Thank you so much for all the kind reviews, the follows and Favourites, I am still Beta looking but until then please please ignore the mistakes and enjoy this chapter :) -
That Saturday morning saw Hermione woken up rather abruptly by an enraged Ginny.
"Wake up" Ginny shouted as she flipped Hermione's mattress up evidently making her fall on the floor.
"Gin" Hermione groaned, banging her head on her bedside table as she sat back onto her ankles.
"When were you going to tell me about this?" Ginny asked- almost hurt- flinging the Daily Prophet on Hermione's bed, realisation soon dawned on the not so bushy haired witch.
On the front page of the Prophet stood Hermione Granger holding hands with little Scorpious chatting away without a care in the world. The headline:- War Heroine gets her slice of Death Eater.
Raging Hermione set to work 'Incendio' the paper and abruptly stood from the floor.
"Ex Death Eater … Draco is an Ex Death Eater, I didn't even see any reporters out yesterday"
Hermione paced her bedroom unable to fathom what Draco must be thinking as he sits down to breakfast in Wiltshire, opening the paper to find his face splatted over the front.
"Why didn't you tell us? Instead we had to find out by the Prophet … Oh and Teddy coming home yesterday night announcing how he loves his Uncle Draco and best friend Scorpious, don't get me wrong I am glad to see Teddy eventually coming out of his shell but you didn't think to inform us whom you were taking him to see"
Hermione frowned and stopped pacing.
"Why should I have? He was on Andy's watch, whom is Draco's Aunt by the way. Teddy is Draco's family whether you like it or not"
"I haven't made my mind up whether or not I like, you're lucky I came instead of Harry or Ron" Hermione scoffed and threw on her red knitted jumper.
"Please, I am old enough to make my own decisions, I don't need any one's permission, Draco is an esteemed person, he's intelligent, charming and not even mentioning how devilishly handsome he has become over the years … look Gin I can't promise this thing between me and Draco will work but you just have to trust me on this … and let me make my own mistakes"
Throughout Hermione's rant Ginny watched carefully and noticed the fiery Gryffindor return, something she hadn't seen since before the war, She was holding onto something or someone she cared about and refused to let go, taking a tentative step forward she placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"All I ask is for you to be happy, and if Draco makes you happy I can't complain ... I just hope you know what you are doing" Hermione grinned and threw her arms around her best friend's shoulders.
"He's going to be here with Scorpious this afternoon when you bring the kids, please tell Harry to be nice … oh and can you please ask your mum if they can stay for tea on Sunday" Ginny smirked and pulled away from her fellow Gryffindor.
"This is getting serious if you're willing to bring him home"
"Mmm, I am to meet his parents for Sunday lunch, It is only fair he comes to us for tea" Hermione was unable to hold her grimace in at her memory of her last visit at the Manor.
"Ok, I have to get back, I was in the middle of making the kids lunch and I didn't stay long enough to see Harry's reaction to the news, I shall see you soon" The two fell into silent giggles as they hugged each other goodbye.
Hermione looked up to the apartment's living room clock to see it was after dinner, panicking she ran into her en-suite to complete a shorter version of her daily cleansing routine. Draco and Scorpious was due to appear within the hour and she -nor the house- was appropriate to receive such guests.
After showering, putting some food in for their lunch, getting dressed and a few cleaning spells on the apartment later. Hermione fixed herself a coffee with a shot of hazelnut syrup, As soon as Hermione sat down with her cup of coffee the doorbell rang. Jumping from the sofa she looked through the door's peephole to see Scorpious staring straight back at her. Opening the door with a small giggle she allowed the two Malfoy's in.
"Good afternoon Miss Hermione" Scorpious tentatively reached for her hand, placing a soft kiss on it.
"Why good afternoon Master Scorpious" Hermione mocked curtsied
"You do that so well" Draco wrapped his arms loosely around her and pulled her in for a cuddle, slightly smelling her hair for the familiar aroma of Vanilla and Strawberry's. Moving away with a smile Hermione showed the boys into the apartment.
"Scorpious would you like to play with some toys?" Hermione asked, bending her back slightly to be eye level with the little boy.
"When will Teddy be here?" Scorpious asked eagerly.
"Soon sweetie, they are having their lunch and were about to have ours … do you like spaghetti Bolognese?" Hermione frowned as the little boy shrugged his shoulders.
"The house elf's don't serve spaghetti as Father is allergic to wheat" Draco whispered into her ear.
