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How To Train Your Auror 2: Family Ties	By : Alcoholic_Rootbeer Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 7990 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and I will not make a profit from this story

Chapter List
- 41
- 42
If you read nothing else in these notes, remember: HTTYA 3 is a thing! It's happening! Make sure to follow me to get the updates!
That being said, here we are at the final chapter. I can't believe we've finally made it here. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who has read, reviewed, shared, and supported me in my writing. I can't begin to tell you how it drives me. To read my original novel, "A Dandy World" go to authoraetaylor dot com
Of course, the special shout outs are in order. Thank you LightofEvolution for helping me sort out the thoughts of Lucius and Narcissa, and giving insight! Thank you waymay for proofing and helping this story through its entirety. Without these two lovely ladies, this book wouldn't exist.
Also, a big shout out to my original story beta, Amanda, who caught some errors missed when I originally published this chapter! THANKS GIRL!
Unlike the first HTTYA, I don't have much to say. I think the lesson speaks for itself. I hope to see you around. Follow me on Tumblr (MrBenzedrine89) Facebook (MrBenzedrine) and Twitter (MrBenzedrine89) for updates, funny tidbits, and exerts from my WIP's! Not to mention the aesthetics. XD
This story is dedicated to every one of you. Without you, it wouldn't have been possible to keep going.
With love,
~A.
"I'll paint the picture, let me set the scene
I know when I have children they will know what it means
And I pass on these things my family's given to me
Just love and understanding, positivity"
"What do I know?" by Ed Sheeran
Harry, Hermione, Draco, Dean, Astoria, Theodore, Scorpius, and Minister Shacklebolt stood around a freshly dug grave. Rain pelted above their heads onto their magically-conjured umbrellas -it's fitting, Hermione thought, because she couldn't shake the feeling of dread as she stared down at Greg Diggle's casket. Dean stood next to her, holding the Resurrection stone between his fingers and talking idle chat with Diggle's ghost, but Hermione couldn't even begin to think of speaking with him again. Not for a long time, if ever. She'd said her peace, and she'd closed that chapter of her life. It wasn't her past that bothered her.
Her eyes drifted up the rows upon rows of headstones, and her thoughts fell on Ron. Just as her eyes drifted to the Resurrection stone, someone stepped up beside her, blocking her view. Draco muttered something into Scorpius's ear while holding him in his arms, sending Hermione a humble glance. On the other side of the grave stood Astoria and Theodore. Both didn't look particularly pleased to attend Diggle's funeral, but all shared an unspoken gratefulness for his efforts to keep Scorpius safe. And it was common courtesy to make sure someone attended his funeral. Harry and Shacklebolt were only here because of Ministry Regulations. Dean… well, it was a mix of things.
Draco attempted idle chat above the volume of the rain. "Some shitty weather we're having."
"Draco," she scolded, "language."
With an amused chuckle, he countered, "After all he's seen the last week, I think a few swear words are the least of his worries."
"Even so…" It was hard to carry the conversation. Not today. She was too hurt, too frustrated. Oh, she appreciated him being released from Azkaban, and she was relieved to have him home again. She knew she should be falling into his arms, knew her anger was misplaced. But so many funerals in one's life could ebb them into a depressive state of mind. She grew tired of seeing people die, and her friends making the bigger sacrifices for the greater good. Above all else, she faulted Draco for being stubborn with his trial, even if she understood why he did it. After all, he only wanted to give his family a better name.
Draco seemed to take the hint, so he took Scorpius with him and strolled away to join Astoria and Theodore.
A warm hand slipped into Hermione's and gave it a firm squeeze. When she turned her head, she found Harry next to her, ironically looking more refreshed than she had seen him in quite some time. "We need to talk." With a gentle nudge, he led her to a small tree nearby, away from eavesdroppers. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," she crossed her arms. "What is it?"
"The Ministry… they want the Resurrection Stone."
Hermione was confused, but she wasn't surprised. Of course they would. No doubt an Unspeakable had already gotten off on the thought of examining it. What confused her was why Harry would bother to tell her.
