Hey everyone, I just wanted to start out by apologizing, I did not mean to take so long updating but the holidays were rough between COVID and working retail I just couldn't get in the holiday spirit and had no energy to do the things I wanted. I'm sorry for taking so long to update and hope everyone had a great holiday. This is the longest chapter yet so hopefully it makes up some for the delay.
This chapter does come with a trigger warning. There is some blatant homophobia that is addressed.
It was 6 am when Hermione rolled off of Draco, they were making morning sex a bit of a ritual, a ritual that she highly approved of. However it was cutting into her other morning activities. "I want you to know you are a rotten influence."
"Thank you." He smirks as he puts his arm around her to pull her closer to his side running his hand slowly up and down her shoulder. "Now why am I a rotten influence?"
"Because I used to run almost every morning before work. Now I can only run on the mornings I dont have Bryony. By spending the nights with you I'm running maybe once a week. I'm getting out of shape."
"You are nowhere near out of shape." He kissed her forehead and chuckled, then added, "You run? I never knew."
"There is still a lot you don't know about me yet Mr Malfoy, I just so happen to find running therapeutic. It helps clear my mind before I go into the craziness that is the Ministry. Although our morning activities do help." She smirked up at the Slytherin behind her. He was still running his hand over her body and it made her mind go to mush. She groaned when he stopped and pushed to get up taking his warmth with him. "Well then let's go! Get ready and I will be back here in 20 minutes?"
"Seriously? Its 6am!" She exclaimed as he gets out bed, she started to nestle back into the comforter when it registers what he was saying, "Wait, go? Go where?"
"For a run, its the perfect time for. Now get ready, I have to arrange a portkey."
"Why would going for a run necessitate a portkey? And how do you plan on getting one this time of day? The portkey office won't be open for a couple of hours yet." Hermione was confused and didn't like it. This wasn't the first time Draco had gotten them a questionable portkey. They had been dating for over three months now and things had been going great. For her birthday in September he had gotten them a portkey to Stratford-upon-Avon to tour Shakespeare's birthplace. Then in October he had got another portkey, this time to Dublin and they had spent 2 days there. Part of the vast Malfoy holdings includes a posh hotel in the wizarding community there where they holed up and spent the entire time in their private suite.
"I need you to not ask questions. I know its against your nature but I prefer you have plausible denialabilty, remember? Now get changed, please? I promise it will be worth it. " she wanted to argue that this was insane but he quickly leaned over her in the bed and kissed her cheek before taking off towards the floo.
Hermione sighed but got up and went into her closet to get changed. She really did want to question it but wasn't sure she wanted the answer. She emerged a few minutes later in her normal running attire, black leggings, a purple razorback work-out tank and sat down on her bed to put her runners on, before grabbing a lite jacket. She waited a few minutes when Draco came back into her room. He looked good in grey jogging pants and one of his old Slytherin jerseys. Seeing him changed her mind about running. "How about we head back to bed instead? " she asked running her hands over his shoulders. He still had a slim Seakers body but had filled out just enough to be wickedly well built.
"No way witch, you aren't going to blame me for not getting your morning run." He chuckled lightly at the pout she gave him but she folded because curiosity was getting the better of her, "so where are we going?"
He smirrked as he pulled a muggle keychain of the Eiffel Tower out of his pocket and held it out to her, "Impatient much? Grab hold and you'll find out." Hermione tentatively reached out and grabbed the chain and reached for Draco as they were pulled away from her bedroom and were spinning before landing gently in a slightly hidden spot in what appeared to be a garden. Before she could continue her questioning Draco place a hand on her lower back and guided her down a small path that opened up into a beautiful garden. And in the background,
"The Acropolis? You regularly run in Greece?" Hermione couldn't begin to fathom running in such a beautiful place, she turned to look at Draco and he had that famous smug smirk on his face.
"Of course, if I must run it might as well be someplace with a view." He shrugged then stepped around her and taunted her, "so Granger, think you can keep up?" And then took off down a pathway. While he didn't set a particularly fast pace Hermione didnt want to admit that she really was out of shape and got winded after one turn around the beautiful garden. She figured it was about a mile loop which isn't to long compared to her usual route but she was still glad when Draco stopped when they were back at their starting point. He turned to her, "so want to go around again? Or do you want to admit to couldn't keep up?" She didn't want to concede but she didn't think she could run much further.
"How about we walk this time? It so beautiful and I would like to actually be able to enjoy the views."
