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Joys and hardships of being a parent.
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Enjoy Chapter Thirteen!
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Nearly a month later. A few pounds lighter. Sexually frustrated, and wonderfully sleep deprived.
Being around Draco slowly became unbearable, Hermione craved his body and longed for intimacy.
Lonely nights in her room knowing he was next door was driving her fucking insane.
She cursed the bloody boxers he wore because his big dick pressed up against the material making her openly stare it unashamed.
Surely it was sinful to look so good.
Merlin, she had become a complete slut for the Slytherin Prince.
Hermione scoffed at the recollection of the stupid nickname.
If he would not talk about them then she would.
Their situation was driving her up the wall.
What was the saying? The way to a man's heart is through his stomach?
Well, she was sure she found a shortcut through his cock because they skipped many a meal to fuck each other senseless.
Hermione lathed herself with the rose-scented body wash and took a long leisurely shower.
She painted her nails a deep red to match the dress she wore, combed her hair down and made the extra effort to look nice.
She twirled in front of the mirror and smirked, "This ought to get your attention, Mr Malfoy."
Silently, Hermione patted herself on the back at what she accomplished in the one hour Noah was asleep.
Time management at its best.
Draco grudgingly returned to his work schedule but for hours at a time and not the usual stretch he was accustomed too.
He looked around the dimly lit flat in alarm, what the bloody heck was going on?
Where were Granger and his son?
His observant eyes took in the almost romantic setting.
The grey orbs almost bulged out of his head at the sight of the sexy goddess in the room.
Hermione leaned casually against the table, her legs crossed at the ankles.
He felt hot around the collar.
Steady boy, down boy, easy now.
Draco let his eyes rove over her hungrily.
Starting with her creamy smooth-skinned long legs in high heels, they moved up past her flat but post-pregnancy stomach
His blazing eyes lingered on the hardened nipples pressed against the material threatening to break free and finally came to rest on her beautiful face.
The plates of gourmet food caught his attention.
He tore his gaze away from her and swallowed hard, "You cooked?"
A stuffed roast chicken was placed at the centre of the table with plates of mashed potatoes, boiled vegetables and freshly baked bread rolls in a basket arranged artistically around it.
The aroma alone was making his mouth salivate.
Hermione chewed on her lip, "I did."
Draco raised a brow, "You fucking hate to cook."
What was with the interrogation?
She struggled to keep her temper in check.
Hermione clenched her teeth and hissed, "Will you please sit down."
He questioned, "Where did you find the time?"
Do not lose it, Granger, keep cool.
She smiled sweetly, "I made some."
Pointing to the chair, she instructed sternly, "Sit."
He took note of the tone.
It was unwise to question her any further.
Without another word, Draco sat down at once and placed the napkin on his lap.
His head whizzed with different scenarios.
What in blue blazes was going on?
Hermione first stacked his plate high with food and then hers.
Draco forked a piece of chicken and cautiously brought it to his mouth.
Why the fuck was she staring at him?
It unnerved him but he chewed on the moist piece of poultry and smiled crookedly.
The flavours burst in his mouth and he stuffed his face with a larger piece.
He sighed in content, "This is delicious, darling."
Hermione kept staring at him and filled his glass to the brim with rich red wine.
Draco eyed it suspiciously.
Was she trying to get him plastered?
He took a big gulp to moisture his dry lips and helped himself to a second helping of everything.
Hermione nervously but delicately forked pieces of chicken and vegetables while he wolfed down his food.
She dabbed the corners of her mouth with the napkin, "You have a healthy appetite."
He grinned, "I didn't eat lunch."
She nodded with understanding and asked him about work.
They exchanged a few pleasantries and Noah related queries.
Hermione brought her head up and said, "In a few months I'll be going back to work, we need to find a nanny."
Draco frowned, the dimness of the room masked his features.
Her going back to work as a bloody Auror did not sit well with him.
He mumbled, "Err…sure."
