A/N: I don't think any amount of apologizing can make up for the lack of updates, but I really am sorry. I've been in a huge writing funk lately and I'm hoping it's starting to return. This chapter alone took me a few weeks to even get out and complete, but I'm hoping I get more into a flow soon. I hope you all like this chapter, even though it's mostly filler. I'll try my hardest to update sooner than I have been. Thank you all for your patience! ~HufflepuffMomy
Also, Thanks to Sweet Little Bullet for reading over my chapter for me and helping me fix some errors! Love my HuffleTwin!
Visitors came throughout the rest of the week to visit Hermione and Finn. Many of the visitors came more than once including most of the Weasley family, Harry, Neville, Luna, and Ron (who brought along a shy Susan Bones).
The visitors that surprised Hermione the most though, were those who were from the Slytherin house. Blaise came by and brought Daphne Greengrass, who, up until this time, everyone thought was abroad with her family while things cooled down from the war. She informed them that they just returned a few days prior and were in still settling back in, but couldn't wait to visit the newest little Malfoy. She even dragged along a reluctant Pansy Parkinson, which surprised Draco to no end. He hadn't heard from the black-haired witch since the war ended and last he heard, she was in Spain.
He pulled his former girlfriend aside and crossed his arms, glaring down at her. "How long have you been back for?"
Pansy mirrored his stance, not backing down. "A month or so. Why?"
"A month or so? Why didn't you contact me sooner? I've been worried about you."
She shrugged. "I figured you'd want your space and not be seen with the likes of me; the girl who wanted to hand over Potter to the Dark Lord back at Hogwarts. Wouldn't be good for your newfound reputation as a cleared Death Eater and father to Granger's baby."
Draco glared. "Screw my reputation." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration before grabbing her hand and walking her over to Hermione. "Can you call Potter on that phone thing of yours and have him come over?"
"Draco no," hissed Pansy, trying to pull her hand away from his vice-like grip.
Hermione looked between the two. "Uh, sure…" she said, reaching for the receiver next to the couch.
A moment later, Harry walked through the floo and looked bewilderedly at the scene in front of him.
Hermione was sitting on the couch, with Daphne next to her, holding Finn, and Blaise next to Daphne. Hermione, though, was staring at Draco and Pansy with a frown. He looked over at the pair and saw that Pansy's face grew pale. Draco nodded in greeting. "Potter," he said, walking over to him, pulling Pansy in tow.
"Er, Malfoy. Something I can help you with?"
"No, it's fine-" started Pansy but Draco spoke over her.
"Potter do you have any grudges against Pansy?" he asked.
Harry looked between the two with a frown. "No, I don't think- Oh. Is this because of what happened at Hogwarts?"
Draco nodded while Pansy's cheeks flared red and looked away, cursing Draco under her breath while still attempting to pull her hand free.
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I'll be honest; I'm surprised she was the only one. I mean, the battle would have ended hours sooner, or maybe never even started if I, or someone, had just handed me over…We wouldn't have lost so many people..." he trailed off, shaking his head to clear his mind before leveling his eyes with Pansy. "I don't blame you and I don't hold any grudges. Ok?"
Pansy stiffened next to Draco but nodded. When Harry put his hand out for her to shake, she reluctantly accepted. He gave her small hand a squeeze before letting go and turned back to Hermione. "Sorry I can't stay, I have to get going. I promised Andromeda that I'd watch Teddy in a little bit."
Hermione nodded. "Ok. Tell her to stop by anytime to see Finn, ok? She can bring Teddy too."
Harry smiled and nodded "She'd like that." He walked over, planting a kiss on Hermione's cheek then onto Finn's curly blonde head. "See you guys later." He nodded to Malfoy as he walked past to the floo, who nodded in return.
Once the flames from the floo were gone, Draco tugged Pansy over towards the couch. "So, do you want to hold your honorary nephew?"
Pansy nodded, and for the first time since she arrived, she smiled as Daphne placed the wiggling baby in her arms. Draco sat down next to her and smiled down at his son who was currently gurgling at the raven-haired witch. He glanced up towards Hermione, who was leaning forward, her elbows on her knees and her head supported by her clasped hands. A soft smile formed on her lips as she watched the group of Slytherins turn into mush as they continued to talk to and play with Finn. Her eyes found Draco's and they held for a moment before they both returned the others in the room.
When everyone had left, and Finn was down for a nap, Draco went back to the manor to pack up more things to move into the flat next to Hermione's. The previous tenants had moved out a few days prior and Draco was to receive the keys later that day. He knew he couldn't bring everything he owned from the manor, so it was a difficult task of choosing what stayed and what went with him.
"Millie!" he called out as he pondered just how many pairs of black slacks he could fit into his new place without having to use an extended charm on the closet.
A pop sounded next to him and a little voice squeaked. "Master Draco called for Millie?" she asked.
"Do you know where my mother is? I need to talk to her," he said as he pulled out two nearly identical pairs of pants.
"Missus Narcissa is in the sunroom, having tea with Miss Greengrass and young Miss Greengrass," Millie informed him.
