A/N: Soooo, hello again everybody. I'd first like to apologize to everybody for keeping this story hanging for so long. I've had some rough times of my own and got distracted with life and everything. However, I clearly remember going back to read the reviews I got here and on other stories over and over again, and they never failed to make me smile. I really appreciate that you took your time to read what I write and actually give feedback on it, and this is probably why I came back to finish this story and maybe another one too. Thanks again for being such nice people. Also, English is not my first language so any grammar, punctuation, or spelling feedback is always welcome.
Hermione's parents took one turn after the other. They walked down the streets seemingly having a destination in mind. Finally, they stopped in front of a tiny restaurant. A place so hidden that one might not notice it when passing by. The older couple entered the restaurant, followed by Draco and Hermione minutes later.
The restaurant only had six tables. All of which were occupied except for one. Hermione's parents sat at a table that was originally prepared for four people. A young waiter headed towards Draco and Hermione with tentative steps.
"I'm afraid the place is full for now.." the waiter smiled apologetically, "I can't even remember when was the last time we had more than five people at the same time!" he bit out a nervous laugh. "But if you want to take something to eat or to drink with you..we can prepare you anything..for a special pri..." the waiter enthusiastically tried to offer Draco and Hermione other options before Draco cut him off.
"Actually, I see two empty chairs over there" Draco glanced back at the two chairs in front of Hermione's parents.
"Yes sir, but..the Wilkins are sitting at this table and..they're regular customers. I can't ask them to leave" the waiter stammered.
"I never said that you should" Draco said.
Before the waiter could argue further, Draco brushed past him with Hermione right behind him.
"Good morning" Draco greeted.
"Good morning!" Hermione's mother greeted back with a smile.
"I hate to come off as rude or intrusive but I was wondering if we could share this table with you. It's the only table that has empty seats and we've been looking for a place to have breakfast for too long. You see, we're not from here." Draco explained as politely as he could.
The old couple exchanged a long glance, then Hermione's father seemed to be studying Draco's face intently, as if looking for signs to prove whether he was trustworthy or not. His eyes scanned Draco and Hermione from head to toe briefly before looking back at his wife.
"Why on Earth not?" The woman said cheerfully, seemingly a lot less skeptic than her husband. "Please have a seat" she urged, motioning for them to sit down.
"I'm Monica Wilkins, and this is my husband Wendell" she introduced with a welcoming smile as the younger couple took a seat across them.
"I'm Draco, and this is Hermione" Draco introduced, not noticing Hermione cursing under her breath as Wendell eyed Draco skeptically. "His family has greek origins" she added quickly, hoping that was enough to rest her father's doubts for now.
The conversation was paused briefly as the two couples gave the waiter their orders.
"I take it from the accent you two are British?" Wendell finally spoke.
"Yes we are, we're here for a short vacation. Have you ever been to England?" Hermione asked, happy to take the conversation into less risky waters.
"Never actually, but we'd like to visit some time. We've lived in America before moving to Australia. How do you two like it here?" Monica asked.
"It's lovely" Hermione beamed. "Definitely a good change in terms of weather too." Draco added.
"And what do you do for a living?" Wendell asked, looking a lot less suspicious and more friendly now.
"Journalists" Hermione quickly replied, saying the only job she could think of that was similar in both the wizarding world and the muggle world equally, not wanting Draco to mess it up with a weird job title. "But nothing too serious, just some fashion and sports coverage." she added.
Before the conversation could go further, the waiter came along with their food, and as he started laying down the plates on the table, Hermione grimaced as the smell of the food made its way through her nostrils.
"Are you okay, dear?" Monica asked, seeming genuinely concerned.
"Yes yes, everything is alright." Hermione assured, trying her best to make peace with the unpleasant smell.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked, leaning closer to her and putting his arm over her shoulder.
