Disclaimer: ::Does the I-don't-own-shit-dance up to JKR's mailbox and drops
in manuscript:: La de da de da... I am inconspicuous.... ::Steals car as
collateral::
B4 on MPES:
"You can have the downstairs bathroom; I'll use the boys'. It's a mess up there," she said and Draco smiled, leaning down to kiss her softly. Hermione smiled and took a deep breath. "Is it just me, or is it like you've always been here? I mean... I'd always imagined I'd feel really awkward if you ever came back, and that there'd be tons of powerful emotion... but there isn't, really. I feel like this is normal... like the rest was all a dream... am I making any sense?" Draco nodded.
"Loads. You're right. There was much more freshness yesterday... it's beginning to lose it's newness... but I'm still happy to be home, don't get me wrong."
"No, of course not. I'm still phenomenally happy that you're here... and I still love you so much it hurts," she said, hugging him, and Draco smiled, nodding and embracing her back.
"I know, I feel exactly the same way."
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER TEN: Congratulations
When Draco finished with his shower and walked back into the kitchen, Hermione was already there, dressed in different, but similar clothes, and wearing a clip in her hair. He smiled at her. She was just so beautiful when she thought she was alone. So natural, untroubled, fair... he couldn't help but ogle.
Hermione was standing by the breakfast bar, a pen in her hand, scribbling on a piece of white paper. Feeling someone watching, she looked up and a smile brightened her face as she saw Draco standing there, wearing his out- of-date clothes, hair still dripping and plastered to his face.
"Hey," she said softly and his smile grew as he approached her.
"Hey," he said and kissed her over the bar. Hermione smiled and turned back to her note. "What are you doing?"
"Writing a note for Junior. He'll be worried otherwise... I'm always home when he gets here, even if it's not my day to pick him up," she answered softly, signing the note 'XOXO Mum and Dad', then tacking it to the fridge with a magnet, at what would be eye level to her son.
"Don't think we'll be home by then?" he asked and she frowned a little, but replaced her smile quickly and shrugged.
"If we are, I'll take it down. It's just in case," she said and grabbed her purse from the table, then walked through the kitchen door. "Ready?" she asked and Draco looked down at himself, then shrugged.
"I guess..." Hermione giggled and took his hand, leading him back out to the car.
~*~*~*~
"What was it that you were going to tell me earlier?" she asked a while later while they sat in the car, smiling as she glanced at Draco and met his loving gaze.
"Hm?" he asked as if in a trance, not even moving as he simply stared at Hermione. She smiled and looked away, back to the road.
"Just before we left with the boys," she said and Draco's smile grew, and Hermione's did the same. So he was in the land of the living, after all. "You said you'd tell me later?"
"You're perfect, Hermione," he said truthfully, gaze unbroken and Hermione smiled.
"Oh am I? Perfect at what, exactly?" He shook his head.
"Everything. Especially with Junior," he said and Hermione turned away from him, embarrassed slightly. Draco smiled. "You did a much better job than I ever could have, love." Now, she frowned slightly.
"Draco... I don't want to have this fight again, please," she said and he frowned. "We had it once, and that was enough."
"What?" She took a slightly deep breath and shook her head.
"The day I told you I was pregnant, remember? You got upset, and apologized, and said you'd try, but you weren't sure if you could do it... Draco, you are not your father. Far, far, far, from it," she said and Draco's frown increased. He did remember that... what was it, an argument? Yes, he remembered. Vividly.
"I know that, Hermione... but with him as a role model, how good at this raising kids business can I possibly be?" Draco held up his hand and stopped her before Hermione could once again try to convince him otherwise. "I don't want to fight about it either, and I know I'm not going to be as bad a father as Lucius was, but I don't know how much I can do... I'm lucky, really, that you've carried me this far." Hermione shook her head viciously.
"No, I told you then, and I'm telling you again, you are a great father, Draco. You have been since before Draco was even born... look at Eric, right? He wasn't even yours, and you did all you could to protect him. Would Lucius have done that for you?" Draco shook his head.
"No."
"Exactly. So, please..." Draco smiled again and kissed her cheek. "Thank you."
"For the record, I wasn't even thinking about that. I'm just amazed at how good you are with him, love. Even MY mother would have yelled if she told me to do something and I deliberately didn't... even if it was something as simple as tying a tie." Hermione laughed.
"That I cannot see happening. Narcissa's voice can't go above hailing a taxi cab." Draco laughed.
"You'd be surprised. You forget I was probably the most insolent little being on the planet, don't you? I got quite a few lectures from her in my day," he said, making her smile. "She just doesn't yell at the boys because they're much better behaved than I was," Draco added and Hermione laughed.
"That may very possibly be true. I yelled at you quite a few times in MY day as well; and he IS much better behaved than you. Once I've told him three times and towered over him, he'll do anything I ask immediately." Draco smiled and shook his head.
~*~*~*~
"Why not?" Draco wined.
"Because. I'll tell you later, I promise. Right now, we have a mission," Hermione said with a smirk, holding his hand as they walked toward Ollivander's. Draco sighed and gave up. She wouldn't tell him a thing about that one date she'd had... and he was curious. Not mad... not jealous, really... just curious.
"Just his name?" She sighed, shaking her head.
"Later, damn you," Hermione said playfully, laughing at the pout-y look on Draco's face. She turned away. "Ugh, you look just like Junior when you do that." Draco smiled widely, then did the pout face again. Hermione laughed and pulled him into the shop.
The store was empty; Mr. Ollivander was nowhere to be seen. In fact... it was a little eerie. Draco held Hermione's hand tightly and stepped up to the counter.
"Hello?" he called, but there was no response. He turned to look at Hermione, and she looked just as clueless as he felt. Then, she smiled, reached out a hand, and rang the little bell on the counter.
