Disclaimer: I don't own it, I don't make any money, so you can't sue me.

This is my first HP story on this site... Hope you all like it.

I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU

Chapter One: Society for the Protection of Abused Witches and Wizards

He stood outside staring at the nondescript building contemplating weather to go inside or not. He was told about this place from a co-worker at the Ministry. He'd heard about it from a sister. He didn't really want to be here, but he had no choice. Things were getting worse. It was now or never. He sighed heavily. He felt a small hand take his and he glanced down into bright blue eyes.

"Papa?" the small three year old boy said.

One look into his son's eyes was all it took to harden his resolve. He was doing this, not just for himself, but for his son too.

"Everything will be fine, Aiden."

Taking a firm hold of the boy's hand he entered the building.

The receptionist glanced up at him and said, "State your business."

"I'm here to see the Robin."

**

Hermione Jane Granger-Weasley looked up from her paperwork as her secretary opened her office door.

"Mrs. Granger, there is a gentleman here to see you. He asked to see the Robin."

Trent Carter opened the door wider to admit a man she knew quite well, and one who she never would have thought to ever be standing in front of her in such circumstances. Draco Malfoy.

"Malfoy?!" She was halfway out of her seat when the face registered. She collapsed back into her chair in shock.

"Granger." To say that Draco was surprised to see that she was the one running things was a complete understatement. If he had known it was 'Miss-know-it-all-Granger' he would never have come here. Now it was too late, and since she already knew his circumstance there was no turning back. He could not go back home.

Home? Right, that place was never a home. It was a prison. He would never go back to that abusive sadistic bastard.

He hesitated before speaking, "I… require your assistance."

Hermione took in his stiff demeanor and clenched jaw. She could tell that he really didn't want to be here. A movement caught her eye from behind Malfoy and she noticed a small blonde head peek from around behind his robes. She came around her desk and crouched in front of the little boy smiling.

"Hello there, what's your name? You look to be about the same age as my Hugo."

The little boy buried his face deeper into Malfoy's robes. Hermione glanced up at the man before her and smiled. "Would you like a cup of tea? And maybe some biscuits for…?"

"Aiden, and yes thank you, I would love some tea."

Hermione stood back up and called for a house elf. "Sit down Mal…Draco, and why don't you tell me why you are here at SPAWW."

****

He spent the next hour explaining his situation, barely holding onto his pride. He wanted to break down and cry, but Malfoy's don't cry, as had been drilled into him since an early age. Ever since the end of the war five years ago the Malfoy name no longer held any sway in the Wizarding world. His betrothal to Pansy became invalid when she was sentenced to Azkaban along with her parents, his own father residing in an adjacent cell along with the rest of the surviving Death Eaters.

So there he was without a betrothal and with school almost out he became a little desperate. Because his family stayed neutral Blaise Zabini was his only option, plus he knew that the boy wanted him. He knew that he himself was bi and would have no problems with having a male spouse, but the problem came in as to who the submissive in the marriage would be.

He was expecting to be given a choice or that they would trade off, but the Zabini family insisted that he be the submissive, and with no political power and the majority of the Malfoy fortune seized by the Ministry he had little choice.

And so Draco Lucien Malfoy, once the proud Slytherin Prince, became Draco Zabini, husband to Blaise Zabini.

His wedding was certainly not a Malfoy wedding. It consisted of himself and his mother, his future husband, his parent's and Kingsley Shacklebolt who, as the Minister for Magic, preformed the ceremony. No press, no full-page article in the Daily Prophet, and definitely no father. Draco spent the entire reception with a plastered smile on his face and clenched teeth.

That evening the newly married couple shared a drink, which unbeknownst to Draco, his had been spiked with a fertility potion, and then consummated the marriage. And so began the worst four years of his life.

The first year was fine as he became pregnant right away, which made Blaise extremely happy. Then things began to go downhill from there after Aiden was four months old. It wasn't much at first, Blaise would come home late from work, sometimes drunk, sometimes high. Draco's pureblood sensibilities sneered privately at his husband for those Muggle drugs.

Pretty soon the physical abuse started and Draco was just glad that Aiden was not around when Blaise laid into him. The first time he tried to fight back Blaise whipped and beat him until he bled then proceeded to rape him until he passed out. He woke up three days later in St. Mungo's.