"Of course." Draco knew she was trying to get out of running without admitting defeat but decided to let her have it this time. It was a beautiful autumn morning in a beautiful place and his witches hair was trying to come loose from the high pony she had placed it in for their run. The loose curls framed her face and were driving him nuts. In school he had mocked her for her wild hair and now everytime he thought of it he could kick himself. Yes her hair was wild but now he realized the wild curls were perfectly her. Realizing he was staring at her and daydreaming he quickly brought himself back to the moment and offered her his arm. They walked around the loop, stopping occasionally so Granger could look at something closer. As they began to approach the spot they could portkey back from he stopped on a small bridge and positioned them to look over the water to see the Acropolis.
"We've been together 3 months now." He stated matter of factly. Granger turned to look at him and smiled as she nodded. "I was thinking, I would like for you to meet Scorpious." It was something he had been considering for a while now. While he certainly didn't want to be that parent that introduced a new partner to his child every few months he realized Granger had become a large, important part of his life, one that he hoped would be around for a long time and he wanted her to meet his son.
"I think thats a good idea, actually I was thinking similarly about you meeting Bryony. How do you think we should go about this?" She replied after thinking a moment. Meeting the kids was a big deal, something they had to be careful about.
Draco smiled softly, something she noticed he did whenever he spoke of Scorpious and it warmed Hermione to see his love for his son. "I've got an idea, It's something I think both would enjoy and they could just get to know each other. I was planning on taking Scorpious anyways but he would have more fun with another child." At her nod of approval he continued, "Saturday afternoon ok for you ladies?" She nodded again and smiled up at him in a way that shot heat to his heart and groin. This witch could drive him crazy with a simple look and he was finding he was OK with that. Looking at his watch he continued, "We have time for another lap around?" He tucked a lose curl behind her ear and groaned slightly as she bit her lower lip, "Or we can head back and shower together?"
"Mmm, shower. Definitely shower." She murmered into his hand now cupping her cheek, flushing slightly at the thought. Draco guided them back to the spot they came in at and grabbed the keychain activating it as soon as she put her hand on it. As soon as they landed he pulled her even closer and began kissing her, he was so caught up in her sweet taste he didn't notice right away that she wasn't responding. As soon as he noticed he pulled away, opening his eyes as he did so, and it became apparent why she was distracted. They weren't in her room. They had landed on the outside balcony of a large manor.
"Merlins sagging bullocks" he muttered as she looked around in shock. Hermione looked about to start asking questions so Draco interrupted before she could get started, "hopefully we can sneak through before he realizes were here. I'm going to hex the idiot, I swear."
"I take it this is the home of your portkey connection?" She smirked looking around obviously trying to get a clue to whose home they were in.
"It is indeed. And now I get to meet Dracos mystery witch." Said a rather velvet voice from behind them. She turned around and smiled at who she saw, "Hello Nott. Its been a while."
"Granger?" His smirk fell as he looked between Draco and his witch. He had been leaning in the doorway leading to the balcony with one hand casually in his pocket but he quickly stood up straight and ran his hand through his short sandy brown hair. "As in the Gryffindor Princess? Brightest witch of our age? Brains of the Golden Trio? How did this happen?" He looked at Malfoy dumbfounded.
"We ran into each other one night, started talking and here we are." Draco shrugged casually hoping his friend would let it go and get over his shock before
"Why so surprised?" Hermione asked arching an eyebrow at him. Draco had already learned that that look meant to tread carefully, danger ahead.
"Just, didn't see this coming thats all." He stammered then added, "Wait aren't you married?"
"Divorced." She clipped
"Damn wish I'd known. Probably would have made a move myself." Upon finally looking at Granger and seeing her narrowed eyes he quickly added, "I am surprised because you could do so much better than this sad sack here."
"That will do" Draco growled at his oldest friend.
"Hey I call it like I see it mate." Theo came forward and held his arm out to Granger and she tentatively placed a hand on his arm as he continued, "so, tell me everything. I must know how this happened. You must stay for breakfast. " He began leading her into the Manor. "Come along Draco." He shot over his shoulder winking at his friend.
Theo led them through the informal sitting room, down a dark hallway with ancient portraits of generations past, most of whom sneared down at them. Finally they reached a small sunroom where he sat her at the table and called his house elf, Missy to bring breakfast. After getting Granger to share the entire story of how they reconnected he finally turned to Draco, "So, why have you been keeping this delightful witch from me Draco? Ashamed of me? Am I only good for makingyour portkeys?" He asked in a very pouty voice.
