The Web Of Love

Hermione had enjoyed a rather quiet morning. Realizing that she was finally happy to be alone after so many years, she was so happy that she didn't even think about the conversation she and Draco had had that morning. It was strange. She didn't know what he had talked about with Theodore yesterday, but she was quite glad about their argument. Not that she wanted them to fall out, no. But whatever happened, it helped her finally open her eyes. It gave her the strength she needed to finally stop. At least she believed that she couldn't know if she would be as strong when it came to her next encounter with the blond man.

Now she watched Charlie run off to the playground, her heart fluttering with happiness. Her feeling of happiness only lasted a few seconds before she saw Blaise nervously pacing next to her out of the corner of her eye. After lunch, she texted him asking if they could meet in the park since the weather was so beautiful today, and he agreed. 

"Feel free to stay here with us if you don't have work," she suggested in almost a whisper, giving him a look. She didn't want to keep him here if he didn't want to be here, but it was Sunday and he should seriously take a break from work. Besides, she had to start work on how to be his good friend. And for real this time. She loved him too much to not have him in her life at all.

Blaise watched their son play in the sandpit for a few more seconds before looking at his ex-wife. She watched him with hope in her eyes and he couldn't refuse her. "I should probably go back to work, but I can't even remember having a Sunday off," he said with a smaller smile, not missing her relief at his answer. Did that mean she wanted to spend time with him? With the person who hurt her so much? The thought unnerved him a little, and he immediately remembered his mother's words about Hermione still loving him.

“Did you enjoy your weekend together?” she also asked with a smile as she shifted her gaze back to Charlie.

"You know the answer," he said, his eyes straying to their son as well. He always enjoyed spending time with Charlie. When Hermione told him she was pregnant back then, he panicked. He didn't know if he could be a father. The success for him at all was that he married the woman he loved. The whole nine months were hell for him. He tried to stand by Hermione's side as he fought a battle inside his head about whether it would be better if he left them. Which of course he didn't, and even today he thanked Merlin for it, because the first time he held Charlie, all his doubts vanished.

Hermione's smile widened. "I know," she mumbled cheerfully.

"Do you want to go out to dinner sometime?" he blurted out before he could even think about what he was asking her. "As friends?" he added quickly, lowering his gaze awkwardly to the ground. He didn't know why he asked her that, but watching her watch their son with a smile, he couldn't help it. He was too weak when it came to her.

"I would like to, but I have a better idea. Why don't you stay at my place and I'll cook?” she suggested.

"Wonderful idea, you don't know how much I miss your cooking," he grinned at her, relieved that his ill-advised question didn't end in a fiasco.

"So that's how it is, you only married me because of how I cook," she teased.

"Not only because of that, but I admit it played an important part," he said in a completely serious voice, but an amused smile appeared on his face.

The brunette laughed at his words, successfully ignoring the small twinge in her heart. She wanted to say something funny to him, but unfortunately, she couldn't think of anything, so she was glad when their conversation was interrupted by an incoming person.

"That is a beautiful sight to my eyes," the brown-haired young man said instead of greeting.

"Theo!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise, hugging him in seconds.

Theodore hugged her back, and when he pulled away he looked at Blaise with a smirk on his face. "We were supposed to meet at three, but you probably forgot when you're not home. Luckily I decided to go for a walk and saw you here," he explained his apparition in the playground. "Can't blame you, of course, mate, I'd rather be spending time with my beautiful wife too."

"I'll just say goodbye to Charlie and we can go!" Blaise told him quickly, giving him a warning look before walking off to his son.

Hermione didn't take his statement seriously. That's just how Theo was. He seemed to be the most mature and serious of the Slytherin trio, but when you spend so many years around Draco and Blaise, a few of their traits stick with you whether you like it or not. She was a good example of that.

"How long are you staying?" she asked so they wouldn't just stand there in silence, turning her full attention on him now that Blaise was with Charlie.

"I was originally supposed to stay for a few days, but due to certain events, I'm returning to France today," he answered her, his serious attitude back.

“Is it because of that fight with Draco?” she sighed. It must've been really bad if he decided to come home early because of it.

Theodore nodded. “I can't stay here and watch it end badly. We all know that Draco doesn't have a sense, and we know that for a long time, but I expected something better from you," he whispered. Although they were standing far from Blaise, he wouldn't like to overhear their conversation.

"I know," she whispered sheepishly. "I'll fix it, Theo. I don't want it to end badly either."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that," he informed her dejectedly but then smiled as Blaise and Charlie approached them. "My favorite Zabini!" he greeted the little boy, and when Charlie reached out his hand to Theo he took him into his arms.

"You know that until I married you, I was everyone's favorite Zabini?" Blaise quietly informed Hermione as Charlie began to tell Theo about all his toys.

Hermione rolled her eyes at that. "Poor thing."

Blaise laughed before turning his attention to Theo and Charlie. "Alright, champ, time to release Uncle Theo from your clutches."

"You have to go?" he asked despondently, curling his lower lip.

“Unfortunately, yes, but I'll think about making another visit to London soon, okay? And I'll make up a lot of time for you," Theodore promised him.

“You gonna come to my bilthday?” Charlie wanted to know.

"I wouldn't miss that! And I'll take my friend with me, do you agree?"

“The blonde one?” inquired little Zabini, his sad expression disappearing from his face when Theo promised to come to his birthday party.

"That's the one," confirmed Theodore, placing Charlie on the ground. He just waved at him and ran off to play on the playground again.

“Nice to see you, Theo, I guess I'll see you at Charlie's party. I'll send you a letter when I know more details," she said goodbye to him and hugged him again. "And the two of us will write about that dinner," she told Blaise and followed Charlie onto the sand.

"Dinner?" Theodore wondered, nudging his friend slightly as he was still staring at Hermione.

Blaise let out a moan. "Don't talk about it, and rather let's go," he snapped and walked away.