When Stars Align

Chapter 13

He must have been seeing things.

When it was time for them to part ways with Granger, Penny started shedding tears, holding onto Granger like her dear life depended on it. Yes, it must be this incident combined with Granger's curly hair and smile that matched Penny's, that had him entertaining such a ridiculous notion. There was no way that Granger was the mother of his child. Or was there a chance?

As he tried to erase his suspicions, Draco hugged Penny closer. On their way back home, Penny had cried the entire way, unprecedentedly so, which had distressed Draco. It had taken him feeding her her favorite food, strawberry puree, to soothe her sorrow, and still, she had fallen asleep crying in his arms. His mind reeling with all that had happened in the short ten minute encounter with Granger that morning, Draco spent the rest of the day thinking of possibilities.

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"Hermione, Hermione! Earth to Hermione!" Ginny shouted, exasperated.

Hermione couldn't help it. Her encounter today with Draco Malfoy and his daughter, Penny, had left an impression. In the short ten minute that they met, she experienced joy, shock, something akin to love, distress, and heartbreak. How was that even possible? It was irrational.

Yes, it was irrational but not any less valid. The little baby had evoked so much emotion from that short span of time that Hermione was left replaying the encounter repeatedly afterwards.

She had fallen in love with Penny at first sight, experienced such delight at her openness and eagerness being held by her, and had been heartbroken at the way Penny desperately clung to her, shedding tears when they had to part ways.

Hermione knew that she was fond of all babies and animals. But never had she encountered one that had shaken her so strongly in her life. Could she be delusional in thinking that Penny seemed to resemble her a little bit? If Malfoy could hear her thoughts, he would surely be appalled.

It was difficult to explain but something was telling her that Penny was no ordinary baby. Hermione couldn't exactly grasp what it was, but she wanted to find out.

"Ginny, did you know that Malfoy has a daughter?" Hermione asked Ginny. If anyone knew about the happenings in the wizarding world, it was Ginny.

"What? I've not heard about him at all since the hearing. What do you mean he has a daughter?" Ginny asked.

Hermione relayed what had happened earlier that day.

"He said that he was not married but he has a child. Could he have gotten a divorce? Or maybe had a child from a casual relationship?" Hermione asked.

"Hmm...that would be highly unlikely. As you well know, contraception spells are fool proof and I overheard the Malfoys' concern about Draco's unwillingness to wed and settle down just several months ago."

For the next week, Hermione discreetly asked around about Malfoy. To her surprise and frustration, no one had any knowledge on what Malfoy had been up to for the past few years. Luckily, at the end of the week, she found out that a friend's acquaintance worked at the same potions lab as Malfoy. Apparently, Draco Malfoy was on paternity leave currently, was never married and had abruptly announced his pregnancy a month before his baby was born. He was an extremely private person, friendly and professional at work, and competent in his work.

To her vexation, Hermione Granger had more questions now more than ever.