Glimmers of light

The next morning, Hermione Apparated to the Burrow, Rose in her arms and a bag full of her stuff. It was Ron’s day with her, and Hermione would miss her but she knew Ron loved having this time with her. Her heart was filled with nervous excitement, as she’d asked Ginny to meet here there so they could head for breakfast and she couldn’t wait to tell her everything.

Ginny was already there, sitting at a table by the window, a steaming mug of tea in front of her. She looked up as Hermione approached, her face lighting with a warm smile when she saw Rose. “Hand me that child right now,” she exclaimed, holding out her arms for the wriggling baby who was determined to see her aunt. Hermione did as she was told, and Ginny placed a kiss on Rose’s head, “hello Rosie-Posie.” Hermione glanced around, and Ginny responded to her unanswered question “he’s running late, as always” she rolled her eyes. Hermione shook her head, “typical Ron, some things never change.”

Just then, Ron barrelled through the Floo, full of apologies, “so sorry Mione, the morning got away from me but I’m here now!” Hermione offered him a small smile, “not to worry, Rose was glad for some Ginny cuddles.” Ginny handed Rose over to Ron, and Hermione ran through the schedule for feeding times and naps. “Alright, Ron,” she said, adjusting the blanket around Rose. “She’s just had a feed, so she should be good for a couple of hours. Just make sure you let her nap, and if she starts fussing, try rocking her or singing to her. She likes ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’.”

Ron, looking somewhat overwhelmed but delighted, cradled Rose, “Right, nap, feed, play, twinkle twinkle, got it,” he mumbled, his eyes fixed on Rose, “we’re gonna have the best day aren’t we baby girl.”

“Perfect, Ron,” Hermione said, her smile widening. “I’ll be back later this evening. She gave Rose a gentle kiss on the forehead and then turned to Ginny, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. “Come on,” Hermione said, grabbing Ginny’s arm. “Let’s go get some breakfast.”

Ginny grinned and followed Hermione out of the kitchen, leaving Ron to navigate the world of nappy changes and baby burps as the Apparated to Hermione’s favourite breakfast spot.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air as Hermione and Ginny settled into a cosy booth at a small Muggle café that Hermione went to most mornings. Sunlight streamed in the window, Illuminating the brightly coloured mugs and the chatter of other people. It was a world away from the magical one, where Hermione and Ginny appearing together would cause press to be there, flashing camera and well wishers saying thank you.

“This is exactly what I needed,” Hermione sighed, taking a sip of her latte. “A bit of normalcy..” Ginny, already halfway through a stack of pancakes nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. Though normal is a relative term these days, isn’t it?” Hermione chuckled, “how right you are Ginny, but I need to tell you something, but I’m still trying to process it myself before you judge.”

“Oh interesting, well process away,” Ginny said, gesturing with her fork. “What’s the big secret?” Hermione took a deep breath, placing her mug down on the table “Okay, so last night I had a date…” Ginny’s eyes shot up and she dropped her fork, “with who?” she leaned closer. “Draco Malfoy” Hermione said with a whisper, glancing around her to check no one was within earshot.

“Fuck off right now Hermione, you did not”” Ginny laughed, “I demand to know every single detail, and was he wearing those tight shirts of his?” she winked, and Hermione felt relief rush through her. She wasn’t sure if Ginny would have been outraged at the thought of it, but she should have known the gossip would win her over.

"Okay, okay," she said, a nervous flutter in her stomach. "It started with him showing up at my doorstep. With a bottle of wine and he had sent me lillies earlier that day.” Ginny's eyebrows shot up. "Lilies? Draco Malfoy brought you flowers?"

Ginny leaned forward, her interest piqued. "And then what? Did he whisk you away on a broomstick for a romantic flight over the countryside, or floo you to Paris for dinner at the top of the Eiffel tower?.”

"Better," Hermione said with a smile. "He cooked." Ginny blinked. "He… cooked? Draco Malfoy, wielding a frying pan?" "He made pasta," Hermione corrected, her voice filled with a hint of awe. "Homemade pasta. It was actually… delicious. And he was funny, Ginny. Genuinely funny. Not just sarcastic-funny. Like, actually witty."

