Epilogue 1
2.5 years later
Draco
Draco was a little nervous when he knocked on the door of his father’s study but this talk was necessary, maybe even a little overdue.
“Come in.”
He took a deep breath and entered. “Do you have a moment?”
“Of course.” Lucius put his quill aside and looked at him expectantly.
Draco sat down. “Do you remember when I first time I wrote to you about getting the apprenticeship?”
Lucius smiled a little. “Of course. And now you’re almost done.”
“True.” He sighed. “I promised you then that I would focus more on politics once I’m done.”
“You did.” Draco could be wrong, but he believed the smile on his father’s lips was a knowing one. Maybe he had already guessed why Draco was here.
In the last two years and six months he had joined the Wizengamot as regularly as his time had allowed (and maybe, just maybe, he had claimed that he had to work once or twice to get out of a meeting), but otherwise he had stayed out of politics. Hermione, who was now officially a Malfoy, on the other hand had been promoted already and was doing very well. He was happy for her, she loved her job, even if she complained about the ignorant people in the Ministry sometimes, but she was happy. The problem was, so was Draco. He loved focusing on potions and he loved teaching. In the current school year, he had even taken over the third years in addition to the first two.
Yes, he did work with his father on the family businesses and investments and he was good at that, too, and he liked it, but he hated Wizengamot meetings and he couldn’t imagine spending more time than absolutely necessary at the Ministry, except for picking Hermione up for lunch when he had the time. Of course that had never been a possible choice for the Malfoy heir. But this time may be different. During the last almost three years his father had never pressured him to think about a political career and Hermione would uphold the family’s political influence, he had no doubt about that. Also, Lucius was more active than ever himself. They didn’t need him. But he also didn’t want to disappoint his father.
But he had decided that he would take that particular risk and have this conversation, so he continued. “Devon told me a little while ago that he will leave Hogwarts at the end of the year. Three years of teaching is enough and he wants to focus on potion development again.” Lucius still looked at him calmly and nodded for him to continue. “I was thinking of applying for the job as potions master, if Minerva agrees that I can floo home at least most nights, if not all. Hermione and I want to start a family soon and I don’t want to live at Hogwarts. But I would like to continue teaching.” He shrugged. “Of course I don’t know, if I’d even get the job, but I’d like to apply.”
To his surprise, Lucius chuckled. “You mean the Headmistress has seen you teach successfully for three years and you think she would rather take someone she has never met before? Next time I see her, I shall let her know that you don’t think she’s very smart.”
Draco couldn’t help but laugh.
“But,” Lucius continued, “I was wondering when you would tell me that you would like to continue focusing on potions. I may be a little surprised by the teaching bit, but I have given up on making a politician out of you a long time ago.” He didn’t look disappointed; he was still smiling slightly. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you skipping every possible Wizengamot meeting or that you only pay attention to what is going on at the Ministry when Hermione tells you about her day. I have also noticed that you don’t listen to me with the same interest.”
“That’s not true!”
“Oh really? So it’s not true that when you get this far-away look while I talk, you think of the potion you’re currently working on or the dinner you are planning to take your wife to or maybe even the book you’re currently reading?”
Draco wanted to protest, but lying to his father successfully was an almost impossible. “Alright, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You are happy the way it is, aren’t you? With teaching and working on new potions …”
Draco nodded. “I am.”
“Then apply for the job. And don’t feel bad about it. Hermione and I have it under control.”
Draco chuckled. “Of course you do.” He looked Lucius in the eyes. Considering his family history, he knew all too well that he was the first one to be allowed such a choice without relinquishing his heritage. “Thank you.”
xxx
He and Lucius left the study together. It was Saturday and they all would have lunch together. His father would continue whatever he had been working on afterwards.
Hermione, Narcissa and Cassie were already sitting at the table and the two women were chatting about the upcoming wedding between Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. The two of them were among the last ones in their friend group to marry. Harry and Ginny had been first after Draco and Hermione, and to everyone’s surprise and Lord Parkinson’s protest, Ron and Pansy had been second. Blaise had married Daphne and Greg had just started dating a young half-blood woman who was absolutely perfect for him in Draco’s opinion.
Draco kissed his wife on the cheek and sat down next to her while Lucius wordlessly handed her a few gold coins before sitting down next to Narcissa.
Cassie was sitting in her high chair and focused on glaring at the cooked carrots on her plate. She hated carrots.
Draco turned to his wife. “What’s that?”
Hermione looked down at her hand and grinned. “Ten galleons.” She quickly gave him a kiss. “Well done. I won a bet.”
Draco stared at her in shocked amusement. “You two made a bet on whether I’d tell him that I don’t want to go into politics?”
“The bet was not on whether you’d tell me, it was on when. And your dear wife cheated.”
“I did not!”
“So you’re telling me you didn’t know that he was considering taking the teaching position? Wouldn’t that have made it necessary to tell me in time to apply?”
