Author's Note: Hello Readers! Happy New Year! And sorry for the long delay in posting this. I know this story is a slow burn but there is plenty of Dramione interaction coming up around the corner. I've had to set a lot things in motion before we can get to the Dramione part of this story.

Many thanks to pagan for her betaing skills.

New Beginnings

Rita Skeeter smiled as she ushered her guest into the meeting room she'd prepared for that morning. If she had gauged the personality of Astoria Malfoy correctly, then the younger witch would want to feel important. Tea, coffee, and a selection of small, dainty pastries were already laid out on the table to complete the façade of V.I.P. treatment.

As they settled, Rita mused about what Astoria could possibly want to see her about. The owl that she'd sent had been irritatingly vague, but she had stated that she had some news about her husband that Rita would be very interested in. Rita hadn't been in the newspaper profession for over thirty years for no reason. She specialised in getting scoops, and this could prove to be one of her biggest yet. The Malfoys were notoriously reclusive. It was nigh on impossible to get personal information about them that hadn't already been vetted. They were slippery. They had to be to have kept Lucius out of Azkaban not once, but twice.

"So, Astoria–May I call you Astoria?"

"Yes, please do. Mrs. Malfoy always makes me feel so old," the brunette replied with a simper.

"Great! So, Astoria, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

She watched as the younger witch composed herself, folded her right leg over her left and delicately put her hands on her knees.

"I have something distressing to share regarding my husband, Draco Malfoy. But I will do this on one condition: I remain as an anonymous source."

Rita was intrigued. It was unheard of for a Malfoy to break ranks and discuss other family members with the press and she was prepared to agree to almost anything to get this story.

"Of course, Astoria. There is no need to name you in any article we publish."

"Oh, I hope this will be a series of articles, and I think you'll share my vision once you hear what I have to say."

She leaned forward and pulled a notepad and Quick Quill from her bag. "You don't mind if I take notes, do you?" she asked.

"I think it would be best if you did, Rita."

"So, your husband, Draco. What's he been up to?"

"Well, let's just say there is a situation with a certain Hermione Granger," Astoria said tantalisingly.

Rita sat up, more than interested now. To say that she detested Hermione Granger was an understatement. That disgusting little swot had destroyed her career and it had taken Rita years to pick up the pieces. But, she had never been reemployed by The Daily Prophet. Instead, she'd had to settle for working for Witch Weekly, which was nothing more than a glorified gossip magazine with none of the kudos or prestige that came with working for the UK's premier wizard newspaper. It didn't pay nearly as well, either.

At least she no longer had the blackmail hanging over her. There was no point remaining as an unregistered Animagus if Granger was around to stop you using it properly.

"Please continue, Astoria. As you can see I'm all ears."

Wednesday evening came all too quickly for Hermione's peace of mind. She'd endured a pep talk from Ginny over lunch earlier that day on being calm and not letting her hormones dictate her reactions.

"I don't see why you are so determined we should try to get along?" Hermione had asked her redhead friend.

"Because Harry told me what had happened at your solicitor's meeting, and there is every chance that the pair of you are going to have to cooperate over the care of the child you share," Ginny had replied.

She'd sighed. She might have had a few days to digest and dissect the depressing news from Lucy, but it hadn't meant that she was reconciled just yet to having to potentially deal with Malfoy for the rest of her life.

"I know, and you're right, but it doesn't make any of this any easier."

Ginny had patted her hand. "Of course it doesn't, honey. But, take it from me: fathers are important in the lives of children, too. And I know you didn't plan on having a father in your child's life, which would have been fine if this had turned out the way you planned. But it didn't, Hermione, and if he wants to play a role in this child's life, then you have to give him the opportunity to. It's not fair on your baby if you don't."

Ginny was right; Hermione knew this. But she struggled to get past the point of it actually being Malfoy. Of this child being half his.

She was still unconvinced that Malfoy even wanted to be a good father. So far, all she'd heard from him was stuff about this baby being the Malfoy heir. In her eyes, that wasn't important. Besides, look how that kind of thinking had messed Draco up. He'd hardly been a balanced, well brought up and socially adjusted boy at school. He'd been a hideous snob who'd bullied others. And she would not settle for any child of hers thinking that she was entitled to anything just because of its surname.

Which got her thinking about surnames. Godric, there was another sticky topic for them to deal with. She doubted the Malfoys would settle for any child of theirs having a different surname, but Hermione certainly wanted little Iris to be called Granger. Were they going to have to burden the child with one of those cumbersome double-barrelled names? Granger-Malfoy or Malfoy-Granger.

She furrowed her brow. This was just getting ridiculously complicated, and she hadn't even reached the twelve-week milestone yet.

