CHAPTER 29.
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Hermione was pacing.
And when she paced she really paced.
Tirelessly.
"Oh stop it Granger." Draco said irritated. "You're wearing out the rug."
She shot him a dirty look but continued pacing, wringing her hands till her knuckles were white.
Draco rolled his eyes. She really needed to let go.
"Hermione. Relax. They aren't going to eat you up or hex you or permanently disfigure you or something. They're your friend's right?" Draco reasoned.
Hermione looked at him with eyes etched with worry and uncertainty. "I know they won't do any of the above. Honestly Draco, you think I'm worried Harry or Ginny will maim me?" She laughed humourlessly.
"I'm worried you're going to maim the floor." He muttered under his breath.
Hermione seemed to hear him and glared at him again. "This must be so amusing for you."
"Not really. It's rather tiring." Draco said as he shifted into a more comfortable position on her couch. "My eyes are following you and aching as a result."
"But Draco!" She wailed. "They'll be here soon and I don't even know what I'm going to say to them."
"Hermione it's been two days since you got their reply and you've been worrying ever since. Ginny seemed so excited. You have nothing to worry about." Draco reasoned with her.
"What if they hate me? Lash out at me? I mean, they have all reason to. I just don't know if I'll be able to take it." She said.
"Granger. Calm down. Nothing of that sort is going to happen. They've waited for this longer than you can imagine. They love you and although they don't condone you for your actions, they understand why you did it. So relax and just wait. Their portkey should deliver them here soon." Draco said.
Hermione nodded but still looked unconvinced.
"Why did you get them a portkey by the way?" Draco asked. "I thought they were applying for apparition."
"Yeah they did. They can apparate legally in Australia now. But for their arrival I arranged a portkey so I'd be aware of the time they would come. To you know, prepare myself." Hermione replied.
"Okay. And how's the prep coming along?" Draco asked cheekily.
Hermione scowled. "Very funny. You're no help. At least don't bother me more."
"Merlin Hermione. You worry too much. I'll have to say I told you so when the Potter's come and no harm will be done." Draco said exasperatedly.
"Fine. I'll try to relax. Maybe some tea will help." Hermione said.
Draco got up. "Okay I'll get some." He offered.
"No no. I think I'll make it. It'll give my hands something else to do." Hermione said.
"True." Draco mused. "So have you decided if you want me to be here or not?"
"When they arrive?" Hermione asked.
"Yes Hermione when they arrive." Draco said as if he was speaking to a child.
"I don't know." She said after adding some tea to the water. "I mean it would be nice to have some moral support but then again I don't know how happy Harry will be if he were to know that I met you before him."
"I don't think he'll care Granger." Draco said. "You give him way little credit than he deserves."
Despite herself Hermione found the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile.
"Did I just hear you back Harry Potter? Your arch enemy?" She teased him.
Draco scowled. "I'm not backing him. Just a guess. I mean we've all grown now. And matured. I'm just assuming he may have matured as well. We'll see if my assumptions are true or not."
Hermione scoffed. "Ha! You and mature? Please. Spare me." She said as she stirred the sugar into the cups and handed one to Draco.
"Hey! I am mature." Draco protested.
"Says the man who got sick after a dozen cotton candies. Really Draco, you must control yourself at these fairs." Hermione chided him.
"It's all fluffy and sweet." Draco pouted.
"And bad for your teeth." Hermione said matter of factly.
"Really Granger, teeth problems is the last thing I'd be worried about." He said. "Wizard remember?"
Hermione laughed. "Fine. You pseudo mature idiot."
They had their tea and chatted for a while. Draco was glad that he could distract her. She had been worrying herself sick ever since Ginny had written back.
"So I umm think that maybe just this once I should meet them alone." Hermione said softly.
Draco nodded slowly.
It was for the better.
He realised that she needed some time alone with them.
He was glad he had had his private moment when he met her. He would have hated it if there would have been someone else to witness the first meeting they had in over 3 years.
And she really needed to sort things out with them.
"Good. You know where I will be." Draco said kindly.
