CHAPTER 16
The train whizzed past the country side but Hermione paid it no attention. She was too occupied with the man in front of her. Draco held her close as they moved effortlessly to the delicate music that filtered into their compartment. She knew they must have been reaching King's Cross again, and this saddened her. She wasn't ready for the night to end.
Her head lay on his chest as they moved gently to the music, "So are you going to let me be selfish?" Draco asked softly.
"Yes," she said smiling. She gave her answer without hesitation.
Their footsteps echoed melodiously along the pathway as they walked hand in hand down the quiet street towards Hermione's flat. They had danced and laughed and talked all the way back to Kings Cross. Hermione barely noticed their journey back and if she was completely honest, she didn't want their date to end just yet. It had been better than anything she had ever expected from him and more than that; he lead her into the bright possibility of what they could be. With his fancy words and skilful dancing, she really was doomed from the start.
Their walk was a quick one as they soon stood outside Hermione's door. She smiled nervously wondering if Draco would be expecting more tonight. He seemed to be able to read her hesitation because he laughed softly before leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Taking things slowly remember?" he teased and she blushed despite her best efforts.
"Thank you for tonight Draco. It was beyond anything I could have imagined." She said honestly.
"No, thank you Hermione, for giving us a chance." She couldn't hold back the huge smile that broke out and this time she reached out and pulled him by the collar of his shirt down to her. She kissed him, showing her gratitude. They pulled back for air and he placed his forehead against hers. "See you soon?" he asked in a heavy breath but she couldn't find her words so she merely nodded. "Okay," he said almost to himself and then placed a lingering kiss on her lips before he stepped back waited, ensuring Hermione was safely inside. Hermione smiled and watched as he turned and walked away, around the corner with the end of his coat being the last she saw of him.
Hermione reluctantly closed her front door, leaned against it while letting out an awestruck sigh. She had a tingling feeling coursing through her right to her fingertips. It made her smile grow bigger and she knew she might seem like some idiot standing in the dark smiling to her self, but she couldn't care less. She threw her shoes to one side and undid the zip on her dress as she made her way into her room. Once she was in comfortable clothes, she allowed herself to think back on every detail of the night. And as she did, Hermione was glad she had taken Ginny's advice. It had turned out far better than she could every have imagined.
She had finally drifted off into a peaceful slumber when she heard it. There was a buzzing. An annoyingly loud buzzing and it was disturbing the little sleep Hermione did manage to have. She groaned pulling the warm blankets over her head and pushed her face deeper into the pillows, willing the annoying sound away. Yet it seemed to intensify with each passing moment. Finally she reached over and grabbed her wand, the source of the annoying buzz, which lay beside her bed. She was no doubt going to be late for her next shift at the hospital if she didn't get out of bed soon. With another groan, she took a deep breath as if gathering the courage to push the covers away. Hermione managed to drag herself into the shower and locate her robes all in the space of ten minutes.
Her shift seemed to drag out and she was constantly thinking back to her date with Draco. The good progress she and Draco had made left a permanent smile on her face. She picked up the necessary charts and began her rounds.
"Morning Mr. Jefferson, how we feeling today?" she asked politely.
The elderly man smiled warmly at his healer. "Oh much better I think," he answered, "There's something different about you today." He remarked. Mr. Jefferson had been one of her favourite patients and was always so vigilant of everything around him. He reminded her of Moody every now and then.
She smiled but didn't say anything. "Everything looks good so far," she commented reading over his charts, "hopefully we'll be able to send you home soon."
"Oh but I quite like it here. I get to see you everyday." He said still smiling.
Hermione laughed as she put his charts back and exited the ward. Hermione had a few chats with the nurses and a few other stops with more patients and then headed back to her office. She opened the door and stopped short at the sight before her. Draco sat in her chair looking extremely comfortable, reading one of the many health brochures lying on her desk. She noticed two steaming cups of coffee and another bag next to it, from which a most amazing aroma filled the room. He smiled as he saw her enter.
"You lost Mr. Malfoy?" she teased.
"I did say I would see you soon." He smirked at her as she walked around the table to him and sat on the edge of the desk. She helped herself to a cup of coffee, "What's in the bag?" she asked.
"Lunch…am I correct in assuming you haven't eaten yet?" he replied. Hermione blushed and opened the bag to find some divine looking sandwiches. He leaned forward in the chair and grabbed the other cup of coffee and as he did so, he pushed himself forward on the desk and kissed Hermione on the cheek.
As Hermione tucked into the delicious lunch that Draco had brought, she asked, "Where's Scorpius?"
"Oh still with my mother. She wanted to spend a little extra time with him." Draco answered, yet Hermione felt he was not telling her something.
"And…" she prompted.
"And what?" he said hoping to play the fool.
