A/N: Sorry this update has taken me so long. My laptop croaked after nearly nine years of faithful service. I should be better from here on out. If you're still reading, you're amazing. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and kind words. :)

13. "Have a Cuppa Tea" -The Kinks

May 15, 2000

His mouth sucked at her throat, her ears, her lips. She ran her fingers through his hair, fisting the soft locks as she gasped with pleasure. His lips trailed their way down her body, raising gooseflesh with their soft caress. He wrapped his arms around her, sitting up and bringing her with him so that she was straddling him. Her eyes met his and she gasped.

Her eyes shot open and she could feel her cheeks burn hotly with embarrassment. She sat up slowly, looking around the empty sitting room. She heard clanking from the kitchen and she stood, padding across the floor as she made her way in.

There was kettle boiling on the stove. Draco stood, propped against the countertop; Kaida sat at his feet, banging a wooden spoon against a pot while he watched on in amusement. Neither had noticed her enter. Hermione smiled and leaned against the doorframe.

Kaida banged her spoon against the pot a few more times, looking up to Draco with a grin, waiting for his approval. "Good job," he clapped, smiling at her. It was... weird, seeing him like this. She couldn't remember a time that she had ever seen him smile like that before yesterday. It suited him, enhancing his handsome features. She felt a blush creep over her face again as her mind drifted back to her dream. What had that been about? She had never thought of him in that way before, at least not that vividly. Her only time having sex wasn't even something she could remember, although, obviously it had happened. The proof was sitting on her floor, banging around kitchen utensils. Though if sex was as pleasurable as her dream had hinted at, she was looking forward to experiencing it, er, again. She glanced over Malfoy's features again, his blue grey eyes, his strong jawline, muscular chest... Hermione felt her cheeks burn as she realised the direction her thoughts had taken. Fucks sake.

She shook her head, thankful that it didn't seem to be swimming or aching today. Her stomach felt better as well.

She cleared her throat and they both looked up. Draco's smile changed into his usual smirk as he took in her appearance. She knew her hair must look like a haystack, and her hands fluttered to it, trying to pat it down.

"Mama!" Kaida said, climbing to her feet and rushing over to her on wobbly legs.

"Good morning, sweet girl. Are you feeling better?" Hermione asked, kissing her forehead and smoothing her curls away from her face.

"I gave her her potion. I haven't fed her. I don't know what babies eat..." Draco said, his voice trailing off at the end as he noticed her grin. "Piss off, Granger. I'm not a child expert, but I tread water. She's fine isn't she? I even changed her nappy."

Hermione looked down and examined what the girl was wearing for the first time. A pink onesie, not buttoned, and a nappy. On backwards. She giggled and he narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.

"What is it?" He demanded.

She shook her head, "Nothing," she said, feigning innocence.

"Granger," Malfoy said, stepping towards her as the tea kettle began to whistle. "Tell me what's funny."

She tried to suppress her grin, so that he wouldn't think she was making fun of him, but it slipped halfway through her sentence. "Her nappy is on backwards."

He looked defeated, utterly crestfallen and Hermione felt bad. She shouldn't have told him at all. He had been so unexpectedly, unnecessarily helpful. She was grateful, if a little perplexed.

He was still scowling as he poured their tea. "I owled the Ministry, letting them know you had the flu and wouldn't be in."

"Thank you!" Hermione said, as she took the proffered tea cup. She sat Kaida down and the baby toddled off to play with her pot and spoon again. Hermione sat down at the bar and blew into her steaming mug.

"My mother says a good cup of tea can cure anything. I think she's mad, but what do I know?"

Hermione couldn't take it any more. She had to ask. "Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful, truly. You've been a great help. I just find it odd that you would go to all the trouble. Most people would have dropped us off and left, but you have gone above and beyond the call of duty. You've probably contracted the flu, by the way. And-"

"Granger," he cut her off, "Don't you need to breathe?" She scowled as he continued. "One, I'm not most people, so there's that. Two, it would take more than a little flu to get to Draco Malfoy. And three, I think you quite possibly have the cutest baby on the planet and I'm quite smitten with her."

