The Adult World

Chapter 9: Family and Friends


The table was full and noisy as usual. Hermione tried to pay attention to everything that was going on, but she was having a hard time focusing. Three days had passed, and she still couldn’t get that kiss out of her mind. Shaking her head, she focused on her plate, and began picking at her food. A loud cough brought her out of her stupor, and she looked up as Ron stood and raised his glass. The table became quiet as they turned to listen to what he had to say.

“I, uh, wanted to share something… You know, since we’re all here.” He turned a nervous smile to Luna, who beamed back at him and nodded her head. After Ron and Hermione had decided that for the sake of both their sanities that they were better off friends, Ron had turned his affections to Luna. Hermione’s initial reaction was confusion, however, when she saw the two of them together, she knew that they were a good match. Luna was infinitely patient, which was needed when dealing with Ron, and he was willing to let her ramble about different snotgrasses, or whatever, and not make a fuss about it. Everyone could tell that they balanced each other out.

“Uhm, well, it’s like this…” He said again, and began fidgeting with his glass.

“We’re getting married.” Luna stated with a serene smile on her face, and a far-away look in her eyes.

Looking relieved, Ron sighed, “Yea, I proposed, we’re getting married this summer. So I wanted to tell everyone while we were together.”

The silence was immediately broken as the table burst into cheers and congratulations. Hermione sat stunned for a moment, and looked back down at her plate. With a deep breath, she plastered on the best smile she could manage and congratulated the pair as they were getting squeezed to death by Molly and Arthur. The only one to notice her initial reaction was Ginny, who stared at her with a worried expression.

Catching her eye, Ginny mouthed, ’Are you okay?’

Hermione looked around the table to make sure no one else was watching them, and she quickly gave Ginny a small smile and a shrug.

Ginny pointed to her, then back at her self, mouthing ’You, and me, talking, later.’ At that moment, Harry sat back down from patting Ron on the back and put his arm around his wife. He smiled at Hermione, and she couldn’t help genuinely smiling back. She knew she really should be happy for him. She just couldn’t help but think that everyone was moving on in life but her.

********

Draco was bored. He paced the length of his room, and ran his hand through his hair repeatedly. He couldn’t get the thought of her lips and body out of his mind. He wanted nothing more then to apparate wherever she was, wrap his arms around her waist, and bring her back to his room to have his way with her. He turned and stared at his green, silk sheets. He knew that she would look wonderful stretched out, naked, on top of them.

Turning to make another pass around the room, he spotted his broom in the corner, and decided that he would rather freeze his ass off flying in the snow for awhile, then pace the warm room for another hour. Snatching up the broom, he quickly pushed the doors to his balcony open, and took off into the air.

********

Hermione sat on the bed in the small room, and waited for the knock to come. She knew that it would be only a matter of time before Ginny made her way up the stairs and found her hiding place. A few minutes later, the knock did come, and Hermione answered the door with a smile.

Giving her a quick hug, Hermione turned and gestured to the bed. “By all means, the pregnant girl gets to sit on the bed.”

Ginny gave her a small smile and flopped down. “Oh thank goodness! I really am getting too big to maneuver myself up those winding stairs! Why couldn’t they have been built straight! I don’t know how mom did it so many times.” She grumbled and rubbed her protruding belly.

Hermione grinned and sat in a small chair next to the bed. “Well, you know what they say, practice makes perfect. This is only you’re first, just think how the next five will be!”

“Are you kidding me!? This is the first and last. I’m so tired, I can’t think straight… Anyway, here we are babbling about me… which is enough now, since we did nothing but talk about me and my pregnancy the first night you were here. Now it’s all about you. Tell me, oh great Professor, what has you so distracted lately?”

Rolling her eyes at the ‘professor’ comment, Hermione shifted in the chair and looked down at her hands. “Oh, you know… just work stuff. Nothing really important.”

Ginny’s eyes narrowed, and she leaned as forward as she could on the bed. “No… it’s not work…” She appeared to be puzzling it out, as she studied Hermione’s face, then gasped. “It’s a guy! I know it! Who is he? You have to tell me everything! Remember I’m pregnant and married, so I get to live vicariously through you… so it better be juicy!”

