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CHAPTER TWO: Red Doors
There was a knock at the door. Hermione looked up from her book, but didn't move. Another knock. Narcissa had gone to town, the boys were at school, and Harry and Ginny were both working, thus leaving her alone. With no other choice, Hermione stood and shuffled to the door, charming out of her silken bathrobe and into a dark blue sundress.
Hermione brushed off her skirt, although she knew it was unneeded, and took a small breath, hoping she looked presentable enough for whoever was behind the slab of redwood. Only important people visited Malfoy Manor during the week. She just hoped she'd be able to help whomever it was. It was always awkward when the visitors asked for Narcissa and she wasn't home... Hermione would sit them in the parlor, serve tea and biscuits... and always manage to make herself look incredibly stupid. There was one more knock and she worked up her courage, opening the door.
"Yes?" she asked sympathetically after giving the visitor a good once-over. Before her stood a man with long blonde hair and troubled features. He wore a dirty black jacket over his stained blue shirt and over-washed muggle jeans, caked almost to the knee with mud. She felt sorry for him, really. He looked very run down and worried, but as he saw her, the man's mouth dropped and his eyes sparkled. Hermione looked curiously at him. "Can I help you, sir?"
The man remained silent for a moment and Hermione continued to eye him skeptically. If he asked for help, she'd give it to him. Food, a room for the night, anything he wanted... but she didn't want to assume that was why he'd come to her door.
"H-Hermione?" he asked, voice cracking slightly as if his throat were parched, and Hermione stood a bit straighter. She narrowed her eyes, trying to recognize the man... but she simply had no idea. There was something familiar... in his eyes... but she just couldn't place him.
"Yes..." she said hesitantly. "May I ask your name, sir?"
A radiative happiness filled the man's face. Hermione could honestly say she'd never seen anyone look so happy. It made her smile slightly.
"Hermione..." he whispered, then seemed to realize what he was doing and straightened. He placed a hand on his chest to acknowledge himself. "It's me, Hermione... it's Draco."
Hermione's smile fell and her heart stopped. She looked the man over again. Could it be...? No. Draco died. She was dreaming... she'd waited too long for this day; it couldn't be real. She narrowed her eyes at the man.
"That isn't at all humorous, sir. I demand to know who you are, and who put you up to this," she stated heatedly and saw the happiness drain from the man's features.
"You don't believe me... how can you not believe me?" he asked, sounding hopelessly put out. Hermione glared.
"Of course I don't believe you," she cursed. "My husband died a long time ago. Now kindly, remove yourself from my property." The man smiled crookedly.
"We were never married," he stated like a fact and Hermione felt a swell rise in her throat. This was much too painful.
"Sir, please..."
"Wait... your property? What about Mother?" he asked, sounding worried.
"Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy still resides here, if that is whom you are referring to," she relayed, noting that the man looked relieved. "Sir, I am not going to ask you again. State your name or remove yourself from Malfoy Manor."
"You have to believe me, Hermione... it's me. Really."
Hermione nervously lifted a hand to brush the hair from her eyes, and the man noticed her engagement ring, still nestled on her finger. He smiled.
"Remember the rainstorm, Hermione?" he started. She closed her eyes. "In the marketplace? And the little white church with red doors?" A tear collected in the corner of Hermione's eye and she brought a shaky hand to wipe it away. The man who claimed to be Draco stepped forward, taking her hand from her face. To his surprise, she didn't pull away. "Remember when you told me how you loved churches with red doors, and I promised we'd get married in one?" Again Hermione was silent. Tears now streamed freely down her face and Draco wanted badly to console her, but he couldn't just yet.
"Yes..." she whispered and he smiled.
"Do you remember the little flat in Rhode Island, Hermione? The one with..."
"Red doors..." Draco smiled and nodded. "And the old man who lived next door, and always called my Billy, no matter how many times I corrected him." Hermione nodded, bringing the other hand to her face to wipe away the tears, not wanting to take her hand from this man's grasp. "And his wife, who every morning would ask..."
"Are you married yet?" she said shakily and his smile grew.
"And we would say no, Mrs. Caprice, not yet. And do you remember what she'd say?"
Hermione nodded.
"In my day, girlies kept their guarders locked until their wedding night," they said in unison and Hermione laughed softly. She sniffled a bit and looked up at him. At the man who claimed to be her long lost fiancé. Draco smiled warmly, a flame in his eyes. Hermione knew that flame, and it was then that she knew he wasn't lying. This wasn't a joke... this was Draco. She could only hope it wasn't a dream.
"Right," he said softly. "And the day we left that flat, do you remember what you said?" She nodded.
"I said I'd always remember that, because of..."
"The red doors," he finished for her, and Hermione nodded again, her lip quivering. Draco frowned. He'd never liked it when she cried... even if it was for a good cause. "Hermione..." he said again, taking a step closer, and Hermione gave in. At that moment, she forgot about the impossibility of the situation before her. Disregarded the part of her mind that claimed she was dreaming. She didn't care if he was dirty, if she hadn't seen him in six years, if he was supposed to be dead. She just wanted to touch him, even for a moment. "Do you believe me?"
Hermione nodded quickly, dropping his hand and bringing hers to his face.
"Yes..." she said and the happiness again flooded Draco's face, making her smile. He wanted to pick her up and spin her around, hold her again... kiss her again... but he didn't want to scare her.
"So, can I come in?" he asked awkwardly, and Hermione smiled.
"It's your house, I just live here," she said, having trouble keeping her emotions in check. She wanted the same thing he did... to just be together again... but there were matters to discuss before she simply let him back into her life. Hermione stepped to the side and Draco entered, stopping to stand in front of her, eyes never leaving her face. Hermione held out her hand, which was still shaking. "Come with me?"
"Anywhere," Draco agreed, placing his hand in hers. Hermione closed her eyes briefly as she savored his touch, then closed the door before heading to the parlor. Draco followed silently, having to scold himself repeatedly for wanting to stop and spin her into him. Hermione let go once they'd made it to her destination.
"You can... have a seat. I'll make some tea?"
Draco smiled sadly, but gave a soft nod, and Hermione smiled, biting her nails as she fetched her wand from a hidden pocket and started directing the tea table objects around. Draco smiled at the sight; it'd been so long since he'd seen magic. He sat softly on one of the plush leather sofas and waited, watching as Hermione shakily poured and spiced his tea, trying as best as she could to remember how he liked it. It wasn't hard. She'd made her tea that exact way ever since he left... although she never much cared for honey. When Hermione tried to pick up the tray, it shook so badly she had to set it back down. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath, much to Draco's amusement, and levitated it behind her as she sat on the couch, not too close... but certainly not too far. Hermione twiddled with her hands after serving him his cup, and Draco only took a sip, soothing his parched throat and savoring the flavor. No one made his tea like Hermione did. When she wiped her eyes again, he set his cup on the glass table in front of them.
