Disclaimer: I don't own Draco. Or Hermione. Or basically anything JKR wrote in her books. Like at all.

AN: So basically, Hermione, after her and Ron split up after the war, went abroad for a while, just chilling, and working, and getting away from all the annoying publicity after the war that never failed to force her to relive the horrors she faced. Yeah.

CHAPTER 1

Hermione was excited.

Anyone could tell that when they saw her. She had a bright smile on her face, and her every step was light and bouncy. She briskly walked through the airport, tugging her one suitcase behind her, her backpack slung over one shoulder. Her hair, previously a bushy, untamable mess, had mellowed and tumbled down her back in soft ringlets that bounced every time she turned her head. She adjusted her glasses and then exited the airport, intending to flag down a taxi and make her way to the Weasley's place.

In the taxi, Hermione thought over her life so far. She didn't want to run away from her life, but a long term trip had seemed the best for her. After the war, and after she and Ron had agreed that they weren't all that great together, she just had to get away from everything. So, she politely declined the job offers and such she got, and went to Australia, finding her parents and spending four years there with them.

At least she hadn't missed Harry and Ginny's wedding, since they married just out of school. Hermione left for Australia a mere week after their ceremonies.

And now, she was back. And her friends had no idea. She smiled to herself as she thought about the surprise they were in for. She knew that they would all be at the Burrow because Molly, without fail, would get all her children home for Saturday morning brunch.

When she reached the village near the Burrow, she paid the taxi and began the long trek up the hill to where the Burrow was.

When she finally reached the Burrow, she pushed open the door and stepped in, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. Nothing had really changed, she thought as she saw the mountain of dishes in the kitchen, the frayed sofa and chairs, the family clock that still had Fred's name on it. She smiled sadly for a moment before she heard some rustling behind her and she spun around to see Ginny coming down the stairs with a pained expression on her face, wringing her hands in her skirt.

She stopped when she saw Hermione standing there, a shocked expression coming over her face. "Her-Hermione?" she said, stunned, a smile growing on her lips.

Hermione only grinned at her best friend, who rushed forward and engulfed her in a giant hug. "Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you're back," Ginny squealed, "I can't believe it, we've missed you so much!" Hermione, unable to maintain her composure, squealed along with her and the two hugged each other and jumped in place like school children.

Until a voice came from above the stairs. "What the bloody fuck is going on here?" it said in a harsh whisper, "Keep it down!"

Hermione froze. She didn't recognize that voice, yet she knew who it was.

"Ginny," she said slowly, "Tell me that's not who I think it is."

"It's not who you think it is," Ginny repeated immediately, looking sheepish, and then started rambling, "Of course, that depends entirely on who you think it is, since I can't really give a proper answer without-"

Ginny was cut off when someone came down from the stairs, saying, "Merlin, you're loud Weaselette. It's like you want to be up all night with a grumpy toddler."

Hermione whipped around and stared, wide eyed, at the man. "Draco Malfoy?" she screeched. He recoiled slightly, clutching a small baby in his arms.

"Oh. It's Granger," he said, looking as shocked as she was, "Well, I'll just… go, then" he backed away and hurried off into another room.

Hermione stared after him, open mouthed. "Draco Malfoy?" she repeated turning back to Ginny.

"Umm, yeah," Ginny looked a bit nervous, "So, Harry'll be so excited to see you're back you should see him he's in the living room," she said hurriedly, pushing her in that direction.

Before Hermione could look back at her, Ginny had hurried away to the kitchen.

"Oh, she'll come around," she heard a voice saying as she approached the living room, "I mean, if Ron got over it, she can too."

"But I was horrid to her," a voice groaned, "You didn't see the way she looked at me right then."

Hermione pursed her lips and stepped into the room. Harry and Malfoy were sitting on a sofa in the living room. Harry had the baby Malfoy was holding before, and was bouncing him on his knee playfully.

"Hermione!" Harry's face lit up and he handed the baby to Malfoy, jumping up to give her a hug.

She hugged him back tightly, and then whispered, "I need to talk to you. Now."

He gave her a sheepish look before Draco, seemingly getting the hint, got up and left, shooting a small grin at Harry, still holding the baby. It was then that Hermione noticed that the baby had jet black hair.

"Harry," she gasped, staring wide eyed at her best friend, "Is that-"

"That's James," Harry answered, a wide grin on his face.

"James?" Hermione asked, her eyes widening

"Oh, right," Harry grinned, "James Sirius Potter."

"Oh, Harry, you have a son!" Hermione squealed and hugged him again, "Oh, that's so exciting. How old is he? James Sirius Potter? Oh, that's so adorable!"

"He's one," Harry beamed proudly, "Well, almost, his birthday's in about three weeks."

"Oh, I'm so happy for you two!" Hermione jumped excitedly in place. Then, her face hardened and she glared at her best friend. "Harry James Potter, what is going on?" Hermione demanded, "I feel like I've stepped into the Twilight Zone!"

"He's not that bad, 'Mione," Harry insisted, "He's really changed. Molly loves him! That's why he's always around during our Saturday brunches. Plus, he's great with James and Teddy."

"Gosh, this is unbelievable," Hermione sighing, sitting down on the sofa, "Oh, what else have I missed?"

"Oh, not much," Ginny said, appearing in the doorway, "Just everything."

The two then took the liberty of filling Hermione in on everything that happened.

"Percy got married."

"To Penelope Clearwater, remember, I told you!"

"Yes, Gin, we've heard this several hundred times by now."

