A/N: First off, I love all of you all so much. Your reviews were epic for Chapter 8! This chapter has not been officially beta'd be the amazing GidgetMalfoy, but I wanted to get this to you. So please be nice and understanding that only my husband has done a read through of this, with some edits.
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Chapter 10 is more then half-way written, and should be finished soon.
Chapter 9
Hermione looked down at the sleeping boy in her arms, tears had been falling the whole morning. From the moment she laid eyes on him, she knew instantly that he was hers, and she hadn't let him go since.
"Thank you both for coming in on New Years, I'm sorry about the short notice of it all but this process is odd for us. Our current group home is full and he seems to already require so much more attention, so it just made sense to place him with you immediately," Susan explained. "We acquired him on boxing day. He doesn't want to be set down, and cries when his caregiver walks away from him, and while we know that will be stressful on anyone, she has 12 other children in her home currently."
"It's fine, really, we'll manage," Hermione croaked her voice breaking slightly.
"Can you tell us more about what happened to his parents?" Draco said, sitting close to Hermione.
Susan nodded, "Well there is no father that we know of, his birth certificate and even the Hogwarts register don't list one, might be a muggle. His mother traveled a lot, and she was in Russia when she was attacked. The Aurors here have taken up the case, as she was a British witch, in a foreign country. However, she had no family, a muggle born, whose family was murdered in the war."
Draco grimaced, momentarily feeling the guilt over something he didn't do. "So then no one will be searching for him? You're sure?"
"We made a few inquiries to people she had known in school, they all said she was a loner after her family was killed, she had no one else. So he has no one either," Susan added gravely.
"Yes he does," Hermione stated, "He has us, we're his family." Her eyes never lifting from the sleeping boy.
Draco and Susan both smiled, looking at her.
"What is there left to do?" Draco asked.
"We have the paperwork to fill out, and technically we can't officially sign him over for a month, but it's formality, you'll be legally changing his name today," Susan explained. "What would you like it to be?"
"What's on his birth certificate?" Hermione asked.
"Finnley Thomas Wallace," Susan said, reading from the scroll in front of her.
Hermione looked at Draco, smiling, "Would you mind if we changed his middle name, to Orion?"
Draco's eyes widened a moment, before a smile stretched across his face, "You can pick any name…"
"Yes but he's our son, and he deserves to be a part of the family tradition," Hermione smiled, before Draco kissed her softly, careful to not jar the baby in her arms.
"Our son," Draco whispered.
"Ok, Finnley Orion, what do you want for the last name?" Susan asked, a smile plastered on her face as well.
"Malfoy," Hermione stated simply, looking back down at the boy in her arms, "Finnley Orion Malfoy."
oOoOoOoOo
Hermione sat on the couch, while Draco made her a cup of tea. Finnley still slept in her arms, it had been two hours since they had left the agency, and he was still sleeping. Susan had explained that in the few days since they'd had him, he barely rested unless he was in someone's arms, which wasn't a lot as they all had a lot to do.
Hermione looked up when she heard a whoosh from the library and heel clicks coming down the hallway. She smiled widely when she saw Narcissa walking in, holding onto Ariana's shoulders.
"Oh my goodness, so you did bring him home today?" Narcissa asked softly, a huge smile on her face as she walked over and sat down.
Hermione nodded, looking at Ariana who was looking at Finnley curiously.
"He's beautiful," Narcissa commented, causing Hermione to smile, "What color are his eyes?"
"Light blue, almost grey actually," She smirked at the older witch who clutched her chest, tears forming in her eyes.
Narcissa ruffled her fingers lightly through Finnley's dark blonde hair, as Draco walked back from the kitchen holding a tea tray.
"Oh mother, I thought I heard you," Draco smiled warmly at his mother, "Ariana do you see your brother?" Draco asked setting the tray down and sitting next to his mother and pulling Ariana to his lap.
"What's his name?" Ariana asked, still looking at him.
"Finnley Orion Malfoy," Hermione smiled, looking at Ariana.
Narcissa was full on crying now, the words Orion and Malfoy cracking between sobs, as Draco put his free arm around his mother who leaned into him.
"He has more names than I do!" Ariana exclaimed loudly, causing Finnley to stir a little.
"No he doesn't," Draco said simply, "You have the exact same amount of names as he does."
"No I only have Ariana and Malfoy!" the five year old whinned.
"No darling, your name is Ariana Elara Malfoy."
"Oh," Ariana smiled, "I like it."
"I'm glad."
Narcissa dried her tears, and sat up, "Can I hold him?"
Hermione nodded, and leaned forward and they carefully settled Finnley against his Nan, stirring a little but settled immediately.
"What do you need help with love?" Draco asked, as Hermione helped herself to some tea.
"I need to go run out and go shopping, but I don't want to leave him," she explained, looking pained at the idea of separation already.
"Well why don't you owl Ginny or Emily and see if they can help," Draco suggested.
"Yes, actually I'll floo them really quick and explain what we need. I'll only be gone a minute," Hermione said rising and walking to the library.
