I was taking a bite of my dessert when I heard Ron say the words. "I think we should break up." I stop, the fork halfway to my mouth with my first bite of crème brûlée hovering. He says it again, slower more controlled this time.
"I heard you the first time, Ronald!" I practically hiss the words. My stomach lurches with my initial thoughts. Oh God! He's cheated. "Are you cheating on me? Is there someone else?" My voice cracks and the tears begin to fall. He's been distant the past few months. Is this why?
"Fuck, no 'Mione. There is no one else. I just don't think this is working. Are you happy with me?" I'm not. I know I'm not so I just shrug and look down into my plate. His voice is strong and steady. "See? I love you, you know that, it's just not enough. We should be crazy in love, right? We're just comfortable together. It's, well, like I already said. Not enough." He places his hand over mine and I smile.
My thoughts immediately go to the blonde wizard that makes my heart race whenever he is close to me. My fantasies are of him, not Ron. "You're right. I haven't been happy in a while. If I am being completely honest with you, I've begun having feelings for someone else. I haven't acted on it. He has no clue of my feelings and I doubt he ever will, but it really isn't fair of me to think about him when we were still together."
"Well, I hope one day you tell this person. He'd be a fool not to fall in love with you. You're bloody brilliant and gorgeous too. You're still my best friend, 'Mione." We get up and hug then I disapparate back to my house. It's the house I grew up in. I moved in after being unable to restore my parent's memories. I am greeted by my kitten Perdita. I got her two weeks ago. Two years after losing Crooks.
"Hey baby. Mummy's a little sad tonight. Ronald ended our relationship." I scratch behind her ears and she purs and nudges her soft fuzzy head against my palm. "Thank you, Perdita. At least I can count on you to love me." I wallow in self pity the rest of the night. Tomorrow is a new day.
The day after the breakup, Ginny shows up in my Floo to check up on me. "I'm fine, Gin! I swear!" I really am. I have decided to focus on myself and my work as an Auror and not dwell on the breakup. It was inevitable really. We were just going through the motions honestly. My thoughts wander to him, Draco. He's going to tease me mercilessly about Ron being the one to end things.
OOOOOOOOOO
Monday arrived and by some miracle our breakup is not front page news, but a tiny blurb on page three. 'Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger have ended their four year relationship amicably and will remain friends. A source tells the Daily Prophet that the former couple broke up over dinner Friday night at La Rouge in Diagon Alley.'
I get settled in at my desk and pull out some case files to go over before the department meeting. I hear a knock on my cubicle wall and look up to see Draco. "Brought you a tea, Granger. How are you holding up?" He asks me in a soft voice, not a hint of pity either.
I take the proffered cup, "Thanks, Malfoy. I am doing just fine actually. We parted as friends. Was I surprised? Of course. Hurt? A bit. But I had the weekend to wallow and now I will just focus on work. I am actually going over the Russet file now." He pulled up a chair and we got to work.
A few months after the breakup, Cormac McClaggen asked me to dinner. I reluctantly agreed to go. It was the longest two hours of my life. Sure, he was good looking and intelligent, but he was also an egotistical bastard that tried to cop a feel at the end of the night. I may have broken his wrist. Nothing a simple Episkey couldn't fix.
OOOOOOOOOO
The Ministry Christmas party was a month later and I went as a third wheel with Harry and Ginny. He proposed to her that night which made things awkward for me. I just stood there as they were congratulated by wizards and witches from every department. I watched from the bar as Draco danced with witch after witch, never once looking in my direction.
"You look way too beautiful to be standing at the bar alone, Miss Granger." I look and see Blaise Zabini with a whiskey tumbler in his hand. He tilts his head in the direction of the dance floor. "May I have the next dance?" I look around to see if there is anyone else around. Maybe he's asking as a dare. "Or am I mistaken and you do have a date?"
I shake my head, "No, I just haven't danced in years. Plus, I am a bit tipsy." He waved me off.
"Nonsense. I'll lead." He put his hand out and I took it as he led me to the floor. He was a fine dancer and even made me look as if I knew what I was doing. I caught a glimpse of Draco as we danced and he looked annoyed. I heard Blaise chuckle and looked up to see his amused face.
"What's so funny?" I asked him with a small smile of my own.
"Oh, just enjoying the many scowling faces especially Draco Malfoy's." That got my attention.
"Oh? Is he mad at you? What did you do?" I ask. He smirks at me, looks and sees Draco still scowling.
"He is a bit upset. I took something of his, well, something he thinks is his." I wonder what he could have taken. "No, Auror Granger. Nothing illegal." He smiles down at me and holds me closer as we glide around the dance floor.
After our dance, I decide to call it a night. I am waiting at the queue when I feel someone stand behind me. I can smell the cologne and know it's Draco. The warmth radiating off his body somehow sends a shiver down my spine. "Zabini Granger? Really?" I turn slowly and look up at him, my brows furrowed.
"Isn't he your friend, Malfoy?" He looks down at me and smirks.
