AN: I own nothing.
We're doing a bit of a time jump in this chapter. I'm not absolutely positive yet, but I think this story is winding down. It really depends on my muse and what she has to say.
Alright, go read and then tell me what you thought.
Enjoy!
The next few months flew by for Harry and Ron. Every day, every family event they attended, every old friend they talked to, seemed to help the two get closer to getting back in everyone's good graces. The Weasley's especially warmed up more and more toward them. And, in turn, Harry and Ron tried to adjust to the changes they found when they came home, including being, if not nice, civil, to the original two Malfoy's. They had promised Hermione and Ginny they would try, since they were now related. Harry and Draco were now on the terms of calling each other their proper last names, not 'Potty' and 'Ferret'. And Ron, for his part, had stopped gritting his teeth when he said 'Malfoy'. They were making progress.
It was now December, and the large family was once again getting ready to go to Helena and Lucius' for Christmas dinner.
''Ronald Weasley! Stay away from that pie!'' Molly yelled, just as Ron went to jab a fork in the apple pie.
''What?'' Ron asked innocently. ''You made three, besides the cobbler.''
''Yes, for Hermione. She's having cravings for any kind of pastry lately, so I made those for her.'' Molly said, entering the kitchen. ''Since you aren't currently creating another life, you can find something else to eat. Not. The. Pie.'' she said, glaring at him.
''Alright, alright.'' Ron grumbled. He went to the pantry to find something to eat. ''Why do we have to go over there, anyways? What happened to spending Christmas together? Just us?'' he asked from the pantry.
''We are spending Christmas together, Ron. With our entire family.'' Bill said as he entered the kitchen. ''Here, mum. Fleur wanted me to bring your pan back.'' Bill handed Molly the pan and kissed her cheek before turning toward Ron. ''This is what we do for Christmas now, Ron. We've gone to their home for the last couple years.''
''Okay. Jeez, I was just asking.'' Ron mumbled.
''Okay, everyone. We need to get over there.'' Arthur said from the living room.
''Oh! Just a moment, dear!'' Molly yelled back. ''Ronald, grab that basket on the table..Wait. Never mind. Bill, you do it. Ron, you can carry the bag in the living room by the fireplace.''
''Why can't I carry the basket?'' Ron asked as Bill picked it up.
''It's got the pies.'' Molly said as she bustled into the living room.
''Come on, Ron. Let's get going.'' Bill laughed. Ron just glared at him as he laughed, following behind him.
As they got into the living room, they saw the others already gathered by the floo, ready to go to Lucius and Helena's.
''Everybody ready now?'' Arthur asked. ''Okay, then. Let's go.'' he said as they stepped one by one into the floo.
''Hello, Molly.'' Helena said as she hugged her. ''Merry Christmas.''
''Merry Christmas, love.'' Molly said, stepping out of the way.
''Hello, Harry, dear.'' Helena greeted as Harry stepped out.
''Merry Christmas, Mrs. Malfoy.'' Harry waved. ''Is Hermione here?''
''Not yet. She and Severus had another place to be this morning. They'll be here in just a bit, though.'' she said. ''And it's Helena, Harry. I've been telling you for months to call me that.''
''Sorry. Helena.'' Harry said.
''Hello, Ron.'' Helena greeted as he was the next one out of the floo.
'''Lo, ma'am.'' Ron said. ''I'm the last one through.''
''Okay, then. Everyone's in the living room, if you'd like to move in there.'' Helena said, standing beside Molly.
''Merry Christmas, everyone!'' Ginny yelled as they walked into the living room.
''Merry Christmas, dear.'' Molly said, hugging her. ''Where's Draco?''
''Oh, he's in the kitchen.'' Ginny said, moving to hug Arthur. ''Merry Christmas, daddy.''
''Merry Christmas, love.'' Arthur said.
''Helena, Hermione's here.'' Draco said, walking in the room. ''Hey, Merry Christmas, Weasley's.'' he said, wrapping an arm around Ginny's shoulders.
''Oh, good.'' Helena said, leaving the room.
''Did you tell them, yet?'' Draco whispered in Ginny's ear.
''No. I was wanting to wait until dinner. Make a big announcement.'' she whispered back. Draco nodded, kissing her forehead.
Helena opened the front door smiling. Helena watched as Severus opened the rear passenger door, and assisted an older woman with greying black hair out before moving to help Hermione out of the passenger seat.
''Merry Christmas, darling.'' Helena said, hugging Hermione as the three got to the front door. Hermione was now almost nine months pregnant, and due in just three weeks. She looked beautiful.
''Hello, mum. Merry Christmas.'' Hermione greeted, hugging Helena as best as she could with her belly in the way. Moving aside, Hermione said, ''Mum, you remember Eileen, don't you?''
''Of course. Eileen, hello again.'' Helena greeted, shaking the older woman's hand.
''Helena. Nice to see you again.'' Eileen said in a soft voice, before moving to the side.
''Severus, Merry Christmas.'' Helena said, hugging him.
''Merry Christmas, Helena.'' he said with a kiss to her cheek.
