Month 12 – Challenge Accepted
Month 12 – Challenge Accepted
As the months passed by the group became so comfortable that they often texted between their monthly meet ups at the pub. There were times that some of them would meet up every week on Tuesdays. Ron, Harry, & Theo would often catch up on the shows Theo had grown to love. Harry was the translator for a lot due to Ron never trying to understand muggle shows prior, and Theo had gotten a few things wrong. Eventually Neville joined in on these nights but had to pull back when he started teaching at Hogwarts as the new Herbology professor.
Draco and Blaise had fun trying to teach Ron how to drive. Harry, Theo and Neville joined a long often to just to watch with amusement. Ron was one of the worst drivers Harry had ever seen. Luckily Blaise put several cushioning charms around the car so that Ron didn’t total the vehicles. Draco had some nice cars, but he thought about buying a simpler one for Ron to learn on, and anyone else who might.
The girls often all got together for “girls’ nights” and Hermione loved having so many amazing women in her life. She had grown into her own body and hair as an adult, but Pansy really helped her grow even more. Hermione always enjoyed dressing comfortably, loose pants and jumpers, but branched out for special occasions with the help of all the girls.
She learned much more about the Slytherin girls. Tori eventually shared with all of them during a tear-filled emotional night about what she was forced into during the war. Pansy hadn’t known and was so remorseful that she wasn’t the friend Tori had needed during their time living as muggles. Tori admitted that she had only shared it with Draco. She didn’t want to burden anyone else with it. The girls became so much closer that night. It was not all fun and games. They had to help each other deal with the trauma of their past.
Ginny and Pansy have similar personalities. They are both abrupt and blatantly honest. Most would assume they wouldn’t get along, but they got on swimmingly, gravitating to the other. Both love fashion and hitting on the men at the pub and that led them to become the first of the two in the joined groups to become established friends. They were also the first to swap phone numbers. Texting night and day like instant besties. All the DA group member had followed Hermione’s suggestion to get mobile phones a few years prior. It was much easier than owling and with the help of magic, they performed even better than the standard muggle phones. Eventually, Hermione shared with the Slytherin group her magical changes to their phones, which also helped bridge the gap between the two groups. There was a group text established a few months ago where they kept in communication throughout the month, keeping everyone updated.
Theo and Luna arrived early this particular meeting, then Ron and Astoria joined them as they happened to arrive at the same time. Laughing they all sat down, mixing at the table naturally. As the others started to join, it became so innate to sit wherever there was room. They had used the number system for about 3 months to mix their seating arrangements, then it became comfortable to sit where there was an open seat.
This month, Hermione almost missed their meet up. She was busy with finishing her doctorate thesis and lost track of time. As she saw the clock, she immediately apparated to the pub. The only seat available was close to Draco and she quickly took it, smiling at the comfort of the group before her, catching her breath from running to get there.
“Everything ok, Granger?” Draco asked, leaning close to her so she could hear over the noise of the bar. Boy, it is very busy in here for a Tuesday night, she thought.
Turning towards him, she didn’t realize how close his face was to hers, and she had to lean back a bit. Blushing, she answered, “Oh…. Yes, I lost track of time. Sometimes when I get into what I’m doing, I dig in like a tick.”
“I remember.” Confessed Draco.
Quirking her eyebrow at him, she didn’t have to ask her question out loud.
“You were the best in school. I was curious and watched you. I’ve never seen anyone concentrate like you can.”
“You watched me?” She scoffed. Almost breathlessly.
“Yes. I admitted that a few months ago, remember?” He said, grinning at her.
Draco’s unencumbered honesty took her by surprise. Almost physically making her fall off her seat. Luckily the wall was next to her, and she didn’t have to tumble in her distress.
“Oi, ‘Mione, why were you so late? Finally went out with that bloke who’s been asking you out in your class?” Ron snickered. Draco noticed the brotherly love between Hermione and Ron soon after they started attending these group meet ups & was pleasantly happy they weren’t together. His curiosity about her dating life did pique his interest. Looking at Hermione curiously, he eagerly waited for her response.
“No, Ronald, I was not on a date. And if I did accept his offer, I would not be telling you….” She laughed at her friend’s teasing, childishly sticking her tongue out at him. “As a matter of fact, I lost track of time. I finally made some headway on my thesis, and I hope to have it completed by this time next month!” she offered.
“That’s wonderful, ‘Mione!” Harry exclaimed.
