Chapter 1: Meetings & Greetings
Five Years Later
Hermione sighed into a steaming mug of green tea as she watched her niece, sprawled out on the floor, coloring in her coloring book. `Oh Merlin, things can't get any worse.' She thought sniffling as she watched the little girl. She took a deep breath to settle herself for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. It would only make things harder if she went around sobbing over this dreadful week.
She walked into the nursery and shrunk several boxes full of toys, books, and pictures to a more manageable size and packed them all into a couple of larger boxes. Tears she'd been trying to hold back all week were welling up in her eyes once again and she sank to the floor pressing her face into her hands trying to stop the emotions. She was trapped in a nightmare and it just wouldn't end, she couldn't wake up. Her whole world was slowly coming apart and there was no stopping it.
Fleur had died at the begging of the week and though Hermione hadn't seen or heard anything from her since she dropped Lily off, she still grieved for her step-sister. She'd tried to make contact with her to see how she was doing but she had literally disappeared off the face of the Earth until the news of her death arrived. The pictures from the crash had been horrible. She'd apparently been arguing with her boyfriend while they were leaving a party and he lost control of the car in his fury.
The funeral had been short, with only a few close friends and family members there. Hermione and Lily had stayed with her parents for a day or two. Her step mother and young step-sister had cried until there were no tears left and Hermione had stayed to help her father console them. Lily seemed rather unaffected by these events, as she'd never known her biological mother. Hermione had helped her compose a few letters to Fleur but as with her own, they never got a response.
Upon returning home Hermione had found the court summons that froze her heart. She had been whisked away to court to battle with a panel of highly paid heartless lawyers for custody of her beloved niece. She'd hired the best lawyer she could afford but the battle was won before it even began. Lily's biological father was apparently a very rich man and his lawyers had the court won over in seconds. Anger flashed in her eyes as she tried to imagine the arrogant man who'd never even bothered to show up do court to fight for his daughter, but then again it wasn't really a fight. More like, he just demanded to have his daughter brought to him whether Lily believed she belonged to Hermione or not. Claiming she was practically her daughter couldn't measure up to blood ties when money was involved and Lily was too young to decide what she wanted.
Tears spilled down her face now, as they had done in the courtroom when they'd proclaimed Lily was to be taken to her biological father on the date of his choosing. The man was ruthless too sending word that he wanted Lily brought to him by the end of the week. Hermione sealed the box she'd been working on and looked sadly around the empty room. She told herself she could turn it back into her art room as it had once been because it had the best view of the garden but inside she knew she never would. She'd only torture herself by leaving it as it was to remind herself of the adorable little girl she'd come to love as her own.
She bit her lip, pressing a hand to her mouth trying to muffle the sobs that were racking her body now. `What am I going to do without her?'
"Mummy?" Lily asked uncertainly as she peeked through the slightly ajar door. "Why are you crying?"
The soft padding of her tiny feet hurrying across the room to hug Hermione made it hard for Hermione to pull herself together, knowing that, that sound would be gone now. There'd be no tiny padding feet, squeals of laughter, bed time stories, early morning cartoons, or tiny body sneaking into her bed in the middle of the night after a nightmare. She had no reason to plan birthday parties or drive to the day care center before and after work. She could get rid of the stepping stools around the house. She sniffled wiping away the tears on her cheeks and holding Lily close to her. No more bear hugs or sloppy wet kisses. No more adorable little out of tune songs and surprise arts and crafts.
He'd get to enjoy that now. He got to steal her joy away from her and she hated him for it. Hermione wasn't a hateful person but a cold hand gripped her heart whenever she thought of Lily's father. She'd tried to imagine him before and had almost brought herself to look for him once or twice but then she'd remember Fleur's words and thought it best not to risk hurting Lily by involving him. She'd always figured if he wanted her, he'd search her out. It hadn't really occurred to her that maybe he was searching. Based off of what Fleur told her she'd figured the man could careless about the baby.
With a deep breath she gathered Lily up into her arms and levitated the large boxes behind her out to her car. She expanded the trunk with a flick of her wand and packed all the boxes inside before opening the back door and strapping Lily into her seat. Lily stared at her with a sad lost look on her face. She had a vague idea of what was going on. Hermione had told her about having to stay with her papa far a while and taking all her things with her but she'd cried and said she didn't want to go. She was very advanced for her age and easily figured by all the boxes what was going on. Somehow she knew throwing a tantrum wasn't going to put her back in her room with all her stuff; especially if screaming and raging about not having a papa, when Hermione tried explaining things to her, didn't work.
Hermione sat sideways on the back seat stroking the little girl's hair trying to comfort her. Her little girl wasn't stupid, the hurt look in her eyes let Hermione know she had some understanding of what was going on.
