Chapter 13

5 April 2005

Draco had woken up with a terrible headache. The alcohol definitely needed to go. It was to blame for his misery right now, and he would throw it out the moment he felt like he could take a step without puking out his guts.

It was also to blame for his ridiculous behavior the previous day. He blamed the alcohol, and his Mother and Pansy for that.

He had actually asked Hermione Granger to marry him. Seriously proposed marriage to her. He rolled over in his bed and groaned into the pillow. And now she wanted to talk. A couple of stupid, drunken mistakes, and now their hard work on the school was about to be thrown out the window. There was no way she could work with him after his foolish behavior with her, she would definitely think it too awkward.

So would he, and he was glad she was the one to broach the topic.

He had been surprised that her request to meet had come so soon after, and his own internal bet on how long it would take her to reach out to him had been two days. That's how long it usually took her to cool off after a particularly massive argument anyway. Her letter the previous night had taken him an entire hour to come up with a reply for. In the end, he had decided to invite her over the next morning, preferring her withdrawal from the project be outside his office, out of sight and earshot of his employees. That way, he could control the damage.

He glanced at the clock on the opposite wall, and groaned again as he realized she would be over in a half hour, and he still had to wake himself and Scorpius up, and actually look presentable again.

The desire to roll back into sleep and avoid all this mess was strong, but Draco Malfoy now took responsibility for his actions, no matter how painful it might be.

He only hoped she wouldn't hex him.

Hermione stepped out of the fireplace into Draco's drawing room. It was funny how she'd been here more times this past week than she had for the last six months. But the irony would set in later; right now, she needed to talk this situation out with him.

She cautiously walked into the living room, and found Scorpius hopped on to the stools that separated the kitchen island from the living room.

"Hey, Scorpius," she said, making her way to the boy, looking around for any sign of Draco.

"'Mione!" Scorpius said, turning around and trying to get down from the chair.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, placing a hand on his back to get him to stay seated. "Where's your father?"

"Daddy went to change his pants cause I spilled milk on him," Scorpius giggled. "And I'm painting."

"Oh, do you like painting?" Hermione asked.

"I love painting, and Miss Amelia says I'm very good at it, and Daddy says I'm very good at it," Scorpius explained quickly. "Look, this is what I made."

He held out the piece of parchment he had been working on for Hermione to take a closer look at.

"Wow, you are really good," Hermione smiled. "But what is this behind the grass?"

She pointed to a blue and pointy figure in the boy's painting of an outdoor scene, presumably a garden.

"That's a tree," Scorpius said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"But it's blue," Hermione said.

"Because blue is my favorite colour, and my favorite tree is blue," Scorpius explained simply.

"But trees are only green, not blue," Hermione spoke. She was a firm believer in gentle corrections with young children. It was good to let them exercise their imagination and creativity, but these experiences also provided a good learning opportunity for children.

"My favorite tree at Nana's house is blue," Scorpius was adamant.

"My mother charmed it for him when he was a little boy," the reply came from Draco, who was standing near the entrance, having heard the conversation.

Hermione nodded, and handed back the painting to Scorpius. "In that case, truly well done, Scorpius!"

"Thanks, 'Mione," Scorpius said.

"Have you finished your breakfast yet?" Draco asked his son, shaking his head knowingly when the boy sheepishly pulled his plate closer to him and resumed eating his toast and eggs.

He placed a silencing bubble over Scorpius, so he wouldn't be able to hear their conversation. She was here, it was inevitable, and he would rather it be over sooner than later.

"So…" he started, at a loss for where to start.

"Is there anyone I can help convince to help you?" Hermione got right to it. "I think your solution might work."

What? She wasn't here to end their work partnership? She was still willing to help.

"There isn't, I don't know of any women who would agree," he said. "And anyway, last night-"

"I'll do it," Hermione mumbled so quickly he completely missed what she said.

"Sorry?"

"I'll help you," Hermione spoke a little louder.

