Chapter 14

9 April 2005

"Oh, you're so cute, yes you are," Hermione cooed at her godson, whom she was holding above her head as he laughed.

"He's missed you," Ginny said, leaning against the door to James' room and watching the two playing.

"Well, I've missed him too," Hermione replied, bringing him down to blow a raspberry on his tummy, eliciting another one of the baby giggles she adored.

"Then you should come around more often," Ginny admonished.

"You know I'd love to," Hermione sighed. She had owled Ginny and Harry two days ago, and had asked to spend some time together before they went to the monthly family brunch at the Weasleys'. She had decided it was best to announce her impending nuptials to them before they let everyone else know.

They had already told her parents the previous day.

Hermione had called her parents and told them she had something important to tell them, sending them into an instant frenzy of questions. Hermione had promised to tell them everything when they met, but it was evident from her tone that she was nervous. When she had pressed the doorbell to her childhood home, she, Draco, her parents, everyone had had racing hearts. Luckily, Scorpius' presence had dampened the shock of her news. The Grangers had taken to the little boy instantly, and her father had settled with him on the rug, as he pulled out some of Hermione's old toy cars.

Her mother had taken her aside and bombarded her with questions, and Hermione had totally expected it. Who exactly was Draco? What had happened with his first marriage? Was she ready to be a mother? How long they had been dating? Why she hadn't told them about the new development? Was she happy? Thankfully, she and Draco had spent an entire day going over their backstory, so as not to stumble in public when asked a basic question. She felt terrible lying to her mother, but kept herself going every time she looked at Scorpius and remembered what was at stake.

It was evident that her parents were shocked and surprised, but not put off by the idea. They were just happy she was finally moving on in life, and had found a good family. Her mother had even hugged Draco on the way out, and it had taken everything she had for Hermione not to laugh out loud at the scene and the discomfort on his face.

Draco's family had been a completely different ballgame. Draco had picked up Hermione from her home after dropping Scorpius at school to go visit his parents. Hermione felt as though someone were controlling her actions through the imperius, because she had felt numb throughout. Never had she thought she would be sitting across the Malfoy's in a friendly manner, talking to them about marrying their son.

Narcissa had looked surprised more than shocked, and Hermione learned that it had been her thought process behind this whole thing. When Draco explained the whole situation, she hadn't looked upset by his decision. In fact, she had taken to thanking Hermione profusely, so much so that Hermione had blushed wildly at the compliments the woman was showering on her. Lucius Malfoy was unreadable, however.

"Draco, I'd like to speak to your mother privately for a moment please," he finally spoke, his face still plain and devoid of any emotion. "Neriti will show you to the parlor and serve you and Miss Granger tea, if you'd like."

Hermione had noticed that Draco and Narcissa had gone pale instantly. Lucius clearly wasn't happy with this, and god alone knew what was coming. Draco had faith in his mother, though, and nodded to follow his father's orders.

"This was your idea?" Lucius spoke calmly to his wife once the door was closed.

Narcissa nodded. "We've thought of everything, Lucius. And this is the only thing that guarantees us some chance at a win."

"But a muggleborn, Cissa?" Lucius was now openly angry.

"Don't tell me you're still on that track, Lucius. Not after everything that happened. We have to move on from thinking they're inferior."

"Working and sharing our world with them is a different story," Lucius stood up, pacing in front of Narcissa. "But inviting them into the family? Having a muggle-born be part of the family line? Never!"

"Well, that muggle-born is the only one ready to help you see your one and only grandson more than once in ten years, Lucius!" Narcissa stood up. Draco finally had a chance again, and she wasn't going to let Lucius' bigotry ruin this for him. "She hasn't had the best treatment from this family, and yet, she is the only one big enough to look past all that for the sake of our grandson. And listen to me carefully. We owe this to Draco. If we hadn't set him up with Astoria, all this mess would've never happened. He's finally happy, and I will not let him lose Scorpius. So, it would do you good to get over this nonsense and support Draco in this, and actually appreciate the only woman who had agreed to something this massive. If you're not up to it, I will make sure Draco feels supported enough on my own. That boy has had enough of our controlling decisions ruin his life. I refuse to let this go on. Now, I'm going to call them back in, and you will be cordial to her."