"I know. Thanks. I hope you're not feeling bad Draco." Hermione asked.
Draco laughed. "Bad? Are you joking? I'm so relieved. Just because I insinuated that Potter had matured doesn't mean I fancy being the audience to your reunion with him."
Hermione swatted his arm playfully and mock glared at him but his wide smile and laughing eyes made it impossible for her to hold her glare and she laughed with him.
"I can do this." She said resolutely. "I can can't I?" She asked Draco.
Draco got up and gently held her by the shoulder and kissed her forehead.
She leaned into his chest, her cheek pressed against his t-shirt.
"Hermione it will be all right. You're being too negative about this. You can be too harsh on yourself." Draco said.
"I'll deserve it. Whatever happens I'll deserve it." Hermione said.
"Sshh. Don't get ahead of yourself Granger. You might want me to come and rescue you from Potter mania." Draco laughed.
Hermione hit him again. "Don't make fun of my friends okay."
Draco made a face at her and she returned it.
"Fine. I'm leaving. I know when I'm not needed." Draco huffed.
"Yeah yeah go." Hermione kidded.
"When are they due?" Draco asked.
Hermione checked her watch. "Oh soon. I didn't realise the time passing so quickly. They should be here in a couple of minutes."
"Ok. I'll leave then. You come get me when you want to ok?" Draco said.
Hermione nodded and smiled at him, her eyes still guarded.
He smiled back reassuringly and popped out of her flat.
She stood there looking at the place he had been seconds ago. She sighed and worry lines re-appeared on her face.
She wasn't alone for long. Sure enough, a minute and a half later there was a wave of wind and she could see two people had arrived. Well, Ginny had managed to arrive gracefully but her husband had managed to get himself tangled in his own web of limbs.
Instinctively, Hermione laughed. Ginny turned towards the direction of the laughter and looking at Harry and Hermione she too started laughing.
Harry just looked sheepish and stood up rather promptly and brushed his behind, trying to regain some quick dignity.
"Portkey travel still doesn't agree with you I see." Hermione said in between chuckles.
Ginny and Harry politely laughed too but mainly they just looked at their friend who was laughing rather openly.
Her eyes shone with mirth and she seemed really happy to see them there.
Harry couldn't wait any more. He flung himself at his best female friend and hugged her like there was no tomorrow.
Hermione was startled by the sudden hug but she recovered fairly quickly and returned his hug with gusto.
Ginny had already started weeping by now at the sight of the reunion and Hermione and Harry also found their eyes moist.
"Hey I'm feeling all left out." Ginny said feebly.
Hermione let out a watery laugh and tried to extricate herself from Harry's grip so she could include Ginny in their group hug. But Harry refused to let go and all Hermione could do was to extend her arm to Ginny who took it and she expertly integrated her into their hug without breaking it.
They stood huddled for several seconds, sniffing occasionally. After a few minutes they separated and all 3 of them looked at each other and laughed.
"Hermione" Harry croaked his voice raw with emotion.
"Harry I ..." Hermione started.
"I thought I'd never see you again." Harry said with pain evident in his voice.
"Harry I'm so..." Hermione tried saying.
"I always knew I'd be seeing you again Hermione. No way could you stay away from us for so long. We are just that awesome." Ginny said pompously.
Hermione laughed.
"I'm just glad Ginny was right." Harry said finally.
"I'm sorry Harry. Ginny I'm sorry too. I've been so selfish. You lost a brother too. Harry I never realised that I took away the remainder of our trio... I was so thoughtless... Please forgive me? I can't tell you how much it means to me that you both are here to see me." Hermione said.
"Ssshh. Hermione." Ginny hugged her. "We weren't exactly happy by what you did but we are your friends. We understood why you did what you did even though we don't agree. But if it's helped you heal, there's nothing we have against you."
Hermione had tears in her eyes again.
"I've missed you Mione." Harry said softly as he pressed a brotherly kiss on the top of her head. "I've really missed you. I don't care about anything. I'm just glad you're ready to have us back in your life."
"My life? Merlin! I can't thank you enough for taking me back! I was worried senseless." Hermione admitted.
