Author's Note - Alright guys, Here is the next installment. I am sorry that I did not get it up yesterday, I got really busy.
Legal note - I own nothing
And a special thanks to my reviewers on the last chapter - Robyn Hawkes, RainDeLay, NazChick, Pug1998, wildcardgirl, and wintersong1954
Please enjoy this chapter and REVIEW!
Hermione got a reply from Luna the next day setting up a meeting for them and the kids later that afternoon. It was the day before Christmas Eve, so Hermione and Doran bundled up and went out to the park. As soon as Doran saw the playground with kids his age, he ran off to join them. Hermione found Luna sitting on a bench watching the kids play.
"Hello, Luna. How are you doing today?"
"I'm as good as I can be. Edgar finally gave me my own suite; we decided we don't want any more children. We aren't happy anymore, but what can we do?"
"I am glad that they didn't make marriage a requirement of the law, but with customs it was as good as if they did. Hopefully the Reproduction Law will be overturned before our kids have to deal with it. Times like these I wish we had divorce."
"I wouldn't divorce him even if it was legal. I want to stay together for the kids, and I don't want to lose them. You know how it is – with the separation we do allow, the husband gets the kids."
"I didn't realize, I've never had the experience or dealt with it. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I didn't love him when we got married, I knew that this wouldn't be perfect. I just couldn't bring myself to find someone who I could love after Neville died."
"I understand."
"So, Hermione, you wanted to talk about something. What is it?"
"You know I work at Absolute Apothecary, right? Well when Art died, I finally met the owner – Severus Snape. He offered me Art's old job with a hefty pay raise, when I questioned the raise – two galleons a day total – he explained to me that he knew about Doran's father. How – I honestly have no clue, but he does. He also said he sympathized with me, in not so many words, because I fought in the war only to be mistrusted afterwards. I honestly don't know what to do or think about this."
"Take the job, send Doran to school, and when the time is right you will know what to do. Interesting, though, how Professor Snape knew even before the father did."
"How did you know he knew before the father did?"
"I hear things. Many people like to talk to me, not sure why. But I hear things."
"I'm assuming, then, you know who the father is."
"Draco Malfoy, yes, I know. He disappeared for months, came back all upset, married this French girl on a whim, and is dreadfully unhappy in his marriage. Hasn't changed much overall, but he is a good dad."
"Damn, I didn't realize the information was already out there."
"Don't worry, it really isn't. Doran won't find out yet." The girls then began to talk about their children, what they had been doing since the war, and what their hopes were for the future. The stiffness that was there during their first encounter and at the beginning of this one had disappeared, and they reverted to being the friends they once were. Luna was never one to hold grudges, and Hermione needed a friend she could trust and care for.
As the sky began to grow dark, Hermione and Luna gathered up their children to head home. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and Hermione was excited to celebrate her first Christmas with Doran since he started school. Tonight they would sleep, and tomorrow they would decorate the tree and sing Christmas carols out of tune. She was pleased for some form of normality. The shop was closed these few days, and it would open again after Boxing Day. Things were looking up for Hermione. She thought that returning to England would be the cherry on top of her hard story, but slowly, very slowly, things were looking like they would turn out okay.
During Christmas, Hermione and Doran had decorated the tree, opened presents, sang carols, eaten their hearts out, and really enjoyed each other's company. Doran had gotten many gifts that year, for it was one of the first years that he truly had friends. From his mother, he received more books, a wizarding camera, tons of treats, and a gift certificate to Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley (under the condition that he waited until the end of his first year to use it). While Hermione was not the biggest fan of flying, Doran seemed to be doing well in it and he loved it. She didn't have the heart to keep him from Quidditch, but she did have him swear he would always be careful. From Julius, Doran had received a boxful of joke items. Hermione couldn't take them, but he got a lecture about not using them to get into trouble. Balkus Lovegood sent a book on possibly-existent creatures. Hermione noted that Luna gave her son her last name and not her married name. She would have to ask her about it sometime. And then, Doran had received an anonymous gift. It was a necklace, a simple boy-ish one for Doran to put under his shirt. The note simply said, "Doran, this necklace will protect you from harm. Wear it always." Hermione recognized the script, but Doran did not.
