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Better Late Than Never	By : SlythindorMalfoy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 22997 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and it's characters. All rights go to J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. I do not make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and it's associated characters etc. All belongs to J.K Rowling and Warner Bros.
A/N: Chapter 8 was originally a huge one so I had to break it up into separate chaps instead. So, the outcome of that is that this is a filler chap. Thanks to djaddict, you are amazing and a GREAT help to this story. Honestly, don't know what I'd do without your input. :)
Review Responses:
BAFan: Thanks for the review! I saw the discrepancy and I am sorry to say but it was meant to be a month. :P. Hope you enjoy this one as well. :)
Mashkai: Thanks for the review! Everytime I see a new reviewer I squeal. :) Hope you like this one. :)
Kat: Oh she is and its not over yet. ;). Thanks for the review!
Amora Lee: Heh! xD. Thanks for your review. :)
Oh! And for all those who haven't seen 'Kill Your Darlings' with Dan. GO. SEE. IT! I mean seriouslyyyyy! xD
Enjoy! All remaining mistakes are mine.
...
Harry glanced at himself in the mirror one last time before he turned around and exited the bathroom. He sat on the bed in the guest room and placed his head in his hands. It had only been three days since he had sent the divorce letter to Ginevra. He wasn't brooding like he had thought he would be. He figured that was because Draco refused to let him wallow in self-pity and hurt. The blond was always there to cheer him up and make him feel better. The only thing that still really nagged at him was that James and Lily were not his. Harry still couldn't fathom why she would do such a thing to him. He was devastated and he had no idea how to move forward concerning that. He shifted slightly and a soft crinkle caught his attention. He turned and sighed heavily when he spied the letter he had just received from Hermione. It was only one out of many they had sent before. Harry grimaced slightly as he thought about his best friends. He had been avoiding them, unsure of how to approach them. He was sure that if he hadn't changed the wards and the floo password, they would have ambushed him by now. He couldn't put it off any longer. He got off the bed and with a soft crack, apparated.
Harry took a few breaths to steady himself as he landed at Ron and Hermione's front door. He raised his hand to knock but that was pointless as the door was yanked open and his arms were filled with a crying and hiccupping Hermione. She was crying so hard, he couldn't understand a word she was saying. Harry just stood there in shock for a few seconds before his senses kicked in and he wrapped his slightly shaking arms around her. He glanced up to see Ron standing a few feet away, looking uncomfortable and a tad bit upset at the same time. Clearing his throat, Harry gently removed Hermione from his arms and steered the crying woman inside the house and onto a sofa. He sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling softly when she leaned into him and seemed to calm down. Ron sat down on the armchair opposite the two and the room fell silent with only Hermione's occasional sniffle or hiccup. The tense silence was becoming unbearable and Harry couldn't stand it.
"I'm sorry." He blurted out and jerked slightly when two other voices said the same thing. He looked down at Hermione and saw her watching him with a small smile on her face, he looked at Ron and saw a similar expression on his face. The three looked at each other again before suddenly bursting out in laughter, effectively clearing the air and erasing the tension.
"Be right back." Hermione muttered after the laughter died down. Harry watched her walk to the kitchen. He could hear her preparing tea. It wasn't long before she returned with their tea. Harry opened his mouth to say something but Hermione beat him to it. "I…we're really sorry Harry." She murmured softly.
"What are you guys sorry for Mione? You guys didn't know about the affair right?" He asked. He didn't want to believe that what he thought in his emotional state was true.
"No mate!" Ron quickly assured him while Hermione gasped horrified. Harry only felt a light twinge of guilt for thinking like that but he pushed it away. His mind supplied him with the look they'd shared that day and he wanted to know what was going on.
"Then what was that look about that day. It looked like you knew something." He said watching the two of them, he almost growled when they did it again. "Stop that!" He snapped. He just wanted them to tell him what they knew.
"Harry, it's not that we knew that Ginny was having an affair. It's just that we felt something wasn't right. It was obvious to us that your relationship wasn't the same anymore." Hermione explained. She laid her hands over his and squeezed lightly. "We're sorry that we gave you the wrong impression Harry but I swear we didn't know she went that far."
'I wonder what you'll think when you find out how far she's really gone.' He thought to himself bitterly. "But why didn't you guys tell me this?" He asked out loud slightly hurt that they hadn't confided in him, something that was about him even!
"Mate, we know we're your best friends but we didn't think it was our place to tell you about your marriage. I-It just didn't seem right," Ron said with a shrug and Harry nodded slightly. He could understand the logic in that.
"So, how long have you guys been thinking that something was wrong?" He inquired.
