If Neville never entered a courtroom again in his life, it would be too soon. Between Hensley's trial, the review at work before he left and witnessing his first divorce proceeding up close and very personal thank you very much, he was done explaining himself and his relationship with Draco. Even after all of these experiences, today's events had been a shock, at least to him.

The smirk on Draco's face when Daphne Greengrass-Henderson came before the court armed not only with accusations of adultery between her sister and her husband, but photographic evidence to boot had let Neville know that Draco had had at least had some knowledge of the reason for Astoria's sudden appearance and plea to address the court This was further confirmed when several members of the press miraculously appeared as Astoria was called to provide testimony about her findings.

The clamor raised by the press had upset Judge Brown to the point that she called an end to the day's proceedings and ordered Draco and Astoria back into negotiations. Solicitors Hall and Henderson quickly agreed to retry the negotiation process and report to the court as soon as possible. That was nearly 4 hours ago and most Ministry offices had begun to close. Neville was waiting in one of the small courtyards used by Ministry employees for breaks and would have to leave to pick up Sera and possibly Scorpius if they didn't break soon.

Scorpius had joined Sera at the Potters today, but he suspected that the elder Malfoy's had picked him up straight away when they got booted out of the courtroom along with everyone else.

Neville was starting to give up hope of seeing Draco as he leaned against the wall of the courtyard, studying a slowly dying potted plant until he heard movement heading towards him. Draco's smile had automatically created an answering one on his face which he quickly schooled. Draco's face dropped a bit in response as his steps slowed. "The negotiations are done," he began excited but tentative, "We've agreed to a 3/4/3 arrangement. It won't be the same not seeing him every day, but.." Draco trailed off.

Neville pushed a smile on his face. "I'm so glad Draco, you'll see its for the best for Scorpius to have the both of his parents in his life."

"Yes, yes," Draco's stance was tight as he fished a cigarette out of his pocket, "but you're upset about the whole thing with Astoria I take it."

Neville lifted an eyebrow. "You knew she was coming and what she was going to say didn't you?"

Draco lit his cigarette and brought it up to his lip. "Not all of it no, but I knew why she was coming."

"And you didn't tell me this..?" Neville paused letting the question linger.

Draco pulled the cigarette from his lip harshly, "I was afraid you'd try to talk me out of …"

"Of..?" Neville hoped he wouldn't have to pull every word from Draco's lips.

Draco exhaled slowly the tip of his tongue ran along his lip while he considered his words. "I could understand her fighting for Scorpius, even hurting me, but she hurt you," Draco tipped his head down to study his shoes, "She had to answer for it." Draco shrugged one shoulder.

"I don't need revenge, Draco."

"No, you wouldn't, that's why I did it for you."

Neville scoffed in response and Draco raised his hands in a placating gesture and looked Neville in the eye. "If I let her harm you and she never answered for it, we'd have to be wary of her for the rest of our lives. That is the way she thinks and the way I was brought up to think. Now.." Draco hesitated for a moment, "if she tries to harm you or us in any way in the future she knows that we, I, will find a way to strike back."

Draco shook his head and took another drag off of his cigarette. He inhaled and exhaled deeply coming closer to Neville and tossing the barely smoked cigarette. Draco placed his hands to either side of Neville and looked into his eyes. "No one gets to hurt you." Draco said in a low and strangely calm voice. "And if they do, they have to answer to me."

Neville went from feeling decidedly standoffish to shocked and dare he say it turned on. The possessive protectiveness in Draco's voice was sending shivers down his spine. His head was still whirling with the changing emotions, when he felt Draco's body heat beginning to recede and heard him release a mournful sigh. "If," he began, but stopped when Neville's hands grabbed his waist and pulled him close. Draco lost his balance and stumbled into Neville's body, reaching for Neville's shoulders for balance.

They regarded each other for a moment. Draco's face showing his confusion. Neville drew his head down so that he could feel Draco's lips a hairs breath from his own and said, "You know you're rather sexy when you're wicked."

Draco's voice was a breathy whisper as he replied, "Ain't I, though" and proceeded to kiss Neville senseless.

Epilogue

Neville woke when he felt Draco sidle up behind him and bury his head at the back of Neville's neck. Neville smiled and rolled over, he and Draco moving and squirming until they were all tangled up in the sheets and each other. Neville opened his eyes as Draco's breath ghosted across his face. Draco was looking at him through one groggy eye as a smirk began play at his lips. "Morning, Mr. Longbottom." Came Draco's sleepy greeting.

