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Struggling Through New Beginnings	By : HarryGinny4eva Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 31233 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Spoilers - I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
Disclaimer: Spoilers - I do
not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from
the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter 29

Pansy smiled and waved to Hermione and Ginny who
sat a few lanes over from her. She wished she had been put in their group as hers
was an odd mix. She�d somehow found herself on a team with Fleur and Bill
Weasley and Draco. They played against Parvati, Theo, Lavender and Seamus. When
she saw Ginny get up to take her turn, Pansy turned back to her own group and
caught the end of Draco and Lavender�s conversation.

�Her parents are dentists with their own practice, Malfoy,� Lavender said as
she tossed her hair irritably out of her way. �They can afford to pay for the
cars!�

�I didn�t mean�� he began only to be cut off by the irate woman.

�I know what you meant! You thought because she is muggleborn
that she must also be poor. Well, let me tell you��

�Hey! I just wondered how much it all must have cost is all!� he defended
himself. �I wasn�t attacking her or her family!�

�Yeah, right!� Lavender sniffed. She�d never been very
close to Hermione, but the war had changed her just as it had everyone else.
She didn�t feel they would ever be true friends, but her loyalty was to her
fellow Gryffindor and one of the three to save their world.

Pansy sighed as she stepped between them, �Draco, it�s your turn.� When he
huffed and stepped up to bowl, she turned to Lavender and said softly, �Give
him a break, will you?�

�Why should I?� Lavender persisted in a whisper. �It�s not like he ever gave
Hermione one! And, now what? We�re all supposed to
just forgive and forget? I don�t think so! I know those guys think he�s
changed, fallen for his �I�m so sorry� act, but I�m not buying it! He will show
his true colors sooner or later, and I will be there to catch him!� With that
she flounced off to the other side of the lane and plopped down heavily next to
Seamus.

Pansy sighed and closed her eyes for a moment to rein in her anger. She
reminded herself of Hermione�s words a few weeks back. People will come around or they won�t. You can�t control that. With
another heavy sigh, Pansy opened her eyes once more and found herself looking at Bill Weasley. He gave her a puzzled smile
and she felt her cheeks go warm. Even with his scars, he was a handsome,
roguish man. It didn�t help that he reminded her quite a bit of Ron. When Pansy
felt her neck starting to flush as well, she quickly turned away and took her
seat once more.

Moments later Draco sat next to her and crossed his arms. She saw the lingering
anger on his face and reached out to put her hand on his knee. �Don�t let her
get to you.�

He snorted, �As if!� Then, one hand tunneled through his hair and he added, �I
wasn�t surprised by them having money, dammit! I was
just shocked they would spend so much on one day, what with the party, the
cars, the dinner and all.�

�It�s her birthday. Of course they would,� Pansy said. �Ours would do the
same.�

�I guess,� Draco conceded. Then sighed, �But, not for the same reasons.�

Pansy looked at him and saw he was staring over at Hermione as she concentrated
on her shot. Hermione took three steps and wiggled a little when she bowled and
Pansy was amused to see Draco tilt his head for a better look.

�What do you mean?� she asked, pulling his attention back to her.

�Huh? Oh, um, well, they�re doing it just for her, is all. I mean, they�re
tossing their money about just to make her happy. Ours would be tossing it
about to make sure others knew how much they had.�

Pansy nodded at his insight and looked around once more to find Ron. �True, but
throwing money around doesn�t mean you love someone. Look at the Weasleys.�

�I try not to,� Draco quipped. But, when she narrowed her dark blue eyes at
him, he added, �Kidding, Pans.�

�Uh huh,� she said with a raised eyebrow, before she turned back to watch Ron
bowl. Then she said softly, �I never knew you could physically feel love, Draco.
Like a warm wind crossing your skin, you know? But, I feel it when I watch
Hermione and her parents. I feel it when any of the Weasleys talk about or to
each other. Even when Gin and Ron get into one of their shouting matches, you
still know they love each other.�

�You�ve known love, Pansy,� Draco murmured softly. �Your parents��

�Yes, I guess. But, it�s not the same. It would�ve been nice to�you know.�

Pansy looked at Draco and saw that he, too, watched the Weasleys interact with
each other. She loved her new friendship with Ginny, but she hated the lump of
jealousy that formed in her gut whenever she saw the way she and Ron teased and
picked on each other. And, today, even when Mrs. Weasley had torn into Pansy,
none of her children had cowered in fear. They�d stood up to her, never fearing
the loss of her love. It amazed her.

