Theodore Nott was not surprised to receive an owl from his best mate, Draco Malfoy. What did surprise him was the contents said owl delivered to him. He had read and reread the note - and the contract - at least twenty times before his wife, Daphne Greengrass-Nott, had come to his office to ask if he was coming to bed. He set the contract aside and decided to retire for the evening and look it over again in the morning with fresh eyes.

On Monday morning, when Theo woke up, he ate breakfast with his wife and smiled as he wished her a good day when she left for work as a healer at St. Mungos. He finally adjourned to his office and sighed as he stared at the contract on top. He reread it, again. He was still bloody astonished. Were they playing a prank on him? Granger being a friend of the Weasleys that owned a joke shop gave the idea credence but…he shook his head. No, she would never do something like this and Draco would never send him a fake contract. He shook his head again but this time with a small grin thinking about how he'd always liked the idea of Granger and Draco shacking up together. There had always been so much tension between them at school.

He wrote up a suitable marriage contract for them, wording everything they had included in the original document before adding in the standard stipulations: that if their marriage ended in divorce, all wealth would be split evenly at the time of divorce and any wealth amassed after divorce would not be shared. He also extended their notes and agreements regarding future children to explicitly express that upon the birth of any heirs, a trust vault would be set up at Gringotts for each heir and that the heir would be able to access said vault on their seventeenth birthday. He finished writing out the contract and sealed it with his magic so that no one would be able to open it but him before the couple was able to sign it. Once the document was finished, he sent two letters via owl to Draco; one official, as his lawyer, the second, expressing his amusement and astonishment, as his friend.

As he did every Monday, Draco Malfoy was busy getting the school ready for the new school week. He was a bit tired, as Hermione had stayed late the night before discussing all manner of different things: the contract, her career, the school, his son, and finally the Weasley and Potter families and all of her nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He could tell from how passionately she spoke about them, that she really loved them. He wasn't best friends with them, but since the war, he, Potter, and Weasley had made amends when they worked in the Auror department together. They were always inviting him out when they were in training and he never really knew how to handle their mature acceptance of him and his apologies. He was blindsided by their apologies to him. They weren't close, as they all became parents, but they did attend each others' weddings and sent each other gifts at the births of their children. He didn't feel all that upset at the fact that he would likely be spending even more time with them than when he was an Auror. Considering his intention was to date and marry their best friend, it was practically a given. Imagining warm Christmases either at the Manor or the Burrow, birthday celebrations shared, Hogwarts Quidditch matches cheered for together, he grinned and unlocked the front gates making his way back to the school.

He reached his office and took a seat at his desk as he flipped through the early morning mail that Brix had given him with breakfast. He read the note from his mother, asking if they could keep Scorpius for another few days. He sent a quick reply, giving his assent, before returning to the other note on his desk. There were two from Theo. One had the wax seal of his legal firm on it, which he assumed was information regarding signing the contract. He set that aside and turned over the second; seeing the Nott House crest on it - a hyena - and quickly opened it. He couldn't help but laugh out loud at his best friend's scrawl.

Draco Lucius Malfoy,

If you're pranking me, I swear to Merlin himself…! I read that contract at least twenty-two times before writing up an official one for you this morning! If I have just wasted my time, have no doubt, I will be charging you triple for my services!

However, if this is not a prank, I wish you and Granger every happiness. I personally think it's about damn time! You two have been dancing around each other for years. I know Daph, Pans, and Tori all discussed it once at one of their girls' nights. So if this is for real, I hope it works out. Have you told your parents? Has she told hers? If not, well…Good luck!

Theo

Draco shook his head as he set Theo's note aside. He did need to inform his parents that he was dating and intended to marry Hermione. He was still bewildered that Hermione and his parents were friends and that she had weekly tea with his mother. He wrote a note to Hermione asking if she would like to go out on Wednesday evening and sent Brix to deliver it to her. The she-elf returned only a few minutes later with a note in reply from his fiancee.

Wednesday evening would be lovely. Do you have something in mind or would you like me to plan something?

HG

He quickly wrote another note for Brix to return to Hermione. He nicely stated that he had an idea and that she should dress comfortably. Brix returned with no note but stated "Missy Granger is very excited for yous date."

He grinned and finished up going through his correspondence, starting with the 'official' letter from Theo, before the first students started arriving. He greeted each student as he always did, and spoke with the parents as they dropped off their children. The teachers were all in their classrooms, making sure everything was ready for the week and the students all went off to their classrooms without any issues. He did feel a bit self-conscious when Ginny Potter dropped James and Albus off. She seemed to be smirking at him and eyeing him up. He wasn't sure if Hermione had mentioned anything to her so he didn't mention it. He greeted the Potter boys who told him all about their weekend and he grinned before sending them off to class. Ginny didn't stay around to chat, she just smiled and said to have a good day.