"Draco Malfoy what are you not telling me?" she asked her eyes narrowing slightly.
To her surprise he laughed, "Well…it seems Scorp was a little upset that we went out last night."
It had been the very thing she feared. She felt her heart constricting and her face fell into a deep look of dismay. The last thing she wanted to do was make Scorpius upset. Hermione's mind began working a mile a minute, cursing herself silently for thinking that going out had been a good idea.
Draco seemed to follow her train of thought because he quickly pulled her away from her thoughts before she could think herself too deep in. Placing the sandwich back on the desk, he took hold of her hands, "I didn't mean it like that. He's not upset that we went out last night he's –"
"But you said… oh Draco!" she said pulling her hands away and burying her face in them. Again to her surprise he laughed, "What on earth is funny about this Draco?" she demanded.
"He's not upset that we went out Hermione, just that he didn't get to come too." He answered laughing. "He's just angry at me because I got to spend time with you and he didn't."
Hermione straightened in surprise at Draco's answer. Yet as she began to fully comprehend what Draco was saying to her, she couldn't hold back her laugh.
"So as a nice way to make it up to him, I think you should have dinner with us tonight." Draco said smiling.
"Is that so?" Hermione asked, her laughter coming to a close.
"Yes, I'm sure Scorpius would love it." Draco said solemnly though Hermione noticed the playful glint in his grey eyes.
"Oh, just Scorpius?"
"Well I've seen just about enough of you truthfully." He teased.
She smacked his arm playfully, laughing but she agreed to join them for dinner nevertheless.
At that moment a piece of parchment flew under Hermione's door and straight to her. She opened it and read Padma's hastily written question. As she was still perched on the edge of the desk and Draco still in her chair, she had to reach for her quill on the other end of the desk. She felt Draco's eyes follow her movements and the mere fact that he paid such close attention to her every move enthralled her slightly. She began a reply to Padma but stopped when she realised Draco was still watching her.
"I can't think with you watching me like that Draco," she said her eyebrows frowned in deep thought.
He seemed to find this funny but didn't say anything; instead picked up another brochure from her desk and began flipping through it. The sound of Hermione's hand speeding across the parchment filled her office for the next five minutes as she focused on her reply to Padma. She double checked that she had included everything and made sure to add that if nothing improved Padma was to come and get her. Hermione refolded the parchment and sent it back to its recipient.
"Bloody hell Mione…this looks disgusting," Draco commented as the flying reply left her office. Hermione leaned over and saw the brochure he had in his hand.
"Well that's what a life time of drinking will do to your liver," she laughed. "I imagine with the amount you and Blaise did in school…yours is not too far off from that."
Draco scowled at the picture for a moment, as if it had done some great injustice to him and then smiled at Hermione, "If anyone's liver looks like this, it's most definitely Blaise's. That bloke can drink like a fish." She laughed and then saw that Draco had folded the pamphlet and put it in his pocket, "Something to scare Blaise with," he said shrugging his shoulders casually.
Draco left shortly after that, saying that he would see Hermione at dinner and that hopefully Scorpius would believe him this time. Hermione went back to attending to her patients and checking on her other intents. Time didn't seem to be on her side though as the minutes dragged by. Usually her shifts at the hospital seemed to fly by in a blink, as there was always so much happening which is why she didn't mind the rather long hours. Despite this, Hermione paid full attention to the charts in front of her and tried not to think too much of what was waiting for her at the end of her shift.
Thinking about Scorpius, Hermione decided it was best to have someone far more learned in what they were dealing with than just her. If she was going to do her best she would need to consult with the best. With that in mind, she reached for a new sheet of parchment and her quill. She paused for a moment wondering how to begin and pretty soon the words were pouring itself onto the parchment;
Dear Adrian,
I hope this letter finds you well. First, I must thank you for all your help. I know helping the Malfoy family must not have been easy for you but it is dearly appreciated. I too have been questioned by friends for helping them, and after having spent time with Scorpius, I know I made the right decision in doing so. I am sure you feel the same way after having spent time with him?
I'm afraid I need to ask a favour of my own. While I am Scorpius' healer, it is in his best interest that everything is done to help him. Unfortunately my knowledge of the dark curses is not as extensive as yours might be. So I ask that you please help me in this matter. I would feel more comfortable consulting with you on this, knowing you would do so with certain discretion. It would be best if Scorpius' condition is kept from public knowledge, for his safety at the moment. I know this might be asking too much of you but please consider this as a favour to me?
Regards,
Hermione
She signed and sealed it off and knowing the paranoia in which Adrian lived his life, she placed a charm on it so that only he would be able to read the contents of it. Hermione sent the letter off and anxiously awaited its reply. To fill the time, she started pulling books from the shelf and going through them, this time with a better understanding of what she was looking for.