Her entire life had been built around pleasing her parents. But, it had never
been about love, so much as loyalty. She assumed her parents loved her, and she
figured she loved them in a way. But, what mattered to them was obedience;
quiet and unerring loyalty to the family and its ways. Only in finally getting
to know people outside of their little world, had Pansy come to realize that
love was about giving of one�s self. It was about opening your heart and mind
to someone and hoping they didn�t smash them to bits.

She�d never before known there were so many different ways to love, but she was
learning. Then she smiled to herself when she realized she did know love. Laughing
in happiness when Ginny and Hermione high-fived and did a little victory dance
on their lane, Pansy understood that she loved them. They were the sisters
she�d never had. Hermione and Ginny�her friends.

When Draco bumped her softly and asked what she was giggling to herself about,
she turned to him and realized that somehow along they way she had begun to
love him, too. Not in the way lovers would, but almost like a family member. In
the last few weeks, she had watched him struggle his way back to normalcy. She
had seen him grow and change; and prayed for and cheered on his small successes
each time he had one. After almost a lifetime of knowing each other, he had
gained her trust; she could finally call him a friend.

�Nothing,� she smiled brightly at him. �Just thinking how good it is to have
friends.�

Draco nodded and looked around the bowling alley at everyone. He wasn�t close
to most of them, but he was no longer everyone�s enemy. And, he did finally
have people he could call his friends. He smiled back at Pansy and reached over
to take her hand for a moment, �Yeah. Yeah it is.�

Their quiet moment was broken by an eruption of cheers on the lanes between
them and Hermione. Greg had gotten a strike. And, as it was the first time he�d
knocked down more than two pins, the entire group was happy for him.

She saw the smile of shock and disbelief on his face as everyone around him
cheered, congratulated him or reached out to shake his hand. And, when Ron
reached across and slapped him on the back with a smile, she watched Greg�s
eyes bug out of his head. A tear escaped even as she clapped and a happy laugh
bubbled out of her when she saw the moment, he too realized, he had real
friends.

xxxxx

�Well, I guess it�s my turn,� Ron said as he stood
from his place at one of the long tables in the Granger�s backyard. Several of
them were taking turns toasting the now madly blushing, teary Hermione.

�Hermione, you know I hate to get all mushy and stuff, and I am sure you
figured I didn�t write anything down or whatever. But your Mum said I should
tell you what�s on my mind. So, um, you know I agree with what Harry said. We
both feel badly that your previous birthdays haven�t been quite up to snuff, especially last year�s and I know this doesn�t begin
to make up for it. But, I hope you know I would do anything to see that smile
and watch those eyes sparkle. I love you, Mione. You�re the best person I know
and one of the two best friends a bloke could ask for. I hope this birthday is
all you wanted and more, and that each that follows is that much better than
the last. Happy birthday, luv.�

Everyone echoed his last words and several people wiped away tears. Hermione
got up once more to give Ron a long hug. When she pulled back, he tenderly
wiped her tears away before leaning down to kiss her cheek.

When he stepped back he saw everyone watching and went red as he sat back down.
Hermione went back to her seat when her father stood at the end of the table.

�And, I guess that means we end with me,� he laughed. �I know most of you are
hoping I hurry so we can get to dinner, as it smells amazing.� He waited until
the good-natured laughter rolled away before he sobered a bit and looked at his
daughter.

