A/N: I'm discovering that this story is what we like to call a "slow burn." I'm a few chapters ahead, and we still don't have an official romantic pair (we're getting super-close!) much less any smut. Just something to keep in mind for the next few chapters.
And now it's time for some Black family genealogy! (An explanation prompted by janethejhon, who asked how Neville is related to the group.)
The most relevant common ancestor for our procreation group is Phineas Nigellus Black, the least popular Headmaster in the history of Hogwarts. According to JKR's Black Family Tree, PNB married Ursula Flint and had five children: Sirius Black II, Phineas Black II, Cygnus Black II, Arcturus Black II, and Belvina (Black) Burke.
Phineas II and Belvina are irrelevant for my purposes: Phineas II was disowned and no marriage/descendants are recorded on the Black family tapestry. Belvina Burke has no listed genealogy on the tapestry and, for my story, has no extent descendants and is thus not a blood ancestor of the included Burke men in the Gerald Greengrass group.
Sirius Black II is the great-grandfather to Sirius Black III (the SOB we all know and love).
Cygnus Black II is the great-great-grandfather to Draco Malfoy (via Narcissa [Black] Malfoy). Lucius is included in the group not because of his ties to the Black family, but because of his close genetic link with Draco, who is part of the group via the Black family. I'm taking some extra liberties here, as my head-canon is that Harry's grandmother is Dorea (Black) Potter, which would make Cygnus Black II his great-grandfather. I know *technically* canon is that Harry's paternal grandparents are Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, but that was only officially incorporated into canon in 2015, and I cut my fanfiction teeth on stories with Charlus and Dorea Potter as his grandparents. So... yeah, I'm claiming Harry for the Blacks. Call it creative license.
Arcturus Black II had three daughters: Calliodora (Black) Longbottom (making Arcturus II Neville's great-great-grandfather), Cedrella (Black) Weasley, and Charis (Black) Crouch. Arcturus II is technically the great-grandfather of the Weasley boys, but they were moved into a separate group because they constitute a close genetic group on their own. Theoretically Neville could have been placed in the Weasley group, but then Hermione's group would have had five men, including Frank. This distribution gives both groups six men, with five actually available for children. (Frank is on the Janus Thickey Ward, and Charlie is still in Romania.)
So between Hermione's group and the Weasley boys, all extent Black family men (plus Lucius-thanks Draco!) are accounted for. Other men who could have mattered, but for their being dead, are: Regulus Black, James Potter, and Bartemius Crouch Jr. (perhaps the Prewett twins, if we assume that Lucretia [Black] Prewett is their direct ancestor, but that's not explicitly stated in any JKR references).
November 22nd, 1998
Malfoy Manor
When she Flooed to Malfoy Manor the following evening, Hermione was expecting a number of things. She expected to have a flashback to the evening she was tortured by Bellatrix. She expected to butt heads with Lucius over something to do with the future Malfoy children. She expected Draco to be cold to her, given her dismissal of his invitation to dinner. She expected to stumble over her apology to him. She didn't know if she wanted to date, but the idea of being more comfortable with Draco was a sound one, if she wanted a positive first time and an amenable relationship afterward.
She did not expect to step through the Flow and see Draco locked in an embrace with Daphne Greengrass.
His arms were wrapped around her, and her head was buried in his shoulder, and Hermione pushed down the twinge of jealousy that threatened to flare forth. After all, hadn't he asked her to dinner just yesterday?
She stared at the pair as they separated. Daphne flushed but Draco unrepentant. They made a striking pair: both tall blondes that wore their aristocracy as clear as day. Daphne had bright blue eyes and posture that spoke of many days as a young child balancing books on her head. Her black robes and matching heels were elegant and showed off her willowy figure.
"I apologize, I'm a tad early. I didn't realize I'd be intruding," said Hermione, a forced smile accompanying her polite voice.
"No, it's my fault. I should be going." Daphne blinked a few times, and then looked at Draco. "Thank you. I'll see you Friday."
He squeezed her hand. "Friday."
Daphne offered Hermione an apologetic smile before she disappeared in the Floo.
"Shall we?" Draco's cool voice sent a child down Hermione's spine. He offered her his arm, the perfect image of polite host, the distance between them absolutely correct as she escorted her to the dining room.
"I'm glad to see Daphne is well enough to visit," said Hermione after they'd seated themselves for dinner. A well-dressed house elf popped in with the soup course and was gone in the blink of an eye. Hermione said nothing, but raised an eyebrow at Lucius.
