Chapter 18

Draco blinked as he listened to what his girlfriend just said.

"I want to adopt him," she said again, this time sounding slightly more confident. The look on her face was the same determined one she had whenever she set her mind to something.

He put down his container of food and looked straight at her, "Are you sure? I know you never do anything without thinking about it; that's what makes you, well, you. But this isn't something you can do lightly. Having a child is a large commitment. You need to have someone who can take care of him when you're working, give him unconditional love, and always put him first. Besides, as much as I love Jamie, he's in the hospital, and there's no assurance that he'll ever be able to leave. We're doing everything we can, but it might not be enough."

"I know," she said softly. "Draco, during the war I had to send my parents away for their own protection. I took away their memories and made them believe they were someone else; someone who didn't have a daughter. When the war ended, I went to go find them. Ron wouldn't come with me, but Harry did. We reversed the spell and gave them back their memories, but it didn't magically make everything better. They still live in Australia, and refuse to come home. They said that they just needed some time, but that was years ago. They aren't coming home, and I know that. They don't understand everything that happened, because they can't comprehend a war based on blood when it seems so trivial to them. They think I exaggerated greatly, and I tried to even get Harry to talk to them, but they think it's just tales a kid tells. So I know what it's like not to have parents there for you."

She continued, "They don't know anything about my life; not about how I fought in the war, how I survived and went back to school. They don't know how I'm in charge of my own subdivision, and they probably never will know about how happy I am with you. I tried to hope they'll come around, but it's not going to happen. Before, I tried to make do with the Weasleys' as my second family, but I find it so hard to be around them still, because they'll never be my actual family, like they did with Harry. That might have been one of the reasons I stayed with Ron for so long. But Draco, being with you and Scorpius has made me feel like I once again have a family, one I chose, and not one that the world expected me to have."

"I just want Jamie to have the same. I want him to know that he has people who love him, because I do. It's only been a few weeks since I met him, but I care for him so much. And while I can't spend every minute with him, if he leaves the hospital then I can put him in daycare, or even send him to Molly's. She already has a few grandchildren who she loves taking care of, and I doubt she'll mind. But if he doesn't ever leave the hospital, then at least he'll go knowing people love him," she said softly, and he swore he almost heard a slight sob in her voice.

He listened to her talk, and felt furious at her parents. Yes, his had never been model citizens, but even when he saw her parents at the bookstore in second year, he could tell they loved her. How could they possibly think she made up all the things she said to them about the war?

Draco wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in tightly. "If this is what you really want, I can talk to the adoption agency for you. They'll tell you everything that you need to do for this to go through. You'll also need to have a meeting with the Minister of Magic as well, but I doubt that will be a problem. Then you need to talk to Jamie. Adoptions only go through if the kids want it as well; that way they can avoid having children in unloving homes. As for daycare, you can always send him to my home. I have elves that look over Scorpius, paired with my friends when they aren't busy. Scorpius adores Jamie, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind having a friend over to play with."

She cuddled into him, "Thank you; for everything. It still amazes me how great you are, and how much you care for me. You make me so happy, and I love being with you. Honestly, I've never felt as safe and comfortable with anyone as I do with you. Ron was always a chore; I had to constantly do things to please him without caring about my needs, but being with you is equality; for everything I do, you return back."

He kissed her softly, "I feel the same about you. Everything about you is amazing, and I count my lucky stars that Weasley screwed up, because it means that I finally get to have a chance with you, and that is something I wanted more than anything for as long as I remember."

"Even in school?" she teased him.

"Even when we were in school. If you talk to Theo or Blaise, I feel like both of them will probably talk your ears off on my feelings for you. And as annoying as that might be, it's the truth," he said, as he placed another kiss on her lips.

She felt herself blush, "When did you fall for me?"

"I've always felt something for you," he murmured. "First year I realised that my father was wrong, and that muggleborns could be intelligent. In second year when I warned you about the snake, while it might have come off as a threat, I was trying to tell you that you needed to be careful. In third year, when you punched me, was when I realised that you didn't need the protection that I thought Potter and Weasley gave you. Fourth year you proved were also a subtle beauty, but when you wanted to, you would let the rest of the world see it too. Fifth year you proved that you were strong, and that you would fight even the authorities for what was right. Sixth year you proved that you were compassionate when you constantly tried to make sure I was alright, even when I didn't deserve it. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I just listened to what you said that day when you visited me in the hospital and went to Dumbledore."

