"Harry!"

Hermione didn't wait for a response; upon stepping out of Harry's fireplace, she immediately set out to find her friend. She found him moments later in the kitchen, preparing a late afternoon snack.

"Hermione! What... What are you doing here?"

"Have you seen Iris and Eleanor? Are they here maybe?"

He put everything down on the counter and turned around to face her, his expression somewhere between concerned and confused. "Why?"

"Dammit!" She let out a frustrated growl, gripping her wand tightly. "I'm going to kill Lucius..."

"Hermione! What happened?" With a single step, he was in front of her. "What's going on?"

"They were supposed to help Narcissa in her greenhouse, and now they disappeared. And it's his fault!"

"Alright." With a small sigh, he placed a Stasis Charm on his snack before he ushered her back into the living room where the fireplace was. "Maybe they just called out the wrong Potter house..."

"You mean, they might be with your parents?" Trying to keep the panic under control, Hermione took a deep breath and rubbed her face. "I really want to hex him for scaring them into running away. They could be anywhere–"

"Hermione, we will find them, okay? They are smart, and I'm sure they are somewhere safe," Harry said firmly, offering a calm counterbalance to her brewing storm. "But now, let's go over to my parents. If they aren't there, we'll widen the search."

She clung to the hope that her daughters had simply called out the wrong Potter house because she didn't know what she would do otherwise. Slightly trembling, she watched Harry step into the fireplace first and call out his parents' house. As soon as he had disappeared into the green flames, she reached for the pot with the Floo powder and followed him over.

When she stepped out on the other side, Harry was already talking with James, who was growing pale as Harry explained. To Hermione's dismay, James shook his head.

They weren't here.

Lucius was going to pay this time! Her knuckles were white from gripping her wand so tightly, she immediately turned back towards the fireplace, intent on giving that old git of a man a taste of her anger.

"Hermione, wait!" Just as Hermione was about to step into the fireplace once more, Lily caught her arm and pulled her away. "I know what you want to do. That's not a solution, believe me... Come with me."

Hermione protested, albeit rather weakly, when Lily pulled her towards the men, not letting go of her arm.

"Okay," James said, taking off his glasses to clean them to gain a few seconds, just like Harry always did. "You inform your colleagues at the Auror Department that we are searching for two missing twin girls, and I call everyone else." Only now did James turn his attention to Hermione who was still struggling against Lily's hold on her arm. "I know you're angry right now, and feeling desperate. Believe me when I say that we know what you are going through... My dearest wife here was about to raise hell when we thought Harry had run away one day. We will find them, okay?"

"Dad, let me know if you find them in the meantime," Harry said from the fireplace, about to travel to the Auror Department to rally everyone into the search for Hermione's daughters.

"Same." James nodded and stepped aside to pick up a device that looked like an oversized coin with enough space to send a few words in.

Hermione didn't have the chance to even ask about it before the other Marauders appeared in the living room, stern looks upon their faces.

"What's the emergency, Prongs?" Sirius asked, stepping up to them and looking rather dishevelled in a wrinkled and torn shirt; behind him, Remus looked more put together, though he was trying to hide what looked like disappointment about being interrupted. Peter still held his drink in his hand as he walked up to James.

"Oh good, you're dressed this time," James let out with a relieved grin.

"Hi, guys," Hermione greeted them with a small wave before Sirius could continue the banter; they smiled as they recognised her. "I-I need your help. My dau–"

"Malfoy senior is still the same old git," James said with a tired sigh, interrupting her. He let the coin roll between his fingers. "He scared Hermione's daughters into running away. We need to find them–"

"They could be anywhere, and I just want them back." Hermione hadn't intended for her words to come out like a desperate plea, but she was at a point where she would be grateful for any kind of help. "They are all I have."

"Contact everyone, let them know we need to know where the girls are," James said, his eyes suddenly narrowing at Sirius who was starting to smirk with angry mischief. "Find out where the girls are, Padfoot! I'll deal with Malfoy senior–"

"I'll deal with my family myself," Sirius retorted, adding a small growl for emphasis.

