Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing

Draco Pov:

"Daddy!" my subconscious registers before a sudden weight lands on my chest. I let out an "Oomph" and sit up quickly. Scorpious falls into my lap and grins up at me. "Get up daddy. We have to go to nana's house. Aunt 'Meda and Teddy will be there!" He's bouncing in excitement.

I groan and look over at the small clock on my nightstand. It's only eight in the morning. So much for sleeping in. "Scorp, we're going over to nana's for lunch. Teddy and Aunt 'Meda aren't there yet" I tell him.

He sticks his bottom lip out and pouts. "But I want to see Teddy noooowww" he whines. Scorpious adores Teddy and looks up to him as an older brother. Mother and Andromeda often have lunch or go shopping together, and Andromeda brings Teddy along if the Potters can't watch him. When this happens she tries to get me and Scorp to tag along so the boys can keep each other entertained.

"Sorry kiddo, it's still too early to see him" I say patting his head. He huffs, crosses his arms, and looks down in though. "Well now what are we gonna do" he asks, tone still whiny.

"We could go back to sleep" I mutter. I was having a particularly good dream involving a beautiful witch writhing underneath me in pleasure. Scorp looks back up at me in annoyance. "I don't wanna go back to sleep, that's boring! You're boring daddy!"

I quirk one eyebrow and smirk mischieviously at him. "Boring you say?" Before he can reply, I flip him over onto the bed and begin tickling him. He laughs and aquirms trying to get out of my grasp. "Stop! Daddy stop!" he gasps out between giggles.

"Say I'm the most fun daddy in the whole world! Say it!" By now I'm laughing with him.

"You're the most funnest daddy in the whole world!" he manages to shout out. "That's right, and don't you forget it" I say scooping him up and kissing his forehead. "Come on, let's go down and eat some breakfast."

I carry him downstairs where Tilly, our house elf, already has breakfast waiting for us. Once we finish, Tilly cleans up and looks after Scorpious while I go shower. Tilly watches him during the week unless I know I'll be working late, in which case I send him to mother. Weekends I try to devote entirely to him and family.

We pass the time by playing together and just talking. Scorp is a very smart child, and I know he'll be top of his class. He has a lot of insight for a three year old and is able to understand things that a normal toddler would find complex. Before I know it, we're flooing over to my childhood home for lunch.

When I first started working as a lawyer, I wanted a place of my own and the Manor held too many bad memories for me. I found a nice three bedroom two bathroom townhouse on the more expensive side of wizarding London. I've lived there ever since.

When we step out of the floo Dory, my mother's personal elf, tells us lunch will be served in the sun room. Thanking her, I lead Scorpious towards it and see that Teddy and Andromeda have already arrived. I greet mother and Andromeda with a kiss on the cheek, and they fuss over Scorpious. He obviously enjoys the attention. What can I say, he is a Malfoy.

Lunch is spent in pleasant chatter and afterwards Teddy and Scorp play in the gardens. Before long, I notice Scorp getting tired and put him down for a nap in my old room. While he sleeps, I toss a quaffle back and forth in the air with Teddy. The kid loves quidditch and displays a natural talent for it. Potter swears he'll be a chaser for the Gryffindork quidditch team, but I'll make a Slytherin of him yet.

A couple hours later, Scorp has come down from his nap and we're all enjoying afternoon tea outside. An owl swoops down and drops a letter in front of mother, the perches itself on a nearby window ledge clearly waiting for a response. Mother opens the letter and quickly scans its contents. "It appears there has been a new project proposed. Kingsley is wondering if we can come in today and hear the proposal" she says looking at Andromeda.

Mother had also been working diligently to build up the Malfoy name. Her donations to the ministry alone helped rebuild most of our world and her contributions to various charities have helped with research and development. I think she enjoys being able to do something for the community rather than being a trophy wife and told to 'shut up and look pretty.' Recently, she and Andromeda have been wanting to start their own charity or oversee a project by themselves. I mentioned it to Kingsley a few months ago and he's been keeping his eyes open for one, and owling them if one comes up. So far they haven't found the right one.

"I wish I could go with you Cissa, but I don't think Teddy could sit through a meeting" Andromeda sighs. "I would ask the Potters to watch him, but they're helping one of the Weasley's with that joke shop."

