September 7, 2013
"Let's get this over with," Draco grumbled as they climbed the white marble steps to Gringotts Bank.
"Well, that's not the right way to think about this at all." Hermione was in full diplomat mode, chin held high, resting her arm on his. "We should look at this as a time to make allies, to come to mutual understandings between our two races. I mean, look at us; we overcame prejudices."
"You don't have long creepy fingers, and you never rapped me on the knuckles as a little boy, just for being curious." He whined, steering them through the resplendent lobby to a private meeting room.
"What were you being curious about?"
"A diamond the size of a bludger."
Hermione chuckled to herself, easily imagining a small Draco trying to touch a giant diamond while trailing his parents around their banking errands. "Well, you learned, didn't you?"
"Haha. I will be professional, as always, Granger." He held open the door for her to enter the room first.
The goblin was already waiting for them even though they were five minutes early for the appointment.
"Hermione Granger- Malfoy." she introduced herself, holding out her hand politely.
"I know." he sneered, "Vault 2007. New money. I am called Gornak." He didn't offer his hand in return.
"Oh, you know...I think I know that name." Hermione said thoughtfully.
Draco took his seat and didn't bother with introductions. The Goblin jumped right in.
"A recent cache of gold has been discovered in a magical excavation site, belonging to the Gaunts. The direct line is extinct and given the Gaunts...family tree-"
"Family shrub more like," Draco mumbled.
"There are several lesser descents with the same claim. A Mr. Gregory Goyle has already had it moved to his vault, but you are in line to dispute a small portion of it as well, Mr. Malfoy." Gornak didn't even lookup.
"No, thank you. He can keep it." Draco said simply.
"Very well. The second issue is more...complex. Upon annual audits of properties, we've discovered that Malfoy Manor currently does not have an heir to inherit the deed to the house and surrounding lands."
Hermione blinked, startled from her reverie from trying to recall the name. "You took care of that ages ago."
The blond nodded. "I did. It should be my oldest daughter, Evelyn Malfoy."
"No, Mr. Malfoy, the deed states it must be passed on to the male heir to carry on the family name," Gornak said, a creepy glint in his eyes. "If not, it will pass on to the next descendant, which I'm sure will have many people claiming that title. Who knows what will happen to it then."
Hermione's posture became defensive. "What if Evelyn never changes her name?"
"Irrelevant. The deed specifically says a male heir."
" This is an outdated way of thinking; surely there must be a way to modify the -"
"Miss Granger, this deed was written in 1067 when the land was gifted to the Malfoy family; of course, it doesn't take modern ways of thinking into account. So, unless you can produce other legitimate documents, this is what Gringotts will refer to when conducting our affairs." Gornak was clearly irritated but slightly enjoyed getting a rise out of Hermione.
Draco cleared his throat, cutting off Hermione's next words. "I'll look around the Manor to see if there is a more recent addendum to the deed. Seems exactly the type of the thing my Father has hidden in a book somewhere. If not, I'll have my solicitors come up with something to ensure the property goes straight to Evelyn, no matter what. It's still technically my house, after all." He stood and straightened his robes. "Is that all Gornak?"
"I know where I heard that name! On the wizarding wireless during..." she blanched. "Nevermind."
"My father was killed during the second wizarding war. I share his name." The goblin's lip curled.
"Well, this was fun." Draco drawled. "Great team-building exercise. Come on, love, we made enough allies for the day."
Hermione stood, nodded awkwardly, and mumbled, "I'm so sorry for your loss," and half ran from the room.
"Remind me to hire a Goblin Liaison as soon as I'm Minister," she whispered, wrapping her arm around Draco's to keep up with his quick strides. "Bill Weasley might be up for it."
The Manor was dark already though the sun was still sliding below the horizon. Narcissa had returned it to its dormant state before leaving on her travels again.
Portraits whispered hushed insults at the four of them as they went by, but all it took was but one threat from Draco to lock them all in the attic to get them to fall quiet. Cassie put a finger to her lips and shushed every picture from that point on, and no one bothered to stop her. Lyra and Cassie were left in Evelyn's old room under Tilly's supervision ( quickly joined by the other bored house elves.)
