David sits at his desk in his office, grading the practice questions he set for his GCSE students until he hears a frustrated scream coming from the room below him, Sophie's bedroom. He sighs, taking his reading glasses off to rub his eyes. His daughter has been holed up in her room since she got back from school, getting ready for her dinner in the magic world. He's heard the sound of her drawers and wardrobe doors opening and then slamming shut for the past hour or so but had left her to it until now.
He stands up, grabbing his phone to call Hermione. It's obvious his daughter is nervous about this get together with other wizards and witches, so perhaps his niece will know how to calm her nerves. He walks down the stairs and knocks on Sophie's bedroom door.
"What?" She snaps from inside.
"Can I come in?" David asks.
"No, it's a mess," Sophie huffs.
"What's the matter?"
"I have nothing to wear."
"Well, that's an exaggeration."
"Dad," She groans. "I don't know what to wear."
"You know more about the magic world that I do; you were down the high street with Draco and Gwen two Sundays ago, what were people wearing?" He asks.
"Most people wear normal clothes, but some dress really fancy." Sophie throws open her door.
David glances around her room, eyes widening at the mess. Every article of clothing his daughter owns is currently strewn across her floor, bed and desk.
"Whatever you decide to wear, I'm going to have to iron it." He says, picking up a piece of clothing and folding it up. "How about a pair of jeans, to be casual, and that nice blouse your Grandma bought you, to be a bit fancy?" He suggests, picking up the pale blue blouse, still folded but thrown on her bed.
"Uncle Chris said I look like a Victorian child in that." She crosses her arms.
"I don't see a problem with that. I think it's pretty cool." He smiles. "Try it on, and I'll call Hermione to ask what time she's coming to get you." He tells her, leaving the bedroom and closing the door behind him as he finds his nieces number in his contacts.
"Hey, David, we're running a little late," Hermione says as soon as she answers the phone.
"I was just calling to ask what time you're picking her up." He says.
"About six o'clock? Is that okay?" Hermione asks breathlessly.
"Are you okay? What are you doing?" David frowns, leaning against the wall, beside Sophie's bedroom door.
She sighs, "Draco's trying to train Athena to deliver letters, so we've been taking her outside on a harness and leash. Today was her first time without the leash, and now she won't come back. She's just flying around the Estate, teasing us." She chuckles.
"Okay, I don't think I have any advice to offer." David smiles in amusement at the imagery.
"It's fine; I'm keeping an eye on her while Draco tries to find his broomstick in the attic. I hid it up there after his accident last year." She admits. "Oh, wait, he's found it, he's coming now. We'll be there in half an hour." She assures.
"Okay, Sophie's having trouble deciding what to wear. I've told her a pair of jeans and a blouse, is that okay?" David asks before she hangs up.
"Yeah, that's fine. The Weasley's are a very laid-back family. They won't care what's she's wearing, just that she's there. I've had multiple letters from Molly, the mother, asking what food she likes. They're all very excited to meet her." Hermione admits.
"That's great; I'll let Sophie know. She's really nervous about this whole dinner thing." David smiles as Sophie opens her bedroom door in a pair of blue jeans and her pale blue Victorian blouse. "She's dressed now and looks very pretty. These Weasley's are going to love you."
"Dad," Sophie complains, a little embarrassed.
"Hermione said she'd be here in half an hour." He tells her. "Maybe you can pick those clothes up before she gets here." He adds.
Sophie sighs, turning around and slams her door shut.
David chuckles going back to the phone. "How's Draco doing with your owl?"
"He's struggling, and now there are people coming out of their houses to watch. Oh, I'll have to go, my friend, Harry is trying to help, Draco won't like this." She sighs.
"I'll see you soon." He says, hanging up. "Do you want me to help?" He knocks on Sophie's door.
Her bedroom door opens, and Sophie smiles, showing that her room is free of clothes.
"I hope you haven't just shoved them into your drawers." He sighs, pulling one open to find her trousers folded neatly. He opens another, and her t-shirts are also neat. "How did you-" He pauses, staring at his daughter.
Sophie shrugs. "I don't know. I got bored and just tried waving my hand about like Hermione does, and it worked. I had to put them back, though. They just folded themselves." She explains.
"Okay, I don't think you're supposed to be doing that though. Hermione said they're not allowed to do that in this world, and you need a wand to be safe." David awkwardly explains with his limited knowledge.
"Dad, I've read tons of magic books, it's fine." She says.
"I don't want you to get into trouble, Sophie. It can be dangerous, and I don't want you to hurt yourself." David says.
"You can say magic, Dad."
David sighs, "Magic, it's dangerous, and I don't want you doing it on purpose until you're at school, with your wand, and your being taught by your professors." He tells her.
"But Dad, that's over three years away." She complains.
"I'll talk to Hermione about how we can bring more of the magic world into our home, but I don't want you doing magic yourself," David says sternly.
"Don't tell Hermione, please, she'll be cross," Sophie begs.
"You know you're not supposed to be doing magic here." He states.
"I won't do anymore, I promise." She says.
"Thank you," David nods. "Go get your shoes on ready."
Sophie runs downstairs to fetch her shoes, and David sighs sitting on the edge of her bed. As a single dad, he hates to admit when he's struggling with parenthood because he knows it's what's expected of him. In the past nearly eight years, the amount of people who have sympathised and pitied him for being a single parent proves that. Right now, though, he can admit that he is struggling to raise his daughter. He thought it would be easier after he had read the books Hermione had given him about Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic, and the domestic wizarding world, but if anything, it had just raised more questions from Sophie that he just couldn't answer. He feels like he's failing her as a father.
"Dad, they're here," Sophie shouts up the stairs.
"I'm coming," He calls back, walking down the stairs as his daughter opens the door.
"Hi David," Hermione greets him with a hug. "You look lovely Sophie." She adds
"You managed to get your owl back down then," David smiles.
Draco glares at him, "Yeah, we did."
"Harry caught her," Hermione explains, trying to hide his smile.
"If he mentions it at this dinner, I'm leaving." Draco crosses his arms.
