A/N: Here's the freshly betaed Chapter 6. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 6
Mia, hurry up! We missed enough Sorting Ceremonies when we were at school. I
think it would be bad form to miss one when we're new teachers," Harry said
as he and the twins sat impatiently on the couch, waiting for Hermione to
finish dressing.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming," Hermione called, exasperated.
The twins were dressed in new navy blue robes, Dani's with tiny rosebuds
blossoming on the fabric, and Andy's with tiny snitches zooming everywhere.
Harry wore dark green robes that brought out his eyes. Hermione came into
view wearing dark sapphire blue robes. When she met Harry's gaze, he got a
surprised look in his eyes.
"Mia, since when do you have blue eyes?" Harry asked.
"What? Oh, when I had the twins, my eyes changed colors. It happens to all
the women in my family," she replied dismissively.
"Well, you look beautiful," Harry said getting up and kissing her cheek.
"Now, let's go."
The Potter family took their seats at the head table the twins sitting next
to the Malfoy twins. A moment later the Sorting began. After "Zigman, Anna"
had been sorted, Professor McGonagall stood up.
"Welcome to all of our first years and welcome back to the rest of you.
We're pleased to welcome several new teachers this year. Professor Malfoy is
our new Potions master. With him are his twins, Catriona and Calum.
Professor Harry Potter is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and
his wife, Professor Hermione Potter is our new Muggle Studies teacher. Their
twins Danielle and Andrew are with them. And, last but not least, our new
nurse, Madam Elizabeth Darling. She's joining us from the United States. Now
all of the usual rules apply. No Forbidden Forest, no Giant Squid, and no
use of contraband items. Enjoy the feast and the new school year," Professor
McGonagall said briskly. Harry and Hermione looked down the table to the
only unfamiliar person at the table.
The new nurse was a very striking young woman; she couldn't have been more
than 21 or 22. She had dark brown hair with strands of red and gold laced
naturally in it, but her rich hair was tamed into a severe bun on top of her
head. She wore plain black robes that were stiff with perfection. She had
pale green eyes that were totally impassive as she grazed at the students.
"Who are you?" Hermione heard Andy ask the little boy sitting next to him.
"I'm Calum Malfoy," the little blond boy replied solemnly. "And this is my
sister Catriona. Who are you?"
"I'm Andy Potter and this is my sister Dani. You gonna come play with us
tomorrow?"
"Umm, yes. I think so. At least that's what Daddy told us," Calum said.
"Will you be my friend?" Andy asked. Hermione smiled at her son's frankness.
"I guess so. I've never had a friend. Well, except for Catriona, but she's
my sister, so she doesn't count. How do you be a friend?" Calum asked
curiously.
"I dunno, but Grandpa and Uncle Moony have been friends for a long, long
time so it can't be too hard," Andy said.
Andy and Calum continued to chatter through out the meal. After the feast,
the Potters and Draco approached Madam Darling to introduce themselves.
"Madam Darling?" Hermione greeted her. "I'm Hermione Potter, and this is my
husband Harry and our … friend, Draco Malfoy. We just wanted to tell you how
grateful we are that you've agreed to help out with the children."
"Oh, it's not a problem. I love children. Most of my summers were spent
babysitting my little cousins. It'll break the monotony of the dreary
infirmary up a bit."
"Don't be so sure it will be dreary. Trouble seems to follow Potters, right
Harry?" Draco jibed a ghost of a friendly smile on his face.
"You made your fair share of trips there too, Draco."
"Oh, by the way, these are the children," Hermione interrupted, motioning
the toddlers forward. "These are our children, Dani and Andy, and these are
Draco's children, Catriona and Calum. All of them are almost three years
old. Can you kids say hi to Madam Darling?"
The kids shyly did as they were told.
"Well, we need to get these little monsters into bed," Harry said, scooping
Dani up. "See you in the morning."
"If you don't mind me asking, Professor, but where is Mrs. Malfoy?" Madam
Darling asked as the Potters left. Draco's face immediately closed down.
"She died when the twins were born," he said shortly. "Excuse me, but I need
to get the children to bed as well."
"Such a sad man," McGonagall said, patting Madam Darling on the back. "I
only hope you and the Potters can teach those children how to be happy and
how to enjoy life."
"What happened with Mrs. Malfoy?"
"Oh, 'tis not my place to say, my dear. But when he is ready to stop
stewing, be sure to listen and not judge him."
"Excuse me, Professor, but why would he tell me? We don't even know each
other," Madam Darling said, looking thoroughly confused.
"Just remember what I said," McGonagall remarked vaguely, walking out of the
hall.
The next morning after breakfast there was a knock at the portrait to the
Potters' apartment. Harry went and swung it open. Draco was standing outside
holding a sleepy looking Catriona, who was cuddling a cloth cat. Calum stood
next to them holding a small bag looking a bit anxious.
"Morning," Harry greeted them cheerfully, standing aside to let them in.
"Harry," Draco nodded. "Say hello to Professor Potter, children."
"Hello Professor Potter," Calum said; Catriona just waved.
"If it's alright with your dad, you can call me Harry or Uncle Harry and my
wife Aunt Hermione. Professor Potter is too big for such little kids."
Draco nodded his acquiescence.
"Uncle Harry, where's Andy? I brought some of my toys to show him," Calum
asked.
"He's playing with Snitch in his room," Harry said.
"Who's Snitch?" Calum asked.
"Snitch is his puppy. She's very friendly. Go on back and find them," Harry
said. "Dani's back there with her kitten Sprite," he told Catriona. "Do you
want to go find them?"
Snuggling into her father, Catriona shook her head vigorously. Draco
chuckled, rubbing her back awkwardly.
