Chapter 11: No Hasty Escape, Da

Draco woke to whispers the next morning as he blearily opened one eye and promptly shut it once more. His baby girl seemed to be entertaining this morning, and quite happily too.

"That's my Da." Fi proclaimed, shocking the other kids into silence.

Cleo spoke first. "You talk! You actually talked."

Chris and Elliot went next. "Way to go, princess." Chris exclaimed, ruffling Seraphina's hair. Elliot stared at Draco and then turned to Seraphina. "Your Da needs a haircut. He looks like a girl."

"He does not. He's a boy. A big boy." Fi retorted, rather importantly.

Evan pointed towards the tattoos on Draco's body and whispered into Mason's ear, who promptly blurted out, "Your Da has marks. Does he need a bath?"

"No! He always has those. I think they're pretty."

Cleo hummed in agreement. "Me too. Your Da is very big, Seraphina. Like Mr. Charlie."

Seraphina nodded and patted Draco's hair. "He has the pretty hair, too. I like to tie it for him and he lets me."

Chris edged closer to Draco and poked his cheek. "He needs to be smoother, like Mr. Harry."

Seraphina glared at Chris and smacked his hand away from her Da. "I like it. And don't touch, he'll get grouchy."

Chris stuck out his tongue and pulled up Elliot. "Fine. See you downstairs, princess." The twins raced out of the room, with Cleo following to claim the bathroom first. Mason stepped closer to Draco and was about to trace the tattoo on his pec, but Draco grabbed his outstretched finger.

"Touch me mate, and lose the finger." Draco muttered, eyes closed.

Mason let out a squeak and mumbled a quiet sorry. Draco released his finger and both Mason and Evan scrambled out the room, just as Granger walked in. He ignored her for the moment, concentrating on Fi.

"Was that a boy who called you princess?" Draco asked.

Fi nodded and patted his cheek. "That's Chris. Cleo says he's 'noying. I think so too."

Draco hummed and pointed a finger at her. "Stay away, baby girl. No boys."

Fi furrowed her brows. "But, Da. You're a boy, too."

He heard Granger's laugh and he groaned. "No boys except me, Miss Fi."

Fi nodded and sat on his chest. "Yes, sir. Now, up. Ms. Molly makes good food."

Draco nodded and turned Fi around to face Granger. "Say hello to Granger and then we'll get up."

Fi scrambled off his chest and flew at Granger like a tornado. "Hi Ms. H! Da and I rested like you said."

Hermione smiled and ran a ringed hand over her curls. "Well done, sweetheart. Why don't you go brush your teeth and run to the bathroom, while I pick out your clothes, hmm? I need to talk to your Da for a second."

Fi scampered off and Draco finally got a full view of Granger that puzzled him. She was wearing a bright green dress with trees on it and brown heels that should've made her taller, but had little effect on her 5'1'' frame. She had birds hanging from her ears and Draco was reminded briefly of the radishes Luna Lovegood had worn at Hogwarts. Her glasses were perched on her freckled nose and she threw him a blinding smile that had him craving for female attention.

"Sleep well, Draco?"

Draco vaguely wondered why Granger decided to constantly use his first name but decided against asking. "Your mattress is lumpy, Granger. And the brats here have sticky fingers."

Hermione chuckled and walked towards the bed, stopping in front of him. "Lift your arm, please. I need to reapply the ointment."

Draco obliged her and winced when she removed the gauze. She began to talk while she worked, taking his mind off the burning. "The sticky fingers was probably Mason. That child always has something up his nose or in his mouth. Evan provokes him and he tends to follow. The twins are a riot and give me a migraine, but they mean well. And Cleo, Cleo is an old soul. She's quite taken with Seraphina. All of them love her, Draco."

Draco didn't respond, allowing her to work in silence for a moment. She finished up and looked at him, waiting patiently.

"Thank you, Granger, for all you've done. But Fi and I, we cannot stay. I'm exiled. This can mean Azkaban for me, if I'm caught. I need a safehouse and it's not here."

Hermione remained silent for a moment before she took a seat next to Draco on the bed. "Why me? Why PHOC?"

"We never got along, but I wasn't a complete imbecile. If I knew someone who'd take care of a child, regardless of parentage, it would be you. It was a simple matter of research; you're quite popular after your resignation from the Ministry. It wasn't difficult to find you and then it was just a matter of creating a contingency plan." He glanced at her then and shot her a look. "We both know how adept I am at planning things, don't we? Fi would fit in here just fine while I was otherwise indisposed and you'd care for her until I returned. And then Fi and I would go home."

