Author's Note: This story was inspired by the wonderful Justin Timberlake and Reba McEntire duet The Only Promise That Remains. If you've never heard it, check it out because it's pretty amazing.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters or the song that inspired the story

Hermione woke in the middle of the night, stretching to find she was alone. She wasn't particularly surprised that he wasn't there. Ever since the birth of their son he'd been doing this more and more. With a yawn she rose from the bed, ran a hand through her unruly hair, and padded down the hall.

When she reached the nursery she found him exactly where she knew he would be. He was leaning gently against the crib, looking down at their six month old son. His white blonde hair had fallen to partially shield his lean features and for a moment Hermione just leaned against the door and took him in.

He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't even notice she was there. While he was unaware she watched him and fell into her own musings. They made quite a pair; former enemies who came together first as lovers, then friends and finally partners in a relationship neither of them had ever expected. It had been easier than she anticipated, falling in love with him. She still wasn't sure quite how they'd managed to overcome all of the prejudices and wounds of the past, but maybe that was what made it so amazing, the mystery and the magic of it all.

What she had never imagined was how damaged Draco was by the things he'd seen and done. She discovered after they got together just how unsure of himself he was and that what he'd experienced in his life was completely unfathomable. Though this was the first night she'd lingered as he stayed lost in his memories and thoughts, she had a feeling that his worries had something to do with that past.

Shaking herself out of the past Hermione walked further into the room. She gently slid her arms around his waist, leaning forward to rest her head on her shoulder. "Hey," she whispered.

"Hey."

She unwound her arms from his waist and reached into the crib to brush her finger against Damien's cheek. "He's finally sleeping through the night."

"Yeah."

She heard the unspoken end to the sentence: 'now if only I could.' "What's going on Draco?"

He sighed and moved away from the crib, going to sit in the rocker across the room. "I feel shaky Hermione. It's not just us anymore and I worry that I'm going to be the best influence on our little boy."

Hermione shook her head and walked over to stand in front of him. She sank to her knees and looked up into stormy grey eyes. "What do you mean?" she murmured.

"I've only barely learned how to be a good person. There are things in my past that you know I'm not proud of, and there are things I wish to all the gods I could forget or change."

"You know that doesn't matter. You made the right choices in the end. You took the initiative to make yourself better, and you love me and Damien. What else could possibly matter?"

Draco closed his eyes for a moment. "What if…." His eyes drifted open again, revealing a sheen of tears. "What if there's still some of what I was in me? What if it comes out one day and I…?"

"No." She took hold of his hands and gazed intently into his eyes. "I know where you're going and you're wrong." Hermione felt tears fall from her eyes of their own accord. "I know that you would never do anything to hurt me, or our son."

"God, I know you're right. I'm just terrified, love."

Hermione rose and settled herself on his lap, feeling comfort wash over her when he wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her neck. "You don't have to be afraid. We're in this together, no matter what."

"What happens when I start to feel shaky again?"

She shook her head and moved to rest her head against his shoulder. "I'll be here."