Ms. Granger, how lovely to see you," came a voice from across the room. "Don't look so nervous!"

Sitting there was Huntyr Sahntiel, the former Head of the Department of Magical Incidents who was moving on to do the same thing but for the Ministry in America. The two were known to work closely together so it didn't surprise Hermione that she was the one interviewing her.

"How are you doing, honestly," asked Huntyr.

"Would it be bad if I said I was nervous beyond belief?" replied Hermione with a nervous chuckle.

Placing her hands on her lap, Huntyr smiled. "Not at all. I hope that if you do get the job that you know that you can always come to me if you ever have any problems. America may be far away for Muggles, but for wizards, it's merely a Floo's call away. Now let's begin. Reviewing your case, I can see that you've had a number of well collected recommendations. Two of them were supposed to be asked of, and I sent out requests for the other two on behalf of Herrera. The two you asked for were that of Harry James Potter and Draco Abraxas Malfoy correct? What a strange pair. Wasn't one an enemy of yours during your school years?"

This was a story Hermione was comfortable with. If the questions were something along these lines, she wouldn't have a problem. "Harry was one of my best friends and Draco always used to pick on me during my school years. Seems like a problem doesn't it?" She smiled. "However, three years ago, as you know, Draco Malfoy appeared upon my doorstep tattered and torn with his three young children. They have now lived with me for the past three years. I figured that within those three years, he has gotten to know me better than he would have during our seven years at Hogwarts."

"I see. Well, we better jump onto the actual questions. You've worked for this same department for the last four years. If given the position, is there anything you would change and how would you make sure that this change comes about?

"Personally, I don't appreciate the way the criminals are handled."

"What are you saying?" said the shocked Huntyr

Hermione sighed. She hated when asked about this. The Ministry treated some of the people in Azkaban as if they weren't human. Although their crimes were atrocious, they were still human beings. And as human beings, they were allowed basic rights. It was just like Hermione's issue and adamancy about S.P.E.W. "They're treated like trash. I understand their crimes are horrific, but that doesn't make them any less human than the rest of us. I know that the Ministry has the responsibility of making sure that the pubic rests assured that they are paying for their crimes. But all the publicity must be awful. I just wish they were treated a little better.

Huntyr hardened her face. "They should had thought about that before they killed innocent people. They got what they deserved." She was shocked if not taken aback by the young woman's response.

"As much as I'd love to argue, it wouldn't do well for my position, now would it?"

Huntyr sighed. She knew of the girl and her exploits out to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and she knew of her rash movement to help to house elves. She couldn't really argue with one third of the Golden Trio now could she? "Well then, moving on, "How often did you bring your work home with you? If you did, was it bothersome?"

Hermione looked, up. These types of questions she knew she would have no problems answering. "No, not often. After working on these cases for several years now, I knew what to look for and how to sort them to their appropriate spots. It wasn't terrible.

"How well do you handle stress and pressure?" This worried Sahntiel. The girl was known for overworking.

"Well enough. Being at the top of my year way back in school helped me figure out the most efficient way to get my work done without stressing over it. I doubt that being head of the department would be any different than being Head Girl.

"That's good to hear. The last thing anybody wants is for you to be overworking yourself and having to bring your work home with you.

This was starting to sound more of a conversation between friends and Hermione wasn't sure where to go with it. "It's not very much of a problem," she said simply.

Scanning over her notes, Huntyr quickly scribbled something down before asking, "What is the greatest advantage you think you have over the other people applying for this job? Why do you think you have the necessary qualifications?

Hermione knew that glancing down at her lap was not going to get her nowhere, nor did it seem very professional. However, Hermione wasn't one for practicality. "I know what it's like to have to work for something you want. This doesn't necessarily mean for my own personal gain but for the sake of others, I know what it is to make sacrifices for things that need to be done. I went to school with two of the other girls, and I know it isn't right to say, but they didn't care to stop Voldemort, now did they? Instead, they sat dawdling, waiting for someone else to do it. And when we, Harry Ron and I, defeated him, they merely reaped the benefits. I don't believe that's how things should be done. By riding on the backs of others, it will only stop you. I don't believe in that. I will work for what I believe is right for this department. I have the organizational skills and the patience to overlook that everything gets done, regardless of the hours I have to keep and regardless of the amount of work I have to put in. I excel in the mere fact that I give everything I have into my work, either here at the Ministry or at home. No matter what anyone says, they can't compete with that."

