A/N: I'd like to thank reitashnehelena for reviewing and Mia for beta-ing this story.
Cassie was a sound sleeper, usually woke up after Ginny ate breakfast. This morning was no different. As Ginny made herself some coffee, Harry came down the stairs and helped himself to some breakfast. She thought back to yesterday and wondered what Harry did for a living. He didn't mention anything about calling in to say he would not show up, like her father used to do when she was child. She made a mental note to ask him about it and decided to first drink her coffee and read the Daily Prophet, which had just come. She thought it was unusual because she did not remember Harry receiving the newspaper yesterday, but she was tired yesterday.
"Oh Gin, look! Why, it's Malfoy! And I'm assuming the child that is standing beside him is little Orion?" Harry knew that this would make front page news, why wouldn't it? Draco Malfoy was now head of the Malfoy family, and of course with Sirius dead, he was the closest male relative in the Black family. Both families were prominent families and now with the mysterious son, Draco would be attracting quite a lot of attention.
Ginny grabbed the paper out of Harry's hands and perused the article herself, making sure nothing suspicious was printed.
HEAD OF MALFOY FAMILY RETURNS WITH HEIR!
Draco Malfoy, 24, has returned from his self-imposed exile, where he has been for the last four years. A spokesperson for the Malfoy family declines commenting on where Malfoy has been, responding that the family is grateful for his safe return. Draco's family includes his mother Narcissa Malfoy and his aunt Andromeda Tonks, both who decline comments. Mrs. Malfoy is happy to have her son home. The Malfoy family would also like to welcome the addition of Draco's son, Orion Malfoy, who has just turned three years old. When asked who the mother is, Draco says that she is a respectable witch who has since passed on and he wishes that it would be left alone, out of respect for his son. The Malfoy family is a prominent old wizarding family. Draco Malfoy replaces his mother as Head of the Malfoy family.
"Well, what do you think of the new and improved Daily Prophet?" Harry asked. The Daily Prophet had changed in the years since Voldemort's defeat, as the entire Ministry had also changed.
"It's truthful, with nothing bad mentioned about me. Can't say anything bad about it. Anyways, I know you offered to let me stay here, but I can't very well take advantage of you like that," Ginny started, but Harry interrupted.
"I meant what I said. I'm the heir to the Potter and Black fortunes. I have so much money I don't know what to do with it, yet I've decided I needed consistency in my life and am resuming my old job in the Ministry. You're free to stay here until you can leave." Harry was insistent, almost pleading Ginny to stay. He needed her as much as she needed a place to stay and someone to be there for her.
"Alright, but I still want a small job. Andromeda's already volunteered to watch Cassie every day, so that's one less worry. Harry, I know you mean well, but I have to get on my feet again." Ginny did not want to be dependent on anyone else, like she had been so dependent on Draco and was now stuck in a difficult situation.
When Harry had come home from work the next day, he told Ginny about his day and asked how her own job hunt was going. She was having difficulty because she had been out of the magical world for so long. That's when Harry strung the news that Draco was now working with him in the office and that they would be working closely in ridding the world of the remaining Death Eaters. A friendship was bonded between the two men in the years that followed and they even enjoyed a few drinks together. Normally, both could hold their own with alcohol but one night Draco went a little too far. He began to spill secrets left and right, confessing to Harry who Orion's mother was, which Harry already knew. Harry wondered how long he would be able to keep up this double role, especially since Ginny and Cassie were still living in his house two years later. Giny had been able to find work in Madame Malkin's Robe Shop and Cassie was being left with Andromeda every day. The Weasleys all accepted Cassie almost immediately and wondered why Ginny had stayed in hiding so long, when she should have known they would have accepted her back into their lives without question. Harry was still the only one who knew the answer to that question and would probably be the only one for a long time.
The next time Harry had gone out drinking with Draco, they both remained fairly sober and actually had a decent conversation.
