Chapter 8

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing.

Hermione Pov:

"…and lastly, I think it can only help us move forward and continue to embrace our ever changing world" I finish. I'm currently sitting in Kingsley's office and have just finished proposing my idea. It took me a week to finally be able to book an appointment with him, seeing as he is a very busy man, and I tried to make our meeting quick and to the point so he can get on with his day.

Kingsley has sat silently through the entire thing, nodding politely at some points, and letting me lay everything on the table so to speak. Now that I'm done he seems to be deep in thought. Does he think my idea has any merit at all? I certainly hope so.

After a few moments he finally speaks. "I think…what you have suggested has a lot of potential…it would not only benefit magical children…it would also allow a way for women to seek out careers…"

Although he agrees with the points I have made, I can hear the bit of hesitance in his voice. "But?" I offer so he can go ahead and tell me his concern.

He sighs. "You have to understand Hermione, just because I'm the minister, I can't just snap my fingers and make it happen, no matter how much I want to. This is the way it has been done in our world for centuries. While your idea would certainly be beneficial, it would require a lot of support from the community and even more money to build it up."

I nod my head in understanding of his words. I knew this would be one of the problems I faced when this idea came to me. When something is done one way for so many years, people become dependent on it and it's hard to accept any kind of change. For my idea to take place, I would need support both morally and financially from a person or group with a lot of influence in the wizarding community.

"Like I said, I think your idea has so much potential" he continues giving me a smile. "I'll definitely present it to the board of education and anyone looking to fund a project. You never know what could happen."

We talk about my current job for a few minutes and how to get the German ministry to be more cooperative. I've made a little leeway with them, but not much. Kingsley's secretary sends a memo in informing him that his next appointment is in a few minutes. He tells me again how much he likes my idea and I leave feeling better about it. After all anything is better than a downright no.

Walking out, I see Draco sitting in one of the chairs outside Kingsley's office. He stands up, walks over to me, pulls me into his arms, and kisses me sweetly. We've been dating for nearly two months, but I still feel the sparks and passion every time we kiss and get the butterflies in my stomach anytime I'm near him. No one has ever affected me the way he does.

He pulls back and looks down at me with a roguish grin. "Hey."

"Hi" I greet back. "You're Kingsley's next meeting?"

He nods. "Yeah, we're reviewing an old law that many want updated. So how did it go?"

Draco knew all about my idea. He'd asked my job was going when we first got together and I confessed that I didn't really want to do it anymore and was more interested in education. I told him about it and he said he thought it was brilliant, and was the one who encouraged me to present it to Kingsley.

"He liked it, but said I would need a lot of support to pull it off. At least he didn't outright reject it" I tell him. "I don't know anyone who would take on my proposal though" I sigh dejectedly.

He quirks an eyebrow at me. "I know I did not just hear the great Hermione Granger sound defeated. My girlfriend, the most clever witch of the century and most strong willed woman I've ever met, would stand up and fight for what she believes is right. She never backs down from a challenge and she most certainly doesn't take no for an answer."

I beam at his words. This is one of the reasons I think I've fallen in love with him. Not only does he support me in every way he can, but anytime I don't have faith in myself or my abilities, he reminds me of just who I am and all of my accomplishments. He knows this idea is really important to me and he's all for it.

"You're right. This has so many merits to it, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make it happen" I tell him.

"That's my girl" he says and leans down for another kiss. "Besides, you never know what beneficiaries are looking for. You might hace someone take your proposal quicker than you think." He gives me a knowing smile and has a strange look on his face, like he knows something I don't.

Draco goes on to his meeting with Kingsley and I walk down to my office. I'm still smiling from our encounter as I sit behind my desk. I cannot believe how lucky I am. I've never in my life been so happy as when I'm with him and Scorpious. I find myself counting down the work hours until I get to floo over to their home and see my little man. Scorpious accepted his father and my relationship very well and we've grown so close in these past months. If ever Draco has to work late or on weekends, I stay with Scorp or he spends the night with me in my flat. These are the best because I get to wake up to him sloppily kissing my cheek and giving the biggest hugs. We've established a routine at night. He insists on a story from either Draco or I, and demands a goodnight kiss from the both of us. It all feels so natural and I've come to think of Scorp as ours rather than just Draco's.