"Of course not, I was planning on trying to get together soon. I didn't want to introduce you as my portkey supplier since whenever you are inevitably caught she will be the one to sign your arrest warrant." Draco snipped at his friend. "I was trying to go for plausible denialabilty." At his declaration theo turned to Granger who nodded in agreement.
"Portkey? Never heard of one."
Wednesdays were quickly becoming the highlight of Hermione's week. On Wednesdays Madam Davies took a half day thus Hermione got a half day as well. She and Draco had a standing lunch date at a muggle restaurant near his office and then she would pick Bryony up early from Molly's and spend the rest of the afternoon with her daughter.
She had to stay a few minutes late this week to finish up some paperwork so she had told Draco she would just meet him at the restaurant.
"Oi! Hermione is that you!" Hermione turned at the call to see fellow Gryffindor and friend Dean Thomas coming up behind her. Still tall and lanky he had filled out just a bit and he wore the smug look of someone who looked good and knew it.
She threw her arms around her friend. "Dean! How have you been, I feel like we haven't seen each other in forever!"
"Your telling me! Last time I saw you you were still a Weasley." He shook his head with a confident grin, "Its such a small world, I ran into Ron in Diagon last night. He was with his witch though they were trying not to be obvious. He looked really happy. He also told me you were seeing someone."
"Oh he did, did he?" She was going to kill Ron if he said anything negative to their friends.
"No worries he refused to tell me who, just that I'd be surprised." He raised his eyebrows then smirked, "so?"
"I would love to stay and chat but I'm already late, owl me later and let's get lunch sometime?" She looked at the door to the restaurant and was surprised to see him stopping there as well.
"Looks like we are headed to the same spot, looks like I might get to see your new wizard." He winked again as he opened the door for her. As they walked in the maitre d' greeted them both by name and told them their respective parties were at the usual table. As they walked up she saw someone was already sitting in her seat, a broad shouldered man with a deep voice was speaking to Draco, "Imagine my surprise when I called to make my reservation and Michael told me Black Star has a standing reservation for Wednesdays. I'm assuming this is for your new mystery witch."
"You know what they say about assumptions, but in this case you would be correct." She said as she walked into Draco's sight. As soon as he saw her he jumped up, kissing her cheek before turning back to the man with him. Hermione recognized him immediately as Draco's business partner and friend Blaise Zabini.
After Draco made the introductions Zabini said, "what do they say about assumptions?"
"To assume is to make an ass out of you and me." At his quizzical look she further explained, "its a muggle phrase. Purebloods."
While Zabini had stood at the introduction he did not move away from her seat as if he was waiting to be invited to stay. Draco sighed and motioned to a passing waiter for another chair before Zabini held up 2 fingers and Dean stepped closer. Seeing him Hermione quickly put two and two together. "No way. Dean you didn't tell me! How long has this been going on?" Seeing the cat was out of the bag the two men leaned in for a chaste kiss on the cheek in greeting as all four sat down. Then Dean and Draco nodded tersely in greeting but didn't speak to each other. Hermione knew from their conversations that Draco had apologized to Dean about what had happened at the Manor but they were still far from friends. Both seemed to silently agree to be polite for their significant others sake.
"Almost a year now." He grinned looking back at her, "so , you and Malfoy eh? I'd say thats a surprise."
"Dammit, Ginny know yet?"
"What about us, no why?" He asked narrowing his eyes at her, "don't tell me... you guys had a bet don't you?"
Hermione sighed, "yes, and I just lost a lot of money. When you decide to tell everyone let me know so I can hit up Gringotts first. Probably should warn Harry to. I'm pretty certain they had a side bet as well."
"Wait bet? What kind of bet?" Zabini asked trying not to look as confused as he felt. Thankfully Draco looked somewhat confused to.
"As to who Dean would end up with. Ginny had you. Shes going to be insufferable after this."
"Thats crass..."
"I have learned they bet on just about everything." Draco added, "Thomas' love life is tame compared to when babies come."
"You won that one didn't you?" Dean added turning the conversation back to Hermione.
"I did, and I have quite a few peices added to my wardrobe to prove it." She smiled cheekily.
"So Granger I thought you were married?"
"Divorced" came from both Dean and Draco while she held up her left hand, "I don't see a ring, do you?" Then as she looked at Dean she realized something, "Why don't you seem surprised we divorced Dean?"
