As usual, I still do not own Harry Potter or any of (Our Queen) J.K. Rowling's character's. I do have ownership of original plot lines and original characters.
Hermione's week fell into a routine after that Tuesday. She would wake up, get Rosie ready, fix them a small breakfast, and then take Rosie to Little Wings. The little girl was shy at first to be around other children, but she warmed up to them and loved to come home and tell Hermione everything she did and learned. The little girl was growing on Hermione and in turn, Rosie was becoming attached to Hermione as well. Rosie's favorite part of everyday was reading time with Hermione. They would trade off on who read to who, and Rosie marveled at the amount of books Hermione had.
After Rosalinda was dropped off at school, Hermione would floo to Malfoy Manor for research. Malfoy had been acting a bit off the rest of the week. Hermione couldn't put her finger on it, but something had changed. They both sat there and researched in mostly silence. Their chats were still nice and intellectual, and they still bickered once a day. But something was off, and Hermione was slightly unsettled by the different tone.
Aside from different feeling she got around Draco, her week was rather boring. After work she would pick Rosie up from Andromeda's, and order food for dinner. Malfoy was right, she was getting used to someone else making her food, and Rosie was fascinated by take out as her mother didn't allow it.
After Rosie was read to and put to bed, Hermione would lay in bed and either read or attempt to talk to Ron. Their relationship was becoming even more strained. Ron wasn't being short-tempered or rude, but he conversed to a minimum and looked like he was uncomfortable when they did talk. After a rather awkward attempt to talk about their relationship Friday night, Hermione began to seriously plan breaking it off with Ron. She didn't want a fight to end her relationship, so she planned on sitting down and talking to him after 'work' that day. He once again gave the lame excuse of paperwork to cover for not babysitting Rose. His lack of participation lately was annoying Hermione to no end, so after she broke up with Ron, she would tell Mrs. Weasley why they were canceling the wedding, and take Rosie to her parent's house for the night. Yes, that will work. It also allows me to get my side of the story out before he goes telling everyone I cheated on him again. With a sigh, Hermione buried herself further into her bed and fell asleep.
When Hermione woke up on her much awaited Saturday morning, she groaned and tried to roll over and fall back asleep, but their was a little body in her way.
"Mine-ee... Mine-ee... There's a birdie out the window," Rosie whispered, laying next to Hermione.
Hermione turned and smiled at Rosie. The kid was the cutest thing in the morning. Normal parents would be annoyed, but Hermione was new at this, and those little eyes shining up at her when she woke up was adorable. "Hop up Rose. I'll get up and check on the owl, you can sleep for a few more minutes before we get you ready for a day with the Potters."
Rosalinda let Hermione off the bed, then curled up in the spot Hermione just vacated, blonde hair splayed everywhere, and let out a content sigh. Hermione looked back at the little girl and she frowned. She didn't want to think about giving Rosalinda back to her mother, so she opened the window and let the day over take her.
The Eagle owl was from Malfoy confirming their lunch outing. "After much deliberation, I decided not to cancel on you. -D.M." Hermione giggled softly, not noticing Ron's open eye watching her, and threw the letter in the bin. Before she could shut the window, another owl swooped in, this one more familiar than the others. "Hello, you," she cooed at the light brown, adolescent barn owl and gave him an owl treat. She took the letter from its outstretched leg and read, "Teddy is getting rowdy excited. Hurry up. -Ginny" Hermione grinned. It warmed her heart to see the two kids take a liking to each other so quickly. She tossed this note in the bin also, let the owl out, shut the window, and walked to the kitchen to start breakfast.
"Ron, we're leaving!" Hermione called from the door. When he stuck his un-groomed face out from their room, she added, "When you get back from work, we need to talk." She was dreading the talk that was about to come, but it needs to be done. She pushed down her rising discomfort and took Rosalinda's hand. "Bye."
Hermione apparated them to Grimauld Place. "Harry! Ginny! We're here!" Hermione announced upon their arrival.
She felt a tugging on her hand and Rosie was looking up at her with pleading eyes. She bent down, and Rosie whispered, "Teddee asked about mummy. What do I say?"
Hermione was stunned for a moment, then her mind kicked into overdrive. How much can a five year old tell the world? Is it worth the risk. Never. "You can tell him you miss your mummy, and she isn't here. But don't tell him who your mummy and daddy are. Okay?"
