Chiaroscuro

Banana Bread

Hermione was standing beside her table, wondering if she looked as awkward as she felt. Albus was oblivious to the distress he had just caused as he talked with Scorpius. The two boys were laughing but Hermione couldn't even smile as she found herself staring at Draco Malfoy.

"Morning, Granger," he said in a cold and even tone that told her he didn't enjoy being in her presence.

Hermione bit back a response. Instead, she said, "Albus, why don't we start heading to the library. There are a few places I want to stop today." She tried to make her voice sound pleasant and friendly.

Albus seemingly didn't hear her.

"Harry warned me you would be watching them this summer," Malfoy raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

Hermione didn't like the way he called Harry 'Harry'. He had never called him 'Harry'. "Ginny and Harry are in the United States for a bit," Hermione said, pretending that she was talking to anyone but Malfoy.

"So, I heard."

Hermione wished Albus was a telepath so she could find a way to pull him away from Scorpius. However, the two boys continued talking about dragons, obvious to how much Hermione wanted to leave.

"I have no intention of ruining your morning, Granger," Malfoy said. Despite the words, there was no bite to them. At least not in the way there had once been. "However," his eyes met hers. "I'd hate for Scorpius and Albus to be apart all summer on your account."

Hermione blinked. "On my account?"

"Harry warned me that since his children were staying with you, Albus and Scorpius wouldn't be seeing each other this summer," his tone was impossible to read. Was he mad at her?

Hermione scoffed. "I have no problem who my nephew chooses to be friends with," she raised an eyebrow at Malfoy, wondering if he remembered history the same way she did.

"I'm pleased to hear that," Malfoy said but there was no pleasure in his voice. "Perhaps, we can arrange something, then."

Hermione wanted nothing more than to turn and run out the door. "Alright," she said.

"What are your plans four days from now?"

"I have the week off," she admitted.

"Lovely, then in four days, why don't you bring Albus to my-"

"I am not going there," she said with more venom than she meant to.

A wave of understanding passed over Malfoy's face. "I'm not...why don't I bring Scorpius to your place then? Are you staying at Grimmauld Place?"

"No," Hermione said. "I live near the village of Ottery St Catchpole. On Maple St."

Malfoy nodded. "I'll come by there, then."

When Hermione was finally able to leave The Sword and the Scone, her nerves felt like they might explode. Her peaceful morning had turned south very quickly. While she had originally planned to take James, Albus, and Lily for a walk through Hogsmeade, now, she knew that wasn't going to happen.

In fear of seeing the Malfoys again, Hermione decided that they would leave Hogsmeade immediately. She apparated the four of them to the unkempt front yard of The Burrow. At the sight of the house, her mind was put at ease. Hermione felt as though she could finally breathe as she gazed up at the familiar house.

James, Albus, and Lily all ran in through the front door before Hermione had a chance to knock.

"Sorry, Molly," she apologized as she walked into the kitchen. "I just...I had a weird morning, and I hoped it would be alright if I..."