Chapter 6

(Hermione POV)

Once they had paid for the very beautiful – but very expensive even with Blaise's family discount – dress, Blaise had insisted on buying her some new shoes, eloquently suggesting that the ones she owned now looked like she was trying to recreate his ninety-year-old nonna. She had laughed him off, although slightly offended that he disliked her taste in clothing. What was wrong with practicality anyway?

He had asked for her shoe size and had made quick work of browsing the shelves in the nearest designer shoe shop for the perfect shoe. After about twenty minutes he had finally picked out a pair of black, strappy, Alexandre Birman heels with a chunky heel – after she insisted on practicality – and a metallic silver pair of Gucci heels. They couldn't decide on one pair, so he had bought them both and told her it was a gift from him.

They had also bought a matching clutch at a nearby Chanel store before Hermione realised that she had ten minutes before she had to pick up Leo. She had apologised profusely to Blaise, who had still wanted to get her jewellery and had run down a back alley to disapparate back to her house. She discarded her shopping onto her bed and straightened her clothes before making her way over to Wyvern Wisps.

She hadn't accounted for the reporters outside, completely forgetting the newspaper article from this morning and she reprimanded herself for not using the floo. Various cameras went off and a crowd of reporters formed around her, preventing her from moving forward.

'Hermione. Did you know where Draco was all this time?' A balding man with a pin-striped vest asked, his quill at the ready. She flinched as another camera went off.

'Miss Granger, are you in a relationship with Mr. Malfoy?' A plump woman in a plum suit asked.

'Does Leo know about his father?' Another woman in a teal fedora asked.

Just when she thought that she'd never get away, she was suddenly grabbed by the arm and pulled away from the reporters.

'Quick Hermione. Inside.' Pansy said and pulled her into the safety of the preschool entrance then turned back to address the reporters. 'Miss Granger will not be answering any questions today so scat.' She spat. 'Go on.' When they began to disapparate, she turned back to Hermione. 'I am so sorry. Carol warned me this might happen. I thought she got rid of them. Are you ok?' She pulled her into a hug.

'I don't want to talk about it.' She replied. 'Where's Leo? We are supposed to be meeting with Draco this afternoon.'

Just as she said that, Carol came out of the back room with Leo and Andrew, followed by Theo.

'And then Troy saved the day…' Leo said and she smiled. At least he had a good day. He wouldn't be in a bad mood when they went to see Draco then. Theo looked up and saw that they weren't alone anymore, his face lighting up when he saw Hermione.

'Ah, Hermione. Still on for brunch on Saturday? The boys want to set up the old potions set.' Theo peered up over his glasses at her.

'Absolutely. Wouldn't miss it.' She smiled in response.

'Mummy!' Leo said, practically throwing himself at her legs and she picked him up. 'I was just telling Mr. Nott about Andy and I's trip to beat the Flutterbies.'

'Oh really? You'll have to tell me about that one later. Sounds heroic.' She said, kissing him on the forehead.

'It's definitely a good one. These two have the most wonderful imaginations.' Theo replied. 'Anyway. I have to get Andy to his tooth healer appointment. He's been so nervous about it that I don't know how he'll cope in there.'

'Daddy. I don't wanna go.' The little fair-haired boy pouted. 'Too healer scary. I'm staying here with Leo.'

'Help me.' Theo mouthed at Hermione and she placed Leo on the ground, crouching in front of Andrew.

'You know, my parents were tooth-healers, Andy.'

'They were? Were they scary?' He asked.

'No. They were the kindest, warmest people I ever knew. Think of a tooth-healer as someone who makes sure your teeth nice and strong so you can eat all the nice things that you like to eat.'

'Like ice-cream?' He asked.

'Exactly. If you don't go and see the tooth-healer, you won't be able to eat ice-cream. But if you are extra good and do as the healer says, maybe your daddy will buy you an ice-cream as a special treat.' She smiled.

