A/N: Happy Tuesday lovely readers! I hope you enjoy this one, it was satisfying to write.

Thanks a million for all the love from my marvellous reviewers :) And welcome to our new favourites/followers, great to have you join us!

Chapter Five: Better Late Than Never

Llewyn gave his father a tight hug before trotting off to play in the playroom like his mother commanded.

"I've just done a pot of tea if you fancy a cup?" Arianwen asked politely.

Draco checked his watch. He didn't have anywhere to be but he liked to pretend he wasn't a complete loser that spent his weekends entirely alone. "Sure, I should have time for a quick one." Arianwen nodded and led him through to the back of the house, where the kitchen overlooked the garden. He wondered if she could see through him, if she knew that he was just going to go home and have food at his desk while finishing off some work. Well if she did, she didn't let on at least - her face was as politely impassive as ever.

"Here." she poured him a cup and pressed it into his hands. "Let's sit out on the terrace, it's warm enough."

He smiled his agreement, then followed her out. Taking a seat on a sturdy cast iron chair, he surveyed his surroundings; the gardens were wild, carefree, full of simple blooms and chattering with the local wildlife. It was the very essence of Arianwen: uncomplicated and yet so beautifully intricate at the same time. He wondered absentmindedly if they'd reflected her father as well as they did her, or if the gardens somehow adapted to each occupant.

Arianwen sipped her tea quietly, watching the man before her. He looked well, a healthy rose tint in his cheeks, his eyes no longer sallow and sunken like they had been when he was using. He still looked tired though, she noticed with a frown. Perhaps he'd been working late? Or - a nasty voice said from the back of her mind - perhaps he has someone to keep him up late. Some whirlwind romance that encouraged him to move out of his parents house and in on his own?

"Arianwen?" Draco's voice pulled her out of her thought process. She'd been staring.

"Sorry." She blushed and looked down. He never used her nickname anymore. She missed it, the familiarity. "Did you have fun with Llewyn?" She asked, returning her expression to one of casual interest.

He grinned, remembering the mischief they'd got up to the previous evening. "Lots. He's particularly taken with his bedroom, insisted we make a fort in there out of the sheets and sleep in it together."

Arianwen smiled softly, feeling encouraged by the twinkle in Draco's eye as he retold the story. "I'm surprised you managed to get him to leave."

"No," Draco shook his head, "no, he won't be away from you for any longer than he absolutely has to. Getting him to get ready to leave is never too much of a drag, getting him to sleep however…"

"Absolute nightmare!" Arianwen agreed, chuckling slightly.

"Completely." Draco groaned, rubbing his tired eyes absently. "I do love it though, the whole bedtime routine. It's probably what I miss most when he's gone."

Arianwen's olive green eyes watched him sternly. "Well you can put him to bed whenever you want, Draco." There was something in her tone, anger maybe? But he wasn't sure where it had come from or how he could fix it.

"Really? Even when it's not my night?" He asked hopefully, deciding he might've misread her tone of voice.

She sighed, placing her teacup down. "Of course. I've never blocked you from seeing him, have I? That door is always open for you, Draco."

"Thank you." Was all he could think to say. There was a strange tension between them, something had changed since their rather pleasant encounter at the Spring Equinox event, he just wished he knew what. "So is there any particular days I can drop in?"

"Hmm," Arianwen thought for a few moments before speaking again: "Well you already have him on Wednesday evenings and overnight on Saturdays, so how about we try Tuesdays and see how we get on?"

"That would be incredible!" He hoped he could convey his sincerity, he'd never been a natural at expressing himself through pretty words.

"Llewyn will love it." She agreed, the warmth returning to her tone. "So how's work going?"

He told her all about a case that was keeping them all busy, a series of attacks on apparently unconnected witches and wizards - none of them able to identify their attackers.

"Ah yes, I've treated a few of them." Arianwen commented. "So you've no idea who's behind it all?"

"We have a few leads but nothing particularly promising." Draco said, looking tired again. What he hadn't mentioned was all the leg-work his boss, Richard Cuthbertson-Davis had him doing, only to be forced to stay at his desk whilst the others did the raids.

"Pity." Arianwen said flatly, but he could've sworn he saw the corners of her lips twitch upwards just a little as she said it. He looked at her intently, trying to work out if he'd imagined it. Apparently he had, for she simply looked mildly confused as he analysed her.

"Anyway, I ought to be getting off. Thanks for the tea." He stood up and straightened his shirt. "I'll see you Tuesday?"

"See you then." She raised her hand in a lazy wave as he walked back up to the house.

Arianwen stared angrily at the clock in her study. Nine fifteen in the evening. He was supposed to arrive at six thirty to do Llewyn's bedtime routine and once again he'd failed to show up on time so she'd had to put a crying and disappointed five year old to bed. It had been a month since they'd agreed that Draco could stop by after work to do the bedtime routine - and he'd been late every single time. Not only that, but he'd been late to pick Llewyn up for his Wednesday and Saturday visits, and would use lame excuses like he'd lost track of time at work.

