Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 44

Draco made a move to follow his father, but not before Narcissa reached out a hand as though imploring him to mind his words and be respectful.

Draco automatically responded to his mother's unspoken entreaty. "Don't worry mother. My remarks were crass and beneath me. There won't be any repeat performance. This is my father's house. There's no room here for yesterday's truths. Excuse me."

/*/

Draco entered the study expecting to be met with his father's pompous vitriol. Instead, he was greeted by a calm man who uttered a few sentences. "I didn't want your mother to hear what I have to say. Your comments were hurtful and inflammatory, as were mine. I would like to clear the air. Remarks made today have no place in this Manor. I am a stubborn wizard who once found it impossible to let go of old behaviors. However, in this post war world, I am striving to become a different person. With your help, I'll do just that. I understand why Miss Granger wouldn't step foot here. I want you to know I'm not adverse to meeting Hermione wherever you and she deem acceptable."

"Thank you father. I know you are not one for apologies," Draco replied stiffly. "I appreciate the position you are taking. As a potential investor in Severus' project, there's a good probability you and Hermione will have the opportunity to meet. Have a good evening."

/*/

His mother was nowhere to be found when Draco left the study which allowed him to Apparate away without an additional discussion. As he landed in Hermione's flat, it did cross his mind that he'd gotten through one battle just to walk into the next even as Hermione called out.

"You're back. I thought you might have decided to go straight to the house."

Draco let out an irritated sigh wondering what part of, I'll be back to the flat Sunday evening, she hadn't understood.

//

Returning To His Roots: Chapter 45

"Yes, I'm back, and a bit unsettled." Draco answered easily. "What did you accomplish in our time apart? Anything interesting?"

Hermione thought Draco's attitude was a bit off, but she chose to ignore it as she explained the goings on of the last twenty four hours.

Draco listened quietly while Hermione explained what she called her mundane Saturday and interesting Sunday morning remaining aloof as she told her story.

Hermione was surprised Draco didn't find her narrative as humorous as she had. "Is there something wrong Draco? I thought you of all people would find it funny that Terry…"

Draco shrugged. "You might want to keep bringing up his name, but I'm not interested in anything Terry Boot does. I'm long past that."

Hermione felt as though she'd been slapped in the face. Wasn't Draco the one who had gone toe to toe with Terry in this very room? She began to feel as though something happened during his visit to Malfoy Manor to upset him.

"Is there something wrong Draco?" She asked. "You seem out of sorts. You left here in the best of spirits, now…"

So it begins, he thought. "I'm still in good spirits Hermione. I just don't feel all that chuffed over something Boot the buffoon has done or is doing. Forgive me."

Hermione sat there flummoxed by Draco's response. One day had changed, or seemed to have changed his opinion about Terry. She was trying to remain calm, but Draco was getting on her last nerve with his attitude.

"Alright," huffed Hermione, trying to keep things low key. "Enough about my Saturday and Sunday. How was your time with the family?" She asked, emphasizing the words, the family. "What happened to put you in this shite mood?"

Draco tried to remain calm as well. If they were going to talk, he didn't want either of them to start off on the wrong foot. "I'm not in a shite mood Hermione. The visit with my parents went well. They had a lovely holiday."

Draco wasn't behaving as she thought he should, and his attitude as well as his answers were infuriating her. He was acting like an arse.

"That's wonderful," Hermione snapped sarcastically, raising her voice. "Your parents had a lovely holiday. Why the attitude? Are you now having second thoughts about dating a muggleborn? I'm sure your parents…."

Draco responded in a raised voice. "For fucks sake Hermione. Where did that question come from? Please don't presume to know what I discussed with my parents. I came here in less than a talkative mood, so you immediately take it as some conspiracy. Get a hold of yourself. Because you think it, does not make it so."

Hermione felt as though Draco was being dismissive and argumentative. Instead of trying to calm the situation, Hermione went into hyper-drive, and began shouting. "Don't you fucking dare talk to me like I'm shite under your shoes. I'll get a hold of myself when I'm damn good and ready. You're acting like a bloody prick, and I won't stand for it."

