*MW*MW*MW*
"He's been forced to have a child. What are you going to do about it?" Narcissa paced Kingsley's office like a caged animal.
"What evidence do you have it was forced? Honestly Mrs Malfoy, everything our agent found indicates Lord Malfoy left with Lady Malfoy. They had a child as married couples are known to do. Malfoy Enterprises has been running without disruption. Other than your accusations, nothing about what we've found is untoward." Kingsley leaned back in his chair waiting, Hermione told him to go ahead and press the point. They'd been gone two years and Narcissa hadn't given up.
"Nothing untoward? I don't know what plant you've been huffing, but my son would have never had a child with a half-blood —" Narcissa shuddered slightly, "— or worse. Based on how the tree at Grimmauld is acting, this child apparently has a totally unacceptable mother." Narcissa growled, whoever did this was very close to destroying both the Malfoy and Black families with one fell swoop.
"Mrs Malfoy, again I must stress, there is no evidence of coercion. You also must understand there is sufficient evidence to support our closing of the case. Even if we've not spoken with Lord Malfoy directly." Narcissa fell into the open chair with a dramatic twirl.
"I demand to see this evidence."
"No," Narcissa sat up, no-one ever told her no. "There is no reason for you or anyone outside of the DMLE to need to see the information. Our investigator is confident on the conclusion, and I agreed. Because of that, I closed the case yesterday. Thank you for coming in, you may go now." Kingsley looked back at his paperwork and ignored the woman sputtering in front of him.
"I'll find this agent then." Narcissa stalked out the office after her threat.
"I'd like to see her try. Hermione is finally back up to full mental facilities. Much to her son's dismay." Kingsley chuckled at Harry's comment.
*MW*MW*MW*
Without being able to access the tree at Malfoy Manor and Reg not allowing her to see the tree at Grimmauld, Narcissa was unsure on the name of the baby. She assumed it would be some muggle name to bring further shame to her families. So she began to think on ways to find her son in the uncultured muggle world. After days of careful work, she decided to try and investigate herself. After two exhaustive hours she gave up and asked Aster to find someone who could.
The elf nodded and left the cottage where she and Narcissa lived. When Aster arrived to Grimmauld, she waited until Kreacher was comfortable she wasn't doing something evil to his beloved Regulus on behalf of Narcissa. When he finally accepted she was working on behalf of the Black family, Reg was informed of the other elf's arrival.
"Hey Aster, how are things with Cissy?"
"Shes wantings to hire someones to search for Master Draco." Aster began to wring her hands in concern as she told the story, "Shes told Aster to find someone but Aster knows the Master wouldn't approve. I can't reach him and hoped Master You would helps me." Reg smiled at the elf.
"Thank you for coming here Aster. I know you're in a tough position right now, but you are doing the right thing. Tell Cissy you've found someone and hired them. They will turn in a report once they've found something or every Tuesday if they found nothing. Come by here on Monday afternoons and I'll get you the report." Aster released a sigh and nodded before she left.
"They aren't going to believe this." Reg left the study and sent a note off to Harry.
*MW*MW*MW*
Sitting at his desk, Harry's mind wandered from the report he was working on to the plans of his best friend. When he got the letter from Reg regarding Narcissa wanting to hire a private investigator almost two months earlier, Harry forwarded it to Hermione along with some ideas on how to play it. It took about the expected length of time for Narcissa to get desperate. It made Draco chuckle but he guessed she was upset about missing another social season.
Narcissa looking for a someone else to do the work, wasn't a surprise to anyone. According to Aster, her Mistress tried to navigate the muggle world and quickly returned to the safety of her home. Harry was directed to investigate the area on the muggle side of the Leaky and make sure no one was talking about anything odd. Last thing they needed was for Narcissa to break the statute.
Three nights before, Harry read the most recent update from the private investigator Aster hired. That is to say he read what Reg and Sirius put together. They were responsible for the update reports to keep Narcissa in a state of blissful ignorance. With a little extra information from Kingsley, the pair of men were having a grand old time documenting the worldwide hunt for the man who wasn't missing.
The report was handed off to Aster to deliver. Currently the investigator was tracking a possible lead in Turkey. The report mentioned hearing a rumor about Hungary and would head there in the next day or so depending on what he was able to dig up in Turkey. Apparently there was some inside joke on the locations selected by Sirius and Regulus, a joke they refused to share with Harry.
