Harry was buzzing in anticipation but managed to keep a cool exterior. At least Draco didn't seem to suspect anything. Harry made sure they were seated in a dark corner, with only a small tea light illuminating their table. Draco looked exceptionally handsome in the muted fireglow. His hair shimmered and his eyes were a soft grey, like a gentle rain. Harry let Draco order for them, since he knew what everything on the menu was, and Draco seemed to like having this over Harry. Harry didn't mind. He was so soppily in love with the man it certainly didn't matter.

It had been a mad eight months. Living with Draco had been eye-opening. Not that he hadn't enjoyed living with and loving Ginny. But this was an entirely different home life. This was love as he had never experienced it. A completeness he never expected. He smiled to himself, reveling in that warm glow in his chest where something inside him purred contentedly.

Draco lifted his wine glass and gazed at him quizzically. "What are you smiling at, Potter? Not that I mind. You are extremely charming when you smile like that."

Harry shook his head. "You know, it's really hard to believe sometimes that we actually like each other now."

"Like? We practically drool on each other."

"Yeah. But even a year ago, I bet you never even thought about me."

Draco paused and cocked his head to one side. "I gave you the occasional passing thought. I was trying to figure out if I owed you a life debt."

Harry fidgeted with the salt cellar. "I don't think so. I think your mother made us even."[1]

"So?" said Draco, leaning over the table, his chin on his hand. "Did you ever think about me?"

"Sometimes. I wondered...I hoped you had reformed."

Draco frowned. "Reformed from what?"

"You know what I mean."

"No. I'm afraid I don't. Just what are you insinuating, Potter?"

Harry could tell that Draco was not playing with him. His hackles had gotten up. Blimey. The least little thing could set him off. "I wanted you not to be a Death Eater anymore, okay? You bloody well knew that I meant that." Harry's mood soured a little. But he shook it off and edged closer to the table. "I didn't know what you did for a living... Look, forget this. I don't want us to ruin tonight. I wanted to ask you something-"

But Draco plowed on. "You know, that's a lot of nerve, really." He drank his wine and set the glass back down, twirling the stem of the goblet between his fingers. "You can't expect everyone to reform to your standards. There are Gryffindors and Slytherins in this world for a reason and we need them both."

Harry was trying to catch up to that thought when the waiter arrived with their soup. Once he left, Harry leaned in. "I don't think we really do need both. I mean I don't think having that sort of an attitude is healthy."

Draco sipped delicately at his soup, scooping his spoon away from him. He didn't look up at Harry. "What sort of an attitude do you mean?" he said tightly. "Devious? Cunning? Those seem to have been qualities you valued when you were looking for those damned Horcruxes."

Harry slurped his soup, fisting the spoon. "Everyone sort of needs those qualities to a certain extent. I meant all that Pureblood claptrap."

Draco dabbed at his lips with the serviette and laid it again into his lap. "Pureblood claptrap? Well that's fine, isn't it? It was Purebloods who preserved Wizardkind, you know. If not for Purebloods, we might have blended completely with Muggles, disappearing or getting killed. I don't suppose you'd fancy being burned at the stake, eh?"

The waiter took their bowls away and brought the entrees. "Where are you getting this stuff? Some propaganda you got at your father's knee, no doubt."

Draco cut angrily into his Chateaubriand. "It is history, Potter. Ever heard of that? Apparently, you never did. We learned all of this in History of Magic in our first year."

Harry tried to recall it but couldn't. History of Magic had been so boring, he had remembered very little from that class. "Well, anyway! It's not like we have to perpetuate that idiotic philosophy now. After all we went through."

"'Idiotic philosophy'? Do you know me at all? I still think we are a stronger race if we breed with Purebloods. It can only prove to strengthen us. There's nothing idiotic about it!"

"Then why do you teach Scorpius otherwise."

"Because I don't want him making my mistakes!" Draco had gotten too loud and he just now realized it. He looked around at the other diners glaring at him and lowered his face to his plate. "I don't want to discuss this anymore."