Hermione was experiencing the same levels of excitement that Harry and Ron did over Quidditch. Brix had popped into her kitchen while she was having breakfast this morning and had handed her a note. Draco was asking her out… on a date. She had smiled and thanked Brix for the note and asked her with a friendly tone to return a note back for her. Brix had agreed with an immediate grin and took her reply back to Draco before returning with a new response. Hermione smiled, biting her lower lip as she read that Draco had a plan for Wednesday night and that she should dress in comfortable clothes. She wondered what he was planning. She thanked Brix and let her know that she didn't have another reply. The elf had nodded and seemed to smirk at her as she popped out of the room. Hermione smiled and released a happy sigh before getting ready for work with a rather giddy pep in her step.

Monday and Tuesday seemed to drag on for both Draco and Hermione. Every hour seemed to slow down as they ticked by at the rate of flobberworms. Finally, Wednesday arrived and they went about their days normally. Well, as normally as two very nervously excited people could.

Hermione was running late. She had been called into a meeting with the department head an hour before she was supposed to leave and the meeting had gone over by thirty minutes. She got home feeling rushed to get ready and quickly chose a nice pair of fitted black jeans and a light gray short-sleeved slouchy t-shirt, which hung off one shoulder. She paired it with a pair of black and white trainers. She left her makeup natural, threw her hair up in a messy bun, and tucked her wand into said bun before checking the time… damn it, late. She quickly apparated to the front gates of the Malfoy School and walked down the path to the front door. Just as she knocked the door was hastily opened by Draco himself.

"Hey, I'm so sorry! I got called into a meeting that ran long and I went home to change because, well… I just had to but I'm late and I didn't mean to be and I'm sorry," she exclaimed in a breathless ramble of rushed words and heartfelt apology as he let her into the room.

He waved her off, "It's fine, really. I get it. Your work is important."

She smiled at him, "You look handsome."

He grinned sheepishly, glancing down at his muggle jeans and light blue t-shirt, "I suspect you took my mother shopping to buy these. She sends me new clothing all the time and it's always muggle. Not that I mind, they are much more comfortable than traditional robes. You look beautiful."

He smiled at her blush and watched her shrug her shoulders like she wasn't sure she believed him. He liked that she didn't seem to understand just how stunning she was. He just hoped she enjoyed the date he'd planned for the evening.

"So, what's the plan?" She asked him with a sweet smile.

He cleared his throat, "Well, I thought we could go to the Muggle world and see a movie at the cinema and then get dinner after to discuss the movie? It's something my son and I do occasionally. He's quite opinionated for a three-year-old, but we only really see the children's movies. I'd like to see something for adults."

Hermione smiles brightly, "That sounds fantastic! I quite like the movies. Harry and Ron and their children never want to discuss the movies after we see them. Did you have a particular film in mind?"

He shrugged, "Well, one of my muggleborn teachers mentioned seeing one called 'Abduction'? I think she said it was an action movie about a young man who finds out that he was abducted as a child through a school project. I'm not really sure but she said that it was decent for a Taylor Lautner movie. I'm not sure who that is though."

Hermione grinned, "Taylor Lautner is an actor. He is in a movie series about vampires. He was a werewolf though but the werewolves were more like shapeshifters than actual werewolves."

Draco hums, "Are the vampires accurate?"

Hermione laughs, "Not at all. I can show it to you sometime if you want. I think the last one of the series comes out next year."

Draco nods, "Sounds like it could be interesting."

The conversation lulled as they both considered more movie nights and Draco offered Hermione his arm as they walked back down the path to the front gates. He locks them behind him as Hermione stepped through and led their apparition to an alleyway down the street from their destination. Hermione glanced around to make sure no one had seen them before they headed onto the street and made their way towards the cinema. Draco bought their tickets at the counter whilst Hermione headed to the refreshments area to buy popcorn and drinks. Transferring her purchases to the side furthest away from Draco, she took his hand as they headed down the dimly lit corridor toward the theater.

The movie lasted just over an hour and a half and Draco decided it wasn't bad but would have been infinitely better if Hermione hadn't made them stay to watch the credits roll. Appreciation for the filmmakers she called it. As they left the cinema, they both seemed more interested in talking about the children in their lives rather than the movie. Draco led Hermione down the street towards a small Indian restaurant and they ate dinner, happily exchanging stories about their lives growing up. Hermione told him about her summers in France with her parents and Draco explained that he also spent most of his summers in France. They realized how they'd only been a few towns apart from each other during their summers and laughed about how they hated each other growing up whilst all the time going to the same places on holiday and loving the same resorts and destinations in France.

