Hermione 25 August 2017

Draco did good. Every time I wake up here, in our house, next to him I feel blessed. The sun shines in, and the birds are singing, the kids - well there is some adjustment there - but all in all they are happy and healthy.

If you had asked me this a month ago, I was in a very different place.

Then it was living in the shadow of a husband I thought was dead. It was seeing his ghost in every corner of the house. His smile, though shallow and holding an emptiness, was missing where it used to always reside. The kids were feeling the tension, the pain. Their father, their protector, was gone and no one knew where.

Now I know the real pain behind the story. For their security, they still don't know. One day I will have to tell them, but the words - I can't find the words.

Then I look at the man next to me. He has done nothing short of the impossible for my family and I. Our family. He brought me home, at great expense to himself. He seems to love and dote on all the kids equally. His surprise for Rosie's birthday - making sure to get me out - was nothing short of perfect for both of us. Then he presented her with the necklace. I think we both were choked up about that. I haven't told her the secret to the necklace, but before she leaves on the train - in a week, my baby is going to Hogwarts - I will tell her. All she knows is that it is to keep her safe.

Everything this month has flown by. Highs and lows. But so far, we are still living on a big high. I've had lunch with Pansy Zabini, okay those are words I never expected to hear myself think, a few times and I must admit, her little girl is adorable. She actually asked me to be her godmother, which took me off guard. Her other children are real hand fulls but this one, there's something about her, something knowing behind her eyes, it makes you have an instant attraction.

Draco has been good when it comes to keeping work professional. He does stop by on occasion, when he's at the Ministry for his own business. There have been flowers delivered, but nothing on the card would imply anything non-professional. Actually it read 'thank you for your assistance with the hemi-finals. Malfoy Industries'. Now that is blah as they come. But knowing that each flower has it's own meaning, this bouquet said thank you in a much more personal and caring manner.

He did offer to take me to lunch to discuss an upcoming project that Malfoy Industries was about to take on, but I had to decline. Before he left though he told me that I had better not skip lunch since he saw that my breakfast was still in my purse behind me.

Would it be bad of me to want to wake up my husband a little earlier today, since the kids are still asleep? No. I giggle and I see him stirring. "Good morning handsome" I say before kissing him into complete and total rapture.


"Darling you're going to be late," he calls from downstairs. "Breakfast and your coffee are waiting."

"Sorry love. I was just being your needy new bride this morning." My smile is undeniable. This whole 'morning sex' is mind boggling.

"You can be as needy as you want, my love, I just don't want the Minister thinking I've kidnapped you. Or worse, Potter."

I have to swat him for that comment. "Harry wouldn't."

"He tried once already. Or is your sweet memory lapsing?" He leans down, "too much sex on the brain not letting you focus like you should dear?"

"You don't want to go there love," I swat his arm. "Oh is there anything else we needed to move in? Or get the kids for school?"

"School is done. Rose says she's already packed. I know Scorp will leave it until the night before and then beg me to help. I know he still has a few things at the Manor he wanted to bring. He wants me to cave and have him bring his broom, but not this year. I told him next year he can try out for quidditch. But knowing him…" I hear his voice trail. Scorpius is a Malfoy and is stubborn like his father, so I don't doubt that he not only will try out for the house team but he will also be on it.

"What about your flat? Or our house, I still don't know what to do with it."

"I have the flat still ready for work parties, hosting guests, and such. But nothing really more. Your house, well if you want to put it up for rent or anything. It's up to you."

"Let me think on it. I still don't know. There are memories there - good and well, not so good." I really do need to come to a decision on this, but I don't know. Too many open wounds still. "You though, off. You can't be late either."

"Darling, that is the joy of being the boss. I'm never late." His arm is around my waist and his other hand is lifting my chin. "Thank you. For everything." Damn the man has a sensual side, just his 'thank you' is a turn on. Especially when it should be me saying thank you for this morning. And last night. And most likely tonight.