Rosie nodded her head, tears in her eyes. Hermione's heart dropped. This little girl has lost everything and put up with is so well. Hermione felt awful, after all, it was her fame that put Rosie in a position of danger. So, Hermione did what little she could do to help and wrapped the six year old up in a hug and held her close. "I'm so sorry. I will get you back to your mum as quickly as I can," she vowed. Rosie just gripped her tighter, sniffling. "Everything will be alright. You will have your family," Hermione mumbled, petting the young girls hair.
Harry walked in, about to greet the pair, then decided against it upon seeing the state Rosie was in. He gave Hermione a look that said 'I'll leave you to this', and walked back to help Ginny get the kids ready.
"If you want to go home, we can," Hermione offered softly, stroking Rosalinda's back. The little girl nuzzled into Hermione's neck for a few seconds before drawing back and smiling, "No, I'll stay." She spontaneously hugged Hermione. "I love you."
Rosie's words brought Hermione to tears. "I love you too," she squeaked out, tightening the hug for a moment, then letting go of the girl. "You'll be okay?" Hermione worried. The little girl nodded, beaming at Hermione. Hermione wiped a stray tear away and Rosie bounded up the stairs presumably to find Teddy. They went to the same school and were becoming fast friends.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry greeted. "What happened back there?"
"Just Rose being the sweetest thing on earth and me feeling awful that I'm the one that put her in danger." Hermione sighed; she sounded like Harry when he was going through his 'I'm the reason the world is going to Hell' phase. "What I mean is that if I wasn't followed by press, she would be safe to just hand back to her mother. I'm the reason she's separated from her mother. And the worst thing is, after one week with her, I don't want to give her back."
"I know how you feel. I don't know what to say. Luckily my kid is mine. You're strong and smart, you'll figure everything out and make it through it. Keep your mind off of when she will go and relish the time you have."
Hermione nodded solemnly. I may be smart, but I'm way out of my element here.
"Now," Harry rubbed his hands together, excited. "Tell me about this date with Malfoy," he smirked.
"How do you know about that? I don't remember telling you." She eyed him suspiciously, running over their conversations in the past week.
"Ron was grumbling about it at work yesterday. Have you broken up with him by the way?"
"Tonight," Hermione quietly voiced.
"Do you know what you're going to say?"
"A load of 'I don't think our personalities fit', 'we argue too much', 'I love you, but I don't think it's working,'" she groaned. "I don't want this to end it a fight, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Just make sure he doesn't go around saying I was cheating on him again."
"I will. Ron's been a right git to you for a while. I'll be here for you if you need anything," he said sincerely.
"Thanks, Harry." She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a cheeky grin. "Don't let Ginny see you taking such good care of me. She may get jealous."
Harry turned pink and started sputtering. Ginny came in and grabbed Hermione into a quick hug. "We all take care of you 'Mione. Now, what do I hear about a date with the ferret?"
With the attention off himself, Harry piped in, "What are you two doing?"
"I'm just your source of entertainment," Hermione grumbled, but launched into her plan for lunch. "We're going to meet at the Leaky Cauldron, then walk to a small café in South London. I'll introduce him to the beauty that is specialty tea and sandwiches. Then, we will go see Love Actually, which I heard was good. Fitting for the time of year."
"A romantic comedy? You want Draco Malfoy to sit through two hours of girly romance?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Ugh! What do I take him to see then?" She whined, dropping into the nearest chair.
"Well," Harry pondered, sitting next to her. "How about Girl with a Pearl Earring? It's about a painting that I'm sure even Purebloods have heard of, and it has good reviews."
"What theater is even still showing it? It came out in August."
"The discount theater. It's in South London. It's called PeckhamPlex."
"I guess that will work." Hermione chewed on her lip for a moment, then asked, worry fringing her voice, "What if he doesn't like it?"
"He will. Trust me," Harry assured with a twinkle in his eye. Something is up.
"Okay," Hermione replied warily.
"This is so weird. Hermione Jean Granger is going on a date with Draco Malfoy while she's still with my brother, her fiancé. Put me is St. Mungos," Ginny joked.
"It is not a date!" Hermione protested, blushing furiously.
"Mmmhmmm."
"Ugh. You guys are impossible. I need to leave anyway. I'm going to say goodbye to Rose." She got up, grumbling, "I don't see why you both are so accepting of this."
