Chapter Text
Hermione needs a crush your soul back into your body hug
I originally had the children take the chicken to the formal dining room and Hermione having a panic attack. The characterization of Draco and Hermione both changed drastically from the first few scenes I wrote to what it became as the story progressed. This scene was written before the house had a personality.
She entered a small dining room which was completely empty. "I think Scorpius and Rose decided to have dinner somewhere else." She said as he looked around the room in confusion. Then he turned and strode off down the corridor, Hermione having no choice but to follow in his wake.
Rose popped into her head, "mum! Where are you! Dinner's getting cold."
The image of that long formal table with Nando's take out boxes and fizzy drinks in cans set out on it filled her minds eye and Hermione occluded her memories of that room from her daughter as she jogged a couple of steps and caught Draco's arm, pulling him to a halt just as he reached the double doors. Her heart pounding though whether from fear, anxiety, or simply a visceral reaction to the displeasure that radiated off of Malfoy she had no idea. She'd chalk it up to PTSD and call it a day. He turned to her, one hand on the door and stopped. "Granger." He said, his own feelings at his son's unusual behavior melting away at the sight of the panic in her eyes, "Granger." He half reached for her but Rose slung the dining room door open then and wrapped her small arms around her mother as tightly as she could.
"It's ok mum." She said, "I got you. It's ok. Just breathe. Remember uncle Harry said you have to breathe." Draco watched as eight year old Rose tried to coach her mother through the panic attack. Hermione started to hyperventilate and Scorpius came out to the hall as well.
"Mum?" Rose was beginning to panic now too as Hermione wasn't calming down and Draco stepped in,
"breathe Granger." He said, his hand landing lightly on her shoulder, "Rose, let her go."
"She needs a hug- a 'soul crushing hug'." Rose said, quoting someone, perhaps Potter, her voice shaking as she let her mother go. He pulled the panicking woman into his arms, holding her to his chest in that soul crushing hug. After a second she wrapped her arms around his waist, hands clutching at his shirt, her body shaking like a leaf. He moderated his own breathing, long slow deep breaths. “Breathe with me Granger.” he said softly as he heard Scorpius reassure Rose, “Don’t worry, Dad’s a good hugger.” he felt the woman choke on a laugh or a sob- he couldn’t tell which- but the shaking was beginning to fade and she was breathing more regularly. He relaxed as she did, but kept hold of her until she released him.
“Sorry for melting down.” she said finally, stepping away from him and straightening her clothes
“Are you alright now?”
“Yeah- perfect storm and all that.” she wiped her face with the edge of that stupid apron and Draco snagged the apron strings and tugged it loose. “You’re not some house maid, Granger. Ditch the apron, please.” she folded it neatly as it fell away from her body,
“I thought it dressed this old rag up a bit.” she said, a bit of the old vim back in her, though she still looked a little ragged about the edges.
“Why on earth are you wearing that?” he asked, fingers just snagging her sleeve, she tossed a look at him over her shoulder as she ushered the children into the formidable dining room as if she hadn’t just had a panic attack.
“Laundry day Malfoy. Sit down kiddo’s and let’s eat.”
Scorpius sat down with a plop with Rose sitting next to him as they did at lunch. Draco eyed his son as he pulled the chair across from Rose out for Hermione, he avoided the head of the table, choosing instead to sit across from his son.
“We should have dinner in here more often, dad.” Scorpius said as Hermione started opening the boxes of chicken and chips. Draco had cast a Stasis charm on them so everything was still piping hot and crispy. The elder Malfoy popped a can of fizzy soda open and took a slow drink before answering his son, “if we did that then you’d have to dress for dinner and practice your society manners.”
“Ehhh- never mind.” Scorpius said quickly, and Rose laughed.
Once everyone was eating Hermione looked around the room which suddenly no longer held any power over her. She didn’t know if it was the soul crushing hug- or the sustaining embrace that had followed it, but she felt like she could conquer any room in the house now. Even the blood stained parlor.
Dinner went well, Scorpius and Rose laughed and chattered away, telling Hermione all the things they’d explored, and insisting the adults join them for an official tour after dinner.
Draco glanced over at Hermione at that, waiting for her response.
“That would be wonderful, Scorpius. It’s been a very long time since I've been here.”
“Was it when I was a baby?”
“Long before then even.”
Ron shows up at the house
This was one of the first few scenes I wrote for this story. Originally I had Ron coming to the house and confronting Hermione and/or Draco but after a while I realized that I really wanted the Manor to be a safe space for Hermione and Rose specifically. So having Ron show up there at all would be counter productive. This is set on day 1 or 2 at the manor- before Hermione has her feet under her. Ron has been sent the divorce paperwork and attempted to pick Rose up from school, only to find that she hadn’t been to school since Hermione left.
The fist pounding on the front door was angry and Hermione ducked into the conservatory as Gadsby opened it.
“Who is it Gads?” Draco called as he came down the magnificent staircase, Hermione could see him from the open conservatory door. She was out of sight of the front door though.
“A Mr. Ronald Weasley to see you sir.” Gadsby said, and Hermione could hear Ron’s mutterings but couldn’t make out what he was saying. Draco caught her eye as he stopped just before her door. “I’ll see him in the parlor. Have Maudsley bring tea please.”
“I’m Standing RIght here.” Ron snapped as Gadsby ushered him into the parlor two doors down. Draco stepped into the conservatory, “are you going to be alright?” he asked, reaching for her hands that were clutched at her waist. “You don’t have to see him, or talk to him and–” he stopped for a second, his eyes going distant for a second as she knew either Rose or Scorpius reached out to his mind. Then he took a deep breath shaking himself slightly. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. The children are staying upstairs. Rose knows Weasley is here.”
“Thank you, Malfoy.” he smiled a little at her, “least I can do, Granger. I’ll have one of the elves let you know when he’s gone.” he squeezed her hand comfortingly and left. She waited until she heard the other door shut before she left the conservatory and walked silently down to the parlor door to listen in. She didn’t want to see Ronald- but she did want to know what he’d come to say.
“Where’s Hermione? You keeping her locked up somewhere, Malfoy?”
“Hardly. She’s probably up in the library with her nose in a book.” Draco said cooly, hermione could just imagine him sprawling out in a chair, all graceful limbs perfectly placed to maximize the discomfort of her ex. “Any particular reason you’ve showed up at my house, Weasley?” he asked, then Hermione heard a pop “ah thank you Maudsley.” she heard the clink of china,
“I came to get my wife and daughter.” Ronalds face was probably getting redder by the minute. Hermione held her breath, she recognized that tone. She hoped Draco had his wand at hand.
“Mmm, from what Rose has shared, I doubt that highly. I’m sure you received the notice from my solicitor.”
“You mean the half assed divorce paperwork? I burnt it.”
“You certainly have an affinity for burning important documents, don't you Weasley? Ah, well I’ll have MacReynolds send you another copy.” more china clinking “tea?”
“i didn't come for a fucking teaparty Malfoy. Where is my wife?"
"She is safe. Which I would like to point out was not something she was in her own home."
“Now look here you cockwomble, what I do with my wife is my business.”
“I disagree.”