Blaise apologized profusely and promised never to hit him again. At the time Draco believed him. Three months later he knew it would never happen. Blaise was too volatile. After his third stay at St. Mungo's he knew that he needed to get out. And so here he was…

***

Hermione glanced up from her notes as Draco finished speaking. "I am sorry for all you've been through Draco. I think that we can help you. Our safe house is under a Fidelus charm so you will be safe there. Then it would be just finding you a permanent place to settle you and your son. I have a portkey all set for transport tonight if you want."

Draco stared at her in shock. She was helping him? After all that he'd done to the 'Golden Trio' and she is still helping him. He didn't know what to say. "I…I…"

Hermione looked at him in understanding. "We are adults now Draco. School is long past and I believe we can put our differences behind us now, don't you?"

Draco nodded numbly and almost broke down again. "I would be grateful for a place to stay along with my son."

She smiled brightly. "Wonderful. I'll just need to firecall my partner and alert him you are on our way over and everything will be set." She stood up and went out of the room.

Draco glanced at his son who had been sitting on his chair very quietly all throughout the interview. He crouched down in front of his son and took the little boy's hands. He was sure that his son knew more than he let on, but understood very little of it all.

He just hoped that they would never have to worry about anything again.

Chapter 2: Number 12 Grimmauld Place

Hermione came back with what looked like a tin cup and a scroll. Sitting down behind her desk she gestured with the scroll, "This is your file, you hand it to Raven and only Raven when you arrive at your destination. This cup is your portkey. The password is Paddy's Place. If you have any other questions please feel free to speak to Raven or myself."

Draco glanced at the portkey with a little trepidation. His entire future now depended on Granger and a person named Raven.

"Granger, I…" Draco began uncertainty. "Um… thank you."

Hermione smiled, "It's no problem, Draco. It's what I do. Like I said, we are no longer in school."

Draco stood and picked up his son. Taking the two items from her he gave her a hesitant smile and holding the portkey tightly in his hand said, "Paddy's Place."

With a tug at his navel they disappeared. Hermione stared at the spot where he stood and sighed.

"I hope you can handle him Harry."

***

Draco appeared in an entryway amid brightly lit lamps. The first thing he heard was the screech of children's laughter from somewhere ahead of him. Aiden clutched his father's hand tightly as three children came racing down the hallway, ages ranging from ager five to seven.

When the three of them saw the newcomers the oldest child, a girl, ran back the way they came call out, "Raven! Raven someone's here!"

Footsteps were heard coming from up the hall and a dark head poked around the corner. Vibrant green eyes peered from behind rounded glasses. Draco gasped as recognition crossed the other's face. The same look was plastered on his.

"Potter!"

"Malfoy?!" Harry Potter exclaimed, coming into the hallway. He was wearing simple jeans and t-shirt, and Draco could not help but notice how… um… nice… uh… HOT, Potter looked.

Harry gaped at the blond. "Hermione didn't tell me exactly WHO was coming. Now I guess I know why."

Draco grimaced, "Is that a problem, Potter."

Harry frowned at him, "Why would it be a problem? Our policy does not require us to like our clients, although I would have thought that we'd put behind all the animosity between us, seeing as how we'd be living together for a while until we can find you a permanent residence."

"This is not easy for me Potter. A Malfoy does not ask for assistance, and yet here I am requesting help from my school rival. But I cannot change my mind. I will not go back." It took a lot of effort for him to say that and Draco felt like he'd just came out the loser in a duel with his father.

Harry sighed heavily. "Come on into the kitchen and we'll get you two some lunch. I know Hermione's biscuits are not the best tasting in the world. We can discuss arrangements after you and your son have had lunch."

"Aiden, my son's name is Aiden. And thank you, Potter, for your help."

"Harry, call me Harry, and you're welcome."

Draco smiled, "Then you may call me Draco."

Together they made their way to the kitchen that was overwhelmed by a large table. The noise level in the room was deafening as there where over thirteen people in the room. A young strawberry blond woman was busy at the cutting board handing out sandwiches and muffins.

"Ella, this is Draco and Aiden. They are new here and will be staying for at least two months. Draco this is Ella, she's out resident cook and all around babysitter." Harry smiled fondly at the woman.

Draco nodded to the woman as he sat down in an empty seat at the table. Suddenly there was a plate in front of him filled with sandwiches and muffins. A cup of butterbeer was beside the plate. Draco pulled Aiden onto his lap and the little boy grabbed a muffin and began to eat.

Harry watched the blond man closely and noticed the tell tale sign of abuse, signs that he knew well from his own childhood. When Hermione first came up with the idea of SPAWW, he'd been a little leery, considering the success of SPEW. Harry smiled at that. The house elves were still leery of Hermione. She still tries to get them to take clothing.

