A/N: Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I am not JKR and therefore do not own HP. I only own the plot and Alice.
CH.2
Hermione appeared in the back room of The Leaky Cauldron, still holding firmly onto Alice. Stepping out of the door which hid the Floo from muggle eyes she spotted Draco sitting at the bar with a drink talking to Tom; she smiled. After the war, Draco had grown out of his prejudices and snotty 'I'm above you' attitude and although he was still cocky sometimes, Hermione didn't mind it so much. As if sensing her staring at him he looked up and turned to grin at her.
"Draco, it's lovely to see you." She said, approaching with her smile still planted firmly on her face.
"You saw me at work yesterday." He replied amusedly.
"So I did. I hope you'll be willing to join me tonight at my place for dinner." She stated, faking a look of surprise. Alice started wiggling against her chest and let out a soft whimper. Draco's eyes snapped to the bundle tied to her body, raising an eyebrow.
"Might I ask what that was?" He asked gesturing to the white fabric cradle tied to her.
"Come to dinner tonight and I will explain. I can't risk this getting out in the open, the results would be disastrous." Hermione replied evenly.
"Very well, I'll see you tonight at six." He said giving her a look that said 'You had better have a good explanation.'
"That's fine. Meanwhile I have things to do. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, see you tonight." Hermione smiled, giving him a quick hug without squashing Alice. Nodding at Tom she walked to the back of the pub and tapped her wand against the brick wall before walking into Diagon Alley.
Gringotts was first on Hermione's list that day. Walking towards the nearest unoccupied goblin she opened an account for Alice, depositing the pouch of galleons into it and also arranging to have a small amount of galleons transferred to Alice's account every month until she came of age. That way she would be prepared for adult life when she graduated from Hogwarts although that was a long way off just yet. After Hermione completed that task she went through her mental to-do list for the day, checking things off as she went. The streets were fairly empty in Diagon Alley that day due to the rain so it made it easier for her to complete her errands and head home faster. Quickly stopping in at the apothecary, Flourish & Blotts, Miss Daisy's Children's Wear (to pick up clothes for Alice) then headed back to The Leaky Cauldron to use the Floo to get home. She'd have to order in that night and hoped Draco wouldn't mind since she had no car seat for Alice in her car.
Meanwhile…
Mrs Hermione Riddle, Dark Lady, sat on the couch in her private rooms sobbing her heart out at having lost her child. After continuing to do so for two hours she dried her tears and went to her room to sleep, exhausted as she was. There was no point in leaving her rooms in the state she was in as there were very few people who actually cared for her now since she was only an example to other muggle-born witches and wizards who walked around in Wizarding London. Most had decided to give up their magic in favour of living as a muggle in other countries so as to better protect themselves and their families.
Hours later Hermione awoke to a knocking on the doors to her outer rooms. When she'd been given the rooms she had warded and charmed the outer doors so that nobody could get in without her permission first. Walking into her living room she flicked her wand to check the identity of the person before sheathing it back into the glamoured arm holster under her cardigan.
"Enter!" She called, allowing the person entrance.
"My Lady." Narcissa greeted, walking in elegantly and taking a seat on the black leather couch by the fire.
"Cissa. I need to clean myself up a bit. I hope you don't mind waiting for a moment." Hermione replied raising an eyebrow.
"Not at all, My Lady." Narcissa nodded, allowing a small smile to grace her features. Hermione walked into her bathroom and washed her face, scrubbing away the evidence of tears. If there was one thing she had learned in the first few months as Thomas Riddles wife, it was that any show of emotion whether in public or private was considered a weakness. When she looked into the mirror she noticed her face was still red but this time due to the fierce scrubbing. Patting on some moisturisers she then applied a light layer of make-up before brushing her soft chestnut hair and charming it into an elegant chignon. Happy with her appearance she made her way back into her living room and sat on the opposite end of the couch where Narcissa was sitting and called for her personal elf.
"Zippy. Please bring some refreshments for my guest and I." Hermione said, kindly but sharply.
"Yes, Mistress. I will be back with the refreshments as requested." Zippy squeaked before popping out of the rooms. One of the things Hermione had insisted on when Thomas had given her young Zippy was that she be allowed to educate and clothe her. She would not tolerate an uneducated elf that was not dressed properly. Fortunately he had allowed her to do as she pleased with Zippy and had allowed her to pick out a selection of other house elves that would only obey her.
"So, Cissa was there anything you required?" Hermione asked, returning her attention to her guest.
"No, My Lady however I thought you may want company after the loss of your daughter. I requested an audience with Our Lord earlier today to ask him if he would permit you and I to go shopping." Narcissa replied, shifting closer to Hermione.
"Thank you Cissa. You may call me Mione. I also believe that my husband will have no problem with me going out so long as I am back before nightfall." Hermione replied with a small smile.
"Very well, Mione. Perhaps we should go tomorrow as it is too close to nightfall now." Narcissa agreed just as Zippy popped back in with tea and scones with clotted cream and jam.
"Thank you, Zippy. That would be wonderful Cissa. I will have to make sure that Thomas is notified before we go however. I would not like to be punished for not informing him of my whereabouts if he finds me missing with no explanation." Hermione said with a slight shudder.
"You think the punishments are what caused your daughter's death, Mione?" Narcissa asked, picking up on the bitter note in the younger woman's voice.
"Yes. I believe Thomas has plans to have me take a fertility potion for a few months and also spend those months with him in his quarters at night." Hermione responded.
"He wants an heir." Narcissa stated, understanding spreading over her face.
"That he does."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I will be working on the next one for a few weeks or so. Any comments or feedback would be appreciated, so please don't be a silent reader and review!