Turning his attention back to his actual job, Harry picked up his quill to finish the report for his most recent case. Melanie was giving him the stink eye which only could mean she felt the report was late. Hearing a clearing of a throat, Harry looked up to see Melanie, "Hey Melanie, almost done, see?" Harry held up the report that was actually almost complete.
"I would say finish that first, but the Director asked for you to immediately go to his office. Please try and get that to me before you leave today." Melanie looked longingly at the incomplete report and shuffled off to her desk.
"You called for me Director?" Harry stepped into Kingsley's office and saw not only Narcissa Malfoy but also Pansy Parkinson's mother. Something felt very off with the entire situation and Harry was immediately on guard.
"Harry, it seems Mrs Malfoy believes our closing of the case related to Lord Malfoy two months ago was done in error and much too quickly. Apparently Lady Parkinson has recently found some new information we do not have." Harry took the open seat Kingsley summoned and ignored the indignant huff from Narcissa at the use of the proper title for Posy Parkinson. After getting seated, Harry prepared to take notes, "Please tell your story to Inspector Potter."
The concern Harry felt on entering and seeing who was in the office started to wane a little as Posy Parkinson began an elaborate tale about traveling abroad with Pansy. A trip Harry knew for certain Pansy did not take, but he wasn't going to call the woman out on it. "Pansy was an extremely close friend of Draco, don't you know, they would have married." Harry's eyes darted to Narcissa who scowled a bit, apparently Narcissa wasn't onboard with that marriage. Or this comment was an unplanned add-on to whatever the pair intended to tell Kingsley.
Posy continued to imply Pansy was the one who actually saw Draco but didn't actually say it. She continued in that way until she realized Harry wasn't believing her. The woman paused in her dramatic retelling to dab her eyes with her monogrammed handkerchief and then went with, "Pansy saw him in Hungary. She was there for something to do with that store of hers. It's embarrassing enough for her to still be single but then to work, I don't understand, —" Whatever Posy didn't understand stopped when Narcissa gave a delicate cough.
Taking the hint, Posy got back on topic "He, Draco that is, started struggling when he saw Pansy. He wanted to get away from someone she didn't know. They were dirty and obviously muggle. Before she could do anything to save her friend and not break the statute of secrecy, one of those rolling muggle transport things pulled up and they pushed Draco into it!" Narcissa began to weep loudly, Harry's eyes darted between the two mothers to see each of them competing to get more attention.
Kingsley withheld the sigh he wanted to release at the display in front of him, "Harry, please contact Agent GM and provide this information. We should look into it." Kingsley waved Harry off and the younger man moved quickly. Harry planned to visit the Malfoys in a couple weeks, but this was something none of them expected and required immediate discussions which can't be done by owl post. Luckily, the new Malfoy home had great coverage for mobiles and Harry only needed to go somewhere with minimal magical interference to make the call.
Since Narcissa pushed beyond what they believed she would attempt, Harry needed to handle the report as if this was a real case and contact the missing couple without the humor the other interactions with Narcissa gave them. Harry's concern started to flare again as he replayed the story. Almost every point could easily be refuted by Pansy and Draco. Before he called the missing couple, he needed to speak with Pansy. More so to let her know what her mum was doing and confirm the story a hoax, but still needed to officially cover that base.
When Harry arrived at Pansy's store he noticed it closed, which was odd. Pansy mentioned the other day how busy the store was in order for all the brides each planning the wedding-of-the-year to have their dresses arrive on time. "Glitter, —" the frantic elf appeared triggering Harry to fear the worst, "— where's Pansy?" The elf grabbed the man's hand and brought him somewhere he didn't recognize. But he did recognize the unconscious woman tied to the bed.
Before he moved, because Harry knew Glitter would have saved Pansy if she could, "Is there something surrounding Pansy?" The elf bounced but didn't look at Harry, "Were you told to not save her?" The little elf swallowed and began to pull at her ears. A movement Harry knew Glitter only did in times of dire emergency. He knelt and gently took both of Glitter's hands into his.
