Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 109
Jean laughed as she ran her hand up and down Severus' arm. "You looked regal in brown love. You might not go as far as to wear an entire brown suit in the future, but a brown vest wouldn't hurt anything. All I know is you were an all around hit. In the back of my mind, I have an idea that Declan will be knocking on our door simply to have a chat with the wizard he admires."
Grabbing Jean and leaving a smoldering kiss on her lips, Severus agreed with every word she had said. "We did have a really good day, didn't we? How about a quick trip to Silverton to make a good day even better?"
"I'm all for it Severus. It will be nice to see home for a little bit. I can be ready in thirty."
"Alright love. Thirty minutes it is. However, I need to correct you on one point."
Jean was puzzled. "What point would that be Severus?"
"You said it would be nice to visit home for a bit, but Silverton Oregon is no longer our home. Our home is in London for the time being."
Jean moved her head from side to side as though assimilating his words. "Alright Messiah. London is our home for the time being, but I still think of Silverton as a refuge. Better?"
"Better." Severus replied with a wink.
/
The Swiss lads didn't have any qualms about being out and about on their own in London. They were quite familiar with the city. It didn't hurt that Jay and Leanne had invited them to spend some time with them. The three, especially Clarke were chuffed because it seemed Gabriella had taken a liking to him. After a quick trip to the hotel for a refresh, Wil, Clarke and Desmond met up with Jay, Leanne and Gabriella for a night of fun.
/
The Nott wedding had been a huge success and pleasurable event. By 9:00 pm, all guests and participants had made it to their next destinations to either rest up or have a night out.
/
Returning To His Roots: Chapter 110
Sunday in the Nott household was a quiet time. Anna, Theo and Declan had breakfast together but parted soon after. Reg had spoken with Theo about taking Declan with him to Wales for a short visit. Neither Anna nor Theo had any reservations. In lieu of a honeymoon, they wanted to spend as much private time together as possible. It was Theo's thought they should start on making a baby Nott as soon as possible. Anna had other ideas.
"I love you with all my heart Theo, but I need you to slow down. I've just been hired at WCS. I think a pregnancy at this point is not ideal. Declan will have a sibling down the line."
Theo sighed. He had made the mistake of waiting too long with Padma. He didn't want to make the same mistake again, but he wasn't going to push. He and Anna had all the time in the world.
Hugging Anna, Theo revised his comments. "My apologies love. I'm being greedy. I want us to extend our family and I hadn't thought it all out. Perhaps we can try after you've become the Head of WCS."
Anna laughed. "Looking to duel Hermione are you?"
"Not at all. Remember what I've told you. Hermione matters only to the extent she is your friend witch. Otherwise, we'll do as we like."
Anna didn't want to get into a cross discussion so she remained silent. A casual conversation wasn't the place to chastise her husband, but she wished he'd be more sensitive to Hermione's wishes.
Anna snuggled against Theo. "I do remember those conversations love, however, I'll remind you I have to work with her, be kind."
Theo pulled Anna closer. "I'm always kind until I'm not. With all that said, the house is much too quiet. Let's go find our son."
Grabbing Theo by the hand, Anna stopped him from standing up. "I think our wedding has gained you a wife but deleted some of those magnificent brain cells. The house is quiet because it was planned that way. Mick is at WCS. Reg has Declan out and about and Cely is about her business. The point, we have been given a gift. I suggest we make use of it."
"You are correct. Our wedding has messed with my brain cells. However, it has not messed with my libido. Since we don't want a pregnancy, I suggest you cast your contraceptive charms and meet me at our bed. I have work to do."
Anna chuckled. Her husband was very randy. She might have to cast double charms for the near future.
/
At the Dorchester, Wil, Clarke and Desmond were sitting around discussing the wedding and their time out with Jay, Leanne and Gabriella. In the middle of the conversation, Clarke informed his mates he would be stepping out for a few. Wil and Desmond smiled at each other. Mr. never learned his lesson Clarke was chasing after Gabriella. Not to put too fine a point on it but Gabriella was leading their mate on. They both had tried to talk a bit of sense into Clarke but he wasn't listening. He had a bead on a fit witch and wasn't going to let up. Wil and Desmond let it go but jokingly told Clarke to speed up the wedding because they had to get home on Monday. Clarke had given them the stink eye without commenting.
