Friday, 6 April, 20:10 GMT
The Muggle-born mother sat quietly next to the hospital bed. She gently squeezed the hand of her unconscious daughter praying silently to whatever Muggle or Wizarding God who would listen. She couldn't stop a tear from falling as she watched the methodical rise and fall of her child's chest.
She felt the kiss on the top of her head. The Pureblood father took the seat right next to his wife. He wiped her cheek.
"Did he get back to Boston safely?" she asked.
The platinum blonde nodded. He took in a deep breath. "He seemed resigned. I don't think he wanted to leave her side," he looked at his daughter lying in bed, "I can't say I blame him."
She looked at him for a moment before she leaned into his chest. "So, this is what you went through with me?"
He placed his hand over both his wife's and daughter's hands, squeezing them reassuringly. "Hey," he said, looking into his wife's eyes, "She's going to make it through this. She's the strongest out of all of us.
"She's a Granger," he said, placing his forehead on his wife's. He pulled her in closer to his chest as they both listened to the rhythm of the respirator as their oldest child breathed in and out.
o-o-o
Tuesday, 5 January, 14:00 GMT 19 years ago
The grey-eyed brunette took in a deep breath before pausing. She made a silent wish and then blew out the twelve lit candles, eleven plus one for luck. The small gathering of Wizarding family and friends clapped.
The Pureblood grandmother kissed her oldest grandchild on the top of her head. "Happy birthday, Drew," Narcissa Malfoy said.
"Thanks, Grandma," the eleven-year old smiled as the old woman started to help the Muggle-born mother with serving the cake.
The children politely thanked the adults as they took their pieces of cake and headed to the various pockets of space in the backyard of the home in the Muggle neighborhood. The Potters, Goyles, Zabinis, Thomases, Weasleys and the older Malfoys all came together almost four hours ago to celebrate the oldest Malfoy child's eleventh birthday.
Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Blaise Zabini, Dean Thomas and Gregory Goyle had helped to magically clear the backyard of the heavy snowfall as well as to bring the outdoor temperature to a manageable 23 degrees Celsius. Hermione Granger-Malfoy, Ginny Potter, Pansy Zabini, Luna Thomas and Joanna Goyle helped to decorate and set up the backyard tables with the food and desserts. The older Malfoys and Weasleys corralled the fifteen children and entertained them while the other adults set up the party.
Drew had finally graduated into the older kids group joining the soon-to-be fourteen-year olds James Potter, Lauren Thomas and Gregory Goyle, Jr., and soon-to-be twelve-year-olds Ronda Potter and Jacob Goyle. She was now an eleven-year-old, attaining the Wizarding age long considered when young wizards and witches get their rites of passage, an invite to a Wizarding school.
The younger kids looked up to Drew. She saw herself as the shepherd of the flock. Ten-year-old Dean Thomas, Jr. would soon join her in another month and a half. He nodded at his primary school friend. Harry Potter, Jr. and Blair Zabini, both turning ten years old, would get their day in the sun in another year. Drew's soon-to-be nine-year-old brother, Draco, Jr., and the Goyle's youngest sibling, Jessica, would get their turn next. The Zabini twins, Blaise, Jr. and Patricia, both turning eight years old and the soon-to-be seven-year-old Malfoy twins, Hans and Heath brought up the rear.
Drew hesitated as she passed by the younger kids before heading to where the older kids sat on the hardwood floor that made up the half-sized basketball court. The Pureblood father had given in to his oldest child's request for the Muggle sporting floor over six years ago.
James nodded his head at her. They all started to tuck into their cake.
"Alright, Drew," Jacob said as he, too, nodded his welcome.
"I'm good," the birthday girl said.
"You'll probably get the owl anytime soon," James said.
"Don't worry too much about Hogwarts, Drew," Greg said.
"Yeah, we'll watch out for you," Ronda, the tomboy of the group chimed in.
