A/N: Oh boy, so sorry for the super long delay. No excuses. But comments pulled me back to this story and I realised I really want to finish it. So please do enjoy the update.

*****

Molly takes the news of Lily actually surprisingly well. Better than Ron did, at least.

"I don't care how or why she was conceived," she says from where she is sat on the sofa, cradling Lily to her massive bosom. "The point is she is here now, and she's a perfect little Weasley."

Lily seems to adore her grandmother, snuggling her face into her dressing gown which probably stinks if Molly hasn't washed it in two years.

"Yes, that's right my darling Lily," Molly continues, cooing down at her new adoring fan, "Granny is here now, and Granny is never going to let you go!"

No one else, including me, is getting a look in now Molly has Lily firmly in her clutches, and I'm too scared to point out that George hasn't even held her yet seeing as their father-daughter union was rudely interrupted thanks to Ron.

Her voice most definitely back, Molly orders everyone around, demanding that we have a Weasley family meal to celebrate the new addition right here and now. I wonder if she minds Draco and I being present, because I'm starting to feel like a bit of an interloper on this Weasley family occasion.

"You should get back to Astoria," I hiss in Draco's ear, the flat above the joke shop quickly filling with redheads as we stand on the edge of things, backs pressed literally against the wall, "you don't need to suffer this."

"I said I'll support you, didn't I?" Draco says, steadying me as I am nearly knocked over by an excitable redhead. "Besides, I'd rather be here with you and Lily."

Again, I wonder why he's marrying Astoria.

Worried we might suffocate, we go and find George in the kitchen who is busily prepping food with his wand.

"George," I say, placing a hand on his wand arm and lowering it down, "Stop. Go and see Lily."

George looks up, shock still all over his face. "But Mum wants me to do this-"

"You haven't even held her yet," I say firmly. "Please, don't let this impromptu celebration stop you from bonding with her. I've kept you apart long enough. Draco and I will take over here. You go and be with your daughter."

Looking from me to Draco, George finally nods, a nervous smile flickering at his lips before tentatively leaving the kitchen.

"How are you holding up," Draco asks as we stand side by side, taking over George's veg prepping. "now everything is out?"

I shrug. "It's not entirely sunk in yet. Suddenly my little girl has this great big family fussing over her. A selfish part of me wants to grab her and take her away so that it's just me and her again. But I know this is right. For her. For George."

"You've done the right thing." Draco assures me, a warm smile upon his lips. "I'm proud of you, Harri."

I return his smile, my heart giving a flutter as his eyes twinkle down at me.

"Harri!" a voice shouts out, breaking the moment.

I turn around to see a beaming Hermione in the kitchen doorway, bushy hair all over the place, face flushed with joy. "I couldn't believe it when I heard the news! I had to come straight from work to see with my own eyes. A child! My little niece! Oh, Harri!"

I put down the peeler at once and cross the room to her, greeting her in a hug. "I'm so sorry," I say, my voice muffled in her hair, "I'm sorry for running away."

"It's okay, all that matters is that you're back, and-" she looks up and I let go of her, following her gaze to where Draco is stood looking on awkwardly at our reunion. "Oh- are you two..?"

I quickly shake my head, shocked by the pang in my heart as I do so. "He's just a friend. He's actually just got engaged to Astoria Greengrass."

"Oh. Oh that's wonderful news?" Hermione says as a question, looking in confusion between the two of us, probably wondering why there is a strain in my voice and a dullness in Draco's expression. "When is the wedding?"

Draco just shrugs and turns his attention back to the potatoes, not saying a word. Hermione looks at me, bewildered.

"It's very new," I say quickly as a way of explanation at Draco's surliness. "And overwhelming."

"Oh yes," she nods in understanding, "I remember when Ron and I got engaged, we just couldn't keep our hands off one another in those early days. Much too busy enjoying one another to actually plan the wedding!"

Ew. There's an image I did not need. And then my heart twists at the reminder that Fred and I were robbed of all of that thanks to the fucking war.

I am relieved when Hermione chooses that moment to leave. I glance over at Draco who has his back to me, and I furrow my brow. I want to ask him about Astoria again, but I know this is not the time.

Deciding to leave him to it, I go back out into the living room, my heart expanding as I witness George hugging Lily to him, his face full of tenderness and love as he kisses her strawberry red curls.

"She is beautiful!" Hermione gasps, snatching Lily from George without asking. "And a beautiful touching name, Lily Freda Weasley!"

