A/N: I know, it's been FOREVER since the last update of Cassie. I have had a really hard time trying to find the right words for this chapter and then in the end, it went a completely different direction so I am not completely a fan of it, but it does work. I have been working on other projects, Bonds and While We Were Gone, so it's not like I haven't been writing, but Cassie just wasn't flowing nicely for me. Let me know what you think, I might have to re-write this chapter, but I can do that later. This has not been beta'd, my beta has a newborn and I don't want to rush her at all so it's just been through a grammarly check. Let me know if there is any glaring errors on my part.

Peace, Love, and Slyther,

Gimi aka Jess

After the chaos of Christmas and the article, which Cassie and her brothers were featured in along with her parents, things began to calm down. Blaise and Susan were busy. Still, Susan had wanted to celebrate their engagement during a New Year's party. Blaise, Susan, and Owen had moved into a five bedroom detached home just outside of London near Hermione's as the Zabinis always kept close quarters for the children. All four children were excited for the move as they had formed a tight bond as siblings.

The blended family were all at Malfoy Manor a few days before the big New Years party, the children all playing in the indoor pool with the men while Hermione and Susan finished up details with Eliana and Narcissa in the conservatory for the engagement when there was a knock at the door. Narcissa frowned, no one they knew ever came to the door, most came through the floo, but she ignored it as Mip would get it.

The elf came back through as Draco left the pool area to check on the ladies.

"Master Malfoy," Mip began, "Uh, Ms Greengrass is at the door."

Draco scowled, "What is she doing here?"

"Mip does not know sir," The elf said, "She is wanting to talk to you I's think."

"Blasted woman," Draco bit out, "Fine, see her to the parlour and make sure she can not leave the room."

Mip nodded and Pop! Away.

"What do you think she wants Draco?" Narcissa said, anger evident in her voice.

Draco shook his head and gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek, "I don't know Mother, but I will find out." He went to grab his wand. Drying himself off he transfigured his trunks into a pair of trousers and put his vest and shirt back on.

"I'll be right back," He said with one more kiss on Hermione's cheek.

Astoria Greengrass had never been so livid at her ex-husband as she was right now. She had been shown to the formal parlour and was being watched by her former elf like some sort of criminal. She was the lady of the house for Merlin's sake, or she was until that mudblood re-entered their lives.

"What do you want Astoria," Draco asked as soon as he joined her in the room.

"I want to see my son Draco," Astoria said, anger in her eyes.

"Really?" Draco asked amused.

"Yes, you've kept him from me for far too long. I want to see Scorpius." She said, standing up straight to show she meant business.

"The winter hols started two weeks ago Astoria. Christmas was a few days ago and not even an owl from you or your so-called family to say happy Christmas. What? You just remembered you have a son?"

Astoria looked at him dumbfounded, not sure what to say, "I… You… I wasn't…"

"What?"

"He…"

"He's a child Astoria," Draco said sarcastically, "He shouldn't have to reach out first. You are supposedly his mother, you should have been at the station to meet him. You should have owled him to see if you could have a few days with him. He's eleven years old, he is old enough to make decisions on if he wants to see you. You put no effort to see him, so what are you doing here?"

"I told you," Astoria seethed, "I want to see my son."

"No," Draco said simply.

"No?" Astoria cried in incredulity, "Why not? He's mine!"

"He's not a dress you daft woman!" Draco yelled, "He isn't a toy! Something you can just decide you want to sit on your mantle one day for the guests. You want to see him, you call in advance, you write to your son and see if he wants to see you. You don't come to his home and disrupt his life when he hasn't heard from you in months!"

"Draco!"

"No!" He yelled, anger now flowing through his veins. "No! I told you that you could continue to see Scorpius. I never stopped you from writing to your son, because no matter what I think of you, you are his mother. I told you to just make arrangements, and we would make it work, it is not my fault that you can't follow simple instructions Astoria."

"I want to take him on holiday, I wanted it to be a surprise!" Astoria yelled, ignoring all that he said.

"You think that I would just allow you to take my son on holiday without any information beforehand?" Draco cried, "Are you out of your bloody mind? Maybe this would have been acceptable if you would have contacted me a month ago, or a few weeks ago, but you spring this on me now? What? Hours before your portkey? Exactly where did you think you could take our son without my knowledge?"

"I have a friend who has a house in the Caribbean," Astoria said stubbornly.

Draco began to laugh, "You think I was just going to allow that to happen? Taking him out of the country? Who is this friend?"

"Samuel Pucey," Astoria said scowling.

Draco laughed harder, "You are trying to use our son to score yourself a man? Sam Pucey has been looking for a ready-made family for ages, you think that Scorpius is your ticket back into the good graces of the wizarding world?"