"We would never leave you Hermione. We've waited for every letter to have words instead of silence and when we finally did, it was intoxicating." Ginny said. "It's like our life is complete now."
And so just like the old days they sat and caught up with everything each other had missed.
"Oh dear! Look at the time! You must be famished! How rude of me, I've not even offered you anything since you came." Hermione fussed.
"Typical. You haven't changed Mione." Harry said lovingly.
Hermione fake scowled at him and brought out some pumpkin juice, coffee and sandwiches.
She put a semi ready chicken in the oven and set a timer.
"Dinner should be ready in 20. Meanwhile we can munch on these sandwiches." Hermione said.
"Sure Hermione. Ginny!" Harry exclaimed, slapping his wife's hand away from the pot of coffee. "No coffee for you."
She pouted at her over observant husband and opted for the juice instead.
Hermione laughed. "A little coffee once in a while won't hurt her Harry."
"Yeah but you know her, she can get carried away. I'd rather she not have it at all." Harry said.
"Hello! I'm right here. I think I can control my coffee intake on my own thank you very much." Ginny said indignantly.
"Yes she can Harry. How dare you control her? Pregnant women have cravings too you know?" Hermione egged him.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh I'm aware of the cravings all right! Who has mashed potatoes with sweet mango pickle?" He gagged.
Ginny looked sheepish and Hermione laughed again.
Except for their slightly emotional reunion, things with her pals were like it had always been. Easy and comfortable.
And at home.
She felt at home and peaceful after a long time.
Although Ron was missing and his absence really made itself obvious many times, it didn't completely engulf her with hopelessness as it once had.
Maybe that's why they say having people who love you to cope is the best way to heal.
She realised that she had been late in getting in touch with her friends and family, but better late than never right?
Inspite of her scepticism, she was glad that she had allowed Draco to force her to take this decision.
She knew that alone she would have never been able to heal and cope so well, she really owed him her sanity.
The oven chimed and Hermione got their dinner out and she quickly plated up and the new trio continued to share stories until after dessert.
Ginny yawned though she tried hard to conceal it.
Harry laughed and kissed his wife. "You're tired love. We should go to bed. After all we have all week with Hermione."
Hermione nodded. "Yeah Gin. I'll show you to your room. You should get proper sleep! We can catch up more tomorrow."
Hermione showed harry and Ginny the guest room which she and Draco had redecorated in a mix of muggle and magical way.
Damn Draco Malfoy! He always got his way! But she was glad she had listened to him.
"Good night Mione." Harry hugged her, pouring more emotion in it than any words could convey at that moment.
"Good night Harry, Ginny." She said as she smiled and exited their room. "Rest well. I have a fun day planned tomorrow."
Ginny's sleepy eyes lit up momentarily with excitement and Harry and Hermione laughed as she mumbled a sleepy goodnight.
Shutting the guest room door behind her, Hermione sighed.
She was tired but elated. Her first meeting with her best friends had gone better than she had expected.
Harry had waved off any apologies on her part and with him standing so happy and content she lost all her feelings of guilt and relished the moment of just being with her friends again.
"I guess it went well then?" A voice said from the living room.
Hermione jumped at the voice but steadied herself as she saw the familiar smirk and mop of silky pale blond hair sprawled on her couch comfortably.
"Draco!" She admonished. "Why are you here? I thought I was supposed to fetch you."
"Well you didn't. Clearly. So I thought of coming by and checking up on you." He smirked again.
"We just got talking and time flew. They barely let me apologize for anything. It was just like the old times. But you, mister! What if they had seen you ? I still have to explain about you to them!" She chided him.
He scowled. "Just because you have your new friends you've forgotten me."
Hermione chuckled. "They are my old friends Draco. If memory serves right you became my friend much after them."
"Whatever." Draco grumbled.
Hermione laughed again and hugged him, ruffling the top of his criminally manageable hair. "You know I could never forget you. I was just saying good night to them and was coming over."
"If you insist." Draco pouted more.
"Please Draco. Stop behaving like you're 7 or something. Spoilt brat!" She mumbled under her laughter.
