Hermione — 28-29th July 2007

My eyes slowly fluttered open and took in my surroundings as I registered the silkiness of the sheets against my skin and the strong arms wrapped around me. When I inhaled, I remembered where I'd fallen asleep and it brought a smile to my face.

Draco's bed. Draco beside me, his palm resting on my abdomen.

And before that, he'd kissed every inch of my skin, talked to our baby for the first time, and made love to me, taking his time and ensuring my toes stayed curled. My body tightened when I thought about how it had been between us last night.

Quietly, I muttered, " Tempus, " and the time appeared in front of me.

Seven in the morning.

I rolled towards Draco and gently kissed his lips, coaxing him awake. Humming with pleasure, he pulled me closer and hitched my thigh over his hip. His body was eager to start the day the same way we'd ended it, but I pulled back, breaking the kiss.

"What time does Scorpius usually wake up?" I asked, my voice a little breathless.

"Between seven and eight," he replied, his lips against my neck. "I've charmed his bedroom. As soon as he stands up in his cot, we'll know."

"It'll be soon then."

"Well, let's take advantage of the time we have."

Rocking his hips, he pressed himself against my core and my brain turned to mush. It was too early to say that my libido was being affected by the pregnancy hormones and I knew better anyway — this side of our relationship had always been the same — but I pushed on his chest, directing him to his back, and straddled him, taking control.

His hands moved to the hem of the t-shirt I'd borrowed and started to lift it over my head. I assisted, pulling it off, and watched his reaction. Draco's eyes roamed every inch of me, from the top of my head to the apex of my thighs, and I planted my hands on his shoulders.

"You're still a goddess," he said, reaching up to caress my breast with a featherlight touch. "So fucking gorgeous."

I knew my hair was likely a tangled mane and my curves still hadn't fully reappeared, but I believed him. I believed that I was gorgeous in his eyes and that even when my abdomen was distended in a few months, his opinion wouldn't change.

Experimentally, I rolled my hips against his, my slit traversing the length of his cock and teasing him, the friction sending exquisite jolts of pleasure through my body. His free hand moved to my arse, grabbing and guiding me, and I knew he was just as enthused as I was about this foreplay.

"What did you dream about to wake up like this? So wet and ready for me?"

I felt heat rising to my cheeks, though it was nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, I couldn't even remember specifics — just glimpses of a sexual interlude.

"I could ask you the same question," I replied before capturing his lips and moaning into his mouth when he pressed harder against my centre. "Were you dreaming of me?"

"Always," he groaned. "It's always you."

I lifted my hips and Draco quickly positioned himself at my entrance, completely in sync with what I wanted and needed. As I sank down, taking him into my body, my heart sped up and all my attention focused on him, on his face — watching him as he watched me take him in.

When he was fully sheathed within me, I paused, allowing myself to stretch and adjust. His eyes filled with heat, darkening to the grey of a summer storm cloud, and I fell into them, spiralling all the way down. The sensation nearly took my breath away, and he patiently waited for me to move.

The first time I rolled my hips, I let out a shuddering gasp, surprised at the rush of emotions and sensations I felt. I didn't know why, but temporarily taking control excited me in a way that I couldn't even begin to describe. I contracted my inner muscles, pulling them tight, and he groaned.

"You feel so good."

I moved again, setting a steady rhythm, and he followed my lead. This wasn't hard and fast or slow and sweet. It was simply a climb to the top, to the pinnacle of pleasure, because we weren't in a rush and didn't feel like we had to savour every single second we had together. No, we could see the days and weeks and months stretching out ahead of us in a way we never had before. There would be other mornings for hard and fast, nights for slow and sweet, and everything in between.

"Sit up," I told him, my hands grasping at his shoulders. "I want you deeper."

He obliged, making quick work of planting a hand on the mattress behind him and arching his back up. As I repositioned my legs, his cock slid in just a bit a further and I moaned.

"There?" he asked, even though my body's response was confirmation enough.

I nodded and he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, the possessive hold nearly enough to make my body release. Moving in tandem, we generated heat, warming the room and slickening our skin with sweat. His eyes were locked on me, darting from my bouncing breasts back up to my lips and then my eyes.

My pulse pounded in my clit, making it throb with need, and I moved a hand to the apex of my thighs, rubbing in slow circles as Draco continued to thrust his hips hard enough to take my breath away. When I started to tremble, he moved faster, desperate to wring my climax from the depths of my body.

Crying out, I pulled my hand away and he quickly replaced it with his own, prolonging the release. As I slowly started moving on my own again, Draco settled his hand on my left calf.

"Wrap your legs around my waist," he demanded, guiding me into position. "Get closer. I want to kiss you while I fuck you."

I nearly laughed, but his tone was stiff and serious.

