Authors' note: Thank you to the loyal ones who have read and reviewed. We both appreciate that very much. Summer is a busy time for everyone and we understand that people are busy but if you do read, please take a moment to let us know what you think? Don't make us beg! Okay, we're begging. Please? Please review?
In this chapter, you will get to see more of those Meddling Malfoys as well as an appearance of someone you've not seen or heard from in quite some time…enjoy!
CHAPTER NINE
"Where is that awful girl with our breakfast?" Narcissa asked haughtily. Ginny rolled her eyes. Ever since they'd arrived, Narcissa had done nothing but complain. The woman wasn't satisfied with anything.
"She could at least bring the newspapers in," Draco said pushing back from his chair. He glared at his wife. "I don't know why you insisted on bringing that awful servant along. We could have just kept a house elf."
"Marisol is someone we can trust," Ginny said defensively.
"Thanks to Minister Mudblood, if we employed a house elf, we'd have to pay them wages," Lucius said angrily. "Paying a house elf?"
"It's ridiculous," Narcissa replied.
Marisol came into the dining room carrying a tray that was almost as big as she was. None of the Malfoys offered to help her.
"It's about bloody time," Draco said causing Marisol to nearly lose her balance.
"I'm sorry sir," she whispered. "The toast burned and--"
"I'm not interested in excuses," Ginny snapped. "Just give us our bloody meal already."
"Yes mistress," Marisol said, her hands shaking as she set the plates before them.
"Where's today's newspaper?" Lucius barked at her.
"Right here sir," she squeaked, pulling it out of her apron pocket.
"You bring that in first from now on," Draco ordered.
"Yes sir," Marisol said weakly.
Narcissa looked at Ginny. "You hired that girl?"
"Yes," Ginny replied testily. "I did."
Narcissa huffed, but didn't say anything which only infuriated Ginny more.
"What's in the papers?" Lucius said as he buttered his toast. "The fall of the House of Potter?"
Draco didn't answer but his silvery grey eyes were dark in anger.
The front page of the Daily Prophet had a picture of Harry and Hermione Potter snogging in broad daylight looking as happy as could be.
Ginny had to bite her lower lip at the look of rage on her father in law's face. It was mirrored by Narcissa's, and she almost excused herself to leave the room so she could laugh aloud.
"Rumours of discourse in the Potters' marriage seem to be just that," Draco read aloud. "The happy couple were caught canoodling just outside their son's school."
"But how can that be?" Narcissa asked her husband. "You said you took care of all that!"
"I did," Lucius hissed at her. "Our son obviously fell down on the job."
"How the hell did I figure into this?" Draco snapped. "I've only followed your lead you won't let me do anything else!"
"We had them, Draco!" Lucius said angrily, thumping the paper. "We had them! And he always finds some way to land on his feet."
"This wasn't Draco's fault," Ginny said loyally. "He and I have both done everything you've asked!"
"Stay out of this girl," Lucius' eyes were angry slits.
Ginny looked to her husband to take up for her, but as usual he was silent.
"Come on Draco," Lucius threw his napkin down. "We don't have time for breakfast. We have work to do."
"I have rounds at nine," Draco reminded him.
"I'll have you there in time," Lucius said coldly.
"Fine," Draco said throwing his napkin down and without a goodbye to his wife or mother, followed his father out of the dining room.
Ginny stared after them in disbelief.
"Really," Narcissa said with a disdainful sniff. "These eggs are entirely overcooked. I guess I'm going to have to help you find some decent help."
"I don't need your help," Ginny snapped at her.
"Obviously you do," Narcissa also stood up. "Come on then. No time like the present. And we can get something decent to eat in town."
"Fine," Ginny said resigning herself to spending another awful day with her mother-in-law. "I just need to get dressed."
"Wear something tasteful, Ginevra," Narcissa lectured. "You need to start acting like a lady."
"I act just fine!" Ginny whirled around. "Maybe if you'd look just a LITTLE harder you could see my good qualities!"
"Such as?"
"I'm gorgeous," Ginny said. "I DO have a good fashion sense. I look good on Draco's arm. My son, wretch that he's become, is quite famous... need I go on?"
"You had nothing to do with Nicholas' being famous," Narcissa said. "From what I can tell you had very little to do with his upbringing."
"I did so," Ginny nearly stamped her foot.
"Oh yes," Narcissa said sarcastically. "You hired his nanny."
"I'm going to get dressed," Ginny said through clenched teeth.
"Don't take too long," Narcissa said to Ginny's retreating back.
Ginny slammed the door behind her, cast a silencing charm and then let out a frustrated scream. She swore she'd speak to Draco about having to spend every day with his mother- she wanted him to be around more. She found a set of dress robes that she knew would please Narcissa and set a spell that would arrange her hair in long waves.
Since Luna was working on a story on Harry and Hermione for the Quibbler, she'd decided to let Maddie and R.J. spend the day with Arthur and Molly. Molly needed to go into Diagon Alley and Maddie was very happy to tag along. She'd decided it was Dolly's birthday and she needed to buy her pixie a nice present.
"Do you think Dolly would like a new outfit?" Maddie asked her grandmother.
"Oh I'm sure she would sweetheart," Molly smiled at her granddaughter. "Something red."
