Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been.

AN: Reviews keep me going - please leave your comments, thoughts, etc.! :) hearing your thoughts! Sorry for the delays - grad school is really kicking my butt D:

As always, shout out to my beta, A.

Chapter Forty-Six

After having a short discussion with his mother about when to publicize Hermione and his relationship, his mother decided it was best to do so at the opening of Divertimento. Most purebloods announced their significant partners through a press release when courting after graduating. His mother knew a handful of reputable journalists therefore she would have handled the date of the interview and the journalist. However, his mother was still handling the funeral arrangements for his father and Draco didn't want to press for more time than she had available. Draco knew Hermione was busy with her job at the ministry and he was busy with plans with Blaise preparing for their opening. Due to their conflicting schedules, he and Hermione communicated primarily through chats via mobile. Draco hadn't seen her since she left his home the week of his father's passing. However, that didn't mean he wasn't speaking to her every day. He called her every night after dinner, and she called him on her journey to the office in the morning. They had sorted a schedule without deliberately meaning to and Draco liked it. While he couldn't see the witch of his affections, he could still converse with her daily. Although today was different. Blaise had cancelled their luncheon because his mother needed him for official Zabini duties in Italy and that left Draco open for lunch. He quickly dialed Hermione's number. A few rings and she answered,

"Draco?"

"Bonjour ma sorcière, care for lunch with me?"

He asked her. While Draco was accustomed to hearing his father and mother call each other their "hearts" since he was small, he didn't think he should start off calling his witch that. French had been his first language and came easier for him when talking to Hermione; she seemed amused by the pet name so ma sorcière would suffice for now.

"Aren't you supposed to be having lunch with Blaise?"

She asked him instead.

"I was, but he cancelled."

He replied.

"Oh then, oh sorry hold on."

Hermione held the mobile away from her mouth but Draco could still hear the conversation on her end.

"… lunch with me?"

A voice asked. There was a pause before she answered.

"I suppose we should continue with the jurisdiction talks."

Draco's heart sank a little before she came back to him.

"Sorry I'll have to decline the offer, work beckons me."

She told him.

"Of course. I'll talk to you later."

He answered. She hummed in agreement before ending the line. Sighing, he leaned against the nearest wall while he massaged his temples. He had wanted to see her, but their conflicting schedules were ever conflicting. Instead of skipping lunch, Draco decided to check in with his mother. His aunt reminded him to check on her every so often and while Draco complied, sometimes his mother didn't want to see him. He wasn't going to force her to. Draco was dressed for lunch with Blaise. Tan trousers and navy collared shirt without any additional clothing due to warm temperatures, Draco was dressed casually.

"Mother?"

Draco voiced as he entered her antechamber. His mother was habitually wearing a black witch's robe, this one seemed to cover her entire body. Ending at her heels, covering her neck, and ending at her wrists. Besides her wrists and her neck, the robes were practically drowning his mother. Her blue eyes were tinged in red from her constant crying, and she fiddled with her ring. She wore her hair in a sleek, low ponytail. Narcissa embodied pose and regality, but Draco could only see the sadness that swallowed his mother.

"Draco, I didn't know you were still here."

She answered.

"Blaise cancelled."

He said, stopping in front of her. She smiled briefly, the smile not reaching her eyes, before dropping her gaze to fidget with his dress shirt. He knew she couldn't stare at him too long sometimes – he looked too much like Lucius. Draco swallowed back his distaste at the constant reminder.

"Have you had lunch?"

He asked her. Sighing, she met his eyes again.

"I had a small breakfast."

She replied. He took her left hand and placed it on his bicep.

"Accompany your son then, please."

Draco said. His mother was losing weight and he didn't care for it; she needed to be reminded to eat more than often, but Draco never scolded her. She was still grieving after all.

"Of course, my dragon."

She said,

"How are things with Miss Granger?"

His mother changed the topic as they walked towards her day room. Passing the uppity portraits and the century old furniture, Draco kept his head straight.

"We're going slow, as she wants."

He said, pulling the antique wooden chair for his mother to sit as soon as they were in her teal room. She actually smirked at him, placing her hands on her lap.

"Slow and steady wins the race – no?"

She asked. He didn't reply as she called out for Ellie. Draco watched his mother give brief instructions to her house elf. Seconds passed before the clothed cover tea table was suddenly filled with food. There were cut apples, peaches, and grapefruit, along with vines of green grapes – his mother's favourite. There was also toast, marmalade, jellies, scones, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, baked beans, sausages, and scrambled eggs. Draco grabbed a piece of toast while his mother reached for the grapes and a piece of sausage and toast. Narcissa served herself an herbal tea with milk and honey, letting him decide if he wanted tea or coffee. He chose his tea without anything.

"Are you coming to the opening?"

Draco asked after finishing prepping his toast with blackberry marmalade. His mother paused her tea drinking, before she replied,

"I don't think it would be appropriate for the mourning period. Besides, I don't really believe you'll need me there."

