Chapter Text
EPILOGUE - SIX YEARS LATER
Draco observed the Potions Lab in the dungeons, hands in his pockets, wondering how long it would be before his not-so-stealthy shadow made herself known.
The door flew open behind him and Draco smirked to himself.
“You bloody wanker, how dare you deny me the ENTIRE YEAR I could have been the absolute worst student you’ve ever had? I’m bloody graduating, you git!” Sadie seethed, flopping dramatically onto one of the desks.
Draco chuckled, “So I take it you heard I got the position?”
Sadie glowered at him. “Yeah, yeah, I heard. Think of the potential if you’d applied last year! You know old Sluggy wanted to retire sooner!”
“You couldn’t get through five minutes of a class with me as your professor without completely undermining me and you know it,” Draco admonished with a grin.
“You,” she pointed a finger at him, “are no fun.”
Sadie had grown into a tall young woman, taller than Hermione, and reaching to Draco’s nose. To Draco’s deep distress, she had abandoned her signature buns after second year. She’d gone through several styles over the years, settling on tight dreadlocks that reached her shoulders, and he could admit the style suited her, even if he bemoaned her getting older and requiring a more mature style in the first place. Currently she wore her uniform, with her tie loosened and sleeves rolled up, serpent necklace resting at her collarbone.
“I’m plenty of fun,” he replied, leaning against the desk opposite her and crossing his arms.
“You’re a professor now, Draco, you’ve signed away your rights to shenanigans and general tomfoolery,” she accused.
“Nonsense, now I’ll just never be suspected as the culprit,” he countered with a mischievous grin.
Sadie sat up on her elbows, regarding him. “Dad expects you to visit soon. I believe he’s insistent we both be present for the week after graduation and to celebrate your late birthday.”
Michael and Lynette Perkins had, for all intents and purposes, adopted Draco as their son. When Sadie had told them he was the big brother she’d never had, they opened their arms and home to him such that after his probation he was able to show the Wizengamot his commitment to change by living with muggles. Michael had gotten him into kickboxing, though Michael himself preferred tai chi these days, and Lynette had taught him how to cook. They’d patiently explained all their technology to him and insisted he visit as often as he liked.
The first time Draco had met them, at a parents weekend Hermione had organized for muggleborn students, Michael had scooped Sadie up into his arms and she’d giggled, embracing him tightly. Draco’s chest had tightened painfully at realizing that was what fathers were meant to be like. He’d never said it aloud or in so many words, but Michael Perkins understood and became the father figure Draco never had. He’d brought Draco with him to the gym to meet the other young men there, taught him to drive a car, and when he was confused or lost or lashing out, he calmly and without raising his fist, taught him how to be better.
“I can visit frequently during the day for the week, but I can’t stay for more than the weekend,” he replied and Sadie arched a skeptical brow at him.
“Good luck telling him that.”
Draco smirked. “I have a decent excuse. By the way, I have something to ask you.”
Sadie groaned, flopping back down, “This is the beginning of a corny joke, isn’t it? Don’t do this to yourself, Draco, you’ve got at least three more months before you’re a professor. Enjoy your genuine humor while you can!”
“Never too early for dad jokes,” he admonished, “but no, it isn’t jesting.”
Sadie sat all the way up this time, intrigued. “Oh? What is it, Draco?”
He uncrossed his arms, and straightened, meeting Sadie’s dark, shining eyes with his own. “Will you be my child's godmother?”
Sadie’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Then she covered her gaping mouth with her hands and continued to stare at him.
“You’re -- she’s-- Hermione’s pregnant?!” she finally managed, arms falling back to her sides.
Draco nodded, a smile playing at his lips. “Two months, now. We’re announcing it next month, so mum’s the word til then, please. I’ll tell your parents at dinner this weekend.”
“Oh, no you don’t, I want to be there!”
Draco rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to supplant your graduation, and that’s the next time you’re due home.”
“McGonagall will let me home for an evening if you ask her,” Sadie pointed out and Draco agreed. He shifted his weight.
“So, ah, will you? Agree to be godmother to our snakelet?”
“Of COURSE, you idiot! Never call them that again, my first act on behalf of my godchild!” she scolded, crying lightly, and wrapped her arms around him. Draco relaxed into her hold. Over the years they’d grown closer and he knew it was only the beginning. “Besides, I’m your little snake. The kid gets its own nickname,” she mumbled into his shoulder.
“Fair enough,” he laughed, releasing her. Sadie was teary-eyed so he had mercy and changed the conversation. “Where’s Ella so I can torment her suitably for daring to date you?”
Sadie playfully whacked him, “You will do no such thing!”
“Ten points from Slytherin, no violence against professors!”
Sadie paused. “Sod that, but apparently you're going to be a father, so I best not be maiming you,” she sighed, resuming her seat upon the desk.
Draco grinned. “Hermione’s both overjoyed and panicking. Andromeda and her mum have been trying to calm her down but she’s read six parenting books already and it’s only been eight weeks.”
“Did you honestly expect any different?” Sadie chuckled. “I bet her mum’s over the moon, she started hinting about grandkids before you two had even made it down the aisle!”