Huntyr was shocked to say the least. She knew of the girl's passionate nature but never anything like this. It was almost as if she was moved to do something for herself and to strive to be a girl that was several years under her. She took her glasses off her thin face and placed them carefully on her lap. "Well Miss Granger, I think I've heard of enough. As you know, owls will be mailed to your home three days from now with the response on your application." She stood up and held her hand out. "Thank you for your time. You're a very strong spirited woman. Wherever you end up, you will do brilliantly."

Hermione returned the handshake, glad that the interview was over, but preoccupied over the fact that it was so short. Did she receive enough information in order to maintain an opinion about her? She didn't know for certain but she hoped that it would have that much of an effect on her overall application. Giving a curt nod, Hermione walked out the door and straight back to her office where she sat down and got straight back to work.

~.x~

A knock soon came upon her office door, and she barely mumbled a "Come in!" before the person came through the door. Without looking up, Hermione spoke, "Hi there, how can I help you?"

"Mio, its noon. You promised to go out for lunch. Now get your sorry ass away from that paperwork before I have to drag you. Let's go. Now."

Draco Malfoy was standing in front of her desk looking as impatient as ever. Drabbed in his traditional all black outfit that he had donned during the end of his school days, he had just come in from his last class of the day. And right now, he wanted lunch.

"Give me just a second," said Hermione who still hadn't looked up but recognized the voice without a doubt.

"Seconds are for dogs. Up. Now." Sensing that the witch had no desire to move, Draco maneuvered around to stack of alphabetized files and promptly lifted Hermione directly out of her seat, forcing her to drop her pen on a file and causing her to groan.

"Draco, was that really necessary? Now when I get back, I'm going to have to redo the whole paper."

"Yes, it was. Use White-Out for God's sakes. No need to re write the entire damn thing." Draco had first discovered white out a few months after moving in with Hermione. At this time, he was still staying at home, but had taken to watching her work. A similar situation had occurred where Hermione had dropped her writing utensil and caused millions of ink blots, and being the perfectionist that she was, she just wasn't able to handle such a mess. True, she took out the biggest bottle of white out that one could ever buy and used half of it to clean her paper. (She had previously tried to Scourgify the damn thing but the purpose of the ink that she had bought was to prevent and sort of spell from destroying the ink. Which is why she resorted to Muggle methods.)

"White out ruins it!"

"Then why do you bother using it?" asked an exasperated Draco.

"Because it's better than rewriting."

"You're not helping your case," said Draco. He pulled onto her arm. "Leave it there. You're leaving now. Now go tell Cristine. If you don't come out in ten minutes, I'll come back and carry you out until you decide to leave on your own. Ten minutes, Mio." Smiling, he walked out of the room knowing that she'd be out in five, because she didn't want to cause a scene.

True to his thought process, she came running out with a small pout on her face, and upon seeing her, Draco couldn't help but laugh. "You're going out to eat Hermione; you look as if a puppy died. Let's go."

"One minute, I still need to tell Cristine. Here" She held out her handbag, which he grabbed for her.

'Merlin, what does this woman carry with her? The entire Muggle population?' he muttered. Meanwhile, Hermione had gone off to see her quirky, if not completely spastic receptionist, who was currently on the phone with what had to be another client, wishing for a case against some criminal.

"I'm going out to lunch," she mouthed but with no acknowledgement. "I'm going out to lunch," she mouthed again, but this time, with the slightest of nods. With that, Hermione walked out the door and right passed Draco. He assumed he was meant to follow her.

"Where do you feel like eating," she asked him as the two walked briskly toward the edge of the Ministry where the Floo Network was set up as there were Apparition points there as well. A few faces had turned to see them walking and talking together. Although they had been close friends for three years now, some people couldn't help but stare at the heroine and deem that she was fraternizing with a known Death Eater. They had learned to ignore them.

"What was that place you took me to a couple months ago?"

"That's helpful," she remarked.

"Shut up." He whacked her lightly on the shoulder. "It was some type of barbeque place. Where you cook your own food? And they bring you loads and loads of meat and there's a two different type of dips and things? Let's go there." If it hadn't been for the fact that Hermione was good and understanding Draco gibberish, she would have never have understood that he was talking about Korean barbeque.

