A/N: I see a few people had the same idea I had about Ryley. Good, it means when I do it- SPOILER ALERT lol- that I won't upset anyone. I will be introducing a few more orphans eventually, just an FYI. And anyone truly hate Merry? I'm just wondering. Anywho, onward and upward. More Drabble. I'm just trying to address some things before the wedding. That will be the last chapter- then the epilogue will be a series of snippets from the baby's birth to later on. It may wind up being two parts. It just depends on what I want to put in it. :)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Hermione

When Hermione walked into the manor house, she noticed it was relatively quiet. Given the hour she assumed the girls were taking naps. They were almost of an age they didn't truly need them, but it always saved Hermione some frustration later when she didn't have to deal with cranky kids during afternoon activities. She helped Ryley take his new clothes and such up to his room and put them away. Then they went downstairs in search of the others. Surely Draco should be home by now.

She found him and Snape in the kitchen, sat at the table, just drinking what looked to be tumbler of Firewhiskey. She watched them for a moment, afraid almost that the spirits meant something had gone wrong, but it looked as if they were merely having a quiet conversation. About what she couldn't hear. She looked down at the boy beside was eyeing Snape warily. It would seem that any new people that he would meet would get the same treatment until he felt he could trust them.

Draco spotted her at that moment, and the packages she had with her own purchases, and he jumped to his feet and came to take them from her. He set them on the counter as she watched Ryley continue to eye Snape with distrust. He wasn't exactly the nicest looking person, she had to admit. He looked up at her after taking his eyes off the man dressed all in black and gazing on them impassively and she smiled her encouragement.

He always had that look as if he disliked everyone. The slight downturn of his lips, the bored expression on his face, the fact that she had never seen him in any color other than black. He could be intimidating if you didn't know him better. And Ryley didn't, so she could understand his reticence. But she also know that despite all the things Snape had done, he'd never truly hurt any of them. That Ryley would be safe around him. And had nothing to fear.

She glanced back up at him and met his eye, the impassive look on his face still, but when he broke eye contact with her and looked at the boy, with the dark bruises more visible now the dirt was gone and the shuttered look in his eye and the slight defensive stance of his body, he did the one thing Hermione was still surprised to see him do. He smiled. Then held out his hand and waited patiently.

"You must be Ryley. My nephew was telling me about you. My name is Severus Snape. I'm a professor at Hogwarts. Do you know what that is?"

Ryley shook his hand, after eyeing Snape's for a few breaths- as if it might bite him. He let go almost immediately, but Snape wasn't phased. "My mum never mentioned that place. I wouldn't have been allowed to go anyways if I'd stayed there." Then he turned to Hermione, "now I'm with you does that mean I get to go? What is it anyway?"

Before Hermione could answer him, Snape took over. He wasn't usually one for a lot of talking, so Hermione wondered if it was mostly because of Ryley. "Why don't you sit down with me here at the table and I can tell you all about it. You probably will be going there in another couple years, Miss Granger will see to it of course. When do you turn eleven?"

Ryley stood there a moment before finally making his way around the table, never turning his back on the stranger. Hermione's heart ached for him, but she knew logically that if anyone could reach the boy and help him to see that there was kindness in the world, it was the man currently telling him all about Hogwarts.

It was a strange thought to say the least. After all, Severus Snape and the word kind had never been synonymous before. But as she watched she saw it. A gentleness about the man that she had never been privileged to see before. These were two kindred spirits. Both with similar backgrounds. Both raised by a witch mother and an abusive muggle father. Neither wanted. The only difference was that Ryley had the privilege of being born in a time when the wizarding world was much more tolerant.

He wouldn't go to Hogwarts and be hated for his background or the house he may be sorted into. He wouldn't be looked down upon because he was now considered an orphan or for his blood status. He could be himself and people wouldn't hate him for it. He had a vastly better outlook for his life than Snape had had. She listened to their conversation raptly. In this moment she learned a lot more about Ryley than if he might have told her himself.

He was unguarded now, talking animatedly with the wizard about all the great things he would learn at school. He had a thirst for knowledge, especially to learn more about the world he was born to be a part of. It was a sight to see, how if they brought out his natural curiousness he would become more animated and forget to be afraid. When he wasn't scowling he had a beautiful smile. He was enthusiastic and Hermione thought about all the things she could teach him that would cater to that. Most importantly, if given the chance to see that cruelty wasn't prevalent in the world, Ryley Locke would thrive.

