Monday, 15 June 2009
Later that evening, Draco entered the floo network from his office. He wasn't quite sure what to expect from his meeting with Mr and Mrs Weasley. In her return owl, Mrs Weasley said that both she and her husband would be more than happy to meet with him and she invited him to have dinner with them while they spoke. He appreciated that gesture, because he knew it would make things a little easier for him rather than just sitting there talking with them.
He was thankful that this wasn't his first visit to the Burrow, although it would be the first without Hermione also being there. The first time he'd been invited to the Weasley home had been for the party celebrating little Louis Weasley, Bill and Fleur's third child, and only son's safe-albeit complicated-delivery. After that party, the air seemed to clear between Draco and most of the Weasleys and he was invited as a family friend. It seemed that sometimes Ron still had problems with Draco, but for the most part, the two wizards were able to hold civil conversations.
He stepped out of the fireplace of the Burrow and immediately the aroma of roast beef and vegetables enveloped him. Draco's stomach gurgled at the delicious scents wafting from the kitchen. His eyes fell closed and he nearly moaned out loud when he realised he could also smell the baking of a Yorkshire pudding.
A chuckle from his left brought the young wizard back to his surroundings.
"Welcome back to the Burrow, Draco." Molly Weasley smiled at the blond wizard standing before her.
"Thank you for inviting me for dinner, Mrs Weasley," Draco replied, he grasped her right hand in his own and leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "It smells divine."
"I'm glad you were able to join me and Arthur for dinner, and Draco? Please call me Molly. There are no formalities when it comes to family for us and we've seen Hermione as another daughter for years now." She grinned, "And seeing as you and Hermione have a family of your own now, I'm glad you feel that you can come speak with us since your own parents are unavailable."
"Well it was Hermione's suggestion to talk to you and Mrs Weasley," Draco told her.
"Hermione may have given you the idea to speak with us, but that didn't mean you needed to listen to her," the matriarch of the Weasley family replied, leading him from the living room and into the kitchen. "I know our families have had our differences over the years, but you have been there for our family when we really needed the support and I greatly appreciate that. You've turned into a fine young man, and while the circumstances behind your children being here might not be the best, I know you'll be there for them and Hermione."
Draco blushed, he had received lavish praises for saving her grandbaby in the past, but he was not used to such a direct compliment from Molly Weasley. "Thank you, Molly. That means more to me than you realise."
"Oh Draco, it's quite true. Now, have a seat, dinner is almost ready and Arthur should be home any minute."
"If you point me in the right direction, I can help."
"Nonsense, Draco, you're our guest this evening. Please sit down and relax."
"At least let me lay out the dishes and cutlery," Draco countered. "I insist, Molly."
Molly smiled. "I see that Narcissa has raised you well. Thank you, Draco. The dishes are in the cabinet to my right and the cutlery is in the drawer of the one just passed it."
Draco quickly found the dishes and silverware he was looking for, and as he finished setting the table, a new voice joined the sounds of pots and pans clanging and dishes cooking from the back door entrance to the Weasley home.
"Good evening, Molly dear. Dinner smells wonderful." Arthur kissed his wife's cheek, before turning to address Draco, shaking his hand. "Ah, Draco, I'm glad you were able to join us this evening. It's been too long since we last saw you."
"It has," agreed Draco, "I think it was little Fred's birthday back in February, since I was working on Victoire's birthday in May."
Molly gestured to the kitchen sink. "Dinner is ready, gentlemen, if you would wash up, then we'll eat."
Once Arthur and Draco had washed their hands and joined Molly at the table, the young wizard took a moment to collect his thoughts.
Molly's voice once again interrupted his thoughts. "How are you handling all of this, Draco?" She passed him a covered bowl containing roasted vegetables.
"Er, I, uh," he stumbled over his words for a moment before stopping himself. He set the dish down and looked up at the couple sitting at the table with him. Arthur was to his right at the head of the table, while Molly sat across from him. Molly smiled at him. After taking a deep breath and blowing it out to calm himself down, Draco spoke again, "I think I might still be in shock, to be honest."
Arthur chuckled, pouring himself a glass of elderflower wine; he offered the bottle to Draco, who nodded in reply. Pouring a glass for Draco and then his wife, he reassured the young wizard sitting next to him. "You are feeling the same thing that every first time father feels, Draco. Do you know what happened when Molly first told me she was pregnant with Bill?"
Draco shook his head, never having heard this story. "No, what happened?"
Molly giggled and patted her husband's arm. "He turned white as a sheet and promptly passed out."
He turned to look at Arthur, surprise showing on his face. "Really? You passed out, Mr Weasley?"
A bright red blush quickly spread across his features. "Yes, I did. Nearly broke my nose when I fell."
Draco's eyebrows shot up his forehead, reaching for his hairline.
"So, if you didn't pass out when you found out Hermione's twins were really yours, then you're already a step ahead of my husband!"
"Well, I'll be," muttered Draco before taking a bite of vegetables.
"It's natural to feel out of sorts with your first child, but both you and Hermione are smart and resilient, so you'll make it through. You'll have bumps and bruises and times where one of you will really mess something up, but that's part of being first time parents."
Arthur nodded his head, agreeing with his wife. "Molly is right, parenting is really about making it up as you go along and doing what is right for you and your family. What may have worked for the two of us, may not work for you and Hermione."
"Same goes for what may have worked for your parents or Hermione's parents. Just remember, 'trial and error' and you'll be fine." Molly smiled at the wizard sitting across from her. "You have got three sets of parents you can go to if you ever have any questions or problems."
Draco let out a breath he didn't realise he had been holding. "Thank you both so much. This means a lot to me. Now, comes the fun part of telling my parents that they became grandparents while they were on holiday celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary."
Arthur chuckled.
"Well, you've given them quite the anniversary present!" Molly exclaimed.
Draco blushed. "Heh heh, yeah, I don't think this was quite what they will be expecting when they return home."
Molly reached across and patted Draco's hand. "Don't be embarrassed, dear. Just take things one day at a time. Your parents will be happy for you no matter the circumstances, especially once they see them. They are both adorable."
"And from what I've heard, your son is already charming the ladies of the nursery ward." Arthur clapped Draco on the shoulder. "You've got a heartbreaker on your hands already."
"How are they doing?" Molly inquired. "How's Hermione? Is she feeling any better yet?"
While the trio continued to eat their fill of roast beef and vegetables, Draco updated Arthur and Molly on the conditions of Hermione and their children. As the evening progressed, Draco asked a few more questions of the couple he had once seen as the enemy. After they finished their main course, Molly brought out three Eve's puddings that she had been warming in the oven.
"There is a fourth one in the oven under a stasis spell for you to take to Hermione once she's feeling better."
"Molly, Arthur, thank you again for all you've done for us, especially taking the time to speak with me tonight. I really appreciate your help and I'll personally deliver Hermione's Eve's pudding to her tomorrow."
"You're welcome, Draco," Arthur replied.
"We're glad we could help," Molly added. "Let us know if you ever need anything."
Draco smiled. "I will make sure and do that."