Disclaimer: Characters are JKR's, this plot is mine.

A/N: Thanks to all of the new folks to favorite and follow! As for my lovely reviewers: Serpent of Darkness (I wish I had a relationship like that too, and it's time for Lucius' Slytherin side to make more of an appearance. I love him when he's naughty); Liz (Hopefully, AMEN and thanks!); viola1701e (Good points. I'm trying to come up with something truly horrendous that Hermione can do for payback, without leaving her bed. Being an immobile evil genius is a real challenge); chupeechan (Hope you like this chapter); Fool's Tutor (I always saw Lucius as more of a lizard. LOVE your description of Lucy meets Video Game!); Trelawney (You know if he pleads ignorance, there will be a strong 'fake' vibe coming off of it); Peytonkmc (Neither can I! I've never written a story this long. And it seems there's still plenty to do. Trust me, friend, on your second statement. Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter. Christmas should be fun); LavishlyUrs (Thank you!); Chibified-chan (Glad you enjoyed. I hope you like this one, too).

Thinking of Hermione's face in just a few days, Lucius loosed a rich laugh. "So, son - care for a last meal?"

"Of course, Father," Draco replied smoothly. "I know just the place."

The men left Hamleys and the younger Malfoy led his father to a building with a large yellow "M" as the sign: McDonald's.

Inside, chaos reigned. Milk, ice cream and Merlin-knew-what was spread randomly. Sticky spots abounded on the floor. Children were pulling at their mothers' sleeves, begging in high-pitched, whiny voices for something called a Happy Meal. Lucius found himself sincerely hoping that said meals would make the brats and/or their long-suffering mothers happier after obtaining them. Circe knew it was obvious that this place was a well of misery at present.

When he headed toward a table, Draco caught him by the arm.

"Son, what are you doing?"

"They don't have wait staff here, Father. You step up to the counter, purchase your meal and then locate a seat." He smirked at Lucius' scandalized expression. "Welcome to the world of 'Fast Food.' Many Muggle restaurants are like this. They're considered cheaper and more convenient. They even have an entrance where customers drive through and take the food away in their autos."

"So there's more than one restaurant like...this?" A brat careened off of Lucius' legs. Eyeing the creature distastefully, he silently sent a mild Itching Hex to give the little bugger something to bounce around about.

"There are thousands. These are called chains, or franchises according to Hermione. You can get the same burger here as you would find in any other country at a McDonalds." Draco rubbed his hands together in preparation for the scene that was likely to come. "What sounds good to you?"

Malfoy Sr. perused the brightly colored picture boards above his head. "Their fish looks a bit dodgy. What is a 'Quarter Pounder'? Sounds vaguely manly, though it makes me wonder what's being pounded upon."

A female teenage Muggle employee smiled at him with alarming perkiness. "A Quarter Pounder means it's one quarter of a pound of meat, usually with a piece of cheese on either side of the patty, and topped with ketchup, mustard, pickle and onion."

"Really?" Lucius peered closer at the picture. "I don't know if I've ever seen meat that color before."

The perkiness faltered slightly as confusion set in.

Draco sighed then smiled at the girl. "We'll have two Quarter Pounder with Cheese meals for here, please."

Glad to be focusing on someone familiar with the drill, she cheerfully took Draco's money and set a tray out for their food. Lucius nudged his son in the side.

"Is it always like this?"

"Oh, no Father. You should see it on Saturday afternoons. It's utter madness then. This is relatively peaceful."

The elder blond noticed several of the tiny monsters settling down and shutting up as they tucked into their Happy Meals. Hmm...perhaps there is something to the name, then. The parents certainly appear calmer.

Their order was called and Draco picked up the tray while he guided his father to the soda machine in the lobby.

"Oooh. Fizzy drinks." The establishment rose several points in Lucius' estimation. His son smiled.

"Get two Cokes, please. I'll meet you at that booth on the right."

Draco doled out the pieces to each meal, disposing of the tray. Lucius sat across from him in the booth after surreptitiously Scourgifying it. He didn't know what those patches were, and could happily live the rest of his life in ignorance, thank you very much.

The younger Malfoy chewed a French fry as he waited for the aristocrat to take a bite. Lucius didn't disappoint.

"AAAAGH! PTHUI!" He spat out the half-chewed bite of burger on the table. Draco put his face in his palm. "What in the name of Merlin's wrinkly taint was that? We had hamburgers at your house before, and I can say that this," the elder Malfoy shook the burger in his hand- "This is not a hamburger!" Lucius tossed it on the table and glared at the unfortunate piece of pseudo-meat as though it had attacked his mother, shot his peacocks, and sold his stocks below worth, all before bending over his wife and-

No, best not to go there.

