Draco stood at the gates of Malfoy Manor and clutched his young son's hand tightly in his.

"This is Nanny's house?!" Scorp asked in complete awe as his eyes widened at the looming gothic mansion at the end of the driveway.

"It's also your grandad's house." Draco muttered, trying to hide the bitterness in his voice, "and I think it's about time you met him."

"Grandad?" Scorp asked furrowing his brow in confusion. "Is that like Grampy?"

"This man is nothing like Grampy. But I think he should meet you, all the same. Show him what a fine grandson you are."

Draco tried to swallow down the guilt. He felt terrible for using his son like this. But if anything was going to persuade his father to hand over millions of gold, then Scorp would be it.

And Draco would do literally anything to save his Ronnie.

Including this.

Of course he'd broached the subject with his mother beforehand. But as much as she had insisted she wanted to help, it was his father who controlled the finances and it would take a lot to persuade Lucius to mortgage his mansion to save a Weasley's life.

He walked the drive with his son, feeling extremely apprehensive. It had been almost seven years since he'd stepped foot on this land.

"Come closer," Lucius said, squinting as they entered the drawing room where his father was sat in an armchair nursing a drink.

Draco had to fight the impulse to just pick up his son and get them the fuck out of there.

"Father," Draco squirmed, hating himself. "This- this is my son- your grandson, Scorpius."

He kept a firm grip on his son's hand whose small trembling body had nervously inched closer to his side.

"Weasley's child?" Lucius sneered, making a flicker of fury ignite in Draco's stomach as his father eyed Scorp with distaste.

"Our child, father!" He snapped, finding it difficult to keep his cool.

"I am to understand there is... another?" Lucius said, the disgust in his tone palpable.

Draco stilled. He swallowed, merely nodding, but saying nothing.

"I'm here to ask a favour of you, father," he said, just wanting to get to the point so he could get Scorp the hell away from this toxic place.

"Oh?" Lucius said, raising an inquisitive eyebrow as he took a swig of what Draco could only guess was some kind of whiskey.

It was ten o'clock in the sodding morning.

"Ronnie...Scorp's mum, well she's ill." Draco said, swallowing, trying not to say too much in front of Scorp. He had not planned this very well at all.

And then as if on cue, his mother entered the room.

"Nanny!" Scorp cried, ripping his hand out of Draco's to run into his grandmother's arms.

"Oh my darling," Narcissa gushed, giving her son a discrete wink. "Let's go and see what goodies the house-elves have left us in the kitchen."

"What's a house-elf?" Scorp frowned. "Is it Santa's? Is it Christmas?"

"No, Scorpy," his mother laughed kindly. "Just a little extra help for Nanny in the kitchen."

Draco waited until they were out of sight before facing his father again.

"So, you request a favour," Lucius smiled, making Draco's skin crawl. "And here I was thinking that you just fancied a nice father-son reunion after all these years of running off to live like a Weasley."

"Scorpius's - your grandson's - mother is dying." Draco swallowed, finding the words were causing him horrific pain.

"Oh dear, that is a pity," Lucius tutted in such a way that suggested he did not find it a pity in the slightest.

Draco had to fight a wave of anger before continuing.

"There are trials in Canada that may be able to help her." Draco paused, taking a deep breath. "However, they are costly and above anything we can afford."

"You want gold." Lucius said in a tone that suggested he wasn't surprised.

Draco met his cold grey eyes and nodded. He hated this, he hated that he had been reduced to begging at his father's knees.

But he would do anything for Ronnie.

"How much?"

"Six and a half million galleons."

"Is this some kind of joke?" Lucius almost laughed. "This entire state isn't even worth that much."

"You have the gold, I know you do. Mother says-"

"Ah, always were a mummy's boy weren't you son?" Lucius chortled wickedly. "But I'm afraid your mother has no control over what happens to the Malfoy Millions. It was to be passed onto you once you married a witch of my choosing. Had you married Miss Peverell when you had the chance, it would be in your hands by now."

"Father I am begging you," Draco persisted. "My children will lose their mother. I cannot put them through it. My- my daughter is just six months old. Please father."

"Touching." Lucius drawled, his steely eyes flashing coldly. He seemed to consider something and Draco dared allowed himself a glimmer of hope.

"All right, son," he eventually continued. "You may have the gold."

Draco could scarcely believe his ears. His heart hammered in absolute joy. There was finally some hope; he could save his beautiful Ronnie.

But before he could get any words of gratitude out of his mouth, Lucius held up a hand. "There is, however, one condition."

Draco's heart plummeted. Knowing his father, this wouldn't be good.

"I was chatting to Mr Parkinson the other day, and he informs me that his daughter - I think you may remember her - Pansy, is still on the market."

"Father-" Draco shook his head in disbelief. His father couldn't be serious. He had children for crying out loud!

"Marry her Draco, and you can get your hands on all that lovely gold and save your little blood traitor."

Black spots clouded his vision, and Draco wheeled round on the spot, calling for his son. He couldn't trust himself in his father's presence anymore.

"You'll do it!" His father's amused voice called from behind him. "You'll do it because I can see how much you want to save her."

Apologising to his mother, Draco grabbed Scorp and dragged him out of there as fast as he could.

"Mummy! Mummy!" Scorp cried out happily the second they returned home. "We saw this man with white hair like Daddy's and mine and Santa's elf made me a brownie!"

She was sat at the kitchen table, sipping a mug of herbal tea as she looked out across their garden. Draco's heart gave a twist, thinking she had never looked more beautiful.

And he knew then, just what it was that he had to do.

"Scorp, why don't you go and stick the television on," Draco suggested gently. "Daddy just needs to have a little chat with Mummy."

Scorp nodded, running eagerly out of the kitchen. Draco waited until he heard the sound of the TV being turned on before walking over to Ronnie.

"Is everything okay?" She asked as he clasped a hand to the back of her head and pressed his lips vehemently against her forehead. "You look paler than usual."

Draco nodded wondering how he was going to get his voice to work. He took the chair next to her, clasping both her hands in his.

"I love you so much, Ronnie," he choked. "You know that don't you?"

Slowly, she nodded, her brow creasing into a deep frown. "Draco you're scaring me. What the fuck is wrong?"

"Don't," he said at once, desperate to alleviate her fears. "Don't be scared. This is a good thing, trust me."

"Then what is it? Just tell me already! Stop being such a bloody Dumbledore!"

Wanting to do it properly, Draco moved off the chair and bent down on one knee.

"Marry me, Ronnie." He said at once. "I want you to be my wife."

*****