Hermione awoke the next morning, from a deep sleep. She had not slept soundly for the past week or two and, she was pleasantly surprised to find herself well rested. The silk ivory sheets were soft and warm on her legs and, for a second she forgot where she was. She had always dreamed of getting expensive sheets for her bed at home and, thinking about it made unhappy memories of Ron appear in her head.

She laid there for several minutes savoring the time she spent being comfortable and, not worrying what Malfoy would say to her. Right after he persuaded her to stay with Rose, she retreated into the bedroom that was assigned to her for the rest of the night. It would have been much too awkward to pretend like nothing ever happened between them and make herself at home. Also, she was embarrassed after the swimming pool accident and upset about what was told to everyone in the Prophet.

Someone, who was apparently sleeping with her, started to stir and, Hermione jumped- not knowing anyone was in the bed beside her.

"Mummy? It's too early to get up!" Rose whined as Hermione pulled down the person's covers trying to see if it was her daughter. Hermione stroked Rose's blonde curls and kissed the top of her head.

"Rose, it's nearly 11:00," Hermione said and Rose's head shot up out of the covers.

"I missed breakfast?" Rose said, a look of disappointment crossed her face.

"I'm sure Draco will let you have some type of breakfast food for lunch," Hermione said absentmindedly, starting to braid Rose's hair. Rose turned around and hugged Hermione, catching her off guard.

"I knew everything would be ok!" Rose said. "I'm happy we can stay here!"

"Sweetie, everything would have been fine, even if we lived somewhere else. I know you like it here but, I just don't know if this arrangement is going to work out. I need to go back to my job soon and, it would have been beneficial to stay at your grandparent's house so they could watch you," Hermione said.

"Daddy could watch me and we can't leave! One of my wishes came true, almost!" Rose whined. Hermione rubbed her back affectionately.

"We'll see, dear," Hermione said quietly.

Rose pouted and put her hands on her hips. She stuck out her tongue at Hermione as she slid off the side of the bed, "Mummy? Why aren't you happy here? I'm happy…" She turned around and headed out the bedroom door, slamming it as she closed it.

Hermione sighed and got up out of the bed. She unshrunk her suitcase and pulled out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. As she got dressed her stomach growled hungrily and, she rolled her eyes hoping she could stay in the room longer.

After several minutes, she decided to leave the room to grab something to eat. Trying to remember the way downstairs, she stumbled through corridors and down staircases, getting lost in the process. Luckily, she spotted a house elf farther down the hallway.

"Excuse me, could you please tell me where the kitchen is?" Hermione called to the house elf. He turned around and smiled.

"Mistress Narcissa and Master Draco are expecting you. Follow Kixley Miss," the elf said and started walking down the corridor. Hermione followed; her heart was beating rapidly in nervousness.

It seemed like the hallway didn't last long enough. Soon, a pristine white door gleamed in front of her. The house elf opened the door and let her enter; closing it behind her. It was a lovely room. Murals of violet flowers were painted on the white walls and there was not a speck of dust on the white carpet. White lace curtains adorned the windows leading to a balcony. There was a very large china cabinet on one side of the room and a white desk with a bunch of miscellaneous women's things on it. There were two violet couches facing each other with a white coffee table in between them. Hermione assumed this was Narcissa's office or her place to get away; she had always dreamt of having her own study so she could have a little quietness to get her work reports done.

Hermione felt bad for stepping on the snow white carpet; almost feeling like someone like her didn't have the right to step into such a lovely room. "Hello?" she called, not seeing anyone in the room.

"Oh, Hermione we are out on the balcony," Narcissa Malfoy called from outside.

Hermione stepped outside and a cool breeze blew her hair backwards. She smiled at how nice it was to feel the beginning of summer again. There was a patio set on the balcony and Narcissa and Draco were sitting in two of the chairs.

"It's a lovely day, isn't it, Hermione?" Narcissa said pleasantly. Hermione shook her head slowly, uncomfortable that she was in front of two Malfoys. "Oh, do sit down. I have just asked a house elf to bring us some tea and sandwiches. I hope you are hungry."

