Author's Notes: Sorry this is such a short chapter folks. It just turned out that way.

Chapter 30

"Well, she certainly seemed very pleasant, Harry." Heather said shutting the door behind Natalie. "Reminds me of me a' that age."

Harry tried to imagine Heather without the graying hair, but couldn't. It fit her too well.

Natalie's visit hadn't lasted very long. It'd been a quick 'hello, nice to meet you,' affair. Cassie clung close to Draco while he brushed out her wet hair. Thankfully she was now dressed, although still damp.

"I just wanted to say hello to Malfoy and meet Cassie." Natalie said, declining the invitation to tea. "You certainly are full of surprises Malfoy. Mostly good ones though," she commented, winking at Harry. Harry rolled his eyes. Draco sighed, unsure what to make of the woman. He never really had.

She was chronologically thirty years older than they were, but during her time as Nothing, she hadn't. When she'd returned, she'd started aging again. Now she looked the same age as they were.

"So far, I think she's the only one who hasn't asked the question of 'how could we'?" Draco murmured as Heather came back towards their sitting room. Harry followed her, sinking into a chair.

"I believe you're right," Harry replied. "I thought Snape would die of shock. Sirius just seemed relieved that his question about Cassie had been answered. He mentioned something about her scent, but I don't exactly understand what he meant by that." He shook his head. Across from him Cassie was fiddling with the ends of her wet hair.

"Daddy, can you braid my hair?" she asked.

"Sure Snapdragon." Picking up the brush, Draco began to section out her hair. Setting it back down, he took the hair between his fingers and began to weave the strands back and forth.

Harry watched him braid, amazed at how skilled he was at it. They sat in silence while Draco wove the hair together. When he was done, Cassie hopped up, said thank you and dashed off to her room. Within moments they could hear her announcing to her stuffed animals that she was going in search of the rare, highly aggressive, jungle crocodile of the Mojave Desert.

"Crocodiles don't live in deserts," Draco muttered.

"I don't think she cares," Heather pointed out. Draco shook his head, knowing that Cassie could keep herself content for hours playing Croc Hunter.

"Are ya gonna be all right, Harry?" The Irish woman asked after a few moments. He hadn't said much since he'd introduced Natalie to them.

"I didn't quite expect that reaction from Ron," he said at length.

"That seemed the right response to me." Draco folded his arms across his chest, leaning back against the cushions of the couch.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry snapped. The other man narrowed his eyes.

"It means that I'm not surprised Weasley shot his mouth off. He tended to do it when we were younger. You know very well he doesn't like me, and I'm not fond of him. What sort of reaction were you expecting? Actually, I'm amazed he didn't come here and curse me for 'luring you' away. He's protective of you. Always has been, always will be."

"Ron wouldn't curse you Draco," Harry snarled.

"Yes, he would," Draco countered.

"No, he wouldn't. He's my friend, he should've let me finish..."

"Had ya ever told'em you were homosexual?" Heather interjected before the fight escalated.

Looking up at her, Harry paused. Sighing, he dropped his gaze.

"No. I was afraid to tell anyone. Molly and Arthur Weasley figured it out a while ago and have been supportive, but..."

"Ya were afraid fer anyone else. That they wouldna be as tolerant as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley?" She concluded, coming over and sitting near him. Harry nodded.

"Yes. They're like family to me. The family I should've had if my parents had lived. I left my aunt and uncle's home after my seventh year here. They hated that I was a wizard, they were scared of me."

"They were Muggle?" Heather inquired. Again he nodded. "They were afraid o' what they didna understand, most likely. That's what I've found. Still it doesna make fer a happy home. You'd already lost one family, ya didna wanna lose another, am I right?"

"Something like that, maybe." Harry agreed.

"I donna think you'll lose yer friend by tellin' him the truth."

"Weasley will be back. He can't stay mad at you forever." Draco said, trying to sound a bit positive.

"He can certainly try, remember in fourth year?" Harry grumbled, feeling marginally better.

"Yes. He certainly is moody."

"He's not moody."

"Then how do explain what happened fifth year?"

"Depression."

"He wasn't chosen for Griffyndor's Quidditch team and vanished."

"He was having difficulties accepting that because of his depression."

"I think it was the other way around."

"Draco..."

"SHUSH. Both o' ya." Heather growled. "If yer gonna argue about somethin' that happened years ago, then take it elsewhere. I wonna have yer daughter hearin' any of it." Both men paused. Lowering their heads slightly, they cast apologetic looks to her.

They were supposed to be attempting to make this relationship work. Arguing about the past wasn't going to help them. Yet, they did have a lot of old gripes. Perhaps they should go somewhere else and vent them.

Standing, Draco looked over at Harry.

"I think we should go for a walk," he said. Harry nodded.

"Yes." They left together and headed towards the grounds. Heather leaned back against the couch. They'll work it out, she thought positively. They just need time, like everyone else.