Authors Note: You lot had better appreciate this chapter as I spent a whole afternoon I could have been sun bathing writing it. I'm gradually introducing my new system of separating scenes into all my chapters so bear with me. The disclaimer hasn't moved and still resides in the prologue and thanks as ever go to my beta and those of you who have taken the time to review. Let me know what you think of this chapter – it's always a pleasure to come home at the end of a long day at work arguing with my manager, to find encouraging reviews sitting in my inbox.
Chapter Six
Hermione skidded to a stop in front of Andromeda Tonks, conscious that her hair was in a mess even though she had tried to push it back and that her robes were rumpled. Worry clouded her face as she looked up at the woman standing before her. She knew she was rather late and hoped that Andromeda would understand when she explained. Opening her mouth to apologise, she closed it again when the other woman said, smiling,
"There you are! I must admit I was getting worried… oh, no need to look so worried, my dear, Aurora is perfectly fine. My nephew was good enough to step in at the last minute. He's been helping out at the nursery and is known to Aurora; in fact the two of them get on very well together, so everything's fine."
Heaving a sigh of relief, Hermione gasped out, "Oh, thank you so much, Andromeda. I'd have been here about fifteen minutes ago, but there was a last minute emergency which I had to take care of." She adjusted her slightly rumpled robes and pushed her hair back, taking a moment to assimilate Andromeda's words. When she did, she glanced at the older woman with a slight frown.
Nephew? This was the first time that Hermione had heard of any nephew of Andromeda's. She had always thought that they were well staffed at the nursery. The inconvenience Andromeda must have suffered when she had not been able to attend the morning's session made the feeling of guilt within her increase ten-fold.
A slight sound behind Andromeda interrupted Hermione's train of thought, and she turned her head. It was all she could do not to scream. Standing beside Andromeda, silhouetted against the light of the window behind him and with shock evident on his face, was Draco Malfoy.
Slowly and deliberately, Hermione closed her eyes; in a moment she would awake from this horrid nightmare and find herself in her own bed. Maybe she would get up and make herself a cup of hot chocolate to help her sleep – her mother always said that hot chocolate was the best weapon to combat nightmares. She took a deep breath and prepared to open her eyes; she would see the white ceiling of her bedroom when she opened them, and laugh at this ridiculous delusion her subconscious was creating.
Opening her eyes to their fullest extent, she refocused on the scene before her; Andromeda stood looking slightly perplexed and there beside her… No. It wasn't. It couldn't be – but it was. No one else she knew had that silvery blond hair or that aristocratic bearing. His eyes were currently boring into her face, the surprise having been replaced with dawning comprehension.
"Hermione, are you all right?" Andromeda asked, breaking the silence, "You've gone very pale."
"Yes," Hermione answered faintly, while bile rose up in her throat, "I'm fine, thank you, but I don't understand… He," she indicated Draco with a nod," He's your nephew?"
"Certainly," Andromeda smiled, "Draco is my sister, Narcissa's son. Do you know each other?"
"You could say that, Aunt," Draco bit out, fury such as Hermione had never seen before, taking the place of his earlier shock.
Andromeda glanced at her nephew with a frown. "Draco, please…"
"Aunt, I suggest you keep out of this," he warned with barely controlled fury.
Andromeda seemed to think better of her next words, and with an apologetic look at Hermione left them alone. Clearly she had experience with Draco's temper and did not relish being on the receiving end of it.
Hermione took a deep fortifying breath; she didn't know what Draco Malfoy was doing here – but if he thought to stalk her… Well, she'd just have to brazen it out with him. Hopefully, he wouldn't make the connection between her and Aurora - not if she could help it.
"Malfoy," she said in what she hoped was a cheerful voice, "I'm surprise to see you here – I wouldn't have thought nurseries were your thing."
"Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?" he snarled, eyes narrowed. "Tell me Hermione, when were you planning to inform me about my daughter's existence, or did you think that you could avoid mentioning it?"
Daughter? Hermione blinked at these words, momentarily taken aback. Then it hit her – of course, Aurora was his biological daughter. Having never thought of the little girl as having anything to do with Draco Malfoy, it came as a surprise to her to have the obvious stated. She pulled herself up short; he had easily assumed Aurora's paternity, but for the child's safety she had to disabuse him of this and fast.
Widening her eyes, she took a step back and frowned at him, "What are you talking about Malfoy?" she asked, trying to infuse a note of incredulity into her voice.
Draco moved to stand in front of her, blocking out the light as well as her means of escape. She became aware of how tall he was, towering over her by a good eight inches.
"Don't play games with me Hermione; I'm not in the mood for them. We both know that Aurora is as much my child as she is yours. What I want to know is why you've neglected to inform me of this." His eyes glittered with icy anger, reminding her of the Arctic Ocean in winter. "Well?"
