Chapter 21:

Hermione frowned at the window, waiting for Draco to return. He had been showing their friends out. She stood up quickly and placed several wards around the apartment before heading upstairs. She went into Curtis and Aurora's room to check on them. They were fast asleep. Hermione leant over Curtis and kissed his cheek, tucking him in tightly. She turned when she heard Draco at the door. She smiled as he walked up to her and knelt in front of her, "they'll be ok love. I promise I'll protect them. I'll protect you."

"I know you will Draco," Hermione kissed him gently, "I'm just scared."

Draco nodded, "I know."

"I'm more scared now than I ever was in the war," Hermione told him. "I'm scared for them… I'm scared for you. Promise me; you won't get hurt."

"I… that's a big promise to make," Draco sighed. "I can't promise you that if I'm given the choice between them getting hurt and me getting hurt that I will protect myself. I can't promise you that if it's between me and you that I'll protect myself either. You come first. They come first."

Hermione smiled before nodding her head. Draco took her hand and led her out of their children's room, "stay with me tonight?" Hermione asked.

Draco nodded, "if that's what you want."

They made their way into Hermione's bedroom and quickly changed out of their clothes. Hermione put on a pair of pyjamas whilst Draco just stripped until all he was wearing was his boxers. They cuddled together under the duvet. Hermione rested her head on his chest and tickled patterns on his skin with her finger. "I love you Draco," she whispered.

"I love you too, Hermione," he replied. He yarned loudly and then kissed her on the head. Moments later Hermione heard his breathing change. He was asleep. She lay there with his arms wrapped protectively around her and tried to think of a way to protect her new family.

Two weeks passed. There had been no new news of the death eaters and so life had continued almost like normal, except the Hogwarts parents were hyper vigilant and very protective of their children. Aurora and Curtis were chasing each other round the apartment, driving Hermione and Draco mental. They were trying to pack their stuff so that they could go away for the half term week but the children were making it into a very difficult task.

"That is enough! Aurora! Curtis! Here now!" Draco called from his room, where he was packing his own clothes.

The two seven year olds bounded into the room, "yes daddy?"

"You need to stop," He began to tell them, "we are leaving in an hour and you aren't even dressed!"

The children looked down at their pyjamas. "Sorry daddy."

"Aurora go and have a shower," Draco told his daughter. She rushed out of the room and into the bathroom. "Curtis go and gather the toys you want to take to gran and granddads and put them on your bed. Then when your sister comes out the shower, you need to have one."

Curtis nodded before leaving the room. Draco sighed before continuing with his packing. Hermione walked into the room looking absolutely perfect in a pair of dark skinny jeans and a pretty top and cardigan. Her hair fell in perfect curls. Draco sighed at the sight of her, she was magnificent.

He rushed over to the doorway where she stood and picked her up into his arms. He kissed her passionately before feeling her melt into his arms. He pulled her towards his bed and they fell onto it in a pile of limbs. He continued kissing her before beginning to kiss a path down her neck. "I need to go sort the children out," she blushed.

"I've already sent Aurora for a shower and Curtis is sorting his toys out."

Hermione moaned, "We're leaving in an hour."

Draco continued to kiss her neck. His hands on her hips; revelling in the softness of her skin. After several minutes more of kissing, Hermione pushed Draco off of her, "sorry love but we've got to finish getting ready… and your messing up my hair."

Draco laughed. With a quick flick of his wand all of his packing was done, "look I'm all packed – so what do you say?"

Hermione giggled, "the kids aren't though."

He sighed, "come on then." He took her hand and led her into their children's room. Aurora was still in the shower by the sound of the singing coming from the bathroom. Draco started helping Curtis pack his toys into his trunk whilst Hermione magically packed Aurora's clothes. She left a pretty dress, tights, cardigan and cloak out for the girl on her bed. She then turned her eyes to Curtis' trunk. Her eyebrow rose at the number of toys he and his father had packed, "are you sure you need all these Curtis?"

"Yes mumma," Curtis replied.

Hermione nodded before reorganising the toys. She then started packing his clothes on top. She left him a pair of jeans, a shirt and cloak out on his bed for him to change into after his shower. She then went to hurry Aurora along, "Hurry up dear, we're leaving soon," she called through the door.

"Yes mummy," Aurora replied.

Curtis and Draco were sat reading a book together in the common room when they heard Hermione call down the stairs, "Curtis, the bathroom is free."

Curtis bounded up the stairs and into the bathroom. Hermione levitated both her children's trunks and magicked them downstairs before leaving her daughter alone to change. She then did the same with both her own and Draco's trunks. When she came downstairs herself, Draco had already sent the trunks ahead of them with one of the Malfoy's house-elves. He kissed her on the cheek, "how long till we leave?"

"Twenty minutes," Hermione replied as she sat on his lap.

"How long do you think the kids will be?" He nuzzled her neck.

"At least ten minutes," Hermione breathed.

"Good," Draco replied as he kissed her ardently. She ran her hands through his hair and changed her position slightly so she was straddling him on the sofa. He pulled her closer and laid his hands on her hips. He tickled her skin where her top rose up her back slightly. They only pulled away from one another when they heard someone coming down the stairs. Hermione shifted so she was sat next to Draco and placed her hand in his on his lap managing to hide the tent that was evidently forming in his trousers. Curtis was the first to come down the stairs. He sat on the sofa opposite his parents, "where is your sister?" Hermione asked, blushing slightly.

"She says she'll be down in a few minutes," Curtis replied.

Hermione nodded. Draco looked at his pocket watch, "she better hurry. We're running late."

At that moment, Aurora scurried down the stairs. Hermione and Draco put their cloaks on. Hermione helped the children into their cloaks and then the family of four left their apartment. They made their way to the Great Hall, where they would be travelling from. It was going to be the children's first time travelling by floo powder so Hermione explained it to the children.

The children quickly ran off when they reached the Great Hall because they saw several of their friends. Hermione tried to call them back but they were gone. Draco chuckled, "don't worry love. They'll be back." He leant down and kissed her on the lips gently. He didn't really like public displays of affection but he sometimes couldn't help himself with Hermione and over the last few weeks it had been harder than ever. They hadn't slept together yet but things were heating up. When Professor McGonagall called their names, the children returned to their parents' sides. Aurora was the first to go into the fire, "Malfoy Manor!" Curtis followed after her, then Hermione and finally Draco.