A Very Weasley Wedding

“We’re going to be late.” 

“We’re not going to be late.” Harry rolled his eyes as he spoke. 

“She asked us to be there early!”

“Exactly. If we’re going early, how can we be late?” 

“Harry!” Draco yelled and rounded the corner towards the stairs, but Harry was already at the bottom. 

“Are you ready to go? Where’s your suit? Why are you yelling at me when you don’t even have your things together.” Harry scolded and tried to repress a smile.

“I….” Draco started but just made a frustrated noise as he turned and headed to the kitchen. Harry followed him and began humming. He grabbed Draco’s waist from behind and swayed them as Draco gathered up things from the table. 

“Harry-“ Draco complained but Harry just spun him around so they were facing. 

“She'll only come out at night.” Harry sang as Draco tried to turn back around. “The lean and hungry type.” 

“Harry.” Draco tried to turn again and Harry let him. He grabbed his suit and a bag off the table before leading Harry to the door. 

“Oh here she comes! Watch out boy she'll chew you up!” Harry sang louder and Odette bounded over to him barking. He grabbed her big paws when she jumped up and danced with her. “Oh here she comes, she's a maneater.” 

“Animals. All of you.” Draco growled lowly and grabbed Harry’s collar, pulling him away from Odette so they could apparate. 

“Finally!” Hermione barked when they appeared on the lawn. “You’re late.” 

“Tell it to Harry!” Draco pointed to Harry who stood unapologetically to his left. 

“Harry, we need help in the field.” Conor called as he started a quad. 

“Harry, we said we’d help Hermione.” Draco reminded him. Harry looked between the two. 

Help Conor with field work, Harry weighed the thoughts. Or help Hermione set up for the wedding…

In a quick movement Harry threw his suit bag at Draco and jumped onto the back of the quad as Conor drove away. 

“Harry!” Draco protested. Harry blew a kiss and then held tight as the quad picked up speed. 

They rolled through the soft green landscape and Harry smiled at the neat little rows of plants until they faded away to large swaths of grass. Cows could be heard in the distance but Harry knew he was unlikely to see them today. They had been moved to make room for the wedding and reception. 

The ceremony space came into view and Harry sighed at its simple beauty. Simple wooden benches formed an aisle to a large circle of woven bougainvillea vines with dark red flowers. Ginny and Conor would stand in the middle of that circle later today, professing their love for one another. Behind them would be the breathtaking view of the sea Harry was enjoying now. Ginny was marrying into the prettiest land in all of Ireland. 

They kept riding until another pasture came into sight and Harry found the source of all the bellowing he heard earlier. Waiting for them was Conor’s brother Eric and Ron. Ron smiled immediately when he saw Harry. 

“You’ve been liberated too, eh?” Ron grabbed Harry in a quick hug when the quad had stopped. 

“Luckily.” Harry laughed back as they parted. Eric nodded to Harry as he climbed up on the fence next to him. From somewhere beers were produced and the four men sat quietly drinking and looking out over the field of Kerry cattle. 

“Little brother’s getting married today.” Eric spoke at last. “Guess that makes Harry the last free man among us.” 

They all laughed. 

“Just do your best to keep it that way, trust me once you get married your life is one long to do list.” Ron joked. 

“Maybe that’s only for women,” Conor teased. “Maybe blokes don’t have to worry if they marry other blokes.” 

“You mean like all they do is watch footie and drink beer and eat at the pub every night?” Eric joined. 

“Sure, isn’t that right Harry?” Ron looked at Harry and tried to suppress a grin. It was only a minute before they were all laughing again. 

“I’m sorry to say boys,” Harry shook his head. “A relationship is hard work no matter who it’s with.” 

“Well then,” Eric rose his beer in a toast. “Here’s to a hard days work, may we be busy till the day we die.” 

“Here, Here.” They all raised their bottles. They drank and new bottles were passed out. 

“You reckon we should actually move these cattle before someone notices we’ve not?” Conor asked. 

“Aye, but it’s a good bet we’ll get in trouble either way so let’s finish our drinks.” Eric laughed. 

“What’s wrong with them being here?” Ron wondered.