Hermione smiled at that. "She is rather cute, isn't she?"

"Very. She must take after her father." Draco smirked and Hermione wanted to throw something at him, but she knew he was teasing. There was no hostility in his comment. Godric, Harry and Ginny would never believe her when she told them, much less Ron. "Speaking of her father: who-?"

"Don't you need to get home to your fiance?" Hermione asked, before taking a sip of her tea.

He scowled. "How do you know I'm engaged?"

She arched an eyebrow. "The woman you were with a few weeks ago had a rather large rock on her finger, so I assumed.."

Draco ran his index finger around the brim of his teacup. "If I'm being quite honest, I don't want to marry her."

Hermione frowned as she watched him. "Then why did you propose?"

He heaved a great sigh and looked down to where Kaida was tugging at his robes. He sat his tea cup down on the counter and bent to pick her up. "My mother. She was on and on about me continuing the Malfoy line, and was dead set on Astoria being 'the one'. She picked out the ring, picked out the engagement date, picked out the wedding date. She has pretty much, single handedly planned the wedding. I feel like I'm taking a back seat in my own life."

Hermione chewed her lip. "That sounds awful. You should be able to marry for love. Not that continuing the Malfoy line wouldn't be a good thing. I think you'd make an excellent father," Hermione said, blushing and shaking her head. "I mean, from what I've seen, you've been so good with Kaida."

He smirked, and looked down at the baby with her head resting on his chest, sucking her thumb.

"I really had better go. I'm afraid Osgood and Theo might burn the shop down if I'm not there soon... Unless you need me to stay and help...?"

Hermione shook her head profusely. "No, no. You've done more than enough, really. Thank you," she said, standing and walking around the counter. She stretched out her arms to take Kaida and Draco attempted to hand her over, but the child clung to him.

"No," she said stubbornly, her fat fists wrapped around his neck.

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. She always came to her. "Kaida, Draco has to go to work now..."

Draco leaned his cheek against the toddler's hair and murmured, "Kaida, go to mummy. I promise I'll come back to see you, pet. If it's okay with your mother, that is." He said, his eyes flickering up to meet Hermione's. She frowned, hesitating for a moment before replying.

"Of course. You'll see Draco again soon, sweet girl. Mama will read you a book, hm?" Hermione coaxed, reaching out to her once more and this time she reluctantly released him, burying her face in her mother's chest.

Draco actually seemed reluctant to leave. He paused in the doorway of the kitchen, looking back before turning and heading for the front door. Hermione was lost in her own thoughts for a moment, before she ran after him, catching him with his hand on the door knob. "The alley." She said, sternly.

"What?"

"The alley," she insisted. "Apparate in the alley. The neighbors are muggles. You'll cause a panic if you keep appearing and disappearing into thin air on my front porch. I'll probably have to do some damage control as it is."

He smirked and opened the door, "You ruin all my fun, Granger."

Draco could smell smoke as he pushed open the door to the apothecary, and he sent silent pleas to Salazar that Osgood hadn't blown up the workroom.

Theo was lounging on a stool behind the counter, his feet propped up like he owned the place. He gave Draco a wicked grin.

"Your betrothed says you never came home last night."

Draco shrugged noncomittally. He hadn't yet told Theo about the baby. Hadn't told anyone about her.

"Well, give me some fucking details," Theo snorted, rocking the stool back onto two legs. Draco's hand itched for his wand. All it would take was a quick reducto and Theo would be sprawled on his annoying arse.

"What the fuck is that smell?" He demanded, stowing his hand in the pocket of his trousers to avoid the temptation.

"The kid overturned the cauldron," Theo said, his eyes rolling up behind his shaggy brown hair.

"For fucks sake, Theo, where were you?"

"I was hungry! I went out for some breakfast! Where were you?"

Draco strode quickly over to the door leading into the back of the shop, making sure that Osgood was well out of earshot before hissing, "I was at Granger's."

