Chapter One: The First Letter
I rolled over and turned toward the woman laying next to me. I could hear the birds singing their songs throughout the grounds. I used to be annoyed that Hermione insisted we build birdhouses next to the stream outside. Those first few mornings I probably could have killed each one of those Nightingales. But now, I love hearing their songs. It didn't surprise me that Hermione hadn't awoken. She's been really tired lately, nearly ready to give birth. I pulled at a curl that was hanging in her face and stroked her cheek. I didn't want to wake her as this was probably one of the last times I'd be able to see her so peaceful before the twins came. I quietly rose from bed and headed towards the kitchen.
Spotting Konry, I requested that he make some Tea and Toast for Hermione and I for Breakfast. I chuckled in my thoughts. It took quite forever for Hermione to agree to obtaining some houselves, but after about 2 weeks she realized she'd never be able to keep up with all the housework, gardening, cooking, and all that reading and writing she does. However, the houselves we employ are free, and we do pay them generously.
I sat down at the dining table, with the Daily Prophet in hand. "Ginger Witch spotted in Berlin Zoo setting free a Polar Bear on his Second Birthday. Muggles confused how Bear could roam free only hours…" I started reading as Konry brought me some Herbal Tea. I looked up from the paper. Hermione was on the stairs with that starving look in her eyes.
"Good Morning," I said, "I had some tea and toast made for us." She smiled and sat down, gently grabbing a piece of toast and spreading some avocado on top. "Good Morning Draco" she said. "Did you sleep well?"
"Always when I'm with you." I stated as I grabbed her hand and gently squeezed. We continued eating our breakfast, and had our daily debate of what we should name the girls.
"How about Lucy and Abby?" I said, probably for the 80th time.
"We are not naming our daughter after your father. I still really like Ivy and Vera. Or, I had a dream last night and Luna was in it. We could name them Luna and Abby."
I shake my head. "After her? We're never going to decide on names, are we?"
"Well we still have a few weeks," Hermione said with a smile, "I'm sure I can convince you over to my side of the argument."
"You probably could, " I said smirking, "We could go back upstairs and-" Hermione clutched her stomach with a pained look in her eyes. "What is it? What's wrong?" I said kneeling down in front of her.
"Oh. It's. Just. Braxton. Hicks. Again" She said breathlessly, "It'll go away in a minute."
"Maybe I shouldn't go into work. I should stay here with you." I pleaded.
"No, no I'm fine. These are just Braxton Hicks, I'm not due for another 2 and a half weeks. Besides, Ginny is coming over and we're doing some shopping for the nursery." There was a knock at the door. "I bet that's her now."
Konry appeared at the door and let Ginny in. "Oh, Konry, I could have done that." Hermione stated.
"Oh, but Miss, Konry is happy to do it for Miss." Konry nodded, and Hermione shrugged.
"Thank you." Both Ginny and Hermione said.
I walked toward Hermione and Ginny as they greeted each other with a hug. "Well, I guess I'll go in. You girls have fun." I said as I walked up the stairs. I could hear them chattering away as if they hadn't just seen each other yesterday at Luna's baby gender-reveal.
I could still hear the nightingale's song outside the bedroom window. I start whistling along as I get ready for the day.
Sitting at my desk, reading the ingredients for Panacea for the millionth time. I don't know why I was tasked with making the Perfect Medicine, but I've always loved a challenge. Vinegar, Salt, Urine, Sal Ammoniac and a particular Sulphur Vive. This medicine has been on the minds of many since the 1500s. It could cure all diseases and prolong life. I could only imagine what both Wizards and Muggles could do with a medicine like this.
I check my ingredients and realize we're low on a few items. Sal Ammonia is a rare mineral composed of Ammonium chloride. I made the decision to apparate to our Egypt office to procure some more.
"Good Morning." I said as I peered my head into the lab. "Could you have some Sal Ammonia and orangutan urine sent to the London office?" I turned away towards the elevators to go discuss business with my good friend, Albert Gamp. We have lively discussions about the perfect medicine, and he always seems to give me good ideas to try. It was actually his suggestion to use a mixture of urine from different species.
"Come to steal all my ideas again?" Albert says as I walk into his office, "I've already given you all my ideas." Albert was the top student at Castelobruxo, the Wizarding School in Brazil. We met several years ago, when I came here to study Alchemy more. I would have stayed in Egypt if I hadn't bumped into Hermione again. Albert was the best man at my wedding, and now runs The Centre for Alchemical Studies. He's a traditional wizard, and never uses Muggle Technology in his Alchemy. I've never seen him use any Muggle Tech, even though Hermione taught both of us.
