Hermione 20 August 2017
Today is the day that we are breaking the news to the kids. Tomorrow we are going school shopping as a family, though the Prophet won't know that part yet, then the next day moving into one house.
This is all going so fast. I am worried about what Rose and Hugo and now Scorpius will think.
Draco is taking it in stride, for as much as I can gather. A couple of days ago he got a car, so I guess he shops when he's nervous. He won't admit it though, that he's nervous, but he has an obvious tell. And it isn't just shopping for expensive toys. His eyes give it away. Every time. Maybe because they mesmerize me and I am so fixated on them I notice. But they do. His emotions can be read in the ever changing grey eyes of his.
But my emotions are trying to be bottled up until tonight, when we all are sitting down to hopefully not explode all over the Potter's home.
Draco left Chicago separately, because he was picking up Scorpius and spending the day just the two of them. I was picking up my kids and going to keep things as normal as possible.
It wouldn't be the case.
"Ginny, Harry, Hugo, Rosie - I'm back!" I say the moment I emerge from the hearth at the Potter's home. "Hello! Is anyone home?"
I stopped by the Ministry offices to check on what was going on before coming to the Potter's but still someone should be here.
Nope. No one.
I finally find a note left on the kitchen table.
'Mione - if you are reading this, SORRY! The kids wanted one last run before going to school, so we took a quick trip to Muggle London. We shouldn't be long. I have dinner cooking - I did roast chickens (3 considering there are Harry, Draco, Teddy, James, Albus, Scorpius, and Hugo to feed - reminds me of the Burrow meals) and sides and desserts. I thought it might be good to be out of the house because one of the boys - probably James - would eat the dessert before dinner even began. We'll be home soon, just pull up a book like normal. See you soon. Gin
So she tells me to pull up a book, but with my nerves I don't think I can. Hopefully my husband is having a better day than I am.
That man, what am I going to do with him. I would say that phrase with Ron, but it was out of exacerbation. Draco, it is because he surprises me.
He bought a car and is now having it shipped to England, because he loves to fly and knows I am terrified about it. We discussed that we can use it to take long relaxing road trips to nowhere. For me it sounds divine. Just the two of us going somewhere but nowhere.
And the hotel he had me move to. That I am grateful for many reasons. I was originally booked in the hotel room that my husband's mistress was in and that was destroyed to cover my husband's disappearance. Oh how much I want the man gone, yet for the kids he needs to be part of the family. This is terrible but at least I have Draco there to give guidance if Ronald does decide to resurface.
But that isn't the fear I have. My fear is how the children will take the news tonight.
And then making it public. Knowing the Malfoys, there will be a party involved. I'm not ready for that so much. I was expected to go to the annual MII Christmas party, but I always found ways out of it. I guess I didn't want to see Draco and Astoria looking happy together. I guess they never were. And Ron never wanted to go as my date and it would look odd that Hermione Granger-Weasley was arriving by herself.
This year it will be different. I will be coming as the expected incoming Minister, so I would have to go. But I would also be expected to go as Mrs Hermione Granger-Malfoy, the wife of the company's head. And I will be there next to my husband. I now regret not going to ones before. I have no idea what to expect. Well, I'll have a handsome husband to guide me through, and how different is it from the Ministry parties.
Oh the kids! They've avoided all these parties. They probably will be expected to attend at least a few of them. I don't know if Scorpius attends the MII parties. I know Rose is expected at least one of the Ministry parties, the Minister's party, now that she's in school.
In a few years I'll be having to throw my own annual parties. It was something that Ron didn't want to do really, the planning of it. We would have had to hire someone to do it. Ron was not the 'mingling' type either. He probably would hang out at a table in the back, leaving me to work the room.
I don't see that as a problem with Draco. He probably will be chatting it up with everyone in sight, introducing me around and vice versa. He'll probably want to dance with me too, if the rooftop in Rio is anything. And his mother, she can throw a party. I know she isn't in the best of health, but this might help her. Keep her spirits up and all. Remind her of the good times, before the war. Yes, I'll need to include her in planning the future Minister's parties.
