Work Text:
2nd of May, 2008
Hermione would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. No, she was, in fact, very nervous. It was already 10 years ever since they defeated Voldemort on the ground of Hogwarts. And a lot of things have happened during those years. But tonight The Ministry of Magic was hosting an Annual Victory Gala to commemorate all that has been lost but to also celebrate the progress that the wizarding Britain has accomplished. It was also her first public event that she would attend as a newly divorcée.
Ron and Hermione had a long history, everybody knew and they did as well. It all started out as an innocent crush, it was sweet at first, then it got complicated because of Lavender Brown, that should have been the first clue for Hermione that it would never be easy for the two of them. But developed a relationship anyways, they might have survived the war, but their relationship didn't. They broke up the summer before Hermione returned to Hogwarts to finish her education, just like almost everyone else. Except for Harry and Ron, who started their Auror Training. She didn't want to hold him back and she knew she wasn't what he wanted. It was better for both of them. But then in 2002, they announced that they were dating once again and at the beginning of 2004, they got married. But four years later, they have both come to an agreement that their marriage was a mistake, they wanted to be with someone (not necessarily with each other), so in April 2008, their divorce was finalized.
Their divorce was, of course, huge news. It doesn't happen every day that the 2/3 of The Golden Trio get divorced. Nearly everyone speculated why they got divorced, and who did what. But both Hermione and Ron kept silent with "no comment". And that's how Hermione ended up going to this gala all by herself, this gala also being the first public event she was attending since the divorce. And it wasn't easy. Ron and she might have their differences but he was always there for her and supported her through it all.
The Gala was taking place at Hogwarts, it was all symbolic. The Dining Hall was transformed into a Ballroom and it all resembled their Yule Ball a little too much. She used the Floo in the Headmistress's office to get into the castle rather than arriving from the Hogsmeade as most of the people in attendance. Being The Golden Girl had its perks.
"You look lovely, Miss Granger," said a painting of Albus Dumbledore on the wall in the office as she stepped into the view
"Thank you, professor. It's good to see you again." Hermione said and smiled at the older man in the painting who only smiled back and turned his head towards a different painting.
Hermione caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror in the office, her curly wild hair was tied into a bun with a few strands of hair falling out around her face, and she was wearing a maroon colored dress with a straight neckline with straps off shoulders, the dress hugged her body just enough but they were not too tight, which Hermione hated. She wore a diamond necklace and matching earrings that were gifted to her on her 25th Birthday. She looked like she had everything under control, nothing could surprise her, and she was ready for this night.
She was welcomed at the entrance to the Hall by some of the staff from the Ministry, she was told where she would find her table later that evening, it was of course in the front, the main table that everyone could see. There were, of course, some reporters and photographers who tried to get as many pictures of her as possible and tried to get her to answer the questions about her divorce from Ron to which she replied "no comment" as usual.
The Hall was decorated beautifully and it was certainly worthy of a ministry gala, especially one such as this one. She was getting a little overwhelmed by everything when she spotted Harry. He was talking to some older officials from the ministry that she recognized, there was also a member of a WIzengamot among those who were trying to have a word with Harry.
"I hope I am not interrupting," Hermione said as she joined the table where Harry was standing with his drink and several men surrounding him.
"Miss Granger! How exciting for you to join us!" one of the officials said, Hermione was polite and greeted everyone according to the customs and joined their conversation. A drink appeared in her hand out of nowhere but she didn't mind. She was going to need a lot of alcohol tonight. She listened to their conversation regarding the changes in the department for magical education. After a while, the men finally decided to leave them alone and meet other important people. Harry brought Hermione into a hug and they both exhaled.
"That was excruciating" Harry complained
"It could have been worse and it probably will be, there are a lot of people here tonight" Hermione joked
"Don't even start" Harry told her "but well to be fair, it's not every day that it's 10 years since the defeat of a dark wizard"
They both laughed, they have obviously grown accustomed to all these parties, galas, and functions that they were asked to attend to strengthen the morality of the wizarding society.
