Draco felt the stirrings of consciousness on the edge of his much needed REM cycle. The fur blanket seemed to have bunched up on his chest in an uncomfortable furry mass. Still half asleep, he tried to smoothen the folds of the errant blanket, only to have it hiss at him menacingly. Draco cracked one eye open cautiously and met two glinting yellow eyes. He screamed.
"What's wrong?" Hermione was up with a jolt.
"Your bloody cat tried to eat me in my sleep," Draco accused hotly as he attempted to dislodge the furball perched on his chest. He had a vivid mental image of placing the body-bind on the monstrosity and jumping on it manically, just so the cat knew what if felt like to have something heavy and unyielding on it's chest. Sweet, sweet dreams indeed…
"Daddy wakes up!" Julius bounced on to the bed out of nowhere in a bundle of boundless energy. "Daddy wakes up now!"
"What on earth are you doing up at this hour Juls?" Hermione asked, as she pulled the boy to her in a tight hug.
"I couldn't sleep so Crookshanks and I came to wake you up!" Julius said, unrepentant. "Daddy wakes up now!" He poked Draco mercilessly while Crookshanks tried to pat Draco's nose with his fat paws.
"Daddy kills cat now," Draco mumbled as he turned over and pulled the blanket over his head, knocking Crookshanks off the bed unceremoniously. "Whoops," Draco said unconvincingly as his eyes fluttered shut again, much to Julius' dismay.
"Daddy wakes up," Julius demanded again with a pout. "If Crooks and I can't wake Daddy, maybe the tickle monster can?"
Before Hermione had registered what was happening, her husband had sat up and thrown the covers back roughly. He scrambled out frantically, somehow managing to get his legs tangled in the silken bedsheets and before Hermione could reach out and help him, had fallen off the edge of the bed to Crookshanks' mercy.
Hermione laughed as she watched her husband wrestle her furious, overweight cat on the floor. Julius cheered on, completely oblivious to the death stares his father was shooting him. Hermione reluctantly threw the warm covers back and swung her feet off the bed. Taking her stepson's hand, she left her husband to fend for himself while she went to brush her teeth.
"Shall we go down to breakfast?" Hermione asked, after she finally emerged.
"Sure, why not?" Draco muttered darkly as he ran his hand through his mussed hair. "Please tell me that we can at least eat your cat after the trouble it's caused me."
"What is with you and eating non food items?" Hermione enquired, as she pulled on a set of thick woollen robes over her nightgown.
Draco didn't reply, but continued to mutter darkly about ungodly hours and petrifying cats as the newlyweds and Julius made their way down to breakfast. Julius seemed to thrive on sleep deprivation, for, despite the few hours of sleep he had managed the previous night, he looked as though he would take on the world. Or perhaps just some toys. Draco walked through the door and stopped short, causing Hermione to crash painfully into his shoulder.
"What on earth-?" she grumbled as she rubbed her chin.
Draco turned to her with a slightly manic look of horror in his eyes. "Your father- Breakfast- Pajamas- Eating."
Hermione's eyes widened as she stepped inside to see the scene for herself. Sure enough, Herman Granger was sitting at the head of the breakfast table, wearing a pair of yellow and orange pajamas, merrily chatting to Narcissa.
"Daddy?" Hermione whispered in horror.
"What the hell is going on here?" Draco bellowed at the same time.
Both the parents started. Narcissa had a faint tinge of colour along her cheekbones while Herman looked sheepish. They both wordlessly stared at each other, but neither of them made a move to answer Draco's question.
"Grampa Granger!" Julius squealed as he enveloped his new grandfather in a tight hug.
"Hello little fellow, I'm glad somebody is happy to see me," said Herman ruefully.
Narcissa finally found her voice. "This isn't what it looks like."
"Oh really? Because it looks like my father-in-law is sitting at our table in his pajamas eating buttered toast," yelled Draco.
"It's actually pineapple jam, not butter," Herman corrected.
"Mr Granger left his scar at the restaurant so I insisted that he stay the night," said Narcissa, regaining her composure.
"What scar?" Hermione asked in confusion, looking from her father to her mother-in-law.
"Car, Hermione," Herman clarified gently.
"I apologise," said Narcissa, waving her hand. "He left his cart at the restaurant and he had no means of getting home. Must I repeat myself when I say that there is nothing inappropriate going on?"
"You travel in a cart?" Draco asked in horror, turning to his father-in-law.
"A metallic cart of sorts if you will have it," said Herman politely.