As they were leaving the restaurant, Draco decided to bring up the legal side of their arrangement, "My lawyer sent a note; he's written the contract up. He also mentioned that we need to inform our families before we sign because legally we need at least two witnesses each."

Hermione nods, "Well, I've told Ginny but I guess we can tell the rest of the Weasleys on Saturday. Charlie asked that the entire family meet at the Burrow for something. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you and your son came as well. As for your parents, I know Scorpius is still at their home in France and I have plans to attend tea with your mother on Friday after work. You could come if you'd like?"

Draco nods, "That sounds like a good plan. We can tell my parents and Scorp on Friday, and the Weasleys on Saturday. When should we tell your parents?"

Hermione grimaced, "We won't be telling them."

Draco stops walking and turns to look at her, confused, "Why not?"

Hermione looked around and noticed they had reached a park. With a nod, she gestured towards heading in to walk around a flower garden and he nodded taking her hand again as they walked down a winding paved path surrounded by flower beds, "Before the war, I knew they would be targeted because of me, so I obliviated them and sent them away… to Australia. When we won the war and things had settled down, I went to Australia with a mind healer and found them. We weren't able to restore their memories, so they are still living in Australia, unaware that they have a daughter. The Weasleys are my family. When I came back, Molly and Arthur took care of me and made sure I had a solid support system. They even…" She trailed off, before steeling herself, "They even legally adopted me. I was eighteen at the time, but because I was going back to Hogwarts, I needed a magical guardian and they sat down with me and asked if I wanted them to just be my guardians or if I would like to become an official part of the family. They added me to their wills; Gringotts sent the paperwork through to the Ministry and everything. It's all above board and legal. My parents loved the Weasleys when they met them, so I think they would be happy knowing they've been taking care of me."

Draco looked astonished as she finished speaking, "Wow…that's a really big deal. How come no one knows?"

Hermione shrugged, "Kings owed me a favor and kept the records sealed."

Draco huffed a breath, "I forget you're on a first-name basis with the bloody Minister of Magic."

Hermione grins, "I forget that not everybody is."

They continued walking along the flowered paths of the park in companionable silence. Draco gently shifted their held hands so their fingers interlocked, making Hermione smile shyly.

"I'll see you on Friday afternoon?" Draco asked, smiling at her as he walked her to her front door.

"Yes, I'll meet you at the school and we can portkey to your parents' place." Hermione smiled back.

"Well, goodnight, Hermione," Draco whispered, ghosting a kiss over her lips. She pulled him closer, deepening the kiss for a moment before pulling away with a grin.

"Goodnight, Draco." She replied cheekily, making him grin. He stood for a moment after she closed her door behind her before chuckling and apparating home.

Friday came faster than either of them thought it would but they went about their business during the day as usual. Draco nervously checked everything over as the school day ended and the students were all picked up and went home. He locked the front gates as he left, turning around just as Hermione apparated onto the path behind him. Her smile was so bright that he couldn't help but return it as she held out her portkey to him. He grasped the opposite side of the rope, kissing her cheek in greeting when she used their portkey to pull him closer before the rope started to glow and they spun out of existence before reappearing in the garden of his parents' French villa.

Hermione led him towards the front door that stood ajar in expectation of their arrival and they made their way towards the back terrace where his parents and son were waiting for Hermione to join them for tea. He grinned as they saw him behind her.

"Draco, what are you doing here? I thought we were bringing Scorpius home tomorrow morning?" Narcissa asks, standing to embrace him. After embracing him, she moves to hug Hermione as well.

"Hermione invited me." Draco says with a smile, "Scorp, have you enjoyed your time with Nana and Pops?"

Scorpius, Hermione notes, is a gorgeous little boy with huge blue eyes and fine blonde hair. She sees Draco move around the table on the terrace and envelop the boy in his arms, then pulls a chair out for her and finally takes the one for himself on the other side of Scorpius.

"Scorpius, this is Hermione. Hermione, this is my son, Scorpius." Draco makes introductions.

"Hello, Scorpius. It's lovely to meet you." Hermione smiles, holding her hand out to the adorable boy, who smiles at her and shakes her hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Miss Hermione," Scorpius says in a polite voice. Hermione smiles at his perfect sentence structure, knowing not many three-year-olds speak in such a manner.

Narcissa and Lucius both look at her before turning back to Draco, "Hermione, is it? Last time we spoke you were still referring to her as Granger."

