The work day hadn't even started and Hermione was already exhausted with talking. She got a phone call at six in the morning, from Regulus. He needed her on the horn and calling different department members about a possible loss of paperwork. She had her tablet out and her phone to her ear as she was in the car. Charlie and Teddy were quiet as she worked.
"No, I said it was a W-034D8. That's Warner dash zero, three, four, Dickens, eight," she paused and huffed as the man on the other side dug.
"Miss Granger, it was filed a week ago," he told her, and she exhaled in relief.
"Thank goodness, fax it over to Mr. Black and Mr. Malfoy. Also any other files with it, please? While you are down there, can you make sure that anything regarding Monotel is sent to my work email please?" Hermione questioned and the man hummed.
"Yes, Miss Granger. That shouldn't be a problem. However, the filing is very under par since Mr. Malfoy hasn't hired anyone to take care of them in a year."
Hermione groaned loudly. "Alright. I will be in Monday. I will also inform Mr. Malfoy of such and try to get your department someone to handle that."
"Of course, thank you, Miss Granger. You have probably been the most competent one Mr. Malfoy has had working on his end with him in a long breath." The man declared, and Hermione stifled a laugh.
"That's what they pay me for, Mr. Goldstein. I look forward to meeting you in person on Monday."
"Have a great day and a fantastic weekend." The phone disconnected and Hermione breathed.
"My god, I thought I was going to have to hunt for that all day," she sighed, and Charlie rubbed her shoulder.
"Mum, you are so good at your job," Teddy chimed in, and Hermione giggled.
"Thanks, Teddy. I really do try," she declared, and Charlie smirked.
"Today is going to be a long day, you best hydrate," he teased and her cheeks tinted.
It was a long night. A pleasant one, but long and she wasn't ready for the Friday chaos so early this morning. "While Uncle Charlie is working on the car, did you want to see if Aunt Cissa will have breakfast with you?" Hermione asked Teddy who nodded.
The truth is, Narcissa has been asking to have Teddy spend the night for some time and Hermione hasn't really had an excuse to say no. She was nervous to say yes, but not because she didn't trust the woman. Mostly it was the cementing that would happen if she agreed. It would mean that no matter who she worked for, or what she did… the Malfoys would always be in her life. Breakfasts, lunches, possible outings and even a shopping trip would be stressfully acceptable, but if she agreed to a night, she would imprint them in their life for good.
They pulled into the driveway and Hermione put her gadgets away in her bag. Charlie unbuckled and slid from the car with ease, followed by the hyper child. Hermione slowly ambled from the vehicle and shouldered her bag. Her phone went off again and she dug for it. She let out an audible groan as she saw Regulus's name.
"Granger," she announced as she answered.
"Miss Granger, you impress me yet again with your promptness. I wanted to call and thank you for your efforts. I have received the paperwork and have one more favor of you." Regulus declared, and Hermione's lip twitched.
"Yes, sir?"
"Can you escort Draco into the office this next week? We are closing out this merger, and I need him present with his brain. That's you, Miss Granger. It would delight me to no end to make sure the board knows of your work on this delicate transition." Regulus finished and Hermione bit down on a bright grin.
"Of course, Mr. Black. I would love to do so. Even if I have to drag him by his expensive suit, I will make sure he is there." She replied, and Regulus chuckled through the phone.
"You are turning out to be our best decision yet. Make sure my cousin is well prepared? I know you make him look very good on paper and he is a quick man, but his demeanor can be taxing."
"I will, not to worry. He will impress even you," Hermione finished, and Regulus hemmed.
"And Granger," he started.
"Yes?"
"Outstanding work. I don't give compliments easily. Have a good Friday, and I will see you for your party," he announced.
Her cheeks were tinted red by the end of the conversation. "Thank you, sir. See you then."
The phone disconnected, and Hermione threw her hands in the air. "By God! I am a savior!" she cheered and danced around.
Teddy joined and clapped. "Mum, you haven't done the happy dance in forever."
"That's because mummy is very happy! Her big boss called her to give her a big fat thank you." She exclaimed, and Charlie chuckled, swooping her off her feet.
"You, sweetheart, are a genius, you know that?" he asked, and she kissed him deeply.
When they parted, she smirked. "And you, you are breathing life into me again," she whispered sweetly.
