All eyes were on her. She was a nervous wreck, her fingers were shaking and she couldn't stop the drumming of her heart. The hall was dark and cold. She was sitting on a tall chair and all the people present were watching her with judging eyes. Her friends were sitting way behind her, they were waiting quietly for the trial.

In the corner of her eyes she saw him - wearing black and formal robes, the man who was suing her, the man who hated her, the father of her only child.

"Hermione Jean Granger, accused of deliberate cover of Malfoy's heir" said the old judge "do you swear upon your magic to answer the questions honestly and never lie?"

"I swear'' she said with a weak voice and raised her wand which was illuminated in a bright white light in a sign of honesty.

"Do you know and recognise Mr. Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes"

"What is your relation to him?"

"We work together, I am the Head of Department and he is my subordinate" explained Hermione

"Were you involved in a romantic relationship with him?"

"No, never!"

"Did you spend the night of 18.08.2006 together?"

"Yes we did" she nodded

"Did you have sex with him willingly without any reluctance?"

Hermione become red but answered positive

"When did you find out you were pregnant with your son Alexander Granger?"

"I found out I am pregnant on September 15, 2006" said Hermione confidently

"Did you know who the father was?"

"Yes...yes I did know" she nodded

"Did you inform him that you were pregnant and want to keep the baby?"

"I did not " She shook her head and tried to hide the tears

"After you gave birth to the baby, did you mention in the hospital who's the father so the nurse could add his name to the birth certificate?"

"No i did not" answered Hermione shortly, the way her attorney instructed her

"And you never told Mr. Malfoy that he has a son?"

"No"

"When Mr. Malfoy showed up to your house on 03.11. 2007 did you inform him you have a son?"

Hermione fell silent for a moment

"I told him to be quite or he will awaken him"

"Did he ask you if this is his son and you lied to him telling him to leave your house?"

"No!" she raised her voice " He asked me how old is he and he left."

"But you didn't tell him that he is the father of your son when you had the chance?"

"I didn't have the chance " protested Hermione "He just left after I told him how old Alexander is..."

"Are you telling me that you never had the chance to tell him the truth in the last 15 months?" asked the judge in a cold voice

"I had the chance but I didn't want to..." She was breathing heavily fighting the tears " I didn't want to ruin his love life and I wanted the baby to..."

"Answer the question, Miss Granger!"

"I had the chance, yes"

"If Mr. Malfoy hadn't found out that he has a son, did you ever have the intention to inform him?"

"No, becouse..."

"That's enough Miss Granger!" yelled the judge and pounded his wand "You are condemned of deprivation of parental rights and 17 years imprisonment in Azkaban"

"No!" She screamed and fell "No my baby... No! Harry...help me Harry...don't let them take him away..." Harry, Ron & Ginny were standing up yelling something at the judge "Pleaseeee Noooo Alexander!"

Two pair of strong hands grabbed Hermione as she was screaming "Noooo...my baby please noooo! Alexander!"

And then she woke up, all covered in cold sweat, her eyes were looking for her little son in the dark room

"Alexander" Hermione rose fast and rushed to the nursery

He was sleeping like an angel covered with a blue blanket. She took him in her hands, hugged him tight and kissed him softly on his forehead

"I love you baby, I will never give up on you " the tears falling down her face one after another " I will die but never give up on you my baby boy!"

Draco Malfoy couldn't sleep well, he knew how hard the next day will be. Seeing the mother of his child in the court was bad enough. He was mad of course but he couldn't deny his feelings for her. Hermione Granger was in his dreams and in his heart for such a long time

But he was furious and very disappointed in her, keeping his own heir in secret and lying to him was a crime. After that night in the hotel room he was felt that things between them will work out in some way but the very next day when he contacted her she told him that was not a good idea and they should forget about what happened and that was the reason he helped Blaise with covering his relationship with Tahmina Rain. Hoping that Hermione will be jealous he took the offer. If she had came to him, if she told him may be things could have been different now. Draco closed his eyes and the image of his little son came up to his mind...so little, so beautiful, so precious...and Hermione was carrying him, he remembered how she was hugging him gently..."No No, don't think about her, she betrayed you, Draco" he was thinking "She didn't want anything to do with me, I am stupid enough to love her and she made a fool out of me! Pull yourself together, be strong... her fake tears can't make you change your decision!"

