February 2004
Draco drummed his fingers nervously on the doorframe waiting for Hermione to finish what she was doing. He didn't mind watching her read, watching her brilliant mind absorb all information laid out before her without missing a single detail. Unfailingly logical and able to extrapolate the missing information where few could.
But really, it only made him more nervous about what he had to say.
"Sorry, what did you want to tell me?" she asked, looking up from the report laid out before her, eyes bright with genuine curiosity.
"My parents are going to watch Evelyn, it wasn't a problem. And Rose is…"
"All set to go to the Burrow, she'll be there for a whole week, Charlie's coming in from Romania and wants to get to know her ...so…."
He couldn't help the grin that spread over his face. "We're really going away for the weekend, just the two of us."
"Just the two of us," she confirmed, a shy smile blooming on her face.
"I think you're really going to like Avignon." he wasn't ready to leave her presence and go back to work. He wanted to leave for the weekend right now and get his fill of her during their precious child-free time, but all he could do for right now was hang around her office door.
They'd kept the relationship moving at a glacial pace for a good reason. As if the two of them didn't have a complicated enough past between them, adding small children into the mix only added complexity. But when Draco had proposed the idea of a getaway at Christmas, Hermione hadn't been keen on it at first but, after a few days, came around and had several destinations in mind.
The hardest part was coming to terms with leaving Evelyn. In her 2 years of life, he'd never been away overnight from his daughter. He still wasn't reassured even with his own parents ( and house elves) having her at the Manor where they lived her whole life.
"I'm just happy to be going with you. " she replied, and his apprehension ebbed slightly.
The hotel room door closed behind him with a quiet click as they took in the room. Decorated in rich reds and gold with a giant window letting in a lot of late afternoon sunlight, topped off with a palatial bed, there was an undeniable romantic air about the place
Draco locked the door and silenced the room, heart thudding his chest at what was to happen next. Of course, he wanted Hermione, so bad it drove him insane at some points, wanking like a damn teenager at the thought of her, all though all they'd been able to get around to was heavy petting on the couch after the kids drifted off but before he left for the night.
The tension in her shoulders told him she had a lot on her mind too.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed and guiding her by the wrist to stand between his knees, he pulled her in for a kiss that turned into several as her fingers tangled in his hair. He let one hand rest in the dip in her waist while the other skimmed under her shirt to her bare skin.
She pulled away sharply, looking apprehensive. "There's something I have to say before we go any further."
Draco interlocked her fingers in his, in both hands. "We don't have to do anything- "
"No, it's not that. I want to, I really really want to. But you should know, the war left me with scars, and then...I had a baby and, well frankly, it shows." her face was a tight mask, unabashed and honest even if she wasn't happy with the truth.
"Hermione... No, you know what, just let me show you." Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his wand and waved it over his left arm, removing the glamour that hid his mark and put it on the bedside table. Keeping his eyes on her, he unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders, and waited for her reaction.
Her dark eyes traced over each scar that ran across his chest, the burn on his upper right shoulder, the gash from the hippogriff over his elbow, and of course, the Dark Mark on his left forearm.
"Are these from-"
"Yeah, Potter hit me square on with that fucking spell. I deserved it, though. The burn is from Bellatrix teaching me to duel, she got me and wouldn't let me stop to heal it for hours." He cupped her chin and pulled her in for another languishing kiss. "The point is that I'm not the man who is going to say something about a few scars and stretch marks, alright?"
She kissed him again, slow but full of the promise of more. He took his time, slowly discarding at her clothes one piece at a time, worshiping her body, longing to claim every bit of her. The only time she hedged again was getting to the button of her jeans.
"So, um, at the Department of Mysteries, Dolohov hit me with a really nasty curse. It nearly killed me, but it just missed anything vital so -" thought her voice was steady, her hands trembled as she undid the button and the zip. Anger flared in him at her words, but he tried to keep it from showing on his face.
A line of purple and puckered skin dash right below her navel and disappeared below the hem of her knickers, and white striped marks covered each hip.
"You're gorgeous, Hermione, and I'm so incredibly lucky to have you like I do." He meant it too, it was overwhelming, crushing the air from his lungs. It was wonderful and terrifying all in the same moment, the feel of her warmth under him, the steady pounding of her heart against his. The thrill of having her right here and right now, with the fear it all could be ripped away again.
