A/N: This chapter has not been beta-ed. I will update it soon with the edits. Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoy Christmas in July. ;D
Hermione spent the past three Christmases at St. Mungo's.
Sometimes people have a little too much Firewhiskey, little children fall off their new broomsticks, or they get a bad case of frostbite. Someone has heal them; hospitals don't get off days. That was Hermione's excuse for missing Christmases, anyway, though everyone knew she was just avoiding Ron.
Hermione woke early on Christmas morning. She always had, even as a child. Even when she stayed at Hogwarts and knew the only present waiting for her was a hand-knitted sweater from Mrs. Weasley. Scorp had been completely knackered when they arrived back to Malfoy Manor. Both he and Draco would likely be asleep for another hour. Like father, like son. Hermione pulled her hair back and brushed her teeth before heading downstairs alone.
Wandering through Malfoy Manor wasn't as frightening as it once was. The first time Hermione was there, dragged through the doorway, there had been dozens of portraits on the walls. The occupants shouted filthy names at her and each second brought her closer to what seemed like an inescapable dark, painful end. The curtains had been closed and the house felt more like what Harry must have felt in those rare silent moments of the Triwizard maze: dread of the inevitable. The spirit of Lord Voldemort hung over everything.
But Lady Malfoy had since opened the manor. The portraits were gone and the curtains were open all the time. It was as though Scorpius's presence had been the push Narcissa needed to breathe life back into Malfoy Manor and Hermione was almost getting used to it.
She saw light coming from a room near the parlor and peeked in to see Lady Narcissa staring at the mantle above the fireplace. Hermione knocked and waited to be asked in, but that invitation never came. She leaned against the doorframe for several moments to take in the small room. It was in a lesser-traveled part of the manor, much more intimate than any other room she had seen. Family photos lined the walls and a large book sat on a stand in front of the large window.
"I miss my husband," Lady Malfoy said, and Hermione took it as her cue to enter. As she got closer, Hermione realized Narcissa was looking at a framed picture in the centre of the mantle. Lady Malfoy pulled her closer and sighed heavily, her eyes not moving from her wedding photo. Lucius Malfoy was dancing with his new wife, looking younger and happier than Hermione could have ever imagined. Narcissa was in an elaborate wedding gown that would have rivaled Princess Diana's in both beauty and opulence. They looked ... Well, they looked like Harry and Ginny had at their wedding: happy and curious about all the possible paths their future could take.
"This was before everything, just as the Dark Lord began amassing all that power. I remember it well; Lucius was the sort of man any young woman would hope to marry. He had all this wealth but he hungered for more than money, he craved a cause. We believed in pureblood supremacy and were willing to fight for it, but on this day none of it mattered because he promised to love me until the day he died. Promised to love me more than anything."
"Did he?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Narcissa replied. "Yes, he did. Everything he did for the Dark Lord was to make this a world he thought was better for me and for Draco. Misguided, he was, but by the time we realized we had lost favour it was too late. The Dark Lord tortured my son here in our home. Not even Bella could talk him out of it, Lucius offered himself, but ..." she trailed off.
"What?" Hermione asked. "What happened?"
Narcissa shook her head.
"The Dark Lord nearly killed my son. It was Christmas, ten years ago today. Draco had failed yet again to kill Albus Dumbledore. I can still see the fear in Bella's eyes as the Dark Lord dragged Draco into the drawing room. I hear his screams in my nightmares. He never told me what happened, but it was more than the Cruciatus Curse, of that I am certain. My son was always very emotive, very expressive. When he left the room all that life had been burned out of him."
Hermione thought back to their sixth year and remembered the weight loss. Draco stopped putting product in his hair, stopped showing up to classes, stopped doing everything she ever associated with Draco Malfoy. Lady Narcissa pressed her fingertips to the edge of the frame in front of them.
"We did not know what was to come," Narcissa said. "I like to think back on this Lucius, the one who believed we could make the best Malfoy family in history. Draco never forgave Lucius. It was his father's loyalty to the Dark Lord which brought him to that day ten years ago. His conversion to the new ways was quick and very, very difficult. He had a falling out with his father, which I can now connect to Blaise Zabini. I always knew there was something between them I just ..." Narcissa trailed off with a heavy sigh and threw her hands in the air before letting them slap loudly against her hips.
