Author's Note – Again, my thanks to all of you who have read this story so far. I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as I loved/love writing it. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Many thanks to JK Rowling for her wonderful works. They are hers and hers alone. I have only borrowed her characters for a while and built my own little fantasy around them. There is no pay involved for me in doing it.
Chapter 8Hermione helped Beth straighten up her place and then they sat around for a while comparing notes. It was nice for Hermione to be able to talk to someone so freely about things. Plus, she got to hold on to her high from Draco's kiss for a while longer. She and Beth compared their kisses and giggled like schoolgirls. While Hermione described hers as tender, surprising, and toe-tingling, Beth could only keep saying, "Hot!"
It was a little after noon when she finally apparated home, a huge smile on her face.
"Supwise!" small voices called out.
She let out a scream of fright at the appearance of people in her living room and before she could recover fully two tiny blurs hit her in the knees, "Aunt Mione!"
"Teddy? Jamie?" she said slowly, "What? Uh, hi." She bent down and scooped them into her arms as her eyes collided with Ginny's.
She jumped again when she heard Harry's voice from her left, "I guess we really did surprise you, huh?"
She laughed nervously and stood up, "Yeah, you did. So, hi. Um, what brings you guys here again so soon?"
Ginny looked away and started to fuss with Albie's diaper. Harry sighed heavily and answered, "Well, I got back from my retreat and Ginny gave me an earful about you. Then, we had a bit of a row about things. Then Molly got involved. She rightly suggested you two needed to talk. One thing led to another and we thought it best we come over so we could all talk."
Hermione turned to where Harry had indicated and saw Molly in her kitchen doorway, an apron already wrapped around her motherly form.
"Oh, I, um, okay." Hermione looked from Molly to Harry to the top of Ginny's bent head and felt her giddiness ebbing away. "Well, let me go change."
Before she could leave the room though, Ginny spoke with her head still down, "Um, Mione, we've been here a little while and you got a message on that phone machine thing a little while ago. We didn't mean to listen, but we were here and, well, um, you should probably listen to it."
Confused, Hermione walked over and pressed play.
"Hi. It's me. Draco. I know I just left you, but I wanted to tell you again that I had a great time this morning. And, I am really looking forward to seeing you again soon. Call me later if you want to talk or anything." Then she heard his deep chuckle as he added, "Oh, and since I didn't ramble this time, can we pretend this is the first message I've ever left for you? Bye Hermione." Beeeeeeeeep
Hermione giggled at the last part of his message and smiled as she looked up. Only then did she remember two very important things. First, she wasn't alone. And, second, three of the people standing in the room with her would not have been happy to hear that message the first time, much less the second.
With a deep sigh the smile fell from her face and she pressed save on the machine. Without looking at any of them, she said heavily, "I'll be right back."
She shut her bedroom door just as she heard Teddy ask, "Who's Dwaco daddy?"
Her brow lifted in surprise when she heard Harry's reply, "I think he's a friend of Aunt Mione's. Come on, Champ, let's see if we can find some cartoons on this TV?"
She flopped on her bed let her mind wrap around the arrival of her friends.
Hmmmm, a friend of mine, huh? Seems Harry has learned to control his anger. I wonder how long I can stay in here before they come in after me? Seriously, why now? I love them both, but I was actually happy for a whole morning! Well, time to face the music. Wait. Why am I the one who has to face anything? I haven't done anything wrong, dammit! Yeah, he was a git and a prat and an ass in school, but he's not that person anymore. I can like him if I want! And, I do, I think.
Their kiss came back to her and a soft smile lit her face again.
Yes, I do.
She changed her clothes and straightened her shoulders before she went to her door. Her righteous indignation flowed through her as she wrenched the door open a bit harder than she'd planned. And, she saw everyone in her living room flinch.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "Can I get you anything to drink or whatever?"
Harry walked over and hugged her, "No, we already raided your fridge and Molly made the kids sandwiches." Then he leaned down and said softly, "Relax Mione. We're okay."
Her eyes flew to search his and she relaxed when all she saw was love and support looking back at her. Then she risked a glance to where Molly and Ginny sat cooing at Albie.