But for now, for this moment, he swallowed all the doubts and kept them locked away and let himself get lost in her.
March 2004
Hermione had no doubts she was a smart witch, even before the moniker of "The brightest witch of our age." Generally, being smarter than other people came with a lot of jealousy, which didn't bother her, she didn't really care if people liked her.
Except now. She really wanted this tiny person to like her.
And she had more than a hunch in this moment, the tiny person hated her.
"Evelyn." the toddler turned her big blue eyes on Hermione, sending her a withering look. "Please. Eat something. You haven't eaten all weekend."
She told Draco she could handle it. That going off to Theo's stag weekend wasn't a problem, he didn't need to worry Hermione had helped in the downfall of Voldemort for Merlin's sake she could handle a two-year-old, especially because it was just the one, it was Ron's weekend with Rose.
Then he'd walked out the door, and when Evelyn realized he wasn't coming back about ten minutes into it, she had started to cry. When the tears didn't summon him back, she turned to screaming, and once she'd screamed herself hoarse, came to the conclusion protesting everything was her only option.
So 9 failed meals,2 sleepless nights, and only 1 attempt at a bath later, Hermione was desperate to show that she had some control. Normally Draco had her dressed in coordinated smart outfits with her hair pulled back, well-fed, and on a schedule, you could set your watch by.
Now the little girl sat before her in one of Rose's pink monstrosities Ginny had gifted her complete with plastic crown akimbo on her loose hair, glaring at her in a way that reminded Hermione forcefully of her father in the first year.
"No." She answered simply as if it were a proclamation for all of England.
Hermione looked around her flat desperately for an answer. They were quickly approaching bedtime and Draco's expected arrival. He was going to come back to see he's normal pristinely groomed and well-behaved child in a 2000 percent polyester nightmare who'd only been fed a steady diet of a few crisps and Peppa Pig over the last few days. She would have failed this test in skills as a mother, which made her sick to her stomach.
There was the Crack of someone apparating into the living room and the loud protesting squeak of a toy being stepped on and then punted out of the way.
Draco turned the corner to Hermione sobbing in her folded arms on the table and Evelyn in all her pink poofy glory holding a small fork like a scepter. There was only a brief look of relief before confusion took over.
"What happened here?" he went to rub soothing circles on Hermione's back as the tears kept coming.
"Your daughter hates me. She fought me every day and has been on a hunger strike since you left." The tears kept coming hot and fast as she gave an extremely ungracious snort.
"Love, she's two, and Malfoy, she's just testing you because you're still new to her. I'm sure she doesn't hate you." He was clearly trying not to laugh at her.
"Laugh it up, Malfoy. I'm going for the world's longest soak in the tub, and you can put her majesty to bed." She smiled despite herself.
"I'm glad we're spending the night I want to try something I heard Blaise mention- " he scooped up Evelyn " I missed you Evi."
The child gave him a single withering once over. "No Daddy."
"What ?"
Evelyn screeched and pushed his face away and tried to wiggle out of his grasp. "No Daddy!"
Draco turned to her helpless. "What did I say?"
Evelyn reached towards Hermione opening and closing her tiny hands. "Want mummy."
Hermione's mouth fell open as Draco's eyebrows shot up in his hairline. He mouthed What did she say?
" I swear Draco I didn't tell her to say that I haven't...I would never try to replace -"
Evelyn gave a fresh shriek of indignation and hurled herself towards Hermione. The witch took her and bounced her soothingly against her chest. The little girl turned her face to look at her father and mumbled. "Daddy go. Mummy stay." and then gave an uncouth Peppa Pig style snort.
Realization dawned on Hermione. "We watched a lot of cartoons this weekend, and I think she picked up on some family dynamics." Draco's face was still of vast helplessness. "And I think she's mad at you for leaving."
"So...so what do now?"
"Apologize?" Hermione offered.
Draco still looked lost as if he'd never heard the word.
Hermione sighed. "Evi, daddy is sorry for leaving you this weekend, but we had fun right?"
She nodded her little head still clinging to Hermione. "Can daddy give you a bath now?"
