Veela Love

Chapter Forty-Five: Welcome Back

Draco felt better than he had in years. Surprisingly being sober wasn't as hard as he thought it would be. He still itched for a cigarette but he knew how much Hermione hated smoking. Instead of pulling out a smoke he just tapped his fingers against his pants. Mrs. Granger and his mother were in the kitchen, Mr. Granger having been banished for sampling too much.

Harry was the first to arrive after the parents. He strolled out of the fire and clapped Draco on the back. Then he blinked, his eyes wide. "Are you sober mate?"

"Good to see you noticed," Draco drawled, smirking at Potter. Over the years they'd become very close, not that either would admit it. It seemed like they had more in common than either had ever imagined and with their shared loss their bond had just gotten stronger.

"Not to be a dick Draco but I haven't seen you sober... in years."

Draco only nodded. "Special times call for special actions my dear boy."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why are we all here? You never had a housewarming party at your old place."

"Things change, Potter. You'll just have to wait and find out."

Harry rolled his eyes but knew better than to push Draco. He nodded to Mr. Granger and then headed towards the kitchen for a drink.

Blaise and Ginny arrived next holding their screaming small daughter. They made a beeline for Draco and handed off their child to him. She immediately stopped crying, looking up at Draco through her long lashes. She smiled at him  and Draco felt his heart melt. Damn did he want a child. Not just any child, a child that was half the person he loved most in this universe. He knew Hermione would be feeling the wonder he always felt when he looked at his goddaughter and be confused by what it meant. He sniggered.

"Draco you look..." Blaise trailed off.

"Wonderful!" Ginny finished for him. "You don't look hung over, your eyes aren't bloodshot, I'm pretty sure your sober, and you smell like how you used to. What happened?"

"Wow, thanks Ginny. Way to kill a man's ego."

"Draco," Blaise said seriously, looking him in the eye. "We've been watching you kill yourself for years now. And suddenly you're alive again. We just want to know if it'll last."

Draco swallowed audibly. He didn't deserve his friends. "It's permanent."

Blaise grinned again. "Good. I've miss my best friend."

Ginny smiled at the two of them and then pushed Blaise towards the kitchen. "You better have snacks."

"I always do. I'll keep little Bianca for awhile."

"God bless her godfather," Ginny said to Blaise. "I knew we picked a good one. Oh, the family's on their way now," she called back over her shoulder.

As she spoke the flames in the floo turned green again and the entire Weasley clan save one entered his apartment one by one. They all gathered around Draco and the baby, all commenting on how good he looked. He must have looked like shit for awhile to get this many compliments he mused.

Once everyone was settled with a drink and food Draco stood in front of them. Taking a deep breath he started. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I gathered you here today because you're not stupid people. Well I need to introduce you to someone." He paused.

"Out with it!" Blaise yelled.

Draco shifted the baby to his other hip and said slowly, carefully, enunciating each word clearly said, "I want you to meet my fiancée."

There was utter silence in the room. Then Ginny screamed. "DONT TELL ME YOU KNOCKED UP ONE OF YOUR BIMBOS? YOU KNOW HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THEM!"

Draco chuckled. He could feel Hermione coming down the hallways towards them. He turned to her, offering his child free hand for her to take. "Do you hear that darling? They think you're pregnant."

Hermione stepped into the room. No one moved. "I had hoped they'd trust us a little more than that."

The room was silent. Finally Blaise said, "You found a fucking doppelgänger of Granger? That's just fucking sick, mate."

"No you twat. I did not find a doppelgänger."

"Then..." Blaise trailed off.

Ginny got up slowly from the couch as if she was scared Hermione might disappear if she moved too quickly. "Hermione, is that really you?"

Tears were brimming in Hermione's eyes. "Yea, it's me."

The room erupted into chaos. There were screams and tears and it took over an hour for everyone to calm down enough for the story to be told. There was a hush as Hermione and Draco explained what had happened over the last several days.

"I'm so sorry we didn't tell you earlier but Draco and I needed to work through some stuff first."

Molly, still crying, waved her hand in front of her. "Of course dear. We all know what he was doing."

"Hey!" Draco said indignantly. Molly just gave him her mother glare and he shut his mouth.

Ginny rose on unstable legs. "Hermione, i think it's time you meet your goddaughter Bianca. Draco, had my daughter over."

Draco did as he was told and handed Bianca over to Hermione. The sight of her holding a child nearly winded him. Hermione looked up smirking. She knew exactly what she was doing to him through their damn connection.

The rest of the evening was filled with happy storytelling, filling Hermione in on everything she'd missed. Draco and Hermione passed Bianca back and forth between them for the rest of the night. 

Once everyone but their parents had left, Draco turned to the Grangers. "I think that went well."

Mrs. Granger rose from the seat and gave Draco a big hug. He hugged her back just as tight. "You both did well with Bianca. I've always wanted to be a grandmother."

Draco chuckled. He pulled away and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'll let you know when you can start buying supplies."

"What are you two scheming?" Hermione asked, coming over and wrapping an arm around Draco's waist.

"Nothing dear," they chorused together.

"It's time for us to leave," Cissa said. The Grangers agreed and they all left leaving Draco and Hermione alone in their new apartment.