LIFETIME MATE

Chapter Twenty-One


Draco had just missed Hermione when she left Minerva’s class, but over heard some of the Slytherin seventh years in the hallway.

“Did you see Professor Granger?” The tall black haired student asked his two friends.

“Yes. How could you not? She is so hot.”

“Makes me wish I was taking transfiguration all over again.” The black haired one said.

“And her, killing Voldermort’s sister.....”

“Yes, I know. She did the wizarding world a huge favor, that’s for sure.”

“I’d sure like to do her a favor.” The Slytherin sneered wickedly, and led the way to the dungeons where they laughed to themselves, and to get changed for dinner.

Draco had over heard the boys and scowled to himself, and to the backs of the students. ‘It would seem that Granger has a few admirers, I wonder how many she will have a chance to screw.’ He thought to himself.

He looked throughout the castle, then went outside. He found her by the lake, tickling the tentacles to the giant squid that resided there. He stood back and watched. ‘She’s still beautiful.’ He thought, then mentally shook himself reminding him of what she was now. He came up to her and sat on a nearby bench, just staring at her, willing her to look at him.

Hermione had felt that he was watching her, even before he came closer. She leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes. “What do you want Malfoy.” she asked tiredly.

“Is she my daughter?”

She looked up into his eyes. “Yes. I found out a few weeks after your ‘so-called’ death.” She started bitterly. “She was born on March 5 and is now ten years old. Her full name is Katrina Dracilla Granger.”

Draco reluctantly turned his face away from her to look across the lake. “Does she know who I am?” He asked quietly.

“Yes. I told her about you.”

“She must hate me.”

“ I couldn’t answer that. You’ll have to ask her.” She said closing her eyes again. They sat in silence, both full of questions, but not sure what to ask first. “How is your mother?”

“She’s fine. She’s at the beach cottage right now.”

“Malfoy....Draco... I know you may hate me, but please don’t hate Kat. She wants to get to know you. She had no part or has no idea who I was with during my cycles.” She said as she stood up, brushing the seat of her pants off. “Bye Draco.” She said sadly, as she turned and walked towards the castle.

She went up to her rooms and wrote a note to Narcissa, Draco’s mother.


Dear Narcissa,
I never thought I would be able to talk to you again. If possible, I would like to get together, there is someone I would like you to meet.
Hermione


She rolled the parchment and tied it to her owls leg and sent her off, before she dried her tears and to get ready for dinner.

Dinner was a quiet affair at the head table. Severus who sat beside her, tried to draw her into conversation. “So, Hermione would you like to come down later to talk over your day? It looks like you could us a good shot of whiskey.” He smirked.

She looked to him and smiled. “Sure, sounds good. I could use it.” she said, not paying attention to Draco who had listened in on the conversation.


After dinner, she and Katrina went to her rooms and spent the next couple of hours talking about Kat’s classes. At the sound of claws against stone, Hermione looked to the window to see her owl. She untied the parchment and read it to herself.


Dearest Hermione,
I am so glad that I am finally able to correspond with you. I had tried on numerous times in the past years, but decided not to for fear for your safety. I would like very much to meet with you, say this weekend?
Narcissa


“Who’s it from mum?” Kat asked.

“Narcissa. Your Grandmother. I had asked her to meet with me and for her to meet you. Is that okay?” She looked to Katrina.

Kat smiled brightly. “Yes. It is very much okay.” She picked up her books. “I need to head to the library for some research on herbology. Talk to you tomorrow?”

“Yes. Oh and Kat, I told Draco about you today. He may want to talk to you. It’s probably a bit much to take, he just found out he had a daughter yesterday.

“I know. And I won’t push.” she hugged Hermione. “Love ya.” And rushed out of Hermione’s rooms.

Hermione went in search for the photo albums of Katrina. She thought she would bring them down for Draco to look through. With that thought in mind, she smiled and decided to dress appropriately.

She dressed in an old pair of form fitting jeans, holes that frayed at the edges, at her knees and her hip, and a short tank top that showed her midriff. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled to herself. She picked up the books and walked down to the dungeons, the few older students watching her progress.

At Draco’s door, she raised her hand about to knock, then drew it back, wiping her sweaty hands on her leg. She tried again and knocked twice on the heavy door.

