AN- No I don't own the characters

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Chapter 14

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Draco, still lying in bed, folded his arms behind his head and turned his face to the right to watch the dust particles drifting in and out of the sunbeam that was piercing through the window.

He could hear birds chirping on the trees outside, but his mind kept him from getting out of bed. The past few days flashed through his mind and he didn't know what to do about it.

It had been nearly three days since he had seen or heard from Aidan and Granger. He wanted to see Aidan again. But the thing was... how? There was no doubt that Hermione Granger would not hesitate to hex him out of her and their son's life. But that was the thing... it was their son. Not just hers. He had the right to see Aidan if he wanted to, didn't he? What would she do if he just stopped by out with no warning and said that she was denying him his rights as a father?

Then again... by his actions in the past, he didn't have the right to even call himself a father. She had made that very clear to him.

Draco groaned loudly, irritated by his thoughts. He threw the blankets aside and sat up, rubbing his face with his hands and letting out another tired groan.

Knock knock knock!

"Draco! Mate, are you awake?"

He growled in annoyance, burying his head in the pillow. "No, I'm fucking asleep. Leave me alone!"

He strained his ears to hear the person on the other side of the door.

Knock knock!

"Open the door, Draco." Theo's voice reached his ears. "I know you're lying. If you were asleep you wouldn't have answered back."

Draco scowled at his friend's idiocy. "What do you want, Theo?"

"Open the door!" Theo shouted, pounding on the door. "Why is it magically locked anyway? Hold on a minute, are you wanking in there?"

Draco let out a string of curses before shooting out of his bed and throwing the door open. "You idiot,my mother could be only a few feet away!"

Theo grinned, "Only joking. No need to get all defensive. Besides, Narcissa is downstairs with Astoria at the moment,talking about some boring women stuff."

Without waiting for permission, he walked inside his friend's room and threw himself on the bed. "Ah, no wonder you didn't want to get up. This shit is comfortable!"

Draco glared at him, and sat on the armchair chair. "What do you want?''

"Good morning to you, too.."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Oh wait, no. My apologies, it's the afternoon. Good afternoon, Draco –''

Draco growled. "Theo, what the hell are you doing here?"

Theo smirked, lifting his feet to rest on the bedside table. "Fix yourself up, Draco. We're going to see your son."

Draco stiffened. "What?"

"We're going to see your son."

"Granger is okay with me seeing him?" Draco asked doubtfully.

Theo opened his mouth to answer but changed his mind, sighing loudly . "Well, no. But I'm going to help you."

Draco rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Then fuck it. Granger will never let me see my son again."

"Well, not with that attitude." Theo shrugged. "Seriously, if you're going to try to prove to her that you're a changed man –"

Draco snorted.

"Then you need to get up, shower and change because honestly, you fucking stink like –"

"You prick!"

"Listen, do you want see your kid or not?" Theo asked, irritated by the interruptions. "Because if you do, then shut up and listen to me, for once in your pathetic life!"

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The previous night

"No."

"What?"

"No,'' Hermione snapped, tucking a sleeping Aidan in with a blanket. "My answer is no."

Theo gawked at her. "But you told Narcissa that you would think about it!"

"Yes, I have thought about it," Hermione interrupted him, pushing him out of the way and putting a silencing charm on the room. She ushered Theo out of the room and sighed. " I really think it's a bad idea for Malfoy to be so close to Aidan."

Theo shook his head in disagreement as he followed her downstairs into the living room. "But come on! I mean, you saw how he was towards Aidan! Well, you haven't seen him when you were out, but Narcissa and I were there. I'm telling you, Hermione, he was different!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and threw herself on the sofa. "I don't know, Theo. I'm really not comfortable with Aidan being with Malfoy. Have you forgotten about all those things he did to me and my friends?"

"Hermione, we've been over this before..." Theo groaned. "You really need to stop being stubborn and stop with this pride thing."

She bristled. "It's not about my bloody pride!"

"This is about Aidan," he continued, ignoring her. "What will Aidan think when he gets older? Don't you think he'll be curious about his other parent? How will he feel when he finds out you've been hiding him from his father? When I was with Draco that day... you should have seen him. It was as if he were a completely different person."

