As surprised expressions appeared on the women's faces and one exclaimed "Crookshanks, how did you even get here?!" and the other "Is that a kneazle?!" Draco found himself sat on the floor of little Teddy Lupin's bedroom, in what was quickly becoming an awkward staring contest with the young boy. Shifting uncomfortably under the kid's hazel-eyed gaze, Draco decided to go out on a limb, and with a deep sigh, took the risk of conceding dominance to the kid in an effort to break the tension by instead looking around his room. Teddy was the man of this house after all. Spotting a quidditch figurine playset, Draco tried to open conversation with the boy.

"I see you have a Cannon's quidditch set over there. Do you like quidditch then?" Draco asked, with evident interest shining in his eyes. If the kid liked quidditch like he did, maybe comradery with the boy would be easier than he first thought.

But instead of a smile, Draco turned back toward Teddy to see the same disinterested look on his face as before. And instead of an answer to his question, Draco was asked one himself.

"You know my Auntie Mione?"

With a crinkle to his brow, Draco repeated, "'Mione'?" before it dawned on him it was a nickname.

Yep, definitely not easier.

"You mean 'HER-mione'?" he said, to which Teddy slowly nodded his head, one eyebrow twitching up, as if Draco was a bit touched. Reminding himself this was a five-year-old boy who didn't realize how abrasive he was being, Draco responded with an unaffected voice, "Yes, I know Granger. We went to Hogwarts together."

"So you know my Uncle Harry too?"

"I do."

"You called my Mione 'Granger' though and she called you 'Mafoy'", Teddy asked, furrowing his brow while slowly pronouncing their last names.

"'Mal-foy'. But yes. I suppose we have always called each other by our surnames," Draco answered with a similar furrow to his brow.

"Why? Aren't you friends?" Teddy asked with a frown.

"Ah. Well, you see… uh…" Teddy just continued to watch him questioningly as he fumbled to form a response. Clearly Scar-Head and Girl Wonder meant a great deal to little Teddy Lupin. And obviously, Draco wanted to make a good impression on his young cousin. But, right at this exact moment, it appeared as if his turbulent history with the two was going to put a bit of a hitch in that plan.

With yet another deep sigh, Draco looked around the room again while rubbing his palms together, thinking how best to put this. Self-preservation told him to either lie or skirt around the truth. His intelligence and cunning told him that his best bet at making a good impression on the young boy would be by being more truthful, or as truthful as you can be to a five-year-old about traumatic events. The thought alone made him droop where he sat.

"May I call you Teddy?" At the kid's nod, Draco continued. "To tell you the truth then Teddy, I wouldn't exactly say we are friends. We know each other from Hogwarts but I was not friends with your Uncle Harry and Auntie Hermione while there. We, actually, did not get on at all."

Teddy furrowed his brow again, thinking about what he had just been told. "Why not?" he finally asked.

"A lot of reasons," Draco answered with a small shrug of his shoulders. "For one, they are annoyingly Gryffindor. Strutting around and always running headfirst into trouble. And getting out of it scotch-free too, because your uncle is Harry freaking Potter. Nevermind little miss teachers' pet, Hermione Granger. She was, probably still is, the biggest know-it-all ever. Total swot." Teddy giggled at that, earning himself a rueful smile from Draco. "Needless to say, yours truly here," Draco theatrically gestured to himself, "being the spoiled little prince I was, did not take kindly to not having all the attention on myself nor being shown up in class all the time by some nobody little girl either."

Teddy was giggling at his dramatics before completely throwing him off, because how does Draco Malfoy respond to, "What about Uncle Ron?" without sneering immediately at the name?

With difficulty. That's how.

Just a teeny tiny twitch of facial muscles.

Merlin, he spends at max two hours in the presence of these non-Slytherins and years of conditioning and etiquette teaching gets slowly washed away.

"I'm going to be completely serious with you, Teddy. I never got along with Ronald Weasley. And I probably never will."

At this, Teddy's smiling face had dropped back into his furrow -browed thinking expression as he processed not only what Draco had said, but also how his expressions had changed. The five-year-old had already determined that he liked the Cousin Draco that he had been talking to before bringing up Uncle Ron. He also couldn't say he didn't like the Cousin Draco that had been teasing his Auntie Mione earlier either. He made her smile and laugh. This new Draco in front of him now, he also couldn't say he didn't like. Yet. But this one was definitely his least favorite.

