Author's Notes:
Here's Chapter 113 for you!
I am so excited to be uploading a new chapter finally. Two months ago, I went home for quarantine in the UK. I had six assignments to complete at home, which was a nightmare without physical books and my family distracting me, but I did it, I completed my second year of university.
Now I have all the time, for the next four months, to write to my heart's content, and I plan to do just that. After all, I owe you two chapters from April, as well as another for this month. We'll see how well I do.
Hope everyone is staying safe where ever you are.
Love DW
P.S. Enjoy
"We're late," Hermione shouts upstairs, Scorpius strapped to her chest in a wrap, his head tucked beneath the fabric as he naps against her.
"You shouting at me isn't helping," Draco calls back, frustration evident in his voice.
"I'm shouting for volume purposes, not because I'm annoyed." She sighs, pulling her thick, navy blue coat on top of her lilac flowery dress and the wrap, then collecting her handbag onto her arm.
A few minutes later, Draco races down the stairs in his green three-piece suit. "How do I look?" He asks, performing a slow spin, maintaining eye contact.
"Very handsome, darling." She smiles. "Now, shoes on, everyone will be there before us." She warns him, taking his coat from the peg and holding it out for him after he's tied his shoes.
"Thanks, do we have everything?" He asks.
Hermione stares at him for a split second before walking into the living room towards the fireplace, her handbag rocking from its position in the crook of her elbow.
Draco joins his wife and child, taking a pinch of floo powder. "I'll take that as a yes, then." He says
"Yes, I have everything." She throws the floo powder down, stepping inside and saying, "Ministry of Magic."
Draco quickly follows behind.
"We've been ready, waiting for you for twenty minutes. We were supposed to be here ten minutes ago." She scolds him, still taking his hand as they walk towards the lifts.
"I'm sorry," he apologises. "I'm nervous, this is the first-time mother, and Hyperion will see each other." He explains.
"Everything is going to go to plan. We have a seating plan for the ceremony, and your mother hasn't been invited to the party. This is going to be a beautiful day, surrounded by all our friends and family. Try to enjoy it." She brings their clasped hands to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of his hand.
Draco chuckles, "I still don't like that we have to hold the ceremony here."
"Nor do I, but it keeps Kingsley off our backs and separates the day into two, so we can invite our friends to the ceremony and closer friends to the party in the Muggle world." She says.
"You have a point," he agrees as he presses the down button, calling the lift.
The lift opens to Alexander Vyner, who seems surprised to see them "You're late," he states, stepping aside to allow them entry.
"Are you not getting off?" Draco asks.
"I am conducting your son's ceremony. I tend to do the more high-profile ones, just to ensure everything goes to plan." Mr Vyner explains, pressing the button for his floor. "Do you remember our last chat, Ms Granger, on the second anniversary of the war ending?" He asks out of nowhere. "I knew you were planning something then, and I know you're planning something now." He stares at her. "I thought we had an understanding." He adds.
"We do." She frowns, confused.
"You told Mr Potter about the information hidden within the archives," he states, staring at Draco.
Hermione looks at Draco, questioningly.
"I told him some Ministry officials had a bet on how long Hermione and I would be together. We were discussing whether or not the Minister wanted to control us, or simply keep an eye on us. I provided the evidence to prove he wanted us, or at least the purebloods, controlled." Draco defends himself.
"I wish you hadn't, Mr Malfoy." He says.
"We're not planning anything, Mr Vyner. I can assure you." Hermione promises.
"Mr Potter came snooping around my department, asking questions, questions that will get him into serious trouble if the minister were to hear wind of them." He warns.
"What type of questions?" Hermione frowns, not understanding.
"Questions of corruption," he whispers. "Mr Potter is a threat to the Minister. Rumour is, Mr Potter was only offered a place in Auror training to keep him at arm's length within the Ministry. You know the sort of influence you have, Ms Granger. After your little protest and your disruption of the first anniversary of the Marriage Decree, it has become evident within the Ministry that if your group of friends ever stood up against the Minister, you would quite easily win, with much help from within the Ministry." Mr Vyner stares at them pointedly.
"We are not planning anything." She firmly states. "We have enough going on with being young parents of a six-week-old, and with these Death Eater uprisings that seem to have targeted us. Not to mention everything going on within our personal lives, we don't have the time to plan any further protests or disruptions." She explains.
Mr Vyner stares at them judgingly, then nods as the lift doors slide open and he guides them to the ceremony room.
Hermione looks at Draco in surprise. What was Harry up to within the Ministry? Was he planning a protest of his own against the Minister? Hermione smirks, the idea was almost laughable. If it weren't for her and Ron, there would have been no Dumbledore's Army. Although once Harry got an idea in his head, he would not stop. He did spend the majority of their sixth-year stalking Draco and the majority of their whole Hogwarts career trying to pin something to Severus Snape. If Harry had decided to expose Kingsley, he would not stop.
