Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 47
"Lost in thought Mr. Malfoy," asked Hermione.
"Not at all Miss Granger," Draco replied suavely simultaneously taking Hermione by the arm. "Just waiting for my witch to conclude her business."
Hermione noticed the small spark of energy that accompanied Draco's response. She responded with some Granger cheek. "Well wizard, your witch has finished concluding, and is waiting on your arse."
Holding fast to Hermione's arm, Draco leaned in to kiss her on the nose. "And, it's an arse worth waiting for I've been told. Shall we be off?"
"Yes let's," Hermione answered in response. "We should have sent an Owl."
"No Owl necessary. It's not like we are intruding into Severus' home. We're going to the office. Severus will be fine with it. He'll be glad to see you. You always brighten up his day, except when you don't."
Hermione called Draco a right git as she twisted her two fingers into his skin in a hard pinch.
Draco gave a soft chuckle as he pulled Hermione tighter to him.
Then they were off.
//
Returning To His Roots: Chapter 48
Severus looked up to see Draco and Hermione at his office door. They could have sent an Owl he thought moodily. He had already spent hours with Lucius who had done his best to pry proprietary information from him. However, in the scheme of things, Lucius was just another investor who would have to wait along with everyone else. Even though his time with Lucius had been a bit tedious, it really wasn't about his old friend. The truth was, Jean had responded to his Owl with the firm answer she would be there on or before Wednesday. Severus had chuckled at the short letter. He'd had plans to leave early in order to get his home in some semblance of order before Jean's arrival, but he'd run into some interference in the form of the long winded Lucius, and now Draco and Hermione.
"Bollocks," he said very softly.
"Bollocks?" Hermione mouthed to Draco turning bright red in an effort to keep from laughing.
"I don't want to come across as rude." Severus sniped. "But I'll be as rude as necessary if it will hasten this meeting. How may I help you?"
Hermione took a liberty with her answer. "We'll be as quick as possible then to get away from your rude arse."
Severus paused in the process of moving a pile of papers from his desk to his cabinet. "I appreciate a bit of humor as much as the next miserable wizard, but sometimes you go too far Miss Granger. Perhaps you can direct the things coming out of your mouth towards a subject I'd care to discuss. Better yet, why don't we let Draco explain the reason for your visit. Obviously, it pertains to the two of you since you are both here."
Draco was reminded of his conversation with Severus. The fault is, you let Hermione get away with too much where I won't, especially if she is trying to drive home an incorrect point.
Hermione went silent. She knew there were times when she rubbed Severus the wrong way and got a telling off. Unfortunately, this was one of those times.
With his godfather not backing down, Draco stepped in to alleviate the tension. "We are here godfather to sign on as investors. Father suggested we do it as soon as possible. So here we are."
"Alright, something I can work with. There are documents to be filled out," Severus proclaimed as he grabbed a few sheets of paper from atop his cabinet. "Have a seat, fill out the forms and leave me your drafts. I'll take it from there. You both will be down as investors, but the list will not be made public for at least three weeks."
Hermione filled out her forms in silence, produced her draft then remained in her chair waiting for the apology that was not going to come.
Draco completed his form, produced his draft then shook Severus' hand. "Thank you for seeing us godfather. In the future, we will Owl ahead. Have a good evening."
Hermione also said a soft goodnight as she followed Draco out the door.
Once outside, Hermione snapped. "I wonder what's put him in such a bloody, rotten mood?"
Normally, this would be where Draco talked Hermione down, so to speak, but he didn't. Instead, he suggested she learn to read her old friend's moods a bit better.
"Fine," she growled walking away. "I'll do just that."
Draco grabbed Hermione by the hand refusing to let her stomp away. "Can you seriously be growling at me because you stepped in it with Severus?" At that point, even though he wasn't trying to upset Hermione further, Draco remarked that her exchange with Severus had nothing to do with him, so she should act accordingly.
For a moment, it appeared as though Hermione was going to bristle up, but after a few seconds hesitation she squeezed Draco's hand. "I really stepped in it, didn't I?"
"Yes love you did, but Severus will get over it. He loves you, except when he doesn't. Let's go home."
/*/
Draco realized although it was a small point. In this instance, the script had been flipped. He hadn't fawned over Hermione when she was wrong. Whether warranted or not, he felt a bit of satisfaction with the way things had gone.
