Chapter 65 – The end of a dinner

The food was taken in silence, and Hermione thought about what Draco had told her, swallowing the bitter pill that she was wrong once again. Taking his advice she tried to make some light conversation by asking questions.

"You like your job? I read you own a company in the Daily Prophet."

"I work on improving the brooms with my team of developers. It's a task I enjoy."

"Yes, I heard about a new broom, it's all the students talk about since Christmas."

"You assume again Granger, that was my business competitions." Draco drawled and wiped his mouth with the napkin.

"I - I'm sorry." Hermione stammered and wanted to hide her face that grew red. "The only apology I can offer is that I don't talk a lot these days."

If it was possible to melt into the ground in mortification, Hermione was sure she would. She felt a lot like her mind was numb. Unable to form intelligent sentences, messing up the whole conversation. Curiosity made her continue on anyway. What else was there to do, but surge forward.

"So what is your latest invention?"

"We invented some Quidditch gloves made from dragon leather. It's robust, but hard to handle because of the hardness of the leather. So we had to look into different ways of manufacturing. It took some time, but they are perfect for Keepers and Beater, reduced the injury risks a lot."

"Interesting." Hermione said, even thought she had little idea about Quidditch. She liked to say she disliked it mostly because it was such a risky sport. Just a small part had to do with her acrophobia and the knowledge that she wasn't able to handle a broom, or so she told herself.

For years the thought of something as simple as Quidditch hadn't even crossed her mind, but now she remembered the shouting crowds, the feeling she had when Harry and Draco went into a fervid race to the snitch and happiness she got swept into by the crowd cheering.

"What is your next invention? With all that talk about the new broom you have something up your sleeve yourself, haven't you?

"We are working on it." Draco grinded his teeth, but his face stayed emotionless. Hadn't she seen the subtle working of his jaw it would have evaded her how much pressure he felt.

"You should include runes. A good wood would make it possible, combined with enchantments."

"Runes? I saw you like to use them. Your work is impressive. Anyway, I would need to look into it. Most likely they would be needed to be done by hand, on every single broom. The price would be to high."

Hermione thought about it for a second before she continued, voicing her thought.

"Why not make it an exclusive brand, only available on order? I think it would work."

Draco laughed at her insistence. "Just as bossy as ever if an idea struck you, right Granger?" He asked her and toasted his glass in her direction, before taking a sip.

Hermione glared at him just out of reflex, because she hated to be laughed about, but seeing his carefree smiling face the first time this evening, she had to hid her own smile behind her glass of water.

Draco stayed silent afterwards and she could see him pondering the idea while he finished his wine. They sat like that for some time, until the waiter joined them again and she denied a coffee. Draco ordered the bill and dared her to say anything when he paid for them both. It was just a fleeting glance, but Hermione understood and waited until he was done.

When he helped her into her jacket she regarded him over her shoulder and once again admired his posture.

"Thank you for dinner Draco. I enjoyed myself. Maybe we can repeat this?"

Hermione left the restaurant in front of Draco, but once outside she turned around and hugged him to say good bye. She was instantly teleported to the past by his familiar scent, a scent of days long gone, of old memories and images still worth preserving forever in her mind. She could picture him taking Scorpius from her arms, hours spent in bed and discussions that ended in heated arguing. For once she was trapped in her mind by happy memories, and she fought hard to keep the bitter ones that were linked to him in the back of her mind. She didn't want to remember his wounds, his empty eyes or the image that haunted her after Severus told her Draco had gotten the Kiss.

At this moment she slet her heart hurt for the husband and the daughter she lost. The lose washed over her like a wave of sorrow, but she blinked the tears away, and took a few moments to get her act together. She didn't want him so see how emotional this evening had made her.

Draco looked down at the top of her frizzy head and made a face. His feelings were a mix of bewilderment, reticence, along with a pinch of nervousness. With a tight frown marring his features, he had half a mind to ask her what the fuck she thought she was doing, but then she squeezed.

Draco took a deep breath, as his discomfort rose, while he was at the mercy of her hug.

He was tense and noticed himself cringe in extreme anxiety, but didn't dare to move a muscle, because deep down, it felt nice to be close to her. He wanted to know her motive, but asking was out of the picture. So he waited for her next move and hid his emotions behind a mask.

When her arms dropped to her side, he took a step back and she was able to see his trademark smirk in his face.

"Just for my son, Granger." He drawled and turned around to get away from the situation as fast as possible. His long dark silver trench coat was visible in the dark until he left for a dark alley. Hermione knew by the remote crack that he had apparated away, leaving her alone in muggle London, with memories swirling in her mind. As she analysed their evening, she notice that she had not once felt her panic well up. He was different from her husband, in more than just one way, but he had made her feel save.

Left alone Hermione laughed, it was freeing, and somewhat crazy, but she had to let the feeling out. Maybe, she thought, maybe he would open up and allow them to be friends, but it would be fine either way.