"Oh," Draco said frowning before setting down the two pants neatly on his bed. "I didn't realize she was expecting company. Thank you, Millie, you can go resume whatever you were doing before I called you." After he heard the pop of the elf's disapparating, he combed through his closet some more before sighing. "I suppose it would be rude to not go and say hello. Though I wonder why Daph didn't mention she was coming over." He shrugged before turning on the spot and apparating just outside the room his mother was in with her guests.
Draco made sure that his appearance was in order before straightening his back and entering the room.
"Draco," said Narcissa with a smile, setting down her cup of tea. "This is certainly a surprise. I wasn't expecting you until later this evening. You remember Clarisse Greengrass, and her younger daughter, Astoria?"
Draco smiled and nodded to both women in greeting (causing a blush to spread upon the younger Greengrass features) before he turned back to his mother.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, I was just going through some of my belongings to move into the flat and I was going to ask for your assistance. However, seeing as how you have company, I'm sure I can do the task on my own."
Narcissa gestured towards Astoria. "How about Astoria helps you? I'm sure she's bored listening to us catch up on gossip."
"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Greengrass, "Astoria would love to help, right dear?"
Astoria blushed more. "Um, sure, I guess. I mean, if that's alright with you, Draco?"
Draco was about to respond when Narcissa said "Of course he doesn't mind. I'll send up a house elf when we're done, ok?"
Draco nodded curtly before offering an elbow to Astoria, who took it hesitantly before he led them out of the room.
They walked in silence up the stairs before she cleared her throat quietly. "You, um, have a lovely home."
Draco nodded once. "Thank you, though most of it is my mother's doing."
They turned down the hall and entered his bedroom. He made sure to leave the door open as they unlinked arms and he walked over to the closet. Astoria followed and they both stared at the clothes for a moment.
"So… you're moving into your own flat?" she asked.
"Yes, to be closer to my son," Draco said, taking out two shirts and inspecting them with a frown.
"Oh yes, I read about that in the Prophet," she said as she took the shirt on the left and placed it on the bed. Draco put the other shirt back in the closet and grabbed two more.
"It's admirable of you, really, to be so involved your son's life. You don't find that much within the Pureblood families anymore," she said, as she took both shirts and placed them on the bed.
Draco looked up at her, catching her eye and smiled. "Thank you," he said sincerely, causing a small smile to appear on her lips as well.
"Will you tell me about him? Of.. Phineas, right?"
Draco's face lit up, "Yes, though we mostly call him Finn for short." He continued to talk while she continued to help him choose which clothing stayed and went. Once all the clothes were sorted and packed in a bag, they continued to make small talk; her of her travels with her family and him mostly of Finn or Hermione.
At one point, both mothers passed by the room, talking to each other quietly, barely paying any attention to them, though Draco knew better.
"They're probably planning our wedding," he said with a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Astoria gave him a curious look. "Well, that's a bit presumptuous of them, considering we just met."
Draco chuckled ruefully and shook his head. "You don't know my mother…"
"Oh, I'm sure she's just like my mother." She cleared her throat and raised her head a little higher and said in a voice much more sophisticated than hers, "Tori, now make sure when we return, that you find yourself a nice, pureblood boy. You don't want to be stuck with someone like Goyle now do you?"
Draco knew it was wrong, but he laughed out loud at that, causing Astoria to laugh as well. "To be fair," he said after a moment, "Goyle isn't that bad. But I understand what she means." He glanced over at her. "Are you going to go back to Hogwarts to finish school? You were a few years younger than me, right?"
"Only a year, and no," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not going back. I'm doing independent study until I can take my N.E.W.T.S. As much as I loved Hogwarts, there's too much history there."
Draco nodded and let out a sigh. "I know what you mean."
"Plus," she added, "I've been out of school for so long it would be weird to go back, and, I'll be of age in a month so it just made sense to finish my studying at home."
Draco nodded. "Sounds like you got it all figured out."
They were quiet for a moment before Mrs. Greengrass popped her head in. "Tori? Time to go sweetie."
Astoria nodded at her mother and turned her attention back to Draco, biting her lip while blushing again. "Can… would it be alright if I owled you?"
Draco smiled and offered his elbow to walk her towards the floo downstairs. "I'd like that."
When the two women were gone Draco turned to his mother who was smiling innocently at him.
"So, when do you project that you'll be planning a wedding?" he asked her.
She gave him a confused look. "Why, what on earth do you mean, Draco darling?"
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Don't 'Draco darling' me. I know you two were hoping sparks would fly."
Narcissa let out a sigh. "Well, one could hope. I take it no sparks then?"
Draco shook his head. "No. However, she is rather nice and not stuck up like most pureblood witches."
Narcissa looked hopeful. "So, maybe you can take her out a few times? Get to know her more?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "We'll see. I make no promises though. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish packing and get back to the flat to retrieve my keys so I can move in." He leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek. "I'll be back in a few hours. No planning weddings yet, ok?"
She smirked at her son. "I make no promises."