la persistencia de la memoria

A/N: Okay…I have to comment on something. This has been the first time I have ever been accused by a reviewer of stealing a story from someone else. Or that it sounds “fishily” like someone else’s work. People’s opinions are their own, but I was truly surprised to be accused of stealing.

First, the story plot of mpreg and amnesia is not new. HP fanfiction has been going on for at least 9 years, so you bet there are literally thousands of stories out there with the same basic premise. And that goes for any story plot. If anyone thinks that somewhere out there another story hasn’t been written about…you’re in for a rude awakening.

And yes, I did go to read the story in question by Jinko, While You Were Sleeping. I didn't see the similiarity, except for a few canon items and a plot point or two, but maybe I'm biased. I just didn't see it. But you all can be the judge if you wish.

Thanks for all the reviews!


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Chapter 4

Harry hurried out to the waiting area of what he guessed was the maternity ward of St. Mungo’s. His mind was reeling with the knowledge that he was now a father. A father! He could hardly believe it. But he knew that he would do anything for that precious baby. She would not suffer the loneliness and heartache that he had at the Dursleys. No way, no how.

He heard excited conversations from an open doorway and he hurried to the room. Sure enough, Ron and Hermione were chattering excitedly with a number of familiar faces. Molly and Arthur Weasley stood talking to George, while Neville laughed at something that Luna was saying. But Harry’s eyes had landed on another head of ginger, belonging to Ginny, who stood quietly next to Dean, who was listening intently to Ron’s description of Healer Olabisi.

“Harry!” Hermione called, and the rest of the group all shut up at once and turned eagerly towards him. “What happened?”

Harry smiled sheepishly and said, “It’s a girl.”

Loud whoops filled the room and both Ron and George clapped him on the back.

“So Cassi it is!” Molly said enthusiastically. “A first baby and it’s a girl! It only took me six times to get one!” She turned to Ginny with pride, who laughed. “Maybe you will be lucky and have a girl first too, Ginny.”

Dean gave a wicked grin and pulled Ginny closer to him. “Well, hopefully we’ll get started in a few weeks.” Ginny blushed crimson and nudged her fiancée, all the while avoiding Harry’s intense look in her direction.

“Harry,” Luna spoke up, “how’s Draco doing?”

Harry turned away from Ginny with a frown, “Ummm…he seemed fine when I left.”

Luna’s large eyes narrowed a bit and Harry realized how that must have sounded to her. “I…kind of left in a hurry, to tell Ron and Hermione about Cassi. I guess I should have stayed a bit to see how he was doing.” He ran a hand through his hair. That didn’t sound much better.

Arthur cleared his throat and said, “Harry, we can’t even begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you. If you need anything, please let us know, okay?”

Harry nodded quickly, thankful for the change of subject from Draco’s well-being. That all ended abruptly when Narcissa Malfoy glided effortlessly into the doorway. She took in the scene around her and looked directly at Ginny, who flushed again under her hardened gaze.

“My son is experiencing some difficulties, but he is strong and will come through nicely,” she said with an edge in her voice, as if someone had dared to say otherwise. She focused her gaze on Harry, who seemed frozen in her presence.

Molly took charge. “Narcissa, congratulations on your first grandchild. Is Draco up to having visitors? May we see the baby?”

Narcissa immediately adopted a proud grandmother’s demeanor. “Thank you, Molly. I must say I’m…pleased. I have always wanted a daughter. Healer Donnelly says the baby is in the nursery. I was on my way to see her. And Draco is not up for a lot of visitors right now. I also have to call his friends to announce the birth.”

Hermione’s cheeks pinked at that, giving away the knowledge that she was obviously the one who had called most of Harry’s friends but had neglected to call Draco’s.

Narcissa turned to leave and the excited group trooped after her, with Molly hurrying to catch up to Narcissa, probably intent on giving her grandmotherly advice.

As Ginny passed Harry, he touched her arm. She stopped and looked hesitantly at Dean, who gave her a curious look.

“I’ll be right there, Dean.”

Dean nodded and smiled at Harry. “Congrats again, Mate. Can’t wait to see her. You and Draco’s baby…wow!”

