A/N: Getting closer to the end, kids. Hold on to your hat. And away we go!
Surprise Malfoy! It's a... girl!
That's right! The recently departed Malfoy patriarch had a secret love child he hid for over two decades! Miss Luciana Rothschild-Malfoy was raised by her grandparents after her mother's death at a young age. When she found out her true parentage, she sought out to effectively ruin the young Malfoy heir's life by kidnapping and killing his fiance, Golden Girl, Hermione Granger.
With the help of our finest Aurors, as well as Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy himself, her plans were thwarted and an arrest has been made. Neither Mr. Malfoy nor Miss Granger could be reached for comment at press time.
Hermione watched the photo play over and over again. The woman was striking. There would be no denying who her father was. Harry was able to keep Ron's part in the whole scandal out of the papers. His toxicology did proof that he was under a controlled potion given to him by his nurse, "Sarah" aka Luciana. He was moved to a private area of St. Mungo's for his safety and recovery. Poor bastard.
Draco came into the kitchen and saw her staring at the paper. "I want to help her." He heard her say. Of course she would, he thought to himself. "She's all alone in this world. She has never been shown warmth or compassion. Maybe she just needs a family to help her heal. And a shit ton of therapy." She ended with a small chuckle.
"You really are amazing, you know that?" Draco couldn't believe this woman was his. So selfless, so compassionate, so forgiving. He walked up behind her and hugged her around her waist, burying his face into her hair. "I love you, Mine. I wake up every damn day and wonder how I deserve you. How lucky am I to have you love me in return?" Hermione placed her hands over the ones encircling her torso.
Luciana Malfoy waited in the holding room awaiting her fate. How had she become this spiteful? She thought of what she had done. She felt remorseful. Her thoughts landing on her younger brother. She saw the recognition in his eyes. He knew she was a Malfoy. He knew how she was treated by their father. Luciana did not feel sad that her father would never know her though. She was glad he was dead. His rejection killed the person she'd loved most in this world.
Love. Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she thought of the red hair and blue eyes belonging to Ron Weasley. "I love you!" He had said the words. She tried to act as if they hadn't penetrated her soul. She could close her eyes right now and still feel their last kiss on her pouty lips. She'd never known love. Is that what she was feeling thinking of never seeing his face again? A small sob finally slipped from her lips. The dam broke and Luciana Malfoy was suddenly in hysterics.
The door opened and Harry Potter entered. He handed her a handkerchief and waited as she cleaned her face and composed herself. "Miss Malfoy, your brother Draco and his very forgiving fiancé Hermione are in the hall. They wish to speak with you. Before they do, I was told to inform you that they are willing to help you in any possible way they can. To help you...heal and move forward with your life as a free witch and become a productive member of society."
Luciana was stunned into silence. "Why? Why would they do this?" She asked, practically whispering the words.
"Because you're my sister." She jumped at the sound of Draco's voice. "Sorry, Potter, but you were taking too damn long." There he stood. Her brother and his fiancé. The young woman she had just put through Hell less than 48 hours ago. "Luciana, I would like to start off by saying that I wish you had come to me when our father rejected you instead of, well, trying to take away the one person I cannot live without. It is only because of my soon-to-be wife that I am here fighting for your release."
She looked over to where Hermione stood. Her chocolate brown eyes looking into her grey ones, Draco's eyes. "Thank you, Miss. I do not deserve your kindness." The high strung sounding witch from two days ago nowhere. This witch sounded timid and small.
Hermione sat down across from her, relaxing once she felt Draco's hand on her shoulder. "Luciana, we have not been properly introduced. I'm Hermione Granger, soon-to-be your sister-in-law. I would very much like to help you. If you had come to Draco in the first place, we could have avoided all this mess." She stared down the woman, daring her to say something. Luciana only hung her head in shame.
"I'm sorry, Miss Granger. Nothing I say or do could fix what I did, but I truly and honestly regret my actions. I am ashamed that I thought you, Draco, to be like him at all. You're nothing like him, and for that, I am thankful. Thank you both for giving me this second chance. I won't disappoint you." She locked eyes with them both. "Could you tell me how, oh, nevermind." Luciana choked out a sob and hid her face behind her long platinum locks.
"What? What is it you need to know?" Draco pleaded.
"Ron. Is he- is he going to be okay? I didn't ruin his recovery, did I?" She had the sense to look sheepish.
"Yes, he is fine. He's getting the help he needs too. I didn't realize that you would care." Hermione was especially surprised by the next words out of Luciana Malfoy's mouth.
"I care deeply for him. I became attached to him while acting as his nurse. He told me he loves me. Nobody has ever said those words to me." She sighed and they watched as Harry lead her out to her freedom..
