Infinity [D.M x H.G]

07. In which the past comes ringing

"Oh shut up Zabini." muttered Draco standing beside Hermione, cheeks flushed.

"My my my look at you," Blaise mocked, "flustered Draco Malfoy is always a sight to behold. So thank you Granger." he nodded at Hermione, grinning.

"How the hell are you here?" asked Draco, eyebrows furrowed.

"Well if you must know, your mother invited me."

"Why?"

"I'm assuming its to confirm that you two are actually snogging every two seconds and this is all not a charade. Now I could tell her the truth or.."

"Or you could shut up before Granger uses those attacking birds she used on Weasel in 6th year." Draco muttered menacingly.

"Wait how do you know what I did to Ron?" piped in Hermione.

"That's beside the point, you're supposed to be on my side." Draco said, hoping to avoid that conversation.

"Well I'm pretty sure you were leant up against her a minute ago mate, I don't think she has an option." Blaise said, smirking.

His words were met with identical scowls and he fake coughed, muttering "soulmates." under his breath.

"Can we go downstairs now, your parents have been waiting. Mr. Malfoy sent me up here to check if you two were shagging or something of the sort." Blaise gagged at the thought as Hermione went bright pink rushing downstairs as Draco and Blaise walked behind her.

As soon as Hermione was out of earshot, Blaise raised his eyebrows at Draco, "Explain."

"I heard Rowan call but Granger here was too invested in the book." Draco mumbled.

"So you chose to flirt with her as a distraction?" Blaise asked.

"I wasn't flirting with her okay! I was just putting the book away in its place." Draco reasoned.

"Right because this is how you display 'non-existent feelings' huh?

When Draco looked resolutely away, Blaise's suspicions were confirmed. His best mate clearly had a thing for Miss Granger & from what he could see she too felt something for him, otherwise she would've transformed him into a bug the second he went near her. He hoped for their sakes that they would figure this out and get together in reality or he'd lock them in the one magic-proof room in Draco's house. Maybe he should talk to Potter?

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"It's lovely to meet you Mr. & Mrs. Malfoy" Hermione smiled, taking a seat opposite the couple.

"Oh please dear, its Narcissa and Lucius. I daresay the title of Mrs. Malfoy will be yours in a few years." Narcissa told her, frowning when Draco and Blaise choked on their drinks.

"Behave boys." she reprimanded, not failing to notice Hermione's little giggle.

"Anyway, tell us Miss Granger, how did you two come to your senses?" Lucius asked.

Hermione and Draco exchanged confused looks.

"What Lucius means is that how did you two began dating?" Narcissa explained.

Comprehension dawned on the two and Draco ran a hand through his hair.

"Because I for one find it very hard to believe that Draco has ever hated you. He would talk about you non-stop every summer. Well you and your friends that is." Narcissa said.

"Drove me up the wall he did." Lucius added.

Hermione looked at Draco, grinning and he knew that she would never ever let this go.

"Mother! This is exactly why I didn't want to let you know." Draco mumbled frowning even more so when everyone laughed.

"The year after the war, Draco and I became friends while at school and we've stayed in touch ever since. A few weeks ago, I had been going through a tough time and Draco helped me out, made me happy and then he asked if I'd like to have a cup of coffee after work. We've been going on a few dates since." explained Hermione, fiddling with her fingers and it stopped only when Draco placed a comforting hand on hers.

"Who would've known my son could be a gentleman! At any rate, I'm glad you've found each other Miss Granger." Lucius said.

Then he glanced at Narcissa who nodded her approval as the pair directed their focus at Hermione.

"This also means I owe you an apology for my past misdeeds. I hope you know that I'm truly ashamed at what you had to go through in my house and I regret saying all the foul things I have directed towards you. You are an admirable young lady, who makes our son the happiest he has been in a long time, I wish you nothing but happiness in life." Lucius declared.

Overwhelmed slightly, Hermione smiled, "Of course Mr. Malfoy, I can see that you have mended your ways and hope we'll get along well."

"Now that's out to the way, tell me Hermione, what do your parents think?"

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Two hours and a lovely dinner later, Hermione got up and said her goodbyes, ready to leave. Just as she was about to open the door, Narcissa stopped her. "Draco, go with her." she ordered. He groaned, "Mother, Hermione is not a child- she'll be fine."

When she glared at him, Draco raised his hands in surrender and opened the door for Hermione. They stepped out, relishing the feel of the balmy evening. "We can't apparate here, you can do that beyond the gates. Walk with me?" he asked.

Hermione nodded wrapping her arms around herself to gain heat as a cold breeze whipped by. "I had a good time today, your parents are wonderful people. I hope- what are you doing?" she muttered as she felt his arms around her shoulders and then a sudden warmth engulfed her and she felt the rough fabric leather wrapped around her shoulders. Looking down, she realized that he had given her his jacket and the butterflies returned in the pit of her stomach, though she couldn't fathom why.

"Thank you." she whispered.

They were outside the gates now and spun on the spot together landing just around the corner from her building. "I'll walk you upstairs." he offered, following her.

Just then, from the dark alley behind them Draco thought he saw a figure lurking behind them and moved closer to Hermione, practically chasing her inside much to her indignation. Whoever that had been, he did not want them near her. Finally outside her door, she shrugged off the jacket and handed it back to him.

"Keep it," he said, "looks good on you." he told her.

"Thanks. Have a good night." she replied.

Waving her goodbye Draco began his way down the stairs and Hermione shut the door, clutching the jacket. Moments later, her doorbell rang and thinking it would be Draco again, she opened it. "I told you to take the jack-" she looked at the person, stopping midway and immediately dashing behind the partly open door.

"Why the hell are you here?" she spat at the all too familiar face.

"Missed ya sugar," hiccupped the man, clearly drunk, "looked downright cozy with that lad just now didn't ya? Can't have that I can't."

A/N: So cliffhanger moment! Hope you liked this chapter, the next one's going to basically be a whole plate of mush.

Vote and comment if you liked, it really does help. Constructive criticism is always welcome :)

Thanks for reading, stay safe.
lots of love,
writinganewtale ✨