They were in the midst of planning their day when Clarke received a text from Gabriella.
{SENDER}: Gabi
{RECIPIENT}: Thom
Hello love. I know you have to get back to Switzerland tomorrow, but I'm hoping we can spend the day together before you leave. I am in room 506 at The Dorchester so it won't be a long journey. Join me for lunch. I feel like entertaining a fit, Swiss wizard. Let me know.
Clarke was grinning as he sent a reply. Of course he was interested in spending the day with Gabi. Who knew what would come up. As he excused himself to get back to his suite, Clarke hadn't hesitated to share his bit of luck with Wil and Desmond. Neither wizard commented. Their mate had scored.
Shortly after Clarke left, Wil received his own text from Draco inviting his mates to spend the day with him and Hermione. Having no other plans, Wil accepted the invitation.
/
Draco and Hermione had spent a lovely Saturday evening together and were energized for Sunday. After a short discussion they decided they would invite the Swiss wizards to share their day. Hermione was busy setting a lunch menu when Draco made a suggestion.
"Hey love. Instead of you doing all the work, why don't we take the misfits out to somewhere they've never been?"
Seemingly gliding across the room, Hermione wrapped herself around Draco. "Alright love. I won't argue the point. Going out and about is much better than cooking in. Where shall we take your mates?"
Draco thought about it for a second. "I don't know if the heathens will be able to handle it, but why don't we…..
Hermione interrupted. "First of all, it will not be a pleasant visit if you are going to be calling them heathens, Secondly, you might want to narrow your thoughts down to somewhere there are fit witches. You know the heathens can't sit still if there aren't a ton of women flitting around."
Draco laughed out loud as he grabbed Hermione. "Why is it you get to call them heathens but I can't?"
"That should be obvious love. I'll ever only call them heathens in the privacy of our flat, however you will call it to their faces which is not good. Anyway, this is a silly conversation. Figure out where we'll take them then get on with asking if they're interested."
Giving Hermione's bum a quick pinch, Draco made a dash for the bedroom to text the heathens.
/
Draco laughed as he called out to Hermione. "Wil has responded. Clarke already has plans but he and Chris have accepted our invitation, with vigor, I might add. I suggest we do it all in one. Club Felix Felicis has a lovely dining room and an even better pub side. What's even better is that there are a great many witches who frequent the both sides."
Suddenly, Hermione was at the bedroom door with her arms folded across her chest giving him the stink eye. "Really Malfoy, a lot of fit witches? And just how would you know that?"
Draco, who was in the process of texting Wil back answered without even raising his head. Realizing he may have given himself away about certain things, Draco said the first thing that came to mind. "Blaise told me."
Hermione let out a giggle. When Draco looked up, Hermione was standing there with a wide smile. "No need to stretch the truth D-r-a-c-o. We both know you were quite the wizard about town in Switzerland."
"Really, was I? And just how would you know that Granger? Been talking to Wil have you? He'll say anything to get a date with a fit witch. You must remember that."
"Wil didn't tell me anything. I just surmised since I believe I met one of them."
Draco sighed. It had been kind of a fuck up when Beth visited London, but that was then. He knew Hermione was joking but he was feeling as though she was trying to drag them into argument territory. "Sometimes, what we think we know isn't always correct. I haven't sent the return text. Shall we go somewhere else?"
Hermione plopped down on the bed beside Draco and ran two fingers through his hair. "Nope. We should keep to the plan. Felix Felicis it is. Send your text. We can meet them there for 1:30-2:00. I'm going to shower and get all perfumed up in case Wil wants me to show him around privately."
Draco rolled his eyes as he pushed send. "As if."
After she was showered and dressed, Hermione hurried Draco along remarking they shouldn't be late when they had done the inviting. Leaving a kiss on Hermione's neck as he passed, Draco concurred.
/
The little excursion turned out to be quite fun. Wil and Desmond were at their liveliest best. Even Draco managed to be a bit boisterous. Hermione was alright with it because the mates were enjoying themselves. She only had a small word of caution.
"Before we head over to Pub Felix Felicis, I suggest you wizards tone it down a bit unless it's your intentions to scare away…...the other patrons."
