The Eternal Triangle

Chapter 11 - Ask Me Before Someone Else Does

The little child shrieked with laughter as her father repeatedly threw her into the air and caught her.

"Up, Daddy, up!" she squealed and her father obliged, smiling at his blond daughter.

"Not so high, Draco, you'll drop her," Narcissa Malfoy's cool voice reprimanded her son.

Draco caught his daughter one last time and tickled her tummy causing Octavia to scream with laughter. With his daughter in his arms, he turned to face his mother. "Of course I won't drop her, Mother," he said easily. "If I can catch a snitch, I'm sure this little angel won't be a problem." He turned to nuzzle her cheek, making her giggle delightedly.

Narcissa walked up to them and held her arms out to her granddaughter but Octavia was having none of that. She wiggled and demanded, "Down, Daddy, wanna catch bu'ffy."

Draco let her down and turned to face his mother. It was a bright, cool morning and he had just finished having breakfast with his daughter. He tried his best to spend as much time with her as possible since Octavia's mother never bothered.

"You're up early," he said to Narcissa.

"I have a meeting with the Botanical Society committee. This coming fundraising dinner just seem to have one problem after another, this time with the venue," she said, shaking her head ruefully. "I can't understand why they decided to have it outdoors, in Scotland and in this weather."

"Maybe because the vegetation they're trying to preserve is in Scotland - and it grows outdoors?" he asked dryly.

She gave Draco a cool look. "Pansy tells me that you won't be joining her for the soiree at the Zabini's?"

"That's right, I have a meeting that morning."

Looking at him appraisingly, Narcissa asked, "Are things all right between you and Pansy?"

"Of course, Mother," he replied coolly, watching Octavia chasing birds and butterflies over the Manor's vast lawn.

Except that things were not all right between them - they never had been. He and Pansy had married because of their families' expectations. There was never any love between them, in fact he sometimes wondered whether they even liked one another. The situation had only gotten worse after Octavia's birth. Pansy was not interested in children and had only gotten pregnant because she was expected to bear the Malfoy heir. When it had turned out to be a girl, she'd turned her rage on him and flatly declared that she wasn't going to ruin her figure again if he wasn't man enough to produce a son.

And he recalled his father, Lucius's reaction upon receiving the news of the birth of his granddaughter.

"A daughter, Draco?" Lucius said, arching his elegant eyebrow disdainfully and Draco could almost read his father's mind - 'You couldn't even get that right, boy'.

Because, as far as his father was concerned, that was another thing that Draco had failed in - producing the required male Malfoy heir. For the last five hundred years at least, the Malfoy firstborn had always been male.

Draco smiled a bittersweet smile when he recalled that not only had he been man enough to produce a son, but in the tradition of the Malfoy's, his firstborn had indeed been male. The only problem was, the mother was not a pureblood, nor his legal wife. He remembered Hermione - and her enraged demand - that he 'go fuck Pansy until she gives you one' and chuckled silently to himself. Trust her to come up with such a statement.

But unfortunately, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon, if ever. He and Pansy lived separate lives, she did her own thing and he did his and that was the way he preferred it. Just as long as she left him in peace - with his beautiful daughter, Octavia. She was the only thing worth coming back to Malfoy Manor for.

Pansy had pushed her daughter out of her womb and effectively pushed Octavia out of her life as well. She didn't care one whit for the child and it hurt Draco when he saw Octavia's forlorn look when she was rebuffed, yet again, by her mother.

He hadn't lied when he'd told Hermione that he cared for his children. When Octavia was born almost two years ago, the Mediwitch placed the little bundle in his arms and he took one look at her red, scrunched up little face and the fine wisps of white blond hair and lost his heart completely. The second time he had lost his heart to a girl in his entire life.

In the beginning, he'd tried to get Pansy involved in Octavia's life but his wife flatly refused. That argument had escalated into a screaming match between them that resulted in the total estrangement they lived in now.

Draco came out of his reverie as his mother walked away and he focused again on his daughter. She had tired of chasing butterflies and was now gleefully stomping on a flowerbed recently prepared by the gardener for planting roses later. The poor man was standing by the side looking forlornly at his work being ruined by the little girl and Octavia's nursemaid was trying to coax the little girl to stop, apparently in vain. Draco grinned at the sight. He knew he really shouldn't encourage such behavior from her but he couldn't help himself. She was such an adorable minx.

She and her brother - what a pair, Draco thought, remembering Ronald's rebelliousness and his habit of sticking his tongue out to his parents when annoyed with them. His first sight of his son had been a shock, especially considering the circumstances. And he had been furious that Hermione not only didn't tell him about Ronald but actually wanted to keep his son away from him.

He truly loved his son and not just because Ronald was his. After getting to know the little boy, he was amazed, proud and extremely pleased with the sort of person Ronald was and grudgingly admitted that Hermione had done an excellent job raising him.

His son and daughter were everything to him. They were the only people he let into his heart and life completely, without reservation. The only ones with whom he was able to be himself without needing to keep up the façade he showed the rest of the world.

And he hoped that one day he would be able to introduce them to one another. He could imagine the sort of chaos those two were capable of producing. And the bittersweet smile was on his face again at the thought.

* *

Dear Father,

I hope you are keeping well since I have not seen you for the past week. I am writing to tell you that Mummy has agreed to let me see your cottage - and she says she's coming too!

Please write back. I miss you, will you come see me?

Your son,

Ronald Granger-Malfoy

The owl was an ordinary post owl and had arrived with the rest of the morning mail while Draco was having breakfast with Octavia. He was thankful that Narcissa did not join them as she sometimes did, or she might notice the odd expression on his face upon reading the last. His heart had clenched with pride but also sorrow when he saw how Ronald had signed off and fervently wished it was possible for him to publicly acknowledge his son. And he was amused to read the very proper words written in that childish handwriting. Sometimes he was so much like Hermione.

