Bubbles flew through the air as Scorpius splashed his hands into the bathwater, giggling in delight. His pale hair was plastered to his hair and his face was rosy from the warm water. Hermione smiled indulgently, flicking her wand to turn the bubbles different colors. Scorpius's dark eyes widened in awe as he scooped up some of the colorful suds and threw them.
"Do you like the bubbles, Scorpius?"
The toddler nodded, beaming at her. He spalshed again, drenching Hermione, who spluttered.
"Scorpius!"
The unrepentant little boy giggled, splashing again.
"That's it, you little devil!" Hermione declared, splashing him back.
Scorpius's eyes widened as suds dripped down his face. He stared at Hermione.
"Oh, Scorpius, I'm so sorry…."
Without warning, the child splashed both hands in the water, sending a wave of multicolored bubbles at Hermione. He laughed and clapped his hands.
"Why, you little…" Hermione leaned over the tub, tickling the slippery little boy. He gasped in laughter, wiggling around. Water sloshed over the side of the tub, flooding the bathroom floor.
"Do you give up?" Hermione teased. Scorpius chortled as he squirmed around.
"Alright, little tadpole. Time for bed."
She Accio'd a towel over and stood up.
"Come on, buddy. Time to get out."
The toddler raised his soapy arms toward her.
"Up, mama."
Hermione froze, her heart clenching in her chest.
Scorpius cocked his head.
"Mama, up!" His little voice became insistent.
Hermione blinked, staring at the child as panic clawed in her chest. Shen slowly leaned down and lifted the wet baby out of the tub, wrapping him in the emerald green towel. She carried him to the nursery, dressing him in his pajamas and laying him in his crib. Her thoughts revolved around that one little word.
"Mama."
Was she ready to be a mother? More importantly, was she ready to be Scorpius's mother? What if Draco didn't think she was fit to be a parent? After all, she wasn't exactly Malfoy standards. She wasn't beautiful like Lavendar Brown or Daphne Greengrass. She wasn't pureblood like Pansy Parkinson. She wasn nothing. Just plain bookworm Hermione Granger.
She took a deep breath, tucking the sleepy toddler in. She stood over the crib, watching the baby sleep. His silky eyelashes rested against his smooth rosy cheek.
"Hermione!"
She jumped, heart leaping into her chest as she spun around, wand drawn. Blaise Zabini stood in the nursery doorway, his dark hair tousled and his chest heaving.
"Blaise!" Hermione exclaimed, putting a hand to her pounding heart. "You scared me! Be quiet, the baby is asleep."
Blaise took a step into the room.
"Hermione," he said, his voice low. "Hermione, I have something you need to hear. I need you to stay calm, though. Okay?"
"Blaise, you're scaring me."
"Draco has betrayed you."
Hermione's amber eyes widened in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
Blaise stepped toward her, putting a hand on her arm.
"He was out with Potter tonight, wasn't he?"
She nodded slowly, dread beginning to creep through her veins.
"He gave Potter to Death Eaters, Hermione. He was paid to deliver him."
Hermione jerked back away from his touch.
"No…you're lying…"
"I saw it, Hermione!" Blaise said. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"No. You're wrong!" Hermione said desperately. "He wouldn't do that to me. He wouldn't…"
Blaise shook his dark head slowly.
"He did, Hermione. He did, and you have to snap out of it. Your friend is in serious trouble."
"Harry," she whispered, horror filling her. "They have Harry."
Blasie nodded shortly.
"Yes."
"Ron…I need to contact Ron!"
She pushed past him, sprinting down the hall to the nearest fireplace, which was in an elaborate study. She grabbed the porcelian jar off the mantle and threw a handful of the glittering green powder into the flames. She stuck her head in, frantic.
"Ron Weasley's office!"
The green flames swirled around her before clearing, showing a lanky redhead sitting at a desk, brow furrowed as he read over something.
"Ron!"
Ron's head jerked up, his eyes surprised.
"Hermione?"
"Ron, hurry. Harry's in danger!"
Ron stood up so fast his chair fell backwards. He dropped to his knees in front of the fire.
"What's wrong with Harry?"
Hermione choked back a sob.
"Draco…he…he betrayed him. He sold him to the Death Eaters."
Ron swore, his face paling.
"Where are you now?"
Tears rolled down Hermione's face.
"Malfoy Manor."
Ron's blue eyes hardened.
"Leave. Now. Where is Harry?"
"I…I don't know. Blaise told me…"
"Zabini? Come through the fire. Bring him. Now."
Hermione pulled her head out of the flames, startled to see Blaise kneeling by her.
"I heard," he said quietly. "I told the elves to watch Scorpius. Let's go."
She nodded, clutching his offered arm gratefully. Her mind was a mix of wildly swirling emotions, adrenaline coursing through her body. Together, they stepped through the fire and into Ron's office.
"Zabini!" Ron barked, not bothering with greetings. "Where the fuck is Harry?"
"He was portkeyed away from an alleyway in Diagon Alley."
"Bloody hell," Ron said, pacing back and forth. "Any idea where he is?"
Blaise frowned in thought.
"The only one who comes to mind Is Rodolphus Lestrange. He went slightly mad after the last battle, never got over Bellatrix or the Dark Lord's death. He is the only one smart enough to put something like this together."
"And what is his motive? Is he trying to become the new Voldemort?"
Hermione swallowed hard, running a shaky hand through her still damp curls.
Blaise shook his head. "It's simple revenge, I think. Harry Potter ruined his life, so he wants to ruin his. You know Potter's got lots of enemies. I'm surprised an attempt on his life hasn't happened sooner, honestly."
Ron nodded once, determination etched onto his face.
"Do you have a location?"
"Crawley."
"Right," Ron said, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Let's go."