Another nod and Hermione passed her off to her father, hardly able to suppress her own smile.
"What's so funny Granger?"
"Nothing...she called me her mother, and that makes me happy. Please don't think I would ever try to replace Astoria."
"I don't think that, and that makes me happy too. Now go take that break." Something wicked darkened in his eyes. "You're going to need it."
April 2004
Draco was never more relieved this little park was always empty like he was now. He offered to take Rose to give Hermione a reprieve after a bad week at work, turned his back for a single second, and all hell broke loose.
Rose was up in a tree, and the best he could figure she had accidentally magicked herself up there. Now they were both panicking about how to get down.
"How in the FUCK did you even -" but Rose's shrill scream drowned out his words.
"GIMME DOWN DADDY!"
"OKAY! Keep your hair on, tiny Hermione!" he looked around and didn't see anyone, so pulled out his wand and very, very carefully levitated her down to his outstretched arms.
Later, when he told Hermione, the biggest grin grew across her face. "She doesn't call Ron, " Daddy." She calls him "Da." No, I don't like it either, but he encourages it. " She tucked her hair back behind her ears as she thought. "Maybe she hears Evelyn call you that and thinks it's your name, I'm not sure. Are you...are you ok with that?"
Draco cupped her face and brought her in for a burning kiss. Pressing his forehead to hers, he mumbled, "I'm very okay with that. "
Chapter 6: Meet the Grangers
Summary:
In which we get a look into the daily life of how these families work together. Hermione brings Draco to her parents; Helen Granger is all of us.
Notes:
Its overdue I apologize! But it's a healthy sized chapter to make up for it. Only the slightest hint of Ron bashing, just a touch, really I could have done much worse but held back.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Septemeber 2004
Hermione stepped through her Floo into her living room that she hardly recognized. The usual litter of toys that lined the floor was put away, and the TV she had bought for appearances and company only wasn't playing its typical cycle of overly bright cartoons. It was off and appeared to be recently dusted. Even the little shoes under the bench by the front door were lined up. The sound of rock music and the smell of cooking food drifted from the kitchen.
Usually, she'd kick her Ministry prescribed heels into the air and let them land where they may and deal with it later, but today she stepped out of them and walked them over to the front door with her bag. Even the jumper that had been hanging on the banister since last winter had found its home. She ventured to the kitchen, slightly nervous about what she might find.
Draco was standing next to the stove, lip-syncing into a spatula. At the same time, Evelyn and Rose danced around the table, giggly madly and occasionally colliding with each other and laughing even louder. The music was so loud no one had heard her come in, so she watched them by the doorway for a moment. Never in a thousand years would she have guessed Draco Malfoy would be so happy, and a naturally good parent. Evelyn was well-loved to be sure, and she shared well enough with Rose, was well mannered with only hints of her father's sharp wit shining through at moments. He treated Rose during the times and never complained about juggling custody with Ron. (Though they'd had a talk about how they spoke about Ron in front Rose.)
This just seemed surreal, too good to be true. Like any moment, Draco would turn around and be his fifth-year caustic self and take off with his daughter, who'd she'd grown to love. It would just be her and Rose against the world again.
I think you're scared of getting hurt again whispered a truthful voice in her mind. Slowly, not wanting to alert the kids to her presence just yet, she came up behind him, letting her hands slide over an exposed patch of skin from his t-shirt riding up. He jumped at her touch, whirling around, almost hitting her with the spatula. His body relaxed immediately when he saw who it was, though, tilting her head up for a chaste kiss. Wandlessly, she lowered the volume of the music.
"Hi. You're here early," she said just loud enough for him to hear, not ready to share attention spans with two toddlers yet. "And you cleaned. Are you real?"
"I wrapped up at work early and wanted to make dinner. I am real, I think, pretty sure. Anyway, that wasn't me who cleaned -" he smirked, "Don't get mad but -"
"You did not have a house-elf clean my flat."
"No. I asked my well-paid house-elf to bring me groceries to make you dinner, who then cleaned your flat in two minutes easy. Tilly didn't even ask, she just gave me a look, then cleaned."
She sighed and kissed him again. "Fine. I suppose I forgive you. "
He kissed her again and pressed his forehead to hers. "You're distracting me while I'm trying to cook."