"No. You're the one with good contacts in the underground. Let them know we are looking for the Malfoy girls! Use the fucking name if you have to, but stay away from the Malfoys. Is that understood?"

Before Sirius could disappear to follow his own plans, Remus grabbed his arm, immediately gaining his attention. "No. Go now or you can sleep elsewhere for the next few weeks. And you can definitely forget about..."

Hermione didn't hear the rest as Remus whispered into Sirius' ear, but he certainly didn't like it. In the background, she saw Peter mouthing what looked like names of people he could contact; he was the quietest one in the group, but it seemed that he had an idea about where to go first.

"At least let me go back to the Manor," Hermione said, leaning towards Lily who wisely kept out of the dispute between the men. "I could help Draco search the ground; maybe they are just hiding in the garden somewhere."

"Boys!" Lily finally intervened after a nod towards Hermione. "It's not about Malfoy, it's about the girls. Just let everyone know we need to find them, okay? Petty arguments won't help!"

"Fine," they all said, shrugging or throwing their hands in the air in defeat.

"I'm still going to let Malfoy know what I think of him," Sirius added as he grabbed Remus' hand, apparating them both out seconds later.

"I'll check up on Harry..." With a thin-lipped smile, James stepped into the fireplace, calling out the Auror Department and disappearing into the green flames.

"And we'll go help Draco," Lily said with a reaffirming smile. "They are probably still on the grounds, and hearing you calling them might help..."

..

Searching the grounds of Malfoy Manor took them hours, yet Iris and Eleanor were nowhere to be found. With every passing hour, Hermione grew more frantic, clinging to the faint hope that they might still turn up somewhere.

She just wanted them back in her arms, safe and unharmed.

Unable to sit still for more than a couple of seconds, she walked up and down the huge main terrace, not caring one bit about the gorgeous view of the gardens. As she turned around to walk the same steps back, she saw Narcissa order the house-elves to intensify the search inside the Manor.

"Leave me alone," Hermione let out in frustration as she dismissed Draco's attempt to comfort her as she walked past him, brooding in the corner. "Just bring me back my daughters!"

"Fine!" he retorted in a brief moment of uncontrolled frustration that matched hers. "But don't forget, they are my daughters too, and we are all doing the best we can to find them, so don't take it out on me, okay?"

Swallowing her retort, Hermione threw her head back and sent a quick prayer to the skies, silently asking for the safe return of her daughters. "I'm sorry. I just wish we knew more. What about your friends? Haven't they said anything yet?"

He shook his head, sighing as he reached once more for her hand and smiling as she finally let him comfort her. "No. But they all know how important Eleanor is to me, and Iris—I mean, how important they both are to me..."

Suddenly feeling tired, Hermione let herself be pulled into an embrace, burying her face in his chest. She smiled as she recognised the faintly lingering scent of the sex they had had earlier; it was oddly comforting. "I just want them back... What if something happened to them?"

"They will be fine."

Sighing, she turned her head to the side and watched Narcissa fidget around with the plants on the terrace, seemingly not happy about their arrangement. "You think?"

"Sure. Half the wizarding world is looking for them..."

She desperately wanted to believe his words, but she couldn't shake the thought that her daughters were lying in a ditch somewhere, unable to contact anyone. Or maybe they were stuck in a tree somewhere with their brooms out of reach because they were foolish enough to fly away without an adult.

The sound of steps announced someone entering the balcony, and Hermione immediately lifted her head to see who it was: Harry.

"Did you find them?" She let go of Draco to run over to him, eager to know more. With the Auror Department under him he should at least know something.

"No, but I managed to have them Traced. We'll know soon where they are." Harry let out a surprised yelp as she hugged him. "Sorry for taking so long, but Tracing minors isn't exactly easy..."

"It's good enough."

Draco joined them just as Hermione let go of Harry, immediately reaching for her hand. "And?"

Hermione nodded, unable to say anything as a wave of relief rushed through her. Traced people were usually found in no time, and that they could be Traced meant that they were still alive.

