I'm the Golden Child
“So Luna Lovegood… is having Theo and Charlie’s baby?” Draco said slowly as he ran his fingers through Hermione’s curls. They were curled up on the chaise in front of the fire, Hermione reading while Draco digested the dinner that had wrapped up earlier.
“Looks that way,” Hermione nodded, turning the page. Blaise and Pansy had taken Luca home, who had fallen fast asleep during dessert, while Theo had stayed behind to chat a little more. Charlie had taken it upon himself to make sure that Luna got home safely, while Theo wanted to talk to Hermione.
“This wasn’t just some decision we made on a whim,” Theo said quietly as he took her hand. “You know how much Lyra means to me… how much family means to me.”
“I know Theo,” Hermione said softly, squeezing his hand gently. “I just… I told you that I would do this for you and Charlie.”
“I know you did,” Theo smiled softly at her. “But we wanted our kid to grow up with yours. I know it seems quick and like we just wanted to be part of this and yes that’s part of it. My own selfish need to not feel left out… but the other part of me… the part that Charlie agrees with… we want our baby to grow up with your babies. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a sister Hermione. I want what you and I have for our little ones. Screw everything else, I want our little mini… to have a mini you.”
“I would have never thought Lovegood of all people would be having a baby with them,” Draco chuckled.
“And why not?” she asked, an eyebrow raised as she looked up at him.
“I..” Draco chuckled and shook his head. “I feel like any answer I have for that is not right so I’m just going to stop before I piss you off.”
“Oh look at that,” Hermione smirked. “He’s learning.”
“Very funny,” he said as he rolled his eyes. Both adults looked over when the sound of little feet entered the room. Lyra skipped into sight, clutching onto her stuffed dragon with Hercules right behind her. She had a smile on her face, a smile that they were beginning to know all too well. She was up to something. “I thought you were in bed little dragon.”
“Can I have a sleepover with Jamie?” Lyra asked sweetly. “Please?”
“Sweetheart it’s bedtime,” Hermione reminded her.
“Maybe tomorrow we can see if Victoire wants to come over for a sleepover,” Draco added, smiling at the girl he couldn’t deny.
“No daddy,” Lyra shook her head. “Jamie.”
“Well I don’t think Uncle Harry will let Jamie stay the night here,” Draco said, pursing his lips.
“That’s ok daddy,” Lyra smiled again. “I’ll ask him.”
“Lyra,” Hermione laughed.
“Don’t you want to spend time with your other friends?” Draco groaned. “You know the ones that don’t have the last name Potter?”
“No,” Lyra shook her head. “Jamie is my favorite. I want a sleepover with him. Uncle Harry won’t say no to me.”
“Oh, he won’t?” Hermione asked with a soft little smile as she sat up. “And why is that?”
“Because I’m the golden child,” Lyra shrugged. “Everyone loves me.”
“I love you,” Draco laughed. “Do you know that?”
“I know.”
April 2011
“Another sleepover?” Harry asked looking down at the little girl sitting beside him at the table. Her big brown eyes were just like her mother’s and he was having a hard time keeping a straight face while watching the all too familiar look of determination in her eyes.
“Yes,” Lyra answered and nodded before taking another bite of her pudding. Draco just smirked from over at his seat while Ginny stifled a laugh.
“You just had a sleepover didn’t you?” Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
“So?” Lyra asked, never looking away from him.
“Maybe Jamie wants to have a sleepover with his brother.”
“Jamie,” Lyra called sweetly and smiled at her friend who was devouring his pudding. “Do you want to have a sleepover with Albus?”
“No!” Jamie shook his head and Lyra looked back at Harry. He narrowed his eyes as he saw the little smirk playing at her lips. He knew that smirk all too well and he knew exactly where it came from.
“You already told Jamie you two were having a sleepover didn’t you,” Harry said and Lyra just batted her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Clever.”
“Thank you,” Lyra said, preening at the compliment.
“Don’t worry love,” Ginny laughed. “Harry is just out of practice at going up against a Malfoy. Perhaps you and Draco should practice a little more.”
“I am the chosen one you know,” Harry grumbled, crossing his arms.
“I’m the golden child,” Lyra shrugged, eating another bite of pudding. “Everyone says so”
The entire table erupted in laughter except for Harry Potter and Lyra looked quite proud of herself. Draco smiled smugly at Hermione who just smiled in adoration at their daughter. After dinner was done, Lyra and Jamie had run off to play, Albus right at their heels while Hermione, Harry, and Ginny spoke.
“Ginevra,” Draco said, handing her the cup of tea.
“Thank you Malfoy,” Ginny smirked and turned back to Hermione.
“I was not prepared for them to be best friends,” Harry grumbled as Draco handed him another firewhiskey.