"Coming!" called the familiar voice of the cheery old man and she smiled triumphantly. Draco, with a grin, bent and kissed her. "Just a moment, Mr. Malfoy! I seem to have misplaced your... oh, here it is," said the voice again, and in moments, Mr. Ollivander emerged from a door to the side of the shop, holding a black wand-box. A very dusty, black wand-box.
Hermione was subconsciously wondering how he'd known who it was that had called, but brushed it off quickly. This was Mr. Ollivander. No one understood Mr. Ollivander... she doubted he understood himself.
"Here you are, Mr. Malfoy. I was wondering when you'd finally come and get this," the store clerk said, opening his box and extracting a wand almost exactly like the one Draco had originally had. "Hello, Miss Granger," he said to Hermione, and she squeezed Draco's hand a little tighter, but kept her smile and gave a nod. "How's the little one?" he asked, looking between them and Draco and Hermione looked to each other. She smiled.
"He's fine, Mr. Ollivander. How did you...?" Hermione said and he smiled, raising a hand.
"His wand came in just yesterday. The wands... they know," he whispered and, again, the younger adults shared a look. Hermione was beaming with pride, and it was infectious. Draco was soon smiling just as widely as she was. "And the Potter boy?" Turning back to the man, Hermione nodded again.
"Equally fine. They're growing up fast," she said and Mr. Ollivander nodded, looking dreamy.
"Won't be long before I see you two in here again," he said and Hermione, laughing, shook her head.
"Oh, don't say that, Sir," she said and Mr. Ollivander joined her in chuckling. Draco smiled down at her and she sighed happily, dropping his hand to gain access to her purse and pulling out a few galleons to give to Mr. Ollivander. Draco moved his hand to her back, not liking that she was right next to him and he still wasn't touching her. Mr. Ollivander smiled at the two and waited patiently to be paid. Once all was set, Draco and Hermione bid adieu to Mr. Ollivander and proceeded to leave the shop. The old man grinned as he watched them go.
"Tell the Potters I said congratulations," he called after them just as they made it to the door, and both turned around, looking confused, only to find that he'd disappeared again. Hermione shook her head and took Draco's pulling him back onto the street.
"What's he talking about?" Draco asked her after he'd charmed his pocket and slid his new wand into it. Hermione shrugged her shoulders and smiled up at him.
"I never know," she said, shaking her head. "I like that man. I haven't seen him in probably ten years, yet, I still feel like he's my grandfather or something." Draco shook his head, still looking confused.
"He kind of creeps me out. I mean, I've NEVER actually gone IN that store before. The wand I lost is the one I've had since I was eleven, and Mother bought it without me. How did he even know who I was?" Hermione shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.
"I have no idea. And I don't know how he knew about Junior... or Eric. Unless Narcissa's been talking, but as far as I know, she hasn't been here... probably SINCE she bought your wand. "But I want to know why he wants to congratulate Harry and Ginny... it's one thing if it's something people are talking about, but I honestly can't think of anything."
"Hm..." Draco said, nodding his agreement, then decided to drop the subject. Ollivander was a coot. He'd been a coot for as long as he could remember. "Will you tell me now?"
"Oh, hush. I'll tell you when I want to tell you, alright? Must you be so urgent?" Hermione asked, shoving him gently. Draco sighed.
"Fine, fine. Now what?"
"Um," Hermione said, looking at her watch, then she turned and gave Draco a once over. "Firstly, you can't go walking around in that much longer. We're IN a wizarding village and you're already getting stares." Draco looked down at himself.
"Is it really that obvious?" Hermione nodded sadly.
"Yes, love. I'm afraid it is... when was the last time you went to a mall?" Hermione asked and Draco frowned, brushing off his horrid attire as if it would make him a little more inconspicuous.
"When was the last time you went to a mall with me?" he asked in answer and Hermione smiled.
"That long, hm? Well, First we find something here for you to change into, then we're going shopping the muggle way."
"Okay, whatever, let's just do something... I'm starting to feel self- conscious," Draco said, looking around with a paranoid expression. Hermione laughed and stood on tip toes to kiss him.
"They're not looking because you look bad, love. It's because you look so damn good," she insisted, but it was obvious that that definitely wasn't the case. Draco laughed, nonetheless.
"Oh, of course."
"Come on, I know just the place," Hermione said happily, pulling him toward a shop he'd never seen before. Unsurprisingly. With a smile, Draco followed her, amused by her excitement. "Go ahead, go look... I want to talk to the clerk for a minute. He's a friend of mine." Draco looked toward the clerk, who hadn't even noticed their entrance, then back to Hermione, who was smiling brightly.
"You have male friends?" he asked and she gave him an 'are you kidding' look. "Excluding Harry and Ron," he said she smiled. Nodding. Draco sighed. He couldn't say no to her. "Okay." Hermione smiled, displaying pearly teeth, then kissed him quickly before pushing him toward the racks of clothes. Then, when he was quite a distance away, she turned to the front desk. As she approached, the clerk looked up, surprised. Hermione smiled kindly.
"Good morning, Corin," she said and the man smiled as his shock of seeing her faded. He stood once she had made it to the counter.
"Hermione..." he said softly, then leaned forward. Hermione drew back and he frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Who gave you permission to kiss me?" she asked in harsh whisper, glaring. Corin backed off.
"If not to make up, then why are you here?" he asked, eyes narrowed slightly at being blown off.
"Make up? Corin, I hate to have to be the first to tell you this, but what you run here? It's a damn store. I'm shopping," she hissed, looking over to Draco, who was, if not happily, looking through the racks of clothing, and luckily hadn't seen the clerks presumptuous movement. Corin noticed her eyes and looked to where she did. Then he glared coldly, nodding in understanding.