"Oh"
"But I am sure he will love it" A smile plastered back onto her face and showed the little boy the selection of toys she kept at her house for the Potters.
"You looked rather beautiful in the paper this morning" A husky voice whispered into her ear as she checked on the pasta.
"Why thank you, but what shall we say if they ask if we are together?" Draco frowned and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
"We shall simply say it's none of their cowing business" Hermione stifled a giggle and wormed her way out of his grip so she could serve lunch.
"Call Scorpious in will you" Hermione asked as she brought the garlic bread from the oven and placed it on the table.
"Scorp, lunch is ready mate" A flash of platinum could be seen as he ran into the kitchen/dining room.
"Let's wash your hands little man" Hermione placed her white stool at the sink for easier access to the taps.
Standing back proudly, Draco couldn't help but let his frozen heart swell at Hermione 'Mothering' his son.
Scorpious eyed his 'spaghetti' carefully, prodding it with his fork as if they were really worms. He looked up through his swept across fringe to see his Father twirling the 'spaghetti' around his fork. Picking up his own fork he copied the movements and placed it all in his mouth. One chomp … two chomp's.
"Miss Hermione this absolutely lovely" He announced taking another spoonful of his lunch.
"Well when you go home this evening, you can tell your Grandfather that you wish to have spaghetti now and again … but only the wheat free version of course" Scorpious nodded eagerly not caring if the sauce got all around his mouth or hands.
"You need another clean, you spaghetti monster" Hermione playfully jabbed Scorpious in the tummy much to his own amusement. After the plates and condiments were cleared from the table she shooed the boys out of the kitchen to allow her space to clean, or rather move her wand around the messier areas.
"Miss Hermionnnneeee" Hermione ran from the kitchen hearing such a screech for the little boy sent shivers down her spine.
Hermione gasped at what she saw, In the middle of her living room, Ronald holding his wand to a composed Draco's neck.
"Lower you wand in my house … now" Hermione hissed, placing Scorpious behind herself just in case things got out of hand.
"NO" Ron roared.
"Expelliarmus" Hermione glanced to her left to where Harry stood in the doorway with two wands in hand.
"You should know that is illegal" Harry whispered harshly.
"Never, and I mean never hold your wand to another's throat when their children are present" Harry spat -obviously in 'Father mode'- at least Ron had the decency to look sheepish and murmur a simple 'I didn't see the kid'
Draco scoffed and walked around Hermione to console his son in his arms.
"You idiot, you wait till I tell Mum" A out of breathe Ginny finally arrived behind Harry with the four kids.
"Very mature Gin" Ginny scurried the kids into the house before dragging her idiotic brother outside by the scruff of his collar. Hermione -all to familiar the Weasley temper- placed a wandless silencing charm on the apartment so the sibling's duel could not be heard.
"Sorry about that mate" Harry rubbed the back of the neck before taking cautious steps towards the trio and held his hand out.
"I want to warn you though, if you hurt my sister … I will hunt you down" Harry declared as Draco clasped their hands together.
"Potter, If I hurt her rare beauty I expect nothing less" Draco chuckled with a still scared Scorpious in his arms.
"And what's your name little man?" Harry asked peering at Scorpious.
"Scorpious … I am five … or I will be next week" The little boy smiled proudly at himself for remembering.
"Well I have a little friend for you to meet" Harry pulled Albus around from his legs, and Scorpious crawled down from his dad's arms.
"This is Albus, Albus is 5 too" Awkward greetings were made between the two before Teddy came running over with 'Cowboys and Indians' figurines, the three boys ran around the room making 'pachew' noises and faking their injuries.
"Well that's us told" Harry smirked and looked around to Lilly and James reading quietly on the couch.
"So I heard you're coming to the Burrow on Sunday" Harry tried to break the ice.
"That I am" Draco answered slightly guarded
"Don't worry Molly has already instructed everyone to be on the best behaviour" Hermione stifled a giggle at the thought of what Molly will do if anyone will misbehave in front of her.
"Sorry about that" Ginny came in less than perfect, her hair out of her neatly constructed bun, a cardigan sleeve ripped and her shoe heels broken.
"What happened …" Harry asked trying to control his temper, true Ginny could look after herself but still … he is her Husband.
"Oh this … Its nothing" she waved it off causally.
"Harry love, don't let it spoil our afternoon, he has walked away with alot worse … all that baby talk Lavender is always going on about? Well it won't be happening for a further 12 months" Ginny smirked and twiddled her wand in her fingers.
