2.

Harry thought he'd probably need something to smooth over his visit with Malfoy, so he showed up on Luna's front doorstep in time for an early tea bearing a box of blueberry scones from a Muggle bakery near the Leaky, and a small basket of strawberries. Berries had been what Ginny craved all through her pregnancy and he remembered Malfoy's sweet tooth from Hogwarts when he always seemed to be getting some sort of candy from his mother, so he hoped it would be a safe offering.

Knocking on the purple door was easier than he'd expected. He'd been tense with nerves until he'd entered the bakery. Something about actuallydoing something, making a definite step and not just fretting, had caused the tension to melt away. He wasn't happy, but he felt confident in a way he hadn't outside of work in a long time. He was smiling when Malfoy opened the door.

Malfoy looked the complete opposite of how Harry felt. As with Harry's previous visit to Luna's house, he was wearing wrinkled pajamas and his hair was a mess. His eyes were red-rimmed, and the circles under were as dark as bruises. His mouth twisted faintly when he saw Harry standing on the porch, even as his shoulders slumped. "You woke me up."

"It's tea time." Harry held up the box and basket.

"I was taking a nap." The door closed in Harry's face. Malfoy didn't even look at the food.

Sighing in an attempt to release his rising frustration, Harry knocked again. Malfoy didn't answer this time, so after a moment, he opened the door and made his way into Luna's kitchen.

"Breaking and entering is still illegal, even if you are an Auror." Even Malfoy's voice seemed worn thin, as if he were simply going through the motions of the argument. Harry glanced over his shoulder as he boiled water for tea. Malfoy stood in the doorway, arms crossed protectively across his chest. He'd not bothered to get dressed or smooth his hair this time. He seemed at once decades younger and older than his actual age, and Harry's earlier frustration morphed into something more akin to pity.

"Luna's my friend and it's her house. She knows I'm coming to talk to you."

Malfoy gave a faint frown, still more expression than Harry had seen from him so far, and held himself tighter. "She didn't say you were coming. I didn't expect to see you until Tuesday at St. Mungo's."

Harry shook his head. "She just reminded me that I'd vowed to do more than hold your hand at the hospital. Tea?"

Malfoy eyed him again, and then nodded. "Earl Gray. She keeps it behind that tin of herbal crap she drinks." He shuffled slowly to the table and opened the box, peeking inside. Perching on the edge of a chair, he took a scone and began picking at the edges, leaving a pile of buttery crumbs on the table.

The silence didn't grow awkward until the tea was steeped and poured, and Harry sat across the table from Malfoy. Malfoy still hadn't eaten, and the crumb pile before him had become a small mountain. Harry was wondering where to start when Malfoy broke the silence. "You've brought me food, helping me care for my life and supporting me et cetera, you can leave with a clean conscience now, Potter."

Harry blinked, a strawberry halfway to his mouth. "Is that what you think it is?"

"You expect me to believe you're not here because Luna said something to guilt you into it?" Draco seemed to keep his attention focused on his scone, but his jaw tightened when Harry flinched. "Save your Gryffindor pity. I'm not some project to be protected and cared for until your precious baby is born."

Harry took a breath, reminding himself he wasn't at Hogwarts anymore. "Malfoy-"

"I don't know what you idiots think of me, but I'm not going to do anything to risk this child. I can take care of myself, so take your fucking pity and shove it."

He couldn't punch Malfoy, though he dearly wished to; clearly Malfoy hadn't any compunction about acting like an arse. "And you were taking care of yourself so well with Bletchley..." Harry knew his words were a mistake as soon as they'd left his mouth; he'd just let his emotions get the best of him as they always seemed to around Malfoy.

Malfoy's face, already pale and wan, went parchment white before two spots of color flamed his cheeks an angry red. "Get the fuck away from me. You know nothing so don't pretend you care about anything but yourself. Get out! Get out!"

Harry hesitated, trying to apologize, until Malfoy began fumbling for his wand. He soon found himself once again on Luna's porch, the purple door almost vibrating with the force of the slam. "Well, fuck. Luna's going to kill me."

He didn't speak with Luna that night, or the next, but she was sitting on the porch of the Burrow when he and Ginny arrived for the weekly Friday night dinner. Harry grimaced briefly when he saw her, but straightened his shoulders when she approached.

"Luna! It's good to see you!" Ginny gave Luna a quick hug. "You finished the special for The Quibbler, then?"

"Yes, Draco helped." She ignored the face Ginny made at that. "We wouldn't have finished before Sunday, otherwise."

"How is Malfoy?" He knew asking would get the lecture started sooner, but he did feel bad for letting his temper get the better of him.

Luna sighed. "You shouldn't have said what you did to him. It was unkind."

"What did Harry say to him?" Ginny looked between them, her expression twisted in confusion. "And why are we worrying about being unkind toMalfoy? Does anyone not remember him in Hogwarts? A little unkindness is the least-"

"Ginny, you are my friend, but I'm going to ask you to stop there before you say something that makes me unhappy about that."

"Fine, fine." Ginny turned away from Luna to peer up at Harry. "Harry, you shouldn't have said anything to hurt poor Malfoy's feelings. I'm very ashamed of you." She gave him a grin and a wink before wandering into the house, her voice loud in greeting.

"I am sorry for what I said. I tried to apologize at the time..." He scrubbed his hand through his hair, shifting uncomfortably. "Malfoy wasn't exactly willing to hear it."

"Do you blame him for that?"