He replied immediately, telling Ronald that he would come and see him the next day. After the fight with Hermione, he hadn't been to Grimmauld Place at all and felt guilty about abandoning his son. But he was still extremely angry with Hermione and didn't know how to face her.

He wondered what had transpired between Ronald and his mother to make Hermione change her mind about the cottage. He also realized that the situation between Hermione and himself had to be resolved and resolved soon. They couldn't go on the way they were, in this tug-of-war over their son. It was unhealthy for all parties concerned and gave Ronald confused and negative signals regarding his parents.

For security reasons, Draco never flooed into Headquarters. He apparated into Grimmauld Place and when number twelve appeared, quickly unlocked the front door. He walked into the parlour and found Ronnie playing chess with Ron, while Hermione sat reading in an armchair.

Looking on the cozy scene, Draco felt a bolt of hot jealousy sear through him. It should be him playing chess with Ronald and not Weasley. And it should be towards him and his son that Hermione directed that fond, loving look.

He was still looking at Hermione, when she moved her gaze from Ron and Ronnie and her eyes met his and she started. "Mal-" she started to say before catching herself. Casting a rather guilty look at her son, she said as warmly as she could manage, "Draco, how nice to see you." Smiling (though it looked rather forced to him), she got up and came towards him, extending her hand. He caught her hand in his and together, they walked to their son.

"Father," Ronnie said excitedly, looking up from the chess board and beamed at his parents, noting their held hands. "How are you?" he continued formally.

Draco couldn't help smirking at his formality and replied gravely, "I'm very well, thank you." Studying the chess board for a moment, he noted, "Not having a very good game are you, Ronald?"

"Um, yeah," Ronnie mumbled. "But I'm getting better, aren't I, Dad?" he asked, turning to Ron.

"That you are, sport," Ron agreed, reaching out to ruffle Ronnie's hair affectionately. "We'll continue this later, okay?" He got up and inclining his head slightly at Draco, forced his voice to remain calm and said, "Malfoy." Ron walked out quickly without a backward glance and so never noticed that Hermione never took her eyes off of him until he exited the parlour and closed the door behind him.

She had told Ron and Harry about her conversation with Ronnie and with tears choking her voice, also told them her son's wish. Both Ron and Harry were visibly shaken upon hearing it. Harry had sat down dejectedly and pushing his glasses off his face, rubbed the bridge of his nose wearily. Ron, meanwhile, had turned and punched the wall repeatedly, swearing a blue streak.

"That bloody bastard. Damn fucking ferret. This is all his fault. If it wasn't for him, all this wouldn't be happening. Damn - bloody - fucking - worthless - wanker! One of these days, I'll kill him, I swear!"

He turned to face Harry and Hermione, chest heaving and fire in his eyes. Hermione rushed to him and tried to calm him down. "Ron, you don't mean that, you can't! Think of Ronnie," she cried in alarm, putting her hands on his chest.

"I am thinking of Ronnie, Hermione. He's using his own son to get to you. He wants you remember? Bet you this whole cottage idea is his way of getting you into his clutches."

"Ron!" she cried in exasperation. "You're obsessed. When are you going to trust him?"

"Never!"

Hermione looked at Ron resignedly. "Fine. Don't then. But you can't deny that he loves his son."

Ron gripped her shoulders and shook her slightly. "Does he? You think that cold bastard is capable of loving anyone but himself? It's just an act, Hermione."

She wrenched herself out of his grip and walked away. "I don't know if it's an act or not," she said agitatedly. "I hope to God it's not, because Ronnie loves him - and he wants his father."

"I can be his father, Hermione," Ron said earnestly.

"What are you saying, Ron?" she whispered breathlessly, staring at him with hope glimmering in her eyes.

"I - will -" he stuttered before his eyes flickered over to Harry who was watching them intently. "Just what I said," Ron continued, looking anywhere but at her. "Think about it," he said and walked out quickly.

Hermione had stared at the spot where Ron had been for a long while until she felt Harry touching her arm.

"He's right, you know. I'd be proud to be Ronnie's father too."

She looked searchingly into his face and sighed sadly. "Thank you, Harry, I know you would. But..."

"Ronnie wants his father," Harry continued her sentence quietly.

She nodded miserably. "He loves both you and Ron, he really does, but he's old enough to realize that Draco's his real father and he won't understand why - why - "

"Why he has to settle for us when he can have Malfoy," Harry finished heavily. When Hermione just nodded, he continued, "Do what you think is best, Hermione. For you and Ronnie."

He kissed her forehead and walked out, leaving her alone with her confused thoughts - because she had no idea what was best for them.

She felt Draco tugging on her hand to pull her close and swung round to face him. He looked at her for a long moment with an unreadable expression on his face then a smirk twisted his lips and flicking a glance at the door Ron had just exited from, he bent and captured her mouth with his. She stiffened in outrage and instinctively pushed him away but he tightened his hold and turned her slightly so that her eyes landed on her son who was watching them, wide eyed.

"Eeeww, Father. Gross!" Ronnie said in disgust.

She kept her mouth stubbornly closed against Draco's even though she'd stopped trying to push him away when she saw Ronnie. She could feel him smiling against her mouth at Ronnie's remark. He pulled back and turned to face his son. "You'll change your mind son, trust me," Draco said, smiling.

Looking at his father in disbelief, he asked instead, "Are we going to see the cottage then?"

Hermione took the opportunity to slip out of Draco's hold and walked quickly towards the door. "I'll leave the two of you to it. Tell me what you decide." Directing her smile towards her son, she slipped out the door without meeting Draco's eyes.

You're right Ronnie - eeeww gross! Hermione shuddered. She wondered whether Ron's suspicion had been right and Draco was using Ronnie to get to her. She sincerely hoped not because her son did not deserve to be so cruelly disappointed by his own father.

Thinking of Ron, she reminded herself to caution Ronnie not to tell 'Dad' that 'Father' had kissed Mummy. She shuddered again to imagine the explosion that would cause.