"Why me?" muttered Draco darkly as he closed his eyes and shook his head. Hermione put a reassuring palm on his shoulder as he rocked back and forth muttering "This is not happening. No, this is just a dream."
"Is he okay?" Herman asked Narcissa in undertone as he surveyed his son-in-law with concern.
"Don't worry, over-dramatic reactions run in the family," said Narcissa with a small laugh.
The laugh pushed Draco over the edge. He turned to Hermione despairingly. "They're laughing together Hermione. They're laughing. He's eating, she's laughing. This is bad. Bad. Bad. Bad."
"You're so much like Ron sometimes," Hermione laughed.
"My wife just compared me to the Weasel. No, no, no. This is not happening. Bad. Bad. Bad." Draco muttered, his eyes still closed, while the rest of the adults burst into laughter.
"Sit down Draco, have a bite to eat. You will feel less like murdering someone," Narcissa suggested as she gestured to Hermione to usher Draco into a chair. Hermione put her hand on Draco's back and gently pushed him down on to the empty chair opposite Narcissa. Draco numbly sat down and placed a finger on each temple, while still muttering to himself.
"How is Blaise?" Narcissa asked.
"He was much better by the time we went to see him," said Hermione as she buttered a slice of toast for her husband and pushed it into his unwilling fingers.
"There's a toast next to my face," said Draco slowly, as he registered the piece of bread Hermione had shoved into his hand.
"I think he has having some sort of breakdown," said Herman with concern. "Are you sure he's okay?"
"He will be fine," said Narcissa firmly.
Draco's meltdown was interrupted as a snowy white owl flew in through the open French windows and landed on the table. The owl hopped over to Hermione's hands and nudged her affectionately with his beak, while she carefully untied the scroll of parchment from it's claws. She stroked the beautiful animal's soft white head affectionately as she gave it a small piece of toast before it flew off as quickly as it came.
"That was Harry's new owl," she explained to the table, as she unfurled the scroll.
"Meet at the apartment in an hour. Blaise has been discharged and seems to be fine. Bring Malfoy and Julius, Teddy is with us.
Harry"
"We're expected at my old apartment in an hour," said Hermione as she helped herself to a glass of juice. "With Juls."
"News?" asked Narcissa, as she tried to look unconcerned.
"Blaise has been discharged," Hermione answered, and smiled reassuringly. "Harry, Ron and Blaise are very thorough so they will no doubt have something of note to tell us, and Juls made a new friend last night."
"Oh?" Narcissa arched an elegant eyebrow.
"Teddy Lupin," Hermione explained cautiously. "He is the son of your niece, Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin."
Draco looked up in surprise. "I thought he was a Weasley."
"Easy mistake to make," said Hermione. "His parents died in the war and Harry is his godfather so he ends up spending a lot of time with the Weasleys. Especially with Victoire- Bill and Fleur's daughter," she added, knowing that her husband struggled enough trying to keep the Weasley children straight, forget the grandchildren.
"He's my sister's grandson?" asked Narcissa faintly. Herman put a reassuring hand over her palm, an act that caused Draco to scowl at his father-in-law until he awkwardly removed his hand.
Hermione nodded. "I hope you don't mind."
"Mind? I'm thrilled. I'd always hoped our children and grandchildren would be close," said Narcissa, to Hermione's surprise. From what she had heard about Andromeda and Narcissa, she had been under the impression that her mother-in-law hated her sister. However, before she could ask any further questions, Narcissa excused herself under the pretence of getting Julius ready. As Hermione finished her breakfast, she suddenly realised that Draco had referred to her by her first name earlier.
"So, I was under the impression Potter lived at Grimmauld Place with Weaselette," drawled Draco as they stood outside Hermione's old apartment.
"Not quite," Hermione said as she knocked for the second time. "Harry, Ron and I lived together after the war. We were worried that with our new schedules, unless we lived together we would start to drift apart. But as Harry and Ginny got more serious, it became quite awkward for her to stay the night when Ron was there. So they moved out to Grimmauld Place."
"I can't imagine Weasley was pleased about Potter boning his little sister," Draco remarked softly so that Julius wouldn't overhear.
"No, he wasn't," agreed Hermione. "But after Ginny got recruited to the Holyhead Harpies, she would go away for days at a time for training, leaving Harry all alone in Grimmauld Place. Harry doesn't have the best memories of there."
"Oh?"
"It belonged to Sirius remember? In the last few months before he died, he was in there all alone," said Hermione softly. "Harry found that despite Ginny's efforts to redecorate and make it homely, he couldn't handle being there without her. So when she isn't in town, he stays at our apartment, and when she is, they stay there."
