Happenstance

The formal part of the Name-Giving went off without a hitch, as Draco had designed. He was a born host and knew how to organise. They waited a decent time for late guests then conducted the ritual introductions to present the triplets to their elders and mentors. Whether in the fullness of time any of those present would make themselves useful Draco was unwilling to venture. He was keeping a careful watch on his tongue. And his wand.

“Do you have a history of multiples in your family?” Hannah Abbott asked, holding Lind with an ease that bespoke a warning to Neville. The witch wanted babies. She made a happy face at Hermione’s daughter and laughed when Lind gurgled at her. Hermione would have suspected her second child of pandering to Hannah except at her age there was little a baby could do other than make noises or messes.

“No. Everyone was surprised.” Hermione smiled. She had practised that expression in the mirror as she did not want to give her feelings away. It was hard being normal, being a mother. She had not planned this. If she had decided that what she wanted was to stand in Malfoy’s ballroom with three children not his and smile about it, she would have taken herself to a psychiatrist. Across the room, Draco and Alek held court.

“You must be relieved.” Virtuous Shacklebolt remarked conversationally and familiarly as she sipped a White Nile Martini. She was a pure-blood descended from shamans and witches back before the Roman Empire. She could not shake the impression Draco was playing a role. “Your family have had several generations of only sons, haven’t they?”

“A tradition I have abandoned.” Draco returned, uncertain whether Madam Shacklebolt was being perspicacious or snide. He did not know how much the Minister had told her about the circumstances of Hermione’s becoming a mother. Nor would he ask. He would have to carry on as though her query was solely a jibe about his family’s thinning blood. “Can’t have the Weasleys having all the fun.”

The Weasleys were not having a lot of fun at the moment. Ginny had liberated Jonas from Molly and was making faces at him. Unlike Hannah, her expressions were not happy. She was mimicking the looks darting between her mother and her youngest brother. Harry was trying not to notice as he chatted with Fleur. Bill, prompted by a suspicion he could not name, prowled through the crowd to see the triplets. When he was certain, he drew his little sister aside.

“I have seen something I don’t like.” He said obliquely, looking into her eyes. Ginny met his gaze and nodded slightly. Bill let out his breath in a long sigh. He thought for a moment then carefully took Jonas from Ginny, cradling him like he had his own children. “I know what it’s like.” He said softly to the baby. “I’ll help, don’t fuss.” He handed the little one back then excused himself for a moment.

Neither Ginny nor Bill noticed Kasimira’s gaze on them. Countess Zakharinya noticed things. She noticed the glances Granger and Malfoy flicked to the other. Like flirting lovers not a stable couple with children. She noticed Longbottom’s guarded look as he listened to his date’s blather. He was keeping secrets. The Minister too kept an ear to the words of his wife as she jousted with their host. There was a conspiracy in the air.

“Ron, darling.” Kasimira could speak English flawlessly but she maintained a slight accent to sound exotic and to give her an excuse should she be called out on a faux pas. “Do not frown. We can dance if you do not wish to mingle.” She put a little pout in her voice. Her affianced had eyes for his ex-wife and that could be a problem. “Or we can bid farewell if you are bored.”

“She makes me so angry.” Ron said in an undertone, finishing a cocktail. It tasted of cherries and he reached for another. Kasimira did not stop him. His tongue ran when he had been drinking. She found it useful to know what he was thinking about for he was reluctant to confide when sober.

“We need not stay. We have done as your mother asked.” Her tone was mild, persuasive. Molly Weasley did not like her but Kasimira kept that in reserve for when she needed to be persistent to get what she wanted. Such as Ron setting a date for the wedding. He had put her off twice. Perhaps seeing Granger happy would prompt him to act. “Let her bat her eyelashes at Malfoy. We need not watch.”

“You don’t understand.” Ron teeth grated against his cocktail glass. He turned away from the sight of Hermione turning traitor. And probably turning tricks too, he thought bitterly. Malfoy wouldn’t be doing this for free. Kasimira put a delicate hand on his arm and gave him a sympathetic look. She did not ask or prompt him as gossip had told her Granger was a nag. Ron squeezed her hand. Kasimira thought for a moment he could divulge but he just finished his drink. “Let’s go.”

Hermione caught Ron leaving out of the corner of her eye and ignored it. He had done what his mother asked. Best to let all of them relax rather than have an incident. Draco, talking to Greg who had finally shown up with Millicent in tow, missed the departure but a short time later under cover of serving drinks Bertie informed him of the Weasel’s absence. He had asked the house elves to keep a close eye on Ron so he could nobble him if the need arose.

Ginny and Harry did not notice as they were having a hurried conversation near the buffet table. Molly saw the flash of azure as Kasimira’s dress glittered under the decorative lanterns and had time to frown before her son disappeared from sight. She was about to go after him when Arthur caught her eye. He knew his wife still held hope for a reconciliation, not least because Kasimira was more Veela than Fleur without the excuse of heritage.

“Don’t spoil this for the children.” Arthur murmured, meaning the younger guests as he was feeling very grandfatherly this evening. Molly took him to mean the triplets, whose party it was, and nodded reluctantly. She let her husband draw her out onto the dance floor so they could waltz their worries away.