Neville huffed a small laugh, "And to you, Mr. Malfoy." Draco's brow creased slightly, "Are you sure you won't reconsider? I think I would rather enjoy waking up every morning with a Mr. Malfoy-Bottoms." Draco's shoulders were shaking as he tried to stifle his laughter. Neville rolled Draco on to his back quickly, pushing his head into the ticklish spot just above Draco's collarbone and licking it roughly. Draco's squeaks and attempts to wiggle away were sending Neville's body into full alert. "Mercy, Mercy!" Draco laughed out.

Neville lifted his head and adjusted his body so that his weight was held by his elbows while the rest of body pressed Draco into the bed. Neville leaned down and kissed Draco lips and whispered, "Though I must admit to a certain fondness for Malfoy bottoms, I have to draw the line at making it a surname."

"Why? I feel that Sera and Scorpius' compromise is quite ingenious."

"Well, our children are very intelligent but I feel certain the name will lose some of its appeal once they hit their teens." Neville scrunched his face in thought, "As a matter of fact, I seem to recall a certain brat who teased me mercilessly about the name Longbottom."

Draco smirked, "Well, I have to say that when you're a young gay wizard trying to find your place in the world," Draco said in a faux suffering voice, "the name Longbottom takes up so much of one's thoughts it difficult not create a few misnomers to distract ones' self from said bottom." Draco reached down and squeezed Neville's arse to prove his point. Neville laugh turned into a groan as Draco continued to grope his bottom.

"Mr. Malfoy, you are trying to distract me, I think." Neville voice was getting breathy. "Trying? I think I've succeeded" Draco said canting his hips causing Neville to groan louder and push Draco farther into the bed and kiss him again. Neville had just begun to trail kisses along Draco's jaw when he felt Draco's body grow momentarily stiff before making a frantic grab for the blanket that had fallen half-way down Neville's arse and saying an excited, "Good Morning, Sera!"

Neville's entire body froze as he heard Sera respond, "Morning Papa. What are you and Dada doing?" Neville lifted his head and looked down at Draco, whose mouth was hanging open while he clearly considered his answer. "We were just saying Good Morning, the way papa's and dada's do, that's all." Neville hoped she wouldn't press for more of an explanation than that and was relieved when she seemed to accept that answer with an, "Oh, okay."

"Do you need something sweetie?" Neville asked then looked at the clock. "Your up awfully early aren't you?"

Sera shrugged her shoulders, "Waitin' for Scorpius to come home." Neville felt Draco's smile more than saw it. "You know he doesn't get here till lunch Sera." Neville admonished lightly.

"I know, but," She left the sentence hanging for a moment as she leaned against the bed crossing her arms and bringing her fist up under her chin into a thinker pose. "I want to play and it's boring in my room."

"Well, give your farther and I a few moments and we'll come down and fix breakfast with Tippy. He's showing us the secret to pancakes today." Draco offered. Sera's face lit up. "Oh, I forgot." She straightened her back ready to run and find Tippy. Neville considered letting her go when a question occurred to him. "Sera?" She turned a few steps from the bed to face him. "Yes, Dada."

"How did you get in here, I remember locking the door last night." Sera's face lit even brighter. "Its'a spell."

"A spell?" Neville inquired. Sera nodded her head and said, "Grandpa Lucius taught me." Draco groaned. "Grandpa Lucius taught you Alohomora?"

"Me and Scorpius." Sera supplied happily.

Draco smiled, trying to not show Sera his irritation, "Well, I'll have to speak to Grandpa Lucius about.." Draco trailed off as Sera began to shake her head. "No?" Draco asked, "Why are you saying 'no' Sera?"

"Grandma Cissa said he shouldn'ta but Grandpa said it was comma."

Neville shifted as Draco sat up, both being careful not to let the covers slip again. "Actually, it's pronounced Karma, there's an 'r' in the middle." Draco supplied. Neville huffed a laugh at the indignant look on Draco's face receiving a steely glare that he completely did not deserve. He had to bite his lips together to keep from laughing. "Yes, I suppose if he wouldn't listen to Grandma Cissa, I don't stand much of a chance, do I?" Draco asked Sera. Draco smirked as Sera shook her head 'no' in a pitying manner at him. "Go on, get dressed well be down in a minute."

