It had been a relief to receive Remus's owl, and to learn that he was not opposed to meeting at Malfoy Manor to discuss their venue, witnesses, and bonding ceremony. Draco met with the house-elves who served his family, informing them of Remus's impending visit, as well as the fact that he would live there permanently once the bonding had taken place. Much to Draco's surprise, the house-elves seemed overjoyed that Draco was getting bonded, and Draco was quick to tell them to ask Remus if he had any preferences.

The day of the meeting arrived, and Draco took an even longer shower than normal, due to the nerves he was feeling. He was, quite literally, meeting with his fiancé, having not seen him since the day after the final battle. What he knew from Severus—which was considerably more now that he'd informed him of his choice—was that Remus lived a quiet life, now that the battle was over, and had a position at the ministry, in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, in the new department, called the Werewolf Liaison Office. It was dedicated to integration of werewolves into wizarding society, as well as providing Wolfsbane for them all, which Severus supplied readily.

"Have you told Potter?" Draco asked, kneeling in front of the Floo, just making out Severus's sharp features within its flames.

"I keep no secrets from the man I love," Severus stated plainly. "Harry knows, although I believe Remus informed him before I did."

"How's he taking it, then?" Draco wanted to know, sitting back on his heels, hoping that his school-day enemy wasn't having a conniption over it.

"Harry took it in his stride, as he always does," Severus replied, and Draco could clearly hear the fondness in his godfather's tone, as well as see it in his eyes. "He, of course, wanted to be sure neither party was forced into a bonding..."

"But we were forced," Draco pointed out.

"Yes, but you still consented to it," Severus said softly. "I did hear from Kingsley that you rejected the six other candidates."

Draco pinked and lowered his eyes. "The others were unacceptable."

"And what made Remus acceptable in your eyes?"

Draco snapped out of his reverie and turned off the shower; Remus was due in less than half an hour, and Draco had no intention of permitting the man to see him starkers...well, at the very least, not until the wedding night. Brushing the thought from his mind, Draco got out of the shower and summoned a towel, wrapping it around himself and casting a Drying Charm upon his hair, before dragging a brush through it. He walked out of the bathroom and into his bedroom, where he had already placed some semi-formal dress robes onto his bed. Taking off the towel and putting them on, he stepped into the black, shined shoes last, and put a Cleaning Charm upon his teeth last. He had already had breakfast that morning, and Remus was due to come for lunch, which the house-elves had fretted over for days, before deciding on steak medallions, boiled potatoes, and roasted vegetables.

Draco crossed over to the window and stared off, across the massive grounds that Malfoy Manor had to offer, that nearly rivaled Hogwarts in terms of size. The difference was that there was a much smaller Quidditch pitch, that Lucius Malfoy had had built once it had been announced that Draco had been made the Seeker for Slytherin House. He knew now, of course, that his father had quite literally bought his son into the team, especially given the gift of the Nimbus 2001s to the entirety of the team itself. He really did need to apologize to Granger; a proper one, not just a handful of words, as he had done, after thanking Potter for testifying on his behalf.

Draco pushed himself away from the window and sighed; he barely even spared a glance for the fruit orchards and impressive maze, all of which his mother had overseen. Perhaps her new abode in France had wonderful flower gardens. They seemed to be the only things that truly made her happy, given that he was not allowed to show affection towards her son.

Shutting his eyes, Draco remembered his father's cutting words when he himself had presented as an Omega, shortly after his thirteenth birthday, just after his second-year at Hogwarts had been completed. His father, as a powerful Alpha, had naturally been disappointed when his Omega wife had been unable to give him further children, but he was quite sure that he'd be able to make an Alpha son. However, he'd gotten stuck with Draco, and called him weak, saying that he'd have to take on the feminine role in the bedroom.

Draco's eyes snapped open as he pushed the thoughts from his mind; his father was gone, and testimony from Potter had ensured that it would be for life. He didn't fully blame his mother for leaving, too, as soon as she'd been cleared; she'd never had the opportunity to get close to Draco, given the fact that his parents had had an arranged marriage, thus a mating bond had been impossible to achieve. This meant that, should they have any children, they would be Betas or Omegas, something that Lucius Malfoy certainly hadn't taken seriously.

Leaving the master suite and heading down the corridor, he checked one of the grandfather clocks as he passed by; his musings had certainly taken longer than expected, and Lupin would be there quite soon. He had arranged to speak to Severus after the meeting, as the bonding contract was permitted to be looked over by a barrister or next of kin. Since the Malfoy's official barrister had fled the country as well, Draco had heard to Portugal, Severus, as his godfather, was therefore classified as next of kin.

