Not As Productive, Not As Happy
Hermione watched as he dragged a stressed hand through his hair. To anyone else, he’d be a picture of indifference, but she knew him better.
“Malfoy.” She said, and he looked up at her as she entered his study. “What is it?”
He shook his head. “How do you do that? My mother is a legilimens and can’t read me as well as you.”
She shrugged. “I’m observant. Stop deflecting.”
He sighed, leaning back in the chair. “I think we’ve found it. The lead we’ve been looking for, to finally dismantle the last of Voldemort’s network.”
“Oh, wow. That’s huge, Malfoy! So what’s the problem?”
“Potter and I, probably Weasley too, will need to go away. For a year, at least. To get this done, and ensure it’s done properly, we have to do it ourselves.”
“Oh.” She began to pace, hands on her hips.
“Yeah.”
She was quiet for a moment, before she looked at him again. “Ask me.”
“What?”
“Ask me what you need to ask me, Malfoy.” She smiled, and he huffed, face incredulous.
“Would you, Hermione Granger, do me an astronomically large favour and take care of my son for a currently undetermined amount of time?”
“I would love to.” She smiled, and he let out the breath he’d apparently been holding. She shook her head at him. As if she ever would’ve said no.
“Fair warning, Potter is eyeing you to take care of James and Al too. Ginny’s about to go into her World Cup training camp.”
“You’d be alright with that? The three of them together?”
“I trust you, Granger, you know that. Scorp loves spending time with Al anyway, and whilst James is entirely too much like his father, he isn’t a bad kid. I honestly feel better knowing Scorp isn’t going to be completely isolated whilst I’m away, even if it is with Potter’s spawn.” The classic Draco Malfoy sneer made a reappearance, and she snorted lightly. Harry and Malfoy had been friends for years, but they both liked to pretend they weren’t for some reason. Boys and their stupid schoolyard rivalries, she’d never understand it.
“You weren’t actually worried I’d say no, were you? Scorpius is a heaven sent angel child, Malfoy, I love spending time with him.” Hermione spent a fair bit of time at the Manor these days. She looked after Scorpius on the days Malfoy or Narcissa couldn’t, and often ended up putting the boy to bed when Malfoy was working late. With Hermione running her small book shop, her schedule was far more flexible.
“I know that. I knew you’d say yes, too. I guess I’m just feeling guilty, it feels like I’m taking advantage of your nature, you know? That’s an old Draco move. I think I’m also still processing the idea of leaving my son for so long, especially at his age.”
“We can work something out, Malfoy. He’ll be fine with me, you know that, but I do get it. You are going to miss things, that’s just a fact. Harry’s in the same boat.”
“There’s no one else I’d leave him with for so long. That’s the honest truth, Granger. If he went to my mother for a year, I wouldn’t get the same boy back at the end of it. She’s changed, she’s really done her best, but old habits and all that. Fuck, I’m going to miss him, but knowing he’s with you? I think that makes it bearable.”
“I assume you can’t owl or floo call, but there must be something we can do. Let me give that some thought. When are you due to leave?”
“Three weeks.”
“So soon?” She met his eyes, and he nodded. “Ok. So we get the boys together, we explain as best we can where you’re all going, we emphasise that you’re definitely coming back. You better come back, by the way, or I swear to Merlin I will find your body, reanimate you, and then kill you myself.” She pointed at him, and he smiled.
“Noted.” He sighed deeply, resting his head on his hands. “What the fuck would I do without you?”
“Flounder about hopelessly, I imagine. You wouldn’t be nearly as productive.”
“Or happy.”
“Or that.”
They smiled at each other for a moment, before they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Daddy?” A little voice said, and Malfoy all but sprinted to the door.
“Hey buddy! It’s way past your bedtime, mister, what are you doing up?” He picked up his son, who immediately curled into his father’s chest. Hermione softened at the sight.
“Mione said she was coming to make sure you were ok. I wanted to check as well.” Scorpius had the biggest heart, he always had done. It continued to baffle every person that met him. His mother, Astoria, had only married Malfoy for access to his vaults, but they’d known that going in. It was purely a business arrangement, to secure the bloodlines and please their families. They’d managed to garner a sense of civility over time, but it had never been the most stable of situations. It had been difficult to watch her decline after they’d diagnosed her blood curse, especially as she’d become so ill so quickly. Astoria had never liked Hermione all that much, but it was still upsetting to watch her struggle. She’d passed away within eight months of her diagnosis, leaving Malfoy to raise Scorpius alone. With Astoria having always been naturally quite cold, Hermione had been forced to come to the conclusion that Scorpius’ nature was from his father. She imagined sharing that realisation with her childhood self, she would have laughed in her own face.
“That was very kind of you, Scorp. I’m alright, you don’t need to worry. Did you read a story with Mione already?” It was always weird hearing Malfoy call her anything other than Granger, but they’d agreed not to confuse the child if they could avoid it. In all honesty, she hated the nickname, but she allowed it in certain cases. Children often struggled with her whole name with all of the syllables, so she was Aunt Mione. She was also Mione to Harry and Ron, who had just always called her that, so she felt like it was a little redundant to attempt to change the habit now.