"Why not?"

"Why no-" Draco quickly cut off his incredulous question before beginning again. "Well, for one, the feeling is mutual. Ronald Weasley has never liked me either. But it is more than that. Some of it is familial. Our fathers detest each other. I also happen to think he is the most absurd and daft man I have ever met."

Teddy was not satisfied with this answer. "But why do you think that?"

Draco could not help himself, he actually chuckled at the question. "Oh, for so many reasons, Teddy. The man was always getting his knickers in a twist about something or other. As your Auntie and Uncles' rival in school, I can say with confidence that Ronald Weasley was by far the easiest of the three to get into a tiff. The most ridiculous and entertaining times for myself were usually when he would get jealous of Potter and start some spat between the two of them." Draco paused a moment here, realizing he was painting himself in a unflattering light by also probably painting one of Teddy's idols in a bad light. But on the other hand, he also had Teddy's undivided attention at the moment, and more to the point, he was debasing Ronald Weasley so… "Say Teddy, if someone was trying to hurt your best friend every year and the newspapers were always spreading lies about him, would you get jealous and mad at them and stop talking to them for say, I don't know, maybe half a school year or so?"

Teddy shook his head.

"Yeah, I didn't think so. But you know who did? Ron Weasley." Here he slightly spread his hands and did a little shrug with a disappointed face. "Also, the man is supposedly a good strategist on a chessboard, but he couldn't even pass his classes on his own. It was no secret in school that your Auntie Hermione often forced Potter and Weasley to study and do homework. Potter at least had the excuse of being pursued by a dark lord year-round. So, moral of the story, Teddy, is do not be like your uncles in school. Be more like your Auntie Hermione, okay?"

Before Teddy could ask another question that Draco would no doubt be able to spin to incriminate Ron, the pitter-patter of feline paws was heard just before the squashed face of Crookshanks peeked into the room. Upon finding his favorite wolfish-smelling mini-human and the blonde wizard his witch was apparently ungrateful toward, he felt he had found a room in which he had some comradery and proceeded to make his way inside. Teddy's face immediately, of course, broke into a wide smile while he wiggled his fingers at Crooks. Draco watched the half-kneazle apprehensively. He recognized the animal as being Granger's monstrosity of a familiar from their Hogwarts days.

Merlin, the thing must be ancient.

While Draco watched Crookshanks, Crookshanks observed him as well, as he meandered over to Teddy for a stroke along his back. He allowed himself the pleasure as he wound around the boy, pressing his side against him. He purred for very few people, and young Lupin was one of those few. All the while he eyed the Malfoy boy.

He indeed also remembered this wizard. He had not been kind to his witch when she was attending school. But apparently, he had recently done her a service by intervening in an unwanted interaction with his least favorite redhead. As his witch was not inclined to properly show gratitude when it was due, Crooks supposed as her familiar it was only right that he do so for her to some degree. Therefore, he decided it was only right that he magnanimously bestow some cat-like affection upon the pale wizard. Depending how that went, he may or may not decide to like the boy. With his decision made, Crookshanks began to saunter his way across the short distance from Teddy to Draco.

If at all possible, Draco's face became even more apprehensive, though he maintained his relaxed posture. Regardless, as young children are wont to do, Teddy picked up on the tension and giggled at him.

"Hold out your hand so he can sniff you."

Draco did as directed, extending his arm out though keeping his hand and fingers relaxed.

While daintily nosing Draco's fingertips, Crookshanks noted that Teddy must like him if he was willing to help him. As well as noting that the Malfoy boy was intuitive enough to know better than to show tension in his offered appendage. To show his appreciation for the effort, Crooks rubbed his chin along Draco's finger, in that way that cats are wont to do. In that way that rubs your finger just along their lip and flashes you a look at their long incisors and all the teeth behind them while they pin you with a narrow-eyed look.

"Careful. He bites."

Crookshanks almost damned the boy for ruining his well-deserved head scratch with his words of caution to his cousin. Because surely those words would make anyone tense up, causing any self-respecting cat to bite those fingers they dared to cease moving. But Draco surprised him by not even flinching.

"I would imagine so, considering what I remember of him from school, and given who his mistress is." Draco snarked back at Teddy. "I would expect nothing less."

And that was it. Crookshanks was sold.

