Seeking Salvation (Dramione)

15. A Christmas Morning Miracle

They were awakened by an exited 2 year old with purple hair bouncing on their bed and Hermione quickly plucked him from the air before he could take a nose dive off the bed. She cuddled him close and grinned up at Harry who winked and wandered out of the room, probably to find some breakfast, while Draco stared in wonder at the little boy who reached up to yank on his long hair.

"Is that... is that Nymphodora's son?" he whispered and when Hermione nodded, he reached out to pick the toddler up, watching in shock as Teddy changed his hair to long and blonde, his eyes becoming the same silvery grey as Draco's.

"He's your nephew" Hermione said softly and Draco nodded, yes, Teddy Lupin was his nephew. In truth Draco had never thought he would meet his cousin's child. But his heart swelled at the fact that he had finally got the opportunity – it was one of the best Christmas presents he could ever ask for.

Hermione and Draco were eventually dragged out of bed by the excited toddler who appeared very keen to open his presents. They wandered downstairs, Draco swinging his nephew from his arms and relishing in the peals of laughter that bounced through the halls. They entered the ground floor living room, Draco letting the wriggling toddler go so he could run into his Godfather's arms before grabbing his mother in a warm hug and wishing her a merry Christmas. The couple greeted their friends and family with warm festive wishes and they all gathered around the tree happily. Narcissa held up her hand to quiet them and smiled at everyone,

"Okay, so I have a small surprise for everyone, something I never thought possible... the Weasley family – sans Ronald of course – and several of the order of the phoenix have asked to join us for Christmas this year and will be here shortly. Hermione, I hope you don't mind?" the elegant blonde announced making Ginny and George grin widely. Hermione shook her head with a smile and Narcissa grinned

"They will be arriving soon, we'll wait for them to open presents" she informed the group, grinning in delight as teddy launched himself into her arms and cuddled him close. Today would be the first time in many years that she would see her sister, Andromeda, and she was a wreck of nerves.

The Weasley horde and the members of the order were brought in by Balkan shortly after Narcissa's announcement and the atmosphere was tense as the estranged sisters sized each other up for a moment, Narcissa fidgeting nervously – a move that was not like her at all. Andromeda rolled her eyes after a few moments and grabbed her sister in a quick movement, hugging her tightly for the first time in so many years. Narcissa hesitated only a second before wrapping her arms shakily around her sister while the rest of the gang watched with small smiles. The reunion over, Christmas celebrations could begin and Teddy was the most eager participant.

Draco snuck away quietly and ran through to the store room, during the year after the great war he had learned of Theodore Lupin's existence and thinking it may be years before he would be allowed to meet his young nephew, had begun hording gifts for the little boy – so he would know that Draco had thought of him and wished to meet him all the years he had known about him. He quickly cast a spell on the pile of Christmas and birthday gifts, along with the random little things he had picked up through the year that he thought a little boy would enjoy, levitating the pile to follow him back to the room where the others waited for him – he wasn't as sneaky as he thought.

"Um... these are for Teddy" he muttered with red cheeks, indicating the pile of gifts behind him while Hermione simple shook her head with a grin

"Look Teddy, Uncle Drake has a whole pile of presents for you!" Ginny exclaimed happily, Teddy's eyes going wide as he examined the pile

"wow" he whispered in awe "Fanks Uncle!" he exclaimed, running over to his uncle and eagerly hugging Draco tightly when he scooped him up for a cuddle. Draco let the boy down to attack the pile of gifts, smiling happily every time Teddy opened a gift and happily ran to Ginny and Harry to show them with shouts of "look mummy!" and "look daddy!" while Hermione sat chatting happily with her mother and his. Draco sat beside George and the older man grinned at him,

"You know that boy is going to adore you forever now right?" the red head said in a happy tone and Draco laughed in delight,

"Honestly? The feeling is completely mutual" Draco claimed and it was true. In just a short while Teddy had wormed his way into his uncles heart and watching the boy interact with his mother and father, his mind wandered to the thought of Hermione, round bellied and glowing with a little girl hanging on her hand while the three, soon to be four, of them laughed and he knew in that moment, that he could not wait to be a husband, and a father.

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okay, not the longest chapter I've ever written, but I figured you guys might appreciate it anyway

OVER 1000 reads!!!!!?????? I almost fell out of my chair! (and knowing the people I work with it probably would have ended up on Youtube or something...)

thanks as always for the support Guys!!!!

much love,

Monique

xxx