The pieces seem to be falling into place better now. I see an easier future now. A happier one. Why does that make me think something is going to come crashing down around me soon?
It's best that I just close my eyes and think on this, before my world changes. Again.
Not knowing if I fell asleep or just closed my eyes for a moment or two, I hear the giggles and chatter of my family. I can make out each of the distinct voices as they come in my friend's house.
"Who is it that I hear so happy? Could it be my favorite little niece?" I call out to Lily as she comes running up to me.
"Auntie, you have lots of nieces. Why am I your favorite?"
"Because - hmmm - you're the most fun, prettiest, loving, caring little girl I know. And you haven't killed your older brothers yet. That shows a lot. I know what a pain those two can be."
"Mum you just like her because she's weird. Like Auntie Luna." Hugo moans. Ahhh so much of Ron is in this boy, it is annoying at times.
I nod in agreement, "She is like Auntie Luna, but that's not a bad thing. I saw her on my recent trip to Brazil. She sends her love and would love you to visit her one day Lily."
"Daddy PLEASE! After the boys go to school can we visit Auntie Luna?" She pleads with her father.
"We'll see. Depends on everyone's schedules." He finishes by mouthing 'after tonight that is.' Looking back at his daughter, "may I speak to your aunt alone princess?" She nods and gives her dad a big hug before skipping off upstairs.
"Girls… I'm so glad we tried one more time and got her." Harry bemuses. "Now, you. Are you ready for tonight?"
Shaking my head, "Yes. No. I don't know Harry," sighing.
"Hermione Granger, not knowing something. That is a first. You know it will be fine. You two, well as weird as it sounds, are good together. He looks at you like I look at Gin. Something you really didn't get with Ron. I mean he's my best mate, but how do I tell my best friend that her husband doesn't seem to fit her? I'm going to be glad to be out of the middle of that one."
"Harry James Potter, you should have told me. Somewhere in all these years. I mean I wasn't miserable, but I wasn't happy either. I know this is the honeymoon stage, but still I feel like it's been him forever. Which is weird considering what he was like in school."
"That is the strangest, but he's seem to have grown up and out of that."
"Yeah you didn't see him in Chicago." I chuckle.
"How was Chicago?" He winks at me.
"Dinner was nice. He moved the hotel because, ick." I cringe. "Why didn't you tell me it was practically a fuck motel?"
"I saw it for the briefest of times before the room exploded. Was it really that bad?"
"Draco said bedbugs. That's all I needed to hear."
"Ron… needs to sort out his priorities. His wife and kids or some slag in a fuck hotel. If he had a spine, he should have chosen wisely."
"If he had a spine, he would not have been in that position in the first place." So to change the subject, "we ended up staying at the Langham in a massive suite."
He chuckles, "good thing I decided against meeting you for breakfast then."
"Shut it Harry." I laugh. "Theo was across the hall from us, so we weren't entirely alone."
"Yeah, I bet. Theo probably put a charm on his room so he wouldn't have to hear anything from you two."
"HARRY!" I blush. He's probably right, but I'm not going to say anything. "And Draco was looking to buy the - um - first hotel, but decided against it. But he did get a car."
"Draco Malfoy, pureblood prince, bought a Muggle car?"
"A - don't laugh but it is so him - Viper. It's like a race car. Thing is in all black."
"That's Malfoy." He laughs. "Sorry, can't help it. Now if he had 'Malfoy' or 'Slytherin Prince' for the license plate, that would be even worse."
"Don't give him any ideas Harry! You know he will."
"Yes, I do. I just want to see what he comes up with. Just don't have him enchant it like Arthur's car. I don't need a high speed flying car to watch out for."
"No it's kinda for me, since I don't like heights."
"Now I can't hate him for that then. Damnit." He shakes his head, understanding that Draco knows my fear and still wants me to experience something he loves. "Let me check on dinner. Do you know when our guests are to arrive?"