She cleared her thoughts as she neared the café. It wouldn't do any good to turn up looking and feeling frazzled. She had to remain levelheaded during this whole conversation otherwise she might just be tempted to chuck some boiling water over the annoying former-Slytherin.

Hermione was pleasantly surprised to see that Malfoy was already at the café. At least it showed he was taking this seriously. She wouldn't have put it past him to arrive late just to show her that he could keep her waiting around for him.

She walked over to the back table he'd claimed, pleased that it would offer some privacy as the area wasn't busy. When she got to the table, he stood and she was surprised by his old fashioned courtesy, having neither expected nor experienced it before—at least, not from Malfoy. She pulled her chair out and sat, watching him as he followed suit.

"Sorry, I didn't order for you as I wasn't sure what you would want," he said, gesturing to his cup.

Her eyebrows rose. He really was on his best behaviour. Maybe this could work if they continued to treat each other with this level of respect.

"It's okay, I'll go up and get something," she replied.

"No, stay there," he said before waving an arm in the air and calling the waiter over.

Hermione saw it was the same teenager who'd served them the last time. He was less surprised by Malfoy's actions this time and came over with only a little reluctance.

"Yes, sir?" he asked.

"My friend would like to order," Malfoy replied.

She shot the poor boy an apologetic look before giving him her order. She then turned her reproachful eyes towards Malfoy.

"Stop looking at me as if he's a house-elf. He gets paid to work here."

"Yes, but this isn't a table service café."

"You told me this last time. I gave him a large tip. That more than makes up for his trouble."

She sighed. There was no point in going down this route again. They were always going to have a difference of opinion when it came to treating those who worked in such employment.

They sat in an awkward silence as they waited for her drink to arrive and she could feel her nerves increasing. She wished she could think of something to say to break the tense silence but she couldn't. It hit her then that she really didn't know Malfoy at all. She didn't know his interests or likes and only really had preconceptions that she'd gained by his awful behaviour at school.

Once her drink arrived, she leaned back in her chair and blew on the hot tea to cool it down. She lifted her eyes and saw that Malfoy was watching her. It was a little disconcerting.

"So," she said, in a desperate need to break the silence.

"How are you feeling?"

She smiled. The conversation was going down the same route it previously had. Although, this time she was determined to try to remain civil and not badger Malfoy so he would leave in a huff.

"I'm good."

"And the morning sickness? Has that gone?"

"No, it doesn't tend to recede until the beginning of the second trimester."

"Oh!"

The tension and silence returned.

She took a deep breath. It was no good them pussy footing around this. They needed to talk properly about their options and what they were going to do. For her own peace of mind, she needed to know what exactly he intended.

"Okay, I'm just going to come out and say this. We don't really know each other, I have no idea what is going on in your life and I'm sure that applies vice versa. But, we're going to have to cooperate somewhat for the sake of this child. I've spoken to my solicitor and I know it's unlikely that my contract with the clinic is going to be upheld in light of your desire to play a part in this child's life."

Hermione watched as the rigid line of Malfoy's shoulders relaxed a little and the unease went out of his face. She hadn't even been aware that it had been there but now, as he relaxed, she could see that he'd been just as tense and uncomfortable as she was.

"You're not going to fight my rights to be in this child's life."

She hesitated, unsure for a moment whether she wanted to burn this bridge down. She was decisive and once she made her mind up, she tended to stick with it. So, if she told him that she would allow him access then she would stick to her word. There would be no going back: it wasn't in her nature.

"No, I won't fight it."

He looked at her a little suspiciously, as if he was weighing up her words and whether she could be trusted or not.

"What's brought on this change of heart?"

"I doubt I would ever have denied you a role in this child's life. I was shocked and then a little scared, which caused me to go on the defensive. But, I know that having both parents in your life can make a big difference and I wouldn't want to deny my child that opportunity."

"And you're not going to change your mind?"

She didn't blame him for wanting to make sure. She'd be the same if she were in his shoes. "No, I give you my word on this."

Malfoy nodded, knowing not to question that. He obviously knew enough about her to know that she was honourable.

"Okay. Well, that should make this a lot easier."

"Are you going to fight for primary custody?" she asked nervously, aware that she'd given him assurances when she had none herself. She could feel the nerves clenching her stomach. His answer could mean either catastrophe or an easier road ahead.

He looked her directly in the eye, his expression serious. "I had planned to do that, especially because you were being so difficult about this. But, like you, I've been speaking to my legal representation and it's unlikely that the court would rule in my favour."

She wrapped her shaky hands around her cup of camomile tea, relief flooding her body.

"Where does that leave us?" she asked.

