The Marriage Decree

Chapter 95: You Know, I'm a Watcher

25/03/2000

0930h – Hermione and Draco – Granger Household – Chris, Sarah, Lauren and Craig

"Are you ready?" Draco asks.

"They're stood in the alleyway behind her parents' house, staring at the gate.

"I don't know," Hermione admits.

"They knew this was the intended eventuality of our marriage. It won't come as a shock to them." He tries to assure her.

"It shouldn't, but I'm their daughter, and I'm only twenty years old." She reminds him. "They'll be shocked."

"But they'll accept it and be happy for us." He says, taking the first steps toward the house, leading Hermione behind him. "I'm sure they'll also appreciate the lime." He adds, pulling one out of his pocket, making her smile.

The back door is locked when they try to enter, which is unusual since it's always been open whenever they've called around before. Draco knocks on the door until Chris answers, still wearing his pyjamas, with Vivian cradled in his arms. Sarah walks into the kitchen yawning as she places Evelyn into a double Moses basket.

"Why are you here?" He asks, stepping aside to let them enter.

"We thought we'd pay you a visit before we head to David's." Hermione answers. "Hello, Vivian, look how big you are?" She takes the baby from her father's arms.

"Is it a Gwen day?" Sarah asks.

"Yes, Draco's going this time."

"Does she need supervising still?" Sarah asks, putting the kettle on. "Do you want a cup?" She adds, already removing four cups from the cupboard.

Knowing that they would be offered many cups of caffeine over the course of the day, they had drunk apple juice with breakfast instead of their usual cup of tea.

"That would be lovely," Hermione says. "David gave the decision for unsupervised days to Sophie, and I think she also likes spending time with us." She explains.

"I don't trust that Gwen, I'm glad Sophie also has you two in your world," Sarah admits.

"Why are you holding a lime, Draco?" Chris sighs, already done with whatever the answer will be as he rubs the sleep from his eyes.

Draco glances at Hermione who nods. Smiling brightly, he throws the line at his father-in-law. "It's for you."

Chris struggles to catch the lime, having not expected to find one thrown at him, but he does. He stares at the offending fruit, turning it around in his hand at arm's length away as if expecting to find something unusual about it.

"It's too early for your magical customs." Chris sighs, throwing the lime back at Draco, who catches it with ease after years spent catching a snitch in Quidditch.

"It's about the size of your grandchild." He says, throwing it back.

The lime hits Chris in the centre of the chest then drops to the floor as Sarah turns around in shock, knocking one of the cups off the counter to the floor where it smashes.

"Damn," Sarah mutters, dropping to the floor in an attempt to pick up the broken shards with her trembling hands.

"Sarah, I've got it," Draco tells her, brandishing his wand.

"Oh, of course." She stands, stepping away from the mess and Draco waves his wand, casting a silence 'repario' over the shards.

The four of them watch as seemingly in reverse, the cup prepares itself and jumps back onto the counter. Reminded of the lime on the floor, Chris bends over to pick it up, glaring at it.