More steps were heard in the main hall, announcing the arrival of more guests. This time it was Astoria who stepped on the balcony, an empathetic smile on her lips. "I'm sorry; I came as soon as I heard–"

"Do you know anything?" Draco asked impatiently, stepped towards her without letting go of Hermione; his tight hold on her almost crushed her hand. "Anything at all?"

After seconds that felt like an eternity, Astoria nodded and reached for his shoulders before her smile turned into a broad grin. "Even better... Girls!"

As Astoria stepped aside, two blonde heads appeared in the door, smiling sheepishly. With reluctant steps, the two girls came outside. "We're sorry, Mum!"

"Oh my God!" Hermione exclaimed, opening her arms to take them into a much-needed hug. "Where have you been? Your dad and I were scared, you know?"

"We know," Iris whispered into her neck, trying to swallow a small sob.

"We're just glad you're back now," Draco said as he joined their group hug, his voice a whisper.

"Sorry, Dad," Eleanor replied, kissing his cheek. "But Grandpa scared us. He was mean to Grandma..."

"They came to my place," Astoria explained calmly, but with a happy smile, "looking upset and confused. I did offer to let you know, but they said you wanted the afternoon to yourself–"

Eleanor nodded with blushing cheeks. "It's true."

"And you know how difficult it is to tell your house-elves to deliver a message," Astoria added with a mocked sigh.

Narcissa came up to her, just as the small family finally let go of each other, tears in their eyes. "Thank you for taking care of them. I think one of my elves did try to tell me something, but— well, in all the commotion I didn't realise it."

"I'll inform the others." With a quick nod, Harry disappeared inside after watching the happy reunion silently from the back. He was just as relieved that everything had worked out, given the big smile on his face as he left the balcony.

"Yes, thank you." Iris to her side, Hermione half-hugged Astoria. "I'm glad to know that they were safe the whole time."

"It was no problem, honestly. I watched Eleanor a few times before–"

Astoria was interrupted by more people arriving on the balcony; James and the rest of his friends had just arrived. They all hugged the girls in utter relief; Sirius briefly swirling Eleanor in the air.

"I think I'll go back now," Astoria said with a happy smile, carefully wiping her eyes. "I can't leave Blaise alone for too long with all the wedding invitations."

"Your mother finally happy with the dress?" Draco asked, running his fingers through his hair before pushing his hands in his pockets; Hermione hooked her arm with his, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Yes, finally!" After an exasperated chuckle, Astoria started to turn towards the door. "Please bring her to the wedding, okay? And don't fuck it up again..."

"You better watch your step, Ms Greengrass."

Barely avoiding a run-in with the person in the door, Astoria made a step back in surprise, although she immediately regained her posture as she saw who it was. Her smile lost its warmth. "I'm sorry, Mr Malfoy. I was about to leave anyway. Although I better let you know now— my parents would prefer you didn't attend my mother's charity event next weekend. They find your recent behaviour towards family members... intolerable."

Hermione felt her previous anger welling up again now that her former father-in-law had the guts to join them on the terrace, though she couldn't help but smirk at his irritated look in response to Astoria's words.

"I heard celebrations going on; I presume my granddaughters have been found?"

"Yes." Draco's answer was short and cold.

The whole terrace fell silent in response and everyone turned towards Lucius. A commotion went through the crowd as Sirius stormed to the front, an exasperated Remus following him.

"You are a disgrace, Malfoy. You have some very twisted ideas about what family is supposed to be–"

"At least I wasn't burned off the family tapestry, Black."

Sirius' strong reaction had taken Hermione by surprise; he had said the exact words that had been on her mind. Draco's clenched jaws and tense muscles showed that he felt the same. "I have to agree with Sirius–"

"And I told you to stay away from my son, yet he takes an indefinite leave from his job just so he can play family with you!"

"Lucius, shut up!" Narcissa shouted angrily as she she came to the front as well. "This is exactly what we argued about before. I cannot believe it!"

This time, surrounded by supportive family and friends, Hermione wasn't the least bit intimidated by Lucius. But before she could say anything, Draco stepped forward, forcing her to let go of his arm as he lifted it to point at his father.