"I love you Lily, no matter what. You know that right Lily?" Hermione said fighting tears again. When Lily nodded Hermione continued. "Don't you ever forget that. If anything happens, anything at all you can always tell me. I don't know when I'll see you again after I take you to your father but you know how to use the phone and you've memorized all the numbers."
"I don't want to go." Lily whimpered.
"I know sweetheart. I know." Hermione sniffed reaching over and giving her a hug. She pressed a kiss to the top of her head and then slid from the seat and closed the back door. She paused, her hand on the car door still looking up at the sky trying to force the tears back in her eyes. `Why are you taking her from me?' Clenching a fist she strode around the car with a straight face and let herself in. She glanced at Lily's distressed face in the rear view mirror and offered her a small smile.
"It'll be okay, Lils." She said turning the key in the ignition. She'd honestly said it more for herself than Lily but in the end it didn't really matter. She didn't feel any better and Lily didn't look any less anxious.
* * *
Harry paced like a caged tiger waiting for release. He hadn't been able to sit still all day. He'd woken up earlier than usual today as he hadn't been able to sleep due to his excitement. He'd found her, his only child, who'd been unfairly kept from him.
He scowled thinking of the child's mother who' kept her from him. That woman lived to make him miserable. And he'd paid the price for upsetting her. Yes, on some level he did believe he'd loved her at one time and he'd found himself blinded by her faults until they hit him square in the face. The betrayal he felt had led him to the rash action of casting her from his side. He hadn't been ready for marriage anyway.
He was twenty-years-old and marriage just wasn't on his agenda at the time. She'd surprised him when she'd repeatedly let him know it was on hers. He sighed remembering her anger when he'd finally just flat out told her he had no intention of marrying her anytime soon. She'd stormed out of his life shouting that he'd regret that decision. He hadn't taken her seriously until she'd owled him a mediwizard's note. He remembered his heart stopping when he'd read the news about her being pregnant. It wasn't hard to figure out what his punishment was.
Regardless, he'd tried contacting her several times but the woman could disappear when she wanted to. There had been several leads on her whereabouts but they all led to dead ends. She moved fast. He'd done his homework on her family but her younger sister Gabrielle was too young to take custody of the child, she hardly made contact with her mother due to her resentfulness of her mother remarrying, and her step-sister seemed very unlikely to know anything since it seemed Fleur avoided contact with the young woman. So with her family scratched he knew the baby had to be with her.
He'd found himself for once hoping she'd go about flaunting her achievements but she'd meant what she said when she told him he'd regret not marrying her. When Fleur died he'd been sure the child would be his but it'd quickly come to his attention that he'd been dead wrong about the child's location. He'd wanted to smack himself for not checking further into her family despite her resentfulness towards them. Lily had been right there under his nose the entire time. It angered him to the point of not caring who had her or how it might affect Lily to bring her home. He'd hired the best of the best and set them to work on getting custody of his daughter. He wasn't going to let anyone get in his way of claiming what was rightfully his.
It irritated the hell out of him that all he knew was her age, her name, and any little details in her file at the Ministry. He'd been unable to access those files until Fleur's death as he didn't know Lily's whole name. He'd searched all the Delacour's and Potter's in the book but could only find his mother. She's surprised him yet again with how deeply her spite went, it was true what they say about a woman's scorn after all. She'd used her step-father's name on Lily to be sure he wouldn't find her. She knew him well enough to know it'd never occur to him to check under the name she refused to take as her own. Apparently when she'd left she had indeed taken on the new surname and placed Lily under it as well. `Damn her.' He thought once again. She'd actually out smarted him and that seriously pissed him off. She may have acted like an airhead at times but that woman was no idiot.
"Would you stop that? I'm going to chuck this bloody glass at you if you don't stop. Too much more of that and you'll have a damn trench in the floor." Draco snapped from his plush arm chair. He was holding a scotch in one hand and pinching the bridge of his nose with the other. He was honestly ready to hit his step-brother. He was driving everyone up with wall his restlessness. Draco had never seen Harry this anxious before. Of course he and Harry hadn't exactly been friends for the longest time either. His mother had given everything she knew about Voldemort and the death eaters to the ministry in exchange for protection after his father's death. He'd switched his alliance from to the side of the Ministry and eventually been made Harry's partner. They were more likely to be killed by each other at first rather than by death eaters. After the war, Harry was adopted into the family and they'd learned to get along after having to cover each other's backs for so long.
"As much as it pains me to do this, I have to agree with ferret boy." Ron Weasley drawled from his chair opposite Draco. The two men flashed glares at each other before looking back up at their mutual friend.