The next morning Draco and his attorney were waiting in front of the judging hall. He saw Hermione and an older woman carrying his little son Alexander, probably the Nanny, right next to them was Potter, the pregnant Ginny and Ron Weasley. He knew they came to support her and looked around knowing that he is alone. Blaise was probably out of the country by now, Merlin knows how happy with Tahmina Rain. They deserve it, especially after how dangerous Nathanial Parkinson's treats were. He found out about their wicked plan and told them he will destroy them once he found were they were hiding. Pansy was broken too, she wrote a letter to Draco thinking that he is sad after Tahmina and proposed to get revenge together. He shook his head, today wasn't about Pansy or Blaise, today was about his son.

"Malfoy!" somebody touched his shoulder

The blond turned around and saw Nathaniel Parkinson

" Mr. Parkinson?"

" We came to support you" said the old wizard and Pansy showed up behind him

" Draco, my dear!" She gave him a hug

Right across them Hermione gave her son a last kiss

"Mommy loves you, baby! I swear I will be back soon...take care of him Ruth " She smiled at her Nanny and kissed his little hand "Love you more than everything in this world..." She whispered and one tear rolled down her cheek

"Hermione, listen!" Harry put his hands on her shoulders "We will fight this! You must be strong in there, we have your back, whatever happens we will fight this and will win, you are not alone , do you hear me? You are not alone!"

Hermione smiled sadly and nodded

Before they entered Ginny grabbed Harry's hand

"How can you say that? You don't know who will win?!"

"She must be strong and confident, Gin" he told her seriously

"Yes this is why she must be prepared for anything, don't give her false hopes, what if..." she whispered back a little annoyed

Two wizards in black robes stormed pass them

" Who is that?" wondered Ron and the rest of them shrugged their shoulders

"Draco don't do this! You don't know a lot of things!" the wizard took of his black hood

" You son of a bitch!" yelled Nathaniel Parkinson

They all turned to see who that was

"Blaise what the hell are you doing here?" Draci asked in shock

"Hermione doesn't deserve to be punished and to have her son takem away! She never told you about the baby and the pregnancy because of me!" Blaise told him

Everybody was looking at him as if he just said he is Lord Voldemort

"What's going on?!" Pansy cried

"It is all my fault! She would have came to you but she thought you and Tahmina are together and she kept the secret so you can move on with you life happily...But the truth is..." Blaise faced Hermione who was looking at him unbelievably "He was never with Tahmina.I asked him to make the world believe he is with Tahmina...He always loved you Granger and only an idiot can't see it…

"Its true" said Ginny sniffling " I'm sorry just pregnancy hormones... continue..."

"This court case is just him being irrational, he wants you and Alexander, he loves the both of you, can't you see how he is suffering just because their are tears in your eyes.''and then Blaise faced Draco "Give her a chance mate, don't do something you will regret for the rest f your life because of your dumb ego and pride! A child needs a father but a child needs a mother too, don't take that away from him! Why do you want to make Alexander suffer in all of this? I feel responsible for this mess and I can't just leave the country and live in peace knowing that my happiness is the cause of someone else's suffering... it's not right! I won't be able to think about having a heir of my own because I will always remember the pain Alexander is going through because of me."

"And what about my happiness, you lying son of a bitch?" Pansy asked very angrily but Blaise ignored her and continued " Mate, when I asked you to do me a favour you told me I owe you a big one and I think family and love is big enough so please take it! Take back what is yours!"

Draco and Hermione looked into each other's eyes for a moment but just for a moment because the storm had come...

Nathaniel Parkinson took out his wand

"You will regret this! We had a deal...no one is messing with me and getting away without a scratch... Crucio!"

" Noooo" the girls were screaming

Draco, Harry and Ron raised their wands as well trying to protect them. The guard called for help, the hallway became very colorfull with red, green and blue lights and a lot of cursess was heard from different directions. Everything happened so fast. Draco hugged Hermione who was carrying the baby and shielded her, behind his shoulder she saw how Blaise fell on his knees, blood was leaking from his chest and a silver knife was shining right where his heart was

"Noooo! Blaise!" screamed Tahmina but Ron was holding her tight "Let me go... Pleaseeee Blaise! Help him...Merlin Nooo!"

The black tears from her mascara fell down her face "Please don't die!"

The guards arrested Nathaniel Parkinson and Pansy took away. The Nanny took Alexander away after Hermione and Draco made sure he was fine. Ron finally let go of Tahmina and she went to Blaise's helpless body

"What have you done?! Why...Blaise...Take me with you"

Draco kneeled next to him

" Blaise..." He felt horrible, couldn't find the right words, he did not want to believe his own eyes, his best friend was dying in front of him

"Take what I owe you, Draco! Forgive her..."