* *

Draco, Ronnie and Hermione had flooed from Headquarters to the 'Cottage' - as Draco's cottage was so aptly called. Hermione had rolled her eyes when Draco told her that. The Malfoys were incapable of even coming up with an original name?

She walked out of the fireplace, not surprised to note that no soot flew up. (The Malfoys probably strung up their house-elves in the dungeons if even a speck of dust appeared anywhere!) Draco had flooed ahead with Ronnie and they were waiting for her. As soon as she stepped out, she gasped when she was assaulted by a feeling of such revulsion, hatred and evil that was directed towards her so severely that it penetrated to her very bones. She paled and almost collapsed but Draco swiftly came and supported her.

"Hermione, what is it? Are you all right?" he asked worriedly, leading her over to a plush armchair. She looked up at him and recoiled when she saw over his shoulder a life-sized portrait of the Malfoys hanging over the fireplace. Lucius Malfoy's cold gray eyes were looking at her with such a vicious, spiteful look that she couldn't help shuddering, even though it was just a portrait.

Her skin crawled as if thousands of ants were walking and pinching every part of her and her stomach roiled until she thought she'd throw up. Even her scalp and hair was itching in hot uncomfortable waves.

"I can't stay here, I can't," she gasped, almost painfully. "I need to get out, now!" She jumped up and frantically raced back to the fireplace. Grabbing the floo powder, she yelled, "12 Grimmauld Place." But nothing happened. She looked at Draco in panic. "What's happening? Why can't I go?" she asked hysterically. The itching, burning, crawling sensation was now so bad that she was trembling.

"It's protected. I need to say the incantation before the floo network will open," Draco replied.

"Then do it, dammit!" she cried wildly.

Draco opened his mouth but instead of the incantation, he called, "Mrs. Plummer!" A plump, pleasant faced older woman bustled into the room and bowed respectfully to Draco.

"Mrs. Plummer, this is my son Ronald," he said quickly, indicating Ronnie who was staring at his mother in horror. Hermione was by now curled up in the fireplace, moaning. Ronnie made to go to his mother but Draco stopped him.

"Ronald, please stay here with Mrs. Plummer. She'll take care of you."

"What's wrong with Mummy?" he wailed in panic.

"I'll look after her, I promise," Draco hurriedly reassured Ronnie. "Just stay here, all right?"

When Ronnie tearfully nodded, Draco rushed to the fireplace and he and Hermione disappeared in a rush of green flames. They landed in Headquarters and Hermione stumbled out and collapsed on the sofa, wrapping her arms tightly around herself, shuddering and trembling uncontrollably. After a while she started to cry.

"That place is horrible, evil," she gasped out between sobs. "Get Ronnie back now. This instant!" she demanded, glaring at Draco with wet eyes.

He ignored her rant and asked, "Just what happened back there?"

"I told you, that place is evil!" she insisted shrilly. "Bring him back now. I don't want him anywhere near that place!" She was almost hyperventilating in her extreme agitation.

Draco sat beside Hermione and put his arm around her, trying to sooth her panic. "Calm down, Hermione. Ronald's fine, nothing's going to happen to him there."

"Yes it is," she cried. "Go and bring him back. GO!" she screamed hysterically, pushing him desperately towards the fireplace and bursting into tears when he refused to budge. "Please, please, bring him back. P-p-please Draco, bring my baby back," she sobbed desperately.

He looked taken aback at her total breakdown but when her choked, desperate sobs continued unabated, he went to the fireplace and went to fetch his son. When they got back, Hermione was still crying, hugging herself tightly and rocking back and forth on the sofa.

Ronnie rushed to his mother and with a strangled cry, Hermione pulled him into a tight hug, sobbing uncontrollably. Draco looked on in puzzlement, trying to figure out just what had happened to unravel Hermione so completely.

After a few minutes, Hermione's sobs gradually subsided. Ronnie hadn't said a word through it all but just held on to her with a wide eyed, frightened look. "Are you okay, Mummy?" he asked in a small voice, when Hermione's hold on him loosened and she sat up. Sniffing and swiping at her wet eyes, Hermione tried to smile reassuringly at him.

"Y-yes. I'm sorry I scared you," she said gently to him, trying to wipe the moisture from her eyes with her hands. A snowy handkerchief appeared in front of her and she looked up into Draco's gray eyes. She thanked him in a quiet voice and took it, drying her eyes and blowing her nose.

"I'm all right now," she told her son, pushing his hair away from his face lovingly. Ronnie sat down next to her on the sofa and she hugged him to her side. Draco sat himself on a chair facing them and looked consideringly at her.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened?"

Her hand clenched and unclenched on her lap and she avoided Draco's eyes. "There are wards and protective spells surrounding that cottage, isn't there?"

"Of course."

"Of course," Hermione repeated hollowly. "Who put them up - and what is the intent behind them?"

"That cottage's been in my family for generations and the spells have always been there. Every generation renews it though. It's traditionally done by the head of the Malfoy family and my father did it the last time. As to the intent - well it's supposed to keep the family warded and safe from our enemies, of course," Draco explained.

"Define enemies."

Draco looked startled at her question. "Those who hate and mean harm to us - that's the usual definition for enemies, isn't it?"

"What about those whom you hate?"

"Well, yes. Those whom we hate would fall under the definition of 'enemy' as well," Draco agreed then his eyes widened in comprehension. "Oh."

"Yes, Malfoy - 'oh'," Hermione said venomously. "That's the sort of place you want us to stay in? Your long association with the Dark Lord must have fried your brains!"

"I never thought about it," Draco protested heatedly. "That's just the way it's always been with us. All our properties are protected such."

"'Us' - and you never thought about it. That's the problem with you Malfoys, it's always about you and the rest of us don't matter. Your arrogance makes me sick!" she raged. She opened her mouth to continue but Ronnie interrupted.

"Mummy, you promised!" he cried accusingly, glaring at her.

