Rose Lavender Weasley was born on August 29th at five in the morning. Accompanied with Ron's letter detailing his greatest achievement to date was also a letter from Narcissa. An invitation, really, to a party where Hermione herself would be the guest of honor. Needless to say, the brunette was shocked, especially when she had told her mother-in-law that she had wanted to stay out of the limelight.

"She finished taking care of the problem." Draco said sleepily to her left. Hermione looked over at him, the appalling invitation in her hand.

"What do you mean?"

Draco yawned and rubbed at his eyes. "I made sure no one would hurt you with my contract. Mother made her impression on those who posed the most threat."

Hermione arched a brow. "Wouldn't your contract already do that?"

"From physically harming you, yes. But it doesn't control their mouths, or so Mother insisted." He was wide awake now and sighed as he looked at his wife's growing stomach. "Stress is stress, Hermione. You don't need any of it."

Hermione smiled. She looked back at the letter and nodded to herself as she folded it back up.

"Do I want to know what she did?"

"I'll tell you as a bedtime story tonight."

So dramatic… Hermione couldn't help but think. But could she honestly expect anything different? This was the man raised by the woman who had sent her an invitation with a date of December 25th, 2003. A formal unveiling of Narcissa's daughter-in-law, who would be two months shy of giving birth by then, and her grandson, who at eight months would steal the show, on Hermione and Draco's one year wedding anniversary.

Hermione chuckled. Narcissa Malfoy certainly had a flare for the extravagant.

The next three months were a bit of a blur, but they were happy ones as evidenced by the numerous Daily Prophet articles that had taken to writing about the Malfoys in that space of time.

The Malfoys:

One Son Already, Another On The Way!

The Malfoy Home for Children Welcomes Seventeen New Kids

A Dark Past Helps:

Draco Malfoy, Promoted to Lead Auror (Dark Arts Division)

War Heroine Turned Teacher?

Hermione Malfoy to Add a Learning Center to The Malfoy Home for Children

Hermione and Draco were on a fast track, that was for certain, and they were loving it. Nothing ill had befallen them in these past few months and, given their record, that was a miracle. The only thing that was troublesome was the unhappy and perhaps angry expression on Draco's face every two to three weeks. It was slight, but Hermione knew her husband well enough to catch it. Something was wrong and irked her to the core that he wouldn't tell her.

Her first assumption as to why was that he didn't want to stress her. Annoying, but a valid point. Healer Hasbrook and Dr. Lonnegan said that her pregnancy was moving along swimmingly despite the circumstances, but had emphasized one thing: little no to stress. Draco had taken those words to heart and tried his best to keep her calm at all times. Of course, that led her to want to wring his neck at all times, but she kept in mind that his overprotective nature was coming from a good place.

It wasn't until this late November that Hermione figured out why her husband was so agitated.

She was in the Owlery (a broad term considering there was only one owl). She was smiling and reading a letter from Lydia who had just wrapped up an assignment in Turkey and could finally make contact with her family and friends. Hermione had dipped her quill in ink, ready to respond, when another owl came through the charmed window. It dropped a letter on the reception desk for all correspondences and left. That was normal. What wasn't normal was the fact that the letter disappeared. Vanished. Completely went poof.

Hermione was more than confused and set her quill aside to get up (with minor difficulties) to inspect the place where the letter has gone from. Maybe she hadn't seen when it fell? And so she leaned over a little, but saw nothing. Her lips were set up in a frown now from this odd puzzle.

"For heaven's sake, you're a witch." She scolded herself and took out her wand. She pointed it's tip to where the letter had been before and performed a tracking spell. The spot lit up and a red streak of magic led it's way out of the Owlery.

Hermione abandoned the room and followed it to the study. Draco was there, standing in front of his desk, when the red light went over his shoulder and settled somewhere in front of him.

"What the hell…?"

"Why are letters materializing into your desk, Draco?"

Draco turned around and faced her like a child caught with a mouthfull of forbidden candy.