Draco stiffened slightly as he heard the wards shift; someone had Apparated onto the Malfoy property grounds. Shaking his head to clear it, he moved down the grand staircase and into the foyer, where he could just spot Lupin walking towards the front doors through one of the impressive bay windows. Swallowing, he noticed that Crofty, one of the more senior house-elves in his employ, was meandering towards the doors to let in the guest.

"Thank you, Crofty," Draco acknowledged, and descended the final steps as Lupin got onto the stone steps, lifting his hand to knock, only to have the door open before him. "Good afternoon, Lupin," he said formally, stepping forward cautiously and offering his hand, with Crofty slipping back towards the kitchen.

Lupin nodded at the greeting. "Good afternoon, Draco," he replied, obviously testing the waters of saying his fiancé's first name.

"Draco is just fine," Draco said quickly.

"Ah. Then you must call me Remus," the man assured him, and took the hand on offer, and gave him that gentle smile of his.

Draco flushed at the way Remus was looking at him, but forced himself not to get carried away by that fact. "Why don't you come through?" he asked, reluctantly dropping his hand. "We can sit outside. It's a beautiful day, and the house-elves will tell us when lunch is ready..."

"That sounds lovely, Draco," Remus said, and followed Draco through one of the parlors, towards a pair of French doors, which led out into the small courtyard. "Are you doing well since you got the news?" he asked.

Draco did his best to hold himself straight, even as he lowered into one of the chairs. "Well, I did select you," he said softly.

Remus chuckled. "More like you found no fault with me."

"As a match for me, to be sure," Draco replied. "The other wizards were fine, but there were reasons which would have made us incompatible."

Remus considered that for a moment. "It seems as if your father's prejudices did not completely resonate with you then."

Draco swallowed, shaking his head. "It was difficult to find anything in common with him. He saw me as a failure, you know," he said softly, his shoulders hunching inwards as he spoke of this for the first time, to someone other than Severus. "Wanted an Alpha son... My mother couldn't have further children after me, the healers said so."

"Not to sound insensitive, but if he needed an Alpha son so badly, why did he not seek other avenues to get one?" Remus asked kindly.

"Divorce was frowned upon, and it would have rendered me illegitimate, and there was no guarantee he himself could father further children," Draco explained. "As for potentially taking another Omega, the marriage contract prevented that. The only way he could have further children was if my mother died of natural causes."

Remus smirked. "So poisons were out?"

Draco felt his lip curling at that. "Yeah, they were."

"With your father in Azkaban for the remainder of his life, I presume your mother is likely in the manor somewhere?" Remus asked, turning around to look at the doors that come through in order to get into the courtyard.

"She's in her dower property in France," Draco replied, and Remus raised an eyebrow. "She got it from her father when she married mine. I couldn't tell you much, although she did write to tell me she'd hired a decorator last month."

Remus leaned back in his chair, affixing Draco with a worried expression. "You speak of her as if she is some distant cousin, and not your mother."

"She was never given the opportunity to be one, and so she was not one," Draco replied. "Father only approved of me until I presented, and Mother was branded a failure as soon as that came to pass. The only parental figure I've ever had is Severus. He was there to talk things over with me and to assure me that it wasn't my fault."

"Of course it wasn't," Remus assured him. "These things are predestined, due to genes, and you certainly had nothing to do with that."

"For so long, I wanted him to love and care about me, he and my mother both," Draco said softly, as he looked out over the stone wall of the courtyard, towards the Quidditch pitch, through the orchards, and beyond. "I knew Severus loved me, and yet he never said it, for he never needed to do so." Draco turned and regarded Remus for a moment, his silver eyes filled with sadness. "I only had one qualm about marrying you, Remus."

"And what was that?" Remus asked.

Draco swallowed; he could say this, he could. "That you'd never find your mate, your true mate, even if you willingly bound yourself to me," he said softly. "I wouldn't want to take you away from achieving happiness. Everyone lost so much in this war..."

"I'm not altogether familiar with love," Remus said softly. "My own father looked on me with disdain; he was quite prejudiced against werewolves, you know."

Draco shook his head. "No, I didn't know that."

"He was," Remus reported, shaking his head sadly. "When my mother, who was a Muggle, came to wake me up the day after Greyback attacked me, she had a heart attack and died, due to the sight of all the scars upon my face. She was pregnant with my sister at the time, but only about five months or so, and the child died with her. It was that, combined with the stigma my father associated with werewolves that effectively turned him against me. He was quite pleased when my Hogwarts letter came, so that he wouldn't have to see me regularly."

"And school holidays?" Draco asked.

