11. "With Arms Wide Open" -Creed

May 2, 2000

Hermione tucked the stray curl back behind her ear, before bending to place the flower wreath she held against the headstone before her.

"Fower? Fower?"

Hermione smiled despite her tears, turning to face to toddler who was jerking on her robes. "Yes, flower." Hermione said, bending to scoop her up. She had begun walking only a few weeks prior and Hermione had wept tears of joy (and sadness) for three days straight.

"Pitty."

"Yes, they are pretty. Though not nearly as pretty as you, sweet girl." Hermione crooned, tapping her on the nose. "Are you ready to go see Gramma Weasley?"

"Gamma!" Kaida said, her grey eyes dancing with delight as she clapped her chubby hands together gleefully. Hermione smoothed down her daughter's curls, which rivaled her own when it came to unruliness. "You have a new cousin." Hermione explained, "We're going to meet her."

She gave a parting glance to Fred's headstone, just as she had Remus' and Tonks' before his. Today marked two years since the war had ended. Two years had passed and so much had changed, and yet it still felt like yesterday.

She walked through the many rows of headstones, Kaida tucked to her chest, her head resting against her neck. The outing was ill timed. Kaida usually napped around this time, and she was a real bear when she didn't get in her power nap. Hermione planted a kiss amongst her soft curls.

"Granger?" A voice startled her from her thoughts and she turned in the direction from which it had come. She was shocked to find herself face to face with Draco Malfoy.

"Malfoy," she greeted. "It's been a while. I trust you're well?" Hermione looked from him to the sour faced witch at his side and back again.

"Fine, yes, fine." He said, his eyes a bit disgruntled, she thought, or was it the sunlight playing tricks on her. "I see you and Weasley have been busy. I didn't know they could reproduce without passing on that clashing red hair."

Hermione felt her face grow hot, and she readjusted her hold on Kaida. She cleared her throat, "Not that it is any of your business, Malfoy, but Ron and I are not together and Kaida is not his child. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to St. Mungos. My friend has just had a baby."

Draco's eye brows pulled together in confusion and then something like understanding lit his features and he dropped his witch's arm to block Hermione's path as she tried to walk away. She looked at him incredulously, a few choice insults popping to her lips, but freezing when she remembered the impressionable child she cradled.

"She definitely got your hair, didn't she?" Draco smirked. "So, who is the unfortunate fellow who snatched you up Granger?"

Hermione made a disgusted noise and rolled her eyes. "I'm not married or seeing any one. Godric, what is it with these personal questions? It's not as if you've ever paid me any mind, other than to hurl an insult my way occasionally." Kaida lifted her head from her chest, her sleepy eyes drifting up to meet Draco's and his mouth dropped open. He quickly snapped it back shut, but continued staring at the baby. He ran a hand through his blond locks and tore his eyes away, looking back up to meet Hermione's.

"She's... She's a cute little thing, isn't she?" He paused, glancing down at the baby again and Hermione regarded him warily, curiously. "Can I- Can I hold her?"

"What?" Hermione asked, not having expected that at all. "Um, sorry, but we really are in a hurry. It was lovely running into you and..." Hermione paused, realising her hadn't introduced her to the woman he was with. Not that she would have expected anything more from him. She was a mudblood after all.

"Oh, right. Hermione, this is Astoria Greengrass. Astoria, this is Hermione Granger."

Hermione nodded at the other woman, unable to keep a frown from clouding her face. Hearing her name roll from his tongue so freely made her pause. It sounded natural, though he had never called her that before. It was always Granger or Mudblood in school. The other woman continued to regard her coolly.

"Um, yes, well it was lovely to meet you, Astoria. We had better go. Say 'good-bye,' Kaida."

"Bye-Bye," the girl said, her silver eyes still trained on Draco as she waved a chubby hand before shoving her thumb in her mouth.

Draco waved back at her and Hermione turned and walked away quickly. She chanced a glance over her shoulder to find Malfoy staring after them as they departed. She shook off the chills that shimmered up her spine and picked up the pace. She was late. She had promised Molly she would be there by now. But she had quickly learned, after giving birth to Kaida, that being on time wasn't really her thing anymore. It was definitely harder now than it used to be.

Hermione stroked her fingers through her daughters curls as she hurried up the sidewalk to find a good place to apparate. "Sweet girl," she murmured, as her baby's eyelids fluttered closed. "Sleep, baby."

Draco stood dumb founded as Astoria placed flowers on her cousins grave. He hadn't wanted to come with her in the first place, but Merlin, now he was glad he had. Running into Granger had been an unexpected treat, turned suddenly sour by the child she held in her arms. He had assumed her to be Weasley's and when Hermione had negated that fact, it had suprised him. But not nearly as much as when the child had looked up at him and he had found himself staring into silver-blue eyes that so matched his own, he could just as well have been looking into a mirror.

