Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been. Please review! Reviews are always nice; I'd like to hear your thoughts on this fic :)

Chapter Eleven

"How's Hermione, Harry?ˆ"

Andromeda Tonks asked the young war hero. Teddy was currently messing with his godfather's glasses while Harry held him in his lap. The three of them were settled into Andromeda's dining room-kitchen where the tall witch was whipping up dinner for them. Harry was still in his auror uniform and Teddy wore a baby blue onesie with a matching pullover to keep out the cold. While Andromeda still had Black features – dark gray eyes, sharp cheekbones, and wild hair when provoked – she had softened from years away from her Black family. Her dark brown curls were cut short after the death of her daughter and husband; she claimed she needed them out of the way when she became Teddy's guardian. She wore a simple headband to keep her hair out of her face, a loose, pale yellow, high waisted skirt, and a thin, brown sweater tucked in. On top of her homely attire, she wore a worn blue and white apron while she cooked. All-in-all, she looked like the classic housewife she had become accustomed to being and nothing like her sisters – if one didn't know better.

"Better. Thank you for suggesting she and the snakes would get along."

Harry gratefully said, smiling down at his godson then at Andromeda. The middle Black sister nodded at him, smiling gently back as she turned back around, focusing on the stew before her. The young auror was around more than often, but Andromeda didn't mind. With just her and Teddy occupying the home that she lived in prior with Ted and a young Nymphadora, she cherished the company. She was grateful enough that her grandson was still alive and breathing, but the memories of her own life haunted Andromeda more than often. And she knew Harry loved being around Teddy, she wouldn't keep them away. All three of them had lost the most important people in their lives. Now they were making their own families as they could. Andromeda knew that if Harry wasn't with her grandson, he was either with the Weasleys or Hermione – usually both before Hermione and Ron's falling out. She knew the young wizard didn't like being alone, a feeling she knew well.

"Are you sure you don't mind me staying for dinner?"

Harry asked her again. Andromeda pursed her lips before turning to scold him.

"Harry Potter, you're always welcome for dinner you silly boy."

Harry chuckled, pretending to shrink away from her.

"You definitely look like a Black when you're scary."
He joked. Andromeda couldn't help but to laugh at him before checking to see that the white rice was cooking properly. While she knew the similarities of herself and her siblings were there, she was rarely reminded of them. Her eldest sister's death was a mercy to the world, in Andromeda's opinion. She wasn't sad once she heard the news, already coming to terms the death of her family long before the second war started. The only family member that lingered in the back of her mind was of her youngest sister, 'Cissa. However, she wasn't going to reach out the Malfoy matriarch until Narcissa did so herself. As much as she wanted to, Andromeda needed to know if her sister's act of charity were just that – acts. Narcissa had married as her family dictated and the Malfoys were notorious blood purists. Andromeda didn't know if Narcissa helped Harry towards the end of the war because she had a change of heart or because she selfishly, but understandably, wished to protect her family.

"Smells delicious, doesn't it Teddy?"

Harry's cooing over her grandson brought Andromeda back to the task at hand. Continuing cooking, she decided to put her youngest sister in the back of her mind.

"I'm glad they get along, you all need more friends."

Andromeda commented on the budding friendship of the Slytherins and the Gryffindors. Harry had mentioned working with Nott and Zabini was stuck to Nott's side, so Andromeda encouraged him to be friendlier to them. From what Harry had told her, they seemed to have outgrown their Slytherin-Gryffindor rivalry and had matured wisely after the war. She heard Harry scoff and making sure the stew didn't need anything else, Andromeda placed the glass lid on top of the medium size pot to let it simmer.

"I think one of them has more than friendship in mind."

He quietly said to Teddy. Teddy enjoyed the attention his godfather gave him, smiling at him as he tried to place the circular glasses back on Harry's nose and ears. Andromeda made sure the white rice was almost ready before she turned back Harry.
"Oh? One of the Slytherins out to get you, Harry?"
She couldn't help but to tease. Harry's cheeks immediately darkened but Andromeda could barely tell from Harry's darker complexion. Harry lost his rhythm bouncing Teddy on his knees at the comment.

"W-What! No, no not me."

He stuttered out and he corrected himself with Teddy before continuing. Andromeda laughed at his reaction before watching the interaction between the two boys. She smiled fondly at the young man and young child – joy sweeping over her despite the rough years they had all experiences before.

"Hermione?"

She asked him. Harry nodded and got up from the wooden chair he was sitting at, bouncing Teddy around in his arms. The toddler was still focused on his godfather's glasses as Harry moved around, making him laugh when he couldn't put the glasses back on Harry.

"Nott?"