'Really? Daddy? Can I get ice-cream?' The man nodded. 'Ok, less go. Bye Minnie, bye Leo.' Andy replied and allowed his father to pick him up.

'Thank you, Hermione. I seriously owe you one. I will see you Saturday.' He said as Andy grabbed his glasses. 'Hey, you…' They stepped into the floo and disappeared.

'You're a natural with kids, you know.' Pansy said. She hadn't even realised Pansy was still there. Carol seemed to have disappeared.

'Yeah. When the child isn't my own. Sometimes I don't know how to handle him.' She whispered to her but Leo was distracted and sitting on the floor playing with Troy. The blue and silver dragon was currently breathing fire at an imaginary Hippogriff.

'He's definitely Draco's child that's for sure.' Pansy replied.

'Who's Draco?' Leo sat up. He had obviously just tuned into their conversation.

'Draco is…um…that is your dad's name.' Hermione said awkwardly.

'Draco is daddy? Are we going to see him now?' He perked up, a gleaming hope in his silvery eyes.

'Yes darling. Your daddy will be there when we get home.' She replied with a sigh.

'Yay! We going now.' The toddler got off the floor and grabbed her hand. Pansy chuckled and Hermione glared at the woman.

'Like father, like son.' She said in a sing song manner as Leo kept pulling on her hand.

'Alright. Alright. We're going Leo. I'll see you tomorrow Pansy.'

'Let me know how it goes. I'll be at the…'

'Malfoy's tonight. I know. Blaise told me. He can tell you about it later. I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment.' She laughed in resignation. 'Alright you, Mr. Impatient. It looks like we're using the floo today.' She looked out the window to see reporters still there and then picked him up to walk over to the floo.

'We're going to see daddy!' Leo chanted over and over again as they disappeared.

Draco had been true to his word and was sitting on the lounge when they arrived. He looked a bit cleaner than he had been this morning. It seemed like he wanted to make a good first impression. Not that Leo would have even noticed in the slightest. But it was kind of adorable knowing that he was nervous. When she stepped out of the fireplace, she realised Leo was no longer chanting but clinging to her for dear life. The poor boy was so shy when meeting new people, that he could slip into petrification at any moment. It was one characteristic he had picked up from her, but she knew that he'd eventually grow out of it.

'Hi Draco.' She turned to the man on the lounge.

'Hi yourself.' He gave her a weak smile. 'Hello Leo.' He said gently, 'I'm your dad.'

(Draco POV)

Draco arrived at her place right on three and called out to see if she was already there. When there was no response, he hung his actual trench-coat up on the hooks and sat down on one of the lounges. To say he was nervous was a complete understatement.

He had spent the good half of the past few hours cleaning himself up. He had his hair cut, he had shaved his stubble and made sure to use the concealment charm on all the bruises he had obtained in the past week from working behind Yaxley's back. He wasn't sure a three-year old could understand the concept of a first impression but he certainly didn't want to scare the boy. Bruises all over him would certainly cause some concern.

He was glad when Blaise said he would take Granger gala shopping. Blaise certainly had more fashion sense than he did considering his mother was a famous designer. He was sure if he had taken Granger shopping, he would have had her dressed in something resembling no less than a nun's attire. Perhaps even a potato sack. He snickered at the thought of Granger showing up in a potato sack. Now that would be some quality entertainment.

As he sobered, he could feel the butterflies in his stomach emerge again. Would his son like him? Would he be a good father? Would Granger let him? He wondered what the boy looked like. Did he look like him? Or did he look like Granger? He hadn't ever thought to ask Grace what he looked like. It was all just personality questions. As long as he didn't have Granger's awful buck teeth. She had fixed them now but they were just terrible when she had been younger. He tapped his sweaty palms on his jeans and stared at Granger's enormous selection of books. There would be no doubt his son would be smart. Granger would have him reading coherently by now, he was sure. Everyone had said he was intelligent – well those he had spoken to anyway.