"Well…" Hermione hesitated and Harry tensed. "We noticed it a few years ago." She finished and Harry gaped. He knew his marriage hadn't been going well but it had been that long? And was that obvious?
"Was it that obvious?" He asked the two, watching as they both frowned slightly.
"Not to the outside world Harry but to the people who knew you, it was." Hermione told him. Harry couldn't believe it. He understood why they didn't want to impose on his marriage but he wishedsomeone had talked to him about it.
"We're really sorry we didn't at least mention something Harry." Ron said softly as if reading his thoughts. He looked up at his best friend and saw the guilt there. He knew they truly felt sorry. They were his best friends, the people who had been with him since he was eleven. He knew they would never do anything to intentionally hurt him.
"It's okay guys and I- I'm sorry too." He apologized.
"What are you apologizing for Harry?" Hermione asked him confused.
"For accusing the both of you unnecessarily. Not to mention ignoring you." He said sheepishly.
"It's okay Harry. We understood what you were going through." Hermione assured him smiling, giving him another squeeze of his hand. He returned the smile easily. "So, how have you been coping?" She asked and Harry's smile fell immediately.
"Mate?"
Harry sighed. "Honestly, not so great until recently. I stayed by myself for a while but then I was forced out of my self-seclusion by Draco." He said and waited patiently for the upcoming explosion. When there was none, he glanced up at Ron and almost laughed at the bug eyed expression on his face.
"What do you mean Draco forced you out?" Ron finally spluttered. "We tried for ages!"
"Well obviously you didn't try hard enough." Harry replied cheekily. He then told them about that day.
"Wow. I'm impressed. But I guess I shouldn't really be surprised. You two became friends pretty quickly and whether you admit it or not Harry, Draco was always the one to get a reaction out of you, no matter what it was." Hermione told him, a thoughtful smile on her face.
"Uh yeah, whatever." He tried to reply nonchalantly, valiantly fighting the blush on his face. He saw Hermione's eyebrow arch slightly and knew he had lost the battle. He discreetly looked over at Ron and saw the red head muttering to himself. Harry snickered. Ron was still trying to understand Draco's behavior and how he had been able to get through to him.
"Anything happened since then Harry?" Hermione inquired and Harry's good mood vanished. He might as well get it out now.
"Yeah. Well, I sent a divorce letter to Ginevra." He told them. He cringed at Hermione's sharp gasp and he could've sworn Ron snapped his neck with the speed he turned to look at him. The silence in the room was becoming unbearable again.
"Harry, mate, are you sure that's what you want?" Ron asked tentatively.
"Yes Ron I'm sure." He replied firmly and stared straight into the blue eyes to show Ron he meant it.
"Alright Harry, it's your decision and I'll respect it. I just don't want you to do something you think you'll regret."
"Me too Harry." Hermione added.
Harry sighed. "I know I won't regret it. That- that's not all." He stuttered out. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. He didn't want to say the next few words out loud. Ron and Hermione stayed quiet and he was glad that they gave him time. He took a deep breath. "James and Lily aren't my children." He said quietly but clearly. He felt like his voice echoed in the absolute silence that followed. It was as if his friends had stopped breathing.
"Wha-What do you mean Harry? H-How did you find out?"
"I did a heredity test." Harry simply stated not wanting to go into details. On the outside he appeared somewhat calm, but inside he was breaking up all over again.
"It's that McLaggen fucker isn't it?" Ron suddenly shouted. "That son of a fucking bitch! How could Ginny have done this?" He continued, jumping up and pacing. Harry could see his fists flexing.
"He's only the father of James." Harry managed to choke out. He was actually afraid of what Ron would do. Not to him obviously. He winced slightly when Ron spun around to face him, his face red and blotchy in his anger.
"What? Another person? Another fucking affair?" He questioned, his voice rising higher with each question. Harry belatedly realized Ron was acting like the jilted husband and not him.
"Who's the other father Harry?" Hermione's quiet voice broke him out of his musings.
"Theodore Nott." He answered and Ron stilled, his jaw dropping.
He dropped heavily into the armchair. "What the fuck is wrong with my sister?" He asked, and Harry was unsure if he was asking himself or him and Hermione. In any case, no one had the answer to his question. The room was silent again till Ron heaved a huge sigh. "I know it's not for me to say but I'm sorry about everything you're going through Harry. He said solemnly. "Just know that we're here for you okay?" He finished and Harry nodded slightly.
"What happens now Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Honestly Mione, I don't know what to do. I mean, I'm sure about the divorce but not what to do about the kids. What if they don't even want to stay with me? Lily said she hated me and I know she meant it." He said morosely.