And then he closed his eyes

Tahmina cried loudly

"Blaiseeeee!" she clutched his body and the aurors couldn't remove her.

Draco' s heart broke. He lost his best friend forever.

One week later

"May I come in?" he asked softly

Hermione opened the door wider holding the baby

"Of course, Draco"

They sat in the living room

"How was Blaise funeral ?" she bit her lip

"The worst thing I ever attended " He confessed

"How is Tahmina? Was she released from St. Mungos?"

"She came but never spoke to anyone, I suspect it is because of the sedative pills...her sister told me that she will move to Switzerland for a while. I can't blame her, I would go away too...but... you know... work and all.."

In that moment Hermione felt a clenching at her heart. Why didn't he say he couldn't go away because of her and Alexander...she was not being selfish but ever since that day at court all she could think about were the words Blaise kept saying. Did Draco really love her...if he did then why doesn't he say he wants her. Why is he being distant?

"Listen, Granger…we have to talk about…" he looked at Alexander who was playing with a little green stuffed dragon

"…about what happened at court and…about what will happen next…I come with peace, I don't think its necessary to fight anymore."

"I agree, Draco, what had happened was tragic enough…" she nodded

There was an awkward silence between them and after a few moments he broke it

"So, let's start from the beginning…One day Blaise came up to me…"

Hermione interrupted him kindly

"Draco, I don't think that was the beginning"

He looked at her questioningly and she blushed a little before saying

"Tell me how…uhmm...everything started, how you…uhmm"

"How I fell for you?" Draco finished for her when Hermione fell silent.

She blushed even more "Yes"

"When I started to work in your department, knowing that you will be my boss, I was annoyed and sceptical about you, I was imagining how bossy and tedious you will be but after our first project I saw something different…I saw a wise, fearless, powerful, magnificent and also an attractive witch…. And then when you saved my ass when I messed up with the deal in Russia after that Christmas gala, I couldn't thank you enough… remember when I went there without your permission, and they tried to attack me… you were so quick and afterwards you told the Minister that everything was your idea"

"You were being so damn stubborn, Draco...you couldn't give up just like that… " she laughed "You were ready to die but not step back… "

"I never stopped thinking about you ever since I pieced all my emotions together, I could have lost my life there or my job but you risked a lot and came for me…" he looked deep into her eyes and she got the chills.

"I knew you won't listen to me and I knew you will get into trouble… I couldn't afford to lose one of my best agents even if that was one of the most arrogant one" she smiled and winked ensuring him it was only a joke.

"I didn't realize how much I had fallen for you, and then at that party Theo flirted with you, I wanted to have his head on my plate!" Draco remembered "But I knew I had no chance with you until the wedding day of Pansy and Blaise…"

18.08.2006

As a maid of honour and best man, they were suppose to dance at least three times .

The first time it was awkward when they touched.

The second time it was surprisingly pleasant and warm, they even flirt a little.

The third time it was evidently clear something interesting will happen very soon

"Well Granger, who knew you were so good on the floor? "

"You don't know that…" she winked

"Wohooo who drank more champagne than usual?" Draco smirked and turned her twice, while her curls touched his face

"I'd like to see you down…"

"Maybe I prefer on top?"

'We could try this… what do you think…''

He turned her one more time and she whispered in his ear

'816'

20.08.2006

Hermione was thinking a lot about what had happened in her hotel room two nights ago, how will she look at him again - knowing that he saw her drunk and worst of all...naked, that she dedicated herself to him completely and allowed him to do many things to her. It was amazing, bloody hell...it was euphoric, but the young witch knew deep down in her heart that they were not made for each other and nothing good would come out from this encounter or union. Malfoy was very arrogant and blunt, he liked to play with ladies hearts besides, she was his boss and that was inappropriate...So she decided to face him and explain that they must forget about what had happened and to go back to normal.

Draco was thinking about that night too, he couldn't believe how lucky he was , finally Hermione opened up to him and apparently trusted him if she let him touch her and make love to her like there is no tomorrow. He could feel there magic dancing around them while they together. It felt special, as if their magic joined together that night. He was a bit drunk but he remembered every second of their time in the hotel room.

Letting her have a bit of space, he intended to invite her to dinner and talk about what happened.

One hour later, the house elf informed him that Miss Granger is waiting for him in the living room

'Granger…' he smirked ' What a nice…''

'Save it, Malfoy, you knew I would come to talk to you sooner or later' she told him seriously with her hands on her hips.

'Well...talk then' he said, a bit offended because of her tone.

'About that night in the hotel… I don't know what you were thinking but we both need to forget it and not to mention it again, it would be for the best since we work together'' she added quickly, afraid not to miss anything from her prepared speech for him.