"I... No. I just... Being around him turns me into a bratty thirteen-year old; like I'm back at Hogwarts and throwing mud at the back of his head."

Luna made a quiet noise of agreement before twining her arm with his and tugging him into a slow walk around the Burrow. "To be entirely fair, you are each as bad as the other. You did go for a very low blow, however."

He nodded, letting the faint chirp of insects and the smell of ripening apples fill his senses. He was surprised when Luna pulled him to a stop and cast a strong Muffliato. "Do you know anything about Miles Bletchley, Harry?"

He blinked, surprised. "No, I just saw that Malfoy's file had been pulled in regards to the case against him and extrapolated from there."

Luna sighed. "The trial is next month, and I'm worried." She smiled faintly at Harry's confused expression. "Bletchley was never a Death Eater."

Harry winced. "And Draco was. Fuck. I never thought of that."

Luna nodded, squeezing his arm gently. "Draco needs friends, especially since his mother's exile. As overwhelmed as you've felt this past week, please remember that he has as well."

He nodded. "I'm sorry, Luna. I'll do better."

She gave a smile that lit her whole face. "I know you will."

"What did you say to Malfoy, anyway?"

Harry looked up from the bed, trousers still around one ankle, and met Ginny's eyes in the mirror. He let himself be soothed by the comforting rhythm of the brush sliding through her hair a moment before blinking alert again. "Er, Auror stuff."

"What? Because he's a Death Eater? Everyone knows that."

"No, he's actually a witness in a case coming up."

"Mmm. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's only for a few months and then he's out of our lives."

"It's his child too, Gin."

Her brush hit the counter with a loud clatter as she spun around. "You can't believe we'll let any child of ours be influenced by anyone from that family, Harry."

He sat there dumbly for a moment. He hadn't thought that through, and was nearly as surprised by what he'd said as Ginny was to hear it. It felt like the right thing to do, however, so he straightened slightly and met Ginny's angry gaze. "It's not fair for either of them to be cut off entirely and forced to pretend there is no relationship there, either. They'll be family."

"He'll turn it into the next generation of Death Eater!"

Harry sighed, already wishing he'd never opened his mouth. "He would not."

"You've seen what that family is capable of!"

"He served his probation, Gin! He may be a git, but he grew up!"

"Don't you dare say he's more grown up than I am!"

The comment seemed entirely out of the blue, and he stared at Ginny in confusion. "What?"

"All night long, listening to Hermione tell me what a stupid child I am!"

Harry pulled his glasses off, rubbing his eyes in a futile effort to reach the headache forming behind them. "Hermione would not call you a stupid child-"

Ginny yelled over him, an angry flush staining her face. "All night! On and on like she does. How horrible I was for stealing a baby. Stealing! A horrible, immature brat! And since when is she Malfoy's friend? Has she forgotten all those things he called her in school?"

"She grew up, too!"

"You're taking her side?"

"I'm not taking anyone's side! There aren't any sides except the ones you're making by putting words into her mouth! Do you think she hasn't ripped into me already this week? Not once would Hermione ever call you a stupid, horrible, immature brat!"

The red in Ginny's face bleached to white, which he knew with a feeling of dread in his gut meant she was even more angry. The quiet evenness of her voice confirmed it. "Well, since you obviously think so little of me, you can go sleep in the den tonight."

"Fine." He kicked his trousers off his ankle and grabbed a pair of pajamas and his pillow. He wasn't surprised by the sound of the bedroom door slamming behind him.

Harry hated feeling that he needed to hide in the Ministry from his family, but after waking before dawn with a crick in his neck from sleeping on the sofa, the resentment he'd finally set aside to fall asleep had flared up again, and he left before the sounds of stirring began behind the closed bedroom door.

He knew he was right, regardless of how the conversation went pear-shaped afterwards. The more he thought about it, the more certain he was that he could never fully separate a child from its relatives, regardless of his own personal feelings as to who those relatives might be. The other thing he was certain of was Malfoy not turning the child into another Death Eater. Being a bully in school didn't make anyone evil, and he was certain they'd be able to counter any pureblood shite Malfoy might still feel.

He hated that Ginny couldn't seem to see that. That she had so little faith as to believe he would let Malfoy get away with turning the child into a clone of himself at eleven.

Resentment twisted again, and the quill he'd been fidgeting with snapped in his hand.

He had cast a Cushioning Charm on his chair and kicked his feet up on his desk when he realized he had no work pressing enough to keep himself distracted from his thoughts. Staring at the ceiling and letting his mind wander, letting himself be frustrated with Ginny without being overwhelmed by guilt, he began to think Hermione's assertion that they start seeing Luna again was a good one.

His stomach surprised him with a growl and he'd just noticed he'd inadvertently skipped lunch when the door to his office flew open and Hermione hurried inside, flopping onto one of the chairs. He greeted her with a grimace and a wand-wave, causing the door to close behind her. "I'm not certain I'm speaking to you. You're the reason I slept on the couch last night."

He enjoyed her gaping- it wasn't often he got to see Hermione nonplussed, but she swiftly recovered. "I'm not going to ask." At his raised eyebrow, she waved her hand. "Okay, I am going to ask, but later. This is important."

Her earnest expression caught his attention, so he dropped his feet from the desk and sat up in his chair. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, yes. I just finished lunch with Luna."

"Ah." He let himself relax back in his chair, now that he was certain this important wasn't Hermione-speak for emergency. "She did mention you two were meeting this weekend."

