All rights belong to J.K. Rowling! Thanks to camnz for encouraging me to write!

Chapter Twenty- Malfoy Manor

Hermione vividly remembered her first visit to Malfoy Manor. It had seemed dark and terrifying, especially when Bellatrix Lestrange had tortured her with the Cruciatus curse. Narcissa had since done an admirable job remodeling the Manor after Voldemort's stay. Carpets and furniture stained by blood were replaced. Walls were painted lighter colors and windows were open to the gardens, but the atmosphere was still very cold. What Hermione didn't realize was that it was her own presence that had turned an unpleasant Malfoy Manor into a home. Draco knew it. That was why he was so thankful that she was back.

Because the past few days had been such a traumatic experience for the children, Hermione and Draco spent their afternoon with them. They whispered in the blanket fort, read books together, and walked in the Manor gardens. Draco rode broomsticks with Scorpius and Cassie. Hermione watched Orion and Leo ride on beginner brooms that levitated no higher than three feet. Then they made cookies in the kitchen together with some of the house elves.

Narcissa rested after her exhausting three days helping to care for the children during their hospital visits. Lucius remained in his study. Hermione cuddled with her baby and studied Gemmie's new schedule. She hoped to continue breastfeeding, if her milk production was adequate after three days of no feeding, but was open to switching to a bottle at night. Gemmie had taken a bottle for Molly and seemed content. Hermione would keep a close eye on Gemini's tummy troubles as well as her own diet.

"Draco," she began as they walked in the Manor park with the children. "I am so incredibly thankful to Molly Weasley. It would have been agonizing for me to put Gemmie on a schedule and get her to take a bottle. Molly did it in only three days! Do you think we could send Molly and Arthur on a vacation to thank them?"

"Where do you want to send them?"

"I don't know. How about Rome? There is so much to see there, and it's a romantic place. I think Molly would like it. Arthur would love all the Muggle history."

Draco grimaced, frowned, and nodded. This was beginning to sound suspiciously like ... a friendship? Between Malfoys and Weasleys?

At bedtime, the children seemed to have numerous questions for their parents.

"Papa, can you play with me tomorrow too?" Leo asked.

"Mummy, can we go to Harry Potter's house again?" Orion begged.

"Mum, are we still going on a trip to our Muggle house?" Scorpius asked. "Are you still in danger, Mum? Who was trying to hurt you?"

"Now those are all questions we are working on, Scorpius. Papa, Harry, and I will talk tomorrow and try to figure these things out," Hermione reassured her son. She lifted her eyes to Draco, but he was holding the baby, and his back was turned.

"Mum, will you wake up tomorrow?" worried Cassie. "I tried to wake you up, but you were fast asleep." Her eyes began to fill with tears, so Hermione hugged her tightly.

"I will wake up tomorrow, sweet girl. You were so brave, and I love you very much."

"Did you have good dreams when you were sleeping, Mummy?" asked Orion.

"Why, actually, I didn't dream at all, Orion. It must have been the Dreamless Sleep Potion, Draco," Hermione responded, turning toward her husband. "I was totally out."

"Why couldn't we find Papa when you wouldn't wake up? Where were you, Papa?" Scorpius asked. Draco turned to face his son.

"I had been given a sleeping potion too and was fast asleep at the Parkinson's Manor," Draco told him in a calm, but tight voice. Hermione was surprised. She hadn't known this.

"So, if you weren't here, who got me to St. Mungo's?" she asked. "Grand-maman? Grandpapa?"

"I floo-called Harry Potter, and he came over. He sent a patronus to St. Mungo's for help," Scorpius began. Hermione beamed at him.

"Scorpius, that was brilliant. Quick thinking, wasn't it Draco?" She looked to her husband and he gave a nod and a weak smile. Hermione looked into Scorpius' eyes and smiled. "You were a huge help, Scorp. Thank you so much, son, for calling Harry and then caring for your brothers and sisters."

"I was a help, too, Mummy!" chimed Cassie and Orion and Leo.

"Yes, you all helped take care of each other and the baby. I am so proud of you all."

"And Penny helped too," Leo told his mother.

"Well, in that case, we should give Penny a raise!" Hermione laughed.

"Can I have a raise?" asked both Leo and Orion.

After the children were tucked into their beds, and the baby had been fed, changed and put down in her crib, Hermione took Draco's hand and led him to their bedroom.

"Wait, Hermione, we need to talk," began Draco quietly. Hermione agreed, but pulled him close and lifted her lips to his.

"We will absolutely talk, Draco," she murmured, "but right now we need each other more than anything. It has been so long, and I miss you tremendously." She covered his face with kisses and pushed him back onto the bed. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Don't you think you will be upset if you don't get all the details first? You might be angry with me tomorrow, Hermione."

"Oh, I probably will. That's why I don't want to talk right now. Shhhh."

"Hermione, I was wrong about Suzette."

"I know." She kissed him on his cheek.

"I should never have jeopardized what we have together."

"I know." She kissed him on his ear.

"I was furious about the bloody magazine."

"I know." She kissed him on his neck.

"Nothing happened between Suzette and me."

"I know." She placed her finger on his lips, and he kissed it. She melted into his arms.

Draco inhaled the smell of her hair and desire for his wife rushed through him. Hermione looked into his eyes and sighed happily. She lifted her lips to his. They were home. Why couldn't life always ... stay ... just like ... this?