Chapter 51

                                        

                                              
Chapter 51
Published: 11/14/2022
It was awkwardly silent after Draco opened his last present. He could feel their stares, their expectations. It weighed on him, and he looked down at his hawthorn wand. He felt more subconscious than he had when everyone was watching him walk. However happy he was to hold his wand again, he couldn't help but tense up just thinking about casting magic. So much had happened. He flinched when Joel touched his arm, again, and he turned to meet Joel's eyes, then looked at Harry. Both were looking at him, concerned. He stashed his wand into his hospital robes and didn't look at them.
Hugo stepped forward and touched his leg. "What's wrong, Uncle Draco?"
"Nothing... little one. Just got a little dazed," he said, gently, and patted his hand.
"Alright, let's get cleaned up. You guys need to get home for dinner," Harry interceded.
"No! I don't wanna!" Hugo shrieked.
"Mum! Do we have to?" Rose groaned.
Hermione pulled both of her children closer. "We need to get home, dears. You both need to eat dinner, and Dra-Uncle Draco needs his rest. We were only going to visit for an hour."
"But...."
"No. Get your stuff," Hermione ordered. The kids pouted, but didn't argue anymore. Neville, Nat and Cass backed off, and Ron helped them get their coats on. 
Harry was watching him closely, and Draco mumbled, "I'm fine."
Hermione walked in front of him, and Draco looked up at her. "I hope we didn't wear you out too much, Draco," she said, quietly.
"No... I'm just..." he stammered, unable to put a reason for his sudden drop. "I-I can't explain it."
"You don't have to, Draco. You're doing great, and we don't need to push you. Alright? You did amazing today," she said, and hesitantly grasped his hand. He squeezed back. She turned and said, "Kids, come say goodbye."
Draco was attacked again by the two jumping beans, who hopped on his lap and hugged him.
"Goodbye, Uncle Draco. I really had fun today," Rose said.
He hugged them back. "I did, as well. Thank you for the cake, both of you."
Hugo started stifling. "I don't wanna leave!"
"Hugo!" Hermione chastised, and Ron snickered until Hermione glared at him.
"Got to go, Hugo. Come on," Ron said, and pulled Hugo off Draco's lap and up into his arms. Hugo was crying, but laid his head on his father's shoulder, almost immediately drifting asleep.
"Sorry, Draco, he didn't get his nap today after lunch," Hermione said as Hugo muttered that he didn't need a nap.
"It's alright. I'm glad you guys came."
"Can we come, again?" Rose asked.
"If your mother and father have time, it's fine with me," Draco said.
"And we can play Dungeons and Wizards, again?!" she asked excitedly.
"Sure," he said with a smile. The sudden melancholy he had felt from holding his wand was fading. Hermione and Weasley also bid him goodbye, taking their children and the beaded, bottomless bag home.
"I need to start my shift, Draco. I dare say you had enough sweets tonight," Cass said and patted his arm. "Goodnight, love."
"Thanks for coming," he said, and she left with Natalie, who also said goodnight, as she needed to get home to her kids, too.