�Your mum and I thought we would both speak, but just now she decided I better
do it, as she didn�t think she would make it through. I confess I don�t either,
Worm. You can�t understand how proud we are to be your parents. Even when we
worried for your safety, and bemoaned our decision to let you go to that school,
we never wavered in our love, faith and belief in you. Each summer you came
home to us and we got to see the changes you barely noticed. Each day we
relished in having you back with us, if only for a short while. And, at the end
of each summer we worried about letting you go again. We prayed for your
safety. We prayed for you to be happy and healthy, to have friends and to make
it back to us once again. Every year when your mum and I packed your birthday
package, we hoped you�d feel the love we tried to put in there, as well. We
never wanted a day to go by when you didn�t feel the support and belief from us
to you. Today, as we look around at the friends you�ve made, both old and new,
and know the love they have for you which made them do all of this for you, we
know a pride so profound it can�t be measured. We raised a brilliant woman who
many call their friend. We loved a little girl who became a hero. And, we
praise your future, which seems so very bright.

�Tonight, Jean and I offer three toasts. One for all of you
who befriended, protected and loved our baby girl on the many birthdays we
missed and invited us to share in this one with her. The next toast is for the
Weasley family and Harry, without whom Hermione wouldn�t be who she is, and
without whom we would have been lost. And, the last, to you, Hermione; the
light of our lives, the love of our hearts, and the child of our dreams; we
love you very much. Happiest of birthdays.�

Hermione let out a gulping sob as she fell into her father�s arms. Her mother
joined the little circle and her sniffles could be heard joining her daughter�s
in the silence that had fallen. Every woman in the yard had been touched by the
sheer power of her father�s pride and love, and dabbed at their eyes. And,
every man swallowed heavily against the tears they bit back.

Pansy sat between Draco and Greg at the second table and blew her nose
delicately as she tried to control her tears. Greg clumsily patted her back as
he fought his own sniffles, and Draco held her hand tightly under the table.
His face was completely void of emotion, but the slight tremble in his hand let
her know how much, he too, had been affected.

When the Grangers once again took their seats, one of the Weasleys called out,
�Speech!� and many others joined in. Hermione blew her nose once more before
she shakily stood and faced them.

�I�I don�t know what to say. Thank you seems so trite after all you�ve done for
me today, no matter how much I mean it. Thank you for being my friends. Thank
you for all the wonderful surprises today. And, thank you, most of all, for
finding a way for me to be with my parents today. You will never know how much
that means to me. Every single one of you played a part in making today one I
will always treasure and I�well, I just thank you. So much.�

When they raised their glasses once more to her, Hermione smiled a watery smile
and said, �Okay, enough. It�s time to eat. And, then I want to see what all�s
in that huge pile of presents I saw back in the house!�

Everyone laughed with her as she sat down. And, then they saw Jean wave her
hand toward the house. People�s eyes widened as a small army of waiters come
out of the house carrying trays of delicious smelling dishes. Conversation
began anew as excitement over each dish mounted, and wine and champagne glasses
were refilled.

xxxxx

�This is so cool!� Parvati exclaimed when the
waiter, who had just sliced roast beef onto her plate, moved away. �It�s just
like you read about in the muggle magazines.�

�I know!� Pansy whispered back. �But, how weird is it to have people waiting on
us, instead of elves?�

Millicent snorted, �Not half bad food either. Even if it is
muggle made.�

Padma laughed softly, �Our father had a muggleborn friend once when we were younger who had a
butler. That guy did practically everything for Mr. Contid.
That was the first time I ever saw a person doing what an elf had always done
at home.�

Parvati joined her in laughter, �Yeah, I remember him. Pad asked him how he�d magicked himself so tall and what he had done with his
ears.�

They all laughed and Padma defended herself, �Hey! We
were six!�

Greg reached out to stop a waiter who circled with bacon-wrapped shrimp and
took a few of the bite-sized delicacies before he commented. �Well, I admit to
being a bit surprised by all of this.�

When several people raised their eyebrows at him, he hurriedly continued, �I
don�t mean anything bad, I just�I never knew muggles lived like this. I mean,
we had to watch television at least three times a week for an hour over the
summer, but it was mostly those news shows. I didn�t know muggles could be
rich!�

Theo nodded in agreement, �I can admit my jaw dropped a little when I saw the
house. I never thought much about whether Hermione had money or not. But, I
can�t say I imagined her having all of this, either. Did you see the dining
room? I swear those were antique chairs!�

�They were passed down from her great-great grandparents,� Draco said around
his bite of twice-baked potato. When everyone stopped to stare at him, he snapped,
�What?!�

�How would you know that?� Neville asked in shock.