She asked thinking of what little she knew about the new master Nott. She didn't know his father well, only that he was above her own year in Hogwarts, Death Eater, and a widow. She could only hope that his son didn't have similar, hidden interests. Harry couldn't control his smirk when he looked at Andromeda, glasses askew.

"Your nephew."

Andromeda's eyes widen, her mouth making a small 'o'.

"You're joking."

She responded. Harry shrugged, now turning to throw Teddy in the air to catch him, the young Lupin child laughing and squealing the entire time.

"Maybe – "

He threw Teddy up, catching him with ease.

"But he does seem – "

Once more before catching his giggling godson in his arm.

"Awfully interested in her."

He finished. Andromeda shut her mouth. Now if Draco Malfoy was interested in Hermione Granger, perhaps Narcissa would reach out to Andromeda sooner rather than later. Leaving Andromeda to her thoughts, Harry helped by setting the table finally putting Teddy down. Harry placed the matching, white porcelain dishes on the wooden table before him while Teddy followed him closely at his heels. Andromeda would not have suspected her nephew, the Malfoy heir – or was it finally Lord?, she thought to herself – would have any type of affections for anyone who wasn't Pureblooded. The Malfoys were sticklers for blood purity as were the Blacks; the union of Lucius and Narcissa was a perfect match. The fact that their only child was seemingly taking a path Andromeda knew all too well, let her flabbergasted. She thought the only outliers in the prestigious, ancient family of Black was herself and Sirius. Apparently, not only was Regulus one, but Draco as well. Andromeda finally snapped out of the haze that included her nephew, her sister, and Hermione Granger, and turned back to the food she was preparing.

"I suppose we'll see."

She said softly, more to herself than to Harry. Harry nodded in agreement, picking up Teddy once again, grinning at the slight hair change he exhibited.

"I suppose we will."

[-]

Draco apparated into an alleyway a few blocks down to where Pansy had told him Granger lived. He walked the rest of the way to the apartment flats, for once grateful for the cold air that bit him. While Draco didn't make it a habit to walk in unfamiliar muggle neighbourhoods, he did often walk around muggle London and St. Anne's. He felt the change of pace, walking instead of apparating, was refreshing – especially when he needed to clear his head. Usually he would fly around in his broom, but he couldn't do that here. Draco exhaled deeply, hands in his black coat, and his nose red from the cold, he tried to calm himself with the short walk. He was abnormally warm because he was nervous and he'd rather offend a hippogriff again than to let Granger see him in such a flustered state. Draco still had some pride in who he was. He took his time walking up the stairs as Pansy said she lived on the second level and in flat #8. He didn't need to run up the stairs despite feeling jittery. He straightened his coat and chose dark blue muggle jeans and a dark gray sweater underneath – as to not stand out in her neighbourhood. He thought Granger would appreciate his ability to assimilate into the muggle world. Draco took out her coat and the flowers he had ordered before coming here from his coat pocket, using a shrinking charm on them, before walking to her door. He eyed the other gray door on the other side, on the adjacent side labeled #9. The wooden floors creaked underneath his weight and the walls were a dull gray, but everything was around him was clean. Nothing like his father – or mother – would have imagined. He looked up at the high, small windows letting in the sunlight and the three lightbulbs that appeared off for the time being. Clearing his throat slightly before looking back at the challenge at hand, he shook his head at the muggle architecture. Draco barely knocked once, his fist still raised when Hermione Granger opened the metal door that led to her abode. He let his eyes drink her in, wearing muggle jeans, socks, crème camisole, and a canary cardigan over her figure, her brown curls loose. Draco's hand twitched slightly, trying to control his compulsion to reach out to her, to touch her. He didn't get a chance to stare for long as she abruptly said,

"You're here."

He could see the surprise on her face but that was overlooked when he noticed her red rimmed eyes. Unless he wasn't truly was a besotted mess as he thought, he noticed the usual light in her eyes wasn't there. She had been crying, he silently noticed. His nerves amplified and he force himself to react. He nodded once; he had her coat in one hand and another set of the same flowers he purchased before in the other sans vase. Draco assumed seeing and talking to Granger was going to be awkward and nervous, but only because he was awkward and nervous. All the pureblood lessons on etiquette went flying out the window at the sight of her.

"Am I late?"
He asked her. He knew he wasn't, but his usual wittiness was gone and instead was replaced with a bundle of anxiety. He watched her as she fidgeted with her hands, biting her lower lip, and letting her gaze fall from him. She seemed to be just as nervous as he felt. While that normally would have calmed Draco down, it didn't – it made it worst. She was crying and nervous, bloody hell, he couldn't help but to curse his luck.

"No."

She answered. His only response was humming in agreement and it took a couple of more seconds of him awkwardly standing there before Hermione exclaimed,

"Oh! Um, thanks for bringing my coat."

She motioned to retrieve the gray coat in his hand and he handed it to her, careful to avoid touching her hands.

