Disclaimer: obviously not mine. Why would it be on a fan fiction site?

Chapter fourteen

Hermione left Draco's bed early the next morning and went back to her own room. She was able to spend five minutes snoozing in her own bed before Shia woke again, demanding attention. Hermione fed her then bought her into her own over sized bed for a cuddle while she waited for everyone else to wake. Kellie came in after the sun had risen and sat on the end of Hermione's bed, smiling down at her.

"I think I'll give you a raise of fifty percent," Hermione said, smiling back at her. Kellie laughed.

"Do you even know how much your father pays me a week to start with?"

"No… how much"

"Twenty-two hundred plus board and food. I don't think you need to raise it by fifty percent"

"Well how much do I raise it by? Be honest"

"Well" Kellie tapped her nails on her leg. "Usually when you get a raise its by five percent but because there's a kid involved I think you should make it six."

"Deal"

"You coming down to breakfast now?"

"Yeah ok. You find me something to wear and I'll dress the baby"

Hermione took Shia back into the nursery and dressed her in a plain white suit before wrapping her tightly in a pink blanket and going back to her room. Kellie had a pair of jeans out for her and she put them on with a blue tank top. She then proceeded to examine herself in the mirror. She only had a slight bulge left around her hips, nothing she couldn't get rid of with a hard work out.

Narcissa and Draco were both sitting at the mahogany dining table eating breakfast when Hermione entered with Shia.

Draco automatically held out his arms for her and Hermione didn't hesitate to hand her over.

"You can get up to her tonight, Draco" Narcissa stated sharply as Hermione sat down and reached for the cornflakes. "Do you know what time Hermione was up until last night, the poor girl?"

"Three thirty" Malfoy replied softly, meeting Hermione's eyes across the table. Narcissa blinked.

"How did you know?"

"I heard her go past"

Narcissa shook her head and looked at her watch.

"I have to go into town for a while. Hermione would you like to come and get some baby clothes? Draco can stay here with Shia."

"Sure" Hermione patted her pockets and stood up. "I'll just go get my purse…"

"Here" Malfoy reached into his own pocket and pulled out a wad of cash before handing it to Hermione.

"Thanks" she said slowly, giving him an odd look before exiting the room. She found Kellie in the parlour and invited her along. Kellie was ecstatic and she jumped up and followed Hermione out to the waiting Limo. Charlie was already there with a large black man called Harley whom Hermione knew as Narcissa's bodyguard. Narcissa joined them several minutes later wearing tight jeans and a purple dress-like shirt.

"The locals are less likely to look if you wear the same thing as them," she explained as they drove into town. Once they had parked in the main street Narcissa looked at her watch again.

"Draco gave you enough money? Good, spend it all, god knows he doesn't need it… we'll meet back here in two hours…ta!" Narcissa set off at a brisk pace with Harley not far behind. Hermione watched her go before turning and leading Kellie and Charlie in the opposite direction. It wasn't long before they found a department store with a whole floor dedicated to babies and toddlers.

Hermione set out buying practically everything in sight and it was only when the shop assistant realised she had money to spend and tried to sell her a fully motorised car for children did she hit the street again loaded down with bags.

"Oh, come in here!" Kellie said, pointing to a Chanel store before pulling Hermione inside. "I want to get my sister a present. It's her birthday in a few weeks"

"How olds your sister?" Hermione asked conversationally, looking through a rack of dresses.

"She's turning twenty"

"Aren't you turning twenty this year?"

"Yes. We're twins"

"Why didn't you say so!" Hermione whirled around, grabbed a short blue dress with frills around the base and held it up to Kellie. "What do you think? It brings out the colour in your eyes"

"Yes and it also costs two thousand dollars!"

"Well I'm buying it for you. Happy birthday"

"Well I hope your buying something for yourself as well!" Kellie said, snatching the dress from Hermione and slinging in across Charlie's arm. Hermione turned and began sorting through the dresses again, finally picking out a hot red one that had spaghetti straps, a low cut cleavage and fell to just above her knees where it fanned out in little tassels.

"Oh that is hot!" Kellie said, stepping back to admire it. "It needs a handbag though. Here" she pulled Hermione to the other side of the store and began picking up handbags and holding them to the dress to match the colour.

After paying at the Chanel store, they went to several more clothes stores before retiring back to the car, so loaded p with shopping that Charlie had to carry several of their bags.

Narcissa arrived a few minutes later in a flourish of bags and accessories. Poor Harley was behind her carrying two large tins of paint under each arm.

"I've decided to re-do my study" Narcissa explained joyously when she noticed the dumb-founded look on Hermione's face.

"Yeah, right"

Back at the palace Hermione was unable to find Malfoy or Shia anywhere. When she asked Narcissa she was told to check the basement.

"Draco turned the basement into a gym a few years ago" Narcissa explained, sloshing bright purple paint on the already green wall of the study. "He spends all his time down there with the boys."

Hermione found Charlie on the way down and he showed her the way to the basement.

The basement was a cross between a gym and a pub. On one side was an oak bar fit with a fridge and bar stools. On the wall furthest from the door was a large TV fit with surround sound equipment. On the other side of the room was an array of gym equipment.