"But the MInistry is giving me a few days - to gather paperwork," he continued. "That should be more than enough time…"
"Time for what?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
Harry pushed his foggy glasses up his nose. "To say goodbye."
A thick gust of wind blew through her down to her bones. "...I don't know if I can face him again," she admitted.
"Malfoy says he promised Ron a proper send off with you." He stuck his hands in his pockets as the two stared at Dean talking to an unseen Diggle. "We're lucky, you know. Most people don't get the opportunity to-"
"-And isn't there a reason for it?" she snapped back, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "What if not being able to say goodbye is the universe's way of forcing us to let go?"
"Hermione," Harry patted her shoulder, "talk to Ron. You aren't the only one who needs the closure."
"Harry...have you…?" She looked him square in the eye. "You've spoken to him, haven't you? That's why you wouldn't touch the stone at the trial. You've already said your goodbyes."
"Admittedly, it was harder than I thought it would be...I saw all of them, you know. One by one, they all showed up." He smiled, thoughtful. "Trust me, Hermione. You'll be glad you did." With a gentle squeeze of her hand, he walked away, leaving her beneath the rain-dripping tree.
Draco knew he stepped in it big with Hermione this time. A day later, and she still wouldn't look him full in the eyes. He knew he'd pushed his relationship to the limits. He knew he should be working on it. But he had promises to keep, first and foremost, and he couldn't do it alone.
"She deserves to know," he muttered, sipping from his tumbler of scotch and staring idly at his father's back. Lucius Malfoy stared into the flames of the sturdy fireplace, his back turned much the way it had been all of Draco's life. "They both do."
"You suggest ruining two lives instead of just one?" Lucius quipped back. "I will tell your mother...but you must let me do it in my own time."
Draco snorted into his scotch. "And when will that be? On your deathbed? In your will?" He poured himself another glass. "No. I'm on my way to visit your affair-child as we speak. When I get back, I expect this handled." He swigged the drink down and set it on the table next to him.
Almost desperate, his father spun around to face him. "Don't tell Victoria," he said immediately, his eyes stern. "I shall tell your mother, but Irma and I have made agreements. Your sister is still but a child. Let her be one for the time being."
Draco pondered it, weighing the words. "Fine. For now." He glanced around at the reconstructed Malfoy Manor (refurbished from Hermione's Gray Magic) and strode to the floo. "From this point forward, the Malfoy name will mean something. Don't flub that up." And then, he stepped into the floo and disappeared through the flames.
Lucius continued to stare into the flickering fire, this time in the exact spot his son left moments before. He gave a soft grunt and rubbed his stubbled chin. Things would have been much easier with magic. At least he would have a means to defend himself if his wife decided it would be prudent to hex him into oblivion. With a sigh, he strolled out of the room and followed his instincts -he found her in the gardens outside, sitting on a bench.
Clearing his throat to announce his presence, he stepped into view. Narcissa looked up from her book, raising an amused and innocent eyebrow.
"Hello, Lu."
"Cissy…" With nervous, jerky movements, he sat beside her and reached over, pulling the book from her fingertips and scanning the cover. It was one he hadn't read before, which surprised him. There wasn't a single book in the Malfoy library he hadn't given a try at least once.
"The Great Gatsby," Narcissa explained. "Miss Granger recommended it. It's muggle, but given the circumstances, I don't think either one of us are in a position to judge." No, they certainly weren't since Lucius was no more than a Squib now. She brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes, eyebrows pressing together. "Something's on your mind."
"Narcissa…"
"Oh, no." she chided, both sad and teasing, "you've 'Narcissa'd me. Now I know things are serious."
Lucius cleared his throat again, taking her hand. "I love you. You know this."
"Of course."
"I have always strived to be the husband you deserve, albeit I've failed on numerous occasions...some more recent than others... and some...some I've tried to run from for far too long." He inhaled. "After the war-"
Narcissa placed a sole finger to his lips, silencing him,. "-Lucius, listen to me now." Her eyes were firm and commanded attention. A long pause sat between them. "I am aware you are a man of many mistakes. And you'll find that I'm not a woman so easily fooled." Her finger slid down his lips and rested against his cheek, tapping it. "There's no need in this. If you mean to confess your sins to me, know that I am your wife, and I know every one of them."