“Ron, Ron, Ron.” Conor laughed. “I thought you learned to stop asking questions after the tablecloth incident.” 

“How was I supposed to know there were so many bloody shades of blue!”  Ron gripped. 

They all laughed at him. It was a comforting and familiar sound. Harry wasn’t sure when the Kelly brothers stopped being strangers and began being friends. It was probably the moment Harry met them, but he felt like it must’ve happened long before that. They must’ve been friends their whole life but had forgotten to be introduced to one another. 

Eric and Conor were raised and homeschool here on their family’s massive farm. It is the largest local producer of potions plants in Ireland. Harry liked the cows the best. They were handsome and gentle, their deep soft calls filled the air. He could sit here on the fence all day and listen to them. 

“Well let’s get to it.” Conor decided at last with a sigh. Harry climbed onto the back of the quad with a bucket of cut fruit and clover. Ron sat on another with his own bucket and the brothers drove into the field, closing the gate behind them with a flick of their wand. Harry and Ron shook the buckets and the cows began sauntering towards them as they headed for the farthest pasture. Once inside the paddock they spread the contents of their buckets out in a long line so the cows could enjoy their reward. 

“Well that’s as far as they can go, I hope they will settle for it.” Eric sighed. 

“No other choice really.” Ron shrugged. 

“Don’t say that, you’ll jinx us.” Eric laughed. Harry looked across the field and saw something in the adjoining pasture. 

“Are those the horses?” Harry asked Conor, pointing. 

“Yes.”

“Oh can we please.” Harry begged. 

“We’re going to get in trouble.” Conor smiled and the quad lurched off towards them. Harry jumped off as they slowed and ran to the fence. 

“Pawel!” Harry called with his hands cupped around his mouth. Conor climbed up on the fence next to him. A cream colored horse with a dark brown muzzle sauntered towards them. 

“Meanest horse alive.” Eric said as he and Ron joined them, keeping their distance. 

“Nonsense.” Harry smiled and took a slice of apple from his pocket that he had taken from the cow bucket. Pawel ate it and Harry patted his neck. 

“How….” Eric said, confused. 

“It’s the damnedest isn’t it?” Conor laughed to his brother. Harry went on showering Pawel with praise and scratches. 

“He tamed him?” Eric asked. 

“Oh, absolutely not.” Conor reached in the horse’s direction and Pawel nipped at him with a warning whinny. 

“Don’t be naughty.” Harry chided and kissed Pawel’s face. 

“You better ride him before you leave or he’ll be sour.” Conor smiled at Harry. 

“No time like the present.” Harry climbed the fence higher and gestured to the horse his intention. Pawel didn’t move so Harry slowly climbed on his back and gently grabbed his mane. With a gentle click they rode off across the field. 

“Well fuck me.” Eric exclaimed from somewhere behind Harry. He laughed and patted Pawel’s shoulder. 

It had been a complete accident the first time Harry met Pawel. Draco had been invited by Conor to see the farm, specifically the medicinal plants, and Harry had tagged along. After about fifteen minutes of nonstop botanical talk he realized his mistake. He wasn’t sure if he had really meant to wander off as far as he did, but he found himself alone at the edge of a field looking over horses. Four of the horses were a rich chocolate color and one was a silky white. He tried to get their attention with a kiss but they ignored him. Harry had no idea how long he sat on the top of the fence and watched them quietly. Eventually the cream one came cautiously towards him. Harry didn’t move a muscle, scared of spooking him. The horse sniffed him curiously and then stood as if ignoring him for a long time. Harry made a soft clicking sound and the horse looked at him again. This time it came forward and nibbled at his face with his lips. He smiled and raised a hand to pat his neck. From behind him Conor yelled in shock and Pawel jumped, knocking Harry to the ground. 

That seemed like forever ago now. Harry had spent countless hours brushing and walking Pawel since then. Eventually he was able to ride him, but never with tack or saddle. The rest of the Kelly’s swore Harry must’ve used some kind of dark magic to charm what they believed to be the world’s meanest horse. Pawel picked up the pace and Harry held on tighter. He was trotting towards the barn on the far side of the field. 

