The drop off was melancholy, and she was quiet in the van on the way back to the manor. As if her own maternal instinct was kicking in, Narcissa was already outside when they pulled up. Hermione thanked Flint and climbed out from the back while the men were talking about trivial things.
"Come on darling; I already called out for the dose of cheering up you will need," Narcissa said as Hermione climbed the stairs.
"Cheering up?" she inquired.
"Yes, Hermione. Whether you see it or not, your son leaving does affect you. I was always so lost when Draco would leave for school. My little baby, gone for three months at a time. It was taxing on my nurturing heart. I would have had more if it wasn't for the doctor's advisement against it." Narcissa replied as she ushered the young mother inside.
Hermione's phone rang, and she paused as she looked at the name. "I have to take it; it's Ginny." She told the Malfoy.
The phone connected, and Ginny hemmed. "Hermione, are you coming over? I know you are sad about Teddy leaving and Charlie." She jumped in right away.
"Yeah, maybe when I get on that neck of the woods. I am still at the Malfoys," Hermione declared.
"You can always invite your friend over. I am sure my girls would not mind adding another to our pampering session." Narcissa offered, and Hermione arched an eyebrow at her.
"Narcissa is seeing if you want to girl's day," The curly-haired woman relayed.
Ginny snorted, and the phone crackled. "Hermione wants to get mannys and pettys today. Can you watch the kids?"
"Gin, I really don't want to have to watch the kids all day by myself," Harry sighed from the other end of the phone.
"He is such a prat sometimes," Hermione sighed.
Narcissa put her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Tell the Potters they can come bring the children. I am positive Draco wouldn't mind the company."
Ginny heard that and gasped. "Two days in a row, I think my kids would about keel over from swimming so much. I suppose, what the hell, they start school tomorrow, so it will be good to get summer out of their system. I only have James for a couple more years before Hogwarts prep."
"You want to go visit Malfoy again?" Harry inquired, and Hermione laughed.
"Yes, now would you grab the kid's suits. Hermione and I are having girls' day, and you are stuck with Malfoy." Ginny growled at her husband, and Hermione gave an apologetic look to Narcissa.
"Fine! Goblins, fall in line, we are going to Uncle Draco's again," Harry snickered.
Hermione had to pull away from the phone from her ear at the children screeching, causing Narcissa to stifle a giggle. "Hermione," Ginny started, and Hermione placed it back to her head. "We will be over in half an hour."
"I love you, drive safe," Hermione replied.
"I love you too, girl. See you soon," Ginny said and hung up.
Narcissa clapped and smiled. "Good, I am glad. We can enjoy a bit of luxury before your long work week starts."
"Having a lady's day?" Draco's voice entered the space, causing Hermione to jump.
Narcissa hemmed. "Yes, I think Hermione could use it. It is hard to let go of a child. Even if it is the best middle and upper school in the world, it is still terrible to see them go." She sighed and approached her son. "I cried every year."
Hermione sighed and rubbed her face. "It doesn't help that he was able to go early because of his intelligence. My son is so very smart is it scary. The teachers at Belford were baffled by him. McGonagall actually approached me to have him take the preparatory classes a year in advance. He is gifted and she has really been helping him excel."
Narcissa kissed her son's temple. "Draco was too stubborn. He never did like authority."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Or people to challenge him. Or-" Draco snorted, interrupting her.
"Or swotty little girls who were always top of the class," he retorted, and she exhaled.
"Little good that did. I am still working for you," Hermione snickered, and Draco grinned.
"It has its benefits, Granger. You get to spend time with my mother."
Hermione blushed and cleared her throat. "I am going to go to the bathroom." She murmured, and Draco heard her footsteps on the tile.
Narcissa sighed heavily. "Draco, darling, can you do your mother a favor?" she asked, and he scrubbed his face with his free hand.
"What is that mother?"
"Take you time with her. She is special," she told her son, and he snorted.
"I don't know what your insinuation, mother," he grumbled and he felt the weight of her hand on his shoulder.
