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Consequences and Complexities	By : ckllsdam Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 16322 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and canon situations belong to the Harry Potter fandom and JKRowling. Plot and OCs are mine. I make no money from this work.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Chapter 11 � Kinship
After leaving Hermione and
his daughter, Draco retreated to the room that had been his childhood refuge.
The suite appeared virtually the same as it had the last time he'd seen it
three years earlier. It was clear that his mother had instructed the house-elves
to maintain the space as though it would be occupied at any moment. He removed
his wand from the cloak that had been draped across the back of an armchair and
swished it to stoke a fire in the hearth. While he'd never forgotten the lesson
Hermione had given him in Muggle fire-starting techniques, in the late March
chill, he appreciated the ease and speed of the task using magic.
He dropped heavily onto the
loveseat facing the hearth, his uncharacteristic lack of grace a telling sign
of his emotional weariness. He stared at the flickering flames, trying to
absorb everything he'd learned in the past few hours. I'm a father, he
thought, feeling a mixture of awe, shock, and carefully restrained hope. She
gave me a daughter � a family. He felt the tears of raw emotion that he'd
been holding back begin to trail down his cheeks. The idea was utterly
overwhelming and as unexpected as a snowstorm in August.
Watching the child�s entry
into the world had been a revelation. He recognized the additional gift that Granger
� no, Hermione, he mentally corrected
� had given him in allowing him to witness the memory. He wondered if she�d had
that in mind, even subconsciously, when she�d tucked the vial among the others.
Despite everything he�d done to her, she�d continued to give to him, and he couldn�t help but wonder why. Was it just in
her nature to give to everyone around her, or was he the beneficiary of her
emotional generosity disproportionately? It certainly felt that way, especially
in the wake of this day�s many surprises. In spite of his frustration and
disappointment at learning that Louisa�s existence had been concealed from him
for so long, he knew that there were other things still concealed, and he
resolved to keep those things to himself for a little while longer. As
complicated as things had been between them, they had just become even more
convoluted; adding to the twisted threads now would do none of them any favors.
�What now, though?� Draco
mumbled. �Where do we go from here?� He swiped at his cheeks, brushing away the
wetness from his tears. Anxious energy caused him to vault out of his seat and
pace around the room. His thoughts raced as he considered his parents� role in
this debacle. There was no doubt in his mind that there was more to the story;
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were never simple
about anything. As much as they�d played him, he was also confident that
Hermione had been similarly manipulated. He had a guess or two about their
intent, but no evidence or solid information to draw upon. The big unknown was
their motivation. What did they really hope to achieve, and why? Further
conversation with the two of them would be necessary, he resolved. �
Draco also had his own plans
to consider. He�d been thoroughly committed to finding a place of his own and
trying to rebuild a life for himself upon his return to Great Britain. All of
those plans now seemed to be in limbo. He now had to account for Louisa�s needs
and, by extension, Hermione�s. It was clear that his parents had been handling
their financial well-being, and he knew from their earlier conversation that funds
had been set in trust for both Granger and her � no, our, he edited himself for the umpteenth time � daughter.
He�d learned so much during
his time in Salem, and he�d come to enjoy using the new skills he�d developed.
His ambition � to open and operate a restaurant of his own � seemed unrealistic
now, at least for the foreseeable future. The enormous investment of time such
a venture would require would take away from the time he knew he wanted, and
needed, to bond with Louisa and make amends to Hermione. His passion for
cooking would have to be satisfied in more limited ways. Draco smiled in
amusement at the thought of preparing a meal for Hermione, as he�d done in his
dreams on countless occasions. He couldn�t help feeling optimistic that she�d likely
be at least a little bit impressed at how far he�d come from the day when she�d
had to tell him how to turn on the burner on a stove. Coming to terms with the
fact that he wanted to impress her was
the hard part.
Draco comforted himself with
the thought that, no matter what he decided to do, he now had the luxury of a
little time, due in large part to the reinstatement of his inheritance. With
the new developments he�d discovered, no one would begrudge him some breathing
room to make decisions in light of his new circumstances. There were still many
questions to be asked and answered before some of those decisions could be made
with clarity, and he would be contacting the family solicitors quickly to gain
a better understanding of exactly what his father had done in his absence, and
what his rights and obligations were with regard to his daughter. The thought
caused a spontaneous shiver to travel the length of his spine.