"Merlin, you keep saying that! But he's not," Hermione sighed. "He's still Draco Malfoy."

"How about this," Theo tried, "how about you spend some time with Draco?"

Hermione made a face. "Not likely."

"No, hear me out," he said. "If you want, your friends and I can come along too. That way, we can keep an eye on things. Hell, we can even bring Astoria and Blaise along, if you like. But you can just focus on Draco, and what he's like when he's with Aidan. You'll be there too, I mean, it's not like you're going to leave Aidan alone with him.."

Hermione bit her bottom lip and sighed, feeling defeated. "I'll think about it again Theo, but –"

Theo beamed in satisfaction. "Brilliant!"

"Now, I didn't say yes yet! But if I do agree to meeting, and he messes up this time, then I'm done."

"Duly noted," Theo said with a grin, getting up and heading towards the door. "I'll let Draco know!"

Before Hermione could remind him again that she didn't actually say yes yet, he was gone.

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Two days later

Knock knock knock!

Hermione paused at the sentence she was proofreading and looked up at the door. "Come in."

Pushing the papers to the side with a tired sigh, she watched as the doorknob turned to the left, before the door swung open to reveal the one man she had never wanted to see again. Her face was drowned in disgust just by looking at him.

"What do you want?" she spat, grabbing her wand just in case. She hadn't seen him for quite a few days now, what did he want?

Draco halted just inside the door and scowled. "Easy, Granger." He raised a packet he was holding and gestured towards it. "Kingsley sent me with another packet for you to look over."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, motioning for him to come closer. "Where is the other assistant who gave me the last packet?"

Draco shrugged and gently placed the paperwork on her desk. "His shift ended an hour ago."

"Oh," she mumbled, eyeing the packet with reluctance. "Well, if that's all, then you can leave now."

Draco disliked being told what to do. However, Theo told him that if he wants to see Aidan again, he has to be – Draco inwardly winced at this – nice to her. Or at least be on his best behaviour around her.

So, with only a few seconds of hesitation, he swallowed his pride and nodded before turning around to walk away. "All right. Have a good day, Granger."

To say that Hermione was shocked was an understatement. That was such a civilised thing of him to say... No, 'don't tell me what to do, Mudblood'? None of that, 'shut the hell up, you filth' nonsense? How odd…

Before Hermione could voice her suspicions, a sharp cry startled her. She gasped in surprise and shot out of her chair to squat down towards the sound.

Draco stiffened at that familiar noise and dropped his hand away from the doorknob. He whirled around to see the top of Hermione's head peaking from behind the desk.

What the hell? He frowned, cautiously taking a step closer to her. "Granger?"

He could hear her speaking softly. "It's okay, darling. Was I being too loud? Did Mummy wake you up?"

She gently unhooked the restraint on his baby seat and placed her hands under his arms to lift him up. "There, there, baby," she said softly, rubbing his back as she held on to him securely. She finally stood up and jumped at the sight of Draco's presence still in the room.

"What are you still doing here?" she snapped quietly, gently rubbing Aidan's back for comfort.

Draco blinked.

Merlin… he's... he's here. Aidan's here! Draco could feel his heartbeat increasing with both excitement and anticipation, just by seeing that little tiny boy who looked just like him. Fuck, he hadn't seen him in nearly a week and now he was here...

"I, uh... I heard a sound –''

"It was Aidan, obviously," Hermione interrupted. "Now leave, please."

Draco, still confused and surprised, shook his head. "No, wait a second. Why did you bring him to work? Does Shacklebolt know?"

"Of course he knows!" Hermione snapped, feeling insulted. "I asked permission first, of course. Besides, there was no one else I could call to babysit him."

"Astoria or my mother could have –"

"Don't start, Malfoy," she hissed, her arms tightening on a squirming Aidan. "Just stop it and leave now before I call Kingsley."

Draco took another step closer but paused when Hermione took a step back. What, did she think he was going to hurt them both?

