A/N: A big thanks to my readers, reviewers, followers, and those who have put this fic on their favorite list.
Thank you to: Vaneesa85, hkmac, Anjali Katari, Angelus Draco, Aya Diefair, callalily32, Jenny, alina290, Greathe, Pink Slytherin, Berry xD, Analelle, Musette Fujiwara, GetTraught, Feline, Jessica682, and loves2readalways for the review.
I got a lot of comments concerning Hermione and the Malfoys. Some reviewers were on the Malfoys' side and some were on Hermione's side. I know it may seem that Hermione is being selfish or that the Malfoys are being forceful. I'm trying to get both of their sides along with weaseling in Alex's opinion, as well, little by little.
In my opinion, I do think that Hermione treated Draco poorly, but the story is not black and white and will have in-depth details on those matters later. However, please do not mistake her parenting choices for selfishness. She's not giving the Malfoys a hard time to be mean. She really believes they are dangerous people regardless of their semi-polite behavior. I'm trying to make this story as real as possible. Never mind how cute Draco is. He was a nasty brat in the books and his parents were not much better. I love fanfiction, especially Dramione. I write and read religiously, but I try not to buy into the delusions I often come across in stories that the Malfoys are actually lovely people and would be tolerant if their son showed up to the manor with Hermione hanging from his arm. Yes, I'm sure the war knocked them down a peg or two, but the Pureblood Astoria Greengrass would have been a more suitable candidate for birthing the Malfoy heir according to Lucius and Narcissa.
Anyway, I've said my thoughts. I hope the chapter is enjoyable. It's a flashback because I thought a break from the present was greatly needed. Have fun reading! Read and review, please.
Christmas Night 2003
"Thank you for inviting me over for Christmas dinner, Mr. Thane. Your parents are lovely people. I hope Alex wasn't too much trouble," Hermione said to the handsome young man two years her junior, but he didn't seem to mind her presence. He accompanied her to the door, following close behind and stripping the coatrack of her cloak before her hand could even brush the material.
"Let me get that for you." He assisted her with the cloak and said, "Mom is besotted by Alex. He wasn't any trouble at all. Even got my old grump of a dad to crack a few smiles."
"It didn't bother you at all when he spilled the eggnog pitcher or flipped over the roll dish?" Hermione asked timidly and Mr. Thane chuckled.
"Not in the least," Mrs. Thane voice drifted from around the corner, making her presence known. She appeared while gently bouncing Alex in her arms and making delighted faces at him, her eyes and mouth opening wide comically. "You can bring him by anytime. I bet you don't get a lot of free time with this busybody scouting for trouble. You ever need a sitter, Miss Granger, just let me and Pete know. All our grandkids are back in Georgia, and we don't get to see them all that often since we just don't feel comfortable flying anymore like we did a few years ago. Driving's not bad but takes a bit of time."
"I understand," said Hermione and nodded sympathetically. Joshua Thane's parents were Muggles and didn't have the conveniences of Portkeys and Flooing to a faraway destination. Margaret and Pete Thane were true American Muggles, completed with a resilient flag pole in the front yard proudly baring the spangled banner. On the walls were photographs of the Thane family, many of them old and of mostly men dressed in military uniforms standing tall and unmoving. There was a recent photograph of a fetching young man about nineteen. It was a profile shot taken in front of an American flag and Hermione asked, nudging her head at the framed picture while taking Alex from Mrs. Thane, "How's Kirk?"
Mrs. Thane sighed and smile, her eyes growing soft and misty and her son answered, "He got shipped out last week. Didn't I tell you?'
"No, but that's alright. It's not really my business, but may I ask if he's doing well?"
Joshua nodded and replied, "Yeah, I think so. Tries to call often and give us peace of mind."
"Oh, that's good," Hermione said quietly, unsure as of what else to say and rubbed Alex's back, thinking how difficult it must be for Mrs. Thane. Having one's child fighting a war had to be harrowing. For Hermione, she had been the child, but her parents never knew. They never had to lay awake at night and worry she may not come home.
The Wizarding War had been brutal, unfair, and deathly like all wars. Hermione had reoccuring nightmares of the castle falling apart or her old friends and schoolmates dying. She'd relive it again, though. Having battled in the war meant a better future for Alex, and she would move the Earth on its axis and realign the stars if it meant keeping her baby safe.