"That's what I was thinking too Nana!" Maddie said gripping Molly's hand.
"How lovely," Molly said. "Let's try Lavender's shop all right? I think your Uncle Harry told me she's here this week and I bet she can find something for us!"
"Maybe she could shrink one of the robes for me," Maddie said excitedly.
Molly smiled at her granddaughter as she steered RJ's pram over in the direction of the small dress shoppe.
Lavender looked up in surprise when she saw them come inside.
"Madeline Molly Weasley," Lavender said running toward the little girl. "You get more adorable every time I see you!"
"Hi Lavender!" Maddie ran to give her a hug. "You look pretty too!"
Lavender giggled. "Thank you. Hello, Molly."
"Hello dear," Molly smiled at the young woman. "How are you? It's been far too long since you've come for a visit!"
"I know," Lavender said apologetically. "But with Seamus away filming, I thought I'd spend some time with my old friends and family. You'll probably be sick of me you'll be seeing me so much."
"I doubt that could happen," Molly gave her a kindly smile.
"Guess what!" Maddie bubbled. "It's Dolly's birthday and I have to buy her some robes!"
"Tell you what," Lavender said kneeling down in front of the little girl. "In honour of Dolly's birthday, how about you pick out any set of robes that you want and I'll use a shrinking charm to fit it down to Dolly's size. And you won't have to spend your money."
Maddie's blue eyes brightened. "Really?" she asked happily.
"Really," Lavender said taking Maddie's hand. "How about you and I go and look and let your Nana take a rest?"
"That would be great, Lavender," Molly said gratefully.
"No problem," Lavender sent her a smile as she conjured up a comfortable sofa. "Have a seat and we'll be right back!"
Molly sat down and smiled as she watched her youngest granddaughter follow Lavender.
"She likes red," Maddie explained. "It matches the little marks she has on her feet!"
"Your pixie has excellent taste," Lavender said grinning at Maddie. "I just happen to have some red robes right over here."
"Ooh," Maddie's eyes grew wide. "Those are beautiful!"
"I also have them in your size too," Lavender said. "You and Dolly could match!"
"Really?" Maddie clapped her hands in excitement. "You're the best!" she gave Lavender a smothering hug. "My mummy and daddy will be so surprised!"
"Yes they will," Lavender said with a laugh.
Ginny pushed open the door to the shop. She hadn't even noticed the name on the door. Narcissa was barking commands at her and she'd been so ready to be out of that horrible woman's sight, she'd walked into the first shop she could find.
"I'm sure we'll find something passable in here," Narcissa spoke coldly. "It's about time you had something decent."
"If you say one more derogatory word about me so help me..." Ginny started to say.
"Ginevra?" Molly asked getting to her feet. "Is that you, sweetheart?"
Ginny spun around at the familiar voice. "Mum?" she asked, hardly believing what she was seeing.
"It is you," Molly said beaming at her daughter. "Oh, sweetheart!"
Ginny couldn't contain her shock. "What are you doing here?" she asked, ignoring Narcissa's snort of disgust.
"I took Maddie and R.J. shopping," Molly replied warmly. "Maddie's buying some new robes for her pixie."
"Her pixie?" Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"Maddie has a Cornish pixie," Molly explained. "When you come for Christmas, you'll have to see it."
"Coming home for Christmas?" Narcissa asked, her eyes glinting maliciously.
"Mum," Ginny said quietly. "I never said I was coming home for the holidays."
"I know it's a little early to plan so far ahead," Molly said quickly. "But your father and I would love to have you there. Your brothers would be happy to see you, of course."
"I'm not going anywhere without Draco," Ginny said coolly.
"I-I don't know how your son would feel about that," Molly said. "Nicholas was very hurt by what you did to him last summer, Ginevra."
"What I did to him?" Ginny asked angrily. "He was the one who left!"
"But you sacked poor Greta," Molly reminded her. "He didn't want to leave her out in the cold, Ginny. He's much too noble for something like that!"
"Noble my arse," Ginny replied. "Mum this trip down memory lane is lovely but do you have a point here?"
"Ginny!" Molly said taken aback.
Narcissa looked on with a satisfied smirk.
"Mum I've got other things I have to do today," Ginny said. "I have to find new robes."
"But--" Molly said her face crumpling up in sadness.
A small part of Ginny felt bad that she was making her mother unhappy but she also knew that her family had deserted her the moment she'd gone to Hillsdale and took up with Draco.
"Look Nana!" Maddie came out in the new red robes, holding a smaller set in her hands for Dolly. "We can match-- Nana why are you crying?"
Molly wiped at her eyes. "I'm just sad, love."
The little girl was instantly reminded of the dream she'd had a few days before and it was only verified as she saw her father's sister standing there. "You made my Nana cry," she accused, her blue eyes going dark.
Ginny opened her mouth to respond, but before she could do so, Maddie stomped down hard on Ginny's foot.
"OW!" Ginny yelped. "You little swot!"
"I don't like you!" Maddie said angrily as Lavender began to laugh.
"What on earth are you doing here?" Ginny asked, noticing Lavender for the first time.
"This is my shop," Lavender said grinning at her.
"YOUR shop?" Ginny wrinkled her nose. "Well I don't want to buy anything of YOURS!"
"Then by all means, get out of my shop," Lavender said sweetly, mainly for Maddie's benefit.
