June came to a close, and Hermione found a less complicated routine with Draco Malfoy. July was a warm glow of opportunity and pleasant weather. They would sift through his emails and agenda before lunch. He was starting to educate her on his role instead of just barking orders. She was less steely and more receptive to his business savvy. After lunch, he would do his sessions with Marcus or make phone calls while she went through his old financial information and stored or disposed of it all correctly.
Two weeks and they had developed an understanding. Well, Hermione hoped it was an understanding after what she was going to have to do. She wasn't sure how it would be received. Ginny had to run her parents to doctor appointments, and Luna was too busy at the zoo to take Teddy. Hermione was cringing as she tapped her hand on the steering wheel as they traveled on the road to the Malfoys.
"Are you looking forward to going back to Hogwarts in a couple of months?" she asked, and he gasped with a nod.
"I am so glad Headmistress McGonagall is going to let us play polo this year. The horses seemed so sad we didn't play last year." Teddy murmured, and Hermione swallowed.
"You sound like your daddy. He always loved animals and books," she replied, and he smiled at her.
"I hope so. Do you think we can go visit mother and father this weekend?" He asked softly, and Hermione nodded slowly.
"I suppose it is time again. We haven't visited them in a long while. Maybe you should write them a letter today so that we can put it with the flowers this time?" Hermione offered and he gave her a single nod.
"I love you, mum. You are so good to me," he responded while beaming at her.
"I love you most, Teddy Bear," she replied as they pulled into the driveway. "Now, you know the rules, love. Don't ask Mr. Malfoy questions about his condition. Don't interrupt us working and try very hard not to be too loud." She murmured as they sat in the car for a moment.
Teddy smirked and bobbed his head once, "Right."
"That's a good boy," Hermione responded and unbuckled herself. "Let's go to work."
Hermione grabbed her purse and his backpack while Teddy was glancing around. "Mum, this is a big house," he said with wide eyes.
"It is. Mrs. Malfoy loves to hear about how pretty it is, make sure to let her know," she told the boy and opened the door.
Ramsey was walking down the stairs when they came into the house. "Master Malfoy is finishing preparing for the day, Miss Kelly. He will be a few minutes still," he announced, and she nodded. "Would you like me to bring tea up for you and your son?" he asked as he landed on the ground floor.
Hermione bobbed her head once again. "Please, Ramsey."
The butler disappeared with a quick motion. "Mom, is he a robot?" Teddy questioned, and Hermione giggled with a head shake.
"No, he is a butler. Sometimes people with big houses have someone who helps them make food and clean up. Like Batman," she explained.
"He acts like a robot," Teddy said again with a frown.
"Miss Kelly," Narcissa's voice entered the room.
Hermione turned to her and chewed her lip. "I didn't have a sitter today. Kingsley didn't mind during the summer when I didn't have one to bring him with me. I hope you don't mind. He is a respectful boy and won't touch anything I promise."
Narcissa's wonder melted into a kind smile. "You must be Edward. Your mother speaks fondly of you all the time," she said moving to greet the boy.
Teddy held out his hand. "My name is Edward Remus Lupin. Everybody calls me Teddy," he announced and Narcissa giggled and shook his hand.
"It is charming to meet you, Teddy. Your mother brags about your intelligence all the time," she told him as she released his hand.
Teddy gave her a smug smile and nodded. "I am real smart," he declared and Hermione nudged him. "Oh, thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," he said, and Hermione nodded and patted his shoulder.
"I hope you don't mind spending the day with us today," Narcissa said, and Teddy shook his head.
"Your house is beautiful and huge! It is a million times bigger than ours," he muttered, and Hermione grimaced slightly.
Narcissa eyed her before answering. "Well, it is too big at times. Sometimes a small place is nicer to live in. Too much dust," she snickered, and the boy giggled with a nod.
"My mum is always dusting. If we lived here, she wouldn't ever have time to do anything else!" He exclaimed and tugged on his mom's finger. "Right mom?"
"Right, Teddy Bear," she replied, and Narcissa grinned.
"How about I have Ramsey make you up some breakfast if you are hungry? As long as your mother can spare to part with you for a while so her and Draco can do their busy work." Narcissa offered, and Hermione dropped her jaw slightly.
"You don't mind, do you, mum?" Teddy asked, and Narcissa beamed.
