Divorced Hermione

Rose and Hugo were dropped off early on Sunday, much to Hermione’s chagrin. She had gone out to Ron and demanded answers.

“What if I had been out? What then? You can’t just drop them off whatever time you feel like it. You need to stick to the plan Ron, or else this won’t work” she said, feeling anger radiating off her. She knew the anger wasn’t related to him dropping them off 3 hours early, but to everything else that was going on in her life.

“Sorry, I just have some things to do this afternoon and you don’t want them being around Viv, so this is my option” he said.

“You’re damn right I don’t want them around her. In future, you need to call me” she demanded.

“Fine, ok I’ll all you” he said, getting into his car. “The kids told me what happened. With your job. I’m sorry Hermione” he said.

“What? No, that’s nothing. I have some offers lined up, I’m just taking some time to figure out what I want to do” she lied.

“Well, good for you then” he said.

She turned her back on him and walked back into her house, closing the door behind her and leaning against the wood.

“Mum” came the voice of Rose.

“Hey honey how was the weekend?” she asked.

“It was fine… Mum, are you ok?” she asked.

“Me? I’m fine sweetheart. Absolutely fine” she said, turning away to hide the tears that had formed at her daughters concern.

“Dad has someone you know” she said.

“That’s good for him. I’m glad” she said.

“He told us that you don’t want us to meet her” Rose said.

“That’s not entirely true honey” she said.

“That’s what dad said. He said that his girlfriend lives there but she can’t come home when we’re there because you said so” she said.

“I just think it’s a better idea if you spend some time with your dad for now” she said. “Maybe someday you can meet his special friend” she said.

“His girlfriend” Rose corrected.

“That too” Hermione said.

As Hermione went about washing the children’s clothes from the weekend, she heard a crack in the living room. She went out to see Ginny standing around with Albus by her side.

“Alby, how are you?” Hermione asked.

“I’m good aunty Mione” he said.

“That’s great. How about you go find Hugo, I think he’s outside” she said.

At this, Albus ran towards the back door and straight out the back.

“Mums having a dinner” Ginny said.

“That’s great for you guys. Have fun” she said sarcastically.

“You’re still family” Ginny said.

“No I’m not. Not anymore” she said.

“Well mum has asked specifically for you and the kids to come, so I’m here to make you come” Ginny said.

“Gin, really… I think I’m still drunk from Friday night. The last thing I need is to hang around with my ex-husbands’ brothers and have them tell me what a twat he is. I know he’s a twat. I don’t need to be reminded” Hermione said.

“You went out? With who?” Ginny asked.

“That’s what you got from that?” Hermione asked.

“Tell me everything” Ginny said.

Hermione explained the night to Ginny, as much as she could remember. She had vague flashes of the conversation she had with Malfoy and remembered dancing with her shoes off. One thing she did remember is leaving in a hurry and him handing her his card.

“Are you going to text him?” Ginny asked.

“This is Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. He’s a death eater, Ginny” Hermione said.

“Oh nonsense. You don’t believe any of that still exists, do you?” she asked.

“Well, he did make all our lives hell” she said.

“It’s also been more than 15 years. And he apologised. People change” she said

“Maybe” Hermione said, thinking if it could be true. Do people change?

“Don’t you want a bit of.. You know… TLC?” Ginny asked.

“Funny you should mention that…” Hemione began.

“You didn’t?” Ginny asked.

“Didn’t what?” Hermione questioned.

“Sleep with Malfoy in a drunken haze?” she asked.

“Merlin no. Oh my god Ginny, no way” she said.

“Well, what then” Ginny asked.

“I kind of snuck into Ron’s place. Last time we went out. I left early and went to his place” Hermione said.

“Woah. That’s huge. Why am I finding this out just now?” she asked.

“Harry doesn’t know?” Hermione asked.

“No. Ron hasn’t said anything” she said.

“I’m mortified Gin. Truly. He basically let me have my way with him in a sloppy drunken stupor and then kicked me out. But not before he told me not to tell anyone and said that he was in a serious relationship with Vivienne who now lives with him and picked out all his furniture… Oh, and he works out now” she said.