"And don't come back," Maddie added from where she'd attached herself to Molly's waist, trying to give her Nana a hug as Molly used a tissue to try and compose herself.
Ginny angrily stalked out of the shop not bothering to see if Narcissa followed.
"Are you okay Nana?" Maddie asked. "Don't cry!"
"I'm all right sweetheart," Molly said, sitting back down on the sofa. "It's just- I can't believe she's turned out the way she has," she explained to Lavender who nodded sympathetically.
Lavender wished she could say what she really thought of Ginny, but out of respect for Molly she kept silent. She couldn't imagine it was easy to see your only daughter grow up to become...a Malfoy.
"What on earth are they doing back here?" Lavender asked instead.
"I wish I knew," Molly wiped at her eyes.
"Nana, please don't cry," Maddie's blue eyes were also filled with tears. "I don't like when you're sad."
"I know," Molly said forcing a smile. "I don't like it either."
"RJ doesn't like it too," Maddie looked at her little brother, who saw his sister crying and promptly burst into tears of his own. "It's okay RJ," she tried to soothe. "That mean lady won't be back."
Lavender smiled and wished she could agree. But something told her that trouble lay ahead for all of them if Draco and Ginny Malfoy were back in town.
*** *** ***
It was a rather dreary, drizzly Saturday and Julie would have liked nothing more than to sit in front of the fireplace at her own home with Nick beside her but Chiaki had asked her to come over and help with some wedding arrangements.
"Can I just say yet again that I'm glad Maddie talked you into pink?" Julie teased. "That orange you had us in was really atrocious Chi."
"It wasn't really orange," Chiaki said defensively. "It was more a pastel peach colour."
"It was orange," Julie laughed at her as they turned a page in the bridal hairstyle magazine they were browsing through.
"Blokes sure do have the easy part in weddings don't they?" Nick asked, to say he was bored would have been putting it mildly. "All we have to do is show up and make sure our hair looks decent."
"Rub it in," Chiaki gave her half brother a glare.
"You don't have to go to all that trouble you know," Nick said. "You only have yourself to blame."
"You may be my brother but I'm still older," Chiaki said. "So shut up while you're still ahead."
Nick held up his hands in defeat.
Julie wondered if perhaps now might be a good time to let Chiaki know about Draco Malfoy's return.
"Chi?" she asked almost hating to put a damper on her friend's happiness.
"Hmm?" Chiaki asked, once again absorbed in the magazine as the model on the page spun around gracefully.
Julie shot Nick a look which he instantly understood- they had talked that morning about whether or not to tell Chiaki about Draco Malfoy being back in town.
"We have some good news and some bad news," Nick said giving his half-sister a smile. "Which do you want to hear first?"
Chiaki made a face. "How bad is the bad news?" she asked.
"Well it might not be all that bad depending on your perspective," Nick replied.
"What is it?" Chiaki asked.
"Um, well the good news is that yours truly is about to go on tour," Nick said with a grin. "We've sold out nearly all the venues."
"That is good news!" Chiaki grinned back at him. "Congratulations little bro!"
"I'm really excited," Nick said. "This is the first time I've gone out on my own without the band. I mean, I have a band for the tour, but it's me. You know...by myself."
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Chiaki said.
"The only thing bad is that he'll be gone for two weeks," Julie said wistfully.
"Is that the bad news?" Chiaki asked hopefully. "That Julie will be without the love of her life?"
"I wish that was all," Nick sobered. "Well the bad news... our father is here in London."
Chiaki laughed. "Haha, Nicholas. Very funny."
"It's true," Julie said softly. "He's working at St. Mungo's and Greta saw Ginny in one of the shops in Diagon Alley."
The smile on Chiaki's face fell. "No...you can't be serious, Jules."
"It's true," Nick said putting a hand on Chiaki's arm. "But you know this might not be that bad..."
"How can it not be bad?" Chiaki asked, shaking her head.
"Well, you did say you wanted a unique wedding right?" Nick asked her, a serious expression on his face. Chiaki looked at him bemusedly and nodded.
"Well," Nick said grinning at her. "You can have Neville and dear old Draco give you away. Picture it now; you're walking down the aisle with both your dads..."
Chiaki reached behind her and hit him upside the head with a pillow. "You are NOT funny Nicholas," she frowned at him.
"Really Nick," Julie's mouth was also turned down. "That was a really ill timed joke."
"You're right," Nick said sheepishly. "I'm sorry, but you know how it is with my father. You either laugh or cry."
"Right," Chiaki rolled her eyes. "Well... I guess it really doesn't affect me THAT much considering he wouldn't have anything to do with me at Hillsdale last year."
"Just be glad you've never met dear old Granddad," Nick said. "You did hear that he got out of Azkaban, right?"
"Mum and Dad were talking about it," Julie said. "But you hadn't met him either had you Nick? I thought he was in Azkaban before you were born?"
"He was," Nick said. "But I heard all about him from my mum. She was always terrified of him. And my Uncle Ron's told me some stuff about him too."
"He sounds just lovely," Chiaki said sarcastically.
"Well, I think that his release from prison and my parents' return to London are not just coincidental," Nick said.
"Of course it isn't," Cho joined them.