"Oh- well- I mean, as long as Mrs. Malfoy doesn't mind," Hermione sputtered, and Narcissa shook her head with a smile.
"It has been too long since I have had the chance to dote on a child. I have been trying to convince Draco to have me some grandchildren soon, but he is very much resistant." The Malfoy declared, and Teddy looked up at Hermione with big eyes.
"Please, mum?"
Hermione exhaled and nodded. "Alright, you can. I am sure you are hungry, you only ate a pop tart." She declared, and the boy cheered.
"Thanks, mum!" He hugged her tightly, and she bent to kiss his teal hair.
Narcissa gave Hermione a knowing smile and turned to the boy. "Come now, Edward. We will let Ramsey know. What do you think you want for breakfast?"
Teddy tilted his head as they walked down the hallway. "What is there to eat?"
"Anything you want, dear. Ramsey makes the best breakfast this side of Britain." Narcissa declared, and Hermione arched an eyebrow.
She was surprised to see the aloof matron turn into a doting woman within minutes with a child present. It impressed Hermione and made her like Narcissa more because of it. Hermione shifted and decided to head up the stairs with bags in hand. The young woman knew that Draco had ample amount of time to get dressed for the day.
Hermione opened the door to his wing and noted the fresh smell that drifted from the cracked bathroom door. He was running late today she figured. It wasn't often when she arrived that he had not showered well before she was due to work. Dismissing the observation, she walked into the office and opened it up for the day. Setting her bags in the corner out of the way, she moved to the window and pulled open the curtains.
Next was loading up the computer and preparing for the day's work. She clicked into the email sector and busied herself with faxes that came in over the course of the evening and early morning. Regulus has been far more receptive to sending Draco things now that he knew she could read them back to him. He must not have trusted her at first; smart professional.
"Kelly, you are dithering about?" Draco's voice entered the room, and she heard the hiss of his cane.
"Yes, just preparing. Whenever you are ready, Draco," she told him without looking up at the man.
"I was just making sure you were here. I am not feeling well today," Draco declared and she glanced up at him.
He was scrunching his face, and Hermione pinched her face. "Are you alright?"
Draco scrubbed his face and swiveled his neck in strain. "I have a bloody migraine. I cannot do number crunching today."
"Well, I can do all of the urgent replies and such if you feel like laying down again," she said with a neutral tone.
He bobbed his head slowly. "I think that would be best. I am going to try and break this. A bit of food and some fresh air might help," he muttered, and she made a sound of agreement.
"I will leave all the items that need your approval for now. Everything else I will take care of until you are ready, Draco." Hermione responded, and he smiled lightly.
"You are worth every pence," he told her, and she laughed.
"Feel better, Draco. Come hassle me when you are fit to work," she retorted, and he chuckled which was followed with a cringe.
"I will be back soon," he told her and left her to the business.
Draco was not really happy with the course of his 'migraine.' Actually, he was bloody hungover. Astoria had come over last night, and they had a long conversation that led to a drunken night together. She left for work long before he awoke from his slumber, but she left a note with Ramsey. Thank you for your compassion. See you soon, love.
He wasn't stupid. Maybe a bit dense and a god awful demeanor most days, but not stupid. He knew she would do it again if it happened once. His trust in her was severed beyond just suspicion. She wouldn't mention the next time she had interest in shagging another man. That part of their relationship was over. Marcus was right. He needed to settle in and get married. She would have to do.
His hand finished running on the banister as his feet planted on the tile. He placed the tip of his cane on the ground and heard the distant laughter of a child. Draco pinched his brow together as he directed himself toward the dining room. The sounds grew more distinct, and he entered the room to hear the middle of the conversation.
"Oh yes, my Uncle Harry likes to play chess all the time. Grandmother taught me to play before she went to heaven. Mother and father went to heaven when I was little, but mum tells me about them all the time. My dad liked to play chess when he was alive. We are going to visit them this weekend and put flowers by their stones," A boy's voice said, and Draco heard his mother sigh.
"I am sorry you lost so many people, Edward. Your mum loves you so much, I can tell," Narcissa declared and hemmed. "Oh, Draco. Miss Kelly had to bring her son today, so we have been having breakfast and chatting."
"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for letting me come visit," the boy declared, and Draco moved his cane about to find a chair.