Draco answered the door wearing jeans also with his dress shirt untucked and half way undone. Her eyes rested on the naked expanse of chest, then looked up at the very grouchy looking man in front of her.

“What do you want Granger? Don’t you have a date with Snape?” He asked irritably, looking her up and down, noticing the red silk panties that she wore through the frayed hole at her hip.

She noticed where his attention was and smiled, and chose to ignore that last comment he made. She walked past him into the living room of his quarters, and looked around. “Nice. For the dungeons.” She smirked.

“Like I asked before. What do you want?”

She held up her arms, then sat down. “I thought you might like to see pictures of Kat from over the years.” She patted the space beside her. “Come sit down.”

Draco hesitantly sat down beside her, wanting to see the pictures. Hermione moved closer, her thigh touching his as she opened the first book on her lap. He had to lean over her a bit to get a better look, which was her intention.

She skipped the first couple of pages that were of her, very pregnant, and of her just after she gave birth to Katrina. She found the page she was looking for and pointed down to the picture. “This is her first birthday, cutting her own cake. Cake and icing were everywhere.” She chuckled.

Draco leaned over, his cheek grazing her naked shoulder. He smiled at the picture, Katrina smiling, oblivious to the mess she made. He pointed to the next one. “How old was she in this one?”

Hermione looked down. “She was about two years old there.” She smiled at her daughter who wore a miniature quiddich uniform complete with broom. “Even then she was fascinated with the game.”

He leaned closer as they went slowly through the first book. He inhaled her scent, smelling the strawberry shampoo in her hair. His fingers were itching to run through those auburn tresses, to feel the softness of it again.

She was leaning over the book reading a description of a picture when she felt the faintest touch of his lips on her shoulder. She turned, her looking into his eyes, their noses just about touching. “Draco.” She licked her lips, his eyes following the movement, then made a show of looking to her watch. “I’ve got to go. I’ll leave these here of you to look through.”

She got up, leaving him sitting on the couch. “Talk to you later.” she said, closing the door behind her. She leaned back against it trying to calm down and touched her shoulder where he had kissed her. She stood up straight then continued to Severus’s rooms for that drink. She needed one.

She knocked on the door, then opened the door and was surprised to see Harry and Ginny sitting there with Severus. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Planning.” Ginny stated. “We waited for you, where were you?”

Hermione smirked. “I was with Draco....Planning what?” as she sat down beside Severus.

“You were with Draco?” Harry asked.

“Yes. I brought Kat’s baby pictures for him to see.”

“How did it go?” Ginny asked.

“Okay....he kissed my shoulder.” She said in a low voice as she reached for her drink.

“Did you say he kissed you?” Severus smirked.

“Hmm, hmm. I think he wanted to kiss me again, but I rushed out.”

“This is going to be easier than I thought.” Ginny smiled as she looked to Severus and Harry.

“What is? What are you planning?”

“We are planning out your seduction of Malfoy.” Gistatstated.

“What?” She laughed.

“Well, so far we think you dress the part, but you need to up the stakes a bitHarrHarry said as he looked her up and down. “By the way, nice red panties.” He smirked.

“Thanks. Draco noticed too.”

“You mentioned something about chocolate when we talked earlier this year.” Ginny smirked.

“Yes. Liquid chocolate. I would highly recommend that.” She looked to Harry suggestively.

“What about chocolate?” Severus asked bewildered.

“Well, during one of my cycles spent with Chase..... or should I say Draco, I had purchased some chocolate body paint. Used it on him, then proceeded to lick it off clean.” Licking her lips.

Severus shifted uncomfortably as Hermione smiled wickedly. “Maybe we should plan a dessert involving chocolate.”

“You should also sit beside him at the head table.” Harry suggested getting into the idea.

“It’s too bad it’s not summer, sunbathing would also be an option.” Ginny said.

“How about if he catches me in the tub, or helps me out of the lake after I ‘accidentally’ fall in?” Hermione suggested, ideas forming in her head.

“I like that. The lake sounds good. Should be soon though, before it gets too cold.” Ginny stated.


They sat, the four of them huddled together, planning and plotting on the seduction of one Draco Malfoy.

Hermione hesitated right before she was leaving. “Are we sure about this? I mean is it worth it?”

Ginny stood up. “Hermione, do you love him?”

“Yes.”

“Then, it’s worth it.” Ginny stated simply.