"Okay, then." She was unsure what to say or where to start, so she simply stood there wondering how to get the conversation started.
Molly saved her when she stood up and said, "Okay boys. Time to go to the park, like I promised."
Hermione smiled as Teddy jumped up and down yelling, "Carousel, carousel." But, her smile turned to shock when three year old Jamie clapped and shouted in glee and everything in the room turned rainbow in color.
Even Ginny laughed, "Sorry about that. But, I did warn you."
With an experienced flick of his wrist, Harry set everything back to its normal color and handed Molly a large diaper bag.
"You remember how to get there and everything? You'll be alright?" he asked worriedly.
Hermione grinned at his fatherly worry and smiled outright when Molly answered indignantly, "Harry James Potter, I raised seven children, I think I can manage my grandchildren and moving about a few blocks in this city!"
"I know, Molly, just be careful okay?" Then he bent down on one knee to face Teddy, "No magic. No making Grandma yell at you. And, you help her take care of Jamie okay?"
He put his little hands on his hips in a perfect imitation of Harry, "I know Dad. Can we go now?"
"Sure thing," Harry smiled and ruffled the child's hair as he stood. "Thanks again, Molly."
"Of course," Molly answered. And, finally giving Hermione a clue as to why she was there, she smiled lovingly at Hermione and added, "We're going to be gone a while, so take your time getting Gin's head on straight! Bye now."
With that she took the boys' hands and left the apartment through the front door.
Wait! Molly's okay with this? And, Harry? Huh?!
As if he could read her mind Harry laughed softly, "No need to pinch yourself, you're not dreaming. Come on, sit down."
Hermione slowly made her way over to the chair and perched on the edge, while Harry relaxed back on the sofa. The silence weighed on all of them as Ginny took her time putting Albie in his rocker. Then she joined Harry on the sofa and looked at her clasped hands.
"So, you and Malfoy, huh?" Harry asked, breaking the quiet.
"Um, well, he, that is I, I mean, well yeah, but it was only one date. And, I'm sorr…No, I'm not sorry. But, it wasn't even a date really, just the four of us jogging and, well we ate, but I mean Blaise and Beth were there, too, so, well, I…" she trailed off not knowing how to explain things properly.
She heard Ginny take a deep breath and braced herself for the onslaught. She noticed Ginny glance up at her and then drop her eyes again before she spoke.
"Look, I've been forced to think a lot about this and Mione, I'm sorry. I should have listened to you and not jumped all over you. I guess it's still hard for me to see beyond the past. I still see the beaver teeth he gave you, the way he treated you, the names he called you. I watched him and his cronies make all of your lives hell for years and I, well I guess I overreacted a little. I mean, I love you and I trust you, and your judgment, so if you say he's changed, and even Mom and Harry suggest that it could be true, then, um, I guess I can deal with it. For you, I mean. I want you happy and if dating Malfoy makes you happy, then I will not make things more difficult for you."
"Oh, Gin," Hermione whispered.
Ginny's tearfilled eyes finally lifted to hers and she grabbed blindly for her husband's hand as she continued, "But, promise me one thing, okay?"
"Of course."
"Well, I'm not saying he will, you understand, not at all, but if he hurts you, ever, in any way, you'll tell me?" the fiery red-head asked softly. "I want us to still be able to talk about everything, Mione. I wouldn't want you to think you have to hide anything from me, from us, just because I can't, as you said, grow up."
Hermione rushed over to hug her. They shared tears and a hug as they made up and then Hermione turned to Harry and sat back down.
"And, you?"
"Well, I know things about him that you two don't, from work. Both good and bad. And, it's been a long time, but the last time I spoke to him I realized he wasn't the same kid we knew. The war changed everyone, like I told Gin. We've all changed, why wouldn't he? I do admit to being initially shocked when she told me about you guys meeting up with him and Blaise at the club though. But, only because I never thought he would have the guts to approach you."
At her surprised look he answered her unspoken question, "Yes, I knew he was here. We keep tabs on everyone who was involved back then. I was the one who made sure he got the letter from USWU first. I couldn't stop AWU from accepting him, but I hoped he would jump at whatever came first and I got my wish."