Hermione blushed and bit her lip with a groan. “Is it that obvious? And don’t knock having a family. I have to admit that I’m getting a little jealous of all my friends going and getting married and starting lives without me. What do I have? A teaching job at the school I attended for seven years, and… well, that’s about it. I don’t even have a place to live outside Hogwarts since I gave up my flat. I have to stay here or at my parents place when I’m not there.”

Ginny put her hand on Hermione’s shoulder. “Oh, ‘Mione… Is this the reason for the sad face when Ron announced that he’s getting married? Cause you know that we aren’t leaving you behind. There’s nothing wrong with following your career and waiting for the husband and kids. I always knew that being a wife and mother was what my future held. And there’s nothing wrong with working at Hogwarts. Those Professor jobs are lucrative, and very hard to come by. You should be happy with you’re accomplishments! And if you want a flat, then buy one! And don’t think for a minute that I’ve forgotten about the man business.” She said, finishing with a sly grin.

Looking up at her friend, Hermione felt like the last few days of stress were finally beginning to release. She was so thankful to have a girl-friend to confide in. “Oh, I knew that you wouldn’t be deterred easily. And you’re right. I promise to be done with the pity party… Now, anything that we discuss stays between us right?” She said, leaning in as if to tell a secret. She had told everyone that she was rooming with a male Professor at Hogwarts, but she hadn’t told anyone WHO that particular male was, and she was anxious to get a few things off her chest.

********

“Are you trying to catch your death Draco?” His mother asked without looking up from the book in her hands.

He sighed and stood numbly in front of the great fireplace. He flexed his frozen fingers, and grimaced as they tingled and slowly came back to life. He cast a glance over his shoulder at his mother, looking her over before turning back to the welcoming heat.

“So I see you’ve made it back from the south of France. How was the trip?” He asked her casually, running his hands over his arms.

“It was the same as it was last year. You should come with me some time dear. I think you would enjoy it.” Snapping her book closed, she laid it on the table next to her and fixed her eyes on her son. She inhaled deeply, and gave a small sigh.

Draco rolled his eyes at the flames, knowing that her sigh usually meant that she wanted to discuss something that he wasn’t going to like. He schooled his features, then turned and took a seat across from her, prepared for whatever it was that was on her mind.

“Something on your mind mother?”

“Well, now that you ask, yes there is. You know that every year around this time they allow visitors to the inmates and…”

Draco stood and held his hand out to her. “No, stop right there. Every year we have this conversation, and every year you get the same answer. I will never go back to Azkaban. Not even for a visit. So stop asking me.” Turning angrily, he stormed from the room, catching the last thing his mother said to him as he left.

“He’s miserable Draco…”

********

Ginny sat and listened while Hermione poured her heart out about what had happened the last few months. When she was finished, Hermione felt relieved, and Ginny sat there with her mouth hanging open.

“Well, say something! You’re making me self conscious!”

Snapping her mouth shut, Ginny squealed, and bounced on the bed as well as a pregnant woman could. “So the kiss was like, fireworks and lightening?”

Blushing, Hermione nodded. “Electric. I’ve never felt anything like it before. It was so…” She let the words fall off as she struggled to find the correct terms to describe how it felt.

“I would have fucked him right there in the snow.”

Appalled, Hermione‘s mouth fell open. “Ginny! I can’t believe you!”

“What? Don’t get me wrong, married sex is hot in it’s own way. But damn girl you‘re single. When you have the chance for some hot raunchy action… you should snatch it up! And if I remember correctly, Malfoy is really gorgeous.”

Hermione put her hands over her burning cheeks. “Yeah, he really is.” She said with a giggle. “Although, I don’t think if would have been appropriate to throw him into the snow and have my way with him. Maybe next time.”

The girls laughed and giggled like they were back in school, and barely heard the knock on the door. Luna gently pushed the door open and peeked her head in.

“Hi girls, may I join you?” She asked, in the light and airy voice that was strictly hers.

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, and shrugged. Motioning her inside, Ginny pulled her feet toward her belly. Luna sat at the foot of the bed, and smiled at the them.