“You disagree?” Ronald snarled. "Your wife is dead." The way Ron said it insinuated that Draco was the cause of her death. There was a long heart stopping silence.
"Get out of my house." Draco's voice was cold as death itself.
"What's wrong Malfoy? I’d think a Death eater such as yourself ought to be proud of his dark deeds." Ron taunted, Hermione heard quick steps approaching the door and dashed into the next room just in time for the parlor door to be flung open and Draco to step into the foyer "Gadsby!“ he shouted, the elf was at his heels in a heartbeat, "you called?"
"Mr. Weasley is leaving, please see him to the door. I'll be in my office." He took the stairs with measured steps, and Hermione saw how stiffly he held himself, so very different from his usual easy enviable grace. she thoughtlessly followed him as Ron was ushered to the front door, but he saw her and started toward the stairs. "There you are, how dare you leave me like that! Just gonna flounce over here and have a little affair with Malfoy? Play princess for a week or two before he gets tired of you? You always did have a soft spot for the ferret, you cheating little mudblood." Hermione spun halfway up the stairs and didn't even see Malfoy pass her, only felt the brush of wind in her hair and ron was toppled by a solid punch from Draco. He was back on his feet in a second to find the blonds wand at his throat. "You had ten years.” Draco snarled, “Ten years with your wife and you treat her like shit. You have no idea what I would give for even ten more minutes with mine." Draco's voice was shaking, but his hand was not. "Get. the. Fuck. Out. Of. My. House.” Ron stumbled as he backed away, blood dripping from his nose onto the bright tile floor. As Ron got further away from Draco, Hermione drifted closer to him. Draco lowered his wand hand as the door clicked shut. "You loved her very much." She said softly as she stood at his shoulder. "More than life itself." He turned, looking at the static family portrait that hung at the top of the stairs. "She- why couldn't it have been me instead? Scorpius would be better off if she were still here and I were gone." Hermione wrapped him in a sudden fierce hug that took him by surprise.
"Don't say that. You're here for a reason Draco and Astoria would be so proud of the way you’re raising Scorpius.”
Original fight with James
This was one of the very first scenes I wrote and goes on the premise that Draco asks hermione to stay and be governess to Scorpius almost immediately upon her arrival at the manor. I hadn’t pinned down the date timeline at this point so this takes place a couple months after they’ve moved in and is Rose and James and Scorpius fighting at school.
Hermione picked Scorpius and Rose up from school, and instead of a smiling duo, happy to see her, she was asked to step into the office. Rose was sitting glaring at the secretary while a tearful Scorpius sat beside her. As soon as Hermione came in the boy lept from his seat and threw his arms around her and sobbed.
She dropped to her knees and hugged him back,
"Scorpius, darling! What's wrong?"
When he answered incoherently Hermione looked up at her daughter questioningly, "James pushed him at recess and told him he was going to be a death eater like his dad. And that Stori died because he was a death eater." Hermione's eyebrows shot up as Scorpius cried harder, she rubbed a circle on his back, "So why are you two in the office? Instead of James?"
"Cause I punched him in the nose for it." Hermione bit back a smile. Rose looked at her hands in her lap, "I also told him if he said ugly things about my dad again I'd hex him." Hermione looked up at rose again confused, she knew Rose had called Draco dad on at least one occasion, and Scorpius had called her mum several times. But she hadn't realized they were doing it on purpose. Rose had tears in her eyes now, "and then James said I was a death eater lover like you. And that you left my father for the malfoys because they're rich." Her daughter looked at her with tear filled eyes that burned with anger. "But that's not true! He hit you! He took your wand and burned the whole library! He didn't love us like Drake does." Hermione swallowed back tears, "so scorp punched him too. James tried to hit him back but he couldn't move and had to be taken to the nurses office."
At that point the secretary came back in the room, "Mrs. Malfoy, the headmaster will see you now." Hermione stood up and pulled rose in for a hug as well before kissing Scorpius on the top of his head. "Mrs. Malfoy?" The secretary's tone was snotty, someone was still prejudiced. She turned to face the older woman, choosing to respond with a cold look at the misnaming. She was Hermione Granger, and the secretary knew that full well. She pulled her phone from her pocket and hit the speed dial for Draco. He picked up immediately,
"Mione, something wrong?"
"Several things. First can you come get Scorp and Rose?"
"On my way." She flipped her phone shut with a snap. "I believe the headmaster can afford to wait for Mr. Malfoy." Hermione sat down with Rose and Scorpius, "show me exactly what happened please." And rose did.
It happened pretty much exactly as she'd said, she and Scorpius had been playing by themselves on the playground, comfortably in each other's minds going over their favorite bits from the lesson that morning when James and his group of friends came up and started taunting Scorpius. It wasn't until the comment about his mother's death that he started crying and rose jumped to her feet and flew at the group, most of whom ran off but James ended up with a bloody nose and then he turned on Rose, snapping out angry insults until Scorpius took his swing and then as James started toward the smaller boy, Hermione felt the welling magic as rose had and the will for him to stop. And he did mid step, a perfect patrificus totalus , unspoken and wandless. And then the teachers showed up and despite what both Scorpius and Rose told them, they saw James as the victim.
Draco strode into the school office and the sight of Hermione sitting between Rose and Scorpius, an arm around both of them, his son's head resting on her shoulder as he wiped tears from his face. She shifted and pressed a kiss to his curls, saying something softly to him and letting rose go to hug him close as he clung to her, fresh tears falling. Draco stopped, he'd seen Hermione mother his son many times since the Granger Duo had come to stay with them, and it put another stitch in his broken grieving heart every time.
Rose got up and ran to him when he came in, "what happened?" He asked Hermione, as he returned Rose's desperate hug.
"James potter." Hermione said, her tone biting.
“Ah.” Draco was well acquainted with the boys general attitude toward his son.
“The headmaster Ms. Granger.” the secretary put in.
“Yes, thank you. I believe we will wait for Mr. Potter to arrive if you don’t mind.” Hermione said sharply, the secretary blanched. “Has he not been informed then?” Hermione instantly had her phone in her hand again. “Allow me to inform him that he’s needed in the office then.”
“Mrs. Potter was called for James.” the secretary said,
“Well then, perhaps you ought to call down to the nurse and have them join us?”
The secretary looked a bit shame faced as she sent a note flying down the hall toward the nurses office. It returned a minute later, “it seems the potters have already returned home.” she said nervously.
“I’ll just call harry then.” Hermione mashed the speed dial for harry’s cell, lifting it to her ear. It rang twice and then harry picked up.
“Mione. What’s up?”
“There’s been an incident at school with Rose and James.”
“Ah- We just left. The nurse said he’d just fallen victim to some accidental magic.”
“Mmm.” hermione hummed, “no. Rose did it quite deliberately. Perhaps you and he would care to join us in with the headmaster?” she could hear the gears turning in his head and knew the dark look that he’d have on his face. The school had overstepped- or perhaps understepped- their responsibilities toward the students.
“We’ll be right there.”
“Thanks Harry.”
