A/N: Thanks to my beta Mia and the reviewers lipglossnblack and me044. Thanks again and enjoy the next chapter.
For weeks afterward, Draco thanked Harry immensely for suggesting Andromeda. He beamed with pride anytime Orion brought home something he had made at Andromeda's house and Harry saw how hard Draco was trying not to be his own father. It was a shame that Cassie would not get the same love. Since Ginny and Cassie moved in, Harry was simply "Harry" with no special titles. He refused to be called Dad because he did not want to replace Draco, should he ever become a part of Cassie's life. Uncle Harry would have been the best option but he did not want to just be another one of the many uncles, Cassie had six, she didn't need another one. So he was simply Harry. He only half listened to Draco as he went on and on about Orion and how happy Orion was with Andromeda. Harry noticed that there was not a mention of Cassie which meant Andromeda was doing a good job at keeping secrets from Draco and Ginny. As usual, his thoughts led to Ginny. She had deftly avoided any mention of that one morning's conversation and instead resumed normal topics of conversation. It had become almost unbearable to have her in the house knowing that she would never be part of him. Sure, he was a part of her life now, but not in the way he always envisioned. He decided he would confront Ginny again, but this time with more precise words and at a better time, after Cassie was put to sleep.
By the time Ginny arrived home from work, Cassie was sound asleep. He made a nice dinner for Ginny, which they ate in silence. After dinner, Ginny spoke up.
"Sorry for being late. There's a large wedding coming up and in the midst of that, all the students are coming in for new robes. So I'll be working late a few nights a week. Thank you for taking care of Cassie," she added the last bit knowing how it would cheer him up. Lately he had seemed distant from her and she supposed it was all her fault. She should just tell him how she felt, but it was not easy.
"It's alright; I've had to work late before too." Now that he was in front of Ginny, he had no idea what to say. When he was in the mirror practicing, everything came out so naturally, but face-to-face was much harder. Luckily, it was Ginny who broke the silence.
"Harry, I know you and I haven't been close lately and it's my fault. Yes, we've grown close over the last few years, but I still have deep feelings for Draco. We were married for four years and had two children. He'll always be a part of my life and I want you to realize that. Though now it doesn't seem like a big deal, but he is Cassie's father and sooner or later she'll figure it out. She's a smart girl." Ginny ended it there. Harry fought off the urge to snicker, knowing she had no idea how smart Cassie truly was. Cassie had been keeping secrets about Orion Malfoy from her mother for weeks and he wondered how long Cassie could keep it up.
"Don't worry about it. I've had a long day at work too. I'll see you in the morning," he gave Ginny a quick hug before retreating to his bedroom and a deep slumber.
Knowing where he now stood with Ginny, he planned a nice evening for her tomorrow after work. Since Andromeda watched Cassie every day, he did not want to impose anymore on her than necessary. Mrs. Weasley always felt left out of her grandmother duties and Harry wanted to include her. After picking Cassie up from Andromeda's he told her she would be visiting Nana's house and she jumped up and down the entire way there. At Nana and Pop-pop's house, Cassie was spoiled. Most of the time, she was the only child there and received all of the attention. Today was no different.
"Thanks for doing this on such short notice Mrs. Weasley. Cassie loves being here." Harry shooed Cassie inside and she immediately ran to Ginny's old room, which Mrs. Weasley had turned into a guest room for Cassie. It was bright pink with a castle that stretched from floor to ceiling painted on one wall. Stuffed unicorns were strewn about and pretty princess dolls covered the bed. The room reminded Harry vaguely of the Disney princesses he'd seen in Muggle movies as a boy. She loved coming over, but Harry and Ginny didn't like coming for fear of revealing something about Cassie's past.
"You should bring her over more often, dear. Arthur and I miss our little granddaughter."
"I'll try to Mrs. Weasley. It was good seeing you again, but I have to go pick up Ginny. Is it all right if Cassie spends the night? I don't know what time we'll be done and I don't want to disturb you at all hours of the night." Harry asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"Of course! And she must stay for breakfast. I'll make her favorite pancakes. Chocolate chip! Don't worry about a thing, just have fun tonight." She pushed him out the door and he grew nervous. He had no idea what to say Ginny now, but knew he had to talk to her.
