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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
- 8
- 9
- 10
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and it's associated characters etc. All belongs to J.K Rowling and Warner Bros.
A/N: I really hope you guys enjoy this one! Thanks to my beta djaddict. You. Are. Awesome! lol!
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Review Responses:
Kat: Ahahaha! Don't worry, she will. ;). Thanks for reviewing!
Staar: Welcome new reader! xD. Thanks for your review. And Harry will alwayssss have Draco. heh! :)
Delia cerrano: Welcome back! Yay! I was so happy to see your review. I'm really glad you're still enjoying the story. :)Thanks for reviewing!
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Did any of you take my advice to see 'Kill Your Darlings'? I'm telling you, its sooo worth it. ;) heheh.
All remaining mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

Sunday came too quickly for Harry's liking. He lay in bed thinking about how he was going to break the dreaded news to the children. He was not ready for it at all. He and Al had spent the entirety of Saturday in his study talking about Hogwarts. Harry felt the space next to him and realized it was empty, meaning Albus was already up. Albus hadn't yet gotten past his clinginess and insisted he sleep with Harry. Harry really didn't mind, but he would have to talk to Albus soon about it. He got up and took a quick shower before heading downstairs where he met Al in the kitchen already dressed. He made them a simple breakfast of toast and jelly with a glass of orange juice. They made quick work of the meal then flooed to the Burrow.
When they stepped through the fireplace of the Burrow, Harry saw Rose and Hugo playing in the living room and he was extremely relieved that Ron and Hermione were already there. As usual, they were to be found in the kitchen, sitting at the table with Molly and Arthur. The two newcomers joined the group. Harry sat with Hermione at his right and Al sat on the other side of him. Molly excused herself and left the kitchen, Harry assumed she was going to get James and Lily. He wasn't ready but it really couldn't wait any longer, no matter how much he wished it could. A short while later Molly returned with the children and they sat directly across from Harry and Al. Molly sat next to Lily opposite Hermione. Ron was standing leaning against the sink and Arthur was sat at the head of the table. Harry looked at James and Lily and was saddened to see Lily's red, puffy eyes and the deep scowl on James' face. He didn't want to hurt them further but it had to be done. He gave a long sigh.
"Kids." He began, looking at all three of them. "I brought you all together because there is something really important that I have to tell you." He waited for a reaction but the three of them just stared at him expectantly. "Okay, does any of you know what a heredity test is?" He asked, and then saw James stiffen and felt Albus grip his hand tightly.
"I-Is that the test that reveals a person's parentage Dad?" Albus asked and Harry nodded at him. He took a deep breath.
"Yes, well, as it turns out, a…um…test was done and…" He trailed off. He didn't know how to say it. It still broke his heart. He felt Hermione squeeze his hand in encouragement and he gave her a weak smile. "It turns out James and Lily, that I am not your biological father." He choked out. Complete silence followed before James suddenly shot up off his chair. His face red.
"You're lying! That's not true!" He shouted.
"James…" Harry began trying to placate him but James ignored him.
"No! Mum would never do that! I guess you're saying that that creep McLaggen is my father?" He asked angrily. However, when Harry just stared at him in answer, he deflated. His anger gone replaced with shock. "I-Is he Lily's dad too?" He asked into the silence. Harry didn't have the heart to answer him. He heard Arthur clear his throat.
"No James. Lily's father is someone else. A man named Theodore Nott." Arthur told him. James just stood there mouth agape. Lily had flung herself into her grandmother's arms sobbing uncontrollably. It didn't take long for James to regain his anger however.
"NO! It's all lies!" He exclaimed.
"James. Could you please calm down…" Harry tried again.
"Why are you doing this to us? You are always the one causing problems!" He screamed. His face red and blotchy and Harry could hear his voice breaking just a little bit.
"James, please. If you would just listen…"
"NO! No more. I'm not listening to anything you say!" He shouted before running out the kitchen and up the stairs. Harry ached because he hadn't missed the tears that were streaming down James' face.
Harry sat still in his seat. He was expecting that sort of reaction and he really didn't blame them. He was a grown man and he still couldn't wrap his mind around it, much less a nine year old and a twelve year old. He could faintly hear things breaking upstairs as James vented out his anger and frustration. No one moved to stop him.
"I want to go to mummy." A teary yet firm voice suddenly broke the silence in the room. Harry looked at Lily to see her glaring at him, brown eyes full of anger despite her tear streaked face.
"Lily dear that would be a little difficult right now." Molly murmured to her soothingly but she was not having it.
"Why? I don't want to stay here anymore. I hate this stupid dumb place!" She said furiously, pushing away from Molly and standing up, fists balled at her sides.
"Lily!" Harry exclaimed scandalized. He didn't think she would insult her grandparents like that. That was completely crossing the line. "That behavior is unacceptable." He continued. "I understand you are hurt but this is your grandparent's house. Apologize now." He said firmly.
"No! I don't have to do anything you say. I want mummy!" Lily screamed.
"Lily Potter! Sit down!" Harry commanded rising from his seat. Not even James was this terrible, although he couldn't say he was shocked by this behavior, he was used to her not listening to him.