She snapped the phone shut, “they’ll be back in a minute.” she announced to the room in general, coming to her feet with Scorpius beside her. “Scorp, why don’t you show your dad what happened so we can all be on the same page." The boy nodded and sniffed and Draco pulled him in for a hug as he poured the memory out for his father. Hermione watched the pain and grief and anger filter across Draco's face. She knew how much he had loved Astoria, after living with him for two months it was hard not to know that.
Lunch with Theo and Draco
This takes place after Theo shows up at Draco’s office distraught about the baby. I tried two or three times to have a conversation between Theo and Hermione and Draco and Theo is just a little bitch and wouldn’t stop saying inflammatory things to both Draco and Hermione. So any attempts at having a decent lunch were out the door. I particularly liked the fairy tale references here and wanted to share them with you though.
Hermione was watching the rain pound against the window, an open book forgotten in her lap, when Maudsley knocked at her open door some time later.
“Ma’am, lunch is served in the dining room if you’re hungry.” Once more she felt like this was some fairy castle, herself the common guest turned princess, but would that make Draco the enchanted prince? She could easily picture him in understated finery, all crisp and glossy. Hell, she had to have seen pictures somewhere at some point. He certainly carried himself like royalty, all charm and natural grace. What enchantment would he be under? She pondered this as she made her way down to the small dining room. This wasn’t beauty and the beast, unless she played the part of the beast- one could hardly say Draco Malfoy was unattractive. Sleeping Beauty was out as neither of them slept for a century. Snow White? No dwarves or wicked witches. One could picture perhaps Ronald as the wicked old- no, middle aged- wizard. Cinderella. That one almost fit, Scorpius could be the fairy godmother and Ronald the evil stepsisters, but it still lacked the midnight ball and what part would Rose play? She walked into the dining room to find Draco and Theo just sitting down, Draco bounced right back to his feet. “Granger, how are you feeling?” he asked as he pulled out a chair for her. He sat her directly across from Theodore Nott, who looked like he’d pulled himself together somewhat since she’d left them in the office.
“Better. Thank you Malfoy.” She settled her napkin in her lap and took a sip of the lemon infused water as Gadsby served the meal. Theo spoke first. “What brings you to the manor, Granger?”
Hermione looked at him for a long moment, assessing him.
“I have a feeling that this conversation is going to go one of two ways- either you’ve grown up since school, and we can talk about this like sensible adults- or…”
“Or I’m going to endlessly tease my celibate brother in law about getting it on with the smartest witch of our year?”
Draco sighed
“Merlin save us.” he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Exactly.” hermione replied.
“We’re all adults here.” Theo stabbed his salad, and she relaxed slightly, “I can tease him privately.”
“Nott!”
“You’re too much of a gryffindor, Granger.” he smirked at her.
“You don’t want to see my slytherin side.” she growled, her magic channeling through her hair in a way that fascinated Draco, he thought briefly that he wouldn’t mind seeing her slytherin side- so long as it was being taken out on Theo and not himself.
“I’d watch your mouth Theo, she’s been working with wandless magic lately.”
Ron and Hermione at the school
This was the first take on Hermione running into Ronald at the school while picking up Rose and Scorpius.
“Merlin, ‘Mione. Can’t you watch where you’re going?” she looked up into the face of her husband, his hands on her forearms catching her. “Rose, you and Scorp go on to the floo. Stay together please.” she said, eyes not leaving him as he sneered down at her. She heard a slight sound of affirmation from Rose, then felt the brush of the two children as they went around her, giving Ronald a wide berth. Ron’s eyes followed his daughter, and Hermione thought for a second he might grab for her, but Rose was well out of reach.
“What do you want, Ronald?” she asked coldly, attempting to remove herself from his grasp while he was distracted by the children. They still stood in the middle of the pathway for the other parents to pick up their kids and she attempted to step out of traffic. He allowed her to move, but kept hold of her. He looked at her, and she couldn’t decipher his expression. She released her magic, allowing it to flow through her body and pick up on his. He was wound tight, a bright red ball of anger. “What do you want, Hermione?” he replied.
“I want you to let me go.” she tried to yank her arm free but he kept hold of her. “You’re hurting me.” she’d have bruises for sure. He glared at her, “I want you to sign the papers I sent you, I want you out of my life and out of my daughter's life.”
“She’s my kid too.” he snapped
“So were the other six you’ve disposed of.” his eyes went wide, “did you think I wouldn’t realize? Theodore Nott showed up this morning and told me all about Daphne. What’s to keep you from deciding that the one that can walk and talk is just as easy to dispose of?” She might not be able to use her magic against him directly- but he was grasping the wand holster on her arm. She forced her magic into that, willing it to heat against her skin until it burned her, which in turn burned him. He let go of her with a curse and she stepped out of his reach cradling her throbbing arm.
“Sign the damn papers and get out of my way.” she growled, pushing past him and snatching a handful of floo powder she called out for Malfoy Manor.
When she stepped out into the traveling room she just sat down on the cool clean tile floor. Shaking in the dust of the floo that seemed to billow around her, her burnt arm clutched to her chest as she choked out a sob before she could pull herself together. She sat there for a long minute before the door banged open and Draco was beside her, breathing hard from what was obviously a mad dash from wherever the kids had found him to his office and back down to the traveling room. “Hermione! Merlin, are you alright? Rose said-” she looked up at him, her face tear streaked as she began to gingerly remove the holster “sorry– I–”
“What happened?” He saw the blistered skin of her forearm, “what did he do to you?”
“Its not- I made the holster hot so he’d let me go. I burnt myself.” she gasped as one of the blisters popped seeping bloody fluid onto the green dress. Draco was on his cellphone, “I need you, manor travel room. Immediately.” he mashed the screen on his smart phone and stuffed it back into his pocket, moving to help her shift away from the floo as it roared to life.
“What’s the sitch?” Blaise Zabini, dressed in a hawaiian print shirt that was completely unbuttoned, khaki shorts and barefoot- still his feet still covered in sand. The heat of some tropical place radiating off of his skin.
“Her arm.”
Blaise dropped to one knee beside the bench where Hermione had sat after Draco helped her to her feet.
“Hey ‘mione. What happened?” he asked as he shook his wand into his hand and performed a simple diagnostic charm. She swallowed. “Ron showed up to pick up and grabbed me. I forced the holster I was wearing to heat up and burn him so he’d let me go- but burned myself in the process.”
“Ah, well, we’ll get this healed in a jiffy. Did he have both hands?”
“Yeah. she lifted her other hand to let the loose sleeve fall to her elbow and reveal her discolored forearm. “Merlin, was he trying to break your wrist?”
“How was your vacation going?” she asked as he flicked his wand over the damaged flesh. “Quite well until that phone call. Drake, it’s fine to go to st. mungos you know. The healers there are quite good, even when I'm not on call.”
Harry and Draco’s original conversation at the manor
I had a couple takes on Draco and Harry’s conversation about Hermione- this first one is where Harry doesn’t come out the minute Ginny tells him, but instead drops by before work the next morning. Which puts the conversation the morning after the dream sequences.
He was just sitting back down at his desk with his second cup of coffee when Gadsby showed up.
"Master Draco, there's an Auror here to see you sir."
Draco felt a spike of panic, the Auror's showing up unannounced at the Manor had never been a good thing.
