Chapter 8

A couple of days went by without a change. There were no calls from the mysterious Mia, who Draco associated so much with his past. He almost started thinking that she'd lost his card or didn't want to a call at all. And with those thoughts keeping him busy, he postponed his search for the wedding ring and felt a bit uneasy in Violette's company. He kept thinking about Jenny and trying to figure out why it was so important for him to be with her. He came to the conclusion that he is in fact very eager to be a father and needs to set a family together which led him again to no where with his postponing of the proposal.

But one day he was awaken by series of sharp (as it seemed after a short sleep) and annoying telephone rings. Grumbling he got up and started searching for his mobile under the bed, under piles of clothes and everywhere he could think of. Finally giving up, he got his wand, "Accio mobile phone". With a loud crash, the refrigerator door swung open and the phone zoomed into his hand.

"Malfoy residence, you may spea-aaah-k", said mumbled with a great yawn not even bothering to apologize.

"Mm, Dra-, I mean, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Ye-aaah-s! God, what time is it?"

"Oh, its already nine o'clock. I am sorry if I called late", said a pleasant woman's voice.

Nine! God, who's even alive at this time of morning? And to consider it late?

"Its Mia, Janette's mother. You said I could call… I mean, if you still want to see her…"

With that Draco got excited. "Oh, yes, yes! It's just… er…I dozed off for a bit. So where are we meeting?"

"Mm, Mr. Malfoy-"

"Draco if you please"

"Yes, Draco, do you mind me dropping her by at your place, because the weather is a bit… dull, I guess…"

Draco glanced out of his window. The word dull was very far from the flood that was on the street. It seemed that a bottomless rain bucket was pouring out its contents.

"Yeah, sure, if it is quite comfortable for you". He gave her his address. He could tell by her voice that she was a bit taken aback of his location but Mia never said anything. She said to expect her in half an hour.

He put the phone down and began to panic. His flat was a total battlefield. Yesterday Vi was over at his house and… cough… they had a nice time. The things from his desk were all over the study. In the kitchen the picture was a bit worse because such things as wiped cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce, etc. were all over the counters and walls. Boy, did they have fun! The rest of the rooms, containing things such as couches and cushions and bed were fine, maybe just a little ruffled. The bathrooms were perfectly spotless and undamaged.

Of course, if Draco was a muggle, he'd have trouble cleaning up the mess, but with a couple of waves of his wand everything took its places. So there was plenty of time to take a shower, as that was what he intended to do. He just got out of the water and warped a towel round his middle when the bell rang. Being as he was- wet hair, topless and technically bottom less (except the towel) - he went to open the door to find an astonished Mia (alone) looking him over. He could swear she was almost checking him out. Then realizing what has happened she composed her self, tearing her eyes away from him with considerable difficulty, which made him smirk.

"Er… Draco… mm…"

He laughed, "Come in, I'll be in just a minute. Where is Jenny?" she wasn't anywhere in sight.

"Oh, she took the stairs… er…"

"When is your birthday?"

"Wha-? Ah! In a week…"

He led her to the sitting room and went to change. After about ten minutes he came out to find Mia with Jenny. As the little girl saw him she ran to him with outstretched arms and hugged him. He took her in his arms.

"I missed you, Draco" the child whispered.

"Oh, love, I missed you too", she said stroking her little head and then kissing her forehead. Out of corner of his eyes he could see a couple of tears rolling on Mia's cheek but she quickly brushed them away.

Draco placed the child down and told her to have something in the kitchen. She ran off.

"Mia…"

"I am afraid I have to go, I have a job interview in the city center first thing today and then back to work. Thanks so much for taking Jenny, I hope she's not much trouble. I had to pay Clarice for babysitting her although all she did was lie in front of her TV doing nothing. And…" she looked him in the eyes. Draco had a sudden strange urge to kiss those lips with their familiar softness but he of course daren't. "And I'll be back after ten if that's okay".

"Yeah, sure, anything" he replied feeling still a bit dazed. He knew her… Before he even snapped out of it, he heard the door closing in the hallway.

He went back to the kitchen and he and Jenny had a nice breakfast, taking about weather and everything in the world. Later on he managed to conjure some board games, leaving the girl "to use the bathroom". So before he even knew it, outside darkness fell but the rain was still pouring without any hint of lessening its force.

Draco heard the door in the hallway slam. Violette came back from work.

"Hey! I know you, you are Jenny!" she said cheerfully.

The girl looked at her and smiled, "And you are Violette. The other day Draco and me wanted to look for a ri-" Draco frantically waved behind Violette's back so Jenny would stop talking. The child understood. "Look for a… rhino toy for me and he told me all about you!"

"Oh, is it so?" Violette gave Draco an amused look that said she didn't quite believe them but in what part, she could tell. "What are you two up to here anyway?"

"We were just planning to have a snack", said the young man cheerfully.

"Yes, how about some toast with pineapple jam, Draco said it's your favorite!" added Jenny.

"Did I really?" said the guy. He couldn't have! He didn't know that! Something fishy was happening…

"Oh, goody! Rough day today at the Min- at the Incorporation, I mean" said Vi, correcting herself in time, "We had people interviewed for assistance in magi- managing. I liked one girl there, pretty talented really, very clever!"

They had their meal and had a quite time watching TV. Then a little after ten o'clock the bell rang. Draco guessed it might be Mia. He wanted to rise and open the door but Violette bounced off first.

"Who's this? Oh, just a second" there was a shuffle with locks and then a little surprised yelp.

"Hermione Jane Granger! Oh, my! Never dreamed of seeing you here!"

Draco was struck by the name and the next thing he saw was Vi rushing Mia into the room, fussing about her having tea and pouncing off into the kitchen, leaving the girl in the room. Mia, or Hermione, had an astound expression on her face when she caught Draco's gaze and shifted her eyes away…