"Welcome back, Master Malfoy," Draco's head house elf, Dipper, greeted and awaited for the wizard to give him his first order in the near three weeks of his absence.

"It's good to be home, thank you. How did everything fare while I was gone?"

"Handy is a proud new mother, she will be back in two months. In the meantime, Dipper sought out a replacement. Clinky is not as good, so I warn the master not to expect the same quality Handy gave. Handy is irreplaceable."

Draco nodded at the news. Handy had been expecting a baby before he had left, so it wasn't news to him that she was on leave.

"You may just want to take over Handy's duties yourself then, and give Clinky an easier task, such as dusting - I don't need my laundry ruined." Draco was extremely picky on who did his laundry.

"Dipper has already thought to do that, sir." The elf smiled with pride.

"You never fail to disappoint me, Dipper. Alright then - any messages?"

A sheet of parchment appeared in Dipper's hand, and he read off from it, "Mr. Vincent Crabbe says that you will need to hire a new manager for the shop; the latest one was caught stealing."

Draco's eyebrows raised. He owned an apothecary shop, and he paid his employees well - almost three times more than his competitors. To steal from him was a high insult.

"How much was he caught taking?"

"Over one-thousand Galleons."

Chump change to Draco, but there was still the principle.

"Has Dully been reported to the Ministry?"

"Immediately, Master. He has been charged and fined."

Draco nodded approvingly. "And did Gregory put an ad out in the Daily Prophet for a new manager?"

"Oh, yes, Master Draco. Interviews start this Monday."

Draco heaved an exhausted sigh. If he could trust Greg and Vincent to properly interview potential employees, he would, but they would only hire good looking women, and Draco needed someone who could actually do the job.

If he wanted the shop to have some eye candy, he'd just buy a sexy portrait and hang it on the wall.

Draco would have made one of his friends the manager, but neither of them had decent social skills.

Vincent thought everyone beneath him needed not question him on anything. Obviously, no one wanted to work with him with that sort of attitude. He was decent at math though, so Draco had assigned him as the shop's accountant.

Gregory didn't speak often, and he was more of a follower than a leader - he actually hated giving out orders. He enjoyed a more physical workload, thus Draco had given him a shelf stacking position.

Draco had yet to find someone who could be his vice president, someone who would do all of Draco's obligations so that he wouldn't have to fly down to the shop every time there was a problem that needed handling.

Oh well. Until he found a suitable candidate for the position, he was on his own. That was part of being a business owner.

$-.-$-.-$-.-$

"Thanks for coming and helping out," said Hermione to Narcissa, grateful that the Pureblood had tagged along for the plane ride to England. She had been an enormous help with the children during their travel.

"It's my pleasure. I couldn't stand the idea of you doing it all on your own. After all, this arrangement is to benefit you too!"

It was nice to have someone there to help, Hermione noted. Narcissa had been so good about offering her assistance too. Being a mother of three children so suddenly was overwhelming and daunting. Not that Hermione didn't feel she could handle it, but she was a lot more stable with Narcissa by her side.

Too bad Draco wasn't as helpful as his mother. He had refused to ride the Muggle contraption, thinking his broom was much safer. Hermione didn't hesitate to alert him that there were plenty more broom crashes than there were plane crashes. Of course he refused to respond to that, likely knowing she was right. She had then informed him that the death count was higher too.

Hermione got a dirty look for that comment.

"He'll come around once he gets used to the children," explained Narcissa who seemed to read Hermione's thoughts without any trouble at all. "This is new for Draco, and he doesn't know how he's supposed to react."

"He seems quite undecided about things. One moment, he's talking about what he wants of the children, then in the next, he's telling me it's all my choice as I'm their Godmother."

Narcissa nodded with a sadness in her eyes. "My son is going through his own issues, just like you and I. I believe that he has doubts about what he should and shouldn't do. He doesn't want to step on your toes, but he also feels that he has some rights regarding the children."

"I can match his feelings," said Hermione thoughtfully. "As their Godmother, I feel that it's my responsibility to care for the children, but everyone who knew Hydrus knew what he thought about family, and while I'm annoyed with how he was treated, this is exactly what he would have wanted. No one can deny it. I'm just here to make sure they get the love they need."

"My grandchildren are incredibly lucky to have you, Hermione Granger. And my son was lucky enough to have you as a friend."

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. "I was lucky to have him too, Narcissa. You have no idea how much he meant to me."

The elder woman set a hand onto Hermione's shoulder and patted it. They were in public, making their way down a street to their portkey. If they had been in privacy, she would have hugged Hermione.

"I'm sorry you're sad, Auntie Hermione," said Natasha when she had looked behind her to see the woman sniffing. She and her brothers had been walking slightly ahead, interested in their new surroundings.

Hermione took the girl's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"You're welcome!" instantly responded Natasha, beaming with a smile.

"Alright, everyone gather around," Narcissa ordered when they had reached their destination. A rusty, old screwdriver lay at her feet. She told everyone to place a hand on her so that when she grabbed onto the item, they would all port together.