Alex smiled at her around his new pacifier he got for a present that morning. He leaned his little body closer to his mother, snuggling against her and resting his head on her shoulder.
"He's an angel, Miss Granger. I mean it now. Anytime he needs a watchin', swing him by here."
"Umm…okay," Hermione said and kissed Alex's curly head. Smiling into his wild wisps of blond hair, she wondered if it was too early for a haircut.
"You can go out, meet a friend," the woman unabashedly hinted, tossing her son a pointed look which did not go amiss from him or Hermione. Joshua coughed uncomfortably, blushed, and took his own cloak from the coatrack.
"Think I'll walk Hermione home. Make sure she gets back to her apartment safely. News says a blizzard's coming soon," he said.
"Be safe and don't feel like you have to come back home if the snow's coming down too hard," his mother said to him and winked at the both of them and then petted the back of Alex's head wistfully. "Now let me tend to Daddy. Think he's fallen asleep at the table and oh…Hermione, let me send you off with some leftovers. We got turkey and potatoes pouring from our ears. I'll box up some pie for you, too. Saw that you took a liking to that pecan."
Flushing, Hermione inwardly sighed at remembering the three slices she scarfed of Mrs. Thane's pecan pie, but gracious, what kind of sadist put chocolate and cream cheese inside a perfectly innocent pecan pie?
"I'm not sure that's-" Hermione tried to say.
"Nonsense. Pete's perfectly fine with the pumpkin, and I think I'll start early on my New Year's Resolution. Speaking of, you got any?"
Not actually having thought about it, Hermione shrugged. "Not really. Perhaps saving up money. I'd like to go back to school."
"Smart, smart. Good idea. Now, I'll just get that food. Hang on a bit."
Trekking through the snow towards the Magical to Muggle shop, Hermione carried her bundled baby close to her body to preserve warmth. She had cast a Warming Charm around him, and he had his tiny little beanie cap on and puffy coat and those darling little snow boots she couldn't help but purchase when seeing them at Magical Babies' Emporium a few weeks prior. Regardless, she would not allow Alex to be cold in the slightest.
She watched for signs of discomfort due to the frigid air, but his head rested placidly on her shoulder, pacifier snug and bobbing in place, knackered grey eyes hooded from his tummy being stuffed from mashed potatoes and whipped cream he scraped clean off a slice of chocolate pie. When he realized the chocolate part tasted good, he ate that, too.
The chilly air no longer bothered her as warmth flooded her heart and womb—the same sensation she felt when she first held him in her arms over a year ago and hoped that feeling would never as he'd grow older. Having talked with other mothers at cosmetic parties, some of them had told her that though the love for their children intensified over the years, the fresh and primal gooey feeling short-circuited often. Other mothers had said they still feel the same overwhelming emotion of love when seeing their fifteen year old sons belch loudly and inappropriately at the dinner table.
"Did you have a good Christmas dinner," Hermione cooed at Alex and brushed a kiss on his plump cheek, grinning into his skin. It smelled of baby vomit, ironically from the whipped cream, and she didn't care. Casting a glance at Joshua who was walking beside her, catching his stare, she said, "Thank you for walking me home and carrying the leftovers, Mr. Thane."
"Not a problem, Miss Granger," he said and smiled dashingly at her. A flutter of excitement stirred in her belly, but she ignored it. True, if she had been a few years younger, still wild and silly and without a child, she wouldn't leave him at the doorstep like she knew she'd have to do when they arrived to her apartment. She'd invite him in, offer him hot cider spiked with vodka, and he wouldn't leave until the following morning.
But Hermione was not a twenty-one anymore, nor was she wild. She still was kind of silly, but it was necessary. Silliness came with motherhood, not sexiness. Though that was arguable, it was difficult trying to feel sexy when carrying an overstuffed diaper bag with pee down the front of her shirt. However, Draco did have the talent in making her feel confident about herself. Thus, the biggest reason as to why Mr. Thane would be returning to his parents' home at a decent hour. Due to their agreement they made at Easter, she and Draco were both off limits to everyone besides each other.