Hermione sighed and wrapped her arms around her middle. "Home? Shouldn't you report this, Draco? What even happened while you were gone? I have theories but I hope none of them are true. I could call Harry—"

"Granger, stop. There's no need to call Potter. Fi and I will leave today, it'll be like I was never here. I can deal with this problem on my own."

Her heart chilled at the thought. Never here? "But, Harry can help—"

"Granger! I'm not supposed to be in fucking London. I've got another year and a half left in my exile, and I'm not risking Azkaban, not when I have Fi."

Hermione placed a ringed hand on his knee and squeezed lightly. "Let us help you, Draco. We can find a safehouse, not in England. We can work together if you tell us what happened to you."

Draco stared at the small hand barely covering his knee and then back at Granger's face. "Have you forgotten who I am, Granger? Blinded by Fi and what I've done for her, have you forgotten sixth year? The manor? My sentence in Azkaban? Where are those brains of yours?"

Hermione removed her hand from Draco's knee and rose, walking towards Seraphina' closet. She left Draco to simply stare at her back as she began folding the clothing and picking out an outfit for the little girl to wear. She let the silence linger before she turned to face Draco again. "Do not insult me by thinking I have forgotten who you were in your adolescence, Draco. I know, and I've forgiven that boy for his stupidity. Now, Seraphina will be back any minute and you need a shower. Mind the gauze. I've a pair of clothes for you to wear and breakfast is ready."

It'd been a while since he'd gotten a dressing down, like a little boy. Draco stood then, making to move towards her, but knowing he'd been rather effectively dismissed. "Granger, I—"

"Da, you're still here? Go brush! I want food!" Fi demanded, pushing him towards the door. Draco sighed and ambled towards the bathroom, while Fi got dressed.

The morning had gotten off to a rather shaky start, and despite what Granger had offered, he still planned to return to France.

Breakfast was a boisterous affair, with all the kids so intrigued by Draco, who had made no effort to change his appearance, save for a shower and clean clothes. Fi sat on his lap while the kids directed questions at him, which Fi happily answered. Granger was quiet, which he knew was unusual since the little Queen girl was constantly questioning her. Much to his relief, Mother Weasley was absent, babysitting for someone or the other.

Fi tapped his face and turned his chin down towards him. "Apple, Da? I eat them every day, like you."

Draco grinned just as heart nearly sank with the weight of her statement. Every day without you. "Of course, Fi." He obliged her by opening his mouth, allowing her to cram in a few apple slices. He pretended to bite her fingers, delighted in her girlish squeals. He was aware of all the eyes on them, but it hardly mattered to him, now that he was with Fi and they'd be going home soon enough.

A loud clanging sounded and without thinking, Draco was up and out of his seat, Fi thrown on his back and wand in hand. He looked around for the threat. But saw none. He was met with five wide eyes and Granger's saddened ones before he realized his error.

Fi sighed and patted his hair with one hand, and tugged on his ear with the other. "It's the bell clock, Da. No bad men here."

"Cleo, take the kiddos to the classroom. It's environment day." Hermione ordered softly, moving towards Draco. She lowered his wand hand, while reaching for Seraphina and placing her on her hip. She watched as his chest heaved, his broad shoulders tensing at an unknown threat. Her heart ached at the wild look in his eyes and the way his eyes were roving over Seraphina to make sure she was unharmed. Seeing him grab her and move into the defensive stance gave her some insight into how his life had taken a turn since the war, and she wanted it to be different for him, for Seraphina.

She took a step closer to him, until her palm rested over his chest. "Draco—"

Draco shook his head and struggled to control his breathing. He had no explanation for his reaction. "Fi, come—"

"Draco, just let me help you. We can work something out, I promise. I'll talk to Harry and we can figure out the details. A safehouse away from England—just don't take Seraphina away so quickly."

"Granger, Fi and I are leaving. I've got a safe house, it's fine." Draco lifted Granger's hand from his chest and reached for Fi. "Let's get your things, baby girl. Then home." Draco said, smoothing away Fi's curls.

She nodded and turned towards Granger. "What about Ms. H? We like her, Da. She's nice and she makes the hurts better, remember?"

Draco grimaced and nodded. "I know, but Granger can't come with us. She has to stay here with the other brats."

"Draco, please. Stay a bit and we can compromise. Please, I—" Hermione broke off and Draco stared at her in wonder. What reason could she possibly have for them to stay?

