Disclaimer: since warner bros. and j.k.rowling officially handed me all rights to the characters and all major ideas in this story, I take full credit… not!
Been running so long
I've nearly lost all track of time
In every direction
I couldn't see the warning signs
I must be losin' it
'Coz my mind plays tricks on me
It looked so easy
But you know looks sometimes deceive
Been running so hard
When what I need is to unwind
The voice of reason
Is one I left so far behind
I waited so long
So long to play this part
And just remembered
That I'd forgotten about my heart
"Head over Heels" –the Go-Go's
The Perfect Life
Chapter 5 – the Trouble with kids
Draco ran all the way home, uncertain really for how long he'd been running for. As soon as he reached his driveway, he doubled over panting for air, cursing himself for even resorting to muggle-ways: running. "Note to self," he huffed exhaustedly, leaning up on his knees. "Get more exercise."
He dramatically kicked open the front door. "Andy!" Eileen showed up in the foyer. "Oh good Draco, you're here."
"Where is he? Where's Andy?" he asked rather crossly, to which tone Eileen stared at him widely. She has never witnessed Draco react so rudely to her. "My goodness! The boy's only got a cold."
"Don't give me that! Now where have you stashed him?"
"He's upstairs in the nursery," she replied just as hotly. "Draco-"
He hadn't given her a chance to finish her thought as he quickly dashed upstairs to Andy's room. He quietly crept in as he watched the small human being lying in the crib. Andy wasn't as jovial as he had been this morning. His pale face was flushed and his face was stained with tears as if he's been crying all morning on top of a runny nose.
Draco stared at him sadly before picking him up. "Hey you." Andy stared back but didn't cry. Draco took this as a good sign. "I heard you're not well. I came back to take care of you." Andy nodded like he understood and began grabbing parts of Draco's face with his small hands. The blonde laughed. "Missed me much?"
The rest of the afternoon was spent with him sitting in a rocking chair telling his baby the story of his recent 'adventure', if it even classified to be called an adventure, while feeding him with a bottle.
"And so here I am, working for that annoying Weasley, putting up with Potter, pretending to be Granger's husband. Well I suppose not really pretending if I actually am married to the witch… hey don't get me wrong kid. I know she's your mum an' all, but we never did get along. Always following around Potter and Weasley. She really grew up though, looks nothing like she did then… great body."
A look of lust entered in Draco's eyes as he stared up into nothing, but quickly shook off the thought. Whatever attraction he may have had for Hermione Granger in that quick second was gone now. "But hey, can't complain much right? I got you now. You, Jon-Jon, and Rina." He smiled affectionately and placed a gentle hand behind Andy's head.
Just as he said this, Hermione popped her head in the doorway. "Am I interrupting?" Draco looked up and placed a finger to his lips. "I think I just got him to sleep," he said with a triumphant smirk. She softly tiptoed closer to them and motioned for Draco to hand him to her. He was a little reluctant but did it anyway. As soon as he had, Andy woke up and began crying. Draco frowned at her but she just smiled.
"Don't worry; I'll get him to sleep again." With that said, she slowly rocked him back and forth, humming quietly as she did. Soon, the humming evolved into actual words until Hermione was singing.
"To kiss you in my mind
and love you all the time
Coz when I close my eyes,
I still can see your smile."
Draco stared at her oddly, wondering if this was a traditional muggle-way of putting your children to sleep. Whatever it was, his mother never did it for him, but now found himself wishing she had. Now that he thought about it, his parents, not even his mother, showed him any sign of affection. At least with Lucius it was expected, but mother?
"It's bright enough to light my life
Out of my darkest hour
Please believe it's true
When I tell you I love you."
A small smile tugged on the corners of Draco's lips. Hermione had a good voice. It wasn't great, nor did she sound professional at all, but pretty good. As he thought about it more, Hermione was really a remarkable mother. She was great with the kids. Her maternal instincts were right there, right in front of him singing his son to sleep.
Did he just admit to himself that he believed Andy and the kids were his? Of course he had. In fact, he surrendered to that fact hours ago as he was rocking that baby to sleep. But then again, who wouldn't want these kids to be theirs? They were friggin' adorable. (And they should be since they had half of the Malfoy genes.)
Draco wasn't exactly sure what force was acting on it, but at that very moment, he saw Hermione in a different light. She was no longer the buck-toothed, bushy-haired, Harry Potter tag-along, but an extraordinary woman. Why shouldn't he take advantage of the fact that she was his wife? Is it not one of the husband's duties to…'appoint' in such areas like consummation? Yes it was, and in no way should he feel guilty about it. After all, they were married. It was his right.