She also found out he was two months from ten, May tenth was his birthday- eight days before Poppy's sixth. This made her think about other birthdays coming up. Alrakis's sixth was in June like Draco's twentieth- which was the week before the wedding- and Evelyn's sixth was in August. George's was in just a little over a week, Theo's not long after that- both in April. Pansy's was in May as well. Harry and Neville's were at the end of July. The list was endless. Then of course her wedding and honeymoon were coming- which she had discussed with Narcissa at their last Tuesday tea. She was now attending them along with Draco.

So many events were coming in the next few months it was almost overwhelming, but she was Hermione Granger and she could do it. She and Draco had yet to discuss their honeymoon but Narcissa told her she would need to pack a trousso and ensure she had a few bathing suits. Hermione just wished to know where they would be going.

Draco took a seat next to her and suddenly she was feeling a hand creep up her thigh over her jeans. She grabbed his hand and hissed at him out of the corner of her mouth. "Stop it Draco!"

He leaned over and the warmth of his breath tickled her ear and caressed her neck as he whispered, "stop what love? I'm merely touching my lovely fiancée."

She turned to face him then and the prat winked at her! Ruddy winked! Well two could play that game, as she'd taught him before. She reached over and deliberately laid her hand against his crotch. He hissed in a breath and grasped her thigh tightly. She gave him an innocent smile and turned back to the conversation before them, completely ignoring his quickened breathing or his vice like grip on her thigh. One that moved to her hand on his willy after she rubbed up his hardening shaft. He grabbed her hand and removed it from his person and she'd thought she'd won, until he leaned over and whispered in her ear again.

"Oh love, you're playing with fire. You better be careful lest you wish to get burned. Don't let the fact that I was abstinent after sixth year fool you. I have many tricks in my repertoire that will make you scream my name. So unless you wish me to give our excuses to my uncle and send Ryley off to the playroom or something, I'd suggest you keep your hands off my dick."

He straightened back up, leaving her a mess. Her heartbeat had begun to race, her skin was flushed and heat was pooling in her core. She wanted to make him do just that. Take her off somewhere and shag her and it was the height of bad manners when they had a guest. She had read about a heightened sexual drive around the second trimester, but this wasn't that time. She wasn't out of the first yet.

It was more likely just his potent sexuality when it pertained to her. She wanted him, day and night. She was just exceptionally good at hiding it. But at this moment she was desperately close to straddling him right here at the table in front of his uncle and a child who didn't need to see such things. She wrestled her hand from his and stood, all talking ceased and she smiled.

"Sorry to interrupt Severus, but I find myself a little tired from our outing today. I think I'll leave you three to it. Pardon me."

"I understand. I will see you later Miss Granger. In the upcoming months we need to discuss your wedding ceremony."

"I'll owl you."

"I look forward to it. Have a pleasant rest."

"Thank you." She rushed, well not rushed so much as walked swiftly, to the back door and out into the cool spring air.

The coolness on her heated skin felt wonderful and she took a short walk in the gardens to see the progress Millie and the girls made. All of the hedges were pruned to perfection. The early spring flowers were a riot of colors amongst the greening leaves of the ones still yet to bloom. They'd done a good job of trimming off the dead blooms to make ready for the new too. Next she made her way into the stables to check on the horses. With the open stall design they could come and go as they pleased.

Hermes was in his stall at the far end of the stable, Hera and Artemis the only mares inside with him. She thought about what she had read about mares in heat and eyed the two closely. Neither seemed to be showing signs, but that didn't mean they were pregnant. After all, didn't the books say April was the earliest they went into heat? She made a mental note to keep a closer eye on them.

She was feeding Hermes a handful of oats when she heard footsteps behind her. Brushing her hand free of the remnants of the stallion's snack, she turned and found Draco standing close behind her. The look in his eyes was thrilling. She looked behind him, but he was alone. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly once her gaze fell back on him.

"I'm alone, if that's what you're wondering. My uncle and Ryley seem to have found some common ground. Snape was telling him of his own childhood when I left them. Millie is in the kitchen with them, starting dinner, and I got shooed out by the now wide awake trio of girl children so they could set up our surprise. So I came looking for you. Imagine my surprise when I didn't find you in our bedroom. I was most disappointed because I envisioned kissing you awake while I played your body like a violin. I do hate to be disappointed love."