Draco looked worn and beat. There were bags under his eyes and he seemed to flinch whenever someone got too close to him. Harry could also detect a slight limp from Draco's left leg, almost as if it was broken and now properly healed. In a wizarding home it was unheard of for an injury to become an ailment, unless they were not taken to the hospital soon enough. Or possibly in Draco's case, not at all.

Harry also noticed that Draco held his son very close to him, almost never letting the little boy out of his sight. Harry guessed that the boy was roughly three years old, possibly the same age as his nephew Hugo. It made him very sad that others would take advantage of their marriage vows and abuse their spouse. That was why he whole heartedly agreed with Hermione's proposal of SPAWW. He wanted to help the abused spouses escape the abuse and begin normal care free lives. Over the last two years they have been doing just that. Harry even kept in contact of those he's helped. He remembers every face that has ever came through the doors of #12 Grimmauld Place. Draco's is not the first haunted face he'd seen, nor the worst, but he is the only one that knew personally.

"Draco, do you have your file?" Harry asked the blond.

Draco looked up at Harry in surprise. "I was told to give it to Raven."

Harry smiled at that, "Sorry, I guess Hermione left you in the dark too. I am Raven. We thought it better to have code names because so many people know our names from the war. If it gets out that Harry Potter is running an abuse center I'd have the Prophet beating at my door for an interview and most people coming to us just to see me and not for help."

Draco pulled the scroll from out of his robes and handed it to Harry. "Do you need the portkey as well?"

"No, it was a onetime use portkey. It no longer functions and can no longer be used as a portkey. It's a spell Hermione came up with. Prevents outsiders getting into the house."

"Speaking of which, whose house is this exactly? If I remember correctly Godric's Hollow is the only Potter residence and you had no other homes."

"This is the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, #12 Grimmauld Place. Sirius left it to me."

"This is the House of Black?" Draco looked at Harry incredulously. "How did you get Sirius Black to leave you his ancestral home?"

Harry smirked at Draco, "He was my Godfather."

***

After putting his son to bed Draco decided to wander the house, getting a feel for his mother's ancestral family home. After an hour of wandering he came across the Black Family Tree. Having never seen it before he stood there are stared at it, noting all the ones deceased, which was basically most of them, except for his own family and a few others.

"I had it restored a few years ago. There were black spots where faces and names where. Sirius would have wanted it restored."

At the first word Draco gasped and spun, wand drawn and a spell on his lips. He saw Harry leaning against the doorjamb, arms folded across his chest. Harry noted the surprised expression and paused.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to startle you."

Draco lowered his wand and sighed, "I should not have been in here, it is I who should apologize." He moved to exit the room but Harry stopped him.

"Mal… Draco, wait. You can stay, you actually have more right to this house than I do. You are actually of blood. Me… I just inherited it from Sirius." Harry sighed and came further into the room. "I actually wanted to sell the damn thing to be honest. Sirius hated this house. In my Fourth and Fifth year Dumbledore made him stay here so he wouldn't get caught again. After he died I never wanted to come back. 'Mione gave me the idea of using the place as our safe house. So we cleaned it up, top to bottom, more so than when Mrs. Weasley had us clean in fourth year." Harry smiled at that. "We got rid of all the house elf heads, the dark objects, and Mrs. Black."

"Mrs. Black?"

Harry laughed, "Mrs. Black had a portrait hanging in the hallway with a sticking spell on it. She did that so she can berate Sirius I would imagine, as she knew that he would get the house. No one was able to remove the spell until 'Mione came up with the idea of using turpentine. Worked wonders. Muggle inventions are good for some things." Harry said with a smile.

Draco shook his head in disbelief. Sticking spell? Now he knew where his Aunt Bella came by her insanity. It ran in the family. He was just grateful his mother was not like the rest of them. He took a glance at the tree and noticed another name before Bella's. Andromeda Black.

"Harry, have you met my other Aunt?"

"Andy? Yeah I've met her. Why do you ask?"

"I never knew I had another Aunt."

Harry smiled, "Not just an Aunt, but a cousin too."

"A cousin?" Draco stared at Harry in disbelief. He had never realized that he had more family than beyond his mother and father, besides Bella, but he never really counted her.

Harry noticed the longing in Draco's voice and asked, "Would you care to meet them? I can arrange it for you."

After so many surprises in the past 24 hours Draco was no longer surprised that Harry knew his Aunt. "I would like that, please."

