A/N: Towards the beginning of this chapter is a scene that is an homage to Gilmore Girls. When I originally had the idea for this story, it was called Granger Girls, and was very much a spin off of the tv show Gilmore Girls. Eventually, the story grew and shaped itself, but I still felt that I had to add in something to tie it to its roots. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 19: A Day With You

"Mum?" Shyla asked cautiously.

"Shyla." Hermione responded, straightening the kitchen.

"Well, I was wondering if Eva could come stay with us for a few days." She sat on one of the stools at the counter.

Hermione sighed, and set down a bowl she had been wiping down. "Oh, Shyla, I don't know. Maybe Eva needs to spend some time with her family."

Shyla frowned, "Please, Mum?" Her voice began to raise in pitch, as it often did when she got worked up or frustrated. "Couldn't you just ask her dad to see? Eva really wants to come!"

"You really should be grounded, you know." Hermione pointed out.

"Should be or are?" Shyla asked quickly.

"Shyla," Hermione started, "What you did was completely disrespectful to your grandparents. They were worried sick about you! I completely ruined my interview with The Daily Prophet."

"I'm sorry." Shyla said quietly. "I was mad that you weren't going to pick me up."

"I know." Hermione frowned, "I wanted to be there so badly. Look, I won't ground you as long as you call your grandparents and apologize to them."

"Really?" Shyla asked, sitting up straight.

Hermione nodded, "Yeah.. I spent my holidays with Harry and Ron. I can't just ask you to just give up your friends." She handed her daughter her cell phone, "Call your grandmum."

Shyla took the phone, and went to her room, closing the door behind her.

Hermione turned her attention back to the bowl. Since Shyla left for school, she had taken to eating at the diner down the street. She opened her refrigerator and stared into the vast emptiness. She hated grocery shopping.

"Mum?" Shyla asked, opening her door a few minutes later. "Grandmum wants to talk to you."

Hermione took the phone and pressed it to her ear, "Hi Mum."

"Will you and Shyla be joining us for Christmas morning?" Her mother asked over the phone.

"Oh! Yes, of course!" Hermione insisted, "We wouldn't miss it." She bid farewell and hung up the phone. "Well, your Grandmum seems happy."

Shyla nodded, "She was very understanding, and I just have to make it up to her by going shopping before I go back to school."

Hermione stared at her daughter in a strange amusement, "Wow."

"What?" Shyla insisted.

"They must really like you." She teased.

"Well, I am their only granddaughter." Shyla pointed out. "Will you owl Professor Malfoy, now?"

Hermione sighed, "Fine." She kissed Shyla on the head and retreated to her own bedroom. She sat down at her small desk, and fumbled with her quill for a few minutes. Even after all of the years that had passed, Hermione still fretted over the possibility of owls being intercepted. This made most of her letters appear cold and direct. Yet, she feared this letter would be far worse than others. Fear that her lack of emotion in letter writing would come off as ignoring what happened that night. A part of her wanted to ignore it. To pretend it never happened. She knew that wouldn't work, though. Draco was persistent and determined. He was a Slytherin. He wasn't going to let her go easily. Finally, she swallowed her pride and wrote:

Draco,

Shyla has inquired if Eva can come stay with us for a few days. I promise to return her to you for Christmas.

-Hermione

She cringed at her letter, but after staring at it for what felt like eternity, she gave up. That was as good as it was going to get. Hermione sealed the letter in an envelope, and attached it to Felrin's leg. The owl gave a small click of his beak, before flying into the night.

"Still awake?" She commented, seeing Shyla sitting on the couch with Wiskers.

"Yeah, I'll go to bed soon. I just wanted to hang out with Wiskers for a bit." Shyla smiled at her cat, and scratched behind his ear. "He likes Hogwarts. I had to leave him in Eva's room at the Malfoys. He hid under her bed the entire time." She laughed a little as Wiskers pawed at her hair.

"I'm not surprised. Infact, I don't know if the Malfoys have ever had a pet. You should ask." Hermione mentioned as she sat on the couch next to her daughter.

Shyla yawned loudly and rubbed her eyes, "I should go to bed."

Hermione hugged Shyla tightly, "I'm glad you're home, kid."