Draco shrugged and looked back down at his plate as he forked up more potato,
�I do read, you know!�

�About Hermione?� Seamus asked in shock. But, before
Draco could answer Susan leaned forward to see him around Greg and asked, �What
else do you know?�

Draco glanced over at her, ready to tell her to piss off for bating him, but saw honest interest in her round face. He
then glanced over at the other table to make sure none of them had heard the
conversation. He hadn�t felt like he was spying on her during his many nights
in the library researching Hermione�s life, but now it kind of felt like he was
telling her secrets.

He was about to say he didn�t know anything much when Hannah sat forward and
asked, �How old is the house?�

�Um, I think it was built in the early 1900s,� he admitted. Then, when everyone
looked to him for more, he cleared his throat and threw another glance at
Hermione�s table. She was laughing with her parents and Harry and paying him no
mind. His voice was soft when he began again, but grew in strength as he got
into his topic.

�It was passed down through her mother�s family. Her great-great grandfather
was one of the first dentists in the area and THE first to use something called
Novocain, some kind of muggle pain blocker, on his patients. He eventually made
quite a bit from it. Some of the stories said he was quite miserly with his
money, but others said he just knew how to manage it well. Seems he moved his
pregnant wife here to start a new life and when they got here they had next to
nothing. But, he worked and saved and grew his money until the day he died and
his wife worked as his nurse when she could. Eventually, he used the money to
build this place for his wife, son and daughter, so they could hold their heads
high after years of abuse from others in the community. Not many had wanted to
help the crackpot tooth doctor or his poorly dressed family when they�d had
nothing, but when the money started rolling in, everyone wanted to befriend
them. One article said he built the fence around the place to keep people out.
It worked too well, I guess, �cause when he died, he left it to the daughter,
as she�d never met anyone to marry and he didn�t want to leave her homeless.�

�He left it to the daughter?� Dean asked, his mouth
full of perfectly cooked salmon. �Not a son?!�

Draco grimaced and wondered if spending time with Ron and his bad table manners
had rubbed off on the tall, black boy. �That�s what it said. But, it seems she
did find someone, because she gave birth to three children later and when she
died, in honor of her father, she passed it on to her oldest girl. I guess it
kind of became a tradition. Now, it always goes to the first born daughter.�

�That�s awesome!� Hannah said. �I like that tradition. Hermione gets a mini
mansion. All I get is my mother�s jewelry.�

Everyone laughed and Draco continued, �It�s all quite fascinating really. Did
you know they�ve all been dentists, too? And, most of them have married dentists.
I guess Hermione�s going to break that streak though.�

�Oh, we don�t know that for sure yet,� Jean Granger�s soft voice carried over
to their table.

Draco paled as he looked over to see everyone�s eyes on him. He hadn�t realized
the other table had stopped talking and had been listening to his little family
history lesson. He swallowed and tried to find the words to apologize, but the
conversation continued as if it were completely normal for him to have been
discussing Hermione�s personal business.

�That�s right,� her father put in as he glanced at Draco thoughtfully. �Witches
and wizards have teeth, too!�

Arthur reminded them that magic could fix most of their teeth issues, �Just,
look at what it did for Hermione.�

Her parents shot her twin pained looks and she rolled her eyes at them and
huffed, letting everyone know the topic was still a sensitive one in the
Granger home. Draco, the cause of her overgrown teeth back in their earlier
years, shifted in his chair uncomfortably. But, no one noticed as the debate ensued over which way was healthier, magical or muggle
medicine. Even as the conversations around him resumed, Draco sat still and
quiet in his seat. He wasn�t sure what to make of the events of the past couple
of minutes.

