Chapter Text
A year later
“They’re coming! They’re coming!” Astoria’s excited calls echoed through the stone hallways of their Ireland mansion.
Dahlia poked her head out of the kitchen where she’d spent the morning helping Milly and Tippy prepare the afternoon meal for their arriving students.
Per her court order, Dahlia had arranged bonds magic classes with Head Mistress McGonagall. Thankfully, Minerva had loved her idea of offering Bonds Magic classes over the summer as a foreign study. Minerva had agreed that it would be a lovely alternative for students who did not want to or could not return home for summer holidays, and an excellent way to engage older students.
It had taken an entire year to arrange - nine months were spent with her, Pansy, Astoria, Luna, and Daphne all hunched over books in the library to research information to create books and curriculum for the students to use. Draco helped when he could, though for the most part he, Theo, Blaise, and Crispin were occupied with expanding the grounds and overseeing the building of the dorms for students as well as expanding their mansion to include actual classrooms.
Draco had advocated his position on the Wizengamot temporarily to Ginny, who Draco had argued was perfect for the job considering she was now engaged to the only other person who could claim the Black Title. Harry had been very supportive of her nomination, and had even offered her the seat of House Potter when Draco took his position back.
The past year they had all collectively spent their time turning their new mansion into a home. Dahlia had told her Purple Cloaks that they didn’t have to follow her and Draco to Ireland if they wished to go another path, but everyone had been adamant against that.
Dahlia couldn’t help but be relieved - the idea of their little family breaking up wasn’t something she was sure she could survive. Pansy and Daphne had immediately rejected the thought of buying separate mansions next to each other, saying they preferred company in their homes.
Astoria had agreed, and Ginny had chimed in to point out that she’d never lived with any less than ten people at a time and would find it very unnerving to begin now. So, they’d divided their mansion into floors, giving each couple their own space. Of course, with Ginny coming to stay that meant Harry, but Dahlia was quickly finding that having Harry around wasn’t the burden she thought it would be.
Hermione and Ron would stop by sometimes too to catch up. Dahlia wouldn’t say that all of their relationships were perfectly mended, she would admit that there was an ease to them now. Everyone had dropped their prejudices from the war, and somehow peace coexisted.
“Astoria, are you sure that’s not just Adrian? Last time you said they were coming it was nothing more than a delivery owl!” Daphne nearly fell down the stairs in her haste, rushing to the door and beating Dahlia to it.
“It’s them - look!” Astoria pointed to something in the sky, and Dahlia skirted to her side to see for herself. Astoria was right - a small group of brooms could be seen descending from the clouds.
“The students are here?” Draco’s deep voice came from behind her as he joined their group, watching the brooms drop from the sky.
“They’re here,” Dahlia breathed, suddenly nervous. This was their first group of students - the first class to ever attend their humble summer school.
“How many did you say we were getting?” Draco asked, counting the brooms as they landed.
“Twenty-eight,” Dahlia murmured.
“That’s it?” Daphne looked at Dahlia in surprise.
“Not as many survived the war as you would think,” Dahlia said calmly, focusing on the people now approaching their mansion.
“That’s enough for four quidditch teams. This summer might not be so bad,” Draco’s voice held a hint of excitement.
“Let’s stop gawking at them and go greet them,” Astoria chided, bounding quickly out the door. Dahlia smiled - Astoria had been their chosen one to mediate with Minerva McGonagall. Astoria had hand chosen the students, going based off their magic and personality exams, reports from teachers, and the final approval of the Head Mistress. Astoria had worked particularly hard to ensure that the Slytherins were all offered the courses, many of which had accepted.
The Slytherins had their own separate quarters in a building behind the mansion, a place they could come any time they wished as many had lost their family mansions in their court cases.
“Quit daydreaming - let’s go meet them,” Draco nudged her forward, and Dahlia moved forward automatically. Her feet carried her until she was directly behind AStoria who was eagerly introducing herself.
“And this is Dahlia - she’ll be your headteacher for bonds magic. And this is her soul bonded, Draco Malfoy.”
“Hey,” Dahlia raised a hand in a weak wave. Standing in front of these students, all gawking at her like she was a wonder of the world, had her more nervous than she’d been when she’d faced Voldemort. “I hope you guys enjoy your summer here. I’m sure you know, but classes are only held Monday-Thursday, with a half day on Thursdays. You’re free to explore the country on your weekends as long as you have signed permissions from one of us and Professor McGonagall.”
“No school on Fridays?” A student spoke up, probably around thirteen. His voice was squeaky, like he’d just started puberty but his eyes were shining with excitement.
“This is summer school,” Dahlia said with a smile. “It seemed only fair that you get some of your summer to do as you wish with.”
Cheers went up, the older students chattering excitedly. Astoria quieted them down and led the students inside, sharing an excited look with Dahlia as she passed.
Dahlia watched the students enter their mansion, turning to look at Draco by her side. “Are you ready for this?”
“I’m looking at this like a practice run for when we have kids one day,” Draco said with a snort. “So, no, I don’t think I am.”
Dahlia snorted, “Well, when we have children it won’t be 28 at a time, and thankfully they won’t be able to talk back to us at first.”
Draco laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, “You have a point, love.”
“Come along, husband,” Dahlia gave him a teasing grin. “Astoria might need back up.”
“She’ll be fine for a moment, wife,” Draco snaked his arm around Dahlia’s waist, stopping her from moving towards the front door. “Barely married two weeks, and it’s already this hard to get alone time with you?”
Dahlia giggled, sliding her hands up around his neck as she leaned in to place a chaste kiss on his lips, “I believe we had alone time this morning.”
“Wasn’t enough of it,” Draco murmured huskily as he dragged his lips across her tantalizingly.
“We had a whole week of it last week for our honeymoon,” Dahlia reminded him. They had gotten married in a private ceremony out by one of the waterfalls on their property. Theo, Blaise, and Cris stood as Draco’s best men, with Daphne, Pansy, and Luna as Dahlia’s maids of honor. Adrian had officiated, with Ginny and Astoria being the witnesses. Draco had whisked her away to a quaint little castle in France for a week's getaway before they’d had to return to tie up loose ends before the students arrived.
