Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her son's attempt to find anything in the mess that was the attic. She had followed him up, asking questions to why he needed the tent in the first place. He merely answered that he was going to camp to find the creature, even if it took all week. Draco carefully left off that a certian witch would be joining him. He was not too sure how his mother would take it.

He raised his wand again.

"Accio tent." Something budged in the corner, he was sure.

When Narcissa had been under house arrest, she had insisted on going through the Manor and storing anything that could possibly be linked to Voldemort's rise. She did not want an Auror poking their head in for their monthly inspection and trying to pin the family for something wicked. Draco figured the tent had been stored because of the World Quiddich Cup and the riot that had come about after.

His cheeks burned a little as he recalled the nasty things he had said to Granger in the woods that night. He did tell her to get going though. For all his picking, he did not really want her in the air with the muggles. Now he was about to put her in the same tent where his father had planned said riot. But it couldn't be helped; he really did not have the time to go purchase another tent.

Draco climbed over an old hutch. He heard his mother's sharp intake of breath. Despite being locked from veiwing eyes, these were still Malfoy-Black family heirlooms.

The black tent laid in a folded heap on top an old dresser. A trunk had been thrown carelessly on top of it. He jumped down. The trunk was filled with more heirlooms, weighing it down. Of course.

Draco had left his wand on the other side of the room instead of sticking it in his pocket like he usually did. A moment of idiocy. He rolled up the sleeves of his white button up and heaved on the trunk. It barely budged. He tried again. As he strained, the trunk slowly slid to the other side of the dresser. He huffed and brushed dust off his now grey shirt.

The tent's velvety cover was still smooth and soft, dust barely covering the material. He shook it a little and bundled it under his arm. A beetle flew from the tent, crossing his vision, and landing on a mirror inside the trunk. Sunlight from a small window glinted off the emeralds embedded into the silver frame of the mirror. Draco placed it in his pocket, disturbing the beetle and causing it to fly off.

"So...you're going camping with him?"

Harry's question hung in the air as Hermione scooped potatoes onto her plate before passing the bowl down the table.

"Yes, to look for this creature that seems to keep eluding him."

Ron, who was to her left, scowled. Hermione paid him no mind; she was used to his possessive behavior, even though they hadn't been a couple for many years now.

Ginny took the potatoes from Ron. "Well, I think it'll be a fun experience. It will do you some good to get out of the office for once." James threw his small spoon into the air, flinging mushed carrots around the table. Ginny waved her wand, cleaning the mess with ease.

Hermione smiled at her friend. "We can't all go into field work like you and Harry. Some of us actually enjoy sitting behind a desk."

Ginny chuckled in reply and placed the bowl in the middle of the table.

The conversation lulled for a few minutes as everyone enjoyed their food, the only noise coming from the toddler trying to escape his high chair. The trick was the straps that retightened themselves every time he managed to get one loose.

After all had eaten their fill, Kreacher came in with tea and pastries. His huge eyes were lit with an odd sparkle. Hermione noticed that he hung about at the edge of the table, bringing a cloth to Jame's mouth as Ginny passed around the tea.

Something was up. She looked inquisitively to Harry, but he only smiled and waited. Ginny sat back down, beaming from Hermione to Ron.

"Now, we asked Neville and Luna to join us as well, but Luna and Rolf are in Ireland and Neville had mandrakes to care for. This wasn't a regular Friday night dinner."

Ron's hand paused midair, reaching for a pastry. "What do you mean?"

Harry ran a hand through his hair. Ginny grabbed it and held onto him.

"We are having another baby!"

Beside them, James banged his spoon down onto the table. He laughed. Kreacher cleaned up the mess.

"Oh, Ginny, that's amazing! Congratulations!" Hermione jumped up to hug them both. Ron was right behind her, pateries forgotten on the plate. He shook Harry's hand and smiled at his sister.

James began chattering, not liking that the attention was not on him. Ginny picked him up and hugged him close, excitement shinning from her.

They settled back down to talk about the upcoming addition to the Potter family and what was to be expected.

Apparently, Hermione's crack about a desk job was right on the galleon. Ginny was moving up from Quidditch Correspondent to Sport's Editor for the Dailey Prophet to have a safer, more secure job for their growing family. One stray bludger could be fatal.

As for Harry, he was finally accepting McGonagall's offer for Defense Against the Dark Arts. They both figured it was time to settle down a little bit. Life had been exciting enough for them, anyways.

Ginny cuddled James close upon saying this, darkness creeping into the conversation as they all remembered the years preceeding the Second Wizard War. Even Kreacher seemed troubled for a moment as he excused himself back to the kitchen.

"But life has a way of balancing out," Ginny stated brightly, her hand going to her still small belly.

Hours later, Hermione apperated back to her flat. She unlocked the door, still smiling slightly at her friends' joyous news. Crookshanks came trotting down the hall, screeching loudly at her arrival. She bent down and burried her face in his fur, snuggling into him. He purred.

They made their way to the living room, where Hermione dropped her purse onto a plush chair. She slid Crookshanks out of her arms and went to gather things for a shower.

She looked around with new eyes as she went. Her usually cozy home seemed bare and one sided tonight. Though she was happy for Harry and Ginny, she also could not help but to feel a little lonely. A second child. And she couldn't even keep a satisfying relationship.

She huffed and slammed the bathroom mirror closed harder than she meant to. She did not have time tonight to wallow in self pity. Tomorrow she was going to Malfoy Manor. A new dread crept over her and she ducked under the steam of the shower.

Author's Note:
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. Those rights belong to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing her beautiful creations.

I hope ya'll are enjoying the story. I am uploading the chapters as I read them but they will probably all be up shortly. Thanks for reading!