"Oh, um, yeah, thanks," Hermione said awkwardly and took the last empty seat at the table.

Narcissa smiled softly and rose from her chair. She looked quickly at her son and back to Hermione. "Well, I hope you two have a nice conversation; I must be going. I have a hair appointment in fifteen minutes." Hermione's mouth went wide and she was about to protest but, Narcissa had already left. A house elf brought the tea and a plate of turkey sandwiches and set it on the table.

Hermione fumbled with her hands in her lap and stared at them, occasionally stealing a hungry glance at the sandwiches. Draco stared at her the entire time.

"You can eat you, know," Draco said taking a sandwich from the plate and taking a large bite out of it. Hermione reluctantly followed suit.

"So, what did you want to see me for?" Hermione asked suddenly, after taking a few bites out of her sandwich.

"Oh, well, don't freak out or anything but, Rose went to the Zabini household to play. Blaise's son has been asking about her a lot lately and he asked if she could stay with them for a few hours," Draco said. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Why didn't you ask me if it was ok?" Hermione questioned him.

"It's not like she has anything better to do; besides, don't you want her to have friends? She is my daughter, too. I would never let her do something I didn't approve of; there is no harm in her going to spend a day with the Zabinis. But, anyways that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Then, what did you want to say to me?" Hermione asked raising her eyebrows.

"I wanted to know, well we already talked about… what I'm trying to say is when Rose gets older she will want to know why her last name is Weasley when she isn't a Weasley. As much as you can't stand it, she is a Malfoy, Hermione. I really don't think she deserves the stress that comes if we put this off until later. I have the papers, all you have to do is sign. I'll even bring it to the Ministry of Magic myself."

"I don't know, Draco. I don't want her to be confused and, this is all going so fast. I think this matter should be left alone until she is older and can understand better," Hermione said.

"Hermione, at least if you aren't going to even consider it, ask Rose to see what she wants. She should have the choice to decide," Draco said, running his hands through his silky platinum hair.

"I don't know why this is so important to you. It's just a name," Hermione said rolling her eyes. She stood up and headed for the door.

Draco abruptly got up and ran to her side. She tried to open the door knob but he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back against the wall. Her eyes were wide in shock.

"Malfoy is not just a name, Hermione. It's my name. Rose is mine, not that pathetic Weasels; I will not let something that is mine be defected like that," Draco whispered in her ear. Chills went down Hermione's spine.

"You may be Rose's father, but she is not an object!" Hermione nearly shouted, trying to push Draco off of her.

"Now tell me, Hermione," Draco said and caressed her stomach. "Why such a girl lucky enough to carry the next Malfoy heir doesn't want her to be a Malfoy?"

"I… that has nothing to do with it," Hermione said, tingles starting to go up her body.

"Are you sure?" Draco said, leaning in and whispering into her ear.

"Of course," Hermione said gazing into his startling pools of silver eyes. She was enchanted by looking into their endless depths.

The next thing she knew his lips were on hers. His hands slid down to her waist and hers raked through his silky hair, as he deepened the kiss. In the back of her head she knew it was morally wrong but, it felt right to her. She didn't know how long they kissed, just that when he finally broke away she felt empty; as if something was missing in her life.

Draco smirked triumphantly and Hermione's cheeks went red; as she realized what had really, just happened.

"I knew you, didn't hate me, Mione," Draco said affectionately caressing her cheek. He gave her the paper and she immediately signed it.

"Rose should be home soon; I think we should go to the Ministry together," He said and smiled.

Hermione was utterly confused until she looked down at the court documents in her hands. Plain as day, was her signature changing Rose's name from Weasley to Malfoy.

O.o.O

Hermione spent over an hour contemplating if Draco had played her or not. She finally decided he wasn't because, how was he supposed to know the part of her brain that rationally thought would shut down? She didn't even think that would happen. She never thought Draco Malfoy would kiss her ever again either, but look how that turned out. She was confused at her feelings and was a little scared that she actually wanted Draco to kiss her again.

