Hermione 23 August 2017
Last night we did the final Weasley move in. I thought there would be a few broken items before the night was over, but instead the women sat in the dining room and kitchen and the men were in the living room drinking firewhiskey like old friends, while the kids found quiet in the upstairs. Scorpius played his guitar and sang gaining instant popularity, Rose relaxed and chatted up about the excitement she felt for the next term, and Hugo had the chill room. It almost feels like we have the different houses represented already under this roof: Scorp being Slytherin, Rose Gryffindor, and Hugo Hufflepuff.
My husband was accepted by them. It took a lot of convincing, and Ginny threatened more than one of her brothers, but it happened.
Now we are just waiting for the hell to come down on us from the rest of the Wizarding World.
"Kids, I am off early today."
My husband coughs as he tries to sip his coffee and read the paper. "Love, you're not early, you're on time."
"I was distracted."
"You're easily distract darling. I'm not claiming to mind or anything."
"Draco, behave" I already know he is. After another night and morning filled with intense pleasure of the carnal and just curl up in his hot sweaty arms type, I know he's behaving.
Looking back at his paper, he nonchalantly comments, "Kingsley wanted an invite over, preferably before the kids are off to school."
"I might be able to… I'll check with Rebecca."
"Well we know the house can fit, what did we have last night? 50 ish people?"
"Funny darling. It wasn't that many. I don't think there are that many."
"Love, we had 20 for lunch the other day. This was double that, if not more."
"Welcome to the family?" I say timidly. Both of us being only children and are now thrown into this family, well it's intimidating for an outsider. I at least had school to acclimate to it. I am throwing him into the deep end of the Weasley pool. He held his own, with Harry, Ginny and my help.
I don't think I can get the mental picture of us standing on the stairs last night, after Harry and Draco had a private talk outside. He had just came in, took my hand and kissed it and went to the stairs.
"Greetings Weasley family and welcome to our home," he began. Even my face saw the shock at his forthrightness. "You're probably wondering what this is all about. Well, it is about time you are informed of our secret. It is almost as bad as any secret that Hogwarts had." He looked at me and smiled, that smile that warms my heart. His eyes were a warm grey, the color that wraps me in comfort and love. "Hermione and I eloped when we were in Rio, three weeks ago. We are keeping this out of the press, and trying to keep it to immediate friends and family. And to be honest, this was the one announcement that scared me more than hugging a nose-less Dark Lord. I know how close you all are with Hermione and you only want the best for her, and I promise to each of you, that I will do all in my power to keep her heart safe as well as her body, I already love Rose and Hugo, and - well - right now I didn't think I would make it this far in my little speech without someone trying to hex me." He looked a little stumped as he ran his fingers through his hair.
That had a few members of the family laughing.
George was the first to speak, "So at Rosie's party, when 'Mione was hanging onto you and by your side, I wasn't seeing things. See Bill, Charlie I was RIGHT! Something was going on between them. Pay up."
Bill looks at his brother, handing over the money.
Charlie protested, "you said they were sleeping together or maybe dating. Not that they were married."
George choked, "do you really expect them to be married and not sleeping together? Pay up bro." Causing Charlie to reach in and hand over the money.
"Welcome to the Weasleys, they bet on who the first one to get drunk is and who is sleeping on the couch that night," Ginny explained to him.
Not missing a step, Draco picked up, "So George, I think you still owe me from the TriWizards tournament. You never paid up on that someone would die."
"Cause you said Harry would die. Not that someone would die."
"Ok, let's call it a push then," he teases. I think he is going to be fine.
Molly came over and pulled me aside. "You really think Ron is gone? You stopped hoping."
"Molly, even if he didn't, I don't know if I could accept him. I learned a few things and he's hurt me more than just being gone. I'm not telling the kids though, they don't need to know about these things, it's too adult for them. But Draco has been there for me and something happens when he's near me. It's something I never felt before and I don't want to be without. Please be happy for me, Molly."
"Darling, I trust you and of course I'm happy for you. So when are we going to celebrate this? This deserves a party."
"We're working on it. You'll be there, correct?"
"We wouldn't miss it for anything. And I must say, this is a beautiful home. It feels like it is for a happy family. Which looking at my Rose and Hugo, they are happy."