As for Draco and me, I think I've found the one. I can't imagine my life without him and feel a little depressed when I return home alone to my flat. We haven't taken the next step and become intimate yet, but there has been wondering hands on both of our parts, 'accidental' brushes against my backside or his front, and very intense snogging. He hasn't pressured me to do anything I don't want to and showers me with compliments and attention. He's so patient and caring, putting real time and effort into our relationship unlike Ron did…

Speaking of him, I haven't seen him since that day in Diagon Alley. Anytime I go out, I always make sure I'm with someone else so he doesn't try to corner me alone again. When I went dress shopping with Ginny for the Halloween ball, I got the strangest feeling that someone was watching me. I brushed it off and told myself I was being paranoid. Then, once while on a date with Draco, I could have sworn I saw a flash of red hair and pair of blue eyes watching me from outside the window, but when I looked there was nothing there. It's just my imagination I'm sure, but even still I check my wards every night to make sure they're still in place.

I haven't told Harry about my encounter with him. It really wasn't anything big, just him making a useless threat and there hasn't been anything since. Why worry him when it's probably nothing? I don't want him to feel like he always has to watch out for me, and I can handle myself. Between Ron and me, my magic is definitely stronger. Harry has however been pressuring me into telling Draco of Ron's abuse.

I just don't know if I can do that. Draco is so wonderful and everything is going so perfectly between us. Why ruin it by bringing up my past? He wouldn't want me if he knew about the baggage I carried. Would he? I'm also terrified that he may think it's unsafe to leave Scorpious with me or decide it's not worth pursuing our relationship if I tell him. I can't lose either of them now! Anytime we talk, he always says that I can tell him anything and I can trust him. I know I can, but every time I think about telling him I freeze up and change the subject. No, I can't tell him yet. It'll just have to wait.

Today is the last day of work, and then we're on holiday for Christmas. I completed all my Christmas shopping last week and cannot wait to celebrate this year. I'm going to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my parent's house in Australia, and then floo back and spend Christmas Evening with Draco and Scorpious as well as the Potters and Weasleys. I told my parents in letters that I've begun a relationship with him and he has a child. They knew of Draco as the bully from school because I told them about him when coming home from school. At first they were a little opposed to my relationship with him, but I explained how much he'd changed and how amazing his little boy was, and they warmed up to the idea and said they trusted my judgment. My mother even joked that maybe he was only mean to me in school all those years because he secretly harbored a crush on me. I highly doubt that, but it's nice to think about.

Draco has asked about them and wants to meet them and introduce Scorp to them. I want that too and will discuss it with them when I visit. Things are definitely getting serious between us and it's only right since I've already met his mother. Narcissa and I have a fabulous relationship and I've even become close to Andromeda as well.

I finish work and go home with Draco as usual. The next few days I spend nearly all my time with them and am a little put out about leaving for two days. But I miss my parents and it's been a while since my last visit, so I'm excited too.

Christmas Eve morning I find myself walking up the driveway to their modest little home. I'd apparated onto the international Australian spot, then apparated here and am feeling a little drained magically, but that doesn't stop the spring in my step. I knock on the door and a few seconds later my mother opens it.

"Hermione darling! We've missed you so much" she exclaims while embracing me. My dad comes up behind her and pulls me into his arms as soon as my mother lets go. "You've been gone much too long young lady. We have a lot of catching up to do" he says but I can hear the smile in his tone.

We spend the next few hours chatting over tea about my job, my friends, and most importantly my new relationship. I go into more detail about everything Draco has done and tell them all about Scorpious. They have no problem that he was married before, but they've always been rather accepting. They both ask if I'm truly happy with Draco and if he treats me better than Ron did. They know Ron was controlling and abusive, but they don't know about what he tried to do the day I left him, nor the encounter we've had since then. I tell them I am, and they say that's all that matters.

