Authors Note: I'm so sorry for the late update of this story. I hope the long chapter makes up for it.
Chapter Fourteen
"You've been married for ta month now and this is the first time I've seen you since," Andromeda reproved her nephew, her expression mock-serious as she glanced round the cosy sitting room in Malfoy Manor.
Draco shrugged. "Well Aunt, my time isn't my own so much any more, I've a wife and child to think about now."
"It's a real shame that Hermione isn't here this afternoon," she sighed. "I had hoped that you'd both be home."
"She'd already promised her parents that she and Aurora would spend the afternoon with them," he explained. "If she'd known you were coming, she would have cancelled the visit."
"Why did you not accompany them?" she asked, seating herself in a deep armchair.
"I had some paperwork to catch up on. What would you like to drink? A crate of wines was delivered just the other day from the Italian vineyards."
"Sounds wonderful."
She waited until he had ordered the wine before asking, "So, how are you finding marriage?"
"OK thanks," he replied blandly, sitting down opposite her. There was a reason for his aunt's unexpected call, but as yet, he hadn't worked it out. He hoped she would come to the point quickly, he had a lot to get through before Hermione and Aurora returned.
"I must admit I was very surprised by your sudden engagement. I wasn't aware that you had known Hermione before," she commented in a would be casual voice, eyes alight with curiosity.
So this was the reason for her visit, he should have guessed. She wasn't one to prolong the niceties longer than she could help and today was no exception. "Oh, yes, a while back," he evaded, but she was not to be put off.
"Draco, I'm your aunt for Merlin's sake, not some stranger! Surely I've a right to know how you and Hermione met, and, more particularly, about Aurora's parentage."
"What about it?" he asked hiding a smirk. "If I recall correctly, you told me in no uncertain terms that such things didn't matter. "
"Well, of course not, but I'm curious. Who wouldn't be?" came the irritated response.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Aunt, but there's nothing to tell. Hermione and I met in your nursery that day and things went from there," he drawled, enjoying the effect of these words.
She didn't disappoint and let out an unbelieving snort. "If I believed that, I would believe anything. What do you take me for? Unfortunately, I've not had the chance to ask Cissy about all this yet. Things were hectic enough while she was here and I didn't like to interfere, and now Steven and she have gone off to some place in the Andes!"
Draco bit back a grin. He could imagine his aunt's frustration at not knowing something she felt she ought to know. He was forestalled from replying by the arrival of Ami with the wine. The elf poured the crimson liquid into glasses and disappeared with a crack.
"As I was saying," she resumed, "that day, it was obvious to anyone with two brain cells that you and Hermione had met before. Why, the tension between you was thicker than freshly churned butter."
She was, of course, referring to the memorable day that he had learned of Aurora's parentage. "Well, yes," he said hesitantly. Then deciding that it was easier to tell her rather than put up with her constant questions, he gave her a brief outline of the events of that day and the reasons for them.
When he had finished, she looked stunned. "All this time, Aurora was yours and you didn't know? But that's incredible."
"That's what I said. I told you she looked like me, didn't I? When I first met her, I told you there was something familiar about her."
"Yes, but I thought you were imagining it. No wonder you were furious that day you and Hermione met."
"Ah well, it's all in the past now," he smiled, eyes resting on a photo of Hermione, Aurora and himself taken at his wedding.
"Is it?" she asked, also studying the photo. "I can't imagine that Hermione was too pleased to welcome you into her life, she seems rather self-sufficient."
"Well, not at first. Then she realised how her being unmarried would affect Aurora. I've you to thank for that, Aunt."
She blinked in surprise as she took another sip of the fragrant wine. "How so?"
"Some of the children at your nursery were picking on Aurora because of Hermione's single status."
"When was this?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowing into slits as they rested on him.
"A few weeks before our marriage."
"I'm sorry about that; you know how I dislike discrimination of any kind. I'll make sure it won't happen again."
"No, of course not now that we're married. It proved to be a blessing in disguise," he smiled. "It made Hermione see sense anyway."
"It's still not right though. Who was it, do you know?"
"Oh yes, but don't worry, Aunt, I too don't forget easily. They'll pay." His expression hardened as he remembered the three children who had caused Aurora so much misery; they would pay all right.
"No, I'll handle it," she said. "Our definitions of the word 'pay' are very different. Now, who were they?"
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "The Zabini brat, the Mullings girl, and the Creevey boy." If his aunt insisted on dealing with the brats, who was he to stop her? Anyway, a double dose of punishment would not go amiss.
"Right, I'll deal with them. Leave it with me." He nodded and she went on. "How are things between you and Hermione?"
"Fine."
"Really? I find that hard to believe. Hermione's a very independent young woman, she can't have been happy about the marriage."
"I told you, we both wanted to do what was best for Aurora, personal feelings were irrelevant," he lied.
"Rubbish," she contradicted bluntly. "For Hermione maybe, but not for you. You would never have gone through with it for Aurora's sake alone, there had to be something in it for you as well." She was silent for a moment, and he could almost see the thoughts churning around in her head. "Merlin, it was her, wasn't it? All those years ago, it was Hermione."
This was the reason that he had avoided spending any length of time with his aunt since his marriage. The woman's ability to add up facts that had not even been presented was unnerving. He knew exactly what she was referring to, but wasn't going to admit it.
"What?" he frowned in assumed perplexity.
"The young woman you were in love with before you left for America, during the war. It was Hermione wasn't it? It makes sense now, Aurora being almost five. What I want to know is why Hermione didn't contact you when she knew she was pregnant."
