A/N Sorry for the long time between updates. Just finding time to write is hard. I hope you are enjoying this story as much as I am writing it. I like writing something that is not all fluff and happiness once and a while. Happy reading and don't forget to review. They make my day, seriously!

Damage Control

Seated across from the headmaster's desk was Asteria. Her long legs crossed in a casual manner. She wore a fake smile the way people wear jewelry.

"Why are you here?" Draco demanded.

"Why for our son of course." she said, her voice dripped with fake sincerity.

"Sit down Mister Malfoy." Professor Flitwick said in a harsh tone. Hermione felt like she was going to faint. "You too Mrs. Weasley."

"Look Professor," Draco started to say.

"Personally Mister Malfoy I don't care what is going on in your personal life. But when it affects my students and causes an uproar I tend to make that rather seriously."
"It's all her!" Draco said pointing his finger in his wife's smirking face. "She lied, made up stories and has done everything in her power to blackmail me into giving her more money. My father and I have cut her off pending a divorce hearing. She is an evil, spiteful woman who cares nothing for our son."

"But I do care." Asteria said mockingly. "I care a great deal about what your affair has done to our son. I just know he would want to take some time out of school and come with me." she said. Her eyes glared at her husband; just daring him to continue.

"You filthy bit…" Draco started but was then interrupted by another knock at the door.

"Come in." Professor Flitwick said. Hermione felt sick because she now knew that this would be a meeting of both parents of both children.

Ron walked in, not looking at Hermione. Not looking at Draco. Just looking straight ahead. He took the chair nearest Asteria.

"Mister Weasley. Good now that you are all here let's discuss this like rational adults. The Daily Prophet has printed something that you two claim is untrue, is that correct?"

Both Hermione and Draco nodded. Ron glared at Draco. His fists balled up in fury.

"She faked the photographs." Draco fumed.

Asteria put her hand to her chest in mock surprise.

"I did no such thing. I had those cameras put in the manner to catch house elves stealing. I had no idea whatsoever of what I would find. I mean I had already found the two of you together at Draco's family cottage. But you claimed it was work related. So I let it go. I never would have thought that I would catch you with…well someone like her." she said mockingly.

"Now wait just a minute," Hermione said. "We were working. On a patent for a new product. The minister himself can vouch for that."

"Now you were in a cottage with him? When was this? When you son was begging for you to come home at night and read to him? You are unbelievable!" he said standing up and advancing on Hermione. Draco stood up and pointed his wand in Ron's face.

"Don't come near her Weasley or I will hex you into the next century." his hand and voice were calm and steady. Hermione gasped.

"CALM DOWN EVERYONE!" Professor Flitwick yelled as he stood on his chair. "None of this is helping your children. Ron took a step back and sat down. Draco lowered his wand and did the same.

"You are not taking our son Asteria. We have an agreement. You don't even love him. You only want him for the settlement you think you are going to get."

To Hermione's surprise Asteria broke out in tears.

"You think that's true do you?" she sobbed. "I love him very much. You let this woman come between us. Between our family. And look at this poor man. Your cheap fling has ruined two families." She pulled out a lace handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. It almost looked real to Draco but he knew her ability to turn on the waterworks when necessary. Ron looked lost at what to do. He put his arm around Asteria and tried to comfort her. And to Hermione's shock she let him.

"You are not taking Scorpius. Period. Put on your fake tears to anyone who will believe you. But I know you best. It's all an act. A sympathy ploy. And it just makes you look like the fool you are."

"This is getting us nowhere." Professor Flitwick said. "You can work out your custody in court. For now no one is leaving Hogwarts. I won't allow it and will get the authorities involved if need be."

Hermione straightened up in her chair. She had never heard Professor Flitwick sound so authorities. She knew he meant business.

"I will go get the children. And I will put the Weasley's in one room and the Malfoy's in another. You will not fight in front of them. And you will not make derogatory remarks about the other parent in front of them. The consequences will be severe. Not only by me, but by the damage you will inflict on them. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley please follow me." he said hopping off of his chair and taking Ron and Hermione into a small room off the right of his office. He did the same for Draco and Asteria off to the left. Moments later Rose and Scorpius were ushered into the Headmaster's office and shown to there respective parents.

Rose looked happy but cautious about her parents being there. She ran to Hermione and hugged her tightly.

"Mum, what is going on?" she asked. Ron sat there and said nothing.

"Nothing sweetheart, really just a big misunderstanding."

"Understatement of the year." Ron muttered.

"What daddy?" Rose asked cocking her head to the side. She looked just like her mother.

"Truth is…I don't really know what's going on other than your mum has decided to leave me."

Hermione shot Ron a death glare. Tears welled in Rose's eyes.

"Is this true?"

"I'm afraid so. But I want you to know that this has nothing to do with you. Or your brother. We have just drifted apart."

"More like shoved apart." Ron said.

"What did the headmaster say Ronald?"

Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Your father and I won't be living together anymore. But things will be alright. I will find a nice place and you can see your father anytime you like."

"Will you be living with Scorpius' dad? Like it said in the Daily Prophet?"

"No, that is made up." Hermione soothed.

"Why were you kissing him? I saw the pictures…so did the whole school." she said turning deep red.

"Like I said…they were fake." She hated lying to her daughter. But she didn't want her to have to hear the whole truth right now.

Ron snorted. And Hermione threw him another death glare.

"I don't want to leave my house." Rose whined.

"You are at school now most of the year." Hermione said trying to make her feel better. "We will find you a great room and you can help decorate it any way you want."

Rose crossed her arms and looked down at the floor.

"I know this is hard. And other kids might not understand, but you are a strong girl. And you know the truth now so it doesn't matter what others think."

"Can I still be friends with Scorpius?" she asked meekly.

"Of course." Hermione said hugging her daughter. "He might need a friend as well and you are the only one who knows what he is going through as well because his parents are separating as well."

"Yeah, be his friend Rose." Ron said snidely. "He might be your step-brother someday." he whispered so just Hermione could hear.

Hermione took a deep breath and tried with all her might not to curse Ron.

"We will let you get back to class." Hermione said before placing a kiss on Rose's forehead. Ron leaned down and hugged his only daughter.

"I love you Rose." he whispered. "I wish I could make this all better. But your mum has made up her mind. And nothing I can do will change it."

Rose nodded into her dad's shoulder and sniffed.

"I love both of you." she said before heading out the door.

Ron slammed it behind her.

"So now that you can't run away…" he said.

"Let me out Ronald. Could you have been a bigger prat just now? Why don't you just grow up?"

"Is he really worth it Hermione? Is he that good in bed? To throw away your family? Your career? Your whole life?"

Hermione ignored him, but the tears welled up as she fought to contain them.

"I need to know. I need to know if there is something I could change."

"Ron was that girl at the bar worth it? Did you expect me to just forgive you and go on as if nothing had happened?"

"So this was revenge?"

"No!" she shouted.

"Oh my gods…" he said sinking into the chair and burying his head in his hands. "It's not revenge is it? You were with him before I even went out that night weren't you?"

The panic showed on Hermione's face.

"Of course not…I…" she stammered.

"Just tell the truth Hermione. Please."

Hermione considered it. Just coming clean about the whole thing. But she chickened out and headed for the door. Leaving Ron broken again with no real answers.

Draco and Asteria sat in silence as they waited for their son to enter. And he did a few minutes later. He looked as if he had been crying. He immediately ran for his father.

"What's going on dad?" he said quietly. "Kids are saying terrible things about you and Rose's mum."

"It's alright son." Draco replied. "Just someone's idea of a cruel joke. Nothing more."

"Rose is really upset." he confided. "Her cousins were really mean to her earlier."

"Her parents are talking to her now. But there is something I would like to discuss with you. Your mum and I are going to be separating. And you are going to live with me alright?"

Scorpius turned and looked at his mother. She had her typical look of indifference. Although she usually tried to hide it in front of Scorpius. He looked at his mother. Trying to find some sign of love or emotion. She looked back as if she was looking at someone's pet. He turned and hid his head in Draco's jacket and cried.

"Go." Draco mouthed silently. Asteria smirked as if watching her son cry over her was amusing. She got up quietly and left.

"Why daddy?" Scorpius sobbed. "Why doesn't she love me?"

The words broke his heart.

"She does." he lied. "She was just taught not to show love and emotion by her parents. I know its hard. My father was the same way for years. But things change, and she will come around some day and realize what she missed. But in the mean time, you and I will be together. And Grandmum can't wait to see you for Christmas. Granddad either. I'm sure they will have loads of love to give you."

Scorpius raised his head and nodded.

"I wish I had Rose's mum." he said sadly.

Draco hugged him and thought 'me too'.

After sending the children back to class, only the three of them remained.

"Where did your wife go Malfoy?" Ron barked. "Can't stand the sight of you either."

Draco remained tight lipped. He didn't want to get into it with Ron. He knew he had to let Hermione handle him.

"Ronald just shut up for once. It's obvious that we all have a lot to deal with right now. I will let you have Hugo on the weekends, but during the week he will stay with me at my parent's house. If that is not good enough for you then you can wait until we go to court to see him."

Ron's face dropped.

"You would keep him from me?"

"I don't want to." Hermione admitted. "But I don't want to fight in front of him. I don't want you saying nasty things about me in front of him. You wouldn't want me to bring up that tramp at the bar…"

Ron's ears turned red.

"Whatever you want to do is fine. Can I go back to my own home now?"

"Yes, that would be best for Hugo. I will talk to you soon." she said as she started to walk out of the room. Without thinking she reached for Draco's hand and took it into her own. A half a second later she felt Draco fall to the floor unconscious…and turned to find Ron, his wand still pointed to the spot where Draco had been.