“We’ll need to make that a monthly thing,” Draco decided, “I liked having you all too myself a little too much.”
“We almost starved,” Dahlia teased, “I believe you complained about not having any of Daphne’s cookies half a dozen times.”
“And you were the one complaining about no booze because Blaise wasn’t there to refill the liquor cabinet,” Draco volleyed back, though he rethought his words. “Perhaps once a year is enough. It was inconvenient.”
Dahlia laughed, “You can admit you like our housemates.”
Draco smiled, “I like you a lot more.”
Dahlia tugged his hand, leading him back towards the house. “I forgot to tell you - I found something.”
“Found something?” Draco wrinkled his nose. “What do you mean?”
“Come inside and I’ll show you,” Dahlia coaxed, tugging his hand so he would follow her. He grudgingly allowed her to lead him inside and up the stairs to their top floor sanctuary.
“Remember my prophecy?” Dahlia closed the door to their bedroom as she began to talk.
“I try not to,” Draco answered dryly as she sashayed past him and started to dig around in their joint closet.
“Humor me,” Dahlia’s voice was muffled, “please.”
“Fine,” Draco huffed, closing his eyes and recalling the prophecy to his mind. ““A child, scattered through time, Bound by vow - cursed by blood, powerful bloodlines to combine, desperate to protect those she loved, forever judged; A noble name, born of the ashes, Ancestor of the Savior; Child of the Dark One. The stepping stone for his redemption, or his collapse. Child of Merlin’s heart to be swayed - The final battle to be fought hand in hand -”
“Stop,” Dahlia poked her head out of the closet, shutting the door and approaching him slowly. “That part right there. Say it again.”
“Child of Merlin’s heart to be swayed, the final battle to be fought hand in hand,” Draco repeated slowly, furrowing his brow at her. “What’s this about, Lia?”
“Child of Merlin,” Dahlia paused in front of him, one hand hidden behind her back. “That’s the one part of the prophecy I never understood. The only thing that didn’t come to pass.”
“I don’t get it,” Draco glanced down at her. “What are you saying?”
“Remember, I found the journal? When we were in Beauxbatons?” Dahlia slowly pulled her right hand from behind her back. Enclosed in it was the journal with the symbol of Merlin stamped on it, and another small, thin notebook underneath it.
“I remember,” Draco answered hesitantly. “Did you finally read it?”
“I forgot about it until I started unpacking the books Milly and Tippy sent over from the Cottage. I finished it right before our honeymoon,” Dahlia admitted with a pink tinge on her cheeks.
“Okay…?” Draco blinked slowly. “Spit it out, Lia.”
“I don’t know if this journal was actually Merlin’s,” Dahlia began slowly, opening the book and flipping through the pages. “But I did find a detailed genealogy about Merlin - more detailed than any I could find in any modern libraries. It showed the granddaughter of Merlin marrying into the Malfoys.”
“I’m sorry - what?” Draco blinked down slowly at her. “What are you saying?”
“Here,” Dahlia pushed the notebook at him. “See for yourself - the text is in Latin, but that translates into your surname, Draco.”
“Our surname,” Draco corrected sharply as he accepted the book from her. “Or do I need to remind you, Mrs. Peverell-Malfoy?”
Dahlia smiled, “I haven’t forgotten. Just read the text, Draco.”
Draco obliged her and began to skim the text. Dahlia waited a few seconds before she continued talking, “I went to the Peverell library to try to confirm it. I wasn’t getting anywhere, and then I had the brilliant idea to search the Malfoy Library. Milly and Tippy retrieved some texts from Malfoy Manor for me, and that’s where I saw it.”
Dahlia opened the small black book in her hand, flipping through the pages nonchalantly. “I got a little distracted in the journals on the amount of times the Malfoy’s tried to win the hand of a Peverell. However, it was in the very first journal that I found something.”
Dahlia turned the journal around to him, “The first entry - a Malfoy heir with distinct ties to Merlin nearly manages to claim the hand of a Peverell maiden because of his genetic ties to Merlin.”
Draco scanned the lines quickly, eyes bulging up at her. “We almost became related?”
“You’re missing the point!” Dahlia snapped sharply. “You are the Child of Merlin. You’re a Malfoy - it was your heart that had to be swayed so the final battle could be fought hand in hand.”
Draco looked up at her in alarm before scanning the texts again, “Bloody hell…”
“That means we truly were fated - it was prophesied before both our births. We were fated, Draco,” Dahlia said with a smile, “Not that that wasn’t apparent by the soul bond.”
“It was you and I who had to fight hand in hand?” Draco looked sharply at Dahlia. “Not you and Potter?”
“It meant you were the one I was supposed to fight hand in hand with,” Dahlia corrected softly. “Not Harry.”
Draco’s face lifted up in a soft smile. “So… in a way I was fated to save the world, and not Potter?”
Dahlia rolled her eyes, “Bloody hell - Draco! Can’t you take this serious -”
“I am serious,” Draco laughed, reaching forward and pulling her down onto the bed in a hug. “I seriously saved the war instead of Potter thanks to your prophecy.”
“I was talking about -” Dahlia tried to argue when Draco’s hands pinned her down, one clamping softly over her mouth.
“Darling, I couldn’t give a damn about that prophecy or how many times it predicts us being fated together,” Draco’s voice went serious, his eyes flickering over the different aspects of her face. “Fate or no fate, you are mine. You would have been mine even if the war went entirely differently. Fate had nothing to do with us.”
Dahlia smiled as his lips collapsed on hers, his weight pinning her down onto the bed. She’d had enough of fate for a lifetime.
_______________________________________________________________________
Seven Years after the War
“Draco! Draco, come quick!”
Footsteps pounded up the stairs, the door to the bedroom he and Dahlia shared busting open as he barged into the room. “What? Lia - what is it? Are you okay?”
“The baby’s kicking,” Dahlia beamed at him, gesturing him to her side.
“Bloody hell - I thought the baby was coming right now,” the tension in Draco’s shoulders relaxed as he crossed the room. Dahlia took his hand and pressed it against her swollen belly. Draco waited patiently, eyes glued to her expanding stomach until he felt the tiniest flutter gainst his hand, like the baby had brushed it’s foot against it.
