Thanks for all your wonderful reviews (special thanks to dracosmine**, I'm glad you liked "Choices"). Well, I've been very very VERY busy lately with exams and test but still, I managed to write one more chapter for this fanfic. I hope you like it! Thanks!
---------------

[FONT=Georgia]#5 Her Birthday[/FONT]


Time went by and Hermione gradually recovered completely from the birth. She was up every day now, and, thanks to the pram, she walked about the gardens every afternoon with Fauve and marvelled at their beauty.

She watched Fauve grow and grow, and she grew to love her daughter more and more with every day. She had never expected to love her so much and she found herself getting more attached to Fauve than she had ever expected to be. As time passed, Hermione no longer needed to breastfeed Fauve, and she started using a bottle. Soon afterwards, a pacifer.

Her looks were incidentally also improving. It came quite as a surprise - though a joyful one - when Hermione woke up one morning and found her a few, small ginger hairs on Fauve's otherwise bald head. As the next months passed, it was clear that she was going to be a redhead the rest of her life, and nothing could please Hermione more.

Draco's relationship with Fauve was also growing. As Hermione had nobody else to talk to, she allowed Draco to enter her room and play with Fauve when he wanted to, and that was very frequently - as frequent as every hour or two. It was very clear that he adored Fauve; he held her close to his chest every time he was with her, he always asked Hermione if he could feed her, he read her stories and played endless games with her. It was needless to say that he was gradually becoming Fauve's father.

Hermione didn't see this. She had stopped thinking of Draco as her enemy, for he was always kind to her, and exceptionally good with Fauve. She didn't worry about what would happen later in life, if Fauve was to think of Draco as her father; all she knew was that whenever Draco played with Fauve, Hermione's heart would soften, and she would forget that she was living in a place she'd rather not be in, with a man she had resented all her childhood. And Draco was, true enough, quite remarkable with Fauve. He was so gentle and lovable that Hermione couldn't help smiling. It was as if Ron became a distant memory, as if Draco had replaced him, though Hermione never thought of it that way.

Draco probably noticed this; it was very hard not to notice, after all. As the months went by, Hermione's hard voice grew into a kind one, and the angry sparkle in her eye vanished and was replaced with a gentle one. Fauve had shone a light in the Malfoy Manor that could only do good, and it had done wonders for Draco and Hermione. They were being more than civil to eachother now; Hermione was actually being nice to Draco and didn't mind showing how happy she was at times. She still hesitated, she was still reluctant, but gradually, she allowed herself to be happy, knowing that Ron would want it that way. Before, she had always tried to hide her emotions from Draco, as if she were afraid of opening up to him. But she quickly realized that she needed to communicate with another adult, and as Draco grew kinder, she found herself talking to him very frequently and actually enjoying the time they spent together. He had turned out to be quite a different person with her than she had thought, so he still had several bad sides, most particularly among the house elves and Blaise.

Finally came the day where they could celebrate Fauve's first birthday. A whole year had gone by where they had just remained that way, being kind to eachother but not taking it further. Hermione was still emotionally hurt, though her scars were healing and she was beginning to settle in. Blaise Zabini was very often absent from the Malfoy Manor, and rarely dined with Draco and Hermione anymore.

On Fauve's first birthday, Draco had sneaked into Hermione's bedroom with a few house elves. Draco was still in his pyjamas and dressing gown, and when he saw Hermione asleep with the crib by her side, he kneeled down next to the bed and softly blew in her ear. She fidgeted, wrinkling her nose. He blew again.

She opened her eyes and saw Draco, a large smile on his face. Behind him were three other house elves, one was carrying a tray, the other two small boxes. She sat up, blinking sleepily as the third house elf drew the curtains to let the sunlight dazzle in. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and looked at Draco, her eyebrows raised in question.

'I wanted to wish Fauve a happy birthday,' he said, smiling as if he was a little child again.

'What time is it?' yawned Hermione, looking at her wristwatch. It showed ten to nine.

'Here,' said Draco, and he took the tray from the elf and placed it on Hermione's lap. 'Breakfast.'