Lucius sat down in shock over his wife's outburst. Never in their decades long marriage had she ever spoken out in this manner, and he had no idea how to react.

When Draco and Hermione came back in, Narcissa pulled Hermione into a hug and thanked her once more. Hermione returned the hug awkwardly, but smiled as she realized the Malfoy matriarch was going out of her way to make sure she felt comfortable.

"We'll take our leave then," Draco cleared his throat. "We have to get to work."

"I'd like to speak to Miss Granger before you leave," Lucius' voice stopped him. "Alone."

"Father, you can-"

"Miss Granger," Lucius ignored his son, and gestured to Hermione to follow him.

Draco shot a look toward his mother in askance, and she nodded lightly. Draco didn't like this, but he gave Hermione an apologetic look and signed that he'd be right outside. What on earth did his father want now? If he harmed…No, his father wouldn't harm her. She was helping him., and if there was one thing Draco knew, it was that Lucius loved his grandson with all his heart.

Hermione had quietly followed Lucius to his study, and she could swear her heart was racing fast and loud enough for the aristocrat to hear.

"I want to talk to you about your remuneration, Miss Granger," he spoke, lacing his fingers together and placing them against his chin.

"I'm sorry?"

"What would you like in return for this favor you're doing our family?"

"I don't want anything," Hermione said, unsure whether to be angry, insulted, or confused.

"You will be devoting time from your own life to help us, and you want nothing in return?" Lucius asked incredulously. He had assumed the lady had agreed in return for some sort of payment.

Hermione shook her head no. "And anyway, this conversation is reserved for Draco and I. Good day, Mr. Malfoy."

She stood up, and held out her hand. Lucius eyed it before taking it in his own and pumping it twice. Hermione turned on her heel to leave the room, sure she would collapse if she stayed here a moment longer.

"Miss Granger," Lucius' voice stopped her. "I apologize for misreading your intentions. Thank you for what you're doing."

Hermione turned once more, nodded, and then left the room. Everything was so out of the ordinary already. Why not add Lucius Malfoy apologizing and thanking her to the list?

"'Mione, Gin, we should leave now," Harry's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Hermione nodded, and placed the baby in his mother's waiting arms.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, as they waited for Ginny to put on James' jacket and shoes.

"Yeah," she said, trying her best to school her shivering voice to its normal characteristics. She floo'd to the Weasley's when she saw Ginny was ready, leaving the family to follow right behind her.

"Hermione, dear," Molly's voice came instantly, and the older woman pulled her into a tight hug. "It's been far too long since you've visited. And my, you've lost a lot of weight. Do you want me to start bringing you a couple of pies a week? All you'd have to do is pop a quick heating charm on them, and you'd have food."

Hermione grinned. This was truly like coming home. "No, thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I'll just make it a point to come over and eat here."

"Good girl," she said, and moved to coo over her grandson and daughter. Hermione made her way to the dining table, where the rest of the Weasleys were, shouting, laughing, teasing.

"'Mione!" George yelled when he saw her. "How's the Ministry been treating you?"

"It's been good," she smiled, and took a seat on the bench. "How's the shop doing?"

"Great, of course," George replied. "Came up with a toffee that makes your tongue split and stretch like toffee last week, and it's been selling out almost every day. Would you like some?"

"I'm fine, George," she laughed. "Where's Ron?"

Bill rolled his eyes. "He's still upstairs."

"With Lavender," Percy supplied, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

"That's back on?" Hermione asked. This was surprising.

"Yeah, and it's gross," George replied. "I have half a mind to use our teeth blackening toothpaste on her when she's around in the mornings. That girl is the definition obnoxious and annoying."

Everyone at the table burst out into laughter at the image of Lavender walking around with a set of black teeth.

"What's so funny?" Ron's voice abruptly stopped their laughter. Lavender was attached to his arm, and smiling widely at everyone.

"Nothing, just telling them about how you slipped in the restaurant last week," George said, his face completely straight.

Ron blushed, as they took a seat. "Will you stop telling everyone that story? And it was your slip gel I fell on."

"I have to test my products," George shrugged, sending everyone except Ron into another bout of laughter.

