Chapter Text
“I don't need to ask for directions! I grew up there, of course i know where it is”
Draco rolled his eyes. Ron and he had been circling Ottery St Catchpole for hours now and Ron was becoming more and more insufferable as the night wore on. Coming back to Britain had been Ron’s idea. He had been more than happy to live the rest of his life in Seattle but he would never have deprived Ron of reconciliation with his family. He had known they would be coming the moment he had read Hermione’s email.
~~Dear Draco and Ron,
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you need to know that Molly is ill. Dreadfully so. The Healers and Doctors both aren't optimistic of her chances to live out the rest of the year. I know things are not well between you and the rest of the family but I would have never forgiven myself if I didn't let you know and give you the chance to say goodbye. You should know, Ron, that your mother and I have spent many hours discussing you. She loves you and regrets her actions towards you and Draco both. I hope knowing that helps you make it back in time for Christmas. I know it's last minute and I can't imagine how the prospect of facing the rest of the family must be for the both of you. But I know you would rather have the option than not at all. Know that if you decide to return, I will always be on your side, and though I can't speak of the rest of the family I hope you believe me when I tell you the rest of them have grown up in the last 20 years. And if I'm wrong and you would have rather not known then I'm truly sorry to have caused any unnecessary grief.
Love always
Hermione J Zabini~~
“Yes, the last time you were here was over 20 years ago love. And I can't imagine you roamed about the muggle city much back then did you? Why you decided we should drive there instead of just apparating in, is beyond me.” Draco told him, rubbing his fingers through his husband's hair to lessen the sting of his words. Ron spared him a glance and a rueful smile for his efforts.
“Right, because popping in unannounced would have gone over real well wouldn't it? Plus the kids are still too young to apparate and you really shouldn't in your condition.”
Behind them the twins scoffed. Ron threw Draco another look that he knew from experience said “they don't get that from me”.
“Dad, we’re not babies anymore!” Caesar said.
“Ten is old enough to apparate” Scorpius chimed in.
“Yes, yes. Neither of you are babies any longer but your dad is still right. I cannot apparate this late into my pregnancy” Draco told the boys, laughing at the face they made whenever the new babies were brought up. Not that anyone but Draco knew they would be having another set of twins. Really those Weasley genes truly bred themselves compulsively.
Looking at his strawberry blonde boys in the backseat he couldn't find it in himself to complain though.
He knew the Burrow was on the outskirts of the small town, but that consisted of so many rolling hills it was easy to get lost. As discreetly as he could he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Hermione explaining the situation. They hadn't told her they were coming, Ron not wanting to get her hopes up in case they couldn't convince Draco's healer to let him cast a long term glamour over him for the flight, or if he backed out at the last minute. His phone vibrated in his hand seconds later with nothing more than a few exclamation points and a thumbs up emoji.
He jumped when he heard Ron let out a holler next to him. There in the sky, slightly to the left of them was a bright shower of sparkling lights. They shot out over the hill and burst into different shapes in the night sky.
“There! I knew there was a turn off here somewhere! It was just too dark to see now. Good thing whatever Georgie is shooting off out there brightened the road just enough.” Ron turned onto the bumpy dirt road and made his way down the lane. As the large rickety looking home came into view he sobered slightly. There were people milling about outside but they were still too far away to make out who it was, though Draco was sure two of them had to be Blaise and Hermione.
Behind them the boys spoke up again.
“Are Aunt Hermione-”
“And Uncle Blaise-”
“Going to be here?” they finished in unison. Draco had had years to get used to the way the boys spoke with a singular brain and he smiled at them through the mirror.
“Yes, they will be here. And so will all of your other aunts and uncles.”
“You mean the ones-”
“Who don’t like you-”
“Don't you father?”
Ron sighed next to him as he brought the car to a stop at the bottom of the hill that housed the Burrow. It looked like the occupants had all made their way outside, probably to see who was showing up unannounced.
“Yes, boys. They don't like your father. Or at least they didn't when he and I got married anyways. And they don't know about you yet. So I'm going to get out and make sure it’s safe and you're going to get out with your father. Understand?”
Scorpius bit his lip and let Caesar answer for the both of them.
“What if it’s not safe for you either Dad?”
“Then we can say we tried and we can leave. We’ll head north and take a look at Hogwarts. It's where we met you know.” Ron said with a grin that never failed to stop Draco’s heart in his chest. Merlin help him but he was as madly in love with this man he had been married to for the last twenty years as he was the the very first time he kissed him on the Hogwarts express on the last day of their eighth year. They had had such a messy courtship full of fights and fear because of their respective backgrounds, but one look at the love in his eyes every time he grinned at Draco in that way and he knew then it would all be worth it.
Ron leaned over and gave Draco a searing kiss while sliding his large hands across the protruding belly between them, as if rubbing it for good luck and Draco knew he had been right.
It had all been worth it.