2006
May 23rd 2006
-Dahlia-
Dahlia Malfoy raced down the porch steps of her family's tranquil farmhouse, her heart pounding with excitement. Her little legs moved as fast as they could, the world around her a blur.
Her golden curls streamed behind her like a banner, the cold air stinging her cheeks. She heard her mum’s voice, tinged with both amusement and concern, calling out for her to be careful. But Dahlia was undeterred, her focus solely on one thing: reaching her father.
He had been away on a business trip for the past month, and today he had finally apparated back home. The anticipation of seeing him again filled her with an unstoppable energy.
As she ran across the yard, she saw him standing by the gate, brushing the travel dust from his robes. Dahlia's heart leapt at the sight of him. With a final burst of speed, she flung herself into his open arms, which enveloped her in a warm, loving embrace.
"There's my Dolly!" he exclaimed with a joyous laugh, the nickname resonating with warmth and familiarity.
Dahlia giggled, a sound full of pure happiness, and buried her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the comforting, familiar scent of him. "I've missed you, Daddy," she murmured, her voice muffled but full of emotion.
He kissed her cheek softly, his gray eyes, so much like her own, gazing tenderly at her. "I've missed you more," he whispered, his voice thick with affection and a hint of sadness for the time lost.
"Hey! Let me in on this," Dahlia's mum called out, her voice filled with playful warmth as she squeezed her way into the family embrace.
Her mother was quite petite compared to Dahlia's father. As Dahlia nestled in her dad's arms, she found herself at the perfect height to rest her cheek atop her mother’s soft, brown curls, which smelled faintly of lavender.
"I've missed you, Draco," Her mum whispered, her voice tender as she pressed a gentle kiss to her husband’s cheek.
Dahlia watched as her father's face softened, his eyes lighting up with affection as he looked at his wife. "I've missed you too, Hermione," he replied, his smile broadening as he bent down to kiss her on the lips.
Dahlia squealed in mock disgust, her nose wrinkling as she shook her head vigorously. "That's gross!"
Her mum laughed, the sound like a melody, as she twirled one of Dahlia's golden curls around her finger. "One day, you’ll understand," she teased gently, her eyes sparkling with love and amusement.
"Oh! I've brought you something, Dolly," her dad said, setting her down gently. "Since I missed your fifth birthday yesterday."
Dahlia's eyes widened with excitement as she watched her dad shuffle through his bag. She bounced on her feet, her anticipation growing with each passing second. Finally, he pulled out a beautifully wrapped purple box, her favorite color, and placed it in her eager hands.
Carefully, Dahlia unwrapped the box and opened it to find a delicate glass butterfly nestled inside. It sparkled in the light, its fragile wings capturing the colors of the rainbow. She gently picked it up, cradling it in her small hand as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
"I've already charmed it not to break," her dad assured, glancing at her mum, whose worried expression softened at his words.
Dahlia beamed up at her dad, her eyes shining with gratitude and joy. "Thank you, Daddy!"
"Of course, love," Her dad replied warmly. "Now, why don't we get something to eat? I'm starving."
Her mum smiled, taking Dahlia's hand as they walked back toward the house. "I think we can manage that," she said, her voice full of warmth and contentment.
As they moved inside, the smell of freshly baked bread and simmering stew welcomed them, the farmhouse feeling more like home than ever with their family reunited.
-Hermione-
If you had told Hermione seven years ago that she would have a happy little family with Draco Malfoy, she would have laughed in your face.
But now, as she watched him spin their daughter around the living room, her heart swelled with joy. They had just finished a lovely lunch to celebrate Draco's return, and the house was filled with the sound of Dahlia's delighted giggles.
Hermione leaned against the doorway, a soft smile playing on her lips as she took in the scene. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. Draco's gray eyes sparkled with laughter as he twirled Dahlia, her blonde curls flying and her face lit with pure happiness.
In that moment, Hermione thought that her life was more wonderful than she could have ever dreamed. The love and joy that filled their home were beyond anything she had imagined.
"Dance with Mum! Dance with Mum!" Dahlia squealed as Draco set her down, her eyes shining with excitement.
Draco's gaze shifted to Hermione, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now Dahlia, you know your mother dances like she has two left feet."
Hermione gasped, feigning outrage as she crossed the room to playfully swat her husband's arm. "I'll have you know I'm an excellent dancer."
Draco raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk. "Oh really? Should we recall what happened at our wedding?"