He just hoped he wouldn't scare him off.

The floo went off at ten past three and Granger stepped out, wearing a set of light blue robes. The boy was clinging to her side, the blue dragon toy he had sent Grace to give to him was clutched tightly in his left hand. He smiled. Granger had no idea it was a present from him. Grace had had sure to hide that fact. The boy was blonde and his unblinking silver eyes were giving him the once over, wondering if he should trust the strange man in his living room. He was wearing a set of denim overalls over an olive-green t-shirt, with white running shoes. It was a really adorable outfit, he had to say so himself.

'Hi Draco.' Hermione said calmly, trying to pry the boy off her side a little.

'Hi yourself.' He gave a small smile at the way she was struggling. He then turned his attention to the boy.

'Hello Leo. I'm your dad.' He said gently, hoping that his tone wouldn't scare him off. Leo burrowed into Hermione's shoulder.

'Don't worry Draco. He's just a little shy around new people. He'll warm up to you.' She replied.

Hah. He wished she would warm up to him as well.

Where the hell did that come from? He frowned and watched her as she appeared to be coaxing him to say hello to him. He finally mumbled a hi but burrowed into her shoulder again. Hermione stood there holding the shy child whilst she stared at him. He felt awkward and completely out of place. He shuffled on his feet and said the first thing that came to mind.

'How was dress shopping? Find anything suitable?' He asked.

'As a matter of fact, yes. It was one of Blaise's mother's gowns.' She replied.

'Good. So, I take it, you're coming then?' He stated.

'Don't think I really had a choice in the matter. Narcissa would have maimed me if I declined.' She replied still trying to pry the child off her. 'Leo, please let go. It's only your dad. He isn't going to hurt you.'

Leo slowly uncurled himself from her shoulder and politely asked her to put him down, to which she gladly did. The boy still clutching his toy close to his chest looked up at him. He was so much like him when he was his age, but there were elements that he could see that were definitely from Hermione. But no buck teeth. Thank Merlin. The boy still looked frightened as ever, so to break the tension, he crouched and did the best thing he thought he could.

'Who have we got here Leo?' He asked pointedly at the dragon.

'Troy.' He said quietly.

'Is Troy a dragon? I bet he's the fiercest one of all.' He smiled, hoping the boy would open up a bit more. The boy stared blankly at him for a few more seconds before he asked in a very timid tone.

'Are you really my daddy?' He asked.

'Yes Leo. I am.' He nodded in agreement. The boys eyes teared up and he dropped the dragon and ran to his room.

'Leo? Leo. What's wrong?' Hermione called after him. 'I'm sorry Draco. I promise you he was really excited about meeting you before we got home. I don't know what happened.' She went to follow him but he stopped her.

'Perhaps I should go and talk to him.' He said. 'I upset him. So, it's my problem to solve.' He told her.

'Alright. But be gentle on him, Draco. I don't know how much experience you've had with kids. They take things a lot harder than we do.' She replied and began chewing on her nails.

'Granger stop biting your nails. It's a disgusting habit. Don't worry I will be gentle. Which one is his room?' He asked.

'Upstairs the first door on the left.' She explained, dropping her hand.

He walked coolly up the stairs, having no idea what he was going to say. Hopefully, Leo would take charge. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on Leo's door. When he didn't get a response, he stuck his head inside the door. He was curled up in a ball on his bed.

'Leo? It's dad. Are you ok?' He asked and entered the room.

'Why daddy leave?' He asked angrily. 'Why daddy no stay?'

Oh, now he understood what was going on. Leo blamed himself for him leaving them both. But it wasn't him at all. He hadn't known he had even existed before he left. Sighing, Draco strode over to the bed and sat down beside him.

'I didn't mean to leave you or your mother.' He started. 'I didn't have a choice. I had to…'

'Cause you are hoo-man?' He asked.

'A Hoo-man?' He was so confused.

'Yes. Person who helps people…' Leo explained.