''Well, come on. Everyone's here already.'' Helena said, moving to let them in the house.
''Oh, are we terribly late?'' Hermione asked, holding onto Eileen's arm.
''No, no. They got here just a few moments ago.'' Helena said, shutting the front door and following them into the living room.
Harry and Ron were standing to the side of the room, watching. They often did this at family gatherings. They saw Draco sitting in a chair with Ginny sitting on the arm, laughing at whatever he and Charlie were talking about. Lucius and Arthur were sitting in the corner, each with a glass of wine in their hands, chatting. Fred, George, Percy, and Bill were standing in another corner, each with a kid in their arms, laughing. Fleur, Angelina, Katie and Audrey were all in the study, wanting a bit of quiet for a few minutes, while the kids were occupied in the playroom Lucius and Helena had on the second floor.
''Merry Christmas, everyone!'' Hermione yelled as she walked in.
''Merry Christmas, dear.'' Molly said, going to hug her. ''You look beautiful.'' she said. Hermione was wearing dark maternity jeans and a white shirt with a black sweater over it along with black boots.
''Oh, thanks. I probably look better than I feel, though.'' Hermione said, smiling as she pulled away. ''I'm so ready to have this baby. I look like a house.''
''Nonsense, dear. You look just beautiful.'' Eileen said, walking up behind Hermione.
''Thanks, Eileen.'' Hermione smiled. ''Molly, this is Eileen Snape. Severus' mum. Eileen, this is Molly Weasley.''
''Mrs. Snape, it's a pleasure to meet you.'' Molly said, shaking the elder woman's hand.
''Please call me Eileen, Mrs. Weasley.'' Eileen said.
''Oh, well then you must call me Molly.'' she said, and as the two began talking, Hermione slipped away over to Ginny.
''Merry Christmas you two.'' Hermione said as Draco stood to hug her.
''Merry Christmas, Hermione.'' Ginny and Draco said together.
''Have you made your announcement yet?'' she whispered in Draco's ear.
''No.'' he said shaking his head. ''We're going to wait until dinner.''
''Good. I already know, but I can't wait to see Molly's face when you tell her.'' Hermione said, sitting in the chair opposite.
''Where's Severus?'' Ginny asked.
''He's in the corner with Lucius and Arthur.'' Hermione said. ''Damn.'' she sighed a moment later.
''What? Is something wrong?'' Ginny asked hurriedly but quietly.
''Yeah. I gotta pee again. Help me up would you, Draco?'' she asked, smiling at him as he did. ''Thank you.'' she said, and walked as fast as she could to the bathroom.
''Dinner is nearly ready, Mistress.'' Mitzy said as she popped into the living room.
''Thank you, Mitzy.'' Helena said. ''Time to eat, everyone. Let's move to the dining room.''
''Draco, where's Hermione?'' Severus asked.
''Bathroom.'' Draco said, pointing toward the hall.
''Alright.'' Severus said. ''Come along, mother.'' he said, holding her arm to help her walk to the dining room.
''Severus, let go of me!'' Eileen said quietly. ''I appreciate the help, love, but I'm not an invalid. I can walk just fine on my own to the dining room.''
''I know that, but I don't want you to fall again.'' he said, looking down at her.
Eileen smiled and patted his cheek. ''I'll be fine, Severus. Now, where has Hermione gotten to? I haven't seen her much since we arrived.''
''I'm here.'' Hermione said, slowly walking down the hall. ''The baby decided I had to pee again. And now I smell dinner, so let's go.''
Just a few minutes later, everybody was sitting down and getting their food. Mitzy was helping the children at their table. Wine was being poured, except for Hermione and Ginny, who was sticking with water. Christmas wishes were being echoed all along the table, as were introductions of Harry and Ron to Eileen. Once everybody's plates were filled and they were getting ready to eat, Ginny and Draco stood as he cleared his throat and got everyone's attention.
''Excuse me. Ginny and I have an announcement to make.'' Draco said. ''But first, I would like to thank Hermione for knowing, but keeping it to herself.''
''I'm pregnant!'' Ginny squealed, unable to wait any longer to say something.
''OH! MY BABY!'' Molly yelled, standing up and rushing to hug Ginny. Arthur and Lucius joined them a moment later.
''Congratulations, you two!'' Arthur said, hugging Ginny when Molly finally let go and moved to hug Draco.
''Thanks, daddy.'' Ginny said, as he kissed her forehead. Ginny was starting to tear up at this point.
''You knew, Hermione, and you didn't say anything?'' Harry asked her from down the table.
''It was their news, and they wanted it to be a surprise.'' Hermione said, smiling and sniffling.
''Well,'' Helena said. ''This calls for a toast. To Draco and Ginny. May your baby be..''
''Ooooh!'' Hermione screamed, grabbing her stomach.
''What? What is it?'' Severus asked in a panicked voice, setting his glass down.
''My water just broke!'' Hermione said with wide eyes.
Review please.
I know that ending was a bit cliched, but it was what came to me.
Til next time!
XOXO- Onyx Obsidian