As soon as I was positioned the way he wanted me, I leaned forward and captured his lips, loving the feel of his tongue stroking against mine, moving in time with his body. Each sinuous slide and stroke deepened the feeling of connectedness and I moaned every single time he bottomed out inside of me.

"Are you going to come for me again, Granger?" Draco asked, his lips trailing down my neck and across my chest to suck a hardened nipple into his practised mouth, already knowing the answer.

My cunt squeezed him even tighter, nothing but liquid heat between us, and my eyes fluttered shut as I imagined waking up like this every single morning for the foreseeable future. Images of the past and fantasies of the future flickered in my mind's eye, forming an erotic storyboard that made my insides quicken and quiver.

I was definitely going to come again.

And, without a shadow of a doubt, it was for him. Every single shock of nerves and thrill of arousal. Each internal quiver and quickening. Being with Draco again far surpassed all of my wildest dreams.

His fingers travelled across the skin of my back, tracing patterns made of lines and swirls, and I tried to decipher them, but with each thrust, runes drifted further and further from my mind. My brain could only focus on the pleasure building within my core and the fireworks exploding behind my eyes every time his body moved just right.

Weaving my fingers into his hair, I tugged his head back and leaned down to kiss him again. I needed to be connected in every possible way, wanted to feel every inch of his body pressed against mine.

A chill ran through me and I shuddered, tipping over the edge. He followed close behind, his long fingers tangled in my hair, his tongue in my mouth. By the time we broke apart, we both gasped for air, though our expressions were more than satisfied.

"Good morning," he said between breaths, his voice low and gruff.

"Yes," I replied, even though it hadn't been a question.

Draco laughed and let himself fall back, his head hitting the pillow. I leaned forward, pressing my breasts to his bare chest, and looked into his eyes.

"We still have a lot to talk about."

"I know."

"And we're seeing a whole bunch of interfering people tomorrow."

He nodded. "We should probably get on the same page before then."

"We're having the baby," I ventured carefully. "Together."

"Together," Draco repeated. "But I'm not going to propose to you until you're ready for that."

I kissed him softly, grateful that he'd heard me.

"Do you want to move in together?" he asked cautiously.

"It would probably be best before the baby comes," I answered, my practical side taking over. "But where?"

He shrugged. "Here? Or we could find another place, something that we pick together."

Looking around the bedroom, I tried to imagine this becoming a shared space, my clothes hanging next to his in the closet, my current read on the nightstand beside the bed. He had an office, and Scorpius had a bedroom here, as well.

"Is there a space we could turn into a room for the baby?"

Without warning, he rolled us to our sides and snaked a hand between our bodies to stroke a finger over my abdomen.

"Of course there is," he answered. "I wouldn't—I rented this place initially, but if it works for us, I can buy it. We can change it."

" We can buy it," I corrected, raising an eyebrow. "I'd have to sell my house, but I want to contribute and buy it together if we do."

"Or," Draco began, proceeding cautiously, "we could build something. Or expand your current house. There's enough space, and I like where it is. It's more private than London."

My mind flashed back to the night Scorpius, James, and Sev ran wild outside, playing together in my garden. While trees surrounded my house, I owned a good size parcel of land and could easily clear more space if we needed it.

Our story had started in that house, our love taking root and eventually growing into something bigger.

"We don't have to decide right away," he said, his palm smoothing over my skin. "We have all the time in the world. We can stay here until we figure out what we want to do long-term. I don't think our nosy friends will expect us to have a five-year plan in place already."

I laughed. "I suppose you're right."

Leaning forward, Draco kissed me again, taking the time to run his fingers through my hair. Of course, they got tangled and caught up, and that only made him grasp me tighter.

Before things could get heated again, a cry that nearly sounded like a Catterwauling Charm rang out and I knew Scorpius was awake.

Draco groaned and started to back away, breaking the kiss and resting his forehead against mine.

"I suppose we need to get used to this," he said, pecking my lips gently once more. "It will only happen more often with a newborn."

Without any fanfare, he rose from the bed and pulled a pair of clean shorts from his dresser drawer. As he stepped into them, I forced myself from the bed and grabbed the t-shirt and my knickers from the floor.

"Get back into bed," Draco said, pulling his own t-shirt on. "He usually wants to be held and drifts right back to sleep."

I smiled and snuggled back down into the pillow, pulling the sheet and comforter back up and over the majority of my body. When Draco and Scorpius settled in beside me, I couldn't help but stare at them. I saw so many shared features and wondered if my baby would have the same nose or long eyelashes, the same pale, flawless skin.

Or would he or she look more like me?

Draco met my eyes, feeling the weight of my stare, and asked what I was thinking about.

"Nothing really. He just looks so much like you and I was wondering..."

"If our baby will look like me or you?"

I nodded. "We don't share a lot of features."