The bones of the chicken were clearly visible, he had singlehandedly devoured the entire bird, the vegetables were long gone and a spoonful of mashed potatoes remained.
Now or never.
Hermione took a deep breath and reached over and squeezed his hand, "Draco, we need to talk about..."
The loud ringing of his phone travelled through the flat.
He pushed back his chair and sped in its direction before the blaring noise woke up their son and interrupted the blissful moment he was sharing with the woman of his dreams.
Us! She thought miserably biting into a fresh bread roll.
Blast the phone.
Minutes dragged on and Hermione adjusted uncomfortably on the chair, her thong was wedged deep inside the crack of her arse and she desperately wanted to pull it out.
Just when she reached under her dress to do so, Draco reappeared, his face set in stone.
She raised a brow curiously, "Who was it?"
He seemed lost to the world.
Gently Hermione coaxed, "Draco?"
He snapped out of his daze, "Oh, it was umm...Astoria."
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously and just like that the evening took a torrid turn for the worse
You have seriously got to be shitting me.
Trying to keep the jealously out of her voice, Hermione asked with interest, "What?"
Draco sat back down, threw his drink back and stared at his plate, "She's in town and wanted to meet up for old times sake."
Hermione shot to her feet and spat, "Oh..um..well you should."
Fucking great.
What the bloody fuck did his ex-girlfriend want?
He took in her erratic movements and grasped her wrist, "I don't have too, Hermione."
Fuck keeping her temper in check, all she saw was red.
She broke free of his hold, "Well, I don't care if you do."
Draco threw his napkin on the table and leaned back, "There's nothing for you to get angry over."
Hermione gathered her empty plate, "I'm not angry, Malfoy."
Right, there was literally steam flowing out of her nostrils like a firebreathing dragon.
He watched every movement with increasing amusement.
Was the witch jealous?
Maybe she did care for him after all.
Maybe he had become more than a sperm donor.
She dumped the dirty dishes in the sink with a loud clattering clang, turned around and curtsied, "Excuse me but I can hear Noah crying."
There wasn't a damn sound. Their son was fast asleep.
Did she just fucking curtsey?
Draco forked a piece of chicken and aggressively pulled it off with his teeth while watching her flounce away from him.
That was the last he saw of Hermione that night. Noah slept threw the night amazingly but unfortunately limiting their contact.
Little did he know a storm was raging within the fiery Gryffindor in the room next to his.
The next morning.
Draco checked on Noah, his son was fast asleep nestled against a stuffed blue dragon.
A content smile crept up his face, he popped his head to look in on Granger before leaving for office.
She was asleep, he kept the baby monitor by her side and fought the urge to steal a quick kiss.
He sat at his desk deep in thought and after much deliberation, he decided on meeting Astoria for dinner.
Merlin knew, he owed her at least that much.
He was not a complete bastard.
Grabbing the phone, he pressed the number and within seconds she answered.
Her sweet voice came through, "Hello Draco."
He swallowed, "Hi, we can meet up for dinner tonight if you like."
Astoria perked up, "That sounds wonderful, 7 pm at the Ritz restaurant?"
Draco stifled a laugh, "Your tastes haven't changed."
She giggled, "And they never will, see you there, darling."
He shook his head exasperatedly and cut the call.
Draco went home extra early with the intent of telling the witch he lived with that he had dinner plans.
Somehow, he fucking knew it would not be well received.
But she wasn't home, a hovering note told him, she was visiting her parents for the day.
Fucking great.
The feisty witch would arrive in time to catch him leaving.
Draco lazed around the quiet flat restlessly, he had grown accustomed to the noise and craved Hermione's voice and his sons cry.
The hours ticked by and skies darkened.
He pulled out a black jacket and matching dark grey shirt.
Adjusting the cufflinks, Draco walked into the living room to find Hermione nursing Noah.
He jumped back in surprise, "Blimey woman, you almost gave me a bloody heart attack."