He felt the thud and fumbled with his free hand on the table. The boy was sitting next to the empty chair he sought. "Good morning, kid. How are you doing today?" Draco asked as he sat down.
"I am adaptable my mum says," he replied and Draco let loose a strained laugh as his head pounded.
"That sounds like your mother," Draco grumbled and rubbed his forehead.
"Sir," Ramsey murmured, and Draco heard the clinging of dishes in front of him. "For your pains," the man said quieter and patted his hand lightly and set down a smaller item near it.
Draco felt around and felt the pills in the small bowl. "Thank you, Ramsey."
"Mr. Malfoy, can I ask you a question?" the boy inquired, and Draco took medicine with a drink of water in the glass near his hand.
"You may," Draco said and fingered around for the plate and silverware.
"Are you a superhero?" the small voice inquired, and Draco snorted.
"What makes you ask that, kid?"
The boy tapped the table and cleared his throat. "Well, my mum says you can pull numbers out of the air and that you read minds. She said you hear better than someone else and you have cool eyes," he said with a knowledgeable tone. "My mum says you are normal, but I think you have cool superpowers."
Narcissa stifled a laugh and sighed. "Edward, you are a character."
"If I was a superhero, I couldn't tell you. You know that, Eddie," he said and the boy snorted.
"Everyone calls me Teddy," the boy explained, and Draco smiled wide.
"I like that. You want to be my sidekick then?"
Teddy gasped and patted the table which Draco felt as he took a bite of his food. "Would I ever! You are like Batman but cooler!"
Draco hemmed and sipped his water before answering. "Well, we need to show you the rest of the Batcave then. Maybe we will go swimming later if your mum finishes up work."
"Swimming, Mr. Malfoy?" the boy inquired, and Draco nodded slowly.
"I have a big ole pool that hasn't been swam in for some time," he told the boy who gasped again.
"Dear, you don't feel like working today?" Narcissa asked, and Draco shook his head.
"No, I think I want to play hooky today. Teddy, how would you like to visit the horses today? I can't ride them anymore, but they like visitors," He said as his headache stopped pounding as much.
"You have horses too?" Teddy asked, and Narcissa laughed.
"I think you have a new fan, Draco," she declared, and Draco reached for the child.
His hand patted the boy's shoulder. "I don't mind. He is a smart kid."
"That's what my mum says. She tells me all the time that I am the smartest ever. Even smarter than her in school."
"Well, just remember. You have to be smart about being smart. It does no good to be smart if you don't use it," Draco said and continued with his breakfast.
"Yes, sir," the boy muttered, and Draco heard him swigging liquid.
"Mother, would you mind escorting us to the stables?" He asked, and Narcissa made a sound of agreement.
"Of course, darling," he could hear the soft tones of happiness in her voice.
"Ramsey, go get Miss Kelly? Tell her to finish up her work and to meet us down here?" Draco asked, and Ramsey made a sound of agreement.
"Yes, Sir. Anything else?"
"Yes, call over at Mankins. Tell them to bring over four different suits-" he paused and hemmed. "Mother, what size do you think is Kelly?"
"Well, she is a lithe woman, Draco," Narcissa voiced with a hint of amusement.
"Doesn't matter. You know the drill, Ramsey. Also request something for the boy," Draco declared.
"Yes, Sir. Right away," the butler replied, and he heard the footfalls of him leaving the room.
"Are you sure he isn't a robot?" Teddy inquired, and Draco chuckled.
"Funny, I used to ask that when I was a kid," he responded and Narcissa laughed.
"He did indeed ask that, Edward. Shall we see about preparing for our walk?" she asked and the chair next to Draco moved.
"Alright, but I have to go to the restroom, please," the boy murmured, and another piece of furniture moved.
"Let me show you where the bathroom is. We will go sneak some carrots from the kitchen for the horses after," the matron told him, and Draco listened to the small footsteps of the boy.
"That sounds amazing. Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," Teddy replied, and she giggled again.
"You have outstanding manners."
"Thank you, my mum says only gentlemen get ice cream," he announced and Draco heard them leaving the room.
Draco pulled out his phone and pressed the large button. "Text Astoria," he murmured, and the phone beeped. "Hello love, come by for dinner tonight. I missed you when I woke up. Send text," he declared, and he heard the sound of the message being sent.