June 2014
Healer Susan Bones looked from Hermione to Draco and back again.
"Look, this is probably just because I'm gay...but I don't get it?" She said, checking something on her clipboard.
"Get what?" Hermione asked, indignant.
"You come in here and tell me; Oh, this is the last one, Susan for sure this time, and then..." She sat on her stool and scooted it towards the table. "You're back here in my office, properly up the duff, saying the same thing all over again. Something about this wizard, this git right here - don't glower at me, I know you secretly like me- that makes you go 'yeah alright, let's do it all again.' "
Draco made a measuring motion with his arm that made Susan laugh so hard her eyes watered. At the same time, Hermione covered her face and mumbled something about being vastly inappropriate.
"Yeah, okay, Malfoy." The Healer continued to laugh while poking around Hermione's belly. "You're measuring ahead; you'll probably go early this time. Just be aware I know how you like to work up until the last minute. Don't ignore the signs this time. I'm not delivering a baby while you're on a Floo call with Australia or something." Susan pulled her wand from her robes. "If you really don't want to know the sex, turn away now."
Hermione turned to face the wall to her left and then pointed insistently for Draco to do the same.
"No cheating."
"I'm just looking at you, my lovely wife."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Malfoy, but you agreed to the terms of the bet." She pushed his head for him. "No cheating." She sighed with exhaustion and closed her eyes, still gripping his hand tight. Her breathing slowed to a gentle pace, having dozed off in the dark and calming room.
Draco snuck a glance, hoping Bones wouldn't see, but she did. The Healer held a finger to her lip and gave him a cheeky wink anyway. She finished her notes, checked to make sure Hermione was still sleeping, hastily ate a packed lunch, and raised the lights back on. The curly-haired witch blinked awake and sat up quickly.
"The baby looks great! In perfect health, so next time I see you, my dear, it will be time to meet them."
"And that'll be the last time. I mean it." Hermione yawned. "I'm too tired to do this again."
July 7th, 2014.
Hermione paced laps around the Minister's office, signing documents and every so often stopping to have a contraction. Her official start as Minister wouldn't begin until she returned from maternity leave. But her presence left Shacklebolt with so little work, he'd stop hanging around the office.
"10:26," Draco announced from the leather sofa against one wall. Flicking his wand to show the time, hovering in large red numbers in the air.
"I said give me until half-past 10." Hermione ground out, scribbling something at the bottom of a piece of parchment and putting it in her out tray.
"A.m.," said Draco. "10:30 a.m."
"Yes, yes, I still have three and a half minutes."
" A half. "
"I can do a lot with 30 seconds, Draco!" she puffed, leaning on a desk for support.
"For example, having a baby in an office…"
"I can't concentrate with you blathering on!"
"Good! That's the idea!" He said, standing up, grabbing her hospital bag off the desk.
Kingsley opened the office door and stared at the scene before him, large coffee steaming in his hand. "I thought you'd be gone by now."
"Me too," Draco mumbled.
Hermione let out a whimper of longing. "That coffee smells so good."
"You know where we can get great coffee? St. Mungos…"
"If you like the taste of cardboard.'' Kingsley snorted, but Draco shot him a look over Hermione's head. "Oh yeah. That sounds like a good idea, Malfoy. Right through that Floo too."
"Fine! I'll go, but if this is a false alarm, I'll be back in a few hours to review the Transportation budget." Hermione snapped, pitching a handful of Floo powder into the Minister's fireplace.
They stepped through, and the welcome witch looked up from her magazine. "Oh, it's you, Minister. Well, you know where to go." she waved them off.
Grumbling and swearing under her breath Hermione made a steady pace for the lifts, Draco hovering behind her.
They had just stepped on when they heard someone shouting "HOLD THE LIFT!" and a young wizard came into view, guiding a heavily pregnant and panting witch around the corner.
Draco held open the grate as they scrambled on; both of them panic-stricken.
"First time?" he asked cooly, letting the door close, and the lift started its ascent.
The wizard nodded, unable to take his eyes off the witch. "Yeah. My girlfriend, due yesterday, contractions are 6 minutes apart so...any minute now."
Hermione hummed, but Draco shook his head at her. "Don't start-"
"I was just going to say…"
"Granger, don't say anything. They didn't ask."
The witch looked up, horror and shock on her face. "Granger...like…" her eyes fell on Draco for the first time. "Oh, my gods. I'm so sorry Minister, I didn't realize it was you!"
"Sorry for what?"