"Yes, rather than pacing around in anticipation you should be sitting around sulking and completely guilt ridden. Unlike you I actually attended the battle for custody of Lily and I swear Harry James Potter that woman looked like her heart was breaking when they declared Lily yours. You could be taking that woman's entire world away from her." Ginny snapped as she got up from the arm of Draco's chair to make sure he saw the harsh glare she was casting him.
"Guilty? Those are hardly reasons to feel guilty. She kept my child from me; she ought to be feeling guilty. She had her for the first five years of her life; she ought to be feeling guilty. She was in on Fleur's plan; if anything she ought to be feeling guilty as hell." Harry snapped shooting his own glare at her in return.
"Have you ever considered, even for a second, that she didn't know? Not everyone's a bad guy Harry." Ginny growled.
"Please." Harry said rolling his eyes. "It was all a huge plot to keep Lily from me. She had to of known. Fleur managed to keep her mouth shut to the media but she couldn't keep it to herself."
"How would you know? She managed to surprise you in many ways with this whole ordeal. She planned everything else out by knowing how you think. Why would this be any different?" Ginny inquired crossing her arms over her chest with a challenging look.
"Because!" Harry snapped not really able to come up with a good reason.
"Oh, because." Ginny snapped back matter of factly. "That is so childish Harry."
Her face was turning red from the rising anger and her hands were now balled into fists which were firmly planted on her hips now.
"You know, you can be a real jerk sometimes Harry. A complete and total ignorant bastard." Ginny shouted before turning on her heels and stalking out the door.
"You wouldn't understand." Harry shouted after her. `Damn woman. Never look at the big picture.'
He flopped onto the couch muttering and casting stony looks into the fire.
"Do you agree with her?" He snapped. Ron and Draco exchanged looks not knowing who he had directed it to. They shrugged and decided not to answer rather than put Harry in a worse mood. They let him brood and continued to sip their drinks and make up their own minds about the situation.
The soft pop of Dobby's arrival brought them all out of their thoughts and Harry's face brightened instantly.
"Master Har . . ." Dobby didn't get to finish because Harry was already half way out the door. Ron and Draco nodded to each other and aparated out of the manor to go find Ginny and calm her down, knowing Harry would be a while.
Hermione fiddled nervously with Lily's clothes and kept fussing over the little girl's hair until she placed her hands on her head and frowned up at Hermione. Hermione apologized and laughed slightly at the annoyed look on Lily's tiny face. Hermione felt so out of place here. Everything she'd seen of the mansion so far just screamed `don't touch'. `Figures, Fleur only ever dated guys who could afford her and her every little desire.' Hermione grimaced. Everything looked and felt so cold in here. This place reminded her of a glass house she'd seen in a movie. She shuddered remembering that it had been a horror movie. `Please let my little girl be alright here.
She could take slight comfort in the fact that Lily would definitely be financially well off if nothing else. She could have any and everything she wanted with this man.
"Don't you turn rotten, okay, and always remember your manners even if your daddy spoils you." Hermione suddenly said. For one so young, Lily had a strong sense of values and morals and she didn't want that spoiled just because her father was a multibillionaire.
There were a million things she wanted to say, she wanted to tell her but she knew she'd only overwhelm her by trying to cram it all into this one moment. She'd wanted to cry as she sat here and remembered that Lily was going to be so far away. This may be here home for a time but Hermione was fully aware that her father owned a string of homes all around the world and his preferred home happened to be in Italy. He'd be taking Lily there eventually. At least those easy readers on culture would come in handy to Lily now. Hermione vaguely remembered her liking the pictures of Italy and telling her they'd visit there one day. A sad smile played on her lips as she realized Lily was actually going to get to go, she just wasn't going to be going with her.
Lily seemed to sense her sense the sadness welling up in Hermione and began to fidget on Hermione's lap. Her earlier distress was returning to her. Hermione caught the signs of the flood gate about to open and she turned Lily around in her lap and held her close singing a lullaby Lily had been very fond of as a baby. Lily had begun to calm down and was cooing along when Hermione felt eyes on her.
She looked up and stiffened, eyes widening, and unintentionally clutching Lily tighter against her body.
"Oh my." She murmured without thinking. She couldn't help but stare at the tall ruthless looking man in front of her. Her expression resembled that of a deer caught in the headlights as she stared at the frightening man. He honestly scared her as she couldn't see anything soft or remotely friendly about this man.
She'd only ever seen pictures of the famous Harry Potter. He was always in the papers or the magazines. When she'd been attending school at Beauxbatons she'd found like all the other girls she'd had a small crush on the boy-who-lived. She'd buried those feelings noting the stupidity of them and knowing full well the chances of her meeting him were slim to none. Once out of school she rarely thought of him any more unless skipping over yet another article about him and his latest girlfriend or Quidditch feat, or capture for the Ministry. But now, now she realized the pictures did him no justice. In real life the man was a god. Absolutely breath taking.