"My greatest shame is that my son never told me. Draco knew the one thing Lucius would find reprehensible was to fully embrace the new ways, so he did to spite him. My husband died without having spoken to Draco in months, as my son was living with the young Mr. Nott at the time. My family was torn apart and I had not the faintest idea what to do."
Hermione said nothing. Parenting after the fact was hardly helpful and she was not sad Lucius Malfoy was dead. Had she not thought it would be in poor taste, Hermione would have thrown a party to honour the day he died. The world was a better place, Draco was a better person for it.
"You would not be here if Lucius was still alive," Narcissa admitted. "Neither would Draco, and that is the crux of it all. If we had known back then ... If we had known ..."
They went silent for a minute. If they had known the Dark Lord would tear their family apart … But it wasn't the Dark Lord. It was Draco's parents, both of them, that made those decisions out of hatred. They are just as much to blame as Voldemort because he would have been powerless without his followers.
Finally, Hermione said,
"I know you don't believe Voldemort was wrong. You never converted to the new ways, not really. And you aren't ever going to like me, are you?"
Narcissa sighed again, almost as though something was physically weighing on her.
"Miss Granger, there is nothing in this world I love more than I love my son. There is nothing I would not do to protect him. I looked Lord Voldemort in the eyes and lied so I could get back to him. I made Severus take an Unbreakable Vow. I have done more to protect my son than you could ever hope to know. I watched Draco lose his will to live and for the first time in ten years I believe he may eventually have the same feeling Lucius and I had on this day," she said as she pointed to the photo in front of them. "And it is because of you."
Oh.
"While I find your blood status disgusting and your manners sorely lacking, I care about my son and my grandson. You make them happy, and Draco is happier than I have ever seen him. I am too old for hate, Miss Granger," Narcissa said. "If I stand in opposition to my son's affection for you then I may never see him with a family."
"So you'll accept me, but you are never going to think I'm good enough for him," Hermione reasoned.
Narcissa took Hermione's hand and led her to the far wall away from the window. She pointed to a photo of what must have been six-year-old Draco zooming around on a broomstick. He had the same shiny blond hair and excited grey eyes as Scorpius. He passed by the camera and smiled broadly, unashamed and toothily at whomever was holding it.
"This was his first real ride on a broomstick. Before then he was never allowed over the tree line. I see this smile when he looks at Scorpius, and I see it when he looks at you."
Hermione nervously picked at her fingernails because that really was the whole difference in pre-trial Malfoy and post-trial Draco. He smiled like he meant it, like he couldn't control his laughter or hide his amusement. That smile was so wide his Cupid's bow disappeared entirely. Hermione loved knowing she made him uncontrollably happy, but how deep could her attachment to Draco Malfoy run?
"Jack and I discussed this, what it means for you to enter our world and for Draco to become part of yours. Abigail and I have a nice friendship but, forgive me for saying it aloud, your father is much more perceptive. Welcoming you into my household has brightened the world for me considerably and I am grateful for that."
"I just wanted my son to be where he belongs," Hermione replied.
"That Patil girl nearly had it right in her article when she said Draco hoped you could be for him what Dean is for Blaise, except she had it backwards: you are Blaise. Dean and my son look at the two of you and see someone impossibly good for them. Dean looks at Blaise as someone much too beautiful, and Draco sees you as too intelligent, too courageous to fall in love with someone like him."
"I'm not in love with him," Hermione insisted.
"You will be."
"How can you be sure of that?" Hermione asked, angry at Narcissa's presumption. "You don't know me well enough to know what I will and will not do."
"I know my son, Miss Granger, and anyone who can put aside their prejudice to see him for the person he is loves my son. Do you understand the vitriol to which he is treated any time he steps outside this house? People are frightened of him, disappointed in him, or believe they are better than him. Most people are all three. It is not just your side of the war that abandoned him, Miss Granger, it was mine, too. Somehow, you are the only one who saw him well enough to show him any sort of decency."
