Borrowed Hearts
Summary: 'You know how you like to make up stories sometimes honey? Well this is going to be just like that. We're going to pretend for a little while.'
Based on the Christmas movie by the same name.
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own the rights to neither the Harry Potter books nor the movie Borrowed Hearts
Author's Note: And here's Chapter 10! It's my longest chapter yet I do believe so go me! I'm going to try and have the next chapter up later tonight or early tomorrow. I want to get going on the chapter so this story is done by the time college starts for me next week. Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Also, I'm not sure if chapter 9 is working for everyone yet. I tried to reload it to see if that would help. Let me know if it did anything!
Chapter 10: Laughing Fits
A few nights later, Draco sat in his study working on some business owls that needed to be sent out by the following day. It was hard work keeping up the charade of being a family man but so far he had made it work. Still, even with this business deal with Del Campo, he had other things he needed to attend to.
He was currently writing a letter to one of his managers, or rather, he was trying to. From down the hall, laughter sounded interrupting his train of thought. He tried to focus on his work, blocking out the outside noise but it was no use. Growling to himself in frustration he set aside the letter he was working on and strode out of the room to find the source of the noise.
He followed the laughter down the hall and into the parlor, his mind reeling with anger at being disrupted from his work. He stopped abruptly, however, in the doorway, taking in the sight before him.
A muggle game Hermione had brought with her was spread out on the floor. He remembered her telling him a few nights before that it was called Twister and that its point was to try and keep your balance by touching the right colored dot. Draco had considered the game primitive and pointless. Nevertheless, Josie seemed to have convinced Señor Del Campo to give it a try. He and Josie were both balanced on top the mat, laughing at the silly moves each of them did. On the far sofa Hermione lounged, amusedly watching the two. With one hand she spun the wheel for the game, calling out instructions while with her other hand she waved her wand in a slow circle, rotating popcorn kernels over the fire.
"Left hand green," she called out. Her face glowed in the fire light and Draco noticed for the first time just how relaxed and happy she seemed.
"Come on Señor! You can do it!" Josie called out encouragingly as Del Campo attempted to place his hand on a green dot. He toppled over in a heap, laughing as he lay there on the ground.
"I win!" Josie cried happily.
Draco felt the corners of his lips tug upwards in a smile. He turned to leave, deciding it best not to interrupt their fun.
Josie looked up just in time to spot him, however. "Come play with us!"
Draco paused, turning back in surprise. Hermione and Del Campo and turned to look at him now as well. "Oh… err… I don't think so."
Josie pouted slightly. "Why not?"
"I'm not very good at this," he waved his hand toward the mat.
"It's not about always winning. It's about having fun," Josie said seriously. "That's what mommy always says!"
Draco glanced toward Hermione who was looking at him with a curious gleam in her eyes. She shrugged as his eyes fell upon her.
"Having a bit of fun won't kill you," she challenged.
Del Campo nodded. "They're right Señor. Come! There is much more to life than just business."
Draco paused, looking for a way that he could get out of this politely.
Josie glanced around at the group. "Mommy, will you play?"
"Oh, I don't know honey…" Hermione looked slightly taken aback.
"What's the matter?" Draco cut in. "Afraid you'll have a little fun?"
The challenge was apparent on his face as he smirked across the room at her. Without another word, Hermione stood up, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.
"Fine," she huffed, hands on her hips.
Draco chuckled, pushing up the sleeves of his shirt.
"Señor?" he asked, glancing over at Del Campo.
Del Campo, however, shook his head. "No, no. I think I'll sit this one out and let you two have a turn."
Josie beamed, delighted that they had consented and bounced over toward the couch. "I'll spin!"
"Right foot blue!"
Draco's brow furrowed in concentration, his lips set together in a thin, determined line. Slowly, he picked up his foot, wobbling slightly before setting it down triumphantly on a blue dot. He grinned happily over at Hermione.
"Ha! Beat that!"
Hermione chuckled at the look on Draco's face. He looked so much like a child right then she couldn't help but find it amusing.
"Left foot red!" Josie called out to Hermione.
Hermione smiled as she easily slid her foot over to the red dot.
"That's it!" Draco huffed. "How come she gets an easy one? Give me one!"
Josie giggled, spinning the wheel once more. "Right hand red!"
Draco smirked. "I can do that."
He moved his hand across the mat and onto the red dot. As he reached out for the nearest dot, his hand grazed Hermione's thigh. Both jumped slightly, looking up to stare at each other. Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Right hand green!"
Hermione looked over as Josie called out her next turn. Still a bit unnerved, she moved to hand to place it on a green dot. She shook slightly as she attempted to balance herself with her other hand. It was no use though, with a soft cry she fell forward crashing into Draco along the way and sending them both down.
Hermione's face burned even brighter red as she attempted to remove her hand that was currently trapped underneath Draco's chest causing them to only become tangled even more.
Draco chuckled as he and Hermione attempted to get up at the same time, causing them to fall down once more. The more they tried, the more they failed, and the harder the two laughed causing them to become unable to move from the floor for a good few minutes.
Josie laughed as the two struggled. "You guys are funny!"
"I won!" Draco declared after a while, once he had a chance to catch his breath. He pulled himself up off the ground finally and offered Hermione a hand. "Finally! Something I beat you at!"
Hermione smiled at Draco, laughing amusedly as she took his hand to allow him to pull her up.
Del Campo sat on the couch, watching the interaction carefully with a slight smile on his face.
He knocked on the door, waiting for a reply. When none came he knocked again, this time harder.
"Hermione! Josie! Open up, its me!"
"They're not home Ronald."
Ron Weasley whirled around, staring at his baby sister as she stood there with her arms crossed. She looked the same, only older, more mature.
"Gin! Merlin, you're a sight for sore eyes!" He moved to embrace her but one cold look from her stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Err… When will they be back?" He asked lamely, running a hand through his hair.
Ginny's face remained harsh and cold, her tone biting. "Not sure."
She turned and walked away, not bothering to wait for a reply. Ron let out a breath before hurrying after her.
"Well, do you know where they are?" He persisted.
"Can't really say," she snapped over her shoulder harshly.
Ron reached out and grabbed Ginny's arm, whirling her around to face him. The look on her face was murderous as she reached into her coat pocket to grab her wand. Ron grabbed her hand to stop her, however.
"Listen Gin, I know I should have been back here a lot sooner…"
Ginny snorted at this.
"And I'm sorry for that," he continued. "But look, all I want to do is see my little girl. Is that too much to ask?"
Ginny dropped her hand. Her glare softened slightly but she still stared at him appraisingly.
"Please Gin," Ron begged. "If you know where they are just tell me."
Ginny's stance relaxed, a sure sign she was relenting.
"Well… Hermione did leave me an address in case of an emergency."
Author's Note #2: So there you have it. The mystery has finally been revealed. I know a lot of you were trying to guess and some of you were right. Kudos to you who got it! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! It was a lot of fun to write! Press the review button and let me know what you think.