"We will endeavor to compromise on your pet projects, Hermione. I know house elves are something of a soft spot for you." He smirked at her, and then looked at Draco. "I did not realize Ms. Greengrass had come to visit."
"It was a personal visit. Their Floo has been approved for limited travel, but the family is still not up to general callers." Draco did not look at Hermione.
"I see." He looked long at Draco and then turned to Hermione. "Have you spoken with Severus recently?"
She shook her head. "I'll see him in the lab tomorrow. He's running experiments on his fertile witches' antidote, and he wants to bounce his thoughts off me for a bit. I also think he needs a bit of a break from actually brewing." She paused. "Arthur has also asked me to drop by his office tomorrow."
Lucius nodded. "Do you know what about?"
"No idea. Perhaps to talk about the PR plan? Although I can't imagine it's deviated much since we last spoke, since Severus is still in the experimental stages with the antidote."
She spared a glance at Draco, who was focused on the soup in front of him. He hadn't spoken to either of them unless directly addressed, but he had not been overtly rude. This wasn't the Draco she'd been getting to know over the last few months, nor was it the Draco she knew from school. He seemed, if anything, like her early interactions with Lucius on the response team: polite but cool.
"I imagine it has something to do with the Procreation Department. Given your… emphatic contributions to the Act itself, I can't imagine he wouldn't ask you to be a part of the administration that oversees its implementation." Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Surely you'd considered that possibility."
She hadn't.
"It's unfortunate for Arthur, then, that I'm quite set on pursuing my Runes Mastery. And I actually don't need a job. Since Harry and Sirius don't charge me rent, I can stretch the small trust I have from my parents until my education is complete."
"Hermione, given the fathers of your future children, I don't think you need to worry about living expenses ever again. You'll be well cared for."
She bristled. "I don't want to be dependent on anyone. I appreciate that all of you are quite wealthy, but it's not my wealth. Though Harry and Sirius are adamant about not accepting any rent money, I feel terrible for not contributing to Grimmauld Place."
Lucius smirked. "One might say that providing heirs for their Houses will be quite the contribution."
She blushed.
Lucius directed the conversation for the remainder of the evening, asking about Hermione's preferences regarding everything from breakfast preferences to decorative style. He invited her back the following Sunday for dinner, noting that they could tour the wing of the Manor where she'd be staying then.
"Perhaps until you move in, we could make Sunday dinner at running engagement?"
She agreed, and Lucius retired shortly thereafter, citing early meetings at the Ministry. Draco was left to play host.
"You must also be ready to go," he said. "After all, you've a busy day tomorrow. Meetings and work all morning, and then your lunch date with Longbottom. Let me walk you to the Floo."
Hermione marveled at how utterly emotionless he was. She had seen his Slytherin face; she had seen him act like this with others. But once they'd started their friendship shortly after his acquittal, he'd never acted like that toward her.
"Thank you. I am a bit tired," she followed him to the Floo. "And it's not a date."
He nodded once. "As you say."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed a fist of Floo powder. "Goodnight, Draco."
November 23rd, 1998
Longbottom Hall
"Am I being too sensitive about this, Neville?" Hermione picked at the crisps on her plate, grateful her host had opted for light lunch after a fairly heavy dinner the night before. "I feel ridiculous."
She was, he thought, maybe, just a bit ridiculous. After all, she was the one who had declined the date. But thinking about the future mother of his children dating one of his—what were they? co-parents?—was making his brain hurt a little, so he decided not to force the issue.
"You're entitled to your feelings, Hermione, and you don't have to explain them to anyone. I'm not terribly shocked that Malfoy asked you out—women like you are in short supply, and were even before the plague. I am a little surprised that you found him with Daphne the next day. Last I heard she was engaged to Blaise Zabini." He pushed his plate forward and decided to focus her mind elsewhere. "Would you like to see the gardens?"
They walked for a short time, intimately but not touching. Had had grown, she thought, seemingly overnight. Like Ron, he'd shot up and now had near half a meter on her. She pulled her peacoat around her and watched as he pointed out the beds where he was cultivating potions ingredients. The grounds at Longbottom Hall were extensive, and their walk took them the better part of an hour.
"And your Mastery project?" she asked, as they turned back toward the house.
