"That bitch you call a mother didn't even give me enough money to buy the brat food!" Astoria exclaimed as she combed her hair infront of the hallway mirror.
"That's my mother you're talking about," Draco spat as he cradled the four year old in his arms. "And would you please, for the last time mind your mouth, if you take a moment to pull your eyes away from your face then you would see we have a child right here."
"What's a brat?" Scorpius placed a tiny hand on his father's cheek. "Am I a brat, daddy?"
Draco combed his son's hair gently with his hand, "You're not a brat, Scorp. But your mother is." He said the last part inconspicuously as he nuzzled Scorpius' cheek, earning a fit of giggles.
The adorable noise made Astoria halt her grooming and move towards Scorpius, holding out her arms, expecting him to reach for her. "Mum's here," she said as Scorpius looked at his mother, shaking his head vigorously, his white-blond locks flailed.
"Ima be with daddy!" He said, clinging to his father more, weaving his arms around his neck tighter.
Before Astoria could say anything, a voice piped in. "The bitch didn't give you money since we're eating out." Narcissa appeared infront of Draco who was grinning as he covered Scorpius' ears just in time. The Disillusionment charm had worn off.
"Knew you were here somewhere." Draco kissed his mother on the cheek, "I can't help but feel a heavy presence."
Narcissa laughed, "Or maybe because you accidentally stepped on my foot a while ago." Draco chuckled an apology.
Astoria managed to pull an apologetic face after glaring accusingly at Draco, "Sorry mum."
Narcissa brushed her off. The stupid bint needs to know her place, after all, she's still the lady of the house. Plus, she already gave the ungrateful wench enough money the other day to last her atleast two months of shopping. Draco had a massive fit one time, screaming bloody murder about the over flowing cosmetics and the strong odour of her collection of perfumes; he got a massive headache in the morning and refused to go to work.
"Come on, I'll treat you guys this time." She held out her hands to Scorpius who gladly came to her. There was a disgruntled mumble from the other woman behind them.
"Where are we going this time, mother?" Draco eyed Narcissa speculatively. "It's not some kind of old people restaurant is it?"
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed Draco's hand who grabbed Astoria's just in time to apparate. Clearly, Narcissa couldn't care less if they left Astoria – hell, everyone would be glad to get rid of her.
They landed infront of the ballet-woman oak tree which was located in a small isolated island near Hogwarts.
Scorpius clapped happily and giggled, "Let's do it again, nana!"
"Haha, we're doing it again you bet!" Narcissa cooed, kissing Scorpius on the cheek who giggled more. Raising an eyebrow at Draco's sceptical look she motioned them towards the oak tree. Astoria was still straightening her dress out and looking at the water's reflection while the others went to the tree.
"Astoria!" Draco barked, "I'm starving already."
Begrudgingly, she trudged over to them after taking one last look in the water.
"You know I can't eat much…" she whined.
"You barely eat," Narcissa rolled her eyes.
"And you eat too much," Astoria said giving her an annoyed look.
"Well, I still look fabulous don't I?" Narcissa sneered at a red-faced Astoria. "My metabolism is a work of art…so I don't grow fat. Plus, I take yoga."
"That muggle thing?" Astoria snorted. "Sounds like some kind of disgusting food to me."
"Yoga the food mummy cooks?" Scorpius asked innocently as Narcissa and Draco coughed, hiding a laugh.
Before a mother and son argument occurred, Narcissa knocked three times on the oak tree and grabbed Draco's hand as Draco did the same to Astoria; and they apparated right outside the café where a line was usually held. After Scorpius' high pitched squealing moment – who was passed on to his mother - they walked into the café.
Draco let out a whistle, "Well well, mum, I can see why you were taken."
"Wait until you see the rest, dear." She smiled and saw Alex bidding a cheerful customer goodbye. Alex walked towards Narcissa but was beaten by Hermione – who was looking from the window in the kitchen - came barrelling out still wearing her chef uniform and proceeded to embraced the old woman. Draco and Astoria gaped at Narcissa who could barely tolerate physical contact except from her son and husband. Stumbling back, Narcissa patted the woman on the back and stepped back to pat her cheek adoringly.
"Dear, you ought to restrain yourself; you nearly killed me!" Narcissa laughed as Hermione kissed her cheeks.
"That tip was outrageous!" Hermione said an angry tone, though her smile betrayed her. That was when Hermione noticed the other people behind Narcissa; Draco who looked awestruck and Astoria with a raised eyebrow holding a white blonde angel. Hermione smiled brightly at them although rather hesitantly.
