Hermione had just turned her back to the table of children when she heard an eruption of giggles. She turned to see the bare gingerbread men dancing across the table and sprinkles fly through the air like confetti.
The gingerbread men made their way onto the trays of Axel and Kai’s high chairs. As they smiled their gummy smiles Hermione could see Blaise’s smile and Luna’s sparking eyes. The twin boys giggled and Hermione watched sprinkles fly into their brown curls. Their parents sure would get a kick out of that. Fawna, Neville and Pansy’s daughter, clapped her chubby hands together and pulled Lily onto the table with her. Lily reached for the gingerbread men and toppled over more sprinkles which quickly shot into the air and circled around her head. She swished her red braids around her as she spun, trying to catch a few sweets in her mouth. Her older brothers rolled their eyes at her but quickly began trying to catch the sprinkles as well. The dancing gingerbread men kicked gumdrops into the air and Teddy encouraged Victorie to catch them in her mouth with him.
Hermione slowly made her way over to the source of the children’s entertainment, her husband. Draco leaned against the door frame to their kitchen door and smiled down at Hermione.
“And here I was thinking that I would be the fun one.” Hermione says and gestures to the gingerbread now doing kick lines on the kitchen table.
“Darling, when will you learn that you can never beat me?” Draco smirks as he pulls Hermione into his arms and kisses the crown of her head.
This is everything she ever wanted. She dreamed of her home filled with children’s laughter and the scent of baked goods. This was Hermione and Draco’s first year hosting Christmas and she made sure everything was perfect. There was a Christmas tree in every room, fairy lights covered the home inside and out, and she planned activities all of Christmas Eve for the children that ended in a sleepover around the massive tree in their sitting room. She couldn’t wait for their parents to arrive and have her entire family together in the morning.
Even her parents promised a short visit. Although she would’ve loved to have them there the whole day she couldn’t push them. After restoring their memories a couple years before, their relationship was a little bumpy. Although they loved Hermione very much there was some clear mistrust. So Hermione took whatever little bit they could give her.
“Where did you go just now?” Draco asks.
“Thinking of my parents.” She answers and he tightens his hold around her.
Draco’s relationship with his parents was also strained but on the mend since their wedding five years ago when they realized Hermione wasn’t going anywhere. Hermione was just glad he understood and was able to end the heavy conversation before it started.
“Okay kids, let’s see who can catch a Biscuit to decorate. Best looking gingerbread man gets to pick the first Christmas film tonight!” Draco announced and waved off Hermione so she could finish wrapping presents.
The night finally winded down after playing for hours, decorating ornaments and stockings, 3 muggle Christmas films, and 5 rounds of hot chocolate. Hermione was spent but pushed herself to stay up past the children to fill stockings and put out the gifts from Father Christmas. After all was done she snuggled into her warm bed with Draco and kissed him deeply
“How was your day, my love?” He asked as he propped himself up on one elbow.
“Good, just tired.” She replied and leaned over to kiss him.
“Tired is expected after chasing around eight kids.” Draco says with a chuckle and Hermione’s rolls her eyes at him. He turns the lights out with windless magic and pulls Hermione into him.
“Happy Christmas.” Hermione whispers to him.
“Happy Christmas, Hermione. I love you.”
Axel, Kai, and Lily wake the couple early. After bottles and nappy changes the three of them settle in a play yard while Draco and Hermione cook enough breakfast to feed not only the children but all of the couple’s friends and family.
The Floo roars to life and Hermione thanks Merlin that they placed a silencing charm around the children this morning. A round of awhing and coos can be heard as Hermione makes her way to greet the guests.
“Hermione! Happy Christmas!” James and Lily reach Hermione first and pull her into a hug followed by Harry and Ginny.
“I snapped a photo of the boys cuddling and of all the kids sleeping!” Ginny says waving her camera around.
Next to arrive are Bill and Fleur, followed by Remus and Tonks, then Neville and a very pregnant Pansy. All of the children are up and begging to open presents by the time Blaise and Luna arrive having enjoyed laying in for the first time in a year. Then just as presents are being handed out the Floo opens up and a loud “Ho-Ho-Ho!” bellows from it. Sirius and Theo walk through hand in hand and each holding giant sacks of presents.
After ripping through presents it was time for stockings. Draco and Hermione smile from ear to ear as they pass out stockings until Fawna takes over. The sweet girl was down to three stockings.
“D-D-Dra-c-o. Draco!” She read the name tag and brought it over to Draco after everyone cheered her on. “H-Her-m. I’m not reading that.” She passed the stocking off to Hermione to read.
“This is mine. Thank you! Does everyone have their stockings?” Hermione asked loudly and everyone nodded.
“WAIT! One more! One more!” Fawna ran back to Hermione’s side when she noticed it on the mantle.
This is what Hermione had been waiting for all day, all week, all month, almost four months now! Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt like she was going to pass out.
“Can you read the tag out loud?” Hermione asked as she placed the pink crocheted stocking in Fawna’s waiting hands.
“B-b-ba-bab. Baby!” Hermione heard a soft gasp but all she could do was watch Draco’s silver eyes sparkle and swell with tears. “G-gir. Girl! Baby Girl! Baby Girl!”
Draco practically threw himself at her and lifted Hermione off the floor. He sobbed into her neck and squeezed her tight. “Finally.” He whispered over and over.
“I wanted to be sure it stuck this time.” Hermione whispered back. “I couldn’t see you broken again if it didn’t. But it did! We are due in May!”
“With a baby girl?” He asked and pulled away from her neck. She nodded and he cried harder. He was such an ugly crier, all red and covered in snot. But Hermione kissed him anyway.
Once Draco and Hermione had their moment everyone around them cheered and congratulated the couple. They had been trying for five years to have this baby. And Hermione was so glad she could see how loved this baby would be by everyone in the room.
When Hermione thought of everything she ever wanted she thought of children’s laughter. Their daughter’s laughter. Baking with her daughter and husband. Every holiday being perfect in their home. The sleepovers their daughter would beg to have in the sitting room. Hermione’s parents meeting her. Draco’s parents meeting her. And this. Pure love and happiness in their home. In their daughter’s home.