Hermione gulped. Squaring her shoulders, she met his eyes with determination and not a little anger. Speaking with the same quiet fury as he had done, she challenged, "My, my, aren't we a bit quick to jump to conclusions? Who says Aurora's yours, Malfoy?" She folded her arms, shook her head and continued with a smirk, "I hate to break it to you, but there've been other men in my life apart from you, and none of whom, I might add, needed to resort to potions to get me into bed. For your information, Aurora's father is a man whom I married soon after you did us all a favour and left for America." She infused a touch of sadness in her next words, "He died… he died in the war."
Draco however simply smirked and leaned forward until their foreheads were almost touching, "Really? How touching. But perhaps you can explain something for me. Tell me, how is it that Aurora has my eyes, my looks, and as Annie, the children's story-teller," he nodded to the closed door of the large room where the children were, "so kindly pointed out, even my fingers as well. This is of course not taking into account the famous Malfoy temper Aurora displays and her natural ability to fly! I suppose your late husband could very well be my twin, but I doubt such a doppelganger could exist without anyone's knowledge!"
Hermione gave an inward groan; he was right, of course. Everything he had pointed out was true: Aurora did indeed have his eyes, his facial bone structure, as well as his traits, which Hermione could only describe as Slytherin in nature. Still, he did not have irrefutable proof to justify his claim, and she would do everything in her power to counter his arguments.
Trying to look exasperated, she rolled her eyes, "Oh for heavens sake, Malfoy, you aren't the only grey eyed wizard in Great Britain! I'll have you know, Aurora takes after her paternal grandmother in looks! As for my daughter's temper – your so-called 'Malfoy temper'—" she snorted, her voice dripping with contempt, "that's simply because she's rather spoiled and used to getting her own way! Any child doted upon as she is would certainly be the same!"
Success! She thought with an inward smile. Draco's expression darkened with doubt – but not for long.
"Well, if that's the case, I'm sure you won't mind if I carry out a simple paternity test. You'll understand if I'd rather find out for myself rather than rely upon your word," he sneered.
Horror flooded Hermione at this thought; he couldn't, he wouldn't! But one look at his set face told her that he was perfectly serious about carrying out his threat.
He carried on, "It shouldn't take too long. Both Aurora and I will only need to submit a blood sample, and the results can be obtained in minutes, as you well know. Then we'll put this delightful conversation to rest once and for all."
"No!" Hermione blurted out, her temporary bravado deserting her, and her fear for her daughter almost choking her, "No, I won't allow it. Aurora's my daughter. She shouldn't have to draw blood for… for… for some despicable wizard's insatiable curiosity! My baby's only four and a half years old! If you feel the need to make anyone's life a misery, don't pick on an innocent child who's done nothing to you!"
At her vehement words, Draco straightened, his expression blackening until his eyes were mere slits and his mouth a hard line. "What kind of person do you think I am?" he asked in such a quiet voice that she had to strain to hear him, "Do you really think I'd harm my own flesh and blood?"
She recoiled at the look of pure unadulterated anger in his eyes. She hesitated, unsure of what to say, fearful of what he would do next.
"I'll tell you what you thought," he snarled, bitter disappointment lacing his words, "you thought that I'd deliberately harm my own child because she wasn't a pureblood, didn't you?"
Hermione averted her eyes from his and didn't answer. If only Ron or Harry were here! she thought, they would help her. But there was no aid available to her – she was alone. She wanted to run away and hide from this man, but she knew it would be futile – he would easily catch up with her, and she could never leave Aurora behind.
Draco broke their prolonged silence, surprising her out of her reverie. "I would never harm her you know," he sighed, taking a step away from Hermione and turning towards the window. Looking back at Hermione, who was leaning against the wall, arms rapped protectively round herself, he continued in the same tone, "You and I have a lot of talking to do – I'll visit you this evening." His voice suddenly hardened, "I suggest for your sake that you be at home, without any of your sidekicks present, or else I won't be answerable for the consequences." With that, he turned away, striding off down the deserted corridor his robes billowing behind him.
Staggering over to the window where he had stood, Hermione gripped the sill, breathing hard in order to keep her tears at bay. What now? What could she do? What if he tried to take Aurora away from her? He had wealth and connections – he could easily use them to legally get what he wanted and then what was to become of her? Aurora was her entire world!
No. There must be a way to stop Malfoy. She needed to pull herself together before this evening. She would plan. She would strategise. If need be, she would even run away with Aurora… only, she didn't know where she'd go. No matter, she'd think about it later. Straightening her robes, she scrubbed at her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her raging thoughts. Once she felt in control of her emotions, she turned her mind towards the heavy door. Whatever may come, she needed to be with Aurora now. The child's emotional well-being must be protected and it certainly would not do for Aurora to see her mother in this state.
Hermione pushed open the door into the large room, which Andromeda had entered not five minutes ago. The sight of the twelve children clustered round a baby hippogriff in the arms of a plump woman did nothing to lighten her mood. Forcing a smile, she easily spotted the figure of her daughter, noticeable in her red and white shorts and t-shirt, stroking the hippogriff and talking to it.
"Aurora!" she called cheerfully, making her way over to the girl and tapping her on the shoulder.
