Chapter 16: A New Permanent Addition

Draco was up early that crisp Saturday morning. It had been almost a year since the fiasco with Austin and things finally seemed to calm down to a normal pattern. There had seemed to be a silent reconciliation between Hermione and Ron, even though they were never going to be the friends they once were. They seemed to have settled on an understanding and mutual agreement to civil acquaintanceship when in each others' presence.

Draco couldn't really say he was pleased to see the two in the same room again, but he could live with it when he looked at his girlfriend's peaceful smile as she slept. She slept much better these past few months. She had been waging war on her emotions and brain.

Draco smiled to her before lightly kissing her cheek and sliding out of the bed. This is what it should have been like all these years… Draco pulled his pants up to his waist, hoisting a silk lounge robe around his broad shoulders and chest. He breezed out of his room to be met with the chill of the quiet hallway. Within a few short hours, the kids would be rushing around the manor; they never managed to sleep in past 8 these days. Draco suspected it was something to do with Hermione's innate mothering that made sure they ate properly and went to bed early. Sometimes Draco wanted to curse her maternal nature. Where was the fun in doing everything by the book? Merlin knows Hermione sure didn't play by the book back at Hogwarts.

Draco entered his office and closed the doors before taking notice of the letter that was neatly placed on his desk. Perhaps it is time to deal with the matters at hand… Draco couldn't wait for everything to settle down permanently. He loved excitement and spontaneity as much as the next Slytherin; but all this up and down was too much for him. He felt himself growing older each day and the personal life problems were beginning to fog his ability to smoothly run his company.

When he opened the letter, he read all three pages quickly but with intensity before he began to scribble notes on a second paper. Hermione was sure to ask questions. He knew this day was coming, he had known for quite some time; but he didn't want to act like he knew it all along. Aurors were a pain in the arse and he didn't feel like interrogations.

"Draco, honey?" Hermione slipped into his office, her light pink, silk robe haphazardly strewn around her slender form revealing her deep mint green, silk negligee. Draco slid his eyes up her form, soaking in the sight of her shapely form hidden under the thin material. His eyes finally came to rest on hers as she walked across the plush carpet. "Is everything okay?"

"Hermione, sit. We have to talk about some serious matters." Draco sighed lightly, shifting the papers in his hands. When she was seated she looked at him expectantly. "Tomorrow, it will have been a year since Zander came to live with me." Draco started as he looked to her.

"His mother said it would be a minimum of a year. It could be months before she returns…"

"Hermione… I didn't tell you this… but she's not coming back…" Hermione's eyes grew wide as her mouth opened and closed in stunned speechlessness. "She went overseas and killed herself. She left her son in my care and in her will she had all her money forwarded to my account."

"Draco… you can't have known she would do this…?" Hermione was shocked. Draco wouldn't have let someone close to him complete suicide, would he?

"I didn't know it was her plan… but I found out a month after she did it."

"What about poor Zander?"

"He's my responsibility now." Draco set the papers down gently on the desk as he swept his hair back with his fingers. "I agreed to raise him should anything happen to his parents, I'm not breaking that agreement now. He needs me now." Hermione nodded her head in understanding but then looked at him questioningly.

"If you've made up your mind, then what is there for us to discuss?" Draco met her eyes with a contemplative look.

"We're dating, Hermione. You're a big part of my life, and I want to be a big part of our daughters' lives. It's just, now Zander is permanently a part of my life. I don't want to force that kind of responsibility on you." She smiled at this and walked over, cupping his face in her hands. She placed light kisses to his cheeks, nose, forehead, eyes, and finally his lips. She rested her forehead on his and closed her eyes for a moment before looking him straight in the eye.

"The more the merrier." With a final kiss and a light giggle she left his office to shower before the kids woke up, leaving Draco to his thoughts. It was pointless now, he had decided long ago. He just had to tell Hermione.

Hermione and Ginny got together with the children. It was time for them to go to the daycare The The two had changed the legal ownership of the daycare to their real names and decided that they would no longer stay in hiding. No one asked questions, though Hermione suspected it was out of respect more than just not caring. The only reason she told them was that she couldn't handle the pressures of the war while pregnant. It seemed to be accepted with no questions.

When they arrived to the daycare, several sights scared her. The daycare had broken glass everywhere, all the teachers and children were outside, and the building was on fire.

"Gin, take the kids back to Draco and return immediately." Hermione ran without hesitation over to the squad of Aurors standing around.

"Ms. Granger?" Hermione recognized Jay in the front of the Auror squad. She also noticed he had quickly moved up to the head inspector. When she nodded he continued. "There was a gas leak explosion in the kitchen. Two of your staff were sent to St. Mungo's with severe burn wounds, but all children and staff have been accounted for."

"Oh merlin… thank you so much." Hermione was shaken at the sight of the chaos, but relieved when he said all children were safe. Parents were on their way to pick up the children, and the daycare would be closed while an inspection was done.

"Ms. Granger, we suspect some foul play. Several businesses lately have been robbed. The suspects have used explosions as distractions."

"We don't keep any money on sight. All parents have an account set with Gringott's that is automatically paid to our account."

"There's no rare artifacts or valuables kept on sight?"

"No, sir. Just the medical, contact, and payment registries."

Jay went silent for a moment with contemplation before he nodded at Hermione.

"Excuse me, Jay?" Hermione took a couple steps to him. "Where are you from?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I still can't shake the feeling I know you." Jay just shook his head with a sad smile and walked off.

"We aren't sure where he's from. He drifted up about two years ago. Has amnesia of some sort." A female auror looked at Hermione. "He had one piece of paper with him. It was ripped and shredded but had the letter J. It was the only thing we could make of it."

Hey guys! This update came a little faster. I'm kind of filling updates with some pointless plot for now, but I hope you're enjoying it. Probably some smut coming up soon. Because I really wanna write some ^^;; Sorry its so short. I'm still trying to get into the swing of things ^^;;