Hermione flushed and looked at guiltily at Ronnie for she had indeed promised her son that she wouldn't fight with his father anymore. "I - I - " she stuttered, then took a deep breath and said softly, "I'm sorry, Ronnie." She pulled him to her and gently caressed his hair. Turning slightly to face Draco, she murmured, "Your father tracked Ronnie from the moment of his birth... Did you know that?"

Draco's eyes widened in shock. "No, I didn't."

"He did." Hermione's voice was quietly resigned. "Blood magic. That's the reason I contacted the Foundation - I needed to find a way to block or divert the tracking."

"Hermione..." Draco's eyes softened as he looked at her - looking so small and vulnerable - yet with a fierce light in her eyes, holding her son protectively in the circle of her arms. He shuddered inwardly to imagine what would have happened if Lucius had managed to locate them. For he knew his father's pureblood pride would never have allowed the grandson - born of a mudblood mother - to live. And how he would have further ... punished ... the mudblood mother who dared to bear him. And the fact that she was also Harry Potter's best friend, would only have made it doubly pleasurable for Lucius Malfoy.

Yes, Hermione would have done anything, brave any horror, sacrifice everything, if it meant keeping Ronald safe. She had been doing so for seven years - alone. He felt humbled and awed in the face of her sheer strength of will, her determination and her fierce love for her son... and his respect and admiration for her deepened further.

Hermione Granger was a remarkable woman indeed, in every way ... but he would never tell her that.

Draco's face was calm, in no way showing what was in his mind, or heart. Growing up in his father's house, he had learned, from an early age, the value of keeping his thoughts hidden behind a mask of cold disdain and arrogance.

He reached out for Hermione's hand which was caressing Ronald's hair and his other hand replaced hers on his son's head. Looking intently at them both, he said, "I'll re-cast the wards at the cottage so that it'll be safe and comfortable for you both. And we'll try again. All right Hermione?"

"No."

"Why not?" Draco asked, stung by her flat refusal. "I said I'd re-cast the warding!"

"It'd be better for us to stay here," Hermione replied flatly, not meeting Draco's eyes. "You don't need to do anything to your cottage. Let it remain the way it's been for generations." She pulled her hand out of his and clenched it on her lap. "We'll be all right here," she said almost defiantly, finally meeting his eyes and pulled Ronald closer to her.

"You're selfish!" Draco finally spat out.

"Selfish?" she gasped in outrage.

"Yes," he hissed. "All you can think of is being with Potter and Weasley. You don't care that this house isn't exactly the right sort of place for a growing boy. Ronald needs somewhere he can run around, not cooped up in this gloomy place with mad, screaming portraits for company!" Draco stood up in disgust and started pacing.

"And what about his schooling? I thought that was important to you? Bookworm, know-it-all that you are," he sneered, looking coldly at her.

Hermione couldn't answer. As angry as she was with Draco, his words hit home. Headquarters was certainly no place for Ronnie and he'd already missed almost a month of school. But to admit that Draco was right... and accept his charity...

"Ah, how dense of me," Draco almost spat. "You don't want to accept because this comes from evil Malfoy - and not saint Potter. Damn you Granger, no matter how long you delude yourself or how much you may wish otherwise, Ronald is MY SON! The sooner you accept that fact, the better it'll be for everyone."

"I KNOW!" Hermione burst out, standing and glaring defiantly at Draco. "I have never denied that Ronnie is your son-" Hermione opened her mouth to continue but felt a cold, little hand slip into hers. She looked down and saw that Ronnie had stood up and was looking up at her with sad eyes. He turned to look at Draco and whatever Draco saw on his son's face rendered him speechless and his anger deflated. Ronnie didn't utter a single word to his father but turned his back on Draco and tugged Hermione towards the door.

"Come on, Mummy, let's go," he said in a small voice.

"Ronald..." Draco said uncertainly.

"Go home, Father. Mummy and I will be fine," he said in a flat, resigned tone. "Right, Mummy?"

And they left Draco standing alone.

* *

Hermione and Ronnie were walking in the woods behind the Burrow. After they'd left Draco, Ronnie asked to go to the Burrow to see Marc and Alex, Bill and Fleur's twins. The twins were a year younger than Ronnie but the three of them got along wonderfully. When they reached there, Molly informed them that Fleur had brought the twins and Francois, their two-year old brother, to Diagon Alley with her and would only be there at lunchtime. Hermione wanted to go straight back to Grimmauld Place but was persuaded by Molly to stay.

"Mummy?"

"Yes, Ronnie?"

"You and Father don't like each other much, do you?"

Hermione sighed sadly but didn't turn to face her son. Her soul rebelled at having to be the one to disillusion Ronnie regarding her relationship with Malfoy and the truth about his conception. A six year old child did not deserve to be told that he was conceived out of hate and not love.

She went on walking but stopped when she saw that Ronnie had not followed. She turned around to face him and her heart broke seeing his sad little face.

"I once overheard you say to somebody, 'the truth, no matter how painful, is preferable to lies'. Tell me the truth, Mummy. I'm six, I'm not a baby."

"You'll always be my baby, Ronnie."

He grimaced slightly at her words and rolled his eyes. "You're stalling aren't you?"

Hermione sighed again. Walking to the base of a nearby tree, she sat down and patted the ground in front of her. "Come, sit with me."

When he'd sat down, she took both his hands in hers and stared intently into his eyes. "When we were all at Hogwarts, your Dad, Harry and I didn't exactly get along with your father. He was the personification of a Slytherin and that time was the start of the second rise of the Dark Lord. You do know what I'm talking about, right?"

Ronnie nodded. "Yes, I've read about it."

"On top of that, your grandfather, Lucius Malfoy, was a known Death Eater," Hermione continued. "We all naturally assumed that Draco would follow in his father's footsteps and become a Death Eater himself. And the way he behaved only reinforced our belief. It was only later that Professor Dumbledore told us the truth about the role your father was playing for the Order.