"Who sent me this, Mum?"
"I don't know, son, but it doesn't seem dangerous so why not wear it?" Draco could have at least warned me he was sending something, Hermione thought. Doran nodded, put it on, and continued going through the presents. Once they were done, they cleaned up and enjoyed the rest of the holiday together.
Hermione returned to work the day after Boxing Day. She was getting used to being the shopkeeper, and she enjoyed it quite a bit. She still needed to find a preparer, and in the mean time, she was working overtime for it. A few people had come in looking for the job, but she didn't feel that they were qualified enough for it. So, for the last week that Doran was home, she brought him into work with her and ran the shop herself. Things continued like this until the day that Doran had to return to school. New Years Eve they had stayed up and watched the countdown on the muggle telly, laughing and giggling at some of the silly hats people wore. She missed having him around all the time, but Hogwarts was turning out to be very good for him. He was finally making friends and he finally felt like he fit in, at least more so than in the muggle primary schools.
At Kings Cross, on Platform 9 ¾, Hermione said goodbye to her son. It didn't take long for him and Julius to find each other, and once again, Hermione and Draco were standing together watching their sons play around.
"Alright, boys, it's time to get on the train. Doran, say goodbye to your mother. Julius, you be a good boy. I don't want to find out about any of your shenanigans while at school, do you hear me?"
"Yes, sir. I love you, Dad! Take care of Scorpius and Aurora for me!" Draco laughed and patted his son on the back.
"Of course, now you go make top of your class!"
Hermione looked at Doran and gave him a huge hug. "You be good as well. And beat Julius for the top of your class – you know, I was top of my class when I was at Hogwarts, I know you can do it!"
"Mum! I'll be fine! I'll see you after term is over!"
"Okay, I love you, Doran. Don't forget that, and write me as soon as you can!"
"I will, Mum, stop embarrassing me!" Hermione laughed as Doran raced onto the train. She and Draco didn't say a word to each other as the train was leaving, but once it was gone, Draco turned to her.
"How about we grab some lunch, I would like to talk to you more about Doran."
"It will have to be quick, I need to open up the shop later." They left Kings Cross and found a little muggle café nearby. They didn't say anything else to each other until they had sat down and ordered. Draco looked at Hermione, and she could see that there was pain in his eyes.
"So, Draco, what did you want to talk about?"
"Doran. I know our first conversation didn't go well," Hermione snorted at this, "and I know I didn't contact you for months. There has been a lot going on with my wife. Julius doesn't know yet, but Madeline is very sick. The birth of the twins a few years ago led to her having post-partum depression, and then she didn't take care of herself at all. Now, she fading away and the doctor's can't help her. It's mental, she lost the will to live so she is dying. It will take awhile yet, unless she suddenly gets over this, but the twins are nine now and it's only gotten worse. Then, with Doran, I got overwhelmed. And I was scared, honestly. I want to be a part of his life, but I don't know how, and I don't know if or when he should know that I am his father." Hermione had never seen Draco like this. He looked broken, and not in the broken way Hermione remembered after the war. This was more of a heartbroken look. He obviously cared about his wife to some extent.
"How would your wife take this?"
"She wouldn't care. She and I never loved each other, our connection is our children, and as long as they are taken care of, she doesn't care. She rarely even sees them anymore, house elves care for them when I am gone, or their tutors. She has herself locked away in her wing and won't let anyone in. I've actually told her, and all she did was grunt at me."
"How did you two meet?"
"Two weeks after you left, the law was passed. I knew you wouldn't return, so I entered their matching agency they developed after the law, found Madeline from France, and we got to it. We got married when she was pregnant with Julius. I thought it was the right thing to do, honestly. Then she gave birth a month early, which is why Julius is in the same year as Doran. He barely made the cut-off to go – his birthday is August 28th. Then, we needed one more child to fulfill requirements, and she got pregnant with twins. After they were born, she said she wanted nothing more to do with me, moved into her own wing, and slowly went downhill."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Draco. Just so you know, Doran's birthday is September 30th, he didn't make the cut off or he would be a second-year. So, what do you want to do about Doran?"
