Ron took a deep breath as he watched Hermione and her family approach the edge of the wards where his father stood waiting. His palms were sweaty and he had to fight the urge to pace. Dread danced deep in his stomach. He needed this to work.

Memories of their lives before everything went to shit and those of the time after warred in his mind. The pain he ignored flared up inside him. Hermione was a part of him. They'd faced hell together far before they were old enough. It had changed them. They'd grown together like a cerebus. It hadn't been the healthiest of coping mechanisms, but they'd bloody well survived.

The aftermath that had torn them apart had left them all with gaping wounds. He'd been well aware of his own, and Harry's had been there for all to see. Hermione had retreated back into quiet competence and fierce resolve. She'd wrapped herself up in work and responsibility. She'd found new people to love, but her wound was still there. A better friend might have learned from the mistakes he'd made as a bloody third year and found a way to support her. He

had to break them all free of the miasma of guilt that was slowly destroying them. The quick burst of familiar laughter shocked him. Hermione shook her head and waved a finger mockingly at Theodore Nott. His stomach twisted into some new crazed shape as he shoved down the rage and jealousy. Hermione had found a home with these snakes. He needed to find a way to accept them into his life.

His father joined them at the ward line and let the group through. Lucius Malfoy extended a hand and his father clasped it.

"Never thought I'd see the day." Percy whispered behind him. "Mum's livid and Dad is just forging ahead. I know she was your friend once, but is Hermione Granger really worth all of this, Ron? Her very presence hurts Ginny, and Harry is far too interested in that witch's life. It's hurting their marriage."

"Things won't get better for Harry and Gin unless he sees Hermione is well settled with her snakes." Ron looked away from the new arrivals to see his brother's face. "Cutting her out of our lives hasn't worked. I think it's made it worse. We have to try something new. Dad seems to think this idea might just have a chance."

"Dad still sees her as one of his ducklings." Percy snorted. "Seven children weren't enough for him."

"Your bitterness is showing, Brother." Ron sighed. "Hermione didn't do anything to you. She never treated you badly. Can you say the same?"

Percy left him with an audible huff. Ron felt some of the tension in his shoulders ease as he fully focused on their visitors.

Hermione introduced her family to Arthur calmly. She'd spent so many years alone on the edges of the Weasley clan, but this was different. She had a family of her own to support her, now. Looking at the Burrow didn't cause her pain this time. Her dreams of dark haired children running about with their red haired counterparts had fallen to pieces years ago, but there might be a way forward.

Lucius placed his hand on the small of her back as they followed Arthur towards the house. She felt the warmth of his magic flowing around her protectively. She fought the urge to smile up at him. Reassuring him that she was strong enough to handle this wouldn't change his behavior. He didn't doubt her abilities or her strength. The protective drive was so very strong in him. She glanced over at him and let her own magic flow around him. The intimacy of their magical connection was growing day by day. The comfort of it was a treasure to her.

"The land is really quite beautiful." Draco looked around them. "I can feel the magic in it."

"We are quite happy with it." Arthur grinned. "We've never had a bad crop. Molly makes a wonderful cider."

"It's delicious." Hermione grinned. "I always drank it, even when I knew the twins might have tampered with it. I had green hair for three days third year."

"I'm sure it was lovely, my dear." Lucius ran his hand up and down her back. His magic began to tingle against her skin.

"Do you think I could learn to make cider?" Astoria skipped up next to them. "We have enough room for an orchard."

Hermione glanced over at Astoria and saw her grinning widely. A sudden vision of a forest of fruit trees with well manicured pathways and occasional knot gardens mixed in leapt into her mind. Leave it to Astoria to find the adventure in it all.

"Do you think we could do it, Hermione?"

Astoria bounced next to her. "I think we could. It would be brilliant."

"We should have Longbottom over for tea and discuss the possibility." Lucius squeezed her hand. "I've heard his gardens are delightful."

"We've certainly enjoyed ours." Arthur smiled at them all as they approached the house. He opened the door and gestured for them to proceed in. "Enter and be welcome."