"It's nothing."

Hermione pursed her lips and crossed her arms. "Really? Can I see it?"

Draco's face seemed to drain of color, and he swallowed deeply. "I already said that it's nothing. You really don't have to-"

"I may not have to, but I want to." Hermione replied sternly. "We don't hide things from each other. Now, move away from the desk."

"What?" He blinked rapidly.

"You heard me."

"Hermione," Draco begged. "It's really nothing to trouble yourself with. You don't need the stress."

"What if I told you that you're the one causing me stress? Does that change things a bit for you?"

Her husband instantly looked at her stomach and then sighed. He did as she said, going even further to open the drawer he had been standing in front of, and shifting things aside to pop up a faux bottom. Hermione's curiosity was twice as piqued now and she walked over.

There was more than one letter there. Six or seven on first glance, and his name elegantly written on top.

"Open one," Draco told her. Hermione did, and her mouth dropped when she saw the name signed at the bottom.

"Your father's been writing you?" Hermione exclaimed. "And…you haven't written him back?"

"No."

"But he's your father. How could you not write him back?"

"I have nothing to say to him."

Hermione's face fell. "But-"

"Why would I?" Draco snapped. "Honestly, why? This is the same man who encouraged his sixteen-year-old son to join ranks with the most evil man the wizarding world has ever known.

'I know that I can't put all my blame on him. I'm an autonomous person and I made my own decisions too, but most of them were in the confines of what my father built."

Draco sighed and glanced at the open drawer with his father's unopened letters. "I can't talk to him, Hermione. Not without feeling angry about the life he designed for me."

Hermione frowned bitterly. She hadn't seen Draco this upset in months and it worried her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the baby began to move and placed a hand on her stomach. Draco's instant panic was evident.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

She reopened her eyes and smiled. "Nothing. He's just a little restless in there."

Despite her answer or smile Draco was not soothed. "This is precisely why I didn't want to tell you."

"Draco, it's normal," she tried to calm him. "It's a baby. Babies move."

"Not helping," he replied agitatedly. "Can you put back the letter and go rest now?"

Hermione knew when talking to Draco was pointless and gave in. She returned the letter to its place and watched as her husband fixed back the faux bottom.

"He's just going to keep writing you, you know."

"And they'll end up right here when he does."

"Right…" Hermione answered with a bite of her inner jaw. "But do you want to know what conclusion I've come to?"

Draco side-glanced at her and gave a subtle nod to continue.

"If you really didn't want to talk to your father, you would've thrown the letters away."

Draco stood frozen, at a loss for a rebuttal. His wife gave him a kiss on the cheek, a gentle squeeze of his arm, and then left the room. He continued to stay there, his thoughts on those letters that yes, he did try to burn once, but…he couldn't do it.

"Congratulations!" Everyone shouted, Hermione included. Ron was beaming, as was Lavender as she held their three month old daughter.

The Burrow was at max capacity with an innumerable amount of Weasleys and friends. Ron had proposed to Lavender just the night before and Molly had drained her supply of ink, parchment, and food to throw the couple an engagement party.

Hermione, quite unashamedly, stayed close to the dessert table. Her soon-to-be-born son had a ridiculous sweet tooth and she couldn't help but be drawn to anything coated in something sugary. Like chocolate. Definitely chocolate. And thank Merlin that the dessert table was full of it.

Harry spotted her from across the way and walked over. However, instead of saying hello, he stooped over a little and spoke to her stomach.

"You're going to make your mother rot her teeth. Don't you know your grandparents are dentists?"

Hermione was careful to finish chewing and swallowing before she laughed hysterically.

"I'll have you know, Mr. Potter, that this," she picked up a piece of pineapple, "is fruit."

"Yes, fruit," Harry nodded. "Fruit that you're about to dip into a fountain of chocolate. Hermione, that combination is disgusting."

"Well, I hope you don't mind me nitpicking your eating habits when you get pregnant."