Moving to the desk that sat
against the north wall between two narrow floor-to-ceiling windows, each draped
with emerald green velvet, Draco removed parchment, quill, and ink from their
respective drawers and, with new-found determination, began to compose a list.
File paternity claim with Ministry, he wrote in his bold, flowing
script. While he could claim no pride in how his daughter was created, he would
be forever proud of her existence; he�d have no one ever think otherwise by
having any delay in acknowledging her as his own. That led to another thought. Compose press release for Hermione�s
approval, he added. It didn�t need to be a front-page announcement, but
he�d not be shy about letting the world know he welcomed Louisa into the Malfoy
family. Next, he added Family solicitor �
make Will providing for Louisa and Hermione, examine Father�s filings, ask
about �association� and familial rights and/or obligations. Draco was
determined to have a clear understanding of how he and Hermione would need to
legally coexist as Louisa�s parents while unmarried. That prompted another
thought. Effect of marriage or additional
children, Draco penned. He recalled his father�s earlier comments on
Louisa�s obligations should she retain the formal role as Draco�s heir, but it
seemed clear that there was more to understand on that front.
Draco paused for a moment,
his gaze tracking around his childhood bedroom. The day had been long and
undeniably emotional, and he glanced longingly in his mental and physical
exhaustion at the bed that he knew to be incredibly comfortable and welcoming.
It finally dawned on him that the six hour time difference was also taking its
toll. In his excitement over his return followed by the day�s events, he�d been
without sleep for nearly twenty hours. It would make sense to stay here just
for tonight, he concluded, and then enlist the aid of his father�s house-elves
in the morning to move his personal belongings and a few favored furnishings to
the London property they�d all agreed he would use for the next several months.
Move my things to townhouse, he
noted, followed by Refurbish room for
Louisa. He hesitated only a moment before adding and Hermione. His next to-do item was eminently practical: Visit Gringotts for an account review.
Thinking that he�d covered
the most critical items that would need to be addressed over the next few days,
Draco decided that the beckoning of his old bed was too much to resist. He
called a house-elf and gave instructions to tell his mother that he�d stay for
dinner and overnight, and that he would be taking a short rest. As the tiny
creature disappeared from his room with a barely-heard pop, Draco sat on the
edge of the bed and removed his shoes. He stood to disrobe, remembering that
his clothing had not been unpacked; he�d had no firm plan for where he�d stay
tonight when he�d arrived. It would not do to appear at dinner with his
clothing rumpled and looking disheveled. He draped his shirt and trousers over
the cedar-lined chest at the foot of his bed and slid under the down-filled
duvet. Despite all of the conflicting and complicated thoughts swirling in his
head, Draco succumbed to his fatigue within minutes.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hermione sat with Narcissa
in the small parlor that was part of her private suite in the Malfoys�
home.� While it wasn�t terribly unusual
for both ladies to be sipping a libation at half four in the afternoon, it also
wasn�t an everyday occurrence. The cognac that warmed their throats now was a decidedly
welcome distraction from all the day�s drama.
�After the initial shock, he
was much more charitable and broadminded than I�d ever have been in his place,�
Hermione offered. �I have to respect that.�
�It�s clear that my son has
matured dramatically in the last three years. I know he�s upset, and probably
still a little angry, but he�s accepted what�s happened and seems to be ready
to move forward,� Narcissa acknowledged.
Hermione shifted
uncomfortably in her seat. �About that, Narcissa. Has
Draco ever said anything to you about what he wanted to do when he got back
from Salem?�
�Not in any level of detail,
at least not to me. What he and his father have discussed, I couldn�t tell you.
Why do you ask?� Narcissa wondered.
�What little I did know of
Draco when we were growing up is that he was always full of schemes and plans �
a quintessential Slytherin. I find it hard to believe that he doesn�t have some
kind of goal for his life now that he�s back in England.�
�And why does that disquiet
you, dear?�
�I�m afraid that he may have
expectations about how Louisa and I might alter those plans, and I don�t want
to be the cause of derailing whatever he really wants to do.�
�What else?� Narcissa
prompted.
�I get the sense that he has
some� unresolved feelings about me,� Hermione confessed.
�In what
sense?�
�This may sound vain, but he
said a couple of things that led me to believe me might have a little� crush on me. That would just be horrible!�
�Why do you think so?�
Narcissa prompted, letting Hermione interpret what she was asking.