"But even when we knew that, we still didn't get along with him... and we still don't. So, yes, your father and I don't like each other much," Hermione said sadly. "But no matter what we both feel for each other, please believe me when I say that both of us love you very, very much."

When he didn't answer, she cupped his cheek tenderly and asked softly, "You do believe me, don't you darling?"

"I - I guess. But why did you tell me that you and Father were in love before? Why did you lie to me, Mummy?" he asked sadly.

"Because I thought - I thought it'd make you happier to think that your parents loved each other. Was I wrong?" she murmured unhappily but Ronnie just shrugged.

"I'm sorry, Ronnie - for lying to you. I only did what I thought was best for you... because I love. I love you so very, very much."

Ronnie got up and hugged her tight. "I love you too, Mummy." Drawing a bit away from her, he declared fiercely, "And Father shouldn't have yelled at you. No one is supposed to yell at you - or hurt you. I'm going to take care of you Mummy, I won't let anyone hurt you, I swear!"

"Oh, my little darling," Hermione choked out, hugging him fiercely to her. You are my life, my little one. I would do anything for you.

"Ronnie! Oi Ronnie!"

Hermione and Ronnie broke away from each other and turned towards the excited, childish voices. Marc and Alex were running towards them clutching brooms and waving wildly. "Let's play Quidditch," they said together, skidding to a halt beside Ronnie and Hermione. They were red faced, sweaty and panting but with wide grins plastered on their faces.

Unlike Fred and George, Marc and Alex were not identical twins. Marc was a typical, freckled, red-headed Weasley whilst Alex was a beautiful, blonde angel with more than enough veela magic to charm everyone around him. Even at that young age, Hermione could see that Alex was going to grow up into a devastatingly handsome male veela. But while they may not look alike, they were certainly a pair of rascals to warm their twin uncles' hearts.

"Hello, Aunt Hermione," Alex greeted her gaily. Officially she wasn't a part of the Weasley family but to all intents and purposes, she might as well be. All the Weasley grandchildren had gotten into the habit of calling her 'aunt' and they called Harry 'uncle'. Ronnie too called Molly and Arthur 'grandma' and 'grandpa' and the other Weasleys, uncles and aunts. From the very beginning, Arthur and Molly had taken Harry and her under their wing and made them family... and they would forever remain family. Bless you Arthur and Molly...

"Hello," she replied, smiling at him and Marc. "Quidditch now? Isn't it time for lunch already?"

"We lunched at Fortesque with Maman," Marc replied.

"Ice-cream was lunch?" Hermione asked flatly.

"Yeah!" all three boys replied, grinning.

"I think not," she said severely. "Let's go see what grandma's cooked up," and she shepherded the three grumbling boys back towards the Burrow.

* *

Hermione stepped out from the fireplace at Headquarters, coughing slightly and patting her robes to rid them of the soot. It was very late and she had just come back from the Foundation. After lunch at the Burrow, she'd left Ronnie there to play with Marc and Alex and gone to the Foundation.

"Hermione."

She shrieked and whirled around with wand raised to face the man standing quietly in the dark.

"Ron? Don't scare me like that!" she exclaimed angrily, lowering her wand, her heart still thudding.

He ignored her anger and asked bitingly, "Where have you been? It's almost three in the morning."

"I've been at the Foundation, of course," she replied calmly. She noted the stiff set of his shoulders and the waves of anger she could feel coming from him and asked impatiently, "Where do you think I've been?"

"Snogging Malfoy, maybe?"

What is wrong with him?!

"Oh yes, that's right," she replied flippantly. "Had a couple of shags as well, that's why I'm so late. It's been a very tiring day... if you know what I mean. So, I'll turn in now. Good night." She turned to walk out the door but he reached out and grabbed her arm, whirling her round to face him.

"What the hell's the matter with you, Hermione?!"

"What's the matter with me?" she screamed. "You fling baseless accusations at me and you ask me what's the matter?!" She glared at him, daring him to reply. When he didn't, she continued in a hard, bitter voice, "I am tired, Ron. It's late and I have had it with your attitude. You don't like Malfoy, you don't trust him, that's fine with me. Do not take it out on me. I told you what happened." With a last final glare at him, she turned and stalked towards the door.

"Hermione... I'm sorry," he groaned. "I'm so sorry. I just - I worry about you." He sighed and continued quietly, "Ronnie told me what happened today, at Malfoy's cottage. Are you all right?"

She'd stopped with her hand on the doorknob and her shoulders slumped. Leaning her forehead on the door, she replied softly, "Yes, Ron, I'm all right." Sighing defeatedly, she continued in a shaky voice, "Please, please drop it Ron. I - I cannot take this anymore."

"Take what?" he growled.

Whirling around angrily, she pointed a shaking finger at him. "You! Your anger, your belligerence, your accusations, your distrust, your whole attitude towards me!"

"Well how do you expect me to feel?" he bellowed. "Seeing you and Malfoy all loving with each other? It's wrong! It's worst than wrong - it's SICK!"

"Damn you, Ronald Weasley! What else am I supposed to do? He's Ronnie's father! You want me to teach Ronnie to hate his own father? You want Ronnie to see me shudder with revulsion every time Malfoy comes near me? You want Ronnie to witness me spitting on his father's face when he kisses me? You want - "

"He KISSED you?! The bloody wanker kissed you? Damn him, I'm going to break every bone in his body, I swear!" Ron started pacing about in fury with fist clenched then turned and punched the wall savagely, repeatedly.

"Ron, stop that!" she exclaimed, pulling him away from the wall. She studied his bruised knuckles and quickly cast a healing charm over them. She held his hands in hers, rubbing her thumbs gently over the healed knuckles, not looking up at him.

"I wish he was yours, Ron," she finally whispered brokenly.

"Who?"

"Ronnie."

"Oh, Hermione," he groaned and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tight. "I wish he was too."