Oh, he hoped she didn't. Embarrassed, Lucius paled at her words. "Cissy…"
"This was Draco, wasn't it?"
Lucius remained silent for a time. "Yes," he admitted.
"Frankly, it's a nice gesture on his part, but well late in the long run. -I knew what our marriage was the day you proposed to me."
Her words stung him. "Narcissa, you have to know I proposed to you because I loved you."
"And I said yes because I loved you, despite knowing your heart, also, belonged to someone else." Her face soured, and she stared down at her lap, refusing to give his face the time of day. "Honestly, did you think I wouldn't put two and two together? The night you didn't return home after being released from Azkaban, I knew something happened. And when I saw Irma with child months later, it became obvious to me." She wiped a tear from her eye before it could fall. "I've remained silent all this time...I thought I could do this with dignity, but…" More tears fell, and she scooted further down the bench from him.
Lucius knew he'd fractured something, and he knew this had been a long time coming. Confessing it opened a wound Narcissa had stitched together on her own without his knowledge. She'd been harboring it for years. The guilt rose up in his throat -he betrayed her, betrayed her trust, and it only now hit him like a stinging hex. Even if their marriage began as little more than arranged, the love between them had grown strong and formidable, filled with friendship, and grown in affection. It was filled with loyalty - more of a warm fire than the blazing flames he once felt for Irma.
"I've failed you," he stated simply, folding his hands over her book.
Narcissa continued to cry softly, though she didn't scrunch her face up in 'ugly tears' as most women did. She still remained classy, sophisticated, and the epitome of pureblood upbringing. Lucius knew there wasn't anything he could do to fix what he'd broken.
Narcissa reached down and played with the band of gold on her wedding finger, twisting this way and that. The diamond glistened pretty in the light, but it was melancholy. "Why did you wait so long to tell me?"
Lucius swallowed, finding it difficult to breathe. "I feared I would never gain your forgiveness. It was one night, Cissy-" He watched her pull the ring off of her finger, and his heart raced. "-A mistake I will live with for the rest of my life."
"As will I," she reminded him, pinching the ring between her fingers. The tension was palpable. Their son had set the bar for a new order in the Malfoy legacy; divorce was no longer taboo. He couldn't remember a time when Narcissa hadn't worn the ring since their vows. Back then, she was an honorable pureblood girl fulfilling her role as expected. But perhaps now, she had come into her own -and, perhaps, it was without Lucius.
Fear gripped him tight.
"I'm sorry I've put this burden on you," he whispered. He could imagine her chucking the ring into the fountain, smacking him across his cheek, and leaving him without another word. He could see in his mind's eye returning to their home to find the closets bare and the bedsheets stripped. A life without magic and Narcissa sounded like Hell incarnate.
He closed his eyes, preparing for the worst.
"Do you know much about her?" she asked suddenly, pulling a handkerchief from her jacket pocket to dab at her stray tears. "Does she…" sniffle, "carry any of the Malfoy traits? You all have such stunning eyes...do you know if she refuses brussel sprouts, like Draco did when he was a child? What was her first word?" Questions flooded from her mouth, and she laughed, though it was nearly bitter. "Listen to me...rambling on…"
Lucius reached into his pockets and fished out a picture, sliding it across the bench.
"Her name is Victoria," he said, his throat tensing. Narcissa stared down at the photograph between them but didn't take it. "It's her first year at Hogwarts. I don't know much about her, beyond that. She hasn't a clue about her true lineage. I've asked that Draco keep that from her, for now." An uncomfortable silence fell between them, but he tried anyway. "Narcissa, I could sit here and attempt to shower you in compliments and apologies, but it wouldn't take away what I've done to you - to us." He abandoned the picture and reached over, seizing her hand. "I love you." He squeezed it tightly, afraid if he let her go, it would end, and she would be gone.
