Broken Smile

Broken Smile.

“Mum, can I get a wand, too?” Ron asked.

“No, you can’t. This is my day—I’m the one starting Hogwarts,” Titan told his little brother as they walked into Ollivanders.

Ron’s ears turned red; his hand formed into a fist and he punched his older brother on the arm, hard. “You little…” Titan grabbed a hold of Ron by the sleeve of his coat. “Titan! Stop it—the both of you,” yelled their mother.

Ollivanders had two other families in the shop picking out wands. Hermione pulled her sons to one side. “You are both making a show of me…”
“He started asking for things he knows he can’t have,” Titan said, glaring at his brother.

“Shut up! When I get my wand I’m going to hex you…” Ron began, but stopped because of the look on his mother’s face. She took hold of their arms and spoke in a calm voice.

“There will be no hexing or teasing one another. Titan, go and pick out a wand so we can get home at one point today. Ron, take hold of my hand and be quiet; it will be your turn soon enough,” Hermione said firmly.

They had been in Diagon Alley most of the morning picking out Titan’s school supplies. Hermione was feeling emotional because her little baby was going off to Hogwarts. Her words rang through her ears: ‘It will be you turn soon enough.’ Ron would be going off to Hogwarts and she’d be all alone.

Titan kept picking up different wands and giving them a twirl; every wand he pick up either caused lots of trouble or done nothing at all. Mr. Ollivander came over, his pale eyes traveling over Hermione and Ron.

“Miss Granger. Nine and a quarter inches, right?” Mr. Ollivander asked.
Hermione smiled at him. “Yes, you’re right—about the wand, but not my name,” she told him.

The old man looked down at Ron standing beside her; he took in the red hair and freckles. “My apologies, Mrs. Weasley.”

“Mum, none of those wands work. I must be too powerful,” Titan said with a smirk, as he came over. Every day Hermione noticed how much Titan looked like Draco, even down to the way he walked.

“We well find you a wand. Come here and let Mr. Ollivander measure you,” Hermione said.

“Which is your wand arm?” the old man asked. Titan held out his left arm. Mr. Ollivander took out his measuring tape and measured from Titan’s shoulder to the finger.

“Mum, I have to go,” Ron said while bouncing on the spot.
“We are having lunch in the Leaky Cauldron; you can go then,” Hermione said, watching the wand-maker measure the rest of Titan.

“I can’t wait that long; I really gotta go,” Ron said. screwing up his face as if he was in a lot of pain.

“He can use my toilet, if you like,” Mr. Ollivander offered. “It’s in the back.”
“Thank you,” Hermione said as she took Ron by his hand. “Titan, behave.” Hermione gave him a warning look before she left.

Titan rolled his eyes and waved the wand in his hand. Mr. Ollivander looked at the boy in front of him. He knew he was the son of Lucius Malfoy; the resemblance was more than enough proof.

“So, you remember every wand you’ve ever sold? What was my father’s wand?” Titan asked.

Mr. Ollivander’s sharp eyes held Titan’s gaze. The old man walked over to the ladder; he reached for a long box on the top shelf. “Your father’s wand was twelve and a half inches, made from dragons’ heartstrings. A very powerful wand, indeed,” Mr. Ollivander said as he laid a long box in front of Titan.

Titan had been asking a lot more questions about his father lately. Hermione told him he had died before he was born. Titan started to ask Draco, too; he didn’t understand why Hermione didn’t want to tell him about his father.

Titan took the wand from the box and gave it a wave; green sparks shot from the end of the wand. “I think we have a match,” Mr. Ollivander said, clapping his hands together.

“Is this…?” Titan began to ask.

“Twelve and an half inches, made from Dragons heartstrings” the wand-maker’s moon-like eyes shone brightly as he spoke.

Hermione and Ron came from behind the counter. Ron looked relieved and Hermione was glad to see Titan had found a wand. Mr. Ollivander smiled warmly at Hermione. He didn’t mention anything about Titan’s wand, nor did Titan.

* * * * *

Later that day Draco came over with presents for Titan and Ron; he bought them the latest brooms. Hermione didn’t like the idea of him buying expansive gifts; she knew Charlie would be angry when he found out. But what could she do, the boys had already seen the brooms.

