A/N: This is canon complaint through most of Deathly Hallows. I couldn't help but run with the idea that we really had no idea what was going on at Hogwarts, only second and third-hand information. There is a direct Princess Bride quote. First in a series of six total, three long one shots and three ficlets. In celebration of Ginny's birthday, you will get one 'chapter' per day ending on Ginny's birthday. Ginny/Blaise and hints of other possible ships.

Disclaimer: None of it is mine. The title is from Everlast's 'What it's like' and belongs to them. JKR owns the HP world; I just play in her sandbox. Also, The Princess Bride is not mine.

What it's like to have to choose

Ginny Weasley never thought she would find herself in this position, condition, whatever it was, she never fathomed being here. But, she was. Pomfrey was staring at her incredulously. "I am not telling and nothing you say will change that. I came to you because I want to be healthy, but you are bound by confidentiality. I checked, just so you don't think that one oversight means that I am some brainless idiot."

"What are your plans?" Pomfrey still looked quite disturbed and disappointed, but at least she had stopped pressing Ginny for the name of the boy who had helped her get into this condition.

"I had planned on using concealing charms as I have been the last couple of months and then contacting the twins. I think they would help me get away and hide. I refuse to give up my child," she added forcefully, laying a hand over her stomach.

"To keep you safe," Pomfrey began, gentler this time, "I must talk to the Headmaster. With the…punishments… being handed out, we cannot risk you or your babies."

Ginny's eyes widened. "There are two of them?" At Pomfrey's nod, she muttered, "fertile bastard was he, figures." She sighed heavily. "I know that Professor Dumbledore swore that Snape was loyal to him. If I can have some sort of proof of that, I will allow you to tell him."

"Wait here, Miss Weasley." Pomfrey left the room, coming back a few minutes later. "Come with me, we are to go to the Headmaster's office."

Warily, Ginny stood cautiously. At almost six months gone, she was feeling the major changes her body was going through, though twins would explain why it was more pronounced than she thought it should be. She had managed to sneak away during the summer, just once, and gone to St Mungo's. They had given her and the baby a clean bill of health and told her what to do and not to do. It had been all she could manage. There was no way her mother, father, or brothers would ever know about this. At least, not until she was of age and could keep them from taking her babies. It didn't matter the manner of their conception, what mattered to Ginny was that she already loved them.

She and Pomfrey made their way through the empty halls since Ginny had waited until most everyone was hiding from the crazy Carrows to go to Pomfrey. Once they arrived at the Headmaster's office, Snape ushered them into a small side chamber. Ginny sat in a comfortable chair with a sigh, noting that there were no portraits or even mirrors in this room. Good, was all she could think, it is more secure.

"Miss Weasley," Snape began his face the picture of disbelief. "I never-"

She cut him off, feeling testier and testier the longer she was pregnant. "You never thought you would see me in this condition at my age. Me either, sir. I am though and there is no changing it. I am told you are trustworthy. I will say this; my children are at great risk should anyone other than myself find out who their father is. I will not, and I do mean that, reveal his name. Ever. He neither needs nor deserves to know that they exist."

Snape all but collapsed into his chair. "I have asked Kingsley Shacklebolt to join us, Miss Weasley. I do hope you find him trustworthy enough to assist us in keeping you and… your children safe."

"If he tells even one member of my family, I will run so fast and so far that no one will ever find me." She had her wand in one hand and the other lay protectively over her babies. "They would take my babies and I will not have that."

Snape sighed, shaking his head and muttering unintelligibly. "We will swear an oath of protection, Miss Weasley. You must trust that the plans we have quickly formed are the most suitable for this situation, even if you should not like who is involved."

She didn't like the sound of that, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Just who else have you involved?"

"Me."

All but gaping, she turned to see Blaise Zabini standing in the doorway. "Zabini? Why the seven hells would you help?"

The Head Boy rolled his brown eyes and flipped his long curly brown hair over his shoulder before sauntering into the room. "Get one over on that self-righteous family of yours and that insane so-called Dark Lord all at the same time… you should be asking why Mother and I didn't jump to volunteer instead of being asked by her current beau."

"Have a seat, Zabini," Snape said sounding exasperated. "Your mother and Kingsley will be along shortly. First, we must discuss how you will keep Miss Weasley from the punishments that the Carrows are handing out."

