Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter's characters, though the story is my own.

Please let me know what you think! =)

UPDATE! So, I've just realized that Lysander and Lorcan are twins, so I've made some changes to Chapter 2. Hope you like it :)


Chapter 3: The day after tomorrow

Her daughter's bed was small compared to the one she usually shared with her husband, but it was still comfortable. After last night's fight she couldn't bring herself to sleep in his same bed, so she went to Rosie's. Since her sleep deprivation steered throughout the night, she decided to write a letter to her, letting her know that they were pleased to hear she was sorted in Ravenclaw with Lysander. Also, she dropped a little hint about being okay with befriending Goyle's son.

We've all made mistakes dear Rosie, your dad and I are no exception. You are a different person, you are a Weasley-Granger and we couldn't be more proud. Remember to be kind and not judge beforehand, allowing yourself to be surprised by people.

Love you always,

Mom

Ron had left around dawn to see his father, who lived at the store since Molly's death last winter. She got up and took a long shower trying to let the water wash away all the harsh words they threw at one another. She unconsciously ran her hand over her mudblood scar, as she did whenever she needed to calm herself down. But it wasn't working; her crying and sobs became so desperate that she needed to sit down in the shower. She was thankful of the Silencing charm, she didn't want little Hugo to hear her.

When she managed to stop, her head was spinning. The long shower had made no difference, her husband had cut in deep with his words and so had she. Was this the beginning of the end? Their 15th anniversary was coming up… they couldn't celebrate with a separation…

She sighed. This was the first weekend without Rosie at home, when desperate owls from her may arrive. But now Hermione had a new thing to fear: whatever that was happening between her husband and her. She got little Hugo ready and headed to Luna's home with him. She needed the human contact, the girl talk with someone more impartial than Ginny and, most of all, someone who wouldn't judge her.

The once Loony Lovegood had grown to be a beautiful and kind woman, who still believed in things things out there that people like Hermione wouldn't. She studied and got a double degree in Biology and as a Creature's healer. After that, she started travelling the world, and became an unofficial spokesperson for Hermione's Creature's Law efforts. It was both of the women's hard work along with Rolf Scamander what made the Law a reality.

Somewhere along the way Rolf and Luna fell madly in love and married in a very small ceremony. Hermione had helped as much as she could, she had always felt that she and Luna shared, though differently, the same type of loneliness.

Hermione smiled at her friend when she started explaining how they found evidence that the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks existed. But Luna wasn't a loony as before, realizing that the Sorting ceremony last night was the least of Hermione's problems, signaled her husband "Hugo, why don't we go to the park? We can play in the crashing cars" whispering pretending that Hermione couldn't hear "We'll keep it between us" The little red haired beamed at the man "That's brilliant Uncle Rolf. Mom, please?Pleeease?" She nodded and silently thanked Rolf.

"How are you coping with your part of the sorting Lu?" The light haired woman sighed. "It was a blow, but we talked to Lorcan and he's feeling better. Apparently he's befriending Malfoy's son. I don't know how I feel about that though... but we're here for him and that's his house now, so, I'm thinking of changing his curtains to green. You think that'd help?" Hermione nodded, "Scorpius is probably not as bad as Malfoy was at his age. He grew up in a different world, and Malfoy adores his son, he's the complete opposite of Lucius when it comes to parenting. You should see him when the boy is at his office" She looked at the worried parents "Lorcan will be fine, you'll see"

The moment Rolf left with Hugo, Luna asked "What happened with Ronald now?" Hermione's expression changed. Suddenly the tears came over her again.

"Have you talked to him?"

"We argued until 3 in the morning last night. And then I... slept in Rosie's bed" Luna nodded, taking another sip of tea. "I feel like we don't know each other anymore. He's always judging and complaining, from "why did you keep your last name?" to "why do you work with Malfoy?" I feel like there's nothing I can do that would please him"

"I think that deep down inside Ron thought that after you had Rosie, you'd turn your life around and be a full-time mom, like Molly used to be" Luna's tone wasn't judgemental, she was purely matter-of-factly. "I guess the Women liberation movement never reached the wizarding world" Luna wasn't sure of what her friend meant, but reached for her hand "He does love you, as you love him" she paused for a second, momentum building. Then she rushed her words "but maybe you don't like each other anymore"

Hermione took a deep breath "Rolf has no problem in going around the world with you. And Harry has no problem with Ginny working for the Prophet"

"Ah ah ah! But Ginny dropped her career in Quidditch and became a journalist. Well. Journalist is a strong word" It had been years, but the feud between the red haired and Luna till stood. Hermione was almost positive that her friendship with Ginny ended the day she chose Luna as Rosie's godmother.

"You and me, we kept on working, stronger than ever. We work hard because we love what we do, we believe in what we do. And because we want our children to have a brighter future with Crumple-Horned Snorkacks running free all over the world" she giggled with that last line and brought a smile to Hermione's face. She came close to Luna and hugged her tight.

She didn't know what would happen or how things would work out, but she knew she could count on Luna "No matter what happens, I'm here for you. We are family Hermione"

The weekend was terrible. Ron had gotten mad about her going to Luna's and not to Harry's until it was supper time. Then he got mad at her for talking about work with Harry over coffee. Then she got mad at him for watching the game loudly when Hugo needed to sleep. In reality, they were mad at one another for not taking the first step and talk about what was happening. She kept on sleeping on Rosie's bed, and on Sunday night, Ron asked her for how long she was planning to do this. She sighed looking sad "I don't know Ronald"

She was leaving the door opened to talk, but he feared what would happen after that conversation. So he walked away towards their room.