"Oh, stuff it, Harry, I'll gloat if I want to."

"Of course you will."

"Well, Charlie got a girlfriend, too."

"How is that important?"

"You've met Charlie! He's not really the settling down type."

"He's not settling down, he just has a girlfriend!"

"Anyways, I hope he brings her to brunch today, it'd be fantastic if you meet her."

"Ron got married.

"Ron did get married! And you'll never believe to who!"

"Pansy Parkinson."

"Harry! You're supposed to give it some time! You can't just blurt it out like that, it ruins the game!"

"Well, they got married about 6 months ago, and they've been traveling ever since."

"Something about Pansy's life dream or whatever."

"Ron doesn't mind though."

"Ooh, and Draco's single."

Ginny said this last line with a wink towards Hermione.

Before Hermione could say anything, Molly stuck her head in, saying, "Brunch is ready, everyone at the table!" Then, she caught sight of Hermione. "Hermione, dear!" She breathed before rushing forwards to give the young witch a hug, "It's so great that you're back!"

"It's great to be back, too, Molly," Hermione smiled, her eyes tearing up slightly.

"Well, come on then!" Molly pulled away, wiping her own eyes, "Let's get to eating!"

When Hermione stepped into the kitchen, she was greeted enthusiastically by the other Weasleys.

"Hermione!" George bellowed, leaping up to pull her into a hug. His girlfriend, Angelina, watched amusedly.

"George, how are you?" Hermione managed, trying not to suffocate.

"Hermione," Percy nodded at her, a small smile on his face. Beside him, his wife waved at her.

"Bill and Fleur are running a bit late," Molly said, rushing to set the table, "Draco, dear, do you think you could get Teddy down?"

Draco nodded and headed up the stairs. "We only just managed to get James down for his nap," Ginny sighed and collapsed in a chair at the dining table, "So I suppose it might be best to just let him sleep."

Draco then came back down the stairs, a hyper Teddy literally hanging from his shoulders. Teddy was talking excitedly, barely even breathing in between his sentences, as Draco struggled to keep Teddy from falling to the floor. Regardless, Hermione found herself staring at him, as he was actually smiling. Like, genuinely smiling.

Hermione sat down with the Weasleys, getting caught up with the noisy bustle of the family. She found herself with a permanent smile on her face, filled with nostalgia and excitement.

"So, Hermione, where are you staying?" Ginny finally asked.

"Oh, you're welcome to stay here with us, dear," Molly immediately offered.

"Oh, that's alright, Molly," Hermione smiled at the older woman, "I've actually got my own place. It's in Muggle London, in a cheery little place called Old Queen's Quarters."

As she said that, Draco choked on his soup. Hermione looked up, startled, to see Harry chuckling, thumping Draco on the back, and Ginny with a funny smirk on her face.

"Oh, heavens above, there is a God!" Ginny cried melodramatically. She shot a smug grin at Draco, who was staring intently at his bowl.

"Ginevra Weasley, what are you on about?" Hermione demanded, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"It's Potter now, sweetheart," Ginny teased, before asking, "So, how are you planning to get there?"

"Um, well, I thought I'd just take the bus," Hermione said slowly, still looking at Ginny suspiciously, "You know, from that village at the foot of the hill."

"Oh, nonsense," Ginny waved her hand at Hermione, the smug smirk still on her face, "Draco can drop you!"

It was Hermione's turn to choke now, as Ginny laughed gaily again. She emerged, sputtering, staring incredulously at Draco, who gave her a wry smile.

"I-what-you-ride-" Hermione tried, and then took a deep breath, "You live in muggle London?"

He nodded. "I can give you a ride if you want," he offered, "Coincidently, I live in the same development."

Hermione stared back at him. She saw Harry nodding furiously at her, and Ginny giving her a hard look, as if she was trying to plant the thought in her head. Hermione sighed. "Sure, that'll be great," she managed. Draco smiled and got up.

"Well, if you're done, Granger," he told her, "I'm probably going to leave soon."

"Right," Hermione stood up sharply, accidently knocking over her water glass. "Sorry," she mumbled, feeling her face heat up. Draco chuckled and started for the door.

"Uncle Draco!" came a small voice and Teddy rammed into Draco's legs. Draco laughed and picked him up.

"How could I leave without saying god-bye to my favorite little buddy?" He tickled Teddy who laughed brightly, his hair changing from its regular blue to a bright orange color.

"Bye Uncle Draco!" Teddy waved at the pair of them, "Bye Aunt Mione!" Hermione melted inside and hugged the small boy, giving him a kiss on the cheek before letting him go.

"Well, it was a wonderful brunch, Molly," Draco said loudly, making the Weasley matriarch beam, "Harry, Ginny, I'll come by later, okay?" He held the door open for Hermione, who waved and hugged and good-bye-ed before leaving with him.

"So," Hermione began slowly as they made their way down the walk, "When you said you'd give me a ride… you didn't mean in a car did you?"

Draco grinned. "What else, Granger?" he told her as they approached a dark blue car. Draco opened the passenger door for her and she hesitantly slid in.

"You… do know how to drive, don't you?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Technically, Granger," Draco told her, "Anyone can know how to drive. The question is whether or not I have a driver's license." He started the car and accelerated sharply, making Hermione shriek and clutch the seat in alarm. Draco laughed. "Relax, Granger," he chuckled, "I actually do have a driver's license, and I haven't been in an accident yet, so you're in relatively good hands."

Hermione shot him an unconvinced look.