"We should probably stop here." Hermione says, concerned. Lynx hadn't done anything but read the letters for a week. Draco was starting to ask questions. "I think you have read enough to see what love can conquer."

"But mum-"

"Don't but mum me, hand the box over."

"I can't, Dad is about to tell Grandpap and Nanna Malfoy about the wedding."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of." Hermione replies, then puts her finger up to her lips as Draco walks into the kitchen. You cannot look at your father for what he did before the wedding.

"What's going on?" He asks, noticing that they were both silent.

"Nothing, talking about Hogwarts." Lynx speaks up, eying her mum. Draco can't help but look from one witch to the other. Lynx had been asking a lot of questions lately, too many questions for Draco's comfort.

"So continue" He answers. Lynx thinks fast. What will get them both out of the room pronto?

"I was just telling mum how Headmistress McGonagall has no idea that James and Scorpius have been getting Albus and I drunk off of firewhiskey in the Shrieking Shack." She replies, a grin on her face.

"He's your son!" Hermione answers, her face red as she follows Draco, storming out of the kitchen. Impressed with herself, Lynx goes on to read the next letter. The comforting handwriting of Headmistress McGonagall herself.

June 23rd

Miss Granger,

I am very pleased to hear of you and Mister Malfoy's growing family. I must admit, I too had doubts of the two of you courting while you were here at Hogwarts, but seeing how far you have come I am mighty impressed. For that reason, I am sending out an invitation for the two of you to return to Hogwarts to announce your engagement to Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Malfoy. I feel as though this is the safest place, for both you and Mr. Malfoy when confronting his parents. Please accept my humble invitation.

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Draco couldn't help but cringe at the thought, apparating in front of the gates to Hogwarts. He had despised this school as a child and now here he was, facing it again as an adult.

"I thought we were done with this bloody place." He grumbles, staring at the cast iron gate.

"Once a student at Hogwarts you are never quite done with it Mister Malfoy." Professor McGonagall announces, appearing behind the couple. Draco never could figure out how she did that, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. Then again, he had never noticed a cat that seemed to disappear everywhere she appeared either. "How are the two of you?"

"Delightful Professor." Hermione smiles, hugging the older witch.

"And you Mister Malfoy? Staying out of trouble?"

Draco smirks, "I've become an Auror. Fight alongside Potter and Weasley now."

"I knew the three of you would work out your differences. You all were far too smart to stay enemies forever. Come," With that, the gate to Hogwarts opens. "I have forbidden all students at Hogwarts from entering the Slytherin Dungeon for the remainder of the evening. That will give you all the privacy to discuss what needs to be."

"Thank you Professor." Hermione answers, following alongside her favorite teacher. Draco walked slowly behind them as Hermione told the professor how everyone was doing since Hogwarts. He couldn't help but feel sick to his stomach as he thought of how his parents would respond to the news.

"Draco, please." Hermione begs once they are alone in the Dungeon. He had been pacing back and forth for nearly an hour. "Draco!"

"What!" He hollers, stopping to face Hermione.

"Stop." She answers softly, a slight quiver in her voice.

"I can't. My parents will be here in twenty minutes. They will skin us both." With that, he starts pacing again.

"They love you."

"Don't you understand!" He screams at her, "life isn't about bloody rainbows and butterflies Hermione. There are people out there, evil people who will kill children and not think twice about it. My father is one of those people!"

"And you are his son! Surely that makes a difference!"

Draco looks down at his long sleeved shirt, even in the dead of summer on a day like today, he wore a long sleeved shirt to cover the mark. Lucius had been the one who told him to do it. Told him that whenever justice was received and the Ministry was brought down, whenever the Dark Lord was in power, Draco would be looked at as a hero simply for carrying the Dark Mark on his arm. He hadn't mentioned that it would be easier to prove his innocence to the Ministry without the Mark screaming treason. Nearly got him sent to Azkaban.

"It don't quite work like that." Draco whispers, once again pacing the room. "What am I going to do? What do I say? What the bloody hell are we going to do?"

"Maybe Narcissa will be understanding?" Hermione whispers, rubbing her belly.

"Mum? Be understanding? Are you kidding me Hermione? They have never been understanding to ANYTHING! You are thinking like a sodding muggle again."

"I am not Draco and I wish you would stop saying that!" She screams back, then goes back to rubbing her belly "He can hear you."

"The baby can not" Draco snarls, "and how in the hell do you know it's a boy?"

"You spend every waking hour with him and you would know too! You spend any time at all with him and you would know."

"You knew that being away was part of the job. They will be here in twenty." There is a soft knock on the door, and Headmistress McGonagall peeks her head in.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger. They are here to see you now if that is okay."

"What the f-"

"Not in a lady's presence, Mr. Malfoy." Headmistress McGonagall reminds, closing the door behind her.

"Of course they're early." He rolls his eyes. "It wouldn't be 'proper' to not be twenty minutes early." Plopping down next to Hermione, he waits as Lucius and Narcissa walk in the door.

"Oh Draco. I've missed you so." Narcissa walks over, hugging her son. "Are they feeding you okay?" Draco nods.

"Miss Granger." Lucius says, holding his chin high.

"Mr. Malfoy." Hermione replies, standing up and holding out her hand for him to shake.

"Don't make me laugh." He answers, snarling his nose at the sight of Hermione's open hand. "What is the meaning of this Draco?"

"Well...ummm...ugh..."

"We are expecting." Hermione answers proudly. "Due in January."

"Your what? Draco please tell me she's mistaken. Surely you haven't gone to mating with Mud."

"Actually father, me and Hermione are going to get married this fall. I would like your blessing."

"Absolutel-"

"Not." Lucius barks, interupting his wife. "I will not have the likes of this..this...hussy interferi-"

"She is not!" Draco yells back "and you will call her no such thing! Do you here me?" Grabbing his wand, he points it at Lucius, his hand shaking as tears stream down his face. Point it at their face. Stern up, tighten your lips to a straight line. They will never know if you are bluffing. Poker face Malfoy, Poker face., the muggle voice in his head sings.

"Draco, honey, put the wand down." Narcissa pleads.

"I give you credit Draco, never thought you would have the nerve to put a wand in MY face before." Lucius says, staring at the wand. "Did you learn this from this..this..."
"Muggle-born. And yes he did, between me and a muggle herself." Hermione answers, "But I think Draco will be a little more of a man about it than I was."

"Draco, please. Think about what you are doing." Narcissa begs.

"And why is that?" Lucius asks, not taking his eyes off the wand.

"Because I put my wand down and punched him in the face." Hermione snaps back, "Come on Draco, we don't need their blessing." With that, she pushes his wand down, putting her arm around him as they walk away.

"Wait!" Narcissa calls, causing them to turn around. "Can..Can I feel your stomach?" Hermione looks at Draco, who nods. Gently Narcissa places her hand on Hermione's still flat stomach. "What's the baby's name?"

"Scorpius Malfoy, son of Auror Draco Malfoy." Hermione announces proudly, earning herself a glare from Lucius.

"You have disgraced us." Lucius barks, snarling his nose up at Draco.

A tear streams down Narcissa's face as she looks at her husband, her hand still on Hermione's stomach. "We WILL be at their wedding." She says sternly "and you WILL have nothing more to say about this. Do I make myself clear Lucius?"

For the first time in his entire life, Draco watches as his father takes a step back, making the slightest of nods to Narcissa, almost not even visible.

"That's what I thought."