They enter the ceremony room behind Mr Vyner to find the majority of their friends already stood around chatting as they awaited their arrival.
"You guys are late," Ginny tells them as she walks over, James on her hip.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Draco jokes.
"Harry has been talking to your uncle for the past fifteen minutes, trying to keep him away from your mother, I doubt it will work for much longer so you might want to go and introduce them to each other," Ginny tells him.
"I'm on it," he presses a kiss to Hermione's cheek. "Come save me in five minutes and we'll introduce mother to Scorpius." He tells her, scanning the room for Harry or his uncle, and finding them sat on the front row.
Draco makes his way over, nodding when Harry catches his eye. Hyperion follows their line of sight, standing up when he finds Draco.
"I'm so glad you could make it, Hyperion," Draco's face beams, holding his hand out but his uncle pulls him into a tight hug.
"Of course, we've all managed to make it down, and booked into a hotel for the weekend. We so rarely get to come into London, besides my business trips, so we thought we'd make a family weekend out of it." Hyperion explains.
Draco smiles, "I apologise that I didn't invite everyone to the ceremony; I didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to your family by traipsing them through the Ministry."
"They understand that it's safer for them to just come to the party in our world." He assures him. "We're looking forward to meeting Hermione's family." He adds.
"Chris and Sarah are around here somewhere," he looks at Harry, stood a respectable distance away. "Did you collect Hermione's parents from the Muggle foyer?" He asks.
"Pansy did about ten minutes ago; I last saw them talking to Molly and Arthur." Harry answers.
Draco nods, "Thanks for collecting Hyperion." He adds.
"It was no problem, Draco." Harry laughs, patting him on the shoulder and Draco grabs his wrist before he can leave. "We need to talk later, after the party." He says.
Harry pales, nods once and leaves, seemingly aware of the topic of discussion.
"What's that about?" Hyperion asks.
"He's been asking some questions, getting Hermione and me into a bit of bother. Nothing too serious." He smiles reassuringly.
Hyperion stares over his shoulder. "I'm going to assume this is your mother looking rather disturbed. Did you tell her I was coming?" He asks.
Draco turns to see his mother only a few rows away, walking towards them. "Yes, that would be my mother." He smiles as she comes within listening range. "Mother, it is lovely for you to join us today."
"I wouldn't have missed this for anything." She assures her son, glancing her eyes across to the man who looks upsettingly like her husband. "Hyperion, I assume?" She holds her hand out.
"Yes," he shakes her hand. "It's nice to put a face to your name, Narcissa."
Narcissa smiles thinly. "Thank you; it's nice for me to finally put a face to the man who has made quite an impression on my son."
"Well, Draco has made an impression on me too. I never thought I would ever be reunited with my family in this world. I'm forever grateful he and Hermione found me, and we were able to welcome each other into our lives." He pats Draco's back proudly.
"Yes, indeed," Narcissa agrees, somewhat reluctantly.
"Good morning, I'm glad you could both make it today," Hermione announces, coming to Draco's recuse.
She had removed the wrap from her body, instead, cradling her son against her chest.
"Ah, the reason we're all here." Hyperion grins, softly hugging her as not to disturb the sleeping child. "He's grown quite a bit in the last month since your visit."
"He's six weeks old today," She tells them. "We saw our Healer this morning, and Scorpius is just over eight pounds, so his weight gain is normal."
"May I see him?" Narcissa asks politely.
"Yes, let's take a seat," Hermione walks over to the front row, where her parents and Molly and Arthur would sit during the ceremony.
Narcissa takes the seat beside her, watching as Hermione lowers Scorpius until he's lying on her legs, head resting at her knees. At the loss of closeness with his mother, his eyes squeeze tight before opening with a cry. Hermione quickly soothes him, and he settles, eyes wandering across the faces nearby. She removes his cardigan, revealing a white shirt and grey shorts one-piece suit that Hyperion had gifted to them during their last visit.
"Hey, Scorpius, look who it is, it's uncle Hyperion!" Hermione lifts up her son so he can see the man stood behind them.
"Hello, son, look how big you've gotten." Hyperion takes Scorpius' tiny fist in his hand in a small handshake. "Sarah will be so happy to see him wearing his little suit." He grins.
"It was the perfect outfit for today," Hermione says, turning Scorpius around to see the woman sitting beside her. "And this is your Grandmother Narcissa." She sits him on her lap, supporting his neck as he shakes his fists up and down while looking at her.
"He is a charming child," She compliments. "I daresay he got the best features from both of you." She adds, slowly reaching her index finger out to stroke his cheek.
"Thank you, Narcissa." Hermione glances up at Draco who is keeping a close watch on his mother.
"I can't believe how light his hair has gotten; it's almost golden brown." Hyperion comments.
"It will most likely darken as he gets older, my parents mentioned mine did around the age of two," Hermione says.
"His hair is rather long too; Draco was almost bald when he was born," Narcissa says, pulling a curl out from Scorpius' head and watching it bounce back.
