Chapter Text
“She’s grown so much!” Pansy couldn’t help herself but pick up her godchild in her arms, kissing her on the nose. “Hello, little Aurora! Do you remember me?” She had always been in love with babies, especially with the youngest Malfoy and now that she was expecting herself, she was even more in baby fever. As Neville had described it. And as the little baby laughed and smiled at her, pointing her little chubby arms in her direction, she knew. “Hey, little one!” It was Neville who caressed the little blushed cheek, smiling at the child. Before he kissed his love on the cheek. “Not long and she has a friend to play with!”
A crooked smile lay on his lips as he wrapped one arm around the pregnant woman’s back, giving her a little bit of support. They didn’t realize that Draco had come back from the wardrobe where he stored the jackets of his guests until he burst out laughing. “Hearing you two talk I wonder if we will ever get her back from you! Oh, pay attention, Pansy, she loves to …” He couldn’t finish as Aurora had already grabbed one strand of Pansy’s dark hair, holding on to it. And a surprised sound came from the young woman. “Ouch, baby! That’s not nice!” But the baby just giggled happily and pulled the strand a little bit.
“Oh, great, it’s not me this time!” Hermione laughed as she entered the room, bringing in fresh-backed buns and slices of bread for their brunch. She loved those meetings with their friends, enjoying the time they had to just chat. Especially now that they all began to step it up in their relationships. Getting married – or becoming parents. Even though she never thought she would be the first mum in their circle. But fate was something special – and she’d never change it. No, Aurora was the greatest gift in her life besides Draco.
The buns and the bread found their places on the table before she went to her guests, greeting them heartily. Hugging and kissing them on the cheeks. “How long until your date? You look sooo pregnant, Pans!” She couldn’t help but caress the baby belly of her friend. “I feel alike!” The former Slytherin answered. “Around six weeks they said last time”, Neville explained just as Hermione took little Aurora and placed her in her highchair, making sure she was safe.
“We have to remember this time that you wanted to look what you want to use from Aurora’s old things! Some bodies she hadn’t even worn, she grew far too fast!” Draco sighed and leaned to the table, beginning a little small talk with the Longbottoms. He never thought the two would really step it up and marry. Both had been far too shy to admit their feelings back then. But now they were so happy. “If you have pains in your back, just ask Draco to show Neville how to help you. He’s a bloody GOD when it comes to massage!” Hermione said just as the doorbell rang again and Aurora began jumping up and down in her seat.
“Yeah, they are coming just to see you, dumpling!” She laughed and went to the entrance, opening the door. Snowflakes came in with the little crowd of people as they stepped in and began to undress their coats, beanies, and gloves. And their shoes. Magically Hermione ordered four pairs of slippers for them, before she hugged first Harry and Theo, then Millicent and Charlie. “It’s so wonderful to see you all!” She smiled and walked in front, into the living room that was already decorated. Only the tree was missing by now.
As soon as they all sat at the table, they started chatting all around. About everything and nothing. Their jobs, their plans for the new year. “We have to tell you something!” It was the oldest member of their group who began talking after some time. Before he took Millicent’s hand into his hand, pressing it slightly. “We’ll be getting married next year!” Congratulations and cheerful wishes followed, but it was Draco who couldn’t hold back with a comment. “And I thought Aurora would go to school before you two start it!”
They laughed all together, it was just a wonderful day. And Aurora was so happy to see all those faces, to play with those people. And to eat pieces of bread that Hermione handed her; she never wanted to eat mashed foods. And they had learned it the hard way, as Aurora had spat it out, again and again, not even wanting to taste the foods they had prepared.