Following an afternoon with his new grandparents and his favourite uncle, Scorpius was in high spirits and he was still bouncing off the walls as Hermione tried to get him ready for bed. Even after he was in his pyjamas and was picking a bedtime story, he was still chattering on about the day. He was especially keen to talk about the spell Lucius had placed on his toy dragons, which was only just wearing off and every now and again a small roar could be heard from Scorpius's toy chest.
"Mum, is Grandpa Lucius really old?" Scorpius asked, handing his mother a story book as he climbed into bed.
Hermione frowned, mentally trying to work out how old her father-in-law would be. She knew from a few things Draco had said that his parents had been married a few years before he came along, and that they'd been married shortly after Narcissa had left Hogwarts. She'd also gotten the impression over the years that Lucius was younger than Molly and Arthur, but would have been older than Harry's parents. And since Molly and Arthur were only in their early sixties, she was guessing that Lucius hadn't even reached that landmark yet.
"No Scorpius, he isn't really old," Hermione said. "Why would you think he was old?"
"He has a walking stick, and Grandpa Richard said walking sticks were only for old men," Scorpius replied seriously.
Hermione chuckled, knowing exactly what her son was referring to. The previous winter her father had broken his ankle in a skiing accident, and he'd had to use a walking stick to help him walk for several months afterwards, and he spent the entire time complaining that he felt like an old man in need of support to help him walk.
"Your Grandpa doesn't have a walking stick, it's a cane," Hermione explained to her son.
"It looks like a walking stick to me," Scorpius snorted.
"Perhaps," Hermione said with a slight nod. "But you saw today that it's where your grandpa keeps his wand."
"So he has a cane for his wand?" Scorpius checked.
"That's right," Hermione replied with a nod. She did suspect that in the right circumstances Lucius wouldn't be opposed to using his cane as a weapon, but she wasn't about to tell her young son that.
"When I get my wand can I get a cane to keep it in?" Scorpius asked.
"You can't go to school with a cane," Hermione laughed.
"Why not?" Scorpius questioned with a frown. "I could poke the annoying people."
"You will do no such thing," Hermione said sternly.
"Aww, but I want a cane," Scorpius whined. "I want to be like Grandpa Lucius. Do you think I could grow my hair?"
"You want long hair?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe not," Scorpius replied thoughtfully as he tilted his head to one side. "It could get in my way. But I still want a cane. Can I get one for my birthday?"
"No cane," Hermione said with a firm shake of her head. "If you want to get one when you're older, that's your choice. But you are not getting a cane now, and you are not getting one with your wand."
"That sucks," Scorpius pouted.
"That's life kid, you can't always get what you want," Hermione chuckled. "But I can give you a bedtime story."
"I suppose that will do," Scorpius said with a sigh. "But I'm going to ask Dad about a cane."
"You do that," Hermione muttered with a roll of her eyes, knowing full well that Draco wouldn't agree to Scorpius having a cane when she'd already said no. Even though her husband was more prone to spoiling their son, he would never dream of agreeing to something Hermione had already refused.
By the time Hermione had read Scorpius his bedtime story he was finally starting to look tired. However, he still wasn't there so she read him a second story, which by the end, his eyes were closed and he was drifting off to sleep.
"Night, sweetheart," she whispered, lightly kissing her son's forehead and brushing his soft blond hair away from his eyes.
Turning on the night-light, she flipped off the other lights in Scorpius's bedroom and gently pulled the door virtually shut behind her. Heading back downstairs she found Draco waiting for her in the living room, with two steaming cups of hot chocolate. Her husband was also nursing a glass of fire-whisky and Hermione couldn't help but wish she had a crisp glass of wine to enjoy. But in her state there would be no wine, or any other alcohol, for several months.
"I thought you'd gone to bed as well," Draco said with a chuckle as Hermione flopped down beside him.
"Scorpius was in fairly high spirits," Hermione admitted. "He had a good day today."
"I know," Draco replied with a slight nod.
"And did you?" Hermione asked.
"I did," Draco admitted, the corner of his mouth curling up in a slight smile. "Father seems genuine."
"Yet you don't sound entirely sure," Hermione said, noting the hesitance in Draco's voice.
"I believe he means what he says, and I believe he thinks that he can cope with the people in our lives," Draco said cautiously.