Harry grinned. "Alright, alright, I get it. Don't critique a pregnant woman. Noted. Where's Malfoy?"

"Home with Aiden," Hermione answered as her fingers hovered over what else she wanted to eat. "According to him, Aiden's 'far too ill to be surrounded by those muggle germ things.'"

"I see. Using the kid as a way to get out of being around twenty plus Weasleys."

Hermione smiled. "Precisely. Aiden's actually doing much better than yesterday. Although, despite Draco's true reasoning, he's sort of right. Better to keep him sheltered, if just for another day. What?"

Harry had been staring at her intently and after a moment he sighed contentedly. "Nothing, you just… You look really happy, and I'm glad."

Hermione's heart swelled at that and she reached over for a hug. "I am happy, Harry. Thank you."

"Hey, I'm the one getting married," Ron's voice came out of nowhere. "Where's my hug?"

Hermione laughed and pulled one arm from Harry in order to grab Ron to join. She hugged her friends tightly and at that moment she was so thankful to have them. Not to mention that she was proud. Looking back on where they all started to where they were now in their adult lives, it was nice. Ups and downs, yes, but ultimately everything was okay.

"Where's Uncle Draco?"

The trio broke apart and looked down at the blonde little girl staring up at them.

"Where's Uncle Draco?" Victoire asked again with a pout. Hermione smiled at her gently.

"He's at home. Aiden's a little under the weather so he stayed with him."

"Oh…" Victoire shuffled her feet a little before she glanced at Ron and Harry before saying at a whisper, "Can I tell you a secret?"

Ron and Harry immediately took the hint and pretended to be deciding what dessert they wanted while Hermione bent down as low as her stomach would allow towards Victoire.

"Of course, what is it?"

"This party is boring. Can I go to your house and stay with Uncle Draco?"

Hermione's smile broadened and she giggled. "You'll have to ask your parents and then they can take you."

Victoire's face lit up and she ran through the crowd until she found her father. Hermione shrugged towards Harry and Ron before waddling after her.

"Mummy, can I go to Uncle Draco's house?"

Fleur paused her conversation with Molly and looked down at her daughter.

"You want to go where?"

"Uncle Draco's house, please." Victoire said pleasantly. "I want to play with him."

Fleur seemed quite at a loss for words. Molly was beaming and gave her granddaughter a tiny pat on the head.

"Well, aren't you sweet?" She turned to Fleur and said, "It can't hurt. Besides, this party is for grownups."

"Yeah!" Victoire agreed. "Grownups, and I'm a little girl!"

Fleur laughed, sighed, and shook her head. "Oh, alright. But ask your father too. 'E can take you if 'e says yes."

Victoire squealed in delight and took off to find her other parent. He was talking to Andromeda while a bored out of his mind Teddy stood next to her.

"Daddy," Victoire approached him. "This is a grown-up party, and I'm a kid, and it's no fun, and I want to play with Uncle Draco at his house. Mummy already said yes."

Bill stared blankly at his daughter who had said quite a mouthful. Hermione was trying her hardest to keep a straight face but it was too adorable.

Teddy had heard every word and his mouth dropped as he turned to his grandmother.

"Can I go too?" He asked her. "Please!"

Andromeda shared a look with Bill who gave a resigned sigh.

"Okay. I'll take you both."

Draco was exhausted. It had been a while since he'd taken care of Aiden by himself and he promptly decided that Hermione needed a day to pampered. Maybe a week.

His son was alseep now after having to hold and rock him for a straight two hours. Not to mention walk all through the house while doing it. All he wanted to do now was sit right there on his favorite couch, close his eyes, and-

"Hi, Uncle Draco!"

"Hi, cousin Draco!"

"Why do you call him cousin?"

"Because he is. My Nan told me."

Draco snapped his eyes open to find Victoire and Teddy standing in front of him, both with wide grins on their faces. Bill was behind them and he was highly amused.

"You've got admirers."

Draco furrowed his brow as he glanced from one child to the other. "So I see."

