As excited as Hermione was about my proclamation Mrs. Weasley had another idea. She marched each of us up to Hogwarts personally demanding we enroll for next school year. She took the fall for our absences and arranged it so that we would be graduating a year late, with Ginerva. With both Hermione and I gone I was more than curious as to who had gotten the title of Valedictorian, but I didn't press it. McGonagall was still sore about me breaking into Gryffindor tower. She nearly took house points when I wasn't even enrolled just because I peaked in the rubbish bin. I didn't even touch anything. Headmaster Dumbledore stepped down when the four of us escaped, leaving the school to McGonagall and it was tearing at her soul to let me back in and she eventually agreed simply because it was Hermione who made me leave.
Speaking of Hermione...we hadn't touched or kissed since that time in the cave. I still thought she was beautiful, but I was more than certain that her reaction to me had been because I was dying. So I kept my distance, talking to her whenever she approached me, but never kissing her how she deserved to be kissed. She sat talking to Harry as he enthused about finishing his last year at Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley collected us once the paperwork was done and delivered us back at the burrow like we were ducklings.
I was desperately behind in my social life, today was the first time in months that I'd seen Pansy and I nearly dove behind a suit of armor when she caught my eye. I gave her a small wave and she launched herself at me, gushing about how much she missed me and how much it saddened her to graduate without me. Then there was Blaise, who had welcomed me back with a hearty clap on the back. He was a sixth year, meaning he and I would be graduating together. We clicked more naturally, he asked me where I'd been and I told him. He shrugged as If it were everyday that Malfoys hang around Weasleys. Once back at the burrow I glanced at each of the trio fondly. I inspected Harry first. The spectacled dork always did have a hero complex. When he refused my friendship first year I could swear the word 'git' was stamped to his forehead. Just because he helped save my life didn't mean I liked him. Never that, he was still annoying, he just wasn't a four eyed got any more. Next was Ronald. Against all of my better judgment I'd come to like him. He was passionate -loud and uncouth- but brilliant all the same. The oaf only managed to get taller as time progressed and his hands and feet had yet to stop growing. He stood hunched over and often sported a crooked grin. The ginger boy grew on me somehow or another and there was no point denying it. Then there was Hermione, she went from know it all fur ball to know it all babe. I couldn't deny it if I wanted to. She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever laid eyes on. I watched her fondly as she laughed with Ronald. Then there was me. I went from a spoiled child constantly calling in his father to a slightly less spoiled teenager that loved and admired a wan more than his own mother. I went from being covetted to loved and it was really something. Mrs. Weasley made it her business to stuff 'her boys' and gradually my appetite was getting bigger. I was taking on a healthy glow, but it also meant going running with Ronald and Harry four times a week instead of twice.
"Eat up boys," she ordered, "we're getting the gnomes out of the yard today." We all groaned, but knew that no amount of pleading would get us out of it. There was a week until Christmas and Ginerva would be coming home for the holiday. She wrote me every now and again mostly thanking me for the necklace she said that -and I quote- made Lavender Brown so jealous she wanted to eat her face off. I'd put down the parchment and gone to bed after that line. She talked about other normal things too, she enthused about how she and Seamus were a thing, but she begged me not to tell Ronald because he was an -and I quote once more- unimaginable gitball. Again I'd been tempted to put away the parchment.
On the morning of Ginerva's supposed return Mrs. Weasley came calling.
"Draco, dear you have a visitor." She sounded beside herself with excitement and that was never good. I opened the door to find Blaise and Pansy standing in the cramped hallway.
"We owled Mrs. Weasley in advance and asked if we could stay for the Holiday," Blaise explained, "we haven't seen you in months."
I shrugged and let them in, thanking Mrs. Weasley for letting them stay.
"We figured you would like being around some Slytherins for a change." Pansy laughed, "I heard that they turned you soft."
"I'm not soft." I insisted, "I'm different. They have had an influence on me, and they are all the most darling things, but I am glad you guys are here. They're all so loud my left ear is still ringing."