She looked at the tray and the sumptious meal. Toast, marmelade, eggs and bacon... There was double the amount. She looked up at him again.

'I thought I might join you,' said Draco, snapping his fingers. Instantly, a house elf drew up a chair for him and he sat down. He took a piece of toast and buttered it. 'Eat,' he said to Hermione. 'Aren't you hungry?'

Hermione nodded and started eating her eggs and bacon. She looked at Fauve, but her daughter was still soundly asleep. The house elves poured juice for them, and Hermione embarrassedly tried to tuck her bedsheets over her. She was only wearing a nightgown, but Draco didn't seem to mind. He certainly wasn't looking at her, but at Fauve.

He was smiling.

'She's so cute when she's alseep,' he said, drinking eagerly from his glass. 'Don't you think?'

Hermione licked her lips nervously, and mumbled, 'Yes.' She didn't want Draco to become too attached to her daughter, but how could she prevent it? He was already considering her as his own and as they were both living in his house, she was in no position to decide anything.

'Velva, go prepare the bottle,' snapped Draco, and Velva curtsied and left. Hermione furrowed her brow.

'Couldn't you at least try and be civil towards them?' asked Hermione, taking a bit of her toast.

Instead of acting offended, Draco laughed. He looked at Hermione affectionately.

'It's not in my nature,' he said, running his hands through his hair. His tone of voice changed. 'I'll feed Fauve today.'

'Yes, Draco, I give you my permission,' said Hermione angrily, and put the tray aside.

Draco smiled again and put his hand on hers. She didn't move. Somehow, it felt incredibly warm and safe and... gentle. She shivered and Draco noticed. She tried to avoid his penetrating stare, but found she couldn't; why did she suddenly what to hide? To shut herself in? She blinked and tried to pretend like nothing had changed.

'What's in the boxes?' she nervously whispered, pointing towards the other house elves and hoping to distract Draco.

Draco let go of her hand, and Hermione breathed a little more freely, though - quite strangely - she wouldn't have minded if he had placed his hand back where it had been. Snapping his fingers again, Draco reached for the largest box; it was rectangle and not very big, about the size of his hand. He opened it and took out a beautiful, dazzling necklace. There were several rubies and diamonds, and Hermione could only stutter as he, ignoring her pathetic protests, placed it around her neck.

'For you,' he said quietly, surveying her with longing eyes.

'I - I -' stammered Hermione, touching the necklace and finding it hard to breathe. 'You shouldn't have - I didn't ask -'

'I know you didn't,' said Draco, admiring her and once again putting his hand in hers. 'But I wanted to. It pleases me.'

Hermione looked down at his hand.

'You only admire me when I'm decorated with diamonds and rubies then?' she mumbled, her heart oddly beating fast.

'No,' said Draco, obviously aware how important this moment could be - how important it actually was. 'I admire you every minute, every second of the day.'

Hermione looked up and blushed. She was not quite sure why she blushed. She felt all self defence vanish as Draco's eyes bored into hers, challenging her to protest. But she couldn't. Somehow she knew what he was saying was true. And she couldn't look away. She felt her face growing hotter and hotter and all her thoughts about Ron vanished yet again as Draco squeezed her hand.

A scream interrupted their odd moment. Draco jumped and at once withdrew his hand from Hermione's to gather Fauve in his arms. Velva had returned unnoticeably with the bottle, and he took it from her. Fauve quieted the moment he teased her lips with the rubber. Then she started sucking like mad.

Hermione surveyed the scene, trying to ignore how happy it rendered her. It seemed so... so right somehow. When she had first imagined what it would be to live in the Malfoy Manor with Fauve, she had thought that Draco would have hated Fauve, would have done anything to get rid of her. Quite the contrary now - he couldn't get enough of her! It was as if he had suddenly become a completely different person - he had laid Malfoy aside and taken Draco out. Was it Fauve that had done this to him? Or had he been this way all along, even at Hogwarts, without Hermione noticing him?

She leaned back in her pillows and decided not to think about that now. The sight before her pleased her too much.


