Author's Note: Hello, lovely readers! I'm on vacation. I can't tell you how excited I am. I've got free time, strict orders not to think too much about work, and my computer. This chapter is a little short, but…big things are coming. I'm also contemplating putting an epilogue on Law and Marriage—it's been nearly six months since I married the man I love and adore, and that seems like a good milestone to mark. A friend recently just read their way through the story and reviewed every chapter, which got me rereading it and feeling a bit nostalgic. Would there be interest in an epilogue on that?

This week, I am planning to work on my Ginny chapter for Exhausted, possibly that epilogue, more of The Professor (very excited about this), and of course, more Mugglefied. The next chapter is already begging itself to be written.

Chapter 37: Somber Sisters

Andromeda and Teddy had just arrived with Harry in tow when Hermione came out from the kitchen with a smile. Dromeda held Teddy on her hip with practiced-ease and Harry was toting all the gear necessary for a tiny human leaving the house for a few hours. He greeted Hermione with a hug and a kiss on the cheek and looked around for a place to put down the diaper bag, extra clothes, bottles, formula, and toys he was carrying.

"Just set it all down anywhere out of the way," Hermione said, shaking her head. She looked at her friend fondly. He seemed quite committed to being the best godfather he could to Teddy. Then again, after the upbringing he'd had and how close he'd been to getting to be raised by his own godfather and having it snatched away, she couldn't blame him. Harry was getting a chance to give someone what he hadn't had and he was going to do it right. She greeted Dromeda and (with a nod of approval from the older witch) picked up Teddy to greet him. Today he was sporting Andromeda's gray hair and Harry's green eyes. He was quite a sight. She bounced him in her arms.

Draco joined them, taking a moment to look at his cousin's son and smile back at the little fellow. Salazar, it was strange world. He had a girlfriend he loved and an extended family. With so much of his family dead from the first war or the second…it did something to know he had family after all.

The adults all sat together in the living room, catching up, and passing Teddy from person to person. Harry talked about the milestones Teddy had achieved in the last few months since they'd all seen each other at Christmas, occasionally corrected by Andromeda. Andromeda inquired after Draco and Hermione's well-being. She didn't seem in the least surprised that Draco and Hermione were together, though she did raise an eyebrow when they said they hadn't told Narcissa yet.

"You may want to get started on that while she's out of the country. It could take quite some time to bring her around. I imagine she'll get there in the end, but…" She looked at the wall as though she could see through it to the past, to the days when her younger sister had chosen Lucius and Bellatrix over her when she'd been disowned from the family.

Draco's nostrils flared. "I don't care what Mother says. I've never been happier than I am with Hermione."

"I'm not saying you don't love her, boy. I am telling you that your mother might disown you for it and you should be prepared for that possibility," Dromeda's voice was gentle. She took Teddy from Harry's arms and held him tight. "I would hope that she's learned something in the last thirty years and that she wouldn't make that choice again, but I can't guarantee it. She and I have still never reconciled." She swallowed. "If your mother doesn't accept your relationship, you're going to have a hard decision to face. You might be better off telling her sooner rather than later so she has time to adjust. I imagine she'd eventually come around. I don't doubt that she loves you."

Draco put his arm around Hermione protectively and stared at his aunt, but it was Hermione who spoke next. "Do you really think Narcissa might disown him?" She turned to look at Draco. "I've already lost both of my parents. And your father has gone away for the rest of his life. I don't want you to lose your mother."

He kissed her softly. "Mother will come around, one way or another." He spared a glance at his aunt. "You really think it'd be better to tell her by owl?"

"Unless you can contrive a meeting without violating the terms of your current release," she said dryly. "It's a long way from here, and I doubt the Ministry will grant you a Portkey for the trip."

Hermione closed her eyes, beginning to brainstorm solutions. "If getting Draco to France wasn't a problem, do you think it would be better for Narcissa to hear this news face to face?"

Andromeda studied the girl across from her. "I don't know. If you tell her by owl, she can't hex all your hair off."

Hermione's hand went to her hair. "She didn't. Did she?"

Teddy tugged on Andromeda's hair and gurgled happily. "She did. They were the last words she said to me."

Draco twined his fingers in Hermione's hair. "There may be something to be said from telling her from a distance and giving her some time to cool off."

