Disclaimer: All JKR's.
Narcissa was waiting for Lucius in his study when he Apparated home.
"Well? How did it go? Is he still speaking to you?" Her eyes were clouded with worry, so the wizard gently took his wife in his arms.
"It went better than expected. Draco was not willing to return to the fold or the company yet, but he's going to speak with Hermione about having dinner soon as a group. Somewhere over the years, our son grew quite the backbone, Cissa. While it was startling, I found myself pleased. Unfortunately, he arrived at the meeting alone."
"That was to be expected, Lucius. I've been told he is extremely protective of his family. He likely wanted to ascertain that your motives were pure."
"Quite so. Not that I blame him. Our history has been tumultuous." Lucius frowned, then stepped away to pour himself a drink.
"Don't worry, darling. If Hermione is amenable, then more than half the battle is won."
Her husband snapped his fingers. "That reminds me - Draco gave me these, with his wife's regards." He removed a small bag from his robes, and opened it. "Try this."
Thus the second convert to muggle crisps was born.
_DMHG_
A similar conversation was taking place at the junior Malfoy's home. In fact, his wife had barely given him a chance to catch his breath before she was asking questions.
"You really refused to rejoin the family?"
"I didn't make a permanent refusal, I just said we'd take things one step at a time. You and I have managed quite well for years. I don't want him thinking that I'll run back to him as soon as he lifts a finger."
"I never thought I'd see the day that Draco Malfoy didn't jump to do his father's bidding."
"Hush, witch, or I won't tell you the rest."
His wife dutifully made the lock-and-key sign over her mouth, large brown eyes twinkling up at him.
"He asked to have dinner as a family. I said we'll start with dinner as a group."
Hermione considered this, and asked, "with or without Scorpius?"
"With or without Scorpius what?" piped a small voice, followed by an equally small child.
"Er, it's nothing, son." For once, Draco prayed for the boy's Slytherin side not to manifest.
Scorp had inherited his mother's brow crease. "I heard 'rejoin the family.' We're already a family."
Draco looked to his wife, silently begging her to step in. She didn't disappoint. "Darling, you know how you have Nana and Grandpa Granger?"
"Yes."
"They're Mummy's parents."
Scorpius' expression plainly said he thought she'd lost the plot, which made him look exactly like his father. Hermione restrained the urge to roll her eyes, and continued: "Daddy has parents too, only you've never met them."
"Why not?"
"It's a long story..." Hermione glanced at her husband, throwing the ball into his court. Draco knelt and looked his child in the eyes.
"You know how you make mistakes sometimes?"
"Like the blender and the tomato soup, when I didn't put the top on?"
Draco shuddered in remembrance, once again thanking Merlin that he had house elves. "Exactly like that, but on a larger scale. Your grandfather and grandmother Malfoy made some very big mistakes, and they only recently understood the need to fix them."
"Why did it take them so long?"
"I'm not sure, Scorp, but I visited with your Grandfather Malfoy earlier today, to discuss allowing our family to spend some time with them."
"What if I don't like them? Or they don't like me?"
Draco grinned, and reassured him. "I guarantee they will adore you. In all honesty, I think you are what made them realize the need to fix their mistakes. And, in a way, you've already met your grandfather."
The brow furrow returned, quickly followed by a calculating gleam. "The weird man in the candy store. He looked like us."
"You are entirely too intelligent for your own good."
"Mummy says that's because I take after her."
Shooting his wife an old-fashioned look over Scorpius' head, Draco nodded sagely. "That's likely it. You are aware that your Mummy is a witch, and that I am a wizard..."
"Duh."
Malfoy was shocked into speechlessness by this response. Hermione did her best to keep a straight face, and she picked up the story.
"Dear, when you met Ab in the park that was your Grandfather Malfoy."
"No. Ab was like me, not an old man."
"I know. Grandfather Malfoy used magic to turn himself into a seven year-old, just so he could meet you."
