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Daisy Seary
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For your feedback!
I'm glad that you all liked the flash.
This argument paves way for many other things in the story.
Also I'm aware that 25 chapters are done and it may seem that the story is going at turtle pace but please bear with me and stay with me!
I know all of you are dying for them to kiss already but sadly I have to say it's going to be a long time! *sigh*
It is angst for a reason!
Please don't hate me!
Hope the plot distracts you for the time being ;)
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CHAPTER 26.
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"Granger?" Draco called out again.
No response.
This time he shook her shoulder and called out again. "Granger?"
Hermione started and looked at him vacantly.
"Your parents' house." Draco answered. "It's here right?"
Hermione turned away from him to take in her surroundings.
Familiar houses came into her view till her gaze rested on a handsome 2 storey home that had an impressive garden.
Her mother had loved tending to plants and flowers.
That habit of hers had surfaced even in her obliviated state and her new home had become a playground for her to practice her gardening.
"You've zoned out again Hermione." Draco repeated frustrated.
"Oh umm. Right. I'm sorry Draco. Just going through things in my head." Hermione said non commitedly.
"Over analysing as usual." Draco made a statement, trying hard not to roll his eyes.
"Oh please. I've not seen them for over a year. Of course I'm going to stall." Hermione admitted.
"You've stalled ever since you wrote that letter. Come on now. They know you're coming. They've probably even made all your favourite foodstuff also." Draco joked.
Hermione scowled.
"Do you want me to come with you?" He asked seriously.
She shook her head. "As much as I would really appreciate the support, it's not safe for you." She chuckled.
"Besides, this is something I need to do alone. They don't remember why I left suddenly so I've got to be careful with my words." She said.
"Okay then. So go on. I'll stay here till I see you go into that door. I don't trust you enough." He smirked. "Then we'll meet at the cafe by noon."
She gulped and nodded.
"Okay then. Here goes." She said to herself.
"Good luck Granger." Draco whispered.
She squeezed his hand in acknowledgement and looked forward and started walking towards the house.
Draco kept his gaze on her till he saw her stand in front of the door.
He looked at her unblinkingly and from where he was he could practically feel her hesitation.
Yet, slowly she raised her hand to ring the door bell.
A few testy seconds later, the door was opened by none other than Mr. Granger himself.
Mrs. Granger too hurried behind her husband, but before she could really make sure if it was her daughter at their doorstep, Mr. Granger had enveloped his only child in a fierce hug.
Mrs. Granger patted both their shoulders placatingly and Mr. Granger gingerly separated himself from Hermione so that they could go in and shut the door.
Draco released a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Okay. She's in now. He said to himself. Time to wait.
He apparated on the spot to a little wizarding cafe where Hermione and he had decided to meet after she was done with her parents. He was going to be joined by Katherine and Matt, who had become rather close over the few days.
Katherine had no idea why Hermione was here but she had readily agreed to keep Draco Company while he waited for her.
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"Hermione! My baby. I can't believe I'm finally seeing you. Don't you ever do that again to us do you understand?" Jean Granger told her while holding her in a hug tighter than her dad was capable of.
Both her parents were weepy by now and Hermione couldn't ebb her tears as well.
Seeing them after a year in this state had weakened her resolve and she found herself crying with her parents.
"We've missed you so much dear. Harry is always worried sick about you. He keeps calling us in case we've heard from you." Mr. Granger said.
"I'm sorry mum, dad." Hermione choked. "I really am. I didn't mean to disappear on you'll. It's just... I needed some time alone." Hermione said.
"Of course dear. We won't ever understand why you would want to be alone but we respect your decision. Not hearing from you unnerved us and you know your dad, he can only imagine the worst." Mrs. Granger said.
Hermione looked at her dad and squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry dad, I'm fine. I really am. I really am sorry to have put you'll through this."
"It's nothing Hermione. We just want you to be happy. Whether it's here or in England, it doesn't matter. As long as you are happy we are happy." Mr. Granger replied.
And so Hermione continued talking to her parents as if nothing had happened and they were meeting casually over breakfast.
As Draco had predicted, Mrs. Granger had prepared all of Hermione's favourite dishes and she kept fretting over how weak and thin she had become, resulting in feeding her till she was full and couldn't breathe.