"The moment I fell for you wasn't when you were doing anything extraordinary. It was third year, before you punched me. You were sitting in the library, madly researching some topic which I bet wasn't even for school. Your hair was a mess, and you had ink stains on you face from writing so fast, and the ink splashing everywhere. There was something about you, which I couldn't quite place my finger on. But twenty minutes, and a lot of staring, later when I realised, I dropped the five books I was holding. Madam Pince kicked me out after yelling at me for a good ten minutes about the welfare of books, and how no one appreciates them anymore," Draco told her, remembering the moments. "I hardly knew what to do with myself after that. I tried hating you, but that didn't work, and I tried to be nice to you, but that didn't either."

"Obviously," his girlfriend sniffed. "Who compliments someone saying that their hair looks exceptionally bushy today? Seriously Draco, someone needed to teach you how to talk to girls."

"I thought you kept your hair that bushy on purpose!" he defended. "Besides I was thirteen! I hardly knew how to speak to girls to get their attention! Pureblood girls wanted me simply for my name, I partially thought you would be the same."

"Thank Merlin you've gotten better," she said as she leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. He pulled her in tighter so she was sitting on his lap. He moved his lips down so he was kissing her neck, sucking on it gently.

"I'm not ready to do anything serious yet," she whispered, and he knew that she was talking about sex.

"I know," he said as he kissed her lips tenderly. "I won't pressure you into anything you don't want to do. I care about you too much to make you do something that you might regret. And if kissing you is as far as I'll ever get, then I will be completely fine with that," he reassured her.

He saw a gentle smile cross her lips, before she resumed to kissing him again.

"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Theo asked, as he lifted his godson into the air.

"Because Hermione wants to meet you both officially, and she wants to get along with you. She said it was only fair that she met my friends seeing that I had to have dinner with hers," Draco explained, as he placed a dish of pasta on the table.

His girlfriend had brought it up the day before when they were cuddling after a serious round of snogging, and he had felt inclined to agree. He thought it was a great idea, and he loved that she was making an effort to fit into his life when she didn't have to.

"I still don't know how you guys even started dating," Blaise said with a shake of his head. "Honestly, we teased you about liking her for so long, but we never thought it would actually happen."

Draco frowned, "Why not?"

"Because she's the epitome of everything good; plus you always made an idiot of yourself around her, and we never thought you would actually play it cool enough to get her," Theo said with a smirk.

"Yeah; I swear whenever she was around you used to try and play it cool but always came off as such a prat," Blaise said with a laugh.

"Daddy's a prat," Scorpius said with a giggle as he clapped his hands.

Draco scowled as he took his son back from his friend, "Don't listen to your uncles, Scorpy. They're being very silly, aren't they? But it's okay, Daddy's here to save you from their silliness."

His son kept giggling as he watched Blaise and Theo pretend to be cross.

"In all honesty, I'm happy for you Draco," Blaise said seriously. "You deserve a witch who'll love you and your son unconditionally. And Granger will be perfect for you, if she's anything like what she seems to be. I'll be honoured to meet her."

"From what Pansy tells me, she's actually rather nice," Theo said with a smile.

"So are you and Pansy…?" Draco asked, leaving the question open for him to answer.

"Taking it slow," Theo said with a smile. "We've been on a few dates so far, but we both just want to not rush into things. Neither of us have the urge to hurry along and get married and whatever other thing pureblood parents expect of us."

"Invite her over tonight," Draco ordered. "Hermione said she wanted to get to know Pansy as well."

Theo summoned some parchment and began drafting a letter to send to Pansy. With a quick flick of his wand, the window opened and his owl flew in. Theo attached the letter to the owl's leg, and it immediately flew away. Scorpius watched in awe as he saw the magic. Honestly that kid could be amused by simple bubble spells for hours at a time.

"What is this, everyone gets a date but me?" Blaise said with a roll of his eyes. "Way to leave me out. Scorpius, it looks like the two of us are going to be single men tonight."

"Girls are yucky," Scorpius said as he stuck out his tongue.

"That they are, Buddy," Blaise said, as he gave him a high five. "Always remember that."