Hermione smiled at Lucius as she stepped through the door beside him. She didn't know what the next few hours would bring, but she knew he would be with her through it all. For the first time in years, she felt at peace in the Weasley home.

Harry patted James on the back as he observed Ginny taking special care with her appearance. They were already late, but she was showing no signs of being prepared to leave. He took a deep breath and stared down at his now sleeping son. He didn't want to go to another family meal. He didn't want to feel the tension that was always hidden just under the surface of every interaction.

Kingsley wasn't letting him do anything in the office.

"We could always beg off." Harry shifted James in his arms. "Molly would understand."

"Dad asked for this." Ginny glanced at him and smiled. "It must be important."

"Every family dinner is important." Harry bent down and kissed his wife gently. "I love you, Gin. I really do."

"I know that Harry. I know you love us." She cupped his cheek and smiled at him. "I also know you're hurting."

Harry dragged a breath in to his lungs and held it. They didn't talk about these things much, not since Ginny had gotten pregnant. He certainly didn't want to talk about it now. He let the breath go and nodded.

"I'm sorry, Gin." Harry sighed knowing he couldn't ignore it completely. "I know I've put you through the ringer lately. You have given me so much. I have the family I've always dreamed of because of you."

"Well, we'd best be on our way." Ginny smiled up at him, her lips stretched and her eyes crinkled. He held his free hand out and helped her from the padded bench of her vanity. As they walked toward the fireplace, Harry glanced at the library doors. He took a deep breath and ignored the throbbing pain in his chest.

Neville smirked as Draco Malfoy flitted about in canary form. George had managed to slip the poor man a Canary Creme. Hermione and Astoria were laughing with their heads thrown back. Daphne chuckled and looked carefully at her plate before picking a carrot stick up and examining it carefully.

It was odd watching Hermione's new family interact with her old family. There was tension just under the surface. He didn't need Hannah to point it out.

The Weasley clan seemed awkward and stilted with Hermione. Molly seemed offended by the very presence of Malfoys in her home. Arthur, George, and Ron seemed to be the only ones happy to have Hermione and her snakes around.

Neville turned to look at some of Molly's plants and caught sight of two of her sons. He lifted his hand to wave, but neither of the pair acknowledged him. Their voices however carried easily.

"I don't understand this at all." Percy growled to Charlie. "It's bad enough that we have to invite her here, but allowing her to bring Lucius Malfoy and his lot? Father has lost his mind."

"Percy, you need to let this go." Charlie clapped his brother on the back. "It's one meal. Hermione isn't going to pop around with random snakes every day. Let it go."

"When Harry gets here?" Percy hissed. "Do you think that will be fun? Have you seen Ginny crying? No, you get to leave. You pay more attention to those bloody dragons than you do to your own family."

"I know Ginny married a man the day after he was told the woman he loved was not a viable option." Charlie sighed. "Only Mum thought that would work out well. Harry and Ginny may have problems, but Hermione isn't to blame. She's never done anything to make this harder on Ginny. You've been on the outside looking in. Did you like it?"

"Ginny is our sister." Percy glanced toward Neville and his cheeks flamed to rival his hair. "Now isn't the time for this."

"Poor Percy." Luna came up beside Neville and handed him a lemonade. "He wants to keep them all safe."

"From what?" Neville turned toward her. "We all know what happened."

"I don't believe we do." Luna sighed. "But we will soon."

Kingsley frowned at Arthur as they settled to watch the rather vicious game of quidditch being played above them. The man seemed so at ease. Arthur was always the calm center of Weasley chaos, but this seemed like something more.

"Lucius is bound to join us soon. You might as well ask." Arthur sipped at his glass. "You're practically screaming with your body language."

"How can you do this?" Kingsley tilted his head toward Lucius. "He might have put it all on the line recently, but your family history..."

"Is a bloody mess. Cedrella didn't want Hyperion. Matilda refused to marry Dominicus." Arthur shrugged. "It all goes back to a Weasley daughter that was not deemed worthy of a Malfoy son. None of it matters. I have watched Hermione suffer for too long. If finding a way to live in peace with the Malfoys brings her the slightest solace, what other choice do I have?"