"I didn't want to discuss this in the first place!"

They ate in silence for a while until the waiter returned to take their plates. He soon brought their salads.

Draco speared the baby greens and lifted his fork. "I wanted to talk to you anyway. It's about Scorpius and Albus."

"Not that again. Who cares if they're gay?"

"It's not that. It's...I don't like the things Scorpius is picking up."

Harry chewed for a moment trying to figure out what Draco was talking about. He soon gave up. "What do you mean? Picking up what?"

"Bad habits. Talking with his mouth full. Speaking ahead of turn. Running through the house-"

"Wait a minute." Harry lowered his fork. "Do you mean picking up bad habits...from Albus?"

Draco sipped his wine without looking at Harry. "Yes," he said quietly. "I think you should talk to him."

Harry was speechless with outrage. He stared at Draco so hard the blond suddenly looked up, no doubt feeling his emotions emanate from across the table. "You have got to be kidding!"

"I certainly wouldn't 'kid', as you say, about something as important as this. Scorpius will have heady duties someday. He will probably serve in the Ministry. I have hopes that he will serve high in the Ministry. But he won't have a hope in hell if he is perceived as an uncouth barbarian."

"Like my son, you mean. Dammit, Draco. That is the most insulting thing you've ever said to me!"

Draco considered this. He took his wine hesitatingly. His hand trembled and he set it down again without taking a sip and sloshed its contents on the tablecloth. "Well I...I didn't mean it like that-"

"Just how did you mean it? What else was I to infer from that?"

He waited. Draco squirmed. It seemed he had gotten himself into a tight corner. He bit his lip. "Okay. You're right. I...that was very rude. I just...." He sighed and seemed to sag in his seat. "Scorpius is all I've got," he said in a voice full of surrender.

His expression served to mollify Harry somewhat. Especially when Draco looked up at him and said, "I apologize. I never meant to insult Albus. He's very dear to Scorpius. Just...Never mind. It doesn't matter."

But Harry knew that wasn't the end of it. He smoldered and drank a gulp of water loudly.

Draco went back to eating his salad, trying to recover his dignity. "Didn't you say you wanted to ask me something?"

"Never mind," grumbled Harry, chomping on his lettuce.

"No," said Draco, somewhat conciliatorily. "Go ahead."

"I don't want to ask it now, okay!"

"Harry. Come on. What is it?"

Harry slammed down his fork. "I was going to ask you to marry me!" He snatched up his goblet and drank down the wine, barely avoiding choking.

When he looked up at Draco, the blond had frozen in place, his fork lifted to his opened mouth. A piece of lettuce fell from his fork and hit his salad plate with a soft pat.

Harry wiped his mouth with his serviette and scowled at the table. He had been looking forward to this dinner. Now all he wanted to do was go home.

Draco hadn't moved. "What?" he finally managed to say.

Harry motioned to the waiter for the bill. He took the Muggle money from his pocket and put the pound notes on the table. "I'm ready to go," he said, rising.

Draco put down his fork and closed his mouth. Without saying anything, he rose and followed Harry out. They said nothing as they walked side by side into the night. It was cold, and Harry hunkered in his jacket. He touched his wand in his pocket and cast a warming charm on both of them. They didn't hold hands and Draco didn't take his arm.

Sullenly, they walked silently almost all the way home when Draco simply stopped. Harry took a few more steps before turning back.

"Were you really going to ask me?"

Harry sighed and drew his fingers through his hair. It was a gesture that usually annoyed Draco but the blond said nothing. In fact, he had an anxious look on his face. "Yes. I thought...since our divorces will be final in a few months, we could plan on a Christmas wedding."

"And now?"

"Now? I don't know."

"Oh." Draco kicked at nothing on the pavement. Quietly, he asked, "So...you don't want to marry me now?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm not in the mood to talk about it now."