"Merlin, finally. I was beginning to think they were trying to steal my husband" a voice joined them from behind, they both turned around to meet its source
"Well they looked like it though" Hermione joked "Hi Theo," she said as she leaned into a kiss with him and a warm hug
"Hello Mia, you look absolutely stunning and so do the diamonds" Theodore Nott Potter smirked at her as he leaned into his husband and kissed him on his cheek
"Thank you very much. I still cannot believe that you gave me your family's diamonds" Hermione smiled at the couple in front of her
"Oh, we still have more than enough diamonds in both of our vaults. We are both filthy rich, remember?" Theo laughed and Harry only shook his head at his husband's comment.
Harry Potter and Theodore Nott started seeing each other in the late months of 1999 when they met at a party thrown by Pansy Parkinson. Harry was just starting to explore his sexuality following his break up with Ginny, who decided to play quidditch professionally. Harry and Theo exchanged a drunken kiss that night but soon started to meet each other more often and became an official couple year later when they announced they were dating at Neville and Luna's Christmas party. To say that everyone was shocked would be an understatement but sooner or later everyone just got used to them and heavily supported them when they became official even in the wizarding world. In the spring of 2002, they got married at The Nott Manor in front of their friends and closest. They welcomed their first child via surrogacy that fall and James Potter Nott joined their small family, a spitting image of Harry and his father James. The following year, they welcomed their daughter Alexandra Potter Nott, named after Theo's late mother. They also had a dog and a cat and lived between Nott Manor and Grimmauld Place that Harry inherited after Sirius Black along with the Black Family vault. They led a happy family life, with Harry being the chief auror and Theo taking care of their children and pets.
"How are you anyway Hermione?" Harry asked with care in his voice that was natural to him
"Good, a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders." she finally said. Before anyone could say anything else, they were once again interrupted by a new set of voices
"Hello troublemakers" Pansy Parkinson Weasley shouted as she approached them along with her husband Percy Weasley
"Well hello Pansy, how is our second favorite godmother of our children" Theo joked as he closed her in a warm hug. Hermione was the other godmother
"I am good, thank you. But the little one won't stop kicking" she said and pointed at her big stomach, she was due any day. She and Percy would be welcoming their first child. "But I shouldn't be surprised considering the daddy-to-be" she wickedly smiled at her husband Percy who stood by her side with an adorning look in his eyes.
"Damn right" Percy joked
"You still didn't tell us who the godparents are going to be," Harry said
"Well because that's a secret and you will all know soon anyways"
Hermione was with Harry talking to a few foreign ambassadors when she spotted her ex-husband, Ron Weasley, walking into the Hall with a woman by his side, one that she knew well. Hannah Abbott.
"Merlin, that git." Harry whispered as he noticed what Hermione was looking at "Are you all right, Hermione?"
"Yeah, I mean I knew they were seeing each other since last year but I didn't think that he'd choose this place to make their relationship official" Hermione muttered quietly so no one but Harry would hear her. Harry just stared at her in disbelief, clearly not knowing any of this. How could he?
They noticed the looks directed at Ron and herself, it was so obvious and her anxiety started to consume her. Hannah want a different way as Ron approached Harry and Hermione who now stood alone once again.
"Hey guys!" He exclaimed
"Seriously Ron?" Harry spoke
"What? What did I do?" Ron asked in a defensive tone
"Did you really have to bring her as your date?" Harry asked in disbelief
"Why shouldn't I? Mione and I are divorced and free to do whatever we want. Right, Mione?" he turned his attention to Hermione who was just staring at him with wide eyes
"Yeah, we are but I didn't think you would humiliate like this in front of everyone. This is low, even for you, Ronald." Hermione whispered as she walked away in Ginny's direction who was with her fiancée Blaise Zabini.
Ginny understood why Hermione was mad at Ron and gave her the support she needed at the moment. As they chatted about Ginny's career and how Blaise proposed to her (as if she hasn't heard the story at least five times already), she noticed Theo going out of the Hall. When she caught him again, walking back into the Hall, he was no longer alone. Draco Malfoy was walking right next to him and they were walking in their direction. Before she realized what was happening, Theo and Malfoy were standing in front of her, Ginny and Blaise.
