A/N: Replaced Chapter 15th January 2019

It was early evening on Christmas Day when Draco Malfoy entered his home, accompanied by a snowy gust of wind, laden with last minute packages for under the tree. Snow dripped from his clothes as he stashed his packages under the proud Douglas Fir in their living room before hurrying to the kitchen, which was filled with warmth and mouth-watering aromas.

"I'm home." He announced, practically drooling as the scent of roasting turkey, vegetables and gravy filled his nose. "And this place smells amazing."

A very pregnant Hermione Granger was checking the progress of the sizeable turkey in the oven when her husband arrived home from his errands. Their youngest child, two-year-old Thomas, clung to his mothers' leg and giggled in delight as she prodded the bird. Once satisfied with her cooking Hermione closed the oven and turned to greet her husband.

"Malfoy, I had started to wonder if you'd gotten lost in the snow." She said with an amused smile. She pressed a hand to her back as she stooped to pick up little Thomas and put him on her hip where he melded around the side of her swollen bump before she closed the distance between herself and Draco. She finished her greeting by planting a happy kiss on his cold mouth.

"Sorry I'm late darling, Muggles are treacherous during the holidays." Draco apologised after he'd returned her kiss, planted another on his youngest son's head and stooped down to cup her baby bump and kiss her belly through her jersey's fabric. Hermione smiled down at him and brushed the snow from her husband's hair affectionately.

"That's okay, I'm glad you're home. I do need to finish up in here though, so please take this little man off my hands."

Hermione waited until Draco had got up, and removed his outdoor coat, hat and gloves before she passed their son to him and enveloped them both in a quick hug before returning to her stove and the almost-ready feast cooking on, and inside it.

Thomas babbled happily as Draco carried him into the dining room, secured the toddler in his high chair and began setting the long oak table. Hermione had brought all the festive holiday decorations out for him, and by the time he was finished the table looked beautiful and very Christmassy.

A fire was crackling merrily at the end of the room, and back in the living room the Douglas Fir twinkled proudly over the presents stacked beneath it.

Hermione tried not to focus on it as she finished her tasks in the kitchen, but she was a little nervous about the evening ahead. They were expecting their entire family around for Christmas dinner, and it would be the first time they'd all been in the same room together. It had taken a lot of work to pull off creating the event, Hermione wasn't sure she was ready to go through with it and her sensitivity inducing hormones caused by the baby growing in her belly weren't helping.

She was doing her best to keep her mind off it as she garnished the cheesecakes she'd made for dessert when her husband re-entered the room accompanied by their entire brood of children.

Hermione smiled when Draco walked in, she was pleased to see all of her children were cleaned and groomed, and each was wearing the Christmas jerseys Molly Weasley has knitted them. Well, almost all of them.

"Rose, in Merlins name, what are you wearing?" She asked incredulously, folding her arms crossly when her eyes landed on her 17-year old daughters tiny crop top and ripped skin-tight jeans.

"Clothes." Rose retorted, her bright eyes flashing defiantly as her hands went to her hips.

"That is not what we wear to Christmas, or anywhere if you want to maintain your dignity." Hermione reprimanded Rose, her demeanour calm until Rose responded by simply rolling her eyes.

Hermione took a deep breath and turned to Draco, her expression imploring him to help. Draco nodded to her and turned to Rose, keeping his voice stern as he voiced his agreement. "Go and change. Put on the jumper from your grandmother like your siblings have please."

Rose's nostrils flared as anger immediately flushed her face.

"Sure thing, DAD." She spat venomously before exiting the room and slamming the door after her. Draco balled his hand into a fist and turned away from the other kids, forcing himself to push his anger down to deal with later.

