Rose recuperated wonderfully, seemingly oblivious that she almost died yesterday. It was wonderful, too wonderful in fact that the menace decided to wreak havoc the very next day.
"Draco! Draco! Draco!" the excited girl exclaimed, bouncing on her chair as she pointed a maple syrup-covered finger on a particular spot in the Daily Prophet.
The blond sighed and looked away from his own copy of the Daily Prophet. Apparently, Granger did not want to cancel her subscription while she was away and directed it to his house instead. Seeing that he had his own subscription, Rose claimed the extra newspaper. The young girl made excited noises at the moving pictures and even practiced her reading. It was comical to see a child reading the newspaper, but Draco couldn't help but feel a little amused every time Rose repeated a particularly difficult word perfectly.
"What is it now, Rose?" he asked, placing his newspaper aside and gulped his lukewarm coffee. He made a face and shot an envious look at Rose's steaming mug of hot cocoa. Perhaps, he should request Tippy to make two mugs of hot cocoa every breakfast starting tomorrow. He never particularly liked coffee, but it was a growing necessity as an adult if he had to go through the day in one piece.
"It's Captain Birch! Look!" She shoved the newspaper too closely to his face that he got a little cross-eyed. Rolling his eyes, he pried her tiny fists away from the newspaper and placed it at a comfortable reading distance.
Brevis Birch, captain of the Tutshill Tornados, was flashing a brilliant smile and waving happily at him. A meet and greet caption followed the picture, stating that the Quidditch captain will be available for the book signing of his autobiography, 'My Life as a Tornado' in Flourish and Blotts.
"Can we go?" she sweetly asked, showing off her complete set of baby teeth. "Oh, please please, Draco. I know you like the Tornados, too!"
He had been a huge fan even before he stepped foot into Hogwarts. Despite losing because of their Keeper's narcolepsy, the team continued to be Draco's favorite. Admittedly, he had been following the team's stats every year and although the idea of meeting the Captain and letting him sign a book was a thrilling thought, the idea of going back to crowded Diagon Alley too soon... well...
"Please, please Draco, I promise to be good," Rose pleaded, clasping both of her hands together as an added effect. "Let me see Birch, oh please please please."
Draco sighed and placed the newspaper aside. He still felt completely responsible for Rose's allergic reaction yesterday and he had mulled over how to make up for it. He made it a point to instruct Tippy that the little girl's favorite breakfast was French toasts and hot cocoa with marshmallows. He even hinted that the house-elf should add additional marshmallows the redhead seemed to love. He also told Tippy to mix her green peas with her food, as long as it would not be visibly seen, because Granger specifically told him her daughter hated her green peas and must therefore be hidden amidst the food. Despite sticking to Hermione's instructions this time, Draco thought he should do something more, something nice, to appease his gnawing guilt.
Bringing her to see Captain Birch was a good choice. He felt apprehensive on stepping foot in Diagon Alley once more, the memory of Goatee and Crooked Teeth resurfacing in his mind. But then, looking at Rose's hopeful face, he knew that the choice was already made for him. Scowling darkly, he blamed feeling all soft towards the redhead on guilt, and guilt alone.
"Oh, all right," he grumbled. Rose squealed and happily jumped up and down. "But go finish your breakfast first and then Tippy will give you a bath."
"Yes, Draco," she happily chimed, grabbing her half-eaten French toast to start munching on it again. "Thank you, Draco!"
__________
Rose was frowning when he walked out of his room.
"Why did you change your hair?" she blurted out of curiosity.
Draco colored, nervously running a hand through his hair, which was now a darker, dirtier shade of blond. "None of your business," he sneered. Rose stuck out her tongue in reply.
Going back to Diagon Alley made him apprehensive, knowing that people would instantly recognize him as the Malfoy Heir and give him weird stares once more. To at least calm his tumultuous mind, he decided to disguise himself a little. After all, the Malfoys were known for their whitish, blond hair. People might not give him a second glance if he concealed said hair. He refused to turn it into another color, not particularly liking that he would be horribly paler if he turned his hair black. Ginger hair was out of the question.
"Let's go!" the redhead impatiently said, grabbing onto his right wrist with both of her small hands.
"Not yet, we still have to wait for someone," he replied.
As if on cue, his fireplace roared emerald green and out came Theo. His best friend, who had the same idea as Draco, had made his hair jet-black this time, instead of the trademark brown hair of a Nott.