“What the fuck Hermione” was all Ginny could say.

“I know. I’m horrified” Hermione said.

“Listen, you need to find someone else. Someone good looking. Someone who I imagine would be amazing in bed” she said.

“Let me guess, someone like Malfoy?” Hermione asked.

“How did you know?” she asked, smiling.

“Forget about it, it’s not going to happen” Hermione said.

“Just come to dinner then” Ginny said.

“Fine. Fine! Give us half an hour” Hermione said.

<***>

Hermione found herself standing in the familiar lane way, leading up to the familiar house that stood on familiar wooden pillars. The Burrow had been extended more than Hermione ever thought was possible in recent years and there was absolutely no way it was possible that it existed without magic.

She approached the kitchen door and Rose and Hugo entered straight away.

“Oh my darlings, how are you both?” Molly Weasley asked them, wrapping them in enormous hugs.

“We’re good, Nan” they both replied.

Hermione carefully strolled up to Mrs Weasley and smiled. Molly pulled her into a hug, much the same as she had with the children.

“My girl, how I have missed you” Molly said, not releasing her.

“I missed you too” Hermione said back, a tear escaping her eyes.

The two women parted and began to engage in general conversation. Molly asked how the children were doing at school.

“They’re both doing really well. Rose is expected to graduate top of her class next week and Hugo… Well, he’s Ron all over, but still very smart. Great mind, just lacks the enthusiasm that Rose has” she said.

“Sounds like you and Ron” Moly said. “How are you doing my dear?” she asked.

“I’m well. The house is looking nice now. You’ll have to come visit some time, if you’d like” she said,

“I think that would be nice” Molly said, brushing away a tear.

“I have done really well at work. So well in fact that they no longer require my position” Hermine said.

“What on earth does that mean?” Molly asked.

“Well, I’ll still be paid the next years wage, as it was initially funded for three, but the job no longer exists” Hemione advised.

“That’s abhorrent” Molly said.

“Abhorrent? Really mum?” asked George who had just entered the room.

“Hey George” said Hermione.

“Hermione” he said, as he pulled her into a hug that lifted her off her feet.

“How’s the shop?” she asked.

“Booming” he said, picking a piece of carrot from the pot that Molly was scooping vegetables out of and popping it in his mouth. “Oh, hot, hot, hot” he said, blowing out of his mouth.

“That’s what you get for being impatient” Molly said.

“Well, you know what it’s like around here, you gotta get in quick” he said,

The night went surprisingly well. Hermione was ecstatic to see most of the Weasleys and their primary school aged children. They were family to Hermione. No matter what Ron did with his life.

Hermione went home with her children, late, with a sense of accomplishment. That was the first dinner she had been to since the divorce. Since she thought that everyone would hate her for walking out on Ron. For failing to give him another chance. It turned out, everyone loved her. Far more than she knew.

She laid in her bed with a warm sense of belonging that night.

She fell asleep easily and dreamt of the Burrow and its surrounding orchids. She had really missed that place.

The week went by really slowly. With Hermione out of work, on the days she wasn’t helping at the school, she had nothing to do but watch TV or read a book. She had read most of the books in her library, more than once. By Thursday, she was so bored that she had decided to clean out her collection of purses.

She sorted them into piles of ones that she wanted to keep and ones she wanted to donate to charity. She made sure to keep the ones that had been magically enhanced, or else, remove the charm, at least.

When she came to her simple black purse, she opened it, remembering having a chunk of cash in there that she didn’t spend last weekend. She took out the cash and with it, the business card of

Draco Malfoy
Alchemist
Head of Law Enforcement research for the Northern Hemisphere
Currently specialising in muggle rights
+44 7911 123456

Hermione fiddled with the card for a while, reading over it a few times. How had be become an accomplished alchemist and head of research for the entire northern hemisphere? She had always thought him to be lazy and incompetent, although still intelligent enough to have made top of a lot of their classes. Perhaps she was wrong to have abandoned him the way she did that night at the club?