His heart had lurched and he had never felt such emotion course through him. He had a child. A child that he couldn't claim without admitting to what he had done. Granger would never let him near her after that confession.

And his mother would never forgive him. He was set to marry Astoria in 6 months time. Narcissa had been over the moon excited as she twittered over every nauseating detail. He chewed his lip.

Astoria waved a well manicured hand in front of his face. "Hellooo? Are we going or what?" The witch snapped. Their relationship had done nothing but deteriorate since their engagement, and had it not been for the pressure from both of their families, he felt sure that neither of them would be going through with this charade of a wedding.

"Keep your hands out of my face, or I'll hex them off." He sneered, turning and striding away from her. Her shorter legs made it hard for her to match his stride and she nearly had to run to keep up.

"We have to meet with your mum," Astoria panted as he stopped at the crossing.

Draco smirked at her. "You go. You know I care nothing for the details of this insipid event."

"Draco, we need to present ourselves as a united front-"

"Then, present us that way, Astoria. I'm not going, and that's final."

"But-"

Draco didn't wait to hear what she had to say, because he apparated, not wanting to hear a word else from her. He paced in front of the manor, not bothering to enter through the gate, as he had no intention of staying at home.

He didn't want to show up at the hospital. That would be taking things too far. He had no clue where Granger lived. He growled, kicking the metal gate and instantly regretted it. His toe throbbed and he seethed. He turned on the spot and apparated once more, this time arriving just outside of his Apothecary. He burst through the door, startling his young intern behind the counter, who was under the impression that he would be out for the day. If he couldn't see Granger again just yet, he at least had to keep his mind occupied.

That was easier said than done, because every few moments, his thoughts strayed back to the baby in Granger's arms. He had no proof that she was his, other than the eyes. He wondered what Hermione had thought when she realised the baby wasn't Ron's. He hadn't gotten the impression that she slept around a lot, so it must have been a shock to them both. He chewed the end of his quill nervously, as he let his mind drift, thoughts of the baby (Kaida, had she called her?) and her mother swimming through his mind. This was a lot to process on a Tuesday morning, and he found himself wanting to pour a large fire whiskey, despite the early hour.

Hermione's heels clacked as she made her way slowly down the long marble hallway of the maternity ward, trying not to jostle the sleeping babe in her arms. She approached the large round desk in the center of the lobby. "Dr. Astrid, how are you?" Hermione asked, smiling at the grey haired witch who had been flicking through a stack of paper work. She looked up suprised and returned Hermione's smile warmly.

"Hello, Hermione. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I'm here for a visit. My friend just had a baby. Could you point me in the right direction? Fleur Weasley?"

"Ah," Dr. Astrid said, grimacing slightly. "She's a tempermental one, isn't she? Room 203."

Hermione smiled knowingly at the woman, winking. "Thanks, Doctor." Before she headed off in the right direction. She knocked quietly, and the door swung forth, revealing the crowded room. Apparently the rules had become a bit less rigid since Kaida had been born, or perhaps this was part of what the doctor had meant about Fleur being 'tempermental'. Hermione gave a soft chuckle as Molly dragged her inside, peeling Kaida from her arms and cuddling her sleeping form to her bosom.

"Mum!" Ginny scolded in hushed tones, rushing over. "I said I wanted her first!"

Hermione rolled her eyes at them and crossed over to where Fleur lay, looking every bit as perfect as normal, the only thing out of the ordinary were the slightly dark rings under her bright eyes, but they only seemed to enhance her beautiful face. She cradled a tiny bundle against her breast as Bill leaned against the bedside, stroking her hair. "Aw, goodness! She is perfect." Hermione crooned, upon her first view of the newborn's precious face.

"Would you like to 'old 'er?" Fleur asked, smiling up at her.

Hermione nodded, her eyes wet as the baby was placed into her waiting arms. She missed Kaida being so small and snuggly and her heart melted as the baby nuzzled against her chest, clasping a tiny hand around her finger.

"What have you named her?" Hermione asked, her eyes still taking in every portion of the tiny face.

"Victoire." Bill said, quietly. "In honor of this date. In honor of the victory against Voldemort."

Hermione looked up in suprise. "That's lovely. A strong name for a perfect little girl."

The infant began to squirm in her arms and Hermione passed her back over to Fleur, who picked up the bottle from the table beside her.

"Hermione, dear, what kept you? We thought you would have been here twenty minutes ago?" Molly asked, brushing a hand over Kaida's messy curls, as she met Hermione's gaze.

"I lingered for a few minutes too long, fussing over the flowers..." Hermione said, swallowing the knot in her throat, her eyes drifting to meet George's, who was standing in the far corner of the room, his eyes very obviously wet. "And then, I ran into Malfoy."

Harry and Ron who had been conversing in hushed tones, turned to her in alarm. Arthur Weasley halted his conversation with the Delacours to turn his attention to her as well.