Draco blushes and Lucius smirks at his son, "Are we to understand that you two are something of an item, then son?"

Hermione blushes and Draco nods, "Yes, Father, I believe we are. We are signing a marriage contract on Sunday."

Lucius and Narcissa look at each other and then back at the younger couple before Narcissa grins.

"It's about time," Narcissa says joyously. Lucius rolls his eyes but nods in agreement.

Draco is floored, "What? What do you mean?"

Narcissa and Lucius are unable to contain their laughter.

"Are you serious?" Narcissa asks once she's calmed herself down.

"No, I'm Draco. Sirius was your cousin, mother." Draco replies quickly.

Hermione snorts, "That is a truly awful joke that has been used too many times to really be funny anymore."

Draco shrugs, "It is a Black family classic… and I've always wanted to use it."

Narcissa allowed a mild smirk to grace her lips at the reference to her personal heritage whilst Scorpius just seemed to be taking everything in as he looked around at the four adults at the table, nibbling on the chocolate biscuits sitting in front of him.

"Back to the matter at hand. You spent hours every summer whining about Hermione, more so even than you complained about Harry Potter. You became friends with the Weasleys and Potters as an Auror and we figured it was only a matter of time before you and Hermione became friends. Astoria passed and Hermione always asked after you during our visits and you mentioned she sent Scorpius a lovely gift and a letter to you. You would mention her every time she picked up the Weasley or Potter children from the school. And whenever she came to do the annual inspections. It was more than obvious that there was something there." Lucius said with a wave of his hand whilst Narcissa served tea.

Hermione smiled sweetly and thanked Narcissa for the tea as it was handed to her. Narcissa smiled back at the young witch, "I've enjoyed getting to know Hermione over the last twelve years. I'm glad you two are starting this journey together. I think you are well-matched."

Hermione beamed at Narcissa and Draco just looked dumbfounded.

The tea went well and the newly (almost) engaged couple stayed for dinner. Scorpius showed Hermione all his favorite toys once their meal was over and babbled to her about everything exciting in his young life. He pulled on her hand and once he got her attention, he pulled her hand again and pointed to the stairs leading to the garden. They were walking in the gardens and Hermione explained to Scorpius the names and meanings of all the different flowers. When she mentioned that her favorite is the white peace lilies in the tropical flower section of Narcissa's garden, he picked one and handed it to her gently. With a soft smile for him, she accepted the flower before kissing his cheek. The little blonde boy, who is the image of what she imagines his father looked like at that age, beamed and pulled her along the garden path further to a small section of roses, pointing to a little patch of orange roses.

"Are those your favorites?" Hermione asked, kneeling beside him. When he nods at her question, she smiles and picks one, cutting the stem a bit shorter before attaching it to his shirt. He grins and pats it gently. When Hermione stands back up, he holds his hands out and she smiles, picking him up and holding him on her hip, making her way back to the terrace where Draco and his parents are talking.

When they make it back to the terrace, Draco smiles at his son who seems to like Hermione so far. His eyes alight on the flower attached to his shirt and his smile turns a bit sad.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asks, noticing his eyes on the flower.

"Yeah, yeah. Just… I never told Scorp that orange roses were Astoria's favorite." Draco says, rubbing his hand over his son's hair.

"He told me they're his favorite. Maybe he saw them in a picture of her?" Hermione suggests.

Draco nods with a small chuckle, "She insisted on having them in her portraits."

Narcissa and Lucius watched the two young adults interact and Narcissa couldn't help but smile at her husband. When he nodded and returned it, she squeezed his hand gently. He was in agreement that Hermione was a perfect choice for their son and she was so happy to see Draco finally moving on with his life.

That night, Hermione returned home after saying her goodbyes to Draco and Scorpius at the gates of the school. They had stayed much longer at Lucius and Narcissa's than she had imagined they would, but she'd had a good time. She was glad that Narcissa and Lucius were so accepting of them being together. She was also glad they had agreed to be at the contract signing on Sunday, which is what Draco had been discussing with them when she and Scorpius had been walking around the gardens. Hermione fell asleep and dreamt of playing with Scorpius and Draco in the fields around the Manor. That night she slept better than she could remember ever having done so before.

The next morning, Hermione got ready to spend the day at the Burrow. She told Draco she would send her patronus to him when she was ready for him and Scorpius to come to the Burrow. She was going to tell her family that she was dating someone and that she wanted them to meet him today. If they all agreed, she would have him come to the Burrow. She was nervous about how they would react, but she needed to tell them. Draco explained that Molly and Arthur would have to be present when they signed the contract, as her legal parents, so she hoped today went well.

