The next day was Ara's party and Hermione and Draco arrived at the Manor, which was covered in decorations, the girls beside them. They ran to their grandmother, who smiled happily at them, and greeted them with hugs and kisses. Draco wrapped his mother in a hug as well, kissing her cheek. Finally Hermione walked up to her.
"Narcissa," Hermione said.
"Hermione," Narcissa nodded, before grabbing her daughter-in-law in a hug, holding her tightly. "Draco told me what's going on," she whispered, "don't worry dear, I'll be here for the girls if anything happens."
"Thank you Cissy," Hermione whispered, holding her a bit tighter to show her just how thankful she was.
Hermione and Narcissa had been close for many years now, ever since the older woman found out she was getting her first grandchild. Hermione had been so anxious and nervous to tell the woman about her and Draco, let alone the child she was expecting. Narcissa had been overwhelmed, in a good way; she apologized for the way she had been to the young girl in the past, admitting she had no excuse for her behaviour. She explained how she had been raised to see purebloods as the best, and it wasn't until the war that her eyes had been opened to the fact that power was power, and blood was blood; one didn't define the other.
Lucius hadn't believed that, of course, and it wasn't until he killed himself that Narcissa felt brave enough to contact her sister, Andromeda, and reconcile. It had taken a while for Andromeda to convince Narcissa that muggleborns weren't dirty scum, and after she had learned about her brother-in-law, and how brave he had been during the war, Narcissa couldn't help but believe it; her views had changed. She had only been too pleased when she heard Hermione was with her son, and that she was pregnant.
Narcissa loved her granddaughters, although Ara was by far her favourite, as she was the first born. She didn't care that they were halfbloods, and all girls, she was just happy to have them in her life. She knew Lucius must been rolling around in his grave, not only because their granddaughters weren't pure, but also because that left no one to carry on the Malfoy name, but he was no longer with them, and no longer her concern.
Lucius had committed suicide after learning that he would be spending the remaining of his years in Azkaban. He had gone to trial, and testified that he wasn't as evil as everyone believed him to be, but the Wizengamot wouldn't listen to him. All they saw were his misdeeds in the past, and how closely he had been allied with Voldemort. He had been sentenced to lifetime in Azkaban, but before they could capture him, he stole a wand from one of the guards, and Avada'd himself. His pride couldn't take the thought of spending the rest of his years locked away in a cell.
That had been the key to both Narcissa's and Draco's freedom in life; the two of them hadn't been punished by the court, they had been set free. That had also been what gave Draco the courage to seek Hermione out, a week after she had thanked him for saving his life; his father's death had let him do what he wanted to do, without fear of judgement or punishment. He was free to live his life his own way. And he did.
"Hello, Hermione," a voice said and the brunette turned to see Narcissa's sister standing there with Teddy. Teddy smiled and waved at Ara, wishing her a happy birthday. Hermione smiled at Andromeda. "Meda, it's nice to see you again."
"You as well, my dear," she smiled, turning to her nephew, "and Draco."
"Aunt Meda," he said smiling.
"Hermione, I'm sorry for what happened in Diagon Alley the other day," she said lowering her voice, "Teddy told me the trouble Harry caused you."
Hermione shook her head, "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. It's mine, I asked you not to tell him we were around, asked you not to tell him that you saw us. The fault is all mine, you have nothing to worry about."
"Ara, Ara!" Teddy said happily, "Wait until you see what we got you for your birthday!"
Ara smiled excitedly, "when do we get to open up presents?" She turned to her parents, "Please mum, dad! Can we do it now?"
Draco laughed, "Let all your guests arrive first, Ara. There are very few people here yet."
Ara sighed, "Alright," she turned to Teddy, "c'mon. I want to show you something." The two ran off through the hall while the adults watched them.
"They are such good friends," Hermione smiled.