"Granger, what –"

"Get out of here!" Hermione growled, not wanting to hear a word he was saying. "Merlin, Malfoy, just leave me and Aidan alone for once, will you?"

Aidan squirmed against his mother's hold and turned his body around, seeing Draco for the first time. He stopped moving for only a second before letting out another cry. He extended his tiny arms towards Draco, begging for his father's hold.

Draco could feel that now-familiar tug in his chest, but remained still. "Granger, can I just –"

"Leave!" she snapped. "I told you, I never want you near Aidan and –"

"Ahhh!" Aidan interrupted them with a scream, his hands stretched wide as he tried to reach for Draco again.

Hermione looked down at her son. She didn't know what to feel. Theo had told her that Aidan liked Draco but she didn't know what to believe anymore. The sight in front of her told her that he was telling the truth, but her head was saying otherwise. After all Draco has done to her? No way.

Why should he get to know Aidan when he didn't even want him in the first place? Why was Aidan so connected to Draco when she was the one who had been taking care of him since day one?

Now her hold on her child was becoming slack as Aidan continued to move and squirm, increasing his screams and cries.

"Granger, look at me." Draco knew that Hermione was having a hard time just by holding Aidan,, but Merlin! Couldn't she see that he just wanted to hold him?

Hermione glanced at Draco and was shocked to see him looking at Aidan with such... Oh, Aidan keeps moving!

"Granger." Draco took another step closer and lifted his hands up in surrender to show he meant no threat. He felt like such a fool doing it, but if that was what it took to show her that he meant no harm this time, then fuck it.

Hermione ignored him and continued to speak softly to the squirming baby. Why couldn't Malfoy just go away? When he wasn't here, she and Aidan were doing fine!

"Granger," Draco started again, "please."

Finally, Hermione stopped and looked up at him. What the hell? Did he just say please?

She saw a few Ministry employees stealing a look inside the office as they passed her door, and she inwardly cursed Draco for forgetting to close the door. Before she could think of anything else, Malfoy stood inches in front of her, blocking the nosy co-workers' views. His hands were still raised and his eyes begged her to let him this chance.

That's right, beg. You had better start begging, because you don't deserve anything, not now.

Aidan placed a hand on Draco's chest, but to Hermione's surprise, Draco remained frozen. His eyes still searched her face, waiting for her permission.

Now's your chance, Hermione. She thought of what Theo said. Just stay close to him.

She sighed and glared at Draco's shoulder. She didn't know if she would be able to do it... She didn't know if she could... Flashes of him insulting her and her friends kept buzzing through her head...

"Hermione?"

Her eyes snapped to his, surprise clearly etched on her face. He was asking permission still, ignoring Aidan's impatient cries. He could have easily snatched Aidan away from her if he wanted to, but he hadn't. He was waiting for her to show her agreement. Swallowing hard to prevent her mind changing, she leaned towards Draco and nodded.

Immediately Draco's face transformed into a smile. He gently prised Aidan from her grip and mimicked her moves by whispering in the baby's ear and rubbing his back for comfort.

Right away, Aidan's cries died down and turned into sniffles. He lifted his head to stare at his father's face while he lifted his fingers to pull on Draco's lips.

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Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Ouch." Draco winced playfully, causing Aidan to give him a toothless grin.

Who was this man? This couldn't be Draco Malfoy, the bastard who had been treating her like shit since her first year at Hogwarts.

No way.

Aidan pulled on Draco's hair, earning a yelp from him as a response.

"That hurts," Draco chuckled, removing the tiny fingers from his hair. Aidan ignored him and continued to pull. "Jeez, Aidan, I told you that it hurt and yet you're doing it again."

"Good for you, darling," Hermione teased, rubbing Aidan's back. "Pull on his hair some more."

Draco rolled his eyes, but kept his gaze on the baby, a slight quirk on the corner of his mouth. Hermione sat on the edge of her desk, watching them.

It felt so strange seeing Malfoy like that... It was if he was happy... She still couldn't wrap her mind around it, even though she could see it with her own eyes. This was totally unlike the Draco Malfoy she knew. This was someone completely different.