"And I, you." Wiping away a few more tears, Narcissa returned to staring at her wedding ring. Then, a miraculous thing happened. She slipped the ring back onto her finger, where it always belonged. "I suppose," she said with shaky breath, "you'll have to spend the rest of our lives making this up to me. -I'm thinking diamonds, of course. Bracelets, earrings...and breakfast in bed. Every day. And foot rubs!" She released a quivering laugh as more tears streamed down her cheeks. She leaned over and rested her cheek on his shoulder, but not before retrieving the picture and holding it between them. "...She really is quite beautiful, Lu."
Lucius felt as if he could fall off the bench at any moment the way he melted into it. But he refused to let her see him in such a tizzy - he was already vulnerable enough as it was, and Narcissa knew it. He curled an arm around her shoulders and pulled her as close as he could.
"I think I'd like to meet her, eventually," he admitted, kissing Narcissa on the forehead. "When she is ready."
"And Irma?" Narcissa asked curtly.
Even Lucius knew this was a loaded question, and he should tread carefully. "Is the past. My future," he held her close, "is here beside me."
With a soft laugh, Narcissa replied, "You always were a silvertongue…"
"Yes, and as I recall, you love my tongue's many talents…"
His comment earned him a swat on the arm, but he didn't care. For the first time in years, his marriage finally felt complete again. Perhaps there was something to this 'honesty' thing after all.
"As I recall, silver isn't only the color of your tongue," she quipped back, tousling his hair.
That devilish woman. "Oh, come now, Cissy. Must you remind me how I've aged?"
"You're right. There's no need - all you need to do is glanceby a mirror." She kissed his cheek. "Take it in stride, Lu. I'll stay youthful for the both of us." And Lucius knew she would. She was just as beautiful as the day he married her.
Draco's feet glided down the grounds of Hogwarts effortlessly, on a mission. When he arrived just outside of Professor Longbottom's Herbology greenhouse, he ran his fingers through his hair and released a puff of winter air from his lungs. Then, he tucked his head in the door, taking in the warmth of the greenhouse in comparison to the chilly weather outside. His eyes met with Longbottom's, who only needed to nudge his head to invite him in.
"I'm here to visit Victoria Crabbe," he said, waving a scroll given to him by Headmistress McGonagall. "May I…?"
Longbottom nodded cheerfully."Of course. Miss Crabbe-" before he could finish the sentence, Victoria was out of her chair and already on her way to the back of the classroom, grinning ear-to-ear. Just before the two set foot outside, Longbottom called out, "Congratulations, by the way! On the engagement!"
Draco paused, smirking. "Thanks."
Once outside, Draco produced his wand and cast a quick heating charm on the both of them. Droplets of snow fell from the sky, landing on their heads, but the charm kept them comfortable.
"You came back!" Victoria smiled gleefully.
"I made a promise." Draco reached inside his pockets and revealed a vial filled with silver wisps of light. "Malfoys -we keep our promises."
The young girl stared mesmerized at the tube. "Do you?" she asked. "That's not what my mother says."
"Your mother has her reasons for saying that. But I'm here to prove her wrong. Listen carefully, Victoria, because I'll only explain this once." He told her the vial contained memories of her brother back during Draco's school days.
"What sort of memories?"
"Eating, mostly." He smirked again. "Headmistress McGonagall has agreed to allow you to use the school Pensieve after dinner to view them."
Victoria's eyes lit up, and she grasped the vial, asking with quiet reprieve, "Will you… will you stay and view them with me? Please?"
Though she didn't know what she asked, she had given Draco his first opportunity to get to know his sister. Pleased with the idea, he agreed. "I'll need to owl my fanceé and let her know I'll be late tonight. But yes, I'd be happy to stay."
"Thanks, Auror Malfoy." Victoria turned back to class, but not before giving him a hug so tight he was sure his eyes would pop out. He patted her on the head and ushered her back to the greenhouse.
