AN: I am terrible at writing these. Lol. Enjoy!
Two weeks had passed since his encounter with Hermione and Eltan. He woke up that morning feeling determined. He figured he'd take his mother for a walk on the beach after they had gone to lunch that afternoon. Taking a brief shower, he headed downstairs to the kitchen to find his mother and father having a light conversation.
"Good morning." He told them both sitting in the chair across from his mother. He filled a cup with coffee, something he had come to love.
"Good morning, dear. How was your business meeting?" Narcissa asked in an amused tone, noticing her son's cheeriness.
"It went well, I think they're going to sign the contract." Draco smirked and looked at his parents.
"That's great news Draco! I knew you could talk them into it." Lucius exclaimed, looking at his son proudly. Lucius Malfoy, the stuck up pureblood, now such a soft soul. He did a lot of thinking in his few months in Azkaban. He had changed for the better and Draco couldn't ask for much more. The three of them getting close again as a family.
"You'll never guess who I saw in the Leaky Cauldron a couple weeks ago." Draco taking a sip of his coffee as he spoke. Neither of his parents had answered and he looked up at them.
"Hermione Granger." He told them. "She has a five-year-old son. Although the boy looks nothing like the Weasel that she's with."
"Was he not with them?" his mother questioned. Draco just shook his head no. No one else said a word until they had finished their breakfast.
"Mother would you fancy a walk down by the beach this afternoon, after we've had lunch? I know father has business matters to attend to."
"I would love to, dear." smiling at her son. Draco and Narcissa had spent the day in Diagon Alley visiting the various shops before having a light lunch. The pair then apparating to their favorite beach.
Hermione's morning was far less chaotic than the mornings when she had been with Ron. It was a very needed breath of fresh air. She had decided that they would spend the day at the beach, enjoying the warm weather. The two were laying on a blanket out in the sun reading a book together when she saw a set of familiar faces. Draco and Narcissa Malfoy walking down the water's edge. Hermione sat up straight, thinking of a getaway plan. It was too late, the next she knew the two were making their way over to them. She cursed under her breath when they made it to them.
"Hey!" Draco greeted the both of them.
"Hello, Draco, Narcissa." Hermione replied, nodding at the older witch. The Malfoy matriarch looking at the little blonde boy with wide eyes. Hermione saw this and looked at her with pleading eyes. Hermione knew that Narcissa had figured it out.
"And who might this dashing young man be?" She asked softly looking at Eltan.
"I'm Eltan." he told her and looking up at his mum. Hermione smiled down at him.
"He's, my son." Hermione said and looked back up at Narcissa.
"Draco, sweetheart, would you take Eltan to play down at the water please? I would like to have a word with Miss Granger. Or should I say Mrs. Weasley?"
"No, no, Miss Granger is correct." Hermione said slightly embarrassed.
Draco looked between the two witches, shrugging his shoulders.
Looking to Hermione for permission, nodding her head, both boys were now on their way down to the water. Narcissa sat down next to Hermione on the blanket looking toward the two boys now splashing one another with water.
"He looks just like Draco when Draco was that age. How did this happen?" she began to question the younger witch.
"At the 8th year ball. Draco didn't know it was me. I didn't know he was in fact Draco's until he was born. Seeing as I got with Ronald shortly after graduation." Hermione all but blurted to her child's grandmother. Almost glad that she now had someone to talk to about Eltan's paternity.
"It wouldn't have mattered, you know? Whether or not he knew it was you, I mean. That boy has been in love with you since the moment he laid eyes on you." Narcissa then looked at Hermione, smiling. Hermione's mouth hung open slightly at her words. Could that be true? Could Draco really be in love with her? No, he couldn't be. He would have said something by now surely.
"I... I hope you aren't angry with me about keeping this a secret for so long." Hermione stammered. Narcissa just shook her head.
"Of course not, dear. I'm sure you had your reasoning. I just hope that you'll tell my son soon that he has a son of his own. We would all love to be in his life. Draco, Lucius and myself of course." she told her as the two soaked boys returned to them.
"Mummy, can Draco come over for dinner? He said he would love to see all of my books and toys." Eltan beamed at his mother. Draco chuckling slightly.
"I told him it was entirely up to you, Granger."
"I don't know Eltan, I'm sure Draco has plenty of other things to do. We don't want to keep him from his business." Hermione tried to reason with her child. Knowing that she wasn't ready for Draco to find out. He would be devastated that she knew all this time and didn't tell him. At the same time though she felt as if she was putting off the inevitable.
"It isn't a problem Granger, I assure you, whatever work I have can wait." Draco told her. Hermione sighed and nodded her head. Maybe now was as good a time as any she supposed.
"Okay, but you need to change. You are not coming into my home soaking wet." She laughed. Oh, how Draco loved to hear her laugh. He nodded promising to be back shortly. Narcissa waved at the two, having a silent conversation with Hermione before returning to the manor with her son.
Draco changed as quickly as he could, hearing his name being called from downstairs. Tugging his shoes on he headed towards his father's office.
"Yes, father?" he asked hurriedly.
"Did you forget about your meeting tonight, son?"
Draco had in fact forgotten and cursed under his breath. He would have to make it up to Eltan. This is the one meeting that could potentially change everything for the Malfoys.
"No father, I simply have something I need to do first." he told Lucius before darting from his office and apparating back to the beach. He found Hermione's cottage fairly easy and knocked on the door. The witch opened it cautiously, sticking her head out.
"Oh, Draco, it's just you." she said letting out a breath she had been holding.
Draco just looked at her for a moment, "Were you expecting someone else?" he questioned slightly embarrassed for his sudden jealousy.
"No, not really. Just been a little jumpy lately." She smiled at him and let him into her home.
"I'm afraid I can't stay though, Granger. I forgot about a very important business meeting that I have to attend. I wanted to tell you and Eltan in person." Just then Eltan came into view and Draco smiled at the young boy.
"Hey, buddy. I'm sorry but I can't stay for dinner tonight, but I promise to make it up to you soon." Draco told the 5-year-old.
Eltan looked up at Draco sadly, "It's okay. But you promise to come back to the beach tomorrow to play in the water?"
"I promise." Draco told him softly and ruffled the boy's hair. "Again, I am very sorry Hermione."
"It's alright Draco. Things happen. You better go before you're late." She said giving him a genuine smile. He returned it before stepping back through the front door and leaving once again to the Malfoy Manor.
Hermione smiled to herself. Maybe Draco being around wouldn't be too bad after all. I mean they had been friends for a long time now. Locking her front door, she made her way back to the kitchen to clean up and finish eating dinner with Eltan. They would be happy again; she just knew it.