"That's true, but I think we'll end up with a beautiful child, no matter who he or she looks like." He paused and reached out to touch my face. "But I hope they look like you."

Later that evening, I found myself back in Draco's bed after a long hot bath. Just as I finished tying my hair back, he stepped into the room.

"Is Scorpius asleep?"

Draco nodded. "He is. He's completely exhausted after today's adventures in Muggle London."

I laughed. "I'm so glad Astoria agreed to let us keep him all weekend. I had a lot of fun."

Climbing into bed beside me, Draco pulled me into his arms and kissed the crown of my head. "I had a lot of fun today, too."

We'd gone to a few small bookshops and toy stores. Both Draco and Scorpius had gotten to experience Muggle toys for the first time and, while some had taken a bit of explaining, it had been a nearly magical experience to see them pick things up and play. My heart pounded excitedly in my chest as I imagined the weekends in our future with both Scorpius and our own child.

"I can't wait to go shopping for the baby. I started mentally preparing a list today."

"Why didn't you get anything while we were there?" Draco asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "We've only just started talking about the baby and where we're going to live. I need to know how much space we'll have."

"And do you want to expand your house or live here?"

I looked at him, trying to think through what I really wanted on the spot.

"I really don't know," I answered. "Do you have a preference?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not particularly torn at the moment. There are benefits to both."

"Well, I suppose the night I came back from Barcelona and you brought me here... It felt like a fresh start," I began nervously, thinking aloud. "But you were also right about my house — it could be expanded. We have more privacy there than here, and I think it would be nice to have the outdoor space for children."

"Are the memories there too much for you?"

I hadn't expected him to ask that question. I took a moment to mull it over before answering. I thought of the long days and nights spent on my own, both before the affair and after. When I closed my eyes, I could see Draco on his knees in my sitting room, his arms encircling me as he told me about Astoria's pregnancy.

Shattered Patronus figurines, diamond rings in envelopes, collapsing in on myself.

But I also saw dances in that same sitting room, heard the music playing softly in the background. So many nights had been whiled away, making dinner and reading and simply being together.

We'd found our way back together there, too.

"There are good memories and bad memories."

Draco hummed. "Would you want to look around? See if we can find something else that's a blend between the two? A fresh start but not in the city?"

"We fell in love at my house," I said, turning to face him. "It might be hard for me to let go."

"Hermione, even if we don't live there, we can still keep it," Draco said tentatively. "It might be nice to have a place that's just ours. I know you said you'd want to sell it and contribute, but it's really not necessary."

"It is necessary. I don't want to use your father's money." I sighed. "I know it's your money too, but I just... I don't want him to hold it over us, you know?"

Draco weighed his words carefully. "My personal vault and its contents are mine. It was established when I was born and has been kept separate from the family one ever since. My father doesn't have any control over it and hasn't contributed to it since before the war. It doesn't have a large fortune in it, but it's certainly enough to buy a home and live comfortably on."

I chewed my cheek. "I'm sorry. I don't—I didn't mean to imply that you didn't have your own money."

"No need to apologise. It's a logical assumption to make given some of the things I've said."

Even though I wanted to keep asking him questions, I forced myself to stop. The Malfoy family finances weren't anything I needed to know about in great detail tonight.

"While we're on the topic of my family," Draco began cautiously, "I wanted to talk about something. I know this pregnancy takes one of our original conversations from therapy out of the hypothetical realm and brings it into reality. I need to—I have to deal with my parents."

Immediately, I thought about Lucius and his potential reactions to the pregnancy. This baby — our baby — would be the first half-blood in the Malfoy line. My hands settled over my abdomen protectively.

"I'm not comfortable being around your father," I stated, the same way I had when we'd spoken with Penelope.

His hands covered mine, adding another layer of protection. "I know, and I would never expect you to be. I'm going to put you and this baby first, Hermione. I can distance myself from my parents."

My thoughts jumped to my parents, to the way it had broken my heart to walk away from them — the only family I'd ever had. As much as I hated Lucius Malfoy and had no desire to see him, I didn't want Draco to go through the same pain I had. I knew he'd always maintained a close relationship with his mother, even through our affair.

"I don't want to be the reason you end your relationship with your parents, Draco."

"Do you honestly think you'd be the only reason? After everything that's happened in my life?"

I took a deep breath. "No, but I feel like I'm the deciding factor—"

"It's not only you," he said, lacing his fingers through mine. "It's you and Scorp and the baby. I don't want my father trying to influence our relationship or our children." He paused for a moment. "I don't want my children to act the way I did or to feel like they have no choice but to toe the family line."

"What about your mother?" I asked. In my mind, I could picture Narcissa's face falling at her son's rejection.

He sighed. "Astoria said she's going to continue to spend time with my mother and will bring Scorpius with her. Despite everything, Astoria and my mother are still somewhat close and share a lot of the same social circle."