When Rose came home she crawled on her mother's lap and told Hermione all about the Zabini's house and how she played with Antonio and his sister the whole time. The house elves baked chocolate chip cookies for them and made them bowls of their favorite ice cream. They played the child's version of Exploding Snap and she won.

Hermione smiled at how happy she was; even though the Zabini children weren't the ideal play mates she would have picked out for her daughter. Rose never had any friends and it was to see she had finally made some.

Draco walked into the room and smiled at Rose and Hermione, "Come on girls. Rosie, we are going to the place with the big fountain again."

Rose jumped off Hermione's lap and hollered with glee. Hermione looked a little bit troubled. "You know what, how about you take Rose Draco? I just don't really feel like showing myself to the public if you comprehend what I'm saying."

"Since, when do you care what anyone says about you Hermione? Come on this is something we both need to experience," Draco said. His eyes pleaded at her.

"It's just a stupid name. I don't understand why it means so much to you right this second. You could have chosen any other day, week, whenever." Hermione said skeptically.

"Yeah, I could have; but I chose today," He said and smirked. Draco picked up Rose and grabbed Hermione's hand.

He Apparated them both to a court office and handed a stout wizard the signed documents. The man smiled at them both and handed Draco a new birth certificate for stating their daughter's legal name was now Rose Elizabeth Malfoy.

"Rosie, guess what?" Draco said.

"What Daddy?" She said and smiled, licking an orange lollipop the wizard at the desk had given her.

"Your name is now Rose Malfoy,"

"Really?!" A huge smile appeared on her face. She wiggled out of Draco's arms and ran to her mother's. She gave Hermione a big hug and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you, Mummy!" Rose squealed. Hermione smiled. "Daddy said you wouldn't sign the papers, but you did!" Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco, wondering when that came up in their conversation together.

"Yes, so now it's official," Draco said, happily gazing at Rose.

"Yes, I suppose it's now official," Hermione said, masking all emotions.

"Stop being so dumpy, Mummy!" Rose chastised her mother. "Daddy said that he has a surprise for us, and you have to be happy."

"Did, he now?" Hermione said frowning.

"This needs a cause for a celebration," Draco said. He transfigured Hermione's Muggle clothing into a beautiful blue gown; not even bothering with Rose and his clothes because they were already fancy enough.

Hermione blinked several times and was about to protest when Draco, yet again, Apparated them both again.

O.o.O

They all arrived at a fancy wizard restaurant. The host took one look at Draco Malfoy and immediately told someone to go seat them in the V.I.P section. Hermione assumed the Malfoy's were special customers.

As the waitress was getting them all drinks, Hermione looked at the menu. Her eyes went wide and she gulped at the exceedingly high prices of the food. She didn't know how she was supposed to pay for Rose's kids meal, let alone anything for her.

Noticing Hermione's distress, Draco responded to her troubled mind, "Pick out anything you want, I am going to pay, Hermione."

"Draco… I just don't feel right about you doing that. At least let me pay for some of it," Hermione sighed.

"No," he said smirking at her. She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, that would be rude of me not too," Hermione said, her mouth forming a tight line.

"No, you aren't paying for anything. It's already been decided that I am going to pay," Draco said stubbornly.

"Stop being like that. I'm not completely broke. I will pay for something whether you like it or not," Hermione huffed. Rose snuggled into Hermione's arm.

"Stop being a bossy 'I think I'm better than everyone else' stubborn little know it all!"

"You are utterly impossible, Draco," Hermione said, holding Rose close to her.

"You are unbearable," he retorted back to her.

"I think you are an insufferable git," Hermione said back to him. Rose started giggling.

"I love you, Hermione,"

Her eyes widened, "You what?"

"Hermione, I still love you. I have never fallen out of love with you, I was just in denial for five years. Please give me a second chance," He said to her. She looked down at the table.

"Draco… I… How could you still love me? I was horrible to you, up until a week or two ago," Hermione said confused.

"That's what it took for me to realize I couldn't lose you, or Rose again,"

Hermione looked into his eyes and smiled meekly.

"So are we official?"