Hermione laughs, "Draco and Harry were on different Quidditch teams at Hogwarts. They were both seekers." She explains to Sophie, who has read a book Gwen bought her on Quidditch, and to David, who read the book when Sophie was done.
"Can we go now?" Sophie asks excitedly.
"Yes, of course," Hermione smiles. "We'll bring her back by nine o'clock, is that late enough?" She asks.
"It's a Friday night, stay until the dinner is over, she can have a lie in tomorrow." David smiles.
"Thanks, Dad." Sophie grins, pulling on her jacket as she steps out of the house.
"I'd like to talk to you afterwards," David mentions quietly to Hermione.
His niece frowns curiously, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, we'll speak tonight," He nods.
"Okay," She smiles softly. "Tonight." She promises
"Have fun, Sophie, and remember your manners." He tells his daughter as she tries to pull on Draco's hand towards the side path where they disappear from.
"Yes, Dad, I will."
"You better get going." He tells them, waiting for them to disappear down the side path, and presumably disappear to the Weasley's house, before closing his front door and heading back up to his office to finish grading.
Sophie grips Draco's hand tightly with her eyes closed after they've to apparate to the Burrow.
"Are you okay, Sophie?" Hermione asks, kneeling in front of her to check.
"Yes," She nods, shaking her head before opening her eyes. "Is this where the Weasley's live?" She stares up at the oddly shaped building that is the Burrow.
"Yes, this is The Burrow," Hermione announces, opening the gate for them.
"It looks so cool." Sophie smiles, stepping into the garden and glancing around.
"I'm sure Molly would love to hear that." Hermione smiles.
"Are those magical chickens?" She asks.
"I think they're just regular chickens."
"Oh, what about those plants?" She asks, running over to get a closer look.
"I'm not sure; you should ask Molly, she loves her garden and will tell you all about it." Hermione motions for Sophie to come back as they reach the kitchen door.
Sophie runs back over to them, hiding behind Draco as Hermione pushes the door open. She peeks out from behind him to scan her eyes around the room.
"Percy!" She smiles, recognising someone at the table of unfamiliar faces.
"Hey, Sophie," The man returns her smile with a wave.
"Hello, Sophie," Molly walks over with a wide smile, drying her hands on a towel hanging from the apron tied around her waist. "We very excited to have you over for dinner."
Sophie looks up at Hermione, who nods at her in encouragement. She turns back to the kind-faced woman, "Your house is cool." She repeats her earlier statement.
A few laughs come from the table.
"Thank you, dear. Don't listen to them." She whips her tea towel in their direction, hitting a man she recognises as Pansy's husband on the back.
"Sorry, Mum." He chuckles, turning around in his seat. "Hi Sophie, Pansy will be coming later. She's looking forward to seeing you again." He stands up. "Mum, I'm going to help Dad and Bill in the garage." He leaves.
"Those boys and their silly muggle toys." Molly rolls her eyes. "These are most of my sons; that was Ron, this is George," She pats his shoulder. "You know Percy, and Bill is in the garage with his father. Bill and George's wives are in the living room gossiping, and then this is my daughter Ginny, and her husband, Harry." Molly introduces her to the family. "Then little Baby James, my first grandchild." She smiles at the baby whos sat on his father's lap.
"That's a lot of people," Sophie says.
"That's not even everyone, dear, but it's everyone coming for dinner," Molly says. "I asked Hermione what you liked to eat, and she gave me a list, so I made it all. You don't have to eat everything, dear, but I wanted to give you an option. Do you want to come look?" She asks, holding her hand out.
Sophie nods, "Yes, please." She takes the woman's hand, walking over to where numerous pots on the stove are stirring themselves.
She struggles on her tiptoes to see so Molly lifts her onto the counter so she can see the knife's chopping vegetables themselves and sliding them into the boiling pans.
"Don't get too close, dear. Your parents won't let you come over again if I send you home with burns." Molly tells her, busying herself with the food.
"What's that?" Sophie asks, pointing at a bubbling pan.
Hermione joins Harry and Ginny at the table with Draco, glad that her cousin seems to have settled well with Molly in the kitchen.
"How is Athena doing?" Harry asks, a hint of a smirk on his face.
"Fine, thanks," Draco mutters, collecting two glasses from a tray in the centre of the table and pouring water from the ice jug for them both.
"You're welcome." Harry smiles.
"Harry," Hermione sighs warningly. "We're not at school anymore, both of you need to get over this Quidditch rivalry." She tells them.
"It's not much of a rivalry," Harry teasingly coos to his son. "Is there, James? No, there isn't." He laughs glancing over at them to find Draco glaring at him. "Sorry, just friendly teasing. Here, have James." He passes his son over as a cute peace offering.
Hermione takes the baby, sitting him on her lap. "Hi, James," She coos and the baby babbles at her. "Oh, you're such a little cutie, look how big you are." James smiles, wiggling around in agreement.
"I'm going to check on Teddy," Harry tells Ginny, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before heading outside.
"I love that kid," George comments with a laugh, following after Harry.
"We've got Teddy for the weekend, just to give Andromeda a break," Ginny explains. "We're heading to the beach tomorrow."
"Is Harry not at work?" Hermione asks.
Ginny smiles, "No, he had a little word with Kingsley about having one weekend off a month, so we can have Teddy. Once he reminded him that Teddy parents died fighting for their son to have a better life, he granted Harry permission."
"Is there anyone who hasn't bribed or guilted the Minister into getting what they want?" Draco scoffs.
"You can't talk, you two were the ones that gave us the idea." She admits.
"Really, when did you fall pregnant again?" Draco asks.
"Okay, I'll let you have that one." She nods, flushing slightly.
Draco shuffles down the bench to face Percy, who is sat at the end of the table, reading a book. "Thank you for inviting Sophie for dinner. She's very inquisitive about our world but doesn't have much chance to see anything first hand."
"No need to thank me, Mum misses having children around the house, and Sophie's a lovely child." Percy shakes off his thanks.
"What are you reading?" He asks, not sure what to talk about.
"It's just a book on Ministry decrees." He closes the book, realising he won't be getting back to it whilst they're talking.
"Anything interesting?" He asks, making polite conversation.
"Yes, actually, did you know that there have been other marriage decrees?" Percy leans across the table to whisper.