“Why? Against my better judgment and no matter how many times I’ve tried to get her to see the error of her ways, Hermione is your best friend,” Draco smirked. “Why is it so surprising that Lyra and your son are best friends?”
“Because,” Harry chuckled. “She’s your daughter. I would have thought you had convinced her otherwise. Are you saying that you like their friendship?”
“Don’t be absurd,” Draco scoffed. “Lyra is almost as scary as her mum. It’s best to just let her have her way when possible. But if your son ever tries to date my daughter… all bets are off.”
“A Malfoy and a Potter?” Harry laughed. “Voldemort is more likely to come back before that would ever happen.”
Ginny shook her head as she listened to the two men spew out nonsense. “Those two will never change,” Ginny scoffed.
“Secretly they like each other,” Hermione smirked, sipping her tea. “They will just never admit it.”
“How have you been feeling?” Ginny asked. “About six months along now?”
“I am yes,” Hermione nodded. “I’ve been having a bit of cramping lately and the never-ending morning sickness. I have an appointment with my healer tomorrow.”
“Do you need us to watch Lyra for you?” the red-headed witch asked. “You know I don’t mind.”
“No,no,” she said. “Lucius is going to take her for a bit.”
“They are quite close,” Ginny nodded.
“Extremely,” Hermoine chuckled. The conversations continued for a while until Harry and Ginny gathered Albus up and said their goodbyes to James. Ginny hugged Hermione tight and told her that if they needed anything to call. After the Potter family left, Draco and Hermione checked on the two children. Draco transfigured a bed for the little boy and Hermione tucked them both in with a bedtime story before she and Draco retired to the library. Lyra bided her time, waiting a bit before sitting up in bed. When she couldn’t take it any longer, she shot up.
“Come on Jamie,” Lyra giggled, wigging down out of her bed and grabbing her dragon.
“But it’s bedtime,” Jamie said, shaking his head. “No trouble Lyra! No!”
“We won’t get in trouble, promise,” Lyra smiled and held out her hand. Jamie groaned and got up, his messy black hair falling in his eyes as he took her hand and followed her out of the room. She tiptoed down the hall with him, Hercules not far behind them. As they made their way to the library doors, Lyra held a finger up to her lips, telling him to stay quiet.
As the music became louder, Lyra poked her little head around the door. Jamie followed suit and ducked down below her. Lyra smiled as she watched her dad pull her mum close, dancing with her. It was one of her favorite things to do at night. She watched the way her father smiled down at her mum, how she would laugh when he would dip her or spin her before pulling her closer. Lyra smiled, letting the happiness coming off the moment fill her up. It always calmed her watching her parents. With a small, serene smile on her face, Lyra took Jamie’s hand again and pulled him back upstairs to her room.
The next morning, everything turned to chaos. After Harry had picked up James and Lucius had come over to watch Lyra, Draco had accompanied Hermione to the healer.
“I’m worried about your stress levels my dear,” her healer had said while casting the normal diagnostic spells over her. “Carrying twins is stressful on any woman. You Mrs. Malfoy have endured an extensive amount of torture from the crutiatus curse. The more stress you put on yourself, the more your body will react.”
“But the babies are ok?” Hermione asked, squeezing Draco’s hand tightly.
“The babies are perfectly healthy,” she said, soothing the frantic mother. “It’s you I’m more concerned about. If this continues I’m going to recommend bed rest until the babies make their entrance into this world.”
As soon as the appointment had ended and Hermione had returned home, everything turned upside down. There was an unexpected urgent matter at the manor that Lucius had to return to. Draco had been called away to handle a massive situation with one of his teams. With not many choices left, Hermione found herself walking into Weasley Wizard Wheezes with Lyra in tow, trying to breathe as she walked through the chaos up to the counter where George was. “Well if it isn’t my two favorite Malfoy’s,” George smiled and Lyra waved enthusiastically. “And to what do I owe the wondrous pleasure of your surprise visit today?”
“I came to ask you a favor actually,” Hermione sighed. “Ron isn’t working today is he?”
“No not today,” George chuckled. “He’s on Holiday with his lady. Everything alright?”
“No, not quite,” Hermione said shaking her head. “I have to go to Gringotts and you know how the goblins feel about children. Lucius and Narcissa are tied up at the moment because for some reason the DMLE decided they needed to come and do a random inspection for dark artifacts, which, don’t even get me started on that. Draco is at work, dealing with a crisis. Theo is in Romania with Charlie. Ginny said that Albus woke up with a fever so I can’t take her there-”
“Hermione, breathe,” George chuckled leaning against the counter. “I can watch her?”
“You can?” Hermione sighed in relief. “Oh thank Merlin.”
