Draco was sitting in the dining room of Malfoy Manor with a cup of tea. The Easter break was here, Scorpius had returned home, and Draco couldn't be happier about it. After his divorce from Astoria, the house had become empty, the silence oppressive. It wasn't that Draco missed her per se, but he still had to get used to the quiet and the loneliness. How nice it must be to spend every day with the person you truly love, not alone like him, with only the ghosts of his past for company. At that, his thoughts circled back to her. Malfoy noticed that he was now constantly thinking about Hermione. After the article about her divorce, she began to visit his thoughts even more often, scratching on the scabbed wound in his soul.
But it would be easier now that the school break was here. His son was finally home, and Draco wouldn't feel so alone anymore.
Scorpius stepped into the dining room. "Hey, Dad. Are you busy?" said the boy, eyeing his father's untouched cup of tea.
"No, Scorp. I was just wondering what were you up to." Draco grinned.
"Nothing really, just finishing my Potions essay," said the young wizard, sitting down on the chair opposite his father's.
"I always loved Potions." Draco smiled. "Well, Snape also favoured Slytherin much more than the other houses, so I think that also played a part in my choice." Draco chuckled.
Scorpius smiled. "Dad, I wanted to ask you something." Scorpius looked at his father carefully.
"Sure, Scorp. Anything you want. You know, I'm an open book to you." Draco smiled softly.
"Are you going to the banquet dedicated to the victory over Voldemort at the Ministry?"
"I don't know," Draco frowned. "To be honest, I was thinking of skipping it this year. Why are you asking?" Draco curiously looked at his son.
"I want us to go. It's very important." Scorpius looked at his father with a solemn expression.
"What's so important about an annual banquet?" Draco asked in surprise.
"I can't tell you. But you need to promise me that you'll go." Scorpius paused for a moment. "I can tell you one thing, though. You definitely won't regret it." The boy grinned at his father.
"Well, now I'm intrigued." Draco returned his son's grin. "Alright, if it's so important to you, then I'll go."
"Yeah, and one more thing."
"There's one more thing, huh?" Malfoy Sr. laughed.
"Yes, it's also very important. When I ask you to do something during the banquet, I need you to promise me that you'll do it." Scorpius looked at his father with urgency in his eyes.
"Sure, Scorpius. Of course, I'll do it," said Draco with a warm smile. "I'll do whatever you ask me to. I can see that it's important to you."
On the morning of the banquet, Hermione woke up early. Earlier than usual, and that was saying something. She tossed and turned in bed all night, not getting a wink of sleep, wondering what kind of special outfit Ginny had prepared for her that could require so much secrecy. As soon as the sun began to shine through the windows, the witch gave up on sleep, got up and went to take a shower.
Hermione was on edge all day, trying to read through the documents but periodically getting lost in her thoughts. Three hours before the banquet, Mrs Potter finally came out of the fireplace with one hand behind her back.
"Ginny! Finally!" Hermione ran up to her friend and quickly hugged her. "I haven't been able to concentrate all day, thinking about the special dress you prepared for me." The witch was vibrating with excitement.
"Hello to you too, Hermione." Ginny laughed. "Alright, alright! I'll show you. I didn't think that the surprise dress would turn you back into a teenage girl!" the witch grinned. "And I haven't even shown you the dress yet! I'm afraid to think what will happen when you see it." Ginny grinned and moved her hand from behind her back, holding out a rectangular box. "Tada! Come on, open it."
Hermione took the box from her friend's hands and slowly lifted the lid, putting it on her desk. After removing the tissue paper, the witch saw the dress and gasped. "Ginny! Where did you find it?" Hermione could not believe her eyes. Lying in the box was an exact copy of the dress she wore to the Yule Ball.
"I had it made. I showed the tailor a photograph of you and Krum during the ball, gave her your measurements and here is the result!" Ginny smiled broadly. "Now, I hope you remember our agreement. You must wear it!"
"Yeah, I remember. But I don't quite understand. Why this dress, and why now?" Hermione carefully moved her hand through the shimmering material.
"All in due time." Ginny cackled and ran towards the fireplace. "See you later!" As soon as she said this, the witch was engulfed in green flames. Hermione shook her head at her friend's antics. The witch put the lid back on the box, picked up her bag and headed home.
The Ministry Hall was beautifully decorated, with tables covered in an assortment of snacks and drinks by the sides, a stage at the far wall, and a place for dancing in the centre. The guests were gradually arriving, and conversations and laughter began to blossom in the Hall.
Draco Malfoy and his son were already there, standing near the back of the room.
"Well, Scorp? What is it that I should do?" Draco looked at his son and smiled.
"I'll tell you when the time comes." Scorpius smiled softly at his father and looked around the hall, searching for Mrs Potter. She would give him a sign when it was time to act, but where was she? The number of guests was growing, and the first speech had already been made. Scorpius turned his head towards the entrance and finally saw Mrs Potter. She smiled at him and nodded her head. Alright. Show time. Scorpius turned to his father and said, "Dad."
"Well? Is it time?" Draco smiled. He was very interested to know what his son had planned.
