A/n: To those of you who have eagerly awaited a post for this story, you have my deepest apologies. I really felt that I needed to get a little ahead of the posts, as I was falling so far behind with the limited time I had to write. My posts still may be a bit spaced out, but if you like the story you'll bear with me, right?

Also: So far, this story hasn't been much of a success, and I am mournful. Hopefully, my review rate will improve as I post more, and shame on those of you who only partake in the first act of R&R. Well, here's Chapter 3.

Purple Rose

By: RomanceCharm

{Chapter 3: Reunited at Last}

For months afterward, Hermione routinely received a telephone call from Draco every week, when he told her of his improvement with Dr. Noble. Hermione was overjoyed, but not quite convinced of his change. How could he evolve from a man who would be pleased at committing his father's murder, to a man she could safely set up house with so quickly? Everything he told her delighted her extremely, but doubt still remained in her heart. Though she desired it strongly, she sadly felt that he could never again be the Draco she had come to love four years earlier.

She had to admit, though, that his violent attitude was indeed being tamed. In the first few calls, Draco had constantly cursed his father for bringing them to this, and Hermione had gently scolded him. It took Draco a while to stop talking of the hatred, and then mentioning his father altogether. Then he only spoke of what he hoped their future would be. In preparation, Draco pleaded with Hermione to meet James. She consistently refused, saying James wasn't ready for such a shock, but she eventually realized she couldn't really deny him the right to see his own son. So one day in May, Hermione had him visit the house, to reunite with James.

The boy had just finished his lunch, and had jumped onto the couch when the doorbell rang. "Ooh, I'll get it!" he exclaimed, and hopped up from the couch, running to the front door. Hermione followed him through the hallway, and watched as he opened the door, and looked up, his head greatly elevated to see the face of their visitor. "Wow, you're big," James breathed to the man, and the man chuckled, a newly formed tear evident in his eye.

Hermione walked up behind James, and rested her hands on his shoulders. "James, I would like you to meet someone very special to me. His name is Draco," she informed him.

"Dray-co," James slowly repeated. Draco smiled and Hermione invited him in. Once they were all seated in the living room, James spoke to Draco. "So, do you like Quidditch, Dray-co?"

Both adults laughed at the pronunciation of his name, and at the question asked. "As a matter of fact, I love Quidditch. I used to play the seeker position when I was at school," Draco told him.

"That's awe-some! Could you tell me 'bout some of the games? Like the real close ones?" James asked eagerly.

"Sure," Draco committed, and the hour after that was dedicated to Draco reliving the most interesting Quidditch matches of his time. He laughed as he recalled all the times Harry had caused him injury during the games, and each time James would giggle and say, 'That's my Unc'a Harry!' Hermione's expression soured a bit each time Harry was mentioned, but took pleasure in the memories where Ron played a part. James sat and listened intently to each of Draco's recollections, and Hermione was awed that Draco could capture his full attention as he was. He truly was the child's father, connected by an unbreakable bond.

Finally Draco had finished telling James of the championship match of seventh-year, which had been declared a tie between Gryffindor and Slytherin. "I want to play at school, too, when I go. I'ca be a real good chaser, 'cause I can catch Mummy every time we play tag," James boasted with a grin.

"I bet you could, James," Draco said with a chuckle.

"You know," James said thoughtfully, "I wasn't gonna tell you this, but I think I like you so I will," he said, and leaned over toward Draco to whisper, "You look a lot like me."

"I'm flattered," Draco remarked with a grin. "How delightful to be complimented in such way, saying I resemble the attractive James Malfoy."

James giggled and then said mischievously to Draco, "Yeah, well, I bet you don't know my middle name!"

Hermione could see that Draco's initial answer would've been 'Yes, since I helped name you!' But he said, "Um…I think so…wait, wait, it's coming to me…oh! Isn't it, Aaron?!" Draco inquired in a dramatic voice.

The boy was once again consumed in giggles before he replied, "Yeperooni!"

The hours afterwards were highly entertaining, the three playing games of all sorts; board games and those they made up. A thought seemed to occur to James during his turn of one of their imaginary games, and he stopped to ask, "What's your full name, Dray-co?"

