Whilst Sebastian was absolutely thrilled about seeing his paternal grandparents, Hermione was worried and nervous. She could see him practically jumping out of joy, and instead of feeling good for him, she felt pity, because those people he was so eager to see weren't those he thought they were, or at least they weren't as he thought.

The good part was that while she dressed him up—she actually didn't know if it was normal to dress up a seven year old, but she was a first time mother, and a very young one too, but the child didn't seem to mind—and brushed his hair, the boy finally spoke about his life with his grandparents. He mentioned what kind of things they bought him, what they taught him, the places they visited… and many more which made her understand and know more about what it meant to be a Malfoy.

"Grandfather doesn't allow me to eat candy, but grandmother does now and then, but I mustn't let grandfather find out; he would get really angry if he found out." Commented Sebastian.

"What does he do when he is angry at you?" asked his mother.

"He doesn't usually get angry at me because I am always good." He clarified. "But if I make a mistake he punishes me by making me stay in my room, or he doesn't allow me to go to work with him or go horse riding…"

"And what about your grandmother?"

"She never punishes me, she doesn't mind all that much that I make mistakes."

"What sort of mistakes do you make?"

"Sometimes I get up when I mustn't, or I ask questions that are not allowed, or I get dirty in the garden, or I break something although I don't mean to…"

No doubt the Malfoys kept a tight rein on him; Draco had probably been raised in the same manner, but in that case the difference between one boy and the other was impressive. Sebastian was polite and compliant, while Draco had been aggressive and provocative, at least on the outside. Hermione couldn't be sure Draco was the same at home or around his family.

When they arrived to the Muggle restaurant the Malfoys indicated, Lucius and Narcissa were already sitting on a table, disgust written all over their faces, but they changed that when they saw Hermione and Sebastian, they both smiled. Lucius in a gloomy, calculating manner; Narcissa expectantly and somehow sweetly; both slightly anxious.

Sebastian let go of Hermione's hand and hurried to go and greet his grandparents; and she noticed they had chosen a particularly expensive restaurant, for which neither her nor the child were properly dressed. Although they didn't seem to mind much, since Lucius was wearing a wizard robe that every Muggle in the place had noticed, while Narcissa's robe clung tightly to her body giving the appearance of a Muggle dress, making her less noticeable. Either way, the four of them looked like the black sheep of the restaurant. Hermione and her son because they weren't properly dressed, Lucius and Narcissa because they appeared to be part of a sect, which wasn't so far from the truth.

"Mister Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy. Good day." Hermione greeted them while she sat down. The table was round, so she had her son on one side and Lucius on the other, and Narcissa right in front of her, whom after greeting her dismissed Hermione immediately and focused on her grandchild, asking him about everything he had done that day; the child didn't seem to mind. Listening to Sebastian tell every little thing of his day was amusing. He related every detail, from the hour he got up to the type of lotions Hermione used to comb his curly hair.

Everything seemed to go well, the Malfoys didn't pay much attention to her, they were very focused listening the child's stories about everything he had seen, everything he had done. They probably expected to get useful information, but they didn't seem to be getting any closer than Hermione, they had as much information as Hermione, which meant, they had nothing.

Hermione was shocked to see the prices in the menu. Just when the fear was written all over her face, Lucius Malfoy looked at her and laughed haughtily. "Worry not, Miss Granger, you are invited."

She had expected it so, since she wasn't planning on paying a cent of her money for that lunch, she didn't want to be there at all after all. Anyhow, she had never seen such high prices in her life, and that only made her more uncomfortable.

"Mom has a tiny apartment, it's odd but it works. Did you know she doesn't have much money?" He told his grandmother, who only nodded her head in response, the amazement of seeing and listening to her grandson, who besides was so similar to her son at that age, prevented her from showing a proper disgust-face due to being in a place filled with Muggles.

