Whoo! The response to this little story has just been explosive and my most humble thanks for your lovely reviews. I write because I like to tell stories that I'd want to read. It makes me so happy when others enjoy them, too. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. :)

Meet Your Father

Ginny found out about their dinner first and had been oddly enthusiastic about the possibility of Draco taking some responsibility. Harry and Ron had been predictably against the idea, both arguing that he'd had three years to step up and never had after his failed attempt at a proposal.

When she told them about the Gringotts account no one had a good response to that. Ron looked especially sheepish when he admitted that he'd been the one to light the letter on fire.

Draco had left her to her thoughts, thankfully, minus one letter Friday afternoon to ask her if she was okay after their talk. He asked questions about their daughter of course, wanting to know her likes and dislikes, but he'd devoted an entire paragraph to apologizing some more for his past behavior and making certain that Hermione was okay.

She wanted to ask him to define 'okay'.

She was bloody confused. He was nothing like the sneering and arrogant man who'd emotionally kicked her while she was down and then threw what she considered an archaic pity proposal at her.

He'd been humble and serene. She could still see the edge of his sarcasm and arrogance at moments but this Draco Malfoy was matured.

A part of her even wondered if he'd spent the last three and a half years beating himself up for his own part in all of this.

Then there was that kiss. What the hell had that been about?

She didn't like the fire that had burst over her skin at the contact, the warmth that had seared her senses. She'd had trouble sleeping that night as she dissected it, constantly distracted by the memory of his warm breath against her mouth and the way his eyes had seemed to devour her over dinner which she wasn't even certain he was aware of.

And why? Why would he touch her when he'd once said he found her so unattractive? Sure, she recalled the chemistry and heat between them the night Rose was conceived but they were drunk. It was merely the alcohol affecting him, wasn't it?

Needless to say, she wasn't quite prepared to run into him when she and Ginny took Rose to a children's book event Saturday morning.

However, Draco had stopped cold as he stepped out of the shop, his eyes falling first on Hermione, then her companion, and then settled on the blonde child in her arms.

Grey eyes connected with grey and his Adam's apple bobbed visibly when he swallowed.

Hermione glanced nervously at Ginny who could only shrug. She didn't believe there was a perfect answer to all of this. She was distracted when Rose pulled on her coat collar and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"Mummy, that man looks like me."

She breathed in deeply to calm herself and offered her daughter a small smile. She changed direction abruptly, missing Draco's alarmed look, and moved towards the fountain in the square.

Ginny lifted one red brow in question and jerked her chin, ordering him silently to follow at a distance.

"She knows you exist," the redhead whispered to him discreetly as they stopped roughly five feet away, waiting. "She just didn't know what you look like." She shrugged and glanced up at him. "You can understand that none of us exactly have pictures of you."

Draco ran the tip of his tongue over his bottom lip and nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from his daughter. "Does she know my name," he asked.

Later, he'd consider the oddity of him standing next to Potter's wife in the middle of a bustling Diagon Alley. He'd also eventually think to thank Potter for putting a stop to the publishing of the photo some twit captured of the meeting. In the moment though, all he could see was his daughter and her mother discussing the possibility of meeting him properly.

"No," Ginny shook her head. "Hermione didn't want her to be able to read about you."

He glanced down at her finally and watched her eyes track to his left forearm, covered by his coat. He simply nodded in understanding.

Merlin, she'd even gone so far in keeping their daughter from knowing what a horrible excuse of a human being he'd once been. If she'd known his name and been able to read any books on the last wizarding war, she'd know all too well what her father was and how far he'd fallen. Doing it all to protect his parents hardly seemed like a good enough excuse after he'd had a hand in creating a half-blood daughter.

Hermione sat on the edge of the fountain where she could speak to Rose without Draco or Ginny directly overhearing. She wasn't entirely prepared for this but she had said she'd consider letting him meet her one day. 'One day' just decided to choose itself apparently.

It would be Rose's choice though.

She reached up to fix Rose's hat to fit more snuggly over her ears and smiled at the girl sitting on her lap. "Honey, do you remember the talks we've had about your father?"

Rose nodded, grey eyes wide and quickly growing with thinly veiled excitement. A mystery was about to be solved and she could hardly contain it. She surely hated a mystery.

"Well, that man looks like you…" She breathed deeply, "Because he's your father."

"I have a daddy," she asked quietly.

Hermione tipped her head at the girl knowingly. "You've always known that you do."

"Does he know about me?"