"That's not-"

"You forget Astoria," Draco sneered, "I am one of the pureblood elite, I know exactly what you are doing! Sam Pucey needs an heir, and you are trying to show that you have already had one child, trying to portray yourself as a loving mother, using our son as a prop! I won't allow it."

Astoria, angry that her ex-husband was once again getting in her way, pulled out her wand and a vase launched itself at Draco. Anticipating this, Draco brought up a strong shield charm and the vase shattered against his defensive move.

"Draco," Hermione called walking into the room, her brown eyes widen at the mess, "Draco, what is going on? The children are coming up for lunch."

Draco waved his wand, fixing the broken vase, turning back to a fuming Astoria, "Get out. You can't use my son to land yourself a new rich husband. If you say anything to Scorpius before you leave about this, I will make sure you never find a husband that has a knut to his name. Now. Get. Out."

Astoria stomped her way out of the parlour, "You forget who I am Draco, I will get you for this."

Draco laughed cruelly, "No Astoria, you seem to forget who I AM. You think I was hard on you before? You try and use my son, and I will not only destroy you, but you will see that the Greengrass name will mean less than dirt in our world."

Astoria had made it all the way to the door, she turned once more to yell at her ex when a barely audible, "Mum?" came from the hall. She turned her blue eyes towards the voice and regret filled them. Almost immediately, she turned and walked out the door.

Hermione's heart dropped as the door shut. Walking over to the young boy, she put her arms around his shoulders and led him into the dining room where the rest of the family had been waiting for them. Sitting between the two Zabini children, Scorpius swallowed whatever he was feeling and began to fill his own plate.

Sighing, Draco pulled Hermione into her chair next to him, shook his head at his mother and the family began lunch. He hated Astoria just a bit more, as he watched his son eat quietly. He wished he never let her into the house. He needed to talk to his barrister, he wouldn't allow her to hurt Scorpius again.

OoOoOoO

The New Year's celebration for the families was done at Eliana's home as it doubled as an engagement party. Hermione, Susan and Cassie had found a beautiful knee length blue gown for Cassie to wear that made her eyes sparkle. The children were all allowed to attend the party until the Weasley parents took them all to the Burrow for the night.

Hermione stood at the window, watching as snow began to fall in the world outside. She had turned to see Susan and Blaise dancing. She felt her heart clench just a bit when she saw the happiness in his brown eyes. No matter how happy she was, she couldn't help feeling like she might have lost him for good. It was irrational, she knew it, but it couldn't be helped.

Not wanting to bring down the party with her ill mood, she left the room to walk outside, only bumping into an acquaintance of the family. Apologising for the run in, she reached the door and let herself out into the garden. Hermione loved Eliana's garden, this was her favourite place in all of Zabini Estates.

Casting a warming charm as she did not stop to grab her cloak; she walked down the path to her bench, as Blaise called it, right in front of the pond. Sitting down, the fairy lights twinkling around her; she let her memories take her back. Take her back to the first time she sat on this same bench, a few days after they had left Hogwarts. Blaise had taken her to visit his mother and announce their own engagement. Hermione chuckled at the very different reception she had received from her mother in law.

Eliana was not impressed that Blaise was to marry a muggleborn, while she did not mistreat muggles or muggleborn witches and wizards, that didn't mean she wanted her only son to marry one.

Hermione had left the mother and son to argue about her while she went to sit in the garden. She had been sitting there for a while; enjoying the peace, when she felt the presence of another sitting next to her.

"What is it that you want with my son Miss Granger," Eliana said in her clipped voice, sitting with her ankles crossed, watching the young muggleborn witch holding her legs in front of her, watching the wildlife around the pond.

"I want nothing of your son Lady Zabini," Hermione said, still staring, "I told him it wasn't necessary."

"You don't want your child to have a father," Eliana inquired.

"My child will have everything it needs, maybe not all they desire, but this child will never go without," Hermione said looking at Eliana for the first time, "I don't need Blaise for that."

"Do you love my son or do you love his friend?" Eliana pressed on.

Hermione looked her in the eye, "I love them both. I loved Draco, I won't deny that. If I hadn't, I would not be in this predicament. I do not make a habit of taking things lightly. I loved him while we were together and now that we are not…" Hermione looked away, watching a bird fly over the horizon, "Well I still love him, but I am no longer in love with him."

"And my son?"

Hermione smiled absentmindedly, "Blaise is my saviour, he is my beacon in the dark. He is the reason I am still here, whole, and in one piece. I am not one who would hurt myself, physically, but I'm sure if it weren't for him, I would still be broken."

"So you are using him?"

"In a way, yes," Hermione said simply. Eliana was fuming and about to throw the pregnant witch out on her ear when Hermione continued, "I'm using him because I can't breathe without him. I can't get through the day without seeing his bright smile, to hear his voice, feel his touch. I would die without him. While I don't need my child to have a father, I can't see a better man than Blaise to fill that role, if he so chooses."