Inside the building Harry dismounted and groaned as his knees cracked from the short fall. He gave Pawel another fruit slice and began brushing him down. When he was done he led him back outside with the last of the fruit and sent him back into the field towards the other horses. Shielding his eyes from the sun he watched Pawel break into a gallop. 

“Work in the field, huh?” Draco’s voice made Harry jump. He hadn’t heard anyone join him. 

“Well, we were working… then we finished…so..” Harry shrugged. 

“I don’t understand your obsession with that beast.” 

“I make a bad habit of loving impossible creatures.” Harry teased and kissed him. 

“You taste like beer and smell like livestock. Lovely.” Draco frowned. 

“Weddings are fun, you remember fun right?” Harry rolled his eyes.

“It’s time for lunch.” Draco said in his bossy voice. Harry did a fake salute to show his annoyance. Draco sneered and hit Harry with a spell. Harry smacked his lips and frowned. He hated the way being cleaned by magic felt. He followed Draco without complaint though, today would be long enough without starting an argument. 

Inside the giant house was packed with people and decorations yet to be moved to the reception area. The dining room reminded Harry of meals at Hogwarts. There was an impressively large table brimming with food and surrounded by people. Harry recognized Conor and Eric, along with Eric’s wife Bridget, but everyone else was a mystery. Cousins from Conor’s father’s side of the family. People according to Conor that he rarely saw or knew. 

“There you are!” Bridget said, spotting Harry. “I was beginning to think you’d made Draco come alone.” 

“No, no he’s here.” Draco promised. “And after lunch he is helping.” 

“Right.” Harry agreed solemnly. Ron had also been recaptured by Hermione and gave Harry a defeated look. Harry sat down next to him and ate a cold sandwich in silence. Hermione chatted to Draco about the reception tent and the decoration plans. Harry laid his head down and closed his eyes. 

“Come on, let’s get going before you fall asleep.” Draco nudged Harry as he stood.

“Do I have to?” Harry whined.

“Enough belly-aching.” Draco snapped.

“Jeez Malfoy calm down, it’s not like it’s your wedding.” Ron rolled his eyes but stood as well under Hermione’s glare. 

“No kidding.” Harry murmured under his breath. Draco gave him a cold look.

“Fine.” He whispered so Harry could barely hear. Draco said nothing further as he turned away from them and stormed out the door. Harry felt a little guilty, but only a little. After all, he was jealous of this whole damn affair. Draco was jumping through hoops for this wedding, no favor was too great or too small. Harry knew he was still desperate to prove his worth to everyone but he still found himself annoyed. Harry wanted a wedding of his own, but he didn’t want to fight about that again… especially now. 

He ran after Draco and caught up with him alone in the yard. Harry took the other’s hand and walked with him through the neatly mowed lawn. The reception tent was set in the back of the immaculately manicured garden. The stone house on one side and a view of all the fields to the other. 

“I know I promised we wouldn’t fight about it today, but you’ve got to relax. You’re as keyed up as I’ve ever seen you.” Harry spoke at last when he felt they were alone. 

“You should be used to being nagged by now.” Draco gave the weakest smile and Harry knew he was trying. 

“I really should… but then again you should be used to me running off.” Harry bumped their shoulders together. 

“You do it often enough.” Draco let go of some of the tension he had been holding and his shoulders settled. 

“I’m pretty easy to find.”

“I just have to find for animals or old buildings or unattended lumber.” Draco mused. 

“See, you know just where to look.” Harry laughed.

“I wish I didn’t have to.” Draco stopped and pulled Harry back to him. “It’s important to me to get this right, no mistakes, these people are such a big part of your life. If I can’t make things work between us, then things won’t work between us.” 

“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that they like you.” Harry sighed. 

“Their liking has a limit, we learned that at Christmas.” Draco frowned and pushed past Harry. Harry followed him and let his mind drift back to the holiday.

…………………………

“Uncle Draco, Uncle Draco!” Teddy pulled at Draco’s pant leg and whined. 

“What is it?” Draco said, squatting down to look Teddy in the eyes. 

