Well, well, well... I'm a little ashamed that after the longest break I'm just updating. I have no words to make up for the wait (that is if anyone is still waiting). And even worse that I left off in a cliffhanger. Sorry?

Anyways... Enjoy?

I hope?

Maybe?

Dragon's Blood

Chapter Thirty-Seven
(Part One)

The child's legs were slightly spread out, propping up the book that was clearly larger than she was. She was so immerse in her book, Draco doubted she had heard or seen him standing by her. He kneeled down and got a good look of that face again framed by the hood of her raincoat. She was definitely Hermione's.

"Do you like your book?" Draco asked.

She looked up and nodded, "I do."

"Did your uncle buy that book for you?" He asked.

"Yes." She calmly responded.

"Ah." Draco nodded, "Your uncle is really nice."

She looked up for the first time and gave a slight giggle, "He's funny too."

Her gaze didn't last long. She promptly went back to her book humming a song Draco vaguely knew. A rythme?

"Is he your mum's brother?" Draco asked, already knowing his answer.

"No." She shook her head, her eyes glued to her book.

"Your dad then?"

Draco tried not to lean towards her in anticipation of finding out more about her father.

She puffed out her cheeks, annoyed, "I don't know. Mum doesn't really talk about him."

Draco's eyebrows rose, "Why not? Isn't he around?"

"No." She sighed, "Stupid Potter makes fun of me for not having a father."

Draco smirked rethinking of his past hatred of Harry, "Potter? Who's Potter?"

She scowled, "James. He's a giant twat. He teases me and calls me names, he even pushed me once."

Draco suddenly felt her anger. Potter was a stupid twat. What was he doing bothering Hermione's daughter like that? Draco made a mental note to notify Harry about his son's stupidities against her. How could Harry raise nuisances like himself?

"I thought you had a father." Draco said to himself, curiously pondering how this little girl came about. She certainly had to be magical. "Everyone has a father."

She closed her book and shrugged, "I haven't had one all my life but I have Teddy and Grandma 'Meda. Mum says it's because I didn't need one."

"Didn't need one?" Draco repeated and smiled, "You're a very interesting girl, like your mother. What's you name by the way?"

"Jessamine."

Draco smiled, "I'm Draco."

She smiled and handed her book to Draco. Her grey eyes swooped over him and then locked eyes with him.

"I like your hair." She smiled.

"Hair?" Draco questioned, "That's a rather odd thing to like."

Jessamine reached out to pat his head, "I haven't seen anybody with hair like yours."

Draco shrugged, "It's a family trait."

"It looks like mine." Jessamine nodded, "Teddy can turn his hair like mine but he doesn't like to. He likes having his hair blue."

Draco paused for a full moment before narrowing his eyes, "What?"

"Teddy can change his hair color. Mum says that not a lot of people can do that but Teddy can. I wish he could just have his hair like mine..."

Jessamine kept talking. Draco couldn't listen to her calm collective speech. It was muffled out the moment his eyes landed on top of her head that was covered by the hood of her coat and a floppy thin beret.

He hesitated at first but his hand reached up to her head, Jessamine stopped talking as his hand rested on her beret. He looked into her eyes, his eyes, and slipped off the beret.

A tumble of long platinum blonde plaited hair fell out. He stared at her.

Even after she had lost interest in him and walked off to follow another kitten close by, Draco studied at her. It was almost undeniable.

"Jessamine, how old are you?" Draco asked.

"I'll be 5 at the end of September." She piped, "Look! He's got a black little nose! Help me catch him!"

Draco's eyes darted around as he rose to his feet again. He was calculating over and over again.

Her age.

Her eyes.

Her hair.

The way she has an early onset of a hatred for a Potter.

Her glares.

Her insults.

At that moment, the door open. George swooped in to check up on Jessamine and was startled to find Draco there sitting on the streets looking like a ton of bricks just fell on him. George eyes looked down at Jessamine and he nervously glance at Draco unable to keep eye contact.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, raising his voice.

Draco gulped and threw him a glare, "You knew."

George began to reach for Jessamine to pull her inside but she immediately began to whine. She had no intention to go back inside with her uncle.

"I'll buy you another book." He bribed.

"I don't want another book!" She cried, "I want to be outside!"

Draco wasted no time in seeing what George did or said. He quickly apparated away, feeling a tiny hand clutched in his own. He needed an explanation and he's was determined to get it.

ooo

Hermione felt a jolt in her heart. Her hand flew to her chest, dropping the freshly washed green sheets that fitted Jessa's bed. While her daughter was gone, Hermione decided to redo Jessa's room as a pleasant surprise. All her delicate lace and white furniture was gone. Hermione decided to move in a mahogany bed frame and dresser. Her walls were painted a silvery lavender color and a rug was rolled out for a small area that would have a small wicker table and chair set for her tea parties. Her bed spread was a fluffy and thick white comforter that was broidered with tiny interweaving purple flowers. There was equally fluffy lavender and white pillows to accompany the comforter and it was all ready to adorn her new bed, just as soon as Hermione fitted her sheets first.

