Although things were looking a little better from Hermione's perspective, she was still in no shape for to apparate herself. Floo powder was the next best option, though Mione usually made a point of avoiding it, it would allow them to travel quickly and safely without any glitches. Hopefully she would forgive him once she realized where they were. He whispered the location and gave her a gentle shove before repeating the process for himself.
Less than a minute later they found themselves at the gate of a large country manor, the one place in the world where Draco would have a chance restoring Hermione's tattered spirits. The gates opened in recognition and the two began to make their way to the front door. Suddenly an extremely energetic toddler came running in their direction, hardly stopping before leaping into his arms. It seemed that her excitement was contagious for Draco found himself happier than he had been since the night of Mione's trauma, and even Hermione had managed a smile.
Turning his face towards the child in his arms, Draco finally spoke, "Stella, so nice to see you again" in a playful voice.
Stella giggled in response. "Mione, Drake you're finally here. I've been waiting and waiting and waiting since Mommy and Daddy read your letter and that was ages ago" For dramatic effect she added a pause at the end of her little speech.
"Stella honey were actually early, we didn't say we'd be here till…."
He was interrupted by the impatient little girl, "You is wrong. You is wrong" she taunted over and over. Before he could reply they reached the door that was now open, it's master and mistress ready to welcome their guests. Stella began to fidget and he carefully allowed her down so she could do as she pleased. He could vaguely see her run up the stairs, presumably to tell the other children, when Celeste pulled him into a hug.
"Once you are settled you will tell me all about this Ron business" she whispered the command in his each. Meanwhile Hermione slowly allowed herself to be brought into an embrace by Severus.
"Daddy" she whimpered quietly before breaking into silent sobs. Draco and Celeste met Severus' worried look over her head. The other children finally made their appearance, stomping down the stairs in order to pick up speed. They seemed to be racing, and as always Sebastian won, his greater age and strength allowing him to prevail against his younger sisters. He had grown since Draco had seen him last summer, from a wide-eyed little boy to a maturing pre-teen. In just a few months Sebastian would be making his very own trip on the Hogwarts Express, growing up in a far different world than his parents or sister had. He had never worried about the rising threat of a crazed madman, only knew the stories which portrayed his father as a grand hero. In another aspect Sebastian seemed to have changed as well, where as a year ago he might of attacked Draco with a hug in much the same way as Stella, no he offered a stiff and awkward handshake.
Roslyn cleared her throat, letting her self-impressed older brother that it was now her turn. She was the quite and reserved one of the group, but highly intelligent. Of all the siblings she reminded him of his Mione the most. However she still greeted him warmly, her gripping hug and small squeals revealing her usually contained excitement. She too was becoming quite the little lady. At seven years old she still had four long years before she boarded the train, but from experience her knew that she probably had more knowledge of the magic world stuck in her head than most first years.
Hermione pulled away from her father and wiped the tears from her eyes before her mother embraced her. "It will be ok Mya. It will be ok" she whispered as she made soothing motions down her back. It seemed to calm her down for the moment, enough for Celeste to suggest that they retire to their rooms but not before her and Severus gave Draco a look that meant they wanted to talk in private. He nodded his head, and put his hand on the small of Mione's back to leading her up the stairs and to the adjoining rooms they always stayed in during their visits to the manor. He unshrunk her luggage in her room and left her to collect herself in private. Quickly he did the same to his luggage before rushing towards Severus' study. He was exhausted from the whole ordeal but it seemed their would be no sleep for the weary.