I own nothing but the plot.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot:
I didn't want to update with this being the eighth chapter initially on fan fiction, because I know most of my readers would not be able to post their feedback.
Chapter Eight
Mystified, yet compassionate eyes met his own water tinted orbs. Gently, she caressed his pale cheeks, remaining tears swept away. Each tear she rid for Draco, revived themselves through her, tears that needn't be restrained. For the dear pearls Hermione shed were the result of uncontainable happiness.
"I understand." She mouthed to him, embracing him tightly, burying herself into him. Understandably, Hermione was deceived by Draco's tears. Tears that were thought to be shed for the astonishing alteration of their lives. The torment and sorrow were thought to be vanished eternally. In reality- it all returns once Merlin finds a good punch line for his cruel joke on Draco.
Draco inhaled deeply, resting his chin atop her head gently. Very faintly he mouthed his reply, "No you don't." Knowing fully well Hermione was unable to see his response due to their current position.
Time hadn't stood still unfortunately. Hermione broke their intense contact to observe the ballroom. Only the immediate family members were scattered about the various tables surrounding the dance floor. Hermione assumed that the other guests slowly began to retire to their homes while she and Draco shared their intimacy explicitly. Upon seeing Lucius' only heir reduced to tears in the arms of the woman he'd been infamous for treating so poorly , the visitors gifted them with privacy. Helena approached the couple cautiously, not wanting to disrupt the precious moment between Draco and Hermione.
"Dear, Anna is asleep soundly in her bedroom. I have ordered one of those elves to feed her in about an hour. I've already sent that teenager of yours up to bed, but since it is Alexander's birthday, I thought you'd like to tuck him in. He's tearing through his presents in his bedroom with Lucius." Helena informed Hermione, kissing her softly on the cheek.
"I'm retiring to my own quarters now, I'll see you two tomorrow morning, all right? Good night Hermione, Draco." The elderly woman was an entire two feet shorter than Draco, therefore Draco courteously lowered himself to allow a chaste kiss on his forehead.
"Good night." Draco smiled at her.
Once Helena's ascending footsteps faded as she climbed up the stairs further, Draco turned to his wife.
"Shall we?" Draco offered an arm.
"Yes, I want to check on Anna and Dylan, you go ahead to Alex." Hermione replied, as they too, like Helena, ascended up the spiraling staircase.
000
Draco neared his youngest sons' bedroom, sighting his father quietly closing the door.
"Father?" Draco's voice shook nervously. He fought the urge to embrace Lucius, while screaming a great thank you to Merlin. His father was alive, even if this life was just pretend, he was alive.
"Ah, Draco. We need to talk, but let's save that conversation for a rainy day. Say, next Wednesday?" Lucius smirked lightheartedly at his boy.
"Always trying to play Merlin, Father. It isn't going to happen, I'm sorry to say. Is he asleep already?" Draco shifted his gaze from his father to Alex's closed door.
"Actually, no. He's waiting for you, surprisingly. The boy isn't as frightened of you anymore. Not that he really was to begin with. The boy was totally to oblivious to the way you treated-- Look at the time, my, I must really turn in. Good night, son." Lucius gave him a swift pat on the shoulder before retreating to his quarters.
"Alex?" Draco rapped on the mahogany door lightly before letting himself in.
"Daddy!" Walking over to the massive bed, Draco searched for his five year old.
"Hey kid." Draco smiled down at the stormy silver eyes identical to his.
"Hi Daddy! Do you like my room? This is the first time you've been here." Alex mumbled shyly as Draco sat himself on the bed.
The elder of the two platinum blondes frowned at the statement. He affectionately ran his fingers through Alex's tresses, his way of apologizing. Alex understood the gesture... and the guilt in his father's eyes.
The room was nicely decorated, Hermione's doing of course. Emerald and Scarlet were the focal colors of the décor. The fabrics that dressed the boy's bed were scarlet, but the Slytherin customary crest was largely imprinted in the center of his bedspread. Cheerful pictures of Alex adorned the walls, from year one to year four, and soon probably a birthday picture for year five. At the center of the north wall, a simple fireplace sat. Accompanied by two child-sized armchairs and a sofa, upholstered silver and gold. Beside the sitting area, three bookshelves were pushed against the west wall, the child had a miniature library in his bedroom. This did not surprise Draco at all. He and Hermione shared a great passion for literature. Naturally their children inherited their fervor. Above the mantle of the fireplace, hung the Malfoy traditional hand painted portrait. It was expected of every Malfoy descendant to have a grand painted portrayal of themselves. Alex looked strikingly handsome, clad in high-priced dress robes with the Malfoy family crested stitched above his left breast.