'A person who helps people? Oh, you mean, humanitarian. Well I suppose you could say that. You see…, you know what Leo. I'm going to tell you a story.' He suddenly changed his train of thought.

'A story?' The child's eyes lit up.

'Yes. It's the story of why I left. You see, they are some very bad people in this world who do very bad things.'

'Like the voldy guy?' Leo perked up a little.

'Yes, exactly like the voldy guy. Well, I got a message from one of those very bad people asking me to join them. But I knew I wasn't a bad guy. So, I decided that I would go undercover.'

'What's undercover?' Leo's interest sparked. Apparently, the kid liked a good story.

'Undercover is pretending to work for someone when you are working for someone else.' He tried to explain.

'Oh ok. What 'appened next?' He asked.

'Well. I had to go away for a while and because I didn't tell anyone where I went, they thought I died.'

'Like mummy said you did. But you didn't.' Leo interrupted again.

'Nope kiddo. I didn't. So, whilst I was away, I was working hard to stop the bad guys.'

'Ooo. Did you use your wand a lot? Did you fight a dragon?' Leo interrupted again. Draco chuckled.

'I did have to use my wand a lot but I didn't fight a dragon. Now, where was I?' He wondered.

'You were using your wand to defeat the bad guys.' He looked up at Hermione, who had walked into the room at that moment, her arms folded across her chest. 'Do go on, I am interested in finding out where this is going.' She gave him a reassuring smile.

'Ah yes. So, I used my wand to defeat the bad guys. I was laying spell after spell on them in order to trap them. It took a lot of time because I couldn't let them know that I was fighting them. Until one day, I finally set the biggest magical trap I could and they fell right into it. When they did, the aurors locked them up. So, my job was complete and I could finally come home.'

'So, you're a superhero?' Leo looked up at him. Draco had no idea what a superhero was and he looked to Granger for her to explain.

'Yes love. Your dad saved the wizarding world.' She smiled at him.

'Wow. My dad is a hero.' He said excitedly and went off into his own world.

'So, Granger, how did I do?' He asked.

'A for effort, but I reckon you could do better.' She teased, biting her lip.

'I have you know that I haven't done this before.' He replied.

'I know. I'm just teasing. It was good. You'll get more creative with the stories though.' She explained.

'Hey.' They both looked to Leo who was pointing at the constellation wall – which Draco had only just realised was there. 'Your name is Draco. You're named after stars?' He asked.

'Sure am, kiddo and so are you.' He replied.

'Is that why you never told me the story mummy? Cause it hurt to talk bout daddy?' He asked and Draco's eyes flew straight to her face. She blushed and he smirked.

'I thought I'd save it for a better time.' She mumbled in reply. Draco was dumbstruck. For one, he had only just realised that Granger had named their kid after a constellation which was a tradition in his family. But two, he wasn't sure why Granger wouldn't tell him about the constellation he was so obviously interested in. Sure, he was related to it by name and they weren't on the best terms, but that shouldn't have deterred her from telling him.

'Could you tell me it now?' Leo tilted his head to the side watching his parents.

'Tonight. If you're good.' She said. 'Now, your dad and I have to talk. Boring, adult talk. Would you mind staying up here and playing for a while? I brought Troy up.'

'Troy!' The kid jumped at the toy and they both laughed, taking that as a I don't mind and they walked downstairs to the kitchen. She stopped him at the door.

'I think we're both old enough to put the unpleasantries behind us.' She said as he saw him frown.

'I agree.' He admitted, not letting her know just how tired he was of fighting people.

'Can we at least be civil? For Leo's sake.' She raised her eyebrows at him.

'Who said I wasn't being civil already? Granger what is this all about?' He was also getting tired of all the mind games people played.

'Ok, Draco. I want to know, what are your intentions?'

'My intentions? Depends on whom you're talking about?' He said, nonchalantly.

'With Leo. Not me. Merlin. I thought you would have known I don't have any romantic feelings towards you.' She said, exasperatedly.