Aurora turned her head and on seeing who it was, smiled brilliantly. "Mummy, mummy, do you like Donfen? He is a hippogwiff and my fwiend! Look, he likes it when I stwoke him."
She proceeded to run her hands over the Hippogriff's gleaming feathers and the creature didn't move under her touch.
"Hmm… yes," Hermione nodded, smiling genuinely this time.
"He's vewy nice and look, his feathers are so dark, just like his daddy and mummy!" Aurora grinned back, putting her arms around the baby Hippogriff's back and hugging it.
"He certainly seems to have taken a liking to Aurora," the woman holding the Hippogriff told Hermione with a smile, "he's not normally so still when hugged; then again, most children aren't as confident around Hippogriffs – for that you'll have to thank your husband for reassuring Aurora."
"Oh, no," Hermione tried to explain, "He's not my hus—"
"Aurora move!" Annabelle Mullings interrupted loudly, as she tried to push Aurora aside, clutching her mother's hand and dragging her forward.
Aurora simply stood firm against the other girl, and informed Hermione in a carrying voice, "Annabelle is angwy because Donfen doesn't like her and she's scared of him."
"Am not!" Annabelle shouted, her cheeks flaming red.
"Oh yes, you are," Aurora taunted, enjoying Annabelle's discomfort, "Why are you still holding your mummy's hand then? Only people who're scared hold their mummy or daddy's hands!"
Sensing an argument brewing, Hermione hurried forward and pulled Aurora away, "That's quite enough, young lady," she scolded.
Aurora clearly disagreed, and in a singsong voice chanted, "Annabelle's a coward, Annabelle's a cow-waaard!"
Not waiting to see what would happen next, Hermione frog marched a smug Aurora out of the room, while shooting an apologetic look at the other child's mother, who glared in response.
Once out in the corridor, Hermione turned to her grinning offspring and demanded, "Why on Earth did you do that? It was a naughty thing to do!"
"I don't like Annabelle," Aurora retorted with a pout, "last week, she said… she said that you were a muggle! She even called you 'mud' but Uncle Max shouted at her for it. You're not a muggle. You're not!"
Hermione sighed. She wished that Aurora didn't have to face such prejudice at such a tender age. "I know I'm not a muggle, and you know that I'm not a muggle – isn't that enough? Whatever else Annabelle may have said, that's still no reason to make fun of her!" She was thankful to whomever this Uncle Max was who had intervened; it was obvious what Annabelle would have said if given the chance, and Hermione didn't want Aurora exposed to the language of hatred when she was still so young,
"Yes it is!" Aurora insisted, "It's a good weason. Serves her wight! She's a coward and I don't want her to call you a muggle anymore!"
Hermione could feel the beginnings of a headache forming behind her eyes and said no more. In this mood, Aurora was impossible to reason with, and right now, she had other things on her mind. She decided that she would call it a day and go home. She had a lot of thinking to do and she wasn't going to achieve that by listening to her daughter prattling about her gripes with another child.
Taking her daughter firmly by the hand, she led her out of Flourish and Blotts, through Diagon Alley and into the Leaky Cauldron. Aurora didn't protest as she was led through the crowded pub onto Charing Cross road. She was starting to feel tired – the excitement of the day catching up with her. She yawned as Hermione flagged down a black cab and they climbed in. As Hermione gave the driver their address, Aurora snuggled herself against her mother and in a small voice said, "I'm sowwy mummy. I don't want you to be angwy. I won't be howwible to Annabelle again. Weally, I won't."
Hermione felt her throat constrict at this late and unexpected apology, and blinking back tears, pulled her errant daughter onto her lap. She was now more determined than ever that Draco Malfoy did not get the better of her where this child was concerned and vowed that she would do whatever it took to ensure he did not come between them.
XoXoXoXo
"Can we wead a stowy now?" Aurora questioned, as Hermione scooped her out of the bath and dumped her on the bathmat before towelling her dry.
"You're tired darling, and it's better that you go straight to bed," she replied as she helped Aurora into her Mickey Mouse pyjamas.
"But I want a stowy! Please, mummy, just a little one, then I'll go to sleep okay?" Aurora bargained.
Hermione wondered whether to give in to her daughter's request. Draco hadn't said when he would arrive – what if Aurora was still awake when he did so? She didn't want her daughter to see him, preferring that any unpleasantness be kept from the little girl.
"Oh, c'mon, Mummy," Aurora wheedled putting her arms round her mother's neck and kissing her cheek, "Please? Just a little stowy and then I will go to sleep, please?"
"Fine," Hermione capitulated, picking her up and carrying her through to her room. As she tucked Aurora into bed, she asked, "Well, what would you like to hear?"
In response, Aurora pointed to the book of 'Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales' Harry and Ginny had given her last Christmas that was sitting on her bedside table.
Hermione's fingers had just closed round the book when the doorbell chimed. She froze, the book clutched in her hand.
She knew instinctively who it was at the front door.