"Fi, go with the other brats. I need to talk to Ms. H." Draco let Fi down and quirked a brow at her stance, hand atop her hips.

"Be nice, Da. No grouchy." She nodded smartly at his hum of agreement and shuffled towards the classroom. Draco waited for the door to shut before he turned towards Granger. She was looking at him with those fucking doe eyes behind those sexy glasses, so patient and concerned, he snapped.

"When I made this contingency plan, I never expected to have to use it. I didn't want Fi here and I especially didn't want to come here. Do you understand, Granger? Being here is risking Fi having me in her future. I've been absent nearly a year and I've missed her grow. I'm taking her home and unless you call Potter to arrest my ass, you cannot stop me." His chest is heaving after his angry spiel and he growled under his breath at the serene, dreamy look on Granger's face. "What?" He barked out.

Hermione sighed and moved closer to him. Looking at the few lines on his face and months of stubble across his cheeks, she could see the buried pain from his separation from his daughter and the risk of it happening again. She hardly knew him, but the idea of him, of his love for Seraphina, of what he'd sacrificed—it made her insides warm and her heart clench. She'd always been a person motivated by emotion and this time was no different. She stroked his cheek, politely ignoring his flinch, trying to convey her sympathy. He would be safe here and she would not betray him by confiding in her friends if he asked her not to. But leaving now, so soon after reuniting with his daughter? The kiddos wouldn't go for it and she certainly wouldn't. She wanted to know more of Draco and she wanted to keep him here, with them—with her.

"It amazes me how much the little boy Malfoy has grown, grown to love a little girl and sacrifice everything for her. You've been away for so long, you haven't seen our family." She stepped even closer, dropping her hand from his cheek and smoothing both her palms over the broad planes of his chest. She spoke quietly as she reholstered his wand into his shoulder holster. "Stay for a few days, Draco. I understand your concern, but I won't tell anyone. I'll give Molly some time off, not to worry. Watch your daughter here for a few days, then make a decision." She finished restrapping the wand and let her hands rest on his chest. She had no problems with being familiar with other people, exiled or otherwise.

He heaved out a sigh and a ran a large hand through his hair. "Persistent as ever, Granger. We'll stay for a bit. But the minute I'm found it, we're out of here. Do not underestimate how prepared I am. There is nothing I will not do to keep Fi safe." He said rather gruffly.

Hermione nodded, curls bouncing in her vehemence, hands tightening on his shoulders. "Of course, Draco. I would expect no less. Now come, we have class." She moved to grasp his hand, but he halted the progression of her wrist.

"What's changed since our school days? Have you always been so…hands-on?" He didn't mean for it to sound creepy, it was honest curiosity. This was not the old Granger.

She smiled then, bright and honest. She grasped his hand and dragged him towards the classroom. "Why, I like people Draco. And human interaction, I find, is best with human contact." She threw him a grin over her shoulder, that seemed sincere but Draco's mind had gone into the gutter. Human contact, huh?

He was broken out of his wayward thoughts when Granger introduced him to the brats. Again. "Seraphina's Da is going to observe. So behave, no fighting, maiming, or bleeding." She paused, looking at Mason. "And no shoving pencils or anything else up your nose."

The kiddos groaned but nodded when Hermione turned her best teacher glare on them. Satisfied, she conjured a chair for Draco in the back and gestured for him to sit. As he passed, she grasped his hand. "I've already cast a spell that prevents the kiddos from accidently disclosing your presence. We can talk freely here."

Draco nodded stiffly and turned to see Fi smiling widely at him. She waved a bit madly and he stuck out his tongue at her. She giggled, making his heart warm, just as Granger began her lesson.

While the brats pretended to pay attention, Draco let his mind wander. He'd been gone for nearly a year and he needed to check on his company. He had a contingency plan that had gone into place, so he knew it hadn't been run into the ground, but a meeting with the board would be necessary. He also needed to sit down and have it out with Fi. She'd bounced back quickly, too quickly. It was strange and he would address it before another incident occurred. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, but after his escape, he knew some retaliation would occur. He didn't know if the Dolohov had found where Fi was, but she couldn't be tracked. He'd have to have someone on foot, in which case, Draco could easily take them down.

The only pesky issue was Granger.

She was persistent and he couldn't say no because of Fi and when both of them turned their wide eyes on him, he crumbled. Ridiculous, but true. He needed to convince Granger to let him leave without fanfare so he could get Fi and himself to the safe house. He didn't fancy dealing with Potter and the redheads that undoubtedly accompanied him. He knew it was wrong to take Fi away from PHOC and Granger, but they could come back after his exile.