'To be in his life as much as your willing to let me be.' She shrugged easily, ignoring the part about romantic feelings because he was sure anything she would say, would be mutual.

'I assumed you would say that.' She replied. 'Well if you intend on remaining civil with me, I'm thinking we'll need to sort out a schedule. But we will have to ask Leo his thoughts about seeing you first.'

'I'm sure that isn't going to be a problem anymore.' He mumbled under his breath.

'I heard that. But I agree. Leo is super responsive to stories. He loves them…'

'You named him after a constellation.' He interrupted. She turned to face him.

'Of course, I did. I couldn't reject his heritage for the sake of my pride.' She replied.

'Careful Granger or I'll start to think you actually care.' He teased. She poked her tongue out at him. 'Oh, really mature. I hope you haven't taught Leo to have such poor manners.'

'Oh, sod off, will you.' She sighed in frustration to which he chuckled.

'Just messing with you.'

'What's your schedule like at the moment?' She went on. Hmm...that was a tough one. He truly didn't know himself. McGonagall was yet to get back to him about him completing his NEWTs and he wasn't sure he would get the job anyway.

'Well. I applied for a potions research job.' He started.

'Don't you need your…'

'NEWTs. Yes.' He finished her sentence. 'I have talked it over with McGonagall and I'm pretty sure she is going to let me sit all my NEWTs when I am ready, given the circumstances. Even then, I don't know if I'll get the job.'

'Right. Well good for you but, that didn't really answer my question.' She replied.

'At the moment, I'm free anytime.' He said, succinctly.

'Alright. Good. Well, I usually have Mondays off work. But it really depends on the workload. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the hardest days.' She replied.

'I can take him Wednesdays and Thursdays if you want.' He said. 'And we can do alternating weekends as well?' He suggested.

'Sounds good. But only if it's alright with Leo.' She pressed.

'Of course.' He agreed.

'We also need to set some boundaries.' She began again. 'You can't just appear in my house whenever you see fit like you did this morning.'

'Understandable.' He didn't want to argue that, he'd hate to come home and randomly find her sitting in his apartment as well.

'You also need to let me know if he gets sick anytime he's in your care, or if you can't take him that day, so I can make arrangements.'

'Same to you.' He agreed again.

'Oh, and please don't let any of your prospects around him.'

Hah. Prospects. 24 hours ago, he was dead to the wizarding world. Not a single lady in the wizarding world would be after him. At least not for a while. He wasn't interested in dating anyone right now anyway.

'Not going to be a problem. I'm not interested in dating anyone right now.' He admitted.

'Good to know.' She replied. 'Anything else you would like to add?'

'That goes for you as well, just so you know.' He said. 'I don't want some random bloke having any influence over my son. Not that I don't trust your judgement but…yeah.' He finished awkwardly. Hermione just laughed at him.

'As if that's going to happen. The only guy who has ever paid any romantic attention to me was Cormac back in sixth year and I didn't even like him.' She replied.

'What about Weaselbee?' He asked.

'Don't even mention Ron right now.' Her mood soured as she glared at him.

'Sorry. Sore topic. But if you ever want to talk, I know we aren't exactly friends or chummy or anything but I do have experience with the male mind. I might be able to help.'

'If I didn't know better Malfoy, I'd say you actually cared.' She sent the same tease he had given her back at him.

'Touché.' He chuckled. 'I'm being serious though.'

'I know. Thank you.' She sighed and rubbed her temples.

'Are you ok?' He attempted a civil question and she quirked an eyebrow at him.

'Yeah fine. Just tired I guess.' She yawned to prove her point. 'I suppose, I had better get dinner ready. Leo's bedtime is at 7pm and I usually try and get all his energy out before I put him to bed. Just warning you, he has a bit of a temper.'

'Sounds like someone I know.' He said, cheekily.

'Are you implying that I have a temper?' She asked.