She went into the living room and retrieved her mobile phone from the coffee table where it normally lived. She opened the message app and typed in his number. For some reason, she hadn’t expected it to work but the phone recognised it as a valid number and she now had to come up with a text.

H- Hello its Hermione Granger.

D- Granger, I must say, I hoped you’d be in touch sooner.

H- Yes, well, I wasn’t sure I would

D- why not?

H- I didn’t think you’d want me to after I ran out on you the other night.

D- You did? I must have missed that 😉

H- Yeah right. Well, I’m sorry about that. I had a moment.

D- Yes, I noticed.

H- Hard not to

D- Hey, we all do it.

H- Well, I am sorry.

D- I’ll forgive you on one condition…

H- What’s that?

D- Have dinner with me

H- Sure, I’ll pencil you in for 7 years from now when I’m free.

D- You don’t want to?

H- School is over as of tomorrow.

D- Bring them along.

H- Don’t be ridiculous.

D- I’m not.

H- That will go down well ‘hey kids, this is my teenage mortal enemy who is now kind of a nice guy, lets all have dinner’. Nope, not going to happen Malfoy.

D- kind of a nice guy?

H- Don’t push it Malfoy.

D- Ok, well when do they go to Weasels?

H- Next weekend.

D- Well there you have it. Pencil that in Granger. I’m taking you out.

H- We’ll see.  

D- Ok, well how has your week been?

H- It’s been slow

D- Why?

H- Let me see, I am unemployed, so have nothing to do. I have read all the books in my library so have nothing to read. Daytime TV sucks and everyone I know works. Oh, and I have been doing canteen at my children’s school with the gossipy mum types who I cant stand.

D- That sounds pretty tough.

H- Its mortifying.

D- Can I help?

H- Unless you have a time machine? I can go back and work much slower on my research.

D- Sorry, all the time turners got destroyed. I think by you and your friends. Or so the rumours say.

H- Hmm, sorry, can’t confirm that.

D- I knew it.

H- I’m not surprised

D- What are you doing today

H- Cleaning out my purses. That’s when I found your card.

D- So you weren’t avoiding me, you just lost my number. Makes me feel better.

H- Why are you so eager to have me text you? To take me out to dinner?

D- Yes. And because you’re interesting.

H- ok.

D- No, I mean, you’re more than what’s on the surface. I never knew that. I want to know more about you.

Hemione was thrown by this last text. How could Draco Malfoy have any kind of depth to him? He’s always been so… so Malfoy. The same one who bought his way into quidditch, the one who made fun of her teeth and her hair, the same one who caused her so much grief.

D- What do you say?

She hesitated. Instead of replying to Malfoy, she sent a text to Ginny.

H- Can I come over? Need advice.

G- Sure. Just got home from training.

Hermione grabbed her not-empty handbag and turned on the spot, concentrating on Grimmauld Place. She arrived on the Potter’s’ doorstep and reached for the doorbell.

In the last 17 years, Harry and Ginny had paid a vast number of the most highly skilled witches and wizards to renovate the old Black house. Harry really struggled with the idea of making that place his home for so long, but in the end, he wanted to be somewhere that meant something. Even if it was just once the short term home of the Order and the place Sirius hated, Harry made it something to love. A place to call home. Something for Sirius to have been proud of. So now, instead of being a dreary old place that reminded everyone of some of the darkest witches and wizards of the 70s, 80s and 90s, it had been completely gutted, the internal walls had been removed, the rear had been completely opened up and it was now a beautiful place, full of light and love.

Hermione was greeted at the door by Ginny, still in her training gear.

“Sorry, when I said I had been training, I literally had just been training” she said.

“That’s ok… Oh, I like this” Hermione said, indicating to a new hutch that was placed in the hallway. They walked down the brightly lit hallway and into a beautiful living room. Stairs led down to a modern kitchen and up to another 2 floors of bedrooms, bathrooms, a study, and a playroom for the kids.

“I still can never get over how great this place looks now. It’s so modern. So muggle. Its great” Hermine said.

“It should be, we paid enough to have all those charms removed” she said.