"Shut it Draco, before the kids hear."

"I think they did already this morning," he chuckles. "To them, your - um - vocalizations, might just be worse than that bloody air raid siren you have for an alarm clock."

"You can't say that you were quiet Mr Malfoy. The 'Oh bloody Merlin 'Mione, yes' kinda echoed."

He was blushing. "What can I say, my bride is perfect in every way." He kissed me and pinched my arse. "Now off with you. I'll get the kids going before I go off to work. Ginny is expecting them."

"Draco Lucius Malfoy as Mr Mum. Who would have thought." I teased one last time before grabbing his heavenly arse and going towards the fireplace. "Don't miss me too much today darling."


By the time I got into the office it was a buzz of activity and I was ready to dive in. "Rebecca" I call to my admin, "what is going on today?"

"All I know ma'am is it has to do with the auror department."

"Then get Harry Potter here as soon as he can. I need to know what is happening."

"He is in with the Minister. He already said that - and I quote - Hermione is probably going to be late this morning, being tied up with the dogs or kids or something, but let her know I'll be by after the meeting. Ma'am, should I ask about the 'something'?"

I blush, probably profusely. "No, it is something that isn't spoken of at this time. Nothing bad though, Rebecca. Everything is good."

She pushed me in my door and shut it. "Is it the reason Draco Malfoy has been calling and coming by more often than not?"

"Shush. Draco and I are now friendlier. We've both had a pretty hard year."

"He's single, hot, and powerful. He dropped everything to come help Mr Potter get you."

"And Trini - as he calls her 'his administrative goddess'."

"Yes, and Trini. But he could have just sent Mr Nott. Instead they both went. Ma'am, it's written across your face. Sooner or later the Prophet will suspect something."

"Not as long as he's personally handling a few projects. Now drop it."

"So there is…" I glare, "Point taken and now dropped. I just want to make sure you know that the Prophet will find out. I just don't want you taken off guard."

"I won't and you know that already. Now, get Harry as soon as he's out with the Minister."

"Yes ma'am. Messages are on your desk, schedule is there too. If you need any adjustments, let me know."

"Thank you Rebecca."

I grab cup for my morning coffee. Some wizards says Muggle inventions are worthless. I disagree. I pop my favorite coffee pod into the Keurig behind my desk and go over my schedule while the coffee is brewing.

"Mione," no knock or anything. He just waltzes in here. "No guests?" Maybe the boy can be taught after the escapade in Rio. But knowing Harry, probably not.

"He's getting the kids ready to go to your place. What was the nuclear fallout that seems to have hit this morning?" I take a sip of my coffee. My overly hot coffee. Damn, burned my tongue. I'll have to have Draco kiss it later.

"Call him. Have him come over immediately."

"Harry, it isn't the best time."

"He needs to be here. I had Rebecca cancel everything today. Call him now 'Mione."

"If this is some stunt Harry Potter."

"No stunt."

"Texting is faster anyways." I grab my cell phone. "How long is he going to be out?"

"At least today."

"What are you not telling me?"

"Not until he gets here. No questions. Now."

20 plus years of knowing him and this is the strangest I've seen him.

First text I send is to Trini, to brace her.

Me: Trini, Draco's going to be out today. Let Blaise know. And if he actually makes it in, send him to the ministry immediately. Directly to my office. Thx.
Trini: He's not in, but if he shows I'll do it.

"Ok I just let Trini know… last chance to back out Harry."

"Now." His stern glare from his deep green eyes is unnerving.

Me: Draco, need you here now. I don't know what, because Harry won't say until you get here.
Draco: You just miss me, admit it.
I chuckle. Yeah I miss him. Me: I told Trini you're going to be out today. You might be out tomorrow too according to Harry.

Draco doesn't respond immediately. I know there are curse words being spoken. It hasn't been a week and he is again missing work.