"Okay, now," Molly came in holding a large roast chicken on a bed of potatoes and beans, shutting down the argument. "Everyone find their places."

Everyone knew better than to disobey Molly, and there was an immediate scatter as everyone found an empty spot to settle in.

Fleur and Ginny were right behind, holding platters of bread, gravy, and even a pudding.

It was noisy as everyone passed dishes, serving themselves larger portions than they would normally have, knowing that the food was delicious and they would go for seconds afterwards anyway.

"To family, and having abundant and lovely meals like these," Arthur toasted once everyone was ready.

"To family," everyone agreed, holding up their glasses of butterbeer and cider.

This was the perfect moment, Hermione decided. "Actually, I have some news."

"We're engaged!" a voice yelled, but it wasn't her own. She looked around and saw Lavender standing up, practically giddy, and pulling a sheepish Ron to stand up next to her.

Instantly, everyone was surrounding them, hugging them and asking all the necessary questions about the proposal.

Hermione kept trying to talk, but her voice kept getting drowned by the noise. If she didn't do it now, she would definitely lose the courage to do it later.

"I'm getting married!" she finally yelled after the twentieth attempt of trying to announce it.

Everyone turned around slowly, confusion etched on their faces.

"To who, dear?" Molly asked.

"Draco Malfoy," she said slowly.

"Draco Malfoy, the death eater?" Ron asked.

"No, Draco Malfoy, the businessman is my fiancée," Hermione corrected defiantly.

Ron burst out into laughter then, and some of his family followed nervously. "Oh, Hermione, you come up with some of the most bizarre pranks ever. Almost had me there too, you, getting married to Malfoy," he said between wheezes.

"I'm not joking," she said, and she felt her anger bubbling up.

"Right, so I'm just supposed to believe that you're marrying Malfoy," Ron laughed again. Now, everyone else was looking at her in concern. Everyone else was starting to believe she was being honest.

"I am, so you should believe it," Hermione said, crossing her arms and tilting her head, as if daring him to question her further.

"But, Hermione, when did you even start dating him?" Harry asked.

"Five months ago," she replied.

"Why didn't you tell us, Hermione?" Harry asked, the hurt evident on his face.

Hermione rushed forward to face him. "I wasn't sure of anything, and I didn't know how you'd react, I'm so sorry, Harry."

"We're supposed to be friends, Hermione," Harry said simply, shaking his arm out of her hold.

"We are, I-"

"You tell your friends the important things, 'Mione. I know we haven't been able to be as close as we were, but the important things are still to be shared."

"I'm so sorry, Harry, I-"

"Don't stress, Harry," Ron cut her off. "She'll never go through with it. Are you just doing it to spite me because I'm engaged?"

"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, in disbelief of what he had just alleged.

"Are you actually in love with Malfoy and going to marry him? Because I don't believe that. There must be some extended agenda or-"

"The wedding is in two weeks," Hermione said, clenching her fists to control her anger. "And if you choose to attend, you can see me go through with it."

"Are you under the imperius, 'Mione? Stick out your tongue and tap your head and rub your stomach, if you aren't," Ron said exasperatedly.

"I am going to say this one last time for you, Ronald," Hermione said. "I'm getting married in two weeks to Draco."

Ron huffed, and pulled a struggling Lavender out of the room, leaving Hermione to face the other Weasleys and Harry.

"Congratulations, Hermione," Arthur patted her awkwardly on the back, offering a small smile.

Slowly, all the Weasleys congratulated her, and sat back on their seats. This had been a pretty usual and dramatic Weasley brunch.

She excused herself and walked outside to where she knew Harry would be standing. Sure enough, he was right there, leaning against the wall and looking up at the sky.

"Harry, I-"

"'Mione, are you happy?"

Hermione could only nod.

"And is he actually a decent guy to you?"

Hermione nodded.

"Then I'll make sure all of us are at your wedding," Harry smiled. "But you need to promise to tell me all the big things that happen in your life, no matter what you think my reaction would be. We're stronger than that."

Hermione nodded, sniffing away her tears, and pulled him into a hug.

Remember why you're doing this, she reminded herself. It's all she could do right now that her mind was made up.

(A/N: Thank you for reading and for all the love on this new version. Let me know what your thoughts are so far.

To be continued)