"You can calm down, Hermione... I'm not a ghost."
Hermione took a stuttered breath, then looked up at him, a certain fire in her eyes.
"It sure as hell seems like it. You were gone for six years, Draco. Six years, I thought you were dead... and then you just show up at my doorstep? Do you expect me to just jump into your arms and give myself back to you?" she ranted, tears pouring down her face. Draco looked utterly shocked. He knew she wouldn't do so right away, but yes, he expected that to happen. The more he thought about it, the more he knew she was right. He'd been gone a very long time... it was understandable that she'd be a little upset... but shouldn't she also be happy to see him again? Unless...
"Is there someone else?" he asked somewhat timidly, sounding depressed. Hermione shot her eyes to him.
"What?"
"It's okay, Hermione. I was gone... please tell me, I won't be at all angry."
"There could never be anyone else," she said sadly, looking down at her hands. Draco couldn't help but to smile slightly.
"You never dated?" Hermione wanted to shake her head, but she just couldn't. Seeing her tear up again, Draco reassured her. "It's okay, I promise."
"Once. Last year. Your mother fixed us up... she thought I needed to move on," she explained and Draco nodded. That sounded like his mother... always having the best intentions in mind for people. Hermione shook her head. "But I left before it even ended. It was just too hard... too soon... something." She paused a moment, then looked up at him. "What happened, Draco? If you couldn't come home, you could've sent a letter... something. Did it ever occur to you that I might think you'd died? That everyone would?"
Draco looked sad and turned down to the carpet, removing his eyes from her for the first time since he'd set them on again.
"I didn't wake up for three months. I didn't know where I was... I didn't have any money... the people there didn't even speak English. It was some sort of Indian tribe... I never did find out who they were. It really was quite horrible, Hermione. They were afraid of me at first I think... but that might have been my fault. I got a little frustrated and crazy... but, luckily the tribe was located in a rainforest, and I was able to leave the townsfolk to their business and live off whatever I could find in the jungle. It took me almost two years to find someone who could help me.
"He was an American biologist... on some sort of mission to help that tribe of people. He gave me proper food and clothes and let me come back to America with him. Unfortunately, that was as far as his help would go. So again I was stranded, but this time in Nevada. About as far away from you as I could possibly go without getting closer the other way.
"You have to believe that I tried to mail you, Hermione... I swear I did. I sent letters to our flat... the one in London... but they always came back return to sender. No muggle mail is allowed here... or at Hogwarts... and I didn't know where else to try. I don't know where any of your friends live... God, I felt so useless. I couldn't owl you, because I didn't have my wand... and I still have no idea where any wizarding villages are in that god forsaken state... there's nothing there; nothing. Just deserts... and cacti... and Las Vegas." Draco laughed shortly. "Vegas put me back about six months in my return. I wasn't careless... just desperate. I have no education... no degree... no experience with anything. I worked three minimum wage jobs...one days, one nights, and one weekends. I rented the cheapest living space I could find... my priorities were coming home, not sleeping well.
"Then, something happened. I won't go into detail... but basically, my bad living habits were catching up to me. When I had time to sleep, I couldn't... I just kept wondering how I would make it, you know? And I never ate much... and... I passed out. Right in the middle of the fry kitchen in the back of Earl's Diner, just on the borderline of Reno... and he fired me. Damn that ass. Due to grease burns, I was unable to continue my other jobs either... so I took up everything I'd saved... which was about enough to get me half way home... and took a bus to Vegas. It'd been over four years by then... I was desperate, Hermione. I wanted so much to just wake up here someday..."
"Why didn't you just apparate, Draco? You could've left the rainforest and been home after only three months..."
He shook his head.
"You can't apparate internationally, Hermione. That's why we still need passports," he explained and she nodded. "And lucky for me... you can't apparate between states of the United, either. After Vegas chewed me up and spit me out with no less than $500 to my name, I just started walking. I wanted to get as far away from that city as I could. I hitched rides... hopped trucks, occasionally took a bus... and last July, I made it back to Rhode Island." Hermione smiled when he did. "Again I took as many jobs as I could find. All I needed was to get to international waters... then I could apparate here, and take the two mile walk through the wards to get back to my mum... which I did this morning. I never expected you to be here... but I hoped she'd know where you were. I miss you so much, Hermione," he finished, turning his eyes back to her and she nodded.
"I miss you too." Hermione paused. "You sound like you've put a lot of thought into that." Draco laughed.
"You have no idea. I'm just glad I could finally tell you."
"Can I jump into your arms and give myself back to you now?" she asked timidly, but with a small smile, and Draco wasted no time moving forward and embracing her. She started to cry again, clinging frantically to his shirt. Draco held her as tight as he could.
"Shh... don't cry, Hermione... I'm home now. You've shed enough tears over me. I love you, Mia... I've always loved you." She cried harder, her grip tightening when he used her nickname. No one else had ever called her that... if she'd had any doubts as to the identity of this man, it would have become clear with that one word. She recalled one of Narcissa's social gatherings a few months ago. One of her good friends, the man she'd dated that one time, brought his girlfriend... named Amelia. The second he called her Mia, she'd left the room and burst into tears. Draco waited for Hermione to calm down a bit more before drawing back slightly. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, Hermione... I never meant for it to take that long..." She shook her head.
"I'd have waited ten times longer," she said in a whisper, looking up at him, and Draco smiled. Hesitantly, he leaned down, planning on a gentle kiss... but Hermione saw his intention and rushed the arrival, capturing his lips and letting them go wild. Something small in her mind hoped that she hadn't lost her touch... and another part laughed and screamed 'just kiss him!' When they broke apart, both were breathing hard.
"I've waited so long to touch you..." he said, letting his hands slide gently across her back, and Hermione smiled.
"I never thought you would," she said, sounding sad, and Draco kissed her again... with the same frantic passion and burning love. When they broke apart this time, it was Hermione who spoke. "I have one question," she said softly, leaning her head against his chest, and Draco smiled.
"What is it, love?"
"If you're here, who the hell is in there?" she asked, pointing to a wall mounted glass trophy case that held one object: an urn. Presumably his. Draco laughed softly and Hermione felt it radiate through his chest.
"I have no idea. What did you burn?" he asked. Hermione shook her head.
"Of course, there was no body... but, so I've been told, you incinerated. They didn't need to burn anything."
"So you scooped me off the floor and put me on a shelf?"
Hermione giggled and hugged him tighter.