"Did you eat or drink anything before you got here, Malfoy?" she asked, stifling a laugh when Aidan suddenly pulled on Draco's ear.

"No," he said, rubbing his ear and playfully glaring at Aidan, who giggled back. "Why? Are you offering, Granger?"

"No," she snapped in annoyance, "it's just strange. You don't think someone could have slipped you a potion or something?"

Draco frowned and shook his head. "I didn't eat anything today, Granger. So if you're trying to ask me to lunch with you and Aidan, I'd be glad to go."

Hermione bristled. "That's not what I'm asking.

"I know, I know." He smirked, squeezing Aidan's fingers. "Your mother needs to take that stick out of her arse, right, Aidan?"

"Hey!" Hermione snapped, clearly annoyed. ''If you're going to act like a git again, then give him back to me.''

Draco glared at her but kept his mouth closed, giving the rest of his attention to Aidan.

"This doesn't change anything," Hermione said clearly, watching him.

She watched his reaction; his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed hard, and his eyes shifting downwards as if an unpleasant thought had crossed his mind.

"Whatever," he muttered, absently straightening Aidan's rumpled clothes.

"I'm serious."

''And I'm serious, Granger," Draco snapped back, throwing a glare at her. "I know I've been a bit inappropriate to you –"

"Inappropriate?" Hermione cut him with a scoff.

Draco continued on. "– and I know you fucking hate me as much as I hate you, but I'm sorry, all right?"

Hermione's eyes widened.

Draco, too, stopped abruptly, as if he was also surprised at the sudden apology. It fell out of his mouth so quickly that it was too late for him to pull it back in. He gave her another dirty look to hide his shock before dropping his eyes again in humiliation.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, his grey eyes lifting to Aidan's. Some sort of emotion was swimming underneath his gaze as he looked at him. One that Hermione couldn't quite place. "But I want to be part of his life, understand?"

Hermione remained quiet, too stunned to say anything.

Mistaking her silence as a negative answer, he growled. "If you're going to try to stop me from seeing him again, Granger, I swear to Merlin that I will do everything in my power to fight back."

Hermione blinked, anger starting to replace her surprise. She took a step closer to him and hissed. "Shut up. You don't get to threaten me like that, you arsehole. If I want to keep Aidan away from a pathetic, imbalanced man such as you, then I will. You don't get to do anything about it."

Draco's arms wrapped around Aidan securely, his lips curled into a snarl, but he kept his silence. Aidan, as if sensing the tension his father was displaying, placed his hands on Draco's face. Hermione was taken aback by her son's behaviour and how rapidly Draco's demeanour relaxed just by Aidan's touch, but made sure not to show it on her face.

"But he's my son," he said quietly, stroking Aidan's hands with his fingers.

"And he's my son," she answered back icily. "You were never there in the beginning. I gave you so many chances and you messed them up. I don't want Aidan to get to know his father, and then never see him again, or have his heartbroken by you. It's just not fair."

Draco wanted to throw something in anger, preferably in her direction.

"Tell me a good reason why I should give you another chance?" Hermione asked sullenly..

Draco opened his mouth to answer but closed it when no answer came to him. He let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. Why was she being so harsh on him?

"I'm sorry," That was all he can say.

Hermione sighed. "I don't know if sorry can cut it, Malfoy," she murmured.

Draco shook his head, letting out a short, sharp laugh. He pulled Aidan closer to him and leaned down to place a chaste kiss on his forehead, not bothering to say anything else. It felt as if heavy pounds of regret were being pushed against him, burying him, shortening his breaths. That feeling was another one that was foreign to him and he didn't know what to make of it.

Giving her a quick short nod, he gently leaned towards her, motioning for her to take Aidan back. With no hesitation, she quickly wrapped her arms around the baby and sighed with relief when Aidan placed his head on the crook of her neck, relaxed and tired once more.

Draco watched them both for a second and leaned down to kiss the top of Aidan's head again in a fatherly manner. It still shocked Hermione to see that side of him, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She frowned at Draco when he straightened up.. Catching her eye and nodding again, he turned around to leave, closing the door behind him without another word.