Harry swallowed thickly. “Thanks, Dean. She’s beautiful.”

Dean followed the group and Ginny turned to Harry. Harry cleared his throat.

“I see you haven’t told him anything.”

Ginny sighed, “No I haven’t, Harry. This isn’t easy. I told you, I don’t want to hurt Dean. I do love him. This is all…too much.”

“Well, I don’t want to hurt him either. But you said you would at least think about it.”

“Yes, I did, but it’s a lot to think about it. And now the baby is here…”

“Exactly. I told Malfoy that I would be there for the baby, for Cassi, but as far as he and I…there isn’t anything between us.”

Ginny’s eyes widened. “You told him that?? Oh, Harry! How could you do that?”

Harry crossed his arms defensively. “You sound like Hermione! I did what you all said was the right thing…and I agreed. It wasn’t right that I didn’t talk to him about the pregnancy, but now, he’s not pregnant anymore. I’m sure he’ll be all right. He can find a new boyfriend or whatever he wants.”

“I don’t think Draco is going to want a new boyfriend, Harry. I’m sure he wants you.”

“Well, you wanted me at one time, didn’t you? And you found a new boyfriend in Dean, right? So why can’t he?”

Ginny opened her mouth, but then closed it. Harry tried not to look too smug at his quick ability to counter Ginny’s argument.

But then she spoke again, “Harry, I don’t think it’s that simple. Not for him. You just…you just don’t know how much you both went through to be together. How much the press and everyone badgered you two for years. You both fought against everyone for the right to be happy. It took forever for that to happen…for them to leave you both alone. Then Draco got pregnant and it started all over again. Do you know how many people you threw off your property over the last eight months? You actually punched a man in Diagon Alley because he tried to take Draco’s picture! You…you two were meant to be, Harry. Everyone who really knows you knows that, even if you don’t.”

A low, drawling voice sounded behind him. Harry turned quickly and caught sight of Healer Olabisi, slowly making her way down the corridor. She had stopped just behind him.

“You…with eyes of Jade. You have created a magical wonder in that new life. She will be very powerful. Not only because of her blood lines, but because of her conception. She chose to be born at this time, because she sensed that she was needed. Only time will reveal what need she sensed.” She pointed her cane at Harry. “You have suffered an injury, but so too has your blond angel. You have sacrificed much in your life, Harry Potter, but others have sacrificed for you as well. Do not let your pride destroy what you have worked so hard for.”

She nodded at Ginny, who gaped at her, and then continued to hobble down the corridor, her bag floating behind her.

As Harry struggled to process her words, Ginny touched his arm. “Maybe you should go check on Draco, Harry. Missus Malfoy said he wasn’t well.”

Harry looked at her blankly and then sighed. “Maybe I should. He really doesn’t want to talk to me though. He really didn’t even want me there.”

Ginny gave a snort. “He was having a baby, Harry! Dad always talked about how Mum screamed at him every time. Bill and Percy said the same thing when Fleur and Audrey had their babies too.”

“Oh…well…okay then. I’ll talk to you again soon.” He turned and headed back down the corridor to Draco’s room, dreading the confrontation.

Draco sighed in irritation when he heard someone enter the room. “I don’t want to see anyone!”

“Oh well…I’ll just go then,” Harry said, rather relieved at Draco’s orders.

Draco opened his eyes and pushed up slowly, trying not to wince too much at the dull ache in his body. “Leave it to you to crawl away. Some auror.”

“You know what, Malfoy?” Harry started, “I’m tired of your attitude. It’s so funny how everyone keeps telling me how in love we are…but I sure as hell don’t see it. You’ve been nothing but the same prat you’ve always been.”

Draco looked affronted. “I’ve been a prat?? Me? Who came to my house and told me that they were dumping me for an ex who’s getting married to someone else?? If that’s not a prat, then I don’t know what is!”

Harry had the decency to blush in shame. “Look, I’m sorry about that. I really am. I never should have said that to you. Not like that, and not then. I didn’t mean to be an arse about it.”

Draco hardly looked mollified and Harry knew it. He sighed again and walked closer to the blond. “Can we please not fight right now? I came because I wanted to see how you are doing. Your mother said you aren’t doing well. What’s wrong?”