The little ones weren't new to portkeys, but they still couldn't handle the harsh impact it did to their bodies. Once they had ported, Anthony hurled up his lunch from earlier, and Natasha complained about being dizzy. Luckily, the grown women had come prepared and aided their sickness with a couple of potions. In no time, they were both feeling normal again, and the group was able to continue their journey.

They had arrived at a walk path in front of an enormous estate. This was the main residence, and it was called Malfoy Manor.

Draco had already gone into great detail on how immaculate and magnificent it was. It was fit for a king. Perfect for a family of people who liked to believe that they were the Royal family of the magical community.

Hermione had been impressed but refused to let him see it. Once Draco fully realized that he couldn't thrill her with his money, he might actually stop rubbing it in her face.

Although she wondered why she even thought that he would. Draco had always flaunted his riches. Not unlike his father.

He'd shown her his own Manor in which he stated that he had moved in after he married. It was half the size as the main one, but still glorious in its own way. Hermione adored the dark green pebbles that piled up three levels high to make the walls. There was one tiny complimentary tower on the east side of it. The path leading up to the entrance had two separate cases of steps made from the same pebbles. At the entrance was a covered cement platform with four columns supporting the roof above of it.

Draco had offered to show her inside, but Hermione wasn't there for a tour. She wanted to get down to business and select the home she was to live in for the next few months.

A house elf brought a carriage for she, Narcissa and the children to ride in. Hermione was reluctant to use it, but Narcissa pointed out that they would never make it in time for dinner with as excited as the children were. They had never seen such elaboration before, and it was completely sucking them in.

Even Anthony squealed out a few words here and there, his depression momentarily forgotten.

"Bird!" The young boy pointed at a beautiful, white peacock as they rode on by it.

"That's a peacock," informed Curtis.

"Is it your pet, Granny?" asked Natasha.

"Not exactly," answered Narcissa. She wore a huge smile, happy that they were enjoying themselves. "I have a few of them. They roam free all day, and then they come back to the barn for safety from the night creatures. But I do have one who likes to be stroked. Her feathers are so soft. Perhaps she'll let you pet her too."

The carriage passed Draco's living quarters, and Narcissa made it aware to the children.

"It's amazing!" exclaimed Natasha. "It needs more colour though." She was a fan of pink and purple and thought that the world didn't have enough of it.

"Uncle Draco isn't going to paint his house pink," told Curtis to his sister.

"Purple then?" she asked cheekily.

He rolled his eyes. "Go ahead and ask him, but I bet he'll say no."

"My room has to be purple and pink, Auntie Hermione."

"Sweetheart, remember it's Uncle Draco's place, not ours."

"Oh…" Natasha accepted her aunt's words, but her bottom lip poked out in disappointment.

"We can get some paints later and paint it together," Narcissa offered immediately.

"Really?!"

Narcissa nodded. "Uncle Draco won't mind."

The carriage finally stopped in front of the home that they would all be staying in. It was not quite as astonishing as the main homes that they had passed, but compared to the tiny one that Hydrus had been renting, this one was huge.

"This is it," announced Hermione as she climbed out of the carriage.

"We're living here?!" asked Natasha, shocked with the idea.

Hermione helped her to the ground. "Yes, and you'll treat it nicely too. Your uncle is very generous to let us live here, and we must respect his belongings. That means no food outside the dining room." Here, she blatantly looked at her eldest godson; Curtis was always eating snacks in his bedroom. This didn't pose an exact problem with him, but it did with his younger siblings, and Hermione stressed that he needed to set an example more often.

He looked away guiltily, making no comment on the subject. "I'm going to assume that you already picked out our rooms?"

"You know me so well!" Hermione teasingly pinched his cheek.

Curtis yelped out. "Must you do that?!"

"You know I must!" She then went on with the list of rules of what they couldn't do while living under Draco's roof.

$-.-$-.-$-.-$

Draco stood outside a bay window that overlooked a yard. It was large enough to put distance between his main home and the guest place that Granger had chosen to move into, and to the naked eye, a person wouldn't be able to clearly see what was going on over there, but Draco had charmed the window with a magnifying spell.

He watched as his mother took the hand of the youngest child. Natasha was bouncing with energy this evening, and he could tell that Narcissa was worn out from her lengthy day.

Something told him that he should be over there, but he didn't see a point. Granger inspected the home before agreeing to move in, so she knew her way around. She had also packed all of their belongings into a nice and compact bag, so he didn't need to help carry anything in.

Not like Granger would accept his help anyway.

He'd just be in the way, and then they'd get into some lame, pointless squabble.

Those children didn't need that.

No. He was better off over here, out of the way.

"And just what are you moping about?"

Draco turned. His friend, Blaise, stood leaning against the door jam of the room. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a shot glass hung from the fingers of a hand. He came over often enough, that the elves hardly even announced his arrivals anymore.

"I'm not moping."

Blaise cocked up an eyebrow. "You are so." His eyes drifted over to the window, and he smiled cheekily. "Spying on your new neighbors? Wouldn't be the woman specifically, would it?"

Draco stepped back from the window and canceled the magnifying spell. He about shuddered in disgust. "Absolutely not."