"But what about you? What do you want?"

Draco stayed quiet, and I gave him time and space to think. I snuggled closer, wanting to soothe him with proximity alone.

"I want time to settle into a life with you," he replied, eventually breaking the silence. "I don't want either of my parents interfering while we're learning to trust each other again and starting our own family."

My heart started to beat a little faster.

"And I know that you're probably thinking about your parents and how hard it's been since you left them behind, but I can assure you, it's not a hardship for me after everything my father's put me through in my life."

It was amazing, really, that he could still read me so well. He didn't have the majority of his memories, but he knew the way my brain worked, how it drew parallels for every situation.

"I love you," he murmured into my hair. "And I'm not saying I'll permanently cut ties with my mother, but you and I still have a lot to figure out, and she... Well, to be honest, she'd have an opinion about everything. She'd push for us to get married since you're pregnant, and I don't think you want or need that added pressure."

"You could still have a relationship with them and keep that part of your life separate from me," I suggested.

"I don't want any part of my life to be separate from you. We did that before, and it didn't turn out well for either of us," he said, sounding earnest. "I want to integrate our lives. I want you to know everything about me and vice versa."

"Will you tell your parents about the baby?"

"Yes. I've... I need to figure out how. And when." His voice was quieter and more reserved. "Would you be okay with that?"

I swallowed. "Of course."

"And when I tell them, I'm going to say that you and I are starting a new life together and that we expect them to keep their distance."

The two sides of me — the adult one that hated the elder Malfoys and the scared teenager who'd endured a life of loneliness after walking away from her family — warred with each other.

But I knew there was no use in continuing to talk in circles.

Instead of reiterating everything I'd already said, I tilted my head back and looked up at him.

"If that's what you want, then I'll support you."

He pressed his lips to my forehead. "I know."

"Well, well, well," Pansy said, smirking at us as we stepped out into the garden of Grimmauld Place on Sunday afternoon. "Look who we're finally seeing together. Years later."

Draco had Scorpius on one hip and his opposite hand in mine. I squeezed it gently, trying to signal that we were in this together. We'd both known that this first meeting with our friends would likely be filled with good-natured taunts and teasing.

Returning the gesture, he said, "Let's not make a big deal about it, Pans."

Ron laughed. "Not a chance of that happening, mate. You two have earned a fair bit of shite."

"Not as of late," Draco muttered under his breath, his cheeks flushing a bit.

Seeing the other children running around, Scorpius started to squirm and Draco set him down. As his son shyly joined the others, I sensed a shift in Draco's mood; I knew that Scorpius had been relatively isolated since birth. I watched Draco watching Scorpius and saw the smiles slowly forming on both of their faces.

"Come on," I said. "The sooner we face this lot, the sooner the teasing will be over."

He sighed. "I suppose you're right."

We made our way over to the group hand-in-hand and Ron opened his arms to hug me close. Draco let go of my hand and greeted Luna.

"Well, it seems everything is as it should be," she said dreamily. "You two seem almost perfectly in sync now."

"We're getting there," Draco replied, glancing over at me with a smirk. "How are our auras looking?"

She took a step back and examined him closely. "Reaching for each other. Plenty of red and there's a third forming. Did you want to know the baby's physical sex?"

"No!" we shouted in unison, prompting laughs from the rest of the group.

Rubbing his ear, Ron released me and scowled. "Least you get a choice. She just blurts it out to me."

"Because we always want to know," Luna said, her hands settling on her baby bump. "Besides, it would be unfair if I knew and you didn't. And your mum always asks so she can start her knitting early. With all the grandchildren in her future, it will be a miracle if she finds the time to knit for all of Hermione's too."

"Excuse me?" I squeaked. "I am pregnant with one baby."

"For now," she replied. "But I see more down the line."

Smiling at her indulgently, Ron settled his hands over hers and cut her off. "I don't think they're quite ready to hear that yet, love. Maybe let them get through the first before you tell them how many they'll have."

Luna's eyes scanned our expressions thoughtfully. "You know, I think some of my people skills are starting to rub off on you, Ron. I find it quite arousing when you show emotional intelligence."

Ron's whole face reddened and he tugged on her hand, pulling her away from the group and into the house without another word.

"Well, that was the least discreet exit I've ever seen," Draco said, shaking his head. "And they've left a child behind."

Pansy shrugged. "They'll be back. This happens from time to time."

He looked at her questioningly. "Are you letting them shag in your house?"

"Of course not. They know they have to Floo home if they want to f—"

Exasperated, Harry intervened. "That's quite enough. I don't need to think about what they're up to. I know enough to last me a lifetime."

A moment later, he pulled me aside, leaving Draco to Pansy's mercy. We both kept a watchful eye on Scorpius, but he integrated nearly seamlessly into the pack of Potters and Weasleys.