"She's a bit shy," he explained. "And she's never stayed with someone other
than me or our house elf."
"Well, I may not be as cool as your daddy," Hermione said coming into the
room. "But we're gonna have a lot of fun. In a little while, I was thinking
we might go on an adventure to go see my friend Hagrid. Before you know it
your daddy will be done teaching and he'll come and get you, ok? I'll tell
you a story along the way." Hermione held her arms out to Catriona, smiling
reassuringly at the little girl. Reluctantly, Catriona wrapped her arms
around Hermione's neck.
"Be a good girl, Catriona," Draco said, patting her head. "I'll be here to
get them as soon as I can."
As Draco walked out, Catriona began to whimper softly.
"Oh, sweetie, don't cry," Hermione crooned.
"I want my daddy," she whispered.
"I know you want your daddy, love," Harry said. "But he has to go teach."
"Daddy doesn't love me," she said plaintively.
"Of course he loves you, sweetheart," Hermione said, exchanging shocked
looks with Harry.
"No, he doesn't," she said stubbornly. She then wiggled down and walked
sadly into the nursery, her cloth cat still clutched in her arms.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said sadly.
"Do you want to talk to him or should I?" Harry asked, wrapping a comforting
arm around her shoulders.
"No. It won't mean anything coming from us. I'll talk to Madam Darling and
see what she thinks. This might be something an objective outside source
might need to handle," Hermione said. "Hey, you better go. You don't want to
be late for your first class, Professor Potter."
"Alright. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to let me know," he
admonished.
"I won't," Hermione said, feigning annoyance.
"Bye, Mia," Harry said, pressing a brief kiss on her lips. Hermione stared
after him, her fingers going to her lips. It had been a butterfly's touch of
a kiss, but it was the first she'd had in over three years and it ignited a
warm little glow in the pit of her stomach. Smiling slightly, she made her
way back to the kids' room.
Calum was playing tug-of-war with Snitch. Dani was teasing Sprite with a
little toy mouse. Just as Hermione came to the door, Andy sat down next to
Catriona who was curling up in the corner with her cloth cat, tears still
rolling down her cheeks. Hermione couldn't hear what was said, but she
smiled at the compassion in her son's tiny face.
"Why are you crying?" Andy asked.
"My daddy doesn't love me!" she said softly.
"Yes he does! All mommies and daddies love their kids," Andy said
confidently.
"How do you know?" Catriona asked wonderingly.
"Because my mommy told me so and she's really, really smart, at least that's
what Daddy and Aunt Minerva says." Andy chuckled.
"I don't have a mommy," Catriona said sadly.
"I didn't have my daddy for a long time. My mommy takes care of me and maybe
she can be like your mommy too until your daddy finds one for you," Andy
offered.
"Ok… what's better, a mommy or a daddy?" Catriona asked.
"Hmm… I dunno. My daddy is fun and he teaches me how to fly on my broom and
he loves me, but mommy takes care of me and smells nice and cuddles me when
I don't feel good. I love them both, but sometimes mommies are more useful
than daddies," Andy said frankly. "We'll have to find one for you so even if
your daddy doesn't love you, your mommy will."
"Promise?" she asked hopefully.
"I promise," Andy said solemnly.
"You're nice, Andy. Are you my friend?"
"Yes. And you're my friend. Do you wanna go meet my dog Snitch? She's really
nice. So's Dani's kitten, but he really only likes Dani," Andy said
cheerfully. Catriona nodded shyly. Andy took her hand and led her over to
where Calum and Snitch were playing. Snitch immediately abandoned her new
friend to come lick Catriona and Andy. Hermione smiled at the contrast
between the inky head of her son and the corn silk colored curls of
Catriona. Having lost his companion, Calum went to join Dani and Sprite.
Later that morning, Hermione led her little tribe out onto the grounds. Dani
and Calum played tag all the way to Hagrid's cottage while Andy and Catriona
walked by Hermione, holding hands, talking about their imaginary world they
were creating. Hagrid and Fang were sitting on the front steps enjoying the
late summer sunshine when the group arrived.
"I was wonderin' when you was goin' to bring this lot to see me, 'ermione.
I'm bettin' the dark ones are yours. The boy's the spittin' image o' his dad
and granddad," Hagrid greeted them.
"Yes, he is. These are mine and Harry's kids, Andrew and Danielle and these
are Draco Malfoy's children, Catriona and Calum. We thought we'd come down
and make the most of this beautiful day. How've you been, Hagrid?" Hermione
asked, hugging her giant friend.
"I still can't believe it. You and 'arry married with kids. And Malfoy too.
Makes me feel old. So you 'n Harry got married. Every one was real surprised
when they heard it, but no me, not ole 'agrid. You two was always close at
school. I always thought there might be somethin' more than friendship."
"Oh, Hagrid, Harry and I aren't anything more than friends. Well, at least
not yet anyways," Hermione hurried to explain, her thoughts going back to
the kiss Harry had given her that morning. "We're taking things slow, trying
this out for the kids' sake. But we're NOT in love."
"Sure ye aren't. I've known you two long enough to know that you can't see
what's right 'n front a ya and when ya do see it, yer too stubborn to do
'nything about it," Hagrid said forcefully.
"There's nothing to see, Hagrid," Hermione insisted.
"Mmhmm," Hagrid said skeptically, before turning the conversation to the
kids. They chatted for a few hours or so while the kids played chase with
Fang and explored the area around the cabin. When Hermione heard the last
bell of the day ring, she rounded up the kids and headed back to the castle.
"What is he getting at? Closer then friends?" Hermione said to no one in
particular.
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW!
