CHAPTER 15
The portkey had directly transported them back to Draco's office. The moment they arrived, both Draco and Blaise sensed something was wrong. He transferred his son into Hermione's arms as Blaise pulled out his wand.
"Hermione, stay here," he said quickly in a hushed toned.
Panic flooded through her as she took in the worried expressions of Draco and Blaise.
"Draco," she began softly, cradling Scorpius to her, "What it is? What's wrong?"
"The wards… it's been –" but he was cut off as he heard hurried footsteps coming towards the office. Pushing Hermione and Scorpius behind them, Draco and Blaise stood on guard, wands facing the slightly ajar door.
They heard the voices before they saw the faces, "Are you sure it's him?" a soft feminine voice asked.
"Off course, no one else has permission to travel back and forth from here. Draco's very strict about these things," he heard the voice say. A voice that soundly oddly familiar.
"Mother?" Draco whispered disbelieving as his mother pushed the door open into the office.
"Oh good, you're home!" Narcissa said looking utterly relieved to see her son.
"About bloody time too," said the feminine voice he had heard earlier.
"Pansy?" he questioned. Sure enough there beside his mother stood Pansy Parkinson and behind her he could see the tips of Ippy's ears. Looking radiant in her deep purple robes she smirked at her friend's state of confusion.
"In the flesh," she mocked.
Hearing the voice of his grandmother, Scorpius jumped from Hermione's arms and ran around Draco to his grandmother. Hermione remained standing behind Draco. She wasn't sure what sort of greeting Narcissa Malfoy would give her. How would she react when she finds out that a mudblood was treating her grandson? Silently Hermione stood listening to their conversation.
"Grandma Cissa!" he exclaimed excitedly before throwing himself at her. Narcissa caught him with ease and brought her grandson into a tight hug. Running her delicate hands over his blonde hair she looked over to her son, fear swirling around in her eyes.
"What are you two doing here?" he asked gaining his senses back. Blaise lowered his wand slightly but did not drop it.
"Your wards Draco," his mother answered not wasting anymore time, "Someone's tried to break through them."
'I know. Blaise and I felt it the moment we arrived back." He said looking to his friend.
"I don't recognise this person's magic," Blaise said, "what about you Draco?"
"It's weak. Could be anybody's for all we know."
"Well it's not." His mother replied with a hard tone. Draco narrowed his eyes at her but didn't say anything, "It seems your ex-wife dropped by for a little visit dear."
Shifting Scorpius in her arms she looked over to see Draco running his fingers through his hair as Blaise pinched the bridge of his nose.
Draco groaned as Pansy laughed humourlessly, "Really Draco?" she questioned, a hint of a smirk playing on her vivid red lips, "Astoria Greengrass! What in Merlin's name were you thinking?"
'I wasn't," he said barely managing to suppress his groan.
"Clearly," she snorted before Narcissa spoke again.
"Draco dear, let's move this discussion downstairs. There's much to discuss." She said turning and walking towards the door, Pansy following suit.
"Yes, of course. Hermione?" he asked turning around and holding his hand out for her to take.
Hearing that name both Narcissa and Pansy stopped dead in their tracks. Turning around very slowly they saw a petite hand accept Draco's before she came into view.
"Granger!" Pansy cried incredulously. Hermione defences went up instantly but it wasn't necessary as the former Slytherin had a playful smirk in her face, "Bloody hell Draco, you sure can pick them."
Draco rolled his eyes at her as Blaise failed miserably at hiding his laugh. Ignoring his friend's antics he looked at her and asked, "Are you going to join us downstairs?"
Hermione thought for a moment, as much as she would have loved to hear all about Draco's ex, now was not the right time. And as she glanced nervously towards the door where Narcissa stood with Scorpius, it wasn't the right company either. She would have to wait until Draco was ready to tell her.
Choosing her words carefully, "No, I'm sorry but I can't," she said glancing once again at Narcissa, "I have to go back to St. Mungo's. I'll check in on Scorpius later?"
Narcissa was no fool and so before her son could answer she stepped forward, "Miss Granger, it's lovely to see you again, though I am sorry it is not under better circumstances," she said looking at her son, "It really would be a delight if you could join us downstairs… I dare say we could use some help from the brightest witch Hogwarts has ever seen."
Hermione stood dumfounded, had Narcissa Malfoy really just complimented her and asked for her to partake in polite conversation? While the war had changed many people, it was still a little alarming to actually see these changes in people. Especially people like the Malfoy's. However, Hermione had not been lying she really did have to check in with her other patients sooner or later, especially if she was going to spend anymore time helping Scorpius.