They entered the Muggle to Magic shop through the front door. The Charmed glass sensing the three's magic and letting them pass through and enter the closed establishment. Exiting through the back door, they started on the snowy path towards Hermione's apartment and within ten minutes, Thane escorted her into the lobby and towards the elevator. Arriving to her floor, the liftman parted the gate and let them off on the fifth floor.
"You live in a nice area, Miss Granger," Mr. Thane commented, his eyes sweeping across the hall with the marble flooring and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. "Perhaps I should dabble in the cosmetic business, as well."
Slowing her pace when seeing number fifty-six, she replied with a chuckle, "Thank you but if Alex's father wasn't a supportive being, there would be no way I could afford to live here. Doesn't matter a tube of Everlasting Mascara costs sixteen plinkets and sell like they're going out of style."
"Sixteen plinkets!?" he exclaimed and shook his head ruefully. "Women are crazy. I could buy a week's worth of groceries for me and my roommates for sixteen plinkets."
"Where do you think my commission goes towards? Food, savings, important things," Hermione informed and then smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you for walking me home and thank you again for inviting me over for Christmas dinner."
"Thank you for accepting. I thought you would say no. I mean…you did…at first. And then the second time but the third time…"
"I caved," Hermione finished and readjusted Alex on her hip. "Well, thank you again. I'll probably see you in the library in a couple of days. You know how Alex loves story time in the Tot's Section."
"Right," Joshua said and nodded curtly as Hermione slipped her key into the slot only to discover that the door was already unlocked. Frowning, she pocketed her key and twisted the knob and poked her head inside her apartment.
"Something wrong," he asked and Hermione saw Draco's cloak draped on the coatrack and the lights were on.
"No," she said and opened the door further. "Alex's father is here." There was an unmistakable flicker of jealousy that twitched Mr. Thane's face, but she pointedly disregarded it and gingerly informed, "I guess he's visiting for Christmas after all. I thought he wasn't going to show. He said in his last letter that he couldn't and was sorry and…doesn't matter. Come in, come in."
Mr. Thane followed Hermione into her apartment, the girl knowing it was not the wisest idea to invite him in while Draco was home, but Alex was still in her arms and Mr. Thane had the leftovers.
"You can place those plates and boxes on the counter," she said to him and swallowed nervously when hearing footsteps coming down the hallway. Placing a gleeful smile on her face, she faced the hallway to see Draco marching down the hallway with a scowl pinching his lips.
"Granger," he said lowly, his eyes travelling her form before placing them on Mr. Thane, his scowl deepening in a snarl.
"Malfoy," she said to him and nudged her head in Mr. Thane's direction who shifted anxiously on his feet. "This is Mr. Thane. He was so kind and invited Alex and me over to his parents' house for Christmas dinner. He's a student and works at the library. I think I've mentioned him before."
"You have," Draco gravelly said through clenched teeth, his jaw ticking in jealousy.
"Mr. Thane." She turned to him and saw him inching towards the door. "This is Alex's father."
Joshua nodded at the other wizard uncomfortably and said, "It's nice meeting you, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger talks about you often."
Hermione saw Draco's posture relax slightly at Mr. Thane's words; nevertheless, he snaked a hand behind her back, rubbing her spine for a brief moment before encircling her form and pulling her and Alex closer to him.
"Does she?" he said in mild intrigue, his brow quirking and lips twitching.
Mr. Thane nodded and waved his hand. "It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger, I hope to see you again soon. Merry Christmas."
"Thank you," said Hermione and turned Alex so he could see Mr. Thane leave. Taking his small mitten-covered hand she waved goodbye at Mr. Thane. "Wave goodbye, Button."
The moment Mr. Thane closed the door behind him Hermione saw from the corner of her eye Draco opening his mouth wide to say something undoubtedly charming and sweet. Hurriedly, she placed Alex in his arms and picked up the load Mr. Thane left on the counter.
"Think I won't yell at you because I'm holding Scorpius, do you?" Draco roughly inquired and brought the baby's face closer to his as if to inspect him. The child was passive and continued to suck on his binky earnestly, the slight bobbing guard bumping the man's nose. He visibly deflated, a small endeared smile on his lips and tucked his son's small body in the crook of his arm.