'Well if the punch you gave in third year is anything to go by…'

'Fair point. But I should warn you, he is prone to extremely powerful accidental magic.' She warned.

'How powerful are we talking exactly?' He was curious now.

'Enough to break bones if it hits you. Trust me, I know. He broke my wrist once.'

He was dumbfounded. He wasn't sure he had heard of accidental magic being that powerful before. Sure, he had heard of kids that could break objects, move them around and change their shape or colour but breaking bones was nearly unheard of. It was actually quite concerning if he was being honest.

'Have you taken him to a healer about it?' He asked.

'Yes. Many times. They ran tests the first couple of times but they haven't found anything abnormal about him, apart from the fact that he is advanced in mental capacity. They think it's probably down to that. But other than that, his magical blood levels are normal and he is growing up like he should.'

When she mentioned him growing up, Draco couldn't help but feel sombre about it. He had missed the first few years of his son's life. Years that he'd never get back. He had missed the first step, the first word…so many things he had always dreamed of experiencing.

'I'm sorry.' He said out loud before he realised what he had said.

'For what exactly?' She looked confused.

'For not being here all this time.' He admitted. If the child had as much as a temper as she said he did, he couldn't have been an easy child. He might've been able to alleviate the pressure on her if he had been around, even for a little bit.

She brushed him off. 'Nonsense. I understand why you had to go. I'm glad that you did. Otherwise Yaxley and his associates would still be on the streets. Besides, I had my friends to help. Merlin knows Pansy and Blaise have been a godsend.'

'But I missed so many things…'

'Don't get sentimental on me, Malfoy.' She teased.

'So, how did you and Pansy become friends in the first place? The last I remember, Parkinson loathed you with her entire being.' He asked.

'She changed her attitude. Something about turning over a new leaf. Must have been when she was at university. She offered me a friendship the moment I stepped in to enrol Leo into The Wyvern Wisps and I took her up on it. Blaise became a friend by association. Are you staying for dinner or are you going home? Speaking of, I'll need your address.' She changed the subject twice, obviously not wanting to talk about the subject. He didn't pressure her anymore. He'd get the rest of the information from Pansy later.

'I'll stay if you don't mind. I don't exactly want to go back to a frozen meal in my apartment, thank you very much. I have a penthouse apartment in Kingston Upon Thames. Three-bedroom place and the balconies are well fenced off so kids can't go flying off the edge. I'll make sure I have the floo set so you and Leo can come through.' He conjured a piece of parchment, quill, and ink. 'Here's the address.' He handed it to her.

'Thank you.' She yawned again and stood to make dinner. He could tell she needed some rest and, in her state, dinner would end up a total disaster.

'Sit. I'll make dinner. You look like you're about to fall asleep.' He commanded.

'Was it that obvious?' She joked but didn't argue with him.

He went to search the cupboards for anything he could salvage into an edible meal. It appeared that she needed to go shopping for her cupboards and fridge were devoid of anything, bar a bag of sugar. He decided to call her out on it.

'Granger. You do realise you actually need food to cook dinner.' He tried insulting her intelligence. She just threw her arm to the side and rested her head on the table. Had she just fallen asleep? He peered over her shoulder. Yep, she was definitely asleep. Well then. That would mean he would have to take dinner plans into his own hands. He decided that the best option would be to order in some Chinese and wake her when it arrived.

When he went towards the phone, Leo came into the room and looked at his mum who was now drooling on the table. How he wished he had a camera at this moment. For blackmail purposes of course.

'What's mum doing?' He asked him.

'Your mum was tired, so she is napping. We have to be quiet, ok.' He told him and the boy nodded. 'Do you want Chinese for dinner?'

'Yes pwease.' He replied.

Draco looked at the phone, unsure of his next move. Leo looked up at him in confusion. 'Does daddy not know how use phone?'

'No. I do. It's just I don't know the number.' He told him. The boys eyes lit up as he pointed to a pamphlet on the wall.

