A/N: Thank you for all of the likes and follows guys! Not sure how long this will be just yet, but having fun with it! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
Hermione's POV
I woke up aching in all the right places. After our third round last night, Draco and I had fallen asleep wrapped in each other's arms. I am watching his relaxed face. He's absolutely beautiful, there's no other way to describe him. Last night, oh God, it was absolute perfection. I lay imagining myself and Draco waking up like this for the rest of our lives. Would Scorp accept me? Would Draco want to make me a part of his family? Was I getting ahead of myself?
"Do you make it a habit of staring at people while they sleep, Granger?" His voice was deep and gruff with sleep. His hold tightened around me, pulling me closer. He buried his nose in my hair and took a deep breath,
"I couldn't help myself. You looked so peaceful." I snuggle into his chest and peppered his chest with kisses then nipped at his nipple. He huffed out a laugh and pulled my lips to his. Usually I would be freaking out that I hadn't yet brushed my teeth, but before I could voice my concern he was already kissing me; morning breath be damned.
"I could get used to this." He said quickly before kissing me once more. He sat up and asked where the loo was before grabbing boxers and walking across the hall.
I took this time to dress quickly and make us a spot of breakfast and tea. He joined me in the kitchen in his boxers and his undershirt from last night. Seeing him in just that a bare feet brought a huge smile to my face. "What?" He said with a chuckle and a smirk. When I just shook my head and giggled, he came up behind me and hugged my middle, nuzzling my neck.
"Nothing, it's just so surreal you being here and with so little clothing on." I giggle as he squeezes me tighter then kisses my neck.
"I know what you mean. I feel like I'm going to wake up and it was all just a dream." My face flushes at his sweet words. He says it with such reverence that I practically swoon.
I hear a throat clear and we both jump. "Dad!" I put my hand over my thundering heart. "I didn't even hear the door open. You frightened me." He smirked and shrugged his shoulders.
"Guess the date went well." Seeing Draco Malfoy with a red face was something that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime, but my father's nonchalance at finding us both half dressed and basically making out in our kitchen. "I'm going to my room. Keep it clean in here, yeah?" He winked then left us.
"Fucking Salazar, Granger. I thought he was going to beat the shit out of me like that wizard a few weeks ago. Here I am practically dry humping his daughter in his kitchen." He carded a hand through his hair.
"Actually, I bought the house so this is actually my kitchen technically." I tried to lighten the mood but he suddenly stepped away and mumbled before disappearing back upstairs.
I finished the rashers and scrambled eggs and plated it at the table then poured our tea. He came back down dressed and holding a pair of lounge pants for me. I looked at him and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Draco." I slipped into my pants then joined him at the table. "I hope you know," he looked up from his eggs and waited for me to continue, "my father and I have a close relationship. We don't hide anything from each other. He is aware that I am not a virgin. I told him to stay somewhere else knowing if the chance came, I would be having sex with you last night."
He huffed out a light laugh and took a sip of tea. "Hermione, I really need to get used to the fact that you were raised way different than me." We shared a laughed then finished our meal. After setting the dishes to wash, I walked him to the Floo.
Draco looks around for my father and I almost laugh in his face for acting like a child afraid to get caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He embraces me, sliding his hands down my back and then squeezing my ass before kissing me deeply. "Granger," he growled low, "say you're mine." I say it.
I say it because I know it's true. I say it because the thought of not being his makes me feel ill. God, imagine it. I, Hermione Jean Granger, am falling in love with Draco Malfoy.
Draco's POV
It's been 12 hours since seeing Hermione. Mother was absolutely thrilled to know that I was pursuing Granger. She's known for almost a decade that I fancied the witch. If I was being honest with myself, I was already in love with the witch.
After I put Scorpius to bed, I met my mother in our small drawing room for a night cap. "So," she looked at me over her teacup, "when are you seeing Miss Granger again? Scorp already adores her. He asked me if she was going to be his mum."
I can't help but smile at the thought of Scorp hugging Hermione and calling her mummy. "I can't say the thought of that sounds bad. We are far from that though. I'd like us to spend more time together. I need to know that I'm not just a passing fancy for her. It wouldn't be just my feelings at play here, and my son comes first."