They started in Lucius's study because it seemed the most reasonable place. He had kept it all impeccably tidy and organized, so it didn't take very long to search. There were no papers concerning the Manor as if purposefully gathered and hidden away somewhere else.
"So, where next?" Hermione asked, closing the last book and replacing it on the shelf. "Pour me one too, please."
Draco had produced a crystal decanter of amber whiskey, sniffed it, and looked pleased with himself. Digging up two glasses and cleaning them with his wand, he poured them each a glass.
It was smooth and let off a pleasant burn down her throat. Draco looked lost in thought as he finished all of his in one pull and refilled his glass.
"I'll take my Father's personal quarters, just in case it's warded. In the meantime, you should take the library. It's been pretty thoroughly picked over for cursed artifacts, nothing in there you can't handle, at least." He was monotoned and distant, swirling the last dregs of the whiskey. "I can't imagine doing this to our kids. Even when we thought Cassie was a squib...I never thought she deserved less or that I would treat her any different."
Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. "You're doing a good job and your such a good father. Let's search those two places and come back another day. There's no need to exhaust ourselves tonight."
"Alright." He rubbed her arms affectionately, and they separated. A spot on the wall, discolored even in the dim light, caught his eye. "What happened to the tapestry that was here?"
"Probably got tired of seeing my name on it," Hermione grumbled. Draco scowled, but he didn't disagree.
"If I find it, I'll hang it back up."
The rest of the search proved fruitless as far as any paperwork for the Manor was concerned. Draco did procure some rare and valuable things from Lucius's private bedroom, including a vial of Felix Felicis and a 500 Galleon bottle of Ogden's finest predating even his grandfather's birth. The bottle's label was even different, boasting " virility to the wizard to consume this exquisite blend."
He didn't need virility, certainly, but he thought he might show Hermione for a laugh.
Hermione found something as well, something that had her smiling from ear to ear. She held the small grey tome flat in her palm so he could read it.
Sex magics was emblazoned in black, with a witch and wizard drawn on the front that looked like McGonagall and Dumbledore, which made him shudder to think about.
"That's...interesting…."
"There's a recipe for a fertility potion and a ritual to produce an heir on Samhain." She opened it to the page.
"What happened to that speech you gave earlier?"
She waved a hand. "I don't care about what they qualify as an heir or not; we'll see that the Manor goes to Ev." Then, automatically she flipped it open to a marked page. "But look, this says orgasm should last 15 minutes if you do it right." She peered through her lashes at him. "I'm willing to try it if you are."
Draco took the book from her and read the potion recipe. "I can do this part. We were bonded in the back garden, so that's not a problem." He thought for a minute, begging his mind to see beyond the sexual desire growing beneath his trousers. "I just don't want you to be disappointed if this doesn't work. It just might be a bunch of bullshit from a wizard who wanted to fuck in creative places."
"Well, I'm a modern witch interested in a 15-minute orgasm, so let's try it," Hermione said, taking the book back and stashing it in her purse. "Besides, this is the last one. I want to have some fun while we're at it. And it's not like Lyra this time, we have a big beautiful family. If it happens...it happens...and if it doesn't…." She wiggled her eyebrows. "At least I got to jump your bones in creative places."
Draco blinked slowly, almost disbelievingly.
"What?"
"I just...I can't believe you're real sometimes. Gods, the things that come out of your mouth." He handed her the bottle of whiskey procured from the depths of the room. "Read the label."
She did and winked at him, dropping it in her purse with the book. "Saving that for Samhain as well."
October 31, 2013
Hermione adjusted her wide brim witch's hat on her curls. Normally she found hats bothersome and only necessary in extreme weather to keep herself from eating mouthfuls of her own hair. Still, the spell had insisted that the casters wear traditional wizarding clothes-
For the parts where they were clothed anyway.
On the other hand, the robes made her grateful for the circle of privacy wards she found herself in. But she supposed the woman in the depiction of this style hadn't had any kids yet and was the willowy pureblood type.
Hoisting the top up again, she remembered she'd never fit in that box anyhow. Checking the ritual circle one more time, there was nothing left to do but wait.
She was starting to feel quite silly and exposed when she finally heard footprints approaching.
