A/N: I know it has been 2 months or better since I updated this story. I have been through hell and back the last few months. I apologize for the wait hopefully this will make up for some of the wait. I will finish this story just hang with me. As always please let me know what you think. Everything belongs to JKR I am just playing in her universe.

Draco scooped up Laykyn and apperated to edge of the Hogwarts grounds Hermione only a few steps behind them. The walk back to the castle was quiet but not peaceful. Laykyn lay her head on Draco's shoulder her thumb finding its way to her mouth. Hermione walked a few paces behind Draco. His movements were tense. Hermione could see his agitation in every step. It isn't my fault, she thought tersely, He volunteered to watch Laykyn and he told me to go. Hermione remained lost in her thoughts as they entered Hogwarts and climbed the stairs to their common room. This is what I want. I want to go on this date. It's time to move on.

As they entered the dorm Draco sat Laykyn down and walked to his room. The little girl watched him walk away, "Momma can we play a game?" Hermione continued toward her room. "Momma?" Laykyn repeated louder reaching for her mother's hand.

Hermione came back to reality as she felt the small hand slide in hers. She looked down into her daughter's golden brown eyes and smiled softly. "I'm sorry, baby. What did you ask?"

"Can we play a game?" She smiled back at her mother, her eyes lighting up with the excitement you only feel as a child.

"I would love too. However I really, really need your help."

"With what, momma?"

"I have a special dinner that i have to go to tonight."

"With Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron?"

"No you remember the nice man from the book store, Mr. Harrison?" Laykyn nodded. "He is taking me to dinner and you get to stay with Mr. Draco."

Laykyn's face lite up. "Mr. Draco really? Me and Mr Draco get play all night?" Her excitement radiated off of her. Hermione could not for the life of her figure out why her daughter loved Draco Malfoy so much but he seemed to be good for her and she for him. As long as the status quo remained Hermione would tolerate the friendship. Laykyn bounced with every step telling her mother all the things she and Mr Draco were going to do that night swinging thier arms as they went to Hermione's room to get ready for the evening.

Draco didn't understand the dead feeling in the pit of his stomach. This is what needed to happen. He had to create some distance between himself and Granger. He couldn't afford to go soft. So why did he feel like this, like the whole world had become dark and bleak. He would babysit tonight, then Lovegood could do it from here on out. Draco dug in the top drawer of his dresser for the bottle of firewhiskey. He found it under a pile of socks. Twisting off the lid Draco took a long drink. He would take a few minutes to himself get his brain under control and then deal with life.

As Laykyn ran into the bathroom to find a necklace for her mother, Hermione hung the Rangers baseball jersey back in her closet. She knew why Laykyn had wanted her to wear the jersey, it had belonged to Laykyn's father. As the she placed the hanger on the closet rod her mind traveled back to that first night that she had met Jakob Laykyn.

Hermione had run away from her problems. She knew she had. The war and then the fight with Ron and… She let the last thought drift away. She tried anyway. She and her parents were touring the United States to rebuild and strengthen thier relationship, but she also just couldn't deal with life at home right now. They were in New York City. Hermione found solace in "the city that never sleeps" that night. She certainly couldn't sleep. Her mind raced as she thought through all that had happened in the last months of her Ron's relationship. It was an endless loop now. The pain and sorrow growing with every loop of the memories. She laid a hand over her belly now devoid of the life that had promised so much.

Her parents were asleep in thier hotel room so Hermione decided wander to the nearest bar. Alcohol was something she swore she would never turn to but one drink couldn't hurt. Especially since she was out of Dreamless Sleep potion. She found a small sports bar at the other end of the block from her hotel. The pub was crowded. A bachelor's party in the back corner was obviously not on thier first round of drinks. In a booth on the other side of the room was a couple that really needed to get a room. Hermione sat at the bar as far from any other patrons as she could. One drink and she would head back to the hotel.

An hour later saw her looking at the same beer all the foam gone the liquid now room temperature. A rather rambunctious group huddled around the television kept distracting her from her thoughts. At least they couldn't be watching quidditch, but it did seem to be some sort of sports. She glanced over her shoulder at them one more time and her eyes locked with one of the men. He smiled at her nodded and spoke in one of his friends ears and began to make his way toward her. She turned back to her drink and tried to ignore the man as he sat next to her. She smelled something familiar.

The young man crossed his arms and set them on the bar in front of him. Their elbows were barely three inches apart. "So what's his name?" The man's voice was deep, almost melodic.

Hermione's head snapped up a questioning look in her eye. "There are only a handful of reasons that anyone drinks alone, and from the look of that glass you don't really want to be here drinking in the first place." He gave her a lopsided smile.

Hermione look back at the beer in front of her. "Look I came here to get away." She looked up meeting his hazel eyes, "from everyone."