His eyes went wide, looking to Dahlia in amazement. “That was… he kicked?”
“It kicked,” Dahlia corrected sternly. “We don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy yet.”
“I’m not calling my son an it,” Draco answered haughtily. “He’s Heir to the Malfoy line and Peverell name. He is not an it.”
“Fine - they kicked,” Dahlia said with a laugh.
“That insinuates there are two babies.”
“They is gender neutral and it’s the only thing I can come up with besides it,” Dahlia said with a giggle, “Take it or leave it.”
“Fine,” Draco huffed, sitting down next to her on the bed and cupping her belly with his hands. “Will they kick again?”
“Maybe if you talk to them,” Dahlia teased. Without hesitation, Draco’s head lowered until he was speaking directly to her stomach, going on about the various things they had to do to prepare for the baby’s arrival.
Draco did this daily, had sweet little conversations with their unborn child. Dahlia found it endearing. The pregnancy had been unexpected, and a little sooner than they had expected. Daphne had had a little girl last year, and Ginny was well into her first pregnancy now. Soon the three of them would have three little ones under two running around, though Dahlia wouldn’t be surprised if Luna or Astoria weren’t far behind.
Draco had taken his seat back in the Wizengamot during the months he wasn’t teaching at their summer school. Ginny had taken the Potter House’s spot on the Council when she wasn’t playing professional quidditch. During the summers she joined them at the Mansion, coaching one of the four quidditch teams their summer school housed.
Harry helped coach one, with Draco and Theo coaching the other two. They even had a mini house cup to win, of which the coaches were more competitive over than the actual students. Dahlia’s bondsmagic studies were going exceptionally well; so well that their school had had to expand from accommodating thirty students to nearly a hundred. Blaise, Theo, and Cris all pitched in to help teach classes during the summers. In the winters the boys had all opened their own quidditch store, and were currently the main suppliers for nearly every pro quidditch team in England.
Adrian continued to serve as Dahlia’s representative on the Wizengamot Council. He’d gone into law studies, and now had his own successful law firm that he used to provide excellent pro bono work to the victims of the death eaters, and ensured that none of the death eater children were unrightfully punished for their parents' mistakes. Astoria worked as his secretary at the firm when she wasn’t working closely with HeadMistress McGonagall on selecting students for the Peverell School of Bonds Magic, as they’d named the summer school. Astoria also took over the position of House Mother at the school, ensuring that each student wrote home at least once a week during the summers, helping the elves cook extra snacks for the students to keep in their dorms, and providing new clothes, shoes, and textbooks whenever a student showed need of them.
Dahlia would admit that Astoria was the motherly glue that held the school together. Dahlia took pride in the teaching aspect of her school, finding joy when a student managed to accomplish some feat of bond magic. To her surprise, the younger the student the more adept to it. Her first years were among some of the advanced students she had, especially when the student attended each summer.
Astoria had been especially helpful this past summer, as Dahlia had been extremely ill with morning sickness for the majority of the summer school and been unable to do many of her typical administrative tasks. Astoria had taken in with surprising grace and skill, leaving Dahlia only to focus on her teaching.
Pansy had stepped in to help as well, of course, but she’d been working closely with Potter. Pansy had opted to become an Auror after the war, and was one of their best foriegn operatives now. She had spent the latter part of the war helping the Ministry hunt down a select few Death Eaters who had somehow slipped through the cracks.
“Your mommy and I can’t wait to meet you,” Draco’s voice pulled her from her reverie, Dahlia’s eyes fell down to Draco as he dropped kisses on her rounding belly. Draco’s eyes flickered up to hers, “Do you think they can hear me?”
Dahlia smiled, her hand lifting to trail through her husband's pale hair. “Yes, love. They just moved. Keep talking.”
Draco’s face lit up as he turned back to her stomach, mumbling about other topics while he held his hand expectantly on her stomach, waiting for another soft little kick.
________________________________________________________________________
Ten Years after the war
“I don’t think I can go, Draco,” Dahlia looked at her puffy eyes in the mirror. She’d been crying most of the night, and her face was blotchy and red because of it.
“We have to go,” Draco answered numbly, elbows braced on his knees as he bent over the bed with his face in his hands. “We have to go, Lia.”
“I know,” another tear tracked down Dahlia’s cheek. She swiped it away furiously, pushing up from her seat at her dressing table. Numbly she jerked on the clothes that Milly had laid out for her, sitting back down to attempt to tame her curly, wild mess.
“I can’t believe it’s real,” Dahlia whispered mostly to herself. “I can’t believe she’s dead.”
“I know,” Draco’s mournful eyes caught hers in the mirror, every bit as sleep deprived and upset as her own. “I know, sweetheart.”
“How are we - how is the school… how is -” Dahlia started to choke on the sobs she tried to refrain from crying again.
Draco came up behind her, rubbing her shoulders reassuringly as he pressed a gentle kiss to her head. “Astoria wouldn’t want you crying, and she’d kick your ass if you didn’t go to her funeral.”
Dahlia managed a weak smile, blinking furiously against the tears that pooled in her eyes. “You’re right. Adrian’s going to….” she trailed off, voice thickening. “He’ll need help with the baby.”
“He’s going to need help,” Draco agreed quietly, “And Daphne is going to need your help, too.”
“I already told them we’d take the kids tonight,” Dahlia answered quietly. “I figured Violet would want to hang out with Adrean tonight. They’re too little to understand what’s going on, but they know something bad has happened. I offered to keep Camellia for Adrian, too, but he wasn’t sure.”
“I don’t think he’s ready to give her up to anybody yet,” Draco said quietly, his tone low and remorseful. “I haven’t seen him without her since Astoria passed.”
“She’s barely two weeks old,” Dahlia answered numbly. “He’s going to need help. We have to help him.”
“I know,” Draco murmured, squeezing her close. “I can’t imagine what he’s…”
Dahlia shuddered, pushing to her feet and wrapping her arms around Draco’s neck. “Don’t speak like that. Astoria was weak from the blood curse from her family. The pregnancy was too much on her.”
