Hermione dropped Rose off at Draco's house early the next morning. She had no idea what had come over her the previous night. She didn't understand why she had asked Draco to watch Rose in the first place. She hadn't even realized what she had said until he smiled and said, 'Of course. What time are you going to drop her off tomorrow morning?' Maybe it was the way he adored Rose, or the way he made her laugh that made her blurt it out. She didn't know but, there were bigger things that were on her mind that morning.

She called Ginny and Harry to let them know Ron's trial was scheduled in the late morning. They decided to come to give Hermione moral support. Harry didn't judge Hermione's choice to keep Rose's real father a secret and, simply condoned a grown man abusing a young child. Ginny was conflicted because, Ron was her brother but, sided with Hermione for what he had done to Rose. She was extremely thankful that her best friends understood the situation and were not blaming her for everything.

Hermione knew Molly and Arthur should know about the situation with Ron, too, but, she didn't know how to tell them. She kept putting off calling them every day for the past few weeks. Finally, she decided that, since it was Ron's trial day, she had to at least tell them what Ron did to Rose and, to come to the Ministry to see the verdict. When she told them, they were at a loss for words. She even blurted out Draco was Rose's father and, she wasn't even a Weasley. Hermione started crying. She hurt some of the most loving, caring people who had always treated her like a daughter. Arthur had put a hand on her shoulder and then, hugged her. Hermione kept whispering 'I'm sorry' over and over again. Arthur just let her cry in his arms. Molly stormed out of them room; she was so mad that she could not even stand to look at Hermione anymore.

O.o.O

Hermione entered the court room with a heavy heart. She felt like this may be the last time she would ever see her husband again. She knew he had hurt Rose and, was a terrible person but, that didn't make it any less painful. She still somewhat liked him as more than just friends- not loved; she had never truly been in love with him, they just had always had a special relationship together. She walked slowly up the rows of seats, going to the family section. Her head sagged and she wiped away a stray tear from her cheeks; things weren't going to turn out good for Ron and, even if they did, he would never want to see her again. Not after what she had told him about Draco. She finally saw Harry's messy black hair and Ginny's fiery red hair from where they were sitting. Hermione came and sat next to them. Ginny nodded in acknowledgment. Harry smiled at her, meekly.

"Mione, I just want to tell you, that whatever happens at this trial, you are not the one to blame. I know you are going to beat yourself up about this, if it turns out bad. I hate to be the bearer of bad news Hermione but, he deserves to go to Azkaban and I won't do anything to help him out if I have to testify. I hope he gets what he deserves," Harry said putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Harry, I know. It's just that, well… I know in my heart that he is a monster and, should not even be allowed to walk this Earth but, I can't help feeling guilty. I did bring this onto myself. He saw that stupid Daily Prophet article questioning Rose's paternity and, then he flipped. I know he was overly drunk but, if the whole world already knew that Rose was a Malfoy then, this would not have happened. Hell, I probably wouldn't be married to Ron if I told him and Draco in the first place. It is my fault, Harry. Nothing will ever change that," Hermione said and sighed. She hated her life right then and there.

"Did you make him hurt Rose? No, Mione, you didn't. It was entirely his fault. Even if you did tell him and, he was mad, that is absolutely no reason to take it out on another human being; a four year old little girl, no less," Harry said trying to make Hermione see reason.

Arthur Weasley walked up to where Hermione and the Potters were sitting and, took a seat next to Hermione. "Hello, Molly couldn't be here today. She is too mad to see reason right now but, Ron has been unstable all of his life. I knew it was only a matter of time before he did something he would regret. He has always been jealous of people who had something that he wanted."

"I'm happy you could come, Arthur. I know I made a terrible mistake and, this incident stems from my wrong doings. It means so much to me that you can forgive me for what I have done," Hermione said and hugged the elder Weasley.

"This is not your fault, dear. Molly and I knew in our brains and eyes that Rose wasn't our son's biological daughter but, our hearts deceived us. We just didn't want to accept that, we had one less grandchild. Honestly, Draco Malfoy had crossed our minds many times and, seemed to be the most obvious candidate. It's probably better that Draco Malfoy is Rose's father. He has money and, can provide the best future for her. Also, she shattered the Malfoy Pureblood legacy which is something to be proud of. A Malfoy falling for a Muggle- Born and producing a child is something that should be text book material. Also, I'm pretty sure Rose is the only child born of a Slytherin and Gryffindor parent, which once the wizarding world finds out will be big news. Nothing good can come out of being a Weasley," Arthur said sincerely.