“Remember how hard it was to have Sirius’s mum taken down?” Hermione reminisced.

“What did it take, like ten or so witches and wizards to have a go at it?” Ginny asked.

Yes, something like that, all the while she screamed at them” Hermione said.

“Get off me you filthy half blood, you blood traitor” Ginny said in a perfect rendition of the ancient woman’s portrait while they both laughed.

“So, spill. What is so urgent that you had to rush on over here?” Ginny asked, sitting down on the lounge.

“I better show you” Hermione said, handing her the phone with the messages open.

Ginny scrolled through and looked up at Hermione.

“He’s flirting with you” she said.

“No he’s not, he’s probably just trying to manipulate me and make me out to be an idiot” Hermione said, her paranoia now in full bloom.

“What? You’re crazy. It’s been 17 years since school. 17 years since the end of the battle. You’re completely different and it appears, so is he” she said.

“But Gin… This is Malfoy” Hermione said. Trying to make Ginny see the gravity of all of this.

“Yes. It is. He’s also a good-looking man” Ginny said.

“So you think I should have dinner with him?” Hermione asked.

“I think you should let him bend you over the nearest solid object and let him bang you like a screen door in a hurricane” Ginny said, throwing her trainers across the room.

“GINNY!” Hermione said, blushing.

“Come on, don’t tell me you never thought about it. He is looking fucking fine” she said

“Of course I have but you can’t talk like that” she said.

“Why not? Men talk like that all the time. Except Harry of course” Ginny said.

“Yeah right, Harrys a true gentleman” Hermione said. At this the two women burst into fits of laughter.

When they stopped, Hermione noticed Ginny tapping away on her phone.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m texting him back for you” she said.

“No, don’t. I will text him, I promise” Hermione said, making a grab for her phone.

“You better” Ginny said, handing the phone back.

H- What do you want to know?

There, I sent him a text.

“You call that a text? He’s been openly flirting with you; you need to flirt back a little” Ginny said.

“Ok, Mrs expert, how am I supposed to know that? My relationship experience extends to Viktor and Ron. I have no idea what I’m actually doing” she said.

“Just be you. But, a little nicer. You’re doing well so far” Ginny said.

“I’m just having a conversation with him. Nothing really flirty about it” Hermione told her.

“You and Ron never sent lovey texts?” Ginny asked.

“This is Ron we’re talking about. Emotional range of a teaspoon? Remember?” Hermione asked. “We spent years building up to our relationship, fighting our feelings for one another. Before that, Viktor followed me around the library, at the tender age of fourteen. Flirting is not something I am big on” she said.

“Fine, just be yourself. Play a little coy though. Let him take you out to dinner and wear something casual but sexy. You’ve got the goods Hermione. Get them out” Ginny said.

“Gee, thanks Gin. So helpful” Hermione said, as her phone buzzed.

D- I want to know if you’ll let me take you out.  

“You pick the day, let him pick the location” Ginny said.

H- Tuesday lunch

“Will you watch the kids?” Hermione asked as she hit send.

Ginny just nodded with a huge smile on her face.

D- I know the place

H- Let me know where and I’ll meet you there at 1230 on Tuesday.

D- Make it 12

H- 12 works for me

D- What am I going to do between now and Tuesday?

H- Think about me

“Yes” Ginny said, reading over Hermione’s shoulder.

D- Probably

H- In what way?

D- What do you mean?

“This is mortifying” Hermione said, before tapping out another text.

“No its not, it’s the best thing ever” Ginny said.

H- How will you think about me?

D- Probably in that dress you were wearing the other night

“Or out of it” Ginny said.

H- Or out of it?

D- I wasn’t going to say that, but most likely.

“Merlin Ginny, this is Malfoy” Hermione said.

“I know. I wonder what he’s like in bed” Ginny said.

“You’re a married woman. To one of my best friends” Hermione reminded her.

“Oh I know that, but I can still live vicariously through you” she laughed.

“We’ll see” Hermione said.

H- Well, you do that, I’ve got things to be doing.

D- I’ll see you Tuesday

H- See you then.