Hermione stared at the stone on the table. Harry had given her the night to say goodbye, even offering to watch Scorpius so she could do it. He would retrieve the stone in the morning, and then her chances of seeing Ron would be lost - forever. She'd received Draco's owl stating he wouldn't be home until late, so she knew she had no excuse not to… but all she could do was stare at the stone like it was some sort of Pandora Box ready to explode at any moment. She swallowed down two glasses of sherry before finally gathering her courage.
Her hand hovered over the stone, and then…
"Hey, 'Mione."
Hermione whipped around, stone in hand, finding the soft gaze of Ron Weasley. He wore the same leather Auror jacket she bought him for his birthday and the shoes Harry gave him on Christmas - the same outfit she last saw him in the morning before his death. His hair was slightly tousled, giving him that 'just woken out of bed' look, and his eyes twinkled, even against the pale translucency of his body.
"Ron…" She nearly dropped the stone but quickly clamped her fist around it, determined to keep it from slipping. The tears had already welled up in her eyes. With trembling fingers, she reached her other hand out and brushed it against his sternum - it went right through him. Ron looked saddened but still managed his boyish smile. The one she'd always loved him for. "You're here."
"As best I can be, yeah."
Hermione lined her hand up against his chest even though she couldn't feel him. Just a small bit of cold. Ron moved his hand over hers and brushed along the top of her knuckles, leaving behind an icy sensation. "Maybe it's because I've been dead a long time, but you look good," he said, cheekily.
"I miss you," she blurted out.
Ron smiled. "I miss you, too."
"I...I don't know what to say." The tears began to trickle down her cheek. Ron moved to brush them away but realized he couldn't. He released a frustrated sigh, to which Hermione added, "I had a whole speech prepared for what I was going to say, and now I've forgotten all of it."
"That's just like you, yeah? Always a plan. -It's good to see you again," he admitted, trying to lighten the mood. Of course he would. It was simply Ron. "How are you? All things considered?"
"That's like asking Mary Todd Lincoln how the play was after her husband was murdered," she chided. Ron all out grinned and swiped a few tears away from his own face. "Can apparitions cry?"
"Dunno," he shrugged. "Guess so." He followed Hermione over to the sofa, where she took a seat. "Tell me about it. All of it. I mean it, 'Mione. I want you to tell me all about your life now."
And so, Hermione did. There were worse requests, she surmised, to get from the dead. Ron stood near the fire and listened to her talk about his family, about the grieving process everyone went through; about how Molly burnt five nights worth of meals after his funeral. She told him about her decision to become an Auror and about her first run in's with Draco. Though Ron didn't seem keen on Draco, he insisted he wanted to listen to every word. "Nah, tell me. I wanna know. How'd a git like him win over the heart of my girl?" Hearing him say the words breathed new life into her. She spoke of meeting Scorpius, of teaching Draco his patronus, and of all the ways he protected her against Greg Diggle. She told him about the moments between moments, like Draco ordering pizza for their first official date and the time Draco exploded Molly's kitchen in cranberry sauce at Christmas, and how he proposed. "In a bar," Ron scoffed, "As if that would beat out a drive-in theater."
When she was through and couldn't think of any more adventures to tell him, she added, "We visit your grave once a month. Like clockwork."
Ron smiled. "I know. I can feel it when you do."
"I'm the only carrier of the Gray Magic now. And Harry's left me the stone…"
"No," he said at once.
"But why not?" she asked him, stunned. "Wouldn't you want to?"
"Of course I would. No one wants to be dead. But it isn't about that, is it? You know it the same as I do, in your heart. Say you bring me back, Hermione. Say you do." Hermione entertained the thought in her head for one splitting moment before he continued, "Where do you draw the line, then? Hmm? Do you bring Fred back, too?"
"I suppose...I could…" She knew the moment she said it that it was wrong.
"Well then, I guess you'd need to bring back Harry's parents, too. And Luna's mum. Dean's dad. Lupin and Tonks. Moody. Dumbledore. I mean, if you bring one loved one back, why not all of them?"