"Thank you Mrs Malfoy –"
"Oh please call me Narcissa. Mrs Malfoy was my mother-in-law. A truly vile woman if you ask me."
Smiling slightly Hermione continued, "Thank you Narcissa but I really must go. I left Padma in charge, and she's never been alone for this long. I'm sorry I won't be able to help now…" she said cautiously, "But if there is anything that you need please let me know. I will gladly help."
"Off course dear," Narcissa said sweetly, "In that case you'll be joining my son when he comes around for breakfast, yes?"
Further stunned, Hermione had no response. Draco inwardly groaned, before coming to Hermione's rescue, "Mother you said there were important things we need to discuss. I'll meet you downstairs." He said looking at his mother in such a way that she had no choice but to concede and moved back towards the door.
Scorpius started wriggling in her arms and made his way down onto the floor. Running to where his father and Hermione stood he asked in a solemn voice, "Are you leaving?"
'Oh sweetheart," Hermione said softly kneeling to his level, "I'll be back soon. I just have some work to do."
Unconvinced he asked, "What work?"
Laughing softly Hermione replied, "Well you aren't my only patient."
"I'm not?" he asked genuinely shocked, causing everyone else in the room to laugh too.
"No sweetheart," she said pushing his blonde hair away from his face, "But you are my favourite." She finished with a sweet smile.
This seemed to ease his mind more. Smiling he wrapped his tiny arms around her neck pulling her into a fierce hug, to which she happily returned. Pulling back with his smile still lingering on his sweet face he asked, "You're coming back, right?"
"Off course."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Satisfied with this, he turned and saw Ippy standing near his grandmother, "Ippy!" he called out happily before running to her. The house elf greeted her young master with matched enthusiasm before the two disappeared from the room, with Scorpius babbling about the snow man he had made.
Aware that all eyes were on her, Hermione felt her cheeks grow hot. Not knowing who to look at she turned to Narcissa. She was surprised to see the Malfoy matriarch wore a gentle smile contrasted with a most curious look in her eyes. Not sure what to do next, they briefly lapsed in an awkward silence before Narcissa called for Blaise and Pansy to join her downstairs.
"I do hope we get the chance to talk soon Miss Granger," she said with another warm smile before walking out.
"I guess a rain check on that check up Hermione?" Blaise joked as he pulled a reluctant Pansy out the room.
Shocked as she was Hermione could not contain the giggle that escaped her once she was alone with Draco.
"Bloody hell," he groaned leaning against his desk, "I apologise for my mother Hermione… and for those two idiots I call friends."
"That's alright Draco," she said hesitating for a moment, "I never expected her to be so… so nice?" she finished sounding confused.
"Yes. Well we've all changed." He answered simply. Hermione didn't say anything further knowing how true that statement was.
Taking hold of her hands he pulled Hermione to him, "You don't have to come you know… to the Manor… I mean." He said tentatively watching the fear seep into her beautiful eyes, "I know it can't be easy for you, but mother has done a splendid job redoing the whole place. So… so if you want to… I mean Scorp would love it if you came with us… and… so would I… but it's the manor…"
Hermione's smiled grew as she watched him nervously ramble on. He wasn't looking at her but rather down at their joined hands. Laughing softly she brushed her hand along his jaw stopping him mid ramble. Draco went quiet as he saw the amused look on Hermione's face.
"You would?" she asked catching the tail ends of his ramble.
"I would what?" Draco asked slightly confused.
"You said Scorp would love it if I came… and so would you" Hermione dared not look at him now, maybe she had heard wrong, "Would you?" she had asked so softly he barely heard her.
He could hear the doubt in her voice, "Yes. I would" he said earnestly, "My mother is very important to me and so is Scorp and… so are you." Draco waited for his words to sink in so that Hermione could freak out before he said anything further.
"You… don't mean that…" she started, "Oh Draco! We can't. You know we can't." she said running her fingers through her hair in frustration.
"What's stopping us Hermione?" he asked seriously.