Draco had given Hermione a quick glance when she hesitated knowing she wanted to say heathens but decided on a safe route.
He smiled at Hermione and she smiled back. Wil, of course, had something to say.
"Thank you for that sage advice Hermione because I had plans to enter the pub in a loud and boisterous manner trying desperately to attract any and all loathsome wizards who had murder in mind."
Hermione turned bright red but quipped right back. "Luckily for you, you've missed your chance to be murdered."
Draco didn't like the track the conversation was taking. Joking about murder didn't really sit well with him. He raised a hand to summon the server. "Okay, okay. Enough talk about something we know can't happen. I'll take care of the bill because if I don't, Wil will never let me forget it."
Chris and Hermione remained silent. Not Wil though.
"Too right you will Mr. filthy rich Malfoy. Are you still richer than the Muggle Queen? Inquiring minds want to know."
Draco grinned at Desmond. "Okay all. Are we ready for a few drinks and pleasant music? Get your mate Chris. We wouldn't want him to fall and break his arse walking through a door."
Wil clapped Draco on the back. "Still jealous after all this time Malfoy?"
Everyone laughed.
/
Their time in the pub side of Felix Felicis was enjoyable, especially for Chris who was almost immediately approached by a very fit golden haired witch named Regina who became glued to his side. Wil didn't do to badly either. However, the witch he was talking to wasn't all that interested in a wizard who would be leaving for Switzerland in the morning. When it was time to go, Chris remained behind assuring everyone he would be safe. Neither Wil nor Draco agreed with Chris, but he was a grown wizard who would do what he wanted. In the end, they left Chris with Regina and met back up at Hermione's flat.
Realizing Wil and Draco might want to have a conversation, Hermione set out drinks before excusing herself. The two mates did have a short discussion but it had nothing to do with Chris. In fact, Wil jokingly told Draco he expected Chris to appear back at the hotel with his bare arse hanging out being chased by the Cantonal. Draco had laughed out loud remarking that law enforcement officers in London were either Aurors or MLE officers depending on the situation.
"Either way, they'll be chasing bare arse Chris back to the hotel."
Draco laughed before moving onto another subject. "I haven't pinned the elusive Miss Granger down yet, but I will be pushing for a wedding date. I say that to notify you it is time to start saving up your CHF and galleons for the big gifts you'll be giving Hermione and I."
Wil simply nodded before offering a bit of cheek. "So, setting a wedding date must mean I've lost my chance with Hermione."
Draco gave his mate a quick roll of the eyes. "You're barking mate. You never had a chance with my witch, but she did enjoy the sweets."
Wil flushed up and responded appropriately. He wasn't going to step foot into that particular conversation. "Alright Mr. Malfoy. I've been warned about saving up but, as you know, I'm quite well set up. A big gift won't be a problem. You'd be better off speaking Chris and Thom the paupers."
Both Draco and Wil were still laughing when Hermione let out a high pitched scream. They both jumped up drawing wands as they hurried down the hall. It sounded as though Hermione was being attacked. However, when Draco pushed open the door shouting that he and Wil were coming in, it was to find a completely calm, smiling Hermione sitting on the side of the bed.
Draco and Wil were confused. Hermione, who had let out an ear piercing scream a few minutes before was now sitting there as cool as a cucumber looking puzzled.
"Wands drawn. What's going on Draco?"
With no signs of trouble, Draco and Wil stowed their wands.
Draco was annoyed. Why in bloody hell had Hermione scared the bloody hell out of him and was now sitting there looking puzzled. He answered her with a slight tone in his voice.
"For starters, your scream scared the shite out of us. Wil and I thought someone was in here murdering you."
Hermione suddenly realized her scream of joy had been taken as something else and apologized. "Oh my. I didn't realize my voice had carried. I got a bit carried away. It was thoughtless of me. My apologies."
After realizing nothing was wrong with Hermione, Wil had said a quick goodbye and made a hasty retreat knowing Draco hadn't said all he had to say. No way did he want to be around if Draco let go of that infamous Malfoy temper.
Wil needn't have worried because Draco was holding tight to his composure.
"That was embarrassing Hermione. Wil's gone. Tell me what made you shout the flat down."
"Embarrassing? Change your tone Draco. I've already apologized. I was in my bedroom in my own flat. Give me a break."
