Sooo I lied. Tuesday afternoon. It almost scared me how accurate some of your guesses were. Either my readers are extremely intelligent OR I need to be more unpredictable... This won't do. I shall throw in more cliff hangers, blunders, and glitter to spice things up a bit. Ah yes.
Enjoy!
Dragon's Blood
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ooo
Five Years Later…
Hermione bent her knees, squatting down to level out with Jessamine Libellue. Her grey eyes watched her intently as she fitted a cap on her had and reached out for a green scarf to wrap her dainty neck with. She lifted her long blonde hair so her scarf could hang right around her neck.
"Do I have to go?" She spoke up, holding out her arms, ready to be dressed in her pink coat.
Hermione smirked, "Don't you like visiting the Potters?"
Jessa pressed her tiny lips into a thin line, "I don't like James."
Hermione cupped her hands around her pale skin, much like her fathers.
"You can help Ginny, then." Hermione smiled, "She just had Lily. She's such a sweet girl. Like you."
Jessa softly sighed and held her hands out, motioning her mother to slip her gloves on. Hermione chuckled. It was very like Jessa to be calm and collected. Ever since she was born, Hermione noticed a significant difference in Jessa that stood out from all the screaming toddlers and babies she was surrounded by. Jessa was such a quiet baby. She never cried and was very observant. Hermione began to introduce her to books at an early age, and although Jessa still had difficultly reading, she begged Hermione for a bed time story every night since Jessa has been able to sleep in her own room. Jessa was already collecting her own favorite books by her nightstand. She had a stack of books that she kept close to make sure that Hermione would read them that night.
Her favorite was Peter Pan.
Hermione insisted she was a normal but to everyone else she seemed extraordinary. Ginny was by far envious of Hermione, who was at ease raising Jessa. Ginny had two kicking and screaming boys and a girl who was bothered to have animals for brothers.
Still, even for a five year old, Hermione found her strange at times. It seems like she was the perfect mesh of Draco and herself in an amplified form. She was very quiet and very serious. It was rare to ever hear her laughing around strangers but every once in a while, Hermione heard her giggling inside her playroom with her dolls that she cared for with the most delicate touch. Although she seemed detached, she was warm child who was attached to Hermione by the hip and broke into frequent smiles while she was around.
Hermione was glad she hardly cried. Every time she did, it broke her heart. Unfortunately, the one person who irritated Jessa to tears was James, Harry's first born. Hermione laughed at the coincidence. Was it possible that a Potter and a Malfoy (by blood) would ever get along?
"Is cousin Teddy coming? Is he feeling better?" Jessa asked, her grey eyes growing bigger by the second, pleading Hermione for a simple yes.
Hermione cleared her throat, "I don't believe so. Grandma 'Meda says he needs to rest. If it wasn't for a little girl wanting to build a snowman without gloves, I'm sure Teddy wouldn't be sick at the moment."
Jessa frowned, "I gave him mine but they didn't fit his hands."
Hermione smiled, "Turn around, let mum plait your hair."
Jessamine spun on her heel, facing her long straight hair to Hermione, who quickly braided her daughter's hair. Hermione tied the end off and looked in the mirror. Jessa looked very much like her, as people would frequently point out, except more dainty and graceful than she ever was. If it wasn't for the blonde hair and grey eyes, no one would question Hermione who the father was. To those around her, it was obvious who the paternal half was. Even those who weren't well aware of the past events always gave Jessa curious stares. Besides having a 40 year old in a 5 year old's body, every once in a while, Jessa would say something and leave everyone in awe and it usually revolved around spells and magical history. Hermione would laugh it off and blame how kids love to repeat everything their parents said but, internally, Hermione noted that she may have to talk to Jessa about the secrecy of the Wizarding world and evesdropping when she was having an adult talk with George.
"Ready?" Hermione asked, quickly throwing on her own outerwear to venture out to the fireplace to floo into the Potter's fireplace.
Jessa nodded reaching out for Hermione's hand.
The duo walked over to the fireplace and in a green flash, they disappeared.
ooo
Ginny was flustered. Harry was frustrated. Two boys were chasing each other around and Hermione stood in the middle of the chaos while a screaming Lily was crying out for food. Jessa clung on to Hermione's legs, wrapping her arms around her knees tightly.
"You know," Ginny said in half a cry, "I can't wait for them to all go to Hogwarts."
Harry chuckled, letting out the pent up frustration, "I think Lily will be the last. No more kids."
Hermione patted her daughter's head, "Go on Jessamine. Go play."
