May 2, 2012
"We were just kids."
Draco stroked a curl awake from her face. He didn't need to ask, not on today of all days.
"I'm so scared for Rose to go Hogwarts. I know it's safer, and I know…I know logically Voldemort is dead, but ...it's so hard to pick out the good memories when everything ended how it did."
Cassie made a soft whining noise in her bassinet next to them. Hermione sighed and shifted to pick her up, but Draco held out a hand and leaned to pick up the baby himself, propping her up on his legs. She calmed and opened her deep brown eyes to look around the room in the low light.
Other than the eyes, she was a perfect copy of her father with white-blond fuzz for hair and slightly pointed features.
"I mean, what if this new threat is just the start of another wave. Someone else is feeding off the natural rift in our world." Hermione curled in tighter against him.
"I know, love. I think about these things too. But I think it's different now...too many of the old ways have died out, and that's a good thing." Draco laid a finger in Cassie's palm so she would close a fist around it. "And with you running the show, these kids won't have anything to worry about. We'll whoever is trying to stir up shit again and make sure everyone gets the message, it's over, it's not tolerated anymore."
"You always know just what to say," she mumbled, not letting up on her hold. They sat in comfortable silence for a minute. "So you really think she's a witch?"
"Yes, and it's not just hopeful thinking. I can feel her magic. It's different from the other girls, but it's there. It's just…soft."
"I believe you; I just don't understand. Sounds like a form of Divination." She put on her best Trelawny impression. "Cassiopeia, give us some sign your father isn't crazy."
The baby squealed a laugh at her mother's voice and kicked her legs, then froze with almost a look of horror on her face. Her face screwed up for a second, and she sneezed.
Sparks.
Gold sparks.
That left little burn marks on the duvet.
Draco doubled over with laughter as Hermione touched the marks with alarm.
"That is not what I was expecting! But...but that means...Draco...she's a witch!'
"I told you ."
"I thought you were just a few gobstones short of a set! This is amazing!" Hermione picked the baby up from Draco's lap and kissed her cheeks. "I loved you no matter what, I promise, I'm just so happy."
May 15th, 2012
Rose had taken up a vigil at the large bay window in the kitchen, where the owl post came in since dawn had broken the horizon. Leo, the cat, was tucked beside her, watching the smaller birds in the yards with great interest while Rose stroked her fur absent-mindedly.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart."Hermione greeted her oldest child with a kiss to the forehead before she could duck out of the way.
"Thanks, Mum. But I won't really be eleven until I get my letter."
"Hmm." Hermione hummed, putting the kettle on the stove. "Headmistress McGonagall came to my house with my letter. Maybe we'll ask her just to bring it to dinner sometime next week."
"That's not funny! Not funny, mum! That'll be ages from now, and I want my letter today!"
Draco came into the kitchen, Lyra close behind him. "It's too early to shout. Happy birthday, Weasley." he squeezed her shoulder affectionately as the younger daughter climbed next to her sister.
"It's Rosie's birthday! That means cake and presents and ice cream and sweets!" declared the curly-haired toddler, picking up the cat against its will and wandering around.
"What do you want to do before we take you to the Burrow tonight?" Hermione asked, sharing a quiet smile with her husband.
"I don't have to go to school? You don't have to work?"
"Not if you don't want to." Hermione shrugged. She'd made the plan well in advance, realizing it was Rose's last birthday at home but decided on surprising the eleven-year-old.
"I want to go to Diagon and get my wand! As soon as breakfast is over!" Rose was practically jumping with excitement. "I hope I get dragon heartstring like you, not unicorn hair like Da."
"Nothing wrong with unicorn hair," Draco mumbled.
Rose let out a shrill scream and pointed out of the window at two minuscule black dots in the distance. One owl bringing the regular post and Daily Prophet and the other, a Hogwarts screech owl.
"It's happening! I'm getting my letter!"
Hermione looked to Draco with another weaker smile. "It's really happening."
September 1st, 2012
"Can we just...ride with her to Hogwarts and back? Just to make sure she gets there safe?" Evelyn asked, swinging her hand in her father's nervously. "And watch the sorting, make sure she's properly sorted. That's very important."
Draco watched Hermione try to wipe something off Rose's face as she leaned through the window, and the redhead protested loudly as her cousin laughed next to her.
"She's got James going with her. It'll be fine, Ev. And next year, you can ride the train."
"Dad...there's a rather large wizard who has been staring at us for a while... it's rude to point, but I'm rather uncomfortable."
Draco swiveled around quickly, silently cursing himself for letting his guard down in public. Towards the end of a train was a boulder of a man, watching a woman help a smaller boulder amble onto the train.
Gregory Goyle held his hand up in greeting.
No wonder he'd been staring. Goyle had always harbored a flame for Astoria, and Evelyn was exactly like her. He hoped the greeting would be enough, but soon he was making his way towards them.