"Yes, which is why I must warn you not to fall for his charms. He is what the Muggles call a 'player' so he's not some knight in shining armour." I can't help but laugh.
"I have zero chance of falling for his game, Malfoy. I have worked with his type before; for years in fact." He raised his eyebrow at my comment.
"I am nothing like that rake." He smirked, "There's only one witch on my mind." He tilted his head to the Floo. "Goodnight Granger."
Months went by and I still pined over that insufferable wizard. We were paired on many cases and became closer friends, but gods! I wanted so much more!
Ginny had asked me to be her witness and maid of honour for the wedding, so that had me busy. "Are you bringing a date to Potter's wedding?" He asked me out of nowhere one day.
"No, I don't have anyone to ask. My love life is non-existent or haven't you noticed?" I say it with more bite than I mean too and he shakes his head.
"So, Blaise not available then?" He says with a snort. Why does he think me and Zabini are a thing? We had one dance three months ago.
"No, I haven't seen him since our hot and heavy BDSM sex dungeon encounter last week." I laugh when he chokes on his coffee. "Merlin, I danced with him one time and never heard from him after except for a quick hello in Diagon here and now."
He seems to relax at that. "Good. I mean, he made it sound as if you were casually dating each other." It was my turn to choke on my tea. "Well, the wedding is in a few days. I am bringing Pansy as my plus one, just as friends. The witch I want to take seems too busy. Will you save me a dance?" My heart starts to pound and I know that I am blushing now. Does he mean me? Am I the witch he wants to take.
"I, um, yes. Yes. I'll save you a dance. I would really love that." He inches closer and kisses my cheek.
"Can't wait."
Ginny was a vision in an ivory lace and chiffon wedding dress, her hair in long, loose curls cascading down her back. Her Aunt Muriel had let her wear her diamond and emerald tiara in her hair and Harry had gifted her his mother Lily's diamond star necklace with matching earrings.
"Hermione! Oh my goodness! Look at you!" I chose an empire waisted periwinkle dress that reminded me of my dress from the Yule Ball in my fourth year.
"Me? Gin, you are so breathtakingly beautiful. Harry is going to lose it." I hug her close and wish her luck.
"You too. Harry says Malfoy wouldn't shut up last night at the Stag party about you. He was insufferable apparently. Kept telling everyone that your dance card was full!" She giggled as I blushed.
"I promised him I'd save him a dance." I told her that he kissed my cheek. She asked how I felt about him and I couldn't hold it in any longer. I told her everything.
"After we had that raid on the Rosier compound two years ago, I started to see him as more than just a coworker. I was with Ron so I never did anything. I really did not even think Malfoy could ever see me like that." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I think that if Harry noticed it, then everyone did. Well, everyone but you!" She nudged me. A knock on the door sounded and Mr. Weasley popped his head in to tell us it was time. I tell her I love her and leave her and her dad to walk to my place under the arbor.
I see Harry and Ron and smile. I can hear people murmuring and complimenting me on my dress and makeup. Then I see him. Draco. He looks perfect as always, but his eyes are on me. He smiles softly and mouths the word "stunning" to me. I know my cheeks are aflame and quickly focus on making it down the aisle and under the arbor. I can see Ron chuckling and seeming to have a silent conversation with Pansy Parkinson as she nudges Draco's ribs causing him to sneer at her. Before I know it, the music starts and Ginny takes everyone's breath away.
"On my first train ride to Hogwarts, a boy with messy black hair and glasses entered my compartment. He became my best friend and now, years later he marries my sister! What the hell man? Was that your plan all along?" I laugh at Ron's speech. He's witty and clever with plenty of anecdotes about him, me, and Harry thrown in. "And now, our other best friend, Hermione Granger."
I stand and take my glass, "Ginny, if it weren't for you, I would have probably killed these other two a long time ago. Thank you for being my friend. You are always here for me when I need to vent or cry about life, work," I make eye contact with Draco, "and love. You make me take a step back and breathe then force me to drink fire whiskey even though you know I despise it. And now you are my sister. Because Harry is not just my best friend, but also my brother. I love you both! Make lots of babies and never go to bed angry. To Ginny and Harry!"
The band began to play and I quickly downed my champagne before searching for Draco. I didn't need to go far because as soon as I turned around, he was pulling me to the dance floor. He spun me out then back into his arms. "Been wanting to do this since fourth year." He held me close then whispered in my ear, "I've loved you from afar for too long, Granger." I blushed then couldn't fight the smile on my face before tucking my head under his chin and against his chest.
"I see Weasley and Pansy are finally letting go of the past, so I thought 'What the fuck am I waiting for.' I want us to be together, Hermione." I cannot believe this is finally happening. "I know our past is messy, but it's just that; the past. And you? You're my future."
