AN: I just wanted to bring light onto george's conversation with sean for a minute…the reason ron hired draco in the first place will come up again as will how lucius died. Newho, on with the story.

And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?

Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by, water flowing underground
Into the blue again, after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground.

"Once in a Lifetime" –Talking Heads

The Perfect Life

Chapter 4 – He has green eyes

Draco yawned, stretching his arms as far as they would go. With his eyes closed, he savored the last few moments of peaceful sleep before the full wake of the sun would inevitably force him out of bed. He lay still until he realized something cold and hard on his back. He began feeling his surroundings with his hands when he realized he was not on his comfortable bed but the hard wooden floor. His eyes flew open and lifted up his head, eyes shifting across the room.

'Where am I?' Then he remembered what happened yesterday. 'Oh hell, so it wasn't just a dream.' Slowly he started to rub away the grogginess in his eyes.

"Oh good you're up," Hermione said entering the room with a brush in hand. "You better hurry or you'll be late for work again. I don't want Ron having another fit on me." Draco pretended not to hear her, lying still on the floor trying to collect his thoughts. "Draco darling, did you even hear me?"

"What! What do you want Gra—er, Hermione!" he barked at her. He had almost forgotten that this woman was his wife and probably expected him to not call her by her was-once last name. Needless to say it was quite hard not to because of old habits.

Hermione sighed as she busily paced the room grabbing her briefcase together. "If you hadn't slept on the floor, you wouldn't be so grouchy this morning." She paused to fix up the bed. "Oh and do you mind getting the kids ready? Sean's not coming by this morning."

It took him a while to process everything she'd just said. "Wha- Why? Where're the kids going?"

She heaved in a hopeless breath. "To my parent's house, don't you remember? You don't expect them to stay here alone while we're both at work. Now please get them ready. You know Jon-Jon can be a handful."

"Why can't you do it?" he whined attempting to close his eyes once more. She threw another pillow at his head before he finally gave in. "Fine, fine!" He took his time pulling himself up from the floor, groaning and cussing on his way. "That's why I love you!" Hermione shouted to his retreating back as he faintly muttered to himself, "don't remind me." Draco entered the first room across from theirs which happens to be the nursery. As soon as he walked through the door, he found the baby standing up in his crib as if he had been expecting his dad. Sighing, he picked up Andy and placed him on the changing table. That's when a very unpleasant stench filled his nostrils.

"Ugh," Draco gagged, stepping away from Andy who was smiling from ear to ear. "Hey, Granger- I mean Hermione! There's a smell coming from the baby," he called unwillingly across the hall. "Then change him!" came her reply. His nose wrinkled as he drew in a large breath and held his nasal passage shut. With one hand, he reached down and tugged on the clasps of Andy's diapers. Soon, the source of the odor was exposed to the air around him. Slowly turning purple from lack of oxygen, Draco ran out of the room gasping for air.

In the hall he was met with squealing laughter and running footsteps: Jon-Jon. "Mommy! Daddy's all purple!" he screeched with amusement. Draco lifted a brow. "You wanna be, uh, daddy's little helper?"

Jon-Jon eagerly shook his head but Draco carried him inside anyway. Giggling, the toddler wriggled and squirmed to try and get free. As soon as the baby was properly cleaned up and changed after 3 different attempts, Draco helped Jon-Jon dress himself. But as Hermione had said, he was having a hard time getting him to cooperate. The little boy refused to stay still, jumping, and fidgeting, and endlessly kicking. Every time Draco would try to hold his legs down, Jon-Jon would laugh and kick harder, claiming that it tickled.

When Draco finally managed to pull Jon-Jon's head out of the sweater, something drew his attention, something he was surprised he hadn't noticed before. Green eyes. Jon-Jon had green eyes. Maybe they weren't visible before because his dark hair draped over them. Dark, almost black, hair. Now that it was brought to attention, Jon-Jon frighteningly resembled someone else he knew. Draco narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Er—Hermione?"

"Yes?" she called from the other room.

"Were you having an affair sometime after Carina was born?"

She entered the nursery. "What makes you that?"

Draco looked back at Jon-Jon. "No one in my family has green eyes." He stared at her accusingly. Hermione followed his gaze to Jon-Jon and laughed. "Darling, they're bluish-green," she replied after examining her son. After he still gave her a doubtful look she smiled. "My father's eyes are bluish-green too. He got it from my side." She handed him the diaper bag and carried Jon-Jon with her out the room. "Now let's go. My parents are waiting."

Using the Floo network, the five of them entered the Granger household. Draco cautiously looked around and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He's never been in a muggle house before. He began rocking the baby back and forth out of nervousness.

"Mum, Dad! We're here!" Hermione called throughout the large living room.

"Okay Andy, just give me a little squeal when you see any muggles coming toward us," Draco whispered to the drooling child. Andy let out a dribble of noises which was soon followed by footsteps entering the living room.