"Draco! And you must be Evelyn! Pretty little thing just like your mother."
"Thank you, sir," Evelyn mumbled, sliding slightly behind her father.
"Greg. How was America? See your back just in time to send yours off." Draco hoped his attention would turn back to his family.
"Well, some of us want to keep the traditions alive! You've about thrown them all to the wind, eh?" He chuckled. "Marrying Granger 'n all." He leaned in conspiratorially. "What happened? You get her up in the duff and have to save your arse? Does she keep swearing that the potion failed? Cause damn… I guess she really is golden down there, from what I hear."
Draco felt his face contort into a genuine sneer he hadn't felt in years now. "No, not that it's any of your business. We wanted a large family."
Goyle snorted and rolled his eyes. "Sure, sure. Hey, are you still in touch with Zabini? Nott? Tell them I'm back in town looking for them, alright." He clapped Draco on the shoulder and backed away quickly.
Hermione appearing at his side answered the question about such a hasty retreat.
"What was that about? I thought he moved to the States?" She asked, returning the dirty look she got from the Goyle family.
"I think I just found you a lead," he muttered, taking her hand in his. "But I'll tell you about it at home."
January 9, 2013 .
Snow blanketed the grassy fields, the wind whipping the bitter cold straight through even the strongest warming charms on their coats.
Evelyn held her letter in her thickly gloved fingers, her eyes and nose cherry red from the cold.
"I got my school letter today, Mum," she said to the stone angel overhead. "Because I turned 11...you know. Aunt Daphne let me try your wand, and I really like it, so I wanted to let you know I'm going to use it. I'll do my best to keep it nice, but I have two little sisters now, so…" she sniffed and swiped at her eyes. "Dad, did you want to say anything? "
He cleared his throat. "I told you I could keep a baby alive for more than 5 minutes 'Tori." Evelyn scoffed and whispered Daddy.
"Alright . " He thought for a moment, trying to think of what he could say. The humor had been a deflection from the uncomfortable grief sitting in his chest. The details of his short time with the witch grew fuzzier by the day. Although he felt nothing but affection, the loneliness that once plagued his life had been filled, several times over.
"Thank you. Thank you for making me grow up and be a better person. And thank you for this attitude on legs you named Evelyn because, without her, I wouldn't have stayed the better person, and I would have missed out on all of this. I did my best, Astoria, and I think you'd be proud. She's pretty amazing."
The eleven-year-old smiled and nodded her approval at his words.
"Let's go home now."
Walking in through the Floo to their house was like watching life bloom right before his eyes. Colorful toys and shoes were scattered around the floor, scarves and coats hung on every available surface. Lyra and Cassie reenacted Frozen again in front of the TV where Elsa was building that damned ice castle again.
The pre-teen retreated to the safety of her room, and he followed the sound of Hermione on her mobile.
She positively beamed when she saw him and pointed to the phone, mouthing " MACUSA ."
"Yes, Mister President, I'm glad we could have this meeting today as well. Yes, tomorrow, I'll brief my team and start taking applications for liaison positions. I can think of a few of our Aurors who've expressed a desire to spend some time in New York." She paused and listened to the other end. "Thank you very much. I'm ...I'm honored… yes...we'll talk again then."
Hermione hung up the phone and stared at the glowing screen in disbelief. "That was Samuel Quahog...the President of MACUSA. He wanted to congratulate me personally on the negotiations between the British Ministry and them to create the Dark Wizard task force. Then he said to let him know when I'm running for Minister so he can endorse me personally."
She dropped the mobile on the counter, still panting from shock. With one look up at Draco, she threw her arms around him, kissing him deeply, combing her fingers through his hair.
He could taste the joy radiating from her, feel the life and the magic pulsing between them as his frigid extremities thawed from their close contact. "I'm so sorry I didn't even ask, how was the visit? Are you feeling alright?" Draco cut her off with a kiss again, stealing the words from her lips.
Chapter 30: Owl Post
Summary:
Evelyn's first day of school holds more than one surprise...
Notes:
Once again thank you all for the support, comments, and kudos! The next chapter will be posted on October 25th (for reassoonnss) then much more frequently after that :D
Talonwillow is the beans to my toast!
Chapter Text
September 1st, 2013.
Of all the things Draco envisioned for his life, he never thought arguing with miniature versions of himself about food would take up a significant amount of time.
And yet…
"Eat your eggs, Cas."
"Nope!" She said with a big grin, enjoying the game.
Rose strode over to the table with the post, excitedly ripping open Seekers Monthly while Draco untied the Prophet from the bundle.
A few howlers, as usual, and a letter from Gringotts and the newspaper were all there was. Electing to deal with Gringotts later, he unfurled the paper and swore.
Taking up most of the bottom of the front paper was an advertisement for Marietta Edgecombe for Minister, a pricey piece of real estate. There was an annotation to turn to page 3.