At that moment, the lift grounded to halt and an overly cheerful voice came over the intercom. "This is just a drill; please stay calm. St. Mungo's hospital for Magical Maladies and Accidents is always working to provide a secure healing environment. So, please be patient as we complete this training exercise."
The other couple began to panic even harder. Draco leaned against the back wall of the lift, and Hermione pressed against him, putting her head on his chest.
"I'm going to give birth in front of the Minister for Magic! I told you we should have called ahead!"
"Stay calm and do your breathing!"
"You won't give birth in front of the Minister; you probably still have quite a while to go," Hermione said serenely, but they didn't seem to hear her, so she looked up at Draco instead. "Will you bring me a spicy tuna roll from that place I like tonight?"
"Which one?"
She swore softly in pain for a second. "The place with the koi pond."
"With the big ugly dragon statue?"
"Yes, that one."
"I can do that."
"Thank you." She managed before another contraction hit, and she leaned against him for support.
The other couple stared at them open-mouthed.
"What?" Draco grumbled. "Obviously, we've done this a few times by now. You'll learn."
The lift started up again as the intercom voice apologized for the delay. Before the door was even all the way open, the other pair were sprinting out, calling for a Healer.
"Really." Hermione laughed."I don't think we were ever that bad."
6:00 pm
Draco gazed down in awe at the swaddled baby in Hermione's arms as she smoothed down a tuft of white-blond hair over the baby's head.
"Trade you for a spicy tuna roll." He said, holding out the recently obtained takeaway container.
Hermione clicked her tongue. "No, I won't trade for anything less than two rolls and maybe some sashimi." Draco opened the container to reveal all that was in there. "You drive a hard bargain, Malfoy, but alright."
He took the bundle carefully and settled in the chair next to her bed.
"You knew the whole time, didn't you?" Hermione accused him before taking a bite.
He shrugged. "I looked during the appointment." She rolled her eyes at him. "But it gave me time to get you a present, so you'll forgive me."
"I cannot be bribed with shiny trinkets. But go on, let's see."
He shifted to hold the baby in one arm while digging around for something in the bag. Finally, he produced a long, thin velvet-lined box and opened it, placing it on the table in front of her.
She gasped and put a hand over her mouth. It was a bracelet, silver in the same style as the necklace he gave her years ago. But this time, the charm was in the constellation of Scorpius.
"Thank you." She whispered, charming it wandlessly to fit around her wrist. "It's lovely."
Draco was too enamored with the tiny baby starting to fidget in his arms. "Merlin, he looks like me…he's got your nose though..."
Hermione dropped back against her pillows, still eating. "What did the girls say?"
"I wouldn't tell them. They're furious at me. I locked the office with the tapestry too." Draco laughed. "We'll both be there to tell them...but let's just enjoy this for right now."
She nodded in agreement. "This is the last time, after all."
Chapter 36: Moving on
Summary:
July 6, 2020
The only sounds that could be heard throughout the Ministry of Magic were that of the Minister's security team patrolling the halls as she worked late into the evening again.
Papers were stacked high on either side as she waded through more red tape and bureaucratic nonsense than ever before. The harder she pushed for real change, the more it seemed to grow around her like a Hydra, only sprouting more heads.
What was worse is she found that these old, outdated notions and reluctance for change were not just isolated to the Wizarding Britain but the magical world as a whole.
Hermione had everything she wanted, more than she could have ever hoped for. Her children were happy and healthy, she had friends and a support system, and though her marriage was starting to feel the strain of her long days, she knew they still loved each other.
So what had changed...what could possibly be missing?
Notes:
Please note the jump forward in time!
Thank you all for your continued love and support it means everything!
TalonWillow is the bubble to my tea
Chapter Text
July 6, 2020
The only sounds that could be heard throughout the Ministry of Magic were that of the Minister's security team patrolling the halls as she worked late into the evening again.
Papers were stacked high on either side as she waded through more red tape and bureaucratic nonsense than ever before. The harder she pushed for real change, the more it seemed to grow around her like a Hydra, only sprouting more heads.
What was worse is she found that these old, outdated notions and reluctance for change were not just isolated to the Wizarding Britain but the magical world as a whole.
Hermione had everything she wanted, more than she could have ever hoped for. Her children were happy and healthy, she had friends and a support system, and though her marriage was starting to feel the strain of her long days, she knew they still loved each other.
So what had changed...what could possibly be missing?
The next file was a proposal from a newly formed organization: Witches Internationally Committing Change Abroad or WICCA. They were searching for a British representative interested in a global campaign for the gradual unified integration of muggle-born magicals into their communities.