"You really don't mind that I stay with her, grandmother? You don't mind? I will have to go to school, but we can see each other any time we want, right?" Sebastian asked Narcissa, who stared at him with some sort of amazement. Hermione didn't know if she should find it odd that the child asked for permission when Hermione had told him she had his custody; it seemed that despite that he needed his grandmother's approval. It made some sense, after all Narcissa had raised him, and by the few things she knew from Draco, one could tell she was a woman used to commanding and ordering other people's lives. But even so, Hermione couldn't help but feel a slight annoyance when listening to her son asking for permission to do something to Narcissa Malfoy, even if she was his grandmother.

"Of course… of course I don't mind, sweetheart," she answered with some difficulty, her reply seemed to be more a doubt than a real answer, but the child thought it was good enough. Hermione was thankful that the Malfoys, even though they were quite opportunistic, at least followed the plan of making the boy believe he was still on his time.

"What's that about going to school, Sebastian? asked a very interested Lucius before Hermione could interject about that tiny matter. "Don't you need a few more years to go to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, but that will happen afterwards, I'll go to a Muggle school while I wait." When the Malfoys heard that, their faces turned into one of horror and disgust. "It's because my mother can't take care of me all day long and she won't have time to teach me."

"No Malfoy has ever had a Muggle education boy, what makes you think you will be the first?" Lucius tone of voice became harsh, just like his eyes, he was upset as if he had any say in the matter. Sebastian's face turned to one full of shame and looked down to the floor.

Hermione hurried by his side to interject. "That's my decision, Mister Malfoy," said Hermione defiantly.

"Of course is your decision." Lucius turned around to looked at her in the eyes; his voice sounded despiteful, but he appeared to be calmer than before. "No one else would think of doing such a thing." Before Hermione could say anything else, Lucius stared at the child again and asked: "What do you think about continuing your studies with me, boy? Haven't I taught you what's worthy of a Malfoy?"

"He won't continue his studies with you." Hermione interjected again, now finding it harder to contain her own anger. "He will go to a Muggle school, he will behave as a Muggle, and he will learn like a Muggle while he is with me. And he won't be worthless because of that."

Narcissa stared at Hermione with hatred in her eyes, Lucius appeared to be biting his tongue as he stared at her, and Sebastian didn't know what to say or do.

"We shall discuss this later." Suggested Lucius, cautiously; the idea was most horrible for him, but at the same time he knew where he was standing (or sitting for that matter), and arguing with the mother of the boy wouldn't be of any use for his purposes. And, seeing that Hermione appeared to be about to implode, he made a slight effort to appear calmer, and ask, "Do you remember going over finances with me, boy?"

Sebastian nodded, the situation made him feel awkward since his mother and his grandfather looked upset and about to start an argument, he hurried to reply. "Everyday, grandfather."

So that was it, assumed Hermione, finances. Lucius Malfoy was interested in finding out how his business would be in the future, that had to be it. If they went over their family finances every day, surely the boy would have knowledge that would be of use for his grandfather, and assuming Lucius had made the same assumption as she, surely would be interested in the child for that reason.

"Of course, I use to do the same with your father when he was your age. I used to test your father every Friday. You didn't think that because you are living with your mother you won't have to be tested any longer, do you?"

Sebastian looked dumbfounded, he shrugged and, with his voice filled with insecurity, he replied, "I like tests."

"Of course you like them, you are your mother's son after all." Lucius was fast to mend his mistake, and he smiled; he had probably thought the child would have Draco's attitude. He stared at him with greed, and Hermione didn't like that one bit.

"However, now that he lives with me there's no need for him to mind your family business, Mr. Malfoy."

"Oh, Hermione," interjected Narcissa for the first time, Hermione had never been questioned by that woman, and was particularly impressed to hear her name on Narcissa's lips, even if she was only pretending to be polite. "Don't you believe it would be too sudden to change everything for this child? To be with us, just like he used to not too long ago, won't harm him at all. Besides, don't you have work to do or something like that?" She smiled and winked to the boy before she went on, "Don't you want to come back home once in a while, at least for a few hours, sweetheart?"

Sebastian stared at her with hopeful eyes; it seemed he wanted to spend time with them, after all, Narcissa's words were true: they couldn't change the child's life just like that; besides, he himself had told Hermione he expected to be visited by his grandparents, they were an important part of his life and there was no possible explanation Hermione could come up with in order to restrain him from seeing them. But the Malfoys couldn't possibly be the best chance for her son to have a normal life. Maybe the Malfoys from his time were, but not these Malfoys whom only wanted to use the child for their own benefit. Hermione wasn't even going to consider allowing them to take him, even if it was for a few hours.

