Hermione had been at Draco's for a week. And she was starting to miss home. Scorpius had proved to be a good distraction. His constant banter and presence was welcomed. After all, he had been the main reason for being here, at Draco's.
"What?" Hermione shirked, pushing Draco off her. She tried not to wince as he slipped from her. "No! Absolutely not! Have you gone mad?"
He watched her as she fumbled with her shirt, trying to get it back on. He pulled up his own pants and ran a hand over his face.
"I mean –" he tried to catch his breath. "Not permanently. Just until I know my father won't try anything. I would sleep better knowing you're not here alone."
"I'm capable of taking care of myself. I don't need a babysitter," Hermione hissed.
"It's not only that," Draco sighed. "I want – I need someone to help me watch Scorpius too. What if it's just me and Scorpius? If my father shows up at my house," Draco let out a deep breath, "then you can take Scorpius away. He doesn't need to be around my father and he doesn't need to see his own father kill his grandfather."
Hermione paused and just stared at him, shocked. Her mouth hung open slightly. He couldn't be seriously contemplating this. When Draco had threatened Lucius, sure, it had scared her, but she couldn't imagine Draco actually killing someone. Then she remembered the look in his eye when he saw Lucius and when Lucius had call her a mudblood. And she knew, given enough incentive, he probably could. Coming to her senses, Hermione shook her head.
"No, you won't," Hermione said firmly.
Draco mouth formed a thin line, "I could and I will."
Hermione reached out to take his hand. "No, you won't. Because I won't let you. You're better than that. He's not worth it."
"No, but Scorpius is worth it. And you're worth it. If he ever comes near you, I swear –" Draco didn't continue, he just bowed his head and kissed her hand. Before she could say anything in reply, he continued. "Please," he begged. "Please, just stay at my house for a few weeks."
Hermione sighed. He reached up and kissed him lightly. "Fine. Fine, I'll stay at your house, but only for a few weeks." She stopped short of telling him that she was doing this for Scorpius because a small part of her was also doing this for Draco. To make sure he didn't do anything he regretted.
"I'll still have to work, Draco," Hermione reasoned. "I don't know how much help I'll be."
"That's alright, that's fine," Draco sighed in relief.
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It hadn't been alright though. Draco had come to work with her every day. He rationalized that his work could be done in Hermione's office at the shop, while he watched Scorpius.
Hermione adored the two, she honestly did, but she needed time to herself.
Her time at Draco's had been enlightening, however. She had learned that Scorpius liked the crust cut off his toast, that he like playing tea time with the house elves and that liked looking at picture books nearly all day long. She had learned that Draco took his coffee black and no sugar in his tea. She learned that he took ridiculously long showers and took even more time picking out his clothing for the day. She learned that he drummed his index figure when he was nervous, which had been most of the time.
Draco entered the study looking forlorn. Hermione had spent a lot of her time in his study. The room was lined with bookshelves, of which, Hermione took to her advantage.
"My mother just owled me. She said that she would be over shortly to see Scorpius," Draco said. He ran a hand over his face, trying to ease the stress.
Hermione's eyes shot to his. "That's okay, isn't it?"
Draco nodded, "Yeah. That's fine. I said she could come over and visit Scorp. I wouldn't mind talking to her, anyways. You know - about my father," he said more softly. He looked tired.
Despite his reasoning for having Hermione stay, which as so he would sleep better, Hermione knew that he wasn't sleeping well at all. She would wake up in the night to find him awake and thinking.
"Come here," She motioned him over with her head. "Lay down."
She placed the book, which she had been reading, on the coffee table as he made his way over. He sat down on the sofa and laid down so his head was cradled in her lap and his feet hung over the armrest. She ran her hands through his hair and he closed his eyes, leaning into her touch.
"You haven't been sleeping," Hermione stated. "You look knackered."
He let out a soft laugh, "Is it that obvious?"
Hermione giggled lightly, "Yes. You should take a nap before she comes. I'll watch Scorpius."
Draco shook his head, "No. I'll just rest here with you. If that's, okay?"
Hermione nodded and continued to run her hand through his soft, fine hair.
"That feels unbelievably good," Draco sighed and closed his eyes again.
"Please don't be cross with her," Hermione whispered. She felt him go rigid for a moment, then breathed deeply. "It's not her fault."
"I won't. But if she can get him to understand that I don't want him around. And if there was one person who could, it would be her," Draco said softly.
Words bubbled up in Hermione's throat and before she could stop them, she blurted out, "What if he has really changed, Draco?"
Draco scrunched up his eyebrows, "Did you not hear what he said about you?"
She smiled sadly down at him, "He could have changed, nevertheless. Some habits may be harder to break than others."
Draco sat up slightly, "Are you seriously trying to make excuses for him?"
"No," Hermione shook her head, "No. But it could have gone a lot worse than it actually did. He didn't even draw his wand on us, even when we had ours drawn."
Hermione thought back to the Lucius she knew before the war. The Lucius who had tried to kill her in The Ministry of Magic all those years ago. He would have had his wand in hand straight away.
"I think that you should hear him out," Hermione said softly. "Just hear what he has to say first, then make your judgments."
Draco scowled, "He doesn't deserve a second chance, Hermione."
"Maybe not," Hermione smiled. "But if I hadn't given you a second chance, then where would we be now?"
Draco groaned loudly and moved to lie back down on her lap. "Touché," He mumbled. "Dating stupid girls made it so much easier to get my way."
Hermione laughed and leaned down to kiss him on the lips. Her lips lingered on his for a moment before she pulled back.
"Stupid girls only wanted you for your body," Hermione countered. She ran a hand down his arm, emphasizing her point.
"And what is it you want me for?" Draco quirked an eyebrow in question. A small, smug, grin formed on his face.
"Well, it's not for your sense of humor, that's for sure," Hermione chuckled. His grin turned into a genuine smile. Hermione shrugged slightly. "I don't know. You have your moments, I guess," she said with mock indifference.
He reached up and placed a hand on the back of her neck. Pulling her down for another kiss, he whispered, "Right back at you, Granger."