Chapter Text
Coda: Hermione & Ron
When Rose and Scorpius went over to the fireplace to say goodbye, Hermione and Ron went to the kitchen.
"Well, I managed not to maim or injure the Malfoy, so I think tonight should be counted a success," Ron told his wife.
"Ron!" scolded Hermione.
"I'm kidding, 'Mione. Mostly," Ron added the last word under his breath.
"I thought it went well, too. Although I was surprised when you asked Scorpius those questions. I thought we had another month at least before we had to deal with that conversation," Hermione answered, choosing to ignore her husband's muttering.
"Well, 'Mione, you were the one who told me to speak my mind. And if I remember correctly, didn't your father ask me those questions the first time I met him, after you had restored your parents' memories?"
"Yes," acknowledged Hermione. "However, circumstances were a bit different. We were older then, and had just come through a war! My father took one look at you and knew that anyone who had traveled halfway around the world to be with his daughter on such an emotionally charged journey cared about me a great deal. He'd met you before, of course, but as a kid. Not as the man you'd become."
"Your father just wanted to make sure I would treat you well. I was doing the same thing for Rosie. I'm surprised that Scorpius admitted everything so easily, though."
"I think he was trying to remain on your good side—and Rose's—by admitting his feelings to us. He wasn't about to clam up, not about something so important in front of his girlfriend and her parents. He wanted to make sure we understand that he's with Rose and he's not giving her up. Motivation aside, that doesn't make his statements any less true."
Ron simply nodded. He knew Hermione was right—and she articulated the matter much more clearly than he ever could.
Hermione and Ron cleared the table, Ron sneaking the last of the pie crumbs. "We've done well, haven't we, 'Mione?" he asked, looking fondly at his wife.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we've known each other over thirty years now, been married for over twenty. We've got two great kids and an enormous family and somehow you're still here."
"Where else would I be?" she asked, taken aback. "You don't always make it easy, but you do make it worth it."
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "Love you, 'Mione."
She grinned and kissed him in return. "I love you, too."
"I can't wait 'til Christmas," he said, flopping down at the table while Hermione cast a charm to wash the dishes.
"Why? Tonight's dinner not enough for you?" Hermione teased.
"Nah. I'm looking forward to Christmas dinner, but I'm really looking forward to everyone ganging up on the young Malfoy. George has some new products he wants to test….and you know he'll start collecting on the bets as soon as Rosie and Scorpius show up hand-in-hand. Malfoy won't realize until it's too late that a den of lions can be worse than a den of snakes."
"Ronald!"
"What? It's the truth. If he's going to stick around, he better get used to being heckled more than usual."
Hermione simply chuckled. "Merlin help the people who marry into this family," she sighed, shaking her head. There was never a dull moment when a Weasley was involved, that was for sure.
"Wait a minute," Ron said suddenly. "Does that mean I have to play nice with Ferret Senior?"
"Yes, Ronald," Hermione scolded. "You can at least be civil to Malfoy. You've met Astoria, and you like her."
"Yes, she's a very nice woman. However, her judgment must be a little off if she married Malfoy."
"Ronald. Please. You know as well as I do that Draco changed. He may be aloof still, but he's no longer a bully or a Death Eater. He and his wife have done an excellent job raising Scorpius. I don't think you'll have to worry about him provoking you whenever you do end up in the same vicinity. Astoria seems to have him on a short leash. She won't tolerate any shenanigans, and neither will I. Besides," Hermione added with a slight grin, "I think she told him that I would hit him again if he stepped a toe out of line."
Ron couldn't help but laugh at the thought of his wife getting the best of Draco Malfoy—again. "You wouldn't do that, though, would you, 'Mione?" he asked, knowing his wife's usual distaste for any form of violence.
"No, I wouldn't—but he doesn't have to know that."
"Fine. I'll try to hold my tongue if I ever run into Malfoy. For Rosie's sake, and for yours. Don't fancy you being mad at me."
"Good," said Hermione, sitting down next to her husband.
"Any idea what presents I'll be getting this year?" Ron asked, grinning at his wife.
"Honestly, Ronald, you'd think you were five. I'm not going to tell you about any of the presents you're getting. You'll just have to wait like the rest of us. You'll get to open one present tomorrow anyway."
"Any idea what the others are getting, then?"
"You just want to find out what the others are getting because that narrows down the options of what you'll be getting," Hermione said pointedly. "But I can tell you what Rosie got Scorpius."
"Oh, Merlin, do I want to know?"
"She got him a state-of-the-art potions set so he can set up his own lab and not have to borrow his father's supplies. He's adamant about testing new uses for potions, she told me. It's one reason he wants to be a Healer—to find alternative cures for certain illnesses or diseases. Having his own lab will make things easier."
"Can't say I fault him for that."
"No, he's a good young man, perfect for our Rose."
"I just hope things don't blow up in our faces," Ron said wryly, making Hermione laugh at his allusion to potions.
"They won't. Think of it this way, Ronald—in about ten years, we could have grandchildren running around."
"Grandchildren?" repeated Ron, looking positively boy-like with joy at the thought.
"Oh yes. We can play with them, feed them all kinds of sweets, and then send them home."
"Don't feel old enough to be a grandpa, although I guess that's really not that far away," Ron answered. "But it will be nice to hear little feet running around here again."
"Definitely."
"This is going to be a good Christmas, 'Mione. I can feel it."
"You say that every year, Ron."
"It's true, isn't it? Things have settled down since the war, but we always manage to have a lot of fun."
"I think this year will be more memorable than most, what with Rose and Scorpius finally getting their act together," answered Hermione.
"No doubt about that. Just don't try to bring the Malfoys over for some extra holiday cheer."
"No, I wouldn't want to subject them to a Weasley-Potter Christmas this soon," said Hermione, laughing. "I did, however, think about inviting them for dinner over the Easter holidays, or after graduation."
"You're serious, aren't you 'Mione? I was only joking."
"I'm serious. You said you'd try to be civil. The war is long over. Maybe Rose and Scorpius' relationship can finally heal some of the lingering wounds."
"Yes, yes, peace on earth, goodwill toward men and all of that."
"Ronald, I'm serious."
"I know, 'Mione. I know. He really is good for her. Never thought I'd approve of a Malfoy dating my daughter, but I do."
"Well, Christmas is a time for miracles, after all," grinned Hermione.
The war had been over for years, but life with the Weasley-Potters—and now including the Malfoys—would never be dull.