�Because things would be so
incredibly awkward between us,� Hermione argued. �We have enough challenges
already without adding to them with some� romantic delusion.�
�Hmmm,� Narcissa replied. �What
if it�s not a �delusion� to Draco? What if he genuinely had feelings for you?�
�Bu� But how could he? He
doesn�t know me beyond our rivalry at Hogwarts and the few days we spent
together at the Tonks� hunting cottage. How could anyone develop genuine
attachment based on that?� Hermione argued.
�I don�t know that he did,
dear. I�m just saying that it�s not impossible. You forget that you have played
a pivotal role in some of the defining moments of Draco�s life. At the very
least, I�m sure he feels gratitude toward you; I know that to be true because it�s
also what Lucius and I feel for what you�ve done for our family. And we�ve come
to love you as a member of our family. We may know specifics about you and your
life more than Draco does, but I�d venture to say that he knows your heart
quite well by virtue of what you�ve done for him.�
�I suppose I can understand
that to some extent, but I don�t want him to waste his time on thinking there
could be anything between us. I just couldn�t see that happening,� Hermione
protested.
�I�m sure you�re right,
Hermione,� Narcissa replied, �but you must admit that he�s not the same boy you
knew at Hogwarts.�
�Well, obviously that�s
true. I am perfectly well aware that nearly everything he did from fifth year
on was forced or manipulated behavior. But don�t forget, Narcissa, that he wasn�t
exactly kind to me in the years prior to that.�
�Yes, I�m sure that�s true, dear.
I wonder, though, how many other boys behaved badly during those years.�
�You do have a point there.�
�I�ve long thought that the
teasing and taunting boys do at that age is just a way to gain attention. It
seems to be the only way they know to get girls to notice them, don�t you
think?� Narcissa prodded.
�I�ve heard that argument
before, and while there may be some truth to it, I�m not inclined to believe
that was the case with Draco,� Hermione asserted.
Narcissa paused and sipped
at the last of her drink. It wouldn�t do to push too hard; Hermione would
certainly rebel. �That may be so. I do venture to say that it will be
interesting to see what kind of young man he�s become in the last couple of
years. You�ll obviously need to make your own judgments about that, but I must
say that I�m quite proud of the young man I think he�s become.�
Narcissa set the empty crystal
snifter on the side table and rose to purposely leave the other woman to her
thoughts. �I�ll begin seeing to dinner, I think. Since we�ll have a full house
tonight, maybe something a little more festive than roast chicken will be
appropriate. I�ll see you in the dining room around half seven, Hermione.� She
bestowed a warm smile on the younger witch and left to see to her mission.
Hermione, left behind,
reflected briefly on what Narcissa had said. She thought that the possibility
that Draco had had any interest in her when they were children was slim at
best. His current� fascination with her was likely a passing thing that would
amount to nothing. She�d certainly not do anything to encourage him, she
decided. That would serve neither of their interests. She�d be polite and
civil, and would keep her promise to get to know him for Louisa�s sake, but she�d
keep their relationship simply friendly. That, she resolved, would be best for
everyone concerned.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Narcissa tended to the needs
of dinner preparation by instructing the house-elves to prepare a feast of Beef
Wellington, one of Draco�s favorites, roasted vegetables and jacket potatoes. A
light dessert of white chocolate mousse and espresso would finish the meal.
That task handled, she went in search of her husband who was, as expected,
found in his private study.
�I spoke with Hermione
earlier, Lucius,� she announced as she entered, �and we need to discuss our
conversation.�
�What�s the problem,
dearest?�
Narcissa approached the desk
where he was seated and availed herself of one of the two armchairs opposite
him. �She�s expressed that she is concerned that Draco may have developed a �crush�
on her, as she put it. She seems most distressed by the idea.�
�Hmmm.
Did she say why the idea upset her so?� Lucius wondered.
�It seems that she believes
his feelings to be misplaced, that he doesn�t know her � nor she, him � well enough
to have any kind of emotional attachment. She seems concerned that he has
expectations that she�s unable or unwilling to fulfill.�
Lucius paused, considering
what his wife had shared and weighing that against what he�d observed of the
two young people in the last several hours. Prudence, he thought, should rule. �While
I�m a bit troubled that she seems to be rejecting the idea out of hand, we must
remember that Draco hasn�t been home for even a day. They need to become
acquainted and comfortable with each other. It wouldn�t be wise to push either
of them now, particularly with the massive shock they�ve both endured. We wait;
we watch. We gently nudge when the circumstances dictate. If we�re to achieve
our aims, and I still feel confident that we will, we cannot shove. Subtlety is
called for here.�
�I don�t disagree with your
assessment, Lucius, but she seems most adamant. I�m concerned that it may be a
lost cause,� she fretted, tapping her fingers nervously against the arm of her
chair.