Hermione gasped. She wanted what he suggested. Wanted it a lot. She stepped forward and tried her hand at seduction. She'd never done it before really, so she didn't know quite how to go about it. But she guessed it was similar to what he was just doing. "And what will you do with me now that you've found me? There are a number of surfaces in this very stable that might make for a diverting time. Care to try one?"

Draco

It was Draco's turn to gasp. He didn't know what had gotten into her but he most definitely liked it. But he wanted to play about with her for a bit longer. After all, the anticipation leading up to the act was just as pleasant as the act itself. He glanced about as if contemplating her idea. "Hmmmm, you're right love. There are a fair few surfaces here that will do. The wall, that pile of fresh hay, the bench in the tack room. Which would you prefer?"

The look in her eyes suggested she didn't give a fig which surface he chose just so long as he chose one soon. As before in the kitchen, her skin flushed pink, her breathing quickened and the little gasping breaths were enough to make a man go barmy. Playtime was over. He quickly closed the gap between them, grabbing her face between his hands as he crushed her lips beneath his own. Her arms came up and wrapped around his waist and he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, seeking entry. She opened her mouth to him and he delved into the warm recess. She tasted like chocolate ice cream and ginger. It was divine.

She moaned into his mouth and he backed them towards the closest wall. All sounds faded away as his senses focused on her. Her small moans and whimpers as his thumbs brushed her nipples through her blouse. When he ran his fingertips down her sides and gripped her hips and pulled her flush against him. When he ground his erection into her belly. He dipped his hand down the front of her jeans and cupped her mound through her knickers. She was already soaking.

Growling he searched for his wand and then flicked his wrist and divested her of her jeans and knickers. Then he reached down and unfastened his trousers and pulled them open, freeing himself from the confines of his boxers he gripped her arse and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his hips and then he was driving home, into the warm wet heat of her pussy. Their coupling was rough and fast as he drove into her over and over.

She chanted his name like a prayer and he could feel her walls begin to tighten around his length and squeeze him tight. She was close, so close and so he reached between them and found her nub and rubbed a circle around and around with his thumb. She arched hard into him and came screaming. He bucked up into her tightness once, twice, three more times before moaning her name with his own release. He laid his forehead against her's and their breaths mixed together as they panted.

After a moment he set her on her feet, never removing his hands from her as her legs where quite pleasingly wobbly. "Well you certainly know how to get a girl to scream your name, darling."

He chuckled. "And you know how to drain a man of all sense. I got a bit rough. All right, love?"

"Yes I'm fine. More than fine actually," she said with a smile.

"Well you certainly know how to stroke a man's ego. Let's get you dressed and both of us a little more presentable before someone comes to find us."

"Ok Draco."

So while Hermione donned her knickers and jeans, Draco stuffed himself back into his own clothes and righted himself. When she turned back to face him after finding her bottoms, he noticed a piece of straw tucked among her curls. He worked it free and let it drift to the brickwork of the stable aisle, then took her hand and together they made their way back to the main house.

When they got there they were greeted with a banner, somehow still covered in glitter though Draco could have sworn most of it had been around the kitchen a day ago, that read "Congratulations On Your Baby Uncle Draco And Miss Hermione" and three little girls most pleased with themselves. Mille just smiled and Ryley looked like he had no idea what was happening, which he probably didn't. Severus on the other hand had a rare smirk on his face as he looked at them, down his nose as usual.

"Something you wish to tell me Nephew?"

This wasn't the way they wanted to announce it, well not the way Draco had. He wanted to have a grand announcement at the dinner with all their family and friends that weekend. They chose a weekend so the kids in school could attend as well, with special permission from McGonagall of course. But now his uncle knew. Granted that didn't mean he couldn't still get what he wanted. He looked to Hermione and saw a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Love?"

She turned to him and frowned. "I may have let it slip to your mum today too. I didn't mean to, it just came out before I thought about what I was saying. Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad Hermione. We can't help if it slips. Frankly I want to shout it from the rooftops." Then he turned back to his uncle. "Yes Uncle, you've read the banner correctly. Hermione and I are expecting our first child."

Severus stood there a moment before suddenly stepping forward and hugging them both. "Congratulations. I'm immensely happy for you both. I won't let it slip to anyone until you're ready to tell the rest of the family. You have my word. Now I'm afraid I have to be going. I had to have that infernal feline take over my classes today so I could go with you and Potter this morning Draco. I must return to the school. I look forward to your owl Miss Granger." Then he swept from the room on a pop of Disapparation and it was only Ryley's exclamation that broke the duo from their shock.

