Authors note: Sadly I own nothing of the Harry Potter realm...*Sigh* All contents, save the plot, belong to the lovely J.K. Rowling. This is a sequel to the song-fic 'Precious Choices'. It will make more sense if you read the previous story first. This is written in Draco's Point of View.

Chapter 1 – Rose Marie Granger

"Mother," I said one morning at breakfast. "May I see that?" I gestured to the Daily Prophet in her hand. She nodded and handed it to me then pulled her long blonde hair into a messy bun. The headline screamed out at me.

Hermione Granger's Daughter

I quickly skimmed through the article and my heart stopped for a second. Hermione had given birth on February 15th, a week ago, to a little girl, 3.13Kg and 48.26cm. The picture showed her, tired and glowing, holding a baby. Her friends Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley stood around her.

'Could it… No. She would have told me.' I thought. For almost a year, I had been replaying our meeting in my head over and over. I tossed the paper aside, deciding it was a ridiculous thought. The child couldn't be mine. She simply couldn't. I was due to marry Astoria Greengrass in 4 months time. On the 5th of June, to be exact, my 19th birthday. Happy fucking birthday to me. I ran a hand through my platinum blonde hair at the thought. Did I want to marry her? Hell, no. Was I going to? Unfortunately, yes. It was basically required. If I didn't enter into a marriage that my parents approve of, I'd lose my inheritance, along with Malfoy Manor and our summer home in Italy.

It didn't matter that Astoria annoyed me to no end. It didn't matter that my heart was in Godric's Hollow living with Potter and Weasley. There was no way I could go off and marry Hermione. My parents would be furious.

I sifted through my thoughts as I got ready for the day. Father wanted me to meet some of his business partners at the Ministry in hopes that I could earn a job there. Once again, it didn't matter that I didn't want to work there. Malfoy's work at the Ministry. We always have. So instead of being an Auror, like I want, I'll be stuck inside an office all day. Just like my father.

Like father, like son, they always say. The one big flaw in that? I don't want to be anything like my father. He is a cruel sadistic bastard and I hate him. None-the-less, until the prick dies he'll dictate my life, who I marry, where I work, how many kids I have, where I live, the list goes on. I could only hope, that he keels over soon. The sooner the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Until then, however, I'm Draco Adrian Malfoy, heir to the family fortune and my father's bitch, more or less. I'm 18 bloody years old, soon to be 19, and when my father says 'Jump', I'm still required to ask 'How high?'. Sure, I've thought about simply taking off and never coming back. But that's sort-of impossible when the only money you own is stored away in the family vault and your father has the only key.

I forgot they're names as soon as I was introduced to them. The second I was left alone, I headed to the bar and order 5 shots of muggle Vodka, my father had always been fond of it. I downed them, one after another, and felt mildly ready to face the evening. I was expected to mingle with the guests in the dining hall before dinner and, like a good son, I sucked down my last shot and did just that.

I didn't really listen to a word anyone was saying. But it didn't matter. All of the people present were more interested in showing off to the other guests. There was always a lot of one-upping at these events, another thing that I wasn't interested in.

Suddenly, I heard Hermione's name and froze. I looked around for the voice and frowned when I saw Potter and Weasley sitting at the bar. Trying to look like I wanted a drink, I headed over to them. Ever since the final war, just after graduation, I had gained a certain amount of respect for the Golden Trio. They had saved the wizarding world, after all.

"… worried about Hermione." I heard Weasley saying. He ran a frustrated hand through his curly red hair.

"I know, mate. But there isn't much we can do." Potter told him as I reached the bar. I ordered a scotch and studied them out of the corner of my eye. They looked the same as ever. Potter with his same black hair and green eyes, covered by large round glasses, that, in my opinion, kind of made him look like an owl. Weasley still had the trade mark flaming red Weasley hair, dark blue eyes and too many freckles. The only difference to them was that they seemed more muscular. I say that in a strictly non-gay-checking-out kind of way. Being a father of sorts seemed to have mellowed Potter out quite a bit. Remus Lupin had died in the war, along with my cousin Tonks, and had left behind a child, Teddy. Potter had gained custody of him after the war. The bartender handed me my scotch and I took a sip.

"What's up with Granger?" I asked them, trying to seem like I didn't care. The both glanced at me, seeming uncomfortable. I briefly wondered why and then pushed the thought away once more. She wasn't mine.

"None of your business, Malfoy." Weasley snared. I put my hands up in defeat.

"Hey, I was only asking, Weasley." I told him.

'5…4…3…' Potter sighed.

"She depressed." He said grudgingly. 'Wow, early this time.' I thought, hiding a smirk. I turned my icy blue eyes on them.

"Why is she depressed? Didn't she just have a baby? She should be happy." I said.

