If someone had told Draco Malfoy ten years ago that he would spend a Sunday evening at The Burrow, surrounded by the Weasleys, he would have laughed it off as a sick joke… but life has its ways.
Standing in the shade provided by a huge willow, Draco nursed his firewhiskey, studying the scene before him. Redheaded children of all ages, shapes, and sizes ran along the backyard; laughter filled the air. He spotted George Weasley teaching his daughter how to fly on a broom, though unsuccessfully, as the girl fell off, only to be caught mid-air and gently set on the ground by her father's agile reflexes.
On the other side of the yard, Angelina, cradling a small child in her hip, raised her wand, shooting playful glares at her husband. Draco chuckled, amused. He took a sip of his drink, savoring the nuttiness of the whisky, when a familiar hand clapped him on the shoulder.
He turned slightly to face the dark-haired wizard, whose green eyes sparkled more vibrantly than ever. "It's nice, isn't it?" he said, clinking his glass against Draco's.
The wizard's eyes settled on his wife, Ginny, who was blowing raspberries on the only dark-haired kid in the Weasley clan. The little boy's laughter echoed through the property. Draco smiled at the child, feeling a connection with him; after all, he was his godson.
"You have a nice family, Theo," Draco said to his friend. Theo sighed, attempting to hide his smile. "You look happy,"
"I am," Theo replied, taking a sip from his glass. "Extremely happy."
The union of Theo and Ginny was something no one had seen coming. A few years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Ginny and Potter's relationship ended in a catastrophic manner.
Potter thought he could hide his indiscretions in the Muggle world, carrying on an affair with Cho Chang. However, little did he know that the witch had a loose tongue. It wasn't long before The Daily Prophet exposed their affair, pictures included. Ginny was devastated, and the public scandal left her reeling. She wanted to leave England altogether, but she had just signed a four-year contract with the Holyhead Harpies.
Desperate for a way out, Ginny needed a lawyer. That's when Theo entered the picture. During his house arrest after the war, he not only managed to earn his N.E.W.T.s but also received a degree in Magical Law, specializing in blood and soul-binding contracts. Though his expertise lay elsewhere, he didn't hesitate to help the Weaslette with her legal matters.
As Theo worked tirelessly to extricate Ginny from her contract, their professional relationship blossomed into something more. One thing led to another, and before long, they realized their feelings for each other ran deep.
Now, they were celebrating their four-year anniversary and the birthday of their first son, Gideon Theodore Nott. The backyard of The Burrow was filled with laughter and love as they surrounded themselves with family and friends.
Draco's eyes lingered on Ginny, who was beaming with happiness as she watched their child play. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing that his friend had found solace and love after the turmoil he had endured.
Theo, sensing Draco's gaze, turned to him with a warm smile. "Life's full of surprises, isn't it?" he said, raising his glass in a silent toast.
Draco nodded, taking a sip of his firewhiskey. "Indeed, it is."
Draco's gaze lingered on Theo, his expression softening. He was genuinely happy for his friend, considering the abusive childhood and unfair sentence Theo had endured after the war. Yet, Theo had risen above it all, becoming a loving husband and father – everything his own father wasn't.
"Theo, I'm proud of you," Draco said, his voice sincere. "You've built a life that's truly remarkable."
Theo laughed, his eyes sparkling. "I never thought we'd be this happy, Draco. Never."
"What do you mean?" Draco raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Theo's grin broadened and shrugged. "Ginny's pregnant again. We found out a week ago."
Draco's eyes widened in surprise. "Already? I thought you two wanted to wait."
Theo shrugged again, chuckling. "That's life, isn't it? It has its own plans. And we're happy."
"Well, I'm thrilled for you both." Draco smiled, extending his congratulations.
Theo's expression turned serious. "There's something Ginny wanted me to ask you... and your wife."
Draco's curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
Theo hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Ginny wants to ask Hermione to be the godmother."
Draco's gaze scanned the yard, searching for his wife. He spotted Hermione laughing with Bill's children, helping them transfigure roses into birds. Bill was guiding their tiny wands, offering words of encouragement.
Draco turned back to Theo, a sly smile spreading across his face. "If this is a plan to plant ideas in Granger's head about having children, I must say it's a clever approach."
Theo chuckled. "Am I prying if I ask if you two plan on having children?"
Draco's gaze drifted back to Hermione. Her eyes shone bright with love and light as she spoke to the children. He watched, captivated, as her gentle hand caressed the blond hair of a little girl, guiding her wand movement. Hermione picked up a crawling baby and playfully tickled his belly, eliciting giggles. The baby's chubby fists grasped her hair, and she laughed, detangling them with tender care.
Draco's heart swelled. He couldn't find a single argument against having children with this woman. He loved her with all his heart, with all his soul. The thought of creating life, of having a little human running around with her magic, her essence, made his heart flutter.
He didn't respond, instead, getting lost in the warmth of her smile.
Theo followed Draco's gaze, understanding the unspoken answer. "I see," he said softly, a knowing glint in his eye.
The two friends stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching their loved ones laugh and play together.
Finally, Theo broke the silence. "I'll let Ginny talk to Hermione about the godmother thing."
Draco nodded, still captivated by his wife's joyful expression. "Please do."