Draco rolled his eyes. “That insane dwarf of a healer said that I will probably have to use birth control so I don’t get pregnant again! Birth control?? I’m not a bloody girl!”

Harry grimaced and then asked, “So that means you will keep the…part that was added? You can’t get rid of that?”

“Apparently not! Remember what Pascale had told us?” He then waved his hand impatiently, “Of course you don’t remember. Pascale had told us that the curse went on for the rest of my ancestor’s life. Every time he had sex he got a woman pregnant. So essentially that will happen to me, unless I’m using birth control. I guess they didn’t have spells to counter that in his day.”

“Well, it’s better that you take the birth control, then getting pregnant every time you have sex with someone, right?”

Draco’s eyes narrowed and he snapped, “You really think I’m a whore don’t you? That I just slept around with everyone? That that baby in there couldn’t possibly be yours, right?”

Harry clenched his fists. “That’s not what I meant! And of course she’s mine! I saw her.” Harry relaxed his hands. “And she’s beautiful, Malfoy. I can’t even believe that she’s here…that she’s mine.” He looked at Draco. “Ours…that we did that…together. We never did anything beautiful together.”

Draco let out a large sigh. “You’d be surprised, Harry, how beautiful we made things.”

“So everyone keeps saying,” Harry said with a roll of his eyes.

Draco pushed himself up and swung his legs out of bed. Harry stepped forward with a concerned look in his face.

“Ummm…I don’t think you should be getting up. Did the healer say you could?”

But Draco didn’t pay any attention as he staggered to his feet. Harry took another step forward and grabbed Draco’s arm. The blond used it to steady himself and he gave Harry a look that would have frozen Grawp in his tracks.

“Sooner or later you are going to stop being a complete arse about all of this, Harry. You and I are together and no matter how much in denial you try to be, it won’t change that! Chase after your bint if you want, but it will always come back to me…to us.”

Harry stared into Draco’s deep gray eyes. “Malfoy, I don’t want to fight with you. I already caused enough problems for you today, even though the end brought about our daughter.” He took a deep breath. “We need to…get along for Cassi’s sake. Can we do that?”

Harry stretched out his other hand towards Draco, who looked at it as if Voldemort himself was crawling out of Harry’s palm.

“Friends?” he asked, incredulously, “You’re offering me your hand in friendship?”

Harry nodded, “Yes, Malfoy. It’s the only thing I can give you. I know it’s not what you want, but…I think that you need to start thinking about moving on, you know…finding another boyfriend or something.”

Draco gave an angry snarl and slapped Harry’s hand away, hard.

“I’ll never be your friend! You think that we can just go and be friends? Like you and Weasel? Go and have a pint somewhere? You complain to me about how your bint isn’t giving you any?” Draco gave a derisive snort. “You’re crazy if you think it’ll be like that or if you think I’ll ever accept that!”

Harry growled out, “I’m trying here! You’re not even trying! And you wonder why I can’t believe that you and I would ever get involved! Just…fine! But I will be in Cassi’s life, Malfoy! So get used to it!” He pulled away from Draco, who swayed slightly now that he was no longer braced against Harry’s arm, and sat down heavily on the bed. Harry watched as the blond’s face contorted with discomfort.

“Hell…I’m sorry, Malfoy. Are you all right?” Harry asked, guilt consuming him yet again. Why couldn’t he just keep from hurting the bloke, physically or emotionally?

“Don’t pretend to be concerned now, Harry! Just…go.”

Harry stared down at his feet and then looked up at Draco. “I am concerned for your well-being. You just had a baby! That’s a miracle.”

“No, it was a curse,” Draco said evenly and Harry frowned. “One that I couldn’t stop nor change. But it’s done.”

Harry raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in Malfoy’s demeanor. It seemed all the fight had gone out of the blond. Draco slowly slid back into the bed and under the covers, pulling them up high and said no more.

Harry blinked at the obvious dismissal and then sighed. It was apparent that Malfoy was not going to be cooperative about this at all. Harry walked towards the door and then paused. He looked back at the lonely bundle of blankets.

“I’m sorry.” Harry whispered and walked out.