Mother nods understandingly, but I can tell she's disappointed. She feels terrible for the years lost between her and her sister, (even though it was all Lucius' fault because he wouldn't let her contact Andromeda) and tries to compensate by spending as much time with her as possible. I remember Potter telling me about helping out yesterday in the ice cream parlour. He also said that he was meeting a very good friend there and seemed really happy about it. We didn't discuss it much because James and Scorp picked that moment to fling ice cream at each other.

"Andromeda, why don't you go ahead with mother for this meeting and I'll take the boys to Diagon Alley" I offer.

Mother looks hopeful and so does Andromeda. "Oh but Draco dear, don't you have plans for the rest of the day?" she asks.

"No, I'm prepared for all my cases next week, and don't have anything better to do. And if it's not too crowded, I'll even take them by the joke shop to see everyone."

"Please can we go with Uncle Draco, Grandma? Please?" Teddy pipes up with Scorp throwing in a "Please Aunt 'Meda?" She smiles at them and says, "If Draco doesn't mind, it's fine with me."

Half an hour later I'm walking down the busy streets of Diagon Alley holding one of the hands of each boy in mine. Nearly every store we pass is filled with students getting last minute supplies before they leave for Hogwarts on Monday. The further down the street we get, the more the crowd disperses because these shops are more for entertainment and restaurants. The joke shop is just ahead and we're nearly there, when I hear a voice call out behind me.

"Well well well, what do we have here? A couple of blood traitors and a half-breed out in the open." I turn around to see my former house mate Marcus Flint glaring at us. Pushing Teddy and Scorpious behind me, I glare back and say "Move along Flint. We're not looking for trouble."

"Not looking for trouble?" he mocks. "You were looking for trouble the day you turned your back on your own kind and sent them to Azkaban, including my father!" the last part is practically spat at me.

After all the trials, many of us Slytherins ignored the teaching of pureblood supremacy and embraced this new world the ministry was trying to create. The world was changing and purebloods are dying out anyway. If we didn't start mixing in with half bloods and muggleborns, we were going to have to resort to inbreeding, not that some of the more extreme families haven't already begun. Mine and Blaise's friendship with Potter, and the cases I took defending muggleborns paved the way for acceptance and many followed our example. However, there are still some like Marcus who will never accept anyone less than a pure, and continue in their bigoted ways. I did help send his father to Azkaban because he was too dangerous to remain in society. After Voldemort's downfall, Flint Sr. led an attack in the muggle world and nearly massacred an entire town. Since he was sentenced to life behind bars, Flint's had it out for me.

"Your father sealed his own fate. He would have been in Azkaban reguardless of if I'd been the one prosecuting or not" I say while discreetly reaching into my pocket for my wand.

Flints face contorts in rage and he snarls. Pulling out his own wand with great speed he points it directly at me and says, "Perhaps your son should learn what it's like to not have a father." I hear Scorp whimper behind me.

"Threatening me isn't going to solve anything. You're father will still be behind bars even if you try to kill me" I reply. My hand has wrapped around my wand and I begin to slowly pull it out.

Flint is still glaring at me and I know my words have only added to his anger. "You're right it won't, but I promised I would avenge my father. Since you took him from me, it's only fair I take your son from you." He casts a curse towards Scorpious, but I'm able to deflect it just in time.

Throwing up a shield, I scream over my shoulder "Teddy! Take Scorpious inside and tell Harry to get out here. Stay in the shop until I come to get you!"

Teddy grabs Scorp's hand and begins to pull him away, but Scorp jerks back and yells "NO DADDY!"

My shield has started to falter and will fall at any second, but I've got to get the boys to safety. "SCORPIOUS, DO AS I SAY! GO NOW!" I yell harshly. He looks taken aback and frightened, but follows Teddy and runs into the shop.

By now my shield has fallen and Marcus throws a hex that slices a gash from my forearm to my bicep. I fight through the pain and continue to duel him. My anger and rage are fueling me, and he can't dodge all of the curses and hexes I'm throwing his way. His lip is busted and there's a large cut just under his right eye. No one will ever try to harm Scorpious and get away with it.

I don't know how long we stand there dueling in the street, but soon there's a third dueler in the commotion and I glance to my right to see Harry. Flint can't keep up with the both of us and has already begun to slow down. Finally, Harry yells out "Expelliarmus!" at the same time I shout "Stupefy!" and Flint falls to the ground unconscious.

I pant harshly trying to catch my breath and turn to Potter. "Scorpious?" I ask raspily.

"He and Teddy are safe in the shop. I told Ginny to send for Blaise, he should be here soon." I take off for the shop and barge in through the door. I look around and don't see the boys. Ginny comes up to me and I ask, "Where are they?"

