Hermione knocked lightly on the open door and yelled inside. "Hello?"

A chorus of "In the dining room!" was heard and Hermione entered the breezeway. It took her a moment to notice that Draco hadn't moved from his spot in the doorway. She turned and smiled at him. "Draco, everything is going to be just fine. There's nothing to worry about."

Draco smiled nervously back at her. "If you say so," he stated. He grasped her extended hand and followed her down the hallway into the dining room.

As soon as the two of them entered the room, they were bombarded with family members and friends. Mrs. Weasley being at the head of the line.

"Hello, Hermione dear. It seems that I haven't seen you in ages! You work all the time, it can't be good for you." Mrs. Weasley held Hermione's shoulders and kissed her once on both cheeks. "And who's this handsome young man?"

Hermione smiled and held Draco's hand tighter. "I'm sure that you'll all remember Draco Malfoy."

The room became irreconcilably silent. Everyone just stared.

Draco shifted uncomfortable from one foot to the other before emitting a quiet, "Hello everyone."

Mrs. Weasley was the first to react. "It's wonderful to have you dear," she said, kissing him on the cheeks as well, "Won't you please make yourself at home?"

Draco bestowed a relieved smile and handed Mrs. Weasley the other bouquet in his grasp.

Mrs. Weasley smiled again. "Such a gentleman."

Ginny was the next to hug Draco, winking at Hermione as she did so.

Ron and Harry weren't as friendly but were at least civil.

Ron held out a hand. "Nice to see you. Draco."

Draco shook Ron's outstretched hand and nodded to him. "Ron." Draco then looked to Harry. "How are you Harry?"

Harry smirked at him. "Fine Draco, and you?"

"Never better."

~ * ~

Dinner went smoothly and everyone got along fine. Draco even laughed when he accidentally ate on of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Canary Creams-after he had turned back into a human that is. Another surprising thing that night was when Draco got into a heated discussion with Percy about the thickness of cauldron bottoms-something that even Hermione couldn't even listen to without almost fainting from boredom.

Later that night, Hermione was watching Draco play with the children. She couldn't help but think what a wonderful father he would probably make. Even little Lily-Harry's youngest daughter- loved Draco and was playing with him. This was odd because it took a while for her to even speak to Hermione or Ron. She had a contented smile on her face as she watched them and sipped her wine. She missed large family functions like this. Work hadn't allowed her to come to any of the gargantuan Weasley or Potter cookouts or other get-togethers. A flutter of guilt ran through her as she remembered having to leave little Lily's birthday party early because she had an emergency call from the hospital. Maybe it was time to find another job.

Lily ran over to her favorite aunt and tugged at her skirt. "Auntie Mine," she said as she tugged, "Auntie Mine, come play with Uncle Drake and me." Hermione smiled at the minute creature yanking on her skirt. Lily had never been able to pronounce her entire name so had just called her "Mine". It didn't even occur to her that the child had called Draco "Uncle Drake" until much later when she had gone to bed.

Hermione followed Lily and sat on the floor between her and Draco. Lily was showing him her favorite doll. "This is Rachel, I named her after Mommy's best friend from when she went to Bo-batons." Harry had married a witch named Madeline who had attended Beauxbatons. She was in their year during school and was friends with Fleur, who had introduced them.

Draco picked up the doll and admired it for the benefit of the child sitting across from him. He snuck glances at Hermione and noticed a look of contented bliss on her face. He could tell that she was happy in the large family atmosphere and fleetingly wondered what it would be like to have a family with her.

~ * ~

Later on, Draco and Hermione apparated back to her flat in London. That was another reason Hermione was more and more interested in leaving her job. She wanted to live in the countryside where she could keep animals; she didn't want to live in such a dreary city for the rest of her life. Inside, Hermione led Draco into the living room where they sat and talked for a long while. The conversation flowed from one topic to the next, never breaking their conversation.

When it came time for Draco to say good-bye, he found that he didn't want to leave. Never before had he wanted to spend so much time with a woman. After he walked through the doorway, he turned back. "Hermione, may I see you again soon?"

Hermione looked pleased that he had asked. "Of course Draco, I would love to see you again."

Draco nodded and looked at. She was a little more disheveled than before from playing with the children all night, but in his eyes, she could not be more picturesque. He gently raised one hand to her face a cupped her cheek in his palm.

Leaning into his touch, she continued looking into his beautiful gray eyes.

"Until next time then," Draco said, and then he was gone.