I posted a drabble about them getting ready for the Malfoy Wedding in my Drabbles and Shorts series if anyone wanted to check it out. I didn't quite seeing it fitting inside this story, but I did still want to post it somewhere.
I just updated It Was Her Ginger Hair, and I'm so sorry to everyone who reads this story and that one. (Sidenote, We reached 30 followers on that one...Bloody mental, Blimey! as Ron would say). They will know why I'm apologizing, it'll be okay soon...maybe. The Draco bit was a bit heart wrenching to write, (ok, fine, maybe reaaally heart wrenching).
This is just a quick note, I'm updating my other time travel fic tonight, I'll either post it just before or just after this one! (Time Travel? Piece of Cake).
I have their third year almost about planned out, so if there is anything you really, really want to see in this school year then now's the time to let me know :p Look forward to OC's and to old characters written anew! :D
I thought I ought to mention this now, I've already chosen a couple people for this (some of them don't know yet), but I'm going to be doing a Christmas oneshot/drabbles compilation/series. If the people I'm thinking of don't like Christmas then I'll write you something else. In a way it's my Christmas gift to you, the people who review all the time and make me smile. I love you guys so, so much! Pairings like LunaxHarry, SiriusxHermione, RemusxHermione, GinnyxTheo. Or even if you like a pairing from one of my stories and you want to see a scene that doesn't necessarily fit into the storyline etc.
Don't worry if I can't squeeze you in though; the same drabbles series I mentioned before is entirely for requests and anything that strikes my fancy.
My FANTASTIC beta: prattster666, love you Kitty Cat!
My tumblr: indiebluecrown. tumblr. com
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and only the story line and any OC's are mine.
September came in a flurry of reds, oranges and yellows. Hermione had received a few letters since the wedding; Sirius telling her that his Mother wouldn't stop going on about Andromeda and her insolence at showing her face when she was burned off the tree, and how she had stunned Bellatrix. Peter informing her that he had successfully managed to go the full month with the Mandrake leaf under his tongue. Alice saying how much she missed her and that Sir Nicholas missed her as well, Kira excitedly explaining why her month long trip to Spain had been phenomenal, and Nancy had sent her a howler. Which confused Hermione until she opened it, and Nancy's breathy and musical voice poured out as she sang a song that she had written especially for Hermione judging on the lyrics. James found Hermione tearing up, having walked into her room just as Nancy finished the last, heart wrenching note. Lily's letter entailed her parents being delighted when she showed them some of her pictures from this school year, and Petunia being her normal, snooty self. Her parents had liked the picture of all of the Gryffindor girls so much that they had it framed; Lily said that they needn't do that, especially because others may see it. Petunia sneered and said if she was really worried about being a freak maybe she should stop, drop out of that rubbish school and go to a normal one.
Remus' letter however worried her, it was short and she sensed that his time back at Lupin Den was not overtly pleasant.
After Sirius left(three days before the wedding), the three Potter children spent most of their time with their parents, flying or playing Quidditch. Charlus joined in when he didn't have work. Thus how they languidly spent the rest of their summer vacation.
Then came the morning of September first and it was a hectic one.
"Boys, hurry up! We're going to be late!" Dorea yelled upstairs, Charlus and Hermione already in the foyer waiting for the others. Charlus had Hermione tucked into his side, enjoying properly talking to his daughter for the last time in the next few months.
"Sorry, sorry!" Draco apologized, hair askew, his button down open and flying out behind him as he hurried down the stairs, face a bit strained as he lifted his trunk down beside him.
"Where is your brother?" Dorea asked in exasperation, tapping her foot.
"Coming," Draco reached the landing, and Dorea frowned when Storm flew from upstairs and landed on her son's shoulder. Draco smirked, reaching up and revealing a treat between his fingers, the owl hooted happily and quickly snatched it up.
"JAMES HARRY POTTER!," Draco froze on his way to Hermione and his father. Harry? Dorea quickly glanced at Draco and then grumbled under her breath, "Charlus, I was right when I said we should have given him a middle name from my side of the family. Your Father whilst a lovely man that unfortunately died too soon, was always late for everything."
When Draco saw Hermione, he knew that she had heard it as well; though she looked a lot calmer than he thought she would.
We never did get to go out and use the Polyjuice Potion, we were so caught up in everything else that's going on. I wonder if I can convince Mione to sneak out of the castle on a weekend and go into muggle London. That being said we'll have a wider variety to pick from with all the older students.