He smiled faintly. "I'm not sure. I'm still reeling from the fact that I'm not having to fight you over everything."

Hermione looked down at the table. She was feeling the emotional upheaval of the last month or so but she couldn't help feeling more optimistic about how this could turn out. They needed to try and keep communicating with each other, being honest about what they wanted. If they managed to do that, then this could turn out not to be the big disaster she'd built up in her mind.

"But, I would like to ask you for one thing, Granger."

She turned her eyes back to him. "What's that?"

"I want to be a part of this pregnancy. I'd like to attend appointments with you."

She grimaced. She hadn't really planned on that. The appointments felt personal: it was where she discussed her body and the impact of the pregnancy upon it. "I don't know."

He tensed up immediately, suspicion flashing across his face. She held her hands out. "It's not what you think. I'm not looking to deliberately keep you out, but the appointments are intimate and it would feel awkward with you there."

"How about the scans? I'd really like to present at the scans."

She nodded. That was fair. If she was prepared to allow him to be part of her baby's life, then it was only fair he got to see the scans. "Okay, that would be fine."

He seemed to fully relax then, losing that Malfoy control and slumping back into his chair into a much more natural position than the rigid, back straight position he'd maintained since she'd arrived.

"Don't think I'm impressed or happy with how my trust was abused by you and Bulstrode," she mentioned, determined that he would know how out of order that had been. She was pleased to note that he could look guilty.

"I didn't know how else to get you to sit still and talk to me."

"You could've just asked."

He scoffed. "You wouldn't have agreed to that."

"I would've."

He gave her a disbelieving look. "You're only here today because Weasley forced you to come."

It was her turn to feel a little guilty. He probably was right. Ginny had been the one to make her come today, and if that hadn't happened she might well have continued to refuse to sit down with him to discuss this. She had been a little childish in her reactions since finding out he was the father, but in her defence, it had been a massive shock, and he hadn't exactly been forthcoming about his intentions, or even his personal life.

"Still, that's not the point. Bulstrode is my midwife and she crossed a massive boundary in aiding and abetting you. I could have her sacked."

Malfoy looked at her for a moment. "You'd do that?"

"Tell me why I shouldn't?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She loves her job and she did this for me."

"So?"

He shrugged, almost as if recognising the weakness of his argument. "You've broken rules for your friends before."

Hermione laughed. "That's what you're going to come up with? I expected better from you, Malfoy. Yes, I broke some rules when helping Harry defeat an incredibly powerful dark wizard who wanted to eradicate all those who didn't fit his plan. What Bulstrode did is hardly in the same category and was a lot worse. There are medical oaths against what she did."

She watched as he ran a distracted hand through his hair. "You're right, and I don't blame you if you report her but please, Granger, give her another chance. I promise that I won't use my position as a close friend to gain information again. She really is a fantastic midwife and I did have to beg and plead to get her to help me."

"Don't think I won't mention this to her."

"I fully expect you to."

"Good," she said pointedly, looking away from him and taking another sip of her rapidly cooling tea.

Another silence fell between them but at least this was less agonising that the previous ones. It also gave Hermione a chance to think. She hadn't expected this meeting to go as well as it had, and she was pleased that they had managed to agree on so much. But she was still in the dark when it came to his personal circumstances and why he wanted to be in this child's life so much. She knew from the clinic that they had offered Malfoy free treatment with Astoria until they conceived. They'd offered her a similar deal if she gave the baby up to Malfoy. This was the perfect opportunity to question him about it.

"What about Astoria? How does she feel about this?" she asked.

His head whipped up from where he'd been contemplating his coffee. "What's she got to do with anything?"

"She's your wife. She has everything to do with this."

"Her role is none of your business."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "She will have contact with my child, which makes her my business. If she was expecting to get pregnant, will she be happy helping raise another woman's child?"

"There's no conflict. Everything is fine," he said unhelpfully.

She frowned. Why did it feel as if he was hiding something from her? If everything was truly fine, then why was he so unwilling to open up and say anything?

"Why should I believe you? It sounds as if things aren't fine, to be honest."

"My relationship with my wife has nothing to do with you. It has no relevance to your life or our child," he snapped.

"I beg to differ," she said, becoming more suspicious by the moment.

"Leave it, Granger. If I wanted to discuss this with you, I would. Now, if that's everything, I have places to be."

He stood as he completed that sentence, and she glared at him. What was it with Malfoy and running away as soon as the conversation turned towards him?

"Let me know when the scan is. My mother tells me it's around twelve weeks. Is that correct?" he asked.

She nodded. "I'll send you an owl with the date, time, and place."