"You will leave us alone." Draco's words came out harsh and angry. "I'm not going to let you destroy my life again–"

"Or mine." Hermione joined him, her arms crossed. "You have done enough damage already, just because your ideals were more important than your son's happiness. Even Mr Greengrass seems to have more common sense than you."

"Pf, he wouldn't risk losing the Malfoy donation to his wife's charity."

"I'm still invited, Lucius," Narcissa retorted icily. "It's going to be an extremely generous donation this year."

Widening his eyes in disbelief, Lucius stared at his wife. "You wouldn't–"

"What I want to say is," Hermione interjected impatiently to regain their attention, "until you finally accept that I'm part of this family and part of your son's life, you won't be allowed anywhere near my—our daughters. They do not need to be exposed to such backward views as yours."

Lucius tried to say something in response, clearly insulted by her words, but Hermione stopped him with another glare and pointed finger. "Don't you dare threaten me this time. I'm their mother. And you seriously don't want to mess with the people behind me if you care in any way about your own reputation."

"I wouldn't mind a duel," Sirius threw in, completely earnest about it as he twirled his wand in his fingers.

Hermione chuckled; she did fancy the idea of watching Lucius having his arse served by Sirius, but then she took a deep breath and recovered her posture. "You're not the only one with friends here."

"Let's go," Draco whispered, turning around to motion for the girls to join them. "We're done here."

"We'll have another talk about this, my son–"

"I don't think so." Draco's firm stance only softened when Eleanor arrived at his side, and he hoisted her up. "God, you're growing too fast!"

Now on the same level, Eleanor studied her grandfather with a blank expression until she narrowed her eyes at him and leaned forward. "You should grow up, Grandpa. You're not a nice man."

Those honest words shocked Lucius, and he momentarily gaped at Eleanor before he finally made a step to the side to let Draco and Hermione pass. Only when they were inside did he regain his composure to shake his head at her. "As a Malfoy, I don't have to be nice."

"People would like you better," Eleanor replied over Draco's shoulder as they walked further inside towards the fireplace, Iris on his other side.

Only Hermione remained at the door, wilfully ignoring Lucius now; she preferred to focus on the safe return of her daughters. With a smile, she waved at everyone else present on the terrace. "Thank you all for the help today. I'm really, really grateful for everything you've done."

"No problem!" was the response from everyone, amidst smiles and waves.

"And you're always welcome to visit us in Paris–"

"Paris of all places!"

"Oh, come on, Sirius! It is a great place to live. Okay... Thank you all again, and goodbye everyone!"

As Hermione walked away from the terrace door to join her family in front of the fireplace in the main hall, she heard another argument erupt; Sirius' and Lucius' voices were prominent amongst the angry chatter.

It was indeed a great feeling to know that, this time, she wasn't alone— that people supported her. And most importantly, Draco had made a stand against his father.

..

"You're up early," Draco mumbled as he entered the kitchen the following morning, more asleep than awake and heading straight for the pot of coffee on the stove.

Hermione looked up from the newspaper, a slice of toast in her hand. With a smile, she watched him inhale the scent of the coffee with a low content sigh. She had the urge to run her fingers through his hair and carefully bring some order to the tousled mess.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't sleep any longer," she finally said before she took another bite of her toast. "And... And I contacted the Ministry to request a Portkey back home for this afternoon."

Draco coughed loudly and choked on his coffee, spilling the rest on the floor before he managed to put the cup back on the counter. "P-Portkey? Afternoon?"

Hermione nodded and swallowed the bite, trying to push the sudden rush of guilt back down. It hadn't been her intention to shock him like that. She had thought long about her plans the night before, lying in bed with Draco comfortably pressed against her back.

Still coughing, he sat down at the table, and Hermione folded the paper to put it away. Draco took a deep breath in an attempt to regain control, running his hands through his hair. After a few more deep breaths, he finally leaned back, arms crossed in front; only his wide eyes betrayed his outward calm.

"Why? I thought you wanted to leave on Thursday?"

"I know," she replied, leaning forward, head in hand and her gaze focused on him. "Yesterday was too much. I couldn't sleep because everything kept cycling in my mind— especially that feeling of not being able to do anything, being scared to lose my daughters. Our daughters."