"You knew too, Mum?" Chiaki asked. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I just heard from your father," Cho replied. "Apparently it was all kept rather hush in the Ministry. Harry and Hermione didn't even say anything." she sat back on the sofa. "Now we know why those new articles are cropping up about them in the papers."
"Thanks to dear old dad," Nick said sarcastically.
"This can't be easy for you either," Chiaki said to her brother.
"I'm used to it," Nick said with a shrug.
"Well they don't know we live in Guilford," Julie said, her hand on Nick's arm. "So that helps keep us a bit anonymous to them."
"Something tells me, I'm not the reason they're back," Nick told her. "They washed their hands of me when I left Sydney."
"And you're better off for it Nick," Cho said to him.
"Don't I know it," Nick said smiling at her.
"Let's get back to this," Chiaki said. "I don't want to waste my time talking about Draco Malfoy."
"Now that's the best idea you've ever had," Nick said.
"Sod off," Chiaki replied.
"Do you kiss Toshio with that mouth?" Nick asked cheekily.
"Do you kiss Jules with yours?" Chiaki retorted.
"You two are definitely brother and sister," Cho said laughing.
Julie laughed too. "That goes without saying," she squeezed Nick's hand.
"So, are you enjoying your last few days of peace and quiet?" Nick asked Cho, glad to be talking about something other than his father. "Your girls will be getting home from Hogwarts soon, right?"
"Soon enough, yes." Cho replied. "It's always lovely to have them home but yes, I do enjoy the peace and quiet. Although it hasn't really been that way with the wedding of the century coming up soon." she smiled at her daughter.
"The wedding of the century wasn't mine," Chiaki said. "It was Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione's."
"You couldn't remember that," Cho said. "You were only around a year and a half old at that time. And you slept on your father's lap the whole reception," she laughed.
"Yes, but I've read all the old clippings," Chiaki said giggling. "Some of those headlines were so cheesy. 'The Boy Who Married'. 'Potter Takes A Wife'. "
Julie grinned. "A lot of hearts were broken when Dad married Mum." she laughed. "Right Aunt Cho?"
Cho laughed. "Don't look at me."
"Oh come on, you always say that Aunt Hermione swept Uncle Harry off his feet," Chiaki teased. "I should think it would have been the other way around. Uncle Harry's a smooth talker."
"Oh yeah," Cho said sarcastically. "Do you want to know how he asked me out the first time?"
"Yes," Julie replied immediately, giggling.
"We'd just had a Quidditch match," Cho explained. "In which we nearly beat Gryffindor. So Mr. Smooth Talker comes up to me afterwards and I thought he was going to gloat. But instead he just stares at me and looks as if he's going to be sick. And I was like 'Yes?'. And he says to me, 'Hogsmeade. You. Me. Okay?'."
Nick, Chiaki and Julie burst into laughter. "Oh that sounds like Dad," Julie wiped her eyes.
"Very romantic, eh?" Cho asked laughing.
"According to Mum he's gotten loads better," Julie said.
"Well, they didn't really date," Chiaki pointed out. "Not really. I mean they had that whole star-crossed love thing going on and then they moved in together."
"That's true," Cho said with a smile. "And there isn't anyone better for him. Or her, for that matter."
"Too right," Julie agreed.
"Just like there's no one better than Toshio for me!" Chiaki said gleefully.
Nick groaned. "If she's going to get all mushy over Toshio, I'm going to have to leave."
"You are not," Julie said, pulling on his arm.
"Jules, please I'm begging you," Nick said pleadingly. "Let me go. I can't take this. My masculinity has already taken a really big hit from sitting here looking at bridal magazines."
"Poor baby," Julie said with a laugh.
*** *** ***
It had been over twenty years since Gordon Devereaux had stepped outside the grounds of St. Mungo's hospital. His handsome features had diminished over the years and his skin was quite sallow and he had grown quite gaunt and frail looking. He was a shadow of the man he used to be.
He didn't say much to anyone. His healers had tried over the years to make some sort of breakthrough, but he only muttered nonsensical phrases when he spoke. The walls of his room were bare but the table in his room was cluttered with books. He read all the time. It was in these books that he could make some sort of escape away from his madness; of his thoughts.
Draco took in Gordon's surroundings with a small sneer. "How disgusting," he thought, wrinkling his nose at the smell.
Gordon looked up at the strange man, wondering who this person was. He grunted a hello, but sat back down on his bed, rocking back and forth like he always did when he was faced with something or someone unfamiliar.
"Gordon Devereaux?" Draco asked coolly, fingering the recording cube in his white robe pocket.
Gordon didn't say anything, just continued to rock slowly back and forth.
"Are you Gordon Devereaux?" Draco demanded.
"Yes... Gordon," Gordon replied in a weak voice.
"Thank you," Draco replied sharply. "Can you tell me why you're here?" he wanted to get as much on this recording as possible to use it against the Mudblood.
Gordon stopped and looked up at the strange, unfamiliar man. "Don't know. Don't know you. Don't know why."
"I'm a healer here," Draco said. "I've just started work and I heard about you and wanted to come say hello."
"Her," Gordon muttered.
"Her?" Draco asked, keeping the glee from his tone. "Her... who?"
"Her....Herm," Gordon choked out, starting to rock back and forth again.
"Hermione?" Draco finished, his eyes glinting coldly. "You're in here because of Hermione Granger?"
