Chapter 12
Months had flown by, and with each passing day, Hermione found herself growing more comfortable in her role as a mother-to-be. The Malfoy Manor felt like home, filled with warmth and anticipation for the arrival of Luna. Today, however, was a day of mixed emotions. Lucius and Narcissa were coming to visit, and while Draco had reassured her that his parents were on board with their relationship, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of unease, particularly around Lucius.
As the doorbell chimed through the grand hall, Hermione took a deep breath, smoothing down her dress. She glanced at Draco, who stood by her side, offering her a reassuring smile.
“Ready?” he asked.
“As I’ll ever be,” she replied, forcing a smile.
Draco opened the door, revealing his parents standing on the doorstep. Lucius’s expression was neutral, but his sharp eyes took in every detail. Narcissa, on the other hand, wore a warm smile, her demeanor softening the moment she saw her son.
“Draco, Hermione,” she greeted, stepping inside. “It’s lovely to see you both.”
“Thank you for coming, Mother, Father,” Draco replied, stepping aside to allow them in. “We’re excited to share some news.”
As they settled into the elegant sitting room, Hermione poured tea for everyone, trying to shake off her nervousness. Lucius sat with an air of reserved dignity, while Narcissa engaged in light conversation, her eyes sparkling with maternal warmth.
After a few minutes of small talk, Draco took a deep breath, glancing at Hermione before speaking. “We wanted to let you both know that we’re having a baby girl.”
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Narcissa’s face lit up with delight. “A granddaughter! How wonderful!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together in excitement.
Lucius, though more restrained, allowed a small smile to crease his features. “Congratulations,” he said, his tone genuine. “A child is always a blessing.”
Hermione felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Thank you, Mr. Malfoy,” she said softly. “We’re very excited.”
“Scorpius will be thrilled to have a baby sister,” Narcissa added, her voice filled with joy. “He’s been asking for a sibling.”
Draco nodded, a fond smile spreading across his face. “I think it’ll be good for him. He’ll have someone to look after and share his adventures with.”
The conversation flowed easily from there, with Narcissa eagerly discussing baby names and offering advice. Lucius remained polite but kept his opinions to himself, observing the interactions closely.
At one point, Hermione found herself and Draco exchanging glances filled with affection, both silently acknowledging how far they had come. The weight of Lucius's past disapproval lingered, but today, there was an air of tentative acceptance.
As the visit continued, Lucius finally spoke up, his tone serious. “Draco, I still have my reservations about this… situation. However, I can see that you care for Hermione deeply. I trust you to make the right choices moving forward.”
Hermione felt a mix of gratitude and apprehension. She understood that Lucius’s approval wouldn’t come easily, but she was grateful he was at least being civil.
“Thank you, Father,” Draco replied, a hint of relief in his voice. “I appreciate your honesty. I’m committed to ensuring that our family remains strong, no matter the challenges we face.”
As the visit came to an end, Hermione felt a sense of accomplishment. Despite Lucius’s lingering reservations, the visit had been more positive than she had anticipated. She knew that building a relationship with Draco’s parents would take time, but today was a step in the right direction.
“Thank you for visiting,” Hermione said as they walked Lucius and Narcissa to the door. “We’re looking forward to introducing you to Luna once she arrives.”
“We will be here to support you both,” Narcissa said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Family is what matters most.”
As they waved goodbye, Hermione closed the door, feeling lighter. She turned to Draco, who was watching her with a proud smile.
“You handled that beautifully,” he said, pulling her into a warm embrace.
“Thank you,” she replied, resting her head against his shoulder. “I think we’re finally starting to build something good, even with your parents.”
“Together, we’ll make it work,” he assured her, kissing the top of her head. “And Luna will be surrounded by love.”
With their hearts full and their future bright, Hermione felt ready to face whatever lay ahead, united with Draco and the family they were building together.
Weeks passed, and the anticipation of Luna's arrival had reached a fever pitch. Hermione found herself filled with a mix of excitement and nerves as the day drew nearer. She was due any moment now, and every little twinge sent her heart racing with anticipation.
Draco had been by her side every step of the way, ensuring that she felt supported and loved. As they prepared for the trip to St. Mungo’s, Hermione stood in their spacious bedroom at Malfoy Manor, staring at the array of baby clothes and supplies they had gathered.
“Are you ready?” Draco called from the sitting room, his voice laced with excitement.
“Almost!” Hermione replied, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She slipped into a comfortable dress, one that she had chosen for its ease of movement. It was a beautiful shade of lavender, a color that reminded her of the blooming flowers in spring.
Once she felt ready, she joined Draco, who was already waiting with a warm smile. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “You look stunning,” he said, his eyes filled with adoration.
“Thank you,” Hermione replied, blushing slightly. “I just hope everything goes smoothly.”
Draco nodded, his expression serious yet reassuring. “It will. We’re in this together, and I promise I won’t leave your side.”
With that, they stepped into the fireplace, and with a swirl of green flames, they flooed to St. Mungo’s. The familiar sights and sounds greeted them as they emerged from the fireplace, and Hermione felt a rush of nerves.
Draco led her through the bustling lobby, where witches and wizards moved about with a mix of urgency and calm. The scent of antiseptic hung in the air, but it felt comforting to Hermione, a reminder of the many visits she had made during her time at the Ministry.
As they approached the reception desk, Hermione felt a flutter in her stomach. “I think this is it,” she said softly, her heart racing.
“Let’s get you checked in,” Draco replied, his voice steady. He squeezed her hand again, and together, they walked up to the desk.
Once they were checked in, they were directed to a private room. The atmosphere was both thrilling and overwhelming. Hermione took a deep breath, reminding herself that she had prepared for this moment.