�You worry too much, Cissy.
Draco is not a fool; he won�t approach the situation with undue haste or
enthusiasm. I�ll quietly encourage him to just be himself. If he�s half the man
I think he�s become in the last three years, she�ll take note and appreciate it.
Their shared history, troubled as it is, now includes a child. That will draw
them together, I have no doubt. You�ll get your wish, ma coeur,
and she will become the daughter you�ve always wanted.�
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Draco pushed opened the front door with his foot, arms loaded with
wood, calling out as he crossed the threshold. �I�m back. Snow�s piling up like
crazy out there!�
The fire crackled merrily in the hearth as he added another log to the
top, ensuring that the warmth would continue for another hour or two. He set
the remaining logs in a large wooden box and rubbed his hands briskly to
diminish the chill. He heard the unmistakable clang of pots and pans in the
kitchen and moved to investigate.
�What are you going?� he asked lightly.
�Oh, hi! I was so engrossed, I didn�t hear you come in,� she replied, gracing
him with a bright smile. �I thought I�d make a beef stew for dinner. Would you
like to help?�
�Sure. I�ll peel and cut up the onions, potatoes, and carrots. I�ll
make fresh bread, too, if you like,� he offered.
�That sounds fabulous,� she agreed, pulling out cubed beef and the
homemade stock Draco had stored in the freezer. �Don�t forget the parsnips.�
He smiled indulgently at the curly-haired witch. �Of
course not. It is my recipe, if you remember,� he teased.
They worked silently, companionably, for several minutes, Hermione
thawing the beef and stock in the microwave and Draco preparing the vegetables
then assembling the flour, water, eggs, and yeast for the crusty bread he would
make. She browned the beef in the large pot she�d selected and added the
onions, stock, seasonings, and two cups of dry red wine; it smelled fabulous.
Draco rolled up his sleeves and combined the ingredients for the bread
in a large bowl. He lightly floured the countertop and dropped the ball of
dough onto the whitened surface, the muscles in his forearms flexing as he
began to knead. Ten minutes later, he returned the dough to an oiled bowl,
covering it with a cotton towel to rise. �There. It�ll be ready to bake in
about an hour,� he announced.
�Perfect,� Hermione noted, �because the meat needs to simmer for
another hour, then the vegetables will need about twenty minutes after that.
Everything will be done at about six o�clock.�
�Wine?� he offered, lifting a glass and bottle.
�I�d love some.�
�Go ahead to the sitting room. I�ll bring it in for you,� Draco stated.
�Sure. I just want to check on Louisa,� Hermione said.
Draco chuckled. �She�ll probably sleep for another hour, considering
how hard she played in the snow earlier.�
�You�re probably right. I can�t remember when I�ve heard her laugh so
hard� or get so thoroughly wet,� she observed with a laugh of her own.
Five minutes later, Hermione sat on the sofa facing the fireplace and
accepted the wine glass the Draco held out to her.
�Thanks,� she said, curling up her legs so that she occupied fully half
of the small sofa while Draco was tucked into the opposite corner, his left
ankle resting on his right knee. �She�s out like a light.�
�I had no doubt,� he assured with a smile. �Who knew a three-year-old
could have that much energy? I think I�m as exhausted as she is.�
�You could take a nap, if you want. I can watch dinner.�
�No, really, I�m fine. I�m sure I�ll sleep well tonight, though,� he
replied. �We don�t get a lot of quiet time alone, and I thought it might be
nice to just chat for a while.�
�Oh, yes. Sure. What did you want to talk about?�
�Nothing in particular,� he stated with a noncommittal shrug. �We
should probably start thinking about what we want to do for a spring vacation
in a couple of months.�
�We haven�t even finished this one yet!�
�This doesn�t count; it�s just a long weekend away,� Draco affirmed
with a hint of a smirk.
�Well, we�re in the cabin, miles from home, and it�s just the three of
us. I think that qualifies.�
�It only qualifies as a mini-vacation, not a real one. Though I must
say, it was very sweet of Aunt Andy to offer it to us, especially after all the
work they did to refurbish it. It�s quite charming and comfortable now.�
�It�s lovely. Remind me to send her some flowers in thanks when we get
back.�
�And we should also send a bottle of Firewhisky to Uncle Ted. He did most
of the work himself, you know,� Draco reminded her.