He pretended he didn’t hear the choked sob that emanated from the room.


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“Master Draco! Tippy is hearing the baby crying and Master is not getting up!”

Draco groaned and rolled over onto his stomach in his bed. He had marveled in being able to do that again. He’d thought that he’d never see his feet again.

“What?” He asked groggily as he tried to focus in on the sound. Was that a house elf?

“The baby is crying, Master Draco! Tippy is waking Master up!”

Draco groaned louder this time. What time was it?

“Tippy is calling Mistress Narcissa. Master Draco isn’t well.” There was a soft pop and the room went blissfully silent. Or wait…there was that annoying noise in the background.

The baby.

Draco struggled to sit up and finally managed to get his legs out from under the covers. He gazed at the empty potion vial by the bed and made a face. Had he taken the whole amount again?

The baby’s wailing grew a bit louder and Draco staggered to his feet. It had only been two days since he’d been released from St. Mungo’s and able to go home. His mother had wanted him to come to the Manor, but he had insisted on returning home. Although the manor was his childhood home, he didn’t feel very comfortable there anymore. Perhaps the ghosts of the Dark Lord’s victims really did haunt those very walls.

Donnelly had provided him with powerful healing potions and pain relievers for the removal of the “passage” that Olabisi had made. Draco had already gone through five vials already. The discomfort of his abdomen and manhood had been agonizing, not that “mildly uncomfortable” crap that Donnelly had claimed he would feel. Now he would have to ask for more. She had also given him a birth control potion, which was to be taken once a month. He had angrily accepted the dose at the hospital, but had demanded that she give him at least a year’s worth of the medication, so he wouldn’t have to humiliate himself by coming back anytime soon.

Draco groped his way to the nursery and winced at the crying and wailing emanating from the crib. He stood over the bedding and looked down at the clearly distressed infant. Cassi’s arms flailed and her legs kicked, and her face was bright red.

“Why are you making all of this noise?” Draco asked in a huff, but he made no move to pick her up. “It’s too bloody early.”

At the sound of Draco’s voice, Cassi quieted down some and attempted to focus in on her mother’s voice. She cooed some and Draco frowned. When no touch was forthcoming, Cassi began to wail again.

“Oh for Merlin’s sake…” Draco reached into the crib and picked up the crying child. Cassi immediately stopped crying and snuffled closer to Draco’s neck. Draco felt a momentary twinge in his heart of something he couldn’t identify, but he didn’t want to dwell on it. There was a crack of apparition and his mother’s voice floated to him.

“Draco? Is everything all right?”

Narcissa appeared in the nursery and she smiled happily at seeing Draco hold the baby. Draco had not asked to see the baby once while he had been at the hospital, instead just letting her ask for Cassi from the attendants. Narcissa had been concerned and had repeatedly attempted to hand the baby to Draco, who finally took her reluctantly. He had appeared baffled and confused by the infant’s presence and Narcissa could see that Draco was not bonding correctly with his new daughter.

Harry, on the other hand, had connected with Cassi beautifully, and Narcissa knew this probably was because of Teddy, who Harry had brought on one of his visits. Draco had been in St. Mungo’s for three days after the birth, and then had released him two days ago. Narcissa had wanted Draco to come to the manor, not just because of Draco obviously needing help with the new baby, but also because of Draco’s melancholy. His depression had worsened in the last few days and Harry’s presence with Cassi wasn’t helping very much. She could see the longing in her son’s eyes.

“And how’s the little one today?” Narcissa cooed softly as she rubbed her hand gently on the baby’s back. Cassi cooed back and Narcissa grinned.

Draco sighed and attempted to hand her to his mother. “Here, you can hold her.”

Narcissa frowned as Draco shoved his daughter at his mother. He turned to head back to the bedroom and Narcissa followed, cradling the baby.

“Draco, Tippy says that you did not hear Cassiopeia crying this morning. That you wouldn’t wake up at all.”

Draco grumbled something about nosey house elves and said, “I’m a little tired, all right? I just didn’t hear her.”

“That’s why I wanted you to come to the manor. I could be of more help to you there.”

“You know I don’t like the manor, Mother. It’s…unsettling.”