Still a bit weary after the harsh words spoken between him and his father, Draco made a decision. Shaking his head, he put his half full glass down on the table determined not to apologize for anything. "You're upset. Why don't we talk tomorrow? Rather than sit here and argue, there are things I could be doing at home."

A distraught Hermione watched Draco walk out thinking this was not the way she had pictured their night going. Draco was being a complete arse, and she was not going to let him get away with it. Pulling on a long sleeved jumper, Hermione left the flat close on Draco's heels. He wasn't going to speak to her like that then walk away. She intended to sort his arse out good and proper.

/*/

Esther, Theo, Conor and Declan were in the midst of brunch when a slightly disoriented Mick appeared in the doorway. "Conor. I need to see you for a moment."

With a wink at Theo, Conor slapped his brother on the shoulder as he followed him out of the room.

"Uncle Mick has imbibed a little too much, but Uncle Conor will get him straightened out," offered Declan without looking up from his plate.

Esther glanced at Theo to check what he thought about all this, and was surprised to find a blank look on her nephew's face. Picking up her fork, Esther continued with the meal. If Mick's condition and Declan's statement didn't bother Theo, it didn't bother her.

Again without looking up from his plate, Declan spoke into the silence declaring there was nothing to worry about. Uncle Mick had been much worse in the past.

"Enough Declan. Mick's state has nothing to do with you. Conor will work it out."

"Yes, father. It's just that I'm used to it is all. My grandmum taught me what to do if Conor wasn't around."

"I said enough Declan, and that's what I mean. What you had to do in the past is not something you will have to do in this house. Finish your food."

"Yes father."

Esther couldn't help herself. She wasn't sure what Declan meant by being taught what to do when Conor wasn't around, so she asked. "Am I to understand that your grandmum taught you spells?"

"She did," answered Declan. "Since I was six. I'm a bit ahead of my age."

While Esther tried not to show her wariness, Theo noticed a distinct tremble in both her hands. However, before he could comment, Conor and Mick came back to take a place at the table. Mick seemed contrite as he sort of apologized to the table at large.

"Don't know what I'd do without my family. Sometimes I don't know my own limits. Lovely table. The food looks delicious."

With that semi apology, the conversation around the table picked up with neither Theo nor Esther wanting Mick to go into details. Whatever was left unsaid, Esther and Theo were thinking along the same lines. Grown wizards could do whatever they liked, but seven year old Declan needed a talking to.

/*/

After brunch, Mick and Conor set about getting themselves ready to get back to their respective jobs. Theo noticed Declan seemed to be getting more maudlin as the hours ticked by. He could call Declan aside and try to reassure him, but he didn't. This was the reality. Mick and Conor were leaving to get on with their lives, and he would remain in London. Nothing he could say would change the outcome.

Although he wasn't going to sugarcoat anything, Theo watched his son go from one uncle's room to the other, as did Esther. When the uncle's were all packed, they held a short consultation with Theo asking if they could have a bit of personal time with Declan.

"Of course. You haven't stopped being his uncles because he's found his father. Have at it. Feel free to use the study." Theo replied graciously.

/*/

Mick and Conor spoke to Declan for just under an hour. When the three exited the study, Declan was as red as a beet which alarmed Theo to the extent he called Declan to his side while asking for an explanation from the uncles.

"What have you said to a seven year old that would put him in such a state?" Theo asked as he ran his wand up and down Declan finding residues of miscast magic.

"Calm down Theo. Neither Mick nor myself would ever do anything to bring harm to Declan. He became overly emotional and let loose some accidental magic, but we have everything sorted. Right Declan?"

"Yes uncle." Declan responded tearfully. "Everything has been sorted. As Uncle Conor stated, I became overly emotional. I mean you no disrespect father, Aunt Esther."

Theo grabbed his son pulling him into a tight hug. "I understand Declan. Separating from what you've always known will be hard, but the uncles will always only be an International Owl away. Our home is their home. You, Aunt Esther, Cely and I will work it all out. Right now, I need you to calm down. Okay?"

"No worries father. I'm calm. I'll miss my uncles, but I know I'll be fine with you. I'm sorry to have made a fuss."