"You have no idea how much I wish it. Every day - every single day - from the moment the mediwizard told me I was pregnant!" Hermione choked out fervently, her cheeks pressed against Ron's chest and her hand clenched on his robes. "I prayed - God how I prayed - that he'd come out looking like me. Because, if he had, I would have come back, Ron. Back to you - and pretended he was yours. If that had happened, I would have taken that secret to my grave. Just so I could be with you." Hermione's voice broke on a sob and she felt Ron inhale sharply when he heard that and his grip tightened. She looked up into his anguished eyes. "I love you, Ron. You're the only one I have ever loved and I'll never stop."

Cupping her face tenderly in his palms, he leaned his forehead on hers and said, "I love you too."

"Marry me, Ron. Marry me and make Ronnie yours," she begged, still clutching his robes. Ron stiffened and tried to step away from her but she didn't let go. "Ron please, I'm begging you. I love you." Her voice broke at the last.

"Hermione, no... Please... I can't." His voice was just as choked and anguished as hers.

"Why not, Ron? Why not?! Don't you love me?"

He gripped her shoulder hard and shook her slightly. "Don't ever say that. Don't ever doubt that I love you. I love you so damn much, it hurts!" he declared fiercely and crushed his lips on hers. There was nothing tender about the kiss; it was hot, wet and lusty. He poured all his passion, need and want into that kiss - all his desperate love. When they broke apart, both were breathing heavily. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity - before Ron stepped back from Hermione and his shoulders slumped.

"I can't marry you, Hermione," no matter how much I want to, "because Harry loves you too."

She gaped at him in shock for a moment before her temper flared. "God damn you, Ron Weasley! When are you going to stop sacrificing yourself for Harry? This isn't about Harry, it's about us! The world doesn't start and end with Harry!"

He looked at her sadly. "It does... at least for now... and you know it." He turned around and raked his hair frustratedly. "This - war-," he almost spat the word out. "Each of us have our role to play and Harry's is to defeat Voldemort - and ours to support him. You said it yourself Hermione; we are his army, his strength. Are you going to take that away from him?"

"But he knows we love each other! When we talked in New York, he said he understood and he accepted that."

"You just don't realize how much he loves you, do you?" Ron asked sadly, shaking his head. "Realisation and acceptance does not take the pain - or longing - away. It does not make him stop loving you."

"What about us, Ron?"

"There is no 'us' Hermione... not as long as this war isn't over. Harry needs us, you know that. In order for him to fulfill his destiny, he needs our support. We need to be there for him. What he doesn't need is for his best mate to take his love away."

"Why must your loyalty always be for Harry?" she gritted out frustratedly, eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

"Because that is my destiny... and yours," he replied fiercely. "I forgave you - and understood why you did what you did for Harry seven years ago. I hope you can do the same for me now." He walked away but just before he closed the door, he turned and said, "I love you, Hermione Granger. That is the one truth that you should never doubt or question."

When the door closed behind him, Hermione sank down on a chair and sobbed her heart out.

* *

Hermione stepped out from the fireplace at the Cottage and just stood for a moment, waiting for the horrible reaction the place had for her. It never happened. Malfoy had owled informing her that the warding had been re-cast and this morning had come to take her and Ronnie to the Cottage.

"Are you all right, Mummy?" Ronnie asked. He and his father had flooed in earlier and now stood together in front of her - Ronnie with an anxious expression on his face while Malfoy stood calmly, though he was looking intently at her.

Taking a deep breath, she stood a moment longer and when nothing happened, she smiled at her son and nodded. For all the calm Malfoy exuded, Hermione noticed that he seemed to exhale rather deeply at her reaction.

"C'mon then, I wanna show you around!" Ronnie said as he excitedly tugged on her hand to pull her towards the door. She let him lead her around in a tour of the cottage, keeping up a running commentary the whole time.

A few days after her unfortunate incident, Malfoy had come to see them at Headquarters and had had a long talk with his son. She didn't know what exactly transpired between father and son but Ronnie had assured her that 'Father' was not going to fight or hurt her again. He had also gone to the cottage with his father a few times without her and so was already familiar with the place.

They finally ended up at the stables where Ronnie introduced her to Erik, the groom, who was Mrs. Plummer's son. Mrs. Plummer was the housekeeper and would also double up as Ronnie's Nanny.

Erik led three saddled horses forward and Draco swung up into the first one, a handsome, prancing, black stallion. The groom helped Ronnie up on the second horse, a dappled, gray mare, just slightly smaller than his father's horse. Hermione looked worriedly at Ronnie perched on the huge beast and turned to look at Draco. "Don't you think that horse is too big for him?"

"'Course not Mummy," Ronnie answered her instead. Hermione ignored her son and went on looking at Draco, with a grim expression on her face.

"She's a perfectly safe mount and very gentle," Draco said, rather impatiently. "Just put on your boots and get on." Draco gestured to the boots Erik was offering her and the last saddled horse.

She opened her mouth to retort his high handedness but Ronnie's whine interrupted her, "C'mon Mummy, let's go already. I've ridden Gwena before, she's really gentle."

Hermione looked dubiously at the horse and reluctantly accepted the boots from Erik. "I've never ridden before, you know," she muttered as she removed her shoes and pulled on the boots. They magically altered and molded to perfectly fit her feet.

"It's easy, Mummy and Erik's saddled Dunkirk for you. He's so old and slow, bet he won't even budge if you exploded one of Uncle Fred and George's fireworks."

"Thank you for your assurance, Ronnie," Hermione replied dryly. "But let's not try it just yet." Erik helped her up and tightened the straps and shortened the stirrups all the while explaining to her, what she was supposed to do. She practiced walking the horse around the yard a few times with Draco riding beside her until she felt slightly more confident.

All the while she was practicing, Ronnie was huffing with impatience. "Mummy, come on! It's not that difficult, and if you fall, Father'll catch you."

"Ronald." Draco chastised his son's impatience firmly.

"Yes, I'm sure your father'll catch me," Hermione said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"You think I won't?" Draco asked softly.

Hermione just snorted rudely.