Dean chuckled as he took a sip of the wine the waitress had just poured him, "I might not have been told everything but I'm not blind nor stupid," he then looked at Draco, "does he know?" He let the question hang until she nodded, "I shared a room with Weasley for 6 years, I know exactly which witch was sneaking in and out of his bed. While you were always in our room you were never in any of our beds. However in 5th year I saw you leaving our room and turn left to go further up the stairs rather the right to go down." At her unbelieving look he added, "Remember my bed was next to the door and Gin had told me you had a secret boyfriend, it was easy to figure it out, especially once they left school and you stopped going up stairs. When you and Ron got married I knew something was up. Once I realized, well I figured if you wanted people to know you would tell them. As years went on and it became glaringly obvious you weren't romantically involved I figured you had some sort of agreement that would end with divorce, so no surprise." He shrugged.
"Wow, I, well thanks for keeping our secret for us." Hermione stammered, then looking at Zabini she saw his confusion again and explained, "Fred Weasley and I became involved end of 4th year but kept it quiet. He is my daughter's biological father. Ron and I married after his death, basically so I could save face but we weren't married in the traditional sense."
"I told you, complicated." Draco added looking at his friend.
Once the waitress took their orders they fell into easy conversation about the prewar school years. Dean seemed intent on Draco and Zabini learning all about her adventures, and getting some questions of his own answered, "ok Hermione, now that its in the open I can ask. Jones, the Hufflepuff in our year?"
Arching an eyebrow because she knew where this was going, "what about her?"
"Your the one who hexed her aren't you?"
"I'm not sure I know what your talking about." She tried for her best bored look but she was certian she was failing. Draco and Zabini both just stared at her.
"Yes you do. She was practically throwing herself at Fred then one day she got a howler telling her to back off and after a rather unfortunate incident in front of the Great Hall she never spoke to him again. Do you care to explain?"
Looking at Draco she began, "one thing you need to know about me is I'm rather protective of those I care about" Deans coughs, "more like possessive." Ignoring him she continued, "And a little vindictive." "Very vindictive" at his interruption she sent a silent stinging hex at his arm and he yelped. "Everything ok over there? Anything else you would like to add?" She asked in her sweetest voice. At his quick "no." She continued, "so Megan Jones had her eyes set on Fred, and being the gentleman he was he tried to let her down easy but she wouldn't back off. When he told her he was seeing someone who attended Beauxbatons (our cover story) she rather braisenly suggested that his girlfriend would never know. So I sent a small hex her way, something rather simple, anytime she was within 3 feet of him she would get an upset stomach. Sadly that was too subtle and I was forced to the extreme. After a week and she still hadn't backed off I sent her a howler warning her that it would be in her best interest to stay away from Fred. It's not my fault she didn't listen." She paused to take a bite of her meal then continued, "She walked right up to him in the front hall afterwards and put her hand on his shoulder. As soon as she got within the 3 feet her stomach started rumbling, once she touched him she got a rather painful shock which caused her to lose control and have a rather unfortunate bowl movement right there."
"Thats ruthless Granger." Zabini said while Draco just smirked.
"Maybe so but I did warn her. She finally learned her lesson and stayed away. However George told me the curse is still in effect. Last year she came into the shop and Bryony was there with him. he said Bryony went up to her to say hi and Jones went completely pale and bolted from the shop." Before she could decide whether to elaborate or change the subject she heard a commotion from two tables away. The man sitting there was complaining loudly to the poor waiter about how inappropriate other guests were being and insisting he say something to that un-natural couple over there. She looked up and saw he was pointing at Dean and Zabini. Hermione's blood boiled hearing the ridiculous things the man was saying. Seeing the look on her face both Draco and Dean tried to talk her into not saying or doing anything.
"What did we just discuss? Protective and in this case no tolerance for idiots." Quickly a plan formed in her mind. The man in question was as regular as they were and she had made some damaging observations about him. She reached onto the table and grabbed an unused butter knife and wandlessly transfigured it into 2 identical rings then held them out to the two men in question.
"Hermione, please, let's not make a scene. Sadly in the muggle world this isn't uncommon. Just let it go." Dean pleaded refusing to acknowledge her outstretched hand. She was saddened to see that while they had been leaning slightly into each other and holding hands now they both sat perfectly upright and had dropped had as soon as they heard the comments from the other table.
"I will not sit by and listen to this blatant homophobia. I won't hurt him, I just want to teach him a lesson. Now put these on and when he waves to you, wave back."
"Granger" if looks could kill Draco would have dropped dead at the glare she gave him.