The flames in the fireplace turned a bright shade of green and seconds later Draco stepped out, panting and red in the face. "Sorry!" He exclaimed as he stepped out of the flames. "I completely lost track of time at work. I've been working on a case-"

"I don't want to hear it." Arianwen snapped. "I'm sick of having to reassure our son that his Father still loves him. I shouldn't have to be the only responsible parent, Draco!"

"I know, I'm sorry." He really did look sorry, but Arianwen was so annoyed that she continued anyway.

"I have never once 'lost track of the time' when I've needed to be somewhere for Llewyn and yet I'm a Healer, a medical researcher, a fucking Duchess - have you ever even considered how busy I am? How I might not have the time to wait around for you either?" She yelled.

He rose to the bait instantly. "Oh well I'm sorry, your Excellency," he bowed sarcastically to her, "I was forgetting how important you are."

She stared at him open-mouthed, absolutely fuming with rage. "Which is exactly the bloody problem, isn't it! You have no appreciation for all the crap I have to put up with everyday! You're living in this self-pitying bubble where you're the one that's been hard done by and the rest of the cruel world is out to get you!" She took a breath for air, then continued. "Do you even remember the shit you've put me through, Draco Malfoy? Do you remember how I went to all of our public engagements alone and had to make excuse after excuse for you? And how I would nurse you better every morning after you'd been using and tell you not to worry for missing Blaise's wedding, or your grandmother's funeral, or my ceremony for getting the Order of Merlin: Second Class?" She didn't realise the angry tears had started flowing until some dripped into her mouth. "And do you remember when you practically strangled me and smashed my back into that mirror there? Or have you conveniently forgotten that too?" She pointed to the now repaired mirror on the far wall opposite the window.

Draco stared slack jawed at her. "Wait-what? Strangled you? I would never-"

"Well you did!" Arianwen snapped, though the energy behind her rant had started to dissipate.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't right, I-" he stepped forward and tried to take her hand but she ripped it away.

"Don't! It doesn't matter now, it's done." She sighed and pulled her hair at the roots with her hands, trying to calm herself down. "Look, I didn't mean to bring that last bit up, I know it wasn't you - I'm not blaming you." She sucked in a deep breath and let her hands fall to her sides. "Just be on time for Llewyn's birthday party on Friday, okay? That's all I want from you."

"I will, I promise." He managed, gulping down the lump in his throat. "And about that…incident," he struggled over the last word, "you have to know that in my right mind I would never do that, you know how much you mean-" he stopped himself, "-you know I'd never intentionally-"

"I know," she interjected stiffly, "forget I said it. It's in the past."

He hung his head, his self-loathing at an all-time high. "I'm so sorry." He croaked, then threw a handful of powder into the flames, said "Priory Hill", and disappeared into the floo network.

It was funny for the adults at the party to watch the children run riot. Llewyn had asked for a quidditch theme for his party, so Arianwen had decorated the house in any and all quidditch related items she could find. Teddy Lupin, who had turned five exactly a week before, had managed to untie some non-magical broomsticks that were hung up for decoration and handed them out to the most willing kids around. The ballroom that was housing the main party was now filled with zooming sounds from excitable children scampering about with broomsticks between their legs.

Arianwen felt a tugging on her robes and turned away from the collection of Wesleys and Potters she'd been standing with to address her rather upset looking child. "Llewyn, sweetheart, what's the matter? Aren't you having fun?" She questioned, concerned.

Llewyn sniffled and shook his head. "When's Daddy coming?"

The group quieted behind her. She could practically feel their stares on the back of her head as she tried to think of a good enough excuse. "Daddy will be here soon, he's just tied up at work."

Knees clicked next to her and a moment later, Harry was crouching down next to her and addressing her forlorn boy. "Your Father is very important you know, Llewyn." Harry told him in a whisper, as if the information he was passing on was highly coveted. It had the desired effect; Llewyn looked up at Harry eagerly, his sniffling a distant memory. "He's very busy on top secret stuff for the Ministry," Harry said in hushed tones. "Crime doesn't wait for any man." He winked and pressed a finger to his lips. Arianwen laughed silently, he'd have Llewyn thinking Draco was some kind of super spy.

Unlike Arianwen however, Llewyn proved to be a much less amused audience. He looked unsurely at his mother. "But he is coming, Mammy?"

Arianwen nodded and gave him a big hug. "Yes, darling, he won't be long now." With a little more encouragement from Arianwen, he returned to the party reluctantly.

"Ucgh!" Arianwen huffed to her friends. "I'm so sick of picking up the slack for him!"

Ginny shook her head, her livid expression mirroring Arianwen's. "It's getting ridiculous now," she agreed, "especially after everything you said to him on Tuesday!"