"Remind me to never get on the bad side of your Red" Draco mumbled
"Ha! Don't worry Draco, your safe … for now. Hermione, do you have some spare heels and a cardi I can borrow?" Hermione nodded and escaped to her bedroom to retrieve spare clothing for Ginny hoping Wizarding War 3 wouldn't break out in her living room, on her return she was slightly surprised to see the three on the sofa reminiscing about their children growing up.
"Here you are Gin" Ginny smiled appreciatively, taking the clothing from her friend's hand she changed her cardi and shoes and said their goodbye's to the kids.
The rest of the afternoon went off without a hitch, Hermione and Draco conducted various games of sleeping lions, follow the leader, Simon says and hide and seek with the kids. For their tea Hermione cooked –with the help from all 5 children- homemade pizzas. Whilst the pizza making were commencing Draco tidied the living room and set colouring books down on the floor with the pencils in the centre of the room in a plastic tumbler.
"Tea won't be too much longer" Hermione whispered to Draco upon his hearing his stomach growl.
"I don't ever want this many children" He chuckled at the hectic afternoon as Hermione froze slightly.
"Do you want more children?" She asked, turning around to face him.
"Maybe, If I find the right person myself and Scorp adores." Hermione forced a smile on her face, should she think so far into the future? Possibly not, she still had to go to Malfoy Manor on Sunday and come out of it alive.
The five children, Hermione and Draco ate their pizza's on their laps whilst Hermione put a movie in for the children to watch, Lily wanted to watch Beauty and the beast but of course the boys wanted to watch Monsters Inc or Toy story so Hermione settled on Ice Age3 which all the children agreed whole heartedly to, soon after all the children were snuggled on cushions sleeping soundly.
"Well this looks cosy" Luna whispered in her dreamlike way, peering down at the five children taking a nap after their tea.
"Draco" Luna smiled politely and left in search for food.
"So that's my closest friends who know we are a couple, how many of your friends know we are a couple hmm?" Hermione probed cheerfully but sobered up once his face hardened.
"I do not have such luxuries"
"Oh, I do apologise I didn't know" Draco waved it off and pulled her into his body.
"No worries, I speak to Theo but that's about it,he comes over once a month to see Scorpious but only because he is his Godfather, if he didn't have the obligation I would think he wouldn't come at all, Pansy and Blaise are married but live in Italy, I don't speak to them or them Greengrass Family have disowned myself and Scorp, but do you know what? I am happier this way"
Hermione entwined their fingers and rubbed circled with her thumb into his palm.
"You have me" She whispered feebly.
"I remember the first time I saw you" Draco laughed at the fond memory.
"Your hair, oh my I loved how wild it was, your perfect little dimples in your cheeks, the way you would bite your quill in concentration"
"Been watching me have you Mr Malfoy?" Hermione smirked
"And if I have?" He asked leaning in a little closer
"I would think I rather like it" She moved a fraction so their noses were touching.
"Were bacccckkk" Ginny announced, but quietened once she saw the sleeping lions.
"Sorry, did we interrupt something?"
Harry eyed the position they sat in, Hermione simply smiled at his over protectiveness and pulled slightly away from Draco.
"No problems, Albus and Lily fell asleep at 6, Teddy at Seven and James has just nodded off" Harry smiled fondly at the children, picking Teddy and James up he cooed them to go back to sleep.
"Thank Hermione" Ginny kissed her friends cheek and left some flowers on the coffee table.
"Gin you didn't have to do that" Ginny smirked slightly.
"The yellow ones are meant to give you good luck, I thought you might need it with tomorrow and everything" With one last cheeky wink the Potters dissaparated home for the night.
"My Family won't hurt you Hermione" Hermione almost winced at the tone of Draco's voice.
"I know that, I am more nervous to what they will think of me" Draco nodded almost in understanding.
"I better be going" Hermione reached for his arm.
"Must we part on bad terms?" Pulling her closer to him Draco kissed the top of her nose.
"We are not my dear, I must be getting Scorp to bed, dinner is at 12 but you might want to come early … say 11?" With a couple of kisses to Scorpious's head Hermione allowed the Malfoy's to floo home.
"Good night?" Luna asked from the doorway dressed in an all in one cow printed sleepsuit.
"Very actually, all the children were very well behaved"
Hermione smiled fondly, once the friends bid each other goodnight Hermione curled into a ball in the middle of her double bed, dreams of Draco almost certain for the evening set a permanent smile of the witches' lips.