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Hermione sits across from Pansy, a glass of wine dangling from her fingers, a sad smile on her face as she stares at the woman in front of her.
"So, you and Draco?" Pansy's voice was nervous, the hints of high society falling short, something that she'd learned she could do around Hermione years previous.
Hermione nods, "A very long time ago. He told me you had some questions."
Pansy's the one who nods this time. "He told me you're the only person he cared for like he cares for me, I needed to know what happened. I can't marry him without knowing."
"I understand," Hermione says, because she does. She knows the hazard lights that come on with being in love with the blond heir. "Draco and I had a very unconventional relationship, and I had to end it for both of our sanities."
"I'll be his second wife, Granger."
"And he loves you, more than he ever thought he loved me."
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A bark of laughter passed Hermione's lips when she heard the question that Malfoy had proposed. "You want me to be your assistant?"
"Yes, Granger, is that so difficult for you to believe?"
“I just don’t understand why you need an assistant,” she chuckled again, sitting behind her desk at the Ministry. “And I don’t understand why you want me to be her. You could choose anyone, and anyone who wasn’t a government official.”
“It needs to be you, Granger. If you wish to see what I have planned for your work, and your pay, I’d be willing to share that information with you.”
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“He didn’t need an assistant, he needed a companion. It was clear when he showed me the job outline, and with the number of bills and debt I had at the time, I needed the money.”
Pansy says nothing, not wanting to interrupt the woman’s story. She gestures for Hermione to continue.
“I was teaching him about the Muggle world, he wanted to better understand. Thinking back, I think he just wanted a reason to be around me.”
Pansy hums, remembering easily how persuasive Draco could be. “I don’t understand how you were the mother of Scorpius, though.”
Hermione chuckled, thinking about her son. “Yes, in the grand scheme of things, it should have been Astoria.”
“Should it have been?”
“It would’ve made everything easier. Draco and I spent a lot of time together, he was desperate to be around someone when he left Azkaban. Our relationship evolved, though. He met my family.”
Hermione’s smile surprises Pansy, unsure of what she expected of the other woman.
Hermione continued, “I loved Draco, and our relationship escalated. But he was with Astoria, and I was not meant to be in the crosshairs. Narcissa made that very clear to me.”
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“Miss Granger,” Mrs. Malfoy started. “I assume you know why I have called you here.”
“Yes, Lady Malfoy.”
“I expect that you will end this before the wedding, and not ruin Lord Malfoy’s marriage in the process.”
Hermione hummed, placing her hand over her stomach. “Should I tell him?”
“Yes, Miss Granger. My son is falling in love with you, but I fear what he might do if he should find out about the child after any amount of time.”
“Yes, Lady Malfoy. I-”
Narcissa tilted her head. “I have grown to like you, Miss Granger, but I’m afraid we cannot change the betrothal that his father wrote up. Please, feel free to confide in me.”
“Nothing I say from this point leaves this room.” Hermione was unsure whether this was a question or statement, but Narcissa seemed to understand.
“Yes, Hermione, now what was your question, dear?”
“Would you like to see Muggle pictures of your grandchild? I found out the sex of the baby this morning and got more sonograms.”
Narcissa could feel her eyes water, a smile lifting her face, making her appear younger. “I would love that, dear.”
Hermione produced the sonogram images. “I’m having a son,” she said, showing her the images.
“He’s going to be quite stunning, Hermione.”
“I hope he looks like his father,” she said, a sad smile lifting her face. “I wish that he will be raised as Astoria’s son.”
Narcissa nodded, understanding. “I don’t think he will be willing to do that, if I’m to be completely honest, Miss Granger. Have you chosen a name?”
“He doesn’t have much of an option.”
“Knowing my son,” Narcissa started.
Hermione cut her off. “Knowing your son Mrs. Malfoy, he will do what is best for your family. That has never changed.”
“Narcissa, please. And I know the love my son holds for you.”
Hermione shook her head. “And I know the obligation that he still holds, it’s why we’ve never been anything more. His name is Scorpius.”
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“But everyone knows he’s your son.”
Hermione lets out a chuckle. “Around 5 months into their marriage, I had Scorpius. We had an in-home birth, and they told everyone that they’d slept together before the wedding. It’s not uncommon in pureblood society, you know.”
Pansy nods, taking another sip of her wine.
“But then a year or so later, he started looking more like me. His hair started curling, and you know that their families have a history of straight hair. His eyes turned brown, and his nose looks just like mine,” Hermione’s smile is infectious, and they both chuckle at how much Scorpius looks like his mother.
“The resemblance is uncanny, I must admit.”
“Astoria couldn’t handle it. I told Draco months before the wedding. I think I was about 5 months along, not long after I talked with Narcissa.”
“She’s actually why I came to you.”
Hermione nods, thinking about how much that sounds like Narcissa. “She went to the press. They’d fulfilled the contract, and the divorce was already underway. She had no problem throwing me under the bus. I think she thought Draco and I were together, but we hadn’t been for two years by that point. I was only 22 at the time, and I had a one-year-old son.”
“Astoria tried to be his mother, didn’t she?”
“She did. But he knew that she wasn’t, the little bugger,” they both chuckle, sharing a look of love for their son. “It wasn’t like he is with you. He would cry whenever she picked him up, but Draco’s arms were always welcome. I didn’t see my son for a year.”
Pansy’s frown lines her face, “I can’t imagine that was easy, I wouldn’t be able to do that.”
