Better Ridiculous Than Boring (Drabbles)

Hermione took a deep breath before rounding the corner and fluffing out the skirt of the dress slightly. 

“What do you think? Be honest.” She said. Pansy was close to tears, beaming up at her, nodding slightly. Hermione agreed, she really loved this one. 

“You need to lose more of the baby weight before you wear something like that.” Jasper said nonchalantly. “You look like you’ve been stuffed into it.” 

“Mm, he’s not wrong, dear.” Molly agreed. Pansy gaped at them with wide, disbelieving eyes. Her jaw clenched and Hermione knew she had to speak before her maid of honour committed double homicide. 

“It’s a little small, I know. But do you like the style? I’d get it let out.” She said, forcing positivity into her voice. Pansy’s head snapped back to her, looking vaguely incredulous. 

“You look amazing. It fits perfectly, what the-“ 

Jasper’s muggle mobile ringing interrupted her. “Go for Jasper.” He exclaimed, striding from the shop with one hand in his trouser pocket. 

“You look lovely, Hermione. Really.” Molly said after a moment, the sincerity feeling forced, as if she felt she had to be kinder now that nobody else was going to back her up in her ‘brutal honesty’. Pansy rolled her eyes so heavily it was almost audible before sinking her glass of champagne. 

“There are others to try on.” Hermione offered, before disappearing back into the changing room. The shop assistant, Flora, frowned as she came back in. 

“I thought you loved that one? It looks stunning.” 

Hermione shrugged. “Not a hit with the others. I’d like to see the rest, if that’s alright?” 

Flora smiled. “Of course, but remember it’s entirely up to you. You’re the one who is going to be wearing the thing.” 

A few moments later, she shuffled back out wearing the ugliest dress she’d ever laid eyes on. She decided to ignore the fact it had been Jasper’s pick. It was slinky silk that clung in all the wrong places in a light shade of brown, rather than white. Pansy immediately turned her nose up. 

“Take that thing off immediately. It’s hurting my eyes.” She declared. Hermione frowned at the empty room. 

“Where did Molly go?” She could see Jasper pacing up and down the pavement just outside, but the Weasley matriarch was nowhere to be seen. 

“One of her offspring was called into the Ministry last minute. She’s gone to watch his litter of sprogs.” Pansy replied, looking decidedly displeased about the situation. 

“Oh. Well, can’t be helped I suppose. You hate this one as much as me, right?” She ran the fabric through her fingers, feeling uncomfortable in it. 

“Mi, for the love of all that is holy, take it off. Then burn it, do the world a favour.” She replied with a smirk, and Hermione snorted lightly, feeling like she was maybe having fun for the first time that day. She didn’t want her fiancé to get off the phone. She wanted him to stay outside. She hadn’t wanted Jasper to come in the first place, but apparently he didn’t care for the tradition of the groom not seeing the dress before the day, and had left little room for her to argue. 

Hermione adored the next dress. It was comparatively simple, but made her feel beautiful. Flora followed her out, helping with the short train. Her heart sank slightly as she saw that Jasper was back.

“Do you not want to cover up your arms?” He asked immediately, turning his nose up. Pansy curled her hands into fists as Flora huffed behind Hermione. 

“Um. No?” Hermione replied, moving her hands to hold said offending biceps. Jasper shrugged. 

“If you’re sure, babe. Oh, I have a meeting in a few.” He glanced at his watch. “Pick the one you just took off, your tits looked great in it.” He pointed at her, before leaving the shop. 

“With the greatest respect in the world, Mi, one day I will kick that man in the bollocks and I will not feel bad about it.” Pansy declared as soon as he’d left. Flora snorted. 

“He doesn’t mean it in a bad way. He’s just direct.” Hermione replied, gaining an eye roll from her friend. “What do you think of this one?” She asked, changing the subject. 

“What do you think of this one?” Pansy grinned, raising an eyebrow. Hermione looked down at the dress, smoothing her hands over the skirt. 

The door to the shop opened again, and Hermione glanced up, expecting Jasper. It wasn’t Jasper. 

“Oh, wow. Granger, you’re so beautiful.” Malfoy smiled at her, eyes shining. His hair was messy, evidence of an active morning, swept beneath a backwards cap that always made Hermione question the strictly platonic nature of their relationship. “What do you think, buddy? Doesn’t Mummy look great?” He asked Hermione’s son, who was happily wrapped around the blonde man’s waist. 

“Princess.” Finn said sagely. Malfoy nodded in agreement. 

