It's finally here. Thank you for the reading. ENJOY!

Chapter 3

"Don't call yourself that horrid word", was the first thing Draco said, "it's one of the worst derogatory terms I had the misfortune of saying repetitively. To you especially." He wasn't Lucius, he wouldn't be prejudice and arrogant. He wanted to be Draco not Malfoy.

He saw the amusement die from her honey eye. It faded just like her facial expression . Her red painted, plump lips slightly parted in, what he was guessing was, shock. Draco Malfoy is a changed person. Not the immature bigot from school.

She looked to be in some sort of awe. Her head was slightly tilted and her eyes were slightly squinting. It wouldn't surprise him if she thought it was a hoax. She looked so delicate at that moment. He had the biggest urge to protect her and he had not a clue of where it came from.

"It's Ok.", her voice sounded raw and scratchy as she fiddled with her hands. "We said awful things to you as well." He didn't know what to say, how to continue a conversation that didn't need to be lengthened. She solved his dilemma when she said, "You're probably wondering what I'm doing in your house."

"Yes, the question had crossed my mind.", he replied, he wouldn't let her do all the speaking.

"I heard you saw Mr Fisher", Draco nodded, not knowing where this was going. How did show know this? How did she know Mr Fisher?

"I also heard you had gotten yourself...", he looked at she puckered her lips in thought. He would totally ravish those lips, even if she is a Muggleborn, "wound up."

He wasn't registering her words, "So I'm here to give you my half of the Manor." And the spell was over.

Draco blinked, "What?"

"They didn't tell you?" Her eyes were wide with panic, "you don't know about...", Her words seemed to die on her tongue. For the first time ever Hermione Granger was speechless but he wasn't looking at the humorous side.

"Finish your sentence Granger.", the stare he was giving could make anyone do as he wants. But Hermione Granger isn't everyone.

"Never mind. My lawyer will be in touch." And she had the nerve to walk away. After dropping a bomb, she retreated. He was going to get an explanation so he followed her. The sound of her heels making contact with the marble floor echoed louder in Draco's mind. This may be his only chance to get an answer. The future depended on her reasoning as he felt like nothing could take her off of his thoughts. She was panicking, he could tell. Her eyes were shifting everywhere and anywhere, her pace was increasing in speed and she look flustered. Grabbing her arm, he spun her around to face him.

"Granger. What are you talking about?" His icy eyes bore into her warm ones but she wasn't having it. Her whole body was tense.

"Malfoy. Get off me." She whispered but he wasn't releasing her from his clutches, "Please.", the desperation was evident on her face. She looked... scared.

"I'm not an idiot", he muttered back, "There's a reason you were given part of the Manor and I'd bet my half it has something to do with a child.", she looked like a deer in headlights. At this point both of his hands were on each of her arms and they were too close for comfort. Yet he didn't let go. And she didn't ask him to.

"Malfoy... I regret many things, like coming here, but he isn't one of them.", He was getting annoyed. Why was everyone so vague?

They were now in the passage which came before the entrance to the kitchen. Candles were lit around the room creating a warm hue. He wasn't sure if the scent of berries was from Hermione or the candles Drizzle had probably unnecessarily lit earlier.

"Mum?" The voice reverberated throughout the Manor. Hermione widened her eyes in alarm. His own eyes widened instinctively. That must be... But then she was running. In her heels. He rolled his eyes at her tedious actions before catching up and grabbing her by the waist.

"Get off me, Malfoy, or I swear to Merlin I will hex your balls off!", he simply rolled his eyes, again, and after a blink of an eye they were both in the front hallway. Wrenching his arms away from her, she bent over before gathering the child in her arms. Draco hated to admit it but he couldn't help looking at her arse.

The child just stood there and didn't react as he was embraced, "Mum... What are you doing? I saw you like half an hour ago." A lone tear escaped her left eye. Draco just stared. He had never experienced such affection from a parent but the child was obviously used to it. It didn't even seem grateful for the tenderness Hermione was showering it in. A grimace erupted over his face mindlessly.