"Mother!" Draco frowns, but Hermione and Hyperion laugh.
"Your father was the same when he was born; I guess it's the curse of having blonde hair and a pale complexion," Hyperion suggests.
Draco's face stiffens, and Narcissa sits taller at the mention of Lucius, but neither say anything, wishing to move on.
Hermione passes Scorpius to her husband as she stands. "I'm going to find my parents and bring them over. The ceremony will be starting soon." She says, spotting her parents speaking to Pansy, Blaise and Neville a few rows up from them.
"Mum, Dad," She grins, hugging them both. "Are you feeling okay after disapparating?" She asks.
"We're fine, the aftereffects don't last too long," her Mum brushes her worry aside. "Where is the little one?" She asks.
"I left him with Draco. He's just introduced Hyperion to his mother. It's the first time she's meeting Scorpius too." Hermione explains, sitting beside her mum.
"How did it go?" Pansy asks, leaning forward to look past her parents.
"Better than expected, although, you can tell she's trying. She was full of compliments."
"She wasn't weirded out by the fact Hyperion looks exactly like her husband," Blaise asks, lowering his voice.
"They were both very polite."
"The resemblance is uncanny." Pansy agrees.
"They are brother's, Pansy," Hermione states sarcastically.
"Yes, but Hyperion looks like he's lived a happy, carefree life so, there's that difference."
"What difference does that make to one's appearance?" Blaise asks her.
"He's got laughter lines around his eyes and mouth; he holds a little more weight than Lucius, so I'd say he has enjoyed himself more; he's not as pale as Lucius or Draco, he's enjoyed the sun." Pansy stares at the man a few rows in front of them.
"It's not like Lucius had much to enjoy in his life over the years." Blaise shrugs.
"How is Lucius these days?" Pansy asks.
Hermione stares at her, wide-eyed. "How would I know?" She asks, shifting her eyes around to ensure there were no eavesdroppers. "Anyway, Mum, Dad, you're sitting in the front row with Molly and Arthur, on the left side. I've got Harry and Ginny sitting on the front row on the right side with Narcissa and Hyperion. The ceremony starts in five minutes, okay?" She stands up. "I need to speak to Mr Vyner; he's conducting the ceremony."
Mr Vyner is stood at the front of the hall going through his piece of parchment for the ceremony when Hermione approaches him.
"Mr Vyner," Hermione calls his attention. "Are you ready to start in five minutes?" She asks him, coming to stand beside him.
"I'm ready whenever you are, Ms Granger." Mr Vyner crosses his arms behind his back.
Hermione nods, looking out over all their friends and family stood around, chatting and laughing. "Good," She says. "Where do you stand in all this Harry business?" She asks.
He glances at her briefly. "I'm wherever I'm needed to be for the greater good." He states.
Hermione frowns. "The greater good." She mutters.
"Mr Potter has not explicitly mentioned that he's planning anything, but I could infer as much from his questioning. He wanted copies of your questionnaire for the Marriage Decree. I informed him that it was a breach of confidentiality, so he asked for his own. I complied; I shouldn't have. There's a reason why the vault holds the information it does, and why the vault is hidden in my archives. I'm known as a bit of a hard-arse within the Ministry." He actually smiles. "Minister Shacklebolt lost my loyalty and respect the moment he used my department and archives as a playing card in his game for power." He finishes.
"I know better than most how little Harry thinks before acting." Hermione jokes. "If he is planning something, he will need help keeping himself level-headed." She adds and Mr Vyner stares at her expectantly. "It's time." She states, walking away from the man to find her husband and child.
Mr Vyner raises his wand lowering the lights and gaining the attention of the hall.
The guests, understanding the nonverbal cue, begin to take their seats. Hermione takes Scorpius onto her hip where he sits bouncing as the family of three make their way to the back of the hall.
"We are gathered here today to welcome a child into the Malfoy and Granger family. I now ask for you, the family and friends of the parents, to raise your wands." Mr Vyner announces to the room, and their friends and family, who can do so, raise their wands. "As the parents walk their child down the aisle, we will repeat 'Protego bonitas'." Mr Vyner demonstrates with a flick of his wand and the gold light beams spout out of the end, floating back down like soft snow that never lays.
As Hermione and Draco take their first steps, hand in hand down the aisle with Scorpius, the blanket of gold silken light from their family and friends glows around them, protecting their small family. Scorpius's eyes are mesmerised by the lights as they get closer to the altar.
"Welcome, Mr Malfoy and Ms Granger to the joyous registration of your child." Mr Vyner announces with surprising sincerity as they reach the altar. "What name do you give your child?" He asks.
"Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy," Draco answers clearly.
"You have asked to have your son registered as Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy," Mr Vyner calls out to the room. "In Muggle tradition," he nods at Hermione. "you have named two Godparents to protect and love your child upon the death of you, his parents. Please name them?"
"Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Potter." Hermione answers.