"Cant says," Harry nodded and gave the elf a little squeeze, she gave him the answer. Standing, he waved his wand and identified a number of charms and spells surrounding Pansy. Those were in addition to the ropes binding her to the bed. Slowly, he dismantled each one noticing none were exceptionally complex. Finally, he removed the ropes before bringing Pansy out of the stupor she was in.
"Hey Pans, let's get you out of here. Can you stand?" Being knocked unconscious, Pansy was a bit out of it, but nodded at being able to stand. As she got to her feet she tried to give the man a smirk, but her confidence in her ability was a bit more than she was actually able to do. She stumbled and fell into Harry's arms, "We're going somewhere safe right now. Can Glitter come with us or is she bound to someone else?"
"No, she's mine, she was forced before because I couldn't tell her otherwise, —" Pansy turned to her loyal friend, "— it's ok Glitter, take my hand, Harry will take care of us." Glitter gripped Pansy's hand and the trio blinked out of the room.
Arriving at Harry's undetectable flat, Glitter fell to the ground begging to be forgiven. While Pansy dealt with that, Harry pulled one of the emergency portkeys from the stash. Normally his trips were arranged and Hermione or Draco sent him a portkey for a specific date and time. The emergency portkeys were only set to arrive at their house without any timing.
Looking at how freaked Pansy was, Harry made a decision that would get him in trouble. At least at first, both Hermione and Draco would be fine once it was explained. Harry's greater concern was Pansy and when she learned about the third Malfoy living off the grid. "Pans, I need to do something, but I don't want to leave you alone at the moment. Would you mind a little portkey trip?"
Because Pansy really didn't want to be alone either, shook her head and stood up. "Come on Glitter we're going on an adventure with a lion." Holding the paper out the three of them each grabbed a bit and Harry tapped it with his wand.
*MW*MW*MW*
Scorpius just fell asleep and Hermione stepped into the living room to see Harry and Pansy arrive with one of the emergency portkeys. "Harry?" Before she could ask questions or begin to worry why Harry brought Pansy to the house she'd not visited since that first holiday season, Harry shook his head and began barking orders.
"Get Draco, I was going to call you about this, but something happened to Pansy and we need to talk about it before I go back to Kingsley." Seeing Harry in full auror mode kicked Hermione's mind into gear as she darted toward where Draco set up his potion lab. Luckily he hadn't started anything yet and followed Hermione after hearing who arrived.
"Draco!" Pansy almost collapsed into his arms as she broke down in tears. Draco got her seated on the couch as Harry explained what happened in Kingsley's office and why he decided to visit Pansy. When he got to how he found Pansy, Hermione gasped.
Pansy stopped crying, though still shaking, when she answered Hermione's gasp, "It's not what you're thinking, I thought that was it to." Pansy swallowed, "Until my mother walked into the room. Apparently she got it into her head if I was the one to find Draco he'd have to marry me. I don't know how their plan came about, but Narcissa is involved in some way too."
Hermione dropped her head to the side and looked at Draco, suddenly what Harry told them about Kingsley office started to make sense. "So Posy had you taken?" Pansy nodded, still obviously shaken, "Even if you knew where we were, you would never have betrayed Draco. I don't understand how they planned to find us."
Harry leaned against the wall with his head tipped back, "I think they expected us to find him. Maybe they think we know or Agent GM knows and will need to bring him back to prove how wrong the DMLE was. They believe he would, of course, support whatever they said to not embarrass the family or whatever else." Harry glared a bit, "Support their fantasy. I honestly don't think they thought this out very far because even if Draco returned he would have said he wasn't kidnapped."
Pansy sat up with a fierce look, "I agree with Potter. Mum made a bunch of comments that didn't make sense. I think they are winging this and plan on using the other. From what I've heard around, Narcissa is totally on the outside of society and hates it. Mum always wanted to be Draco's mother-in-law. Hoping to get her fingers on some of the jewelry since I'd obviously open the vaults to her." Draco snorted.
"How was she going to get us together? No offense, but I'd never marry you. You're like my sister and that is so wrong." Pansy nodded quickly to agree with the statement. Hermione and Harry both understood the comment, there were many who thought they would end up together.
"Imperious I think was the plan for me, she has no issue with cursing me. Knocked me out before she left. It stopped Glitter from being able to help me." Glitter whimpered a little and Pansy knelt to hug the elf. "But for the plan, maybe she figured I'd fall in love or something and then it wouldn't matter. Or she had some other crazy plan, a love potion maybe. I don't know what they planned for you."
