Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I do not own.
Next week I'll be on vacation again, so there probably won't be an update for 2 weeks. However, I do plan on taking time to work on the story tonight while I'm in between reading books, so that's a plus. Thank you to those reviewers I didn't get a chance to reply to.
Monday March 19, 2007
A few days earlier Hermione and Draco had officially reached the one month mark of their marriage. It had been a rather boring month, with both of them settling into their new domestic roles quite nicely. Hermione no longer needed to worry about someone being around while she was at class now that she lived with Draco and they had also split domestic chores to their preferences as well. It was actually quite comfortable. And speaking of comfortable: they both had become quite used to cuddling together at night while they slept.
Hermione still wasn't really showing, at least not so other people could tell. When she lifted her shirt she could tell the difference, as had Draco when he asked to see, but otherwise no one would suspect she was pregnant if they did not know.
Hermione and Draco had also gotten into the habit of arriving to work together after dropping the kids off at the Burrow together. So as they stepped out of one of the fireplaces at work they were greeted by the very worried face of Blaise Zabini.
"What's wrong, Zabini?" Draco asked, knowing something was off immediately.
Blaise never looked this worried unless it was something serious. Usually he was grinning or smirking.
"She's back."
"Who's back?" Hermione asked in confusion.
Draco was just as confused as she was—that was until he heard a familiar screech coming from Harold's office. No, it couldn't be! But with a sinking heart he knew it had to be. Hermione looked up at her husband just in time to see his face blanch.
"What is going on here?" Hermione demanded.
"I'll tell you what's going on. A mudblood thought she could step into my shoes and raise my son." A voice hissed from down the hall.
Everyone's attention snapped to the blonde in the hall glaring at all of them, with a very perturbed looking Harold behind her. Astoria Greengrass had returned and no one was happy about it.
Draco laughed coldly, "First of all, do not call my wife that vile name. Secondly, this muggleborn is not only a better witch than you, but most definitely a better mother than you."
"He is my son." Astoria insisted, stomping closer to where they stood, Harold following behind her.
"You gave up that right when you left." Draco shot back. "He doesn't even know who you are."
"I will not let him be raised by her."
"You don't get a say."
"That's what I've been telling her for a half hour, Draco," Harold said, "you gave up all parental rights to Scorpius when you signed those papers."
Astoria's eyes narrowed, "But Daddy—"
"I am not your Father anymore. You ceased to be my daughter the moment you walked away from your own son."
"Fine. If you won't help me, I'll find someone who will. And when I do, I'm coming after you for full custody of my son, Draco Malfoy. No mudblood will be raising my child."
Before Draco could say another word, Astoria turned and apparated away, leaving all of them staring at where she had just been a moment ago.
"She has no case, Draco." Harold insisted.
"There has to be some motive here besides the fact that you remarried." Blaise insisted. "Why else would she want responsibility she was only too willing to give up?"
"Blaise is right." Hermione agreed.
"That bitch has messed up my life since the moment she stepped in to it." Draco sighed, running a frustrated hand through his blond hair. Even with Harold's reassurance, he couldn't shake the feeling that Astoria was a real threat to him.
"We have nothing to worry about for now." Harold stated. "I'll do some investigating with Daphne who still has been talking to her all these years, and see if I can figure out what this is really about. Until then let's not worry until she finds someone worthwhile to represent her. None of our friends will take her case and that doesn't leave her with many options."
Xxx
Despite Harold's reassuring words, as soon as Hermione and Draco arrived at the Burrow to pick up the children, Draco scooped up Scorpius and held him close. Scorpius protested, squirming around in Draco's arms, and with a sigh Draco finally placed him back down on his feet next to Rose who was staring up at Draco curiously.
Following her daughter's gaze Hermione saw Draco's eyes glistening. Deciding it was best not to call attention to him, Hermione smiled at Molly and grabbed Rose's hand in her own.
"Who is hungry for pizza?" Hermione asked cheerily, hoping that an evening of fun with the children would pull Draco out of this funk his ex wife had put him in.
"Me!" The children chorused, staring up at Hermione hopefully.
"What about you, Draco? Pizza and games?"
Draco nodded his head, a slight smile transforming his face. Then, once he had taken Scorpius' hand in his own the four of them walked out of the Burrow and far enough away from the house so they could apparate away into the city.
Xxx
Friday March 23, 2007
Since Astoria's reappearance on Monday, Draco had been extra attentive and protective of Scorpius. He clung to him when he left him at the Burrow and clung to him just as tightly when they picked up the kids at the end of the day. They hadn't heard from Astoria since she left the office Monday, but there was a tension in the office that hinted that they had not seen the last of Astoria Greengrass.