He narrowed his eyes as his best friend greeted him. "Did you charm your eyes blue?" Draco asked, highly amused. The shade almost rivalled Rose's.
"Shut up, Malfoy," Theo said, his cheeks slightly pink. "It went well with the black hair."
Draco snorted. "Of course, you and your infamous vanity," he drawled, earning him a dark scowl from Theo.
"What's he doing here?" Rose whined, glaring at Theo's direction.
Said Nott directed his eyes on Rose instead and sweetly smiled. "Why, I'm coming with you, Mini Granger," he replied.
The redhead pouted. "My name is Rose," she slowly said, emphasizing every word, hoping that Theo would get her this time. Draco doubted he would ditch the nickname any time soon when an amused smirk stretched onto his face. "Does he have to go, Draco?" she asked, pout still in place.
"Unfortunately yes," Draco sternly replied. "And unless you want to be left here while Theo and I go see Brevis Birch, you will be nice to Theo."
"He's not nice to me," she pointed out matter-of-factly.
"He promises to be nice, right Theo?" Draco asked through gritted teeth, shooting a warning glare at his best friend. "Right, Theo?"
Theo had an amused look on his face. "Oh, I promise to be a perfect Hufflepuff, you'll instantly like me, Mini Granger," he promised, hand on his heart, and a wide smile on his face.
Rose still gave him a suspicious glare before finally nodding her head. "All right," she said. "Let's go."
__________
"I don't know why you invited me in the first place," Theo whispered to Draco as they finally arrived in Diagon Alley. It was way crowded than yesterday and Draco felt his panic welling up a little. "I don't like Tornados after all. I fucking hate Birch; he's more action than strategy. You know how I feel about their loss last season. I mean, come on, I get the Wronski Feint and all, but was it really necessary to knock the player off the broom?"
The blond shrugged. "He was a Gryffindor," he plainly said. "What do you expect?"
"Exactly, he was a Gryffindor," Theo said matter-of-factly. "This is why that I love the Chudley Cannons. At least two-thirds of their team next season is Slytherins!"
Draco made a face upon the mention of the other Quidditch team. "Gudgeon was a wanker. And he's too slow! He could not catch a Snitch even if it's right under his nose." He ignored Theo's loud "No he's not", and continued. "Besides, I might fuck things up again and this time end up in Azkaban, and I quote, 'for murdering an innocent child'. As he said this, a middle aged woman locked gaze with him. She gave him a suspicious look, prompting him to look away and hoped against hope that he was not recognized.
His best friend was silent for a while. "Oh I get it," Theo said, quirking up an eyebrow. "Drakie poo is scared of the stares and whispers and wanted awesome, brilliant, handsome Theo Nott to shield him from harm."
"I'm not scared," the blond exclaimed too loudly, but his cheeks betrayed him. "Just...nervous."
"Nervous, mmhmm," Theo said. "Keep talking, mate. I'll be all ears."
"What are you two talking about?" Rose asked, speaking up for the first time. She was particularly looking at Theo as if she was accusing him of something.
"Just adult stuff, don't mind us."
She continued to suspiciously look at them. Rose was then immediately got distracted as screaming fans of Brevis Birch reached their ears. "Hurry, hurry!" she exclaimed, grabbing on both Theo and Draco's hands.
They were the last ones on the line and Rose was growing more and more impatient as time flew by.
The line consisted mainly of females, and Draco made a wild guess half of them were into Birch's handsome face more than his Quidditch skills. There were a few male fans; some were already enthusiastically talking about Tornados and their stats.
"How come you like Quidditch?" Theo asked Rose out of curiosity. He then directed his amused eyes at Draco. "I remember quite clearly Granger's terrified of flying. This is why I still cannot believe how she willingly rode on a hippogriff in our third year."
"Uncle Harry used to fly with me," Rose happily replied. "He also told me how much Papa likes Quidditch, like Rosie!" Draco lifted an eyebrow, realizing it was the first time Rose spoke of her father. He always wondered if she still remembered Ron Weasley, seeing that she was perhaps about three when her father died. "But he likes the Chudley Cannons." She made a disgusted face. "I don't like the Cannons. Gudgeon is slow! I like Tornados the best!"
"Exactly!" Draco exclaimed with a smirk the same time Theo replied an affronted "Hey!" "Even the menace knows good Quidditch."
