Hermione wasn't the only one shaken by the trick the twins had played on them; Draco had still not entirely gotten over the shock of seeing his ex-wife at the Quidditch game, even more so, both his girls. He had problems concentrating during his business dinner, as his mind kept straying back to Hermione. Her sudden presence had brought everything back— things he thought he had pushed down deeply enough to never be reached again.

One unexpected meeting with her was enough to confirm what had been circling in his mind more often with each passing year: that he had a desire to watch his daughter grow up, that he had been a blind idiot for agreeing to their divorce and not standing up for her...

That he actually missed her.

Eleanor had spoken the truth— it had been the easy way out, but it hadn't been fair.

..

For once, he was glad to show up at his parents' traditional Saturday afternoon tea without his daughter, as the visit would be strained with tension and she didn't need to witness it.

"Draco, my dear," Narcissa greeted him as he joined his parents on the terrace overlooking the gardens, smiling as he gave her the customary kisses on the cheek and exchanging a quick hug. "You look like you had a long night..."

"Just work. You know how Talbot can't stop talking about his art collection... But he agreed to the deal I proposed."

"Well done." Lucius greeted him with a quick nod and the usually offered hand for a shake before he looked around, expecting someone else to jump onto the terrace any moment. "Where's my little girl?"

Draco shared a quick glance with his mother, who wisely hid her smile behind her cup. "She is with a friend today. You know how she can be when she wants something..."

"She shouldn't forget her grandparents, however."

Ignoring his father's jab, Draco helped himself to a delicious looking piece of cake— practically the last reason why he still came here every Saturday. Tibby still made the best cakes; no one could beat the house-elf at that.

"You know, you're free to visit us any day too. I'm sure she'd love to show you her latest flying tricks," Draco replied flatly as he sat down on the other side of his mother, a cup of fresh tea awaiting him.

"For a girl, she really is talented. But I think she might be a little too obsessed with Quidditch; it doesn't really become a girl of her social standing."

Draco grabbed his cake fork more tightly to keep himself from responding. His daughter was happy, and that was all that counted. At least, she was as happy as he could make her.

"You didn't mind Draco being obsessed with Quidditch when he was her age," Narcissa replied calmly before she took another sip of her tea. "And he was talented too."

Lucius sighed. "Cissa..."

"How was the game yesterday?" Narcissa asked as she put her cup down, ignoring her her husband's exasperated response with a soft smile on her lips. "I heard the Harpies won."

Draco chuckled. He was sure that she didn't mean the game itself. "They obliterated them. And she got to meet the team afterwards."

"They both did?" Narcissa asked nonchalantly, her smile widening when she saw him nod with blushing cheeks. "I see..."

"Oh, you were involved in yesterday's events; that I already know, my dear mother," Draco replied, finishing his cake. "But it was still quite a surprise to see Hermione after the game. She looked good."

"She has returned?" Lucius perked up at the mention of her name, narrowing his eyes at Draco. "I do sincerely hope she keeps away from you and your daughter–"

"Lucius! It's her full right to return to England whenever she wants to. And you wouldn't even be able to tell the girls apart anyway, regardless of how much you dote on Eleanor when she's around." Narcissa's voice took a sharper tone in response to her husband's spiteful remark.

His mother's strong response took Draco by surprise, but it was also a relief. "Our daughters are the reason why she is back here. They met at the Quidditch camp, and they switched places."

"Iris is such a lovely girl, isn't she?" Narcissa asked with a warm smile towards Draco. "I can't be mad at them for wanting to meet the other parent; they are twin sisters, after all, and we kept them apart for long enough."

"It was a good solution back then and it's a good solution now," Lucius replied with a sigh. "All you have to do is switch them back and send your ex-wife home to wherever she lives now."

"It wasn't a good solution, it was an easy one," Draco said with a hiss. After the events of the day before he found his father's words especially insulting. Failing to push the rising anger down, he rose to his feet. "Mother, please excuse me, but I would rather take my leave now—before I ruin the afternoon."

"Give the girls a hug from me when you see them again. Both of them," she replied, getting up to give him a quick kiss goodbye. "And don't listen to your father; men his age are often too stubborn in their ways."

"Thanks." Draco was indeed relieved to have his mother on his side, but now he needed to clear his head before he could even think of meeting Hermione later. It would be another rather awkward and likely painful experience—although he had an idea what might provide a fitting frame as well as ease the sting of the uncomfortable conversation he expected.

And a Malfoy usually got what he wanted...

..