“Are you sure you can’t go with us to lunch?” Teddy pouted with his sad little eyes looking down at the floor. Draco looked at Harry for help but instead he found the same sad pleading expression. Draco let out a long sigh and rubbed his face. 

“You really want me to go?” He asked Teddy. 

“Mmhmm.” Teddy looked up from the floor and nodded his head. 

“Alright.” Draco relented at last. He tried to stand but Teddy knocked into him with a hug first. Draco scooped him up and he stood. 

“We have to stop by the house and grab the gifts.” Harry said cheerfully. If he had known all it would take to get Draco to agree to go to lunch was a pitiful Teddy then he would’ve tried it weeks ago. 

“Well let’s go.” Draco headed for the sitting room. Narcissa and Andromeda were playing a card game on the sofa when they entered. 

“Roped you in, did he?” Andromeda looked at Draco with a smile. Draco only nodded. 

“Harry, would you be a dear and take these packages for me?” Narcissa raise her hand and a neatly wrapped stack of gift drifted across the room. “I couldn’t quite help myself, Hermione’s children are such dolls. Of course I got something for that sweet Ginny girl too, well for her baby that is. It's a girl right?” 

“Yes.” Harry smiled and took the gifts. “I’m sure they’ll be appreciated.” 

Narcissa smiled back at Harry. She had often visited Harry while the kids were over and they had grown very fond of her. 

“Let’s not be late.” Draco sighed and motioned Harry to the fireplace. 

“Eager aren’t we?” Harry chuckled.

“Eager to get it over with.” Draco mumbled. 

“Don’t worry uncle Draco, you’ll have lots of fun and you can sit by me.” Teddy smiled. 

“You’re right, I’m sorry. Let’s go have fun.” Draco managed to smile back. If there was one thing he hated to do, it was disappoint the kids. 

Back at the farm Teddy jumped out of Draco’s arms to find Odette. Harry went to gather the presents from upstairs. When he returned he found Draco in his office staring out the window with a sad look. 

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked though he already knew. Draco did not want to go.

“They’re not going to like it.”

“Why would they have invited you if they didn’t want you to come?” 

“Because they’re polite. Honestly Harry, you really think the Weasley’s want me walking through their door on Christmas Eve?” Draco sighed. 

“You don’t have to go.” Harry promised. 

“I told Teddy I would.” Draco decided after a moment. Harry could tell by the look on his face the conversation was closed. 

“Alright, we’ll when it’s all over with, we can come home and watch any movie you pick and open any bottle of wine you’d like.” Harry offered with a small smile. 

“Paris When it Sizzles and Sauvignon Blanc?” Draco raised an eyebrow. 

“I guess I did say anything.” Harry laughed. Teddy bounded back and was covered in kisses from the dog. Draco scrunched his nose and whipped off his face with a handkerchief from his back pocket. 

“Can we go now?” Teddy asked excitedly.

“Yes, yes.” Draco smoothed down Teddy’s rumpled hair and Harry joined them by the fireplace. 

“The Burrow.” Harry called, tossing down the dark powder. In a puff of magic they appeared in the living room. 

“Harry!” Molly exclaimed and kissed his face. “We were worried you wouldn’t make it.” 

“We’re here.” Harry kissed her cheek back. 

“Yes,” She looked uncertainly at Draco but said nothing further. 

“Are those for us?” Freda looked at the stack of gifts in Harry’s arms with large round eyes. 

“Of course.” Draco answered.

“Don’t be rude.” Molly said over him. Teddy grabbed Freda’s hand and they ran up the stairs to play. Harry sat the packages down by the large tree. 

“Hey ya Harry… Draco.” Ron clasped Harry’s hand and nodded in Draco’s direction. 

Harry felt the air turn silent around him after that. No one moved or shifted; they all just tried to think of anything to say. Harry nudged Ron in a plea of desperation. 

“So next year they're going to replace Ginny with a trade instead of pulling from second string.” Ron rambled. The room picked up with talk of quidditch and Draco positioned himself as small and flat against the walls as possible. Harry knew it was best to let him settle in before dragging into the middle of conversations, so he simply grabbed Draco's hand and let him be. 