Malfoy was poised in front of a large red punching bag; hitting it hard with fast, accurate fists. Bruce was holding the punching bag steady and counting his punches. Anik was on the floor doing push-ups and what Hermione could gather from his breathless counting; he had already reached one hundred and ten. Mark was sitting at the bar with a coke watching his surroundings with a blithesome grin.

"Where's Shia?" Hermione asked, stepping into the room. Without looking up, Malfoy pointed to a corner hidden by the bar where a bassinet was set up. Hermione went over to it and peered down at her sleeping daughter.

"She's been asleep all morning," Malfoy said finally when he'd reached one hundred punches.

"That's good" Hermione said absentmindedly, her eyes transfixed on the red punching bag. "Hey" she said suddenly "will you teach me how to punch?"

Malfoy laughed but beckoned her over all the same. Bruce went to sit beside Mark, an amused expression on his once handsome face.

"Punch it" Malfoy said simply, holding the bag still for her. Hermione shrugged and drew her arm back.

"What about the metal?" Anik asked without so much as a pause in his workout.

"Metal?" Hermione let her hand drop as her eyes widened in shock.

"Oh" Malfoy gave the bag a spin then stopped it and ran his fingers down a seam. It opened and he pulled out a flat metal bar.

"You punch that thing?" Hermione asked incredulously, watching as Malfoy tossed the bar to one side and seeled the seam.

"Course I do. I gotta work out some how"

"By punching a metal bar"

"Yes. Now are you going to hit it?"

Even without the bar there Hermione felt pain shoot through her fist when it connected with the bag.

"Jesus Christ! What is that thing made of, stone?"

Malfoy let go of the bag and came and stood beside her.

"Hold your arm like this," he explained softly, running his hand along her arm and straightening it. "Hit the bag with this part of your fist so you don't break your knuckles. When you hit it, put all your weight behind the swing then when you make contact, twist your fist like this" he gave her fist a sharp twist then stood back. Hermione drew her arm once more and punched the bag. This time it didn't hurt so much and it even rocked a little. She drew back to punch it again.

"It was nice having you in bed last night" Malfoy whispered in her ear with a daunting, teasing voice. Hermione faltered slightly and almost missed the bag.

"It was nice being in bed," she whispered back, despite the fact that his closeness was sending shivers up and down her spine. She hit the bag again.

"Hit it harder, Granger"

"I can't hit it harder!"

"Picture the bag as someone's face"

"Whose face?"

"What about Weasley"

Hermione stopped and looked at him.

"Why on earth would I want to hit Ron?"

Malfoy shrugged. "I do"

"Yeah well. Ron's my friend"

"Well you have to hate someone"

"No I don't"

"Yes you do"

"Why don't I just picture your face? Or better yet, why don't I turn around and hit you?"

"Go on then"

Hermione turned to face him. "What?"

"Hit me. I dare you" he smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"I can't hit you," she said after a moment's hesitation.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't hate you"

"It's got nothing to do with hate. Here" he swung around and kicked out at Anik, who was still working out on the floor. Anik turned sharply in mid push-up and grabbed Malfoy's ankle.

"No you don't," he said, giving it a twist and pulling Malfoy to the ground. Malfoy managed to tug his leg free and the two men began to wrestle. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned back to the punching bag.

Though he didn't acknowledge it for the rest of the day, Malfoy stood true to his mother's orders and got up with Hermione that night to tend to Shia. For the next week they settled into a routine of taking turns to get up to her.

It was just after dark on the Friday of the first week home when Hermione found Draco hard at work in his private study. She'd just had trouble getting Shia to sleep and was feeling slightly exasperated and in need of a break. By the frustrated creases on Malfoy's face, Hermione could tell he needed one too.

"What are you doing?" she asked absently, perching on the edge of his desk and peering, without interest, at the stack of papers in front of him.

"Signing contracts," he answered without missing a beat.

"That's a lot of contracts. Don't you have an advisor who sorts through them all?"

"He already has. These are the most important ones. I haven't even started on the unimportant pile"

"How long will it take?"

"Until next week if I work twenty-four seven. But at the rate I'm going it will take until next year"

"No it wont" Narcissa entered the room wearing paint covered overalls. It hadn't taken Hermione long to realise that Narcissa had made a hobby out of decorating and every room in the palace was decorated at least once a year.

"What are you talking about" Malfoy asked, slightly harassed. Narcissa moved over behind him and began running her fingers through his hair.

"It wont take you long. Why don't you stop for a while? How about the two of you go out for the night? I heard there's a good band playing at the club your always going to. What's it called?"

"Punk 24" Malfoy answered.

"That's the one. Why don't you take Hermione out for a night on the town? You both need to get out for a while"

"What about Shia?" Hermione asked, quite tempted at the thought of going out.

"I'll look after her tonight. It wont be any trouble at all! Go!"

Hermione and Draco met eyes across the pile of papers.

"Are you sure Shia can stay here?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

"Of course! Now go and get ready!"

Malfoy raised an eyebrow as if to say 'I'm game' and Hermione grinned.

"I'll be ready in five"

Aeh it's a pleasure to meet you
Ya look like one incredible creature
Wanna treat you fine
Lets dance and grind
Get so funk-inflicted it's a crime
You're divine you're sublime
And well you blow my mind

Well not much happened in that chapter but the next one will be quite interesting…

PS. Sorry I haven't updated for a while. My account was suspended.