Draco glances at Hermione, trying to remember what she had told him about the first marriage decree. "The first one was the fourteenth century, right?" He follows Percy in leaning over the table to whisper.
Percy frowns, "Yes, how did you know?"
"Hermione read about it in the book vault hidden in the Department of Registration's archives," Draco explains, not realising that not all their friends are aware of the fact they made a deal with the Minister for access to said archives. "How do you know? I was under the impression all books mentioning past marriage decrees we're banned by the Ministry."
Percy shrugs, "I may have kept a couple of those banned books found in Flourish and Blotts, the ones I sold to you." He admits.
"You should be careful; you wouldn't want anyone in the Ministry to know you have them." He warns
Percy frowns, "There's something going on inside the Ministry."
"Doesn't your wife know anything?" Draco asks, and Percy scoffs.
"She doesn't tell me anything, but she has been coming home later than usual recently." He says suspiciously.
"Kingsley is obviously losing power within the Ministry and is trying to do everything he can to regain some. Our marriage decree can't have gone over well within the Ministry, and we know it didn't with the public. I doubt he has many friends left. Why do you think he's putting on this dinner next week? It's not to celebrate and mourn as he says but to show the public that he remembers and respects how he got into power, and we should too. Do you know who are giving speeches?" Draco asks.
"I know Harry is, part of working for the Ministry is he can't refuse to do these things anymore." Percy shrugs.
"I expected as much," He nods. "Hermione's giving one too. She agreed to it as part of our little deal with Kingsley."
"I can't believe she agreed to that." Percy glances at Hermione.
"I've read her speech; you're not going to want to miss it." He smirks, leaning back.
"I hope she's careful; I dread to think what will happen if she angers Kingsley," Percy tells him.
"He won't do anything." Draco crosses his arms.
"You're awfully confident in yourself."
"We have a few cards up our sleeves." He winks.
"At least I have something to look forward to with this dinner then. Can you believe it's mandatory and we have to wear black robes? I understand being mournful and respectful of the dead, but it's been two years now, we need to start moving forward and celebrating what they gave their lives up for." Percy states.
Draco smiles, "You're right, and I have an idea. How would you like to really get under Kingsley's skin?" He asks.
"Is it subtle?"
"No, but it won't get us arrested."
"Sounds good to me." Percy shrugs.
"Great, I'll have to speak to Hermione, but I'll keep you informed," Draco smirks, an idea forming in his head of how they can respectfully show the world that they don't agree with the Ministry or the Minister.
Teddy runs into the kitchen giggling, his hair shifting between a mix of ginger and black as Harry and George chase him.
"No, no, no," He screams in delight tugging on Molly's apron, trying to hide behind her
"What's the matter, dear?" Molly asks, picking the toddler up and sitting him on her hip.
"'top," He tries to point in Harry and George's direction but ends up punching the air.
"What are they doing?" She asks, turning to look at the two men.
"Tasin' me," He giggles.
"They're chasing you?" Molly asks, gasping in fake shock.
"Ya," He starts to struggle to get down.
"Are you going to tell Granny Molly what you did?" Harry asks him.
Teddy shakes his head.
"Teddy?" Molly asks.
"Me eat 'tawbwy." Teddy smiles.
Molly glances at Harry for translation.
"Yes, Teddy ate a strawberry from your garden," Harry repeats.
"Oh my, just before your dinner, you'll be too full in your belly." She tickles him, and he continues to struggle as he laughs.
Molly puts him down, telling him not to eat any more before his dinner.
Teddy runs back off outside.
"Do you want to go play with Teddy?" Molly asks Sophie.
"I don't like babies." She shrugs. "They're boring."
"Teddy isn't a baby; he's nearly two years old," Molly says.
"Okay, I'll go play," Sophie says, remembering her manners like her dad told her.
Molly helps her down from the counter, and she runs outside to find the toddler.
"I think she's jealous of all the attention the twins have been getting since they came home," Hermione mentions.
"Bill was the same when Fred and George were born," Molly says. "It'll pass as they get older." She adds.
"I hope it does." Hermione says, exchanging a knowing glance with Draco. "Did you say Fleur and Angelina were in the living room, Molly?" She asks, standing up with James wrapped against her chest where his tiny fists hit her arms as he babbles.
"Yes, could you tell them dinner will be in half an hour?" Molly asks, already back to her cooking.
"Of course."
"Do you want me to take James back?" Ginny asks.
"I've got him." Hermione smiles, leaving for the living room.
Outside, Sophie watches in amazement as Harry and George fly around on broomsticks. She's seen them in the shops down Diagon Alley but she's never seen anyone actually flying on one.
"Have you seen your mother play yet?" Harry asks, hovering two feet above the ground in front of her.
"No," She shakes her head.
"What, you've never seen Gwenog Jones play Quidditch?" George joins them.
She shakes her head again. "They don't have games on a Sunday, and that's when I see her." She crosses her arms defensively.
"Have you ridden a broom before?" George asks.
Again, Sophie shakes her head.
"Do you want to?" He asks.
"Is it dangerous?" She asks. "My dad doesn't want me to do magic anymore without a wand until I learn at school." She grumbles.
"You don't need a wand to fly a broomstick." Harry smiles. "Come over here." He hops off the broom. "There'll be children sized brooms in the shed." He leads her over to where the Weasley's keep their broomsticks.
As Harry measures Sophie with his wand to find the correct sized broom, Teddy peaks his head around the door.
"Me too?" He asks, his hair turning black and curly as his eyes turn green, imitating Harry's features perfectly.
"How does he do that?" Sophie asks, staring at the two-year-old.
"Teddy is a metamorphmagus," Harry explains. "It means he has the ability to change what he looks like. He's too young to know that he's actually doing it, it's more of a natural reflex. His eyes change first because he needs to decide whether he likes a person or not." He explains.
"Like a chameleon," Sophie says.
"I don't know anything about chameleons, sorry," Harry says.
"We learned about it at school; chameleons can change colours to match their habitat or when they feel different emotions." She explains.
"I guess he is like a chameleon." Harry smiles at the young boy. "Do you want to ride too, Teddy."