Conor and Mick were emotional as well. They were leaving their boy. Their mum was gone, now so was their boy. Their family was breaking up.

Mick was first to speak. "My jobs have always kept me on the run, but I promise to notify you where I am."

Conor who stood by nodding his head also promised to let Declan know where he was. Both uncles promised to visit, maybe not at the same time, but they would visit.

Declan let out a big sigh. "I know you won't forget me uncles. I promise to make you, grandmum and my father proud. I look forward to your visits. Now go out there and make me proud of you. Like grandmum was fond of saying, it might be time for you two to start thinking about settling down."

Conor and Mick laughed. It was as though Declan was channeling their mum.

/*/

The house was quiet after Conor and Mick left. Declan had gone to his rooms, and was quietly studying Theo's old copy of Hogwarts, A History. Esther went to Declan's room just to watch him, but found herself fielding questions from the inquisitive child.

Esther answered a few questions before realizing it was Theo who should be conversing with her….. his son. Just as she was about to excuse herself from the room, Esther looked over to see Theo leaning against the doorjamb.

"Thank you for sitting in with Declan, but I'll take it from here. There are things he and I need to discuss man to man. Please have Cely bring in a fruit and vegetable platter."

Declan chose that moment to glance up at Theo with an angelic look on his face. "Fruit is my favorite father. It will go well with our man to man talk."

Theo reached out to rub Declan's thick head of hair. "This man to man talk may not be what you expect."

Raising his eyes from the book once again, Declan searched Theo's face as if trying to decipher something. Evidently satisfied with what he'd seen in his father's face, Declan gave a soft reply.

"I'm a strong wizard father. I can take it."

"Of that I have no doubt son. Why don't you wash up and get into your pajamas before Cely brings our platter? … Declan?"

"Yes father."

"No magic. You'll have plenty of time for that down the road. I wouldn't want law enforcement to come arrest you before you've had two sleeps in your new home."

Declan smiled at his father as he closed the book. "I know you're having me on father. Law enforcement doesn't arrest children, especially not a seven year old child living in a magical household miles away from the nearest muggle. It's right there in the book."

Theo shook his head as he watched the bathroom door close behind Declan. He had a very intelligent and perceptive son. Theo sat there hoping that the strength and power his son was showing wasn't something he'd inherited from his despicable sperm donor.

/*/

Cely arrived with the fruit and vegetable platter before Declan returned from the bathroom, so Theo helped himself, and was enjoying a lovely slice of apple when Declan came back through.

Grabbing a nice, red slice of strawberry, Declan faced his father. "I don't think grandmum knew it was against the rules to teach me magic. Even though I'm now down to attend Hogwarts when I come of school age, that was not what grandmum had planned. She specifically told me that any schooling would be done by her and her alone. I miss her a lot you know. I miss our lessons."

Declan's words surprised Theo. He hadn't ever heard of any magical child who wasn't required to attend school at age eleven, and answered accordingly.

"Well son, that might have been the plan while you lived in Ireland, however, that's not what we do in England. Every child except squib children must show up to Hogwarts at age eleven unless there is some very important reason such as illness that keeps him away. Not sending their child to school would get the parents into hot water with the Ministry. That's why it was so important for us to get your paperwork in order. What I really wanted to discuss was your use of magic whether accidental or intentional. We are a magical household, so, as you've read, your use of magic won't register with the Ministry. However, you may never use magic outside of this house, especially in the vicinity of muggles. That's the rule and the law. Do you understand?"

Declan popped a piece of celery into his mouth, properly chewing it before responding to his father. "I understand completely father. I will be cautious."

"That's all I ask son. Sometime next week, we'll sit down so you can share the spells and such you've been taught. That wasn't too bad for our first man to man talk."

"No sir," replied Declan solemnly. "It wasn't. I look forward to showing you what I know… Father?

"Yes Declan?"

"Aunt Esther mentioned she will be returning to her own house fairly soon. She's a very quiet witch, but I'll miss her. She treats me well."

Theo paused. How ironic. After all was said and done, Esther hadn't turned into a vomiting, mass of nerves around Declan. In fact, mother and son seemed to be quite comfortable with each other. While their easy interactions were a good thing, Theo knew he wouldn't change a thing regarding what he'd done for Declan.