"Yeah," Hermione joined in, "he's just taking advantage now. I think you've got to give him an ultimatum."

"Mmhmm," Ginny nodded furiously. "Tell him if he's late one more time he can kiss goodbye to his little visits!"

"That's a bit extreme isn't it?" Harry asked, shocked. "He is having a shit time of it at work, to be fair."

Ginny gave Harry a look that could kill. "We all have responsibilities, Harry! He can't use that as an excuse to get out of being there for his child!"

"I know, I know," Harry held up his hands in defence, "but most of the guys in the office have taken a real disliking to him. I'd go as far to say that they bully him."

"Bully Malfoy?" Hermione snorted. "Sounds like comeuppance!"

Harry sighed. "No, seriously, Dickie makes everyone give Malfoy all of our paperwork and never lets him go out on the job. Thanks to, certain people," he looked pointedly at Hermione, "we have an absolute shit-tonne of paperwork now. I actually overheard Malfoy asking to go home the other day, said he had to pick Llewyn up, and Dickie said if he left before he finished all the reports he'd lose his job. Honestly, he probably works more hours than all of us combined. Even you've noticed it, haven't you?" Harry directed at Ron, who nodded grudgingly.

"Yeah I have in fairness. Dickie actually told us he's trying to get rid of him in a staff meeting the other day. Said we should give him a hard time to speed up the process." Ron shrugged as if to say 'shit happens'.

Arianwen frowned. "Surely Richard wouldn't say that in front of Draco?!"

"Well no, it wasn't in front of him, Malfoy isn't allowed to come to our meetings." Ron said again, not particularly upset about the information he was confiding.

"Isn't allowed? What the hell? And you've both just let him get away with this?" Ginny accused, her finger pointing angrily at them.

The two guys exchanged uneasy glances and did, at least, have the decency to look ashamed. "I did try to say it was a bad idea but he wouldn't listen." Harry offered lamely.

"Yeah!" Ron jumped in. "And when you do he threatens to put you on his hit list next!"

Arianwen shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. "But what I don't get is why he puts up with it? Why doesn't he just quit? He's hardly a shrinking violet, he should stand up for himself!"

Hermione put a hand on Arianwen's arm, a move intended to calm her down. "Well, if it were me, I'd probably be worried that if I lost my job it would be another black mark against my name and you would think I'm too irresponsible to be trusted with Llewyn. He's probably just trying to prove that he's got his act together and can be a good dad, and not just for you - him and his family are constantly being slated in the press. Being an Auror is probably one of the best jobs to make the public forgive you. Maybe some combination of all of that is why he's putting up with it?"

Arianwen nodded, Hermione made a good point. She looked back at the guys. "So when he shows up late and says he lost track of time he was actually very aware of the time and just not allowed to leave?"

"Yeah, I reckon." Ron confirmed. "Look, I'm never gonna' like the guy and he's probably gonna' do something to make me regret sticking up for him, but you should probably cut him a bit of slack on this one."

That was a strong statement, coming from a Weasley. Arianwen exchanged a look with Ginny, trying to gauge if her mind had been as readily changed as hers had, and sure enough, the guilty expression on Ginny's face told Arianwen all she needed to know: it was time to truly forgive Draco Malfoy.

After everyone had gone home and she'd put Llewyn to bed, Arianwen went to the study that Draco always flooed into and settled down on the deep plum coloured sofa. The comforting feel of the soft velvet coupled with the warm glow of the fire worked quickly to sooth her into a slumber.

When Draco finally arrived, Arianwen was sleeping deeply and had managed to nestle herself under a blanket. She didn't stir when he stepped through the flames, making him stop in his tracks and question whether he should even wake her up. No, he told himself, she needed to know that he'd at least tried to come. Knowing he was in for another explosive rant, he knelt down beside her and shook her gently awake.

"Draco?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "Draco!" She said again once she'd regained her bearings. She sat up slowly, unsure of how to react to the surge of excitement that burst through her once she realised how close their faces were. "The party's over," she said dumbly.

Draco sighed and let his back fall against the coffee table behind him. He put his head in his hands and said through his palms, "I tried, Ri, I tried so hard to get here, but-"

"You were held up in work, yeah I know." She finished for him, her heart lurching at his use of her nickname.

He lifted his head up and revealed the desperation on his face. "Please don't take him off me." He pleaded, his voice weak.

"Take him off you?" Arianwen practically laughed - what a ludicrous idea! She slid down onto the floor and knelt in front of his bent knees, moving her hands on top of his. "Draco, I'm not going to take Llewyn off you." She tugged at his hands, trying to pull him to his feet. "Come on, I've made up a bed for you. Get a good night's sleep and then you can give that to Llewyn in the morning." She nodded towards the neatly wrapped package on the floor.

"You want me to stay?" He couldn't believe what she was saying. How had she completely changed her tune since their argument just days ago?

"I do," she said firmly. "Now come on, you're exhausted. Let's get you to bed."