"You seem like one of those people who tend to overthink everything. Let me make a suggestion. You wanna get away. You have to stop thinking, start over, and be someone new." He stood up and moved back toward his friends huddled around the tv on the other side of the room.

That night had seem insignificant at the time but it had changed her life forever.

"I like this one," Laykyn raced back into the room holding a thin silver chain. Hermione smiled down at her choice, it was a simple silver chain with a heart and two stones, a rich blue sapphire and a deep red garnet. Hermione carefully worked the clasp on the necklace slipping it on and securing it around her neck.

"I am almost ready. Why don't you go check on Mr. Draco?" Layken raced from the room and Hermione turned to look in the mirror one more time.

Draco stared down into the flames Blaise stared back out at him. "Do I need to send someone to check on you? Because I can."

Draco rolled his eyes "I am fine Blaise. It's one evening. I am a full grown adult! I can handle a 4 year old for a few hours. What could go wrong?"

A soft knock sounded on his bedroom door, "Mr Draco?" Laykyn's voice came through the door.

Draco glanced toward the door, "I gotta go Blaise."

"We are not done with this conversation though," Blaise winked out of the flames.

Draco ran one hand through his hair as he walked to the door. He twisted the doorknob and opened the door to see Laykyn standing in the doorway with the Candyland box in her hand. She smiled up at him. "You wanna play?" her brown eyes stared up at him.

Draco looked at the board game box. "Can we please play a different game? Everytime I get almost to the Candy Castle at the end and then I draw my next card and get sent back to the Peppermint Forest. I think you, Laykyn Athena, load the deck." He started his sentence with his face as serious as he could manage but by the end a smirk had formed on his lips and as he said her name there was a twinkle of affection in his eyes. "Can't we play Hungry, Hungry Hippos."

"We forgot to put it away last time we played and…" she quickly looked around to make sure Hermione was nowhere near. Signalling for Draco to move closer she cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered. "Momma stepped on it and she said a bad word."

Draco looked down at the little girl's solemn face. "Well we don't want that to happen again, Candyland is probably the safer option." She nodded and Draco followed the toddler in to the common room to set up the game. They laid the game board out on the floor in front of the fireplace and Draco shuffled the cards while Laykyn pulled out two of the character pieces. She placed the green one on the board and held out the yellow one for Draco to take.

"Not yellow," he said looking at the piece. "No one likes Hufflepuff."

Laykyn looked him in the eyes "It's the only one left. You can't be red cause Momma is the only one that gets to use the red and you can't be blue cause Lilly bit of its head, and I always play green."

Draco picked up the blue figure, scrutinizing the mangled remains of the head. "Who is Lilly? Someone's dog?" Laykyn burst in to a fit of giggles.

"Lilly is Harry's daughter," both Laykyn and Draco turned at the sound of Hermione's voice. "If I remember correctly you and her brothers were not being very nice to her that day."

Draco took in the sight before him, Hermione looked gorgeous. He took a few deep breaths trying to calm his racing heart and refocus himself on what was important, creating space between him and the Grangers.

"But Mom, she's a baby, and Grandma Weasley always makes us play with her."

Hermione gave a small shake of her head. "Are you going to be good for Mr. Draco?'

"Of course Momma, Mr Draco and I are gonna play Candyland, and watch Super Ninja Pets: The Movie." Her hands came up into a fighting position hands straight out for a ninja chop, "if you can teach him how to use the DVD player."

"I know how to use a DVD player," Draco scoffed. "I lived in the muggle world for 10 years. I can even use a microwave." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down his nose at the little girl a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"I charmed the TV and the DVD player in Laykyn's room so that they will work for a few hours at a time. Her bedtime is at 8:30 no sweets after 6. She has a little bit of allergy problems right now so her medicine is in the top cabinet of the bathroom." She paused for a breath. "I think that's everything…"

"Granger!" he snapped her out of her thoughts. "I can handle the kid for a few hours. Go enjoy yourself." Just not too much. He blocked out the thoughts that were forming in his mind of Harrison the perfect gentleman, taking Hermione's hand. Her blush as he pulled out her seat for her. The idiot would probably even bring her flowers.

"Okay," she looked around the room one last time, "I guess I will go then." She walked toward the door. "Are you sure are going to be okay? I can reschedule."

"We will be fine, Granger. Go on your date."

She sent him a glare before walking over to Laykyn, kneeling down in front of her. "Okay I will be back in a few hours if you need anything just ask Mr Draco, he can get a hold of me in case of emergency." She kissed Laykyn's cheek and the exchanged an eskimo kiss before she finally stood up and walked to the common room door. She glanced toward the couch were Laykyn and Malfoy sat once more, they were setting up the pieces for Candyland. The last thing she saw was Malfoy pick up yellow figurine, give a great sigh and set it on the gameboard.