"Shall I see who it is?" Aurora asked, scrambling out of bed.
"No!" Hermione snapped, dropping the book of fairy tales. Quickly, she grabbed Aurora and pushed her back into bed. "Stay here. I'll see who it is. If I find that you've moved even a tiny inch, there'll be no story tonight, understand?" She knew that she was unjustly taking her nervousness out on the child, but she couldn't help it.
Aurora nodded, not understanding why her mother had snapped at her like that. She lay down, pulling the duvet up to her chin.
As Hermione made her way out of the room, she closed the door after her, simultaneously fingering the wand that was residing in her pocket. For a moment she was tempted to put a sleeping spell on her daughter, but was aware that her hand was not quite steady and eventually decided not to risk it. Oh well, maybe she could fob Malfoy off with an excuse.
She was not surprised to see him standing outside the front door when she cast a revealing charm on it. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open and faced him.
"Good evening," he greeted, stepping forward, "I hope I'm not too late."
"Too late?" Hermione asked, bewildered, "Too late for what?"
Reluctantly, she stepped aside, allowing him to enter the flat.
"Too late to read Aurora a story before bed," he answered smiling at her. "I remember how I used to insist upon a story at bedtime, I've no doubt my daughter's the same."
"Look," Hermione hissed, hands on her hips, "I've told you before that Aurora isn't your daughter! Why can't you understand that and just get out and leave us be?"
He simply smiled indulgently at her in return, which made Hermione more nervous than she cared to admit. "Now, now, temper, temper, my dear!" he smirked. "Would I be standing here, stating these facts, if I hadn't done my research? I'll have you know, Hermione, I have here," he patted his pocket, "all the evidence required to prove that Aurora is indeed my child, but before you and I go into all that, I would like to read my daughter a bedtime story. I would've been here in time for her bath, but one of the documents I needed proved to be rather more difficult to get hold of than I had anticipated. Where is Aurora?"
At that precise moment, Aurora's voice floated to them, "Mummy, has the person gone yet? Can we wead my stowy now? I haven't moved even an inch!"
Hermione moved to bar Draco's way, but he was too quick for her. In three strides, he had reached the door of Aurora's room and flung it open. She watched helplessly as Draco strode in with a proud grin on his face, stopping before an excited Aurora who had her arms outstretched. "Uncle Max! What're you doing here? Have you come to wead me a stowy?"
This was Uncle Max? Hermione was confused. How was it that the two of them seemed to be on such friendly terms?
"I have indeed, princess," Draco replied, settling himself on the side of Aurora's bed and accepting her hug with a broad smile. With ease, he twisted the little girl to sit comfortably on his lap.
"I don't think you shou—" Hermione started, but was cut off by Draco saying,
"Look, I've brought you something."
Hermione watched in growing horror and panic, as from another pocket Draco withdrew a small bag. One casual wand flick later, the bag had multiplied ten-fold and she could see that it was stuffed full of toys.
Aurora let out a squeal of joy, but to Hermione's slight relief, she hesitated, glancing towards her mother for consent. "Are they all for me?" the little girl asked Draco, although her pleading grey eyes were fixed on Hermione's stony expression.
"Of course they are, princess, every single one!" Draco beamed, "Come on now, don't you want to see what's in the bag?"
"Mummy, may I?" Aurora implored.
Draco looked up at Hermione with a frown of irritation. "Oh I'm sure Mummy won't mind, will you Mummy?"
Hermione stopped herself from pulling out her wand and hexing him. Now both Draco and Aurora were looking at her; the latter gazing at her pleadingly. How could she say no? She felt something deep within her twist in pain, and silently cursed the man sitting, cradling her daughter. How dare he use her daughter against her?
"Um… Yes, of course you may, Aurora," she told the child, pointedly ignoring Draco, "but after that, it's bedtime for you, little one!"
"Thanks Mummy!" Aurora beamed back, and grabbing the heavy bag, she proceeded to tip the contents onto her bed.
Hermione had to stifle a gasp at the bag's contents: Five teddy bears of varying sizes and colours; three huge jigsaw puzzles, which when fitted, the pictures would move, a toy broomstick, a play cauldron with edible 'ingredients' and four other magical toys she didn't recognise. There were also three large books of wizarding fairytales that she knew instantly were very expensive first editions.
"Wow," Aurora breathed, "Wow!"
"Do you like them, princess?" Draco asked, smiling indulgently at her.
"Oh yes!" she gushed, giving 'Uncle Max' a quick kiss, and once again asked, "But are they weally all for me? The bwoomstick! The cauldwon! There're so many things here!"
Draco tilted his head down nearer to Aurora's and laughed softly, "Of course they're all for you. For you and no one else, my angel!"
"But this is like Chwistmas or my birthday!" the child grinned up at him, "When I get lots of pwesents all at once!"
Draco said nothing but pulled her small form to him, and hugged her tightly. "They're the presents for all your Christmases and birthdays that I've missed." He looked directly into Hermione's eyes, even as he spoke into Aurora's hair, pressing his face into her chestnut curls.