With this in mind, a sly smirk played on Draco's face as he stared at his wife. He decided he would take full advantage of the situation. "I think he's asleep now," she said turning to him happily. Cradling the baby while slowly putting him down to his crib, she snuck back out with Draco walking ahead of her.
"Draco?" He still had that evil smirk on and was now closing the distance between them. "I know that look. You're thinking you're going to get lucky tonight, aren't you?" He looked her up and down, satisfying the craving of his eyes as his hands pulled her hips up against his.
"Draco! At least wait till we get into our room."
Not so much as a foot they entered the master bedroom, Draco grabbed Hermione by the hips from behind causing both of them to topple onto the bed. Hermione rolled onto her back just as his busy hands began sliding up and down her sides. "You know you want me," he whispered so close to her ear, his warm breath could be felt on the curve of her neck. "Mmm," she moaned softly. As he was reaching to undo the buttons of her shirt, a flood of light from the corridor poured in as someone had opened the door.
"Mommy? Daddy?"
Surprised, Hermione threw Draco off of her, causing him to roll onto the floor. "Jon-Jon… what are you doing out of bed sweetheart?" she asked awkwardly. Draco just groaned from the floor and pushed himself up. "I couldn't sleep. Can I sleep here with you?" He stuck his bottom lip out in a cute pout as Hermione looked over at Draco, a look that said, "how can we say no." Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. There go his plans for the evening.
"Sure honey. C'mon here," she replied patting on the bed. Jon-Jon smiled brightly and jumped to the empty space between Draco and Hermione. Draco slipped under the covers along with Hermione and Jon-Jon, facing away from them.
"G'night mommy, g'night daddy."
"Goodnight sweetheart."
"Yea, 'night," Draco said glumly.
:o)
The next morning, Draco woke up before Jon-Jon or Hermione. He groggily slipped out of bed and almost fell down the stairs as he tripped over an action figure of a Chudley Cannon player. "Stupid, bloody toys…" he grumbled, picking up the toy and tossing it over his shoulder. He made it to the kitchen and was surprised to see Rina already sitting at the breakfast table eating. "Oh. Um, hey kid."
Rina looked up from her plate and regarded him for a moment before resuming back to her breakfast. Draco stared at the used frying pans lying carelessly on the stovetop, the open milk cartons left on the counter and several bowls used to mix pancake batter. "Is Sean here?"
The little girl shook her head as Draco lifted a brow in curiosity.
"You made pancakes?"
She nodded.
"You're two and you're already cooking?"
When he was two, all he was taught was that he was superior over muggles, mudbloods, half-bloods, and elves. Lucius made sure he knew his right place in society, which was really above everyone else.
"Jon-Jon's two," she replied in an emotionless monotone. "I'm four."
If there was any hesitation before, that was all gone now. Carina was most definitely a Malfoy. Draco could recognize that same cold air she carried with her. It was almost as if he was facing the smaller version of mother; only this one had honey brown eyes, just like Hermione's. Other than that, the similarities were uncanny. "Right, I knew that," Draco answered unsteadily.
After several seconds of standing there in awkward silence, he decided to make his own pancakes. He took his wand, and just before he could wave it over the raw ingredients, Rina spoke again.
"You're not my father are you?"
Draco looked up, eyes raised in surprise. "Why do you say that?"
"My dad always calls me Snitch."
He looked at her intriguingly, leaning on the counter. "Snitch? But I thought you didn't like quidditch."
"I don't. But not just that. Dad loves mum."
"What makes you think I don't?"
"The way you look at her." That shut Draco up pretty fast. He had no idea this girl was so inquisitive. He wasn't even aware until now just the bitter and negative air he'd been radiating since he found himself here. Sure, he didn't like his position of having Hermione as his wife but he hadn't intended on upsetting the children either. "Dad tells mum he loves her…everyday. And he hugs her and kisses her a lot too, even when they think I'm not in the room."
Draco blushed for the both of them, as it was obvious Rina didn't feel embarrassed saying it at all. He didn't even know why he was blushing anyway; Draco Malfoy never blushes. He loudly cleared his throat to distract himself.
"You know, you did a good job. You look just like him." Draco rubbed the back of his neck a look of amusement in his eyes, then turning back to the stovetop to make pancakes. His wand paused up in midair; not knowing what spell makes pancakes, or any breakfast food for that matter. "Dad doesn't know how to cook either," she continued. Draco couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"How did you get to be so smart?"
She stared at him with big eyes, as if the answer as so simple. "Dad," she replied plainly. 'Wow,' Draco thought with incredibility. 'She must really look up to her father.'