The final moments of her shift saw her walking around the hospital checking up on her patients.
"Mrs Wilson, please don't undo the bandages." She said softly despite having said it countless times before to the elderly woman. She moved to the next bed and smiled as that patient greeted her with his own warm smile, "Goodnight Mr. Jefferson."
"Oh going home already Healer Granger?" he said looking at her intently. "I suppose a pretty lady such as yourself has a wonderful family waiting for her at home?"
Hermione merely smiled, "Sleep well. I shall see you tomorrow."
"I look forward to that visit," he said still smiling at her, "Now go on, and get out of here. I'm sure you don't want to keep them waiting."
Hermione dropped off the last bits of her work in her office, grabbed her cloak and flooed to Draco's house without a second thought.
She was greeted by the delightful aroma of Ippy's cooking as she stepped out of the fireplace. She walked through the house, and was about to ascend the stairs to the second landing when she saw two figures at the top. Scorpius screamed in delight and flew down the stairs at a frightening speed. Both Draco and Hermione held their breaths as they watched him dash down the stairs dropping something fluffy as he went. Scorpius was only two steps away from her when he launched himself off the stairs and into her arms, crying "Mione!" as he did so. She caught him with ease. Hermione hugged him close as Scorpius wrapped his legs around her and his tiny hands gripped her tightly.
"You're here!" he cried not letting go.
"Did you really think I would lie mate?" Draco asked walking down the stairs picking up the stuff dragon Scorpius had dropped on the way down. Scorpius merely shrugged. Hermione pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing as she saw the look on Draco's face. She noticed the griffin Adrian had given Scorpius was still around his neck, and for some unknown reason it made her feel slightly better seeing it there. Hermione followed Draco into the kitchen as Scorpius began regaling his day to her. He seemed to have had quite the eventful day, which to her dismay included a lot of Quidditch with his uncle Blaise. Hermione had to wonder for a moment how these two Slytherins managed to run an extremely profitable company with all the time they spent entertaining Scorpius.
She placed him on the counter edge and accepted the cup of coffee Draco handed her. Ippy came into view and Hermione did a double take as she took note of the house elf's appearance.
"Draco…"
"She won't take it off." Draco sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. His eyes followed the little elf as she moved around the kitchen in a pretty blue dress and what looked like a red cape draped over her shoulders and red socks that came up to her knees. The real winner though was the red cloth that she had tied across the top of her face with two holes cut through for her tennis ball sized eyes to fit through. It was a make shift mask and Hermione didn't trust herself not to laugh.
"Me and Ippy played Wizard and Superhero." Scorpius said as if that would explain everything. The elf seemed perfectly content with her attire and went about her tasks as if her appearance was not in the slightest bit strange.
Hearing her name, Ippy looked up and greeted Hermione with wonderful enthusiasm, "Ippy is most happy to see you Miss Granger."
"Hello Ippy," Hermione began smiling broadly, "You look… lovely."
This seemed to excite the elf as she gasped and squealed excitedly, "Oh thanks you Miss!" she didn't say anything else as she hurried off towards the oven. Hermione didn't have much time to let Ippy's strange attire sink in, as moments later Blaise entered the kitchen.
"Hermione!" he exclaimed seeing her sitting at the counter with Draco and Scorpius, "Good, you're here." He sounded oddly serious causing Hermione to frown. She was busy moving her cup away as Scorpius was so intent on tasting what was inside that she did not notice Draco's gleeful smile.
"Hermione, you have to save me!" he started dramatically. "It's too soon for me."
"What?" she asked looking at him in bewilderment. She put the cup down and far out of Scorpius' reach before giving Blaise her full attention.
"Well not me… just a part of me. I don't want to be fat and bald…or green" he said as if that clarified everything. "I saw what my liver looks like." He explained horrified. "Save me and I promise to never drink again!"
Finally gaining a sense of what Blaise was talking about she looked to Draco who hid his laugh behind his cup. "Draco!" she scolded with a smile of her own, despite her best efforts.
"I didn't do anything!" he retorted, but seeing her disbelieving expression he said, "I merely gave him the page with the information on it…"
"And where on that page did it say drinking would turn him green?" she asked.
Draco didn't reply but just looked at Blaise and laughed. Reality dawned on Blaise as he slowly frowned and looked at Hermione, "Don't worry Blaise you won't turn green…no matter how much you drink." She explained, "Though the fat and bald thing is totally up too you. I would suggest perhaps to avoid that at all costs, you should consider drinking less in the future?"
Blaise scowled at Draco, "Not funny mate, messing with a bloke's looks like that." Draco just laughed harder which prompted Hermione to laugh with him, "Yes yes it's all very funny using your girlfriend's job to poke fun at me," he said pouting.