The summer passed quickly, almost too quickly. Green leaves turned grey, and before they knew it, August had been replaced by September.

Draco had big plans for Hermione's birthday the 19th September. He wanted to spend it alone with Hermione and Fauve, and had asked Blaise to stay away. Blaise had willingly agreed; he hadn't liked how mellow Draco had gotten since Fauve's birth.

Fauve had now learnt a few words, such as 'Da' and 'Ma' and several other things like that. She could also walk and Draco loved her more than ever and spent most of his day with her. Hermione always worried about this, but her worries always managed to vanish as she watched Draco hold Fauve in his arms. He spoke to her in the most adorable voice, and it was very clear that Fauve loved all the attention. Whenever Draco entered the room, she would stand up on her two chubby legs and walk slowly towards him, her face lighting up when Draco kneeled down to kiss her little face. Then he would play with her or pick her up and swing her about the room. Hermione found it difficult to believe that a whole year and a half had passed since Fauve's birth; it seemed like yesterday she had emmerged from Hermione's stomach.

Hermione had woken up early on the morning of her birthday. It was rather windy, though the sun was shining in her room. She got up and put on a pair of jeans and a shirt, walking towards the window, somehow feeling depressed even on a cheerful day like this. Her last birthday had not been cheerful at all, because it had been her first at the Malfoy Manor, but somehow, she thought she had felt happier back then, because she had been much less confused. Back then, she had felt devoted to Ron and torn apart because he was no longer with her; now, she had a daughter who adored her father's archenemy.

Even her feelings towards Malfoy had changed. Gone were the days where she snapped at him or glared at him, or even said anything remotely horrid. She had let him look inside her, and once he had done that, she could no longer refuse him anything. She wanted to show the world how wonderful Fauve was; but her world was Malfoy and the Manor - there was no one else. He was caring and attentive and at the same time naughty and rude. There was something over him that made Hermione want to discover more; he wasn't just a stupid badboy like she had thought - he was human, he had feelings and a heart, though Hermione had always refused to believe it before. He had patience, but it had limits, as Hermione had discovered. He was kind, but firm, lovable, but hateful. He had such a complex personality. His eyes were always on Hermione, she had noticed, and they were always challenging or patient or demanding. She felt that he would never give up on her no matter what; it made her feel secure, yet at the same time terrified. Why?

Fauve stood up in her crib and rattled the bars. 'Ma,' she exclaimed and Hermione drew away from the window and picked her up.

'Goodmorning, sunshine,' Hermione said distractedly, taking her to her bed. She suddenly felt guilty again, as she realized that he hadn't thought about Ron at all.

Fauve blinked her eyes sleepily, her long eyelashes resting upon her little cheeks. She rested her head against Hermione's chest, and Hermione started stroking her red hair. It was exactly the same nuance as Ron's had been, though her brown eyes and impatient, demanding manner clearly showed who was her mother. Fauve shifted impatiently in her mother's lap, then looked up as the door opened.

It was Draco, just as Hermione had predicted. He was wearing a pair of dark beige trousers and a clean, white shirt, looking awake. His misty, grey eyes were sparkling mysteriously, and he popped his head around the door.

'Where's my little Fauve?' he said, smiling.

Fauve at once jumped down from Hermione's lap and ran towards Draco. Hermione surveyed the scene, once again smiling, as Draco picked Fauve up and grinned appreciately when she kissed him on the cheek.

'Goodmorning Red,' he said happily, ruffling Fauve's hair. 'Have you said happy birthday to mummy yet or not?'

'Da!' yelled Fauve. Draco looked up at Hermione and grinned.

'Yet another incomprehensible word,' he exclaimed, and Hermione laughed. 'Happy birthday, Hermione.'

'Thank you,' answered Hermione, standing up. Draco walked towards her, as Fauve rested her head against his chest.

'I've got the whole day planned out,' said Draco, bouncing Fauve up and down as she giggled delightedly.

'Have you?' said Hermione, feeling a little uncomfortable. 'I didn't know you had made plans.'

