Chapter Text
September 12, 2003
It has been reported that Lucius Malfoy, renowned death eater, was declared deceased early this morning. He was discovered unresponsive and unconscious in his cell at Azkaban, and the cause of his passing is currently unknown.
Hermione’s eyes quickly reread the first three sentences of the Daily Prophet. Her eyes lifted from the page and locked onto Harry sitting at the kitchen table. His expression was tired as he fiddled with the spoon resting in his coffee cup.
“Othello dropped it off this morning,” Harry answered the unasked question. “Yes, Pansy knows. She’s the one who grabbed it from Othello this morning before heading to the cafe.”
“Right.” Hermione pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and dropped her gaze as her brows furrowed in thought.
“He was probably the first one notified ‘mione.” Her eyes quickly found Harry again. He was already staring at her, his body more relaxed in the chair compared to before, but his fingers still fiddled with the spoon. Hermione’s expression quickly melted off her face and one of indifference took its place.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Mhmm.” He responded, letting the conversation drop as he watched her reach into the cabinet to grab her Muggle travel mug. Her hands shook slightly as she grabbed the kettle off the stove and poured the hot tea into its container. Harry rose from his chair and made his way to the sink to dispose of his mug. He quickly reached over to place a kiss on Hermione’s cheek, like he had done every morning since she moved into Grimmauld Place after finishing her 8th year at Hogwarts.
“Have a good day at work, ‘mione.” She forced her lips into a small smile as she finished sweetening her tea to her liking, two sugars and a splash of cream.
“You as well.” The lid fit tightly against the mug.
“Are you joining us for dinner tonight?” Harry questioned.
“Oh, I don’t know,” she responded unsure, “figured it would be canceled or changed after news like that.”
“Pansy feels keeping the routine the same might help him.”
“Mmm.”
Harry let out a soft sigh as he watched his friend make her way out of the kitchen and to the front door. “Well, there will be food here for you.”
“See you later, Harry.” Hermione adjusted her bag on her shoulder as she slipped on her trainers. Travel mug held up in the air as she tried to balance it.
The cool air hit her face as she slipped out the door and began the walk from Grimmauld Place to the bakery she co-runs with Pansy. If she had told her younger self that she would later in life become not only friends with Pansy but co-owners, she might have thought she had been polyjuiced and someone was playing a cruel prank on her.
Hermione let a soft smile rest on her lips as she greeted familiar faces with a quick ‘good morning.’ The streets were practically empty at this time, only a few early risers were out starting their day. The keys in her hand rattled together as she tried to find the right one, slipping it into the keyhole, and twisting her wrist left. The bell above the door rang as she pushed it open, alerting Pansy that she had arrived. The smell of freshly baked scones filled her nose as she took in a deep breath. Orange and cranberry.
“Morning, Hermione.” Pansy’s voice sounded out from the back of the store.
“Morning,” she responds as she pushes the kitchen door open, letting it swing shut behind her. She placed her bag in its designated spot by the kitchen door.
“I’m assuming you read the paper this morning,” Pansy stated as she pulled the tray of scones from the oven, placing the tray on the metal countertop to begin cooling.
“Mhmm.”
“And?” Pansy pressed. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
“What do you mean ‘and?’ There’s nothing to discuss. Lucius Malfoy is dead. End of discussion.” Hermione shrugged her shoulders, grabbing a plate of blueberry muffins for the display. Her back knocked the door open as she carefully made her way to the front of the store. She slid the plate into place before turning to make her way back to the kitchen. However, she found her path blocked. Pansy stood in front of the kitchen door, arms crossed as she stared Hermione down.
“I know what is actually going through that head of yours.” Hermione sighed before pushing past her friend.
“I never should have told you about that.” Another plate of muffins occupied her hands before continuing the opening routine. “Well, you did.” Pansy wiped her hands on her apron before glancing at herself in the reflection of the glass window in the kitchen door. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair, a sleek bob falling back into place.
“It was a drunken one-night stand. Never should have happened, in fact, I’m sure in Draco’s mind it never did.” The sticky, sweetness of coffee cake filled Hermione’s nose as she transferred it. “It has been two years since you and Harry got married. Not once has it been brought up by Draco.”
“You left before he even began to wake up!” Pansy passes Hermione a plate of almond scones before making her way back into the kitchen. “I’m telling you, it would have been a completely different story if you had stayed until he woke up.” Her voice echoed in the kitchen.
“Yeah, sure.” Hermione snorted, leaning against the counter, “would have been more heartbroken than I already was.”
Pansy rolled her eyes. She grabbed a metal mixing bowl and added the icing sugar, milk, and a splash of leftover orange juice to the bowl.
“Have you ever thought that you should bring it up first?” The sound of the metal whisk clanging against the bowl filled the silence. Hermione scoffed at the thought.
“That would definitely go over well.” Hermione dipped the small spoon in the glaze before quickly bringing it to her mouth. She hummed at the sweetness. Pansy rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile that found its way to her lips.
“Good?” Hermione nodded, the spoon now resting on her lips.
“You’re going to make me fat this holiday season.” Pansy’s laugh filled the kitchen, echoing around them. “I’m serious, Pansy! Keep making treats like that, and I’ll never stop eating.”
“I have some more tricks up my sleeve for the holidays.” A mischievous look overtook Pansy’s features as she began to glaze the scones. The spoon clattered in the sink as Hermione made her way out of the kitchen. It was nearing time to open, and she still had a few tasks to finish.
“That doesn’t surprise me.”