Thanks to J.K. Rowling for creating Harry Potter.

Thanks to camnz for encouraging me to write.

Thanks to all the readers who have reviewed this story!

Chapter Five- Harry

"Hermione, this is not going to work. I can't do this for you," Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Hermione sat in the chair opposite Harry, dumbfounded.

"What do you mean? Why can't it work? I'm just talking about our children getting to know each other before Hogwarts. What is wrong with that?"

"Nothing is wrong with it. It's a fine idea, but in the situation I'm in right now, it won't work. I can't do this."

"Do what? Talk to Ginny? Set up a playdate? What on earth do you mean?"

Harry sighed. "Ten years ago, when you were in Muggle London, there was a trial. Who came forward to save Draco Malfoy from the accusation that he had murdered his wife? Me. Who knew your address? I did. Who checks in with you once or twice a year? Me. My interest in Astoria Malfoy has been questioned. I need to maintain my distance, not make a habit of seeing you and your family."

"Bullocks! This is BULLOCKS! You can't let me down! HARRY! You can't let my children down! I don't believe this!" Hermione's temper was scorching, but she also felt tears threatening to surface. "This is a chance for the future of our children, Harry. They could become friends and you won't let that happen because you are afraid of what people think? Draco's not afraid of this. Why are you?"

She was being rejected by her friend, once her best friend. And the Malfoy children were being rejected by Harry Potter. No way. No way was she leaving this room without a fight.

"I have never asked you for anything, Harry," she continued fiercely. "When all this happened to me, I didn't ask you for any help. I've stayed under the radar. This is the first time I've asked for something very important to me. And this is not hard. This is about the children. You can do this, Harry."

"Hermione, you know that I would do anything for you. But I can't do anything for Astoria Malfoy."

"Why? What's wrong with Astoria? Who won't let you? Is it the Weasleys? Who?"

"No. Molly and Arthur love all children, and they would love Astoria's children too."

"Tell me. Who won't allow this?"

Harry sighed again. "It's Ginny. She's noticed you. She notices every time we meet. She sees your smile when you see me. She knows that we talk as if we have a history together. She knows that you hug me. Why would Astoria Malfoy hug Harry Potter unless they are having an affair or something?"

Hermione looked as if she had been slapped. Her fierceness dropped away, and her lips trembled.

"Ginny is jealous of Astoria?" Hermione quavered. Astoria had lived an upright life for ten years. Astoria had been faithful to her husband and had been devoted to her kids. Astoria had only seen Harry Potter twelve times in the last ten years.

"She won't allow me to spend time with you, and she won't permit our children to spend time together either. She does not like the Malfoy family."

"She doesn't know the Malfoy family. Should we tell her who I really am? Should we tell her why I want our children to know each other?" Hermione felt broken. She buried her hands in her face to hide the tears that were flowing freely now. This was so important. There had to be a way.

"There is no way she would believe this story, Hermione. Astoria Malfoy is really Hermione Granger? She knows I miss you tremendously, and she would probably think that I have lost my marbles."

"Shouldn't we give her the benefit of the doubt and try the truth anyway?" Hermione begged.

"I'm going to lay it all on the line for you, Hermione. Things are bad right now at the Ministry. My job is not secure. If I do anything that calls my sanity into question, then my job will be gone. There are wizards circling me like vultures just waiting for me to make a mistake or do something crazy."

Hermione stared in disbelief. This was Harry Potter? Worried about job security?

"Okay." She sniffed and rose to leave. "If you think of any way we can introduce our children to each other without either you or me being involved, let me know. If I think of a way, I hope you will support me."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "You have my word. I would love for our children to get to know each other if I were not involved in any way."

"Thank you, Harry." She turned to give Harry a good-bye hug and sniffed once more.

Just then the door burst open with a bang by a furious Ginny Potter.