"Are you two ready?" She asked into their room. Both boys were on the floor couch she had found for them. They liked to read or just lounge there.
"Ready My." Scorp said quietly and neither boy looked up as they stood.
"Hey. You two, I've told you and Blaise had told you too, they will love you. I'm sure you are way more than they expected. You were babies when they saw you last and the world was terrible. Now they are free and you two are so smart and handsome. You've been growing and learning. Working so hard and playing hard too. You two are more than anyone could ask for." Eyes so different looked at her with such similar expressions. Now that it was here and they weren't pushing for it, the anxiety was rising and she wasn't immune.
Blaise hadn't indicated they wouldn't be thrilled with their sons and so she was trying to be reassured by that. Part of her had wanted to dress up but that was insane. Blaise would know and laugh at her, eventually they would all laugh at it, not a good idea. So jeans and her favourite hoodie with boots and her jacket would have to do. Even as she put the boots on it felt weird. She was going into her own home and wouldn't be outside at all.
The two elves popped in then and both boys looked at her.
"You're going alone?" Scorp asked her and she could tell he didn't like it.
"Well I don't want either of you going alone so this is how it is." She smiled and Scorp did too. It wasn't the grin it would have been but it was heartening.
"Snitch. Take her please." He asked the elf who waggled an ear. She smiled at the way he gave orders. Politely but it was easy to hear when he asked a question and when he expected compliance.
"See you at home." She said softly and they both nodded at her. Tray held her gaze and she let the smile fall but held those dark blue eyes and let him assess her. Not trying to hide any of her emotions. She wasn't actually frightened and didn't think it would go badly. He gave her another nod and she could see the determined tilt to his chin.
Then she had barely counted to two and was in the downstairs foyer of the Den. She looked around, noticing the changed furniture and paint, and then at the boys who looked curious and were walking toward her.
"Blaise has been busy, the sneaky man. Didn't cross my mind and he will love that. Better have left my couch." They boys grinned at her grumbling, the normalcy of it, and then all three turned to the door at the sound of approaching footsteps. Scorp took the step to her side and Tray took one in front of her. Gently she rested a hand on his back and murmured.
"It's Blaise, Tray. No one here is a threat sweetheart." Blaise didn't hear her words, she knew, but his eyes softened when he came into view.
"Got her here safely then?" He asked the younger two and she could see the genuine happiness on his face. They hadn't seen much of him at all recently and the boys had been less overtly themselves around him.
"Of course." Scorp didn't drawl but she could tell he was bristling and she smiled, keeping it small.
"Let's go in. I feel as ridiculous having put shoes on to come here as I did when I was putting them on. Did you keep my couch you slimy snake?" She asked and accepted the small hand in each of hers.
"Of course lioness. Theo likes it too, likes that room." He said and smiled at her. She smiled back. It wasn't as wide but his easy demeanour was the most reassuring thing she had and the boys seemed calmer too. Her loose grip and easy stride telling them she wasn't worried. Then she caught his eye and he nodded to the back sitting room. It was bigger than the lounge she liked best. The boys and her had played there before. It felt good to be here, welcoming and familiar.
When they reached the door Scorp stopped and so did she. He looked up at her and those gorgeous grey eyes looked afraid. Not as if he expected fear or pain but he didn't know. Didn't know his dad. They worried about different things but it was all understandable. She squeezed his hand then crouched down. He was taller than her now, when she did this, but both of them responded well to it.
"Your dad is in there and I know he wants to meet you more than anything. I can't wait for you to see how much like him you are. I can safely say you are the best thing either of them have ever done." Her voice wasn't a whisper but it was quiet and firm. She looked from faceted grey to sapphire blue and held those eyes rather than speaking. Tray believed her more quickly when she didn't use extra words. Had to prove it with her eyes or body language. Then he nodded and looked to Scorp who faced the door. The three of them walked through the doors and then stilled.
"Dad." It was the first word said and Scorp didn't move when he whispered it. She had been glancing between the two who were holding tightly to her hands and now looked up. Her eyes locked with Theo's and then he was watching his son, who had stopped. Draco took a step toward them and she looked up at him. Her mind was cataloguing the changes. Then her eyes flicked back to Theo and she watched him crouch down.
The boys hands were still in hers so she couldn't step back and she wasn't sure what to do. Everyone seemed frozen. After some seconds she felt Tray's hand tighten on hers.
"I was right wasn't I? They are shorter than I said but can you see how perfect those curls are?" Hermione crouched down and spoke to Tray. Scorp's eyes were racing over his father, up and down but Tray had Theo's eyes and she could see him not sure of what he saw there. It was hard to look at him when he locked eyes with you and she was sure Theo wanted to. Tray looked to her and then at his dad instead of into his eyes.