"Hey!" He defended himself. "I'm just making sure that I still have you on my side when Potter wants to duel me tomorrow."
"Oh shut up. Harry will want to do no such thing. You said so yourself that he's matured." Hermione countered as she snuggled into Draco on the couch.
"Hmmm. Perhaps." Draco mused.
"Have you eaten?" Hermione asked, yawning and trying to cover her mouth.
"Yeah. I figured you wouldn't be free for dinner." He grinned.
"Sorry Draco, it's just today I promise. Tomorrow I'll tell them." Hermione mumbled sleepily.
"Of course Hermione. Don't worry. I have your back." He said as she put her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
Draco smiled as he accioed the shawl from her room so that he could cover her with it. She looked tired. Mindless worrying could do that to you.
He didn't think she would be waking up anytime soon so he made himself comfortable against the soft backrest of the sofa and fell asleep himself dreaming about bushy brown hair scented with mint and thyme shampoo.
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That was an awfully long dream about mint and thyme smelling bushy brown hair. Nothing was too vivid about it but it was there. Just there in the background.
And then he sneezed.
And woke up to a mass of bushy brown hair in his face, detrimental to air intake.
He separated the hair from his airways and squinted. The sunlight seemed to be streaming in through her sheer peach drapes and it cast a soothing early morning glow to her living room.
Draco could make out the tiny dust particles that were all moving about haphazardly along the beam of light.
He looked down to see Hermione almost sprawled against him. He smiled. So that was the bushiness he was enveloped in.
He needed her to do something about her hair! He could have died of asphyxiation!
He looked at his watch! 7Am. Wow! He couldn't believe that he managed to get 6 good hours of sleep in sitting position on the couch.
But then again with Hermione by his side he probably would have slept like a baby even in the midst of a whirlpool.
Gently laying Hermione away from him, he stretched and yawned. Good thing he woke up before any of the Potters did.
Harry and Ginny may be aware of Hermione's friendship with Draco but seeing him here snuggling with her in the middle of the night under one thin shawl was not something Draco thought that Harry would find amusing.
He levitated the sleeping Hermione into her room and placed a blanket over her. He kissed her gently on the cheek and apparated out of her flat.
He would catch up on the remainder of his sleep in the safety of his house, away from Potter.
Dealing with them was Hermione's chore. Not that he was afraid of Harry, but Hermione really cared about him and she really cared for Draco as well. She had lost enough in life and he sure as hell did not want her to be choosing between her friends as well.
He dozed off hoping that Harry would be fine with him. He knew that Ginny was sensible and once you got past her impulsive and explosive excited nature, she could be a fair person.
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Hermione woke to the sound of pots and pans clinking in her kitchen.
Stretching her arms and neck, she yawned and surveyed her surroundings.
She didn't remember falling asleep in her room last night. Panicking, she looked around almost preparing to find Draco somewhere around.
Slowly she released her breath. No Draco. He probably brought her in here when she must have fallen asleep. Smiling at his thoughtfulness she got up and brushed her teeth and freshened up before going out.
Sure enough, she found a very awake and lively Ginny going through her cabinets. Waffles were already on the table and she was currently preparing eggs.
"Good morning Hermione! Where is your salt?" She chirped.
Hermione nodded and allowed herself a small smile as she reached up to a cabinet and passed her the salt and pepper.
"Good morning! Someone's up and about!" Hermione exclaimed as she helped herself to a mug of coffee. "Did you have coffee too?" She asked critically.
Ginny winced. "Just a little Hermione. With milk that too. It was very mild I swear."
Hermione laughed. "Gin, it's okay. Just please lay off the alcohol at least okay?"
Ginny scowled. "Obviously Hermione. I'm pregnant. How can I even consider alcohol? I know coffee's not dangerous."
"Yeah but I know very well how fond you are of your occasional firewhiskey and weekly martini." Hermione said.
Ginny laughed. "Well yeah, but none of that at least for a long time. We were trying for so long Mione! And finally it's happened. I'm not going to endanger my child over something stupid."