“Mmhmm.” Scorpius nodded, and Hermione smiled. “We read the tiger book! We saw tigers at the muggle zoo, do you remember?” That was another thing about Scorpius. He loved learning. Some days, he was more insatiable than even Hermione had been when she was younger.
Malfoy glanced at her, and she explained.
“The tiger who came to tea. Muggle book.”
He smiled, nodding in understanding.
“Well, how about we get you back to bed then? You’ve already had your story, and you know the rules.”
“Ok.” He agreed sleepily. “Night Mione. Love you.” He mumbled into Malfoy’s shirt.
“Love you too, Scorp.” She ruffled his hair slightly, grinning up at Malfoy. “You get him to bed. I’ll go and see Harry, find out what his plans are.” She said quietly.
He nodded, not wanting to wake his son. He started to make his way upstairs, before he turned.
“Hey Granger?” He called softly.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“Anytime, Malfoy.”
***
“So we get to stay with Aunt Mione for an entire year? Maybe longer?” James Potter asked, sitting cross legged on the floor. They’d waited a week before they told the children what was going to happen. It gave Hermione time to begin the arrangements for their extended stay, as well as the opportunity to work out how best to break the news to James, Albus, and Scorpius.
“Mmhmm. Whilst me and Daddy have to go and work, Mione is going to look after you and your brother, and Scorpius too.” Ginny replied.
“Scorp will be there?” Albus perked up, and Hermione nodded.
“Scorp’s dad has to go on the same work trip as your dad and Uncle Ron.” She explained.
“You’ll be safe together?” James asked his dad. Harry smiled reassuringly.
“Our job is dangerous, James, I don’t want to lie to you about that. It’s why we have to be away for so long, so that we can keep you all safe. We’re going to be back before you know it, I promise. Safe and sound.”
“I’ll floo call as often as I can, and you can always owl me whilst I’m away. You can’t do that with Daddy, but we’ll work something out so he can let us know that he’s ok, alright?” Ginny said, picking Albus up and hauling him onto her lap.
The boys had taken it very well, all things considered. Hermione suspected they didn’t quite understand the time scale, and it would be up to her to reassure them once they realised it. She knew Malfoy was having a similar conversation with Scorpius and Narcissa right now, and she wondered how he was taking it. Scorpius was much more sensitive than either of Harry’s sons, and he’d already lost one parent, he didn’t need to be faced with losing another.
She’d already spoken to Arthur and Molly, and agreed that whilst they were free to see their grandchildren whenever they wanted to, it would be best to pause the occasional sleepovers they’d been having at the Burrow. They were already facing massive upheaval in their lives, and Hermione thought it best to not confuse the boys too much by having them sleep in two different houses when neither of them were home. She was yet to speak to Narcissa about her plans with Scorpius, and had been preparing herself for slightly more pushback than she’d had from the Weasleys. They’d met numerous times over the years, and Hermione found the woman to be friendly and polite, however she was not naive of the fact that Narcissa did not fully understand why her grandson was staying with Hermione and not her. She’d seen how far the witch was willing to go for her family during the war, and so she wasn’t expecting her to go down without a fight, even if she was aware of Malfoy’s wishes for his son.
She stood from her chair, leaving Harry and Ginny to spend time with their boys, and went and found Ron in the kitchen. He was tucking into some leftovers he’d found in the fridge. Some things never changed.
“And how are you feeling about your grand adventure, Ronald?” She asked, smiling as her ginger friend jumped, not having heard her come in.
“Merlin, Mione. Er, yeah, alright, I guess? Hopeful that this really is it, that we can actually get this finished after all this time.”
“You’re prepared for Harry and Malfoy to be in horrendous moods the entire time you’re away?”
He chuckled, leaning against the kitchen counter. “It was always going to be hard leaving the boys for so long, but I think knowing that they’re with you will make them feel a lot better about it. I just wish there was a way they could keep in touch somehow, you know?”
“Don’t say anything to either of them, I don’t want to get their hopes up if it doesn’t work, but I’ve had a bit of an idea about that. I’m still working out the details of the spell, but I’m optimistic.”
Ron smirked. “How mysterious. Well, they’ll take anything they can get, you know that, and I’m sure it’ll be stupidly awesome if it’s anything to do with you, Mione.”
“Yeah, I reckon it does actually have real potential if I can work it out. You going to the Burrow this weekend?”
“Certainly am. Mum would have my head if I didn’t, she wants us together as much as possible before we leave. Are you coming?” She shook her head and grimaced.
“I’m meeting with Narcissa. What a fun conversation that’s going to be.”
“Blimey, good luck with that. I’ve heard some of the letters she sends Malfoy, and I’m not ashamed to admit that the woman terrifies me.”