"Mum! Enough. I swear I won't be able to breathe without help if I have another morsel." Hermione complained panting.
"Nonsense dear. Don't they give you meal breaks at your hospital? Look at you. Thin as ever." Jean grumbled.
Hermione laughed. "Actually I'm a victim of those retail ready to eat rubbish mother. I'm afraid it hasn't done much for my health and appearance. But I'm better now. You should've seen me 3 weeks ago. You would have been shocked. But now since... "Her voice trailed off as she realised that she was going to mention Draco unwittingly.
He parents were looking at her as if she was going to continue.
"Since what dear?" Her mother prompted.
Hermione sighed. There was no point hiding anything now.
Her relationship with her parents was anyways on rocky ground. Not like mentioning Draco could make it worse.
She took a deep breath and prayed that after all these years her parents would go easy and keep aside their prejudices.
"Mum, you know I've been living alone all this while. No one knew where I lived. Not you'll, not Harry or Ginny. I've not kept in touch with anyone. Then one day I learned that Draco Malfoy was injured in Sydney and he was my patient." She paused here to look at her parents to gauge their reaction.
"Hermione, this Draco Malfoy, are you still friends with him?" Jean Granger asked guardedly.
Hermione sighed.
"Mum, I told you the same thing when I sent him my wedding invite. He has always been my good friend and will continue to be. He and Harry and Ginny were the ones who incessantly sent me letters irrespective of the fact that I refused to return any of them. And when he finally found out that I was his Healer, he was ecstatic that he had managed to locate me. He hasn't left since then and he's under the impression that I need someone by my side to bring the old Hermione back."
"But Hermione ..." Jean started.
"Mum, we've gone over this." Hermione said tiredly. "Draco was never a death eater. His father was. And he got what he deserved. Draco was in fact a spy for the order just like Snape was. I am in no danger whatsoever from anyone and least of all him. Voldemort died years ago mum."
"But he was rotten to you in school Hermione." Mrs. Granger argued weakly.
"In school mum. And not all the time. I tried telling you years ago that he had changed but you refused to listen. I need you to trust me mum." Hermione said.
"Jean. I think Hermione's right. This Draco boy, seems like he risked his life being a double agent. He must have some good in him. And he seems to care so much about our Hermione. He didn't leave her after he found her. And the fact that he writes her without her replying means he really cares about her." Mr. Granger said.
Hermione beamed at her father. She was so glad that he understood her.
Mrs. Granger too was wavering in her opinions. But she still was very miffed by the fact that the boy who had been the sole cause of Hermione's hatred and fury for the first years of her school life had in fact now become a close friend.
"Mum?"Hermione said softly. "I had written many letters to you'll. Which I couldn't get myself to post. I used to pick up the phone to call you'll often, only to chicken out at the last moment. I couldn't face you'll after how I left last time. Draco yelled at me and gave it to me. He didn't baby me about this but confronted me and pushed me into coming here today. He even stood at the corner to make sure I entered this house."
Mrs. Granger was dabbing the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief now.
"God knows when I'd have gathered the courage to meet you'll. He's the reason I'm here today. Surely he can't be that bad?" Hermione asked.
"Is that true?" Mr. Granger asked in a dangerous tone.
Hermione looked up at her father, surprised at the sudden anger in his voice and nodded weakly.
"Then what the hell is he doing outside?" He yelled boisterously. "Where are your manners? Call him inside."
Hermione looked at him incredulously and all three of them burst out laughing.
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It had been 30 minutes since Katherine had left. She had an early shift and she said goodbye to Draco and Matt.
"So mate. Practice starts again in a week. I have no idea where we'll be practising next month. Do you?" Matt asked Draco.
"None." Draco replied. "What are the chances of us practising here again? Since last practice got cut short because of me, I mean."
Matt grinned at his quidditch buddy. "You don't want to leave Sydney, do you? I take it that this indeed is The Hermione Granger that took up a lot of your thinking time and may I add lost you quite a few girlfriends?"
Draco just glared at Matt before continuing. "Whatever. I think I'll still need to stay here for a bit. She needs me. I may have to petition for leave."
"Wow mate. I didn't you were that serious. What's the issue by the way?" Matt inquired.
