Disclaimer: Still not mine!

Draco wasn't allowed near Hermione yet, as the medical staff tended to her. Blood Replenishing potions had to be administered along with something considerably stronger than a Pepper-Up, though no one was willing to disclose what it contained. Nor could he obtain one, much to his chagrin. He was assured that they believed his wife would recover quickly.

There was a silver lining to the situation, he thought, as he was led back to the nursery. The new father beamed at the assistant healer holding Mira, though he couldn't help noting the mixed emotions on the young witch's face as she peered at the pink, tightly-swaddled bundle.

"Is something wrong?" He reached for his daughter, almost having to pry her from the woman's hold.

"Not wrong, per se...more like disconcerting, I suppose?" The witch worried her bottom lip in the same fashion Hermione did, though not nearly as fetchingly.

Draco dropped a kiss on his daughter's soft white-blonde curls and looked deeply into her gray (green?) eyes. He watched more carefully, and the color change flashed again. This time, he noticed her pupils elongating.

"Oh-kay. 'Disconcerting' does seem to fit." Mira's eyes were a lovely, soft Malfoy gray in human form. "Why, exactly, are her eyes doing that?"

"Bring her over here, Mr. Malfoy," the nurse indicated an incubator. "Unwrap her and set her down."

He did as she bade, laying Mira on her back. Before he could blink, he was face to face with a ginger kitten with bright green eyes. The creature was still a bit wobbly but rapidly gaining mobility.

His daughter meowed at him, pawing gently at his face as he leaned in to take a better look.

"Tap her on the nose, Mr. Malfoy, and tell her 'no.'" Randolf appeared beside the flummoxed father and demonstrated, giving the kitten a light tap. "No."

Mira grumbled. Randolf tried again with a sterner admonition.

The newborn hissed.

"Mireille - NO." Draco addressed his second-born in trademark icy Malfoy tones. The kitten peered at him, its lower lip wibbling (was that even possible with a cat?) before she changed back to human form, bawling loudly. Overcome with guilt, he reached for her, only to be stopped by the Healer.

"Let her feel your disapproval for a moment, Draco. You don't want her to believe you can be manipulated easily."

"What is this all about, Randolf?"

"Think about it - as a human infant, she can squirm a bit, but that's it. She can't even lift her head properly. As a cat, however, she's picking up movement with ease."

"I've seen newborn kittens before; they didn't look like this, and they couldn't get about."

"Well, she's no ordinary newborn, now is she? With the amount of time required for human gestation, she's further along in feline development. And if you found yourself struggling in one form more than another, what would you do?"

Malfoy sighed. "Grow four feet and fur, and stay that way."

"Exactly. Go ahead and pick her up, now."

Draco gathered Mira to his chest, placing her head in the crook of his neck as he shushed her. The din quickly faded to irregular, hiccupping sobs. After a few moments more, she nuzzled closer and quieted. "Daddy's going to have to buy a kennel along with your crib."

The Healer chuckled quietly. "One other thing you should be aware of. She hates baths like poison. We found that out the hard way."

"So does our firstborn-"

"Not like this. Think, Draco: Cats? Water?"

"Oh, Sweet Merlin." He looked into Mira's changeling eyes again, "You're going to drive Mummy and Daddy into an early grave, aren't you?"

She reached up for his nose and missed, poking him in the chin.

"Mr. Malfoy?"

He turned at the sound of that familiar Scottish accent. "Headmistress?"

"Healer Randolf suggested I try communicating with Mireille. If I may? Please place her back in the incubator for a moment." Minerva flowed as gracefully into feline form as he remembered from Transfiguration class years ago, alighting on the changing table next to the baby. Mireille was delighted and reverted immediately. The two cats spent several moments staring silently at one another.

"Gods, that's creepy."

The gray tabby glared at him balefully.

"Well, I'm sorry Headmistress- but it IS!"

She sniffed and returned her attention to his daughter. Mews, yowls, a tiny growl and a much larger response were exchanged, following which both witches returned to their natural states. Mira pouted as McGonagall reached into the bassinet and picked her up.

"I meant what I said, young lady: I'll be watching you. Now behave for your parents, and I'll see you soon." She turned and handed the baby back to Draco, unleashing a rare, devilish grin.

"Ma'am?"

"She understands, for the immediate future, that she must learn to acclimate to being a biped, regardless of inconvenience. I made it a point to explain that there are definite perks to being a baby, and promised her that if she applies herself, I will work with her on the finer points of being an Animagus."

"And she understood you?"

"Easily. Feline communication is simpler than English. I doubt it would matter much, though. You've no idea what you have there, Mr. Malfoy. I wish you and Hermione the best of luck, and I have some advice for you."

"Get a cat carrier? Keep her up-to-date on her shots?"

"Stay on your toes at all times, and remember that you were sorted into Slytherin for a reason. Never underestimate your daughter due to her age. I do believe that babe is your Karmic repayment."

He flinched. "That bad? Doesn't having Granger for a mother balance it out somewhat?"

"Maybe not quite that bad, but I can say this: your daughter is stubborn, incredibly intelligent, and she will likely bore easily. It may become necessary to allow her to spend periods of time in her alternate form to work off extra energy. The permission could be offered as a reward for good behavior."

"Blaise did make a joke about getting her a scratching post as a baby gift."

"Get two. But no catnip until she's considerably older."

He tipped his chin back to look his offspring in the eyes again. "I swear she's smirking."

"Like the cat that got the cream, Mr. Malfoy. Like the cat that got the cream." McGonagall's laughter echoed down the hall as she headed back to the waiting room.

"Yeah, you smirk now, little girl- just wait'll you meet your mother; she's smarter than anyone, and she's evil, too."