Charlie came home a little later. When he walked in to the kitchen he saw Draco sitting on his seat at the dinner table. “Malfoy,” Charlie said but didn’t look at him. He kissed Hermione lightly on the lips.

“Weasley,” Draco said just as coldly.

Ron came running into the kitchen when he heard his father’s voice.
“Dad…Dad!” he yelled, running to his father. Charlie picked him up and hugged him. Titan came walking in; he sat next to Draco.

Whenever Draco was around, Titan called Charlie by his given name, and sometimes when Charlie tells him off. Charlie never says anything but Hermione could always see the hurt in his eyes.

The doorbell rang; Ron got up and ran to answer it. “It’s Aunt Ginny!” he called.

Ginny came in with her long red hair hanging loose, wearing a very short skirt on with knee-high black boots. Charlie looked at his baby sister, and frowned at her outfit. Ginny caught the direction of his gaze; she kissed his cheek.
“Every time you come over those skirts get shorter,” Charlie told her, sounding very much like their mother.

Ginny laughed at him. “You sound like mum,” she said as she turned to hug Hermione.

“Well I think you look like lovely,” Hermione told her. “I wish I had a figure like yours.”

“You have a great figure; those curves and breasts,” Ginny said, forgetting the boys were still in the room.

“Ginny!” Hermione said, looking at the boys and Draco. Ginny just then noticed Draco sitting at the table.

“Malfoy.”

“Weasley,” Mafoy said; his eyes traveled over Ginny, but he looked away when Charlie glared at him.

Charlie, Draco, and the boys sat in the living room watching TV while Hermione and Ginny talked in the kitchen. At least the TV kept them occupied. Hermione knew Charlie and Draco would have nothing to talk about.

“So, how’s it going with Ryan?” Hermione asked.
“Where have you been? I’ve had two boyfriends since Ryan,” Ginny responded. “Ryan was too clingy…and Mick got so jealous if I even spoke to another man, but now I’m seeing Adam.” Ginny took a sip of her tea and enjoyed the look on Hermione’s face.

“Well how’s it going with Adam?” Hermione asked, amused.
“It’s good. He works at the paper and he’s very good-looking.”

Ginny had been working for the Daily Prophet for almost three years; she was one of the top reporters. Molly was always giving Ginny a hard time about not being married yet. Ginny tried to explain she’s only twenty-seven, that she had lots of time for a husband and kids later. She liked to have her freedom, keeping her lifestyle exciting.

“Well, you look happy,” Hermione said as she got up to put her mug in the sink.

“Yeah, I am…what about you, are you okay?” Ginny asked concernedly.

Hermione sat back down next to Ginny. “Titan will be at Hogwarts this time next week…I’m going to miss him—the longest he’s ever been away from me is two nights…” Hermione broke off, wiping away a few tears.

Ginny put her arm around her sister-in-law. “Oh, don’t cry. Mum was the same when we went to Hogwarts—you should have seen her,” Ginny said, trying to comfort her.

“I’m sorry—I’m being silly,” Hermione said as more tears fell. Ginny rubbed her back gently. “Think about it this way. Soon Ron will be off to Hogwarts, too, then you and Charlie will have some time to yourselves,” Ginny pointed out.

Hermione tried to smile; she knew what Ginny meant, but still they were her babies. Even though Titan was almost taller than her, he will always be her little boy.

* * * * * *

Later that evening when Ginny and Draco had gone home, the family sat down to eat dinner. “Oh, Dad, wait till you see the broom Draco bought me,” Ron said excitedly. He didn’t realize the reason why his mother hadn’t brought it up yet.

Charlie’s eyes snapped up to Hermione’s. “What broom?”
“Draco bought them both brooms—sort of a good luck present for Titan because he’s starting Hogwarts,” Hermione said in a soft tone.

“And you accepted them?” Charlie asked in disbelief.
“Of course she did,” Titan answered coldly.
“Titan and Ron, go in the living room and watch TV—you can both eat your dinner there,” Charlie told them, though he was still looking at Hermione.

“I’m not giving my broom back, Charlie,” Titan said angrily.

“Titan! Take your brother in the living room while I talk to your father,” Hermione told him firmly. Titan didn’t talk back to his mother, though she could hear him mumble that Charlie wasn’t his father.

