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“Mommy I don’t want to go!” Rose Granger whined from the seat at her mothers vanity.
Hermione sighed with a sparkly hair clip in her mouth and a hand full of curly red hair. “Rosie, you’ve been talking about your Christmas concert for weeks, what’s changed?”
Rose shrugs her shoulders and looks at her mother with hopeful eyes “Is Dad going to be there? You said you would tell him when it is.”
“Oh honey, I’m not sure, he never got back to me. But Uncle Harry is going to be there and he’s so excited to see you!”
“We see Uncle Harry all the time, Dad always says he’ll come to things but he never does” Rose said in a quiet voice
“I know he does and I’m so sorry Rosie. But you’ll still have fun! You’ve told me all about your music teacher and the Christmas songs you’re going to sing. I can’t wait to see you up there on the stage!”
With the mention of her music teacher 5 year old Rose brightens up. Music class is her favorite time of day at school and Mr. M is her favorite person.
She loves everything about music class. Instead of traditional desks, Mr. M has the fluffiest pillows for everyone to sit on, pretty twinkle lights, and colorful artwork from fellow students on the walls.
The room is filled with instruments of all kinds. All you have to do is ask him and Mr. M will play any and all of them. Most times letting the kids try for themselves! Her favorite is the piano on the floor that you can play with your feet!
“I can’t wait for you to meet Mr. M mommy. He’s the best!”
“I’m sure he is. Now let me finish your hair or we’re going to be late.”
🎄🎄🎄
Once in their seats Hermione tells Harry to put his coat on the seat next to them. “Do you think he’ll show?” She asks him
“I really hope so but I haven’t even heard from him in weeks. We don’t even know if he’s going to The Burrow for Christmas.” Harry said scanning the faces coming in and out of the auditorium.
“I always hold out hope but something else always takes precedence”
“It’s a damn shame, he’ll regret it one day.” Harry said shaking his head and squeezing Hermione’s hand.
“Let’s enjoy this, she’s so excited!” Hermione wiped her eyes and turned her attention to the stage as the lights started to dim.
When the curtain rose up the stage was decorated with fake Christmas trees with ornaments clearly made by the children. Standing on the choir risers all the children were wearing some for of red or green and lots of sparkles. One little girl even had box over her, all wrapped up to look like a gift!
It was then she noticed the music teacher, Mr. M who Rose is always talking about. The first thing she noticed was his hair. Shockingly blonde, almost white it was shaved on the sides and longer up top. Small hints of tattoos peeked out from his shirt sleeves and collar. Even from her seat below she could tell how tall he was.
She was startled from her thoughts when Harry whispered “That guy looks scary similar to Malfoy. Don’t you think?”
“What? Draco Malfoy? You can’t be serious” she whispered back as the children started to sing the first lines of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
“I’m telling you it is!”
A few more songs passed and Mr. M still had not turned around. He was focused on the guitar in his hands and engaging with the kids. Getting ready to start the next song he pointed to Rose, who had the biggest smile on her face. She left her spot on the risers and it seemed was in charge of passing out the basket of jingle bells.
Mr. M finally turned around smiling and said into the mic “A round of applause for my little helper Rose please.”
Hermione and Harry were speechless as they realized Harry was right. Mr. M was in fact Draco Malfoy.
🎄🎄🎄
“Rosie you did so great! I’m so proud of you!” Hermione hugged Rose as soon as they got back to where Harry was waiting for them.
“Did you see me pass out the jingle bells? Mr. M said I was the best passer outer he knows!”
“He’s right Rose, you are the best!” Harry picked her up to give her a kiss on the cheek
“Come on, let’s get going, it’s going to start snowing soon and we don’t want to get stuck” Hermione guided them out of the school.
“I hate to just rush off but I need to get back to Gin. This is the longest I’ve left her with both kids and I can just feel her cursing me.” Harry was in such a rush he didn’t even notice Rose was skipping along next to him when he abruptly turned to go towards the apparition point closest to the school.
Rose, still so happy from the concert, tripped over Harry’s foot and fell. With her arms out to catch her fall she slid across the wet pavement. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks and loud cries could be heard across the lot.
Hermione bent down to pick her back up onto her feet. No blood or scrapes to be found on her hands or face, tights were still intact. “You’re okay Rosie, it’s okay” wiping her tears, kissing her face and hugging her Hermione tried to calm Rose down.
“Rose I’m so sorry, I didn’t even see you right there” Harry said on his knees double checking that she was okay.
“It’s okay Uncle Harry” she said whimpering with tears still falling
“Harry, it’s okay, just an accident. Get back to Gin, I’ve got her”
As Harry rushed away Hermione heard someone running down the pavement. “Is she okay? I heard her crying from across the lot!” Hermione looked up to see Draco Malfoy standing there, out of breath looking over Rose
“Mr. M I fell!” Rose said and started crying again
“She’s okay, no blood. Just a little spooked” Hermione said looking up at him.
Draco looked over and Hermione could see the surprise on his face, it must mirror her own.
He took a step away, eyes wide and said “Granger? I had no idea you had a child, never mind that I teach her.”
“I had no idea that you were a muggle music teacher. No one knew what happened to you after, you know.” Her eyes just as wide
He was quiet for a moment, looked from Hermione to Rose, who had calmed down, back to Hermione. “Will you two join me for some hot cocoa? There’s a café down the street i frequent. I’d like to talk if that’s okay?”
“Please mommy, please?” Rose begged
“Yes we can go. Malfoy, lead the way” Hermione held Rose’s hand as they crossed the street and followed Draco.
Rose is skipping along ahead, her fall forgotten, when Draco appears beside Hermione. “Granger, I swear I didn’t know I was teaching her. I can have her put in another class if you wish” He rushed
“Why would you do that? Because she’s the daughter of a mudblood?”