"It's time for bed, sweetie," Hermione interjected, pulling out her wand and banishing the toys back into the bag. "Come on now, there's my good girl." Pulling Aurora from Draco's arms, she lay her down, pulling the duvet over her.
"Can Uncle wead me a stowy, Mummy?" Aurora asked, looking at Draco expectantly.
Draco's eyes flicked sideways to see Hermione's reaction. For a moment, his mouth tightened to see her dismay, but she gave him a curt nod, and he smiled down at the comfortably tucked in girl. "What would you like me to read, angel?" he asked.
"Could you wead my Hans Chwistian Andersen Faiwy Tales?"
"Certainly," Draco gave her a gentle smile, picking up the thick storybook and settling himself on the bed beside her. "Which one would you like to hear?
"The Empewows New Clothes, please."
Draco grinned down at her, "I like that one too." Flicking through the book, he found the story and began reading. His rich baritone filled the room, and in spite of herself, Hermione was captivated. He was an excellent reader.
Seating herself on the bottom end of Aurora's bed, Hermione allowed Draco's voice to wash over her while her mind wandered. What had he meant by "evidence"? If he had looked in either Hanwell's or St Mungo's records, he would have found nothing relating to Aurora. Hermione had made sure of that. She had taken the utmost care in ensuring that the only records kept about Aurora's birth were at Andromeda's nursery; even then those records said nothing about the child's father.
"'How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes! And how well they fit!' everyone cried out. 'What a design! What colours! These are indeed royal robes!'"
Glancing at Aurora, Hermione saw that she had fallen asleep with a smile on her lips. Draco too, seemed to have realised this for he shut the book, leaned over and kissed her rosy cheek. Looking down at the sleeping child, he tenderly brushed an errant curl away from her face.
"How angelic she looks," he murmured, his eyes hungrily drinking in the sight before him, as he absentmindedly replaced the book on the bedside table.
Hermione moved quietly to the head of the bed. Standing next to Draco, she gazed down at the sweet face of her daughter. Then she too, leaned over and kissed her, tucking the duvet securely in around her small form.
For a while, the couple stood in silence side by side, looking down at Aurora; each thinking how precious the child was to them.
"After you," Draco murmured, breaking the silence as he stood aside to allow Hermione to go through the door first.
She led the way into the sitting room and once there, turned to face him. It cost her to do so, but she asked, "Can I offer you something to drink?"
"Coffee would be nice," he replied, as he looked around the room with interest.
Hermione walked into the kitchen, Draco following closely behind her. He stood surveying the small immaculately kept kitchen as she busied herself making coffee.
"You have a nice flat," he commented, once more breaking the tense silence, "how long have you had it?"
"A few years," she answered tartly, as she poured out the steaming coffee into a coffeepot.
He waited until she had set the tray, then taking it from her, he led the way back into the sitting room. They seated themselves on either side of the large round glass-topped coffee table and Hermione poured. Pushing his cup towards him, she sat back. "Look Malfoy—" she began, but he cut her off.
"I thought we stuck to first names at Hanwell's?" he asked, sitting back and taking an appreciative sip of his aromatic brew. "After all, that is what sets Hanwell's apart from the other hospitals, is it not?"
"Well yes, but—"
"Then it's 'Draco' and not 'Malfoy' – agreed?"
"At work, maybe, but this is outside working hours—"
Again, he interrupted her. "Oh I'd say that you and I have enough in common to warrant first names, wouldn't you?" he smirked silkily. "Making a baby together, for example."
Putting her own cup down, Hermione ground out, "For the last time, Malfoy," she emphasised, "Aurora's not yours!"
Draco surveyed her with that irritating smirk playing about his mouth, before drawing out what looked like a tiny card from a pocket. A flick of his wand later, she saw that it was a slim A4-sized leather-bound file. Sliding it across the coffee table, he said, "We'll have our discussion after you've had a look at that."
With trembling fingers, Hermione opened the file and froze. The first page was Aurora's birth certificate, on which was written the date, 13 October 2000.
"Exactly nine months to the day that you and I made love," Draco drawled casually, while watching her keenly.
Hermione bristled at Draco's comment but brushed it aside, she had more important things on her mind. A birth certificate hardly constituted 'evidence', she smiled inwardly. Lots of children were born prematurely. Besides, Aurora's birth certificate was a document easily obtained from Andromeda's nursery, and one which had no indication of her paternity.
Flipping to the next page, however, she bit her lower lip in consternation. This one was not so easily dismissed. There before her, was the report of her last ultrasound scan a week before Aurora's birth. On the report were details of the progression of her pregnancy at 39 weeks on 6 October 2000, and there, stated in a clear script: 'Name: Hermione Jane Granger; Marital Status: Single'. The next few pages contained a report of the birth itself and at the bottom of the report, was a note: 'Father: unknown. Patient refuses to name father.'