"I read in mum's book once that there's a potion to make yourself transform into someone else-"
'She even sounds like Hermione.' Draco smiled at the thought, something about it being so surreal yet wonderful at the same time.
"So did you use that potion to turn yourself into daddy?"
"Huh? What potion?"
"The polyjuice potion. Or are you an alien?"
Draco smiled at her. "If I tell you, can I have some of your pancakes?" She nodded fervently, the curiosity in her taking over. He leaned forward, resting on his elbows so his face was closer to hers. "Yes, I'm an alien from outer space. I took your dad's body to study wizards but don't worry I'm not going to hurt him. I like him. And what's more, I like his kids."
This made Rina giggle and nodded, letting him know she was satisfied with his answer. She gingerly took another plate and slid two flat pancakes from her plate to his. And together, they ate the rest of their breakfast for the remainder of the morning all the while enjoying each other's company.
Later that evening, Draco was buried in the paperwork he had neglected yesterday when he ran home in panic upon hearing Andy's illness. Now Ron was making him pay for it by staying some extra odd hours to make up for the work.
"I understand Andy was sick, Malfoy, but that still doesn't excuse the fact that I needed these done by last night," Ron had said. 'Stupid Weasel prat. Just coz his children are monsters compared to mine is no reason to take it out on me.'
It was probably 10:30 p.m. when there came a knock on his door. "Not now, Kaitlyn. Whatever it is, my answer is no. I'm busy," Draco said waving his hand towards the door without taking his eyes off his work.
"Even too busy for your own wife?"
Draco looked up to see Hermione standing by the crack of the door holding a basket or some other. "Hermione. What are you doing here?"
She smiled innocently and shrugged. "I thought maybe I could take you away for awhile. You look like you could really use a break." Draco rubbed the back of his neck, never realizing until then how much it ached. "Uh, I don't think Weasley would like that very much." A slow, gradual smirk began to spread on his face. "Actually, a break sounds good." How can Draco ever pass up the opportunity to piss off that redhead and watch his face match the color of his hair?
Hermione smiled and stepped inside the room, gently closing the door behind her. "You're not just taking a break to upset Ron, are you?" she asked, setting a picnic basket down on a second table adjacent to the wall. Draco scoffed. "You just know me so well." He stood up and stretched his neck.
"Aw you poor baby." Hermione walked around his desk and began to massage his shoulders. "No you don't have to…oh. Ohh…" Draco closed his eyes and his once-tense shoulders relaxed underneath the gentle movement of her fingertips. "Mmm," he murmured in complete bliss. "This isn't the first time you've done this, have you?" She chuckled at the soft moaning sounds he made. "Enjoying yourself, darling?"
"Absolutely," he breathed out.
She leaned in closer to his back and nuzzled against the exposed skin of his neck. "Mm… just can't keep your lips off me, can you?" Draco smirked again as he opened his eyes and turned his head to one side to see Hermione looking up at him seductively. With her teeth, she softly traced along the curve of his neck making him shiver slightly.
"Ooh, you're good." He marveled at the daring gesture she made. It wasn't exactly everyday one would witness the Hermione Granger acting so forward, and by sexual means. Then again, they were married. Just as Hermione leaned up to press her lips onto his, the slow creaking of the door sounded.
"Hermione?"
Hermione turned her attention to their intruder, their lips never having the chance to meet.
"What brings you here?"
"Ron. I just brought my husband something to eat. Thought he might be hungry." She wrapped her arms around Draco's waist.
Ron just chuckled and shook his head. "Mione, you really ought to stop bothering my employees."
She smirked in return. "You know me. I just can't keep away from this one."
Draco smirked to himself. It was nice having someone want you and need you so much. It was a good feeling, even if it was Granger. 'She's not so bad,' he decided. 'She's actually pretty sexy.' The more he came about it, the more he enjoyed this new lifestyle; with the exception of Weasley of course. That one he could do without. Though Draco couldn't, and probably never will, figure out exactly how he came to where he was now. But that didn't matter.
"Hey Mione since you're here, I needed a woman's opinion. Do you mind?"
"Not at all," she answered then looked up at Draco. "I'll be back darling." As she released him from her arms and was half-way out the door with Ron gone ahead of her, she glanced back at Draco admiringly and gave him a suggestive wink. At that, he felt a strong sensation in his pants and had to shift himself until the discomfort passed.
He dropped back down on his chair as an unknowing smile crept along the corners of his mouth. 'She really has changed since Hogwarts.'
AN: yes I kno my updating is way past overdue but look on the bright side, I just finished my last exam HOORAH! lol well not a lot of ppl are reading my story neway (as my amount of reviews suggest) but I don't care. I enjoy writing for myself even if no one else likes em :)