********************

On Tuesday, Hermione dropped the children off and got ready at Harry and Ginny’s place.

“I’m so nervous” she said, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She wore tight fitting casual jeans and a nice top that accentuated her bust and her small waist.

“Don’t be, you look great. Just be yourself” Ginny said, smoothing her hair down.

“I feel like a teenager” she said.

“How could you possibly feel like a teenager? When you were a teenager, romance was the last thing you were thinking of, you were out saving the world” Ginny said.

“Oh trust me, there was romance involved. It was all on the sly” Hermione said, remembering back to the times she and Ron fell asleep holding hands or when they purposely stood beside each other to disapparate, just so they could touch. The lingering stares, the longing to be close… but also, the loss, the fear, the doubt. It was all things associated with Ron, who had since betrayed her, not once or even twice but multiple times.

“Besides, this isn’t romance. It’s just two adults having lunch together. Besides, we’re sort of work colleagues in a way. So it’s a work lunch. Hmm, yes, that’s right. A work lunch” she said, having regretted the slight flirting she had done with him the other day via text.

So far, Hermione had lost count of how many times she had changed her mind as to whether or not she actually wanted to flirt with him or if she preferred to take this as a casual lunch. Right at this moment, with her nerves and anxiety in full bloom, she wasn’t setting herself up for failure, regret and humiliation, she was certain that this would end with a handshake and that was it.

“Just keep telling yourself that Hermione! But just remember, I’m happy to keep the kids here for the night” Ginny said, getting excited on Hermione’s behalf.

“It’s definitely not going to come to that” Hermione said.

“You never know” Ginny said.

“It’s a casual lunch between ex colleagues, there’s no way it will be anything more” Hermione said.

“Well, I doubt that but whatever. Its eleven thirty so you better get going” Ginny said.

At this, Hermione called the kids down from the playroom, said goodbye and left via the front door. The wards of the house meant that neighbours saw only an empty verandah, so Hermione cleared her mind of all the worries and concerns she had about how this lunch might eventuate, thought of the place she had to apparate to, out of muggle view, and turned on the spot.

Hermione arrived in what appeared to be the back of a store. It had been disguised so, so that witches and wizards could apparate in and out without being seen by muggles.

“Good afternoon ma’am, you in London for business or pleasure?” came the voice of an elderly wizard.

“Both” she said, thinking that this could in fact go either way.

“Ah, very well, very well. That will be three sickles” he said.

Hermione just looked at him curiously. She had never had to pay before.

“Rent prices are not what they used to be madam, we can’t operate on just sales alone” he said, indicating to the second-hand goods in the front room.

“Certainly” Hermione said, handing over four sickles. “Keep the change” she said.

She exited the store through the back, which was customary as to avoid muggle detection. Afterall, it was a second-hand goods store and it would seem a little odd if loads of people came in and out all day long, especially without buying anything.

Hermione walked down the alley, her boots clicking on the pavement. She regretted wearing them immediately, but they were comfortable and looked good, so that regret was quickly overcome.

It was about a ten-minute walk to the café that Malfoy had told her about via text, and in the looming summer, it was a nice walk. As usual, she was early, so she took a seat and ordered herself a glass of water.

As she waited, her heart rate was increasing, and her palms were becoming sweaty. She was scolding herself for feeling this way, particularly when she had convinced herself that this was purely business and not at all a ‘date’.

She had drank half the glass of water in front of her when she noticed him walk in. As soon as she saw him, she knew that there was no way this was going to be purely business. He looked... Fit. He wore designer jeans that fit him just right and a white shirt that had three buttons at the top undone. The shirt revealed a toned body underneath and muscles that Hermione didn’t know he had hidden beneath the clothing she had seen him in previously.

As he approached the table, she felt herself blush at the thoughts that were now entering her mind. Thoughts Ginny would be proud of.

Hermione stood as he got nearer to the table. Unexpectedly, he kissed her on the cheek, something that threw her completely. She had the briefest moment to inhale his scent which was subtle but incredible. She was in a daze.

