50. Chapter 50 (2/2)

draco wished donald goodnight then stopped by blaise's office to say goodnight to him as well. as usual, the office was empty so draco headed to the lifts. his plan was to wait for hermione at the back lobby lifts instead of going home then turning around to go to theo's. it made more sense for them to go directly from the ministry.

while he stood there waiting, draco wondered if he should check on his mate

ian. he'd sent a card by owl services, but knew he should do more. after all, he'd been team leader when the accident happened and should take more responsibility for a wizard who didn't have any other family. draco malfoy couldn't believe his thoughts. he was thinking about the welfare of someone else. who knew that would ever happen? he was in the middle of a laugh at himself when the lift doors opened, and out stepped hermione.

hermione who had been in deep thought stepped out of the lift in the middle of draco's chuckle.

"hello love," she said, automatically giving draco a peck on the cheek. "what a nice surprise. you're in a good mood. has blaise come to his senses? i'm glad one of us has had a good day."

taking hermione by the arm, draco asked how she could have had a bad day when she worked with her most ardent admirer.

at that moment, the enormity of the day overwhelmed hermione and she teared up. "i sacked my most ardent admirer and his witch today."

not really caring about the reason, draco stepped in front of hermione so no one could see her distress, draco who was internally rejoicing over the news, kissed her on the forehead. "my apologies love for my untimely bit of humor. what did boot do to get himself sacked from the best position he'll ever hold by the witch he most admired?"

hermione sighed. "not now love. we are expected at theo's, and i want to be in good spirits when we meet declan."

draco didn't argue. all he knew was boot must have really crossed a line if his best confidante had given him the push off. draco wasn't a fan of public displays of affection in the ministry, but he leaned in to put a quick kiss on hermione's lips. "alright love." he replied softly. "we'll discuss it another time. it's only 5:30 or so. would you mind if we stopped by

ian's flat. i'd like to

ing him dinner and check on him."

"i don't mind." hermione agreed somewhat listlessly. "as long as we get to theo's by 6:00. i do not like being late."

"our stop will be quick. i promise."

/*/

and the stop had been quick. donald was already there and had

ought a dinner as well. so draco dropped off the dinner and dessert, left a few irreverent remarks then he and hermione had been on their way.

"

ian is mending well. things could have been so much worse. i'll be glad to see the bloke back at work."

hermione nodded. "i'm sure

ian will be glad to get back to work."

knowing that whatever had transpired that afternoon at granger & associates was bothering his witch, draco simply placed her arm in his then apparated to theo's.

/*/

hermione turned on her

ightest smile as she and draco stood there waiting for theo to answer the door. the smile was somewhat wasted as it was cely who answered the door to welcome them in.

"welcome to nott house mr. draco, miss. mr. theo asked you be

ought through to the living room when you arrived. please follow me."

not wanting hermione's current frame of mind allow her to bump heads with theo….again, draco gave her hand a little squeeze of assurance as they followed cely to the living room.

theo came towards draco with his hand outstretched and declan on his heels. he shook hands with draco then stepped aside so declan could do the same. small wizard and big then turned to hermione offering a small bow.

with a nod from theo, declan began to speak. "welcome to our home wizard malfoy and witch granger. it's a pleasure to meet you both. we have prepared a lovely dinner for your visit. we will be dining shortly."

"declan. you may call draco mr. malfoy and hermione miss granger. you may also beware of how loosely you hold your tongue. we've spoken about this. please go get your aunt esther so she might greet our guests, then come back and have a seat on the couch."

theo smiled and shook his head. "my son, the loquacious orator. he'd talk your ear off if you let him, but we're working on that. how have you both been faring? let's have a seat in the living room. would you care for a before dinner drink?"

hermione didn't respond, so draco answered for them both. "we've been well theo. thanks for asking, and a drink sounds fine. i'll have a

andy."

turning to hermione, theo inquired why she wasn't very talkative.

turning her

ight smile back on, hermione answered that he had caught her on tuesday which was her quiet day."

"theo laughed. "as if. but if that's your final answer, that's the answer we'll go with. would you care for a white wine?"

"a wine would be lovely. thank you."

/*/

by the time the drinks arrived, declan and esther were seated on the long couch alongside hermione. declan kept stealing glances in hermione's direction before actually coming out with a compliment.

"you are lovely miss granger. my mother…"

"enough declan. i do not want to speak crossly in front of visitors, but i will if you continue to speak out of turn. apologize."

even after he'd been warned, declan had an easy answer. "i don't want you to speak crossly in front of visitors either father. my apologies miss granger if i spoke out of turn."

hermione reached over to pat declan's hand. "i don't want to make your father cross either, but i will say that it was a lovely compliment. by the way." hermione added, reaching into her beaded bag. "with your father's permission, i'd like you to accept this gift from draco and myself."

declan glanced at theo who answered with an affirmative nod.

accepting the package with a wide smile, declan almost went spastic when he removed the wrapper to find the expertly bound, gold trimmed copy of the tales of beetle the bard." thank you so much miss granger and mr. malfoy. i've never had so many books in my life. i know this will end up being one of my favorites."

"that's lovely," echoed esther. "cely will be calling dinner shortly. please put the book in your room for now."

"yes aunt esther. i'll be quick. perhaps after dinner you'll sit with me while i read."

"as long as your father agrees, i'll be glad to sit with you."

"not a problem esther, but not too late."

declan gave a happy shout as he left the living room to put away his book.

draco and hermione gave each other a quick, puzzled glance. this aunt esther was entirely different from the witch who had upended the repast for padma.

theo was not obtuse. he recognized the look between draco and hermione and lowered his voice to answer the unasked question. "esther and i have come to good terms. we are family. additionally, she has been an exceptional help with my son." he continued, emphasizing the words my son.

there wasn't any more time for theo to expand on his comments as cely called dinner.

/*/

hermione did join the dinner conversation while declan did not unless he was addressed directly. it was a pleasant meal which was over all to soon. hermione and draco followed theo back to the living room, but declan bid his father good night, thanked draco and hermione for his gift once more then grabbed esther's hand leading her towards his bedroom.

after a bit of conversation and a last drink, hermione and draco bid their own goodnights to theo. outside, draco was ready to turn into apparition, but hermione put a hand on his arm.

"a minute love. i'd like to spend the night at my flat."

"alright then. to your flat we'll go."

hermione tightened her grip on draco's arm. "no love. if you don't mind, i'd like to spend the night at my flat alone.

the comment caught draco off guard. "alone?" he sputtered before catching himself. "is everything alright?"

wrapping her arms around draco's neck, and laying her head on his chest, hermione whispered her reply. "i have a big decision to make draco. i'd just like to be alone to make it. i'll see you tomorrow after work."

draco remained standing on the spot with his mouth hanging open. hermione had just apparated away without so much as an i love you or a kiss.

"thinking my arse," draco mumbled to himself. "this strange behavior must have something to do with that piece of shite boot. i swear to merlin, if he's asked to meet up to beg for his position, i'll curse the shite out of the bloody simpleton."

draco didn't have a chance to further curse out boot because theo threw open the door wand in hand.

"bloody hell draco. i thought you were some stupid jackarse come to try his luck at dying. why are you standing out here alone cursing up a blue streak? where's hermione?"

an embarrassed draco told theo hermione had gone on ahead.

remembering how volatile draco and hermione's relationship sometimes became, theo decided not to pry any further. "rather than stand out here acting like a villain. why don't you come inside? i can put up with your company for a few more minutes."

draco didn't have anything else planned, so he took theo up on his offer even as he thought about what might be happening at hermione's flat.