Hermione felt his presence as soon as he stepped into the building. Part and parcel of having a soulmate, she had come to learn. Whilst they had both blocked off the mental connection, there was no stopping the way they could feel each other’s emotions, and right now, Draco Malfoy was angry. No, not angry. Scared? Knowing she’d get no more work done until he left, she left her office and approached her assistant.
“Soleil? What does the court calendar look like today? Which cases are in?” She asked, fiddling with the hem of her blouse.
“Well, nothing assigned to you, obviously, but there’s an interesting one in court room four. Mother wants to move to the US with her son and new man, the Father wants to keep him here but hasn’t replied to any of the documents sent to him. He’s completely unrepresented. Poor bloke’s got no chance.” She replied, shaking her head sadly.
“Clear my calendar for the rest of the day.” Hermione declared, already moving down the corridor. “Room four, yes?”
“Yes, but Hermione?! What are you doing?” Soleil called after her, but Hermione ignored her. She had somewhere far more important to be. For the first time in over ten years, she opened the soulmate bond as she hurried into the lift at the end of the hall.
“Do not say another word to anyone. I’m on my way.” She thought, quietly revelling in the feel of the connection again after so long.
“Thank the gods.” He replied in her head, and she was flooded with relief, coming from him rather than her. It would take some getting used to, feeling each other in that way again. Right now, though, she needed the link to be able to help him.
She burst into court room four and immediately found those familiar grey eyes. Tearing herself away from his gaze, she addressed the judge.
“Mr Weismann, sir, I will be representing Mr Malfoy in this case, if that is acceptable to you.” She smiled up at Terrance, one of the judges with whom she’d gotten quite friendly over the years. He had a large white moustache and adored muggle model trains, a hobby he’d picked up after the war since muggle culture had become more prevalent in wizarding society. Hermione had gifted him some tiny trees and plants with which to decorate his track the previous Christmas, and he’d been delighted.
“Ah, Miss Granger. As always, my court is your court. I must say, I am rather relieved to have you with us on this. Your prudent nature will be useful in this case, I am certain. Please, take a seat.” He gestured towards Malfoy, and she nodded gratefully. As she crossed the room, she felt the eyes of Astoria Greengrass burning a hole in her back, but she simply smiled.
“Show me what’s going on.” She thought as she sat next to Malfoy, who was clenching and unclenching his fists in the way he did when he was stressed. Years worth of memories flashed through her head and she had to muffle her gasp in her hand. Astoria had never once taken an interest in Scorpius, the terrified looking boy that was sitting across from them, clinging to Theodore Nott like he’d float away if he let go. She’d given birth, all but flung the baby at the nearest house elf, and never again shown the slightest bit of care for her son. She hadn’t hidden her affairs from anyone, even bringing the men into the Manor when she knew Malfoy was home. He had raised his son on his own, with help from Nott, and adored him more than anything else. The boy did not want to go to America, and hated Astoria’s new man. Sitting next to her on the other side of the room was Richard Huxley-Brent, a magical artefact dealer and incredibly rich man. Astoria clearly had a type. She immediately disliked him, even without the information Malfoy had shown her, and so Hermione was determined. Scorpius wasn’t going anywhere, not if she had anything to do with it.
“How can you be so sure?” Malfoy asked, and she felt the anxiety gripping him.
“I am a damn good lawyer.” She smirked, and he snorted quietly.
“I missed you.” He replied, and she sighed.
“Keep a lid on that sort of thing, Malfoy, I need to concentrate.” She glanced at him, and he smiled and nodded once. “I missed you too.” She added, before standing up.
“Judge Terrance Weismann calls to court the case of Malfoy V Malfoy, in which we are going to decide where young Mr Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy is going to live. Representing Mrs Malfoy is Mr Jared Arterton, and representing Mr Malfoy is Miss Hermione Granger.” He said, pulling everyone’s attention to him.
“He’s going to ask me why you haven’t responded to any of the letters they sent.” She thought.
“I haven’t had any of them. Astoria told them my address was the Manor. I haven’t lived there for over a year.” He replied. “I found out about this hearing about half an hour ago.”
“Do you want Scorpius to have a relationship with her?”
“No. If he wants to know her, then I won’t stop him, but she doesn’t love him. She never has.”
“Permission to do my worst?” She asked.