I hugged him tight. "Happy early birthday."

"Thank you," he replied politely. "I'm glad you're here."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I said, though I had begged off in the past.

Harry looked over at Pansy and Draco. "How did he take it when you told him about the baby?"

"I think he was a bit surprised at first. I had to repeat everything more than once."

"I can't say I'm shocked. After it sank in, how was he?"

"Perfectly fine," I admitted. "He basically told me it was just moving the timeline a bit since he'd always wanted a family with me."

"And how did that make you feel?"

I felt a thump deep inside my chest. "He'd told me he wanted a family with me before. Sometimes, when he repeats something he's said in the past without me showing him or prompting him, it just... It takes me back."

"Understandably."

"And then I'm simultaneously happy and sad because I know he was telling the truth back then and yet we still didn't make it work."

Harry wrapped his arm around my shoulders and squeezed. "Well, at least you have a second chance now."

"We do," I answered, though the same anxieties that always plagued me were in the back of my mind. "I'm wondering what will happen if he tells Lucius and Narcissa."

"He's going to have to sooner or later. Probably sooner, unless he wants them to find out from the Prophet."

Inhaling deeply, I looked over at Draco. He was smiling and laughing with Pansy like they hadn't been apart for years.

"I know. I just, I want some time for us to getting our bearings and find a routine first."

"Have you said that to Draco?" Harry asked.

"Not yet," I admitted. "I hadn't really thought about it much until today."

"I'm sure he'll be fine keeping it quiet a bit longer if you want him to."

Before we could finish our conversation, Draco and Pansy completed the small garden loop, ending up beside us. Draco extended his hand to me and I took it, slipping out of Harry's hold.

Pansy smiled and tucked herself into my place under Harry's arm.

"So... Baby Malfoy."

I settled my free hand on my abdomen. "Should be here in April."

"Now I wish Lily had been a July baby. They could've been in the same year at Hogwarts," Harry grumbled.

"A year apart is hardly anything. Think about your Quidditch team," I reminded him, smiling. "You were friends with Angelina and Katie even though they were a year older. And Ginny and Luna were a year younger than us."

He shrugged. "I suppose. It still would've been fun for them to share a dormitory."

"If they'd been in the same house," Draco added. "You don't know where any of your kids will be sorted."

Snorting, Pansy said, "Gryffindor for James, Slytherin for Sev. Lily hasn't shown too much of a personality yet, but she seems to be more like me than like Harry."

Draco looked to me for confirmation.

"I think she's probably right."

"Where do you think Scorp will end up?"

I thought about it for a moment. "I'm not sure. I haven't spent enough time around him."

"I can't place him, either," Draco admitted. "I'd like to say Slytherin through and through, but I'm not going to try to push him in one direction or another."

Pansy made a show of gasping. "A Malfoy anywhere but Slytherin?"

Rolling his eyes, Draco said, "You had kids with Potter. Has there been a Parkinson in another house?"

"Yes. We have a cousin who ended up in Hufflepuff." She shuddered. "We don't speak of it."

Harry squeezed her shoulders. "You're not allowed to talk to our children about sorting. Ever."

"Yes, well, I figured I'd leave that to you, Chosen One who got to choose his house."

"Did I hear something about Hufflepuff?"

We all turned in unison and saw Hannah and Neville coming down the stairs into the garden.

When they reached me, I hugged them both in turn and Draco shook Neville's hand.

"It's good to see you, Malfoy," he greeted, taking it in stride. Hannah had clearly kept him up to date.

"Likewise," Draco said. "Congratulations on the new addition."

Neville smiled and slipped his arm around Hannah. "Thanks. We're very excited."

"He can't wait to embarrass our child at Hogwarts," Hannah said, shaking her head. "He'll be counting down the days until September 2019."

I laughed and gestured towards where James, Sev, Scorpius, and Stella were all playing. "He'll have plenty of other kids to embarrass before then."

"Something to look forward to," Neville said. "James will be there a few years before mine."

Pansy shook her head. "You will not torment my sons, Longbottom. I know Draco and I were foul to the lot of you in school, but I think we've more than made up for it now."

Crossing his heart, Neville replied, "Wouldn't dream of exacting my revenge on your kids, I swear."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I wish all professors would've taken that line when we were in school."

"You can't have been too traumatised," I interjected. "You named one of your sons after Snape."

Before Harry could answer, Hannah said, "I know we're all taking the piss right now, but can we please go sit down? My back is killing me."

Pansy looked at her sympathetically. "Being pregnant in summer is miserable."

Only Neville and Hannah were in the dark about my pregnancy, so I didn't offer that being newly pregnant in the summer wasn't that bad.

As a group, we migrated towards the small seating area. Draco settled into a chair beside Pansy, and it didn't surprise me. He was sticking with the person he felt most comfortable with. I sat on his other side, bracketing him, and smiled to myself.