She was thankful that those hard green eyes seemed to take no notice of her but were trained directly on Lily. Hermione almost laughed at the child's obliviousness to the man's presence as she continued to hum along to the song Hermione had been singing.
The scrawny little boy who'd been plastered all over the papers years ago was no more. Hermione could think of nothing else to compare him to but a mountain, hard, solid, and imposing. He may have just been standing in the doorway but he seemed to take up the entire room. It was difficult to breathe with him standing there.
He had an arrogant nature about him that she'd noted earlier and it seemed somehow sculpted into his hard features as he stood there unmoving. His shirt did nothing to conceal his muscles as they stretched over his torso. His arms were probably bigger than her neck but not in an overly bulgy wrestler type way. He reminded her more of the men in the exercise equipment commercials, strong without unnecessary bulk.
Her eyes ran briefly over his well sculpted face lined with a strong tight jaw. Her eyes paused on the lightning bolt scar that was barely visible through his messy hair, it was just long enough to fall into his eyes and somehow she found that adorable despite here fear of him. She felt the heat wash over her and the almost magnetic attraction to him. He sparked a new feeling in her that she really didn't want to explore.
He was the enemy and it was hardly appropriate to be attracted to the enemy. She clenched her jaw and her eyes set in a cold hard stare to keep from revealing any of her raging emotions. Anger, hurt, hate, and lust were never a good combo.
Lily's mouth snapped shut as she cocked her head to the side with a curious look clouding her face. She leaned in close to Hermione's face and wrinkled her nose trying to decide why she looking like that. She finally decided she wasn't going to be getting Hermione's attention any time soon and followed her gaze to see what was so startling. Her eyes went wide as she admitted a tiny squeak and buried her face into Hermione's chest clutching at her, trying to hide. Her distressed whimpering broke Hermione's stare as she set about rubbing her on the back and trying to sooth her.
`He is really scary.' Hermione thought as she rubbed small circles in the child's back. It wasn't her fault she was afraid. Hermione only had a few male friends and none of them were built like Harry. He was a beast compared to the types of men she'd known all her life. He just radiated power, charisma, and authority. Hermione noticed Harry frown at Lily's reaction to him and she felt mildly satisfied. `Maybe if he smiled a bit she wouldn't be so afraid of him.'
* * *
`Beautiful.' It was the only word that came to Harry's mind as he stared at his daughter. She was a picture of perfection, long white blond hair and his own emerald eyes, porcelain skin and rosy cheeks. Long blond eye lashes fluttered against those cheeks when they'd turned to see him. He'd almost smiled when she'd gone into a fit of distress and began clutching at the woman holding her. He frowned at the brunet suspicious of her involvement in the child's fear of him.
He couldn't seem to help his eyes staying on her longer than necessary. She was gorgeous and for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why she wasn't married with a bunch of adorable little daughters of her own. Oh yes, he knew everything about Hermione Granger. When he'd found out Lily had spent the first five years of her life with this woman he'd pulled every file on her. He'd marveled at how clean her file was. a perfect model citizen. He couldn't even find a speeding ticket against her. He'd searched desperately for a flaw but couldn't find any and he had to admit he was thankful that his daughter had been with her and not Fleur. At least he could be sure the girl had morals.
He'd been glad her lawyers hadn't thrown his files into court with hers for a comparison. She'd have won on that alone if he had. Well, that is if Harry hadn't been so determined to get Lily that he was prepared to strongly persuade the court with large sums of money. So he had the unfair advantage of money and political power, it wasn't his problem that she was some small town girl who didn't have his connections. He'd decided on this and stuck to it since so he wouldn't feel the least bit guilty, but looking at her now he felt his resolve slipping.
She almost looked like a child herself, sitting there looking ever so small as she whispered to the whimpering girl and rubbed her back. He gave her a thorough inspection, starting with the top of her light brown head streaked with natural honey colored highlights. It hung in long spiraling curls, shorter around her face and getting longer as the got to her back. Large innocent brown eyes with gold specks were set in her heart shaped face as well as a cute nose. Her high cheek bones and soft jaw set off her very kissable looking full lips which enticed thoughts Harry thought best to never speculate on. His eyes lingered on the slender slope of her neck yearning to taste her soft skin. Dragging his eyes away he let them settle on the large swells of her breast. He grinned noting how generously she'd been endowed and the straining of her t-shirt with S.P.E.W. written across it. He wondered briefly what it meant but secretly enjoyed how pondering this gave him a justified reason to continue staring at her breasts. `Merlin, she looks soft.' He thought the urge to touch her growing stronger by the minute.