"You can bring them up, Gadsby. Thank you." He straightened the papers on his desk, and took a careful sip of his coffee. When the door finally swung open Draco stood to greet the Auror and was surprised to see Harry Potter at the door.
"Thank you Gadsby." Potter said to the elf, "Mr. Potter is very welcome sir." Gadsby gushed,
"That will be all, thank you Gadsby." Draco dismissed him, not unkindly. Gadsby had been with his family since Draco had been a child and still held a rather awed view of Potter.
"Mr. Potter, what brings you to my home this morning?"
“Nothing official Malfoy. Ginny just gave me an earful about all this mess yesterday so I thought I’d drop in and see what happened. This is the first chance I’ve had with work being what it is.” he dropped tiredly into the chair across from the desk. “Did Ron really strike her?”
Draco raised an eyebrow,
"You honestly believe she'd lie about that?" he sat slowly,
Potter met his eyes sharply. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. She’s here with you . Which is the last bloody place I’d have put her.” he snapped. “Especially given that she’s been offered to stay with us.”
“Look Potter, I don’t know why she chose to come here. My son and her daughter are mates at school, and Scorpius asked if they could stay for a time because it wasn’t safe at home. So I called and asked her to stay, and she did. She’s free to come and go as she pleases, I’ve done nothing but assist in any way she’ll let me.”
“But why stay HERE?” Potter asked, frustrated.
“I don’t know! Why are you asking me instead of her? As if I could force Hermione Granger to do anything! The woman literally argued with me about buying her lunch and replacing her wand yesterday. In the middle of the damn street by the way.”
Potter looked like he was trying not to smile.
“Did she embarrass you Malfoy?”
Draco sucked his teeth, “The only reason it wasn’t plastered on the front page this morning was because I pay good money to keep my name out of the papers.” He met Potter’s gaze with steel in his eyes, “and now hers too.” he sat forward in his chair, leaning on the desktop “But mark me, I will butcher Weasley and sell him piecemeal to the media if he doesn’t sign the papers my solicitor delivered to him yesterday afternoon by weeks end. Everyone will know exactly what he did to her.” Potter looked stricken
“What did he do to her?” The look on his face said he wasn’t sure he wanted to know, but Draco didn’t care, he sat back again.
“Besides burn her entire library? Lets see-” Draco began ticking the points off on his fingers, “he cheated on her, coerced her into an unbreakable vow to not use her magic against him, took her wand and destroyed it, abused her physically, emotionally, and financially, and I’m sure there’s more that I’m not privy to. Granger hasn’t told me much, but the bruise the size of a man's hand on her face speaks volumes and his own daughter is terrified of him for fucks sake.”
Potter dropped his head to his hands, elbows braced on his knees. "God, she must hate me for not seeing it." He lifted his head, “how is Rose?”
“She’s managing, I think. She is her mothers daughter, but I’m going to recommend she see a therapist.” Draco remembered that Harry Potter was his young cousin’s godfather, and Rose’s uncle. “The children are probably having breakfast at the moment if you’d like to see her.”
Potter glanced at his watch and sighed then stood up. “I've got to get to work, but- if it’s alright with you, I could stop by during lunch if I can manage to escape the red tape brigade long enough to take lunch.”
Draco got to his feet as well, “I’m sure that would be fine. We don’t have any plans away from home today.” Potter nodded.
“Hey, Malfoy-” he said, running a hand through his chaotic black hair, “thanks for taking care of Hermione… she's like a sister to me and she needs someone to take care of her, though she’d never say so.”
Draco nodded.
“She’s safe here, Potter. They both are.”
“I know. And… Call me Harry, mate.” he held out his hand to Draco, who after only a second’s hesitation took it. “Draco.”
Harry shook it firmly.
“Hopefully I’ll see you at lunch, Draco.” he headed toward the door to the library,
“Should I tell Granger you’re planning on coming?” Draco followed him out the door and through the library.
“Yeah, you can let Hermione know. But don’t tell Rose. I’d hate to disappoint her.”
“Of course.”
The two men walked together to the traveling room talking about Teddy’s upcoming second year at Hogwarts.
“He really looks up to you, you know.” Draco said as Harry took a fistful of floo powder.
“He looks up to you as well. Always chattering about his cousin Drake." Harry chuckled, "We definitely make a weird little family. You, me, and Teddy. He’ll be glad to know we’re on better terms now.”
Draco smiled, “yeah he will.”
Harry grinned then threw down the powder “ministry of Magic” he called and with the rush of green flame he was gone.
Draco stood there for a bit, his hands in his pockets. And to think he’d just about had a panic attack when Gadsby had announced an Auror had arrived.
Where Harry gets his information from Ron instead of Ginny
And here’s where Harry comes out as soon as he’s been told about Hermione leaving with Draco- only he gets his information from Ron instead of Ginny. Also- Draco has a bit of a crisis at Hermione dressed in silk satin.
Draco was sitting up reading in his common room when Gadsby popped into the room
“Mr. Potter is here for Ms. Granger, master Draco.” the elf squeaked just before the door to the common room swung open and Harry Potter strode in a thundercloud on his face- his auror robes swirling around him. “Where is she, Malfoy? And what god damn curse have you put her under?” Draco stood up and schooled his features, one blessing of having the dark lord living in his house during his teen years- it would take Voldemort himself bursting through the doors to phase him. “Mr. Potter.” Draco greeted him smoothly. “Mrs. Granger-Weasley is currently asleep if you would care to keep your voice down. She’s had a rather exhausting weekend and needs to rest.” Potter glared at him,
“I’m surprised you’re still up if it’s been such an ‘exhausting’ weekend.”
Draco’s eyes went hard. “Are you accusing me of having an affair with her?”
“Why else would she come running to the manor as soon as her husband found out?” Harry snapped, and Draco felt the anger well up in a way he’d not felt it in years, but he tamped it down as best as he could. This was Potter. Hermione looked to him as a brother- Rose’s uncle. His cousin’s godfather. He might not know the man personally- but he knew he cared deeply for the people around him.
“Have you spoken with your wife today? Or only the bastard Weasley?” Draco knew his face was flushed, and he was as likely to wake Hermione as Harry was at this point.
“How long have you and her been fucking each other behind his back?” Harry took a threatening step toward him, Draco’s wand was in his hand now, and he didn’t know how it’d gotten there. The door behind him squeaked on its hinges slightly as it opened, and he dropped his wand as he felt the flare of magic sweep past him like a miniature supernova. He spun to see Hermione standing in the doorway in a gold silk nightgown that fell just below her knees, she was wrapping a red housecoat of the same material about her as she walked into the room. He just about choked at the sight of her. Potter actually did.
“Get your things Hermione. We’re leaving.” Harry ground out when he’d got his breath back.
“I’m sorry- what?” she asked, arms folded under her bust, wrapping the liquid silk about her for modesty. It didn’t work. Draco looked away from her to Potter who looked like he might have a stroke as he took in what she was wearing.
“You’re not staying here any longer.”
“And why not exactly?”