"I said it before and I'll say it again, I don't think Malfoy Manor is a good place to be for Sebastian, Mrs. Malfoy…" Hermione shook her head, if they wanted to play dirty, she would play dirty as well. "I can't allow him suffering his father's presence again."

" Actually, his father…" said Lucius cautiously "is in a business trip and we won't be seeing him for several days, so that won't be a problem."

When Sebastian heard that, he was taken aback again, and he asked: "You changed your mind, grandfather? Now you believe he can handle our business?"

Lucius realized his mistake and it took him a little bit longer than usual to give an answer. "Draco has proven himself worthy."

"But in the last rehabilitation center they said…" Sebastian couldn't finish, he was quickly interrupted by Narcissa.

"Your father is fine now, you know? We have managed to get him to have a more normal life rhythm."

Narcissa's words seemed to make the situation worse, since Sebastian couldn't understand how his father could recover in a manner of days from an addiction that had lasted for years.

The three adults looked at him expectantly as he digested that information followed by his own conclusions. "So… so it was true, wasn't it?" He spoke in a whisper, his head looking down, his gaze melancholic. "Father always said everything would be better when I disappeared."

Those words seemed to have a similar effect in all of the three grown ups there; while Hermione felt a deep sorrow for her child, Narcissa seemed to take pity on him, and Lucius was left speechless.

"No, it's nothing like that, sweetheart," said Narcissa, showing something Hermione had never seen on someone like her: compassion. "We have missed you a lot; we only let you stay with your mother because we know it's the best for you."

"Then why couldn't I meet her until now, grandmother?" he asked, not daring to look straight at them; that was probably one of those questions he wasn't allowed to ask.

"Why do you think so, boy?" Interjected Lucius, showing himself interested and superior at the same time. The child seemed to believe his attitude was appropriate for the situation.

"I never understood how can a person disappear…" he said cautiously.

When they heard that, both Malfoys turned their heads to face Hermione, who looked absolutely puzzled while their judgmental gaze fell on her. Was that the explanation for her absence, that she had disappeared? And what was that supposed to mean? Had she died? Had she abandoned him? Had she been kidnapped?

"That's what they told you that happened to me?" she asked, surprised, "that I disappeared?"

The child nodded his head and then looked at his grandmother, as if he were expecting her to go on with the explanation. Narcissa, naturally, could barely conceal her nervousness since she had no idea what to say. But she was a high society lady, and as such she wasn't allowed to show herself puzzled or nervous, therefore she made a huge effort in order to compose herself as soon as possible.

"That's how it was," she said, pretending to be completely certain of her words. "One day you were gone, just like that. We couldn't find you anywhere. May be you could explain to us what happened Hermione."

As it was to be expected the burden of having to give Sebastian some sort of explanation fell on Hermione. After all, wouldn't it be better if Hermione appeared as the guilty party and not Sebastian's well-meaning grandparents?

"Just a few days ago I found out I had a child," replied Hermione gritting her teeth, and staring at Narcissa with a little bit of hatred in her eyes, while trying at the same time to conceal it from Sebastian.

"And how did father know where were you after all these years? Or did he always know and didn't want to tell us?" Wondered Sebastian.

"I hadn't seen your father in years. I don't know how he found out where I was, neither can I explain the fact that I didn't know I had a son," she explained, knowing that finding out where she lived was pretty simple, one just had to look into the Minister of Magic employees' records, or asked a common acquaintance. Luckily, due to his young age, the boy didn't find it impossible for a woman to live not knowing she had a child, or that she had been pregnant; he was too young to understand such things.

"Well, he said…" Narcissa started, and Hermione immediately recognized her lying tone. "that he found out where she lived, and then decided that it would be in your best interest to get to know her and live with her. Wasn't that what you wanted, Sebastian?"