Draco stood halfway through the story and started to pace, Harry moved to sit next to Pansy on the couch when she sat after calming Glitter a second time. He pulled her into his arms trying to quell the slight shaking. He wasn't sure if it was worry or anger at what she experienced.
"Well, they've gone too far this time. Hermione, you ready to go home?" At that a loud scream ripped through the home, Draco looked over his shoulder and then at his watch. "That's for you Hermione, his thirty minute warning," Hermione shot her husband a glare and then quickly left the room.
Draco chuckled for a moment thinking about how his son trained Hermione in such a short time. Then something else dawned on him. He swallowed and slowly turned to look at his friend, "Ah, Pans, there's something else you weren't told, because only a few really knew."
Draco rubbed his neck and looked at Harry. The fearless auror was shaking his head and mouthing the word no over and over. Pansy looked between the two with narrow eyes. She was not in the mood to deal with this sort of crap. After the last 15 hours and having these two act like children pushed her to the brink. She was about to open her mouth when she heard Hermione speaking, "You're going to meet someone new, try to not monopolize the conversation."
Pansy watched as Hermione returned with a little boy, who wasn't little and obviously Draco's son. Harry walked over, plucking Scorpius from his mother. "Hey bud, —" Harry bopped his nose making baby laugh, " — Pansy, meet Scorpius, my godson." Pansy blinked and looked at the little boy who now seemed completely happy. A boy with no evidence of why he was recently screaming as if he'd been sorted into Gryffindor. She watched as the boy's focus shifted and found her, "He's also your godson." Pansy ran her finger down his cheek and got a giggle from the boy.
"You didn't think I needed to know I had a godson? One I have to share with Potter?" Harry chuckled and pulled Pansy closer. Scorpius took the opportunity to get this new person to fall in love with him. It wouldn't be hard, he was adorable and loved cuddles.
"I know Pans, we were planning a party for his birthday and would invite more than the few who already know about Scorpius. That's put to the side now." Draco paused, "Or maybe not." He looked to Hermione with a look they all recognized, "I have an idea, and I think it will drive Narcissa batty. I need Reg first." Hearing the unsaid order, Harry handed off Scorpius to Pansy.
The little boy started to chatter telling the new person all about him and how he loved cuddles and hated his cot and his mum didn't understand him. Scorpius knew this one understood him, she kept nodding and saying yes when he asked her to help if his mum tried to put him to bed again. When Scorpius told her about the scary lion, she seemed scared of it as well and Scorpius knew, he just knew she would keep him safe from both naps and Gryffindors. Harry chuckled at how animated Scorpius became and reactivated the portkey. "So Pans, what do you think of him? Looks just like me doesn't he?"
Hermione rolled her eyes as Scorp shot his dad a glare and began to talk louder, pulling Pansy's attention back to him instead of his father. Shaking her head, Hermione went to ask Kitmu to make some tea and snacks.
*MW*MW*MW*
"Brilliant idea Draco, I think that's a great way to play it. Hermione, you onboard?" Reg looked at Hermione who was currently attempting to put Scorpius into his walker. Like most things that weren't human, Scorp vehemently hated the concept and was currently attempting to climb up his mother's arms as she tried to get his feet in the holes.
Reg looked to Harry and Pansy on the couch across the room. As expected, Harry tried to keep the laughs to himself since this wasn't the first time he'd witnessed Scorpius and the boy's attempts to remain in someone's arms. Pansy watched in what appeared to be fascination at the almost twelve month old and his thus far success at thwarting his mother. Fascination turned to being very impressed as it was obvious her godson was going to win.
"Yes, that's fine, come on Scorp, —" The little boy grunted in a manner similar to Hermione while wrapping his legs around his mum's arm and locking them together at his ankles, making it awkward for Hermione to get him free, "— this will help your legs grow strong. You're standing now and so close to walking and this will allow you to sit and stand more easily. Also help you get the movement down to start walking." Gripping Hermione's shirt with both hands, Scorp then twisted his arms. At that point, it was almost impossible for Hermione to get Scorp into the walker without dropping him.
Scorp shook his head and turned to Draco, "Da da da da da da da da" Scorpius didn't stop calling for his father until Draco took him from Hermione. With his free hand, Draco grasped Hermione's hand and pulled her to the couch.
