Hy everyone, I hope you are enjoying this story so far. Please leave me a review with your thoughts. As Always Rated M for Lemons and Language. Until next time.

Chapter Three

Hermione

The next few weeks went by in much the same fashion, Blaise Zabini was a bit of a manwhore and sometimes I wanted to hex him for the things he says but he is good at what he does.

Blaise is an PR advisor of sorts to Draco, he deals with all of the things I do just in a Slytherin way. The Photo of Draco and I was published and following a frantic FLOO call from my children and I assured them we were working together and nothing more that photographer made it his mission to catch us together.

He was not successful, all of our meetings were now held with either my assistant, his or Blaise himself. We had them in either my office of his own. The press still followed us around individually and like to make up stories or because we had not been seen together for a while they liked to think there was trouble in paradise.

Either way our working relationship was even more than I thought it was going to be. I haven't given him enough credit before but Draco Malfoy knows business. He knows how to make a good business deal and how to be political about it.

I had learnt a lot from him over the past few weeks and our professional relationship was exactly that. Professional but ever since that kiss my nights have been flooded with dreams about him.

The first night it happened I had tried to play it off as absurd but it truly wasn't, I have felt those muscles and had those lips on my body. The dream did not do it justice but they still made me fight the urge to blush up until this point.

"So I was hoping to pick your brain about something?" It was the end of our last business meeting before Christmas, the children were coming home tomorrow for the Christmas holidays and I couldn't wait.

"Of course, go for it." I packed all of my papers as my assistant asked if he could go for lunch, apparently he was proposing to his girlfriend at Christmas and needed to pick up the ring. It was the first time we were alone since my kitchen.

"George Weasley has offered me a business proposal and I am inclined to accept it. Weasleys store has done exceptionally well, his new store in Hogsmeade had sold out in an hour when it opened." It was true, George had worked hard to make the shop a legacy for Fred and it had worked.

" So apparently there is a little storefront beside his own that he wants to expand into, he wants to make ot a sort of beauty apothecary, custom made products and merchandise etcetera. It is in a fantastic location and if we can come up with a way to customise everything for people then I think it could make a fortune." I smiked at him as he spoke about a new business deal. He was like a little boy in a candy store.

" Well Mr Malfoy, I think I have just the thing for you." I lifted out a piece of Parchment and drew out all of the runes, arithmancy and spell needed to customization. It was something I had worked on in school considering my hair but never could get time to actually do it.

" Now if you are doing a custom idea you are going to need a cheek swab. Essentially a big chunk of DNA and with that you can tame curly hair, volumise straight hair and even face creams etcetera is all encoded using the persons DNA." He looked from the page to my face and smiled a huge giant smile before setting it down on the desk in front of him.

" Fuck Granger, is there anything you cant do. I will set up a meeting with Weasley, you should come and explain this. I underatand about half of it, I am sure George will understand the other half but I think we might need a translator of sorts. If this is lucrative you could make a fortune Granger once its patented." I shook my head at him and packed the last of my things.

" Oh please, after the war I ended up with more money thsn I knew what to do woth because of that bloody Order of Merlin and magazine interviews and anonymous donations it was ridiculous really. I insist you patent it in your own name or Georges and not mine." I stood to put on my blazer again and he came over to meet me. I can't believe I was alone with him again. This was not good I had to get out of this office.

" Granger... I see you have RSVP'd to my mothers party, I want a dance. If we are going to continue this ridiculous thing of staying apart and never being alone then I want a dance. Will you save me one?" It was all I could do to nod as he got close to me again. One of his hands tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear and my eyes met his.

" Draco, you are really pushing my resolve here, I am technically still married. I cannot start something with you." He pushed my bottom down onto his desk and moved in between my legs. God I want him, but I can't.

"So what you are saying is once you get divorced, its a possibility? I have to tell you Granger I have been having some very naughty dreams about you and that kiss we shared." He was pulling me down for a kiss quicker than I can say anything else.

His hands pressed against my asscheeks and pulled my pelvis flush against his, his hands felt like fire and I could feel my resolve breaking and I just pulled hin closer.

" Fuck Granger." He hissed in my ear as I raked my nails down his back, he wrapped my legs around his waist and feeling his hands trail up my thigh broke me out of it.

"Hold on just, wait." He was panting against my lips and I could feel that very impressive erection pressed against me. I did feel bad because I had left him already with blue balls but fuck we really shouldn't be left alone together.

"Granger I am sorry I just... I can't control myself." I laughed at him as he leant bacl to take me in. He had a geniune smile on his face before he leant in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead again.

