Sorry for the cliffhanger on the last chapter! You guys know I'm always good for another though.

Chapter 12

Ron returned to England for the first time in a month, hoping to talk some sense into his best friend. He could do it. He had to do it. The Malfoys' life depended on him. When Charlotte finished performing the necessary spells to reverse their memories, Ron left. While he and muggle Draco got on well, he knew that the proud pureblood Draco would not take as kindly to his presence.

His heart pounded as he entered the Ministry and took the lift to the Aurors' offices. "Welcome back," Harry said when Ron appeared in his doorway. "Honestly, I didn't think I'd be seeing you again."

Ron's letter of resignation had gone back to England with Harry. "The charms have been reversed," he stated. "I only came back to ask that you leave them alone."

Harry sighed as he set down his quill. "I have no intention of arresting Draco," he told his friend. "I would, however, like to talk to Hermione now that she's Hermione again."

The redhead grinned, relieved to know that no trouble would come to his friends. "I think that could be arranged," he replied. "Unless this is a ploy to lull them into a false sense of security so you can arrest Draco."

"I'll make an Unbreakable Vow," Harry suggested. Ron took him up on the offer, feeling better when it was made. "I just want answers. Did they say anything to you? Are they speaking to each other?"

Embarrassed, Ron was forced to admit that he didn't know. "So, when do we leave?"

00000000

Hermione awoke alone with a head full of new memories. They were terrible memories of war and destruction and death. In her mind, she saw old friends - Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Fred Weasley - die all over again. Shutting her eyes, she fought to hold back tears, but to no avail. Slowly, she sat up and left the bed. Anxiety engulfed her, her hands shaking and legs wobbling, as she slowly made her way to the living room.

Draco sat on the couch with Liam in his arms. "How's your head?" he asked when he saw her.

"Woozy," she admitted. "I remember why we cast those charms."

He nodded in agreement. "I've been seeing that night on the Astronomy Tower since I woke up," he shared. She sat beside him, and he took hold of her hand. "Here's the million galleon question though - are we alright?"

Despite the horrors she saw, Hermione clearly, vividly remembered their night by the lake. Their first kiss changed everything, and for the better. "We are," she confirmed. Smiling, he kissed her. "And I'm sorry for the way I acted. The stories those two told scared me."

"Imagine hearing them about yourself," he remarked. "I know I have a lot to atone for, but I do love you. It has nothing to do with the last five years. Well, I mean, not nothing, but you know what I mean. I just...I had feelings for you before we erased our memories."

There were tears in her eyes, the kind that were happily shed. "I liked you too," she replied.

"Like me enough to screw with Potter and Weasley?" he asked hopefully. "Because you know they're coming back, and they'll have certain expectations for how we should act."

Rolling her eyes, she stood. "You're a horrible person, and I can't believe I married you," she replied.

Laughing, he followed her to the kitchen. "Yes, exactly like that," he said enthusiastically. "You could stand to be a little less convincing around me though."

She wanted to giggle and tease and joke with him, but other concerns weighed on her mind, specifically their three year-old. "How do we tell Clara about this?" she wondered. "I know we have to keep our magic limited because of the town, but she'll know something's going on when you charm the dishes to wash themselves."

Draco knew she wasn't wrong. He had spent five years doing everything the muggle way, but they were habits he was willing to break. "We tell her the truth," he decided. "Mummy and Daddy can do magic, and someday so will she."

"There's no option two?" Hermione asked as the front door opened. Wincing, he shook his head as Clara ran into the kitchen with Mrs. Bradbury behind her. "Well, that answers where she's been."

Hermione picked her up, grinning at her chocolate lips. "Mommy, Nana let me have ice cream," Clara announced. "And Mr. Ron is outside with that other man even though I told him he can't come back."

Draco's heart hammered against his ribs as he left the kitchen with Liam still in his arms. He reasoned that Potter wouldn't harm a man with a baby. Pulling open the front door, he invited the pair in. "My daughter said you weren't allowed to come here," he commented as Harry passed him. "You should know she rules the roost, and she's more terrifying than Hermione."

Harry snorted as he followed Ron to the sofa. "It doesn't surprise me that you're afraid of a toddler," he replied. Ron elbowed him in the ribs. "It's a joke. Malfoy knows it's a joke."

"Oh, but it's not," Draco said. "So, do we continue trading witty barbs, or are you going to tell me what you're doing here?"

"Where's Hermione?" Harry inquired.

Glancing back in the direction of the kitchen, Draco replied, "Scrubbing the ice cream from Clara's face. She should be out any minute."

Harry remained silent until Hermione joined them. The couple exchanged a brief, unreadable glance before turning their attention to the Head Auror. He took a deep breath. "Something happened to the arrest warrant we had on you, Malfoy," he stated. "Just...poof, it disappeared. There's no record of it."

"I didn't do it," Draco said defensively, his gray eyes wide.

"At least, I think that's what happened," Harry continued. "That is, if it's what Hermione wants. What exactly is the situation between the two of you?"

Another indecipherable look passed between them before Hermione sat down. "We haven't really had much time to discuss it," she admitted. "For the kids' sake, I think we intend to make this work as best we can."

Draco held Liam up high enough to cover a smirk, but Ron caught it. "Are the two of you jerking us around?" he asked. The blond shrugged, but continued to hide behind his son. "That's it, I'm going to play with the nugget and be done with the three of you."

"Take this one. He needs a new nappy," Draco said, handing Liam over to a grumbling Ron. He watched as he walked down the hall to the Clara's room and disappeared. He took a seat beside his wife, but seemed to struggle not to touch her in Harry's presence.

"So, will you be coming home now?" he asked, his gaze settling on Hermione.

She reached for Draco's hand, holding it tightly. "We are home, Harry."