He got up, sauntering over to the window and stared out. The day was murky and overcast, the sun hidden by a bank of grey clouds.
"Well?" Andromeda prompted from behind him.
"Well what? I don't know why she didn't contact me, I wish she had," he responded flatly.
"I know that muggles don't consider single parentage to be a big thing. Ted's cousin's boyfriend left her and she bought her boy up alone and as far as I know, the muggles never said a word," she said, disapproval evident in her voice. "It's not healthy for a child to be brought up in such a way, it gives them an unbalanced view of life."
"Don't get me started on muggles," he muttered turning away from the window. "Thanks to their weird customs, I missed the first four years and seven months of my daughter's life."
There was a pause as both thought about this. Then in an effort to distract him, Andromeda asked, "So, getting back to my earlier question, how are things between you and Hermione?"
"As I said, fine." A smile curved Draco's lips as he thought of the night before last.
"In what respect?"
He sighed dramatically. "You never give up, do you? They are fine in all respects."
"I see." She fixed him with a piercing look which he returned. Then she went on, "So, can we expect any more children from you?"
"You're full of questions today. Have you never heard of privacy?" he countered coolly.
She laughed. "Not where you're concerned. So can we?"
"We'll see." He thought of Hermione, so determined not to admit that she wanted more children; if he played his cards right, she would soon give in to her maternal instincts. However, his nosy aunt didn't need to know that.
"Well, I hope it all works out for you. Mind you, your rune proclamation predicted it would. I was quite envious when I saw it."
"Yes, it was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't too keen on the grey, but the gold…" he agreed thoughtfully.
"Oh I wouldn't let it worry you, everyone has some bad times. I don't know of anyone who didn't have some grey in their proclamations. Who do you know who hasn't had disharmony and discord at some point throughout their marriage?"
"True," he conceded. "The blue is ok as well, unity and togetherness - always a welcome strength in any relationship."
"Ah, the gold though…" Andromeda smiled. "Real happiness and love. Not many people are lucky enough for that."
Draco too smiled, remembering the way the runes had glowed pure gold before fading into nothingness. "They did though for you and Uncle Ted, didn't they?"
"Yes. It's why we've been so happy together no matter the obstacles we've had to face." She was referring to her family's prejudicial attitudes towards her husband.
The sound of voices reached them, and he pulled open the door of the sitting room. Hermione and Aurora were standing by the fireplace, brushing themselves off vigorously.
"Hermione, how nice to see you!" Andromeda exclaimed stepping past Draco into the hall. "I was hoping that I'd find you both at home but Draco said you were visiting your parents, I hope they're well?"
"Oh yes, thank you," Hermione replied, brushing the last of the soot from Aurora's jumper and straightening.
"Hello darling," Andromeda smiled at Aurora. "Can I have a hug?" Bending, she pulled the child into her arms. "My, how you've grown! Soon you'll be as tall as me."
"Weally? When?"
"In a few years or so," Andromeda replied.
Draco lead the way into the sitting room, taking a seat on the sofa beside Hermione. Opposite them, Andromeda gave them a speculative glance.
Aurora settled herself in a chair by the window, producing a packet of crayons from her pocket. "Can I have some paper?" she asked.
With a flick of his wand, Draco produced a large sheet of drawing paper, handing it to her.
Andromeda watched her for a moment, then turning to Hermione and Draco she asked, "So have you decided about Aurora's schooling yet? She's almost five now. I know of some excellent tutors if you need introductions."
"I enrolled her into a primary school not too far from us," Hermione answered defensively. "It's a very good school."
Draco opened his mouth to protest, but Aurora, looking up, beat him to it. "No it's not, it's howwid!" she contradicted. "Auntie, they don't fly there or anything."
"I don't suppose they would, it being a muggle school," Andromeda smiled. Then turning to Hermione, she asked, "But my dear, is it a good idea to send her to a muggle school? What if she lets loose some accidental magic? She's only a child after all, and one with a volatile temper."
Draco smiled to himself; he hadn't considered that possibility, and from the look on Hermione's face, neither had she.
"Hmm, yes, that's a thought," he put in mildly.
"But I don't want her to be taught alone. At least in a school, she'll have the social interaction she needs. It's important for children to cooperate with other children, to learn social skills, team work, that kind of thing," Hermione protested.
"Very true," the older woman agreed. Draco wondered what she was thinking, but her expression remained neutral as she looked between them.
"Apart from the problem of accidental magic, the education she'll receive from a tutor will be much more thorough than she'd ever get in any school," he challenged.
"I know that, but still…" Hermione argued.
"There is another solution," Andromeda put in quietly and they both turned to her. "I can understand where you're both coming from, Ted and I had similar worries when Nymphadora was a child. In the end, we compromised; she was taught by tutors but not alone. We persuaded some of the other parents of children of her age to allow their children to be taught with her. That way, we had the best of both worlds and it suited everyone. There were only four children but she wasn't alone and that was the important thing. Nymphadora did the same with her two, it's working out very well for her."
Draco frowned in thought; his aunt had put forward a reasonable solution. As she said, Aurora wouldn't be alone but at the same time, would be getting the best education that money could buy. He glanced at Hermione, and saw that she was looking thoughtful. "What do you think?" he asked her.
"I don't know. I suppose it could work, but who would want to share tutors?"
"Oh that won't be a problem," Andromeda assured. "There are plenty of children whose parents will be more than glad. For one thing, it'll bring down the cost of hiring the tutors. Aurora had plenty of friends at nursery, ask the parents of those children with whom she got on best. They'll jump at the chance."
"We might just do that," Draco smiled.