"Yeah, we Gryffindors gotta stick together," Lauren said.
"How do you know she's gonna be a Gryffindor?" Greg asked. "She could be in Syltherin."
"Aw come on," Ronda said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, her father was a Slytherin," Jacob, the pragmatist, shrugged.
"Alright, guys," the Potions master put his arm around his daughter's shoulder as he heard the children's conversation. He gave her a reassuring smile, "All of you could be right. She could be sorted into Gryffindor; her lovely mother was. Or she could be sorted into Slytherin like I was.
"Then again, she could also be sorted into Ravenclaw," the wizard nodded at Jacob. "And even Hufflepuff.
"Wherever the Hogwarts' Sorting Hat sees fit," he nodded at his daughter, "so shall she be sorted."
The youngsters laughed along with the Potions Master. Drew took another deep breath before she continued to eat her cake.
o-o-o
Sunday, 21 March 23:00 GMT 19 years ago
"It was a nice day, today," the Muggle-born witch said as she leaned against her husband as they lounged on the couch in front of the fireplace.
"It was, wasn't it," her Pureblood husband said as he interlaced the fingers on his left hand with hers. Their wedding bands touched. He made a point to wear the ring on his finger during holidays. The sterling silver band remained on the chain around his neck during his teaching time at the school.
"Eleven years," she smiled up at him as he kissed her softly on the lips.
"Happy eleventh anniversary," he smiled.
"It's nice having everyone on holiday," she said as he nodded.
"It would be a lot nicer if Drew had already gotten word from Hogwarts," Draco smirked.
"When did you get your letter?" Hermione asked as she slowly stood up, extending her hand to him.
"The night of my eleventh birthday," he shrugged as he stood up. He yawned. "How about you?"
"Three days after," she said. She blew out a breath as she squeezed his hands. "It's been almost two and a half months. Should we face the facts?"
"The Malfoy family is a legacy family," he looked at her as she rolled her eyes. "We should complain to the Board."
"Draco, you know as much as I do, that it's the magic of the school that chooses its candidates," she said. It was his turn to roll his eyes.
"I feel like we should do something," Draco said defeatedly, as he led her toward the hallway.
"It is what it is," she kissed his cheek as she nodded at their daughter's room, a soft light emitting from it.
"I'm going to do one last check on her," Draco said as he smiled at her before she entered their bedroom.
o-o-o
"Hey," Draco said as he knocked on her door, "It's kinda late, don't you think?"
Drew chuckled as she continued to watch the end of the movie on her Surface tablet. She placed the device on her bed as she looked up at her father.
"What are you watching?" he said as he looked at the screen with two Asian characters fighting each other using Martial Arts around a raised fire pit filled with burning coals.
"Romeo Must Die," she said.
"Was there no other quality programming?" her father smiled as she laughed.
"So, what's up, Dad?"
"It's almost a quarter after eleven; way past your bedtime."
"We're on Spring Break, Dad," she smirked.
"Yes, I know. We're headed to Malfoy Manor tomorrow for the week. Grandmother and Grandfather are waiting to spoil all of you kids rotten," her father smiled. Then he studied her for a moment, "So how much of that did you hear?"
She shrugged her shoulders. Draco sat next to his daughter. "Mum always says that 'sometimes there are things you don't have control over and that's life.'"
Drew nodded her head. "I know, Dad. It's okay," she shrugged.
"You are mature beyond your years, you know that," he said as he stood up and kissed her on the top of her head.
"Besides, Dean hasn't gotten his letter yet either," she said. "And it's been three weeks."
"Alright, Drew," her father smiled. "Get some sleep."
"Goodnight, Dad," she said, turning off her digital device as she watched him tap the light switch. "Happy anniversary to you and Mum."
"Thanks, Drew," he said as he shut her door before heading to the master bedroom. He blew out a breath, as his chest swelled. He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of pride for having such an amazing kid.