There was a final section to the folder. The cover page of this section was stamped with the Wand and Bone emblem of St Mungo's Hospital. Face pallid with fear, she noted the date for this document – today's date.
There, before her in medical jargon that was so familiar to her, lay the copy of a paternity report requested by Draco Andreus Malfoy. The attached medical report stated that the blood samples submitted by both Draco Andreus Malfoy and Aurora Elisabeth Granger, shared fifty percent of their genes, thereby defining their relationship as father and daughter.
Ice cold, irrefutable proof of Draco's paternity.
How was she ever going to deny this truth? If he should submit this before the Wizengamot—
Shoulders sagging, Hermione shut the file, and laid it on the coffee table before her. "How did you get a blood sample from Aurora?" she asked flatly.
He spoke quietly, recognising her defeated tone, "When I left you in the corridor in Flourish and Blotts, I doubled round and entered the playroom using the back entrance. I merely explained to Aurora that I needed some blood from her for a test that St Mungo's was carrying out. She bravely obliged. I took the blood from her finger and healed the cut. It was simple really."
How dare he? How dare the conniving little snake do this to her? To Aurora? Taking blood from a child – it was worse than stealing a treasured possession! The horrors of possible Dark Magic that involved the use of children's blood flooded through Hermione's mind, as rage began to take hold of her. Picking up the file, she threw it hard at him.
Draco, who had been expecting such an outburst, put out a hand and caught the file, simply reducing it and tucking it safely away in his pocket.
"How dare you! How could you do such a thing? I'll never forgive you should anything happen to Aurora! I hate you!" she cried, jumping to her feet and stalking towards the man still sitting calmly opposite her, "Who the hell do you think you are to barge into our lives like this? I won't allow it!"
At this, Draco rose to his feet, his calm gone, replaced with a look that would have done credit to a rampaging Hippogriff. "You won't allow it?" he retorted through gritted teeth, "Let me remind you that thanks to you, I only found out about my daughter's existence today! Before you get all worked up and onto your moral high horse, ask yourself how hiding Aurora from me will look in front of the Wizengamot!"
Hermione paled, her anger draining away, "You wouldn't," she whispered pleadingly, "you wouldn't try to take her away from me."
"Explain to me why I shouldn't, Hermione. Merlin knows I've every right to do so! Imagine yourself finding out one day purely by accident that you've fathered a child of whom you'd known nothing; a child whose most important milestones you've missed: her first smile, her first steps, her first word, her first day at school! Wouldn't you feel cheated and bitter?"
There was a pause in which she digested his angry words. Then she stammered, "But… but if I'd told you, you would've…you would…"
"What do you think I would've had done?" he narrowed his eyes in anger and hurt. "Had her killed because she wasn't a pureblood?" Bitterness laced his words as he continued, "Done away with her because she was conceived out of wedlock? Do you still not understand?" Exasperated, he raised his voice, "For someone who's suppose to be very open minded, you hold a great deal of prejudice!"
The fact was, Hermione did not understand. What happened had happened a long time ago and the steps she had taken to protect Aurora, had in her opinion, been necessary to ensure the child's safety. Staring down at the cream and gold carpet, she bit her bottom lip, pondering his words. Finally, she looked up and deciding to call his bluff, demanded, "Fine then, what would you have done when you found out I was pregnant with Aurora? Would you have married me?" she gave an unlady-like snort of derision, accompanied by a shake of her head.
"Yes," came the emphatic reply, "Yes, I would have!" Then in a quieter but just as vehement voice, he continued, "Unlike your preconceptions of me, I do take my moral responsibilities very seriously, and yes, it may surprise you to know, but I would've married you in an instant had I known. "
There was another silence and the clock on the wall ticked loudly in the tense atmosphere of the room. Hermione re-seated herself, and picking up her now cold coffee, drained her cup in one go.
"Well, that's all water under the bridge now, isn't it?" Hermione shrugged, still reeling from Draco's words. "The fact is that I'm not married, and Aurora and I are happy as we are. We lack for nothing and don't need you… and you'll do us a world of good by leaving us alone."
She knew she sounded callas and cruel but she was beyond the point of caring.
"Oh no," he let out a mirthless laugh, "I'm afraid it's not as simple as that, Hermione. Because of you, I've missed a large part of my daughter's life, and I'm not about to miss out on any more of it! No, leaving Aurora alone, is simply not an option."
He sat down again and fixed her with a steely glare. "As of this moment, I'm giving you two options – which is more than what you gave me by not telling me about Aurora. Ither we come to an informal arrangement regarding the amount of time I can spend with Aurora, or if you don't agree to this, I'll have my lawyers notify you of when we'll meet before the Wizengamot and take this to court. Of course, if you're foolish enough to force me to take such drastic action, you'd risk loosing custody of Aurora, and you'll never see her again." He held up a hand to forestall her protests and continued, "This will be your choice, Hermione – I'm not comfortable with taking this to court because I'm a firm believer that children should have the love and time of both parents." Gently, he added, "I know that both you and Aurora have a very close bond and don't want my child to have to go through the trauma of separation with her mother, but Hermione, if you leave me with no choice, you know as well as I do that I have the greater chance of winning a court battle. Make no mistake, I'll take this to court if you force me, any price is worth seeing my daughter grow up and playing a part in her life."
