The Marriage Decree

Chapter 74: You're Doing That All By Yourself

The past two weeks since Sophie's birthday, both Hermione and Draco have been so busy that they feel as though they've barely spoken to each other, despite spending the majority of their time with the other.

Desperate to find Arche, or one of his children that died during the war, after David told him in passing that he thought he would have made more progress by now, Draco spends every free morning that he doesn't have to bear witness at a trial in the Muggle library. He searches through hundreds and hundreds of newspapers. Whilst Hermione came with him, she no longer helped him, stating that she needs to start studying Transfiguration and going over the planning Minerva had sent her for the following academic year. Draco can't even think about studying Potions when he's so close to a breakthrough with his squib family, but he does stay quiet for Hermione sake.

On an afternoon, Hermione and Draco had offered their babysitting services to her parents, so they were able to treat more patients. Apparently, dentist appointments when up in July as people wanted better oral hygiene ready for their summer holidays. This past week, they've picked Craig up from Nursery and taken him out for the afternoon to either the park, an interactive children's museum, the beach or a soft play area. Many times, Hermione and Draco have been confused for Craig's parents and been roped into conversations with other parents. Draco had been in his element after reading quite a few of the parenting books they had bought a few weeks ago. Usually, Hermione left him to argue his opinions on many different parenting debates and played with Craig and some of the other children.

Due to this busy schedule over the past week, when Hermione's parents invited them to a barbecue at their house on the upcoming Friday, they initially thought about politely declining so they could spend some time together, alone. Although, after giving it some thought, they accepted the invitation. Hermione hadn't had the chance to spend much time with her family the past eight years, and with her apprenticeship starting in September, she wouldn't have much time for them again so they might as well make the most of the time they have.

That's how Draco finds himself animatedly whispering to David by the picnic table about a breakthrough he had made only that morning in finding one of Arche's children and Hermione finds herself in the kitchen talking to her Mum, Grandma and Gwen, who her parents had invited in a way to keep things civil between them.

"You found one of his children?" David mutters, lifting a beer bottle to his lips.

"Yes, this morning. I had to check it was Peter Malfoy and not Peter Malloy, one of William Malloy's siblings. I didn't want to get my hopes up again." Draco nods excitedly.

"It took you long enough," David smirks.

"I started in January of 1942, and he died on 5th November 1942. It took a while." Draco defends himself.

"So, where was he from?" David asks, trying to hide the eagerness in his voice.

"Exeter in Devon, which, coincidentally, is where the orphans from Hyperion's orphanage relocated to when theirs closed down. There weren't any records of Hyperion moving to Exeter with the orphans though, and I assumed he, being seventeen, would have stayed in London where there would have been better job prospects." Draco explains.

"There's no such thing as coincidences." David states. "You and Hermione should stay in my spare bedroom tonight so we can regroup and plan our next step tomorrow." He tells him.

"I'll need to check with Hermione. She might have something planned tomorrow." Draco stands up.

"Can you grab me a can of coke whilst you're in there?" David calls behind him.

Draco enters the kitchen and motions for Hermione to follow him over to the fridge, which she does.

"We're you telling David about Peter?" She whispers as he takes a can of coke out of the fridge.