Draco prayed she’d not walk fully past him- he knew from experience that the glossy silk would hug her hips in a way that would be hard to ignore. Astoria had preferred that particular fabric and he knew well the way it felt under his hands. He decided that if there was a god, he must hate him as Hermione brushed past him to stand toe to toe with Potter, her long curly hair falling down her back to end just before… Draco cast his gaze to the ceiling. He’d close his eyes- but the image of Hermione’s ass wrapped in red silk was going to be a hard one to get out of his head.
“Why are you here, Harry?” she snapped, “Because if you think for one minute you can just waltz in here, accuse me of breaking my vows then demand I pack my things and leave you’re dead wrong.”
“Ron said-”
“Ron’s a lying, cheating, abusive bastard who burnt my entire library out of spite and has been fucking Daphne Nott for the past six months.”
“But you’re here, in that. In his bedroom!” Harry exclaimed,
“What I choose to wear to sleep in is none of your business. And for your information, Malfoy’s room is over there.” she waved her hand toward the door on the far side of the fireplace.
Draco tells Hermione Ron is there to see her
Another take on Ronald showing up at the manor. This time it comes after Hermione has gotten her job offer for Hogwarts. There’s two takes on this scene, the first where Hermione sends Draco without her- the second where Hermione goes but with Draco as back up.
Draco had plans to go in to the office for a bit that morning when Gadsby popped into Draco’s home office. “Sir, there’s a Ronald Weasley here to see Ms. Hermione.” Draco looked up sharply, “have you informed her?” Upon learning that the house elves had been calling her ‘Madame’ Hermione had insisted they stop immediately and simply offered ‘Ms. Hermione’ instead. “Mr. Weasley is a little drunk sir. We thought it wise to inform you first.”
Draco raised an eyebrow, Weasley, day drunk and at his house. “Where is she?”
“I believe she’s working in the conservatory this morning, sir.” She’d received her official acceptance letter from McGonagall on Saturday and had claimed a nook in the library as she read up on everything she could find in the Malfoy library. She’d also take her work down to the conservatory if the weather was sunny.
“Alright. Have Mr. Weasley wait in the parlor, and have Maudsley bring tea. One of us will be down in a minute.”
Gadsby nodded and disappeared with a pop as Draco got to his feet and made his way to the conservatory.
Draco found her surrounded by books, plants and scattered papers, her favorite blue ballpoint muggle pen in her teeth as she flipped through a book. Lesson planning probably. “Hermione.” she didn't even glance up, just waved a hand at him then pulled the pen from her mouth and started scribbling, “Hermione?” She started muttering as she wrote and he took that as a ‘let me finish this thought’ and leaned against the table to wait. After half a minute she looked up, “yes?”
“Weasley is here to see you.” He said and she paled, “he’s drunk according to Gadsby, so I don't recommend you speaking with him alone, or at all in my opinion.”
Hermione sighed and took off the gold rimmed reading glasses she was wearing to rub a tired hand across her eyes. She wore a white blouse and khaki linen skirt today, and a single jasmine vine had wound its way up the back of her chair.
“I told him to take the papers to my solicitor.” She looked up at Draco, “would you mind handling him? I'm almost done with this and I'll never get it finished if I have to deal with him today.”
Draco smiled at her, “Anything you'd like me to tell him in particular?”
“fuck off?” She asked hopefully, he laughed, “I was already planning on that.” He patted her on the shoulder as he stood away from the desk, “I'll let you know once he’s gone.”
“Thank you, Draco.” She took a deep breath and let it out hard before turning back to her papers and books. The Jasmine vine wove its way to her shoulder, growing exponentially faster than normal. It sent out an array of blossoms that opened up beside her cheek. She lifted a hand to it to hold it close to her face for a moment, a tiny brief embrace. “aw, thank you.” She said softly.
Version 2:
“so I don't recommend you speaking with him alone, or at all in my opinion.”
Hermione sighed and took off the gold rimmed reading glasses she was wearing to rub a tired hand across her eyes.
“It's possible he’s brought the paperwork though.” She sighed.
“I can handle this if you'd rather. Or we could call Harry.” He offered.
“We're not calling the Aurors for this.” She got up from the table, and stretched, popping vertebrae in her upper back. She wore a white blouse and a khaki skirt today and with gold rimmed reading glasses perched on her nose and her hair up in a loose bun she looked every inch the sort of teacher that one would expect to teach history at Hogwarts, like she’d come off some archaeological dig through a library. She headed for the library doors, “where did Gadsby stash him?” She asked as Draco followed her out,
“you don't have to do this, Hermione.”
“Unfortunately I do, Draco. But you're welcome to join me, I wouldn't mind the back up.'' She took the glasses off and hung them on the collar of her shirt as she walked, “I've been researching how to undo the stupid unbreakable vow he’s got me tied up with.”
“why waste your time on that?” He asked, “It's called an unbreakable vow for a reason. You could just take martial arts lessons instead, or if you want something to castrate him with, my mother always favored the Scottish Sgian-dubh. A pureblood wizard rarely expects something as mundane as physical violence.” he unconsciously rubbed his nose. Hermione laughed brightly as Draco fell into step beside her, a grin on his face at her laughter
“I can’t argue with that.”
Hermione felt a shifting in the magic of the house, like water that was just beginning to boil she could sense the house rebelling against Ronald’s presence. She stopped in front of the parlor door and took a deep breath, swallowing hard as she adjusted her mental state and physical appearance. Draco placed a hand at her back, and she wished for a moment that she could just have a hug. A nice firm squish the soul back into your body hug.
“You don’t have to.” he said again, softly for her ears alone.
“I need to.” she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin just a hair higher. Cool, calm, and collected. Don’t let him get under her skin, just get the paperwork and leave. She was determined to not let him ruin her day. Draco reached for the door, “you ready then?” She breathed out and gave him a firm nod and he opened the door for her, allowing her to enter with the same regal presence his mother commanded.
“Good Morning, Ronald.”
“‘Mione!” He stepped toward her, as if to embrace her and she almost allowed it, but he stopped in his tracks as Draco stepped in behind her, closing the door. “Malfoy.” he growled.
“Weasley,” Draco acknowledged coolly.
“What are you doing here?” Ronald snapped,
“This is Malfoy Manor. I’m surprised you weren’t expecting me.”
Hermione sat primly in the middle of the small sofa leaving the men to take the two armchairs flanking the low table where the tea service sat steaming and ready. Draco took the seat to her right as she turned her knees toward the left hand chair, indicating she’d see Ronald there. He stood awkwardly for a moment then sat down heavily.
“Did you bring the papers?” Hermione prompted as she folded her hands in her lap. The house still simmered, and she could feel Draco’s magic close at hand, but well within his control. Ron’s as usual was volatile.
Ronald pulled the folded papers from his back pocket and threw them down on the table. Hermione summoned them to her hand silently and unfolded them, checking for Ronalds signature in the appropriate places. He had indeed signed them, and hadn’t made any changes to any of the verbiage.
“Thank you.” She laid the papers down on her lap and set her hands on them.
“Was there something else you needed, Weasley?” Draco asked, and the red head shot a dirty look at him,
“A private word with my wife.” he snapped
“Ex wife.” Hermione corrected. “And I know better than to be alone with you. Draco stays, you can say whatever you want to say to me in front of him.”
