Draco 25 August 2017

"We tell the kids. Everything has changed. Again." I look between my wife and her best friend. I feel terrible for Rosie and Hugo. And Scorpius. He's going to have to be there for his new siblings. How do I tell my son that he needs to be there for them? He's been an only child for his life, like me, and now he has a brother and sister and they need him.

The pain in my chest is the hurt I feel for all those I love. And it seems like they all are hurting right now, whether they know it yet or not.

"Let's get the kids and Ginny together. Take an early lunch. I have an idea… but it is a stretch. We can do a picnic, there's a place I know that isn't too far. We can have the place to ourselves."

"Sounds lovely darling. I'll go home and get Ginny and the kids ready. Harry, go to work. Let them know we both will be out today. Draco, you get everything ready." She looks defeated. "It's going to be a long day."

"I have to stop by the office too, darling. Let Blaise know what's going on. And I'll get the other department working on that thing we discussed…" I wink at her. Anything to get that beautiful smile to return.

She just nods, no smile on her face. "See you at the house in 30 minutes or so?"

"Sure love. See you soon." I kiss her cheek. "I love you beautiful." Her eyes are sad and cold. Not the bright sunny honey color that sparkles when she laughs. Trying to keep my spirits up, for her, I smile and apparate to work.

"BLAISE! We're fucked."

Trini comes running out. "Aw shit, there is fucked then there is that face of 'we're fucked'."

"Trini he's in his office right?" She nods. I nod my head in that direction saying that she should follow. Holding the door open for her, I shut it behind us and cast a muffling spell.

"Pans, love I have to go. Draco and Trini are here and it looks bad."

"No. Pansy needs to hear this too." I whisper.

"Nevermind baby, you're going on speaker phone. What happened Draco?"

"Ronald fucking Weasley happened."

"Don't get me started on that douche bag Draco! If I see him" Pansy starts ranting.

"Pans, you'll get your chance. He just showed back up."

Trini looked like she was going to draw her wand and castrate him. Blaise was in shock. Pans was probably the most surprising, because for once she was quiet.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, explain." I hear her on the speaker.

"Ron showed up at the Ministry today I guess. Potter drug me into 'Mione's office this morning but then we went to her old place. The bedroom was trashed. Weasel did it. I've been dealing with him since then. 'Mione is pissed… sad… upset. Oh and that's not the worst."

It's Trini's turn. "What is worse than leaving your family for so long only to 'reappear'. What is his shit ass excuse."

"He has a baby. A daughter."

I see Blaise hit silence on the speakerphone. He knows his wife all too well, and so do I. She is probably screaming her head off. It'll take about 5 or so minutes for her to calm down.

Trini leaves the office. It took her a couple of minutes before she came back, with 2 large bottles of the good firewhiskey and 3 glasses. "We're going to need this."
Blaise is just in shock. Complete and utter shock.

I am left speechless. And sore. Only now do the blows hurt.

"None for me Trini. I need my head on straight, we are telling the kids. Trini, I need Scorpius to get to the house. He was going to the Manor right now. Have him bring the stuff he needs for school and his broom. Tell him I say it's okay. He'll know something is wrong, but don't let on.
"Also," I continue, "we are moving up the wedding announcement party date. We need the planning team to get with Ginny Potter and Hermione this week to set it up. We want a date on the books before the kids go to school. And it needs to be before Halloween I think. Coordinate with Minerva McGonagall, since we are taking out the Weasleys, Potters, and Scorpius. Or about a quarter of the school.
"Finally, I need Theo at the house. Throw every charm he has on it. And maybe a security team member too. And one at Hermione's old house. Weasel's already broken in and trashed it, but I don't want any more destruction.
"We are telling the kids at lunch today what happened. I'll need a portkey for them to go to the beach house. Oh I need to call downstairs and get some food together for us all."

Blaise hits the speaker button on the phone. We hear Pansy still ranting. "Sorry, thought it was safe." As he turns off the speaker again.

Trini is solemn, not usually her demeanor, "I'll take care of everything Draco. If Hermione needs anything, have her call me. Even if it is a shoulder."