Ginny still worked at Madam Malkin's Robe Shop and he walked in just as it was closing. When he spotted her, he snuck up behind her and whispered her name in her ear. She jumped, but realized it was only Harry and smacked him playfully.
"Don't do that again! You're evil, you know that?" She smiled at him.
"No, I didn't, thanks for telling me. Almost done?" This was his chance.
"Yeah, I just have to close up." She bustled about the store, trying to get her work done faster.
"Good. Would you like to join me for dinner at this Muggle restaurant in London? It comes highly recommended." He forgot to mention that it was also supposed to be very romantic.
"Well who's going to watch Cassie? Andromeda and Ted are going to visit his relatives for the week and I know you've already taken off work to watch her during the day," Ginny would have continued on, had Harry not put his hand up in an effort to shush her.
"Your parents agreed to watch her tonight and tomorrow morning. Now let's just go and enjoy a nice meal, if you're up for it," he added, wanting to make it sound like he was not trying to force her into anything she did not want to do.
Dinner was peaceful, with mindless small talk and the food occupying most of their time. Afterwards, Harry suggested walking home, since his house was close to the restaurant. He thought now, as they were walking would be the best to time to approach the subject again. He had been practicing what he would say, though he knew it would not matter.
"Ginny?" He asked with his anxiety showing in his voice.
"Oh Harry, I had a nice time tonight. This was a wonderful idea; we should do it more often." She smiled, truly happy, for the first time in a long while.
"I'm glad. You deserved a night out. You do so much at home and for Cassie." When would he tell her? Why couldn't he say it? He could fight Voldemort and face Death Eaters, but when it came to telling people how he felt, Harry hadn't a clue where to begin, especially with Ginny.
"That's sweet of you." Ginny grabbed his hand, stopped, and turned to face him. "Harry, I've thought about what you said before." When she began, Harry's mind raced. "I've already told you that I could never forget Draco or the time we spent together, but I have also," she paused here, turning the words over in her head, only confirming what she had been feeling for the past few months, "developed feelings for you." Now, he gathered, it was his chance.
"Well, would you like to go out with me?" He said seriously, gazing into her eyes.
"I'd love to, Harry. We should consider this our first date." With that, she leaned up and kissed him on the lips, something she had not done since they were both in Hogwarts. Finally Harry had said it and he smiled.
The next morning Ginny was gone before Harry woke up, since he had taken off work, he slept in. She left him a little note though, asking if he could meet her at this little café for dinner and to leave Cassie with her parents again. Since Andromeda was not going to be around, he also volunteered to watch Orion, although he would not be able to keep him as long. Draco understood and agreed. Harry assumed Draco was just thankful someone was going to watch Orion.
"Nana, dis bretfast is e'en better den Aunt Dromeda's," Cassie said as she stuffed pancakes into her mouth.
"I'm glad you enjoy it. Hurry up before Harry gets here and you have to go home."
"Go home? Not go Aunt Dromeda's?" Cassie asked, with her mouth still full of pancakes.
"Harry said you were going home. Do you normally go to your Aunt Andromeda's?" Mrs. Weasley didn't like that her grandchild spent more time with a very distant cousin than her own grandmother, but she could not argue with her daughter, for the fear that she would chase her away.
"E'ery day Mummy works I go to Aunt Dromeda's. Un'ess Harry not works, den I stay wit' him." Cassie said, proud of her relatives.
"Well look at that, here comes Harry now," Mrs. Weasley said and Cassie climbed down her chair and attacked Harry. He grabbed Cassie and lifted her up in the air, which caused her to squeal with delight.
"How was the little princess?" Harry asked as he carried Cassie into the kitchen.
"She's a very well-behaved child; you should let her spend more time here." Harry noticed in her tone that she missed having lots of children around the house and with grandchildren she would be able to have the feeling she once had.
"Go home?" Cassie asked.
"Yes, we're going home." Harry responded as Cassie laid her head down on his shoulder. "I guess she's tired. Thanks for watching her. Is it okay if I bring her back for dinner?"
"She's welcome here anytime. Don't bother asking; you know we consider you part of the family, and besides, no one else ever asks about coming for dinner." Mrs. Weasley always cooked more than enough; one little mouth would not be hard to feed.
"I'll be back with Cassie around five, and it's just Cassie coming. Ginny and I thought we'd come over tomorrow for dinner." Harry waved good-bye and Apparated home just in time because Draco and Orion were ringing the doorbell nonstop, more than likely it was Orion who was ringing the doorbell. Harry put Cassie upstairs and opened the door.
