Draco watched on as the two people he loved more than anything in the world were reunited.

Nova cooed in delight as Aurora picked her up and held her in her arms.

He had taken her to Nova's nursery; a place which was filled with everything a one year old needed; and more. Whilst she lived here, his daughter would want for nothing.

Except for the one thing she truly needed above anything else. Her mother.

"Mummy's missed you so much," Aurora breathed, breaking Draco's heart as he watched the tears fall down his beautiful wife's tortured face.

And all of a sudden, he could see what it had done to her to miss out on so much of their daughters life; to be torn away at a time when both mother and child needed one another the most.

He had to excuse himself to go to the bathroom, where he sobbed heavily over the sink.

He couldn't help but feel this was all his fault.

"Draco," Aurora called gently from the other side of the door, "Draco, please don't cry."

He slowly opened the door to see his wife's face full of worry and compassion for him.

"Da-da, da-da," Nova cooed from where she sat on Aurora's hip, reaching her arms desperately up to him. "Da-da!"

Draco felt awful for Aurora as Nova started to wail when he didn't take her instantly.

"It's okay," Aurora said softly, passing her over to him. "It's understandable she wants to cuddle her daddy."

He kissed his daughter's cheeks making her cry out in delight as she smacked her hands playfully on top of his head.

Shifting Nova under one arm to his side, he pulled Aurora to him with the other, kissing her firmly on the top of her head.

"I love you," he murmured firmly into her hair, sighing blissfully. "I love you both so very much."

And just in that moment, Draco felt a flood of happiness at having his family back.

Even if it wasn't to last.

*****

I couldn't take my eyes away from her. I didn't want to put her down.

But she had a fierce determination about her and I watched with fascination and wonderment as she didn't hesitate to let us know what she wanted with fierce hand gestures and scowls.

"She's so much like you," I laughed, as she tossed her bowl of porridge to the floor in displeasure at the sight of it.

"I don't recall you ever seeing me doing that!" Draco cried indignantly, scowling up from his coffee.

"Oh, you used to do that, all right, Draco," Narcissa said, smiling coyly. "I seem to remember you throwing a plate of scrambled egg at the house-elf's head because it didn't contain smoked salmon."

"Well, toddlers are known for their fussiness of food," Draco said stiffly, clearly smarting from feeling ganged up on.

"This was last Christmas!" Narcissa retorted, as she placed a plate of cut up toast in front of Nova, who seemed happy to shovel the pieces in her mouth independently.

"Well who has ever heard of not having smoked salmon in their scrambled egg?!" He spluttered. "We're not common, mother!"

"Merlin, Draco," I laughed, "what are you teaching our daughter?!"

His eyes met mine from across the kitchen table, his lips twitching at the corners; and I felt a sudden rush of love which then almost immediately turned to sadness.

The slight fall of his face told me that Draco felt it too.

Narcissa briskly got up from her chair, claiming lots to do. "So much to organise for the upcoming arrivals - it never ends!"

I was silently grateful to her for subtlety leaving us in peace - something we would no longer get in just a couple of days time.

I had so much to be grateful to her, in fact. I knew she was looking after my mother while she still lay imprisoned under the Manor; feeding her and bringing her comfort. I was refused to be allowed down there to see her though ("There are other prisoners; it could be dangerous for you to know."). All I could do was pray this war would one day be over and I'd finally get to be with my loved ones again. Properly.

As soon as the door shut behind her, Draco leant across the table and took my hand in his.

"Are you okay?" He asked sadly, entwining his fingers with mine.

I couldn't lie to him, so I just slowly shook my head, apologising with my eyes; trying not to let the tears fall from them.

He opened his mouth to say something else, when the door burst open making us jump apart.

"Well hellooo love birds!"

I blinked up at the grinning figure in the doorway.

"Blaise!" I cried, happy to see a friendly face.

Nova clapped and giggled from her high chair, kicking her legs out excitedly at the new arrival.

"Blaise?" Draco frowned, "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too, man," Blaise said, striding up to Nova and giving her cheek a playful squeeze, much to her delight. "Daddy is such a grump, isn't he?!"

"Daddy just wants to know what is going on." Draco bristled. "The wedding is not for another two days."

My stomach gave a violent twist. And as if sensing it, Draco immediately gave me an apologetic look.

"Stag do, man!" Blaise said, throwing his arms up in the air, which Nova immediately copied.

Draco's face darkened.

"Forget it - I don't want a stag. I don't even want a wedding."

"Nonsense, you haven't even heard me out yet." Blaise persisted, grabbing a stool from the breakfast bar and dragging it over towards us before perching upon it.

"It's only going to be a small party, with overnight accommodation that I have booked especially." Blaise stated dramatically, grinning from ear to ear as his eyes darted between me and Draco. "But there's a catch."

"What's that?" Draco muttered, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table.

"It's strictly for three people." Blaise continued, addressing Draco. "Yourself and your two favourite people in the world."

"Oh?" Draco answered, his tapping ceased and an intrigued looked suddenly appeared on his face.

"But sadly, Cho and I have other plans so you'll have to make do with your wife and daughter instead."

"Really?" I breathed, staring at Blaise in overwhelming surprise.

"Really," Blaise smiled, leaning forward to take my hand in his. "You guys deserve this. Well actually, no, you deserve much better, but I hope it helps you find some enjoyment as a family whilst you can."

Draco stood up immediately, stepping over to envelope Blaise in a hug.

"I love you, man," he choked, fiercely patting Blaise's back.

"And I love you too, man." Blaise replied. "I love all you guys in this room right now."

Nova and I looked at one another, her little face filled with incredulity.

"That's Daddy's bro," I whispered conspiratorially, as if I was letting her in on a big secret, "they like to do that a lot."

"Bro!" She laughed, clapping her hands together again. "Da-da bro!"

"All right you gorgeous one," Blaise chuckled, finally releasing Draco, as he took his chair next to Nova's highchair "let me help you finish your breakfast, whilst Mummy and Daddy go and get ready."

I went to stand up, hesitating.

"But Blaise, is this safe? I don't want to do anything that would endanger Draco or Nova."

"Safe as houses." Blaise assured me. "Everyone thinks Drac is on his stag, and if anyone asks about you and bubs, then Mumma Ciss is at hand to tell them she sent you on a retreat. It's all been arranged. Now go on - waste no more time. You've got a little over twenty four hours to be a proper family."

I didn't know what to say. I was so achingly grateful to Blaise. There were no words.

"Thank you," I whispered.

And I truly was.