Time for a little drama!

Thanks to J.K. Rowling and camnz.

Chapter Eleven- Things Fall Apart

The new arrival in the Malfoy family was twelve weeks old when Hermione decided to visit Molly Weasley again. Ginny met her at the Burrow with Albus and Lily. Harry was at work, and James, their eldest son, was still at Hogwarts. Greeting Molly and Ginny still seemed a bit awkward. Astoria looked nothing like Hermione, so it was uncomfortable for Molly and Ginny to pull Astoria into their arms as if she were their old friend.

Actually, Hermione didn't feel like herself at all right now anyway. She might be coiffed on the outside, but her mind was fuzzy, she was tearful, and she found herself circling rooms in the Manor, not accomplishing anything. The simplest tasks seemed difficult. Hermione had never before experienced this kind of disorientation and was alarmed. She hoped to consult with Molly.

Mrs. Weasley and Ginny took turns holding little Gemini, marveling at how she had grown. Leo asked about the Quidditch action figures. Hermione mentioned her idea about giving Draco Quidditch action figures next Christmas. It broke the ice, and they laughed together. After returning the baby to Hermione's arms, Ginny took the children into the other room to play.

"Right, here's a new question for you, Molly..." Hermione pulled out a roll of parchment and began reading,

Dear Molly,

My baby won't sleep. She wakes up to eat every hour, day or night, but then throws up everything in her tummy. She must be hungry, but doesn't seem to keep anything down. I can't let her cry to sleep, because she has ear-piercing screams that wake the entire neighborhood. The doctor says she is healthy, just growing at a slower pace than her siblings, but I sense something is wrong. I am not getting any sleep, and I am losing my mind.

Desperate for Help

Hermione looked at Molly. Her mouth trembled and her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, my dear, this letter is from you?" whispered Molly gently. And then a bit later, "The Malfoys have a neighborhood?"

Hermione gave a wry laugh through the tears, "Yes, well neighborhood was a figure of speech. Molly, I can't believe I'm falling apart like this. The first four children were all so easy. Now, three months into number five's life, I'm ready to throw in the towel. I am sore from nursing every hour of the day. I cry every time Gemmy cries. What is wrong with me? With Gemmy? What can I do?"

Molly took her hand. "My dear." Hermione noticed that Molly couldn't quite bring herself to use Hermione's name. "My dear...Hermione... your problem is lack of sleep. You need to rest. Is Draco helping? What about Narcissa? Or the house-elves? Your first priority is to get some sleep."

"I don't want to be a bother to Narcissa. I should be able to handle this. I have to be there to keep Gemmy from screaming all the time. No one can help her when she is screaming, not even the house elf. Sometimes not even me. And Draco," Hermione's voice broke. "Draco is no longer sleeping with me because I couldn't stand being touched or bothered at night. I told you, I'm going crazy."

"You are not crazy, dear. You are suffering from lack of sleep. Have you used Muffliato on the baby's room?"

"I could never do that to my baby. She is crying for a reason. What if she needed me, and I couldn't hear her?"

"Yes, you do have a point. Do you think that the baby is not getting enough nourishment from your breast milk?"

"That must be the reason why she nurses so often. She seems hungry, but never satisfied. I don't recall Scorp or Cassie being big eaters, but Orion and Leo nursed for half an hour at a time and slept for at least four hours at this age. Gemmy only nurses for 5 minutes, spits up, and then she's hungry a half an hour later."

"Here's my advice, dear. Have the healer check little Gemmy's stomach to make sure she is able to digest your breast milk. She shouldn't be vomiting after nursing. Then try my colic potion to calm her stomach and help her sleep. You could also add in a bottle feeding. If she's on a bottle, then someone else can help, and you can get some sleep."

Hermione nodded slowly. She knew that she looked fine, but her mind was foggy. She didn't feel like her confident self. She had trouble making decisions. Her magazine project was forgotten. She had kicked Draco out of her bed. She crumbled whenever Gemmie cried. Her older children were starting to worry about her and comfort her like she was on her deathbed. Molly's ideas were very practical. In fact, Hermione might have thought of them herself if she had been in her right mind.

"Well, I will write this up for the magazine. It's great advice, Molly. Thank you. I'll let you know how it works."

"You need some time for yourself, dear," instructed Molly. "Why don't you run to Diagon Alley for an hour and leave the children here?"

Hermione looked more anxious than excited about this idea. She said doubtfully, "Well, Gemmie is certainly a handful. What if she screams? I don't know if I can do that to you."