"I will, oh and just so you know, I called down to PR earlier. They are going to keep as much out of the press as possible. But it's going to be hard when one of the Golden Trio returns from the dead with a new kid that isn't his wife's." Trini nods, still visibly upset. She pours herself a glass of firewhiskey and gets to work.

Blaise looks down at the phone. "Aw fuck. She hung up." He sighs. "What do you need from me? You seem to have everything under control."

I start laughing. "Really? This is under control mate? I am just trying to take as much stress off my wife as possible." I look at the firewhiskey. Damn, I do need one. So far this day has been long, and it is just starting. "Honestly, I need my best friend. I can't get over the weasel. He has a set for sure. Titanium balls. He left her. He left her for a pregnant mistress. He left Hermione Granger for a fucking mistress that he didn't have the sense enough to not get pregnant! And his kids. His two amazing kids. He left them hurting." I take a long drink of the warming liquid. "Then he got pissed at me. ME?! The guy who helped pick up the pieces that he made. The guy that helped rescue Hermione. He didn't even acknowledge that she had been kidnapped. Now he has another daughter. And do you believe he didn't acknowledge that he already had a daughter? Oh his excuse for not being at her birthday party the other day? The baby was sick! Poor Rosie. Poor Hugo. They have such a douchebag for a father. And I thought Lucius was a crappy father. Remind me to send him a father's day present next year. Something along the lines of 'you're no father of the year, but you're better than the weasel'.
"Oh and the damn weasel decided that he needed to use me as a punching fucking bag this morning. I didn't want to do anything about it, but he was just. Merlin this hurts!"

"BLAISE ZABINI YOU DO NOT PUT ME ON SILENT!" We both turn to see Pansy and Esme in the doorway, as red as a tomato.

I get up and give her a kiss on the cheek and take my precious little puggy out of her hands. "This is what I needed. A little puggy time. How's my baby goddaughter doing today?"

"Don't try and smooze yourself out of this Draco Malfoy." She tries to be upset at me, but as soon as she sees me trying to get Esme to smile, he tone lightens. "She is doing well. Actually sleeping better than any of the other kids. I get about 5 hours of sleep at a stretch. Which is better than when I was pregnant." She sighs. "How is Hermione doing? Really Draco? She must be sick."

"I'm sick," I sit down and Esme snuggles into my chest. Her dark brown eyes looking up at me. "She… well she's a well of emotions. Hurt, angry, upset. Everything I promised to keep her from. And it all comes back the moment the weasel shows his fat arse."

"Wait, he's fat now?" Blaise starts laughing. "He wasn't attractive when he was playing quidditch all the time, but fat… and let me guess, he thinks Hermione will take him back?"

I just nod.

Pansy blows, "OH HELL NO!" She reminds me of the drag queens that just opened up a review in London in one of our more historic buildings. I had to sit through endless meetings about how it wasn't appropriate for the neighborhood, how our investors thought it wasn't a good tenant, etc. I gotta give those guys kudos for standing up to the antiquated laws and beliefs held by many in both the wizarding and muggle societies. "Where is she? I will even put up with Ginny Potter, but I'm going to take her for a girls day. Show that weasel what he gave up. Blaisey, I'll need the credit card for this. Something along the lines of some new clothes, a day at the spa, the full treatment."

"Pans, you'll need a new dress anyways. We're moving up the announcement party date." I explain, still focused on the little ball of sweet baby smell laying on my chest.

"Draco, are you thinking of more kids? Because watching you." Blaise starts in again on me, his wife nodding in agreement.

"I don't want to think - or even mention kids - right now. Not with weasel having a baby. I just don't know how he plans on juggling a mistress with a baby and wanting 'Mione back? I keep thinking about those idiot polygamists. Sorry, but for me one wife is enough. It's bad enough having an ex wife…"

"Draco, we knew a long time ago," Pansy stresses, "the guy's an idiot. I mean he chose that Lavender Brown cow over Hermione originally. Now he cheats on her? She really does deserve better. Plus, I like her better than Astoria truth be told. You two are good together. And I would love to see little Granger/Malfoy babies running around. They'd be cute and smart and troublesome. Then at school driving McGonagall, Flitwick, and Slughorn nuts. It'll be entertaining."

