"So, darling, how are things going between you and Miss Greengrass?" Narcissa asked at brunch the following Sunday.
Draco glanced up, fork halfway to his mouth. "Well enough, I suppose."
His mother flashed him a smile as he took his bite of food. "So, does that mean there will possibly be wedding bells in the future?"
Draco nearly choked on his eggs. "Mother!"
"Cissa, please."
"What?" she asked, looking innocently between her son and husband. "I'm only asking because this has been the first girlfriend you've had since—"
"I know how long it's been Mother. Thank you," Draco interrupted, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin and tossing it on his plate, his appetite now lost. "Besides, Astoria is not my girlfriend. We've gone out to dinner twice, but that doesn't mean we're in a relationship."
Narcissa frowned. "But Guenivere said that Astoria was gushing about how swimmingly things are going with you two. We were hoping you would hit it off and—"
"Trust me, I know exactly what you two have been thinking," Draco growled, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Draco, don't use that tone with your mother," Lucius said warningly.
Ignoring his father, Draco looked to his mother again. "Why are you in such a hurry to marry me off? Can't you just be happy for me about where my life is right now?"
"Oh, Draco," Narcissa said, placing one of her manicured hands over his. "Darling, of course I'm happy that you're happy. But you're halfway to your thirties and soon all the eligible women will be taken."
"Mother, there are literally thousands of women in London—"
"Yes, well, not ones that are like us though," she said primly.
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Meaning?"
"Meaning that there are only a select few women within our circle, and you should be thinking about grabbing one up before you're stuck with a commoner like a bookstore clerk or a… a teacher or something."
Draco's mind immediately thought of curly hair and large, brown eyes. "And what would be so wrong with that? Marrying a 'commoner', as you put it?"
Narcissa sighed. "I just mean that you're used to a certain lifestyle. Your partner, your wife, and the mother of your children should also be in such a way."
Draco looked between his mother and father, disbelieving what he was being told.
"I don't have time for this," he stated, scooting his chair back and standing. "I have actual work to do, so, like always, it was a pleasure having brunch. I'll see you next week."
He rounded the table, kissed his mother's cheek, sent a nod to his father, and quickly walked towards the entryway.
"So, what's her name?"
Draco sighed and cursed himself as he turned to face his father who had followed him from the table. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't give me that rubbish, Draco. I'd like to think I know my son better than that," Lucius said, raising a brow.
Draco grumbled and sat down on a bench seat near the door. His father joined him and waited patiently next to him.
"It doesn't matter," Draco said finally.
"And why not? If you like this girl, you should go for it. Don't let your mother—"
"She's one of my clients," Draco stated, finally looking at his father.
"Oh… Well, that's… unfortunate," Lucius said, frowning before giving Draco a stern look. "You should know better than that, son. If word got out, it could be damaging for your career."
"It's not like I did it on purpose! Besides, when I met her, I didn't know she was engaged and she surely didn't say anything. And now," he chuckled lowly, "I'm helping her plan their wedding."
"I see," Lucius said, shifting in his seat slightly to look at his son. "So tell me then, why are you so adamant about not dating Miss Greengrass? Are you hoping this other girl will call things off?"
"No, I just… I don't really know. I don't feel a connection with Astoria."
"But you did with this other girl?"
"I thought I did. Apparently I was wrong," Draco said, standing again.
"Draco…"
Draco looked to his father. "Like I said, it doesn't matter anymore. I'll see you next week." He opened the door to walk out, but not before looking over his shoulder at his father once more. "And she's a doctor. I'd say that's a pretty good profession for a commoner."
As he walked to his car, his phone pinged, and he glanced at it as he entered the vehicle.
Ron: Hey, bad news. I have to go out of town for about two weeks for work. Will it be alright if just you and 'Mione go to the next venue without me?
Draco: Sure, no problem.
Draco groaned as he rested his head on the steering wheel.
These next two weeks were going to be hell.
"We need to talk," Hermione said as she walked into his office the next day.