'What…'' he rose his eyebrow' "so I guess you didn't like it..''

Hermione looked away, trying to hide her pink tinged cheeks.

'I… I did like it, it was… nice and… it was nice, but I don't think that something good will come out between us, we are very very different and honestly I prefer not to mix work and sex' she stated matter of factly.

'Well I guess there won't be any sex on the office desk' Draco smirked, hiding his disappointment about the fact that Hermione is rejecting him when he already harboured feelings for her.

'Malfoy… I'm trying to have a serious conversation here, please behave ' the witch scolded him.

'Listen, Granger, out of the Ministry, you are not my boss, so please… watch your tone" Draco told her.

'I'm sorry, you are right… What I meant was, that the things between us have to remain casual, if that is ok with you… or you want to say something else" she took a deep breath preparing for his answer.

Draco looked at her with an emotionless face, damn he was so good at that, she was jealous she couldn't read his mind or mood. He wasn't that kind of man who would lead a lost battle so he simply said

'Ok, I am fine with that…we can be casual '

Even if Hermione was hoping for this kind of answer, she felt disappointed and a little hurt, was that easy for him, maybe yes, there were tons of girls waiting for him outside. She nodded, wished him a good day and left . At the door she saw Zabini...Blaise.

'Hello, Boss… what brings you here'

'Blaise, Hi…' she smiled and looked at his tired face 'wow, somebody had enough partying, huh… I had to bring Malfoy some papers for Monday'

'So he is home, good…'

'Yeah…' she smiled vaguely 'well, have a nice day and give my best to Pansy'

'I will' Blaise told her

"Hermione, I know you think that I am some arrogant brat and all, but I swear I will never hurt my son" Draco told her and touched his son's sleeping face.

Those words made Hermione's heart melt, she wanted to hug him and to feel his strong arms around her body again.

"I swear I will take care of him and I will protect him and I will do my best to be the best father for him…only if… Only if you let me I will prove to you that I am good man ''

The witch couldn't control her tears

"Oh, Draco… I.. I will let you, of course I will.. And I don't think you are a brat…"

She stood and asked him

"Do you want to put him in the crib?"

Draco nodded and took his little son in his arms, the feeling was unbelievable . After he put Alexander in the crib he faced Hermione

"Tomorrow morning we can change his last name, after that, I want to buy him everything he needs, even though you already did, I...I also want you two to move into my house" Draco told her determined

"You want me… in your house?" Hermione asked him and her heart started to beat so fast she thought it would come out of her chest.

He came closer to her and took her little hands in his...

"I want you in my life! "

"I want you in my life too, Draco!" whispered Hermione and smiled softly while tears where threatening to spill out of her hazel Brown eyes.

She knew that it will not be easy, but it was worth it to try. There was nothing to lose but alot to gain.

24.12. 2009 Christmas Eve

Ginny and Hermione had that old tradition to exchange gifts a day before Christmas. No matter where they were or how busy there are, the two witches always managed to meet and to spend some time alone on Christmas eve.

The ginger passed her best friend a golden box with red ribbon and smiled.

"This is only for you, Mione, the baby gifts I will put under the tree and you will give it to Alexander tomorrow morning"

"I will" Hermione smiled back and gave Ginny three presents in different sizes

"The small one is for Harry…"

"Because he wasn't good this year?" laughed Ginny.

"Maybe…" smirked Hermione "The middle one is for James and the big one is for you!"

"Well, I was very good this year, I deserve it the most!" said Ginny with a loud laugh " I didn't know what to give Malfoy to be honest, but I know you already have something big planned for him" she pointed at Hermione's belly.

The curly haired witch blushed deeply.

"How… how did you figure it out, Ginny?"

"I can recognize this sparkle in your eyes, Mione, and I'm so happy for you, I can't believe how much changed in a year! How are you feeling now? How did he react?" asked the ginger.

"Yes, so much changed… When I moved in I didn't know how things between us will go and I was surprised at how fast we got along, out of the office he is so kind, loving and a protective man, he makes me feel like the most happiest and special woman in the world! Every day with him is a pleasure. He is an amazing father Ginny, he is nothing like what I had expected him to be while we were at Hogwarts. He tries his best to balance fatherhood and all his other responsibilities and I am grateful, truly I am… I can't imagine my life without him…and about the baby, we wanted it for some time now and tomorrow I will share the news as a gift, his parents will come tomorrow so, I am a bit nervous"

"Don't be, I'm sure they will be trilled the way they were when Draco told them about Alexander" Ginny assure her

"Remember when you told me how Narcissa slapped Draco for not marrying you before that?"