Back in the parlor, the witches were enjoying a bit of stimulating conversation. As previously mentioned, its times like these that remind Hermione that Andromeda was a Slytherin. And not just that, but that she comes from Sacred 28 stock. While being one of Hermione's favorite people for her care and personality, her intelligence and insight was always appreciated by the younger witch. This most recent interaction with the witch was not only enlightening for Hermione's personality study of Andromeda, but also for her new mental catalog of one Narcissa Malfoy.

Her previous catalog having naught but a few stray thoughts from her handful of interactions:

1 Snow Queen Society Wife: pale. Blonde, frosty, haughty

2 Blood Purist

3 Family Centric: batshit crazy sister? Still loyal. Lunatic following husband? Still loves.
And cannot forget, LIED TO VOLDEMORT FOR SON.

4 Seemingly REPENTENT

Added to the list were:

5 Highly Intelligent

6 Cunning (unsurprisingly)

7 Intuitive and Sharp

8 Openminded (new development or not, mattered not when she was interested in
swapping knowledge)

Once Dromeda had come back with tea and the excitement of Crookshanks' arrival had passed, they had talked about a great many things. Narcissa was enchanted by Crooks and very interested in Hermione's work with werewolves and centaurs. She had congratulated Hermione on her official political debut, as well.

"Department Head is a fine title and all, Ms. Granger, but you have already achieved that and some. As you know, the real work is done behind closed doors though, where… friends… powerful friends, and enemies, may speak frankly to one another. I know you would probably prefer a more modern and democratic way, but to make change you must begin from within. Lobbying and politicking will get you there. And believe it or not, even without this recent change in your career, you are a shoo-in for Minister candidate. That poor Weasley boy, may be loyal and a good strategist, but he is weak-minded to fame. And Mr. Potter unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, does not have the heart for it. But you, my dear, you were made for it. You have the head for it, the drive, and the passion. All wrapped up in a fetching, knowledgeable and sophisticated package. Own it, Ms. Granger. Wield your membership to the exclusive Golden Trio, not often, but in the appropriate manner. And use every tool in your arsenal to your advantage, and you will continue to thrive and impress the right people."

That little speech had quite stunned Hermione into introspective silence for a moment. She sipped on her tea and mulled over Mrs. Malfoy's words, half listening to the two sisters chat about life. Narcissa wanted to hear everything about Teddy. Andromeda asked after the organizations that Narcissa sat on the boards for or donated to. Narcissa asked after Andromeda's time as a healer, admitting to following her successes through the years and how proud of her she had remained.

After that, there was a lull in conversation in which each witch sipped on her tea and quietly reflected. It was at this time that Hermione noted there were probably topics on which the sisters wished to speak about that they felt uncomfortable doing so in front of a non-family member, no matter how much Andromeda insisted Hermione was in fact family. Sister to sister, they had emotional and familial issues to speak about, so she decided this was her opportunity to excuse herself to the loo, after which she'd check in on Teddy, collect Crooks, and wish her goodbyes. With her mind made up, she did just that, quickly making her way to the restroom where she had another 'it's times like these' moments in which she realized that though she loved her Gryffindor and Ravenclaw friends, and adored her handful of Hufflepuffs, she really quite thrived with Slytherins.

Even Harry had almost been placed there, even if it was mostly because a part of Voldemort resided within him. Had it not been for the prejudice of the House, she truly felt she might have been placed there and done quite well for herself, as well. But, alas, that had not come to pass, and she had excelled, nonetheless.

Exiting the loo, she commenced her search for the elusive "boys", following the sound of childish giggles down the hall to Teddy's room, never once imaging she'd stumble upon the discovery of just how traitorous her supposedly loyal familiar could be. Never in a million years had Hermione thought that she would peek around the bedroom door to find Teddy Lupin draped over Draco Malfoy's crisscross folded knee in one of those uncomfortable looking positions that only children's bones don't seem to care about, while Malfoy kept one steadying hand on his belly and used the other to languidly stroke Crookshanks. Periodically, Draco would wiggle his fingers, tickling Teddy, who would burst into more giggles and squirm. While that particular image was endearing, the other was a betrayal.

And, was that…

No.

It couldn't be…

Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock.

That big orange bastard was Merlin-be-damned purring!

"Crookshanks! You traitor!"