Ginny stared at her, her jaw slightly agape. "This is… I don't even know what to say. Draco Malfoy, the reformed Slytherin god, Voldemorts right hand man, now a domestic god?"
"I know, I know," Hermione said “but don’t call him that,”, anticipating her friend's disbelief. " But it's true. He was completely different from how I expected, he was charming and flirty and kind. He was so interested in Rose, he even gave her a bedtime bottle and we watched a muggle film,”

Ginny leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. "So, let me get this straight," she said slowly. "Draco Malfoy came to your house, cooked you dinner, entertained your baby, and then… what? Did he serenade you with a violin while serenading Rose to sleep?"

Hermione giggled. "No, nothing like that. But he was… sweet, Ginny.. and an incredible kisser.” She smirked. Ginny grinned, finally accepting the reality of the situation. “I fucking knew Malfoy would be a great kisser, and if anyone can tame the Malfoy dragon, it’s you, Hermione,” she said. “But promise you’ll be careful, especially with Rose and I’ll keep it to myself don’t worry.”
Hermione laughed, the tension she’d been carrying since the night before finally easing. "Of course I will," she said. "I’m seeing him again today; I hope.” She thought about how she hadn’t heard from him yet and wondered should she owl him instead.

Ginny sank back into her chair, still shaking her head in disbelief at the whole situation, “Do you think the boys will understand Gin?” Hermione asked, her voice full of worry. Ginny sighed, “honestly, I think Harry will be fine, but Ron isn’t going to be easy. You know how much he dislikes Malfoy and he’s going to take it as a personal attack. This isn’t some sort of weird revenge for Lavender is it Hermione?”

Hermione snorted, “absolutely not, but you’re right about Ron. I won’t be telling them anything, not right now, we’ve only had one date and it might not go anywhere. No point causing an argument over it.” Ginny sipped at her coffee, “agreed, besides he doesn’t have a leg to stand on after what he did,” she rolled her eyes and set her cup down.

“So,” Hermione said, trying for a light tone, “how’s training going?” Ginny had recently signed with the Holyhead Harpies, and her first game was coming up soon. Ginny smiled, “it’s been really great, hard though being away from Harry, we’ve been so used to being together all the time.” Hermione nodded, since the war had ended, Ginny and Harry had been stuck together like glue, Harry could barely let Ginny out of his sight so she knew it was bound to be hard on them both. “Harry wants to get married,” Ginny said, a nervous smile on her face. Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise, “are you telling me you’re engaged? And THIS is how I’m finding out?” she set her cup down harder than intended.

Ginny laughed, “No Hermione, this isn’t an announcement, how shit would that be.” She paused, “I’ve told him not yet, I want to marry him but we’re so young and I’m only just starting my career with the Harpies but give it a year.” Hermione reached over to grab her friends hand, “good, because getting married young is not all its cracked up to be,” she half laughed but shook her head, “you have all the time in the world to get married to him Gin and pop out little messy haired babies.” Ginny gasped in horror, “he won’t be getting any children out of me for at least five years, I’ve already warned him.”

“Right,” Ginny said, pulling her scarf around her neck, “I have to go collect some new dress robes from Tattings. Mum has warned me that my current ones are looking a bit.. rough around the edges, and I’ve got a gala dinner at the end of the month with the team.

Hermione chuckled, “Sounds fun, I might head to the bookshop, I want to pick up a few books on Runes. But I’ll maybe see you back at the Burrow tonight when I pick up Rose?”
Ginny shook her head, “I’ll be out with Harry, we’re heading for Dinner, but owl me and we’ll arrange a visit so I can squish that beautiful niece of mine and get all the dirty details on the next date with Malfoy,” she laughed.

They parted ways and Hermione wrapped up warm, deciding to walk to the Leaky Cauldron, so she could take a visit to Flourish and Blotts. The familiar scent of magical herbs and potions growing stronger as she approached Diagon Alley. The bookshop, as always, was a chaotic haven for book lovers and with students all at school it was a quiet morning, perfect for perusing.
Hermione had just located a particularly promising volume on runic symbology, perched precariously on a high shelf, when she felt a sudden jolt. She stumbled back, dropping the book she had been holding and a pair of strong hands reached out to steady her.