“I hope I’m not interrupting, but I wanted to know if you both would stand up with me at the wedding?” She asked, gently reaching out and rubbing Ginny’s belly.

“Of course we will!” They replied, leaning over to hug the bride-to-be.

The three girls stayed up well into the night discussing babies, weddings, and of course… sex.

********

A week went by, and Christmas was just a few days away. Draco spent a lot of time giving his mother the silent treatment, and glaring at her when she would give her patented sigh. He was tired of being badgered every year about going to see his father. There were only so many ways to explain to her that going there was like a form of torture to him. Being in that place would only bring back the memories of everything he was working hard to forget. However, when his mother had told him that his father was miserable, it struck a place in his heart that he didn‘t know existed. He knew that his father was a git and probably deserved to be there, but he couldn’t imagine being forced to stay in Azkaban for 10 years. The thought of it made him shudder.

Reaching up, he pulled the stone pendant from under his shirt and ran his thumb across it’s face. As he watched the colors swirl, he thought about his father, and how it felt to be around a Dementor for twenty-four hours. Studying the rock, an idea ran through his mind, and he tried his best to ignore it. Gritting his teeth, he sighed, and shook his head. He knew what he had to do, and until it was done, he knew that the guilt would eat at him. Approaching his book-shelf, he made a selection and thumbed through the volume. Stopping at the correct spot, he sighed again and determined that Hermione Granger was really rubbing off on him.

********

Hermione had a wonderful time at the Weasley’s and almost hated to leave to go to her parents house. However, she really missed her mother’s cooking, and the stimulating debates she had with her father. The relationship she had with her parents was great. They both were very supportive with everything that she did, and she was thankful for that.

The week flew by fast, with Christmas almost a blur. The Saturday after Christmas, Hermione kissed her parents good-bye, and apparated to Diagon Alley, with the intent to pick up a few things before she returned to Hogwarts.

********

Sitting at the small, wooden table, Draco wondered how he wound up there. He had decided when he had left Azkaban, that he would never return, and now he was sitting at a table, waiting for them to bring his father in. His mother had burst into tears when he told her his plans, and had quickly left the room to hide her face.

Taking a few more deep breaths, he looked over his shoulder at the exit and almost decided to get up and leave. Gritting his teeth, he clamped his hand around the pendant, and felt a calmness flood his sense. Closing his eyes, he tried to go with it, but was immediately brought back to the present when the door across from him banged open.

Draco stood, and folded his hands in front of himself as he waited for his father to enter. Lucius entered the room, and wasn’t able to hide the shock on his face at seeing his son standing in front of him. Jingling the shackles that bound his wrists and ankles, he shuffled up to Draco and put his hand on his shoulder.

“Son, it’s good to see you.” After patting his shoulder, he took his seat, and looked back as the guard slammed the cell door behind him.

Draco sat down also and leaned back in his chair. Both father and son sat looking at the other for a few minutes without saying a word. Lucius was looking horrible. His hair was stringy, and dirty, his eyes had dark circles under them, his skin a sickly sallow color, and it appeared that he had lost almost twenty pounds or more. The only thing that reminded Draco of his father were the eyes that stared back at him. The light was dimmer, but still present in the man’s gaze. Draco wondered if five more years would removed the light completely.

Finally sensing that Draco was not going to break first, Lucius narrowed his gaze, “When Christmas passed, I thought no one was coming. So what brings you here boy? Your mother told me that you said you would never come back here again. What changed your mind?”

Without a word, Draco reached into his pocket, and placed the contents on the table between them. Lucius leaned forward and squinted at what he laid out. It was a small, red oval stone, attached to a silver chain. Looking up at his son, he gave him a questioning look. Draco nodded to him, and Lucius picked up the stone, running his thumb across the surface. Blood red and gold swirled together, and Lucius sat staring at it. Blinking a few times, he placed it back on the table, and leaned back in the chair.

“Who made this?” He asked, gesturing to the necklace.

“I did. And I got permission for you to wear it… after pulling a few strings.” He stated simply, meeting his father’s eyes.