"Please will the godparents join us at the altar." He casts his eyes to the front row where Harry and Ginny are sitting. Harry hands James over to Neville, sitting in the row behind them, then joins his wife, Hermione and Draco at the altar.
"I will take Master Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy whilst the parents and godparents take each other's hands in an unbreakable vow." Mr Vyner states holding his arms out for the baby.
Hermione hands her son over to him, watching as Mr Vyner cradles him in his arms. She and Draco then take one hand each of Harry and Ginny's in a circle.
"Father, Draco Malfoy, do you trust godfather Harry Potter to protect and love your child upon your death?" Mr Vyner asks.
"I do," Draco nods, making eye contact with Harry.
"Godfather Harry Potter, do you promise to protect and love this child upon father Draco's death?"
Harry, maintaining Draco's eye contact, smiles, "I do."
Mr Vyner casts an unbreakable vow over the two father's linked hands before moving on to asks Hermione and Harry, Draco and Ginny, and finally Hermione and Ginny the same question.
"I hereby register you as Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy; you are protected and loved." Mr Vyner gently taps his wand against Scorpius' head.
The same silky gold beam burst off the child's head before raining back down, covering him in a blanket of light before dispersing. As their friends and family applaud, Mr Vyner hands Scorpius back to Hermione.
"I need the four of you to sign these documents quickly, then I'll be out of your way." He lowers his voice to speak to them.
Hermione, Draco, Harry and Ginny each sign against their name on the certificates, Mr Vyner then thanks them, wishes them well, and leaves.
"Hi baby, did you like that?" Hermione asks her son, who is still staring around trying to find more lights.
Ginny takes one of his hands in hers, cooing her newly official godson. "I absolutely love this outfit."
"It's muggle tradition to have babies in a gown, but Hyperion bought him this one-piece grey shorts set and we thought it was too adorable not to wear for this occasion," Hermione explains.
"Harry told me Hyperion is nothing like Lucius, but he looks creepily like him." She mutters.
"They've lived different lives. I'm sure if he had been brought up in the wizarding world, he would have been just like his brother." Hermione shrugs. "They look different enough to not cause any issues. We've gotten used to it now." She adds, grinning as her mum and dad rush over.
"That was amazing." Her mum gushes, taking her grandson into her arms. "All those lights were beautiful, it was a wonderful ceremony, Hermione."
"It's a traditional ceremony in our world," Ginny comments.
"I suppose a little extra flare comes with the ability to conduct magic." Hermione's dad suggests.
"Hey, Hermione, James is getting a little restless, we'll meet you at the party," Harry says, a fussy James in his arms, trying to escape.
"It's fine, Harry. We'll meet you there." She hugs him and Ginny before they leave.
"I think we'll head off too," her dad announces. "We'll help set up and make sure everyone is settled before you arrive. It'll give you the chance to talk to those who aren't coming." He adds.
"Okay, we'll meet you there." She takes her son back from her mum.
Hermione begins to make the rounds around the hall, talking to all their guests and giving each person the opportunity to meet Scorpius. She catches up with Draco near Dean and Thomas, who had brought their two daughters.
"Hello," Hermione crouches down to look the five-year-old girl in the face. "My name is Hermione, what's yours?" She asks the girl but she grips onto Dean's leg, hiding her face into his trouser.
"This is Courtney, and her sister, May." Dean smiles, turning around to show the toddler on his hip who had her head buried against her shoulder.
"They are adorable in their matching dresses." Hermione compliments. "You look like a princess, Courtney." She says, and she can see the young girl smiling against her new father's leg.
"They're still settling into their new normal," Seamus says quietly. "We've only had them home for three months." He adds.
"Well, it looks like you're shaping up to be amazing Dads," Hermione says, happy for them both.
"Are you coming to the party?" Draco asks.
The two men exchange a look. "We're not sure, the girls seem a little tired."
"We have a-" Draco pauses, turning to Hermione. "What's it called?"
"A bouncy castle." She chuckles.
"A bouncy castle?" Courtney repeats, gazing up at Hermione with bright eyes behind her glasses. "Please can we go?" She pulls on Dean's trouser leg.
"Okay, okay, we can go." Dean gives in quickly and Courtney jumps up and down excitedly. "What time do you want us there?"
"As long as you're there before one o'clock, we don't mind," Hermione tells them.
The new family leaves, their young daughter skipping, excited at the promise of a bouncy castle.
"How many more people do you need to speak too?" Draco asks, taking Scorpius into his arm, kissing the top of his curly head.
"Not many, most of the people I've spoken to have already left. I thought if we left Narcissa until the end, she could have a quick cuddle with Scorpius without us rushing to the next person." Hermione suggests.
"Really?" Draco raises his eyebrow. "We could use that as an excuse." He smirks.
"She's been nice today. We can reward her with some grandson time." Hermione chuckles, turning to scan the hall and find most people are on their way out and of those milling around, they were invited to the party, so they would have chance to speak to them later.