"Master Draco, Master James and Mistress Hermione will behave, yes?" Mipsy appeared with a pop, hands on her hips.
"We'll certainly try, Mips," Hermione laughed, eyes lighting up when James and Dorea finally joined them.
"Are we all set? Textbooks, robes, clothes, quills,-"
"Mum we've got everything," James laughed, and Dorea poked his shoulder.
"Just keep in mind that you said that, because if you forget anything do not expect me to send it to you. No matter how many times you beg and plead," Dorea patted her son's head, and James scrunched up his nose in thought. Probably going through a mental checklist, making sure he does actually have everything. Draco mused, his fingers flying down his shirt as he began to do up the buttons; Hermione shook her head, untangling herself from Charlus and buttoning Draco's two top buttons. Draco's eyes lowered, looking into Hermione's hazel ones; her fingers were still resting on his chest.
"Time to go," Charlus said, snapping both of them out of it. Hermione ducked her head, hiding her face behind her hair, squatting down and picking Midnight up. The black cat meowed happily, eyes locked on Draco over Hermione's shoulder. Draco shook his head whilst securing the lock on Storm's cage. Ruddy cat always seems to know something I don't. With that the Potter brood swiftly gathered their belongings and were off.
As per usual the platform was crowded with numerous parents and family giving heartfelt goodbyes to the students of Hogwarts. Hermione frowned at how loud and boisterous it was, hoping that Remus was going to be okay amidst all of this ruckus.
"Don't forget to write, do you hear me? I'm not afraid to use a Howler if I must," Dorea arched a brow at James, who scratched his head sheepishly.
"Bye, Daddy," Hermione hugged her Father tightly, whilst Draco patted James' shoulder in sympathy before getting tugged into a hug by his Mother.
"Why if it isn't my real family," Sirius joked, Remus was standing beside him, rolling his eyes.
"Sirius ran away from his parents as quickly as he could," Remus' eyes were locked on Hermione as she pulled away from her Father.
"Remus," Hermione breathed out, flinging herself in his arms; not caring who was watching on the platform, ignoring everyone else as whispers began to kick up.
"I see how it is, Foxy," Sirius sighed, Hermione's eyes flashed warningly, and Sirius ducked away quickly to the Potter boys with a sheepish grin on his face.
"Pete is holding a compartment for us," Hermione heard Sirius tell James and Draco.
"Did you enjoy the wedding? A certain loud and reckless boy told me you certainly made it an event to remember," Remus whispered in her ear. Was his voice always this deep?
"I'm not quite sure to what exactly he's referring to," Hermione smiled innocently, untangling herself from Remus.
"You chose your subjects already, right?" Remus asked as he gently reached over and grabbed her trunk.
"Yes I have, and you don't need to-"
"I want to," Remus blushed, twisting around so she couldn't see his face, but the tips of his ears were bright pink.
"I'll be right there, I need to say farewell to my lovely Mother," Hermione smiled. Remus nodded and headed towards the train.
"Moony! You didn't carry my trunk you wanker!" Sirius complained loudly. James grumbled something under his breath about 'boundaries', and Hermione rolled her eyes. He should be the last person to tell someone else about boundaries. The boys followed after Remus, playfully shoving each other as they went. Pausing by the train to wave goodbye to Dorea and Charlus one final time.
"Bye Mum," Hermione ducked between a plump, jolly man and a spindly, tall man that reminded her of a beanpole, and kissed her Mum on the cheek.
"You keep those boys in line," Dorea gave her a pointed look. "I know you all like to get up to mischief, but maybe let Minerva have a breather before you give her a headache this year." Sorry, Mum. We already have a present for Minnie. Hermione smiled sweetly at her Mum.
"Mischief? Us?" Hermione blinked at her Mum with wide, innocent eyes.
"You're becoming more like me every day," Dorea smirked, shaking her head slightly, leaning down to press a kiss to her daughter's curls. "Go on now, before the train leaves."
"Come on, Midnight," Hermione made a kissing noise at the cat sitting neatly by her feet, the black cat was licking its' paw, and seemed to nod when Hermione addressed him.
