The First Family Dinner
Draco smiled at Ginny with genuine excitement. I think the most surprising thing that has come from us dating is his relationship with the Weasleys. I'll never forget the first family dinner he attended with me. We were just friends. Had not started dating officially quite yet and I could see on his face that he was nervous.
~~
"You don't have to go if you don't want to, you know?"
"Of course I don't want to but I'm woo-ing you, Hermione. What kind of idiot would I be if I didn't spend at least some time with the people you consider family?"
I smirked at this. "Woo-ing, huh?"
"We're not going over this again. Its tradition. You woo the woman you want to date then you date then you propose. It's tradition. My mother will castrate me if I walk into the Manor and just announce we're together. No courtship what so ever."
He shudders at the thought while I laugh.
"Well then let's get going my dear gentleman caller."
We apparate right outside of The Burrow. Every single window is lit with a warm glow and you can hear the chatter out here of everyone already inside.
Draco grabs my hand. "And you told them you'd be bringing me along tonight right?"
"For the fifth time, yes. Of course. You think I would just bring a Malfoy into the Weasley home with no warning?"
"Of course not, love. Sorry, I think I'm nervous."
"They'll love you. Just show them the person you've shown me these past few months."
I pat his cheek and take a deep breathe, opening the door to the The Burrow with Draco's hand in mine.
"Hermione! You've made it!"
Molly gathers me in her arms and shakes me around.
"You must come around more. You're thin, dear! Come inside."
"Molly, I'd like formally introduce Draco Malfoy."
I tug him along next to me like he's a child and it makes me want to laugh.
He extends his hand to Molly. "Thank you for having me, Mrs. Weasley."
Molly's eyes ping pong from his hand to his face to my face and back to his hand in a matter of a second.
"Well none of that nonsense. If you'll be dating my Hermione, a hug will suffice."
She grabs him for a hug and Draco looks at me with wide eyes. I've learned he's not very affectionate unless with me. His mother will place her hand on his cheek every once in a while but hugs are rare at the Manor.
Molly lets him go and sees the wine in his hand.
"Is this from the Manor?" She grabs it and we follow her as she makes her way into the kitchen. "I will admit. Your parents used to smuggle the Manor wine into Hogwarts and I've partaken a time or two. Most delicious. Arthur!!"
"Yes, dear?"
"Hermione and Draco are here, will you show them their seats?"
Draco extends his hand to Arthur. "Thank you for having me, Mr. Weasley."
They exchange a handshake and he says, "Why you're a tall fellow, huh? We've never been introduced before. A friend of Hermione's is a friend of ours. Come along."
All eyes turn to us then turn to our intertwined hands, because of course, Draco grabbed mine as soon as he could. 'The woo-ing' he would say.
"Well, gods. I didn't think you'd actually bring the ferret here!" Ron stands from his seat and offer me a side hug. "Malfoy, welcome to The Burrow, I guess. Never been here right? Never tried to set it on fire or anything?"
Draco blanches and before I can say anything Ron laughs.
"Jokes, no worries mate. Your and Mione's seat are right over here with Harry and Ginny."
Honestly, Rons been hit or miss the few times I've brought Draco to the pub with me. Sometimes he's welcoming and sometimes he's doing that passive aggressive thing.
"Hermione! It feels like so long since I've seen you." Long red hair covers my face while Gin gives me a bear hug.
Laughing, "I saw you just last week!"
I hear Harry laugh. "Hey, Malfoy. Welcome to family dinner at The Burrow."
"Thanks for having me, Potter."
We take our seats and Molly arrives with food levitated behind her. As soon as its placed on the table, its a blur of chaos.
Having this being my thousandth time doing this, I offer some assistance to my dear woo-er. Foods placed on both my plate and Draco's before he can even react. I'll help the poor sod out this first time. But next time, its on him. I hear a smack and turn to see with hair perfectly in place, suit jacket pressed, eyes wide - mashed potatoes on Draco Malfoy's right cheek.
His eyes widen and the entire table stops their gather to stare.
George speaks up, "I'm so sorry, mate. Happens sometimes." He points to the mashed potatoes on his face. "These things..."
Draco looks at him and just when I think he's gonna give him his famous Malfoy sneer, he instead laughs.
A full belly laugh comes out of him and I don't know who's more shocked, me or the Weasley's, but his laugh is contagious. George laughs then the rest of us follow.
After that, dinner was surprisingly pleasant.
Both Molly and Arthur asked Draco a few things. The common "What are you doing for work?", "How has your mother been?", and all of those.
Draco and Arthur actually found that they love discovering the purpose of muggle objects and trying foods we didn't have at Hogwarts. I'd say it was a smash of an evening.
~~
"Hermione love, do you mind?"
How can I say no with his hand on top of mine and the excitement in his eyes?
"Of course not! We'll go right after this."
He gives the side of my head a kiss and takes a sip of his drink. Harry comes back to the table and we catch up with what we missed in each other's lives this week.