“You made this for me? Why would you do such a thing? The last conversation we had you told me that you blamed me for everything that happened to you during the war, and that you hated me.”

“I was young and angry. Five years is a long time, and I’ve grown up. Besides,” He said, pulling the blue pendent from under his shirt and letting it lay on top of his chest “I’ve been given a gift and only felt it right to return the selfless gesture. Take it or leave it, I don’t care either way.” Draco stood to leave, only stopping at his father’s command.

“Draco stop.” Picking up the pendant, he slipped it over his head and sighed. The stone, when made with selfless intent, provided a form of comfort to whomever wore it. The heavy weight of despair and dread lifted slightly, and Lucius closed his eyes and reveled in the calming sensation that he hadn’t felt in years.

“I won’t be coming back.”

Lucius opened his eyes and really looked at his son. He wanted to tell him he was proud of him, that he was proud of the man he had turned out to be, regardless of the things that he had drilled into his head. He wanted to tell him that he loved him and respected him. That he knew that his future held great things, and that he hoped that he would be happy. Most of all, he wanted to tell him thank you. Thank you for being a better man then he was, and making this pendant for him. He didn’t tell him these things though. And he never would. Steeling his gaze, he stood, clanking the chains as he walked around the table, and patted his son on the shoulder.

“I know.”

Father and son looked at each other one more time, then with a nod, Draco left, and never looked back.

********

Hermione mumbled quietly to herself as she re-read the list she was holding and struggled to cross off a few items while she juggled her bags. Sighing, she looked around the street and grimaced at the fading sun. She hadn’t intended on taking this long to finish her shopping, but she got caught up chatting with Lavender in the general store.

Making her way across the street, Hermione headed toward the candy store for her final purchases, when someone called out behind her.

“Hey girl! You girl! With all the bags!”

Turning around, Hermione noticed a small man, a little taller then she was, running up to her. She stopped and waited for him to catch up to her. He stopped a few feet in front of her, panting, and held a parcel out to her. “You dropped this.” He said, giving her a smile.

Something about him put her on edge. Maybe it was the way he smiled at her, or the smell of whiskey that came off of him. Either way, his presence caused alarms to go off in her head. Taking a quick look around, she noticed that there were only a few people out, and they were all down by the bar with their backs to them.

“Oh, uh, thank you.” She reached out quickly and took the package from him, and started to back up to the candy shop. “I must finish my errands now, thank you again.” She said, trying to give him a cheery smile.

His eyes narrowed and he reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Now little girl, I only was being helpful. Don’t you think a nice guy like me deserves some kind of reward?”

Hermione snatched her wrist back and opened her mouth to scream. The man was on her before she got a sound out and pushed her back into an alley and into the side of a store. The brick bit into her back as his hand covered her mouth and his body pressed against hers.

He leaned in and sneered in her face, the smell of stale booze burning her nostrils, “Shouldn’t have done that lass.”

********

Draco slammed his glass down and motioned for the bartender to fill it up again. After his glass was full, for what he thought was the sixth (or was it seventh?) time, he decided to sip on this one instead of drinking it down in one swill.

A shopping bag was dropped on the counter next to him, causing him to jump slightly, and he groaned when he saw who was making herself comfortable in the bar stool next to him.

“So Draco, turning into a day-time drunk are we?”

He glared at her, and threw back the remaining alcohol in glass. He grimaced slightly at the taste and set the glass back down, motioning for the bartender again.

“I can drink whenever I bloody feel like it. And besides, it’s nearly dusk.” He said, leaning back a little in his chair to look out the window.

Pansy rolled her eyes. “Come on Draco, I think you’ve had enough.”

“I don’t think I’ve had enough. What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at home with you’re lovely husband?” He said with a snicker.

“Don’t make fun. Your mother owled me. She told me what you were doing today and was worried that you would have this… reaction. I’m here to make sure you get home in one piece.” Pansy reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. She made eye contact with the bartender, who was making his way over to fill Draco’s drink, and shook her head slightly. The bartender took the hint, and moved farther down the bar to refill more drinks.

