George and little Fred were the first two to arrive on Christmas Day. George looking very much like a muggle Santa Claus, wearing all red and white. Ron and Luna were in the kitchen cooking lunch, so Hermione and Draco were on door and fireplace duty.
"Excellent job on the decorations!" George said as he walked in, shepherding Fred into the house as he did so.
"Aunt 'Mione!" Fred yelled out, jumping into Hermione's arms and giving her a huge kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, George. Hello, Fred. How are you?"
"I got a new broomstick! But daddy wouldn't let me bring it to show everyone." Fred's filled with mischief. "I wanted to give Uncle Harry a ride."
"Uncle Harry would've seen through your trick, Fred. Now what do you say to Aunt Hermione?" George scolded as he kissed Hermione on the cheek.
"Thank you for my present, Aunt 'Mione!" Fred exclaimed with eagerness. Hermione had bought Fred a mini Quidditch set to go with his new broomstick – six hoops that hovered two feet off the ground, a Quaffle, two soft bludgers with beaters bats and a snitch, all charmed by Hermione herself so that they wouldn't fly more than fifteen metres away from Fred.
Hermione laughed softly and hugged the little red head tightly. Fred hugged her back enthusiastically before beginning to try and worm his way out of his favourite Aunties arms, when he spotted Draco behind Hermione.
"Auntie 'Mione." Fred stage whispered in Hermione's ear. "There's a ghost over there."
Hermione glanced over her shoulder to see Draco, and started laughing.
"That's not a ghost, Fred. That's my friend." Hermione walked Fred over to Draco.
"Fred Weasley, this is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Fred Weasley the second." Hermione introduced the pair, wondering if Draco would realize the child was named after his fathers' dead twin.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Fred." Draco said, smiling and holding out his hand towards Fred.
Fred eyed Draco for a few moments. "Why do you look like a ghost?" Fred demanded, making Draco laugh.
"My dad is a ghost. He floats around scaring everyone as much as he can." Draco winked. George gave a snort of laughter as he passed the trio into the kitchen.
Fred's eyes were wide as he looked at Draco with reverence. "Really?" he asked.
"Why yes." Draco said sincerely, finally dropping his hand.
"Wow." Fred gaped. Draco glanced up at Hermione, raising an eyebrow questioningly. Hermione smiled and nodded. Draco had Fred's approval.
Just then the doorbell rang and Hermione put Fred down to greet the newcomers.
"Hi, Molly! Hi, Arthur! Please, come in." Hermione stepped aside to let the pair enter, noticing as she did so that Fred and Draco had sat on the floor and were talking quietly together.
"Hello, Hermione, dear. How are you? Where's my son?" Molly asked as she enveloped Hermione in a hug and kissed her cheek before moving further into the house.
"I'm good, thanks, Molly. George and little Fred are here too. Ron, Luna and George are in the kitchen, but Fred's in the corner with Draco." Suddenly Hermione wished that she had sent a warning owl to Molly and Arthur last night. They both looked over to see the two boys together, and froze in place.
"Hermione. Is that Lucius Malfoy's son?" Arthur whispered.
"Yes. I'm currently dating him, Arthur. So I'd appreciate it if you were nice to him and maybe even gave him a chance." Hermione said quickly, biting her lip in worry. Molly and Arthur stayed very still for a few more moments, before Arthur nodded once and made his way into the kitchen.
"Do you feed him enough, Hermione? He looks a little peckish." Molly said, sounding concerned.
"Of course I do, Molly. I couldn't introduce him to you without having fed him, could I?" Hermione teased as she and Molly walked over to him together.
"Draco, Fred, may I interrupt?" Hermione said, watching in amusement as both boys glanced up at the same time, both wearing a similar cheeky expression.
"Grandma!" Fred leapt up to give Molly a hug around her legs.
"Hello, dear." Molly bent over to pick up Fred, groaning quietly with the effort as she did so. "This used to be so much easier."
"Grandma, this is Drahko. His daddy is a ghost!" Fred exclaimed. Molly glanced at Draco and nodded her head in Draco direction.
"Nice to meet you, Draco. You can call me Molly."
Draco gave Molly a half bow and a dazzling smile once he'd stood up. "Pleasure to meet you, Molly."
Hermione sidled over to give Draco a hug and smiled widely at Molly, mouthing a quick 'Thank you' at her and receiving an indulgent motherly smile in return.