"Im Scorp. Scorpius." The boy said from her other side and she turned to see Draco grin at the boy.
"Less pompous than me certainly. Well done Granger." He didn't look at her, she wasn't offended and only smiled.
"Both have impeccable manners and their egos are only as they should be. Smart and talented." She said with pride and stood to catch each of the boy's eyes. Blaise chuckled as both boys smiled a smug smile at her praise, at her acknowledgment in front of their fathers.
Vainly she tried to free her hands, then looked to Blaise who wasn't concerned and shrugged. She would rather be standing against the wall with him and he grinned at her. Enjoying her discomfort with being there but not involved.
"You are tall." Theo said and Tray nodded. Hermione smiled at him for speaking. Then didn't hold the gaze that caught hers.
"Tall for my age. Scorp is always catching up." Tray answered. Not rubbing it in but stating a fact, as he did.
"I'm faster than you." Scorp shot back without looking away from his dad. Draco was standing easily with his hands in his pockets, watching them with interest. She was surprised at how the same he looked. Taller maybe. Standing taller surely. More defined facial features, nearly sharp.
"That's enough. Both of you have strengths and it isn't fair to rub them in. Neither of you tease me for not being as good at flying as you are." She pointed out. They didn't really fight but they did bicker and this wasn't the time.
"Got you to fly Granger?" Theo asked and she looked up at his teasing tone.
"Yes. Blaise isn't always there and I couldn't have them flying all over the countryside alone. They have gotten so good." She smiled at him genuinely. Making the effort and getting a small one in return.
"Perhaps better company than anyone else who offered." Draco drawled and she did grin at that. Almost every guy at school had offered her flying lessons and it had been somewhat of a running joke. She hadn't liked it then but now it was funny and she wasn't embarrassed.
"The best. Gentlemen." She said loftily and Blaise laughed outright. This felt pretty good. Not strained if it was awkward and she finally got Scorp to drop her hand. He put it on her thigh though and Draco looked up at her.
"We could all sit on the floor." He suggested and she nodded. Then pillows appeared and a low table with lunch. The same Italian one they would have had and Tray looked up at her.
"Now you can ask him." She said quietly and ran her fingers gently through his hair.
"Do you like pizza?" Tray asked his father solemnly and Theo tilted his head.
"I've never had it. Do you?" The answer was equally serious and she smiled to herself at that. It was so Theo and she wondered if he could see it. Scorp was how Draco might have been but Tray was more like she remembered Theo to be at school.
"It's my favourite. My makes pizza with us every Thursday night." He said and Theo grinned.
"Yeah? Is it fun?" He asked and Tray nodded as he sat down beside her. Theo sat across from him and Blaise sat as he normally would if they were at home like this. To the side of her but with a knee propped up for her back. Usually there was a boy across her lap. Scorp's leg slung across it when he sprawled out on the floor.
"Last week we made House pizzas. Slytherin was not the best. Spinach and anchovy. Silver was hard to find." Scorp frowned and then looked up at her.
"Gryffindor won that one. Gia's golden tomatoes and red peppers. With two cheeses that fit the colours." Tray said and then picked up a plate for her and looked to Blaise who nodded and summoned a fancy glass for her. Tray filled it up and they sat back.
"You've got them trained Granger." Draco drawled and she smiled smugly.
"I've never had such attentive companions. Most of the time they pick up their own socks too." She wrinkled her nose and Theo looked impressed.
"Yeah? Do you wash them?" He asked Tray who shook his head and accepted the slice of pizza Theo offered him on a plate.
"No. Gia did laundry at home. It always smells like sunshine. My says you can't come home with us." He said and then took a bite of his pizza and looked at his father who was nodding.
"No we can't. Not for two years. Will you take me though? When we can go. I'd love to see where you lived." Theo said and Hermione thought he meant it.
"Dad." Scorp said quietly and Draco nodded. Then looked to her quickly and back to his son. It was hard to watch everything and she envied Blaise his view and lack of expected eye contact from all involved. The pairs of eyes were so similar yet the emotions in them were different.
"If My says. It's her home. Blaise made her take it. We said she should." Tray answered Theo and Scorp started speaking.
"My says you will want us back." Scorpius spoke quietly, Blaise touched her back gently and she understood. Scorp had actually spoken with Blaise about this and she had been pleased at the gesture. Basically he had gone and repeated what she had told him. Then accepted the assurance that as always, she was right. He reported back to her and that had been the last time he brought it up, until now.