"Let's go then." She held out her hand, as she doubted Draco remembered Muggle street names. He took it and they both felt the familiar tug behind their navels as they apparated to Shaftesbury Avenue where they happened upon Naru's Korean Restaurant.

"Shall we?" asked Draco as he opened the door for her. Hermione walked in the quaint little restaurant. Light blue coated the walls and each booth was set up for four with a burner and stove in the middle of the table.

"Just you two?" asked the waitress.

"Just us,"

"Follow me then"

The young waitress led them to a secluded booth in the back with a clear view of the television that was showcasing some football game.

"What will you two be having?" asked the waitress.

"The two all you can eat platters. I'll have a Coke as well." Hermione told her as she handed the useless menus back.

"And you? What will you have to drink?"

"I'll have a bottle of Hite."

Hermione looked skeptical. "Draco have you ever tried it?"

"No, but it never hurts to try something new," he replied with a shrug.

"You won't like it, it's incredibly dry." said Hermione still trying to convince him otherwise. He crossed his arms and leaned back.

"Forget it. I'm getting the damn thing."

"Suit yourself." The waitress left and Hermione gave him a look. Trying to distract her, he switched up the conversation.

"How did your interview go?" asked Draco as Hermione tried to grab all the utensils needed.

"Alright I guess. I feel as if it was too short and that very few of the questions were actually related to the work I had done previously."

Draco quirked an eyebrow, "That's strange. I heard that at least one other interview lasted for at least an hour and a half." He immediately noticed the concerned expression on her face and he quickly attempted to comfort her. "Don't worry yourself over it. I'm sure it was short simply because you are the smartest witch of our age."

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him and almost responded with something witty when the waitress returned with her coke and Draco's giant bottle Hite.

"What would you like to start with?" asked the waitress while replacing the grill which had been soiled from the last customers who had sat there.

"The brisket and the marinated pork belly please."

"Right away." The waitress left and returned with the two large plates of food.

Draco commented on the redness of the meat. "I keep forgetting that they serve the food raw. If I ever showed this to my father he would have a heart attack. I don't even want to think about what my mother would do."

Hermione was worried. He rarely, if ever, brought up his parents. As far as she knew, they didn't make any sort of contact with Draco and neither he with them. Even after living in close quarters with him, she hardly knew the entire story of why he had ended up on the streets. Nevertheless, she replied with, "I don't believe any high class pureblood would ever lower themselves to cook their own food."

Draco's lips turned up. Back in school, he would have never taken an insult like that towards his family and his parents, much less from a Muggleborn. But as the two soon found out, they were more alike than they thought and because of that they had learned how to banter freely without anyone getting hurt over it. "Are you calling me a lowlife?"

Hermione giggled. "Would it be awful if I said yes?"

Draco smiled. If you had told him fifteen years ago that he would be sitting with Hermione Granger in a small Muggle restaurant in the middle of Muggle London, he would have slapped that person and called them a bloody lunatic. "You're lucky we're friends Granger. I don't take insults well."

"Suck it up Ferret." Hermione turned on the grill and started layering the pieces of brisket. They sizzled as they started to cook. Hermione left the table for two minutes to grab two trays of the sauces used to decorate the meat. One was clear with salt and pepper, the other one resembled teriyaki sauce but with more of a tangy flavor.

"I thought we were past childhood insults," said Draco who was staring at the food with longing."

"You will never lose this one. Not as long as I'm around."

That startled Draco for a moment. As long as she was around. She made it sound as if she was going to be leaving him soon. He didn't even want to think about it. His life would become a living hell without her again and the thought of her disappearing from his life for good was ugly. He wanted the both of them to stay in her quaint little apartment for good. But he knew that she didn't deserve to be chained to him for the rest of her life. Eventually she would find some Muggle or Wizard that she would want to spend the rest of her life with and like everything else Draco touched, he would have to become only a small figure in her life again. Nothing more than a mere friend who once roomed in her house for three years. It would have to happen soon as well. He knew of Hermione's wish to have children of her own and at thirty one she only had a few years left. Draco jumped himself back into his thoughts and smiled. "Wench."

"Bastard"

"Bitch."