"How did you enjoy the ceremony, mother?" Draco asks, sitting beside her, where she hadn't moved from.
"It was lovely. It has been a while since I've had the occasion to attend a registration ceremony. I remember yours, Draco, poor Severus almost dropped you, he never held you again after that day." She smiles at the memory.
"Well, as long as you don't drop him, you can hold Scorpius, if you want." Hermione offers her mother-in-law the option.
"I would like that very much." Narcissa holds her arms out for their child, and Draco passes him over carefully.
"Would you mind if I took your photo?" Hermione asks, brandishing her camera from her handbag.
"Not at all," she smiles at the camera as Hermione snaps a picture.
Once the polaroid has been ejected, and the colour has developed, Hermione shows Draco and Narcissa.
"It's a muggle picture, so it doesn't move." She explains before Narcissa can ask.
Hermione duplicates the photograph, handing the copy to her mother-in-law. "You can keep this copy."
"Thank you, very much." Narcissa takes the picture.
"Mother, Hermione and I have been talking and we were wondering if you would like to join us for Christmas Eve this year, or we could come over to the Manor, like last year?" Draco asks.
"We've already agreed to spend Christmas Day with my family, but we would like to start a tradition of Scorpius spending time with all his family around Christmas," Hermione explains.
"The Manor would be the perfect place. I've always dreamed that one day I would get the opportunity to host a Christmas party for Draco's family." She agrees.
"That settles it then. Can you believe there are only nine weeks until Christmas? It feels like it was just Summer." Hermione laughs.
"Time moves differently when you have a child," Narcissa states, looking at the face of her grandson, who had drifted off in her arms. "I should let you get off to that party you're having in the muggle world." She says, handing Scorpius back to Draco and standing up. "Thank you for inviting me." She nods.
"Thank you for coming," Draco replies.
Hermione and Draco stay sitting as they watch Narcissa leave, then sigh in deep relief as the door closes behind her.
"That went a lot better than I expected." Draco laughs, slouching in his seat.
"She seemed rather pleasant," Hyperion states as he walks over from where he had been sat at the back of the hall, waiting, since Draco was Hyperion's lift back to the hotel.
"She's a good actress," Hermione jokes, standing up and stretching. "We should get going, everyone will be waiting for us at the party." She sighs, feeling exhausted already.
They make their way to the muggle exit of the Ministry of Magic, leaving into the cold, London streets.
"I'm going to disapparate Hyperion back to the hotel and travel with them to the community hall. Are you still getting a taxi?" Draco asks.
"Yes," Hermione rummages in her bag, pulling a tiny car seat out. She looks around, not seeing anyone nearby, so enlarges the seat. "I can see you worrying, we'll be fine." Hermione reassures Draco for the twentieth time, taking Scorpius and clipping him into the car seat.
"Just be safe," Draco kisses Hermione. "I'll see you in half an hour." He nods at her.
She agrees, watching as Draco and Hyperion disapparate away to whichever hotel Hyperion and his family had booked into for the weekend.
"Let's go find a taxi," she smiles down at her son, walking down the street to a main road, looking up and down for a black cab and finding a taxi rank a few meters down the road.
She opens the back passenger side door to the first black cab, climbing inside and attaching Scorpius safely into the seat behind the driver. She gives the driver the address of the community hall they had booked for the party, and sat back, ready for the thirty-minute journey.
Sarah Granger is checking on the buffet-style setup Draco and Hermione had set up that morning, and charmed to keep refrigerated during the day, when Blaise attempts to snatch a party ring biscuit by leaning through the service hatch.
"Oh, can't you wait ten minutes Blaise, you're worse than the kids." She chides him.
"I tried telling him, Mrs Granger," a blonde woman tells her, hand on his shoulder.
Sarah was sure this wasn't Luna; she had heard through Hermione that the couple had gotten divorced. She closes the service hatch, walking out of the kitchen to greet them properly.
"Hi, I don't believe we've met. Are you one of Hermione's or Draco's friends from school?" Sarah asks politely.
"No, I'm Blaise's friend. He introduced them both to me last year. I'm Cara." She holds her hand out for a formal introduction.
"Lovely to meet you, I'm Sarah, Hermione's mum. I'm afraid Hermione hasn't told me about you, and I don't recognise your name from the invitation list." She shakes the girl's hand, looking politely confused.
"Oh, it's fine, Cara is my plus one." Blaise states.
"I'm not sure that's how christenings invitations work, but okay." She smiles, then frowns as she spots Lauren bouncing too aggressively on the bouncy castle. "Excuse me," she says. "Lauren!" She calls over to her daughter, who stops bouncing. "Please be more careful, there are younger children here too." She points to one of Hermione's friends whose young daughter is bouncing with him at the edge.
"Sorry, mister." Lauren calls over.
"It's okay, she's having fun." He laughs as his daughter giggles.
"Can I bounce now?" Lauren asks.
"Just be careful," she reminds her.
