There seems to be some mixed reactions about Ron's involvement. I already know what happens, but keep reading to find out! Hopefully you like it, maybe you won't, and that's okay too.

Also, talk of Kim Kardashian's divorce made my morning meeting run way longer than usual. That just made me sad. Not sad like, oh I can't believe they split up. More like sad, why the heck are we discussing this when we could be discussing important business books?

Chapter 16
Draco excused himself briefly once Molly Weasley burst into Hermione's hospital room in a fit of anger. She'd yelled for a good minute before she'd taken one look at him and started her rant all over again. Draco had reddened with anger when the older witch questioned his presence. He'd walked out of the room as Hermione informed her that she wanted him there. It did little to lessen his frustration as he flooed home to check on his mother and son.

"Daddy, Daddy, I wanna see Mimi," Scorpius exclaimed once Draco stepped out of the fireplace. It was still early in the morning, just before five o'clock, but the littlest Malfoy was full of excitement.

Picking him up, Draco held his son close. "You'll be able to after the baby is born," he promised. "I think she'll be excited to see you."

"I miss her," he replied sadly, resting his head on his father's shoulder. "Do you gotta leave, Daddy?"

"Sorry, buddy," Draco said. "But you and Gram-Gram will have a good time without me, right? Gonna make me jealous when you tell me all about what you two did together?"

Scorpius shook his head and clung tighter to Draco when Narissa entered the room. "How's your friend?" she asked, rubbing her grandson's back affectionately.

"She's alright," he answered. "It'll probably be a few more hours before she actually delivers."

She took Scorpius from his arms and smiled. "You tell Miss Granger I said good luck, and if she needs anything at all to send me an owl," she stated.

Draco was shocked. How had she known about Hermione, and moreover, why would Narcissa Malfoy offer her help? Instead of questioning her, he agreed to pass along her kind words and kissed them goodbye. There were more important things to do than marvel over his mother's act of kindness.

Ron Weasley sat alone at a back table in the Leaky Cauldron. Files and stray papers covered the table's surface as he ate breakfast and poured over case notes. He didn't expect nor appreciate the interruption he received in the form of Draco Malfoy.

"Thought you should know Hermione's at St. Mungo's about to deliver," he stated, not bothering to sit down.

Ron looked up, glaring at the towering blond. "I heard. She's got you though, doesn't need me," he muttered. His eyes followed Draco as he lowered himself into the chair across from the irate redhead. "Yes please, Malfoy. By all means, join me, won't you?" he added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Draco sighed and leaned forward, resting his crossed arms across the table top. "You've known her for more than a decade, and yet you don't seem to know the first thing about Hermione," he mused, letting a sneer grace his lips. "She's stubborn and aggravating and I don't think she's ever been wrong about anything, but she's also loyal to a fault. The two of you may not be together, but that baby will forever mean you're a part of one another's lives. She wants you to be involved. Do you realize how devastated she's been each time you said you'd be around and weren't? If you care about Hermione or your daughter at all, you'll get your ass to St. Mungo's and forget about work for one day."

Having said his piece, Draco rose and stalked out of the Leaky Cauldron to Apparate back to the hospital. Before he could enter Hermione's room, he was stopped by Molly in the hallway. "I know you don't like me," he preempted, hoping to soften the older woman, "but I love her."

"I know," Molly replied as the smallest hint of a smile perked up the corners of her mouth. "I wasn't angry that you were here so much as I was angry that my son isn't. Hermione has been like a daughter to me since she and Ron became friends. I'm very protective of her, but I don't think I need to protect her from you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," he replied sincerely before entering Hermione's room. Harry stood by her bedside grimacing as she squeezed his hand through a contraction. Draco stood by her side, grasping her hand as the pain passed. "Doing okay?" he asked.

Hermione nodded and released her hold on Harry's sore hand. "I think I'll be better when this part is over," she replied.

Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Mind if I talk to Potter alone for a minute?" he asked, looking to Harry.

"Sure, I'll just wait here," she joked.

Draco and Harry exited the room and found a quiet hallway where they could speak privately. Before Harry could open his mouth to inquire as to what the conversation was about, Draco spoke. "You have to talk to Weasley. There's no way what I said to him will convince him to come, but I figure if it came from you we might have a shot."

Dark eyebrows furrowed. "You talked to Ron?" Harry asked. Draco nodded. "So, you told him that Hermione, our best friend and the mother of his child, is in labor, and he's still not here?"

"That about sums it up," Draco agreed. "Look, tell him if he comes, I won't be here."

Harry shook his head before removing his glasses to give his eyes a rest. "Hermione wants you here," he replied. "It's all she's talked about since I showed up. I think she wants you here more than she wants Ron to be here. I don't know how you've done it, but I think you've replaced Ron and me as her best friend."

Draco smiled his first genuine smile in the presence of Harry Potter, his longtime arch rival. "It wasn't a spell or a potion or anything," he stated, flattered by the other man's comment. "I just listened when she thought no one else would."

"Thank you for doing that for her," Harry replied, extending his hand as a sign of friendship much as Draco had attempted when they were children.

Draco reached forward and clasped his hand firmly. "She's my best friend too," he admitted. Nodding his head, Harry removed his hand and promised to be back soon before Apparating out of the hospital. When he was gone, Draco returned to Hermione's room and reclaimed his post by the side of her bed.

"Where's Harry?" she asked, looking behind him for her friend.

"Had to take care of something. He should be back soon," Draco reported, claiming her small hand once more. They talked quietly, but he seemed distracted. When the door opened half an hour later, Draco held his breath in anticipation.

Harry entered with a wide smile on his face. "Look who I brought," he announced, stepping aside to let Ron enter.