“Permission granted.” He replied, and she smiled as she heard the smirk in his voice.
“Miss Granger, might I enquire as to why your client has not engaged in this process thus far?” Terrance asked her.
“Sir, Mr Malfoy has not received any of the communications from the court or from Mr Arterton. We believe they were sent to the incorrect address. An oversight, I’m sure.” She looked directly at Jared, who she had come across a few times before. He was arrogant and always assumed that he was the smartest person in the room. He charged more than he was worth, and always made sloppy mistakes. “I assure you that he would have been more than willing to negotiate with Mr Arterton, and by extension Mrs Malfoy, if the letters had been received.”
“Thank you for the clarification, Miss Granger. We shall overlook this and move on. Considering the involvement of such a young boy, I do not wish to debate semantics and minor issues like an incorrect address.” Terrance looked at her, and she smiled. He never liked it when people tried to play the system in the interest of point scoring. They had the upper hand already and she’d barely spoken.
“Sir, if I may?” Jared stood up and Hermione sighed. “I do not believe Miss Granger’s involvement here to be appropriate. She is essentially a stranger, to all of us and to these proceedings.”
“Mr Arterton, if you need clarification of my identity, might I suggest you head downstairs to the Atrium? There is a rather large statue with a plaque in front of it. It gives quite the detailed overview of my life, if you are concerned about my being ‘a stranger’.” She replied, and he glared back at her.
“I have already granted my permission for Miss Granger to be here, Mr Arterton. We are moving on to the case now. Do not dwell on decisions already made.” Terrance snapped, and she smiled innocently at the opposite bench. “As the applicant, you may present your case first, Mr Arterton. Please try to stay on topic, if you could.”
“Are you friends with the judge?” Malfoy asked.
“Terry and I go way back. We’ve got this.” She replied, and he hummed.
“How long have you wanted to use that Atrium line on someone?”
“Since they put that bloody statue up. I didn’t want it, but I was outvoted by Harry and Ron. I may as well get some benefit from it.”
“I think Theo’s fallen for you.” He pointed out, and she glanced over to Nott and Scorpius, the former gazing at her with mirth in his eyes and a smirk on his face.
“He’s not really my type. Guess I’ll have to let him down gently.” She thought back, looking back at him and smiling as she sat down.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Granger.”
“Our case is a simple one, sir. A boy should be with his mother. Scorpius would be well looked after by Mrs Malfoy and her partner Mr Huxley-Brent, both of whom have the financial means. A new start in America is exactly what Scorpius needs, and it is sensible to make the move now, before he begins any meaningful schooling. He would attend Ilvermorny rather than Hogwarts. A house has already been procured, and he would have a happy and stable home-life with his mother and step-father.” Jared proclaimed, striding about the room in a dramatic performance that made Hermione’s skin crawl.
“That slimy rodent is no father to my son, not in any shape or form.” Malfoy growled in her head.
“They’re going for instability because you’re single. It’s an archaic viewpoint, and one that I can get thrown out, but only if you calm down. I can feel the steam coming out of your ears.”
“One day, I swear to Circe, I will punch Dick Huxley-Brent in the face.”
“Not if I get there first.” She shot back, aiming to diffuse some of the tension. She saw him physically relax, and was glad she could still have that effect on him.
“Mr Malfoy has one friend with whom he has raised Scorpius. That is the extent of his support network. That is no life for a young boy. He needs his mother, and this new adventure is what is best for him.” Jared finished.
“Is that true? It’s just you and Nott?”
“Yes and no. I live with Theo, so we have raised Scorp together, but I don’t only have one friend. The others have always kept their distance because they can’t stand Astoria.”
“So if I say that you have a more significant support network…?”
“That would be true, yes.”
“Mrs Malfoy, I wonder if I could address you directly.” Terrance asked, and she nodded, looking at Jared for reassurance. “Excellent, thank you. How long have you and Mr Huxley-Brent been together?”
“Four months.” She replied, and Hermione couldn’t help but scoff.
“Right. And you believe that the relationship you have built in those four months will provide stability for your son?”
“I know it will. Richard and I intend to marry, once I have completed divorce proceedings.”
“What’s the likelihood that she’s using him for his money?” She asked Malfoy.
“I’d be more surprised if she wasn’t.” He replied, and she considered her angle.
