Understanding

Part 10

"You have a baby?" I ask Draco for the hundredth time since arriving back at Grimwald Place.

"I know. Father had me pick a partner to have a child with because he was afraid the war would take out the Malfoy bloodline. I just didn't think it worked. It was only once."  Draco sighs. The baby is sleeping propped up on the couch while he paces back and forth. 

"Astoria Greengrass?" 

"Her parents volunteered her. Our parents basically made us." He responds.

"Are you going to keep him?" I ask. Draco looks up at me with surprise written in his features.

"Of course. He's still mine. Don't worry. If you'll give me just a couple days I'll move out." He assures me.

"No!" I begin.

"What?" He asks. I don't want him to stop talking to me. Or to lose the contact we have.

"I mean... you can stay as long as you need. You don't have to leave."

"Harry, babies are hard work. I couldn't spring that on you." He sighs.

"It's ok. I want to learn. It'll help me with Teddy." He stops pacing at my words and looks at me.

"Yeah?" He speaks.

"Yeah." I nod and then he nods and it feels weird for both of us to just be nodding. I think at this point we are trying to convince ourselves instead of one another. Draco sends Kreature out with a pocket of galleons and a list of items to pick up for Scorpius. The child looks like Draco. I can't imagine he got any features from his mother. 

Draco goes about unpacking his trunk for real this time. He uses the closet and chest provided in the room and even moves some of his bathroom stuff to the bathroom. I watch after the baby while he makes us some lunch when my fireplace lights up green and out steps Hermione and Ron.

"How did the trial go?" Hermione immediately begins, missing the whole baby in my arms.

"It went good." Draco calls from the kitchen and Hermione gasps. She runs up to him and hugs him. He pats her back awkwardly while Ron grumbles. The baby begins to wake up at the commotion and makes a noise of distress. Ron's eyes zero in on the child and he frowns.

"What's that?" He points.

"Honestly, Ronald. Have you never seen a baby before? With that rabbit hole family of yours, it surprises me." Draco remarks carrying two plates of food in. "Would either of you like a sandwich?" He looks at the couple.

"Who's baby is it?" Hermione asks.

"Mine," Draco responds. Ron looks down at me with wide eyes and Hermione smacks him. I laugh, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"Care to explain?" Hermione asks.

"Astoria Greengrass had my baby in Azkaban and since I was pardoned, he is in my full custody now." He tells her. He bites into his sandwich happily. He has taken the baby back in his arms and Scorp rest comfortably while Draco eats.

"What are you going to do?" Ron has now matured enough to speak with us.

"I told him he could stay here. Kreature is getting stuff for Scorpius now." I speak up.

"Scorpius is a pretty name." Hermione hums. "Who will babysit while you are at school?"

"I haven't thought of that. I'll probably have to drop out and get a job."

"Not many wizarding jobs accept someone who hasn't graduated." Hermione points out.

"Mum might." Ron says. We all look at him with jaws on the floor. "I mean... if it keeps you from dropping out. Ginny is dropping out and they hate it. Plus... she misses having someone she can take care of. We are all adults now except for Ginny and she's leaving for Quidditch." He explains.