This Update's Shout outs go to: Cherrygeri and EYESviolet =3 At The Bottom Yo!

Chapter 8:: Wooing Alyssa

Alyssa bustled around the daycare center, ready for her date and simply busying herself with things to occupy her mind. Hermione had received the results, and she was sure Draco had, too. Was this going to complicate Alyssa's date with Draco? Alyssa was jittery, jumping slightly at any noise no matter how quiet.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when the bell tinged to let her know someone had walked into the lobby. It was Draco. He was a tad paler than usual, but he otherwise looked like himself. He was well dressed; colors of emerald, black, and silver encompassed him like always. His hair was well groomed and styled to look nice and messy at the same time. He was clean shaven and Hermione found the hair style to make him appear more roguish; not that that was necessary considering what a bad boy he was in school.

"Hey. You look stunning." He greeted her warmly as he looked her up and down. His eyes hungrily chewed at her figure sheathed in the form fitting strapless white and black dress. She blushed under his heavy gaze, inwardly praying he couldn't see through her glamour charms; though the logical portion of her brain was telling her this was an unnecessary worry, she had checked and rechecked and triple checked her glamour.

"Thank you. You look right charming yourself." She smiled when he offered her his hand.

Choley McAdams, the young, blonde receptionist, openly gawked at the exchange. She knew her boss didn't like getting personally involved with the children's parents; said it always caused biases and other mental blocks to her open-mindedness. But, Draco wasn't actually a parent of a student… merely a temporary guardian, right? Choley turned back to her work as the couple walked out, still baffled by the exchange she witnessed

"I hope you don't mind me pulling you from work." Alyssa blushed as she apologized.

"Don't worry about it." Draco gave her one of his infamous, heart-stopping smiles. It was easy to see why nearly every girl wanted to sleep with him all over again. "I'm the owner and manager of a company. I can afford to step out just about whenever. It's me that should be apologizing for taking you away from work."

They reached the apparition point together and Draco gave her another award-winning smile. "How are you with side-apparition?"

Alyssa inwardly cringed. She really didn't like any methods of transportation that the wizards created, but of all of them, apparition was the least nagging in her body; thought she preferred floo it was mildly inconvenient to find a fireplace with the floo set up. When she met Draco's eyes, she nodded. Draco smiled and took her hand. With that, they were gone.

When Alyssa reopened her eyes, she was in Italy. She gasped and covered her mouth as Draco pulled her out of the hidden alley they had emerged from. When she turned to look, it had been charmed so that anyone who didn't know it was there would see a blank wall. "How is that—?"

Draco chuckled. Of course Alyssa would be the girl more impressed by a hidden alley than a date in a foreign country. "You have to know it's there to see it. Come on, I have reservations for us." He tugged her lightly.

He gently led her into a little restaurant, the lights were dimmed, and the atmosphere screamed something expensive to her. Holy hell, he really did mean wherever I wanted. Draco spoke with the man seating them and Alyssa was shocked by his fluency. When the host went away, she looked at him with large eyes. He just smiled and asked her, "What?" He shifted a little under her gaze quickly regained his composure.

"You're fluent in Italian?"

He looked taken aback. "That's what you were so surprised about? I figured you'd be more surprised by a sudden lunch date in Italy."

"Well forgive me, but I don't meet bilingual people every day, and I'm very shocked to see Italy. It's just the former is a bit more shocking to learn about." She sat back in her chair a little, averting her eyes.

He gave a light chuckle. "It's a good thing I'm not bilingual then."

"Huh?" She had just heard him speaking fluently to the host. How could he not be bilingual.

"I guess you don't know much about my family, seeing you're from Wales. Yours is one country we don't have too much influence in." He paused momentarily. "It's not to sound boastful or anything. Believe me, my family is not one of the best families to meet. They've done some horrid things, and now I'm left to pick myself back up. There's a reputation that follows me, which I did nothing to earn."

"You mean with the war and such?"

Draco nodded, his eyes coming back to hers. "My father was a big supporter of the Dark Lord. As for my mother, not so much. She believed in his cause, but she threw a fit the second he ordered me do things for him."

"You were a death eater?" Her voice was low, she hissed it out.

"No. No, I never got initiated." He pulled out his left arm and showed her the bare, pale skin. "I was going to though. Until I met the one girl who made me believe that muggle-borns were just as competent as purebloods." He trailed off slightly.

"What happened to her?"

"That's neither here nor there." He gave her an apologetic smile. "I didn't bring you out to talk about my past loves. This is to say I'm sorry. I really did say too much when it came to… yeah." He looked down. He didn't want to say Harry's name and he was sure that he didn't want to see the tears welling up.

"How did we get on this topic anyway?" She questioned lightly.