Draco thought that Theo's eyes might bug out of his head. "Fu- Granger's? Back track. Explain. Because I thought that ship sailed over a year ago."

"I ran into her a couple of weeks ago. She came into the shop yesterday and fainted. I took her home."

"Bloody hell. I assume it went well, seeing as your," he cleared his throat, "fiance was in here as soon as the doors were unlocked demanding to know where you'd been."

"It wasn't like that..." Draco said, running his hands through his hair, mussing up his blonde locks.

Theo let out a low whistle. "She pissed at you then, for, you know, the memory alteration?"

Draco loosed a low growl. "She doesn't know, Theo, and if you breathe a word-"

"Hey," Theo stopped him, holding his hands up in surrender, "I kept my mouth shut for over a year, mate. I can keep it shut indefinitely."

Draco paused, glancing over his shoulder to ensure that Osgood was still preoccupied. "She's got a baby, mate."

"What do you mean she's got a baby?"

"What do you think I mean, Theo? She's got a fucking baby."

"Wow. Weasley's?"

Draco gritted his teeth together, the full weight of the shite storm he had gotten himself into pressing firmly down onto his shoulders at the thought of admitting it aloud to his friend. But if he trusted anyone with the information it was Theo.

"I think she's mine."

Coffee spurted from Theo's mouth and he spluttered a bit before saying, "Come again?"

"I think she's my child, Theo. I- I don't have any proof other than a deep seated feeling in my gut, but-"

"-Mr. Malfoy, we seem to be out of frog spawn..." Osgood said, emerging from the back rooms as he wiped his hands down the apron he wore to protect his robes.

Malfoy rolled his eyes, meeting Theo's shocked stare one last time before clapping a hand down on Osgood's shoulder and steering him back toward the workroom. "Let's see if we can find a bottle you haven't smashed, hm?"

May 20, 2000

"You mean he stayed here? And took care of you and the baby all night?" Ginny asked, her feet swinging as she sat perched on the counter.

Hermione nodded and sipped her tea. "When I came round, I told him to leave, that I had it under control, but he refused. Said I needed sleep or I was going to burn out again. He might have had a point." Hermione conceded.

Ginny's mouth was hanging open. "You're going to catch lacewing flies with your mouth open like that." Hermione said, taking another sip of her tea.

"I just can't believe that Draco Malfoy could hold any amount of compassion for anybody. He was so... vile, when we were at Hogwarts."

Hermione shrugged and Ginny chewed her lip. After a few moments, Ginny asked, "So, was he good with her? I mean she still has ten fingers and ten toes?"

Hermione laughed. "Yes, every digit accounted for. He was excellent with her, really... She puked on him." Hermione said, stifling a laugh.

"Ugh, gross. And he didn't run screaming?"

"No. Strange, isn't it? She didn't want him to leave. She refused to come to me! She's never done that Ginny. I nearly cried. Nearly." Hermione said, and Ginny just shook her head in amazement. "Harry is never going to believe me when I tell him," Ginny snorted. "Draco Malfoy, the baby whisperer."

"Do you have to tell Harry everything?" Hermione frowned.

Ginny arched an eyebrow, humor clear on her face. "Why? Is there a reason I shouldn't tell him? Is there more to this story?"

Hermione blushed, "Of course not! I just feel like some of our conversations could stay just between the two of us..."

Ginny considered it, her index finger tapping her chin. "Hm... Nope. I think this one's a sharer."

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. Kaida was scribbling on parchment in the floor and she paused, seemed to be considering her work before holding it up for Ginny to inspect. "Ooh, how lovely, Kaida. That's an excellent Hippogriff."

Kaida frowned, "Dog."

Ginny grimaced, "Yes, of course it's a dog. I knew that. What a pretty dog, too."

Kaida seemed appeased and returned to her scribbles.

"Mum's invited the two of you for dinner tonight," Ginny said casually.

Hermione frowned and looked up at the clock. It was nearly dinner now. "And you're just now telling me this?"