It wasn't long before Freda and Teddy almost fell as they scrambled back down the stairs. Out of breath they ran to the first unbusy grownup they saw. 

“Uncle Draco will you take us outside?!” Teddy begged. 

“Yeah please Uncle Draco?” Freda echoed. Molly dropped a cup from her hands but said nothing. Arthur cleaned it away in an instant but the air was gone from the room again.

“I.. um..” Draco looked up to Harry who nodded an encouragement. “Alright.” 

“Yay!” They squealed and dragged him into the kitchen towards the back door. Harry watched them go but no one else moved. The oven timer dinged at last to break the silence. Molly rose without speaking to check on lunch. 

“Well that went about as well as I expected.” Ron whispered to Harry when everyone had recovered. 

“I feel awful.” Harry admitted. 

“Mum just needs a minute. It's not about him.” Ron assured.

“I know.” Harry rubbed his face and went to help Molly in the kitchen. As he closed to door behind him a sour smell hit his nose. Molly was looking out the window and paying no mind to whatever was dying in the oven. Harry sprang into action and grabbed a towel. 

“Jeez!” He opened the smoking oven and removed a burnt tray of… well Harry couldn't really be sure what the ruins were. He dropped the tray into the sink as the pan burnt his hand through the thin linen. 

“Ahh, fuck.” He swore. This caught Molly’s attention and she came back from her thoughts. 

“Oh, Harry, oh! Are you alright?” She grabbed his hand and ran it under water. 

“I should be asking you. Since when do you let dinner burn?” Harry tried to joke but she didn't smile.

 “Molly?”  Harry asked softly after she didn't speak. 

“It's not supposed to be like this.” She said at last. She finally looked up and Harry could see she'd been crying. Holidays were always the hardest on her. 

“Come here.” Harry wrapped his free arm around her. 

“I wish he was dead and Fred was here.” She whispered. 

“I wish Fred was here too, but… you don't have to wish he wasn't.” Harry tried to reason.

“I know I don't but I do. I wish he was dead and you married Ginny and Fred was here and everything was the way it's supposed to be.” 

“Molly.” Harry’s voice sounded as strangled as his heart felt. 

“That's enough.” Arthur said firmly from the door. Neither had heard him enter and jumped at his voice. 

“Arthur-” Molly started but he cut her off. 

“Harry, I'm sorry but you need to go.” Arthur closed the door behind him. 

“But-” Harry’s chest hurt.

“No. We've considered you one of our own since you were eleven. This woman is the closest thing you have to a mother on the earth-”

“Arthur-” Harry tried again, tears springing to his eyes.

“Let me finish.” Arthur cut him off again but with a softer voice. “I watched Molly raise you and love you as our own. She taught you right from wrong and how to treat the people who love you….So you need to go, because if you stay here after what she just said, then you'll be shaming her.”

“Arthur!” Molly was shocked. He ignored her and kept talking to Harry. 

“You don't stay when someone treats the person you love like that. She taught you better than that.” Arthur squeezed Harry’s shoulder and looked at him with gentle eyes. 

“I'm sorry Molly, I have to go.” Harry took a deep breath and Arthur nodded with a sigh. 

“Harry don't go.” She pleaded. 

“Merry Christmas.” Harry gave her a kiss on the forehead and left out the back door. He steadied himself against the back of the house and tried to breath. 

“What's wrong?” Draco was at his side in a panic. Harry couldn't think, he just held out his burnt hand. 

“Oh is this all?” Draco let out a heavy breath, having assumed the worst. Harry tried to tell him the rest but his words were lost in sobs. 

“Hey, hey.” Draco smoothed Harry's hair back with his hand. “Don't cry, I'll fix it. Everything will be fine.”

………………….

Harry had stopped walking. He remembered telling Draco later that night what really happened, why they had to apparate so quickly that they didn't even say bye to Teddy. Harry hadn't wanted to tell Draco, he wanted everything to be fixed without him ever knowing but he didn't know if that was even possible.

This would be the first time they would all be around each other together since then. Of course Hermione, Ron, and Ginny still continued to visit. In fact it could be said that Hermione and Draco had become good friends, though neither one was likely to admit it. In the past few months they had basically planned Ginny's whole wedding from top to bottom. 

