It was a seemingly typical Wednesday at the ministry when Draco Malfoy asked Hermione Granger out on a date for that Saturday night. However what wasn’t typical was that today she said yes. Draco Malfoy was finally going on a date with Hermione Granger. He had asked her a few times before but there always seemed to be a conflict in scheduling, she had seem hesitant this time but he was too thrilled to care why.
…..
He had hesitated just showing up on her doorstep after he had received her owl cancelling the date due to this sudden illness. But he wanted to make his intentions known. So he settled on bringing over a small helping of chicken vegetable soup from the manors kitchens, made from scratch from the free house elves the Malfoy’s now employed. He would emphasize this part, free elves, they are free, paid decent wages, holidays.
He stood there as he heard footsteps from behind the door. Clutching the bag of food in one hand and reflexively clenching the other. I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have come. She’s sick. She doesn’t want me here. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Then from behind the door he heard her.
“Just a minute darling, I’ll be right back”
Darling?! What the fuck?!
The door opened slightly, Hermione was rummaging through her wallet before she saw him. “It’s forty-five quid, yeah?” As she pulled out a few muggle notes she looked up. “Oh… Draco..Wh-what are you doing here?” She closed the gap on the door ever so slightly. She was dressed in a deep burgundy lounge set, just tight enough to show off the outline of the curves that she had hidden under ministry robes. Her wild golden curls twisted up and plopped on the top of her head. He could see her wand sticking out the back. She looked to be the picture of health. Hmm.. interesting.
“I got your owl about being ill and wanting to reschedule dinner. So I thought I would bring you some soup.” He held up the take away bag while peering over her shoulder and into the small cottage.
“Oh.. yes. Thank you. But that wasn’t necessary.” She said nervously while clutching at the door.
“Hmm. How are you feeling, darling?” He questioned as he continued to appraise her appearance.
Her face fell when he landed on darling. “I’m alright,” she responded in a small voice.
Draco quickly schooled his emotions. “Look, if you wanted to cancel, you could…”
Then from inside the cottage came a small voice. “Mama, where bun-bun?”
Hermione paled and squeezed her eyes shut. With a deep breath she composed herself and responded cheerily, “Bun-bun should be in the lounge darling, on the purple chair.”
The small voice spoke again, “Mama, help!”
Hermione looked at Draco and bit her lip trying to gauge his reaction. He just stood there wide eyed and silent, holding Hermione’s gaze. It was in that quiet moment that a small toddler game up behind Hermione and tugged on her cardigan.
Draco looked down that this tiny little wisp. A mop of auburn curls with piercing blue eyes, and freckles across her tiny button nose. Being half six this little creature was dressed in onesie pyjamas covered in sloths.
The little wisp spoke again, “Mama, uppie.” With tiny arms stretched upwards, Hermione crouched down to pick up the child. She snuggled into her arms, and nuzzled into Hermione’s neck, while Hermione slowly rubbed circles on the girls back.
The three of them stood in silence for what seemed to be an eternity.
“I should..” Draco started.
“Do you want to come in?” Hermione spoke in a whisper.
He stared at her. Her and the little wisp of a girl in her arms. He ran his hand down his face and sighed.
“O-kay.”
Hermione gave a tight lipped smile and pushed the cottage door open to allow Draco’s large frame to pass through.
As he entered he took a slow account of his surroundings. Small. Cozy. Tiny toys in baskets. Books. Many, many books. Soft. Colourful. Sharp hues of every colour.
He heard the soft click of the door behind him and it pulled him out of his assessment.
“Um, there’s wine in the kitchen, or whiskey… above the hob,” Hermione gestured behind her with her head. “It’s Evelyn’s bedtime. I won’t be long.” She bounced the tiny toddler in her arms.
“Mama, where bun-bun?” The little wisp perked up, scanning the room.
“Yes darling, we can’t forget bun-bun,” Hermione whispered. She walked over to the purple chair and scooped up the emerald green bunny. She crossed back towards Draco, “I’ll be down soon.” Hermione made her way to the stairs and slowly made her way up to the second floor with the tiny wisp.
Draco made his way into the small kitchen, and placed the take away container of soup on the island. He made his way around the kitchen, opening cupboards until he found two mugs, a bottle of red wine, and …oh fire whiskey. He poured himself a small glass and took a thoughtful sip. A child, she has a child. What the fuck?