Hermione walked through the castle and out the front doors of the castle and down toward Hogsmeade. When she reached the edge of the castle grounds she apparated the rest of the way to the small book store.

Edward Harrison stood outside the door of his store nervously pacing back and forth on the sidewalk and running a hand through his hair. Hermione smiled at least she wasn't the only one nervous about this. She took a few steps towards the man and he stopped pacing and looked up smiling. "I wasn't sure you would come," his voice was low and soft but the humor still played through it clearly. He was dressed in slacks and a crimson long sleeve button up shirt, hair somehow still perfectly in place even after running his hands through it at least a dozen times. As she walked closer he beamed at her, enjoy the vision before him. "These, My Lady, are for you." He swiftly pulled a bouquet of flowers seemingly from nowhere.

Hermione's smile grew. Although it was very well performed she recognized the simple Muggle magic trick, a magician at her 6th birthday had done the same thing. Sure there had been a bit of actual magic, a protection charm so the flowers didn't get damaged but essentially the same trick. She took a deep breathe inhaling the scent of the flowers. "So where are we going?" she asked.

He smiled down at her, "I have a few plans." He took her hand and they apparated away.

Only an hour and a half had passed and the common room looked like a disaster area. Draco ran his hands through his hair as Laykyn ran around the room. Maybe chocolate chip waffles and chocolate milk hadn't been the best idea. "Laykyn please sit down," Draco begged as he tried to clean the kitchen.

"But I'm bored," she said jumping up and down on the couch.

"Well we can do something in a little bit but right now I have to clean this up. If your mother finds out you had this much chocolate she is gonna kill me or worse…"

Laykyn stopped her jumping and plopped down on the couch, pouting. She watch Draco start to clean the kitchen, "you would be done faster if you just used magic."

"Sometimes it's worth it to do things the muggle way."

He had just started washing the dishes a second time, the first time he had forgotten to use soap, when there was a knock on the door. "I got it," Laykyn jumped up from the floor where she had been coloring and ran to the door.

Forgetting momentarily that they were inside of Hogwarts, and therefore fairly safe, Draco dropped the plate he had been hold and rushed after Laykyn. The plate crashed to the floor as wild visions of Death Eaters and the like hiding on the other side of the door to kidnap "little Granger". Harrison was probably in cahoots with them. He scooped up Laykyn just as she reached for the door. She squirmed in his arm and her brown curls slapped his face as she turn and shot him a look, a very Hermione-ish death glare. He set her back on the couch, "you don't open the door for anyone. You never know who could be on the other side of that door. It could be any kind of low life filth." Draco brushed his hair back out of his face and opened the door. There on the other side of the door stood Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson, and what looked to be one child each. "What do you two want?" he asked taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.

Pansy pushed through the door with a small boy with buzzed black hair and a slightly squashed looking face that seemed to have a permanent scowl. He walked toward where Lakyn was sitting with her crayons and coloring book.

Draco stepped aside ushering in Daphne and the blue eyed, raven haired girl with her. He shut the door wondering what on earth had brought them here and how in Merlin's name had they known he was even at Hogwarts?

Daphne stepped close and wrapped Draco in a hug as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he returned the hug awkwardly. "It's so good to see you Draco." He smirked as the glare Laykyn had been giving him passed between Parkinson and her son. "Good to see you too Ms. Greengrass," Draco pull back and smiled at his former classmate.

Daphne held up her left hand, "Wilde," she said smiling. "You have been out of the loop for a little while so you have an excuse. This she gestured to the raven hair toddler beside her, "is my daughter Catherine."

Draco knelt down in front of the girl and she hide behind her mother. He offered her his hand, "My name is Draco I am an old friend of your mother's. It is a pleasure to meet you Katherine."

After an encouraging nudge from her mother Catherine step forward and laid her hand in Draco's giving him a small curtsy. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr Draco," her voice was quiet but elegant for a four year old, it lacked the slight babyishness that still resonated in Laykyn's.

"My you are quite the little lady," he kissed her hand and smiled up at Daphne. "This," he lead Cathrine to where Laykyn was sitting on the couch, "is Laykyn, she and her mother are staying here at the castle as well. Laykyn would share your crayons with Katherine and ... " he realized he didn't know the boy's name, "her friend." Laykyn gave him a questioning look but slowly nodded her head. The three kids sat around the coffee table and began coloring.

Draco turned back to the two women. "Blaise mentioned that you were babysitting and that you might need a hand he said the child was strong willed?"

Draco mentally rolled his eyes. Like Blaise knows anything about little Granger.

"And since you haven't told anyone that you were back in the magical world for the first time in 10 years or even alive for that matter, I thought as a friend I should come check on you." Daphne smiled "my sister has asks about you all the time."