"Don't ask Annabelle, she's howwid," Aurora instructed glancing up.
"We won't," he replied, an idea slipping into his mind.
"Well, I've taken up enough of your time and had better be off," the older woman smiled getting to her feet. "Let me know what you decide about Aurora's schooling, I know some very good tutors."
XoXoXoXo
The sun had set over an hour ago and a sliver of moon was visible amongst the clouds. Draco stared, unseeing, at the sky, his whole body tense and on edge. Where was Hermione? Once again, the voice of her secretary rang loudly in his head, "She's gone to lunch with an old St Mungo's colleague, Adam I think she said the name was."
The ping of the entrance alarm sounded behind him and he turned, glancing at the panel beneath the clock. Hermione had just apparated into the apparition chamber. He moved to the door, then checked himself. He would wait until she appeared.
Ten minutes later, the door of the sitting room was pushed open and Hermione entered, looking weary. She had changed out of her healers robes into comfortable trousers and a top. Draco surveyed her coolly as she sat down opposite him and Ami handed her a mug of steaming hot chocolate.
"Aren't you going to eat something?" he asked with a frown as she took a sip of the frothing liquid.
"No thanks, I grabbed something earlier and am not hungry."
The elf disappeared with a crack leaving them alone. Draco's eyes moved to the clock, the hands of which pointed to 09:30. "Is there a reason why you're so late home?" he asked in a deceptively casual voice which gave no hint at his underlying anger and frustration.
"I said this morning that I may be late back," she responded irritably. "The project I was working on took longer to complete than I'd anticipated."
"I see."
"Anyway, why the lecture?" she retorted stretching. "You knew where I was, so what's the problem?"
He took a few deep breaths in an attempt to bring his temper under control. There were times when he wanted to shake Hermione until her teeth rattled and this was one of them. "The problem is that you've been late home every night this week. I know that your work is important to you, but so is Aurora. You barely spend any time with her before it's her bedtime, do you think that's conducive to a good relationship with her?" In truth, Aurora was rarely phased by her mother's lateness, but he was growing tired of it.
"She knows where I am and why," she shot back. "It's not my fault that life's a bit hectic at the moment." Her expression was defiant as she spoke.
"That doesn't make it right," he persisted and she scowled.
"That's life Draco, whether we like it or not. Get used to it."
He knew that shouting would get him nowhere and so changed his approach. Getting up, he crossed the room, seating himself on the sofa beside her. "I'm not disagreeing with you," he said, in a more gentle voice, knowing that if they continued arguing, she would never listen to anything he had to say. "All I'm saying is that things aren't the same as they were. There's no need for you to put long hours into the hospital every day. The pressures that once rested on your shoulders are no longer there, so why not make the most of it?"
She was frowning at him, disconcerted by the sudden turn in the conversation. He took advantage of her distraction and slid an arm round her, drawing her head onto his shoulder. "Look at you, you're exhausted," he continued, lightly tracing one of the dark circles beneath her eyes with the tip of his finger. "You need to relax more and take time out for yourself."
"That's all well and good, but the department won't run itself if I'm not there," she replied dryly, leaning back against him. "Anyway, I've already been accused of not being committed enough to my job, there's no need to add fuel to the fire."
"By whom?" he asked, surprised.
She shrugged. "It doesn't matter. The point is, I can't help being late on occasions. I'd rather it didn't happen but there's rarely anything I can do about it. Anyway, Aurora sees me in the morning, and as long as one of us is here in the mornings and evenings, there's not a problem."
"Who said you didn't have enough commitment to your job?" he persisted, stroking a finger down her cheek. He had a feeling that this conversation would go a long way in helping him to understand what motivated her, and was keen to prolong it.
She hesitated for a moment then said, "Isabel. She wasn't pleased when I was elected to the board and got the position of head of department."
"Who, Isabel Winterton?" At her nod he continued, "I wouldn't worry about anything she says, it's ok for her. Her children are grown up and she can devote all the time she likes to her research. You, on the other hand, have other priorities and she needs to understand that."
She smiled tiredly and he felt a surge of protectiveness go through him. Carefully he eased her into an upright position. Then with a deft movement, pulled her onto his lap.
"I don't think-" She began stiffening, but he put a finger against her lips silencing her.
"Shh, relax. You're not at the hospital any more," he said, settling her more comfortably against him and leaning back. "Now, about Isabel, don't worry about what she says. The important thing is how you feel about things."
She gave him a puzzled glance. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it can't have been easy climbing the promotional ladder to the top in such a short space of time," he replied blandly. "You must have had to put in some pretty gruelling hours. Hanwell's being newly opened probably helped as they aren't steeped in tradition like St Mungo's."
"No, that's why I switched. St Mungo's wasn't giving me the opportunities I wanted," she admitted, putting her head onto his shoulder.
He nodded, one hand stroking her hair absently. "Hanwell's is certainly unique in that aspect. If you have talent, they'll use it regardless of how junior you may be. Quite Slytherin of them, one might say."
She laughed softly. "I suppose, but it helped me get to where I am today and that's what matters."
"Ah, but Hermione, the question remains, are you happy with where you are today?" he asked, giving her an intent look she had trouble meeting.
"Of course!" she replied a little too quickly, attempting to stand up, but sensing her intention, he tightened his arm around her.
"Hmm, I wonder," he murmured, drawing her head back onto his shoulder.
"What do you wonder?" she asked, in a slightly defensive tone.
Looking into her face, he chose his next words with care. "Whether you truly enjoy your job. As a single parent, your main aim would have been to ensure that you and Aurora had enough to live on and the only way to do that was by moving upwards. Now, money is no longer a deciding factor, so maybe it's time to reconsider your career plans?"