"I was scared too–"

"I know. It's just... I need a break. So much happened in the past week, I haven't really had a chance to process it all. And I did ask for a Portkey for four people."

"Four people? You mean...?"

"Yes. Come with us."

His jaw was taut and his gaze was narrow and seemed far away; he was contemplating and analysing the options. After what felt like an eternity of silence between them, he let out a sigh. "I planned to come with you on Thursday, you know? I need a day at least to organise everything–"

"I understand," she replied, trying to hide her disappointment behind another smile; she was still relieved that he wasn't too mad at her for her rash decision to leave today.

"I would really love to come with you, but I can't promise to make it on time." His smile finally returning, he rose to his feet to get another coffee. Lifting the mug to his lips, he turned around, eyebrow raised. "Didn't we have a rule to discuss things like this back then?"

"Maybe. I don't quite remember, it's been such a long time." Shaking her head in amusement at his teasing tone, she chuckled. "Maybe we need to repeat that discussion?"

This time, Draco was fast enough to put his mug down before he joined her chuckles. "Gods, I really missed you..."

..

"Mum? Where's Dad? I thought he wanted to come with us?" Eleanor asked as they were waiting at the Ministry for their Portkey back to France.

Hermione checked her watch once more, letting out a nervous sigh. They were scheduled to leave in mere minutes and there was no sign of Draco. She had been looking forward to showing him their house, their neighbourhood, and sharing the magic of Paris with him.

"Where is he?" she mumbled, pacing up and down in the waiting area while her daughters had taken seats, watching her with concerned expressions.

"Maybe he'll take the next one?" Iris said in a comforting tone, just as the door opened to the Portkey room, and someone called for the passengers waiting on the Portkey to France.

With a sinking heart, Hermione ushered her daughters into the room; she had lost hope that he might come running in at the last moment. At least Ernestine had agreed to be there to welcome them home, with a promise to have a batch of red currant ice cream ready. "Come on, let's go home..."

..

"I hate Portkeys!" Iris lamented as they finally stumbled into the house. "They always make me feel sick! Ugh!"

"Right? Everything swirls and turns... Hey, wait for me!" Hurriedly, Eleanor pulled off her shoes and ran after her sister. They were heading to the living room, where Iris kept her brooms.

Alone now, Hermione took a deep breath and took in the comforting scents of her own house: the lingering scent of parchment, the faint remains of all the cooking aromas coming up from the kitchen, and the smell of the old woodwork throughout.

It was home.

A weight fell off her shoulders, but it there was still something missing for this to be a perfect homecoming. She damned herself for her own rashness in her desire to return home; she really should have given him more time!

With a heavy sigh, Hermione slowly followed her daughters to the living room to see what they were up to. As she passed the stairs, she could hear their chatter from above, mixed with their typical giggles—she loved the sound and how it filled the house with life.

Still listening to the faint chatter from upstairs, she finally entered the living room, in the mood to pick up her previously forgotten book from the lounge table. She was glad that they had changed their plans and ran upstairs immediately, giving her some time to collect her thoughts.

Taking a few steps into the room, she suddenly stopped and gasped. "Draco! How-How...? I thought you...!"

"I said 'I can't promise to make it on time,'" he replied with the biggest smirk she had ever seen on his face, gloating about the success of the surprise. He rose from the sofa on which he had been waiting. "I called in a favour, and I wanted to surprise you, so I bent the truth a little this morning–"

"You idiot!" Giddy now from the relief, Hermione ran over to him, tackling him back onto the sofa and landing on his lap. "Seriously!"

"Your idiot, remember?" Running his hands up her thighs and her lower back, he kissed her, soft and ardently at first, but growing more eager and demanding with each renewed touch of their lips. "I won't let you go this time, my love."

"Shh..." Right now, Hermione wasn't in the mood for words. All she wanted was to keep kissing—she finally had him to herself. He was here, with her, and he chose her over his job, his own home, his parents.

As she deepened the kiss, her hands buried in his hair while his were occupied with her linen top, she mentally thanked her daughters for switching places.

She had never been more grateful as in this moment. And never happier.

This time, they would make it.

END