Shyla smiled, "Me too. Goodnight, Mum." She carried Wiskers to her room and shut her door quietly.

Hermione picked up a book while she waited for Draco's response. After reading the same page three times, she sighed and set the book aside. Just then, Felrin was accompanied by a large black owl. He stuck his leg out impatiently. Hermione took the letter and set out a bowl of water and a few treats for the owls.

Hermione,

Eva can stay with you on one condition. Have lunch with us tomorrow. There's no harm in eating lunch in Diagon Alley. Shall we say noon at the cafe next to Ollivander's? I look forward to seeing you.

-Draco

Hermione sighed, lunch it was. She sent a quick reply of a mere 'okay.'

"Shyla." Hermione called, gently shaking the sleeping girl, "Time to wake up."

Shyla groaned and rolled over in her bed, "What time is it?"

"It's seven." Hermione informed.

"Mum!" Shyla yelled groggily, "Do you not understand the meaning of holiday break?" She pulled the blanket over her head, blocking out the sun that streamed through her window.

"But if you want Eva to come over, we need to get going." Hermione insisted, stealing the blanket off of Shyla's bed.

"Mum!" Shyla shrieked. "You're horrible!"

"Get up!" Hermione teased. "After you get dressed, you will get your blanket back."

Several minutes later, Shyla collapsed onto the couch, fully dressed. "What's for breakfast?"

"we're going to the diner down the street for breakfast." Hermione mentioned, handing Shyla her coat, "That's a nice sweater."

Shyla glanced down at her sweater, "Oh, yeah." It was light blue with white and silver snowflakes. "It's my 'I hope it snows' sweater. I think Aunt Katie got it for me." She put on her white coat with faux fur. "So does this mean there's no food in the fridge?"

Hermione laughed, "Exactly. After breakfast, we need to go to my office, and then we'll go to Diagon Alley, and have lunch with Eva and her dad."

At the diner, Hermione and Shyla situated themselves at a small table in the corner. Shyla had been there fairly regularly as a child, and enjoyed seeing the familiar faces of their street.

"Shyla!" A short lady with thick brown hair called out, "Are you home on break from school?"

"Mrs. Donaldson!" Shyla greeted, "It's nice to see you. And yes, I have a couple weeks from schooling."

Mrs. Donaldson hugged the girl and then turned to Hermione, "I can't believe you sent her off to boarding school! She's such a doll!"

Hermione smiled, "Well, it's hardly boarding school. I went there myself, sort of a tradition now, if you will."

"I bet it's a great school!" She smiled sweetly at Shyla and gave her another quick hug, "Well, ladies, I am off to the market. Enjoy your breakfast."

"Lukas!" Shyla cried out, seeing the man behind the counter.

"Oh, Shyla! It's good to see you!" Lukas replied while wiping down the counter. "Good morning Hermione. Coffee?"

"Coffee is much needed this morning!" Hermione agreed as the man came over to them.

He turned back to Shyla, "Does this mean your mother forgot to stock the fridge before you came home?"

Shyla nodded, giving the man before her large puppy eyes. He was a scruffy man, with unkempt light brown hair. He almost always wore a jersey from the London football team Arsenal. "How's your team doing?"

Lukas grinned, "They are fantastic! Game day tomorrow. What can I get for you two?"

"Pancakes!" Shyla declared, "Oh! With raspberry jam!"

"I'll have some bacon." Hermione shrugged casually.

"And?" Lukas inquired.

"Bacon."

"And?"

"More bacon." Hermione teased.

"That's it!" Lukas growled, "Shyla? How can you let your mother eat that way? You're getting eggs and toast and that's final!" He stormed back to the kitchen, leaving the Granger girls alone.

"Mum, you hate bacon." Shyla pointed out.

Hermione smiled slyly, "I know, but Lukas doesn't know that."

"You're just mean." Shyla sighed.

Hermione had gone on a couple dates with Lukas years before, when they had first moved into their flat. It was strange dating a muggle, yet nice to not have questions of the war oozing from his entire being. While he was a very nice man, she found that she had no desire to explain her background and her younger years.

Lukas brought them their food, with a side of bacon for Shyla. "Do not let her have any of that!"