Harry smiled at another Malfoy first. Draco Malfoy said please to Harry Potter.

**********

Chapter Three: Meeting the Other Side of the Family

Three days went by and Draco came to know the other residents of #12 Grimmauld Place. Besides Ella, there were five other adults, all with kids waiting for their turn at a new home and a new start. Of those five he only knew one of them, a black haired girl from Slytherin that was two years ahead of him by the name of Ailey Croi. Ailey's two children are Fabien and Riannon, five and three.

The only man, who was about ten years Draco's senior, went by the name of Grant Garrow and Draco was certain that his accent deemed him from the America's. His one son, Dominic, is eight.

The three other women were all from various pureblood houses, although none very prominent. Lizette Fairchild, Romilda McLeod and Faye Dovan, three women roughly in their thirties to forties, and between them had about seven children. (A/N: No, I'm not gonna give their names, sorry. Maybe along the story, if Draco meets them)

Draco was introduced to all of them over breakfast the morning after he arrived. The eight adults were all having tea while the children played. Harry was a gracious host and Draco was hard pressed to find fault with him. He sighed inwardly at his automatic thought process. He no longer needed to nitpick anything Harry did and he was having a hard time resisting his usual comeback retorts.

On the third day of is stay Harry approached him after lunch.

"Andy and her family will be here for dinner. I hope you don't mind. Tonks wants to meet you and to introduce her son to yours."

"That would be fine. Anything else I should know?"

Harry hesitated then gave shrug, "Tonks is married to my surrogate godfather Remus Lupin. If that puts you off at all let me know before they arrive."

Draco gave a start. Remus Lupin, former DADA professor and werewolf. How did he feel about that? He didn't know. But he still felt the need to see family. "It's fine. I actually had fun in Professor Lupin's class."

Harry gave a huge grin, "Yeah, we all thought he was great. He now writes DADA books and Professor McGonagall uses his books as standard at Hogwarts. So they'll be here around sixish, just in time for tea then dinner."

Draco gave a nod, "That would be fine."

***

Six o'clock arrived and with it the sound of the floo coming to life, spitting out five people. The first one through Draco recognized as Professor Lupin. The next two through the floo was a pink haired young woman about ten years older than himself. He recognized a few Black characteristic's in her features and deduced that this must be his cousin. Clutching her hand was a five year old boy who greatly resembled Professor Lupin.

Two more people came through and Draco knew right away that the woman was his aunt. She look just like Aunt Bella, except not crazy. The man beside her was light haired and seemed to have a pleasant smile for everyone.

Draco hung back for a while waiting to see how the family interacted with each other.

The man, whom Draco assumed was his Uncle, was speaking to his cousin.

"It's a good thing we came after you, Dora. The lamp by the floo tumbled to the floor and about set the rug afire. Andy luckily caught it just in time." What was not said was the fact that Tonks was actually the one to bump the lamp.

Draco watched his cousin turn beat red in embarrassment.

"Sorry about that dad, you know how I am."

Everyone laughed at that comment. Draco just frowned. What did they mean? The laughter died as Andromeda noticed Draco for the first time.

"Well I'll be damned. You must be little Cissa's boy."

Draco flushed at the comment. He stepped forward, hand extended for a handshake, "I'm Draco, Draco Mal…"

He was cut off as Andromeda Black Tonks pulled him into a bone crushing hug. "Oh, the last time I saw you, you were two years old. Cissa snuck you away from the Manor to meet with me. How is your mother doing? Is she here?"

Draco swallowed the lump in his throat as he felt loving arms close over him. With his mother under house arrest and him living at the Zabini family manor, he'd not spoken with her in some time. That was one of the reasons as to why he was here and not a Malfoy Manor. It would have been the first place Blaise would check. And now he was reminded that his mother is sitting at home possibly worried sick as to where he'd disappeared.

"Mother is at the Manor, on house arrest." He choked back a sob. Malfoy's do NOT cry in front of strangers.

Andromeda felt the stiff shoulders and aloof manner. She gave Harry a quick glance and directed Draco to a chair pulling her nephew down next to her.

"Dray, baby, it's OK to cry. It can be very refreshing to let out all that pent up energy and frustration."

Draco broke down at her first word, his childhood nickname, one only he and his mother knew about. Obviously his aunt knew as well or just guessed. So he let it out, bawling into her shoulder like a child. He felt as if he was four again and his mother was cradling him after a tumble from his broom. All the while Andromeda kept caressing his hair and whispering nonsense in his ear.