Gordon's eyes darkened and he looked up at Draco. "She...she's....MINE!"
"I don't want her," Draco said with a snarl. "I don't want a Mudblood!"
Gordon jumped up from the bed and seized Draco's robes. "DON'T TALK! NOT ABOUT HER!"
"Watch yourself, Devereaux," Draco pushed him easily back onto the bed.
Gordon nodded and struggled to catch his breath.
With a nasty smile on his face, Draco reached into his pocket. "Do you read the Daily Prophet anymore?" he asked, pushing a copy of the latest issue in Gordon's face.
Gordon looked down at the paper and his expression darkened again as he watched the photograph of Harry and Hermione kissing.
"No," Gordon whispered. "No. No. No. No. No."
"Yes," Draco nodded. "Did Hermione lead you on Gordon?" he asked his tone friendly and concerned. "Did she make you think she'd be yours and then she turned her back on you for Potter?"
"He made her!" Gordon said not able to tear his eyes away from the paper.
"He made her do what?" Draco asked.
"Leave," Gordon said simply. "Leave me. He made...her."
"How?" Draco asked his excitement barely under control. The Minister drove this man to insanity- he could see the headlines now!
"School...she and me...tight," Gordon said dropping the paper to the floor. "He...changed....her. Tart. My sweet."
"So you were both in love and he stole her away?" Draco asked, kneeling in front of the broken man.
"Yes," Gordon said quietly. "Her. Away."
Draco nodded. "As I thought. And they had you committed to keep you away right?"
"Potter," Gordon said nodding. "Harry did it."
"But she did too didn't she," Draco encouraged.
"Did she?" Gordon asked, sounding very much like an insecure little boy.
"You tell me," Draco narrowed his eyes.
Gordon let out a plaintive wail. "Never loved me."
Draco blew out a sharp sigh and used his wand to turn off the recording device. "You can keep the paper," he said evilly, picking it up and thrusting it at the sobbing man.
"Hermione," Gordon muttered over and over looking down at the paper, now crying uncontrollably. Draco couldn't hide the smile on his face as he walked out of Gordon's room. He was halfway down the hall when he saw the last person he wanted to see.
"What on earth are you doing down here?" Pansy demanded.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Draco smirked, brushing past her but she caught his arm.
"You aren't assigned to this ward, Malfoy," she said to him. "Now, I'm going to ask you again, what were you doing here?"
"I don't have to answer to you," Draco said coldly.
"Whose room were you in?" Pansy asked him, not about to let him off the hook. "I've come along way from Hogwarts, Malfoy. I'm not one of your lapdogs anymore."
"Like you ever really were," Draco retorted. "I don't have to answer to you Parkinson- excuse me, Goyle." he laughed. "Why don't you go back to that goon of a husband and leave me alone."
"You're hiding something," Pansy said letting go of his arm. "And I'm going to find out what it is."
"Obviously you have nothing better to do," Draco said in a superior tone. "While aside from my job, I have a life."
"I have friends," Pansy told him icily. "And I don't like it when people I care about get hurt. You'd do well to remember that, Malfoy."
"I'm scared," Draco said with a false shiver. He laughed scornfully. "Now if you really don't mind, I have to start my rounds."
"Don't let me keep you," Pansy said giving him a fake smile. "Run along, Malfoy."
"Don't miss me too much," Draco sneered at her before leaving. He pulled the recording cube from his pocket and headed for the owlery to send it to his father.
******* **************** ***************
In an effort to present a united front, Harry and Hermione had asked Julie and Nick to come out for dinner with them in Diagon Alley that evening. The seven of them- including Greta, were seated around a circular table enjoying some curry and shepherd's pie and having quite a fun evening together.
"So little man," Nick said to Ethan. "How much longer before you're done serving your time?"
"I still have four days," Ethan replied. "But I've been good so I might get to fly this weekend."
"You have?" Greta asked teasingly.
Ethan shot his nanny a glance. "Haven't I?" his tone turned worried. "I've tried really hard to be good and--"
"She was only having a go at you," Julie said laughing.
"Everyone always has a go at me," Ethan said. "When Saffy's old enough I'll pin it all on her."
Julie rolled her eyes. "Ethan, you've just told mum and dad your secret!"
"You did it to me," Ethan said in his defence, taking another serving of rice.
"I did not," Julie said. "I was a perfect child. I never got in trouble."
Nick snorted. "I'll believe that when I see it." he grinned at his girlfriend.
"I bet you stayed in trouble," Julie said nudging him. "Didn't he, Greta?"
Greta laughed. "Nick was always good for me," she said and the blond let out a guffaw. "Now for his mother and father on the other hand..."
Nick groaned. "Let's not talk about them. This is a fun night, right?"
"Right," Harry said. "I, for one, am very happy that my entire family is here."
"Here, here!" Hermione said raising her glass. "This is just what we all needed."
"Really," Julie held up her glass. "I feel as if I haven't seen you all in weeks. It's good to be at home again even if only for a few hours." she loved Guilford but she missed London tremendously.
"It's good to have you home," Hermione said smiling at her daughter. "Both of you."
"Thank you," Nick said. "By the way, did Julie tell you about my tour I have coming up in a few weeks?"