'Well… about a dozen laws… and… well…" but that's all she had. The only reason she couldn't continue what this was with Draco was purely for the sake of Scorpius. If it ended, there would be no telling how Scorpius would take it. More than that due to the sensitive nature of Scorpius' condition a professional relationship was probably best. But try as she might Hermione couldn't deny the fact that the little blonde boy had wormed his way into her heart. In such a small lapse in time he had managed to capture her heart, and she was worried that if things turned bad between her and Draco, he might pull Scorpius away. He looked out for his son's best interests first and rightly so. She wouldn't be able to help him and being as invested as she was, she knew there was no way she could just walk away.
Seeing Hermione getting lost in her thoughts of all the reasons why this was a bad idea, Draco placed his hand at the nape of her neck and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Instantly Hermione was reminded of all the reasons why this was right. She remembered the tingling butterfly feeling she got the first time Draco kissed her. Perhaps it shouldn't have surprised her that she still got that feeling, even though it had been a simple kiss. But it did… and this made her want to give in to what Draco was asking.
"You think too much," he said, his voice soft and husky as he tried to distract her by kissing her jaw line ever so lightly.
"This is serious Draco," Hermione whispered battling to hold onto her thoughts as his lips wandered down her neck, "this could change everything…"
"Is that a bad thing?" he asked picking his head up to look at her.
"I …I don't know…" Hermione replied as she looked into his grey eyes.
He considered her words for a moment before he spoke again, "Nothing has to be decided right now Hermione," he said moving her curly hair away from her face with a deep contemplative look he continued, "Go to dinner with me tomorrow night."
"Dinner…" she repeated chewing her bottom lip in thought.
"Yes Hermione dinner," Draco said with a small laugh. Merlin this woman makes it difficult, he thought, "We'll eat, drink and talk. Talk all you want about all your unnecessary worries," he mocked.
She scowled at him but nodded in agreement nonetheless, "Okay. I'll go to dinner with you Draco."
Accepting her answer with a genuine smile, Draco placed a sweet kiss on her lips before she walked over to the fireplace and floo'd back to her apartment. After watching her disappear within the green flames, Draco anxiously headed downstairs to meet his family and the news that awaited him.
Narcissa was seated and in deep conversation with Pansy and Blaise as Draco descended the stairs. His mother stopped talking the moment she saw him and shared a worried look with Blaise.
"Mother how did you know about the wards?" he asked seating himself near the fire.
"Ippy," she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Clever little thing managed to ward that foolish woman away before she did anymore damage to the property and then called me."
"Wait anymore damage…what exactly did she do?" Draco asked already dreading the answer.
"Oh you'll be needing a new front gate dear," Narcissa said casually taking a sip of her tea, "and perhaps a more reinforced door… but that's not what worries me. Why was she here Draco? In fact how did she find you, I thought you told no one the exact location once you moved back here."
"I didn't mother," he said, "The only people that would know exactly where I stay are the people in this room… and Hermione. But that's it. No one should know where to find us."
Narcissa nodded at this but still looked deeply worried, "What do you think she wants Draco?"
This time Draco let out a frustrated sigh as he answered, "I have no idea mother. Astoria wasn't all that motherly to begin with, so I highly doubt she's here for Scorp... but I won't put it past her to try and use him to get more money from us."
"So what do you want to do mate?" Blaise asked him.
Draco thought about it for a moment. He didn't like the fact that Astoria now knew where he lived. It meant that she was bound to come back eventually to get what she initially came for. He had to find out how she knew where to find them and what it was exactly that she wanted.
"We restore the wards to their proper strength and then find out what she came for." He said simply.
"What… Draco what if she did come for Scorpius?" Narcissa asked worriedly.
"Nobody's going to let her anywhere near Scorpius mother," he said reassuringly, "besides we can't be sure that's what she came here for."
"But she is his mother Draco," Pansy said finally joining in on their conversation.
"She might be his mother, but that doesn't mean she has any love for him," Draco said bitterly.
Pansy raised her eyebrows at this, "And if she's had a change of heart and wishes to see her son now?"
"Well it's a little too late for that. I got sole custody of my son in the divorce because she didn't want anything to do with him. I decide what's best for him and she's not it!" he said angrily.
Pansy was silent for a moment as she reeled in her friend's words. This was certainly not the man she schooled with. "I know you only want to do what's best for him, but I'm only telling you what might be a probable reason for her hunting you down."
Running his hands over face he groaned, "I know Pans, it's just that we finally settled back in. I don't want him to get hurt any further."
"Any further?" Pansy asked curiously, "what do you mean any further? Draco what's wrong with him?"
