Another update! Woooooohoooooo I think this is probably my favorite chapter :) read and review!

Love lots, TheMalfoys

Hermione was having trouble concealing her nervousness.

She had always been a wreck whenever she felt uneasy, That's why her close friends and family were always able to read her like an open book. She was never one to run away from her emotions, and she's not going to stop doing that now. She's a firm believer in communicating emotions as much as possible.

That's just her, Hermione Granger. The one who faced everything head on, even if she's shaking at the very thought of facing a problem or its consequence.

She took another nervous nip at her thumb, ticking in her mind the possible reasons as to why Draco would be late. Trying her best to block out the horrible possibilities as much as she can.

I'm pretty sure he didn't run into trouble, she thought to herself. He's a grown man! A wizard even. I'm sure he can take care of himself. But even as she reassured herself this a million times these past couple of hours, she still couldn't shake the feeling that something was way off.

She stopped nipping at her thumb for a moment as she resumed pacing the length of her small kitchen. She was pretty sure that she was about to bore a hole through the floor if she didn't stop pacing, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.

I have to keep moving! I have to keep moving! She repeated this mantra to herself as she walks around her kitchen. She knows that if she stops her pacing she wouldn't be able to stop herself from running outside and searching for Malfoy, maybe scream his name a couple of times in the dark streets. Even though she doesn't have a remote idea as to where he is.

She took a large swig of her now cold coffee and almost choked when she took a quick glance at the clock. It's half past 8 and Scorpius was probably still watching that kid show she introduced to him earlier. Not to mention that today's activities probably wore him out, she should really put him to bed by now.

Hermione took the stairs two at a time, guilty upon leaving him on his own for quite some time. She slowly cracked open the door to her bedroom and stuck her head in, expecting Scorpius to run right to her. Instead what greeted her was the sight of Scorpius looking like a huge caterpillar lying on the floor, wrapped in a huge bundle of sheets with the telly still on. Hermione couldn't help but giggle at how cute it all looked.

She quietly padded her way to Scorpius and scooped him up into her arms, making her way to her bed. She laid him down at the center of her bed and fussed a bit at her sheets to make him more comfortable. She debated for a while whether she was going to stay with him here or continue pacing the kitchen downstairs. In the end her nervousness got the better hold of her and she decided to head back downstairs. As she was pulling away from their embrace, her attention was caught by a single word Scorpius uttered.

"Mama."

Hermione's eyes darted back to Scorpius, he seems to be still asleep. She noted to herself.

Maybe that was just a figure of her imagination or stress. Yes, that's it! Stress.

"Mama."

There it was again, that word.

This time, Scorpius was awake and was staring right at her. Blonde hair mussed up, eyes teary from his sleep.

"Mama?"

Every time she wants to pull away, this kid always seem to have complete power over her being. He knows all the little tricks and the simple acts that will melt her resolve. Bringing her back to her knees every single time.

"Shhhh baby, it's all right go back to sleep."

"Are you leaving again mama?"

Hermione's heart almost made it out of her chest. Merlin, does this boy have her heart or what?

"No, baby of course not. I'm not leaving you."

"Ok." He whispered with a small yawn, sleep already calling him back to his dreams.

"Ok mama."

Hermione was frozen as Scorpius buried himself into her embrace and snuggled deeper into the sheets. She took a huge sigh, fighting tears out of her eyes. Scorpius is such a darling little angel who doesn't deserve this loneliness. And somehow deep inside her, she knows that Draco doesn't either. She angled her body in a more comfortable position, squirming about for a bit before snuggling in with Scorpius. For a moment, she let her body relax. Willing herself to let go of her inhibitions and just sleep for a while.

Hermione was drifting in and out of consciousness.

She dreamt of little children with blonde hair calling her mama, chasing her all throughout her house.

She dreams of a disembodied voice calling her, beckoning her to come closer.

And knocks, she can hear knocks. Loud desperate knocks.

It took her some time to realize that the knocks weren't really a part of her dream. That it was coming from downstairs.

Now, who in the world would be knocking at this time of night? She thought numbly.

Then it all came back to her.

"Draco!"

She stood up so suddenly that she can see round spots dancing in her field of vision. She hopped out of bed, trying her best not to disturb Scorpius as he snoozed on. Making her way downstairs in a flash, she almost tripped at the bottom step trying her hardest to reach the door while putting on an oversized sweater to cover herself. She opened the door with a forceful tug, making Draco jump in surprise.

"Merlin, slow down Granger you'll hurt yourself."

Hermione can barely register what she was seeing.

Draco was standing on her doorstep covered in wounds and bruises. His once immaculate robe was now caked with dirt, a few buttons were missing and the upper part was split open, revealing his white undershirt which was red with blood.

And he's holding flowers.

He's holding flowers.

Not just holding flowers.

He was offering them to her.

"Well, aren't you gonna take them Granger?"

She was blushing all the way to her hairline.

"Oh, uh thanks Draco." She mumbled taking the flowers from his bruised hands gingerly.

"How about you invite me in and help me with these wounds eh."

"Oh! Right! Right! Of course, I was just going to say that."

Draco even managed a laugh at her confused state.

"I swear to God if you weren't so beaten up right now, I would do this to you personally." Hermione whispered.

"What was that Granger?" Draco turned back to her as he limped his way to the couch.

"nothing, nothing." She replied while closing her front door.

She turned her back to him for a minute and gave the flowers a quick sniff, barely registering in her befuddled mind that she's smiling. She'll admit, it was pretty sweet of him to do this for her.

"So where's my son?" Draco asked, looking left and right as if expecting Scorpius to jump out of nowhere any minute now.

