Destination Unknown

Chapter 2

July 31^st, 2005

"Harry! Draco! Come down for breakfast this instant!" shouted Hermione at her husband and son, both of whom were flying around in the Manor's private Quidditch pitch. As the two landed, Hermione made her way to the library, where Cory was sitting, absorbed in a thick book that was almost as big as him.

"Cory, sweetheart, it's time for breakfast," said Hermione.

"Mum! I read the whole page!" said the three year old happily. He had been able to read since the previous year, and was now quite adept at the task. He was as obsessed with books as his twin was with flying. Harry could read, too, but was nowhere near Cory, just as Cory was nowhere near Harry where flying was concerned.

"That's wonderful, honey. But you must eat now. You can come back to read later, ok?"

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now come." Hermione held out her hand. Cory put his tiny hand into his mother's and followed her into the dining room. Draco and Harry entered through another door. The moment they were all seated, Hermione winked at Draco. They both stood up and shouted, "Apparecium!"

Gifts appeared on the table, almost drowning the food. Harry and Cory squealed in delight as the presents rearranged themselves in front of their recipients while their parents and the House-elves sang "Happy Birthday to you."

"I suggest you two eat your breakfast first and then open the presents," said Hermione. The words fell on deaf ears. The two three year olds were already halfway through their huge piles of presents. When they were finally done, they looked up at their parents.

"Thank you," they said quietly, in unison. Hermione and Draco nodded, pleased at the glowing visages of their sons.

"Now eat fast, dears," said Hermione, "then you'll have to put away your gifts and get ready for the party."

Breakfast was soon over. Hermione and Draco carried the presents to their respective rooms. A set of new robes lay on each of their beds.

"Mum, when can I start dressing myself?" asked little Cory, as Hermione dressed him.

"Pretty soon. You are growing up rather fast, sweetheart."

Cory beamed proudly at her. He loved both his parents, but he was a bit partial to his mother. Of course, he wouldn't admit it to anyone.

As soon as he was dressed, Hermione stood up and looked him over. She then combed his hair neatly and said, "You look very handsome, Cory."

"Hand - what?"

"Handsome. It means very pretty, dear," explained Hermione. She Summoned the book he had been reading previously and handed it to him.

"Still want to read this?" she asked, waving it. Cory looked at her admiringly with his sapphire blue eyes.

"A bit. Then I'll tell Harry about the new word I learnt."

"Very well, dear. Now I must dress up your brother," she replied and left the room, smiling. She entered Harry's room to find him playing with his new toy snitch.

"Mum!" he shouted as he ran to her ad hugged her legs, "Dad said he'd some work to do and went out. P'fessor Snape came."

"Very well, dear. Thank you for telling me."

Harry beamed.

"Now, we must get you dressed," she said, picking up the robes similar to Cory's, except that this one was green while Cory's was blue - to match their eye colours.

"It's pretty," said Harry happily.

"You will look wonderful in it, honey."

"I will?"

"Of course."

Hermione dressed her second son and combed his hair, but it wouldn't stay neat. So she applied a generous amount of her own hair cream and then combed his hair. It looked at neat as Cory's after that.

"Mum?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Why is my hair not like Cory's?"

"I think it's because you fly too much."

"I'll have to give up flying to have neat hair?" asked the three year old, looking scandalised.

"Of course not, dear. I'll put some cream in your hair whenever you want it to be neat, ok?"

"Can't I have my own bottle of cream?"

"Sure you can, honey. Would you like this one?" she held out her jar. Harry sniffed at it.

"I'll take it," he said and put the jar carefully away. Hermione smiled.

"Can I go flying on my new broom, Mum? Cory can come, too."

"I don't think that would be nice, sweetie. You don't want to spoil your clothes, do you? And the party will begin soon."

"I want to fly!" Harry pouted. Hermione sighed.

"Harry dear, we'll go flying after the party - all of us, Dad, me, you and Cory, ok?"

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now go and play with Cory. He had learnt a new word he wants to share with you."

"A new word?" Harry sounded excited, "Dad showed me a new move on the broom. I'll tell him about that, too!"

"Sure, honey. Go on."

Hermione smiled to herself and headed towards her room. She had to get ready. She found Draco beaming at her.

"I've put down their names for Hogwarts," he said.

"Is that why Professor Snape was here?"

Draco nodded.

"I'll go and see if the House-elves have done everything properly. You get dressed; we have a party to attend," he said and left the room.