“Family is everything for her, especially now. She’s not entirely convinced about Scorp staying with me I don’t think, but it’s Malfoy’s decision at the end of the day, and it’s not like I’m going to stop her from seeing him.”
“You were the only real option in Malfoy’s mind, you know. He told me that himself. He trusts you a hell of a lot.” He looked at her pointedly, before wrapping up the plate of leftovers and putting them back into the fridge. Ginny would shout at him for that later.
“That’s nice to hear. I’m actually looking forward to spending all this time with the boys, I just wish it didn’t have to be the result of you all going away for so long. And to do something so dangerous-” He cut her off.
“We’ll be ok. We’ll get it done, and we’ll be back before you know it. There’s nothing to worry about, I promise.”
“There’s really quite a lot to worry about, Ron, but I do appreciate you trying. Just make sure you three come back safe, that’s all I want.”
“I’ll do my best.” He smiled, and pulled her into a hug.
Their romantic relationship had been a total non-starter. They’d both agreed it was like kissing a sibling, and it just felt all wrong. She valued him so much more as just a friend, and was glad that they hadn’t tried to force anything for longer, risking irrevocable damage to their friendship. She loved him a lot, and had been successfully pushing away thoughts of how high-risk their job actually was up until that point. She couldn’t comprehend losing any of them, but it wasn’t outside of the realms of possibility that she might lose them all. Harry was like a brother to her, she was on the edge of, well, something with Malfoy that she hadn’t allowed herself to think about too much, and Ron was her best friend. It terrified her to think that they might not return from this mission. She’d lost too much already, she prayed to anyone that was listening that she wouldn’t lose the three most important people to her as well.
“Any worries about looking after three boys all under eight?” He smirked after he released her, and she laughed.
“Am I worried about James? Absolutely. Am I worried about Al and Scorp? Not in the slightest.”
He laughed. “Understandable. Who would have thought Malfoy’s kid would have turned out like that, eh?”
“Do you ever think about what our younger selves would think about our lives now? How confused they’d be?”
“Merlin, can you imagine? Hey, Ron, mate, Harry marries and has two kids with your sister, and you’re all good friends with Malfoy. My brain would have exploded.” They laughed together, before Harry appeared.
“Gin wants to know if you’re both staying for dinner?” Ron nodded enthusiastically, and Hermione agreed too, aware that the date for their departure was rapidly approaching, and opportunities like this were all too scarce. She made a mental note to owl Malfoy later and ask how his chat with Scorp had gone. She quite agreed with Ron, little Hermione’s brain would definitely have exploded.
***
Three weeks had flown by. She was standing in Harry’s office at the Ministry, reminding herself that she had resolved not to cry. Ginny had left for the Harpies training camp the night before, and saying goodbye to her had been hard enough, even when she knew she’d see her regularly. Leaning against Harry’s desk, watching Malfoy, Harry, and Ron saying goodbye to the boys was potentially the hardest thing she’d ever had to watch. She knew they’d be ok, but once Scorpius and Albus had started crying, it was harder to convince herself of that.
Ron approached her and they hugged, as they had a million times before. It shouldn’t have felt so different.
“I’m gonna miss you so much, Mione. Take care of yourself, alright?”
“I’ll miss you too, Ron. Just come home safe.” She felt him nod, and he left her once more to distract James and Albus.
Harry smiled softly at her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
“You’ll be alright? With the kids and everything?”
“We’ll be fine, Harry, I promise.”
He pulled back, meeting her gaze. “I’ll keep them both safe. We’ll all be back, I swear.”
“You better.” She smiled, and he chuckled. Malfoy approached her then, and Harry gave them some space, holding out his hand for Scorpius to take.
“I’ll owe you forever for these, Granger.” He held up the notebook she’d given him that morning. Based loosely on the protean charm and the DA coins, Hermione had made two-way journals for Harry and Malfoy to be able to stay in touch with their sons. Discreet enough to carry with them, and without risking anyone’s safety, she was really quite proud of her invention.
“I told you I’d figure something out. I’m a witch of my word.” He smiled, before his face dropped to something more serious. He reached for her hand.
“Granger. Hermione.” She nodded.
“I know.”
“How about I make you a deal? When I get back, we talk about whatever this is?”
“I’ll hold you to that, Draco.” He smiled as she used his first name. He pulled her into her third hug of the morning, his chin resting on her head. It took all of her willpower to not cry.
She pulled back, and took a deep breath.
“Right then, time to go.” He nodded, and she smiled sadly at her three friends. With one hand held by Scorpius, and the other by Albus, with James hovering just in front of her, she made her way to the door. “I’ll see you all soon.” She said, using a tone that let them know they didn’t have a choice in that matter, she would be seeing them. They would come home.
In a commotion of goodbyes, three crying children, and one crying ginger man, she left the office, but not before she locked eyes with Malfoy. He nodded slightly, and she smiled. They would be talking about whatever had been going on between them, she’d just need to be patient.
Taking a deep breath, she led the boys down the corridor. She knew their mission would be successful. It had to be. It would only be a year, she’d see them all in a year.