"I always knew you Gryffindors were weird," said Draco, just as the door swung open.
"Insulting us so early in the morning Malfoy?" Harry grinned, as he scooped Julius into a hug amidst cries of "Uncle Hairy!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way Potter," smirked Draco, as they entered.
"What took you so long?" Hermione complained as they walked through to her small living room.
"We have a visitor," said Harry darkly. "Blaise sure is a ladies man."
"You don't mean-?"
"Yep, the Healer from last night- Audrey. She's over, and Zabini wasn't sure if you brought Parkinson with you, so he insisted I don't let you lot in until he had dragged Audrey upstairs to send her back home through the Floo," Harry rolled his eyes.
"This is not going to end well is it?" Hermione groaned. "I'm so glad we didn't bring Pansy with us. I think she would have even more of a meltdown than Draco did this morning."
"Hey!" protested Draco feebly, as he settled himself and Julius down on the comfortable blue sofa.
"You brought a guy home?" Harry asked in surprise.
"No, not me," said Hermione, with a smirk that she had clearly picked up from her traumatised husband. "The other woman that lives at the Manor."
"You don't mean Narcissa do you?" asked Harry, his brow furrowed. Draco groaned and put his hands in front of his face.
"I don't know what you're so pleased about," sneered Draco, recovering. "I wasn't the only one traumatised by my parent."
Hermione scowled.
"Your mother brought home Hermione's father?" Harry exclaimed in surprise, as he ran his hands through his already messy hair.
"That's the unfortunate part," muttered Hermione as she joined Draco on the sofa. "Though they claim there is nothing, and I quote, 'inappropriate' going on."
"Merlin," muttered Harry as he set the kettle on the stove.
"How are we all this morning?" Blaise grinned as he sauntered down the stairs.
"Not as good as you, clearly," Draco grumbled, as Julius dashed off the sofa to hug his godfather with a particularly high pitched squeal that made his father wince.
"That's because you need to get l-a-i-d," said Blaise cheerfully as he tousled Julius' hair.
Hermione and Draco turned red and firmly avoided looking at each other. If they were honest, they would've agreed with Blaise. Over the past week, the sexual tension between them had risen to ridiculous levels, but they had always been (un?)luckily interrupted before anything had happened. Hermione determinedly blamed Narcissa; she never got into this kind of trouble with her trusty cotton nightgown.
"There will be no talk of that in this house," Ron said, looking green as he joined the others. "I never want to picture Hermione and Malfoy doing anything of that nature. Ever."
"Oh grow up Ron," Hermione muttered, her face flaming.
"You're my ex, I'm entitled to hate whoever you're with now. The fact that it's Malfoy is an added bonus."
"Cheers," scowled Draco.
"Anytime, mate."
"How about we send Juls upstairs? Teddy is in my room, playing with some muggle play-doh. I'm sure Juls will catch on," said Harry. Blaise nodded and picked Julius up to take him upstairs. A minute later, two loud high-pitched squeals could be heard, and Blaise returned, shaking a finger through his ear. The five of them settled down to go over their revised list of motives and suspects. Despite all the new information they had received the previous night, they still could not make head or tails of why someone had cursed them, how the curse could be related to the attacks and why someone had it in for them. Hermione felt a headache come on as her head spun with all the possibilities. She squinted down at the flowchart that Blaise had made of the sequence of events that took place. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something obvious.
"Let's go over this again, chronologically," said Hermione as she leaned back and closed her eyes. "From the very beginning."
"Potter and Weasley were doing a routine unscheduled raid on Avery's house, when they found a letter that Nott had sent to Avery, confirming that the curse had been placed on you two using your blood and hair," started Blaise as he studied his notes. "They went to Hogwarts to look it up, where McGonagall explained what it was, and from the dates on the letter, they worked out that you both didn't have more than six hours left to promise yourselves to each other. Then, Podmore contacted me and told me to inform Draco and to stand as a witness, since Potter and Weasley had another raid scheduled. Draco kidnapped you, brought you to Hogwarts while McGonagall and I arranged for the rings. After that, you both got married, and someone set up what might have been a Portkey at your wedding and distracted the guests by an explosion. You both were taken somewhere and left unscathed until you made your way home. During this time, something happened between you both that neither you nor Draco will tell me-"
"Oi!" scowled Draco, as Hermione thumped Blaise over the head.
"Sorry, you did say chronologically," winked Blaise.
"It's way too early for me to throw up," said Harry as he put down his cup gingerly. Ron nodded vehemently.