She nodded, her nerves quickly beginning to fray at the edges. The painful lump in her throat was making this more difficult. "Yes, he does. Rose, do you want to meet your daddy?"

"Can I," she asked, eyes wide and curious. So much like her mother.

"Of course you can. He'd very much like to meet you."

"Mummy, what happened between you and my daddy? Did he not want to be here?"

Oh God, that was a loaded question and from a three year old at that.

Hermione willed her strength and smiled gently. "He did. But…daddy and I said some things to each other before you were born that were hurtful."

"Will you and daddy be together now?"

Oh hell, that hurt.

"No, honey. We won't."

Rose nodded in understanding even if she really didn't. It didn't seem that hard to be together if they'd forgiven each other but she didn't understand that.

Hermione glanced over her shoulder and found him still standing there with Ginny, a book wrapped in brown paper still clutched tightly in his hands as he watched and waited. That look in his eyes nearly wrenched what was left of her heart right out of her chest. He looked as if he'd give his last sickle just to meet her and she'd be damned if she stole that from her daughter.

She nodded at him and watched as he took a deep breath, glancing oddly at Ginny who gave him a physical push. He stumbled after that, shooting a dark look at the redhead who only chuckled in return.

Draco finally made his way to them and stood awkwardly, waiting for Hermione to give him a hint as to what to do. Rose beat her to it though, ever the spitfire and reminding him terribly of his first ever encounter with Hermione Granger on the Hogwarts Express first year.

The three year old stood on the edge of the fountain, leaning on her mother's shoulder slightly. "I'm Rose Granger," she announced.

Draco almost laughed at the proud chin she jutted out, much the way he'd seen Hermione do that first day whenever she met someone.

He swallowed though and knelt down on one knee as he held his hand out to the girl. "Hi, Rose Granger. I'm Draco Malfoy."

Rose eyed his large hand for a moment before reaching out and curling her small hand around his fingers and shaking it vigorously.

Hermione hid a muffled laugh behind her scarf as she turned to look at Ginny. Her friend was still standing by, just as she always had. Her arms were crossed but she had an amused smile lighting her face when she nodded in approval to Hermione.

Rose tipped her head curiously, ignoring the two women. "Mummy says you're my daddy."

Draco licked his lips and nodded. "Yes, I am." He paused in thought for a moment and glanced hesitantly at Hermione before focusing again on his daughter. "Would you like to have a daddy?"

He watched his daughter narrow her eyes at him in thought and couldn't help the odd feeling swirling in his gut as he picked out the ways she took after each of them, combined all in one. So odd yet he'd never witnessed anything more perfect. Truly, he and Hermione had made a perfect child.

"Mayyybe," she finally answered noncommittally. "Do you like books?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. Merlin, her child had a one track mind at times.

Draco chuckled at that and nodded, shooting a sly look at Hermione. "I do, but I daresay your mother likes them more."

"Mummy and Aunt Ginny were taking me to story time at the bookstore. Would you like to come with us?"

He held his breath as he glanced to Hermione for approval. He wouldn't disrupt their day if he wasn't welcome yet. When the witch gave him a slight nod, he smiled.

"I'd love to."

"Then let's go!"

Hermione laughed when Rose barreled between them and ran straight for Ginny who held out her hand to the girl. Clearly, she expected to lead and for them to follow.

Draco shook his head, smile still intact, and stood. "Is she always like that? So…excitable?"

She stood as well and followed along as they fell into step behind them. "Generally, yes. I've been quite blessed that she's a very happy child. She's strong, that one."

"Like mother, like daughter," he muttered as he moved ahead to open the door for the three women.

Hermione didn't comment on that and merely followed inside, very aware of how closely he stuck to her side after that.

Odd looks were abound as the three adults sat in the back with other parents during the children's story time. To Hermione, it was abundantly clear that many people were now putting two and two together. Whether they suspected it or not, they likely now gathered that her daughter was a Malfoy. In typical Hermine fashion, she kept her head held high and ignored them. Gossip never had interested her anyway. Draco could not have cared any less though as he got to watch his daughter giggle and grin at the shopkeeper's wife who did voices and puppets for all the characters of the story.

He was ever thankful when Hermione allowed him to buy her ice cream afterwards. He didn't even take note of Ginny's playful teasing as he bought them all ice cream and promised to see more of Rose before they ultimately parted ways.

"I think I like my daddy," Rose announced once they were home.

Hermione's heart flooded with relief and she laughed as she watched the girl race up the stairs to her room without waiting for anyone else's input.