Bending he brushed Noah's forehead with a light kiss and asked, "Have you been back long?"
Hermione ignored the question and eyed him suspiciously, "Are you going out?"
Obviously, unless you wore a suit to take a dump.
Draco nervously pulled at his sleeve, "Yes..er...didn't I tell you?"
Of course, he didn't tell her.
Bloody coward.
She whispered darkly, "No you must have left that part out."
He swallowed and mumbled barely audible, "Sorry, I'm meeting Tori for dinner."
Hermione narrowed her eyes and questioned, "I didn't quite catch that."
Draco straightened to his full frame of six feet, two inches and enunciated each word, "I. am. meeting. Astoria. for. dinner."
Cradling a sleeping Noah to her chest, Hermione rose carefully and hissed spitefully, "Oh, are you? How fun for you."
An unfamiliar tightness gripped her heart and tears rushed to the surface.
Draco took in her face and his heart clenched uncomfortably.
Fuck.
Gently he asked, "Do you want me to stay?
She laughed sarcastically, "Why the fuck would I want you to stay?"
Stubborn witch.
Draco picked up his wand and regarded her solemnly, "Fine then, I won't be long. Call me if you need anything."
Hermione mocked, "And interrupt your date? We would not dream of it, would we Noah?"
He blocked her path and held her by the shoulders, "Hermione, it's not a bloody date."
She stepped away from his touch, "Fine. It's none of my business anyway."
With those final words, she walked away scornfully.
Stupid fucking Slytherin.
Going out with his ex-girlfriend.
Anger seeped through her and grabbed hold of her mind.
She heard the loud sound of disapparation.
Good, the tosser had left.
Hermione kept her sleeping son in the cot and determinedly pulled out her phone.
A deep voice answered, "Always a pleasure."
She didn't mince words, "Are you busy?"
A short laugh followed, "For you, never."
Hermione hesitated but put caution to the wind, "Come over?"
A loud thud came through followed by a short reply, "Be there in 15 minutes."
She smiled to herself and walked into her room to change.
The aristocratic woman dressed in a tight bright purple dress waved at him from the table.
She rose to greet him as he got near and kissed him on the cheek.
He looked her over and complimented, "You look good, Tori."
Astoria smiled and took in his fineness, "You look good too, I hate that."
He laughed, "Come on, don't be like that."
They ordered an expensive bottle of wine the server expertly uncorked it and poured a splash into each glass.
Draco swirled it around, took a deep sniff and nodded his approval.
Astoria raised the glass, "To Noah."
He looked at her curiously but raised his glass, "To my son."
After taking a sip, Draco set the glass down and asked, "I gather you saw the article in the Prophet."
Astoria laughed, "The entire wizarding world saw it."
She cleared her throat and added, "Hermione looked lovely."
They ordered, Astoria brought her delicate hands together and asked, "What's it like being a father?"
The mention of Noah made him smile, "Exhausting but wonderful."
A genuine smile curved her lips, "He's beautiful Draco, well, he should be, he is the spitting image of you."
She sipped her wine and inquired, "Are you a good father?"
Draco mused, "You can hardly expect me to say no."
He shrugged, "Hermione says I'm. The woman never lies."
The words flew out of Astoria's mouth before she could stop it, "Are you in a relationship with her?"
Draco forced a smile and signalled for more wine, "Well, not that we have put a label on it, but I guess we are."
Astoria regarded him curiously, "You don't sound convinced."
He sighed, "Honestly Tori, I don't know what we are. We are Noah's parents indefinitely."
She swallowed and averted her gaze, "And you have no feelings for her?"
Shit.
Was she going to make him say it out loud?
Fuck it.
He licked his dry lips, "Can't say I don't, I do have feelings for Hermione."
So very much.
Love! Or something equivalent to it.
Draco locked eyes with the bejewelled woman across him, "My life isn't what it used to be."
Astoria nodded at once, "A child changes things."
Anxious to stir the conversation away, he asked with false interest, "How is Australia?"