"Not in the mood? Well just when do you think you'll be in the bloody mood to talk about it?"

"I don't know! Not when you're being an arse."

"I'm always an arse!"

"Too right."

"Well that's just great." He flapped his arms and walked in a tight circle, staring at the parked cars and the empty, damp street. "I just thought you sort of loved me."

"I do, idiot."

"For richer for poorer. An arse or not. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Harry's anger was beginning to thaw. "I don't think it goes like that."

"Well it should. I can't be the perfect mate to you at all times. Do we both have to wait till we're both in a good mood? Because I don't recall loving you any less when you annoy the piss out of me."

Harry couldn't help but smile. "Well...that's a good point."

"Too right, it is. Geez, Potter! I don't think it's fair you holding something like that over my head." He stood with his fist at his hip. But Harry could see he was trembling. His face was beautiful in the streetlight's glow. Even when his lip was curled up in that familiar sneer. It was endearing these days. And it wasn't so much sneering as quivering. Draco's eyes were glistening suspiciously, too. Harry hoped he wasn't about to cry. He hadn't wanted that.

Harry took a step closer. "You're right. It isn't fair. I don't know what I was thinking."

"You're an idiot, that's why."

"I surely must be." He drew closer, close enough that he could slip a hand to Draco's hip.

Draco stared up into the light of the streetlamp, blinking furiously and darting an occasional glance at Harry's face. "So I hope you plan on remedying the situation."

"I do." He crept closer until he was up against the man and cupped his cheek with his other hand. "I love you, Draco," he said softly. "No one has made me as happy as you have. You know I am deeply in love with you."

Draco squirmed, trying to be nonchalant. He toyed with Harry's lapel. "And I...I love you, Harry. More than you'll ever know."

"I know. It would be a shame not to show that love to the world, wouldn't it?"

"I don't know," he said coyly. "What did you have in mind?"

Harry leaned in a kissed Draco's lips very softly. "I was rather hoping...what I'd like to do...Sweetheart...." Draco's grey eyes fixed on his and he held his breath. Draco's gaze was disarming. Harry knew how much the Slytherin loved it when Harry called him that. "Sweetheart," he said again in a whisper, just touching the man's lips with his own. "Will you marry me?"

Draco's anxious features relaxed into blissful contentment. He smiled. His lids lowered and those snow-tipped lashes brushed across his cheek. "I'd love to marry you, my Harry. Any time you'd like." And then he kissed Harry. They kissed for a long time under the street lamp, holding each other tightly.

They walked and kissed, until they reached the steps of their London flat. At the threshold they succumbed to another bout of unrestrained kissing and groping...just as Teddy opened the door.

"Thought you were ho-Oh, bloody hell!" He covered his eyes dramatically and pushed the boys back out of the doorway. "Come, away boys. This is not a child-friendly view."

"What?" cried Albus. "Are they kissing again? They do that a lot."

"Yeah," said Scorpius. "A bit disturbing, but you know. They love each other so what is one to do?"

Both blushing furiously, they entered the foyer. Teddy was smirking at them.

"Um...well. I guess we have news," said Harry.

Draco glared at Harry. "Potter, I don't think this is the time."

"Why not? Scorpius lives here. He's going to find out-"

"Not if you keep your bloody mouth shut!"

"Now that's a rotten attitude, Malfoy."

"It's not something you spring on your own child just after a divorce, you know."

"But it's a good thing, isn't it?"

"Potter!"

"Father? Are you getting married, or something?"

They froze and locked their gazes on Scorpius.

Albus shrieked with delight. "Dad! No way!"

"Er...."

Draco smacked Harry on the shoulder.

"Ow!"

"You somehow let on!"

"I didn't say anything! You wouldn't let me!"

"Good God," sighed Teddy. "You are getting married! At least you know how to bicker like an old married couple. You might as well."

