"No!" Scorpius screamed happily as Hermione stepped forward from behind the dressing room curtain. Hermione, Scorp, and Draco had been shopping for the better part of two hours and she was just sick of putting and taking off outfits, especially since she had been modeling them to Draco and Scorp and neither one of them seemed to like anything she picked.
"I think I rather like this dress." She complained as she saw both her son and his father scrunch up their nose at the mid-length red summer dress.
"We don't like it." Draco chanted bouncing the little boy sitting on his lap making Scorp giggle. Scorpius had always been such a somber child that hearing him laugh and giggle so freely took Hermione by surprise. In fact she was surprised by the budding relationship shared by the two Malfoy males, Scorp was so shy and Draco she honestly remembered being sourly and only charming when he was working or trying to get into some tall bimbo's knickers. After they had a driver pick them up at Marina Di Campo and take them to Tuscany they had shopped at an exclusive baby boutique for Scorp buying more things than the boy had ever own in his two years on earth, Hermione had argued but Draco insisted that he was making up for lost time with his son.
"I'm starting to notice a pattern here; you two only dislike the red things I try on."
"Maybe red is just not your color." Hermione rolled her eyes at the blonde man and walked back into the dressing room and tried on yet another dress that had been brought to her by the designer personally. She looked in the mirror and had to admit that the things the older woman had chosen for her fit much better than the items Hermione had picked out herself. Taking a deep breath she walked back to the viewing area expecting a simple no.
"Pretty mommy! Pretty mommy!" Scorp chanted at her while Draco just stared at her with his lips slightly parted. She looked nervously down at the emerald green silk floor length gown, it fit her body like a second skin, the dress was tighter than anything she usually wore defining every curve on her petite body. The low neck line displayed an impressive cleavage and the dress had long slits on each side showcasing her shapely legs. When she first exited the dressing room she had felt beautiful and confident in the glamorous gown but now she began to feel uncomfortable under Draco's gaze.
"Well?" She asked twirling slowly showing her exposed creamy back. Finally Draco seemed to regain his voice.
"That's a bit better." Hermione's heart sank at his words and she realized that his opinion matter more than she had originally thought. Sick of playing human Barbie and dejected by Draco's reaction Hermione got dress quickly in her jeans and red sweatshirt, grabbing a few random items she had tried on she walked out of the changing area and to the front of the store not bothering to see if Draco had followed. "What's the matter? You still have an enormous pile of clothes to try on."
"I honestly think this is enough, I understand your need to buy thing for Scorp but I'm more than grateful for just this right here." She said pointing to the small pile she had grabbed. He just nodded and spoke to the sales associate influent Italian; the girl nodded enthusiastically and bagged her items. Once they stepped outside Hermione was about to thank Draco for buying her some much needed clothing when the shrill of a cell phone interrupted her. She watched in shock as he pulled out a sleek black smart phone.
"I'm sorry I have to get this, do you mind going on ahead with Scorp? I'll meet you guys in the ice cream shop." Hermione nodded grabbing Scorp's hand and walking down the quaint streets to the famed Gelato shop. "Potter, do you have any news?" Draco finally answered the phone.
"Not much, we just intercepted two new threats to the minister as well as an enchanted quill that blew up and killed a scriber during court, the quill was meant for the minister's use." Harry sounded tired and Draco guessed that the new developments had kept the Aurors department swamped.
"Damn it! How about Scabior, any news on his where about?"
"There have been a few new leads but nothing concrete as of yet."
"So you have nothing." Draco said frustrated, he needed this threat neutralized, with Scabior and the damn Rebellion hanging over their heads Draco knew he would never be able to sort of the situation with Hermione nor would he relax enough to enjoy getting to know his son.
"Not yet but like I promised I will keep you posted, listen I have to go it's getting late and I have to pick up James."
"Alright, let me know if anything else occurs and Potter…Thank you." It was hard for Draco to say those words, while he and Harry had reached an understanding years ago they were far from friends.
"You don't have to thank me she means a lot to me, I'll call you again in a week." After the line went dead Draco walked down the cobblestone street lined with quaint shops to where Hermione was sitting under a shaded table helping their soon eat his ice cream.
"Hey, is everything alright?" She greeted him with a smile.
"Everything is fine, that was Potter they still have no leads." He noticed her smile falter a little but she continued on as if nothing had happened. Draco sat down across from her and watched Scorp trying to keep the rapidly melting ice cream on his spoon.
"I got you mint chocolate chip." She said bringing his attention to his own ice cream on the table in front of him.
"Thank you, that my favorite."
"Yes I know."
"Harry is that you?" Ginny called out from the kitchen of the home she shared with her husband and child. She had tried to keep occupied all day by baking cookies and making dinner, her mind had kept wondering to Hermione and everything that had unfolded since the brunette's return. Before Harry could answer James ran to the kitchen and barreled into her. "How are you my little boy?"
"Mum, I'm not little now. I'm a big brother, remember?" The little boy who was almost four said indignantly.
"Well excuse me sir."
"Sorry we are late, had some more trouble at work." Ginny looked up to see her husband walk in to the kitchen with a tired look on his face and her heart constricted with worry.