Draco leant over to whisper into Hermione's ear; "Was Fred's father the one who lost his twin in the Hogwarts battle?"
Hermione only nodded, her eyes filling with sadness. Draco hugged her tightly, wishing that the Hogwarts Battle had never happened. Families wouldn't be so broken now, if it hadn't.
"HERMIONE!" everyone jumped as Ron's voice echoed through the house. Quickly Hermione excused herself and almost sprinted into the kitchen.
"What is it?" she asked, searching for the problem.
"Oh, nothing, I just wanted your opinion on my clothes." Ron said sarcastically. "Luna spilt a bowl of boiling water on her stomach, what do we do?"
Hermione found Luna sitting on the floor with her legs stretched out, looking mildly amused by Ron, who was crouching over her in a panic.
Sighing, Hermione walked over to Luna, pulling out her wand as she did so. Quickly Hermione muttered a spell under her breath, waving her wand over Luna's feet. Then she muttered "Accio medicine kit."
Once the medicine kit came whizzing to a stop on the floor next to her, Hermione opened it and pulled out a flask.
"Rub a small amount of this on the affected areas, Luna."
Obediently Luna did as Hermione asked, and gave a huge sigh of relief once she'd finished. "Thanks Hermione."
"You won't be completely healed, Luna, but the burning will stop and you won't have any serious lasting damage. Just take it easy for now, alright?" Hermione said, putting the flask back in her medicine kit.
"I will, Hermione. Thank you." Luna smiled at Hermione before turning to Ron. "It seems that you will be finishing the cooking by yourself, Ronald. Help me into a chair and I'll give you instructions."
Hermione smiled to herself and sent her medicine kit back to her room with a quick, "Depulso." After making sure that Ron and Luna were fine, she turned to Arthur and George, who were sitting around the table.
"Is everything alright in here?" she asked. Both men nodded.
"Hermione, some warning would've been nice, so that we knew young Mr. Malfoy was going to be here. In future, remember to send us an owl. Alright? Molly and I are getting too old for surprises like that." Arthur smiled tiredly.
"Sure thing. Sorry, Arthur."
"Did you at least warn Harry?" George asked.
"I sent an owl to Ginny last night." Hermione responded, relieved that Draco had talked her into it last minute last night.
"That explains why they're late then, he's probably trying to convince Ginny that they don't need to come." Arthur said, laughing a little.
Just then, a familiar whoosh came from the lounge room, and Hermione ran into the lounge to find Ginny and James Potter cleaning themselves of fireplace soot.
"Hello, you two!" Hermione helped to clean the soot off the pair before hugging them both just as Harry stepped out of the fireplace.
There were a few moments while everyone gave each other hugs and kisses on cheeks, then Fred came tearing into the middle of the adults to drag James away to meet Draco.
"James, I've met a ghost!" he exclaimed, causing James' face to light up with delight.
Harry followed the two boys with his eyes, his face darkening when he saw who Fred was leading James over to.
"Silencio!" Ginny muttered; pointing her wand at Harry and standing in front of him, earning a dark stare in her direction.
"Harry, you need to listen to me." Ginny ordered, glaring right back at Harry. "Draco and Hermione are now dating. Draco is here to meet our family, and you are not going to start a fight with him. You are going to be polite to him. Understand?" Ginny glared at Harry, who rolled his eyes, gave a huge sigh and finally nodded, although looking like he'd eaten a lemon flavoured Bertie Bott Bean.
Ginny lifted the charm from Harry, giving him back his voice, and turned to follow her son and nephew.
"Thanks, Harry. Giving him a chance really means a lot to me." Hermione said, hugging Harry briefly.
"He's on probation, Hermione. If he slips up once, I'll be after him." Harry replied softly. "I don't want to see you, or anyone in my family, getting hurt because of him."
"Stop being so melodramatic Harry. I promise you, it'll be fine."
"Hi, Draco." Ginny had sat down with Draco and the kids. "What are you cheeky elves up to?"
"We're talking to the ghost!" James spoke up.
"No we're not silly! His dad is the ghost! He is real!" Fred said, pointing at Draco, who was laughing silently.
"Lunch is ready everyone!" Ron announced as he walked into the dining room. Ron, Arthur, Luna and George were all moving the food there by hovering a few plates each.