“Hey!” He heard someone shout from behind him. He turned but the yard was empty. 

“Harry!” Luna’s voice called out from the giant manor house and distracted Harry from his thoughts. He turned and found her hanging out of a top window. 

“The bride requests you!” She smiled. Harry smiled back and nodded his head. 

Making his way back across the lawn and up the stairs he laughed at how silly it would've been if Molly got her wish. Ginny was made for Conor. They complimented each other in every way and Harry was happier to be a bridesmaid than a groom. He knocked lightly before opening the door. 

“Harry, I'm going to die.” Ginny said, breathing heavily and clutching her stomach. 

“What are you talking about?” Harry laughed at her nerves. 

“Conor's mum is going to kill me.” She grabbed the metal bed frame and groaned. 

“Oh God.” Harry realized what she meant and what was happening. 

“If I have this baby before we're married, she'll kill me.” Ginny sobbed. 

“Luna!” Harry scolded. “Why the hell didn't you call for Draco!”

“She asked for you.” Luna shrugged. “Should I call for him?” 

“Yes!” Harry yelled.

“No!” Ginny shouted over him. 

“Well now I am conflicted.” Luna’s unbothered voice made Harry want to burst. 

“She's in labor! Go get Draco.” Harry commanded. 

“Be discreet!” Ginny begged as Luna left. 

“Merlin Ginny, you're having a baby it's not going to be discreet!” Harry rubbed her back as she swayed. 

“I have two weeks left! I have a wedding today.” She cried. 

“I don't think Molly Catherine cares.” Harry took her hands and they paced across the room. Draco broke through the door in a sweat. 

“Hi.” Ginny tried to give an innocent smile. 

 “How long have you been having contractions?” Draco demanded. 

“Umm… not that long…” She tried to lie. 

“Ginny.” Draco pressed.

“What time did the sun rise?” She asked looking at Harry. 

“Since dawn?!” Draco's voice hitched. He started examining her. 

“Well you said labor can take a long time so I thought maybe it would wait until after the wedding.” 

“You thought you'd start contractions at sunrise and be okay for your wedding… at sunset?” Harry couldn't believe her.

“She's going to kill me, Harry!” Ginny screamed. Harry knew all to well the stress Ginny felt from Conor's mother. She was a kind woman but had strong muggle traditional values. 

“Harry go get her mom.” Draco said ignoring them both. 

“No.” Ginny said, turning away from Draco and grabbing the bed frame again. 

“Ginny-” Harry started. 

“No!” She cried and slapped her hand against the frame. Ginny hadn't been on the best terms with Molly since Christmas. The way Ginny saw it, her mom had basically said she wished Molly Catherine didn't exist because she had wanted Harry to have been her husband. 

“Ginny,” Draco took her hand and made her look at him. “I wont get her if you don't want me too, but you have to tell me you can do this without her.” 

“Draco…” She tried not to cry.

“I mean it, because this isn't about your fight or me or your mom. It's about Molly Catherine. It's about having a baby. So I need you to tell me… can you do this without her?” Draco's voice was firm but his eyes were soft. He already knew the answer. 

“I need my mom.” Ginny sobbed at last. 

“I'm on it.” Harry snapped into the air and appeared outside the burrow. Inside Arthur and Molly were busy trying to get ready. 

“Harry?” Arthur wrinkled his eyebrows together. 

“Molly Catherine is coming. She needs you.” Harry extended his hand to Molly. Without speaking she took it and apparated with him. They arrived on the lawn and Harry led her upstairs as quickly as her feet would allow. 

“Mommy.” Ginny cried as Molly opened the door. Hermione was doing her best to calm Ginny but it wasn't who Ginny really needed. 

“I'm here. I'm here.” Molly ran to her side and Ginny hung her arms around her mothers neck. She leaned down and they gently swayed together. Molly patted down her hair and guided her through a contraction. 

“Ginny I need you to relax your breathing okay? We're getting the baby too worked up.” Draco said as Molly helped her onto the bed. 

“I can't. It hurts, I don't know-” 

“Here.” Molly took her hand and held it against her chest. “Feel my heartbeat?” 