OOOOOOOOOO
"Fuck, Hermione! I'm not going to last long if you keep rolling your hips like that." I have never felt so good before. We are so in sync with each other's wants and needs. Draco is very vocal too. I would have never guessed it. "Yeah, nice and slow. Oh sweet Salazar, you are the sexiest witch I've ever known. Oh fuck! That's it baby." I am on top too. Ron never let me get to this point. He was very domineering in the bedroom, but Draco let's me have control and it is the most erotic experience ever.
"You like that? Mmm, grab my ass, Draco. Ahh, yeah tighter. Oh gods! Oh I'm coming!" And I am. My third orgasm and he's not even done yet. He turns us so he's on top now. He kisses me softly before thrusting a bit faster each thrust. "I have wanted you since the Rosier raid. Oh, oh Draco!" He hits my g-spot and fuck it feels good!
"Fuck, I'm coming!" He continued pumping until he'd pumped every last drop into me. He kissed me lazily for a few minutes before rolling off of me and casting a quick cleaning charm in the both of us. "Third year. After you punched me? That night, I had my first sex dream and colour me surprised when you were the star. I tried denying my feelings until the Yule Ball fourth year. When I saw you arrive on Krum's arm, I felt my heart shatter and that's when I knew."
"Knew?" I ask out of curiosity.
"I knew that I was unequivocally and unapologetically in love with Hermione Jean Granger." My heart felt as if it would leap out if my chest. He pulls me closer and hugs my middle. "No witch ever kept my attention. You were always the one I wanted to be with. After you were captured, I wanted so badly to be the one to save the day. My mother stopped me. She read exactly what was on my mind. She knew then that I was in love with Harry Potter's Muggleborn best friend. When Dobby got you out, I was so relieved."
"I told them that you looked like you wanted to help but couldn't. Ron, of course, told me I was senile from the Cruciatus, but Harry said he thought so too. He said you didn't even put up a fight when he took your wand." I turn in his arms and kiss his chest. "So, your mum? She knows that you're in love with me?"
Draco chuckled and I can feel the rumble of his chest. "Yes, I dare say she will be quite pleased that I finally told you. Father too, actually. He knows as well. Mother talks of it openly when she visits him." He notices how I tense up with the mention of his father. "Granger, he is actually okay with it. Believe it or not, she says when she told him that I was in love with a Muggleborn, he instantly knew that it was you. He told her that he had a feeling after finding your picture tucked in my desk the summer before sixth year. It was a photo I took myself."
"When did you ever take a photo of me?" I cannot recall a time he'd have a chance.
"Oh, fifth year. My grandmother gifted me a camera at Yule that year. I was taking photographs of my friends and you were sitting under a tree nearby reading. I had Pansy and Theo pose almost in front of where you weee so I zoomed in past them and took the picture of you instead. Pathetic, I know." But it wasn't pathetic at all to me. It was incredibly sweet and I told him so.
That night was the beginning of our new chapter. And seven months later, on a clear night, under his constellation, Draco Malfoy, heir to the noble houses of Malfoy and Black, proposed to me, a Muggleborn witch. He did it a week after his father's release from Azkaban. I had been reintroduced to Lucius at dinner two nights after, and he asked his son 'Why haven't you made her my daughter yet?' after we had a bit too much Elven wine at dinner.
So after we dined on a private rooftop bar at his friend Theo's restaurant, a chilled bottle of champagne arrived with our raspberry chocolate soufflé and Draco went down on one knee. "Hermione, I have loved you for almost a decade. I waited for you for so long and now that I have you, I am never letting you go. You make me a better person and there's no other witch in the world that can hold a candle over you. Please. Marry me. Be mine in every way. Become my wife and the future mother of my children."
I drop to my knees in front of him, grab his face, and kiss him slowly. "Yes, Draco. Yes." I let him place the ring in my finger and he hugs me tightly. "I love you so much and I cannot wait for the day I make you a father." We kiss some more before enjoying our dessert under the night sky.
OOOOOOOOOO
Six months later, we married in the Malfoy Manor gardens, in the gazebo over looking the pond. Narcissa and Lucius were overjoyed. They toasted us and gifted us their Italian villa where we honeymooned for two weeks. Five months after our wedding, I left my position as an Auror and began working for the Malfoy Foundation with Pansy Weasley, Ron's wife and Draco's best friend. She was on maternity leave after giving birth to my and Draco's Goddaughter, Amelia Jayne when I found out some exciting news of my own.
"Draco! Come quick!" My husband came running from his study, his reading glasses askew and Perdita trotting behind him. I think my cat loves him more than me.
"What is it my love? Are you injured?" I giggle and jump into his arms. "Oof! Hello love." I pull away and kiss him.
"I have news. Happy news!" I kiss him again then perform the charm revealing a golden glow around my still flat belly. "Congratulations Malfoy. You're going to be a daddy!"
Eight months later, Scorpius Draco Malfoy was born and almost two years later, his twin sisters Lyra Narcissa and Leda Helen Malfoy were born. Life was beautiful and all it took was for Hermione Granger to find love!
A/N: My second one shot in the Finding Love Series. Next up? George and Angelina
