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"Ginny Potter. Get down here this instant."
The red head appeared at the top of the stairs. "I take it the date went smashingly then?"
"Seriously, Gin," huffed Hermione, throwing herself onto the couch and kicking off her heels. "How could you think that he was a good match for me?"
"Oh, come on," said Ginny as she made her way down the stairs and plopped down beside her exasperated friend. "It could not have been that bad."
"Oh, but it was! I know the intimacies of the McLaggen family tree – did you know that his great-uncle used to sell magical pearls gathered from the Aegean? I kept thinking please, whatever holy deity is listening, please let me choke on my wine and die," finished Hermione dramatically, her hands clasped in front of her in mock prayer.
Ginny could barely stifle her giggles. Footsteps at the top of the stairs attracted the attention of both girls. Harry was coming down grinning, obviously having heard enough of the conversation. "McLaggen is a tosser, but thanks for taking one for the team. At least he'll stop pacing in front of my office now."
"You're an arse, Harry," declared Hermione. "Hunting horcruxes was more pleasant than that. You know Pansy Parkinson had to save me."
"Are you serious?" asked Ginny, eyes wide. "Tell me she grew into her nose!"
Hermione swatted at her. "She looked perfectly fine, and helped me more than you lot did. I may have to send her flowers."
"Whatever helps the healing process," shrugged Ginny. "Everyone misses you at mums."
Ginny was always good at changing the subject.
"I've been meaning to come over. Its just that Ron and Lavender, they make me want to…"
"Vomit?"
"Pull your hair out?"
Harry and Ginny supplied their answers at the same time and far too quickly for Hermione's comfort.
"Your words, not mine," Hermione pointed at both of them. "They really are perfect for each other though, I don't know why I denied it for so long."
"You were probably blinded by prepubescent love," Ginny says, propping her feet up on the coffee table.
"You fell in love with me when we were prepubescent," Harry reminded her, settling into the armchair opposite his wife.
Ginny smiled sweetly, "best not to dwell on the details, love."
"Promise you'll come to dinner Sunday?" Harry asked Hermione, choosing to ignore Ginny's comment.
"Charlie is back from Romania I think," came the seemingly innocent anecdote from Ginny.
Hermione had spent a month in Romania with him last year, just as friends of course. Purely for research purposes. But it was hard to ignore the fact that Charlie Weasley was handsome, in a rugged way, very different than Ron. He was gruff, she remembered, but chatty and quick to laugh. She wasn't his type, she thought to herself. She had seen the revolving door of girls in and out of the cabin on the weekends, blond, leggy, beautiful. Not bookish. Not bushy haired. She could not help but feel warm, however, at the memories of him cooking breakfast for just the two of them, every day without fail. It took Ginny all but five minutes upon Hermione's return to entertain the idea of her friend with another one of her brothers.
"Sure, I'll drop by. Let Molly know, will you?"
Hermione collected her things and transfigured her heels into a practical pair of flats before slipping them on. The Potters stood in their doorway, waving at their very best friend as she made her way to the apparition point.
They were taking bets on how long it would take for Ron to say something stupid on Sunday.
"Darling, I'm in the sitting room."
Draco made his way through the cottage, the last remaining piece of Malfoy property. He found his mother dressed elegantly in white, her blond hair tucked into a neat bun at the nape of her neck. In front of her was an assortment of tea cakes and a rather large pot of tea.
"Hello, mother," he greeted, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek before taking a seat and helping himself to a tea cake.
"You're father sends his best," she told him with a tight smile. "He's sorry he couldn't be here."
"Perhaps its for the best," came the terse response. "Maybe next time if he's feeling up to it."
"Yes, I'm sure next time he'll manage."
His mother was always morbidly optimistic. She had been raised in a family who tended to get their way. Old habits died hard, he thought, and then felt immediately guilty for thinking poorly of his mother. Its not like this was an ideal situation for her, practically on house arrest in a cottage that was not her home. Not Malfoy Manor. However, he had an inkling that she was much happier than she let on when they were forced to give up the Manor. Too many awful memories housed in those walls.
She handled everything well, considering. She busied herself in the garden and a consistent social calendar. Draco barely saw her other than their scheduled lunches. They spoke easily of inconsequential things. She asked about Pansy and if she suspected anything about the Milan trip. Yes, mother, I think she does. She wanted to know how work was going and if he had mentioned his desire to be promoted. It's alright and no I haven't. She lectured him much like Pansy had, except her tirade was more tactful. I promise I'll speak to someone, yes mother, of course. He needed a distraction.
"How are aunt Andromeda and Teddy?" he asked, happy to interject, but also genuinely curious.
"She's alright, busy with the little one," Narcissa beamed. "Oh, Draco, you should see him, the tiny thing. How long has it been for you? Six months? He's changed so much. You should see him on the broom I got him, quick as…"
He graciously listened as he was on the receiving end of every developmental update that Teddy had gone through in the last six months.
"…and anyways, they'll be coming over on Friday. For book club," finished Narcissa.
If you had told Draco Malfoy a few years ago that his pureblood, socialite mother would be a member of a two person book club along with her estranged sister, he would have hexed you.
"What's on the reading list for Friday?" he inquired, sipping carefully on his tea.
"Funny you should mention that, I'm having trouble procuring the volumes," admitted Narcissa. "Flourish and Blotts doesn't carry the novels we're looking for and I was wondering if you could help."
"I don't see why they wouldn't," Draco said, confused.
"It's called The Tempest."