"I have an idea, watch," Draco placed Scorp on the ground at their feet and using his dad's pants, Scorp pulled himself to stand giving his mother a challenging look. When everyone clapped for the boy, he dropped to his bum and did it again. Each time he stood, he looked to make sure every person was watching how amazing he was.
"I hope our next child takes after me. I'm not sure I can live with three of you." Scorpius continued to amuse the crowd by moving between the legs of his parents in a shuffling movement. He never let go, but it was still progress.
*MW*MW*MW*
Sitting in his finally empty office, Kingsley wasn't completely concerned with the story the two women reported, what did concern him was how far they were willing to go. He knew Harry would be with the Malfoys by now and all Kingsley could do was wait. Wait and try to explain to Melanie why Harry's report wouldn't turned in that day.
*MW*MW*MW*
Three days after meeting someone new to give him cuddles, Scorpius watched with manic glee as his daddy took apart the prison his mother claimed to be a wonderful place to sleep. Scorpius didn't want to sleep, what made the idea so difficult to understand. His daddy said mummy was really smart, but Scorp started to doubt his father.
When the last piece was placed in a box, Scorp clapped and yelled in joy. His father only laughed and said something about it getting put back together again later. Scorp didn't care, he wouldn't be forced into solitary again today. The baby glared at the box holding the parts of his cot, however, a smirk began to inch across his face. The arch villain to Scorpius's hero lay in pieces, mortally wounded, in the box that would serve as its casket. The smug expression won out.
Draco waved his wand and the rest of the furniture in the room shrunk and packed into the box next to the one holding the cot. Scorpius sat on the ground waiting for his dad to sit next to him. When he did, Scorpius crawled over and plopped in his lap, "You're getting pretty quick at that. We'll get you on a broom when we get home." Draco was both excited and worried about returning home. "At least the party will be spectacular. And you little boy will be the center of attention. I think you'll find it something you rather enjoy."
While the elves packed the rest of the house, Draco and Scorp sat on the floor giggling about the random noises they heard. This continued until Scorp's eyes got heavy and he fell asleep. Draco reached to the stack of linens and pulled out Scorp's blanket. Stretching out, Draco put Scorp on his chest and laid the blanket over the pair of them.
After a few minutes of quiet, Draco found himself a little tired as well and quickly followed his son's lead closing his eyes. That was how Hermione found them. Kitmu went ahead to the Manor in order to unpack and would return to let them know when everything was ready for them. Instead of waking the pair, at this point Hermione took what she could get when Scorp napped, she decided to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Hermione laid one of the other blankets from the stack of linens on the floor and enlarged it until it was totally under the pair of sleeping blonds and transfigured it into a soft mattress. Once done Hermione made it a bit larger and laid next to them, thinking a nap sounded excellent.
That was how Kitmu found the family even later. Not seeing a reason to wake them, Kitmu snapped his fingers. He and his family were home. Kitmu placed the mattress on the Master and Mistress's large bed and put a cover over them.
*MW*MW*MW*
Scorpius took to exploring his new home. At least that was what his dad called it, his mum made some comment about escaping from his naps. Whatever it was called, Scorpius discovered this place was larger than the other. He and Kitmu wandered all around the long hallways. One on of their early walks Scorp found pictures that reminded him of the telly he sometimes got to watch before his Mum sent him to suffer.
These pictures were different, the ones on the telly didn't respond when Scorp talked to them, but these did. They asked Scorp questions too and he answered them. When Kitmu tried to get him to leave the baby told the faithful elf they weren't leaving yet because he was polite and knew his manners. He reminded Kitmu how Malfoys always carry themselves properly in public. Some of the pictures chuckled and smiled at the baby. The elf always stood ready to remove Scorp should one of the portraits start to say anything.
After turning back to the pictures, Scorpius sat and talked forever that first day. Some wouldn't respond to Scorpius after learning who he was and he took to ignoring them. He didn't tolerate rudeness and made his thoughts on the matter very obvious. The portrait that looked like his dad, but with hair that was long like him mum, seemed confused at first.
Eventually Scorp won him around and now the pair chatted about how much Scorp liked the new house. The man in the picture grew up in the house as well and told Scorp all about the secret passages and places to hide. It was something Scorp planning to investigate later.
