The Excalibur Hotel

Astoria Malfoy surveyed the room critically. It was small but not cramped, with a round table that would seat eight people set for seven. The picture window behind the table opened onto Side Street, not the more popular and heavily traveled Diagon Alley, and the room's entrance was just off the restaurant lobby, so the two families would not be subjected to scrutiny as they walked the length of the restaurant.

"This will do nicely," she said. "Thank you, Patrick."

"Of course, Mrs. Malfoy. I will escort the Weasleys as soon as they arrive."

"Thank you."

Draco was frowning at the round table. "Are you sure about this?"

"Sit down, darling," Astoria said, indicating the chair beside her, facing the doorway. "Rose will naturally sit next to Scorpius, Hermione next to me, and Ron and Hugo in between them. It's the least … inflammatory arrangement."

Draco took his seat, picked up the menu, and frowned at it instead. Astoria knew he wasn't reading it; he always ordered the same thing whenever they dined at the Excalibur.

"I still don't understand why we had to be here half an hour early."

Astoria poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher in the center of the table and took a sip before repeating herself yet again. "Because we're the hosts. It is our responsibility to ensure everything is well-prepared for our guests, just as it would be if we were at home." She then gave a reason she knew he would accept. "Not to mention, arriving early is a position of power."

Draco looked up from glaring at the wine section and his expression softened. "I should have known you had a better reason than making sure the staff were doing their jobs. The service here is always excellent."

Scorpius had yet to take his assigned seat next to his father and was standing in the doorway watching the lobby.

"Sit down, love. They won't be here for a while."

"Don't bet on it," Draco said darkly. "Granger is always by the book. She'll be ten minutes early, even if she is dragging Weasley along with her."

"She's been married for twenty years, Draco. If you can't call her by her first name, at least have the courtesy to use her married one."

Draco returned to glaring at the menu and flipped the page to seafood.

Truth was, he was worried. Astoria could tell by his choice of tie (the green and silver one he always wore to close a deal) and the stillness of his posture. Unlike her, Draco didn't fidget when he was nervous or upset. He got very still and very quiet. This was the most he'd spoken in two hours. In all honesty, she was anxious herself. She remembered Ron and Hermione from Hogwarts (who didn't?), but they were two years ahead of her, and she had never met them. At least Draco had sporadic contact through his Ministry connections, some political topics to discuss with them as well as the ubiquitous Quidditch, but what did she, Astoria Greengrass Malfoy, have in common with Hermione Granger Weasley?

Hermione was Muggle-born; Astoria was pureblood. Despite being upper-level Ministry officials, the Weasleys lived relatively modestly, according to Scorpius; Astoria lived in an ancient manor home with more rooms than many hotels. Hermione had aced her N.E.W.T.s and immediately taken a position in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures before transferring to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Astoria had never worked a day in her life, at least not for pay. Hermione was a heroine instrumental in the downfall of You-Know-Who; Astoria had kept her head down and her mouth shut. The only thing—she took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly—the only thing they had in common was that universal bond, motherhood. Surely they could find some common ground about their children. This was so important to Scorpius, which made it essential to Astoria. And to Draco too, she thought, glancing at him again. This might be the first time he had read the entire menu in all the years they had been coming here.

Astoria took another deep breath and glanced out the window. She was the only adult who had not been present on that terrible night, who had not participated in the bullying and the ridicule. She felt as if the success of this dinner rested on her shoulders, on her ability to negotiate, placate, and manipulate, and while she had learned to do that very well growing up in Slytherin House, she was not at all confident of her ability to smooth things over should Draco start acting like a brat. He had promised her he wouldn't, promised Scorpius he would be polite to Rose's parents, but Astoria had seen his tension increasing every day as this dinner drew nearer.

"They're here!" In his haste not to be seen watching, Scorpius knocked over his empty water glass and nearly collided with his father.

"Watch where you're going!" Draco said sharply.

Astoria shot a quick glance at her son, but his enthusiasm was undaunted by his father's rebuke. Draco was right; it was exactly six-fifty.

Ron Weasley appeared in the doorway first, looking alert and very Auror-ish. His sweeping glance missed nothing, including Scorpius's fallen glass. Astoria reached across the table and righted it as Draco stood and walked around the table.

"Weasley," Draco said, extending a hand. "Good evening."

His hand hung in mid-air. Astoria held her breath and heard a soft gasp as Hermione did too.