"Oh, I see. Get over things right quick, don't you?" Hermione turned back to him.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're with... HIM aren't you? Forget all about Corin, he's not important at all." Hermione glared.
"What about your precious Mia?" she asked icily, folding her arms. Corin's glare worsened.
"I was trying to get you jealous, Hermione," he said, obviously having a slightly hard time keeping himself from yelling. Hermione huffed.
"Right good job that did."
"I'm not enough for you, but that... MALFOY look-alike is right good, is that it?" he asked angrily and Hermione started to panic.
"Corin! Keep your voice down; he'll hear you," she snapped, again turning to see if Draco had been alarmed. He hadn't and she sighed. "Look, I just..."
"Don't even give me that 'I wanted Junior's father-figure to be someone who might actually pass off as his father,' because they look absolutely nothing alike." Hermione sighed in slight exasperation.
"They look everything alike, Corin. That IS Junior's father," she said, nodding, hoping to put her point across. Corin just looked angrier. He gave her a once over with cold eyes.
"You're even more of a slut than I thought... cheating on Malfoy, too? Then naming the poor kid after him... you really are quite the bitch, aren't you?" Hermione gasped; how could anyone think such an ungodly thing?
"No!" she called, then quieted her voice again. "That is Malfoy, Corin. He came back to me... yesterday," she said, amazed at how small an amount of time it'd been that Draco had been home. He had come back less than twenty- four hours ago, yet it seemed like he'd been next to her for years... in a good way. Corin narrowed his eyes.
"Don't lie to me, Hermione. You'll be sorry if you do," he said icily, then looked up, and his anger was masked with fear. Hermione turned to see Draco standing right behind her, hand on it's way to the small of her back in that protective gesture he'd always used. She smiled crookedly and he frowned, eyes boring into the clerk. Feeling at least somewhat protected behind his large counter, Corin brought up a boost of confidence. "Please, leave my store," he said politely, but with murder in his eyes. Hermione nodded.
"Come on, Draco," she said and the blonde beside her followed her as she started back toward the door. Corin's face had gone a little pale... could that possibly have been Malfoy? How would he explain his incident with Granger to Narcissa?
~
"Hermione," Draco said as they stepped outside the door, taking her hand and stopping her from continuing. He looked worried, and when Hermione turned to him, she was frowning... but then, a smile crossed her lips.
"I'll tell you now," she said and he raised an eyebrow.
"Tell me what?" Her smile grew as she tugged him toward the leaky cauldron.
"My date, of course." He looked surprised, but wasn't about to disagree.
"Do go on," he insisted, but Hermione stayed silent until they stepped into the bar, taking a table in a secluded corner. Hermione sat on one side, and Draco on the other. He wasn't smiling, but looked at her intently.
"You know my friend... the store clerk?" Hermione asked, slightly sheepishly, and Draco nodded, then stopped.
"No," he said in disbelief, and Hermione smiled guiltily and nodded.
"His name is Corin McGregor... we met at one of your mother's parties. I never really liked him at all... but I couldn't say no to Narcissa. She only meant the best," she explained and Draco nodded.
"I know. Why did you want to talk to him?" She sighed.
"He still owls me... all the time. I had to tell him you were back... and to leave me alone... for like, the thousandth time," she said, smiling a little, but Draco didn't look at all amused. "I haven't seen him since Narcissa's last event... which was... May, I think. He had a girlfriend... I was all relieved and what not, but, unfortunately, it didn't stop anything."
"I take it he didn't take my return well?" Hermione shrugged.
"He didn't believe me," she said softly, keeping her smile, and Draco sighed.
"I'm assuming a lot of people aren't going to," he said, slumping his shoulders and looking down. Hermione placed her hands over his, which were on the table, and he looked up at her.
"Everyone important will. I do. Your mother, Harry and Ginny, the boys... but that's not surprising. If I told them you were superman, I'm sure they wouldn't argue," she said and Draco smiled, remembered how Jr. had compared his episode with Voldemort to that of Superman and Lex Luther. "Ron will, because both Harry and I do... who else is there that really matters?" Draco sighed.
"I guess you're right," he agreed and she smiled.
"I love you," Hermione said softly and he looked up, smiling.
"I love you too, Hermione."
~*~
After eating a slightly early lunch, Draco and Hermione left Diagon Alley with a vow not to return until Junior needed to pick up his wand from Mr. Ollivander. As promised, Hermione took Draco to the mall. He seemed to hate every minute of it, but being with Hermione made everything better, and he found himself smiling at the tiniest of mannerisms from her. Hermione had a habit of twisting tendrils of hair around her finger... particularly when she was thinking. Whenever Draco stepped out of the dressing room to show her something, Hermione would place her right hand in her left elbow, and twist a loose curl around her left index finger, biting her lip, and Draco would smile, resisting the urge to just come over and kiss her.
Twenty-five, mother of one, and survivor of years of depression... Hermione looked so innocent. She would stand, looking at something, and let one knee buckle, or tap her toes on the heel of the other foot... and of course, she bit her lip. She twisted her hair. She got overly excited at the smallest thing. Draco was, in ways, amazed. It was like she hadn't changed in the slightest. She was still that same girl he'd copied answers from when she wasn't looking, the same girl he'd joined in making fun of Mrs. Caprice, the crazy lady next door... the same girl he'd given himself to... the same girl he'd asked to marry him.
~*~*~*~
"Do you think we might be overdoing this, just a tad?" Draco asked, already carrying about twenty bags, as she pulled him into yet another store. Hermione laughed.
"It's the clothes that make the man, Draco. Naked people have little or no influence on society," she said and he looked to the ceiling, smiling. That sounded like something... Jr. would say, when he was older of course. It was Hermione's intellect, combined with his sarcasm. Draco found himself wondering just how like him Jr. really was, if he'd rubbed off that much on her.
