Edited 6/5/23: Minor Grammar/Spelling.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DRACOOOOOO!
Enjoy a little birthday even with KITTENS (and a little Draco POV flashback)!
Friday, June 5, 1998
Hermione smiled as she watched Draco laugh with his friends. It was nice to see him having a normal birthday. She had decided to be less of a participant in the festivities and mostly just played the hostess.
Earlier that day, Ginny, Theo, Hermione and Draco had had dinner together, his favourite curry from the local shop and a spiced apple cake, before he went to his Death Eater meeting. When they'd finished eating, Draco clapped his hands and said, "Alright enough small talk, it's time for presents!"
Hermione had chuckled at his giddiness for gifts. With the War and everything it entailed, it was easy to forget that they were only 18. Draco opened his presents, a set of cufflinks from his father, a monogrammed Potions apron from his mother, a set of stirring rods and some of the new defensive objects from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes from Ginny, Hermione and Theo had also gotten him some rare Potioneering books that they'd come across, but saved the best present for last.
"Now, this is a bit, er, non-traditional," Hermione said.
"Yes," Theo chuckled at Draco's confused expression, "There is one for each of us, but we couldn't resist." He waved his hand and a box appeared in front of each of them. In true form, Ginny's tipped right on its side upon landing, her kitten spilling out onto the table. "Such an attention seeker!" Theo chuckled.
Hermione grinned, "Millie's Kneazle just had a litter of kittens and I wanted to get one for myself after Crooks…" she trailed off at their knowing faces, "and we saw these four and they're perfect!" She looked up at Draco who was just staring down at the kitten in the box in front of him. His kitten was up on two legs, pawing at Draco's hand.
"You can take him to the castle or keep him here," Theo said softly, "whichever you prefer. We haven't named any of them, but I know how much you always wanted a kitten but-"
"Lucius said they weren't masculine enough," Draco scoffed. He'd begun running his pointer finger along the kneazle's head thoughtfully.
Sunday, June 5, 1988 (Draco's Point of View)
"But Mum!" he huffed, "I just want a kitten for my own. I promise I'll take care of it and everything. You won't even notice us!"
"Your father said no, my Dragon," Narcissa said softly. "Let's not make him upset. We can play with your new Quidditch figurines."
Draco jutted out his bottom lip in a pout, but did as his mother said. The week before his parents had asked him what he wanted and when he said "Kitten," he father had scoffed.
"Malfoys don't have kittens," Lucius said looking down at Draco, "We have practical companions like owls. Come along, Draco, stop mooning after them, let's have a look at the birds."
Draco made eye contact with a very squished looking orange kneazle and sighed heavily. That was supposed to be his cat, he could feel the connection already. "I'm sorry, old boy," he whispered. "I hope another nice family comes to get you soon." The half-kneazle just winked an eye at him, assuring him that it would be alright.
He stroked his eagle-owl, Juno's feathers as he watched his figurines fly around the pitch. "You're quite a good owl, Juno," he said to her large eyes. "I wish that you could live in my room, but I think Father will make you stay in the owlery with the others."
Juno ruffled her feathers at him, but looked resigned to the idea. "I'll leave my window cracked if you want to stop in after your hunt," he said with a smile.
Present Day (6/5/1998)
"I'd like to name them after Jupiter's major moons, if that's alright?"
"Of course!" Hermione grinned at him. "Who is who?"
"Io" he said pointing to Ginny's playful kitten, "That one is Europa," he smiled at Theo's kitten who was sprawled across the table in front of Theo snoring quietly, "Callisto," was Hermione's she felt her purring start almost immediately, "and this one is Ganymedes."
Hermione shook her head, pulling herself back to the present when she heard Theo laugh boisterously. Millie made her way toward Hermione. "Are you alright, Myuh?" Millie asked quietly, sitting down next to her.
"Just a bit introspective today," Hermione responded with a smile stroking Callisto on her soft little head. "Birthdays always really get me thinking about what the year holds."
"When is your birthday?" Millie asked.
"Mid-September. I have no idea what to expect from the year though. I never would have guessed this time last year that I'd be here in Mitternacht, married and celebrating Draco's birthday. It's quite odd being here after all this time, you know. Like it never felt like it would be real, but here we are."
Millie looked at her for a few seconds. "You remind me of someone, you know?"
"Oh?" Hermione hedged, "Who is that?"
"Well I never knew her, she was a Muggleborn at our school, so any positive interactions would all be very frowned up and all that. She always seemed a bit stressed if I'm honest, helping everyone and everything at all times. I always seemed to notice her though. I think she could have used friends too, but she was so able to be free to be who she was, just how you are."
Hermione bit back a chuckle. "I'm sorry you weren't able to be friends with her."
"Oh she'd probably hate me," Millie snorted, "I put her in a headlock when we were younger because I was jealous of her. But I'd like to think I've grown up since then."
"I'm sure you have Millie, I'm sure you have."
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!