"Welcome! Where do you wa-" as a hand slapped her mouth shut. The other people were surprised but Narcissa was unperturbed.
"That's my job, babe, get back in the kitchen." Alex said as he shoved Hermione back softly towards the kitchen.
"Bully!" Hermione stuck out a tongue and went back to the kitchen after calling out an "I'll see you later, Narcissa! Feel at home!"
The Malfoys – well, Narcissa – chose to sit outside in the balcony – which was surprisingly only filled with a couple of people - under the sun. Scorpius thrashed around his mother's arm much to her dismay and let him go.
"Look a lake! Lake, daddy! Can I swim? Can I? Can I?" Scorpius jumped as he pulled on his father's sleeve.
"Sorry, mate. No can do. We're here to eat, you can swim once we go home, alright?" Draco lifted his son up who pouted. "Aww don't give me that face, buddy."
"Scorp! Let's go eat whatever you want alright?" Narcissa shouted at them from over the round table. A porch umbrella popped out of nowhere on the middle of it, casting a shield from the sunlight. Astoria was already seated on the other side of the table, away from Narcissa who was pleased by the arrangement.
Draco, as observant as ever, did not fail to notice the flirtatious smile Astoria was giving to the poker-faced Alex. Rolling his eyes, Draco sat down on his chair next to Narcissa with Scorpius on his left.
While Narcissa had a friendly conversation with Alex and Astoria gazed Alex from head to toe like a predator would a prey and Scorpius played gazed at his surroundings, Draco eyed the stranger sceptically. He could barely care about Astoria; they had a mutual agreement of divorcing soon anyway – most likely next week; considering living together would never work out for both of them.
He narrowed his eyes at the bloke who was still having an animated conversation with his mother. The bloke didn't look bad at all; unlike the Weasel. Draco mentally sneered.
Babe. That's my job, babe? Draco chuckled internally.
Six years ago, he would have never thought that Granger was capable of getting men; well, maybe except Weasel. But he was clearly wrong now. He never knew Granger could look like that. She actually looked decent for once. Hell, more than decent if he could admit; she was – as he would never like to admit - attractive!
Her hair wasn't frizzy at all with her bob hairstyle, a hairstyle that would look absolutely dreadful on other women suited her well – very well. Her nest of a hair that would usually obscure her face from before was now tamed into soft waves that defined her pretty face. Her previous soft facial features became more womanly and full; especially her figure.
Draco shifted uncomfortably in his seat. If Draco couldn't help it, he would actually call her "hot". He grumbled, irritated by his reaction. He was just probably reacting to his lack of lay for awhile now. He hasn't slept with anyone after Scorpius was born – he was too busy taking care of his lovely son, and his spoiled ass wife.
"You might as well tend to other costumers, Alex dear. This is going to take awhile." Narcissa smiled. Alex nodded and told her to just call for him when they're ready to order.
Once Draco and Astoria figured out how to use the menu, Narcissa called upon Alex to take their order. Narcissa asked for her cupcake again – barely acknowledging Draco's disapproval - but with earl grey tea, Astoria asked for a plain salad and water even though her menu showed a bowl of French Onion soup with bread at the side with butter, and a strawberry smoothie. Draco saw a simple flank of grilled steak with mashed potatoes, greens, and gravy at the side and a glass of cold beer, and Scorpius wanted tiny cut fries, chicken nuggets, and a chocolate smoothie.
Alex left and Narcissa faced Draco with a sparkle in her eyes. "Draco, you know the young lady before was Hermione Granger right?"
Opening his mouth to answer, Astoria snorted, "Little-Miss-Know-It-All? Everyone practically had to know her. She was Potter's friend after all." Oblivious to Narcissa's murderous glare, she flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. "I remember Daphne telling me all about her; she was a pain in the ar-"
Seeing his mother grip the fork in her hand with intense strength that her knuckles were practically white, Draco piped in and said "Yeah, I knew that was her. Noticed she had changed quite a bit though, I almost didn't recognize her at all." He sipped his water, as he was getting quite uncomfortable by his mother's gaze.
Astoria gave him a glare. Narcissa smiled, "Lovely young lady she is! Merlin, she makes some delicious food too!" Narcissa exclaimed as she clapped her hands together; obviously trying to gauge Astoria on who was turning pink. "Have to admit she's a unique beauty, in a classical way almost, extremely kind and genuine, and intelligent. Oh, and let's not forget about her cupcakes; they're to die f-"
"Didn't I tell you to watch over your sugar consumption, mother?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.
Waving him off, Narcissa continued, "You wouldn't be saying that if you taste them yourself, dear. Oh look, Alex has our order already!"