"And, you didn't say anything?!" she asked more than a little upset that he had kept that from her.
"I'm sorry. But, we were so busy just watching everyone and keeping tabs on everything that the only thing I was thinking at the time was to keep him and Blaise away from you. You had enough to deal with after The Fall. I didn't want you worrying about him, too. Then, as time passed and you starting becoming yourself again, I just didn't want you to have to deal with it. So, yes, I kept it from you and before you jump all over me you should know Ginny already did."
Hermione laughed a little, but then answered, "Okay, I get what you did, but I don't agree with why. After all we've been through together I can't believe you didn't think I could handle that. I'm a big girl, Harry. I can protect myself."
"Hey, I, of all people, know that!" he said as he sat forward and grabbed her hand. "But, I didn't want you to have to handle it. You were strung so tight after everything; so paranoid, scared, sad, hard. You didn't trust anyone or anything. And, you never spoke to anyone outside of us and the other Order members. You jumped at the smallest things and you and Ron had, well…you just had so much to get over. You just weren't yourself anymore and I missed you. Call me selfish, but I wanted my best friend back. I was overjoyed when you finally took charge of your life again and started to come back to me. I couldn't be the one to cause that all to come back. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't."
Hermione squeezed her friend's hand, but before she could say anything Ginny laughed a little, "And, just think, you and Malfoy wouldn't be getting together now if you had known about him all along."
"I guess not," she smiled.
Ginny asked softly, "So, we're okay?"
Hermione smiled a real smile at her friends, "Yeah, we're okay."
"Thank you," Ginny smiled back. "So, um, can I ask a question?"
"Sure," Hermione answered as she blew out a breath. "Shoot."
Ginny grinned and curled up next to Harry, "Care to explain how this all happened? I mean, how'd you go from hating to dating and from Zabini to Malfoy in just three days?"
For the next couple of hours she filled them in on all that had transpired. They laughed and joked and Hermione rejoiced in being able to share her life with them finally. Things felt right.
She and Ginny shared a laugh at Harry's overprotective behavior when he called Molly to check in for the third time. And, they teased her good-naturedly over her new affinity for Slytherins. When Molly returned later in the evening it was to find a very happy Hermione holding Albie and giving him his bottle, while Ginny and Harry fought over the TV remote.
After dinner Molly said her goodbyes and flooed home. Since things were back to normal between them, Hermione asked them to stay. It made no sense for them to go back home before they got to see Snoop and Ron, who were due back the next day. And, although it remained unsaid, they each felt Hermione needed the extra support around when Ron found out.
Ginny put the children down in Hermione's second room, which they transfigured into a nursery for the night, and the three sat around talking and playing board games. It was almost ten o'clock when her cell phone rang.
She saw the name on the readout and glanced nervously at her friends. It was time to put their understanding to the test.
"Hey," she answered.
"So, I guess my amazing kiss didn't deter you from him, huh?" she heard him purr.
"Uh, sorry Blaise, but no," she laughed. She hoped he was joking and realized he was when he laughed in return.
When Ginny and Harry both turned to look at her, she looked away before continuing, "So, uh, what are you doing home and calling me on a Saturday night?"
"Well, all that getting up early and running crap made me tired. I don't know what you guys see in it," he laughed.
"You get used to it," she answered. "Um, look, I have company right now, so I really can't talk, but…"
"Oh really?" he interrupted. "Should D be jealous?"
She laughed, "No, nothing like that. Harry and Gin came over to surprise me today."
She heard him pause before he answered, "Oh. Well. Oh. Do they know it's me?"
"Yes."
"Oh, okay, well, um, I guess I'll let you go then. Don't let them give you too hard a time, okay?"
She smiled at the protectiveness in his voice, "No worries. They…"
Harry then surprised her when he called out, "Tell him hello."
"Um, Harry says to tell you hello," she repeated.
"I heard," he said with a laugh. "I almost choked on my gum."
Her jaw dropped when Ginny added softly, "Maybe you should invite him, them, over for lunch or something tomorrow. Might as well get to see this change for myself, right?"
She let out a garbled laugh when Blaise said in her ear, "Hell just froze over, right?!"