"I am sorry too, I have tried to get Ron to sign the papers but he hasn't and I cannot in good conscious do this whilst I am still married... No matter how much I want to." He smiled at me and trailed his hands gently over my cheek before doing something I thought was completely uncharacteristic of him.

"Granger, I just want you to know something. When we were in school I have always found you extraordinary and to have seen what kind of intelligent, sexy and caring woman you have became has humbled me." He placed a small kiss on my lips and walked back over to the chair on the other side.

It took me a good ten seconds to catch my breath and turn to him. I honestly didn't know what to say to him, I am going to have to get out of this room or I am gonna pounce on him like some kind of jungle cat.

"I will see you at the ball Malfoy, I will save you a dance." He nodded and smiled before I left to go back to the office, nothing was getting done the rest of that day and I went home and dreamt of Draco Malfoy again.

/--/--/--/--/--/

A sea of children erupted from the Hogwarts Express and I could see plenty of red hair but none belonging to my own children. Harry and Ginny already had left with their brood and just as I saw Rose wave at me she was dragging over a young boy who was the spitting image of his father.

"Mum!" She threw her arms around me leaving a nervous young man behind her, I relished in the feel of my daughter being home, god its amazing how much I missed her.

"Mum I want to introduce you to Scorpius, he is the friend I was talking about." My eyebrows must have been at my forehead, I knew a young boy had helped her when she was given grief from some bitchy girls but I didn't know it was Scorpius Malfoy.

The young man really was like his father, that blonde hair and grey eyes was an extraordianry trait to have. I could see my daughter light up around the young boy and instantly I felt my stomach drop.

Did my little girl have her first crush? It would only make sense, she has never really bothered with boys before and I realised this was the next stage of the parenting conveyer belt.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Young Man." He held out his hand for me to shake and he bowed slightly which caused Rose to swoon.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Mrs Weasley." I nodded at him and before anyone could say anything I could hear his voice behind me.

"There you are Scorpius... I was wondering where you had gotten to." I shouldn't have been surprised to see him but alas there he was.

"Sorry Dad, Rose was just going to ask her mum." This was when I realised they must have came over for a reason.

"Ask me what?" She had a small blush on her face and both of them looked embarrassed at me.

"Well you know the way we were going shopping for dresses for the ball. Lady Malfoy has invited us with her to her home to get custom ones. I was just coming over to see if I was allowed to go?" I was confused for a second before I realised she meant right this very moment.

"Now? Rose tonight is your night with your father and your first sleepover since summer." Her face went bright red in Anger and I really thought she was going to stomp her feet.

"I am not sleeping in that house mother. I will go over to grandma Mollys but I am not staying with him." I knew Rose had taken it hard when she found out about her father, bit she still had so much anger inside of her.

"You most certainly are Rose Weasley, he is your father and you will stop this attitude of yours because regardless of anything that has happened between us both as a married couple, the fact remains he is your dad and he loves you." She still looked livid and I added it on.

"It was very kind of Lady Malfoy to offer so we shall go and be thankful to her but you will stop this attitude Rose. You and your brother will go to Christmas dinner with the Weasleys and your father." Hugo had arrived at this point and had heard me scolding his sister.

" You're not coming are you mum?" I could see Draco pull Scorpius away slightly to give us some privacy and to shield us from other people too as I looked at my two children.

" I cannot sit at that table this year, maybe next year but I just don't want things to be awkward ok." I could tell they were going to try and change my mind about it up until that point but I think they could see how stressed I was and let it go for now.

" Ok then lets go." We went to the Apparition point when I grabbed Rose and Hugo and we landed in the Foyer of Malfoy Manor. I hadn't been back to this house since the night I was held captive. I almost didn't recognise it, it had large windows at the back which let in so much winter sun and practically illuminated the whole entrance.

"WOW!" Hugo looked at his sister and winked before whispering she was gonna marry well. My stomach dropped at that, was she already dating this boy? I would need to have a chat with my daughter later on.

Draco and Scorpius the former looking a bit white and Scorpius looking embarrassed. He must have came to the same conclusion as me. Our children if not already were probably going to have a relationship at some point.

"Ah my boy!" In a way that was very unlike Narcissa Malfoy she ran down the stairs in heels at that and her grandson smiled at her and ran towards her.

"Granny... I missed you." Draco shook his head as the boy hugged his grandmother and upon seeing these interactions it made me smile and any stress I had upon coming to this house instantly disappeared. Soft footsteps echoed and Lucius Malfoy looking exactly the same appeared before chuckling at his wife.