"Anytime I believe. He didn't give me a time, nor I him. I didn't know we had a schedule." I snidely say.
"Well when he gets here… just don't. Okay. Please. Not even snogging in my house. I can understand you two, I just need some time to get used to it."
His nervousness radiated off his person the moment he walked in the front door with his son in toe. "Ginny, it's good to see you again. I brought a couple of bottles of wine, something I picked up in Rio." He gave her a warm but awkward hug. Probably because the last time they had any physical contact, she clung to him like a lifeline. Shaking her husband's hand, "Potter, glad to see you on better terms."
"True, Malfoy. Call me Harry."
"That'll take some getting used to," he chuckled. "Scorp, why don't you see to the younger members of the house, give us adults a moment."
"Sure dad. Good to see you Mr and Mrs Potter. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of Al?"
"He's upstairs dear, should be in his room" Ginny said, channeling her mother's tone.
"No detours son. Understand." The look my husband is giving his son at this moment would be to kill, if there wasn't a jovial undertone to his words.
"Yes dad," and the little boy went bounding upstairs looking - hopefully - for my nephew and not my daughter.
"Malfoy," Harry begins, "this is a new look for you. I don't ever recall you looking so 'shit my pants nervous' before."
My husband scrunched his face into something quasi-unrecognizable. "What type of nervous? I honestly don't think I could ever be that nervous. Not even hugging You Know Who."
"That was probably the scariest point in the whole war right there." Ginny responded. "Between Harry being said to be dead, and you hugging him, well it caused nightmares for days." She grabbed her husband's elbow leading him into the dining room, "Come on dear, let them strategize how they are going to break the news. I have popcorn already made. And Draco, we may need both these bottles tonight."
"That's why I brought two Ginny." He takes me into his arms as the Potters leave us, "so how are we going to get to the point? I mean we are under the pretenses of getting to know Teddy, now we're blowing the lid on us. Should we do it towards the end of dinner, so there's less to throw at each other or at the beginning?"
"I've learned a long time ago, that you can lay out the best plans and it still will go to hell. Let it just flow."
"And dear, that is why you are the brightest witch of the age," he says with a kiss to my nose.
"Actually that was Harry. I just learned from it."
"Eh then. Let's come up with some type of a plan." I can't believe the intense look in his eyes. Is it fear or nerves?
"Draco, we'll be fine. They'll be fine. Yeah there will be a weird period, but it will work out."
"Good, because I'm not letting you go. Ever. You're now mine, Mrs Malfoy" he says with his signature smirk.
"As long as I don't have to live in the Manor, I'm fine."
"Tomorrow we'll see our house. Oh are you joining the Potters and us for school shopping?"
"Us?"
"Uh yeah. Scorp was invited to go with Albus and he's kinda hoping that Rose will be there."
"Us?"
"Astoria if she's well enough and I."
"US?!"
"As a family?" His voice is starting to shake now. "If you don't want to that's fine, but it's why I'm asking."
I wait and stare him down. Which is hard since I reach his nose in heels. Then my face breaks its shell and I smile. "I was planning on it love. I just wanted to see your reaction."
"Granger, you tease. But how about that for a day? School shopping for the lot, then go to our house and have dinner. I'll cook."
"Sounds lovely darling," I can't help but smile. Wait did he just say he'll cook?
Dinner went smoothly. Everyone got along well. Teddy was even invited to visit Draco's mother, Narcissa. Towards the end of dinner, I give him a look saying 'it's now or never'.
"Okay all, there is something else we wanted to all talk about. And Harry and Ginny, thank you. Thank you for keeping our secret," Draco stated with sincerity. "Scorp, remember that dream you had?"
"Yes dad. You were dancing with Mrs Weasley."
"WHAT?!" I exclaim.
"Yes, I need to explain that, but that will come later. Let's just say he'll excel in divination unlike me," Draco nearly stutters while Harry chokes trying to hold back a laugh. Apparently, he knew about this dream. Some best friend I have. "Well, first, son it wasn't a dream. We were dancing in Rio one night after dinner."