"Ya, me wide too." He grins, entering the shed.
"This one should do for you, Sophie. It's already charmed to stay a maximum of two feet off the ground it won't go too fast so you'll be fine." He passes a broomstick to Sophie then goes back to finding one for Teddy.
Sophie has read about flying, and how to do it, so she leaves the shed and mounts the broomstick.
"Woah, careful there, Sophie," George stops her before she can kick-off. "Do you know what you're doing?" He asks, racing over towards her on his own broom.
"I've read the books." She admits proudly.
George chuckles, "Just like Hermione. You know, there are some things you can't learn from books, like flying." He tells her.
"Then why is there a book about flying?" She asks, confused.
"Flying is a feeling. If it feels right, keep doing it." He says, hopping off his broom. "Do you feel comfortable?" He asks her.
"Yes," She nods.
"Okay, you can kick-off." He says.
Sophie had read not to kick off too hard, or the broom might become unstable, and she might fall off. Instead, she kicks off the way she would start jumping on a trampoline, and it works. Her eyes widen as she quickly scans the ground, which is a whole two feet below her. With her focus gone, her arms begin to shake, causing her broom to wobble in the air.
"I don't think I like this." She admits.
"It's okay, look straight ahead, take a deep breath, then lean forward just a little," George instructs her.
Sophie does as he said, regaining her focus. She leans slightly, and the broom slowly inches forward.
"I'm moving," She gasps.
"Yes, if you want to go faster, lean a little more but don't worry, you can't go too fast on this broom. It's charmed for children." He explains.
"Okay," She nods, leaning a little more forward and the broom listens. As she picks up the courage, she leans gradually further and further down until she's riding up and down the garden as fast as the broom will allow, which is slower than she goes on her bike.
"Wow, look at you go, Sophie?" Harry smiles exit the shed with Teddy.
Teddy puts the small broomstick between his legs and runs with it until it levitates him six inches off the ground. He giggles excitedly as he zooms at a leisurely pace around the garden. He heads towards Sophie, smiling at the older girl.
"Hi," He grins. "You want 'tase me?" He asks.
Sophie looks at Harry, asking permission to chase the toddler.
"Just be careful." He tells them.
"Okay," She nods to the boy.
As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Teddy is racing away from her on his broom, flying straight between Harry and George in a fit of giggles. Sophie leans forward, chasing after the boy. Despite not flying fast, a breeze hits her in the face, flying through her hair and she decides she does actually like flying.
When the food is near enough ready, Molly asks Draco to head outside and call everyone in for dinner.
He steps one foot out of the kitchen door, and a wild panic takes over.
"Sophie, you need to get off there, now?" He runs over to where the girl is hovering on a broomstick beside Teddy, Harry and George.
"She's perfectly safe, Draco," Harry tells him, dismounting his broom.
"You know how Hermione feels about brooms." He hisses at the other man as he wraps one arm around Sophie's waist and a hand around the broom handle, lifting her off. "You should be thankful Molly sent me out to call everyone in for dinner and not Hermione."
"Sophie, you can't tell Hermione about flying, okay. She'll kill me." Harry tells the young girl who looks back confused.
"Hey, Sophie, Pansy's in the living room with Hermione. I know you don't like babies, but Pansy's are very cute, go see." Draco tells her.
"Okay," Sophie frowns, not sure what she's done wrong.
"Why don't you take Teddy with you?" Harry adds, lifting his godson off his broom. "Teddy, Sophie's going to take you to see Ron's babies, okay?"
"Okay," Teddy repeats, taking hold of Sophie's hand as he stares up at the girl. Slowly, his eyes twinkle between his own grey eyes and Sophie's brown eyes before all at once, his hair, eyes and complexion, which had gone back to his own whilst flying, change to match Sophie's.
"He likes me." She grins at Harry. "That's so cool." She comments, walking towards the kitchen and Teddy smiles.
"I'm sorry, Draco. I didn't think. She just said that she's never seen anyone fly before and I thought it would be fun for her. A new experience, you know." Harry tries to explain.
"It's fine, but I will be blaming you when Hermione finds out," Draco tells him.
"Fair enough."
"Anyway, dinners ready, can you get the others from the garage?" He passes on the message.
"I'll go," George says, flying over to the garage.
"When did Pansy get here?" Harry asks as they walk back to the kitchen together.
"About fifteen minutes ago,"
"Where was she, Ron just said she was busy?" Harry comments, trying to sound unjudgmental.
"Our staff meeting was moved to today, and Minerva wanted to speak to Pansy afterwards about her coming back in September." Draco answers.
"And she took the babies?"
"Ron was at work, and she knew Molly would be busy preparing for tonight, so she brought them with her. Of course, very little was discussed in the actual meeting; everyone was distracted by the twins. Its how we managed to get back home before four o'clock." He explains.
In the kitchen, Molly and Percy have elongated the table enough to fit everyone around and set the plates. Ginny has James on her hip, who is chewing on his own fist, as she fills each glass at the table with water from her wand. Sophie is following her around, watching in amazement whilst Teddy follows Sophie around, still holding her hand.
"He doesn't have many other children to play with when he's with Andromeda, and even when he's with us, James is too young to play." Harry sighs, collecting the pile of cutlery from the drawer and begins to lay them out.
Draco opens the living room door, peering his head in to find Hermione, Pansy, Fleur and Angelina sat in armchairs chatting.
"How is Sophie?" Hermione asks.
"She seems to be enjoying herself. She's currently following Ginny around as she fills up glasses with water." Draco tells her, perching on the arm of her armchair, resting his arm along the back.
Angelina and Fleur go back to talking about their little and not so little bumps. Draco knows Fleur is due in about a month but can't remember when Angelina and George are due. Perhaps he, Bill and George can bond over their expecting wives, he laughs at the though. It's unlikely he'll ever be that close with the Weasley children, except Percy who seems to be making an effort to get to know him for Hermione and Sophie's sake. He doubts Ginny and Ron will ever like him, as there's too much history between them. At least Harry also seems to be attempting to be friendly with him.