Hermione pushed back the jolt in her chest. It was a rather odd thing to experience but she supposed her efforts in changing her room was tiring her out. Still, with that thought in hand, Hermione began to panic over the thought that she might have heart problems already.

Nonsense.

Hermione blew a bit of hair stray hair off her face to pick up the sheets she dropped. Her mind trailed off to Jessa who was staying at George for the mean time. Thinking of her little girl Hermione smiled painfully, feeling like every fiber in her body missed Jessa. Hermione couldn't fathom the day she would have to leave for Hogwarts.

She hugged her sheets tightly and breathed in the light clean scent before flicking her wand to do the work for her. She nodded approvingly and began for the door only to run into a lean figure.

"Andromeda!" Hermione exclaimed, "Have you finished Teddy's room?"
Andromeda kneaded her hands together nervously, "Hermione… there's someone out there."

"Oh." She responded, without much thought.

"You ought to see for yourself." Andromeda insisted.

Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously and without another word she stalked off. In truth, Hermione had a clue as to who was outside. She doubted all the worst and refused to let her imagination get the best of her.

On the contrary, she flew down the stairs in a haste and threw the doors open. As her eyes laid upon Draco, she knew she was in for some questions. The only thing working in Hermione's favor is that she already had an explanation: Astoria is crazy. She knows nothing of what she's talking about. Hermione nodded to herself. That should do it.

But as he came into focus, it was clear to see that he wasn't alone. He was clutching to a tiny delicate hand that belonged to her daughter. And seeing them for the first time together, Hermione's heart sank at the obvious similarities.

The blonde hair was a given but they even shared the cold dead stares and lean body type.

Draco had his hands shoved down his pants as he stood there, lean and towering over Hermione who was still stuck at her doorsteps.

"Jessa?" She shouted, "Come here."

Quietly, Jessa followed her orders and promptly walked to Hermione. Hermione didn't take her eyes off Draco who's gaze were stuck on Jessa.

"Mum?" Jessa looked up at Hermione, "Is he a friend?"

"Go inside Jessa." Hermione commanded.

"Am I in trouble?" Jessa asked.

"No." Hermione stared down Draco, "Inside."

Jessa sighed and let her light feet stomp her way inside. She closed the door behind her and Hermione took it as a cue to cross her arms.

"Can I help you?" Hermione shouted, "I was under the impression that we had an agreement."

"Can't I visit an old friend?" He shouted back.

Hermione gritted her teeth and looked away feeling the inevitable burn of her cheeks. She was altogether upset, angry, and of course ashamed that she had been discovered.

Draco smiled and shrugged nonchalantly, "I thought this would be a good exception."
Hermione was somewhat surprised to see him cool and collective. She bit her lip and glanced around.

"Do you mind taking off the charm to let me in the perimeters of your home or do I have to keep yelling to maintain a conversation?" He flashed a smile.

Hermione hesitated but realized if she fended him off, there would only be more wood to fuel his fire. Still, she had no idea what was to come and that thought was enough to drive her mad.

Although she wasn't stupid in hoping that Draco would never find out, she never really imagined the day it would come nor that it would possibly be today. With one last cold look, Hermione removed the spells with a flick of her wand.

Draco took a pause before stepping in and calmly walked up to her. As he walked past her to enter her manor, he looked down at her giving her the most devilish look she's ever seen.

"Would you like some tea and scones?" Hermione offered, closing the door behind her.

"You wouldn't have pumpkin juice, would you?" Draco asked, watching Jessa and Teddy zoom by him as they chased each other. Hermione cleared her throat.

"Andromeda?" Hermione called out.

She emerged from the second floor, anxiously looking for a sign in Hermione to cue to worry as well.

"Yes?" She asked once she reached the first floor.

"Would you mind making some pumpkin juice?" Hermione asked, "I think we're fresh out."

"No problem." She nodded. She called out for Teddy and Jessa and whisked away into the kitchen to make pumpkin juice together.

Hermione led Draco into the kitchen as well while Andromeda and the children worked quietly on the juice. .

She found it extremely uncomfortable and awkward to have him around but she refused to give him any hints that might clue him in on Jessa, despite her standing a few feet away.

"What brings you here?" Hermione asked.

Draco blinked at her before glancing at the blonde little girl. He pressed his lips together.

"I'm just surprised that you have a daughter." Draco cleared his throat. Still no sign of him about to explode, none that Hermione can tell at least.

Hermione nodded stiffly, "I do."
They stared at each other in silence until Andromeda placed two cups of pumpkin juice in front of them. She backed away quickly, taking Teddy and Jessa with her again.