"Whore."

"Mio, did you just call me a whore?" Draco laughed and his hair flopped into his eyes.

Giggling again, Hermione added, "Yeah, I did. Whore."

"I think you need to re read the dictionary. Because apparently you don't know what the meaning of the word whore." She stared at him and flipped the meat over.

"No, okay, then I'll do it for you." Draco reached across and grabbed her handbag.

"Hey!" Ignoring her obvious objection as one should never go through a lady's purse; he reached in and pulled out a device that Muggles knew well as a cellular device. In this case, an iPhone that had the capability to speak, which much to Draco and Hermione's amusement, could entertain Heather for hours on end. Quickly typing in her password, which he had figured out just by watching, he opened the microphone into which he spoke, "Siri, please tell Hermione what a "whore" is."

"Hermione, you're a whore," came the reply from the device. There was a pause before the two burst out laughing. Grabbing her phone, Hermione shouted into it, "Siri, what is the definition of a whore"

"Whore: an offensive term for somebody who is regarded as being sexually indiscriminate. Also an offensive term for a prostitute."

"Thank you Siri."

"You're welcome, whore."

The two adults hadn't noticed but the waitress had come back and given them a bowl of salad and rice to compliment the food. Hermione served Draco a chunk of crispy thin meat. "See Draco, that description compliments you perfectly."

"Hermione, the last time I had sex was when I procreated Heather. I don't think that's being a whore," said Draco in between bites.

There was a moment of silence as Hermione added the marinated pork belly. This was another subject that was taboo between the two. They never spoke of their previous sexual encounters. Hermione only distinctly knew of Draco's relationship with Astoria and Hermione could rarely ever speak about Ron without becoming raging mad (she once broke several glasses and her hand while punching a wall) or into a crying sap which caused her to lock herself in her room for hours on end. It took Draco ages to get her out so the topic was often avoided. Hermione looked away from Draco until she had had enough of the silence. "That still makes you a whore.

~.x~

The conversation and their lunch continued without incident. The two no longer brought up anything regarding their sex lives but those few several comments throughout their day caused them to think. They said goodbye and Hermione headed back to the Ministry while Draco went back to Hogwarts. When Draco arrived at Hogsmeade, he was greeted by Madam Rosemerta who still worked at the Three Broomsticks.

"Mister Malfoy, how're ya doin'," asked the lady who for so long had been a big portion of his childhood.

"Well enough. And yourself?

"Alright, but my joints are starting ta get ta me."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Draco solemnly.

"It's not too bad. I've seen many students come through here and enjoy themselves with our butterbeer. It's been worth it. Anyways, shouldn't you be getting back to teaching your classes?

"Probably," said Draco. "I have a class of third years in the next fifteen minutes." This group of kids had decided to come in early as they wanted to get a head start as the school year didn't officially begin for another three weeks or so. "It was nice seeing you."

"And you, Mister Malfoy"

Draco continued on his trek through Hogsmeade and into the castle and finally into the dungeons. There, he prepared the lesson for the day. This group of kids was one of his favorites from the year before. The lot was a bright and intellectual group who never ceased to ask questions. In fact, they all reminded him of a bunch of mini Hermiones. The thought made him laugh from time to time.

2:30 soon arrived and the class of to be third years soon came trickling in. As the children sat down, Draco immediately noticed that one of his most inquisitive students, Caleb Cristiansen was missing which was rare as it was the middle of the summer. Curious of his whereabouts, he asked his class. "Guys, do any of you know where Caleb is today?

"In the hospital wing," a Slytherin girl named Shirley Lorraine answered. Draco raised his eyebrows in suspicion.

"And why is that?"

"Soren Whittleby found out that Caleb was a Mudblood and-"

Draco cut her off. "Don't ever use that word in my presence or at all in fact." His eyes narrowed. "Fifty points from Slytherin."

"But professor, I'm in your house! I was only telling the story," she whined.

"Another fifteen from Slytherin for making excuses. You of all better should know that. The proper term is Muggleborn. Do not argue with me, Miss Lorraine." This is not how Draco wanted to start his afternoon class. The girl however, persisted.

"I heard that you used it against Hermione Granger while you were at school here. How does that make you any different than me," she asked smugly. This took Draco aback. If she hadn't been a student, Draco may have very well lost his temper. However, he had to keep his temper. He was the adult after all.