However, despite his obvious worry, his attentiveness towards Scorpius had extended beyond the boy himself. Draco had eagerly started playing games with the two of them, tickling and hugging her own daughter just as much as he did his son—granted not as prolonged as his son, but still hugs nonetheless. And Rose loved it all; just as she had always loved playing games with Harry and his boys. She had needed a constant male role in her life, and Hermione was happy that this marriage had brought along another advantage that she hadn't even thought of before.
It was with these thoughts in mind that Hermione arrived home via floo from her night class. She'd left them at seven thirty when Draco had been in the bathroom with the two of them supervising as they brushed their teeth to the 'Granger standard' as he had dubbed it after Hermione taught him proper brushing techniques.
Stepping out of the fireplace Hermione had expected to see an empty living room. The kids should have been upstairs in bed sleeping and Draco could usually be found in the library at this time of night at his desk he had placed inside along with hers. Instead, Draco lay on the large couch with both Rose and Scorpius cuddled next to him and all three of them were asleep.
Hermione smiled at the scene before her. Could this scene get any more adorable? Yes, it could, she realized after she noticed that Rose and Scorpius were each holding on to one of Draco's hands. She honestly did not want to break up the moment, but Draco's neck would pay for it in the morning if she didn't get them all back into their proper beds.
Hermione tiptoed over to the couch, and gently brushed the hair off of Draco's forehead, effectively causing his grey eyes to snap open and stare up at her in confusion.
"Shh, the kids are asleep on you." Hermione cautioned before he moved or said anything. "Let's try to get them back into bed without waking them up."
With that said, Hermione moved to Scorpius, who she was more confident she could carry, and gently extricated him from Draco's body. He stirred lightly, but stayed fast asleep as Hermione lifted him up into her arms and headed to the stairs. Draco did the same with Rose and followed behind Hermione up the stairs.
The two went their separate ways at the top of the stairs, each tucking in the other's child, before meeting again in the hallway.
"What was that all about?" Hermione whispered curiously.
"One of the kids at the Burrow told a scary story and both of them were scared to go asleep. They came down a half hour after I put them to bed and I let them watch TV with me for a bit until they fell asleep. And then I fell asleep apparently." Draco replied as the two moved down the hall and into their own bedroom. "How was class?"
"Pop quiz, but I nailed it."
Draco smirked, "Of course you did, Granger."
Hermione ignored him and headed to the closet to change out of her clothes and into her pajamas. When the two had finished their nightly routines they slipped under the covers together and lay there silently until Draco suddenly asked:
"Can I see the bump?"
Hermione chuckled and lifted up her night shirt. Her stomach still wasn't much to look at, but it was slowly starting to become more noticeable. Next month they would be able to find out the sex of the baby and both of them were excited for that doctor's visit.
"Can I touch it?" Draco asked hesitantly.
"Of course." Hermione nodded.
Ever since he had explained how Astoria had kept him from every aspect of pregnancy, Hermione had been extra aware of keeping Draco up to date on every aspect of her pregnancy. It had been a little awkward at first, but now it was completely normal for him to rub her belly as he was.
"You don't have to ask, Draco." Hermione said quietly as he silently caressed her slightly rounded belly, a look of wonder on his face.
"Thank you, Hermione. For everything; the baby, your support this week, your affection with Scorpius."
"You're welcome, and I thank you for this baby and for your affection with Rose. I didn't realize how much she had missed a male figure in her life."
Draco smiled and removed his hand from her belly, pulling her shirt back down for her, before he settled in on his side facing her as Hermione turned the bedside lamp off.
"You're welcome."
Xxx
Saturday March 24, 2007
After the hellish week Draco had experienced after Astoria's appearance on Monday, he knew that the family had to do something fun during the weekend to help take his mind off the fact that there was a small chance Astoria may win custody. He knew it was a long shot, but he'd be insane not to worry.
When he entered the kitchen he was greeted with a very domestic sight; one that still struck him as strange and new even though he had experienced it for about a month now. He didn't think he'd ever get used to seeing Hermione Granger making breakfast in a house they shared, growing round with his child.
The smell of French toast and bacon filled the air and Draco sighed. Since their marriage both he and Scorpius had been introduced to Hermione's French Toast, and like Rose they were both huge fans.
"Morning." Draco greeted pleasantly. "Breakfast smells brilliant, Hermione."
Hermione smiled and held out a plate to him, "Thank you."
Draco took the plate and went to sit opposite of Scorpius at their little breakfast nook. The kids had already put a large dent into their own plates, but Hermione was just sitting down next to him to eat. Now was his time to make his announcement; before the kids ran off with full bellies.
"Guess what?" He asked, his voice laden with excitement, hoping to gain the curiosities of the children. Sure enough it worked like a charm and both were staring at him excitedly.
"What?" They asked eagerly.
"I thought that we could all go to the zoo today!"