Hermione rolled her eyes, and felt herself flush again. What a great day today is looking out to be.
"Anyways," Blaise continued, with a hint of a smile. "Then someone sent you de-aging potion that Narcissa accidentally drank, and then someone tried to poison Narcissa's meal, presumably because they thought it was you or Draco."
"You know, it seems as though I'm being targeted a bit more than Malfoy is," said Hermione thoughtfully. "The de-aging potion was for me and only Narcissa's food was poisoned. Not my dad's."
"So you think we were wrong when we thought that it was someone that was after you and Malfoy? Why would the Death Eaters pick Malfoy of all people to force you to marry? And what could they possibly gain from getting the two of you together if all they want to do is to kill you?" asked Ron.
"Maybe they thought Malfoy would do the job for them?" suggested Harry slowly.
"I am not a killer," Draco said grimly.
"We know that," Blaise reassured his friend quickly. "But then again, so would they. Your failure to kill Dumbledore wasn't exactly quiet within the ranks."
"But maybe if they thought you really hated Hermione you would do it?" persisted Ron.
Draco's face darkened. "I am not a killer," he spat.
"Okay let's move on to another theory," said Hermione diplomatically. She felt oddly comforted by Draco's repeated insistence that he would not kill her. Not that she had ever thought he would, but it was still nice to hear it said out loud. She assured herself that it didn't mean anything. Just because my husband doesn't want to kill me doesn't mean he likes me. Not that I want him to like me, or anything…
"Well I don't know what it could be," admitted Harry. "It makes no sense why anybody would do this. Everything is so unrelated."
Hermione bit her lip thoughtfully as she pulled out a thick sheaf of parchment. "I did some research," -Harry and Ron simultaneously groaned- "Just to find out some basic background information on the curse. I didn't find much more than what McGonagall already told us. To activate the curse, a potion of the same name, called Odium Fati, must be brewed for at least a month, after which blood and hair from the intended recipients has to be added on a full moon. If the recipients aren't promised to each other by two moons after that and aren't married by the third moon since the hair and blood were added, misfortune falls on the people we love the most. While I was in the library, I also looked up all the other types of marriage curses that could've worked to see if there was any specific reason why this one in particular was chosen."
"And did you come up with anything?" asked Blaise, as he took notes.
"A few things. Most of the curses needed either the presence of both families or some sort of object that the intendeds were tricked into wearing, but there are three others apart from this one, that do not require an object or our presence," said Hermione as she shuffled through her notes.
"So why this curse in particular?" Ron asked, as he rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"That's what I was trying to find out. I came up with a few basic differences between the curses," said Hermione as she located the paragraph she was searching for. "This is the only one where the repercussions fall on our loved ones and not us. Out of the other three, one brings misery and misfortune to us, while the other two bring eventual death."
"Which is pointless because if they were trying to kill you why wouldn't they pick one of the ones that could kill you outright?" Harry adjusted his glasses.
"Well, it could be because of the ingredients required. All of the curses require a potion, but the ingredients for the two that kill are very rare and expensive," explained Hermione. "But that doesn't offer an explanation for why they didn't curse us with the one where we would've had the misfortune and misery."
"Maybe, it's possible that they wanted us married but not dead," Draco said slowly, as he peeked at Hermione's notes. "They had to have known that if there is anything that would motivate the both of us equally, it would be danger to our families and friends. It's no secret that we're both very protective of those that we love. We could've negated the bad luck curse with some Felix Felicis, we both can certainly afford it."
The room fell silent as they considered Draco's suggestion.
"I've got it!" said Hermione suddenly. "All the other curses had a longer timeframe. This was the only curse that activated completely within two months of the potion being completed. The Arisen One had to have known that the Ministry would send out a raid to Avery and Nott's houses soon after they were Kissed."
"So you think that the Arisen One purposely used Avery and Nott because he knew they would become dead ends not long after the curse was executed?" asked Harry excitedly. "That might make sense. When were they Kissed?"
"Avery was Kissed around two months before the raid, and Nott was Kissed a month before, which is why his house was next on our list," Blaise recalled.
"Maybe the Arisen One coerced them under the pretence of helping them escape their sentence in some way?" suggested Ron, as he made a small note. "What are the odds that Avery and Nott would've known exactly what the curse did?"
"Pretty high," Draco said. "They are both from ancient pure-blood families. This would've been even more prevalent in their generation as opposed to ours, so it's not unlikely that they knew about it, but it's safe to say that they were not the Arisen One's only accomplices. Such people never work alone, and the attacks have continued even after Avery and Nott are off the scene. This is clearly someone that doesn't like leaving loose ends."