"Just so you're aware," He says carefully, remembering what had transpired outside. "Sophie's had a go on a children's broomstick," He admits. "Just two feet off the ground." He quickly adds. "Teddy was on one too, and Harry and George were observing."
"What, Draco, you know how much I hate broomsticks?" She complains, standing up.
"I didn't know as soon as I saw her I got her down." He defends himself.
Hermione storms out of the living room, "Harry Potter, putting my cousin on a broomstick." She sternly says.
"You shouldn't have said anything, Draco." Pansy laughs, patting her daughter's back.
"She would have found out through Sophie." He points out. "How did you manage to escape from Hagrid? When we left, he was holding back his tears with one in each arm?" Draco laughs.
"Yeah, thanks for that, leaving me alone to face the entire faculty. For that you can take your godson, he needs some comfort." She nods at the pram where Philip is struggling in his sleep.
Draco rolls his eyes, picking up his godson and holding him to his chest, soothing his back as he quickly settles. "Dinner was nearly ready when I came in here; we should find our seats." He says.
"Can you carry Philip out; Molly's got a cot they can lie in," Pansy asks, standing up with her daughter.
"Of course," He smiles, leading the way out into the kitchen.
Hermione is sat beside Harry, having a heated discussion with him. Harry locks eyes with Draco, shaking his head in disappointment at being blamed, despite Draco telling the other man he would. He smiles in return, turning to place a calm and sleeping Philip in the cot alongside his sister.
Pansy sits at the end of the table, close enough to the cot to see her babies. Draco sits beside her with Percy on his other side. Opposite him is his wife, still explaining the dangers of allowing a seven-year-old to ride a broomstick to an annoyed Harry, who has taken James off his own wife, sat beside him, in an attempt to distract Hermione, but it doesn't work.
Once Molly has sat down at the other end of the table, beside her husband at the head, and Sophie and Teddy to her other side, she announces their meal can begin, and the food appears in the centre.
"Wow," Sophie gasps, staring at the food and Teddy copies with his own, "Wow."
Draco fills his own plate, watching as the Weasley-Potter's pass bowls of food to each other around the table, chatting excitedly about whatever crosses their mind with no fear of being judged or punished for speaking out of place. He had never experienced a family life like this before Hermione, and he finds himself yearning for more. He wants a home filled with this much love. He turns to look over at Hermione, nudging her foot with his own until she glances away from Harry, who looks ready to get up and move to the other end of the table. He smiles at his wife sincerely, hoping she'll understand the feeling he's trying to convey. She smiles back looking confused before seems to understand, and a grin burst across her face, and she nudges his foot back.
Throughout dinner, Hermione continuously checks on Sophie at the end of the table. Most of the time she finds her cousin talking with Arthur, no doubt about the Muggle world, but now that she's finished her dinner, she's teaching Teddy how to play slapsies, who is giggling almost uncontrollably as he tries to move his hands out the way of Sophie's slaps.
"Hermione," Sophie calls over when she spots her older cousin staring at her. "I've decided I like toddlers but not babies so I might like yours when it's older like Teddy." She states.
Instantly, the whole table quietens as they turn to Hermione, who can feel the blood drain from her face.
"Th-that's good, Sophie." She stutters, trying not to make eye contact with anyone but her cousin.
Sophie realises she's done something wrong as she looks around the table at all the quiet, shocked faces. "Is it a surprise?" She asks.
"Do you remember what I said about not telling anyone in this world?" Draco reminds her.
"Oh, I thought you meant strangers. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin the surprise." She starts to cry, wiping her tears from her face.
"Oh no," Teddy says, patting shoulder. "You sad?" He asks.
Hermione stands up, going to comfort Sophie, pulling her into a hug.
"Wait, are you two pregnant?" Ron asks, pointing between Draco and Hermione with his knife.
"Yes, idiot," Pansy rolls her eyes.
"You knew," Ginny glares at her.
"No, am I the only one who was listening to Sophie?" She scoffs.
"What in Merlin's name is happening?" Arthur questions, looking confused.
"'Ermione and Draco are expecting." Fleur claps excitedly. "Yes?" She looks at Hermione.
Draco and Hermione stare at each other, both agreeing with a nod that the cat is out of the bag and there's no point in trying to put it back in.
"Yes, we are." Hermione smiles.
"I don't think I can handle any more grandkids this year." Molly smiles, pulling Hermione into a hug along with Sophie.
"Mum, it's not your grandkid." Ron points out.
Molly sends him a glare. "Ron, after everything this family has gone throw with Hermione alongside us, she's a part of this family."
"Thanks, Molly," Hermione mutters into her shoulder.
"Well, this is exciting," Angelina says. "You have to come with Fleur and I next weekend, we're going shopping for baby clothes and then lunch."
"I would like that, thank you," Hermione says, genuinely looking forward to having Mummy's-to-be outing. She's never been one for having girls' days out or spending the whole day shopping, but that might just be because she's never really had a close female friend who was interested in that sort of thing either. She would like to get to know Fleur and Angelina better after knowing each other for years.
"'Ow exciting, Bill. Our little girl will have many cousins." Fleur stares up at her husband who pulls her into a side hug, kissing her forehead.
"What did your mother say?" Harry leans across the table to asks Draco discreetly.
"We tried to tell her a few weeks back but decided against it. She's still not exactly fond of Hermione, even after your little chat with her." Draco winks to show he's aware of Harry's conversation with his mother but that he isn't angry.
"She told you about that."
"No, I was upstairs with Hermione when you arrived. Thank you for trying, it means a lot to me that Hermione has friends trying to protect her." Draco tells him, a rare tone of sincerity towards the other man.
Harry coughs awkwardly, "Don't mention it; she's my best friend." He shrugs, leaning back. "So, when's your baby due?" He asks louder.
"September the twentieth," Draco announces, loud enough for the table to hear, assuming everyone would be interested in the answer.
"That's close to James'." Ginny states.
"If only it were a month earlier, all our kids would have been in the same year at Hogwarts." Harry points out.
"I don't think recreating the Golden Trio is a good thing, with the amount of trouble you three got in during your time at school. We're going to be the ones teaching them; we don't want that." Pansy says seriously, rocking a whining Philip in her arms.