"Basically. It used to be on the mantle, but two certain someone's tend to get a little rowdy... we figured it'd be safer up there. They don't know what that is, but they know they'll have hell to pay if they come within ten feet of it."
Draco felt his heart skip a beat. The baby. He hadn't forgotten the baby... but Hermione had been is prime concern. All thoughts of the little one drifted for a moment when he found her. Then, he registered her words.
"T-Two?" he stammered and she smiled.
"Only one is yours... the other is Harry's," she explained and Draco felt his heart drop again.
"H-Harry's? But you said there wasn't..."
"Harry and Ginny's," she corrected herself and Draco sighed. Once he regained himself, he felt a little more excited.
"Where are they?"
"They're at school... oh my god, it's Wednesday, I have to pick them up today! What time is it?" she said, sitting up. "Oh, I'm late..." she turned to the man beside her. "I have to go; I don't want them to worry. Nothing's changed here... all your clothes are still in your room. Here, take my wand... it might be a little dusty," she said and kissed him deeply, then pulled away to look at him. "I don't want to leave... promise me you'll be here when I get back."
"Of course I will."
Hermione smiled and stood. Draco looked from her to the wand in his hand and back.
"Wait, Mia... take me with you," he pleaded. She turned back and sighed.
"I can't, Draco. He'll know you... I don't know how he's going to react... I never told him you'd never come home... but he's so smart, Draco. He'll expect this about as much as I did... and he's only five years old... I need to work him into it a little."
"So it's a boy, is it?" he asked happily and Hermione smiled.
"Yes, you were right... I was wrong... it's a boy. A boy who looks so much like you it gives me chills sometimes," she said with a smile.
"What's his name? We never decided on one..."
"Draco."
~*~*~*~
Draco Jr. sat on the steps to his preschool, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth. He wanted his mother. Where was she? He'd been out there for much longer than ever before. Then, the little blonde heard scuffling footsteps. He gasped and turned around, only to be met with the cheery face of his teacher.
"Hello Mr. Burns," he said, looking up at the tall man. Draco Jr. loved Mr. Burns.
"Draco?" he questioned. "What are you doing all alone out here?" The dark skinned man smiled and the corners of his lips became hidden in his graying mustache. Jr. sighed.
"Waiting for my Mum. She's not here yet," he said, sounded slightly worried. "It is Wednesday, right?" Mr. Burns laughed.
"Yes, Draco; it's Wednesday." The aging man, with many soft moans of discomfort, lowered himself to sit beside the blonde on the steps. "Don't worry, kid... I'm sure something just came up. Your mum wouldn't leave you if it wasn't necessary." Jr. nodded.
"I just want her to come soon," he said and Mr. Burns rustled his hair. Jr. smiled. "Mummy always picks me and Eric up on Wednesday... Uncle Harry comes on Mondays, Auntie Ginny comes on Fridays, and Nanna comes on Tuesday and Thursday. I hope nothing happened to Eric... maybe she went to get him first." Mr. Burns looked interested.
"That's a very nice system. Who is Eric?"
"My... friend. Uncle Harry and Auntie Ginny are his mum and dad," Jr. explained. "They live in my house with me and Nanna and my mum." Mr. Burns nodded.
"So he's your cousin?"
Jr. shook his head in an overdramatic and childish way.
"No. Uncle Harry and Auntie Ginny aren't really my Auntie and Uncle... they're Mummy's friends. And Eric isn't really theirs...they ad-a-pot-o- mated him," Jr. said and his teacher chuckled.
"They adopted him?"
"Yeah, adopo... that."
The older man chortled again.
"Do you like Eric? Is he nice to you?" he asked, and Jr. nodded enthusiastically.
"He's my best friend... I like him even more than Jimmy. I knowed Eric since as long as I can 'member. Mummy says he's special, and it has something to do with MY daddy... but she says I'm too little to know yet."
"Do you know your daddy?" Mr. Burns asked, hoping that it wasn't a touchy subject, but such understanding was uncommon in young children. Jr. didn't look angry, he just seemed sad.
"No... I never met him. Mummy says he went away a long time ago, but she won't tell me if he's coming back. I don't think he will. She always cries when I ask her about him... but she liked my daddy. She tells me stories sometimes... and she makes up names, but I know they're really about her and Daddy. And if you look really close when she's not looking at you... you can see how much she misses what it was like when she lived those stories. I feel sad for my mummy. I never knowed Daddy, but she did... and now she doesn't have him no more. I wish he'd come back, for her. Even if I don't get to see him."
Mr. Burns nodded reassuringly. He had just opened his mouth to speak when a black Mercedes Benz turned into the parking lot. Jr. straightened.
"That's Mummy!" he said excitedly and Mr. Burns smiled.
"See? I told you she'd come," he said, patting the boy lightly on the back. As Hermione pulled her car around front, her son stood, slowly followed by Mr. Burns. Hermione threw the door open and hurried around the front of her car and toward the little blonde.
"Mummy!" he said again, running toward her. Hermione scooped him into her arms and held him close.
"Hey Junior," she said and kissed his cheek, which he promptly wiped off, then tied his arms around her neck. "I'm sorry Mr. Burns... I-" The teacher held up his hand.
"No need to explain, Mrs. Malfoy. Everyone has off-days."
Hermione smiled.
"I just may know that better than anyone," she said. "Thank you Sir. I apologize for keeping you, but I have to go; running late entirely this afternoon." Mr. Burns just shook his head.
"I'll see you in class tomorrow, ay, Draco?"
"Yes, Sir!" Jr. said, with a salute, and Mr. Burns laughed, then waved and started toward his car. Hermione found herself wondering what would happen if Draco Jr. went to Hogwarts and attempted to salute Professor Snape. She laughed to herself and opened the back door. "It's my turn to sit up front, Mummy." Draco stated and Hermione smiled.
"I know baby, but we have to pick up Eric... I don't have time to put your car-seat up there."
"I don't need a car-seat no more, Mummy. I'm a big boy, you said so," Jr. protested and she smiled.
"Not that big. We don't want you getting hurt now, do we?" she asked, trying to explain her motives. He looked a little sad. "Just do this for Mummy, okay? I tell you what; I'll make Eric sit next to you." Jr. smiled speedily.
"Really?"
"Yes, baby," she said, sitting him down, and Jr. happily let her fasten him in. "There. Ready?" He nodded enthusiastically and Hermione closed the door, walking back to the driver's seat and sliding in. "Okay..." she said as she started the car, speeding off toward the Elementary school. After no more than a minute of silent driving, Hermione took a slight breath. "Draco, I need to talk to you, okay, baby?" she asked, glancing at him in the rear-view mirror mounted in the center of the windshield.
