Chapter 4

Malfoy was sitting in his study looking over papers that his father had kept hidden for so many years. Hiding places and passwords, they would have changed or moved those by now. He was pondering on those papers when the bell wrung.

"God damit, who the hell could that be? He thought out loud. He got up and headed for the door when a 3 year old came bounding down the stairs teddy and blanket each hand. She stared at the door, long blonde hair flowing from her waist. Her bright green eyes shone even in the dim light. Draco just looked at her then the empty sinking feeling bean to return.

"Riley, honey go into daddy's study please." He asked and gave her a smile. When she was safe in the study he opened the door. There stood a woman with a forced smile, she looked beautiful but she looked familiar, he just couldn't place her face.

"Mr. Malfoy." She said simply. She was going to hate this.

"Can I help you?" he asked the door was barley open though she could see some of hi body he had grown in the last 2 years.

"I'm from the Ministry of Magic, you were to receive a letter of my coming." She said. Hermione wandered why he hadn't shut the door in her face or called her a Mudblood yet. She was deep in thought when he awoke her from her trance.

"No I didn't receive a letter. His voice was calm and clear. He was trying to place her face when she conjured a letter out of thin air and handed it to him. He opened it slowly, and began to read it as he did Hermione saw a glimpse of blonde hair rush passed the door. Before he finished he looked at her.

"Would you like to come in?" he asked. She walked in taking in the beautiful house before her. The carpet was green and silver traditional Slytherians, the walls were very earthy. They had deep colors to them. He saw her mouth open and close as she looked around the house that held to many bed memories for him. He gave her one more glance before he went back to his reading. His eyes were rushing along the parchment; he was taking in every word, until he came to the end and her name.

"Granger?" he said shocked she just simply turned to look at him. Her head bowed, when he had said her name the same way he used to say it back in school.

"What's the meaning of this Mudblood?" his voice was harsh when he put emphasis the last word. Her head shot up and the fire was back in her eyes. She hated being called that and he knew it.

"And what are you suppose to do look after me?" his temper was rising. He didn't want to know her answer for he had a fear he already knew it.

"In a crude way yes." She was trying to keep her cool but ever time she spoke it seemed to just make him madder. Hermione was starting to see the bad side of him the side she wished she could fight and kill the Death Eater side.

"Are you to tell me my house will be controlled be a MUDBLOOD!" his voice rose. If Hermione hasn't but on a worried face Draco wouldn't even have thought to turn around. A little blonde came into view, she had been crying probably at her fathers yelling. She had beautiful big green eyes and long straight blonde hair the same color as Draco's. She had a teddy bear in one hand and a blanket pulled tight up to her face. Draco bent sown to hold her as she began to sob again. She must never she her father this mad before if she wasn't used to his yelling.

"Daddy?" her voice was sweet, like an angel. She was a beautiful child who defiantly took on some of the Malfoy family traits.

"Riley honey didn't I tell you to stay in daddy's study." His voice was gentle. Hermione had never seen this side if him before she didn't even know this side existed in him.

"Honey why don't you go upstairs please." There was that kind voice again. That tone seemed to make her heart stop. The child looked up at Hermione, those green eyes must be her mothers but that was signature Malfoy hair. She pulled on her father's shirt trying to get his attention.

"Daddy who is she?" her question it seemed surprised him.

"Well honey this is-."

"A friend of your daddy's, we knew each other in school." She said and put a bright mile on her face. Riley looked at her and smiled, her eyes smiled back to Hermione even brighter.

"Daddy I like her can she stay?" Riley asked looking desperately at her father. Draco just sighed, who could say o to that face.

"If you go upstairs she can." She immediately bolted upstairs at his reply.

"So the great bouncing ferret is a father." Hermione was the one smirking now.

"Shut up Mudblood." He said his voice down to a growl.

"The way you act with her, aw the tin man does have heart. She was mocking him and loving every minute of it.

"You just shut your mouth you filth!" his voice got louder.

"Now, temper temper. You should really watch your mouth." She was clam and madder he got the more she wanted to laugh. This name-calling was getting him nowhere with her, so he decided to try a different approach.

"So…whatever happened to that pitiful, and very forgetful creature? What was his name?" his voice was sarcastic. "hmmmmm Neville that's it Neville, how is he?" Hermione's face went pale remembering the dream she had had he night before. Guilt and sorrow ran across her face, as she looked at her feet. At this point Draco knew he could tap into her mind with ease.

"Oh Neville, I'm sorry. I was supposed to protect you I failed. Forgive me please." Her thoughts touched his black heart, but quickly turned to back to hate when e though of who she was and how she was involved in ruining his life.