No longer needing to speak as Eliana contemplated Hermione's response, the older witch left, the younger to sit. Blaise had come out to sit with Hermione soon after his mother had gone into the house.

Eliana watched as her only son hold his bride. She had continued to watch her son and Hermione and could see that the two loved one another. Eventually, she began to see Hermione as not only her son's wife but her daughter.

"Hermione, what are you doing out here?" Draco asked, sitting next to his girlfriend. He had looked for her inside, and of course, Blaise knew where to find her. Draco couldn't help but be jealous that his best mate knew his girl better than him, though once again, an irrational thought.

"Just thinking," She answered, giving him a smile as she curled into his side, "This is my favourite spot, it's so quiet." Draco nodded in agreement as he could no longer hear the crowd of people from the house.

"Are you sad about Blaise and Susan," Draco voiced his fear, Blaise and Hermione had been together for quite a long time and were still very close. They had a relationship better than most married couples.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "Yes and no I suppose. I'm not exactly sad, maybe jealous? For the same reason as always. While I love that Blaise has found his future in Susan, I still feel a bit left out. We have a good past, a great friendship and while I know nothing will change that, it's still a little fear that it will somehow. But then I feel bad that I feel that way because I have you and I am so happy with you. I sometimes feel like I shouldn't feel this happy, that it can't be real because this is life and nothing this good ever happens in real life."

Hermione looked at Draco and smiled, "I don't love Blaise, Draco. Not like that," Hermione almost smiled as she sat here, in the same spot, delivering the same message, "I love Blaise, I always will, but I'm not in love with him." She brought her hand up to cup his face, as he leaned into her fingers, she said, "I'm in love with you. I've never stopped loving you Draco. I've always loved you."

Bringing his own hand up to hers, he brought her palm to his lip and kissed it gently, "I love you too Hermione."

Draco dipped down and kissed her chilled lips, warming them with his own. The kiss began soft and gentle, but soon became rough and heated. His lips moved against hers as if trying to devour her, to show her his love through the passion of his touch. A familiar ache began to pool in his groin, and he pulled away before he took her on that very bench.

"We should go back in," Hermione said between gulps of air, a smile gracing her swollen lips, "It's almost midnight, we'll miss the New Year."

Draco grinned, peppering her face with light kisses, "Fuck it, let's go back to your place and ring in the year naked in your bed. It's the first year that we are going to ring in together since we were in school. I want to be with you and only you. Show you how much I love you."

Hermione moaned as his long fingers ran down her neck and settled on her waist. She nodded her agreement and stood pulling him with her. As a member of the Zabini family, she took his hand and apparated them right out of the garden and into her bedroom.

As they landed, Draco began to pull his cloak off as Hermione pulled at his tie; their lips never leaving the kiss that was consuming them. Hermione began to unbutton his shirt as his cool fingers caressed her naked back finding the zip and slowly pulling it down, leaving gooseflesh in its wake.

The silver dress Hermione had chosen for the party, fell from her body, leaving her standing in front of Draco, bare from the waist up. He pulled away from her lips once again, his grey eyes roamed, hungrily up and down her body before he moved in and began to leave a trail of hot kisses down her neck, making his way down to her breast.

Hermione, tired of the barriers, pulled roughly against his shirt, the offending buttons popping off. Draco pulled her legs up against him and made his way to her bed, throwing her atop and pulled off his trousers and pants.

Reaching down between them, Hermione stroked his hard member, holding firmly and heard the moans of pleasure that came from his mouth, enjoying the vibrations of his words against her body. Lightly nipping at her pink buds of her breasts, Draco continued his journey south, needing the taste of her on his tongue.

Draco momentarily stopped to pay homage to the one scar left on her pale form, the imperfection that gave life to their daughter. His fingers left her breast, sliding slowly down her sides, one resting on her hip and the other moving further down to cup her apex, as he kissed each inch of the scar, thanking her body for the gift she had given him. Silently promising not to do wrong by her this time.

Hermione arched her back, the blood coursing through her body, surging to her centre as she felt Draco's fingers slide through her folds and into her hot depths, his tongue and warm breath, taking up residence on her already sensitive nub. It did not take long before Hermione was moaning out his name in pleasure.

Sliding back up her body, Draco slid into her quivering channel, nestling deep within her, not letting her rest, making her ride out her orgasm as he thrust deep and determined into her. One leg resting on his hip, the other thrown over his shoulder, his cock filling each inch of her. Hermione continued to moan, her nails digging into his ass, pulling him closer so she could feel his tongue dance on her own.

Faster, harder, deeper, pounding flesh, grunts of pleasure, soft caresses, frantic tugs, the couple continued into the night. As the rest of the world was celebrating the New Year, Hermione and Draco were celebrating their love. As their hot and sticky bodies joined one last time to a climatic end, Hermione remembered that she too had more to look forward to in the new year.