Coffee and Truth
Hermione woke up for work and for the slightest moment she forgot that Cassie wasn't with her. She didn't want to admit it but it was hard not having her around to take care of. For almost eleven years it was just the two of them, always.
Of course, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Theo--hell even Pansy and Blaise--would all come around and help out as much as they could but at the end of the day, it was always her and Cassie. She guessed this was the downside of being a mother. One day your child would leave you for school and you would only see them on holidays. Now she knew how her parents felt when she left for school.
Hermione climbed out of bed and walked over to her calendar. It was only September 4th. She sighed knowing that the days were going to drag on slowly. She went ahead and got ready for work, deciding she would leave earlier than normal.
The moment she was finished getting ready, she headed out of her flat and apparated to an alleyway near her favorite muggle coffee shop in muggle London. She walked out of the alleyway to see the light blue and white building waiting for her. Ensemble Est Mieux.
She entered the shop and immediately felt better at the smell of coffee beans and chestnuts. Walking up to the counter she was met with the same woman she had seen many times before. "Goodmorning Alessia."
"Ah, Miz. Granger." The woman with beautiful red hair smiled at her. "Yov are 'ere very early today."
"Decided to get an early start today." She paused. "I'll have my regular please and thank you."
"Of course, Miz. Granger. I'll 'ave it right out." Alessia disappeared from the counter.
Hermione walked over to her favorite booth in the back right corner of the shop. It sat right next to a window that had the perfect view of a water fountain. This was her favorite place to come to with Cassie. They would stop for coffee and tea before heading out to the nearest bookshop.
Like her mother, Cassie was obsessed with books and reading. She was always a smart girl growing up and loved learning about new things. She had once tried to convince Hermione to get her a wand before the appropriate age so that she could practice her magic.
Hermione was pulled from her thoughts when Alessia sat down for her coffee. "Thank you." Alessia nodded back to her before returning to the counter.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in."
Hermione looked up from her coffee to see raven hair and a sarcastic smile. She smiled big and stood from her seat. "Pansy." She gave her a hug.
"Granger, you do realize I still don't like hugs, correct?" Pansy tried to wedge out of her grip.
Hermione let her go with a laugh as the two took their seats. "Why are you here? Last I heard-"
"I was in Italy opening up a new office for my clothing line?" She took a sip of her tea. "I was but we wrapped up late last night so I thought I would head back."
Pansy started working toward her own clothing line right out of school. It wasn't until four years ago that it really took off. If you were walking through Hogsmeade and didn't see someone wearing her line's clothes, then she would be surprised.
"Well, I'm glad you're back." Hermione paused. "Have you spoken to anyone else yet?"
Pansy sighed. "You mean, has that blonde prat reached out to me? No, he hasn't."
Hermione nodded slowly, looking down at her cup of coffee.
Pansy took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to my favorite niece's departure to Hogwarts."
Hermione let out a small laugh. "She's your only niece, Pansy."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Exactly. My favorite and only niece." There was silence for a moment before Pansy rolled her eyes. "Okay, let's talk about it. What happened with the prat?"
Hermione sighed. "How much do you know?"
"Not much, Theo just told me he was back and if I wanted to know anymore then I would have to ask you."
Hermione leaned back into her seat to get comfortable. "I saw him on the platform with his son."
Pansy scoffed. "You mean that posh git showed up with the devil's spawn and didn't even think about you being there?"
Hermione shook her head at Pansy. "His son doesn't have anything to do with this, but yes." She paused, taking a sip of her coffee. "He met Cassie and then we met here to talk about everything."
Pansy leaned forward on the table. "Please do not tell me he wants back in her life."
"Pansy-"
She groaned. "You have got to be kidding me." Pansy shook her head. "I know you're whole 'I'll let him meet Cassie whenever' thing but seriously Hermione?! He's gone for eleven years and decides to waltz back in my niece's life? You can be fine with it but I'm not."
"You sound just like Theo."
"Well, he isn't wrong. It's the same way Blaise feels."
"Can I ask you something and you be honest with me?" Hermione started and when she saw Pansy nod she continued. "At any point since school have you seen him?"
Pansy thought about it for a moment. "The last time I saw or spoke to him would have been right before the wedding." She furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"
Hermione let out a breath. "Theo-"
"He did not!" Pansy almost stood from her seat. "Are you telling me that Theo has seen him?!"
Hermione closed her eyes and leaned her head back. "From what he said, he is Scorpius' Godfather."
"Oh, you have got to be- I'm going to murder him." Her eyes almost looked black.
"Pansy it's fine. I just wanted to know if you had seen him." She looked down at her watch realizing the time. "I'm going to be late to work-" She broke off.
"What?" Pansy asked.
Hermione squeezed her eyes close, almost forgetting. "Malfoy works with me now. he's taking over Phillip's position."
Pansy let out a condescending laugh. "Oh, you bet your ass I am going to be stopping by for lunch sometime soon."
Hermione sighed. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Pansy wore an evil smirk. "We are two totally different people, Hermione." She paused. "So, Phillip is leaving?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, we're having a going-away party for him on Friday."
Pansy looked to be thinking for a moment before smiling. "You might see me there."
~
Hermione stepped off of the elevator right at 7:30 am. She was rummaging through her purse, looking for her keys, as she walked to her office. She passed her partner's office and was about to unlock her door when he realized something.
She backed up a few steps only to be met with Draco sitting in Phillip's chair and reading through a file. "No."
Draco's head popped up with furrowed eyebrows before a smile formed across his face. "Well, Good morning, Gra-"
"No, No, No, No, No." She stomped into the office, stopping in front of the desk. "The mornings are mine and mine only. I show up early so I can enjoy the peace and quiet before everyone else shows up and that is not about to be ruined by you."
Draco sat the file down and leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. Hermione wanted to smack the smug look off his face. "Well, I'll have you know that I also like the peace and quiet of the mornings and I was here first."
Hermione let out a short breath. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't beat you here because I was with someone this morning. I promise you; it will not happen again." She was about to storm out when he spoke.
"You were with someone this morning? Who?" Draco sat up straight in his chair looking oddly concerned.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I was with Pansy." Something dropped in his face. "Yes, she's back in town and she's not happy with you. If I were you, I would go to her before she comes and finds you."
Draco furrowed his eyebrows and cleared his throat. "When did the two of you become close?'
She let out an angry sigh but concealed herself. "About the time you left."
He looked down at the file on his desk. "I see."
"Malfoy," She paused to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of him. "A lot changed after you left, and you know I don't blame you for anything. Of course, I became close to Theo, Pansy, and Blaise. They all wanted to be a part of Cassie's life, so I let them."
Draco nodded once. "No, I understand." He paused. "It's just odd."
Hermione squinted her eyes at him. "What is?"
He ran his hand through his hair. "That the people who were once my friends know Cassie more than I do."
Hermione bit down on her lip. "I'm sure they would be willing to talk it out with you if you put in the effort to try. I know how you all are so I know it will take time, but if you want things to be okay again then you have to talk to them."
He sighed. "Okay, I will."