‘Give me that,’ Eva muttered, quite annoyed while she tried to take the cigarette from between Draco’s lips. Draco moved his face away from her as he lit his cigarette. Eva sighed, ‘that’s such a bad habit, Draco.’

‘It’s my bad habit. Let it go,’ Draco rolled his eyes as he blew out some smoke rings. He winked at Eva, ‘bet you can’t blow smoke rings.’

Eva just shook her head and straightened her dress as they walked down the street together at night. The wind bit viciously at her exposed legs and face but Draco had lent her his jacket which she tightened around herself. Draco’s arm wrapped around her shoulders and she smiled, leaning into him, as they walked to Hermione’s apartment for dinner.

Draco blew smoke into the air again, feeling a lot more calm than he was this morning. He held his cigarette between his index and middle finger as they walked down the paved pathway to the building. He opened the door and let Eva walk in first before following her.

‘She has a nice house, I promise,’ Draco said as they walked upstairs.

The lobby was very tiny and constricted with concrete, grey walls and floor. Graffiti was painted on some of the walls and Eva raised her eyebrows at the rude words. They walked upstairs, Draco behind her, and then he led her down the corridor to a door that had a mat in front of it that said ‘Welcome!’. 

‘Wait,’ Eva said, grabbing his arm to stop him from knocking. Draco stopped and looked at her, putting his cigarette out and chucking it to a corner. Eva shook her head at his behaviour but tip toed up and kissed his lips, ignoring the cigarette smell, ‘just in case.’

‘Just in case what?’ Draco asked, frowning  a little.

‘In case you decide to stop being stupid and chase after the woman you’ve been drawing for five years,’ Eva smiled at him before knocking on the door.

Draco raised his eyebrows at her as she looked at the door, hearing a faint voice say ‘coming!’ and footsteps. Draco leaned forwards and kissed Eva, her arms wrapping around his neck as their lips moved against each others, hearing the lock click. Eva suddenly pulled back, straightening her dress and running  a hand through her hair just as the door opened to reveal Hermione.

‘You must be Hermione,’ Eva smiled, glancing at Draco and rolling her eyes as he still had his hood up. She leaned up and yanked his hood down. Draco ran a hand through his hair while Hermione smiled at them both.

‘Come on in,’ Hermione moved back to let them walk into the house before she closed and locked the door behind them. She walked forwards a little, ‘Michael! They’re here!’

‘You look amazing,’ Draco said, looking at Hermione. She wore a dark green dress that stopped a little above her knees with a black belt that wrapped around her small waist. Her hair hung down her shoulders in soft waves. Hermione blushed pink and smiled, thanking him.

Michael came out of the kitchen, carrying Rose who was asleep on his shoulder. He was a tall, slim man that had a full head of soft, wavy black hair. His eyes shone bright blue as he extended a hand for Draco, with a dazzling smile, ‘I’m Michael Donovan, nice to meet you.’

‘Draco Malfoy,’ Draco shook his hand firmly, keeping eye contact.

‘Hello, Michael, my name is Evangeline but, please, call me Eva,’ Eva smiled as she shook his hand and looked at Rose, smiling, ‘Hermione, your daughter looks just like you. Is Michael her father?’

‘Thank you,’ Hermione said, watching as Michael carried Rose into her room. She turned to Eva, ‘Michael isn’t the father but I wish he was. He’s great with Rose even when she’s in a mood.’

‘He’s easy on the eyes too,’ Eva muttered, chuckling a little. Draco glanced at her and she shrugged, ‘he is!’

Hermione smiled at Draco, wondering if that was a little bit of jealousy she suspected. She didn’t want to admit it but Eva really looked happy with Draco and she looked as though she belonged by his side. Hermione led them to the living room and waited until Eva and Draco took one sofa before she took the other, sitting down and looking at them.

‘So, Granger,’ Draco started but was cut off by Eva who frowned at him.

‘That’s not her name, Draco,’ Eva muttered, looking apologetically at Hermione who waved it off.

‘He’s called me that since first year,’ Hermione said, crossing her legs as Michael came out of Rose’s room, closing the door behind him. He sat down next to Hermione and smiled as she said, ‘first time I saw Draco, he called me a lot of things. I think I prefer being addressed by my surname now. It would be strange to have him call me Hermione.’