"We won't be at the Ministry long, I just have to get a few things straightened out." Hermione told Shyla as they entered the elevator to her floor.

"That's okay, I wanted to catch up with Sienna, anyways." Shyla shrugged.

They exited onto their floor, and entered Hermione's department.

"Shyla!" Sienna called, looking up from a form she was filling out. "How's Hogwarts?"

Shyla grinned and sat on the edge of the secretary's desk, her feet dangling. "It's awesome! Did Mum tell you that I'm on the Slytherin Quidditch team?"

Sienna allowed her jaw to drop, even though she already knew. "That's so incredible! I bet you're the best one out there!" She smiled at Hermione, "How was dinner at the Malfoy residence?"

Hermione felt her ears burning, and hoped it didn't show on her face, "It was alright."

"We're going to have lunch with my friend Eva Malfoy and her dad, Professor Malfoy. He and Mum argue all the time though." Shyla interjected.

Sienna laughed in her girlish way. "How am I not surprised?"

Hermione shot Sienna a warning glance. "Shyla, I will be back in a few minutes, I have to go talk to some people about clearing up the mess of an interview I had yesterday."

Shyla briefly acknowledged her mum before turning back to Sienna. She waited for her mum to be out of ear shot before she spoke, "So, how badly did I mess things up for my mum?"

Sienna gave the girl a half smile, "Your mum is one of the Minister's most valued employees, it'll be okay."

Shyla nodded. She played with a quill on the desk in front of her for a moment before getting excited, "You should come to my next Quidditch match!"

Sienna grinned, "That sounds amazing! When is it?"

Shyla thought for a moment, "February. I can't remember the exact date, though. Maybe you could even go with Mum?"

Hermione walked back into the office, "Go where?"

"Oh!" Shyla exclaimed, "That was fast! But, I want you and Sienna to come to my next Quidditch match!"

Hermione smiled at Shyla's excitement, "When it gets closer, I will send an owl to McGonagoll." She turned to Sienna before continuing, "The Daily Prophet agreed to hold the interview again, due to the reason for leaving was a family matter."

"Oh, good!" Sienna replied. "I will call them, and set up an appointment."

"To Diagon Alley?" Shyla asked, bouncing lightly.

"To Diagon Alley!" Hermione responded, feeling butterflies begin in her stomach. Why was Draco Malfoy making her so nervous? It was beginning to aggravate her.

Hermione and Shyla entered the cafe in Diagon Alley. It was cozy, and decorated for Christmas. Splashes of red and green, and twinkling lights strung about. There was even a small tree in the corner. That was where she spotted Draco and Eva.

"You're late." Draco teased.

Hermione scoffed in annoyance, "I'm not late, you're just early."

"Shyla! Sit by me!" Eva insisted, gesturing her to join her side of the table at the booth.

Shyla's hair flowed behind her, as she sat next to Eva, leaving Hermione to sit, yet again, next to Draco. This was beginning to look less and less like a coincidence.

Draco made room on his bench for Hermione to sit. He smirked lightly at her without saying a word.

Hermione finally broke the silence between them, "So, what's good here?"

Draco handed the Granger girls each a menu, "The soup is really good. So are the sandwiches."

Eva chimed in as well, "I really like their cheese sandwiches!"

After a few moments, a plump waitress made her way to their table, "Mister Malfoy, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"Hermione," Draco introduced, "this is Penny. She is our favorite waitress."

Penny blushed., her light wrinkles turning a soft pink. Her greying hair was tightly pinned against her head, and she wore a blue dress, with a white apron. She looked like a character out of a story. "Oh, you're too nice! But did you say Hermione?"

Hermione nodded, knowing where this was going.

"As in Hermione Granger?" Penny confirmed.

Hermione nodded again, "That would be correct."

"Oh, miss. It's such a pleasure to meet you." Penny breathed out.

Even after all of these years, Shyla had yet to get used to her mother practically being a celebrity.

Hermione smiled back, "It's nice to meet you too, Penny." She fumbled her hands under the table. She hated being recognized for her role in the war. It brought back too many horrible memories and associations.