"I've been researching Unbreakable Vows all week, but being able to sit down with the Bonder was hugely helpful. Did you know how much intent counts?" At Harry's confused look, Hermione continued, "It's actually similar to the magic behind Life Debts in the way that it's so completely dissimilar to most other magic. It's not spell-based; it's more like wild magic or baby magic. It's a way magic itself manifests without any real set guidelines."

"All right." Harry nodded and tried to look like he was following along. Hermione wasn't fooled.

"That's why I needed to speak with the Bonder. She didn't make up the vows herself; they were determined by the bonding itself. So I needed to know her exact intent!"

"Be careful, Hermione, you're slipping. That actually made sense." She stuck her tongue out at him, but he ignored that. "So, what was her intent?"

"Well, look at the specifics of the Vows." She began ticking off her fingers. "One, Draco gives you the child. Two, he doesn't do anything that could hurt himself or the pregnancy. Or, he does everything he can to protect himself and keep himself well, more specifically. And three, he accepts your help when and if needed."

"Yes, I do remember them. Though Malfoy's a bit wibbly-wobbly on that last bit."

"Probably the 'if needed' part allows for some leeway. If he really was wibbly-wobbly - wibbly-wobbly, Harry? Are you twelve? - he'd lose the hand, or die if it was a true breach."

"So...?"

"Oh Merlin, you're an Auror. Use that brain; you're trained to spot motivation. She was obviously worried about Malfoy, and felt he would need care and protection she was unable to give."

He sighed. "Bletchley. What about the baby? She was upset about that part. If intent counts, why did the spell make her demand the baby first thing?"

"Intent for everyone. You were all three there thinking about it. Ginny, too, even though she wasn't part of the Vow, it would have strengthened the overall intent in the room. The spell recognized that as it's initial purpose, then filled in the rest."

"I'm pretty sure that if the Vow allowed for me to take the baby and then give it back, you would have told me straight off."

Hermione sighed. "It doesn't hold you to keep the child. You could put it up for adoption or something, but if Malfoy took the child from you, it would violate the Vow and he would die."

"But there's nothing that prevents him from being with the baby, right? Like, he could be a godparent or favorite uncle or anything else like that?"

Hermione gave a trembling, tearful smile. "Oh... Of course you... Malfoy can be in the baby's life as much as he wants, as long as you are recognized as the primary parent. Oh, Harry, I'm so proud of you! If only I had thought, I would know you'd never separate a child from its family. Not you."

He blew a mouthful of curls away from his face when Hermione launched herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Well, let's just say you were only half the reason I was on the sofa last night."

Hermione leaned away, examining Harry's tired expression. She shook her head and stood, propping herself on his desk. "She doesn't think that's a good idea." At his headshake she sighed. "She should appreciate how important family is."

"She hates Malfoy."

"Ron hates Malfoy. He still thinks what she did was inexcusable, and not because it brings a Malfoy into the family."

He offered a weak smile. "You told him, then? When should I expect the knock on the door and him yelling at me for being an idiot?"

Hermione swatted at his head. "He's not going to yell at you- wonder which of Luna's magical creatures scrambled your brains, maybe, but not yell. Though he's planning on taking you to the pub tonight. And I told him last night when we got home. He asked me why I was peeved at Ginny."

"Ah."

"So she took it out on you?"

"Said you spent the evening calling her a, uh, stupid, immature, horrible child or something like that." His voice was tight with frustration and it required more effort than he cared to admit to keep his jaw unclenched. "Started yelling that I thought Malfoy was more mature than her, then yelled at me for taking your side. That was a landmine I had no idea was waiting for me."

Hermione grimaced. "I didn't call her any of those things. Though I may have told her she was behaving immaturely, and that she needed to leave Hogwarts rivalries behind her."

"She certainly holds a grudge."

"She does." After a moment, Hermione continued, her expression guarded. "I think we did her a disservice after the miscarriage."

Harry felt his eyes go wide in shock; it was a word no one used. He couldn't remember even hearing it in the past seven years.

Hermione plowed on. "We were all so scared, we almost lost her as well as Jamie. Everyone worked so hard to... to not-talk about things. To not upset either of you. But especially her. And, well, we all still do it like it's become habit. She's behaving like a spoiled child who doesn't believe in compromise, and no one calls her on it because we were so concerned about her. But that's kept both of you from being able to move on, and has... maybe not created the problem, but allowed it to become one. I'd say it's like she's reverted to a spoiled twelve year old, but she never was that spoiled as a child. Until now. And it's like she's a completely different person I don't even recognize sometimes."

His lips twitched into something he hoped resembled a smile as the last sentence struck him like a knife. It wasn't terribly convincing, judging by Hermione's expression, and he shook his head, trying to hide his pained expression. "I think you were right about talking to Luna. And... about other things as well."

Hermione just nodded.

His evening with Ron did more for his peace of mind than anything else the past week. They didn't talk about Malfoy, or babies, or Ginny, or anything more sensitive than the Cannon's chances of finishing second from the bottom of the league, or the relative merits of stout versus lager. It was enough of a relief he almost asked to kip on their sofa for the night. In the end, he decided against it and returned home, where the firmly shut bedroom door destroyed the lingering glow.

On Sunday, he endured the silent treatment from Ginny until he returned to Luna's for tea. Malfoy again ignored the box of pastries, this time berry tarts, and holed up on Luna's sofa. Harry spent a pleasant afternoon with Luna, looking over The Quibbler special, and trying to keep from dripping juice from the tarts all over it. He left the remainder in the box when he said his goodbyes at dinnertime, getting a purple-lipped buss from Luna and a promise to see him at Malfoy's appointment on Tuesday.