"We're being watched. "Hermione mocked whispered, breaking their contact to look down at the girls. Rose had her nose scrunched up in disgust, while Evelyn was grinning from ear to ear.
"It's so romantics Rosie. Like princesses." Evelyn gave a twirl like she was in a ball gown.
"No. Boys is gross. "Rose shook her head but jumped into Hermione's outstretched arms for a hug.
Evelyn was undisturbed by the declaration. "Is not. Daddy is a boy. Know how I know?" She pressed her lips together to keep herself from blurting it out but stuck her nose up in the air in a very Malfoy way. Hermione exchanged nervous glances with Draco about what she was going to say.
"How do you know, Evi?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"Because he's taller than mummy and boys are taller than girls. Auntie Daffy told me so." She looked so pleased with her with herself. Hermione couldn't help laughing at her at giving her a hug after Rose.
"You are right, Evi, your daddy, is taller than me, very good. Rosie is going with her Da' tonight, but do you want to stay the night? Daddy can stay too if he wants." she added pretend afterthought.
She nodded excitedly. "Excellent. Go wash up for dinner. What are you two doing?" Hermione turned to sight out of the corner out of her eye. Draco was flipping a small bit of fried potato from the end of the spatula into Rose's open mouth when she caught it and ate it, giggling all the while. "Don't, she could choke."
"Okay. Catch with your hands." He flipped another one, and Rose caught it easily. "Now, with the other hand Rose." He flipped the third piece, and she caught it with only a little step back. "Granger…"
"Don't say it-"
"I don't have to because you know I'm right."
"It's so dangerous- "
" Seeker."
"Go wash up, girls." Hermione pointed them to the downstairs bathroom. They stormed off as Hermione straightened up and faced him. "I haven't talked to Ron about it yet either."
Draco snorted and sent 4 plates of food smoothly to the table. "He's a "professional quidditch player" he made air quotes with his free hand. "Why would he object?"
"Just let me think about it a while more, please? "She went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of her favorite wine and summoned a glass.
Draco glanced out to the girls who were just splashing each other with water in the sink then back. "Speaking of...he's late. Again."
" I know. " She ground out through her teeth and uncorked the bottle with a jab from her wand. The cork shot through the ceiling to the floor above. "But he's busy. "
"The season is over what the fuck is he so busy with- " Rose came bounding back into the kitchen and to her place at the table, Evelyn trailing close behind, and Draco snapped his jaw shut. Everyone had just sat down with food when the sound of the Floo went off. The Slytherin dropped his fork with an irritated clatter, and Hermione took a significant sip of wine. "Keep eating your dinner, Rose. I'll go get your things."
Grabbing the overnight bag on the couch, Hermione walked into the sitting room to see her ex-husband wiping the soot off his shoes on the clean carpet. She looked into the face where she once thought she'd find love and warmth the rest of her days to only see what was thinly veiled contempt. He glanced around and wrinkled his nose as Rose had only a few minutes earlier.
"Smells like ferrets in here. If you're considering shacking up with him, you'll just need to bring Rose to Burrow I can't stomach the thought- "
She dropped the bag in his hand. "I don't want to hear it. You're late, again, Ron. You need to be considerate of our time."
"Our time? Gross. I was busy 'Mione my job takes a lot of my time . "He slipped the bag over his shoulder. "I'm not just some government lackey like you two. Where is she? I want to get going- "A shrill fit of laughter came from the kitchen, and Ron walked towards it despite Hermione's stuttered protest.
The tension in the air became unbearable when Ron rounded into the kitchen and looked into the other three sat around eating dinner.
"Oh, he's here. That explains the smell. "Rosie got up and hugged her father around the legs. "What are you eating?"
"Da, Daddy made dinner." She pointed to the table, still looking up at him.
"Don't eat that. Come on, Grandma Molly will make you something better." He held out one hand for her to take and one hand in a wave goodbye. Hermione was in the middle of hugging and kissing the child goodbye when she was interrupted.
"Call before you bring her back on Sunday. In case we're busy- "Draco gestured between him and Hermione. "You know."
Ron made a face. "Malfoy."