Jr. looked surprised. She'd called him by his first name... and she still looked happy. That had never happened before... this must be good.
"Okay, Mummy."
"Do you remember when you asked me if your Daddy was ever going to come home?" she asked and Jr.'s smile dropped. Maybe this wasn't so good. Maybe she'd finally decided he was old enough to know what he already knew; that Daddy wasn't coming home.
"Yes, Mummy."
"Why do you think I didn't answer you?"
Jr. was quite surprised at this question, but answered truthfully.
"Because you didn't want me to know that he wasn't going to come home... and you cried because you miss him."
Hermione nodded slowly and Jr. felt himself grow cheerless. He'd known it was true, but when his mother validated it, it seemed more real.
"That's exactly right, Draco," Hermione said. She'd done it again. His eyes met hers in the mirror, and he saw her smile. "But what would you say if I told you I was wrong?" The little boy's eyes grew wide.
"You mean... Daddy came back?" he asked and Hermione nodded. "Really, Mummy, you mean it?" He sounded excited now and Hermione's smile grew.
"Yes baby; he's waiting for us at home."
Jr. looked like he'd just unwrapped the best Christmas present in the world and Hermione was glad. She was relieved that, at such a young age, he'd have so little trouble accepting it. Had his father waited three or four more years, it would have been much harder.
"We just have to pick up Eric, and then we can go home and meet him, okay?" she said.
"Okay, Mummy. Can I tell Eric?"
Hermione laughed softly at the excitement in his voice.
"If you want to, Junior, but Nanna, Auntie Ginny, and Uncle Harry don't know yet, and I want you to promise you won't tell, okay? I want to do that myself."
"Okay Mummy."
~*~*~*~
Hermione pulled up in front of the Ceres Central School district and frowned at what she saw. Eric was there, waiting, just as Jr. had been, but he was lying on the ground, face toward the clouds, breaking little pieces of grass and dropping them on his chest. With a small sigh, she turned to the grinning boy behind her.
"Sit tight, baby, I'll be right back," she instructed and Jr. nodded. Hermione blew him a kiss before getting out of the car and approaching the seven-year-old dirty blonde. "Hi, Eric," she said softly and Eric didn't move, except to continue his grass destruction.
"Hello Aunt Mina. You're late."
"I know, I'm sorry... I've got a really good reason, promise," Hermione said, sitting down beside him and crossing an 'x' over her heart. Eric smiled slightly.
"What is it?"
"Well... I promised Draco he could tell you. Are you mad at me?" she asked, pounting, and Eric laughed.
"No."
"And why is that?" Hermione asked curiously as her nephew sat up.
"Because, even if I was, and I told you, I'd be in trouble."
She laughed and stood from the ground.
"As if your father would ever punish you," she said, shaking her head. Hermione held out her hands and Eric took them, letting his mother's friend pull him from the ground. He brushed himself off and picked up his bag.
"That may be true, but Mum would kill me," he said and Hermione laughed, giving him a tight hug. She draped an arm around his shoulders and led him back toward the car.
"Come on, let's go. I think your cousin will explode if we don't get home soon."
Eric laughed.
"Do you mean that seriously or metaphorically?"
Hermione looked to him, surprised. He shrugged and smirked smugly.
"Vocabulary word," Eric said proudly and she laughed, hugging him again. "Isn't it Draco's turn to sit in the front?" Hermione smiled; at least he was honest.
"Yes, but we're in a bit of a hurry. Could you do me a favor and sit in the back with him?" She smiled and added jokingly, "Just in case he explodes?" Eric grinned.
"Yes, Aunt Mina."
"Don't you 'yes, Aunt Mina' me," she mocked and Eric laughed. He seated himself in the back, just like he'd been told to.
"Hey Draco."
"Eric! Eric, guess what! Oh, you're never gonna guess! Go on, try!"
Eric looked a little scared.
"I think you were right Aunt Mina... we should get some caution tape on the way home." Hermione laughed.
"Errric!" Jr. complained.
"Okay, okay, calm down... hm... Aunt Mina bought you a pony?"
He shook his head.
"Better than that."
"Candy?"
"WAY better than that, Eric!"
The older boy laughed.
"Did she get you SOMEthing?"
Jr. nodded enthusiastically, a large smirk on his face.
"Okay... ooo! Is it a swimming pool? Hint, hint," he asked, speaking the hints to Hermione.
"Ah, ah, ah, Eric. I told you. YOU have to ask Nanna. I'm not going to ask her, and it's not my decision to make."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"NO! It's not a swimming pool!"
The entire ride home was spent with guesses on the part of Eric, and various no's on the part of Draco. Even as they started up the driveway, he still hadn't guessed correctly.
"Water-gun?"
"Nope."
"Model cars?"
"Nope."
"Magic wand?"
"Nope."
"Clothes?"
Jr. made a face.
"No!"
"Hm... I give up. No, wait, a PACIFIER?"
"Muuuuum!"
"Draco, are you going to tell him, or are we going to go inside and let him find out for himself?"
"My daddy came home!" Jr. squealed happily and Eric's face dropped.
"Really?" he asked, awed. His cousin nodded enthusiastically, and Eric turned to his aunt. "But Aunt Mina... Daddy told me that..."
"Shh, Eric. Not in front of Draco. What your daddy told you was wrong, but it wasn't his fault. That's what everyone thought happened. Miraculously, we were wrong."
"What? Don't what in front of Draco? Mummy!" Jr. asked frantically and Hermione smiled at him.
"Don't worry about it, sweetie. You want to go meet Daddy?" she asked, knowing it would distract him.
"Oh, yeah!"
"Is Mum and Dad home yet, Aunt Mina?" Eric asked and Hermione looked through the passenger-side window.
"ARE Mum and Dad home yet? No, I don't think so, love. Will you do me a favor and play in your room for a while? You can meet Draco's daddy later, okay? And if your parents or Nanna come home, don't tell them, just say Aunt Mina wanted to talk to them."
"Okay."
Hermione smiled.
"Ready, Draco?" she asked.
"Mummy! I can't unbuckle this thingy! Eric, quick, help me!" Jr. complained frantically. With a sigh and a roll of the eyes, Eric pushed the button and easily freed his cousin. "Thanks, Eric," he said and opened his door, jumping out and bolting for the house. Hermione came after, glad he was too small to reach the door knob.
"Hold on there speedy. Just wait a second. Eric, could you..." she started, but heard him shut Draco's door and smiled. "Thanks." Eric smiled and shrugged.
"Come ON Mummy!"
"Okay," she said, lifting him, and took a deep breath. "Here we go."