"Yes," she rolls her eyes, and begins jumping again.
Sarah checks her watch, five minutes before Hermione and Draco would be arriving.
"Sarah, dear, you are stressing me out just looking at you, calm down." Her mother-in-law, Emily, tells her, handing her a small glass. "Have a sherry." She smiles.
"Emily, it's not even one o'clock." Sarah looks at her in shock, then takes a sip.
"It's a celebration, dear." She says, shuffling over to Betty, handing her another glass of sherry.
"Mum, not when you've got Vivian." Sarah walks over, swapping her daughter for her glass of sherry. "Have you seen dad?"
"He's out the front with Chris and Evelynn." Betty tells her, before turning back to Emily and giggling over their sherries.
Sarah carries her daughter out to her husband. "Here, take Vivian, mum is on the sherry with your mum." She sighs. "Why are you outside?" She asks.
"We're waiting for them, so we can announce when they're here." Chris says, staring at Tom.
"I thought we were keeping out of her way," Tom whispers jokingly to Chris.
Sarah shakes her head, laughing, "Just keep doing what you're doing then?" She heads back inside to find everything is set up ready. She sighs in relief, taking a seat with David.
"How was the ceremony?" David asks.
"It was very beautiful," Sarah tells him, beginning in a lengthy retelling of the event when Chris and her dad enter.
"They're here, everyone." Chris calls.
Everyone in the hall stops their conversations, standing ready for their entrance, and the children who were bouncing climb down, running to their parents.
Hyperion enters first, pushing his adoptive mother, Sarah in her wheelchair, and his family follow behind him, curiously glancing around at the strangers staring back at them.
"Hi, we're Draco's family," Hyperion waves, answering the unanswered question on many people's minds, as he leads his family over to a vacant seating area.
Not a minutes later, the door reopens for Hermione, Draco and Scorpius to enter. All their friends and family cheer and clap in congratulations. They come to a pause in the centre of the hall.
"Hermione and I would like to thank you all for coming," Draco announces to the room.
"It means a lot to us that so many of you have come such a long way to be here this afternoon, to celebrate our son, Scorpius." Hermione continues.
"We'll make our way around the hall so you can all get to meet our son," Draco adds.
"At the back of the hall is a kitchen where you can help yourselves to the buffet, the bouncy castle is for children only, I'm afraid," Hermione says.
George and Blaise complain to a round of laughter echoing around the hall.
"Yes, I know, adults are allowed on with their children but are not allowed to bounce. Finally, we were due to have a magician here but they had to cancel, so there will be no magic this afternoon." She says pointedly, looking around the hall at the understanding faces of her wizarding friends and the confused faces of the muggles. "Please, enjoy yourself." She finishes, to another round of applause.
"Nice touch there," Harry laughs arms outstretched for his godson. "You mind if I take him for a bit. Teddy wants to see him."
"Sure, gives us a break for a bit," she passes Scorpius over. "He is the star of the show, though, so not for long." She reminds him.
"Let's sit down," Draco pulls her over to a couple of spare chairs around a table where some of their friends are sat.
"Congratulations, Draco." Blaise hugs him.
"Thanks," he laughs until he sees Cara sat behind him. "You brought Cara." He says with a forced smile.
"Yeah, Pandora and I stopped by her café the other day and we got talking about you guys and I thought, Luna wouldn't be here, she's still travelling, so I invited Cara," Blaise explains.
"Cara, it's nice to see you again." Hermione smiles at the girl, as she and Draco sit down together.
"Thank you, there's no better celebration than that of a child. Where is the little Scorpius?" She asks.
"He's with his godparents for now. We're having a little break." Hermione answers. "Pansy, where are the twins? I haven't seen them all day." She turns to her friend.
"Ron and Percy have them. Oh, did you see that Audrey is here? Why is she suddenly showing up to family events?" She asks, gossiping.
"I don't know, but it was an open invitation for Percy to bring her if she wanted to come." She shrugs.
"How have you been anyway? It's been a while since we've hung out, what with me working all the time, and you not being bothered to visit me," she smiles, resting her chin on her hands, looking innocently at Hermione. "You've left me with only Neville to entertain me, and he's too nice for me to tease." She sighs.
"Thank you, Pansy," Neville laughs.
"See," Pansy stares. "You've never thanked me for insulting you." She adds.
"To be fair, I didn't know being nice was an insult," Neville admits.
"You'll learn, dear," she pats his hand. "By the time these two come back in July, you'll be a completely different person." She jokes.
"I hope not," Hannah muses, resting her head against Neville's shoulder.
Pansy rolls her eyes. "I need you back, Hermione." She whines.
"She's just had a baby," Cara states.
"Yeah, I don't know you," Pansy says. "but I'm pretty obviously joking."
"I'm Cara,"
"That's nice," she stares at Blaise. "Where's Dora?"
"Benji is looking after her. She really loves him and I think she's grown on him."
"So, are you replacing Luna with Cara here or Benji." Pansy tilts her head to the side inquisitively.