"Pans, that's down the road." Blaise chides her. "Right now we have damage control. You get with Ginny Potter and schedule the girls day. Take Trini too. She deserves it. Get dresses for the Ministry and MII holiday parties too. We probably should all go this year. I'll get with the Social Team and let them know we aren't declining the Ministry parties, well at least the ones that Hermione is going to. I know the Ministry is going to start scheduling them and they usually call Social to see if there are any conflicts with our schedules.
"Now the PR team," Blaise continues, "it's going to be harder to explain why the MII team is trying to squash the 'return of the weasel king' story. But knowing them they'll find a reason that isn't the real reason. That's why we hired the best of the best."

"I thought it was to deal with Draco's antics?" Pansy jokes.

I am still looking down at the little bundle on my chest. She's right about a baby. Or two or three. I wouldn't mind being a daddy again. But it's up to my beautiful bride if she wants to start over. I could do the Mr Mom thing she was joking about earlier. Yeah, after this blows over and after the announcement party, I'll ask. No pushing, but I'll ask about her feelings on it.

"Dracooooooooo. Helloooooooo. We lost you." Blaise is watching me with a knowing eye. His wife is worse.

"Sorry, got lost in this cuteness here. You two did good with her."

"Nice try mate," his eyes are laughing. "We both know better. Now other than subjecting weasel to Pansy here, what revenge can we get on him?"

"Oh I think Ginny Potter will be enough. She may be his sister, but Hermione is her best friend and practically her sister too. And to do this to her… He won't have anymore kids after this little antic of his. Harry said he was going to castrate him in the Minister's office."

"Pass the popcorn and tell him to get in line. I have dibs on the weasel's crappy redheaded junk," Pans looks like she'd cut off all his junk then feed it to him for breakfast. "He won't have kids after I'm done with him. With or without the Saint Potter's help."

Yeah, I was right. I hate being right sometimes. This isn't one of those times.

"I don't want to go, but I promised my bride that I'd be back with the portkey and lunch for us all. I don't know how these poor kids are going to deal. I mean they've heard that their mum was kidnapped by a blasted nutter. Then Rosie's party. Then that we got married. Now they're finally settling down in their new home to have weasel back." I pause. "Have Trini get her shrink friend make room for the kids. They might need someone with a professional background in crazy to deal with what's happened this week. Hell I might. Or I might just borrow this little puggy for some time."

Pans just quirks an eyebrow, "If you borrow Esme, just expect one of your own in 9 or so months Draco Malfoy. You and me both know how your wife was when she held her. She had the same face that you have now."

"Pansy love, I think it is a fair bet that in the next 5 months or so we will hear that there will be little Malfoys on their way." I see Blaise's betting ways is not going to squash this idea.

"Fine since I see bets being made already, take your daughter back. Just don't let me know who has when. Oh and you may want to bring in the Weasleys, or at least George. If I recall he and his twin were the head bookmakers at school." I hand the precious little puggy back to her mummy, "Now I have to go and get everything together for my bride and our family, before it falls apart."

Trini greets me with a basket of food from our cafeteria. Well you can't really call it a cafeteria. Considering we just got our 3rd Michelin Star last month. Doesn't hurt that the Executive Chef is a wizard and half his staff are elves. Muggles really didn't have a chance.

"Scorp is on the way back to the house with his school supplies. Astoria wanted to double check about the broom. I told her that I think you believe he'll actually make the house team this year. Or at least come close. He is a Malfoy. Theo is on his way to Hermione's old house to see where the weaknesses are. He doesn't think having a member of security there would be prudent right now if weasel stays there. Though Marcus Flint volunteered for the duty. Something about revenge for a Slytherin/Gryffindor game you lost back in the day." She says with a smirk. "I don't think weasel has a chance. He has all of Slytherin house against him on a good day, and then he has the guts to hurt his own house's golden girl? I would be surprised if his body isn't found in some sausage meat grinder."

"Trini, I think there is a line. Pansy will push her way to the front, but I think Ginny Potter will be up there too."