No one had hexed him for talking about her. Her mother had smiled at him almost
tenderly. Her father had looked at him strangely, but Draco hadn�t felt any
malice in the stare. Harry and the Weasleys all
stared at him with varying degrees of shock before they turned away to whisper
amongst themselves. And, Hermione had stared at him for a long while, then her
lips had quirked up in a small smile and the wind had left Draco�s body.

When she�d ducked her head and tucked back into her soup, he had seen the smile
stay fixed on her lips. Had he looked in a mirror, he would have seen the
answering one on his. But, as it was, he forced himself to look away and
concentrate on the people at his table and his meal.

xxxxx

It was almost half seven when Hermione looked at
the large pile of gifts she�d opened and expressed her thanks once more.
Everyone sat around the living room and enjoyed tea or coffee with more slices
of birthday cake. So much had happened that day that she was simply
overwhelmed. The presents had been as unexpected as the rest of the day�s
surprises, and she�d laughed and sniffled her way through them.

Molly and Arthur had given her a complete self-updating wizarding encyclopedia
set, Fred and George a box of WWW merchandise and a gift certificate for more,
and Bill, Fleur and Charlie had given her a hundred muggle pounds. The many
young men in her life had been predictable, but thoughtful in their gifts and
she�d received a wand cleaning kit, a new set of quills and ink, and wizarding
gift cards to Flourish and Blott�s. Professors
McGonagall and Dumbledore had written her a letter wishing her a very happy
birthday and gifting her with the ability to use muggle hardware in her
bedroom. She�d been pleased, but confused by their gift until her parents had
had her open the new CD player, DVD player, computer and monitor they had
gotten for her. She�d squealed with joy and then happily explained what they
were to those who didn�t know and promised to allow them chances to use them.

Everyone had laughed good-naturedly at Hagrid�s gift
of a
book entitled, Monsters of the Wizarding
World and the Beings That Love Them, �awwwed� at
Neville�s offering of an aloe vera plant that he had
charmed to regrow as soon as it was cut, and smiled
softly when Ginny gave her a friendship bracelet with her own name on the
dangling charm, and held up her arm to show everyone the match on her wrist
with Hermione�s name hanging from it.

Everyone murmured when she opened Luna�s gift to see a twig that Luna assured
everyone would protect Hermione from Rydgipeua
Syndrome when she was deeply worried about something.

Harry and Ron, having been told about her parents� gift, had pooled their money
and gotten her several games, programs, and accessories for her new computer,
as well as loads of CDs and DVDs. And, her parents added to the pile with a gleaming
set of teardrop diamond earrings. If that wasn�t enough, Greg, along with Theo
and Draco, presented her with a gorgeous set of ruby earrings, necklace, and a
bracelet.

The last gift was from all of the girls, and they giggled as Hermione tore open
the large box. When her mouth dropped open in shock and she looked from the box
to them and back, they all congratulated each other for their success at
surprising her so thoroughly. Hermione leaned forward and started pulling out
things one by one. Soon, laid out beside her, was a new set of dress robes,
matching gloves, a scarf, pretty, low-heeled shoes, and a soft as butter
overcoat.

When she stammered her thanks, Ginny grinned, �There�s more. Look under the
paper.�

Hermione didn�t think as she pulled out more paper and revealed the part of the
gift that made all the girls fall over each other in giggles. She blinked at
the two pairs of sexy, matching bra and panty sets, one red, one green, and
blushed to her roots as she looked at her laughing friends.

�I can�t believe you guys!� she admonished, even as she laughed with them.

It wasn�t until Dean called out, �How about a fashion show?� and her father
laughed, �I think not!� that she remembered everyone was staring at her
underwear. With a tiny shriek she threw the paper back over them and put her
face in her hands.

Jean�s face was as red as her daughter�s, but she laughed along, as well.
�Well, that was fun. Now, how about Molly and I get all of this packed up,
while you lot head upstairs and get changed. We�ll have everything set in just
a bit.�

�Changed?� Hermione asked as Ginny and Pansy pulled her out of the pile and to
her feet. �For what?�

�One last surprise,� Parvati laughed from behind her.

