The next morning after Harry and Neville heard what happened they apologized for Ron's outburst. Hermione claimed she had scrolls to grade and asked if Harry and Ginny would mind watching Harold for the day and headed back to the castle after they agreed. Once in her office, Hermione broke down crying from the guilt of keeping her son a secret, for the dread that Ron would be angry and take it out on Harold, and for the knowledge that she'd lied to a dear friend for years when she didn't have to. She hadn't noticed that she had sunk to the floor till strong arms wrapped around her.

"Draco" it wasn't a question she knew it was him.

"Shh it's okay I'm here" she turned in his arms and buried her face in his chest. He just held her tighter as the tears soaked his shirt.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly when her crying stopped. She nodded and started the story of the night before.

Meanwhile at the Potter's home

"Ron" Harry began, "You're looking at this the wrong way" Harry and Ron had been in Harry's office for the last hour talking about Ron and his new found fatherhood

"How should I be looking at it, she is practically letting a Malfoy raise a Weasley!" Harry sighed

"Do you remember what it was like back then? Things only got worse when you left, she was terrified that's why we never asked about the father. However, things turned around when she went to tell McGonagle about him. She hadn't even said she was pregnant yet but was offered a job as long as she could get along with Draco. For months they both tried to get along then in June they were setting up their office when her water broke, there wasn't time to get her to the hospital wing so Draco had to help her deliver on a desk of the defense against the dark arts classroom. He told Blaise that after that he couldn't do anything but respect her. She told me it was a great way to end their rivalry because in the classroom where they were most divided they came together. He was there for her when you weren't when I couldn't be, he protected her baby and they have been close ever since." Harry got up to leave Ron with his thoughts. "Look at it like your son had a strong man to look up to while you were away and you still have time to get to know him. " Harry found his wife and the boys playing in the living room.

"Did you get rid of that weasel yet?" Harry laughed.

"No, have you been spending too much time with Malfoy?"

"No"

"Do you ever plan on forgiving him?"

"Maybe if he surprises me." after a few silent minutes Ron wondered into the room knelt next to his son and spoke.

"Hello, my name is Ron can I play with you?" the child smiled before replying.

"Yes, do you know your hair looks like aunt Ginny's?" Ron and the children shared a laugh as Ginny whispered to her husband,

"There may be hope for him after all."

Back at Hogwarts

To say Draco was upset was an understatement, he was livid! How could the weasel blame her for what happened and even worse he was angry that Draco was close to the child, he didn't know what had happened while he was off playing. However, that would have to wait till later, right now Hermione needed him.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you who his father was." Hermione sniffed as she spoke.

"Don't be; I understand why you did it. "

"You do?"

"Yes, we were just trying to get along and knowing he belonged to the weasel wouldn't have helped plus his family was scattered the only one you could've told was Ginny, the rest including him were m.i.a or had passed away. It'll be okay."

"Thank you," she visibly relaxed a bit.

"come with me" he stated, "you deserve a morning off, and I'm sure Teddy and Harold are enjoying themselves. They went into his living chamber, and as she started to relax on his couch, he slipped into his kitchen and came back out with a pot of her favorite kind of tea. They read and drank tea for a few hours, just enjoying the quiet.

"Do you want to accompany me to Harry's to pick up Harold?"

"Of course" He smiled as he followed her out of the castle.

Potter's

Hermione and Draco landed on the front lawn of Harry's home and knocked on the door.

Ginny answered the door, and her eyes widened. "Hey, so little thing my dumb brother is here. I'm sorry he came over to talk to Harry, and he convinced him instead of being a prat he should get to know his son. I'm so sorry we didn't ask."

Hermione took a deep breath before replying."It's Okay Gin he does need to get to know him, as long as he is kind to him I have no intentions on keeping them apart." they walked into the living room where Teddy was playing with Ron.

"Where's Harold?" Draco's voice caused Ron to look up, to everyone's surprise, he stood up crossed the room and stretched out his hand for Draco to shake which Draco shook.

"He is um," Harry stammered coming out of his shocked state. "in the bathroom."

All seemed to be going well as they talked waiting for the boy to come back, but Hermione began to worry and went to check on him. When she reached him, he just needed help with the button on his jeans.

"Mummy do I have a daddy?"

"Yes, you do."

"is my daddy in the living room with uncle Harry?"

"Actually yes he is would you like to meet him?"

"yes!" Harold excitedly ran out of the bathroom and attached himself to Draco's leg. "Daddy!" he squealed.