Chapter 4: Mum and Dad

Hermione was lost. She was starting to regret agreeing to move into Malfoy Manor. There were some upsides to it because finally, Nick would have a man to look up to in life, but Hermione did not want Draco to be that man. He was arrogant, cocky and a downright asshole and Hermione did not want her son turning into him. As this thought crossed her mind, she thought back to the other night when Nick had asked about his father, it had saddened her beyond belief to see the look of helplessness in his eyes. She couldn't possibly know how he felt because frankly all her life she had been surrounded by men.

When she was younger, there was her father. He was an excellent father and Hermione truly loved him for that. In primary school all her friends had been males because she generally got along with them better. It wasn't really surprising seeing as in her younger years she had not been much to look at, with her hair a messy bush and her buck teeth, females generally avoided her. And then in Hogwarts, there was of course Harry and Ron, the best friends she had ever had.

Thinking about this she couldn't help but wonder whether she was being cruel, not letting Nick have a fatherly figure in his life. She could never be cruel to her child, it was inhumane. But was Draco really the best option? Could he really be the father to Nick that she wanted? She did not know. This was why she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night; these thoughts had been invading her mind, twisting her thoughts in unimaginable angles.

Not knowing what else to do, Hermione had called her parents the moment she had woken up. She had asked them to come over so that she could get their advice. The only issue was she had never told them what had happened that night at the party. They didn't even know who the father was. They arrived at around ten. Malfoy had told her he'd be there at one in the afternoon, so there was still plenty of time.

As Hermione and her parents sat in her living room, sipping silently at their teacups, Hermione's mother, Jane, spoke up:

"So, what did you want to tell us that was so important dear?"

"Well, you see mum." Hermione began. "When I was pregnant with Nick, I told you that when the time came, I would tell you who his father is."

"Yes dear, we remember. We still don't understand why you wanted to keep it a secret from us we're you parents and we love you no matter what." Said Richard, Hermione's father.

"Well, it's time I tell you the truth."

Hermione's parents stared at her, waiting for some sort of explanation, but Hermione was at a loss for words. She decided that it would be best to be as blunt as possible.

"I met him yesterday and well he has asked me to move in with him." Hermione finally said.

"What's wrong with that dear? Aren't you happy? You should be glad that Nick will be around his father. You can't be alone forever, it's not healthy."

"I know mum, but...well its difficult. This guy isn't exactly...well let's just say I'm not very fond of him."

"Come on Hermione, he can't be that bad." It was Richard that spoke this time.

"Oh, believe me dad, he is."

"Well, who is it then?"

"Do you two remember me telling you, when I was back at Hogwarts, about a guy named Draco Malfoy?"

"The guy that teased you and called you names?" Questioned Jane.

"Yes, that's the one." Replied Hermione.

"What does he have to do with this?"

"Mum, he's got everything to do with this. He's Nick's father."

Hermione's mother almost dropped her tea. "You...you mean to tell me that you had a baby with a boy that made your life miserable for seven years?" She spluttered.

"Mum, I really don't want to discuss circumstances right now."

"Why not?"

"I called you here because I need your advice." She said dodging the question the best she could. If only they knew the truth of what had happened that night, if they only knew how difficult it was to just see his face again. The worst part was that there was a small voice in the back of her head reminding her this wasn't exactly Malfoy's fault either. Yes, he had drunk the punch, but he was clueless to the fact it had been hexed, he wasn't aware of his actions. He would have never had done that to her or anyone else for that matter if it wasn't for being bewitched.

"Our advice on what?"

"Whether I should move in with Malfoy or not."

No one said anything. Hermione's parents looked at her deep in thought. Then her father finally spoke up:

"This boy, Malfoy, do you think he'll make a good dad for Nick?"

"Well, that's what I don't know."

"Look dear, we're sorry." Said Jane "This is a decision you are going to have to make for yourself. You are the one that knows him, not us."

"But-"

"Granger?" A new voice interrupted their conversation and Hermione turned around to see the devil himself standing in the doorway, "What's going on here? I thought you'd be packed by now."

"You're early." Hermione stated simply.

"Yes well, I do try and be efficient."

"This isn't efficiency, this is just..."

"Who are these people?" Asked Draco, interrupting her, noticing Hermione's parents for the first time.

"These are my parents, Malfoy" Replied Hermione.

Draco muttered something under his breath that Hermione was sure she did not want to hear.

"Mum, dad, this is Draco Malfoy."

"So, this is Draco Malfoy," Said Richard "Pleasure to meet you."

Richard stood up and held out his hand for the younger man to shake. Draco did so very reluctantly after receiving a sideways glare from Hermione. He didn't want to upset Hermione's parents; he could suck up to them and use it to his advantage later. Hermione's father then led him to the couch where he finally began his interrogation.

"Draco, my daughter tells me that you have asked her to move in with her." He said looking at Draco, his face clear of any emotions.

"That is true sir." Draco stated clearly, looking strangely at Hermione.

"Why may I ask, have you not asked her to do this before? Why the sudden change of heart?" Richard questioned further.

"Well you see sir, I was not aware I had a son until, well until yesterday afternoon."

Richard and Jane rounded to Hermione, looks of pure shock on their faces. Hermione stared at the floor, not being able to look at the disappointment in her parents' eyes. Why couldn't Malfoy just fuck off, he was going to ruin everything.