"I'll bring the popcorn then. And drinks. I'll make a party out of it." I love the support that my wife has, from everyone around her. "Social is coming up with a list of dates, most in late October to mid November and have already owl'd Minerva. I don't know how she's going to react to the message. Don't be surprised if she shows up at your house tonight. You know if she hears about everything, she'll be right in line for whooping the weasel's arse."

"I think if it gets out at school what happened, half the teachers will be on Hermione's side. She was loved at school. Even Slughorn loved her. More than me now that I think about it." I grumble. But it isn't about me. It's about her. "Make sure the professors from when we were there are invited to the party." I think about anything else, but come up empty. Right now I am worried about how to tell the kids. "Blaise may have some other things but…"

"Go. Your brain isn't here. When a date is secured, I'll have the board be aware of a party. I can't say it is a surprise party, but a surprise for the guests. We're under control here. Oh there is one thing: the Hemi-finals the contract is to be drawn up this week. Would you like to review when it goes to the barristers?"

"Please. Especially since I know it better than Simpson."

"I'll have them send it over." I can see her eyes look stressed. "I'm serious, if there's anything…"

"Get with Blaise and Pansy. And don't get in on any bets."

"They think they're starting the baby bets?" I nod. "It started at Rosie's birthday. Ginny Potter got dibs and called me for the 'in'. I already have my timeframe locked in, though I repeat no going on paternity leave anytime soon."

Great, everyone I know is stacked against me. Or is it for me. I look back one last time at baby Esme, seeing her chocolate brown eyes watch me. I know she can't see me at her age and at this distance, but still there is something knowingly in them. Even she knows something I don't.

"I'll text you tonight to update you. I'll be out of range until then. You may want to let Rebecca, Hermione's secretary, know also. I trust you can come up with an excuse."

"They ran off to start making babies?" I glare at her. "Fine. I'll figure something. Like revisit the hemi-final location and it is out of range." Now she gets it. "Off, before you get in trouble with your wife. We all like this one."

"So do I Trini. More than you can imagine."

"Honey are you home?" I call out as I walk in the foyer.

"In here. We're waiting on Scorp. He can't find something to take with him according to Astoria."

I find my beauty in the living room, with her kids in toe. I can't help but smile at what my life has come to: the perfect family, two boys and a daughter, an amazing wife, and a home that is all ours. "If all else fails, we send it to him. We don't want the food getting cold."

"Where are we going Mr… sorry Draco," Hugo asks humbly. I look at him and can't really see his father. At least not the attitude Ron has. Physically, yeah he looks all Weasley. And he doesn't have his mother's brilliance.

"Hugo, you can call me whatever you're comfortable with. There is no pressure. On either of you. Understand."

Rosie grumbles, "just pressure being the kids of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Now the stepkids of Draco Malfoy. Is everyone in our generation the kids of someone famous?"

"Sorry princess," my bride consoles, "but you got dealt this hand. No. Not everyone is going to be the child of someone who is on one side or the other of the war. Draco, he wasn't really given the option. And if you say so at school, the professors will agree. Remember we fought alongside these professors at the battle."

I see her eyes get distant, "What your mum is saying Rosie, is that there was a lot of grey to this war. Not all black and white. The teachers, our classmates, your family - we all have our own scars and we deal with it differently. I lost one of my best friends. Mrs Zabini, well she wanted your uncle Harry thrown to Voldemort at the absolute wrong time. Your aunt Ginny, I saw the pain on her face when Voldemort said that uncle Harry was dead. But it was my mother that had lied to him. I didn't know it at the time. Didn't find out until months later, when Harry came and thanked my mother for her sacrifice and then stood up for us during our trial. If it ever gets hard, know that your professors will be there to help you. And your family. And your mum and I. You aren't alone. Know that. Many of your classmates will have last names in the History of Magic books you'll read. And in your mum's favorite, 'Hogwarts: A History'. But don't be afraid of it. Be proud. I mean, how many of your classmates that aren't related to you can say that they know the 'Golden Trio'? Trust me, my old house would never admit to anything like that."