Hermione felt the headache rampage through her temples. She sighed disconsolately, as Draco looked at her with concern. She gave him a weak smile as she gently massaged circles into her temples. Reaching up, she unfastened her hair from the tight topknot she had scrunched it into before they had left the Manor, completely unaware of her husband watching her movements with need flickering in his eyes.
"Shall I rub your temples?" he offered.
She shivered at the thought of his hands on her skin.
"No, that's fine I'll have some headache potion in a second," she said.
"We can go home if you would prefer? Or you can take a nap," suggested Draco, as he eyed his wife with concern.
"No really I'll feel better if I make myself more comfortable on the couch," Hermione insisted, touched by his concern. Before she realised what he was doing, Draco had put his arms around her shoulders and had slowed lowered her head onto her lap. Hermione felt herself flush for what had to be the umpteenth time since she had woken up, but stretched her legs out comfortably on the rest of the couch. Almost absent-mindedly, Draco slowly stroked her curls, and she found herself relaxing as she closed her eyes and gave in to his ministrations. She was unaware of when she fell asleep but she woke up to Ron, Draco, Blaise and Harry playing a particularly loud game of Exploding Snap.
"Oh look, Hermione's awake," Ron pointed as he dealt the cards. "Shall we deal you in?"
"Err what is going on here exactly?" Hermione asked warily. It looks like the boys are playing a game. Together. And from what I can tell, all their limbs seem attached. Maybe someone broke in and put them under the Imperius?
"We're undergoing a commitment ceremony," said Draco sarcastically. "What does it look like we're doing? We're playing snap."
"Keep your sordid fantasies to yourself ferret-boy," Harry grimaced.
"You fell asleep and we decided to play a game to pass the time since Teddy and Juls were in the middle of making a fort of some kind," explained Blaise, taking pity on Hermione's confused state.
"Oh. So you're here willingly?"
"No, we've been shackled here and are forced to play snap for ten hours straight to break the spell," grinned Draco. To Hermione's surprise, the boys laughed. She fell quiet and accepted this odd occurrence as some sort of male-bonding ritual that she would never understand. Girls bonded over meaningful things such as confidences and killing of trolls, while boys bonded over broomsticks and cards. Pretty obvious who the more superior gender is here, Hermione thought to herself. The flames of the fireplace in the corner turned the tell-tale emerald of Floo powder as Andromeda Tonks née Black stepped into the room. She smiled and waved to the boys in front of her, before she caught sight of Draco's shock of white-blond hair and stopped short. Draco too, had looked up and paused in horror to see what looked like his aunt Bellatrix.
"Hello Andromeda," said Harry, breaking the tension. "I think you've met Blaise Zabini before? And this is-"
"Draco Malfoy?" Andromeda guessed. "You look just like Lucius, boy."
Draco stiffened but inclined his head politely. "Nice to meet you properly, err Aunt Andromeda."
Andromeda smiled softly, and elegantly sat down on an unoccupied armchair. "How is your mother Draco?"
"Mother is as well as can be given the war," Draco said guardedly. Hermione unconsciously gave his hand a discreet squeeze.
"I haven't spoken to her in over two decades," said Andromeda slowly, as she wrapped her lace shawl tighter around her shoulders. "Is she happy?"
Draco nodded stiffly, and tightly gripped Hermione's hand, much to her surprise.
"I'm glad to hear it," continued Andromeda, unaware of the effect she was having on her nephew. "I have always regretted breaking off contact with Narcissa."
"Wait, I thought it was Narcissa that broke off contact with you, for marrying Ted?" Harry interjected in surprise.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Andromeda was taken aback.
"Sirius mentioned something about how you were blasted off the family tree for marrying Ted," frowned Harry. "And he said that was why the Blacks never spoke to you again."
Andromeda sighed softly. "That's true for my parents and Bella, but not Cissy. No, she tried to keep in contact with me, but I couldn't bear to speak to her after she married Lucius. Cissy and I are only two years apart in age, and Lucius was in my year at Hogwarts. When Cissy and I were younger, we both always spent a lot of time in his company. As we grew older, my feelings for him changed. He was a very attractive man."
"Oh dear Merlin," muttered Draco quietly. "It never ends with this family."