As they settled into the room, Draco set up a few things while Hermione paced slightly, her nerves kicking in. “What if something goes wrong?” she asked, biting her lip.
“Nothing will go wrong, Hermione,” Draco said firmly, coming to stand beside her. “You’re strong, and you’ve got this. Besides, we have the best healers here. Luna is going to be just fine.”
His confidence reassured her, and she managed a small smile. “You’re right. I can do this.”
Before long, a healer entered the room, a kind-looking woman with a warm smile. “Hello, Ms. Granger! Mr. Malfoy! It’s wonderful to see you both. Are you ready to welcome your little one?”
Hermione nodded, feeling a surge of determination. “Yes, we are.”
As the healer began the examination, Draco stood close by, his presence a source of comfort. With each step, the reality of their situation felt more tangible. They were about to become parents, a family united by love and hope.
Hours passed, filled with laughter, some tears, and plenty of encouragement. Hermione relied heavily on Draco’s support, and he was unwavering, reminding her of their journey together and how far they had come.
When the time finally arrived, Hermione felt a rush of adrenaline. She gripped Draco’s hand tightly, their eyes locked in a shared determination.
“You’re doing amazing, love,” Draco whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
With a final surge of effort, Hermione pushed, feeling the exhilaration of bringing Luna into the world. The room filled with the sound of a newborn’s cries, and tears of joy streamed down Hermione’s face as she looked into Draco’s eyes.
“She’s here!” Draco exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder as the healer placed the tiny bundle into Hermione’s arms.
As Hermione cradled Luna for the first time, she felt an overwhelming rush of love. The baby was perfect, with a tuft of soft, platinum hair and bright, curious eyes that seemed to take in the world around her.
“Welcome to the world, Luna,” Hermione whispered, feeling Draco wrap his arms around both her and their daughter.
In that moment, all worries faded away. They were a family, and their love would guide them through whatever came next.
After the initial chaos of Luna's arrival settled, the hospital room transformed into a cozy space filled with warmth and love. Hermione sat on the edge of her hospital bed, cradling her newborn daughter in her arms. Draco leaned against the wall, his heart full as he watched the two most important people in his life.
Not long after, there was a soft knock on the door, and Astoria entered with Scorpius in tow. The moment Scorpius saw his baby sister, his eyes lit up with excitement. “Mummy! Look!” he exclaimed, his little face beaming with joy as he rushed towards Hermione.
“Scorpius!” Hermione called, a smile breaking across her face. “Come here and meet Luna!”
Astoria watched with a warm smile as Scorpius climbed onto the bed beside Hermione, his eyes wide as he took in the tiny bundle. “She’s so small!” he marveled, reaching out to gently touch Luna's tiny hand.
“Yes, she is,” Hermione replied softly, her heart swelling with affection as she watched her Scorpius’s awe. “This is your baby sister. Her name is Luna.”
“Luna,” Scorpius repeated, a grin spreading across his face. “I love it! Can I hold her?”
“Of course!” Hermione said, carefully transferring Luna into Scorpius's small arms. “Just be gentle, okay?”
Astoria moved closer, her gaze tender as she observed her son holding his sister for the first time. “You’re such a good big brother, Scorpius,” she encouraged.
As Scorpius cradled Luna, his eyes sparkled with wonder. “She looks just like me when I was a baby!” he exclaimed, beaming at Astoria.
Astoria chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. “She really does, doesn’t she? You both have the same nose and the same little chin.”
Hermione couldn’t help but smile at the connection between the children. “She might even have your smile, Scorpius. You’ll have to teach her all your tricks.”
Draco stepped forward, pride radiating from him as he watched his family. “You’re going to be the best big brother, Scorpius,” he said, kneeling beside them. “I can already see the bond forming.”
Scorpius grinned, his eyes shifting from Luna to his father. “I’ll protect her, Dad. Nobody will mess with my little sister!”
Astoria looked at Draco, a knowing smile on her face. “You’re raising a good one, Draco. He’s already so protective.”
Draco nodded, his heart swelling with pride. “He takes after his mother,” he replied, glancing at Astoria.
The atmosphere in the room was filled with warmth and camaraderie. Astoria moved closer to Hermione, wrapping her arms around her in a gentle hug. “I’m so happy for you, Hermione. Luna is beautiful.”
“Thank you, Astoria,” Hermione said, her voice filled with gratitude. “And thank you for being here. It means a lot to me.”
Astoria smiled, her eyes twinkling with sincerity. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. I know this hasn’t been easy, but you’re doing wonderfully.”
As the family continued to bond, Scorpius gently rocked Luna in his arms, humming a little tune he had learned from Astoria. It was a moment filled with pure joy, a testament to the connections that could flourish even amidst challenges.
“Maybe we can have a playdate soon,” Scorpius suggested, looking up at his mother and Hermione. “Luna can come over to our house!”
Hermione laughed softly. “Absolutely! And when she’s a bit older, you can show her all your favorite toys.”
The conversation flowed easily, laughter mingling with gentle words of love and support. In that small hospital room, surrounded by family, Hermione felt a sense of peace wash over her. They were not just parents and children; they were a family bound by love and understanding, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.
As the visit continued, Astoria looked over at Draco, her expression earnest. “You both have a beautiful family now. Scorpius is going to be an amazing big brother, and Luna is lucky to have you both.”
Draco smiled back, feeling a swell of gratitude for the life they were building together. “Thank you, Astoria. We couldn’t have done this without your support.”
With laughter and love filling the room, Hermione and Draco knew they were on the brink of a new chapter, one that promised adventure, joy, and the challenges of parenthood. Together, they would navigate the journey ahead, side by side.