He waited, hoping that he hadn't overstepped the mark by his suggestion.
"How so?" she asked, looking up at him through her lashes.
"Oh I don't know, maybe change your focus so that you do what you want to do and not what you need to in order to survive," he suggested mildly.
She sighed deeply, leaning back against him and smothering a yawn. "It's a thought but it's not as simple as that. I can't just drop what I'm doing and do what I want to."
"I agree, but maybe start focusing on the subjects you're interested in and let others take over those you don't enjoy so much."
"Maybe." She was silent for a moment, then asked, "How about you? Did you have a good day?"
"It was fine thanks. Long but that's nothing new."
There was a pause in which they stared at one another, neither sure of the other's thoughts. Afterwards, Draco couldn't remember which of them moved first, but next moment their arms were wrapped around each other, mouths meting in a long, demanding kiss. It was she who slipped her tongue past his lips and entwined it with his, her fingers tangling in his hair. He pushed her unresisting form down onto the sofa and, bending his head, began to suck and nip at the skin of her jaw, while she writhed in pleasure beneath him.
Their mouths met once more, tongues battling for dominance as their bodies strained together. Then she pulled away, and began sprinkling kisses down the side of his neck, her hand sliding under his t-shirt to the fastener of his jeans.
"No, not here," he breathed, reluctantly removing her hand, "Come on."
She frowned at him, as though unable to make sense of his words. Taking advantage of her dazed state, he pulled her up and lead her from the room. He wanted to get her upstairs before she had a chance to think of objections. He caressed and fondled her as he guided her up the stairs and into his room.
The candles were lit and the bed turned down when they entered. Pushing the door shut with his foot, Draco turned to Hermione and pulled her into his arms, kissing her fiercely as he moved towards the bed. To his delight, she responded by kissing him back, putting her arms round him as he pushed her down on to the mattress. The next few minutes were spent undressing each other, and soon they were both naked, their clothes lying where they had been thrown. Thoughts were suspended as they kissed and stroked, both intent on giving as well as receiving pleasure. Draco hadn't been aware that she was such a passionate and sensual creature under the hardened exterior, but she certainly gave as good as she got, raking her nails down his back as he bit her shoulder. Finally he took her fiercely, as she arched beneath him. Their gasps and moans were swallowed by the night around them, and in some dim recess of his mind, Draco knew that this coupling, unlike the last, was comprised as much of anger as any other emotion.
Afterwards they lay sated, limbs entwined as their breathing returned to normal. Draco pulled the duvet over them, tucking Hermione's warm body against him.
"Ok?" he asked drowsily, kissing her lingeringly.
"Hmm, yes," came the muffled response. There was a pause, then she said, "This is becoming a habit."
"Yes, and?" he responded guardedly, not needing to ask what she was referring to. Clearly her faculties, which had been dulled, were coming back to life again.
"Well…" she trailed off, shrugging.
"There's nothing wrong in this, Hermione. We're married, in case you'd forgotten." He tried to keep the irritation out of his voice.
She sighed, brow furrowed in thought. Propping herself up on one elbow, she said, "But it doesn't make sense, all this I mean, it just doesn't add up."
Not attempting to work out what she meant, he pulled her down beside him again. "What doesn't add up?"
"Well, all this." She waved a hand between them. "Before we got married, you were insistent that this would be a marriage of convenience, why, you were quite insulting about it. Now look at us! What made you change your mind?"
He groaned inwardly. Why now of all times did she have to bring that up? The woman's timing left a lot to be desired. "A person can change their mind can they not? If I recall correctly, I wasn't the only one who was adamant on that point. For Merlin's sake, you wanted to include it in our marriage vows," he responded swiftly.
"That was different, I had to go through with the marriage -"
"Oh no you didn't," he interrupted, annoyed. "You had as much choice in the matter as I did, as well you know." Then, forcing himself to calm down, he continued, "Sometimes it's better to just accept things without questioning too closely. Our marriage is turning out as good as any, surely that's good enough for you?"
"We hardly know each other, and we're sleeping together. Doesn't that bother you?"
He was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes, it does, but that can be put right if only you'd let it, Hermione. There's a lot about each other we don't know, but as the rune proclamation predicted, if given the chance we'd have the perfect relationship. Not many can say that!"
She let out a mirthless laugh. "There's too much history between us for that to happen. It was simple before. Now… well, things are so much more complex."
"Hence why we have to work at our relationship, and that means spending time with each other and building up trust. For instance, what is there between you and Adam Hamilton?" He couldn't help slipping this question in, knowing that he wouldn't rest until he knew.
Her eyes widened in surprise at the question and for a moment he thought she wouldn't answer. Then, in a flat voice, she replied, "Nothing."
"But your secretary said that you had lunch with him today, I myself heard you making arrangements to do so last week. That doesn't amount to nothing," he argued, determined to get a proper answer from her.
She gave a resigned shrug. "Draco, we're friends, nothing more. Last week, Adam was telling me about his muggle girlfriend who wasn't taking the news of him being a wizard too well. I offered to help, being muggleborn, and we agreed to have lunch so she and I could meet."
"Did you meet her today?" he asked, unable to help himself.
"Yes. It was interesting, she's still trying to get used to the idea that magic exists. Poor girl, it can't be easy."
"Why couldn't you have told me this last week?" he grumbled, as relief swept through him.
"You didn't ask. Anyway, why the fuss?"
He closed his eyes in exasperation. "Trust Hermione, that's what."