Harry took in her long shapely legs and he could see hints of firm toned muscles in them as she moved. Her hips reminded him of a phrase Mrs. Weasley had once used `child-baring hips' she'd called them when she'd been speaking of one of his previous girlfriends trying to convince him to settle down. He'd simply rolled his eyes at her lecture but now he found himself horrified at the sudden thought that he wouldn't mind seeing this woman walking around round and bared foot carrying his child. He shook his head telling his brain to erase that thought forever. `Okay, that was weird.' He told himself trying to shake off this new feeling that accompanied his desire.
He watched her set the little girl on the floor and felt mildly ashamed of stealing a glance down her shirt as she did so. He justified his actions with his favorite scapegoat `I'm only human and what red-blooded male wouldn't?' He smirked congratulating himself on this small feat, regardless of whether it was appropriate in this situation or not.
* * *
Lily struggled, not wanting to be put down. Hermione finally had to give the little girl a warning look to make her settle down and cooperate. Almost as soon as her little feet hit the ground, though, she darted around and hid behind Hermione legs. Her tiny arms locked around one leg, pleading green eyes staring tearfully up at Hermione.
"Lils, Lils, come from behind Mummy you need to say hello to your father!" Hermione murmured, reaching down for Lily's hand. "Come on, be a big girl."
Lily peaked out momentarily from behind Hermione's legs, squeaked and snapped her head back behind her barrier. She shook her little blond head vigorously as large tears lined her eyes.
"Is she always like this?" Harry asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"No, not really. She's actually quite people oriented but, uh, most . . . most people she meets aren't so . . ." Hermione paused searching for the right word to use as not to offend him. "so, um, intimidating."
"I frighten you.
"I wasn't talking about me. I was saying it from her stand point."
He stared at her for a moment noticing how just moments ago Ginny had been looking at him the same way with her hands on her hips in the same manner. Of course, he didn't find Ginny's hips as enticing as Hermione's but that wasn't the point. There was an electric charge to the air as their eyes locked in a mutual stare. The charged silence was only broken by Lily's soft whimpers as she clutched at Hermione's leg, tears now slowly falling down her cheeks.
"I wanna go home Mumma." She begged. With a sigh Hermione turned her back on Harry and knelt in front of Lily placing her hands lightly on her shoulders.
"We're here to spend time with your Papa, Lils. Remember we talked about it a few days ago? And you promised you'd be a big girl, okay. So let's dry these tears." Hermione cooed using the pads of her thumbs to wipe away the tear tracks staining her face. "Don't you want to read him one of your books? I'm sure he'd love to know what an advanced reader you are. We can go get your things and choose one. How about that?"
She sniffled and frowned at first not wanting to spend another minute here. She looked up at Harry and stared at him for a long moment. She took a step closer to Hermione and reached her arms up around her neck to be held.
"You're getting too big for this." Hermione laughed scooping Lily up into her arms and pressing a kiss to her nose. Lily giggled and hugged Hermione close, resting her head on her shoulder. "Let's go choose a book okay?"
Lily finally nodded and agreed to go on two conditions. 1) Hermione held her and 2) Harry didn't touch her. She was still very wary of him. She glowered at him from over Hermione's shoulder until Hermione turned to face him putting Lily's back towards him. His jaw was tight with disapproval at Lily's reaction to him. He didn't say anything, just motioned for Hermione to follow him. Silently Hermione followed with slow steps knowing that time was running out and she'd have to give Lily up to this man soon enough. She wasn't sure how long he'd allow her to stay here with Lily but she knew she was going to treasure every precious moment that she had left.
Hermione was mildly surprised when he didn't lead them outside but instead to a beautiful nursery with Lily's open boxes lined against a wall, half unpacked. The boxes hardly held her attention though, as she took in the magnificent room. It was quite large to say the least and beautifully decorated. She was certain some interior designer could retire early but the looks of this room. `If this is the house he doesn't use how does the nursery look in the house he does use?' She thought as she stared with wide eyes around the enchanting room. There was a full bed in the center of the back of the room brightened by large bay windows. There were window seats covered in large plush cushions and an assortment of teddy bears on one and dolls on the other. The rest of the room was littered toys of all shapes and kinds and the side walls were lined with bookshelves covered in children's books, tiny tea sets, music boxes, collectible dolls, and puzzles.
"Merlin!" Hermione breathed stepping into the room spinning around a few times trying to take it all in.
Harry gave a self satisfied smirk at Hermione's awed expression and the fact that he finally seemed to have caught Lily's attention. She was looking just as dazzled as Hermione as her eyes darted around the room, tiny mouth hanging open. He noticed her mouth wow to Hermione and the nod the young woman gave back to her.
Harry sauntered across the room and seated himself on the edge of the bed looking intently at Hermione.
"Take your time; they're all hers and she can eventually read all of them. I wasn't sure what kind she liked or how advanced she was so you'll find a little bit of everything in here." Harry grinned.