Hermione raised her eyebrows, "What made you steal my daughter from George?"

Draco smiled, "I thought she would like to see her mum again."

Hermione glanced down at her pumpkin juice.

"Who's her father?" Draco asked lightly. There was not an inch of prodding in his voice, only a simple question Hermione had trouble admitting out loud.

"What's it to you?" She avoided.

Draco closed his eyes slowly and sunk back into his chair. He stared blankly at Hermione for a long stretch and it almost felt like he was looking right through her. Hermione gulped and took a small sip of her juice to sooth her dry throat.

"How long did you plan on keeping her from me?" Draco asked softly.

Hermione's chin quivered and she clenched her jaw to keep the tears from falling.

"I would have moved to the other side of the world." She softly admitted, "Just to make sure you would never know."

Draco looked taken aback from her response.

"Wow." He shook his head, "Why?"

Hermione finally looked up at his grey eyes there were soft and round much like Jessa's. She looked away in disgust.

"Why complicate an already complicated situation?" Hermione shrugged.

"What's complicated about it?" Draco narrowed his eyes, "She's mine isn't she?"

"You were married." Hermione persisted, "You have no idea the scandal-"

"I know what it means. You think I'm unaware of what has been exposed already?" Draco furrowed his brows, "So we-"

"No," Hermione interrupted, "There is no we."

"There was." Draco glared, "And that child is glaring evidence that we shared-"

"Stop." Hermione begged, "Please don't."

Draco broke down and snickered, "I don't understand what this is all about."

Hermione felt a blush creep up her face.

"I don't understand." Draco shook his head, "For the past… five years the only thing I wished for was a child when all this time I had one. Why couldn't I have known?"

"Any ruin your marriage?" Hermione shrugged, "My wedded life was taken away from me, I didn't want the same for Astoria."

Draco scoffed, "Please, my marriage was bound to fail with or without you and I never thought that you would be so fond of Astoria to think of her."

"I don't." Hermione snapped.

"Then?" Draco crossed his arms, waiting for a real answer.

Hermione couldn't think of anything. It was irritating that she always had a logical answer for everything, except for this and the way Draco was looking at her, only meant that he could read her like an open book and she hated that.

"So," Draco cleared his throat, "Where does that leave us?"

"Us?" Hermione repeated. She groaned inwardly hoping that he still wasn't hoping that they could be together.

Draco nodded, "Don't you think that we-"

"Absolutely not." Hermione scoffed.

"Why not?" Draco asked, "You have something of mine."

"Jessa isn't yours." Hermione lied.

Draco gave her that cold look and she settled down.

"You have my…" Draco looked away disgusted at his own words, "My heart."

Hermione's gasp was caught at her throat. She shook her head insistently and rushed to her feet. Her untouched pumpkin juice was suddenly being pour down the drain as she rushed around and talked incoherently.

"Is that what this is all about?" Draco set his jaw, "All this."

Hermione paused and turned to him, "What is?"

"That you love me as well." Draco pointed out.

Hermione gulped and took a step back when she saw Draco rise to his feet.

"Don't be ridiculous." Hermione sputtered out.

"You were bitter I was with Astoria." Draco said, opening wounds Hermione never realized she had, "You hated that you ended with a child of your worst enemy. How could poor logical Hermione ever been stupid enough to make that mistake? Or even worst, that you actually developed something more than hatred for me."

Hermione pressed her lips together and wished with all her might she would drop dead with her glare.

"Which one is it 'Mione?" Draco shouted, "Which out of all the reason did you keep me from you? From her?"

Hermione stormed away. She didn't want to face all at once and although she had no choice she still found it really easy to walk away. Draco, of course, followed her out, shouting at her. She tried to block his voice out but she couldn't. She heard every single word he said and when she had enough she whipped around to face him, her fist clenched tightly.

She could feel her face was red and hot but she held her breath and let him have it.

"I'm sorry!" She yelled, causing a rare stillness to spread through the manor.

Her hands immediately combed through her hair in desperation, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I hate you so much and it confuses me. I don't know why I tolerate you at all like a friend, I don't know why I feel so much around you, and I don't know why I kept her from you. I don't have a straight answer. Anything I reasoned as logical doesn't make sense anymore. Don't ask me why. Please don't."

Draco nodded once and took a step back.

"I suppose this is enough for one night." Draco cleared his throat.

Hermione nodded as well.

Aaaand it shall end there. I feel like if I didn't stop there it would be an overwhelming long chapter and an even more overwhelming conversation between Draco and Hermione. So... yes. I hope that was well worth the wait. I'm not entirely too thrilled it the chapter wrote out to be but I don't think there would be a lot of screaming or yelling, much less a short explanation, couple of tears and then a happily ever after. I suppose it's as close to the characters that I could make them.

SO what did you think? Review?

Yes?

I'm back aren't I?