She woke up tangled in her daughter's princess sheets, eyes redenned, throbing headache, darken eyes. Ron had left to the shop earlier than usual, leaving the coffee maker on. It was a nice gesture, but didn't feel like enough. Luna's words about them kept bouncing in her head. There wasn't enough concealer to cover the dark circles under her eyes nor enough eye drops to clear away the redness from her eyes.

She ingested an enormous amount of coffee, and got Hugo ready to school. Once she reached the office, she stood next to the large window, caressing slowly her scar with her thumb.

"I could try to remove that if you'd like" she turned around giving Draco a little smile "Unfortunately it was someone on my family who did it. I could try some potions and incantations and"- she came near him and brushed his arm, where his Death mark was still standing.

"For the 100th time, no need to, but thanks" Draco's eyes had an odd expression "I should've done something, I should've stopped her, I"-"

"You would've died. And you've been apologizing for what, 5 years now?"

" believe" She went to her desk and shuffled some papers. She wasn't thinking straight. "Let me ask you something. If you could have the Death mark removed, would you?"

He pondered and then headed to the chair he usually sat on when in her office. "I thought about it… hundreds of times. After Scorpius was born I lied to myself saying that I'd get it removed for him to have an easier life, but I was lying to myself. I'll carry it in my arm until I die" he went on "I'm not proud of what I've done, of being such a weak little ass, for what I let them do to my family, to myself, to you…" he paused for a second, "I just need to own up to what I've done and keeping this mark is a way to do just that"

She smiled sitting on her desk and handing over papers to him, their eyes met briefly "And that's exactly why I'd never get this one removed Malfoy"

She went to the little kitchen and poured more coffee for herself, another for Draco and one for her assistant, Lavender, who was fashionably late as usual… "Oh Hermione, I'm so sorry I'm late, the tube was terrible and"-

"Left you coffee in your desk, don't worry about it" when Draco heard Lavender's voice he came out of the office and handed her over 3 little flasks, which made the secretary beam at his sight "Oh Malfoy, I'm so grateful, you have no idea!"

Draco smirked with the corner of his mouth "No problem. I've switched the components a little bit, you may want to uhm- take precautions just in case" She nodded and resumed her work when Hermione cleared her throat rather audibly.

Once Draco was back at her office, she closed the door "You know, you shouldn't use my secretary as your guinea pig" he kept going through the papers without looking at her "I think the term would be wolfie pig". She giggled and threw her scarf at his face "Jerk", resuming her seat.

"So, why are you infesting my office when you have your own fancy one on the other corner?"

"Well, you have that big hearing today and since I'm your lead witness, I thought you may want us to go over it" she snorted "As if you've never testified before. Is the Head of Potion and Hexes Enforcement suddenly scared of the Winzegamot crones now? Phlease"

He took a sip of coffee. She was giving him a judgmental raised eyebrow that he knew only too well. She was one scary Law Enforcer alright… "Fine, the truth is… I saw you coming in today and frankly, I'm worried. I've heard about… Rose and well, I just wanted to offer my support"

She snorted displeased, getting angry "You think I care my daughter is a Ravenclaw?! I don't find it insulting or anything! I think she's a wonderful little girl and she'll grow to be a"-

"A wonderful wizard like her mother. I know. I didn't mean that. Your lame attempt at using muggle beauty products doesn't fool me Granger. You've been crying, so, here I am. Spill" Her puzzlement was visible. "You helped me through my divorce, you probably don't even know how much, I just want you to know that I may not be glorious Potter or Loony Lovegood, but I'm here. Always"

Hermione couldn't help her surprise; she felt her jaw drop to the floor. She didn't even noticed the harshness of his words towards her friends "Thanks" She took a deep breath, did she really wanted to talk to Draco – to Malfoy? "Neville let us know that Rosie was sorted and that she was struggling and Ron- well, he wasn't pleased with the news. He went on and on about how she was 6th generation Gryffindor and how could it be that she wasn't one having us as parents. I got mad because he was being so fucking selfish and didn't care that our little girl was scared and practically alone with all her hopes shattered. I just snapped" Draco kept on sipping his coffee slowly, while she stretched her legs over the desk and relaxed on her chair "And?"

She grabbed her mug and took a sip of coffee, looking down and speaking in a whisper "I told him that if he wanted to insure a 6th generation of Weasley Gryffindors that maybe he shouldn't have married this mudblood" Draco spilled his coffee and couldn't help a wholehearted laugh, which caused her to giggle a bit as well, but suddenly tears were gathering in her eyes.

His expression changed to sadness and he reached towards her face, still sitting on his chair. He cupped her face with his hand and cleared her tears "Don't cry. You look terrible when you cry Granger" she giggled again and got a handkerchief from her main drawer. She pressed her lips tightly trying not to cry anymore. "I'll be fine, thanks"

"What are you gonna do?" she blew her nose rather loudly and dried her tears. She started shuffling papers again "I don't know. I really don't know. Our 15th wedding anniversary is 3 months away… I just. I don't know Malfoy" she sighed and looked at him, remembering something else. "How did your son take Goyle's news? Nev told us he also got sorted in Ravenclaw" she smirked "Is little Scorpius cursing him on the way to classes already?"

Draco was dead serious all of the sudden, getting up with the papers she had handed over to him. "I'm sorry, I'm a bitch today" he grabbed the mug of coffee "He's very affected. I got his owl this morning at 6 am. Please restrain from judging my son for my pasts mistakes Hermione"

He had never called her by her first name, ever. Neither has she. She rushed up from her chair, "Draco wait. You're right, I'm very sorry. I'm having a lousy day and I took on him. I should know better" he clenched his teeth "Yes, you should. See you later"