"You have a very nice room, I love it." Draco gave a genuine nod of approval.
"That door over there, it leads to my bathroom. And the door next to it is to my playroom. That's why I don't have toys in here, Mummy doesn't want me to mess my room up." Alex explained.
"Your mummy is very smart. This room costs a fortune, son." Draco chuckled.
Smiling goofily at his father, Alex crawled out of his sheets over to his bedside table. He pulled a long, slim, sliver device out before settling back into the warmth of his sheets. He pointed the device at his portrait.
"What are you doing, Alex?" Draco asked cautiously.
"Just watch." Alex pressed a button; his portrait within the antique frame slowly faded away. Various sounds filled the room, surrounding the two seated on the bed. Alex's portrait was replaced with a talking blue fish looking extremely confused. Draco's ears were greeted by,
"Your son, Chico?"
"Nemo." Alex spoke along with an orange fish that had now appeared within the antique frame.
"Talking fish?" Draco cocked an eyebrow at his son, extremely confused.
"It's a muggle movie. It's like taking lots of pictures in our world! This one is called 'Finding Nemo'. Grandmother Helena brought it with her from Muggle London. She had my plasma screen charmed to become my portrait when I'm not using it! The DVD player and the surround sound are all hidden! Isn't that wicked Daddy!" Alex exclaimed.
"I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about son, but yes, the technology of... what did you call it? A plasma? It's remarkable. And the sounds are simply unbelievable. Your grandmother is pretty clever for having that portrait charmed. Hey! I've been to Sydney before!" Draco exclaimed as the city was mentioned repeatedly.
"By the way, what is that thing you used to transform your portrait?" Draco mumbled almost incoherently, too distracted by the fascinating sight before him. The interest of his silver eyes were solely on the screen.
Alex proudly held the device up for his father to examine. Draco tore his eyes away from the swimming fish.
"It's a charmed remote. It controls the sounds and turns the plasma screen on and off. And you press this button to play the movies."
Draco smiled.
"You don't know how much I want to sit here with you and ask you all types of things about your plasma screen. It is very late though, and you know this. I know my curiosity is going to get the best of me and I'll probably keep your Mum up with endless questions about plasma screens and DVDs. But better her than you, right? It's completely past your bedtime birthday boy. We'll finish the movie tomorrow, okay? " Draco asked gently as Alex nodded, shutting off his entertainment center.
Alex yawned widely as Draco tucked him in. This caused a slight smile to grace his father's lips.
"Sleepy?" Draco asked gently.
"Nooo! Well, kinda. But can I ask you something before I go to sleep?"
"Of course buddy." Draco replied.
"You always told me… that Malfoys don't cry. Especially not in front of people. You did both. How come?" Alex questioned softly.
Draco kissed Alex's forehead before responding.
"I was wrong, son. Rules like that are meant to be broken. Malfoy men are taught two main Malfoy commandments, though there are many. If any of the aforementioned commandments are broken, he who chooses to break one, suffers the severe consequences. Commandment number one, Malfoys do not cry. Which I broke. Commandment number two, Malfoys do not love. We can't love. That's what I was taught." Draco explained.
"I know. You told us that too... a lot." Alex sighed deeply.
"I broke that commandment too. Because I fell in love with your mother. And I fell in love with my children. I love you Alex. I don't want you to ever think otherwise."
Alex's eyes widened.
"That's the first time you've--" Alex stammered.
"There a lot of first times today aren't there?" Draco laughed softly. He felt his son tackle him, a tight embrace warming him.
"I love you too Daddy! This is the first birthday I've said it to you and you've heard it. You're really here. It's not a dream like last years' was." Alex muffled into his father's shoulder. Draco's five year old sobbed lightly on his father's shoulder.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. Come on, son." Draco laid his son back down, laying himself down beside Alex as well. The bed was a queen-sized one, it was enormous for a child.
"You will never be punished for such offenses, Alex, as I was. Emotions make us human, and I will never deprive you of such feelings. You will never have my childhood, I promise you that." Draco whispered gently as Alex welcomed a peaceful slumber.