"I hardly think I'll have to go naked, Mia. We've already bought enough stuff for me to wear something different every day and not have to do laundry for at LEAST two months," Draco complained, and Hermione laughed.
"Fine," she said, turning back toward the door. "We'll go, if you want to so badly. Here, let me carry something." Draco followed behind her, shaking his head.
"I've got it, Mia. All I need you to do, is find the car," he said and she laughed, stepping back toward him and kissing his lips softly. She looked down at her watch.
"The boys should be home soon. Probably before we get there... and you thought a note unnecessary," she said, looking back up and wiggling her nose at him in another of her childish acts. Draco smiled, and Hermione stopped, smiling herself. "What?" she asked a little more seriously. Draco shook his head.
"You haven't changed at all, Mia." Hermione smiled.
"Good. I was hoping I wouldn't," she said happily. "Change isn't always bad, but it's rarely good." Draco smiled. "Come on, we really should go..."
~*~*~*~
"Draco... can I ask you something?" Hermione asked in the car on the way back to the manor. Draco had been staring at her again, and after today's incident with Corin, something was irking her. He blinked and shifted a little.
"Of course, Hermione... what?" he asked, a tad concerned at the nervous tone in her voice. Hermione sighed.
"Strictly hypothetical... what would you have done if you'd come back, and I were married to someone else, living in a trailer with three kids and a dog?" she asked, and Draco's first instinct was to laugh, but she didn't seem in a joking mood. He took a moment to regain himself, then sighed a little.
"Well..." he started, unsure of what to say. "I'd be crushed." Draco said it as if they were his final words, but then... he started speaking again. "Of course, I'd want you to come back to me... but, I think, after I thought about it, I could come to terms and let you do what made you happy. If you wanted to stay with him, I wouldn't stop you... but I would, and I don't mean to sound like you wouldn't let me, but I would demand to see Junior. He's still my son no matter who you're with... as for me, I truthfully don't know what I'd do. I don't think I'd resort to anything drastic... but I can't really be sure. You guys are all I've got... if I didn't have you..." Hermione nodded, eyes on the road. She really didn't know what to say... or why she'd asked... There was a semi-awkward silence. Draco was staring again, and it made her smile a little.
"So, what do you want to do tonight? With Junior?" Hermione asked. "I promised him we'd do something together." Draco smiled brightly.
"You know more than I do... what do you think he'd like?" Hermione shrugged a shoulder, then straightened, her eyes bright and smiling growing.
"I have the most perfect idea..."
A/N: Was this boring? It was? I'm sorry... not as boring as the last chapter, I bet ya... :oD. The next one is much, much, better. And I'm telling ya... chapter 13's gonna be a doozy... :oD. Sorry it's taken me so long to update... I know you guys are used to almost daily ones... but that was spring break. This is school days, baby. Get used to it ;o) Boy will you guys be happy when summer rolls around! :oD
PRF: Do you guys like these?
Princess: Lol, first you say it's boring, then you say you couldn't stop reading. Lol. Confused.... :o) Don't expect a lot of action in this fic... it's more laid back... just a nice story. Still interesting, I hope, but no death eater assaults or any such thing. Draco does get ::gasp:: mad one of the next chapters, though!
Erilyn Rose: I hope you're not referring to 'The List' I'm thinking of.... would you LIKE to be on THAT list? Hehe. I know it was boring, and so is this, and I'm sorry, but I tried. Lol. Lots o talking to get through :oP
Naurhen: Lol, you must hate me if you went through a withdrawal between the last two chapters! This one was like twice as long!
Ezmerelda: Yep, yep... Jr.'s a cutie pie!
Krissy: shelling them out as fast as you can say I-have-six-term-papers-due- at-the-end-of-the-month-oh-my-god-im-never-going-to-get-this-done... Lol.
Arime Setta: Lol. Fred's still available, hehe! There WILL be a marriage... and maybe some of the other things you suggested... but you don't want that. That'll mean the story's over. Do you want the story to be over? Lol. But don't worry, I'll put in some twists in the next few.
Tracey: I don't want Ron to be mad! Lol. Corin is enough trouble up there! We'll see more of him, I'm sure... :oD
KittyKat589: Me too... I just wanted to get all the explaining over with.
Slim-Shady's-Modeling-Baby: I'm trying, I'm trying! Lol. I wish I could shell 'em as fast as you read 'em!
Angelgirl1: Couldn't agree more! Lol. Thanx!
Piper-h-99: Lol, sure that wasn't supposed to be hyper-h-99? Lol. I will, I will, I will!
Flutegirl: Thanx. You should read more, hehe... I enjoy reviews :oD
Couch-potato01: Lol, thanx, once again!
Crystalline Lily: Don't worry, I've got plans :oD. But you're right... there's not much more to sort out... which is why I'm 'finishing up' even if it doesn't seem like it. In my fics, it's a long process... lol. Flames should have stopped around chapter 16. chapters 16-47 are 'finishing up'... lol, kidding, kidding. I'm not gonna take THAT long, but everything I'm doing now is leading up to my brilliant ending! Hehe... well, maybe a little extra.
Molly of Oz: ::stares wide eyed:: I didn't know there was a DANCE for that!
Delila-Malfoy: Thanx! Brilliant is such a great word!
Silver Dragon Goddess: Why scary? I didn't do THAT bad, did I? Lol. Scary...t hats a new one... I don't think I meant it to be... I don't think. Don't worry... I proofread this chapter.... all is not lost :oD
Neo-Aphrodite;n-n: Thanx! Yours are good too! 'Cept for that darn grammar ;o)
Angelgirl06: Thanx. I know... it was W-E-I-R-D!