Much to my surprise, conversation flowed easily in our small group, and Draco readily participated, asking Neville questions and answering his in return. Hannah's eyes sparkled with happiness and she sipped her water, silently watching her husband warm to Draco. Beneath the table, Draco's hand was on my thigh, his fingers tracing shapes and swirls into my skin.

I schooled my features and tried to focus on the conversations taking place on either side of me.

When Ron and Luna reappeared, we all acted like they'd just arrived instead of acknowledging that they'd left in a rush to have sex. They settled in beside Neville and Hannah, both wearing dreamy expressions. Ron wrapped his arm around Luna's shoulders, pulling her in close. so he could kiss her forehead.

Draco squeezed my thigh and I turned my head, looking into his eyes. He smiled at me and I slid closer, allowing him to wrap his arm around my waist. His fingertips grazed my shirt over my abdomen, and the simple touches gave me butterflies.

"So, I have to admit, I wasn't sure how I felt about you and Hermione as a couple, even though Hannah told me you were head over arse in love with her," Neville said, his eyes meeting Draco's.

"And how do you feel now?" Draco asked, taking on the tone Penelope used in our sessions.

Neville smirked. "The Wizengamot's still out, but I've never seen that look on her face before, so I'm willing to give you a chance."

"Since when do you get a say in who I date, Neville Longbottom?" I responded, arching an eyebrow.

"Well, I knew about the famous Viktor Krum before anyone else," he teased, shooting me a wink.

"You knew?" Ron and Harry asked in unison.

Laughing, Neville said, "'Course I knew. I'd asked Hermione to the ball and she told me she was going with Krum."

Ron scowled. "And you didn't tell us?"

"She asked me not to tell anyone," Neville replied with a shrug. "Hermione was my first friend at Hogwarts. I wasn't going to betray her."

I smiled at him. "You've always been an excellent friend. And so very wise not to cross me."

Hannah kissed her husband on the cheek. "That's why I fell in love with him. Totally cliche, I know, but friends to lovers just works out sometimes."

From across the table, Ron gave me a wistful look. Half a second later, he shook it off and said, "Or, you know, enemies to lovers." He waved his hand between Harry and Pansy and then Draco and me. "That seems to be a popular theme in this group."

I smiled at Draco. "I'd like to think we stopped being enemies long before we became lovers."

"Semantics," Ron replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Anyway, are we going to eat soon? I've worked up quite an appetite."

Harry groaned. "I'll feed you if you don't say anything else. I promise."

With a grin, Ron squeezed Luna tight and she continued watching the children running wild in the garden. I could almost see the stories forming in her mind.

Leaning closer, Draco whispered in my ear. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

I nodded and angled my face towards his. "Of course I am. I'm here—with all my friends—and with you." My heart swelled inside my chest. "It almost seems surreal."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it a reality for you sooner," he murmured, tucking my hair behind my ear. "You're gorgeous when you're happy."

I pecked him on the cheek. "Is that so?"

"Yes," he said, "In fact, I'm tempted to take a page out of the Weasel's book."

My face flushed, heating and colouring.

"What are you two whispering about?" Pansy interrupted. "No one else will be running off to shag. We're going to have a proper garden party and celebrate Harry's birthday."

"And take the piss out of the two of you," Ron added. "It should be quite the enjoyable afternoon."

Draco and I exchanged a glance and he took my hand, squeezing it gently in reassurance.

"Ah, yes," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure you're going to come up with jokes or insults we've haven't heard yet."

Before Ron could say more, Luna's dreamy voice floated into the air. "Has anyone spoken to Ginny? I hear she'll be coming back for a visit around her birthday."

My stomach nearly dropped. I hadn't spoken to Ginny since I'd been wrapped up in Blaise and then Draco. I promised myself I'd owl her to get the details of her visit.

Ron scowled. "How do you know when my sister's coming home and I don't?"

Patting his thigh, Luna said, "She sent your mum an owl while I was at the Burrow. Apparently she's bringing someone with her."

"What? Not that wanker of a trainer again, I hope?" Ron asked.

Draco snorted. "Weasley, please tell me you're not still concerned over who's kissing your baby sister."

Tension filled the air for just a moment, and then Harry and Ron both started to laugh. When they met my eyes, I laughed too. The breakup seemed like it had happened a lifetime ago.

"Nah," Ron said, throwing me a wink, "I learned the hard way that Ginny will kiss whoever she damn well fancies. Best to just let it happen."

Draco smirked. "I couldn't agree more."

Leaning in, I whispered in his ear. "You'll pay for that later."

And I punctuated it with a smack to his chest.

Draco — 31st July 2007

As soon as I stepped through the Floo at Malfoy Manor, I put up my Occlumency shields and adopted an air of indifference, the way my father had taught me to. I knew I needed to get this conversation over with as soon as possible, and I didn't want my parents to catch me off guard.

