Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 02
To say that they were shocked was an understatement.
To think that Draco Malfoy had a daughter – and now that she had declared his paternity, it was obvious that the child shared his genes in her golden hair and blue-grey eyes – a daughter who looked at least four years old…
That would make him a father at thirteen!
The murmuring in the class intensified, while the father in question stared pale faced at the girl who claimed to be his issue.
"Daddy!" she insisted, holding her hands out wide in a gesture for Malfoy to carry her.
Malfoy looked up into Snape's eyes and he suddenly felt a kinship with the Professor at the strange turn of events. This time, it was the Professor who had an amused smirk on his lips.
"I believe, Mr. Malfoy, that this… child… belongs to you?" he raised his eyebrow at the young man before him.
"But… but… that's impossible," the student stuttered. "She can't be mine…" he caught himself before he could continue. It would just not do to discuss his sexual adventures – or lack thereof, before the rest of the Potions class.
"Nevertheless, Mr. Malfoy, take her to the Infirmary for Madam Pomfrey to examine her. Remain with her until the Headmaster is informed. We will see about returning her to her…mother," he concluded, much to the gratified sniggering of the rest of the class.
Malfoy sighed in exasperation. "Yes, Professor," he replied, allowing the girl to transfer into his arm, before turning towards the doorway. The happy child beamed at her daddy and kissed him soundly on his cheek, much to the amusement of the rest of the class, and then she wrapped her arm around Malfoy's neck and grinned at the people in the classroom over her daddy's shoulder.
Suddenly, her blue-grey eyes widened into round circles and before Malfoy could cross the threshold with his newfound burden, she struggled wildly in his arms, causing Malfoy to lose his grip on her. The girl dropped neatly onto the floor and started running towards a young lady seated at the end of the second row of seats who, like the rest of the class, was curious about this new turn of events.
The child approached the young lady with a tilt of her head and a frown on her brow. "Mummy!" she exclaimed wide-eyed, clutching the young lady's arms, much to the shock of the entire class. The Head Girl stared at the young girl in horror, speechless. "Mummy, why didn't you come find me? I was with Daddy and Sevvus! And what did you do with your hair? And what happen to your tummy?" she asked, looking up worriedly into her mother's toffee coloured eyes.
"Well, well, well," sneered the Potions Master, "it appears that the lost little girl has found both her parents. Miss Granger, would you take your little…family…to the Infirmary before we make more startling discoveries?"
"Honestly, there must be some mistake – she can't possibly be…" Hermione would have continued, saved for the ominous threat of the little girl's trembling lips and wet big eyes. Hermione looked over at Harry and Ron, who were seated next to her in the same row. They shrugged back at her, both at a loss as to what to do. Hermione bit her lips and stood up holding the girl's hand and said calmly, feeling anything but, "Well, come along then. We'll just have to get this sorted out."
The little girl looked ecstatic at her mummy taking charge and waved at both perplexed looking Harry and Ron, "See you later Uncle Harry, Uncle Ron!"
As Hermione and the girl approached Malfoy at the door, Hermione kept her face forward, not meeting Malfoy's eye. She could feel the rest of the seventh years staring at them and she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of a reaction. The little girl felt none of the awkwardness; she grabbed Malfoy's hand with her free hand, "Come along, Daddy! Mummy's bringing us to the 'Firmy, then we can all go home!"
*******
TBC.