"What did you do to get into trouble at school?" Sophie asks, looking up at Hermione.
"What didn't we do," Ron laughs. "I think we can honestly say we had the most exciting time at Hogwarts in the history of the school." He sighs reminiscing. "Pansy, what do you think?" He asks her, as the History of Magic professor.
"I don't know half of what you lot did." She shrugs.
"Some of it may have been exciting, but most of what we did was incredibly dangerous, starting with that troll all the way to-," Hermione thinks, not wanting to mention the war during such a joyous conversation. "Well, I want to say our eighth year, don't think I forgot your little game of 'Dodge the Weeping Wallow on your Broom'." She sends a pointed look to Harry. "And no more flying for you, it's dangerous, and it took you five months to convince your dad to let you get a scooter," Hermione tells Sophie.
"Hermione, please, it's so much fun," Sophie begs.
"Come on, Hermione," Ron complains. "She's the daughter of Gwenog Jones; she'll be a prodigy if we get her playing."
"There are more important things than Quidditch, Ron," Hermione tells him, ignoring the looks exchanged around the table, namely between Ron, Ginny and Angelina, who seem to be confused that anything could be more important than Quidditch.
"Ginny, how are you getting on with your Quidditch?" Arthur asks his daughter.
"The training is hard work, but I love it. The coach thinks I'll be ready to start the 2001/2 season, but if I work hard, I might get some games in at the end of the next season." Ginny excitedly announces.
"We're all very proud of you, dear," Molly tells her daughter. "And I love getting extra granny time with little James." She picks the baby up, cuddling him in her arms as she blows small raspberries on his cheeks, making him giggle.
"I'm glad, Mum, I probably couldn't do this without you," Ginny admits.
"What are grannies for?" She coos to James.
From the cot, Phoebe seems to be aware that the rest of the babies are getting some attention without her, and she burst into a fit of tears. Ron is by her side instantly, lifting her out of the cot.
"Do you miss Philly?" He asks her, sitting beside Pansy, who's still holding Philip, so his daughter can see her brother.
"We are not calling him Philly." Pansy chastises him, but he just rolls his eyes.
"They don't like being apart, must be something to do with when they were in the womb," Ron says, smiling as Phoebe settles when he holds her next to her brother.
"What are their names?" Sophie asks, having walked around the table to stand a few feet away, curiously staring at the babies.
"Philip and Phoebe," Pansy tells her with a soft smile. "Would you like to hold one of them?" She asks.
Sophie quickly shakes her head. "No, I don't like babies." She states.
"Sophie, that's a little rude, don't you think?" Hermione says.
"Sorry, Pansy. My cousins are twin babies, and they don't do anything." She explains.
"They actually do quite a lot." Pansy smiles, beckoning the girl closer. "Philip," She calls her son's name softly, and the baby opens his eyes. "See, he recognises my voice and his name, that's pretty impressive. "Hi baby," She coos, and his mouth breaks into a gummy smile. "Woah, that's a smile," Pansy says overdramatically. "Not all babies can do that at six weeks." She mentions.
Sophie frowns, unsure if Pansy is serious or sarcastic about the baby's ability to smile, but she wants to test it herself. "Hello, Philip." Sophie tries to imitate Pansy's soft voice.
Philip's smile disappears, and he stares at his mother, not sure where the strange voice came from. Pansy turns him around to face Sophie. "This is Sophie, Mummy's friend." She says.
"Hi, Philip," She retries her introduction.
Philip holds his head up for a few seconds to look at the new face in front of him then starts to gurgle.
"He's saying hello back," Pansy says.
"I don't know," Sophie shrugs, still staring at the baby until he starts to whimper at the unfamiliar face.
"Sophie, would you like some ice-cream?" Molly calls from the freezer where she's pulling a bowl of homemade ice-cream out. "It's strawberry." She adds.
"'Tawbwy," Teddy repeats, running over to Molly.
"Yes, strawberry ice-cream," Molly says clearly, hoping the young boy will pick up the correct pronunciation.
"Yes, please." Sophie rushes over to Molly.
"The adults can clear the table while we serve out the desert." Molly sends a glance behind her at the table. Together, the majority of the table stands up, collecting cutlery and tableware.
After dessert, everyone settles in the living room by the fireplace to keep warm as the night grows chill. The three babies are all asleep in the cot, which has been moved into the living room so the parents can keep an eye on them. Teddy has fallen asleep, curled up in Harry's lap and is softly snoring away. Leaning against Draco's side, tucked under his arm, Sophie is struggling to stay awake in the warmth of the room, and it's low lighting. Draco's mind is wandering whilst people share stories and memories, none of which Draco is a part of until the topic of the Ministry's war dinner is brought up.
"It's awful; forcing us all to attend this dinner when I would rather be at home, with my family, just like we are now, sharing stories of the ones we've lost and mourning in our own way," Molly states, giving George's hand a light squeeze.
"Draco has an idea of how we can take the dinner back from Kingsley and make it our own," Percy announces, and all eyes turn to Draco.
"I haven't- it isn't a well thought out plan, it just came to me whilst we were talking," He sends Percy a look, sarcastically thanking him for dragging him into this conversation.
"Well, what is it, Draco," George asks, curiously, his trickster personality coming out.
Draco sighs, knowing none of them will let him drop this now. "It's nothing that will cause any trouble for those of you who work in the Ministry," He glances at Arthur and Harry. "Percy mentioned that it's time we should be celebrating the lives that we lost during the war instead of mourning them. The ones we lost did a lot more with their lives then give them up for the supposed greater good. We should remember that." He explains.
"So, what are you suggesting?" Bill asks.
"Everyone is expected to wear black," He smiles. "So, we'll show up in black and then at an agreed-upon moment of the dinner, perhaps during the speeches, everyone who's willing to will stand and transfigure their robes into any which colour they want. Against the crowd of black robes, we'll stand out and cause a little havoc with Kingsley." He explains.
George grins excitedly, a plan forming of his own. "Fred would have loved this."
"Hermione, you can inform the DA, right, with the coins?" Harry asks.
"Of course," She nods, her hand reaching up to feel for the coin, hanging from a chain beneath her shirt.