"I know Gin! And I'm very happy for you and Harry." Hermione said softly."So Harry's sleeping in?"
"Oh yeah! I don't think he's still quite used to portkey travel." Ginny said. "He said something like jet lag but you know Harry, keeps saying senseless things. What in the world would jet lag even mean?" Ginny laughed.
Hermione laughed heartily at her friend's naivety about muggle terms. "Ginny, it's a muggle term. Although it's not valid in your case but I understand why he said it."
"Oh." Ginny scrunched up her face as she poured sweetened strawberry coulis over the waffles and handed one to Hermione. "Thank Merlin! I thought he was losing his mind."
"Who's losing their mind?" Harry's sleepy voice came from the opposite direction.
"Oh nothing darling. Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Ginny covered up quickly, planting a long kiss on her husband's lips as Hermione tried to swallow her bite of waffles in midst of her laughter.
"Splendid." Replied Harry. "Breakfast looks wonderful sweetheart."
"Yeah. She was all done by the time I came out. I'm being such a rubbish host." Hermione whined. "It should have been me preparing breakfast for you. Not the other way round."
"Oh sshh Mione. We all know you can't cook to save a life. So let's leave the cooking to me and the sightseeing and fun day planning to you. I bet you've an entire week's itinerary prepared." Ginny said with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Hermione blushed. Well she did have it all prepared and Draco had helped too. But it was about time she told them about Draco. She really didn't want to hide him and frankly there was no need to. They were all adults and capable of mutual understanding. Or at least she hoped.
Hermione gulped. Well, after breakfast. She promised herself. A well fed Harry was a happy Harry. Chances of him being unreasonable were less then.
"So Harry, tea, coffee or juice?" She asked brightly.
"Hmmm. Coffee would be nice." He replied.
Hermione poured him a mug and Ginny plated up his waffles and put it in front of him.
They enjoyed a hearty breakfast and caught up on the events that Hermione had missed over the past months.
"Really?" Hermione asked as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. "I can't believe McGonagall offered Neville a job as professor of Herbology. Not that I'm surprised. He was always very talented at it."
Ginny nodded. "Yeah. We were surprised too. I mean I didn't think he would be offered the job so soon. But well, professor sprout decided to open her own greenhouse in Hogsmeade so she retired. And Neville agreed."
"That's great." Hermione said. "And what about Hannah? What is she doing? Is she still running the Three broomsticks?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Hannah and Neville will live at the Hogsmeade quarters for Hogwarts professors all year round."
"That's nice." Hermione said.
She was wondering how to open up Draco's topic. But so far she hadn't found any opening. Maybe she should just jump into it, she thought.
"Oohh I bet you don't know what Oliver wood is up to Hermione!" Ginny said excitedly.
Harry groaned. This was Ginny's gossip tone and he very well knew that the two women would get into discussions of inane gossip that Harry cared very little about. Although Hermione was averse to gossip herself, but with Ginny's penchant for gossip and storytelling abilities, she too would invariably get sucked into it and her curiosity would always get better of her.
Hermione chanced a sceptical look at Harry. She was very aware of Ginny's tone herself and she found herself sharing a secret look with Harry pleading him to distract her from Ginny's gossip.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.
"Wuss." She mouthed at him angrily.
"He's been made captain of the puddlemere united team." Ginny gushed. "And he got married last month. You will NOT believe who he got married to."
All Hermione heard was puddlemere united. Quidditch team. Yes! This was the perfect opening she could have ever had. She could almost kiss Ginny right now. She thanked her stars that she had allowed Ginny to ramble because now she could venture into Quidditch topic and thereby talk about Draco!
"What? Wow! That's great! He always was too obsessed about Quidditch." Hermione said with fake enthusiasm. "So who else is playing professional Quidditch then? Anyone we know?" She asked not very subtly.
Hermione Granger was talented at many things. But subtlety was definitely not one of those things.
"What? Hermione! Don't you even want to guess who Wood married? I bet you wouldn't see that coming in a 100 years." Ginny said.
Harry rolled his eyes. "You better start guessing Hermione. I can guarantee that you won't be able to answer that."