Two weeks later, Luciana was going to therapy daily at the rehabilitation center run by the Patil Twins. Draco and Hermione visited with her on Wednesdays. She had started opening up more, and the two siblings commiserated on their childhood. "He really was a right bastard then, eh?" Luciana had commented after Draco told her about being forced to take the Mark by their father to stay in favor with Voldemort.
"Ay, he was. But he loved my mother and I in his own way. Speaking of which, my mother wishes to know you, if that is amenable to you. Had she known of your existence, she says she would have tried to help you. My mother is a very compassionate person. Her husband sends his well wishes as well." Luciana couldn't hold in her smile.
"What?" she said when Draco looked at her, confused. "I just cannot believe how quickly you have all forgiven me. If I had just come to you in the first place..." she trailed off and felt a warm hand over hers. Looking up and seeing her brother smiling at her, she teared up.
"If it wasn't for Hermione, I wouldn't know forgiveness or what truly being loved and appreciated felt like. She's my everything." He smiled over to where Hermione was standing getting them all drinks. "Our wedding is next Saturday. She is trying to get you a weekend pass so that you can attend." To this news, she perked up.
"She really wants me there? Truly?" Luciana couldn't believe her ears. This Muggleborn witch that she treated horribly for no other reason other than being jealous and feeling slighted, gave Luciana a second chance at life. "I would actually really love that, Draco. Thank you."
Hermione was taking one last look in the mirror. "You look lovely, dear. Come on before Draco thinks I've let you run off." Jasper Granger waited for his only child to take his arm. "Ready, muffin?" He smiled with unshed tears in his eyes. "Now, don't let me trip and embarrass myself in front of all of these people. You really do look beautiful, Hermione Jean. Let's get you married." Hermione hugged her father tightly then took his arm.
A beautiful string quartet started playing Etta James' At Last as the tent flaps were magically opened and tied back to lead Hermione and her father out toward the Black Lake as Hogwarts castle sat behind her. Narcissa and Minerva had truly outdone themselves.
Under an archway covered in Wildflowers, stood a smiling, glowing Draco Malfoy with such confidence that it made Hermione's stomach flutter excitedly. She saw her friends all smiling at her as she passed them down the aisle. She saw Narcissa holding Orion while Kingsley wrapped his hand around hers. And then she saw Luciana crying but smiling at her, and she mouthed the words, "So gorgeous." to her. And then they were in front of Draco.
Jasper shook Draco's hand then kissed Hermione's cheek. Draco and Hermione held each other's hands while he absently rubbed his thumbs up and down the backs of her hands. The Ministry officiant stepped up to them and cleared his throat.
"Welcome, welcome. We gather here today to witness the bonding of these two people before you. Draco Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Jean Granger. Now, I've spoken to many of you, and listening to the stories from when these two were students here, it's a miracle we are even here today." Light laughter could be heard, but Draco was more focus on the vision before him.
This was really happening. He was marrying Hermione Granger. He thought back to the first time he saw her. It was their first year and on the Hogwarts Express. This bushy haired cute girl barged into their compartment trying to find another kids toad. He could still remember stuttering over his words and becoming warm when she smiled at him before parting. Hermione squeezed his hand bringing him back from his trip down Memory Lane.
"Please take Miss Granger's left hand into yours, Mr. Malfoy." Upon doing so, the Wizard waved his wand over their joined hands. "You are holding the hand of your best friend, full of love for each other. Today we bind, Draco and Hermione, their two souls becoming one. Before today, you were two halves, now you will finally be whole. Let Circe and Merlin bless this union and keep you safe." A golden light emitted from the tip of his wand, coming out in ribbons and wrapping around their hands as he read his words. As the light faded, a warm sensation washed over them both. "This concludes the binding ceremony. As requested by the bride, in a nod to Muggle tradition, Mr. Malfoy, you may kiss your bride."
Draco wrapped his arm around her waist as Hermione wrapped one hand around the back of his neck as their mouths met in a sweet kiss that quickly turned heated to the annoyance of Jasper, but everyone else cheered and whistled loudly. The newlywed's broke apart slightly before resting their foreheads together. "My wife." Draco whispered. "My husband." Hermione sing-songed the words and it was the sweetest song Draco had ever heard.
The party that followed lasted until 3am. Luciana was going back with the Patil's after brunch. Hermione and Draco would be leaving for a two week honeymoon on the Malfoy's private island in Greece for a week then Hermione's dream of Disneyland in America for the following week. She was excited to show Draco the joy and wonders of an amusement park.
