Hermione was completely thrilled! They had the first floor, and tomorrow the final two would be finished. She had taken a domestic turn today and made sure all the elves had food and water as well as her company. Sirius distracted the children most of the day by playing tag with them in the grass as a giant black dog. Draco did indeed turn up his sleeves today and help with building the enchanted fence around the school, to Hermione's surprise.
It was evening, and the elves had departed, leaving the band of wizards to their own devices… well, only after Hermione insisted that they take the biscuits that she made for them.
The sun was still a distance from the horizon when Teddy set down the book he was reading to Scorpius. Hermione was finishing up the laundry she had enchanted in the makeshift washer and drying them by wand. "Hermione, can we go swimming before dinner?" He asked, causing the young Malfoy to gasp.
"Oh, please?" Scorpius questioned with big eyes.
The woman glanced between the boys and exhaled. "Oh, alright. Only for a little while. Go get your suits on, and Scorpius tell your dad we are headed to the lake."
The boys jumped up and cheered, shortly followed by them disappearing in Draco's tent. Hermione stifled a smile as she shook her head, walking into her tent to change. She climbed out of her casual wear and dug in her drawer for her suit. However, when she pulled it out, she frowned at the simple black one piece. Ginny's words rang out in her head.
"Color outside the lines, hm?" The witch murmured.
With a flick of her readied wand, she changed the simple suit into a tasteful two-piece. Sliding on the bathing suit, she felt a bit more naked than she was used to but putting on a pair of shorts helped that. She adjusted and shook her limps a little before stepping from the tent, beaded bag in hand.
"Granger, what is this mess about-" Draco's voice stopped dead.
His eyes were pouring over her as she caught sight of him. "We are going to go swimming. Not to worry, I am going to set up a barrier, so we will not be disturbed by the wildlife." She declared, oblivious to expression as she dug in her bag. "I have a decent supply of deterrent to ward off the merpeople and the squid," Hermione finished with a nod.
Sirius and Remus bounded into the clearing while smiling and finishing up a conversation. "You know, I don't think Lily ever forgave you for that," Remus declared and nearly faltered at the view in front of them.
"My goddess," Sirius exclaimed, bouncing over to the witch. "You have finally taken my requests seriously!" He teased while waggling his eyebrows.
Hermione looked at each of the wizards, and her cheeks glowed. "Oh- well- I think I will just go change. If Sirius approves then it's too much," she murmured, trying to peel from the group.
The male animagus reached for her arm and tutted. "Now, don't go disappointing us. That is absolutely refined."
The bathing suit top was maroon with the thick straps traveling up around her neck and zigzagging down her back to the bottom. In all reality, Hermione had thought it seemed like a shortened tank top but now felt more naked than wearing napkins for coverage on her chest as the wizards gazed at her. Not much time was spared on either thought as the boys came racing from their tent in their suits.
"We are ready, Herminny!" Scorpius shouted in his silver and green trunks.
Sirius's arm traveled around the witch's shoulders. "And where might you be going? To the lake? Need a lifeguard?" He teased, and she elbowed him before pulling away.
"Come on boys, let's leave these crazy wizards to their business," She grumbled, walking toward the edge of the camp.
"Oh, fine, Granger, I will just change and be right out," Draco retorted, and she froze, glancing back at him.
"What?"
"I clearly heard you ask if I wanted to come," Draco snickered, winking at the children before turning to his tent.
Hermione raised a finger, and her mouth fell agape. "No, wait. I didn't," she replied, as her heartbeat quickened.
"What's that? You said you wanted us to come too? I haven't dragged the ole werewolf in water in some time," Sirius announced as the children covered their giggling.
"No! I didn't," Hermione snapped and stomped her foot lightly into the dirt.
Remus sent her a guilty smile. "I suppose if you insist, Hermione," the werewolf joined, and the boys clapped in jubilation.
"For the love of magic is no one listening to me?" Hermione questioned sharply.
"I am going to hurry, no need to shout," Draco snickered and disappeared into his tent.
The men were only gone a short moment before they returned in proper attire. Hermione groaned, turning on her heels toward Black Lake. She was grumbling to herself as the children raced to catch up and Draco padded after her.
"Hey, Granger, don't be sour about us wanting to join," he declared as he met her pace.
Hermione waved her hand at him. "You never listen to me," she said with an edged tone.
"I can't very well let you babysit my son after such a long day you had. It wouldn't be right," He retorted with a small smirk.
The witch was ignoring the proximity of their walking. It was too cozy. She was completely uncomfortable. He ogled her. No- he didn't, she tried desperately to convey to her pushy thoughts. "You don't trust me," she mumbled, trying to push away her feelings.
"Of course I do. You have his best interests at heart, which speaks volumes, I must say." Draco replied, his expression was tightened by her comment.
Before she could line up another response, Remus walked up next to her empty side and smiled. "What made you decide to take the children to the lake?" he asked gently.
Hermione smiled over at him with a tint to her cheeks. "They insisted, and you know how I am," she responded with a playful swivel of her eyes.
"Well, no one ever doubted your nurturing instincts," The werewolf mused with a smirk.
They reached the lake and Hermione got to work blocking off their space to splash around, but Draco sized up the werewolf. He noted the swift change in the older wizard's behavior, which only goaded him farther. He would rather get hit by a bat bogey hex than be outdone by a former professor with a territorial streak any day… whether he wanted to shag the witch or not. He reminded himself of the not part. It is principal, not jealousy.
