Disclaimer: As anyone who reads fanfiction will know, this isn't mine. Well, Belle, Addie, Adan and Luke are mine, but nothing else is, except the plot. I just borrow these wonderful characters, play with them, mess 'em up a bit and put them back- sometimes.

A/N: Thanks to the delightful- erm- somewhat enthusiastic- cough, OK, acknowledgement that my story exists, I'm somewhat encouraged to continue. So in the words of Roger and Mimi: Here goes

Chapter 3 – Bonding?

Draco breathed a sigh of relief as he sank into a couch in his study. He pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off the migraine he knew was coming and decided to take the rest of the day off work to greet the new nanny- bodyguard- au paire. Resisting the urge to go back to the liquor cabinet, he got up and walked instead to the bedroom section of the East Wing.

He passed by a room, that was hopelessly cluttered and had twin beds. Peering in, he discovered that on the walls were various finger paintings and posters of Quidditch teams. There was also a Muggle poster depicting a pack of rainbow coloured ponies surrounded by individual hearts. Draco raised an eyebrow at that. He moved on and next came to a room that was more conservatively decorated. He paused by the door, hearing voices within.

'I don't like it here, Belle. I want to go back home.' The voice of a young child drifted out to Draco.

'I know Addie, but we can't. We can't go back home.' He heard an older voice this time, sounding coaxing. 'It's not safe at home. Mr. Draco will protect us here.'

'Mr. Draco's scary.' This time Draco was sure it was Lucas, the youngest. He couldn't help but feeling offended, scary?

There was a note of exasperation in Belle's voice when she replied.

'He's not scary, Luke. He just doesn't know how to act around children. He's never had any, remember?'

Draco almost smiled. He heard the sound of a sniffle and rustling and guessed that they all had gathered round Belle for a hug. He knocked on the open door and entered. Belle's eyes widened on seeing him, but she covered her surprise quickly.

'Children, Mr. Draco is here.' She said quietly to the bunch hugging her middle. Lucas looked up terrified and buried his head deeper in Belle's waist. Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

'You don't have to call me 'Mr.', you know. Draco's fine.' Belle raised an eyebrow at his last statement and Draco rolled his eyes.

'Okay fine, Bellona can call me Draco. The rest of you can call me – Uncle Draco?'

Belle nodded, her grey eyes flashing amusement. Draco managed not to roll his eyes again.

'Can I come in?' he asked hesitantly.

'Sure,' Belle replied.

He walked in the room, noticing as he did so the Weird Sisters posters that hung on the wall; as well as some posters belonging to a Muggle group known as the 'Twisted Misters'. These children have been brought up with both magic and Muggle education, he mused. No wonder Father never mentioned this part of the family. He crossed the room in two long strides and sat on the other edge of the bed.

'I'm getting an au paire for you all. She should arrive later today.' Draco's statement was met by a simple nod from Belle.

Adan however, scrunched his nose looking up at Draco, trepidation temporarily forgotten.

'What's an 'oh pear'?' he asked.

'It's a- ' Draco and Belle had started answering at the same time. She nodded at him to continue. Draco smiled gratefully.

'It's a nanny, but this au paire will also be in charge of watching out for you.'

'Why can't you do that?' Addie asked.

'Well- because- ' Draco stammered.

'He's very busy Adeline, he can't look after us, watch out for us and do his job all at the same time.' Belle answered for him

'Mum and Dad would.' Adan said contemptuously. He was still looking up at Draco, his lower lip trembling.

Draco's eyes softened and he felt the tiniest bit guilty.

'I'd try, but my job is the only reason we're living like this. If I gave up my job we wouldn't have anywhere to live.' He tried reasoning with the seven year old. Stupid idea: reasoning, with a seven year old.

Adan said nothing but stared up at him, forlornly. Draco was annoyed by the twinges of guilt he was feeling. He frowned and stood quickly, leaving the room. He was halfway down the hall when Belle rushed out after him.

'Mr. Malfoy,' she paused, seeing the look on his face. 'Draco, I'm sorry for Adan's behaviour, but he's seven after all and, well, they've gone through quite a bit recently.'

Draco stopped her impatiently, with a wave of his hand.

'I really am sorry about them, it's just- ' she broke off biting her lip. Draco could see she wasn't used to begging. That was fine, neither was he.

'Please don't make us leave.' She said this last part in a rush as if to get it over with as quickly as possible. When Draco didn't answer for a while, she stood her ground and looked him square in the eyes.

Draco on the other hand was very surprised. He hadn't expected this at all. But then from her point of view that was a pretty logical fear. Their lives were in the hands of a relative they had never heard of, a relative most people said was up to his elbows in the Dark Arts. He could understand her fear, but he didn't like it.

'I wouldn't,' he said 'Never. You guys are here to stay, no matter what you say or how you act, though I suggest they show a tad more respect towards my mother. She's rather set in her ways and has different views of decorum than I do.'

Belle nodded, unable to stop a smile from forming on her face.

'Guess you'll have to put up with me, then.' Draco added dryly.

She smirked and hugged him. The action almost threw him off balance; he'd hardly had people hug him before. When he was a child Narcissa would hug him occasionally, but never since setting foot in Hogwarts, had he been hugged for no good reason. It took him a while, but he returned the gesture.

'Thank you,' Belle breathed 'Thank you very much, Draco.'

You'd think I was saving their lives, Draco thought without humour.

Part of him realized he probably was.

A/N: I know, it's short, I do detest short chapters, but it is as it is and I'm sorry. All the same, please do not hesitate to review!! It's very easy and it would mean a lot to me (and encourage me to keep writing). So if you want this story to end, REVIEW!