"Yeah, we seem to be meshing well. But this has been a month of changes, let's see what it's like when everything is calmed down."
Draco silently came in looking for me, "Molly, can I borrow my wife? I have a surprise for her."
She nods and gave me a hug, "go, he cares about you more than I think he cares about anything."
"It's a toss up between me and his son. And Rose and Hugo are right behind. It's good" I whisper before following my husband to the mystery door.
"Okay all one last surprise," he announces so all can hear. "I think we all know that this beautiful woman has an addiction. An addiction to books. Well love, this is for you. Welcome to your 'office'," he says with air quotes around 'office' and hands me a key. "You can lock me out if I misbehave, or if you need privacy. This is to be your sanctuary."
I unlock the door to see rows and rows of shelving full of books. No wonder Theo was the one to get all my books, he loaded up the shelving.
"Now your desk is in the back, there is somewhat of a sunroom around your desk area. And these shelves are like the ones in Rosie's room. Each section holds about 90 kg of books. So they'll expand until they can't hold anymore, then you go to the next section. To find the book you want, you swipe - like on your cell phone."
"Draco you thought of everything. Thank you so much." I look at my desk and behind it is a small personal coffee maker, a bouquet of flowers, and a basket of muffins and sweets. This room is my personal heaven. This one action shows more love and understanding than all the 'I love yous' in the world. I walk behind the desk and notice the frames dotting it. There are pictures of Rose and Hugo and one of Scorpius and Draco together.
"This frame here," he points to an empty one, "is reserved for all of us. I don't know when we'll fill it, but it is the one for our family."
"It's. It's. Perfect." I sit down in the big desk chair, still taking everything in. "You may not get me out of here."
"I have my ways, Mrs Malfoy," he whispers coyly. "Or I can always come to you. I'm more concerned about your coworkers at the Ministry. You may never see them again."
He knows me too well.
"Draco, we probably should have Kingsley over here, not at a restaurant. We need to keep it quiet."
"I still don't know how the press isn't parked on our front lawn dad," Scorp says as he sits down, grabbing some bacon off his dad's plate and tossing it in his mouth. This young man grew up in the press's flashing light. I remember when he was born, it made front page news. There was a picture of Draco looking down at this little boy wrapped up in his arms. He had a look like the world around him completely stopped now that he's holding his son. He didn't give any quotes for days, everything came through the MII PR department or Narcissa. I now understand the role Pansy plays in the Malfoy family. She may not be blood family, but she is a big part of it because I think she was the one in charge of divulging the information about her godson to the public.
"We've been lucky so far, son. It won't last forever though. And when we have the announcement party, they probably will be tented down for months. Don't be surprised to have them peering through your window when you come home for the holidays."
"You can't be preparing for the holidays already dad? They're months away. And we haven't even left for school yet," the young man lamented.
"Well the social department is working on dates for all the parties that we are now expected to attend."
I remember something I should have asked some time ago, "Scorpius, do you attend the MII holiday party?"
"Since I was 5 and my bedtime was pushed back, yes. Even if it was for 30 minutes or so. The whole being in my pajamas, was just to cause embarrassment I believe." I can't help but chuckle.
"Why do you ask dear?" my husband turns to me.
"Well… Honestly, I've never been to one. I've been invited, but always decline."
"Wait, you ditch my parties? They're legendary." I can see he feels a bit put out, but then a smirk slithers on his lips. "It's fair I guess. I ditch all the Ministry parties."
I chuckle, "I tried to ditch those too. Trust me."
I can see the gears in his head turning, "so we will have to both go to each others' parties, I expected that. But Rosie and Hugo should go to the MII party. It is family friendly until about 10. Then all the kids go to a reserved area with in house babysitters."
"Please dad, not this year. I'm 11 and at school. You can't expect me to have a babysitter anymore."
He has this 'I'm your dad' look he gives his son. "We'll discuss it with your mother, when the time is closer. Until then, expect it."
"Mum, please. Back me up on this."
Draco raises his eyebrow, "when did that happen?"
I can see the young boy get uncomfortable, "I left something upstairs. I'll be back."
A chuckle escapes my lips, "he asked the other day. He has a mother and a mum in his mind."
"Figures," my husband smiles, "he can't help but see how good of a mum you are. He has really needed a warm mum. And with Astoria sick…" his voice trails off, saddened.