"How was mother?" She asked changing the subject, Ginny didn't want to have the conversation she had been practicing all day in front of little James, she knew it would instigate an argument.
"Fine, she's excited tonight your brother George is bringing a girl to dinner so your mother is in quite a state."
"What?! Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"George just told her as I got there to pick up James, she is very angry and running around talking about short notices and not having a meal prepared." Ginny rolled her eyes annoyed at her brother, leave it to George to pull a stunt like that, deep down she was glad however after Fred's death George had been merely existing and it was about time he joined the side of the living once again.
"God George is so clueless, anyway you boys go wash up dinner is ready." After they ate and put James to bed Ginny and Harry sat in front of the fire in their sitting room. Harry sat on his favorite chair looking through files while she sat on the couch knitting. "So how was work?"
"We had another attack today and once again the perpetrators where far too clever, no evidence was left behind." Harry answer without looking up from his file.
"Harry I want to ask you a favor."
"Anything love." He answered absently once again and Ginny was beginning to feel irritated, ever since he took on the rebellion case he had been absent minded and ignored both her and James.
"I want you to step down from this case."
"What?!" This time he put down his file and looked at her as if she had lost her mind. Ginny however was not deterred, she was worried for her family and Harry would have to listen to her.
"Listen to me Harry, this case is very dangerous and we have James to think about and this new baby! What if something happens to you?"
"Ginny you married me knowing I was an Auror and that my job was dangerous. It's never bothered you before."
"Well it bothers me now; I have a bad feeling about this one. Can't you see how much danger you're in? Please Harry step down, there are plenty of other Aurors that can handle this case." She looked at him anxiously as he removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. He always did that when he found her irritating. Tough!
"I can't Ginny, you better than anyone knows that this case has become personal. They are targeting Hermione and her son how can you ask me to abandon her?"
"So instead you abandon me? I'm worried for her too Harry but Hermione is not your responsibility! Why is it that she just reappears suddenly in our lives and you run to her rescue and ignore the pleas of your worried wife?" Ginny knew she was being unfair but she was scared, she didn't want to lose her husband and as much as she loved Hermione Harry's safety was more important to Ginny. Instead of arguing with her Harry stood up grabbing his files and walked towards the door.
"Goodnight Ginny."
"Harry we are having a discussion!"
"Ginny I'm tired, goodnight."
"Why are you out here alone?" Draco said startling Hermione who had been standing on the balcony in their room overlooking the beach, watching the waves break on shore, the sounds calming her nerves and the sight emptying her mind of all the things she had been worrying about since she found out she was pregnant.
"I didn't hear you come in. It's beautiful here; I can't believe you just had this property without visiting."
"It's a recent purchase."
"Draco I want to thank you for everything you are doing for us."
"You do not have to thank me Hermione, Scorp is my son and it's my job to protect him, and you are my friend." His voice was thick with emotion and she felt shame for keeping his paternity a secret for as long as she had. The word friend also jabbed a little at her heart, foolishly she knew but Hermione had been harboring feelings for Draco Malfoy since she had been a young school girl.
"I know but by showing up we have disrupted your life, I can't even contemplate what this has done to your relationship with your fiancé." The thought of Astoria with her flawlessly beautiful face and perfect body left Hermione feeling gauche and plain. "Ginny told me about it" She said at the confused look on his face.
"You were only there for five hours, I'm afraid to ask what else the little Weaslette has said about me. Don't worry about Astoria Hermione the important thing now is to make sure you and Scorpius are safe and unfortunately Potter is no closer to figuring out the case than he was when you first showed up in my house." Astoria was the furthest thing from Draco's mind, upon walking into the room and finding Hermione standing on the balcony wearing a short dark purple silk nightgown, one of the day's purchases. The sight of her shapely legs brought back memories of the night she had straddled him between those beautiful legs.
"But I can't help feeling guilty, I can't imagine she's happy about her future husband having a bastard child and now playing house with the woman who brought such complications to her life." Her words brought Draco out of his erotic remembrance; he grabbed her by the shoulders forcing her to look at him as he spoke.
"First of all don't ever call my son a bastard again; I am exactly where I need to be. Here with you. Secondly I've already told you to forget Astoria." Hermione felt an electric shock of desire by his touch, her body still responded to him. His words also played with her emotions, but she reminded herself that Draco wasn't interested in her except for the fact that she was the mother of his child. He had broken her heart by completely ignoring the fact that they had shared an explosive night together instead the very next day he was back to parading his beautiful conquests by starting to date heiress and socialite Astoria Greengrass.
"Goodnight Draco." Hermione pulled away from his grip and walked past him into the bedroom they shared. She silently climbed into bed and pretended to fall asleep as Draco stripped down to his pants and walked into the bathroom to shower. She had to keep reminding herself that she was just his friend and even though he had been incredibly nice that day and they had acted like a real family it was just an act, an act to protect Scorp and herself from Scabior. Hermione felt tears running down her cheek and wanted to kick herself for being weak, Draco never even flirted with her in all the years she worked with him, he never led her on at all. She had no one to blame but herself for the situation they were in. Hermione heard the door to the bathroom open and close and felt Draco slip into bed next to her.