Author's Note:

I really do apologise that it had taken me this long to write this next chapter. Truthfully, I finished it a long time ago and then I forgot about it. I've been weighed down with endless amounts of work. I'll still be really busy with Prelim exams and then the HSC but I'll try to do as much as possible.

I went over this again and I made a lot of changes. I have another one or two chapters finished but I'll see what you think of this one. Again, sorry for the wait!

Chapter 16

Draco's legs were almost quivering as they approached the house. "Okay Draco, stand back a bit. Mrs. Weasley has a tendency to give massive hugs. And I don't want to go crashing into you. You hold the children; it'll soften her approach towards you."

Draco nodded quickly picking up his children. Hermione was standing at the door, and he was standing behind her with Liam in his arms and the other two children clutching to his legs. Hermione took in a deep breath before nodding to Draco once and then placing two heavy knocks on the door. "HERMIONE!"

The door flew open and the same woman that Hermione had known all those years back was staring out at her, a large grin on her face. The plump, yet vivacious woman came rushing out of the house and crashed into the poor pregnant woman with a tight hug; that is, until she realised that Hermione was indeed pregnant. She let go of her quickly, resorting to petting her stomach affectionately. Hermione grinned before taking breathing in deeply again.

"Um…Mrs Weasley… I would like to introduce you to my children and husband; Draco, Jayden, Aaliyah and Liam." At the sound of Draco's name, Mrs Weasley's head shot up to stare at the man in shock.

"D-Draco Malfoy?" She asked nervously. Hermione nodded her head, quickly informing her that he had in fact changed and that they had been very much in love since their seventh year. But it seemed like she didn't need to do that. Mrs Weasley's face had already split into a wide grin. "So you're the man that has kept my second daughter happy? There is no way I would possibly be able to hold anything against you. Oh! And look at these children!"

Hermione reached over and took Liam from his arms, the twins following the baby and wrapping themselves around their mother's legs instead. Mrs Weasley grinned at the opportunity and barrelled into the blonde man with a tight embrace. "Welcome to the family, Draco." Draco couldn't help but grin and return her hug, muttering his gratefulness over and over again.

But all three of them tensed when a shout came from the kitchen. "Molly dear! Don't keep them out! The rest of us want to see this happy family!" Draco gulped nervously, Molly's grin wavering slightly.

Hermione thought for a moment. "Okay here's the plan. Mrs Weasley, you keep Draco out here for a moment. Chat about whatever comes to mind and I'll take the children inside. And then you can bring him in. Alright?" The pair nodded as Hermione took in yet another breath and entered the kitchen with much difficulty, as the two twins were still wrapped around their legs.

Ginny, Ron and Harry sat back, watching her proudly while the rest of the family flew in an uproar. Shouts of her name were heard from all around as people ran to get her. Quickly passing the little boy to his sister, the twins rushed out of the stampede of people and to Ginny, happy to see a familiar face.

Hermione groaned as she felt people all around her trying to get to her to embrace her. "Alright, alright! Calm down everyone. One hug at a time!" The crowd of people stopped for a moment, moving away from her to give her the space she needed. They took their time to study her, the girl that had grown up into a woman shielded from their eyes.

She was a true beauty. Her golden curls lay gently on her shoulders and her eyes were sparkling brightly. Her tanned skin complimented the dress well. The dress itself suited her beautifully. The material was almost corset tight on her chest and a little bit lower until it met her pregnant belly from where it fanned out loosely. The material continued down until it reached her knees where it came to an abrupt end. The dress was held up by two thick straps that seemed to continue in a loop around her shoulders. The silence ended quickly as Arthur Weasley came rushing forward.

"I'm the oldest! I get the first hug!" He exclaimed, quite childishly. Laughing happily, Hermione embraced the man who was almost like her second father. "It's so good to see you again, Hermione. We have so many Muggle technologies to catch up on!" Shaking her head she moved to embrace the rest of the Weasley family, almost relieved when it was all over.