"Malfoy." Ron took his hand, shook it once, and both men let go immediately.

"Hermione," Draco said, stepping around Ron and extending his hand again. "You look lovely."

What Hermione really looked was shocked, and she actually gaped at Draco for a moment before recovering herself.

"Thank you," she said, shaking Draco's hand for a beat or two longer than her husband had. "This is lovely," she added, looking around the room. "Ron and I have been to the main restaurant and several events in the ballroom, but never back here."

"We wanted something more private than the main dining room," Astoria said, smiling at her guests. "Not to mention I don't have to clear up afterwards. Astoria Malfoy." She reached out her own hand to Hermione.

"It's not like you would at home, either, what with the house-elves," Draco said.

Oh, she was going to kill him! Everyone in the wizarding world knew that Hermione had campaigned tirelessly for years for the passage of the House-Elves' Protection and Basic Rights Act.

Hermione's face froze in mid-smile, and the hand she had stretched out towards Astoria's balled into a fist. Draco eyed it warily until Hermione relaxed with a visible effort.

"I was pleased to see the last inspection report showing you in full compliance," she said.

"Even those of us who are not goody-two-shoes find life easier on the right side of the law," Draco said.

Ron made a not-so-subtle move, placing himself between Draco and Hermione.

"You must be Rose," Astoria said quickly, smiling at the young woman standing stiffly beside Hermione.

Rose jerked her attention away from Ron and Draco. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy."

Astoria shook the proffered hand. "How do you do." Rose was pretty, if not classically so. She had her mother's heart-shaped face and brown eyes, her father's freckles, and her curly hair was a blend of both of them, darker than Ron's but redder than Hermione's.

"This is our son, Hugo," Hermione said, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder and drawing him forward.

"Hello," Hugo said, shaking hands with her and Draco before performing that dreadful rhythmic hand-greeting with Scorpius. It looked to be the same one Al Potter used.

"Let's sit down, shall we? I'm sure Patrick will be in soon for drinks." Astoria led the way to the table, and as she and Draco resumed their seats and Scorpius sat down from greeting Ron, the Weasleys acted exactly as she had predicted: Rose took the chair next to Scorpius, Hugo sat beside his sister, Hermione sat next to Astoria, and Ron took the empty chair between his wife and son.

Patrick must have been watching from just outside the door because they were still scooting in their chairs when he appeared. Draco ordered two bottles of wine and ignored her kick under the table; she had explicitly instructed him to give Ron a choice in the selection.

"I had Arithmancy with your sister," Hermione said, nodding as Astoria held up the water pitcher inquiringly. "She was a bright pupil."

Astoria wrinkled her nose. "Don't remind me. My marks were never as good as hers."

"How is Daphne? I don't think I've seen her since we left school."

"She's doing well," Astoria said, pouring for Ron and Hugo as well as they held their glasses out to her. "We just returned from a week together on the Riviera."

"Oh, that's right. Scorpius said you were traveling. I love the sea, but it's such a hassle keeping Ron from getting burned. He never tans, no matter how much sun he gets."

"Draco is the same way," Astoria said. "For someone who did so well in Charms, I've never understood how he could be rubbish at sun protection spells."

Draco and Ron glared at her and Hermione, then seemed to realize they both agreed on something and looked away from each other.

"I assume you know what you want to order, since you've been here before?" Draco said.

There was a slight edge to his voice that Astoria recognized as nerves. She glanced at the Weasleys, worried they would take it as rudeness. Ron's posture was rigid and his gaze sharp, but he said nothing.

"I don't know," Hermione said, opening her menu to the first page. "I thought I wanted fish—their grilled salmon is excellent, you know—but then Hugo started talking about steak, and now I can't decide."

"We'll leave you for last, then," Ron said, closing his menu and laying it beside his plate.

"Mum always reads the entire menu, no matter how many times she's been to a restaurant," Hugo said, rolling his eyes at his mother.

Astoria knew that expression well; Scorpius still did it to her on occasion, despite Draco's rap on the head whenever he caught him. But Ron was too busy watching Draco to notice Hugo's attitude.

"Well, that should take all of thirty seconds," Draco said, closing his menu at last and reaching over to stack Astoria's and Ron's on top of his.

Hermione looked up, and both her and Ron's expressions were suspicious. Hermione relaxed first, returning to her perusal of dinner choices. How intense had this rivalry been if even a backhanded compliment was received so skeptically?