Narcissa nodded. “Yes, I know…but we’ve worked hard to purge it of all that darkness. Please just think about it. And I will be sending Tippy here full time. It will help you.”

Cassi began to fuss again and Narcissa walked to Draco and handed her to him. Draco looked ready to protest, but her hard glare kept his mouth shut.

“I’m going to make some milk for the baby. I’ll be right back.”

Draco rolled his eyes at his mother as she practically skipped out of the room. His mother who had not lifted a hand to make anything since he’d been born, was now running to make milk? All because of Cassi.

Draco sat down on the bed and looked down at the top of Cassi’s head. Her dark hair was curling slightly and Draco smiled in spite of himself. She was going to have Harry’s messy locks it would seem. She gave a small snort and began to nibble on her hand. Draco watched for a few moments, fascinated. She then slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were so clear. One is the most extraordinary shade of bright green, the other silver gray. Draco noticed that she had his cheekbones but had Harry’s nose. She was really going to be a beautiful girl some day.

Harry was already in love with her.

The thought hit Draco like a bludger. Once the shock had worn off about Draco’s pregnancy, Harry had been so excited. Draco had less enthusiasm for the event, not only because of the absolute freakishness of the situation, but also because of Harry. He knew that once the baby came, Harry would completely forget about him. Draco couldn’t help but feel terrified about that. He secretly felt that Harry would up and leave him anyway, what with all the media hounding them and Harry wanted to live a “normal” life.

Now what Draco had feared most had happened. Harry was gone, and all because of a stupid Blasting Curse that somehow stole his memory. But Draco believed that if Cassi weren’t here, he might have a better shot at working on his lover, to get him to remember their life together. With the baby here, all Harry cared about was getting to know her and not wanting to work things out with him. And Weasley was also complicating things even more.

Draco attempted to swallow down the anger that was threatening to overwhelm him, but it wasn’t working. Cassi must have felt his anxiety, because she began to squirm in his arms. Draco stared down at her, his anger rising. She started to cry and Draco immediately put her down on the bed. He stood up and began taking deep breaths, trying to calm down. But all he wanted to do was punch something or someone. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to scream or worse, cry, when Narcissa re-entered the room, holding a bottle.

She spotted Cassi on the bed, crying, with her little legs and arms flailing in her tiny pink sleeper. One look at Draco told her more than she wanted to know.

“It’s all right, it’s all right,” Narcissa called, reaching down to pick up the baby. “Grandmother’s here.” She settled the baby in her arms, and then fed her the bottle. She raised her eyes to her son, who looked close to a nervous breakdown.

“Draco,” she said calmly, “take one of the calming draughts. You look a bit peaked.”

Draco blinked and then seemed to come back into himself. “Oh…all right.” He turned to the bedside table and took a long sip of the potion. He felt the potion moving through his system and his breathing slowed considerably. Also gone was the enormous feeling of hurt and sadness. He sank down onto the bed and held his head in his hands. He just wanted everything to go back to normal, the way it was before he got pregnant.

Narcissa nudged Draco with her arm. “Come on, my little Dragon. I know just the thing to cheer you up. Something we haven’t done in ages. Get dressed, come on.”

Draco looked at his mother’s bright and happy smile. He hadn’t seen her look this happy in a long time. The war, the loss of the Malfoy prestige, and Lucius’ imprisonment and death had all weighed heavily on his mother. He had never really thought he would see her happy again. And now she was as giddy as she had been when he was a child.

He couldn’t help but smile back.

“Yes, Mother.”


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“Hurry up, Harry!” Hermione called, “We’re leaving in a minute!”

Harry gave his hair one last pat and hurried down the steps from his old bedroom in Grimmauld Place. Ron was walking towards the parlor, pulling a sweater down over his head. Hermione stood by the fireplace, bouncing from one foot to the other.

“I can’t wait to go and get some baby stuff for Cassi! Draco had to the baby too early for us to have the shower, even though he would have hated it.”

Ron snorted, “Malfoy loves any attention, he would have gotten over it.”

Hermione turned wide eyes to her husband. “Should I go ahead and plan it then? Ohhh…” And she ducked excitedly into the fireplace, dragging Ron with her, while she shouted “Diagon Alley!” The two disappeared in a roar of green flame.