Hermione was speechless. How could Arthur be happy that Rose was a Malfoy? Sure, being a Malfoy must have its perks but, he just ridiculed the Weasley name. She did not have much time to think on the matter because, a few guards brought Ron into the courtroom.

Hermione held her breath and, her heart was beating rapidly. She stared at him, until he caught her eyes. She saw anger and mistrust in his blue eyes and, wanted to cry. She didn't though; he did not deserve the satisfaction to see that he hurt her feelings. She was not the one at fault; he was. She made her eyes show a reflection of anger and, he quickly turned away when he saw he was not getting to her.

"Let the court proceed to this hearing of Ronald Bilius Weasley," The Head Wizengamot judge said.

O.o.O

Draco had forgotten that the next morning was Arianna Nott- Parkinson's grand birthday celebration gala. He just automatically accepted watching Rose that day, without a moment's hesitation. When Hermione dropped Rose off with a bag of toys and such, a feeling of dread washed over him. How the hell was he supposed to take Rose to that stupid party without anyone finding anything out? Narcissa Malfoy had accepted that she and Draco would be attending the party on the day the invitation was sent out. There was no way Narcissa would let Draco stay home; it would be rude and, they had to make a good impression. His mother had suggested that since, Lucius was on house arrest he could watch Rose; he would not be able to attend the party anyways. At once, he made up his mind that he would just have to take his daughter to Arianna's birthday party; he did not trust Lucius enough to let him watch his daughter.

Draco put a black crisp tuxedo on and, was combing his blonde hair to the side when he heard Rose squealing, "Daddy, Daddy look! Look what Pinksy did!"

Rose ran into Draco's bathroom wearing a royal blue dress adorned with real sapphires and diamonds. Her royal blue little girl heels clicked on the marble flooring. "Don't I look cute, Daddy?" Rose twirled around and, her dress shimmered hypnotically. She had a silver tiara encrusted with sapphires on her platinum head. A huge smile was plastered on her face.

"You look beautiful, Rose," Draco said and smiled. Pinksy and the other house elves had really outdone themselves with their uncanny ability to make Rose look perfect. "You will be the prettiest one there."

Rose giggled and urged Draco to hurry up. She had never been to a party that wasn't for someone in her close family or one of Luna's kid's parties. Finally, Draco said they were going to leave now and Rose ran out of Draco's room.

"Young ladies do not run in a dress, Rose. What will all the young boys think, at the party?" Narcissa Malfoy chastised Rose for running down the hallway.

"I run around with James, Al, and Teddy when they make me play tag and, I wear dresses. Vicky wears dresses and runs, too!" Rose protested. She did not understand why Grandma Cissa thought running in a dress was bad. She didn't care about any of the boys at the party. The other girls probably ran in their dresses. Boys ran in their nice attire so, why couldn't girls run in their nice dress attire?

"Malfoy's do not run, Rose," Narcissa said sternly.

"Well, maybe if I can't run I don't wanna be a Mouthboy. Whatever that is anyways," Rose said and crossed her arms.

"Listen, Rose," Narcissa said and grabbed her wrist, "If you embarrass us at this party your room will go bye bye and you'll have to sleep on the cold floor tonight."

"Mother, what are you doing?" Draco said as he saw his mother holding her arm and threatening her.

"Setting some rules for Ari's party. Oh, I'm sorry, Rose. I don't know what came over me," Narcissa said and let go of her arm.

Rose ran straight into Draco's arms and wrapped her arms around his neck , "I don't have to sleep on the floor tonight, do I?" Rose whispered.

"Of course not. Grandma Cissa just wants you to be a good girl tonight. You can be good tonight can't you? I'll get you something special," Draco said, also bribing her because, his reputation was at stake, too.

"I'll try," Rose said sincerely and, snuggled into his chest.

O.o.O

The Malfoys (along with Rose) entered Theodore and Pansy Nott's home. Their house was bigger than Harry Potter's but, definitely not as grand as the Malfoy estate. A house elf took Narcissa's wrap and another one led the three of them into the ballroom.