"Pansy," Draco sighs.
"That's not fair," Blaise hisses at her.
"It was a fair question. Luna's gone, what, four months, and you're already introducing all these new people into Pandora's life. That's not fair, on the child." Pansy states.
"Both Cara and Benji had met Pandora before- before Luna and I divorced." Blaise defended himself.
"But not in the same way, though, is it. I've seen the way this one has been looking at you, touching you." She scoffs, nodding at Cara.
"You know what, we're leaving," Blaise stands up.
"Blaise, sit down, you're not going anywhere, Pansy, that's enough. This is my son's day, you two are like siblings to me; I want you both here." Draco tells them scornfully.
"I want you to apologise to Cara," Blaise states, standing beside his chair.
"What?" Pansy almost laughs. "I can count the number of times I've apologised to someone. I do not do so lightly."
"Pansy just say you're sorry." Draco groans.
"It's really no problem, Blaisie. I'm fine." Cara says softly, resting her hand on his forearm.
"Blaisie?" Repeat both Draco and Pansy.
"Fine, we're dating, you happy now. Merlin, forbid I try to keep a little something to myself." Blaise hisses at them across the table, not wanting to cause a scene.
The table falls awkwardly silent.
"See, this is why I didn't want to tell you yet. Luna was all out friends; I didn't want you to think I was replacing her as Pandora's mother." Blaise explains.
"I'm sorry for causing such a scene." Cara stands, apologising to the table. "I think it's best if I leave, Blaise." She mutters to him.
"No, Cara, you can stay," Hermione smiles at her. "If you and Blaise are dating and happy together, then these two will get over it." She chuckles.
"Blaise does make me happy," she smiles, taking his hand in hers, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Well, we can't sit here all day," Hermione stands, taking Draco's hand before he says something he'll regret to his best friend and his new girlfriend. "People to see," she smiles awkwardly, dragging him away to her grandparents.
"I can't believe him," Draco scoffs. "It had been four months and he's already moved on."
"Four months is a long time for some people, Draco. I think he's just lonely on his own. We've been busy, Pansy's working and Benjamin, I don't know what he's up to but he's might not be the kind of company Blaise is looking for." She tries to calm him down. "Hi, grandmas." She beams, hugging both her grandmas together. "How are you?"
"Emily found the sherry, dear." Betty laughs.
Hermione is full of surprise. "Oh, did you now, and how much of it have you drunk."
"We're fine, dear, Tom is driving us home." Emily laughs, and Betty joins her.
Hermione looks at her grandad, holding a can of coke glumly. "Designated driver." He sighs.
"Hermione, Hermione dear, where is out great-grandchild?" Betty asks.
"Yes, we're not getting any younger, are we Betty?" Emily cracks herself up laughing.
"I don't know about you, Emily, but I've been sixty-five years old the past nine years," Betty informs her.
Draco laughs having been cheered up by her drunken grandmothers.
"You stay here, I'll collect Scorpius," Hermione tells Draco.
She finds Scorpius with Molly, enjoys a cuddle.
"Hi, baby," she speaks softly. "Have you awoken?"
Scorpius starts struggling in Molly's arms in his excitement to reach his mother.
"Did Harry pass you along?" She takes her son in a hug against her chest.
"Teddy needed to go on the castle right this very second and wanted Harry to join him, so I took the little one. I can't get enough of my babies." Molly coos at him.
"Thanks, Molly, how is everyone getting along, here?" She asks.
"As you can tell, Arthur is enjoying himself talking to you uncle David. It's lovely to have finally met him." Molly shakes her head. "I daresay your uncle will be growing tired of him soon."
Hermione smiles, watching her and Draco's family interact with her wizarding family. Despite being warned, George was jumping on the bouncy castle with Sophie, Lauren, Craig, Joelle and Kyla. Angelina, Fleur and Bill, and Abe, Danielle, Arania and Richard were sat at a table together with their babies, chatting away happily. In the kitchen, Percy was making himself and Audrey a plate while talking to Alarte, and Damon, who had been invited as part of the family. Neville and Carol were sat at the side of the hall, watching worriedly as their two daughters played with a wizard. Audrey was making polite conversation with Hermione's dad, who now had both his twin daughter on his lap.
"It's nice everyone is getting along." She says.
"Not everyone, what was happening over on your table?" Molly asks. "Who's that girl with Blaise?"
Hermione shakes her head. "Blaise's new girlfriend." She sighs. "Don't ask." She adds when Molly opens her mouth.
She takes Scorpius back over to her grandmothers, who along with Sarah, Draco's great-aunt, take it, in turns, to shower him in hugs and kisses.
"Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves." Draco comments, when she sits down beside him.
"I'm glad everyone is mixing and chatting together. It's nice to watch." She sighs contently, resting her head against Draco's and watching the room.
"I don't know about you, but I am shattered." Draco yawns to emphasise his point, making Hermione chuckle.