Draco was dressed in old-fashioned black robes that buttoned up to under his chin and covered every inch of skin. His luminous hair shone in the full moon, making him look ethereal as he passed through the wards.
Though every bit of him was covered, Hermione hadn't felt this drawn to him since their wedding day. She heard her mouth snap shut when she realized it was open.
He caught sight of her and stilled, eyes bright and silvery. "Hermione…"
"I know I look -"
"You look stunning." He cut her off. "Fuck...just...I need to…" he stared at her but pulled out the whiskey decanter and took a deep pull from it. "Oh...shit, that stuff does go bad." His face contorted as he stowed it in a robe pocket.
In response, she fished out her vial of potion. She had every intention of following it up with something sexy. A lip lick or a witty remark. But it tasted like old fish, so instead, she spluttered.
"Ugh no...never again...that tasted like polyjuice." she gagged, choking it all down. She tried to cast a covert breath-freshening charm, but Draco just chuckled lightly at her.
He cupped the sides of her face and brought his mouth to hers. Kissing her as if he'd never have another chance to again. She stood on her toes to try and get more traction. Magic hummed between them, calling her in closer, spurring her on more and more.
He pressed his forehead to hers, one hand still on her jaw, the other skating down her waist, eyes screwed shut. "I am so fucking lucky. I don't deserve you. I never have. I don't deserve this."
"Don't say that," she whispered back, holding him just as tightly. "We've worked so hard, together, as a team. We deserve good things, Draco. We are good people who went through terrible things."
He nodded and kissed her again, this time tracing her body with his palms and groaning slightly into her mouth.
"I know I'm not quite as...lithe as when we got married," she murmured, trying to pull away, only to be tugged back even closer than before. His blatant desire made her heart beat even faster.
"You're perfect. Absolutely how I want you." He rolled his hips against her so she could feel the truth in the statement for herself. "Are you ready?"
She nodded,still pressing herself against him. "Yes. Let's make another baby. "
Dec 2nd
Evelyn,
Enclosed are some documents that need your signature. I know all the legal words are intimidating but don't worry about that. I've already taken care of everything. All it says is that you agree to take on the title of Malfoy heir when you come of age. You don't have to do anything different, nothing at all. This is just to ensure you and your sisters are taken care of a long time from now. The title is unconditional, no matter what your name is or who you marry.
Hope all the other students are treating you fairly. If not, let me know, and I will take care of that too.
Love
Dad.
Bonus reel
November 1, 2013.
Hermione came through the Floo with her large water bottle and book tucked in her arm.
Ginny was waiting for her, hands on her hips, looking skeptical. "I don't believe you, you know."
The curly-haired witch took a long drink and pressed the book into Ginny's hand. "You'll thank me later."
"What's with the water?"
Hermione smirked and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Dehydrated. 15-minute orgasms will do that. Should be a Yule ritual you can start preparing for."
Ginny clutched the book to her chest. "Bless you, Hermione Granger."
Chapter 32: Family ties
Summary:
A long lost secrect is a uncovered and new promises are made
Notes:
Talonwillow is the biscotti to my coffee.
This fic is now fully written and just awaiting last looks. Thank you all for your continued love and support :)
Chapter Text
November 30, 2013
The Hogwarts owl even looked like an irritated McGonagall as it glared at Hermione.
"I was a model student,don't look at me like that. Rose gets her temper from her father. And stepfather."
The owl wiggled the letters in its talons. Sighing, she took them both, mildly surprised one was addressed to Draco.
"Fighting is a part of Quidditch, I keep telling you that." His eyebrows lifted as she handed him a letter as well.
They read the letter together, then swapped.
"So, it looks like…." Hermione glanced at his letter. "Rose was provoked into a fight at breakfast."
"And Evelyn upended a pitcher of pumpkin juice over the provoker's head during the fight. They both have detentions for a week." He finished, holding back laughter.
"No, be mad. We should be upset and send Howlers or at the very least strongly worded letters. Stop laughing!"
"I want a Pensieve for Christmas just to see that." Hermione scowled at him again. "It was probably the new Skeeter article and some kid running their mouth, spouting off nonsense from their parents."