Hermione nodded setting Lily on the floor and holding her hand as they began inspecting the numerous bookshelves. Lily couldn't be certain which one she wanted and Hermione was no help as she was just as unsure with so many interesting titles to choose from. Eventually those chose one on an adventurous little hippogriff and took a seat in the rocking chair in a corner with bean bag chairs all around. Rocking slowly Hermione grinned as Lily easily read through the book. She chuckled at the label on the back saying reading level ages 8 and up. That was her little girl, bright as ever. Lily read excitedly sometimes forgetting she was supposed to be reading out loud until Hermione reminded her. She'd grin sheepishly and start over from where she'd left off out loud.
Harry smiled at the proud look in Hermione's eye as the little girl breezed through the book. `And she has every right to be proud, too. She probably taught Lily everything she knows.' He'd noticed from her file that Hermione had been a precocious as well and started her schooling two years early. She'd then returned to the muggle world and entered a muggle college at the age of 15. He'd been extremely impressed by this knowing how challenging muggle college were. From there she'd become an art student and quickly rose in the restoration of historical art business. He'd even made a few calls to view some of her work. If he hadn't been sure already he was definitely then that she was a perfectionist and detail probably mattered to her in everything she did.
He wondered how much of that rubbed off on Lily. Would she be a genius too and have every business vying for her employment? Pride welled up in his chest and he reminded himself to thank Hermione for raising her even if she'd kept her from him. He'd reluctantly admitted in this short time he'd been with them that Ginny may be right and that he was being somewhat cruel. The love she had for his daughter was undeniable and Lily simply adored her and separation was going to be a nightmare. He'd heard of children suffering from separation anxiety and sinking into depressions that set them up to fail their entire life. He was slightly worried that he was going to mess Lily up for life by taking her from this woman she loved so very, very much.
He watched as she finished the book with a yawn. Supporting Lily with one arm Hermione closed the book and carried it to the book she. She hesitated briefly by the bookshelf before approaching the bed, where he sat, to tuck Lily in. She did so meticulous manner avoiding his eye the entire time. She lingered by Lily's side, biting her lip nervously not wanting to leave her. A deep voice made her cringe as she had to accept the truth of his words that Lily was sleep and they had important matters to discuss so they might as well let her sleep in peace. She followed him sullenly out of the room and kept her eyes on the ground schooling her features to a blank look.
"You're extremely devoted to her. The strength of your love for her is very obvious." Harry murmured as he led her down the dimly lit hallway. "You don't want to leave her with me, either. I can see that too."
"Can you blame me? I've taken care of her, her entire life. I raised her from her first day out of the hospital. I think I'm entitled to worry about someone I love. There hasn't been a day of her life that I wasn't with her and now . . . Now you expect me to just up and leave her here with you, someone she doesn't even know, and just not care about it. That little girl is my world and blood couldn't make her anymore my daughter than she is now." Her temper was boiling and tears burned her eyes again but she refused to let him see them. "She trusts me to be there for her. She thinks of me as her mother because I raised her. And to just leave her could be very traumatizing to her. I mean, have you even considered that? How it's going to affect her, to just be uprooted from everything she knows because it's what you want. That's incredibly selfish even if you are her father. She doesn't know you and you scare her. Honestly, you scare even me. She's not used to people like you. We live in a small town she won't just merge into your glamorous life like an adult would. She can't just change like that. She . . ." Hermione stopped, shutting her eyes tight and pinching the bridge of her nose breathing deeply trying not to cry. With a deep sigh she regained control though tears lined her eyes as and fat droplets stood waiting in the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive me. My heart is breaking; you're taking my entire world from me, my sense of purpose. I have centered my whole life around her and I just . . . I don't know what I'm going to do without her and I'm afraid. I am so afraid to let her go. I would give my life for her. She matters to me more than anything, more than . . ." Her voice broke and she couldn't continue. A soft sound of despair escaped her as the anger that had driven her subsided and washed away to make room for the floods of sadness that were taking over her body. She desperately tried to recollect herself but to no avail as a silent tear slid down her cheek. "I'm sorry." She whispered bowing her head ashamed of her emotional display. She' told herself she wouldn't do this. She didn't want his pity. She didn't want a lot of things that seemed to be occurring lately.
"Done?" He asked lazily, leaning against the wall looking completely unaffected, as though he hadn't heard a word she said. He was only met with silence and a hard look from her filled with loathing. "Right then, follow me."
He turned and continued down the hallway and into a spotless living room, where he took a seat carelessly on one of the black leather arm chairs and watched her waiting for her to do the same as he indicated the identical chair opposite him. She gave him a cold look and continued to stand, to which he shrugged and leaned back in his chair studying her for a moment.