There you go, folks, now... off to the wonderful world of Global History!
B4 on MPES:
"You can have the downstairs bathroom; I'll use the boys'. It's a mess up there," she said and Draco smiled, leaning down to kiss her softly. Hermione smiled and took a deep breath. "Is it just me, or is it like you've always been here? I mean... I'd always imagined I'd feel really awkward if you ever came back, and that there'd be tons of powerful emotion... but there isn't, really. I feel like this is normal... like the rest was all a dream... am I making any sense?" Draco nodded.
"Loads. You're right. There was much more freshness yesterday... it's beginning to lose it's newness... but I'm still happy to be home, don't get me wrong."
"No, of course not. I'm still phenomenally happy that you're here... and I still love you so much it hurts," she said, hugging him, and Draco smiled, nodding and embracing her back.
"I know, I feel exactly the same way."
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER TEN: Congratulations
When Draco finished with his shower and walked back into the kitchen, Hermione was already there, dressed in different, but similar clothes, and wearing a clip in her hair. He smiled at her. She was just so beautiful when she thought she was alone. So natural, untroubled, fair... he couldn't help but ogle.
Hermione was standing by the breakfast bar, a pen in her hand, scribbling on a piece of white paper. Feeling someone watching, she looked up and a smile brightened her face as she saw Draco standing there, wearing his out- of-date clothes, hair still dripping and plastered to his face.
"Hey," she said softly and his smile grew as he approached her.
"Hey," he said and kissed her over the bar. Hermione smiled and turned back to her note. "What are you doing?"
"Writing a note for Junior. He'll be worried otherwise... I'm always home when he gets here, even if it's not my day to pick him up," she answered softly, signing the note 'XOXO Mum and Dad', then tacking it to the fridge with a magnet, at what would be eye level to her son.
"Don't think we'll be home by then?" he asked and she frowned a little, but replaced her smile quickly and shrugged.
"If we are, I'll take it down. It's just in case," she said and grabbed her purse from the table, then walked through the kitchen door. "Ready?" she asked and Draco looked down at himself, then shrugged.
"I guess..." Hermione giggled and took his hand, leading him back out to the car.
~*~*~*~
"What was it that you were going to tell me earlier?" she asked a while later while they sat in the car, smiling as she glanced at Draco and met his loving gaze.
"Hm?" he asked as if in a trance, not even moving as he simply stared at Hermione. She smiled and looked away, back to the road.
"Just before we left with the boys," she said and Draco's smile grew, and Hermione's did the same. So he was in the land of the living, after all. "You said you'd tell me later?"
"You're perfect, Hermione," he said truthfully, gaze unbroken and Hermione smiled.
"Oh am I? Perfect at what, exactly?" He shook his head.
"Everything. Especially with Junior," he said and Hermione turned away from him, embarrassed slightly. Draco smiled. "You did a much better job than I ever could have, love." Now, she frowned slightly.
"Draco... I don't want to have this fight again, please," she said and he frowned. "We had it once, and that was enough."
"What?" She took a slightly deep breath and shook her head.
"The day I told you I was pregnant, remember? You got upset, and apologized, and said you'd try, but you weren't sure if you could do it... Draco, you are not your father. Far, far, far, from it," she said and Draco's frown increased. He did remember that... what was it, an argument? Yes, he remembered. Vividly.
"I know that, Hermione... but with him as a role model, how good at this raising kids business can I possibly be?" Draco held up his hand and stopped her before Hermione could once again try to convince him otherwise. "I don't want to fight about it either, and I know I'm not going to be as bad a father as Lucius was, but I don't know how much I can do... I'm lucky, really, that you've carried me this far." Hermione shook her head viciously.
"No, I told you then, and I'm telling you again, you are a great father, Draco. You have been since before Draco was even born... look at Eric, right? He wasn't even yours, and you did all you could to protect him. Would Lucius have done that for you?" Draco shook his head.
"No."
"Exactly. So, please..." Draco smiled again and kissed her cheek. "Thank you."
"For the record, I wasn't even thinking about that. I'm just amazed at how good you are with him, love. Even MY mother would have yelled if she told me to do something and I deliberately didn't... even if it was something as simple as tying a tie." Hermione laughed.
"That I cannot see happening. Narcissa's voice can't go above hailing a taxi cab." Draco laughed.
"You'd be surprised. You forget I was probably the most insolent little being on the planet, don't you? I got quite a few lectures from her in my day," he said, making her smile. "She just doesn't yell at the boys because they're much better behaved than I was," Draco added and Hermione laughed.
"That may very possibly be true. I yelled at you quite a few times in MY day as well; and he IS much better behaved than you. Once I've told him three times and towered over him, he'll do anything I ask immediately." Draco smiled and shook his head.
~*~*~*~
"Why not?" Draco wined.
"Because. I'll tell you later, I promise. Right now, we have a mission," Hermione said with a smirk, holding his hand as they walked toward Ollivander's. Draco sighed and gave up. She wouldn't tell him a thing about that one date she'd had... and he was curious. Not mad... not jealous, really... just curious.
"Just his name?" She sighed, shaking her head.
"Later, damn you," Hermione said playfully, laughing at the pout-y look on Draco's face. She turned away. "Ugh, you look just like Junior when you do that." Draco smiled widely, then did the pout face again. Hermione laughed and pulled him into the shop.
The store was empty; Mr. Ollivander was nowhere to be seen. In fact... it was a little eerie. Draco held Hermione's hand tightly and stepped up to the counter.
"Hello?" he called, but there was no response. He turned to look at Hermione, and she looked just as clueless as he felt. Then, she smiled, reached out a hand, and rang the little bell on the counter.