Hermione laughed and nodded.

"Yes, I remember that…. He was so mad, because she ruined the surprise, he wanted to propose to me on my birthday" she said

"But you were surprised after all?"

"I was, yes! " agreed Hermione "I am so happy Ginny, I love him, Alexander and the baby more than everything and anything in this world!"

"I know!" she said "and I know he feels the same… tell me what he says about the baby tomorrow okay"

'I will'

25.12.2009

'Mione, my parents just sent me a letter saying they will arrive tomorrow morning, so I guess we don't have to wait and just open the presents, Alex is eager already and I am even more eager" he hugged his wife from behind and kissed her neck, she smiled and turned to face him.

"My present is very near, but you have to close your eyes and give me your hand"

"Which one?"

"Just close your eyes silly" she kissed him and he close his eyes

Hermione took his left hand and put it on her belly

"Congratulations, Daddy" she whispered

Draco opened his eyes wide

"What?!" he smiled broadly "you...you are pregnant love? "

She nodded with tearful eyes and he began to kiss her

"The best present ever, baby! Thank you, thank you so much…. But why, why you crying?" he asked her

"It's just…I...I am so happy and emotionalyou know hormones"

"I know…but this time I'll be here for you and I won't miss anything – your big belly, the crazy cravings, the roller-coaster moods, the baby's movements, the birth, the baby's first breath… I'll be there for you through it all my love!" Draco hugged her tight

"I love you and… I'm sorry… I'm sorry for…" she couldn't finish because her husband kissed her one more time

"I know and I forgave you a long time ago… I love you! And I always will, you are everything to me! You Alexander and Scorpius are my reason to love and live every day!" he kissed her again

"Scorpius?" asked Hermione confused

"Well…this baby should have a name after all" smirked Draco

"You think it's going to be a boy? But I never told you what the test says…"

"You don't have to" he smirked "I have a talent"

"You really do… it's a boy!"

"I know you wanted a girl, but it's ok.. the next time you will be more lucky" winked Draco

"Next time?" Hermione rose her eyebrows

"Yes! I told you I want a big family"

"We'll have to think about that" she laughed

"I will…. I love you, baby! Merry Christmas!"

"I love you too… Merry Christmas, Draco!"

Switzerland 25.12.2007

Tahmina was sitting next to the window looking at the snowflakes with a cup of hot cocoa in her hands. She was thinking how beautiful it is outside and the same time how cold it is. She was missing England and was wondering if it was snowing there too. She hasn't went home since that terrible day when she lost everything, but she was wrong

"Miss Rain, open the door!" said a voice outside the room

She put her cup down and hurried to do so.

"I knew you will be here!"

"And I knew you will find me…. Blaise!" Tahmina screamed and threw herself into his arms "Oh Blaise… how? How did you do that? I was wondering if I got the correct address?"

"Let me just sit down, I am so tired!"

They lay in the master bed together and after Blaise was done kissing her and cuddling her he said

"I faked my death because I knew we will never be free if Nathaniel knew I am alive and if he is in jail even better…"

"But they pardoned him, because the knife wasn't his and after that disappeared" Tahmina interrupted him

"Yes, I charmed the knife to come back to me…. I'm so sorry I didn't warn you, but my death should have to look real, I never told anyone, not even Draco…"

"The poor thing… at the funeral he looked so devastated but I told him nothing, I was silent all the time! When I got you message I decided to act very desperate, the only thing I told my sister was, that I will move to Switzerland for a while. And I arrived where you told me to be and I waited until you come my love!" Tahmina kissed him passionately

"I'm sorry it took me some time, but I had to stay hidden, I visited one friend of mine in China, he helped me with some stuff and now, we are free, my love…free to go where ever you want!"

"What do you mean?" she looked at him with her big dark eyes

"He helped me to change our identity, I arranged a lovely house on the island of Maui… I hope you like Andrea Whilkins and Matheo Whilkins for us?"

"One surname?"

"Of course, we are married!"

"Oh, Blaise… I mean Matheo … I love you! You did the right thing, you saved our family and Malfoy and Hermione's as well!"

"I had to… He did a very big favour for me and I had to repay him… I wonder if they are together now? If they are happy?"

" I'm sure they are! I saw in the Daily prophet their wedding photos and little Alexander with them, they looked amazing together!" Tahmina told him.

"Good! Everything is well, we all are getting our happily ever after just like in this muggle books" said Blaise.

And he was right! Everything was well!

The end