With you in my Arms

96. Naming Ceremony

A/N This was supposed to be the grand finale! The Naming Ceremony where the name of their baby is finally revealed, the last chapter, the one with a very happy ending that would make us all think of fantastic sunsets and happy ever after.

Well... read on and you'll find out what I mean.

Comments and your thoughts are more than appreciated!

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The day was blessed with warm sunshine and a cloudless sky. Their son had been sleeping for most of the night, to Hermione's utter astonishment, and even the house elves were rather excited about today's event: the Naming Ceremony for the youngest Malfoy.

"Hermione! If you don't come out off that bathroom this minute, I swear I'll break the door down!" Draco was more than just a bit agitated. The large ballroom was slowly filling with guests and his dear wife was hiding in their bathroom for some bizarre reason. "Hermione!"

"I can't go out there." her muffled voice came from behind the locked door.

"Why not for Merlin's sake?"

"I can't..."

"Get out here this instant, woman!"

Draco's nerves were fraying at the edges as it was. The last thing he needed was for Hermione... The door opened and all he could do was stare at the face that was looking at him. His wife had to be... somewhere... behind that...

"What happened?"

"I don't know." she close to wailed as tears were starting to roll over her face.

There was nothing else he could do except pull her into a tight embrace.

"Draco? Hermione? It's time for the two of you to come down. Everybody is gathered in the ballroom waiting for the big moment."

Narcissa looked at bit surprised at the couple before her. Her son was holding her daughter-in-law in his arms, his dress robes all but hiding her from view. Was the girl crying?

"What's going on, Draco?"

"We'll be down in a minute, Mother."

His eyes told her not to ask any questions. She nodded and left quietly.

"Lea, what has happened? Why is your face bright green?"

"I don't know. It was like this when I woke up this morning."

"Have you been eaten anything or drunk something..."

"No. Everything was as usual last night. I've singing to our son before I came to bed."

"What did you sing?"

"I don't know. Just some stuff about green pastures and happy cows, children's stuff."

"Green pastures?"

Draco sighed. What had he got himself into when he told this wonderful witch that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her? Merlin knew what else might happen during the next decade. Who would have thought that their son would be this powerful as an infant already?

"I think, singing to our son about green pastures wasn't the best idea."

"What do you mean? Oh..."

"Yes. I think it was him causing your face turning Slytherin green."

He kissed her cheek.

"At least we can rectify this quite easily."

He waved his wand and after a moment the colour vanished. Expecting a big thankful smile he was in for a shock as he saw his wife scowl at him.

"What?"

"Why can you remove the colour and I couldn't?" she demanded to know.

Trying his best not to grin he said, "It's a Slytherin... guy think. You're a girl and a Gryffindor."

She didn't believe him, but that was okay. As long as he could finally get her to come downstairs with him.

"I'll explain tonight, lovely witch. Promise." he whispered into her ear, "But now we have to get a move an. Everybody is expecting us downstairs."

He turned and was about to walk towards the doors when her hand closed around hi wrist.

"You won't give him some ridiculous name, will you?"

He stepped back to face her. Her eyes were showing the worry that was eaten away at her. With a smile a gently lay his hands on her shoulders, kissing her forehead he sighed.

"No, Hermione, I'm not giving our son a ridiculous name. It's unusual, but not ridiculous."

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The doors to the ballroom were closed. Hermione looked at her husband with a surprised expression on her face, but then she heard something that sounded like a fanfare and the doors swung open. All eyes were upon them. A wizard stood in the middle of the dance floor with their son. Who was unsuccessfully trying to get a hold of his beard.

"We are gathered here for the traditional Naming Ceremony as it was performed for centuries for every child. In the past a month would pass before a child would be introduced to the community and another year before it was given a proper name. Nowadays we don't have to wait quite as long in order to be sure our children will survive."

He held the happily gurgling infant up so that all present could see him.

"Today this child will be introduced into our community."

Hermione felt her husband take her hand into his.

"This child has a mother. The name of the family she was born into is Granger, but her heart found another heart and therefore her name is now Hermione Jean Malfoy."

She stepped forward and felt rather self-conscious as her friends and parents were smiling and clapping. Standing next to her son she felt a wave of love and understanding ripple through her mind. All worry was suddenly gone. He didn't care what name his father gave him. He knew his father loved him and any given name would be happily accepted.

"This child has also a father. The name of the family he was born into is the House of Malfoy. His name is Draco Malfoy."

More clapping and for a moment his wife thought she saw him actually blush.

"It is custom for the father to proclaim the name of his child and introduce it to our society."

The baby was handed to its father smiling at the parent that was now holding him up.

"This is my son. He was born into my house, the House of Malfoy. He will be my heir one day and even so his mother is dreading me naming him, I herewith name my first born son Scorpius Malfoy."

Cheering and clapping filled the room. Grinning inwardly Draco saw the relieved expression on the face of his wife.

"It is also custom for a child to have a godfather or godmother. As my wife is a Gryffindor but I'm a Slytherin it will be best for our son to have a godparent from either side. His godfather will be my cousin Ben." a tall figure stepped next to Draco, "His godmother will be Ginny Weasley."

A rather widely grinning Harry nudged his fiancé to go. Draco had had a long talk with his ex-nemesis about becoming a father, loving Hermione and that it would be good, if Ginny would be godmother to their son. It would also make sure that Blaise could see her at all the family gatherings, but that wasn't mentioned.

Ginny took her place next to Hermione and her cheeks looked rather flushed. The wizard next to Draco thought her to be the most beautiful girl in the world.

The infant was handed to his now godfather and looked at him with great interest. For a split second Blaise actually feared that he might be able to look past his disguise, but he was only a baby for Merlin's sake. He wasn't... The image of him and Ginny in the apothecary at Christmas suddenly appeared before his mind's eye. Not to gasp was a struggle he nearly lost. Especially as the image wavered and changed. The next one had him shocked. There were three people in the it.

"Ben?" somebody elbowed him in the ribs, "Your turn."

"Oh, yeah, right."

The infant was yet again held high and his godfather.

"I, Ben Malforio, swear to protect and teach this child. He will always have a place at my table and under my roof. Should need be , he'll become my son."

With shaking hands he transferred the baby to Ginny. As their hands brushed against each other he had difficulties shaking the image he had seem moments earlier.

Ginny kissed the forehead of a wriggling child and then held it up like his father and godfather had done.

"I, Ginny Weasley, swear to protect and teach this child. He will always have a place at my table and under my roof. Should need be, he'll become my son."

'He would be our son...'

Hermione took her son and smiled happily at her husband. As they stood close together in the centre of the room several people were taking pictures now. They would probably make the headlines of the Prophet again, but so be it. That was nothing they couldn't handle.

"Let us greet my son. Scorpius Malfoy!" Draco called above the chattering.

Silence returned as everybody present lifted their wand.

"Scorpius Malfoy!" the room answered with a cheer.