"Okay Dada," Sera said turning to make her way to the door once more. Draco glared at Neville again as he fought against laughing and failed. "I take it you did more than peek in keyholes."

Draco pushed at Neville making him lose his balance and pounced on him, straddling his hips and putting his hands on Neville's shoulders. "I highly suggest you never bring up that subject or this incident, if you ever want to get laid again."

"Right now, I'm not sure I'll be able to relax enough for sex until Sera and Scorpius are on the train to Hogwarts." Neville said as he ran his hands up Draco's arms feeling goosebumps form from his light touch. Draco voice was low and husky as he bent down and said, "Well, let's not get carried away. I'll think of something," before lightly kissing Neville on the lips. When they parted Neville had to clear his throat to make his voice work. "We best get dressed and down stairs before Sera comes looking for us."

"Yes, we should, but Mr. Longbottom," Draco ground his hips down causing Neville's breath to catch, "You and I do have an appointment later." Draco eyebrow waggled at Neville. "You bet your life we do." Neville said leaning up for one more kiss.

Neville was quietly watching Draco smoking at the edge of the patio. Sera and Scorpius were sitting in the grass a few steps into the garden in front of Neville, playing with a few of the dolls and figures from their room. Neville loved having Scorpius as a part of his life and wouldn't trade him for anything, but the fact that his mother enjoyed berating Draco every time she dropped Scorpius off was even beginning to tear on his nerves. Neville didn't know what to make of her. She loved Scorpius fiercely, but just has fiercely hated Draco. Neville just could not imagine having that kind of relationship with his child's other parent.

The worst part was how she couched everything as a compliment. 'Longbottom Manor was so cozy,' 'Draco, I hear your a proper gardener now,' etc.., etc..,

It had taken the tight look that her 'compliments' painted on Draco's face to clue Neville into to the fact that she was taking digs at him and their life. Neville decided that he needed to talk to Draco about this soon. If he was ashamed of their home, their business or..him, he needed to know. He began to walk to Draco when a pop caught his attention.

Narcissa and Lucius appeared near Sera and Scorpius their hands full of greenery. Scorpius and Sera both jumped up to go to them clamoring for hugs and kisses. Neville went to take the cuttings from Narcissa and a pot from Lucius, so they could do so easily. When he turned around after saying their hello's he saw that Draco had tossed his cigarette and was coming over as he headed for the lunch table they had set up.

Draco rearranged a few of the plates so Neville could unload his bounty easily. Draco smiled at him, but it faded and he tilted his head to side in question. Neville opened his mouth to speak when Narcissa came up behind them drawing Draco's attention and causing the smile to reform. "Mother," Draco greeted her placing a kiss on her cheek. "Draco darling, I'm sorry we're late."

"Oh, no you're fine; actually Tippy's running late with lunch preparations. We called Ginny and Gran to push back an hour."

"Oh, is something wrong dear, that doesn't sound like Tippy."

Draco opened his mouth to answer, but Neville offered. "He attempted to teach us how to make pancakes this morning, but your son thought there had to be a way to make the pancakes make themselves. It didn't work out." Neville was smiling at the memory of Draco, Sera and Tippy covered in exploded batter.

Narcissa arched her eyebrow. "I see. You know dear, if there were a magical way to make food then there may have never been a need for house-elves." Draco was shaking his head at her rueful smile when Lucius joined them. "Good day boys! Sorry we are so late," He said patting Draco on the shoulder and putting his other hand around Narcissa's waist, "but Narcissa looked so fetching in the denims you purchased for her garden work Mr. Longbottom, we simply had to get a good snog in before getting ready this morning."

Color exploded across Narcissa's cheeks as she hissed out, "Lucius!"

Lucius pulled her close and kissed her pink cheek and said, "Come now dear, we are all adults here."

"Speaking of which, Father," Draco started to be cut off by Neville, "We thought maybe you'd like to have the children for a sleepover next week," Draco smirked and quickly wiped it off his face, though Neville suspected that it didn't escape Narcissa's notice because she narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Lucius's face lit, "Oh, yes, that would be wonderful," He looked to Narcissa, "Don't you think dear?"

"Yes, lovely," She smiled to Lucius, shooting Draco a suspicious glance when Lucius went to tell Scorpius and Sera. "I'd better go and make plans for their stay before Lucius promises them the run of Manor." She said smiling to both men and narrowing her eyes a little at both men before leaving to join Lucius and the children, who were excitedly chatting about turning a wall into a film viewer.