‘As I was saying,’ Draco rolled his eyes, leaning back into the sofa, ‘how did you meet Michael?’

Hermione’s lips twitched as Michael glanced at her and then turned to Draco, ‘it’s a great story actually.’

‘And slightly embarrassing,’ Hermione said, standing up, ‘I’m just going to set the table for dinner.’

Michael chuckled as Hermione left the room, ‘well, it was about five years ago. I had been living here for two months at the time. Hermione was just moving in here and she was heavily pregnant, lugging boxes up the stairs. God, she was beautiful and still is, as a matter of fact. She wore old sweats but she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.’

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Hermione chuckled from the kitchen.

‘Well, I offered to help her with the boxes but she was so stubborn. Finally, she let me lug the boxes upstairs and we spent the night and half of the next day unpacking and making this house a home,’ Michael smiled as Eva leaned forwards as though she was listening to an old love story, ‘we spoke a lot the first couple of months and I helped Hermione with her pregnancy and then with Rose when she was born. I helped pay her medical expenses because she wasn’t doing so well financially...’

‘How did you two get together?’ Eva asked, mesmerized by the story. Draco listened to all of this with a straight face. Did Hermione fall in love with the guy or with the money and helpfulness?

‘One day, Rose was annoying Hermione so much so that she came over to my house. Her hair was a mess and she was just wearing a long night shirt. She was in a bad state so I helped Rose get to sleep which took hours,’ Michael frowned at the memory and then grinned, ‘and then I guess Hermione needed some comfort so we... uh, got together then. I helped her and took her out and it was my best decision to help the girl moving in the apartment across from me.’

‘Oh, wow, that sounds amazing,’ Eva sighed, taking Draco’s hand out of habit and entwining their fingers together, ‘and how long have you two been together?’

‘Three and a half years now, right, babe?’ Michael asked as Hermione walked out of the kitchen, patting her dress down.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ Hermione smiled, patting his shoulders as Michael looked up at her, ‘dinner’s ready!’

Michael, Eva and Draco stood up before following Hermione into the kitchen. There was a bottle of wine in the middle of the table with four plates around it. Hermione took a seat and Draco took his just across from hers, their eyes met for a second but that seemed to be enough. It was just so absurd that Draco and Hermione were eating dinner with their partners after all they had been through.

‘What are we eating today, Granger?’ Draco asked, smirking when she diverted her eyes from his.

Hermione gestured to the dish in the middle, ‘mozzarella stuffed risotto balls accompanied with lemon wedges and a hot salsa dip. I wasn’t sure if Eva was a vegetarian so I used cheese... unless you’re a vegan? I could whip up something very quickly if you are.’

‘Oh, no, this is all great!’ Eva assured her as Draco served her first and then himself, ‘really, this looks amazing.’

‘She’s a chef in a tiny restaurant. I’m sure she could be working in one of those huge restaurants in the town,’ Michael smiled, watching as Hermione blushed.

‘I didn’t know you could cook this well,’ Draco commented as he ate one of the mozzarella balls. The taste made his taste buds tingle and want even more, ‘these are really good.’

‘I didn’t know you could draw but,’ Hermione shrugged, smiling at him, ‘you really like them?’

‘Course I do,’ Draco nodded, dipping one of the balls into the sauce and eating them.

‘Wow, the Draco I knew from school would never even think of giving me a compliment,’ Hermione muttered, looking down at her food.

Draco glanced up at her, not replying to that, as Hermione looked up to. They stared at each other for a while before Michael let out a little chuckle, ‘so... Draco, you knew my girlfriend from school? Tell me, was she always like this? Hot, bossy, stubborn?’

‘Definitely. She was really bossy,’ Draco nodded, pointing his fork at her, ‘and stubborn, of course. She was quite pretty, especially in our fourth year because we had a Yule... a dance. She wore this pink dress and her hair was totally different. I knew a lot of guys were looking at her then.’

‘From what I can remember,’ Hermione said, crossing her legs under the table, ‘I bumped into you at the dance and what did you say to me? Oh, yeah, you said ‘watch it, Granger’.’