“I hated it. I love him more than life itself, but I was willing to do it for his safety.”
Pansy reaches for the wine bottle, refilling both of their glasses with a practiced ease. “I love them both, Hermione.”
“I know you do. You’re one of Scorpius’ mothers, and you love Draco more than I ever thought I did.”
“Did you love him?”
“I did. But I had to follow through. It had always been the plan.”
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“You’re leaving.” They both knew it wasn’t a question.
“I need to. The wedding is in four months.”
He nodded somberly. “I love you.”
“I know you do, Malfoy. But I need to leave.”
He said nothing, the silence deafening them both.
“There’s something else.” He nodded for her to continue. “I’m pregnant.”
“We’ll make it work. Once you have it, I’ll pay for you to go wherever you wish.”
“It was always the plan, I’m sorry.”
Draco crossed the room, reaching a hand towards her stomach before withdrawing like he’d touched fire. “When will you have it?”
“Six months, according to the Muggle doctors. You’ll have a son.”
He nodded, “May I?”
She smiled, pulling his hand towards her slightly swollen stomach.
“He wasn’t in the plans.”
She had no response, “You’ll raise him with Astoria.”
“I’ll take care of him, Granger.”
“I know you will, Draco.”
He nodded, giving her a sad smile. “You always wanted to be a mother.”
“I won’t be his mother if there’s any chance of his life being easy.”
He frowned at her sad smile. “You will always be his mother, Hermione.”
She shook her head, stepping back from where his hand had stayed. “I can’t be a part of his life, it would ruin everything for you.”
“Everything is already ruined if you’re not in it,” he said.
“I know you think that, Draco. But we were never meant to last. Your father would find his way out of Azkaban if you didn’t follow through with the marriage. You’ve been engaged since you were born, and I can’t be in the picture. He made that very clear to me.”
“I love you.”
Hermione just shook her head, “You’ll love your wife more.”
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“Do you regret not fighting for him?”
“We would’ve never lasted, Pans. He and I had the expiration date from the start, and we went in knowing that we would end before the wedding.”
“But do you regret it?” She asks again, knowing what her own answer would be. Knowing what her answer was in school.
“No. I loved him, but I was never in love with him. And I could’ve never been a mistress. I love him now, but not in the same way.”
Pansy hums, lips parting around the wine glass. She swallows, “Did you regret having Scorp?”
“Never,” Hermione laughs. “That little boy was the light of my life when I found out, even when I knew he wouldn’t know about me. It’s been better since. And he accepts you.”
Pansy shakes her head, a small smile on her face. “Draco loves you.”
“Not like he used to. I’m the mother of his son, but you’re the woman he wants to marry.”
“He will never love me as he loved you, Hermione.”
“He loves you so much more. He chose you, Parkinson. And I chose Bill.”
Pansy finds the voice to ask the question she’s been dying to ask for years. “How will we make this work?”
“You will always be welcome in Bill’s and my home, and you will always be welcome at the Burrow. The Weasleys have long accepted that you’re a part of my life and that Bill will support me no matter what.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
“I hope that we will be welcome in your home as you are in ours, eventually, but I understand that won’t be soon. Scorpius knows you as his mum, as he does me. He knows Bill as his father as he does Draco. That little boy is as loved as can be. He comes first for Draco and me, as Victoire, Dominique, and Louis come first for Bill and Fleur. We can’t help our pasts, Pans. But we can make sure we love all of our children.”
“I’ve discussed a family home with Draco. One for us, you and Bill, Fleur and her wife, and all of the kids. One that could host the Weasleys, too.”
“Really?” Hermione’s smile was infectious, and it spread quickly to Pansy.
“Really. We would be able to keep our current homes, in case we needed time to break away, but I think it would be good. We’re willing to take care of all of the kids as our own, and that way they all have someone around when they need us.”
“I’ll need to talk about this with Bill, but I love the idea, Parkinson. I already care for Bill’s as my own, and I know that we’re willing to take care of any children you and Draco have.”
“You still love him,” Pansy says again, willing to accept it.
Hermione just laughs. “He’s my best friend.”
“And BIll’s okay with it?”
“Fleur is the same for him as Draco is for me. Before you ask, yes it’s the same for the other couple as well.”
“We can make this work?”
“We can,” Hermione says, reaching across the table, grabbing the woman’s hand. “Draco and I will always carry a special bond, as will Bill and Fleur, but that will never be more important than this messy family.”
“Thank you.”
Hermione laughs, “I should be the one thanking you. I know you understand this more than you’re letting on.”
“I do. Draco has been a big part of my life since I was born. I’m just happy I get to be in his life in this way.”
“I know it took a lot for you to accept this, Pansy. Don’t think that this progress has gone unnoticed.”
Pansy nods, turning her hand in Hermione’s to squeeze it gently. “So this is family?”
“In an unconventional way, it is.”
“We can make this work.”
Hermione smiled at the other witch.
“So when are you and BIll getting married?”
Hermione’s laughter filled the restaurant, “I’m not sure. He has yet to propose.”
“I’m sorry? You. Hogwarts’ savior, Golden Girl, Brightest Witch of Our Age, is waiting for her boyfriend to propose?”
“I suppose there’s a reason I’ve never been married, Pans,” Hermione chuckled at her friend.
Pansy shakes her head with a smile. “I think you should propose.”
“The Weasleys have been scheming, actually. I was proposed to 17 times last Christmas.”
“That’s a story for another day, Granger. Another day,” she smiles.