“So you're on a first name basis with the ferret then? Never thought you’d fuck a Death Eater, Hermione.”
She turned cold eyes on him,
“We’re done here.” She stood up. "Goodbye, Ronald. Enjoy your life, what’s left of it.”
“Is that a threat, Hermione?” Ronald was on his feet now too, and looking like he might go across the coffee table to get to her.
“Hardly” she laughed, “though I expect the longer you stay here the less likely you are to leave unscathed.”
“You can’t use your magic against me. Do you expect your Death Eater boyfriend to take me out?” he snarled, Draco didn’t react. Yes, he had his wand in hand, but unless Ron actually moved to attack either of them he’d keep his peace. Hermione was anything but a damsel in distress, and he wasn’t planning on fighting her battles for her. Besides, Draco could literally feel the magic in the air- and he knew that it wasn’t completely Hermiones. Part of it felt very very familiar. Warm and soothing- like a memory of something dear from his childhood. Some deep magic that tugged at his core, was tied to his blood. Ron raised his wand at Hermione but before he could do anything further, and before Draco could react the door flew open and Ronald was thrown bodily out of the room. Draco stood open mouthed. “I thought you couldn’t use your magic on him!” he gasped as Ron climbed to his feet and attempted to reenter the room cursing and calling Draco all manner of names. It was like there was a glass wall in the doorway though and he couldn’t get past it.
“I didn’t.” she said, smoothing back her hair, “The house did.”
“The Hou- What?” he looked at her shocked, eyebrows nearly to his hairline.
“When I first started with wandless magic, I became more attuned to the natural magic around me. The magic of the creatures, places and things. I’ve been able to hear the house since I arrived. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t go to Harry’s when Ginny invited me. That house hates me.”
“And this one doesn't?“ his voice was almost a squeak.
“Precisely. Your mother thinks it's because of Astoria.”
Ron sneaks up on Hermione at the Manor
And a THIRD instance of Ron showing up at the manor- again, cut for reasons. Set about the same time as the last deleted scene. I love how I’ve got Gadsby playing the hero in this scene though.
If she hadn't been so focused on her work she might have noticed the shifting of the magic, or the slight draft as the door opened behind her. But she was eyeball deep in the 1330s, and so her first hint that she wasn't alone was the weight on the back of her chair as it was yanked away from the table, spilling her roughly onto the ground. She barely caught herself from knocking her head against the slate floor as she landed. She looked up into the nearly purple face of Ronald and fear gripped her heart, she scrambled back like some strange crab, scuttling under the table she’d asked Gadsby to have set up for her to work at.
“Trying to escape me again you little bitch?” Ron asked, bending at the waist to peek under the table at her. “how did you get in here?” She gasped,
“That creepy little house elf in a suit let me in and put me in the parlor next door. Figured I'd take a little snoop about and what do I find behind door number 1? Mistress swot buried in her books as always.” He reached for her and she kicked his hand away, scrambling out the other side and catching her foot on her long khaki skirt as she tried to stand up and make a run for the door to the gardens that lay behind a large happy monstera plant. The hem ripped but she managed to keep her balance and momentum. Ron came around the table in a flash and caught her by the arm, yanking her around to face him.
“Let me go!“ she shouted, “Gadsby!” She shoved against him as he leaned down into her face,
“You think that bloody little elf is going to be able to help you?” He growled, the reek of alcohol all over him.
She glared up at him defiantly, “you’ve always underestimated house elves and their loyalty.” He raised his other hand to strike her as Gadsby popped into the room behind him.
“Madam!” Gadsby exclaimed, and with a snap of his fingers Ronald was stunned and laying limply on the floor. “Are you alright madam?” Gadsby asked, Hermione took a deep shuddering breath as she knelt next to Gadsby. He was about the size of a human 5 year old, so stood just slightly taller than she was as she collapsed in on herself, shaking like a leaf- but not crying. She was finished shedding tears over Ronald Weasley. Gadsby placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry Madam. We didn't think he’d leave the parlor. We didn't realize he had no manners. Next time, he won't be able to leave the room. I’ll imprison him there.” He said the last almost coldly and Hermione looked up to see a very determined look on his face, and couldn't help but laugh. She laughed so hard she fell back on her butt and sprawled out ungracefully on the floor laughing so that she couldn't breathe.
After Ginny asked about Emotional affairs
This takes place after Hermione comes back from the celebratory dinner out and is planning on going to Mollys the next day.
Once Rose and Scorpius were tucked away in bed Hermione anxiously tidied the tea tray as Draco sat back down on the sofa across from where she stood. “What’s wrong, Hermione?” he asked. When she didn't answer or lift her eyes from the fine bone china tea service Draco sat forward and took her hands in his, stilling them.
“Hermione?”
Hermione remembered Ginny’s blunt “are you having an affair?”
She wasn't in love with Draco Malfoy, but the idea of being in a relationship with someone who cared for her well being, celebrated her achievements, and encouraged and challenged her- that was the sirens call away from a husband who did none of those things.
She stared at their hands- his were slender, but with callouses from flying on his fingers. Compared to hers, small, but strong and tan. Hands that had cleaned and created, her fingers still stained with ink from a pen busted that afternoon. Draco wasn't offering her anything but comfort right now, and she wanted so desperately to accept that. Harry comforted her when she was out of sorts like this. Draco’s thumb brushed across the back of her knuckles and her heart turned over in her chest. The difference, she realized as she met those cool blue grey eyes that watched her with such concern, was that she didn't want to kiss Harry. She stepped back from the table, pulling her hands out of Draco’s. “I’m going to the Burrow to tell Molly everything tomorrow.” She said suddenly, clutching her hands at her waist.
“Are you going alone?” he asked, concerned.
“No. Ginny is going with me.” his face relaxed,
“I’m glad.” He watched her for several heartbeats before looking down at his own hands.
“I really ought to go to bed. Good night Draco.” she turned abruptly and fled to her room leaving Draco sitting half stunned on the sofa. He wondered what Ginny had said to her to cause her to be so out of sorts. She’d looked lost and confused and on the edge of a meltdown. As he sat there quietly, thinking over the evening he wondered if he hadn’t crossed some line- done something to make her uncomfortable. He stood up and went to her door knocking on it gently. If he’d screwed up with her he was going to fix it immediately.
Hermione had cast a silencing charm as soon as she’d closed and locked her door and now she sat curled up on the floor, back against her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Damn Ronald. The silencing charm didn’t dampen the sounds of people on the outside, only what was contained within the charm and so Hermione heard Draco knock on her door perfectly clearly- heard when he called her name “Hermione? Are you alright?” There was a pause and Hermione held her breath until she hiccuped from the tears. “Look- if I’ve done or said anything that’s made you upset or uncomfortable, I’m sorry. If there’s any way I can make it up to you- make it right- just let me know and I’ll do it.” Damn Draco for caring. Damn Ronald for not. Damn herself for everything in the middle. She couldn’t leave him thinking it was his fault. She pulled herself to her feet and made her way to the door and stopped- her hand on the knob. If she opened the door… if she opened the door she’d wrap herself in whatever comfort he offered be that his arms, his lips or his bed. She released the silencing charm and dropped her head heavily against the door, allowing her hand to drop from the knob.