Draco lifted a brow. "Okay." He walked around his desk and leaned against it casually. "What would you like to discuss, Miss Granger?"
"I wanted to say I'm sorry," she stated. "For the whole park, uh, incident. I should have told you I was engaged, and I most definitely shouldn't have danced with you. It sent the wrong message and for that, I really am sorry."
Draco dipped his chin in a single nod. "Thank you. And I should apologize too. My behaviour as your wedding planner hasn't been very professional. I apologise."
This time, Hermione raised a brow. "But not about the fact that you have a girlfriend and were still very clearly flirting with me?"
Draco chuckled and shook his head. "Astoria is not my girlfriend. We went out to dinner a few times, yes, but that's it."
Hermione bit her lip as she blushed and averted her eyes. "Oh.."
Draco pondered her for a moment, before straightening up. "Let's start over." He held out his hand. "Hello, I'm Draco Malfoy, wedding planner extraordinaire. And you are?"
Hermione grinned at him as she shook his hand. "Hermione Granger, pediatric specialist and currently engaged to my long-time boyfriend."
"Note taken," he said, giving her a wink. "So, are you ready to go check out this next venue?"
She smiled widely. "Absolutely."
Draco and Hermione walked around the path that lead them through the gardens of The Zetta Townhouse. Making sure to keep enough space between them, he stayed silent as she looked around the property with awe.
"This place is beautiful," Hermione finally commented. She glanced at him and nibbled her lip. "And you're sure Ron and I can afford this place?"
Draco gave a small, reassuring smile. "If you were planning a summer wedding, I would say no. But they drop their prices during the winter as they aren't nearly as busy."
"I see... And you've verified that the date we want is available, right?"
"Of course. Does this mean you've made your final choice?" Draco asked.
Taking one last look around, Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yes. Let's go book it."
When they stepped out of the office a half-hour later, venue booked and security deposit paid, Draco glanced at his watch.
"Well, since we're done so early, what do you think about setting up your wedding registry? We can start it today, and then you can bring Ron when he comes back to add more if needed."
Hermione grinned. "I'll never say no to a shopping trip—especially where I'm not actually buying anything. Lead the way!"
Registry shopping was always Draco's least favourite part of his wedding planner duties. Usually, he would help the couple start off the process, then go to a nearby coffee shop until they were done, or simply go back to the office if they drove themselves.
With Hermione, though, he didn't feel like this was a chore at all; in fact, he was actually having a good time. She would ask his opinions about certain brands or colours and took his comments into consideration.
"We don't need much," she explained as she scanned a vase, adding it to her registry. "We've lived together for nearly six years and have most things. But some are in need of replacing and others are things we've been meaning to buy but just haven't yet."
When they passed the department store's book section that was set up as its own little store, Draco could sense her yearning to stop and take a look.
"Let's take a break," he suggested, guiding her into the book store area. "I'll grab us something to drink. Any preference?"
Already heading towards the books, Hermione nodded and said, "An iced coffee, please."
Shaking his head in amusement, Draco went up to the small bistro counter and ordered two beverages.
With drinks in hand, Draco took a seat at one of the small, round tables and pulled out his phone to check his emails and messages from his other clients.
"Draco? Draco Malfoy is that you!?"
The familiar, girlish voice sent dread to the pit of his stomach. Looking up, he saw her.
Pansy Parkinson.
His first crush.
His first girlfriend.
His first love.
His first… everything.
She looked the same, he noted, as he stood and watched her weave her way around the tables to greet him. Her hair was still cut in a short bob, her nose was small and round, and her smile… It was infectious.
It wasn't until she threw her arms around his neck that he noticed she was also very much pregnant.
"Pansy," he finally said when she pulled back. "It's been… a while."
She giggled. "It has, hasn't it? How've you been?"
"I'm doing—"
"Pansy? Oh, there you are. You just ran off, and I didn't see where you went." A man stepped up behind Pansy, and Draco's face hardened.