I look over at my wife and take her hand. I know she is as fearful as I am with our kids going to school. With names like Granger, Weasley, Potter and Malfoy their family past is bound to be known by their classmates. Mine makes me fearful for Scorp. He's a great boy, with a good head and a strong heart; but he still carries the legacy of Malfoy and all that comes with it one that he will have to rise above every day. Whereas Rose has the Weasley and Granger to live up to. It is hard for both of them. One can't go down, and one has so far to rise.

I see the fireplace glow green and Theo and Scorp step out.

"Draco, found him looking for your old necktie. Can you believe he wants to follow in your muddy footsteps." Theo jokes.

"Better than yours mate."

My son looks up to his 'uncle Theo', "Thank you again. Now can I go?" I didn't notice the firm grip that Theo had on Scorp's shoulder until he released it and my son ran upstairs to drop off the last of his belongings.

Theo nods me into the other room. "Kids as soon as Scorp comes down, we'll be on our way. Just give me a minute." I kiss the brunette beauty that is my wife on the crown of her head.

We go into the sunroom just off the kitchen, where Theo gets down to business. "Marcus is outside Hermione's house, but the weasel is already threatening him. He's throwing his rank as auror around. But Potter came by and told him that he was resigned when he disappeared and that it would behoove him - which threw Marcus off because he still is part neanderthal - to find another place to crash. One that isn't Weasley or Potter owned. Or practically owned by anyone he knows." Theo pauses. I'm not sure if I like what is next. "His indiscretion is all over the Ministry. No one is blaming Hermione, of course, but there is no way to keep it out of the Prophet and Witch Weekly. Pansy is calling in all her contacts and friends to get them to keep it as quiet as possible, but this is Ron Weasley who cheated on Hermione Granger and knocked up the slag. My next thing is finding this gal, but she's American and a Muggle and you know how MACUSA is about those things. I have a contact out there that I've touched base with, but it isn't going to be easy. All we have is the dad's name and a baby girl. And we don't know if weasel used his proper name. Weasel should be grateful he is an auror and has the training he does. Otherwise he and his baby girl wouldn't be around. Enjoy the beach house with the Missus, boss." He said the last part without missing a step.

I'm taken back, how did he know where we're going? "Theo, there are times you scare even me with everything you get in such a short time."

"No Draco, it's simple. Whenever one of the execs checks out a portkey it comes across my desk. And you and Hermione, that was a given since school. She just needed to lose the redhead brigade and you needed to get your head out of your arse."

"I don't know if I should fire you or give you a raise."

"Just think about mid November."

"For what?"

"I'm in the baby pool."

"Shove off Nott before I kick your arse." I shake my head. Great, even my best mates are in on this bloody pool. I'd better break it to my wife. "'Mione! Darling, I need to talk to you in the kitchen please."

"Scorp is done and the kids are waiting. Is this important?"

"Love, I need you to get in touch with Ginny when we get back and call off this bloody pool she has going."

"What? I don't know of any…"

"Yeah I'm getting the brunt of it."

"What has she done now? Start talking."

"A baby pool. Theo just told me he's 'in for mid November'. Whatever that means. And Trini has her time blocked off. I guess your sister started this at Rosie's party."

"Oh no. That is not what I need now. Ugh." At least she's smiling about it. Maybe that is a sign that she's not completely against a baby? "I'll talk to her," she says with a sigh. "But Draco… if we."

"If we do, we do. It is up to you darling. Anything you choose I will support."

"So if we do, you wouldn't be upset?"

I shake my head, and pull her close to me. It sounds more and more that she is interested, but don't get your hopes up Malfoy. It may never happen. "Nope. If we do, I'll consider myself lucky. But it is your call love."

"Great, no pressure or anything." I see the teasing look return to her eyes. "But let's get going. We have to break some news to the kids."

I can't shake this. Maybe because of holding little Esme earlier. Maybe because starting over with the witch I love sounds perfect. Maybe I do picture a couple of little Granger-Malfoy babies running around and ultimately tormenting the teachers at Hogwarts. Maybe it is that I just can't fathom the idea of not making love to my wife. Either way, there is a maybe in our future.