Draco sighed. "I don't think it's my story to tell mate. But she's been really down for a long time and I've finally found her. I'm not letting go till I'm sure she's fine."
Matt looked at him in the eye and after a moment he said, "Are you sure buddy? Because from where I'm sitting, you need her as much as she does you. I don't know the dynamics but there's something between you'll that goes way back."
"I uh... What shite Matt. It's nothing of that sort. She's my best friend. Has been for years. She's going through a tough time and I just want to be there for her." Draco said.
"Are you sure you don't want to be there with her?" Matt's question rang in his ears.
"Look Matt, I don't know what bloody impression you have in that thick head of yours but whatever it is, it's utter crap right?" Draco said.
Matt laughed. "Fine. Can't blame me though. You're a great friend then. Bi weekly letters for a mere friend is touching. I don't ever remember you writing to anyone ever."
"So? I had no way to contact her. Those letters were the only way I could be in touch with her." Draco defended himself.
"Okay Draco. Fine. I'm not saying anything more on this." Matt conceded. "Now shall we order lunch or are we waiting for that pretty Healer of yours?"
"I heard someone call me pretty?" Hermione piped from behind Matt.
Matt started but put on a charming smile as he got up and pulled a chair for Hermione.
"Well, only stating the obvious, my lady" Matt said and Hermione and Draco both rolled their eyes.
"Why thank you then." She smiled.
And her smile reached her eyes which were surprisingly free of the worry and guilt that were etched into them in the morning.
Draco was pleasantly surprised to see her in this mood.
He was prepared to tell Matt that he should probably leave them alone for lunch since he had thought that Hermione might have needed to vent. But Hermione looked absolutely fresh and happy.
"I feel like some wine." Hermione declared under her breath as she perused the menu.
Draco's eyes almost popped out of his sockets.
"Right now ?" He spluttered. "And you're asking for wine?"
"Yes Malfoy. Why is that so surprising?" Hermione challenged.
"You tell me." Draco mumbled under his breath.
Matt laughed. "Well that's great. Any time is a good time for some wine. I'm going to check their collection then. Do you mind Hermione ?"
"Sure go ahead. I'd prefer white." Hermione answered.
Matt nodded and left.
Draco looked at her while she was still checking the menu.
"What?" She asked without looking up.
"What what? You know perfectly well what I want to hear." Draco said.
"Malfoy I'm not a seer. How can I know if you don't tell me?" Hermione smirked.
"Are you fine? Do you want to talk? I could get rid of Matt if you want privacy." Draco offered.
"Draco! That's so rude of you. Poor bloke kept you company. Least you can do is to buy him lunch. I'm perfectly fine with him being here. Where is Katherine though?" Hermione inquired.
"She left. You were late and her shift was starting so she had to leave. She said she'd meet you later tonight at your night shift." Draco answered.
Hermione nodded.
"So you really don't mind Matt being here?" Draco asked again.
"No really. I'm very happy Draco. Everything went so well. I could give you the details later. But I'm so stoked right now, I could sing." Hermione said.
Draco laughed. "Please don't. You know that you can do everything perfectly. But quidditch and singing is something you'd better leave alone."
Hermione pouted. "You're just jealous."
"Yeah right." Draco said.
"You can't sing to save a life either." Hermione argued.
"Agreed. But at least I don't go around threatening people that I'm going to start singing." Draco continued laughing.
Hermione fake scowled.
"Fine. Laugh all you want right now. I'll wonder where it went when I tell you what I'm going to tell you." Hermione said smugly.
Draco stopped laughing instantly at her words and paled slightly.
"Merlin. You sure know how to make a bloke nervous." He said.
"Well, I'm not kidding." Hermione said in the same smug tone.
"What is it?" Draco asked.
"My parents have you called you home for dinner!" She said victoriously.
He paled furthermore and his eyes widened and Hermione continued to smirk as she witnessed his discomfort.
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Happy Hermione is fun!
Okay I want white wine too!
Aren't you'll glad she made peace with her parents?
And they're fine with Draco now!
But how's Draco going to be around them? Well, that's for another time now.
Now that Draco has helped Hermione make peace with her parents, who's next in line?
It's an easy guess but let me know what you'll think!
Thanks for reading!
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