On Monday, his trip to Luna's lasted only as long as it took Malfoy to snatch the pastry box before slamming the door in his face. At least he was getting used to the feeling.

Tuesday morning saw Harry back at the Gorsemoor Wing, this time walking the long hallway beyond the Welcome Witch alone. He hadn't entertained the idea of bringing Ginny with him for a moment after the silent treatment she'd been giving him all weekend. If that meant he was sinking to her level, so be it.

He reached the door marked Mylor Sylvanus and opened it, peering inside. It was with a sense of deja vu that he took in the interior: the same green walls, brown carpet and ugly chairs. And again two of those chairs were taken by Luna and Malfoy.

"Good morning, Harry." Luna's smile was welcome and he found himself returning it without thought. Malfoy held himself straight, his gaze turned so firmly away from Harry it couldn't not be intentional. He was wearing the same gray robes; and Harry blinked, trying to remember if he'd seen Draco wearing anything else besides his pajamas.

Shaking his head to try and regather his thoughts, he hovered briefly in the doorway before approaching the empty chair on Luna's other side. "Morning, Luna. Morning, Malfoy."

The grunt Malfoy gave in response wasn't exactly polite, but it was something and Harry chalked it up as progress.

"Er, so... Healer Sylvanus? Better than Lufkin?"

Malfoy's jaw twitched, but Luna replied quietly, "Mylor did some training with me. He's not as experienced as Healer Lufkin, but I thought he would be a better fit."

"Hard to imagine a worse..." Harry's comment was quiet enough Luna pretended not to hear, though he did see Malfoy's lip twitch slightly.

They were saved an uncomfortable silence when Luna's cheery "Mylor!" alerted them to the opening door.

"Luna! Good to see you!" Mylor Sylvanus was larger than anyone Harry knew, with the exception of Hagrid, and had a booming accent that would make McGonagall jealous. He reminded Harry somewhat of a blond, oversized teddy bear. Or maybe a puppy. He swung Luna in a hug, and Harry was relieved to see when he glanced quickly over that Malfoy appeared as overwhelmed as he felt.

"And you must be Mr. Malfoy!" The look on Malfoy's face went from surprised to petrified when Healer Sylvanus set Luna down and turned to him with an arm out.

"Er, yes." Harry struggled to restrain his laughter at the cautious extension of Malfoy's hand; obviously afraid he was about to be pulled up into an exuberant hug as well. He needn't have worried, for all the overly large smile remained, Sylvanus only gave Malfoy's hand the requisite two pumps before turning and offering the same shake to Harry.

"I'm glad to meet you! If you'd like to step through, there is a gown on the chair and a fresh sheet on the table. I'll wait here until you've had a chance to settle yourself."

Malfoy nodded slowly and pushed himself up from the chair. His gaze darted back to Luna before he straightened and smoothed his robes, striding through the door with every sign of confidence Harry knew he wasn't feeling.

"Mr. Potter?"

Harry jerked; turning from the door he hadn't realized he was still staring at to face Sylvanus. "Sorry. And it's Harry, please."

Healer Sylvanus' smile widened. "Harry! Excellent! Then you must call me Mylor!" He gave Harry's hand another vigorous pumping before continuing. "I am going to ask that you remain in the waiting room while I do the initial examination, until we are certain what will make Mr. Malfoy most comfortable." His gaze went distant for a moment, and he chuckled. "An alliteration! By accident! No, don't mind me. As I was saying, yes. Once we are finished with the examination, I will speak with you all."

With that he gave Harry a strong pat on the shoulder before turning and knocking quietly on the door, entering at Malfoy's subdued answer.

"Come sit, Harry." He hadn't noticed Luna retaking her seat, and spared a moment to mentally apologize to his Observation and Tracking instructors for all the times he'd been caught out this morning. He reclaimed his seat and felt Luna's cool hand slide into his. "It's all right, Mylor often overwhelms people who aren't used to him."

He laughed. "No, he just..."

"Speaks in all exclamation points, yes. His wife is the same; dinner with them is like a Cheering Charm, except with Shepherd's Pie instead of the tickle."

There was a pause as Harry imagined what was going on beyond the closed and silenced door. "Is Malfoy all right? I have been trying, but all I've managed is to get the door slammed in my face."

"Mmm. We'll see, won't we?" Luna squeezed his hand, smiling when he grimaced. "Chocolate, especially caramels. Blood pops. Apples. He's not terribly fond of berries, and he dislikes things with nuts."

"I am trying..."

She smiled again, and winked. "Yes, Harry. You are very trying."

He groaned in reply.

It was nearly an hour later before Mylor opened the door to the examination area, and Harry mentally thanked Merlin and anyone else who happened to be listening that the waiting was over. He'd never been good at it, and the strangeness and stress of the situation made the helpless feeling even harder to bear.

Mylor was smiling; he didn't know enough to judge, but hoped it meant nothing too bad had dented his aura of good cheer. "Luna! Harry! If you'll both step inside, Mr. Malfoy is ready to see you!"

Harry was quick through the door, relieved to be doing something. The inner office seemed to have as much in common with the rest of St. Mungo's as Luna's did, though his decorating theme seemed to run more along the lines of middle-class matron with its doilies and cut-crystal candy jars. The examination table was pushed against one wall, and Mylor's desk, a spindly thing that looked entirely too small for him and surrounded by chintzy cushioned chairs, was centered in the room.

