In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*3 months later

August had arrived with joy from everyone as the sun was shining every day and the weather was damn near perfect. And now that most of the Death Eater trials were finished, life for most witches and wizards was slowly going to back to normal.

But for Briar, normalcy was having a family and she no longer did, so she decided that it was about time that she should pay a visit to her former adopted family since they had gone into hiding during the Wizarding war

"It'll be okay," Draco whispered, rubbing his hand along Briar's back while Teddy pawed at his cheek

They were standing outside the Forrest's front door and for a place where Briar had once called home, she had never felt so afraid or distant. She hadn't visited in years because of how afraid she had been of Voldemort or any of his followers finding them, and she felt incredibly guilty for that

Briar took a hesitant step forwards and pressed the doorbell, and she could hear the sound of rapid footsteps approaching which made her all the more nervous. However, before she could turn away or apparate away, the front door swung open and a body crashed into Briar's

"I missed you so much!" came the voice of a now 13 year old Ollie, his arms wrapped around Briar's torso

Briar felt tears prick at her eyes and she squeezed him back tightly, holding onto him for dear life. After a minute, Ollie finally let go of her and he turned to the blonde man and baby next to her

"You had a child?!" he exclaimed loudly, eyes going between the two teenagers in shock

"No," laughed Briar "This is my baby brother Teddy" 

"He's so cute," smiled Ollie "And who's this?"

"Draco Malfoy," said Draco and it was clear from the shocked expression on Ollie's face that he had heard of the Malfoys before. "I promise I'm not evil and I'm here for your sister. She means a lot to me and I wanted to meet her family properly"

Ollie was still eyeing him cautiously, but he shook Draco's hand anyway, before inviting the couple inside. Briar walked through the familiar hallway until she reached the kitchen, and inside stood Juliette Forrest, her eyes wide and brimming with tears

"Oh, sweetheart," she whispered before she flung her arms around Briar and Briar immediately hugged her back. Juliette was really the only real mother figure Briar had ever had, and with Tonks and Remus gone, she felt so much comfort in a hug from her. Juliette pulled away and cupped Briar's face in a very Mrs Weasley fashion. "You're so grown up. You look just like your father"

"Thank you," smiled Briar and she stepped backwards "Juliette, this is my boyfriend Draco, and my baby brother Teddy"

"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed and approached Draco. Draco had clearly been expecting a formal handshake or an introduction first, so when Juliette simply flung her arms around him, he was shocked for a second, but composed himself and hugged her back timidly "What a handsome young man," she smiled before turning her attention to Teddy "Oh and how sweet"

Teddy giggled and flashed his hair blue for a second, making her gasp. "He's a metamorhmagus like his mother," explained Briar

"He's so precious," smiled Juliette and Draco nervously passed the baby into her arms. Juliette rocked him slowly, a beam adorning her face and Draco and Briar smiled at each other. "I can't believe how much I missed," she whispered

"A lot has happened," nodded Briar

"Come, there's some tea and snacks in the living room," said Juliette and she ushered the three teenagers in there. Draco had been expecting to sit next to his girlfriend, but Ollie was clearly still desperate to stay near to her again so he stole into the seat next to her on the sofa, forcing Draco to settle in an armchair opposite them