Zabini ignored Snape's request that he sit, coming to stand behind her chair instead. "Easy. Weasley here and I are dating, which means if anyone touches her they bring Mother's wrath and mine down on their idiotic heads. No one will."

Ginny scoffed. "Really? I am supposed to believe that you are jumping to help a blood traitor, Gryffindor, and ex-girlfriend of Harry Potter?"

Zabini glanced down at her, looking pointedly at her baby bump which hadn't been under the concealing charm since Pomfrey's exam. "Unless there are about four kids in there, Potter couldn't be responsible. That in of itself makes me applaud you, no matter who you had a grand old time with."

"Zabini," Snape snarled.

Ginny laughed, she just couldn't help it. "No, only two and let's keep that 'Potter couldn't be responsible' between ourselves, eh?"

Zabini pulled a chair over and sat next to her, his brown eyes wide. "Are you telling me that you want to promote the idea that they are Potter's spawn?"

"No," she said blithely, "because no one will know I am…spawning… as you so eloquently put it. If they are Harry's I won't tell you and I won't tell you if they aren't either. That is a secret that I alone hold and always will."

She thought she saw a bit of respect in his eyes, but a moment later Marguerite Zabini and Kingsley stepped out of the Floo. Much to her surprise, Marguerite hurried over and laid a hand on her shoulder. "You are in safe hands, you and those babies of yours, Ginevra. Trust me, mother to mother?"

Ginny nodded slowly. What else was she supposed to do? Though, the scariest woman in the whole of Britain was going to look after her and her babies, really why not trust her. "I do want to."

Marguerite crouched down, taking Ginny's hand in hers. "I swear the ancient oath of protection for you, Ginevra Weasley, and your unborn children. I will do all in my power to keep you safe, no matter the cost except the life of my own son. Do you accept my oath?"

It took a few minutes for Ginny to work through her shock and answer, "Yes, I accept your oath."

"Good." Marguerite stood and turned to the other three adults. "She will stay with Blaise in his rooms, have classes with him, and come to Valhalla as soon as possible."

"My family," Ginny said softly, "they would yank me out of here the moment they heard even a whisper that I was living …outside the Tower."

"Kingsley," Marguerite said flatly, "You will take the same oath I did, as will Severus and Poppy. We will construct a story that Molly Weasley will believe. Am I clear?"

Ginny leaned over to whisper, "She's like a general."

Zabini chuckled and whispered back, "Oh she is just getting started."

Ginny sat back, only half listening after the oaths were taken and the adults discussed the finer details of the plan. She was nice and warm and began to drift off. She was gently shaken awake. "Wha?"

Zabini laughed lightly. "Come on, Ginevra, we should get back to my rooms and you need to cast that charm before we do."

She pushed herself out of the chair and reached for her wand, casting the concealing charm. It was then that she realised that she, Zabini, and Snape were alone in the little room. "Gods, how long was I asleep?"

"About two hours, Miss Weasley," Snape replied with a shrug. "Poppy said to let you sleep and I believe Marguerite would have hexed the one of us stupid enough to not do so. You are to see Poppy every week for a check-up. Go to class unless you are too tired and for god's sake, do not get mouthy with the more insane members of staff. Zabini here can only protect you so far, am I clear?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, crystal. Lead the way, Zabini."

"You're going to have to use my given name, Ginevra," the brunette said with a smirk. "Otherwise no one will believe that we're seeing one another."

"Fine, Blaise," she said blandly. "Lead the way."

-ii—

Ginny groaned, not even attempting to move. It was horrible trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in and her back was killing her. Reaching around, she tried to rub the most painful spot, but wasn't able to. Damn it all. In the two months since the whole madcap plan began, she and Blaise had come to an accord. He didn't push her short temper and they learned about one another. It was, she had to admit even if only in the privacy of her own mind, nice to have him about. When she'd called him a poser, she hadn't known just how accurate the description was even if it was in a totally different way than she meant it at the time. He wasn't a total bastard after all. In fact, she was beginning to think that Marguerite deserved some sort of amazing gift for raising him so well. Their cover story was holding since even the Carrows weren't insane enough to go up against Marguerite or her son.

"You awake enough to bother with class or sleeping in?"

She glanced over at the doorway and sighed, feeling near tears and hating that fact. Her emotions were all over the place and some days she felt sorry for Blaise having to deal with her. "My back hurts," she whinged.