"Fire away," Hermione sassily challenged but softened at the scene and closed the fridge, trinkets from the Christmas feast tucked away inside. She walked up to him and stood on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his mouth and said, "Mr. Thane is a very nice man. You said in your last letter you weren't going to be able to come for Christmas because you had that business trip in Kyoto. When he invited me and Alex over for Christmas dinner, I thought it was a very polite thing to do, and I didn't want Alex and I cooped up in the apartment all day."
"I always come, Granger," he whispered to her, staring fixatedly at her mouth. Teasingly, she laved her lips with her tongue and kissed him again, nibbling at his bottom lip, enjoying the texture.
"I missed you," she murmured into his mouth and cupped his head to deepen the kiss, feeling his toy with a button on her cloak. Reluctantly, she pulled away and rubbed her nose against his. "I think Alex needs a diaper change, Daddy."
"Indeed," he rumbled. "Maybe a bath, as well."
"Pip, pip," Hermione said and pulled away from him, unfastening her cloak and walking out of the kitchen. "I'll be in the bedroom waiting. Don't take too long or else I'll fall asleep."
"Granger," he whined. "If we team up, we can clean him up faster and put him do bed faster."
Hermione paused and glanced back at him thoughtfully. "That may be true, but I think you should spend time with the baby, Draco. Just you and him. He needs to get to know you. Aside from cleaning up his bottom, bathing him won't be tough. Alex likes the water and is pretty mellow as long as the water is the right temperature and has one of his bath toys to play with. They're in a sealed bin underneath the sink. While you're cleaning him up," Hermione stripped herself of her cloak and tossed it onto the floor without a second thought, "I'll be in the bedroom waiting to give you your Christmas present even though you've been a naughty boy this year." Hermione cast him a wicked, saucy look and disappeared down the hallway, promise of late night fun swaying her hips.
"You're mummy is evil, Scorpius," she heard Draco say and she silently giggled and entered her bedroom, stopping in surprise when seeing a rectangular box on the bed wrapped in emerald green wrapping paper and a silver ribbon and bow. Grinning, she scampered towards the gift and lifted up the tag as to whom it was addressed to and read, I can't wait to rip this off of you.
Snorting at the ludicrous words, she wondered what kind of lingerie monstrosity he bought for her but felt giddy at the prospect and then cringed when remembering all the fattening food she ate that evening. There was no way she was going to be able squeeze into some itty bitty getup designed by some pervert from Paris.
Heart feeling heavy, she abandoned the unopened box and swung open her closet and studied her reflection in the mirror hanging on the back of the door and thought maybe Mrs. Thane's New Year's Resolution should be hers, too. Since the last time Hermione saw Draco six weeks ago, she put on some weight due to the holidays. The elderly couple down the hall invited her over for Thanksgiving a month ago and stuffed her and Alex full of roasted turkey and pie like Mrs. Thane had. Along with that, playing host to three cosmetic parties a week from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, many of her fellow consultants brought sugary goodies.
Frowning at her body, Hermione turned around and craned her head to get a look at her bum. Yep, that was bigger, too, and her nice suit pants were feeling extra snug like the button wanted to pop off.
Turing back around to face her reflection, she cupped her bosoms and hoped Draco would be distracted enough by them to overlook the extra juiciness she was packing.
Returning back to the box, she lifted the top and separated the tissue paper, bracing to find something small and absurd but instead her fingers came in contact with sturdy-feeling material. Gripping it, she pulled it out of the box and pursed her lips in amusement. Laying the outfit down on the bed, she closed the door and shirked her clothes and replaced them with Draco's present but first she went to her dresser and opened up the top drawer and debated black knee-stockings or thigh-high ones and eventually chose the latter.
She dressed and slid the box underneath the bed and laid down on the mattress, making herself comfortable. She contemplated on which provocative pose she'd do once Draco came knocking at the door, but her eyelids grew heavy and soon fluttered close. Sighing, she moved onto her side and curled up into the fetal position and drifted to sleep. Draco was taking far too long and as much as she wanted a good hard Christmas shag, between Alex and work and eating like a cow, she could not deny her aching muscles the rest they needed.
To be continued...