"But you don't?" Hermione queried. "He seemed to handle Blaise's presence just fine. And I know you invited Blaise as a test for your parents."
"One they both passed," Draco agreed with a nod. "But Blaise isn't the only person they will have to accept. There's your parents, and the Weasleys."
"Ah, is this about Scorpius mentioning Granny Molly?" Hermione asked.
"Father asked me about it," Draco admitted. "I made it clear that the Weasleys were family, and he could either accept it or he could walk away again. He said he could accept it, but I'm worried he won't be able to handle the reality. And I'd rather know if this is going to work, before Scorpius gets too attached."
"I hate to break it to you sweetheart, but our son is already attached," Hermione said gently. "He wants a cane like your father. He even considered growing his hair before deciding it would get in his way. He's already smitten, Draco."
"I know," Draco sighed. "Damn, I did not think this through. I was so bowled over by what he did for you and Scorpius in Diagon Alley, that I never considered the wider implications. I never gave much thought as to his ability to adjust to what our lives are like."
"Maybe he'll surprise you," Hermione suggested. "Like you, I believe your father is genuine in wanting to make amends. And no-one is saying he has to be best friends with the Weasleys. All he has to do is accept them as part of our lives."
"And what about when he sees them with Scorpius?" Draco questioned. "He's just getting to know Scorp, but Molly and Arthur have known him forever. Scorpius is much more affectionate with them."
"He'll get there with your parents in time," Hermione said.
"Only if he sticks around," Draco grumbled. "I can't believe I've let him meet Scorpius without checking all this our first."
"Then why don't we give your parents another test?" Hermione suggested. "Let's ask all our friends and family over for a picnic or barbecue. It'll give your parents a chance to meet everyone and to see what they mean to Scorpius. And if they can't handle it, then at least we'll know and we can be there for Scorpius when he finds out his new grandparents aren't sticking around. But for the record, I don't think that's going to happen. I don't think Lucius will like mixing with Weasleys, but I do think he will do it for you and Scorpius."
"I wish I had your faith," Draco sighed. "But it's hard to believe in him after what happened."
"I know." Wrapping her arms around Draco, Hermione pressed her lips to her husband's cheek. "You've already given him a second chance, so let's not fear the worst. He hasn't let you down yet."
"Let's just hope he doesn't disappoint me in the end," Draco muttered. "Let's organise a gathering, and we'll see how much he means what he says. At least this way, I'll know for sure whether I've made the right decision to give him a second chance."
Picking up her hot chocolate, Hermione silently prayed that Lucius wouldn't let Draco down a second time. She knew how much it had taken for her husband to give his father a second chance, but she was well aware that it was also his last chance. If Lucius messed up again, that it would it and there would be no going back. One wrong step from Lucius would cost him his family forever.
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Narcissa rarely visited Lucius at work, but after having lunch with Draco and receiving an invitation to a garden party her son was throwing, she decided to call into Lucius's office and tell him about the invitation. Or rather she wanted to prepare her husband as while Draco hadn't said as much, she knew the party was a test for her and her husband. He'd made a big deal of the fact all their friends and family would be present, and reading between the lines, Narcissa knew he was meaning the Weasleys would be present. Not to mention Hermione's parents, who were muggles.
Despite not visiting Lucius's office very often, the staff all knew who she was and she had no trouble gaining access to the executive floor where her husband's office was located. Nor did she have any trouble getting past Lucius's assistant and entering his large, luxurious office.
"Narcissa." Looking up from the paperwork he was studying, Lucius flashed a warm smile at his wife. "This is a surprise. I didn't expect to see you this afternoon. I do hope nothing is wrong."
"Nothing is wrong, I just thought I would call in and see you," Narcissa replied, perching on the end of her husband's desk.
"Hmm," Lucius muttered, not at all convinced by his wife's claims as she never just popped in to see him. "And the real reason for your visit?"
"You can read me like a book," Narcissa remarked with a sigh.
"I just know you better than anyone else," Lucius replied with a smile. "So what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong," Narcissa said. "I've just had lunch with Draco, and he invited us to a garden party next weekend."
"How perfect, I can give him these," Lucius said, indicating the papers on his desk.
"What is it?" Narcissa asked.