The next day we exchange Christmas presents. They give me a few new books from some of my favorite authors such as Jane Austen, clothes, and even some perfume. I give my mother a gift card to a day at a spa, and my father some new golf clubs. He loves the sport and plays in his spare time. They surprise me by giving me some gifts to take back to Scorpious which include a few muggle storybooks, a baseball and bat set, and some toy cars. I've introduced him to a few muggle concepts and he seemed to like them, so I know he'll love the gifts.

As we're eating lunch together, my parents drop one more surprise on me. They tell me that they've decided to retire and sell their practice, then come back home. They'd been thinking about it ever since I told them I was returning to England and when I said I was in a serious relationship. They want to be closer to me and get to know Draco and his family. I'm absolutely thrilled and cannot wait for all of this to take place.

I finally leave around four and make a quick stop at my flat to grab my gifts for the others. Flooing over to Harry's place, I'm greeted by James, Scorpious, Draco, Harry, Ginny, and all the Weasleys minus Ron. I give them all their presents and sit down to open mine. Scorp sits beside me and 'helps' me open mine. I gave him his gifts first and had to explain the concept of the baseball, bat, and glove, and also the toy cars. Later after dinner, Harry takes him James, and Teddy out in the backyard to teach them the game and Draco and I remain in the living room.

We saved both of our gifts to exchange in private and the time is finally here. I present him with his first and hope he likes it. It's a gold pocketwatch with his and my initials engraved on the back with the words Merry Christmas Draco under them, as well as a bottle of the finest muggle wine I could find. He smiles and thanks me, saying he loves both gifts. He then gives me mine which is another velvet case, though it's square shaped and not long. I open it and gasp. Inside is a beautiful silver bracelet with sapphires surrounding it, and a pair of matching jewel encrusted combs for my hair.

"Oh Draco" I breathe, "They're so beautiful."

"Not nearly as beautiful as you" he whispers. I can feel tears prickling in my eyes, but I quickly blink them back and look up at him.

He reaches out a hand and tucks some stray hairs behind my ear. "I have another Christmas gift for you."

What more did he get me? This is already too much. "What is it?" I ask.

"I found someone who wants to take on your idea. They fell in love with it and want to make it a reality" he says looking down into my eyes.

"Draco…I…don't know what to say…" I can't believe he did that for me. He never ceases to amaze me. How did I get so lucky? "I…" love you…"Thank you so much Draco. It means a lot to me. I'm so happy I'm with you" I tell him.

"Good. So am I" he says flashing me his award winning smile and then tilting my chin up and capturing my lips in a kiss. This has been one of the best Christmases I've ever had.

Later that evening I'm at home soaking in my bath tub and thinking about my day. I realize that I've fallen in love with him. I've truly given my heart to the former Slytherin Prince. Who could have foreseen that? I wanted to tell him when he said he'd gotten someone to take on my project proposal, though he wouldn't tell me who it was, but I think it might be a little too soon. It's only been two months, but I don't know if I can hold it in. I want to scream it for all to hear that I've finally found my soul mate.

Just as I'm drying off, I feel something shift in my wards. I clutch the towel close to my body, and grab my wand from the counter. Coming to the kitchen, I peer out of the window that overlooks my small yard. There's nothing out there. I check and all of my wards are still very much intact. That's strange. I could have sworn I felt that someone was close by. Everyone close to me is connected by floo and knows to use that to see me. Maybe it was just an animal or something that got close. But it felt like a dark presence. Could it have been Ron?

No, I immediately brush that thought away. No one knows where I live besides Draco, Scorpious, Harry, and Ginny. I made sure I found this apartment discreetly and kept it out of the papers. There's no way it was him. I'm just being paranoid again.

But as I crawl into bed that night, I can't help the uneasy feeling that creeps up on me, as it has ever since our confrontation that day.

AN: I figured it was time for her parents to come back, even though they only have a minor role in this story. Also I'll explain what her idea and project is in the next chapter and fill you in on who wants to take it. I agree with all of you who said that she needed to tell Harry and Draco about Ron, but I had an idea on how they find out and decided to go with it. I promise very soon Draco will know about her past and both he and Harry will know that he's still after her. Thank you so much to those that review and everyone for reading my story! I'm glad you like it and will hopefully continue to keep you interested!