"Okay, so your task is to come up to a woman and ask her to dance."
"That's it? Any other instructions?" Draco chuckled.
"Well, yes. The witch is wearing a pink dress. She's going to be here any minute. You have to approach her and ask her to dance. As soon as you extend your hand to her, the music will start playing."
"Alright. So, a witch in a pink dress. How will I recognise her?" Draco didn't quite understand where his son was going with all of this.
"You just will. You have to trust me on that." Scorpius smiled and looked towards Mrs Potter. Hermione was already standing next to her friend. It's time. Scorpius was terribly nervous, but this didn't stop him from feeling truly happy for his father. "She's here. Standing next to Mrs Potter. Go ahead. Second chances in life are rare, so don't miss out on it." Scorpius pushed his father in the right direction and disappeared from sight. The boy had to make sure that the music started on time.
Draco tried to understand what his son was hinting at. Alright, then. The witch standing next to Ginny. Draco searched the crowd and did a double take, not believing his eyes. It was the same dress. Could it be? The woman turned around, and he met her gaze. Hermione. Draco unglued his feet from the floor and began to approach her slowly. So, Scorpius knew everything. A second chance, he said. This time, Draco wouldn't let his happiness slip through his fingers.
Hermione looked at Draco, afraid to blink in case he disappeared. Did Ginny really arrange all of this for them? Draco stopped before her and said, "May I have this dance?" He extended his hand to her.
"But there is no music…" Hermione looked at his handsome face and couldn't take her eyes away.
"There will be." As soon as the words left his lips, a soft melody started playing. Hermione slowly placed her hand in Draco's, and he led her to the centre of the room.
With each step, more and more eyes began to turn in their direction, but the man and woman didn't pay them any attention. They hadn't seen each other for so long that even a second away from each other's gaze felt like an eternity to them.
Stopping in the centre of the room, Draco carefully put one hand on Hermione's waist and took her hand in his other one. Hermione put her free hand on his shoulder, and Draco led them in the dance. Hermione pressed her body to Draco's, ignoring the whispers around them.
"I'm sorry," began Draco, looking into Hermione's eyes. "I broke your heart then, I..."
"I know everything, Draco," Hermione interrupted him. She looked into his lovely eyes and continued, "I know why you did it."
"What? How?" Draco looked at her in surprise.
"It doesn't matter anymore." Hermione smiled. "Let's just say your son was very worried about you."
"Scorpius. I should've guessed." Draco smiled. But the smile didn't stay for long. "Hermione, I know that so much time has passed and you must hate me, but I..."
"Draco." Hermione didn't let him finish, gently pressing her palm to his cheek. "I could never hate you. You mean too much to me, even now." The witch's palm left his face and she leaned her head on his shoulder. "I missed you so much."
"And I missed you, Hermione, and I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you. I will never be able to forgive myself for it." Draco hugged her close to his chest, stopping the dance. "But I want you to know that I love you, I always have and always will. You're the only one for me, Hermione. The love of my life, and not a day has passed that I have not regretted what happened in our sixth year."
"You had no choice." Hermione looked up. "I have never stopped loving you, Draco." A hot tear rolled down her cheek. Draco carefully wiped it away, his fingers lingering on her soft cheek.
The couple stood there unmoving in each other's arms in the centre of the banquet hall full of people. Draco gently stroked Hermione's face with his fingertips, and she closed her eyes, cherishing the feeling. When her eyes fluttered open, she looked at him intently and said quietly, "Do you think it's too late for us?"
"It's never too late." Said Draco and kissed her, gently moving his lips against hers. Hermione leaned forward, wrapped her arms around Draco's neck and kissed him back, pouring all the twenty years' worth of longing and heartbreak into it. They both missed this so much: the adoration, the care, the pure force of their love for each other. There were no thoughts in their heads at that moment, not a single one. The young people were so lost in each other that they didn't pull away until their lungs hurt with the loss of oxygen.
"I missed you, Hermione." Draco gently cupped her face with his palm.
"I missed you too." Hermione smiled warmly at him.
"I will never let you go again." Draco smiled. "I love you."
"I love you," said Hermione, took his hand and slowly led him to the exit of the room.
All the wizards were looking at the scene unfolding before them in different levels of shock. All but three. Albus Potter stood next to Scorpius Malfoy, both of them grinning and exchanging meaningful glances. Ginny Potter, standing next to her husband, quietly laughed when he loudly said, "What is going on here? Did I miss a chapter?"
Ginny hugged her husband with a huge smile shining on her face and said, "Darling, I'll explain everything later."
After so many years apart, two loving hearts were finally reunited. Their love was stronger than separation; it didn't vanish but became stronger than ever. Draco and Hermione had endured so much pain and heartbreak in their lives, and their reward was love, the most beautiful and precious gift in the world. They had each other, and their house would never seem empty, and their hearts would never feel lonely again. They are each other's other half, the missing piece of the other's puzzle, the soul mates written in the stars. Their love was stronger than Voldemort and his threats; it survived twenty years apart and now burned with a new, unyielding strength.
It's never too late to find your lost love. It's never too late to get a second chance. It's never too late to be happy. It's never too late.