Chapter 25: Early Risers
-Saturday-

When Draco woke the next morning, he quickly made his way downstairs, intending to have a quick morning flight; he was up early enough that he could squeeze it in before he had to do his jobs of the day. So imagine his surprise to find Hermione milling about his kitchen, shoeless, with the shortest pair of shorts, and a baggy t-shirt over her top half, the shorts just poking out from underneath the large t-shirt.

He paused in the doorway, surveying the brunette, as she glided from the fridge pouring two glasses of orange juice, before replacing the juice to the fridge. Suddenly she spoke, "Imagine my surprise that as I opened my eyes this morning expecting the man I had confessed so much to last night to be lay there, to find he had seemingly disappeared, to be replaced by my daughter." Here she paused looking out of the window in front of her. "I'm more than aware I put you in a very delicate position last night, and I feel I have a lot to explain to you, will you allow me to?"

"I just want to make sure you are happy."

"I am." She insisted, turning to face him

"No you are not, you are not happy here, you are not happy anywhere, I can tell"

"I am happy," she sighed, "Or at least content."

Weighing up the options of mentioning Rose Draco thought about the outcome, she would either become upset, or angry, and he knew that he needed to do it sooner or later. "So how often have you seen your daughter recently?"

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "I see her every day, I live with her"

Draco shook his head, "No truly see her, speak to her? Ask how she is?" Hermione's mouth opened and closed like a fish, but no words came out, "I heard the patter of footsteps echoing through the house last night, went to investigate, and was surprised to find you daughter sat in the freezing library attempting to start the hearth. I spoke to her, and I think you should too."

"What did she say to you?" Hermione asked intrigued.

"That's for her to tell you, not me."

"I have a lot of explaining to do today, don't I?"

Draco nodded walking towards the brunette, "We all just want to help, don't push us away" He had reached her and carefully ran his thumb along her jaw line, kissing the top of her head, as she deeply breathed in his scent. "Spend the day with Rose, spend it in the gardens here if you need to, she needs a friend"

Hermione nodded her head, "Thank you" she whispered grabbing the two glasses of juice.

"You're welcome Princess" and with that she was gone

Hermione leaned further back against the head rest of the bed, having placed the two glasses on the table next to the bed, looking forlornly at her daughter, before placing her hand on the crown of her head, running her fingers softly through the strawberry blonde hair she found there.

Rose had inherited much from her mother, including her unruly curls, and Hermione had noticed that as her daughter aged, her hair colour seemed to change from the rustic red, to a coppery red, to a blonder red, as if she was losing the vibrant ginger gene of her father. Looking closer at her daughter she noticed the freckles dusting across her nose and upper cheek, just like Hermione herself, and her father had, and the button shaped nose that Rose inherited from her grandmother.

"Mum?" a bleary eyed Rose asked as she cracked open her eyelids peering up at her mother.

"Hey Rosie" she leant over to grab one of the glasses, "I got you some fruit juice" she passed the glass over as her daughter sat back mirroring her mother position. "I was thinking, how about we hang out today? Just you and me, we'll do whatever you want, wherever you want."

Rose nodded, "Have you spoken to Mr Malfoy?" pursing her lips together in a tight line Hermione slowly nodded her head, "Did he tell you what I said?" at this question the brunette shook her head. "I want to be there for you mum- every step of the way."

Wrapping her right arm around her daughter's shoulders Hermione brought the red head closer to her chest, squeezing her shoulder slightly, "I know you are Rosie, I just needed to sort some things out on my own these last few days." There was a slow silence, "How about we go to get a dress for tomorrow, and then we spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun in the manor's garden?"

Rose nodded, "Mum, are we going to be spending the night here at Malfoy manor again?"

"Would you like to?"

Rose nodded once again, "I don't like grandmothers old house, there aren't enough people living in it, it feels creepy"

"I'll speak to Malfoy then, see if we can spend an extra night here. How are you, Scorpius and Amando getting on?"

"I don't know why dad said I should keep away from them, he made them sound like they were evil, but they've been nice to me... A bit snobbish on occasions but that's it really." She suddenly became really serious, "Scorpius said that I was going to end up in Slytherin, he was sure of it!" Her eyes widened, "You won't disinherit me if I end up in Slytherin will you mum?"

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed, "No. What makes you even think that? I will be proud no matter what Hogwart's House you end up in, and if you do end up in Slytherin, some of the smartest Wizards I know and knew were from that same house."

"Like who?"

"Draco, his parents, my old potions Professor and ex-headmaster Professor Snape. Amando's parents, Draco's aunt" here Hermione subconsciously rubbed at her arm, "They were all brilliant in their own distinct way, most have some compassion, take Teddy's grandmother, she was a Slytherin, and yet she sacrificed her family lifestyle for love."

"Mum..." Rose paused, unsure of whether to continue but quickly deciding she was too intrigued not to "How come you and Mr Malfoy never ended up together?"

A/N: Here is where I'm going to stop; I just really wanted to write something to show I've not given up. I've got my writing bug back, so hopefully I'll be updating a lot more soon.

Please leave me your thoughts in a review.
Scorpio219 -x-