The flat falls silent as we all remember Fred. Molly, who is still sat on the sofa in her manky old nightie, gives a loud sob, clutching a hanky to her face.

"A wonderful, darling gift," she blubbers, "my Fred."

I suddenly feel hot and panicked, my skin prickling uncomfortably all over. The emotion in the room is too much, and I cannot stand it. I go to turn around but to my surprise, Draco is there, right in my path.

Without saying anything, he takes my hand and gives it a comforting squeeze. His expression is soft and tender unlike it was when I left him in the kitchen. It takes everything I have not to throw my arms around him, not to take comfort in him like I should have done two years ago when I needed it the most.

Don't marry Astoria, I want to scream in his face. I don't know what I want from him, but I want him in some indescribable way which makes me feel guilty about Fred.

Much to my relief, people in the room slowly begin to chatter, breaking the all consuming silence. Draco lets go of my hand, but his eyes remain on mine, flickering softly as though he is trying to tell me something without words.

*****

Dinner in the flat above the shop is a chaotic affair with all of us cramped around a table too big for the small space.

Lily is passed around, as everyone eats and drinks, a happiness in the air that I suspect has not been felt amongst the Weasleys in a while.

If anyone bar Ron has any ill-feeling towards me for sleeping with my dead fiance's twin, they certainly don't show it.

Even Bill and Fleur offer me hearty congratulations as they bring along Lupin and Tonk's orphaned son, Teddy, to celebrate. At the age of two and a half, he is a darling.

I pick him up in my arms and kiss the top of his blonde head, my heart going out to him as I know exactly what it's like to grow up knowing your parents died for you.

He is simply fascinated by my daughter. In fact, I suspect he may think she's a real life doll by the way he cuddles her and pats her head.

I feel so glad in that moment that Lily will never be short on family around her. She will have love growing up like I never experienced and I'm so happy for her.

When it is time to say our goodbyes after Draco announces that the car is ready and waiting to take us back to Malfoy Manor, George takes me aside for a surprising request.

"Why don't you and Lily move in here with me?"

I blink up at him, startled. "But what about Ron and Hermione? I thought they were in the second bedroom?"

"Pfft," he says, shaking his head, chuckling, "they are only here because they think I'm going to go mad with loneliness without Fred. Besides, Hermione is already on her way to becoming the next Minister for Magic. She's loaded - they can buy a house."

He grins down at me as I raise my eyebrows.

"Think about it, Harri," he continues, his expression turning earnest. "We can co-parent under the same roof. Lily can go in 'Harri's Room' - I know it's small but it will fit a small bed for when she's bigger - it will be perfect for her. I mean it, Harri, I want to help you, and I want to be in Lily's life as much as possible."

I actually warm to this idea. No way do I want to be living with Draco and Astoria once they are married.

"I promise to think about it," I say, trying to convey my sincerity. "But I don't want to come between you and this possible girlfriend you mentioned."

George's eyes widen. "Crap, I completely forgot about Angelina! Shit. I was supposed to be meeting her for dinner tonight!"

"George, what?!" I say. "Are you talking about Angelina Johnson? The ex who cheated on Fred?"

He looks sheepish. And rightly so. "We used to meet up just to talk about Fred at first." He explains. "And then it turned into something more. I really like her. She makes me happy, something that I haven't felt in a long time. But I don't know how she's going to take this... development."

I blow out a puff of air, trying to get my head around this complicated situation. "If she is serious about you, George," I say, reaching out to touch his arm, "then she'll accept you - warts and all."

"Lily's not a wart."

"No," I agree, my heart expanding as I think of our little girl. "She's the most beautiful child in the world."

George and I smile at one another, and I think it's good to see him genuinely happy again.

"She really is." George says, taking my hand in his. "Thank you, Harri. Thank you for letting Malfoy talk you into coming back. I know under the circumstances it wouldn't have been easy. But you must know we all love you. We love you because you made Fred so happy, and we love you because you are simply you."

"That's kind of you to say, thank you."

"Harri, tonight is the first night I've heard my mum speak since Fred's funeral. Tonight has been the first night my family have seemed... happy. And that's all down to you and Lily. So, thank you."

And he pulls me in for a bone crunching hug. I hug him back immediately, squeezing my eyes shut to stop the inevitable tears from falling.

Silently, I thank Draco with all my heart for finding me. For finding us.

*****