�I don�t think I can handle any more,� Hermione laughed. �And, just what are we
changing into? For what?�

No one answered her as they grabbed their bags and still laughing and teasing,
made their way upstairs. The men divided, went into two guest rooms and shut
the doors. The women split into three groups. Some went to the last guest room,
some to her parents� bedroom and Hermione and the rest to her old bedroom.

�Okay guys. What are we�� Hermione�s voice trailed off
as she turned to see Ginny, Pansy, and Parvati all undressing and pulling
dresses from their bags.

�Less talk, more getting ready,� Parvati smiled.

�But, what do I��

Ginny laughed, �No worries. Vati�s got it covered.�

A hurried shower and short while later Hermione found herself dressed in a
lovely, dark blue dress that clung lightly to her curves, hung off her
shoulders, dipped low enough to display her cleavage, without being vulgar, and
swirled nicely above her knees. Her hair had been piled in soft curls on her
head, with tendrils hanging down the sides of her face and neck, and her makeup
had been done so quickly, she hadn�t had time to complain. She even liked the
light sheen of sparkly face powder that made her skin seem to glow. She
couldn�t hold back her large smile as her companions, who looked just as lovely
in their dresses, gushed about how perfect she looked.

�So, where are we going?� she asked again when Pansy peaked out the door to see
if the coast was clear.

Ginny answered with a large smile, �Well, we had planned to go to a pub or
club, but Professor McGonagall nixed that idea.�

�So, you, Ms. Granger,� Pansy said with a small grin, �Are about to have your
very own coming out ball!�

�What?!� Hermione asked in shock. �No. I don�t need��

Parvati laughed and moved to the door, �This isn�t about need, Hermione. This
is about celebrating your birthday in style!�

�Yeah,� Pansy sighed dreamily, �you get to be the belle of the ball tonight.
And, we only have a few more hours until we have to get back to school, so just
relax and enjoy it.�

Hermione laughed and nodded, even as she teared up
for the millionth time that day, �Gosh, you guys, I can�t believe you did this
all for me.�

�No crying! You�ll ruin your makeup and we can�t use magic to fix it,� Parvati
ordered with a grin. Then she leaned in to hug Hermione, �We love you and you
deserve it.�

Pansy stepped forward and gave her a quick hug, �Thank you for letting me share
this day with you. Happy birthday, Hermione.�

�Oh, Pansy,� Hermione sighed as she sniffled.

Ginny announced it was time to go and the other two left first. Ginny held her
back for a moment and looked into Hermione�s eyes.

�You are the sister I never had and my best friend on this planet. I love you
to pieces, Hermione, and I hope you like this last part of your surprise.�

�I love you, too Gin. Thank you.�

�In the interest of all that�s happened recently I thought I should tell
you, this ball wasn�t our idea.�

Hermione looked over at her, �Who�s was it?�

�Draco�s.� Ginny let that sink in before she added,
�He even suggested that you would look, and I quote Pansy, who quoted Greg, who
quoted Theo, absolutely amazing in a dark blue dress with those legs of yours
on display.�

�He�I�huh?�

When Hermione stopped stammering and just stared at her at a loss for what to
say, Ginny smiled softly, �Come on. Let�s get the belle to her ball.�

xxxxx

Herb waited at the top of the steps for his
daughter and looked out over the collection of young people below. He smiled
down at his wife as she waited for them at the bottom of the steps and then
blew her a kiss. As expected the men had finished washing up and changing first
and had come back downstairs to wait for the women to emerge. Jean, Herb, Molly
and Arthur had quickly changed in the pool house and hurried back to get things
ready. He and Jean had laughed that it was nice to have magical family, as they
would never have finished things so quickly otherwise.

Now, he watched as the young women floated past him and descended the stairs.
It made him smile in memory of his early days with Jean, as their boyfriends
met them at the bottom and took their hands. Everyone looked just perfect, and
he sighed as he thought to himself, �This must have been what that fourth year
ball looked like.�

He smiled absentmindedly at the dark-haired girl with Parvati as they moved
past him and down the steps. Then, he turned and whistled at Ginny as she drew
closer.

