The next month and a half passed without incident, and Harry, Hermione, and Draco were on their way home on the Hogwarts Express. It was Christmas Break, and this would be their first Christmas as a family. Hermione was staring absentmindedly out the window as Draco and Harry sat on the floor playing a game of exploding snap. Every so often, Hermione jumped from the explosions that occured next to her. Eventually, Draco and Harry noticed that Hermione was...off.
"Hey, Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked, sitting on the bench next to Hermione.
"This is going to be the first Christmas away from my family," Hermione said. "My mother and father will miss me."
"Hermione," Draco started, "I'm sure Severus can make arrangements for you to visit your parents during break. He knows how much you care for them."
Hermione nodded. "I know, it's just hard, because as much as I'm excited for the ball that your parents are throwing Christmas Eve, and as much as I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with my actual dad, the Grangers were my family for 11 years."
Harry nodded. On the other hand, Harry was thrilled! He didn't have to spend another Christmas serving his greedy Uncle and cousin. Severus might even get him a present or two! He had already asked Hermione and Draco if they wanted to meet up in Diagon Alley on the 21st to get presents for each of them and their parents. When he asked Severus, Severus had agreed to give each of them 20 galleons to buy presents, and then shooed them off so he could grade papers.
Life was looking up for Harry. He was third in the class, with Draco second, and Hermione first. They were doing very well, and he basked in the praise that he had gotten from all of his professors. He especially loved when Severus gave him compliments. It made him want to try and want to get better with everything. He found the praise so special because he never got it back with the Dursley's. It was all "Boy, this is wrong!" or "Don't screw this up, Boy!".
Harry was pulled from his thoughts with a touch on his shoulder from Hermione.
"Harry, do you think Severus will take us shopping for clothes to wear at Lucius and Narcissa's party?"
Harry cocked his head. "I hadn't even thought of it, Hermione. I would think so, he always wants us to look presentable, and we can't wear our school uniforms. We can ask when we get home?"
Harry hadn't even realized what he had said. Draco beamed. Harry was improving. He just called Prince Manor home. He was getting more comfortable with everything in general. Hermione was also improving. She still was the know-it-all that the entire Slytherin house had come to love, but she was toning it down in class and not being annoying about it. Draco had also toned down his cockiness. Becoming friends with Harry and Hermione helped him see the world in a new light. He realized how much he had missed because he had been a brat. Obviously, he could still be a pretty big brat, I mean, he's a Malfoy.
As the trip came to a close, they lugged their trunks and owls off of the train to a patiently-waiting Lucius Malfoy.
"Good morning children, did you have a good term? How was the trip back?"
"Hi Father," Draco said, looking like he was itching to hug Lucius. "How are you and mum?"
"We're just fine. Harry, Hermione, we're going to be travelling by floo to the manor. Narcissa is going to take you shopping for some formal wear for our ball. Draco will be going as well."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you, sir, we were wondering about that on the train ride home. Do you know where Severus is?"
"Severus had to remain at Hogwarts to deal with some issues that have arisen. He asked Narcissa to take you to Diagon Alley for him. After dinner tonight, you'll floo home to Severus."
"Lucius?" Harry asked, tentatively.
"Yes, Harry?"
"We don't have money right now to get any formal wear," Harry said nervously, with Hermione nodding in the background.
Lucius smiled. "Narcissa and I will be paying for your clothes."
Hermione looked at him in shock. "But, sir," she started.
Lucius shook his head. "You will not put a dent in our savings. Plus, you two are basically our godchildren, so it is our job to spoil you. Now, quickly, lets floo to the manor."
Nearly 5 minutes later, they were all being hugged by Narcissa Malfoy.
"Hello dearies, did you have a good term?" The trio quickly nodded and smiled at her. "Good. Draco, will you take them to your room? I want to speak with your father."
As the three 11 year olds left the room, Narcissa closed the doors and turned to her husband.
"The Dark Lord called upon the house this morning while you were picking up the children. He is planning the mass breakout from Azkaban on the 20th of December. He wants you present. He will come here and call his Death Eaters, and then you will leave from there to go retrieve those who have been placed in the prison, including my sister."
"Understood, Cissy, thank you for delivering me the message. I will be careful."
Narcissa paused.
"He's also asked that you tell Severus to not go, and instead to stay with the children at Malfoy Manor. He wants Harry, Hermione, and Draco to meet other top Death Eaters. He especially wants Hermione to meet Bella."
Lucius raised his eyebrows.
"That is a bit bold of our Lord, but I will pass on his message to Severus tonight. I have sense to not argue with our master. He has his ways and there are reasons for them."
Narcissa nodded.
"Forgive me Lucius, but I would like to take the children out to Diagon Alley now, I don't know how long it will take to fit the three of them for dress robes."
Lucius leaned forward and hugged his wife, pressing his lips to her forehead.
"Very well, Cissy, I will see you around 5 for dinner. I love you," Lucius said, kissing his wife thoroughly.
Narcissa pulled back from the kiss, smiling slightly. "I love you too, Lucius."
Narcissa exited through the door, her robes trailing on the ground behind her, as he headed to Draco's room. She found the three kids laying on Draco's bed, reading the Tales of Beedle the Bard. She quickly cleared her throat, not wanting to startle them, but doing so anyways. She beckoned for them to follow her, and then they flooed to Diagon Alley, where they would get their formal wear from Madam Malkins.