“Having information that you don’t doesn’t make it cheating. It’s called using an advantage.”
Narcissa laughed. “You can’t complain. You taught her too well.”
Lucius shot his wife a dry look. “You think she needed me for that?”
Cassie in the meantime was dropping the carrots on the ground, where Crookshanks gulped them down. He liked cooked carrots and the little girl knew that all too well. Everyone pretended not to notice, just this once.
xxx
On Monday, Draco came to Hogwarts early. Usually, he had breakfast with his family, but he had skipped that today to catch Minerva in her office before breakfast at Hogwarts began. He knew she was already looking for a new potions master and he would not let this chance get by. Truthfully, he didn’t believe she wouldn’t want him as a teacher, but since all the other teachers lived at Hogwarts, he could imagine that this would be a deal breaker. But if that would be case, he would work full time as potioneer. As much as he loved teaching, he would not live separate from his wife and completely neglect his duties as future Lord Malfoy for the sake of getting this job. He still wanted to try before the headmistress had decided on someone else.
Like all other staff members, and he had been treated as such since day one, he knew the password to get past the stone griffin to her office. “Panthera leo.” The word Muggle scientists used for lions. Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor. Creativity wasn’t their strength. Of course he wouldn’t say that out loud in front of his wife. He valued his life.
The statue moved aside and he went up the stairs and knocked on the wooden door at the top.
“Yes?”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Draco. You’re quite early.”
“I am. I was hoping I could talk to you before you go to breakfast.”
She nodded courtly and gestured to one of the chairs in front of her desk. Draco sat down. “How can I help you?”
“Devon told me that he’s planning to stop teaching by the end of the year. I was wondering, if you already have a replacement.”
“I don’t. The two applicants I have seen so far have been rather disappointing.”
“Well, that’s good. I mean, I hope it is.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “I wanted to apply. I can hand in a written application, of course, but I figured that wouldn’t provide anything you don’t know already.”
She looked surprised. “You would like the position as potions master?”
“Yes. I enjoy teaching and I can imagine doing that for the foreseeable future. However, I have a wife and we are planning to have children soon. Moving to Hogwarts would be out of the question. I can stay the occasional night or a few hours on some days during the holidays, if someone is needed for supervising the students, but mostly I’d want to floo home after work, as I do now. I understand, if that is not what you are looking for. I just thought it’s worth a try.”
Minerva looked at him with a small smile. “You know, if someone had told me that in your early Hogwarts years, I wouldn’t have believed them. But you have a talent for teaching and you are doing exceptionally well.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t you think your father will keep you busy with Ministry work?”
Draco froze and after a moment slowly turned his head to the source of the voice. A voice he hadn’t heard for so long. Of course he had been in this office many times since he had started teaching, but the frame he was looking at now had always been empty. Severus, or rather his portrait, didn’t like hanging out in the headmaster’s office, he had heard. Now he was there, exactly as Draco remembered him. He managed a smile. “Father already sees Hermione, whom I married as I’m sure you know, as both the youngest minister and the first Malfoy to be minister in history. The two of them are very busy and don’t need me to be in the way.”
Minerva looked surprised, but Severus snorted. “So you are free to do whatever you choose and what you choose is being a teacher?” He drawled.
Draco grinned. “Obviously.
“It’s very rewarding work, Severus.” Now Dumbledore had to get involved, eyes twinkling as he looked at Draco. It was a little disconcerting, considering the last time he had spoken to the former headmaster, he had pointed his wand at him and then had seen him die.
“If you say so.” Severus familiar sarcasm brought Draco back to the presence.
“Oh hush, both of you.” Minerva sounded slightly impatient. “Draco.” He turned back to her. “As you know, most of our teachers are unmarried and Dorian’s marriage is happier with him being away most of the year.” Draco grinned; he knew that about the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. “With most of the current staff living at Hogwarts during the school year, we are enough teachers to handle the necessary supervision and I don’t have to ask the others to know that they would be more than happy to keep you here. So would I.” He had gotten along with all of them, but it was nice to hear that the feeling had been mutual. “If you are sure, I’m happy to accept your condition. However, I’d prefer the Head of House to be present at least most of the time. Would it be acceptable for you, if Liam becomes Head of House for Slytherin instead of you?” Liam Starkney, the Transfiguration teacher, was also a former Slytherin.
Draco nodded immediately. “Of course, I understand.” He did. Although they were unlikely to be in a similar situation as he had been at the beginning of the last year of his own school time, the students, who were all far away from home, needed an adult to be available for them, if necessary. Draco knew better than most how important it could be to have someone to turn to in times of need.
Minerva smiled genuinely. “Then you will be a full staff member as of next year. I’ll let you have the contract by tomorrow.”
Draco returned the smile. “Thank you!”
“You are very welcome. Did you have breakfast already?”
“Actually, no.”
“Well then, if you we go now, we’ll only be slightly late.”