"You didn't have to, Theo could have sent it by owl. Or you."

She said. Her brown eyes were now staring up at him and then at the flowers. Before he could say anything, she asked, tilting her head just slightly to the left,

"Are those for me?"

He nodded once, watching her moments, before clearing his throat and handing her the flowers. Again careful to avoid her touch, she grasped the top of the stems as he held the end. She looked at him, a look of confusion sweeping her features. Draco could only assume she was confused by his gestures and his lack of conversation. He internal groaned as she looked down at the flowers, the same beautiful arrangement, and inhaled their sweet scents. Of course she thought he was being a prat, he was acting like a prat, but he couldn't make himself speak without sounding like a complete buffoon. Draco knew being in the same vicinity and speaking to Hermione Granger was going to be an ordeal, but he didn't think common sense were completely going to vanish from his person. She ignored the intensity of the gray eyes that followed her movements before looking back up at him.

"More flowers."

She stated.

"Do you not like them?"

He asked. She laughed softly at him as he tried to control the embarrassment he felt if she said no.

"No, I do. I'm just confused as to why you sent them in the first place."

She confessed. After a couple of moments of silence, brown eyes staring into gray, Draco replied. He cleared his throat and looked above her head, catching a peek of her kitchen. He saw the flowers he sent yesterday placed on a small kitchen table.

"I assumed you would appreciate the language of flowers."

He stated, dropping his gaze from looking over her, and again, Draco tried to control the heat he felt on the back of his neck. Had he read her all wrong? Did she not like the meaning of the flowers? His thoughts were interrupted by her exhaling loudly.

"I do. The yellow roses and the lilies of the valley, I get, but I'm stuck on the ivory."

She stated. Another staring contest and before he could answer, he saw her moving just slightly, restless. He couldn't help himself then, he stepped forward, and that eased her fidgeting. Draco felt himself move automatically, reaching out to her to ease her nervous actions as he had seen his mother do to his father on countless occasions. One half step closer and he lifted his hand to almost touch her cheek; the entire time, Hermione didn't move. He relaxed slightly at the sight of her finally becoming still and almost at his fingertips.

"You've been crying."
He stated. He would have blurted it out the moment he saw her but thankfully, his brain told his lips to keep shut – until now. He watched her shudder, watching the sensation ripple through her as she continue to stare up at him. She wasn't going to answer and Draco wasn't going to linger on his idiotic behavior. A few more moments, he stepped away, dropping his hand.

"Strong affectionate attachment."

He replied before stepping back, turning on his heel to turn around. He stuffed his hands back into his pockets before he did something even more foolish.

"Friendship."

She said softly. Draco almost didn't catch it, too busy focusing on retaining the illusion that he was calm when his treacherous heartbeat almost made him slip. Draco couldn't help but to look back once more at her, his hair falling slightly in his vision. She was still standing in her doorway, eyes red, and confused. Beautifully wrong, was all Draco could think before fully turning away.

"Goodnight, Granger."

He said and discreetly looked around before apparating. He landed once more in front of Theo's door; he hadn't wanted to bother his friend with his problems but he didn't want to go to Wiltshire. He glared at the horrendous doorknob before knocking, hard, once. He knew the wards would have informed he was on the grounds already but he needed to let out some frustration. She was crying. Crying before she saw me… Salazar, she better not have been crying because of me. I didn't do anything to make her cry. What about when you called her a mudblood? For fuck's sake that was when I was twelve, no way she would be – Maybe she was reminiscing on all the times everyone else called her that because mighty Malfoy shot the first insult. Fuck! Draco groaned out loud, squeezing his eyes shut, pinching the bridge of his nose, and letting his head fall back. His free hand was clenching and unclenching as he struggled to keep his composure. His thoughts were clouding over the little sanity he had and he hated himself even more by the second. After more than a minute, Draco realized he was still standing outside. What was taking Theo? Draco opted to knock again, harder, let his hand fall from his face. Perhaps his friend was out and Draco was left to go back to his childhood manor. He groaned again, remembering he drained most of his magic earlier today and he had no other option but to go home. Instead of returning to his solace that was the Malfoy French Manor, he stupidly had to go back to his ancestral home. Thankfully, the door suddenly swung open before Draco could apparate to Wiltshire; Draco opened his mouth to tell his best mate why he took him so long before he shut it immediately. Daphne's hazel eyes were on his and a forced smile appeared on her lips. Dressed in a white assemble sans clothes and a tight, high ponytail, Draco appreciated Daphne's stature and taste. But he let the the compliment forming on his lips die when he saw the ugly "G" on her left breast. Greengrasses, Draco internally rolled his eyes.

"Sorry to leave in a rush but lovely to see you, Draco."