"Hermione, can you grab the gravy from the kitchen, please?" Ron asked.
"Sure, Ron." Hermione almost skipped into the kitchen, she was feeling so elated that no one had tried to rip out Draco's throat. Yet.
As she made her way to the dining room, a figure appeared in the fireplace.
"Hermione! We're not late are we?" Fleur's natural French accent was barely detectible nowadays, having spent more time with her English speaking family. She did teach everyone some French phrases and expressions though, to help everyone understand part of the conversations when her family did visit.
"Bonjour, Fleur! We're about to start eating, is Bill coming?"
"Oui, he should be along in just a moment. And Charlie is coming also."
"Excellent! I'll just put this down on the table and then I will be back to help you clean yourselves off." Hermione said and ducked into the living room.
"Fleur is here, Bill and Charlie are on their way." Hermione announced.
"Excellent. I'll conjure up some chairs for them." Ron said from the head of the table. Hermione ducked out again straight away to go help the newcomers.
As she walked into the living room, Hermione heard more people stumbling out of the fireplace.
"Hi, Bill! Hi, Charlie! How are you?" Hermione greeted the two warmly and gave them each a hug.
"We're about to start eating lunch, so everyone's already in the dining room, if you want to come through?"
"Sure, thanks Hermione!" Charley smiled widely and led the way through to the dining room, almost skipping with glee. It was no secret that Charley enjoyed Hermione's cooking immensely. Bill sighed and followed with a small smile and holding Fleur's hand.
Hermione made to follow, when the doorbell rang. Wondering if she'd forgotten anyone, she cautiously made her way over.
"Percy! And Audrey! Welcome! Come on through, you're just in time, we're about to start on lunch."
"Thank you, Hermione." Percy Weasley gave a small smile as he led his fiancée through the door. Hermione closed the door and led the couple through to the dining room.
"Hey, everyone! Percy and Audrey made it!" Hermione announced as they walked through.
It took a while for the mix of Weasley's and Potter's to finish their greetings and settle down at the table, but the chatter didn't stop as they started eating.
Almost three hours later, when the family had finally finished eating, Harry stood up and allowed his gaze to wander over the older men of the family.
"Gentlemen, should we take a walk?" He offered.
"Sure."
"Alright."
"Let's go!"
"But I only just finished eating!" Ron was the only one to complain, but he stood up nonetheless, giving Luna a kiss on the top of her head as he passed her to join the others.
"Malfoy. Are you coming?" Harry asked; the question and smile plastered onto his face obviously very forced, but he wanted to make the effort for Hermione, who seemed happy.
"Oh, uh, sure." Draco rose and patted Hermione shoulder gently before he joined the men. He would've kissed Hermione for confidence but he wasn't quite ready to be that affectionate to her in front of her very large, very boisterous family. He had sat in silence for most of the meal, just watching and listening; his family were very reserved and self-contained, this change of pace was a huge change for Draco, but he was enjoying himself immensely.
Hermione squeezed his hand before he had a chance to take it away, hoping to give him some reassurance; but internally, she was jumping for joy that her family were giving Draco a chance.
Draco followed the men outside, and together they all began to walk down the snowy street, the Weasley's and Harry and talking and laughing loudly together while Draco followed them, watching and listening; he couldn't help but notice that he was the odd one out in the group. He was wearing a neat but casual suit, while the Weasley's and Potter were wearing worn jeans and button up shirts with their sleeves rolled up under their robes. Not to mention he had bright blonde hair whilst they all had red or black hair. He stuck out horribly, and was just wondering why they had even invited him along when Weasel and Potter dropped back to stand either side of him. Two of the Weasel men – from memory he thought their names were Bill and Percy - were behind him now, and the rest were in front, all walking silently.
"Malfoy, what is your job these days?" Harry turned and asked when they were a few houses down the street.
"I am currently co-Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Draco muttered. He had a feeling that Potter knew this already, but for some reason he was making unnecessary small talk.
Is this what Gryffindor's do for their friends? Make an effort with their friends new boyfriend, no matter how much you might hate them? Draco wondered to himself.
"Isn't that where Hermione used to work?" Mr Weasley asked the group.
"Yeah, it was. She left once her book was published." George said. Draco observed George from the corner of his eye. The Weasel had spoken about Hermione as if he cared for her deeply, which Draco didn't blame him for, Hermione was easy to love, but she was his and he was not willing to let her go.