Malfoy sat stiffly, his back to the door, looking out of place and uncomfortable. His head was tilted ever so slightly toward the door, and Harry watched the minute softening of his shoulders at Luna's approach. As they had done in the waiting room, Luna took the center chair, clasping Malfoy's hand and Harry took the opposite. As Luna gave Harry's hand a squeeze as well, he smiled at the odd family picture the three of them must make.

"Well now..." Mylor smiled at them as he trailed off and shuffled through the stack of parchment on his desk. Even with the smile, he seemed more subdued and serious than Harry imagined him capable of just an hour before and he tried to subdue the jolt of anxiety that caused. "Mr. Malfoy has given his permission to discuss his medical records with all present, if that is still correct?"

Malfoy shifted in his chair but responded quickly enough. "With those present, yes. But only with those currently present. None of this is of any concern to some wives."

Harry almost responded to the venom in Malfoy's tone, falling back on Hogwarts habits, but the firm squeeze Luna gave to his hand stopped him. A breath and he thought Malfoy was likely trying to wind him up, maybe give an excuse to make him leave. A second and he had to acknowledge that Malfoy had some cause to be bitter about Ginny. He glanced briefly at Malfoy to gauge his reaction, but was disappointed by his continued stony expression, gaze never wavering from the desk.

Another shuffling of papers pulled his attention back to where Mylor was nodding, sucking on the end of his quill. "Of course, of course! Now, as this was an unplanned pregnancy and Mr. Malfoy was unaware of it for much of the first few weeks, we are behind on the normal course of potions that accompany any pregnancy, especially for wizards."

"Will that be a problem?" Harry ignored Malfoy's tensing, keeping his focus on Mylor and the quill had had pulled from his mouth in favor of twirling when he spoke.

"It shouldn't be much of one, I don't think. Mr. Malfoy is now approximately seven weeks along. In a witch's pregnancy, prenatal nutriment potions are usually begun when the pregnancy is discovered, usually in the first two months. Unfortunately, wizards have a bit more difficult a time with... preparing for a child. The potions regimen assigned in the six weeks before starting Fertility Draughts are designed to buffer the wizard's organs and magical core against the pregnancy, and nutriment potions are part of that, and continue through the entire pregnancy."

Placing the ragged quill on the parchment stack, Mylor sighed. "I've not served as Healer for an unplanned male pregnancy, but I have had patients who have been... forgetful with their potions. Babies born to wizards tend to be small and early, due to the physiognomy of the male body if nothing else. The babies born to my more forgetful patients are usually smaller, more prone to respiratory ailments and the like. Also, their fathers tend to have more pregnancy complications: swelling, late term nausea, anemia. But these are all inconveniences for the most part, and all in cases where potions were routinely missed."

"Since Mr. Malfoy has already begun the nutriment potions, yes?" At Malfoy's nod, Mylor continued, this time to him directly, "You've already begun the nutriment potions, and the child should thrive as long as you remember to take them. As for you specifically, I'm no Seer!" Mylor's chuckle seemed out of place, but after a moment, he continued without explanation. "I'm not a Seer, but I do anticipate a difficult pregnancy. Weakness physically, dizzy spells, exhaustion, and likely also temporary strain to your magical core, especially in the second half of your pregnancy. So if you start having problems with spell casting, either in strength or spell work, tell me!"

Harry could feel some of the blood leaving his face; strain to the magical core usually took months of recovery. If the child began draining Malfoy's core, he could end up little better than a squib until it was fully restored. Despite that, Malfoy gave a sharp nod, his face tightly controlled in spite of his own pallor, and Mylor beamed once again. "Good! Then I shall see you in two weeks! We shall all be very good friends by the end of this!"

Harry was taken aback by the sudden shift away from serious Healer, but allowed his arm to be pumped yet again before making his way out of the office. Malfoy hurried out as well, and they both stood awkwardly in the waiting room while Luna spoke quietly with Mylor. "So, er. I'll see you at tea, then?"

There was a long moment when he thought Malfoy was not going to answer before he broke the silence. "If you bring any more berry shit, I'll throw it at you." Glancing in the doorway, he continued. "Tell Luna I'll meet her at her house. Goodbye, Potter."

As Harry watched Malfoy's robes whisk around the door to the Ward, he marveled that he and Malfoy had just had the longest conversation they'd ever managed without ending up at wand point. And given the shocking news about Malfoy's magic, he was even more certain Ginny was in the wrong. He rubbed the pale scarlet lines on his wrist and stared at the door; he wasn't certain how, but he knew he had to make this right.

Heeding Luna's advice, Harry stopped by the Muggle bakery near the Leaky for something appley, and arrived at Luna's purple door bearing a crumble-topped tart carefully preserved in a Stasis Charm only a few minutes late for tea. That day seemed to mark, if not a true cease-fire, but at least a loosening of his relationship with Malfoy. He wasn't certain if it was something about the visit with Mylor, the four slices of tart Malfoy drenched in stem ginger syrup and devoured, or his earnest assurances that Malfoy always had a place in his child's life. Whatever the cause, he didn't question, instead he continued to show up regularly at Luna's, bearing a larger variety of apple desserts than he'd ever realized existed. He happily chatted with Luna, and managed a few moments of civil generalities before Malfoy retreated to the lounge with his sweets.

