The Marriage Decree

Chapter 156 - Do we have a date?

As winter approaches, the autumnal weather of September and October turn into stormy, icy spells in November. Even with a few warming and drying charms, Hermione takes it easy as she enters her sixth month of pregnancy. After getting over her sickness, the last thing she needs is to catch a cold or to slip over and end up on bed rest. Therefore, when Pansy asks if they're attending the Annual Christmas Lights Switch On in Diagon Alley, they quickly decline, wanting to spend the weekend relaxing at home and planning for the next four weeks of school before Christmas break.

"Ron's desperate to go; he wants to make it a tradition, but I'm exhausted and just want to go home and take a bath," Pansy complains, pushing her lunch around her plate.

"So do that; tell Ron to take the twins out for the evening and enjoy yourself," Draco suggests.

"It's not that easy. When I get home, the house is always a pigsty, and you can guarantee Ron hasn't made dinner, so I'll have to feed them before they head out," Pansy sighs, tucking her hair behind her ear. "How did my life end up like this?"

"Ron's always been messy, and I love Molly, but she's done everything for her children," Hermione explains. So it's not in his nature to do things around the house. You need to be explicit about what you want him to do in the house. It shouldn't just be down to you because you're the woman of the house."

Pansy smirks. "Are you telling me Draco helps around the house?"

Draco scoffs, "We split the cooking, but Mitty does most of the housework during the day."

"I need to get myself a house-elf," she mutters.

"Or just learn some cleaning spells," Hermione suggests. "I've got a book you can borrow. I'll bring it in on Monday."

"Great, thanks," Pansy says, standing with her plate. "I've got class in ten minutes; I'll see you later."

After their last lesson, Hermione heads straight home to start dinner while Draco picks Scorpius up from Chris and Sarah's house. Knowing her parents, he'll be stuck there for half an hour, so after popping the lasagne in the oven, Hermione makes herself a cup of tea, grabs her book, and sits on their garden bench to relax.

The moment doesn't last, as a squawk from above gains her attention. Hermione watches as a beautiful owl circles the sky above her before diving down and landing on the arm of the bench beside her. After removing the parchment from the owl's leg, Hermione expects the bird to fly off, having succeeded in its task, but the owl remains, expecting Hermione's reply.

Unfurling the parchment, Hermione reads:

Hermione and Draco,

I hope to see you tonight at the Light Switch On. What's new? It's been so long since we've caught up. Perhaps we can go for a coffee after the lights tonight.

Your friend,

Megan and Gregory.

It's not unusual for Megan to send them owls requesting a meeting to divulge information from MACUSA. They had informed their friend that they were stepping back from the Order business and to contact Harry or Ginny if she had information. Perhaps this was just a request to catch up, but Hermione somewhat doubted that. The writing was too staged. Megan had new information, and, for some reason, she wanted to tell them instead of Harry.

After sending her reply confirming the meeting, Hermione changes out of her comfortable loungewear into jeans and a jumper. Then, she hangs around the kitchen, awaiting the return of her husband and son.

After the events of last year's Christmas Lights Switch On, Hermione didn't feel safe taking Scorpius, even with the advertised extra security the Ministry was providing. So, Hermione took her phone out and dialed her uncle's number.