They spent a pleasant morning riding in the woods which was filled with a variety of magical and non-magical creatures. All through the ride, Draco patiently answered Ronnie's numerous questions, at the same time pointing out interesting sights and kept up a stream of commentary on the flora and fauna found in the woods.

As far as Hermione was concerned, it was a morning of surprises. Not just Draco's knowledge of their surroundings, but his interaction with his son and most especially, her. She saw a side to Draco Malfoy that she had never seen before and never even knew existed. And she strongly suspected, not many had seen either. He was relaxed, smiling often, polite, courteous - he was positively gallant! She had to pinch herself repeatedly to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

He rode beside her with Ronnie riding a little way ahead, his eyes constantly on her to make sure she wasn't in trouble. Pushing branches out of the way so it wouldn't get entangled in her hair, leading her horse if the going was rough, catching the reins when he saw she was losing control of Dunkirk.

They finally ended up at a small hill beside a waterfall and spread out the picnic lunch Mrs. Plummer had packed for them. Ronnie immediately took off his shoes and clothes and splashed into the water with a gleeful shriek. "C'mon Father, Mummy, the water's lovely," he called to them. Hermione was already shaking her head quickly, with an amused smile on her face at her son's antics.

Draco turned to her and asked, "Do you mind?"

"Mind what?"

"If I joined Ronald."

"Of course not. Why should I mind?"

"Because I'm going to strip."

Hermione felt a blush starting up and quickly turned away from the bold, impudent look he was giving her. "Go ahead. It's not like I haven't seen it all before," she couldn't help retorting.

His shout of surprised laughter was the only reply. She heard him undressing and quickly walked away to the edge of the hill to admire the view. It was breathtaking. The actual hill itself wasn't very high but they'd been climbing all through their ride and from where she was, she could see for miles around.

She sat down, resting her head on her arms crossed over her knees. With the noise of Draco and Ronnie splashing in the background, she let her mind wander. Today had been wonderful so far. The way Draco was acting, she could almost pretend they were just an ordinary family enjoying a day out. But only on the surface ... because the cynical part of her was wondering what Draco was up to.

She turned back to glance at Ronnie and Draco from time to time. After more than an hour, she noticed that Ronnie's lips were starting to turn slightly blue and ended their splashing romp.

"Okay boys, enough. Time for lunch."

"No, Mummy! Just a little longer," Ronnie begged.

"Now, Ronnie. Any longer and you'll turn into a blue popsicle - a blonde, blue popsicle!" she teased.

Ronnie came, splashing and grumbling all the way. She dried him quickly and helped him with his clothes, casting a warming charm over them. All the while, Hermione ensured to keep her eyes averted from Draco, until she was sure he had put on his pants at least. When she finally looked at him, he had indeed put on his pants, but only just. They were still unbuttoned and riding dangerously low on his hips and he'd not bothered with his shirt. With his hair still damp and rumpled, it was the first time Hermione had seen Draco so ... disheveled. And she wondered again what he was up to.

They sat on the blanket and enjoyed the picnic. Ronnie started yawning before he even finished his food and lay his head on Hermione's lap as soon as everything on his plate was gone.

"Tell me the story of the Founders Four, Mummy," Ronnie murmured sleepily, asking for his favourite tale.

"A thousand years or more ago, there lived four friends-" her voice soft and gentle, Hermione began the story of the founders of Hogwarts. "Wizards and witches of renown, they shared a dream to educate young sorcerers ..." She ran her fingers lovingly through her son's hair while she told the story and not even ten minutes later, Ronnie's even breathing showed that he was sound asleep. Hermione leaned her shoulders more comfortably on the rock she was resting on and stared dreamily into the horizon, her hand still absently stroking Ronnie's hair.

"A Knut for your thoughts," Draco soft voice interrupted her reverie.

"I doubt they're worth even that much," she replied with a smile, turning her face to his. He was seated facing them, his elbows resting on his upraised knees and his chin propped on the back of his hands. He had put on his shirt but hadn't bothered to button it up. His expression was pensive, almost longing, as he looked at her and Ronnie.

"Did you enjoy our trip today?" Draco asked.

"I did. Thank you, Draco."

"You know, I do believe that's the first time you've called me by name voluntarily and not for Ronald's benefit."

Hermione flushed slightly and shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly. "I won't if you don't like it."

"No, please do. I like it ... Hermione."

They sat in silence for a while, Hermione staring determinedly ahead. She could feel his eyes on her but ignored it.

"What do you think of the cottage?" Draco asked finally, breaking the silence.

"Fine, I guess."

It was more than fine actually. The beautiful double storey Tudor style cottage with its large, airy rooms was a dream. Its front garden riotous with sweet smelling and colourful flowers and the woods to the back of the house rustling with the sounds of the wind through the trees. Her own room was actually a suite of rooms, which included an attached bathroom, dressing and sitting room located on the corner of the second floor and connected to Ronnie's bedroom. The bedroom itself was spacious and all the rooms were luxuriously furnished with a distinctly feminine décor.

She could find no fault with it and had it not been Malfoy's, she would have gushed with happiness. It was perfect - the home she had been looking for all this while. But she'd never tell Draco that!

"Will you and Ronald stay then?" Draco pressed.

"He's obviously happy here."

"But you aren't."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to say it," he said, his voice hardening. "Just what is wrong with it now? The wards are re-cast, it doesn't hurt you anymore. There's a muggle primary school in the village if you insist Ronald goes to one. I personally would rather Mrs. Plummer home-school him as all wizarding children are. She's quite qualified to do so, you know. She used to be my governess.

"There's more than enough space for him to run around and get into mischief. There's even a very well stocked library for your use. The floo connection just needs an incantation to activate it. It's unplottable, surrounded with muggle repelling charms, the warding and security measures are excellent so you don't have to worry on that score."

He leaned over and tugged on her free hand to make her look at him. "You just don't like it because it's from me, isn't it?" he asked in a low, hard voice.