It's something she must not have expected me to say, but when I did, her smile only grew. "You make me so proud, my dragon. Scorpius is lucky to have you to look out for him." My mothers voice cracked a bit as she fought her emotions. We head to bed and as I lay down, my Floo goes off.
I see Granger's floating head and my heart practically skips. "Hey, I know it's late but I just got back from dinner with Harry and Ron and wanted to say good night to you." I know I'm grinning like an idiot but don't give a shit. This beautiful, caring witch was mine, and I needed to keep it that way.
"And how are they? I saw Ginevra scored four goals against Puddlemere tonight." Hermione regaled me with their dinner conversation. They didn't interrogate her too bad. They actually wanted to know about my son and invited us all over for Ron's brother Bill's daughter Victoire's birthday party next Saturday.
"She is turning four and has only Teddy and Percy's eight month old daughter Molly as friends. It's at Shell Cottage at noon. So do you wanna come? Bring Scorp? I'd love to spend some time with him. He's just such a joy to be around." Hermione's smile and hopeful look did me in.
"Of course, we'd love to come. So, I guess I will meet you at your place or you could come here? I would really like for you to see my place. It's not as grand as the Manor, but what need for I of Manors." I sound a bit arrogant but I know she doesn't care. "The smaller, the closer I can be to you." I wink and wish I could see the blush in her cheeks. "You wanna come through for a little?"
She nods and I adjust my Floo to allow her entry. She steps through a silky camisole and matching shorts looking good enough to eat. My stare is lecherous and predatory and I smirk when I see her flushed cheeks. "Merlin, I've missed you." I say as I take her in my arms.
She giggles, "It's hardly been 12 hours, Malfoy." She rests her chin on my chest and looks up at me. "But, I have missed you as well." She cheekily smiles at me before going on her tip toes to kiss me quickly. Then she's walking around my room to check my decor and comment on my bookshelves lining my back wall next to a well used armchair.
"Is this? Oh my goodness, Draco! Did you steal this from the Slytherin common room?" She laughed as she sat in the worn leather chair with the Slytherin insignia embossed on the headrest.
"They were getting new ones and McGonagall said I could have it when I asked." I scoff then smile at her teasingly, "I can't believe you thought I stole it. Buy it maybe but never steal, love." She nodded then melted into the seat.
"I can see why you wanted it. It is quite cozy, isn't it? This is such a quaint sitting area." She closed her eyes and I imagined her sitting in that chair, stomach swollen with our child and Scorpius sitting in her lap while they read together. Sweet Circe, why was it so easy to imagine a life with her.
"Hermione?" I watch as she slowly opens her eyes to look at me, "I do not know if we have to discuss this, but I just want you to know." She stood up from the chair and walked closer. Fuck! She was so damn beautiful. "I would like for us to be exclusive to each other. If you are amenable, I'd like to properly court you. This means..." she put her hand up to stop my speech.
"Malfoy...Draco, I am yours, remember?" I nod my head and she comes closer. "And you are mine, yeah?" I smirk as she walks closer then nod my head in agreement to her. "So then there we are." She simply said before wrapping her hand behind my head and pulling me down for a kiss.
I wrap my arms around her and lift her up so she wraps her legs around me and I carry her to my bed. I lay her down and crawl up her body. Kissing her jaw, I eventually make it back to her mouth. We are snogging like randy teenagers when my wand alerts me that Scorp needs me. "What was that?" She asks when the dinging goes off.
"Scorp needs me. It's a charm I invented. Alerts me when he wakes crying." She looks impressed and my heart swells. "I'll be right back." I close my door and make my way to my son's nursery. He is crying and reaching out for me so I pick him up.
"You're alright bud. Dada's here." I snuggle him to my chest and try to sooth him.
"I want to lay with you in your bed Dada." I consider saying no, not knowing how Granger would feel about my son knowing she is there. "Okay buddy, but Miss Hermione's in daddy's room so don't be surprised, okay?" Scorp's face lit up and he squealed with excitement.
"Is Miss Mimey going to live with us dada? Is she going to be my mummy? I always wanted a mummy. I like her. She's nice and pwitty and has lots of books to read." If he only knew how badly I wanted that for him, but it was too early to think about...even though I still did.
"Well Miss Hermione's daddy's special friend and we are just getting reacquainted, so I do not know yet. Maybe someday in the future. We'll see." I grabbed his stuffed dragon and we made our way back to my room.