CHAPTER TWO: Red Doors
There was a knock at the door. Hermione looked up from her book, but didn't move. Another knock. Narcissa had gone to town, the boys were at school, and Harry and Ginny were both working, thus leaving her alone. With no other choice, Hermione stood and shuffled to the door, charming out of her silken bathrobe and into a dark blue sundress.
Hermione brushed off her skirt, although she knew it was unneeded, and took a small breath, hoping she looked presentable enough for whoever was behind the slab of redwood. Only important people visited Malfoy Manor during the week. She just hoped she'd be able to help whomever it was. It was always awkward when the visitors asked for Narcissa and she wasn't home... Hermione would sit them in the parlor, serve tea and biscuits... and always manage to make herself look incredibly stupid. There was one more knock and she worked up her courage, opening the door.
"Yes?" she asked sympathetically after giving the visitor a good once-over. Before her stood a man with long blonde hair and troubled features. He wore a dirty black jacket over his stained blue shirt and over-washed muggle jeans, caked almost to the knee with mud. She felt sorry for him, really. He looked very run down and worried, but as he saw her, the man's mouth dropped and his eyes sparkled. Hermione looked curiously at him. "Can I help you, sir?"
The man remained silent for a moment and Hermione continued to eye him skeptically. If he asked for help, she'd give it to him. Food, a room for the night, anything he wanted... but she didn't want to assume that was why he'd come to her door.
"H-Hermione?" he asked, voice cracking slightly as if his throat were parched, and Hermione stood a bit straighter. She narrowed her eyes, trying to recognize the man... but she simply had no idea. There was something familiar... in his eyes... but she just couldn't place him.
"Yes..." she said hesitantly. "May I ask your name, sir?"
A radiative happiness filled the man's face. Hermione could honestly say she'd never seen anyone look so happy. It made her smile slightly.
"Hermione..." he whispered, then seemed to realize what he was doing and straightened. He placed a hand on his chest to acknowledge himself. "It's me, Hermione... it's Draco."
Hermione's smile fell and her heart stopped. She looked the man over again. Could it be...? No. Draco died. She was dreaming... she'd waited too long for this day; it couldn't be real. She narrowed her eyes at the man.
"That isn't at all humorous, sir. I demand to know who you are, and who put you up to this," she stated heatedly and saw the happiness drain from the man's features.
"You don't believe me... how can you not believe me?" he asked, sounding hopelessly put out. Hermione glared.
"Of course I don't believe you," she cursed. "My husband died a long time ago. Now kindly, remove yourself from my property." The man smiled crookedly.
"We were never married," he stated like a fact and Hermione felt a swell rise in her throat. This was much too painful.
"Sir, please..."
"Wait... your property? What about Mother?" he asked, sounding worried.
"Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy still resides here, if that is whom you are referring to," she relayed, noting that the man looked relieved. "Sir, I am not going to ask you again. State your name or remove yourself from Malfoy Manor."
"You have to believe me, Hermione... it's me. Really."
Hermione nervously lifted a hand to brush the hair from her eyes, and the man noticed her engagement ring, still nestled on her finger. He smiled.
"Remember the rainstorm, Hermione?" he started. She closed her eyes. "In the marketplace? And the little white church with red doors?" A tear collected in the corner of Hermione's eye and she brought a shaky hand to wipe it away. The man who claimed to be Draco stepped forward, taking her hand from her face. To his surprise, she didn't pull away. "Remember when you told me how you loved churches with red doors, and I promised we'd get married in one?" Again Hermione was silent. Tears now streamed freely down her face and Draco wanted badly to console her, but he couldn't just yet.
"Yes..." she whispered and he smiled.
"Do you remember the little flat in Rhode Island, Hermione? The one with..."
"Red doors..." Draco smiled and nodded. "And the old man who lived next door, and always called my Billy, no matter how many times I corrected him." Hermione nodded, bringing the other hand to her face to wipe away the tears, not wanting to take her hand from this man's grasp. "And his wife, who every morning would ask..."
"Are you married yet?" she said shakily and his smile grew.
"And we would say no, Mrs. Caprice, not yet. And do you remember what she'd say?"
Hermione nodded.
"In my day, girlies kept their guarders locked until their wedding night," they said in unison and Hermione laughed softly. She sniffled a bit and looked up at him. At the man who claimed to be her long lost fiancé. Draco smiled warmly, a flame in his eyes. Hermione knew that flame, and it was then that she knew he wasn't lying. This wasn't a joke... this was Draco. She could only hope it wasn't a dream.
"Right," he said softly. "And the day we left that flat, do you remember what you said?" She nodded.
"I said I'd always remember that, because of..."
"The red doors," he finished for her, and Hermione nodded again, her lip quivering. Draco frowned. He'd never liked it when she cried... even if it was for a good cause. "Hermione..." he said again, taking a step closer, and Hermione gave in. At that moment, she forgot about the impossibility of the situation before her. Disregarded the part of her mind that claimed she was dreaming. She didn't care if he was dirty, if she hadn't seen him in six years, if he was supposed to be dead. She just wanted to touch him, even for a moment. "Do you believe me?"
Hermione nodded quickly, dropping his hand and bringing hers to his face.
"Yes..." she said and the happiness again flooded Draco's face, making her smile. He wanted to pick her up and spin her around, hold her again... kiss her again... but he didn't want to scare her.
"So, can I come in?" he asked awkwardly, and Hermione smiled.
"It's your house, I just live here," she said, having trouble keeping her emotions in check. She wanted the same thing he did... to just be together again... but there were matters to discuss before she simply let him back into her life. Hermione stepped to the side and Draco entered, stopping to stand in front of her, eyes never leaving her face. Hermione held out her hand, which was still shaking. "Come with me?"
"Anywhere," Draco agreed, placing his hand in hers. Hermione closed her eyes briefly as she savored his touch, then closed the door before heading to the parlor. Draco followed silently, having to scold himself repeatedly for wanting to stop and spin her into him. Hermione let go once they'd made it to her destination.
"You can... have a seat. I'll make some tea?"
Draco smiled sadly, but gave a soft nod, and Hermione smiled, biting her nails as she fetched her wand from a hidden pocket and started directing the tea table objects around. Draco smiled at the sight; it'd been so long since he'd seen magic. He sat softly on one of the plush leather sofas and waited, watching as Hermione shakily poured and spiced his tea, trying as best as she could to remember how he liked it. It wasn't hard. She'd made her tea that exact way ever since he left... although she never much cared for honey. When Hermione tried to pick up the tray, it shook so badly she had to set it back down. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath, much to Draco's amusement, and levitated it behind her as she sat on the couch, not too close... but certainly not too far. Hermione twiddled with her hands after serving him his cup, and Draco only took a sip, soothing his parched throat and savoring the flavor. No one made his tea like Hermione did. When she wiped her eyes again, he set his cup on the glass table in front of them.