"Are you all sure you want to get on Kingsley's bad side?" Pansy asks, glancing around the room. "He's the Minister of Magic, and he's already taken so much away from us, there's no knowing what else he can do." She says.
"We're already on his bad side." Draco shrugs. "It's not that bad; he's just less likely to take a bribe." He jokes.
"Draco!" Hermione tries to shush him.
"He's been taking bribes?" Arthur questions with a frown.
"They're not really bribes, Dad," Ginny says. "It's more of a deal. He needs something from someone, and they need something off him, so they come to an agreement." She makes a poor attempt to assure her dad.
"I don't want to know; I'm head of my department and have the responsibility to inform the Wizengamot of such an offence." Arthur shakes his head.
"Back to the matter at hand, I think it's a great idea, but when would we transfigure our clothes?" Percy asks.
"May I suggest the end of my speech," Hermione smiles. "It would be the perfect end."
"I heard that your speech is not to be missed," Percy says.
Hermione looks at Draco accusingly.
"It's not, I can't wait to hear it on the day and see Kingsley's reaction." Draco smiles excitedly.
"So, it's agreed then," Molly voices. "At the end of Hermione's speech, we transfigure out black robes into colourful robes?" She asks.
A mutter of agreement spreads around the room, and it's settled.
"I'll send a message through the coins if any of you know anyone who you trust to keep this a secret and who would join us, pass the message along," Hermione says.
"What about the students?" Pansy asks. "Will you be telling them?" She asks.
"I'm sure they would join us if, given the option, I've heard the way they speak about the Ministry, but most of them are not of age." Draco comments.
"They shouldn't be encouraged to perform magic outside of Hogwarts." Hermione agrees. "But they'll most likely find out anyway through older siblings or their parents, and try to join us. Shouldn't we give them the option, and if Kingsley, worst-case scenario, tries to punish us, he legally can't punish the students." She adds.
"We need to remember that the students invited to the dinner played a part during the war and we should give them a choice as to whether or not they want to protest the mourning of the dead along with us," Pansy says. "They're sixteen to eighteen years old; they're old enough to make their own decisions." She adds.
"Shouldn't we speak to Minerva about this first?" Hermione asks. "We'll have to tell her anyway since she was a part of the Order."
"She won't agree to it." Molly shakes her head. "She may not be a mother, but she has maternal instincts for all of her students." She adds.
"Molly's right," Harry agrees. "But I suppose if the students 'accidentally' overheard their professors discussing their plans for the dinner, the news would spread and the students would make their own decisions about whether they want to join us or not." He adds.
"That's a plan." Pansy nods appreciatively. "I volunteer to do it with Neville. Monday morning, he has sixth year Gryffindor and Slytherin in the greenhouses, you can hear everything through those windows. I'll ask for a private word and pass the message on. I bet you five galleons the whole school will know by dinner." She smirks.
"I'll hold off on informing the DA until Monday lunch then," Hermione states, agreeing to Pansy implementing her plan.
"George, dear, are you okay?" Molly asks her son, who has been staring for the past five minutes.
"Hmm," He glances at her. "Oh, yeah, I have an idea for the dinner that may very well get me arrested so I won't tell any of you, but it's going to be beautiful." He grins.
"George, you're worrying me?" Angelina takes his hand.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, getting arrested is the worst-case scenario, and I'm sure they'll be uproar if I got send to Azkaban." He laughs. "I think we should go; I have an order to put into China tomorrow, and I'll need to work out quantity," George announces.
"We need to take Sophie home," Hermione stands up with George and Angelina. "Thank you for dinner, Molly." She adds, hugging the woman goodbye.
"I enjoy cooking for everyone." Molly brushes her thanks off.
Draco stands up, lifting a sleeping Sophie up in his arms. "Hermione, could you help me?" He huffs, trying to hold the seven-year-old in a position that won't wake her. Hermione wraps her cousin's arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
After bidding everybody goodnight, they leave The Burrow with George and Angelina, disapparating their separate ways.
When they apparate to David's house, Sophie awakes, looking around her surroundings in sleepy confusion.
"I didn't say goodbye." She pouts, removing her head from Draco's shoulder.
"You'll see them again soon enough. They all loved you." Hermione tells her, knocking on David's front door.
Through the frosted glass in the door, they can see David running down the stairs to open the door.
"Sorry, it's so late," Hermione apologises.
"It's fine," David checks his watch. "It's only just gone nine o'clock." He adds.
"We all got a bit tired." Draco nods at Sophie, still in his arms, resting her head back against his shoulder.
"Come on then, Sophie. I think it's time for bed. Can you go brush your teeth, wash your face and get changed while I say bye to Hermione and Draco?" David asks her daughter, taking her from Draco.
"Okay," Sophie yawns, trudging up the stairs.
As soon as his daughter is out of earshot, David steps outside, joining Hermione and Draco on the drive.
"You wanted to talk about something?" Hermione says, remembering the quick conversation they'd had when they'd picked Sophie up.
"Yes, it's Sophie, she's been trying to do magic on purpose. She said she waves her hands and hopes it works." David explains, worried for his daughter.
"Nothing much should happen if she's just waving her hands and hoping for the best," Draco explains.
"She did it this afternoon; she folded all her clothes in less than a minute with her magic. I'm worried, I know she's not supposed to be doing magic in this world or outside of your school but what are the rules about children who aren't at the school yet." David asks.
"I'm sure the Ministry will just assume it's a case of accidental magic, which happens with all magical children, although, if it becomes frequent enough, especially because Sophie is growing up in the Muggle world, an official may be sent to talk to you both and explain the importance of trying to control these 'accidental' outbursts," Draco explains.
"I'm taking her out with Gwen on Sunday; I'll talk to her about not practising her magic yet," Hermione assures him.
"Thank you, I don't want her to get into trouble with the Ministry, and I don't want her to end up hurting herself or anyone else with her magic because she hasn't had any formal teaching." He thanks them.
"She won't get into trouble; the Ministry knows she won't have a wand yet and will assume it's accidental as Draco said. She'll be fine." Hermione tells him.
"Thank you for tonight, did she have a good night?" He asks.