“Mhmm.” Ginny whimpered. 

“That's what Molly Catherine feels too, she feels your heart. So let's slow it down together so she can calm herself.” Molly took deep breaths and Ginny followed. 

“Good.” Draco listened to the baby once more and then stood to look out the window. “Conor is almost here now okay?” 

“Okay.” Ginny nodded. She looked over at her mom. “What are you wearing?” 

“I didn't know what your colors were.” Molly let out a small nervous laugh. 

“So you wore them all?” Ginny laughed back. Molly was in a sort of watercolor frock with lace sleeves.

“Well I didn't want to embarrass you in photos by not matching.” Molly let herself relax a bit. 

“I didn't think you'd come.” Ginny cried as another contraction built. 

“Oh sweetheart,” Molly held Ginny's hand tighter. “I'm sorry I made you feel like you were anything but perfect. I just forgot, I got sad and I-” Molly started crying.

“I'm glad you're here.” Ginny choked before her contraction took over completely. Molly gathered herself and helped Ginny breathe through it. Just then Conor burst through the door followed by Luna. 

“Are you alright?” He knelt next to the bed and took her free hand. 

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” Ginny cried. 

“What are you talking about?” He smoothed her hair away from her face. 

“The wedding.” 

“Screw the wedding, I only care about you.”

“But your mom…” 

“That's enough Love.” He smiled. “You're about to be a mum yourself. That's what we need to focus on.” 

“Okay.” She smiled back at him. 

“Alright.” Draco declared. “Anyone who isn't mum or dad or Molly needs to go.” 

Hermione quickly shooed everyone out of the room. Downstairs everyone was sitting around the giant dining table waiting. Harry took a seat and joined them. Arthur handed him a cup of tea. 

“I suspect they'll all come out of there with the whole mess sorted.” He assured Harry. 

“I think there's bigger fish frying up there Arthur.” 

“Just wait, you'll see what a baby can do.” Arthur said and he looked at Harry pointedly. Harry looked away and in the direction of the stairs. He hoped Arthur was right. 

“Breathe Ginny.” Draco ordered softly. Something wasn't right. She shouldn't be going into labor so quickly and she wasn't nearly far enough along for the pain to feel this bad. He concentrated on Molly Catherine again. Her heartbeat was still slow and Draco worried the stress of labor was beginning to be too much for her. He could tell she was smaller than expected and he worried about the long term effect the dark magic had truly had. 

“Just like that. Good girl.” Molly said as Ginny relaxed. She didn't look at Ginny though, her eyes searched Draco's face. Under her gaze he felt even more anxious and excused himself to the bathroom to collect himself. 

Draco grabbed each side of the sink and took a deep breath, then splashed water on his face. When he finished drying off he saw Molly in the mirror standing behind him. 

“What's wrong?” She asked, shutting the door. 

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don't know!” Molly said a little too loudly. 

“Shhh!” Draco hushed her. “There's no need to get Ginny worked up. I don't know what's wrong but I do know what to do next.” 

“How can you if you don't know what's wrong?” Molly whispered nervously.

“I know you don’t like me but I need you to trust me.” Draco rolled up his sleeves as he spoke. Molly didn't answer so Draco moved past her and opened the door. 

“What's wrong? What were you doing in there?” Ginny's eyes were filled with worry. 

“We were making a plan to get this baby out.” Draco stood at the end of the bed and forced a smile. “Sound good?” 

“Sounds heavenly.” Ginny said exhausted. 

“Alright first things first, let's try getting off that bed and kneeling next to it.” Conor and Molly helped her up and onto the floor. Ginny swayed back and forth while Conor rubbed her back. 

“That feel better love?” Conor asked. Ginny made a soft noise in response. Draco called down the stairs for his bag and waited. A moment later Harry bounded up the stairs with it. Out of breath he handed it to Draco who kissed his cheek and then shut the door. 

“Here,” Draco handed Ginny a vial from his case. “Take this.” 

“What is it?” Molly asked hesitantly from beside her. 

“It'll help.” Draco promised.

“But-”

“Enough mom.” Ginny cut in, taking the potion from Draco. “Her Godfather wouldn't hurt her.” 