Kingsley watched as Hermione leaned against Lucius as Draco banked tightly around the pair and nabbed the snitch. He saw Lucius wrap an arm around her as if it was entirely natural. Draco continued his course up into the sky waving the snitch about.

"They do seem to fit in." Kingsley took another sip of his lemonade. "The whole thing is rather disconcerting for me. I want to see her happy. I destroyed her life, but I never thought happiness would look like this."

Harry stepped out of the fireplace and felt her presence immediately. Hermione always pricked at him, just under his skin. He closed his eyes and fought the urge to run to her. He forced a deep breath into his lungs and let it out slowly.

"Is James okay?" Ginny stepped up next to him. "He never fusses when he travels with you."

"He's still asleep." Harry forced a smile on to his face for her. "It seems like there's quite a crowd here."

"Dad said it was important." Ginny smirked as Charlie's laughter carried in through the window. "It really must be if Charlie wrenched himself away from his dragons."

"What could be this important?" Harry glanced out the door and saw Kingsley standing with Arthur. "Kings is here."

"So is Neville." Ginny looked around the yard and blinked a couple of times. "Why is Draco Malfoy here?"

"The Nott family, too." Harry frowned. "I don't like this, Gin. Not one bit."

Harry spotted Lucius Malfoy standing beside Hermione and felt his magic pulse as he fought the urge to storm across the grass and yank her away from the older wizard. Harry took several deep breaths and forced a polite smile upon his face. Causing a scene would hurt Ginny. He really didn't want to hurt her.

"Oh, good. You're here." Arthur smiled at them. "Let me get a look at that grandson of mine."

"This is quite the gathering." Harry placed James in Arthur's arms and smiled at his father in law.

"What's going on, Dad?" Ginny smiled up at the older wizard. "I never thought I'd see a Malfoy here."

"We are putting aside our differences." Arthur glanced toward Hermione. "It's time to let go of the past."

Harry grimaced as pain bounced through him like a manic pin ball. He forced himself to breathe in and out slowly. He couldn't lose control with Kingsley here. He looked around at the various guests and realized that his father in law had stitched him up properly. Maintaining control was his only option.

"To that end, we have some gifts of good faith." Lucius Malfoy joined them with Hermione on his arm. "Our families have both learned the value of peace through tragedy and war. Let us put aside our animosity."

"I agree." Arthur nodded and bowed to Malfoy. "It's time to move forward in peace."

Harry fought the urge to step between the two wizards and drag Hermione away from them. He wasn't paying any attention as they continued babbling about setting aside their differences. Watching her fingers stroke along Malfoy's arm was torture.

Lucius smiled genuinely at Arthur. This man's affection for Hermione was true and deep. He felt a moment of regret for the truths that would be revealed in the next few moments. They were bound to cause pain. He felt Hermione's fingers on his arm and closed his eyes briefly.

The very source of her pain kept him from telling her of his plans. He opened his eyes and examined her sun kissed skin and ready smile. She was truly willing to live a half life. He considered his own drive to bring these secrets to light. He was not above reproach.

"I know that you both have your reasons for doing this." Hermione smiled at Arthur and then turned to Lucius. "I know that love for me motivates you both to some degree, and I thank you."

Lucius nodded and let some of his anxiety fall away.

"Cedrella Black Joined the Weasley family in defiance of a betrothal contract. The Weasleys paid restitution, but certain injunctions were leveled on the family." Lucius looked back to Arthur. "With this gift, I release those restraints."

Lucius plucked a frame from the pocket of his robes and wandlessly allowed it to return to its proper size. He held it out to Arthur and saw the man's eyes widen. Arthur pushed James back into Harry's arms. His shock pulled everyone in closer. Weasley's hands shook as he reached for the frame.

"It was given to my family when the betrothal contracts were signed." Lucius made sure the other wizard had a good grip on the painting before letting it go. "She belongs here."

"Mother." Arthur strokes the frame as the painted figure stirred and looked up at her youngest son.

"Arthur." She smiled. "I've missed so much. Let me see my grandchildren."