"You can't tell me what to do! You're not even my dad! I hate you!" She yelled furiously before unexpectedly picking up a teacup and flinging it at him. Harry was sure only his seeker reflexes saved him. The room was shocked into a stunned silence. Harry couldn't believe she had actually thrown something at him.
"Lily!" Arthur exclaimed in shock but instead of acknowledging her grandfather, she huffed and ran out the room, stomping on the stairs as she left. Harry slowly sank to his seat.
"Oh dear." Molly muttered. Harry couldn't understand how a nine year old could hold so much rage. He didn't know what to do because he knew talking to her would only worsen the situation. "Don't worry Harry, I'll go talk to her." Molly told him softly. She got up and gave him a tight hug before heading upstairs to talk to Lily.
"M-May I be excused?" A soft voice asked next to him, trickling through his thoughts. He looked down at Albus and noticed he was pale and he seemed a bit shaken.
"Sure Al." He replied softly and tried to give an encouraging smile. He knew Al would need time to process everything. Albus returned the smile with one as fake as his own and quickly left and headed upstairs.
"Mum, is everything okay?" A voice asked from the door and all the adults turned to see Rose standing at the kitchen doorway. A frown on her face.
"Yes dear, everything is okay. Go back to the living room and play with your brother." Hermione told her and Harry could see the forced smile on her face. Rose left and Harry buried his face in his hands. He forced himself not to cry knowing it wouldn't do any good. He relaxed only slightly when Hermione began to rub gentle circles onto his back and Ron sat next to him for added comfort.
Harry didn't know how long he sat there but he knew that Ron and Hermione never left his side. His head felt just a bit clearer with his friends' support and he realized he needed to be that for the children. He had to stop thinking about himself and focus on them. Mumbling thanks to his friends and Arthur, he excused himself from the table and headed upstairs to Ginny's old room. As expected, James was there, however, the room was a complete disaster. Objects were strewn everywhere and James sat on the bed, tears on his face. He had calmed down considerably from his earlier tirade.
"James let's talk about this." He said softly.
"I don't want to."
"I know you don't but it's better if we do talk about it." He tried.
"No." James stated stubbornly. "Just leave me alone." He added quietly and Harry was stunned. He'd never seen James act like this before.
"James-."
"Pleaseee. I don't want to talk about any of it. Pleaseee." He pleaded, looking up at Harry and he couldn't say no.
"Ok so-James." He said before stepping out the room, quietly closing the door behind him. James needed time so he would give it to him. He winced when he realized his near slip up. He knew it could have gone worse if he had called him 'son'. The situation was way too tender. He went up the stairs to Ron's old room and saw Albus in practically the same position as James. He looked pale and distraught.
"You're my Dad right? You said James and Lily aren't yours but I am right?" Albus asked him in a tiny broken voice as soon as he stepped into the room. Harry's heart broke. His voice sounded so scared and unsure.
"Yes, you are kiddo." He replied softly and sat next to him. He watched as Albus' face practically glowed with relief.
"I feel sorry for James and Lily b-but I'm really glad you're my dad." Albus told him softly. "I love you daddy." He said and his voice broke. Tears slipped out of the green eyes so very much like his own.
"I love you too son." Harry said in teary voice as tears streamed down his face, the dam finally broken. He scooped up his son in his arms and hugged him tightly. He loved James and Lily, but Albus was the one who understood him, the one he was closest too. If he wasn't Albus' biological father, Harry wasn't sure what he would've done but he knew that blow would've been hard to handle. The two sat on the bed hugging and crying for some time before Albus pulled back and wiped his eyes.
"So what now Dad?"
"I don't know Albus. I really don't know." Harry replied solemnly. "But we'll be okay." He added.
Harry sent Albus downstairs and checked in on James. He found him curled up on the bed asleep. With a swish of his hand he returned the room to its original state and left the room quietly before heading downstairs. He told everyone thanks and goodbye. He was extremely grateful for the hugs and reassurances he received. Then he and Albus returned to the Burrow. They were both exhausted so they immediately retreated to the guest room for bed. Albus fell asleep almost instantly and it was only when Harry lay there going over the day did he realize that he hadn't even told them about the upcoming divorce.
It was Sunday night and Ginny felt like she was living in a nightmare. All her plans were crumbling before her eyes. She was still in the same shack that she and Cormac had fled to and she hated it. The divorce trial was coming up and she still had no way to stop it. She had tried sending letters to Harry at Grimmauld Place and Godric's Hollow but they were all returned unopened. In a desperate attempt, she had even sent a letter to her mother hoping that Molly would talk to Harry but she got a curt reply saying Harry didn't want to speak to her. Ginny felt like she was slowly going insane. Something had to be done. There was no way she was going to continue living like a pauper. She'd had enough of that living at the Burrow.
A flutter of wings caught her attention and she was shocked to see an owl by the window. Only owls without mail carrying ill intentions were allowed in. Who was writing to her? 'Maybe it's Harry?' Ginny thought to herself as she eagerly got up and let the owl in. She was only slightly disappointed when it immediately flew away as soon as she retrieved the letter. She closed the window and sat down on the sofa to read the letter, hoping with all her might that it was from Harry.