Hermione sat patiently on a chair next to Narcissa. They were both watching the boys get fitted for dress robes. Narcissa had insisted on black and white, formal looking robes. "You must look like gentlemen," she had said to them when they, more specifically Draco, complained.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Madam Malkin said, looking over a tape measure. "These boys have been measured, and their robes will be made within the hour. Is it this little girl's turn now?"
Madam Malkin turned and smiled at Hermione. She gave a small smile back, before looking at Narcissa to confirm that she could go up and get fitted. Narcissa nodded, and hermione stepped up onto the large step stool.
"Now, dear, what color would you prefer?" Madam Malkin asked. The tape measurer was already taking measurements for her.
"Um," Hermione said, deep in thought. "Maybe a dark green or a dark blue?"
Madam Malkin nodded and left to go find swatches of fabric. Narcissa looked up at Hermione and cocked her head. With a wave of her wand, Hermione's hair began to move around. It moved to a ponytail, then a french braid, then an up-do, then to curly, and finally, Narcissa settled on a half up-half down hairstyle with light curls in Hermione's hair.
"There," Narcissa said. "It is always better to try on a dress when you know the hair. No make up for you though! You are far too young and beautiful."
Hermione blushed, and Madam Malkin returned with 6 different shades and types of fabric. There was material that was super shiny, like silk, there was chiffon, and finally, just some plain cotton. Madam Malkin began to lay fabrics on Hermione. After nearly half an hour of discussion, they had decided what to do with Hermione's dress. Madam Malkin was going to create a knee length, A-line dress, with a full skirt. The silky material would have a layer of chiffon over the skirt that sparkled. It would extend from the waist, which had a plain white belt around it. The dress had capped sleeves and had a standard U-neck. Overall, Hermione felt very beautiful. She was in a modest, yet beautiful dress.
Nearly thirty minutes later, Narcissa had paid for all their formal wear and they thanked Madam Malkin and left via the floo. It was nearly 4:00. It was an hour until the house elves had dinner prepared. Once they arrived home and dusted themselves off, Narcissa sent the trio of 11 year olds to Draco's room. Once she was certain that they were nowhere near, she quickly left to go find Lucius. Eventually, she found Lucius sitting in his office, a glass of firewhisky in his hand.
"Lucius?" she called.
Lucius turned towards the doorway, where Narcissa was standing.
"Hello, Cissy," he said. "What do you need?"
Narcissa shook her head. "I was just checking on you. Is everything alright?"
Lucius let out a bark of laughter. "While you were gone with the children earlier, the Dark Lord came and visited me. I'm in charge of the entire breakout. He will be waiting here with the children and Severus. This is a major responsibility. If I screw this up, who knows what our Lord will do to me."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow and carefully thought over what she was going to say before she said it. Lucius was nervous. She could tell because he was drinking.
"Lucius, he gave you this responsibility because he trusts you to do it right. No one besides us and Severus knows that he exists. Can you imagine what would happen if he went to Azkaban?"
"Why me, why not Severus?"
"The Dark Lord knows of Severus's issue. If he happened to be caught, Dumbledore could not vouch for him and we would lose our spy. People know that you have fought for The Dark Lord beforehand. It would not be as much of a shock."
Lucius' eyes flashed. He set down his drink and walked slowly towards Narcissa.
"You think I'm going to get caught, Cissy?"
"No, Lucius, I'm trying to explain it from the Dark Lord's point of view. I'm trying to -"
"What, Cissy, you're trying to help?"
Narcissa looked away. She knew that her husband was scared. He rarely drank alcohol anymore, but when he did he was almost always like this. The easiest thing to do would be to run, but who knows how long that would drag this on. If she stayed, she could try to convince him to calm down and that The Dark Lord knew what he was talking about. Plus, she didn't want the kids to see Lucius this way. Luckily, she did not have to make that decision.
In that moment, the floo activated and within the blink of an eye, any signs that Lucius was drinking disappeared from his face. He backed away from Narcissa and brushed his hair out of his face.
"Ah, Severus it's nice to see you," Lucius said, walking towards Severus with open arms.
"Likewise," Severus drawled. His eyes flickered over to Narcissa, who looked relieved. Clearly, Lucius had been drinking. Severus made no comment about the situation.
"Severus, did you hear about the Dark Lord's order?" Lucius questioned.
"Yes, he met with me this afternoon about the break out and that you are in charge of it. I am to stay home and greet the escapees and stay here with the children. He trusts you greatly, Lucius. Don't screw this up."
"Very well," Lucius said, a little irritated that Severus wasn't being compassionate.
"Where are my children?"
Narcissa spoke up. "They're in Draco's room, follow me, Severus."
In a few minutes, they arrived at Draco's room. The doors were wide open, and the scene that unfolded was one that made Severus suppress a smile. They were sitting on Draco's bed. Hermione was lying on her back with her head in Harry's lap reading a book. Classic bookworm. Harry and Draco were going through Draco's chocolate frog collection.
"50 points to Slytherin," Severus called from the door.
"Daddy!" Hermione shrieked, practically jumping off the bed and running to her father. Within seconds, she was hugging Severus around the waist. Harry wasn't far behind.
"Hi, Sev," Harry said, grinning.
"Are you ready to go home?" Severus had asked once he detached the two children from around his waist.
Hermione and Harry nodded eagerly. They said their quick thanks and goodbye to Narcissa and Draco, and were soon walking out of the doors to apparate home.