Her eyes twinkled, "Good, I like it but I miss London, especially the weather."
She stared at him over the flickering candlelight, "I've missed you, but I know it's complicated."
Bloody hell.
Maybe dinner was a bad idea.
Draco swallowed hard and retorted, "It is complicated."
They spoke more about Noah and Astoria glanced over the lowlight at her ex-boyfriend.
She did miss him, it was no lie.
More the looks of envy she received from other women when they walked into an event or restaurant.
As a person, she understood they had absolutely nothing in common.
Their union would have been beneficial in the eyes of society but nothing more.
She studied his face, handsome yes, always, but a new radiance adorned his features.
Was he in love with Hermione?
After dinner, they rose to leave, and he held out her minx fur coat for her to slip into.
His fingers accidentally brushed up her arm and she shuddered.
Sex! Yes, she missed having him work her body, how could she possibly forget what swung between his legs.
Astoria sighed, "This was nice."
Her fingers dug into his arm, "I'll be back in a few months."
Draco politely took his arm out of her grasp and made a show of adjusting his coat and answered, "You know where to find me."
She smiled warmly, "Maybe I can meet Noah next time."
Hermione would have his head.
He adopted a false smile, "Sure, sounds like a plan."
Astoria watched the tall ice blonde walk down the street before taking out her wand and disappearing into the night.
Draco stopped by a boulangerie close by and picked up an order of delicious strawberry tarts smothered in whipped cream.
He knew how much Hermione loved them.
Call it a peace offering, if you will.
His little outing upset her and he wished to make amends.
He landed in the middle of the room and felt something amiss.
Buckets of greasy fried chicken littered the area, a Muggle movie blared out of the telly and Blaise relaxed on the sofa.
He angrily tossed the brown paper bag onto the kitchen counter and glared at Hermione, "I see you've got company!"
So, this was her getting back at him.
Touché, little witch.
Hermione smirked and shrugged casually.
Fuck you, Malfoy.
Blaise threw his legs off the sofa and came towards them.
He munched on a chicken leg and said, "Mione, told me you're dating Tori again, please tell me you are not going down that path."
Draco stared at his best friend in disgust, "Unlike you, I'm capable of keeping my dick in my trousers, she is my ex but also a good friend."
Blaise threw the bone away, licked his fingers and mocked sarcastically, "Yeah and I'm a flubberworm, Tori is in love with you.
Draco glared sternly.
Hermione flinched. Her heart pounded painfully.
Draco slipped off his jacket, "Well this has been fun don't let the door hit you on the way out Zabini."
Blaise stared after him knowing when to keep his big mouth shut.
The blonde was not to be trifled with.
Hermione opened her mouth, but Draco cut her off firmly, "Don't! We will discuss this later."
Oh, he was mad? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
He had the nerve, no, the fucking audacity to have dinner with an ex-girlfriend and then show her attitude?
Fuck no!
Blaise tapped her on the shoulder, "Best I make a move, pet, see you later."
Hermione nodded solemnly, her eyes glaring a hole at the back of Draco's head.
Noah had a restless night.
Both shuffled back and forth between the nursery and kitchen, purposely avoiding the bubbling tension between them.
Draco stirred the cup of coffee and pushed it towards her.
Grateful, Hermione sipped the delicious mug of caffeine goodness.
Draco barred his teeth and hissed, "Granger, I'm fucking stoked that you're bonding with Blaise but does he have to come over when I'm not around?"
She took a sip of the scalding liquid, "What's the big deal?"
Her lips pressed to the mug, she questioned, "Are you afraid something will happen?"
Draco turned to face her, his face darkened, "I don't need to tell you that if you start dating my best friend, it will greatly upset me."
Hermione scrunched up her nose and frowned, "That's disgusting, Blaise is a nothing more than a friend and like a brother to you."
He started to protest, "I know...but..."
Noah's cries cut through the conversation.
Draco rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Merlin, does this child never sleep."