“Whoa there! Sorry about that,” a familiar voice said and Hermione looked up to the kind eyes of Neville Longbottom. His usually nervous expression replaced with a sheepish grin. He was holding a rather large plant from which contained a single purple floor. “Neville!” Hermione exclaimed, bending to pick up her book. “How wonderful to see you! How are you?” she reached over to give him a kiss on the cheek, and she watched as he blushed, his ears turning a delicate shade of pink.

“Hermione! Hi, I’m really good, how are you and Rose? I heard about what happened with Ron, I’m awful sorry I’ve not been in touch,” he was rambling as always and Hermione held out her hand to stop him, “it’s alright Neville, I know you’ve been busy, and I’m good promise, as is Rose.”

Neville smiled at her, “I’m glad, what has you here?” he asked, “I was just about to ask you the same thing, aren’t you in class?” Neville gestured to the plant in his hands, “had to pick this up for Professor Sprout, it’s for our N.E.W.T students practice exams.” Neville had just recently joined the staff at Hogwarts as an assistant to Professor Sprout, a role Hermione knew he would be brilliant at. He always did find plants easier than people.

“And how is Luna?” she enquired, and Neville’s face dropped, “we uh, we broke up over the summer actually” and Hermione patted his arm, “oh Neville, I’m so sorry, how insensitive of me. Are you okay?” He nodded and set the plant down on the table beside him, “I think it was for the best really, you know Luna she’s not one to be pinned down and I think a life at Hogwarts just isn’t the one for her. Last I heard she was in South Africa on the hunt for some rare creature.” He smiled fondly. “So long as you’re okay, why don’t you pop over for a cup of tea next time you have some time, and you can meet Rose.”

Neville nodded enthusiastically, “Would be great to see you all again, I’ll owl you! Though I apologise Hermione, I really must head, I’ve a few other things to collect,” he reached down to pick up the plant which seemed to be sprouting several plant babies and Hermione stepped back slightly, “of course, but I’ll speak to you soon Neville” waving him off.

Hermione, her mind still buzzing from the unexpected news of Neville and Luna breaking up, exited the shop, clutching her newly acquired books. The cold air was a welcome change from the slightly musty atmosphere inside. As she stepped onto Diagon Alley’s bustling pavement, she felt a hand reach out to her, startling her. “Oh, Merlin” promptly dropping the books again.
“Allow me,” a smooth voice drawled, two pairs of hands reaching for the books and Hermione looked up to see Theo Nott and Blaise Zabini standing before her.

“Hermione, my love!” Theo grinned, his eyes sparkling, “fancy meeting you here, picking up some light reading are we?” He gestured to the stack of heavy tomes in her arms.
“Something like that,” Hermione replied, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. “Just some light bedtime reading on Ancient Runes.

Blaise chuckled, his dark eyes appraising her. “Always the studious one, Granger. Never a quill out of your hand.” She rolled her eyes. “So, what brings you two to Flourish and Blotts?” she asked, gathering her books.

“Nott here is on a quest for the ultimate guide to obscure potions,” Blaise explained, gesturing towards Theo. “Apparently, he’s brewing something particularly… explosive.”
Theo grinned mischievously. “Let’s just say it involves a rather rare ingredient and a significant amount of bubbling.”

“Sounds dangerous,” Hermione commented, her eyebrows raised. “Only if you’re standing too close,” Theo assured her with a wink.

Blaise, meanwhile, had been watching Hermione with a speculative glint in his eyes. “You know, Granger,” he said, his voice dropping to a lower register, “you really shouldn’t carry so many heavy books. It’s not good for a delicate flower like yourself.”

Hermione snorted. “Delicate flower? Blaise, please. I’ve faced down trolls, Acromantulas, and Voldemort. A few books are hardly going to strain me.”

Blaise chuckled, undeterred. “Still,” he persisted, “I’d be happy to lighten your load. Allow me to escort you wherever you’re going. Perhaps we could… discuss the finer points of runic symbology over a cup of tea?”

Hermione gave him a withering look. “Thanks, but I think I can manage. And as fascinating as I’m sure a discussion of runic symbology with you would be, I have somewhere to be. “Theo, I’ll see you soon I’m sure. Blaise… “ she looked him up and down before waving goodbye, eager to see if an owl from a certain tall blonde had arrived.