“He’s ever so astute, you know.” He smirked at her, before looking around the mostly empty shop. “Where is everyone?” He frowned at Pansy, who huffed again.

“Jasper has gone back to work.” She replied, sneering slightly. 

“Where’s Harry?” Hermione asked, knowing that the pair of them had been watching her son that day, as Malfoy’s jaw ticked. 

“Headache, I sent him home.” He replied distractedly, waving his hand vaguely about his forehead. “What do you mean Everglade’s gone back to work? I thought he insisted on being here?” 

Hermione shrugged, and Malfoy met Pansy’s eye in a way that always caused her concern. 

“There’s one more to try, if you wanted to, Hermione?” Flora piped up, and Hermione nodded. 

“Yeah.” She muttered, heading for the changing room as Finn clambered into Pansy’s lap and Malfoy plopped down next to her.

Once inside the changing room, Hermione saw Flora eyeing her, clearly deciding whether to say something or not. 

“I know it makes no sense.” She said after a moment. “Me marrying Jasper.” 

Flora opened and closed her mouth. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but I just thought… Well, your friends seem to hate him.” 

“Yeah, they do.” Hermione confirmed. “They don’t think I should do this.” 

“And what do you think?” She asked. 

Hermione shrugged. “He’s Finn’s father. I…I can’t raise him on my own. Finn deserves to have us both in his life.” She said, ringing her hands. 

“Finn wasn’t planned, I take it?” 

She shook her head. “No. I was visiting a friend in New York and we went out. I met Jasper at a club, one thing led to another. He ended up moving back here with me when I found out I was pregnant. He didn’t want to, but his work is more flexible than mine.” 

“And Draco Malfoy?” Flora smirked. 

“Is my friend…?” Hermione frowned. 

She sighed slightly, moving closer. “Will you hex me if I’m honest with you?” 

“Of course not.” 

“If it were me, and I had to choose between a man that tried to make me smaller, insulting me and making me feel like he had no time for me, and a man that clearly adored me, complimented not just my dress but me as a whole, and obviously loved my son regardless of who his father might be? Well, that wouldn’t be a difficult decision for me to make.” Flora said. “You’re not raising your son on your own, Hermione. Whatever you do, even if it’s hardly my place to tell you, I can tell you won’t be alone.” 

“Malfoy doesn’t like me like that, Flora.” Hermione scoffed. 

“Are you sure about that?” She asked. “Because from what I’ve seen, I’d say it’s not as clear cut as you think it is.” 

“This isn’t particularly conducive to selling a wedding dress, you know.” Hermione said after a moment. 

Flora shrugged. “I don’t want to sell you a dress and ignore the fact that you clearly don’t want to get married in the first place. I’m not just here to get paid. I really love my work and the bride’s overall happiness is included in that. Plus, in a few years, you might just come back when you’re marrying somebody that deserves you.” She smirked, folding her arms across her chest and looking quite pleased with herself. 

A second passed before Hermione realised she was crying. Flora continued to smile. “I can’t do this, can I?” She asked. 

“You can do anything you like, Hermione. I, however, would lose sleep if I sent you on your way with a dress and intentions of marrying that piece of utter shit that was here earlier.” 

“And you think Draco…?” 

Flora nodded. “I really do.” 

“Shit.” She wiped her eyes, thinking of all the times Malfoy had shown up for her and Finn in the last few years. All the times that Jasper hadn’t. 

“Have you died in here or what?” Pansy stuck her head round the door and immediately frowned. “What’s wrong?” 

“I don’t want to marry him, Pans.” Hermione whispered. Her friend immediately let out a huge breath. 

“Well thank fuck for that.” She exclaimed, crossing the small room and bundling her into a hug. “He’s a twat.” 

“He’s such a twat.” Hermione sobbed, nodding. Pansy smiled, gently wiping away Hermione’s tears. She then turned to Flora. 

“I’m recommending you to every single person I know.” She grinned, and Flora matched the expression. 

“Just doing my job.” She winked. “What do you reckon? Am I right about what I thought I saw out there with blondie in the hat?”

Pansy laughed. “Oh, absolutely. He’s been a smitten kitten for longer than he’d ever admit.” 

Hermione blinked. “Are you serious?” 

Pansy took her hands in hers and looked at her with more conviction than she maybe ever had. “Mi, you and Draco are the two most important people in my life. I wouldn’t joke about this. It’s why I’ve never said anything, I promised myself I wouldn’t meddle, but you’ve never been happy with Jasper. You were never meant for anything more than that one night you spent together. He’s Finn’s biological father, yes, but frankly I don’t see him as anything more than a sperm donor, and neither should you.” 