She dragged her feet and complained, "He's your son."
Days passed and they blatantly refused to address the elephant in the room.
Draco arrived home from work and walked into the nursery to find Hermione in tears trying desperately to put Noah to sleep.
She cradled their son to her body and rocked back and forth while Noah screamed at the top of his lungs.
Tears of frustration streamed down her face.
He wasted no time, Draco strode into the nursey and gathered Hermione in his arms, "Ssh…calm down."
Dropping a kiss to her forehead, he gently coaxed, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Hermione sobbed, "I'm trying to put him to sleep."
She cried helplessly, "Nothing is working."
He stroked her hair and whispered, "Let me try."
She carefully handed over the hollering infant to his father.
Draco took his son in his large warm hands and cradled him to his chest.
He gently rocked from side to side and hummed a soothing lullaby.
Hermione caught words like, "Hush baby, my prince, my son."
The crying stopped almost at once and Noah puckered his lips and smacked them.
His eyes started to droop and within minutes he was fast asleep in his father's arms.
Draco continued to rock until he was sure Noah would not wake.
The infant snuggled into his father's warmth and did not stir.
Hermione threw her hands up in the air exasperatedly and hissed, "Oh that's just fucking great."
She pointed at the sleeping child, "I've been trying for fucking hours."
Her frustration got the better of her and she spluttered, "And you...you..."
Flecks of spit flew everywhere, and Draco used his free hand to wipe it off his face.
He nudged her urgently, "Shhh woman, he's down for the night."
Hermione choked back a sob, turned on her heel and fled the room.
Draco stared after her, shook his head and placed his son in the cot.
He rubbed the back of his neck and moved his neck in circles to relieve the pent-up tension.
She paced around the room, huffing and muttering to herself.
He spoke soothingly, "Granger, get some sleep."
Tears ran down her face as she plopped down on the sofa.
Hermione hugged herself and pulled the t-shirt over her knees, "I'm cold Draco, why the fuck is this flat so cold all the time?".
A tired smile curved his lips, he bent to her level and rubbed her hands.
The words left him before he could stop it, "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"
Finally, he plucked up the bloody courage to ask her.
Well done, Malfoy, 100 points to Slytherin.
They slept in their appointed rooms after the birth, plagued with sleepless nights and deep thoughts.
Once or twice they ventured out into Muggle London for dinner or a quick bite to eat.
He cherished those moments with his lack of a better word, family.
Hermione missed his warmth.
Draco missed her softness.
She slipped between the covers and they both stared at the ceiling awkwardly.
Why was it so damn uncomfortable?
They slept together for months before Noah came along and now it was so bloody weird.
Hermione turned over and hugged the pillow, "Goodnight then.
Her foot brushed along his calf and he jerked, "Shit your feet are freezing."
She did not answer but felt the weight of the bed shift as he scooted closer to her.
Her heart beat fast and she waited for him to make the next move.
Expecting him to surround her with his warmth, what he did next disappointed her.
He came close but settled inches away from her back.
Frustrated Hermione turned around to give the Slytherin louse a piece of her mind when something hard pressed into her stomach.
She squealed, "What is that?"
Draco groaned, "You know exactly what that is."
Hermione touched it over the material.
Bad idea.
He growled, "The fuck Granger."
She bit down hard on her lip, "But you're so hard."
Draco moved away, "Ah shit...you're not going to let me sleep, are you?"
Hermione stared at the wall and rubbed her arms, "Do you want to have sex?"
There, it was out in the open, they had no choice but to talk about it.
Draco pushed the covers away, "You can't, Grace said it's too soon."
He pointedly pointed to the tent his boxers evoked, "And to answer your question obviously."
At her follow-up, Grace recommended that they stay away from penetrative sex for a minimum of six weeks.
Hermione averted her gaze and mumbled, "I'm sorry."
He rubbed his eyes sleepily, "You have nothing to be sorry for. You need time to heal."