"But you weren't supposed to die!" she shouted, frustrated. "You were supposed to be with me until we grew old and senile! We were supposed to have a life, and children, and a home...you promised me…"
"I did," Ron nodded. "And Merlin, Hermione, if I could change it, I'd be the one to give you all of those things. More, even. But I told Malfoy, and I'm telling you. The dead stay dead. You hear me? The dead stay dead." He reached over and attempted to hold her hand, fruitless in his endeavors. "Now, it's not my job anymore. It's Malfoy's."
Hermione's head shot up. "You hate Draco."
"Yeah, I'm not gonna deny I'm not the git's biggest fan. But he treats you like you should be treated. Anyone who can do that is redeemable in my book."
"I just...seeing you like this...how am I supposed to do it without you, again?"
"Hermione, I'm always with you. I never left." He grinned. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she sniffled. "And you're right. I know you're right, I just… it was hard enough saying goodbye to you the first time. And now…"
"So, don't say goodbye," Ron offered. "I've given this a lot of thought, what I'd say to you if I got the chance to see you again. I'm no good with words, but I want you to know: I've never stopped loving you, even in death. And, as long as you never stop loving me, even in life, that's good enough for me."
Hermione blushed. "I wish I could hold you. Damn this stone." She gave it some thought. "Maybe there's a way." She dashed over to the sofa and gathered the throw pillows on top.
"Uh, what're you doing?"
"Lay down with me," Hermione said, making a pallet on the floor before snuggling the cushions on the rug in front of the fire. Ron raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Come on. You lay down on the other side of the pillows. It'll feel almost the same."
"I dunno," he smirked. "I don't remember being quite that soft." He did what she asked anyway, and they laid on the floor together in the light of the fire.
Hermione smiled warmly. "See? Almost the same."
"Almost being the key word," he teased. They laid together in silence for what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes. Simply staring. Simply smiling. "I've loved this. Being here, with you. It means the world to me."
"Me, too."
"I'm gonna miss the Hell outta you."
"Same." Her eyes grew heavy, and she closed them. "I'll never forget you, Ronald Weasley. I love you." And then she dropped the stone to the floor.
The world grew just a little dimmer. Hermione hugged the pillows and began to cry. She wasn't sure how long she laid there among the rug, crying. Eventually, a set of footsteps echoed down the hall, and a familiar voice called from the doorway. "Hermione?"
"Draco." She didn't even bother to move, continuing to hold the pillows tight to her in the light of the dying fire, the stone beside her. It didn't take Draco long to put the pieces together and snuggle up behind her on the floor, draping a protective arm around her. Eventually, the tears ran out, but she continued to cry, and Hermione released the pillows to turn her body toward him. She held him tightly, neither of them having to say a word. He let her cry until she fell asleep in his arms.
Hermione awoke in the morning to the smell of pancakes and the throbbing of a colossal headache. A tray sat beside her filled to the brim with breakfast and orange juice. Slowly, she sat up to see Draco seated on the chaise lounge, smirking.
"Hello," he said, setting down the book his was reading. A Tale of Two Cities. There was a flash -a memory, to her first outing with Greg Diggle.
The bookstore was about as big as the Gryffindor common room, but it held an array of newest novels, wizard and muggle authors alike. Hermione felt right at home as she plucked a Dickens book from a shelf and turned to Greg. "A Tale of Two Cities. Have you ever read it?"
"Of course. I'll have you know, you and I share a few things in common, Miss Granger. I, too, was born from muggle parents." Diggle took the book from her hands and turned through the pages. "You have been the last dream of my soul. A dream, all a dream that ends in nothing. Think now and then that there is a man who would give his life to keep a life of love beside you. -Quite profound, don't you agree?"
After all this time, and she finally understood the quote to its fullest capacity.
"Hello," she smiled back. She could already feel the tight pressure around her eyes from the puffiness they held. "Draco-"
"-I get it," he interrupted, "really. I'm sorry...for everything. Do you want to talk about last night?"
She shook her head. "Not just yet."
"Alright." He nudged to the tray. Beside the orange juice was a scroll. "Read."
"Why?"
He rolled his eyes. "Just do it."