"Because you're happy again," Ginny called out to Hermione's retreating figure. She turned back to Harry. "This is going to be good," she conspired with a wicked grin.
Harry smirked back, remembering last night with Malfoy.
"What do you want to know?"
"Do you have feelings for her?"
"Damn. You get straight to it, don't you? Better than my mother—" Draco stalled.
"Answer the question Malfoy," Harry interrupted his weak attempt at avoiding the question.
"I don't know," he huffed and sat down gracefully on the edge of the sofa. He ran his hand through his hair, and looked over to an expectant Potter. "What makes you so high and mighty to come into my Manor and demand to know my feelings for Hermione?" he growled.
"Because after working with you, Hermione finally realized how incompatible Ron and her are. Plus, you just admitted you have feelings for her," Harry added smugly.
Draco growled. "I'm done with you people twisting my words. If I wanted that I would have asked for an interview with Rita Skeeter. Why do you even want to know Potter? So you can go squeal to Granger and she can have a good laugh?"
"No. Because I think she cares for you."
Draco stopped his reply. Granger might be attracted to me. That opens so many more windows for teasing her. Would she ever date someone like me? "I already know she cares. Why else would someone help me?"
"God Malfoy," Harry exhaled. "She cares more about you than some pity case. She gets along better with you than Ron. She talks about you all the time recently. She loves Rose so much, she feels awful that she don't want to let her go."
"Of course she told you about my brilliant history," he grumbled.
"Yes. After all, my wife babysits her, and Hermione wanted a trained auror to know what was going on. I had to make an Unbreakable Vow not to mention anything to anyone besides her and you."
Draco was amazed at how through Hermione was. How much she actually cared. She loves his daughter. She talks about him to Potter. It filled him with immense pleasure. She cared for him. "I may have some affection for Granger," Draco mumbled.
Harry looked pleased. "How much does blood mean to you?"
Despite knowing he would encounter this question eventually, Draco became suddenly furious. He put up a quick Silencio, then descended into his rant. "Did you not go through the same bloody war I did? What do I need to prove to everyone that I'm not going to go around spouting Pureblood supremacy and killing mudbloods? I could always have a half blood offspring. Oh wait, I already did that!" Draco seethed.
"Could you not be so damn irritating and just see my point?" Harry barked. "I want to make sure that Hermione's not wasting her time."
"I don't believe in all that crap anymore. It all went away when she was tortured on my drawing room floor. Happy Potter?"
"Very," Harry replied wryly. "Why do you always have to be so dramatic? You could have simply said that you didn't. Ugh. Whatever. I don't have to see what she sees in you. But what I do want to know is what you see in her."
"We're not at a girl's sleepover Potter. You already know I like her. Can't you just live with that?" Draco asked, exasperated. When Harry shook his head and crossed his arms impatiently, Draco sighed and answered, "She's intelligent. Someone who can match my wit. We have the best debates. She's passionate. Caring. Pretty fun if you dig deep enough. She is beautiful. She's classy in public, but down to earth when we're alone. She pushes me, and no one else ever does that."
It was weird to not only openly express his emotions, but to do so with Harry Bloody Potter. Draco was still reeling from his bout of humanity when the man asked another question. "What would you do if you found out she felt the same way?"
Draco pondered that. What would I do? Tease her mercilessly. Break up with Astoria. Invite her to spend a weekend at his summer home in France. Seeing her in one of those muggle bikinis would be very rewarding. He shut down his train of thought there. His childhood rival was still in the room and diving into that fantasy would not end well in the presence of others. He decided on a more diplomatic answer. After all, if he ever wanted to pursue anything with the Golden Girl, he would have to go through the Boy-Who-Lived. "I would make sure my mother and father were far, far away, and ask her to dinner."
Harry nodded slowly, accepting the answer. "I've answered your sodding questions. Do I get my reward yet?" Draco asked cheekily.
Harry thought for a second. "One last question. Could you love her? I can't imagine what would happen if she couldn't be in your daughter's life anymore. She truly loves that little girl. And she deserves someone who will love her and take care of her."