"Lucy!" Hermione had drunkenly called out to her sister-in-law. "You must dance with us." Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Pansy were attempting to dance to a Weird Sister's tune.
"Lucy? I like that, Hermione." she said as she joined the ladies. She'd never felt so happy and carefree. "Thank you for this. I mean it. I never got to have fun like this. I feel like a kid again." Luciana giggled as she pulled her shoes off like the rest of the girls.
Draco smiled as he watched his sister joining hands with his wife. "That's a beautiful sight isn't it? Damn, it'll be me and Pansy next. Did I tell you, my mum took over the damn planning? Woman's a bleeding menace. Pansy's being great about it though. Fucking Hell, I love that witch." Seamus chuckled as he toasted the groom with some of Ogden's best.
"She's my best friend since nappies, Finnegan. I'm happy she found you. She ever tell you about the crush she had since third year?" Draco took a sip of the whiskey. Seamus laughed and said he hadn't known.
"Since third year, you say? Blimey. I never knew. I'll have to tease her with that bit of information the next time she tries to mess with me." The men laughed and enjoyed their drinks until being beckoned to the dance floor.
Blaise held Luna close as they swayed to a slow song from a Muggle musician named Bryan Adams. To really love a womanLet her hold you'Til ya know how she needs to be touchedYou've gotta breathe her really taste her'Til you can feel her in your bloodAnd when you can see your unborn children in her eyesYou know ya really love a woman"This is a beautiful song, my angel. I'm going to love you forever. As well as this little one growing inside of you." he lovingly caressed her swollen belly. "So in love with you, my beautiful wife." Luna wrapped her arms around his neck and popped up on her toes to give him a kiss.
"And I love you, my husband. Ohh, feel!" Luna took Blaise's hands and placed them on her belly. He felt movement and his eyes grew wide. "That's our baby. I think she likes the music." she giggled. Blaise's vision became blurry. He knew he was crying tears of joy, but he didn't care. He'd finally have a family, a real family. He looked over to see his mother dancing with Luna's father and shook his head.
Narcissa waited in the sunroom for Draco and Hermione's arrival. The wedding was just over two months ago now. Orion was sitting up in the weird Muggle contraption Jasper bought him while babbling and chewing on his teething ring. The sound of the Floo alerted her to their presence.
"Good morning, mum!" Draco cheerfully said. He scooped his baby brother up and planted a kiss on his chubby cheek. "Morning Ori! Big brother missed you buddy! Look how big you're getting!"
Well, thought Narcissa, somebody's in a great mood." She realized Hermione wasn't at his side. "Good morning, dear. Where's my daughter?" She looked around him, searching her out.
"She ran to the loo. Oh, I keep forgetting to give you this. Well, it's actually for Ori." Draco handed her a bag, so she looked in it.
Narcissa looked up at her son, pulling out the big mouse wearing trousers. "What is this supposed to be?" Draco took it and showed Orion.
"His name is Mickey Mouse mum. He apparently owns the property we visited in America. Hermione says he's a famous talking mouse. Can you believe it? A talking mouse." Draco heard a giggle from behind him.
Hermione looked at them with mirth dancing in her eyes. "Draco Malfoy, I didn't say he owned Disney. I said he represents the park. He's an animated character. He's not real. When we visit my dad later today, I will show you a film on his telly." Hermione put her arms out, indicating that she wanted to hold the baby. Draco handed him over, and she breathed in the baby's scent.
"Hermione, you look positively radiant. Draco, darling, how did the session with Luciana's therapist go?" Narcissa had gotten on well with her late ex-husband's bastard daughter. The poor young woman just wanted to be a proper part of the family.
"It went brilliantly, really. Padma thinks that she may be ready to leave soon. She's been taking some Ministry approved courses while there. I was going to ask dad if he could put in a request for a job for Lucy at the Ministry. Maybe a secretary or receptionist position?" Narcissa drew up her eyebrows at the nickname. Draco explained, "Oh, at the wedding, my dear wife was a bit tipsy and started calling Luciana, Lucy and she actually really loves the name."
Hermione sat down next to Narcissa. "Oh boy, he's getting heavy. So, would you like to know our news?" Hermione smiled at her mother-in-law then kissed the top of Orion's head.
Draco smiled brightly at his mother and final said the words he'd been dying to say since they found out three days ago, "You're going to be a grandmother!" Narcissa squealed then enveloped Hermione into a hug, earning a shout from Orion. They laughed at his face of 'anger' and continued their visit with talks of babies, weddings, and new beginnings.
Next chapter in a couple weeks. It's going to be a long one. I hope you enjoy! Happy Christmas to you all!