Hermione reached and picked up the scroll; her eyes trailed over the words, and her entire face caught fire in a flurry of blood rushing to her cheeks. "Draco…"
"Speechless? I'll take it as a good sign, then." Discarding his book, he crawled into bed beside her, careful to not knock over the tray of food. "All you need to do is sign the bottom."
Staring at the paper in disbelief, she whispered, "You've appointed me as a guardian to Scorpius. You and Astoria…"
"Don't give her any credit. It was all my idea."
"And you're ever so humble about it," she smirked, planting a gentle kiss to his lips. "What brought this on?"
"Multiple things, the main one being you're as much a parent to Scorpius as myself or Astoria."
"And this has nothing to do with my silent treatment these last few days?"
"Oh, I never said that." He reached over to the tray, produced a ready-ink quill, and pushed it into her hand. "But I'm hoping this is a start to forgiveness."
She quickly signed the papers as Draco grinned ear-to-ear. "Thank you."
"It's the least I could do after putting you through all I did," he admitted, rolling the scroll back up and placing it on the nightstand next to him.
"And how are you? After everything?" she asked, resting her head on his shoulder.
Draco laced their fingers together and was quiet for a time. "Ask me tomorrow," he whispered. "Not today. Today is for us. For our future. - Potter's already picked up the Resurrection Stone. It's on the way to the Ministry, along with the Pandora Stones."
"That's good," she said. "I think I understand the temptation stones like that offer much better now. They don't need to be free for anyone to use. The pain…" She shook her head. "It's too much."
"Was it a pleasant conversation, at least?" Draco followed her train of thought.
"It was. Ron gave us his blessing, you know."
He snorted a laugh. "As if we needed it."
"Admit it - it's nice to hear."
"Melancholy is the word you're looking for, I believe."
Their eyes met.
"Melancholy," she nodded. "Yes, I believe that's the perfect word."
It was in moments like these, Draco Malfoy thought to himself, preparing for Hermione's parents to arrive, when he wished he had a case to dive into. A month had passed since the carnage at Malfoy Manor, and memories still haunted every life touched in one way or another. Life didn't fall magically into place after Abraxas's death. No, nothing was that simple. But it was getting better.
Astoria recovered to near full health, aside from her obvious problematic curse, to which Theodore Jameson vowed to cure. He began pouring himself into his parents' old case documents, searching for answers. After Hermione revealed to Draco a cure was possible, at least according to the mirror world she'd experienced with Diggle, he himself began to use his talents to work with Jameson on a cure.
Ginny Weasley was once again due any day now with a child, bringing hints of nostalgia to Draco's psyche. He recalled sitting around the Potter's table and Hermione saying she loved him two days before Ginny Weasley gave birth to Albus Potter. Here he was, sitting at a table with Hermione again, but it wasn't nearly as quiet or comforting.
An 'engagement dinner between the families,' Hermione had put it. Not only were both of their parentals to attend, but Hermione had invited Arthur and Molly Weasley as well, though, for an entirely different reason altogether. This reason caused Draco's insides to do somersaults and tap dance on his pride.
The house rang out in magical chime, announcing the Grangers' arrival. "Ooh!" Hermione bounded down the staircase, her hair falling in soft ringlets around her face. "They're here! How do I look?" She spun around at the bottom of the stairs as Draco examined her simple pleated skirt, button up blouse, and heels.
"LIke you're about to attend a librarian seminar."
"Perfect." She grabbed his hand and yanked him down the hall and to the door before swinging it open. "Mum! Dad!"
The Grangers were all about pleasantries, offering goody bags from their travels filled with scented candles and postcards from places Draco could arrange to go to in less than half a day. Still, he smiled and pretended as if the gifts weren't mediocre, escorting them into the dining room while magic took their bags upstairs. Lucius and Narcissa were busy at the end of the table, caught in a game of wizard's chess, Scorpius on Lucius's lap. It looked like Mum was beating Father something awful. Walking about the room were Arthur and Molly Weasley, talking to the painting of Draco's grandmother, which he moved from the den to give her more light. All the portraits of Abraxas were taken down and swiftly shoved in the attic.