"How far are you willing to go for my daughter, Miss Granger?" He finally asked.
"To the end of the world, if not farther." She replied without hesitation. "Only I figured schooling would be easier if we weren't constantly moving. Though if I ever got a black mark on my record that would be one of the only things worth it."
"No, no that's hardly necessary. Italy's much closer. I hope you're not disappointed. The history is quite extensive there. You might enjoy it; I seem to recall you having a fondness for historical art anyway." Hermione frowned at his words confusion etched into her face.
"I beg your pardon?" She said confusedly blinking trying to put together what he was saying.
"Miss Granger, do you believe you could make a good traditional wife and maintain a steady well respected household? Not just for Lily, mind you, but for more children of your own as well? Do you mind leaving England and your job? Can you entertain guests and organize meetings and events? Could you be loyal to your husband and honor him in public and private? Could you surrender to his will, in the bedroom?" Harry questioned.
His words weren't registering properly because Hermione as at a complete loss. That could be in part to her drowning deep emerald eyes that bore into her, becoming increasing darker with each question. His last accompanied by an unmasked hungry look as his eyes roamed her body, causing her to blush. From the way his eyes slowly dragged down her body on their second trip she felt as though he were mentally undressing her and she unconsciously crossed her arms over her breasts as if trying to hide from his gaze. Her scarlet cheeks, wide eyes, and trembling lips did nothing to slick his lust in that moment. `Who knew innocence could be so damn hot?' He thought.
She licked her lips which were suddenly very dry and began knotting her fingers together nervously. "Er, forgive me for my dumb question, you might find it really stupid but I just need you to make it clear. Are, uh, are you saying that if I, um, you know get, get married and, uh, provide siblings for Lily, I can keep her?"
"To a certain point, yes, Miss Granger I was." He responded.
"Oh, um, to, ah, to what point exactly?" She inquired.
"To me, of course. It is the only way. The press would eventually pick up on your constant visits and I have no desire to put up with their stupidity any more than I have to and I'm sure the flight would become tiring for you after a while. And the media would have a field day if I hired you as her nanny and she called you mummy in public despite there being no resemblance between you two. We would both have custody of her and be able to raise her. It's a win-win situation in my opinion. You would have to quit your job of course and move to Italy but as you said earlier it is easier for adults to make such a transition. However, if you do not wish to take me up on this offer you have three days left with Lily. That is when my plane will be ready. That is when we are leaving. Think about it because this is not something I normally do." Harry explained.
Hermione was thankful now that he had chosen the living room to hold this conversation. She sank gratefully into the chair he'd offered her early, blinking rapidly and taking deep breaths trying to digest what he'd just said. She frowned licking her lips again and running an agonized hand through her hair and closing her eyes to think. Had Harry Potter just propose to her in some twisted round about way? It seemed too unreal. It was unreal. It was blackmail. He was holding Lily in exchange for . . . in exchange for what? What could he possibly get out of this arrangement?
`Sex!' Hermione flushed as she came to this conclusion. `But why? He could have any woman he wanted and sure she had been cursed with this body that drew more than a few stares when all she wanted was to be left alone but she was still nothing compared to the voluptuous vixens Harry was used to. She may not have read the articles but she'd seen plenty of pictures of him with some woman plastered to his side with fake boobs and too much make up. `Why me? What makes me worth such an offer?'
She jumped as he suddenly answered her questions as if reading her mind, his darkened eyes trained on her as he spoke. "Miss Granger, most women throw themselves at me when they recognize who I am. (`Not that you discourage them any.' Hermione thought somewhat bitterly.) There is no doubt in my mind that you know who I am and what I'm worth if not just from looking around the manor and yet you have not acted in this manner. (Hermione raised an eyebrow at this slightly affront look on his face that he'd even thought she'd do that.) In this brief time and from other sources it's easy to tell that you are nothing like your step-sister and I'm sure with some time and the help of Ginny and Lavender they can turn you into a suitable wife."
Hermione was infuriated and sent him one of her harshest glares to tell him just that. `A suitable wife, indeed!' She thought angrily. She had to bite her lip briefly to keep from giving him the tongue lashing of his life for his words. `How dare he? Arrogant jerk!'
"And what if I don't meet your requirements? What will you do with me if I'm not acceptable?" She responded icily shooting daggers at him.
"Trust me Ginny and Lavenders are experts. They decorated this house, you know? Including the nursery." He drawled lazily leaning back in his chair again as if he didn't realize or simply didn't care that he'd offended.
"And you expect me to play this all adoring loving wife?" Hermione snapped.
"Of course! When there is no one around perhaps you can ignore me and curse me to all levels of hell but as long as people can see us I do expect you to act as a proper wife should."
Her blood boiled at the words proper wife and she sent him another hateful glare.