Charlie placed her down and took her bag from her. "Come on, let's see how the Malfoys are doing," he said and took her hand with his free one.
Hermione tugged Charlie toward the dining room as Teddy ran ahead of them. Draco was pacing around the table with his cane out in front of him and a phone to his ear. He was still in plaid green pajama bottoms and a tank top. The woman did her best to keep her eyes circumvented away from the man who her mind wouldn't let go of when she was alone.
"Yes, of course. No, I am not," he said gently and turned in their direction. "Sit, we will have breakfast in a few minutes. I am running late due to the paperwork issue this morning," he told them and they converged at the table quietly.
"I am and completely understand. Thank you for your hard work," Draco paused and chuckled. "She did, did she? Well, I imagine you will be seeing us both then. I have to survey her, as you know. My lovely extension of my second self I have coined recently." He stopped and now was barking with laughter.
"Well, I cannot see her, but she is here, and I will most certainly let her know. Yes, that was a blind joke." The pause was much longer this time, and Draco was shaking his head with a stupid grin. "You would have to be a moron not to enjoy that. Anyway, see you Monday and have a good weekend, Goldstein."
He hung up his phone and hemmed. "Seems I didn't even have to pull myself out of bed because someone took care of the chaos for me this morning," Draco mused as he tapped around for a chair.
"Oh, maybe I should have ignored the call then, so you would actually have to do some work," Hermione snickered, and Draco laughed.
"Hermione Granger, you are turning out to be quite the asset as my cousin told me." Draco declared as he found the empty chair next to Teddy.
"Draco, do you think mum is the best?" Teddy inquired, and Draco nodded.
"Completely."
Ramsey appeared and cleared his throat. "Master Malfoy. Your mother and Severus will be joining you this morning for breakfast. Is Miss Granger and company as well?"
"Yes, Ramsey, please," Draco responded, and the butler bowed to the room.
"Of course, Sir. It will be ready shortly," he said and disappeared through the swinging door.
Teddy tapped Draco's arm. "Does that mean my mum gets an award?" he asked and tilted his head. "At Hogwarts, we get awards for smart decisions."
"You know what, she does get an award," Draco whispered and ducked closer to Teddy. "Cousin Regulus is buying your mum a company car that she gets to drive me into work at the office." He whispered loudly.
Hermione jerked. "What?"
"A company car? Like a pretty red car?" Teddy inquired further.
"Or a green one, because me and our dear cousin love green," Draco teased and Teddy made a sound of disagreement. "As much as I love my Aston, it will not be as fun to hear you moan and cry over your bosses buying you a car," Draco said, turning his head toward where he thought Hermione sat.
"Draco," Hermione started.
Draco stifled a laugh and covered his ears. "Now, I cannot hear you, Granger. I cannot see you disagree with me and I cannot hear you argue. I refuse to listen until you agree."
"Draco," she said louder.
"La. La. La. La. Not listening," he exclaimed.
"A bloody child…" she growled and Charlie nudged her. "Fine!" she shouted and Draco winced.
"Why are you yelling?" he retorted and feigned annoyance.
Charlie was covering his laughter and Teddy looked at the blond man like he was insane. "You know, my mom would put me on a timeout for that," Teddy mused.
"Your mum can put me on a time out, but I am her boss, so she might not want to do that," Draco said and Teddy shifted his head in thought.
"Maybe," he replied and turned to his uncle. "You don't do that do you?"
"Only if your mum promises me a time out after," he snickered and Hermione smacked his arm.
"Charles, behave yourself," she warned.
Charlie waggled his eyebrows. "Never."
"I am surrounded by children. At least the one I raised is a good boy," she sighed and scrubbed her face.
Narcissa entered the room and Severus followed. "My extended family is here," she declared and strolled over between Teddy and Draco. "My boys," she said and kissed each of them on the cheek.
"Good morning, Narcissa," Hermione greeted her and the woman beamed.
"And good morning to you, Hermione. You are looking ravishing today. Is that dress new?" The matron inquired as she maneuvered around the table.
Hermione glanced down and giggled at her floral summer dress she threw on last minute. "No, I just was multitasking and did not have the time to get into a suit today."
"Good morning, Charles, how are you today?" Narcissa asked after kissing Hermione on the cheek.
"Very well, thank you," he replied and turned to Severus. "We haven't officially met. Wing Commander Charles Weasley. I just wanted to say what an honor it is to meet you, Commodore." He said as he rose from his seat to shake his hand.