Suddenly he heard a wail, not his own, and a blond blur came at him burrowing into his lap. Draco gave a start as his son clung to him.

"Aiden, what's the matter?" Draco tried to pull his son up but the little boy would not budge. Muffled against his robes he heard, "Papa, don't cry, please don't cry papa."

And suddenly everything over the past few weeks caught up with him and together father and son cried for all that they have suffered. Draco, for all the abuse at the hands of his spouse and Aiden, for the disruption of his young life. Draco dreaded the inevitable question of where his daddy was or are they going home. He did not know what to tell his three your old when the time came.

When the tears dried up from father and son Draco pulled back to look in his Aunts eyes. It was uncanny how she looked just like Bellatrix and had to suppress a shudder at the memory. The only thing that was missing was the crazy light that had seemed to be a constant in his Aunt Bella's eyes. Andromeda's face was soft and inviting and she seemed much more approachable then Bella.

He glanced around the room at the other occupants. Andromeda's husband was cradling a glass and lounging near the fireplace. Lupin and his cousin sat on the other couch with their own son between them. He sat up straighter and cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry for all that."

Andromeda smiled, "Not at all, Dray. It looked like you needed a good cry. And if I know my brother-in-law, you had precious little time to do so."

"Father was not one to show emotion." Draco stated. "Thank you for this, Aunt Andromeda."

"Andy, please Dray. Only my mother called me Andromeda. So, Dray this is my husband Ted Tonks." Ted stepped up and shook Draco's hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Oh, don't bother with formality young man."

His aunt gestured to his cousin, "And this is my Nympadora."

Tonks bristled at her mother, "Mum, please don't call me that."

Andy leaned in to whisper in Draco's ear, "She prefers to be called Tonks or Dora."

"Whatever possessed you to call me by that dreadful name I have no idea. Draco, cousin, call me Dora. And I'm sure you know my husband Remus. And this young man is our son Teddy."

Teddy Lupin came over shyly and smiled at him. Draco gave a smile back.

"Hello Teddy, this is my son Aiden." The two boys smiled at one another. "Why don't you two go find the other children and see what they are doing?"

The two boys took off at a run leaving the adults to talk.

Andy turned to her nephew with a smile. "You've done good by that boy, Dray."

Draco lowered his eyes almost in shame, "No, I haven't. He deserves so much more than a broken family. I have kept so much from him, his father's abuse and drunkenness. How am I supposed to tell him that he'll never see his other father again?"

Andy pulled Draco back into her arms for another hug, "You are away from that man now and you have no more worries. One day Aiden will understand. And don't you worry about anything else except raising that boy. Harry and Hermione have everything else in hand."

Draco gave a dry chuckle. In the hands of his old rival, would wonders never cease?

***

Dinner was served in the kitchen at the large table and Draco found himself sandwiched between his Aunt and cousin at the kitchen table. His son was seated with the rest of the children chattering away about their day's activities. Talk around the table consisted of mundane things like quidditch and chess. Getting to know the rest of his family seemed like a dream. When he was trapped in his marriage to Blaise he thought that he would never see any real family again. Now here he sat with an aunt and uncle, a cousin and second cousin calmly enjoying a FAMILY dinner. His only wish was to have his parents with him.

***

Nine o'clock rolled around and the children were all sent off to bed. Draco said his goodbyes to his aunt and uncle, Tonks, Remus and Teddy as they readied to go.

"When Harry get's you all settled you make sure you give us a heads-up. I don't know how much longer Cissa's house arrest lasts but you get her to firecall me when you can. I really do miss her."

"Thank you, Aunt Andy. I'll do that." They all hugged one last time and they were gone. Draco gave a huge sigh and turned to leave. He stopped when he heard a voice.

"You smiled more often in the last three hours than I've seen you smile all throughout our school days. Not a smirk, but an actual smile. You actually have a rather nice smile."

Draco blushed, Harry likes my smile? "I've had precious little to smile about over the years, Po… Harry. I… I want to thank you for inviting them over and letting me meet my aunt."

"It was fine. I'd been meaning to have them over anyways. It actually killed two birds with one stone really as I needed to see Remus."

Draco looked at him with a frown, "Killed two birds…? What?"

Harry laughed, "Sorry, muggle expression. It means getting two things done at the same time. Obviously I didn't kill any birds."

Draco shook his head at the oddness of muggles. "I'll take your word for it. Good Night, Harry."

"Good Night, Draco."

**********

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