'Chin-ease number on wall.' He said. There were a bunch of numbers across the bottom of the sheet which he assumed was the number he had to call. He took the pin out of the pamphlet and skimmed over it. It appeared to be a menu. He flicked through it wondering what they both might like and then mentally hit himself. Leo probably already knew what he liked.

'What do you like Leo?' He asked.

'Rice. Pork.' He said, simply.

'Ok. So, I'll get some rice and a sweet and sour pork?' He asked.

'Mummy likes leminy chick-men.' Leo added.

'Well, just as well because daddy likes that too.' He smiled at the boy, carefully put the number into the phone and picked up the receiver. He ordered their meal and then guided Leo out of the kitchen and into the living room, so Granger could at least get some rest. Being new with kids and feeling awkward about being alone with him, he sat them both on the lounge whilst Leo started to chat away about Flutterbies. Draco having no idea what to do, just listened to every word, hoping he was doing enough to create a bond with his son. When Leo had mentioned Andrew Nott, he had asked if that was Theo's son. He hadn't known Daphne and Theo had married and had a son, his own son's age and he was actually kind of glad someone else their age would be able to relate – that was apart from Potter and the Weaselette.

About forty minutes of Leo's babbling later, the Chinese arrived, sending Leo bouncing around the room in excitement.

'Hey, what's going on?' A very sleepy Hermione said as she walked out of the kitchen, her eyes going to the food in his hands. 'You ordered Chinese? As I recall you were supposed to be cooking dinner.' She smirked.

'In my defence, your cupboards were empty. I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter.' He replied.

'Oh. Sorry, my bad. I've been so busy I haven't gotten around to grocery shopping. I forgot we ran out of food last night.' She said sheepishly and turned to her son who was currently jumping up and down in excitement. 'And you, young man, have to go wash your hands.' She said.

'Mum…do I have to?' He complained.

'Yes. Do you want to get sick?' She asked as he pouted and shook his head. 'Alright, so run along and get those hands washed.'

'Can I teach daddy the hand wash song?' He asked. Hermione looked up at him to gauge his expression. He had no idea what the hand wash song was, but he assumed he didn't have to wait long to find out.

'Would you mind going with him? I'm afraid he might have a tantrum if you don't. I'll serve dinner.' She took the boxes from him and giggled a little as the little boy started to drag him towards the bathroom. After many verses of wash your hands doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, Draco was thoroughly embarrassed and hoped that no one would ever see him do that ever again. Hermione was smirking when they both entered the kitchen. He glared at her to tell her that if she ever spoke of that to anyone, she would pay. She pretended not to notice as all three of them sat down to dinner. To anyone else, it would seem that they were one happy family but in reality, the two of them were only trying to get along for Leo's benefit. Draco was suddenly becoming very aware of his discomfort and definitely felt like he should get out of there as soon as possible. The meal had been quiet apart from Hermione asking Leo if he'd like to see more of his dad. When Leo accepted, he felt a thrill of pride wash over him but he was quickly thrown back into turmoil. Eating dinner alone with Granger felt weird and he couldn't shift the nagging feeling of wanting to leave.

Once they were done eating, Leo asked if he could put him to bed but he politely declined, saying that he had to go home but he would see him soon. Sensing that he would throw a tantrum, Hermione had jumped in and explained to him quickly that although he was his dad, not all families lived together, which Draco was surprised a three-year-old could comprehend. He said his goodbyes to them both, thanked Granger for her hospitality and flooed home to his apartment as quickly as he could.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he walked straight to the liquor cabinet, in need of a strong shot of firewhiskey. He poured himself a glass and took a swig. The firey liquid burned his throat but it was what he needed to numb himself of the awkwardness that had befallen him.

However, in his haste, he neglected to notice the person sitting in his recliner chair.

'Hello Draco.' They said.

His eyes widened as he spat out his drink.

Hehehe. Who is sitting in Draco's apartment? Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time, Zozo :)