Sebastian appeared to be more satisfied with that answer, although a little surprised. He nodded his head in agreement. "I always wanted to meet you, mom," he told Hermione, looking straight into her eyes with hope, and a cheerful smile. It was contradictory to listen to him and look at him knowing he didn't even know the three adults there were taking advantage of his naiveté in order not to lose face in front of him. He shrugged and added: "Still, it's odd that father wanted to do something like this for me."

"Well, people can change, you know?" Hermione told him, trying to cheer him up a little.

"Of course they can, and your father has changed a lot; if you saw him now, you'd think he's an entirely different person, sweetheart." Interjected Narcissa, trying to plant a seed, Hermione assumed, which didn't seem like a good idea.

Sebastian didn't appeared convinced, and, really, it didn't make much sense to think that his father, who had always proven himself to be indifferent and aggressive towards him, could change from one day to another for his son's benefit.

When the first course arrived Hermione felt uncomfortable again, realizing even her son had better manners than her, just like the Malfoys. It wasn't like she didn't have manners, it was just that she wasn't so strict as they wer: only wrists were allowed over the table, they only used the fork with their left hand, and they sat so upright they looked like lamp posts.

"Why did we come to a Muggle restaurant, grandfather?" asked Sebastian, as he realized they were not in a restaurant for wizards.

Lucius wasn't surprised by the question, in reality he had been expecting someone to inquire about it. And he replied just like before, trying to get on well with the kid, as if it were necessary.

"Your grandmother and I though your mother would feel more comfortable in a place like this," said Lucius.

"I have no problem with wizarding restaurants." Retorted Hermione, who didn't know for sure if she should feel insulted by the assumption that she couldn't be in the wizarding world.

"It doesn't seem to be very different from the others." Commented the child.

"Muggles aren't as different as you believe." Hermione took the opportunity to tell him while the Malfoys had to restrain the urge to contradict her. Their features were ones of disgust.

The meal went by without much conflict, the Malfoys made sure to get all the information they could from Sebastian, which wasn't much. Lucius basically wanted to know how his shares would perform in the market in the following years, and how many and which types of business he would have, for which he had to ask the most subtle questions he could, telling Sebastian that he was testing him since he had missed his last Friday exam, and also to inform Hermione about everything they had. On the other hand, Narcissa was interested in learning about health matters in the family, specially her son's; it was a touchy subject since the child didn't feel comfortable talking about his father, and at the same time it was odd for him that his grandmother asked such questions.

Hermione hoped the Malfoys' pretensions didn't go further than those kind of harmless things, because she wasn't willing to allow her child to have much more contact with them, no more than this. Besides, she knew that eventually they would lose interest once they got what they wanted.

It was when they were finishing their lunch when Sebastian decided to make a pause.

"Grandfather, I have to go the little boys' room." The child got up and stood next to Lucius, expecting him to go with him. Again, Hermione wasn't sure if boys that age were supposed to be accompanied to the bathroom, but it appeared to be something he was used to, at least in public areas, and it also appeared that Lucius was the one who was supposed to go with him.

Hermione assumed that Lucius would feel disgusted by the mere thought, but instead he complied without turning a hair, and making her react: she couldn't allow her son to be alone with that man, even if he had been so kind to Sebastian, she couldn't trust him.

"Wouldn't you rather go with me?" she asked as she got up in a hurry and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"But you can't go into the men's room, mom." The child looked puzzled again, apparently he couldn't think of going with a woman to a men's bathroom, even if Hermione had thought of taking him to the lady's room, which probably wouldn't be such a good idea for him either.

"You have nothing to worry about, Miss Granger…" Lucius Malfoy got up and carefully took his wand from his cane to leave it next to Hermione's plate. "I can guarantee you that."

She still didn't like the idea, but the act of giving one's wand to another person, to a witch in that case, was quite a powerful guarantee. It was a most unusual act that clearly said he could be trusted. And even if she didn't trust him, she found herself forced to do it at that moment.

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a/n: I know, I am sorry for the delay. I hope next chapter will come faster. Happy hollidays to you all!

PS: On our next chapter, everyone's favorite Malfoy comes along! Stay tuned!