"Your brilliant, you know." Draco said elbowing Neville as he scooted closer. "I know." Neville replied brushing his elbow against Draco's.

Lucius, Narcissa and the kids were deciding on a game to play when the reason for his earlier concern came to mind. "Draco?"

"Yes, dear." Draco said tearing his eyes from their family to meet Neville's. Draco's eyebrows drew together, "Something's wrong?"

Neville regarded his feet for a moment putting his hands into his pockets. "Why do you let her get to you?"

Draco didn't try to pretend he didn't know who Neville was talking about and seemed to be considering an answer. "I mean we're planning our wedding today, if you're having doubts now is the time to speak."

Draco's neck and shoulders drew back like he was ducking a blow. "Doubts?" He hissed. "How could you think that?" Draco said getting closer to Neville and turning his back so he could look directly into Neville's eyes.

"Why does what she think matter, if we're happy?" Neville said trying to keep his voice low.

"It. Doesn't." Draco answered stone-faced.

Neville canted his head, "Then why are you always so tense after she leaves?"

"I'm tense." Draco's body was even closer now, "because I'm trying to behave in a way that would make you proud and to be honest it goes against my better judgment."

"Behave?"

"Yes, behave," Draco's voice had a slightly dangerous edge to it. "Do you think its easy for me to stand and let her make her snide little comments when I know every weak point she has. Gods, I could have her weeping in under a minute." Neville thought about interrupting, but Draco seemed to be on a good roll. "It takes everything in me not push the fact that the happiest I've ever been is in this cozy little Manor with manure up to my elbows into her smug, miserable, little face!" Draco was breathing hard by the time he finished.

"Oh." Neville said, a smile creeping across his face. Draco's shoulders that had migrated somewhere near his ears during his tirade began to relax as his breath evened out. "Yes, oh." He said calmly turning his face down and to the side. Neville kissed the corner of his mouth, bringing Draco's eyes back to his, "Good to know." Neville supplied then laughed when Draco rolled his eyes at him.

Neville couldn't help it he had to pull Draco close. "You know, I could give you a few minutes alone with her the next time she comes to drop off Scorpius if you'd like to set her straight on a few things." Draco smirked at Neville and raised one eyebrow. "Can I tell her what a wonderful lover you are?"

Neville blushed, "I'm wonderful to you because you love me and no woman was going to make you happy in bed, so that wasn't really her fault."

Draco huffed, "I suppose we should keep that private. Wouldn't want word getting around, I'd hate to have to spend my days hexing erstwhile suitors."

Draco's eyes shone with mischief suddenly, "Mother? Father? Neville and I need to take these cuttings to the greenhouse and get them started. We'll be back before lunch is served. Do you mind keeping an eye on the children?"

"Of course not, dears." Narcissa answered breathily. They were playing chase with Sera and Scorpius in the garden and Neville had a moment of Deja-vu before he felt a pot being shoved into his hands as Draco grabbed the other plants and led Neville by his sleeve toward the side of the Manor they had converted into a Greenhouse when Gran had decided to move in with Uncle Algie. "Thanks," Neville managed to get out before going around the corner with Draco.

"What are you doing?" Neville asked, though he suspected he knew the answer. "You are aware that the work bench in the greenhouse is so used to be transfigured into bed that I don't even need a wand to do it anymore?" Draco inquired haughtily.

"I am." Neville laughed. Draco looked back his hand still holding onto to Neville and smiled. "And are you further aware that we have at least 30 minutes before lunch and the arrival of our other guests?"

"I am." Neville repeated. "And that we have two competent babysitters to keep our children occupied during that time?"

"I am." Neville offered again, as they came to a stop in front of the greenhouse. Draco releasing his sleeve momentarily to open the door before reaching back and dragging him into the muggy air.

Draco laid the plants in his hand next to the door and grabbed the pot Neville was carrying to lay beside them. "And, are you also aware that the wizard who loves you terribly and plans to spend the rest of his life with you knows an unbreakable locking spell?" Draco flicked his wand at the greenhouse door which shut and made several locking sounds though no others locks appeared on the frame. Neville turned back to face Draco, a smirk firmly in place. "I am, now." Neville said and pulled Draco into his arms

The End

A/N: Well, this is the end of my first novella-length fic and it has been a wonderful experience. Thanks to all of you who have put Parole on story alert or left a review. If you haven't reviewed yet, it is never too late!