I opened the door and saw her snuggled up in the armchair in my reading nook with a book of poems. "Miss Mimey!" Scorp squealed then struggled out of my arm to toddle over to her.
"Hey bug! Come here!" My heart! Oh this woman! I loved her already! Fucking Hell! I watched her pull my son into her lap and snuggle him. "Oh my goodness! Did you grow taller since I last saw you? What's that you got there?" Scorp showed her his dragon. "Do you know what kind of dragon you have there?" Scorp shook his head no. "It's a Swedish Short-Snout. Does it have a name?"
Scorp looked at me and smiled. "Yup! Daddy and I named it Cedric. Daddy said it reminded him of a friend he lost years ago." Hermione looked at me with a watery smile.
"Yes. Actually, Cedric fought a Swedish Short-Snout in the Tri-Wizard tournament when we were in our fourth year. Cedric was a Sixth year and lost his life during the final task. He was a great guy. That's beautiful that your daddy thought of him." Hermione smiled at me then I watched as she hugged my son closer then kissed the top of his head. "Your daddy is a great man too. You're very lucky to have him."
I watched her with my son and my vision from earlier returned. I was jostled from my daydream when I heard my son say, "My daddy says someday you'll be my mummy. Which day do you think that will be because I really like you. I want you to be my mummy."
"Scorp!" I admonish him, "I said maybe someday. I told you that we, oh damn it, Granger I'm sorry if this is making you feel awkward." And she was giggling, no, not giggling. She was full on belly laughing. I looked at her annoyed. I guess the thought of us being married was funny to her.
"Oh don't look at me like that, Draco! Come here. Please!" I cross my arms over my chest and walk closer. "I'm not laughing at the thought of it. I know that's probably what you're thinking, but it's not like that at all." She reached her hand out and I took it in mine. "I'm laughing because I could totally see it." Okay. Yup. Gonna die now. This witch could not be any more perfect.
"Yeah?" I ask with the most ridiculous grin on my face.
"Absolutely."
Hermione's POV
It's been nearly two months since Draco and Scorpius have become a part of my life. I see them on Mondays and Wednesdays then we usually spend the entire weekend together besides the hours of 9am til 3pm on Saturday while I work; although they are usually there most of that time. It's around 2 o'clock Saturday, an hour before closing when it happens.
Draco was sitting in the children's story books section looking for a new storybook for Scorp, and Scorp was sitting in a chair with his dragon, Cedric. I get a rush of customers and my father is in the back room getting our deposit ready. Draco runs over to the registers where I am finishing up.
"Have you see Scorp!" I look up and check where I last saw him with Cedric. He's gone and Cedric is on the floor. I quickly hand the witch in front of me her purchase and run to the back room where my father is.
"Dad! Is Scorpius in here?" He looks up and tells me no. He locks up the deposit bag and helps us look for him. I flip our sign to closed and contact Ron and Harry using my patronus. "Scorpius Malfoy is missing! Send help immediately!" We watch as my silver otter flies away to find my friends.
My dad says he's going to check the surrounding stores and leaves. Harry and Ron arrive moments later with two other Aurors. They search every nook and cranny of Bibliophile and find no sign of Scorp. Narcissa arrives in tears. "Where we you, Draco? How did you lose him?" She says out of anger and I can see the hurt in his eyes.
"He was looking for a book while Scorp sat on the chair there with Cedric." I explain when he doesn't respond.
"Who is Cedric?" Harry asks. I show him the stuffy. "Swedish Short-Snout?" He looks at Draco and he nods. "And is there anyone that would want to harm you or your son, Malfoy?"
Draco collapsed into the chair Scorp was last seen. "Plenty." He points at himself, "Ex-Death Eater, remember?" The door opens and my father comes running in with Scorp in his arms.
"I found him!" Draco shoots up from the chair and takes his son into his arms. Scorp says he's sorry and starts crying. I walk over and he sees me and puts his arms out to me. "Mummy!" My heart stops for a minute and I find myself being pulled closer by Draco.
It's the first time he's out right called me mummy and some how it feels as if I've always been his mum. "Sweet boy, where did you go?" I took him in my arms and hugged him close, kissing his head.