"Yeah, yeah, team up, you two," Theo said, rolling his eyes, while Draco absentmindedly lifted Rose in his arms. "Next season, I think they recruited a new Keeper and a little bird told me he's one hell of a fighter. Tornados is going down, you just wait!"
"No they won't!" the redhead rejected. "Tornados are the best!"
"How can you say that?" his best friend retorted. He then proceeded to state all the stats and wins of his favorite team to the five-year-old, much to Draco's amusement. What was amusing more, however, was the fact that Rose was listening with rapt attention and stubbornly defended the Tornados.
Draco did not realize he was smiling until Theo pointed it out. "You look like a bloody idiot, you wanker," Theo whined, playfully shoving Draco to the side. "Just because a five-year-old is siding with you does not mean the Tornados are the best."
"I didn't know you like debating with children," Draco said, lifting an eyebrow. "Very...mature."
"Fuck off," the disguised Note said with a glare.
"No bad words!" Rose cried, but Theo ignored her while Draco stifled a snicker.
They were nearing the front and Theo continued to defend his team. Soon, they were face-to-face with Brevis Birch. While Rose was loudly declaring her love for the Tornados, she immediately grew silent once they reached the front of the line.
"A young fan, how delightful," the Tutshill Tornados Captain commented, a slight Irish lilt in his voice. He had strong jaws, slightly crooked nose, and bushy, brown eyebrows. He looked mulish and brusque; his wide smile seemed out of place. "Do you have anything you want me to sign?"
Draco shot a look at the strangely silent redhead. Her cheeks were as red as her hair and she was sporting a shy smile on her face. "Come now, Rosie, don't be shy," Draco urged with a slightly teasing tone.
"Here, Captain Birch," she softly said, slowly showing his autobiography.
Birch smiled once more and signed the front cover. When he returned the book to Rose, he said, "I hope you'll root for me in the next season."
Rose looked at her signed book with shining eyes, then to the Quidditch player. "I will! I will!" she exclaimed in excitement. "Tornados are the best!"
"No th - ." Draco cut Theo off with a sharp jab from his pointy elbow.
"You have a lovely daughter, both of you," the Captain, brilliant smile still in place.
Theo coughed noisily beside him whilst he turned into deep maroon. "Oh... I'm we're not..." He gestured between him and Theo as he vigorously shook his head.
Birch's eyes widened. "Right, I'm sorry," he said, followed by a discomfited chuckle. "Anyway... umm..."
"Say goodbye to him now, Rose," Draco urged hastily.
"Goodbye, Captain Birch!" she happily obliged.
Draco then steered them away from the line. Theo chose that moment to speak once more.
"I-I can't believe it!" his best friend bellowed, glaring at Draco as if it was his fault. "This is why I thought tagging along with another man with a child would raise some questions." He made a face at the blond. "Not that I have anything against it, but I'd never hit on you, eww. We're like brothers."
"Ugh, Nott, I get it and I don't care," Draco said, cheeks still tinged red. He then glared down at the still happy redhead. "Now, can we go home?" His mind was already conjuring his warm hearth and comfortable couch, and his body was aching to fulfil that imagination.
Rose was still looking at her book with awe, eyes too wide and bright. "No!" she cried. "I want to buy books, Draco, please please please. We're in Flourish and Blotts already."
Beside him, Theo snorted. "Why am I not surprised?!" he murmured under his breath. "Well, you heard Mini Granger, mate."
He really, really wanted to go home. But, Rose looked too happy and he did not want to be a spoilsport today. "Fine," he said with a defeated sigh. "But only for thirty minutes, then we'll get the hell out of here."
"Okay!"
__________
They stayed for a whopping two hours and it was all Theo's fault. Draco had this inkling his best friend was merely riling him up, quite sore that the redhead was siding with Draco for loving the Tornados and not the Cannons. As if it was his fault the Tornados were the best, that bastard.
Draco also ended up purchasing a total of ten books for the child. Hermione left enough money for Rose's necessities, and that did not include books to read. Not that Draco was complaining and his Gringotts vault would suffer from the loss. Still, Draco was itching to go home and his feet were killing him already. Besides, Rose also chose some books without pictures and they were thick enough to be a textbook. Hermione would be so proud her daughter was taking after her.
If he wasn't tired, he would have been highly amused with Rose's enthusiasm with reading. Perhaps, she would stop reading the Daily Prophet now, which had news not fitting for a child.