"Draco Malfoy, you must be kidding me!" Blaise called out as he hugged Malfoy "What in Merlin's are you doing here? I thought you were in France!" Blaise said as soon as he could
"I was in France, but I am back" Malfoy answered with a grin on his face
"Draco, this is my fiancée and star quidditch player Ginny Weasley but you, of course, know her" Malfoy shook Ginny's hand "and well, out golden girl Hermione doesn't need any introduction," Blaise said as he pointed at Hermione
"Granger"
"Malfoy" only a small nod came from Hermione before Theo and Blaise began a conversation with Draco Malfoy but Hermione heard none of that. Because if her anxiety wasn't bad before, it surely was now. No mantra would save her now. Ginny noticed the panicked look on Hermione's face and grabbed her arm as she dragged her away with some comment.
They were in the corridor now, she didn't know how, but she probably had Ginny to thank her for that, who was trying to speak to her but Hermione's panic was consuming her.
"Ginny! Hermione!" Harry's voice joined them in the corridor "What's wrong?" to which Ginny replied "I don't know"
After a few minutes, Hermione was able to finally catch her breath properly. As she looked at her best friends with sad eyes. "I have to tell you something"
"What?" both Ginny and Harry said at the same time
"You mustn't tell anyone. Not even Blaise or Theo"
"Okay"
"When we came back to Hogwarts, I once stumbled upon Malfoy in the library and we talked and then we talked again and again and became some sort of friends?" she got out of herself "But eventually, during Christmas break, we both stayed here, we became closer. Friends with benefits. Lovers and in the end, we were meeting each other in secret and telling each other how we love each other. But during this time, I realized I wanted to travel after graduation, I wanted, I needed to see the world and when I told Malfoy, he said he would love to join me. So we traveled. I told you I was solo traveling, he told his friends he was in France but really, we were together the whole time. We traveled through Europe, and Asia and spent the 2000 New's Year in New York at Madison Square." she finally caught a breath, not daring to look anywhere else but her hands "But then it was time to come home and well, we agreed we would give it a try, we would be together in the real world but then I found a letter from his father addressed to him, where Lucius told him he was betrothed to Astoria Greengrass and I didn't know what to do, I was coward really. I packed my stuff, left him a letter of my own next to the one from his father, and left. I regretted it immediately after, but what else was I supposed to do? What was done, was done. I didn't see him or hear from him and then 15 months later, his engagement was announced. And well, I haven't seen him since."
"Wow" said Harry "I think I need a drink" said Ginny "Yeah me too"
"That makes three of us" Hermione joked
"Why didn't you tell us earlier? Or ever?" Ginny asked
"I don't know, okay? I liked that it was just him and I and then how do I explain the heartbreak that I caused?" Hermione cried out "It was just too much and I thought I was fine, but seeing him tonight? Even after all these years? It hurts."
They both hugged her tenderly. She finally calmed down and they decided to head back, she was in the middle as they stepped back into the Hall and headed towards the bar immediately.
Hermione was eventually back to her old self, all emotions hidden behind a mask of a perfect ministry employee, The Golden Girl who never fails. She was dancing with Neville who spun her around the room to the rhythm of quick-paced music. The music came to an end and they both thanked each other for the dance.
"May I have this dance?" a deep voice asked from behind Hermione and she immediately knew.
"Of course," she said as she turned to face him "Malfoy"
The music began and it was a slow one. So much to Hermione's luck.
"You look lovely" Malfoy broke the silence that was too loud to his liking
"Thank you, you look good yourself." Hermione politely answered but he did look good. The past years were only to his benefit. If she looked at him for a little longer, she might actually cry.
It was quiet again before words were spoken again.
"So you are back?" Hermione asked, "In England" I mean?"
"Yes, I decided it was time to come home finally," he said as he looked at her, they were looking at each other with so much unsaid
"Can we talk somewhere else?" Hermione finally broke, he just nodded and let her lead him out of the room and through the castle, all the way to the library.