She didn't know if her surprise was because he didn't take his chance to threaten her again, or if it was because the look he unconsciously gave her was telling her that he was nearly giving up.

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"Do you mind if Blaise comes over again, Draco?" Astoria asked kindly, placing her hand on his knee.

Draco glared at her action. "I don't care."

She flashed him a smile and sat up straighter, taking a spoonful of soup.

"You spend a lot of time with him these days," he said thoughtfully. "Why is that?"

He didn't fail to notice the way she stiffened. How curious...

"We're friends," Astoria said with a shrug. "Just like how you and Theo spend time together sometimes, so do Blaise and I. Is that bad?"

"Theo and I are best mates," Draco told her dryly. "Are you going to tell me you and Blaise are the best of friends just like Potter and Granger? Or is it the same as the Weasel and Granger?"

"I don't know what you're taking about."

"No?" Draco accused. "No lingering sexual tension between two former lovers, is there?"

Astoria's eyes widened in surprise but she quickly snapped back. "Listen, just because you've had a horrible day, it doesn't mean that you have to contaminate my day with whatever the hell you've been through."

Draco sneered. "Fuck you, slut."

"No, thank you." She daintily dabbed the corners of her lips and got out of her seat. "If you excuse me, I have better company to be with than you."

Draco's palms were starting to hurt from how tight his fist was clenched. It wasn't until Astoria finally left the dining room that he relaxed with a sigh.

"Mister Malfoy?"

Draco rubbed the ache from his hand and turned to see his house-elf standing by the doorway. "What is it, Elf?"

Elf bowed down slightly. "You have a visitor, sir."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Why does Theo have you announce his arrival every time he gets the opportunity?" Before the house-elf could answer, he sighed. "Never mind, Elf, don't answer that. Let him in."

Elf bowed down again and rushed out.

Groaning, he leant against his chair and stared up at the ceiling.

"That is so you," an irritated voice broke out. "You couldn't even give your house-elf a proper name. Who names their house elf, 'Elf'?"

Draco groaned again. "For your information, Granger, I had him when I was about Aidan's age. When I was old enough to talk, I couldn't say 'house-elf', so I kept calling him and the others 'Elf'. Since then he only answers to that name, so don't blame me."

Hermione snorted, folding her arms. "Well?"

"Well what?" Draco snapped. "And what the fuck are you doing here?"

"If you're going to keep being an arse then I might as well leave," she said angrily, turning around.

Hesitating for only a second, Draco growled. "Damn it, Granger! Wait!"

Hermione paused and faced him. "Are you going to let me sit or not?"

Draco stared at her. What the hell was her problem? Did she need some assistance to sit down herself? Glaring at her, he pulled up a chair and nodded towards it. "Don't just stand there like an idiot. Sit down."

Hermione rolled her eyes but strode towards the chair and sat down. Still confused with why she was even in the Manor, Draco stared, waiting for an explanation.

"Where's uh... Where's Aidan?" He suddenly noticed their son's absence.

"With the Weasley's and Harry." Hermione waved her hand nonchalantly, as if having his son in the presence of those idiots shouldn't bother him. "I'm here to talk to you."

He crossed his arms. "So, talk, filth. I don't have all day."

"Cut the act, Malfoy," Hermione snapped. "It's just me in here."

"Go to hell then," he muttered, glaring at the floor. "I don't want to see you."

Hermione was starting to feel her anger increasing, but pushed it down by closing her eyes and counting silently in her head.

When she opened her eyes again, she continued in a cool tone. "You know, acting like this isn't convincing me to let you see Aidan again."

Draco's eyes snapped to hers.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Do you want to see Aidan again?"

He had no time for this game. "Stop it, Granger. Stop playing with me."

She raised her eyebrows, a smirk placed on her lips. "Who said I'm playing? I'm only asking. Do you want to see him again? Because if you don't..."

"You know I do, Granger," Draco said quietly. "I want to see him again."

His gaze was becoming so intense that Hermione had to look down at the floor. Merlin, what was she even doing here? This was such a bad idea... She was going to smack Theo in the face the next time she saw him...