He only wished his home life was going so well. He was back in his bed, but he sometimes thought he exchanged more conversation with Malfoy than with Ginny. He briefly imagined the look on Hermione's face if he told her she'd turned Seer, as the only thing they had discussed in any depth since the evening at the Burrow was their weekly grocery list.

He wanted to broach the topic of marriage counseling, with Luna or otherwise, but was hesitant to disturb their current tentative peace. In the end, he decided to wait. It ran counter to Hermione's advice, and he knew she must suspect he was ignoring some sort of advice from her based on the looks she shot him across the dinner table the next few weeks at the Burrow, and he knew it was wrong, but the thought of sleeping on the sofa again caused his back to protest in advance. He intended to bring it up, but reasoned there was plenty of time. At least the pregnancy was going well. The next two visits with Mylor involved less than five minutes of wand waving and conversation, bracketed by his ever-enthusiastic handshake.

Harry was tentatively starting to feel that things were going well when he arrived at Luna's for tea on a drizzly Tuesday to hear the distinct sounds of shattering glass and yelling. He was through the door with a hasty Aohomora before his mind fully registered the familiar voice. He dashed to the kitchen, but promptly had to duck to avoid the shards of the plate that hit the wall beside him.

He knew his expression reflected his confusion as he quickly tried to take in the scene. Luna was sitting at the table, calmly sipping from a mug and watching as Malfoy ransacked her cabinets. A trail of shattered ceramic covered the floor, and as Malfoy turned to throw another plate, Harry had time to note the tears covering his face before the plate came directly at him.

"Sorry, Harry!" Luna's voice rang out as he peeked back around the kitchen doorway. "Draco is engaging in a bit of therapeutic destruction in preparation for tomorrow."

"Er, right..." Luna remained in her chair, equally ignoring the destruction around her as she apparently did Malfoy's hunched figure. He was braced against the counter, hands on his knees and head down, and gasping as if he'd run a marathon. Harry glanced between the two of them again before holding out the slightly crumpled box. "They got a bit smashed."

"Fuck your stupid pastries!" Malfoy's outburst overwhelmed the small kitchen, and he quickly departed, shouldering Harry aside roughly as he passed.

Luna sighed and stood, casting a quiet Reparo on her dishes. At Harry's tentative approach, she gestured at the opposite seat at the table. "Don't worry. I don't want to fuck your pastries." She gave him a smile before sending the repaired dishes back to their places with another wave of her wand. "Today isn't a good day."

Her words caused something inside him to tense, and he turned a worried glance back to the door. "It's not the baby...?"

"Everything is fine with the pregnancy. Draco... The trial is set to begin tomorrow morning." Luna's expression was grave. "Bletchley's solicitor is trying to have it thrown out."

"What? He can't-"

"Bletchley was never a Death Eater, Harry."

"But... the Healer's records. The Auror investigation."

"The last name Malfoy." Luna sighed. "The case hasn't been thrown out yet, and I don't know what grounds they are using. But Hermione told me the motion was filed yesterday."

"Fuck. Does Malfoy have a solicitor?"

Luna nodded. "Hermione is taking the case pro bono."

"She didn't tell me. And Malfoy is all right with Hermione?"

Luna raised an eyebrow at him and he winced, knowing the question was a bad one. "I was under the impression you knew he'd grown up. Draco's current issues with you are entirely stemming from six years very active habit, not anything to do with blood status." After another sip of tea, she continued. "Of course, there may be some aspect of desperate times calling for desperate measures."

He offered an apologetic smile. "Starts at 9 tomorrow?"

"Officially. Hermione suggested we arrive at 7, just in case there was a change in time they forgot to inform us of."

He sighed and nodded. "I'll meet you there at 7, then."

Dinner was quiet. Ginny had made spaghetti, and the only sound was the soft ting of the forks on the plates. Finally, when the food was gone and Ginny was pushing away from the table, Harry took a breath.

"I need to go in early tomorrow."

Ginny's frown was confused as she paused. "Okay. How early are you thinking?"

"Court- I need to be there at 7."

"Court usually starts at 9."

He nodded, staring at the traces of red still clinging to his plate. "Yeah, it's the case Malfoy's a witness on I was telling you about. The solicitor's been an arse so I need to be there tomorrow at 7."

Ginny's jaw was tight, and her fingers beat a staccato rhythm against her chair. "With Malfoy. Again. Sounds brilliant."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You are at Luna's nearly every day, Harry. You never have time for me anymore!"

"We were just eating dinner together. I'm not the only one who was quiet tonight, Gin, so don't turn this all around on me."

"I'm not! I just… You are always at Luna's house. Or doing things for Malfoy. When's the last time you came home early? Or had a lie-in with me? Everything is Malfoy this and Malfoy that…"

"He's pregnant."

"It's not like it's yours…"

"It is mine, Ginny! That Unbreakable Vow made that quite clear!"

"I… That's not what I meant. You're right. I just miss you. Miss it just being us." Ginny's eyes filled with tears as she sat back in the chair. "It hasn't been just us since… there's been this thing between us, always there and… I miss Harry. Harry and Ginny forever, remember?"

"We can't live in a world just the two of us. We're not in Hogwarts anymore. And no matter how much I may want to have it be just you and me and nobody else, we have responsibilities."

"I know that! I just… I don't want to be a responsibility. I want to be something you want. And I haven't been; not for years."

"Gin-"

"No! It's true and you know it! I've been a… a job. You don't want to spend time with me or have sex with me. You just want a fucking baby and don't care how you get it!"

