Tomorrow is probably going to be short as I'll be packing up my apartment for a cross-country move, but I'll get something down (I'm supposed to be packing right now but...)

Anyway I hope you enjoy the ApoloTea (get it? Apology + Tea lol)!

Wednesday, June 10, 1998

Hermione paced in the receiving room as she waited for Pansy to arrive. Theo was sitting casually on one of the couches, legs crossed and ankle bouncing.

"How can you be so calm?" she asked with a grimace.

"I've known Pansy most of my life, Gin is my sister, and you're my wife. What do I have to be nervous about? I know you'll hear her out and you'll stubbornly pretend to be angry, but she'll inevitably say something that will strike you and soon enough you'll be blubbering all over each other in tears," he said with a shrug and a wink.

"You're such an arse, Theodore Nott," she said, settling herself across his lap.

"I do have a nice arse, don't I, nothing on yours though," he said, pinching said arse.

She rolled her eyes, but grinned and kissed him heatedly. He pulled her closer to him and ground her hips against his. "I love you," she muttered through kisses.

"And I love you," he said grinning up at her and then leaning in to kiss her again.

"Merlin and Morgana, you two!" whinged Ginny from the doorway. "Do you ever stop?"

Hermione rested her forehead against Theo's shoulder with a giggle. "Hello Ginevera," Theo smirked, "I see you've brought our guest. Up you go, love." He patted her bum as she stood.

"Ms. Parkinson," Hermione said stiffly.

"Lady Nott… Malfoy?" Pansy said, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"Malfoy-Nott," Hermione said primly, "but in mixed company, Lady Nott will do."

"Of course," Pansy said, bowing her head slightly.

"Do sit," Hermione said, gesturing to the loveseat across from Theo. Ginny skipped over to the chair at Theo's side. Hermione sat next to Theo on the edge of the couch and began to pour everyone's tea. "How do you take your tea, Ms. Parkinson?"

"A splash of milk and half spoon of sugar," Pansy said, quietly.

Hermione nodded and made her tea as asked and then sat straight sipping her own tea. Theo had thrown his arm over the back of the loveseat behind her and had his cuppa resting on his knee.

After a few moments, Pansy cleared her throat, "I've come to apologise, to you, Lady Malfoy-Nott. I intruded into your home multiple times and refused to listen to reason. I accused you and your husband of something that you did not do. I truly value both Theo and Draco, and I had hoped to include you in my circle, but I fear that I've ruined my chance with all three of you."

Hermione knew that Draco and Theo had been holding Pansy at arms length in respect for Hermione. She continued to watch Pansy, tilting her head to the side a bit. "I've spoken at length with Ginny-er Ginevra," Pansy continued, "she's helped me see that I needed to do something to repair what I've broken. I know there is nothing I can say that will erase the past, but I hope that we can start over and I can earn your trust."

Ginny grinned at the other witch and nodded encouragingly. Pansy took in a deep breath and looked between Ginny and Hermione, "I've never had many girlfriends. I've had Daphne and Millie of course, but I was never as close to them as I was to the boys. I, er," she looked at Ginny pleadingly, but she just nodded, "See, I have more in common with them. While your husbands are very pretty, I'm more interested in Daph or Gin here…"

Hermione was impressed. It was unheard of to share such a secret with someone you don't know very well. She nodded, thoughtfully. And Pansy looked relieved, "I just hope that I can begin to earn your trust, and hopefully eventually your friendship?"

"Thank you for coming and apologising, Ms. Parkinson," Hermione said carefully. "While I am not in a place to totally forgive you, I can tell that what you say is true. I appreciate your willingness to share such a secret with me as it shows a great capacity and willingness to change. I shall endeavour to get to know you better as you're important to both Theodore, Draco, and apparently Ginevra," she added, smirking at the red-head. "You will have to join Millie and I on our next tea in Diagon Alley."

Pansy sighed and relaxed into the seat a bit further. Hermione caught Ginny and Theo exchanging coins next to her. Leave it to them to bet on the apology. "I'd be honoured to join you, Lady Malfoy-Nott," Pansy said, smiling softly.

"I think we can dispense with the formality now," Hermione added. "Do call me Myuh."

"Then you must call me Pansy," Pansy said, relaxing even further. Hermione turned to her husband and sister-in-law as she saw more coins exchanging hands.

"How much did Draco win?" Hermione asked with a chuckle.

"Beat us both, of course," Ginny grunted, in mock annoyance.

"He does have an uncanny way of knowing what will happen doesn't he?" Hermione asked with a smirk.

"That he does, the Malfoys were always said to have Seer blood, apparently his only comes when it involves you, love."

Pansy watched their banter and Hermione watched her smile softly into her cup. "Where is Draco today?" Pansy asked.

"He has his Dark Lord approved Potions lessons on Wednesdays after his normal Apprenticeship hours," said Ginny with a grimace.

"I never liked Potions," said Pansy offhandedly, and Hermione was reminded of the time she'd melted her cauldron and shrieked at Daphne, who'd been her partner, for "mucking it all up!" Pansy continued, "I was always much more partial to Charms. They're more beneficial in the fashion industry."

"I'd love to see some of your designs," Hermione said thoughtfully. "I'm looking to expand my wardrobe but haven't been very impressed by the Wizarding styles I've seen here… quite old fashioned."

Pansy chuckled, "Yes we do seem to be very invested in our heritage, don't we?"

Not long after, Pansy made her excuses to leave and Hermione, Ginny and Theo at dinner on the patio watching the sunset.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!