Harry gave a chuckle at his friends. Hermione had told him that she and Ron were co-godparents of Cassi, along with Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini. The god-parent argument had been a heated one, according to Ron. Harry had always taken the god-parent thing seriously, especially in light of what happened with Sirius and his own childhood misery, and then with his being godfather to Teddy, something that Harry made certain that he did well.

Harry wasn’t all that pleased with any of Draco’s friends being a godparent to their child, but Draco had taken offense that Harry didn’t trust his friends. Ron had told Harry that that particular argument had driven Harry to stay at Grimmauld for awhile. Luckily, Harry and Ron had been on an Auror assignment for that week anyway, which gave both men some time to cool off. In the end, they had compromised and things had returned to normal.

As Harry stepped into the fireplace, it roared to life and he jumped back, startled by the unannounced arrival of…

Ginny.

“Ginny?” Harry asked smiling, he was pleased to see the red-head. However, she didn’t look pleased at all. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was blotchy.

“Harry?” Ginny said hesitantly, as she quickly rubbed at her face. “Where’s Hermione?”

“Are you all right?” Harry asked, stepping towards her. “You look like you’ve been crying…”

Ginny tried a weak smile. “I’m fine…but I really need Hermione right now.”

Harry bit back an irritated retort. “Hermione went to Diagon Alley with Ron, to shop for Cassi.” He was trying to reach out to her, but her insistence in wanting to talk to Hermione was upsetting him.

“Oh…right.” Ginny said, as she ran a hand distractedly through her hair. “Can you tell her I came by and to call me as soon as she can.” She turned to go, but Harry grabbed her arm.

“Ginny? Tell me what’s wrong! Maybe I can help!”

Ginny sagged against the fireplace. “It’s over…between Dean and I.” She gave a sob and then abruptly tried to swallow it. She looked up into Harry’s face with shiny wet eyes. “I told him that I was a bit confused and that we had talked.”

Harry nodded, feeling torn about Ginny’s obvious distress and the fact that they had broken up. His eyes flew to her hand to see if the ring was still on it. He noticed that it was, but didn’t say anything.

“And he just took everything the wrong way! I was just trying to tell him that I wanted to be sure that I was ready for the marriage, but he just wouldn’t listen! He kept accusing me of wanting to be with you and that he never stood a chance! He broke off the engagement and stormed out.”

Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny and let her cry into his chest. He held her tightly as she wept bitterly and whispered, “It’s okay, Gin…it’ll be all right.”

Ginny’s muffled voice rumbled against his chest. “No, it won’t, Harry! I’ve hurt him…oh Merlin, that’s not what I wanted! I love him, I do! But…this is so hard…I thought…I thought I was over this…but…”

Harry gently pushed Ginny away from him and looked her deep in her eyes. “Ginny, you know that I’m sorry that this happened like this. I hate to see you this upset. This is my fault. I’ll go and talk to Dean. ”

“No Harry! Don’t. I can’t blame you for this. Well, not all of it. Yes, you told me how you felt, but I’m the one who told my fiancée that I had some unresolved feelings. Just let it go. I’ll deal with it. Okay?”

Harry gave a small shrug and then asked, “So what happens now?”

“I’m not really sure, but I know I have to speak to Mum about this. She is going to be so upset. She put a lot of work into this wedding.”

Ginny gave another painful smile and Harry’s guilt boiled deep in his gut. Not only had he caused Malfoy pain and caused the baby to come early, now Ginny looked like she wanted to jump from the Astronomy Tower.

“Come to Diagon Alley with me, Gin,” Harry said, not wanting to let Ginny go right away, “we can find Hermione. I know where they went.”

Ginny swallowed heavily and looked like she was going to say no, but then she nodded a bit.

“Well, okay. And I do want to get something for Cassi. And for Draco. How is he?”

“I’m going by to see Cassi later. He was asleep when I came by yesterday. I’ll have to talk to him about visitation and bringing Cassi here. I guess I can do that today too.”

Harry took Ginny’s arm, picked up the floo powder and shouted, “Diagon Alley!”