Draco was a nervous wreck when he walked up to Potter's house that evening. He had sent a note earlier to inform Hermione that he would like to take her out to dinner, entirely his treat, but now he was simply anxious about seeing her again and questioning the plans he had made for the evening.

Their divorce had been painful, and he had made mistakes leading up to it, so seeing his ex-wife again, he had the sudden urge to make it up to her in any way she would let him. Since their daughters had met at the Quidditch camp and didn't want to be kept apart any longer, they had no other choice than to work out a new solution for everyone.

In his urge to make it up to her, he had spent the better part of that afternoon bribing the right people to get a table at the very exclusive new terrace restaurant in wizarding London, and ultimately had to agree to take over the bill for the couple who had to find a replacement date.

But Hermione was worth the trouble.

After a deep breath to calm his nerves, he knocked on the door, hoping he didn't embarrass himself the first moment he saw her again.

"Dad!"

To his momentary relief, his girls answered the door with broad grins. Seeing both of them next to each other was still something he had to get used to, and he was glad that they were wearing different clothes or he would have sworn he was seeing double. "Hello, you two!"

"Mum is completely nervous," Iris said, stepping aside to let him in. She had her hair bound in a ponytail and wore a simple shirt and Muggle jeans shorts. "Good thing that Ernestine came as well..."

"Looks like they could have both used our help," Eleanor added with an amused chuckle. "Dad always goes through his whole wardrobe for a date, you wouldn't believe it."

"And you usually help me choose an outfit... What do you think? Good enough for your mother?" Draco was glad for the distraction his daughters offered, so he eagerly entertained them until Hermione would be ready.

Harry finally joined them, coming out of his study, though remaining in the doorway. "You look about as nervous as Hermione does..."

"Not everyone is as friendly with their ex-wives as you are, Potter." Draco did one more turn for the girls as they inspected his outfit choice for the evening. He had indeed gone through his entire wardrobe, finally settling on a casual summer style: a classic navy linen suit with a white buttoned shirt.

"Not her fault."

"Dad!" both girls cried out before Draco could get a word out in response. "Not tonight."

"I'll go check on Hermione," Harry offered with a smirk, moving towards the stairs. "She should be ready any moment."

Both Eleanor and Iris waited until Harry was out of sight before returning their attention to their father and nodding simultaneously in approval of his outfit choice. "You look good..."

"Yes. And if you don't know what to talk about, Mum loves to discuss her work–"

"Just like you, really."

"Me?" Draco replied with a mocked huff to the girls' amusement. "And I think I still know how to hold a conversation–"

"Dad, this is Mum, not just some random date," Eleanor stopped him with a surprisingly stern look, as if she wanted to indicate that he better not fuck it up again. "Astoria was nice enough, but really... Mum is cooler."

"Astoria?" Iris asked, confused.

"I'll tell you later," Eleanor replied just moments before they could hear steps coming down the stairs. They all turned around to see Hermione slowly descending, a shy smile on her face.

Draco's heart skipped a beat or two when he saw her, going completely speechless as he watched her come down. He couldn't tear his eyes off her or the black mini dress she wore or the hair that had been coaxed into the most gorgeous set of curls he had ever seen.

Damn.

"Dad, you're staring," Eleanor whispered, barely able to keep a giggle from escaping as she leaned into him when her mother reached the last step.

"Hi," Hermione said with blushing cheeks that matched his as he regained some of his composure. "I didn't quite know where you plan to take us."

"Don't worry, Mum. I'm pretty sure Dad thinks you look stunning, given that he hasn't said anything yet," Iris replied, yelping at a nudge from her sister, which caused both girls to dissolve in giggles.

"It's not too much?" Hermione asked, running her hands over the dress to make sure it didn't roll up. "I- I haven't worn this in–"

"It's perfect," Draco said, taking a deep breath to get his nervous excitement back under control. It was like all those years ago when he had first asked her out on a date in their last year at Hogwarts. She had changed from the fiery girl that had blown his mind then into a woman that still managed to take his bloody breath away.

This was either going to be an excruciatingly awkward evening or the best evening he had in years. He hoped for the latter.

"Ready?" he asked as she finally joined him on the floor. He offered his arm which she gladly accepted. "You're going to love the place, I promise."

"Don't tell me you bribed half the town for it," Hermione said with a laugh that sounded as if she was finally relaxing into the moment. Then she turned towards the twins who were still sharing funny stories. "Girls, you behave, as promised earlier."

"But we can stay up late, right?" Iris asked with her most innocent expression, mirrored on her sister's face. "Please?"

After a quick shared look, both Hermione and Draco nodded. The delighted squeals from the girls made them both laugh, and they only managed to calm down once they were outside.