‘But I did think you looked smoking hot in that dress,’ Draco muttered without thinking about it. Hermione blushed crimson, ignoring Michael as he raised his eyebrows.

‘Oh, I remember when you first saw me. Your jaw dropped right to the ground,’ Hermione chuckled, finishing off her starter.

‘Did you two ever date in school?’ Michael asked, putting his cutlery on the table and looking at the two of them.

Hermione just let out a chuckle and stood up, picking up the plates since everyone had finished. She put the empty platter of mozzarella balls on top of the plates and put them near the sink before getting everyone new, main course, plates. She glanced at Draco, willing him to answer her boyfriend.  Draco just watched Hermione go to the grill.

‘Not really,’ Draco said finally, ‘we had a little... thing but it ended pretty soon.’

‘Is that salmon?’ Eva asked, changing the subject swiftly since she knew Draco wouldn’t want to talk about that time.

Hermione nodded, putting the platter in the middle of the table. She cut it into portions and served each of them with a smile lighting her face, ‘grilled fillet of salmon served with a pimento sauce.’

They ate the salmon, making appreciative moans for Hermione’s sake. Draco drank his wine soon enough before having some more. In the middle of eating his salmon, he felt Eva’s foot slide up his leg and he glanced at her, knowing she wanted him to stop drinking so much. They made light conversation about their work, friends, Rose, and where they all came from. Michael worked for a business firm and was born and bred in Australia. He frowned a little when Draco told him he was unemployed.

‘If you’re looking for work, I could offer you a job in my business firm?’ Michael offered as he pushed his plate away from him. He thanked Eva and Hermione when the two girls started to clear the table.

‘Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m not really looking for a job,’ Draco shrugged, the truth was he didn’t want to work when he knew he would be moving on soon. Eva thought that was ridiculous since they had been living here longer than they’d lived anywhere before.

‘Draco, you’ll love dessert,’ Eva said as she helped Hermione get the plates sorted. Draco smiled at her, thankful for the distraction.

‘We can eat the dessert in the living room. I’ll get more wine,’ Hermione said, glancing back at the two men.

‘Come on,’ Michael said and stood up, holding his glass in his hand before moving to the living room and sitting down on one of the sofas.

Draco got up and followed him into the living room, holding his glass of wine. A minute later, Eva came in with four plates and spoons, setting them on the table before taking a seat next to Draco. Hermione bought in a dessert, smiling at Draco as she served them on their plates.

‘Apple pie with custard,’ Hermione told him, her eyes dazzling, ‘thought you would like it.’

Draco smirked a little as she handed him a plate. He took a bite and nodded, ‘wow, this is great. You really should open up your own restaurant.’

Hermione laughed as Michael nudged her as if saying ‘I told you so’. They ate their dessert in a comfortable silence, the television was on and was showing some movie that Draco had never even heard of. Hermione and Michael seemed to be immersed in it and started talking about an actor in the movie. Once dessert was done, Hermione stood up to take the dishes into the kitchen.

‘I’ll help,’ Draco said, patting Eva’s thigh as she started to get up.

Hermione glanced at him while Draco picked up the plates easily and followed her into the kitchen. He put the plates down near the sink and turned to look at Hermione, smirking, ‘how did you manage to turn your life around when you were nearly killed, had gone through one war, were tortured, and all of the other things that have happened to you throughout the years at Hogwarts? How do did you do it, Granger?’

Hermione didn’t look at him but she was aware of how close he was standing and his eyes were fixed onto her. She clutched the counter and closed her eyes, saying quietly, ‘how do you know I was tortured?’

‘My aunt Bellatrix carved the word mudblood into your skin and I heard you scream and I knew deep down that it was you. I thought I was going crazy because you were... you were supposed to be dead,’ Draco muttered, taking her arm and turning it to see the word mudblood still carved into her skin. Hermione looked down at her arm too and frowned as Draco said, ‘I can make that vanish.’

‘Just like you made this vanish?’ Hermione asked, grabbing his arm and lifting his sleeve to see the dark mark. She furrowed her brows as she saw it after such a long time.

