Birthdays

After Christmas was over and Draco and Hermione had taken their trip to Paris for the New Year, the time seemed to fly by as everyone got back into a normal routine. Hermione was back at work, and Draco was back to taking care of the kids on his own. Both couldn't believe that it was already the triplet's birthday. The year had passed so quickly it seemed, and Hermione hoped that time would slow down. How could they already be a year? Walking sort of talking and getting into a world of trouble all of the time. 

Ara seemed to be the one that was always in the most trouble. Getting into things that she shouldn't be able to reach or having fits when she didn't get her way. Draco and Hermione were worried that it would only worsen as her magic came in and had even seen a Healer at St. Mungos about it. 

They were relieved when they found out it was perfectly normal for children to behave in this way, and the Healer was actually surprised that not all of their children acted out like this. Hermione never remembered acting like this, and when she discussed it with Draco, he said he certainly never threw fits. This had only earned laughter from Hermione as she recalled all of the fits that he had thrown in school. They were happy, however, that the Healer had said that as her magic came in, the fits wouldn't worsen the behavior. The behavior, however, would most likely bring the magic in earlier than the boys. It was a new belief within the community that this was the case, and the Healer had told them that no one was 100% certain of the timeline based on certain behaviors. 

It was finally time for the triplet's first birthday soon after the appointment, and Hermione and Draco were throwing a huge party. All of their friends were coming. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were coming. Hermione had found different toys and things to play on that would keep the children busy. She was just so excited to have the party. To enjoy her family's company. 

"How are we going to handle 3 one-year-olds, Hermione?" Draco was thinking about the upcoming years. It was going to be so much, and he was starting to get really tired all the time. 

"We are going to be fine, Draco. We are going to be able to do anything. Really." Hermione kissed his head. She knew how much he did during the day and could understand why he was always so tired. She had talked to Kingsley about it recently, and he had told her to stay home two days a week, and she would be able to leave early every other Friday. She thought it was a good idea. She hadn't told Draco, though, because they had been so busy planning the party. 

"Hermione, I really don't know." Draco didn't even know if he would be able to make it through the whole day today. 

"Draco, Kingsley is letting me work from home two days a week. I don't even think he really expects me even to work. And I am going to leave early every other Friday. Starting next week." Hermione hoped this would give him some peace of mind. 

"Really?"

"Yes, and those days you can sleep in or go to bed early. Or do whatever you need to." 

"Thank you, Hermione," Draco pulled her onto the bed. He knew she was going to be upset about it. She was already ready for the party. Completely done up. The more time that she spent with his mother, the more he thought that they dressed similarly. He didn't mind, though. She looked beautiful in anything. 

"Draco, you should start getting ready. One more hour in bed, and you need to be up. I don't want to be greeting guests on my own." She kissed him again before getting back up and walking downstairs. He needed to sleep more, and Hermione knew it. The past week had been crazy with all of the planning. Hermione being at work, and he was taking care of the babies all by himself. 

"Where is Draco?" Cissy was dressed similarly to Hermione. Both had black skirts and white blouses on with black heels. Hermione smiled at herself. She liked how she looked and dressed now. And Cissy approved, of course. 

"He's still in bed. Exhausted. I'm going to give him an hour more to sleep before I make him get ready," Hermione laughed and sat down with her mother in law to help her with whatever she was doing. 

They were both surprised when Draco came down around an hour later, fully dressed and ready for the day. 

"I thought I told you to go back to sleep?"

"I couldn't. I tried." Draco sat down next to the women, and they talked for a while. Soon the triplets were up, and Hermione was chasing them around the living room while Draco finished setting up for the party. It was their actual birthday today, and Hermione couldn't believe it. 

She had been a mother for a year, and it was the best thing that she had ever done. Even though it was terrifying when she found out she would have to have children, she found out she was going to have triplets. She wouldn't change any of that now. 

"'Mione, look how adorable they all look," Hermione smiled as Ginny stepped through the fireplace with her own little one, and she smiled even larger when she noticed how big she was getting. 

"Thank you Gin, can you believe it's already been a year?" 

"Next thing we know, we are going to be putting these four on the train together."

"What were they all thinking, having us all have children at the same time—you and Harry. Ron and Mine and Draco's children are going to be going to school at the same time. Seriously. And Luna and Neville's children. Absolutely the dumbest thing they could have done." Hermione laughed at her thought. Minerva was definitely in trouble. 

"Yeah. Scorp, James, Ara, Hyperion, Hugo, Mary, and Lysander. They are all going to grow up together too. What a time the Professors are going to have." 

"Think we will manage to have children in all four houses?" Hermione hadn't thought about it, but it would be nice. Their children could help make sure that all four houses were united. Never divided again. 

"Not likely." Draco had come in. 

"Well, why not?" Hermione wasn't sure how he was so sure. 

"Come on 'Mione. At least two of our children had Slytherin written all over them. The other could end up anywhere at the moment, I suppose. Mary is Neville all the way. Gryffindor for her, I bet. There is no way that James ends up anywhere but his parent's house. Lysander is going to be a Ravenclaw. I know it."

"So if Hyperion is sorted into Hufflepuff, that would be all four houses." Hermione knew that Ara and Scorpius were going to be Slytherins, and honestly, she didn't care as long as they did well in school. Didn't do anything dumb, and did well in school."

"Do you really think he would be?"

"I'm not sure. I'm not the sorting hat."

Ginny laughed at Hermione's comment and thought that Draco had hit it right on. However, she knew that Hyperion was going to be a Gryffindor. She saw the bravery in him. He didn't stand out right now, but she knew that he would protect his siblings no matter what they got into. They wouldn't be able to have someone in each house unless everyone had more children. Ron, Neville, and Luna still had to fill that obligation to the Ministry, so there was still some chance.  

When everyone arrived, the children all played with everything Hermione had gotten, and the adults talked about everything. Hannah, in fact, had just found out that she was having another child. Neville was beaming when they shared the news. Luna and Blaise looked a little sad, and Hermione hoped they hadn't lost a child. She knew Luna had the biggest heart and was scared that it had been shattered. She had been through a lot, but that would be the worst thing she would have to go through by far. 

The children were starting to look more and more like their parents with each passing day, and Hermione would be able to pick out any of these children from a crowd. 

Hugo looked just like Ron. Nothing like Romilda at all. She had strong features too, but Ron's red hair and height dominated all and showed through in Hugo. James looked just like Harry. Everyone would tell he was Harry Potter's child, and Hermione hoped that he would cope with all of that pressure. Ara, Scorp, and Hyperion looked like Draco more and more each day. Though Scorpius's hair was getting darker, and Hyperion and Ara's hair was curly like hers. Mary looked like a combination of her parents and had the temperament of her father. She even always diverted her adventures to the gardens when she was over. Lysander looked a copy of Blaise with the exception that his eyes were all Luna. 

The triplets opened presents and then had cake. Hermione had made one special of each of them and couldn't wait to see the pictures of them with cake all over themselves. It was such a happy day, and she was excited to add the memories to the scrapbook that Draco had given her. 

"Bye, Gin. Bye, Harry." Hermione gave her friends one last hug before they left when they did; she turned back around to looked at her husband. He had all three babies in his lap. Fast asleep, they all were, and Hermione couldn't help but snatch a photo. It was her happy memory. Her memory she would hold onto if there were any hard times to come. Right now was perfect, though, and she wished she could stop time and enjoy this moment right now.