"She still shouldn't have responded like that! Neither should Evelyn; they know better."
"You're right. They should have just set a teacher on fire." Draco laughed, taking the letter away.
"That was different! I was looking out for a friend!"
"Or brewed a controlled potion in secret to break into another common room." Hermione stood up, bright red and mouth open to defend herself " or harbored a dragon in a wooden house."
"Aiming straight for the couch, Malfoy!" She snatched the letters back and, with a turn of her wrist, sent them straight to a file folder on her desk at work. "Have you sorted the Manor's deed yet?"
"I'm heading there today to do one last search for the papers. If not, I'll just have the solicitors draw something new up anyway."
Hermione tilted her head in thought. "You're not going in again? You must trust those new assistants someone found the budget for."
He sighed. "They'll do. Theo and Luna are getting ready to take a long tour of Asia. And my time is far too valuable to babysit their every move, so they'll have to get used to working on their own."
Hermione kissed him on the cheek. "I don't know how you and your ego will both fit on the couch tonight."
Draco was getting the feeling he was being watched.
By more than just the portraits…
Four of the Manor house-elves followed him to the highest point, the attic spaces in the towers on each end.
"Can I help you?"
The oldest and only male elf left looked at the other three and spoke. "Master Malfoy will find something he'd long been looking for in the northern towers."
He blinked. "Well...that's just bloody fantastic that I'm headed that way then, isn't it? Is that all?"
None of them answered that, so he continued his ascent, and they continued to follow.
"Are the papers I'm searching for up here?"
"No, Master Malfoy, Dodger thinks those are in the southern tower."
Draco stopped climbing and spun on his heel, irritated. "Could have told me sooner-"
The elves squeaked in protest and put their hands out at his shins to prevent him from moving.
"And you're not going to tell me what it is?"
Dodger croaked. "Forbidden to tell you. Been waiting for ages for you to notice it missing. Master Lucius -" he covered his mouth with his hands.
That made Draco double his speed back up the stairs. The storage space had sharply sloping ceilings but was still hardly even dusty as isolated as it was.
But it was just unmarked boxes and a few ugly pieces of furniture. Glancing at the elves, he saw they all had their eyes fixed on one box, one that looked less faded than the rest.
He opened it and started to unfurl a tapestry.
" What the fuc -"
Hermione glared at the pile of fresh howlers on her office desk.
She usually only faced one or so a week. As to be expected from anyone in a position of power. Unfortunately, you can't make everyone happy all the time.
But the latest issue of Witch Weekly had another article written by Rita Skeeter— this one about how Hermione was fit to be Minister. She couldn't possibly balance having that many children (the phrasing made her blood boil), a successful career, and a thriving marriage all at once. The wording targeted the publications' demographic of "traditional" witches, many of whom believed in staying with their children until school-age.
So the Howlers had come and with it the second thoughts of running for Minister while pregnant.
Maybe, they could just wait until she was in office.
Maybe they could be happy with what they had.
But why should she? Why should she bend to that cow and her quill?
All in all, she was a little relieved that the Samhain ritual seemed to have failed in its true intention. She had no pregnancy symptoms or cravings, not a single sign that anything was changing within her.
Blaise and Theo looked at the tapestry hung on the wall, then at each other, then to Draco and shrugged in unison.
"I mean...you could roll it up and stuff it in the box again and pretend you never saw it." Suggested Theo.
"Playing dumb has always been a strong suit of yours." Blaise agreed.
Draco glared at his two best friends, irritated that the only people he could ask for help just happened to be the two clueless idiots in the study with him."And if she finds out the truth? And what does the blank circle mean?!"
"He asks us as if we know," Theo whispered conspiratorially. "Or care."
Blaise poked at the tapestry with his wand a few times, paced, opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it again for a few minutes. "Yeah, I got nothing. You should have called Pansy."
"Pansy is off on holiday with Longbottom, or I would have. I should know by now you two only have one brain cell together."
Theo and Blaise looked at each other, nodded, and started to march off towards the Floo in unison.
It must have been the fifth time in a row she had read this case file, but something...something in this information pulled at her subconscious. As if she was sure the answer to the problem was already there, but just had to be...extrapolated.