"Crying babies don't bother me," replied Molly reassuringly. "They all cry. I can handle a crying baby for one hour or so, and I have Ginny here to help."

"Thank you," smiled Hermione through new tears, "I'll stop by Draco's office to see if he wants to go to lunch. Then I'll come right back."

She hugged Molly Weasley and stepped into the floo. "Malfoy Enterprises," she called.

Draco's new secretary turned to greet Astoria Malfoy, and Hermione's eyebrows lifted. The raven-haired woman was not only drop dead gorgeous; she oozed sex appeal. Her navy suit and red blouse were professional but revealed an enticing glimpse of cleavage.

Astoria stood aloof and poised.

"Good morning. I am Mrs. Malfoy here to see my husband." Astoria smiled icily.

The secretary's eyes narrowed briefly before she smiled. "Lovely to meet you. Let me tell him that you are here."

As the secretary entered Draco's lush office, Astoria's eyebrows rose again at the sight of the secretary's very long legs under a short, form-fitting skirt. Where was Mrs. Gray when one needed her?

"Thank you, Suzette. Astoria, you've met my new secretary, Suzette Jones?" Draco touched Suzette's arm before turning to his wife. "Come in, Astoria."

Astoria rose and entered the office, stepping firmly forward even though she felt that her entire world was shattering into glass splinters around her.

Her breath was shallow, and she felt faint.

"What can I do for you, Astoria?"

"Uh..." Hermione wasn't sure. Should she launch into a jealous tirade like Ginny Weasley? Suddenly she felt great sympathy for her friend who had been in a similar situation with Astoria Malfoy. Should she pretend everything was fine?

"Draco, how are you?" Hermione tried to see into Draco's eyes, but they were shuttered.

When was the last time they had talked? Could ten years of marriage fall apart in a mere two months? Seriously, could Draco be under a spell?

"Hermione, I am busy. Get to the point."

She caught her breath. What had happened to her sweet husband? She had to keep herself together and not fall apart. She was terribly emotional right now. Talk about Molly. Talk about Gemmie. She inhaled deeply and began,

"I took the children to the Burrow today. Draco, I've been having a very difficult time with the baby. You haven't been around as much, so you might not know."

"You kicked me out," he responded curtly.

"Oh, really, Draco, stop sulking," Hermione snapped. "I wasn't kicking you out of our lives; I just needed sleep. Molly gave me some very helpful ideas today. It could be that Gemmie is not digesting her milk, which is why she is always hungry and never sleeps. Molly gave me a potion to try for colic. I'm happy because I felt like I was losing my mind." Hermione didn't appear happy. Her jaw was clenched. This has got to be a bad dream, she thought.

Draco seemed uncaring, "Yes, well that is good news, isn't it? I have good news too. Suzette is going to start attending the formal dinner parties with me so you can stay home with the children. I'm very grateful to her because it's above and beyond a secretary's duties. Mrs. Gray never attended those events."

Aha. Hermione thought. He threw down the gauntlet himself. I hope he's ready for this battle.

"Draco, are you sure Suzette is the best person for this job?" she asked in a deceptively sweet voice.

"Best secretary I've ever had. Brilliant, in fact." He held her gaze.

"Are you sure that you want to taint the Malfoy name with gossip when you show up to the Nott's or the Zabini's with your voluptuous new secretary?" This time her voice had a bit more edge to it.

Draco snorted and looked away. "It's what Purebloods do. You know the games they play."

"We haven't been playing those games, Draco. I have been staying home from those horrid dinner parties for the past four years because I hated the games played there.

You haven't been attending many either. If it's important, I would be happy to join you tonight if you need me."

"No. Don't bother. Your presence would not help matters."

"Draco. What is wrong? Talk to me."

Draco looked at her with cold fury in his eyes and rose, "Later. I have an important meeting and will speak to you tonight before I leave for the party."

Hermione rose also. She held her head tall. She attempted to look again into Draco's icy grey eyes. "If your parents are attending this party, they may not be pleased to see Suzette as your date."

Draco cringed, but held the door open, "Good-bye, Hermione."

Hermione sailed out the door, furiously blinking the tears away. She missed the widening eyes of Suzette at the front desk. Had Draco Malfoy just called Astoria Malfoy, Hermione? Suzette reached into her drawer and pulled out her copy of Magical Parenting Today. She opened to the article, The Malfoys at Home and began to scan every mention of Astoria Malfoy.