Chapter 20

"But they go rawr!" said Scorpious loudly. I couldn't help but laugh. We were sat in a café having lunch, and Draco and Scorpious were having a heated discussion about the animals we'd seen. Much to Draco's dismay, his son had taken a particular liking to the lions.

"But what about the snakes," Draco asked, "they're cool aren't they?"

"They're gross!" Scorpious.

"He might make a Gryffindor yet," I joked.

Draco narrowed his eyes at me in warning. "He'll do no such thing. Slytherin is clearly the best house."

"You're just jealous of our awesome emblem. I mean who'd want a boring snake?"

Both Scorpious and I stared wide-eyed at Draco's reaction. He was sat there poking his tongue out at me.

"Did you really just…" I began.

"Yes I did, and you better believe it," he said simply.

"Daddy's being silly," commented a shocked Scorpious.

"Well, 'Mione makes me a bit silly sometimes," he replied.

"I'm glad I can be of service," I laughed. "Right, who wants to get an ice-cream before someone gets even sillier?"

We had a lovely afternoon strolling around the zoo. It was wonderful to see Draco having such a great time with his son. It was almost as though all of his sorrow had been forgotten. As we walked around the various exhibits, it definitely felt like I was in the right place. As wonderful as the Weasley family had been to me, I'd always felt out of place. I'd grown up in a small family, and right here, with two of my favourite people, I felt at home. As a stranger looking on, we might have even looked like a family, and that thought made me very happy.

Much to Scorpious amusement one of the goats in the petting zoo decided to do his business all over his father's shoe. Draco certainly was not amused in the slightest. He huffed and puffed his way to clean himself up, and I bit my lip. It probably wouldn't help his mood if I giggled at his predicament. Scorpious went and sat down waiting for Draco to get back.

"My Daddy is smiling lots," said Scorpious.

"That's because he's getting to see you," I explained.

"Daddy's normally sad when he sees me. Nana says it's because he misses Mummy. You make him not sad. You're very nice"

I smiled, "I'm glad I make your Daddy happy."

"Nana said that you might be my new Mummy one day," he commented.

"Is that a good thing?" I asked, "Would you like that?" I really, hoped, it would be a good thing. This sweet little boy meant a lot to me already, and I was only just getting to know him.

"I think so. You're very pretty, and kind, and you tell good bed time stories, and you buy me ice-cream." I smiled. "But…"

Ahh, I thought there was going to be a but.

"I miss my old mummy, and …" Scorpious paused, not knowing how to say what he wanted.

"I'm not going to replace her. She was a very wonderful woman, and both you and your Dad are always going to love her."

He nodded. The poor boy looked so sad at the mention of his mother.

"Come here little one," I said gently, stretching my arms out to him. I pulled him up onto my knee cradling him. We sat there like that for a while in silence, him holding onto me tight, and me stroking his hair absent-mindedly. Draco was taking an awfully long time.

Scorpious looked up at me after a while. "Do you love my Daddy?"

I bit my lip – the question had caught me rather off guard. "I… I think so," I admitted honestly.

"I think my Daddy loves you too."

Part of me, although I doubted it, had to agree with him. Children are very perceptive of these things, and Scorpious seemed very much so for someone of his age.

I smiled at him, uncertain of what to say.

"Why doesn't Daddy like lions?" he asked.

I laughed loudly. The thing is with children, conversations could go from serious to fun in a matter of seconds, and I was very glad of this.

"Because when we went to school together, my house was the one with the lion, and his was the snake," I replied.

"What's a house?" he asked.

At this moment I looked up and noticed Draco was stood a little to the side of us.

"Why doesn't your Dad answer that one?" I suggested.

How long had he been stood next to us? How much had he heard? Not that much I thought; otherwise he'd be running for it.

By the time we were heading back to Narcissa's house, Scorpious had curled up on my lap on the bus. The little mite was exhausted. It had been a long but very enjoyable day. I rested my head on Draco's shoulder and stared out the window content. This is what I could've had years ago if I hadn't spent so long making do with a man who didn't love me. At least I had it now though - a little slice of happiness.

When we got back to Draco's mother's house, he scooped his son into his arms. Scorpious was quite grizzly and teary when we said goodbye.

"I don't want you to go," he whined holding onto father's leg. I could see the heartbreak in Draco's eyes. I wanted to say to him to let Scorpious come home with us now, but I knew it wasn't for the best. It was going to take time for Draco to let his son back into his life fully, and we had to go to the flat tomorrow. I didn't want this beautiful little boy mixed up in my mess.

"I promise you can stay this weekend, and I'll take you out for a meal sometime this week," Draco assured his son.

"Don't be silly now Scorpious, say goodbye to your father and Hermione," Narcissa scolded.

"Bye-bye daddy," he said to his father, squeezing his leg tightly. Draco bent down and kissed his forehead softly.

"Bye bye 'Mione," he said giving me a hug.

"Goodbye sweetheart."

Draco and I took hands and apparated back to the Manor.

We walked back up in silence. I could tell Draco was thinking and I didn't want to pester him.

When we reached the house, he spoke "I definitely want him back here Hermione. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll sort out all of my problems. I can't keep saying goodbye to him. I need to be the father that he deserves."

I nodded. "I'll do whatever I can to help you," I promised.

"You already are Hermione. Today was wonderful. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun."

"I rather enjoyed myself too," I admitted.

"Do you know what would make today finish perfectly?" he asked.

"Enlighten me?"

"A hot chocolate, and then kisses and cuddles in bed with my gorgeous girlfriend."

"I think that can be arranged," I smiled.

~oOo~

I had to agree with Draco, it really was the perfect end to the perfect day. Children helped to mend broken souls, and Scorpious was exactly what Draco and I needed in our lives. Had he been right about his father loving me? I honestly hoped so. I was certain that I was falling in love with his father. I smiled in Draco's warm embrace, his arm draped lazily across me in his sleep. I looked up at him. Yes, definitely falling in love.