“I just remember Adrean’s birth…” Draco trailed off, his hands tightening their hold on her. “I thought you were dying and I could barely think straight. If it had actually happened -”
“It didn’t, Draco,” Dahlia pressed a kiss to his lips. “I was never in any actual danger; it looked worse than it was. Daphne had everything under control.”
“Doesn’t change how much it scared me,” Draco muttered, clenching her tighter to him.
“We have to be there for Adrian today,” Dahlia murmured, nuzzling her face into his shoulder. “You have to get him because I’ll need to be with Daphne. If he’ll let me take the baby, that’d probably be best. He needs today to mourn for his wife without distractions so he can focus on his baby girl.”
Draco nodded slowly, “We need to get ready. The funeral is in an hour.”
Dahlia had barely finished rearranging her hair when a knock sounded at their door. Draco turned sharply to her in confusion - they still had nearly half an hour. He opened it anyway, revealing the numb face of Daphne.
“Daphne,” Dahlia rose to her feet quickly, padding over towards the door. Draco stepped back, retreating to their bathroom to give them privacy. “Are you okay? What can I do?”
“Adrian won’t come out of his room,” Daphne’s voice quivered, but she fought her tears bravely. “I was hoping you or Draco could come talk to him?”
“I’ll come,” Dahlia stepped out the door immediately, sending a mental message to Draco to follow when he was done getting ready. “Draco will come in a moment.”
“Thank you,” Daphne grabbed Dahlia’s hand and led the way down the stairs of the mansion to Adrian and Astori’s floor. They stopped in front of Adrian’s doorway; Dahlia tried the handle and found it locked tight.
“Adrian?” Dahlia knocked lightly on the door. “It’s Dahlia. I was coming to see if you needed anything?”
“Go away,” Adrian’s voice echoed from inside the room. “Just go away.”
“I can’t do that, Adrian,” Dahlia called softly, “Astoria wouldn’t appreciate us missing her funeral.”
“Don’t -” Adrian started to shout before cutting himself off and starting over again more calmly, “Don’t talk about what she’d want.”
“I can’t do that either, Adrian,” Dahlia leaned against the door, resigning herself to her permanent position on the outside of the door. “It’s the only thing that got me out of bed this morning. And I know Astoria would want you to have a day to grieve her.”
“Shut up,” Adrian called through the door, his voice sharp.
“Where’s Camilia?” Dahlia asked quietly. “I’d be happy to take her for the day so you can mourn however you need to.”
“I don’t need help,” Adrian barked.
“I didn’t say I was offering to help. I’m simply trying to do what Astoria would want for you,” Dahlia bit her lip against the tears that threatened to fall. “She would want you to have today to grieve, Adrian. Without having to worry about the baby.”
Footsteps sounded on the inside of the door, and Dahlia froze. A moment later the door opened, and Adrian emerged. His face was wet with tears, his suit rumpled and wrinkled, a sleeping baby snuggly swaddled in his arms.
“You won’t put her down?” Adrian looked sharply at Dahlia. “I just… she doesn’t have a mother. I’m scared to put her down.”
“I won’t put her down,” Dahlia extended her hands, offering to take the baby. “I promise, Adrian. You can come get her back whenever you want.”
For a moment, Adrian hesitated and then he slowly leaned forward and placed the baby in Dahlia’s arms. The moment he’d transferred the baby he reached inside and pulled out a diaper bag and extended it. “Her schedule’s written down inside it with the formula.”
“I got it,” Dahlia said with a smile, slipping the bag around her shoulder. “Are you ready to go?”
Adrian glanced down at himself before giving a shake of his head. “No. But let’s go.”
Dahlia barely made it through the funeral - she wouldn’t have made it if Draco hadn’t kept his arm around her waist, physically supporting her through the whole thing. He held their three year old son with his other arm, keeping them both close to him as they walked down the funeral procession.
Daphne walked ahead of them with Theo on one side and Adrian on the other. Pansy and Cris were behind them with Daphne and Theo’s daughters Violet and Zinnia walking with their two year old son Deavlon. Luna and Blaise were behind them, their baby boy Ajax in Luna’s arms. Ginny and Harry brought up the rear, their son James held tightly by Harry.
“The School isn’t going to be the same,” Dahlia murmured to Draco in an attempt to fight her tears. “Astoria was the lifeblood of that place. It isn’t going to be the same. Life isn’t going to be the same.”
“I know,” Draco murmured back, tucking her tighter into his side. “I know.”
_______________________________________________________________________
Twelve years after the war
“Adrean, come inside!” Dahlia stamped her foot, trying to keep her temper in check as her oldest son blatantly ignored her. “Violet’s mother called her ten minutes ago! Dinner’s on the table!”
“Coming, mama!” Adrean scampered past her, his eyes the same snappy amber as her own, his pale blonde hair falling into his face. Dahlia resisted the urge to smile at her little trouble maker as he made his way into the house.
“Sorry, Aunt Dahlia,” Daphne’s oldest daughter Violet slid past her a moment later, but not before reaching out and kissing each baby Dahlia held. “Hi, Iggy. Hi, Tori.”
Dahlia smiled, turning to follow Violet down the halls of their mansion with her twins on her hips. Apparently, her and Draco’s referring to their unborn baby as “they” had somehow come back to bite them. Dahlia’d given birth to twins, a boy and girl almost exactly a year ago.
Daphne had also had another baby a few weeks before her, and when it had been a boy Daphne had cried for weeks over not having a child to name after her sister. When Dahlia’d given birth to a baby girl only a few weeks later, the decision had been made silently between her and Draco. Astoria Basilea Peverell-Malfoy was born exactly one minute after her older brother Draco Ignotus Peverell-Malfoy. Affectionately they were nicknamed Iggy and Tori by their siblings and cousins.
“About time!” Daphne glanced up as Dahlia entered their kitchen. “I just sent all the kids to the Dining Room. Camellia is in her high chair already, and Pansy is bringing down little Daevlon.”
“Almost time to expand that Dining Room table again,” Dahlia said with a laugh. With everyone’s expanding children, they were up to almost fourteen little ones running around whenever Ginny and Harry came to stay.
