As usual, Draco sat in the Leaky Cauldron, in his usual booth, in his usual corner, drinking his usual drink, and scowling, as usual, at any witch who started in his direction. He was tired of witches deciding they liked reformed Death Eaters. He knew most of them just wanted the family money that the pardoned younger ones had. He glared again at his drink, pissed off that his best mate, Blaise, had the audacity to go ahead and marry some Italian witch and leave Draco to himself. The periodic owls Blaise sent were full of stories about children and Italy and his beautiful, gracious, and all-around lovely wife. It seems the hot-tempered witch was exactly what Blaise needed to settle down. Two distinct taps on his table slowly brought Draco out of his musing. He nodded as Harry Potter, disguised as usual, slid into the seat across from him.

"Ferret."

"Pothead."

At the familiar greeting both Harry and Draco cracked a smile. Harry gestured for Hannah Abbott to bring him a drink. She smiled over at the corner and waved her wand to make Harry's usual drink appear.

"Are we ever going to change this little ritual we have, Draco?" Harry asked between sips of Hannah's best firewhisky. It was Draco's turn to pay.

"I doubt it, Harry. We have a nice system here. And we really don't like change much," Draco smirked as the raven-haired wizard toasted his statement.

"True enough. Say, Draco, I hear you have a new neighbor," it was Harry's turn to smirk as Draco flushed and began fidgeting with his empty tumbler.

"Yes."

"Don't hurt her, alright mate? Ronald did enough of that already," Harry trailed off.

"What happened, exactly, with those two? They were like you and Gin, destined to be together forever. The wizarding world's second couple."

Harry frowned at his drinking companion. "It's not my business to say, Draco. And I wouldn't advise asking anyone around here. All they know is one side of the story. I will tell you this, though: he won't sign the papers and he's the one who asked for the divorce," Harry murmured. Hermione didn't want that part to be common knowledge. As far as the general public was concerned, the assets between the two were so large that it was taking the court months to sort it out. Draco arched an eyebrow before finishing his drink and dropping galleons onto the table. Harry followed soon after, throwing a few more coins down for the tip. Hannah really did have the best service in England.

Hermione was perched on her bed, reading Ginny's reply and petting Bathilda. A whoosh from the living room signaled the early arrival of the redheaded witch and Hermione squealed. She sprinted down the stairs and right into Ginny's waiting arms. Laughing, the two witched hugged tight.

"Oh, Ginny, it's so good to see you!"

"You too, 'Mione! This cottage is just adorable. I love it. It suits you."

"I know! And the library is wonderful, Gin. The study is enormous. Undetectable Extension Charms are marvelous aren't they?"

"Of course they are," Ginny held up the small duffle bag she carried with a smile. "This is still the best Christmas present you've ever given me."

The witches soon had Ginny settled into a room and were in the kitchen sampling some of Hermione's new favorite wine. The idle chitchat soon became gossip, which led right into what had been eating away at Ginny for two days.

"So, is Malfoy still delicious or what?" Ginny giggled.

"Gin, he is still the same nasty little ferret we went to school with. But yes that man could still make Witch Weekly's Sexist Wizard list if he'd ever answer them."

"Did you know," Ginny leaned in. "that Harry meets Draco for a drink every week at the Leaky?"

Hermione gasped. "You mean even after Malfoy had-wait, Draco?" She glared at Ginny. "What else aren't you telling me, Mrs. Potter?"

Ginny looked down guiltily. "He's been round the house a few times. He's wonderful with James. Decent cook, even. And now that he's your neighbor, maybe you could get to know him, too?" Ginny looked hopeful. She was tired of watching her two favorite non-relatives hurting. She knew they were lonely and angry. She also knew no one else could keep up with them. Draco and Hermione had top marks in their year all through school. No one could come close.

Hermione snorted as she poured herself another glass of the wine. "Not in a million years, Ginny."

Ginny rolled her eyes. She had seen the glint of a thought go through the brunette's mind. Hermione was already planning her next "accidental" run-in with Draco Malfoy.