Where Hermione's ad was small and unassuming.
And under it?
A long slanderous article, painting Hermione as an attention-seeking busybody with no real goals for the future except to stay in the limelight.
Rose had started reading over his shoulder, her finger paused midpoint on a quidditch stat chart, her face slowly morphing into disgust.
"We can't let mum read that. She'll be in a state all morning."
"She'll find it eventually. Edgecomb must have paid…" his eyes dropped to the bottom of the article for the author "Skeeter. Go figure. But that wouldn't have been cheap. Out of Edgecombs price range anyway."
The redhead was already in motion. Reaching to an upper cabinet, Cassie had her eyes fixed on her, knowing what was in there.
Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes color-changing markers. The toddler was practically vibrating with excitement as her older sister tugged the paper out of Draco's hand, placing it and the markers in front of her.
"Oops." Rose deadpanned.
"Guess I'll just have to vanish it to get all that mess cleaned up," Draco said in the same tone back.
The evidence was destroyed in only a few seconds, distorted in a swirl of colors and ground-in scrambled eggs. He vanished the evidence without another word. Rose even offered to get Cassie ready to go to the platform. However, Draco suspected that was an attempt to get more time with the sibling she was about to leave for months without appearing sentimental.
He checked on Evelyn, who was already dressed and packed, neurotically checking over her supplies list. And then snapping at him when he reminded her they could just owl her anything she had forgotten. The next stop was Lyra, who inherited his distaste for mornings and was refusing to get up. Charming her curtains to stay open to let in a flood of sunlight, she shrieked in protest as he closed the door.
Finally, he got to their bedroom door and let down the muffliato guarding it. For once, Hermione had stayed asleep and not woken up at his first movement. He had barely turned the doorknob when she jerked awake, hair at full mass and stuck to her face. "As Minister, I promise -Oh...Good morning love." She stretched, glanced at the clock, and sighed. "You let me sleep in! I wish you hadn't. We have to get to the train."
"Your parents will be here in an hour to pick up Lyra and Cassie for the day. We can get to the platform much easier with just the two older girls." He absent-mindedly picked at a thread on the bed covers. "They can see the Express when we pick them up for Christmas; it'll be less of a madhouse."
She put her hand on his. "Are you worried about Evelyn?"
He nodded. "Rose was one thing. But Evelyn...she's going in with the Malfoy name...I'm worried about how they are going to treat her because of me."
Hermione stood and started to finger comb through her hair. "Well...I thought you would know better by now, but I guess you don't. No one gets away with messing with my family. She's my daughter too, and anyone caught harassing her will have to deal with me." Her eyes gleamed brightly. "I don't suppose you would know anything about that."
"Having to deal with you? I don't remember life before it." He dodged a playful swat to the arm. "Oh, violence, a classic response. But of course, you can't keep your hands off -" he dodged a wandless stinging hex but got caught by another. "Get dressed Granger, we have things to do before you can get your claws into me." He turned and practically ran from the room.
Helen Granger came in through the house in a flurry of noise and colorful gifts. She hugged Draco a little longer than was strictly necessary and then rounded on Hermione.
She gave her daughter a once-over glance. "You look tired, dear."
"Thanks, mum," she grumbled.
"I just mean, is there...something you want to tell me?" she wiggled her eyebrows salaciously. "I mean, I can hardly blame you, he's aging like fine wine Hermione, and you've always had a taste for the nicer things." She winked. "You get that from me."
"No, Mum, I'm not pregnant. Just running for Minister and taking care of the kids. Thank you for taking them today." She passed off a bag of things for Cassie.
"I'm happy to do it. Your father and I always hoped for more, but it just never happened." She shouldered the bag and smiled fondly at her daughter. "Whatever you need, dear, we'll be here." She turned to Cassie and Lyra. "Except today when we're at the zoo!"
Then younger girls squealed, their complaints of not seeing the train leave platform 9 temporarily forgotten.
Helen then hugged Rose and Evelyn with promises to send them more presents once they were at the castle and shepherded the younger two out to the car.
With one last look back at Hermione, she beamed again. "We're so proud of you. You've done so well, Minister or not."
The platform was once again packed as families loaded their children onto the Hogwarts express. The steam engine whistled to life, and Leo, the cat, let out a similar wail in her basket on Evelyn's trunk.
Draco saw the Potters, one car down, getting their brood sorted out. Ginny caught his eye and mouthed.
Did you read the paper?
He made a slashing movement over his throat and pointed to Hermione, and Ginny responded with a vigorous nod.
Albus had boarded the train and was now helping Evelyn with an unnecessary hand up the steps. The boy looked absolutely moonstruck as Evelyn reached out to him. Draco tried to push the cat basket into his hands instead.
