A/N: Happy Friday! Oh man, big news. New story is coming on MONDAY. So, if you like my writing, Dramione parenting stories, and a bit of a mystery; check out 'If Only'. It's got a bit of a parent trap vibe, and I'm living for it! I'll be dropping the first two chapters.

My 20mo has decided that this is the weekend we're potty training, so excited to be tailing him all waking hours now. Anyway, that's my life. More notes at the end.

CHAPTER TRIGGER WARNING: MINOR CHARACTER DEATH

Chapter 22, Borgin's Testimony

The last few days following Harry's discovery that Aurora was a target because of her family relationship with Lucius Malfoy had been a complete nightmare for Hermione. Anytime Aurora went in public, she was to have an escort. Wards had been reinforced at every home she frequented, and Theo had rearranged his schedule so that he was with Aurora on both Tuesdays and Thursdays now. No one complained, but the tensions in the air were thick amongst the adults. Luckily Aurora, and to an extent Louie, were blissfully unaware of what was happening around them.

Draco had come over every night to spend more time with Aurora and it felt like their relationship was really taking off. The night before Draco had brought Aurora her own toy broom to fly around the property on, even after Hermione had complained that she was too young for her own broom. Draco promised that he wouldn't leave Aurora's side for even a second, forcing Hermione to give in and watched as the pair race around the field.

It was also during this time that Draco was finally able to meet Hermione's parents one night when they all had dinner together. Helen and Roger remembered Draco as Hermione's school bully from every summer that Hermione would come home crying to her parents about all the awful things that he did and said to her. For Aurora, the Grangers were able to put aside what they had thought about the child that Draco had been and accepted the man that was in front of them.

After Aurora had been put to bed, Draco had asked Hermione if she had a preference when or how told his parents and Astoria about Aurora. Hermione told him that she really didn't mind and fully trusted his judgment on this. Draco let her know that he was going to talk to Astoria before speaking to his parents, and that he'd set up a visitation time with her this coming weekend to spend a day in France to speak with her at her rehabilitation center.

It wasn't perfect, but it was what life was throwing at them.

Now it was Thursday, and today was the day of Borgin's testimony. Draco had stopped by her office the day before to request her presence in court that day for it.

"We're getting him up on the stands, he's agreed to give us everything. His buyers, sellers, contractors, locations, how to contact them, literally everything for reduced sentencing. Fucking Tiberius has no idea that we've cut this deal, and I know he's going to be questioning the legitimacy of everything Borgin has to say. I could really use that brilliant mind of yours there to verify what he's said just in case it comes down to that." Draco had said rubbing his hand down his face.

"Yes, well Tiberius is a cretin, who knows what he'll do even when faced with facts right in front of him. Of course, I'll be there." Hermione had reached across the desk and laid her hand on top of Draco's in a comforting fashion to lend him some support.

Draco's response hadn't been to immediately pull away, but after a half smile, he did. It was hard to know that she still had growing feelings for this man and finding out that he was close to being divorced hadn't helped the situation at all. Not that his marital status had stopped her before he'd gotten mad at her after finding out about Aurora, Merlin help her.

Outside of their working relationship and their co-parenting relationship, Draco was keeping Hermione at a distance. It hurt, a lot more than she was willing to admit, but she had seen it coming. She'd know that she had destroyed that trust and that easy going friendship with him. Even now that Draco knew the full story behind Hermione hiding Aurora from him, he still felt that she'd betrayed him and lacked the faith that he would have stood up to his father for her. At least, that's what Hermione assumed. They hadn't talked about Lucius threatening her since it had come up Monday.

Hermione was lost in thoughts as she waited for the clock to chime that it was time for her to head down to the court room. The reason she wasn't already down there with Draco was because they'd decided that her presence in the court room really seemed to work Tiberius into a bit of a tizzy and Draco needed him to be focused on the case and not Hermione for as long as possible.

That's how Hermione found herself looking at the same report that Seamus had dropped on her desk twenty minutes earlier and not having comprehended a single word she'd read so far.

"Knock, knock. Drake sent me ahead to prep you since he's not going to have time." Hermione's head snapped up to meet the irritated gaze of Rachel standing in her doorway.

The brunette had a half up hair style with a top knot bun and a few whisps of hair framing her face and a fire in her eyes that Hermione had only seen when she was speaking to Astoria, Lucius, or Tiberius. Hands on her hips, Hermione suppressed the chuckle of how that pose resembled her much too closely.