He sighed, crossing the room and sitting down, reaching over to press on her lower back. "You know, you can tell me who is responsible for this. If he's inside these walls I can hex him without anyone knowing it was me."

She laughed, not only at his words, but in relief as the pain in her back subsided. "Not a chance, Blaise, and you know it. I would tell you, but seriously, why does it matter?"

He frowned, still rubbing her back. "Because, he should bear some responsibility for all of this."

She glared, grabbing his arm and manoeuvring herself upright. "No. Right or wrong, I don't ever want him to know. Please, for me, as a friend, just imagine that I got this way all on my own."

Blaise shrugged. "I left breakfast out on the table for you. I can stay in if you want?"

She smiled, patting his cheek which had him glaring half-heartedly. "No, no, Mr Head Boy. Go to class and leave everyone thinking that you left your girlfriend passed out from shagging like bunnies all night long."

He laughed, getting to his feet. "You know, whoever he was, he is an absolute moron."

Leaning back against the virtual mountain of pillows, Ginny shot him a puzzled look. "Whatever do you mean?"

He leaned against the poster of the bed. "You're here, protecting his sorry arse, for one. For two, you aren't stupid, Gin, we both know that. For three, we've become friends as unfathomable as many will find it and I loathe seeing my friend in pain. I have only one, you know."

She rubbed her stomach where one of the twins was attempting to kick his or her way out, or so it felt like. "You're the only friend I have left, Blaise, so I know the feeling. But, I am going to get two beautiful babies out of this whole deal and to me, that is enough. Go on to class before Alecto tries to hex you again."

"I'd like to see that bint try it," he called over his shoulder as he left. "Eat and get sleep, all right?"

"Yes, Daddy," she called in reply, teasing him.

His laughter filtered through the rooms as he gathered his school supplies. With a sigh, she pushed herself to the edge of the bed and stood. Her lessons were sent on Snape's orders, though the professors didn't dare question him on it. She was huge and there was no way she could fit behind most of the desks these days. So, she stayed in the comfort of Blaise's rooms and practiced the practical portions with him in the evenings. Well, except for potions. Snape, Marguerite, and Blaise had all been adamant that she needn't worry about potions until after the babies were born. "It's like having three or four mothers clucking around," she muttered, feeling irritable.

Her assignments weren't holding her interest, so she pulled over the name book Marguerite had brought by the last time she had secretly visited them. No matter how much she wanted to keep the babies' father a secret, not wanting to risk them in any way and being at war they were very much at risk, she still wanted to hide a clue in their names, though she had readily agreed that they would have the Zabini last name. As for whatever cover story Marguerite had planned, she didn't care one bit. Not if it meant her babies were safe.

-ii—

Blaise laughed, holding out his hands to pull Ginny to her feet. "We should go now; you look like you could pop any day."

She tossed the quill she had been using at his head and he ducked with the ease of long practice. Testier by the day was Ginny and he'd become quite good at either placating her with food or ducking and running when that option didn't work. "The train leaves in three days, B. I don't see why we should go any sooner."

"Because," Snape said as he stepped through the portrait. "There are rumours of an attack of the train. You two will pack and portkey to Valhalla tonight."

Ginny groaned as Blaise pulled her to her feet. "Portkey? Can I do that safely?"

Snape threw his hands up. "Do you think, Ginevra, that I would be telling you to do so if it would put you three at risk? I do want to survive this war after all."

Blaise chuckled, waving his wand to bring their trunks out and again to get them packed. His mother had showered Ginny with gifts over the past few months and as he watched the flow of clothing that folded itself before dropping into the trunks, he couldn't help but grin. He genuinely liked the pretty redhead and his reasons for being so willing to help were as much a secret as hers were in regards to the babies' father. But, no matter how much he liked her, he wasn't going back out there whilst she was this testy. Last week, he'd said something offhand about being adorable pregnant and had been hexed painfully for it.

Once the trunks were packed, he did one last sweep of the room to make sure he'd not missed anything. Ginny's very testy, "B, get your arse moving," made him cringe. Really, the woman was even more dangerous with a wand these days than she ever had been before. Maybe it made him a sick and twisted bastard, but he was enjoying her this way- so long as she was hexing everyone else.

-ii—

"Oh for fucks sake!" Ginny screeched, gripping the side of her stomach with one hand and reaching out for the bannister with the other. She wasn't one to overly curse normally, but she had found that the more pregnant she was, the more creative her word usage had become. Damn, but that had hurt.