Smiling brightly, Hermione grabbed the pitcher to pour herself a drink.
Pansy interjected, eager to change the subject. “So, you are single, right Granger?”
“You know, Pansy, I really wish you would call me by my first name.” Trying to change the subject away from her non-existent love life. Sitting down and trying to focus on drinking her beer.
“Not a chance Granger…. Some of the traditions we grow up with are hardest to break.” Pansy laughed. “Single then?”
Why did everyone at the table stop talking at the same time and look at her? “Well, yes, I am. All our group, at least on the non-Slytherin side, are not attached romantically at the moment. Are you single Pansy?” Trying again to change the subject from her love life.
“As a matter of fact, yes, I am… Funny enough, all of the Slytherin side of the group, as you call us, are single as well.” Pansy looked around the group with a mischievous grin on her face. Hermione released the breath she had been holding. Not with the knowledge of their lot being single, but because it had moved her pathetic love life out of the spotlight. She swallowed a few large gulps of her beer.
“Really? I thought you were coupled up with Draco.” Cho stated.
“Yeah, in 4th year at school…. He’s like my annoying brother I snogged a few times and did other stuff with….” Pansy shared, throwing Draco a kissy face and a wink from across the table.
Theo gawked at her show of affection toward Draco. He started to explain, “While we were living as muggles, we all decided that we would not couple up. We created this bond with each other that was more like siblings. More a family to each other than we had growing up. We didn’t want to ruin it by dating each other. We’re all like brothas from anotha motha…. And sisters…. Sorry ladies.” Looking at Pansy and Tori and making everyone laugh at Thoe’s attempt to use a muggle, be that a muggle American turn of phrase, especially as he attempted at moving like a gangster to emphasize his words.
“Interesting….” Pansy stated loudly, silencing the rest of the group, and grinning at Ginny.
“Why’s that Pans,” Ron stated. He was sitting beside her. He was the first to call her this nick name a month ago from the DA group. She didn’t mind and secretly, she liked it.
“Well, we’re all single. Why aren’t any of us dating?” She snorted.
“Don’t know. We’re all busy. I know I need to plan this night on my schedule each month to make sure I at least take a night off from my life.” Neville volunteered.
“Agreed,” Luna stated, “I tend to lose myself in my work. We’re all starting our careers, and it just doesn’t seem like the time to focus on dating.”
Ginny laughed so loudly when Pansy looked at her with wide eyes. “Just say it Pans,” Ginny stated, using the nickname Ron established for her.
“K… so…. I was thinking we should start coupling up in our little group here.” Pansy bluntly exclaimed.
Silence. There was silence.
Ginny spoke first. “Pans and I made a head count the other day. There 6 of us girls & 6 of you blokes. Why are we not all coupling up together?”
“Uh…. Well, we all just started getting comfortable with each other. And I hate to mention it, but there’s a lot of history between our two sides of the group. Don’t you think it’s too soon to move to that kind of step?” Harry admitted, uncomfortably.
“Pish Posh, Harry….” Ginny exclaimed, waving her hand at him.
“So, you ladies want us to ask you all out? What’s your plan? What if it doesn’t work out? We have an understanding on our side of the group as well. We’re also like a family. We don’t want to ruin that. We’re all like siblings.” Neville interjected. Tori looked nervous sitting next to him.
“Yeah, Pish Posh…” Pansy said, mocking Ginny & waving her hand at Neville, mimicking Ginny’s wave at Harry. “I’m making a challenge to you lot.” Waving her hand to the group as a whole. “Pick someone right here and now and give ‘em a smooch.” Turning to Ginny, Ginny smiled so big and threw her head back with laughter. Knowing Pansy was suggesting they kiss each other.
“No way Pans, not a chance, but I’ll accept your challenge.” Ginny said confidently.
Looking around the group, Pansy did not get confirmation from anyone else. As a matter of fact, everyone else looked frightened by the suggestion. So, she stood up exclaiming, “I double dog dare you. Pick someone and plant a kiss on their lips and see what happens.” Sitting down she looked around. Unexpectedly they were all sitting boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl….etc.. Or maybe they planned this…. Cheeky girls, Hermione thought.