“Have you been dating anyone? They’re always fussy about introducing new partners.”
“No.”
“Not at all?”
“No. And you know why, so don’t bother asking.” He said, surprising her.
“It’s been over ten years, Malfoy.”
“Feels like longer.” He muttered, and she was flooded with longing. Whether it was his or hers, she couldn’t quite tell.
“Mrs Malfoy, why is it that you feel America is a better place for Scorpius?” Terrance asked.
“There is a lot of history here. I believe that a new start, away from the scars and prejudice, will allow him to thrive. I adore my son and simply could not stand to be apart from him, so with my own move to America, I need him with me. A family should not be separated, and my family is the three of us.”
“Lies.” Malfoy said, his contempt for the woman palpable.
“Alright then. Miss Granger, would you like to present your case now?” Terrance turned to her, and she nodded.
“Sir, if I may start by saying that Mr Malfoy is at a distinct disadvantage as he has not been given ample time to prepare, considering the mix up of the addresses and Mrs Malfoy’s refusal to contact him directly. I would not dare speculate, but I do not believe it to be outside the realms of possibility that Mrs Malfoy deliberately sent the documents concerning these proceedings to the incorrect address, to paint the picture that Mr Malfoy does not care for his son. This could not be further from the truth, and I wish to make that explicitly clear before I continue.”
“Noted, Miss Granger.” Terrance nodded, and she smiled.
“Thank you, sir. Now, Mr Malfoy’s primary concern here is Scorpius. He has his best interests at heart, and only wants him to be happy. As such, I wonder if I might speak to Scorpius. He is old enough to express his own opinions, and it does not sit well with me that we have been talking about him as though he isn’t here.”
“If young Mr Malfoy wants to have his say, I certainly will not stop him from doing so.” Hermione nodded, and moved to where Scorpius was still clinging to Nott.
“Hello Nott. Long time no see.”
“Granger, you are as radiant and terrifying as ever. Scorp, can you say hello?” He looked down at the boy, who looked at Hermione curiously.
“Hello Scorpius. My name is Mia. I was wondering if you’d like to talk about America?” He shook his head and buried it in Nott’s shirt. Hermione rounded the end of the wall between them and sat next to him. “Have you ever seen an otter, Scorpius?” She asked, changing tack. He looked up at her again, furrowing his brow. Casting her patronus, the blue, shining otter danced about the room, and the boy watched with wide eyes. “He keeps me safe. Do you have someone like that?”
“Daddy.” He replied quietly, and she smiled.
“There are lots of fun things to do in America, you know. I bet your Mummy would show you lots of new things.”
“I like new things.” He said, loosening his grip on Nott.
“Which side are you on, Granger?” Malfoy asked, but she ignored him.
“Can I show you something new now? Would you like to come with me?” He nodded, and she picked him up, nodding at Nott as he raised a brow. She made her way to the centre of the room, and pointed up at the towered seating, all of it empty. “This is where I work. There can be lots of people in here sometimes. It’s scary when everyone is looking at you, isn’t it?”
“I don’t like it.” He replied.
“That’s ok. You don’t have to like everything. You’re allowed to have things you want to do and things you don’t.”
“Like America?” He asked in a quiet voice, and she nodded.
“Like America. Do you want to go with Mummy and Richard, or do you want to stay here with Daddy and Theo? Whatever you want, that’s what we’ll do. Nobody will be cross with you, Scorpius. We all just want you to be happy, ok?”
“I want to stay with Daddy.” He whispered, gripping her tightly.
“Sir, this is highly irregular-” Jared started, but Terrance shut him down.
“These proceedings concern Scorpius, Mr Arterton. He is allowed to voice his opinion. Frankly, I think the unbiased way in which Miss Granger has conducted herself is to be commended.”
“Thank you, sir.” Hermione smiled up at him. “Don’t you think he looks a bit like a walrus, Scorpius?” She muttered, and Scorpius laughed, his face lighting up.
“You’re killing me here, Granger.” Malfoy said, watching her hold his son with a smile on his face.
“Apologies.”
“Never apologise for making my son smile.”