"Well, that went well," Ginny grinned.

"I know," Hermione nodded. "I was a bit worried. I had a hard time picturing Draco Malfoy around children."

The redhead nodded knowingly as they both took a seat at her kitchen table. "It is a bit odd but he was really good with her honestly."

"Makes it hard to come up with excuses to keep him at bay," Hermione cringed.

"Look, Hermione, you know I'm not a part of the Draco Malfoy fan club but it really seems like he's being genuine and wants to be involved. Take it easy, one step at a time, and see how it goes. You don't have to do anything you don't want to though."

He owled her that night after Rose was in bed and asked to meet them again. Against her better judgement, she agreed and invited him over for dinner Sunday evening.

Draco was rather shocked that she invited him into her home but wasn't about to turn the offer down. He showed up on her doorstep of the muggle neighborhood promptly at six with a book for Rose in one arm and flowers for Hermione in the other.

"I was almost afraid you gave me the wrong address just to throw me off your trail," he joked as he followed her in, enjoying watching her shyly sniff the tulips he'd given her.

She gave him a pained look and he immediately regretted his teasing comment.

"I didn't really," he amended.

"Rose has fewer emotional scars than I do, Draco. It's easier for her to adapt to this than me." She sighed as she flicked her wand and transfigured a napkin into a vase for the flowers before she set them aside. "But I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing it for her. And maybe a little for you."

"Me," he asked in surprise.

"I feel a bit guilty for keeping her from you for so long."

Draco shook his head in confusion. "Hermione," he spoke seriously. He reached out to touch her hand resting on the counter and was thankful when she didn't flinch. "I was an utter prick to you. You had every right to protect yourself and our daughter."

Her brown eyes met his and for a moment they only stared at one another. So much was still left unsaid and she was having a rather difficult time figuring out how she'd manage this.

Rose deserved to know her father and have him in her life if he wished to be. Clearly, Draco was interested. She'd never seen him smile the way he had the day before as they watched Rose at the story time event. He was humbled and completely open in a way she'd never witnessed.

Rose interrupted their staring contest as she rushed into the room and quickly engaged Draco in conversation. She'd been chomping at the bit all day after her mother told her he'd be coming for dinner.

It was a welcome distraction for Hermione as she watched the two blondes interact together. She laughed a little as she watched him sit with her at the kitchen table and entertain her with some simple magic as he transfigured a fork into whatever object Rose requested.

Her nerves calmed completely when Rose sat on Draco's lap after dinner, a dinner where she'd talked his head off and saved Hermione from having to steer the conversation, and began reading the new book he'd brought her.

She wished he'd been there now. She didn't need him for herself and she didn't doubt her ability to parent solo but it made Rose so happy. Her daughter was smiling and that was all that mattered.

She bit her lip anxiously as she watched Draco hug her goodbye before she brought her up to bed.

"Can't you stay and tuck me into bed like mummy does?"

Draco glanced over her shoulder to Hermione who was leaning in the doorway of the foyer biting her lip unsurely. Perhaps that might be too much too soon for a woman who'd raised the child all on her own for three years.

"Maybe some other time, sweetheart." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before he stood up. 'Thank you' he mouthed to Hermione.

Hermione nodded and took Rose's hand, leading her up the stairs without argument.

Draco glanced around the quiet house, their fading footsteps now gone. He knew he should honestly let himself out but he'd hoped to catch Hermione by herself again to speak with her more.

Thinking more about kissing her after their initial meeting, he determined very quickly that he had come to terms with his own feelings. The witch had always affected him in some way or another, inciting his irritation or eliciting more than his fair share of sarcasm. However, they were both adults now. They shared a child and he couldn't imagine having a more intimate connection with anyone else. That kiss had proved to him clear as day that his attraction to her hadn't been a mere fluke. The question was whether he could earn the chance to romance her properly.

Thinking about the dishes she'd banished to the kitchen sink after dinner and left, he made up his mind to be annoying and overstay his welcome. He pushed up his sleeves, ignoring the sight of his dark mark and the thought of one day having to explain it to his daughter, and started up her faucet.

She needed to understand the extent that he'd changed. She needed to know it was real and not some façade to earn time with their daughter.

Hermione shut Rose's door quietly and moved back downstairs expecting it to be quiet and Draco to have let himself out. However, when she heard the water running in the kitchen, her eyes widened and she rushed into the room quickly.

His back was to her as he washed each dish with care and set them in her drain rack. She caught a slight glimpse of his dark mark and wondered how he'd explain it to Rose because there was no way the girl wouldn't ask once she saw it. He wouldn't be able to hide it forever.