"Miss Lorraine, let me tell you something about Hermione Granger. And class, hear me well because I will not repeat myself again." He scanned the classroom, noticing how shocked some of the students were that he was addressing the class so harshly. They could blame their classmates for that. "Ms. Granger is one of the most emotionally strong people I know. She never deserved any of the hate I gave her and she is ten times the better person than I am. There's a reason why she's known as a war heroine and it's not just because she was best friends with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. It was because of her thirst for knowledge and book smarts that those two defeated Voldemort at all. If anyone deserves the title of wizard, it's her. Regardless of her blood status as a Muggleborn. The reason why I am standing in front of you guys today is because of her. So you will do well not to insult her in my presence or you damn well will regret it. Do I make myself clear?" A couple of jaws had dropped at the mention of Voldemort's name and a few Slytherins had audibly gasped at the fact that he thought so highly of her. Their prejudiced world was changing and it was about time that these kids got it through their heads. Draco assessed the kids' reactions and knew that he would never hear another insult thrown at Hermione again.

The rest of class passed without incident as Draco instructed on the basics of the potions they would be covering and how they were to progress throughout the oncoming year. The students listened intently, not wanting to irritate their professor anymore than he had at the beginning of class. The shortened hour long class soon ended and the students eventually leaving to their dorm rooms. Draco sighed.

~.x~

Draco arrived home first at around five thirty after cleaning up his office and classroom at Hogwarts. Upon stepping over the threshold, he was immediately hit with a pillow by Scorpius who had heard his father come through the door. Smiling as he saw his children, he dropped his things on the counter, grabbed a soft pillow from the living room and bonked Scorpius on the head.

"HE Y," said Scorpius who was laughing ridiculously loud, "That's not fair Dad, you sneaked up on me."

Draco whacked him with the pillow a second time. "Too bad Scor, all is fair in love and war." Scorpius grinned and charged at his father tackling him to the floor and using all of his strength to beat him to death all the while hearing the shrieks and laughs of the two girls who desperately wanted to join in on the fun. Draco rolled over and pinned Scorpius to the floor where he returned the favor. Shailene then decided that it was a brilliant time to charge at her father, promptly knocking him over and sending her into fits of giggles.

Turning his attention toward his second child, he picked her off of him "threw" (placed her down gently) on the couch and tickled her mercilessly. Her high pitched giggles were infectious as she tried to get away from him.

"MY TURN" cried the small voice of Heather who was currently trying to pick up the largest pillow to hit her dad. She gave up and picked up another one and waddled over to her father and hit him as hard as a three year old could manage.

Shifting his attention again, Draco lifted his daughter and threw her into the air, catching her in his arms. He did this several times as she screamed at the top of her little lungs. When he finally put her down, she was asking to go again and again and again. At last she tired herself out and sat down on the couch. It was then that the door opened again and Hermione came through the door.

"Herm'iy!" screamed Heather as she ran to give the woman a hug. Dropping her handbag on the floor, Hermione bent down to scoop the little girl up in her arms.

"How did your day go, baby girl?" asked Hermione as she kissed her on the forehead. The little girl launched into a story of how she woke up on the couch and how Scor gave her pancakes for breakfast and made her a sandwich for lunch. Afterwards she played a board game with her sister who apparently "cheated" by giving her more money than she deserved. (She was very perceptive for a three year old) Of course, this was all told in baby talk, and therefore half the time incomprehensible but Hermione listened anyway. She was good at that. "I'm glad your day went so well. Now, let Miss Hermione go get changed and then I'll come back and we can make dinner, watch some telly and Scor and Heather can tell me all about their days, okay?"

"What about me?" asked Draco who still had a silly smile plastered on his face from earlier.

"Oh yes, you can tell me all about tickling your children to death. That sounds perfect." She stuck her tongue out at him. He flipped her off when the children weren't looking. Heading back to her room she changed out of her work clothes and threw on a tank top and a pair of sweats even though it was blistering hot outside because of the summer weather. Creating a messy bun on the top of her forehead, she wandered out back to the living room where she saw Scorpius curled up in the arm chair and Draco reading to the two little girls a Muggle story that Hermione was very fond of.