She dressed in a pair of tan-colored cords, a black tank top, and a too-large-for-her sage green cardigan before slipping into her canvas flats and throwing a brown canvas crossbody bag… across her body. Once ready, she floo'd directly into the Burrow's lounge room hearth. Seeing that she is the first to arrive, she joins the Weasley parents in the kitchen. Molly is cooking for later and hugs her as she comes in. She makes herself a cup of tea and joins Arthur at the table.

"Molly, Arthur, I'd like to speak with you before everyone gets here," Hermione says calmly.

"What about, dear?" Molly asks, shuffling over to join her and Arthur at the table.

"I'm dating someone and I'd like to invite him to join us today…well, you see, things are going to get very serious between us very soon, and well, we've decided to sign a marriage contract," Hermione says nervously.

Arthur and Molly look at her seriously and then each other before turning back to her, it's Arthur who speaks first.

"Is this person forcing you to sign a contract or is this your decision?" He looks concerned for her.

"This is completely of my own free will, I swear it. I know it's sudden, but there's a stipulation that after three months if we decide not to pursue the relationship any longer, we don't have to. We discussed it in heavy detail before sending it to a lawyer to write it up." Hermione says with a small smile.

Arthur nods slowly, "Well if you are sure this is what you want, you know we'll always support your decisions. I'm assuming he's a pureblood? It's generally just purebloods who enter into these kinds of contracts. There aren't very many who are unmarried by now, so may I inquire as to whom you are seeing?"

Hermione blushes, takes a deep breath, and says, "I'm seeing Draco Malfoy."

Molly looks unsurprised and Arthur gives her a grin before nodding again. Neither seem shocked at her news and a sense of relief she didn't know to expect floods over her.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy is a very good man from what we can tell. We've interacted several times since the war and he seems genuinely apologetic about the past. His parents, as well." Molly says as she stands to go back to cooking.

Hermione nods, "He did mention that you both need to be at the contract signing. I told him about the adoption. He'd also like to come over with his son today if you're alright with that?"

Arthur smiles, "The more the merrier. And of course, we will be at the signing. When is it?"

Hermione smiles at her adoptive father, "It's tomorrow, at his home."

They make a plan for Hermione to meet them at the Burrow in the morning before they go to the Malfoy estate and as the time and plans are settled, the rest of the Weasley extended family arrive at the Burrow. Hermione sends her patronus to Draco and it only takes a few minutes before the floo lights up and Draco steps out holding Scorpius in his arms. He smiles and greets everyone, kissing Hermione's cheek after shaking hands with Arthur and handing Molly a bouquet of flowers. Hermione rolls her eyes as she watches Harry and Ron exchange glances before handing identical pouches to George, who jangles them and smirks before pocketing them. Of course, the boys had made a bet about her love life. She smirks when Angelina, Ginny, and Parvati each smack their husbands on the back of the head.

Charlie smiles at his family as everyone settles into their seats at the table for lunch, noting that Draco Malfoy and his son have also joined them. He had kept this surprise to himself for months and it was finally coming to fruition; he couldn't wait to tell them about it.

"I'd like to make an announcement," Charlie says as he stands from his seat.

Everyone turned to look at him and he cleared his throat, "I just wanted to let everyone know that for the last eighteen months, I have been in talks with the Ministry's Magical Creatures Division and next summer the brand new Welsh Dragon Reserve will be opening with me as the Lead Dragonologist. I'm coming back to England; I'll be living much closer and running the new reserve. We've already started construction of the habitats and I will be back every few weeks to oversee everything. Next summer, I will be back permanently. Mum, your wish came true… I'm coming home."

Everyone takes the news in their stride and congratulates him but at Charlie's words, Molly has tears in her eyes and gets up to squeeze him into one of her famous bone-crushing hugs with whispers of "my boy". The rest of dinner consists of him fielding questions from his siblings, parents, nieces, and nephews. He even gets a few from Draco and Scorpius. Hermione congratulates him and he asks her if he can set up a meeting with her to discuss the possibility of a Dragonology class or training program for the Hogwarts students who are interested. She agrees to owl him for the next time he's in town.

Hermione and Draco introduce Scorpius to the many Weasley and Potter children and join the other adults in watching the children play together in the garden. Harry and Ron pull Draco into a conversation with George, Charlie, and Bill about Quidditch, while Hermione sits with the other ladies who all congratulate her on her new relationship and the contract that Molly and Arthur told everyone about before Draco arrived. The rest of the evening is spent relaxing and spending time with the Weasleys and Draco doesn't feel even the slightest bit out of place.