"She loved it, and everyone loved her," Hermione says.
"Good, I should check she's in bed." He says, bidding them goodbye.
Hermione and Draco walk to the side path beside David's house, but he stops them before they can disapparate.
"I'd like to tell Andromeda that we're expecting. All of your family and most of your wizarding family knows about the baby, and I would like to tell someone. If I can't tell my mother, I'd like to tell my aunt." He tells her.
Hermione smiles, taking his hand. "Of course, I'm sure she would love to know about the baby after everything she did for us that night at the Manor. Do you want to go now?" She asks.
"It's a bit late, but she doesn't have Teddy so now might be the best time to get her alone," Draco says.
"We can always apparate to her house and if the lights are off, try again tomorrow," Hermione suggests.
Draco nods, disapparating to his Aunt Andromeda's house. From the gate, they can see the living room light on in the small cottage that she had moved too after the war to raise her grandson.
"It seems she's still up." Hermione leads them down the garden path and knocks on the door.
Andromeda answers the door slowly, most likely wondering who could be calling at this time of night.
"Oh, Draco, Hermione, I wasn't expecting any company, come in." She lets them in, locking the door behind them with her wand. "How have you been?" She asks, ushering them into the living room.
"We've been really well, thank you." Hermione smiles, taking a seat on the two-seater couch. "How have you been?" She returns the question.
"Very well, Harry and Ginny have Teddy this weekend, so I've had a lovely day to myself." She smiles.
"Yes, we saw them at Molly's for dinner. He's grown quite a lot since we last saw him." Draco comments.
"Hasn't he," Andromeda grins proudly. "He's suddenly burst into conversation a month or so ago and now he won't stop talking. Just like his mother." She chuckles. "Oh, I forgot to offer you both a drink." She goes to stand up, but Hermione stops her.
"It's just a short visit, Andromeda, and it's quite late, so we don't want to keep you up." She tells the older woman.
"Is there an occasion for the short visit?" Andromeda asks with a knowing smile between the two young adults.
"We're expecting a baby in September," Draco tells her, grinning happily. Despite having told so many people already, he never tires of saying the words.
"Of course, if it wasn't for you on that night, this probably would never be happening, so we have you to thank," Hermione tells her.
"I'm glad it was me instead of you, Hermione, and I'm so happy for you both" She stands up to hug them both. "How did Cissa take the news?" Her eyes widen, holding Draco at arm's length.
"We took her out for dinner to tell her, but she didn't make it easy. We ended up not telling her at all." Draco admits.
"She doesn't deserve to be told after what she tried to do to me," Hermione says, trying to remain calm.
Andromeda nods in understanding. "She'll have to be told at some point."
"We were thinking," Draco starts, looking at Hermione. "Of telling the world at that anniversary dinner next month. I'm sure the Daily Prophet reporters will be there, and she'll find out the next day." He shrugs.
"Oh, that is devious, Draco." Andromeda laughs. "She'll hate it."
"Good."
"I'm happy you felt you could tell me the good news. I can't wait to meet the little one." She sits back down.
"I'm happy our child will have at least one paternal relative who will love them," Draco admits.
Hermione takes his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze, knowing that he's hiding Hyperion's side of the family from the Wizarding world to protect them, but she hopes he knows that hopefully most of that side will love their child too. Especially Hyperion, Sarah, and Alarte.
"I'm sure your child will be loved by many. Hermione, you have a large family, right?" She asks.
"Yes, I do, and we have a lot of friends who will love our child as well." Hermione smiles. "Molly's decided she's going to take the role of Granny for ours as well as her own children's babies." She adds.
"Of course, she has," Andromeda chuckles. "That woman loves nothing more than taking care of people." She shakes her head. "Teddy was so excited to visit Granny Molly when Harry told him they were going for dinner. She takes everyone under her wing."
"She does, we took my cousin, Sophie to dinner with us so she could experience more of our world and Molly sent me multiple owls during the week asking what Sophie likes to eat and then ended up making everything I said she did like. Sophie was very impressed." Hermione says.
"Is that Gwenog Jones' daughter?" Andromeda asks.
"Yes, it is." Draco frowns.
"I heard she's off to America in August for the start of the next season." She mentions.
"Is she?" Hermione looks at Draco, wondering if he knew anything.
"She mentioned an American team were wanting her, but she hadn't signed anything by two Sunday's ago, and after my little chat with her, I had hoped she wouldn't go for Sophie's sake," Draco explains.
"It was all over the Daily Prophet on Wednesday, don't you read the newspaper?"
"No, we haven't since the ceremony when every day there was a picture of us and an article full of lies about our relationship. We may have to start getting it delivered again." Hermione states.
"Most of it is absolute rubbish, but it's good to know what the rest of the country knows." Andromeda shrugs.
"It'll be good to already have it delivered for after the anniversary dinner," Hermione suggests.
"I can't believe the dinner is mandatory. There's no one I trust well enough who hasn't been invited to watch Teddy, so I'm going to have to bring him. I'm hoping he'll cause a fuss so I can leave under the impression of calming him down." Andromeda sighs. "The Daily Prophet said you were giving a speech, Hermione, is that correct?" She adds.
"Yes, it was part of a deal I made with Kingsley." She shakes her head.
"I'll look forward to it," She nods, stifling a yawn in her hand.
"We should leave. It is quite late." Draco says, offering his wife a hand to stand.
"Well, thank you for stopping by. I suppose I'll see you next at this dinner next week," She sighs.
"Yes, most likely. It was nice seeing you, Andromeda." Hermione hugs the woman before they leave.
"Tonight has been lovely, but I'm so tired." Hermione yawns.
"I've noticed you haven't been sick as often these last two weeks," Draco comments as they walk towards the gate. "I know the sickness was tiring you out; perhaps you'll start to feel better from now on." He suggests.
"I hope it is passing," She agrees. "It has been less frequent, but it hasn't lasted as long as Lucius said your mother had it for with you." She comments.
"I hate seeing you so ill." Draco mentions, opening the gate for them. "I feel helpless." He adds quietly.
"Just knowing you're there makes me feel better." She smiles, kissing his cheek.
Draco returns her smile, apparating them home.