~Asphodel~

chapter 9

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. This fiction is purely for my own enjoyment and yours. No money is being made by me or anyone else from this fiction.
.
.
.
.

As soon as Draco heard the telltale whoosh of the fireplace, he ran to the front room. He had only just made it through the door when his ears were assaulted with the shrill cries of "Daddy!" Moments later two little girls were attacking his legs.

"Daddy! Daddy! Mummy bought us books today! And Ron bought us ice cream! Will you read with me? I can read most of it, Daddy, I only need help with a few words. Mummy bought books too, and we got to go to the joke shop. Mummy wouldn't let us stay though," Naomi paused to take a breath after her rapid speech. She looked at Hermione with a pronounced pout and back up at Draco, who was completely caught off guard. As far as he could remember, no one had ever greeted him with such unbridled enthusiasm nor with such a sincere happiness upon seeing him. It baffled him.

Evanna tugged on his leg and demanded, "Up!" Draco obliged and swooped her up, throwing a confused glance at Hermione in the meantime. He had meant to lecture Granger thoroughly when she got back, but he was once again foiled by these two little girls, the Granger Miniatures, as he had come to think of them. The Granger Miniatures with your hair and eyes, his brain traitorously reminded him.

He looked over at Hermione and was shocked to see her barely holding back tears. What on earth had happened to her? Wait, didn't Naomi say something about Ron? Did that blood-traitor Weasel have something to do with this? He snorted. The Weasel wasn't known for his tact. Leave it to him to bungle things up...wait, why do I even care? What matter is it to me if Granger is in tears?

An annoyed huff reminded him of Naomi's presence at his feet and of Evanna's position in his arms. She had laid her head down on his shoulder and her eyelids were drooping. Draco could feel her soft breath against his neck. He didn't know how to feel about that.

"Read with me, Daddy!" cried Naomi impatiently.

Draco felt a wave of irritation. Just like her mother, he thought. "Not now, sweetheart," he found himself saying. "How about tonight, before you go to bed? Daddy wants to talk with Mummy right now."

Draco was so absorbed in speaking with Naomi that he missed the look of shock that crossed Hermione's tear-stained face. To be honest it wouldn't have surprised him. He felt faintly shocked by his own words as well. Where had that come from?

Naomi seemed to find this acceptable, for she immediately grinned ear to ear and captured Draco's legs in a fierce hug. Draco was surprised at the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction this gave him. He cleared his throat and looked calmly down at her. "Now, how about you show Rilla your new books?" Naomi instantly perked up.

"Okay!" she said joyfully and grabbed her books before running pell-mell down the hallway. Draco briefly wondered if he had ever been that energetic and happy as a child. A small moan at his shoulder reminded him of his other little girl and he noticed she had fallen asleep in his arms.

Hermione had noticed this as well, because she suddenly said, "I'll take her to her room." She held out her arms for the child. Draco shook his head, suddenly reluctant to let the girl go.

"No, it's fine. I'll carry her. Just show me her room."

Hermione stared at him oddly before nodding silently and making her way towards the door. What? Draco thought petulantly. Am I not allowed to hold her too? They ascended the stairs and walked down a long hallway. Draco recognized it as the way to his old nursery. He shook his head to get rid of the feelings it dredged up. Draco Malfoy feeling nostalgic? Preposterous.