"But the wild things cried, 'Oh please don't go, we'll eat you up we love you so!" whispered Draco to the girls who were intently looking at the picture book. Shailene raised her hand; a move so Hermione-like that Draco had to suppress the urge not to laugh. "Yes, Shay?"

The little girl looked at him with the most serious expression on her face before asking, "Papa, are you going to eat us?"

From the corner of the room, Hermione burst out laughing. Shailene looked at her, and almost started crying. "Why are you laughing Mio'? If my Papa loves me, he'd eat us right? I don't want to be eaten."

Hermione walked over to the girl and gently told her, "When you grow up, and I tell you this story, you too, will laugh. I'll let your Papa explain the rest however."

"I'm not going to eat you, lovely," said her father calmly. "I would never do that."

"But Papa, does that mean you don't love us?" Little Shailene was near hysterics. Draco cradled his young daughter.

"No, sweetheart, I love you with all that I am. You're not leaving me anytime yet and you're not going to. I would have a heart attack. And even when you decide to leave me to become a grown up, I will let you go as long as you promise to visit your papa when he's all old and wrinkly."

Shay stopped crying for a moment and deftly responded, "If that's the case, I'm never leaving you. I will stay with my papa for the rest of my life. Is that okay?"

Draco smiled again, "Of course it's alright. Now, after dinner, should we have a wild rumpus of our own?"

Both girls grinned brightly at this and their expressions turned to ones of pure joy, "Can we papa?"

"I'm sure Hermione will be okay with it as long as we don't destroy the house. Is that right?"

Looking at Draco and his children, she couldn't refuse. "Let's do it. If you want to, and if your father is okay with it, we can set up a tent in here as a makeshift cave and you all can sleep in there."

"You won't be joining us, Mio?" asked Draco who looked sincerely disappointed.

Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "I'll join in the wild rumpus, but you want me in the cave too?"

"YES!" came the synchronized response from Draco, Heather and Shailene who were now grinning like Cheshire cats.

"Well, guess we'll be having a giant sleepover, now won't we" said Hermione once again in her traditional stance with her hands on her hips. The girls giggled and ran around the flat. Scorpius blew up at them a couple times and soon the girls calmed down. As seven 'o' clock rolled around Hermione and Draco set to making dinner, both of them in high spirits since the kids were overly excited. They set to making a simple Alfredo. It was one of their all time favorite dishes and they tended to make it often.

"Shay! Come help set the table!" shouted Draco from the kitchen. Her little feet padded across the floor as she came to the kitchen to help.

"Plates!" she proclaimed as she put them each in their places. She did the same as she put the forks and glasses down. "ALL DONE!"

Hermione, Draco, and the kids sat down to eat and they chatted happily while they ate their food.

"So, Shay," began Hermione, "I heard you cheated while playing Monopoly. Heather was telling me about it. Did you cheat dearie?"

Shay stopped chewing abruptly and turned to her sister who was staring at her with an innocence that could only belong to an angel. With her mouth still full she all but yelled, "I did not! She's lying Mummy, she's lying!" An immense amount of silence followed. It was rare now a days for the kids to call Hermione their mother and every time it happened a large amount of silence followed. "Oops, Mio, I'm sorry," said Heather.

It took a while for Hermione to get out of the daze she put herself in every time that word was said. Draco to, seemed to go from totally in the moment, to absolutely distant. It was a problem that they had yet to get over. "It's okay baby, it's not a problem." Now, everything could have gone back to normal if Heather hadn't decided to be the little curious child that she was.

"Papa, what happened to Mummy? Why don't we have one? Brittney and Sophie, and Carla at Daycare always talks about theirs and I was wondering if I had one too." At this, Scorpius almost spit out his food. He knew from a very young age to never mention his mother. At thirteen, he was the one who remembered her best as Heather was only an infant and Shailene only a year older than Heather. He turned away from a minute as if he were hiding something. He excused himself to the restroom when in fact; he really was only heading to his room for a bit. He needed to get himself out of this conversation, at least momentarily.

Meanwhile, Draco and Hermione were trying to figure out how to deal with Heather's question. The child had a talent for making every situation awkward and it was always troublesome to talk themselves out of it. Even as adults. Draco was the first one to come up with a plausible response.