Ginny shrugged, "I was supposed to mention it two days ago, but I forgot."

"You've been here for over an hour and you've only just said-"

"I forgot again. Jeez, don't get your knickers in a twist. It's just dinner with the family. Wear what you have on."

Hermione looked down at her bedraggled state. Her blue tshirt donned a stain that's origin was unclear. It was kind of brownish, so maybe pudding? She shuddered to think of the other likelihood. She also wore old, holey pajama pants with mismatched socks.

"I don't think I will, thanks. Can you watch her so that I can shower and change?"

"Of course," Ginny grinned. "I'll get her dressed."

Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled back. Ginny loved playing dress up with Kaida, as well she should, seeing as she had supplied most of her wardrobe.

Molly's kitchen was stifling hot and smelled amazing. Hermione was helping to peel and chop carrots with Molly and Ginny while George and Angelina entertained Kaida in the garden. She loved to help the cats chase the gnomes.

Harry, Ron and Arthur were still at work, though Molly insisted that they would be home any minute. Percy had a date and wouldn't be able to make it. Bill and Fleur were set to arrive soon, as well. Hermione was excited to see baby Victoire again.

"Thank you for having us over, Molly. I've been getting a bit of cabin fever at home, and work has swamped me. I think it's even harder to slug through it all at home than it is at the office."

Molly smiled at her. "Of course, dear. We've missed Kaida so much. Oh, and you too, of course!" She chuckled. "I'm so glad that the both of you are feeling better."

"Yes," Ginny smirked, "So thankful that you're all healed up. No more fainting in apothecaries for you."

Molly gasped, "You fainted at the Apothecary?"

Hermione shot a glare at Ginny. "It was nothing really. I was just dehydrated from the flu. But I'm fine now."

"Merlin... Where was Kaida? I hope you didn't apparate in that state." Molly fretted, adding some chopped onions to a simmering kettle on the stove.

"Um..."

"Hello family!" Arthur boomed suddenly from the living room. He stepped from the hearth, dusting off his robes as he made his way into the kitchen. "Oh, dinner smells wonderful, Molly dear." He moved over to kiss her cheek before gliding past to look out the window to where George held up a gnome for Kaida to examine.

"She grows an inch every time she's away for a moment. You're doing a good job with her, Hermione."

Hermione felt herself blush and shrugged. "I have a lot of help. And I had very good examples growing up of what parents should be."

Arthur nodded. "Yes, your parents are lovely."

Hermione smiled, "They are. But they're not the only ones I'm referring to."

Now it was Arthur's turn to blush and he headed out into the garden rather suddenly, wiping at his eyes.

"Aw, Hermione, you've gone and made him cry. He'll probably pull out all the bloody photo albums and want to go through them cover to cover thanks to you and your sodding sentimentality." Ginny complained, chopping a piece of celery with gusto.

"How awful." Hermione teased, "I can't imagine how horrible it must be to look at photographs. Poor you..."

Ginny stuck her tongue out and threw a carrot at her when Mrs. Weasley had her back turned.

Harry and Ron arrived a few moments later, and Molly shooed them all out into the garden to wait on supper to be served.

"Go and get the tables ready," she told Ron, pushing him toward the doorway.

He shook his head as he and the others walked across the yard. "I've only just got home. Don't I deserve a break?"

Harry laughed. "We hardly did anything today. You made about one hundred paper birds..."

"S'not the point," Ron protested.

"Draco Malfoy nursed Hermione back to health after she fainted in his Apothecary shop last week," Ginny blurted out, looking thoroughly pleased with herself and thoroughly relieved to have ridded herself of the secret. Hermione could nearly hear her silent, 'Ah, that's better.' Nearly, because after a breath of a pause, Harry and Ron were both speaking so loud that she couldn't hear herself think if she'd wanted to.

"Draco Malfoy?"

"You fainted, Hermione?"

"The fucking Malfoy? He has an Apothecary?"

"You should have owled me or Ginny, we would have helped you with Kaida."