That stopped Harry and Draco again and they both looked sheepishly at the floor. This time, it was Draco who slipped his fingers into Harry's dangling hand. "Yes," said the blond. He looked with concern toward his son. "Is...is this okay with you?"

"It's not really up to me," said Scorpius quietly.

"But it affects you. I would never do anything that wouldn't be right for you."

"So if I said I didn't like it, you'd not marry Harry?"

Draco seemed to choke. Harry was very interested in Draco's reply, considering Harry was ready to break it off with him for the sake of his own children. His hand tensed in Draco's.

"Well...no. I...I love Harry too much to give him up. I need him. But I need you too."

Scorpius' serious expression broke into a sunny grin. "Well that's a good answer, Father. Very Slytherin."

Draco laughed with relief and grabbed his son in a hug, kissing his cheek. "Not in front of Albus," the boy chuckled.

But Albus was already hugging Harry and the feeling of it was like nothing else. Albus looked up at him, a face so very like his own. "I think it's brilliant, Dad. I want you to have love in your life. You deserve it. And I like Mr. Malfoy- Hey! That will mean that Scorpius and I will be step brothers! Cool!"

Scorpius looked at his friend with wonder. "Yeah! That's great!"

Teddy put his arm around both fathers. "And I will have two Goddaddys. Bless them."

Draco didn't shrug off Teddy's hand as he was wont to do. Instead, he gazed happily at Harry. "We have some planning to do."

"Yes. But it can wait till morning."

"I can't wait to see James and Lily's faces," said Albus. "Remember, Dad. They're coming to tea tomorrow."

Harry did remember. And suddenly he was feeling a little less comfortable.

* * *

The next afternoon, the Floo whooshed and in walked Lily holding on to James' hand. Harry made sure he was there to greet them. He grabbed Lily and hoisted her up in the air. "How's my little Lily Flower?"

She giggled and let Harry give her noisy kisses at her cheek and neck. He set her down and looked at James. After the incident at Hogwarts when James was almost expelled, James had been a different person. But Harry always approached him now cautiously. "James," he said. He wanted to hug him but didn't know if the boy would allow it. He needn't have worried. James fell into an embrace that didn't last as long as it used to but Harry owed it to his age rather than any left over rancor. Harry smiled at the two of them. "Are you ready for tea or would you like to see the house first?"

"I want to see the house!" squealed Lily. He took her hand and made sure he included James in the invitation. They encountered Draco in the foyer. His expression was cool as his grey eyes swept over Lily first and then James, where it stayed. James strode directly up to Draco and put out his hand. "Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for having us to tea."

Draco took it and gave it two firm shakes. "It's my pleasure. Hello, Lily."

"Hi, Mr. Malfoy. You have a nice house."

"I was just giving them the tour," said Harry happily. It was great to have all his children with him.

"That's fine," said Draco. He looked over the kids again. "Albus calls me Draco. You should probably do the same. I sound a bit like a solicitor with all these 'Mr. Malfoys'."

Lily giggled. James looked on. Harry put his hand on his eldest's shoulder and steered him up the stairs. Lily took them two at a time, running ahead. James walked up silently beside him. "You okay, James?" he asked quietly.

James nodded, looking around at the portraits on the walls and the other strange objects on side tables. "Uh huh. It's just...weird, that's all."

"I understand. I appreciate your coming."

James looked up at his father. "I wanted to, Dad. I want us to all get along."

Harry swallowed a lump in his throat and said nothing more as he showed them into Scorpius and Albus' room, where the two boys were ensconced looking at Quidditch magazines.

"There's the squirt," said James upon spying Albus.

Albus looked up and smirked. "Look, Scorp. It's the Boy Who Got Perpetual Detention."

Harry hid his smile behind a cough.

Lily jumped on the bed and bounced. "This is your room? You're so lucky! Look at the Muggle street down there!"

"Lily!" said Harry, thinking about what Draco might say. "Stop jumping on the bed."

"I like this room," she said, coming to rest on the bed's edge.