Draco: I texted Blaise. He said it better be earth shattering.
Me: I honestly don't know. Get over here so I can find out.
Draco: Tell Rebecca to let me in then.

"REBECCA!" I bellow. She opens the door. "Let him in."

"How did?" She looks at me holding my phone. "Nevermind." She turns, "Go ahead Mr Malfoy. I didn't know you were needed in this meeting."

"I didn't either Rebecca until just a moment ago. I don't hold it against you." He casually kicks the door shut. "Harry," he curtly nods, "what the bloody hell am I doing here? Especially during the day like this? We agreed no work time visits unless for business purposes."

"We're going to 'Mione's house," Harry says flatly. "There's ummm, fuck. I don't know how to say it. Let's just go now."

The three of us apparate into my old living room. "It looks so different without everything." I look at Draco, "thank you darling."

"Anything for you." He pulls me into his chest.

"Okay before someone pukes in here," Harry starts, "there is something you need to see." He leads us to the master bedroom, where everything is broken.

"What the hell? Did someone break in?" Draco has his wand out just in case.

"Yes and no." Harry sighs. "The owner of this place is in the Minister's office. Screaming bloody hell, if I do say so."

"Um I'm right here. I'm not screaming." I look at him coldly confused.

Draco's eyes darken, to that terrifyingly dark grey that is almost black. "Potter, he isn't."

"What?" Then it hit me. "No!"

Harry can only nod.

"Harry Potter you keep that bastard away from me. He has no right. He missed Rose's birthday and then comes waltzing in here. No. Call your wife. Let the family know. I am not dealing with this." Draco has me in a death grip, holding my arms by my side and me pressed up to his chest.

"Potter why? Why now? What can his excuse be?"

"He wants to see Rose off to school."

"WHAT?" Both Draco and I exclaim together.

"Potter, keep him away from her; both of them. All of them. If he gets anywhere near them, so help me." I don't recall seeing Draco this genuinely angry before. Well if you bring up the Manila incident, he does, but this tops even that.

"It's not that easy Draco."

"How the hell is it not that easy? The bastard left. He left her and the kids. It's been 9 months now, where the hell has he been? What has he been doing?"

Harry can't meet either of our eyes, he's just looking down at the floor and the horrid shag rug we have under the bed. Ron chose it. He thought it 'softened' the room. Why do I think he just found something in all the design magazines I kept shoving under his nose to get him to shut me up. "He had a baby," he says timidly. I can see him brace for my wrath.

"Harry James POTTER, I am going to kill him." I hear the words rush out of my mouth, as Draco tightens his hold on me. "I am going to kill him. Then I am giving him to your wife and mother in law."

"Yeah," he runs his fingers through his hair, "I'm not too sure on how Ginny's going to take this. I don't want to be in the same hemisphere when she finds out."

"Where is he now Harry? Is he coming here or something?"

"I don't know what his plans are Draco. It took everything I had not to castrate the prat right there in front of the Minister."

Draco excuses himself for a minute, and I hear him punch the wall.

"Harry." I try to calm myself, but all I can feel right now is sick, "what is he thinking?"

"That's the thing, I don't think he's thinking. He's not thinking about what you and the kids - hell the whole family - have been going through. He's had his head up his arse and I told him that too."

"But he couldn't be here for Rosie's birthday? What was his excuse for that? I mean I made it and I was in a nutter's jail for almost a week."

"The baby was sick."

"Oh so this baby is more important than his oldest daughter. Draco was there. Harry, the whole family was there for Rosie. Except her own FATHER. AGAIN!"

"Hermione Jean Malfoy calm down. Nothing's good is going to come out if you don't."

I saw Draco saunter in. "That is actually what I needed right now. I needed reminding that she's my wife and that it is my duty to protect her. Thanks Harry. She's a Malfoy now, and as such, I just called in our PR team. They will keep this out of the press as much as possible."