"Oh." Hermione replied, somewhat miffed that she had to play 20 questions about Oliver bleeding Wood's wife's name when she was scared shit about bringing out Draco's topic.
Well, may as well get it over with. She thought.
"Umm I don't know, maybe umm Katie Bell? She seemed interested in Quidditch too and I think she was in puddlemere united." Hermione guessed.
"Oh yeah she was. But she's married too Lee Jordan." Ginny said. "Think closer Hermione. I bet you can't."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well Ginny since you're so sure I'll never guess it, why don't you just tell me?"
"Oh but there's no fun in that is there?" Ginny countered. "I'll give you a hint."
"Ginny, any hint you'll give her be a dead giveaway. I suggest you just tell her. The shock factor will be more effective that way." Harry suggested.
Now Hermione was curious. Who had Oliver Wood married that had gotten Ginny so charged up? Even Harry agreed that it was a shocking pair.
She would get back to Draco's topic as soon as she had discovered the piece of gossip.
"Okay now I'm curious. Out with it Ginny." Hermione ordered.
Ginny laughed. "Okay. This is crazy. I bet you're not going to believe me. I myself had a hard time believing the news. It was all over the Prophet and if I'd have not seen their photographs with my own eyes, I would have thought they were rumours."
"Ginny ..." Hermione said impatiently.
"Okay okay!" Ginny said. "Oliver Wood went and married... LAVENDER BROWN!" She said dramatically.
Hermione almost choked on her coffee. Mistake. She shouldn't have had a sip when Ginny was gossiping. Especially when she had been warned that it was unbelievable news.
She coughed and spluttered and Harry thumped her back and Ginny was laughing.
"What? What? Oliver and Brown? You've got to be pulling my wand. There must be some mistake! She doesn't even know if Quidditch starts with a 'Q' or a 'K'! How the hell did Oliver marry her?" Hermione asked.
"Your guess is as good as ours Mione. We were equally shocked." Harry said.
"That's crazy!" Hermione said. "He's like 5 or 6 years older than her. What could they possibly have in common?"
"Well," Ginny began.
"Ginny" Harry warned. "What have I told you about making assumptions when you have no basis?"
Ginny pouted. "But Harry it's the only logical assumption. Besides, it's Hermione. I can share my theories with her without being judged."
Hermione and Harry both laughed.
Trust Ginny to come up with a completely scandalous assumption. The more dramatic her guesses the more she believed in them. Logical was the last thing one could expect her theories to be.
"Okay Gin. Bring it on." Hermione chuckled. This was something she really wanted to hear.
"Okay." Ginny said coming closer and sounding all serious as if she was going to divulge some top secret or something. "I think it's a celebrity marriage of convenience." She said proudly.
"What?" Hermione asked. "Lavender is no celebrity."
"Oh no. Not a celebrity per se. But she's a stylist to many celebrities. And Oliver is a celebrity. And Lavender moves in all the top circles. She's always all dolled up and attending all charity events and ministry functions. I think she married him for his status and he married her just so he could have an arm candy wife who wouldn't bother him and leave him alone. So both of them gain something."
Hermione looked at Ginny and Harry incredulously.
"Lavender I understand but why would Oliver want to marry someone out of convenience? He could get anyone he wanted or loved rather." Hermione asked.
"Hermione, the only thing Oliver loves is Quidditch. He's married to it. He has no time for social obligations and love. I bet he married Lavender to just uphold a social status and he would need someone who wouldn't interfere with his career. And she doesn't seem like the type to care. Her status would surely be upgraded." Ginny explained.
"Wow. When you say it that way..." Hermione whistled.
"Or he's gay and he's just covering up by marrying her." Ginny said.
Hermione choked again.
"Ginny!" She exclaimed.
"Just telling you all the possible scenarios." Ginny stated nonchalantly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Have you considered the logical explanation of love? They probably met somewhere and fell in love! Normal people marry out of love, you know?"
Now Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh Harry. Don't be naïve." She scoffed.
Hermione laughed. "Wow. That was quite a serving of gossip for breakfast I must say though."