“Now, sir, if I might continue?” She asked, and Terrance waved a dismissive hand. “Thank you. To dispute a few points made by Mr Arterton, Mr Malfoy has a significant support network of people willing to help him and Scorpius. His life in England would not be unstable, nor would it be lonely. The idea of a nuclear family structure is one that was left in the past long ago. It is clear to see that Scorpius loves Mr Nott, and so I do not believe that we should discount him as a parental figure because he is not in a relationship with Mr Malfoy. He is no less important than Mr Huxley-Brent in that respect, and frankly, he has been around for far longer than four months.” She asserted, throwing a smirk at the opposite bench. She returned Scorpius to Nott with a smile. “Thank you for your help, Scorpius. You were very brave.”
“Is Mr Walrus going to let me stay here?” He asked. She laughed softly.
“We’ve got to sort out lots of boring adult things first, but I will make sure everyone listens to what you want to happen, ok?”
“Ok.” He said happily, and she nodded, turning back around.
“None of us are blind. If we pay attention to the child in question, you can see that he was terrified earlier. He does not want to be removed from the life that he knows. If you would permit me to be honest, I believe that Mrs Malfoy only wants Scorpius to move to America so she can score a few points against Mr Malfoy. If you want to discuss how we retain stability in his life, then the clear course of action is for him to stay here. He would grow to be lonely in America, and that, sir, is no life for a young boy.” She said, returning to stand in front of Malfoy and folding her arms.
“Mr Arterton, do you have a response?”
“All of what Miss Granger says is speculation based on emotion. She has no knowledge of this case, and so I fail to see how her blatant coercion of a child can be used as the basis of a decision. It is better for Scorpius to move to America with his mother if you view this case from an unbiased perspective. He is too young to make that decision himself, and so we defer to his mother, who knows what is best for him.”
“Mrs Malfoy, what is Scorpius’ favourite colour?” Hermione asked, and Astoria looked at her with distaste.
“Excuse me?” She sneered, as if asking how she could deign to speak to her.
“What is Scorpius’ favourite colour? His favourite book? Or toy? Who are his friends? What does he like to do at the weekend? What is his favourite animal?” She continued.
“I don’t see why any of that is relevant.”
“It’s relevant if you can’t answer. It is Mr Malfoy that has raised Scorpius, we both know that. You have had very little involvement, a choice that you made. You had every opportunity to spend time with him, and you chose not to. So why is it that you want to drag a little boy that you barely know halfway across the world? Is there a reason other than you being his mother? You believe he belongs to you, that you are entitled to him.”
“You can’t speak to me like that.” She snapped. Hermione smiled.
“Sir, might I suggest that Mr Nott takes Scorpius elsewhere for the remainder of this hearing?” She suggested, and Terrance nodded. “I am happy for them to use my office if they would like to.”
“Gracious, as always, Miss Granger. Mr Nott, if you would like to wait outside, I will call for Miss Adebayo, and she can take you and Scorpius up to Miss Granger’s office.”
“Thank you, sir.” Nott replied, holding out his hand for Scorpius to take.
“Hey, Scorpius? Ask Soleil for the special biscuits. I keep them for my special visitors.” Hermione smiled, and the boy nodded happily. As soon as the pair was outside of the room, Hermione turned back to Astoria. “Do you remember the question, Mrs Malfoy, or would you like me to repeat it?”
“Who do you think you are, mudbl-”
“Mrs Malfoy, I will not tolerate that sort of language in my court.” Terrance barked, and she huffed.
“I asked why you want to take Scorpius away from everything he knows when you have never once shown interest in being his mother before now.” Hermione said.
“You can’t grill my client like this.” Jared grit out.
“You can grill mine if you want. Nothing is stopping you.” She shot back. “Mrs Malfoy, why can’t you answer the question?”
“I…I-”
“It’s ok, I’ll answer for you. You married Mr Malfoy for his money, after your respective fathers set up your marriage contract. Once you had fulfilled the terms of that contract, namely giving birth to an heir, you washed your hands of them both. You want somebody who will do what you say, who will simply hand over their galleons and not ask where you spent the night. I presume Mr Huxley-Brent is doing the job admirably. You want to move to America for a fresh start, as you say. You want to be able to walk into a room and have people admire you. For that to happen, you can’t be the woman that left her husband and son for a renowned con man. You need to go where people don’t know you. I advise you now, Mrs Malfoy. Just go. Live the life you want. You do not need to drag Scorpius along with you, and condemn him to a life of misery, simply because you want to ensure that Mr Malfoy is always attached to you somehow, in case you need his vaults to fall back on. I have seen deeper puddles than you, Mrs Malfoy. The reasons for this hearing today are obvious, and frankly, disgusting. We could continue, or you could just go. It’s up to you.”