“No, I didn’t,” he replied with a smirk, shaking his head.
Five years ago, only a year after they’d left Hogwarts, Draco had proposed. They married the year following that at the Manor, which Draco had steadily restored until it was not only as lovely as it had been during his childhood, but a proper home, filled with natural light, portraits that did not shout slurs at his beautiful wife, and nary a muggle-repelling curse to be found. Narcissa loved it once she was able to return home after nearly two years of intensive therapy at St. Mungo’s and a strict medication regimen. It was Hermione who’d suggested St. Mungo’s incorporate some muggle treatments, and the fourth prescription did the trick. She remained fragile, but usually cognizant. Draco had quietly wept the day she returned home.
Not only had Narcissa regained her health over an arduous treatment period, but she’d bonded greatly with Hermione’s parents and the Perkinses. Narcissa adored Sadie, taking her shopping in Diagon Alley, usually dragging Hermione along too. Narcissa ultimately chose to live with her sister, and Andromeda had become nearly as close to Draco as his own mother.
“What?” Sadie asked, nudging his leg with the toe of her boot. Draco smiled at his friend, his sister in all but blood, and shook his head.
“Nothing. Just sometimes I realize how ludicrously happy I am and it amazes me. I have to pause and take it all in.”
“Awww, were you that excited to tell me?” she teased, and Draco rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah I was,” he admitted and Sadie jumped back up for another hug, ruffling his hair.
“Hey, hey watch the hair!” he ducked.
“Damn, I can’t make a good dragon pun out of that,” Ella lamented, leaning against the door jam with a smirk.
“Hello, darling,” Sadie greeted, and Ella came to stand beside her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Be forewarned, Draco’s going to practice his overprotective father speeches on you,” Sadie advised and Ella crossed her arms.
“Bring it on,” she challenged, smirking. Ella’s fiery red hair was pulled into a severe ponytail high on her head and Draco couldn’t help but think she looked like Weaselette when she assumed that particular pose. It didn’t help that the two redheads adored one another and would continue spending time together when Ella joined the Holyhead Harpies next season. It made their family matches at the Burrow all the more intense.
Because, yes, Draco was invited to holidays at the Burrow, and yes, he and Ron played together with the rest of the family. Granger had been smug about it for weeks.
“We’ll save the dad speech trials ‘til next time, I’m in too good a mood today to risk losing a battle of wits with you,” he waved her off.
“And what has you in such a good mood, Malfoy?”
“That’s Professor Malfoy to you,” he replied haughtily and Ella grinned.
“Congrats, Draco!”
“But wait, there’s more,” Sadie teased and Ella turned to Draco, intrigued.
“Sadie’s agreed to be the godmother to Hermione’s and my child.”
This time, Ella squealed, embracing Draco in a bone crushing hug. “Let’s go tell Indira and Marcus! They’re already out at Hagrid’s visiting Reg - he’s helping with classes now, you know!” she began to ramble, grabbing Draco and Sadie’s hands to tug them along after her. Sadie rolled her eyes at Draco where Ella couldn’t see and he smirked at her.
“You love it,” he mouthed at her and Sadie smiled sheepishly and nodded. As they exited the front gate of the castle, Ella ran ahead to their friends while Sadie and Draco strolled leisurely behind her. Sadie looped an arm through Draco’s, a habit she’d learned from Hermione.
“You’re going to be a wonderful father,” she told him quietly and Draco gave her a shy smile.
“With Hermione, and you and our family...I believe it.”
“Just don’t name your kid a stupid constellation, alright? Don’t ‘dragon of bad faith’ the poor kid.”
Draco laughed. “Hermione already shot down Scorpius if it’s a boy, so she’s looking out for your interests.”
“Merlin, Scorpius?! What a mouthful! Hey, my name means ‘stinging critter of bad faith, what’s yours?’ Good God, man, cut the kid a break!” she ranted, throwing her hands in the air before smacking him in the arm. “Scorpius! Honestly!”
“Read a list of constellation and star names and tell me I didn’t do decently,” he dared her and Sadie acquiesced, slipping her arm back in his. “Fine, fine, we’ll work on it, it’s a difficult genre, I’ll admit.”
“Have you decided whether to accept Falmouth’s offer or head to Cambridge?” he asked seriously and Sadie sighed. The Falmouth Falcons had put in a bid for Sadie to play for them as chaser, and Draco knew the deadline was approaching to train for the upcoming season.
“No, but I’d better soon,” she sighed before perking up, “I’ll need to be getting my godmothering schedule in order, I know Hermione will be making spreadsheets and charts any day now,” she teased.
“She can pin it next to her ten year plan which she’s spent the week modifying. She’s thinking she’ll run for Minister at 35 rather than 33 now.”
Sadie closed her eyes, trying to hold in her chortling. “I so badly want that to be a joke but I’ve seen her study in the Manor and it’s really pinned there.”
“Color coded and everything,” Draco laughed.
“Reginald’s going to be so excited! He’ll probably knit a baby blanket or something.”
Draco groaned. “Granger’s created a monster teaching him that.”
“Lucky for me, I’m rather fond of monsters,” Sadie winked, and tugged him along.