"Come in, shut the –" Hermione had begun saying when Rachel slammed the door shut and stalked over to the guest chair in front of Hermione's desk before gracefully lowering herself into the seat. The two women made eye contact again and Hermione couldn't figure out if this was going to be a scolding or end up in a duel with the way Rachel was glaring at her.

"Tea?" Hermione asked motioning towards her tea cart.

"I'm not fucking British." Rachel snapped throwing the file on the desk in front of Hermione before she started speedily going over Draco's notes.

Instead of questioning Rachel's bad mood, Hermione snapped her mouth shut and just followed along with all the instructions that Rachel was giving her. What Hermione would be verifying were easy enough as she'd already testified in this case, as it was a lot of repeat questions from Hermione's own testimony.

By the time Rachel had finished and snapped the file shut, Hermione met the intense gaze from the younger witch. "Something you'd like to tell me, Hermione?" Rachel asked leaning back in her chair folding her arms over her chest.

Taken a bit aback from the question, Hermione raised an eyebrow looking at the other woman. "Um, not exactly? Is there something you'd like me to tell you?" Hermione asked racking her brain for anything that might have set the woman off.

"Oh, I don't know. How about that Drake is Aurora's fucking father. That might be something you could have shared with the class when, oh I don't know, I fucking met her." Oh. Well, her cold attitude now made more sense at least.

Hanging her head Hermione rubbing the bridge of her nose trying to steady herself. "We're trying to keep the list of who knows that information as small as possible right now. I'm assuming he told you then?" Hermione asked looking up at the witch whose face was flushed with anger.

"No, he didn't fucking tell me actually. I had to learn while I was listening in on his conversation with fucking Lucifer this morning! Damnit Hermione, I've met the kid, and I can't believe I was so stupid and didn't see it before. Morgana's tits, she looks just like him." Hermione's eyebrows raised at this information. She knew that Draco would be telling his parents that he had a child, just she didn't think that he would tell his father while he was at work and before his visit with Astoria Saturday.

"And she's been fucking threatened because of Lucifer! My goddaughter, threatened because of the fucking devil himself. Seriously, why wouldn't you tell me about her!" Rachel yelled standing up so that she was now looking down at Hermione with her fists clenched at her side.

"Your goddaughter?" Hermione asked not wanting to go into anymore details with the witch who was clearly angrier with Draco than her but couldn't take it out on him at the moment.

"Obviously I'm her godmother, my basically brother is her father. If she already has one, well now she has two." Rachel reached into her tote digging through a few things before pulling out a piece of parchment and tossing it on her desk. "Here's their conversation. Thought you should read it yourself." Rachel said before twirling on her heels and storming out of Hermione's office.

Hermione looked down at the papers sitting in her hands and she could tell that it was the same writing from Rachel's quick quotes quill that she'd used before to take notes of Draco and Lucius's conversations. Glancing up at her clock again, Hermione saw that Rachel had left her more than enough time to start going through this before she was due down in the court room.

Might as well start at the very beginning. It was clear that Rachel had missed at least the start of their conversation as there were no pleasantries or greetings.

You don't exactly seem very surprised by the fact that you have a four-year-old granddaughter. Is there something you would like to tell me, father?

You thought you could have a child who looks exactly like you walking around London and I wouldn't find out? You're an even bigger fool than I thought.

How long have you known about her?

Long enough, now as for your accusations –

Accusations! She's being threatened because of you! They specifically call you out for your 'mistakes' and saying that she's going to have to pay for them! Now that could be fucking anyone couldn't it. Your list of enemies is endless, and you don't even seem to care that MY daughter is being threatened because of YOU!

You'll watch your tone, boy. You went off and got a mudblood pregnant knowing good and well that you were in a betrothal contract.

What did you say?

You heard me; now do you even understand the complications this will cause with the Greengrass family. If Baron ever found out about the girl, it would cost us a fortune. All because you couldn't keep it in your pants or use a proper contraceptive charm. Your responsibility is to the Malfoy name, not some child whose mother comes back from the rock she'd crawled under and trying to sink her claws into what we've built over generations

My daughter is being threatened and all you care about is how many gallons this will cost you. And what did you say about her mother? I never even told you who she is. If you actually knew Aurora's mother, you would know that she has no interest in the Malfoy name nor does she want any of our money. My responsibility is to my child, not to a bloody name that has cause nothing but trouble!

You will watch your tone with me, boy. Regardless of how clever you think you are, I'm always a few steps ahead of you. You think you know the mudblood, but you don't. She's kept this child a secret for nearly five years and just now decides to approach you? No, Draco, there is more to that narrative that you're refusing to see because you're choosing to be blind. Now, with the information I have on Astoria, we may be able to salvage the situation involving your marriage contract, and we could potentially use the child to our advantage.