Walking towards Ginny, she coughed softly. "Everybody, I would like to introduce you to my children. The twins are Aaliyah Rose and Jayden William. And the little boy is Liam-James Oliver. And, as I forgot to include in my introduction to Harry, I am expecting a baby girl, Destiny Violet." There was an influx of praise towards the children for the next few minutes but Hermione's relaxed manner soon ended when Fred decided to speak up.

Laughing uproariously he took a few moments to settle down. "Hey Hermione! If I didn't know any better, I'd say that the kids look like Malfoy!" The household erupted into laughter; all except Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Lavender and the very confused children. When the laughter died down, George spoke. "Aw come on guys, you've got to admit, it's an absurd thought."

Jayden frowned, unsure of why they were laughing at the fact that his Daddy was in fact his daddy. "I don't get it!" He shouted, being very frustrated, quite true to the fact that Malfoy's didn't like being confused or frustrated. "He is our Daddy!" He ended, the household falling prey to complete silence.

Hermione laughed nervously. "Um… Mrs Weasley?" Molly quickly took her cue, entering the room with her arm around Draco's back, who in turn had his arm around her shoulders. They were still talking quite animatedly about whatever they had managed to strike up a conversation about.

"MALFOY?!" The conversation, needless to say, came to an abrupt end. Draco coughed nervously, Molly sending meaningful stares around the kitchen as if to warn her family to stand tall against rash action.

"Um… hi?"

Harry frowned at the lack of reaction from the Weasleys. Nudging Ron in the back, he nodded at his friend before jumping to his feet. "Nice to see you again, Ma- Draco." He greeted, shaking Draco's hand firmly. Shaking it a few times he backed away, allowing Ron to have his go.

Ron took the blonde's hand before faltering for a while. "Um…er…yeah welcome…D-Draco. Nice to have you here." He stuttered, shaking the pale hand vigorously before quickly letting go and moving back to his seat, 'discreetly' wiping his hand on his sweater.

Draco and Hermione couldn't help but snort at his rather pathetic attempt to act calm and friendly towards the man he couldn't deny he disliked heavily. Ginny grinned, jumping from her seat. "It's so good to see you again, Draco." She announced clearly and genuinely. "Blaise and I missed you and Mya." She said, embracing him close to her. Draco couldn't help but return her hug with gratitude.

Lavender rushed forward as Ginny moved out of the way. She crashed into him with a tight embrace. Draco gulped nervously, not knowing how to react. "I know we hated each other in school, but you make my friend happy so welcome!" She said excitedly, moving back to her husband before he could react.

Those who had accepted Draco turned to the rest of the Weasley clan. Arthur was staring in shock, his face an oddly pale colour. No one had ever seen him like this, not even when Molly had announced she was first pregnant with Bill. He was staring at Draco incredulously but wasn't yet saying anything. That, however, was a good sign as he was known to be a man who spoke quickly when extremely angry.

Bill and Charlie had their hands shoved in the pockets, staring as their father was though they didn't seem as shocked and horrified by Hermione's choice in a husband. After all, they had never experienced an encounter with the Malfoys. They still, however, didn't seem to pleased and merely stared with ire at the man.

Percy's lips were pursed angrily, his eyes had become dark slits. His arms were crossed in front of him so that no one could see him clenching his fists, nearly drawing blood from his palms. He was biting down on his lip harshly, not even noticing the pain he was causing on himself.

Fred and George's face had become a deep red colour. Their breathing had increased becoming a hyperventilating, fuming one. Their hands were clenched in tight balls, nails digging into their skin. Two meaningful glances reached their eyes from their younger two siblings and though no words were spoken the message was clear; 'Make one move out of line and you will not be forgiven'.