The wand found at the crime scene where the fake Dark Mark had been seen had been purchased in Salem, Massachusetts, at Sayer's wand emporium. Which she knew to be the America Equivalent of Ollivander's.
One of the illegal portkeys in transportation had gone to Salem as well.
Early intelligence from MACUSA had reported that the group was targeting wealthy pureblood wizards to fund them as opposed to gathering numbers in mass amounts.
There was ...a name she wanted to connect with the English wizarding world and the American.
Her eyes wandered to a picture on her desk of Draco and infant Cassie. They made faces at the camera as Cassie giggled wildly.
A knock at the door derailed her train of thought.
"Come in," she said, scribbling a note to herself.
Kingsley Shacklebolt entered, quickly shutting the door behind him.
"Minister! I'm so sorry I didn't realize we had a meeting." Hermione panicked.
He held up a hand, stopping her babbling. "We didn't, and please, this is just between us. Call me Kingsley." He took the seat on the other side of her desk, looking strangely at ease.
"What...what can I help you with, Min- Kingsley?" Hermione nervously straightened the paper on her desk.
"Just wanted to check in...see how you were fairing." He tapped the arms of the chair and then, never one for small talk, cut right to the point. "I can wait another year, you know."
"No!" she winced at her overeagerness. "What I mean is, your career choices are your own. You've been doing this for a long time. I don't blame you for wanting to retire."
He smiled brightly. "You sound ready. But what about Malfoy? The children? It's a lot on them as well." He touched a picture and looked to her for silent permission for a closer look which she gave with a nod.
"Draco has known about my ambitions as long as we've been together, even when we first started dating. He'll probably quit work if I win, be at home with the girls, and keep me from working myself to death. Says he'd be the ultimate society wife." Kingsley chuckled. "You laugh, but the man can bake."
"I laugh because I knew Lucius in school and can imagine the look on his face if he knew what the heir to his name was up to. I will make it a nice long transition time, though, let you all get used to it. Make sure you're delegating." He winked.
"Says the man who's never delegated a day in his life!"
The smile faded slightly, but he nodded in agreement. "I know. That's why I'm going to make sure my successor does better. "
"I have something important to show you."
"I have something big to tell you. And consequently, a big favor to ask."
"I really think you should see mine first before we do anything else. It'll just take a minute."
Hermione opened her mouth to argue, words ready to make her point, practiced in her head upon approach. But one look at Draco's unreadable expression gave her pause.
"Alright. Let's go."
The study was illuminated by the small candle-lit chandelier in the center of the ceiling as the winter sun had already set for the day. Draco couldn't tear his eyes away from Hermione as she studied the tapestry with reverence. He appreciated how bizarre it must be for her to see her name in line with his ancestors who would have scorned her very existence.
He'd grown up with it, known that one day he would be expected to add to it. A single heir with the same name, with a pureblood mother, courted and wed. No one ever could have imagined it would look like this.
Hermione traced the circle around her silhouette and pulled away sharply. The thread connecting her name to the fourth and still blank circle glowed as if on fire.
"Do...do the pregnancy charm...please," she whispered, not turning to look at him all the way, enchanted by the wall hanging.
"You said you didn't feel any symptoms." he reminded her, not wanting to be the one who had to crush the glimmer of hope she seemed to have found.
"I don't believe in Divination. I don't believe in guesswork or making vague statements that could be applied to any situation. I don't believe the future is set. I know it's unraveling minute by minute…" a stuttered gasp left her lips. "But this tapestry just told me that I am blessed and to keep the heir safe." She swiped under her eyes. "Please prove that the carpet isn't talking to me."
Draco crouched to his knees to be level with Hermione's torso. "Are you sure?" she nodded and squeezed her eyes shut while he mumbled the incantation.
"Open your eyes, Hermione. Look."
With a heavy breath in, she did and gasped at the sight. A tiny gold ball of light hovered just around her abdomen, shining brightly in the dark room.
"Oh, my gods….oh my gods...it worked, the ritual must have worked." Hermione fanned her eyes.