“Of course, I can,” George smirked. “She can be my personal product tester today. I’m working on a few new things and I need a little one’s opinion.”
“Oh yes yes! I can help!” Lyra squealed, clapping her hands.
“See?” George laughed, reaching down and lifting her up and over and counter, settling her on a chair beside him. “No trouble at all.”
“Nothing dangerous George,” Hermione said narrowing her eyes. “I should be back in an hour.”
“Of course,” George said, waving his hand. “I’ll keep the good stuff under wraps.”
“Behave love,” Hermione said to Lyra. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Ok mummy,” Lyra smiled and waved. George waited until Hermione was out of the shop and far enough away before he turned to Lyra with a conspiratorial smile on his face.
“I might possibly be working on a new toy that involves a dragon,” he said, watching the little girl’s face light up.
“Dragon,” Lyra breathed, the smile widening on her face.”Oh please Uncle George, please let me see the dragon toy.”
“Of course, you can see it,” George chuckled. “I made it for you.”
&&&
“I’m sorry, you said what is missing?” Hermione said, looking up from the dinner she was attempting to cook.
“My dragon toy Uncle George gave me,” Lyra sniffled. “I let her hatch from her egg and she flew out of my room.”
“There’s a random, tiny little dragon flying around the house?” Hermione asked slowly, still in shock, taking in the new information. Lyra nodded and Hermione closed her eyes. “Missy!”
“Yes Miss Hermione?” Missy answered after appearing in the kitchen with a crack.
“Can you please make sure to finish dinner so that I don’t accidentally burn down the kitchen?” she asked, taking a deep breath.
“Of course Miss Hermione,” Missy said with a smile. “Anything for you and Mistress Lyra.”
“Mummy it won’t catch a big fire,” Lyra shook her head. “Only maybe, possibly little fires. Uncle George said she’s harmless.”
“Fire breathing dragon toy… he gave you a fire breathing dragon toy,” Hermione croaked out, conjuring her Patronus and sending it off to George to find out exactly what he had given Lyra. She and the little girl began their hunt for the dragon, looking in every nook and cranny possible. They still hadn’t found it by the time Draco came through the floo.
“There are my favorite girls,” Draco smiled but his smile began to falter when he saw the look on Hermione’s face. “What is going on?”
“We are on the hunt… for a missing fire-breathing dragon,” Hermione breathed out, her hands shaking.
“Is this another one of those imaginary games?” Draco asked with a chuckle but one look from Hermione told him that was a mistake. “You’re serious.”
“George gave her a new toy. A little pocket-sized dragon that hatches and flies around and possibly breathes small fires.”
“She’s not scary!” Lyra piped in and squealed when the little green dragon came flying into the room, swooping down right in front of Hermione. Using his seeker reflexes, Draco caught the toy quickly, pulling it away from his stressed-out wife. “You caught her daddy!”
“Lyra sweetheart, why don’t you go and grab her egg hmm? It’s time for her to take a rest,” Draco smiled at her and watched as she ran off to grab it before turning back to his wife. “And you… you need to take a seat and rest. You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine, I just… I’m fine,” Hermione shook her head waving him off.
“Hermione I- Ow you little bastard!” Draco yelped looking down at his hands where he was holding the dragon. “The thing just burned me.”
“Oh my gods,” Hermione groaned and started pacing. “I should never have left her with George. But I had no other choice. Everyone was busy and I had to go to Gringotts and I couldn’t take her with me. I never, NEVER expected her to come home with a dragon. A DRAGON DRACO!”
“Ok, ok,” Draco said gently, smiling immediately when Lyra came back into the room. “Thank you, sweetheart. Here.” He quickly put the dragon back inside the egg and shut it. “Why don’t you take her back to your room and then go and help Missy with dinner yes?”
“Ok daddy,” Lyra smiled, took the egg, and ran off back to her room. Draco made his way over to Hermione and took her hands in his. He could quite literally see the stress and exhaustion in her body. Leading her over to her favorite chair, Draco helped her sit. He bent down to her level, kissing her knuckles as he looked at her.
“My love,” Draco began. “The healer just told you this morning that she was worried about you remember?”
“Of course I do,” she snapped at him.
“And yet I can tell you are stressed,” Draco smiled softly at her. “You are flushed, your hands are shaking, and your eyes are not flashing gold at me like they usually do.”
“I might be a little stressed…”
“I know.” He chuckled, tucking a curl behind her ear. “Can you do something for me? Can you stay in here and read while I take care of everything else for the night? Please?”
“Ok…”
“Thank you,” Draco smiled, kissing her gently and leaving the room. Taking a deep breath, she got cozy on the chaise, picking up her book. It didn’t take long before she saw a little head poking around the door frame, trying to watch her. She knew at some point Lyra was going to be feeling everything she was. She tried to hide her emotions from Lyra constantly. She wanted to remain happy and positive and not burden the little girl any more than she already had. Sighing to herself, she realized that it wasn’t going to be a reality to do that. With a small smile on her face, she looked up from her book and smiled at her daughter.