"I'd go to Grimmauld, until Sirius's parents figured out what I was. Being Half-Blood was slightly forgivable, but not being completely human was not" Remus replied. "That was when Sirius and James, Harry's father, decided to become Animagi, so as they could keep me company during my transformations. The Potters effectively adopted both Sirius and I afterwards, for Sirius was a Gryffindor in a Slytherin family, as you well know, and I was just an outcast who shared my father's blood."

"But what about finding a mate?" Draco pressed. "Surely you want to find one..."

Remus shook his head. "I'm not sure it would make much of a difference. When you're told by people who are supposed to love you unconditionally that you're nothing, not human, and every other bad name in the book, it takes quite a bit to reverse your thoughts. It all stems down to when it was told to you and, if done so in your formative years, it truly does damage your psyche beyond repair."

Draco nodded his head. "Yes, I agree with that completely."

"Certainly a good foundation, then," Remus replied with a nod, and, reaching into his pocket, produced a piece of rolled parchment, and unfurled it between them on the table. "As you can see, this is our bonding contract."

Draco learned forward; one thing his father had ensured he understood from a young age was wizarding law and traditions, which included bonding arrangements and such. Peering through the sections, he was quick to notice the heir clause. Looking up, he asked, "To get an heir, you would have to sleep with me, Remus."

Remus chuckled good-naturedly. "I assure you, Draco, it wouldn't be a hardship on my end. I'm sure you know that all bonding's have to be consummated."

Draco nodded. "I know," he replied.

"Are you stating you would have an objection with consummating the union? We could easily work around that clause, and I'm quite sure Severus would give you a potion to enable you to conceive an heir."

Draco bit his lip and slowly looked up at Remus. "Sleeping with you won't be a hardship for me, Remus," he whispered, flushing a deep red.

Remus raised his eyebrows slightly. "I'm glad to hear that, Draco," he responded, and appeared as if he would say more, when Crofty suddenly burst into the courtyard.

"Master Draco!" he growl-squeaked, rushing forward. "Master Severus is in the Floo! He is speaking of Harry Potter!"

"Harry?" Remus asked, suddenly alert.

"Come on," Draco said, and rolled up the contract, putting it into his own pocket for later, before they rushed back into the parlor, seeing Severus's face in the flames. "Severus?" he asked, and knelt before the fireplace, Remus at his side. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Come through, both of you," Severus ordered, and then he disappeared.

Draco turned to Remus and shrugged, before reaching across and taking his hand, and pulled him after him into the flames. They mutually landed, hard, on a fine Persian carpet in the middle of an exceptionally decorated parlor—a trio of bay windows were opposite them, showing off the land around the property; in a semi-circle were finely-upholstered Victorian couches, and a matching table in the middle, which boasted a vase of white gardenias.

Pushing himself upwards and looking around, he saw Severus rushing back into the room, his dark eyes wide. Just then, Draco and Remus mutually drew back at the sound of screaming from upstairs, followed by a litany of swear words. Draco and Remus looked at one another, before they turned to look questioningly at Severus.

"So, you see..." Severus began.

"I swear, Hermione," came Harry's shout from upstairs, "Severus had better be happy with just one child, because there is no way in hell I'll give birth to any more after this!"

Severus hesitated before speaking again, while Draco crossed his arms and Remus looked altogether amused by the situation.

"Can't blame him, Severus," came Weasley's voice as he stepped into the room, a satisfied smile on his face. "I've heard it hurts a lot, and besides, my mum had seven." He turned and followed Severus's gaze, and took in Draco and Remus for the first time. "Remus!" he cried, walking forward and pumping his hand. "Great that you're here!" He then turned and regarded Draco, and offered him his hand as well. "Draco, good to see you."

Draco was relieved to be addressed by his first name, and subsequently shook his hand as well, without the haughty demeanor he was typically known for. "Nice to see you, Ron." He looked up at the ceiling, while Harry shrieked again. "Isn't it traditional for the...erm...other parent to be in the room during the birth?" he asked, not unkindly.

"Harry ordered me out of the room," Severus replied, shaking his head. "Dobby," he called out then, and a small and very familiar-looking house-elf appeared.

"Master Severus has called for...?" The house-elf then spotted Draco standing there amongst the gathered company, and rushed at Severus's robes, clinging to them as if for dear life. "Has Dobby been bad, Master Severus?" he asked, his eyes blown wide with fear. "Dobby promises to be good..."

"Calm yourself, Dobby," Severus told the elf gently. "No one is sending anyone away. This is your home."

