in our book shop. Life was looking good for me and I was excited for the next chapter to begin.
Draco's P.O.V.
After an eventful morning, I returned to the townhouse I shared with my mother and son. We had turned over Malfoy Manor after the war. and the Ministry cleansed it of all Dark Magic then turned it into a home for War Orphans.
"Mother? Are you home?" I hear the faint sounds of her music. I place Scorp in his playpen and walk towards the music room. She must be in a good mood if she's playing her favourite piece from Chopin, Bourree en sol mayor Op Postumo Nº 1. I open the door and she is in a muslin dress with her hair tied back in a loose up-do. I love this look on her. So free. It is then I see my Aunt Andy and my little cousin, Teddy Lupin sitting at the small table having tea and biscuits while listening to mother play.
I smile at them as I join their table. "Afternoon, Aunt Andy. Teddy, my main man, how are you liking the new books I ordered you? The one about Dragons was my particular favourite as a kid."
Teddy smiled. "It's great! The other one about the dinosaurs is cool too. Lots of pictures." Aunt Andy pours me a cup of tea as I grab a few biscuits.
"What has gotten into your mother, Draco? She has been doing nothing but smiling and playing piano since we arrived an hour ago." She giggled and smiled as mother took a break to change her sheet music.
"Well, did you see The Daily Prophet this morning?" She shook her head and said she cancelled her subscription years ago. I grabbed the one from my satchel and handed it to her. I watched as she read it and her eyes became as big as saucers.
"Does this mean you've finally told that brilliant witch of your feelings?" Seems mother truly did share everything with her sister. I just smiled and nodded feeling myself blush at the knowledge that I was finally getting my chance.
"I swear I will show her that I am a changed wizard. I'll show her that I can be worthy of her love and attention. Scorp adores her already. You should have seen her with him. Aunt Andy, I even apologised and shook hands with Potter and Weasley!" We laughed and mother finally noticed I was there.
"Draco! How was Hermione? Was she terribly upset about the paper?" I stood to kiss her on the cheek and help her into her chair.
"Not at all. Potter and Weasley were there whinging about the article, but they got over themselves after watching us interact. You'll be proud to know I apologised to them for my treatment of them over the years. They've accepted me. I think they know that Hermione could be happy with me, with us." Mother smiled appreciatively at my grown actions.
"Which brings me to my next bit of news. Hermione has invited me over for dinner tonight. Would you be able to watch Scorp tonight?" The bright smile stretching across her face already tells me she'd be happy to.
"Of course! Oh, Draco! It's finally happening! You're getting your chance at love!" My mother started to sob. "I'm sorry! I just have wanted this for you since you told me about the girl when you were thirteen!" I hand her a handkerchief and kiss the top of her head as I hug her.
"I know mum, and I love you even more for understanding then even if father would have Avada'd me for it if he had known at the time. I'm just glad he changed his ways in the end." I thought back to a conversation I had with him hours before he passed away from the curse he'd been hit with at the final battle once he'd changed his allegiance. No witch or wizard knew the counter curse and it slowly killed him.
"Draco, you must know the lengths I went through to try to redeem myself...my actions during the wars against the light. In my own way, I tried. I tried to protect her. To make it up to her, in my own way I did it son, I swear it. You must know." He'd then lost consciousness after a coughing fit and passed in his sleep a short time later. I never did find out who he was talking about. I only just assumed it was mother, but what? I have no idea.
I Owl'd Hermione that I would be at her place at six. She Owl'd back her Floo address and that she would adjust her wards to accept me. This was actually happening. I couldn't screw this up. Scorp and I played until his bath time and then I got ready for my date with Hermione Granger. Me! I almost pinched myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming this all up in my head. Theo stopped by just before I was getting ready to leave.
"Drake! I wanted to give you this before you left." He handed me a bottle of wine. "It's her absolute favourite! She'll got nuts. Probably hasn't had it in years because Zabini is the only one that makes it, and they don't talk anymore ever since he tried making a move on her eighth year." That peaked my interest.
"Blaise? What the hell?" Theo chuckled.
"I know man. I know. It was during the party after the Quidditch finals. He was really drunk and thought he had given her enough to make her more, um, open to his advances. He'd been trying all year for her to give him a chance. Thought she was just playing hard to get or some shit." I hugged in annoyance.
"Anyways, he was flirting with her and said something about making her knickers damp and as she turn to admonish him for it, he kissed her but instead of letting him continue, she sent a stinging hex to his balls then slapped him right across the face." Theo laughed so hard he clutched his side, "It was fucking priceless. And, they haven't spoken since."
I couldn't fight the smirk on my face. My girl never took any crap from us Slytherin. "Next time I see that fucker, I'm going to kick his ass." I said as I shake my head. Looking at the clock on my mantle I see it is two minutes til six. "Thanks for this mate. Gotta go. Enjoy your night off, yeah?"'I wink at him and watch as he disappears through the fireplace. I take a deep breath and grab the wine and call out her address.