Draco tossed the older man a sneer before walking toward Hermione. "So, do you bake biscuits for house elves all the time?"
She tucked her wand away after the process of warding the area was complete. "Not all the time, but they work very hard. Even with my bill that was passed a few years ago, some of them still aren't as appreciated as they should be." She announced with a nod before turning to the children. "Alright, it is ready, boys."
Sirius ran off with the children as a dog and flopped in the water as they splashed around. They were laughing as he barked and pranced around in the shallower portion of the lake.
"You know, Astoria clapped when you had that bill passed. She always did treat our house elf Tindy extraordinarily well. I grew compassion by watching her exhibit her own."
Hermione sighed with a small hint of a smile. "You have grown some, I will agree to that. You are an excellent father, Draco." She declared glancing up at him.
Remus had wandered down by the edge and sat down on the sand, letting the water lap at his bare feet. The witch's gaze returned to the lone marauder a distance away and Draco arched an eyebrow at her. "You realize it is completely obvious you are pining for our former professor. When did that start, Granger?" He asked and her face contorted. "Come on, you confessed many things last night. One more truly will not hurt between us. Who have I got to tell, anyway? My life is my son, that is it."
She looked up at the towering Malfoy and exhaled slowly. "It isn't that," she murmured, and his eyes narrowed.
"Really? How often do you feed that rubbish to other people and they believe you?"
"They never do," she whispered and then gnawing on her bottom lip. "Can we not talk about this? I don't want to dredge up my past indiscretions so liberally."
As if on cue, Sirius sprinted up to her as a dog and shook, causing her to jerk at the surprise of water sprayed at her. He changed back and lifted her with ease over his shoulder. "Come on, Pussycat; let's get you in the water." He snickered as she flailed in his arms.
"Sirius put me down!" She screamed and smacked his back with her fists. "You arse licking, flea infested, excuse for an-" Her words were cut off as he flung her into the water and she screamed in surprise.
"Get her boys, she isn't going anywhere," Sirius told the children who giggled and swam over to the glowering witch.
Soon she was being hugged on and splashed by them to her dismay. "Never listen to Uncle Sirius! We had this conversation yesterday!" Hermione shouted while trying to fend off the kids.
The giggling ensued as Hermione fought the children off, but Sirius took her arms behind her back and chuckled. "You aren't playing fair. They are children," He taunted, and she started to grapple with the man.
"Sirius Black! You dirty, depraved, soulless human being," she snarled as she tried in earnest to pull away. "Moony, please tell him to stop," Hermione growled as she managed to turn around in his grip.
"Pads, don't hurt her," The werewolf warned.
Draco decided to make his entrance and scoop up his son who looked slightly concerned. "Just say the magic word, and he will turn into a dog and run away," Draco told the boy.
Scorpius leaned to the pair still in a stalemate and frowned at the Black. "Dogcatcher!" the boy shouted and the male animagus grinned and released the flustered witch.
The black dog launched himself out of the water and pranced toward the werewolf. "Pads," Remus growled as the panting animal approached. Sirius launched himself on the werewolf licking his face and causing Remus to squirm. "You smell like wet dog," he snapped through the attack.
Sirius reformed, straddling the lounging werewolf and continued his attack. However, this version was a deep and quite fervent kiss that Scorpius covered his eyes and fussed about. "Ew, kissing is gross," the boy grumbled.
Teddy shrugged his shoulders. "My dad and Uncle Sirius do that all the time," he said plainly, and the young boy grimaced further.
Hermione moved to leave, and Scorpius yanked in his father's arms. "Wait, Herminny, don't go," he pleaded, and the witch stopped.
"I was only going to get some towels," she declared, and Draco let him down.
The blond boy wadded up to her and took her open hand as they walked up the beach some. Draco admired the pair, and his chest tightened. A trick of the light? Did he actually for a split second think she glanced back at him with a genuine smile as she held his son's hand?
"Can Scorpius come to Gran's?" Teddy asked, bringing Draco out of his mind.
"What?" Draco responded turning to the young Lupin in the water still.
"Gran invites us to dinner, and I want him to meet all my cousins. I have tons, and he doesn't have any so," Teddy announced with a noncommittal shrug of his shoulders.
"Well, I don't know if we are invited, Teddy," Draco admitted as they emerged from the water.
They were walking up to Hermione drying the young Malfoy off. She was speaking gently to him, and he was smiling. "And never forget that we are all allowed to be who we want to be," she finished, and Draco snorted.
"Giving life lessons to my son, Granger?"
Hermione smiled up from her bent position. "No, just letting him know how special he is. He told me how much he loved this vacation and thanked me for letting you work on the castle with me. " She murmured and turned back to the child. "Sometimes I forget that rule myself," she sighed and erected from the ground.
"Hermione, can Scorpius come to Gran's with us?" Teddy asked the witch who toweled her hair.
"Well, as long as his dad says it's alright. They are both invited," Hermione responded and strolled over to the whispering marauders.
Draco stood there stunned as the children celebrated. He watched her speak to them, and their smiles were soft and tender as her wet locks swayed with inaudible words. The sun had crested the hills in the distance, and he silently wondered. Who was this witch and how did he not really see her before? The golden glow of twilight gave her an elfish appearance as she helped the wizards off the wet sand. Both took turns ran a hand over each shoulder, and Draco felt spurned. He motioned for the children to follow him and left the trio on the beach with a sour disposition.