"Is something wrong with your food? This place makes the best breakfast in town! Do you want to send it back?" Wendell asked
"No no, it really is alright, the pregnancy is just messing with my sense of smell recently, it's not the food, it's me. Hermione insisted, hating the fact that she made a small scene over nothing. Who tolerates a pregnant stranger sitting at his table and grimacing at his food, ruining his breakfast, she scolded herself!
"Oh you're pregnant! That's wonderful, sweetheart. Looks like it's your first trimester, I hear these ones are usually the hardest. I never had children of my own, but one of my friends is a midwife and she tells me a lot about the cases she works with" Monica commented compassionately as she patted Hermione's hand. Hermione felt like her heart was being squeezed for a moment before she forced a smile on her face.
The rest of the meal went by safely, the older couple was warming up to Draco and Hermione, Wendell's skeptic looks were nowhere to be seen. After the meal was over, Monica and Wendell offered to take the young couple on a sightseeing tour through the city they were visiting for the first time, an offer that they gladly agreed to.
At the end of the day, Draco and Hermione said their goodbyes to the Wilkins, promising to visit again if they're ever back to Adelaide. As the old couple walked away, Hermione stepped closer to Draco and held his arm.
"Aren't we going back to the manor?" She asked when she saw him looking perplexed.
"We don't need to go back so soon, we can have a walk, unless you're tired" he offered.
"Not at all, I could use a walk right now" Hermione replied as she started taking small steps next to Draco.
"You did a very good job on that false memory charm" Draco noted, looking impressed.
"Yeah, I took my time with it" Hermione replied back ruefully.
"Something about you is off, what is it?" Draco demanded.
"I feel terrible.." Hermione confessed, not even bothering to hide it.
"Talk to me" Draco urged softly, holding her hand.
"I took so much away from them, their entire history, their friends, their careers, everything, I made them complete strangers.." Hermione blurted out, tears glistening in her eyes "they have to live thinking they have no family, that they never had a child. I saw the look in her eyes when she said she never had children of her own.." her voice trailed as the tears ran down her face.
"It's alright, cry it out.." Draco coaxed, hugging her close ".. but don't be too hard on yourself, what I saw today was two happy people. They have each other and their quiet life seems to be satisfying for them, that's what matters. They don't know the people you're talking about, the Grangers are nobody to them; they have nothing to compare to or miss. As far as they know, they've been Wilkins their whole life." Draco reasoned with Hermione as she raised her glistening eyes, staring into his, desperate to believe what he was saying.
"What you did was extremely brave, one of the most courageous things I've ever seen anybody do for their family..and I come from a family that would go to unprecedented lengths for each other, so trust me on that one. You did what was best to keep them safe and that's what matters the most." Draco insisted.
"You're right.." Hermione finally said, "as long as they're safe..I mean, after all, what they don't know can't hurt them..I just..wish I could have them as my parents again, wish they could know they had me..they used to be so proud of me" she admitted.
"Rightfully so, who wouldn't?" Draco smiled. "You'll reunite with them again, trust me. I promise you" he promised.
"Back to the manor?" Draco suggested after Hermione finally gave him a genuine smile and nodded her head.
As they apparated back to the manor, Draco ordered Idgy to get them something to drink, turning around, he extended an arm towards Hermione, tilting his head to one side. She stepped forward and took his hand and he pulled her into an embrace.
"Was it a good day?" he whispered against the bridge of her nose.
"A great day" she confirmed.
"Just great? Not perfect?" He comically frowned.
"I guess you can't have everything" she feigned seriousness.
"Then I'll have you for now, and everything else will have to wait" he smirked as he started nuzzling her neck.
As Hermione opened her mouth to say something, a sharp abrupt tap at the window had them both snapping their heads in the direction of the noise. A big brown owl was standing over the window tapping it consistently.
Draco went to the window and freed the message from the owl's leg. His eyes skimmed through it quickly and Hermione watched as his eyes widened in horror.
Without saying anything, he threw the message and started heading to the door. Hermione picked it up to read it.
"Draco, I need you to come to my house as soon as you see this. Ginny lost the baby. Blaise".