If you're talking about Astoria being barren, we already know. She's not able to keep up her part of the contract by providing me an heir by our fifth anniversary, therefore we have been working together to sever the marriage. And what do you mean use my daughter for your advantage? Aurora is a child, not a pawn in whatever game you're playing!

Divorce? Are you out of your MIND, Draco! Malfoys do NOT divorce!

Malfoys also don't have half-blood children, nor do they have daughters. It seems, father, that I'm doing a few things differently than are traditional for the Malfoy line. Now, if you'll excuse me, I do have work. You can see yourself out, I believe you are familiar with the door.

This discussion is not over, Draco.

No, it's not. Do me a favor, however, and swing by Potter's office as I mentioned when you first barged in here. He really is needing to speak to you about this investigation. Seeing as you are the reason there is one in the first place.

Hermione couldn't stop her hands from shaking as she re-read the parchment again. Lucius knew, he knew about Aurora. He clearly knew that she was her mother. Only, how? How long has he known and why hadn't he said anything before now? Why had he approached Draco and not Hermione? What angle was Lucius playing at?

A quick glance up at her clock told Hermione that she was needing to head down to go to court, even though her mind was anywhere but on Borgin and the testimony he was about to give. She didn't have time to think about what Lucius Malfoy did or didn't know, she had a job that she needed to focus on doing before Hermione could sit and have a meltdown over this latest information.

Gathering up the case notes that Rachel had left on her desk, Hermione tossed them into her briefcase before standing from her desk and making her way out the door. Kenneth sat at his desk, sorting through all the mail that had come in for Hermione. Looking up he gave a quick wave and mouthed a 'good luck' before Hermione was walking with a brisk pace down the hall towards the lifts.

A throat being cleared behind her, caught her attention as she neared the lifts. Turning to see who was standing behind her was none of than Lucius Malfoy himself. Holding his walking stick and dressed to the nines in the finest black wizarding robes, Hermione couldn't stop the thought that she was looking at what Draco would look like in about twenty-five years. Well, that was if he left his hair grow out and he radiated evil with cold silver eyes instead of the warmth she felt when she looked into that color on Draco or Aurora.

"Can I help you with something, Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione asked schooling her features as not to give away just how nervous she was being so close to the man.

"It seems, Ms. Granger, that we have a common, problem, shall we say." Lucius said as he stepped up so that he was standing near her. Hermione couldn't stop the eye roll when she noticed that he was keeping his distance from her, as if her 'dirty blood' might rub off on him.

"Do we?" Hermione replied faking an innocence, not yet wanting to show her hand that she was aware he knew about Aurora.

"I'd say, shall we meet somewhere, more… private, to discuss the matter?" Lucius said as the lift gates opened wide in front of them. Hermione stepped on and turned, expecting Lucius to follow her. When he did not, Hermione had to stop herself from letting out a sigh of relief in front of him.

"We don't have anything to discuss, Mr. Malfoy." Hermione quipped at him as the gates shut in his face before he could retort. Releasing the breath, she'd been holding, Hermione was grateful to whatever deity that he was not riding with her down to the hearing. Hermione leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes to take a moment and settle the nerves that were already coursing through her body. This was turning into being a much longer day than Hermione had originally thought it was going to be, and it was hardly after ten in the morning.

Staying like that and doing a few breathing exercises to calm herself, Hermione quickly found herself at her destination and walking out the doors and towards the court room. Packed, just outside the large double doors, were reporters and photographers waiting on any news about the trial taking place. Flashes going off indicating the excitement of this trial and just how public it was had at some point completely fled her mind.

"Ms. Granger! Are you here to act as a witness again or are you here to observe the testimony?" One reporter called out as the flashes slightly blinded her while pushing her way past the crowd to be able to open the heavy doors. Hermione didn't hear the rest of the questions or requests for comment being thrown at her as she maneuvered her way through the crowd.

The noise from the press were silenced again as the doors swung shut behind her, and Hermione quickly walked over so that she was seated on the bench behind the table that Draco was at. He was bent over a piece of parchment making notes about something she couldn't see through the notice me not charm that was placed over the desk to keep observers of cases from reading documents they weren't privy to read.

"Oh, good" the drawl from Tiberius drifted across the room towards her "our, expert, is back with us today. What business do you have in this court room, Ms. Granger? Surly the DMLE has more pressing matters that you should be tending to."