"Who is that Mother?", the child asked, arms crossed. Draco took a good look at Hermione's child. Platinum blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. Nothing at all like it's Mother. Dressed in a grey sweater and jeans, he had to admit, for a youngster, he had a commendable fashion sense. For a child.

"Nobody concerning you, Scorpius.", Well that was a lie.

"But he looks awfully like-", Hermione cut it off with a glare. A terrifying glare. He hoped she'd never look at him in that way.

Hermione didn't give Draco the chance to get a word in. "And why did you leave the car?", she asked, looking quite scary. It sounded like a harmless question but the look adorning Hermione's face made it seem as if it was getting scolded. She brought up the child with a firm hand, something he admired of the ex-Gryffindor

"You see, Mother", the child's opening words for the excuse intrigued Draco and he raised a brow in amusement, " it started to rain and then there was thunder and when there's thunder lightning isn't far behind so I got scared", it finished, face looking passive. The child didn't seem to show emotion very well. Like... well, him. If there was one thing Draco would never wish upon even his worst enemy, it was that. Or his last name. With the name Malfoy comes great burdens.

"Nonsense,", Draco finally edged in, "I was outside moments ago and the weather was simply divine.", He noticed Hermione inhale deeply.

"Are you calling me a liar?" The child asked in outrage, "Mother! Tell this man off.", his arms were crossed over his chest and his lips formed a stubborn pout. She released the breath with a roll of her eyes. However Draco was amused. The child definitely had a thing for the theatrics.

"It's definitely your child, Granger.", he laughed. She wasn't as amused it seemed. She muttered something under her breath. He so badly wanted to know what.

"It is a he, Malfoy.", Draco, of course, knew that but it was a child. What is a child's preferred pronoun? He guessed the obvious would have to do.

"Malfoy!", the child exclaimed, surprising his surroundings. It seemed as if Draco's eyebrow was permanently going to remain raised, " just like Gran-"

"Scorpius! That is enough.", Scorpius. What a pureblood name. Why on Earth had Granger named her son that? He'd have thought his name would be something typical, like Michael or Adam.

"No. I don't think it is. Please continue.", Draco egged on, if looks could kill he'd be a dead man, thanks to Hermione of course. The child didn't even look conflicted. It was quite scary not seeing emotions written all over a child face. Especially since he doubted Hermione would withhold him from it. The child did, however, look between the pair once before saying,

"Yes, I think it is.", he raised his chin in a stubborn gesture. Stubborn like his mother. Draco did not like this child. Draco resorted to the only thing he was sure would work.

"So, Scorpius, what do you like to do?", bribery. He could've easily used legilimency but knew it was an invasion of privacy and it's just unethical to perform such magic on a child. Scorpius wasn't budging. He didn't say a word. So Draco did.

"Well, in the Manor, there's 6 swimming pools,", nothing, "a huge library,", still nothing, but Hermione looked intrigued, that had to count for something, " a cinema, tennis court, Quidditch pit-", both mother and son apparently had a knack for interrupting one whilst they're speaking. Not that he minded this particular time.

"QUIDDITCH!" The child shouted in excitement. Bingo. Now to persuade him...

"I'll give you a new broom. If you finish the sentence your Mother so kindly forbade you to do so", Hermione was visibly seething. Her jaw was clenched and hands were balled into fists.

"Draco, I do not condone such behavior tow-", once again the child cut someone off. This time his Mother.

"FINE!", Scorpius said in exasperation, as if he'd thought about it for days,"But only if you throw in a new kit." Easy.

"You can have it tomorrow." Draco said, looking triumphant.

"AND I want a signed shirt by the Holyhead Harpies." Slightly harder but doable

"AND I want a Quidditch season ticket." Damn. Aren't they sold out?

"Done.", Draco declared, the child didn't even smile. Hermione was a completely different case, she was grinning and holding back a laugh., "Are you satisfied now?", Draco asked, in mock exhaustion.

"Yes I'm very satisfied.", he didn't look it. But Draco was. Until- "You have the same surname as my Grandfather."

-xXx-

Not the best chapter, I know. However I'm sorry about the wait and hope at least one person is still continuing with the story. Thank you for all the support. I'm ever so grateful. :)