Patrick materialized with the wine, offered it to Draco for his approval, which he gave with a curt nod, and began pouring. "Are you ready to order?"

"Hermione?" Draco said courteously, and again, she seemed surprised. Whether at his manners or his use of her first name, Astoria couldn't tell, but she was starting to get annoyed. Draco could be perfectly charming; there was no need to act as if his manners were alien.

"Start with Ron," she said, turning a page.

Patrick took Ron and Hugo's orders, but Rose was so absorbed in whatever Scorpius was saying she hadn't noticed it was her turn.

"Miss? Miss Weasley?"

"What?" Rose spun around.

"May I take your order?"

Seeing the entire table watching her, Rose flushed and fumbled with her menu. "Er, I'll just—I'll have—" She looked to her mother for help, but Hermione's nose was buried in the desserts section.

Patrick waited patiently.

Draco cleared his throat and gave Rose a pointed look. Astoria couldn't figure out why he was pressuring the poor girl until Ron spoke up.

"Take your time, Rosie. Order anything you like."

Wonderful. Draco was baiting him by picking on his daughter. Astoria slid her foot over and pressed the heel of her shoe into Draco's instep. He gasped and glared at her.

"They're our guests," Astoria hissed. "Guests, Draco. That means you are considerate and helpful."

Draco gave her a look she hadn't seen since the last time she suggested he volunteer at St. Mungo's instead of just sending a check, but he did take her advice.

"The prime rib is excellent, Rose, or maybe grilled salmon, like your mother?"

"Dad, Mrs. Weasley is not a fish!"

Astoria noted the barest hint of pink in Draco's pale cheeks.

"Prime rib, well done," Rose said, passing her menu to the waiter. "And a jacket potato, please."

"Well done?" Draco grumbled. "Why bother?"

"I don't play with my food before eating it, so there's no reason not to make sure it's dead," Rose said.

Ron smirked at Draco as Patrick took the last of their orders and left the room. Scorpius and Rose immediately resumed their conversation, and the tension between the adults tightened.

"So," Hermione said in a falsely bright voice. "Rose says Scorpius has been accepted to the Auror intern program this summer. You must be very proud."

Astoria's annoyance with the witch vanished, and even Draco looked pleased. "Yes, we are," she said. "Scorpius is thrilled."

"To be honest," Draco said, taking a sip of wine, "I'm surprised you approved him, Weasley."

"It wasn't for lack of trying," Ron muttered. He jumped slightly, as if Hermione had just kicked him, and spoke in a normal tone. "His qualifications are impeccable."

Draco's gaze narrowed and Ron met it squarely.

"Hugo, you're—" Astoria groped for the details Scorpius had shared about Rose's family. "You'll be a fifth year, correct?"

Hugo, looking immensely bored despite being addressed directly, nodded.

"Any ideas for a career?" Astoria said, desperate to keep the conversation going. "Maybe an Auror, like your father?"

"I don't think so," Hugo said. "I like working in Uncle George's shop."

"George says he has a real head for business," Hermione said, smiling at her son. "Especially marketing. Have you seen the new advert on the Knight Bus? Hugo designed that one."

"Mum…."

Astoria hadn't (they never had a need to ride the Knight Bus), but Draco said, "That one's clever. Well done."

"Thanks."

More silence, but this one was more awkward than tense.

"And congratulations on winning the Quidditch Cup," Draco said. "Scorpius said it was a close match."

"I cannot believe he just said that," Astoria breathed, staring at her husband.

"Me either," Hermione said, sounding impressed. "I've always thought Draco would bleed green if you stuck him."

Astoria laughed. "He does."

"Do you follow Quidditch?" Hermione said as Ron joined Hugo and Draco's conversation about the Hogwarts' teams.

"Not at all."

"Oh, good," Hermione said. "Neither do I."

Astoria thought she quite liked Hermione Weasley.

()()()()

Dinner had not been as bad as Hermione feared; in fact, once they got the conversation rolling, it had been rather enjoyable. She and Astoria had discussed their children, their favorite beaches, the new store hours in Diagon Alley, and even house-elves. As a woman who had been around house-elves her entire life, both as a recipient of their services and an employer, Hermione found Astoria's thoughts on implementing and monitoring the new regulations enlightening and helpful and had a series of notes crammed onto the back of her grocery list. Quidditch had kept Draco, Ron, and Hugo entertained all the way through dessert, and even Rose and Scorpius had joined in. Although the discussion had been spirited, it wasn't malicious, and Hermione knew Ron had enjoyed the opportunity to brag on both Hugo and Ginny.