"Ah, but we agreed that we could each see other people, remember?" She smiled sweetly at him, and he wanted to shake her.
"That was then, this is now," he shot back. "Things are different now, as you pointed out."
"In that case, maybe you wouldn't mind telling me who that woman was you were flirting with last week. You were all over each other," she said giving him a sharp look.
The annoyance in her voice told him more plainly than words that she had minded very much and the irritation he had been feeling vanished. "Oh, that was Annette Baines, we've met on a number of occasions." The narrowing of her eyes told him that she wasn't satisfied with his answer and so he continued, "Even if I did want to get her into bed, which I don't, she wouldn't be interested. She chases for her own team. In fact, she was quite taken with you, asked a lot about you. You're more her taste than me," he drawled amused. He watched a look of revulsion cross her face and laughed.
"Not a chance in hell," she muttered going pale.
"I should think not, you're a married woman after all," he teased and, never one to miss an opportunity, kissed her long and hard.
"As I was saying," he continued, lifting his head and looking down at her, "as things have changed, we can't live buy those rules we first discussed."
"What do you mean?" she asked guardedly.
"Well, for a start, we need to spend more time together. At the moment we live almost separate lives, only spending time together when purely necessary. That has to change if we're to get to know each other as people."
She considered this in silence, her expression closed. "Yes, but we each have time consuming jobs. It's all very well you saying that we have to spend more time together but our working lives won't allow that."
"They won't, if we don't want them to," he replied silkily. "Where there's a will, there's a way. Have you never heard of that saying?" To emphasise his point, he pinched her nipple lightly, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from her.
She scowled. "Of course I have."
"Well then, let's say that we each make a concerted effort to be home before 7 every evening. That'd give us a few hours together after Aurora's bedtime," he suggested, settling his hand on her ribcage.
She hesitated, then, to his delight, nodded. "I can't promise that I'll manage it every evening but I can try. You?"
"The same. As long as we both try, that's what matters."
"I suppose." Her words were thoughtful and he frowned. Now, what obstacle had she thought up?
"It's a huge mind shift. One moment we're marrying for convenience, the next, things have all changed."
"That's life Hermione; unpredictable. Who would have thought a year ago that you'd be lying in the bed of your child's father? This way, things are better all round; we are each part of a real and fulfilling relationship and Aurora gets a proper family out of it."
She sighed and sat up. "I guess so."
"Where're you going?" he asked as she made to push back the duvet.
"To my own room of course."
He too sat up, annoyance clouding his features. "What's wrong with staying here?" He pulled her down beside him with an impatient gesture.
"Nothing, it's just that, well… I should get back to my own room."
"Has none of what I've said in the last half hour made an impression on you?" he asked, his former irritation back in spades.
"I'm not used to sharing a bed and…."
"In that case it's high time you did get used to it," he cut in, tucking the duvet in firmly round them while pressing her into the mattress with his body.
She opened her mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it and lay still.
Deciding that he couldn't be bothered to argue further, he yawned and closed his eyes.
"Good night," he murmured sleepily his arms tightening around her,.
"Night," she responded quietly, her head on his shoulder.
XoXoXoXo
It took a while for Aurora's loud voice to penetrate Draco's sleep clouded brain. Reluctantly he stirred, and with an effort opened his eyes. Dawn was poking fingers of light through the partially drawn curtains and he yawned, squinting at the small figure standing at the foot of the bed.
"Aurora, what're you doing here?" he asked in a groggy voice. He could feel Hermione's warm naked body against his own, and other more primitive instincts were quickly coming to life.
"Why isn't Mummy in her own bed?" the child demanded, shooting an accusatory glare at the couple.
"Because she's here with me," Draco replied, now fully awake.
"But why? " the child persisted. "She's always in her own bed. Tell her to go to her own woom." She stamped an angry bare foot for emphasis.
"Aurora, go and put your dressing gown on," Draco ordered, his own temper starting to rise at her demanding and petulant tone which if he but knew it, matched his own when in a temper.
Aurora, however, had no intention of obeying him, instead moving round to Hermione's side of the bed and attempting to pull the duvet off her mother. Swiftly Draco grabbed it, tugging it from her grasp. He didn't think seeing her mother naked would go down too well after finding them together.
"Mummy, wake up, I want breakfast," she demanded loudly.
Beside Draco, Hermione groaned and burrowed further into the bedclothes, clearly still asleep.
"Aurora, I'm not going to tell you again, go to your room and put your dressing gown on," he repeated, picking up his wand from the bedside table.
"But -"
"Now!" he barked and she drew back, unaccustomed to this side of his personality.
"I'll be with you in ten minutes," he continued, pointing his wand at the door which flew open. Aurora shot him a filthy look before marching out and slamming her bedroom door.
Shutting the door with a wave of his wand, Draco scrambled out of bed and into the shower. The last thing he needed was for Aurora to be in a bad mood with him, but at the same time she had to learn that things had changed now and that she didn't have exclusive rights to Hermione. He suspected she wouldn't like sharing but she'd have to accept it. He wondered fleetingly how she would behave if other children came along. She wouldn't like it, but like any true Malfoy, would turn the situation to her own advantage.
A few minutes later, he had showered and was pulling on jeans and a jumper, while bracing himself for the tantrum Aurora was likely to throw. Hermione had told him that she was capable of them but apart from the time she had woken up crying soon after their marriage, he had seen no sign of such behaviour. No doubt things were about to change.
Cautiously he pushed open the door to her room and was relieved to see her curled up on a beanbag flipping through a picture book in apparent contentment.