"Wing Commander? Very impressive, Weasley," Severus declared and shook his hand. "It would have been a delight to serve with you."
Narcissa tutted lightly. "It is a shame that Severus was injured. He would have made it to at least an Air Marshal."
Severus sat down next to Narcissa who was on Hermione's other side. "It is, but it seems I have found a better use of my time than sulking."
Hermione tilted her head. "I had no idea you were in the Royal Airforce, Severus." She said with a smile.
"Ah, yes. Times were much different then, Miss Granger," he declared simply and Draco chuckled.
"Yes, I imagine so," Draco declared, tapping the table. "I talked Regulus into buying that boat?" he asked and Severus snorted.
"Sailing the seas on a luxury yacht isn't sailing, Draco. I am going to be miserable when he retires," the man groaned, making Narcissa giggle.
Charlie pulled Hermione closer and whispered in her ear. "That sounds fun, we should try it."
"Good luck getting her away from books, work and her son, Weasley," Draco snickered.
Charlie laughed and nodded. "Yes, that would be a mission. Did you know this woman digests, I don't mean reads, but quite literally devours her books? I just bought her a nice romance novel a few days ago and it is already finished. She was sobbing on the couch the day before after Teddy went to bed. I thought someone texted her an accident or a tragedy. She had finished the book and was crying at the ending."
Draco barked a stream of laughter and sighed. "A frilly romance novel. I didn't realize Granger was sentimental."
"I will have you know, there are some nice ones out there, Draco," Hermione snapped with a grimace.
"She doesn't think I know she sneaks into our library to make a reading list. I know, and I find it quite funny she still tries to hide it. When she was in school, she could quote our text books word for word. How does one retain that information?"
Hermione was blooming with color and she hemmed. "My son reads just as much, thank you."
The young men burst into hysterics. "My god, it is going to be something when she has more kids." Draco declared and Charlie paused his laughter.
"More kids, as in babies?" He asked and narrowed his gaze at Hermione. "I thought you said you didn't want anymore."
"Well, this is fun!" Narcissa announced with a clap, clearly trying to help the woman out of a sticky mess.
Draco thinned his lips and listened to the tension in the room. He had clearly stepped in it big time. Had the Malfoy known she had said that to Charlie, he would have never said anything. Then again, they were not really on speaking terms about her- boyfriend? Yes, Draco could deem him a boyfriend. Although a sting of sadness struck him that she would even deny having any of her own.
"I wouldn't mind a little brother," Teddy said after a long silence, only making Draco feel guiltier.
"A topic for another day, Edward," Narcissa said with warmth in her tone.
"Good morning, Lady Malfoy, Mr. Snape," Ramsey murmured and Draco could hear the plates being set down.
"Good morning, Ramsey," Narcissa declared.
"Good morning," Severus responded and there was a voice being cleared.
"Shall I fetch the tea?" Ramsey questioned.
"Yes, please," Draco muttered and was scratching on the table lightly.
"Aunt Cissa, did you know I am back at Hogwarts on Sunday? I will be there until winter holiday," Teddy declared and Draco said a thank you in his mind for the boy's keen sense to change the subject.
"Is that so? Well, we will just have to go shopping today, I would love to make sure you have something nice from us to take with you," she declared and hemmed. "Only if your mother allows it of course."
"Oh, yes of course. He has all of his essentials, but I won't deny that he could use some spoiling," she giggled and there was a bit of clapping.
"Good, I am sure Severus and I would love another on our shopping trip today," Narcissa declared and the muted hum of Severus followed.
"Yes, I suppose. It has been awhile since Draco has had to shop for supplies, hasn't it."
"Thank you so much, Aunt Cissa, that would be so much fun!" Teddy declared.
"If you will excuse me," Hermione murmured and her footfalls were heard fading down the hallway.
A small groan was heard. "I will be right back," Charlie spoke and the shuffling of him leaving the room was heard next.
Draco rubbed his face and exhaled. "That was my fault."
"Yes, but not surprising," Severus mused.
The turning in his stomach made it difficult to eat, but he did for at least a distraction. He wasn't sure if she was upset, but that was something he had not wanted. The chatter in the room was subdued in comparison to his thoughts slamming against his mind. The last thing he wanted was to inadvertently make Hermione Granger cry… again.