"You deny that she's a gorgeous one?"

"It's not her looks that I find repulsive."

The man frowned and got out of Draco's way so that he could exit the room. He followed the blond, remaining silent on his thought.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

Draco had lead the way into another room. One far away from the sight of Hermione Granger. "I can just feel your need to say something," he told his friend, sitting down into an oversized chair. He immediately lifted his legs so that a footrest could be magically slid under his heels. He sighed in comfort as he felt the chair begin to gently vibrate and put off a bit of heat to relax his muscles.

"I'm choosing to remain silent on the subject."

Draco nodded. He knew what his friend had thought: Draco found Granger repulsive because of her blood status.

That wasn't exactly the case. He was sick of doing everything for status. He was one of the richest wizards in the world, wasn't that status enough?

And it's not like being Pureblood really meant something anymore in today's society.

That's what had been on his mind lately.

Ever since his brother's suicide, Draco had been rethinking things. He needed to try to stop pleasing others and just worry about being happy.

Draco had married a Pureblood woman to make his parents happy, and the arranged marriage had not worked out; she had left him because his Pureblood swimmers were duds. If he married again, it would be for love, not status. And if that meant a Muggleborm, well… so be it.

He didn't want to die a miserable man like his brother had.

"I have some good news - or rather, Ginny and I have some good news."

Blaise had married the only Weasley girl after her seventh year - they had been engaged almost a year before that, and she had said her mother would kill her if she didn't finish school first. Up until recently, Ginny had been playing Quidditch professionally but had dropped out before this season started. Being a celebrity, there were plenty of rumours as to why.

"We're expecting a wee one -"

This had been one of the rumours floating around. People were buzzing with excitement at the thought of Ginny Zabini being pregnant.

" - I'm going to be a father." Blaise was all smiles. His brown eyes were lit up with pride and happiness.

"Congratulations." Draco forced himself to smile. Outwardly, it was genuine, but inside, his gut was stirring with anger, hate, and jealousy.

At one time, he had been this excited too.

But that had been so long ago.

$-.-$-.-$-.-$

Natasha was a messy eater. It was positively disgusting. Draco wasn't sure if it was because she was so young or if the girl just liked being covered in yuck all up to her elbows.

Narcissa had naturally invited the troupe for dinner that night so that Granger wouldn't have to cook. At first the woman had refused until Narcissa had said that Draco was the one cooking that night.

Honestly, that woman was so infuriating. Trying to get her to understand that elves actually enjoyed working was like talking to a brick wall.

Anthony ate slow and precisely. Hydrus used to be like that. He had said it was because he wanted to savour every last bite because the elves had worked so hard on the meal.

That used to drive their father mad. Then again, almost everything that Hydrus did usually sent Lucius into anger.

Hydrus's sorting was one of the biggest events ever in Malfoy Manor. Draco had actually been terrified when his brother's letter arrived on September 3rd, 1988.

Lucius had never yelled before that moment. Not from what Draco remembered, but when Hydrus hadn't been sorted into Slytherin, the man had threatened to beat the boy into liquid when he came home for the Christmas holiday.

Draco chose to stay out of his father's sight for several days after he had said that.

Thankfully, by the time Christmas came around, Lucius had mellowed down. He was still incredibly disappointed, but Hydrus was doing so well in school, that he was able to overlook the sorting.

Draco had practically been a grown man when Hydrus ran off with the Muggle lover, so he hadn't been so frightened when his father went crazy over that episode, but Lucius could be a chilling man to be around when he was angered.

Draco had decided to stay over at Goyle's house for a few days during that time, feeling immensely uncomfortable being around his father.

He remembered hating Hydrus for what he had done. Not because he was stupid enough to let a Muggle into his heart, but because everything was left up to Draco. He had to be the respectable heir now.

Draco had never been prepared for this. It was something he didn't want to do - something that he never envied Hydrus for. And suddenly, it had been tossed at him, all because Hydrus got himself disowned.

All Draco's plans for his future had been instantly canceled. He had wanted to become a potion inventor. Since his first potions class, he had wanted to create cures and become the most known Apothecary of all time. At sixteen, Draco had already started on one that would stop the greying of hair.

But that dream had been flushed away. He could never create potions. It was too dangerous. And survival was the key for the Malfoy name to continue on.

No, because Hydrus was an idiot, Draco had to go into business or politics. Those were safe choices, both physically and financially.

He chose business in a heartbeat. Not liking the dirt involved with politicians. Draco had made his first fifty thousand Galleons before he was even officially an adult.

Naturally, out of his brother's kids, Curtis was his favourite. It was bad to have a favourite, of course, but in this case, it wasn't too terrible since Narcissa absolutely fawned over Natasha, and Anthony got special attention because of his issue.

It wasn't tedious watching the teenager eat. He didn't pick at his food. He was well mannered (as he should be, given his age). He also loved sports, and that allowed Draco to feel comfortable around him. He wasn't so with the younger children, but he had a common interest with Curtis.

Perhaps he could find something of the same with Anthony and Natasha too.

Likely not, he thought, wrinkling his nose, shifting his eyes from one child to the next.