Disclaimer: Harry potter is a property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. This is a work of fiction not written for profit. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 3

Hermione stood up on hearing a 'ting' from the kitchen.

"Looks like the food's ready. Everybody get to the table."

Draco saw her levitating plates on the table which was a short distance away from the kitchen and could seat at most 6 people. James had collected his toys and placed them in a corner. Draco carried Albus and put him in the high chair and secured the latch. James pulled out a chair and tried to sit down but as the chair was a little high for him he was having some difficulties.

"Need some help there, bud?"Draco asked him.

"No I can do this." His face was set with determination. Draco smiled a little in his mind.

"What should I feed him?" Draco gestured towards the baby sitting in the high chair and who was currently looking intently towards his elder brother.

"There must be a formula prepared by Gin in the refrigerator."Hermione answered without turning from her task. Draco always got confused with the refrigerator and the oven. He knew that both did totally opposite things but he could never really remember which one did which. This fact was made fun by muggleborns and halfbloods aurors in the ministry. His only solace was that Ron was as often the butt of these jokes as him.

"And where would the refrigerator be?" He asked a little sheepishly.

Hermione turned her head and raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "This big box, near the kitchen entrance."

Draco took out the bottle. It was cold so he filed 'Refrigerator-Cold and Oven-Hot' for future use in his mind, though he was quite sure he would have forgotten the next time he needed this information. He heated the formula with a charm and went to feed Albus. The child latched on the bottle and happily drank his milk.

As her mind was empty again Hermione realized that she was a little mortified to be caught staring. She had decided to just ignore that happened. She was quite sure people stared without meaning to, all the time, right? She picked up the Pasta & sauce and put them on the table.

Draco was holding Albus' milk bottle and she again got the adorable vibes. She reminded to take her eyes off or lest be accused of staring again. James had finally managed to get himself seated.

She filled James plate and then sat down on her chair and put a healthy amount of pasta on her plate too. Both of them started eating.

Albus finished drinking soon and Draco took his seat. The dinner was quiet overall except some remarks by James, which Hermione engaged in. After they were done Hermione put the dishes in the sink and put a cleaning charm on them. Draco put the leftovers in a bowl and into the refrigerator.

Then Albus declared gleefully that it was 'TV time', so all of them sat before the television and watched things James found entertaining. Hermione put Albus in her lap and gave him one of James' harmless toys. Draco was sitting on the sofa and watching the TV intently.

"It's time for bed now James." Hermione said looking at the clock on the mantle after some time.

"But I want to watch a little more." The kid whined.

"No, that's not an option. You need to be in bed right now or your mom will kill me."

"No she won't." James replied thinking why mom would kill anyone ever.

"See if you come to the bed right now I will tell you a bedtime story."

"Two stories."

"OK, Fine. Now gather all your toys and put them in the playroom first."Then Hermione turned towards Draco Malfoy who was lounging on the sofa. "Malfoy will you be able to put Albus in bed? I am quite sure he will be fast asleep the moment he hits the mattress."

"Yeah, his eyes have already been drooping for the last few minutes."

James had already gone upstairs with his toys with Hermione at his heels and Draco stood up with Albus and starting climbing the stairs. Hermione was right above him on the staircase and he used the opportunity to ogle her ass shamelessly.

As Hermione had predicted Albus was asleep in mere minutes without any extraordinary efforts from Draco's side. This room like the playroom had a color changing roof and Draco was again reminded of how talented Hermione was. He stayed in the room a bit and cast all the necessary protection charms over the crib. After making sure everything was fine Draco switched off the lights with a quick 'Nox' and shut the door of the room. Instead of going downstairs he moved towards a room which was emitting light. As Draco had assumed it was James' bedroom. In the room a bedside lamp was switched on. James was on the bed listening to Hermione read from a storybook. Hermione, he had to admit looked very pretty. Her faced bathed in the low light of the lamp, few strands of her untamable hair framing her face. She was also changing her voice for the characters in the story and it made her look oddly endearing.

"And then the hippogriff took flight, soaring above the clouds and leaving behind a life of captivity to be free. The End."Abruptly James sat up and planted a kiss on Hermione's cheek. Her eyes lit up.

"And was that for?" she asked playfully as she kissed both his cheeks with enthusiasm.

"Just checking what you told me earlier tonight."

"Does that mean you like me James?"

"Yes. Very much." The boy replied with utmost sincerity.

The scene tugged at Draco's heart for reasons hitherto unknown to him. Realising he had stood at the door for a long time and not in the mood to break the moment he went downstairs instead.

Back in the living room he picked a quidditch book from the book collection displayed there and sat down on the sofa trying to ignore all the feelings he felt this evening.