"You'll catch cold like that," he said, entering the room and moving towards her. "Let's get you washed and dressed."
She scrambled to her feet, flinging the book aside and glared up at him, hands on hips. "Where's Mummy? I want Mummy, not you."
Draco winced but didn't let his smile slip. "Mummy's tired, so is still a sleep."
"Well, wake her up then," she commanded, her stance belligerent, as she scowled up at him.
He fixed her with a cool look, his battened-down temper starting to assert itself. No one talked to him like that, and certainly not his own offspring. "I beg your pardon?" he drawled silkily, and watched in satisfaction as she took a step back.
Instead of apologising, she glowered, jaw thrust forward and eyes narrowed. "I don't want you to dwess me." Her tone however, was merely sulky rather than rude, and he knew that he had made his point.
He shrugged in apparent unconcern and turned to the door. "Fine, suit yourself. I'm off to watch the Shiny Show, see you later."
Her shriek as he made to open the door, was gratifying. "I want to come with you," she blurted, taking a few tentative steps towards him.
"Ah, but you don't want me to dress you, and if you don't get dressed, you'll catch cold and can't come downstairs."
He saw it cost her to say it, but she asked, "Can you dwess me then?"
He smirked to himself, knowing that he had got the better of her. He was prepared to bet that with almost anyone else, Hermione included, she would have had a full blown tantrum.
It was while he was brushing her hair that he casually asked, "So how's Auntie Ginny's baby getting on?"
Her eyes lit up and she turned her head. "She's so little, and Daddy, she still hasn't got any teeth!"
"Well, babies don't."
"I did," she said confidently, as he turned her back to the mirror.
"No babies have teeth when they're very little. That's just the way they are."
She digested this for a moment, then asked, "Didn't you and Mummy have any teeth when you were babies?"
"No, just gums."
"Gwose!" she replied tossing her head and he hid a smile. "But how do they eat then if they don't have any teeth?"
"Babies drink milk."
"I want a baby," she announced. "Can we have one?"
"You'll have to ask Mummy about that. Does she like Aunty Ginny's baby?" he asked, laying down the brush.
"Oh yeah, Mummy's always holding her," came the ready response. "Can we watch the Shiny Show now? You said I could watch it when I was dwessed."
He nodded and lead the way downstairs, his mind busy. The opportunity to question her was too good to miss and he really wanted to satisfy his own curiosity about certain aspects of Hermione's life that had hitherto troubled him.
"Aurora, remember Dennis?" he asked casually as she settled herself on the sofa before the large flat screen television.
"Yeah, he used to buy me sweets when he came to our flat," she replied. "I liked him."
Behind her, Draco stiffened. "Did he now? That is interesting. What else did he do?" Her response had surprised him and it wasn't welcome. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to his question but knew he had to know.
"He wanted to help me talk pwoperly."
"Really?"
She nodded, glancing at him over her shoulder. "Yes, he used to come in the evenings and give me words to say which he said would help me talk."
"Where was Mummy when he was doing this?" Draco asked, waving his wand at the television screen, which sprang into life.
"She was there with me," Aurora replied vaguely, as the characters of the Shiny Show pranced onto the screen.
"What did she do?"
"Nothing."
"Did the exercises help you?"
She shrugged disinterestedly. "Sometimes, don't know weally."
He took a deep breath. He would not jump to conclusions, he wouldn't. He sat back, watching as the show progressed, wishing that Hermione would be more forthcoming about this odd sounding arrangement. He doubted she would tell him much if he asked so it was safest if he met this Dennis person for himself. He could then assess whether the man was a danger to him and, if so, take the necessary steps to deal with him.
It was one of the many things that was unresolved between them and he sighed deeply as he contemplated the many aspects of Hermione's life that had nothing to do with him.
As was becoming his habit lately, he slid the platinum wedding band from his finger and went over to the windows. He peered at the tiny engravings etched around the sides of the ring and, as he had thought, they had not changed from when Hermione had slid it onto his finger a few weeks ago.
"Daddy, what're you doing?" Aurora asked unexpectedly and, getting up, came over to him.
"It's nothing," he smiled, glancing at her. "Look, the show's almost finished."
"But why were you looking at your ring like that?" She ignored his gesture at the television. "Mummy's ring is like yours but smaller." She peered at the ring in his palm.
"Well they're wedding rings. All wedding rings of any note are made in pairs."
"But what is that?" she persisted, gazing at the runes etched into the band.
He hesitated, then explained, "They're runes, which are special shapes which mean things. These are special runes, though, which show me whether Mummy's ok or not." Even to his own ears, his explanation sounded garbled. However this was her heritage and she had to know sometime.
"I know what runes are," the child dismissed with a toss of her head, "Mummy has them all over her work notes all the time. Why are these special?"
"As I said, they show me whether mummy's ok or not, if she's safe, that kind of thing." The runes showed a lot more than that but there was no need for her to know this yet.
She digested this for a moment, then asked, "So if Mummy's hurt, will you know by looking at your ring?"
"Yes, that's right," he beamed, pleased that she had understood the concept with such ease. His lips curved as he thought of the other things the runes showed him, whether the wearer of the other ring had been unfaithful, whether she was defrauding him in some way, and the tracking charm, which had been an addition of his father's to the rings, would prove a useful tool to any man. Of course, Hermione's ring too had runes etched round the edges but these were much more basic than the ones on his. However, for the ring's power to work, she had to wear hers all the time, something which she had not done in the past.
The door opened and Hermione came in, dressed in her healer's robes, her briefcase under her arm.
"There you are," she said cheerfully, "I wondered where you had both got to when you weren't in the breakfast room."