As for the other portraits, the ones who spoke to him (or more pointedly, the ones Scorpius didn't ignore now) all said exactly the same thing, Scorpius would bring more prestige and acclaim to the family. The baby nodded, he knew he was special, everyone told him the same thing. He tried to visit the pictures everyday but told them sometimes him Mum wouldn't let him and he'd make it up the next time he could get away.
During his adventures, Scorp also found Kitmu helped him get around those pesky stairs that would otherwise keep him on a single floor. After what felt like forever, Scorp finally found a room where his dad was when not giving cuddles. Visiting a second time Scorp found himself unable to get very far in to the room and needed to make sure his dad knew he arrived.
That amounted to a cry of dada until the man in question turned, "Sorry buddy, age line. You are way too little to be crawling in here. In fact, your mum will lose her mind if she finds out you discovered this place and how Kitmu helps you with the steps. I'm not saying anything because he did the same for me." Draco scooped up the crawling demon and walked over to the bench. "I'm just prepping some things for later, so it's ok for you to be in here."
Draco moved around explaining all about potions and the ingredients while swaying slowly. As he moved to the wall of instruments, Scorp's head dropped to Draco's shoulder, "Should have thought of this last year kid." Draco carried Scorp to his new room and put him in the cot.
*MW*MW*MW*
After being home for almost a week, the day of the party arrived and only a dozen people were aware the shindig being hosted by Reg was actually a welcome party for Draco and Hermione. Of them, only eight were aware it would be a birthday party for the one year old heir to the Malfoy family.
Hermione paced the couple's bedroom waiting for Scorp to wake up, the only time in his life he decided to take a full nap. "Seriously Draco, does he somehow know the most inconvenient time to do something and make sure he does it?" In the short period they'd been home, she'd not yet seen how his naps were getting longer. Draco chalked it up to the boy attempting to avoid his mum's desire for him to nap and so crawling more. The father opted to not mention the irony of it to his son.
Draco chuckled as he finished buttoning his shirt. "It's fine, Reg and Sirius will hold court until they get the signal. The longer it is, the more comfortable Mum will be. Harry will let you know if there is any reason to freak out." Hermione sighed.
"Do you think Kitmu would bring up snacks? I'm hungry and know I won't make it to dinner without snapping at someone otherwise." Draco cocked his head to the side and looked at Hermione before calling Kitmu. When the elf appeared he carried a tray of snacks consisting of things Hermione loved. The couple munched on the food and talked more about the timing for the night and what they planned to do once the world was aware of their return.
"Your mum is going to blow her top Draco. Are you sure you're ok with everything that will be written about us in the coming weeks?" Draco smiled.
"Hermione, I don't care. I never have. Mum has always been the one who cared about what everyone said, it's why she pushed with Astoria at the start of this. She thought I'd bow and get married to her selection in order to save the family name from her self-created gossip. She was wrong."
Hermione wrapped her arm around Draco and leaned toward him. Before leaning toward her, Draco wanted to finish his thought, "I believe it's why she and Posy did what they did. Again, in their minds, Pans and I would do whatever it took to keep the family from the imagined scandal. If either of us actually cared we wouldn't be with people we adore, doing something we love, and living the life we want."
"If you're sure, I'm with you totally."
"You better be, this ring and the vows you took six years ago don't give you any other option. You're stuck with me." Hermione hummed and leaned into Draco more before kissing him. The couple remained on the couch kissing, attempting to limit anything else as they did have to leave for a party. While Draco didn't really care what the gossips said, he didn't want his wife to have that just shagged look. As he was about to say screw it and pull Hermione to his lap, their little dictator woke.
"At least his ability to sense when it's most inopportune worked in our favor this time. If you don't mind going to get him, I need to take care of something. I'll be there shortly." Draco glanced at his pants and Hermione shrugged.
"Sorry love, I'll make it up to you later." Hermione blew him a kiss and left their room.
*MW*MW*MW*
Seeing his mum worried Scorpius, she didn't always take him out of the cell. Scorp pulled himself to stand and held tightly onto the top of the wall trapping him. He watched with a skeptical look and in a low voice slowly started chanting, "ma ma ma ma," sometimes that worked for him. When she went to his dressing table and started placing clothes on it along with a dry nappy, Scorpius thought she gave him a reprieve. Though he didn't stop his calls to her.