"You can calm down, Hermione... I'm not a ghost."
Hermione took a stuttered breath, then looked up at him, a certain fire in her eyes.
"It sure as hell seems like it. You were gone for six years, Draco. Six years, I thought you were dead... and then you just show up at my doorstep? Do you expect me to just jump into your arms and give myself back to you?" she ranted, tears pouring down her face. Draco looked utterly shocked. He knew she wouldn't do so right away, but yes, he expected that to happen. The more he thought about it, the more he knew she was right. He'd been gone a very long time... it was understandable that she'd be a little upset... but shouldn't she also be happy to see him again? Unless...
"Is there someone else?" he asked somewhat timidly, sounding depressed. Hermione shot her eyes to him.
"What?"
"It's okay, Hermione. I was gone... please tell me, I won't be at all angry."
"There could never be anyone else," she said sadly, looking down at her hands. Draco couldn't help but to smile slightly.
"You never dated?" Hermione wanted to shake her head, but she just couldn't. Seeing her tear up again, Draco reassured her. "It's okay, I promise."
"Once. Last year. Your mother fixed us up... she thought I needed to move on," she explained and Draco nodded. That sounded like his mother... always having the best intentions in mind for people. Hermione shook her head. "But I left before it even ended. It was just too hard... too soon... something." She paused a moment, then looked up at him. "What happened, Draco? If you couldn't come home, you could've sent a letter... something. Did it ever occur to you that I might think you'd died? That everyone would?"
Draco looked sad and turned down to the carpet, removing his eyes from her for the first time since he'd set them on again.
"I didn't wake up for three months. I didn't know where I was... I didn't have any money... the people there didn't even speak English. It was some sort of Indian tribe... I never did find out who they were. It really was quite horrible, Hermione. They were afraid of me at first I think... but that might have been my fault. I got a little frustrated and crazy... but, luckily the tribe was located in a rainforest, and I was able to leave the townsfolk to their business and live off whatever I could find in the jungle. It took me almost two years to find someone who could help me.
"He was an American biologist... on some sort of mission to help that tribe of people. He gave me proper food and clothes and let me come back to America with him. Unfortunately, that was as far as his help would go. So again I was stranded, but this time in Nevada. About as far away from you as I could possibly go without getting closer the other way.
"You have to believe that I tried to mail you, Hermione... I swear I did. I sent letters to our flat... the one in London... but they always came back return to sender. No muggle mail is allowed here... or at Hogwarts... and I didn't know where else to try. I don't know where any of your friends live... God, I felt so useless. I couldn't owl you, because I didn't have my wand... and I still have no idea where any wizarding villages are in that god forsaken state... there's nothing there; nothing. Just deserts... and cacti... and Las Vegas." Draco laughed shortly. "Vegas put me back about six months in my return. I wasn't careless... just desperate. I have no education... no degree... no experience with anything. I worked three minimum wage jobs...one days, one nights, and one weekends. I rented the cheapest living space I could find... my priorities were coming home, not sleeping well.
"Then, something happened. I won't go into detail... but basically, my bad living habits were catching up to me. When I had time to sleep, I couldn't... I just kept wondering how I would make it, you know? And I never ate much... and... I passed out. Right in the middle of the fry kitchen in the back of Earl's Diner, just on the borderline of Reno... and he fired me. Damn that ass. Due to grease burns, I was unable to continue my other jobs either... so I took up everything I'd saved... which was about enough to get me half way home... and took a bus to Vegas. It'd been over four years by then... I was desperate, Hermione. I wanted so much to just wake up here someday..."
"Why didn't you just apparate, Draco? You could've left the rainforest and been home after only three months..."
He shook his head.
"You can't apparate internationally, Hermione. That's why we still need passports," he explained and she nodded. "And lucky for me... you can't apparate between states of the United, either. After Vegas chewed me up and spit me out with no less than $500 to my name, I just started walking. I wanted to get as far away from that city as I could. I hitched rides... hopped trucks, occasionally took a bus... and last July, I made it back to Rhode Island." Hermione smiled when he did. "Again I took as many jobs as I could find. All I needed was to get to international waters... then I could apparate here, and take the two mile walk through the wards to get back to my mum... which I did this morning. I never expected you to be here... but I hoped she'd know where you were. I miss you so much, Hermione," he finished, turning his eyes back to her and she nodded.
"I miss you too." Hermione paused. "You sound like you've put a lot of thought into that." Draco laughed.
"You have no idea. I'm just glad I could finally tell you."
"Can I jump into your arms and give myself back to you now?" she asked timidly, but with a small smile, and Draco wasted no time moving forward and embracing her. She started to cry again, clinging frantically to his shirt. Draco held her as tight as he could.
"Shh... don't cry, Hermione... I'm home now. You've shed enough tears over me. I love you, Mia... I've always loved you." She cried harder, her grip tightening when he used her nickname. No one else had ever called her that... if she'd had any doubts as to the identity of this man, it would have become clear with that one word. She recalled one of Narcissa's social gatherings a few months ago. One of her good friends, the man she'd dated that one time, brought his girlfriend... named Amelia. The second he called her Mia, she'd left the room and burst into tears. Draco waited for Hermione to calm down a bit more before drawing back slightly. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, Hermione... I never meant for it to take that long..." She shook her head.
"I'd have waited ten times longer," she said in a whisper, looking up at him, and Draco smiled. Hesitantly, he leaned down, planning on a gentle kiss... but Hermione saw his intention and rushed the arrival, capturing his lips and letting them go wild. Something small in her mind hoped that she hadn't lost her touch... and another part laughed and screamed 'just kiss him!' When they broke apart, both were breathing hard.
"I've waited so long to touch you..." he said, letting his hands slide gently across her back, and Hermione smiled.
"I never thought you would," she said, sounding sad, and Draco kissed her again... with the same frantic passion and burning love. When they broke apart this time, it was Hermione who spoke. "I have one question," she said softly, leaning her head against his chest, and Draco smiled.
"What is it, love?"
"If you're here, who the hell is in there?" she asked, pointing to a wall mounted glass trophy case that held one object: an urn. Presumably his. Draco laughed softly and Hermione felt it radiate through his chest.
"I have no idea. What did you burn?" he asked. Hermione shook her head.
"Of course, there was no body... but, so I've been told, you incinerated. They didn't need to burn anything."
"So you scooped me off the floor and put me on a shelf?"
Hermione giggled and hugged him tighter.