‘This is dark magic, I can’t get rid of it. You don’t know how much I want to... but I can get rid of yours,’ Draco said, moving his arm away from her hold. He looked at her, ‘and you didn’t answer my question.’

‘Draco!’

Draco took a step backwards as Michael came into the room, followed closely by Eva. He didn’t notice that anything was wrong since he was holding up a specific key and grinning. Hermione walked over to Michael and gave him a look that he ignored. Draco raised his eyebrow, looking at the key.

‘Let me show you my brother’s car. He left it here with me and he’s going to collect it in two days,’ Michael said, looking at Hermione and Eva, ‘you both come and see it too.’

‘I’ve already seen it and Rose is asleep. I can’t just leave her,’ Hermione rolled her eyes.

‘She won’t wake up,’ Michael assured, ‘it’ll take a minute. Get your shoes and coats.’

Hermione still looked doubtful but she followed Michael out of the kitchen. Eva smiled at Draco, pulling on his hand. They put their shoes on and coats, Draco lent his to Eva, and they walked out of the apartment. Eva grimaced slightly at the dramatic change of scenery. Hermione’s house was so comfortable and cosy but the building was cold and scabby. She was thankful to be out and in the night even though it was cold.

‘She’s a beauty, right?’ Michael asked as they got to a white car just outside of the building.

‘Wow, she’s beautiful,’ Draco said, smoothing his hand over the car as he checked it out from the front and then the back.

The car was a glossy white that had absolutely no flaws in it. It’s tires were clean and ready to go, it’s hood was detachable, and it was a really beauty. Draco wasn’t into cars much but he did know how to drive. They had been living in France when he learned along with Eva, just in case. He looked at himself in the window of the car and his eyes found Hermione’s who was standing there and looking at him through the window, looking at the excitement in his eyes.

Draco turned around as Michael threw him the keys. He caught them easily and raised his eyebrows.

‘Take it for a spin,’ Michael smiled.

‘Oh, no, I couldn’t take it for... a spin...’ Draco said, looking back at the car. He really wanted to drive it but it wasn’t his car.

‘Come on. Of course you can,’ Michael said and looked at Eva, ‘you go with him. Just a short car ride.’

Eva raised her eyebrows, looking at the car apprehensively. She shook her head, ‘I am not getting in that car. Draco will undoubtedly want to drive with the hood down and my hair’s really nice today. Oh, I know. Hermione, you go with him!’

‘Me?’ Hermione asked, standing with her legs close together and her arms wrapped around herself. Draco glanced at Eva, knowing she was doing this on purpose, and then looked at Hermione with a slight shrug. Michael also looked at Hermione as she raised her eyebrows, ‘you want me to get in that car with Draco Malfoy?’

‘Come on, it’ll be fun,’ Draco shrugged, unlocking the car and watching the hood slowly pull back. He walked around the car, touching the front with the palm of his hand, and got into the drivers seat, looking at Hermione, ‘get in, Granger!’

‘Um... I don’t...’ Hermione turned to Michael who nodded at her. She sighed, getting into the car as Draco grinned, ‘go up to my apartment and make sure Rosie doesn’t wake up.’

Draco started the car and glanced at Hermione who watched Michael and Eva go indoors. She then turned to him and fastened her seatbelt as Draco slowly came out of his parking space and increased his speed, changing gear. Hermione’s hair flew out as he gradually got faster, turning and going nowhere in particular.

‘Will you slow down?!’ Hermione yelled as the engine groaned. Draco smirked at her and put his foot down on the gas pedal, making the car zoom down the street. Hermione’s hand clutched his arm and she closed her eyes, biting her lip, ‘DRACO!’

‘What?’ Draco yelled over the noise of the car and the screaming wind. The houses were flying past them and the wind made his eyes water. He glanced at her to see her eyes were tight shut. His smirk grew as her hand tightened on his arm.

‘Please, slow down!’ Hermione yelled.

Draco pressed in the clutch and pressed the brake, slowly slowing the car down. He tucked himself in between two other cars and rested his head back. Hermione’s heart was beating wildly in her chest and her grip on his arm slackened a little. She tried to calm her heart beat and opened her eyes to look at him as he rested his head back and closed his eyes. He looked so peaceful, so happy.

