Still don't own this - JKR is the Queen of all HP. This is a shorter chapter.

Chapter 4

The fireplace in Draco's study glowed green and imposing frame of Blaise Zabini emerged from the flames and proceeded to scourgify himself.

Draco looked up from his desk and with a" Good morning Blaise," he greeted his long-time friend and business partner.

Blaise returned the greeting and noticed the agitated look on Draco's face. "What's got you all cranked up this early?'

"I have an assignment for you." Draco announced, looking over to Blaise. "I'd like you to procure some background information."

"I see," said the darker man, taking a seat in one of the study's guest chairs. "Who is it that you're investigated this time?"

"Granger," Draco ground out through his teeth.

"Granger! You mean, Hermione Granger? Why on earth-"

"It's not your concern why I want her investigated. I just want it done," Draco snapped.

"No need to get testy Draco."

Draco ignored his friend's comment and continued," I want to know everything she's done since the final battle and I mean everything. I want her school records, birth records, marriage records and the birth certificates for the children. I want to know about that husband of hers too. How did they meet and all the other particulars. Do not leave anything out. Even look at Muggle records." Blaise was shaking his head but Draco ploughed on, "I know that's verboten but just try, ok? Pretend this is a take over and you need all the dirt and nitty gritty."

"I understand. I'll have a report to you by Wednesday. We'll meet here first thing in the morning, yeah?"

"Good. Now I have question for you."

"What's that?"

"Did you know?"

"Did I know what?"

"Did you know Granger was back in the UK? Did you know she's the Potions Professor at Hogwarts?"

"I thought the Potions Professor's name was Kennedy"

Draco gave Blaise a sneer.

"-…oh..right. No, I didn't know. I wonder how long she's been back in the UK. She's keeping a low profile it seems."

Blaise tried again to get Draco's reasoning and asked, "So, what has caused this need to know, where Granger's concerned?"

"Phin."

"Right. You had a meeting with his Potions Professor – Granger. Ha!" Blaise shook his head and continued. "How did that go? Must have been a shocker, yeah?"

"That's an understatement. It was shocking on a number of levels. First there was just the shock of Granger. And let me tell you, if you thought she was hot in sixth year, now she's a yummy mummy with padding in all the right places. Gah! What am I saying! Merlin, I think I've lost the ability to edit my thoughts. It's infuriating. I did the same thing twice yesterday, once with Granger and again with McGonagall."

Blaise watched as his best friend had a mini meltdown. This was not the Draco Malfoy he knew. This Draco Malfoy was a walking emotional fountain. The Draco Malfoy he knew kept his true thoughts and emotions behind a carefully drawn curtain of calm. Rarely, if ever did anyone get a glipse behind that curtain to see the real Wizard. At this very moment, Blaise was hoping Draco would get himself under control. It was getting a little uncomfortable. Slytherins did not do emotion. And then Blaise was slammed out of his thoughts when Draco shouted, "He's failing potions!"

"Sorry. What?"

"Where did you go? I just finished telling you that my son is flunking out of Potions. MY SON is flunking!"

"How can that be Draco? Phin is at least at a fifth or sixth year level, from an execution perspective."

"According to Professor Kennedy," Draco sneered, hating to say that name." He's spacing out in class, making mistakes and he has neglected to hand in three assignments."

"When you spoke with Phin at supper, what did have to say?"

"You're gonna love this Blaise…he's all upset and distracted because he's gone all Hufflpuff!" Draco ran his hands through his hair, pulling at the roots. "He's pissed-off and upset because he thinks I'm in love with his Potions Professor. He thinks I hated his mother and resents him because Astoria and I were betrothed and not a love match. He believes I've pined for Granger all these years." Draco began to pace in front of the fireplace.

Blaise crossed his right leg over his left knee, smoothed the crease in his pants and then said, "Well Draco, not to sound like I'm taking your son's side in this but isn't there a little truth in what he's saying?"

"I am not carrying a torch for Granger!" Draco shouted indignantly. "It's been years! Besides my father, you and Granger, I didn't think anyone knew about our ill fated romance. Apparently the little snot heard me spill my guts when I was in a drunken stupor, just after Astoria's wake. Fuck, I'm a shitty father. How could I have done that? How could I get drunk and ramble on about another woman when my wife was just put the ground. I'm such a shit."

Blaise didn't disagree with him.

"He told me he gets distracted in class because he can't stop thinking about the two of us and then he avoids his homework. He wanted the truth, all of it from me so he could move on. What was I suppose to say to him? I had to tell him – all of it. It was time anyway. He's known about Lucius' past and we've polished over my involvement but I never told him the specifics of the tasks. I had to tell him about that and then I told him how Granger kept me from a stint in St. Mungo's, AND Azkaban, for that matter. How she tried to get me to go to Dumbledoor. I even told him about our last night together and how I betrayed her by marrying his mother."

Draco now dropped himself into his office chair. "Fuck Blaise, you should have seen his face. He thinks I'm an absolute arsehole. And he's right. When it pertains to my personal life, I'm an absolute failure. I've never been able to chuck tradition and expectations and do what was right by my own moral compass. All I can hope for is that I've taught Phin better, that I've given him the tools to be stronger.

"Oh, I've left the best part out. His new best mate is Granger's son. According to the school, they've become fast friends and are practically inseparable. You know what's weird? Both of Granger's kids are in Slytherin."

Blaise deadpanned, "I wonder what she ever saw in you, mate."

"I've often wondered that myself."

AN - Thank you for all the reviews especially IGOTEAMEDWARD!