“Little lion, you are a sight for sore eyes.” Malfoy said, and she couldn’t help but grin.
“Miss Granger, I advise that you watch your tone, however I will allow your question to stand. Mrs Malfoy, do you intend to continue today?” Terrance asked.
“No.” Astoria seethed, but could see that there was no way out.
“Right then. Shall we discuss the arrangements for Scorpius remaining in England? Perhaps we could begin to carve out some kind of visitation agreement.” Terrance said, smirking at Hermione briefly before schooling his face into a neutral mask.
***
Tucking a red long sleeve top into her black skirt, Hermione checked her appearance in the mirror before hurrying to the kitchen. She hated being late, and had been going back and forth on whether to attend at all for too long, so now she was in a rush. She’d thrown together some apple tarts for the party, knowing that her mother would turn in her grave if she found out Hermione had arrived empty handed. She’d closed off the soulmate connection after the end of the hearing last month, but the feeling was addictive and she missed it. She’d forgotten how it felt, and now she was struggling to go back to normal.
She pulled her boots on, liking the extra height they gave her, and picked up the cake box before stepping into the floo. She called out the address, and took some deep breaths as the green flames surrounded her.
She appeared in a large living room, three comfy looking sofas facing a coffee table covered in toys and colouring books. She smiled, dusting the soot from her shoulders as best she could with her hands full. It was surprisingly messy, considering the man who lived here, but she supposed having a child had changed him. She briefly thought back to the way he’d berated her time and again for messing up their shared head’s dorm in eighth year and smiled at the memory.
“Mia!” Scorpius said happily as he charged into the room, wrapping her legs in a tight hug. “I hoped you’d be here. Daddy said you might not come.”
“Sorry I’m a bit late, Scorp.” She replied, and he looked up and frowned.
“But you’re really early? Nobody else is here yet.”
“Oh.” She breathed, feeling slightly embarrassed that she’d gotten the time wrong in her panic.
“Did you bring Henry tarts?” He asked, eyeing the cake box. She was surprised that Malfoy had told his son about her father. She wasn’t really sure how much, if anything, he’d told him, but it warmed her heart to find out that her father’s apple cinnamon tarts held as strong in Malfoy’s memory as they did in hers.
“I did. Do you know where I can put them?”
“Daddy’s got loads of food in the kitchen for the party.” He replied, leading her through a door. Hermione was entirely unprepared for Draco Malfoy’s kitchen. It was huge, which wasn’t the surprising part, but obviously well used. It was a warm, welcoming space with mossy green walls and wooden worktops, and it made her feel annoyed at Astoria again. She never knew what she had. The surfaces were covered in trays wrapped in cling film, with sandwiches and other snacks which made her want to burst out laughing. The Malfoy she got to know in eighth year had never cooked in his life. It was something that they bonded over, once their soulmate marks had appeared and they’d got over the whole “pretending not to have noticed they matched” phase. Hermione had always cooked with her father, and had missed it dearly after he passed. It took less than a week for Malfoy to catch the bug, and apparently, he’d never lost it. She placed her cake box on the edge of the worktop, gently pushing the trays to make it fit. She idly wondered how many people were attending this party.
“Who else is coming today, Scorp?” She asked him.
“Daddy’s friends from school. Aunt Daphne just had a baby so I’ve got a new cousin to meet.” He beamed. “Did you go to Hogwarts, Mia?”
“I did. I was in the same year as your dad and his friends.”
“Were you a slytherin too? Daddy says I’ll be the best slytherin ever.”
“I was in gryffindor.” She smiled, and he gasped.
“Daddy said only the really brave people were in gryffindor.” He said reverently.
“Your father has a lot to say, doesn’t he? Do you want to know a secret, though?” She looked around conspiratorially and crouched slightly. “I think the most brave people were really in slytherin.”
“Really?”
“Really.” She nodded, and he looked thoughtful as he considered it. “Where are your dad and Uncle Theo by the way, Scorp?”