Dorea and Charlus watched their last child cross the platform and hop onto the train, bending down to pick up Midnight and stroking the top of the cat's head. The corner of Dorea's lips twitched upwards when Hermione used one of Midnight's paws to wave goodbye, cradling the cat in her arms like a babe. Then she disappeared into the train in search of her friends, a new school year had officially begun.
...
Hermione didn't have to look long before she found the compartment that the boys had chosen, greeted by exuberant talking and laughter as she slid open the door.
"Look who we found, Mione!" Sirius exclaimed upon seeing that Hermione had joined them.
"Hey, Hermione," Frank smiled kindly. He's taller, and his voice broke. I think I'm going to win the bet that Alice and Frank get together this year. I wonder, if they do, then they most likely stayed together until they got married. At some point they must have had doubts. Doubts about being with the same person for your entire life, having never been with anyone else. Although I admire that, they know what they want and they aren't going to wonder what's out there. Frank was wearing a plain, casual, plum robes and black shoes.
"How was your summer, Frank?" Hermione asked merrily, stepping over Sirius' crossed ankles and squishing herself between Draco and Remus. "Thanks for bringing my trunk onto the train," Hermione leaned to her right and whispered softly in Remus' ear so no one else could hear her.
"Quite good," Frank responded, when Sirius elbowed him playfully.
"Frankie here was probably sending letters back and forth constantly with the future Missus Longbottom," Sirius wiggled his eyebrows. Hit the nail on the head there.
"Leave Frank alone," Hermione slipped her shoe off and in one smooth motion, shoved Sirius' leg with her foot. She regretted her decision immediately when he got a twinkle in his eye. Oh no.
Sirius grabbed a hold of her foot and tugged her towards him so she was on the edge of her seat. Only Hermione could hear the low growl rumbling from Remus. "Sirius Black, don't you dare," Hermione warned.
"Sorry, love. Didn't quite hear you," with a firm grip on her leg, he used his other hand to dance across the sole of her foot. Don't laugh, don't let him know your ticklish. Don't laugh. Hermione's face was pinking from physically restraining herself from laughing, refusing to let them know that she was ticklish.
Her salvation came in the form of a short, fiery girl with cropped, deep red hair. Lily stood in the entrance of the compartment. Eyes darting from Peter stuffing his face with a cauldron cake, Frank looking unsure whether to laugh or help Hermione, Draco leaning against the compartment window with an amused look on his face, Remus looking peeved, James' face frozen in a smile, and finally Sirius and Hermione's odd position. "You lot are beyond strange...do you know that?" Lily shook her head, spinning on her heel and closing the compartment door behind her before heading to her left.
Lily's interruption had given Hermione the opportunity to break free of Sirius' grasp, allowing her the ability to flick his forehead. He was not impressed.
Hermione looked past Draco, drifting into a daydream for the majority of their ride to Hogwarts, where at some point the rest of the occupants of the compartment had fallen asleep. Remus and Draco, Draco and Remus. Hermione glanced between the two boys laying beside her, Draco's head lolled back and leaning on his palm, and Remus' head resting on her shoulder. Hermione glanced around at all of her sleeping boys, and couldn't help but wonder what this year had in store for them. Something interesting always happened at Hogwarts. I hope this year goes well, and hopefully I figure out what's going on here. Hermione thought the last bit whilst looking at Remus. Conflicting emotions swirling inside the pit of her stomach.
Hermione decided to follow her boy's example, and she let the train's gentle rocking lull her to sleep. She would think about those things some other time, for now she had other things to contend with. The last thing she saw before her eyelids grew too heavy to lift anymore was Peter, covered in candy and wrappers, and she couldn't help but think of Ron. After all Peter had been his rat. For the first time in months, she saw him, clear as day. Ginger hair and all, and when she ran into his embrace she would have sworn it was real. That was how she spent the rest of the train ride to Hogwarts; dreaming of her ginger haired best friend guiding her to the Burrow. Everyone was there, everyone. Including James and Lily, Alice and Frank and even Peter. A single tear ran down her cheek as she dreamed, a dream so sweet, that she almost wished that she never woke up.
...
Friday, January 1st, 1999
Malfoy Manor
Narcissa paced back and forth in front of their bed, she was wearing a pair of black shorts that came about mid thigh, a deep purple velvet top, and loose, open emerald robes.
"I think Andromeda should refrain from giving you all these new clothes," Lucius was lounging on bed, a book clasped between his hands and resting in his lap; eyes following his wife's movements.