As Alex began to set down the meal in front of their respective eaters, he cocked his head to the side to where Narcissa sat mainly to mention that Hermione is to meet them in a minute, and to avoid looking at the blonde woman who is practically begging for his attention.
"Hermione will be down in a minute she said," Alex mentioned.
Narcissa smiled widely, "Good! We need some more catching up to do." Alex smiled and bowed to the group as he bid them a good meal and left.
They all dug in just as Hermione appeared, Narcissa motioning for her to sit down next to her as she conjured another seat. Hermione smiled and looked around, pleased that they seem to enjoy their meals, as the matriarch began to chat the young woman up.
"And that adorable boy is Scorpius Draco Malfoy," she cooed to the little boy who looked up from his meal in question.
Hermione's eyes softened incredibly as she eyed the blonde haired cherub whose blue-grey eyes were fixed resolutely to her brown ones, her smile wide as she introduced herself.
The child smiled back albeit shyly, "Hi, Miss Hu-my-knee"
Charmed, Hermione's grinned and softly said, "You can call me Hermione, Mister Scorpius."
Giggling the child shook his head rather violently, and fixed his eyes to his father's who seemed amused by the exchanged. "Daddy, I'm got called Mister by Hu-my-knee!"
With warmth Hermione had never witnessed before, Malfoy picked up his child – who was done his meal – and placed him on his lap, murmuring, "That's right but you don't want to be called a Mister until you are grown up. Want to try to introduce yourself, Scorp?"
Tearing his wide eyes away from his father, the child grinned and held up four fingers, "Hu-my-knee can call me Scorpius, or Scorp like nana, my daddy calls me buddy, and mate sometimes too, and I'm four years old!" he wiggled his tiny fingers.
The witch laughed, taken by this charming smart boy, "Nice meeting you, Scorpius." The child's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the pretty lady, grinning all the while as he dipped his fingers on his father's plate, stealing a bit of sauce from his half-eaten steak, and soon getting distracted by it as he popped his fingers in his mouth.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Malfoys observed the smiling brown haired witch as she gazed adoringly at the wiggling child on Draco's lap. Narcissa, who knows of Hermione's past smiled warmly although sadly, her hand patting the witch's gently much to Hermione's gratitude. Astoria eyed the woman neither with disdain nor pleasure, just simply reading the woman with her eyes. On the other hand, Draco Malfoy observed the woman with a keen eye.
He never thought the witch was good with children, and the fact that she obviously is, made him curious about her lack of children, especially as she is married. He always thought that Granger would stick to her interest of books and knowledge, yet knowing she would end up with Weasley as everyone predicted. Mentally sneering, he set his eyes upon the ring on her finger. Speaking of Weasley though, he had not heard an utter peep about the man, considering he had been away from London to do errands to re-establish the Malfoy name. It was the perfect time to ask as Scorpius scampered away from Draco, the brown eyes which were fixed on the child meeting the greys of the father's.
With no hesitation whatsoever, "How's Weasley, Granger?" he eyed the stone on her finger. No matter who she's married to, Draco never seemed to see her as anything than a Granger.
Narcissa warned warily, "Draco."
"I haven't heard a peep about him since, and also your marriage. Kept it a secret, eh?" Satisfaction ignited in him due to her reaction as he absorbed her flushed face with glee, her knuckles turning white as marble as she clenched her fist, her full lips turning into a grimace as she locked her jaw. "I expected more of a grander type of ring from him, considering he's part of the trio, you know but alas, it's you-"
"Draco Lucius Malfoy!" his mother bellowed; taking him off guard as he noted her narrowed blue eyes directed at him. Taking his gaze away from his mother, he saw Granger patting his mother's hands reassuringly.
"Hermione, dear, I'm sorry about my son…"
Chocolate brown eyes landed on him, not with disdain, but with determinacy. "If you must know I have been Granger for two years; and that this," she showed the diamond ring on her finger. "has been given to me even before the war ended. But this was not the greatest I've received from him." Her piercing eyes boring into his. "It was something priceless."
An uncomfortable silence followed as browns held greys. The environment suddenly felt heavier and colder as no one made a move to intervene the internal battle. Worriedly glancing between her son and Hermione, she looked at Astoria whose lips were pursed with consideration, her eyes squinting slightly as she pondered about something. Ignoring her, she fixed her gaze back at Draco was about to look away, however, his eyes flickered to a small bobbing head behind Granger.