By now Hermione was feeling sick with fear, her head bent low. What had she done to deserve this? All those years she had spent trying to ensure Aurora's safety – all for nothing! She felt a tear trickle down her cheek and wiped it away with the back of her hand. She had even gone to the trouble of giving birth in Benendon Hospital, a muggle private hospital in Kent, attended by one medi-witch, but Draco had managed to get hold of even that record as well. She felt another tear slide silently down her cheek and this time she did not bother to wipe it away. It was soon followed by another, and then another.
A slight rustling to her right made Hermione look up. Before she could move, Draco had seated himself on the arm of her chair and pulled her into his arms, her face buried against his chest.
"Don't cry," he comforted, holding her tightly, "please, Hermione, don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you… it's just… it's just that I'm as desperate as you are to see Aurora grow up, that's all."
"Imagine what it was like for me," she sniffed unable to stop herself, her voice muffled against his chest, "having a baby on my own, and then bringing her up knowing that if I died in the war against Voldemort, there' be no one to take care of her. I feared for her safety – I was so sure that…" she sobbed, unable to continue. "Now after everything I went through to bring her up and ensure she didn't want for anything, you… you just traipse in here and threaten to take her away from me!"
His arms tightened around her and he shook his head. "No, no, no, Hermione," he whispered into her hair, which was so much like his little girl's, "Never. I'm not going to take her away from you, I promise! All I want… all I ask for, Hermione, is to be a part of your lives – is that really too much to ask?"
"Is that the truth? You really won't take her away?" she sniffed, looking up at him through her tears, "I want you to promise in writing that you'll never take her from me."
"I'll do as you ask," he replied hoarsely, his thumb wiping away her tears, "if you promise to let me at least spend some time with my little girl too. That's all I ask, Hermione."
She bit her lip again and nodded, knowing that this was the best deal she could hope to strike under the circumstances.
"Thank you," he murmured on a sigh, and before she could pull away, he bent and kissed her gently on the mouth. "You won't regret this Hermione," he said solemnly, "I promise." Straightening up, he smiled down at her, "I'd better go, it's been a long night, and you need your rest. I know you've got to get into Hanwell's early tomorrow morning."
Hermione got up as well, and tucked her hair behind her ears, wiping the remains of her tears with her hands.
"Will it be all right to come round tomorrow at the same time?" he smiled. "Maybe I could babysit Aurora when you're on duty – no more running around looking for someone to take care of her when you're needed at Hanwell's in emergencies."
"Tomorrow's fine," she muttered, getting up and walking him over to the door. "As for babysitting, Molly Weasley and my parents have a scheduled worked out with me, and we've been managing fine." She noted the look of disappointment on Draco's face, and added, "But if you could help out once in a while, I'd be grateful."
It had cost her a great deal to say these words, but she felt that she had no other choice and she didn't want to break this tentative truce she had with him.
Draco smiled broadly at Hermione's acquiescence. "Right. Babysitting's no problem at all. It'll be my pleasure. Also, while we're on the subject, I want to give you some financial help," he hesitated and then carried on, "because you look as if you skimp on meals to make ends meet."
Hermione felt a blush suffuse her cheeks at his words, but shook her head. "No, you don't need to do that. You know as well as I do that Healers are paid quite well. Mum and dad helped me buy this flat, but I've since paid them back. The flat was my biggest expense, and now that's dealt with, Aurora and I are comfortable financially." It would never do for him to know of the money she still owed Gringott's due to a loan she had needed to take out the year before, or the fact that she had to watch every knut for as generous as her salary was, it was gobbled up by Aurora's nursery fees, the money she paid Molly Weasley for babysitting, the gradual paying back of her loan, plus utility bills and other daily expenses. Only as a last resort would she take this man's money and she vowed never to reach that level of desperation. Adopting a right smile she continued, "I know I'm too thin, but that's more to do with work stress, running around and not having enough time for meals, rather than a problem with making ends meet."
"Nevertheless," he persisted earnestly, "I want to support you both. I'll arrange it all tomorrow with Gringott's. Now I really had better go," he smiled, looking very reluctant, "like you, I have an early meeting in the morning."
He led the way out of the room, and after a moment's hesitation opened Aurora's door. Silently, he crept to the bed and bending down, kissed the sleeping child, with a soft, "Goodnight, my little darling."
"Is she a light sleeper?" he whispered to the child's mother.
"Apparently not tonight," Hermione whispered back with a slight smile, as they walked down the hall to the front door, "on some nights, even the slightest sound'll wake her, but she's exhausted after a day like today – what with Hippogriffs and everything."
He acknowledged this information with a smile. Opening the front door, he turned to her, "Thanks for letting me see her, Hermione," he said, looking intently into her eyes, "Good night."
