Thomas appeared at Hermione's door at exactly seven o'clock as decided. He had only been off work for an hour, giving him just enough time to shower and change but he was anxious to take the young witch out, she captivated him for some reason.

He had thought about her for the rest of the day after she had left, wondering who the idiot was that let her go for saying 'I love you', something he would love to hear from a girl who wasn't just interested in him because of his status as a well respected healer.

He was four years older then Hermione but that wasn't a big deal to him, he really wanted to get to know her and see if there was anything there, he wanted a relationship that lasted for longer then a month or two, he wanted to settle down and get married eventually and he wanted to start a family of his own – he would treat her child as his own if it got that far.

He finally raised his hand and knocked on the door. A minute later, Hermione answered wearing a little black dress that took his breath away.

"You look wonderful." he stated as he lifted her hand to his mouth and gave it a sweet kiss.

Hermione blushed and thanked him before he placed her hand in the crook of his arm and apparated him to a nice restaurant near Diagon Alley.

"This place is really good you know – one of the best around." Thomas stated

"It looks lovely, very relaxing." she replied with a smile.

Thomas gave her a smile and led her inside. The host took them to a table near a window and seated them with a smile.

"I'm Anthony and I will be serving you this evening. Can I start you off with a drink?"

Thomas gestured for her to go first, "I'll just take an iced tea with a wedge of lemon." she ordered

"and I'll have the same" Thomas answered after her.

Anthony snapped his little black book closed, handed them the menu's and left to fill the orders.

"So tell me, How long did you and the father date?" he asked, trying to get the conversation rolling.

Hermione smiled, "A year, but we've known each other since we were 11. We hated each other for the first 8 years but we eventually became friends then lovers."

" I still don't understand why he would leave after you professed your love for him, the not answer about the baby."

"To be honest, I think the love part scared the living daylights out of him and the baby... well, he comes from a long line of pure bloods and all though he managed to put the fact that I was a muggle born behind him, I don't think he is keen on having a half blood child."

"Are you sure thats the reason.. sounds kind of petty to me." he asked

"No, I'm not sure but it is all I have to go on due to the fact that he hasn't even made an effort to talk to me and that is the only reason I can figure."

Thomas shook his head, "Well if blood status is a reason to stay away from a child then you are better off without him. I happen to be a pure blood as well and the fact that you are muggle born means nothing to me. As far as I am concerned, you are a witch and that is all there is to it."

Hermione smiled, she liked him already.

Anthony soon arrived with the drinks and took their orders, leaving them to talk about their lives, schooling, and even their families. He was easy to talk to and had a pleasant disposition. The kicker for her was the fact the head had been in Slytherin as a fifth year when she came to Hogwarts.

The conversation flowed easily and continued even after they had finished their meals.

"Would you like to go for a walk? The night is still young and I think Anthony is ready to have some fresh people at this table."

Hermione laughed, "A walk sounds nice."

Thomas signaled for the waiter and paid, leaving a generous tip before holding his hand out for Hermione and once again tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. They left the restaurant full of smiles, unaware of the gray eyes that had been watching them the entire time.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Draco watched as they left the restaurant and he couldn't help the little growl that left his mouth. He had decided to take his mother out for a nice dinner to tell her about Hermione and the baby to see where she stood on it.

He had received her owl and almost choked on his lunch that day. A million thoughts had been running through his mind since then but the idea of fatherhood scared the hell out of him and he didn't know how to react – he needed his mothers help.

"Who are you growling at Draco – it's unbecoming." Narcissa asked as she sipped her wine.

"Mother, I've got a little problem and I was hoping you could help me with it."

Narcissa nodded and urged him to continue.

"You know that Hermione and I are no longer together right?"

"I do and I still say that it is a pity that you two split up – I liked her."

Draco nodded, "Well you see – the break up is my fault. She told me she loved me and I freaked out and dumped her."

Narcissa rolled up the menu and swatted Draco over the head, "What a stupid thing to do – you were crazy about her."

"I know I was, I just freaked out and ended it, but thats not the big problem here."

"Oh"

Draco reach into his pocket and handed her the letter from Hermione. Narcissa scanned the letter quickly and gasped, smacking him with the menu once again, this time a little harder.

"You need to fix this Draco."

"I know mum, but I think she has moved on already."

"Why would you say that?" she asked, "Hermione loved you and you haven't been apart all that long."

Draco prepared himself to be swatted again before answering, "Well, she kind of saw me when I took Blaise's sister out as a favor for him... three weeks after we broke up and I didn't do anything to explain the situation to her."

SWAT

"I raised you better then this Draco."

"Can you please stop hitting me, people are looking."

Narcissa swatted him once more just because and finally placed the menu back down.

"Anyways, I just watched Hermione walk out of here with a nice looking Bloke on her arm."

Narcissa reached for her menu again but Draco quickly pulled it away.

"You need to fix this Draco. If you love her you better let her know before it is too late."

Draco sighed, he knew his mother was right and he did love her. He was just to ashamed to go after her when he acted like a spaz.

"I'll fix it Mother, somehow."