Draco nodded once, slightly relieved his mother wasn't coming when Hermione was. He would have to stretch out his time between his mother and his girlfriend, but he would no longer have to. It also made him nervous to have the two witches in the same room, but he pushed that anxiety aside.

"I've set a date for your father's funeral."

His mother said after a few moments of silence eating. Draco stopped the fork coming to his mouth piled with eggs, having finished his sweet treat before, and placed it back on his plate. He cleared his throat.

"When?"

He asked – blue met gray.

"The 13th of September."

She replied. Draco didn't reply so his mother continued, her hands stayed on her teacup. Draco knew she did so to not show her anxiously moving around her hands.

"It will be small, but you're more than welcome to invite Pansy, Blaise, and Theodore."

Draco hummed in reply, finally taking a bite of his eggs. He enjoyed their softness as his mother wasn't done talking.

"And of course, Miss Granger, if she's willing."

Draco almost choked on his bit of egg in his mouth at his mother's words.

"I don't think she would like to come, mother."

He replied after he swallowed some of his floral tea. Narcissa sipped on her own tea before replying,

"Perhaps not. Although, I'm sure she would like to be given the chance to be there for you, darling."

Her pointed stare was enough to get the message. Invite her, was the silent command given by the Malfoy widow.

"Slow and steady, mother."

Draco answered, popping a slice of green apple in his mouth. He very much wanted this conversation to be done with; he didn't want to speak about his late father's funeral and his current girlfriend attending said funeral. She didn't like his father, why would she want to come? Draco questioned.

"You know your father hated my mother, your grandmother."

His mother changed the topic yet again, but Draco had a feeling she wasn't. He didn't look at her as he moved onto finishing his beans; he didn't really prefer them, but a scoop or two was fine.

"But he still came to her ceremony, Draco."

She finished, moving to cut the grapes with her fork and knife even though Draco knew she liked to eat them with her fingers. Draco fought the urge to roll his eyes at the comparison. He scowled at his mother.

"It's not the same, mother."

He responded, rather put out. His mother and his father had already been married for some years before his grandmother Black had passed. Even if his father didn't want to go, his family duties came first. Of course it wasn't the same situation as he and Granger. In a surprise reaction, his mother laughed at his words. Draco's gaze immediately fell on his mother; she tossed her head back before looking at him with actual happiness.

"You and her are more similar to your father and myself than you care to think of, my dragon."

Draco didn't respond, just watched her smile, which he soon returned. He didn't agree, but he couldn't think of anything better at the moment then to see his mother genuinely smile at him.

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In a more private corner of the Ministry's gray and black tiled cafeteria, four people sat with an assortment of lunch meals around them. Sandwiches, salads, and soups galore. Ronald Weasley sat beside Padma Patil; Ron was dressed in semi-formal wizard robes, a blue complimenting his eyes. Padma matched the semi-formalness that her boyfriend wore. She wore light trousers with a white blouse, her magenta robe hanging off her shoulders. Hermione herself wore palazzo styled trousers, modest black heels, with a deep purple, halter-styled blouse, and matching robes – courtesy of a certain Parkinson witch. The witch insisted on using Hermione as a guinea pig for "her eye". Hermione only mildly complained – the clothes were free and accented Hermione's features well. Currently, Hermione was glaring at her ex-boyfriend across the table from her. She could see Padma's eyes glance between the two and she frowned while Anthony Goldstein continued to talk about the future relations between her department and the legal department of the Ministry. Hermione had originally agreed to lunch with Goldstein because they did have to talk about the legalities of the werewolf sanctuaries. However, she didn't think that Ron would push the double date agenda when he was visiting Percy with Padma. Apparently, Padma didn't either, considering her own quizzical brow.

"Anthony, can you help me get desserts for the table?"

Padma spoke out. Ron finally looked curiously at her while Goldstein nodded and left with her. The Ravenclaw wizard was dressed smartly in light-coloured wizard robes, but Hermione didn't give them a second glance. Then, Hermione's glare turned steely.

"Why are you pushing him on me, Ron?"

She snapped at him. Ron flushed before answering, leaving his pumpkin soup be for now.

"I thought you two would make a good fit."

Hermione sighed at his words. The best intentions… Hermione solemnly thought to herself.

"I'm with Draco, Ron."

She said. Ron tilted his head.

"Huh."

That's all he had to offer before returning his attention to his food. Hermione waited for a more in depth response but after his second spoon, she lost her patience. She was running out of time.

"What?"

She asked. Ron motioned to her person.

"I didn't think it was serious since you don't have any courting gifts on."

He answered. Ron took her silence as the go-to to finish his soup. Hermione's brows knitted together, watching him as he obliviously ignored her. She looked around for a brief moment before nonverbally removing the charm on her right hand. She and Draco had decided to make their relationship public at Blaise and his club opening. There would be plenty of reporters and they would knock out their relationship publicity out of the way at the same time. For the time being, Hermione used a concealment charm on her hand when she was out at work because of their plan. She moved her hand in his eye view, Ron's blue eyes practically bulged from his head as he leaned in, taking hold of her hand.