Marguerite rushed down the stairs and wrapped an arm around her. "Well, it looks like your babies are knocking to get out, darling."

Ginny tried to laugh, she really did. But, she winced instead as another contraction began. "Heh, funny. At least I had five days to figure out my way around Valhalla before they decided to join us."

"Come on, darling girl, let's get you changed and ready for their arrival. What names did you decide on?"

She knew that Marguerite was trying to distract her and appreciated it. "Ahh, no, sorry; not telling until they get here and are properly named."

Blaise jogged down the stairs, picking her up despite her glare. "I'm carrying you, don't bother complaining."

"I'm as big as a house! I'll break your back!"

Marguerite laughed. "I will Floo the mid-witch and Healer. Walk a bit once you are changed, darling. Lean on Blaise if you need to, but the walking will help."

She gave up, laying her head on Blaise's shoulder. "You two just have to get your way, don't you?"

He grinned cheekily as he carried her up to her rooms. "You aren't just figuring that out are you?"

She winced, gripping his shirt and trying to breathe through the contraction. "No, no, figured it out months ago, but enjoy complaining about it."

"Stubborn," he teased setting her down next to her closet. "Now, what am I getting you to wear?"

"I can get it myself," she protested.

He turned his head and glared his most heated glare. "No, you are not. I will get it and turn my back whilst you change. No arguments will be heard, Gin."

"The green sleep shirt I stole from you," she muttered, trying to work up a pout.

He chuckled as he searched, bringing it out to her. A man of his word, he turned his back whilst she changed which actually took longer than necessary. Finally, she buttoned it up; thankful it still reached her knees courtesy of a brilliant tailoring charm Marguerite used on it the day she found Ginny crying that it didn't fit anymore. "You done?"

"Yes." She took a step and winced, grabbing his arm. "Damn it all, they want out now."

Wrapping his arm around her, Blaise helped her walk across the room and back. "If they are anything like their mother, it will be very interesting around here."

"You know," she said as they continued walking the room, stopping so she could lay her head on his chest and ride out each contraction, "it is about to get very gory and gross in here, you sure you want to stay?"

"Hey," he said, pouting heavily. "Remember when you woke me with the nightmare and I promised to stay with you through this?"

She nodded.

"Do I lie to you?"

She shook her head.

"So, I guess that means I stay." He winked and got her walking again. "I am hoping you start cussing the one you refuse to name, just so I can see if I am anywhere close with my guess."

She swatted his arm playfully. "I'm sneakier than that."

"Yes, yes you are."

-ii—

She leaned back against Blaise, resting between contractions and squeezed Marguerite's hand. "You get some sort of prize; something shiny and expensive."

Marguerite laughed. "Whatever for? If anyone deserves a prize, it is you, darling girl."

She raised her other hand, which was gripping Blaise's. "For raising this one properly."

Blaise chuckled. "Lauding me are you, Gin?"

"Damn right," she muttered. "You're going above and beyond best mate duties here, B."

The mid-witch chuckled. "You three are the oddest and yet best and most entertaining bunch I've ever had the joy of attending to. Now, one more push and baby one will be here. I see a full head of curly hair."

Ginny leaned up, silently thanking Blaise and pushed with everything she had as the next contraction clamped down on her. She was so tired and yet so close.

A wail filled the room and she laughed and cried, leaning back against Blaise.

"It's a girl," the mid-witch said, laying the baby on the blanket Marguerite hurried to spread on Ginny's chest. "Take a moment to greet your baby and we'll get her sibling out here with us."

"Look at you," Ginny crooned, cradling her baby girl close. "Aren't you gorgeous."

Blaise peeked over her shoulder. "Of course, she looks eerily like her mum. So, what is her name?"

Marguerite took the baby and wrapped the blanket around her snugly. "None of that, Mr Impatience. We'll know soon."

"You ready?" the mid-witch said, bringing everyone's attention back to her.

Ginny nodded. "Then I want to sleep."

Blaise laughed, wrapping his arms around her. "So, are we betting on boy or girl?"

Ginny shook her head, muttering, "Boy," before pushing again and again. Finally, she slumped against Blaise with her son held tightly against her chest. "See, I told you."

"One of each," Marguerite said happily, still cradling Ginny's daughter. "They will call me Grand, because I am very grand and not about to be called Grandmother."