"They're in the back room with-" I quit listening when she says room and head to the back. I've never been back there before, but I hear voices talking and follow them down to a room at the end of the hall. I step into the doorway and freeze.

Scorp is clinging to a woman whose rubbing his back. He may be a smart mature kid, but he's a bit on the shy side and very wary of people he doesn't know. He seems to be at ease with this woman and asks her a question.

"Yes" she answers to whatever he asks and continues, "My name is Hermione, but you can call me Mione. What's your name?"

Hermione…Hermione…..Granger! It immediately clicks. This was the friend Potter was talking about who had just returned. I haven't seen her since the battle at Hogwarts. I always wondered what happened to her and assumed she got with the Weasel. He and Potter had some huge fall out four or five years ago, but we've never really talked about it. I've seen him a few times in the papers and he's apparently flown off his rocker. He's constantly causing trouble and has succeeded in making as arse of himself in the public eye. They never talk about Granger though. It's like she completely disappeared from the face of the Earth.

"Scorpious" he replies, and I see her noticeably tense up. She's completely silent for a few seconds and Scorp starts to sniffle so I make a move to get him. She must have figured out he's my son, after all he looks just like me, and wants nothing to do with him.

To my surprise however, she pats his back and says, "Well it's a pleasure to meet you Scorpious. How old are you?"

"I'll be three on Friday, and I'm having a huge birfday party!" he says excitedly.

"That sounds like fun! You sure are a big boy" she tells him, tickling his belly and causing him to giggle. Scorp looks really happy in her arms and she cradles him close. I don't think any woman besides mother or Andromeda has ever held him like that, not even Astoria. Scorp looks over her shoulder and catches sight of me. "Daddy!" he cries out joyfully.

Without putting him down, Granger slowly turns her head and our eyes meet. Hers are brown, but have millions of little gold specs in them. They really are unique. How have I not noticed them before?

Scorpious struggles to get down and she is the first to break eye contact. She puts him down and he runs over to me. I scoop him up in my arms and hug him close. "Hey buddy, are you ok?" I ask as I check over him for injury. He nods then looks down at my arm. "Daddy you're bleeding!" he shrieks worriedly. Only then do I remember Flint's slicing spell and the gash. Potter comes in then, followed by Ginny and Blaise.

"Malfoy" he addresses me, "I cuffed Flint and Blaise transported him to a holding cell in the ministry. He'll be there until given a trial. I've got a few more aurors coming in to investigate. We'll need to take down your statement."

"The bloody arsehole tried to kill me and my son, that's my statement" I growl angrily.

"I know, but you know it's part of the protocol and I have to follow procedure" he says calmly. I nod my head and will my anger away. I genuinely try not to swear or yell in front of Scorpious, and he's been frightened enough for today.

"Draco mate, you're bleeding all over the place" Blaise points out. Damn, I keep forgetting about that stupid gash. Come to think of it, I'm starting to feel a little lightheaded.

Ginny takes Scorp from me and heads over to a corner where James and Teddy are playing. Potter looks at the cut and says, "I've never been particularly good at healing spells. Mione would you mind?" he asks looking over at her.

She hasn't moved from where she stood when I first saw her. She nods and motions for me to follow her to a chair at the back. As I sit down, she pulls out her wand and inspects the gash. "Hmm. Must have been a nasty spell" she murmurs, I think mostly to herself.

"Yeah" I respond as she begins to close the wound. While she's focused on her task, I take the opportunity to study her. Her hair is brown with honey colored highlights and falls in waves down her back. Her skin is lightly tanned and flawless. She has a cute button nose with a few freckles sprinkled across it. No longer thin as a rail as I recall her from the final battle, but she still has a small petite waist. She's wearing a tank top that shows of the top of her cleavage as she bends down to mutter anti-bacterial spells. She's got on tight little shorts that show off her arse and nicely toned legs. Granger had grown up and was hot as hell.

"There, all done" she says standing back up and offering me a warm smile. "You may want to stay sitting down for a few minutes to let the blood circulate."

"Sure, thanks" I say inspecting my arm. She healed it perfectly and thoroughly, much like everything she did in school. "And thank you for looking after Scorpious" I add meeting her eye.

"Of course, no problem" she says kindly. "He was really worried about you. The two of you must be very close."