He acknowledged that curtly before spinning on his heel and leaving the café. Hermione was left wondering how the meeting had gone from cordial agreement to him puckering up and refusing to answer her questions. Something wasn't quite right with Malfoy's marriage, and she was determined to know what it was, especially as it could affect her child. She would not allow any baby of hers be pulled into an unhappy household.

She checked her magical planner and tapped her finger thoughtfully against Friday's entry: she was due to see Bulstrode in the morning. Keeping the Slytherin witch as her midwife might just pay off if she could pump her for information.

Astoria smiled as she packed her final suitcase. It was Thursday, four days after her meeting with Rita Skeeter and a day before the deadline issued by Lucius for her removal from the Manor. She didn't doubt the Malfoy patriarch would remove her physically if she hadn't left by then. But she had no plans to stay around. She had laid her plans and she was looking forward to the fallout. If Draco thought he could get rid of her without any fuss, then he was in for a surprise.

She summoned one of the Greengrass house-elves and ordered it to take her case back to The Lodge. She pursed her lips as she gave a final look to the room that had housed her for the last seven years. She wasn't the sentimental type, but she recognised that this was the end of her ambitions to become a leader of pureblood circles. As a Greengrass, she didn't hold the prestige needed to rule without a powerful marriage. It was highly doubtful that any of the other elite pureblood males would be interested in marrying her once her project with Skeeter was revealed. She felt a pang of emotion as her previous dreams came to nought.

But then again, she wasn't one who was happy to abide by others' rules. If she had been, then she would have kow-towed to the Malfoy demands to be their perfect little wife. No, her desires had changed. She was going to make a splash in the world in a different way. Carve a unique niche that would be wholly hers. She was looking forward to causing ripples through the staid world of wizards.

Astoria closed the door behind her firmly and clacked her way down the corridor, main staircase, and towards the travelling room. She wasn't going to bother saying goodbye to her former parents-in-law. They no longer held any power over her and could no longer make their disapproval of her known.

She had also chosen to leave before the story broke. It was due to be published on Sunday, thus giving her the chance to vacate Malfoy Manor and allowed her to sign the divorce settlement and secure her family's financial future. She smiled smugly as she thought of the ironclad divorce. It was a typical Lucius contract. He'd been determined that she would leave with minimal fuss and had offered her father all manner of inducements in order for that to work. What Lucius had never come to realise was that Astoria was a law unto herself. Her father held no sway over her actions. She fell in line if she wished. And this time, she'd been more than happy to appear as the dutiful daughter. She had no desire to scrabble around for money and so had been happy to agree to the divorce with its generous alimony made to her and her father.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked, breaking into her thoughts.

She looked up and saw her stressed ex-husband exiting the room she was about to enter. "I'm leaving. Where do you think I'm going?"

"You're leaving?"

She gave him an amused look. "Why, yes, Draco darling. After all, I am no longer your wife."

"You signed the agreement?"

She smiled sweetly at him. "Of course. Your father was so adamant that I do so before leaving. He even went to my father and put pressure on him to ensure I acquiesced."

Draco narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her. "And that's it? No fuss, no tantrums, no refusal to leave?"

She flicked an imaginary bit of lint off her sleeve. "Surprisingly enough, I recognise when something's over, and this marriage is completely finished."

"And you're going to leave with no problems?"

"Naturally! What did you expect?"

He frowned, almost as if he couldn't comprehend her actions. She always enjoyed wrong-footing people and right now, her ex-husband was proving so very entertaining with his suspicions.

"As fun as this has been, Draco, my family are expecting me. I wish you all the best with Granger. I'm sure you'll need it." Good luck dealing with the media, too, she tacked on mentally.

With a brief pat on his cheek as she passed him, she entered the travelling room. She moved gracefully across the room to the fireplace, threw the Floo powder into the grate, and disappeared into the emerald flames.

Draco watched as his ex-wife disappeared out of his life. Something wasn't quite right. He could feel it. Everything had to be on Astoria's terms, it was something that you could guarantee with the witch. But this had been too easy.

He sighed. Between her and Granger, he was feeling pushed and pulled and altogether hunted. Instead of feeling relieved that he'd finally… finally gotten rid of the woman who'd managed to make him so unhappy for the past years, he felt uneasy, almost as if something big was coming that would turn everything upside down.

He ran a weary hand over his face. When had his life become so complicated? All he wanted was to be happy. Maybe his family's past sins meant that was impossible. Maybe he was fated to always be moving from one disaster to another. He huffed a bitter laugh as he thought of how cocky he'd been as a child. If only he could go back to those days where everything had been so certain.

AN: Someone over at Hawthorn and Vine has told me this is a cliff-hanger of an ending - so apologies for that. I'll have the next chapter up as soon as possible.