"What can I say? I live to entertain." Ginny said.
"So who else plays professional Quidditch? Besides Wood and Katie bell I mean? You should know Gin; you're quite the marketing manager for Falmouth Falcons." Hermione said, trying to ease into Draco's topic.
"Oh yeah. No one from our year though. Although Victor Krum had been offered an outrageous amount of money to join Puddlemere. He declined of course. He's way too loyal to his home team." Ginny said.
"Hmm. That reminds me I met Draco Malfoy's team here a month ago. His sponsor is Japanese. So I doubt you'll know much about him." Hermione said casually although her breath was caught in her throat.
"Yeah. I've heard of them. They've only ever played once in England against the Holyhead Harpies. I don't know much about them." Ginny said.
Harry was quietly listening to the exchange. He didn't seem guarded that she had mentioned Draco's name.
Well, here goes!
"Yeah. So I accidentally came across Draco. He... He kind of was my patient." Hermione said.
She braced herself for the onslaught of questions but surprisingly none came.
Harry and Ginny both looked quite peaceful.
So she carried on. "Yeah. So at first he was unconscious. So he didn't know I was his Healer. But then he gained consciousness and he's umm... Ever since then, he's sort of been here."
Ginny nodded. Harry remained the same. Not saying anything but still attentive.
"He's umm actually living here. Says he wanted to spend his vacation here. And that he finally found me so he was going to spend some time with me." Hermione said in a single breath.
There! Most of it done!
"Oh so where does he live?" Ginny asked.
"Next door." Hermione said.
There was a flicker of surprise in Harry's eyes but besides that he didn't volunteer any words.
"Oh. Okay. So is he still here?" Ginny asked.
Hermione nodded.
"Look I know you're upset Harry but please don't take it the wrong way. I didn't mean to meet him. It just happened. He was all injured and all and I couldn't just leave him and then when he came to know I was here he refused to leave. I didn't even know when he leased out the flat next door. He just..." Hermione ranted.
"Hermione! Hermione! Stop!" Harry said. "I'm not upset or anything. Why would I be?"
"Well for starters you're not saying anything. And I met Draco before I met you as in I interacted with him and allowed him to practically drive me crazy and dictate my life whilst you and Ginny didn't even know where I was." Hermione said sadly.
Ginny smiled and took Hermione's hand. Harry came over and hugged her.
"Hermione I don't care who the bloody hell you meet. As long as you got in touch with us and were ready to meet us I wouldn't bother." Harry said.
"Yes Mione. The important thing is you were ready to see us. That matters more that who got to meet you first. It's not a race." Ginny said.
Hermione smiled. She was relieved. Draco was right. Harry had matured.
"So you really are okay? That he's been here for a month?" Hermione asked carefully.
Harry nodded.
"Hermione. We knew." Ginny said softly. "Your parents told us everything."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "You .. You knew all along?"
Harry nodded.
"When you wrote us, we flooed your parents to tell them that we had heard from you. We had promised to keep them posted. That's when they told us about your visit. They said that they figured you would contact us yourself soon since you contacted them so they didn't tell us." Ginny said.
"They told us everything about Malfoy." Harry explained. "How he bothered you every day and forced you to re-establish contact with your parents."
"They seem to have lessened their animosity towards him." Ginny stated.
Hermione nodded still shocked that they knew about Draco.
"You didn't tell me. All this while I've been wondering how to tell you both about him and you've kept it quiet!" Hermione said.
"We knew you would tell us eventually. We didn't want to shock you." Ginny said.
"As opposed to what?" Hermione asked. "I'm still shocked."
Harry laughed. "Relax Mione. It's not like we are pals with Malfoy or anything but you are. And that is enough for us. In fact we are thankful he came across you and pulled you out from what you've been going through."
"Was it Malfoy's idea to call us here too?" Ginny asked softly.
"Partly yeah. I'd been thinking about you both a lot. I kept re-reading your letters and I was missing you so much. I was scared to call you but he practically forced me into it." Hermione laughed.