/*/
Severus still had to do his daily walkthrough before he could leave for the night. Although he'd rather be in the confines of his home, Severus knew each and every review was important. He trusted the wizards and witches he had hired, but his mantra was trust but verify.
Once in the warehouse, Severus got immersed in the goings on. The project was moving ahead so fast, he was sure there would be a working prototype within weeks.
There had been a bit of a hiccup. The magical wire stringers had almost been caught by Muggles while adding poles. There had been the hasty flashing of wands and shouts of Repello Muggletum before the jobs could be completed. Even though it had turned out in favor of the wire stringers, the situation could have gone another way. This error aggravated Severus to no end, and it was another thirty minutes telling off the wire stringers before he could move to the next group. However, Severus had put the fear of Merlin into this group of workers leaving the rest to check and double check their responsibilities.
It was 8:30 before Severus bid his workers a goodnight to Apparate home. The only thing he'd done was take five minutes for a quick pee and a face wash before getting his abode in order. Moving from room to room, Severus was disgusted with himself. Papers everywhere, Dirty clothes bin overflowing. Personal care products strewn about. Suspicious spots near the toilet.
It took Severus less than thirty minutes to bring some sense of order and cleanliness to the house.
After a quick but filling meal of beef stew, he had showered then settled down to do a project recap. Every last thing was on track. Severus even had a basic prototype he would be presenting to Kingsley in the next couple of days. Severus wasn't a wizard who got excited easily, but the prototype he held in his hand excited him. Severus Snape and his team were about to step into the great, magical unknown.
Many thoughts circled through Severus' head. As soon as Jean arrived and got settled, he planned to put her to work on the device itself. It was imperative he have at least five devices for the test he would bring before Kingsley in the coming weeks. As he said, everything was on track.
The one last thing he'd need to do was cancel the group meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening. He wanted to get Jean up to speed before introducing her to the core group.
/*/
For the past week, Della, the Della, as Hermione called her, was walking around not knowing what had hit her. One moment she was in a blossoming relationship with the handsome and charming Terry Boot. The next she was listening to him tell her some rubbish about he wasn't feeling the same about her, and did not want to pursue a relationship. Initially, Della had been sad about how things had turned out, but blamed herself. Although unhappy, she couldn't hold onto a man who had lost interest in her. What was she to do? Should she run after him asking what could she do to change his mind? That just wasn't her style. Then she had received the Owl from Rebecca.
Hello love,
I'm not sure if you are aware that Terry, your Terry, is seeing that shrew of a prosecutor Gloria. It's a recent thing, but he is definitely keeping company with her. I'm feeling like an idiot because I was the one who brought you and Terry together. I'm sorry to have to pass on this kind of information, but I don't want you walking around thinking everything is okay between you and that fucking cheater. I'm so sorry about this.
I know you will take this in the stoic manner that is your norm. I won't. He has messed over the wrong witch this time, and his arrogant, piece of shite boss will not be able to save him. No matter what I have to do, I'll bring that bastard to his knees for messing you about.
Please don't lose confidence in yourself and go back into that shell. You are a beautiful, warm and loving person who doesn't deserve this. Keep your head held high. Terry Boot will regret this.
Your friend forever,
Rebecca
Della felt blindsided and humiliated. She'd let her guard down with Terry. She'd given him the most intimate thing any woman could give thinking it would be enough to keep him. She had been wrong. Virginity obviously didn't count for anything with Terry Boot. Then to top it all off, she'd only found out the real reason from Rebecca's Owl. Terry had found a new witch. A prosecutor like himself named Gloria Isles.
The name had rung bells with Della because it was a person Terry had disparaged on numerous occasions. He'd whined how Gloria was uppity, disrespectful and controlling. Yet, if Rebecca's information was correct, the uppity, disrespectful and controlling witch was now on Terry's arm.
Della allowed herself one full day of intermittent, crying, sobbing and raging against life before coming to terms with the situation. She'd been used. Now, all she had to do was get over it.
/*/
That evening over dinner, Draco and Hermione finished the conversation they'd begun on Sunday. Whether it was her run in with Severus or just some fluke, Hermione admitted she had become used to being treated in a certain way. Draco was also frank in admitting he had gone along because he wanted a peaceful relationship. As with any discussion between the two lovers, there had been a bit of give and take, but, in the end, they got the relationship back in balance. Sealing the discussion with a kiss, Draco couldn't resist offering a bit of cheek.
"Shall I make a notation on the calendar of what was said this evening? You know, just for posterity."