At her exclamation, all three occupants of the room awkwardly froze and turned to look at her. Then both human males turned to look at their feline companion, after which, the lighter of the two said, "Mate, you best better handle that", making Hermione huff indignantly and Crooks take a half-hearted nip at his fingers. Turning back toward her, the cat casually meandered over to his mistress and, weaving between her legs, began purring and meowing.

Scooping Crookshanks up into her arms and holding him belly up, she scolded him, "You can't sweet talk your way out of this one, mister."

Crookshanks' only response was to purr louder and softly place a paw over her lips.

Hermione only rolled her eyes in response before moving to replace her large feline on the floor.

Crookshanks made to move away from her, but she stopped him with a stern, "Not so fast, mister." Gaining the attention of three sets of eyes, not her own. "Say your goodbyes, sir. We're leaving."

Crookshanks huffed at her and turned to make his way back toward the other males again.

Teddy, though, reacted exactly as Hermione had anticipated. Immediately jumping to his feet, the little boy barreled right into her legs, gripping her jeans with all his might while exclaiming "Noooo!"

"Oh Teddy," Hermione sighed, running her fingers through his dark curls. This was cue for him to peer up at her with wide, tear-filled, obviously changed, blue eyes. She smiled down at him. "Now Teddy, no crocodile tears. You'll see me soon."

"But I want to see you now!" Teddy cried as he buried his head back against her leg again.

"Oh, don't pander to me, little boy," Hermione chuckled. "Admit it. You forgot all about me being in the living room while you were in here playing with your Cousin Draco, didn't you?"

Teddy shook his head in the negative, rather aggressively.

Hermione kneeled down in front of him and, wiping his tears away, whispered "Liar" to him before sweeping him up into her arms and swinging him into the air, tickling him the whole time.

Quickly tears of despair turned to tears of laughter.

Swinging Teddy to lay in her arms the way she had just held Crookshanks moments ago, she rubbed noses with him and whispered "Bye Teddy-Bear. I love you." Before dropping a quick kiss to his nose and placing his feet back on the floor.

Righting herself, Hermione straightened up to find Crookshanks had made his way onto Draco Malfoy's lap and both his yellow and Malfoy's grey eyes watched her. A sniffling, smiling Teddy sat down next to his cousin and leant his head on his arm. His dark hair falling into his eyes, the little boy poked Crooks behind the ear, earning himself a glare and warning growl.

"Go on Crooks. Time to go home."

"You heard him, Crooks. Let's go," Hermione said, turning her body toward the door, hands on hips.

With a great, big sigh, the cat gracefully stepped over Draco's crossed shins and past his mistress with his head held high.

Shaking her head at his brattiness, Hermione smiled. Turning back to the room, she smiled at Draco, "Bye Malfoy. See you around," before following her familiar down the hall.

Before finishing her turn, she heard Malfoy respond with a "See ya Granger." Pretty sure that was the most improper she'd ever heard him speak.

She did miss, however, the look Teddy was giving Draco during the whole interaction. As well as Draco's very well pronounced question of "What?" in response.

Hermione quickly made her way to Andromeda's fireplace, scooping Crooks up again and apologizing to both Andromeda and Narcissa for having to leave. Calling out her address, she dropped Crookshanks off before calling out 12 Grimmauld Place. She stepped out of the fireplace, hollering, "Oh Harry! You never will believe the day I've had! Or what traitors I've discovered my best friend and familiar to be!"

A feminine yelp and the crash of silverware sounded from the kitchen before Harry Potter burst from the room and up the stairs, running for his life, with Hermione Granger right on his heels.

Author's Note

Wow! A new chapter! I'm quite pleased with myself to be honest. And I'm actually really happy with the way this chapter came out. I personally think it wraps everything up from the last one and is still fluid. Though I can tell my writing has changed a little.

I will be going back through and editing the old chapters (again) to fix anything wrong and just to adjust it. It's hard for me to go back and read those old chapters, as they're from so long ago and written by a much… younger me. But I thought I'd at least release this chapter first.

For those of you who have Favorited and/or added Anything But Ordinary to your Alerts, thank you so very much for reading and sticking through to read my apparently yearly updates lol.

For any new readers, welcome. I hope you are enjoying the story. Please do not expect regular updates though.

And for everyone, please have faith, I do love writing for this fic and have been pressuring myself to write for it more. I even went so far as to write a bit of an outline for the beginning of the next chapter *wiggling eyebrows* Please review and feel free to DM me for any questions/concerns/discussions/talk of just about anything.

Thanks again,

Liz