"Jamie, stop hitting your brother!" Ginny demanded.
Harry, without even looking up from his morning paper, added, "Boys!" And, Hermione held back a giggle at seeing her friends be so parental, while the boys ignored them completely.
She continued to layer the items on her lasagna for their luncheon, "So, anyway, Beth should be here any minute and she says she wants Harry to teach her Wizard's chess."
Ginny teased, "Well, at least he'll finally have someone he can beat."
"Hey!"
"Relax, love, I was kidding…mostly," Ginny answered.
Hermione laughed with them and added the cheese to the top. Ginny quickly scribbled down Hermione's actions and asked, "How do you know how much to put on top?"
"You just do, Gin. Once you do it the first time you'll…"
They all jumped a little when at the same time the doorbell rang, the fireplace bell tinkled, and a loud pop was heard from the living room.
"What the…" Hermione exclaimed.
Each grabbed a child and hurried into the living room where Ron and Snoop stood beaming at them. The boys screamed for their Uncle Ron, as Ginny and Hermione ran to embrace both. It wasn't until the fireplace bell tinkled a second time and the doorbell went off again, that any of them remembered the other arrivals. In her joy, Hermione didn't think as she flicked her hand towards the fire releasing the protective charm and went to open the door for Beth.
Wow, I almost forgot Beth. And the fireplace. Blaise and…Crap!
She opened the door and Beth bounded in with a cheery hello, but the silence that greeted her stopped her in her tracks.
Hermione saw the look on her friend's face and couldn't make herself turn around. The silence stretched uncomfortably, until even Albie felt the tension and started crying in her arms. Beth stepped around her, patted her on the arm and went into save mode.
"Hey guys! Snoop, you look fabulous! I see marriage agrees with you. Blaise, Draco long time, no see."
Hermione slowly closed the door and turned to face the group. Harry and Ginny stood stiffly, each holding a child and trying to smile politely. Snoop stood still and looked from one person to another in shock. Ron looked to be holding his breath, while he flexed and fisted his hands. Beth had moved to stand next to Blaise and had her hand on his arm. And, when she finally let her eyes rest on Draco's face, Hermione smiled. He stood straight and proud, looking at her with a mixture of hope, defiance, and support, and he held a tiny bouquet and a bottle of wine. His wink eased the tension in her shoulders and she pushed away from the door.
"So, this is an unexpected surprise," she said brightly to Snoop and Ron. "I thought you guys wouldn't be back until later tonight."
When no one moved, she continued and edged toward the kitchen, "Sit, sit. We all want to hear every detail of your trip. Well, not every detail," she laughed awkwardly. No one else laughed.
"Well, let me get everyone something to drink. Um, Draco why don't you bring me that wine." With that she slid into her kitchen and dropped her head into her hands.
She heard the door close behind her and felt his hands on her shoulders. He squeezed once and she leaned back into him. His hands slid down her arms to enfold her in a hug before he said, "I'm sorry. Want us to go?"
She spun around to look up at him, "No! I…"
At that point it seemed Ron had reached his breaking point.
"What the HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Ginny gasped, "Ron, the children!"
His voice dropped a fraction, "I suggest you put them in the other room then, Ginny!"
From the kitchen all they could hear was the movement of bodies and the children complaining about having to go in the nursery. Hermione flinched when Harry yelled at them to listen to their mother, and Jamie started to cry. She dropped her head onto Draco's chest and drew in a shuddering breath. As silence reigned once again in the other room, Draco put his hand under her chin to lift her eyes to his.
"Hermione, I'm only asking because I don't want you hurt, not because of me. Are you really sure enough about wanting to try this, I mean see me, to do this now? If you are, then I'm in one hundred percent and behind you all the way, because I know I want to at least try this, whatever it is between us. But, if you would rather, you know, let it go for a while, then I'll understand and B and I can..."
In answer she slid her hand up to his face and covered his lips with her fingertips to silence him. Then she smiled up at him, "I'm in."
His relief was so clear on his face that she giggled a little.
"Well, then let's pop this wine and go face the music," he winked at her. "But, I think we're going to need more than just this one bottle."