"Basically. It used to be on the mantle, but two certain someone's tend to get a little rowdy... we figured it'd be safer up there. They don't know what that is, but they know they'll have hell to pay if they come within ten feet of it."
Draco felt his heart skip a beat. The baby. He hadn't forgotten the baby... but Hermione had been is prime concern. All thoughts of the little one drifted for a moment when he found her. Then, he registered her words.
"T-Two?" he stammered and she smiled.
"Only one is yours... the other is Harry's," she explained and Draco felt his heart drop again.
"H-Harry's? But you said there wasn't..."
"Harry and Ginny's," she corrected herself and Draco sighed. Once he regained himself, he felt a little more excited.
"Where are they?"
"They're at school... oh my god, it's Wednesday, I have to pick them up today! What time is it?" she said, sitting up. "Oh, I'm late..." she turned to the man beside her. "I have to go; I don't want them to worry. Nothing's changed here... all your clothes are still in your room. Here, take my wand... it might be a little dusty," she said and kissed him deeply, then pulled away to look at him. "I don't want to leave... promise me you'll be here when I get back."
"Of course I will."
Hermione smiled and stood. Draco looked from her to the wand in his hand and back.
"Wait, Mia... take me with you," he pleaded. She turned back and sighed.
"I can't, Draco. He'll know you... I don't know how he's going to react... I never told him you'd never come home... but he's so smart, Draco. He'll expect this about as much as I did... and he's only five years old... I need to work him into it a little."
"So it's a boy, is it?" he asked happily and Hermione smiled.
"Yes, you were right... I was wrong... it's a boy. A boy who looks so much like you it gives me chills sometimes," she said with a smile.
"What's his name? We never decided on one..."
"Draco."
~*~*~*~
Draco Jr. sat on the steps to his preschool, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth. He wanted his mother. Where was she? He'd been out there for much longer than ever before. Then, the little blonde heard scuffling footsteps. He gasped and turned around, only to be met with the cheery face of his teacher.
"Hello Mr. Burns," he said, looking up at the tall man. Draco Jr. loved Mr. Burns.
"Draco?" he questioned. "What are you doing all alone out here?" The dark skinned man smiled and the corners of his lips became hidden in his graying mustache. Jr. sighed.
"Waiting for my Mum. She's not here yet," he said, sounded slightly worried. "It is Wednesday, right?" Mr. Burns laughed.
"Yes, Draco; it's Wednesday." The aging man, with many soft moans of discomfort, lowered himself to sit beside the blonde on the steps. "Don't worry, kid... I'm sure something just came up. Your mum wouldn't leave you if it wasn't necessary." Jr. nodded.
"I just want her to come soon," he said and Mr. Burns rustled his hair. Jr. smiled. "Mummy always picks me and Eric up on Wednesday... Uncle Harry comes on Mondays, Auntie Ginny comes on Fridays, and Nanna comes on Tuesday and Thursday. I hope nothing happened to Eric... maybe she went to get him first." Mr. Burns looked interested.
"That's a very nice system. Who is Eric?"
"My... friend. Uncle Harry and Auntie Ginny are his mum and dad," Jr. explained. "They live in my house with me and Nanna and my mum." Mr. Burns nodded.
"So he's your cousin?"
Jr. shook his head in an overdramatic and childish way.
"No. Uncle Harry and Auntie Ginny aren't really my Auntie and Uncle... they're Mummy's friends. And Eric isn't really theirs...they ad-a-pot-o- mated him," Jr. said and his teacher chuckled.
"They adopted him?"
"Yeah, adopo... that."
The older man chortled again.
"Do you like Eric? Is he nice to you?" he asked, and Jr. nodded enthusiastically.
"He's my best friend... I like him even more than Jimmy. I knowed Eric since as long as I can 'member. Mummy says he's special, and it has something to do with MY daddy... but she says I'm too little to know yet."
"Do you know your daddy?" Mr. Burns asked, hoping that it wasn't a touchy subject, but such understanding was uncommon in young children. Jr. didn't look angry, he just seemed sad.
"No... I never met him. Mummy says he went away a long time ago, but she won't tell me if he's coming back. I don't think he will. She always cries when I ask her about him... but she liked my daddy. She tells me stories sometimes... and she makes up names, but I know they're really about her and Daddy. And if you look really close when she's not looking at you... you can see how much she misses what it was like when she lived those stories. I feel sad for my mummy. I never knowed Daddy, but she did... and now she doesn't have him no more. I wish he'd come back, for her. Even if I don't get to see him."
Mr. Burns nodded reassuringly. He had just opened his mouth to speak when a black Mercedes Benz turned into the parking lot. Jr. straightened.
"That's Mummy!" he said excitedly and Mr. Burns smiled.
"See? I told you she'd come," he said, patting the boy lightly on the back. As Hermione pulled her car around front, her son stood, slowly followed by Mr. Burns. Hermione threw the door open and hurried around the front of her car and toward the little blonde.
"Mummy!" he said again, running toward her. Hermione scooped him into her arms and held him close.
"Hey Junior," she said and kissed his cheek, which he promptly wiped off, then tied his arms around her neck. "I'm sorry Mr. Burns... I-" The teacher held up his hand.
"No need to explain, Mrs. Malfoy. Everyone has off-days."
Hermione smiled.
"I just may know that better than anyone," she said. "Thank you Sir. I apologize for keeping you, but I have to go; running late entirely this afternoon." Mr. Burns just shook his head.
"I'll see you in class tomorrow, ay, Draco?"
"Yes, Sir!" Jr. said, with a salute, and Mr. Burns laughed, then waved and started toward his car. Hermione found herself wondering what would happen if Draco Jr. went to Hogwarts and attempted to salute Professor Snape. She laughed to herself and opened the back door. "It's my turn to sit up front, Mummy." Draco stated and Hermione smiled.
"I know baby, but we have to pick up Eric... I don't have time to put your car-seat up there."
"I don't need a car-seat no more, Mummy. I'm a big boy, you said so," Jr. protested and she smiled.
"Not that big. We don't want you getting hurt now, do we?" she asked, trying to explain her motives. He looked a little sad. "Just do this for Mummy, okay? I tell you what; I'll make Eric sit next to you." Jr. smiled speedily.
"Really?"
"Yes, baby," she said, sitting him down, and Jr. happily let her fasten him in. "There. Ready?" He nodded enthusiastically and Hermione closed the door, walking back to the driver's seat and sliding in. "Okay..." she said as she started the car, speeding off toward the Elementary school. After no more than a minute of silent driving, Hermione took a slight breath. "Draco, I need to talk to you, okay, baby?" she asked, glancing at him in the rear-view mirror mounted in the center of the windshield.