Hermione's cheeks flushed with a mixture of amusement and embarrassment. "That was one time, and I tripped on my dress!" she protested, trying to suppress a smile.
Draco chuckled, his eyes softening as he reached out to pull her into his arms. "Well then, Mrs. Malfoy, prove me wrong. Shall we dance?"
With a laugh, Hermione placed her hand in his, and together they began to dance around the living room, their daughter clapping and giggling in delight.
After a few twirls around the room, the couple came to a stop, slightly breathless but beaming. “See? I'm an incredible dancer,” Hermione declared triumphantly.
Draco rolled his eyes, a playful grin on his face as he ran a hand through his blonde hair. “I’ll give you decent,” he teased.
Hermione laughed, shaking her head. “Decent? You’re impossible.”
Dahlia ran up to them, wrapping her arms around their legs. “I think you both are the best dancers!” she exclaimed, looking up at them with shining eyes.
As the evening sun dipped lower, casting a golden hue over the room, Hermione suggested, "How about we go outside and watch the sunset? It's a perfect evening."
Draco nodded in agreement. "Great idea. Let's grab a blanket and sit on the hill."
With Dahlia eagerly leading the way, they gathered a blanket and some snacks, heading out to the gentle slope behind their farmhouse. The air was cool and fresh, the sky painted in hues of pink and orange.
They spread the blanket on the grass and settled down, Dahlia nestled between her parents. As they watched the sun slowly sink below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Hermione felt a deep sense of contentment wash over her.
Draco wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "I missed this," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I missed us."
Hermione rested her head against his shoulder, smiling as she watched Dahlia chase fireflies nearby. "I missed us too," she replied. "And I missed you."
They sat in comfortable silence, the twilight enfolding them in a peaceful embrace. Dahlia returned to the blanket, holding a glowing firefly gently in her hands. "Look, Daddy! Mummy! Isn't it beautiful?"
"It is," Draco agreed, his gaze shifting from the firefly to his daughter’s radiant face.
Hermione nodded, feeling a swell of love and gratitude. In that quiet moment, under the starlit sky, everything felt perfect.
-Draco-
The sun eventually set, and Dahlia had fallen asleep on Draco's lap. He gently picked her up, cradling her against his chest as he carried her inside. Her head rested on his shoulder, and her little arms draped limply around his neck. Draco navigated the familiar hallways of their cozy farmhouse, carefully tucking Dahlia into her bed. He brushed a kiss on her forehead, whispering, “Sweet dreams.”
As he walked back downstairs, he found Hermione putting away the things they had taken with them for their picnic. She looked up as he entered the kitchen. "Did Dahlia stay asleep?"
Draco nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "She's quite a heavy sleeper."
Hermione continued tidying up, placing the remaining food in the refrigerator. "How was it this time?" she asked, her voice casual but laced with concern.
Draco huffed, trying to sound nonchalant. "Fine." Lie.
His "business trip" had been anything but fine. In reality, it was his mandatory once-a-year Ministry check-in. After the war, the Ministry had decreed that anyone who had been a Death Eater or associated with Voldemort but not sentenced to Azkaban had to undergo an annual evaluation. This involved being taken away for a month without prior notice, where they assessed whether the individual remained on the path of reformation.
Hermione and Draco had agreed it was best to tell Dahlia he was away on business until she was old enough to understand the truth.
Hermione paused, her hands stilling as she looked at Draco with a mixture of sympathy and sadness. It was a look he despised, one that made him feel vulnerable and exposed. He attempted to build his walls up, wiping away any trace of the turmoil he felt.
But Hermione saw right through him. Her expression hardened slightly, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Don't do that, Draco. I've always been able to read you."
Draco sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It's just… hard, Hermione. Being dragged away, interrogated, treated like a criminal all over again. Every year it’s the same. And having to lie to Dahlia…"
Hermione crossed the room, wrapping her arms around him. "I know," she whispered, resting her head against his chest. "I hate it too. But we'll get through this, together."
Draco held her close, feeling the warmth of her embrace seep into his bones. "Thank you," he murmured. "For always understanding. For being here."
Hermione pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. "We'll always be here, Draco. You, me, and Dahlia. We're a family, and nothing will change that."
In the quiet of their kitchen, surrounded by the remnants of their picnic, Draco felt a sense of peace. Despite the challenges and the shadows of their past, they had built something beautiful together. And that, more than anything, gave him the strength to face whatever lay ahead.