the key to happiness - dramione

(1)

Hermione Granger, age 24, temporarily unemployed. Engaged to Ronald Weasley, lives in a small cottage by the sea.

Draco Malfoy, age 23, working at the ministry. Lives alone in Malfoy Manor.

- - - - -
Two and a half years ago, the war came to an end. Today, Hermione Granger, a beautiful, clever woman with fluffy hair, has just woken up. It's a casual day and her boyfriend, Ronald, has already made breakfast and is currently waiting for her in the kitchen.

After several minutes, she sits down at the table with Ronald.
"I have a meeting with Draco Malfoy today." he explains. Hermione nods. But she herself has not spoken to Draco in 2 years. Sure, she's seen him. But no more than that.

She impulsively moves her hand towards the scar engraved on her by Bellatrix Lestrange. It's written 'mudblood' on one of Hermione's arms. Even though Hermione's hands are under the table, Ronald knows what exactly happened.

This is not the first time she has touched her scar. Hermione doesn't want any person to notice that habit of hers. That person would just feel pity.

So when she notices Ronald watching her, she quickly removes her hand.
"What kind of meeting is it?" Hermione carefully asks him.
"I don't know yet. I think Harry will be there too." Ronald explains.

Harry Potter, the man who killed Lord Voldemort. Hermione and Ronald's best friend. Hermione begins cleaning up when Ronald has finished eating, although she herself has not eaten anything yet.

Ron, ready to go to work, gives Hermione a sweet kiss before stepping outside the door.
"Ron, I love you." she smiles, he hesitantly smiles back.
"I love you too." Ron answers. But he sounds insecure. Does Ron really still love Hermione?

Hermione notices nothing because she is blindly in love with Ronald Weasley. Ron closes the door and Hermione, just like every other day, is left alone at home. She's missing something. Not just a job.

Something else. A child. She wants a child. A little girl. Or a little red-haired boy. Ron works every day, all the time, while Hermione is always at home. But you can not just sit still. She cleans the little cottage several times a day.

When Ron comes home tonight then she'll take up the things about wanting children she decides. Hermione picks up a book she has already read far too many times and sits down in one of their armchairs.

She opens the book and begins to read in silence. 'Rose and her friends do not want to meet them again...' the chapter begins. If Hermione ever has a daughter with Ron her name would be Rose. Rose, like the flower Rose.

At the same time at the Ministry, Draco Malfoy stands calmly in the elevator on his way up to his office. In just a few minutes, he's having a meeting with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley and Draco is not looking forward to it, but it is something that needs to be done.

He nods kindly to Pansy Parkinson when the elevator stops and she steps out of it. She's one of the few friends Draco still have around. They rest are, Theodor Nott, Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass. His best and only friends.

From time to time he talks to Astoria Greengrass too, Daphne's sister. She understands him. Maybe he likes her more than a friend. But Daphne would never allow Draco and Astoria to create a bond that contained more than friendship.

Suddenly, Draco gets pulled out of his thoughts as he arrives at his office. He unlocks the door and enters. The light comes on and he sits down at the desk. Before he has time to go through some papers, there was a silent knock on the door.

"Come in!" cries Draco, who is surprised when it is Astoria who enters the room and not Potter and Weasley. She closes the door and comes to the table.
"Draco." says the girl and he stands up. She tries to smile a little.
"Yes."

"I like you Draco. Like more than a friend and Daph..." she explains but Draco interrupts her. But he does not speak, he kisses her lips gently.
"Draco, my sister..." she tries.
"Asto I...."
"Do not call me Asto." she mumbles and stands on her toes to kiss Draco's cold lips again.

Another knock on the door.
"Astoria, it's not really an appropriate time and I have a meeting now." he excuses. She nods and sits down on a chair.
"No, uhm... Astoria, you have to go." She nods and walks out as Draco lets in Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.