"I don't understand," Hermione said. "I thought you hated me, I thought you wanted Draco to have someone better than me."
"There is no one better."
Hermione blinked once at the photo. She blinked again then turned to face Narcissa Malfoy.
What in the name of Merlin's saggy—
"The weeks you have been here are the best I have had in years. I got to welcome my son home with a new family. I get to hold my grandson every day, a privilege Lucius would not have had if he was alive. I see my son treating this house like a home for the first time since the war. Yes, Miss Granger, I see a place for you in our lives."
"That is kind of you to say," Hermione said, at a loss for any other words. She stared at the floor for a moment to allow Narcissa's words time to sink in.
"Do not take that as acceptance, Miss Granger," Narcissa cautioned. "I told you my son will not survive another heartbreak. I worry you mean more to Draco than he means to you and I cannot protect him from that. No matter how much I try, I fear what will become of him if he loses you."
.oOo.
It seemed every day brought Hermione to a new room in Malfoy Manor. In yet another of the day's discoveries, Christmas was held in a small room with large glass walls that gave it the appearance of being part of the gardens. Scorpius had one hand on the glass, crawling alongside a peacock. There was a Christmas tree that stood four metres tall in the centre of the space, topped with a star that was tipped in Phoenix Flint and cast beams of light on the walls to create small rainbows as the sun rose overhead.
Blaise and Dean arrived around nine with a plate of freshly-baked cinnamon buns that seemed to finally drag Draco downstairs. Hermione took the opportunity to sneak back into her bedroom and ensure Draco's present was still snug beneath her bed. She changed into a grey sweater dress just before her parents showed up around eleven with what must have been a dozen gifts.
"I went a tad overboard, you know, it's our grandson's first Christmas!" Mrs. Granger said.
By the time the sun was directly overhead, there must have been thirty presents scattered around the base of the tree. Dean did most of the distributing. Scorpius got a new blanket, which Hermione knew he wouldn't use but accepted anyway. (Scorp loves his green blanket dearly! I wonder when he'll grow out of that.) He also received a few new toys, a baby-sized football from Dean, and more Dr. Seuss books. (Hermione caught Blaise rolling his eyes at those.)
The Grangers gave lady Narcissa a hand-drawn star chart and an old Muggle book on the history of astronomy. She was absolutely delighted and it was the first time Hermione ever saw Narcissa Malfoy smile. In return, she gifted them a plant.
"Niffler's Fancy," she revealed. When their confused expressions didn't change, Narcissa added, "For your office. It is rare even in our world and none of your patients will have seen anything like it."
Dean gave Blaise an old Italian cookbook, which he admitted was just as much a present for himself as it was for his husband. Blaise was beyond himself with excitement as he flipped through the pages.
"You are, without a doubt, the best husband ever," he said. "Your present will have to wait, though, it was a bit big for me to wrap."
He chanced a glance at Mrs. Granger who winked back at him.
What the hell is that about?
She looked over at Draco who appeared to be wondering the same thing. But then, much to his surprise, Mr. Granger directed Dean to one of the few remaining presents. It was long and thin, wrapped in plain red paper with a green bow on top. Dean looked at the tag and his eyebrows shot upward.
"Oh," he said. "It's, um, Draco it's for you."
Draco took the box carefully, skeptically, and stared at it for a moment. Hermione looked back at her parents, who appeared as nervous as Draco was confused. They never mentioned getting a present for Draco, but why would they be nervous about it? Surely it wouldn't explode.
Right?
Draco tore off the wrapping paper and pulled his gift from within the box. It was a long and thin box, made of dark wood with gold hinges on the back. Draco opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find any words. He opened it to reveal a red satin lining and swallowed thickly, blinking rapidly as if to force away tears.
"Your mother said you got a new wand awhile ago and didn't have a box for it, so we found a box," Hermione's father revealed.
Draco choked out a laugh.
"You do not just find one of these boxes," he said.