"The party got boring so they wanted to spend the rest of the time with you." Bill explained. "I don't know what the h-e-l-l you've done to bewitch the kids, but they're fascinated with you."

Victoire gasped. "You spelled a bad word! Mummy's not going to like that."

"Mummy doesn't like when I say bad words, not spell them."

Draco chuckled and gave the eldest Weasley a mental "touché.

"I'll grab them after the party, deal?"

An inner panic gripped Draco at having to handle two five year olds alone, but he nodded either way.

Bill smiled. "Good. I'm off then. Victoire, Teddy, be good."

Both children nodded and watched as Bill left. Once he was gone they climbed onto the couch, one on either side of him. Suddenly Draco felt like he'd been set up.

Teddy opened his mouth first. "Do you know how to play wizards and dragons?"

"Oh!" Victoire squealed. "I love wizards and dragons. Can you play, Uncle Draco?"

"Um," Draco cleared his throat. "I've never heard of it."

"It's fun!" Teddy said happily. "You're either a wizard or a dragon. And the wizard has to get the dragon."

"But the dragon is mean," Victoire added. She raised her hands and curled her fingers like they were claws. "And the dragon tries to get you too!"

"Do you want to be a wizard or dragon?" Teddy and him. Draco grinned.

"Dragon," he replied. "But before we play I have to put Silencing Charms on Aiden's bedroom door so we don't wake him."

"Can we come?" Victoire asked.

Draco nodded, and the two little ones hopped off the couch to follow him. On the way one grabbed his hand, the other did the same, and he instantly thought of the future. Him holding onto his sons' when they reached this age.

"Aunt Hermione said he didn't feel good." Victoire frowned as she looked at the door.

"He doesn't, but he's much better today." Draco answered and then proceeded to cast charms so Aiden wouldn't hear anything. Draco would still be able to hear him though.

"Alright," he turned to the two eager-eyed children. "Are you ready?"

Teddy and Victoire nodded enthusiastically. Now, Draco had never been a dragon before, nor had he ever done something so childish -even from his childhood. However, he would attempt to be the best dragon there was.

"Okay then…" Draco, feeling foolish, but doing it anyway, raised his hands like Victoire did. "You'd better try to get me before I get you!"

Victoire and Teddy laughed and yelled, both running down the hall as Draco chased after them. That night he ran. He tickled. He gave a "dragon's roar" because Teddy said that dragons have to. In the end Draco gave in and let them tackle him to the living room floor. And then they settled onto the couch as he read them one of Aiden's bedtime storybooks. Between getting read to and running around all night, Teddy and Victoire eventually fell asleep.

Draco did too.

When Hermione and Bill came back to the house it was after midnight. They were sure that the children would've fallen asleep by now, and so Bill had packed a small bag with pyjamas and extra clothes for his daughter while Andromeda had done the same for Teddy. What they hadn't expected, however, was to find them and Draco sleeping deeply on the living room couch downstairs. All three of them seemed completely tuckered out, and Hermione was absolutely beside herself at how the children clung to Draco's arms like they were their favorite toys.

"I swear she loves him more than me." Bill said with a shake of his head. He then looked over at Hermione and smirked. "What is it? The hair?"

Hermione laughed quietly. "Why are you asking me?"

Bill shrugged. "You married him."

Yes, yes she did. And it was definitely more than the hair.

Author's note: Draco...is... ADORABLE. So many pleasant feels. And some not so pleasant concerning the ole Lucius. More on that front later!

I'm also happy to announce that my stories Happily Divorced and Need both won for the Enchanted Awards Summer 2017. My first win for anything! So, thanks for reading, voting, and just all-around support :)

-WP

Replies to Guests

KangBoRam: Wasn't she?! Lol. I love her so much! Mwuahahaha...

Guest: "Haha aww..." Glad that you liked it! Hope you enjoyed this ball of fluff chapter too :D

Guest2: "Awesome update!" Thank you!