"The Healers say it's just a bout of post-partum depression. But we're not so sure." Potter said. "She hates staying home all day while we go to work. And by the time we get home, she's exhausted."

"Why doesn't she find a job?" I quirked an eyebrow at them.

"She's trying. But the Ministry won't let her work until Rose is at least a month old. And even after that, if she wants to be an Auror she has to get back in shape. She didn't gain much while pregnant but she gained enough to make a difference to them." Potter explained.

"So, while you guys are at work why doesn't she work out? Start losing that weight? It would give her something to do and help her get to work sooner." I suggested. They glanced at each other.

"It's not that easy Malfoy." Said Potter, exasperated. "She has a baby to take care of now. She's tired all the time. She doesn't have time to work out."

"Have someone watch the baby? I'm sure Mrs. Weasley would love to. She seems to like kids." I didn't say it in a snarky way, just stating the obvious.

I heard my father call my name and excused myself from my former classmates.

"Yes father?" I said, reaching him.

"You need to be with your fiancé." He said bluntly. I glanced across the room and saw Astoria chatting animatedly with some of her friends, no doubt explaining the grand wedding designs that Mother had showed her. I nodded once and headed over to her. Taking a deep breath, I wrapped an arm around her waist, trying to be the ever loving fiancé everyone expected.

The weeks kept passing in a blur, one day blending with the other. I was stuck at business and social events, trying to be the perfect son, future-business-man, and doting fiancé. Needless to say, it was stressful and I desperately needed a break. My break came in the form of sneaking out of my own house 2 weeks before the wedding. The thought made me angry. Mother and Astoria were once again going over wedding plans and father was busy with a business associate. I dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt as I slipped out the front door, feeling like an escaped convict.

Once outside the wards, I apparated to the middle of muggle London. I wouldn't run into press here or any of father's business friends or, thank Merlin, any of Astoria's snotty friends. But I did see a familiar head of curly brown hair disappear into a baby store. I sucked in a breath and headed towards the store.

The walls were painted in soft colors and rows of racks lined the room and cluttered the middle of the room. I glanced around and finally spotted her by the 4-6 months girls section. I headed straight for her.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing all alone in a big city like this?" I asked, placing my face right next to her ear. She whipped around and looked surprised to see me.

"Draco?" She asked, quietly.

"Hello, Hermione." I said smiling for the first time in weeks.

"What are you doing here?"

"I needed a break from all the stress at the Manor." I explained, shrugging. She continued shopping and we talked about our lives recently.

"So, how's your daughter? Where is she?" I asked finally. She tripped and I caught her easily by the arm.

"She's umm… At a daycare down the road. I needed to get some shopping done. And she's good" She said quietly. I nodded.

When she was done buying baby clothes we left the store and walked down the street. She seemed nervous as we entered a brightly lit room decorated in bright, energetic colors.

"Hello Ms. Granger!" came a woman's voice. I turned to see a woman about mid- to late-thirties with flat, shoulder length, brown hair and big blue eyes.

"Hi Clarice. I'm here to pick up Rose." The woman nodded and went into a room off to the side, coming back with a purple bundle.

"Here she is. She slept most of the time. I've already changed her nappie as well." She handed the bundle to Hermione.

"Hi sweetie." She cooed at the bundle. I stepped up behind her and my heart stopped. Nestled in the purple blanket was a baby. A baby with curly, dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes. A baby that looked almost exactly like me. I swiftly went to the door and waited for her to finish talking to Clarice. We definitely needed to talk.

She finally thanked the woman and walked towards the door. I held it open for her.

"Come on." I said immediately.

"What?"

"We need to talk. Follow me." I led her down the street to a small park that was deserted this time of day due to school. We were both silent and my head was spinning.

'She's mine. Why the bloody hell didn't Hermione tell me? Did she think that just because I'm getting married would mean that I wouldn't care?'I was quickly getting angry. We reached the park and she set the baby down on the ground by a picnic table and spread out the blanket. It was a nice day, the temperature was warm enough that I was starting to sweat. She sat down at the table quietly, watching her daughter, and I sat next to her.

"What do you want to talk about?" She finally asked. I had to resist the urge to start screaming.

"Your daughter." I said. I turned to look at her and noticed she was a little pink. I wanted her to tell me that Rose wasn't mine. I wanted her to blatantly deny it. "Who's her father?" I asked, trying to stay calm. She didn't deny it.

"I'm almost positive that you know who her father is. Blond hair and blue eyes? I only know one person that looks like that." She sighed. I squeezed my eyes shut, clenched my fists together and tightened my jaw.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I finally growled out.

"Because I knew you were getting married and you already didn't want to. If you knew I was pregnant it would have made it harder for you."

