Things were going much more smoothly now, and Hermione and Draco were almost… friends? Hermione shuddered at the thought. This was totally weird. But he seemed to be trying really hard. He tried to cook one night to prove himself, and even though the lasagne was burnt to a crisp, Hermione appreciated the effort. The kids complained a bit, which had Malfoy storming out of the kitchen in a huff, but Hermione told them they could just have ice cream instead.
Malfoy hadn't really opened up to Hermione anymore after that night, and seemed to feel very awkward around her, but at least he wasn't being an outright asshole. They just worked around each other and kept things civil.
Over the next few weeks, the numbers dwindled faster than ever, until all of the kids in their house had gone back to their families. While Hermione was immensely happy for them, she felt like a mother whose children had all moved out, and she cried and cried. Malfoy smirked at her red, tear-streaked face, and went to shut himself in his room. Hermione was back to feeling useless, but at least now she had school to look forward too.
One night, a knock on the door startled Hermione, who had been dozing on the couch. Malfoy was, of course, sleeping soundly in his bedroom. Hermione approached the door with caution, not sure whether to trust it.
"Draco!" she called out, rushing to his bedroom door. She pounded on it. He opened the door blearily, rubbing his eyes, in nothing but boxers. She eyed his bulge nervously.
"Granger, what the fuck."
"There's someone at the door," she squeaked. Draco pushed past her and opened the front door, where the camp manager was standing, holding a tiny baby. Hermione rushed up behind Draco, and gasped.
"We need you to take on this baby. Most people have left, and you two are the only ones who can take her on. Her Father died in the war, and her mother is very sick in the hospital at the moment. Her name is Avery."
"What the hell?" exclaimed Draco, as Hermione stepped forward to take the baby, saying "of course."
The manager glared at Draco. "Mr Malfoy, we had this chat. It is your job. It won't be for long."
Draco sighed. "Okay. Hermione will do it."
Hermione shot him a filthy look, but did not really mind. She was happy to do it herself. She settled the baby into a crib, and saw the manager out, assuring him that Avery was in good hands, and they both went back to bed.
Hermione woke up to the sound of a screaming baby and spent a few moments confused. Then, realising what was going on, she pulled on a dressing gown and rushed into the baby's room. Avery was crying her little heart out.
"Shit," thought Hermione. She had never even had a baby sibling, and didn't really know what it would need. Then the smell hit her. Right then, Draco walked into the room asking what the fuss was. Hermione's face lit up.
"Here Draco, Avery needs her nappy changed." She thrust the child into Malfoys arms and pushed past him, heading for the shower, smirking at his protests. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just wing it."
She could hear Malfoy muttering swear words under his breath, and chuckled to herself. Screw it, he could do something for once.
When Hermione came out of the shower, her wet hair looking sleeker than usual, she was disgusted to find Draco sitting on the couch with the cleanest, happiest baby she had ever seen. She had so thought she was setting him up for failure. Then she laughed, and said "how the hell does a Malfoy know what to do with a baby?"
Draco smirked and handed the baby to Hermione. "Your turn. I'm going to shower." She stared after him with a new respect.