Stepping over the threshold, Draco Disapparated, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts about her perplexing evening.
XoXoXoXo
There was a silence when Hermione finished telling her tale. Finally, Harry spoke up from his place by the window, "I had a feeling something like this would happen – Andromeda Tonks is the sister of Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. They were Sirius's cousins."
"That git! Why did you let him anywhere near Aurora, Hermione? You know what he's like – he'd probably kidnap her the moment your back is turned!" Ron exclaimed hotly.
"I had no choice in the matter Ron," Hermione snapped back, "it was either that or we go to court! You know as well as I do how poor my chances would be against him."
"Ignore him, Hermione," Ginny said, shooting her brother a death glare, "I think you did the right thing in the circumstances. He was right, you know – you don't have half a hope against him in court. It's far better to have some control of the situation than none at all. Did he really agree to support you two? You should agree to it! Make sure you get that in writing."
"Ginevra!" Harry exclaimed, horrified, "you didn't mean that – imagine taking that git's money."
Ginny stood her ground and replied calmly, "Well, if it were up to me, and if it were a choice between compromise and court, I know what I'd do. I'd bleed him for all I could get!" she nodded empathetically. "Besides, this way, Hermione'll have more money to spend on herself for a change. It's not like he can't afford it – and we know how much Hermione has scrimped through the years to provide for Aurora."
"You, Ginevra Molly Potter, are a disgrace to decency," Ron glowered at his sister.
"No, I'm not," Ginny huffed. "I say make the best of the situation, and in this case, I say that Hermione should take full advantage of it. Why shouldn't she? Malfoy's got his way by making Hermione agree to letting him see Aurora, so why shouldn't Hermione get something out of it as well?" Turning to Hermione, she added, "Don't listen to these two, Hermione – they don't know their faces from their backsides. Get all you can from Malfoy – I know I would!"
"No Ginny," Hermione sighed, "I can't. As tempting as it sounds, the moment I accept money from him, he'll use that to gain a foothold in Aurora's life and I can't have that."
"I suppose," Ginny conceded, "but still, the money would have been so useful to you. For a start, you could've pay Grinngott's off, and then treated yourself to some new clothes."
"Ginny, you know full well we'll give Hermione all the financial support she wants," Ron broke in harshly, "she's only to say and the money's hers." Turning to Hermione, he added, "Good on you Hermione, refuse to take the slimebag's money."
Colour flooded Ginny's cheeks and she snapped back, "Don't you think that I know that Ron? I'd give my last knut to help Hermione, as you damn well know! The problem is that Hermione being the stubborn person she is insists on paying us back thereby ending up back at square one. If she accepted Malfoy's money, she wouldn't have to pay him anything in return."
"Other than time with Aurora," Harry put in quietly.
"Other than that," Ginny agreed flatly, the anger draining out of her. "Merlin, the man's a sneak."
"Look you three, I'm not about to accept anything from him so don't worry," Hermione reassured, "and to put your minds at ease, If I need help, I'll let you know, ok?"
"You just make sure you do that!" Ginny told her sternly, accompanied by vigorous nods from Harry and Ron.
Shaking her head and stifling a laugh at the looks on all three faces, Hermione got up. "Well, it's been nice chatting to the three of you, but Mum and Aurora will probably have returned from the shops by now and I had better get going. Don't worry, I think I can handle Malfoy, he isn't being as half as difficult as I had expected, so I'm counting my blessings." Waving at the other three, she Disapparated to appear a moment later outside her parents' front gate.
Leaning on the gate, she pondered on her parting words to the others. It was true that Draco had not been as half as difficult as she had imagined. On the contrary, he seemed keen to ensure that she was happy despite the situation. This, she admitted, did not fit in with the Draco Malfoy she had once known – the malicious bully whose main purpose in life was to make other people miserable. He had definitely changed. Oh, he was still a Slytherin through and through, but gone was the overt nastiness she, Harry and Ron had known throughout their time at Hogwarts.
She also had to admit that he cared deeply for Aurora. The huge bag of toys he had bought last night, and what he said was a material testament to that, but more so was the look in his eyes when he read Aurora her bedtime story. The man was indeed an enigma and one she wanted to solve, if not for her own sake, then for Aurora's. True, she would never accept financial help from him, but all in all, thigs could have turned out much worse than they had done so.
Hermione had spent so much time dreading him finding out about Aurora, but when he had, it had not been half as bad as she had envisaged. Oh he had been furious – she had expected that, but so far, he was reasonable and Hermione intended to keep it that way. She deliberately did not allow her mind to think about the comfort she received in his arms last night – and certainly not on his chaste kiss – no, she'd certainly not dwell on that. There were far too many complications already in her life, and she did not see the need to add an extra one.
Pushing open the gate, she walked up the path to her parents' house, just as the sun peeped out from behind some clouds. Maybe the future wasn't as bleak as she had first thought. Maybe given time, she and Draco Malfoy would learn to tolerate each other for Aurora's sake, if for nothing else.