"I don't know. I was sitting there and playing with Cedric and I closed my eyes and wished for ice cweam and when I opened my eyes and I was in a store with ice cweam." It dawned on all of us then that he'd done his first but of accidental magic.
Once we answered more questions for the Aurors, we decided to all go to Draco's place for takeaway. My dad sat outside on the veranda with Narcissa while we ate some well needed ice cream with Scorpius. He fell asleep shortly after.
"So, that was the scariest moment of my life." Draco said with a shaky laugh.
"I was about five seconds away from falling apart before my dad came through that door." Draco pulled me into his lap. "He called me 'mummy'."
"And how do you feel about that?" He asked anxiously.
"It felt...right." His smile lit up the room.
"So does that mean he can continue? Would you mind? I mean, I know we've barely been together for two months but..." I shut him up by kissing him. He breaks the kiss then rests his forehead against mine.
"Don't overthink it. That's my job." He smiles at me then nuzzles into my neck, leaving a kiss on my decolletage. I decide then it's time to tell him how I've been feeling. "Draco. Draco look at me." He places one last kiss to my neck and takes my hand. Looking into my eyes, he asks what's wrong.
"Nothing at all. I just need to tell you." I interlock our fingers and bring his hand up to my mouth placing a gentle kiss on his wrist. "I've gone and fallen in love with you." His eyes widen for a fraction of a second before he's grinning ear to ear. "And not just you. That little boy is the light of my life. I love him as if he were my own."
Draco kisses me and I feel it in my toes. "I've been in love with you for so long. To hear you love me as well as my son, Merlin, it's music to my ears." I begin to lose myself in his arms before we hear Narcissa and my dad enter from the veranda.
"Sorry about earlier, my son. I let my emotions get the best of me and said some awful and inconsiderate things." My dad stood with his hand on the small of her back and I raised an eyebrow at him and watched him blush slightly.
"Mother, I know you didn't mean it. Don't fret over it. I'm just glad he's safe." We all look over at the sleeping toddler on the chaise.
"And Hermione dear. How are you? I heard my grandson called you his mummy today. I hope it didn't shock you. He is rather fond of you." Narcissa clasped her hands together and watch her son and I reverently.
"I was a bit, but I actually felt it wasn't odd at all. I love that little boy as if he were my own flesh and blood. Besides, I'm rather in love with his father." Draco held me tighter and hid his face in my hair.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" She asked.
"Not quite there yet, mother. Be patient." Draco said with a light chuckle.
My dad looked relieved. "Yes, let them have a bit more time before any talk of, um, marriage. Right? You've been together just about eight weeks I think. That's hardly enough time before thinking if the next step." I knew my father meant well. He just didn't want to be left alone. I had a feeling though that he was not going to be alone much longer.
Draco's POV
Putting my son to bed that night, I couldn't step away. I watched him sleep from the chair next to his bed. I thought of how scared I was and thinking that someone that hated me took him. I thought about how lucky I was to have Granger there keeping me calm and level headed. Granger. She said she was falling in love with me. She loves me. She loves Scorp. I fell asleep in the chair with happy thoughts of him, Granger, and myself becoming a family.
Sunday morning arrived and we got dressed and ready for a day with Granger and Luna Lovegood. Luna had come back a few weeks ago from living in Japan for the past couple years. Her father was hospitalised last week because the cancer was now spread into his lungs and brain. Granger asked her to join us so that she could get a break from all the stress.
I had made the mistake of mentioning it to Theo a few days ago and he invited himself along. Granger said it would be fine but asked me to tell Theo to play it cool in front of Luna. "Drake! You ready? I'm going to finally see my future wife today. She's been ghosting me for too long."
"What did I tell you, Theo. Play it cool! Do not call her that. You'd better be glad my son didn't hear you say that. He like to snitch." We laugh and gather up Scorp from my mother. She's dressed as if going out. "Hot date?" I say jokingly.
"As a matter of fact, I do. I'm meeting Jasper for lunch. And please do not make a fuss about it. He's become a great friend of mine." Oh just wonderful, I think to myself. I see Theo smirking mischievously and want to punch him. "Enjoy your day with Hermione and Miss Lovegood. Tell her to give her father my best, if you could my son. Theo?" Theo took my mother's hand in his and kissed it. "Always a pleasure." She smile demurely then left.