“They’re outside. Uncle Theo said we have to make it look extra nice for Luca because he’s so small.”
“Are you excited to have another cousin?”
“I suppose so. He can’t talk yet so I won’t know what he’s like for a long time.” He replied, and Hermione laughed.
“Shall we see if we can help with anything outside?” She held out her hand and he took it eagerly, allowing her to guide him out of the double doors to the garden.
Draco Malfoy was dressed more casually than she’d ever seen him in dark wash jeans and a jumper, halfway up a tree with his wand, securing some bunting. Theo was shouting and pointed from the ground, one hand on his hip.
“Left a bit. Do you see why you couldn’t do this from down here? It needs to be secure!” Theo called. Scorpius giggled, and she sat down, gesturing for him to join her so they could watch the farce unfold before them. The two men really were like an old married couple.
“Theo, can you get off your high horse and just tell me when it’s straight. People will be here soon.” The blonde wizard snapped.
“It’s way too early. The only person who would even consider being this punctual is your Hermione.” Theo replied, and Scorpius giggled again, looking up at her. She smiled.
“I’m glad I was this early. The entertainment is excellent.” She called, and the two wizards whirled around in surprise. Scorp had wrapped his arms around her middle and they laughed at the shocked faces looking back at them.
“Dad, why are you in a tree?” Scorp asked, leaning into Hermione. Malfoy had gone quite red as he made his way to the ground. Hermione found it endearing that he’d gotten embarrassed.
“I think he’s just doing a very thorough job decorating, Scorp.” Hermione replied with a smirk. Malfoy scowled at her, but couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
“I didn’t think you’d come.” He said as she stood up. Scorpius ran over to Theo, and the two of them covered the tables in brightly coloured cloths. She shrugged.
“I nearly didn’t, but something just told me I shouldn’t miss this.”
“Theo’s suspicious, you know. He keeps asking me what happened at the hearing. He’s not far off working it out.”
“You’ve never told anyone?” She asked, and he shook his head.
“No. They know I’ve got a soulmate, obviously, and they know it wasn’t Astoria, but they don’t know any more than that. It’s always felt like my business. Or ours, I suppose. I know you never said anything either.”
“I felt the same. I didn’t want to have to explain why I wasn’t with you to people who couldn’t begin to understand the situation. Since Harry and Ron pissed off to America, it’s not like I’ve really had anyone that interested in my life anyway. I’ve always just pretended that I didn’t know who it was, that I haven’t found them yet.”
He hummed. “And if people did find out?” He asked. She smirked.
“Depends on a few things, I think.” She said, eyeing Scorpius pointedly.
Malfoy nodded. “He’s the priority. Always will be.”
“I know.” She smiled at him, feeling a little smug. She’d always thought he’d be a good father, and he’d never believed her. It was gratifying to find out that she was right.
“You were never close with your sister?” Hermione asked Daphne Greengrass, as she held her newborn son, Luca. Malfoy was sitting on one of the benches a little distance away, talking to Pansy Parkinson, the two of them not-so-subtly watching Hermione and Daphne. Scorpius was playing with Blaise Zabini and Theo, as well as Blaise and Daphne’s oldest son, Alex.
“Gods no. You’ve met her, she’s the worst. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for Draco and Scorp. We’ve all been so worried that he’d end up halfway across the world and we’d just never see him again.”
Hermione bounced Luca gently and smiled. “It’s no trouble, really. It was just the right thing to do. As soon as I heard about the case, I felt like I had to help if I could.” She was pleased with her answer. It was enough of the truth as she was able to tell.
“He likes you, you know. Draco.” Daphne smirked suddenly, a familiar slytherin expression that she’d been treated to all day. “He thinks he’s subtle.”
Hermione laughed gently. “He’s technically still married, Daphne. I’m not a vulture.”
Daphne chuckled. “Well, as soon as the divorce goes through, you should do something about that. Scorpius adores you, obviously. You three are just too adorable.”
“Pretty sure this one takes the crown on that front.” Hermione looked down at Luca.
“Ah, spoken like a woman that’s never seen Draco Malfoy in love before. I hope you like flowers.” Daphne smirked, and Hermione returned the expression, knowing exactly what being loved by Malfoy was like.