She said, not evening bothering to lean up for a peck on the cheek, before she rushed out and apparated away. Draco watched Theo watch her before he walked in and Theo closed the door behind him. Theo was dressed in one of his usual suits, but missing his jacket and his top button was left open.

"Drink?"

Theo offered but didn't bother waiting for his response. He started walking towards his entertainment room and Draco followed behind him. Draco noticed that the main foyer was coming along nicely as he turned the corner after Theo. Once more in the magenta room, Theo walked straight towards the drink cart. He waited patiently while Theo served him a drink and himself one. Barely taking a sip of the Ogden's, Theo swallowed his in one gulp. Draco eyed the brown-haired wizard before took another sip and Theo threw his crystal on the floor; it shattered, and Draco didn't flinch.

"Bloody witch and her fucking preposterous notions."

He snarled, glaring at the broken glass on his rug.

"What did Daphne want?"

Draco asked quietly. Theo and Daphne's break up didn't end in the best terms, Draco remembered, but mostly for Daphne than Theo. Daphne was set on becoming Lady Nott and marrying into the Sacred Twenty-Eight was no easy feat when there was less of them as the years went by. But her father abruptly called off the agreement between the families and Nott Sr. didn't bother to retaliate. To him, Hendrich Greengrass was a weak fool and no offspring of his were fit to marry into the Nott family. Daphne was devasted, spending most of her time falling into a role when it was ripped from her. Theo was secretly delighted; he remained sympathetic to Daphne, but it was no surprise to Draco to see the relief coming off his best mate in waves when he heard the news. Now Theo didn't have to end up in a loveless marriage and he could purse the actual witch of his dreams – too bad she was already in love with someone else, Draco thought. Theo smirked cruelly, whispering a Reparo and the glass was as new again. The look sent alarm bells through Draco. Theo wasn't usually mean or upset, only when it came to his father. The fact that Daphne had managed to make his usual easy-going friend into a complete arsehole was startling to Draco.

"Darling Daph wants me to convince you to marry Astoria."

Theo replied. He let the smirk fall as quickly as it came and blue eyes looked into gray.

"Rambling about how she wants to secure her sister's future and what not."

Theo said before glancing back down at the glass on the floor. He leaned down to pick it up and Draco watched as he poured himself more liquor. Draco cleared his throat, placing his glass on the cart, before taking off his coat.

"What do you think I should do?"

Draco asked him. He deliberately took his time taking off his heavy coat, letting it rest on his left forearm, before reaching for his glass again. Even though he asked, Draco suspected Theo knew it was a test. Draco wasn't going to marry Astoria even if Theo begged him to – on Daphne's behalf. Draco would have considered it if Theo really wanted him to, but this was Daphne's request not Theo's. Draco needed to know where his friend's thoughts were before proceeding. Did he really take Daphne's words serious or was he just frustrated at her actions?

"As if you do what I asked, if I asked."

Theo scoffed, downing another drink in one gulp. Draco couldn't help but to smirk at him, raising his glass as he swallowed the remainder of his drink as well.

"Granger was crying when I gave her coat."

He blurted out, changing the subject. Theo raised his eyebrows at that before pouring more drinks into their glasses.

"You made her cry?"

Theo asked, cautiously.

"No you arsehole. She was already crying when I came, but she didn't tell me why."

Draco snapped, but visibly sagged in the end. He wasn't in the mood for his own friend to suggest such atrocious behavior on his part. Draco stared at the brown liquor in the glass, remembering the red rimmed eyes he saw moments before.

"She mentioned she was having a hard time at work."

Theo offered after a couple of moments of silence, taking a drink but not the entire amount this time. This perked Draco up slightly as he looked back at his friend.

"Perhaps."

He barely spoke above a whisper before drinking his own drink.

"Witches."

Theo said, half laughing, half serious as he gave his friend a small smile. Draco returned the gesture, appreciating that at least he wasn't the only one struggling with his witch. Even though Daphne wasn't who Theo wanted, she was who his witch wanted.

[-]

Hermione closed the door slowly behind her, a few moments after Malfoy had disapparated from her view. She felt as if she was in a daze, holding onto the flowers and coat before walking towards her kitchen table. She placed them down gently and she closed her eyes. She sighed out loud, mentally exhausted from the day she just had. The day just wouldn't end and Malfoy had topped it off with his absurdly stiff character oppose to the one she talked to nights prior. Was he nervous? she asked herself. In her eyes, he was definitely different from the night she saw him last; he was still polite, but more rigid in his posture and actions.

"I'll just sleep it off."

She murmured to herself and walked slowly to her bedroom. She had already fed Crookshanks but not herself; she just didn't have the energy for it. She was drained. Slipping into bed, she closed her eyes and unluckily, the day replayed in her mind before she fell into a fitful slumber.