And if it weren't for the Potter kid, he would have seen Harry charging towards Hermione, saying, "So is today the day you turn Rita in for good? Because I have to tell you, after all that, I definitely would."
Draco looked at Harry and then at Ginny, who only realized the danger. The former Weasley tried to redirect her husband, but it was too late.
"After all what?"
"The article this morning!"
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "I had a bit of a lie-in, but the Prophet was mysteriously light this morning. Draco!"
He seriously considered stowing away on the train for a moment. If he cast a disillusionment charm on himself and sat in the luggage…
"I was going to tell you when we got home. So we could enjoy our day...Potter…"
The Auror finally seemed to have caught on to what was happening. "Oh. Yeah, of course. Just...enjoy today Hermione, worry about it tomorrow."
Granger threw them both a scathing look, but the train whistled its departing screech and started to take off. Doors slammed shut, and children piled out of the window. They waved until the scarlet steam engine turned out of sight.
"So...do you want to go home and...work on number 5?" Draco tried to flirt in a desperate attempt to distract his now pissed-off wife.
"No. I want to go pick up another copy of the Prophet and figure out what you're hiding from me." She stormed off ahead of him.
Harry mouthed an apology once Hermione's back was turned, and Draco returned his thoughts with a single-finger salute.
It was a long, painfully silent afternoon. Granger read the article and Floo'd into the office without so much as a goodbye. Draco opened the mail from Gringotts just for something to do.
The bank wanted to arrange an in-person meeting to discuss "things of a personal and sensitive nature." This was quite frankly alarming because Goblins never considered anything off-topic. They were some of the rudest and bluntest creatures he'd ever had the misfortune to deal with, and he was a Malfoy.
So he sent an owl off with the times he was available the following week. Then tried to bury himself in researching a recipe for the fertility potion, which successfully ate away the time until Hermione came home.
She came through the grate and started a proper fire, tossing a few papers in with a Pureblood-worthy sneer. "Rita was paid handsomely enough to where she won't reveal her "sources" even on pain of permanent beetle hood. Unfortunately, she's registered her animagus form very recently, so I can't even get her there. Then I got caught up in other work ...the whole day slipped by." She looked up at Draco with wide, pleading eyes. "I'm sorry, but please...don't do that again. I know you were trying to protect me, but not like that."
He brought her in with a slow kiss, tender and meaningful. "I won't. I'm sorry too, I know you can take it. I just can't figure where she would get that kind of money? It's not cheap to register as an animagus, and she'd need a solicitor to protect her from the legal repercussions." He pulled her in, closing the space between them. "Oh, by the way, come with me to Gringotts to talk to the Goblins next week, please."
Hermione sighed. "Fine, but only because we need to actively improve our relationship with our non-human magical counterparts...I think we….teach-" Draco was running his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp in a way that always made her eyelids flutter. "Gobbledegook...Hogwarts…"
Draco chuckled at her trailing thoughts, relishing in his success at derailing her thoughts. He kissed her cheek and jaw, trailing down her neck, undoing the buttons on her work robes. Her breath stuttered, and she clutched his belt but took a step back.
"Still want to work on number 5?" she shrugged out of the robes to reveal just a plain white tank top and a figure-hugging pencil skirt.
"Gods, yes, but the kids will be back -"
Hermione bent over the arm of the couch, wiggling her arse at him. "Better be quick then."
"Cheeky little witch."
A new voice cleared its throat. "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. I hate to… interrupted, but the Floo was unlocked."
Headmistress McGonagall's face was scowling at them from the fireplace. Hermione yelped and grabbed her robe to hide her chest while Draco tried to hide his lower half behind the arm of the couch.
"So sorry!" Hermione was scarlet in the face. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, I just thought you'd like to know that Evelyn was sorted into Slytherin, and so far, the portraits haven't reported anything but a warm welcome from her peers. She has the company of the youngest Mr. Potter as well. "
"Wait...Albus is in Slytherin?" Hermione's mouth fell open before she grinned at Draco, who was thoroughly unamused.
"I'm coming up there. She's going to Beauxbatons."
"Draco!"Hermione admonished him.
"There's no need to be so irrational. I'm sure it's just a minor infatuation." The older witch looked at him over her glasses, lips pursed.
"Headmistress… you know how the door to the Slytherin girls dormitory is password protected?" She nodded. "It kind of...stopped changing in 1994. It's been Toujours Pur for almost twenty years now. So you might want to fix that. Immediately."
She sighed and rubbed her eyes under her glasses. "Why…"
"No idea." He lied quickly. "It was just as if a very clever young wizard figured out the pattern and how to stop it."
"I'm going to have words with Severus's portrait tonight." she said, throwing a glare over her shoulder. "Well, if you don't have any questions, I have to fix a suspiciously broken door. Have a good night, and do remember to lock the Floo." McGonagall's lips curved slightly as she backed up out of the flames.