Thank You

he "Mrs. Malfoy, ready to go home, are you?" McGonagall was smiling over her former student and her three children. She could remember the day she went to her home and explained to her family that she was a witch. She knew then that she would be extraordinary and was quite pleased when she had been sorted into her own house. 

"Actually, Headmistress, I was wondering if I could have another word with you." Hermione had fire in her eyes, and McGonagall knew that whatever Hermione wanted, she was going to try and get with everything she could. 

"Of course, I am free to discuss anything with you anytime, my dear. What is it?" 

"I want to stay. It is killing Draco to be away from us, and frankly, it is killing me as well. I have had my rest after their birth, and I want to be with Draco. We both need it. He needs it desperately. I think it will help him focus and really try to do well these last couple of weeks. I don't think he will be able to take just one night a week with them. He deserves to be able to see them grow and..." Hermione stopped when McGonagall put her hand up. She took in a sharp breath and waited for what the older woman had to say. As much as she wanted this and needed this, she knew she would do as the witch told her. She was like a second mother to Hermione and would always be grateful for everything she did for her. 

"Hermione, if you needed to be here with Draco, all you needed to do was ask. I wasn't aware that it was taking a toll on the two of you quite like this. I assumed that the peace from being away from here helped you adjust to the fact that you had three newborns. Something I am sure you weren't' ready for at the start of this term."

"I thought we would be alright apart, but it feels as if part of my soul is ripped away every time I leave. It feels so strange that it happens with Draco but in the most wonderful way. We love one another."

"I see. Do you think that Mrs. Malfoy will be alright being away from these precious little ones for so long? She was very excited when I told her you would be staying with her for the rest of the term."

Hermione hadn't thought about that. How would Cissy react? Hermione knew that she wanted her son to be happy and thrive, which he needed at the moment. How was she going to tell her? She had been so welcoming and kind to Hermione; she didn't want her to think that she wasn't grateful. 

"I am not sure." Hermione couldn't find the words to express her doubts.

"I shall owl her and explain the situation. I will see if I can find a few days that she can drop by and see the five of you. I know you don't want her to think you are just trying to escape her home. I can see the fear written on your face." 

"Thank you." Hermione sighed in relief and felt the nervousness disappear from her body. She was so happy that she was going to get to stay with Draco. It would make the weeks pass quicker. She hoped that he would be as excited as she was. 

"Hermione?" Draco was confused but happy that his wife was sitting on the couch in their little apartment. He thought she had to leave after he started classes on Thursday, or at least after supper. 

"Hello darling," Hermione stood up and tried to make sure not to stir Scorpius. He had just fallen asleep in her arms, and she didn't think she could take another minute of crying. Being without Cissy was proving difficult when Draco wasn't there to help. 

"I thought you had to go back to the Manor?"

"I talked to McGonagall, and she said I could stay here until you graduate." Hermione smiled at her husband and waited for his reaction.

She started to frown when she saw the tears start rolling down his face. She thought that he would have been excited. He seemed to have wanted to be with her as much as possible and be with their children. 

"Thank you." He said it is barely a whisper as he pulled her and his son into a hug. He needed them more than they would ever know, and to know that she sensed that and made it happy lit his heart up in so many ways. 

Hermione easied into the hug when she realized what he had said. She smiled again, knowing that they were happy tears. All she wanted to do now was be happy to forget about everything in the past and raise their children to be wonderful people first and wizards and witches second. 

"I was thinking Draco, this weekend we could take a family outing to Hogsmeade and meet your mother there. McGonagall owled her to tell her that I was staying, and I have a feeling that she is going to be sad about it. She loved spending time with them." 

"That would be nice. I think it is a great idea. I'll owl her after supper." 

"Also, I was hoping I could see Ginny a little later. I miss her terribly, and I want to ask her some questions." Hermione wasn't sure how Draco would do with three children alone, but if they were all asleep, she figured he would be able to handle it.

"Of course, Hermione. I know she has missed you too." Draco smiled and then went into the second bedroom to check on his other two children. They looked so little in their cribs, and he wondered if they would always be so close. To protect one another and make sure they are always safe. He was so happy that they had one another; he had always wished that he had had a sibling to share life with to protect him when things had gotten dark.