"Kaida! Where was she? If he was rude to you in front of the baby-"

Hermione held her hands up, "Stop! Enough! I will explain, but I need you to shut it so that I can."

Ron looked less than thrilled, Harry, although definitely suprised, merely waited with a curious expression on his face.

Hermione launched into a recount of the events that had unfolded, holding up a hand any time Ron tried to interupt her. When she was done, even he sat in silence, staring at her in disbelief.

"You're pulling our leg," Ron finally said. "You're lying, right?"

"Of course I'm not lying, Ronald. I couldn't make something like that up even if I tried." Hermione was growing exasperated. Mainly she just wanted to go home.

Kaida was stumbling across the garden to where they were now perched on a few lawn chairs. She was clutching something in her pudgy fist, a look of pure elation on her eyes. George was following along behind, a wide grin stretched across his face while Angelina looked... disgusted, maybe? This couldn't be anything good.

"Mama," Kaida sang, her smile never wavering as she stretched out her tiny fist.

"You have something for me, baby?" Hermione asked.

"Hand," Kaida said, though it didn't sound much like the word, Hermione knew exactly what she wanted. Hesitant because of the looks on George and Angelina's respective faces (Angelina's frown had grown into a terrified grimace) Hermione held her hand out for the toddler, palm up.

Kaida opened her fist and a small, sticky green frog fell into Hermione's hand. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Look at that. You've found a little frog, huh?"

Kaida nodded and reached out to take him back. Hermione allowed it, and looked up questioningly at Angelina. "With the look on your face, I was expecting a snake or something equally as terrible."

Angelina visibly shuddered. "I hate frogs. Yuck. They've always creeped me out."

Ron looked after Kaida, where she was now sitting in the dirt a few feet away, dropping handfuls on the hostage frog. "Now, I want to make sure I have this straight. Draco Malfoy is good with babies?"

George raised his eyebrows. "And how do we know that?"

"Ronald Weasley, where are my tables!" Molly hollered out the door. Just in time, Hermione thought.

"Dammit," Ron huffed, turning away and waving his wand at the shed a few feet away. Four tables sailed out and lined themselves up across the yard. Hermione took the opportunity to slip away.

She made it a step and a half before George's arm encircled her shoulders, turning her back around toward her friends. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, Hermione?"

"Away from this awkward conversation." Hermione retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Like hell you are. This is the most interesting thing that's happened in my life in weeks, and that's pathetic. So, you're going to humor me and tell me all about how you came to discover that Draco Malfoy is so talented with the younglings."

Hermione sighed. There was really no point in arguing with George. There was a negative ten percent chance that she might sway him. He was very persistent when he put his mind to something. Which is why she had given in and named him alternate godfather, should, Godric forbid, anything ever happen to Harry and Ginny.

"He carried her home after she fainted in his Apothecary shop-"

"Malfoy owns a shop?"

"And then instead of leaving like any sane person, he stayed to take care of the baby."

"So, only an insane person would be kind enough to stay and take care of the baby while I was under the weather?" Hermione countered.

Ginny shrugged. "No one that values their health would have touched either of you with a ten foot pole last week."

"You're just scared of vomit."

"You're damn right. You name me one person who actually likes to heave their guts up."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, no one actually enjoys it, but they aren't as big of a baby about the whole institution as you are."

"George, help me out here." Ginny sighed. George had been watching them argue back and forth and he shrugged.

"Honestly I would have thought he'd have tried to strangle you in your sleep with the way you two hated each other at Hogwarts, but you know, we've all changed. So, who's to say that Draco hasn't changed as well?"

"How poetic. You just didn't want to take my side." Ginny pouted.

"He has a point..." Harry agreed, earning him a sharp look from his girlfriend. "I've never believed that Draco was evil. He made shite choices, but he was trying to protect his family. That's why I testified on his behalf in his trial."

No one spoke for several moments, the only sound was of Kaida scraping a stick across the dirt.

"What'd I miss?" Ron asked, sauntering back up to them and grinning widely.