How, after more than a decade of feeding, clothing and loving her, she couldn't accept him as a stepfather he couldn't understand. They had a blended family, and sure that came with fresh difficulties for both parents and children. However, Rose's brother Hugo, Hermione's other child from her previous marriage to Ronald Weasley, had accepted Draco after some time had passed and Draco loved him as dearly as any of his other children. His son Scorpius, from his own previous marriage to Astoria Greengrass, was the same age as Rose and he had adjusted easily. Hermione loved him fiercely and he returned the sentiment. It was only Rose who continued to make all her parents lives difficult with her open and obvious hatred for silver-haired stepfather.

Hermione was disappointed in her daughters' actions, however unfortunately her antics were a regular feature and right then Hermione had more important things to focus on. She pushed away the hurt her eldest daughters' disrespect to her love caused and returned her attention back to the rest of her children.

Besides the troublesome Rose, who much resembled her Aunt Ginny and was exceptionally beautiful, clocking in at 17 years old was Scorpius, Draco's son from his first marriage. He was a wonderful boy, and one who Hermione referred to simply as her son. She had a close bond with him, and he strongly resembled his father and most of the Malfoy line. He was a pale, handsome, thin and blond, but unlike many of the Malfoy's, he had a heart of gold. Next was Hugo, who like Rose, was a child of her previous marriage to Ron Weasley. Hugo was a short, overweight, handsome 15-year-old who always made people laugh with his wit and sarcasm, the latter of which had been carefully nurtured by Draco himself.

The oldest of Hermione and Draco's children together was Julius. He was 12, skinny, brainy and almost always had his nose in a book. Then came Ariana, she was 9 and often needed reminded to use her inside voice. Her wildly curly silver hair was always a mess and she was constantly trekking mud indoors and bringing home exciting finds from her many adventures. Next was Jeffrey, he was a delightful 4-year-old who cared about nothing more than unicorns and enjoyed dressing up in his mother gowns. Their most recent addition was Thomas, the giggling 2-year-old who already had a mop of bushy brown hair like his mother and generally really enjoyed naptime.

Hermione put her hands on her bump and her happiness was momentarily subdued as she interacted with her bright and happy children. Whenever the holidays came around her heart hurt a little as it made the memories of the child she'd carried after Ariana cling to the edges of her mind. Hermione had given birth to a stillborn baby, who would've been six this year. Hermione thought of him often, they'd chosen not to name him, but she thought of him as her lost angel.

The death had affected both her and Draco deeply, Draco taking it particularly hard. It was a long time before they even considered unprotected sex after that. After a while though they healed a little and a year later, they welcomed Jeffrey into the world.

Presently Hermione was six months pregnant, and after a long discussion and a few tears she and Draco had agreed this baby would be their last. They loved all their children and wouldn't exchange them for anything, but they both felt ready for this baby to complete their family. Draco liked to joke it was their last because he was running out of room on his shoulder blade, where he had all their children's names tattooed, including 'Angel' for their deceased infant, despite his mother Narcissa's protests about marring his flawless skin.

Scorpius, Hugo, Julius, Ariana, Jeffrey, and Thomas (who'd escaped his highchair) were avidly talking over one another, too excited for Christmas to bother about Rose's behaviour. They were all milling around the kitchen, the older boys trying to steal food and Ariana busy scolding them whilst the young ones ran around joyously squealing about the prospect of presents.

Their guests were due to start arriving, so Hermione rounded up her rowdy children and sent them to the living room to await their arrival, and to get them out of her kitchen. Working together she and Draco dished up the feast she'd prepared and set the food on the table, covered to stay hot. Once everything downstairs was ready, both hurried upstairs to their bedroom to get ready to greet their guests.

Draco changed quickly into a nice pair of dress pants and an expensive jacket. Once he'd fixed his hair he sat on their bed and watched Hermione as she changed into a beautiful red dress. He watched her as she put her curly hair up, applied a touch of mascara, some lipstick and spritzed her intoxicating perfume behind her ears and onto her throat. The dress hugged her body beautifully, accentuating her baby bump and giving him just a glimpse of cleavage thanks to her ample and pregnancy swollen breasts. Draco was particularly appreciative of that side effect of growing a baby.