Hermione stopped laughing at having being referred to as Draco's girlfriend. It sounded unfamiliar … but good. Draco stopped laughing too, "Alright mate," he said, "I'm sorry…just thought you would care to know more about your health."
Blaise didn't say anything but threw his friend a glare and Draco fought to stop himself from laughing again. "Dad" Scorpius called grabbing Draco's attention, "I'm hungry."
Draco looked at Ippy in her ridiculous attire, "Ippy," he called and then said jokingly, "The young master is hungry –" but before he could finish the elf was speaking.
"Dinners is ready little master," she said smiling at Scorpius.
Draco reached over and picked Scorpius up. "Go with Ippy and wash up." He said. They watched as the little blonde and the superhero elf disappeared around the corner. Draco picked up Hermione's coffee and handed it back to her. She noticed it was hot again; Draco had cast a heating spell on it, without using his wand.
"So you've managed to restore the wards?" Hermione asked looking at the two of them.
"Yeah, but the stupid bint made quite the mess." Blaise said rolling his eyes and then looked at Draco hoping he hadn't offended his friend in anyway. Draco merely sighed at this.
"She didn't manage to get very far though," Draco said, "But she'll be back."
"But you haven't spoken to her yet?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"No. Her magic left a weak trail despite all the damage she did. It wasn't enough to trace." Blaise offered, when Draco didn't reply.
"But that doesn't make any sense…how was she able to do all that damage and not leave anything behind?" Hermione asked.
"She knew what she was doing…for the most part at least. She knew how to break through the outer wards, but she clearly wasn't expecting the wards on the inside…or that Ippy would fight back." Draco replied.
"Ippy fought back?" Hermione asked shocked.
"Yeah, she's tougher than she looks…well today being the exception I suppose," Blaise said with a fond smile. Hermione cast a worried glance at Draco who stood next to her.
Hermione knew what he was thinking about, "She's not going to take him anywhere." She said firmly and Blaise nodded in agreement. "Besides we don't even know if that's what she's really here for. Don't worry about that now Draco. Focus on keeping Scorpius healthy." She reminded him.
Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. But he didn't get a chance to say much as Scorpius ran back into the kitchen. "Can we eat now, my hands are all clean." He said holding his hands up for them to see.
"Yeah, come on mate." Draco said and led them all to the table that was already set with Ippy's mouth watering food. Once seated, they wasted no time in dishing out the food and the conversation was carried with ease as they spoke about nothing of great importance. Hermione wondered for a moment if she should mention that she had written to Adrian, but decided to wait till later.
Draco and Blaise sat at the table discussing details for what Hermione assumed was an upcoming meeting. Seeing that Scorpius was getting fidgety at the table she offered to take him upstairs, and before Draco could answer she picked up the little boy and they made their way out the dining room. She did catch Blaise throw Draco a knowing smirk as she walked away with Scorpius in her arms.
Once entering Scorpius' room she was surprised to see that Scorpius still had the rose he had given her. He led her to the chair that sat in the corner of the room. The silver dragons that were charmed to move stopped and all seemed to look at her for a second before continuing in the repetitive cycle. Hermione smiled as she took a seat in the chair and Scorpius ran over with a book in his hand. "Will you read to me?" he asked rather redundantly. There was no way she would have been able to say no to those beautifully hopeful grey eyes of his. She nodded and he climbed into her lap, handing the book to her. Hermione almost choked as she saw what book her had handed her. She hadn't touched her copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard since the end of the war. There had been no need for it. "What story would you like me to read?" she asked silently hoping it wasn't The Tale of the Three Brothers.
"Mmm… you pick!" he said thoughtfully.
"Okay," she said and flipped to The Fountain of Fair Fortune and began reading, "High on a hill in an enchanted garden, enclosed by tall walls and protected by strong magic, flowed the Fountain of Fair Fortune. Once a year between the hours of sunrise and sunset on the longest day, a single unfortunate was given the chance to fight their way to the Fountain, bathe in its waters and receive Fair Fortune for evermore. On the appointed day, hundreds of people travelled from all over the kingdom to reach the garden walls before dawn. Male and female, rich and poor, young and old, of magical means and without gathered in the darkness, each hoping that they would be the one to gain entrance to the garden." she paused for a moment noticing how intrigued Scorpius was and then continued reading.
"Three witches, each with her burden of woe, met on the outskirts of the crowd, and told one another their sorrows as they waited for sunrise. The first, by name Asha, was a sick of a malady no Healer could cure. She hope –"
"She should come see you Mione," Scorpius interrupted in a tone that suggested that he knew something that poor Asha did not, "Then she'd be all better."