Oh crap he hadn't told Pansy about Scorpius being sick. He had avoided telling his son's godmother the truth as much as he had avoided it with Blaise. However he knew that unlike Blaise, Pansy was going to be more angry than understanding for being kept out of the loop.
"Oh yes, that reminds me dear, how was the trip to Adrian's with Miss Granger?" his mother asked nonchalantly.
Pansy's eyebrows rose even further into her hairline. "You went to see Blaise's step father-"
"Ex- step father," Blaise interrupted but Pansy waved his intrusion away.
"Yes, you went to see him in Russia… with Granger?" she asked sceptically.
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat as all eyes were on him he worded his answer carefully, "Yes, Hermione accompanied us to see Adrian. She's Scorpius' healer. We thought it was best she was there."
Looking thoroughly confused Pansy opened her mouth, probably to ask more questions. Seeing this coming, Draco stopped her, "I'll explain everything to you both very soon. I know you both have a lot of questions and I will tell you everything. But not right now."
Pansy wasn't about to give in so easily, "Draco Malfoy! You go all the way to Russia to see this one's ex step father," jerking her thumb towards Blaise, "with Hermione Granger of all people and you just expect me to not be curious about it!? And as if that doesn't give Merlin a big enough heart attack you tell me that not only is my godson sick but that Granger again of all people is his healer… how the bloody hell do you expect me to not ask questions?"
Blaise barked out his laughter as Narcissa tried to hide hers behind her teacup. Draco groaned and rolled his eyes at his friend's dramatics. "Pansy, I need to fix the wards. I will tell you everything your infuriatingly nosy head needs to know soon enough. But it can wait." He said trying to pacify her.
She huffed clearly not happy with his answer, "Fine." She grumbled.
He stood and motioned for Blaise to follow him towards the damage his troublesome ex wife had left behind.
The two Slytherins stood at the front door inspecting the demolished front gate. It lay in broken pieces across the pathway. Luckily for Draco and Blaise they had placed a charm of their own. Very similar to the one in place at Hogwarts, it prevented their neighbours from asking any questions.
"Bloody hell," Blaise muttered as he kicked a piece of the rumble away. "Draco this woman knew enough to get past some of the rarest wards. I didn't know Astoria was a talented witch."
'She isn't," Draco said looking extremely worried, "She had help. This mess… can you feel it? The dark magic she used to break our wards. There's no way she did this on her own."
Blaise too looked worried at this, "Next time she'll make it all the way inside mate."
"No, we make the wards stronger," Draco said looking to his friend, "We make them stronger so she can't."
Blaise nodded and they both set about clearing the rubble off the front lawn and fixing the wards around the house. It took them a little longer than expected. The wards they reset were far more complex and much stronger than the last. It unnerved Draco a lot to think that someone had managed to get past them in the first place. It would seem almost impossible, clearly indicating that the person who helped Astoria had the knowledge he had. That narrowed the list down considerably. He didn't say anything to Blaise just yet. That talk would come after his mother and Pansy had left.
Checking to see that Blaise was done, they both walked back into the house. After inviting his mother and Pansy to stay for dinner, he joined Blaise in his office for a much needed glass of firewhiskey.
"Are you going to tell Hermione about this?" Blaise inquired.
"No doubt she'll have questions about Astoria, questions to which I will probably be able to answer. This however, is something I have no answer to." Draco sighed as he took a sip of the amber liquid.
"Have you decided where you're taking her?"
Draco looked up in surprise and confusion, "What do you mean?" he asked.
Blaise looked rather guilty as he said, "I heard you ask her out when I came back up," looking more ashamed as he explained, "Pansy was complaining like a right ol' hag about how long you were making her wait. So she sent me up to come and get you…and well then I heard you and Hermione talking…but I really didn't mean to hear anything. It was all Pansy's fault…stupid bint," he finished looking down into his glass.
Draco hid his smile at his friend's antics by taking another sip of firewhiskey. "I don't know," he said after a moment catching Blaise off guard.
"Huh?"
"I haven't decided yet on where I'm taking Hermione out."
Blaise had to admit he was slightly surprised at this, "Well it's Hermione Granger…and she's not an average witch… and she's a war hero… and part of the Golden trio… so it has to be something impressive. Far more impressive than your usual."
"Exactly," Draco sighed knowing Blaise was right. He didn't say anything more and chose to ignore the annoying smirk plastered on his friend's face by polishing off his firewhiskey.