"Mum" my daughter asks with a pale face, "are you and Mr Malfoy dating?"
"Not exactly dear. We, well, Draco?"
"We got married Rose. It was not something we really planned, but it feels right. I can tell you that I feel like I've missed too much not being your mum's spouse."
"Scorp," Al looked at his new best friend, "that means we're related mate! Now all we have to do is get in the same house."
"We'll be like bros!" Scorpius chimed in excitedly.
"Wicked!" my nephew seems excited at the news as the two of them jump up and run off to one of the other rooms.
"Hugo dear, what's your opinion?"
"Dad's really gone. He's not coming back. He doesn't love us enough." The look on the boy's face is downtrodden. His hero, the person he looked up to more than even his uncle Harry, has left and we all assume he's not coming back and the realization hits him.
"Sweetie, your dad loves you. I don't know exactly what happened with him, only he can tell us that. My recent meeting was about his disappearance. They have been looking for him along with Uncle Harry. He just doesn't want to be found right now. And until he does, we won't have the answers we all need."
"And Hugo, I never want to replace your dad." My husband slides over to him. "He's your dad. I'll be there when you need me, if you need me. As will your mum, your aunts and uncles, everyone who loves you. That circle, well, it just got a little bigger."
"I liked it the way it was Mr Malfoy."
"Please call me Draco. Can we at least be on a first name basis, while we get to know each other?"
"Fine, but I'm not going to like it."
"I can deal with that. Lots of people don't like me."
"Lots of Weasleys" Harry coughs earning him a smack from his wife.
"Rosie dear, what are your thoughts?" Hopefully her increased age and maturity will have resonated to a less emotional and more logical idea.
"Is that why you got me this necklace? To buy my opinion?"
"Actually no. It's to keep you safe. It's something my company is working on for immediate family. Your mum has something we made for her, and this is made for you. And the phone, I promised your mum that we'd get that so you can call home when you need to."
I could see my daughter studying what my husband said incredulously, eyeing him for his honest reaction. "Keeping me safe? Are there any other methods that you are employing in this matter?"
"Yes, actually there is. There is an emergency plan that we have worked with the staff at Hogwarts, that you have been added to. It was initially for Scorpius, in case of a kidnapping for ransom or the like. Now with your mum in her position at the Ministry, and my position at my own company, we have added you to the plan."
"Is that why you joined Uncle Harry in Manila?" she kept on. "To help my mum?"
"Absolutely. And Trini, who is invaluable to our company. Harry, your thoughts on this."
"Rosie, I've known Malfoy here for - well as long as I've known magic. One thing I am sure of, he's fiercely loyal to those he cares about, as small of a group that is. I went to him and told him about what was happening to your mum, and with a great deal of personal risk to himself, he went and spearheaded the rescue of her. I can't say that she'd be here if it weren't for Malfoy." Harry's green eyes showed a sincerity that my daughter recognizes easily, but I can see that she is still studying him for any further response.
"So this happened in Rio? Why did you wait so long to tell us?"
"Granger, she's your daughter alright," my husband smiles at me warmly. "We wanted a calm time to sit you all down and answer your questions. I figured you probably heard about me and my school antics from someone in your family"
"EVERYONE in the family," they both chimed in.
He smiled. He probably expected that. "And you needed to know that I've changed for the better. And we didn't want you to be hammered by the press or anything. This is coming from both of us. And what happened in Rio is that we found each other, probably at our most vulnerable points in life. And from here we are building a life together."
"Like the Brady Bunch" Hugo chimed in, much to Draco's confusion.
"Yes dear," I reply to my son, "like the Brady Bunch. Except without Alice." He nods in understanding.
"So mum, does that mean we're moving?" Rosie looks lost for a moment. "I mean, I'll have a step-brother in my year, maybe in my house and in my home. It would be weird."