"Mum?" Rose and Scorpius stood behind them, hand in hand. "We're going for a walk."

Hermione glanced outside; it was still daylight, but barely. "All right. Stay on Diagon Alley and—"

"I know, Mum," Rose said. "Don't go past the Leaky or the Wheezes."

That had been the children's boundaries in Diagon Alley for—well, forever really. Hermione knew it was ridiculous to remind Rose, especially at seventeen, but old habits died hard.

"We won't go far, Mrs. Weasley," Scorpius said. "We want to see if there's anything new at Flourish and Blotts."

"Have fun," Astoria said. Then, when the couple was out of earshot, she said, "Of course they do."

Hermione laughed. "Knowing Rose, Scorpius is likely to be disappointed. She won't leave until she's thrown out at closing."

"Assuming that's actually where they're going."

"Rose knows better than to lie," Hermione said. "But if Scorpius is smart, they won't go there straightaway."

"Where's Rose?" Ron said when his sweep of the room came up empty.

"She and Scorpius went to the bookstore," Astoria said. "He's been anticipating a new book by one of his favorite authors."

Ron drew his eyebrows together, and Hermione knew he was disconcerted that he hadn't noticed Rose leave. Patrick and another waiter entered the room and began clearing the table.

"Potter says you play chess," Draco said pleasantly.

Ron stared at him. "That's so weird."

"What's weird?"

"To hear you say Harry's name like that. He does it too," Ron added hastily. "He calls you 'Draco and Astoria.' It just takes some getting used to, that's all."

"Well, do you?" Draco said, his impatient tone closer to the one Hermione and Ron were familiar with.

"Of course."

Draco pulled a tiny box out of his robe pocket and reversed the shrinking charm, unfolding a chessboard onto the empty space between him and Ron. "I hope you're a better player than Harry. I hardly get any satisfaction in beating him anymore."

Ron snorted. "I know exactly what you mean."

Ron and Draco stared at each other, startled by the momentary camaraderie, then busied themselves setting up the board.

"Harry and Draco play chess?" Hermione said incredulously. She watched as Draco held out both fists. Ron tapped one and Draco opened it, revealing a black piece.

"Mm-hmm," Astoria said. "It started the first time Al came over to play with Scorpius. Harry was obviously reluctant to leave, so Draco challenged him to a match. Now I think they both look forward to it, though for Salazar's sake, don't say that to either one of them."

Hermione started at the unfamiliar name.

"No Slytherins in your social circle, eh?" Astoria said, amused.

"Just my niece, Lily."

Draco and Ron shook hands, and Draco made the first move.

"Draco laughed for weeks when we heard about that. He still likes to tease Harry about it. I think he was a bit disappointed when Scorpius fell for Rose instead."

"So was Lily," Hermione said dryly.

Hugo had pulled out a book and moved his chair to take advantage of a lamp in the corner. Ron and Draco, now several moves in, were staring at the chessboard with serious, almost grim, expressions.

"Chess might not have been such a good idea," Astoria whispered, sliding the jeweled charm on her necklace back and forth.

"Maybe it will end in a draw," Hermione said.

"One of them still has to offer."

Hermione's heart sank. It was going to be a long evening.

()()()()

Rose felt her arm stretch to its full length as she and Scorpius turned in opposite directions when they left the hotel.

"This way," Scorpius said, tugging on her arm again.

"But Flourish and Blotts is that way." Rose pointed behind her as Scorpius pulled her down the street and around a corner. "And I told Mum we would stay on Diagon Alley."

"We won't go far," he said, and stopped in the shadow of an empty doorway. "Come here."

"Scorpius—" He had pulled her into an embrace and was kissing her neck. "We should … go …."

"In a minute."

He was kissing her properly now, and Rose felt the tension of the last few hours melting away. She returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into him. Too soon, he broke away, still nuzzling against her hair.

"Merlin, that's better. I've wanted to do that since I saw you walking up to the hotel."

Rose turned and captured his mouth again, sliding her hands into his hair to hold him close, stopping only to breathe.

"I love you."

She smiled up at him. "I love you too. But we should go. I wouldn't put it past Dad to have Aurors stationed out here tonight."

"I'm sorry Dad made the crack about the house-elves. And your order."