"My-knee mad?" a little boy asked as he held a yellow lily in his hand to the brown haired woman. Hermione turned and silently gasped, covering her mouth as she laughed her emotions off. Narcissa gave a sad smile, her blue eyes misting as she gazed at the emotions the young woman was holding back.
"Not anymore, Scorpius," she took the flower the little boy presented to her, and dropped him a kiss on the forehead, making the child giggle and blush adorably. "Thank you…" Her voice breaking.
Draco's eyebrows furrowed at the sudden change in the air. Was his mother actually crying, and if so, why? He can tell Astoria's pondering over it too, her frown marring her face as she eyed her own son giving another woman a flower.
"Scorpius, where'd you get the flower?"
The blonde boy eyed his father warily, and pointed at the field near the lake. Draco felt himself flush angrily as he thought of his son going near a lake by himself.
"Scorpius Draco Malfoy, did you go there by yourself without permission?" Draco sternly said as the child cowered behind Hermione, his silver eyes blinking rapidly to hold back the tears, his lips quivering with fear.
"Malfoy, the child is just having his fun," Hermione kneeled by the child who was wiping his eyes on his sleeve.
"He could've fallen in!"
"The lake is charmed to ensure safety, I guarantee you that no one can fall in." She said calmly, but her chocolate eyes darkened with fury as he won't stop scaring his own child.
"Scorpius, you are never going back there again by yourself, do you hear me young man?" Draco bellowed, restraining his anger.
But the child full out bawled, and Narcissa and Astoria began to stand up, the latter giving Draco an annoyed glare. Hermione scooped the little boy up, whispered something to Narcissa and Astoria who both warily nodded, and trudged off down the narrow stairs of the balcony hushing the little boy who still cried freely.
"Granger!" he made to stop them, but Narcissa halted him with a hand on his arm.
"Scorpius is in safe hands, Draco. Just give them time."
"He's my child, mother. I can take ca-"
Narcissa slapped him on the chest, "You scared your own child, Draco. Did you even see his face when you started throwing your fit again? You have got to restrain your temper, son. Your uncontrollable outbursts will sooner or later harm someone." She murmured gently. "Please, just give them a few minutes."
Draco huffed and sat himself down as did his mother and wife. They ate in silence, finishing the last bit of their food. He gave them some time before he stood up over the rails of the balcony gazing down to where Granger and his son were. Smiling, and laughing as they sat by the lake, Scorpius, lying on all fours, his hands on the lake, the water just covering the tops of his knuckles. Clearly, the child was enjoying himself as he splashed water all over the place, and on his own clothes. Hermione laughed, as she flicked her hand over the lake, the speckles of water landing on the boy who giggled louder. Then as if she could feel a stare piercing her back, she glanced at the balcony where Draco was, stood up, and told Scorpius that they are going. The blonde kid pouted, and pointed at the lake asking something, the brown haired woman shook her head and kneeled to take the sad child in her arms as he raised his arms, and let Hermione carry him off, whilst drying them with a flick of her wand.
"We must be going," Narcissa said, making her way towards the witch, and holding her arms out for Scorpius. Hermione passed the boy on, but not before affectionately smoothing his hair out of his eyes. "We thank you for taking your time off for us."
"There has been no problem," Hermione smiled and looked at the others. "I hope you enjoyed yourselves."
Astoria nodded politely, as did Draco who took out a bag of galleons out of his magicked pocket. Hermione hastily stepped up, waving her arms for them to keep their money. "There's no need for that, really."
"Granger, we must pay for the food."
"Someone gave a massive tip the day before," taking a glance at Narcissa slyly. "So there is no need."
Draco eyed the stubborn witch for a moment before pocketing the bag and running his hand through his hair exasperatedly. "Well I guess we'll see you…soon."
She nodded and waved goodbye.
"Bye, My-knee." The child tiredly waved from his nana's shoulder.
The witch's eyes softened and waved back, "Goodbye, Scorpius."
And pops of apparition resounded as the family went back to their home.
"She'll be a good mother," Draco mumbled as he carried his sleeping son in his arms up the stairs to his bedroom.
Narcissa's head turned to him, and to Scorpius, giving the sleeping boy a gentle run on the head with her hand and murmured "She must've been…" Not looking at Draco she bid them a goodnight and went to her room.
Draco looked to where his mother disappeared, and sighed exasperatedly as he carried the child in his arms to his own room.
When Draco laid the child down on Scorpius' own bed, he ran his fingers softly through his hair and gazed at his sleeping son, murmuring softly, "I don't understand how she lived through, losing something so priceless." And he bent down to kiss his son on the forehead before walking out, contemplating how he could apologize to Granger for the things he had done and said.