"He just bloody disappeared!"

The levity of the situation, Severus Snape hugging someone, was broken and the room filled with laughter at Ryley's statement. "He sure did Ryley. You have a lot to learn about magic sweetheart, but don't worry. Millie and I will teach you some and once you turn eleven next year you'll get the pleasure of being able to go to Hogwarts in the fall and learn a whole lot more. Now how about we all get ready for supper."

Then Hermione walked to the three girls and thanked them for their surprise. Draco was glad to see that the other two weren't jealous of Alrakis, like Seb had said they wouldn't. They were still great friends despite the fact that Alrakis would be adopted by him and Hermione. He hoped that soon they would find new families as well. They sat down for dinner and then he helped Ryley get ready for bed while the two women took care of the girls.

"Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco finished tucking the boy in before answering. "Yes Ryley?"

The boy paused, as if afraid to voice his question. "Do you think it would be alright if I called you Uncle Draco too?"

"I'd be absolutely delighted to have you call me that Ryley."

The smile on the boy's face was so bright, Draco was glad he could bring him that small joy. "Uncle Draco, would you read me a story? Miss Hermione bought me a bunch of books today."

Of course she did. "Which one would you like?"

"One of the wizarding tales. Maybe Babbity Rabbity?"

"Babbity Rabbity it is." He settled on the bed beside the boy and opened the book and began to read.

Ryley drifted off quickly and when Draco made to get up, he saw Hermione standing in the doorway, leaned against the frame- smiling. He retucked the boy back in and walked to the door. When he got there she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You're going to be a wonderful father Draco. Now let's get to bed. All that sexy masculinity of yours wrapped up in that gentle moment I just witnessed has me wishing to shag you senseless. Besides, I bought a surprise for you today. I'm pretty sure you'll love it."

Not one to argue with a well thought out plan, Draco took her hand and they made their way to the Mill House where she disappeared into their walk in wardrobe. When she came out in that pale pink nightie, a shyness and sweet, Draco hadn't been able to hold himself back. They made love the rest of rest night, until falling into an dreamless sleep wrapped up in each other's arms.

Snape

Severus couldn't stop thinking about Ryley. It had been two days since he first met the child and Ryley was so much like himself it floored him. He had the strangest desire to take the boy under his wing. To try to help him on a path different from Severus's own. But how? Sure he had a home in Hogsmeade, but he would still have to leave Ryley alone during the day. He had no one to watch the boy during the school year until Ryley would attend school himself and no longer needed someone to watch him.

Wait, was he seriously considering adopting the child? He'd never wanted to be a father before. The loss of Lily to his own stupidity had seen to that, but the more he thought on it- the more it strangely made sense. He got along with the child it seemed. He could help the boy better than anyone else could. He wasn't bad off financially, having inherited the Prince monies and manor house- which he had swiftly sold, not wishing to have any reminders of the people who had failed him as much as he had failed himself. The same with the house in Spinner's End now that he no longer needed to keep up appearances for Voldemort.

And if he really thought about it, he was sure during the school year next year that his nephew and soon to be niece would watch the boy. In fact he new Miss Granger, he probably should call her Hermione from now own since she wouldn't be Granger much longer, would be delighted. But would the boy even wish for Severus to become his father? Especially so soon after meeting him? Ryley clearly didn't trust men easily and adopting him would mean the child leaving the safety of Granger's and living alone with Severus without the comfort of having a woman around. Though how the lad trusted women was a mystery. Perhaps it was just Hermione he trusted. He did seem a little leery around the Bulstrode woman.

There was also his past. Would the Ministry allow a former Death Eater to adopt? A single one at that and one who wouldn't be around the child for the better part of a year during his first year adopted? He knew that he was nitpicking, trying to come up with completely valid, though mostly they weren't, reasons not to adopt. If he were honest with himself, he was just scared. Scared he'd become his father or grandfather, scared he'd do more damage than good. He needed to speak to someone before approaching Hermione.

He'd steal Lucius away from the festivities this evening to ask his opinion. Hopefully his old friend could help steer him in the right path, though he hadn't done that well when they were children so perhaps Narcissa was a better person to ask instead. Yes, that's what he'd do. Tonight at Hermione and Draco's get together to announce their good news he would pull Narcissa and Lucius away to ask them what he should do. With that decision made Severus returned to the test questions he was choosing for the end of week exam.