She could strangle the Chief Warlock, right?

At Tiberius's ramblings, Draco stood up to address him before Hermione's temper flared and she said something that she knew she'd ultimately regret. "Ms. Granger is present in court to confirm that all testimony that will be given by Mr. Borgin is accurate and not fabricated or exaggerated in anyway."

Tiberius's glare never moved from Hermione as he raised an eyebrow and sneered at her. Sending him a bit of a smirk, Hermione raised her shoulders without saying a word. Letting out a huff of frustration, Tiberius finally turned his attention to Draco.

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy, if you insist." He snapped at the blonde man.

Turning to look at the defense's table, Hermione couldn't help but notice that Borgin was seated with his eyes closed and his hands clasped in front of him. Almost looking as if he were sending up a little prayer to whatever deity was listening.

Tiberius was going on about something that Hermione wasn't paying attention to, talking to Draco and the defense solicitor. For someone who was getting ready to go up on the stand and begin testifying against his clients, Borgin seemed almost, bored?

No, that wasn't right. Not bored. Resigned. Hermione couldn't help but wonder what was going through that man's head. Surly if he was about to testify against some very powerful and dangerous people, Draco and the ministry would have spoken to him about going into protective custody? Not that is a great way to live, but it's better than Azkaban, certainly.

"Mr. Borgin, if you could take the stand please." Tiberius called about, bringing Hermione away from her musings as she watched Borgin open his eyes and stare up towards the ceiling before drifting out of his seat as if in a trance and towards the witness stand.

"If you could, state your full name for the record, Mr. Borgin." Tiberius stated as soon as Borgin had sat down in the witness stand.

"Lomar Wallace Borgin, sir." He answered looking straight ahead and not looking at anyone in particular. Hermione couldn't help the nagging feeling that was building inside her that there was something wrong. As if there was something bad that was about to happen.

"Draco" Hermione hissed at him, causing his to turn in his seat and raising an eyebrow at her.

'What?' He mouthed back at her.

"Mr. Malfoy, I'd expect that you would want to pay attention to the defendant's testimony and not whatever it is Ms. Granger is wanting to discuss with you." Tiberius called out forcing Draco to turn away from Hermione before she could express any concern to him.

"My apologies, Chief Warlock." Draco responded, dipping his head slightly in a bow to show respect.

"If we could continue then, Mr. Wellington, I'll allow you to address your client first." Tiberius called out, as the defense solicitor stood up, straightening his black robes before approaching the stand.

Hermione couldn't risk trying to get Draco's attention again, seeing at Tiberius would most certainly throw her out if she 'disrupted' the hearing again. Only the more she watched Borgin, the more she knew that there was something wrong with him. She listened to his monotone answers and his glazed overlook never shifted away from the wall at the back of the court room. How could she possibly be the only person who was seeing this man acting like this? Surly someone else was concerned about this behavior.

It wasn't long before the defense finished their questioning and Tiberius excused the solicitor. Hermione continued to watch the man as Tiberius instructed Draco to stand and approach the witness bench, Hermione watched a flash of fear streak through Borgin's eyes before he shut them and took in a deep breath.

What was Borgin fearful of?

Without missing a beat, Draco began his questioning, asking very basic questions about the daily running of Borgin and Burke's, getting just a few word answers. With every word uttered by Borgin, however, his voice began to shake just slightly more.

"Mr. Borgin, in your capacity, where is it that you acquire the inventory of items that you sell in your shop aside from those items that you purchase from those who come to you and wish to sell." At Draco's question, Borgin took in a deep breath and looked up towards the ceiling once more.

"NO!" Hermione cried out at the same time Borgin opened his mouth and began to answer.

The words hadn't even left his lips before gold strands of an unbreakable vow appeared on his arms and Borgin fell over dead in the witness stand.

A/N: Well, shit, that just happened! Alright, so now Rachel has found out that Draco has a daughter and he didn't tell her. Don't judge her too harshly, if I found out my brother had a daughter and didn't tell me I'd be pretty ticked off at him too.

Well, that's the end of the trial. Can't have a trial against a dead man… So what do you have to look forward to? The next three chapters Draco, Hermione, and Aurora are off to Paris. Avoid the media circus, avoid Lucius, and telling Astoria that she has a stepdaughter.

There's more that will be happening that drives the plot, but we'll be getting some nice fluff and relationship building. I think they've earned it.

Update will be Tuesday or Wednesday, my house has been hit with COIVD. No worries, no one is extremely sick here. Just tired and extra cuddly. That's all for now. BYE!