"I heard you had married one of the Greengrass girls?" Percy asked suspiciously.
"I did. She was a wonderful wife, but she died at childbirth with what should've been our first child. The child died, too."
"My apologies." Percy murmured.
"Didn't you disappear from the Wizarding World, Malfoy?" Ron demanded. "You were all over the Prophet for some time."
"That would be my mother's doing. I did leave the Wizarding World. I went to live with the muggles for some time. Out of grief over the loss of my wife and my child."
"So, Malfoy." One of the older Weasel boys finally spoke up, the one with a scarred face. "Why are you dating Hermione?"
"What do you mean?" Draco asked. He wondered if he should send a Patronus ahead to Hermione to ask for help. He didn't want to hurt her family.
"You heard what he said. Why are you dating Hermione?" Weasel snapped.
"I'm dating her because I'm interested in her. I'm rather attracted to her."
"Attracted to her, or her fame?" One of the Weasels from behind asked, Draco wasn't sure which one. Whichever one it was, the comment smarted.
"I am attracted to her." He realized after he'd spoken that he sounded like a sixteen year old Pureblood brat who wasn't getting his way, and took a deep breath before continuing. "I am attracted to her, not to her fame. I am attracted to who she is."
"How can we be sure of that?" Mr Weasley asked from up ahead.
"Has Hermione told you that she faced my mother and father?" Draco asked. All the men stopped and turned to stare at Draco. "My father threatened to disown me and cut my inheritance if I stayed with her. I left Hermione, believing that I was not good enough for her."
"So why did you come back to her?" The Weasel he thought was George growled. Draco turned and met his gaze calmly.
Yes, he defiantly has feelings for Hermione.
"I didn't. She came to Malfoy Manor." Everyone around Draco gasped. He stared at each of the men in turn as he continued his story; suddenly he desperately wanted them to approve of Hermione's attraction for him.
"She stood at our gates for most of the day, screaming for me to come out. I was under orders from my father not to go to her. Eventually my house elf brought her in to my mother. My mother heard her side of the story and invited her for dinner. After dinner my mother locked us in her study together and we discussed calmly what had happened. By the end of our discussion, we had decided we really wanted to date each other." Draco wasn't sure if he imagined it, but the Weasels and Potter seemed to believe him. Except for George.
"Why didn't you fight for her?" He asked suspiciously. Draco hung his head.
"Because I still believe that I am a no good Malfoy. My family name is tainted and I'm not good enough for Hermione; all I can do is love her, and look after her to best of my abilities."
There was silence for a long time, Draco avoiding everyones' eyes. Finally, Harry lifted his arm and thumped Draco on the back, surprising the blonde enough for him to lift his head and gaze at Harry questioningly.
"Well, that's good enough for me. You said you love her, and I'll take your word for it. But if you hurt her, you'll have all the Weasley's and the Potter's after your head." Harry was smiling. Slowly each of the Weasley's gave Draco a smile and a pat on the back or his shoulder, too. Even George patted his arm briefly.
"Now, let's head home to our lovely ladies!" Ron announced, and led the way back to Hermione's.
The men all piled back into the house, laughing and joking together, with Draco still at the centre. One by one the men peeled off to kiss their wives and girlfriends and hug their children.
Hermione had been sitting in the living room with the women of the Weasley and Potter clan, but had stood up to greet Draco when he'd walked in the door.
"How was your walk?" she asked as she hugged him tightly, butterflies flitting around in her stomach as she felt him kiss the top of her head.
"It was interesting." Draco murmured. "They all wanted to know why I was with you. I think I earned their approval."
"Great!" Hermione giggled. "While you were gone, everyone here was asking me about you." Draco glanced down at Hermione in surprise.
"What did you tell them?" he asked curiously.
"I told them that you're using me as a Mistress while you're married to some pureblood." Hermione teased, making Draco roll his eyes.
"Honestly, Draco. I told them the truth. They seem to approve of you." Hermione smiled reassuringly at Draco.
"Hermione, Malfoy! Come over here!" Percy called out, gesturing for the couple to join the rest of the family.
Hermione smiled and took Draco's hand. She knew it would be a little more time before her family started calling him Draco, but at least they were giving him a chance.
He had begun to shed his cloak of Draco Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy's son, former Death Eater and enemy of Harry Potter; he was now becoming Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger's boyfriend.