Chapter 10

Pansy angrily scrubbed pea soup from her skirt. The day had been one incident after the other, culminating in a three year old who did not approve of his mother's order. She had tried club soda, water and a rag, a baby wipe, but nothing seemed to help. Giving up, she decided she would give it to Hermione and allow her to work a little magic on the stain.

"Excuse me," a man behind her said.

Turning, she plastered a wide, albeit fake, smile on her face. It became real when she spotted Adrian Pucey behind her. Laughing, she threw her arms around his neck. "What are you doing here?" she asked, a mix of excitement and incredulity.

"Came to see you, make sure you're doing well," he replied. "Malfoy told me you work here. I hope it's no bother that I just showed up."

Pansy shook her head. "No bother at all," she assured him. Leaning in close, she whispered, "Think you can do something about my clothes?"

Taking her by the arm, he led her to the men's room and spelled her skirt clean. "What would you do without me?" he teased.

Shrugging, Pansy replied, "Have Hermione do it?"

Chuckling, Adrian nodded his head. "Yes, right, you and Granger are friends now," he commented. "Forgive me for finding that a bit strange."

"She's been my best friend since the war ended," Pansy replied defensively. "She took me in when everyone else turned their backs on me. I would do anything for her, and I know she feels the same way about me. She's the only family I have, Ade."

"I'm sorry, Pans," he said, holding up his hands. "I didn't mean anything by it. Granger and I have actually talked. It was pleasant. Almost makes me regret being so cold towards her in school."

Pansy snorted. "You?" she asked incredulously. "I once put a spell on her skirt so a breeze would blow it up every time she walked. To be fair, in retaliation, she charmed all of the lavatory mirrors to make me look hideous."

Adrian laughed loudly before excusing himself. "I'll let you get back to work," he said. "Think we could talk again soon? I'm quite curious about this new friendship that Draco has with Granger."

Nodding, she promised to make time for him. "And they're not friends. She's just working for him," Pansy stated.

He shrugged and left the restaurant. Turning the corner, he slipped into an abandoned alley and Apparated to Draco's house. Lilah, seated in her playpen, squealed with delight at the sight of him. "Let's find Daddy," he murmured, picking her up. They found Draco in the kitchen making dinner. "My stars, Draco Malfoy cooks!"

Draco turned and glared at his friend. "Breaking and entering now?" he inquired. "And Hermione made it yesterday."

"Ah yes," Adrian commented, taking a seat at the table. "How is Miss Granger? Tell her anything interesting lately?"

Shrugging, Draco returned to his task. "I, uh, told her," he admitted. "Well, some of it." Frowning, Adrian asked what that meant. Sighing, Draco turned off the stove and dished out two portions of pasta. "It means I didn't tell her everything. I also might have lied about certain details."

Securing Lilah with his left arm, Adrian accepted a fork and began to eat. "I'm guessing the parts you lied about have something to do with who Lilah's mother really is," he mused. "Which is basically the entire thing."

Nodding, Draco continued to eat in silence. When he finished, he placed his bowl in the sink and turned to the refrigerator for Lilah's food. Returning to the table, he took his daughter from his friend's arm and reclaimed his seat. "Look, I'll tell her the truth eventually," he promised. "It just seemed easier to ease her into it. If she can get over the fact that I cheated on my wife, I'm sure she'll be able to do the same when I tell her who Lilah's actual mother is."

Adrian rolled his blue eyes. "You're crazy if you really believe that," he stated. "The witch is a bloody Gryffindor. She admires loyalty. Lying to her isn't the way to earn her trust. You want her to like you, you have to tell her the truth. And I'd do it soon."

"Why?" Draco wondered as he fed his daughter. "Why can't she just think that it's someone I have no other connection to?"

"Because that would be a lie," Adrian replied. With a wave of his wand, he placed his now empty bowl in the sink. "Look, I know you don't want to admit that you have feelings for Granger, but I think you do. She's all you talk about when you're not going on about Lilah. Even if it's nothing, even if she's just a friend, she's a good friend to have. Merlin, I thought Pansy was going to beat me for some perceived slight against the girl. You know if Pansy likes her, then she must be a good one."

Draco nodded, knowing he was right. Even without Pansy Parkinson's stamp of approval, he knew Hermione was a valuable friend. He wanted her to remain a part of his life. Telling her the truth would ensure that she wanted nothing to do with him. It would ruin everything.

"So, speaking of truth telling, did she spill her secrets?" Adrian inquired.

It was well after ten o'clock when Pansy returned home from work. She seemed to be floating on air as she crossed the threshold. Seeing Adrian for the first time in years had vastly improved her mood. Bag of food in hand, she entered Hermione's room to find her best friend seated on the bed.

"What's wrong?" Pansy asked, concerned that something had happened with Ron. "Did you two break up?" Handing Pansy the journal was Hermione's only response. The food forgotten, Pansy frowned when she read the words. "What made you pull this out?"

"Draco told me about Lilah's mother," Hermione replied.

Sitting down beside her, Pansy wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "What is it about Lilah's mother that brought this up though?" she wondered.

Hermione shook her head. She had no idea what had brought these feelings to the surface. For years, she had cared for the Weasley offspring without thinking of her baby. "Maybe it's just that he shared his secret," she offered.

"Do you want to tell him yours?" Pansy asked.

Again, Hermione shook her head. "No, I don't think so," she replied. "I've never told anyone. I don't...I wouldn't even know how to tell him."

"Just do it," Pansy advised. "Letting someone else in on this secret might not be as bad you think."