"Harry, I can't tell you what to do except to see how everything goes from here. It'll all work out. Plus, as Ron said, you have us." Hermione said giving him a hug. He snuggled into her embrace and smiled, grateful for the support of his friends.
"Oh and um Draco will be my lawyer, you know, since he's used to this kind of stuff." Harry told him, fidgeting slightly when Hermione raised her bloody eyebrows again.
"That's great Harry. You will need his expertise." She simply stated. They then reheated their forgotten tea and drank it, talking about lighter topics till Harry got up to leave.
"Write us if anything changes Harry." Ron told him as he hugged him goodbye.
"I will. Take care guys." He said giving Hermione a huge hug and a kiss on her cheek. Then with a soft crack, he apparated straight into his living room.
As soon as he got his bearings. He went over to the fireplace to make a floo call to the Burrow. "Mum!" He called out as the Burrow's living room came into view. A few seconds later he heard feet shuffling and Molly appeared wiping her hands in a tea towel.
"Harry dear. Nice to see you. Everything okay?" She inquired as she carefully knelt down after a well-placed cushioning charm.
"Everything's fine mum. I just wanted to know how Lily's holding up. Is she feeling any better?" He asked hopefully but that hope was dashed when he saw Molly's face fall and a deep frown appeared.
"No Harry. She is not handling it any better. She is still crying and constantly asking for Ginny no matter what I say to appease her." She said forlornly and Harry sighed.
"I-I don't know what to do mum. She won't listen to me." He muttered feeling useless.
"Don't worry Harry. Everything will work out. Just give it time." She told him and Harry just nodded before saying goodbye and ending the call. He made his way to his study and sat in his armchair. He tried hard to be reassured by everyone's words but he didn't know if everything was really going to be okay when it came to the children. In two days James and Albus would be back from Hogwarts for their Christmas vacation and he was nervous about their reactions. Heaving a heavy sigh, he resolved to think about that when it happened. He would just have to wait and see.
HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*HP*
It was Friday, December 13th and Harry currently stood at Platform 9 3/4, patiently or rather impatiently waiting for the Hogwarts Express to appear. Ron and Hermione were next to him with Hugo. He felt the never ending satisfaction that the press was not allowed on the platform. The whispers and stares he could handle, that he was used to by now. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his two sons, both because he missed them immensely and because of their reactions to their broken family. The Platform was packed with families and Harry noticed a platinum blond head amongst the sea of others. 'The tall bastard's hair really is like a beacon.' Harry thought to himself. A sudden shrill whistle broke him out of his thoughts and the beautiful red steam engine came into view. Harry had to fight to keep from bouncing in his anxiety. A strong hand on his shoulder followed by a squeeze calmed him down considerably. He turned to Ron and gave him a thankful smile.
Soon enough, the train stopped at the platform with a mighty screech. As soon as the doors opened, students were piling out, rushing over to their families with squeals of joy. It didn't take long for Harry to see another shock of platinum blond hair and recognized Scorpius. He only had to look next to him to see a tousled mop of hair just like his own. Said head turned to face him and he heard a shout of "Dad!" and Albus was running towards him, deftly avoiding the people in his way. The grin on Harry's face could've split his face in two.
"Dad." Albus' muffled voice reached his ears as his son barreled into him and held him tightly. He hugged him just as tightly. Merlin, he had missed him so much.
"Hey." He whispered when Al finally loosened his grip and looked up at him. Albus was grinning too and Harry was so happy. "Where's James?" He inquired.
Al shrugged. "I don't know dad. He was with his friends."
"He'll be out soon Harry." Ron said from behind him.
Harry smiled softly as Rose and Albus immediately launched into tales of Hogwarts, awing Hugo. His gaze returned to the train looking for James. He tried not to worry about James' reaction but it was impossible. He knew that Ron and Hermione were still there for support and he was extremely grateful for that.
"There he is Harry." Hermione observed from beside him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
He watched as James calmly got off the train and walked straight towards them. However, there was no happiness or relief on his face. It was set in a fierce scowl. As he reached them, he muttered hello to everyone and just turned his back to them indicating that he was ready to leave. Harry didn't push, he figured James would need time to adjust.
"Just give it time mate." Ron whispered his exact thoughts back to him.
He was truly getting tired of people saying that but it was obviously the best thing at the moment. He took a deep breath and immediately calmed himself down. The adults shrunk the trunks and they all walked to join the queue for flooing, James ahead of everyone. Harry noticed Al walked pretty close to him and he knew it was due to what happened a few weeks ago. He felt a huge stab of guilt for worrying his son so much, especially after he promised it wouldn't happen again. He promised himself that he had to be there for him now, more than ever to make up for that. The group finally reached their turn at the floo stations and flooed to the Burrow. Ron and Hermione with a child each while James flooed by himself and Harry flooed with Albus.
