All rights belong to J.K. Rowling.
All nods acknowledge camnz.
Chapter Seven- The Burrow
Before Hermione left for her appointment with Molly at the Burrow, she stopped by Narcissa's sitting room.
"I am going out for an hour, Narcissa. Penny is watching the children play upstairs, but I wanted you to know I'm gone in case they need anything."
"That's fine, Astoria. I will bring Cassiopeia down to spend time with me if you wish. She can join me for tea."
"She'll love that," Hermione replied warmly. She looked hesitantly at Draco's mother, "Narcissa, what was Draco like as a small child?"
Narcissa smiled, "I've told you before, Astoria, that Draco was the perfect child. He never misbehaved and always did exactly what his mother and father required of him. Draco has made me very happy. And so have you, Astoria."
Hermione beamed and crossed the room to give Narcissa an awkward hug. She had heard before that Draco had been the perfect child, but now something clicked. Perhaps he too had been a compliant child. Perhaps her well-behaved, loving children were typical Malfoys. Perhaps they could learn about spunk from the Weasleys.
Hermione waved good-bye to Narcissa, stepped to the fireplace in the outer hall, threw some floo powder in and called out, "The Burrow."
Hermione stepped out of the fireplace and into the Burrow's warm, busy kitchen. Her eyes teared up a bit at the sight of the dishes washing themselves in the sink, the tea kettle chirping and the spoon stirring something hot on the stove. Knitting needles clacked as a Weasley sweater slowly appeared above the moving rocking chair. It had been ten years since Hermione had entered Mrs. Weasley's kitchen.
"Mrs. Weasley?" called Hermione. "Are you home? Hello?"
Molly Weasley came bustling into the kitchen with a self-conscious smile.
"Mrs. Malfoy, how nice of you to call. Come sit down at the table. Can I get you anything? Tea? Pumpkin bread?"
"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Weasley, I would love some." Hermione gazed at Molly. Molly was older, grayer, more plump, she thought. She must be in her late 60's now, Hermione surmised. Would she be up to handling the Malfoy children? Hermione's plan hinged on her children being dropped off to play at the Burrow with Molly Weasley's grandchildren.
Molly sliced some freshly baked bread and chatted nervously to Astoria as she made the tea.
"Do you know, we've never entertained a Malfoy at the Burrow before. It's nothing like the Manor, I know, but it's cozy and it's home."
"It's lovely here." Hermione assured her. There was an awkward silence as Molly looked questioningly at Hermione. Why have you come? was her unspoken question.
"Well," said Astoria briskly (Hermione must remember that she was Astoria who did not know Molly at all), "I am planning to launch a new magazine called Magical Parenting Today, and your name was given to me as a potential expert for an advice column for parents."
"Oh." Molly looked embarrassed...and flattered. "Oh, I don't know. I'm not much of an expert at raising children. I really don't have any answers for people. And I'm not much of a writer. I don't think I'm the one you want, Mrs. Malfoy. How about someone younger and more up to date?"
"We actually do want someone experienced with children of various ages and stages of life. Since Wizarding families tend to have only one child, the wizard population has declined since the last war. Some of our readers may be interested in having a larger family, so we are looking for someone experienced in managing a large family. Can you tell me more about yourself, Mrs. Weasley?"
"Oh, well, I've raised seven children, but only six are alive today. We lost Fred during the Battle of Hogwarts, you know."
Hermione did know and expressed her sympathy.
"Bill, the eldest, lives in France with his wife Fleur. He works for Gringotts in France. Their daughter just finished school and is working for a children's clothing designer now. Charlie works in Romania with dragons. He never married. Percy and his wife have two children, but we don't see them too often, they spend more time with their other grandparents; Percy works for the Ministry, you know."
Hermione did know and nodded her head.
"Then George. George married Angelina. They have twin sons at Hogwarts, both in Gryffindor. They plan to take over the family business, you know, Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes.
Hermione did know and smiled for Molly to go on.
"Ron married a lovely girl, Annie. They have three children now and come to visit us a few times a week. Then Ginny, my baby girl, married Harry Potter, you know."
Hermione did know and managed to hold back her snort.
"They have three children as well. So, every now and then the Burrow is overflowing with children, but right now it's pretty quiet."
"Well, Mrs. Weasley, you should be proud of a job well done. Every child you've raised is a productive member of society. I'm sure they all treasure and appreciate you."
"It wasn't much, Mrs. Malfoy, believe me. I just tried to give them love and prevent them from killing each other. It didn't work for Fred, I'm afraid."
Hermione's eyebrows rose in horror. That's all she did? Surely, she knew that she was the matriarch of the family, the one who held everyone together.
Surely, she knew that she was gifted when it came to assessing her children and knowing what they needed most.
Surely, she knew that her family was special, unlike any other Hermione had ever met.
And it sounded as if Molly was still blaming herself for Fred's death, twenty years later! Hermione wanted to envelop Molly in a hug to her for all she had done for Hermione, but she restrained herself, remembering that she was Astoria.
"Well, I am satisfied with your credentials, Mrs. Weasley. I think you would be perfect for the job. It will be a paid position, of course. And you won't need to worry about writing the column; someone on staff will go over your assessments and then write up your advice."
Molly looked startled. Had she ever been paid for work before? Well, it was about time, Hermione thought. Molly frowned and looked doubtful.
"I believe this will work out fine," Hermione reassured her. "And now I have another request to make. I am pregnant, you know, with my fifth..."
"No, I didn't know..." breathed Molly with widened eyes. "You look fabulous. I know I didn't look so glamorous after five children."
Hermione felt uncomfortable. "Yes, well, I must say that I am very tired (liar!),and I could use some help with my children (liar!). I was wondering if you had any time on Mondays or Fridays to take my children for me?" How very Slytherin of you, my dear, Draco would say. Except that he wouldn't be likely to send his children to play at the Burrow.
Molly swallowed and eyed Astoria suspiciously. Why would a Malfoy trust a Weasley with her children? Even if she had a good reputation, it would never happen. What if something were to happen to the children left in her care? It could mean instant death or even Azkaban for her. No, it would never work. Not a chance.
"I'm flattered that you asked, Mrs. Malfoy...but I have to say no. I only watch my grandchildren. Something could happen, you know, that was out of my control, and I would worry too much about the safety of your children." And my own safety, she added in her head.
The issue of safety hadn't crossed Hermione's mind. She remembered the Burrow as a place of refuge and trusted Molly to care for her children as her own, but actually Molly was right. When Hermione had lived at the Burrow, there had been very little supervision and quite a bit of mischief, especially when the twins were around. Draco would want a say in this, she thought.
"I see," replied Astoria with a shade of disappointment. "Well, thank you so much for your time, Mrs. Weasley. It was lovely meeting you in your home. I will get back to you about the advice column when we get closer to beginning our first issue."
Astoria rose regally from her seat at the table, gave her hand to Mrs. Weasley, and stepped into the fireplace to floo home.
The clock moved, and Molly gasped to see Hermione Granger's hand on the clock face- Hermione Granger who had been dead ten years- move from Home to Away.