Chapter 23- Some Vestige of Pride

Draco didn't think he had ever been so please to see Potter in his life. He charged in, wand drawn like the blood seventh cavalry fortunately he was not alone. There was a short skirmish but aside from a bloodied ear, where a spell had clipped him, Draco was unharmed. Weasley however was in a very bad way. The medi-Wizard that had accompanied the auror team was not sure he would make it.

"Damn it Weasley, come on," Draco chastised the red head as the medical team tried to stabilize him. Draco was not sure he could have ever foreseen the day he would be cheerleading for a Weasley but he knew that if the ginger died Hermione would be devastated.

He wasn't jealous, much to his surprise, he knew where Hermione's affections rested but he was still mindful of the fact that Weasley was the father of her children and they had been friends since the age of eleven.

"Draco," Hermione threw herself at him as soon as they arrived in the reception of St. Mungos. Though Draco's upbringing had not been big on public displays of affection he really didn't care today. "Are you okay, she raised her hand in concern at the sight of the blood at the side of his face.

"It's nothing just a flesh wound," he reassured her.

Satisfied that he was fine she turned her attention to Harry.

"Is Ron okay?"


Ron wasn't sure how many days he had been unconscious for but he was grateful to have survived even if, he was aggrieved to find that, it was Malfoy who had saved him. He had bitterly believed that it had been only self-interest that had encouraged the blond to bail him out in the first place but he had to reluctantly acknowledge that this time, no matter what Malfoy's motives had been, he had saved his life.

As he lay recovering in his hospital bed he had to regretfully accept that without Malfoy's quick witted response his children would have been fatherless. This can't go on; he finally admitted to himself, he needed help perhaps a new start, maybe even in another country.

When he got out of St Mungos he would speak to Hermione. He realised belatedly that he had been unreasonable, that he should at least be prepared to share custody of the children with his ex-wife, that he could trust her not to allow Malfoy to turn them into mini-Death Eaters. In fact, if he were truly honest with himself, Malfoy was a better man than he had ever been prepared to accept.


It was a month before Ron was fit to leave the hospital. When he did he immediately asked Harry to intercede for him, to arrange the meeting between Hermione and himself. He arrived at Malfoy Manor expecting to speak to his ex-wife alone but it would seem her new fiancé had other ideas.

"Does he have to be here?" Ron demanded to know, rather more churlishly than he intended in his embarrassment.

"This is my home Weasley," Draco politely reminded him.

Ron swallowed deeply, reminding himself that it had been a harsh lesson but he had come to recognize that his resentment of the blond was in many parts unjustified. That it was his own actions that had pushed Hermione into Malfoy's arms. He reminded himself that if he wanted to retain any vestige of an amicable relationship with the woman who had been first his friend, then the mother of his children, he needed to swallow his pride. Accept that she was with Malfoy now and, even though he might not yet be able to bear seeing them together, in the end it would be better for their children to have a more stable home than he could ever currently give them.

"I have made a decision," he began quietly, "I need to get my head straight, I can't put the children through that again, Merlin I can't put myself through that again!"

Neither Hermione nor Draco said anything they merely waited in silence to allow him to continue.

"I am going to get my head sorted out then I am leaving Britain for a while."

Hermione tensed imperceptibly but Ron continued quickly before she could get the wrong idea.

"I mean to leave the children with you Hermione but I ask that we make legal arrangements for them to spend time with their father, I couldn't bear not to see them…" Ron was getting choked up now, any more than I think I can bear to see you two together, at least for now. He silently added.

"Thank you Ron…" Hermione rushed out on an exhale of breath she had not realised she was holding.

"There is more," Ron interrupted before he lost his nerve. "Thank you Malfoy, thank you for saving my life."

Ron had to confess the dumfounded look on the blond's face was almost worth the humiliation. It was a moment before Malfoy was able to respond.

"You're welcome," Draco finally managed to squeeze out almost reflexively.

"Well…" Ron said awkwardly not really knowing how to say goodbye.

"Goodbye Ron," Hermione jumped to her feet to embrace the man who had played such a huge part in her life, "we'll see you again soon?"

Ron nodded too emotional now to speak before he quickly turned to leave, he would be damned if he let Malfoy see him cry. A man had to retain some vestige of pride.