November 1st

Granger,

It has been a little over a month since my parents passing. I am not going to dwell on the fact any longer. My mother would want for me to man up with my best foot forward. Therefore, when you read this I want you to know that I am at work. I have returned to work and expect for you to clean up the Manor while I am gone. You have let go of all of the House Elves so I suggest you get started immediately.

Your Husband,

Draco Lucius Malfoy

P.S.
Leave my parents room as it be, we have plenty of other bedrooms.

"Can you believe this!" Hermione screams, slamming the letter down on the breakfast bar of the Manor. "I expect for you to clean up the Manor while I'm gone." She mimics, scrunching her face up. "Ugh, he drives me crazy. He has been like this ever since they died, you know. Like the past year don't matter at all because he's at the Manor again."

"Come here," Sonya coos, wrapping her arms around Hermione. "He's just not himself because he lost his parents. That his hard on anyone, especially a man as delicate as Malfoy."

Ginny chokes on her coffee, then turns to look at Sonya "Did you just call Malfoy delicate?"

"Yes, he is a very delicate man. Why do you think he tries to seem like a bad-ass all the time Gin? Because his father had him so brainwashed that he would never be good enough that he had to come up with something to fight back. That's why he's like this, Minny. He feels like the only way to be the "Man-of-the-House" at the Manor is to be Lucius Malfoy."

"Who are you?" Hermione asks with a laugh, "and how is it that you can read my husband like a book?"

Shrugging, Sonya replies, "When your the only muggle in a group, you learn to pick up on things that magic hides. Plus, I have a Masters in Psychology. So, is the place going to be spotless when he gets home? I'd love to have my way with that drawing room, it'd make a beautiful dining room. It'd be so fun to redo the entire house."

"How long are Ron and Harry gone for?" Hermione asks, knowing they had left the day before.

"Two weeks" Ginny answers, "from yesterday of course."

"We had better get started then." Hermione smiles, putting her wand to the floor of the kitchen, causing the floor to go from the dull rock to a polished marble appearance. Sonya giggles, running into the other room.

That evening after Ginny and Sonya left, Hermione sat in what was once a guest bedroom, now her own bedroom and stared out the window. The house was so big and empty, Hermione couldn't help but want to fill it with the laughter of tons of children. She knew Draco would never agree to that many children, claiming that was the "Weasley Way", but one couldn't help but dream. Downstairs she heard a door open, breaking her from her trance at the window. Surely Ginny or Sonya hadn't returned and even if they had, they were the type to knock first.

Silently Hermione stands up, making sure not to make a sound. She didn't know if this stranger knew there was anyone at the Manor and didn't want to risk becoming a victim of who knows what. Grabbing her wand, she holds it in front of her as she creeps down the hallway and then down the stairs, she doesn't have to do anymore than peak around the corner of the stairwell to see Draco standing in the doorway.

"Draco, you're home?"

"Of course I'm home. I think I know where I live."

"Why aren't you out with Ron and Harry?" She watches as he shrugs, kicking off his shoes.

"I told them I wanted an office job."

"You what?"

"I told them I was tired of working the field, Longbottom is working with Weasley and Potter now."

"Longbottom? You mean Neville?"

Draco nods, "I lost my parents Granger, I'm not going to leave my son an orphan too."

Suddenly Hermione's blood starts to boil. She had had enough of this Granger crap. "Listen to me Draco Malfoy! My name is Hermione Malfoy, not Granger! And you are Draco, not Lucius! If I wanted to marry that arrogant arse I would have tried dating you years ago!"

Draco stares at her, "Do I really sound like my father?"

"YES!"

Suddenly he walks up to her, wrapping his arms around his wife.He's delicate Minny. "I am so sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to come across sounding like my father. I don't know what got into me."

Carefully, Hermione wraps her arms back around Draco. She couldn't hate him, she knew what it was like to lose both parents at once. "Just don't let it happen again." She whispers in his ear, then pushes him away, screaming again. "And what do you mean you quit your job?"

"I told them I wanted an office job, that I was tired of being away from you all the time. They weren't happy about it but considering the circumstances, they agreed."

"So, you're home?"

"To stay, nine to five just like normal wizards and the occasional weekend of course."

Suddenly, a Patronus of a horse appears, Ginny Potter.

"She's in labor" Hermione whispers, grabbing Draco's hand. Quickly, they disapparate.