Chapter Three- Reunited Pasts
A silver, muggle Mercedes pulled up at the station, music pumping loudly. The passenger's door opened, and Lacola Malfoy stepped out breezily. She lifted her sunglasses momentarily, unshielding her eyes, and scanned the area.
"No one," she thought to herself, repositioning them on her nose. She politely closed the door to her father's car, and linked arms with her mother.
"Cola," Mandy, her mother, started, "are you going to be alright? Are you sure you don't want us to head in with you?"
Lacola thought about this for a while, glancing from one of her parents to the other. What was the harm, anyway, in letting them escort her to the platform? She couldn't find any reason that would get her out of it. Instead, she smiled childishly.
"Of course I'll be alright. But I wouldn't mind you walking me in." The grins on both of their faces made her warm inside. She loved to make them happy, because after all, they did it all the time for her. She was spoiled, but not in a preppy way. She had respect, and unlike others of her economical status, only showed it modestly.
Draco walked around to the back of the muggle car, imported from Germany. "I'll get your bags, then," he nodded, opening the trunk and sliding out three large trunks. Lacola hadn't realized that she'd added an extra trunk this year. Most of the time, her luggage only consisted of two trunks. She also couldn't figure out what she'd packed all three with.
He placed them on a trolly, following behind the two girls happily. Lacola and Mandy both turned around. "Draco, hunny, why don't you walk up here with 'Cola and me?"
"I'm fine where I am, thanks."
"Daddy, don't be a whiner!" Lacola laughed, and slowed down lightly for her father to catch up.
Draco blinked, and smirked. "I told you I was fine. Really, I am." He as well slowed down, making a game of this. Mandy frowned lightly, and Draco sped up to pace with them. The frown disappeared, and the three travelled towards the Platform.
As they approached, they ran into the Weasleys.
"Bailey!" Lacola shrieked happily, dropping her mother's arm and skidding into her back. Bailey hadn't expected the crash so soon, and toppled over. Lacola landed on top of her, and the two erupted into a girlish fit of giggles.
"Hey 'Cola, girl," she answered, more casually. Ron laughed along with them.
"Draco, Mandy," he greeted the two, standing next to his own wife, Katie Bell, former chaser for Gryffindor. They'd pushed their friendship to a higher level at a quidditch orientation a few months after Ron had graduated from Hogwarts.
"Ron, how're you?" Draco questioned, actually happy to see him. "And Katie," he cooed, embracing her in a friendly way. Ron mimicked the action with Mandy.
"Pulling through, yourself?"
"Not too shabby. How's work?" Draco was referring to Ron's job as an Auror. Ron's face lit up, at the mention of his title that he held so proudly.
"Fabulous. And the Ministry work? How's that coming along?" Indeed, Draco worked for the Ministry. Particularly in the position formally held by Bartemius Crouch.
"Great." Draco smiled at Ron, remembering when they'd become friends. He didn't know he'd pulled it off, however it was late in their seventh year.
Draco had befriended Hermione during their fifth year, only to be shot down by her. She'd fallen for Harry, the one person who seemed to beat Draco at everything. Late in the seventh year, after a tragedy that still remained a mystery to him, Harry'd been killed. Draco had always suspected Voldemort, with his father's assistance. Draco had swooped in, taking advantage of this opportunity. He'd seen Hermione as a vulnerable, scared, and torn woman who needed comforting. Though Hermione saw right through him, and lectured for a full twenty minutes on how he should be ashamed of himself. Draco subconciously rolled his eyes at this thought; for he had tried everything in the last three years at Hogwarts to win over Hermione. He'd turned soft, kind, and caring, which Draco had always meant to thank her for. He seemed to view life a different way now, as though there were more important things to worry about than sex kittens, and playmates. His father had frowned upon this, though his mother secretly loved him more than ever for it. She wasn't as cold as she seemed, and Draco missed her dearly. His father, on the other hand... Well, let's not go there just yet. Ron had been listening that day, during the lecture, and had boosted Draco's ego. Their friendship evolved from there, and the two had kept in contact. After Ron's marriage to Katie, however the two only spoke on special occasions. Finally, the two only spoke to each other once a year, at the station, while dropping off their kids.
Bailey stood finally, her laughter dying down a little. She held a hand out to Lacola. "Need help?"
Lacola grabbed her hand, pulling herself up. "Thanks." Her eyes shifted to the large clock right above their head. "We should really get going. The train leaves in fifteen minutes." She had still been holding on to Bailey's hand, and dragged her at a slow trot through the platform. Both sets of parents followed.