"Well then whatever may be the past with him, he got you back and here we are today sitting in your living room having breakfast with you and it's all thanks to him. I think it's safe to say we can go beyond being just civil. We owe him big-time." Harry said.
Hermione was shocked for the third time since morning. She found herself tearing up at Harry's little speech.
"Harry..." She said. "I don't know what to say. Thank you. It.. It means a lot to me."
"If you trust him Hermione, we trust him. Besides, we've met him a few times since you left and he was genuinely upset and worried. He kept in touch with Harry all on his own accord only for you." Ginny said.
"He .. He spoke with you about me? More than once?" Hermione asked surprised.
Harry nodded. "Every month."
"Wow. He said he had spoken to you but I never knew he kept tabs so often." Hermione said, still shocked.
"We're just glad you had someone with you." Ginny said.
"Thank you. For understanding. This ... I... Wow. I can't tell you how relieved I am." Hermione said.
"I can't believe you were so stressed about this." Harry said. "What is the worst we could have said or done?"
"Don't you remember the first time I'd told you about him?" Hermione asked. "You blew up almost. Thankfully Ginny controlled you."
Harry looked at Hermione sheepishly. "Well, you can't blame me. We've been at loggerheads with him for years and suddenly you come and tell us that you're best friends with him since the end of third year and that he's helped us in the war and all. It was so unbelievable. Besides, we've all grown up now. We're more mature. Things change Mione."
Hermione laughed. "That is exactly what Draco said."
"Draco is it?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Harry..." Ginny warned.
"Just joking Gin." Harry laughed.
"So. So you won't mind if Draco hangs out with us? I've tried massively to get him to go back but he won't budge from here." Hermione sighed
"Like you really want him to leave Hermione." Ginny teased.
Hermione flushed under her friends teasing gaze and gave her a warning look.
"He's helped me through a lot. Most times I've wanted to wring his neck but you know how stubborn he can get." Hermione said.
"Well it's a good thing he's as stubborn as you. Lord knows when we would have gotten the chance to meet you otherwise." Harry stated.
"Okay. So this is all sorted! Now I think we should all get dressed and let Hermione go according to her meticulous planning of sightseeing for us." Ginny declared.
Hermione looked at the clock. "Oh we need to hurry. We're behind schedule anyway. You go ahead and get changed, I'll tell Draco he can join us too and then we'll leave in an hour."
"Okay." Ginny said.
Hermione popped out of her flat and that left Harry and Ginny alone.
"I'm proud of you Harry." Ginny kissed her husband. "You handled the Draco bit well. She needs us to be supportive. We can't push her away from us again."
Harry sighed. "As much as I disliked the bloke years ago, Hermione seems to really get him and for some reason he really gets her too. It's not my place to judge her friends."
Ginny nodded. "Damn right. And Malfoy's not so bad. He may be a pompous git at times but he really cares about Hermione. He's managed what we couldn't. And that really says something."
"I guess. I'll tolerate him for Hermione." Harry said dramatically.
Ginny laughed and lightly swatted his arm. "Who knows? You might even grow to like the man."
Harry looked aghast that she could even consider such blasphemy.
"Oh don't go all theatrical on me Harry Potter. You promised you would try genuinely. There's no backing out now." Ginny scolded him.
"Fine." He grumbled. "But if he puts one toe out of line..."
"Yes yes. We know. Go get dressed now. I really want to try Australian ice cream. Hurry now." Ginny urged.
Harry shook his head disdainfully and made his way to the bathroom.
"So Draco Malfoy. I'll be watching you too." Ginny said with a knowing mischievous glint in her eye.
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Phew!
Longest chapter!
God knows I've taken an age to dish out this chapter!
I kept writing it whenever I had a breather!
I hope the long chapter sort of makes up for the delay in updating!
I thought of splitting the chapter but it was this long scene with the arrival of Harry and Ginny and I didn't want to break the dynamics. So it's all here in one!
Besides I'm not sure when I'll be updating next so I thought a long chapter was required!
Hope you enjoyed! I apologise again for the delay!
If there's anything you would like me to incorporate in the story please do tell! If it fits I would be willing to take ideas!
Thanks for reading!
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