"Coming!" called the familiar voice of the cheery old man and she smiled triumphantly. Draco, with a grin, bent and kissed her. "Just a moment, Mr. Malfoy! I seem to have misplaced your... oh, here it is," said the voice again, and in moments, Mr. Ollivander emerged from a door to the side of the shop, holding a black wand-box. A very dusty, black wand-box.
Hermione was subconsciously wondering how he'd known who it was that had called, but brushed it off quickly. This was Mr. Ollivander. No one understood Mr. Ollivander... she doubted he understood himself.
"Here you are, Mr. Malfoy. I was wondering when you'd finally come and get this," the store clerk said, opening his box and extracting a wand almost exactly like the one Draco had originally had. "Hello, Miss Granger," he said to Hermione, and she squeezed Draco's hand a little tighter, but kept her smile and gave a nod. "How's the little one?" he asked, looking between them and Draco and Hermione looked to each other. She smiled.
"He's fine, Mr. Ollivander. How did you...?" Hermione said and he smiled, raising a hand.
"His wand came in just yesterday. The wands... they know," he whispered and, again, the younger adults shared a look. Hermione was beaming with pride, and it was infectious. Draco was soon smiling just as widely as she was. "And the Potter boy?" Turning back to the man, Hermione nodded again.
"Equally fine. They're growing up fast," she said and Mr. Ollivander nodded, looking dreamy.
"Won't be long before I see you two in here again," he said and Hermione, laughing, shook her head.
"Oh, don't say that, Sir," she said and Mr. Ollivander joined her in chuckling. Draco smiled down at her and she sighed happily, dropping his hand to gain access to her purse and pulling out a few galleons to give to Mr. Ollivander. Draco moved his hand to her back, not liking that she was right next to him and he still wasn't touching her. Mr. Ollivander smiled at the two and waited patiently to be paid. Once all was set, Draco and Hermione bid adieu to Mr. Ollivander and proceeded to leave the shop. The old man grinned as he watched them go.
"Tell the Potters I said congratulations," he called after them just as they made it to the door, and both turned around, looking confused, only to find that he'd disappeared again. Hermione shook her head and took Draco's pulling him back onto the street.
"What's he talking about?" Draco asked her after he'd charmed his pocket and slid his new wand into it. Hermione shrugged her shoulders and smiled up at him.
"I never know," she said, shaking her head. "I like that man. I haven't seen him in probably ten years, yet, I still feel like he's my grandfather or something." Draco shook his head, still looking confused.
"He kind of creeps me out. I mean, I've NEVER actually gone IN that store before. The wand I lost is the one I've had since I was eleven, and Mother bought it without me. How did he even know who I was?" Hermione shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.
"I have no idea. And I don't know how he knew about Junior... or Eric. Unless Narcissa's been talking, but as far as I know, she hasn't been here... probably SINCE she bought your wand. "But I want to know why he wants to congratulate Harry and Ginny... it's one thing if it's something people are talking about, but I honestly can't think of anything."
"Hm..." Draco said, nodding his agreement, then decided to drop the subject. Ollivander was a coot. He'd been a coot for as long as he could remember. "Will you tell me now?"
"Oh, hush. I'll tell you when I want to tell you, alright? Must you be so urgent?" Hermione asked, shoving him gently. Draco sighed.
"Fine, fine. Now what?"
"Um," Hermione said, looking at her watch, then she turned and gave Draco a once over. "Firstly, you can't go walking around in that much longer. We're IN a wizarding village and you're already getting stares." Draco looked down at himself.
"Is it really that obvious?" Hermione nodded sadly.
"Yes, love. I'm afraid it is... when was the last time you went to a mall?" Hermione asked and Draco frowned, brushing off his horrid attire as if it would make him a little more inconspicuous.
"When was the last time you went to a mall with me?" he asked in answer and Hermione smiled.
"That long, hm? Well, First we find something here for you to change into, then we're going shopping the muggle way."
"Okay, whatever, let's just do something... I'm starting to feel self- conscious," Draco said, looking around with a paranoid expression. Hermione laughed and stood on tip toes to kiss him.
"They're not looking because you look bad, love. It's because you look so damn good," she insisted, but it was obvious that that definitely wasn't the case. Draco laughed, nonetheless.
"Oh, of course."
"Come on, I know just the place," Hermione said happily, pulling him toward a shop he'd never seen before. Unsurprisingly. With a smile, Draco followed her, amused by her excitement. "Go ahead, go look... I want to talk to the clerk for a minute. He's a friend of mine." Draco looked toward the clerk, who hadn't even noticed their entrance, then back to Hermione, who was smiling brightly.
"You have male friends?" he asked and she gave him an 'are you kidding' look. "Excluding Harry and Ron," he said she smiled. Nodding. Draco sighed. He couldn't say no to her. "Okay." Hermione smiled, displaying pearly teeth, then kissed him quickly before pushing him toward the racks of clothes. Then, when he was quite a distance away, she turned to the front desk. As she approached, the clerk looked up, surprised. Hermione smiled kindly.
"Good morning, Corin," she said and the man smiled as his shock of seeing her faded. He stood once she had made it to the counter.
"Hermione..." he said softly, then leaned forward. Hermione drew back and he frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Who gave you permission to kiss me?" she asked in harsh whisper, glaring. Corin backed off.
"If not to make up, then why are you here?" he asked, eyes narrowed slightly at being blown off.
"Make up? Corin, I hate to have to be the first to tell you this, but what you run here? It's a damn store. I'm shopping," she hissed, looking over to Draco, who was, if not happily, looking through the racks of clothing, and luckily hadn't seen the clerks presumptuous movement. Corin noticed her eyes and looked to where she did. Then he glared coldly, nodding in understanding.