"Hermione!" a pleasant voice welcomed them from the doorway. A woman, about in her late-fifties, with short brown hair stood smiling at them. "Hi Jon-Jon! And, oh Rina…you're looking prettier each time I see you." She caressed the little girl's fine blonde hair but Rina didn't return the affection. Hermione then nudged Draco, indicating for him to greet her mother.

"Um hi Mrs. Granger," he addressed her uncertainly. The woman laughed merrily and hit him lightly on the arm. "Oh Hermione, you're husband is such a doll! Draco hun, how many times do I have to tell you. Call me Eileen."

"Okay…Eileen," he replied awkwardly.

Draco wordlessly stared at the "filthy muggle" smothering his children with kisses. By the time she was through, she had left pink smudged lipstick all over their small cheeks. Jon-Jon was still smiling but Rina had furiously begun wiping her pale cheeks with her sleeve. Draco couldn't help but smile a little.

Eileen then turned her attentions to the baby in Draco's arms. "There's our wittle Andy!" She crossed the room and pinched the baby's tiny cheeks until they were pink. "Give Grammie some sugar!" Instinctively, Draco shielded the boy which sent Rina and the always cheerful Jon-Jon into a fit of giggles. Eileen stared at Draco in surprise but quickly brushed it off. "Well the kids are just in time anyway. I just baked a fresh batch of cookies."

Jon-Jon jumped up and down excitedly and was prepared to run into the kitchen if Hermione hadn't been holding him back. "Hang on there. We aren't leaving til we get our kiss goodbye."

"Bye Mommy. Bye Daddy," he said hurriedly, rushing to give them a peck on the cheek and dashed towards the intoxicating aroma of chocolate chips. Rina did the same and followed her little brother into the kitchen.

"Let's go Draco." He hesitated for a moment, giving Andy a quick glance. "I guess I'll see you later," he said to him and reluctantly handed him over to Eileen's arms. The baby then started crying as soon as Draco released him. He wouldn't have minded staying with Andy and the rest of the kids for a little while longer. It was certainly better than going to work for an insufferable, incompetent weasel.

He could hear Weasley's voice now… Sod off ferret. Malfoy, you git. I'm gonna kill you in your sleep, and I'm gonna get all seven of my children to help with your torture. Okay maybe he hadn't actually said the last one, but Draco was sure it had crossed his mind. Isn't working for a brainless Weasel torture enough?

Draco apparated to the front door of the Ministry building. For some reason he had trouble apparating directly to his office. Probably some wards set all around the building for safety purposes. He located his office without a problem and slipped inside. Once he had sat down, he wasn't exactly certain what his position required him to do. So he began shuffling through the contents of the hidden drawers he hadn't noticed the day before. Not long after, Kaitlyn knocked on his door.

"Good morning Mr. Malfoy," she said with a smile on her face. "Here are some paperwork Mr. Weasley required you to look over before scouting for new talent tomorrow." She dropped an armful stack of loose parchment which landed with a thud on his desk.

Draco stared at the pile wide-eyed. "Oh and by the way, he said he'd like to have them before the end of the day." Draco's stunned expression shifted from the parchments to her face. "By the end of the day? There's no way I can do all this by the end of the bloody day!"

Kaitlyn looked terrified as she slowly stepped backwards making for the door. "I- I just know what I was told sir."

:o)

Draco was nearly elbow high in the paperwork that no good Weasel had dumped on him earlier that morning when the door burst open and in stepped a handsome man with sharp features, his eyes as cunning as was his wit. He wore a business-like suit, as if he held a position of great importance, striding in like he owned the goddamn building, the arrogant bastard. He was tall, just about Draco's height, and wore a contemptuous smile, irritating the blonde just by looking at him. And yet, this man carried an air of familiarity, just enough for Draco to resist throwing him out, giving in to his hunger of curiosity.

"Draco!" the man exclaimed happily with outstretched arms, walking earnestly towards his desk. Draco lifted his head from the work, raising a discontented brow at the source of his disturbance. "You blasted fool! Imagine my surprise when the wife told me she met an unexpected visitor." Smiling, he shook his head dryly.

Quickly following his unwelcome intruder was Kaitlyn, surging through the door in frantic. "I'm so sorry Mr. Malfoy," she flustered. "He just pushed right past me. I- I didn't mean to let him in. He says he knows you-"

Recognition soon trailed as Draco stood up, his shoulders easing slightly. "Blaise? Blaise Zabini?"

Blaise eyed Kaitlyn up and down, wiggling his eyebrows as he did so. "Cute secretary you got Malfoy," he commented, making obscene gestures her way. Feeling rather uncomfortable, she grabbed the doorknob and showed herself out. Draco found himself chuckling. "Still got that same touch with the ladies Zabini." Blaise smoothed a hand over one side of his hair. "You know how it is," he said with a grin. Draco knew that grin. It was the same mischievous grin he'd worn right after shagging some poor unsuspecting girl with the intention of getting rid of her the next day.

So Pansy was right about her suspicions of his unfaithfulness. Was there even a doubt? But then again, Draco was almost as certain that the matter of infidelity in their marriage traveled both ways.

