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Chapter 10

"Everything looks in order. And you both agree to the terms?" Blaise's eyes darted between the two.

"Granger?" Draco purred.

Hermione shook her head, "Why do we need a contract?"

"Because I need it in writing." The blonde retorted.

"I've already agreed."

He shook his head, "Not good enough."

She put her head down on the cold table, "I promise. I promise I won't take him and run. I promise."

"Then sign the contract, Granger. Your word isn't good enough anymore."

Hermione took three breaths and lifted her head. "Fine!" She grabbed the huge contract and began to flip through it. She knew there was fine print somewhere in there. The first ten pages contained the clauses on her and Aldri not leaving the country without prior notification and approval from Draco; no vacations, holidays and or any other trips. The next five pages listed joint custody arrangements. Aldri was to be at Malfoy Manor every other week…..without fail. The next ten pages were a list of consequences, if she failed to meet any of these terms; including but not limited to her losing all custodial rights. She stopped on the last page.

There it was. This wasn't something that they had discussed. She read it slowly.

To make up for the four years that were brutally taken from Mr. Draco Malfoy; from the birth of his heir to the present day::

Ms. Hermione Granger has agreed to give him 1460 firsts.

"Wait…what?"

Draco looked at her innocently, "Something wrong Granger?"

"I don't- how am I suppose to- I don't understand?"

He stood behind her, "Which part? Do you need an interpreter?"

She glared back at him. "How the fuck am I suppose to- what the fuck does that even mean?"

He cringed,, "Language Granger. t's quite simple. I want what you took from me. I those years back." He put a hand on her shoulder, "Three hundred sixty-five days.. Four years. I believe the math is correct." He squeezed her lightly, "I'm actually being generous. I could just take them, but I'm giving you an opportunity to make it up to me."

She shrugged him off, "And how, exactly am I suppose to do that?"

He shrugged, "I'm sure you'll think of something." Draco returned to his seat, "Sign the papers Granger. It's your best option."

"I could just leave. You would never find us."

Blaise cleared his throat, "Actually, he could. You see, Hermione…" He smirked, "Aldri is Draco's son. The blood transfusion has proven it. There is no where you could take him, that we couldn't find you. Want proof?" He walked over to the blonde and grabbed his hand. Zambini pulled out his wand and sent a pricking spell into Draco's finger.

Malfoy winced, "Smug bastard. Don't look so happy about it."

Zambini whispered a location spell. The red liquid swirled around before forming words:

Lucius Malfoy: Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England

Narcissa Black Malfoy: Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England

Aldri Granger Malfoy: 12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London, England

Hermione stared in disbelief.

Draco wiped the blood from his finger. The spell broke. "Sign the papers, Granger."

/

She paced around his living room, swearing and cursing. The carpet would have to be replaced soon, at the pace she was going.

"Hermione, sit down." He grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the sofa. "Honestly, what did you expect? It is Malfoy."

She looked at him in disbelief, "I don't know. Not this."

He rubbed her hand, "Actually, I expected worst. I would have done worst."

She jolted her hand away, "Really Neville. What would you have done?"

He reached for her again, "Put yourself in his shoes. What would you have done? If someone had taken your child away from you?"

"That's exactly what he is trying to do!"

He rubbed her palm again, "Yes…and you are reacting just as I'm sure he did, when he found out about Aldri."

Hermione sighed, "I didn't do it intentionally. I just thought it would be easier."

"Nothing is that easy. Nothing with you anyways."

She analyzed his words. "I'm sorry Neville. I'm sorry for everything. I know that I hurt-"

"I knew," he cut her off, "You have nothing to be sorry for. I knew you didn't love me. Not the way I love you. It was just easier to pretend."

"Your right. No more easy way out." She put her head on his shoulder, "I wish it was you. I wish you were Aldri father."

He laughed, "No. You don't. I would have killed you."

She smiled, "I know."

/

"Gran!" Aldri ran into Narcissa's arms.

"Well hello love. I missed you too." The older witch wrapped her arms around him. "How have you been?"

"Grangpa!" He leap out of Narcissa's arms and wrapped himself around Lucius' legs. Lucius pattted him on the head.

"Who is that man, mommy?" He asked pointing to the stranger.

Hermione cleared her throat, "That is..um..-"

"Hello Aldri. I am your father. My name is Draco, but if you wish, you may call me dad."

His eyes grew twice in size, "Dad?...Mommy?" He looked to his mother.

Hermione gave Draco a sideways glare before nodding. "Yes baby. He is your dad."

Aldri walked to him slowly, pulling his hand down until Draco squatted to his height. He assessed the strange man. "You look like me." He ran his tiny fingers through Draco's platinum locks.

"Actually kid, you look like me. I was here first."

"No. I was. I just met you." Aldri corrected him while poking at his cheek.

Draco laughed, "You're right. You were here first."

"Can I really call you Daddy?"

Draco nodded, "I am your dad."

Aldri hugged him, letting out a sniffle, "Why didn't you want me?"

Draco wrapped his arm around his son, "I did want you. Who told you I didn't?"

He launched into the same story he had told his gran, just days before. Finishing with a sniffle and a sleeve wipe of his tiny nose. Draco pulled a tissue out of his pocket and wiped his son's face. He racked his brain, trying to come up with the right words.

"It's complicated buddy."

Aldri looked at him in not quite understanding, "Is it because you didn't want mommy?"

Draco flinched, "I-"

"Enough Aldri." Hermione walked over to him.

Aldri shook his head, "No! He didn't want us. He didn't want me."

Draco's heart was breaking all over again. This boy was his mother's son. He torn at everything inside of Draco, ripping him to shreds. "I did want you. I just-"

"Was it mommy?"

He stared at the boy. It would be so easy to throw Hermione under the bus. He could be the hero. He could tell his son the truth. He could explain how she hid him from Draco, but then he looked at her. She looked so fragile, so scared. She was fidgeting, afraid of what his response would be.

His anger melted. She stilll owned his heart. He would still do anything to protect her, even from herself, "No buddy. Your mom didn't do anything wrong. It was my fault. Everything was my fault. I am so sorry..and if you can forgive me, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."