***
The two girls had barely gotten through the barrier before Lacola jutted her hand out. "Oh, my lord, Bailey..." she grinned widely, stopping in place and glancing in front.
"What is it?" Bailey asked, but didn't need to wait for an answer. Both of their gazes had fallen on a strong, husky male, who seemed to be either their age, or a year older. "Ohhh," she laughed lightly, knowing that Lacola was the more boy-crazy one.
"He's *georgeous!*" she whined, bending her knees in enthusiasm. "Don't you agree? You've got to agree. You *know* you agree."
Bailey shrugged. "He's alright..." Though in all honesty, she thought he was more than just alright. Anyone with hormones would agree.
Ron and Draco emerged from the barrier, followed by Amanda and Katie chattering away. Draco's gaze followed that of his daughters, falling on the boy. He nudged Ron, clearing his throat loudly. That snapped both teenagers out of their swooning stares.
"Come on, you two," Ron ushered then further towards the train, gazing at the boy as well. He laughed heartedly, until a young woman stepped up beside him. Both Ron and Draco heard her voice, and would have recognized her anywhere.
As though from an old, western movie, Draco's eyes began at the heels of her shoes. Colored a deep, deep burgundy, the pointed toe of the boot reminded him of a Charlie's Angels accessory. Her ankles seemed moisturized, silky and smooth even at the distance. Her calves were shaped like that of a soccer player, as were her thighs. The tight blue jeans didn't hesitate to bring out the sexy appeal of her lower body. Which included her backside; it gave off the impression of Puerto Rican heritage, if one can make an inference.
Ron, too, seemed to notice this, as his eyes moved slowly up her body hungrily. Her hips were marvelously shaped, and not at all hidden by the low-rise pants. Her shirt began at the tip of her belly-button, with ruffled edges. Matching the color of her shoes, the style was that of a peasant shirt. Her chest was exaggerated by the cut of the top, which was a V-cut, and the shape of her collarbone by the zigzagged charm-necklace that hung off her neck. Her face hadn't changed much, as noted before, though her hair had been twirled into a bun. Both noticed a drastic change in the attraction she held herself with.
Draco stood, gaping silently and almost unable to catch himself. "She looks unbelievable," he thought, shaking his head in disbelief. Mandy didn't seem to notice her husband gawking at an old crush, nor did Katie. Ron nudged Draco.
"What's wrong?" he croaked, pretending not to have noticed. He had to, in his defense, for the last time Ron had looked at her in any sort of way other than a glare had been the night of Harry's death. He couldn't face her, he was just too ashamed. These feelings had been pushed aside for the twenty-somewhat years that they'd been out of contact. Ron wondered why Hermione was suddenly showing up at the Hogwarts Express with a son. Surely the boy hadn't been attending Hogwarts all these years.
As if on cue, Viktor stepped up beside Hermione, shattering all thoughts Ron was having. "Naturally, they sent him to Drumstrang," Ron said aloud, knowing Draco had been wondering the same thing; which he had.
"Gosh," Draco whispered to Ron, his eyes darting nervously over to his *still* chatting wife. He began to walk over, stunned, though managed to keep a casual stride. Ron, however, grabbed at his arm.
"Where're you going!" he hissed through his teeth, snarling underneath his sentence.
"Over to her..." Draco moved his hand rolling forward, to show Ron what a retarded question that is. Ron let go, allowing Draco to proceed. He took a spot leaning on a column closeby, observing.
Krum had moved away to talk with Lancome about his first trainride to Hogwarts, leaving Hermione standing alone. She stuffed her hands into her back pocket aimlessly, biting her lip and stomping her foot to make it seem as though she was doing something. That was, until a gentle touch landed upon her shoulder.
"No chance in hell that you're the Hermione I'd known back in school," a deep voice complimented her, and she spun around to see who it could be. She gasped silently, her eyes widening.
Hermione noticed Draco's change for the better, too. He'd grown up to be a *very* nice looking man, and she stammered in surprise. "Draco M-Malfoy?" She stated it as a question, though knew damn well who it was. She was breathless, her throat dry, and suddenly she found herself throwing her arms around him. She blinked, pulling away from him. "I'm sorry, I'm just so flipping surprised I don't-"
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "How've you been? It's sure been a heck of a long time, no?"
Hermione nodded. It had been long, and as she calculated, it was longer than she'd expected. "Twenty three years," she announced proudly.
