The Reunion

Chapter Three

"So Draco," Jean Granger began after they had all settled down for dinner at a fancy restaurant Hermione couldn't even pronounce the name of, "how is your mother?" Draco looked up from his menu and smiled

"She's well thank you, much happier since my father passed"

"Oh dear, I'm sorry about your father I had completely forgotten" Jean consoled

"Don't be. Hopefully he is where he deserves to be" Draco had said this in a way that would sound like he was in a better place, but Hermione knew what he actually meant. Lucius Malfoy was an awful man; he was part of the organization dedicated to following the most powerful and dangerous wizard of all time called Death- Eaters, they were a corrupted and deranged group of people, which Draco was forced into at a young age. Lucius Malfoy was an abusive husband and father and when he was sent to Azkaban to receive the kiss Draco was beyond happy.

Hermione who was sitting next to him; put a hand on his arm when she sensed his discomfort, she had always been aware that since Lucius was sent to prison he was a sore subject in the Malfoy household. His views on muggle- borns, blood traitors and muggles were the reason Draco picked on her throughout school. She remembered vividly the day things between them had changed.

"Oi, Granger!" Hermione knew who was calling her before she even turned around

"What do you want Malfoy?" she snarled, Hermione didn't stop to hear what he had to say, she just continued on her way to the library

"Can you just wait a sec?" he yelled after her, she reluctantly stopped and allowed him to catch up

"What?" she repeated less angry this time, 

"Well... um, I" he couldn't find the right words to say, he wanted to apologize and make up for everything he had done but he didn't know how

"Spit it out Malfoy, I haven't got all day" Hermione was now annoyed at his reluctance

"I wanted to apologize," he began "although I know just an apology won't do to make up for everything I've done, and everything... I didn't do" he hesitated glancing towards her arm where he knew the ugly word M U D B L O O D was permanently engraved in her skin. Hermione noticed where his eyes were looking and subconsciously moved her arm from view

"Though it may not seem like it, I forgave you a long time ago" he looked surprised at her statement "and for the record, I saw how much it killed you to watch her torture me, I could see it in your eyes so don't try to deny it. I don't want you to feel like you could've done something because you couldn't have," she shook her head "not without exposing yourself and most likely getting yourself and your mother killed." He looked at his feet, her words were so true and they hit him like the Hogwarts Express. For the first time in his life he was completely and totally speechless

"Well now that that's been settled" she added stretching her hand out towards him "maybe we can call a truce?" he chuckled and placed his hand in hers

"Maybe we might become friends" he inclined and watched her eyes widen slightly

"Maybe" she nodded, and after that he watched her walk off. It had only taken a few days for them to become close, Ronald was not thrilled and told Hermione to quit being friends with him, but she never did. Ginny on the other hand didn't mind at all and even persuaded Harry to give him a chance. The three of them weren't good friends by any means but they were civil and that's all that mattered.

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In all the evening hadn't been a total bust and her cousins were pleasant throughout the meal. When the meals had been paid for, Draco had offered to pay but his offer was immediately declined; and Hermione's dad even paid for his meal, much to the blonde's protestations. After a heated argument in which Draco had lost, they exited the restaurant and headed to the cars.

"Do you mind if I keep Hermione out a bit later sir? It's been a while and I'd like to catch up" Draco asked her father

"Of course not, you don't even have to ask you're both adults" smiling the younger man nodded and offered Hermione his arm, much to the jealousy of her cousins, which she greatly accepted. The couple made their way to the car where Draco being ever the gentleman, opened the passengers side door for her, waved back at her family and slid into the driver's side.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked when he was seated in the car

"You'll see" Draco said with a wink

"Okay but it better be fun, otherwise I'm never going anywhere with you again" she mock pouted

"I'm positive you'll like this place" and with that he started the car, and pulled onto the tarmac driving further away from the Emerald Snake. After an hour of driving they finally came to a halt by an open field.

"What are we doing here?" Hermione asked curiously, while getting out of the car

"You'll see, close your eyes" Draco responded, and Hermione did as he asked, taking her hand he pulled her along a rough an uneven ground, "I wanted to show you this" he added when they came to a stop, Hermione opened her eyes and gasped when she saw the sight in front of her. "I found it when we were scouting places to put up the hotel, originally it was going to be away from the bustle of London but that's where we ended up putting it. when I saw it I immediately thought I had to show you. Tonight was the first chance I've had," he started to blush

"This is amazing!" she cried, looking at a beautiful waterfall gleaming in the moonlight only a few feet in front of her.

"See I told you, you would like it," he grinned

"Yes you know me too well, I'm afraid. Nothing more to learn" she laughed and turned to look into his grey- blue orbs. His eyes were gleaming in the moonlight making them almost silver, Hermione couldn't tell what emotion he was hiding behind them but she knew that in this moment he was truly happy.

"There is always something new to learn about you." Draco replied his eyes still gleaming, Hermione simply smiled at him. 

"I should probably take you back" Draco reluctantly sighed

"Yeah" was all Hermione could breathe out, and without letting each others hands go, they walked back to Hermione's car.

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A/n: Sorry it's so short! This is mainly just a filler chapter because I was unsure how to flow into the next part in the story.