�My, my, Ms. Weasley. You look simply divine. I can�t
believe you�re the same little girl who I watched fight with her brothers in
the back yard.�

�Thank you, Mr. Herb. Wait until you see Hermione!�

�Where is the lady of the hour?� he asked looking over her shoulder and down
the hall to the closed door.

�She�s coming. She just needs a minute. I think all the shocks backed up on her
a bit.�

�Is she okay?� he asked as he straightened to go to her. But before Ginny could
answer, and before he took a full step, the door opened and Hermione stood,
silhouetted in the frame.

�I�ll see you downstairs,� Ginny smiled as she turned and headed down the
stairs. Her eyes swept the crowd as she went, and she was pleased to see so
many eyes turned appreciatively in her direction. But, it was the look on
Harry�s face when she got about halfway down that made her gasp. In all their
time together she had never seen that mix of awe, possessiveness, appreciation
and love that was directed up at her as he moved to the bottom of the stairs.

When she placed her hand in his, he breathed, �My God, Gin. You�re
breathtaking.�

She blushed prettily and stepped off the last step, �Thank you, Harry. You look
pretty great yourself.�

xxxxx

Author�s Responses: Wow, you are all
too good to me. Thank you all very much!

kazfeist:
Sad, is that I found a bowling alley when I was there for work and had some
time to waste. I had enough time to bowl a game, but not enough to go really
see anything. I laughed myself silly as I bowled all by myself with the hour I
had. I hope you like the rest of Hermione�s day. Thank you!

Dreamweaver: Yes, you pegged Millie
exactly. She is a very gruff person, but she still has fun in her own way. lol Remember the scene in book 2 where Molly is yelling at
her son's for driving the car, but is at the same time completely fine and
sweet to Harry? That stuck with me throughout the books. And, again when she
mistreated Hermione when she thought Hermione liked Harry during book 4. She�s
a very loving mother, but she tends to be a lot like your average mama bear
with her cubs�strike first, ask questions later. lol Well,
crazy Molly will get another scene soon and I can't wait to see what you think
of her then. ;-) �The fact that you (like
I do with stories I enjoy) could �see� the expression on Hermione�s face when
she realized that Draco gave up magic for a day made my day! I love that you
can visualize it from my writing. Thank you for that AMAZING compliment! I also
love that you understand and appreciate Herb and Jean�s relationship and love
for their daughter. You got it completely right. Herb might be an
overprotective father, but he also realizes that she is 19 years old and away
from him most of the time. He wants to protect her, but he can only do so much.
:-) Last, I must say I sat down to write an �adult� Dramione
story, but this is what came out of the recesses of my brain. I hadn�t intended
it to be so much about �new love� but once it started the romantic dreamer in
me took over and I let it run. The story will get to an �adult� status before
the end, but yeah, for now we both must succumb to their innocent kisses and
blushes and the sweetness of it all. Hugs to you!

margaritama:
That was one of the most eloquent descriptions of Draco and my writing that I
have ever read. Thank you. Yes, Molly needs to learn some of the younger
generation�s forgiveness, but she is feeling her own pain from history and
protecting her family. Just wait, she has another big scene coming. lol Thank you for noticing that I haven�t completely wiped
away all that is Draco; I want him to keep some of his original �bad boyness�. ;-) I will answer your question partly. The
chaperones will be with them for the remainder of the day, but that doesn�t
mean they still don�t get to move things forward. Greg�isn�t he simply lovely?
He deserves a woman who treats him right. And, someday, maybe now, maybe 5
years from now, he will find her. Really glad you are
enjoying Millie, too. She has some of the best dialogue in the story, in my
little opinion. Thank you!

bLondpierogi:
Thank you, hon! You�ve got me using �bloody� in every
day sentences and I live in the US. Hugs and flowers to you!
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Struggling Through New Beginnings