She sat up and crossed her legs under her, "Draco, if you want to date, I wouldn't stop you. I mean it would be okay."
He snorted openly.
That's rich, she had a bitch fit the one time he shared a meal with another woman, and it wasn't even a bloody date.
Hermione frowned at her stupidity.
Yeah right, the very thought of him with another drove her loopy with jealousy.
Draco let out a laugh, "Good to know, Granger, I'll keep that in mind and schedule one right away."
Her eyes widened, "Oh, so you want too? You want to stick it into another woman?"
He groaned in frustration, "For the love of Merlin, you are seriously driving me insane."
His eyes moved over her slowly, Hermione squirmed at the intensity his grey orbs held.
He rasped, "I have a warm woman in my bed. I haven't had sex in months, I can't fucking help it."
Draco rolled his eyes, "It does not mean I want to fuck around."
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and hissed nastily, "Didn't you boink your precious Astoria?"
He let out a hearty laugh, "Pretty sure no one uses the word boink anymore and no I didn't, why would I?"
His gaze softened as he thought when I have you...I want you, Granger.
Hermione narrowed her eyes and spat, "What did she want?"
Still caught up in his erotic flashback, Draco asked through a daze, "Who?"
She tossed a pillow at his head and yelled, "ASTORIA, YOU WANKER!"
He caught the pillow and retorted, "Sorry, are you looking for a more sophisticated answer than to catch up?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
She tossed her legs over the edge and got up.
Draco tried to grab hold of her wrist, "Hermione…"
She dodged his long arms and walked out of the room, "I'm going to sleep in my room."
He covered his face with the pillow and screamed into it.
A childish hissy fit? he could care less.
The next morning, Draco changed Noah's diaper, sat with him while he happily drank from his bottle.
He popped his head into Hermione's room and found her sprawled across the bed fast asleep.
Deciding to make her breakfast before he left for his meeting, he jogged back into the kitchen and made a plate of pancakes, bacon strips and a fluffy omelette.
Checking to see if Noah was still asleep, he took the baby monitor and had a quick but relaxing shower.
He vigorously towelled his balls, changed into a causal linen shirt, ran his fingers through his hair and made a mental note to get a haircut.
No sound from Hermione's room told him she was still fast asleep, reluctantly he pushed the door open and strode across the room with the intent of waking her but froze at the sight.
Tits and arse out, the mother of his child lay on her back.
Tired, mussed and dishevelled did nothing to lessen her sex appeal.
Fuck, he felt his cock twitch uncomfortably.
Control yourself, man...you are not some horny little prick.
He slowly bent to coax her awake, but she woke up at once, grabbed hold of his head and kissed him hard.
Caught off guard, Draco stumbled and fell on top of Hermione.
Her legs went around him and pulled him closer
She smelled of baby powder and milk.
His fingers tore off her top, cradled her back and pressed himself against her bare skin, "Mmm...so soft."
Hermione reversed positions and straddled him, her chest heaved, and lips parted in a silent moan.
Draco sat up, buried his face in the crook of her neck and teasingly trailed his tongue along her heated flesh
"Babe."
"So much."
"I miss you."
"It's too soon."
"I know."
Their words fell over each other as the urgent need to be together consumed them.
Hermione whimpered heatedly, "Kiss me some more, Draco."
He laid her down and kissed her passionately.
Gods he missed her body.
Limbs entwined, they clawed at each other and deepened the kiss.
His tongue ran the length on her bottom lip before slipping it inside her mouth and warmth.
The kissed turned frantic and before long his hands were everywhere.
A loud cry came out of the baby monitor.
The smallest cock block in the world was up.
They broke apart reluctantly as Noah's voice drifted through the flat.
Hermione groaned, sprang to her feet, and grabbed the discarded t-shirt on the floor.
Draco sat on the bed miserably and took out his wand to disapparate, "I made you breakfast."
"Thank you," she called over her shoulder while sprinting in the direction of the screaming infant.