"A Malfoy?" Narcissa asked looking up at Draco.
"It was her idea, and the middle name," Draco smiled, "She said he was 'our son' and needed to carry on the family tradition."
"Oh stop, I can't cry while I hold him," Narcissa breathed, "He's so beautiful."
"Yes he is, both of our kids are," Draco smirked pulling Ariana into his lap and giving her a kiss on the forehead.
oOoOoOoOo
"Ok I think I have your whole list, Harry is bringing the crib and the stroller," Ginny said walking into the family room, where Draco sat on the floor with Ariana playing with her dragon toys, and Hermione and Narcissa made faces at the now awake Finnley. "Oh, is that him?"
Hermione smiled, "Yes, this is Finnley Orion Malfoy," She beamed, turning the baby in her lap, "Finnley this is your Auntie Ginny."
"Oh let me hold him," Ginny said dropping all the bags on the floor, and rushed over to the smiling boy. "Oh my godric, he's so cute!"
Hermione nodded before standing and going over to the bags to begin sorting them, "You got everything?"
"Yup, plus we threw in some extras, that were just too good to pass up. I adore Muggle baby stores," Ginny smiled making cooing sounds at Finnley.
"Should I pay you or Potter?" Draco asked standing up.
"Don't worry about it Malfoy," Harry said walking into the room pushing two large boxes, "Hermione already gave us more then enough, we have some leftover."
"Thank you Harry," Hermione said hugging her best friend.
"Our pleasure, normally you have 9 months to buy all this and plan, you were given 12 hours, it's the least we could do," Harry chuckled, "Molly's having kittens though, wants to come meet him, but she settled with watching the boys."
"Ello!" Ron's voice called from the library. The group turned to see Emily and Ron walking down the hallway, "I heard I have a nephew to meet."
"Yes you do," Hermione beamed, sure her face was going to be stuck in a permanent smile after today.
"I have him, and I'm not letting him go," Ginny teased, as Ron looked around.
"Oh yes you will," Ron stated, walking over already making faces at the little boy, who squealed at all the attention.
"What's his name?" Emily asked, hugging Hermione.
"Finnley Orion Malfoy," Hermione smiled, "It just made sense, because Draco and I will eventually get married, so he'll be a Malfoy then, no point in doing extra paperwork. Plus, he's already Draco's son."
Draco beamed, feeling himself stand a little taller, while Narcissa had fresh tears forming again, "You all must stop saying that, or I'm going to cry myself to death!" The older witch exclaimed, but stood to hug Hermione warmly.
"Another Malfoy, just what the world needed," Harry laughed, rolling his eyes.
"Well, you're at the advantage, Potter. You have two handsome spawns and another on the way, whereas I only have two," Draco chuckled, "Looks like I need to get busy."
Hermione rolled her eyes, as all the adults laughed.
"Do you need help setting up, Hermione?" Ginny asked, finally surrendering Finnley to Ron.
"No I think we'll set it up tonight, we still have to decide where everything is going," Hermione explained. "Plus we're only going to set up what we need, which is probably all of it, because we decided we're going to move, all of us. This house just isn't big enough, anymore."
"Yes, mother could you contact our solicitor and explain once we find a place we'll need to change the paperwork around," Draco asked.
Narcissa nodded before adding, "Let me call Toby over, I told him last night about the news and he's anxious to come help."
Hermione agreed, "Yeah we might need him, at least for the transition, but we'll pay him extra."
"Toby," Narcissa called out.
The house elf popped into the family room near Narcissa. This time he was clothed in a pair of wellies, and a long white shirt, that hung on him like a dressing gown, causing Draco to chuckle. He mentally reminded himself to bring it up with his mother. "Missus Malfoy calls Toby," the house-elf said bowing his head.
"Toby, can you please stay here for a while, Draco and Hermione have need of you since Finnley has arrived," Narcissa asked.
"Of course Missus," Toby nodded.
"Toby we will pay you extra and will your things fit in the hall pantry, or would you like one of the hall closets?" Hermione asked, before continuing, "I know it'll only be for a short time, but we might be able to move quickly and I think help packing would be wonderful."
"Of course Missus Hermione, I will find room for my things," Toby said smiling. He suddenly bowed his head, and croaked out, "Might Toby see the new Malfoy, such an honor to see the new one."
Hermione walked over to Ron who, reluctantly, handed over the squirming infant, his eyes fixated on the house-elf. She took a few short steps towards Toby, before kneeling down, "This is Finnley Orion, but how did you know he was a Malfoy?"
Toby's eyes widened and turned glassy looking at the little boy, "Tis a great honor to be bound to a family, we sense when the bonds are expanded or broken, it is our magic. I felt it this morning, a bond from Mister Malfoy expand," the house-elf smiled warmly, stepping closer to Hermione and Finnley.
Finnley had grown still watching the house-elf talk, when he suddenly reached forward and grasped tightly onto Toby's ears, and to everyone's surprise, Toby laughed. "Little Mister has strong grip, will be strong boy," he made a few raspberries at the boy before stepping out of Finnley's grip, "I will go begin cooking dinner. Any requests?"