They both got up and with a last smile to Severus, he followed Minerva to the Great Hall.
xxx
“What are you doing here so early?” Devon looked at him in surprise. He hadn’t told him about his intention to apply for the job and this was the very first time Draco was here in time for breakfast.
He took his usual seat next to his mentor and turned to him, smiling. “Job interview.”
Immediately all eyes were on him. How was it that everyone on the teachers’ table always heard everything, even if it was said on the other end, and the students didn’t? Draco suspected some kind of spell combination was involved and made a mental note to ask Fidelius about it later.
“You’re going to stay?” Liam grinned. While Draco was the youngest person on this table, the Transfiguration teacher was only six years older than him. They got along very well.
“Yes, he is. As of next year, he will replace Devon as potions master,” Minerva explained to everyone.
Devon laughed. “I bloody knew it. You enjoy teaching too much to already give it up. I thought you might be my successor when you suggested to additionally take the third years last summer.”
“Liam, if you agree, I’d prefer you to be Head of House, though,” Minerva continued. “Draco understandably doesn’t want to live at Hogwarts, considering he’s married and surely has other responsibilities, too. I believe the Head of House should be available for students.”
Liam shrugged with a grin. “Sure, I’m chronically single, so I guess I’ll always be available.”
“If your preferred method of flirting continues to be staring at women hoping they won’t find it creepy and magically know that you want them to make the first step, you may be right.” Draco had been out for a drink with Liam a few times and yes, that was his preferred method of flirting.
Liam looked at him in faux shock. “What? You think that’s not effective?”
xxx
When Draco came home that day – after teaching three double lessons and working with Devon after dinner – Hermione was waiting for him in their sitting room. She put aside her book – an old tomb on blood magic, which they were both still studying under his father’s watchful eyes – got up and smiled nervously at him. “Did you get the job?”
He smiled widely. “I did.”
A second later, his wife hugged him tightly. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you.” She drew back a little and grinned up at him. “Well, Professor, don’t you think we should celebrate? We still have an hour before Bimsy pops in to scold us for being late for dinner.”
He laughed before he kissed her, which was returned enthusiastically and without letting go of each other, they moved towards the bedroom.
They quickly disposed of each other’s clothes, before Draco lifted his wife up in his arms and laid down on the bed.
Crookshanks, who had slept on the pillow on the other side, looked up as if to say ‘Really? Now?’, got up and, with an air of annoyance, left the room. Hermione giggled, but drew in a sharp breath when Draco’s tongue started circling her left nipple.
“Draco?”
“Hmm?”
Her hand stroke though his hair while he continued to kiss her breasts, his hands on her hips, kneeling above her, but clearly listening.
“I didn’t take the potion. I know we talked about it, but I just … want to make sure it’s ok. With you starting as a full-time teacher and all …”
At that, he looked up, smiling. “Minerva agreed to the condition that I don’t have to live at Hogwarts. Like now, I’ll go after breakfast and be home even earlier, because I won’t work with Devon after classes. I won’t have to work on weekends or during school holidays. So I’ll be there to help. We have two grandparents who can’t wait to babysit.” He paused. “Well, father is with you at the Ministry most of the time and probably will be there even more when you take some time off when the baby is there, but there’s mother. And when all else fails, the house elves love to babysit. When both mother and father had to be somewhere when I was small, they always took good care of me. I’m ready when you are.”
She gently stroke his cheek, looking up at him with the most beautiful smile. “I’m ready.”
“Good,” he whispered back and continued planting small kisses on Hermione’s breasts and neck, now and then catching her lips. Slowly his right hand moved over her belly, only lightly touching her skin, until his fingers reached her clit. By now he knew how to touch her to make her writhe, to make her wet and ready, which was more than enough to feel his cock achingly hard.
Two of his fingers entered her before bending, pressing sensitive spots while he moved so that his ring was simultaneously stimulating her clit until she gasped his name, clutching his shoulder, her thighs tightening around his hand.
He forced himself to focus, to ignore the throbbing of his cock, and wandlessly, non-verbally, he sent small sparks of stimulating magic through his hand until she whimpered helplessly. Seeing her like this, beautiful, slightly sweaty, bucking under his touch, had been enough to send him over the edge several times in the past. But he stopped before either of them could come and after a small pause, he shifted and drove his cock in hard. Her hips buckled, met him, made the thrust harder and when he began to move, she moved with him, at least until both of her hands found his shoulders, pushed him to one side until he was the one lying on his back.
He grinned up at her. “Feeling rebellious today, Mrs Malfoy?”
Her hands moved from his shoulders down his chest, her nails leaving the barest marks. “It would seem so.”
And then she started to move, riding his cock, up and down, before stopping and circling her hips almost teasingly. “Fuck,” Draco gasped out, throwing his head back. When they both couldn’t take it anymore, her movements became more urgent, harder, faster and then the world exploded. He thrust his hips up several times as he came hard, barely heard her cry out his name.
The next thing he knew was her body on his, her head right under his chin and her arms around him. He held her close.
~tbc~