Draco sensed her discomfort, and decided to begin the ordering process. Once Penny had left, he slyly grabbed her hands in her lap, to stop her from wringing them.

Hermione froze at the touch. She clenched her hands. They were in public. What could he possibly be thinking?

Draco held onto Hermione's hands until she relaxed them in defeat.

"Dad?" Eva suddenly asked, "Can Shyla and her mum come to our party on Christmas Eve?"

He smirked, "Yeah, that's a good idea!" He looked at Hermione, "You did say you would bring Evangeline back before Christmas."

Hermione sighed, "You hold parties on Christmas Eve?"

Draco grinned, "Every year! The Malfoy Christmas Party is the highlight of the season!"

"Please, Mum!" Shyla begged, "It sounds like fun!"

"We're going to your Grandparents Christmas morning." Hermione reminded, "We wouldn't be able to stay late, by any means."

"Come." Draco insisted.

"I still don't know." Hermione shook her head.

"Come." He persisted.

"Oh, look! The food is ready!" Hermione cried out, changing the subject.

After the finished their lunch, the four of them began to walk through Diagon Alley, mostly enjoying the sights, and the decorations in the shop windows.

"Mum?" Shyla asked, "Can I take Eva to see Uncle Fred's and Uncle George's shop?"

Hermione shot Draco a glance, unsure of whether or not it was a good idea.

"Go." Draco insisted, "We'll meet up in a little bit. You two behave yourselves."

"Thanks!" Eva and Shyla said in unison. They erupted into a fit of giggles, as Shyla led Eva to the shop.

"Fred and George are good people, I don't think they will give them any trouble." Hermione tried to reason.

"Come with me." Draco whispered to Hermione, grabbing her hand, and pulling her into a darkened alley.

"Draco!" Hermione protested.

He had her backed against the cold brick wall. He kissed her gently. "I've been wanting to do that all day."

"Draco, anybody could see us." Hermione insisted, trying to keep herself for kissing him further.

"So let them." He kissed her forehead, taking the opportunity to smell her hair. "Just, don't worry about the logical thing to do, right now."

"Wait... Are we, um, dating?" Hermione questioned, unsure of what answer she wanted.

"Do you want to?" He asked back, pulling her closer.

She thought for a moment. It didn't help when he insisted in kissing her behind the ear, though. "Yes." She finally decided. Emotions won this round. "But, just out of personal morals, it cannot be public while you remain married. I just... I can't..."

He nodded, understanding. "Okay."

Hermione looked up at him, "Okay?"

"I'll take care of it." He replied quietly, kissing her one last time. "Wait, you're still willing to be seen with me in public, right?"

She laughed lightly, "Yes, now let's go. I need to get something for Shyla while we're here."

"Good, you can help me pick something out for Eva." Draco admitted, "That kid is hard to shop for."

Hermione smiled, "Any ideas, at least?"

"A pet?" He shrugged.

"Let's go to the pet shop then." They walked together, Hermione keeping her distance, Draco trying to close that distance.

As they entered the shop, a bell above the door chimed. They began looking at the different options. "What about one of these guys?" Draco asked, pointing at a cage of rats.

"Oh, Draco. A rat is no pet for a young girl." Hermione insisted.

"Well, why not? They're cute, right? Look at those little whiskers!" Draco admired.

She could tell Eva was not one for rats, but worried that Draco would get her one regardless. Then she stooped, "Besides, Ron had a rat, remember?"

Draco straightened from looking at the small critters, "Moving on!" They moved to the cats. "Shyla has a cat, right?"

Hermione nodded, "His name is Wiskers. I also had a cat while I was at Hogwarts."

"I didn't know that." Draco admitted.

"Well, we weren't exactly friends while we were in school, now were we?" She teased him.

"Yeah, that would have been weird." Draco teased back. He found a small, grey kitten with dark stripes. "What about this one?"

"He's adorable!" Hermione cooed, scratching the small cat's chin. "That's a good choice."

As they were finishing their purchase, and Draco was finishing arrangements to have the kitten delivered Christmas morning, the door chimed again.

"Hermione Granger? Is that really you?" A woman with brown hair cried out, as she embraced Hermione in a hug.

