Chapter 12

"Do you think he'll actually come?"

Ginny was rocking Baby Jamie in her arms, her eyes focused on the Quidditch pitch where Harry was speaking to his team (presumably inspiring them, as he was wont to do whenever peoples gathered around him). Ginny hadn't specified whom she was talking about, but Hermione knew, of course.

"He said he would, Gin," Hermione reminded her. "I'm sorry I invited him to sit with us, though." Realizing this was giving the wrong impression, she quickly added, "I mean, without checking with you first. You don't mind, do you?"

When Ginny didn't answer quickly enough, Hermione, who was trying not to let on that she was more than a bit nervous, continued, "It just sort of came out when he said he wasn't going to come because no one liked him and he had no friends." Hermione frowned, thinking that she was definitely giving Ginny the wrong impression now.

Ginny laughed, causing Jamie to gurgle at her happily. "He did not say that no one liked him and he had no friends! As self-aware as he is, I doubt he's that aware."

Hermione nudged her with her elbow. "Gin!" she chastised. "That's not what I meant. And he did say that he wouldn't play on the team because the other Aurors wouldn't have him. And I just thought…" She trailed off, not entirely sure what she had been thinking when she invited him.

Ginny looked over at her, noticed the slight frown marring her features and said, "You thought you could use another person who wasn't thrilled to be at the game to keep you company." It was no secret that Hermione wasn't a big Quidditch fan.

After sharing a grin over that thought, Hermione repeated her question. "You don't mind, though, do you?" It wasn't like she could un-invite him at this point, but it was important that she still knew the answer.

Ginny sighed, cuddling Baby Jamie close. Finally she said, "All the problems I've ever had with Malfoy are old. As real as they were, they're in the past now. It's a little strange to think it, but he's my husband's Auror partner, and he seems to be friends with you, too. So that's good enough for me. Of course, if he insults me, my hair, my family, Harry, Godric Gryffindor or, Merlin forbid, Baby Jamie, I'm going to Bat-Bogey hex him again, no questions asked."

From behind them came a noticeably amused voice. "That's quite a list there."

Hermione looked back to see Draco in his regular black robes, his platinum hair a beacon in the sunlight. Her eyes lit up, even as she quickly retraced their conversation in her mind and hoped that he hadn't been close enough to hear the entire thing.

As he approached them and awkwardly took a seat next to Hermione, Ginny leaned around her to look him in the eye and said, "If you call me She-Weasel, I will call you Ferret. I just want to set some ground rules."

Draco looked at Hermione, and seeing the amusement on her face, he pretended to give Ginny's ultimatum serious consideration. Then he asked, "What if I call you She-Potter?"

Ginny's eyes narrowed at him, and as she shifted Baby Jamie to the side furthest from him (and out of the line of wandfire), he grinned at her and corrected himself. "Mrs. Potter it is, then!"

Ginny sniffed at that but couldn't help the slight twitch of her lips. She noticed Hermione was outright grinning, and seeing her friend in such high spirits did much to alleviate her concerns. After all, the day was fair, the outlook for the game was positive (alarmingly so), and between Baby Jamie and the two sitting next to her looking like they were on the verge of blithering like idiots, it would be hard to keep up a good mad (let alone a frivolous one). So Ginny sat back to watch the game.

Harry took to the sky right away, his eyes trying to spot the Golden Snitch in the sunlight. The rivalry between the two departments was obvious in the immediate aggressive action between both teams. The Beaters seemed out to maim someone, and all the players were playing their respective positions with gusto. It seemed that the Hit-Wizards were determined (in a futile sort of way) to end their long losing drought against the Aurors.

It wasn't that long ago that Ginny had been a key player for the Holyhead Harpies. Bold and reckless, she made a great Chaser, and it was with great difficulty that she left the team for a season or two as she and Harry made the decision to start a family. She still played in the family games, of course, and sometimes she and Harry would race each other, but she missed the feel of the wind in her hair and the adrenaline directing her broom. Ginny thrived on the energy of the game.