"He's already asleep upstairs, don't worry about it." Hermione answered as if in a daze, still reeling over the fact that Draco Malfoy had given her flowers.

"Good, good. I wouldn't want him to see me like this."

"Why? So he'd still idolize you? Wouldn't want to blemish your perfect reputation, Is that it?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"No, I think he'd already seen a lot of bad things in the past. I wouldn't want him to go through another one." Draco replied seriously.

Hermione didn't know what to say. One thing she knows for sure though that all those gossipmongers who thought Draco Malfoy is a horrible father are completely wrong.

"So what now Oh great Healer Mione?"

"We should get you to the couch, I'll dress your wounds once you're all settled down. Oh and ummm you might want to get your shirt off so I could look through your other injuries."

"I always knew you wanted me naked Granger." Draco remarked with a smirk.

"Shut up Malfoy." Hermione said, turning her back to him once again to hide her blush.

"So are you going to tell me what happened or do I have to guess?"

Draco was lying on Hermione's couch, his shirt on the floor as Hermione does her best to cater to his injuries with the potions that she has in her home.

"It's nothing Granger, really."

Hermione shot her a dirty look.

"Well if it's nothing then this wouldn't happen now would it."

Draco just smiled and waved it off.

"Let's talk about it some other day Granger, when I'm not half naked in your living room."

Hermione blushed again, standing up and carrying with her the empty potion bottles that she used up on Draco's injuries. She made her way to the loo, filled a small tub with warm water and rummaged through her cabinet for a small cotton towel. Pushing the door open with her hips, she made her way to the couch and placed the tub at the floor.

"Okay Draco I'm gonna wash the blood awa…. Draco?"

The day's excitement seemed to have gotten to him too, and he was now knocked out and SNORING softly on the couch.

Hermione decided to continue on washing him, without his permission. He'd probably thank her tomorrow for getting rid of the blood when Scorpius finally wakes up and sees him, she thought to herself.

It's not like she wanted to touch his naked chest.

Nope, not at all.

She took the towel and dipped it in the warm water, wringing the excess.

She started with his neck, where the blood seemed to be thicker. Hermione's hands glides through his skin, marveling at how soft it is. Like velvet, she thought to herself fondly.

Dipping the towel again, she continued on washing away the blood. The towel glides through his collarbones and shoulders, making its way down to his taut biceps.

She hesitates for a few second as she reaches his dark mark.

It still looks as horrible as she can remember, though its dark edges were fading into a grayish color, reminding her of the color of faded jeans. Yet, the skull seemed to be as alive as it ever was, the snake was still poised to strike. Its long greedy tongue waiting for an opportune moment to kill its prey.

Hermione shivers unconsciously.

Maybe this isn't a good idea after all.

But a rush of adrenaline is coursing through her veins, making her bold and giddy at the same time. There was something so forbidden and exciting in touching Draco that she was sure she was going to expire from all the unknown feelings rocketing through her.

After a few minutes of quiet contemplation she finally made her way down his defined abdomen, blushing scarlet as she continues on. Oh my, he's in shape. All that quidditch training wasn't put to waste. She couldn't help but muse. All doubts and fears about his dark mark forgotten.

His chest was a map of scars, from his early brawl or from some long time ago, she didn't know. Her hands glided from each and every one of them, feeling them. She can almost sense the sadness and anguish behind each of the scars. She was pretty sure Voldemort did most of these to him. Maybe even Bellatrix…..

She shook her head and continued on, trying not to think about the horrors that Draco had gone through while growing up. After a few more swipes and caresses. finally, his upper body was clean and not a drop of blood was in sight. She had to talk herself into washing his face as well, as she was worried upon waking him up. After a couple of minutes, she decided to clean up his face as well. Well, I already cleaned up his upper body, let's just get this over with. She thought to herself trying a little too hard to be nonchalant.

And no, it was not because she wanted to touch his face either.

Nope, not at all.

Though a part of her was aching to know and feel the contours of his handsome face. Maybe even run her fingers through his immaculate hair. Not that she would admit that to anyone of course. Not even to herself.

Slowly, hesitating, she touched the towel to his forehead. Stopping for a few heartbeats, anticipating a reaction from him.

She let out a small sigh of relief upon receiving none. And let the towel glide to his cheeks, cleansing away the bright red blood and revealing the alabaster skin underneath. Her hands seem to have a mind of their own as she reaches up to stroke his cheek. Wanting to feel the softness of his skin without any hindrance.

He looks like Scorpius, she thought offhandedly. He looks so innocent and peaceful when he's asleep. And so…. Free. And he also needs a proper haircut. She thought as she caught a long lock of his hair dangling across his forehead.

She spent a couple more minutes just looking at his face, trying to figure him out. Trying to uncover all his hidden sides, all his repressed emotions. As if expecting that his sleeping form would somehow tell her everything she wanted to know about him.

Why are you being so nice to me?

Why do you trust me so much with your son?

Why did you bring me flowers?

She questioned his sleeping form, scared yet anticipating for answers.

Without thinking of her actions, she leaned in unto his face.

Closer….closer…..

RIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG

The loud clock chimed loudly, not once, not twice but nine times. Making Hermione scramble to her feet and bite her tongue to suppress the wild scream she was just about to let out. What in the world was she thinking, getting her face close to the ferret? They were inches, no – centimeters from kissing! She brought her hands up to her face and tried to rub some sense into herself.

See, this is what happens when you deprive yourself of sleep Hermione.She thought sulkily as she trudged her way up the stairs into her room for a much needed shut eye.

Everything would make sense in the morning she convinced herself as she tucked herself unto Scorpius' side and cuddled him close for the night.

Hope you all enjoyed that because I sure did! Tell me what you think of the story so far and until what chapter do you think I should write?