Hermione stood there awkwardly, trying to recognize this girl before her. Once she was released from the perfume filled grasp, she got a better look. "Lavender?"

"It has been such a long time! We must catch up!" Lavender Brown gushed.

Draco hadn't noticed the company that had entered when he walked up to Hermione, "Ready?"

Lavender's eyes got large at the sight before her. "Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy spending time with each other? I would have never imagined!"

Hermione went into near panic mode. "Our daughters are friends. We were just about to catch up with them. But it was nice to see you Lavender." She tried to leave the store without another word. But as always, Lavender was a snoop.

"The fact that you two are getting along, and sharing each others company is rather odd." Lavender stated. It was obvious that rumors were already forming in her head.

"Well, Lavender, some people mature with age." Hermione said through gritted teeth.

"Could you only imagine what Ron would say?" Lavender responded.

Hermione's fists tightened, and she turned, leaving the shop before she said, or did, anything she would regret.

"Was it something I said?" Lavender feigned.

Draco stared at her in disbelief before following Hermione out of the shop. She was sitting on a nearby bench, trying to hide the tears that streaked her cheeks. "Forget her, Hermione. She had no right to say that."

"But she was right." Hermione sobbed, "Ron was furious of even the thought of us being friends. Let alone, in a relationship. It would have destroyed him."

Draco sat next to her, and pulled her into him. Right now, she didn't care that they were out in the open. "Do you remember that night when Potter and Weasley were on watch? And things went a lot further than either of us intended?"

Hermione's forehead creased, and she looked at him in confusion, "Of course. But what about it?"

"After we got dressed, I stayed with you until you fell asleep, then I went outside for some fresh air." He sighed deeply before continuing, "They were bringing back some firewood that they had collected, and saw me. When I didn't insult Weasley on site, they started questioning."

"Shouldn't you be sleeping, Malfoy?" Ron sneered, throwing down the wood.

"I was getting some fresh air." Draco responded, shrugging it off. "Aren't you two supposed to be on watch?"

"Do you love her?" Harry asked suddenly, locking eyes with Draco.

"I don't know." Draco responded quietly.

"Who?" Ron demanded loudly.

"Think about it, Ron!" Harry nearly shouted, "Are you that blind? It's completely obvious, the way she looks at him."

Ron's eyes got wide and his face turned a deep red, "I'll kill you!" He growled, lunging at Draco, and landing a punch to his jaw.

Draco grabbed Ron's wrists, and shoved him away, "If you wake her up, she'll be furious at all of us. And if in the morning your face is swollen, she'll blame me. So get off me."

Harry stepped in between them, and glared at Draco persistently, "If you hurt her, I will destroy you." He turned to Ron this time, "Don't you dare say a word to her. We need her now more than ever, and you and I both know that she's not saying anything for a reason. If we attack her with questions, she's going to get mad at us. Just, for now, leave it."

Draco turned to go back into the tent, before Harry stopped him.

"I want to talk to you, Malfoy." Harry informed. Ron had stormed away, as Draco turned back to Harry. "I don't know what Hermione sees in you, but for some reason, you make her happy."

"Look, Potter. I don't know what she sees in me either, and anything between us was the last thing I ever intended. But for some reason, I can't get her out of my head. Besides, I don't even know what love is."

The two stood in silence. They were nearly men. Men who had been enemies for years. Draco shrugged in the darkness and turned again, to enter the tent.

"It's the feeling that you can't live without someone in your life. Someone who has made you happier than you could have ever perceived." Harry replied quickly.

Draco nodded slowly, and entered the tent. He crossed to Hermione's bed. She was sleeping peacefully. He sat silently with her, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. He wasn't sure how long he had sat there, but finally he leaned down and left a soft kiss against Hermione's lips. "I think I love you." he finally whispered.

"I don't know how Potter figured it out, but he did. He confronted me on the matter, and I didn't deny it. I couldn't deny it. But Weasley was there, and well, needless to say, he found out." Draco admitted.

Hermione eyed him curiously, "How long did they know?"

"It was a week before the war." Draco said softly. "Weasley took it better than I would have ever guessed. My only assumption was that Potter had talked some sense into him."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Hermione whispered.

"I didn't know how." Draco admitted.