"We haven't talked about what is going on with her. She looked different than when we were in school."
"You and I will talk about it. Not around Scorp," he kissed my head. "You need to get to work, darling. Before you're late again."
"BYE KIDS!" I call up before kissing my husband and going to work.
"Rebecca, see if you can schedule a dinner with the Minister sometime before the first. My house," I didn't even make it to her desk before trying to remember everything that I needed to recall. "The holiday parties from the different departments, if they want me to attend, I need those dates immediately. I know Kingsley is setting up the possible dates for the Minister's Party."
"He already has a tentative date on the books, would you like that now?" She quickly replies.
"Does his office contact other groups that are expected to attend?"
She looks at me like I spoke a foreign language, "I don't understand the question."
I nod her to come in my office, "Shut the door behind you." She is good at simple instructions like that, as I cast a muffling charm on the room. "This is not to leave here. Any and all implications do not leave here. Swear."
"I swear. This must be important."
"Does Kingsley check with Malfoy Industries on the date of the Minister's Party?"
"I believe so. If you want I can follow up."
"No leaving this room. I will handle any follow ups. And since Rose is expected to attend, now that she's in school, when that invite comes, put me down for 2, unless I tell you otherwise." That way I can have Draco and I go on my invite, Scorp and Rose on his as the next generation. Or we might have all four of us on one… We have a lot of straightening out still to do. "Any important messages this morning?"
"Nothing ma'am. Only Mr Potter had his daily stop already, wondering where you were."
"With the kids not staying at his house, it takes me a little longer to get out of the house." I chuckle. And it was partially Scorp's doing that made me tardier than I wanted.
"Oh and Percy Weasley stopped by. He didn't look well."
I laugh, putting my head on the desk. "He had way too much to drink last night. Send him a hangover potion."
"Last night?"
"Yeah he and his siblings were at my house. Ended up being a drinking contest for the men. Luckily Harry stayed out of it. Percy didn't look well going home last night."
"How lucky you are to have all the Weasleys." Yeah I am. "If there's nothing else?"
"No I have my messages to go through before my meetings begin. If there is anything urgent, let me know. First meeting starts in 30."
"Yes ma'am."
I notice the look on her face as she leaves. I know she is questioning what we talked about, especially since I had her swear and charmed the room.
After a boring day, only broken up with lunch with Harry and a few of our friends from school, I drag myself home. The house is as bright and cheery as I remember leaving it. I hear laughter and sweet voices coming from outside.
Making my way outside, I see everyone sitting down to dinner on the patio that is just off the kitchen. Somehow I missed this on the original tour of the house and yesterday's unpacking was just a little chaotic.
"This is a sight." I sit down in the empty chair across from my husband.
He can sense my stress and that I am instantly transported to a better place. "That good of a day? I was just talking to the kids about some of the fun school holds. And some of the professors that may still be there. Any word if Slughorn is still kicking?"
"McGonagall said he is, and that he's claimed you as one of his favorite students."
"That may help the two of you. Now that both of us are 'Slug-club alumni'. Ron was never a member, was he?"
"No, Harry, Ginny and I were." I cringe, "And McLaggan."
"See kids, I wasn't the only one your mum disliked. And McLaggan was a Gryffindor."
"Don't remind me, please." I look at dinner spread out before and start adding food to the empty plate ahead of me. "Just know all of you will be - more than likely - Slug-club members. He pulls those whose families are the most influential or the ones that have the best chance at being influential in the future."
Rose and Scorpius exchange nauseated looks before the young gentleman responds, "Great, so when it gets out to the press that we are one family, we are going to what - be at the head of the table or something?"
Both Draco and I nod, but I answer, "but it isn't a bad thing. The parties are pretty awesome. I remember the Christmas party." Draco is blushing across from me.
"Can we not."
"That Draco tried to crash."
"Thanks," he gives me a dirty look.
"And Snape had to escort him out."
Now his head hiding behind his hands as his elbows are resting on the table. "Not my night tonight."
"That's alright. McLaggan kept trying to feel me up that night. I spent it hiding from him."
"I'll hex him," he mumbles still hiding his face. The kids are all smiles and laughing, late into the night.
This is what I need. This is the family I wanted. This is my happy place.