"Will you clasp this necklace please?" Hermione asked her husband once she'd put on a pair of pretty but comfortable flats and approached where he was sitting on their sprawling bed.

"Of course." Draco stood and took the necklace. She turned around and he lowered the necklace over her head and clasped it at the nape of her neck, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder as he did so.

"You look good Granger." He murmured, his mouth still against her warm skin.

His words, as well as the sensation of his lips sent chills up and down Hermione's spine and brought a smile that she couldn't contain to her features.

"You shine up pretty nice too." She complimented him warmly as she turned around and straightened his jacket collar, eliciting a pleased smirk from her husband. He was about to kiss her again when their moment was interrupted by the shrill sound of the doorbell.

A little reluctantly they headed downstairs, Draco walking ahead but reaching back to hold Hermione's hand affectionately from in front since they didn't fit side by side on the narrow stair case.

"I'm sorry about Rose." Hermione said quietly and squeezed Draco's hand when they reached the hall.

"Don't even worry about it." Draco said kindly and gave her hand a squeeze in return. "Let's worry about all of our parents. And our ex's."

Hermione took a deep breath and tried not to shudder as they approached the door.

"Let's do it."

Both fixed smiles on their faces as Hermione opened the door, and one by one they greeted their guests as they arrived. Molly and Arthur Weasley were a warm welcome, Molly resented Hermione for leaving her son, but loved her grandchildren too much to ever mention it, and Arthur was always fun and excited to be with them. Harry and Ginny and their children arrived next and they had brought many presents and wine with them. Draco tolerated Harry for Hermione's sake. He didn't invite any of his own friends, because truth be told, the ones he had left weren't family people.

The Potter's arrival was followed by Astoria Greengrass, Draco's ex-wife, who came alone, and she was followed by Hermione's parents who were polite and affectionate but generally quiet people. Draco's parents arrived next, their arrival was a little cold as Lucius Malfoy did not like Hermione and her Muggle-born blood, and Narcissa mostly did as her husband wished. Last to arrive was Ron Weasley, and not only had he shown up late and clearly not sober, he had his new girlfriend on his arm. She was only two years older than Rose and Scorpius and her dress was so short all the guests could see her butt cheeks.

Draco lead the guests to the dining room and Hermione closed the front door with a sigh of relief. She leaned against it for a moment, she had made it through greetings, thank merlin. Now all she had to do was make it through the rest of the evening. The biggest hurdle was Ron. He was barely was interested in his children and usually far too interested in showing off his ridiculously young and perky girlfriend. Astoria was a stiff cow too, her snide remarks and insults always wore Hermione's patience thin, as did her father in law's disapproval. Everyone else ought to be fine, even Harry whom she had remained good friends with despite his continuing support of Ron.

With a deep breath she pushed herself off the door and herded her children through to the dining room. Once everyone had been seated and a few toasts had been made everyone began helping themselves to the delicious food Hermione had prepared.

Unfortunately, as anyone could have predicted, things were awkward during dinner.

Rose was sullen and kept dropping hints to her father that she wanted to live with him, much to Hermione's chagrin. Ron barely noticed her however and kept talking over people to remind them how young and accomplished his girlfriend was. The senior Weasleys and Malfoys couldn't even look at each other, and the Potter children kept rudely correcting Julius, Ariana, Jeffrey and Thomas every time they called Molly or Arthur their grandparent. Luckily Molly and Arthur treated every baby from Hermione's womb like family and wouldn't hear of them calling them anything else besides grandma and grandpa, which Hermione was always grateful for. After her painful divorce from Ron she had feared they wouldn't keep an ex daughter in law in her heart, but they had, at least for the grandchildren. Hermione's parents spent most of the evening looking bewildered and smiling through the awkwardness. The worst part though was Astoria. She kept commenting on how thin Scorpius was, eventually going to far as to hint that he was underfed because Hugo was eating his portions. Draco had silenced her immediately, but the damage was done. Hermione was angry beyond belief, and Hugo was obviously humiliated, he quietly stopped eating and didn't partake in any more food throughout the night.