Hermione understood. She hadn't even told her two best friends about her relationship with Draco. She had kept it a secret the entire time. She had planned to tell them, after the war. But she never got the opportunity, and she had lived with that consequence. Hermione dried her face, and stood slowly. "We should go find the girls."

They entered Weasley Wizard Wheezes to find that while it had a moderate amount of shoppers, it was not overly crowded. "There they are." Draco pointed out. He had never been in the Weasley's shop. It had always seemed like a waste of energy.

"Hermione!" George called out, racing to her. "I was hoping you would stop by one of these days!"

Hermione greeted him with a hug, and smiled, "I wish it had been sooner. The ministry keeps me quite busy this time of year. Oh, um, George, you remember Draco Malfoy?" She gestured to the blonde next to her.

George nodded in surprise, "Wow, yeah, it's been a long time. How are you, man?" He stuck out his hand as a gesture of friendliness.

Draco shook George's hand without a hesitation, "It's good to see you, again."

"Oh, Shyla's in the back with Fred. Am I to assume that her friend is your daughter?" He asked Draco.

Draco nodded, "My one and only."

"I'll go grab them." George offered, slipping away.

"Thank you." Hermione whispered into Draco's ear, reaching on her tiptoes.

"We forgot to get something for Shyla." Draco suddenly remembered.

"Merlin..." Hermione laughed, "Now what am I going to do?"

"Go. Hurry." Draco encouraged, "I'll distract the girls while you're away."

"Are you sure? I feel weird leaving you in the Weasley's shop." Hermione worried.

"Go. I'll be fine." He insisted, pushing her out the door.

"Where's my mum going?" Shyla asked as she and Eva reached Draco.

"Oh, she forgot to get something, she'll be back shortly." He smiled at the girls, "I think I need a tour of this place. Care to give me one?"

Shyla grinned, "I have been here so many times! I can give you a tour!"

He gestured for her to begin, following the two young girls as they found their way to each display.

"Shyla?"

Shyla turned quickly to see Molly Weasley standing before her. She wasn't sure what to call her. "Um, hi."

"What are you doing here, with him?" She gestured to Draco, her eyes formed into slits.

"He's Eva's dad." Shyla said innocently.

"Mum! You're early!" Fred called out, kissing his mother on the cheek.

"Early or not, you allowed him in your shop?" Molly gasped.

"Oh no." Hermione breathed, as she returned.

"Yup..." Arthur Weasley replied beside her.

"Arthur, hello." Hermione said politely, giving him a short hug.

"Any chance you and Shyla will be joining us for Christmas Eve dinner?" Arthur asked.

Hermione shook her head, "I don't think that would be a good idea. Plus, I believe we have plans this year. But, thank you, really."

He smiled, "Yeah, I know. It was worth a shot, though. I miss you and Shyla being around."

Hermione smiled back, "I've missed you too. But I think I should go stop this." She gestured to Draco being confronted by Molly, and raced over. "He's with me, Molly." She turned to Draco, placing her hand on his wrist. "We should go."

George cleared his throat before adding, "You're both welcome any time, please don't hesitate to stop by."

Hermione smiled at Fred and George before leaving the joke shop with Draco, Shyla, and Eva. "I did not expect that, I am so sorry!" Hermione told Draco.

Draco smiled at her, "It's really not a big deal, I can handle Molly Weasley."

Shyla burst into laughter, "Not even Grandpa Weasley can handle her some days!"

"That poor, poor man." Draco teased, winking at Shyla. He turned to Hermione, "I should be going, I have some places to run in preparation for Christmas Eve. That's three days away, you know."

"What time?" Hermione caved.

"You're coming then?" Draco asked excitedly.

"What time?" Hermione asked again, locking eyes with Draco.

"Seven." He took every ounce of self control to not kiss her again, but with the girls standing right next to them, he resisted. "It's nothing overly fancy, but it's not completely casual either." He smiled slyly, "Wear something nice."

A/N: This chapter practically wrote itself. A couple scenes I hadn't planned out at all, until I was typing them. But I really liked the results. I am really looking forward to writing the next chapter. It will hopefully be posted in a couple days! Happy Holidays to everyone!

~PurplePygmypuff