"Sorry, darling. I saw Draco and just had to say hi. Draco, you remember Adrian, right?" Pansy asked, looking up adoringly at the other man.
Adrian Pucey. How could he forget? After all, it was his arse Draco saw in the bed he shared with Pansy all those years ago when the perfect life he thought he had was shattered in an instant.
"Of course," Draco said with a curt nod towards the man. "Pucey."
"Malfoy."
"Adrian and I are expecting!" Pansy blurted out excitedly, ignoring the tension between the two men.
Draco's gaze shifted over to her and down to her slightly protruding belly. "So I see. Congratulations."
"So, what brings you here?" Pansy said, sitting down at the table, leaving no choice but for the two men to sit as well.
"Well, actually..."
It was at that moment Hermione returned, carrying a pile of books and dropping them on the table with a thud. "Sorry I took so long. You wouldn't believe all the different kinds of books they have here! And—Oh. I didn't see that you were talking to someone. I can go if you'd rather—"
"No!" Draco blurted, snatching her wrist before she could walk off. He looked around as he cleared his throat. "I mean, no, that's alright. I was just catching up with some old friends, that's all. Pansy. Pucey, this is Hermione Granger. She has her own paediatric clinic in London near my building."
At that information, Pansy perked up. "Paediatric? Adrian, wasn't I just saying that we needed to find one soon? I know we still have a few months left, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," Pansy giggled.
Hermione gave Pansy a tight smile. "Well, whenever you have your little bundle of joy, please call my office and my assistant will book you an appointment." She turned her attention to Draco. "I think I'm done with the wedding registry for now. Unless there's anything you think we should add?"
Before Draco could answer, Pansy let out an excited gasp. "Draco Malfoy! You didn't tell me you were getting married!"
Draco groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. "She's my client, Pans."
"Oh…. I see. I just thought with the coffee and the books that—"
"Pansy, we really should get going. Mother is expecting us for dinner," Adrian interrupted.
"Oh! Yes, you're right, darling. Draco, it was wonderful to see you! I do hope we can properly catch up some time. And, Hermione, is it? It was a pleasure meeting you as well."
Giving air kisses to both Draco and Hermione, Pansy finally left the little bookshop, Adrian in tow. Hermione stood there, seemingly stunned into silence.
"Sorry about her," Draco said, scratching the back of his neck. "She's a bit… much."
Hermione snorted a laugh and finally sat down. "Who was she anyway? A friend of yours?"
Draco watched as she took a sip of her drink. "Yeah. Something like that."
He listened as Hermione talked about the books she found, though part of him was still thinking about his run-in with his ex.
"Hey," a small hand covered his, and his attention was back on Hermione who was looking at him with a worried frown. "You all right? You seem to have gone somewhere else for a moment."
He gave her a tight smile. "I'm fine. Running into Pansy just brought up old memories."
"Would you like to talk about it?" she offered.
Yes. "No, it's all right." He glanced at his watch. "We should probably get you back to the office so you can head home."
The drive to the office was quiet, with Draco lost in his thoughts about his past and Hermione staring out the window. When he pulled up next to her car, she thanked him for driving her around and told him how much fun she had.
"You know,"she said, biting her lip,"you can always… text me if you need to talk to someone. I won't mind."
Draco gave her a small smile and nodded once. "I'll be sure to remember that. Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight, Draco," she breathed out softly.
He watched to make sure she got into her car safely and gave a wave as she drove off.
He was not going to text her, he told himself.
At least not about Pansy… Or his past.
It will be purely wedding related.
His phone pinged.
Hermione: Want to get drinks? My treat.
Draco: Would love to, but I have a wedding tomorrow. Wouldn't be good for my reputation to show up hungover. Raincheck?
Hermione: I suppose that's a good enough excuse. Raincheck it is. Have a good evening and don't let Pansy get to you. You were too good for her anyway.
Bloody hell, he was falling in love with Hermione Granger.
Only one chapter... maybe two... until the story is complete! Hope you are all enjoying it so far! xoxoHufflepuffMommy