"Well keeping the father, a secret from us is one thing, but keeping it from him when it is his child, is a completely different thing altogether. How could you not tell this boy, Hermione?" Asked Jane, hoping that what this boy had told her was all a lie.

"Hermione what is the meaning of this?" Said Richard, looking scandalised.

Hermione did not answer right away, mainly because she did not know what to say. She couldn't exactly tell her parents that Malfoy had literally abused her, while being betwitched. After giving Malfoy a look of pure loathing, she turned to her parents.

"I did not tell him because...because I was confused, I mean I was only eighteen, having a baby then had not been something on my to-do list. Do you honestly think I could have told Malfoy, do you really? It would only give him the satisfaction that he had permanently ruined my life."

"Why Granger, I'm hurt, you really think I would think something like that?" Said Draco, his hand over his heart, and a look of mock hurt on his face.

"Don't you dare make yourself seem like the good guy here Malfoy, don't you fucking act like this is all my fault, because you know well that it isn't." Yelled Hermione.

"Hermione Jean Granger." Screeched Jane. "Watch your language."

"Oh, please mother, stop acting like we're living in the medieval times."

"I don't know what had gotten into you Hermione, but I had never thought that you would be so rude, come along Richard we're leaving." And with that, Jane walked out of the living room, after giving Draco a polite nod. Richard followed her reluctantly.

"Now look what you done Malfoy." Screamed Hermione.

"How can you blame that on me? I wasn't the one screaming like a bloody banshee." Snapped Draco.

"Mummy, what's going on?" Came Nick's voice from the hallway. A second later he walked into the living room wearing dark blue pyjamas with golden snitches all over them. He was clutching what looked like a stuffed dragon and sleepily rubbing his eyes.

"Nick, when did you get up?" Asked Hermione, running over to him and picking him up.

"Just now, why was gramma and grappa here?" Mumbled Nick into Hermione's shoulder.

"Mummy just had to tell them about something."

"Oh."

After rubbing all the sleep from his eyes, Nick looked up to see the kind man from Diagon Alley sitting on the couch, looking at him curiously. "Mummy, what is Mr Malffet doing here?" He asked, confused.

Hermione burst out laughing, while Draco's look of curiosity turned to a scowl.

"Mr Malfoy is here because...well because-"

"Oh, come on Granger, we're going to have to tell him sooner or later, might as well be now."

"No." Said Hermione firmly.

"Why not, he has to know, we've got to tell him."

"It's not that, off course he's going to find out. But we can't just throw something so big at him, it just isn't right."

"Who cares if it's right or not, he has to know. You know what Granger, you're being cruel, not telling him, and don't you ever think he wonders?"

Hermione did not say anything. She knew he was right, but why couldn't they just take things slowly; one at a time. All this was happening too fast, and Hermione Granger was a person that always thought things over before going through with them and here was Malfoy telling her to go against everything she did. But he was right, Nick had to know, and there was no way she would leave him in the dark any longer.

"Fine, we'll tell him." She said with a huff.

"Good to see you're finally back in your senses Granger."

"What do you have to tell me?" Asked the little boy. He had been listening to the two adults arguing and nothing they said made sense to him. He had finally come to the conclusion that they were trying to tell him something, though his mother was a bit reluctant. Nick, though young, was quite smart. It was to be expected seeing as his parents had been the top students in their grade, but Nick did not know that.

"Nick, do you remember the other night when you asked me who your daddy was?" Began Hermione.

Nick looked at her wondering what that had to do with anything but nodded anyway.

"Well, you see, running into Mr Malfoy here and discussing a few things with him, I feel as though it is finally time to tell you who your dad actually is."

Nick could not understand what his mother was trying to tell him now. He looked at her, confused. Draco noticed this and rolled his eyes, trust Granger to make things complicated for the poor child, he thought.

"Granger, why don't you just tell him properly, I don't think he can understand a word coming out...a word you're saying"

"What the hell are you talking about Malfoy; he knows perfectly well what I'm talking about."

"Actually mummy, I don't really know what you're talking about." Nick said with a pout.

Draco looked at Hermione triumphantly; Hermione simply glared muttering the word asshole. She regretted it immediately because Nick heard and asked:

"Mummy what's an asshole?"

It was Draco's turn to burst out laughing.

"Nick I never want to hear that word coming out your mouth again!"

"But mummy you said it, why can't-"

"Am I clear?"

"Yes mummy."

"Now as I was saying-"

"Granger why don't you let me explain," Interrupted Draco, after getting over his laughing fit, "I think I'll do a much better job."

"If you think you're so good then go right ahead."

"Nick, what your mother has been trying to tell you is that; I am your father."

Hermione silently giggled, thinking about how much Malfoy sounded like Darth Vader from Star Wars.

"You're my daddy?"

"Yes."

"But how?"

"I believe that you are a tad bit young to know about that." Said Draco grinning.

"Malfoy!" Exclaimed Hermione.

"But mummy, why didn't you tell me before? You told me you didn't know." Nick said, not understanding what Draco had said.

"Well...I..."

"Nick, your mother didn't lie. She did not know where I was. Now that you have found me, I'm here to stay."

To Nick it didn't seem to make any sense, but nevertheless, he jumped out of Hermione's lap, ran over to his father and threw his arms around his knees. The look that Hermione saw on Draco's face then was one that she never thought could be displayed on his sharp features. Draco picked Nick up and held him tightly. He had always wanted a son, and he would have never thought someone like Hermione could grant him that wish.