Before Charlie could say anything, Hermione began to speak. “Look, I don’t like the idea of him buying excessive presents either, but he should be allowed to buy his little brother—well, brothers—gifts,” Hermione said; she could see her words fueled his anger.

“I don’t mind him buying Titan and Ron gifts, but not brooms that I already told them they would have to wait until Christmas for. It makes me feel that I can’t provide…” Hermione could see the hurt in his eyes as he spoke.

Hermione sighed; she understood how he felt. “I know, but you shouldn’t feel like that. Draco may be able to buy the boys excessive gifts, but no one can buy the love you give them.” Hermione now stood in front of her husband.

She touched his arm. “Charlie, I know you and Draco are never going to see eye-to-eye, but can you just…” Hermione broke off. She really wanted this week to be perfect. It was the last week when the whole family would be together.

Charlie looked at his wife; her soft brown eyes held fear. He knew that over the last couple of months Hermione had sat in Titan’s room watching him sleep. Mothers and children have an indescribable bound; somehow Hermione and Titan seem to have more than that.

As much as Charlie would have liked to be Hermione’s light in a dark tunnel, he wasn’t—but Titan was. Hermione learned to live with her demons; she still had nightmares about Lucius, still saw his face in her dreams. When she had found out she was pregnant with Titan it had given her a reason to live…a reason to fight.

“I’m sorry. It’s just, he always finds a way to…” Charlie didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he put his arms around his wife and kissed her softly.
“I know it’s hard for you, but he’s growing up,” Charlie said into her hair.

Hermione took a deep breath; she laid her head against Charlie’s chest.
“I can tell the boys to give the brooms back…” Charlie didn’t have a chance to answer.

“I’m not giving it back—I hate you so much, Charlie!” Titan yelled while standing at the kitchen door. “I wish my father was alive! –I wish Draco was my father…” Titan took off running; the front door slammed behind him.

* * * *

Hermione opened the front door; she held a silvery cloak in her hand and a snitch. The night was breezy; she wrapped her coat around herself a little more, trying to keep out the night’s breeze. Titan sat on the swing that Charlie had put up for them; he used a little magic when Hermione and the neighbors weren’t looking. The moon danced across Titan’s blonde hair as Hermione walked slowly towards her son.

“I don’t want to talk. I’m keeping the broom Draco bought me,” he told his mother firmly. Hermione put the cloak and snitch on the grass next to the swing.

She now stood behind him; she kissed the top of his head gently.
“Would you like me to push you?” Hermione asked her son. She used to love coming out here with him and just pushing him for what felt like hours.

Titan stood up and turned to face his mother. “No, I’m not a little kid anymore.” His words brought Hermione out of her trail of memories.

“I know you’re not and I have to accept that…” Hermione said, beginning to sit down on the swing. “I’m really going to miss you when you go to Hogwarts.”

Titan face softened a little; he wanted to tell his mother how much he was going to miss her too, but it was hard for him. He was a true Malfoy, which meant he had trouble expressing his feelings.

“Come here,” Hermione beckoned him. Titan hesitated but took a step forward. She ran her hands over his face and then rested at his cheeks.
“Time’s moving so fast, Kiddo…I know you’re going to do so well at Hogwarts,” Hermione said softly.

“Mum, why won’t you tell me about my father?”

Hermione’s heart stopped beating; she held back tears. She hated that she couldn’t fill in the missing pieces for him. He needed to know where he’s from, his background; it meant a lot to him. Hermione realized Draco wasn’t enough anymore, and that there were bigger gaps to fill.

“Titan, there are things you don’t understand…” Hermione began.

“I don’t understand because you won’t tell me anything—all know is he died before I was born…Draco told me a few things…”

“What did Draco tell you?” Hermione asked, her throat becoming dry.

Titan turned away from his mother and looked up at the night sky. Hermione stared at the back of his head. She was scared; she felt like a little girl again.

“I asked Draco what he was like…he told me he was very strict, that he had to address him has Father or Sir.” Titan fell silent for a moment, then continued.

“Draco said we look like him: our hair, chins, build, and even our eyes. He told me he was forty-five when he died…” Titan stopped talking when he heard his mother start to sob.