“I hate Ronald. I hate what he’s done and that he doesn’t care. I Hate that I have to be the one to deal with the consequences that he doesn’t care about.”
Hermione and Narcissa
This is set during Narcissa and Lucius’s weekend visit at the beginning of the summer.
The next morning Hermione was sitting in the kitchen with her coffee, chatting amiably with Maudsley while the elf worked on breakfast, when Narcissa came down ahead of the children. “Hermione, darling, you're just the person I was looking for.” She said brightly as Maudsley whisked together a cup of tea and set it at the seat across from Hermione. “Lucius and Draco are taking the children out to a quidditch match this morning, and I was thinking you and I could do some shopping while they’re gone.” She settled herself into the seat with a word of thanks to the house elf. “I know your wardrobe is severely limited and you’ll need new robes for Hogwarts.”
Hermione looked at the blonde witch across from her surprised, “I can't ask that of you Narcissa.” She said finally.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her, “who said anything about asking? This is a gift darling. Celebrating your new job and fresh start free from that cockwomble. You're a strong independent woman and you ought to look like it. It would be my absolute pleasure if you'd allow me to outfit you appropriately.”
Hermione had just opened her mouth to demure a second time when the kitchen door swung open and Lucius and Draco came in laughing over something. The two of them had obviously been out flying as both were sweaty, Lucius wore the old style quidditch robes, but Draco had on his usual workout gear of shorts and a T-shirt- this mornings choice had ‘Corsham Corvies Quidditch League’ emblazoned across the back. They snagged the towels Gadsby had set out for them and Lucius lit up when he spotted his wife. He was beside her in a moment, leaning on the back of her chair. His long blond hair had been tied back, and now spilled over his shoulder as he bent to press a kiss behind Narcissa’s ear, whispering something softly to her that made her eyes crinkle as she laughed. Hermione looked away from the scene- her heart constricting as she remembered her own parents in similar situations. Narcissa snaked a hand out and snagged her son before he could pass her seat. “Can you convince this amazing woman to allow me to take her shopping while you're off at the quidditch match?” Draco looked from his mother to Hermione and raised an eyebrow,
“Draco I–” she started, but he looked back at his mother.
“If Hermione would rather purchase her own things, that’s fine with me. I've made the usual arrangements.”
Narcissa smiled up at her son “very well.” she squeezed his hand gently before releasing him.
“What did you do?” Hermione asked suspiciously.
Draco smirked at her, “I’ve done nothing but make sure you’re taken care of as I promised your brother I would.”
“You have a brother Ms. Granger?” Lucius asked surprised,
“Harry and I consider each other family as we have no one else outside of the in-laws and our immediate families.” Hermione said distractedly, “Draco. What did you do?” she repeated
“You'll have to stop by gringotts to find out.” He tossed his towel over his shoulder, “I'm gonna get cleaned up and make sure the children are awake. The game starts at ten, but we’re supposed to meet up with the Potters at the field at 930, Ginny invited the kids to watch the team warm up.”
Hermione turned to Narcissa Malfoy as the woman’s grown son bounded up the backstairs, “What did he mean by ‘the usual arrangements’?” she asked, Narcissa just smiled at her knowing that she’d won.
“Oh, just the usual arrangements. Quarterly clothing allowance, spending money, an account at the bookstore, access to the family box at the ballet, opera, theater, quidditch pitch, museum passes…” Hermione blinked owlishly at her. “Are you quite alright?” Narcissa asked, seeing the look on her face.
“No! That’s far too much, what is he thinking?” the cup in her hands went frosty as the electricity of her magic lit from curl to curl.
“Darling, you moved in with him. He’s merely taking care of you as he does every other member of his household.”
“Are you saying that Rose has a ‘quarterly clothing allowance’ as well?”
“Of course. Just as Scorpius has. Even the elves have a clothing allowance.” The children came thundering down the backstairs just then with shouts of “grandpere!” and “Nana!” Scorpius caught Lucius in a staggering hug and Hermione instinctively warned him to be gentle. Lucius and Narcissa were in their mid fifties, and still far from frail, but a 4’3” tall 33kg boy throwing himself at a person would be enough to injure even his 30 year old father if unprepared for the assault. Rose wrapped Narcissa in an excited hug as well, “I’m so glad you’ve come to visit! Can you turn my hair blonde again before we leave for the pitch?” Rose asked,
“Why do you want your hair blonde again, sweetheart?” Narcissa asked, placing an arm about Rose’s waist.
“I don’t want anyone thinking I don’t belong with Scorp and Drake and Grandpere.”
“You’ll be with your uncle Harry and cousins as well, Rose.” Hermione said, “you’ll be fine.”
Rose sighed, “alright.”
Hermione stood up and pulled out a chair for Rose.
“Come sit down and have your breakfast. Scorpius, you too. You’ve only an hour or so before you have to leave.” Maudsley snapped her fingers at that and the table was set with the breakfast she’d prepared.
Another take on the shopping conversation
Instead of demurring, Hermione accepts the shopping trip but things go a bit wonky in the conversation. Apparently Draco isn’t the only one using silly archaic language.
“That would be lovely. Thank you so much Narcissa. I do have a few things I particularly need.”
“Dresses, robes, pants suits, unmentionables?” Narcissa listed off items and Hermione blinked at the last one. It took her a second to connect ‘unmentionables’ to undergarments. The more time she spent among the pureblood lot- the more she felt like it was a time capsule to the Victorian era.
“Definitely in need of the erm– ‘unmentionables’.” She said finally.
“I know just the place.” Narcissa patted her arm affectionately. “They make the most delightful pieces. Do you prefer lace? Or silk?”
“cotton?”
It was Narcissa's turn to blink. “If you insist- though it's not generally used for lingerie.”
Hermione gaped at the older witch, “I– I don't need Lingerie Narcissa.” She stuttered, “I need undergarments. Everyday wear undergarments.”
“Oh!” Narcissa’s face brightened, “we can get those as well.”
“I still don't need lingerie.”
“Every woman needs some lingerie- regardless of whether or not she has a sexual partner.” Narcissa sniffed. “It’s for you. Not for him.” Hermione took a deep breath in, eyeing the older witch-
“You do know I’m not sleeping with your son right?” she hazarded after a moment.
“It wouldn’t bother me if you were. You’re both unattached adults in your thirties, and it’s none of my business what you do behind closed doors.” Narcissa said loftily. Then she gave Hermione a soft smile, “though if the two of you ever do decide to… I happen to know he’s particularly fond of silk satin.” Hermione couldn’t help but laugh at the mischievous look in Narcissa’s eyes.
More Hermione and Narcissa
I just kept trying to make the conversation work… it obviously didn’t take.
“Definitely in need of the erm– ‘unmentionables’.” She said finally.
“I know just the place.” Narcissa patted her arm affectionately. “They make the most delightful pieces. I happen to know that Draco is partial to silk satin so we shall have to be sure to find something in that.” Hermione choked on her coffee, her face bright red. “Are you quite alright darling?” Narcissa asked, patting her on the back as Hermione caught her breath.