"Oh, I see. Get over things right quick, don't you?" Hermione turned back to him.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're with... HIM aren't you? Forget all about Corin, he's not important at all." Hermione glared.
"What about your precious Mia?" she asked icily, folding her arms. Corin's glare worsened.
"I was trying to get you jealous, Hermione," he said, obviously having a slightly hard time keeping himself from yelling. Hermione huffed.
"Right good job that did."
"I'm not enough for you, but that... MALFOY look-alike is right good, is that it?" he asked angrily and Hermione started to panic.
"Corin! Keep your voice down; he'll hear you," she snapped, again turning to see if Draco had been alarmed. He hadn't and she sighed. "Look, I just..."
"Don't even give me that 'I wanted Junior's father-figure to be someone who might actually pass off as his father,' because they look absolutely nothing alike." Hermione sighed in slight exasperation.
"They look everything alike, Corin. That IS Junior's father," she said, nodding, hoping to put her point across. Corin just looked angrier. He gave her a once over with cold eyes.
"You're even more of a slut than I thought... cheating on Malfoy, too? Then naming the poor kid after him... you really are quite the bitch, aren't you?" Hermione gasped; how could anyone think such an ungodly thing?
"No!" she called, then quieted her voice again. "That is Malfoy, Corin. He came back to me... yesterday," she said, amazed at how small an amount of time it'd been that Draco had been home. He had come back less than twenty- four hours ago, yet it seemed like he'd been next to her for years... in a good way. Corin narrowed his eyes.
"Don't lie to me, Hermione. You'll be sorry if you do," he said icily, then looked up, and his anger was masked with fear. Hermione turned to see Draco standing right behind her, hand on it's way to the small of her back in that protective gesture he'd always used. She smiled crookedly and he frowned, eyes boring into the clerk. Feeling at least somewhat protected behind his large counter, Corin brought up a boost of confidence. "Please, leave my store," he said politely, but with murder in his eyes. Hermione nodded.
"Come on, Draco," she said and the blonde beside her followed her as she started back toward the door. Corin's face had gone a little pale... could that possibly have been Malfoy? How would he explain his incident with Granger to Narcissa?
~
"Hermione," Draco said as they stepped outside the door, taking her hand and stopping her from continuing. He looked worried, and when Hermione turned to him, she was frowning... but then, a smile crossed her lips.
"I'll tell you now," she said and he raised an eyebrow.
"Tell me what?" Her smile grew as she tugged him toward the leaky cauldron.
"My date, of course." He looked surprised, but wasn't about to disagree.
"Do go on," he insisted, but Hermione stayed silent until they stepped into the bar, taking a table in a secluded corner. Hermione sat on one side, and Draco on the other. He wasn't smiling, but looked at her intently.
"You know my friend... the store clerk?" Hermione asked, slightly sheepishly, and Draco nodded, then stopped.
"No," he said in disbelief, and Hermione smiled guiltily and nodded.
"His name is Corin McGregor... we met at one of your mother's parties. I never really liked him at all... but I couldn't say no to Narcissa. She only meant the best," she explained and Draco nodded.
"I know. Why did you want to talk to him?" She sighed.
"He still owls me... all the time. I had to tell him you were back... and to leave me alone... for like, the thousandth time," she said, smiling a little, but Draco didn't look at all amused. "I haven't seen him since Narcissa's last event... which was... May, I think. He had a girlfriend... I was all relieved and what not, but, unfortunately, it didn't stop anything."
"I take it he didn't take my return well?" Hermione shrugged.
"He didn't believe me," she said softly, keeping her smile, and Draco sighed.
"I'm assuming a lot of people aren't going to," he said, slumping his shoulders and looking down. Hermione placed her hands over his, which were on the table, and he looked up at her.
"Everyone important will. I do. Your mother, Harry and Ginny, the boys... but that's not surprising. If I told them you were superman, I'm sure they wouldn't argue," she said and Draco smiled, remembered how Jr. had compared his episode with Voldemort to that of Superman and Lex Luther. "Ron will, because both Harry and I do... who else is there that really matters?" Draco sighed.
"I guess you're right," he agreed and she smiled.
"I love you," Hermione said softly and he looked up, smiling.
"I love you too, Hermione."
~*~
After eating a slightly early lunch, Draco and Hermione left Diagon Alley with a vow not to return until Junior needed to pick up his wand from Mr. Ollivander. As promised, Hermione took Draco to the mall. He seemed to hate every minute of it, but being with Hermione made everything better, and he found himself smiling at the tiniest of mannerisms from her. Hermione had a habit of twisting tendrils of hair around her finger... particularly when she was thinking. Whenever Draco stepped out of the dressing room to show her something, Hermione would place her right hand in her left elbow, and twist a loose curl around her left index finger, biting her lip, and Draco would smile, resisting the urge to just come over and kiss her.
Twenty-five, mother of one, and survivor of years of depression... Hermione looked so innocent. She would stand, looking at something, and let one knee buckle, or tap her toes on the heel of the other foot... and of course, she bit her lip. She twisted her hair. She got overly excited at the smallest thing. Draco was, in ways, amazed. It was like she hadn't changed in the slightest. She was still that same girl he'd copied answers from when she wasn't looking, the same girl he'd joined in making fun of Mrs. Caprice, the crazy lady next door... the same girl he'd given himself to... the same girl he'd asked to marry him.
~*~*~*~
"Do you think we might be overdoing this, just a tad?" Draco asked, already carrying about twenty bags, as she pulled him into yet another store. Hermione laughed.
"It's the clothes that make the man, Draco. Naked people have little or no influence on society," she said and he looked to the ceiling, smiling. That sounded like something... Jr. would say, when he was older of course. It was Hermione's intellect, combined with his sarcasm. Draco found himself wondering just how like him Jr. really was, if he'd rubbed off that much on her.