“Well come on then,” Hermione chuckled. Lyra wasted no time running over to her and snuggling up as close as she could get, holding onto her. Looking back down at her book again, Hermione began running her fingers through the young girl’s long curls. She smiled when she felt Lyra patting her belly gently and talking softly to the babies.
“You have to be nice to mummy,” Lyra said quietly, pressing a gentle kiss to the belly she was snuggled up with. “Mummy is very stressed. Mummy needs a good night’s sleep.” Chuckling to herself she continued on, finally relaxing and taking in the sweet moment with her daughter.
&&&
“Mummy, I thought you said I was going to pick the names of the babies,” Lyra gave her mother the best little pout she could muster and Hermione only challenged her with a look right back.
“Lyra Elizabeth, I said that you could help mummy and daddy, but we still get the final pick. I named you, don’t you like your name?” Hermione questioned.
Lyra wrinkled her nose but nodded, “Yes, but mummy, my name is an L and Luca’s name is an L and Auntie Pansy let me name Luca.”
“That’s because auntie Pansy has no backbone when she’s pregnant,” Theo muttered to Charlie, yelping and rubbing his elbow as Pansy sent a stinging jinx his way. “Auntie Pansy still knows how to play with the bad boys,” Pansy pointed her wand at Theo before tucking it back into her hair, her hands going back to her belly.
Blaise said nothing, sitting smugly next to his wife as Theo pouted enough to rival Lyra. “No Uncle Theo, no pout,” Lyra insisted, getting down from the couch from where she sat next to Hermione and climbing herself into Theo’s lap, wiggling comfortably between him and Charlie.
“Oh Lyra, you know just how to make me feel better,” Theo grinned. “You never let your favorite daddy down.”
Lyra turned her head, looking at Theo, immediately answering him without skipping a beat. “That’s daddy,” she insisted, pointing at Draco (who was now equally as smug looking as Blaise). “Silly Uncle Theo,” Lyra shook her head, giving a little eye roll that made Pansy laugh.
Theo looked directly at Hermione, “I’m mortally wounded and I’ve been cast aside-if there’s a baby boy in that belly, I demand you name him Theodore, it’s the only apology I’ll accept.”
“Theodore is not a constellation name,’ Draco pointed out. “You’re so dramatic, Nott.”
“No, he’s not! No, I’m not!” Theo and Lyra yelped at the same time.
“Didn’t Hermione say no to all of the constellation names?” Blaise chuckled.
“I have said no to many, many constellation names,” Hermione sighed and Draco smiled at her lovingly, placing his hand on her stomach.
“Leo is a constellation name,” Pansy smirked and then looked over at Lyra locking eyes with the little girl contently eating in Theo’s lap. “And it starts with an L.”
“Oh mummy Leo! Please, please!” Lyra shouted. “Lyra and Leo. Daddy doesn’t that sound so nice?”
“And what about if you have a baby sister hmmm?” Draco asked trying not to chuckle when she wrinkled her tiny nose that was identical to her mother’s.
“Lyra,” Hermione chuckled, watching Theo help Lyra cut a piece of her tart. “Your father and I don’t have names that start with the letter L.”
“But Papa does,” Lyra smiled and Draco groaned while the table laughed at him. Lyra just looked at him with the most innocent smile gracing her face.
“Draco wants to name one of the babies Scorpius,” Hermione continued after settling down from her fit of laughter. “It’s one of the only names I am partial to.”
“Oh, so you’re partial to it now? Hmm?” Draco smiled, looking at Hermione with a teasing glint in his eyes. “I thought it was too pompous and unnecessarily pureblood.”
“It’s not the worst name you’ve tried to get me to agree to,” Hermione mumbled.
“What about girl names?” Charlie asked and Draco groaned knowing that he was about to hear another diatribe from his wife’s mouth.
“My husband thinks that the name Cassiopia is perfectly adequate to place on a little innocent child,” Hermione scoffed and Lyra copied her.
“There’s nothing wrong with the name Cassiopia,” Draco sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“It’s a mouthful,” Hermione quipped back and Theo couldn’t hold back the chuckle that slipped out of his mouth.
“Aren’t you used to having a mouthful Hermione?” Theo smirked, barely keeping it together before cursing when the little tiny dragon toy burned his hand. “Fucking hell!”
“Thank you Mione!” Lyra squealed, petting the little dragon that landed on her shoulder.
“She named this dragon Mione,” Draco smirked at the now red-faced, glaring Theodore Nott.