"I wanted to marry Lucius more than anything else in the world, but he was always partial to Cissy. Keep in mind, I never liked Cissy all that much to begin with. She was a handful when she was younger and everyone always doted on her because she was the baby of the family. Bella and I looked so alike that everyone sort of merged our identities. Bella was the older, responsible one who always did what was expected of her and excelled academically. Cissy was a little spitfire who was the golden child, literally; first blonde to have been born into our family in at least two generations. I was sort of lost in the fray. When Lucius and Cissy got married, our parents were ecstatic at the merging of the bloodlines, while I stood next to Cissy at the altar and wished for her life," Andromeda broke off and sighed again. "Then I met Ted, just after the wedding too, and he was the most amazing man I ever met. He made me forget all about Lucius and Cissy, and for the first time I was happy. He loved me for who I was, and he didn't care about blood purity and expectations."
"What happened then?" Hermione asked, enthralled.
"After Ted and I announced our marriage to the family, there was a huge uproar. I was immediately disowned and no one in that family talked to me again. Except Cissy. She sent several letters, but I couldn't bear to bring myself to talk to her. Petty sibling rivalry and jealousy made me resent her more than I should've. Ted and I, we were in love, but we weren't rich and things weren't easy. Every single time I faced hardship, I rued Cissy for taking away the life I could've had. Over time, the resentment faded and my bond with Ted grew deeper. I matured and I realised that it wasn't Cissy's fault, but by then too much time had passed to contact her. I'm certain she hates me now."
Draco felt a suspicious lump in his throat and swallowed quickly. "Mother doesn't hate you."
Andromeda looked up in surprise. "She doesn't…?" she confirmed, hopefully.
"No she doesn't," Hermione said, with a small smile. "Narcissa is an exceptional woman, and family always comes first with her. I suspect she is quite alone these days."
"Of course," said Andromeda softly. "I didn't even think about it that way because I've been estranged for so long, but Bella's dead, our parents are dead and Cissy's precious Reg died years ago."
"Reg? Do you mean Regulus Black?" Ron asked in surprise.
"Yes, he was Cissy's favourite cousin, just like Sirius was mine," Andromeda dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a lace edged handkerchief. "Cissy fair broke down when she heard about Reg's death. They were inseparable when they were younger. In fact, I'd rather hoped that they would end up married instead of her and Lucius."
"But they were cousins!" Harry exclaimed.
"Many pure-bloods marry their first or second cousins Potter," Blaise spoke up, defensively.
"It's true, Reg and Sirius' parents were first cousins too," Andromeda confirmed.
Hermione and Harry exchanged a look of disgust.
"Would you like to come to the Manor for dinner one night, Aunt Andromeda?" asked Draco suddenly. "Your grandson and my son Julius are becoming fast friends, and I'm sure mother would love to see you."
The Enchanted Swan was a new Wizarding bar that had just opened up in Diagon Alley that was famous for it's particularly strong cocktails which were, oddly enough, served in teapots and teacups. After a hellish week of work, both Draco and Hermione were looking forward to a pleasant night with their friends as they Apparated to the bar. Narcissa and Andromeda's fast repaired friendship had blossomed, and both witches had arranged for their grandchildren to have a play-date, giving Draco, Hermione and Harry the night off. Due to a small argument that had sparked between the newlyweds, Draco and Hermione were fifteen minutes late when they finally weaved their way to the booth where Harry and Pansy were already seated, a teapot between them.
"Where's Ron?" asked Hermione, after greeting Harry and Pansy.
"He should be along soon," said Harry as rolled his eyes. "When has Ron ever been on time?"
"Who else is coming tonight?" Draco asked, as he stiffly pulled out a chair for Hermione to sit on and helped her undo her gold cloak.
"Blaise Owled his regrets, said he was busy tonight with his mother," said Pansy crinkling her nose delicately.
"And Ginny is away till tomorrow night," Harry supplied, as he refilled his and Pansy's teacups, and poured Draco and Hermione a drink in their freshly appeared teacups. "We were beginning to think you both ditched us."
"Sorry we're late," Hermione apologised, before shooting her husband an angry glare that he ignored.
"No problem," said Pansy hurriedly. "It gave Potter and I a chance to catch up. We haven't spent much time together, well, ever."
"You can call me Harry," Harry smiled at the Slytherin witch. "Hogwarts was years ago. I'm glad we could iron some of our misunderstandings out."
Hermione and Draco momentarily forgot about their argument as they exchanged a surprised stare. Before any more comments could be made regarding the unlikely friendship that appeared to have sparked between Harry and Pansy, Ron arrived at the table, looking slightly bewildered yet pleased with himself.
"Sorry I'm late," he grinned, looking unapologetic. "I actually ran into someone and we got talking. I invited her to join us."