That was not the case for the two sitting beside her. Caught up in the exciting beginning of the game, as both sides came out fighting (a turn of phrase she didn't understand as no one came out from anywhere), it wasn't until after the Aurors began to pull ahead that she tuned into the conversation happening around her.

She was surprised that Malfoy wasn't as keen on the game as she was. He was known to be a huge Quidditch fan. But then again, maybe it was easier to watch when you didn't feel like your team had slighted you by not asking you to play. Then again (again), Ginny thought to herself, maybe the company was distracting enough that even Malfoy would forget the game going on around him.

"Apparently," Draco was saying, "there's a version with zombies, and my enthusiasm was from my impression that this was that version." He had pulled a rather run-down book out of his robe and was waving it in the air for punctuation.

Hermione was laughing, and since Draco was not, Ginny could only assume that she was laughing at Draco and not with him. Still, he did not seem that put out. Frankly, Ginny thought he might be enjoying it—a turn of events she had not expected. But then everything about Draco Malfoy sitting with them at a Quidditch game was beyond what she had expected in her life. She made a face at Baby Jamie who nodded, as if in agreement.

The Auror's new Keeper made a great block right at that moment, causing the crowd to roar and Ginny to jump to her feet cheering. She shouldn't admit it, but the new guy was much better than Ron ever was. Ginny had plenty of family loyalty, but Quidditch was Quidditch. Plus, Ron was still not in her good graces.

Even though everyone else around them had jumped to their feet, Hermione and Draco had not, engrossed as they were in their conversation.

"It seems to me," Draco said loftily (when the crowd subsided and Ginny could hear them again), "that they are both full of pride and prejudice."

Taken aback at this surprisingly insightful observation, Hermione responded, "Yes, I think that's the point. Both characters have to overcome their preconceived notions, which is a challenge even harder than going against society's expectations, because the fight we fight internally for self and identity is harder than anything that can be thrown at us externally." Hermione blinked, a thoughtful expression crossing her face, as if she was just hearing what she said.

"Well," Draco continued, "I think they were both being overrun by their own useless fears. And if Elizabeth was so smart and discerning, then why did she listen to that Wicket character—"

"Wickham," Hermione corrected, uselessly.

"—in the first place? I could tell he was dodgy from the first page he showed up. I hope the zombies got him in the other version."

Bless them, thought Ginny, they really were talking about a book at a Quidditch game! And one that didn't even include zombies. She shook her head at them, but of course, they didn't notice.

There was a moment of quiet (not on the pitch, of course) as Hermione thought about her answer. Finally, she said, quietly, "Character flaw. She saw what she wanted to see—a flaw she had to overcome if she was going to really see Darcy for who he was."

The silence afterwards was more awkward, and Ginny, who hadn't even read the book and had no idea what they were talking about, was on the edge of her seat. (The lead the Aurors had over the Hit-Wizards was steadily increasing, and Harry was still zooming around doing his thing, so she was naturally drawn to where the tension was higher, which seemed to be right next to her.)

"So, this Darcy," Draco said, when the moment had dragged on long enough, "is he why you read this book so many times that the cover got worn?"

Oh, that's why Ginny thought she recognized the book! It must be the same one she'd seen Hermione lugging around time and again. She must have let Draco have it. And there's a new idea! Hermione was forever trying to get people to read her books, but up until now, she didn't think anyone had. Except for Harry, of course, who now had the habit of saying something about wheels weaving things whenever something unexpected happened.

Surprised at the change of subject, Hermione said, "No, actually. Darcy's quite a pain in the arse for most of the book. I spend much time groaning over his stupid, self-righteous remarks. Particularly his reasoning for breaking up poor Jane and Mr. Bingley. I always feel he deserves to lose Elizabeth over that." Seeing the wrinkling of Draco's forehead as he prepared to comment, she waved her hands. "He eventually redeems himself, of course. And that's fine. But I like Elizabeth. She's smart, she's strong, she's funny and I feel a bit of a kinship with her. She was an out-of-the-ordinary woman in a time where no one could appreciate her."

"And you feel like an out-of-the-ordinary woman that no one appreciates," Draco finished for her, his tone one that brooked no argument, his eyes locked on hers.

