Chapter 1 – Slumber Parties and New Beginnings

"Yes Gin, I will be to your place about 3pm. I'm just going to stop at the coffee shop first" I smiled as I rolled my eyes at my best friend.

"Good because this is the first overnight date Harry and I have had in months since Lilia was born" she stated very hyper.

"I know lady. Now I'm going to let you go so I can grab my coffee and then have a slumber party with that beautiful goddaughter of mine" I said so I could grab that much needed cup of caffeine.

"Ok sounds good. Bye" she said before she disconnected our floo network conversation.

I got my coat and scarf on since it was a chilly fall day here in London. I locked my house up and walked the few blocks to my favorite coffee shop called "Wonders". They make the best white chocolate mocha with a shot of Raspberry in the whole city.

I walked into 'Wonders' and saw my best friend Brenda was working today. "Hey Monie, usual today?" she asked me.

"Yes please; but I can't stay today. I have a special slumber party with Lilia planned" I smiled.

"Oh girl that will be so much fun. Please tell Harry, Gin and Lilia I say hi and miss them. Also tell Gin that all three of us ladies needs another girl night soon" Brenda smiled.

"I will tell her. I'm pretty sure the minute I tell her girl night it will be next week sometime" I responded with a laugh.

"Yep that sounds like Gin all right" She laughed back as she handed me my coffee.

Brenda was the only mortal friend I have that knows I'm a witch. We became best friends a year ago right after I moved into the neighborhood. At first I was ok with Brenda not knowing what I was. A month after I moved in I had Brenda over and Ginny, Harry, and Lilia apparated right in front of her. She freaked out at first but once we explained it all; she calmed down and accepted us with open arms.

I was suddenly pulled out of my thoughts by a familiar deep voice going "Well, well, well if it isn't the golden girl. Who would of thought I'd bump into you here" Draco sarcastically stated.

"Me…what the bloody hell is a ferret like you doing here Malfoy?" I snarled back not having time for his games.

"Well, that's no way to treat an old acquaintance who came to say hi. I thought we got past all that a year ago?" he stated frustrated.

"Look I know the times have drastically changed since the war ended a year ago; but here is the thing when did we ever talk and work out all the hate and what happened to me at your place? Cause I sure as hell don't remember that. I will be civil for now but it doesn't mean I have to like you. Now if you excuse me I have to go before Ginny Weasley kills me for being late" I said confident but rude.

"You're right we never did do that. We have a lot to catch up on and talk about the things that happened in the past. When are you available to connect with me?" he said sincerely.

"Ummm…I'm not sure at the moment. Can I owl you later?" I asked hopeful that meeting with him would be a good thing.

"Sounds good to me. Now you better get going before Ginny decides to kill my itchy witch. See you around" he stated before walking out of the shop.

I stood there for a minute processing in my head what just happened. 'Did he just call me his itchy witch? What does itchy witch even mean?' I asked myself. I decided to shake it off and that it was just him messing with me. I quickly walked home, grabbed my overnight stuff and then apparated to Gin & Harry's.

"Oh good you're here. Ginny is going crazy and says she will not come down until you help her pick something out. I would like to get going sometime this century" Harry smiled while rolling his eyes.

"Harry James Potter I heard that" Ginny yelled down the stairs.

"Oops. Let me get those for you Hermione" Harry said as he grabbed my stuff and set it on the couch.

"Thanks Harry, I'm going to go upstairs and help her out." I said as I began my journey upstairs.

As soon as I got upstairs Gin gave me one-year-old Lilia to hold. "Lilia, mommy is giving you to God momma Hermione." She said talking to her daughter. "Thank goodness you're here. I need help choosing a sexy swimsuit." She paused and looked at my face. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. It's just I bumped into Malfoy at 'Wonders'. We had a very uppity conversation; he was hurt by my response and asked is that anyway to treat an acquaintance that came to say hi. I told him how did I know if he really changed cause he never apologized to me after everything and we never talked. He wants to connect just us and talk about everything that happened and wants us to move past everything." I paused to take a breath and then continued on. "When I told him that I better get to you before you killed me; he said I wouldn't want her to kill my itchy witch. I guess I am confused and not sure how to take everything Gin."

Gin sat down on the bed with me, and grabbed my hand for reassurance. "We all saw a year ago that he and his mom came on our side and helped us win the fight. That counts for something. People can change and you know that. He is making an effort to apologize and wanting to move on which is a good thing. I think you need to put your feelings aside and hear him out"

"When did you become so smart?" I laughed with a smile.

"Somewhere in the last year" She laughed back.

"Well can I get a piece of paper and a pen so I can write him back and tell him I am free tomorrow after 2pm?" I asked with a smile on my face. This would be a big step to take but it would be a very good and wise one to take.

Gin squealed with excitement as she threw the paper and pen at me. "I told you in fourth year that he likes you. Now all you have to do is get past this and become his girlfriend. Then you two can get married and have beautiful babies and how romantic would that be?"

I busted out laughing at her. "First off I don't know if I even have feelings like that towards him. Second we haven't even met up to have the conversation about getting past all the bad past we have."

"And your point is? Meet with him tomorrow, flirt a little and I can promise you that you eventually are going to fall head over heels for him. Don't doubt me lady you know I am the best matchmaker around. Now back to business; the red or the purple swimsuit?" Gin grinned, and with that she was off the bed and wanting my advice.

I helped her pick a swimsuit, and then saw Harry and her off for the night. I sent the owl to Malfoy and would wait for a response back. I decided that I'd hear him out tomorrow and wouldn't have to make a decision right away with what would happen next. Tonight was going to be all about time with my Goddaughter not boys.