She gripped her legs tighter, cautiously looking at James who was crawling underneath the table.
"Jessa." Hermione warned.
"You said I could help Ginny with Lily." She pointed out.
Lily let out a scream that nearly crumbled Ginny to the core. She let out a sob as she wiped her nose. Hermione finally took a look at her and noticed she looked ghastly.
"Ginny…" Hermione inched over to Ginny's side, "You look-"
"I know." She answered, "I've coming down with something. I've been trying to rest but I can't let Harry care for the load. He's busy…"
Harry grabbed a kicking and screaming James, "I don't mind. I've told you that."
Ginny rolled her sick eyes, "And my parents are off visiting Bill and Fleur."
Hermione looked around. James was now throwing a fit, Albus was standing in the corner looking helpless, and Lily was fussy. Hermione looked down at Jessa who was taking in all the recklessness of the Potter household.
"I'll take James and Albus off your hands." Hermione offered.
Harry and Ginny looked up as if Hermione was growing an extra head.
"I don't know…" Harry trailed off.
"Listen, Ginny needs to rest and I know you can't handle it all by yourself Harry. For goodness sake the last time you two enjoyed yourselves was the World Cup and that was two years ago!" Hermione pressed, "Andromeda is going to take Teddy to Diagon Alley for some medicine. I could ask her if she could get some for you too. Plus, you know 'Meda has more babysitting experience than all of us combined. They could play at the Manor afterwards. Jessamine was saying that she was lonely because Teddy has been sick, right Jess? Don't you wish you had someone to play with?"
Jessamine frowned, "Not if it's James, no."
Harry snorted and Ginny tried not to smile. Everyone knew of the tension between the two and found it completely endearing. Ever since Jessa was pushed into a puddle of mud one rainy day, James hasn't been able to redeem himself in her books. James has actually been quite nice to her as of late, but due to a troublesome beginning, it hasn't been able to grow past that, despite anyone's efforts.
"Jessa." Hermione warned, "Be nice."
"Two years, eh?" Harry smiled, "Has it really been that long?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Of course. Albus was a couple of months."
James stopped flailing in Harry's arms. He wiggled out of his embrace and hopped onto his own feet. He looked at Ginny with those big pleading green eyes and pouted.
"Can we go? Please, mum." He begged.
"I don't know what a couple of children would be doing in Diagon Alley. I wouldn't let Harry go by himself..." Ginny sighed.
"There's the joke shop." Hermione shrugged, "And Florean sells hot butterbeer and chocolate at this time. It'll be fine. Besides, children need some air don't they?"
Ginny eyes widen, "The joke shop?"
"It's fine." Harry interjected, "Let me go grab their coats."
"What do you mean it's fine?" Ginny snapped, "Who knows what things George will fill their head with! Remember that night you came home drunk because of George?"
Hermione tried not to smirk, "Gin, it will be fine. I'll be with them. I've taken Jessa there before and I can assure you that she hasn't been… inspired by anything George has tried to sway her with."
Ginny sank in her chair, bringing tiny Lily closer to her chest, "That's because she isn't exactly a normal child, is she?"
Harry came back with two coats, "Alright, who wants to go to Diagon Alley?"
ooo
Andromeda chuckled at the motley crew Hermione brought home. Teddy sniffed, wiping his nose with the gloved hand.
"How did you get into this mess?" Andromeda smiled, picking up Albus who reached up for her.
"I don't know," Hermione laughed, "It seemed like a good idea at the time. Ginny was sick and Harry wasn't keeping the peace."
Andromeda picked up Albus and took a good look at him, "Why look at you, you're even bigger than I expected. How old his he now?"
Hermione took James hand and Jessa's hand, "He's about to be two."
"I'm six!" James piped.
Albus had spread a sloppy smile on his dear face, "I like you."
Andromeda chuckled, "Now that we got our feelings settled, how about a jolly ol' trip to Diagon Alley? Got the floo powder, dear?"
Hermione lifted the stone pot she kept by the fireplace. Andromeda, Teddy, and a very cozy Albus ducked into the fireplace and in a flash of green flames, were gone. James's eyes widen and he let out a cry. Jessa let out a frustrated sigh.
"It doesn't hurt." She said.
James frowned, "How would you know?"
"Children," Hermione said, ushering the pair inside the fireplace as she grabbed a fist full of floo powder, "In you go."
James fidgeted.
"James, on the count of three. I want you to close your eyes tightly and hold your breath, enough to puff your cheeks, understood?" Hermione instructed.