"You were being shocked about my fluency. Oh yeah! I derailed, huh? My family always has private tutors for their children. Mine included French, Italian, and Latin teachers. They were around me at all times of the day, talking with me. My mum was around enough to ensure I learned English."

"So you speak four languages?"

"Fluently. I can somewhat speak Spanish too, though not by my parents doing."

Their waiter came around with some wine and a soup to start them off. She was slowly warming up to him, as they made small talk about their childhoods and finished their soups.

"So what all have you done today?" Draco asked as the waiter cleared the bowls away, gently patting his lips with a napkin.

His table manners are impeccable. Those tutors paid off because there is no way Lucius could raise a son like this. "Oh, just scrambling around the daycare center."

"A little jumpy I noticed." She blushed lightly then raised her eyes to meet his. "Were you nervous?" His question was a whisper but she heard it loud and clear, the chill of her spine and the shiver she got was barely concealed.

"I don't get out much." She answered, hoping not to lead him on. She wanted the conversation to stray as far away from her as possible. "So, Draco, what did you do today?"

"I… I had some testing done at St. Mungo's." He was hesitant to tell her anything more; he didn't want to lie, but he sure as hell didn't want to tell her the truth.

"Oh?" Her interest perked. "Is everything okay? You're not sick are you?" She allowed a curious concern to come over her face. She only hoped he couldn't see through her lies.

"Oh no, no. Nothing like that." He sipped on some water for a chance to think, but she continued on.

"Then, is this something more personal that I shouldn't be asking about?"

"It isn't so much personal as it is just… It's something I haven't fully had time to run through my mind. It's nothing to worry over though."

"Does this have to do with that girl from your past that you're looking for?" Draco closed his eyes momentarily before looking to her. He didn't say anything, but he allowed a small nod. "Do you need to talk about it?" Hermione knew it was wrong to use her guise as Alyssa to pry into him, but could it really hurt that much?

"Well… I'm not really the bear all your feelings and secrets type." The waiter returned with a much appreciated distraction, their main course. When the waiter walked away, Alyssa smiled at him.

"You know, you don't have to hide secrets from me. Who am I going to tell that would benefit me? I don't have a vendetta against you, and telling tabloids would only give attention to you." She said it matter-of-factly, taking a large bite from her chicken parmesan.

"This is true." Draco reasoned allowed, taking a small bite from his food. He took a sip from his wine and dabbed at his mouth politely with his napkin.

"You don't like to answer people openly." She sounded a little disappointed. He wasn't going to tell Alyssa anything, how could she expect him too? She was simply a stranger.

Draco quirked a pale eyebrow up in curiosity and a slightly mischievous smirk coming over his full lips. "Blame it on my raising. Trust no one, answer no questions. Thankfully, I've learned to trust; even if it is only a little. But I can't say I enjoy answering questions about myself." He saw the slight frown of confusion come over her pout; suddenly he wanted very much to kiss her. He didn't though. He, painfully, pulled his eyes back up to hers. "I'll make a deal with you." Immediately her interest seemed spiked. "I'll answer any questions you have honestly, no matter what that question is; but you have to let me take you out on a real date tomorrow night to get those answers."

"You want me to let you take me on a date?" She couldn't contain the giggle that came up rather flirtatiously.

He chuckled. "I can't very well make you accept it. You have to let it."

She smiled at him, finishing off her wine. "Tomorrow night. Is seven ok?"

"Seven it is." Draco nodded his head.

Draco told the waiter to charge the bill to his account; together they walked out and back to the little alley, apparating back to the daycare.

"Thank you, Draco. I had a wonderful time."

"Then I'll have to do my best tomorrow to top today." He gave her a playful wink then kissed the knuckles of her left hand. "Until tomorrow." He gave her one last long look into her eyes before apparating away, leaving her to float into her office and daydream for the rest of the day.

Draco walked into his study, gently bringing the door to a click. He was nervous about what she'd ask him, but now was not the time to revert back to old Malfoy. He would have to be honest. This is what honesty was, right? Being able to tell someone the truth even though it's easier to lie; when it works more convenient for you to lie, you should be honest right? Well, he was not going to push Alyssa away like he did Hermione. But first, he had to meet with Hermione; he had to discuss their child visitation agreement.

Hermione,

I got my results, as I am sure you did. We need to meet to discuss this. Floo to my manor tomorrow morning at ten. It's private; we won't have to deal with eavesdropping. You don't have to worry about my parents. There won't be anyone here. I'll leave my floo gate open for you, my address is enclosed.

This isn't a request. If you have a more preferred location, yet still just as private, owl me by nine tonight. If you do not message me, and you fail to show tomorrow, you will be getting a summons. I don't want it to come to this, but it seems that is the only way you will come.