After dinner and dessert, the mood in the house changed a little as the children all become loud and excited for presents. All the children had a wonderful time opening their gifts, and most of the adults did too, given the circumstances. Once presents were over and most of the food was eaten people began leaving, and around midnight Draco and Hermione bade goodnight to the last of their guests.

They celebrated getting through the evening with a glass of champagne (sparkling apple juice for Hermione) and leftover cheesecake on the couch with their feet up. It was the part of that Christmas they cherished most, the quiet part that was just each other and all their beautiful children. The happiness of watching their brood all together made a kind happiness and warmth well up inside each of them that was entirely inimitable.

They watched their children play with their new toys and gadgets on the floor around the tree happily for an hour or so after their guests left before they began herding the whole bunch up to their beds.

Hermione began the bedtime rounds tiredly. Her feet were sore from cooking and cleaning all day, her baby belly grew heavy on her small frame. She went to check on the children alone because Draco had volunteered to turn off everything downstairs and lock up the house.

Hermione started with Thomas, brushing his little teeth, and changing him into his fluffy winter pyjamas before she tucked him into his cot gently. The toddler was tuckered out, he barely made a fuss about his bedtime and dropped off to sleep before Hermione had even switched his monitor on. She gave him a soft kiss and exited his room, padding down the hall to Jeffreys room next. He had gotten himself into his pyjamas, they were mismatched and were buttoned wrong, but he was super proud so Hermione high fived him for his efforts and tucked him into his bed. She made sure he had his special pink blanky as he snuggled down and kissed his forehead. "Night baby." She whispered as he kissed her nose and she finished tucking him in. She turned on his nightlight and crossed the hall to Julius's room.

He was already in bed; all his books were with him and he was wearing his new sneakers beneath the duvet. Hermione chuckled when she noticed and sat down beside him on his bed. She tickled him affectionately and raised her eyebrows at the pile of books in his bed.

"You can't sleep with all these books honey, what if you sleep on them and damage them?"

"At least let me keep the shoes?" Julius pleaded as she removed the books and stacked them on his nightstand.

"Alright, just the shoes." She agreed and kissed his hair despite his protests before hauling herself up from his bed. She whispered her love as she turned out his light and left his room, closing the door behind her.

In Ariana's room, she had to dig through a pile of soft toys to find her daughter, who greeted her with cuddles and kisses and didn't want her to go. "Christmas isn't over." Ariana tried, giving her mother her most adorable look. "We don't have to go to bed."

Hermione shook her head in amusement and wagged her finger at her youngest daughter.

"If you don't go to sleep, we can't play with all your toys in the morning." She told her gently and pulling her blankets up over her. "It's bedtime munchkin."

After a brief moment of visible consternation, Ariana agreed to go to bed, but only if Hermione read her a story.

Hermione readily agreed, she read her a lovely story about a green dinosaur, and gave her one last hug before putting on her night light and leaving her alone. Next, she went back downstairs, one hand on her bump, the other on her back as she reached the kitchen. She yawned almost nonstop as she made up a turkey and stuffing sandwich and plated it with some other Christmas treats. She poured a glass of milk and slowly she climbed the stairs again.

She carried the food down the upstairs hallway until she reached Hugo's room. His door was open, and her heart clenched as she entered, she couldn't but notice her sons tear stained face.

"Hey bub." She greeted him softly as she walked in and sat down beside him on his bed. She offered the plate of food and glass of milk to him with a concerned smile. "I brought you a little something, you barely touched your dinner."

Hugo accepted the plate after a moment of deliberation and bit into his sandwich eagerly.

"Thanks mum." He said through a mouthful of stuffing, and the pain in his eyes cut Hermione to her core. She nodded in response and set about undoing her hair as Hugo finished his food. Once he was done, he put the dishes aside and leaned forward to hug his mother tightly. He didn't say anything, he just held onto her and buried his head in her dress. Hermione bit back tears of her own as her sons' shoulders started to shake with sobs and she wrapped her arms around him. She held him tight and rocked him back and forth, inwardly wishing she had whipped out her wand and turned Astoria into a slug or a frog the second her horrible words had come out of her mouth.