"And where are you off to in such a hurry?" Draco drawled, sliding his ring back onto his finger, walking across the room and taking her arm. "Come on, Aurora, breakfast time."
"Actually, I promised to meet Alice, one of the other healers for breakfast this morning and so won't join you," Hermione excused hurriedly.
He felt disappointment grip him but kept his face expressionless. "Oh, I see."
Hermione was looking very uncomfortable as she rushed on, "It's the only time we can meet up and it's been arranged for ages." No doubt she was remembering their pact of the night before and feeling guilty – good!
"Ah well, these things can't be helped, although why you can't invite your friends to the manor is a mystery to me," he replied in a deceptively soft voice.
Aurora was watching the scene with interest. Draco suspected that it was rare for anyone to get the better of her mother in this way.
"Oh, I was going to ask you, have you seen Dennis lately?" he asked casually, this was as good a time as any to broach the subject.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "Dennis?"
"Yes, that muggle speech therapist Aurora was seeing, remember?"
"Of course, I'm only surprised that you do."
He laughed cynically. "What kind of husband and father would I be if I didn't remember such details?"
Her brows rose in apparent disbelief at these words, but she merely replied, "As far as I know, he's been very busy lately."
"That's a shame, I would have liked to have met him," Draco smiled surveying her thoughtfully.
"Oh, I didn't think you were keen on the idea of a muggle speech therapist. From what I recall of the conversation we had about it with your mother, you were less than enthusiastic about the idea. Why the change of heart?" she asked as she lead the way into the hall.
He kept his expression bland as he watched her riffle through the papers in her briefcase. "I'd never considered the idea at the time," he shrugged.
"I liked Dennis!" Aurora announced, also watching Hermione. "He used to give me sweets and tiggle me."
"Did he now?" Draco responded jovially. "He does indeed seem nice. Shall we invite him here?"
He saw the look of discomfort cross Hermione's face as she did up the fastenings of the briefcase. "I don't think that's a good idea, considering he's never heard of wizards," she said dryly.
"I presume he has a practice?" Draco persisted. His gaze fell to her left hand and the slender wedding band fitting snugly to her ring finger.
"Yes, in South London," she replied briefly.
"Excellent, we can pay him a visit there."
"I suppose," she agreed with obvious reluctance, glancing at her watch. "I'd better go. Be sure to take Aurora's swimming things to the nursery today. They go swimming on Thursdays. Also, remember to give Andromeda the money for the lesson, I've left it on Aurora's dressing table."
He rolled his eyes with exasperation. "Hermione, I do know!"
She bent and kissed Aurora before replying. "Yes well, it's best to make sure. See you tonight."
Usually morning partings between them were awkward to say the least, and she especially would hurry out with the barest of nods in his direction. Starting from this morning, however, things would be different. He took her travelling cloak from Hilly and put it round her shoulders, then turned her to him.
"Have a good day," he said, bending and kissing her lingeringly. Her eyes widened in surprise and she made to step back but he held her shoulders captive, his lips still caressing hers.
After a moment of rigidity, she returned the kiss, although reluctantly, then stepped back.
"What time will you be home?" he asked, tucking a strand of newly washed hair behind her ear.
"Hopefully before 6." Turning to Aurora, she said, "Have a good day at nursery, darling, and be good."
"I'm always good," came the sulky retort.
Hermione gave her one last hug, then entered the apparition chamber and disapparated with a pop.
"Come on, breakfast time," Draco said cheerily, trying to take Aurora's hand, but she pulled it away and scowled.
"I'm not hungry," she announced, turning away.
"But you've not had any breakfast," he responded, stung. "Ami's made muffins, you like those."
"No, I don't! I hate you! Go away!" With that, she turned and ran up the stairs leaving him staring after her in bewilderment.
Draco blinked, nonplussed. He didn't understand what had happened. Slowly, he climbed the stairs, unsure what to do for the best. One moment, Aurora had been in a good mood, the next she was furious with him, but why? He replayed the scene in the hall over in his head and couldn't for the life of him understand what had made her behave in this way. Tentatively, he knocked on her door and, when there was no answer, pushed it open.
She was sitting on the bed, clutching a brown bear, her expression woebegone. On sight of him, she scowled.
"Go away! I don't want you!"
"But why? What have I done?" he asked in genuine puzzlement, perching on the side of her bed but not daring to touch her.
"You're howwid and I don't like you any more."
"But what have I done?" he asked again, feeling desperation creeping into his voice. She certainly knew how to wound.
"Mummy's my mummy! She's not yours!"
"I know that," he agreed in bafflement.
"Then don't kiss her!" she yelled, tears sliding down her cheeks.
It was as though a light had been switched on in his brain and suddenly, he understood what was upsetting her.
"Oh Aurora! I wasn't kissing her because I want her to be my mummy as well!" He wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but kept a straight face. Instead he held out his arms to the tearful child. "Come here, I'll explain."
She eyed him with distrust, then crawled into his lap. "Oh my little princess, what a silly thing you are. I was kissing Mummy goodbye, that's all."
"But you've never kissed her before," she sniffed looking up at him through wet lashes.
"Before, Mummy wouldn't let me kiss her." Then an idea slid into his mind and it was all he could do not to grin.
"You must have seen Uncle Harry kissing Aunty Ginny like that."
She was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Exactly, and soon after that, their baby was born."
He waited, and sure enough her eyes widened. "Does kissing people like that make you get babies?"
"It can," he confirmed gravely.
It was amazing how swiftly her expression altered from resentment to excitement. "Wealy? If I kiss a boy like that, will it make a baby?"