Granger, though, something about her…She was changed. Bold. Calm. Different. A good different; her work seemed to be more on her level. Working at the Ministry would've kept her in a position of stagnation ; she fit at PHOC and he knew, without a doubt, he had made the right decision in sending Fi here.

"Da! DA!" Fi tugged on Draco's pants, trying to get this attention. Draco glanced down and reached for Fi, setting her on his lap.

"What do you want, brat?" He smoothed one large hand over her curls, dropping a kiss on her brow.

"Ms. H is done and the kiddos left for a snack. Is your tummy roaring?" She patted his belly, quickly going from patting to punching.

"Shit, Fi. I'm not a punching bag and I'm not hungry."

"Your tummy is hard. Does it hurt?"

"No, Fi." He rolled his eyes and looked at Granger who was cleaning up and preparing for the following lesson. "Why don't you say goodbye to Granger and we'll go out for a bit?" He saw Granger still momentarily before she pasted a smile on her face when Fi ran up to her.

"Bye, Ms. H! Da and I are going out. Wanna come?"

Hermione smiled and picked up Seraphina. "No, I think your Da wants some alone time with you. Be good, darling." She kept Seraphina on her hip until Draco reached them and she sincerely hoped he wasn't leaving.

"Seraphina can show you our pond. Take some snacks with you as well." Hermione said, addressing Draco.

He nodded and took Fi, slinging her across his back. He paused before moving to the door, glancing at Granger's face. "For fuck's sake, Granger. I can hear the cogs in your brain turning. I'm not leaving."

Hermione remained silent, simply placing a kiss on Seraphina's cheek and fleetingly brushing her hand across Draco's cheek. "Be back for lunch, Draco. It's spaghetti day." With that, she returned to her lesson plan, reorganizing until she heard the classroom door shut. Her shoulders slumped then and she released a shuddering breath.

It was ridiculous to feel this way, half in love with a man who had clearly not given her much thought. But her? She had given much thought to Seraphina's father and had crafted such a romanticized image of him that she couldn't help projecting onto Draco. Which was fine, considering he'd starred along Charlie in her dirty fantasies. But that had been Hogwarts. This, this was Draco, not Malfoy. And she rather fancied herself half in love with him.

It was only fair to take on the new mission of keeping him here.

Draco allowed Fi to take him to PHOC's pond, being patient as she dragged him by the hand, chattering all the way. She pointed out all the different tress, butchering the names, and telling him little quirks about each of the kids.

"And, Mason! Da, Mason puts stuff in his nose. And his mouth. And his ears!" She wrinkled her nose and continued. "Evan is his best friend. They do everything 'gether. And the twins are 'noying. They used to pull my hair, but I fixed that, Da, just like you tolded me to."

That caught his attention. "How did you fix it, Fi?" He stopped when she tugged on his hand and settled against a lone tree infront of the pond, Fi in his lap.

"I bit his hand, Da! He hurted really bad." She looked so proud, Draco didn't have the heart to reprimand her.

"That's my girl." Draco murmured, dropping a kiss on Fi's mass of curls. Fi beamed at him and continued to chatter, playing with his hair. He nodded at the right times, rubbing her back with one hand as the other clenched in a fist alongside his thigh.

He had missed all of this.

Fi had gotten over her fear of water. Fi liked to climb trees. Fi liked to play with the fish. Fi had made friends, and he hadn't been there.

Guilt surged and he struggled to control his anger. He needed to right this and he needed to do it without putting himself in unnecessary danger. He wanted the life he had with his baby girl before all of this had happened.

Fi smacked her palm against his cheek to grab his attention. "Da! Listen to me."

Draco took her palm and pressed a kiss in the middle. "I am, baby girl. How are you feeling?"

Fi furrowed her brows and shrugged. "Happy, Da. You're back."

Draco rubbed a large hand over her back. "I know. But before, what happened at the river—"

Draco broke off as Fi suddenly burst into tears.

Well, fuck.

Fi was crying, big gulping sobs wracking her little frame, tears rolling down her pale cheeks. Her green eyes were huge, lashes thick with unshed tears. Draco didn't bother with quieting her; he simply tugged her until she was cradled in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. Her fist clenched in his hair and he winced, but remained silent.

Even after 3 and half years of raising Fi, he was never used to her tears. You would think he'd be equipped to handle Fi's emotional outbursts, but it was not so. Fi was Pansy's daughter through and through when it came to emotion.