Ginny laughed weakly. "If you are ready to get the naming done, I will tell you the names I picked out."

Marguerite waved over Kingsley and Severus who had been relegated to the other room for the labour. "We are indeed."

"Well," she said, reluctantly handing over her son, "I do hope you and Blaise approve."

"Go on," Blaise said, kissing her brow, "I am all but dying of curiosity."

"Margot Mira Zabini and Damon Tyl Zabini."

"Gin?" Blaise asked cautiously.

"We'll name them and clean them up," Marguerite said, leaning over to kiss Ginny's cheek. "I am honoured that you would name your daughter after me."

Ginny waited until she and Blaise were alone. "Not a word, B, please."

"Does this mean I can't hunt him down and hex his sorry arse?"

"Yes. Can I impose on you a bit more? I want a shower."

He sighed, helping her up. "I won't mention it again; I just want you to know that if you want to talk, I'm here."

Leaning on him, they made their way slowly to the en suite. "I know and you know that I adore you for all of this. I just don't want to think about him all right?"

He turned on the shower with one hand, holding her up with the other. "For all the world will know, they are Zabini's. I want you to know that I don't regret that in the least."

Ginny kissed his cheek. "You deserve some sort of prize too."

He shook his head. "Just get in the shower, I will bring you clothes and leave them here on the counter. The elves are already changing the bed sheets. Call if you need me."

When the door closed, she dropped the sleep shirt, wondering if even the elves had enough spells to get it clean as she stepped into the shower and laid her head on the wall. "I'm a mum," she whispered disbelievingly.

-ii—

Blaise had, much to his mother's amusement, refused to leave Ginny and the babies. To his way of thinking, she was already dead tired and leaving her alone wasn't something he was willing to do. When one of the babies began fussing, he got up and went over to the bassinets. Smiling, he picked up Margot. "Hello, beautiful."

Moving over to sit on the edge of the bed, he was amazed at how much the tiny baby looked like Ginny from the top of her curly red head down to the tips of her toes. He wasn't a romantic or a pansy, but something about seeing Ginny through the last bit of pregnancy and dear gods childbirth had changed something about him. Rocking Margot like his mother had shown him to do; he shifted and leaned against the headboard. Ginny had been in labour for over twenty hours so any extra sleep she could get, he was willing to make sure she got it.

"You two make quite the picture," Ginny whispered sleepily. "Is she hungry?"

He shrugged lightly. "She was fussing and I wanted to let you sleep."

Blinking, she sat up and leaned on the pillows. "You really are amazing, you know that?"

"Why?" he said, mentally cussing himself out for saying it aloud. He passed Margot to her and got back up when Damon started crying.

"You, Mr I hate everyone, stepped up and helped me when you really had no reason to do so. You were amazing and didn't throttle me when I was a total cow for months. Then," she said flipping a small blanket over her shoulder so she could feed Margot, "you stayed with me every moment whilst I gave birth."

He rolled his eyes, sitting back down beside her with Damon on his shoulder. "Uh huh, because getting one over on everyone and helping out someone in a bad situation means I have to hand over my haughty bastard card, does it?"

She chuckled. "No, because you still are one. Not that I mind it. I just keep thinking this is all some sort of weird dream that I will wake up from."

"Not a nightmare?" he inquired, his brow lifting.

"Nope, I have an amazing best mate, two beautiful children, and if your mother has her way we will never want for anything. I should complain about that, I suppose. But, at this point why? What use would it do to go out and try to make it on my own when you and Marguerite welcomed us?"

"Bite your tongue," he said quickly, wide-eyed and wary. "No complaining, none at all."

She shifted Margot to her shoulder and patted her tiny back. "See, this is the Blaise Zabini the world never sees."

"The world won't either, I enjoy being feared."

"Trade me babies, Blaise. I promise not to tell anyone that you can be kind and loving."

He glared, though there was no heat in it as he handed over Damon and took Margot. "I refuse to change nappies."

Ginny tipped her head back and laughed. "Ahh, there he is."

Blaise rolled his eyes, handing the baby over to the nanny elf standing by the bed. "What? This elf is specifically trained to change nappies. I think she may cry if you attempt to do her job for her… or bang her head on the wall."

Horrified, Ginny shook her head. "Fine, only that then. I don't want them to grow up thinking an elf is their mum."

Satisfied that he'd won, Blaise moved down so he was lying with his head propped up on the pillows. "You have the most comfortable bed in the house, you know. I'm jealous."

