"That must be Scorpius, then," she said, attempting to sound casual after an awkward moment of silence where they just stood there, barely acknowledging each other. She was unsure of where else to pull from to make civil conversation.
Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "What gave him away? The hair? The Slytherin uniform?"
She did roll her eyes at that. "The name. The obvious hero-worship of his father," she countered, pausing a moment before continuing. "Although… I admit I was rather shocked to learn that he's apparently quite bearable company — considering who his father is."
"Really Granger? I thought we were playing nice," he drawled as he looked beyond her and beckoned his child back to him with a quick jerk of his chin. He turned back towards her with a raised eyebrow, "I haven't even made any comments on your Weasley spawn."
"Granger-Weasley spawn," she corrected primly, "And pray tell, what would you comment on? My daughter's excellent grades? My son's sweet nature?" Hermione looked over her own shoulder to search for said children as it seemed the train was getting ready to depart.
Draco was kept from replying as Scorpius reached his side. The child looked between his father and Hermione before giving her a polite nod in greeting. "Mrs. Weasley."
"It's Granger, dear," she answered with a smile, "and it's lovely to finally meet you, Scorpius. I've heard so much about you."
Scorpius shifted nervously with wide eyes and a face that was slowly turning pink, unsure of how to respond. Draco's eyebrows rose slightly at that before looking back at Hermione. "Indeed?"
"Indeed," she replied pleasantly, an amused smile on her face at the child's reaction — so unlike his father. She raised her head back to Draco. "I've been told he's quite academically gifted and a rather accomplished duelist."
"Like his father," he smirked, the pride for his son obvious in his voice.
"Like his father," she agreed, causing his eyebrows to shoot up once more and his gaze to linger on her face, possibly searching for some sign of insincerity in her eyes. Apparently having found none, he gave a small self-conscious cough and turned away from her to once again address his son.
"Alright, off with you, then. It looks like the train is about to leave."
Scorpius hesitated for a moment, looking at Hermione before he stepped into his father's arms giving him a rushed hug and attempting a quick escape. Draco, however, wasn't having it, and embraced his son tightly for a few more seconds before pulling back, hands resting on his shoulders and saying in a soft voice, "Take care of yourself, and write to me as soon as you settle in."
"I always do..." he mumbled, but he gave his father a crooked smile before heading towards the train — waving as he boarded.
Draco watched him go and then turned around to find Hermione embracing her own children, giving an especially long hug to her son.
"Oh Hugo, you'll have a wonderful time at Hogwarts — you'll see. Rose, make sure to keep an eye on him. Help him if he's struggling — not that you will, Hu. You always do your father and me proud, sweetheart. Oh, and don't forget to write! I've packed you plenty of parchment. And—oh yes. I know James and Albus will be there, but don't let them distract you from your studies. If there's anything you forgot to pack, owl me and I'll have it sent to you as soon as I can. And—"
"Yes, Mum! He'll be fine and we're about to miss the train!" Rose interrupted, hands on her hips, looking impatiently between her mother and the Hogwarts Express.
"Right. Sorry," she rushed, placing a quick peck on each of their cheeks and giving them a light push toward the doors. They ran inside and Rose propped a window open yelling "Love you!" at her mother while Hugo gave her a wide smile and an enthusiastic wave before the whistle blew and the train slowly took off and disappeared from view.
Hermione worried her lip and took a deep breath, holding back the tears that had been threatening to fall all morning at the thought of her baby leaving for Hogwarts.
"Boy's first year?" said a voice from behind her, making her start slightly. She'd forgotten he was there.
"Yes," she replied softly, still staring at the empty space where they'd been mere seconds ago.
"I didn't see Weasley," he commented, with apparent nonchalance.
Hermione turned away from her longing thoughts and found Draco was not focusing on her, but at where she'd been staring just moments before — his thoughts, no doubt, with his own child.
"Ronald couldn't make it. They had a breakthrough on a case and he couldn't afford to let the trail grow cold. He really wanted to be here, though."
"I still can't quite wrap my head around Weasley becoming an auror. I'd have thought him more likely to join his brother at that joke shop of his." He looked back towards her slowly before tilting his head to indicate his intention to leave the platform. She hesitated, then nodded slightly and fell in step with him as he began to walk away.
"I think he's considering it, actually. He hasn't really discussed it with me, but I know he'd like more time with the children, and George's business is booming lately. He'll be needing all the help he can get."
"Mmm," was his only response. They walked in silence for a moment before Hermione tentatively placed a hand on his arm, effectively stopping him in his tracks and causing him to look back over his shoulder at her questioningly.
"Malfoy," she paused and looked torn as to whether she should continue or not. "Draco," she amended, letting her gaze drift towards his, "I know it was a while ago, but I never—I didn't get a chance to—" she bit her lip and pulled her hand back to wring it nervously with the other one. "I was sorry to hear about Astoria," she said finally, her voice little more than a whisper.
Draco stiffened momentarily and looked away as if dwelling on a memory, which — Hermione supposed — he was. He remained still and silent for several moments in which she began to worry she had said too much. Before she could apologize, however, he turned his focus back on her.
"Thank you."
He didn't say anything more, but he appeared to have accepted her condolences with sincerity. Hermione felt herself blush as she nodded awkwardly and began walking once more. Once they exited the platform, Draco noted the time on one of the clocks.
"I've an appointment in a half hour."
Hermione nodded her understanding, still somewhat unsure of what else to say.
"Well, Granger," he spoke up once more, bringing her focus back to him, "it would seem we've… changed. Finally grown up, maybe? Who would have thought we'd see the day when we could hold a civil conversation… and the Gryffindor know-it-all would be at a loss for words?" He smirked, lifting the somber mood.
She snorted, and grinned back, the mischief in her brown eyes rising to meet his.
"And the day when the pompous Slytherin prince could refrain from basking in his own self-importance."
"Swot," he replied with amusement.
"Git," she countered with a grin and he smirked with a roll of his eyes.
"Granger," he nodded in leu of farewell.
"Malfoy," she replied in kind as they parted ways.
A/N:
Suffering from a bit of writer's block so I was going through some old stuff and found this. It's just another bit of writing I did a while ago. It has the potential to be expanded into more chapters, but for now I think it works well on its own :)