He hadn't noticed her yet and she was able to watch him for a moment. The picture of his broad shoulders flashed through her mind from the morning after and an odd sense of need rushed through her. The words he'd said to her, she tried to forget, but the experience of being with him she'd never been able to remove from her memories. They'd been drunk, sure, but he'd been so passionate and considerate that she had a hard time even believing those memories involved him.

However, this man—this Draco—there was something familiar in him.

Hermione finally gained her senses and cleared her throat as she approached him. Draco glanced over his shoulder at her.

"I should have let myself out but I felt bad leaving the mess for you," he explained.

Hermione laughed lightly and shook her head at him, taking up a towel to begin drying the dishes and putting them away. "I've done my fair share of dishes by myself, Draco. I think I can handle it."

He shrugged but didn't comment. The sound of the running water was the only noise between them for a few moments while she shuffled around him to put away forks and knives.

"You take quite good care of her," he noted, eyes trained on the plate he was scrubbing.

She snorted and glanced at him amusedly. She noted the slight flush in his cheeks as he realized how that sounded. How very un-Malfoy like.

"I only meant that you're a good mother," he explained. "Much better than my own ever was."

Draco noted the way her brown eyes softened and she tore her gaze from his. "I'm sorry you grew up that way then, Draco. But she's everything to me. I try my best. I can't say I've done perfectly but I've certainly tried."

He nodded as he handed her the last dish and shut off the water. He nodded his thanks when she passed him a clean towel to dry his hands with.

"Who took care of you," he asked.

Hermione stood up from replacing her pot in the cupboard and crossed her arms over her chest. He was standing there studying her so intensely that she swore he could see right through her. Swore he could see the truth of all of her emotions and without the use of veritaserum.

She didn't understand that question. They were talking about their daughter not her.

"Me?"

Draco nodded, intent on this conversation no matter if it made things uncomfortable. They needed to learn to be honest with each other if they were going to do this. If she was going to allow him to be a regular part of their lives then she'd have to learn to share with him, even if just a little.

Of course, he had ulterior motives. Changed man that he was he was still Slytherin. He wanted a relationship with his daughter but he couldn't leave Hermione out of the equation.

"When you were pregnant, who took care of you?"

Hermione flushed and glanced anywhere but at him. She didn't much care to remember her pregnancy. She'd been on an emotional rollercoaster and living alone despite her mother's pleas to move home for the time being so they could help. Yet she'd gotten herself in that situation and she'd been determined to stand mostly on her own two feet. Ever the Gryffindor.

She'd been blessed in that Rose hadn't been a difficult baby. Her parents had helped as much as Hermione would allow, the same with Harry, Ginny, and Ron.

"I took care of myself mostly," she admitted after a tense moment. She shrugged to herself; what did he expect. He hadn't been there and she hadn't wanted him around. "Harry and Ron came around often after work to check on me. Ginny and my parents helped, too. I'm not alone, Draco. I have friends and family."

The determined expression in her brown eyes was quite familiar and he shook his head at the stubborn look on her face.

"It should have been me. I should have taken care of you. I'm sorry I didn't insist more strongly, marriage or not."

Hermione shook her head at him and tossed her towel aside. "I'm not your responsibility, Draco."

He followed her when she began moving towards the front door. Clearly, that was his cue to leave but he still had a few more things to say.

He grasped her arm gently and turned her to face him in the foyer. Her eyes were the shade of warm chocolate and he sensed her emotions flaring under the surface. Her magic was physically pulsing and he could feel it faintly around her.

"You should have been my priority when I found out you were pregnant. Instead, I made an even bigger ass of myself. It takes two to make a baby, Hermione. You didn't do it alone and there's no reason you shouldn't have had my help."

She glanced at her feet before meeting his eyes again. "Can't we just let the past be the past, Draco?"

He dropped his hand with a sigh. He'd take her at her word.

"Fine. But I'm here now. I'll do as much as you'll allow me to."

He took his coat from the rack and slid his arms into it, fighting the urge to kiss the pout on those lips. He settled for leaning down to drop a gentle kiss to her forehead before letting himself out without another word.e He

The next morning, Hermione was sitting Rose's breakfast down on the table when the girl came rushing into the kitchen.

She hugged her around the knees. She grinned up at her mother who returned her smile.

"How'd you sleep, Sweetheart?"

"The best! I like my daddy, mummy. I wish you liked him, too."

