Heart of Gold, Heart of Stone (Post-War)

Chapter Twenty

A few days later, Draco decided that Theo could finally meet his girlfriend and children. He had been worried about his friend meeting Athenadora, since Theo was known to speak what was on his mind without thinking about who was around, or what the consequences could be for saying something.

"Do not say anything rude. Don't curse in front of the kids. If you upset my girlfriend, Theo, I will hex you into oblivion." Draco warned, and Theo held his hands up in mock surrender.

"Don't worry, mate, you know I'm not going to purposely mess up your relationship." Theo replied, causing Draco to roll his eyes.

"Just watch your mouth, you bloody idiot." Draco retorted, making Theo snort in amusement.

Draco brought his best friend to Athenadora's home, and before they even walked inside, Draco took in a deep breath. He was definitely nervous about Theo meeting three of the most important people in his life. After a nervous second or two, Draco lead Theo inside of the home.

"'Thena, this is my best friend Theodore Nott," Draco introduced, when he walked into the kitchen Where Athenadora was working at the stove,"Theo, this is my girlfriend, Athenadora Lupin."

"Please, call me Athena," Athenadora commented, as she turned to Theo,"Nice to meet you, Theodore."

"Nice to meet you, Athena, call me Theo," The boy answered,"Where's the kiddos?" He asked, as he glanced around the kitchen.

"They're in Teddy's room," Athenadora said,"Draco, you can bring him in there to meet them, or you can just go get them. It's about time for lunch."

"I'll go get them." Draco replied, before he turned and left the room.

"Are you staying for lunch?" Athenadora asked Theo,"I've made baked macaroni and cheese, and I made some fried pies for later." She commented, and Theo nodded almost immediately.

"You really love Draco?" Theo asked, and Athenadora nodded,"Good, because you and him deserve some happiness after everything that's happened." He said, making a smile appear on Athenadora's face.

Draco came back in the room with the two kids, and he brought them over to Theo.

"Teddy, Mona, this is my best friend, Theo," Draco motioned with his head to Theo,"Theo, this is Teddy, and this is Mona. These are my kids, the two I've been telling you stories about." He said, and Theo smiled.

"Hey guys, I guess I'm your Uncle Theo. It's nice to finally meet you." Theo commented, as he waved at them.

Athenadora felt her heart flutter when he heard those words leave Draco's mouth. "These are my kids," those words meant everything to her. He truly accepted and loved the kids, and she could definitely see it as he introduced his best friend to them.

"Time to eat." Athenadora announced, though she didn't want to ruin their fun.

Draco, Theo, Teddy, and Mona sat around the table, as Athenadora finished the food. She then placed the dish on the table, and began to place some food on plates for the two kids. She handed Draco and Theo plates, so they could get as much food as they wanted. She then placed some food on her plate and began to eat.

"You're a really good cook." Theo commented, causing Athenadora to smile.

"Thank you, Theo." She replied, and he smiled as well.

"If you think this is good, you should wait until you try her fried pies. She's one of the best bakers I've ever met, and that's even compared to the cakes and pastries we had in Hogwarts." Draco said, causing Theo's eyes to go wide.

"If you're as good as Draco says you are," Theo looked at Athenadora intently,"I will be expecting cakes, biscuits, brownies, and other pastries every time I come here." He commented, making her laugh.

Draco and Theo talked for a bit more while they ate, before Athenadora decided it was time for the children to take their nap. She made some lemonade for the boys, and she sat with them in the kitchen. The three talked about different things, mostly their lives in Hogwarts before everything turned bad. Draco and Theo seemed to have a fun life together, as long as they were at school, and Athenadora liked hearing stories about them.

"So, has the Weasleys tried contacting you since Christmas?" Theo asked, and Athenadora sighed.

Athenadora knew that Draco had told Theo about everything that happened with the Weasleys. She was good with that, as long as he didn't go around telling everyone her business. She was a private person, for the most part, and she wanted it to stay that way.

"No, I think they're trying to give me time to calm down or whatever, but I like it this way," She replied,"I actually was thinking of writing a will. I'm not saying they'd do anything to me or anything like that, but I'm thinking about making a will where if anything happened to me, the kids would not be allowed to go to them. I don't trust them. Mrs. Weasley is a vindictive person, and the kids don't need to be around that."

"I heard that you're still friends with a few of the Weasleys though." Theo commented, and Athenadora nodded.

"I am, but only George, Bill, and Charlie. They're the only ones who ever trusted me and treated me like a real person. The rest of them treated me like rubbish, even when Fred was alive. George and I have had our spats, but I'd never remove him from the kids lives. Mona is really all he has left of his brother, and I think if I ever took her away, he'd..." She trailed off, unable to complete that thought.

"It'll work out the way it needs to, Athena. You'll figure it all out, and if you're lucky, you'll be the happiest girl in the world." Theo said, making the girl smile.

"I'm already one of the happiest girls, and I won't let anyone take that away from me." She replied, causing him to chuckle.

She truly was a different person than she was only months ago when Draco first met her...