Hermione replied with a bit of snark of her own. "If you do, I'll pout."
They both laughed as Draco leaned in to whisper. "Now that we have that settled, I'd like to settle any lingering ends on top of you. I miss my girl."
Hermione went weak listening to Draco's throaty whisper in her ear and his warm breath on her neck. "I'd like that," she whispered back, wrapping her arms around Draco's neck. "I'd like that very much."
/*/
Afterwards, lying there in Draco's arms discussing this and that, Hermione suggested they Owl Theo to see if they could stop by to meet Declan. When Hermione started fast talking about what they should buy and what they should bring, Draco patted her bum and commented she should slow down
"Let's Owl first. Theo may already have plans. Depending on his answer, we will buy one small gift for the boy. Anymore would be excessive. Besides, the boy might be some little cretin who doesn't deserve even one gift."
Throwing a leg across Draco's thigh, Hermione gave him a soft nip on the shoulder. "Really, git? A little cretin. That's not very nice. He's probably a perfectly lovely child who deserves to receive numerous gifts. However, in this case you might be right. One small gift, which I will purchase tomorrow, will do."
"Wonderful. Now that we are in agreement. I'll be sure to Owl Theo first thing in the morning."
"Right." Hermione replied along with a yawn and a stretch. "It will take your mind off Blaise's little vendetta, which I'm sure will be over as quickly as it began. Goodnight love."
"You're probably right about Blaise. Goodnight love. Sleep well."
/*/
The house was quiet when Theo arrived home. His day had run slightly late, so he was anxious to find out how Declan's first day with Esther had gone.
"Cely," Theo called out softly.
Cely appeared with a soft pop. "Yes, Mr. Theo."
"How was Declan's day?"
"Little Mr. had a fine day. He been eating his food, reading his books and planting some things in Miss Padma's garden. I caught him trying to sweep up after himself, but I been telling him that's my job. Little Mr. and Miss Esther took a walk. He had a good day."
Theo smiled to himself. He'd asked a simple question, and Cely had given him a blow by blow description of the day only leaving out bathroom breaks. "Thank you for the update Cely. Where is Declan now?"
"Master Declan in the living room listening to happy songs on the wireless waiting for you to get home. That boy likes those happy tunes."
Another soliloquy. "Thank you Cely. I'll take this minute to remind you that simple answers will do. If I want an in depth explanation, I'll ask. Set a dinner place for me along with a fruit and vegetable plate and pumpkin juice for Declan in the dining room."
"Yes sir Mr. Theo. I be simple next time. Your dinner be ready fast." And with another small pop, she was gone.
/*/
Theo and Declan sat down to what Theo thought would be a nice chat between father and son. However, after ten minutes of non stop conversation on Declan's end, Theo, who wasn't used to such an onslaught called a halt to the discourse.
"Declan," Theo commented firmly. "I understand you've had a full day, but there's no need to go over every moment. Slow your conversation down a bit so I may get a word in."
Instead of the perturbed look Theo expected, he looked over to see a smile on Declan's face.
"Why are you smiling? Have I said something amusing?"
"No sir. Not amusing. It's just that gram was forever telling me the same thing. I guess I get overly excited. I'll work on that."
It was Theo's turn to smile at his son. "Your gram was a very smart witch, and I concur with your remedy. It is something to be worked on. It's a bit late tonight to do what I had in mind, but tomorrow, you will show me your skills with a wand."
"Yes," Declan answered enthusiastically. "The uncles think I will be a formidable wizard someday. I think so as well."
Theo shook his head at the seven year old boy sitting across from him. If any part of what Mick and Conor had disclosed about Declan was true, formidable wouldn't cover it. At the same time, Theo hoped all these supposed powers were not something inherited from the blood of Theo Nott, Sr.
"Alright young man. Thank you for keeping me company during my dinner. Please go prepare for bed. I'll be in to say goodnight. There's no need to bathe in the evening. Once in the morning will be good enough for now. Don't forget to say goodnight to your Aunt Esther."
Declan waved happily at his father as he headed towards Aunt Esther's room to say goodnight.
/*/
It had really been a long, tiring day for Theo. After a stop in the main bathroom to relieve himself, he said goodnight to Declan and Esther before retiring to his quarters for the night.
Lying in his bed on the verge of sleep, Theo let out a soft chuckle over his dinner conversation with Declan. The boy was going to be a handful. And that was alright. Declan would grow up in a much different atmosphere than he had.