"That's true. Your aunt will be returning to her own home by the end of next week. She was here to help me get you off to a good start. No worries though lad. You'll be able to visit, and more than likely, there'll be times you and Cely will have to spend time there."

"That would be fine father. Does she have books? If not, I'll bring mine. If Aunt Esther doesn't have fruit bits, I'll bring those as well."

Theo smiled at his quick thinking son. Raising him was going to be a delight as well as a challenge.

From there, father and son sat in companionable silence making quick work of the remaining fruit and vegetables.

/*/

Ginny Weasley was a bit fed up with her wizard. They had planned a romantic weekend exempt of stress. However, that plan had gone out the window Friday afternoon when an Automated Ministry Patronus landed in front of Blaise informing him that Brian Ross had suffered a non-life threatening injury while on duty. The weekend had gone downhill from there. Not immediately, but little by little.

Blaise had raised hell when he found out the circumstances of the injury, but remained somewhat sociable. In fact, Friday evening had been pleasant. Blaise had done a bit of growling over Donald and Draco's stupidity, but that was all. However, by Saturday afternoon he was plotting consequences for all three members of Team3. At one point, Ginny had to pull out the Weasley attitude to get Blaise back to a semblance of a boyfriend and not some ogre.

"Take it down a hair Blaise. Enough with the bull shite," Ginny had shouted angrily. "You're going on like Brian purposely got himself injured. You'll deal with it on Monday as you would any other cock up. This is supposed to be our weekend. Act like it."

Blaise tried to bluster for a minute, but one steely glance from Ginny made him adjust his attitude. Pulling Ginny down on the seat beside him, Blaise began playing with her hair which was a ploy that normally turned Ginny into a pile of putty. "You're right love. I'm ruining a lovely weekend. Forgive me."

With a swift shake of her long hair, Ginny gave Blaise a fierce scowl. "I'm not stupid Blaise, so don't try to finesse me. I don't want to hear another word about Brian, Donald, Draco or OTS until tomorrow as you walk out the door. What you have planned for tonight better be amazing, or I swear to Merlin you'll have to defend yourself against the business end of my wand."

Ginny's wild threat brought a smile to Blaise's face. "Is that the best threat you can come up with? It would be more meaningful if you threatened to hold back shags. That I couldn't deal with." He added suggestively, placing his fingers back in Ginny's hair. "For your edification, later this evening, we'll be taking a romantic, luxury, Red Moon Cruise around Skye and Lochalsh. I've reserved a suite so you can have the pleasure of shagging me on open waters. Now you may admit I'm a very thoughtful boyfriend."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I'm waiting for you to admit that I am the epitome of the word boyfriend."

"You are the epitome of an exceptional boyfriend." Ginny squealed jumping into Blaise's lap. "I hope I have something suitable to wear. I want to look smashing for our luxury cruise."

"You'll look smashing in anything you put on. We need to be at the dock in two hours. I pretty much have everything ready. You might want to start checking on what you'll wear. You know how long that takes."

Ginny gave Blaise a slight pinch before heading to her temporary closet. "I'll overlook that comment since you've done an outstanding job arranging our night out. I'll be ready in no time."

/*/

As soon as Ginny was out of eyesight, Blaise began thinking about the shite that had gone on in his absence, admitting he was more disappointed than angry. He was gone less than twenty four hours and the second best team at OTS had thrown the rules by the wayside. The whole point of OTS agents going into the field as a team was to prevent circumstances such as Friday's mishap. He understood Donald making a shite decision, but Brian and Draco were professionals. They knew the rules were in place for a reason.

Blaise felt himself swelling up again. However, before he let himself get to a place where Ginny would notice, he summoned a whisky to help take the edge off. The drink obviously did the job, because when Ginny returned to the room, she was greeted by a very affable boyfriend.

/*/

Draco landed at the house feeling a bit relieved that his and Hermione's discussion hadn't devolved any farther than it had. However, knowing Hermione wasn't one to let anything go that didn't allow her the last word. He hadn't ruled out her need to shout it out.

And he was correct. A bare five minutes after he arrived home, Draco heard Hermione striding down the hall.