Draco heard sniffling which obviously didn't belong to Alex.
Leaned against the doorframe, a misty eyed Hermione Malfoy stood. She'd arrived shortly after Draco did, but decided to observe first before announcing her presence. She was rendered speechless after the entire exchange between the two Malfoy males, and reduced to tears when Draco told Alex he loved him.
Her husband motioned her to lay down on the bed, on the vacant side beside their five year old. Hermione complied, settling herself comfortably on the bed. Draco entwined their fingers, resting their hands gently on their son's stomach. The couple watched their laced fingers rise and fall as the child they created together slept soundly between them.
000
Draco awoke with a jolt, frantically surveying room he was currently in.
Exhaling very deeply in relief, he sat up. Alex's room was eerily still, the peaceful inhalation of air echoed gently against the walls.
"Merlin, it's late." Draco glanced at his wrist watch swiftly. Quarter past three.
Yawning, he kissed Alex's forehead before he stood. Draco made his way to Hermione, lifting her from the bed and cradling her in his arms. He took a moment, standing in his sons' bedroom with his wife in his arms, to marvel at her infinite beauty. Hermione could not look anymore beautiful than she did that very moment in his arms. Words could not convey how Draco felt. How could anyone neglect to love this woman?
"Oh Hermione, if only I could express to you how my heart aches with the very thought of the neglect I've bombarded you with all these years. I long to convey the huge amount of regret I feel. To communicate the apology I've been composing in my mind."
She stirred in his arms.
Silver and chocolate met.
"Show me how sorry you are, Draco. Let me feel your sorrow. Let me feel your regret. Show me." Hermione whispered sensually.
A smirk adorned his lips.
"My love, whatever do you mean?" Draco's feet began to carry them to their bedroom.
"And they say you're so smart." Hermione teased as they reached their room. Hermione broke free of his grasp and stood on her own feet. She leaned against the doors of the Malfoy Master Suite, looking up at Draco seductively.
"Do I have to spell it out for you?" Hermione twisted the knob open with one hand, the other working the buttons of Draco's shirt.
He made the task of unbuttoning his shirt easier for Hermione, aiding her.
EventuallyHermione felt herself slowly advance backwards, towards their awaiting bed. Hermione was too entranced by his stormy silver eyes to notice her dress slip off, not that she cared. That's what she wanted. Hermione found herself inclined gently on her back, feeling the coolness of the sheets of their bed against her bare skin.
Draco hovered over her, smirking. Hermione encircled his neck, pulling him down to her. She roughly crashed her lips into his lips. The kiss was so painfully gradual, heightening their passion, their want. Hermione whimpered for his entrance, desperate for his forceful thrusts. There had already been enough foreplay for the day, their little episode in the bathroom kept both Draco and Hermione yearning for a encore. Draco needed to be within her damp confines. Slowly he made his descent into her. Hermione gasped in ecstasy, feeling their bodies become one. Their tongues fought a fierce battle, bodies pulsed rhythmically as one. Hermione could only moan in his mouth, her fingers entwined in his tresses. They were damp with his sweat in her clutches, he growled when her grasp tightened as the pleasure increased.
"Draco--" She purred in his ear, arching her back, allowing him love her deeper.
Draco felt her walls saturate him, knowing she would soon reach her peak, he felt his nearing as well. Hermione shrieked as she reached her climax; Draco soon felt himself drained of the agonizingly pleasurable pressure that had built up within him. He groaned with satisfaction, feeling his witch become limp beneath him.
He dried her moist forehead with the back of his hand before lovingly kissing it.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Draco."
000
"Miffy, dear, please go rouse your master and mistress." Helena kindly requested to a cowering house-elf.
From behind the Daily Prophet Lucius scoffed at the kindness Helena displayed to the lowly creature. The senior Malfoy sat patiently reading his morning paper at the informal dining room, awaiting the arrival of the others.
As the frightened creature scurried away, Helena turned her attention to Lucius.
"I do not understand why you have to be off so soon. Honestly Lucius, how often do you visit them here at the Manor? I certainly have not been visiting enough. It's amazing how things change so suddenly, don't you think? Draco has--" Helena discontinued her sentence as a yawn announced another presence.