The ballroom was fairly large and decorated in all things pink. Pink balloons were bewitched to float in miscellaneous directions without losing any air. Pink streamers and bows lined the walls and a large buffet table filled with food ran along one of the walls. An ever falling punch fountain was situated in the middle of the room in front of a dozen tables and chairs, next to a large pink wedding- like cake. People danced on the dance floor and requested the DJ to play their favorite Wizarding band. Others mingled and ate at the tables.

"Draco!" Pansy called and rushed over to him. Narcissa went to go talk with some of her friends. "It's been such a long time, I'm so glad you could make it Ari has been pestering me all day about when you will get here! Oh, Draco, who's this little princess?" Pansy asked once she fully noticed Draco was holding a dressed up little girl.

"She- she um, she's mine," Draco said, and told Pansy the truth since, he couldn't come up with a believable lie.

"Since when Draco? I mean I saw the Prophet but, honestly the man in the picture with the little girl was only shown from the waist down. I thought it was just an onlooker and, Rita Skeeter played it off like it was you to make juicy gossip. Why haven't you told anyone or, brought her to anything?" Pansy asked caught off guard. She was extremely confused.

"Since, she was alive. Honestly, Pansy that was a stupid question. I just found out about her a few weeks ago and, yes the Prophet was correct. You better not say anything to anyone; I don't need everyone finding out yet. I just need some more time before it goes public."

"Who's the mother, Draco?" Pansy asked curiously.

"None of your business and, I am not going to tell you so wipe that look off of your face," Draco said as Pansy started pouting.

"Oh Merlin, don't tell me it's Daphne Greengrass?!" Pansy said excitedly. "That's why you broke up with Astoria!"

"No, Pansy. It is not Daphne and, she is over there so, you had better not start any rumors. I broke up with Astoria because she is a bitch and, I couldn't take having her around any longer. Finding out that I had a child was my ticket out of marrying her," Draco said and set Rose down on the floor. "Angel, can you go put this present with all those other presents over there?"

Rose nodded and walked as quickly as she could to the table without being classified as running. Thankfully she had stowed her drawing materials in Narcissa's bag so she crawled under the table and got them out. She sat down in the corner of the room and began to draw the scenery of the room.

"What are you doing?" A boy about her age said and pulled the sketch book out of her hands.

"Drawing. Give it back!" Rose said assertively.

"Ok, I haven't seen you at anyone else's birthday party. My name is Antonio Zabini. What's yours?"

"Rose Wea- err Rose Malll- foy," she said pronouncing Malfoy slowly so she would say it right.

"Oh, cool! So, you are related to Draco?"

"He's my Daddy," Rose said and smiled.

"Then come on! You can be part of the secret club!" Antonio said and led Rose under the table that the cake was on top of.

"Rose meet, Ari and TJ Nott, Jenessa Greengrass, my little sister Bella, Donald and Everett Goyle, Harley and Lacey Flint, Douglas Parkinson, Wendy and Vince Bulstrode, and Gracie Crabbe. The other kids are too big, small, or don't want to get in trouble by joining the club. Take your shoes off and set them by the others. I know how uncomfortable dress shoes are,"

Rose kicked off her heels and giggled at the way her feet looked like they didn't have any toes because of the pantyhose she was wearing.

"So, Rose tell us some things about you. We don't really have anything to talk about right now anyways," Ari said.

"Um, ok I guess. I like to draw and wear pretty clothes. I only like my fake cousin James. Um… I really don't know what to say," Rose said. They had not asked a very specific question.

"What are your parents like? Who is your Mummy? Do they get all lovey dovey like my parents or do they just hold hands like Jen's parents? Do they get you lots of nice things? My Mummy and Daddy get me nice things! Have they ever thrown you a big birthday party gala? I get one every year!" Ari said excitedly piling question after question on Rose.

"My Mummy and Daddy are mean to each other most of the time and, they don't live together. They don't hold hands or anything else. My Daddy buys me lots of cool stuff. I don't have big birthday parties though," Rose said jealously.

"So who is your Mummy? You didn't answer, Rose," Antonio pointed out.

"Oh! My Mummy is Hermione Weasley," Rose said. All of the children's mouths dropped open and, they were all silent.

"What's the matter?" Rose asked all of them.

O.o.O

Question: What should Ron's outcome of the trial be?

He gets let go, free of all charges.

He gets let go but, he has to go to therapy.

He goes to Azkaban.

Other

Please Review! Tell me what the answer should be, too.