'Of course I have,' answered Draco, kissing the tip of Fauve's nose. 'It's your birthday, after all.'

Hermione grinned nervously, trying not to notice how goodlooking Draco looked in the sunlight. He softened completely as Fauve put her chubby, little arms around Draco's neck, and gave him a wet kiss on his cheek.

'Dada,' she exclaimed, and Hermione jumped. Draco looked up at Hermione, eyebrows raised in surprise and delight.

'Dada? A word? Oh, my little wonderful, wonderful Fauve!' he said, excited. Hermione furrowed her brow and laughed.

'You've got it all wrong, sweetheart,' she said, brushing Fauve's hair aside. 'Draco isn't your 'dada'.'

Fauve exclaimed yet another 'dada', and smiled happily when Draco laughed. Then she yelled 'mama' at the top of her lungs, as Draco huskily looked up at Hermione. She had turned slightly pink, though she looked determined to stop Fauve from repeating 'dada'.

'Give it up, Hermione,' Draco said, smiling warmly at her. 'She's never going to understand at this age.'

Hermione, suddenly feeling down and forlorn, turned away and walked towards the window again; why did she feel so guilty? Fauve was Ron's daughter, not Draco's. Then why did she want her to be Draco's?

She heard Draco put Fauve down, and the next thing she felt was his hands on her shoulders. She didn't move. Somehow, she liked them there. Draco noticed and pulled her closer to him. Turning her around, he looked in her eyes.

'Fauve needs a father,' he said, and Hermione's heart jumped. 'I want to be her father.'

She locked with his eyes, and they stood staring at eachother for a long time, almost as if they were trying to look past eachother and reach into their feelings. Then Draco woke up and shook his head, backing away from a stunned Hermione.

'Come on, Fauve,' he said, picking her up. 'Why don't you, me and mummy get some breakfast, eh?'

He turned towards Hermione.

'Are you coming?'

Hermione nodded, her eyes on her hands. Gathering herself together, she walked to the dining room with Draco, Fauve in his arms.

The day passed quickly, until finally it was 6 o' clock and Fauve was placed to bed by the nanny. Draco had told Hermione that he had a fancy dinner all prepared and that he was looking forward to her presence. Hermione had chosen a very pretty dress; it was a creamy white, and she curled her hair and fixed it up. Looking into the mirror, she wondered why she wasn't disgusted with herself; she was doing all this for Draco.

The dining room was beautifully decorated with golden candles and silverware. Draco was wearing a black suit with a white shirt, and he looked rather handsome. He gazed at Hermione for a long time when she came down, taking in all of her stunning beauty, and thanking Merlin for his good fortune. Then he led her to her place, and the house elves started serving dinner.

He smiled. She was wearing his necklace.

They talked of many things, but most of all of Fauve and her progress during the last months. Hermione expressed her concern of Fauve getting too attached to Draco, but Draco waved his hand.

'She needs a father, Hermione,' he said seriously, staring at her. 'I want to be that person.'

'Not so long ago, you refused,' Hermione answered, taking a large sip of her wine.

'That was before she was born,' Draco grumbled, motioning for the house elves to take out the table.

'What changed at her birth?' asked Hermione, fiddling with her napkin.

'Everything,' Draco said, leaning forward. 'I loved her the minute I saw her, Hermione. She's amazing. She's... I don't know... She's just my little baby. Can't you see how much she adores me?'

Hermione nodded.

'That's what worries me,' she answered. 'What will happen later in life, Draco? What will I tell her about Ron?'

Draco inwardly smirked. So she finally thought about a future with him. He was thrilled and couldn't contain it.

'We'll deal with that problem as it arises,' he answered, though he privately made plans about never telling Fauve. 'Right now, I just want her to be happy. And you, Hermione - I want you to be happy.' He paused. 'Are you?'

Hermione looked at her hands. As much as she tried, she couldn't deny it; she was happy. She knew Fauve was happy.

'Yes,' she mumbled. 'To some extent.'

Draco felt his heart leap up into his throat - finally, Hermione cared for him. He stood up and suggested they go to the sitting room. Hermione got up, and Draco lead the way.