Hermione's time at the hospital flew by in a whirl of the normal chaotic drama and the not so normal medical crisis that she had come to expect working as a healer. Patients had come and gone. Padma had bombarded her with questions the instant she arrived back at her office, to which Hermione presented a well thought out explanation.
Before she knew it, Hermione was back in her apartment. It had been a very strange and hectic few days and she decided a nap was much needed, it had indeed been a strange couple of hours, especially her meeting with Narcissa Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson earlier.
She had curled up on the couch with her new book and not long after the first few pages she had fallen asleep, the book slipping from her tired hands. So deep was her sleep that she hadn't heard someone call her name from her fireplace or hear it roar to life minutes later as Ginny Potter walked out of the floo.
Not wanting to wake her friend just yet, Ginny walked into the kitchen and set about making a pot of tea. It wasn't long after that, that Hermione had wandered sleepily into the kitchen towards the inviting aroma.
"Gin," she said stifling a yawn, "You're here pretty late."
"Yes well when you didn't answer the first five owls Harry sent you, I offered to come check before he sent the auror department down here." She said with a small smile handing Hermione a hot cup of tea.
"Oh! I'm so sorry Ginny!" she said feeling guilty for having caused her friend to unnecessarily worry over her, "I got caught up with work and I got home and was so tired and I really was going to owl Ha-"
"Mione, relax" Ginny said cutting her friend's rambling off, "we just wanted to make sure you're okay. Want to join us for dinner tomorrow night?"
Hermione was about to accept but then thought about her date with Draco. She winced slightly at the thought of having to postpone spending time with her friends again. She wanted to tell Ginny about Draco, but she wasn't sure how well her redheaded friend would take it.
"I'd love to Gin," she began, "But I can't."
"Why not?"
"I sort of have a date," she said apprehensively.
Ginny's smile grew a mile at this, "With who?" she asked excitedly.
"Draco," Hermione said slowly.
"As in Malfoy?" she asked disbelievingly.
"How many other Draco's do you know Gin?" Hermione countered earning an eye roll from Ginny.
"Don't sass me Hermione Jean Granger! I want details," she said sounding oddly like Molly Weasley, "Now!"
This time Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny. "There's not much to tell Gin." She said evasively. Ginny merely narrowed her eyes disbelievingly and Hermione knew she would have to tell her friend something.
"Things are different between Draco and I now." Hermione said hoping to Merlin Ginny would leave it there. Naturally, she should have known better.
"So there is something between you two?"
Hermione sighed and considered her answer for a moment, "Yes… I think so… well he definitely does."
"And you don't?" Ginny asked when Hermione didn't continue further.
"I don't know…I'm confused I guess." Hermione said hugging the warm cup close to her, "I really don't know what this is Ginny. I'm out of my element here. And it makes me feel really daft because I'm Hermione Granger, smartest witch of the era and all that nonsense. Shouldn't I have enough sense to know what this is? Or at least what I should do?"
"They don't sell these sort of answers in a book Mione," Ginny said simply. "This sort of thing works on instinct. Listen to what your instincts tell you, they've never led you astray before." Ginny sighed as she regarded her friend, "Did it ever feel like your heart was going to jump right out of your chest every time Draco touched or kissed you? Did you worry or think about him every moment of every day? More importantly can you see yourself living without Draco and his son?"
'But that's just it Ginny, what if things end badly between us? What if we don't work? I don't want to loose Scorpius and Draco. I know it sounds impossible that I could actually love Scorpius after such a small period of time but I do. And I don't want my relationship with Draco to harm Scorpius in anyway…especially considering he is my patient… which also makes this highly unethical." She said before banging her head down onto the counter.
"Why are you so convinced you and Draco won't work?" Ginny asked, "And yes, it is somewhat unethical but given that you're a war hero I'm pretty sure no one's really going to say anything to you… and if they do, I could always hex them."
"Ginny!" Hermione scolded.
"Oh alright! I won't hex anyone," Ginny said sounding defeated, "but in all seriousness Mione, if being with Draco is what you truly want then you owe it to yourselves to give it a try. Be the brave Gryffindor I know you are. I'm not saying it will be easy, but love never is. Trust me on that."
After considering Ginny's words for a moment she asked the only other question she wanted answered, "Do you think we could work Gin?"
"I do," Ginny answered sincerely to which Hermione looked greatly surprised, "Draco and you are… uniquely different, that we agree on. But he matches you on an intellectual level that makes you two surprisingly well suited for each other. You just don't want to see it. Try not to think so much about what you shouldn't be doing and just try to follow your instincts. Let that guide you."