Hermione quickly calculated. The table went in this order: Astoria, Neville, Pansy, Ron, Ginny, Theo, Cho, Blaise, Hermione, Draco, Luna, Harry and back to Astoria. Ginny couldn’t kiss Ron, so she would have to kiss Theo, unless she leapt across the table for Blaise or Draco. Which meant Ron had to kiss Pansy, then Neville and Tori, Cho & Blaise, Harry & Luna, which left….. She gasped…. Draco & herself.
“This is ludicrous.” Harry exclaimed. “You will not force me to kiss anyone.” Luna placed a hand on his leg, agreeing with him. There went that pair.
But no one else objected. It was silent, but mostly because everyone was in shock. Both Ginny and Pansy grinned huge toothy grins.
“On the count of three. K?” Pansy nodded at everyone, continuing her smile.
“Three.” Ginny shouted.
“Two.” Pansy exclaimed.
“One.” They said together.
Ginny turned to Theo and Pansy to Ron, respectively grabbing both men quickly, forcefully kissing them full on the lips. Hermione, Draco, Harry & Luna watched the rest of the group. Harry in horror. Luna with a small laugh. Draco with a furrowed brow and Hermione with surprise. She knew Ginny and Pansy would kiss their respective boys that she had calculated out. What she wasn’t expecting was the other four.
Blaise always sat with his arm spread behind who ever sat next to him, regardless of gender. But he bent the arm that was behind Cho and gently placed his hand on the back of her head, using his other hand to raise her chin up to meet his lips. Shocked, she blushed and looked up at him and met his lips in return. Their kiss was sweet and gentle, yet the heat was hot between them.
On the other side of the table they watched Neville shyly looking at Tori. Tori, seeming to think really hard for several seconds, turned to Neville, putting both of her hands on his thigh and pushing up towards his face, not quite touching his lips. Understanding that she was willing, Neville met her and planted an awkward kiss on her lips, which quickly turned into a not so awkward kiss.
Draco looked away to glanced at Hermione. She felt him turn and she looked up at him. In a split moment decision, he leaned down towards her and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. She had been holding her breath and let it out in one long exasperating sigh. Blushing she thanked him under her breath so no one else could hear. He grinned.
Thus began the great coupling of their group.
Shortly after the kissing stopped, Ron and Pansy excused themselves and didn’t even wait to get outside before apparating away.
Theo asked Ginny if she wanted to go out the next night. On. A. Date.
Blaise held Cho’s hand as they talked quietly to each other.
Neville asked Tori if he could escort her home. She shyly accepted, looking at Draco as she gave him a nod that she felt safe. Neville noticed the exchange and nodded at Draco, communicating that his intentions were honorable, and they left together.
Harry exclaimed, “What the hell was that?” As they all laughed at his confusion.
“Honestly, Harry, it was going to happen one way or another. Why not now?” Luna stated the matter flatly.
Draco, seeing that the others were deep in conversation, suggested that Harry, Luna, Hermione and himself go elsewhere to give them their space. Hermione suggested they go to her small apartment for some tea. They agreed and left, saying a quick goodbye to Ginny, Theo, Cho and Blaise. Who barely noticed their retreat.
As Draco walked out of the pub with the motley crew, he realized this would be the first time they had hung out outside of the pub. He shook his head as he followed behind Hermione and Harry, who linked arms talking about what had just happened, laughing loudly with each other.
Luna fell into step beside him and smiled up at him. Raising his arm, he rested it on top of her head, like he would do to his sister. Her laugh was infectious. He felt so lucky to be able to call this witch as his friend and sister. Over the last few months, she had really helped him with legilimancy to get to the bottom of his pent-up emotions. She pulled on his arm as they all came to a stop. They had reached the apparition point and Luna said she’d side along with Draco, since he’d never been to Hermione’s place. Arriving in Hermione’s living room moments later, Draco shook himself. He hadn’t done a side along apparition for years. Actually, he hadn’t apparated in any way for almost 6 years. It took him a few minutes to get comfortable again. He found that Luna had led him to sit down on a very comfortable couch.
After a few minutes, he found himself alone in Hermione’s living room. The others were in the kitchen animatedly talking about what had happened in the pub with their friends. Laughing often at what had transpired. After collecting himself, Draco stood to move around the room. There was a small flat screen (compared to his set up, it was small). Almost every bit of wall space was covered in built in shelves that were bursting with books. As he perused the books he noticed her organization system. At first glance it might seem chaotic, but she had organized them by subject, then author. Looking down at her coffee table he noticed her thesis research. Picking up a few pages he started to read. She was laying out a comprehensive plan to provide family therapy to muggle families whose children were like her. Helping them integrate into the magical world. He didn’t know how long he sat there before they all joined him. He looked up and Hermione told him that there was a cup for him on the island in the kitchen. She wasn’t sure how he liked his tea, so everything was out. He quickly got up to get his tea.