“Narcissa! What Draco is or isn’t partial to has no bearing on my undergarments!” Narcissa’s mouth dropped open and her hand automatically rose to cover it as Hermione saw the understanding dawn on her.
“Oh. I am so sorry! I assumed– when neither of you came back down after the children went to bed– there’s nothing wrong with it if you are! Lucius and I don’t care at all, we just want Draco and Scorpius to be happy–” Narcissa stuttered, her face flushed and worried. Hermione held up a hand, “please– it’s alright- just.. Draco and I-” Hermione stopped talking as the kitchen door opened and Lucius and Draco came through, laughing about something. They snagged the towels Gadsby had set out for them and Lucius lit up when he spotted his wife. He was beside her in a moment and had wrapped an arm about her waist, pulling her close and kissing her soundly. “Lucius!” She exclaimed, pressing her hands against his chest to push away from him “you're all sweaty!”
His long blond hair had been tied back, and spilled over his shoulder as he bent to press a kiss behind Narcissa’s ear, whispering something softly to her that made her eyes crinkle as she laughed. Hermione looked away from the scene- her heart constricting as she remembered her own parents in similar situations. Her eyes slid to Draco who was grinning at his parents display as he flipped the towel across his shoulder. Then his eyes met Hermiones and she felt a surge of something deep in her belly that she hadn't felt in ages as he smiled at her. Her heart pounded and her already flushed cheeks brightened further. “I’m going to get the kids up.” She mumbled and fled the kitchen.
Hermione found herself standing breathless at the top of the back stairs a few minutes later. Back pressed against the wall, hands pressed to her cheeks, berating herself. “You are a fucking 30 year old woman, not a 16 year old school girl! Pull yourself together!” she muttered. She took a deep cleansing breath and continued on to wake the children.
Draco’s eyebrows drew in as Hermione fled the room with pink cheeks. “What did you do to Hermione?” he asked, perhaps more sharply than necessary.
“I merely asked her if she wanted to go shopping while the rest of you went off to that quidditch match. I know she will need new robes for her position at hogwarts, she said that would be lovely and then got all choked up when I suggested we stop by La Soie Royale.”
Draco took a deep breath and held it for a long moment before releasing it in a hard breath. He was very familiar with La Soie Royale. “Mother.” Draco breathed- and Lucius’ took a wise step back.
“What? What did I say?”
“Its more what you didn’t say. Hermione and I are not in a relationship.”
“Of course you are. She’s living here caring for your son, you’re caring for her daughter.”
“We are not sleeping together.”
“Why ever not? You’re both consenting adults, neither of you is married.
Original beginning of Chapter 11 ‘like a woman scorned’
This was my first take on the beginning of chapter 11. The scene was majorly rewritten, so here’s the original in case you liked it better.
Molly was still sitting at her kitchen table staring into her empty coffee mug after the girls left when there was a knock at her door. The front door. No one came to the front door- except salesmen, and ministry officials. She pulled herself from her chair and dusted off her long skirt, adjusted her cardigan and with a quick glance in the hall mirror to check her hair, pulled the front door open.
“Mrs. Weasley?” The grey haired gentleman standing on her front step wore well tailored mustard colored tweed robes.
“Yes?”
“My name is Callum MacReynolds, Mr. Malfoy asked me to bring a copy of Mrs. Granger-Weasley’s divorce papers to you.” He held out a thick manila envelope to her. She took it with a surprised look on her face. “Hermione said she'd get me the paperwork.”
“Yes, she called Mr. Malfoy a bit ago and as I was already in the office–” he shrugged,
“You could have just owled it over.” Molly said, looking at the envelope in her hands.
“It was more expedient this way ma’am. If you have any questions about the paperwork, I'm at your disposal.” He handed her a crisp linen business card
‘Mr. Callum MacReynolds, solicitor. Upavon, Wiltshire.’
Molly swallowed. “Thank you Mr. MacReynolds.” She said finally, and he took his leave of her.
Molly sat back down at the kitchen table and read through every line before starting on dinner. When Arthur got home that afternoon she told him everything that Ginny and Hermione had told her and showed him the paperwork he sat at the table for a rather long time in silence.
“Every miscarriage?” he asked finally, softly.
“All of them.” Molly confirmed.
“Oh my dear, dear girl.” Arthur murmured, taking off the thin wire rimmed glasses he wore these days and rubbed a hand across his eyes. The kitchen door banged open and Ron sauntered in,
“Mum! Can you believe that hussy? She was seen with Malfoy and my daughter at the white stag last night!”
“Ronald, sit down” Arthur said firmly as his youngest son spotted him sitting at the table. “And tell me what’s been happening with you and Hermione again.”
Ron sat down and spilled the whole story to his father as he had done earlier in the weekend for his mother. He only changed one or two details from what he told his mother, but those were easily excused considering everything he claimed to have gone through.
Molly couldn't sit and listen to the lies spilling from his mouth, so she got up and worked around the men, straightening up the kitchen and cleaning up for dinner. When Ron finished, angry crocodile tears lending believability to his story, Arthur looked him square in the eyes, “if she’s having an affair with the Malfoy boy- then why do you want her back so badly? Why don't you just divorce her? She’s betrayed you in the worst possible way- why give her the satisfaction of begging her to come back?”
Ron stumbled over his words before finally managing “because I love her!”
Molly couldn't bite her tongue any longer. “Is that why you kept dosing her with that pregnancy ending potion? Because you loved her?” Ron stared at his mother who’s hazel eyes blazed, “you burned her entire library– everything she had left of her family, because you love her?”
“She took the books with her!” He protested, but his voice was weak even to his own ears.
“What about her wand? Did you take that away out of love as well?” She nearly spat the words at him. Ronald’s eyes were wide, mouth hanging open in dismay, as he finally realized that he had been outed. The dishes on the table rattled as Molly nearly threw the envelope MacReynolds had brought over onto the surface in front of him.
“If you ever want to be welcome in this house- at my table again, you will sign those papers.” She was deathly quiet. Molly was not a quiet person. She was loud- always loud when she was angry. Ronald knew true fear when he looked into his mothers eyes as she bent to lean against the table, putting her at eye level with him- hands flat against the intricate doilies and knit table runner that cluttered her kitchen table. “And If you want to keep that wick you’ve been dipping in Daphne Nott’s wax, you’ll stay Far FAR away from Hermione and Rose for the next year at least.” Ronald involuntarily crossed his legs as the blood drained from his face. She lifted a hand and wandlessly summoned a pen, dropping it on the envelope in front of him. Ron swallowed, eyes cutting to the side where his father sat, stone faced and silent. Molly stood above him now, arms crossed, waiting. Her eyes colder than he’d seen them since the war. Anger began to creep in replacing the fear. He picked up the pen, a muggle fountain style that his father particularly enjoyed, and pulled the paperwork from the envelope and began to read it through. He did so with deliberate slowness, aiming to irk his mother enough to get her to skive off. But she stood resolute, staring until he was done signing each designated spot. He shoved the stack of papers toward her. “There. Happy?” he snarled. Molly simply summoned the papers and tucked them back into the envelope. Ronald stood up and banged his way out of the house before disapparating away.