Ginny stood and walked towards the floo before Hermione spoke again, 'oh and Gin please don't- "
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed, Harry won't know until you're ready to tell him."
Hermione smiled appreciatively and hugged Ginny. The redhead flooe'd back home, leaving Hermione to contemplate her date with Draco that was fast approaching.
She received an owl the following morning from Draco saying that he would come by around seven to pick her up for their date. With some time to spare, Hermione managed to catch up on her piles of paperwork, as well as run a few errands in Diagon Alley before she made it back home to get ready for her date. She currently stood wrapped in a fluffy towel with her hair piled atop her head, glaring at her open wardrobe, pleading for something worthwhile to jump out at her. Finally she settled on a snug fitting emerald green dress that she knew Draco would definitely appreciate. It hugged her gentle curves nicely, showing just the right amount of cleavage and stopped just before her knees. She had managed to put on a set of silver earrings and let her hair fall in its mass of curls over her shoulder. Once she was happy with her selection she grabbed her wand and whispered a concealment charm over the horrid scar on her left forearm. Hermione was just slipping on her favourite pair of heels when she heard the doorbell ring.
She grew incredibly nervous and had to remind herself to breathe as she walked to answer the door. Opening it she saw Draco standing on the other side looking devilishly handsome in dark wash jeans, with a white shirt and black blazer over. It didn't surprise her anymore to see him in muggle clothes…but dear Merlin did he look handsome. Those jeans on him were definitely something magical.
She almost managed to smirk at this before he stepped forward and gently kissed her on the cheek, "You look simply amazing Hermione," he whispered in her ear before catching her in one of those 'leave you breathless' kisses.
"Thanks," she said in between trying to slow her heart back down, "You don't look so bad yourself," she said earning a smirk from him. "You haven't told me where we're going Draco."
"Yes I know," he said smiling. He waited as she grabbed her purse, stuffed her wand inside and grabbed her coat. Once they were outside he held out his hand for her to take.
'So you're still not going to tell me?" she asked.
"Nope." He answered simply, 'You'll find out soon enough."
Rolling her eyes she accepted his hand and felt the world spin around her as they apparated to Draco's secret location. He in true Malfoy fashion had made an appointment at one of the most exclusive restaurants in wizarding London. But he was sure it wasn't what Hermione would be expecting.
They landed in an alley away from the street and before Hermione could ask any more questions; Draco took her hand and led them out onto the main street. They stood looking at a station. A train station if Hermione was correct. Looking up she saw the familiar sign that read "Kings Cross Station." Intrigue and confusion took over as she saw Draco grinning down at her.
"Are we taking a ride somewhere?" she asked.
"Something like that," he answered vaguely and then guided her across the street to the building. They moved with ease amongst the crowd. It was no surprise to see the train station busy at this hour.
As they moved past platforms nine and ten Hermione extended a hand touching the wall as sweet memories of her experience on the Hogwarts Express came to mind. She knew (from reading and re-reading Hogwarts A History) that the wall would be sealed up until September first. The was no train waiting to take the young witches and wizards home, so there was no need for it to be open now. Draco hadn't let go of her hand yet and gave it a gentle squeeze as they walked further down the station. They didn't have to walk that far before he brought them to a halt between platforms three and four.
Standing before platform four, he smirked at her before mimicking a bow and gesturing for Hermione to go through first. She shook her head at his foolishness but smiled nonetheless before stepping through the barrier. She felt Draco follow quickly after her. Once on the other side she took sight of her surrounding. Ahead was a beautiful steam train, one very reminiscent to the Hogwarts Express. Clearly the inventors of this particular platform had an odd sense of humour as the platform sign read "4 and a Bit".
"Come on," he said moving forward. There weren't many people around but that didn't stop a few curious looks being sent their way. They made it to the front of the train, where Draco gave his name to a slightly aged official looking man and he nodded before calling for a second younger looking attendant.
"Show Mr. Malfoy and… Miss Granger," he said slowly recognising Hermione, "To their uuh… table."
Nothing further was said as Draco helped Hermione up the steps and onto the train. Their attendant, Bert was his name, Hermione saw; lead them down the train towards their compartment. The inside was bigger than your average train compartment. It was decorated richly with a table laid beautifully for two which sat nearest to the window on the far right. On the other side of the compartment was a grand love seat. The compartment was lit low, with a few floating candles here and there. It was all so beautiful that it left Hermione totally speechless. This was not at all what she had been expecting. Draco thanked Bert as he walked out closing the compartment door behind him.