Hermione smiled down at him, running her fingers through his hair as she continued, "She hoped that the Fountain would banish her symptoms and grant her a long and happy life. The second, by name Altheda, had been robbed of her home, her gold and her wand by an evil sorcerer. She hoped that the Fountain might relieve her of powerlessness and poverty. The third, by name Amata, had been deserted by a man whom she loved dearly, and she thought her heart would never mend. She hoped that the Fountain would relieve her of her grief and longing.
Pitying each other, the three women agreed that, should the chance befall them, they would unite and try to reach the Fountain together.
The sky was rent with the first ray of sun, and a chink in the wall opened. The crowd surged forward, each of them shrieking their claim for the Fountain's benison. Creepers from the garden beyond snaked through the pressing mass, and twisted themselves around the first witch, Asha. She grasped the wrist of the second witch, Altheda, who seized tight upon the robes of the third witch, Amata. And Amata became caught upon the armour of a dismal-looking knight who was seated on a bone-thin horse."
Hermione stopped again, this time noticing that Scorpius' eyes began droop in sleep. She was about to put the book away, when Scorpius wriggled slightly and mumbled something that sounded a lot like 'don't stop.' Hermione smiled and obliged the little boy reading a little further before she was sure he was asleep, closing the book and placed it by his bedside. She was about to move Scorpius to the bed when she saw Draco standing in the door way. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Not long," he answered moving into the room. He pulled back the covers on his son's bed as Hermione transferred Scorpius from her arms to the bed.
"I never thought I'd have to open that book again," she said softly looking at the book that lay on the nightstand beside the bed.
"The fairytale book?" Draco questioned confused. "What's wrong with Beedle's stories?"
She sat on one side of Scorpius' bed with Draco on the other, and reached for the book as she spoke, "There's nothing wrong with the stories…they just bring back some war memories." She hoped her answer would pacify Draco, but he seemed more upset. "You know the stories well?" she asked. He nodded and she turned to the last story in the book. He looked down at the story in confusion.
"The Tale of Three Brothers…what's that got to do with the war?" he asked.
She almost lauged, "That's an odd question considering you were once the owner of the most powerful wand ever created." She said giving the story in front of her a pointed look.
Draco looked at her incredulously, "Are you trying to say that the …the Deathly Hallows is real?"
"Yes," she said with a deep sigh, "Dumbledore gave me a copy of this book as a clue. A clue to what Voldemort had been searching for. If he had all the Hallows he would be – "
"Master of Death," Draco whispered, remembering how it worked in the story.
"Exactly. This damned story caused so much bloody grief," Hermione said softly tears threatening to fall, "He sent us on some secret mission and all he left us was this silly little fairytale."
Draco didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. How could the Hallows have been real? Instead of questioning it further though he reached and took the book gently from Hermione's hands. She didn't seem to notice too much; rather she seemed lost in her memories of the war. Draco took hold of her hand and kissed it gently, the feel of his hands warm and strong pulled her out of her reverie. Hermione smiled at him and as they left the room Draco turned of the lights, causing the moving dragons to glow.
After leaving Scorpius asleep in his room, Hermione joined Draco and Blaise in their office. Blaise was reclined in Draco's chair, with his feet up on the beautiful dark wood desk. He threw them a cheeky grin as they walked in.
"What are you so smug about?" Draco asked as he led Hermione to the soft couch in front of the welcoming fire. She kicked of her heels and got comfortable on the couch, drawing her legs under her.
"Nothing," Blaise replied still smirking at them. Draco glared at his friend as he walked over to where he kept the muggle scotch and firewhiskey.
"Firewhiskey Blaise?" Draco asked a smirk of his own forming, "…Unless you still believe you're going to turn green." Hermione laughed as Blaise scowled but accepted the glass from Draco nevertheless. "So how's the thing with you and Lovegood going?" Draco asked casually as he handed Hermione a glass and sat down beside her. "Blaise likes Lovegood," Draco explained blatantly seeing Hermione's confusion.
"Lovegood…like as in Luna?" she asked surprised.
"The very same."
Hermione gave Blaise a look he didn't like one bit, "Ooh Blaise!" she gushed sounding completely unlike her usual self, "…So how is the thing with you and Luna?" she said repeating Draco's question with a smirk of her own.
"You've been spending too much time with him," Blaise replied pointing his finger at Draco, "He's starting to rub off on you."
"You didn't answer the question Blaise," she insisted.
"Yes Blaise, answer the question," Draco said still smirking at his friend. He felt Hermione shuffle slightly next to him. He put his arm across the backrest of the couch, allowing Hermione to shift closer to him.
"Fine," Blaise sighed conceding to the far too gleeful looks on Draco and Hermione's faces. "Its going well…I think…I don't know," he tried explaining seeing the look on Draco's face, "its' different …she's different."