Although Draco didn't want to argue, he was determined to point out how inconsiderate Hermione had been knowing they had company. Unfortunately for him, Hermione had had enough of the entire conversation and was now speaking with a tone of her own.
"Drop it Draco. I've apologized twice for something done in my own flat. I'm going to have a soak."
Draco stood motionless for a few seconds. Hermione was right. She was at her own flat and could scream the roof off the place if she chose. Rather than upset her any further, he decided to take his overstepping arse to his own home. Cracking open the bathroom door, he told Hermione he was going home to get himself in order for Monday. She didn't respond so Draco apparated home.
/
Hermione had heard Draco but was still a bit aggravated so she hadn't answered. However, after the soak, Hermione acknowledged she could have handled the situation better than she had. Dressing quickly, she grabbed her wand and apparated to Draco's house calling out as she landed.
"Hello handsome. It's your sharp tongued witch come to be with the wizard she loves."
Draco, who had been more annoyed than angry smiled to himself. The witch with the sharp tongue had come through spouting sweet words. If that was the worst, he would be happy to deal with it.
"Hello love." He said, jumping up from the chair. "Glad to know you aren't sitting somewhere wrapped in a blanket pouting."
Hermione laughed as she wrapped her arms around Draco's waist. "I was on my way to a pout, but came to my senses. Please let me share what caused me to shout the flat down."
Pulling Hermione down beside him, Draco left several kisses along her neck. "Fantastic. I can't wait to hear. After that, I would like us to have a conversation about our wedding."
Hermione was a bit surprised and she really wasn't. Theo had seen his future and acted on it. She and Draco had been coupled up for a while, made a decision but hadn't moved forward with anything. Hermione thought she just might have a surprise for Mr. Draco Malfoy. The Granger-Malfoy wedding might be coming up sooner than expected.
"Alright love. We can do that although I thought we had set our date for Fifteenth of October next year."
Draco raised his wand to summon wine, brandy and two glasses. Hermione hadn't given him an argument. They deserved a drink. "We have set that date love, however, we will discuss my thoughts after your revelation."
Hermione was a bit puzzled but didn't say anymore. She had her own story to tell. "Hold onto your hat love. What I'm about to share has made me very happy."
Draco took a sip of brandy, only commenting that he was waiting. Hermione gave him a direct look before starting her story. "As you might realize by now, what I'm about to share excited me. Anyway, Conor sent me a text asking my opinion on a certain matter."
Draco gave Hermione a direct stare right back. "Will you be getting to the point before sunrise?"
"Don't make me hex you Malfoy. I'm getting there. Conor shared that he had thoughts of enlarging Transitions. He asked how I would feel about taking on another person. I couldn't respond fast enough. My answers were excellent idea and I'd happily take on another person. I'm scheduled to meet with him at 1:30 tomorrow to discuss it all."
Draco was happy because Hermione was happy. Grabbing her in his arms, he kissed up and down her neck. "Excellent love. All that fretting for nothing. You are definitely moving up. Soon, Transitions will be bigger than the wiring department."
Hermione grinned as she laid her head on Draco's shoulder. "I'm sure Severus will have something to say. It's as though he can't recognize brilliance when he sees it. I'm chuffed as can be."
Draco began to feel a bit uneasy. Conor hadn't mentioned Severus had sanctioned the changes. His witch should not get too excited until….
"What's wrong Draco? You're sitting there with a look that shouts you smell something foul. Talk to me."
Draco shrugged. "Nothing wrong love. It's just that I didn't hear anything about Severus consenting to changes. Conor's ideas are only Conor's ideas until Severus signs off on them. I hope Conor has everything in order before giving you false hope. I don't want you to be disappointed."
Hermione sat straight up. She had been so excited to receive Conor's text she hadn't thought about Severus. Grabbing her wand, Hermione summoned her mobile and quickly pulled up the two texts. She breathed a sigh of relief. There it was in black and white on the last line, Severus approved. Handing the mobile to Draco, she gave him a good pinch.
"Anything else you think needs to be sorted Malfoy? Everything is Severus approved. Now, please pour your very important fiancee a glass of wine. She deserves it."
Wordlessly, Draco poured the wine. He had hoped to discuss moving up their wedding, but this might not be the time.