"Oh, Nick!" Hermione exclaimed. "That's fantastic. Where are you going?"
"It's just around the UK," Nick explained. "Small tour, but my managers are really excited about it. So am I even though it means I'll be away from Jules."
"And he's promised he won't wear his leather trousers," Julie said grinning wickedly at him. "For anyone, but me."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Gross Jules," he complained.
"Would you rather we talk about you and one Madeline Molly Weasley then?" Julie countered.
Ethan turned red. "Shut up," he muttered.
"Come on, Jules," Harry said. "Ethan."
Julie sent her little brother a wicked grin. "But it's so cute Dad. Josh wrote to me and said Luna told him Maddie dolled herself up for an hour when she found out they were going into Diagon Alley a few days ago just in case they ran into Ethan."
Hermione stifled a laugh. It had been cute to see Maddie with Ethan, but she knew that talking about it was only going to infuriate Ethan and he'd really behaved himself the last few days.
"Julie," Hermione said. "Be nice or we'll have to tell Nick here some things about you..."
"But I'm the perfect child," Julie sent her mother a grin.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, but I seem to remember my perfect child deciding when she was two years old that she didn't really like wearing clothes and walked around in nothing but her nappy all the time."
"Don't forget the time she and Chiaki decided to cut their own hair," Harry said wincing at the memory.
Julie turned red. "Fine, fine you've made your point," she said hastily.
"I want to hear more about this," Nick said laughing. "Tell us more, Hermione."
"That's quite all right," Julie said, casting a dark look at him. "I was only two. I'm sure Greta could give us some stories like that about Mr. World Famous sitting right here."
"Greta wouldn't dare," Nick said looking at his former nanny. "She's very loyal."
"Yes but her loyalty rests with us now," Harry teased him as he lifted Saffron from her little seat and began to feed her a bottle.
"She's told me some stuff about you," Ethan said smugly to Nick.
"What?" Nick stopped laughing. "Greta!"
"Just a few things," Greta said dismissively. "Nothing major, Nick. I promise."
Ethan laughed. "Yeah right Greta. You told me about the time he took his trousers down in front of--"
"Greta!" Nick cried, looking injured. "You told him about THAT?"
"It seems as if you and your boyfriend are both exhibitionists," Hermione joked to Julie. "No wonder you found each other."
"All right, all right," Julie's face was so red it was nearly purple. "Can we talk about something else?"
"How's Kiki?" Ethan asked. "She never comes by like she used to."
"She's been so busy," Julie replied. "Aunt Lav is over there now fitting her with her wedding robes."
"I miss her," Ethan said taking a dinner roll from the basket.
"Oooh," Julie teased. "Maddie has competition..."
"Jules shut up," Ethan said. "I don't like Maddie that way. And I never will!"
"Whatever you say little man," Julie said grinning at him.
Harry finished feeding Saffron and Hermione handed him a cloth.
"Wouldn't want her to mess up her Daddy's shirt," Hermione said softly.
"Thanks love," Harry said, putting it over his shoulder and patting his daughter's back gently. "Don't look to your right but they're taking photographs."
"I don't care about them," Hermione whispered, looking at her husband and baby daughter. Saffron rested her tiny head on Harry's chest. "She's crazy about you, you know that right?"
"I have that effect on women," Harry laughed. "You most of all." he kissed his daughter's head.
"Dad you're so sweet with her," Julie said.
"Ah, she makes it easy," Harry said with a grin.
"Not always," Hermione laughed. "But around him she just seems to melt."
"She's pretty enamoured of her big brother too," Greta said.
"That might have something to do with that massive fort," Julie said. "That was pretty impressive, Ethan. I have to admit."
"Thanks," Ethan said with a grin. "I want to make a moat but Dad won't let me."
"What's this about a moat?" Hermione asked. Harry opened his mouth to respond, but saw out of the corner of his eye, Draco and Ginny Malfoy walking toward them. The maitre d was showing them to a table and since the table directly opposite the Potters was empty, he had no doubt where the Malfoys would be seated.
"What is it?" Hermione asked as she noticed the change in Harry's demeanour.
Harry took a deep breath. "Nick..." he said quietly. "You may not want to turn around."
"Why?" Nick asked.
"Well, isn't this cosy?" Draco said icily. "Hello, Nicholas."
The hairs on the back of Nick's neck stood up and ice water trickled down his spine. He closed his eyes for a moment, hoping the voice didn't belong to who he thought it did.
"Hello... Father." Nick replied coolly.
"You let the help eat with you?" Ginny asked looking disdainfully at Greta.
"Greta's more than help," Nick retorted. "She's family."
"You obviously don't know the meaning of the word 'family'," Draco said coldly. "If you did, you wouldn't be sitting with...them."
"You can move along Malfoy," Harry said, his eyes narrowed. "We're not bothering you."
"Yes, Draco," Ginny said taking his arm. "Let's sit."
Hermione shook her head in disgust and Julie put a comforting hand on Nick's arm. "Don't let them see how much they bother you," she whispered to him.
"Right," Nick said forcing a smile. "Right."
"Bring us your finest champagne," Draco said to the waiter, looking deliberately at the Potters. "We have much to celebrate."
Harry refused to let Draco see how curious he made him. What on earth could they possibly have to celebrate?