'Oh,' Draco thought, sudden realization dawning. Granger and Potter were famous in this Wizarding World. Perhaps, Rose was hoping that she would at least have a glimpse of her mother and Potter. He wouldn't be surprised if she was reading the newspaper tomorrow.
"Well, it was pleasant spending the day with both of you," Theo then announced once they arrived back in Draco's flat. "We should do this again." He then grinned at Rose and playfully ruffled her hair. "Perhaps I can finally convince you that the Chudley Cannons are the best, Mini Granger."
"No, Tornados!" Rose protested, prompting Theo to roll his eyes.
"All right, all right, geez," he said. Draco, however, could see how his best friend was fighting to suppress a small smile.
"Let's have a drink some time, Draco," he then said. "My treat. I'm sure you already have a handful." He meaningfully looked at Rose, prompting Draco to sigh.
Theo finally bid goodbye and left through the fireplace.
"Go wash up and change," Draco ordered. "I'll ask Tippy to clean this up for you."
Rose was looking at him strangely, it somehow made him uncomfortable. "What?" he asked a confused frown on his face.
To his utmost bewilderment, Rose threw her arms around Draco's leg and brightly grinned at him. He was too stunned to move. "Thank you for today, Draco!" she happily claimed. "I think you are nice now."
She then proceeded to run to her room, leaving a befuddled Draco behind.
__________
Draco cursed, automatically grabbing his wand under his pillow to illuminate the whole room. Eyes wide, he looked around his bedroom, searching for anything sinister. All he saw was a sheepish Rose, dressed in her teddy bear pajamas. She was clutching Sir Ginger the Stuffed Dragon with her right hand, and a picture book on the other.
"Rose," he grumbled, glaring at the girl as he calmed his wildly beating heart.
"Sorry, Draco," she said, her little feet pattering quietly across his carpeted floor until she was beside his bed.
Draco mindlessly lifted her up and settled her down beside him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, followed by a wide yawn. A quick look at his bewitched clock stated it was only thirty minutes past midnight.
"I can't sleep," she said, snuggling against her toy. "Read me a story?" She then shoved the book, 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard', into his hands.
Draco remembered Granger's twelfth instruction, stating that Rose loved bedtime stories, which would be handy on times when she had a nightmare and such.
Frowning, he looked at the little girl and noted the beads of sweat on her forehead and the paleness of her cheek. Her eyes were red and he noted that she had snot running down from her nose. "Rose," he said, conjuring a tissue out of thin air and cleaning her face. "Did you have a nightmare?"
She was determinedly not meeting his eyes. "No I didn't," she protested. "I just want a bedtime story." She was stubborn and he decided to drop the subject.
"All right," he agreed with a deep sigh.
Rose gave him a weak smile, and then crawled towards him until she was snuggling at his side. She then gave him the book. Draco felt some semblance of nostalgia as he surveyed the book in his hands. He had also loved this book as a child, despite some of its themes. 'The Warlock's Hairy Heart' was quite dark and not suitable for a child, and it effectively scared the crap out of him when he was younger.
"All right, which one do you like?" he then asked, flipping through the pages.
"'The Fountain of Fair Fortune'," she sleepily replied. "Sir Ginger really likes that story."
Draco couldn't help but smirk, remembering how his late father went berserk and demanded Dumbledore to censor this particular story since it promoted the union of a witch and a muggle. "Good choice," he then said, leafing through the book until he reached the right page. He secretly liked this story, too, when he was younger and had begged Dobby to read it to him without telling Lucius.
The blond began reading and when he was already on the part of Altheda and the 'fruits of their labors', he felt Rose heavily lean against him.
He looked at the redhead beside him and lightly smiled, noting that she was already fast asleep.
Draco debated whether to carry her back to her room or let her sleep on his bed. He knew from Tippy that the girl had nightmares often and Draco did not have the heart to disturb her when she looked too peaceful. Perhaps, this was her first peaceful sleep and he would have felt guilty if he had disrupted it.
Sighing heavily, he let her head rest on his pillow and tucked her under his duvet.
'She really looks like Granger,' he thought, smiling as he recalled the times when he saw Hermione sleeping while he stood guard on one of their missions. Eyes widening and mouth dropping, Draco realized what he was thinking and immediately shook those thoughts away.
As he settled back down on his bed, his mind strayed on Hermione and wondered when she would be back. Strangely, though, he did not feel too eager to get rid of Rose anymore and merely wished that her mother was all right.