Hermione turned to see Scorpius standing and saying her name, she smiled at him, "Ok Scorpius, tonight is a big deal. You're going to make your overly dramatic entrance into the backwards world your grandmother loves. So your daddy and Auntie Pansy got you a special outfit."
Hermione lifted her year old son from the crib and set him on the ground for a moment. Scorpius took the chance to continue training his mum on what happens when she doesn't give him cuddles. He started to crawl towards the door, "Nope, come here."
Picking up Scorp again, Hermione held him close for a couple minutes before setting him on the dressing table. She quickly began the task of changing his clothes since being still wasn't one of his favorite activities these days. After getting his clothes off and in a dry nappy, she gave her son a pointed look, "Now this is a special outfit and you're going to match your daddy, so let's try to not have too large of a fit."
Scorp gave his mother a lifted eyebrow, before he began to giggle followed quickly with wiggles. Luckily Draco arrived at the same moment and stepped next to Hermione. "Let's tag team him today, otherwise it's going to take forever to get him kitted out when he gets giggly like this." The parents worked in tandem and more quickly than Hermione expected, Scorpius looked like any other pedigreed sacred twenty-eight baby, "Your grandma is going to be so confused. I can't wait." Draco commented while placing Scorpius on his hip and Hermione set her hand on Draco's other arm.
Kitmu knew the family was ready and already popped off to inform Kreacher. The head Black elf went to inform his master of the family's eminent arrival to Grimmauld. After confirming the signal, Kreacher returned to the room where the heir to the Black house would arrive. When they did, Kitmu quickly made sure their clothes were perfect and nodded for Kreacher to signal Regulus.
*MW*MW*MW*
While her family was planning a great surprise, Narcissa was trying to access the study at Grimmauld Place. It was the first time Narcissa was able to enter the Black family home since discovering her son may have been seduced. Now she'd be able to confirm if he was a … she couldn't even think the word. She'd be able to provide the name of the child to the man charged with locating Draco in the muggle world.
It was unfortunate for Narcissa the elves expected this and set up a very innovative spell keeping the woman walking in circles. She didn't realize it until she ended up back in the ballroom. She was about to step back out when Reg called for everyone's attention and the doors shut. Narcissa huffed and went to stand as close to Reg as she could. At least she'd get in some photos.
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming. Today is a rather big day for the House of Black. Because of that, I decided a party would be the most appropriate way to celebrate. I'd like for you all to help me welcome home Lord Malfoy, the heir to the House of Black," Reg paused because he knew everyone would start talking, excited to be party to this. He glanced to Narcissa whose eyes were darting between the three doors decorated to look like the main entry trying to decide which one would frame her son.
"In addition to welcoming Draco home, he'd like to take this moment to introduce a couple of people who are important to not only him, but also his two houses." Reg stepped next to a bouncing Sirius and grabbed his brother's hand. Behind the pair, Remus appeared with a sigh and placed a hand on each man's shoulder to try and keep them steady. At least enough for them to stop rocking up on their toes like an overexcited child looking at the candy counter.
As the three sets of doors slowly opened, the photographers all stationed themselves in order to not only get shots of Draco Malfoy, but also his mother. Recently her desperate story was reported as were her concerns on Draco's predicament.
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Harry and Pansy stepped next to the Black brothers and Harry gave his godfather a wink before turning back to the woman standing next him. Pansy was more excited for today than any day in recent memory for a few reasons. Obviously the return of Draco and what would cause quite a conundrum for not only Narcissa but Posy as well. Kingsley spent the last week documenting what happened and gathering evidence. He promised to wait until the excitement of the return and the fireworks from Narcissa died before making his move.
Also there were the photos of returning Malfoy family wearing custom robes from her store. Her connections were able to get Hermione the most fashionable look in four short days. Although, it should have been two days. Pansy couldn't decide if the designer was being purposefully obtuse or doubted Pansy and her request. After some less than vague threats on giving the commission to a different designer and ensuring that design was on the front of every major magical paper, the designer finally provided the robes.
The boys wore black suits and easy enough since the design is all the same and Pansy found muggle designers much easier to work with for those. She already had Draco's new suit on order and it was simple enough for Pansy to have one of the magical design houses craft Scorpius's suit to match his father. Luckily for Draco the style of the more slim cut silhouette and two-button jacket really worked for him.