Ginny looked down at him and rolled her eyes. "Yes, Blaise, you can stay."

He grinned cheekily and took Margot back from the elf, laying her on his bare chest on her stomach. "Good, because we're too comfortable to move now."

Ginny snickered, shaking her head as she handed over the baby to be changed. "You are, are you? Did Margot tell you that?"

"Sure," he said sleepily. "She whispered that she likes being held much better than that silly bassinet. I bet if you ask Damon he will say the same."

She took her son back and decided to try it out. The mid-witch had said that they may sleep longer if they could hear a heartbeat as they did when she was carrying them. If it meant more sleep, Ginny was willing give it a go.

-ii—

"I want to go to wherever the final battle is and fight."

Marguerite cradled two month old Margot in her arms, glaring across the table to where Ginny was looking quite adamant and Blaise was holding Damon. He didn't look pleased by the conversation either, which was good. Perhaps they could talk Ginny out of this crazy train of thought. "Why would you want to risk yourself like that?"

"Because, I want a world not ruled by that monster for my babies to grow up in."

Blaise ran a hand over Damon's red curls and glared. "A world in which their mother survives is better, Gin!"

"But, I will have to go back, even for a week. I have to convince my family that I am happily gone. My birthday isn't until August 11th and they can cause problems before then," Ginny protested. "I can't risk the babies."

"So," Blaise all but snarled, handing Damon over to Ginny when he started fussing. He waited until Ginny had covered herself and Damon with the nursing shawl before going on. "Let them think they are mine and then we shall see if they are so adamant about taking them or you away."

Oh dear, oh dear, Marguerite thought, more than a bit amused. So that is the way of things. "They could try to get you into trouble, dearest."

He scoffed. "I hadn't hit my majority when Gin got pregnant, so they can sure try. We'll make them pay and pay for trying though."

Chuckling, Marguerite turned her attention to Ginny. "Well, we have a cover story at the ready, but if you want to go that route, you can. It is up to you, dear one."

"I want to fight. I am a capable fighter," she protested.

"I didn't say that you weren't," Blaise replied angrily. "I just would rather you be here, raising your babies and not six feet under in some cemetery for war heroes!"

Marguerite swore she saw something in Ginny's expression before the redhead nodded, looking a bit defeated. "Fine, but it will be imperative that we, that means you too, B, don't leave the grounds until at least the 12th of August. If I can't fight in this war, then I'll not risk you landing in Azkaban or whatever alternative they set up because you are being stubborn."

My poor baby, she thought, watching the incredulous look forming on her son's face. She wondered how long it would be before Ginny clued in to what she and Kingsley saw every day. Those babies may not have been Zabini's except in name only to start with, but if the look on her son's face was any indication, that was about to change. She couldn't wait to watch this particular play unfold.

-ii—

"Up you go," Ginny said, helping Damon shakily to his feet.

"Mamamamama," he babbled, grinning brightly.

"You're such a big boy; Mummy loves you so very much."

"Look who isn't to be outdone," Blaise said from across the playroom where he was helping Margot stand as well.

"Dadada," Margot sang happily.

Ginny would have said something, if not for the look on Blaise's face. In the nine months or so since the twins were born, she had slowly but steadily fallen for him. Not that she was going to admit it, but if the look on his face was any indication, she may not be the only one keeping secrets.

"Well, well, what is this?"

Ginny turned, pulling Damon into her arms at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. "Nott?"

"Theo, what are you doing here?" Blaise asked, getting to his feet and cradling Margot to his chest.

"Marguerite summoned me; she said that someone here needed a bit of tutoring in potions. I presume that would be Miss Weasley here."

"You're my tutor?" Ginny sputtered, absentmindedly taking the hand Blaise held out and let him help her up. "Did you take an oath?"

"Secrecy, protection, and there was mention of vital body parts going missing should I break either," Nott said with a wry smile. "Oh my," he added, taking a good look at Damon.

"Not a word." Blaise handed Margot to her and ushered Nott out. "I'll explain the rules, darling."

"Thanks," she called, sitting down and holding her babies close. She knew, damn it all, she just knew that Nott had seen what they had hoped no one would. Trying not to panic, she let the squirming babies down so they could crawl over to the blocks. He had taken the oaths and that meant he wouldn't be telling. Right?