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Draco stepped out of the floo with uncertainty, waving his wand over his robes to make them immaculate again. He had agreed to go with his mother, but he had no idea that she meant to take him out in public. And here they were in Diagon Alley.

The press had bombarded him as soon as he left the hospital. Harry had been there that day, and Draco almost could pretend that things were the same. Harry was ferociously protective of Cassi, not wanting photographers to take her picture. He had received an enormous number of owls since he’d been home, but his mother had taken care of that.

She had bundled up the baby and put her in the stroller and had dragged him to the floo and had called out, “Diagon Alley”, before he could even say a word.

They had walked to Fortescue’s for ice cream. Draco had loved to go get the creamy snack as a child and it had been years since he had done it. The shop had re-opened by a member of Fortescue’s family. There still had been no word as to what happened to Florean.

Draco ordered his chocolate and peppermint cone and handed his mother her strawberry fudge swirl cone. His mother gave a frown and Draco laughed. Despite her new-found exuberance of being a grandmother, it hadn’t changed her snootiness. Not one bit. Draco silently handed her a bowl with a spoon, and Narcissa dumped the ice cream in the bowl. They set out of the shop, and Draco tried to ignore the stares of a number of people. Thankfully, no one approached them and Draco was able to relax a bit. They rounded the corner and headed towards Gringotts. Narcissa wanted to set up a new account for Cassi.

Just as they reached the steps to the building, Draco stopped short and his scoops of ice cream flew to the ground.

“Draco?” Narcissa asked, stopping next to her son. He was staring across the street.

“I can’t believe this!” Draco hissed under his breath and his eyes blazed furiously.

Narcissa looked up and saw Harry and the Weasley girl standing a few feet away, pointing at a store window. Granger and the Weasel stood nearby; all of them chattering like jarveys and their arms laden with packages.

“Draco, just be calm. We are in public and you are a Malfoy.” Narcissa said sharply, her face marred by frown lines.

Draco could care less what his mother had to say about the Malfoy blood line. It had barely been a whole week since Harry’s memory loss and he was already flaunting Weasley up and down Diagon Alley? The unmitigated gall…

Harry must have felt Draco’s eyes burning holes in the back of his head, because he turned around. He caught sight of Draco and Narcissa, and from the look on Draco’s face, this was not going to be pleasant encounter. Harry immediately realized what most likely had the blond looking like he wanted to murder someone, but he would have to eventually accept the fact that they were not going to be together. He tugged at Ginny’s arm.

“There’s Malfoy out with Cassi. Let’s go see her.”

Ginny looked up in surprise and bit her lip. “Harry, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” But Harry started walking away.

“What’s not a good idea?” Ron asked, leaning around Hermione to look at his sister. “Where’s Harry going?” He saw Harry crossing the street towards the Malfoys and Ron gave a small groan. Even he wasn’t too thick to know that the git was probably going to act foolish, what with Harry being with Ginny and all. Hermione jerked her head around and frowned as Harry reached the two blonds.

Hermione hurried across the lane, but Ginny hung back. Ron pulled her arm.

“If the git says anything, I’ll hex him into next week,” Ron warned.

Ginny sighed and followed behind her brother. By the time they had reached Draco and his mother, Harry was kneeling down by the stroller.

“Hey, Princess,” Harry whispered, “Daddy has got a whole lot of new stuff for you.”

“Don’t touch her,” Draco hissed between clenched teeth. “If you want a baby, go make one with that wench.” He threw a disgusted look at Ginny, who flushed crimson. Draco pulled the stroller away from Harry.

Harry sprung upright and glared at Draco. Ron closed in, his hand on his wand.

“What are you saying, Malfoy? That I can’t touch my own daughter? You’re denying me that?”

“I’m saying more than that, Harry! I’m saying that I don’t want you anywhere near her. Go make your own family, now that you and your bitch are happily ever after!”

“Draco!” Narcissa said in a loud whisper, just as Cassi opened her eyes and began to wail. “You’re scaring her. There’s no reason for this behavior out here in public.” She was very aware of the numerous eyes staring at the scene.