"Slytherin," Hermione said, looking at him. "Shouldn't we tell her face to face? Give her a chance to talk to us, see how much we care about each other?"

"Gryffindor," he accused. "It's not worth running into the dragon's den just because you can. You're better off stunning them from a distance." He paused for a moment. "You don't have a way to get me to France without magic, do you?"

Hermione laughed fondly. "Several, in fact. There's a train that runs under the English channel and takes you straight to Paris. And we could always fly. In an airplane."

The conversation lingered on this topic for a short while, and then transitioned. It turned out Harry had never been on an airplane, though Hermione had, as a child. The adults sat around talking for a while, and eating lunch Hermione had prepared.

Before leaving, Harry had a little news of his own to share. He had Teddy on his lap. "I had lunch with McGonagall one day last week. We got to talking and…I'm going to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts next year. I'm not going to the leaving ceremony this year—it's too soon. And we aren't announcing that I'm taking the Defense position, but I think I could do good there. I think Hogwarts needs me. And I might need it." He paused. "Well?"

Draco looked bemused. "McGonagall conned you into coming back?"

"She didn't con me—"

"Were you planning to come back then?"

"Well, no…" he admitted.

Draco gave a self-satisfied smirk, and Hermione glared at him. "Don't be like that," she admonished. She turned her attention to back to Harry. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm positive. I don't want to be an Auror. I thought maybe Quidditch but…I don't want the crowds, and I sure as hell don't want to fame. Hogwarts might just be the best place for me. I need to do something. And they need people—McGonagall is teaching transfiguration right now on top of her headmistress duties and everything else. If I'm not happy, I can always leave, but…" He bit his lip. "I was a decent teacher right? In objective terms, not just relative to Umbridge."

"Harry, you were a great teacher. You'll do fine. Really, I can't think of a better person to teach Defense," Hermione told him. She saw that her friend looked noticeably relieved. "I'm coming to the leaving ceremony. I figure I might as well be there for Ginny and Luna, and Neville if he's celebrating."

Harry didn't look the least bit surprised. "McGonagall knows the whole Muggle Studies program needs to be revised. She asked if I had any input and I promised to think about it, but I really think you'd be the better one to write a new curriculum."

The brunette gave a weak laugh. "I don't have any more hours left in my day, Harry. I'm already doing an apprenticeship, working at the joke shop, and trying to rally the Ministry to help people with lycanthropy."

Draco kissed the side of her head. "McGonagall is a little too creative with her ideas about Muggle Studies. She wants me to come in and speak to the student body," he tried to say the words lightly, but internally he was suppressing a shudder.

"But, you grew up a Pureblood."

"And I've spent most of a year living as a Muggle. You know the saying about being a terrible warning if you can't be a good example? I think that's her angle. I'm not doing it." He felt his aunt's gaze on him and met her stare. "I can't. I won't."

She was steely calm. "No one can make you, Draco. But bear in mind, at some point, Hermione may have to step back into Malfoy Manor again. I imagine that would be as difficult for her as walking into Hogwarts will be for you. We all have to face these things sometime."

He felt Hermione stiffen beside him. He wouldn't make her go. He could barely stand the thought of going himself to get the rest of his things. But what about Christmas? Would his mother want him home for Christmas? Even with Hermione in tow? He found his breathing was a little shallow and his mouth was dry.

"I see I've given you rather more to think on than you were expecting. I probably ought to go before I say anything else," she said, rising gracefully to her feet. "It's about time for Teddy's nap," she reminded Harry.

"Right." Harry passed Teddy back to his grandmother and hugged Hermione. He nodded at Malfoy. They weren't really at any sort of hugging phase of their relationship.

Hermione felt relief as she watched them disappear into the fireplace and slumped against Draco. "Family is exhausting."

"It is," he agreed, wrapping his arms around her. "You're the only family I need."

"But it's nice to have them too," she admitted. she rested her forehead against his. "What are we going to do about your mother? She won't take this well. I think I could arrange a trip, given enough time and information to find her and get us there by Muggle means. It really wouldn't be that difficult.

"We'll think of something," he promised. Salazar knew what. But if he had to face his mother angry—and without magic—he'd rather do it by owl.