Titan raised her chin, and gently wiped away his mother’s tears. “Please don’t cry, mum; I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said softly, his hand resting on her cheek.

“You didn’t make me cry…” Hermione took a deep breath. “I have some things for you.” She pointed to the cloak on the grass.

Titan walked over and picked it up the cloak; as he did the Snitch dropped to the ground. Hermione stood up from the swing and walked over to him. She picked up the Snitch.

“Draco gave me this Snitch when I was pregnant with you. It was the first one he ever caught,” Hermione told him. “He said it was like a good luck charm.”

Titan took it from her. “Thanks, mum. But I don’t need a cloak; you already bought me one,” he said handing the cloak to her.

Hermione smiled. “Well, this cloak is a little better than the one I bought you. Do you remember the stories I told you from when I was at school?”

“Yeah, you and Uncle Ron and Harry,” Titan answered.

“This is Harry’s invisibility cloak.”

Titan eyes widened; he took the cloak back from his mother. “You mean to tell me you’ve had an invisibility cloak all this time and never told me?” he asked.

Hermione smile at his excitement. “I’m afraid so,” Hermione answered.

Titan put it around himself making the bottom half of his body disappear.
“Well, since you’re giving this to me, I forgive you,” Titan said with a smirk.

Titan put the cloak over his mother, which brought back memories from her younger days. They stayed outside for a while; Titan pushed his mother on the swing a little higher than she liked. Questions about his father were forgotten for now, but Hermione knew one day she would have to tell him.

* * * * * * * *

Hermione tucked her sons into bed. Ron was already sound asleep. She tucked the covers under his chin and kissed his forehead. She moved to sit on the side of Titan’s bed. He left the bed covers around his waist; he knew how his mother liked to tuck him in.

Titan could never say what was in his heart; he could only show his love through simple hugs. Hermione tucked the covers under his chin and kissed his forehead like she had done with Ron.

“I love you, Titan,” his mother whispered.

Titan smiled at her, his gray eyes returning her words, which was good enough for Hermione.

Hermione closed their bedroom door and took a deep breath. Charlie had had a hard day at work; his back was sore, so he went to take a bath. Hermione looked at the bathroom door; she knew he’d still be angry with her. She told Titan that she would speak to Charlie about them keeping the brooms, but made no promises. Titan seemed okay with that, but only because of the invisibility cloak that was now packed in his truck.

Hermione stifled a yawn as she opened the door to the bathroom slowly. Charlie was laying back in the bath; he didn’t look at her as she walked in.
She crouched down by the tub; she rested her arm on the side and her chin on top of her arm. Charlie turned his head to the side to look at her and their eyes locked.

“I know you’re mad at me because of Draco…” Hermione stopped talking because Charlie leant forward; she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead he sniffed her.

“You need a bath,” he said with an unreadable expression.

Hermione stood up and started to undress. Charlie watched, his eyes taking in every bit of skin that was revealed. He wondered if she knew how perfect she was. A touch of her hand, a brush of her lips, the feel of her beneath him.

Hermione’s last piece of clothing fell to the floor; she now stood in her own glow. She hadn’t changed much over the years, just a little rounder and some stretch marks she complains about. But Charlie only saw those as marks of love. It meant she had giving him two wonderful sons and as far as her being rounder, well, that meant there was more of her for him to love.

Charlie held her hand as she climbed into the bath; Hermione kneeled in-between his legs. Her hands rested around his neck, she rested her forehead against his. Sometimes Hermione felt she didn’t tell Charlie enough how much she loved him. Without him, she probable wouldn’t have made it has far as she did.

“I…” Hermione began.

“Sshh, I don’t want to talk about Draco,” Charlie hushed her.

Charlie had other plans for their lips. If either of them had doubted about their love for one another, that very night all doubts were caressed away.


* * * * * *
Big hugs to Jamie.

DrkMnComikker-All most a perfect family; thanks for reviewing again.

Juri-Thank you so much, review’s like yours are just wonderful.

PotionsPet-Thank you, glad you like it.

erin kite-It’s so nice to have regular reviewers. Thanks.

Kiki Malfoy-What can I say? But thank you. Your review means so much.

You all are spoiling me with those reviews-not that I ‘m complaining. Anyhoo, chapter 26 is my favorite chapter so far. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as did writing it.