"First, I doubt that the two of you will be in the same house," my husband begins. "Malfoys are destined to be in Slytherin, and you seem to take after your family for Gryffindor. Second, yes we are planning on moving into a house. I actually have bought one that I would like to show you all tomorrow after school shopping."
She nods in understanding. "My own room?"
"Of course. Your aunt Ginny gave some guidance on how you might like it. But it is all yours."
"Hugo and Scorpius?"
"Have their own rooms too." She's still nodding.
"Not Malfoy Manor?"
"'Mione, have you been telling her what happened during the war there?" He looks panic stricken.
"She knows. But dear, not the Manor. Draco knew the pain it held for all of us. He has his own demons that stem from there."
"I haven't been living in the Manor for years. Only those who didn't live through the dark times do now. Including Scorpius part of the time," he explained. "His mother lives there all the time, and Scorpius has his room there too."
There was a silence that was choking the few members of the table.
James looked at Teddy, "What does that make you now? I mean you're my brother but now we're also related through marriage?"
"James, only you would make this go from awkward to creepy as bloody hell" Teddy rebutted. "I guess it's a good thing that our family tree is actually on a wall somewhere. There might be some more tangles in the tree branches."
"No Teddy dear," Ginny explained. "You'll always be brothers, and Draco and Scorpius will always be your cousins. Nothing has changed. Other than Aunt 'Mione's last name and husband."
"Aunt 'Mione Malfoy. Sounds pretty," little Lily said in a tone that was eerily like Luna's.
"I must agree with you. I've wanted to hear that for a very long time," my husband said to her with a slight side hug.
Everything said the evening was successful. Al and Scorpius are the best of friends. Teddy is getting to know his cousins more and more, and is looking forward to meeting his aunt Cissy. James was in his own world after his outburst. Lily was her nonchalant self.
Hugo on the other hand was upset with the whole situation. He was holding on hope that his father would return and we would be a proper family again.
Rosie was challenged. She liked Scorpius - and thought she was hiding it from Draco and I but she wasn't that experienced. And she felt that Scorpius had possible feelings for her also, which Draco had confirmed with me.
Their situation will be the hardest to manage.
"I have threatened Blaise with Scorp during the holidays if he and Rosie start dating. Payback for being godfather to his three daughters and all." Draco explained as everyone was having desserts in the dining room, and we had retired to the library. "Oh and I got this for you from the Malfoy library. If ever you think you want something from there, I'll play owl so you don't have to step foot in the Manor." He handed me two old books, one on the history of the Malfoy family and the Mystical Jewels of the House of Malfoy. "This one," as he points to the one about the jewels, "has an explanation on the history of our rings. It might give you a better idea why I think they are meant for us. The other, well it is our family history. And when a Malfoy gets married or has children" he flipped to the end of the book, "or does something significant, it automatically updates. I noted a new entry for a 'Hermione Jean Granger-Malfoy' recently. It looks like the book doubled in size with just this one addition."
I chuckled at it. Sure enough there was me, including multiple pictures going back to my first year at Hogwarts - including a nice shot of me slapping my now husband in third year, documenting all the accomplishments in my life. It was odd seeing it in print like this. I mean, yeah, I did these things. But it didn't feel significant until the end of the war and it was all behind me. Now I see it in print, along with married Draco Lucius Malfoy 1 August 2017 and am left thinking it isn't me. It is some other person in a history book. It doesn't feel real. Even though we've been married for almost three weeks, I look at this man in front of me as - I don't know. I am still getting to know him again, but what I've learned has been good.
He's been my hero. He's been romantic. He's been over the top. He's been just what I need. He's been a shoulder when I needed it, and an ear for me to bounce ideas off of. He's been a step ahead of me and he's been right beside me.
He's been what Ronald should have been.
Harry was right, he's loyal to those he cares about. I just never saw myself and my family in that inner circle of his. And surely not Harry and Ginny, but they seem to be also.
"Thank you." I say meekly after taking everything in.
"For you, honey, anything." He pulled me into his chest, where I just closed my eyes and let his protective arm and love envelope me.