"Who did you run in to?" Hermione asked in surprise, her eyes narrowed. Ron only ever looked this pleased with himself when he had made a conquest.
"Me."
The occupants of the table looked up to see Lavender Brown. Hermione stifled a groan as she took in the other witch's appearance. The years after Hogwarts had obviously been kind to Lavender. If she could've been called pretty back in school, she was now nothing short of stunning. Her shimmering blonde hair brushed her shapely shoulders, which were on display in the rather skimpy set of scarlet robes she was wearing. Next to her, Hermione felt washed out in the pale pink and gold robes she had elected to wear.
"Lavender, how nice to see you again," said Harry finally. "You remember Hermione, Pansy and Malfoy don't you?"
"Yes of course," Lavender smiled politely, though her smile looked a bit forced when it rested on Hermione. Lavender's eyes raked over Hermione's appearance closely, taking in the quality of her clothes and the collar of amber coloured stones at her throat. "You've obviously married well, Hermione."
Hermione stiffened at the insinuation.
"Are you looking to do the same? I do have a brother who isn't that much younger than you and isn't particularly picky," Pansy said, arching an eyebrow at the blonde witch. Slashes of crimson appeared on Lavender's cheekbones as her eyes flashed defiantly. Hermione gave Pansy a grateful smile while Ron and Lavender took seats at the table.
"So Lavender, are you working?" Harry asked politely, trying to cut the tension at the table.
"Lavender here works at Witch Weekly. She is a fashion consultant," Ron answered for her, as he poured them both drinks.
"You must be still training to be one," said Pansy with a hint of a smirk, as she disdainfully examined Lavender's choice of clothing. Lavender sent the brunette witch a glare as she adjusted her scarlet robes, exposing more cleavage in the process. Hermione was slightly pleased to notice that while both Harry and Ron gawked, Draco seemed disinterested in anything Lavender Brown had to offer.
"And what is it you do Pansy?" Lavender asked, with a slight hint of disdain in her voice.
"Pansy runs a sanctuary for Unicorn foals," Draco answered, springing to Pansy's defence. "She is the chief Magical Creature Healer there and graduated at the top of her class."
Lavender fell silent as she sipped her drink.
As the evening progressed, Hermione found herself getting more and more irate by Ron and Lavender's behaviour. She felt as though she was back in sixth year, watching Ron and Lavender snog in empty classrooms. When Ron had escorted Lavender to the ladies, she, Harry, Pansy and Draco had immediately decided to play a drinking game, where they took a sip of their drinks whenever they were annoyed. Despite the small sips she had taken throughout the evening, Hermione had managed to work her way through several teacups of alcohol. Looking around at the state of everyone else at the table, Pansy and Harry hadn't fared much better than her. Draco's tolerance, however, had kept him relatively sober and an amused smirk had played on the corners of his mouth all evening.
"I was just remembering our Hogwarts days a few weeks ago," said Lavender, as she placed a possessive hand over Ron's sleeve. "Ron and I used to have such a passionate relationship."
Hermione and Harry fervently sipped their drinks at the memory. Pansy gave a snide smile, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Ron leave you for Hermione not long after?"
Draco sipped his drink.
"Ah, teenage mistakes," said Lavender, narrowing her eyes. "They were never right for each other." Hermione drained her teacup and Draco poured her another drink. Lavender ploughed on, determined to make a point. "After all, teenage relationships hardly ever work out. Didn't you date Cho Chang in fifth year, Harry?"
"Yes, briefly." Harry sipped his drink and shuddered.
"And didn't you two go out?" Lavender pointed and Pansy and Draco.
"No!" they said simultaneously. Draco and Pansy took a sip, followed closely by Hermione.
"You both certainly looked cosy," said Lavender with a cruel smile. "Poor Hermione, sitting at a table with her husband, his ex, and her ex boyfriend and his ex."
Hermione and Draco sipped their drinks.
"I actually feel sorry for you Lavender," Draco said sharply. "At least Hermione has her intelligence to recommend her. You however, cannot seem to grasp the fact that Pansy and I never dated."
Lavender pursed her lips. Ron retorted sharply. "Oi, don't talk to her like that."
"Well tell her not to talk about my wife like that, and there won't be a problem," said Draco easily as he sipped his drink again. Hermione looked at him through drunken eyes and found herself smiling at her husband. Harry and Pansy both looked pained as they sipped their drinks, no doubt at the thought of a fight breaking out over Lavender Brown's 'honour'.
"Don't worry Ronald," Lavender put a hand on his thigh. "Draco has to speak for Hermione now that they're married."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked angrily.