"Salazars Snake Narcissa, the boy is only home let him breathe." With as much grace and elegence as I see in ballerinas he descended the stairs towards his family . His eyes faltered once he saw me and my family but gave a smile that I was almost eighty percent sure it was genuine.

The young boy smiled as his grandfather held out his hand to shake before pulling his arm in for a hug. I was then greeted by Narcissa who walked towards us.

"Mrs Weasley. Thank You for coming. I know from Scorpius he and your daughter have became fast friends." I nodded my head as she ushered us into the house and up the stairs. Once we reached the top a house elf was waiting to take our coats. He was dressed in what looked like a black toga with a large Silver clip at his shoulder holding it together.

"Before you go on a tirade Granger, they were offered freedom and did not take it, they are paid generously for their work." I glared at his teasing tone and I could see his mother giving us side glances so I just ignored him.

"Why do you call my mum Granger? She is a Weasley now." Hugo seemed a little put off by Draco being so familiar with me but after I glared at him he stopped the evils he was throwing.

"Force of Habit I guess , I used to call her Granger when we were at school and it's a hard habit to break." We were guided through the door and I saw Theodore Nott standing looking extremely well in a three piece suit and handing a drink to Zabini.

"Granger, you look as gorgeous as ever." He looked between Draco and I before smirking and I just held my wand in my wrist to get his attention.

" Zabini I understand being you is very difficult because well I have met you but can I just ask one thing from you. Please, refrain from being your usual vulgar, distasteful self in front of my children." He looked offended before smirking and taking a sip of his drink.

"Do you know how gorgeously shagg..." I silenced him as Narcissa slapped him across the back of the head in a way I had seen Molly Weasley do.

"Ok, so I didn't make myself clear, the next inappropriate thing that comes out of your lips directed at me I will take that glass and shove it so far down your throat you will drinking it from your arse. Do I make myself clear?" He nodded before I unsilenced him and Narcissa told him to get out he was already fitted.

" Lady Malfoy you wound me, I was hoping to see you in your gorgeous gown. " Ah so he was a deplorable flirt with everyone.

"Blaise I am not your mother but please do not make the mistake thinking you are too old to bend over my knee." He waggled his eyebrows at her before kissing her on the cheek.

"Oh that sounds like fun, do you promise?" Lucius just grabbed him by the neck and started to trail him outside the room. His eyes landed on Rose again and winked before Lucius threw him out of the room and he landed on his arse outside.

"Fifteen Blaise! She's Fifteen." He ran off and I couldn't help but let out a shudder at that man, he wasn't a bad person just an unbearable flirt and had no filter between his brain and his mouth. I know he had no interest in Rose or he would have bern hexed but it seems he loves to rile uo Draco judging by the furious face.

"Blaise had been a family friend for a long time, unfortunately he never had much of a father growing up so that is the only excuse I have for him, he was possibly dropped as a child. " I nodded at Malfoy who just looked at me with those wanton eyes.

"So Theo what selection do you have for us today." I knew Theo had opened a high end boutique in Diagon Alley, it had a secret entrance to the other side of the shop which catered for Muggles too. Before I could say anything else dresses were handed to Rose and I before a small makeshift changing room appearedasthe boys were ushered to the other side to try on dress robes.

After so many outfits Rose had chosen a lovely dark blue, her favourite colour. Her house colours was an easy choice for my daughter. Ron was surprised Rose was sorted into Ravenclaw but I wasn't, she devoured knowledge from she was a small child.

Narcissa had chosen a beautiful wine coloured dress which made me envy the woman even more. I could see her looking at it from all different angles before she spotted me watching her.

"Ageing as gracefully as I can. Somethings are not how they used to look." I smirked and held up two different dresses in my hand.

"You still look the same to me Lady Malfoy." She, smirked at me and came over to sit down beside me.

"Call me Narcissa. I am pleased to say that is not the case with you. You have grown into an amazing witch Hermione, to see how much you have effected change in our world is incredibly humbling. I am ashamed of the part I played in the war and in your capture here. " I had never spoken to anyone about what had happened at Malfoy Manor and being here now it was like a different place.

" I appreciate that Narcissa, I really do. You are not my enemy and I think someday we could be friends." She smiled and stood up before taking the red dress from my hands and giving me the forest green with black filtered through it and chased me to try it on.