"That's fine. But you're not staying," said Albus protectively. "You're just here for tea."

"I can stay if I want to. Can't I, Dad?"

"Er...after Albus goes home, perhaps."

"When's tea?" asked Albus. "I'm starved!"

"You're Scorpius," said Lily, rising from the bed to stand in front of the blond boy who looked so much like the man Harry loved.

"Yes," said the boy. "And you're Lily Potter. I wish I had a sister."

"You can have her," said James. "Only three Sickles."

"James!" said Harry, nudging him good-naturedly.

"But you will," said Albus. "Remember? When Dad and-"

"Albus!" Harry glared at his son. "Later."

He didn't want to spring this news on his other children right away.

But it was too late. James caught up to the conversation. "Something you need to tell us, Dad?" His expression was tight and he looked worried. Would they lose all the ground they had gained since James' near expulsion?

Well, the Snitch was out of the box now. Harry sat on the bed. "Come here, kids." Harry was startled to see Scorpius include himself, and he moved in with the others. He put his arm around Lily and Albus. James stood before him. "Scorp and Al already know. The thing of it is, Draco and I...we're going to be married."

"To each other?" asked Lily. "Can boys do that?"

"Yes, sweety. We can. We love each other very much and we'd like to make it permanent-"

"But you loved Mummy, and that wasn't permanent," she said, clearly voicing what the others were thinking.

"I did love Mummy," he said. He absently rubbed his finger where his wedding band used to be. "And I still do. Just in a different way. I love Draco in a permanent way."

"Oh." That seemed to satisfy her. Albus had already come to terms with it. Harry raised his head to James.

The boy, who seemed to take after Ginny's features with brown hair and eyes, looked thoughtful. Harry could tell he was struggling. He meant what he had said to Harry that horrible morning at Hogwarts when it all seemed to fall apart, but Harry wondered if the reality might be a bit too much for a thirteen-year-old to take.

"W-when would you get married?" asked James.

"We were thinking of a Christmas wedding. That way, if you wanted to, you could all come. If you wanted to."

James nodded, biting his lower lip. "I see. It will get into the papers again, won't it?"

Harry sighed. "I'm afraid so."

James nodded again. "I think...I think...I'd like to be best man, if you'll let me."

Harry nearly slipped off the bed. "What?"

"James!" cried Albus. "That's brilliant!" He jumped up and slapped his brother hard on the back.

James cracked a smile. "If it's all right with Dad."

Harry leaped up and threw his arms around his son. He didn't care that he was crying.

"What's going on?" Draco stood in the doorway, a worry line creasing his forehead.

Scorpius grabbed his father's hand and told him excitedly, "James is going to be Harry's best man and I want to be yours!"

"You told them! We were going to wait until lat- What did you say, Scorpius?"

He smiled up at his lanky father. "I want to be your best man. May I?"

Now Draco had tears in his eyes. He licked his lips and touched his son's face. "A-anything you want, son. Thank you."

Everyone was crying except for Lily who didn't seem to understand what everyone was getting so worked up for. She stomped her foot. "Are we going to have tea or not?"

Harry laughed and took her hand. "Yes, milady. We are going to have tea right now."

* * *

After tea Lily wanted to see their rings but when Harry said he hadn't bought them yet, Scorpius piped up that they should all go immediately and buy them.

"But we've just been to Diagon Alley yesterday," said Draco.

But he was horrifically out-numbered.

They traipsed back to the Wizarding street and Lily dragged them to a jewelry shop just down the lane from Gringott's called Sperkling's. Mr. Sperkling recognized Harry immediately and came around the counter to greet him. He met Harry's brood. "Well, how can I help you, Mr. Potter?"

"Er..." Harry felt his face warm to all kinds of red. He looked at Draco eyeing the proprietor coolly under his white-blond fringe. Draco didn't deign to help. "I...need some rings," said Harry in nearly a whisper.

Mr. Sperkling matched his tone. "Some rings?"