"Well, will we be seeing a double wedding?" Theo laughed at his attempt at humour then yelped with a sent a wandless stinging hex his way. "I'm joking! Damn it Drake!"
"You said a bad word Uncle Teo. I'm gonna tell my mummy on you. She says dat bad words is not nice. Dada, when will we leave to see mummy?" Theo looked at me, eyebrows practically disappearing behind his hairline.
"He started called Granger mummy yesterday. She didn't mind it one bit. Says she loves us." I shrug and say it as f it isn't the biggest deal.
"Man, that's great! Hermione always loved kids. I knew she'd fall in love with this one fast. He looks just like you. I remember one night during eighth year, we got real drunk and she told me how attractive she always found you." My ears perked up at this bit of new information.
"Oh? Anything else?" Theo smirked.
"Maybe. What's it worth to you?" He asked, steeping his fingers together villainously.
"I'll talk you up to Luna." This I knew would work on him. He was completely in love with the witch and hadn't spoken but ten words to her probably.
"Deal." He looked around and saw Scorp sitting down with some toys and put up a silencing charm. I knew this information was going to be good. "Fourth year, she noticed you watching her in the library. At first she thought it was because Krum was there with her, but then one day he was off doing some press thing for the tourney and saw you watching her. She said at first she thought you just wanted to hex her or something, but then you did something she never would have expected."
"Which was?" I inquire with eagerness.
"You smiled. She said it was the first time she saw you genuinely smile and that it made you look so beautiful. She thought you were going to walk over, but then Krum arrived. When she looked up again, you were gone. That night, she had her first sex dream and you, my dear friend, were the star." I remembered that day. I wanted her. In that moment, I almost went over to confess, but Krum came back to the library and kissed her cheeks. I wanted to get sick at seeing his lips touch her face. I wanted to hex him away from her.
"I wanted to talk to her so badly. After that year, I told myself I would eventually tell her how I felt. The fifth year started and she was acting like a lovesick fool over the Weasel and dad wanted me to focus on doing my best. We worked as that bitch Umbridge's cronies to get extra attention. Then after that night she had us hold them in her office, and I had her. I had her and I could smell how good she smelled. I wanted to sneak her away and make her mine. Just as I was going to say something, the Weasley girl got me with her Bat-Bogey Hex and the others were puking up from those Weasley candies."
I take a breath, "And you know what happened after that. Voldemort punished us for my father screwing up with the prophecy and getting thrown in Azkaban. He forced me to take the mark and gave me my task. I had no time for romance after that. I lost all hope of ever having a relationship with Granger." I sighed and Theo lifted the silencing charm.
"But now look! You're getting your Happily Ever After. Now, let's go help me find mine, shall we?" He grabbed the basket he had with him. "I made all kinds of goodies. We'll picnic in that meadow at the outskirts of town. Hermione said she's bringing some blankets for us to sit on. Ready, Scorp?" Theo smiled as my son jumped up and ran over as fast as his little legs could carry him.
"Dada! We see Mummy now?" I nod at him smiling. "Yay!" He hugs me around my neck and I carry him to the Floo. "Diagon Alley!" I shout loud and clear, and then we're off.
Hermione's POV
"Don't worry about it. You look fine." I chide Luna for the nth time today as we sit in my kitchen waiting for the guys to arrive. She has certainly matured over her years in Japan. She is no longer under the belief that Nargles exist, so that's a plus. She is still Luna though. Wearing a pink polka dot harajuku dress and her hair in long waves with platform shoes, she's still as whimsical as ever.
"I haven't seen him since my final year. Do you think he remembers me?" She is nervous about seeing Theo. I haven't quite had time to fill her in on much besides correcting things she read in The Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly.
"Are you kidding? He wanted me to get you to his restaurant as soon as you came back home, but he understood why I didn't. Your father is top priority." I give her a side hug and she nods.
"Yes. If he was knocked out by potions right now, I'd be by his side. I feel awful leaving him alone."
"Luna, he would want you to have time for yourself. He'd understand. Besides, I talked to Molly last night and she said she would go sit with him today while I took you out." Molly Weasley was like a second mother to me, well, my only mum now, but that's besides the point. She still was a bit sad that Ron and I never worked out, but she was starting to really like Katie. I knew I could count on her to sit with Mr. Lovegood so Luna could relax.