"I would never have guessed," he said sarcastically as Hermione whacked him across the chest, "Ow!"
"What Draco meant was… is it a good different or a –"
"Strange different?" Draco finished for her.
Ignoring his friend's jibe he looked at Hermione as he answered, "Definitely good different."
"Good." She said smiling. As they sat making idle chat Hermione thought now would be best to mention the letter she wrote to Adrian. "I hope it's not too much of a big deal but I wrote to Adrian today," she said surprising both Slytherins.
"You did?" Draco asked
"I did. I thought it best that we have an expert on curses. Someone that would have far more experience than me especially as time is of the essence. I know you want to keep it quiet that Scorpius is sick, and as much as I trust the people I work with…this might be too big for them not to share. Going to Adrian seemed liked the logical choice." Hermione said looking at Draco slightly nervous.
"Good idea," he said simply then as an afterthought added, "What did he say?"
"I'm still waiting for that owl, but I thought you two should know."
"I'm surprise he'd still be willing to help us though," Draco contemplated.
"He'd be mad to turn down an opportunity to work with Hermione Granger," Blaise said with a chuckle.
The trio talked, joked and laughed for a while longer only calling it a night when Hermione started yawning, still wrapped in Draco's arms. She gathered her things and left with Draco promising again that they would see each other soon. He gave her another one of those 'leave you breathless' kisses before she stepped into the fireplace and flooed home.
It had been almost a week since she last saw the Malfoy's. Her shifts at St. Mungo's left her tired and with very little time to do anything other than sleep. Draco himself had become consumed in meetings and other such things. The week was coming to a steady close and Hermione was walking down the halls of the hospital, overworked and tired; yet knowing that her patients were well taken care of made all the sleepless days worth it. She saw a little boy dash across the hospital lobby and her heart jumped for a moment thinking it was Scorpius. But seeing an unfamiliar woman pick the little boy up, she was left with that longing feeling again. Hermione wasn't surprised by the fact that she missed them so, it was more the part of just how much. Every bubbling laugh she heard at the hospital reminded her of Scorpius; every tall blonde she passed brought her back to Draco. Her busy schedules provided a decent enough distraction. Aside from her usual healer duties, Hermione used every moment to work on Scorpius' case. She had been more than thrilled when she received her reply from Adrian;
My Dear Hermione,
What a pleasure to hear from you. The manor has become somewhat unbearably quiet again now that you lot have left, but it is something that I will have to get used to again. Despite my unfortunate business with Lucius Malfoy I wish no harm on young Scorpius and so it was my pleasure to have helped in any way I could. You are quite right, one cannot help but love the little boy and it would seem Draco has done a brilliant job of raising him.
As for the favour you have asked of me, I must say it would give me no greater honour than to work with you in any way I can to help save Scorpius. I am glad to see you have decided to keep this a secret from the public. That sort of information is dangerous in the simplest fool's hands.
I am sure I don't need to tell you this as I know you're taking good care of the boys. But whether you know it or not Hermione you've been a part of their family for a while now. I look forward to reading what you've researched and any possibilities you might have. Whatever you need, remember I'm just an owl away.
Regards,
Adrian
His reply left her smiling and slightly shocked as she realised how right Adrian was. She had become apart of Draco's small family and now she felt it was her responsibility to make sure it didn't get any smaller. Adrian proved to be a great help. Hermione had sent him a letter containing varying possibilities and Adrian responded dutifully to the best of his knowledge. Hermione had thought to further work with the spell they had performed on Scorpius to check for dark magic. It proved to be the perfect thing to check the progressing dark magic. It was all they had to go on for the moment. She had a few ideas for the spell but wasn't sure where to begin with it.
Despite their better efforts, they had made no real progress. It was this that frustrated Hermione more than anything. She felt like the answer was dancing in front of her yet she could not see it. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she pushed aside Adrian's most recent reply. They had hit another dead end. A short knock on her office door pulled her away from her thoughts but before she could reply, the door flew open and she saw a little blonde mop of hair rushing towards her.
"Mione!" Scorpius cried out.
"Scorpius you're suppose to wait for her to answer before going in," Draco told his son. But his words fell on deaf ears as Hermione picked Scorpius up and hugged him close to her.
"Hello sweetheart," she greeted warmly, "What brings you here today?"
"Dad said we could go to get more Quidditch stuff." he explained.
"Just Quidditch stuff?" she asked. Her hands rubbed his cheeks gently as he got comfortable in her lap.
"Mmm, well I wanted a new book…but I don't know which one to get." he answered his brow creasing in deep thought.
"Another dragon book?' she asked with a small smile.
"No I have lots of those." He answered and then frowned as if seeing her for the first time, "We didn't finish the other story you was reading to me."