Draco grinned. "Well, then, we've got a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"
A silver, muggle Mercedes pulled up at the station, music pumping loudly. The passenger's door opened, and Lacola Malfoy stepped out breezily. She lifted her sunglasses momentarily, unshielding her eyes, and scanned the area.
"No one," she thought to herself, repositioning them on her nose. She politely closed the door to her father's car, and linked arms with her mother.
"Cola," Mandy, her mother, started, "are you going to be alright? Are you sure you don't want us to head in with you?"
Lacola thought about this for a while, glancing from one of her parents to the other. What was the harm, anyway, in letting them escort her to the platform? She couldn't find any reason that would get her out of it. Instead, she smiled childishly.
"Of course I'll be alright. But I wouldn't mind you walking me in." The grins on both of their faces made her warm inside. She loved to make them happy, because after all, they did it all the time for her. She was spoiled, but not in a preppy way. She had respect, and unlike others of her economical status, only showed it modestly.
Draco walked around to the back of the muggle car, imported from Germany. "I'll get your bags, then," he nodded, opening the trunk and sliding out three large trunks. Lacola hadn't realized that she'd added an extra trunk this year. Most of the time, her luggage only consisted of two trunks. She also couldn't figure out what she'd packed all three with.
He placed them on a trolly, following behind the two girls happily. Lacola and Mandy both turned around. "Draco, hunny, why don't you walk up here with 'Cola and me?"
"I'm fine where I am, thanks."
"Daddy, don't be a whiner!" Lacola laughed, and slowed down lightly for her father to catch up.
Draco blinked, and smirked. "I told you I was fine. Really, I am." He as well slowed down, making a game of this. Mandy frowned lightly, and Draco sped up to pace with them. The frown disappeared, and the three travelled towards the Platform.
As they approached, they ran into the Weasleys.
"Bailey!" Lacola shrieked happily, dropping her mother's arm and skidding into her back. Bailey hadn't expected the crash so soon, and toppled over. Lacola landed on top of her, and the two erupted into a girlish fit of giggles.
"Hey 'Cola, girl," she answered, more casually. Ron laughed along with them.
"Draco, Mandy," he greeted the two, standing next to his own wife, Katie Bell, former chaser for Gryffindor. They'd pushed their friendship to a higher level at a quidditch orientation a few months after Ron had graduated from Hogwarts.
"Ron, how're you?" Draco questioned, actually happy to see him. "And Katie," he cooed, embracing her in a friendly way. Ron mimicked the action with Mandy.
"Pulling through, yourself?"
"Not too shabby. How's work?" Draco was referring to Ron's job as an Auror. Ron's face lit up, at the mention of his title that he held so proudly.
"Fabulous. And the Ministry work? How's that coming along?" Indeed, Draco worked for the Ministry. Particularly in the position formally held by Bartemius Crouch.
"Great." Draco smiled at Ron, remembering when they'd become friends. He didn't know he'd pulled it off, however it was late in their seventh year.
Draco had befriended Hermione during their fifth year, only to be shot down by her. She'd fallen for Harry, the one person who seemed to beat Draco at everything. Late in the seventh year, after a tragedy that still remained a mystery to him, Harry'd been killed. Draco had always suspected Voldemort, with his father's assistance. Draco had swooped in, taking advantage of this opportunity. He'd seen Hermione as a vulnerable, scared, and torn woman who needed comforting. Though Hermione saw right through him, and lectured for a full twenty minutes on how he should be ashamed of himself. Draco subconciously rolled his eyes at this thought; for he had tried everything in the last three years at Hogwarts to win over Hermione. He'd turned soft, kind, and caring, which Draco had always meant to thank her for. He seemed to view life a different way now, as though there were more important things to worry about than sex kittens, and playmates. His father had frowned upon this, though his mother secretly loved him more than ever for it. She wasn't as cold as she seemed, and Draco missed her dearly. His father, on the other hand... Well, let's not go there just yet. Ron had been listening that day, during the lecture, and had boosted Draco's ego. Their friendship evolved from there, and the two had kept in contact. After Ron's marriage to Katie, however the two only spoke on special occasions. Finally, the two only spoke to each other once a year, at the station, while dropping off their kids.
Bailey stood finally, her laughter dying down a little. She held a hand out to Lacola. "Need help?"
Lacola grabbed her hand, pulling herself up. "Thanks." Her eyes shifted to the large clock right above their head. "We should really get going. The train leaves in fifteen minutes." She had still been holding on to Bailey's hand, and dragged her at a slow trot through the platform. Both sets of parents followed.