"Thank you darling, I didn't even think of that."

"Hey I had to give them double bonuses for all the work they put in during my divorce. This is going to be a cake walk."

"Oi! Harry are you upstairs?" I hear Ron calling from the foyer. "Who are you talking to?" And he's coming upstairs.

"Draco," I whisper tentatively.

"You're find darling. I'm here." He takes me in his arms, "Potter, thanks."

"She's yours now, and you've done a pretty good job with her so far."

"I'll take that as a compliment, I think." I like how my husband and best friend are now pretty much on good terms. In less than a month, Harry went from wanting to make him a eunuch when he walked in on us in Rio, to now they sit around and talk about quidditch like old friends.

But that is when the niceties end. A more rotund Ronald Bilius Weasley sauntered into the bedroom we used to share, like it was still his and nothing had changed.

"Harry I asked you a question," he said nonchalantly. "Oh. Hi Hermione."

"Yeah, hi Ronald."

"Harry, what is Malfoy doing in my bedroom?"

"YOUR BEDROOM?" Draco regains his hold on me as I explode, spitting in Ron's face. "YOUR BEDROOM? The one you haven't slept in for 9 months? The one you left to go be with some other slag? No Ronald, this is no longer YOUR bedroom."

"Well when I got here the house was empty. It isn't your bedroom either, is it?"

"I just moved 3 days ago. 3 days Ron. 4 days ago I was asleep in this bed. But yes, this isn't my bedroom now. And it's none of your business."

"'Mione, you're my wife."

Draco let loose an evil cackle. It reminded me of Bellatrix. "You did not just say that? I must be hallucinating."

"Malfoy, what are you doing in my bedroom? You never answered."

"I was asked. By Harry." There is my love's signature smirk. "What's your excuse? Because I think we've established this isn't your bedroom."

"Harry, when have you been on a first name basis with the ferret?"

"Ron just" Harry starts, but I'm not going to let him finish.

"Ronald, don't you call Draco a ferret." I feel myself slip into incoherent anger again. "We both respect him much more than you right now."

"Right now, 'Mione? What do you mean."

"Harry I can't. I just" I am shaking, even though I'm being held by strong arms.

"Harry, let me take her outside. We'll be downstairs." Draco says calmly. I feel him lead me outside but I can still hear the yelling going on upstairs.

"I am going to have Scorpius go to the Manor. Tell him to get what he needs for school there. And I'll even cave and let him bring his broom." He's thinking. I can tell. His eyes look distant, and are the color of an overcast day. "Then we'll take Rose and Hugo to dinner or something. I don't know about you but I'm not in the mood to cook."

I can only nod in agreement.

"It needs to be someplace casual and loud. You know your kids better, and we kinda surprised them once already this week. What do you think love?"

"I know just the place. I'll text Rebecca. I need to call Ginny too."

"Give me the information. I'll have Trini make the arrangements. You know she's here for you too." He pulls me in tight. Protective. Caring. "What can I do for you, love? You always will be my first priority. You and the kids."

"I just… I don't know… I want to kill him for what he did. I want him out of my life, but he's Rose and Hugo's dad."

"He doesn't deserve that title. He's their father. It takes someone, someone who won't leave them, to be a dad."

He's right. He's right most of the time. Maybe because he had a father, never a dad. Yet seeing him with Scorpius, and even Rose and Hugo, he is a dad.

I feel his phone vibrate in his back pocket. "Someone needs you."

"You're more important love."