“Let me in, you stubborn witch.” Malfoy said in her head, and she shot him a withering look across the garden. The bond was far stronger when they were in the same place, and so he had been able to force the connection open again.
“What can I do for you, Malfoy?” She asked, and he chuckled. Parkinson frowned at him, but didn’t say anything.
“If I were to do a particularly dramatic announcement, would that make you uncomfortable?”
“Rather depends on what you’re dramatically announcing, doesn’t it? If you’re about to propose to Theo, I might be a little jealous, but not uncomfortable.” She shot back.
“You’ve forced my hand, holding a baby like that. The audacity, honestly.” He said before standing up and getting everyone’s attention. Hermione gently passed Luca back to Daphne as the group gathered around the larger table in the centre of the garden. She folded her arms, and raised an eyebrow.
“I just wanted to say how grateful I am for you all being here today. This is a celebration for Scorp staying where he belongs, but it’s also a celebration of my family, and that’s all of you, so thank you.” Malfoy said, ruffling his son’s hair gently as he stood next to him. Theo nudged Hermione with a wink, and she looked at him flatly. “I did have a bit of an announcement, too. The divorce went through yesterday. I’m officially a single man again.” He said, and they all cheered, somewhat sarcastically. Daphne’s intent look was burning a hole in the side of Hermione’s face.
“You’re going to look for her, aren’t you?” Parkinson asked, and Malfoy nodded with a smile.
“I’m hoping my soulmate might still want me, yes.” He replied, resolutely not looking at Hermione.
“This was dramatic, you were right.” She thought, and he smiled.
“What does it feel like? Being without her?” Daphne asked, and his smile dropped.
“Like missing a limb. Every day, I wake up with this fundamental feeling of emptiness, and I can’t work out what’s causing it until I remember. You cannot begin to understand what it’s like having that intrinsic connection to another person, being inside their head, feeling everything they feel, and then suddenly it’s gone. Having to adapt to life without her has been…the worst pain I’ve ever felt.”
Hermione swallowed heavily.
“Wait, you know who she is?” Parkinson frowned. “You were with your actual soulmate and you left her for some stupid contract? Gods, Draco, I’ve always suspected that you were an idiot, but now I’ve got proof.” She rolled her eyes.
“Can you find her? Write to her or something?” Theo asked.
“Here’s hoping she’s the most patient witch on the planet, putting up with your bullshit.” Zabini added. Only then did Malfoy look at Hermione, and she huffed.
“You’re making this feel ridiculous.” She said.
“It is somewhat ridiculous, you’ve got to admit.” He shot back, as the rest of the party gaped at them.
“You’re joking?” Zabini recovered first.
“I’m not.” Malfoy replied, and Hermione laughed again as everyone continued to stare.
“That’s how you knew about the trial!” Theo exclaimed suddenly, pointing at her, and she laughed, nodding.
“Had that prat in my head. I suppose that’s why I got so angry, I had double the amount of feelings for the first time in over a decade.”
“Wait, you knew? Before?” Daphne asked.
“We were sort of together in eighth year. Before I knew about the contract.” Malfoy explained.
Parkinson sighed heavily. “Granger, don’t take him back. You deserve better.”
“I’m not sure we’ve agreed on anything before now, Parkinson.” Hermione smiled.
Malfoy rolled his eyes. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Yes, you will.” She held his gaze.
“Could you do it after we’ve all left at least? You’ll scar the kids for life.” Zabini grinned, and the others laughed as Hermione went a bit red.
“Nothing we’ve not done before, Granger.” Malfoy pointed out in her head.
“You’re the absolute worst. I hate you.”
“You love me. I can feel it.”
She huffed. “Against my better judgement, yes, I really do.”
“You’re staying then?”
“Obviously.” She replied out loud. Parkinson sighed yet again.
“That is going to get old so quickly.” She drawled.
“No, Pans. I don’t think it will.” Malfoy smiled at Hermione. Scorpius then came running, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist and beaming up at her.
"Mia, will you come and play?" He asked. She picked him up and placed him on her hip, like she'd done in the courtroom.
"For as long as you want, Scorp."
"That's an act of war." Malfoy said in her head. She smiled.
"I'll make it up to you." She caught his eye before walking off, and judging by the loud sound of Daphne's laughter, he'd not managed to hide his emotions all that well. No, Hermione really didn't think this would ever get old.