Rose and Scorpius started cheering and Draco knew he had his answer. However, looking at Hermione he realized he should have included her in the plan.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to." Draco whispered.
Hermione shook her head, "Some preparation would be nice. With kids around these sorts of things take planning, Draco."
"If you two are done eating, why don't you go get dressed?" Draco suggested, knowing that things were about to get a little too wordy and tense for the children to be around. Once they had scampered off and were up stairs, Hermione turned to face him in her chair.
"We are a team here, Draco. Consultation would be nice." Hermione stated firmly. "And there is no question of whether or not I want to go. I can't let you go with the two of them alone."
"And why the bloody hell not? I'm capable."
"It's different when you're with one child in a place like a zoo. But we're a family now and especially with how hyper they are around each other two sets of eyes is needed." Hermione insisted. "No need to get angry. I'm not mad, just a little annoyed."
"Fine, I understand your point."
"Good. I don't mind going today, but in the future we need to plan these things in advance."
"What about being spontaneous?"
"We have children; that's a little hard. Even the evening before is enough preparation for a day like today, Draco."
"Noted. I just wanted a fun day after the week I've had."
Hermione nodded in understanding, "I don't blame you. Well, since you're already dressed will you clean up breakfast while I get dressed and get the kids ready?"
"Of course."
Xxx
Hermione had been right of course. The zoo was crowded today and with the level of energy Rose and Scorpius were emitting he was glad to have an extra pair of eyes and hands with him. However, despite the crazy atmosphere of the place all four of them genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves. Rose was an expert on what animal was what, teaching Scorpius each proper name at each exhibit, gaining Hermione and Draco some amused smiles from strangers.
At the moment they were in front of the giraffe exhibit. It was an observation deck that was at the level of their heads, allowing guests to feed the giraffes with food that was provided in dispensers on the deck. Rose had begged for money for the dispensers and equally distributed the food between herself and Scorpius before they eagerly headed to the edge of the deck where the giraffes heads were seeking food with their big purple tongues.
"Those things aren't going to bite them are they?" Draco asked, wide eyed.
Hermione laughed, "They don't eat meat, Draco."
Following closely behind the children, they arrived behind the children just in time to hear part of Rose's lecture to Scorpius on the giraffes.
"Rafs?" Scorpius asked in confusion.
"No, Giraffes!" Rose insisted loudly.
"Your daughter is quite knowledgeable on Giraffes." A man near Draco said with a smile.
Draco chuckled, "And she likes to share it too, just like her Mother that one is."
The man laughed, causing Hermione to look their way. She hadn't heard what had been said by either one of them but smiled at the man kindly.
"I was just telling your husband how knowledgeable your daughter is."
"Yes, she's been going around the entire park like this." Hermione smiled. "She just read a book about them all."
"Read a book? How old is she?"
"Four."
"Wow; that's a smart girl you two have on your hands."
Hermione blushed and nodded.
"She gets that from her Mother; this one is a book worm." Draco laughed.
The man smiled and was then pulled away by one of his own children, leaving them there still watching as Rose and Scorpius fed the giraffes. Not only was Hermione surprised at the fact that Draco had been chatting with a muggle quite openly and amicably, but she was also surprised at how natural it seemed for him to have Rose referred to as his daughter. While she knew that Draco would never try to replace Ron in Rose's life, Hermione knew that Draco would be the best male role model Rose could ask for. He had already shown that in his own fathering of Scorpius. Part of that was not ostracizing her as his step child. Yes, that's what she was technically, but society had such negative connotations with those labels.
By the end of the day both of the kids were wore out. Scorpius held on to her hand, barely stumbling along as they left the zoo. Rose, however, had lost the battle with sleep, and was currently nestled on Draco's hip as he carried her out of the zoo. When they reached the apparation point they eagerly apparated away, ready to be back in the comfort of their own home.
Rose woke up upon reaching the house and stared up at Draco in confusion until she got her bearings and rested her head back on his shoulder trustingly.
"Come on, let's get you upstairs." Draco whispered, heading up the stairs behind Hermione and Scorpius.
After they got them cleaned up and in bed, the two headed to their own bedroom.
"What an exhausting day." Draco sighed as he plopped down on the bed.
"Wait until this baby comes; every day will be exhausting."
"I'm excited for that though." Draco said earnestly. "I'm ready to get to experience it all; the good and the not so good."
Hermione smirked, "Good, I'll make sure you do your fair part."
"I don't think I like the looks of that smirk."
"You'll understand why I'm smirking a few weeks after this baby is born." Hermione replied. "Anyway, my appointment is set up for April sixth at one, can you come with me?"
"Of course! We'll go on our lunch break; I'm not about to miss finding out what you're cooking in there."
Hermione smiled.