"Stop corrupting my son, Blaise," Draco scolded playfully. "He's still at an impressionable age."

"Sorry," Blaise smirked.

"Speaking of which, where is your girlfriend?" Theo asked, as he watched his friend move about the dining area trying to set it up with magic. It was Druin's day off, as Draco had insisted that his elf took a day to spend with his family. It had been hard convincing the elf at first to do so, but when Draco pointed out that they were both alone in raising their offspring, and that Druin's children needed him as well, the elf had finally come around in accepting his offer.

"She's working late today. Her case has found a bit of lead apparently, and she's been working so hard to try and find who the culprit is," Draco informed them.

"Adrian, Marcus, and then Fredrick. Honestly, while I didn't even know Fredrick that well, it still sucks to see him go. He only joined up to prevent his sister from being tortured to death," Blaise said with a shake of his head.

"How do you know that?" Draco asked. While he had barely known Fredrick, he had no idea that Blaise knew that much about him.

"We talked after a raid. He was in shock over seeing so many death children and babies, and kept rambling on about how he needed to keep her safe, and that they would kill her if he didn't do this. Made me feel really sorry for the bloke, you know?" Blaise said, as he lifted his wand to set the table with dishes.

"I haven't seen him since that night," Theo said.

Draco closed his eyes, knowing exactly which one he was talking about. The screams of the boy being killed still echoed in his head at night, and made it hard for him to sleep. He tried hard to forget about it, but no matter how hard he tried, it never stopped.

"Draco, this looks lovely," Hermione's voice carried from the door. She walked over and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

The tension in the room immediately dissipated, and all thoughts about their memories were forgotten.

"Hello Blaise, Theo," Hermione said, as she shook each of their hands. "It's nice to officially meet you both."

Blaise kissed her hand as he took it, "Nice to meet you too, Granger. This one wouldn't shut up about you," his friend said as he gestured to Draco.

"He's very smitten with you," Theo added with a smile. "Also, I invited Pansy over, if that's alright with you."

Hermione grinned at both of them, "That's perfect. And thank you both for doing this for me. It means so much to me that I get to meet Draco's friends."

Pansy arrived a bit later, bringing over a bottle of elf wine. As they sat at the table, ate, and talked, Draco watched in amazement about how well Hermione was getting along with his friends. He knew that none of them had a problem with her heritage anymore, yet it still surprised him that they were getting on as if they were old friends. He squeezed her hand, feeling pleased that he found someone who made such an effort to get along not only with his child, but the friends he had come to think of as family during his teenage years. Yet she seemed to be doing it so effortlessly. Hermione Granger was a miracle; a beautiful, intelligent, miracle that he was so lucky to have.

Lucius sat in his cell as he stared at the piece of parchment in front of him. He had been stunned when he received a letter, knowing fully well that it wouldn't be his son writing to him. Draco had refused to have any contact with him after the war, saying that Lucius pushed him around too much and that he was the reason Draco had suffered so much in his life.

Lucius had been selfish; he could admit that much. He had money and he had power, but it wasn't enough. He wanted to rid the world of anything he deemed to be less than pure, and he felt that the Dark Lord would be his best chance to make that happen.

He loved Narcissa, even as children. Yes, they had a marriage contract, but it had never impacted how he felt about her. He loved Draco too, and tried to give his son a good life. He wanted him to have the best, and be the best, because Malfoys deserved to have everything. Yes, he had also been hard on his son, but that was because everything depended on his success. His son was his heir, his legacy, and he would be the one carrying on the family line. So he pushed Draco, perhaps too hard at times, so he would succeed. And when the Dark Lord took a personal interest in Draco, Lucius was so pleased. So he pressured his son into joining, and keeping the family legacy alive. He wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, thinking it was what was best for him.

Yet somehow he managed to alienate his child. Draco refused to even be present at his trial.

So Lucius stared at the letter in his hands, unsure of what to make of it. He ripped the envelope and pulled out the letter to read it over. He was not prepared for what he read.

Malfoy,

I am sure by now you have heard about your son dating Hermione Granger. Surely you know why this cannot be allowed to happen, as it will taint your family line if the two get married and breed together. You know what you have to do.

I'll be in touch,

R.

A/N: Thank you so much for all your reviews, follows, and favourites! It means so much to have you guys take the time to do so.