"It's been two years since I've returned from the Muggle World and I can't seem to find a nanny that stays more than two weeks. Orion's not a bad kid, you'll have to meet him judge for yourself, but he's an angel for Mother and I. Neither of us has the time to completely devote ourselves to the poor child and he's becoming more rambunctious. He's almost five years old now." Draco often talked about Orion and how he had lived in the Muggle World. Rarely though did he mention Cassie and Ginny, in fact Harry could only recall the one evening. It was unusual that Draco never asked about Harry's home life, considering he was never seen with anyone and never allowed anyone to come over the house.
"Have you thought about Orion staying with his precious aunt Andromeda?" Harry knew he shouldn't be meddling, but Cassie and Orion deserved to know each other. He would just have to make sure neither Draco nor Ginny ever found out about it, which he was sure Andromeda would take care of. Since Draco's return, he often visited Andromeda so that Orion would get to know more of his relatives. Harry didn't see Orion much and that did not bother him. It was easier to keep the secret when he wasn't staring into Ginny's eyes, which was one of the few similarities between mother and son.
"Not really. You think I should?" Draco looked at Harry with wide eyes, wondering why he had not thought of Andromeda.
"Sure. She's already proven that Orion won't get rid of her. He adores her and she adores him. Besides, she can handle kids. She's great with her own grandchild and now with another on the way, I'm sure she wouldn't mind learning how the mind of boy works. After all, Nymph says it's a boy and Lyra's looking forward to a little brother. She's a sweet little two year old." The Weasley family was multiplying like crazy. With so many children, there was bound to be lots of grandchildren to spoil. Every grandchild was given a red and gold scarf when they turned two. Harry realized that Orion was the oldest of all of them and still without his own red and gold scarf, though he was also convinced that Orion was pure Slytherin.
"Well, if you think so. I just don't want to impose at all on Andromeda, she's done so much for me already," Draco's voice trailed off as he realized what he had implied and drank more to keep himself from saying more, even though it usually had the opposite effect on him.
"Trust me, it would not be an imposition. But right now, I have to go home. It's getting late. G'night mate." Harry left out the little detail that Ginny would be worried if he was not home early. They may not have had anything more than a platonic relationship, but that did not mean they could not care for each other. Harry acted like Cassie's father, doing the things father would. He took her to Andromeda's home every morning and also treated Cassie to ice cream, visits to the zoo, and new toys.
Even though he had told Draco that he was going home, he first was going to stop at Andromeda's and inform her what he had just set into motion.
Andromeda listened as Harry explained how he encouraged Draco to send Orion to her, and how it was his way of allowing Cassie and Orion to get to know each other. He added that eventually either Draco or Ginny would tell the children. Most importantly, neither Orion nor Cassie must know who the either is and Draco or Ginny must not ever find out about this little deceit. At first, Andromeda was reluctant, but agreed knowing it would not harm the children and only serve to benefit them. After knowing he had succeeded, Harry kissed Andromeda on the cheek and bid her farewell, saying he'd see her in the morning with little Cassie.
That night Harry did not sleep well. His greatest was fear of Ginny finding out. After having her to himself for that last two years, he did not want to see her go. She meant too much to him to let her go. Now, he surmised, was the time to tell her how he felt.
Bright and early Harry went downstairs to begin fixing breakfast for Cassie and Ginny. When Ginny came down the stairs, Harry wondered how would be the best way to tell her. Postponing the inevitable would only hurt him more. He just hoped she would not run at his revelation. Cassie was still sleeping and that gave them a few moments of peace before the bouncing child would come down with boundless energy.
"Ginny?" Harry asked in a slow voice, almost as though he was afraid of her response, though he had not yet voiced his fears.
"Hmmm?" She responded in a distracted tone. Though when Harry sat down across from her and looked straight into her eyes, she stared back and peered into his own eyes.