"What happened?" Harry demanded, at the same time as Ron said, "Slimy git!" Ginny narrowed her eyes and asked, "He didn't try to harm Kaida...?"

Hermione's eyes widened in suprise, and she held her hands up to halt any further questions or comments. "Merlin's beard, you'd think he was a bloody dragon. We talked, like normal people for Godric's sake."

"Malfoy, normal?" Ron scoffed, "Right."

Hermione frowned and shrugged. "I was suprised, too, honestly."

"What did you talk about?" Harry asked, his expression one of repressed disbelief.

"Well," Hermione thought back, intending to ignore the jabs at Ron, and realising that they had made up a good chunk of the conversation. "He introduced me to his girlfriend, er, fiance," Hermione corrected, remembering the ring she had caught a glimpse of on Astoria's finger. "And we talked a little about Kaida..."

"Malfoy stood and conversated with you about a baby? A mudblood baby?" Ron scoffed, and Hermione's face pinched as she tried to hold in her temper.

"Ronald Bilius!" Molly exaulted in suprise.

"If you ever use that word to describe my child again, I will hex you into oblivion." Hermione snapped, her glare piercing into his ocean blue eyes.

He held up his hands in surrender. "I didn't mean anything by it, 'Mione, honest I didn't. Kaida, she's perfect, truly. I just don't believe Malfoy would ever like your child. No offense."

"Some taken," Hermione scoffed. "And actually, Malfoy seemed quite taken with her. He even asked to hold her, but we were already late."

Ron and Harry exchanged incredulous looks.

Hermione was growing more angry by the minute, and was struggling to control her temper in lieu of the two sleeping babies. She squeezed her hands into fists at her sides, and took the empty chair beside Molly.

"Aw, Hermione, don't be cross. We're just suprised because it's Malfoy." Ron said, crossing over and laying a hand on her shoulder. She quickly shrugged him off.

He tried again. "She's the cutest baby in the world, honest," he said, earning a deathly glare from Fleur that he didn't catch, "She could turn the worst death eater into mush just by looking at them."

Hermione huffed, slightly appeased and turned her attention to Ginny. "When's the next match, Gin?"

"Next Saturday, the 13th." She grinned. "We're going to kick Irish arse!"

"Ginerva Weasley, you watch your language! There are babies present." Molly scolded quietly.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "They're both sleeping, Mum!"

"I don't care. Don't make me take you across my knee. You're not too big for a spanking." Molly said, her hands still smoothing through Kaida's curls.

Harry's face grew red and Ginny suppressed a grin. Hermione nearly gagged, and had to stop herself from looking directly at Molly. Oh, they were incorrigible.

"You're right, Mum." Ginny said, her grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Sorry."

Kaida stirred and turned her blue-grey eyes on Ginny, her face lighting up. "Nee-Nee!" She cried, throwing her arms out. Ginny scooped her up and snuggled her close as Kaida threw her arms around her neck. The small girl leaned back, her eyes growing wide. "Fowers." She said, pointing to Hermione and smiling.

"You put out flowers with Mama? Oh, how sweet you are little love. Have you missed Aunt Ginny?"

"NeeNee," the child confirmed with a nod of her head, jostling her curls about.

"You've missed uncle Ron, more haven't you?" Ron said, leaning in to grin at her. She smiled back at him, unconvinced. He showed her something in his palm and Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"Wonnnn!" Kaida declared, grasping for whatever he held.

"That's cheating, Ron. You can't bribe her into liking you best." Ginny snapped, glaring at him.

"It's worked since she was born, I figure I can keep it up." He chuckled, handing Kaida the lolly he held, and she popped it into her mouth, a string of sugary drool rolling down onto her shirt.

"Ronald Weasley, I hope you'll be taking her when she's high on sugar!" Hermione scolded, though his antics were slightly amusing. She still harbored a slight hope that maybe one day... But she refused to let herself think about the possibilty.

"Can't, sorry." He grinned. "I have a date."

Ginny smacked his arm and he grimaced. "Bitch," he mumbled under his breath, and Hermione counted him lucky that Molly hadn't heard.

Hermione ignored the sympathetic look Ginny shot her way. It wasn't as if she was unaware that Ron had a social life. He had dated several witches since their split and Hermione didn't let it get to her. Their split rested on her shoulders and she had long since accepted the uncomfotable side effects that came with, such as listening to Ron and Harry discuss his various activities with said witches, in order to keep what semblance of a friendship they had repaired intact.

She watched as sticky, green goo ran down Kaida's arm and cringed. Her parents would be having kittens if they knew her daughter's tiny teeth had been exposed to such sugar. And it wasn't the first time. Ron had a habit of bribing her with sweets.

"You're coming for supper tonight, yes?" Molly asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

Hermione smiled, "Yes."