"No, no. I came to discuss the possibility of starting up a lab in the London office so I don't have to come here each time I run out." I took a seat, and stared out the window. "No matter how lovely it is to come sit here almost every week. Your team never sends enough."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. Our best alchemists and muggle scientists are here. I think you should just move back here. Bring Hermione. Dahlia and I would love to have you two closer. We miss seeing you." Albert said, putting his book down, and pushing his chair out to come sit with me.
"Ah, Hermione would never allow it. She wants to remain in London with our friends." I said with a chuckle.
"Hey, we're friends, " He said defensively, "But I digress. It's nice having a second office in London."
My phone started ringing. Albert looked disgusted at my phone. "I'll just be a minute," I said and walked out the door. "Hello?" I ask as I answer the phone.
"Draco, you've got to come to Warminster Community Hospital. It's Hermione. We've been in an accident." Ginny barely had spoken the words before I apparated.
When I got to the hospital, Ginny was in the waiting room. She had cuts and bruises littering her face. Harry was wrapping her arm back up with gauze. "What happened? Where is Hermione? What happened?" I asked.
"We were driving back to the Manor when a drunk driver collided into us when he ran a red light. The ambulance brought us here. Hermione got most of the impact. Oh, Draco, I hope she and the babies are alright." Ginny started crying. "They won't talk to me or Harry because we're not family. I've called her parents and Ron and Luna. Ron went to go pick them up."
I thanked Ginny, and went to the front desk. "Please, I need to see my wife. She was in a car accident. Is she going to be fine? Are the girls going to be fine?" I pleaded with the nurse. Ginny should have brought them to St. Mungos, or at least some wizard healer. Looking at Ginny though, she was probably hurt pretty badly during the accident.
"Sir, what is your name?" The nurse asked. And handed me some forms to fill out.
"Please just tell me what's going on. My wife-Hermione Malfoy was brought in by an ambulance. I'll fill out these forms, but could you please tell me what is going on? Can I see her?" I took the papers from her and started writing everything down.
"It looks like she's in emergency surgery now. We'll come get you when she's ready for visitors. I'll have a doctor come talk to you." I nodded, and went to sit down with the others. Hermione's parents had arrived with Ron and Luna. I looked at everyone. Hermione would be so grateful when she could see everyone was here for her.
I told everyone what was going on, and then bowed my head. Please be okay, she's going to be okay, she's going to be okay. A letter showed up on my lap. Curiously, I opened it. It was from Hermione?
Dear Draco,
Do you remember the day we bumped into each other after the war? I had gone into Amanuensis Quills looking for a gift for Ginny. I accidentally got ink all over your robe when I bumped into you. I was expecting you to be so angry, but you just laughed it off. You apologized for tormenting all of us during our time at Hogwarts. I apologized for hitting you, and you told me that you deserved it.
You asked me if we could get some tea that weekend, and I accepted. I'm glad I accepted your invitation, but I never told you why I accepted it. Earlier that morning I had bumped into someone else. Professor Trelawney in fact. I was browsing at Obscurus. She asked me to tea. I accepted, just to be nice.
Nice? I thought while reading her letter. You were being a teacher's pet.
She said she had something important to tell me. "A prophecy" Is what she said.
She told me of the man I would marry. "I can see you together. He's blonde you know." She told me how as children, my future spouse and I had hated each other. At first I'd ignored her. I never believed anything she said was true. I only came because she was my professor. She grabbed my cup, immediately after I set it down,"My dear, " she whispered, "You will have two beautiful daughters, twins in fact. But, you will never be able to see them grow up."
I stared at her. "No, this is all ridiculous." I said hastily as I got up and grabbed my bags. "You're wrong." I turned to go away and she said. "You'll see him today."
And, that's what happened. An hour later I was in the Quills shop, and you know the rest. I'm writing these letters only in the off-chance that something happens to me. I don't want my daughters growing up not knowing me. I don't want them growing up wondering why I wasn't there. I have spelled this letter to come to you when I've died. This is probably premature, but-
I stop reading. "I have spelled this letter to come to you when I've died." I look up from the letter to see a doctor and a nurse coming towards me. No, I thought. No, this isn't happening. She's not gone. She's not gone. I stand up worried, and fall to the ground after they tell me the news.