***
The two girls had barely gotten through the barrier before Lacola jutted her hand out. "Oh, my lord, Bailey..." she grinned widely, stopping in place and glancing in front.
"What is it?" Bailey asked, but didn't need to wait for an answer. Both of their gazes had fallen on a strong, husky male, who seemed to be either their age, or a year older. "Ohhh," she laughed lightly, knowing that Lacola was the more boy-crazy one.
"He's *georgeous!*" she whined, bending her knees in enthusiasm. "Don't you agree? You've got to agree. You *know* you agree."
Bailey shrugged. "He's alright..." Though in all honesty, she thought he was more than just alright. Anyone with hormones would agree.
Ron and Draco emerged from the barrier, followed by Amanda and Katie chattering away. Draco's gaze followed that of his daughters, falling on the boy. He nudged Ron, clearing his throat loudly. That snapped both teenagers out of their swooning stares.
"Come on, you two," Ron ushered then further towards the train, gazing at the boy as well. He laughed heartedly, until a young woman stepped up beside him. Both Ron and Draco heard her voice, and would have recognized her anywhere.
As though from an old, western movie, Draco's eyes began at the heels of her shoes. Colored a deep, deep burgundy, the pointed toe of the boot reminded him of a Charlie's Angels accessory. Her ankles seemed moisturized, silky and smooth even at the distance. Her calves were shaped like that of a soccer player, as were her thighs. The tight blue jeans didn't hesitate to bring out the sexy appeal of her lower body. Which included her backside; it gave off the impression of Puerto Rican heritage, if one can make an inference.
Ron, too, seemed to notice this, as his eyes moved slowly up her body hungrily. Her hips were marvelously shaped, and not at all hidden by the low-rise pants. Her shirt began at the tip of her belly-button, with ruffled edges. Matching the color of her shoes, the style was that of a peasant shirt. Her chest was exaggerated by the cut of the top, which was a V-cut, and the shape of her collarbone by the zigzagged charm-necklace that hung off her neck. Her face hadn't changed much, as noted before, though her hair had been twirled into a bun. Both noticed a drastic change in the attraction she held herself with.
Draco stood, gaping silently and almost unable to catch himself. "She looks unbelievable," he thought, shaking his head in disbelief. Mandy didn't seem to notice her husband gawking at an old crush, nor did Katie. Ron nudged Draco.
"What's wrong?" he croaked, pretending not to have noticed. He had to, in his defense, for the last time Ron had looked at her in any sort of way other than a glare had been the night of Harry's death. He couldn't face her, he was just too ashamed. These feelings had been pushed aside for the twenty-somewhat years that they'd been out of contact. Ron wondered why Hermione was suddenly showing up at the Hogwarts Express with a son. Surely the boy hadn't been attending Hogwarts all these years.
As if on cue, Viktor stepped up beside Hermione, shattering all thoughts Ron was having. "Naturally, they sent him to Drumstrang," Ron said aloud, knowing Draco had been wondering the same thing; which he had.
"Gosh," Draco whispered to Ron, his eyes darting nervously over to his *still* chatting wife. He began to walk over, stunned, though managed to keep a casual stride. Ron, however, grabbed at his arm.
"Where're you going!" he hissed through his teeth, snarling underneath his sentence.
"Over to her..." Draco moved his hand rolling forward, to show Ron what a retarded question that is. Ron let go, allowing Draco to proceed. He took a spot leaning on a column closeby, observing.
Krum had moved away to talk with Lancome about his first trainride to Hogwarts, leaving Hermione standing alone. She stuffed her hands into her back pocket aimlessly, biting her lip and stomping her foot to make it seem as though she was doing something. That was, until a gentle touch landed upon her shoulder.
"No chance in hell that you're the Hermione I'd known back in school," a deep voice complimented her, and she spun around to see who it could be. She gasped silently, her eyes widening.
Hermione noticed Draco's change for the better, too. He'd grown up to be a *very* nice looking man, and she stammered in surprise. "Draco M-Malfoy?" She stated it as a question, though knew damn well who it was. She was breathless, her throat dry, and suddenly she found herself throwing her arms around him. She blinked, pulling away from him. "I'm sorry, I'm just so flipping surprised I don't-"
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "How've you been? It's sure been a heck of a long time, no?"
Hermione nodded. It had been long, and as she calculated, it was longer than she'd expected. "Twenty three years," she announced proudly.
Draco grinned. "Well, then, we've got a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"