It's the first time, the first time in a long time it feels like, that I break down and cry. Cry because of Ronald Weasley. Again. Not since Rio… I can't even catch my breath I'm crying. Shaking, crying, and struggling to breathe. This is not me. I can take on anything, and hell I have, but Ronald Weasley and the pain he caused me…

I don't know what happened upstairs in the house but it wasn't good. Draco is letting me cry out in my garden. It was my sanctuary when Ron first left. I would spend hours trimming, pruning, picking flowers, weeding, everything. I wanted this to be perfect. The flowers I would bring in the house to brighten it up. The weeds I thought was death, and wanted them removed. Now I think of them as Ron and his mistress. They need to be taken out. The trimming and pruning was all the faςade that I was living. Trying to control something that was out of my control. Making beauty out of the natural madness. I look around and it's been a few weeks that I haven't been in the garden, obsessively weeding and pruning, and I look at the natural beauty that is the garden. The vines are climbing, intertwining the wisteria with the tea roses, the grapes with the box hedges and lavender. It creates an elegance that only nature could. The roses are giving a sweet aroma that relaxes me, especially in my husband's arms. It all reminds me that everything will be fine, even if I don't control everything.

My peace was broken when Ron came storming downstairs, "MALFOY! Get away from my wife!"

"I'll be back love," he whispers, kissing my forehead.

"MALFOY!" I know that tone, Ron is ready to fight.

"Be careful love." I reply.

"I'm a Malfoy, I don't need to be careful. I'm just good." He smiles cockily to me before heading back into the house.

The yelling was intense. Draco didn't lose his cool. He let Ron scream and yell. Knowing Draco, he just was leaning against the wall, smirking the whole time.

"I'm taking her back. She's coming home with me. Harry where are the kids?" I hear Ron bellowing in the living room.

"First, you're going to leave your newborn and your mistress to try and take your wife back? Weasel are you really that heartless? Or do you expect Hermione to raise your bastard child?"

"What the hell do you care?"

"I care for her. More than you weasel."

I hear Harry trying to calm the situation. "Draco, probably not the best time to refer to him by our childish nicknames."

"Really Harry? After his stunt? Now thinking he is going to leave another family? Or weasel, are you thinking you're going to have a polygamist situation? Yeah 'Mione is really going to go for that. Does he have no respect for anyone? Or just women? Because Molly"

"Yeah Molly and Ginny will have a fit. We both know that Draco."

"WHEN CAN HE CALL MY MOTHER BY HER NAME?"

"Rose's birthday party, if you must know. That little thing that took place about a week or so ago." Draco calmly stated; not even looking at him, only Harry. "We are going to have to tell Ginny and Molly."

"Can I be on a different planet when that happens?" Harry and Draco are in their own conversation, their now natural relaxed conversation.

"Your wife, your mother in law. I have her, you have the other two."

"What do you mean MALFOY? What do you mean 'YOU HAVE HER?'"

"Ron," Harry begins, "things have changed while you were gone."

"Yeah weasel." I hear him chuckling, "Sorry mate, I can't. I can't not call him that. But a lot has changed. Where were you when 'Mione was kidnapped in Manila? When she shut down during the Western Hemisphere Semi-final talks in Rio? Guess what, I was there."

"I guess I should thank you then Malfoy." Ron said with venom in his voice.

"No you don't. It's what a husband does." Even I hear the snark in his tone.

"HUSBAND? What do you mean?"

"Ron… come with me" I hear Harry's voice get distant as I watch Draco saunter back outside.

"Probably not the best way of telling him, but it was needed." He sighed. "Probably should brace for the Prophet's fall out."

"I've meant to ask, why haven't we gone public? Are you embarrassed by me?"

"Oh love, no. Actually I'm worried about what people will think about you marrying me. I don't want to ruin your career. You deserve to be Minister. I don't want to do anything to mess it up." He sat down and propped his elbows on his knees, resting his head in his hands. "I want you to get everything you have worked so hard for. And there's a reason I own my own company, I can't be told no or get fired. You," he sighed, "have so much more to lose."

"Damn you Malfoy," I quip.

"Why Granger," he teases.

"You're thinking of me. I keep forgetting you're not that selfish prat from school."

"Love," he put a comforting arm around me, "of course. I thought about it the first morning. I was worried that our little escapade would be a problem for you. Which is why I'm indebted to Blaise for actually keeping his mouth shut."