She held him until his tears had ceased. Once he'd quieted, she kissed his head and lifted his head up to look at her. "Always remember you are my beautiful boy okay?"

"Okay." Hugo nodded, wiping his eyes as he sat up and let go of his mother. He wasn't embarrassed at revealing his hurt and emotion, even at his tender age in his teenage years he was constantly grateful for his mother's comfort. He was so grateful that she had noticed his pain, and she had cared.

When Hermione left him, she was reluctant to do so, but it was getting dangerously late and he wasn't her last stop and her body ached for her bed.

She yawned as she knocked on oldest sons' door, she'd previously learnt the hard way that it was important to knock on a teenage boy's doors before entering. Scorpius called for her to enter so she opened his door and poked her head inside.

"Hey, you, how was your night?" She asked when she saw his pensive expression. He was lying on top of his bed covers, sprawled identically to the way Draco sprawled on their bed.

"It was fine. Great food and gifts, thanks Mum. It was just my mother being stupid is all. She asked me to come live with her, again." Scorpius informed Hermione unhappily. "I refused."

"Scorpius darling, you should tell your father, she isn't allowed to hound you like this, the court ordered her to stop asking. She isn't allowed to have you, not with her unstable lifestyle." Hermione fretted, entering his bedroom and patting his knee as she lowered herself to sit beside him.

When she first married Draco and Scorpius became part of her life, she had planned to never say an ill word about Astoria, and to never stop Scorpius from seeing her. As it turned out she didn't need to try and adhere to those noble intentions, Astoria was cruel and unreliable, and Scorpius had lost faith in her at a young age.

"It's fine." Scorpius sighed. He patted the hand she had resting on his knee before glancing up at her.

Concern pooled in his eyes and he poked her side gently. "You should be in bed, you look exhausted."

Hermione chuckled and stood up. "You shouldn't tell a woman she looks exhausted Scorpius, you'll get a good slap from some poor girl."

Scorpius pulled his blankets up and grinned at her mischievously. "Nah, they wouldn't risk ruining this handsome mug."

"Uh huh, good night you." Hermione kissed her hand and pressed it to her son's forehead before exiting his room and closing his door behind her.

One more room to go. Then she could go to bed.

Hermione reached Rose's room and stopped outside the closed door. Her daughter hadn't a spoken a word to her all night. "Rose? Can I talk to you?" She called through the door, her tone hopeful.

"Go away." Rose snapped from inside, and Hermione heard her slide the lock on the other side of the door.

"Good night Rose." She said quietly to the door before walking away from her oldest daughters' room sadly. She was too tired to battle with Rose tonight. She padded down the hallway and finally, finally entered her own bedroom.

She walked straight to her bed, kicked off her shoes, shimmied out of her dress and undergarments and collapsed naked onto the silken duvet. Draco was already lying under the covers, arms behind his head, his eyes fixed on his wife's beautiful but clearly exhausted figure.

"That was a magnificent entrance Granger." He told her, his voice gentle as he unfolded his arms and tenderly massaged her belly.

"Mmmm." Hermione hummed her response as she relaxed under his warm and gentle touch.

"Come on, lets get you into bed." Draco said after a few minutes and he sat up and assisted the unwilling to move Hermione under their covers. Once she was successfully ensconced in their gloriously comfortable bed he reached over and turned their beside lamps off, making the room dark. He shimmied down until he was close to his wife and pulled the covers up to their chins.

Hermione's eyes were already closed as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and moulded his body to hers. Draco pushed her curly hair away from her face and lay his hand on her naked belly gently.

"I love you." Hermione whispered, her heart full as sleep claimed her.

"Not as much as I love you." Draco told his sleeping wife before he too closed his eyes and slowly drifted into sleep.