"No we didn't, but I've been so busy sweetheart. I have to take care of all my other patients too," she explained gently. She moved Scorpius from her lap to the desk and took the opportunity to do a small check up on him. As he spoke she pulled out her stethoscope and listened to his tiny heart beat.
"I don't like your other patients," he said stubbornly.
"Why not?" she asked laughing.
"Because," he whined, "You always have to work and now we won't be able to finish the story!"
Even Draco laughed at this. He had seated himself in the chair opposite Hermione's desk. He looked dashing in a pair of dark wash jeans and a formal long sleeved grey shirt. His sleeves were rolled up again and out of habit Hermione looked to his left forearm. It was bare…as it always was when he went out into public. The concealment charm he had on was strong and the skin on his arm was pale and arm, as if nothing had ever disturbed it before.
'Mione," Scorpius called grabbing her attention again, "Will you come with us to Diagon Alley?"
"Yes Mione," Draco said copying his son's serious face, "Will you come with us?"
She laughed at the expressions that both father and son had on. "Alright, let me get my stuff together." Scorpius helped her carry her books from her desk and into her bag. "Are you going to help me Mr. Malfoy," she teased.
"Oh no, you seem to have all the help you need," he smirked.
With everything she needed in her bag, Hermione zipped it up and threw it over her shoulder. Then she turned to Draco and asked, "Shall we floo to the Leaky Cauldron?"
"You okay with being seen arriving with us Malfoy's?" he asked raising an eyebrow. No doubt their appearance together in Diagon Alley would cause enough wild stares and gossip.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she replied and then picked Scorpius walking over to the fireplace. "Come on Draco." She stepped in first holding Scorpius tightly before throwing the powder down and calling out 'Leaky Cauldron!' The green flames wrapped around them and then they were moving passing other gates on their way to their destination. She felt Scorpius tighten his hold on her and then she saw the light from the Leaky Cauldron creep through the end of the tunnel. She prepared herself for the landing and soon enough she was stepping out of the fireplace dusting soot off her clothes and Scorpius'. Draco followed her out just moments later. There was a small buzz as people went about their business. The sound of her entry though had caught the attention of a few people and slowly the buzz in the room died down. A hushed silence fell over the occupants in the room as they saw that Hermione Granger had been accompanied by Draco Malfoy. Not wanting to be gapped at any longer, Hermione started walking through towards the back door, greeting Tom on her way out.
Once outside Draco tapped the bricks with his wand and then stepped back as the wall crawled back to let them through. Seeing the busy streets of Diagon Alley, Scorpius began excitedly squirming in Hermione's arms. She put him down in front of them and he was about to make a dash for it when Draco took hold of his hand holding back. They walked at a leisurely pace through the street, stopping every now and then to see something new in the windows. Scorpius was given free reign in Quality Quidditch Supplies and it was not an opportunity he squandered. They left twenty minutes later with their arms filled with more Quidditch clothes, and tiny figurines of players, and two quaffles. Hermione stopped Draco from buying the unnecessarily expensive golden snitch. She shrunk their bags down and put them into her bag as Scorpius led them to the bookstore at the end of the street. Draco and Scorpius disappeared down an aisle and Hermione was drawn to the back of the store where she knew her sort of books would be kept. Her fingers brushed over the books as she browsed the new additions. Hermione wasn't sure how long she'd been there but all too quickly she was lost to the world passing by outside as she became consumed by the books around her. She felt tiny hands wrap themselves around her legs and a tiny giggle, pulling her back to reality. Hermione looked down and saw Scorpius standing beside her with a gleefully naughty look on his face. Bending down to his level she smiled with him, "Where's your dad Scorp?"
"I'm hiding…sshhhh!" he said pressing a tiny finger to his lips. They heard Draco call for him beyond the next aisle. Scorpius gave another giggle and then looked around for a place to hide. Hermione stood just as Draco turned the corner. She felt Scorpius' little fingers hold her legs once more as he hid behind her.
"You haven't seen my son by any chance?" Draco asked teasingly, ignoring the little audible giggles coming from behind Hermione's legs.
"You lost Scorp?" Hermione asked trying her best to sound surprised. "Draco! What were you doing?"
"What can I say? One minute we were looking at books and then he was gone." He said, though he was smiling now.
"Well what are we going to do now?" she asked with mock concern. "It's such a pity he's not here anymore, I was really hoping we could stop and get a double chocolate ice cream Sunday at Florean's. But now that he isn't here…"
"I suppose we'll have to go without him then wont we?" Draco said. And as he did so, they both heard the shocked gasp from behind Hermione, who had to chew on her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"Yes, I guess we can go without him," Hermione said with mock seriousness.
