Happenstance

The pink smoke turned out to be the result of a new graduate taking a shortcut. He had succeeded in turning himself and most of Lab Two’s interior cerise but had done no significant damage. Hermione had told him off then asked him to write up his notes so the SMS could investigate the pink for commercial uses. Being self-funding was a driving goal for the Department. She finished her work and headed back to Malfoy Manor later than she had anticipated.

Hermione headed upstairs and fed the triplets, winding down as she watched them suckle. Draco sauntered in about half an hour later calculating his arrival to spare him any work related rants. The witch was much mellower after she started nursing. He endeavoured to keep his life as bereft of feminine screeching as possible. His ears had been permanently traumatised by six years of female Slytherin catfighting.

“Part one of your epic list is complete.” He annunciated, leaning like a marble angel against the window seat. He had a knack for making himself look good. A conga line of house elves brought shopping bags into the nursery for Show and Tell.

“You’ve finished?” Hermione surveyed the labels on the bags. She recognised some of them but others looked like imports. He had been further afield than Diagon Alley. With a negligent flick of his wand, he had the purchases displaying themselves for her inspection.

“Awaiting further instruction, mistress.” Draco teased. There were many interpretations of the title and it amused him to use it. He took Alek from her as she accepted Jonas from Suki the house elf. He was not fond of babies but the more she saw him with her children the harder it would be for her to leave, he believed. Hermione gave him a dry look.

“I can do my own shopping.” She defended and received the expected acquiescent nod. They had discussed it. Hermione was still surprised that he had listened. Not because she thought he would stick his fingers in his ears but because Ron had nodded then done whatever he liked. She had fallen to nagging to get him to do what they had agreed, which only made him more obstinate. She had been too involved to see what was happening.

Out of the marriage Hermione was regaining perspective, and she had confirmed what she had always suspected. Draco was very smart. She did not have to explain three times the difference between enamel and anodised only for him to still buy the wrong casserole pot. And blame her. During the last year of their marriage it had taken nothing to offend Ron then he would huff around the house like a martyr.

Draco on the other hand both understood and allowed her to explain to reassure herself they both knew what she wanted. He was disinclined to exert himself without reward though. The price in this case was getting his own way. There was so much to do at work that Hermione had been fraught about finding gifts. She usually had everything organised by November so she could avoid the seasonal shopping crush but this year’s plans had been slightly disarranged.

Hermione laughed at her trickling thoughts. She was still on the hormonal rollercoaster. Slightly disarranged was like calling Ophelia a bit miffed. Draco had offered to act as her second as though facing the December crowds was a duel. Feeling somewhat guilty she was not finding everything herself, she had given him a list and let him help. He had got everything right except for the babies’ things.

That Would Be Discussed Later. Hermione squashed her first instinct to object loudly and justify her requests. His changes were not snubs or criticisms of her choices. She was unlearning old reactions she had accrued from her ex-husband. It was a revelation to her how defensive she had become in her personal affairs. Every conversation with Ron had her donning full-plate.

Draco had done nothing wrong in indulging himself with expensive gifts for the triplets. The blankets would last and she would keep the silver rattles as heirlooms but paying him back would tax her budget. Getting him to accept money was a struggle too.

“Mother is coming home to the Manor for Yule. She has arranged for Father to go ice-fishing. The solstice season is too much for him.” Draco saw Hermione’s thoughts on her face and pressed on quickly. “I would like you to meet her.” He smiled inwardly, having given this next a lot of consideration. “I want to ask a favour of you. There will be a lot of festive teas and little get-togethers. I would be obliged if you would go with Narcissa to one of them.”

More for the Plan, Hermione thought sourly. She did not want to go to a festive tea and the little get-togethers could get together without her. But Draco was not asking her to eat petit-fours or make small talk with purebloods. He was asking her to be seen in public with his mother doing something Narcissa enjoyed so everyone would see Madam Malfoy had the Granger Seal of Approval.

“Just the one.” Hermione agreed and added the appointment to her mental calendar under ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’.