What Is This "Love" You're Talking About (Love Doesn't Lie Sequel)

Chapter 52: The end

Chapter 52: The end

It had been a busy day in the Malfoy household. Everyone would come over later, which meant everything had to be cleaned, look organized and be prepared for dinner. It was nice to have a large amount of people you thought of as family, except for the annual Christmas eve dinner. The previous year it had been Ginny's turn, the year before that Lavender's, before that Rosaline and so on and so on until it was this year Hermione's turn to organize it all. She tucked an escaped lock of hair behind her ear before continuing with the chicken she was stuffing. Draco stepped into the kitchen, walking straight to the fridge. 'Unless you're here to help, I have to ask you to leave the kitchen Malfoy.' Hermione joked, turning around to grab more spices. Draco chuckled and put the wine on the kitchen counter. 'I came in peace.' he said, turning around to grab a glass.
'Shouldn't we wait for the others to arrive before opening it?' Hermione said.
'No, I think you deserve a glass now.'
Hermione smiled. 'It'd be great.'
'I knew you'd say that.'
Scorpius walked into the kitchen and stopped at his father's side. 'Be careful buddy, your mother will kick you out of here if you even think about stepping in her way.' Draco joked.
'I wouldn't dare.' he answered.
Hermione rolled her eyes, Scorpius was growing more like his father with every day. 'Can I help?' Scorpius asked, turning to his mother.
'It'd be great if you could set the table.' she said. Scorpius nodded. 'Take the white tablecloth, it's in the cupboard.'

One after the other started to enter the Malfoy house, bringing wine, the first and last course. In a matter of an hour everyone had arrived and was starting to get a seat at the dinner table that had been extended to fit all of them. The Potter's, the Weasley's, including Hope, Holly and Roxanne. Fred and George were both in the shop they had recently opened in America, expending their branch outside England. They had already opened two shops in the UK. One in Diagon Alley, their first and one in Hogsmeade, both having been upgraded to a larger scale. Both their wives went with them to stay for three weeks, leaving the girls in England. Roxanne had Matthew staying over during this time and Holly and Hope were too busy running around and working to really be at home. Narcissa pushed James away as he pressed a kiss to her cheek, quickly looking around to check if no one had seen it. They were yet to tell everyone they were together and Narcissa wasn't planning on telling them like this and especially not with everyone there. It could wait. 'Ah come on.' James muttered.
'No, I told you not to do it.' Narcissa muttered back. James stared at her for a moment in silence with big eyes, which made a small smile appear on Narcissa's face. 'Stop it, you idiot.' she chuckled, slapping his arm. James cracked a smile and walked alongside her to the table where most of their family members were already seated.
'Oh James, why don't you sit next to Narcissa?' Hermione said as Narcissa took the seat next to Jean and opposite Matthew.
'That's not necessary mum.' Narcissa quickly answered before James would say something stupid that would blow their cover. Hermione raised her eyebrows, but Narcissa shook her head and she decided not to ask any questions, at least not at that moment. Ten minutes later everyone was seated and food was served. 'Have you heard from your brothers?' Draco asked.
Ron, who was seated opposite him, nodded. 'I received a letter this morning from Fred. The shop was looking good and the opening would be tomorrow at Christmas day. Got the usual threat of course to look after his girls and George's girl and to make sure they didn't burn the house down or else.'
Draco laughed. 'I'm not sure you want to know what the "or else" consists of.'
'I don't think so either.' Ron grinned.
'Is the house still standing?' Blaise asked a little further down the table.
Roxanne rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. 'The confidence of everyone to leave me alone is charming.' she answered.
Blaise laughed and shook his head. 'That's what you get when you almost set the kitchen on fire the last time you were left alone at home.'
'It was an accident!'
'I'm not letting her cook this time, so we'll be good.' Matthew winked, bumping his shoulder against Roxanne's as Blaise laughed.
'Oh ha-ha, you two are so funny.' Roxanne muttered, popping a shrimp in her mouth.
'I read your piece in the Daily Prophet, it was very good.' Hermione said as she poured some water in Jean's glass, who was seated opposite Holly.
Holly smiled. 'Thank you. It took me a while to write it. It seemed like I had constant writer's block.'
'Do you enjoy writing for the newspaper?'
'I read it too.' Scorpius jumped in, who had quickly taken the seat between Hope and Holly. 'It was awesome.'
'Thank you.' Holly chuckled before she turned back to Hermione to answer her question. 'It's lovely. I'm going to America in a few days for two weeks to write about the Ministry there.'
'That's so cool! Can I come?' Scorpius asked.
'It's a bit last minute now, maybe next time.' Holly smiled.
'But America, that's quite the adventure then, so far away.' Hermione said.
'It will be, but I'm so excited to see America and the Ministry there. It's going to be amazing.'
'I'm sure it will be.' Hermione smiled. 'Are you nearby your father's new shop?'
'It's an hour drive, but I'll make sure to pop by. Wouldn't want to miss out on seeing the new shop.' Holly grinned.
'So Hope will be by herself then?' Hermione asked, to which Hope shrugged.
'I might ask some friends over if I can manage it. Work is so busy right now.'
'Do you enjoy working at the Ministry?' Harry asked.
'It's great. There's always something going on, you know? Very exciting.'
'It seems like you're always on the go whenever I see you. Always running past me in the halls and the square.'
'I seem to be, yes.' Hope chuckled. 'It might be a bit crazy at times.'
'As long as you enjoy it, it's quite alright then, now isn't it?' Harry stated.
'I guess so.'
'Just don't forget to live a little outside of work as well. Don't let it take over your whole life.' he winked.
'I'll do my best.' Hope smiled.