He was accompanied by a giggly baby Anna. Little Anna fidgeted in her eldest brother's arms, clearly not wanting to be held. Dylan gave his grandmother a desperate look, not wanting his sister to cry.
"Good morning Dylan, darling." Helena placed a soft kiss on his cheek before taking Anna from him.
"Good morning Grandma, Grandfather." Dylan replied.
Lucius momentarily glanced up from his paper to nod in response to his eldest grandson. Wearily, Dylan took a seat beside his preoccupied grandfather.
"Anna was crying, Grandmother. Mum didn't tend to her so I decided to take her down with me."
Helena simply nodded as she rocked Anna soothingly.
"I expect you'll be returning to Hogwarts Sunday afternoon, Dylan?" Lucius spoke from behind his paper.
"No! Dylan, stay with me, please!" Alex, appearing out of nowhere it seemed, clasped onto his older brother's leg. Dylan looked down to meet a pair of desperate orbs staring up at him.
Sighing, Dylan lifted his younger brother off the floor and onto a seat.
"You know I want to stay with you , mate. But I can't! Look, the next Hogsmeade trip is in a few weekends... how about you ask Mum..."
"Ask me what?" Hermione yawned as she entered the kitchen clad in a long silk robe draped over a lacey negligee. Dylan was not accustomed to his mother appearing so... indecent. Hermione Malfoy woke even before the house-elves, always looking her best, clad in sophisticated dress robes. It was a familiar sight to see his mother fussing over menu selections with the chef, tending to Anna and Alex, sipping on imported coffee…and just being their mother. It was unusual finding his mother entering the kitchen last with his very disgruntled father following closely behind. Draco never had breakfast with the family.
Draco looked like hell. He looked ¾ asleep, his hair was disheveled, his shirt lacked the creases sleep would have created...
Lucius choked back a chuckle as his son took a seat across from him and nearly collapsed during the process. One did not need to presume what events occurred the night previous resulting in the couples' lack of sleep. Obviously Lucius found it hysterical. He sniggered openly and at once received a glare from Helena. She too knew of the proceedings that arose and continued late into the evening…and early on into the dawn of morning.
"Honestly Lucius." Helena mumbled.
Hermione smiled gratefully at her mother before seating herself beside her husband. She looked around the table, at her family. Her family. Alex on his older brother's lap, Anna in her grandmother's arms, Lucius smiling-- er, smirking, and Draco beside her once more… her was family whole again. Grinning, Hermione listened to the conversation currently going on.
"Draco, did you hear me?" Lucius asked patiently.
"Not really, I'm sorry, Father. Please, repeat whatever it was." Draco replied drowsily.
"As I said, I need you to come in with me to Malfoy Corp. to do some damage control with the Ministry." Lucius answered.
"Lucius, YOU are absolutely unbelievable! Draco will NOT be going to work today and that is final. This is one of the rare weekends we are ALL together and I think we need to treasure that! Understood?" Helena hissed at her in-law. A terrified house elf had taken Anna from Helena, worried for the child.
Shocked at the outburst of the 4 foot tall elderly woman, the Malfoys stared at her in awe, waiting for her to continue speaking.
"I want to have breakfast together. That's all I want." Helena finished quietly.
"For Merlin's sake woman, I am going to stay for breakfast okay! But I really must be off afterwards. Draco may have the day off if he so wishes." Lucius offered.
Satisfied with the garbled response from her in-law, Helena requested that breakfast be served.
The meal proceeded relatively quietly, until--
"Mummy made weird noises last night." Alex mumbled resentfully.
The clattering of silverware against expensive Italian plates ceased instantly, nervous glances were exchanged between one another.
The dropping of Hermione's fork clanged thunderously against the silence.
"...sounded like she was getting hurt." Alex whispered eerily.
Draco eyed his son carefully, unable to swallow the fear building up in his throat.
The boy's intense eyes met with his fathers'.
"Were you hurting Mummy again?"
CLIFFHANGER. Completely appropriate don't you think? I love you all so much! Don't forget to review. I think chapter ten will be my last chapter…then a sequel. I already have the ending for this story. I can delay it if you want….tell me what you think. Do you want more of this or just end it and gone on with the sequel?
REVIEW. REVIEW. REVIEW…please?
I really appreciated all the feedback. And I am so sorry if I upset you with the teaser!
Kristine