Glancing up from her reading, she scanned the pictures on her desk. Rose held her Falcons jersey high in victory after making the team fresh from graduating the previous year next to Evelyn in her Head Girl badge. Lyra, in her Ravenclaw scarf holding an award for her grades. Cassie and Scorpius on a beach with their matching bright blond hair gleaming in the sun.
She left early from that trip; some incident had her taking an emergency portkey back to London.
The grandfather clock in her office showed it was half-past 11. Scorpius would be six in just a few hours…
Taking the file from WICCA with her, she dismissed her security team for the weekend, and Floo'd back to the Manor.
Even after arriving home and changing, she knew she wouldn't find the ability to sleep that night. Instead, she settled in with tea and the file to read in the conservatory, watching the sky change colors until the sun rose.
Shades of pink were just starting to break the horizon when she heard someone stirring not too far off in the kitchens. Draco emerged with tea for himself and a fresh cup for her with biscuits and the reading glasses she neglected to wear so often on the tray as well. Her heart twisted as he sat down on the opposite side, his own glasses now permanently affixed to the end of his nose. He smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes as she watched.
"Good morning Madam Minister." He quipped, sipping his drink and scanning the horizon.
"Are you upset I was gone so late last night?" she asked, focusing on the biscuits on the tray instead of him.
"Not anymore, no. I should have expected it," he admitted.
Hermione winced at the harsh truth in his words. "I'm here now and for the rest of the weekend."
He just nodded to show he had heard her.
Rose jogged close by to the window, following a paved path around the perimeter of the manor, headphones blocking out the sounds of the world.
"I didn't know she got up this early…"
"Every day this summer, but she's got plans for her flat next month. Evelyn was up late on a Floo call to New Zealand about an internship at a dragon reserve there, so she won't surface until later." Draco said, fidgeting with his wedding ring.
"How do you feel about that? That's awfully far…"
"She's grown now: it's her choice to make. Just like how she keeps talking about shacking up with Potter's kid if he can get a job there too."
Hermione laughed quietly. "Shacking up? And his name is Albus, you'd better get used to it. Dragon reserves need medi-wizards, so I think he's pretty much assured something."
Draco didn't say anything to the contrary. "You know, Scorpius has it in his head he wants to be a curse breaker."
Hermione's whole body tense at just the thought. "Absolutely not."
"I can't talk him out of it. Maybe you can." For the first time, their eyes met. He stopped playing with the ring and put his hand upon the table. She took it in her own, studying the mark the cursed necklace had left against his skin.
"Draco." She felt his muscles tense at the use of his given name in a serious tone. "I have something I want to tell you, but I don't know how to start."
"Wait." He breathed, eyes fixed on her pleadingly. "Before you say anything, just know I still love you. With all my heart and soul. I knew what I was getting into, marrying you and supporting your dreams-"
"That's what I want to talk about…"
He sucked in air like he was bracing himself for a blow to the stomach.
"I want to make this my last year as Minister. I'm not happy there...I want to work on an even bigger scale, and I think I found a good opportunity." She couldn't look him in the eye again, staring at the lines on his palm instead.
"And?" He prompted quietly.
"It makes me feel terrible because we worked so hard for me to become Minister. It feels selfish." She confessed, still not daring to look up.
"Hey. Look at me." Slowly she dragged her eyes up to his. The gray of his irises had softened. "I'd do it all over again. Just like you've done for me." He kissed the back of her hand. "I was scared you'd finally grown tired of me."
"Never." She whispered. "Part of my motivation for a new job is more flexibility, to be home at night and summer holidays. I miss you and the kids."
They sat there, holding hands for a few moments listening to the sounds of the Manor coming to life all around them. Rose had come inside and awoken Cassiopeia and Scorpius in the process. Apparently, there was some heated debate about breakfast.
"There is something I've been meaning to bring up." The tension was raw in his voice once more. "I know you always wanted to move back to the other house but...I'd like to stay here a while longer. Mum is...she's showing signs of slowing down, especially since Andromeda and Kingsley moved. You know she won't come with us."
"Of course we can stay. But...she's not old for a witch." Hermione wondered out loud.
"Her magic was bonded with my father's. Despite his shortcomings, he did genuinely love her, but as his signature fades, her magic tries to preserve what's left, even at the cost to her. But having the kids here makes her so happy…"
"We can stay," Hermione repeated, standing and walking around the table to face him. "It feels nice now that someone reworked the wards with the ley lines in an impressive bit of magic." She meant to only steal a chaste kiss, but instead, he pulled her down, maneuvering her into his lap. "Oof, love, I feel like I'm going to crush you."