Her heart cracked a little at that. She honestly wanted to like him, too. Maybe even a little part of her did now. The things he'd said to her last night and the soft kiss he'd placed on her forehead had kept her up later than usual, tossing and turning in her bed.

Perhaps her dynamic could change. Romance was still out of the question for her. She'd not allowed herself to overanalyze the kiss he'd given her after their first meeting, writing it off as a moment of confused weakness. The one last night seemed friendly and concerned, nothing especially romantic.

But maybe her dynamic could include a father for her daughter. That would be ok, wouldn't it?

And it was clear that he was of the same mind.

He quickly inserted himself into their daily lives as often as she would allow. Outside of Ginny, no one else had experienced the new Draco yet. However, it was far too tempting to allow him over for dinner and take him up on helping her clean up or even allowing him to put Rose to bed once or twice.

It wasn't long before he charmed her into allowing him to take Rose for outings with just the two of them. The first time she just pretended that she was with Harry or Ron like usual and tried not to worry about it.

However, three years of solo-parenting had her hackles up a bit. What if he allowed her to eat more candy than she did? What if she asked him a sensitive question that he answered without consulting with her? What if his parenting style wasn't like hers? Hell, he likely didn't have a parenting style yet.

There were so many what ifs that she just gave up and spent her afternoon soaking in the bath with a book. All of her fears dissolved when Rose came rushing back through the door and barreling straight for her as she leapt into her arms.

I had fun but I missed you, mummy.

Oh God, maybe that had truly been her fear—that Rose would prefer Draco over her. With her daughter back in her arms and Draco standing politely in the foyer watching their reunion, she calmed considerably and decided it would be alright if he took her for the afternoon again sometime.

Before he left, he handed her a book he claimed Rose picked out for her at Flourish and Blott's but given the content on rare carnivorous plants, she had the distinct feeling that he'd read a paper she'd published last year on the subject. He was delving into her side hobbies now?

When she tore her eyes from the cover of the thick tome, he stole a simple, chaste kiss from her and left with that irritating smirk tilting his lips. Her skin burned after that and she dreamt of him that night. The first of many dreams she'd have about him.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Draco was an ever increasing presence in their life by the time the holidays approached. He came over for dinner, read bedtime stories, and took her on weekend outings. He'd also developed a curious habit of trying to spoil both girls though.

Rose said her mum might like roses.

Rose said her mum might like some of these chocolates.

Rose said…Rose said…

Merlin help her but it almost seemed as if he was flirting. She'd be lying if she said he wasn't breaking down her defenses one by one. He kissed her cheek or forehead on his way out every evening, convincing Ginny that he had ulterior motives besides just stepping into his role as a father.

"He wants a relationship with you as well, Hermione," Ginny had teased her over ice cream one evening while Draco took Rose to a quidditch game.

"I highly doubt that," Hermione had huffed in return.

The redhead shrugged confidently. "Fine, if you can ignore the way he undresses you with his eyes when he comes over then I suppose so can I."

She wasn't entirely convinced though. So instead they continued to dance around one another without ever actually broaching the subject of his feelings towards her or her confused feelings for him.

It was a month before Christmas when he approached her hesitantly in her office over lunch. By this point, the gossip mill was working overtime and while no one had outright questioned either of them it was clear as day to most that Draco Malfoy was the absent father to Hermione Granger's daughter.

Talk about quite the shock.

Hermione lifted a curious brow as she moved some paperwork aside when he entered her office, lunch from her favorite deli in his hands.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit," she teased.

Draco smirked in return, appreciating the easy sort of relationship they'd formed around their daughter. "I've come to bribe you with lunch."

"I'm slightly amused that you think it's so easy to bribe me but I'm listening."

Draco handed over the sandwich he'd brought and eased into the chair across from her desk. He appreciated the relaxed sigh she released as she inhaled the aroma of the hot sandwich before biting into it.

"I'll also take this as your apology for being rather rude to Ron the other day."

Draco scoffed at that and folded his arms over his chest. "Hermione, you and I forming an amicable relationship is one thing but when the Weasel attacks, I'm going to obliterate him."

"You just don't like him," she argued.

He shrugged, "And your point is? Not everything can change, you know."

"Oh, hush and allow me to enjoy your apology sandwich."

He admired the pleased grin curling her lips. Good. He wanted her relaxed.

It was now or never while she was subdued.

"My mother wants to meet her."

Hermione choked on a piece of tomato and reached for her water bottle. After her coughing fit subsided she eyed him closely.