" I always thought you would make a good Slytherin, without the complication of your blood status you would have done well in my house. According to Severus you set him on fire in your first year?" Once I tried on the dress I knew it was the one. Hugo looked so grown up in his suit and I nearly melted at seeing Lucius Malfoy all dressed up. He held onto his wife and gave a small kiss on the forehead when no one was looking.

"They were lucky, their arranged marriage ended in true love, I was not sofortunate. So I couldn't help but overhear you are alone for Christmas. You could always come here." My head snapped up as I pulled on my heels over my stockings.

"I don't think that is a good idea." I wasn't aware other Malfoys were listening but it seems my children were too.

"Oh no mum, that is a brilliant idea. If we are going to Granny Mollys I won't have to feel bad at you being alone. You cannot eat whatever pitiful meal you make or order for yourself." Draco was grinning at the fact that he has my daughter on board also.

"Of course, we do insist, if you feel comfortable then please do feel free to join us for dinner." I looked Lucius Malfoy in the eye and in that moment I realised he had changed his ways as the smile was genuine.

"Ok, ok. Thank you I would love to." They all smiled at me, I seemed to please my children for now. We spent another hour or so in Malfoy Manor with Scorpius giving my children a tour and us adults having a cup of tea. I could get used to the Malfoys very quickly. Theo went back to the shop with our selections and a few alterations leaving us. I was asked to come at anytime on Christmas morning.

With one final glance at Draco Malfoy we went through the FLOO to my old home and stepped out to be greeted by Ron who looked pissed. I sent him a Patronus to let him know we would be late and where we went.

Hugo started talking to his father about Malfoy Manor and Rose just ignored him and went to her room. After a few minutes Ron asked Hugo to go put his trunk away and I was left alone.

"Malfoy? Why is the hell are my children hanging around Malfoys." I then explained Roses friendship with Scorpius and that sent him off on a whole different spiral.

"No daughter of mine is gonna be friends with a fucking Malfoy Hermione. Is this because of him, I saw that picture of you and Ferret. Are you shagging him?" I took a step back from his vicious words and he knew he had been an arse but he couldn't take it back now.

"So what if I was, you were shagging that woman in our bed for merlin knows how long Ron, you don't get to ask me questions like that. I didn't sleep with him, but I had the opportunity to, he wanted to and you know what so did I." I seen his face drop and his whole body looked like something was crushing him. The sadistic part of me was happy but the other side of me hated it.

"I was in so much pain after losing our little girl, so much pain. I didn't want to talk about it and everyone kept pushing me to and you kept pushing. After three months you stopped, I need you to tell me is that when you met her? I bet it was, three months. I'm right aren't I, have you been seeing her since then?" He didn't say anything, it was there and then I felt like such a fool, my husband has been cheating for a whole lot longer than I thought.

"That's what I thought. I am going to say goodnight to the kids and go home. Can you please tell your mother I won't be at Christmas Dinner but the children will. I might have been partly to blame for pushing you away Ron, but our marraige is over. No one forced you to fuck someone other than your wife, so please sign the papers and let me go." He started to cry and I realised then that I was too and I just walked past him.

I went to see Rose with her headphones in reading a book and Hugo playing his game. I said goodbye to them both before apparating. As I landed in the living room I couldn't help but break.

My knees buckled under me and I collapsed, I lay on the ground for a while before giving myself a shake. This was not me, I was not going to lie here and let this destroy me. I can do this. I can be alone, I needed something I just wasn't sure what it was.

I stripped off my clothes after drawing a warm bath and sunk deep into the water. As I waved my wand a glass and bottle of wine flew into my bathroom and poured a generous glass becore setting it on the floor beside the tub.

I needed some change, something new, I quickly sent a Patronus off to Lavender who had opened a salon with Penelope Clearwater and catered for both muggle and magical also. Within a few minutes her little seahorse came floating into the room and told me she would be there in ten.

I got out of the tub and dried off before throwing on my track pants and tank top just as the FLOO erupted . Lavender and Parvati rolled out almost together and ran to give me a hug.

There was hugging and drinking and makeovers apparently. They heard about Ron and Lavender hugged me before telling me I was better off and then I realised we were all exes of Ron in some description.

Parvati was ignored at the Yule Ball, Lavender was dumped for Hermione apparently and Hermione was betrayed cheated on. Sisterhood of Exes is what Parvati called it. Lavender worked magic on me, she had darkened my hair and cut it so it sat just below my ears, it had reddish gold highlights and was all choppy and messy in a good way.