“Well, when Luna pops with the twins and Ginny has her little girl we’ll definitely have to expand,” Daphne answered logically, “Right now it’s all of us just fine.”
“Well, I’m done having babies so if we keep expanding it that will be because of you guys,” Dahlia said with a laugh as she shifted the twins on her hips. “These two suck the life out of me.”
“You’ll miss those days once they can start arguing with you,” Daphne said knowingly. “Although the summer kids are going to absolutely love them. They’ve missed having babies around.”
Dahlia laughed, “I suppose you’re right. The older girls will probably be all over them.”
“Speaking of the summer kids, they’re due here in six weeks,” Daphne turned to Dahlia, eyes flickering with remorse, “Have you started picking the next class?”
After Astoria’s death, the summer school had barely gotten off the ground. With the mourning everyone was doing, Dahlia alone took over the responsibilities AStoria had done, and had failed miserably. Luna had been her saving grace in those days. The ravenclaw had swooped in to Astoria’s position, immediately overtaking the selection process and ensure all the spaces were filled.
Luna also had taken over Astoria’s little motherly duties, with various snacks stocked in their dorms and new clothes waiting for the ones who mentioned need of it. She’d also gone an extra step and spent many evenings in the dorms with them, flitting from room to room and checking on each student individually.
“Luna’s handling this class by herself,” Dahlia answered with a wobbly smile. While Luna was amazing, she wasn’t Astoria. She measured up in every way, and outshined in others but no one would match Astoria’s presence in the school.
“It’s strange, running this school without her,” Daphne murmured as she pulled the last dish from the stove. “It feels so different.”
“I agree,” Dahlia said quietly. “And yet, I couldn’t bear to close it down when our contract was up.”
Daphne chuckled, “You did the right thing renewing it. It’s too good of a thing to close down, and the students love it.”
“I know,” Dahlia said with a laugh, “I just pictured Astoria always slaving away to make sure each student felt at home here and the very thought of closing it down made it seem like an insult to her memory.”
“I see her every day in Camelia,” Daphne said with a soft smile as the sounds of children’s laughter reached their attuned mother’s ears. “Astoria would have loved to see her daughter grow up, surrounded by all her siblings-cousins.”
“Sibling-cousins?” Dahlia couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous term. “That’s what we’re calling them now?”
“Sibling-cousins is more accurate,” Daphne said with a shrug. “They’re all either siblings or cousins, but they’re raised all together in a way that makes them all siblings. Sibling-cousins.”
Dahlia shook her head in amusement, “Interesting term, Daphne.”
“Your husband created it,” Daphne said with a pointed look as she gestured towards the door. “Get that for me would you? This is the last of it.”
Dahlia held open the door as Daphne bustled out the kitchen with the last plate of mashed potatoes and gravy. She followed behind, stopping only to put the twins in their highchairs before taking her place beside Draco.
“Good evening, love,” Dahlia pecked his cheek, sweeping the hair away from his temples. “How was your day?”
“Spent the entire day in a Wizengamot hearing,” Draco said with a roll of his eyes. “Adrian’s evidence was more than enough to put the guy away, but the jury was undecided. Dragged on for hours.”
“Hey, I did what I could, mate,” Adrian gave Draco a pointed look. “My evidence was cut and clean. It should have been a no-brainer.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t agree with you,” Draco said with a groan, “Just that it bored me!”
“It was rather boorish,” Ginny’s voice chimed in from the doorway where she stood beside Harry, her son James in the other hand and their one year old Sirius in the other. Ginny’s belly had started to swell with the baby in her belly, though the pregnant shine she carried gave it away.
“Ginny!” Dahlia was on her feet in an instant, rushing over to embrace her friend. The Potters typically only stayed at Peverell Mansion during the summers, but they were known to pop by for dinner on occasion. “What are you doing here?”
“We heard it was a celebration tonight and couldn’t resist the urge to stop by,” Ginny said with a smile.
Dahlia’s smile faltered for a second, brows furrowing. “Celebration?”
Ginny’s eyes opened wide, gaze flickering to someone behind Dahlia’s back. “I - sorry, Draco.”
“Sorry?” Dahlia turned around slowly, eyes searching for her husband. “What is she going on about?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” Draco said with a roll of his eyes and a forced laugh. He pushed to his feet, striding over to take his wife’s hand. “Today’s the official twelve anniversary of the end of the war.”
Dahlia froze, eyes flickering around the room for confirmation. “Wait - is it truly?”
She hadn’t thought about it once, all day. Not once had her mind crept back into the dark place that housed the memories of that day, the blood that was shed and the empty eyes of the dead. Dahlia’d been too busy running after the babies and keeping up with Adrean who was convinced he should be permitted to attend Hogwarts earlier.
“It is,” Pansy said with a slow nod as if she too had just realized it. She turned to Crispin, eyes wide, “That means it’s -”
“ -technically our anniversary,” Crispin said with a smirk. “The day you finally gave in and admitted your -”
“If you’re about to begin talking about what I caught you both doing in a classroom then can you please take it somewhere the children won’t hear?” Dahlia interrupted him quickly with a sharp glance. Cris immediately went silent, though the look he sent Pansy had her blushing.
“It’s also, technically, a few days after we officially became soul bonded,” Draco said with a small laugh. “That makes this somewhat of our fourteenth anniversary.”
“We weren’t married for over two years after that,” Dahlia said with a laugh, giving Draco a small smile.
“In the eyes of the Ancient Laws, you became my wife that day in the bathroom at Hogwarts exactly fourteen years and three days ago,” Draco said with finality. “I would rather celebrate that then the end of the war like the rest of the country does. That’s truly what this dinner was going to be for.”
“Sorry, Draco,” Ginny winced, looking sheepishly at him as she followed Harry to their seats.
“Well done, Gin,” Harry gave her an amused look as he settled James into a chair next to him.
“It was an accident,” Ginny hissed at him as she skittered away to greet Daphne, Luna, and Pansy.
“Fourteen years?” Dahlia smiled down at Draco; other than the different way he wore his hair, and the stubble on his face he hadn’t changed much since the end of the war. His eyes were lighter, his stature more relaxed now that the weight of the war didn’t rest upon him. “How have you not killed me yet?”