"So instead you kept her from me?" I blew up. I didn't care if anyone else heard. I yelled. "I've had a daughter for 4 fucking months with the woman that I... That I care about tremendously, and no one felt the need to tell me?" She flinched.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "It seemed like the best idea at the time." I glanced over and my heart broke when I saw tears streaming down her face. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair agitatedly before sitting down next to her. I placed my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. As I gazed down at the baby, I felt myself calming down. She was dressed in a white shirt and purple sweatpants with little white shoes. She was adorable.

Suddenly, I saw a life flash before my eyes, a life that could be mine. I could ditch Astoria and my parents, along with the money and property, and get a job at the Ministry as an Auror. Hermione and I could live together and raise Rose. I glanced over at Hermione, who was still crying. I put an arm around her and pulled her into my lap. Her head came to rest on my chest and she seemed to fit perfectly in my arms. Had I meant what I said? Did I really care about her that much? I wasn't sure. But one thing I did know is that seeing her cry broke my heart.

I wanted that life more than I had ever wanted anything. I wanted to marry Hermione, not Astoria. I wanted to live in a small house in the country, not at the Manor. I wanted to be an Auror, not a Ministry lackie. But most of all? I wanted to make lots of brothers and sisters for Rosie. I often teased the Weasleys about having 7 kids but, if I was being honest with myself, I knew it was just because my life as an only child sucked. I had wanted brothers and sisters, at least one sibling. I had even asked mother for a little sister for Christmas when I was 5.

"Would you like to come to Godric's Hollow with me?" Hermione asked quietly. I nodded and grabbed her shopping bags. She gathered up Rose and then apparated us to Godric's Hollow. We arrived in front of a white house with Gryffindor red shutters and accents. The porch looked like it wrapped all the way around. There was a large willow tree in the front yard with a swing hanging from a branch. The yard was large and green with flowers lining the porch. It was a pretty nice house. It was 2 stories with an attic. She pushed open the gate that fenced in the yard and walked up the stone path to the front door. I followed quietly.

The inside of the house was just as nice as the outside. The front door opened into a hallway that had photographs, muggle and wizard, down both walls. The first door on the left led to a small living room. It was cozy with a fireplace, a large couch, and tons of book shelves. The room was decorated in whites and browns. The next door on the left looked like a bathroom. The only door on the right led to a kitchen and dining room decorated in shades of blue. At the end of the hallway was a closed door and towards the middle was a staircase. I followed her up the staircase and came up in another hallway with 3 doors to the left, right and directly in front of us. This hallway was lined with photos as well. I glanced around and guessed that the room on the right was Weasley's due to the fact that it looked a mess. I saw a few pictures of the trio in Hogwarts and a few of a baby with strange colored hair. I could only assume this was Teddy, having inherited his mothers Metamorphmagus genes. She opened the door in front of us and we went in.

There was a queen sized bed in the corner with a crib at the head of the bed. A dresser stood against the wall to the right, next to what looked like a walk in closet. I set her bags down on the bed.

"Mind if I use the loo?" I asked.

"It's through there." She pointed to the closet. Confused, I glanced inside to see another door on the back of the closet. I pushed it open to reveal a good sized loo. I relieved myself and washed my hands then went back to the room. Hermione was busy putting things away. I walked over to the bed and sat down next to where Rose was laying. Once again, I studied her, still surprised to see my own features on such a tiny, adorable person. "Would you like to hold her?" Hermione asked. I glanced up to see her leaning against the dresser gazing at us with a slight smile on her face. I nodded, unable to speak.

She came over and picked Rose up carefully then laid her on my shoulder.

"Put your arm under her bottom to hold her up." She told me. I did so. Instinctively, I started patting her back as Hermione turned to finish putting things away. "Don't pat her back too hard…" She said. It was too late for that however. Rose let out a burp and I felt warm liquid splatter on my shoulder.

"Urgh!" I said. Hermione laughed and took Rose from me, handing me a washcloth. I took it and tried to wipe the spit up from my shirt. I gave up and pulled the shirt over my head, careful not to get spit up in my hair. "That was disgusting!" I exclaimed. Hermione laughed.

"Here, give me your shirt. I'll clean it." She laid Rose back on the bed and took my shirt. Our hands brushed as she reached for it and we both froze. Her eyes traveled up my abdomen and chest to rest on my lips. It felt like it had been a lifetime since we had last kissed. Without stopping to think about what I was doing, I dropped my shirt and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards me. Her brown eyes locked with my blue ones. My hand raised of its own accord and hovered near her cheek. She hesitated for a second before leaning into my hand. The instant my hand touched her cheek, I pulled her up against me and pressed my lips to hers.

Fire exploded between us. A year of built up feelings rushed out all at once. I felt like I was drowning and Hermione was my anchor to land. The kiss was fast and passionate.

"What the hell?" We jumped apart at the voice and turned towards the door.