�Yes, and nearly half of it was done the
Muggle way, which makes it even more impressive.�She leaned over a little
closer, ostensibly snuggling up for warmth even though the room was toasty from
both the fire and the fully functional heating system.
Draco automatically draped an arm around her shoulder, tugging her in
to fit tightly against his side. He absently dropped a kiss on the top of her
head. �So, where would you like to go? I�m thinking Italy or Greece might be
nice in late April.�
�Either one would be fine with me. We could use the family property in
either location, so there won�t be a lot of arrangements to make.�
�True. You�ll just need to remember to put in for your time off from
St. Mungo�s with plenty of notice.�
�I told you I was sorry about that,� she protested. �Nobody else had
put in for the same week we wanted until literally the day before I did.�
Draco gave her a sidelong glance, finally confirming that he was,
indeed, only teasing. �You take everything so seriously. Lighten up, love.� He
chuckled deep and low, and kissed her hair again.
Hermione shrugged. �Then don�t be a prat when you don�t fully get your
own way, Mr. Malfoy,� she teasingly scolded.
�And what if my way happens to be your way, too?� he retorted, reaching
over to poke her gently in the ribs with a long finger.
She shifted away slightly, thinking to avert a tickle attack. Her
movement was too little, too late when Draco loomed over her, pushing her back
to the sofa and ghosting his fingers softly along her ribcage. He nipped at her
neck with teeth and lips, making her shiver with delight. Annoyance, however,
crept in as he heard an insistent knocking at the cabin�s front door.
�Draco! Dinner will be ready
in fifteen minutes. Time to get up,� Narcissa called from the hallway outside
his bedroom.
He groaned in frustration
and replied thickly, �I�m up. I�ll be there shortly.� He tossed the duvet and
sheets off and saw evidence that he�d definitely enjoyed his dream. He looked
down and spoke to his body as though it had a consciousness of its own. �I don�t
have time for you right now, buddy. Behave yourself till later.�
He walked to his bathroom, splashed
water on his face, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair. A glance in the
mirror confirmed he was reasonably presentable, and he returned to the bedroom
to don the clothing he�d set aside earlier. Five minutes later, he entered the
family dining room to find his parents and Hermione already seated. Louisa was
at her mother�s right in a booster chair. The only available seat was directly
opposite Hermione, and he nodded in greeting to the assembly while drawing out
the chair and taking his place.
�You look well-refreshed,
Draco,� his father observed. �Did you have a good rest?�
Draco briefly glanced at
Hermione, which caused her to tilt her head in the slightest bit of confusion �
why, after all, would she have any connection to the quality of his nap? � and answered Lucius� question. �It was reasonably
comfortable. I just wish it had been a little longer.� Draco dropped his eyes
to his plate, afraid that he�d given something away in his comments.
�I�m sure no one will be
offended if you decide to retire a little early tonight, dear. It has been a
very long day, and you�ve traveled quite a distance, so your exhaustion is not
unexpected. We�ll have plenty of time to reconnect over the next few days,�
Narcissa noted.
�Yes, Draco, and you�re
welcome to stay here until you get settled in the townhouse,� Lucius offered.
�I know, Father, but I�m
anxious to get moved in. I�ll stay tonight, but I�d like to borrow a couple of
house-elves to help me move my personal belongings and a couple of pieces of
furniture from the attic tomorrow, if you wouldn�t mind.�
�That would be fine, dear,
but there�s no rush. Wait until the weekend. That will give you some time to
spend with Louisa,� his mother noted.
That thought gave him pause.
It would be nice to spend a little more time with the child, and she�d probably
be more comfortable doing that here in her own home. Hermione would probably
also be more amenable to the prospect. There really was no immediate need to vacate his parents� home, he acknowledged. �Well,
if it wouldn�t cause too much trouble, it might be nice to spend some time with
you before I settle in to my own place.�
�It would be no trouble at
all, Draco. In fact, we�d love to have you for a few days,� Narcissa replied
with a smile.
�If you�re sure� I�ll stay
through the end of the week.�
His decision was met by
great smiles of joy from his parents, a clapping of tiny hands by Louisa (who
was likely just reacting to her grandparents� happiness), and silent, if
slightly less enthused, assent by Hermione. It seemed the small Malfoy family
would have a few days of togetherness after all.
- 10
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Consequences and Complexities