"Well that's good because I don't love or adore you in any way shape or form. Currently I don't even remotely like you and your blackmailing isn't appreciated it only makes me despise you more. It is cruel of you to hold Lily at such a price."
"I don't see it as blackmail, merely a bargain from which we both benefit. I get a well behaved wife and you get to stay with Lily. I have no use for this love business you're ranting about anyway. Voldemort seemed to fancy killing everyone I loved and I've learned to live without such trivial affections. Of course, I killed him a few years ago, but I learned my lesson about love."
"And what about Lily?" She's a child. She needs to be loved. What do you want her for if not to love her? I could care less how you feel about me, because as I said I rather dislike you, but you will show Lily the love and support she needs."
"That isn't an issue. I love my daughter and have ever since I found out about her, whether I knew her or not but she is all that I love."
"Fine." She was silent for a minute going over his demands in her head. "Oh yes, another thing don't expect me to just hop into bed with you. There'll be nothing intimate straight off. I would have to know you a lot better and hate you a lot less."
He smirked at her, silently chuckling at how once again she looked like a child sitting there arms crossed and sunken into the plush chair surrounded by the long curly masses of wild brown hair.
"Are you saying yes?" Harry asked softly.
"No! I'm saying I'll think about it. And you didn't consent to what I just said."
"Winky will show you to a guest room for the night. Good-night Miss Granger."
Hermione opened her mouth to argue that he still hadn't answered her but he was already gone. `Grrrr, jerk.' She thought as she stood up to follow the house elf that appeared before her. `Merlin, I hate him.'
* * *
Harry sat in his office leaning back at his work desk and asking himself why the hell he'd done what he just did. He was in the middle of trying to explain his actions to himself when Ron, Ginny, and Draco appeared in the room.
"Ooooo, we've just been to peek in on Lily and she has got to be the most adorable thing I've ever seen!" Ginny squealed as she made herself comfortable on his desk.
Ron and Draco took seats on the couch in front of the desk and nodded in agreement with Ginny's exclamation. Harry was silent for a moment twisting a pen between his finger tips.
"Er, there's something I have to tell you." He said slowly as he dropped the pen on a Ginny-free part of his desk. "I, uh, I might be engaged."
He was met with silence as they all stared at him like he were stupid or something. Then literacy began to return to them and he was swamped with a million questions. He explained everything in a rush and he told him he didn't know why he did it and they agreed that he had lost his mind as they gave their opinions on his rash action. Ginny seemed rather excited despite her disapproval of the way he did it and the fact that he didn't know Hermione, Draco told him he was insane and might want to go get his head checked out, and Ron just shrugged and said `Well if she's hot'.
Ginny had rolled her eyes at her brother's conclusion and told Harry she'd talk to Hermione and see what she thought of the whole ordeal in the morning. She kissed his cheek and hopped off the desk.
"Night boys. Don't stay up too late." She grinned.
They watched her go each giving a parting word of their own before shutting the door to restart their conversation.
"You're mental. You're bleeding mental. What possessed you to propose?" Draco ranted.
"I didn't really propose. I can't, I can't really explain it. I wanted my daughter but I felt guilty. I don't know how she did it even when she told me she despised me I still felt guilty. She's different from any woman I've ever met. There's something special about her. She does something to me, you know. She makes me uncomfortable but in a good way. I like it and I don't understand it in the slightest but I won't rest until I do. I won't let her go. I can't." Harry said wistfully staring off into space as he finished.
"Maybe she's putting some sort of spell on you, mate. You gotta be careful of those innocent ones. She could be like the others but ten times worse." Ron murmured.
"No, she's not like that. She's different. Fiery little thing, I'll give her that. She's got so much passion welled up inside but she bottles it quite well. Her temper is insane but she's got it under lock and key and I bet you anything she could give you a tongue lashing like no other if you push her too far. She can get by Rita Skeeter and her lot any day; she schools her features quite well. Her only give away is her eyes. She has beautiful eyes and there's a tirade of conflicting emotions going on in there. She's sharp too, not much's gonna get past her and she isn't afraid to lash back when she feels it's necessary. You'll meet the little hellion at breakfast tomorrow." Harry assured them bringing himself back before he got too lost in his description of her. If he'd been asked to go into detail about her physical details he was sure he could go on all night about her.
"Fair enough." Ron and Draco muttered watching his face return to its previous dazed expression as he got lost in his thoughts again. They shook their heads exchanging looks and left the room.
Harry's thoughts dwelled on the gorgeous spitfire he'd asked to marry him for quite a while longer before he shifted his thoughts to Lily. He really hoped he could get through to her. She seemed like such a great kid, just shy. He finally rose from his desk calling it a night as he began trying to think of things they could do together to break the ice between them.
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