Just then, Ginny spotted a familiar redhead across the way, making their way over towards them. Her anger, always close to the surface (she was a ginger, after all), came zooming through her so fast she was surprised her fingers didn't shoot sparks. How dare he! He knew he wasn't to approach when Hermione was with them. And now she had to go head him off, and miss whatever was going to happen in the conversation next, which promised to be quite interesting. It was a shame Baby Jamie wasn't old enough to eavesdrop yet.

"Hermione," Ginny said, interrupting the silence, "hold Baby Jamie for a moment." She handed over her gurgling bundle of joy and marched down the bleachers with purpose.

Looking over at the direction Ginny was walking, and seeing who she was intercepting, Hermione's mind momentarily lost track of their conversation. She thought she was ready to face Ron, but really didn't want to have to do it here. She was relieved Ginny was going to send him away.

A chubby, wet hand in her peripheral vision brought her attention back to the present, and she resolved not to watch whatever was going to happen between the two siblings. Looking up at Draco, she saw that the situation had not escaped his notice, but he wasn't saying anything. He was just watching her, disconcertingly close.

She took a deep breath, and then turned to Baby Jamie, determined not to bring up Ron. "Hello, little lovey! Auntie Hermione has been ignoring you all afternoon, hasn't she?" She held him up to her face so she could kiss him on his nose. "Mummy had to leave real quick to go yell at Uncle Won-Won." Whoops, so much for not mentioning Ron. She darted a quick glance at Draco, who was still watching her.

Jamie opened up his mouth to make some kind of sound, but only a thin trail of saliva dribbled out. Wiping his mouth with his own shirt, Hermione turned him around to face the Quidditch pitch. "And…there's Daddy! I know it looks like he's flying uselessly in circles, but I promise it's very important."

"Hermione," Draco complained. "Don't say things like that or you're going to bias him against Quidditch. I'm sure neither Potter will appreciate that."

Rather than responding to his remark, Hermione continued to bounce Jamie and said, "See? Like I said, very important."

With a twinkle in her eyes, she suddenly looked up at Draco. "Hey, this is your chance! Quick, before Ginny gets back."

"What are you on about now?" he asked, trying to avoid what he was pretty sure was coming next.

"Baby Jamie," Hermione joked. "You could hold him real quick before Ginny gets back. She'll never even notice." She held the baby up in the air and wiggled him back and forth as if trying to tempt a child with a chocolate bar.

Draco held up his hands to ward her off. "No."

"Come on," she said, enjoying teasing him. "I won't tell."

"I told you I'm not going to hold a baby. And especially not that one." His expression was one of general disgust.

Hermione turned Jamie back around to look him in the eye and said, sotto voce, "It's okay. Uncle Drakey just doesn't want to hold you right now." The words were out of her mouth before she thought twice about them, but then she noticed Draco's face frozen in horror.

His mouth was gaping open and there was a pause before he sputtered loudly, "No! Absolutely not."

"What?" She thought he meant holding the baby, which was a little bit of overkill since he'd already made his point. And she wasn't sure she'd actually give up the baby, anyway, since Ginny had told her (specifically) to watch him.

"Never." He emphasized the word, his familiar sneer back on his face.

The fervor with which he said that single word made Hermione think he was speaking of something else. The pieces finally clicked, and she said, "You mean 'Uncle Drakey'?" Even as the words came out of her mouth that second time, she realized they sounded ridiculous. She was almost tempted to giggle.

Draco said adamantly, "I will not ever be called by such a vile nickname, starting now. Actually, starting from my birth. And continuing with the subsequent lack of births of any brothers or sisters who could produce progeny that could conceivably refer to me by Uncle." Like many pure-bloods, except the prolific Weasleys, Draco was an only child, Hermione remembered. Like she was.

"Yes, well, I don't have any siblings, either," she reminded him, a little bit sadly. She looked at Jamie and Draco thought he could almost feel her desire to have a child one day. More than one. So they wouldn't be lonely, he imagined. Two (or more) bushy-haired know-it-all babies! The thought should have made him shudder, but it strangely made him want to smile.