Hermione had loved the exchange, and was becoming more open to a paid, free house-elf, "No Toby, whatever you would like to make."
"Mummy, may I go watch Toby?" Ariana asked.
Hermione's face broke into a large smile, but she was lost for words. Thankfully Draco spoke up, "Yes love, but stay out of Toby's way," Draco added seriously, "Toby send her back out if she's any trouble."
Toby nodded, walking over to Ariana and extending his hand, "Missus Ariana, after you."
Ariana held his hand and the two walked into the kitchen, Ariana a whole head taller than the older house-elf.
Hermione turned to Draco, who gave her a tight hug, while Finnley clutched onto Draco's shirt.
"She called me Mummy," Hermione whispered into Draco's shoulder.
"I know love, you're a mummy," Draco whispered back, tightening his hold, causing fresh tears to fall.
"Well we won't stay, but we had to see our nephew. In fact, hand him back, I want him," Ron teased, reaching for Finnley, who readily left the tight embrace of Draco and Hermione.
Ginny walked over, "We won't stay either, but you let us know if you need anything at all," the redhead then wrapped her arms around Hermione, "I'm so so happy for you 'Mione."
"Thank you Gin, thank you so much for everything," Hermione smiled before letting go of her friend.
"I know you have Narcissa and I'm sure you're parents will want to be here soon, plus Toby, but Molly wants you to know that you can owl her anytime, but don't hesitate to owl us if you need anything," Harry said as he hugged Hermione.
Ginny hugged Draco as she whispered congratulations, and as Harry followed his wife, he shook Draco's hand, adding how happy he was for him, and that he'd see him Saturday at the park.
Ron and Emily took their leave, and Narcissa was able to hold Finnley again. The older witch sat down on the couch with him, while Draco checked on Ariana and Hermione started sorting through the bags.
oOoOoOoOoOo
It had been a week and a half since they had brought Finnley home, and they were starting to get into a routine. The first night was much like Ariana's, except they ended up moving his crib into their bedroom. He would settle for most of the night there, but around 4 am would want to sleep with them, resulting in a full bed. Draco worked a quick enlargement charm and the family of four fell back asleep.
Hermione's parents had come over the Saturday after they brought Finnley home, and they were perfectly smitten with their grandson, and between the two of them, no one else held him that day.
Draco and Hermione had each returned back to work, with Narcissa and Andromeda watching the kids together during the day, between the two older and experienced witches the children were fed and taken care of, but the older witches left exhausted.
Draco and Hermione both agreed that without Toby, everything would have gone belly up. The house-elf ensured that everyone was fed, and he had established a unique relationship with Ariana. The two would spend time together while the house-elf taught her to help a bit in the kitchen.
Every evening Draco and Hermione would arrive home, to very grateful grandmother's who were ready to go home, and two very happy and loved children who demanded every ounce of their attention.
"Oh my godric, I don't know if I can keep this up!" Hermione exclaimed falling onto the couch beside Draco.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked, pulling her closer to him.
"I just hate it. Every morning I leave, I leave them here, and especially Finnley when he starts to cry. He's only been with us a week and he cries when I leave. I know your mum says he stops soon after, but I miss him all day. My boss commented on my productivity today," she huffed, "I just don't know what to do."
"What do you want to do?" Draco asked, lightly massaging her head.
Hermione groaned, closing her eyes, "I don't know," she sighed heavily, "Well I do, but I can not believe I'm even thinking it."
Draco tilted his head, waiting for her to explain.
It was a full minute before she sighed again, "I just...I think I want to be home with them. I know that's horrible isn't it, I've worked so hard. I've just taken on your project, how can I go now? But these years are so important to them, and they're both so young," she said her voice trailing off, "It's just, it's nothing against your mum, but I want all the moments. I don't want all the special moments to happen with grandma."
Draco couldn't even hide the surprise on his face, "You want to quit?"
"Is that terrible? It is isn't it. How could I quit, I mean I'm a modern woman! But Gods yes, I want to be at home. But I can't, I mean we're about to buy a house, and I still have all my bills, and how would I -"
Draco cut off her words with his lips, silencing her protests immediately. As his tongue ran over her lower lips, her body finally relaxed, and she leaned up, pushing her body more against his. Draco pulled his lips back from hers and looked her in the eyes, "Hermione Jean Granger, I asked you to marry me. As soon as it's official, what I own is half yours. If you want to stay home, you will not worry about the money. And I will be overjoyed to have you home, if that's what you truly want."
Hermione blinked, before nodding, "Don't worry about money?"
"No, not ever. I have more than enough."
"Am I quitting my job?" Hermione asked, clearly tasting the words in her mouth.
"If that's what you want," Draco replied simply.
"I'm quitting my job," Hermione repeated.
Hermione took a deep breath as a smile crept onto her face, "I'm a mum, and I'm going to spend every moment with my kids."
"You're a mum, now and forever," Draco smiled, before kissing her deeply and extending her joy.
To be continued...