Draco blanched and almost choked. "No!" he spluttered in horror. This definitely wasn't going the way he had planned. "No, don't even think of that!"
"But you said that kissing makes babies, so if I kiss Jack, or Alex or…."
"No!" he said again. "No, only adults kissing like that can make babies, not children."
"Why not? I bet it can. Childwen will make little babies, this big." She held her hands three inches apart to demonstrate the size.
Taking a deep breath, Draco squared his shoulders. He had to stop this before she made any more such suppositions. "Aurora, no. Only grown ups can make babies and its much more complex than just kissing each other." He couldn't believe he was having this conversation with a child.
"How?" she asked with interest. "I asked Mummy but she wouldn't say." Her face was all eagerness now, as she gazed at him.
Draco could well imagine that she wouldn't. Deciding that this conversation had gone far enough, he stood up with Aurora cradled in his arms. "Right, breakfast time!"
"But you haven't told me how you make babies," she protested loudly. "Maybe Mummy doesn't know and that's why we don't have one."
Draco groaned inwardly, Merlin help him. He closed his eyes and silently cursed her quick brain. How was he supposed to get out of this? He dreaded to think of what she'd be like as a teenager. The mere thought made him go cold with horror.
"Look, you'll find out all about it when you're older, ok?" he attempted to placate.
"But I want to know now! If I know, I can help you and Mummy make the baby," she reasoned as he carried her downstairs and into the breakfast room.
"Aurora, that's enough!" he said sternly, settling her into the chair beside his own. "If you don't hurry up, the others will have gone swimming without you and I'll be late for work."
XoXoXoXo
Draco's office at Nimbus brooms was spacious, and prototypes of the latest brooms were scattered around it. He tried again to concentrate on the report of the Nimbus 2005, which was currently undergoing trials, but it was no good. His thoughts moved to his secretary in the well known broom company, Gordon McLeod, and pity for the man rose up within him.
The day before, Gordon and his wife had gone for their fifth and last session of IVF at St Celestina's clinic in Oxford. They had been trying to have children for the past ten years and no potions, whether magical or muggle, had helped. This was their last chance, and Draco hoped with all his heart that they would succeed.
He tried to imagine what it would be like knowing that your partner could not have children, and a shudder passed through him as he contemplated the thought. Children were such an integral part of life that not having them seemed unnatural. What person wouldn't want to carry on their family line?
He supposed that for women the urge to procreate was more than just seeing a continuation of their families; didn't they have maternal instincts or some such? That was probably why Gordon's wife had been so insistent on using every potion and method known to mankind to try and conceive.
Unwillingly, Draco's thoughts turned to his own situation and he wondered how he would feel knowing that Hermione could not have any more children. Would he love her less as a result? The thought of this made him shudder in revulsion and he knew that for him, it wouldn't matter. Admittedly he would be disappointed and may suggest that they adopt, but if she didn't want to, he would not force her. As Gordon had pointed out the day before, you had to remember there was more to life than just children, something Gordon's poor wife was having a hard time accepting.
For most people, finding a partner they could love and respect was a miracle, and Draco knew that he had this in Hermione. If the past had taught him anything, it was to appreciate what he did have rather than pine for something that he didn't. His mind flitted back over the years, to the time when he had first started noticing Hermione as something more than an extension of Harry Potter; he supposed it was in the third year when she had slapped him, although he couldn't be sure.
At the time, she had been the unattainable, the stuff of fantasies he would daydream about whenever he had a spare moment. It had been in their fifth year when she had become more to him than a hidden desire, and he had started wanting her on more than just a metaphysical level. He remembered as though it were yesterday when he had determined to have her for himself. It had been after his father's death; one of the worst days in his life, and looking back, he knew that this had probably been one of his least rational ideas, but it had helped keep in sane. Throughout the next few difficult years, he had followed her every action with an obsession verging on the dangerous.
Draco's lips curved in remembrance when he thought of his plan to win Hermione. Even now, he had to congratulate himself on the brilliance of that plan. It hadn't been his fault that she had behaved in a way which was contrary to wizarding decency. Her actions even now angered him, although in a hidden recess of his mind he admired her fortitude. The plan may not have worked straight away but it was the reason for their marriage, which brought him back to the question of more children.
He had to admit that in the scope of things, children, while wonderful, were not the be all and end all, and after all, he did have Aurora! Maybe this was why Hermione didn't want any more children; as some women were more maternal, it was perfectly possible that others weren't. Also, now he came to think about it, having a child was much more strain on a woman than a man. The physical aspect of it aside, it was very emotionally draining. It couldn't have been easy bringing up Aurora on her own. If it had been him, he doubted if he would want more after that experience. Hermione also had her career for which she had worked so hard. More children would mean taking a break from work, and if he knew one thing, it was that the world of healing was as ruthless and ambitious as any.
He took a deep breath, and made a decision; from now onwards, he would not mention the idea of more children to Hermione. If she wanted to have more, it was fine by him, but he would not be the one to bring it up. Everyone had to make compromises, and if he had a choice between Hermione and more children, he would take Hermione any day! Anyway, pressuring her to have more children may make her want to leave him and he couldn't bear that. There were Malfoys in France after all. Not a well known branch of the family, but they would carry on the family name. For him, such values held little appeal, the war had seen to that. Maybe Aurora would give him grandchildren, there was always that hope.
No, he would not talk of more children, and instead concentrate his efforts on the one he already had. So deciding, he bent finally to the report lying before him, his mind much lighter now that he had come to this difficult conclusion.