As he came back, he saw her putting her work away. She didn’t seem to be embarrassed. But he couldn’t help asking, “Granger, how does your thesis work for a muggle school?”
Shocked, she looked at him and adjusted on the couch to make room for him. “Well, what you read is what I want to do, my dream really, but I’m trying to figure out a way to make it for muggles to understand.”
“Well from what I read, it’s brilliant. I’m interested in seeing how it pans out.” Draco admitted.
“Thanks Draco.” Hermione admitted as she tucked a curl behind her ear. He noticed that she’d started calling him by his first name last month. Even though he prefers to be called Dray, he likes that Hermione still calls him by his given name.
“What is your thesis about ‘Mione?” Harry asked.
She simply explained (as she had done several times before) that she wants to provide family therapy to muggle families whose children are accepted to magical schools. Help them understand this new world they are all the sudden thrown into.
“You know, Tori is getting her degrees in education. She has been talking about how she’d like to teach muggle studies at Hogwarts. Perhaps she’d have some good insights. And I was thinking that perhaps you could tailor your thesis for your muggle professors to be therapy for children who come out their parents, or who switch to a religion that is hard for their parents to understand.” Draco suggested.
Hermione looked at him stunned. Harry looked at him with an opened mouth. Luna just beamed at him, proud sister that she’d become.
“How much did you read? You weren’t in here that long. Was he?” Turning to the others.
“I’m a fast reader. I also have an identic memory, so I remember everything I read the first time.” Draco admitted.
Hermione scoffed. Opening and closing her mouth, she remained speechless.
“Well, isn’t that nice,” Luna said. Making them all laugh at her turn of phrase.
“Just a thought,” Draco stated, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
“No, that’s excellent. Thanks for the ideas. I’ll talk to Tori.” Hermione finally said when she got over her shock.
“She would love to help you. She sees a need to help bridge the muggle and magical world. We all do but we had no idea where to start.” Draco added.
Before she could respond, he decided to change the subject, looking at Luna. She nodded encouragingly at him. “Actually, um…. I am glad I have you two together. I couldn’t have planned this any better……... By the way, great place you have here Granger………. Well, I wanted to apologize to you two. Potter and Granger. Er… Harry and Hermione?” Looking between the two, not knowing which names they preferred, then deciding to just barrel on, “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for how I tortured you both during school. During the war. I can’t even begin to thank you for testifying for me during my trial. You both saved me from a worse fate. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hermione, I’m so, so, so, so, sorry I let my aunt hurt you like she did. I’m sorry I was such a fucking coward.” He seemed to blurt out apologies in one big breath. It was the only way to get it all out at once. And he struggled to make eye contact, only looking at Hermione’s forearm.
Harry was the one to respond first, “Draco, you know we forgive you. These last few months have been eye opening. Luna has helped us understand a lot too since she’s been helping you. Thanks for the apology, all the same.”
Hermione placed her hand on his forearm. Holding it right where his dark mark was under his sleeve. He stared at her hand for almost a minute, then looking up at her, she smiled sweetly at him with tears in her eyes. “I forgive you.” Was all she said & kissed him gently on his cheek. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it in thanks.
Harry squirmed, clearly uncomfortable with how deep the conversation got. “Now, let’s chill a bit and watch a movie, yeah?”
They laughed and Draco slouched on the couch relaxing for the first time in months. He’d held onto a lot for the last few years. It affected him physically where his muscles were always tense. Now…. He finally could breathe. Really breath. He was able to apologize to Neville and Ginny a few months ago. Ginny explained that she and Harry probably understood him more than most. She had lived with Voldemort for her whole first year at school. Harry lived with a part of Voldemort for his entire life prior to the final battle at Hogwarts. Draco having lived with the man himself during the war made it like they were in the worst club in the entire existence of the world. A club that he didn’t want to be part of but was glad to have them both as supports.
As the other three chose a movie. He settled into the couch and breathed deeply. Hermione sat next to him and shoved him playfully with her shoulder. He was thankful for her acceptance and as he relaxed, he fell asleep before the first half hour of the movie played out.