The sitting room was even nicer decorated than the dining room - and much more romantic, Hermione noticed. Hundreds of floating candles and soft pillows arranged by the fire. Draco walked over to a table and opened a bottle of champagne. He poured some in two glasses and gave one to Hermione. Reluctantly, she took it.

'I hardly see anything to celebrate,' she said, taking a sip nonetheless.

'You've been mourning for too long, Hermione,' he answered. Hermione cast her eyes down and knew he was right. 'Cheers.'

He took a sip and Hermione wandered about the room, looking at the many bookshelves.

'I always wondered how you lived,' she said, drinking out of her glass. 'If you liked books.'

Draco watched her read the titles of several books.

'I think you and I have more in common than you wish to admit, Hermione,' Draco said, moving closer to her. Hermione turned around.

'Why do you keep saying that?' she asked.

'Saying what?'

'My name. You keep saying 'Hermione' at the end of every sentence.'

'Perhaps because I was never able to before...' he answered and their eyes locked. Hermione nervously drew away from his persistent gaze and put her glass down. Then she reached out for a book.

'Dark Magic and Its Properties,' she read.

Draco smirked and walked up to her. Opening the book, he flicked through its pages.

'I forgot I had this... Ah, my dear father left it to me... I used it alot before,' he said, then closed the book as he noticed Hermione's stare. 'This one interests me more.'

He took out another book, one he knew Hermione had read and loved. Hogwarts, A History. He watched how her eyes sparkled with delight over seeing the book again. She took it from him and turned to page 441, the page she undoubtedly had learned off by heart. She looked at it lovingly.

'Read it to me,' said Draco.

'What?' asked Hermione, taken aback.

'Read it to me,' repeated Draco. Hermione stared at Draco for a while, obviously surprised. Hesitantly, she started reading out loud.

'The story of the four founders is an extremely intriguing one. Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin were engaged as soon as Rowena turned 16, though it was against her will. Salazar had come from the Fenlands to seek a wife, and asked Rowena's father for her hand in marriage. Lord Ravenclaw, who was a cruel and evil man, accepted. By then, Rowena and Salazar had aquainted Godric Gryffindor and the peasant girl, Helga Hufflepuff. Lord Ravenclaw did not care for this close friendship between Helga and Rowena, and apparently killed Ellis Hufflepuff, father of Helga Hufflepuff. He was also very hesitant about Godric, for he seemed a threat to Salazar and Rowena's engagement, and when Lord Ravenclaw tried to kill him, Rowena drew her father's pistol and shot him. It was thereafter that the four founders began building their school, Hogwarts.'

Hermione stopped to draw breath, and saw that Draco looked very interested.

'It seems a fatal story,' he said, setting his glass down.

Hermione nodded.

'It shows that love is just a fairytale,' she answered wearily.

Draco drew closer to her, and Hermione looked up. He was very close.

'Not all loves,' Draco whispered, reaching out and touching Hermione's cheek. He ran his hand through her hair, as Hermione nervously drew quick breaths. It relieved him that she didn't move, and their eyes locked. He decided that he had waited long enough, that Hermione wouldn't think it too fast if he kissed her now... How he wanted to kiss her... He leaned forwards and put his arms around her, on her back. Moving his head forwards, he stopped when there was only an inch between his and Hermione's lips. She whispered, 'I don't know if this is a good idea.' Draco looked in her eyes and saw that scars hadn't completely healed, but he would help her heal them.

'Trust me,' he whispered, and then he drew in and claimed her lips. Gently, he kissed them. Hermione had never had a more gentle, soft kiss. It was as if he was determined to make her feel safe, to prove to her that he would do anything for her. Then she remembered that Ron had wanted to make her feel the same way, and she suddenly broke contact.

Draco opened his eyes and saw Hermione shaking her head, tears in her eyes, as she backed into the shadows. She was trembling and Draco just looked at her, standing there, after the best kiss of his life.

'I can't do this,' she whispered and ran off towards the direction of her room.
--------------

<3333333
Christy