As soon as Harry stepped out the floo with Al, he noticed the slight tension in the room. Ron and Mione and Molly and Arthur were looking at him with sympathetic expressions. A question formed on his lips but his unasked question was answered when he heard footsteps stomping up the staircase, and he quickly realized it was James. With a pained smile, he looked at a slightly confused Albus and nudged him towards the stairs.
"I'll call you down soon okay?" he told him, running a hand affectionately through his rumpled hair. Albus gave an unsure smile then hurried upstairs, followed closely by Rose and Hugo. Harry and the others went to the kitchen and sat down at the table. No one was surprised when steaming mugs of tea were placed in front of them by Molly. Tea was the comfort for everything it seemed. Everyone just sat quietly and sipped their tea, no one really knowing what to say.
"I have something to tell the both of you." Harry suddenly broke the silence, looking at the two elder Weasleys. He heard Ron choke on his tea and saw Hermione shakily place her cup on the saucer. He watched as Arthur and Molly frowned at their reactions before fully turning to face him. He took a deep breath. "After the whole affair debacle, a friend of mine encouraged me to do a hereditary test on the children. Hear me out!" He added when it looked like they were going to interrupt. "My friend felt the need to do it and so did I. Needless to say, I don't know if that was a god decision or not." He finished, his voice quavering just a little bit.
"W-What do you mean Harry?" Moly implored and Harry could hear the tremor in her voice.
"James and Lily aren't mine." He disclosed softly, looking at them directly, Molly had sat back in her chair in her horror, her eyes wide open and a hand placed over her heart. Arthur's mouth was wide open and staring at Harry in disbelief.
"You mean, all this t-time. H-How could Ginny…Oh Merlin…" he stuttered and trailed off holding on to his now sobbing wife who had turned to him for comfort.
"Also, I've filed for a divorce." He informed them, wanting to get it all out. Molly choked then raised her head off Arthur chest and wiped her eyes.
"I wish all this wasn't happening Harry but I really shouldn't have expected anything less." She croaked, voice hoarse from her crying. "Ginny is our daughter and we love her but this, all this is just unacceptable."
"It wouldn't be right to stay in a marriage based on lies Harry. And we support your decision." Arthur said solemnly and Harry had to fight back tears. He really was surrounded by the most amazing people.
"Eh hmm." He cleared his throat and the others looked to him expectedly. He blushed slightly. "I just wanted to inform you beforehand that Draco will be my lawyer. He's really great with stuff like this."
"That's good Harry. I am really glad you two put your differences behind you." Molly smiled softly with a sniffle.
"I'm going to tell the kids on Sunday and I-I'd like for you all to be there." He announced.
"Of course Harry. You could tell them here if you like." Molly offered.
"That might be best as it doesn't seem like they want to go home with me right now. Or anytime." He mumbled and couldn't quite keep the bitterness and hurt out of his voice. Hermione sighed softly and placed an arm around his shoulders.
"We're all here Harry. Always remember that. You will get through this Harry." Hermione told him and he tried really hard to believe her but he wasn't sure he could.
"I-I'm going to check on the kids." He said suddenly. He gently shook Hermione's hand off and placed his cup down before hurriedly heading upstairs. He checked in Ginny's room first and saw James and Lily huddled together on the bed fast asleep. He smiled sadly and gently closed the door before going to Ron's old room where he knew Al would be. Sure enough, he opened the door and Al's head snapped up to look at him. He was just sitting at the end of the bed waiting for him.
"C-can I go home with you Dad?" Al asked in a soft voice before Harry could say anything. He smiled and nodded, there was no way he could've said no to those big green eyes. He chuckled as Al quickly got up and ran over to him and they returned to the kitchen.
"James and Lily are sleeping but this brat wanted to come with me so I'm taking him home. We'll be back in the morning." He informed the occupants in the kitchen. He watched fondly as Al went to around to everyone and gave them huge hugs before rushing back to him. He said his own goodbyes and they went to the fireplace and flooed home. They were both tired so they just took quick showers and headed to bed. Harry wasn't surprised when Al joined him in the guest room eventually. He was expecting him to be clingy after all that happened. He could only imagine how it be after he spoke to them on Sunday.
'Sunday is going to be a hard day,' was his last thought before he fell asleep, his son cuddled in his arms.
- 7
- 8
- 9
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Better Late Than Never