"This is…" Hermione stumbled, "wow…"
He didn't say anything but led her to the table before pulling her chair out for her. He took his seat across the table from her. The candles that decorated the table threw an ethereal glow upon her smiling face. She took his breath away not for the first time tonight. He hadn't been expecting her to answer the door wearing a very snug, very Slytherin green dress, but he had gathered his wits rather quickly and showed her just how much he appreciated her colour choice for the night.
The fell into small talk and Bert arrived a few moments later to tell them they would be departing soon. He brought in, on Draco's request a bottle of their finest wine and smiled graciously before leaving again.
"Departing to where exactly?" Hermione questioned.
"You can't handle surprises can you?" Draco asked amused, ignoring her question.
"Not in the least bit," she teased back.
"Well the options were limitless but I thought you might like a little nightly stroll along the country side." He said watching her face break into an excited smile.
Releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding back, Draco reached for the wine and poured them both a generous amount. Hermione watched in awe as the liquid fell into her glass. It was not one solid colour like she was expecting it to be but rather a mass of colours swirling around. It looked a lot like it had the rainbow running through it, throwing fairy dust in its wake. The mystifying liquid was poured into her delicate crystal goblet and as it hit the bottom, the colours swirled one last time before turning a solid crimson.
"I believe this to be their best elf wine," Draco said, "I hear it can be rather strong to the unsuspecting consumer."
"Are you trying to get me drunk Draco Malfoy!" Hermione laughed, "It will take a lot more than elf wine to persuade me you know."
He chuckled, "I don't need the wine to persuade you love," he said smirking at her.
She gave a smirk of her own but couldn't hold back the blush that set in. The steam engine whistled signalling that they were about to leave the station. It wasn't long after that their food magically arrived, all the while Draco asked Hermione questions about her job, her patients and even dared a few about her parents. The courses flew with ease and so did the conversation. They both shed a side as the elf wine flowed, being more themselves then they had been in a while.
Hermione realised Ginny had been right, Draco did match her intellectually…she just hadn't been ready to see it. The world outside the train was lost to them as Draco kept her laughing all night and on numerous occasions entered a few debates to which she was very passionate about. It was a welcomed difference to what she was used to. Usually people just accepted what she had to say because they assumed she was right or because they didn't want to be caught in any sort of intellectually based conversation with Hermione Granger. It had always annoyed her, but for the first time in a very long time, she didn't feel the need to hold back any apart of her. Draco hadn't brought up the topic of them being together all night and Hermione was enjoying this care free side of Draco too much to bring it up herself now.
Dessert had made its way onto their table without her realising it and as Hermione pulled the delectable chocolate mousse to her lips she fought and failed to suppress her satisfied moan.
"If this is your reaction to just eating a chocolate dessert… I'm dying to see what it will be like later…" he said smirking at her.
She smiled into her dessert realising Draco's innuendo, "And what makes you so sure that anything will be happening later, Mr Malfoy?" she said in teasingly mocking tone.
He laughed and reached forward for her chocolate dessert, "Why wouldn't I be Miss Granger?" he teased back.
"Overly confident aren't you?" she asked her eyes narrowing slightly but her smile never wavering.
"I wouldn't put it that way… perhaps suitably self assured, yes I like the sound of that better."
"So …a self righteous prat then?" she asked, laughter dancing about in her eyes.
"Now I wouldn't take it that far…but you did forget devilishly sexy," he said taking a bite of the heavenly mousse.
She didn't say anything in response, merely rolled her eyes and pulled another spoon into her mouth. Looking over at Draco who was watching her with an intent gaze she decided to ask the question she wanted most answered. Despite keeping conversation light all evening Hermione couldn't help the need to know more.
"Draco," she began slowly.
"Hermione," he answered in soft sing song voice.
"Tell me about you and Astoria," she said softly.
Draco looked at her with a seriousness she hadn't seen in a while. Sighing he leaned forward on the table as he spoke, "I had moved to Paris shortly after the war… to get away from everything. I managed to set up a reputable company on that side and Blaise helped from his end in England." He ran his fingers though his hair before taking a sip of the elf wine, "It was a bittersweet thing being there by myself. I liked not having the public follow my every move but I missed home like hell. Then one day, it got really bad, I was just about to pack up and move back home when I bumped into Astoria. I guess with the grief of the war and the loneliness I was feeling I let myself get into more than was necessary with her… anyway we got careless and the next thing I know she's crying and telling me she's pregnant."