"So, Malfoy," Blaise continued, seating himself on the chair directly in front of his former housemate. "Nice life you have going for you now. Working for a Weasel, are you?"

Draco gritted his teeth, trying with all dry patience in him to act as calmly as possible. "Not unless by force, Zabini," he replied busying his hands with the papers in front of him. Blaise laughed. "Still the same old Draco Malfoy, aren't you? Not daring to let anyone see your more vulnerable state." Draco snorted, "Please. A Malfoy never has a vulnerable side."

Blaise was smiling condescendingly. "Of course not. That's why you married that mudblood bitch, right?" He cupped his own chin pretending to be lost in thought. "Tell me again, why did you promise to spend the rest of your life with her? Love, was it?" There was that grin again.

Draco slowly shook his head. He knew what angle Blaise was playing at. He'd just have to go along with it. "What have I always told you? When it comes to women…"

"Promises are meant to be broken," they said together. Blaise threw his head back and laughed. "I never thought I'd ever see the day our infamous Draco would sound like he did in the old days. So what brought you to my lovely home anyway?"

Draco stood up almost immediately. "Blaise, something has happened to me," he said gravely. "No shit Draco. You share a bed with Granger," Blaise replied acting unaffected by the seriousness in his former friend's voice. "No…well yes that, but I meant something else." Draco walked around the desk, unsure of how to phrase his problem without sounding completely mad. "Yesterday…I woke up in a house I don't remember, beside a woman I don't recall marrying, in a room I've never seen before." Blaise continued staring at him with a bemused expression, still leaning back against the support of the chair, hands rested behind his head. Draco had a sudden urge to smack the overly-proud wizard. 'Oh great. He probably thinks I've flown off my rocker.'

"I've somehow blanked out the last 8 years of my life. I don't remember a goddamn thing!" Draco was on the verge of hysterics until he managed to compose himself and remain in his calm demeanor. "Zabini, I never ask you for much. That was Crabbe and Goyle's job. But I need you to help me remember my life."

He waited sensibly for Blaise's response, but even Draco Malfoy had his limitations. Just when his patience was running low, Blaise spoke up. "You want me to help you reminisce in your traitorous, shameful life…" he chuckled mockingly. "Isn't this usually one's wife's job? The mudblood must serve some other purpose besides a good romp in the sac."

Blaise stood up and was making for the exit. "Who else would I ask for help, you prat. You're my best friend," Draco frowned in disapproval of the wizard walking away from him. Blaise stopped by the door and turned around. "You really don't remember, do you? Draco, we're not friends anymore." He smirked. "But it's good to see the old you coming back. Maybe you'll finally see the error of your ways and rid yourself of that filthy whore." Blaise then opened the door and closed it again behind him.

Draco plopped back down onto his chair, massaging his temples with both index and middle fingers. "This is just bloody brilliant," he sighed in frustration to the ceiling above him. "What in hell happened in those years I missed?"

Not a moment later, there was a shy little knock and Kaitlyn peeped her head through the crack of the opening. "Not now," Draco said hotly without bothering to as much as glance her way. "I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Malfoy, but Mrs. Granger is requesting for you." Draco raised his head in indifference. "Hermione?"

"Um no. Mrs. Eileen Granger."

He rolled his eyes. 'Of course. That…Hermione isn't a Granger anymore, she's a Malfoy.' He shuddered inwardly. "So what does the old bat want?"

"She wants you to come home right away. There's an emergency at the dentist's office that requires her to leave…"

"Mm-hmm," Draco said in a bored voice, almost dozing off upon hearing information he cared nothing about.

"…and the baby is sick."

Draco's eyes flew open, staring at her straight in the face as if daring her to challenge him. "Andy? He's sick?" He wasn't sure exactly what it was, but he felt an impulse to leave his office and take those children away from that filthy muggle's house as soon as possible. 'I knew it! He'd gotten sick coz he's in that disease-infested hellhole. I always knew muggles were dirty.'

He reasoned with himself that simple words such as 'Andy is sick' affected him so was because Andy was a magical child, as was Rina and Jon-Jon. And as wizards (witch), surely they would feel uncomfortable in a muggle's house as he would. Draco was only protecting young wizards who couldn't protect themselves. He didn't actually believe that they were his children, nor did he care about them, right?

Of course not! Helping out his own kind, that's all he's doing. So reminding himself of that cause, he shot up from his desk running past Kaitlyn and out the door. It never occurred to him until much later how much more efficient it would've been to use the floo network instead. All that clouded his mind was to reach Andy as fast as possible.

AN: Yes, I know. I'm kinda late updating (blushes) well hopefully I'll be updating a lot more since its my last week of skool, hoorah! Neway hope you liked this chapter and tho I'm not gonna pressure u into reviewing coz I kno we all get lazy (yes even me :P) I'd appreciate the thought…kinda comforts me in knowing someone actually likes my story. Well toodles for now. Thnx to the ppl who already reviewed!