The doorbell rings and I jump up from my chair, "That's them. Oh wait until you meet Scorpius. He's such a charmer. Don't be surprised if he calls me Mummy. It's a new development." I giggle. I love thinking of him as my son too. It's such an easy way to think too. Like he's always been meant to be my son.
I open the door and Draco's standing there with Scorp on his hip. God, I love seeing that. "Mummy!" He squeals, practically jumping into my awaiting arms.
"Hey bug!" I snuggle him to me and turn to face a smiling Luna, "Scorp, this is mummy's best friend Luna Lovegood. Say hello." He plays shy but eventually with some coaxing from his dad, he says hello. "Hello, my love." I greet Draco and he gives me a quick kiss. I see Theo at the bottom of the steps holding a picnic basket.
"Hermione," Luna is behind me trying to see him, "can we go?" I nod and we exit the cottage and I turn to lock the door. Luna is watching Theo looking at her. "Hello, Theodore Nott." She says dreamily.
"Luna, sweet Morgana, you look absolutely breathtaking. It's been too long." He steps closer to greet her with a slight bow. It look awkward as he is holding the basket in his hands. "Shall we go?" He holds out his right elbow for her to hold.
Draco and I look at each other and smile. Seeing our two best friends already falling for each other is like watching ourselves. Scorp pays his head down in my shoulder as we walk to the apparition point to take us to the picnic spot faster. "I'll take him, love. He's getting heavier plus apparating with him is not easy."
I hand him back to his father and he disapparates. Theo side alongs with Luna because he knows exactly where we are going. Then I pop out.
The meadow is beautiful. I lay out the blankets I've brought and Theo starts to set up the food and wine with some pumpkin juice for Scorpius. The weather is getting warmer and the skies are a brilliant blue. Draco unshrinks some toys for Scorp to play with and we all sit to eat some cucumber sandwiches that Theo made.
Theo and Luna are openly and unapologetically flirting with each other and it's the sweetest thing. Draco lays down, pulling me with him and we read a book of poems together. At some point we must doze off because I wake with a start. Scorp is snuggled up with me and Draco, Theo, and Luna are playing a card game.
"So when do you think you'll propose?" I hear Theo ask. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You know you're thinking about it." He chuckled and Luna giggled.
"You're easy to read, Draco. I can see the love you have for Hermione. It's the same look you've had since Hogwarts." My ears perk up. So she knew?
"How...how did you know?" I hear Draco ask incredulously.
"Anyone that paid attention would have known, but most people were too involved in their own drama to notice. I was always very observant. Like that Blaise and Theo were both attracted to me but only Blaise was bold enough to try." Theo scoffed.
"That horses arse! I'll kick his arse if I ever see him. I told him how I felt about you, the slimy snake." He calmed down when Luna touched his face.
"Oh, Theodore, you have nothing to fear. I've saved myself for you. He only ever stole a kiss from me. He tried, oh goodness, did he ever try, but I told him I was saving myself for my future husband. I have known since we first spoke to each other that you were going to be my husband one day." I almost wanted to cry. To hear Luna finally confess herself to Theo, knowing that she was just as in love with him all of these years as he was with her, brought tears to my eyes.
"Why don't you two go ahead and get out of here. I'll clean up and wake my loves. We'll see you tomorrow night at dinner, yeah?" Luna and Theo say there goodbyes and I hear a pop signaling they've left. I feel him snuggle up behind me.
"So, how much of that did you hear?" He whispers in my ear, tickling the shell of my ear with his breath.
"Just that you're madly in love with me and want to marry and have lots of sex and babies." I feel him shaking with laughter and I giggle as well.
"Close. Very close." He is quiet for a moment then says seriously, "but would you? Marry me that is?" He feels me stiffen in surprise at his question but relaxes instantly as I say...
"You know I would." He moves my hair to the side, exposing my neck to him. "If our son wasn't here right now, we could start on the second part." I say cheekily. "So, was that a proposal?" I question.
"Not quite yet. Unless you're serious then I can make it be a real proposal." I wanted to scream at him 'OF COURSE I'M BLOODY SERIOUS!" but I just nodded instead.
"So then we are doing this? We're engaged?"
A/N: Next chapter, announcements are made. We lose a dear character and someone comes to stir up trouble.