"No! I'm here!" Scorpius squealed jumping form behind Hermione, "I want to come too!"
They both laughed as Scorpius pouted at his father in desperation at not being left behind again. "Alright mate, did you get all the books you wanted?" Draco asked as they moved back up the aisle. Scorpius nodded as they headed to pay for everything. Hermione made a quick detour then joined them as they cashed everything up.
This time as they walked out the store, Draco took hold of Hermione's hand and they headed towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Word had quickly spread that Draco Malfoy was gallivanting around Diagon Alley with his son and Hermione Granger, and now as they passed people in the streets it wasn't without an odd glance or glare thrown their way.
Nevertheless they walked on towards the ice cream parlour, unaware that someone with far darker intentions had caught sight of them. The figure moved expertly through the crowd, avoiding eye contact with anyone and coming to a stop just opposite the ice cream parlour, well hidden in the shadows. From where he stood, he could see Hermione, Draco and his son seated at one of the tables with Florean bringing over a mountain of chocolate ice cream.
Hermione adjusted Scorpius in his seat and handed him a spoon. Without wasting time the little boy started at the ice cream. Draco could only shake his head at this son's enthusiasm before helping himself to some of the ice cream. As they sat enjoying themselves, Hermione was aware how picturesque it must have looked to those passing by. First, the sight of them walking down Diagon Alley all smiles and laughter, and now them seated eating ice cream together. It would be hard for people not to come to their own assumptions. But for some reason that didn't bother Hermione as much as she thought it would have. The stares and whispers that followed them around that day soon fell away to nothingness as she focused on enjoying her time with Scorpius and Draco.
They had eaten as much of the chocolate monstrosity as they could and now Draco was pulling out money to pay for it as Hermione was wiping Scorpius' hands and face clean of any remaining ice cream. It was as they were walking back up Diagon Alley towards the Leaky Cauldron that Hermione got the feeling that she was being followed. The feeling of having someone trail behind her as she walked through the streets, watching her every step, her every action. It left her feeling rather exposed, walking about with no sense of protection. She turned and saw that Scorpius had fallen asleep in Draco's arms. His smile faulted as he noticed her worried look. But she didn't want to scare him over nothing, so instead she gripped his hand and they walked out of Diagon Alley together.
"Hermione, is everything okay?" he asked softly as they entered the Leaky Cauldron once again.
"Hhmm, oh yes. It's nothing. Just my imagination I suppose." She answered waving her worries away for the time being. Yet Draco wasn't buying it and as he opened his mouth to object she spoke over him, "Why don't you give Ippy a break tonight and bring Scorpius over for dinner tonight?"
He narrowed his eyes at her aware of what she was doing, "Sure that sounds great," he sighed knowing she wasn't going to explain what had gotten her so worried.
"Good I'll see you guys later then," she said with a small smile as Draco leaned and placed a quick kiss on her lips before stepping into the fireplace and disappearing into the green flames.
Hermione looked over her shoulder again sensing she was still being watched. Not wanting to be a standing target for too long she walked into the fireplace and floo back to St. Mungo's, not wanting to floo directly home just yet. In the safety of her office, she allowed herself to let go of the breath she didn't know she had been holding. Leaning onto her desk for support she hoped to Merlin she had been imagining things. Not wanting to dwell on it any longer, she grabbed the files Padma left on her desk and started completing them. Losing herself in her work, allowed Hermione to forget that dreaded feeling of being hunted like she had become accustomed to during the war. It had been a difficult habit to break once the war was over. Realising she would be expecting Draco and Scorpius soon; Hermione shoved the rest of the files into her bag before preparing to apparate out of her office.
The sun was slowly setting and the street was quiet as Hermione apparated in a quiet alley not far from her home. She walked the rest of the way in a quickly fashion with her hand clasped tightly around her wand in the depths of her cloak pocket. Once inside she shrugged of her cloak and threw it over the couch, walking into the lounge. Though she stopped short as she saw a figure already seated in one of the couches waiting for her.
The room was dimly light, with the only light being that of the rays that came from the setting sun. She squinted briefly before she made out the figure. "Ron?" she asked disbelievingly.
"About bloody time Hermione," Ron said standing up from the couch, his anger evident as his face contorted in rough creases. Hermione stepped back, not liking this situation one bit. Oh Merlin, this cant be good, Hermione thought…
A/N: Hello again! I'm so very sorry that i made you guys wait so long for this chapter!
As always Thank you to those who are following and have favourited this story. An extra big thank you to those who have taken the time to review this story. i always look forward to hearing what you think. So pretty please do review. i take the time to read through them all and appreciate all the comments made.
My dear Katy, thank you for your great editing skills and working through this chapter with me!
Cheers!
xoxo
Immortal Dragon Empress