I nod. "We are. He's a little shy around people he's never met. I'm surprised he took so well to you." She narrows her eyes a little at me and I realize that last part may have come across wrong; like I didn't think Scorp should have been comfortable around her. "I'm glad he did" I quickly amend, "It shows he has an excellent judge of character."

She blushes a little, but her smile returns. "He seems very smart for a three year old. And so very adorable."

Smirking at her, I reply "Already taken with him after only one meeting? That's a new record. My,my must be that Malfoy charm. What can I say, it's one of the many talents he gets from me."

She laughs at that and I find that I really enjoy the sound. Oh gods, is that sappy? "Hopefully he won't get your ego as well" she teases back. Inadvertently, she just admitted I have charm. Well, even if it was indirect, I'll certainly take her compliment.

"So how've you been Granger? Or is it Weasley now? Have you and Ron settled down?" I ask changing the subject. The thought of her being tied to Weasel King annoys me for some reason. Maybe it's due to the fact I always thought she was too good for him. Even though he'd been in the Wizarding World his whole life, she lapped circles around his magic all throughout our school years.

The smile falls from her face and she tenses up again. From the look on her face, I can tell I've offended her and a panic seeps into me. Before I can say anything though, Potter and another auror come up to me with the paperwork ready to take down my testimony against Flint. Granger turns away and hurries off towards Ginny.

As I retell the story over and over again to different aurors, I find myself looking up and watching Granger. She's playing with the boys and they seem to genuinely enjoy being around her, especially Scorp. She definitely has a way with kids. He talks and makes her laugh which in turn makes him pleased with himself. He follows her around and she allows him to 'help' her sell products or pack them up for customers. At one point, she sits down on a stool and Scorpious crawls up in her lap with a book of James' in hand. He's entranced as she reads the story to him.

Later when I finally finish up with the aurors, I try to approach her again but she's already left the shop for the day. I'm really disappointed I didn't get a chance to talk to her again. It's getting close to dinner time, and I decide to take the boys back. As I'm preparing to leave, Potter approaches me. "Long day, huh?" he asks.

"You can say that again" I reply bitterly.

"Listen Malfoy, I was hoping to have a welcome back party of some sort for Hermione, but she doesn't want anything big" Potter says. "She agreed to a small get together, so tomorrow we're all having lunch at my place. I've already talked to Blaise. Do you think you could get your mother and Andromeda to come?"

I consider his invitation for a moment. This isn't the first time we've all gotten together, but it's the first time with Granger there. I want to see her again and apologize not only for whatever I said today, but also for everything that happened in school. Hopefully if she saw how much I'd changed and got along with her friends, she'd give me a chance.

I nod and say, "Sure, we'll be there. See you tomorrow."

We use the fireplace at the shop to floo back to Malfoy Manor. Scorp and Teddy run off down the hall and I walk over to the bar area and grab a glass of firewhiskey. Knowing the boys, they're going to retell the story to mother and Andromeda, but greatly exaggerate the details. I need to calm my nerves before the questioning begins.

Sure enough when I join them in a sitting room, the boys have told the tale and the women are horrified. I tell the story for what feels like the hundredth time that day, and erase details that didn't happen. They question me for ten minutes straight, but I'm able to calm them down and reassure them that we're all fine.

"And guess what nana?" Scorp says excitedly. "I made a new friend today! Her name is Mione, and she's really pretty! She did puzzles and colored with me, and she even read me a story! James said she's his aunt and she's super nice!"

"By Mione, would he happen to mean Hermione? As in Hermione Granger?" Andromeda asks looking over at me. I nod.

"Yes, she was at the shop today. She took care of the boys while we handled the mess. Scorp seemed to be really taken with her. Potter's having a lunch for her tomorrow at his house and I told him we'd all be there." I say. They both agree and listen with rapt attention as Scorp continues to talk about Granger. We eat dinner there, and Andromeda says the project they reviewed didn't really have much promise and they didn't take it. Afterwards we say goodbye and I take Scorp home.

It's been an exhausting day and Scorpious goes down after his bath and a story without too much fuss, although he tells me I don't read the book like Granger does. He really likes her and will definitely be happy to see her tomorrow.

I lay in bed that night thinking about the day. It was strange to see her after all this time. Where has she been? Why hadn't Potter ever said anything about her? And was she back for good, or merely just visiting? I can't stop thinking about her and am really looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. I hope I'll be able to straighten things out. I finally drift off to sleep where I dream about Hermione Granger.

AN: Yay another chapter completed! Now that they've met again, we can hopefully get the ball rolling!