"No, of course not," she denied quickly.

"Then tell me why you're still against it?"

"I'm not against it."

Raising his eyebrows interrogatively at her, he asked, "You'll stay then?"

Hermione looked away from him and stared ahead meditatively for a moment. "Yes, Ronnie and I will stay," she agreed quietly, not meeting his eyes. And she heard him give an almost audible sigh of relief at her capitulation.

Draco raised her hand which he was still holding to his mouth and gently kissed her knuckles. Startled, she looked over at him and met his intense gaze. "Thank you, Hermione. I hope you and Ronald will be happy here."

She snatched her hand out of his and looked away. "I'm sure it'll be more comfortable than headquarters for Ronnie," she said, striving to keep her voice light.

"I'm maintaining a suite of rooms at the cottage - " Draco continued before she interrupted.

"What? Why?" she exclaimed suspiciously, turning around to glare at him.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance and bit out, "The whole point of you and Ronald staying here is so I'll get to spend more time with him."

"You've been spending time with him even while we were at Grimmauld Place."

He looked at her still glaring at him and his eyes narrowed and he almost growled, "Why are you so against it? It's not like I'll be here all the time. I do have to go back to the Manor."

"I am not staying here with you. You must be out of your mind!"

"Are we back to that? Dammit Granger, what's the big deal if I have rooms here? As I said, it's not like I'll be here all the time. What - you think I'll be jumping your bones the first opportunity I get?" he sneered.

She flushed and glared back at him. "You just try Malfoy and I'll make sure you won't be able to be with a woman ever again!"

"You're being unreasonable," Draco said irritatedly. Ronnie moved restlessly then, frowning in his sleep, no doubt disturbed by their raised voices.

Hermione glared at Draco and whispered fiercely, "Look what you've done."

He glared right back and got up. Stalking angrily away, he stopped at the water's edge and stared moodily ahead, hands thrust deep into his pockets. Hermione soothed Ronnie and hummed low, lulling him back to sleep. When she was sure he was sleeping deeply again, she gently moved him from her lap and placed a rolled up cloak under his head. She got up and walked to stand beside Draco.

"We're not staying here," she announced calmly to his profile.

He turned to face her, his expression unaccountably bleak. "When are you going to stop this irrational hatred towards me? What did I ever do to you? You're just mindlessly following Weasley's and Potter's example, aren't you? I thought you were smarter than that?" he asked bitterly.

With a vicious twist of her wand, she enclosed them in a privacy bubble. She had no wish for Ronnie to hear any of this. "What did you ever do to me? How about calling me every vile name you could while we were at school? Putting down Harry and Ron every opportunity you got. Putting a lust charm on me and getting me pregnant?! You ruined my life Malfoy and you call that NOTHING?!" she said in a low, hard voice that was trembling with her barely contained anger.

He leaned in close and hissed, his own anger spilling over, "I may have insulted and provoked you in school but if you bother to recall, I never physically hurt you. All I've ever thrown at you were words, never hexes or curses. I saved that for Weasley and Potter." He stepped away, leveling a cold, disgusted look at her.

"And that's nothing?" she demanded angrily. "Insulting me and hexing my friends? We should just forgive and forget all that, is it? Seven years of misery should just be chalked up as mere school rivalry?"

"Exactly, school rivalry," he replied, emphasizing the word. "We're adults now, that's long over. And we're bloody working on the same side, for Merlin's sakes! Yet you and your precious friends still can't get over your habit of hating me. Grow up, Granger!" he spat.

"What. About. Ronnie?!" she asked, barely holding her anger in check. How dare he? How dare he say their hatred towards him was merely school rivalry. After all he, and later his father, had put her through? Her pain, her anguish, her terror, her heart break these past seven years. And Ron's rejection of her on top of all that - she had every right to hate him.

"What about him?"

"You as good as raped me, you evil bastard! Was that school rivalry? Is my hatred irrational? Should I just forgive the terror I went through all those years while your father tracked Ronnie? Should I forget that because of you, my chance to be with the man I love is ruined? I hate you, Malfoy. There is not a single day that I don't curse the fact that you're Ronnie's father. And only the fact that my son loves you is stopping me from cursing you into oblivion!"

Draco had been looking at her in cold anger throughout her rant when it suddenly left him and his shoulders slumped. He looked sadly at her and took a deep breath. "I don't want to fight with you anymore, Hermione," he said quietly. He turned his head and stared ahead, expression bleak and mouth set in a bitter line.

"I'm sorry - sorry I made your school life miserable, sorry I lust charmed you, sorry my father tracked Ronald for all those years. If I had known, I would have done something to stop him. And I can't begin to tell you how bloody sorry I am you had to deal with all that alone. I wish ..." his voice trailed off and he bowed his head for a moment.

Raising his head, he met her eyes dead on. "But I'm not sorry I got you pregnant - because Ronald, apart from Octavia - is the best thing that's happened to me. I love him and I'm very proud that he's my son. And I wish I was able to publicly acknowledge him - which I will, as soon as the Order no longer needs me to maintain my role with the Dark Lord," he declared firmly.

He was still looking at her with that unfathomable sad look and said, "Weasley shouldn't have let Ronald's parentage become an issue between you. If I were him, I wouldn't."

Hermione looked at him in wide eyed surprise, his apology and his words about Ron had shocked her speechless.

"I baited Potter and Weasley all through school because I wanted them to suffer. Because ... they had you and I didn't." Draco said the last very softly.

Before she could say a word, he continued, "I - Ronald told me that he wanted us to be together so that we could be a family. Did he tell you that?"

Hermione just nodded wordlessly, still in a state of shock and trying to wrap her mind around what his words implied.

Draco put his hand into his pocket and withdrew a small velvet box. Flicking it open, he extended it to her and Hermione's eyes widened to see the huge, light green, diamond solitaire ring glittering in the box.

"Marry me, Hermione. Let's be a family and make Ronald's wish come true."