“I uh… I just sat here to wait for you, we can get another table if you like? Closer to the back?” she asked.

“Sure” he said, flashing a grin. He had sensed her fluster. Hermione continued to admonish herself.

A waitress approached the couple and Malfoy went into full charm mode.

“Hello, we’d like a quiet booth somewhere in the back if possible” he said, smiling at the girl, who didn’t stand a chance.

“Have you always been so… charming?” Hermione asked him quietly as the woman led them to a booth away from the rest of the crowd.

“Absolutely” he said.

They took their place in the booth and ordered drinks as the woman gave them their menus.

“I’m not that hungry” Hermione said, filling the silence as she looked over the menu.

“You’re nervous” Malfoy said, causing Hermione to look up and see that he hadn’t picked up his menu at all, just looked at her.

“I’m not, I just had a big breakfast” she said, lying. She was freaking out.

“Just breathe Granger. This doesn’t have to be a date, we’re just having lunch” he said.

“Of course its not a date, I agreed to go out for lunch so you’d shut up” she said, feeling embarrassed that he had declared within the first 5 minutes that this was not a date. She wanted him to think she had the upper hand. That she was in control. As much as she felt completely otherwise.

“Well, I’d like it to be a date, but you’re surely convinced that its not, so its not” he said, picking up his menu and gazing over it.

Hermione held hers up higher to suppress her grin. He wanted a date. This could go either way.

“I might have the Caesar salad, with chicken” she said, putting her menu down.

“Hmm, good choice. I’ll go with the salmon” he said, causing Hermione to supress a chuckle.

“What?” he asked.

“Oh, nothing” she said.

“You’re almost bursting, trying to hide your amusement. What is it?” he asked, smiling.

“I expected you to order the steak or surf and turf or something. Its strange to eat with someone who likes to eat different food” she said.

 “You really have lived a sheltered life, haven’t you?” he asked.

“Sheltered?”

“I’m guessing Weasley is a meat and three veg kind of guy?” he asked.

“Something like that. Or he would have ordered four mains and three desserts” she said, remembering her embarrassment at him doing so while they went out to celebrate their wedding anniversary one year.

“That’s barbaric” he said.

“That’s what I told him. But of course I was just being ‘up myself’ and had to loosen up a little” she said.

“I must say, so far… Still not a fan of Weasley” he said.

“You know what, neither am I” she said, “Not anymore” she added.

“So how did that all come about?” he asked.

“Me and Ron?”

He nodded.

“Merlin, it was just… I don’t actually know. We always had this sort of messed up chemistry. It was love hate for so long and with everything that happened with the war, the time we spent on the run, the battle, it just sort of happened” she said.

“So there was no grand gesture, it was like, one minute you’re friends, next minute you’re bed hopping?”

“Well, no, it wasn’t exactly like that” she began.

They were interrupted by the waitress who took their orders swiftly and left as quickly as she had arrived.

“What was it like then?” he asked.

“Why are you so interested?” she asked.

“Like I said, I want to get to know you” he said.

“Well, Ron and I had a moment, within the battle. It was a live or die type of moment where we thought that we ought to stop fighting our feelings and just be together. From that moment on, we were a couple” she said, shrugging.

“So there was no passion, no expression of “I need you in my life’?” he asked, animatedly, causing Hermione to almost spit out her drink.

“Merlin, with Ron? No. We both knew what we had and that was enough for us” she said, wondering if that was true.

“Sounds like a romantic guy” Malfoy said sarcastically.

“Yeah, about as romantic as this glass” she said indicating to the glass she held in her hand.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. The glass is very romantic, well, very trustworthy at least, but the two go hand in hand. It holds onto whatever you put into it and won’t let it go until you tell it to. Till you pour it out. Its completely clear so you can see straight through it. No lies, no bullshit” he said, touching the side of her glass as she held it, brushing her fingers slightly. He looked through the glass into her eyes and continued. “This glass, wont break unless you drop it, it wont falter unless you spill it. This glass, it’s not just a glass” he said.

“Wow, you’re smooth” she said, feeling a little affected by his words. “And I’m guessing you’re like the glass?” she asked.