Draco was weary, but imagined himself ready for the rest of the discussion.

Without offering any kind of greeting or salutation, Hermione started right in. "What am I missing Draco? What gives you the right to walk out in the middle of a conversation? You owe me an apology."

Draco continued to unbutton his shirt. "It wasn't a conversation. The fact I didn't want to discuss Terry Boot obviously didn't sit well with you. You seemed intent on starting a row which didn't sit well with me. Yet, here you are shouting about rights. I, as do you, have the right to end any discussion we deem unproductive, and I don't feel as though I owe you an apology."

Hermione swallowed her first retort, but the subsequent words and actions weren't much better, or softer. Grabbing Draco by the arm, Hermione turned him so he was facing her. Her anger mounting by the second.

"That was quite a mouthful. Been taking lessons from Lucius, have you? What's the consensus? I'm a muggleborn so you can treat me any way you like? Like father, like son" she spat viciously. "I imagine your father has a lovely, pureblood witch lined up for you. Is that it? Is that what you don't want to discuss?"

Draco had had enough. Hermione had twisted everything around to her old fallback argument, his parents hated her and then some. She couldn't make a valid point on the one thing, so she had turned to a subject which was sure to elicit a compassionate and sympathetic response from him. Not this night. He was going to let her rant as long as she liked. Then they would talk.

And rant she did, going from one subject to the next apparently trying to find the subject which would annoy him enough to answer.

Draco had made a decision to have a rational discussion, and was sticking to it even though Hermione continued to make outrageous statements. Finally, when Hermione ran out of words and threatened to walk out on him, Draco responded.

"Before you leave, I have something to say. You've said a lot of crass things Hermione. Hopefully, they were just heat of the moment statements. Normally, if you went mad on me for one reason or another, I'd try to cajole you back to good spirits. Why is that? Why am I the one who must apologize or capitulate to keep the peace? Tonight I arrived at your flat in less than a stellar mood, which I assume is allowed in most relationships. Instead of understanding, I received a load of crap because you felt I wasn't replying as you thought I should. In addition, you expect me to apologize for something you initiated. This is a two way relationship Hermione, or it's supposed to be. When I'm wrong, I'll apologize, but I refuse to keep falling to my knees in order to keep you happy."

Hermione was at a loss for words. She hadn't expected a telling off. What she'd expected was what normally happened after an argument, solicitous overtures. Overtures that usually ended with her and Draco in a hot shag.

Hermione meant to respond in a snappy manner. However, when she finally found her voice, something entirely different came out. "Do you really think I'm that self centered?"

Any other time, Draco would have softened his stance. This Sunday night was different. He held his ground. "A bit, but I have to take some of the blame. I allowed us to get to this point by pandering to your whims and moods. I need you to recognize this because it stops here. And before you get back to accusing my parents of talking against you, let me assure you their feelings have nothing to do with what I'm saying. I've come to this conclusion on my own. If I didn't care for you, I wouldn't be with you, so let's work from there."

The anger had seeped out of Hermione as she listened to Draco state his case. She was strong willed and headstrong, but so was he. They were both at fault. Luckily, Hermione didn't voice her thoughts, because it was at that moment she realized he was right. He always gave in because she would pout, growl, frown, or stop speaking until he did.

"Do you want to break up?" Hermione asked haltingly.

Draco sighed. This was so like her to throw out a statement for shock value. Something that would make him run to her to contradict the statement. "Of course I don't want to break up Hermione." Draco replied firmly. "If I did, we wouldn't be having this conversation. What I want is for you to know I will not be a doormat. If a doormat is what you want, perhaps you should break up with me."

This sentence gave Hermione pause. Breaking up with Draco was the last thing she wanted, but her strong will persisted. "I think you're placing too much of the blame on my shoulders. We're both culpable in this….."

With annoyance creeping into his voice, Draco brought his fist down hard on the arm of the couch. "Alright. What I'm hearing now is that I'm placing too much blame on you when I'm doing no such thing. I've admitted my part in this. It's time you admitted yours so we can move happily forward."

With a huge sigh, tantamount to losing a battle, Hermione told Draco she could see his point.

