Notes: 1st, spoiler alert - if you haven't read all the books, you should probably not read this fiction (and most fictions on this website...) because it will contain spoilers. (unless you don't care about spoilers, then you should read it!)

2nd, a disclaimer - this fiction was inspired by another one called "Dad says" which is a Drarry fiction on Archive of our own. I liked it so much I couldn't get it out of my head and had to write the story that started forming in my head. That's where the idea of Malfoy living as a muggle and having a bookstore comes from, but apart from that I'm taking it my own direction. Go read that fiction as well though, it's great.

She arrived a few minutes late, Harry and Ron already waiting for her. Harry managed to get a private booth in the restaurant and Hermione was grateful not to have anyone asking Harry for an autograph every 5 minutes. She thought it might be an opportunity to ask some questions without being overheard. Anything they said could be on the front page of The Daily prophet the next morning, and she didn't want to out Malfoy as living in the muggle world. She was sure he had his reasons.

The boys gifted her a framed photo of the three of them, looking very young. It was taken in the Weasley's garden, with the twins and Ginny running around in the background. Hermione, Ron and Harry were looking at the camera, smiling and waving.

'I found this in my dad's garage, he enchanted this muggle camera one summer and took some pictures with it before it blew up, remember? This must have been after second or third year.' – Ron explained with excitement.

'Thank you, this is lovely' – Hermione smiled absentmindedly, remembering the carefree childhood they had – not without trouble, but they didn't compare to what happened after their seventh year.

They ordered the food, and spent some time reminiscing about their time in Hogwarts. Harry had visited professor McGonagall a few weeks prior, and was telling them about the new teachers she hired and her opinions on the new students. Hogwarts had changed, as did the whole wizarding world, but some things remained the same.

'You seem concerned, Hermione, is everything ok?' – Harry stopped his tale, when she answered 'that's great' to his question about her favourite butter beer in Hogsmeade.

Hermione sighed and adjusted herself in the chair.

'I ran into Malfoy today' – she confessed – 'it was strange.'

'That is strange' – admitted Harry – 'I haven't heard anything about him since he was released from Azkaban, about… four years ago. I assumed he moved abroad, but maybe he's back now… where did you see him?'

'I think… that he lives in the… in the muggle world' – Hermione said, which made both Ron and Harry stare at her in disbelief.

'His son plays with Teddy sometimes, they are cousins after all.' – it was Harry's turn to surprise her – 'I wasn't happy about it, and neither was Andromeda, but Narcissa insisted… she took care of the boy when his mother died, shortly after his birth. I haven't seen him much. I don't even know whether he's still with her, it sounds like Malfoy might have taken over' – he shrugged – 'so you saw him in muggle London? Was there anything else weird about it?'

Hermione hesitated, then shook her head – 'No, I was just surprised. Anyway, how has your work been, got any new interesting cases?'

'Nothing new, but we have a lead on the old one' – Harry looked around to make sure no one else could hear them – 'There has been some illegal trade of magical substances going on internationally, for quite a while. Kind of like drug trafficking in the muggle world. It's not only against the law, but it could be dangerous, you can't be sure what you're buying. Anyway, we have a couple of places to check out. I shouldn't really be telling you this, so… there is actually something else I have to tell you' – he grinned, pausing for effect – 'Ginny is pregnant!'

'Oh!' – Hermione gasped in delight, almost jumping out of her seat to throw her arms around him – 'that is so great, congratulations!'

'I knew, actually' – Ron was grinning as well. Ginny told George, and he told me, and I might have let it slip to mum… but I obliviated her quickly! So you can still break the news'

'Ronald!' – Hermione protested his methods, while Harry laughed and patted his back

'I'm happy for you' – Ron assured Harry, and then threw a quick glance at Hermione. She looked away and spoke to Harry again.

'How far along is she? Is she going to stop her Quidditch trainings?'

'Almost 3 months. Yes, she still goes to practice but doesn't fly anymore. She'll have to stop altogether at some point, which she is not happy about.'

Ron, who worked as a Quidditch injuries healer, joined the conversation detailing his experience with female players who had children during their careers. Hermione listened for a bit, then drifted away into her thoughts again. She was turning 26. Which was still young, but now that her friends were having children, she wondered what was in store for her. She spent most of her time on work, wanting to make the biggest difference for those who needed it. What about her personal life? She had friends, of course, but was there going to be anything else?

When they finished dinner and had some wine, Harry announced that he had to leave

'I'm sorry Hermione, I don't want to leave Ginny to stay up waiting. She wasn't feeling all that great today, you understand.'

'Don't worry about it' – Hermione reassured him, getting up and gathering her things before Ron could suggest that they stay longer – 'thank you for a wonderful evening' – she gave them both a hug, and followed Harry to the fireplace in the back of the restaurant. Ron was right behind her. When Harry disappeared in the green flame, he grabbed Hermione's shoulder.

'Can we talk?'

Hermione nodded, and reluctantly followed him to the nearest empty table.

'Listen… I wanted to tell you something… for a long time… I think that…' – he stuttered

'Ron, you shouldn't…'

'No, I should, Harry says it's been going on long enough… it's just… I really like you, Hermione' – he blurted out.

'Oh' – this was the only thing she could say. She knew that Ron had a crush on her, and she could feel that he was about to burst for a while, but did not expect him to be so upfront about his feelings.

'Ron… I'm not sure I feel the same way. I love you as a friend, you are like a brother to me, not…'

'Not boyfriend material' – he sighed – 'of course, I was stupid to even ask' – his voice was calm but his cheeks betrayed him, turning red.

'Not at all, Ron, I am glad you told me. I'm sorry that it's not going the way you wished… I hope we can still be friends? It really means a lot to me, having you as a friend…'

Ron nodded, getting up – 'Of course, no problem. I better go. Have a nice evening' – he walked into the fireplace, and soon disappeared as well, leaving Hermione on her own, wondering why she rejected someone she used to be obsessed with at school, and why there was a voice inside her head playing Malfoy's "I'll get it myself" over and over, like a song.