..

Minutes later, it was Hermione's turn to be speechless as she entered the restaurant Draco had chosen, taking in the luxuriously decorated terrace. A waiter was waiting for them next to a single table, beautifully laid out.

"Draco, you... this... I heard about these places, but... but don't they have ridiculously long waiting lists?"

"Well, it's ours for the night. Let the rest be my worry." With a soft smile, he placed his hand on her shoulders to gently guide her to the table, where the waiter was already holding the chair for her.

"Madame."

"Merci." Ever so slightly blushing, she sat down, Draco taking the seat on the other side of the table. Hermione studied the menu card that was carefully placed in front of her.

After discussing the wine options with the waiter, Draco could finally focus on her again. "I hope you like tonight's menu."

"All I can say is that I'm hungry now," she replied with a warm smile and looked up. "But I would have been happy with takeaway and a walk through town, you know?"

He nodded, returning her smile, as he felt a small flutter in his stomach. "But we have to discuss a few things and this place is perfect for it. Nobody can interrupt us. Plus you have no idea what the press is like once they know I'm out on a date with you. They dubbed me the most eligible bachelor."

She chuckled at his slightly exasperated tone. "This is a date then?"

He leaned back with a small sigh, covering it with a smile just as the waiter came back with the wine. Without even checking the label, he nodded for the wine to be served, his focus still on her. "It's whatever you want it to be. But we do need to discuss the situation with our daughters... And I do owe you an apology."

"Draco, please. It happened, and we both mov–"

"No, just hear me out, please," he stopped her with a pleadingly raised hand. "Remember what Eleanor said in front of the stadium? It wasn't fair. Back then it had been the easiest way out of a situation that left us all hurt. But it wasn't fair. Not to you, not to our daughters... I'm sorry for not supporting you when you needed it, and I'm sorry that I didn't have the courage to take a stand against my father. I'm really sorry. And I'm an utter idiot to let a woman like you go..."

"A woman like me?" she asked with a small teasing smile, lifting her glass to sniff the wine.

Gods, for a moment, he was lost in her dark amber eyes and how the warm candlelight reflected in them. "You saw me gape at you earlier, right? You are breathtaking, strong, independent, and honestly, Iris is a charmer."

Her chuckle turned into a giggle as she nodded and placed her hand on her mouth. "Sorry."

"So," Draco continued, lifting his wine glass with a smile, "I sincerely hope you accept my apology, as badly worded as it was, and we can make a new start this evening?"

She raised her glass for the toast. "Your apology is a first step. I'm not letting you off the hook just yet, because what your family did was–"

"Horrible, I know. I wish I could undo it. Honestly."

"It's okay now," Hermione replied before she lifted her glass to her lips for a first sip, just as the waiter brought the first course. "At least the girls aren't mad at us."

"Yes!" he exclaimed in a bout of embarrassment. "What do you think we should do now? I mean, we can't really separate them any longer..."

"I thought about sending Iris to Hogwarts."

"You did?"

She nodded, putting a bite of her entrée in her mouth and letting out a low moan at the taste. "It has a better Quidditch program than Beauxbatons. And maybe I hoped a bit that they might meet there."

He smiled at her admission, adoring the faint blush on her cheeks. "So, Hogwarts it is for the girls–"

"Until then, they could stay at my or your place in turns. I have more than enough space, but I wouldn't be opposed to them staying with you for a while." Hermione closed her eyes as she took one more bite, as if she was trying to memorize it.

Draco noticed her hand, outstretched on the table; to his relief, her whole body language had been inviting so far. He might even call it interested. He had expected much worse, given the circumstances of their divorce and the fact that she left the country in its aftermath.

As she looked out over the city below them, he brought his own hand next to hers, waiting a heartbeat before he covered it. He held his breath when she didn't pull her hand away but instead twined their fingers.

..

Dinner was spent discussing their respective jobs and things their daughters had been up to; eating was almost forgotten over the stories and all the repeated touches, each one adding to Draco's general excitement.

For him, it had indeed turned into a date. He was spending a great evening with the only woman he had ever really loved. He couldn't get enough of her, and he was encouraged by her responses so far.

After the waiter collected their empty dishes, Hermione rose to her feet to walk up to the railing, wine glass still in hand. She sighed contently when he joined her, covering her back, and she leaned back against his chest. "It's been a wonderful evening. Thank you."

Tentatively, he wrapped his arms around her, barely resisting the urge to place a kiss on her cheek. "You expected worse? Because, honestly, I was scared you wouldn't want anything to do with me, except for whatever we could work out for the girls."