“Oh, the same way you’ve restrained yourself from killing me,” Draco quipped back, looping his fingers through hers and lifted them to his lips. “It’s been a good fourteen years.”
“It’s more like thirteen years if you count the time you actually gave in to me,” Dahlia teased as she took her seat next to him, setting about fixing the kid’s plates.
“Damn, D, twelve years later and you still haven’t lived that one down,” Crispin glanced up, eyes glittering mischievously. “At least I -”
“Cris, shut up,” Pasy elbowed her husband and passed him their infant daughter. “You’re in charge of her while I eat.”
“It’s been a good fourteen years,” Dahlia conceded after a moment, extending the truce first. She glanced up to everyone crowding around the table, the children situated at a smaller table to the right of theirs. “Thank you, everyone, for being here.”
“You can just say you’re glad Ginny’s here,” Pansy said with a laugh, “The rest of us eat dinner here every night.”
Laughs echoed around the table, Dahlia conceded to Pansy’s point. “You’re right - Ginny, Harry, thanks for coming. It’s always good to see you both.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it,” Harry said with a smile.
“We’ve missed you - can’t wait for summer so we can come stay for longer,” Ginny chimed in.
Dahlia beamed at her old friend. Once everyone was settled they all began to eat quickly, the adults chattering amongst each other. Occasionally one of the mothers would have to stop conversinge and chastise a child, or reluctantly pull one up to finish eating on their lap.
Immediately after dinner the dishes were done and the children banished off to bed. All the adults seemed to be on the same page - children to bed so they could reminisce like they used to in the olden days.
By the time the men were traipsing down the stairs from putting the children to bed, their wives had finished the dishes and pulled out the finest selection of wine and liquor Dahlia’s basement had to offer.
“You still drinking only Fairy Wine, Daphne, or can you drink firewhiskey tonight?” Dahlia was holding up the two bottles in question and waiting for Daphne’s choice.
“Split the wine with me and we’ll take some shots in between,” Daphne said reasonably, glancing up to Pansy. “I’m assuming you’ll help with the firewhiskey?”
“Hell yes,” Pansy reached for the bottle as she spoke, pulling out a chair and gathering around the kitchen table like they used to do in the Cottage. “Been so long since I’ve had a night to drink.”
“Tell me about it,” Ginny gestured to her stomach with a laugh, “If I could join you I would.”
“Next time,” Pansy promised with a smile. “You’re due in what, eighteen weeks? That leaves half the summer for you to have a nightcap with us.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Ginny said as she accepted a virgin drink from Daphne who was currently pouring out the drinks.
“I’m assuming the boys will want the Goblin Rum and another bottle of Firewhiskey,” Dahlia pulled out of a couple of bottles and set them next to glasses on the table. “Draco’s partial to the Fairy Wine, so don’t be surprised if he asks for some.”
“How long has it been since we’ve done this?” Ginny asked quietly, glancing around the table. “Has it really been twelve years since we gathered around the table like this to end the war? I know it’s been at least eleven years because Teddy is in his first year at Hogwarts.”
Dahlia, Pansy, and Daphne went silent for a moment, their actions slowing as they processed her question. Finally, Pansy spoke up almost shamefully, “I didn’t realize today was the anniversary of the end of the war until Draco said something. It didn’t even cross my mind once today.”
“It hadn’t crossed mine either,” Dahlia agreed quietly, “I thought for a minute it meant I was forgetting that day, and then I remember every vivid detail of what happened and I realize that maybe forgetting it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
“I don’t miss fighting the war,” Ginny spoke after a moment, glancing around at her sisters-in-arms. “I don’t miss any aspect of the fear, and desperation. I don’t miss waking up and fighting just to ensure we all made it to the end of the day. I do miss these table talks, though.”
“The table talks weren’t always good,” Pansy said after a moment. “I recall many of them being because someone was on the kitchen table half dead.”
“That is how the table talks originated,” Dahlia admitted with a shaky laugh. “It started in the cabin where Draco, Theo, Blaise, and I used to meet right off the Weasley’s property. There wasn’t much space, so we all stayed huddled around whoever was wounded. The tradition carried over to the Cottage.”
“When did we stop doing table talks?” Daphne said after a moment, “I seem to remember us holding meetings around the table, and drinking like this in the first years at this house. Why did we stop?”
The room went silent for a moment, and then Ginny spoke timidly, “I think we stopped after Astoria’s death.”
Dahlia’s mind reeled for a second, scraping for every last memory that could prove Ginny wrong, but the further back she thought the more right Ginny became.
“We shouldn’t have stopped,” Daphne’s voice wobbled a little as she spoke, but it was filled with conviction. “Astoria wouldn’t have wanted us to stop them. I’d prefer to think she’s here with us when all of us are gathered around this table like we used to be.”
Dahlia nodded slowly, taken back by Daphne’s stance on the matter but agreeing, “I say we make it a monthly thing at least. Dinner and then the little ones go to bed and the adults have some alone time.”
“That sounds excellent,” Ginny beamed at them, “Those little boys of mine are cute, but damn are they exhausting. A night out a month sounds heavenly.”
“I’m in,” Harry appeared in the doorway, Draco and Theo on his heels. “As long as we don’t have to worry about aparating home because I’d love some of that Goblin Rum.”
“Your rooms are just like you left them,” Dahlia said with a laugh. “You act like you need permission to stay in a home that is partially yours.”
“Come try this rum,” Draco brushed past Harry, gesturing to him as he began to pour two glasses. “It’s the best I’ve found yet.”
Theo followed them, beelining straight for the Goblin Rum as Blaise, Crispin, and Adrian came around the corner. “You girls break out the liquor?”
Pansy and Dahlia held up their wine glasses as Daphne lifted up their firewhiskey bottle. “We didn’t wait for you boys, if that’s what you mean.”
“Where’s Luna?” Dahlia glanced behind Blaise like she expected LUna to be on his heels.
“She’s on her way down - had to respond to an owl from Minerva about the incoming class,” Blaise explained quickly, glancing behind him. As if summoned, Luna popped into view, scurrying back quickly.
