Ch. 30

Hermione's POV

It was amusing seeing how flustered Draco was the next morning as he got ready for brunch at the Weasley's. If I didn't know any better, I'd think I was taking him to meet my parents for the first time again.

"What am I supposed to wear to brunch?!" I heard him exclaim from the closet.

"Just wear sweatpants and a t-shirt!" I laughed. "It's pretty much just pajamas as dress code."

I heard a frustrated sigh and he emerged from the closet wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt. I smiled at him and went into the bathroom to put on some quick mascara.

"Are you sure I'm not going to get attacked when I first step foot in there?" He asked from the bedroom.

I laughed again. "Draco, you've got me, Ginny, Harry, and possibly George on your side. You'll be just fine."

"I just want to make sure," He mumbled. "I've seen what their mother can do."

I finished with my makeup and walked back out into the room, pulling on a pair of soft black slipper boots over my leggings and grabbing my grey sweater.

"You'll be just fine, Draco," I smiled, squeezing his shoulder.

He smiled at me and sighed. "What about Weasel? Is he going to be there?"

I frowned at this, shrugging. "I'm not sure, honestly. But I've made my stance clear and I'm happy to reiterate it if he brings it up."

I squeezed his hand then and said, "Come on, let's go!"

He groaned as he sat up, grabbing his wand and putting it in his pocket while I put mine in my boot. I wrapped my arm around his and smiled at him before disapparating us away. We landed in the field surrounding the Burrow, but as we neared the house I could feel Draco stiffen.

"Just relax," I said quietly, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Maybe I should've just stayed home," He muttered, pausing before we got to the walkway. "I don't think they're going to be as welcoming as you think."

"Draco." I turned to him and took his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me. "Ginny and Harry already told them you were coming. I haven't gotten any sort of indication that Molly and Arthur don't want you here, so it is going to be alright. And I'm going to be right next to you."

He looked at me for a few moments before nodding and kissing my forehead. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

I felt my cheeks turn red as we made our way up the walk towards the door. We could already hear the chaos inside, joyful voices and cheers every now and then. Draco still had a nervous look on his face but I decided that waiting would be worse than jumping right in.

I opened the door to cheers at our arrival and George was the first to greet us. "Well, well! Isn't this an odd sight!"

He wrapped me up into a tight hug and asked quietly in my ear, "Things still okay between you two?"

I grinned as I answered, "They're great. Be nice to him, please."

He was grinning as he pulled away and turned to Draco. "Well, Malfoy, I can't say I ever expected you to show up to our humble abode."

Draco's face looked paler than ever as he nodded his head. "Can't say I ever expected it either."

He jumped slightly when George stuck out his hand quickly, but seemed to relax and even smile as they shook hands. George laughed slightly and said, "Don't worry, mate; you've been good to our Hermione, and that makes you alright with us!"

I grinned and turned back towards the rest of the family. Bill and Fleur were off to the side of the room, both of them waving at me. Harry and Ginny were sitting on the large couch next to them, playing with Victoire. Ron was nowhere in sight, thankfully. I noticed Molly was standing a little way's off, waiting for me to finish with George so she could give me a large hug.

"Hello, dear!" She said happily. "We've missed you so much!"

She pulled away and I saw her eyes flit down to my left arm, where there was still a little evidence of the splinching. She frowned and sighed, reaching out to gently brush her thumb over one of the small scars.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione," She said quietly.

I shook my head and smiled at her. "I'm alright, they're healing fine and I won't have any scarring with the salve that the Healers have given me. This is much better than how they were looking, I promise."

She gave me a small smile but I could still see the worry in her eyes. She didn't say anything else on the subject though as Ginny came up and pushed a mimosa into my hand.

"It's about time you got here!" She exclaimed happily, giving me a hug.

I laughed. "Someone was a little nervous and I had to convince him everything was going to be alright."

Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head at Draco, who was being led into the room by George and Harry. I watched him with a smile as he seemed to warm up to everyone, finally relaxing as he realized that he truly was welcomed there. Arthur even went up and talked to him for a few moments, shaking hands and gesturing to random things in the house.

"Earth to Hermione!"

I jumped when Ginny waved her hand in front of my face, realizing that she and I were still standing off near the door. "Sorry, just got lost in thought for a few moments."

"Would those thoughts happen to be about a certain blond wizard who is showing my father how to use a cell phone?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, Merlin..." I laughed as Arthur turned the phone around in his hand, completely fascinated.

"This is brilliant!" He exclaimed, looking up at everyone. "Molly-wobbles, have you seen this?"

There was laughter throughout the room as Arthur started to walk away with Draco's phone. I rushed over there and laughed. "Here, Arthur; you can play with my phone. Draco uses his for his business."

I took Draco's phone out of his hands and replaced it with mine, smiling at him and giving Draco's phone back to him.

"Business?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, sir," Draco nodded. "I took over the family business with my friend, Blaise Zabini. We run Malfoy and Zabini Industries now, and it's going pretty well."

"That's wonderful!" Arthur said. "Tell me about what you do in your business!"

Ginny touched my arm and nodded towards the couch. I followed her and sat down, watching happily as Draco told Arthur about what all he and Blaise do, with Arthur intently listening. George sat down next to me and nudged me slightly.

"He seems alright," He grinned.

I laughed. "Yeah, he's alright."

Draco must've heard me because he shot me a quick grin before returning his attention to Arthur, who was asking him more questions about his business.

I grinned back and took a sip of my drink before looking at George. "So, how's the business going?"

"It's going swimmingly!" He grinned. "I released more versions of the Momentary Morphers, and I'm working on another potion that's a version of the Babbling Beverage."