"Hey Draco. Hello Orion."
"I really appreciate this, Harry. I don't think even a temporary nanny could handle Orion for a week. You sure you can handle it?" Draco seemed a little unsure, more because he didn't want Harry to get hurt than anything else.
"Trust me; I can handle a little five-year-old." Harry added mentally that he watched Orion often enough at Andromeda's that he could figure how to keep Orion and Cassie happy together.
"I'll be back around three; it's the earliest I can get off." Draco bent down to hug Orion and as soon as Draco left, Orion asked where Cassie was. Harry had to admit that Andromeda had trained Orion and Cassie well. Neither of them mentioned the other unless Harry, Andromeda, or Ted was there and only if those three were there.
Cassie and Orion played peacefully together upstairs and it was obvious to see the chemistry between them. Just before three, Harry put Cassie down for her nap so that would be no chance for Draco to know she was there. He motioned for Orion to follow him downstairs, where he picked out a nice children's book for Orion. They settled on the couch and Harry had just begun to the first page when the doorbell rang.
Harry got up to answer the door and greeted Draco, leading him into the living room where Orion was waiting.
"Hey little man, how was your day?" Draco asked his son and Harry realized how much Draco really had changed.
"I had fun! Harry's so nice! Can I come back?" Orion smiled from ear to ear as he bounced from the living room to the door.
"You may stay if Harry says it's okay, so ask him politely," Draco instructed his son, grooming him to be the quintessential Malfoy heir.
"May I come back Harry?" Orion asked, giving Harry the puppy dog face at the same time. Harry could not say no to the face, and also added that since Orion was such a good boy, he could come back tomorrow.
"Harry, you have no idea how much I appreciate this. You and Andromeda are the only ones who can get Orion to behave. We'll be back tomorrow at the same time." Draco grabbed Orion's hand and walked a few blocks before Harry could not see them anymore.
The rest of the week went smoothly and Draco, almost every night, wondered how Harry was able to keep Orion entertained without destroying his house. Harry simply shrugged and said he had a way with kids. When in truth, it was that Cassie and Orion loved being together and would do anything to keep together. Orion was lonely in his big manor with no one to play with and Cassie just enjoyed having someone older. She was the oldest of the all the Weasley cousins. Lyra was a year younger than her, Sophie who was Bill and Fleur's only child was two years younger than Cassie, and David who was Ron and Hermione's only child was just a few weeks old. Fred and George were bachelors just out to have fun. Nymph was about to give birth to another child, a little boy they had decided to name Ares Weasley.
Ginny and Harry continued to see each other, but still kept the news that they were seeing each other relatively quiet. Harry had drifted from Ron and Hermione during the years when he had given up most of magic. Ginny's parents knew about Harry and Ginny, as well as Andromeda and Ted, who were very close to the family.
For the next two years, Cassie and Orion spent every weekday at Andromeda's and also began learning and studying with Andromeda so they would not be far behind when they entered school. Harry worked in the same office with Draco, although now both of them mostly had a desk job, but neither minded. Draco was glad to have a safe job and still be a father to his son. After dropping Cassie off one morning, Harry walked in to see Draco packing up his desk into a box.
"What are you doing? Have you been promoted? Did you quit? Were you sacked?" Harry rushed everything in one breath; he was shocked to see Draco in such a calm state as he placed his belongings in a box.
"Harry, calm down. And to answer your questions, no, I wasn't promoted, nor did I quit or am I sacked. I'm transferring voluntarily to France. Orion and I need a change and Mother wants to move to a warmer climate. We're going to live on the French Riviera. I only took this job to keep myself busy, I never needed any money. I also want to escape this place. I want to avoid the rumors circulating about my family and shelter Orion from the rumors about his mother. It was nice working with you Harry, I'll see you around." Draco shook Harry's hand, picked up his box, turned around, and walked out of the office, and it seemed, out of Harry's life.
Harry stood rooted to ground, dumbfounded that Draco would just leave without discussing anything. Ever since Draco had started working at the Ministry, Harry assumed he was Draco's closest confidante, but obviously he was mistaken. With Draco now leaving Britain, Harry wondered what that would mean for Cassie, Orion, Ginny, and Andromeda. All of them would be affected by this move.
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