Wow! 1,158 hits! I'm so lucky! Love you all! Virtual hugs and kisses to you guys! I'm updating with Chapter 3 now since I'm kind of loaded with work so I won't be able to update until after 2 days. Hope this chapter will be enough at least.
Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah. JKR owns everything about Harry Potter. How we all wish to even have at least 1% of her talent.
Chapter 3:
Feeling a little bit of déjà vu, Draco touched his nose while Hermione glared at him.
"You broke my nose! You crazy Mudblood!", Scorpius cried out.
"Serves you right, Death Eater boy! How many times do I have to tell you, I'm a Half-Blood!" spat Rose angrily.
"Scorpius!, Draco called out once again. "Where did you learn that word? Tell me!", Draco continued with that enraged voice of his filling the whole room.
Hermione was astounded. Malfoy actually was really mad at his son for using that same undesirable word he often used on her.
The grey-eyed pointy-faced blond boy was almost sobbing fear in his eyes while trying to hold back his tears which somehow bothered Hermione.
"Draco, no need to be furious. I'm sure we can discuss the issue at hand in a more congenial manner.", Andromeda chimed in.
"I'm sorry Aunt Andromeda in behalf of Scorpius for his unbecoming behavior.", Draco sincerely apologized.
"Granger, can we continue this elsewhere? Before we were interrupted?", Draco countered as he regained his almost stoic demeanor.
With a nod, Hermione held on to Rose then directly apparated together with father and son to Malfoy's office.
Andromeda Tonks was left bewildered with what just transpired. She expected some name-calling from either side but it seemed to have been resolved peacefully.
After arriving back at his office, Draco instructed his secretary to cancel all of his remaining appointments for the day. He has to handle this little altercation between his son and Granger's daughter.
"Now, children sit down. I want to know all about this name-calling business you two seem to be quite fond of. Who wants to start explaining? Scorpius? Rose?" Draco inquired in that crisp commanding tone.
"Uhm…Mr. Malfoy…"
"Yes, Rose. Continue." Malfoy retorted while giving Hermione a fleeting look that almost says…there's that inherited Gryffindor bravery.
"Me, Albus and the other Weasley kids were playing at the outdoor sandbox when Scorpius came and destroyed the castle my friends and I were making then shouting blood traitors and mudbloods should not be allowed in our school at the same time pointing his finger at me. He always calls us that in school but it was only now that I got fed up and pushed him hard and that's when the Headmistress unfortunately saw us. She then called us out to come with her in the Headmistress' Office."
"And again, the question remains. Scorpius, why do you call her Mudblood? Rose, why did you call my son Death Eater boy? Do you two even know what those words mean?" Draco asserted sounding off parental concern.
Hermione was impressed. This was a totally different Malfoy before her eyes. He exudes that authority without being callous which was so unlike the Malfoy she knew in her younger years and even so at present when he's with her. He still calls her Mudblood after all at every turn. Malfoy never confused her before because Malfoy is Malfoy. Now, she doesn't know what to think. He's not even taking sides though clearly he's not pleased when Rose called his son Death Eater boy.
"Father, I'm just teasing her like all the other children in school. They call her Mudblood too, but she's only angry at me."
"You twit! Of course, I'm mad! Who wouldn't be mad? I'm a Half Blood! My father's a Pure Blood, you know, one-third of the Golden Trio!"
"Rose, language!", reminded Hermione.
"Listen, you two. Pure Bloods, Half Bloods and what other people call Mudbloods have the same blood. There's no difference. Remember that. You should stop putting labels on people because they were born with a different heritage than you did. You don't need to be friends with them at all just respect each other. Do you understand what I mean? You're smart kids, right? I know you can sense what I'm trying to tell you."
Both children nodded in agreement.
"Now, regarding Death Eaters that's a lot more difficult to explain, perhaps, when you're both older. For now, just know that it's a bad word and should not be repeated ever again. Granger, anything to add?", asked Malfoy with that sly smile on his face.
Merlin! Hermione was flabbergasted! She's gawking and she's speechless! She can't think of any witty comebacks at all.
"Since, that's all settled. I believe it's just about right to announce my impending marriage.", Malfoy declared with that mischievous smirk splattered on his face.
"Mr. Malfoy, I'm sorry to interrupt but can my mother and I go now? I don't really care about your impending marriage."
"Not now, Malfoy." Hermione warned Draco in a controlled voice.
But Draco didn't heed Hermione's request, he got on with it. "Not yet dear Rosie. Can I call you Rosie?" Without waiting for Rose's response, Malfoy carried on. "Ah, yes. My soon-to-be wedding and that's to your mother dear, Rosie."
"Mom! You can't do this! What about dad?" Rose exclaimed almost crying.
"Your mother's not married to your dad so she has the right to get married to me…dear. And I'm certain, he won't mind. He's been what? Almost 7 years already in St. Mungo's." Malfoy stated almost gloating.
"Ugh. I can't believe you just did that, Malfoy! You just made her cry. I'm leaving. I'm taking my daughter home."
When she was just about to leave, Malfoy grabbed her hand and whispered into her ear." Don't think I've changed. You're still a Mudblood. Now, my Mudblood."
Hermione reached home with Malfoy's laughter still ringing in her ears. Stupid witch! And you call yourself the brightest witch of your age. Her thoughts berated herself.
At Malfoy's office, Scorpius stood still in disbelief.
"Father, is it really true? You're going to marry Rose's mother?
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I'll tell you the reason when you're older. Now, get your things, Mother will get you home. I need to stay a little bit in the office. Don't worry. I'll come home for dinner. That's a promise." Draco reassured his son.
When his son left all he thought was his lapse in judgment. How could a person as cunning as him underestimate his wife? He should have not started the divorce proceedings. That triggered the contract which overruled the event of her natural death. He can't stop blaming himself for the trouble he's brought upon himself and now to Hermione as well. He must not give up. He'll continue trying and find a safe way out of this mess for his children and Hermione even if it kills him.
Hopefully some of your questions were answered in this chapter. Still left some pieces out intentionally. Though I'm sure you still have lots of questions unanswered or even new ones at that.