"Dromeda can give me whatever she wants," Narcissa spat acidly, huffing and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Cissa...what's wrong?" Lucius frowned, closing his book, not even bothering to memorize what page he was on. He got out of bed, walking around to his wife.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered harshly.
"Pardon?" Lucius reached out and grabbed the bedpost, needing something to ground him.
"I can't...I can't be pregnant, I don't deserve to raise another child," Narcissa closed her eyes tightly.
"Cissa," Lucius says, but he's still in a state of disbelief, not fully comprehending what she said.
Narcissa was about to say something else when it hit her like a ton of bricks. She smiled lightly at the memory, Draco always such a smart boy. She would have to ask him how it felt to have known her then. The more she remembered, the more she was beginning to distinguish between her son and Draco Potter. To her they were different, he was still her son, but he was more than that. He was her friend. Which is why it had been so hard to do what she did, Narcissa shook her head firmly, some memories were still coming back to her, at the oddest times. Draco wouldn't want her to such a nervous wreck. I suppose the first memory I had of my son being Draco Potter and...it being that one, wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. Narcissa thought wryly. When Draco got back she would have to ask him about that day, and how he felt talking to her in such a carefree manner.
"How's fourth year treating you so far?" Narcissa sat down next to the raven haired boy. They were out in the Transfiguration courtyard, the snow was falling gently around them. Narcissa didn't know what made her do it, but she reached out and brushed the white powder off of his head. Draco smiled gratefully.
"Peggy Brown...she's been following me everywhere, it's starting to get a little concerning, but other than that good. Our DADA teacher this year is pretty decent." Draco smirked, "How've you been, Cissa?"
"Honestly?" Narcissa barked out a harsh laugh, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. "Shit."
"Sorry to hear that...what's wrong?" Draco shifted on the bench until he was facing her, giving her his full, undivided attention.
"I have no idea why I'm telling you this. The only people who know are Lucius and our healer-"
"You aren't sick are you?" Draco frowned, and Narcissa swore she saw something in his eyes that indicated that he knew more than he was letting on.
"No, well, the potions sometimes make me queasy, but other than that I'm perfectly fine..." Narcissa trailed off, her line of sight moving to the sky, watching the snowflakes in the sky.
"Then what's wrong?" Draco pressed.
"I'm not pregnant." Narcissa said bluntly.
"I-well-I..." Draco's eyes widened and he scratched his head nervously. Then an arrogant smirk crossed his face, and he leaned back slightly. "When you do have a kid, cause you will, promise me you'll name them after me."
"No," Narcissa smiled sweetly.
"Aww, come on, Cissa," Draco reached forward and pushed her shoulder gently.
"You're lucky I like you, or you would have lost that hand you know," Narcissa laugh gaily when Draco scowled.
"In all seriousness though," Draco's facial expression had grown grave, but Narcissa could see the joy dancing in his eyes. "You'll be an amazing Mum, trust me, Cissa."
"Thank you, Draco." Narcissa patted the boy's hand that was now resting on the back of the bench. "Lucius and I are probably going to take a break for now, when it comes to trying. I think we need a couple more years just to be married, to enjoy each other."
"Why are you here again?" Draco asked curiously after a few moments, Narcissa pursed her lips before answering.
"I felt the need to visit the grounds again, and plus I might have wanted to see you and tease you about that Gryffindor praying that you'll jump her bones."
"Peggy? Merlin help me, she's persistent I'll give her that." Draco grumbled.
"Oh you poor dear, tell me all about it, I do find your troubled love life ever so entertaining." Narcissa grinned, batting her eyelashes at Draco, who rolled his eyes.
"We can do this," Narcissa murmured, and Lucius snapped out of his daze.
"We can?" Lucius asked and Narcissa swatted him on his arm.
"Yes, Lucius Malfoy. We can do this," Narcissa folded her arms across her chest, eyes narrowed.
"Yes, Cissa, we most certainly can," Lucius lips twitched upwards.
"How do you think Draco will react to having a sibling?"
"I think he'll be overjoyed for more than one reason," Lucius cocked a knowing eyebrow at Narcissa. I'm sure he will. I wonder what he's doing now. Whatever it is, I hope he's safe.
Thus their third year begins!
Love,
Indieblue xx
P.S. I'll try to find time to respond to reviews in between studying and finishing off some of my coursework sometime tomorrow!