Dramione ~ 20 Years Later

Gardens and Geraniums

Thanks for reading, cupcake.

I hurried inside to greet my mother-in-law, who was currently smiling fondly at her grandchildren and I'm pretty sure I saw her discreetly slipping a few coins of money into each of my children's hands- even Leo.

I decided I'd let it slide, considering how much the woman loved to dote on her grandchildren.

As I headed in her direction, she noticed me and gave me a wide smile. "Hermione!" She exclaimed, "you look wonderful, dear. How are you?"

"I'm great 'Cissa how are you?" I replied fondly at the woman.

She was wearing her usual black robes with a green blouse and trim on her pockets. She looked as sophisticated as ever and her unaging beauty never failed to amaze me. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant bun at the back of her head and I could just see her wand peeking out the edge of the sleeve of her right arm.

"Lovely now that I get to see you and my favourite grandchildren," she stated with a small smile gracing her features.

"And me, mum?" Draco asked with an amused glint in his grey eyes.

"Oh yes, you too, dear. Now, who's ready to go shopping!" Draco rolled his eyes fondly at her with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

There was a chorus of 'me' as the children all smiled up at their grandmother. I smiled at how much the kids adored her- I adored her too. Before me and Drack had begun dating, I'd met her a few times because she loved to host dinner for her son and his friends. At first I had been nervous about my blood status offending her, but her exact words earned her my utmost respect.

I remember her words as clear as day. It was comforting to hear them and I hoped to never forget them. She said:"If the war has taught me anything, dear, it's that no innocent blood should ever paint the ground; whether it is your's or mine, spilling blood is wrong. I've seen enough lives taken to last most people several lifetimes- and I don't plan on seeing anyone else lost. It's the choices we make that determine how we're treated, not our parents, not our ancestry."

And as Narcissa hugged me then, I was reminded of her words, like I was everytime I saw her, everytime I saw the inscription on my arm. The war had changed her. Like it had changed everyone.

I was brought out of my reverie by Draco coming to stand by my side. I smiled softly at him and he returned the gesture after giving me a quick peck on the cheek. "Sorry I was gone when you woke up, mon chéri." He mumbled to me with a sheepish smile.

"That's alright," I replied gently, "these lot keep me busy in the mornings anyway," I told him with a light chuckle.

I looked towards Leo, Amara, Zoe and Scorpius as they sat on the sofa in the living room with Narcissa, as she asked them various questions to catch up with them. Leo was currently sat animatedly telling her about the goldfinch he'd seen eating from the bird feeder and how close he'd managed to get to the bird before it flew off, whilst Narcissa sat smiling at him and nodding.

I turned back towards Draco, who was also watching the interaction, until I asked him, "What are you planning on doing with Leo and Zoe whilst we're in Diagon Alley?"

He turned towards me, startled out of his thoughts by the sudden question. "Oh. I was planning on just letting them drag me wherever their curiosity takes them," he whispered back, chuckling. "They're a force to be reckoned with when they want to see something."

I laughed and nodded my head in agreement with him. "Wise choice, dear," I said fondly, "Amy has made plans to meet up with Mia in Diagon Alley to vist Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and have some ice cream. I'm not sure which order though, she was quite vague."