When the Grangers stepped through the door, Scorpius bounded off of Lucius's lap and tore off in their direction. "Gama! Gampa! What you bring me?"
"Scorpius," Draco scolded under his breath, "that isn't polite."
Ignoring the curt father, Hermione's mother crouched down and pulled out a whistle from her pockets. "Hand carved by a carpenter in Peru."
"Cooooooool," Scorpius grinned, snatching the whistle and blowing high pitched noises that made Draco want to jab quill tips into his ears. Mister Granger made himself at home next to Lucius, giving him 'pointers' on how to play a proper game of chess. Draco could tell it took everything within his father not to make some degrading remark. Hermione and her mother took a seat at the closest side of the table, ushering Scorpius along with them. It was, then, that the future Missus Malfoy glanced over at the Weasleys and gave Draco a nod.
Now was the time.
It was easy enough to get them alone -the Weasleys agreed to step into the parlor with him to discuss something privately, but they had no idea just how private the conversation would turn.
He lined them up in front of the love seat against the wall and said, "You might want to have a seat."
"Is something wrong, Draco dear?" Molly asked, her motherly instincts kicking in. Draco felt his stomach tie in knots as he shook his head.
"I really think you should take a seat." They did. He nodded, fully prepared. "There's something I need to… need to tell you. About your son's death." He gulped, and his mouth grew arid. "I should tell you…"
Arthur looked to his wife, who gave a small nod of the head. There seemed to be an unspoken conversation between them before Molly said, "We know."
"Pardon?"
"Ginny told us some time ago... about all the details of Ron's death."
"Your involvement," added Arthur.
Draco was floored. He stumbled back into the armchair across from the loveseat and put his head in his hands. His heart raced a mile a minute. There wasn't a single bit of what they'd said that he was prepared for. "You know?"
"Only, we don't blame you, dear," Molly said with an encouraging nature, making Draco's eyebrows shoot up in concern.
"What…? Of course you blame me. I blame me. It was my device that-"
"-Ginny also told us you had no idea of Ron's death until after the fact," Molly continued.
"Admittedly, it took us some time to let the news sink in," said Arthur, wringing his hands together but holding a firm, fatherly gleam in his eyes. "But when Molly and I finally processed everything, we realized we shouldn't blame you. Our son's killer is dead, now. We have our penance. And we would have never known what had happened if you hadn't been brave enough to fight against Cane."
"I wasn't brave," Draco muttered.
"Of course you were," Molly scolded, "and you're brave now." She stood up from the sofa, crossed the floor, and threw her arms around Draco, encompassing him in a thick hug. "I'm proud of you for coming clean to us. Merlin knows you needed to clear the air and let it out."
"You're not angry with me?"
"Angry? No, dear. You made a mistake. You didn't wield the weapon that took my son. You gave him peace." She kissed the top of his head. "You're family now, Draco Malfoy. And family forgive each other." Arthur nodded in agreement.
"Daddddddy?" a small voice called from the doorway. Scorpius bounded in, blowing his whistle. "Listen, Daddy! I make it go!"
"Scorpius, let them have their moment," Hermione came around the bend, snatching the toddler up by the torso and tickling him. She glanced at the scene before her, of Molly bundling Draco into her breasts and Arthur smiling in laughter -Hermione began to laugh. "Oh, dear. Molly, you better let him go. He looks like he's going to implode."
Molly released Draco at once, but not before pinching both of his cheeks until they were cherry red. Scorpius freed himself of Hermione and rushed over to his father before crawling on his lap. Knowing no privacy would be given to them now, Draco beckoned Hermione to him and tugged her into his lap to sit beside Scorpius. Arthur wrapped a loving arm around Molly. Molly smiled at her 'children' with motherly affection. It was, then, Draco realized something important:
Family bonds weren't tethered in blood. They were built on love, understanding, and trust.
And these bonds were stronger than any hardship that threatened to tear them apart.
"Now about your wedding colors," Molly began. Bollocks.

There will be one more update with a sneak peak into HTTYA3, and some replies to reviews.
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~A.
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How To Train Your Auror 2: Family Ties