"You were the one who didn't care! I sure as hell didn't want to fucking take Malfoy's away from him!"

"You could have fooled me! All you ever talked about was wanting a baby! I gave you one the best way I knew how!"

"Yeah! Instead of telling me, you waited until the anniversary of the miscarriage and spring this Malfoy plan on me."

Her gasp gave way to silence, as he told himself he didn't feel guilty for saying that word. He told himself that as she stood on shaky legs and left the kitchen. He told himself as he heard her footsteps on the stairs, and the bedroom door close quietly above him.

Harry Floo'd to the Atrium of the Ministry a few minutes before 7 feeling worn from the night before, and hurried to the lifts. It was early enough that his carriage was empty but for a pair of half-heartedly fluttering memos. He dashed off at level 9, hurrying down the stairs to arrive at level 10 out of breath but on time. Luna sat on the bench outside Courtroom 3, quietly watching Malfoy pace across the gloomy hall before her. He smiled a greeting to Luna, and gave Malfoy a brief nod when he stopped to take the seat beside Luna. She was again dressed in her blue St. Mungo's robes, while Draco still wore the slate gray Harry was now certain was his only clothing. He was about to ask if they'd heard anything from the Wizengamot when he heard the sound of heels rapidly striking stone and turned to see Hermione rounding the stairwell, a distracted frown on her face.

"Good morning, Hermione."

Hermione hauled her bag higher up on her shoulder before smiling briefly at them all. "Morning. Bletchley's solicitor filed a counter-motion for slander attached to his request for dismissal. Which is an idiotic enough move, I have to wonder if he's that stupid or is planning something."

Harry blinked, and at Malfoy's blank expression, explained. "The only reason to file a dismissal would be to stop the trial; to then file a motion which would not only necessitate another trial, but require the defense to provide evidence seems counterproductive."

Hermione nodded, turning to face Malfoy. "It makes no sense. Is there anything you could think of that would make that worth his while?"

"What would make him think the Wizengamot would ignore the Healer's and Auror's reports and believe I made it all up, you mean? Is this a full trial?"

Hermione shook her head, awareness highlighting her features. "It wasn't requested to be. It's standard procedure with domestic incidents to not request a full trial, to avoid the audience and press of an open court." She frowned, pulling a scroll and quill from her bag. "So he thinks he's stacked the court against your name. We'll see about that..."

"Is there time to request a full hearing?" Harry watched as she scribbled a quick note, and then folded the memo.

"No, but I know several members not planning on being here today. I'm calling in a few favors to negate some of the damage."

Harry laughed, squeezing Hermione in a brief one-armed hug while Malfoy collapsed briefly against Luna. "You are frightening. I'm glad you're on my side for once."

She laughed and waved it off, but Harry could tell by the happy flush that stained her cheeks that she appreciated the compliment. "Be glad after this is over. Even balancing the court, this isn't won yet."

The doors to Courtroom 3 opened promptly at 9, and Harry followed Luna to the visitor's gallery while Hermione and Draco approached the bench on the floor. He found himself fidgeting as he waited; all the courtrooms looked the same, and they all reminded him of staring up at Cornelius Fudge while being tried for underage magic. He startled when he felt a hand on his leg, pressing down firmly to halt the jiggling he only became aware of when he stopped. He glanced over at Luna, but her attention remained focused on Malfoy and Hermione's backs, though her lips had quirked into a slight smile as she slid her hand back onto her lap.

Proudfoot, as the arresting Auror, entered a few minutes later. Something about the man always brought to mind a strange combination of Snape and Slughorn with his lank, greasy black hair and walrus moustache; but for all his bulk, he was one of the quickest with his wand on the force. His eyebrow twitched slightly at seeing Harry, but his face remained otherwise expressionless as he climbed up to sit beside him, pulling a scroll from his pocket and reading silently.

Then, there was more waiting. They wouldn't see which members chose to sit this trial until everyone arrived and the doors had closed. Harry felt ready to crawl out of his skin, and he had no idea how Hermione and Malfoy were remaining so calm-seeming, heads close together and talking quietly with the appearance of perfect ease.

After another 30 minutes, two men finally entered the room, the heavy doors slamming behind them. He leaned forward, trying to get a better look before they took their seats. Bletchley was vaguely familiar seeming: pale-brown hair curling around his ears and large dark brown eyes emphasizing the boyish cast of his face. Beside him, his solicitor fussed with his prodigious auburn moustache and frowned sourly in Hermione's direction.

They were distracted by the sound of another set of doors, and the plum-robed members of the Wizengamot filed in to their seats, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. Harry heard a softly surprised "hrmph" from Proudfoot, and cursed he couldn't see Hermione's face to judge whether her ploy had worked. It seemed likely, well over half the seats were filled, when cases only required a third.

"Would the Accused step forward, please?" Tiberius Ogden, Chief Warlock, gestured to the straight-backed chair in the center of the room. His bored-sounding drawl was reminiscent of Malfoy's in better days, and seemed to echo through the silence that had filled the courtroom.

Bletchley glanced, frowning, at his solicitor who stood quickly. "We humbly restate our request that this travesty of lies and slander against our client be thrown out, as was properly filed Monday."

"Yes, Mr. Muldoon, about that. Motion denied, you provided no evidence. Would the Accused step forward please?"