It took a few days, but Hermione and Draco managed to cobble together a letter for his mother. He read it over one last time before giving it to Hermione to send. Then, all they had to do was wait for the response and try to keep themselves occupied in the meantime.

Hermione found herself jotting down notes in the evenings. As much as sure was sure she didn't really have time to do it properly, Harry was right. She was a good choice for redesigning the Muggle studies curriculum, and quite frankly, it desperately needed not only updating, but an entire redesign. It should be compulsory for all first years, even if there wasn't time to include it after that except as an elective. Maybe flying lessons could be put off until second year. She found herself spread out at the kitchen table with Muggle studies notes on one side and notes on trying to come up with a werewolf aid implementation plan on the other. She still couldn't decide whether to bring it to Arthur's attention or Percy's. Or maybe both.

Draco had been a little bristled to see how intensely she was working in the evenings—on things that weren't even actually her responsibilities—but had eventually given in to the realization that this is who Hermione was and she was going to do it. He could either help, or stay the hell out of her way. There was no middle ground. She didn't appreciate him trying to peel her away from her self-imposed extra duties for the most part. The exception was if she was particularly stressed and not making any progress. On those days, she was more than willing to go along if he attempted to distract her from her tasks. Sometimes a break was exactly what you needed before you had a breakthrough.

While she sat at the table with her notes spread around her, he had taken up the couch, out of the way, but in sight to keep an eye on her. He read through the book he'd written again. Some of it was a little whiny, a little self-indulgent. He could admit that on his second read-through. But it had been what he needed to write at the time, for his own sake. What would he have written if he'd wanted to tell his story for others?

And so, his second writing project began. Well, writing and editing.

When they were in bed one night, Hermione was staring at the ceiling, chewing oh her lip. "It's been days. We should have heard from your mother by now," she said quietly.

"She'll come around," he said, with more confidence than he felt. "It may just take a while."

She felt a little nauseous and curled up closer to him. "I had to send my parents away for their own safety and you know what it did to me. I don't want you to lose your mother."

He reached out and stroked her hair, as bushy and unmanageable as it had ever been, and absolutely suited to her. "Hermione, I love my mother. I don't want to lose her. But I love you too. If my mother loves me as much as I think she does, she won't ask me to choose." He wished he could be as certain of that as he tried to sound. The woman had just stood by while her sister had been disowned after all. "Beside, she's a Slytherin. If anything, I'd expect her to think this was a brilliant move for rebuilding the Malfoy family reputation in a way that will make it prosperous for generations to come," he added, trying to sound lighthearted about the whole thing.

He didn't fool her. She leaned up on one elbow to kiss him. "I hope you're right, otherwise I imagine we'll be spending a lot of holidays with the Weasleys. They're the only family I have right now, other than you."

Draco gave a considering pause. "That's not a fate that sounds as terrible to me right now as it would have a year ago." He'd worn his sweater to work the day before. "But still, there's Aunt Dromeda and Teddy. And I suppose Potter is family on both sides now, isn't he?"

"He is." A teasing smile appeared on her lips. "He's godfather to your cousin's son. Does that make him more like an uncle, a cousin, or a brother to you?" He gave her a sidelong look. "I don't need a mental image of Potter trying to give me words of wisdom like an uncle as if I were a small child."

"Ah, a brother then," she said, trying to be teasing an lighthearted.

He shook his head. "He can be your brother. I'll settle for taking him on as a cousin. A distant cousin." He wrapped his arms around her tightly and they both closed their eyes.

Since her own owl had not yet reappeared, and Draco's was not allowed to be used to send letters, Hermione finally bit the bullet and made Floo calls to Arthur and Percy on Friday. She hated calling by Floo—she always ended up with ash in her nose. She couldn't wait for the mirror's to hit the store shelves. George had reckoned they needed a considerable stock built up before they were announced, but tomorrow was Saturday and they were ready for the big launch—Hogwarts students had just come home today for the spring holidays. A good-sized stock was built and packaged, instructions had been written. George had worked on the marketing all this week, though he was fairly certain the things would practically sell themselves. He'd taken on a shop assistant for the front of the store and was training her week—though he hadn't revealed his top secret new product.

At the end of her Floo calls, Hermione had a lunch meeting scheduled between herself, Percy, and Arthur at the Leakey Cauldron for early the following week. Now she just had to go and book a private booth.