As I appear in her cottage, I already know I'm in the right place. Her fireplace is covered in books and there is twin bookshelves lining the wall around a big, comfy looking armchair with a deep red and gold throw, reminding me of her Hogwarts house. "I'll be right out, Malfoy!" I hear her yell from upstairs. I look around the sitting room and see photos from her youth up until her life in Australia. It's a good mix of Wizard and Muggle photos. I see a photo of a woman that looks a lot like Granger and smile.
"My mother," I hear her say and she startles me. "Sorry." She giggles at seeing me jump slightly.
"She was beautiful. You look a lot like her, except you have your father's curls and eyes." She thanks me then takes my hand.
"Right this way Mr. Malfoy." She teases. Salazar's balls she fucking sexy. She's wearing a black dress with white polka dots that hits right below the knee with those same heels from last night. She has a salad and some sort of pasta dish on the table that smells heavenly. "I hope you don't mind Italian. I got this recipe from George's wife Angie." I tell her that I love any cuisine, but I am partial to French and Italian.
"Oh, I almost forgot! Theo dropped this off. Says it's your favourite." She smiles brightly and claps her hands like Scorp does when I bring him a sweet. She opens it so it can breathe while we eat our salads before the main course. We talk about the bookshop, Scorp, my many business dealings, and our favourite books and places we've travelled. It's an easy conversation, and we playfully banter. It's a dream. It really is.
"So, your father? Did they ever find out who cursed him?" I nodded my head.
"Dolohov." I watch her flinch.
"Ah, yes. I am very familiar with his curses." I look at her confusion clearly in my expression.
"Fifth year. Department of Mysteries. Luckily I had silenced him or I wouldn't be here. It was a deadly hex, but only left me with a nasty scar across my chest. I see it every day and it sometimes causes shocks of pain, but with each passing year it gets better. It's a light silvery colour now, but when it first happened it was purple and gross." She moved her collar just slightly and I saw the top of the scar. "Goes from here down to my sternum."
"My father went down hill slowly at first but this last year it hit him hard. He would get out of breath very easily. When he lost muscle control, he could no longer hold Scorp and that just made him so sad. My father was a right bastard most of my life, but he was one hell of a grandfather." I took her hand in my and started stroking the back of it with my thumb.
"The day he died, he said the strangest thing. It's really bothered me ever since." Hermione sits closer to me and urges me to tell her more. "He said that he wanted me to know the lengths je went through to try to redeem himself for how he acted during both wars. He said in his own way he tried to protect 'her' and make it up to 'her' and was going to say more before a coughing fit made him so tired he lost consciousness and he never woke up. I never knew who he was talking about."
Hermione gasped and put her hand up to her mouth and excused herself. She left me on the sofa but returned moments later holding a letter. She handed it to me and I read it.
Dear Miss Granger:
Please accept this donation towards the research of reversing the memory modification on your parents. It can in no way make up for the ways myself and those like me treated you, but please allow me this.
I can die a happy man knowing that I did something good in my life. For my wife, my child, and any future grandchildren I may be blessed with. I wish you every happiness.
-Anonymous
I am dumbstruck. It's his handwriting, my father's handwriting. "Draco, is this your father?" I nod slowly and meet her eyes. "His donation as he called it funded the research fully. I was able to get my parents back and rehabilitated. The money left over moved us back home. It brought me to you. He brought me to you." She leaned her forehead against mine and closed her eyes, smiling.
"Can I kiss you?" I ask permission especially after hearing the story of Blaise's stolen kiss.
"I thought you'd never ask." The moment our lips touched, I felt as if my soul had finally become free. She's so sensual, so bloody hot. The way she sucks on my tongue a bit before exploring my mouth makes me hard as a rock. "Draco..." she moans. I hum in response, "Mmm bedroom."
Fuck! Holy fucking shit! I'm gonna blow it! Literally! I have had sex since that one night in sixth year. I made my son by jacking off into a specimen jar while holding a picture of Granger from the fucking Yule Ball for crying out loud!
I carry her up the stairs to the bedroom she indicates is hers. Our clothes are being strewn about the room in our rush to undress. "Are you sure?" I ask. I need to be sure.
"Yes, please, I need you. I want you inside me. Make me yours! Please Draco!" She sounds so desperate for me, so like any fine gentleman, I humbly obliged. She lay back on her pillows, her curls splayed out like Ophelia floating in the water. Her moans of my name and Oh God are getting me so excited for her. To feel her.
I rub her clit in slow circle, collecting her juices and coating my fingers. I slide in one finger and at her urge for more, I add another digit. She's so wet, so ready for me, "It's been a while, I may not last long." I warn her. She giggles.
"Are you kidding me?" She chuckled, "I haven't had sex in five years." This surprised me a bit. It was like we were both waiting for our forever, for each other.
I last longer than I thought.