Grinning shyly, Draco stepped forward. "I'd just like to thank you…all of you…for err welcoming me into your house so warmly." He said, hoping that he wasn't coming across as intensely sarcastic. "I know that you all hate me but…I'm sorry for what has happened in the past. Hermione opened my eyes to what an insensitive jerk I was and I think that today would be a great time for me to make up for the lost time we've had." He smiled at himself proudly as Hermione placed a loving hand on his back.

Bill and Charlie sent the blonde man reluctant smiles before moving forward to shake his hand. But before they could reach the nervous man two other hands shot out and slapped their outreached ones away. "Don't even think about it." Fred had stepped forward, a glare spread across his face.

"Lookit Malfoy. You may think that you have this whole bloody family wrapped around your finger when you flash them that pansy smile, but not us two. I don't care how long you stand in here and sweet talk us, we are not ever going to accept you into this family, never. You're a low-life. You are the shi-"

Fred broke off, glancing quickly at his sister-in-law. Sensing that the content of this conversation wasn't for the innocent ears of the children, Fleur quickly jumped up. The eldest Malfoy children were whispering softly together. Their father had been so nice and had, as per usual, handled things quite maturely and yet the two clown-like men were being mean to him, their father. "Come children, we shall go into the play room, yes?" She said in her thick French accent. The wives of the Weasley boys jumped up to their feet and took the children out of the room quickly, muttering about the 'stupid Weasley temper'.

Smirking quite Malfoy-like at the quick departure, the twins turned their heads sharply back at the man. George quickly spoke, picking up from where his brother left of. "You are the shit beneath our shoes, Malfoy. You don't even belong anywhere here. Why don't you just traipse along back to your pristine house with its perfectly maintained gardens and get the hell out of our lives?"

Draco frowned softly. He really had thought that perhaps, just maybe, the twins would've matured like their younger brother had but apparently he was blatantly wrong. Hermione stood on her toes, placing a chaste kiss on her husband's lips before glaring deeply at the two men who were acting amazingly irrationally towards her husband.

Growling at the contact between their favourite non-relative and their most hated man, the twins rushed forward, hands outstretched at the level of Draco's throat. "STUPEFY" The sound resounded twice throughout the room, the occupants all freezing to stare at the occurrences.

The two twins froze quite literally though, falling to the ground which had been luckily cushioned with quite a useful charm. Draco was still staring at the place the twins had been, taking in quick deep breaths to calm himself down. Arthur and Molly were on their feet, wands in hands, staring at their sons in shock.

Hermione rushed over to her husband, embracing him tightly. "It's okay, Draco. It's just Fred and George. We knew that someone was bound to react like that." Draco had begun to shake gently; he had expected hostility but he most definitely hadn't expected to be attacked.

"Listen to me, Fred and George. You have no idea what Draco and I have gone through together and how Draco is different to what you have always perceived him as. You had no right to attack him like that! I understand that you dwell in immaturity but it is time to grow up! Your own younger brother has and he was the worst out of you; no offence, Ron." The last few words were muttered as an after-thought at the put-out face of her best-friend.

Molly and Arthur winced as their half-hearted spells wore of their sons. "Great parents you are." They both muttered angrily before turning to stare at the unlikely couple. "We don't want to hear it Hermione, or should we call you Malfoy now?" Hermione growled with anger, grabbing Draco by the hand.

Bill and Charlie shrugged. "We don't really know what to do, we don't know the Malfoys much. I mean we've heard so much bad things about Malfoy here. But he apologised and he seemed sincere." Bill reasoned.

"Yeah but then again, from what we've heard, Malfoy's never sincere." Charlie added, as the two debated aloud.

Ginny was fed up with the turn of conversation. "Hello?! Doesn't anybody trust Hermione? Don't you trust Harry, Ron or me? We've seen what they've gone through and we've seen how Draco's changed! I've known about their relationship since my sixth year! You can't say that you don't trust me! They are in love and he is not the guy you seem to think he is."

Fred and George glared. "You're deluded, Ginny, as you always have been; bloody deluded and stupid."