He nodded.
"Good. One… Two…" Hermione threw the floo at her feet, yelling out the destination. James didn't have time to react and in a split second they landed safely in Diagon Alley. It was a wet cold afternoon and hardly anyone was around to shop. Andromeda waved at them, holding up cups of Hot Chocolate to give the children.
"It's a lot colder than I expected," She shivered, "Here's a butterbeer dear."
"Thank you." She smiled.
"I'm going to take Teddy. You can handle Albus, right dear?" Andromeda asked.
Hermione nodded, "We'll pay Uncle George a visit, won't we?"
Albus and James jumped up and down in excitement. Hermione looked down at Jessa who was silently enjoying her cup of hot chocolate and smiled.
"You'll like the joke shop." Hermione ruffled her hair a bit.
"George is my uncle too, isn't he? James says he isn't." Jessa asked.
Hermione gulped and pressed her lips together, "Only if you want him to be."
ooo
"C'mere." George held his arms wide open at his nephews who ran towards him. George picked them up, whirling them around as they squealed in excitement. Hermione shook her head, trying to suppress the laughter that was bubbling up inside her.
"It's a shame…" George sighed, "If I would have known you were coming around, I'd bring Freddie to work today. Angelina isn't doing so well."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
George cleared his throat, "Uhhh, just found out we are going to parents… again."
A gasp escaped Hermione's mouth and she immediately covered her mouth with both her hands. George opened his mouth,about to say something else but something caught his eye. His sight trailed downwards to Jessa who was hiding behind Hermione's legs. He took a look at her and his brows furrowed, giving Hermione a curious look.
"She looks more like you every time I see her…" George said, squatting down.
"Except…" Hermione trailed, pushing George to say it already.
"Except that she still looks like the bloody git too." He whispered, "Jessa Libellue. How is my girl?"
Jessa looked down, "Fine."
"Good to hear." He grinned, "Can I have a hug?"
Jessamine stepped out from behind Hermione and placed her hands neatly behind her back, "My mother says that I can have you as an uncle because James says you're not my real uncle. Is that true?"
George looked up at Hermione, "Do you want me as an uncle?"
Jessa pursed her lips, "Did you know my father?"
Hermione's eyes widen. Never in her existence had Jessamine ever asked about her Father and his obvious absence. Hermione supposed that Teddy had something to do with it. Anytime Teddy had a fit or found himself completely lost, he would cry out for his mum and dad. It was hard for Andromeda to handle him and Hermione always tried to help. Not once did she thought maybe Jessamine would question about her father.
George smiled, "I did."
Jessa nodded, "Good."
She walked over to him and reached for his hand to hold. George looked at Hermione, not knowing whether to smile or cry. Jessa pulled him to initiate a walk.
"You can tell me all about him…"
Hermione chuckled and grabbed Albus who was running around. He squealed and let out a giggle and Hermione tickled him.
"Let's look at rubber chickens!" Hermione offered.
"Brooms!" Albus exclaimed.
"They don't have broomsticks here." Hermione kindly said.
"Brooms!" Albus said louder.
Hermione sighed, "George?"
"Yeah?" He yelled back out of sight.
"I'll be back! I'm taking Albus to see some broomsticks! I won't be long!" Hermione informed, "Are you okay with Jessa and James?"
"Yeah!"
Hermione smiled down at the chubby faced Albus, "Let's go see some broomsticks!"
Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around the child who clung on to her for warmth. She browsed around the streets of Diagon Alley until the display of Quality Quidditch Supplies was clearly seen. Albus smiled as Hermione tapped the window.
"Look Al." Hermione smiled, "Do you like quidditch?"
He nodded.
"How about we buy some Chudley Canon gear?" Hermione offered, "I hear they might be making it to the next world cup! How old will you be then? Six? Eight? "
The next few moments was spend on browsing the store. Albus was amazed at every single item that was on display. His tiny chubby hands rand across the end of the broomstick, admiring its craft. Hermione watched him carefully and noted that in his element, he wasn't much different than Jessa. Albus was completely immersed in the quidditch world, she even let her imagination run wild and pictured Albus in a quidditch match twenty years from now. She smiled.
"Excuse me," Hermione waved down the vendor, "Do you have any beginner brooms?"
The vendor looked at Albus and chuckled, "I suppose you're starting him off young."
Hermione smiled, "I can't help it."