"Best little escapade I ever had." I giggle, "And I have had more than a few."

"Darling, your escapades are things of legends, and history books." His smile warms me. "But they usually included those two inside. You've never had an escapade with me. And that is what worries me. My reputation, my history…"

"Is behind you. Don't worry about me." I sigh. We've only discussed this about a half dozen times. "Let's talk about the party we want to plan."

"You know we have a party planning department, it may be called the 'social sub department' but they just plan parties all year. We just need to settle a few details and everything will be handled for us. But it is up to you and Ginny as to how much you want to be involved. Just so you know, Pansy and my mother will want a say too. Especially my mother."

"We'll come up with the ideas, let your team manage the details."

"Tell me where and when, love, and you know I will be there. Probably the idiot with the massive smile on his face."

He has me smiling. "Well we probably should schedule while the kids are home."

"True. But we both have a number of parties already to attend. There is the MII annual holiday party. And I know the Ministry has a half dozen or so. And aren't they starting to be calendared already."

"Then we probably should do it before the holiday parties. It would look a little weird that we show up to these parties together…"

Panic strikes his face. "I keep thinking about taking all the kids out of school and what chaos will happen. You know how rumors spread at Hogwarts." He pauses, "Great… McGonagall will be reminding me all night of all my childhood delinquencies. And marrying her most favorite pupil in history. I'm screwed."

"I'll talk to her again. I probably should owl her before the kids go back and tell her the change in the plans and see if she's talked to the other professors yet."

"Darling, remind her we're going to eliminate a quarter of the students in one fell swoop."

I am laughing. This is why I love this man. In the most tense situations, he is a calming force. And then there's Ron.

He came storming out of the house, pulled Draco up by his collar, and decks him.

"Weasel, that wasn't your best idea. And you've had some losers in the past."

"Call me that again ferret. I dare you."

"I'm not going to hit you weasel, I won't do that to Rose and Hugo."

He swings at Draco again, but he dodges.

"Ferret, don't ever mention my kids again."

"Weasel, my father was as crappy as they come. He was abusive, well an all around ass, but guess what? He never missed my birthday. And he was there when my mother gave birth to me. Something you can't say."

Ron threw another punch, this one landing squarely on Draco's jaw.

"Did I say something that touched a nerve weasel? Because tell me where I am factually wrong. I dare you to try."

Another punch was thrown. "RONALD STOP THIS!"

"Hermione, you are coming with me. NOW." He roars.

I take my husband, now bleeding, in my arms. Calmly I look at Ron, "No I am not. If you can't deal with the truth, you don't deserve to be a father. Draco is right, his father was the worst of the worst. But at least he was there for his child. You can't be there for my children and, well I don't know if you had a son or a daughter. Not that I really give a damn."

"A daughter. I have a daughter."

"You now have TWO daughters. You have had a daughter for 11 years. You now have two. And from the sound of it, you're willing to leave her behind also."

"Come on darling," Draco says soothingly. "Let's go home and discuss this. Figure out what we are going to say to the kids."

"My kids Malfoy. I will tell my kids. Where are they Harry? 'Mione? Where are Hugo and Rosie?"

"Gin was going to take them somewhere." Harry calmly says. But his irritation is written across his face. "I don't think they are ready to hear about your return just yet." When Ron goes to face us, I see him mouth 'at your house'. Draco saw and acknowledged Harry.

"I'm their father. They will be happy to see me." Ron's insensitivity to anyone and everyone was getting on my nerves.

"Ron, go to the Burrow. See Molly and Arthur. They will be happy to see you. I'll have Ginny bring the kids by later, if they're up to it." Harry tries to calm his best friend down. But he and I both know how unsuccessful that can be.

"Fine." Ron sulks off and apparates, presumably to the Burrow.

"Now what?" I ask.