With a loud sigh, he pulled two galleon’s from his pocket and dropped them on the bar. Pansy raised her eyebrows, but didn’t comment. The bartender would be very happy tonight she mused. Draco turned toward her and stood up, only weaving slightly.

“I’m not very drunk. Only a little.” He stated, when he saw her notice his stagger.

“Oh yes, I can see that. Now come one, I’ve got a port-key waiting around the corner. I don’t trust you to apparate when you’re drunk… I would hate to see you splinch yourself.” Pansy reached out and wrapped her arm around his waist, and allowed him to put some weight on her to steady himself.

Once outside, the two stopped to pull their jackets tighter around their bodies to protect them from the cold, bitter wind. Pansy was doing the final button when she noticed Draco looking down the street behind her with a strange expression. She turned to see what he was looking at, when he shot off past her, running faster than any drunk person she had ever seen.

Draco rounded the corner in time to hear the cretin call Hermione a ‘lass’. Without a second thought, he grabbed the guy by the back of the jacket, and pulled him off of Hermione. The guy turned around, startled, and was promptly greeted with a fist in the face. Laying on the ground between them, the guy moaned and attempted to get up.

“Stay down!” Draco roared to the man, then grabbed Hermione by the arm and pulled her roughly from the wall. “What are you doing out here all night at alone?” He shook his head, that didn’t sound right.

Hermione jerked her arm out of his grasp and brushed herself off. She wrinkled her nose, catching the smell of alcohol on his breath, then glanced over his shoulder when a movement caught her eye. Stunning realization flooded over her when she saw Pansy standing at the end of the alley. She turned her gaze back onto him and pointed her finger at his chest.

“What business is it of your’s where I am and what I am doing? I can see, and smell, that you’ve been out gallivanting and having a wonderful time! Well, don’t let me stop you!”

Draco followed her gaze and saw Pansy standing there. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but quickly shut it again as she poked her finger at him again, and kept on ranting.

“And by the way, I had the situation under control. My wand was pointed at his nether regions and all you did was save him from a gruesome, ball-less future.”

The guy on the ground rolled on his back and gave them a small smile, “Thanks mate.”

Simultaneously, they both looked down at him and screamed, “Shut up!”

Draco reached for her again, blinking his eyes and cursing himself for drinking too much. He really needed a clear head to argue with her. “Hermione wait, it’s not what you think…”

She scoffed, and put her hands on her hips. “Oh yeah? Well, your girlfriend is still waiting on you.” Hermione reached down and quickly gathered the bags that she had dropped in the scuffle. Draco reached down to help her, but found that he got extremely dizzy leaning over, and decided against it. When she had all her things in her hands, he reasoned that she had calmed down slightly, and took a breath, and got ready to explain again.

Hermione saw him take a breath, and decided that she didn’t want to hear what he had to say. Turning on the spot, she disappeared with a ‘crack’, leaving Draco standing and staring at the place where she had been.

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A/N: Sorry I hadn't updated in awhile. I usually like to update every few days, but my in-laws were in town, and my computer is in the spare room. So no writing or AFF for me! They are definitly text book evil inlaws, and I am so happy they are gone. I know, it's not nice to talk about people like that... but the stories I could tell...

Anyway, a big thank you to oztan, bLondpierogi and Anathema! You guys are great!

ilke: Aw, thanks! You've made my day... or well, morning. Your last two chapters were awesome, I only just got to read them tonight, (in-laws and all that) but they are great. Don't worry about getting them to the place they need to be to have hot lovin, the build up's the best part!

skydancer: Yeah, should have had warning. Don't worry, no S&M Professors hiding here... maybe next chapter... ;-)

jessysgirl: I added the green silk sheets part just for you girl! Maybe I'll have them break in the bed in a future chapter...

Raerianna: I don't really mind the editing... my spelling is really awful, so if the spell-check or my proof-reading doesn't catch it, feel free to let me know. Just if you could let me know if it's in the beginning... middle, or end... I would appreciate it. It took me awhile to find the 'elusive' in the last chapter... would have been better if I hadn't started at the bottom. lol. But I'm glad that you're enjoying it! (spelling mistakes and all!)