Dobby sighed, his body language immediately calming. "Thank you, Master Severus," he said softly, and, at once, his ears fluttered. "Does Master Severus need Dobby to bring in tea for his guests?"

"I do, Dobby. Thank you," Severus said.

"And those sandwiches!" Ron cried, and Severus gave him a dark look. "Erm... Those bacon sandwiches you make, Dobby. Could you make some, please?"

"Yes, Master Wheezy," Dobby said, and popped out of the room.

"Speaking of 'home'," Draco said, sitting down on a couch when Severus directed, and absolutely ignoring the flutter within him as Remus sat beside him, "where exactly are we at the moment?" he asked.

"Devon, as a matter of fact," Severus responded.

"We're actually just over the hill from the Burrow," Ron explained, sitting down beside Severus on the opposite couch. "Hermione and I are staying there for the summer, and are on the list for a flat in Diagon Alley."

"I never thanked your mother, Ron," Draco said quietly. "For killing my aunt during the Battle of Hogwarts, I mean. Horrible woman... Her laugh still gives me nightmares."

Ron blinked but nodded his head. "I'll tell her, and I expect you'll be a regular at Sunday dinner by the end of the week once she hears it."

"SEVERUS!" came a shout from upstairs, and Severus was on his feet again. "SEVERUS, PLEASE!" Potter shouted pathetically. "I NEED YOU!"

Severus hesitated for a moment as Dobby popped back into view. "Thank you, Dobby," he told the elf, who bowed, and then popped away. "Help yourselves," he said, gesturing to the tea and sandwiches, and Ron immediately tucked in. "Draco, if you need to leave, be sure to leave behind the contract for me to look at," he said, before hurrying out of the room.

Ron, with his mouth full, asked, "What contract?"

~*~

Draco remained behind with Remus, going over the contract some more, while Ron slept in one of the adjacent parlors. He mentioned that he was going through Auror training, and had gotten the day off because Harry had gone into labor. He was exhausted, and had only managed two sandwiches before staggering out of the room to get some "peace and quiet". Draco and Remus merely went over the contract in the meantime, and all seemed fine and normal, until a piercing cry echoed around the country manor.

"Merlin be praised," Remus said softly, and smirked as Granger came rushing down the stairs and, after a quick hello to them both, went to rouse Ron.

About twenty minutes later, Severus came halfway downstairs, and poised on the landing. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Harry has been made aware of who all is here," he said with a smile as Granger and a bleary-eyed Ron came out of the other parlor. "He welcomes the four of you to come upstairs and meet our daughter."

Draco blinked, and rolled up the parchment again and made his way to the staircase, handing it to an anticipating Severus on the way. They got up the stairs and were ushered into what appeared to be the master bedroom, where Draco spotted Potter looking as pristine as could be on the bed, holding a pink-wrapped bundle in his arms. He managed a smile as Potter looked up, and Potter actually smiled at them all as they stepped closer.

"Everyone, I'd like for you to meet Esmeralda Rayven Potter-Snape," Potter said, and anchored himself slightly to the side, so as they could all see the mite in his arms, who boasted a thick dusting of black hair. "Hermione's agreed to be godmother, and..." He looked up at Severus, whom Draco saw was nodding out of his peripheral vision. "Severus and I would appreciate if Remus would be her grandfather..."

Remus was positively beaming from beside Draco. "That would mean the world to me, Harry," he assured him.

Potter smiled at his godfather before turning to Ron and Draco. "Severus and I are in agreement that we would like you, Ron, and you, Draco, to be his godfathers."

Draco didn't even want to point out that tradition dictated only one godfather for a girl, and gave Potter a smile. "I would like to," he said.

"Me too, mate," Ron assured him.

"Who's going to be her other godmother, Harry?" Granger asked. "Who do I get to share my duties with, as it were?"

"Thinking that Unspeakable training will render you unable to spend time with her?" Potter asked her with a grin. "It's going to be Ginny, of course."

"I hope the Harpies can spare her now and again," Remus said.

Draco turned and regarded him. "The Harpies?" he asked.

"Yeah," Ron replied, grinning. "Gin's already been selected to be a part of the team. Took her NEWTs early and everything, and is in basic training now. She hardly ever leaves Wales now, and Mum's always begging her to come home."

"Hush, Ronald," Granger hissed, and turned to Draco. "It's not all bad, really. You'll get used to it, I'm sure."

"I'm certain I will, Granger," Draco put in.

Hermione giggled and shook her head at him. "Please, it's Hermione. After all, once you marry Remus here, you'll be proper family then."

Draco somehow managed to smile at her, feeling altogether hopeless when it even came to considering what a proper family actually meant.