‘You’re psychotic,’ Hermione muttered, letting go of his arm.

‘You loved it, really,’ Draco chuckled and he opened his eyes to look at her.

‘Can we just go home? I have dishes to clean,’ she said, looking at the houses around them. They weren’t far from her house and she thought she knew the way if she had to guide him.

‘You’re no fun,’ Draco muttered as he started the car again and pulled out. He started to drive the way he had come but a lot slower now. Hermione guessed that he would want to talk so she wasn’t surprised when he said, ‘can you answer my question now, Granger? How the hell did you cope after everything?’

‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ Hermione said, looking at the familiar houses.

‘I need to know,’ Draco looked at her.

‘Keep your eyes on the road!’ Hermione yelled at him. She looked at Draco as his eyes fixed on the road ahead and sighed, ‘like I told you before I was in a coma after all that blood loss but when I woke up, my only thought was of... you. I was depressed, clinically depressed, Draco. I waited for you, thought of you and that night and what you had to do. I... had to get away from all of that so I moved here. That’s all there is to my story.’

‘I’m here now...’ Draco muttered so quietly he wasn’t sure she had even heard him. But, of course she did. Hermione looked at him and let out a sigh.

‘It’s too late,’ Hermione muttered back, looking away from him, ‘I have Michael.’

‘He doesn’t deserve you,’ Draco said as they approached her apartment. Hermione’s jaw opened in shock and awe. How dare he say that when he hardly knew Michael. Draco tucked into a parking spot and put the hood of the car up before turning to Hermione, ‘I mean that.’

‘And you think you deserve me? I was dying, blood was pouring out of me, and you did nothing to save me,’ Hermione spat out before opening the car door and then she leaned down and said her final piece before closing the door, ‘after everything we’d been through, Draco!’

Draco closed his eyes as she banged the car door shut and walked briskly up the walk way and to the building where her apartment was. Draco opened his eyes and watched her go, groaning a little to himself. So much for forgetting the past and letting her be with Michael.

He couldn't.

He couldn’t stand watching her and Michael together. Draco got out of the car and locked it before making his way into the building and up to her apartment. He walked in to find Eva and Hermione exchanging something on pieces of paper. Michael grinned at him when he saw him.

‘Great ride,’ Draco said, tossing the keys over to him before going to stand next to Eva. His eyes locked on Hermione who ignored him and hugged Eva goodbye.

‘Thank you for coming,’ Hermione managed a smile. Michael nodded and shook Draco’s hand before wrapping an arm around Hermione’s waist.

‘Thank you for the food,’ Eva smiled at her and pocketed the piece of paper, ‘we should go out for drinks soon.’

 ‘I’m up for that,’ Draco said, looking at Hermione who glared at him. He rolled his eyes subtly as Eva pulled him to the door. Hermione and Michael followed them as they got just outside the apartment.

‘See you guys later,’ Eva smiled and waved. They all said their goodbyes and Eva and Draco walked down the corridor and then down the stairs as they heard the apartment door close.

‘She looks just like the pictures you drew!’ Eva said as soon as they were out of the building. She took his arm with a huge grin, ‘exactly like the pictures and she’s so nice! And... you have to fight for her, Draco.’

‘Eva, she has Michael-’ Draco started to shake his head.

‘But you and her... both of you have a connection. Draco, just try, okay?’ Eva asked as she leaned into him.

‘I can’t believe you’re persuading me to go after another girl,’ Draco chuckled.

‘Draco, I love you but we both know that we’re better as friends with benefits rather than being together,’ Eva muttered, ‘and I know that you can’t stand not to be with Hermione so you have to try.’

Draco smiled down at her. Of course, he was going to try and get Hermione back. The thought of not being around her drove him insane. The only reason he was holding back was because of Eva but if she told him to go for it, he didn’t have any other reason not to. Well... that wasn’t true. Hermione seemed to be annoyed at him, she had a boyfriend, she had a well established life here, and she had Rose.

 ‘I love you too,’ Draco said to Eva and kissed her cheek.

He would handle all of that if need be.

---

A/N - Takes a lot of will power and time to write this but I hope it was worth it :)