Rose took his hand and led the way towards Flourish and Blotts. "Don't worry about it. A little sarcasm was inevitable. Our mums were doing okay, don't you think?"

"I think so. It was nice of your mum to listen to what she said about monitoring the house-elves."

"Oh, Mum's wanted an inside opinion for ages. She just didn't have anyone to ask. Andromeda Tonks helped a bit, but she hasn't lived with house-elves in—well, decades."

"Don't turn around now, but I think someone is following us."

Rose stopped and pretended to examine her reflection in the display window of the Magical Menagerie. "Oh, honestly! That's one of the senior trainees who helped with the extra security wards last summer. Patrick's probably one of them too."

"No, he's not," Scorpius said, lengthening his stride as Rose increased her pace. "He's been our waiter loads of times."

"I can't believe him," Rose fumed, her robes billowing out behind her as she stalked past Gringotts.

"He's just trying to protect your mum," Scorpius said. "And you, I reckon."

"Mum and I can take care of ourselves! And it's embarrassing." And after their lunch on Wednesday too…. She marched up to Flourish and Blotts and straight-armed the door open.

"He's trying, Rose." Scorpius caught the door before it slammed into a display table. "He gave you my intern letter and let us spend the whole afternoon alone together, remember? And he made conversation with Dad through most of dinner."

"About Quidditch," she hissed, dropping her voice automatically as she made for the Arithmancy section. No one ever went back there. "My dad would talk to a tree stump about Quidditch."

"Still, he didn't insult Dad's team or anything. He could have been really arrogant about the Harpies winning those championships, but it just came off as being proud of his sister. Dad said your mum almost died and that your dad was already in love with her. That can't be easy to forgive, Rose."

Rose stopped, remembering those horrible minutes in the cellar of Malfoy Manor. She took a deep breath. "Okay. I guess it's something that he didn't bring the security inside the hotel."

"Maybe it's just a coincidence that Auror bloke was in the Alley. He wasn't in uniform."

Rose gave Scorpius a pitying look. "If you want to be an Auror, you're going to have to be a lot more suspicious than that."

Scorpius stood on tiptoe and peered over the bookshelves. "He's here, over by the Muggle Studies section."

She pulled him into a corner and looped her arms around his neck. "Well, then, let's give him something to report, shall we?"

()()()()

Ron studied the board in front of him. The match was a draw. He knew it, Draco knew it, they each knew the other knew it, and still, neither one of them had actually offered. It annoyed Ron to no end. It was extremely bad form, and he was just as irritated with himself as he was with Malfoy. Ron looked over to where Hermione and Astoria (no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't associate "Malfoy" with a woman) were watching. Hermione's hands were clenched in her lap and her eyes were wide. He could feel her urging him to be the better man. He wished Rosie would come back. He wanted her to see that he was trying to get along.

Draco advanced his rook. Ron made his move, took a deep breath, looked Malfoy in the eye, and said, "I offer a draw."

"Accepted," Malfoy said promptly, extending his hand.

Ron shook it. "Good game. I can tell you've been playing Harry."

"I reckoned he had developed his defense playing against you. We'll have to have a rematch."

Ron stopped clearing the board and looked up. He remembered what Malfoy had written in his invitation: I will not allow you—or any one, or any thing—to stand in the way of my son's happiness. He was obviously including himself in that, setting aside their families' past to make room for their children's futures.

For Rosie, Ron thought, and gave Draco a tiny nod of acknowledgement.

a/n: Ta-da! *beams proudly* This has been a blast, y'all, and one of my best-received stories, so thank you very much! Special thanks to those who have reviewed diligently from the beginning (in no particular order): kankusan, My Dear Professor McGonagall, Il'Diko, The Hapless Quill, LilyMay77, and a double shout-out to misspotter94, who inspired the touch of Scorpius/Lily included in this chapter (even if you do have to tip your head and squint to see it). Rose's comment about the Auror trainee is a reference to my stories "Consequences" and "Auror Take Two."

I have no idea what I'll post next; I'm still working on my Eighth Year Fic (I know, I know, we're all hoping it's worth the hype after—holy cow, five-and-a-half months already!), but I have lots of other ideas and will probably start work on them too. I have posted a couple of one-shots in the last ten days or so and have one more challenge piece due.

And now, LET'S ALL WISH MY BETA vancabreuniter a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! *throws confetti* She adds another year of fabulousness on January 10th. I couldn't do it without you!