Seeing his lips twitch, Hermione shook off the brief cloud and cooed at Jamie. "So Harry and Ginny are the closest I've got. And Baby Jamie here will just be the first of his siblings to call me Auntie." Baby Jamie gurgled at that and put a slobbery hand on her face, leaving a trail of wet on her cheek.

She playfully wrinkled her nose at his antics and scolded him, "James Sirius Potter!" Draco laughed at her expression, and braving the baby germs, he reached over to wipe her cheek clear. When his hand touched her face, she started in surprise. With her arms full of baby, she wasn't in a position to protest. His fingers were tender as he held her chin with one hand and rubbed the spittle off with the other. Her eyes met his over the top of the baby's head, and she felt shy and awkward at what she saw there. Something deep and dark, she thought.

But then Draco made an exaggerated expression of disgust as he wiped his hand on his robes, which caused Hermione to laugh, the nebulous thoughts dissipating like they hadn't even been there. In the warm sunshine, with a baby on her lap, it was easy for her to forget what she wasn't even certain she had seen.

It was much harder for Ginny, who was climbing the bleachers and was almost back to her seat, to forget. Especially seeing as how she had spent the whole afternoon looking for just such a sign.

Much later, after the Aurors had thoroughly trounced the Hit-Wizards with a 360-200 victory, and after a very tired Baby Jamie had been put to bed for the evening, Ginny mentioned her observations to her husband.

"You were right," she said, climbing into bed, as Harry continued staring down at his sleeping son, like he'd been doing for the past ten minutes. "There's something there. I'm not an expert, but I've never seen him act like that before. I'd wager it's because he's never acted like that in his whole life."

"Like what?" asked Harry. He was leaning on Jamie's crib, tracing a finger down his little arm, distant images of one day teaching his son how to catch a Golden Snitch flitting through his mind. He was only half listening to his wife.

She thought about her answer. "It's hard to describe it. Free, perhaps. Open. Tolerant." She thought back to the easy way Draco and Hermione had joked around. "He laughed, and it was real. He laughed a lot, actually. Maybe it's as simple as that." Remembering Draco's face as he watched Hermione, she added, mostly to herself, "Funny, I never really thought before about how lonely he must have been."

Harry nodded, Ginny's observations only confirming what he already knew. "He cares about her. And I'd say that's real, too."

With a wave of her hand, dismissing his words as not strong enough, Ginny said, "Oh, he's totally gone over her, that's for sure. He's trying to hide it, but every time he touches her or looks at her, it's like seeing his little Slytherin heart bleeding ichor all over his sleeve."

With a chuckle at the image and Ginny's misappropriation of Muggle metaphors, Harry gave Jamie a final pat and turned to climb into bed. "Does it worry you?"

The smile on Ginny's face quickly faded. "A little bit. Hermione's halfway gone, too. She just doesn't know it yet. Or she hasn't admitted it to herself."

With some bitterness, Harry said, "She might not even recognize the feeling of genuine affection at this point."

Lying next to him, Ginny nodded and put her head and a comforting hand on his chest. She was still hurt by her brother's callous mistreatment of her good friend, and her husband's best friend, as she knew Harry was, too. "That's the part that worries me. She's been hurt so much, already. I'm not sure if we ought to do something."

With this thought in mind, Harry pointed out, "Not much to do at the moment. We didn't do something when we could have before. With Ron." And she knew his inactivity when a friend was in trouble, even though it was only apparent in hindsight, continued to eat away at him. With a sigh, he continued, "But I don't want to get in the way. If I see something that worries me, I'll say something. But not yet."

After a few minutes of silence, while they each contemplated the ramifications of Hermione's budding romance, Ginny stated the obvious. "Ron's going to be a bear about this, you know."

"Yes, well, you know where Ron can stuff his bear bits." And with this decisive statement, he turned out the lights.

A/N: Things are starting to get good now. For anyone who likes to hate on Ron, tune in next chapter! Also, for everyone wondering when Hermione's going to get a clue…also, tune in next chapter!