"Your Mummy didn't want us, so instead of staying, Hermione found us, and we've lived with her ever since. Hermione loves you like a Mummy would, don't you think?"

Heather thought about this. But instead of nodding her head, she bombarded them with another question. "But she's not Heather's Mummy is she? Is she Scor's or Shay's Mummy then?"

"No, Hermione isn't. But it's okay, we love you more than your Mummy could. Is that alright?"

"Yes Papa, I'm sure I'd love Hermione more than my Mummy anyways." The two adults sighed with relief. Eventually, they'd have to tell both Shay and Heather the story of why their mother was not in their lives. Scor was old enough to know and it would be easier if he told them but he was just a kid and didn't deserve to have to spread that burden.

After that conversation, it soon returned to normal, although Scor still hadn't returned to the table. Neither the adults, nor the two girls noticed but it was probably better for Scor as he was upstairs in his room,

~.x~

Scor was pacing. His little makeshift family downstairs was having a good time but he didn't know how to break the news without his family freaking out. It really was the last thing he wanted but if he didn't tell his father, something worse could very well happen. He couldn't let that occur. He was content with the life he was living with his father and sisters and Hermione. She wasn't his mother, no, but it was the best that he had and he was happy to have Hermione in his life.

He grabbed the opened letter and paced around the room with it. It wasn't like he was in trouble with Hogwarts or anything, unlike his father, Scorpius was a good kid. The thing was, the letter threatened t ruin his life at home. He had finally made his decision; he would bring the letter down.

Poor Scorpius trudged down the stairs, hiding the folded letter in his pocket. By the time he got downstairs, Hermione had just finished washing the dishes and was now instructing his sisters on how to build a giant pillow fort. There were pillows galore, some that Scor had never seen before. Did Hermione collect pillows or something? He really didn't want to interrupt any of this. However, the sooner he got his over with, the sooner this would have a chance of healing.

"Hermione," Scor said tentatively, "I need to tell you something you aren't going to really be happy with." She didn't hear him and he had to repeat himself twice before getting a proper response.

"Scor, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Please don't tell me you did something stupid involving a girl and you're only telling us now."

"No Hermione. It doesn't have anything to do with me specifically." He paused. "Well it has something to with all of us. Specifically my sisters and I. I… I can't explain it. Just read it." Scorpius handed Hermione the folded letter.

She opened it and glanced down, he face contorting from anger to disbelief, to utter shock. For once in her life, Hermione was at a loss of words. Instead of speaking, she dropped the letter and ran for Draco.

~.x~

She found him smiling with his daughters, completely oblivious to the chaos that could possibly come from one simple letter. In a calm a voice that she could possibly muster, "Draco, I need to talk to you immediately."

Draco who was busy entertaining his kids, did not immediately respond. It wasn't until he saw the desperation on her face that he got up. "Girls, I'll be right back." He walked over to Hermione. "What's wrong? Did something break?"

Hermione shook her head and took his hand. She led him to where she dropped the paper but didn't find it.. Instead, she found Scorpius with his head in his hands quietly sobbing. Momentarily distracted, she walked over to him and knelt down to whisper quiet words of comfort. Draco picked up the letter. His eyes grew wide as he began to read.

My dearest Draco,

It has been three years since you left me alone with this mansion that I haven't lived in since you left. What I never understood was why you left. We were happy. The children were happy. You never had to leave. However, this is not why I am writing you this letter. I was not aware you were living with that mudblood filth, Granger as I have been living in Australia ever since you left. If I had known you would end up living with her, I would have written you sooner. But it's better late than never. So here is what I have to tell you. I do not want my children raised by a mudblood. Period. I know your parents wouldn't stand for it either. I am taking back full custody of my children. You have the option of moving back with me, or you can choose to live elsewhere if you choose the former but know that you won't ever be able to see your children again since it's obvious you will be associating with the mudblood. If you decide to move back with me, we can raise are children together but you must never speak to her again and if you do, I shall kick you out and retain full custody and you will have to pay me a monthly benefit for the children. I want to make it clear that if you try to go against me in this decision, you will have a hard time not only from the Ministry but from me and your family as well. It will be easier for everyone if you just go along with all of this and rid your life of the mudblood filth. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Forever yours,

Astoria

Draco's face fell. It was as if the world had frozen and he was the only one moving, spinning and falling. It was the worst feeling he had ever experienced. He numbly moved over to where his son and best friend were sitting and he sat down next to them enveloping them both in hug. Hermione, who had recovered more than Draco had positioned herself so she could cradle Scorpius to her chest, still muttering sweet nothings. Draco still had yet to speak so Hermione decided to do it for him.