“I'm sorry what?” Draco was the only one who could speak. Molly just sat in stunned silence. 

“Well we hadn't asked but we were hoping you would watch over her if something happened. You see I want her to grow up on a farm and Ginny wants her to be watched over and well you're a doctor…” Conor smiled. 

“Will you?” Ginny brought her head up off the mattress and looked at Draco. “Will you look after her?” 

“Of course…and I'll start by getting her here.” Draco said kneeling and taking her hand. “The potion should take effect any moment now, so if you feel a heaviness or feel like pushing you tell me. Just listen to your body.” 

“I don't know how.” Ginny sounded scared.

“Your mom does, that's why she's here.” Draco placed Ginny's hand inside Molly’s and nodded at her. Molly nodded back and recovered herself. 

“Alright, Gin. Here we go.” Molly squeezed her hand. 

What happened next seemed like a blur. Draco felt as if he must've been on autopilot. Like he had walked all the way home and had no memory of getting there. One thing he was never going to forget was hearing that first cry break through the air. It was the best sound he had ever heard. 

“She's just perfect Ginny.” Draco said, wrapping the baby in a blanket after finishing his exam. He handed her to Ginny who was laying on the bed recovering.

“She's so small, I know she's supposed to be small but-”

“She's strong, no need to worry.” He said smiling. 

“Look at that, she's got green eyes.” Conor touched her cheek with his finger. “And little black curls, just like me.” 

Ginny looked up at his face as he stared down at their daughter. Draco didn't know that kind of happiness existed. For a second he imagined if this is what his birth was like. He shook the intrusive thought from his head before it could ruin the moment. 

“I'll leave you.” Draco smiled at last and headed downstairs. In the dining room everyone was waiting nervously for an update. Arthur and Hermione stood as he entered the room. 

“She's five pounds and seven ounces of pure perfection.” Draco assured them. Everyone clapped and hollered up congratulations that the new parents were sure to hear through the floor. Draco moved through the room and outside, unnoticed in the celebration. 

In the afternoon light he took a moment to feel everything he had been pushing back since he stepped into that room. 

“Hey.” He heard from behind him. He opened his mouth to answer but found himself doubled over and throwing up instead.

“Alright. Alright.” Harry rubbed Draco's back and waited. Draco whipped his mouth and cleaned everything up in the flick of his wrist. 

“You okay?” Harry asked when Draco finally turned around. 

“I've never been more frightened as a healer.” Draco admitted.

“You said she's fine though.” Harry reminded him. 

“She is, she's perfect. Harry she's beautiful and small, she's so small. I've never held a baby that small.” Draco talked and Harry just smiled at him until he stopped. “What?” 

“Sounds like you're fond of her.” Harry loved to see a Draco like this.

“Yes, well,” Draco attempted to regain his usual cool composure. “Of course I'm fond of my goddaughter.” 

“What?” 

“Apparently they want us to look after her. As godparents.” 

“Jeez.” Harry rolled his eyes. 

“It's a big deal Harry!” Draco pouted. 

“I've got so many God children I might as well open a boarding school.” Harry laughed and took his hand. They turned from the house and walked with no direction in mind. 

“Well I only have the one, so it matters to me.” Draco defended.

“It's a big deal. You're right. You're a godfather.” 

“Closest thing to a father I'll ever be.” Draco sighed. Harry stopped walking and his hand pulled against Draco who kept moving forward. Draco looked back at him. 

“Do you want to be a father?” Harry asked.

“Well… I don't know. Maybe…someday…” Draco looked down. 

“I'll make a note of that.” Harry smiled and started walking again. They stopped at a stone bench at the edge of the garden and sat facing the house. 

“Molly still doesn't want me.” Draco whispered. Harry didn't know what to say so they sat in silence. Harry wished there was some way to make everything right. 

“SOS!” Hermione was running across the lawn waving her arms. Draco jumped up to meet her, dragging Harry with him. 

“What is it!?” Draco grabbed her shoulders. “Is it the baby?” 

“I wish,” Hermione heaved a breath. “Ginny says she still wants to have the wedding.”