"You like to push limits, darling. It is a Malfoy trait that I loved about your father. However, if you push her too hard, she is going to get hurt. Just walk the fine line between challenging her and doting, son."
He pinched his brows together and bit his bottom lip. "Should I warm her friends to me first then?"
"That's a start. Join Mr. Potter today and let him see why she cannot take her eyes off you. I know you cannot see it, but she does indeed search for you in a crowd." Narcissa declared gently, and Draco bobbed his head.
"Alright, I will then."
O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
The kids were splashing in the water as Draco rested in one of the lounge chairs, his shirt off and trunks damp. He heard Harry shift a few times in discomfort, but did not overthink on it. He was used to people being uncomfortable around him.
"So, now that you aren't marrying Astoria, what are your plans?" Harry muttered, his tone was flat.
Draco hummed and scratched his chest. "Well, I am going be going to the office with Granger now. Unfortunately, it adds a bit more driving time to her work day, but we are going to handle her car on Tuesday." He finished and reached for his ale.
"Do you- er- enjoy working with Hermione?" he questioned.
Draco laughed and nodded. "She has just enough spunk to keep me in line. I can be a bit of an arsehole as you know," he replied.
Harry snorted. "Well, a bit of one for sure in school."
"I am sorry about all that Potter. I have no excuse for my actions. Like I told Granger, when I lost my sight, I realized that I wasn't a good person then and still am not the greatest. I am a prat and a bit of a domineering wanker, but I am on the way to working on that." He muttered and set his glass down.
Harry was silent, and the kids were splashing with toys and chattering. Draco listened to them talking about how it was magical in here with the plants like a jungle. He quite enjoyed children, and that was a development that was more recent. Teddy's acceptance paved that direction for the Malfoy.
"I have to ask you something, Malfoy," Harry's voice was low.
"Yes, Potter?"
"How do you feel about my friend?" Harry asked gently.
Draco scratched his the scruff on his chin. "I just want her happy. Her and Teddy both. I was sad for her that it didn't work with Charles. He was good for her, but unfortunately his lack of desire for family finished them." He responded and put his hand on his chest. "I imagine she doesn't even understand how wonderful she really is and how great of a mother she is."
The men were silent, and Harry finally cleared his throat. "Alright, Malfoy. My wife was trying to convince me how good you would be for Hermione and I didn't believe her. Now, you could be full of shite, but if you aren't, I will approve. There are some rules I expect you to follow." Harry's voice was stern.
"Rules for what? Approve of what?" Draco inquired which caused a snort from Harry.
"Rules for Hermione. The first one is you aren't allowed to lie to her again. I have no problem punching a blind man who hurts my best mate." He voiced gruffly.
"Alright," Draco sighed with a frown.
"The second is you cannot play fucked up games. If she cares about you, she will go through horrendous lengths for you. She does now," Harry announced and Draco arched an eyebrow.
"How is that?"
"Hermione wouldn't still be here if she didn't care about you. She may not have told me what you put her through, but she isn't great at hiding things. That brings me to the finally one. If you care about her and genuinely want her to be happy, you need to do what no one else for her. You need to show you need her more than she needs you. Not just the concept or the things about her, but her every bit."
Draco snorted and folded his arms across his chest. "So, you are telling a blind man that he needs to prove he needs her more than she needs him. She doesn't need me for anything but employment, Potter." He paused and scoffed. "You and your wife are under the assumption that something happened between us."
"So, Charlie was lying to us when he says she talks about you when she isn't working? She doesn't rave about how you treat her son? Hermione is a lot more obvious to us than she is to you, trust me. She enjoys the work and the company. Just remember all of that," Harry finished and Draco heard him shift.
The Malfoy felt his cheeks tint. "Nothing happened. Not really," he said.
"Well, good. Try to pace yourself. You were not someone who did moderation in school. I remember that one," Harry snickered.
"Not a problem, Potter. I have far more self-control these days than I did then," Draco chuckled. "I don't believe Granger knows that yet."
"Keep business separate, Malfoy. She is still ambitious. Make her earn things on a professional front. Don't blend the two; she won't keep working for you if you do."