“I can be if you allow me to be. Of course, you can smash me on the floor and I’ll break into a thousand pieces, or you can hold onto me and I’ll be solid, reliable and trustworthy” he said.

“So, what I get out of a friendship with you will depend on what I put in. That’s what you’re saying?” she asked.

“Not at all. What I’m saying is that as long as you hold onto me, I’ll be there for you. Not just you, that goes for anyone. I’m just as fragile as the next person, but I can also be very strong” he said, shocking Hermione with his openness.

“That’s very deep, Malfoy” she said.

“I’m just trying to impress you” he said.

“Well, I’ll let you know when it starts to work” she said, smiling, before taking a sip out of her glass of water.

Malfoy just smiled to himself.

It got Hermione wondering... Was Ron a glass too? Had she poured all of herself into him and had he been strong until she let go? Had she let go? Was that why he cheated on her?

“I’ve lost you” Malfoy said.

“Just thinking of your glass analogy” she said.

“And?”

“Well, it can work either way can’t it? Someone can be so full of another person’s stuff that they can start to spill out. Maybe the other person doesn’t realise when they drop the glass and can’t see the glass shatter beneath their feet because they’re so caught up in their life? Maybe it’s the holder’s responsibility to make sure that the glass stays firmly in their hand?” she asked.

“You trying to take responsibility for Weasley cheating on you?” he asked.

“Maybe” she said, feeling sullen.

“No. Definitely not. Don’t you dare” he said.

“You don’t know what our relationship was like. I was a shrew” she said.

“Nothing gives someone the right to do that. He had you in his life, he could have kept hold of you, but he dropped you. Then picked up another glass” he said.

“This whole glass thing is not working for me, I must say” she said.

“Me too, but it’s all I had at the time. It sort of made sense though, didn’t it?” he asked.

“It actually did. We do all hold each other in a very precarious position. Whether it be friends, partners or anything else. We make the choice to let people in or out of our lives, or to drop them, sometimes shattering them into a million pieces. I guess that’s what happened to me” Hermione said, wondering why she was being so honest with him so so soon.

“But look at you now. You’re thriving” he said.

“I’d hardly call it that” she said.

“What would you call it?” he asked.

“Surviving? Barely” she said.

“Why barely?” he asked.

“I don’t know. People need human company, don’t they? I have that, I have two wonderful little people who provide me with company, but I guess there’s something missing” she said.

She sensed him hesitate and realised her mistake.

“Oh, Merlin I’m such an insensitive idiot” she said.

“No, its fine” he said.

“No, its completely not. Here I am, whinging and complaining about my marriage, about Ron’s cheating asshole ways and you’re dealing with an actual loss. Two in fact. I’m such an idiot” she said.

“You’re not an idiot” he said. “Besides, it makes sense. Humans are designed to be social creatures. To thrive on the company of a partner. We both probably know how this feels as much as the other” he said.

Hermione’s reply was interrupted by the arrival of their meal. It looked and smelled delicious.

As she began to eat, she thought about how he must be feeling. He was dealing with the death of his wife and baby, which was only a few years ago, and sitting here, trying to flirt with her.

“I really am sorry... About your wife” Hermione said.

“Its ok. Its been a few years now and I know that things happen for a reason” he said.

“But you must feel sort of ripped off?” she asked.

“I do. To have my wife and my child taken from me in a matter of minutes. It felt like the world was having a laugh at me. But I know why it happened and I’m not angry” he said.

“Why? What do you mean?” she asked.

“Karma” he said plainly.

“No way. Don’t say that. No one deserves that” she said. Maybe once upon a time she may have thought he deserved it, but now she was much older and had lost a child of her own and she knew that pain. No one deserved that. No one. Not even Malfoy.

“Sometimes I wonder if I do. I mean, I did some horrible things” he said.

“I of all people know that, but I have forgiven you. The universe forgives you. Losing your wife and your baby was not a punishment for anything. Just one of those things that happens. If it were a punishment, I would have done something wrong also, because I too lost a baby” she said.