She plastered a light tan on my body, just maybe one shade darker to where it was like a glow. Whatever she did to my eyelashes made my eyes pop and I looked good. I hadn't felt this good since my wedding day. After that there was more drinking, they raided my closet and Parvati puked in my Prada bag before I put her to bed and Lavender helped me tidy up.

"Hermione, I am sorry if I was rude to you in school, and the whole thing with Ron looking back was just ludicrous. I wanna thank you for letting me into your home considering what I am." Lavender was bitten by Greyback and was now a werewolf.

"I don't judge you Lavender, I really don't care about that. You're welcome in my home anytime." She smiled and hugged me again before we all fell asleep in my bed like a slumber party.

-/--/-/--/-/--/-

It was Christmas Eve and we had just gotten in from our Christmas Shopping, Rose and Hugo were wrapping their presents and I was in the kitchen starting Cocoa. Every year we usually watched Elf and Miracle on 34th Street in succession with hot cocoa, marshmallows and lots of crap.

"Hey mum can I invite Scorpius?" Hugo actually liked Scorpius as they both had a love of Dragons. Once Hugo found that out he had a friend for life.

"If you want, has he ever seen a movie?" Somehow I doubted it but you never know. He ran to the FLOO and contacted him he was through after about ten seconds and as the microwave dinged I got a fright when I heard Dracos voice.

"This looks like fun." Luckily it was only a bowl of popcorn and not anything hot because it flew up into the air, he flourished his wand and before they hit the floor they floated back into the bowl.

"Shit! Malfoy you gave me a fright, god at least your fathers shoes click when they walk you however need a fucking bell." He smirked and took a bite of popcorn before helping me with the food.

"Two curse words in ten seconds, nice Granger. Didn't know you had it in you. Sorry for crashing your party but I have already had it up to here with my parents and I am not staying in the manor. It's not safe." I laughed at his boyish attitude towards his parents.

" Why are they fighting?" He scoffed shook his head as I started shoving sweet packets in my pockets and went to walk out when he answered me.

"Oh Merlin, I wish that was the case, the library, the master bathroom, the kitchen and the lounge are all of the rooms in the manor that I have walked into over the past two days to find my parents engaging in a very active sex life it's disgusting. My parents are getting it more than I am, its horrid." I stopped and looked at Draco for a second before I couldn't hold in my laughter.

"So Papa Malfoy still got it huh! I can tell by looking at your mother that she is influentually sexual but you dad is more reserved. I bet they have fantastic sex when he lets himself go. " I knew I was turning him green slightly but I couldn't help it.

"Granger, that is disgusting. Please stop thinking about my parents having sex. I am crashing your movie night because I am not going to risk any more incidents until after Christmas. I have told them to calm it down, now Scorpius is home but fuck I need a break. What are we watching?" He walked past me into the living room and plopped onto the corner of the L shaped couch as the kids got comfortable on the floor with blankets and pillows strewn all over.

" Have you ever seen a movie Mr Malfoy?" He nodded his head at Hugo and told them he had a standing date night with his mother every month which prompted Hugo to want a date night with me which was sweet.

We watched two movies and at some point I had slung my feet up and he pulled them onto his legs and rubbed the soles of my feet. Ron had never rubbed me feet, I couldn't help but compare them both but I have been.

We ate so much food including the Chinese which apparently was nicer than the Burrito we got. All in all it was a good night. Hugo asked if Scorpius could stay but considering it was Christmas Eve I didn't think it was right.

"We can have a sleepover before you all go back to school but for now go and take another twenty minutes and I will help Granger clean up." They ran off upstairs leaving us alone again, I could hear him follow me into the kitchen and put things into containers as I filled the dishwasher to put it on.

" I don't think I mentioned... I like the hair." I thanked him and he twisted a small strand around his finger before tucking it on one side behind my ear and I waved my wand to allow everything to go back go the cupboards and fridge.

"I needed something different." He nodded his head as he pulled his coat on and it felt like his eyes were burning into me. I honestly dont know what has caused me to feel like this when I am around him but I truly cant stop it.

I had to keep reminding myself like a mantra that my children were here. I think that was keeping him in check too. How am I supposed to get through a Christmas Dinner with him looking at me like that. Luckily the children came back down and he went home promising to see me in the morning for dinner. I am so majorly fucked.

That's all folks, so I do love Narcissa and usually I try and make her kind in my stories. Lucius is usually thrown to the wolves but this time I wanted to make him redeeming also. His loyalty to his family that he feels he failed and needed to redeem himself.

So please enjoy a chill Lucius Malfoy.