"How long has it been since she had her brat?" Ginny asked her husband, not bothering to keep her voice down. "She gained so much weight..."
Hermione pressed her lips together tightly. "I'm going to kill her," she said softly.
"Hermione," Harry said, trying to keep her calm.
"You look beautiful Mum," Julie said smiling at her. "Ginny Malfoy wishes she looked as good as you do."
Hermione smiled at her daughter. "Thank you sweetheart."
Saffron started to get fussy and this only egged Draco and Ginny on more.
"Who brings a brat to a posh restaurant like this?" Draco asked.
"The kind of couple who thinks they have to flaunt their happy relationship in front of others, I guess," Ginny replied with a smirk.
Nick's hand clenched into a fist. "Why don't you both shut the hell up," he said angrily.
"Nick," Julie said putting her hand on his arm. "How about you and I take Saffron out for some fresh air?"
"Fine," Nick said tightly as Harry handed Saffron over to his eldest daughter.
"Goodbye Nicholas," Ginny said waving at her son as he trailed after Julie and Saffron. "He's really good at leaving."
Ethan saw his father clench his fists under the table and he couldn't believe his father hadn't done anything in response to what Nick's parents were saying.
"Just ignore them," Hermione said through clenched teeth. "We are not going to let them ruin our dinner."
"I'm trying not to," Harry said.
"They've always been like this," Greta added quietly. "Feeding off other people's misery."
"Don't I know it," Hermione said. She looked at her son. "So how was school today?"
"It was fine," Ethan replied. "I got full marks on my spelling exam!"
"That's fantastic!" Hermione said beaming at him. "I knew that you'd do great, Ethan."
Ethan grinned proudly. "I studied really hard for it."
Harry patted his son on the back. "Brilliant, Ethan. I'm really proud of you son."
"Thanks Dad." Ethan said happily.
"What do you think, Harry?" Hermione asked grinning at her husband. "Think we should let him off?"
Harry pretended to think it over for a moment. "I think he's been good," he replied. "What about you Greta?"
Greta pretended to mull this over. "Hmmm....I don't know...."
"Come on, Greta," Ethan pleaded.
Greta laughed. "I agree with your parents Ethan."
"Guess that means you're officially ungrounded," Harry mussed his son's hair.
"Really?" Ethan asked looking at him. "Really? Really?"
"Really," Hermione said giggling.
"Really," Ginny mocked from the next table.
The smile on Hermione's face faltered a bit.
"Laugh it up while you can Minister Mud--" Draco started to say.
"You finish that sentence Malfoy and you'll--" Harry retorted without thinking.
"Harry," Hermione said. "Not here."
"Not here, Harry," Ginny parroted.
"Would you like another black eye like the one I gave you before?" Hermione asked her coolly.
Ethan stared in disbelief at his mother. "You gave her a black eye, Mum?"
"Back at Hillsdale," Hermione said, giving Ginny an even glare.
"Cool," Ethan said looking in awe at Hermione. "Wow."
"We're almost done," Greta said as Nick and Julie came back in with a fast asleep Saffron.
"Good," Nick said sitting back down.
"Nick sang her to sleep," Julie said softly.
Hermione smiled at him. "That's very sweet of you Nick," she said appreciatively.
"I was happy to do it," Nick said.
The waiter came over to take Ginny and Draco's order.
"I'd be very careful with the gentleman at the next table," Draco said motioning to Harry. "He loses his cool pretty quickly. You'd better make sure you get everything right."
"I beg your pardon sir?" the waiter asked. "There's a problem with the Minister?" he turned away from their table. "Minister please be assured if there's anything we did wrong we will fix it for you immediately--"
"Everything's fine," Hermione assured him.
The poor man breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you Minister."
"In fact, I think we'd like to see your dessert menu," Hermione said.
"Do you think that's wise, Hermione?" Ginny asked. "You know what they say, a moment on your lips, a lifetime on your hips."
"I love my wife's hips," Harry replied. "Along with everything else about her."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yes, we all know. We all know about your great love story. We all saw it in the papers."
Hermione smiled pitifully at her. "And it just gets better and better each day."
"Come on Granger," Ginny said pulling a face. "People are trying to eat here."
"You seem to keep forgetting that my last name is Potter," Hermione reminded her.
"You'll always be a Mudblood," Draco sneered.
"Father," Nick said turning around and glaring at him. "Leave them alone. If you have a problem with me, fine. But don't bring them into it."
Draco's eyes cooled as he looked at his son. "I have problems with all of you," he said.
"Of course you do," Nick said sarcastically.
"Just leave us alone Malfoy," Harry was gripping his fists so tightly his knuckles were white. "Go about your business and stop trying to ruin our night."
"You could always leave," Draco said trying to bait Harry. "No one's keeping you here. I'm sure your wife would even agree. You, the brats, my son, and the hired help could just go away. Far, far, away."
"Look who's talking," Nick retorted. "You both live in Sydney yet you're here in London acting as if you own the city."
"It's not an act," Ginny said, sharing a secret smile with her husband. "It's a dress rehearsal."
"For what, pray tell?" Hermione asked sarcastically.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ginny said giggling as she raised her glass. "Cheers!"
"Not especially," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Whatever the two of you have planned couldn't be of lesser interest to me."
"Not yet," Draco muttered under his breath.