The boy pondered this, then thought about the rest of the equation. "What if I don't like Grandmother Malfoy?"
Draco smiled. "You'll like her. I always liked her, even when I couldn't stand him."
"Mummy, do you like them?" Mummy paled visibly.
"I didn't know them very well when I was younger, but I thought your grandfather behaved passably the other day. I am willing to...get to know them better."
That was good enough for the youngest Malfoy. "Ab was fun. Bring them over." And simple as that, he strolled out of the room.
_DMHG_
Sunday brunch at The Burrow was a long-standing tradition, and Hermione had begun dragging her husband to it shortly after the wedding. He and Ron were always seated at opposite ends, and neither of them dared to misbehave in front of Molly, the Weasley matriarch. Draco usually kept his head down and his mouth full, thinking it the best way to avoid a confrontation.
"...so they promoted me to Undersecretary," Percy shone with pride, and his mother hugged him.
"Hermione, how was your week?" Draco choked on his juice, earning several strange looks.
"Er, 'eventful' would be a good descriptor, I suppose," she looked demurely at her eggs, hoping someone else would raise a new topic.
No such luck. An old hand at sniffing out uncomfortable (and therefore juicy) situations, George latched onto her answer immediately.
"Eventful? Do tell. Bet it's more interesting than Ministry staffing." Percy glared at him.
It was painfully obvious that Hermione did not wish to answer, so Draco did something unheard of at a Weasley function.
He spoke up.
"My parents have been in contact. They wish to make amends, and form a relationship with Scorpius. My father has made a request to have dinner."
This brought the expected response, if one was expecting bedlam, and the room was stunned as Draco cast a group Silencio over them within seconds. He coolly endured murderous glares from several Weasleys before speaking again.
"Please remember, there are children present. Certain comments would not be appropriate in front of them."
The murderous glares turned to chastened looks, and Draco lifted the spell.
Ron's reaction was immediate: "'Mione, you can't be okay with this!"
"As a matter of fact, Ronald, I convinced Draco to speak with his father after Lucius approached me. The War is over. If the Malfoys have decided to change, I'm willing to hear them out. After all, if I hadn't believed in forgiveness, I wouldn't be married to Draco."
"And tell me how that's a good thing again?" Ron muttered under his breath. His sister elbowed him in the side.
Harry's reaction was calmer, though equally concerned. "Do you believe they're on the up and up, Malfoy?"
"Oddly enough, yes. I grew up watching my father lie. This was different. Also, he went to some lengths to meet our son. I'll give you the details after dinner." His meaning was clear: postpone the rest of the discussion until Scorpius was outside with the other children.
The Chosen One nodded in response, and asked casually if they wanted any other guests at dinner, say perhaps someone who also happened to be an Auror?
"Thank you for the offer, Potter, but I really don't think my parents will do us any harm." Harry was pleasantly surprised to note the prat actually looked grateful.
"Wasn't you I was worried about; I know you've seen your wife with a wand."
"So I have. One of my favorite sights, as long as said wand isn't aimed at me."
"It'd be a pity to have to arrest her."
"If she curses my father, the Wizengamot wouldn't convict anyway."
"Just the same, Mione, I know you've still got your D.A. coin. Keep it in your pocket while they're there, yeah?"
Hermione looked at him in fond exasperation, and nodded. "Now please, will someone change the subject?"
Talk turned to Quidditch, and she tuned out. She noticed Draco watching her, and she subtly nodded to assure him she was fine. He looked at her appraisingly, then joined the conversation. He quickly denounced the Chudley Cannons, just to watch the Weasel turn colors. That never got old.
The Malfoy family returned home several hours later, and Hermione talked Scorpius into taking a nap with her. She usually required an hour or two of quiet time after being at The Burrow.
Draco declined joining them, and headed for his study, where he took out a piece of parchment.
Mother and Father:
We would be pleased to host you for dinner at our home this coming Thursday at 7:00. Kindly respond if you are available.
Regards,
Draco