"We will sleep well tonight," she kisses his shoulder.
"I told Harry we would talk to him after the party." He tells her. "About the whole 'Mr Vyner' thing." He adds.
"I suppose later is a better time as any," she shrugs in agreement.
"I saw you talking to Vyner before the ceremony," Draco starts.
"He basically insinuated, in not so many words, that if anything were to happen, he would be on our side. We just need to know what it is that might be happening." She explains.
The party continues well past the time written in the invitation. Those with younger children leave in drips and drabs to get their children home for dinner or naps. Eventually, around half-past six, Hermione and Draco are left with just Harry to clean the hall. Ginny had taken James and teddy back to the Burrow with her parents and siblings so they could talk.
"So, you've been asking questions in the Ministry?" Draco asks, sweeping brush in hand.
"I do work there," Harry shrugs, stacking chairs.
"Harry, Mr Vyner spoke to us, asking if we put you up to the questioning. He wanted to know what you are doing, going around asking questions about Kingsley, within the Ministry." Hermione explains, placing Scorpius inside the wrap again, in the hopes he will fall asleep while they clean.
"I wanted to see for myself the questionnaires you were talking about, but he would only give me my own. Although it was useful. Some of the officials had written speculations in the margin about whether Ginny and I were being paired because I was the 'Saviour' or if we were already expecting. There was also a note about wanting to pair me with Pansy, as a joke. It's good evidence." Harry smiles.
"Evidence? For what, Harry? You can't seriously be thinking about trying to take Kingsley down." Hermione hisses at him.
"I don't know, something has to be done about him. I've been talking to different heads within the Ministry, no one realises how little he actually does." Harry says.
"What is Kingsley going to do if he finds out you are asking questions about his ability to govern?" Hermione asks rhetorically. "He'll sentence you to Azkaban for treason, leaving Teddy and James without a father."
"I'm not planning anything, Hermione. Just- putting the feelers out, seeing what people are saying behind closed doors about the Minister. It's interesting stuff." He smirks. "No one realises how much he does either, but behind the scenes, manipulating and keeping secrets from heads of departments. Vale is practically running the Auror department without any input from Kingsley, except when he tells us more needs to be done about the Death Eaters and then doesn't actually give us any more funding or personnel to do our actual jobs." He takes a deep breath to calm himself. "We can't simply wait until the next election, that's five years away. Something needs to be done soon. As I said, though I'm just gathering information, seeing who would be more likely to join a front."
"A front? The last thing this world needs is another war." Draco points out.
"Not a war, a quick internal takedown with minimal disruption. Why do you think I'm gathering information?"
"You're building a case against him," Hermione says.
"Yes, when it's ready, I'll take it to the heads of departments I think will be willing to sign a vote of no confidence, and get them to sign it. Hopefully, that will be enough to take it in front of the Wizengamot." Harry shrugs.
"Simple as that," Draco scoffs. "Did you forget, Shacklebolt is the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot?
"It must have slipped my mind, Draco." Harry rolls his eyes. "He might be Chief Warlock, but he still only gets one vote. I'm hoping the rest of the Wizengamot will consider the evidence and vote in our favour." He admits.
"Well, you can't do this alone," Hermione tells him. "I can research previous votes of no confidence, and see how others have taken down Ministers. Then I'll also look into how to present a winning case to the Wizengamot. You need to be careful; you work in the Ministry." She warns him.
"You know me, I'm always careful." He grins.
"I do know you, and that's why I'm worried." She tells him, seriously.
"My biggest concern right now is still the Death Eater risings, but the lack of care from Kingsley, only two years after the war, is unbelievable. I need to do something, and you know as much as me how much we've been let down by Kingsley since he became Minister. I hold no sense of loyalty to him for his actions within the Order during the war after what he's done since." He finishes. "I hope you understand."
"Of course, we do," Hermione tells him. "You're not alone in all this. We're just as angry as you with Kingsley's actions." She looks at Draco.
"If you want, I can put you in contact with Theo Nott, he's training within the Ministry to become a lawyer. He might be able to help you with your case." Draco suggests.
"Thank, that'll help a lot." Harry nods.
"Just, be careful, Harry." Hermione sighs. "Haven't you had enough drama in your life?" She half-jokes.
Harry just smiles and gives her a quick hug. "It's looking pretty tidy in here; you mind if I get home?"
"Not at all, you head out, Harry?" Hermione agrees. "Thanks for coming."
"Anything for my godson," he winks, gently patting the baby's head. "I'll see you around." He adds, leaving them alone in the community hall.
Harry had been correct that it was tidy, but they still had to take the bin bags full of rubbish out of the hall and lock up. Hermione collects her bag, and some presents their guests had brought, despite the invitation stating they didn't need anything, then calls for a taxi on her phone. By the time Draco returns from disposing of the rubbish, their taxi is waiting for them outside, ready to take them back to the Ministry of Magic so they can floo home for a much-needed rest.
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