Happy Christmas, Hermione.
The fact that Draco used her given name instead of his usual 'Granger' gave her butterflies in her stomach and she couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips.
She was used to him calling her 'Miss Hermione' when Lyra was around, but it was rare for him to use her given name, even in text form.
She was about to text him back to wish him the same sentiment, when there was a knock on her bedroom door.
Stowing her phone under her pillow, she called out, "Come in," and wasn't surprised to see Ginny's head poke through.
"I can't sleep so I was thinking of making some tea. Want to join me?"
Hermione stood. "Yes, please."
It was nearly midnight, yet Hermione wasn't tired. Her body was still on Maine time and she felt it was better to keep it that way since she was only going to be gone for another day.
Even with the busy day behind her, filled with laughter, presents, and good food, she still felt wide awake.
The announcement of Ginny's pregnancy made her giddy as well.
Hermione sat down at the small table in the alcove of the Potter's kitchen. "I still can't believe you're going to be a mum, Gin."
"You and me both," Ginny said, handing Hermione a steaming mug of tea before taking a seat across from her. "Plus, you know what that means?"
Hermione raised a brow in question.
"It means Harry's going to be a father!"
"Oh Merlin, that's right!"
Both girls giggled, trying to be quiet so as to not wake up the aforementioned wizard. When they finally settled down, Hermione spoke quietly. "He'll be the best dad."
Ginny smiled wistfully. "The very best."
Hermione's mind couldn't help but think about another certain wizard who was also an excellent father and she hid her blush by taking another sip of her tea.
A moment passed between the two as they drank their tea in the quiet of the night.
"So how have you been? Truly?" Ginny asked at last. "Do you like it over there in the States?"
Hermione smiled reassuringly at her friend. "I love it there. My house is so cozy, with views of both the mountains and the ocean. I love my job and actually enjoy going to work. I've even made some friends! One of which is my co-worker, Rachel. She reminds me of you in a way," she added pensively. "Always pushing her limits and has no regard for my personal life."
Ginny smiled. "Oh, I like her already." She paused. "Wait, what kind of personal life is she disregarding?"
"Shit, nevermind, forget I said anything—"
"Hermione Jean Granger! Have you been holding out on me? Are you seeing someone? Because from what you told me, there hasn't been anyone—"
"—there isn't! It's just—"
"Unless, of course, you've been lying this whole time and actually have a handsome bloke waiting for you, naked in your bed the moment you get home—"
"Ginny!" Hermione gasped, trying to hold in her laughter. "Stop!"
Ginny wiggled her eyebrows in suggestion and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No. I do not have anyone waiting for me in my bed—"
"Not even naked?"
"Especially naked."
"Damn."
"Besides, my job keeps me rather busy so it's not like I have time to date or anything like that."
"Um, I never mentioned anything about dating, just shagging," Ginny pointed out.
Hermione groaned as she rested her head on the table. "Must you be so crass?"
"Yes. Harry quite likes it too."
"What do I like?" Harry asked sleepily as he entered the kitchen.
Hermione's head popped up and she looked at Harry worriedly. "Harry! We didn't wake you, did we?"
Harry sat down next to Ginny. "Nah. The room was too quiet to sleep. This one—" he leaned towards his wife as he took Ginny's cuppa and took a sip. Unsatisfied, he scrunched his nose and passed it back to her. "—snores louder than Hagrid's motorbike. She's like my own personal sound machine and when she's not there, I can't sleep."
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered."
Harry grinned as he took Ginny's hand and kissed it.
She rolled her eyes before turning to Hermione. "Anyway, before we were rudely interrupted, I was simply suggesting you find a nice, fit bloke to fuck your brains out every once in a while."
Harry, who had taken the opportunity to steal Hermione's cuppa and was mid-sip, started choking.
"Serves you right," Hermione chastised, taking her drink away from him while Ginny patted him on the back.
"Geez, Gin," Harry wheezed.
Ginny pretended to pout. "I thought you liked it when I talked dirty."
The tips of Harry's ears turned pink. "Well, yes, I do, but not in front of who I think of as my sister.".
Ginny waved him off. "Hermione doesn't mind."
"Well, actually—"
"Besides, you agree with me, don't you?" Ginny asked Harry. "She shouldn't worry about relationships right now and should just have some fun. Live a little, right?"
Harry shrugged. "I think Hermione should do whatever makes her happy."
"I'm right here you know," Hermione said, exasperated.
Ginny crossed her arms and glared at her husband. "If you're not going to be on my side then you can just go back to bed."
Harry grinned and kissed her cheek. "Fine. But don't be too much longer or I'll have to come down and haul you back into bed so I can sleep properly."
Ginny fought to keep a straight face as Hermione chuckled. "I promise I won't keep her from you much longer."
"Appreciate it." He kissed the top of Hermione's head before he headed out.
"So who is he?" Ginny asked once Harry had left the room.
"He?"
"The one you're 'too busy' to be in a relationship with."
"I'm not—"
At Ginny's pointed look, Hermione couldn't help the blush that spread across her face.
"I knew it. I knew there was someone." Her friend grinned in triumph. "Tell me about him. Give me all the details."
Suddenly feeling weary, Hermione sat back in her chair. "There are no details, Gin. We're just friends, that's all."
"But… you want it to be more?" Ginny guessed. "Why can't it be?"
"It's complicated."
"Complicated how? Is he married or something?"
"What? No! Of course not. I wouldn't even entertain the idea if he was."
"Okay, so, what is it?"
Hermione groaned as she tilted her head up and closed her eyes. "He has a child, Gin. A lovely little girl who I've grown quite fond of."
Ginny's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why is that a bad thing?"
"Because, well, what if we start something and it doesn't go anywhere? What if it ruins the friendship we already have? What if….what if I lose both of them?"
Hermione's eyes watered at the thought and Ginny reached over and squeezed her hand.
"It'll be safer, yes, to continue on as you are; stay friends to ensure your relationship will stay intact without risk of hurting anyone involved. But, how do you know you're not missing out on good? On something better?" When Hermione remained silent, Ginny continued. "Maybe this bloke is just who you're looking for, but you'll never know unless you try."
Hermione looked up and sniffed. "What if he wants more kids, Gin? I can't… I won't be able to give him any more children."
Ginny shrugged. "There's other ways to have children. Surrogacy. Adoption. But that's probably not something you need to figure out right away. Just enjoy getting to know him as more than a friend. Maybe go on a few dates or something but not tell his kid. This way, if it doesn't work out, she won't be upset."
"It still might change everything," Hermione said quietly.
"And that change might just be what you're looking for." Ginny squeezed her hand again before letting go. "I'm going to head up to bed before Harry comes back. Are you going to be alright?"
Hermione nodded. "Yeah. I'll be alright. Thanks, Ginny."
"And remember, if you do end up with him, I want details." Ginny winked then left Hermione alone in the kitchen.
She sat there for a few more minutes, finishing up her cuppa before placing the mug in the sink.
When she was back in her room, she pulled out her cell phone from under the pillow and opened up the text message from Draco and finally sent a reply.
Happy Christmas, Draco.
Can't wait to see you and Lyra in a few days.
A/N: Finally, some revelations! Hope you all enjoyed this little chapter! (some chapters are small while later ones are longer, I promise). Thank you all for those who are following/liked/commented. I LIVE for the comments! Keep em coming! I'll see you all next Sunday! xoxoHufflepuffMommy