“You lost a baby?” he asked.

“My twins were supposed to be triplets. One of the babies had stopped growing and they missed it” she said.

“Well, look at this. We’re bonding over mutual loss” he said.

“Morbid, isn’t it?” she said.

“Perhaps” he said.

“I’m really glad I came out to lunch with you” she said, trying ever so daintily to eat her meal.

“Me too” he said.

“Maybe we can be the thing to curb each other’s loneliness” she said.

He just looked at her, when she said this. She sensed that he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. Instead, they ate the rest of their meals, mostly in silence.

“Did you want to order dessert?” Malfoy asked, when they had both finished eating.

“Ohh, I do have a sweet tooth. What’s on the menu?” she asked.

“Chocolate mud cake with ice cream or bread and butter pudding” he said.

“Oh we have to try the mud cake. But I’ll share with you. I couldn’t possibly have one to myself” she said.

This topic of discussion led them into an interesting conversation about food, all the things they liked and didn’t like, the foods they had tried and those they wouldn’t. Malfoy had tried many exotic foods from all the places he visited across Europe and Hermione had eaten things in Australia that he had never heard of.

Hermione found herself relaxing into easy banter with Malfoy. It was so simple. There was no trying with him. The conversation flowed so naturally and easily. Before they knew it, dessert had arrived.

“It looks amazing” Hermione said after the waitress had put it down in the middle of the table and walked away.

“She only left one spoon” Hermione said, handing the spoon to Malfoy.

He took a small bit of the cake, as well as some of the ice cream and held it out for Hermione. She had never been fed like this. It was quite intimate. The dessert was delicious.

“Oh my…” she said as she closed her eyes, taking in the flavour of the food.

“Oh, this is amazing isn’t it?” said Malfoy taking a bite of his own.

They continued like this, with Malfoy eventually giving Hermione the spoon to finish the plate off for herself.

When they were done, Hermione was hesitant to leave.

“I’ve had a really good time” she said.

“Me too” he said, standing up and putting on his jacket that had been slung over the seat.

“I really didn’t expect to” she said.

“I knew that, the moment I walked in” he said.

“How did you know?” she asked, taking her purse off the table and following him towards the front of the restaurant.

“You were so tense” he said, taking the paper bill from the cashier. “You were nervous, mixing up your words and your palms were sweaty” he said, as he tapped his muggle bank card on the eftpos machine before walking out the door into the street. “Plus, when I kissed you on the cheek, you were breathing really quickly” he said.

“Well, I was nervous” she said, as they stood out on the pavement.

“Why?” he asked.

“Well, I kept telling myself that this wasn’t a date. That we were just two ex-work colleagues having a casual lunch” she said.

“And now?” he asked.

“That felt like a date to me. Although I haven’t really ever been on one, so I don’t know” she admitted.

“How about I take you on another one? This time, it will be a date for real and we’ll both know that it’s a date?” he asked.

“That sounds like a plan” she said.

“What are you doing tonight?” he asked, a cheeky grin on his face.

“I…” she tried to think of some lie. Something to get her out of a follow-up date so soon, but she couldn’t think of anything. She certainly didn’t want to leave right now; she was having a good time.

“I just have to check on my children, but as long as they’re ok, I’m free. What did you have in mind?” she asked, beginning to walk down the street.

“Way to put a man on the spot” he said.

“Movie?” she asked.

“And dinner” he said.

“I couldn’t eat a thing. How about movie and popcorn” she said.

“Sounds like a plan” he said.

Hermione reached into her purse and pulled out a small piece of paper. She looked around and when she saw that no muggles were watching, she tapped it with her wand, making her address appear on it. She hesitated before handing it to Malfoy, old habits relating to trust popping to the surface of her mind.

“Pick me up at 7?” she said, as they reached the alley where she would disapparate to Harry and Ginny’s place.

“I’ll see you then” he said, kissing her hand, making her tingle, before walking off in the direction they came from.

Hermione felt like a giddy teenager as she entered the store. She handed over three sickles and disapparated to the doorstep of Harry and Ginny’s place.