Hermione's eyes widened as the three Slytherins walked into the room. Malfoy stood up, hoisting Scorpius up to his shoulder.

"Hey guys," he greeted casually. "Tibby!"

The house elf appeared, bowing low. "Yes, Master Draco?"

"Take Scorpius back to the nursery." He handed the child to the elf. The baby giggled, tugging on one of Tibby's long ears.

"Right away, sir," she said, popping away with the little boy.

Hermione stared at her lap. She could feel the stares boring into her.

"You remember Granger?" Malfoy said, gesturing toward her. He sounded bored.

"Of course," Blaise said, dark eyes twinkling. He crossed the room and kneeled down, taking Hermione's small hand in his and kissing it lightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "I had a great time on our date the other night."

Malfoy's pale eyes narrowed. "Date?"

Blaise stood up, flashing Malfoy a roguish grin. "Yep."

Hermione blushed as Malfoy directed his glare to her. "Erm, well, it was nice to see you all…again."

Theo gave a snort of laughter. "Somehow, I doubt that."

She stood up, looking at the handsome Slytherin. "Excuse me?"

He shook his head, chuckling. "The Gryffindor princess glad to see us big, bad, evil Slytherins? As if."

"Now, now, Theo," Adrian admonished, casting a charming grin at Hermione. "Don't bully cute girls."

Theo rolled his eyes, holding up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. My bad. My apologies, Miss Granger." He gave a sardonic little bow.

Hermione resisted the urge to hex him. Her hand curled around the handle of the wand in her pocket.

"So what are you doing here, Hermione?" Blaise asked, draping a companionable arm over her slim shoulders.

"Oh," she said, blushing. He was very warm. "I just had something to tell Malfoy."

Blaise tensed and shot a quick look at Malfoy, a spark of challenge in his caramel eyes. Malfoy lounged against the doorway, looking haughty and bored.

"I believe our business was concluded," he drawled, glaring icily at her.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at his attitude. Why was he being a prat all of a sudden? "I don't know," she said sweetly. "Was it?"

Malfoy's stormy eyes flashed. "It was. Now, if you don't mind…"

"Oh," Blaise said brightly. "Leaving so soon, Hermione? How about I escort you home?"

"I'm certain the brightest witch of the age can manage to Apparate on her own," Malfoy said silkily. "You came to see me, not her."

Hermione raised her chin. "Actually," she said to Blaise, her amber eyes never leaving Malfoy, "I would love that. Perhaps we could stop and get a bite to eat as well? I'm positively famished."

Blaise smirked, tightening his arm around her. "Sure, love."

Malfoy's pale cheeks flushed. "Go, then," he said coolly. "I'm sure you have more important…things…to do."

The tension in the room was palpable and an awkward silence descended before Adrian, always the peacemaker, spoke up. "Well, it was certainly nice seeing you, Granger."

Hermione smiled up at him. She had never minded Adrian Pucey. In fact, she had long ago noticed that he was the only player on the Slytherin Quidditch team who never once cheated. She knew Harry respected him for that, and as far as she was concerned that was enough character reference for her.

Malfoy sighed noisily, examining his nails as if he was supremely bored and unconcerned with his surroundings. "Aren't you leaving yet?"

Theo chuckled derisively.

Hermione cast them both one disdainful glare before looking up at Blaise. "Ready?"

"Always."

With admirable dignity, Hermione took his arm and let him escort her from the room, never once looking back.

…

"He's precious," Hermione gushed, looking down at the tiny baby in her arms. Ginny beamed.

"Isn't he?" She cast a soft maternal look at her son before looking back at Hermione.

"So," she said, her brown eyes sparkling. "I believe you have something to tell me about a certain Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy?"

Hermione blushed. "Not so much Malfoy. I went on another date with Blaise, though."

"Seriously?" Ginny squealed. "He's bloody fine, he is. Did he kiss you? Was it spectacular? Have you bedded him yet? Is he as good as he looks? He always did have the tall, dark, bad-boy thing going on. I bet he's kinky, isn't he? Does he use toys?"

"Whoa," Hermione said, her eyes wide. "No, no, and no! What is wrong with you?"

Ginny laughed merrily. "Oh, Hermione. So innocent."

"Not innocent," she protested. "But I do have a bit of decorum."

Her friend rolled her eyes, taking her son back. "So do you plan on seeing him again?"

"Maybe," Hermione said vaguely.

"What was the deal with Malfoy?"

Hermione frowned. She was still fuming about his abrupt change in demeanor. "He's far too mercurial," she said.

"He's always been moody," Ginny said, rubbing the baby's back.

"Yeah," Hermione replied, a bit moody herself. "Anyway. How's motherhood so far?"

The young mother's eyes lit up. "Fantastic! Jamie's no trouble, hardly ever cries. 'Course, Harry's already trying to buy him his first broom. Not until he's six, I say, but do you think the man listens to me?"

Hermione chuckled. "Men."

Ginny nodded affectionately. "What would be do without them?"

"Hey, ladies. What's going on in here? Not gossiping around my son, are you?" Harry strode into the room, smiling warmly at Hermione before casting a tender look at his wife and child. Teddy was hot on his heels.

"Of course we are," Ginny said cheekily. "We must teach them young, after all."

Harry groaned exaggeratedly before taking the infant in his arms. "Hey buddy, what say I rescue you from these scary women and teach you some manly stuff?"

Teddy bounced up and down, his hair black and messy and his eyes emerald like Harry's today. "What 'bout me, daddy Harry? Can yous teach me manly stuff too?"

Harry ruffled his hair affectionately. "You bet, son."

Hermione smiled softly. Harry was such a great dad, and Teddy was adorable. It was clear he got Tonk's personality.

"Alright," Ginny said, wagging her finger at her boys. "No brooms, young men."

Teddy pouted. "But mama Ginny, yous said I gotta be six to ride and I'll be six next week!"

"Ah," Ginny said, putting a finger to her chin. "But you aren't six yet, are you?" She flicked his nose affectionately.

Teddy looked imploringly at Harry, who chuckled and shook his head. "No, no. Don't look at me. I know better than to go against her. She's fierce when she's in a temper. Got a mean Bat-Bogey hex."

Teddy brightened again, looking at Ginny with more interest. "Can yous teach me the Bat-Hogey hex, mama Ginny?"

"Sure," Ginny replied, and Teddy cheered. "When you're eleven."

Teddy's cheer faded as he narrowed his eyes at her. "Let's go do manly stuff, daddy Harry. Mama Ginny isn't very fun."

Hermione stifled a smile as Ginny looked affronted. Harry hastily took Teddy's hand and cuddled Jamie closer, edging out of the room.

"Men," Ginny said again, only with more exasperation.

Hermione gave in and burst into laughter. She hoped Ginny knew just how lucky she was to have her family. Judging by the amused and loving look in her friend's bright brown eyes, she was sure she knew.