"Evelyn Astoria Malfoy." the other toddler chirped, looking to Draco, who grinned and winked at her.
Ron rolled his eyes and stomped away, taking Rose with him. As soon as he was gone, Hermione hissed "Draco."
"Draco … Malfoy." she recited, spearing her vegetables with the fork. "I can't say that name... too hard. Then Grandfather. The Aracas whose picture is a grump…" she chewed her food and looked at the adults. "Grownup is grumps, and I dunno why."
"If I apologize, will you at least turn around and look at me?" Draco complained, sliding under the covers. Hermione had given him the silent treatment most of the night, knowing full well that made him angrier than arguing.
She turned on her other side to face him. She couldn't bear to look in his in eyes, so she picked a spot to focus on just over his shoulder. "We talked about just that! Don't stoop to his level! If you want to be a part of Rose and I's life, you have to deal with the fact that Ron is her father. You have to." hot angry tears pricked at her eyes. "It's hard, but it's going to be the way for the rest of our lives, the three of us." Hermione sniffed and wiped under her eyes. "I love you but-"
"But Rose comes first. I know. I understand." Draco wrapped his arms carefully around her, and she allowed herself to be pressed against him. She didn't know anyone in her shoes exactly, but she knew Draco was truthfully the closest to it. He pressed his nose into her curls and inhaled before mumbling, "I'm sorry."
"Thank you. I know that's hard for you. "she pressed in closer, resting her head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. "There was something else I wanted to ask you earlier."
One hand was absentmindedly tugging on a chestnut-colored curl, watching it spring back into place while the other propped his head up. "What's that?"
"I want you to come to meet my parents next Saturday, for my birthday dinner with them. Draco, you need to understand I'm extremely protective of my parents, this is a big deal for me. I didn't even bring Ron' round all that often." She swallowed hard. "From my point of view, my parents are defenseless against magic. I get my right hook from my mother -" Draco chuckled, his chest shaking with laughter. "But it doesn't do anything against a wand."
"I won't say I understand because I don't. However, I'm honored you'd take me to meet your parents. Especially considering my parents hardly know we're together." She sighed as he bent in to kiss her. "I'm working on it. Just give me time."
"Fine. And I will talk to Ron about Littles Quidditch on Sunday. He'll want to be a part of it, though, so be prepared for that." She reached up to curl a lock of light blond hair around her fingers. "Now, can we stop talking about my ex and parents and do something far more...interesting?"
"Interesting, huh?" he moved to the column of her neck, trailing breathy kisses down over her collarbone and between her breasts. "I can do interesting things."
Hermione drummed her fingers nervously on the steering wheel, looking up at the front door to her parents' house and back to Draco, who was fidgeting with the passenger's seat.
"Cars weren't built for tall people." He tried to slide the seat back, and it caught in place.
"It's because you're a boy, remember? Stop that. We're here, let's just get this over with. I'm glad Daphne could take Evelyn that's one less thing..that could... let's just this over with." She let Rose out of her seat as she was babbling excitedly, realizing where they were.
Draco unfolded himself from the car and looked around the neighborhood appraisingly.
"I know it's not Wiltshire but- "
He snorted. "I was going to say it must be nice to have more than peacocks for neighbors Gra- nope that won't work, Hermione."
Hermione led the way up to the door with Rose on her hip who was practically vibrating with happiness. She didn't even have to knock on the door before it swung open to reveal Helen Granger with arms outstretched and a big smile on her face.
"Rosie! Oh, and you brought your mummy, that was nice!" Helen had dark hair like her daughter and kind hazel eyes with the same pattern of freckles underneath. She set Rose down, who took off into the house.
Helen hugged and kissed her daughter on the cheek and then turned her attention to Draco. She stuck out her hand with a dazed look on her face. "You must be Draco, I've heard... I've heard about -" Draco turned over her hand and kissed the back of her palm, bending at the waist.
"Charmed Mrs. Granger-
"Doctor- "mumbled Hermione.
"Helen!" The woman chimed in. "Please." She stepped aside to let them all the way in, her gaze following Draco as he walked past.
"Mum…"
Helen laughed quietly and looked at her daughter, cheeks tinged pink. "Hermione! Oh my god...Hermione!"