“You’re not going to let me see her? I’ll fight you in court, Malfoy and you know I’ll win!” Harry glanced around at all the curious onlookers and he lowered his voice. “Don’t do this. We don’t have to make this into a big drama. I told you at the hospital that I want us to get along for Cassi’s sake.”

Draco stared into Harry’s eyes. “No.” He knelt down to bundle up Cassi, who looked back at Draco with large shiny eyes.

Harry grabbed Draco’s arm and pulled him up and got right in his face. “Don’t do this, Malfoy. This won’t end well for you.”

Draco gave a smirk and raised his hand. Harry flinched, but all Draco did was run his hand down the side of Harry’s face. He whispered softly, “If I don’t get what I want, neither do you. Good luck finding a judge who will take a baby away from its mother. The press will vilify you.”

He stepped away from Harry, who was struggling to keep from hexing the blond right there in the street. Draco gave another smirk at Harry, whose fists tightened and then sneered at Ginny.

Ginny snapped, “Now you know how it feels, Draco.”

Draco stiffened and glared at her. “It won’t last. Just like before.”

Ginny swallowed back the bile that was rising in her throat. Merlin…Draco was probably right.

Draco turned to look at Narcissa.

“I’m leaving now, Mother. Happy shopping.” He grabbed the handle of the stroller and marched down the street, leaving everyone to gape behind him in his wake.

Narcissa calmly smoothed a piece of her hair behind her ear and smiled pleasantly. “Well, good day.” And she strolled casually after her son, forgetting all about Gringotts. Her mind was roiling in turmoil. Draco couldn’t be serious about denying Harry access to Cassiopeia, could he? Draco was asking for a whole huge mess if he went that route. And he would never reconcile with Harry if he did that. Would was Draco thinking?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Draco stormed out of the floo and flounced into living room. He tore off his robes and threw them onto the couch. Cassi was crying again and Draco had had it with her whining.

“Tippy!” Draco shouted.

The elf popped up on command.

“Yes, Master Draco?”

“Watch the baby.”

He then apparated before Tippy could get a word in edgewise.

Draco popped up by a streetlight on a quiet corner. He shoved his hands into his pockets and headed across the street to a small doorway that had appeared in the well worn brick wall of what looked to be an abandoned building.

He glanced around and then pushed the door open. He entered the dwelling and walked through a long hallway. At the end of the hallway, sat a bored looking wizard who was reading a magazine. He perked up when he saw Draco.

“Well, well…if it isn’t his Highness. Slumming?” He asked, eyeing Draco with interest.

Draco rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to hear your shite, Rafael! I just want a drink, okay?”

Rafael pursed his lips and then shrugged. “If you say so, Malfoy. But I know I told you married life was the pits. Especially when said husband doesn’t remember who you are. And you’re all fat from having a baby.”

Draco growled and pulled his wand, shoving it at the man’s neck. Rafael opened his eyes wide and raised his hands in mock surrender.

“Now, now…don’t be like that, Draco. You know you have always been one of my favorite people. I’m so sorry to hear of your troubles. Harry Potter, Amnesiac. Who’da thought it?”

“Just fucking let me in!”

Rafael blew Draco a kiss. “Don’t get into any trouble.”

He waved his hand and the entrance to the club shimmered. Draco stepped through the opening and his senses were immediately assaulted by pulsing music and bright lights. Several wizards were dancing and feeling each other up on the dance floor and Draco turned away from the tawdry display and headed towards the bar.

“Double Firewhiskey, neat,” Draco said, “and just leave the bottle.”

The bartender smirked and nodded as he slammed a bottle down in front of Draco. He quickly poured Draco’s drink and headed away to help the next customer, who happened to be a sandy-haired bloke with sparkling blue eyes. Who turned them on Draco with an appreciative wink.

“You look like you’re in need of a friend,” blue eyes said, glancing at Draco’s bottle. “Tough day?”

Draco fiddled with his glass and then looked at the handsome man. “No, I don’t need a friend.”

Blue eyes looked disappointed and then shrugged. “Sorry to have bothered you then.”

He stood up to walk away, but Draco reached out and grabbed his arm.

“No, I don’t need a friend…but I do need a good fuck.”

Blue eyes lit up with a smile.