"I'm leaving. You and the children can keep the flat so as to stay away from her as long as possible. At least this way, she won't yell at you for being with me. Before you argue, you know it's the right thing to do. The kids need a real mother. Not just someone who takes care of them. I love your children and I wish the best for them but I can't stay here knowing that if I do, Astoria will come to take your children away from you. It's not right for me to stay."

Draco's head snapped up upon hearing of Hermione's plan. He knew that this day was going to come eventually but not for the reasons that she had previously given. She had a point. She always did. But just like when he had been in school he was going to be selfish and keep her for himself. For his children. This was not going to be the way he lost her. "Hermione, listen to me. You are not going anywhere. The kids love you." At this, Scorpius tightened his grip around Hermione's waist as to prove his father's point. "We can find a way out of this. There must be another way to receive the full amount of my inheritance."

Hermione sighed. She knew she would have problems convincing him. "Listen to me Draco; you don't have enough time for this. There is way too much to research to find any loophole in the system in which you can come into it. There is also the fact that the Ministry, just like many Muggle governmental systems, believe that the children belong with their mother, regardless of how bad their parenting is. If that was the case, we would have to have proof and we have none of that. Your word isn't good enough." Scorpius had fallen asleep after all of his tears and Hermione was rubbing small circles on his back as if he was still crying. "Draco, I don't know if there's anything you can do."

Draco let out a frustrated sigh of his own. "But Hermione, the only reason she wants the children is for my parent's money. Her family is shit broke and it's the reason why her parents tried so hard to arrange a marriage between our families. My parents being the aristocratic purebloods they are, decided it would be a wonderful idea. Now all they're after is my money. If I leave them with her, she won't give a damn about them and she'd waste in on purely material things. I cannot let her do such a thing." He ran his hands through his hair, exasperated and worried. His little family was falling apart all because his "wife" wouldn't remove herself from his life.

Hermione could see that Draco wasn't having any of it. He wanted to stay as far away from Astoria as possible and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. Her brain began turning as she thought of different ways in which she could get in with the Ministry. There wasn't much that she thought she could do but she was going to damn well try even if she knew in her heart that it was most likely impossible. Even if it meant that she had to stay out of his and the children's life forever, she would find him a way to escape Astoria. "I'll make you a proposition. We give this six weeks. If I can find any sliver of a chance to get you out of this mess, we'll extend the time period and work on getting you away from her while taking the children with you. If I can't, you will go calmly and without a fight with Astoria back to Malfoy Manor. Understood?"

"But Hermione-"

"I don't want to hear it. But I do promise you that I WILL try. Swear to me. You will go peacefully if we cannot find anything."

"Fine."

Just when it seemed as if there may be some silver lining, an owl flew through the window, dropping two letters at their feet. One addressed towards Draco, the other one for Hermione. Draco gasped as he noticed the perfect script of his mother. Narcissa Malfoy.

A/N: Hey guys! So, I hope you enjoy this chapter now that you've been introduced to the main conflict of the story. I'm hoping that this will be long and multi chaptered. I'm just not sure where exactly I want to go with it. I basically sit down and write. (Normally in class) However, I do want to know whether you guys prefer longer chapter updates (6000+ words) or shorter ones. If you really have a preference, let me know in a review? Speaking of reviews, I totally wasn't expecting any, nor the amount of story/author alerts. I'm really grateful that you guys would take the time out of your day to read my silly story. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I also don't have a beta, so any mistakes I make, grammatical or otherwise, are my own so I apologize for it. If any of you are willing to look over it for me as a beta, that would be wonderful but it isn't necessary. I promise my author notes won't be this long again. By the way, it should be well know known that this story belongs to the wonderful Ms. Rowling. Only the plot and extra characters are my own.

References: "Where the Wild Things Are" I put that in here as tribute to the author who died on the eighth of May. He was one of my favorite authors as a child so I figured I could at least put him in here. (:

Until next week,

~Bambi