"Of course it did. Have you met us?!" Draco half-shouted, almost delirious with disbelief. He wrapped his arms around her hips, crushing her to him. "So fucking...amazing...and you manage to do it again and again."
She carded her fingers through his hair. "We do it together." He didn't look up at her. "What I mean is I wouldn't do this, couldn't do this, without your support, love. But I'll confess, I'm scared about running for Minister and having a baby at the same time."
"I'll quit work. Seriously. I haven't been happy at the Ministry in a long time. I was only ever there to see you during the day, but career-wise, it's not what I want anymore." his cheeks flushed a little at the confession. "I want to try again at the mastery when there's time. I want to get on the Parents board at Hogwarts to keep an eye on the girls. I want to do whatever I can to make all your dreams come true." He stood, slightly shaking and kissing her lightly.
"Okay….okay...so this is happening. But I swear to Merlin this is the last time Draco, boy or not." she gave a light laugh, giddy with happiness as he pressed her close again.
"Scorpius," he said softly against her shoulder. "Scorpius was placed in the sky as a reminder to humankind to curb our pride before we fall. To remind us of our mortality and how precious it is."
"Um, excuse me, but I think I get to pick the name this time," Hermione said, pulling back, taking in the slightly shocked look on his face. "What if I want to name him Robert after my father, or Eugene after my grandfather...Eugene Abraxas after both our grandfathers." Draco flinched visibly. "I'm only joking; Scorpius is a lovely name. But it's probably a girl…."
"Amalthea...Thea for short. Nott will have a field day, though."
"Oh, I quite like that. But-" She gnawed at her lip in thought for a moment."Let's just keep this to ourselves for now, though."
They stayed like that, in the other's arms, basking in the joy of the discovery for a few moments.
"What did you need to tell me back at the Ministry?"
She let out a long shaky exhale, unable to look him in the eye. "Do you think your friends would be willing to go undercover?"
Lyra glared at Hermione in the mirror as she tried to tend to her hair. Her daughter had gotten a looser type of coil to her hair, which meant it tangled easily and needed a bit of product to avoid a painful morning.
Draco could do it in a few minutes, only half paying attention, with no glares or tears.
Hermione was on minute 15, and her child was nearing the point of breakdown.
"You have to brush the back!"
"You said it hurt, so I stopped."
"Yeah, 'cause you were brushing it too hard."
Hermione put the brush down and turned her daughter to look at her at eye level. "I want to learn to help you too, okay? But you have to teach me. Usually, daddy has it all done before I get home, right?" Lyra nodded. "So I don't know, you have to teach me like we're at school. Can you do that?"
"Yes." Lyra was now excited, being the one with the knowledge. "I will do that for you because you are such a busy mummy, and then maybe you can do your own hair!" She smiled brightly, not even realizing the vague insult.
"Looks just like me until she opens her mouth… then she's all him…" Hermione muttered to herself.
Draco was thoroughly tuned out from the overly bright princess movie on the TV, unfortunately underestimating how long his promise of "one movie" could feel like.
He took the opportunity to disengage and do a few occlumency exercises, shuffling memories around and filling in spaces in permanent walls around some darker times.
Then he reached the recent memory of the gold ball of light and embracing Hermione in the study, tears come from both of them ( though he'd never admit it out loud). Excitement and anxious tension mixed at the thought of another baby...
When he felt a nudge against his mind. Tiny and gentle like…
He glanced down in confusion. Cassie was looking up at him, giggling. Then there was another nudge, like a small hand…
Draco brought up a memory of seeing a gold baby unicorn in Care of Magical Creatures, and his daughter screamed in delight.
"Caught you," but she just laughed more. He brought her up on his lap. "I know that's fun, but it's not nice. And possibly illegal when you're older." She looked confused, and Draco struggled to find the terms to explain legilimency and occlumency to a toddler and then gave up. "Nevermind. Just don't do that without the other person's permission."
Cassie still looked confused but settled against her father anyway.
"Daddy is sad." She announced, patting his hand.
"No… Daddy is…" he dug around for a positive word. "Excited. Mummy's going have another baby, but shh, don't tell anyone."
She squealed and pressed a finger to her lips.
It felt good to tell someone, even if she was going to forget in an hour.