Draco made a sound of agreement. "No good would come from sullying work."
Harry's hand touched Draco's shoulder. "I misjudged you at first, Malfoy. Do yourself a favor and keep surprising us. What you did for Fred and Astoria really warmed us to your family. What you are doing with Hermione could make or break that. Don't bugger it up."
"Hey, you kids cannot climb on that!" Ginny's bounced off the walls.
"Sorry, mum," James replied.
"Sorry!" Albus repeated.
"Where's Hermione?"
Ginny laughed, and Draco heard her walking toward them. "Her and Narcissa are getting massages. I decided to dip on that. I didn't feel like getting rubbed down by a hot Swedish man." She snickered, making Draco frown lightly.
"Swedish man, you say? Were they all men?" Draco mused calmly; too nonchalantly.
"Oh yes, your mother has incredible tastes. When she realized Hermione and Charlie broke it off, she requested someone a bit hunky to rub her down for her." Ginny declared as she spoke from the same direction as Harry.
"Well, that was nice of her," Draco murmured. "I shall return, I need to go to the restroom."
Draco rose from his chair and reached for his cane leaning against the table. Once he was at the door, he heard the Potters talking to their children. His cane was prodding the tiles as he found his way to the stairs.
O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
Hermione didn't want someone touching her. Ginny was the one to convince her, but it was not something she was used to doing. This whole event today was new for her. Nails being painted and primed. Facial mixtures and talking with the other women about their children. Narcissa shared much about Draco's upbringing. It was eye opening to hear the 'stern' discipline that Lucius used on his son.
Now she was faced down on a table in her room. Her body over a fluffy towel as she waited, naked for a stranger to touch her. It was an awkward thought. The door opened and she heard shuffling.
"Miss," a gruff voice sounded.
"Ah, yes- well, Hermione works," she murmured and jerked.
"No, Miss, stay," the man declared.
She did as she was bid and heard a bottle cap. Hermione was feeling her heart beat in her head as she felt the dribble of oil on her back. Soon hands pressed against her skin and she shuddered. The man made a calming sound and he started to knead into her muscles. It was making her relax, but at the same time it felt odd.
Now, she had never had anyone but Charlie rub her back, so the thought of projecting might have occurred. The touch was so tender and careful. Unlike what she was considering it would be. Thumbs pressed into her shoulder blades with firm but careful pressure. Fingertips moving like a pencil over the lines of her.
It was some time in before she realized she was softly sighing at the touch. The hands were moving down and caressing her relaxed skin. It felt so delightful. The towel was removed around her behind and she was about to objected until his hands started to it with a firm roughness.
"Sir," Hermione murmured as his fingers kept their steady movements.
"Hm?" he replied.
"I think I have more tension up further, could you focus there, please?" she declared and the man hummed agreement.
It almost felt sensuous and profound which made her squirm just a fraction. Her toes wanted to curl with the pleasure administered. Hermione couldn't help the soft sounds she released when a knot would loosen and rubbed away. It was heaven. His hands glided over her for a bit longer until the timer went off. "Good day, Miss," he announced gruffly and left the room.
It was stunning how quickly he departed and she sat up glancing around. What a weird experience...
However, on the other side of the door, a certain Malfoy walked into another room. A stranger was sitting there waiting for him. Draco only knew this because he asked him to do so. "I assure you, you will still get paid." Draco said as he was wiping the oil off his hands.
"Yes, Sir. Thank you kindly," the man declared.
Draco held out the towel and it was taken from him. His cane was replaced in his hand and the Malfoy smirked. "I would prefer your indiscretion about this. I don't want my mother to know nor Miss Granger."
"Yes, Sir. Of course," the man replied and Draco left the room.
He was grinning brightly the entire time as he left the wing and replayed the rise and fall of her curves in his mind. Yes, she was just as gorgeous to him as she was before. Hermione would not be happy about his farse, but he was still just an Anguis. Cunning, witty and above all, territorial. None of that should surprise anyone.