"Yes. I want you back. Well I want you to come live here with me. Maybe not today if you don't want to but I hope we can spend time together and eventually be family. That you will trust me like family." Hermione watched Draco answer. Not eloquently but honestly and they all appreciated it. He looked up at her and she smiled softly. Clearly she was the barometer for now.
"Alright. My coming too?" He asked and reached for the plate of fruit she had quietly put together. Trying to keep her hands busy and not stare.
"Can Scorp and me stay together?" Tray asked and he looked between the two wizards this time. Not just as his own father.
"Yes. Drake and me would have stayed together mostly anyways and we can't go back to our estates for a year. Even if we decide to do that eventually so together works for you two and for us." Theo answered and Hermione looked up at Blaise. He met her eyes and she could see his relaxation and the ease he was feeling. Like he was blissed out on the reunion. She couldn't help her chuckle and she stole on of his quiches. Gia made amazing quiche. Treacle too, he did this thing with Brie and bacon that was delicious. It was one of Treacle's and she spoke without thinking.
"Thank you for the quiche Treacle." The two new to their table stared at her and she flushed.
"Sorry. They hear me. I know they do and they won't stick around or let me thank them without making me feel bad. It works for us and these are amazing." Hermione tried to be natural. Speak as if they were friends of hers or at least not enemies. She wasn't part of this circle really and in that moment she felt it.
"Can we do our drills after My?" Tray asked and she smiled into his expectant face.
"Of course. How many days now?" She asked him.
"One hundred and forty two." He said quietly and Scorp looked over at him
"Really? It was that long ago my cast came off then." The young blonde commented and didn't notice the immediate tensing of his father's shoulders and the glance shot at her.
"Tried to jump the last five stairs instead of three." She answered and waited for Draco to relax a bit and something to show on his face. "His left ankle. I made him keep a cast on for a week as punishment." He relaxed completely at that.
"She's strict then?" He asked his son who looked up and didn't answer. Then he looked to Tray who looked at her.
"My likes us to be safe." Tray answered and held her eyes. She smiled at him and couldn't help ruffling his hair. Then she pushed it away from his eyes.
"Always. You two are bound to get hurt sometimes but it doesn't have to happen from not thinking things through or not listening." Was her answer and Blaise chuckled.
"You know she likes us to listen to her." Blaise teased and Tray shot him a look. It was amusing in one so small.
"My has reasons." It was defensive and she nudged him.
"You think I should make you wear a hat and a sun charm all the time?" She teased him and he wrinkled his nose.
"No My. That's you being silly." It was matter of fact and she chuckled at him. Tray glanced around but smiled at her eventually.
"So fly first. Do you two want to stay here?" She asked them. Not wanting to spring it on them later and wanting them to have time to think about it.
"All of us?" Scorp asked and didn't look up.
"If you want. We could ask Blaise to leave." She suggested and he grinned up at her. They were three against one when the Italian tried to get his way and the groan behind her was comical.
"It's three on three now Scorp." He protested and Tray caught her eye. She could see the real question there.
"No it isn't. It's five against little old you." Her tone was firm and Blaise stopped chuckling. Tray looked to his dad and waited.
"I'm with you Tray." It was solemn and she knew they would be able to communicate alright. Theo was observant and would be able to read the situation soon enough.
Hermione watched the boys meet eyes and then Tray shrugged and Scorp spoke.
"If My stays then we will." He said as if it were decided. This was how it would be or he would dig in his heels.
"Sounds good to me." She looked up at Blaise and when he didn't give her a response she turned to Theo who just held her gaze and didn't show anything she could read. Draco though, he looked imploring.
"Snitch and Treacle would surely get our things if we ask them nicely. Brooms first maybe?" She suggested and then watched them summon the elves and politely request their flying things and then the things for all of them to stay the night.
"Will Miss be's with little masters?" Treacle asked Tray and waited for an answer. Another exchange of glances and then they looked at her.
"I have no concerns over sleeping alone here. Or with these people in the house." She said bluntly and directly, not looking at the wizards. Eventually Scorp looked to Blaise.
"Never has she had so much protection boys. Even if she doesn't need us." He replied seriously and Tray nodded.
"My doesn't need it. You are to leave her alone and be kind to her. Please." Tray tacked the please on for her benefit she was sure. It was humbling and she knew she flushed. Her eyes prickled too and she stood up.
"You have my word." Draco answered seriously and Theo chimed in a second later. Staring at his son's face, then his eyes flicked to her and she could see so much. Then it was gone and she understood. This was hard and she wasn't offended that he didn't want her to see so much of him.