My mother rushed into the room, her heels clicking against the stone floor, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "It's so good to see you, Draco. I was starting to worry we wouldn't hear from you again."

I forced a smile and a polite nod, pointedly ignoring her comment. "I was hoping to talk to you and Father."

"Is everything okay?" she asked nervously, gesturing to the door.

Walking ahead of her, I said, "I'm doing quite well, actually."

"I'm glad to hear that," she replied. "I've wanted to talk to you."

This was the perfect opening to discuss her interference with Astoria, so I decided to take it.

"Astoria told me," I said, halting when she stepped up beside me. "Mother, you can't put her in the middle of this. She and I need to remain on good terms for Scorpius' sake."

"You weren't answering me." Her mouth flattened into a thin line. "What else was I supposed to do?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and squeezed my eyes shut. "You were supposed to give me time and space until I was ready to talk to you."

"This silence between us — between you and your father — it's just letting everything fester, Draco," my mother began, her hand wrapping around my forearm. "We need to talk everything through."

Slowly, I looked up to meet her eyes. "I'm not interested in talking things through. I want to move forward with my life."

I could see the questions she wanted to ask forming in her mind, but she pursed her lips and held them all back.

"Let's find Father," I said, taking advantage of her temporary silence. "I'd rather only say what I have to say once."

We walked down the corridor side by side, all the unsaid words filling the space between us. I hated upsetting her, but I tried to focus on putting Hermione and our baby first. As I expected we would, we ended up in my father's study again.

My mother cleared her throat. "Lucius, Draco is here to see us."

He glanced up, his reading glasses balancing on the bridge of his nose, and gestured to the chairs in front of his desk, as if we were here for some kind of business meeting.

I adopted a professional tone, following his lead, and said, "I'm here to settle a few things."

My father arched an eyebrow. "What more could there be to settle? I've taken care of the divorce and Astoria's care at St Mungo's."

"Between us," I said, meeting his eyes. "I just want to make one thing clear. I do not—and will not ever—forgive you for what you did to me. You might as well have put me under the Imperius Curse for nearly two years."

"Draco—"

I held up my hand, halting his speech.

"I'm not finished, Father." Taking a deep breath, I continued, "For years before that, you used me as a pawn and influenced all my choices. I can't let you do that anymore. I need to put Hermione and my children first."

My mother interjected, her eyes widening at the word children . "Draco, what's going on?"

"Hermione is pregnant," I answered, keeping my voice level, "and I'm going to do everything I can to support her."

From his side of the desk, my father's facial muscles twitched. He was likely clenching his jaw — I couldn't imagine him smiling at this revelation.

"When will the baby arrive?" my mother asked, cautiously optimistic and excited at the prospect of another grandchild.

"April." I adjusted my position, settling in for the uncomfortable part of this conversation. "We don't want our children to grow up the same way that I did."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" my father asked. "Did we neglect you in some way?"

"Lucius," my mother cautioned, "we both know that's not what Draco meant."

While I admired her attempt to keep the peace, I needed to explain myself.

"I won't pressure them to be something they're not or try to mould them into miniature versions of myself." I looked directly at my father. "And they won't be taught prejudice. They'll all be raised together, and they will all be loved equally."

"Of course they will," my mother replied. "Do you think we'd favour one over the other?"

"He's sure we'll favour Scorpius." My father rapped his knuckles against the desk, surprising me with the outward show of emotion. "Because he's a pureblood."

"And why wouldn't I believe that after the way I was raised? After the way you treated Hermione?"

"I've already explained that I didn't know the extent of your feelings for the girl," my father answered coolly. "I didn't take issue with her blood status. I took issue with the affair."

I thought back to the memory, to the way he'd spit the word Muggle at Hermione when talking about her parents. It had been years since the end of the war, and he'd still said it as if he believed all Muggles were lesser beings.

My mother settled a hand on my thigh, squeezing it to draw my attention. "Darling, you know that your father and I don't care about those silly prejudices anymore. We've learned our lessons a thousand times over."

Something about her words didn't quite ring true. While my parents no longer openly disparaged Muggles and Muggleborns, I was certain they hadn't completely changed their views.

"Do you know why I didn't pursue Hermione before I married Astoria?" I asked, my eyes darting back and forth between them. "Things are slowly coming back to me, and I remembered a conversation I had with Blaise."

My father steepled his fingers in front of his face and waited for me to continue.

"I didn't want you to treat her poorly, like she was simply an inconvenience or someone you had to placate. She deserves better than that."

He shook his head. "I wouldn't have done either of those things. If I'd known—"

"Sorry, but I don't believe you, Father," I replied, rising to my feet. "Hermione doesn't want you in her life, and I'm not sure if I do, either. Not after everything that's happened."

