Hermione blinked, staring up at Blaise.
"Erm…what?" she asked rather stupidly, and then blushed. "I mean, what are you doing here? I haven't seen you since Hogwarts…"
Blaise gave her a charming smile. "My good mate Draco was talking about how he ran into you the other day. Nattered on and on about how beautiful you were, so I just had to come see for myself. And you know what?" He leaned down, his warm breath brushing Hermione's ear. "He was right."
"Malfoy said I was beautiful?" Hermione asked dazedly.
Blaise shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, not in as many words."
"Oh." Hermione tried to ignore the sharp pang of disappointment.
"Regardless," he said, "I do know a beautiful woman when I see one. You sure have grown up, Hermione Granger."
Hermione blushed. "Oh, er, thank you."
"Which is why I am asking you to dinner. It would be an honor to escort such a lovely lady as yourself."
Hermione eyed him silently, her mind whirling. Was this all some kind of sick joke between Draco and his friends? She had never minded Blaise. He didn't have a role in the war, on either side. His general demeanor was that he was above it all. And his handsome looks and bad-boy Slytherin attitude had attracted many a Gryffindor female before. Hermione recalled lying in bed in her dorm listening to Lavender and Parvarti gush about him.
"Well," she said finally, "I suppose you were one of the better Slytherins."
Blaise laughed out loud. "Thank you for that endearing compliment."
Hermione made a decision. "Okay."
Blaise smiled at her, pleased. "7:00 tonight?"
Hermione nodded, wondering what she had just gotten herself into.
She sighed, bemused. She certainly was popular with Slytherins lately.
…..
Draco stormed out of Gringotts, his business finished. He Apparated back to the Manor and snapped his fingers, a scowl on his face. A small house elf appeared, bowing.
"Tibby!" he barked.
"Yes, Master Draco?"
"Where is my son?"
"Tibby puts him down for a nap, Draco sir, in the nursery."
He nodded curtly, walking briskly down the hall.
He stood in the doorway of the shadowed nursery for a moment before going in. The room was lavish, adorned with tapestries on the walls depicting life-like dragons snorting fire and unicorns running through dappled forests. Toys were everywhere, stuffed animals and board games cluttering shelves that lined the walls and toy trains snaking across the floor. The walls themselves were emerald green, the trim pale silver. He strode across the plush grey carpet to the mahogany crib in the middle of the room.
His son was asleep, pale white lashes fluttering on smooth cheeks. Draco reached down and stroked the soft, downy hair, as pale as Draco's own. The baby yawned, showing the few pearly white teeth he had begun to get. He bent down and scooped his son up, cradling him close and inhaling the soft scent of heavy, sleeping baby.
The child yawned again before cuddling into Draco's chest, black robes clutched in a small hand. All of Draco's frustrations faded away as he gazed down on the little boy. Scorpius was more than worth the trouble he was going through. Draco frowned, resolving to speak to a proper lawyer as soon as possible. The blackmail he had to put up with to have his son was ridiculous. The child's mother had abandoned him, left him alone and never visited again. At first, Draco had been furious, determined to track her down and force her maternal responsibilities on her. But after much deliberation, he had decided that she had done him a favor and that the child was far better off with him.
But then the first letter had appeared when Scorpius was six months old.
Transfer 5,000 galleons to my account by midnight tomorrow, or I might regret leaving my child with you.
Draco had written a scathing letter back, refusing the order. The next morning, his owl delivered her response.
Darling, do be reasonable. Nobody in their right mind would give an innocent child to a Death Eater, now would they? The worId knows of the Malfoy family's shame and dark tendencies. If I were to pursue full custody, I would get it as easy as…well, as easy as taking candy from a baby. Now, for being so troublesome, I will have 10,000 g. in my account TONIGHT.
Draco had paid her the money and had received more demands sporadically over the last six months. His temper was strained and becoming increasingly violent. He knew last night's episode at the bar would appear in her next letter. He was certain she had someone following him, recording his every mistake to be used as ammunition against him. It was infuriating.
He swallowed hard, gazing down at the sleeping child in his arms.
"No matter what," he vowed softly, "I'll never let you go."
The baby snuggled closer, giving a soft sigh.