Million Galleon Man

Two

August, 2010.

Hermione cleaned the bookshelves when her best friend, Ginny Potter, entered the store, surprisingly, without any children hanging on her lap.

"Morning, Mione," saluted the redhead.

Hermione felt guilty for how little time they spent together after Ginny became a mother and she was still unmarried and childless, which put some distance between them, giving the fact that both couldn't be living more different lives.

Ginny still had the same kind smile, smart features and the undeniable Weasley hair, though she goes by Potter now. They hugged quickly, while Ginny said that she was looking for some books because James would start Hogwarts next month. Just like that, her best friend's baby would start his academic life at the same school they all lived the craziest adventures in. So surreal.

"How I have not seen you on the Prophet this month?", here came the question that haunted Hermione's life. Right after this one, if the script was correct, her friend would ask her about her love life, trying to be subtle, but Hermione knew that this was a translation to "Harry and I are worried sick that you are still not over my brother when he literally have a wife and kids and you two are never, ever, getting back together".

"Cut to the chase, Ginevra"

"Well, let's get to the million galleon question, then. Are you... seeing someone?"

Hermione's eyes rolled so far back that she thought that they may never return to their original position. Her friends were worried about her, she knew. It was not normal being single since 1999, given that her ex had moved on swiftly and everybody around seemed to be occupied repopulating the wizarding world. Ginny understood that the right man didn't make his appearance until now, she was only worried that Hermione wasn't even looking for him anymore, condemned herself to grow old as the strange book lady with an elderly grumpy cat.

Gin and Harry made quite the pair with their little heathens. James, her godson, was a true menace, while Albus was much more like his auntie Mione. Lily, their little princess, appeared to be a slytherin's brains trapped with a gryffindor heart, their parents pride and joy. Ron had his little Hugo and baby Rose, he didn't even bother to choose other names that the ones Hermione mentioned after sex one time, but she was okay with it, because she probably would be auntie Mione forever, and never mommy.

"No, Gin, I'm not seeing anybody," but before her friend could start her speech of how Hermione was a powerful, empowered, beautiful, smart and "bloody fit" witch, speech which Hermione would bombarda her own years if she had to listen one more time, she did the worse thing she could do and said "but something strange happened saturday when I went out".

"What happened? Tell me! Help this old maid, fill me with some gossip about the hot world of the single and childless people. I swear that if If I hear Millicent talk about what color Rose pooped one more time I will -

"I ran into Draco Malfoy at the pub".

"Gods, tell me all about it! Is he really fit like those photos that Skeeter published of him playing quidditch at the Nott's philanthropic game for the lycanthropy cure?"

"He went to a beneficial event for lycanthropy cure?", it has been five five days since Hermione saw him and didn't talk to him since then, but Malfoy was still surprising her.

Ginny shrugged.

"You're missing the point here, Granger. My husband is indeed the most handsome man of all Britain, but I'm not blind and Malfoy is good looking with that pointy face of his. And don't even pull the "I didn't look at him enough to notice" because Merlin knows how long ago you've had a shag, so I know you did look," a mischievous grin spread to her friend's face. Ginny was evil.