Harry took a deep breath before beginning. "Ginny, listen closely. I'm falling in love with you. For now, I can't seem to recall why we broke things off so many years ago, but having you here has made old feelings resurface, stronger than ever." He stopped and let out a sigh he had not known he was holding.
"Oh Harry! I don't know what to say. You'll have to excuse me." Before he could see her reaction, she ran up the stairs. Harry's head crashed down on the table and he wondered why he ever thought telling her would be a good idea. Why did he ever decide to speak his mind? When Cassie bounced down the stairs, Harry woke from his stupor to take care of Cassie. It was obvious that Ginny was not going to come down.
After breakfast, Harry got Cassie ready and realized that Ginny was not even in the house anymore. He reached Andromeda's house and asked if he could stay for a few minutes. Now that Andromeda was living at 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry frequently stopped by to remember his beloved godfather. Andromeda ushered Harry upstairs, explaining that Draco would be here shortly and that Cassie must not be seen if they wanted to get away with this little plan to keep the siblings together.
"G'morning Andromeda. I do hope he behaves for you. Orion is a bit of a free spirit. Well I'll be back around 5 to pick him up. Bye little man, be good for Aunt Andromeda!" He lifted his son into his arms and gave him a gentle hug before walking out the door into the streets of London.
Harry, who had been listening from his hiding place on the steps came down to discuss what time would be good to get Cassie. He thought it would be best if he came before Draco, this way there would be less of a chance that Draco would run into Cassie. Andromeda agreed and also told him that she would tell Cassie and Orion not to mention playing together to their parents. Though it may be difficult, Andromeda added, Obliviation was something she was not going to think about. The whole reason she had agreed to Harry's scheme was to allow Cassie and Orion time to get to know each other. Though how long that time would be was still undecided. She knew Harry did not want to play the game long, only long enough for Cassie and Orion to remember each other in the future.
After Harry left, Andromeda smiled at her great-niece and great-nephew. It was a shame Draco and Ginny couldn't have worked things out better, but she knew better than to interfere in their lives. When they wanted to do something, they did it their way. Cassie and Orion got along well-enough and entertained themselves with many of the toys in the playroom. Andromeda knew what Cassie's favorite toys were, since Cassie had been coming here almost every day for two years. Now her brother Orion would join her.
Sneaking up behind her, Ted whispered, "You think they should have stayed together?"
"There was never a doubt in my mind that they should have. Look at how happy the children are. And Cassie loves her cousins. Orion doesn't know any of them because Draco forbids it. If we hadn't met him when we did, we'd be excluded from his life as well." Andromeda looked wistfully around, wondering what drove the family apart. She only knew a few little details and her curiosity only grew when she watched the children.
"Yes, the children are happy now, but I don't think it is because they're brother and sister. I think it's the fact that they have someone to play with. Besides, Harry has smiled a lot more since Ginny and Cassie moved in." Ted remained calm in his viewpoint, knowing better than to raise his voice in his own defense.
"Wait, you don't think he's fallen in love with Ginny?" Andromeda gasped. As though poor Ginny's life wasn't complicated enough, now her best friend, her trusted confidante, was falling in love with her.
"I think he already has fallen for her. And if he's not in love with Ginny, I don't think he'd willingly give up Cassie. Don't you seem how protective he is of her? Oh just wait until she starts dating," Ted added to himself, remembering the days when Nymphadora began dating.
"This certainly proves problematic, doesn't it?" Noticing what time it was, she walked downstairs, motioning for Ted to follow.
"How?" Ted was now confused, he saw nothing wrong with Harry falling in love with Ginny.
"They're too intertwined. Ginny lives with Harry. Harry works with Draco. Draco used to be married to Ginny. If Harry loves Ginny as much as you think he does, they will eventually get married and then Draco will find out and it will cause a whole new set of problems. But now, we have to worry about feeding our young guests." To Ted, that meant it was the end of the conversation and to leave the subject alone. Of course, he knew his wife would still think of it for awhile, until something new popped into her head.