"Please," Draco said, interrupting her thoughts, "please, Granger, can I see him again?"

Hermione stared at him, contemplating.

Draco, hating this feeling she was giving him, sat up quickly and leaned towards her. "I'm sorry for what I've done to you and I'm –"

"You keep apologising, but how do I know that you really mean it? I don't trust you. I just want to bloody throw a curse just by looking at your vile face but – Don't you bloody dare interrupt me!" Hermione shouted, noticing him about to cut her off. "I swear, I will go straight to Kingsley and have you arrested for slapping me!"

"I never hit you!" Draco snapped, getting up and striding towards her. "Granger, I have never –"

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Hermione screamed. She took a few deep breaths and closed her eyes to calm herself.

Calm down, Hermione. Act professional. Act professional. Be mature. Act professional.

When she opened her eyes, she glared at him but kept her tone neutral. "You called Aidan a monster. You slapped me across the face, don't think I've forgotten."

Draco let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding as he went over what she said. Hermione could read the emotions displaying on his face, but the one that stuck out the most was the horror flickering in his wide grey eyes as he stared at her.

Did he do that? He remembered insulting her and being a bastard and everything, but he couldn't remember actually hitting her... No. Short flashes of memories he could remember... but in none of them he actually hit her. No. He's not... He's not an abuser; not a physical abuser, anyway. He doesn't... he promised himself he wouldn't act like his father... that was not possible, she must be lying!

"I didn't! Granger, I –"

Hermione scoffed. "So, tell me why I should trust you."

Draco tried to swallow down the bile rising from his stomach. Shaking his head, he took a step closer to her, speaking softly. "I don't remember any of this. I – I mean, I remember not wanting the baby, but that was a mistake. I didn't mean it! I'm sorry...and if I did anything to have hurt you in a physical way, then I am so sorry."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, suspicious of his behaviour. "How can I trust you?" she repeated.

Draco looked at her sadly, shaking his head. "You can't. But I'll do anything to earn your trust if you let me see Aidan."

She studied him, trying to see if there was anything she could pinpoint that would show that he was lying. To her surprise, he looked completely honest. But still... she felt resentment and anger.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, taking a step back, and dropping his head to stare at the ground.

"If you ever hurt Aidan, or even me, Malfoy, I will not hesitate to hex your pathetic arse off."

Draco sucked in a deep breath as his head snapped up to stare at her. Did that mean...?

"And if you ever lay a hand on me again, I will go to Kingsley. I won't even tell you, I'll just go straight to him and have him arrest you," Hermione said sharply, letting him know how serious she was. "Do you understand me?"

Normally, Draco would snap back and tell her to go fuck herself, but he was smart enough to not say anything. He didn't care; all he wanted was to see Aidan again.

"Yes, I understand."

Hermione swallowed hard, wondering if she had made the right choice. "Okay. I'm taking Aidan to a Muggle park tomorrow. If you're serious about being there for Aidan, come over to my house in the afternoon."

Without waiting for his reply, she turned around to walk away. Her mind was buzzing with thoughts and emotions. Did she do the right thing, giving him a chance? Was he being serious? How could he not remember slapping her?

She felt a calloused hand grab her wrist, causing her to stop abruptly. Sighing, she turned around and glared at the hand with disgust. "Get your hands off me, Malfoy."

"Thank you."

She looked up at him, unsure. "What?"

"Thank you, Granger." Draco gently released her wrist. "I'll see you and Aidan tomorrow."

She bit her bottom lip, still unsure of her decision. "Yes. See you."

Draco, suddenly feeling elated, smirked as he watched her rush to leave the Manor. He closed the door behind her and turned around to lean against it.

Yes! Finally! Finally, he could be sure to see his son again.

After a few seconds of reliving what had just happened, he pushed himself off and strode towards the kitchen, throwing himself on a chair beside the kitchen table.

Despite his sudden excitement, something else was bothering him... why couldn't he remember those things Granger had accused him of?

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SHOUT OUT TO CHESIRECAT23 FOR UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTERIZATIONS.

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