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: Wow! Look at me go! Writing like a pro here! Two chapters in one day, am I good or am I good? Ok, so don't go expecting another one very soon. I'll try to get some writing done tomorrow but my classes start again then so there's not guarantee how much work I'll have to do. I'll try to get a new chapter up this weekend though at the very latest.

Oh, a little side note. I'm dedicating this chapter to Heath Ledger and his family (particularly his small daughter). For those of you who don't know, Heath Ledger died this afternoon from a drug overdose. He was in his late 20's and an amazing actor! I'll miss you Heath!

Chapter 12: All Apologies

Josie lay in her bed in their small apartment, staring forlornly up at her mother as Hermione tucked her in.

"It's my fault we had to leave," Josie said sadly.

"No," Hermione reassured her. "None of this is your fault."

She bent down and kissed Josie's forehead. Just then a knock sounded from the front door. Hermione glanced up in surprise.

"I'll be right back," she told her daughter as she walked out of the room. She closed the door behind her softly and walked across the hall to the front door to open it.

There stood Draco Malfoy, the most arrogant, obnoxious git in all of London… possibly the whole world.

He opened his mouth to say something but before he could get one word out Hermione was slamming the door in his face.

"Wait!" Draco protested, stopping the door from closing with his shoulder. "Just let me explain."

"Explain what?!" Hermione said harshly as she continued to push at the door in an effort to close it. "Why you felt you had the right to scream at my daughter?"

"I was a prat," Draco agreed as he continued to struggle against the door. Damn, Hermione was a lot stronger than she looked.

"I'll say you were!" Hermione huffed.

"I want to apologize!" he pleaded, knowing he couldn't keep the door open much longer.

The door swung open so fast Draco almost fell over. He stumbled across the thresh hold, turning to look at Hermione questioningly.

"To Josie," Hermione correct firmly.

Draco paused before nodding his head. "To Josie."

Hermione led Draco down the hall, knocking softly on Josie's door as they entered.

"Josie," Hermione called softly. "Someone is here to see you."

Josie peered over Hermione's shoulder curiously. Upon seeing Draco she promptly pulled the covers up over her head to hide. Draco glanced toward Hermione for so guidance on what he should do but one look at her told him he would be receiving no help in this. Draco sighed, running a hand through his pale blonde hair contemplating the best thing to do.

"I'm sorry Josie," he said simply, hoping in vain that this would be enough. When no reply came from under the covers however he was forced to try again.

"Look, Josie I didn't mean it," he persisted still. "What do I have to say to get you to forgive me?"

"A dragon would be nice," a voice replied from under the covers.

"A dragon," Draco repeating, smirking in spite of himself. "Heck of a negotiator."

He glanced over toward Hermione once more, looking for some sign. Hermione, however, remained leaning against the door frame, her arms firmly crossed.

Draco turned back to the bed instead, hoping for some leniency there. "Look, I didn't mean to get angry with you… I just sort of lost my temper. Can you forgive me?"

"I guess so…" the voice replied but she made no move to come out from under the covers. "I didn't mean to mess up your office," she added after a few moments.

Draco looked slightly taken aback at this confession/apology. "Oh… that's alright."

Josie shifted under the covers slightly so that her head poked out to peer over at her mother. "Can we go back to the house now?"

Hermione nodded, smiling sweetly at her daughter.

"Great!" Josie cried, throwing back the covers and bounding out of bed. "I'll get dressed!"

Hermione and Draco left the room as Josie proceeded to find some clothes to wear. They walked down the hall and into the living. Draco turned and held out his hand to offer her back the rings. She accepted them awkwardly, turning away quickly.

"So," she said after a few moments of awkward silence. "We'll stay until Del Campo leaves."

Draco nodded. "Thanks. You're saving my neck."

Hermione shook her head as she took a seat on the couch. "You're neck isn't my concern. I have plans for that money."

"Can I ask you something?" Draco asked as he took a seat next to her. Hermione nodded rather hesitantly.

"You were the brightest witch of our age… No you were," Draco persisted when Hermione made to object. "Even I could see that. You should be famous… have created new spells, or become a famous healer. Something. So why are you working in a lowly job at the Daily Prophet and living in a small flat?"

Hermione sighed, turning toward the window sadly. For a second, Draco thought she wasn't going to answer but then she spoke. "I wanted to travel the world, write articles that would inspire people, make a mark on the world. But then… Josie came along and well… things changed. I don't regret having Josie! Not for one second. It just made me realize that things had to be different. I couldn't keep living on a dream so I got a job at the Daily Prophet with the hopes of someday getting my shot at writing… it hasn't come yet but it doesn't matter. Everything's for Josie now."

Hermione stopped, apparently realizing how much she had just revealed. She waited for Draco to come back with some snide remark but when none came she turned around to face him. He was staring at her, his grey eyes almost sympathetic. She blushed slightly as he offered her a slight smile and she found herself returning it with one of her own.

Just then Josie bounded into the room, fully dressed in a pair of jeans with a red shirt and a Quidditch cap on. "I'm ready!" she cried happily. "Let's go home!"

Hermione turned away from Draco to smile at her daughter. Draco stood and opened the front door to their small flat, gesturing to it. "Shall we?"

Ron watched from the side of the road as Draco Malfoy, his arch enemy, walked up the drive to his mansion with Ron's wife and daughter in tow. Josie skipped in between the two and as she reached out and grabbed Draco's left hand Ron felt a lump form in his throat.

"What the hell is going on…" Ron muttered.

Author's Note #2: And so ends chapter 12. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this story so far! This is now my longest and most reviewed story! I'm so glad you all are enjoying it!