Draco looked a bit apprehensive, but Hermione nodded at him for support. "My name is Draco Aquilis Malfoy," he told James.

James's eyes grew large in amazement. "That's my surname, too; Malfoy! Hey, Mummy, are Dray-co and me related?" he excitedly asked, turning to his mother.

"Actually, yes, James," Hermione replied, and James jumped up and onto Draco's back, hugging his neck with a 'Woo-hoo!' Hermione smiled, and called out to him. "James, honey, sit down. There is something Draco and I would like to tell you."

James reluctantly returned to his seat in between the two adults, and gazed up at his mother. "Baby, you and Draco are related. In fact, you have the same blood running in your veins! Honey, Draco is your daddy."

Their son's face was overwhelmed with confusion, and he looked to Draco. Seeing the man nod with a smile, James's gaze transferred to the TV straight ahead. Hermione's smile drooped a little; he wasn't exactly taking it well. But no sooner had she thought so…

"DADDY!" James scrambled up and onto Draco's lap, squeezing him tightly around his neck. Hermione felt the tears build up inside her eyes, as father and son embraced in reunification, and Hermione hadn't seen a look so joyous on Draco's face since he returned. Hermione soon found two arms of different sizes include her in the hug. Hermione was so glad; her son now knew his father, and loved him. She couldn't have asked for a better reaction.

James pulled back slightly to ask, "Where've you been, Daddy?"

After that followed the less fun discussion of why Mummy and Daddy weren't together; because of Daddy's mean daddy, and that Mummy and Daddy might reunite some time in the future. James took an immediate disliking to the elder man that separated his parents, and told them so, causing a round of laughter from the adults. He clung to the idea that they would sometime get back together, and held onto that throughout the rest of the conversation; Draco telling his son of the doctor he was seeing to help him get over the sadness his father had caused him, and both parents reconfirming that when Daddy was healed they could be a family again. James hugged them both again, and Draco squeezed Hermione's hand affectionately.

After a pleasant dinner, Draco was to leave. James started to cry, wrapping himself around Draco's leg and pleading for him to stay. Draco told him that he had to go to work the next day; an Auror's salary didn't come for free. Hermione paraphrased the explanation Draco gave that had confused their son, telling him that if Daddy didn't get home and get sleep, he wouldn't be able to wake up the next morning to go to work, in which event he would be fired. And did James want that for his daddy?

James reluctantly let go of Draco, stating boldly, "Daddy's not gonna lose his job on a count a me." Draco bent down to hug James and the boy kissed him on the cheek, saying before he scurried off to the living room, "Bye, Daddy. See you soon!"

Hermione was left alone with Draco in the foyer. Draco turned to the coat rack and grabbed his jacket, pulling it on, all the while watching a staring Hermione. He settled into his jacket, and stepped closer to her, and she looked up into his eyes. Draco leaned in to her, and she couldn't resist. He laid his lips upon hers, and all was lost. He kissed her hungrily, tenderly exploring her mouth, one hand to her cheek and the other at her waist. Hermione melted, her hands resting on his chest. She finally pulled away, gently pushing against his broad upper body. "Draco…" she started to quietly protest. Their first kiss in four years had entranced her. Through it, each adult had poured out the pain and longing they'd felt while they were apart, and both were partially overwhelmed.

"I know, baby," Draco relented. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and gave it a squeeze with a kiss on her forehead, making her knees feel weak. He released her, and started out, calling over his shoulder, "I'll call you next week."

Hermione stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, and nodded after him. She watched him get into his car, start the ignition, and eventually pull away. Turning back into the house, she sighed. Hermione was so smitten with him it hurt inside.

A warm Saturday afternoon in late July found Hermione strolling through the park, as James was staying at Ron's house for the weekend. Clad in stretch khaki Capri's and a pale green, collared-halter top, Hermione took to picking out the beauty in everything she saw along the way. The men she passed seemed interested in scoping out the beauty too, but in her. Hair thrown up into a loose bun behind her head, plastered with colored little clips in just the right places, Hermione had to agree that her appearance didn't prove too shabby that day.

