Hermione's father stood to the side, observing his wife's reaction without making a sound, secretly amused.
He remained silent, waiting to see what she would say at first glance.
Hermione's mother first looked at her daughter, then at Draco, and then at the gift he was holding so carefully.
Her eyes immediately held a gentler, appraising look, as if to say, "Whose good child is this?" But she greeted him warmly first:
"Oh, Minmin's back... And who is this?"
Hermione quickly stepped forward, gently pulled Draco aside, and introduced him to her mother in a soft voice:
"Mom, this is my classmate, Draco Malfoy. He's just stopping by during the holidays."
Hermione's parents exchanged a silent glance upon hearing this.
Both pairs of eyes held a knowing smile, tinged with surprise.
They were thinking the same thing, without prior arrangement.
Hermione has always been focused on her studies and rarely brings classmates or friends home.
This is the first time I've ever brought back such a handsome young man.
Earlier, Hermione had mentioned this boy Draco to them sporadically when she returned from Diagon Alley.
At the time, the couple simply thought of them as classmates they had met by chance at Hogwarts and didn't think much of it.
I saw the boy again later when I took my daughter to school at King's Cross Station.
Although he appeared aloof at the time, he helped them a great deal, and his demeanor was always refined and dignified.
Now, Hermione had led the boy directly into their home, and the couple couldn't possibly misunderstand.
It turns out that some destinies were already quietly turning their gears from the very beginning.
Hermione's mother quickly stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face, waving her hands politely as she said:
"You're already here, child. Why bring a gift? It's too much trouble."
Draco bowed slightly, speaking humbly and politely, "Auntie, you're too kind. This is my first visit, and it's just a small token of my appreciation."
He then introduced each of the gifts in his hands.
"This is Breeze Dandelion. When it's not fully mature, its flowers are a pale yellow, making it a delight to look at. Once mature, its fluffy seeds gently float in the breeze, easily sweeping away dust from the house, keeping things clean and worry-free."
"This sprig of mint is for my uncle. Its refreshing and calming scent will make it perfect for the clinic, helping to reduce anxiety."
He was about to introduce the bottle of wine when Hermione's father quickly stepped forward and interrupted him with a smile:
"Thank you so much! It's good that you came; there's no need to go to such lengths."
"You're such a thoughtful child."
Hermione's mother beamed with joy, quickly reaching out to take the gift. The more she looked at it, the happier she became, and she eagerly ushered her into the house.
"Come in, come in quickly. It's cold outside, but warm inside. Dinner will be ready soon. Eat well today, don't be shy."
Draco nodded his thanks with composure and grace, which only made the Mr. and Mrs. Granger more and more pleased.
Hermione followed beside her, her ears subtly turning red.
She stole a glance at the composed and steady young man beside her, feeling both shy and confident.
All my worries from just now vanished at this moment.
The group entered the house, and the warm air, carrying the aroma of food, wafted over them, making them feel relaxed all over.
Hermione's mother carefully placed the gift on the flower stand in the living room. The more she looked at the gently floating dandelion, the more she liked it, and her gaze towards Draco softened even more.
Hermione's father led Draco to sit on the sofa and handed him a cup of hot tea, saying, "Sit down, don't be shy, make yourself at home."
Draco accepted the teacup with both hands and thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle."
Hermione stood to the side, her heart pounding with anxiety, afraid that he would say something wrong, and also afraid that her parents would ask too many questions.
Hermione's mother poked her head out of the kitchen, smiling as she called to the two of them, " Minmin, keep Draco and talk to him. The food will be ready soon; it's all home-cooked, so please don't be picky."
"Thank you for your trouble, Auntie. I'm really looking forward to it," Draco replied gently.
Hermione's dad casually asked about school, as if they were having a small chat:
"Are you settling in well at Hogwarts? Hermione's always been a bookworm, so please keep an eye on her."
Draco sat up a little straighter. "Actually, it's not what you think. It's me who is often taken care of by her."
Hermione blushed upon hearing this, quickly tugged at his sleeve, and whispered reproachfully, "Don't talk nonsense, I haven't been taking care of you all this time..."
She was both embarrassed and flustered, afraid that he would let slip that they had been intimate at school.
Hermione's father was taken aback at first, then a gentle smile spread across his eyes, and his gaze toward Draco became even more appreciative.
This young man, despite his distinguished background, was neither arrogant nor haughty, and genuinely remembered his daughter's kindness—a truly rare quality.
Before he could speak, Draco continued slowly:
Hermione was outstanding at school, excelling in every subject. Everyone would ask her for help when they didn't understand something, and they all called her the know-it-all.
"She also bravely participated in Quidditch Match and, through her own skills, helped the college win the championship."
Hermione was so overwhelmed by his public and detailed praise that her head almost drooped to her chest, and her ears burned.
She felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but was too shy to show it, so she gently nudged his toes to signal him to stop talking.
Hermione's father's eyes lit up little by little as he listened, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up. The composure of an elder was gradually replaced by pride.
He had only thought of his daughter as diligent, studious, and down-to-earth, but he never expected her to be so outstanding at the magic school.
Not only is he academically gifted, but he's also adventurous and competitive, even winning championships in those kinds of competitions.
As a father, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride at this moment.
He nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with satisfaction as he looked at Hermione.
Looking at Draco again, he felt a genuine increase in his fondness:
"This child... always had a tenacious spirit at home, never giving up. I never expected him to be so competitive at school."
As soon as she finished speaking, Hermione's mother poked her head out of the kitchen again, her hands still covered in food.
She smiled broadly, clearly having overheard everything, and said proudly:
"Wow, Minmin is so amazing! Mom was always worried that you were just focusing on your studies at school and tiring yourself out, but you actually won the championship! Well done!"
She glanced at Draco, who was sitting properly, and her smile became even gentler.
Hermione was surrounded by her family praising her, and Draco's gaze made her heart flutter. She quickly whispered her rebuttal:
"It's not that exaggerated... It was all about classmates helping each other. We won Quidditch because everyone worked together; it wasn't just my achievement."
Her words carried a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness.
Hermione's mom smiled and waved her hand, "You two chat, my food's still in the pot, it'll be ready soon!"
After saying that, he chuckled and retreated back into the kitchen, leaving only the three of them in the living room.
Hermione's father cleared his throat and glanced towards the kitchen.