"Excuse me?"

Draco sighed and moved his chair closer to her desk, leaning against the edge. "I know what you're likely thinking and I was hesitant at first as well. Hermione, Rose means the world to me and I'd never subject her to anything or anyone that I thought might hurt her." He shrugged, "You have every right to say no and I'll support your decision. My mother really wants to meet her though. I showed her the picture you gave me and you should've seen her face."

"Your father," she asked hesitantly.

Draco rolled his eyes but smirked good-naturedly. "Still a bastard but even he expressed interest in meeting her. She's my only child and she'll one day inherit everything from me. Just one meeting and if Rose can't stand them then she never has to see them again."

Hermione groaned and reached to rub her temples.

"Merlin, isn't it enough that I've managed to accept you but now you want me to accept your horrifyingly pretentious parents."

He cringed slightly but couldn't argue. "Should I take that as your answer?"

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "I'll do as I've always done. I'll let Rose decide. But if she wants to meet them, there's no way in hell I'm sending her alone with you." When he looked taken aback by that, she continued, "It's not you I don't trust, Draco. You're a wonderful father and she loves you. It's your bloody parents. I want to be there."

He held his hands up in a gesture of supplication. "That's fine."

Of course, her headstrong daughter who feared hardly anything decided that, yes, she would meet her other grandparents. Hermione was on pins and needles that morning when she and Rose met him at his flat.

"It will be fine," he assured her, and took the opportunity to press a soft kiss to her cheek before she could protest.

He'd been doing that more and more and openly in front of her friends. Harry had commented on it when everyone was over for dinner one night, Draco included now, and she blushed near to her roots before she'd hexed him under the table.

The way he looked at her sometimes confused her, his lips on her skin burned her. His words from the morning after they'd slept together would always run through her mind and she was able to talk herself out of the reality that she'd developed serious feelings for him.

He escorted them through the floo and they were greeted by the elder Malfoys who were waiting stoically in front of their fireplace for them.

Hermione felt Rose wrap her arms tighter around her neck as they emerged. Draco didn't try to pry her out of her mother's arms as he made the introductions. Truly, she appreciated the respect he had for their bond.

Narcissa swallowed and ran her hands over the front of her robes nervously as she approached.

"It's lovely to meet you, Rose. I'm…" The witch stumbled oddly over what to call herself. She was a grandmother by blood but certainly not by practice.

"Grandma Malfoy," Draco supplied.

Rose blinked at the woman and glanced at her mother.

"They're your father's parents. Like gran and gramps are my parents."

The girl tipped her head curiously, "You don't dress like my other grandma."

Draco bit his lip to keep from laughing and shared an amused look with Hermione. It wasn't often that his mother stumbled for a response but that certainly seemed to throw her for a loop.

Narcissa straightened, wide blue eyes blinking. "Well, yes, I suppose I do dress rather different."

"I thought you said she'd exposed her to the magical world!" Hermione heard Lucius hiss to Draco.

"She has," he drawled. "It seems she's merely made a connection between states of dress and familial roles."

Narcissa shot her husband a warning look and was satisfied when he straightened, his face blank once more.

"Rose, Lu—your grandfather and I were going to have tea and biscuits in the gardens. They're magically warmed this time of year. Would you like to join us?"

Rose looked back to her mother again who gave her an encouraging nod and she agreed.

Hermione set her on her feet and watched anxiously as Narcissa mouthed a silent 'thank you' to her before taking the girl's hand and leading them off to the gardens, Lucius following silently behind.

"Come on," Draco encouraged and placed a hand on the small of her back to move her forward.

They stayed a few paces behind and he stopped them in a shadowed alcove where she could watch as Narcissa seated her granddaughter at an elegant wrought iron table. She was mildly surprised when Lucius offered the girl his hand for a shake and the stoic man broke out into a slight smile when the girl shook it just as heartily as she'd done to Draco back in Diagon Alley that first day.

"No one is taking her from you," Draco promised as they watched them interacting for the first time.

Hermione snorted and shook her head. "It's not that I'm worried about anymore. It's what your father might say to her or tell her."

Draco frowned but nodded as he watched the sight before them. "I've taken care of that. I threatened to hex him within an inch of his life if he says anything derogatory about you or muggle-borns."

She licked her lips as she glanced up at him. They met eyes finally and she chuckled. "Merlin, you all really have changed."

He merely shrugged. "Walk with me?"

Hermione hesitated but took his arm when he offered it and allowed him to lead her further into the gardens and away from his parents.