"I beg your pardon?" Hermione asked sharply.
"Nothing," Draco said innocently. He looked at Hermione. "You know there is something I've always wanted to ask you, Granger."
"That's Potter," Hermione said through clenched teeth.
"Whatever," Draco said grinning evilly at her. "You and Potter...you technically outrank him. Does that carry over into the bedroom? You have to tell him what to do, how to do it?"
Ethan looked at his father; surely this would be what would set him off. Ethan was finding it very hard to stay in his seat himself. He could just imagine what this was like for his father.
Hermione got up from her place in the booth and walked calmly over to the Malfoys' table. "I would appreciate if you wouldn't talk like that in front of my son. Despite the fact that you both couldn't parent to save your lives doesn't mean that I'm the same way."
"And I would appreciate it if you'd get your filthy little Mudblood face out of mine," Draco said standing up and getting dangerously close to Hermione.
"Going to threaten the Minister in a public place Malfoy?" Hermione asked with a pleasant smile. "That'll give you a one way ticket to Azkaban."
Julie looked at her father. "Dad, we should just go. Can we please just go?"
"Right," Harry signalled for the tab quickly.
"Leaving so soon?" Ginny asked, already working on her third glass of champagne.
"We've been here awhile," Hermione said sweetly. "But you enjoy your champagne. Just don't get yourself so pissed this time that you fall and hit your head on the table." with that she turned and helped Harry pull Saffron's little robes on her and the group left the restaurant, Nick turning back to glare at his parents before walking out behind Julie.
"I can't believe you didn't hit him, Dad," Ethan said as they walked out into the night air. "I wanted to!"
"I wanted to Ethan," Harry said grimly. "Believe me."
"It's what Malfoy wanted," Hermione said shaking her head. "He was trying to get a rise out of you---out of all of us."
"He nearly succeeded," Nick said. "I hate him. I hate him so much."
"Oh Nick," Julie said taking his hand.
"That sounds horrible I know," Nick said, squeezing her fingers. "But he's an arse."
"I can't believe he's your dad," Ethan remarked. "You're not like him at all."
"Thanks little man," Nick managed a smile at the boy. "That's a real compliment."
As Ethan, Julie and Nick and Greta walked ahead of them, Hermione slowed her pace so she could walk with Harry who was pushing Saffron's pram.
"I was very proud of you tonight," she said softly.
He smiled at her. "It was hard to keep control," he confessed.
"Trust me I know," Hermione said laughing. "I wanted to knock her lights out."
"If Ethan hadn't been there they'd have another nasty article about us in the paper tomorrow." Harry said, pushing his messy hair out of his eyes.
"They really are horrible, horrible people," Hermione said shaking head. "It's been over 20 years since all this started. When are they going to get over it and grow up?"
Harry shook his head. "I feel sorry for Nick," he said, looking at the blond who was being comforted by his daughter.
"I know," Hermione said. "Just when he put all of this behind him, they show up again."
"And with Lucius Malfoy on the loose as well," Harry replied. "It worries me that we haven't really seen him. Working underneath was always his agenda and he'd show up for the grand finale."
Hermione shuddered. She'd never dealt directly with the elder Malfoy, but she'd heard enough stories over the past few years to know that he wasn't someone you wanted to tangle with.
"I just hate not knowing what they're trying to do," Hermione said quietly.
"That too," Harry put an arm around her. "I'm going to ask Lupin if we can trace his activities since he left Azkaban."
"Good idea," Hermione said. "I'm going to talk to Pansy and see if she knows what Malfoy's up to at St. Mungo's."
"Right," Harry kissed the side of her head. "I really did marry a smart witch," he grinned at her.
"Yes you did," Hermione winked at him. "Come on; let's get this little one home."
"I hope she sleeps through the night again," Harry said.
"Me too," Hermione said wondering if he was thinking what she was thinking.
"I can read your mind," Harry gave her a wicked glance.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to spell it out for you," she teased.
"Hey Dad?" Ethan interrupted their moment. "Even though I'm not grounded can I still leave up my fort?"
"Yes," Harry told him. "But no moat little man."
"That's okay," Ethan said. "I'm going flying tomorrow I won't have time to make a moat." he turned a bit red. "Maddie wants to come over this week and play in the fort and I said she could if it was okay with you guys though."
Hermione wondered if she'd heard him correctly. "I-uh sure, that's fine."
"You want to play with Maddie?" Harry didn't mask his surprise.
"She's going to bring her pixie," Ethan said. "That's the only reason."
"Wait a minute," Harry said. "If that pixie comes over then it stays in the cage."
Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it. He'd just gotten out of trouble, he wasn't about to say anything to get himself back into it.
"You make sure Maddie knows that," Harry said. "And you clear this with Greta as well."
"I will," Ethan said. "I'm sure Greta won't mind, Dad."
"Have you asked her?" Harry responded.
"Not exactly," Ethan said sheepishly. "But she's cool, Dad."
"Ethan James," Harry said. "Don't assume for other people. She's the one that takes care of you during the day and she does a fantastic job. You ask her before you tell Maddie yes or no."
Ethan nodded and sprinted forward to ask Greta if it was okay.
"He is too much," Hermione said.
"Like me?" Harry asked.
"Exactly," Hermione said with a laugh.