Summer Lovin'
By jessebelle
E-mail: dracos_gryffindor_princess@yahoo.com
Author's Note: Okay, they finally go to America and you get to see where Draco comes in. Yay!
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Chapter Three: Welcome to the Madhouse and Going Soft
After a few problems and delays, Hermione and her Aunt Jessica were in America, Wisconsin to be exact. They stood in front of Jessie's childhood home. Because they'd taken a port key, even with the delays, they arrived with time to spare. There were cars in the driveway, so they weren't the first to arrive.
"Well, this is it. You've been here before, right?"
Hermione looked up at the house. "No, you know mom didn't like to have a lot of contact with the family. I've only met my grandparents a few times when I was little, and that was when they came to visit you. You're basically my only relative I really know. I guess that was the reason keeping my being a witch wasn't so hard."
Jessie laughed. "Yeah, I forget we're an ocean away sometimes. I keep close tabs on everyone so I might be able to fill you in. And about you being a witch"-
"I know, don't tell them. They'd probably think I was crazy."
Her aunt smiled. "No, I was going to say that if you wanted to come out of the broom closet, so to speak, they won't mind. Just make sure you trust who you tell. Also make sure you're able to give them a reason to explain any weird incidents or occurrences that might happen. You know; the whole accidental magic thing. I wasn't always a redhead kiddo." Jessie gave Hermione a pointed look.
The young women just shrugged. "You said you wanted to be a red head. I just kind of wished it to happen. I didn't know that it would."
Both women laughed. When her aunt sobered, she spoke again. "Now, here's the low down on the family. One, you know we're nicknamed the madhouse because things save a tendency to get really hectic. If you get overwhelmed, which probably will happen since we'll be here most of the summer, I trust you enough to just take off for a bit." She looked to Hermione to see her reaction, and continued. "Okay, don't call your grandparents grandma and grandpa, it's too formal."
Hermione interrupted. "Then what am I supposed to call them?'
"I was getting to that. Call them Nana and Pops, it's what everyone else calls them. Now, I don't think you'll have a problem recognizing all your aunts and uncles from the pictures I know you've seen. If you don't know who they are, or vice versa, just introduce yourself. Unfortunately you might have to mention you're Julia's daughter."
They paused remembering their respective sister and mother. After a few minutes of silence, her aunt finished her lecture. "Okay, according to what I know, which is a lot, I think you got bad luck in the age group. Basically there are the younger kids, the preteens, and the adults. You'll be the only teenager there. I do recall that Michael might be bringing someone with him, a teenage boy, so you might have some company. As for all your cousins and everyone, I think you'll get along with them for the most part, and remember that they'll only be here for a few days. We're staying the rest of the summer, especially now that I have to make wedding plans, and I'm sure a few relatives will pop in every once in a while, but not all together like this. Now, I think you might remember Sarah and Robby, my sister and brother or at least, your mother's reaction to them."
Hermione nodded. "Yeah, they were staying with you and you invited us over. Mom was pissed."
Jessie smiled. "Yep, I still have the dent on the wall where she threw my book at it when she came over to be polite. Now, other things I should warn you about, our lovely American relatives hate our accents because they can't understand it. Hopefully being here as long as you will be, you might pick up an American touch or at least they might learn to understand you. Um, Nana talks a lot, and Pop's is sort of opinionated, you'll see. Basically, you'll be entering a mad house."
Hermione stared at the house with a touch of forbidding. She'd heard stories about the family, and if two of the daughters felt the need to move an ocean apart to get away, it would definitely be an experience.
The house itself looked like a barn that had been converted into a house. It was yellow and green and had two stories. There were plenty of flowers and lawn decorations. It looked welcoming enough. The backyard was fenced off, and she could hear music and noise coming from the other side. The garage was open and filled with tools. It seemed someone who lived here liked to build things.
Seeing the look on her niece's face, Jessie laughed. "Ok, it's not that bad as it sounds. I promise you'll like it here. Now, grab your stuff and come on. I rsvp'd early enough so we don't have to stay at the hotel. I believe you and I get to share my old room." She pointed to a pair of windows on the second floor. "I think you'll be lodging here the whole summer, but when a certain, person, arrives, I'll be getting a hotel room Um, I think the only other people actually staying at the house with us are Michael and Amy. They have two twin daughters and their guest that might be coming. Robby will also probably be staying here. I think there will be enough room so we won't be too cramped. So, any questions?"