Not lifting his face from his hand, Draco said, "Oh-kay, so burgers are a 'no.' Try a French fry, please."

Lucius picked up two, crunching them while wearing an expression that could curdle milk. He hastily washed the blasted greasy filth down with a sip of Coke then looked approvingly at his cup.

"Well at least they got something right. This is an exceptional fizzy drink."

His son smirked wearily at him. "You're harder to feed than Scorpius. And to think: I thought HE was a picky eater."

"Picky has nothing to do with it, Draco. Malfoys dine on the finest cuisine in the world. We have evolved palates, and-"

"And if you're over the age of eight, this sucks." Draco tossed his own burger down. "They hook the kids in when they're young with those Happy Meals, and by the time Muggles grow up, they're used to the taste and the convenience. This food's poison, you know."

"I can believe that. Now, how about some decent sustenance, if you please?" And the two headed for a local pub.

While the Malfoy men played Santa Claus, Narcissa had developed a headache and apologetically Flooed home. Hermione left her bedroom door open so she could at least keep an ear on Scorpius. Before long, he tired of playing alone and wandered in to check on her.

She watched with hidden amusement as he stood stock still and assessed her with a clinical eye. "You're still all kinds of colors. You're fine." Upon delivering his diagnosis, her erstwhile offspring climbed up on the bed next to her and lay down on Draco's side, facing her. Hermione reached over and dragged Scorp to her for a gentle cuddle. She hadn't seen much of her baby lately, and she felt terribly guilty about it.

"Mummy?" Innocent grey eyes regarded her gravely.

"Yes, dear?"

"When the baby comes, will you still love me as much, or will some of it have to go to her?"

She hugged him tighter. "That's the wonderful thing about love, Scorpius. No matter how much you give away, or to whom, it doesn't get taken from someone else. People have an endless supply of love inside if they're only willing to use it. Do you understand about having an unending supply?" Hermione stroked her son's blond curls from his face.

He had on his 'thinking' expression. "Is unending the same as infinite?"

"It is. Very good, sweetheart. Where did you hear 'infinite'?"

"Daddy said I had an infinite amount of gas the last time I had peas with supper. I hate peas."

Hermione couldn't help giggling just a bit. "Same concept, but love is definitely more pleasant than gas."

"Yeah, at least you don't stink when you love someone."

Mummy snorted at that. Gods, she wished she could have a tickle fight with her little man right now. Wistfulness was clear in the look he reflected at her.

"Darling, I'm so, so sorry I can't do fun things with you at the moment."

"Not even Nerf fights? You could shoot from the bed," he looked hopeful.

"Not even Nerf fights. The doctor was very clear. We can read, or cuddle, or talk, or maybe play a game on the bed, but your Mum is basically a potato with hair for the next few months."

"You aren't shaped like a potato."

She smiled wryly, "Give it time."

"How about cuddle, then?" He snuggled closer and rolled over so that she was spooning him.

She smiled and buried her face in his blond locks. He didn't have that 'baby' smell anymore, but his scent was still uncommonly sweet.

"Mummy?"

"Dear?"

"Will she like me?"

"She'll love you, I swear. You're going to be her big brother, Scorpius. That's a serious responsibility. You'll have a lot to do. As her older brother it will be up to you to help teach her about the world, and right from wrong, and you'll likely protect her at some point."

"Right from wrong - you mean like the blender and the lid?"

"For a start." Hermione grinned and kissed his curls.

Mother and son continued discussing his upcoming responsibilities and what the new baby would be like until Draco returned home to find them dozing snuggled up like a pair of pups. He quietly sought out their house elf and had her begin dinner preparations. He was loath to wake his family, but they really did need an evening meal. He went back upstairs and curled himself around his wife. She woke promptly, moving deeper into his embrace.

"Hi." He kissed her lightly on the ear.

"Hi yourself," she replied sleepily. "How was your outing with your father?"

"Oh, nothing special," he said hurriedly. How was your day, love?"

"Draco Abraxas Malfoy, if you think I'm truly that stupid, we're going to have a talk when I've regained my mobility."

He nuzzled her neck. "This is so nice right now. Can't we discuss my father later?"

"Did he harm anyone?"

"Erm, no?" He was unsure if the yo-yo battle counted.

"Did any Muggles catch him using magic?"

"No."

She shrugged, surrendering for now. "Fine, I'll interview him tomorrow."

Draco made a note to be elsewhere when she got the details of Scorpius' Christmas gifts.