He gestured toward a small shed. "I'm preparing an Orchid House. I've been corresponding with an Herbologist at Mahoutokoro. Japan's use of orchids in healing is something that we've never incorporated here in Britain. I'm going to grow several different varietals here. If they do well, I'll spoken to Snape about working together to see how our healing potions could be augmented by their use." He shoved his hands in the pockets of his grey trousers. "Master Sasaki said orchids have been used primarily in mental health potions in Japan."
Hermione put her hand on his arm. She waited.
"I'm not expecting a cure or anything," he continued. "I know what happened to them… there's no coming back from that, not completely. But if I can bring a little clarity to him, a little healing…"
"It's worth it," she finished for him. "I am a little surprised you're working with Severus."
Neville shrugged. "We trade letters. I don't know that I'll ever be… you remember school. But after the Battle, he wrote to me and thanked me for killing Nagini—he said her attack was worse than anything he suffered at Voldemort's hands. We started exchanging letters and… well, he's less intimidating when he's not in person."
Hermione nodded.
"Once the orchids are matured and we start incorporating them into potions, we'll probably need to meet face-to-face. Hopefully by then I won't be so terrified of him."
"I'm sure it will be fine. He must think your project is quite exceptional, to offer to work with you. It sounds like you have every reason to be hopeful. I'm sure your parents would be quite proud of you." She squeezed his hand. "I know I am."
He gave her a small smile. "Hannah used to come visit them with me. Not often, mind you, but… well, it seemed important that they know her." He paused. "I thought maybe you might… I mean, you don't have to… It might be awkward because of the list, but…"
"I'll come visit your dad with you anytime you want, Neville," Hermione said. "He's important to you, and you're important to me. And if you're successful, well, I'll have to get to know him, won't I?" He blushed and nodded, took her elbow, and gently guided her back to the house in amicable silence.
When they reached the Floo, Hermione took his hand. "Let me know what you hear about your Mastery. And let me know when you'd like me to go with you to visit your dad." She squeezed. "Seriously, Neville. Anytime."
He nodded. "And you don't worry about Malfoy. The whole world has been turned upside-down this last month. You're entitled to a little time to get used to everything. We all are."
She kissed him on his cheek and left.
As he walked to the library to read a new book on Eastern Herbology he thought about Hannah. Beautiful, sweet Hannah. How she'd held his hand when he first told her about his parents. How she'd offered to join him on his visits if he needed her. How she'd never looked at him with pity, as so many did, but rather with concern and love.
He was reminded that what first drew him to Hannah was the fact that she had quite a bit in common with Hermione.
November 24th, 1998
Number 12 Grimmauld Place
"Teddy, if you finish your peaches, I'll take you to the park this morning before I go to work. Swing? Want to go on the swing?" She spooned the peach puree out of the small bowl and waved it in his face. He stuck his drool-covered fist in his mouth, covering it in un-eaten puree and blocking the spoon's trajectory to his both. He laughed, spraying puree around his fist and into Hermione's face.
She wiped the mess away. "You know, kid, you're not really selling me on this whole having babies business right now." She sighed and ran her fingers through his shaggy blue hair; how did puree get there?
Hermione was tempted to Tergeo the mess away, but she'd read that babies magical cores didn't settle until a year old, and so using magic on them wasn't recommended.
"Looks like we're going to go have a bath, Teddy! Want to take a bath?" She smiled broadly at him and nodded her head yes.
He opened his mouth and started to wail.
I don't have time for this, Hermoine thought. I need to get the lab and to discuss the antidote with Severus, Arthur wants me to meet about the Procreation Department, I have to confirm the room reservation for the first fertile witches meeting tomorrow… Where the bloody hell are Harry and Sirius?
An large owl knocked on the window. Hermione didn't recognize it and, given the response to her support of the Procreation Act, wasn't in any hurry to find out what hex was waiting for her in this letter.
When Hermione returned to the kitchen with a clean Teddy in tow, the owl was still knocking.
She opened the window. "Fine, you menace, drop it there."
A short series of spells revealed nothing malicious in the letter, so she picked it up. It was fairly heavy vellum, and sealed with wax.
Dear Ms. Granger,
Please accept my sincere apologies for intruding on your time at Malfoy Manor Sunday evening. I'd be most gratified if you would join me for tea on Friday at 4. Our Floo has been cleared for limited travel; the address is 'Greengrass Place.'
Warm regards,
Ms. Daphne Greengrass