“Ooh! You’ve got fairy wine!” Luna brushed straight past her husband and took a seat between Ginny and Pansy. She held out her hangs in a gimmy motion; Pansy slowly pushed the bottle towards her. Luna lifted it to her lips, chugging half the bottle before setting it back down.
“Damn - so we’re actually drinking like we used to,” Pansy turned to Dahlia. “Take a shot, Peverell, we’re behind.”
Dahlia obeyed, lifting the bottle to her lips and taking a generous gulp before passing the bottle off to Pansy. Daphne finished off the wine bottle as the boys simply watched in silent shock.
“Bloody hell,” Crispin marched across the room and snagged the whiskey glass from Theo’s hand. He tossed it back, wincing but holding his glass out for more. “I got to get on my wife’s level, mate, fill me up.”
The girls laughed as the boys all quickly fixed drinks, settling in chairs around the table one by one. Draco sat to Dahlia’s right like he always had, the others scattered in various seats.
It warmed Dahlia’s heart to see everyone gathered, all talking and chattering as they relaxed around the table. It was similar to their table talks during the war, only this time the conversations she overheard weren’t dark. No one was discussing spy reports, no one was planning an attack, and no one was worried for their life.
The only reports being discussed were the Wizengamot’s trials as Draco, Adrian, and Ginny continued to discuss their extended case from that day. The only plans being discussed was a trip to Diagon Alley by Pansy, Luna, and Daphne as they agreed they all needed a day out to go shopping once a month as well. Cris and Blaise were in conversation over their shared business, while the only worry being expressed was Harry talking to Theo about the expansion being done on their house so it would accommodate their new baby.
Dahlia couldn’t help but smile as she looked around to her little family, basking in the feel of them all together. One bright face was missed, and would always be, but if Dahlia closed her eyes she could almost hear Astoria’s laugh as the girls busted out laughing at something Cris had called out.
“Cheers,” Dahlia called out, interrupting all conversations. She lifted her fireball bottle, glancing around as the girls immediately raised their glasses. “Cheers to family.”
“To family,” Pansy and Ginny echoed, clanging their glasses against hers. The boy’s all agreed, clinking glasses and finishing their drinks.
“Still can’t believe we’re fucking Peverells,” Crispin said with a grin, “I’ve been meaning to ask you for years if it’s cool if I change my last -”
“Have you lost your mind?” Dahlia burst out laughing, “Cris - we have this conversation every year. Let it go.”
“I’m just saying-”
“You wish to change your last name to Peverell and leave me, your wife, and your baby daughter stranded with the last name Rosier for the rest of our lives?” Pansy crossed her arms and looked at her husband expectantly.
“Not at all what I was saying, dear,” Cris immediately backtracked, reaching out to fill her glass with firewhiskey and then immediately refilling his own. He lifted his glass in cheers to her, tossing the drink back quickly.
"Whatever happened to Draco taking your name when you got married?" Theo spoke up curiously. "Last I heard he was determined to end the Malfoy line with him."
Dahlia shared a smile with Draco, "I convinced him that perhaps removing the Malfoy line from history wasn't the way to go about things. Changing what the family name stood for seemed to be a much better alternative."
Draco shared a knowing smile with her, "Peverell-Malfoy we decided was the last name for Dahlia and her children. A way for them to be what they truly are. So, if anyone is to take the Peverell name for themselves, it will be me way before you, Cris."
Draco accented his words with a kick under the table, giving Cris a pointed look.
Pansy rolled her eyes, lifting the shot she had and glancing around the table, “To everyone who made it possible for us to stand here today.”
“To everyone here, and everyone who isn’t,” Adrian agreed quietly, lifting his glass. “To Astoria.”
“To Sirius Black,” Harry lifted his glass.
“To James and Lily Potter,” Ginny murmured, lifting her glass .
“To Remus Lupin,” Dahlia murmured.
“To Nymphadora Tonks,” Luna echoed, sharing Dahlia’s smile.
“To Marcus Flint,” Draco lifted his glass.
“Julia Dolohov,” Pansy lifted her glass, eyes lowered in remembrance.
“To everyone who died that day,” Blaise murmured, clanking his glass. Everyone tossed their drinks back, the liquid burning their throat in a good way. Silence rained for a second, Dahlia slouching down until she leaned against Draco.
“It’s good to have everyone here,” Dahlia said with a wane smile. “It’s good to have new memories to replace the bad ones from around this table.”
“I used to make cinnamon rolls,” Daphne mused as if deep in thought, “Even when Adrian nearly lost an arm on the table. I still made cinnamon rolls.”
“Is that an offer to make cinnamon rolls?” Theo turned to his wife hopefully. Daphne laughed, reaching for the firewhiskey bottle and taking a swig.
“No, it wasn’t, but I’ll make some anyway,” Daphne brushed a kiss against his lips. “For old times sake.”
“You almost lost an arm?” Harry turned questioningly to Adrian. “I never heard that story.”
“I got tortured before my initiation into the Death Eater ranks. Blaise found me and rescued me, but I wasn’t in good condition. Dahlia saved me.” Adrian said it so nonchalantly it almost made the incident seem insignificant.
Harry glanced at Dahlia, eyes wide in understanding, “That’s how you knew how to put Ron’s arm back on when he splinched himself?”
Dahlia winced, “Actually, I believe Ron’s arm came off first and that’s how I knew how to put Adrian’s back.”
“Bloody hell,” Harry’s face turned green. “You did that twice?”
“You lot kept me busy,” Dahlia said dryly, “I was constantly running back and forth.”
“Does he know about the time you blew a hole in the garden?” Pansy cut Dahlia a teasing look. Dahlia groaned, face burying in her hands.
“Haven’t we let that go?”
“You blew a hole in the garden?” Harry turned a questioning glance towards her. “Why did you -”
“Miss Peverel Princess over here had a temper tantrum after an interaction with Kingsley at the Order Base. Came home and quite literally blasted a four foot hold in the garden,” Theo smiled fondly as he recalled the memory. “Thought she hit her head for a little bit after that because she started acting strange -”
“Oh, shut it, Theo,” Dahlia rolled her eyes, “You knew well and good I was fine.”
“A temper tantrum?” Harry couldn’t hide the amused look on his face.