"Mum, you are an eloquent, educated woman. Please make real words."
Helen grabbed Hermione's and shook her playfully, whispering, "How do you find the willpower to leave the bedroom?"
Hermione felt her face turn scarlet. "Mother." But the older woman had already turned around to stare at the wizard in question again.
Draco took off his coat and came around to Hermione, helping her out of hers too and hung them up. "You have a lovely home, Helen."
She laughed again and snorted. "Thanks. I need wine. I'll get us all wine. Except for Rosie, she can't have wine." She giggled at her own joke. "Your father is still glued to the game Hermione, you'll have to tear him away. "
Hermione led them into another room off the main hall to find her father in his den, still in his chair with Rosie in his lap, sugar-free lolly already in her mouth.
Tall, thin, and balding with only a few wirey brown curls on the side, Robert Granger wore thick glasses that made his dark eyes look over large and a well-worn football jersey. He set Rose down and stood to look at Draco, arms folded across his chest. Hermione winced at the critical expression but had to remind herself that Draco's family was far worse to their own than her father could ever be to a stranger.
"Dresses better than the other one I'll give that." He looked the wizard up and down again and pulled down his glasses to look over the rims. "You bullied my little girl." It was a statement not open for discussion. "Don't think I've forgotten that. But I know my Hermione can put a man in his place if he gets out of line. Rose will be the same way, no doubt."
"I apologize for all the distress I've caused Hermione and the rest of your family over the years. It's not enough, but it's all I can do for it. I adore your daughter and just want to see that she and Rose are happy and cared for." Draco spoke very smoothly as if he had practiced these lines over and over again, coming to the conclusion he probably had.
"Rob Granger." her father stuck out his hand, and Draco took it. "Now, how do you feel about football?" Hermione recognized this as a test, one that Ron had failed spectacularly years previous.
"I don't know much, but it seems like something I could enjoy. I played Quidditch in school, you know."
The muggle sat down and huffed. "Never understood Quidditch, though Rose's father didn't do a very good job explaining it. "
Draco smirked. "I would be happy to explain Quidditch, properly, and learn about football. Ever been on a broom Rob?"
" Draco, no." Hermione gritted out.
"Draco, yes."
Rob grinned. "Oh I'm liking him much better than the other one."
When dinner had finished, and the Rose had too much birthday cake, and the adults a little too much wine, a comfortable silence fell around them. Robert presented Hermione with a birthday card.
"Thank you, Mum and Dad, but you know I won't have time- "
"Try this year, Hermione." Helen started to argue.
"What's happening?" Draco asked, finally turning away from the football game.
"Every year we buy Hermione a voucher for a holiday somewhere, usually someplace nice and sunny for her to get away from work for a while. And she's never taken it. Says she's too busy, but she must have time to get away by now." Helen's voice was of genuine concern.
"That doesn't surprise me at all." Draco looked over her shoulder to the voucher. "Where are we going?"
" We?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "This for Hawaii but- "
"Excellent. When do you want to go? We'd have to get the girls swimming lessons first, of course." Draco took a sip of his drink as Hermione's dark eyes found his grey staring very seriously at her. She tucked the voucher back into the card.
"Oh I do like him better." Helen cooed, patting Rob's hand. "But speaking of toddlers, where's your daughter Draco?"
"Evelyn's spending the weekend with her mother's sister. She's more than happy to take her, and it gives me a little break, though I'm ready to have her back by Sunday."
"With her aunt? But where's…" she looked from Hermione back to Draco. "Hermione didn't go into details."
"I thought it would be best if you told them." Hermione looked into his eyes again for a long minute before he turned away to look at Helen.
"Her mother died, shortly after giving birth. "he said simply, and Hermione could see in his eyes particular occlumency walls falling into place. "Evelyn looks and acts just like her, so I haven't lost those little details you tend to forget after a while, so I suppose I'm lucky in that way. Hermione is an excellent mother in Astoria's stead, so I'm fortunate that way as well. "He paused as he looked at Helen tilting his head in question. "I didn't mean to make you teary. "
"I just...I just…" The muggle woman fanned at her eyes, turning the same shade of red as Hermione would. "Hermione, love, how do you ever say no?!"