"You mean…?"

"I'll marry you and help you keep your son," Hermione sighed.

Had the Ministry leaked something into the air or the water in the past week? Everyone had seemed to go insane lately, and the possibility of a foreign substance affecting their judgement was the only reason she was saying yes to the stupidest plan he had ever heard. Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy? Married? No one would buy it in a million years. Not to mention, working together was a completely different animal than living together. It was very likely one of them would be dead by the end of their time together. Speaking of which, who knew how long this case would last? A month? Six months? A year? Two years? How would they manage?

But if, just if, he worked hard enough, it could work. It was ridiculous, but hours and days of deliberation had yielded this as the final and only possible option left.

And she was here, ready to help him. Ready to marry him and help keep Scorpius.

"Are-are you sure?" he asked, still in disbelief over what was happening.

"I'm sure I want to help," she replied, and he could see she was shaking a little. "I'm not sure whether it will actually work."

"It will have to be a real marriage, though," Draco said slowly, wanting to give her enough of a chance to come to her senses and back out. "In front of a minister and people."

"I know," she said.

"And you'll have to live with me," he said. "Here."

"I know what would be required to convince the Ministry," Hermione said.

"Bu-wha-why?" he sputtered out.

"Because Scorpius deserves a good life, and you don't deserve to have your son taken away by a woman who cheated on you," Hermione said quickly, just wanting to close the topic and move on before she changed her mind.

"I don't know what to say," Draco said honestly.

"Maybe apologize for not presenting your future bride with a ring when you proposed," Hermione said. Maybe humor would make this whole situation sink in, because she definitely still didn't feel the reality of her decision.

"So, we're getting married?" Draco asked again, just wanting to make sure his understanding was right.

"I guess so," she said. "Should we tell Scorpius?"

"Tell him what?" Draco said. He'd gone from a single father fighting to save his son to an apparently soon-to-be married again father in the span of second. "I don't even know how to explain this to him."

"Can I try?" Hermione asked.

"Be my guest," he shrugged, and lifted the bubble from Scorpius, finding him bent over a new painting.

"Hey Scorpius," Hermione put on a wide smile, and perched herself on the seat next to the little boy. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Um-hmm," Scorpius said, his eyes fast on his work.

"How would you feel if I married your Daddy and came to live here?

"You want to marry Daddy?" Scorpius asked.

Hermione nodded. The reason might not be traditional, but at least she actually did want to marry him.

"Why?"

"Because I want to be your friend, and play games with you and paint with you," Hermione smiled.

Scorpius smiled. "So, you'll read me stories at night?"

"Definitely," Hermione said excitedly. "I have so many books from when I was your age, and I'm sure you'll love them all."

"What about Mother?"

"Hey, buddy, remember how I told you your Mother was going away for some time?" Draco intervened, waiting for Scorpius' nod. "Well, she's going to live there forever, but you can meet her whenever you feel like it."

"She won't live here with us?"

"Not anymore," Draco said cautiously, not having completely had this conversation with Scorpius before. "Is that okay?"

"Did I do something to make her mad?" Scorpius asked, and Hermione's heart nearly broke into a million pieces at the boy's hurt.

"No, Scorp!" Draco rushed to his son's side. "She was just not happy with me, so she decided to go away. Do you want to live with her for some time?"

The question barely made its way through Draco's throat, but it was necessary Scorpius had some say in this matter.

"Will you be there?" Scorpius asked.

"No," Draco said slowly. "I don't think your mother will like me being there."

"Then I don't want to go," Scorpius said decisively, throwing his arms around Draco's neck. Hermione gave Draco a small smile. This moment had solidified her decision.

Draco gave her a small appreciative smile back. His initial decision had stemmed from his selfishness and desire to not lose his son, but now, he knew it was the right decision and what Scorpius wanted, too.

Now, all that was left was to get married again and make sure he was actually able to keep his word.

(To be continued)