Aroura

Meet up

The weeks that followed Draco's revelation were a blur of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, he was overjoyed—there was no other word for it—at the thought of having children, of finally connecting to a part of himself that had been dormant for so long. But on the other hand, a gnawing anxiety ate at him. He had been absent from their lives for five years. He had no idea what kind of father he would be, or if his children would even want to know him. How could he possibly explain the years he had missed?

Draco spent many sleepless nights replaying their first conversation over and over again in his mind. He knew he had to meet his children, but the fear of messing it all up terrified him. What would they think of him? Would they resent him for not being there? Would they even like him?

It had been Hermione who had suggested a meeting, though she had made it clear she would not push the children into anything they weren't ready for. Her mother, who had been a constant support through Hermione's life, was staying with the kids at Granger Cottage for a few days, and Hermione thought it might be the right place to have the first meeting. It would be neutral ground, a safe space, with the comfort of familiar faces.

Despite her reassurance, Hermione also knew how difficult it would be for Draco. She could sense the nerves beneath his calm exterior, the unease that came with realizing just how much time had passed. She had raised their children without him, and now, she was about to let him into their world. The bond between mother and child was strong, and it wasn't easy to hand over that sacred space. But she knew it was the right thing to do—for Draco, and for the children. They deserved to know their father.

---The day of the meeting arrived, and Draco stood outside Granger Cottage, his heart pounding in his chest. The cottage was as charming as ever, nestled in the countryside with ivy creeping up the stone walls. It had always felt like a place of warmth, where Hermione had spent many of her childhood summers. It was quiet here, peaceful—far removed from the chaos of the wizarding world. It seemed like the perfect place for this moment, but it still felt surreal.

Draco glanced down at his hands. He had no idea why he was nervous—he had faced dark wizards, enemies in battle, and had even stood before the Dark Lord himself without flinching. But this? This was different. This was personal. These were his children. His heart raced, and his palms were clammy.

Hermione had said they would meet in the garden, where the children often played in the summer months. It was far enough away from the house to offer a bit of privacy, but close enough that Hermione could step in if needed. The children hadn't been told who was coming, only that there would be a special guest—someone their mother had been in touch with. She had decided it would be best to let them approach this in their own way, without too much pressure.

As Draco took a deep breath and walked toward the garden, he could hear the soft giggles of children, the sound of laughter carried on the breeze. His heart thudded in his chest, his steps slow and hesitant, as though his body was trying to delay the inevitable.

And then he saw them.

Lyra was running across the lawn, her dark hair bouncing with each step. She was a whirlwind of energy, her wide brown eyes sparkling with curiosity. She was laughing, her voice light and carefree, as she chased after a butterfly. Draco's breath hitched. She looked so much like Hermione—her features, the curve of her face, the tilt of her head—but there was something uniquely her about her, too. A spark of wildness, of untamed joy.

Sorpious was sitting on a bench nearby, quietly reading a book. He had the same pale, platinum blond hair as Draco, though it was a bit longer and tousled in a way that made him look like a quiet little philosopher. His eyes were focused on the pages, but every now and then, he would glance up, as though sensing someone was watching.