"I don't know yet, honestly. Is he ready to hear our story?"
"I doubt it. He only just learned of the magical world, and knows even less about the war."
"Wait, you kept him away from the magical world? How did you do that – you are a witch."
"I gave up my magic, Draco. I wanted to hide and I knew if I stayed in the magical community you would find me, and I needed to leave and not be found."
"That's why I couldn't find you after you left. Well, I think it would be best then to let him get to know me as Julius' father, I'll treat him like my own, and when we think he is ready, we can tell him."
"I like that idea, actually. I want him to be a little bit more aware about the wizarding world and the war we fought in. I'll fill him in more overtime, and when I think he is ready I'll let you know."
"Did he get my gift?"
"Yes, he did. He was a bit confused but I told him to wear it, and he is. What charms does it hold?"
"Protection charms, from stray curses or to help protect him in an potions accident. If he is ever seriously in danger, I will know."
"Thank you, Draco." They finished their lunch after that. Hermione told him about her job as a shopkeeper at the Apothecary, and apparently Draco didn't know or at least didn't lead on that he knew his godfather was the proprietor. As they finished their meal, Hermione and Draco said goodbye.
"Keep in touch with me about Doran, okay? I want to know he is doing well."
"I will, Draco, don't worry." And with that, Hermione left to find a spot to apparate from so she could open the store.
The next few months went by quickly for her. She finally found someone to be the preparer at the shop, a young man named Alex Nettlebed. He was very professional and completed his work to Hermione's high standards. Hermione got a letter from Doran every week, and he was sure he would make top of his class this year. He was still supremely in love with his potions class, and Hermione had a gut feeling that Professor Snape was encouraging him, making him a favorite. Hermione was able to finally settle down into a comfortable routine between work, writing Doran, writing Draco, and working on her potions book. This was all fine and normal until she got home one evening to see MUDBLOOD! written on the door to her muggle flat. Opening the door cautiously and with her wand out, Hermione entered the flat, lighting all the lights with her wand.
"Hello? Who's there?" She heard nothing at first. Walking in further to check the rooms, she noticed a few things moved around. The kitchen and the living room were both empty. She checked Doran's room, and that one seemed untouched. With her heart racing, and feelings and instincts flooding back from the war, Hermione cautiously opened the door to her room. Inside, she saw a person sitting on her bed. Their hair was wild and they had a grimace on their face that chilled Hermione to the core.
"What are you doing in my home?"
"I've been waiting for you to come back, Mudblood. I know it was only a matter of time before your filth showed up again in England, and I won't let you take him away from me."
"Who are you? Take who away from you? I'm not doing anything!"
"You know what you are doing, Mudblood! Breeding a filthy half-blood, prancing around like you own the place. I see you for who you are – just filth."
"Who ARE you?" Hermione did not recognize this woman at all.
"I am sure you have heard of me. I don't get out of the house much, but when I found out about your half-blood son, I planned to take care of you and him. I knew years before Draco did." Hermione was getting very scared, and she yelled at the woman one more time.
"WHO ARE YOU?"
"I'm Madeline Malfoy, you bitch. And you will not take Draco away from me. Not after I worked so hard to get the Malfoy name, not after I followed his poor excuse for a godfather to figure out why he wouldn't love me. And now I found you."
"How did you find where I lived?"
"I followed one of Draco's owls to you."
"You need to leave, before I call the Aurors!"
"I don't think so, Mudblood." And with a speed that Hermione had not been expecting, Madeline Malfoy threw a stunner at her, knocking Hermione out cold.
"I guess your war reflexes aren't what they used to be, now are they?" And with that, Madeline grabbed Hermione's arm and apparated out of the flat.
Well, there you go! Thanks for all the suggestions on who his wife should be. I decided, as with many of you, that it needed to be an OOC character.
The next chapter might be a couple days before it is up. I have a very busy weekend ahead of me. I'll try to get it up as soon as I can, though!
As always - I LOVE to hear your thoughts, critiques, suggestions, and anything else
Question - How do you think that Doran should find out about Draco?
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MummyGoose