"I hardly think I'll have to go naked, Mia. We've already bought enough stuff for me to wear something different every day and not have to do laundry for at LEAST two months," Draco complained, and Hermione laughed.
"Fine," she said, turning back toward the door. "We'll go, if you want to so badly. Here, let me carry something." Draco followed behind her, shaking his head.
"I've got it, Mia. All I need you to do, is find the car," he said and she laughed, stepping back toward him and kissing his lips softly. She looked down at her watch.
"The boys should be home soon. Probably before we get there... and you thought a note unnecessary," she said, looking back up and wiggling her nose at him in another of her childish acts. Draco smiled, and Hermione stopped, smiling herself. "What?" she asked a little more seriously. Draco shook his head.
"You haven't changed at all, Mia." Hermione smiled.
"Good. I was hoping I wouldn't," she said happily. "Change isn't always bad, but it's rarely good." Draco smiled. "Come on, we really should go..."
~*~*~*~
"Draco... can I ask you something?" Hermione asked in the car on the way back to the manor. Draco had been staring at her again, and after today's incident with Corin, something was irking her. He blinked and shifted a little.
"Of course, Hermione... what?" he asked, a tad concerned at the nervous tone in her voice. Hermione sighed.
"Strictly hypothetical... what would you have done if you'd come back, and I were married to someone else, living in a trailer with three kids and a dog?" she asked, and Draco's first instinct was to laugh, but she didn't seem in a joking mood. He took a moment to regain himself, then sighed a little.
"Well..." he started, unsure of what to say. "I'd be crushed." Draco said it as if they were his final words, but then... he started speaking again. "Of course, I'd want you to come back to me... but, I think, after I thought about it, I could come to terms and let you do what made you happy. If you wanted to stay with him, I wouldn't stop you... but I would, and I don't mean to sound like you wouldn't let me, but I would demand to see Junior. He's still my son no matter who you're with... as for me, I truthfully don't know what I'd do. I don't think I'd resort to anything drastic... but I can't really be sure. You guys are all I've got... if I didn't have you..." Hermione nodded, eyes on the road. She really didn't know what to say... or why she'd asked... There was a semi-awkward silence. Draco was staring again, and it made her smile a little.
"So, what do you want to do tonight? With Junior?" Hermione asked. "I promised him we'd do something together." Draco smiled brightly.
"You know more than I do... what do you think he'd like?" Hermione shrugged a shoulder, then straightened, her eyes bright and smiling growing.
"I have the most perfect idea..."
A/N: Was this boring? It was? I'm sorry... not as boring as the last chapter, I bet ya... :oD. The next one is much, much, better. And I'm telling ya... chapter 13's gonna be a doozy... :oD. Sorry it's taken me so long to update... I know you guys are used to almost daily ones... but that was spring break. This is school days, baby. Get used to it ;o) Boy will you guys be happy when summer rolls around! :oD
PRF: Do you guys like these?
Princess: Lol, first you say it's boring, then you say you couldn't stop reading. Lol. Confused.... :o) Don't expect a lot of action in this fic... it's more laid back... just a nice story. Still interesting, I hope, but no death eater assaults or any such thing. Draco does get ::gasp:: mad one of the next chapters, though!
Erilyn Rose: I hope you're not referring to 'The List' I'm thinking of.... would you LIKE to be on THAT list? Hehe. I know it was boring, and so is this, and I'm sorry, but I tried. Lol. Lots o talking to get through :oP
Naurhen: Lol, you must hate me if you went through a withdrawal between the last two chapters! This one was like twice as long!
Ezmerelda: Yep, yep... Jr.'s a cutie pie!
Krissy: shelling them out as fast as you can say I-have-six-term-papers-due- at-the-end-of-the-month-oh-my-god-im-never-going-to-get-this-done... Lol.
Arime Setta: Lol. Fred's still available, hehe! There WILL be a marriage... and maybe some of the other things you suggested... but you don't want that. That'll mean the story's over. Do you want the story to be over? Lol. But don't worry, I'll put in some twists in the next few.
Tracey: I don't want Ron to be mad! Lol. Corin is enough trouble up there! We'll see more of him, I'm sure... :oD
KittyKat589: Me too... I just wanted to get all the explaining over with.
Slim-Shady's-Modeling-Baby: I'm trying, I'm trying! Lol. I wish I could shell 'em as fast as you read 'em!
Angelgirl1: Couldn't agree more! Lol. Thanx!
Piper-h-99: Lol, sure that wasn't supposed to be hyper-h-99? Lol. I will, I will, I will!
Flutegirl: Thanx. You should read more, hehe... I enjoy reviews :oD
Couch-potato01: Lol, thanx, once again!
Crystalline Lily: Don't worry, I've got plans :oD. But you're right... there's not much more to sort out... which is why I'm 'finishing up' even if it doesn't seem like it. In my fics, it's a long process... lol. Flames should have stopped around chapter 16. chapters 16-47 are 'finishing up'... lol, kidding, kidding. I'm not gonna take THAT long, but everything I'm doing now is leading up to my brilliant ending! Hehe... well, maybe a little extra.
Molly of Oz: ::stares wide eyed:: I didn't know there was a DANCE for that!
Delila-Malfoy: Thanx! Brilliant is such a great word!
Silver Dragon Goddess: Why scary? I didn't do THAT bad, did I? Lol. Scary...t hats a new one... I don't think I meant it to be... I don't think. Don't worry... I proofread this chapter.... all is not lost :oD
Neo-Aphrodite;n-n: Thanx! Yours are good too! 'Cept for that darn grammar ;o)
Angelgirl06: Thanx. I know... it was W-E-I-R-D!
There you go, folks, now... off to the wonderful world of Global History!