"GEORGE!" Harry jumped to his feet. "I don't care if she's your sister but I won't have you treating her like this."

Draco looked to the floor, ashamed at the problems that he was causing. "Uhh… maybe I should just leave…"

The two Weasley twins looked ecstatic at the suggestion. "Maybe you should!" Fred exclaimed, his eyes widening with relief.

Molly and Arthur jumped to their feet again. "Oh no you don't!" Molly exclaimed. "We will most definitely not be kicking the boy out of our house. He is staying as is Hermione and her beautiful children. You boys will just have to put up with it."

Molly Weasley halted in her speech for a second before deciding to change her approach. She cleared her throat softly, smiling tenderly at her family congregated around her. "I know that we all haven't had the greatest past experiences with Mr. Malfoy here," Snorts of disbelief at the lightness of her words were heard around the room. "But I know that I personally am willing to put problems behind. We've all missed Hermione dearly and now that we have her with us, we are not going to lose her because of petty childhood angst. I had a riveting conversation with Draco, the dear, just outside concerning frypans and I must say, he has changed from my expectations. So I expect us all to be nice."

Hermione smiled gratefully at the aging woman who had become like a mother to her. "I'd like to add something here…I love this man, with my being, trust me I do. I know that it's hard for you to believe but Draco is nothing like we all expected him to be. He's the most caring and loving man, and we both love each other. Not only that, but I love you all and I'd hate to have to leave here upset with you all just because you can't grow up…please understand."

Fred and George growled grudgingly as she sent a dismal glance their way. Sighing softly they unclenched their hands and forced matching smiles onto their faces, clambering softly to their feet. "For you, Hermione…Welcome. Malfoy." They shot out quickly before clamping their mouths shut. Percy sighed and sent an accepting nod in the direction of Draco Malfoy.

Charlie and Bill seemed to think that this was an appropriate decision and beamed widely. Stepping forward, Charlie extended his arm. "I really don't have anything against you, I mean I was out of Hogwarts way before you were even thinking about it, so…welcome I guess." Draco smiled gratefully and shook the man's hand warmly.

Bill shoved his older brother out of the way. "Move it, fatty. Well…Welcome is all I can say…by the way, even considered growing your hair out. I mean look at mine, it's awesome." He indicated to the ponytail behind his head that held his thick red hair. Draco opened his mouth to reply when Hermione's giggles stopped him.

"Really appreciate it, Bill. I do and I love your hair but if Draco even considers it, I'll hit him. I love his hair just the way it is." Hermione smiled, linking arms with Ginny.

"And there will be nothing more said on the topic." Arthur warned, smiling warmly at Draco. But inwardly he was nervously anticipating the eventful dinner they would have that day.

Leading the pack and pleased with the sudden shift in mood, Ginny turned lead the family into the playroom from where the light chatter of the Weasley, Potter and Malfoy children mingling happily came. She suddenly stopped in her tracks, muttering light obscenities. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed together. "Gin…what is it?"

Ginny turned around to face her husband, brothers, parents and two close friends. "Well…the thing is… oh drat I had just remembered and…oh damn."

George was already in a frustrated mood by now and growled lightly. "Out with it, pipsqueak." He said, reverting to their old ways of speaking.

"Ha…um…Harry?" She looked over lightly at her husband whose eyes widened in response.

"Oh shit."

By now, the others were fed up. "Alright, Ginevra, Harry…tell us…right now." Molly's motherly voice commanded them.

Shifting her eyes nervously from her twin brothers to her husband and back to the Malfoys, she smiled softly. "Well…I felt bad for Malfoy…not seeing his friends for a while…so…"

Harry rolled his eyes. It was better out right now. "She invited Blaise and Pansy Zambini."

Author's Note:

Thank you for being so patient with me and my inability to stick to something. Hopefully you enjoyed it, there is another one or two chapters on the dinner, I'm not too sure.

Please Review and tell me what you think.