"Um...yes. Rings. You know. Rings."

"What Mr. Potter is trying to say-and doing a miserable job of it-" said Draco, "is that he is looking for a pair of men's rings. For a wedding."

"Men's rings? But I don't understand. Are these gifts for the wedding party?"

Lily laughed. "No! We're the wedding party!"

The man looked down at her until Draco tapped his shoulder. "Up here. Now try and assimilate this. We-" and he motioned between Harry and himself- "are getting married. To. Each. Other. We need rings. Get it?"

To Mr. Sperkling's credit, he did at last 'get it' and showed no astonishment, though he was almost buzzing with excitement. Harry could see the Galleon signs flipping through his lids.

"Yes, of course, Mr. Malfoy. I have some excellent rings right over here. Do you two have a preference? Something simple or something with more panache?"

"Penache," said Draco the same time Harry said, "Simple."

They looked at one another. Harry smiled. "Maybe something simple with a little panache?"

Draco smiled back. "Just what I was thinking."

Draco and Harry peered over the glass case and four more heads joined them, nearly blocking their view.

"Ooh Dad!" cooed Lily. "I like that one!"

She pointed to a gold ring with a very large and gaudy stone in it. "You would. That would take all the money we have in our vaults, dear. Something a little more simple than that."

"Should we go with gold, Harry, or platinum?"

"Hmm." Harry stared at Draco's hair. "I like platinum."

Draco smiled. He elbowed him. "That's not what I meant."

"Gold, I think," said James.

Everyone swiveled toward him. He looked at everyone in turn. "Gold is for permanence. That's what they said in Potions. Isn't it, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco raised a brow at the eldest Potter. "Indeed. What does the father say?"

Harry shrugged. "Don't care."

"Of course you care," said Draco, slipping his arm in Harry's. Harry noticed a large witch staring at them from across the shop, who was supposed to be trying on necklaces. Though the gesture made Harry uncomfortable, he was secretly thrilled that Draco made a blatant display of their affection. Harry touched the hand on his arm and petted it.

"I mean, whatever you want. As long as it's ours."

Draco's smile warmed. "That's sweet," said he and Lily at the same time. Draco looked down at her and smirked. "I like her."

They looked at several styles, but each one was turned down by one Potter or another. Scorpius seemed partial to rings with stones in it while Albus liked the more elaborate designs. Lily liked whatever Draco chose and James tended to side with Harry.

After an hour, and nearly testing the patience of Mr. Sperkling, a pair of rings were chosen: gold bands, with a leafy filigree surrounding a small faceted stone of Alexandrite, red for Harry, green for Draco. Mr. Sperkling explained that the stone was quite rare and symbolized good health and longevity and has been long renown in both the Muggle and Wizarding worlds to possess regenerative powers. Draco was entranced by the notion.

Harry just liked the way they looked.

Draco looked over the design one last time and turned to Harry. "They're perfect. Except for one thing."

Everyone groaned. "My feet hurt," complained Lily.

"Gosh, Potter. Have you no control of your brood?"

"We've been at this an hour, Draco."

"The rings are fine. I just meant...you should wear the green one and I should wear the red one."

"But they're for Gryffindor and Slytherin, aren't they?"

"Yes, which is precisely why you should wear mine and I should wear yours."

Harry's lips broke into a smile. "I see. Sweetheart, that's a wonderful idea." And without a moment's thought, Harry leaned over and kissed Draco on the mouth.

And that's when the photographer took their picture.

* * *

A Howler arrived the next day from Ginny.


HARRY POTTER! HOW COULD YOU HAVE MADE THAT BLATANT DISPLAY IN PUBLIC WITH YOUR CHILDREN RIGHT BESIDE YOU! AND BUYING WEDDING RINGS! YOU COULDN'T HAVE TOLD ME FIRST! NO, BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE POLITE, THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO. IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG, COLD DAY UNTIL LILY, JAMES, AND ALBUS RETURN TO THAT LONDON FLAT, I CAN TELL YOU!

