New story! I own nothing.

Chapter 1

"Stop crying," Draco Malfoy pled with his daughter as she cried. They were at the market, and despite his desire to not be seen, Lilah had begun to cry minutes after their arrival. Heads turned, patrons glared, some threw piteous looks his way. No one seemed willing to offer any advice on quieting down the child.

There was one face in the crowd that he recognized, and he prayed she hadn't seem him. Just as she passed, the baby let out a high pitched wail, and the curly-haired witch turned to face him. Hermione Granger frowned as she approached. "Is she okay?" she asked. "I heard her clear across the square."

"Go away, Granger," he said with a scowl.

Hermione shrugged. "I could do that," she agreed. "Or I could help. That is, if you'll let me."

He eyed her suspiciously. They weren't friends. In fact, they had never been able to stand one another. He couldn't understand why she would offer to help him. But as Lilah continued to cry, Draco decided he would try anything. Sighing, he said, "Go ahead. Best of luck to you."

She took the baby from his arms and bounced her gently. "Hi, pretty girl," she cooed. "Quite the set of lungs on her. How old is she?"

Draco shrugged. "Eight months," he replied.

Hermione nodded. "Did you know that her nappy is full?" she asked.

Frowning, he shook his head. "I put a spell on it," he muttered.

"Self cleaning charm?" she guessed with a chuckle. Draco nodded. "George tried that once. Poor Roxy got the worst rash from it. I thought Angie was going to kill him for it. Listen, The Leaky is right over there. I could change her."

He knew it was wrong to allow her to take his child somewhere where he wouldn't be able to watch her, but Draco needed a break. "I'll walk over with you," he said. Lilah's cries had decreased to whimpers as they entered the pub. Hermione left Draco for the washroom and returned minutes later with a quiet baby in her arms. "Um, thanks, Granger."

Hermione shrugged. "It's no problem," she replied with a smile. "And look - a happy, dry, rash-free baby."

Draco held the baby who squirmed in his arms. "Do you do this a lot?" he wondered. "Come to the aid of single fathers who can't figure out how to control their children."

"I thought you were married," she said. He shook his head, but gave no more details. "Anyway, no, I don't. I just watch the multitude of Weasley children whenever their parents decide they need a break."

He gestured to an empty table and sat down to feed Lilah. "So, what, you're the Weasley family nanny?" he asked.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I just like spending time with the kids," she replied, looking down at her lap.

Draco continued to spoon feed pureed carrots to his daughter. "Her name is Lilah, by the way," he told her. "I don't think I mentioned that before."

Looking up, she gave him a small smile. "You didn't," she replied. "It's a lovely name though. She looks like you. The carrot on her face even matches the carrot on yours."

Grabbing a napkin, he cleaned his face, then Lilah's. "Hazard of the job," he mumbled. "So, um, it's almost her naptime. Thanks for your help, Granger."

Hermione nodded as he rose to his feet. "I'm glad I could," she replied. "Listen, I'm usually around the market on Thursdays. Not that you need my help, but if you want it, you know where to find me."

Draco offered a noncommittal smile. "Maybe I'll keep an eye out for you," he said. "And I promise not to take any more diapering shortcuts."

"Good," she said with a small laugh. They said their goodbyes, and she watched him and Lilah leave the pub. Sitting alone, she considered the strange, out of character interaction with Draco Malfoy. Though she lived in muggle London, she hadn't thought herself that out of touch of wizarding society. When had Draco Malfoy, husband of Astoria Greengrass, become a single father?

Getting to her feet, she left the pub and the wizarding world behind for her small, two bedroom flat. The sitting room was a mess of discarded magazines and baskets of laundry that needed folding. The television was on and loud. "Oh hey, you're home," her roommate greeted her.

Walking over the the television, Hermione shut it off. "What do you know about Draco Malfoy?" she asked, arms crossed over her chest.

Pansy Parkinson smirked. "So, so much," she replied. "What do you want to know?"

The two had become friends just months after the war had ended. Pansy, cut off by her father for not siding with Lord Voldemort, had spent what little savings she had renting a room at the Leaky Cauldron. Soon, her money had run out and she was on the streets. Hermione had found her seated on the steps of the pub and approached her. Though the two had never been friends and Pansy had been raised to hate all muggleborns, desperation seemed to win out. Pansy needed a home and Hermione had an extra room to fill. The friendship had formed slowly, but the pair had become inseparable over time.

Hermione grinned and sat down beside her. "For once, living with a gossip comes in handy," she said before giving her a detailed report of their encounter.

When she finished, Pansy looked confused. "Wait, that can't be right," she said. "Astoria has never been pregnant. She did leave Draco about a year ago though. This was during his long string of 'business trips'. He'd be gone weeks at a time. She thought he might have a mistress. Maybe that baby is the product of an extramarital affair."

Hermione frowned. "Can't say I blame her for leaving then," she replied. "He seemed...okay with single parenthood. I mean, sure, he didn't think to change her nappy, but I could tell that he really loves her."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Draco has always loved women," she muttered. "He charms them. All of them. Old, young, friend, family member, conquest, complete stranger. He's just got that way about him. I'd watch out, Hermione. You could be next."