The vendor assisted her with a second hand broom, slightly smaller than the rest. He assured her that it was perfect for the two year old… even if flying wasn't meant for babies. Albus squealed at the purchase and hugged Hermione tightly as they walked back to the Joke shop.
As Hermione approached the Joke Shop she noticed Jessamine and James huddled over a book. They seemed fond of each other and for a split second, Hermione was glad to see her daughter finally getting along with James.
"A couple of hikers were tramping through the countryside and had lost their way, so by the time they arrived at the "Ed and Dragon", the village pub where they'd arranged to stay the night, the doors were locked and the owners had gone to bed. They knocked on the front door, hoping to get an answer…" James read outloud, "This sounds stupid..."
"Go on!" Jessa urged.
Hermione set Albus down, instructing him to run inside to show Uncle George his broomstick. Albus waddled towards the shop as fast as he could, clutching the handle of his broomstick with his round fist. James watched his little brother run past him. Curious as to what he had, he tossed the book carelessly over his shoulder and ran off inside.
Hermione watched Jessa slump over in disappointment because James had left but nearly teared up at the condition of the book which bounced off the wall and landed in a dirty puddle near her. Jessa bent over and picked the book up with her thumb and index finger in disgust. She stared at it for a moment before Hermione took out her wand and cleaned up the book for Jessamine. Hermione approached her squatting down to her level.
"What is a little girl like you doing outside in the cold? Wasn't Uncle George looking after you?" Hermione playfully scolded.
Jessa frowned, "It was James' idea. Thank you mum. I really liked this book. The jokes are funny. There is even one with a cauldron with a hole on the bottom and a forgetful wizard."
Jess let out a giggle. Hermione chuckled and reached out for Jessa, safely tucking all her blonde locks inside the floppy knitted hat, to keep her warm.
"Thank you." She said, reaching out for Hermione's hand. Jessa became suddenly interested in Hermione's fingers, examining Hermione with her own little hands. She placed their hands together to examine the size. Hermione studied her serious face as she did this and just as Hermione was going to usher her inside the Joke Shop, Jessamine broke into a wide smile.
"Everybody says I look a lot like you, mum." Jessa squinted and placed another small hand on her mother's cheek, "Do I look like my father too?"
Hermione took a deep breath. She should have known that one day her own daugther would wonder about her father. She just didn't expect it to be so soon.
"Listen here Libellue, if you were curious about your father-"
Suddenly, a body bumped into Hermione. Although she didn't get to see exactly what had happened, Hermione did see a figure sprawled out on the floor, her purchases flung into different directions. Hermione sprung onto her feet and rushed to the aid of the women.
"I'm sorry!" Hermione apologized, "Here let me get that for you!"
The women looked up and upon examining her face, Hermione froze. Daphne Greengrass rose to her feet, patting down her hair down. She looked quiet embarrassed, gathering her belongings.
"Sorry 'bout that. I didn't see you there." She said, coldly.
Hermione bit her lip, "No need to apologize."
Daphne nodded once and cleared her throat, "Nice to see you, Granger."
Daphne began to walk away when Jessa ran past Hermione, chasing after Daphne. Hermione panicked and called for her back.
Jessa tugged onto Daphne's cloak, "Pardon me. You forgot your cauldron. Madam, you dropped your cauldron."
Daphne finally stopped and looked down at Jessa. Daphne eyed Hermione down after studying the little girl next to her. She graciously took the cauldron and left, without saying another word. Jessa turned back around to a fuming Hermione, who took her hand and stormed back into the joke shop not saying a word.
"What's wrong mum?" Jessa asked, sensing the tension building up in Hermione. "Mum?"
"Nothing," Hermione said through her gritted teeth, "Jessa you can't just start talking to strangers that way."
"But-"
"Don't stray to far from me, Jessa. Understood?" Hermione said sternly, "You don't know they types of people that there are in the world."
Jessa frowned, "But you said Harry put a stop to all that. Why are there still bad people around if Harry stop it?"
Hermione closed her eyes. She definitely had to stop talking about things that didn't concern a child. Fortunately, James popped out of nowhere and snatched off Jessa's cap. Jessa looked around confused until she saw the backside of James running away at full speed to take cover in the Joke Shop. Jessa chased after him, whining. Hermione sighed.
Ah yes, did you really expect a Malfoy and a Potter to get along that easily? Of course not! I thought it would be nice to reflect on those early years of Harry and Draco not getting along... but then, of course, it's not like they are as bad as their parents were, right? I hope you enjoyed the chapter and it's mildly dramatic ending. Let me know what you think. -n