“I just…I felt like I had to do this for Finn.” She replied. 

“That boy knows he is loved, Hermione. Even I can see that.” Flora said, and Pansy nodded. 

“You do not need to sacrifice your happiness to give Finn the family you think he deserves. He has so many people that would be there for him in a second if he needed them, and I know you know that Jasper isn’t on that list. Top of said list is my idiot brother in his stupid hat out there. If you’re worried about Finn not having a dad, you needn’t be, not when Draco’s around. Even if that’s something you’re not ready for, he’ll wait. And on the miniscule off chance that I’m wrong about it, Finn will always have his Aunty Pans, no matter what. I’d avada a thousand wizards with my hands tied behind my back for him if I had to.” 

Hermione was crying again, gripping Pansy’s hands for dear life. “It’s not a stupid hat.” She whispered. 

Pansy rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know you’re rather partial to the hat. He knows it too. That’s why he wears it all the bloody time.” 

“Really?” 

“Really. He’s a pathetic sap.” 

Flora giggled. “You’re both so sweet. Please do something about it, Hermione, I can’t handle it.” 

“I meant what I said. I’m sending every single person I know to you for the rest of time.” Pansy promised, and Flora smiled. 

“As I said to Hermione, I’m not just here to get paid. I’m passionate about the overall experience had by clients in my shop and in my care. Jasper, if I might say so, was a slimy little git.” 

Hermione took a very deep breath, regained her hands from Pansy, and wiped her eyes. “I’m doing it. I’m dumping him.” 

“And Draco?” Pansy raised an eyebrow. 

“We’ll see.” Hermione replied, and the two women beamed. 

The next few days were a whirlwind. Hermione knew it was going to be difficult - dumping Jasper, facing the consequences, and dealing with her emotions about Draco - but she also felt a strange sense of relief. The knot in her chest, the one that had been there for years, was finally loosening.

She spent most of her time in the days that followed in her own head, trying to make sense of everything that had led her to this moment. She was determined to make the right decision for herself and Finn. It was as much about her as it was about her son, but she wasn’t going to settle for a life of unhappiness, even if it meant rethinking everything she thought she knew about relationships.

And then, of course, there was Draco.

Hermione hadn't spoken to him directly about how she was feeling, but it wasn’t long before he popped by her apartment, just as he had done so many times over the years. He knocked on the door, his usual air of quiet confidence replaced with an almost nervous energy she couldn’t quite place.

“Mi?” His voice was softer than usual, as if he already knew something was changing.

She opened the door, letting him in, her heart pounding in her chest. "Hey."

Draco smiled, but there was a sadness in his eyes. “Pansy told me everything.” Hermione stiffened, not quite sure how to respond. She’d known Pansy might spill the beans, but hearing it from Draco himself made it feel more real. "I couldn't let you make that mistake," He continued. "I know you’re going through a lot, but I also know this... this isn't how you should live. With someone who makes you feel small. Someone who’s never really seen you." His words wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. He wasn’t demanding anything from her, wasn’t pushing her into a decision, but she felt a weight lift off her shoulders simply by hearing him acknowledge how much she deserved.

“I was so scared," Hermione whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "I thought I had to settle, for Finn's sake, for what I thought was right... but I’m not sure anymore, Draco.”

His hand reached for hers, grounding her, as if he was afraid she might drift away at any moment. "You don’t have to settle. You never did."

It was in that moment that Hermione realised how much she'd missed a presence like his in her life, and how much he'd quietly supported her from the sidelines all these years. She’d known Draco was a friend, but now she saw him in a new light, a person who wanted to stand by her side, equals in all things.

“So, what happens now?” She asked, her voice a little shaky.

Draco smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Well, for starters, I think it’s time we tell Everglade to pack his things.”

She laughed, the tension in her body easing. "You always know how to make me smile."

"That's the point," He said, his voice low, sincere. “If you want, Hermione… I can be there for you and Finn, all the way. No more hesitation, no more doubts.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “But-”

“No buts.” He interrupted, the look in his eyes determined, unwavering. "You don’t have to figure it all out right now. I’m not going anywhere."

It was in that moment, with Draco standing before her, his unwavering loyalty and affection clear, that Hermione knew she had the strength to move forward. The road ahead might still be uncertain, but one thing was clear: she was no longer going to let fear dictate her choices. She was going to take control of her future - one that could be full of love, respect, and a partnership with someone who truly saw her for who she was.

Hermione took a deep breath and smiled up at Draco, her heart lighter than it had been in years.

"Ok.” She said.