"Well we asked what family would get you for Christmas," Mrs. Granger said, "and this might have been suggested by someone who knows you fairly well."
"Two someones, actually," Mr. Granger added. "Since they said the same thing, we figured we couldn't very well get you anything else."
"My, um, my father gave me my first one," Draco stammered. "Except on the back just below the hinges it said …" Draco turned the box around and let out an unintended squeak. Mrs. Granger stood up and motioned for Draco to give her a hug. He obliged and wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders. Mr. Granger followed with a handshake and a pat on the shoulder.
When he said, "Happy Christmas, Lord Malfoy," Hermione thought Draco might actually cry. He didn't, he managed to hold off, but something about the box resonated with him. Hermione wanted to ask what was on the box, but didn't. The Grangers then handed Blaise a gift, which he opened to reveal a wide array of embroidery thread. He hugged Mrs. Granger as well while Mr. Granger said,
"Dean's gift is waiting for him back at your place."
Your place. Not your flat, but your place. They know? They got Dean a gift?
Dean looked just as confused, but didn't press the issue. He picked up the last square box below the tree, checked the tag, and handed it to Hermione. She took it, shook it, and immediately looked up at her parents.
"You didn't," she said with a smile. Her parents smiled back.
"We did! With some help, of course," Mr. Granger said. Hermione tore off the paper so quickly she sliced her finger open. She popped off the top of the box and pulled out a first edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Hermione delicately pressed her fingertips to the cover.
"This is amazing! I know exactly where it will go on my shelf. Mum, Dad, thank you. I … I honestly don't know what to say."
"We went three whole Christmases without you, Hermione," Mr. Granger said. "We are not going to let that happen again and we are so grateful you came to us to help with Scorpius. We know how big a step that was for you, how much trust you have in us now … And it was my fault, what I said when you left Ron was wrong. You did things your own way and you ended up with a nice little family. A good one, one more suited to you, I think. So every time you pick up this book I just want you to remember how important you are to us."
Everyone looked around at the empty space below the tree, then back to Draco and Hermione.
"Did you not get each other anything?" Dean asked. "Not that you would, of course, you've only been dating a few weeks. But … Nothing?"
Draco ran a hand through his hair and Hermione awkwardly tapped the toe of her shoe on the ground.
"We agreed to give each other our presents later," Draco said.
"Oh, it is that sort of gift, is it?" Blaise teased. Hermione rolled her eyes. "On that note, I think it's time I take Dean to see his present."
As they left the room for the Floo, Mrs. Granger shouted after them.
"Dean, dear, let us know how you like it!"
He nodded awkwardly and smiled, as Blaise half-dragged him away. Lady Malfoy passed Scorpius off to Mr. Granger and suggested they all go look at embarrassing photos of Draco in the family room.
"Miss Granger, may I have a moment?" Narcissa asked. Hermione nodded and once everyone was out of earshot, Narcissa pulled out a small green package that had been hidden between the lower branches of the tree.
"I have done many things to make sure my grandson has the best possible life. I failed in that regard with my son and I will not make the same mistake. He needs to have a family, a group of friends, enough people around him to make sure he will always have someone to depend on. I never want him to worry about being alone. Draco was alone for so long, was alone before you came along. All I want for Scorpius is love. To prove that, I made a visit to an old rival."
Confused, Hermione hesitantly opened the box. There was a card that read simply, "Your son is our son. Your family is our family." Underneath red tissue paper there was a tiny knitted green sweater embroidered with a golden "S". Hermione gasped and started to cry. She pulled Lady Malfoy into a hug, formalities be damned. Narcissa awkwardly patted Hermione on the back, not sure what to do with her arms.
"This means more to me than you can know," Hermione said, "and I want to make this my home, too."
.oOo.
Once Scorpius was asleep, Draco followed Hermione to her room. Hermione was the one who insisted they open presents alone because, well, she was self-conscious about her gift. It wasn't anything extravagant, it wasn't particularly valuable, it was the sort of present she'd get a boyfriend. Draco had readily agreed, though, so Hermione had lower expectations.
