A/N: Thanks for the reviews! This chapter's only short...sorry. I'm not sure about it that much, but any feedback would be awesome. Enjoy!
The doorbell shrilled and Hermione groaned in exasperation, she was up to her eyes in stuffing (her grandmother's recipe) and Draco appeared to have vanished. "Lissy, Lissy!" She shouted, hoping above all hopes that her voice would carry upstairs. No answer. "Lissy…Elizabeth!" The doorbell went again.
"What?" Hermione could picture Lissy hanging over the third floor banister. Moving over she stood on the bottom step of the spiral staircase, making sure to hold her hands well away from her body.
"Could you answer the door please?" Her question was answered with a flurry of footsteps. Lissy ran to the door and reached up to unlock it, pulling it open to reveal Narcissa, tall and stately as ever stood on the doorstep.
"Granny Cissa!" Lissy jumped up and hugged her father's mother, nearly knocking her down the steps.
"Elizabeth…careful, please." Narcissa pulled back and brushed herself down.
"Merry Christmas." The girl grinned happily and Narcissa's cold front was broken, a small smile spread onto her face and she stroked her granddaughter's fair hair as they moved inside. "Oh, your cold…come down to the kitchen, Mum's cooking so its all warm." Lissy took the bags of presents Narcissa had enlarged as soon as she stepped inside and led her grandmother down into the kitchen.
"Oh hello Narcissa," Hermione smiled. "I'll be over in a second when I'm done with this turkey. Lissy, why don't you get your grandmother a drink? Coffee? I've no idea where Draco is, I presume he'll be down in a second."
Narcissa settled herself on the deep red corduroy sofas and took the mug handed to her; "Elizabeth, why don't you go and put the presents under the Christmas tree whilst I talk to your mother. And see if you can find your father." Lissy nodded and trotted off leaving Hermione and Narcissa alone in the kitchen.
"How are you?" Hermione asked, treading carefully.
"Very well." Hermione had noticed as soon as Narcissa arrived that her countenance was slightly lower than usual.
"I expect, this time of year is always difficult for you isn't it."
Narcissa stiffened. She never could understand Hermione's fondness for discussing emotions. "Because of Lucius you mean?"
"Yes." Hermione nodded as she slid the turkey into the oven and washed her hands. "I know Draco finds it difficult."
"Lucius was never one for Christmas spirit particularly, Draco used to get terribly upset when his father wouldn't find the time to play with him on Christmas Day." Narcissa sniffed slightly as Hermione settled herself on the same sofa.
"Yes he said, it makes him more determined to make Christmas special for the twins I think."
"He has learnt, he has learnt particularly well from his father's failings I believe…" Narcissa faltered and Hermione gasped in shock as the older woman suddenly pulled her close, she could feel tears slide down Narcissa's cheeks.
"Draco is a wonderful father." Hermione rubbed Narcissa's back soothingly wondering what was going on, this was Narcissa Malfoy not Molly Weasley, Narcissa was a statue of grace and elegance.
"Lucius was not a bad father," She sounded indignant. "He did not know how to love; I suffered for many years before coming to terms with that and accepting it."
"Draco told me…at the end…Lucius gave us his blessing."
"He did?" Narcissa pulled back slightly.
"Yes."
Narcissa sobbed again. "Oh dear, I am so sorry, I've never been accepting of you because of some stupid prejudices, you are a wonderful woman, a perfect mother, a perfect wife…"
"I'm not perfect, Narcissa."
"For Draco, you are. And for me…I spent too much of my life heartbroken because of Lucius, but seeing you, making my son, our son happy, it makes my life worthwhile."
"Oh…" Hermione didn't really know what to say to such a proclamation. "Thank you."
Narcissa smiled weakly and dabbed at her tears with a tissue. "Now, I must go and find Alexander and Draco, I suppose they are in the play room?" Hermione nodded and smiled, amazed at how quickly Narcissa could harness her emotions. It was a testament to her years at Lucius' side.
"Okay, time for presents." Draco grinned and the adults laughed as Lissy and Alex pushed back their chairs and scampered up the stairs to the living room where a magnificent tree stood, presents spilling out from underneath it. Hermione, Draco, Narcissa and Hermione's parents followed at a more sedate pace, carrying bottles of wine and half drunk glasses up to the living room where they found Alex and Lissy knee deep in torn wrapping paper in front of the roaring fire already.
"You started without me? I'm heartbroken…" Draco pouted jokingly as he sat down, Hermione tucked into his side.
"Sorry Dad," Alex grinned and threw a present at his father, Draco caught it and rapidly unwrapped it – a dark grey White Stuff t-shirt. "Gran took us shopping," Alex nodded towards Hermione's mother and Draco smiled, the Muggle brand had become one of his favourites over the years.
Lissy had stood up and was giving presents and kisses to her grandparents, the twins had been shopping with Mrs. Granger for their parents, and then with Hermione for the grandparent's presents. It was a logistical nightmare trying to keep everything a secret.
"Oh darlings, this is beautiful." Hermione reached out and caught Lissy for a big hug as she opened her present – a deep red cashmere hat, glove and scarf set. Narcissa smiled at the scene before her, Lissy in Hermione's arms, Draco and Alex exchanging jokes, Hermione's parents in raptures over some magical gift, it was more than she could have dreamed for after the years of staid propriety in the Malfoy household.