Mum
What is going on? Why aren't you here with us? Lils and I miss you so much. We don't want to be here anymore. We want to be with you. We're both really worried about you. No one talks about you around here mum, it's like you don't exist! And yesterday, he told us that he's not our dad. But that's not true is it? Cuz you would never do that. That stupid McLaggen isn't my father and why were you with him anyway? And! To make everything worse. He said McLaggen is not even Lily's dad! He said it was some bloke named Theodore Nott but I'm sure that's not true either. Cuz you don't even knooow a Nott person. Please come for us Mum. I hope we can see you soon.
James.
Ginny could only stare at the letter when she finished reading. The only words going through her mind was that Harry had found out. She couldn't use the kids as leverage anymore!
'What am I going to do now?' she thought frantically.
"Nott?" A voice whispered in disbelief behind her and Ginny jumped. She turned around and her eyes widened when she saw Cormac behind her. She paled, he had obviously read the letter over her shoulder.
"Cormac…"
"Fucking Nott? What are you? Slut of the century?" he asked angrily. "And, your kid is my fucking son?"
"He isn't! I don't know where he got that…"
"Don't fucking lie to me! Is there anyone else that you've been fucking that I should know about? Any other children out there?"
"There was no one else. What kind of person do you take me for? That thing with Nott was a long time ago." Ginny said. She couldn't believe him! He had the gall to berate her for being a slut when he was with her and he knew she was married!
"Yeah." Cormac replied. "While you were still with me and your husband. You're fucking disgusting! This is ridiculous. My life is ruined because of you. You better hope that kid isn't mine or else I swear to Merlin I'll make your life a living hell, bitch." He said through gritted teeth before grabbing his cloak and heading to the door. Ginny panicked. She couldn't let him leave, not in the state he was in. The world would know what she'd done and that could not happen. She would not allow it!
"Cormac wait! You can't leave. People still haven't gotten over the fact that you were the man I cheated on Harry with. They'll devour you!" She cried out, grabbing his cloak.
"Get off me!" Cormac shouted, shoving her away. "I don't give a fuck right now." He said coldly and before Ginny could do anything he walked out and apparated. Ginny fell to her knees. Nothing was going okay. She was going to lose Harry and her life of luxury. What could she possibly do now?
GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*GW*
Ginny groaned as she woke up the next morning. The sun shining through the slightly dirty window glared right in her face. It didn't help that she also felt like a hundred hippogriffs were running through her head. She groaned again as she sat up. Immediately, she placed her head in her hands as her vision swam. The hangover she currently sported was bordering on ridiculous. She could only remember bits and pieces of what happened after Cormac had walked out. Ginny was worried. She hoped that Cormac would be sensible and keep quiet about everything. If anything got out, she would have next to no chance of getting back with Harry.
A pecking at the window brought her out of her thoughts. She winced as she got up to open the window. She really missed her wand, too bad it had been incinerated when Harry destroyed their room. She grabbed the envelope and package from the owl and watched as it immediately flew off. Shrugging lightly, she returned to the sofa and curled up. A thrill of excitement shot through her as she stared at the envelope. She hoped, again, that it was from Harry, even if he wanted to talk about the divorce. Sighing, she opened the letter and fought down the disappointment when she noticed Cormac's handwriting.
'Writing to beg and apologize now has he?' She thought to herself as she began to read the letter, only to freeze in horror the more she read. Cormac had immediately written to the Nott and told him what he found out. Ginny felt sick, the nausea from the hangover coming full force. However, when she read the last line of the letter her heart dropped.
'Hope you enjoy this morning's exclusive, bitch.' It stated.
It was only then she remembered what else came with the letter and she tore open the package. She frowned when she realized it was a rolled up copy of the Daily Prophet. With shaking fingers, she unrolled the newspapers and her eyes widened in pure shock and horror.
'Paternity Panic! Latest Scandal in our Savior's Rocky Marriage – The Potter Heir might not be a Potter!'
The article went on to detail her cheating and the fact that Cormac and Nott were publicly demanding paternity tests for James and Lily. It also stated that Nott knew all along but was just waiting for the perfect time to act on it. Ginny felt like crying. This could not be happening. It had to be a dream. As her eyes clouded over with tears, she noticed something handwritten at the bottom of the article.
"No crying now slut. Don't want the reporters to see you looking like a hag."
She was confused for a moment till all of a sudden there was a flurry of activity outside just as owls started pecking on the windows. She could hear shouts of her name and people fighting to peer through the windows. Ginny jumped off of the sofa and began closing all the curtains. As she closed the final one in the living room, she noticed Cormac standing in the midst of all the reporters. He had told them where she was. Even from a distance, she could see the anger on his face. She felt a twinge of guilt for what she had done but it was gone soon after, she hated him then. He had ruined everything.
Covering her ears from the noise outside, Ginny slid down the wall in front of the window. Tears streamed continuously down her face. How had it all come to this?
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Better Late Than Never