"I can think of worse ways to go than being trapped under you," he whispered as she pinched his arm.
"Incorrigible as always, Malfoy." But she made no attempt to get up. "Are we...are we okay?"
His thumb brushed under her cheekbone as he stared at her with reverence. "Yeah, Granger, we're okay. We can get through this just like we can get through anything else." He kissed her deeply, threading his fingers through her hair.
"Eeeewwwww." A voice came from the threshold of the conservatory. "I thought you were doing something fun like wrestling, but you're kissing instead." Scorpius screwed up his face in disgust.
Hermione freed herself from Draco's arms and went to hug her son, who yelled and tried to climb away from her. "It's the birthday boy! Happy Birthday my baby!" she called.
"I'm six. I'm not a baby!" He said, trying to get out of her grasp. "Merlin, you're worse than Grandmother."
"Fine...fine…" she said, pulling away and ruffling his hair affectionately. "Come along now, birthday boy, we've got to get ready for your party."
The party was in full swing, loud and lively, with the sounds of small children allowed an overindulgence of sugar. The Hogwarts age older siblings broke off into small groups, trying to gain distance from their parents and the noise. Lyra and Lily were bursting out into frequent loud giggles, gossiping about something.
Evelyn was approached by every older adult at the party to congratulate her on her graduation and ask about what her future plans might be. She handled it graciously, explaining that she had no desire to work at the Ministry and was looking at work in several dragon reserves around the world.
Draco watched from a distance, keeping his peripheral on Albus Potter, who seemed to fidget with something in his pocket.
Harry elbowed Draco, sliding a beer into his hands. "Murder is still illegal, Malfoy. So when my hopeless middle kid comes to ask you a stupid question...remember that."
Draco took a long drink from the beer before giving up on the hope he could be knocked out on the spot. "I trust you tried to talk him out of it."
Potter nodded. "I did, but as I married Ginny and you married Astoria straight after graduation, I had very little ground to stand on. But the good news is, as it is right now, we aren't going to be grandparents this year."
"That would constitute a murder, and you know it," Malfoy mumbled, polishing off his beer. "Is he really going anywhere she goes?"
"Anywhere. But Al's never really been picky as long as he doesn't have to live with James, so..." Harry clapped him on the shoulder as Albus approached nervously and ventured away to go talk to Hermione.
"Mr. Malfoy, can I have a word, please?" The younger wizard asked, trying to hide the quiver in his voice, earnest green eyes staring up at Draco imploringly.
No.
"I suppose. Come on, let's walk."
Albus looked as though he were facing down a literal dragon as he gathered the nerve to follow Draco to a path cutting through the Manor gardens.
"Well, as you know, Evelyn and I have been dating for a year now. And we're getting ready to move in together...now that we've graduated and all."
"Yes, you're still extremely young, I'm aware."
"The same age as -"
"That was different. It was right after the war -"
Albus must have been sorted into Slytherin for keen self-preservation instincts because he didn't pursue the argument further. "We are young, but I love her, and I want to prove it."
"How?"
"Asking her to marry me. Look, I have my grandmother's ring and all -"
Draco waved him off. "Evelyn has access to countless family heirlooms and more gold than you can imagine."
"Your permission -"
"Permission? She's my daughter, not my property to be bartered for. She's her own wish, and she'll consent to marry whoever she wants to when she wants to. I might be Pureblood, but I'm insulted that you think I participate in antiquated notions about -" The color had run from Albus's face Draco had to stop and laugh.
"I'm sorry, sir. I just thought -"
"Yes, Potter, you can ask Evelyn to marry you- ask. Of Course, she can say no, and if she has any sense, she will say no."
Albus chuckled nervously. "Uh..thank you?"
"Look around you, Al, for acres in every direction is Malfoy property. I've spent my whole life exploring these grounds and still could get lost. Hell, I'm pretty sure the southwestern most corner still has some cursed trees from my Aunt practicing on them...you know, the crazy murdery one. I know my great grandfather Nicholas buried countless priceless artifacts out here, just for safekeeping, most of which have never been recovered." Draco explained, gesturing the beautifully summery grounds around them. "I come from a long line of psychopaths, son. I hope your kids don't get that gene, though." He sighed. "Yeah, I just come out here to think how easy it would be to disappear and never be found."
Albus stilled, then laughed. "That's another good one, sir. You've got quite a sense of humor."
Draco put a hand on his shoulder. "I do, but this wasn't one of those times."
"Understood, sir."
Chapter