"Is it a new potions book? I haven't heard of it."
"Actually, it's a muggle book," said Narcissa.
Draco reached over and placed the back of his hand gently on her forehead. Narcissa rolled her eyes in a practiced fashion.
"Just checking to see if you have a fever," explained Draco, leaning back into his chair. "My mother. Reading a muggle book. It truly is a different time."
"Oh, hush. Andromeda suggested it," Narcissa revealed. "Can you help me or not?"
"I'll try my best," Draco grumbled, unable to deny his mother.
A small smile graced her lips as she steered the conversation in a different direction
The Burrow was crowded.
Hermione figured that once everyone started having more children Molly would have to expand the house. She dodged little Victoire Weasley toddling after Teddy as she made her way into the kitchen. She greeted what felt like an endless parade of redheads. She hugged the boys and their wives and fiancés. It's so good to see you, why yes it has been too long!
Molly held her especially close before she rambled on about Hermione was far too skinny and please help yourself to seconds.
During dinner, she sat wedged between Ginny and George, and directly across from Charlie who was looking particularly handsome in a knit sweater. She was in the middle of listening to a rather fascinating tale from Charlie when Ron and Lavender hurried in and took their seats at the opposite end of the table. He waved awkwardly in her direction and Lavender barely made eye contact long enough to know she was there.
"Thank Merlin ickle Ronniekins made it," George said loud enough for those around him to hear. "Perish the thought of dinner without the wonder couple."
Angelina kicked him under the table.
Conversation flowed readily and the cacophony of voices lulled Hermione into a state of well-worn comfort. That is until Ron stood up.
He cleared his throat. "If I could have everyone's attention? I just wanted to share some good news with you all. Lavender – uh, we are pregnant."
What followed was silence that lasted a beat too long and then a myriad of congratulations from around the table. Lavender beamed at the attention and placed her hands over her still flat stomach. Ron looked overwhelmed, but happy. She supposed she couldn't blame him.
Ginny squeezed her hand.
After dinner the discussion was dominated by Molly Weasley and her ideas for a wedding that would happen in less than two months. Before you're showing, you see! Hermione took this opportunity to slip into the kitchen. She was sitting on the floor conjuring bubbles for Victoire when the door creaked open.
"Hey 'Mione," came the timid greeting.
"Ron," she smiled. "Congratulations."
He rocked back on his heels. "Listen, Hermione, I meant-"
"No," she stopped him. "Really, you don't owe me an explanation. We broke up a year ago. Truly, I'm happy for you."
"I know, it's just, I should have told you sooner, at least warned you…" he mused, his cheeks flushing.
Victoire giggled and settled into Hermione's lap, sticking her tiny hands out to pop the bubbles shooting out of Hermione's wand.
"You don't warn people of good news, Ronald," chastised Hermione gently. "You're going to be a great father."
"Thanks," he whispered, clearly unsure of himself.
"You should get back to your family, I hear you have a wedding to plan," encouraged Hermione.
Ron nodded and stepped out of the kitchen, unsure of what to say. Not a moment later Charlie wandered into the room, two butterbeers in his hands.
"I thought you could use one," he said, handing her one of the mugs. She maneuvered around Victoire and accepted it graciously. He slid down against the wall to sit beside her on the kitchen floor.
"How are you holding up?" he asked her.
She sighed. "Why do I feel like everyone wants to ask me that? I'm fine, really. We broke up a long time ago. It was my idea anyways."
"They do say you're the brightest witch of our age," he jokes, nudging her with his elbow.
"Ha ha," Hermione deadpans.
"I'm serious," he presses. "You were much too good for Ron."
"That's your brother you're talking shit about," she says, covering little Victoire's ears mindfully.
"And that's why I can say that with complete confidence," Charlie explains with an easy chuckle. "You can do better than the simple life he would have offered you. The wanker is going to work his nine to five job and Lavender is going to pop out a few kids and they'll eventually go senile and hate each other."
Hermione laughed despite herself. "Maybe I want simple."
"I don't believe it for one minute."
They sat in comfortable silence for a couple moments. Victoire crawled out of Hermione's lap and was currently half asleep in her uncle's arms. She was enjoying the view when someone called out Charlie's name from outside of the kitchen.
"Duty calls," he shrugged, lifting his large frame off the floor and dusting off his jeans, all the while cradling Victoire. "Adventure will come knocking soon enough for you, Hermione. Let me know when it does."
She was glad that he hadn't stuck around long enough to see the blush bloom across her chest and cheeks.
When Draco arrived to work on Monday, he was late.
He rushed to catch a lift and he thanked Merlin that a hand stuck out to keep the door from closing. Until he saw whom the hand was attached to.
"Potter," he nodded curtly in thanks.
"Malfoy," Harry acknowledged with a courteous nod of his own.
Silence enveloped them.
"So," Harry started awkwardly. "How was your weekend?"
"Uneventful," supplied Draco.
More silence. Then, "I don't suppose you know where I could find muggle books in Diagon Alley, do you?"
Harry looked surprised. "I do actually. Hermione stocks them."
Adventure knocks.
Thank you for reading everyone! Hope you liked the latest addition. Just want to thank everyone for favouriting, reviewing and following this fic. Just wanted to clarify that it is around 2002 in this story, so Teddy is around 4 and Victoire would be around 2. Audrey and Percy also have one on the way, just for some more orientation. A bit of POV shifting here, but I hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter I swear they will finally meet.
Please take a moment to review if you can, I accept any and all feedback or constructive criticism :) Much love!