"What are they going to do when Ara's sorted into Slytherin? Teddy's a Gryffindor, is he not?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "There is absolutely no proof that Ara is going to be in Slytherin. I keep telling you not to get your spirits set too high on it."
"She's ambitious and cunning, like all worthy Slytherins," Draco said stubbornly.
"She's also brave and intelligent, like any Gryffindor."
"Personally, I can see the girl being in Ravenclaw," Narcissa pointed out.
"Better than Hufflepuff," mumbled Draco.
"Mummy," Lyra said tugging on her mother's pants and interrupting the adult's debate. "Mummy, I want to go play."
"Alright darling," Hermione said. "Just don't wander too far."
"I've set a playroom just next door, in case the younger ones wanted something to do," Narcissa said, "Why don't I take you there, Lyra, my love?"
Lyra nodded excitedly and took her grandmother's hand, walking off with her.
"I'll be in the library," Gemini said walking away as well.
"I swear, that girl is so much like me most of the time, and then out of the blue she'll do something that screams Hermione," Draco said watching their middle child.
"You like to read," Hermione pointed out.
"Yes, but I'd never choose to spend my time in the library during a party."
Hermione scoffed and turned to greet some of the other guests, welcoming them to the party
A few hours passed by, Ara getting more and more impatient to open her gifts. Finally, after a later lunch was served and the cake was eaten, everyone gathered around the pile of gifts and watched the birthday girl open each one.
She received a lot of books and small trinkets from most guests, although Teddy had gotten her a fun little potion making kit that let her experiment with her physical looks. "Now you can morph yourself, just like me! There's a potion that will temporarily change your eyes colour with only two drops in each eye! One that'll change your hair colour! This one," he said holding up the book and flipping to a certain page, "will make you taller too!"
"Wow," Ara said smiling, "that's so cool!"
"When you get to Hogwarts we can confuse so many people! It'll be a blast!"
Ara smiled widely at her friend before opening her grandmothers gift. Inside was a necklace with the Black family crest. "I received this when I turned 11," Narcissa said as Ara gaped at it, "I never had a daughter to give it to, so I'm giving it to you."
"Wow," Ara said again, but this time with a sigh, "it's beautiful Grandmother. Thank you so much."
"I know technically you are a Malfoy, but there's still Black blood in you." Narcissa said.
"But," Ara said, "This isn't the Malfoy crest."
"It's the Black one," Draco said, "You're grandmother discussed it with your mother and I and we agreed you could have it."
"Thank you," Ara said again, clasping the necklace around her neck.
"Ok, now time to open our gifts," Hermione said smiling at her daughter.
Ara excitedly ripped the paper off the clothes and make up kit, thanking her mother, knowing it was she who got them for her. When Draco handed her the last gift, she tore into the paper faster than a snitch could fly.
In it was a whole set of Quidditch gear, from Catcher gloves to Beaters bats. But it was the broom that made Ara scream in delight.
"I can't believe you got it for me!" She said, jumping up and giving her father the biggest hug he'd ever received. "And you let him!" She added hugging her mother just as hard. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said over and over again.
"Let's go try it out!" Teddy said loudly, seeing the name on the broom stick. "I can't believe you actually got it! It's the best broom on the market!"
The two hurried off, with Gemini, Lyra, and the other children chasing after them, excited and curious to see the new broomstick work.
"So, am I still in trouble for getting her the broom?" Draco asked his wife with a smirk on his face.
"How can I be mad after a reaction like that?" Hermione asked hugging her husband.
A/N: Another update! Am I updating too frequently or do you guys like that?
I know some of you are going to be like "oh yay another filler chapter" BUT I wanted to introduce Narcissa to the story, as I'm sure some of you were wondering what Draco's parents thought of their marriage!
Next chapter will be posted soon, and for those anxious to see Harry again, you won't have to wait long!
Side note, I'm currently writing chapter 14 (go me!) and things are starting to get goooooood! I can't wait for you guys to read it!
Please review!