A Second Chance

Farewell, and... Narcissa?

Hermione wrapped her arms around Rose in a tight hug, her daughter almost as tall as she was now. "I'll miss you."

Rose buried her face in Hermione's hair. "I'll miss you too, mum."

Hermione pulled away from the hug. Over her daughter's shoulder, she caught a glimpse of whitish-blonde hair. Scorpius was bouncing up and down trying to scan the crowd for someone, Hermione had the feeling she knew who that someone was. "I think Scorpius is looking for you." She chuckled. She felt her daughter go still in her arms. "You should go to him. Also, don't tease him too much with the box of pranks your uncle George gave you."

Rose pulled away from her. Her cheeks were tinted a deep scarlet. "I should probably go." She squeaked. Hermione just laughed at her daughter's embarrassment before shoving her in the direction of Scorpius and presumably Draco.

Once her daughter was out of sight, she left. She was hoping to run into Harry and Ginny while hopefully avoiding Draco. She sighed at the predicament she was in. How did it come to this?

She spotted the green tip head of Teddy in the sea of people. "What are you doing here?" She asked once she reached him.

He sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "Harry and Draco had to go into work early this morning and Ginny had a meeting that she couldn't get out of. Somehow, I was volunteered to bring the kids and Scorpius to make sure all of them made it in time." His tone made it evident that he did not willingly volunteer for this daunting task that placed multiple young wizards and witches in his care.

Hermione relaxed in relief knowing that she wouldn't bump into Draco though the thought sadden her. She rid herself of those pesky and unwanted thoughts before laughing at the predicament that Teddy found himself in. "I've been on the other end of Ginny's volunteering before. Not sure how it's considered volunteering when you aren't given an option."

"Right!" Teddy grinned, the tips of his hair changing color in his excitement.

The conversation died after that. "I guess I should probably get going." Hermione waved bye to Teddy. She was pleased to see that he had grown into such a fine young man, different from what he had been a few years ago when he had been caught snogging a girl on the train before departure.

Instead of apparating home, she decided to visit Diagon Alley. She was hoping to grab her some more of the speariment enchanted tea. It was really crazy with how much she loved spearmint, but at least she no longer ate her toothpaste like she used to.

She landed in the open street just a block from the shop. Before she reached it, she bumped into someone coming out of the jewelry store. "Sorry."

"Sor...Hermione!" She looked up to find a flustered Ginny.

The door to the store opened again and out stepped Narcissa Malfoy elegantly dressed in a black gown. "Honestly, I'm not sure that would work, Ginny dear." Ginny casted her companion a look that Hermione didn't quite catch. "Oh, Hermione. What a lovely surprise. How is Rose?"

It took a few seconds for Hermione to find her voice. "She's doing great. I left her with Scorpius on the platform not that long ago. What are you two doing together?" She knew Ginny and Harry were trying to be friendly with Draco for Albus and Scorpius's sake but she didn't know that included Narcissa.

Narcissa answered before Ginny had the chance to. "I was meeting with Ginny here so that I could get to know those Rose calls family. I thought that if we could attempt to be civilized then it would help Scorpius."

Ginny nodded her head, a small smile appeared on her lips. "It was really sweet, and strange for Narcissa to initiate this. I completely agree with her, though Harry still isn't quite on board." She shook her head at the thought of her husband.

Narcissa laughed. "He can't be on board when he doesn't know."

Hermione cracked a smile. "It's probably a good thing. Harry still has a hard time being in the same room as Draco."

Narcissa grabbed Ginny's arm. "We must be off. Ginny here needs to get to work and I want to drop off lunch to Draco. If I don't, then I know that boy probably won't eat when he's busy like this."

"Why don't we have Hermione take him his lunch," Ginny suggested with a smile. "He's been in a fowl mood for a couple of days. A friendly face might cheer him up." Ginny's words sounded sincere but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Hermione's heart clenched. She couldn't see Draco so soon or her resolve might fade away. "I...actually have plans." She waved bye to the unlikely pair of companions then scurried off, not wanting to fall into whatever Ginny seemed to be planning.

she spun on her heel and made off down the street. It was nice that Narcissa was trying so hard for her grandson. Wait, why would she visit Ginny? Ginny was just an aunt while Hermione was Rose's mother. Was Narcissa going to try to be civilized with Hermione, or was she planning something?

Hermione pushed away her worries. Narcissa knew that she and Draco were friends and probably thought it best to approach the more unwelcoming side of Rose's family. Yeah, that was probably it. She just hoped that Ginny wouldn't gain any ideas from this newfound friendship of hers with Narcissa. Hermione had a feeling that she wouldn't be able to handle those two if they decided to scheme something, they were a lot like the female versions of Fred and George.