If anything positive came from Narcissa leaking the story starting all this, it was Draco allowing Pansy to ensure his closet no longer held any of the ill-fitting suits he wore at the onset on dating Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes and requested the suits be donated since they were practically new. Neither former Slytherin cared, as long as Draco never wore it again. As far as Scorpius, he looked adorable in the matching outfit, proving even the littlest of men want to look good.
Glitter was already preparing to tackle the increase in appointment requests they expected to happen. Both knew Hermione's robes would be most wanted look for the coming spring. Too bad they were bespoke and the designer now knew better than selling to Pansy's competition. Going forward the only options were to purchase reproductions sold at Pansy's store.
Finally, Pansy glanced at Harry Potter who was looking at her, today they would unofficially announce their relationship. Since Draco's departure, Pansy found herself spending more time with Potter and discovered he wasn't quite as annoying as she thought. Pansy smiled and turned her attention the three individuals entering the ball room.
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Being held by his dad was the best. Scorpius knew he'd not be put somewhere intended to keep him from cuddles, but he also saw more. His mum was short. Feeling his dad tickle him, Scorpius let out a loud giggle in the really quiet room, "Dada gin!" His cry was met with shocked gasps from those in the room and Scorpius whipped his head around to see a lot of people.
A lot of people he didn't know. A lot of people who would totally cuddle him, they just needed the chance to get to know him. A wide grin plastered on Scorpius's face as the camera flashes went off. Scorpius heard his dad laugh and a snicker from his mum. He was glad mum was in a good mood. That would also keep him from having to sleep.
Scorpius saw the dark haired lady who gave him another plushie, a snake matching his favorite blanket and dragon. The snake and dragon were his favorite plushies for cuddles. She promised between the pair he would be safe from that mean lion. Scorpius reached out for her, calling, "Pze, A'Pze". The woman smirked at Scorp's Uncle Harry and walked over to the trio standing in the ballroom, but still apart from everyone else.
The only sound in the room was clicking. The clicking of her heels on the floor and the continued clicking of cameras going off continued until she reached the newly arrived family. Pansy hugged Hermione and for the first time, a few people noticed the person standing next to Draco Malfoy. Pansy rolled to her toes and placed a kiss on Draco's cheek before pulling back and grabbing Scorpius.
"Hey Scorpius how are you?" As Pansy spoke to the baby and tickled his belly, those watching started to whisper about the name she used. Scorpius kept looking at everyone watching him. He'd giggle and smile and noticed each time those bright lights would happen. He liked it and it made him grin wider. Even that tooth thing his mum talked about stopped hurting.
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"He's your kid Draco." Draco nodded but didn't look at Hermione. He watched as his son played the entire room, especially the media. Natural talent and innate skill could be the only explanation. Hermione rolled her eyes at the proud expression her husband wore and allowed him to reposition her hand on his arm. The way he did it would make her ring very evident. She wondered how long it would take for someone to notice.
At that same moment, Scorpius gave the photographers a full smile showing all his little teeth. Hermione decided it was going to take a bit for someone to drag their attention away from her son. It was then Harry stepped next to her and gave her a hug, "Welcome home Mione. I missed being able to see you all the time." Harry reached around and shook Draco's hand, "You as well Malfoy. Glad to see you kept my best friend happy."
While Draco wanted to scoff, he did appreciate the way Potter subtly, at least for a Gryffindor, pointed out Hermione's presence and reason for it since Scorpius effectively stole everyone's attention. "It's easy when I love her as much as I do. Everything is for her really." The reporters, who'd been inching closer, heard the conversation and immediately turned their attention to Hermione Granger and the obviously large diamond ring she wore.
A couple of the other matrons, who just so happened to be the closest to the group of friends and weren't trying to hear the gossip first, also noticed the broach the other woman wore and immediately recognized it for what it was. The gift traditionally given to the mother of the Malfoy heir and those women turned to point it out to others standing behind them.
Those people, much like the first two, looked more closely at Hermione Granger and saw the multiple sparkly jewels the woman wore. Like a fire just caught in a pile of kindling, the observations raced around the room until they met the ears of Narcissa Malfoy.
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