“What! No! Because you must not want me near her after what I’ve done! Calling you that name, tormenting you and your friends, never mind being on the wrong side of the war. I should have helped you that day in the manor.” He shook his head “I was too much of a coward. And for that I’m sorry.”
“You did help us that day. You knew it was Harry and yet you didn’t identify him. Nothing would be the same if you had.”
Draco let out a breath “Still I just stood there when my aunt…tortured you, and carved you. I should have done something.”
“You wouldn’t be here if you tried. It was war Draco, we had to do what we could to survive. I understand. I remember your trial, you had no choice”
They reached the café, Draco held the door open for both girls and Hermione was in awe of the place. It was all decorated for Christmas, white lights lined the windows with a wreath in the door. The inside was cozy, garland along the walls, a Christmas tree in the corner, stockings with employee names hung on the wall. The front of the store had 2 big windows with cushioned seats built into them, there were bookshelves filled with books and boardgames. She could see herself coming back again and again.
“Wow, this is great!” She remarked looking all around.
“It’s a nice little place, I usually come here before or after school most days. It’s a good place to unwind, get your mind off things.” He shrugged
Rose had been looking at all the ornaments on the Christmas tree when she spotted the cookie case. “Mommy can we get cookies too? Look at them they look so yummy! Please?”
“Yes yes go pick some out” she laughed
🎄🎄🎄
“So why teach music?” Hermione asks as Rose settles into her cocoa and cookies
“Growing up my happiest moments were when I was at the piano. When you’re rotting in Azkaban you don’t feel like you’ll ever be happy again. So I wanted to be happy again.” He shrugged “What about you? Working your way up to be Minister I’m sure.”
“Actually I opened up my own bookshop in Diagon Alley. Both magical and muggle books, it’s small but it does well for us.”
“You and books, I should have known. What about Weasley, what’s he doing?”
Hermione’s eyes got wide and she quickly turned her head to see if Rose had picked up on the name. Luckily she was playing with the gingerbread men Draco had snuck her and didn’t have a clue.
“I honestly don’t know. We were together up until a few months after I gave birth. He’s not around too much.” She said quietly
“I had no idea. I’m so sorry to bring it up”
“It’s alright, you couldn’t have known. He comes to see Rose every so often but it’s always like a chore for him so, I don’t know.”
“I can understand that.” Draco nodded sympathetically “My father hardly ever really wanted anything to do with me. I was just a pawn really.”
“What about your mother?”
“She was great, taught me piano, protected me the only way she knew how. She’s in Paris now, I go see her during school breaks and holidays.”
“Why didn’t you go to Paris when you left Azkaban?”
“I needed to do something for myself, something that I had a choice in doing. I had 2 tattoos against my will so it was my choice to put more on. Just live my life for me.”
“Is that why you haven’t come back to the magical world? It’s not for you anymore?” She asked
“I just felt as though I didn’t fit. I didn’t want anything to do with who I used to be but I also didn’t know how I would be received. So I just never went back.”
“Everyone always wondered what happened to you, I never thought about the muggle world.”
“No one knew me there so it was the best place to go. I have a flat near the school so I can just walk to work. Muggle transport is still something I’m not keen on.”
“What about everything else? Cooking, laundry, cleaning?” She asked intrigued
“All the muggle way, a lot of trial and error but I’ve figured it out. I rarely use magic if I can help it.”
“Wow, I’m so amazed, I can’t believe Draco Malfoy -pure blood prince- is living and teaching amount muggles”
“We’re all cable of change for the better” he said softly, starting to clean up their empty mugs and plates.
“I like this Draco Malfoy” she said just as softly with a small smile watching him walk away.
Draco walked back over with the game checkers in his hands setting in front of Rose. “Winner plays your mom?” He asked her smiling as she loudly exclaimed checkers was her favorite game!
Many games of checkers later Hermione checked her watch and said “Oh I think it’s time to head home.” noticing Rose fast asleep against Draco’s arm that was resting on the table.
“I think you’re right. Here I’ll walk you out. Did you apparate or drive?” Draco asked picking up Rose and draping her coat over her body.
“Drove thankfully, I don’t think she would appreciate the wake up that would be apparition!” Hermione chuckled situating her beaded bag and looking for her keys.
Flurries of snow greeted them once they got outside. “Perfect timing, wouldn’t want to drive home once it starts accumulating” Draco pointed out
“If it was too bad I would just apparate, make my life easier” Hermione chuckled
“Right, I’m so used to the muggle way I didn’t even think of that.”
“I’m still so amazed that you rarely use magic.”
“Sometimes it’s worth it but anyway I really enjoyed this, thank you for joining me Hermione” Draco opening the drivers side door for her.
“I did too, thank you for inviting us. I know Rose loved spending more time with you.”
Draco grinned looking at Rose strapped into her booster seat still asleep “She’s great, you’re doing amazing for her. Not that I expected any less.”
A blush crept up on her cheeks “Well I should get her home. Maybe we can do this again sometime?” She asked looking up at him
“Certainly” he said glancing above them and smirked. She followed his gaze a gasped.
Magically floating above them was the unmistakeable green leaves and white berries of mistletoe.
They both leaned in, looking into each others eyes and met with a kiss. It was soft and sweet, her hand on his chest, his on her cheek. They broke apart neither wanting it to end.
“Merry Christmas Hermione” he whispered tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Merry Christmas Draco” she whispered back smiling looking up at him.
Snow falling softly, soft murmurs of Frank Sinatra from the car stereo, and cheeks flushed with warmth, Hermione and Draco looked forward to what the New Year would bring.