He went quiet for a moment, "So you married her…" Hermione said prompting him after a minute.
"Yeah, I told my mother about Astoria and the baby. And she said that in no way was her grandchild to be born a bastard. I had gotten myself into this mess and I was going to see it through." Draco said, "And she was right. I had no intention of walking away from Astoria or Scorp. So we got married and Blaise moved to Paris before Scorpius was born. I thought things were going to work out but after Scorpius was born… well it became very clear that Astoria had no intention of actually being a mother, just the newest Mrs. Malfoy." he said with a heavy sigh. "Blaise helped a lot with the divorce and we moved back to London when I realised Scorpius was sick. I haven't seen or heard from her since… well until yesterday that is."
"You think she's here for Scorpius?" Hermione asked. "She is his mother…" For some reason the very thought of losing Scorpius to a women like Astoria Greengrass worried her terribly, despite her being his mother. It wasn't an outcome Hermione was hoping for.
"Well if she is, she can't have him," he said firmly, "I decide what's best for my son. She gave him up a while back." He finished relaying the same sentiments from his conversation with Pansy and his mother the day before. Reaching forward, she gently laid her hand atop Draco's. "She's not what's best for him Hermione," he said with all the sincerity he had looking straight into her deep chocolate orbs.
"And you think I am?" she asked seriously, "Draco, aren't we being incredibly… selfish if we go down this path? I don't want to do anything that would jeopardise saving Scorp in anyway…"
He considered her words for a moment and realised what it was she was really afraid of, "I'm not going to take him away because we don't work Hermione. He's too attached for me to pull him back now anyway. He simply adores you, any fool can see that."
"I want to give this a chance …more than anything I really do…but I…I'm afraid we'll make a bigger mess of things Draco. You don't understand, I can't see himself without you or Scorp…and that scares me more than anything because this is all happening so fast. And the last thing I want is for Scorp to get hurt."
"Then we take it slow," he answered seriously, "We don't have to rush into anything. Why are you so convinced we won't work Hermione?" Draco asked curiously, unknowingly repeating Ginny's question to her.
"Well …because…" but she found that she had no valid points to that question. She had plenty of doubts yes, but Draco had done a good job of soothing those over. What was she scared of? What scared her so much about being with Draco?
"I… I don't know how to be a mum," she whispered finally finding the root of her fear. "How can you be so sure you're not making a mistake here Draco? This is your son's life we're taking about and –"
"I have seen you with him Hermione," he said cutting her of and taking full hold of her hands, "Scorpius has never truly known a mother's love and from the moment you stepped into our lives… you've changed it for the better. Look Hermione, I'm not asking you to suddenly become a mother to my son…that is asking a lot. All I want is for you to give us a chance. Meeting you that day in Diagon Alley was by complete chance. But then when I got called to St. Mungo's, it was you treating my son…you of all the healers in that damned hospital." He stopped for a moment, his eyes never leaving hers, "and despite my horrible behaviour towards you in the past, you're still willing to help me." He got up and walked around the table, and taking her hands, he knelt to her eye level, "Hermione, if asking you to help save my son and give us a chance makes me selfish…then that is exactly what I am. I am completely and utterly selfish… selfish for wanting what is best for my son… for me… it makes me the most selfish person in the world and I couldn't care one bit if that means I could actually call you mine." And before she could think to object to anything he had said, Draco was kissing her passionately. Kissing her so that she forgot everything but what was important in that moment. He moved without breaking the kiss, rising from the floor, he gathered her in his arms and swore to never let go.
Gathering a fraction of her sense Hermione tried to pull away resting her forehead against his, "Draco... how…sure…are you….'she tried to say between heavy breaths.
Draco groaned, 'Shut up love," he said before claiming her lips again.
A/N: Hello dearies, my apologies to keep you waiting for the this chapter.
I do hope you all enjoy it as i had a lot of fun writing it!
Thank you to everyone that has reviewed, favourited and followed my story thus far. And as always i want to hear what you think so please , pretty pretty please, drop me a review! They really do make my day :) i can assure you despite the lengthy breaks between my updates i am not giving up on this story!
Katy, my love thanks for all the help and for just being so freakin' great!
Enjoy !
xoxo
Immortal Dragon Empress
P.s don't forget to review...and lets make it 100 before the next update!