“I was pissed off,” Dahlia said primly.
Draco snorted, “She does have a habit of setting things on fire when she’s pissed off.”
“And yet you seem to enjoy pissing me off,” Dahlia teased him, turning towards him jokingly.
“You’re cute when you’re angry,” Draco said simply. “I make no apologies for it.”
Dahlia rolled her eyes as Theo whistled, “So that’s the real reason Draco likes to piss you off so you storm off to bed. Angry sex.”
Dahlia blushed, reaching for the firewhiskey bottle as she glared pointedly at Theo, “Don’t make fun of my sex life just because you aren’t getting any right now.”
Theo gasped, “What makes you say -”
“Girls talk,” Dahlia said haughtily. “Your work schedules haven’t aligned in over two weeks so I know it’s been a while since you’ve gotten any.”
“God dammit,” Theo reached for the bottle. He gave Daphne a pointed look, “You really discuss everything with the girls?”
Blaise snorted, “Don’t act like you weren’t just telling us the same thing just yesterday, mate.”
Theo whipped around, finger pointed threateningly at Blaise, “I distinctly recall telling you to keep that to yourself!”
“Ha!” Daphne burst out laughing. “You can’t be pissed at me now! You did the same thing!”
Dahlia couldn’t help but laugh with Daphne as Theo scampered for some kind of response but came up blank. He grudgingly conceded, poured himself a drink and slouched back down in his chair. He glared at Blaise the whole time, but his accusing looks were met only with amused ones from Zabini.
“My wife’s pregnant, Nott, and I’m still getting more than you,” Harry couldn’t resist the jab. The words would have once drawn a fist brawl out between the boys, but now Harry’s teasing comment was met only with guffaws from the spectators and a begrudging grimace from Theo.
Luna gracefully swooped in and changed the subject, diverting the attention from Theo as she turned to Ginny, “How is Teddy doing at Hogwarts?”
“It’s his first year - crazy to think that he’s that old already,” Ginny said with a laugh. “He’s adjusting well. Write to us just about every day. We’re going to pay him a visit next weekend. Harry’s speaking there and James misses him.”
“I saw his application to attend here over the summer,” Luna said with a proud smile. “It was the first one I approved.”
“He actually just wrote to us about his acceptance today,” Harry shared a proud smile with Ginny. “He was so excited you’d think it wasn’t like he spent the summers here anyways.”
“It’ll be his first summer attending the school,” Ginny said with a knowing look, “That’s different from simply living here during the summer.”
“He’s been trained in bonds magic since he was a baby,” Dahlia said with a laugh, “He’ll likely beat out his classmates by a lot.”
“He’s excited anyways,” Ginny rolled her eyes, “He’s most likely just excited to show off.”
“He won’t be as excited when he realizes it’s much harder to perform bondsmagic with people you aren’t related to,” Dahlia said with a laugh. “I’m sure he’ll outshine everyone anyways.”
“Time will tell,” Harry said, “Even after my marriage bonds to Ginny I still struggle with the basic bonds magic to her and the kids.”
“The older you are the harder it is to learn,” Dahlia said with a smile. “It’ll probably take a few years since you started learning late. The rest of us learned as adolescents. It’s not easy.”
“We’re practicing,” Ginny assured her, giving Harry a supportive look. “He can communicate with me easily now. It’s Teddy he has a hard time speaking to sometimes.”
“Distance makes it more difficult,” Dahlia gave Harry a comforting smile. “It just takes practice.”
“Twelve years ago I would never have thought that Harry’d be sitting here with us talking about bonds magic,” Draco spoke up, amusement in his voice. “Never would have dreamed of it, actually.”
“Funny how things work out,” Dahlia agreed with a laugh, exchanging smiles with Harry. It’d been a bumpy road between them at first, but slowly Harry had fit into their lives. He spent every summer with them, the ongoing friendly competition for the quidditch trophy was now a well established tradition. The wounds of the past were forgiven and forgotten in light of a more peaceful existence.
“I wouldn’t have pegged us for the type to have as many kids as we did,” Draco drawled, sharing a teasing look with Dahlia. “They’re outnumbering us by now.”
“We do have quite a brood,” Theo laughed. “How many are we at now between us all?”
“I’ve got three,” Dahlia said with a laugh.
“Two here,” Daphne spoke up.
“I’ve got two,” Pansy stuck two fingers up. “Luna’s got two.”
“I’ve got one,” Adrian chimed in, “I’m the only sane one.”
“Three,” Ginny said with a laugh, “and one on the way.”
“Fourteen,” Draco summed up with a laugh. “Fourteen between the eleven of us? We could hold our own in a fight.”
“We’ve survived better odds,” Blaise agreed with a chuckle. “I’d take our chances.”
Dahlia chuckled, scanning the table as she sipped her wine. Twelve years ago they’d sat around the table discussing their odds against the forces of the war. Now, they discussed their survival rate against their children.
Time was bittersweet, and the years continued to grow sweeter with age. No longer did the sting of the war affect her daily. Sometimes she would hold her children a little tighter at night, thankful that they would never know the horrors she had endured. It had been nearly two years since she had sat up sweating and screaming in the middle of the night with nightmares.
Slowly, somehow, time had healed those wounds, the old memories replaced with new ones.
The smell of cinnamon wafted through the kitchen as Daphne pulled her trademark cinnamon rolls out of the oven.
Dahlia closed her eyes, inhaling the scent, letting it take her back to the first time she’d ever smelt Daphne’s cinnamon rolls. Before she knew it, she was speaking of the memory with a sassy look at Theo, “First time I ever smelled Daphne’s cinnamon rolls was the night I discovered you were sleeping in my Cottage.”
Daphne burst out laughing as Theo immediately jumped in defense, “You told us we could stay there! We just extended our stay!”
“That’s been your argument for years,” Blaise said with a laugh.
“You all bought into it until she caught us!” Theo insisted, eyes squinting at Blaise and Draco. “Bloody traitors.”
Dahlia laughed as the year old argument resparked around the table. Daphne slid a cinnamon roll in front of Dahlia, and as she took a bite Dahlia couldn’t help but think that life had come full circle.
There were some things that time couldn’t change.