Draco L. Malfoy

He sent the letter off and then sat at his desk, returning his attentions to his date with Alyssa. He was done with Hermione if she let him down. He couldn't wait forever. He knew it was stupid to hold on to his beliefs of an heir, and he didn't care for the pureblood factor; but he did want a family. If Hermione didn't want that, then he was ready to accept that.

Alyssa wasn't a bad lady, and she obviously had an abundance of maternal instincts—her job required it, right? She would make a perfect addition to his life, if the dates go smoothly. Yes, he'd just have to wait for Hermione's decision; then he could date freely again.

When nine o'clock rolled around and no word had come from Hermione, he allowed himself to fall asleep, anxiously awaiting his morning meeting with Hermione.

A/N::

You guys keep asking if Hermione is ever going to show herself to Draco. LOL, YES! Of course she will. She can't very well decide to leave him, but allow Alyssa to see him, right? And of course Sky will come into play. And there's a big role for Austen.

I don't understand why everyone thinks Sid is such a creeper. I love my OC, he's sexy, flirty, mischievous, mysterious, kind, respectful. He's like the ideal guy… with one or two flaws ;D hee hee I has plans for him!

You guys are amazing readers though! I love the reviews! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I check my emails and see that I've gotten so many reviews! I love you guys so much! Lets try for even more reviews, ne?

Review Shoutouts!

Cherrygeri

I can't help but giggle every time people mention how much they loved the first part. The first five chapters of it were… crap to say the least. And then it got so messy and craptastic that it was near abandonment quite a few different times. The only reason I kept with it was to appease the reviewers… Now I've got an idea of where I want this to go, I'm sooper excited to finish this up.

As far as the kids, I love them too. Their speech is annoying to personify, but I feel like if I type what they're trying to say without putting their speech problems in, they sound too mature and understanding for children. It really loses the child feel they hold. At least in my mind. So I am going to keep writing with the speech issues. =3

To the Japanese. This fall will make my third semester of Japanese in college. We're using the Genki books. =3 I'm enjoying it immensely. Unfortunately, it moves really slow, so I'm not very far in, and I don't know many kanjis… I think I'm up to 50? Somewhere around there. =3 But I want to go to Japan and teach conversational English =3

EYESviolet

Haha, I know that they were extremely OC in the first 5 chappies of the first part… but since I wrote those, I'm hoping that I've well made up for it. =3 People will always complain. I actually got complaints on my latest one-shot that I wrote it too long and they didn't finish it… Its like… why'd you start? I put the word count at the top -.-;; lol

Ahaha, thank you =3 I love those names. I thought them up a long time ago and was like OMG I'm going to name my kids these names. Skylene's is actually a long standing joke because the initials are SNM and if you say SNM it kinda sounds like S 'n M LOL YAY! XD my poor child. I hope she doesn't hate me XD I pulled Austen as a girl's name from that country song "Austen" by blake Shelton. Lovely song, and it just makes me picture a lovely girl. I decided after that that Austen made a gorgeous girl's name. My mom disagrees, but oh well… She named her daughter Sandra Kristina -.- so boring. Lol Morgan as a boy's name came from the movie "Signs" if you're wondering, and I fell in love with the name Aiden after watching "The Ring" =3 Sure did.

OMG Your image just made me picture the first daddy visit chapter I'm going to write and it inspired some lovely ideas I'mma give you credit if I use them, kay? =D

Heh, my grammar is pretty bad. I never in depth studied my English. I let it go in one ear, kept what I needed for the tests, then let the rest slide out the other. I hate grammar. But, for someone who never tried, and doesn't use a beta, I feel I do a decent job. =3 I know about those crappy fics ._. Boy do I… I read some that I just couldn't get past the first two paragraphs. And that's saying something; I always try to keep reading for the story, even if the grammar is bad… but some it's just "…no…" LOL

Don't worry about long reviews, I love them. It makes me feel like the people who leave long reviews really appreciate the story. Others are just "keep going" or "love it so far" and while I love reviews and will take any I can get… it just makes me feel like they wasted the time reviewing, they didn't really tell me anything about the story. Even if they just mentioned what they really liked about that chapter, or what they didn't. You know, PavedwithbadIntentions is the only reviewer who mentioned anything about the Draco/Secretary interaction of the last chapter? It's always the longer reviews that I remember, and always the longer reviews that catch my attention to the name of the reviewer. That's how you guys end up in my shoutouts. Lol.

As I wrap this up, I am fascinated with German, I think it can sound really nice… but most of the time it sounds really harsh and "grrr in your face" lol. But my boyfriend studied it in high school, so when he speaks a little I'm like, "it sounds so neat!" lol. The characters for Japanese really aren't that hard. Hiragana/Katakana were REALLY easy to remember, and Kanji all have one meaning even though they have a billion ways to pronounce each character. But Kanji is like art and pictures. So it's not so bad =3 I'm having fun with it.