"Breaking rules, Granger? It's long after the opening hours" Malfoy joked as he realized where she brought them
"Feeling nostalgic, I suppose" she chuckled, but the anxiety was eating her from inside.
"Why did you never try to reach out to me?" Hermione asked, "After I left?"
Malfoy chuckled but it wasn't the kind that you want to hear from someone
"You asked me to leave alone," he said
"Well yes, but when do you ever do what is asked of you?" she cried out
"Hermione" he said "you really want to do this?" and all he got was a small yeah from her
"When I came back to our room and found it empty, with you nowhere to be seen, I panicked but then I saw the letters, well my father's and yours and I knew. It was over. I knew he was trying to get me engaged to Astoria and I didn't tell you because I wanted to hold on to what we had but then you found out and it was over. I wanted to come back to you and seek you out and prove to you that it's supposed to be the two of us, but if it would tarnish your reputation. Being with me. And you had the potential to do so much good. You didn't need me holding you back with my name. I admit I should have handled it differently, I should have at least written you and I regret it to this day. But you did just fine. You came up with the educational program for muggle-born wizards, practically revolutionized the magical education system, helped to strengthen foreign affairs and so much more, and now? The deputy of the minister of magic. You are literally next in line to be the next minister of magic. And you would be the youngest to ever do so. You are magic, Hermione."
"How do you know that? It's not official yet."
"I have my ways."
"You were right about something, but I am also divorced. Ron was cheating on me and the worst? I didn't even care, I was humiliated, yes but I didn't feel pain. At least not the kind that I felt when it came crashing down between us." she breathed heavily, clutching her hand to her chest
"Astoria and I are divorced too. We have a son though, I needed an heir and she needed a way out. She is in the States and I am back in England with my son, Scorpius. It was strictly business for us. There was never anything close to what we had-"
His words were cut short when Hermione took three steps from where she was standing and crashed her mouth onto his own. Malfoy quickly realized what was happening and took Hermione by the waist to bring her closer and started to move his mouth on hers. It was hungry, relentless but also an emotional kiss that she didn't felt in years. There was so much unsaid in the way they kissed. They broke away. Heavy breathing and their foreheads touching.
"Is this what you want?" Malfoy asked in a whisper
"Yes, Draco. Let's give us another and a proper chance to actually be together."
Summer 2013
"This isn't going to end well. He will fall and break something." Hermione shouted as she watched the figures on the brooms flying in the air
"Have a little faith in me! I am an actual quidditch world champion" was all she heard from the distance
"Seriously, Hermione. If anyone can make sure that a kid won't fall off a broom, it's Ginny" Blaise defended his wife, his little daughter sitting in his lap eating strawberries
"Well, it's my kid on that broom, of course, I am worried," Hermione told him
"Please, Scorpius is nearly as good at flying as Ginny. He will be fine."
"He is right, you know, love. Scorpius is even better than I was at his age." Draco said as he finally joined them in the backyard. He tenderly kissed her cheek.
"That says more about you, than about our son, babe" Hermione joked as she smiled at the two men sitting
"Mom, mom, mom! Did you see me flying? I can go almost as fast as auntie Ginny! Isn't that awesome?" 9 years old Scorpius shouted as he approached the adults on the patio.
"Yes! I saw you! You were fantastic but you need to be quieter, your sister is sleeping" Hermione whispered as she and Scorpius turned their heads towards Draco who was holding a small sleeping baby in his arms.
"How is Ara? She cried before" Scorpius worried
"She is fine, she is a baby, and babies cry a lot," Hermione told him as she gave him a kiss on his cheek and told him to go wash his hands.
Ginny finally joined them at the table and Scorpious a few minutes later. As Scorpius was trying to coax some information from Blaise, both Hermione and Draco joined their hands.
"Are you looking forward to going back to never-ending work after summer?" Draco asked her quietly
"I am but I will miss seeing them both as much"
"I will try to bring them to the ministry as much as I can. But let's be honest, you are going to be an amazing minister of magic and they need you," he said as he kissed her
"I love you, Draco"
"And I love you, Hermione."