Harry quickly wrote a reply:

Ginny,
     That is patently unfair of you. We didn't know a photographer had snuck in there. And the kids were perfectly okay with it. I talked to them as it affects them first, you second. I fully intended to tell you but didn't get the chance. I'm sorry it hit you like that. You know I wouldn't hurt you for the world. Please don't use the kids between us. Please, Ginny. James wants to be my best man and I want him to do it. It's very important for all of us. I would like you to come, too. But I will understand if you chose not to.
     Please, Ginny. Should I come over to talk to you?
Harry

'Cue returned after a long while with a reply. Ginny simply said to come.

Harry Apparated, feeling strange at the familiar surroundings of the house in Godric's Hollow. A place that was no longer his.

Ginny stood to one side, her arms tightly crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face. She looked thinner, more drawn. She clearly wasn't taking all this well despite appearances.

He approached her with arms extended, intending to take her in an embrace, but she shied away. Her arms were still protectively tight around her.

Harry let his arms fall to his sides. "I never meant to hurt you."

"You keep saying that," she said in a barely controlled voice. "But you keep doing it time and time again. It isn't bad enough that you left me for a man, but does it have to be everywhere! Do the children have to be involved in everything! And they want to be with you now, not me. I'm just a worn-out old shoe." She began to cry.

Harry couldn't stand it. He took her in his arms and this time she allowed it. He rocked her and kissed her head. "Ginny, Ginny." Pressing his cheek to hers, they stood that way a long time. It was good to hold her. He hadn't realized how much he had really missed it. It was familiar to him, like being with his children. How he wished things had not changed. How he wished they could have stayed the same. But then he thought of Draco and if he had never known love like that something large and wonderful would have been missing from his life. It was all so fucked up. It really was.

He let her go and she wiped her face. He conjured a handkerchief for her and she gratefully took it. "You know the kids love you, too. They always have and they always will," he told her.

She nodded and dabbed at her eyes with the damp cloth. "I know. I just feel so alone, you know. Abandoned."

"I'm sorry."

"You can't keep apologizing."

"I have to. It's my fault."

"It's not your fault. You know that. You can't help how you feel."

"But I wish I didn't."

"Nonsense." She vanished the handkerchief without her wand. "You love Malfoy and he loves you. I saw the picture."

"I'm sorry about that too."

She laughed with eyes still damp from crying. "There you go again."

He smiled softly. He tugged at her and they sat together on the sofa, his arm still around her. "I meant to tell you first. I really did. It just all got away from me."

"So...when?"

"We were thinking Christmas. That way the kids could come. You're invited, too."

She shook her head. "I don't think so. I don't think I could watch that."

"That's okay. I just wanted you to know you're included."

"Thanks. That's so 'Harry Potter' of you."

He frowned. He never liked when she said that. It was one of those things she said to him when she was annoyed with him. "Well anyway. Do you still feel like having Scorpius stay with you? I can make him understand if you don't want to."

She waved her hand. "No, that's all right. I don't want to disappoint Albus."

"But he looks so much like-"

"Yeah, I know. It will be good to get to know him. Really."

"Well that's...really 'Ginny Potter' of you."

She looked at Harry and smacked him good-naturedly on the shoulder. They smiled at one another. Harry sighed inwardly. Maybe it would all be all right. Maybe happiness delayed was the best kind. He knew Ginny would be all right. She was pretty enough and gregarious enough to find someone someday. There was always hope.

"I have to get back. Scorpius is helping me with my garden."

"Oh. You've got a garden again?"

"Yeah. Scorpius seems the only one interested in it, though."

"He seems like a nice boy."

"He really is. Much nicer than Draco."

Ginny gave a genuine laugh at that. "Well, I guess I will be looking forward to his visit."
[1] So says Ms. Rowling



On to Chapter Four
"Albus"

Back to Chapter Two
"Draco"

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