"Several things," Lucius replied. "First, I've got all the documentation reversing his disinheritance. He's once again my legal heir and will have access to the Malfoy vault and properties."
"I'm so pleased, Lucius," Narcissa gushed, squeezing her husband's hand in approval. "I'm sure it'll mean a lot to Draco."
"Well, it never should have happened in the first place," Lucius muttered, glancing up at the portrait of his father and wishing he hadn't been so influenced by a dead man.
"What else do you have?" Narcissa probed, aware that Lucius could get distracted by thoughts of his stern father.
"Two new bank accounts," Lucius said, turning his attention back to the paperwork. "One is for Scorpius, and the other is for his sister. I've put the same amount in each, but I've asked the goblins to work out how much interest Scorpius's account would have earned had I set it up when Hermione was expecting him. When they get back to me with the figure, I will add that to his money. I was thinking the accounts could be accessed once the children leave Hogwarts, and I plan on setting up the same deal for any future grandchildren."
"That's lovely," Narcissa said. "I just hope Draco doesn't think we're trying to buy his affection."
"It's what we would have done if we hadn't been estranged," Lucius pointed out. "My father did the same for Draco when we were expecting him. Draco will understand that it's something that would have happened even if we hadn't fallen out."
"Well I think you're doing the right thing, Lucius," Narcissa assured her husband. "You're proving that you're serious and genuinely want to make things right."
"I do," Lucius whispered "And there's one more thing. I hope you don't mind, but I've signed over the villa in Greece to Draco and Hermione. Call it a belated wedding gift."
"Greece?" Narcissa frowned. "We've barely used it. Is it in any condition to be given as a gift? wouldn't one of the other villas have been more appropriate?"
"I picked that particular villa for a reason," Lucius said. "Can you remember we went there when Draco was seven or eight?"
"I can," Narcissa replied, recalling the holiday in question. "It was a lovely holiday."
"It was also one of the only true family holidays we had," Lucius said. "Usually our holiday destination depended on where I had business to attend to. I used to juggle business with a holiday for you and Draco."
"You're a busy man, Lucius," Narcissa argued defensively. "We understood."
"I wasn't so busy that I couldn't spare a couple of weeks for my family," Lucius snorted. "I was selfish, Narcissa. I liked using the excuse of going to a business meeting to get out of looking after Draco. But that holiday in Greece was different. It was just the three of us for two weeks, and we had a good time. It was one of the only times I was a real father to Draco."
"And you're hoping the villa will remind him of those good times?" Narcissa asked softly.
"Do you think it's stupid?"
"No, I think it's a wonderful idea," Narcissa said, bending over and kissing her husband firmly on the lips. "Never let it be said you don't have a heart."
"Not so loud, you'll ruin my reputation," Lucius joked with a smile as he pulled Narcissa onto his lap. "How do you fancy sneaking off and spending an afternoon just the two of us?"
"That would be delightful," Narcissa replied. "But I do think I should mention this party of Draco's. He made a big point of saying it was for all of their friends and family."
"And?" Lucius questioned distractedly as his hand sneaked its way under Narcissa's skirt.
"And for Draco and Hermione their family includes the Weasleys," Narcissa said, her words causing Lucius to freeze.
"Dammit," he swore. "This is a test, and it's all my fault. I questioned Scorpius calling that woman Nana. Draco made it clear that the Weasleys roles in Scorpius's life wasn't negotiable, and I said I accepted it. He clearly didn't believe me."
"Did you mean it?"
"I don't know," Lucius admitted with a drawn out sigh. "I can't deny it rankles that the Weasleys get to call me grandson family. But Draco was right about one thing. They've been there for him his entire life, and we can't say that. I don't like it, and I don't think I ever will, but I will learn to deal with their presence in Scorpius's life. I don't care how hard it is, or how much I hate it, I will do anything to ensure that I get to keep my family in my life. I've already lost Draco once, I won't do it again."
Narcissa nodded, trusting that her husband meant everything he said. Although to be fair, he wouldn't be the only one struggling with the Weasleys presence in their grandson's life. But like Lucius, she was determined that they wouldn't lose Draco again. She would do whatever it took to keep the family together, even if it meant learning to interact with the Weasleys and treating them like family.