"I want to go first," Draco said, practically vibrating with anticipation. "May I go first?"
"Um, of course?" Hermione said. "Go right ahead."
"Great. Tippy!" Draco called.
He handed her a small bundle of lilac fabric as Hermione's assigned house-elf appeared. Hermione jumped, still not quite used to the loud cracking noise. Tippy wrung her hands nervously, as though worried she had done something wrong.
"Does Miss Minnie need assistance?" Tippy asked. Hermione shook her head.
"Tippy, Hermione has a present for you. Well, we have present for you," Draco amended. He nodded for Hermione to hand the bundle to Tippy. Hermione wondered what was inside, but as Tippy unwound the twine it became clear there was nothing inside the fabric. Instead, it was revealed to be an elf-sized dress. Tippy gasped and her eyes were nearly as wide as her ears were tall.
"Miss Minnie and Lord Malfoy has given Tippy clothes! Tippy is free!"
Hermione stepped backward, stunned.
Did he just … Did Draco just … He just freed an elf for me. I didn't ask for this, I didn't tell him … He just did this on his own. For me.
"Thank you, Miss Minnie!" Tippy shouted and hugged Hermione's leg. "I is so grateful!"
"Yes, Tippy, you have served Hermione well," Draco said. Hermione couldn't find the words for her shock. She couldn't feel her fingertips and her legs collapsed as she fell backward to sit on the end of her bed. "Should you choose to stay here in the manor, you will be compensated. Should you choose, I also believe Hogwarts has openings and I would gladly recommend you."
"Lord Malfoy, you is so kind!" Tippy said, crying. "Miss Minnie, you is good for him, I know it. I will stay here to help Miss Minnie, to help with baby Scorpius. Thank you, Miss Minnie, thank you!" Tippy finally let go of Hermione's leg to Apparate back to the elves' quarters.
Draco smiled, pleased with himself.
"You freed my elf," Hermione said out loud like she still couldn't believe it.
"Hermione, I am not an idiot," Draco said. "I know what you believe. I will not free all of my elves, but I know you will feel better if yours is free. I … I cannot think of many ways to make this feel like home for you, the way it will be for me and for our son. However, it is my dream that eventually you will want to stay. Happy Christmas," he said with shy smile.
Hermione let her head fall into her hands. She heard Draco shuffle his feet. He asked,
"Did I do something wrong?"
Hermione shook her head.
"No, no, it's just … I avoided all my family and friends for years. Avoided getting too close and now, today, I've seen everything I was missing. I just can't believe you, of all people, brought it back to me. I am overwhelmed, honestly. I never knew I could have this."
"Neither did I," Draco replied.
Hermione bent over the side of her bed and pulled out Draco's present. She wrapped it in red paper with little golden Snitches. Draco smiled at it.
"You really didn't need to get me anything. After everything I owe you—"
"You owe me nothing," Hermione insisted.
Draco gingerly unwrapped the box and let the scraps of paper fall to the carpet. He popped the lid off the top and stared at his gift for several moments. He sat the box on the floor and pulled his sweater over his head. Hermione stared at the momentary gap between the top of his jeans and the hem of his undershirt. Then Draco pulled on the hoodie Hermione purchased for him, emblazoned with a giant Yankees logo on the front.
He didn't say anything, just stared at the ends of the sleeves.
"You talk about it so much that I thought maybe you'd like something to remind you of your time in America. The good parts, anyway." When Draco still didn't speak, she continued to fill the silence. "My mum rang their store, shipping cost more than the jumper, but they got it here in time. It's a bit lame, you know, but I wanted you to think of me every time you wear it, so when you're comfortable you think of me."
Draco pulled Hermione into a standing position and kissed her. His palms were on her cheeks and Hermione pulled him closer by his belt loops. When they broke apart, Draco rested his forehead against Hermione's and said,
"I can't remember the last time someone did something nice for me just because they wanted to. I do not deserve you, Hermione, I don't."
"Perhaps not," she smiled, "but you have me anyway. Happy Christmas, Malfoy."
"Happy Christmas, Granger."