"There's that question I've been trying to avoid," Draco internally groaned. Draco knew his answer would send him on one of two paths. A 'no' would mean that Potter would discourage any kind of relationship with him to Hermione. She would inevitably agree with Harry because they've been friends forever, and Draco would never have a chance even if he wanted one. If he said yes, Harry would think Draco was suddenly some good, mushy person, and him and his conniving wife would play matchmaker. Draco didn't like either of these options, so he stayed in between. "Maybe. My parents had an arranged marriage and learned to love each other. It's not impossible, but I have only just gotten to know her as anything other than the mudblood I would pick on in school." Very diplomatic. Draco mentally patted himself on the back.
Harry already got more information out of Draco than he thought he would. The last question was pushing his luck, and he knew it. The last question would have set him off if Draco answered yes or no. There was no way after this little time that Draco could be able to say he could love Hermione and be honest, and of course if he said no, that would mean he wasn't at the maturity Hermione deserves. Harry held back a smile, unwilling to show Malfoy that he got exactly what he wanted upon barging into the Manor.
"Now Potter, what's going on with Weasel and Granger?" Draco demanded. He answered enough of Harry's questions and was done sharing his emotions. If Potter asks more more bleeding ques—.
Harry was beginning to feel a bit bad telling Malfoy about Hermione's private conversation with him, but he did owe Malfoy. "She came to me this morning asking what I would do if she broke up with Ron. She wanted to know how much Ginny and I fight. She said she fights more with Ron than you, and she sees you more often. He wants her to be a stay at home wife and take care of everything that has to do with Rose, and she isn't having any of that."
Draco gritted his teeth. The Weasel was never his favorite person, but he only got worse every time Draco hear something about him. "Yes, my mother mainly took care of me, but it's a father's role to raise a kid too. Hell, I would be grateful to do everything for Rosalinda. Just to have her, really. Hermione deserves more than that," he ranted.
"Yeah, Hermione loves kids, but she's a hardcore feminist and that doesn't mesh well with Ron's traditional values. Add that to the fact that he is very hot-headed and she is stubborn, and you have a match made in Hell. I'm just glad she's finally seeing that. She seems pretty resolute now that I told her I would support her. And I think you would be good for her. Ron's a smart strategist, but he's nothing on Hermione's intelligence. At least you come close. She needs someone who will support her and stand beside her. You seem to have that, and I want her to be happy."
Draco was about to comment when Harry held up a finger, silencing him, and continued, "She deserves better than you. Know that. She deserves better than any man on the face of this planet. But, she seems to like you. So, you will treat her like she is the most precious person alive, because she is. Fights happen but don't break her heart, because there is an army of people who will curse you into a pile of flesh if you dare hurt her. Understood?"
All Draco could do was nod. He wasn't surprised that Harry was threatening to kill him. That sectumsempra curse in sixth year taught him that the boy with the scar wasn't as harmless as he seemed. He has the scars for memory. What surprised Draco was how intense Harry was about Hermione. All through school, Potter and Weasel treated her like their personal answer sheet, hardly like a friend. So when Harry showed so much anger toward the thought of Hermione's unhappiness, Draco was perplexed. Either Harry had grown some very strong brotherly love toward Hermione, or he was in love with her but resigned to unrequited love. Before Draco could begin to interrogate him, Harry stood up suddenly and blurted, "I think we've talked long enough. Goodnight, Malfoy. Good luck on your date. Bring flowers."
Harry made it through the floor before Draco could grab him. Once he was safe in his home, he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He saw the spark in Draco's eyes. He knew that the other man was about to question him, and Harry wouldn't have that.
Hermione was sitting at the bar of the Leaky Cauldron waiting for Draco. She was there ten minutes early to mentally prepare herself. She was willingly putting herself in a situation alone with Malfoy, and she kind of enjoyed it, but she was nervous. So nervous that her butterbeer sat in front of her, only a sip removed, mocking the butterflies in her stomach. No matter how many times she told Harry and Ron this wasn't a date, it was beginning to feel like one, and she was as jittery as a third year.
"Early as always," a familiar man whispered into her ear. She jumped from her stool and clutched her wand. "Whoa there" Draco put his hands up. "I didn't mean to scare you." He was wearing black dress pants and a button up grey shirt. Very Malfoy.
"I wasn't scared," she muttered indignantly.
"Of course," he smugly smiled. "Now, where are we going?" Draco gestured to the general direction of Muggle London.
"Follow me." Hermione beamed as she lead him out to the muggle world.
/Thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review with comments or concerns; I love hearing from all of you. The next chapter will follow soon, hopefully./