"Just trust me. Here" she trust the rings at them then reached into her bag, dug around for a minute and pulled out a small box that looked like a speaker placing it on the table and clipping the pen attached to it to her blouse. She then stood up and began walking towards the table of the man complaining. His companion today must have excused herself to the loo so this was her opportunity. He was middle aged, average build, average looks, dull brown hair with even duller brown eyes and awfully rotten looking teeth. He kind of remindeded her of a young Peter Pettigrew which just fueledher anger. Hermione had seen him in here before and wondered how he was able to get so many different young women to go out with him, it was just last week she got her answer and now she could use it against him.
"Its unnatural and making my date uncomfortable. You need to make the degenerates leave." He was insisting to the poor waiter who obviously didn't know what to say in response. "Excuse me Michael, I know you aren't our waiter today but I can't find Margaret and my friends need their drinks topped off?" She said sweetly hoping he would take the lifeline she was throwing him and run. Thankfully he realized this was his chance to get away and bolted to her table.
Turning towards the man she sat gracefully in his dates seat then began in a low voice, "So I hear you have a problem with my friends over there. You see I don't appreciate you bringing our day down, they just got back from their honeymoon and we were out to celebrate."
The look on his face would have made her laugh if she wasn't so mad. He interrupted her before she could continue, "it's a free country and I can say what I want."
"I'm so glad we can agree on that. You absolutely are allowed to believe in whatever bullshite you want. That's your right, however they have the same right to sit in this restaurant and enjoy a meal with friends that you do. And it is your job to pretend to be a decent human being and keep your ridiculous homophobic ideas to yourself." He looked as if he wanted to interrupt but she didn't let him, "Since you failed to do that you are going to make it up to them and Michael who had to stand here and listen to your idiocy."
"Oh really and what makes you think I'm going to do that?" He snarled flashing his half rotten teeth.
"Simple. Today's date is one you bring simi regularly so I'd say its safe to assume she's your actual girlfriend." She paused for effect then laughed quietly, "Though honestly what she sees in you I have no idea. So you are going to do as I say or I will let her know that on the weeks you don't bring her you bring others. I know for a fact last week it was a call girl. I don't think she would be pleased to hear about that." Again pause for effect, she knew she had him now by the scared look in his eyes, "Then Mr. Adley, I will track down Mrs. Adley and tell her about your lunches with your mistress and the call girls. So what will it be? You can either wave politely to my friends, send them a bottle of the restaurants finest champagne then foot our bill leaving a 100% tip to our waitress and do the same for yours seeing as how he had to put up with your sorry arse. Or you can try to explain to your mistress and your wife about the call girls, the choice is yours." She turned around and saw his date coming back from the loo so she added, "It looks as if you have about 15 seconds to wave to my friends or I start talking to your date." Hermione enjoyed watching the man squirm before he lifted his hand and waved at the other table. He then turned it into a signal to Michael who was still standing at the other table, obviously having heard everything through the speaker. Michael came right over and Adley had the champagne sent to the table. Before his date got to the table she quickly added, "and I will see the receipts to confirm you figured the tips correctly. " the she stood and nodded to other woman as she finally reached her seat.
"Granger that was brilliant. We might just make you a snake yet." Zabini said as she sat back down, "to bad you had him send us champagne, none of us drink it."
"Oh dear and the cork has already been poped." She replied dramatically, then looking around quickly she told Margaret who was getting ready to pour everyone a glass, "send it to that couple over there, looks like they would enjoy it." She nodded towards to a young couple that had been seated just after them and appeared to be on a first date. "Then please bring back a round of your finest scotch, of course putting it on Mr. Adley's tab." Margaret grinned as she nodded and took the champagne to the couple.
The four sat talking over their scotch for another 20 minutes or so waiting for Adley to sign his bill. After he did Michael brought it to Hermione who confirmed the tip then waved to Adley on his way out.
Outside the restaurant they said goodbye to Dean and Zabini then turned to walk to the nearest apparition point so she could go pick Bryony up from the Burrow.
"So, you have now been introduced to my friends." He started but before he could add anything else Hermione jumped in, "that I have. And you know what that means right?"
"No, please don't say it."
"I have not only had a surprise breakfast with one, I had my lunch date interrupted by another. I think its only fair" Draco groaned in a very un-Malfoy fashion, "its only fair that you have brunch at the Burrow.
a/n so this was a packed chapter, eh? We met the Slytherins and see a bit of Hermione's vindictive side. Next we introduce the kids and Malfoy goes to the Burrow. Things are starting to move along now. Thanks for the follows and favorites. As always, a reminder that reviews bring great joy.
I'm working towards more regular updates. Thursday I'm going to my ultimate happy place (universal) where a cup of Butterbeer and riding Hagrids motorbike brings inspiration.
Peace and love to all, stay safe!