She nodded, still gazing out over the city in the last throes of twilight, already illuminated by thousands of streetlights. After a few more silent seconds, she lifted her glass for a sip as she reached for his arms around her waist with her other hand. "I missed what we had. A lot."

The melancholic tone of her words stung his heart. They had become close friends their final year at Hogwarts before he had finally mustered the courage to ask her out on a proper date, against all expectations from his family. He had never felt closer to anyone else in his life—they had been a team; where one was, you could always find the other.

And then she had become pregnant.

A short marriage and a painful divorce, mostly pushed through by his father, forced them to grow apart and spend a decade in miserable loneliness.

"Let me make it up to you," he whispered; he pulled her closer into his embrace, relishing the feel of her body pressed against his. It felt like home. "I missed it too— missed you."

Holding on to his arms around her, Hermione silently finished her wine. When she finally turned around, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I don't want to get hurt again. Not like this."

He let go of her to wipe away the single tear that threatened to run down her cheek, smiling softly when she leaned into his touch. "I understand I'm not in the position to make promises, but I'll do anything to keep you and our girls safe."

"What...?" Swallowing hard, she placed the empty wine glass on the narrow railing. "What about your father?"

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'm yours. If anyone gets a say in my life, I want it to be you, not–"

However, he didn't get any further, as she silenced him with a heartfelt kiss. Gods, he was stunned for a moment by the touch of her soft lips against his, surprised by her move, but then he responded in kind, letting his heart take over. He matched her fervour, let his tongue swirl around hers, moaning when her hands found their way into his hair, leaving an electrifying trail on his scalp.

Encouraged, he grew more demanding, wanting to discover every corner of her mouth once more. He pinned her harder against the railing. No one kissed him like she did; no one had made him feel as elevated and addicted as Hermione. Her lips— no, her whole presence was simply intoxicating, and he couldn't get enough of her.

A polite cough from the terrace entrance finally stopped them, and they pulled away with embarrassed smiles when they saw the waiter standing there, small plates in his hands.

"The dessert is waiting, Madame et Monsieur," the waiter said, bringing the plates to the table; the amused spark in his eyes was the only reaction to what he had seen. "Of course, we also occasionally offer the service of packing it up for you to take home..."

Hermione chuckled as she took her seat once more, her lips still red, her eyes glowing; Draco couldn't help but fall for her all over again.

..

"Shh... They are going to hear us," Hermione said in amusement as she reached the door to Potter's house. Draco was right behind her and kept holding her back to pull her in for yet another kiss.

"You think I care?" he replied in a teasing whisper just before kissing her passionately, pressing her against the frame because— damn, he was entirely addicted to her now. He was eager to reacquaint himself with more than just her lips.

He relished in the soft moans that escaped her as he trailed kisses and nibbles down her jaw and neck, before focusing on her earlobe. His hand had found the seam of her dress, pulling it up an inch to gain access to more of her skin. It felt like silk— skin that needed to be worshipped once more.

"Draco..."

The combination of her husky whisper and her hips grinding against his was almost too good and he struggled to keep his control. "Either we sneak up to your room, or you let me take you to my place... Because Seven Hells, I need you now!"

That made Hermione snap out of her momentary trance. Panting heavily, she shook her head and gently pushed him away. "No. I— I don't think this is a good idea."

"Hermione, please."

She shook her head again, smiling softly in response to his sigh. "Not tonight, okay? Merlin knows, I missed doing that with you, but we haven't seen each other for a decade, and practically the first thing we do is make out... I feel like a horny teenager on a date with her crush."

"I'm your crush?" he asked with a teasing eyebrow, taking a deep breath to calm down. Of course he was disappointed that she had put a stop to it, and he was still eager to get her out of her dress— but then, the evening went better than he could have ever hoped for.

"Idiot..." She chuckled as she rearranged her dress to look presentable enough to anyone still awake inside, although she still looked ravished. "Look, all I mean is we should take it slower. Spend some time together as a family, just you and me and the girls, and maybe Ernestine— just in case there's another moment of wandering hands."

"Whatever you want." Draco kept his hands in his pockets to keep himself from fidgeting and with a big, happy smile, he took a step towards the street. "I'll call you tomorrow and we can discuss the plans for the day then."

"Sweet dreams." With that, Hermione carefully opened the door to slip inside, waving at him one more time and gracing him with a big smile before disappearing behind the door.

Draco couldn't wait to get home and out of his restraining clothes. Before he could even think about any sweet dreams, he had to relieve himself to the image of her without that goddamn black mini dress.

Horny teenager had been a blatant understatement.