"I can imagine. When she picked us up from the platform her and Ginny seemed to be screaming the whole way. It was quite the show." Pansy insisted. In that moment Hermione came screaming into the room, Ronald following her with an evil look on his face.
"Draco!" She screamed, "Help!" I put up my hands in surrender.
"Sorry love. The last time I got In between you and that mad man I suffered for it."
"Honestly Weasley," Pansy drawled, "what are you doing." Without thinking twice Ronald showed her exactly what he was doing. Her body went rigid and she let out a scream of laughter
"Ronald Weasley!" She screeched, she was smiling bigger than I'd ever seen her do then she returned the attack. It was the strangest thing I ever saw.
"You Malfoy are a git! You can't sacrifice me like that." She laughed. I shrugged and tickled her side a little. She reacted so violently Blaise had to dodge her foot.
"Sorry, but it isn't worth it."
"Looks like the Weasleys aren't the only loud ones." I muttered to Blaise. He broke into a smile.
"I may be the only sane man in his bloody house."
"You very well may be," I agreed as I looked down at Hermione, glowing in the sunlight streaming in through the window. She smiled at me and rested her head on my arm.
"I surrender!" Ronald cackled. He was red in the face as was Pansy. She had him on his back as she ran her thin fingers along his ribs.
She pulled off of him and in an act of mutiny attacked Blaise. Ron held me down and let Hermione attack. I squirmed under the brunette trying to free myself as well as buck off the tiny girl. Ginny came in and joined the fray, sneak attacking Ronald. I took the opportunity to jerk my arms back and attack the little traitor. Soon we'd all backed into corners throwing hair changing spells and jelly leg curses in a harmless three party war. Ginny and I were paired together, Hermione and Blaise had allied, and the ones who started this whole mess stood in another corner.
"Jelly legs on four." Ginny whispered. "I'll distract three." She took out Pansy with an 'engorgio' to her nose and I jelly legged Ronald. He mirrored my curse and we both went down. Mrs. Weasley came upstairs to a bunch of giggling teenagers.
"Lunch time," she told us. We returned ourselves back to normal and followed her down stairs. Ginny turned to be at the table.
"So do you remember when I said Lavender Brown was mad jealous over my necklace?" I nodded since my mouth wa full.
"Well she asked me where I got it and I told her it was hand picked from the Malfoy Vault. You should have seen how her eyes bugged! I haven't even realized how one of a kind this must be until I said that."
I chuckled and speared my pineapple, "you may be more Malfoy than Weasley." She shrugged.
"So I was thinking...instead of a Christmas present you just take me to that top of the line wizarding boutique in Wales." I looked across the table at Mrs. Weasley who looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Mrs. Weasley?" I asked, "would you mind that?" Before she could say a word Ginny interjected.
"Mum please? Draco will make sure nothing happens to me. Right Draco?" I nodded in confirmation, "it'll just be a weekend. Please mum!" She begged.
"You'll have to take everyone." She finally sighed. Ginny beamed and went back to enthusing over the shop in Wales.
"I heard they did credit checks at the door! I can't believe I'm going to own something from Chez Marie!" She squealed, "eat that Lavender." Mrs. Weasley stood to clear the dishes and I helped, following her and silencing the kitchen.
"I haven't been myself lately, Mrs. Weasley. Please do excuse me," her face instantly contorted in worry, but I settled her fears before she became hysterical.
"I've been here since the semesters start living completely free. It doesn't sit well with me." I told her. She shook her head adamantly.
"If you want to earn your keep you will degnome the yard or help me with the gardening or...clean, but you aren't paying me." I already made up my mind, I was dumping the contents in my pockets into a brown bag.
"DRACO MALFOY I WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR MONEY," she screamed, "I do what I do because I love you." She insisted. I tied the bag.
"Then happy early Christmas." She opened her mouth to protest again, but I un silenced the room and left her standing there with a bag full of gold.
This is the first chapter of Saving the Weasleys. Review if you love it. Also as an aside... Lucius has amazing hair. Random yes, but so true.
I hadn't noticed that I accidentally uploaded the wrong chapter. Thanks Sasukessweetheart