Hermione looked at her aunt, to the house, and back to her aunt. She was lucky she was good at listening otherwise she would have missed most of that. She nodded slowly and picked up her bag. Jessie smiled and gestured to go on. They walked to the door. Right before they entered, Hermione saw a sign. "Welcome to the Madhouse." From what her aunt had said and her mother had told her, she had to agree with that statement.
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Draco stared at the two girls in front of him. His mom and Todd were talking with his 'aunt' and 'uncle'. Apparently his mother's new marriage came with an extended family. He had to admit, the identical girls were cute; their blues eyes staring at him in wonder and their, thank Merlin, blonde hair in pigtails. The only difference between them was the different colored dresses. But his didn't like cute little girls, he was a Malfoy.
"Hi, I'm Diane, she's Denise. We're five." The one on the right, dressed in pink, held up four fingers. When he looked to the other one, she blushed. She was dressed in green, a much better color in his opinion. She leaned over and fixed her sister's fingers so they made five, and whispered a shy hi. He had a feeling he was going to like Denise than the one that was still talking.
"-we're identcle. Mommy says we're gonna grow up and daddy will have to beat boys off with sticks. Boys are yucky, they have cooties. Do you have cooties? Wanna play tea party with me? I like to play-"
Draco looked toward Denise. It was clear she didn't agree with her sister's assessment. She saw him staring and gave him a shy smile. When she was sure Diane wasn't looking, she made the universal, she's crazy sign, and giggled. No matter how much he resisted, he smiled despite himself. That's when the adults came over.
"Draco, I see you've met the girls. That's good, and aren't they adorable?"
"Yes mother." His mother looked at him skeptically but went on. "Now, according to the plans, you guys are going to Wisconsin and you might be there a while. As favor for keeping you, we've gotten them a port key so you don't have to travel the muggle way. You leave in," she checked her watch, "about thirty minutes. That should give you enough time to get to know them after we leave, which we need to go soon. You'll be alright?"
"Yes, mother."
"You'll keep in touch?"
"Yes, mother."
"You'll be well behaved? I don't want you to cause Amy or anyone any trouble."
Draco scowled before answering. "Yes, Todd."
After an embarrassing hug and kiss from his mother, and a handshake with Todd, Draco was left with his 'host' family.
The woman, Amy he recalled, approached him. She was a brunette with blue eyes. She had short hair and a weird smile on her face, as did her husband, Michael. Michael had short blonde hair and blue eyes. He was tall and a bit intimidating.
"Welcome, Draco, right?" At his nod she continued. "I'm your Aunt Amy, and this is your Uncle Mike. I guess you've already met the girls, Diane and Denise."
Before she could continue, Draco interrupted. "Let's get one thing straight. You're not my aunt and uncle. The only connection we have is your brother just happens to be my weirdo stepfather."
Instantly their smiles vanished, to be replaced with looks of relief. "Thank God, I guess you don't like Todd either."
"No, he just walks right in and tries to become my father. I have a father, granted his is an evil bas-" One look at the girls and he corrected himself. Bloody hell, he was going soft. "-meanie, but he's my father. The only reason I haven't tried to get rid of him is he makes my other happy."
Michael nodded. "Yeah, I now how that goes. Now, without the familiarities, I'm Mike, she's Amy. I knew about your arrival, so I was able to plan for you to come with to my aunt's house for the reunion. We'll be leaving soon, so I hope you have everything you need. Now, you're what, 16, 17?"
"16, but I'll be 17 in a month or so. That means I'm able to do magic, legally."
Mike nodded. "That's okay. Just try not to do it in front of anyone but me or Amy. Now, unfortunately most of the kids are either really older or really younger than you. I don't imagine you want to play with the kids?"
Draco saw Mike's smile and returned it. "No, not really."
"I don't blame you. I don have one cousin that's just around your age. I think she's 16. Her name's Harmony or something. I've never met her myself, but I'm sure she could probably keep you company."
Amy nodded. "Okay, I think that's about it. We'll be staying at Lisa's house, which is where the reunion will take place. On a guess, I think we'll be there a month; we don't get to see them too often. Any questions?" Draco shook his head. "Good, then let's go get our things and we can leave."
He watched as they went up the stairs of their house to
get their luggage. He grabbed his trunk, but before he could go anywhere, a tug
on his shirt made him look down to his right where pair of blue eyes were
gazing up at him.
"Can I help you carry
anything? I'm already done packing."
Draco looked around and after smiling, he handed a small bag to the young girl. "Thank you Denise."
She smiled at him, "You're welcome."
They left a little while later using the port key: Debby in her mother's arms crying, and Denise being quiet, her hand in Draco's. Yep, he was definitely going soft.