My mother stood beside me, doing her best to pull my attention away from my father. "Draco, we love you. You don't need to walk away from us. We support your decision to be with Hermione and raise your family. We won't interfere."

I turned to face her. "I never would've even dreamt that you'd stand there and let my memories be ripped away or lie to me for years after the fact. How am I ever supposed to trust you again?"

Bowing her head, she stifled a sob, and I immediately felt a pang of guilt. However, it was immediately followed by suspicion — she'd always been great at getting whatever she wanted. She read people easily and knew exactly what strings to pull.

"She didn't want to do it," my father said, intervening on her behalf. "I told her she had to go along—"

"You and I both know that she's her own person, Father. If she wanted to tell me, she would have."

My mother grabbed my arm. "You're right. If I'd really been sure it was the best thing for you, I would have told you." With a shuddering breath, she continued, "But I didn't want to destroy our family. I didn't want to lose you or Scorpius."

"I understand that. Really, I do, but I can't take the chance that Hermione or our child will be harmed in any way. You've allowed my memory to be modified to forget her before. How can I trust that you won't have someone do it again? Or allow someone to do it to her?" I paused and met my father's eyes. "How can I trust that you won't try to take over my life again?"

"Draco, I have no interest in controlling your life," my father said, pressing his fingers into his eyes. "Honestly, the guilt I felt after you'd been Obliviated — I don't think I'd survive it a second time."

I surveyed him through narrowed eyes, trying to determine if he was simply acting or lying to me. My father never admitted weakness easily. If the guilt was genuine, it would infuriate me even more. There had been hundreds of opportunities to tell me about the Obliviation, to reverse the damage he'd done, and he hadn't.

When I didn't respond, my mother asked, "Is Hermione forcing you to stay away from us?"

I immediately felt defensive. "No, she's not. She would never give me an ultimatum like that."

"So this — cutting ties with us — is your choice?"

Carding my fingers through my hair, I let out a frustrated sigh. "I didn't say it was forever. I need time to figure out what I want and who I want to be in this part of my life. Right now, all I know is that I want and need to put Hermione first. I can't do that when I'm around the two of you."

"But why?" my mother asked.

"Because I always end up doing what the two of you want me to do, rather than the right thing or what's best for me," I stated firmly. "Your opinions and feelings can't matter right now. I need to focus on building my life with Hermione and taking care of Scorpius when I have him and ensuring that my second child is born into the best possible environment."

I could see anguish and anxiety in the lines on my mother's brow, in the frown on my father's face. They hadn't expected me to stand my ground.

My father broke the silence that had fallen between us. "Wouldn't the best possible environment include being born into a family?"

"The baby will have a family." I shrugged my shoulders. "Hermione may not have blood relatives here anymore, but she's a part of both Potter and Weasley's families."

His jaw clenched. "Any child of yours is still my grandchild and a part of my family, Draco."

Somehow, I managed to maintain my mask of indifference and contain my shock. "Even though the baby's mother isn't a pureblood? You'd proudly claim that they're part of your ancient and noble lineage?"

"I don't care if they're pureblood or half-blood. I believe I said earlier that I take no issue with Ms Granger's blood status."

Turning to my mother, I said, "And you? You don't care, either?"

"I can't believe you'd even ask me that, Draco," she answered, looking genuinely hurt. "I will love that baby just as much as I love you and Scorpius. Even if I'm never allowed to meet him."

"Or her," I added automatically.

At the mention of a potential granddaughter, my parents exchanged a glance.

My father stood, and I realised he'd allowed me to maintain a power position during our conversation. Rather than staying on his side of the desk, he walked around it and surprised me again, settling a hand on my shoulder.

"Do what you need to do, Draco. Like I said the last time we spoke, I am willing to do anything to make it up to you. If you need me to stay away, I'll stay away. I want you to be happy."

My suspicion that he was being less than honest thickened the air around us. I wanted to try to call his bluff, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it to continue arguing. I nodded in acknowledgment.

"I just need this time and space," I reiterated, meeting my mother's eyes. "And I don't know how much. We will continue to move in the same circles and see each other around the city, I suspect."

"Can we plan to see each other? Eventually?" she asked.

"Eventually," I agreed. "I'll keep in touch by owl, and when I feel ready, we can meet for dinner in London."

My father made no requests; he quietly accepted my choice for the first time in my life.

Trembling, my mother reached up and touched my face. "Take care of Hermione. I'm sure she needs you more than ever right now."

"I will. I'm going to be the man she deserves this time around."

She released me, letting her hand fall from my cheek. Unsure of when I'd see her again, I wrapped my arms around her in a warm hug. She held me close and breathed deeply, as if she were trying to memorise everything about me.

And, as I walked out with no intention to ever return, I was finally proud of myself.