That was it for Draco. She could see his point. They had been going back and forth for almost an hour, and that was the best she could offer. She could see his point.

Disappointed over the dismal outcome of a conversation he'd hoped would put their relationship on the right track, Draco gave it up for the night.

"Alright love…"

Hermione heard Draco's sentiment and was relieved. He had obviously come around to her way of thinking.

However, Draco hadn't finished his sentence.

"….. Perhaps this is a subject we can finish addressing another time," he continued, taking the gracious way out. "I think we're both tired. Additionally, I want to be well rested. I have an important, early morning meeting with Blaise, during which, I'm sure he'll have some choice words for Donald and myself. It's a shower and bed for me."

Hermione stood up with Draco's words ringing in her ears. He hadn't come around to her way of thinking at all. He was simply tired of all the talk, as was she.

Glad their little discussion was over, Hermione headed to the bedroom where she undressed and settled down on her side of the bed to wait for her man.

/*/

The wait seemed neverending. Hermione found herself turning from side to side trying to find a comfortable position. When a still damp Draco finally stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, he headed to the dresser for a fresh pair of pajamas.

Hermione's mind was so focused on getting Draco into bed, the implication of him coming to bed in pajamas didn't really register even though most nights they both slept in the nude. The question of why never crossed her mind. She and Draco had gone to bed after a spat numerous times, and worked it out through physical contact. When she climbed on top of him, or he climbed on top of her, all the worries faded away. Whatever argument there had been would dissipate completely after their first orgasm. In a few minutes, he would be moaning in pleasure, and things would be back to right.

/*/

Draco wasn't surprised to see Hermione in the bed even though he had hoped to sleep alone this one night. She could be relentless, especially after an exchange of words. The sex between them was fantastic, and when necessary she would use it as a powerful weapon in place of an actual apology or conversation. However, his chat with Severus had opened his eyes. He had been handling his witch all wrong. He had been complicit. When things were good, they were very good, but when they were shite, it was he who cuddled and cajoled until the smile was back on her face. Hermione had come to expect this, and didn't have any problem holding the relationship hostage until he caved.

As he slid into bed, Draco struggled with a few thoughts. He had spoken his piece tonight, but his words hadn't been well received, so he had two choices. He could pull Hermione on top of him and enjoy some great sex leaving his issue unresolved, or he could leave the two things separate, forego sex for the night then have another conversation Monday evening.

It would be difficult to lie beside the witch he craved without interacting, but he'd done it before. If he wanted Hermione to recognize how serious he was about having an equally shared relationship, he'd have to stop giving in.

Draco determined he wouldn't be an arse about it, but his decision was made. Sex would wait until after he and Hermione spoke and she conceded to more than just seeing his point.

/*/

Once Draco was in the bed, Hermione began running her hand up and down his inner thigh which was the first step of her foreplay. Hermione's touch normally inflamed him to where his dick stood up soldier straight, but tonight, neither his top nor bottom head was in the mood.

When Draco didn't respond to her ministrations, Hermione removed her hand, laid back on the pillow and began to spout off.

"If you didn't want me here, why not tell me to leave."

Normally, this is where he'd turn over, cuddle with her, murmur how sorry he was for making her feel unwanted then probably have sex. Tonight, he wasn't falling for it. Even though his stomach was churning over the position he'd taken, he wasn't going to act the arse, but neither was he going to play into her hands. Without turning, Draco answered with a yawn.

"We sleep together seven days a week. Why would you suddenly think I don't want you here? I'm just tired. We'll talk tomorrow. Goodnight."

/*/

Hermione laid there frowning and scowling wondering what was going on. Still unable to comprehend that a few soft words from her would have prevented the confrontation, her mind went into overdrive. At one point, Draco's words about equal footing passed through her head but were immediately discarded as she found them to be untrue. She knew how to apologize when she was wrong. It wasn't her fault she was seldom wrong.

By the time Hermione dropped off to sleep, she had just about convinced herself that Draco couldn't get hard for her and was treating her coolly because he'd been with another witch.

Already fast asleep, Draco didn't have any inkling of the shite storm brewing in Hermione's head….

….. but he would learn soon enough.