Draco cringed remembering his betrothal it had been severed when as part of his punishment from his trial. "And you Parkinson? It is still Parkinson?" He asked examining her left ring finger.

"Of course," she said snidely. "Who's the pig that you have to room with? Doesn't Hogwarts have house elves anymore?"

"We don't use house elves," Laykyn replied looking over her shoulder. "It is forced…" she bit her bottom lip and looked around as if physically looking for the word in the air around her, "servitude, also known as slavery."

"Shut up and color," Pansy snarled.

Draco didn't miss the inquisitive looking Daphne's eyes though at Laykyn's declaration. Be careful little Granger, not everyone has changed.

"Those are mean words, we don't say mean words," Laykyn stood from the table and walked toward the pug faced woman.

Pansy scoffed "what exactly are you going to do about it, Brat?"

"The are more intelligent ways to express yourself, and you don't gotta resort to name callin," Laykyn accent started to slip as she got angry. You could tell she spent her first few years in America as the two accents collided.

"You are a filthy little Yankee on top of being a insufferable little brat. Probably not even a pureblood."

"So what if I ain't?" Fire was burning behind her eyes. One look at Daphne told Draco that she was starting to put the pieces together.

Draco began walking toward Laykyn. Pansy held up her hand to stop him and he paused momentarily.

"If Draco hadn't said that your mother was here to I would think you were one but you can be. You mother is though. I would bet my life that your mother is nothing but a filthy."

Draco started forward again.

"Little."

Draco reached for Pansy with one hand as his other reared back in a fist.

"Mudblood," Pansy spit the final word at Laykyn nose to nose with the little girl.

The whole room shook and the lights flickered before going completely out. In the darkness Draco felt himself pushed back a few feet and heard the sound of glass breaking. Heard two kids start screaming and a loud thud. He pulled out his wand and lit it. A second light appeared beside him, Daphne. "I am so sorry Draco. I should have made her stay home," she said running and scooping up her daughter and gently pulling the second screaming child, Parkinson's son, to the couch beside her.

"It's not your fault," Draco tried to keep his voice calm but it shook all the same as he searched for Laykyn. He saw her hunched over on the floor. His heart dropped. She had to be ok. He rush towards her. As his hand touched her back he could feel her body shaking. He heard soft sobs. Draco carefully pulled her into his lap and called her name. "Laykyn. Laykyn look at me." No response. "Come on Little Granger," he whispered blinking back the tears. Her turned her so that her head was resting against his chest. He felt her tears soaking it immediately as her small frame shook with sobs. Daphne managed to calm the other two and get the lights back on. "Thena," he spoke softly trying her mother's pet name for her. She finally looked up at him. Her face was cut in several places from the glass and bruised from the fall. Her arm was bent at the wrong angle. Draco felt rage began to boil in his veins. Laykyn took a shuddering breath, her voice small "not suppose to say mean words." She gave one hard breath and passed out against Draco's chest. He immediately rose to his feet. He was going to get her to the hospital wing first and then I'm gonna kill Parkinson, slowly!

"Draco, is she alright?"

"I have to get her to the hospital wing now! Watch the other two and don't let Parkinson leave this room!" His voice was deadly cold as he growled out his answer.

"Draco?" Daphne hesitated. "Where is Pansy?"

Draco looked around the room and saw a shoe sticking out from under a pile of books and smashed bookcase. Daphne followed his gaze and ran to the pile and began moving things out of the way. She reach a hand out to check the woman's pulse, "she's alive just unconscious."

Draco gave a curt nod. "I'll send some prefects to help you with her as soon as I can. I have to get her help now."

Daphne nodded her understanding and Draco left. He made his way quickly down the halls. He stopped a Hufflepuff boy and Ravenclaw girl that were in some sort of debate and ordered them to help Daphne. The look on his face and the sound of his voice told them not to question him and they took off in the direction he indicated.

As Draco enter the hospital wing doors he was met by Hannah Abbott, now Longbottom. She directed Draco to a bed and rushed to get the supplies she would need. As he look at Laykyn lying on the bed so small and weak looking he felt his heart ache. Granger was going to kill him and he didn't care he deserved it after this. Hannah rushed to fix Laykyn's arm and heal the cuts and bruises on her face before pouring a few potions in her mouth. The pain on her small face eased and Draco relaxed slightly.

He played the events over in his mind again. Trying to make sense of what had happened? Why had Pansy attacked a four-year-old? Then he realized, the raw energy and power. Pansy hadn't attack Laykyn. That had been Laykyn's magic.

A/N:Hope you enjoyed let me know what you think.

1Corinthians 10:31 ...Do it all for the glory of God.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for creativity and imagination.