He was drawn out of his small reverie by three swift knocks on the door. Draco paused and contemplated answering the door. He gazed to the stairs and there was no sign of Hermione coming back down. She’s only been gone a few moments. It takes much longer to put.. no. No. Three more swift knocks at the door caused Draco to stride over and slowly open the door.
“That’ll be forty-five quid mate,” spoke a young man holding two bags of take-away. He couldn’t be more than eighteen.
“Right” Draco reached for his wallet in the pocket of his trousers. He always carried a small amount of muggle money on him. “Cheers, here’s sixty.”
The young boy looked at him in awe. This was the largest tip he’d seen all night. “Cheers mate.”
Draco closed the door and took the bags to the kitchen, emptying them onto the island.
……
Fifteen minutes later Hermione slowly descends the stairs to find Draco sitting on the plush velvet purple chair in the lounge.
“I see you’ve found the fire whiskey.”
“Yes. The take-away is on the counter. Along with your soup.” He took a slow sip from the glass.
With a small sigh she made her way to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of red wine. She then sent the take away to the coffee table in the lounge with a small wave of her wand. Two plates and cutlery soon followed. Hermione slowly sat down on the deep emerald green velvet sofa.
They stared at each other and took a sip of their respective drinks.
“You’re not sick”
“No”
Sip
Sip
“How old is she?”
“…Just turned two.”
“Mmmhmm”
Sip
Sip
“Look, I didn’t mean to lie. My sitter canceled. I.. I couldn’t get anyone to mind Evie last minute. I’m sorry”
“You could’ve told me. I didn’t even know you had a kid Granger.”
“Not many people do. I didn’t.. I didn’t want the spectacle of it all. I couldn’t. Not after. Not… after he died.”
“I understand,” he let out a soft chuckle. “I’m not laughing at your loss, Granger. I’m not that much of an asshole, anymore” he added when he saw the shock on her face. “I just find it morbidly amusing that we have such parallel lives.”
“What do you mean?”
Draco moved to pull his wallet from his trousers and he pulled out a small piece of paper. A photograph. He looked at it with a tiny smile, and then handed it to Hermione. She took it gently and stared at the small figure in the photo.
“That is my son. Scorpius. He’s two and a half.” Draco let out a small chuckle again.
“I didn’t know you had a kid,” she whispered. “He’s cute.” She handed the photo back to Draco, who swiftly tucked it back in his wallet.
“He’s a menace is what he is. But he’s funny, and sweet. Mother says I was the same way.”
“Oh great another Draco Malfoy,” she teased.
“Not many people know about him. I’ve tried to keep him separate from most things. Probably for similar reasons as you. Obviously after the war and my probation was up, I got in at the ministry in France. They were much more welcoming of an ex death eater in their auror team. Well the short of it is Astoria got pregnant fairly quickly. It was surprising actually, but it was debilitating for her. She had some medical issues and had to be closely monitored from the moment we found out. I paid off the few healers that came to the estate, we didn’t really interact with many people there so it was easy to keep it quiet. But she didn’t make it full term.” He paused, taking a long sip of the fire whiskey. “I almost lost them both. So I am very protective of my son. I count the stars every day that I have him in my life.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that Draco,” Hermione gently placed her hand over his rubbing gently across his knuckles. “And I am sorry, that I lied to you. I would like to try it again.”
“It’s alright. I understand. If I didn’t have mother to mind Scorpius, I probably would have done the same thing. And If I am being perfectly honest, I am quite content just like this.” He flipped his hand over to encase hers in his strong palm, giving a gentle squeeze.
“Me too.” She gave a small squeeze back.
“Perhaps tomorrow?” He took another small sip of his fire whiskey hoping she would say yes.
“I don’t have a sitter for tomorrow.” She took a small sip of her red wine.
“Bring your daughter, and I’ll bring Scorpius. We can make a morning out of it.”
“Are you sure?” She seemed hesitant.
“I haven’t been more sure of anything in a long time Hermione.”
“Alight then, I’ll pack us a picnic.”
They both smiled at each other and then moved towards the table to dip into the veritable feast of Chinese takeaway.