There was a snort of laughter beside him, and Harry glanced over at Proudfoot while Bletchley and his solicitor exchanged a quiet but heated conversation. "I take it Muldoon wasn't expecting Ogden?"

"No one expected Ogden. Look at them." Proudfoot gave a faint nod to the Wizengamot Gallery, many of those present grumpily eyeing the Chief Warlock. "He's been in Majorca for a week; was supposed to be gone through the end of the month. Annual vacation, you know. When Muldoon filed, I was expecting it to be thrown out with the Members available. I was just planning on taking a couple hours hiding out in here and finishing my paperwork."

Harry's half-suppressed snort was interrupted when Luna squeezed his hand, and he turned back to see Bletchley sitting in the straight-backed chair in the center of the room. His solicitor was once again in his chair, shuffling through parchment with obvious irritation. Hermione's shoulders were relaxed, and he didn't need to see her face to guess at her smug expression. Letting his eyes wander over the Gallery, he noted the irritated expressions on many faces, and if he didn't know better, he'd think Ogden was about to fall asleep in the pile of parchment he had in front of him. He glanced quickly at Luna, and for all her expression remained placid, her gaze was fixed carefully on Malfoy's back. He followed her eye line and noted the almost-quivering stiffness he'd seen in Malfoy, both in Healer Lufkin's office and when he'd called in the life debt.

His stomach lurched in worry, and his fingers tightened in Luna's. He wondered a moment that he'd grown to know enough of Malfoy's emotions to decipher his state of mind from the set of his shoulders when Ogden tapped his wand against the desk before him. "Prosecution, if you would begin; I've a beach to get back to."

Things went much as expected. Malfoy's history and Dark Mark seemed to be the root of Bletchley's defense. Bletchley was never bound to the chair, and his solicitor presented him as the victim of the case: an innocent man who simply lost his temper upon discovering that his casual partner was attempting to entrap him with a pregnancy.

A good number of the Wizengamot appeared to agree. Had anyone but Hermione been in charge of Malfoy's case, he likely would have been dismissed or in Azkaban himself before two hours were out.

Hermione was fierce in her defense. She'd acquired a well-founded reputation for both integrity and sheer bull-headedness that made her a force of nature in court. She poked holes in Bletchley's defense, from the casualness of his relationship (backed up with three years of Auror reports confirming their shared residence), to the source of the potion (witness testimony that Bletchley had visited three apothecaries to attempt to acquire the potion, followed by a fourth to gain the ingredients), to the Healer's reports, detailing months-old injuries discovered when Malfoy was in St. Mungo's.

It wasn't enough. Malfoy's name and status as a former Death Eater weighed heavily, and the Wizengamot was unable to reach a majority decision.

"Is there anything else either side can present?" Ogden ran a hand over the shiny spot on the back of his head and glared down at the two solicitors on the floor after four hours and three failed huddles. "I believe all here would like to eat lunch."

Harry stood.

He'd been a witness on numerous occasions, but he never got accustomed to being the sole focus of all the members of the Wizengamot. He felt his shoulders tighten and took a breath, attempting to appear calm. Both Luna and Hermione had small smiles, and he suspected this was something both had hoped would happen. He only hoped they had a plan.

"Auror Potter, I was unaware you were connected to this case." Ogden's bland expression hinted at a lie behind his words, and Harry began to suspect he was being managed a bit more than he'd realized.

"Auror Potter is here as a witness, Chief Warlock." Hermione's voice cut in smoothly.

"I see. As your history with Mr. Malfoy is a matter of common knowledge; what is your knowledge of the accused?"

"Er, not much. I know he was in Hogwarts a few years ahead of me. Played on the Slytherin Quidditch team. Beater, I think."

"Then your connection to this case?"

He wasn't certain what Hermione had planned, but decided to reply to Ogden and let her sort things out. "I was there, at the Healer's office, I mean. When Malfoy learned about the pregnancy."

Ogden's eyebrows shot up. "You accompanied Mr. Malfoy to his appointment?"

"No. Ginny had an appointment with the same Healer. Healer Lufkin. We were right after Malfoy's appointment. He was there with Luna. And, well, Lufkin was a bit of an arse; he just blabbed it out in the waiting room when we were sitting there."

"And how can you be certain Mr. Malfoy was not just… playing to an audience?"

He snorted in spite of himself. "Malfoy might hide what he's thinking, but he can't fake it, and he hates being surprised or vulnerable." His gaze wandered from Ogden's smug expression back to Malfoy, who was wearing the expression he always associated with Malfoy trying to hide his thoughts: brow smooth, mouth slightly pinched at the edges, eyes narrowed with strain. He really couldn't hide anything.

Muldoon sputtered, his face flushing and momentarily reminding Harry of his uncle. "You expect us to believe Mr. Malfoy was surprised by the news because you say so?"

"You think Harry's history with Mr. Malfoy would leave him inclined to lie in his favor versus your client?" Hermione's voice was smooth and her expression calm. "We've already established he has no real knowledge or history with Mr. Bletchley, and his history with Mr. Malfoy could be described as antagonistic at best."

"He could be mistaken!"

"It's true. He could be. But he's certain enough to state it for the record and risk perjuring himself."

"Is that true, Mr. Potter?" Ogden's voice cut over the argument with the ease of long practice.

"It is, Sir."

"Very good." Ogden rapped on the railing before him, convening another huddle as Harry climbed back to his seat between Luna and Proudfoot. He returned Luna's smile, and ignored the faint smirk on Proudfoot's face as the huddle broke up.

"Guilty!"