"Nothing Hermione, I didn't mean to offend," said Lavender, affecting surprise. "I was just pointing out how sweet it is that Draco defends you."
"My wife is more than capable of launching into a battle of wits with you Lavender," Draco sneered. "I just felt it would be unfair to you, being unarmed and all that…"
Harry and Pansy snorted into their teacups, while Hermione tried to control her own bubbling laughter. Ron, on the other hand, looked actively mutinous. Draco leaned back in his chair casually and sipped his drink, surveying his wife's red-headed ex coolly. For once he was glad for the ability to hide his emotions.
"Do you remember that night we spent at the Astronomy Tower Ron?" Lavender asked him sweetly, as she slowly stroked his thigh. "Four hours wasn't it?"
Harry, Pansy, Draco and Hermione all drank.
"Draco, do you remember our wedding night?" Hermione slurred as she played with a few strands of Draco's hair, much to his surprise. "Given the way things turned out, I forgive you for getting me that wet."
Ron's mouth fell open, while Harry and Pansy struggled not to openly laugh at his expression. Hermione was too drunk to realise the way her words could've been interpreted and looked at her friends in confusion, while Draco gave Ron a wink and an insinuating smirk. If Ron had looked angry before, his face now resembled a thundercloud.
"I'm glad I got you that wet too," Draco whispered conspiratorially to Hermione. However, she was not paying attention to what he had said, and was instead fixated on Lavender's manicured hand trailing up her ex boyfriend's thigh. Draco suddenly felt sober and sipped his drink. How could I have been idiotic enough to think Hermione was flirting with me? She's just being affectionate to make the Weasel jealous.
The mood had been punctured. Draco lapsed into a broody silence which continued even after Ron and Lavender left together (much to Hermione's disgust). Harry, Pansy and Hermione passionately discussed just how much they hated Lavender, while Draco steadily drank, grateful for the replenishing teapot. He was lost in his own thoughts until a familiar dark figure caught his eye. Draco realised with mounting horror that Blaise and Audrey had unwittingly walked into the pub. He adjusted his seat slightly, hoping to block out Blaise's tall form from Pansy's sharp eyes, but one glance at her crestfallen face showed that he had been unsuccessful.
"Oh look Blaise, it's your friends!" a cheery, tinkling voice announced, as Harry and Hermione looked up to see Audrey Perks standing in front of their table. Blaise skulked behind her slim curves, hoping to make himself as invisible as possible. He firmly avoided making eye-contact with anyone at the table.
"Hullo," Blaise greeted the table dully.
"I thought you were seeing your mother tonight," said Pansy acidly, as she drained her teacup. Draco discreetly nudged Harry and nodded to Pansy's wand, which was placed next to her on the seat. Harry got the hint and quietly pocketed it.
"Your mother? Oh don't tell me you cancelled on plans with your mother to take me out tonight," Audrey trilled, as she turned her copper head towards Blaise.
"Oh no err mother was busy," Blaise muttered, addressing his dragonskin shoes.
Pansy arched an eyebrow. "Right."
"I think your friends want to spend more time with you darling," said Audrey diplomatically, as she smoothed down her stunning midnight blue robes.
There was a pregnant pause at the table, as Harry, Draco and Hermione looked to each other. None of them wanted to be the one that bit the bullet and invited Blaise and Audrey to join them. Pansy sensed this and her eyes flashed with an almost painful sadness for a split second, before she got to her feet.
"Blaise, Audrey, why don't you join the rest? I was just leaving, I have to be up early tomorrow."
"If we won't be intruding, sure. Blaise?" Audrey turned to him for confirmation. Blaise grimly nodded, and pulled out a chair for Audrey. Pansy held her head high as she swept across the table. Blaise turned to look at her with an unfathomable expression in his eyes, and Pansy stared back defiantly before turning to the others to say her goodbyes.
"I'll come with you," said Harry suddenly, recalling that he had Pansy's wand. "I need to head home now myself, Ginny should be home from training and I promised I would Floo her."
Pansy nodded, and politely waited for Harry to say his goodbyes, before she took his arm and allowed him to escort her from the bar, with all the elegance of a Queen departing from her palace. Blaise looked at her retreating figure for a long moment before he downed his drink and turned his attention back to Audrey.
A/n: Thank you once again for all the reviews, alerts and favourites! They have really brightened my day. Thanks to everyone that gave me advice on fixing my slight block. It's been a great motivator to see the responses to my story. It has kept me going through my writer's block. For everyone that requested the Blaise/Pansy action, hope that you all enjoyed this chapter :)