"You're courting?!"

He said, loudly – much like his sister responded, however, less enthusiastic. Hermione snatched her hand back, but forgetting to readminister the charm before the Ravenclaws came back. Hermione was too busy shushing the noisy red head.

"Shut up! Stop making a fuss!"

Hermione whispered furiously, leaning over the table. Padma soon stood over the table with Goldstein behind her.

"Oh my gods, Hermione. Is that Malfoy's signet ring?"

She asked. Hermione blanked for a second, toying with the ring on her right hand before straightening up and casting the concealment charm wandless and nonverbally. Goldstein raised his eyebrows at the motion, but Hermione ignored him.

"Back to the laws and regulations that need to be passed, Goldstein. Sorry Ronald, Padma, we must go."

Hermione avoided the question in everyone's eyes as she quickly got up, disregarding the chocolate chip cookies that they had gotten for the table. She didn't wait for Goldstein to catch up, nor did she care if he did, but he did in a matter of seconds.

"Wait, Granger."

He said as she rushed towards the lift. She purposely pretended not to hear him until it was just the two of them in the lift. Now she couldn't avoid him.

"Granger, are you dating Malfoy?"

Goldstein asked. Hermione didn't know if it was the tone in his voice or the way his dark blonde eyebrows rose, but she felt the anxiety creeping in. She stared at his shoulder, covered by a black robe over his pale blue shirt and gray trousers. Hermione thought she would have to confirm her relationship with Draco at her side, not alone with practically a stranger at her work. However, before she could spiral out, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a few seconds before responding.

"Can we not?"

She asked, proud that her voice didn't wobble or sound desperate. Hermione hated when random people interjected their opinions about her relationships. She didn't have a pleasant experience as Harry Potter's female friend and then later when the media intruded in her relationship with Viktor. Hermione could hex and vex at anyone who gave their unwanted opinions, but after a while, it grew very tiring. She hoped this instance wasn't going to be like that, especially at her work. Goldstein stared at her for a couple of seconds before nodding once.

"Just one thing. Watch yourself, Granger."

He exited the lift to his floor, leaving her confused at his warning. Hermione didn't know that Goldstein was familiar with Draco. She needed to send Draco a warning of their relationship coming to the public eye earlier than anticipated. The club opening was a few days away still. Back in office, Hermione sent him a SMS text message; they both weren't used to texting, but she occasionally sent him something when she couldn't ring him. She would have dialed him, but she was about to go into another long meeting. Hermione only hoped that both Padma and Goldstein kept their mouths shut until then, but with the parting words of Goldstein, Hermione couldn't be sure.

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The short, three days went and gone. Divertimento was having an exclusive opening tonight, according to the invite in Daphne Greengrass' hands. She read it four times over before Astoria finally came into her room and saw her sister with her invitation.

"Draco invited you?"

Daphne incorrectly guessed; glee written across her face like a greedy toddler who sought after more candies despite having their fists full of the sweet treats.

"Not exactly."

Astoria answered slowly, leaving her door opened and keeping her left hand on her wand inside her skirt pocket. The younger Greengrass was sporting a pale green tennis skirt, showing off her pale legs, and matching tee. She wore plain, white slip on shoes and her hair in a high ponytail. Astoria had just come from watching a certain brunet race around his broom with one of his best mates and his significant partner. Astoria constantly told herself in silence that it was not a double date, despite feeling like it was very much so. Blaise Zabini and Ginny Weasley certainly made an interesting pair, but not as interesting as –

"What do you mean not exactly?"

Her sister's question cut of her train of thought and her eyes pierced into her. Questioning. Judging. Bollocks, Astoria thought. Daphne on the other hand was dressed very formally in pale pink witch's robes that reminded Astoria of the muggle fashion she had seen before.

"I was invited by Blaise."

Astoria replied. The smooth lie wasn't entirely a lie and that is why it was so easy coming out of Astoria's lips. Daphne tilted her head, her straight hair moving slightly with the moment.

"Blaise? On first name terms with Draco's mates as we are?"

Daphne questioned. Before she could reply, Daphne's serious face broke into a smirk.

"Good going, little sister. I can't wait to see you on the Prophet's pages with Draco!"

She squealed out before breaking out into a full grin. Astoria falsely smiled back at her sister's glee, a lump in her throat. Her sister was definitely going to see her as a date to a Slytherin Pureblood, but not the one she named. Fucking shite, Astoria thought, forcing the smile on her lips to make sure her sister didn't see right through her. She would deal with her tomorrow for sure.

"Let's talk outfits."

Daphne announced, turning around to head towards Astoria's wardrobe. Astoria pretended Daphne was really helping her get ready for the date/not-date with Theo; being in denial was a far more pleasant experience than telling her older sister she was going to the opening with her ex-fiancée. Yes, she would definitely deal with her tomorrow.