Jr. looked surprised. She'd called him by his first name... and she still looked happy. That had never happened before... this must be good.
"Okay, Mummy."
"Do you remember when you asked me if your Daddy was ever going to come home?" she asked and Jr.'s smile dropped. Maybe this wasn't so good. Maybe she'd finally decided he was old enough to know what he already knew; that Daddy wasn't coming home.
"Yes, Mummy."
"Why do you think I didn't answer you?"
Jr. was quite surprised at this question, but answered truthfully.
"Because you didn't want me to know that he wasn't going to come home... and you cried because you miss him."
Hermione nodded slowly and Jr. felt himself grow cheerless. He'd known it was true, but when his mother validated it, it seemed more real.
"That's exactly right, Draco," Hermione said. She'd done it again. His eyes met hers in the mirror, and he saw her smile. "But what would you say if I told you I was wrong?" The little boy's eyes grew wide.
"You mean... Daddy came back?" he asked and Hermione nodded. "Really, Mummy, you mean it?" He sounded excited now and Hermione's smile grew.
"Yes baby; he's waiting for us at home."
Jr. looked like he'd just unwrapped the best Christmas present in the world and Hermione was glad. She was relieved that, at such a young age, he'd have so little trouble accepting it. Had his father waited three or four more years, it would have been much harder.
"We just have to pick up Eric, and then we can go home and meet him, okay?" she said.
"Okay, Mummy. Can I tell Eric?"
Hermione laughed softly at the excitement in his voice.
"If you want to, Junior, but Nanna, Auntie Ginny, and Uncle Harry don't know yet, and I want you to promise you won't tell, okay? I want to do that myself."
"Okay Mummy."
~*~*~*~
Hermione pulled up in front of the Ceres Central School district and frowned at what she saw. Eric was there, waiting, just as Jr. had been, but he was lying on the ground, face toward the clouds, breaking little pieces of grass and dropping them on his chest. With a small sigh, she turned to the grinning boy behind her.
"Sit tight, baby, I'll be right back," she instructed and Jr. nodded. Hermione blew him a kiss before getting out of the car and approaching the seven-year-old dirty blonde. "Hi, Eric," she said softly and Eric didn't move, except to continue his grass destruction.
"Hello Aunt Mina. You're late."
"I know, I'm sorry... I've got a really good reason, promise," Hermione said, sitting down beside him and crossing an 'x' over her heart. Eric smiled slightly.
"What is it?"
"Well... I promised Draco he could tell you. Are you mad at me?" she asked, pounting, and Eric laughed.
"No."
"And why is that?" Hermione asked curiously as her nephew sat up.
"Because, even if I was, and I told you, I'd be in trouble."
She laughed and stood from the ground.
"As if your father would ever punish you," she said, shaking her head. Hermione held out her hands and Eric took them, letting his mother's friend pull him from the ground. He brushed himself off and picked up his bag.
"That may be true, but Mum would kill me," he said and Hermione laughed, giving him a tight hug. She draped an arm around his shoulders and led him back toward the car.
"Come on, let's go. I think your cousin will explode if we don't get home soon."
Eric laughed.
"Do you mean that seriously or metaphorically?"
Hermione looked to him, surprised. He shrugged and smirked smugly.
"Vocabulary word," Eric said proudly and she laughed, hugging him again. "Isn't it Draco's turn to sit in the front?" Hermione smiled; at least he was honest.
"Yes, but we're in a bit of a hurry. Could you do me a favor and sit in the back with him?" She smiled and added jokingly, "Just in case he explodes?" Eric grinned.
"Yes, Aunt Mina."
"Don't you 'yes, Aunt Mina' me," she mocked and Eric laughed. He seated himself in the back, just like he'd been told to.
"Hey Draco."
"Eric! Eric, guess what! Oh, you're never gonna guess! Go on, try!"
Eric looked a little scared.
"I think you were right Aunt Mina... we should get some caution tape on the way home." Hermione laughed.
"Errric!" Jr. complained.
"Okay, okay, calm down... hm... Aunt Mina bought you a pony?"
He shook his head.
"Better than that."
"Candy?"
"WAY better than that, Eric!"
The older boy laughed.
"Did she get you SOMEthing?"
Jr. nodded enthusiastically, a large smirk on his face.
"Okay... ooo! Is it a swimming pool? Hint, hint," he asked, speaking the hints to Hermione.
"Ah, ah, ah, Eric. I told you. YOU have to ask Nanna. I'm not going to ask her, and it's not my decision to make."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"NO! It's not a swimming pool!"
The entire ride home was spent with guesses on the part of Eric, and various no's on the part of Draco. Even as they started up the driveway, he still hadn't guessed correctly.
"Water-gun?"
"Nope."
"Model cars?"
"Nope."
"Magic wand?"
"Nope."
"Clothes?"
Jr. made a face.
"No!"
"Hm... I give up. No, wait, a PACIFIER?"
"Muuuuum!"
"Draco, are you going to tell him, or are we going to go inside and let him find out for himself?"
"My daddy came home!" Jr. squealed happily and Eric's face dropped.
"Really?" he asked, awed. His cousin nodded enthusiastically, and Eric turned to his aunt. "But Aunt Mina... Daddy told me that..."
"Shh, Eric. Not in front of Draco. What your daddy told you was wrong, but it wasn't his fault. That's what everyone thought happened. Miraculously, we were wrong."
"What? Don't what in front of Draco? Mummy!" Jr. asked frantically and Hermione smiled at him.
"Don't worry about it, sweetie. You want to go meet Daddy?" she asked, knowing it would distract him.
"Oh, yeah!"
"Is Mum and Dad home yet, Aunt Mina?" Eric asked and Hermione looked through the passenger-side window.
"ARE Mum and Dad home yet? No, I don't think so, love. Will you do me a favor and play in your room for a while? You can meet Draco's daddy later, okay? And if your parents or Nanna come home, don't tell them, just say Aunt Mina wanted to talk to them."
"Okay."
Hermione smiled.
"Ready, Draco?" she asked.
"Mummy! I can't unbuckle this thingy! Eric, quick, help me!" Jr. complained frantically. With a sigh and a roll of the eyes, Eric pushed the button and easily freed his cousin. "Thanks, Eric," he said and opened his door, jumping out and bolting for the house. Hermione came after, glad he was too small to reach the door knob.
"Hold on there speedy. Just wait a second. Eric, could you..." she started, but heard him shut Draco's door and smiled. "Thanks." Eric smiled and shrugged.
"Come ON Mummy!"
"Okay," she said, lifting him, and took a deep breath. "Here we go."