But she was his baby girl when it came to everything else.

"Come on, Fi. You need to stop with the waterworks so I can—"

Fi lifted her head from his shoulder and Draco had never been more surprised to see her anger. "Don't be mean to me! You left me! And you bleeded when you promised not to. And the bad man kept hurting you in the tummy and kept yelling at you. And then, you yelled at me. And told me to go. I didn't wanna go, Da! I wanted to stay with you." She returned to her place at his shoulder, crying silently.

Draco sat there, unable to do much more than rub Fi's back. It hurt, to be blunt. Fi was young but she was neither stupid nor shy in her feelings. She had told him how it was and if someone had shoved a knife through his abdomen, it couldn't have hurt worse.

He rested his head against the tree and released a sigh. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I needed you to leave before the bad man took you, too. The bad man, he had friends, Fi. They do bad things to other people and I didn't want that to happen to you."

Fi's breathing hitched and she tightened the hand in his hair. "Did the bad men hurt you, Da? When you went away?"

Draco swallowed heavily and nodded. "Yes. But I'm okay now."

Fi nodded and raised her head. "Where did they hurt you, Da? I can kiss it better." She looked so determined, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Too many places, baby girl. " Draco sighed and tightened his arms around Fi. It was difficult to look at Fi and see her sadness for his faults.

Fi wiggled in his arms and leaned up to plant a kiss on both his cheeks. She nodded, satisfied, and rested her head once more on Draco's shoulder. "I'm still mad at you. Don't do it again, Da."

Draco chuckled and nodded. "I'm here to stay, Seraphina. Now, we just got to get home."

Fi shook her head. "We're leaving? Don't you like Ms. H? She's nice."

"Ms. H is nice, but we don't live here." It's not safe enough here.

"But I don't wanna go home. I like it here. With Cleo and Ms. H and Mrs. Molly."

"Don't take that tone with me, Miss Fi. Besides, we're not exactly going home."

Fi huffed and leaned back to see his face. "Why?"

Draco tightened his arms around Fi and swallowed hard. "The bad men could come back and I don't want you hurt."

Fi's eyes widened and she gasped. "What did you do, Da?"

Draco winced as Fi hit the problem on its' head. "I was a stupid boy in school, Fi. I did some things I wasn't supposed to and now it's making some trouble for me."

"Were you a bad boy, like the twins?" Fi asked.

"A bit worse than that, I'd wager. "

Fi's mouth dropped and she slapped his shoulder. "Da! You're supposed to be nice! To everyone, just like you told me."

Draco nodded. "I know, baby girl. This was a long time ago."

Fi was about to reply when another voice interrupted, "Your Da's right, Seraphina. It was a long time ago."

Draco turned and saw Granger standing a few feet behind them. "Do you often eavesdrop on private conversations?"

Granger sighed and crossed her arms across her middle. "Of course not, Draco. I came to tell you lunch was ready." She stared at him and Draco nearly squirmed, uncomfortable under her gaze. She looked serene and so fucking accepting, he couldn't stand it. He stood and threw Fi across his back.

"Want some food, brat?"

Fi rubbed her tummy, "It's roaring, Da."

Draco laughed and turned to Granger. "You heard the little lady. Lead the way, Granger."

Hermione smiled and fell into step with him. Fi hapilly hummed along to a random tune and Hermione quietly murmured, only for Draco's ears. "You're so good with her, Draco. None of this is your fault."

He turned and stared at her incredulously. "Don't fool yourself, Granger. I'm well aware where the blame lies in this whole disaster."

Hermione sighed and looped her arm through Draco's. "Will you tell me what happened when they took you?" Her heart clenched at the thought.

Draco narrowed his eyes and glanced at her sharply. "Just how much did you hear, Granger? It's none of your concern."

Hermione tightened her grip on his bicep. "Please don't be angry. I want to help. For you and your Seraphina. "

Draco didn't reply but allowed her to keep her hand on his arm. They walked in silence, with Fi still humming.

When they neared PHOC, Hermione reached for Fi. "Come eat, darling. I've made your favorite."

"Noodles? Yay!" Fi smiled and mussed her hair over Granger's shoulder.

"You brat. Go get some food." He paused for a beat before leaning down and whispering in Granger's ear, "We will talk later."

Hermione shivered and briefly leaned into his warmth. "Of course," she murmured. She walked through the door, with Draco behind her, her heart racing at the thought of later.