She dreamily wandered about, absorbed in the opportunity her future held. There was a chance she'd be happy once again in a week or so, and Hermione had never felt more anxious. Although, she admitted to herself, she wouldn't be completely happy. It had been three months, and Harry still wasn't talking to her. He wasn't rude about it; he just sort of slithered away from her, and oddly Ron. Hermione decided she was going to have to visit him for a talk soon, to straighten things out. This couldn't continue much longer; Hermione didn't quite feel complete with one of her best friends upset with her. And she knew Harry; he was understanding, and reasonable. It would all be settled, and then Draco would come back.

Hermione smiled, hugging herself as she walked along. Never before had she anticipated something so much, as she did with Draco's return to her everyday life. James would have both parents to love and support him, and nothing made Hermione more content than the fact. The three of them would be a family again, as they had for those short but charming seven days once before. Hermione was determined to keep it together this time.

Turning a corner on the walking path, she noticed an ice cream stall. The warm weather, along with her exercise, had really turned up her body heat. Hermione approached the vendor, and ordered a vanilla cone. Once she'd paid and the boy gave back her change and delivered the cone, she thanked him and started off again, focusing on the ice cream cone.

After walking a ways, Hermione leaned back against a tree with her ice cream cone. She bit the bottom of the cone, and started quietly slurping the ice cream through the little hole she'd made. A witness smiled to himself, sitting at the foot of a neighboring tree, watching her as she went about with her routine for eating ice cream cones.

She sucked all the ice cream through that hole, and then began eating the cone itself. She had just finished the cone when she heard someone approaching. "I always thought it so peculiar the way you devoured an ice cream cone," Draco remarked, amused. Hermione quickly turned her head, startled to see Draco standing before her.

"Draco, honey," Hermione said with a smile, and he took gentle hold of one of her hands, kissing it softly. Hermione grinned, feeling the warmth he projected spreading through her fingers. "What a nice surprise."

"Hope you don't mind me stalking you," Draco joked, and started them down the walking path, keeping hold of her hand. "I have nothing better to do with my life."

"Oh, come on," Hermione gently argued, "What about your counseling? How's that going?" Draco's gaze went abroad for a moment, and they walked in silence for a moment. "Draco? What's wrong?" Hermione asked fearfully, scared of the answer.

Draco pulled out of his trance, and smiled at her. "Oh, Hermione, there is no need to worry. Nothing's wrong. In fact, things are the greatest they've ever been!" He stopped walking and turned to Hermione, beaming, taking hold of both of her hands. "Mya, Dr. Noble told me of my progress, and he is as proud of me as you are. He said that today was my last session; that I wouldn't need to see him anymore. Mya, I'm cured!"

A wide smile spread over Hermione's face and she jumped onto him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "Oh Draco! I'm so happy for you!" Tears of joy formed in her eyes and they both laughed merrily as he gently spun her around. Draco finally set her down, but Hermione stayed close to him. "Oh honey, you have no idea how happy you've made me. I love you so much," she whispered, gazing happily up into his smiling face. It was the same smile she'd grown accustomed to, years before. Hermione didn't ever think she'd see such a smile again. He really had changed.

"And I love you, Hermione," he confessed, and bent his head toward her. She met his lips for another blissful kiss, wrapped up in the warmth of the kiss. When he finally released her lips, Draco moved his arms securely around her shoulders, and held her. Both Hermione's hands and head were lying on his chest, and Hermione felt so safe at that moment. She turned up her head for another kiss, and Draco welcomed the invitation. This kiss was just as dreamy as the last for Hermione, and she broke off breathless.

Eventually they started down the path again, Draco's arm loosely resting about her waist. They walked in quiet for the second time that day, but it was now a content silence. Hermione was jubilant at the happy turn of events, and couldn't wait to tell her little boy that his parents would be getting back together soon. She had to be sure about his transformation before they were to reunite completely, as she told Draco. Draco was a bit saddened by this, but he understood and agreed. He walked her to her car, and departed with a short but sweet kiss. Little did they know that an unwanted someone had been watching the whole encounter.

{End}

A/n: Nothing else to really say.

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Laura