-ii—

"You know, it is October," Theo said idly, passing the tray of food down to Blaise.

Blaise shrugged. "What of it?"

"Well, we all know that the Weasley's are having a public fit over Ginny's continued absence," Theo replied dryly. "I just thought it might be the time to make some sort of public appearance."

"Just because we let you in doesn't mean you get a vote," Ginny said testily. "I don't want to see them."

Setting his fork aside, Blaise turned to her. "You have to sometime, Gin." He kissed her cheek, wishing he could find the right time to tell her that he didn't just want to be her best mate anymore. It just never seemed to be a good time, much to his irritation.

"Fine, I'll go tomorrow. But," she added hastily. "I want the wards up and all of you to stay here until I get back."

Blaise sighed, pushing his chair back from the table. "If you will excuse us."

His mother waved them on, turning back to the babies in high chairs who were happily mashing their fruit on the trays. "Go, you two yell at one another and come back before the food is cold."

Ginny stormed out with Blaise trying to keep up. "Gin, come on, you can't mean that. I won't send you into that house without backup of some sort."

She shoved open the library door and stomped inside. He closed the door and sighed. "You won't want to hex them and I don't trust that they will feel the same."

She fisted her hands at her sides. "I don't want to see them, but since Theo, Marguerite, and damn it all even Kingsley have been harping for almost two months, I'll damn well go!"

Wary of her wand being aimed at him, Blaise bundled her up in his arms. "Not alone. Please, Gin."

She sniffled and he could feel her tears dampening his shirt. "They can't know about the babies yet, B. I don't want them trying to kill you or take them from me."

"Shh," he said softly, kissing the top of her head. "I won't let them. Don't you see it, darling?"

"See what?" she whispered, gripping his shirt with both hands.

"The three of you mean the world to me," he admitted, holding her just a bit tighter. "I would do anything to keep you here with me for as long as you consent to be."

She tipped her head back, a look of shock and wonder on her face. "Does that mean what I hope it does?"

"That I am head over heels in love with you and have been for months?" There, he'd said it. Now she would either set his world to rights or tear it apart. With Ginny it could go either way depending on her mood. Gods, he hoped she felt even a small something for him; he didn't need declarations of love. Just knowing that he was something, anything more than just her friend would be fine with him.

Tears coursed down her face. "You mean it? You really mean it?"

He cupped her face with his hand. "I really, really do. Are you going to slap me or hex me?"

"No," she murmured, a small smile forming, "I'm going to kiss you though."

-ii—

Three days after owning up to his feelings, Blaise was watching Ginny pace the room. "It will be fine, love."

She hissed, glaring over her shoulder as she paced. "Oh yes, because me telling them that I am living with my boyfriend and have been for almost a year and that is why I decided to opt out of my seventh year will go over so well, love."

"If they don't accept it, then they don't deserve you." He leaned back on the bed, glancing over to make sure that the twins were still sleeping soundly.

She ran a hand through her hair and sighed, coming to sit on his lap. "I'll not be naming names, which I am not changing my mind on."

"Since I plan on taking you out to dinner tomorrow night, they will find out soon anyway."

She sneered. "Yes, from someone other than me."

"So owl your mother and meet her at that new place in Hogsmeade, Cerridwen's. It is public and I know if I alert the owner and his sister, they will make sure to step in if your mother decides to be a bint in public."

She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "Why can't even one thing be easy?"

"Because, if it was easy then it wouldn't be worth having."

"Is that what you told yourself when I was throwing things at you in my pregnant hormonal fits?" she asked with a snicker.

"Yes."

She sat up, wide-eyed. "Blaise," she whispered accusingly. "What aren't you telling me?"

He looked her in the eyes and was completely honest. "That I had a bit of a thing for you after you ran into me on the train and never figured on being allowed anywhere near you."

"Seriously? Is that why you were all too happy to help me?"

"If I say yes, are you going to kick my arse?"

"No, not in the least, you silly man. I had a thing for you too, just so we're on the same page."

"So, why not search me out if you needed someone?" he asked, mentally slapping himself for saying the one thing he had been trying not to for months and months.

"I should have," she said ducking her head. "But, that can't be changed now."

"You know," he said gently, tipping her chin up and kissing her lightly. He tucked her back up against his chest. "They are mine. I don't care what anyone else says."

"They are," she agreed, kissing his neck. "You were there for everything except the vomiting and initial irritability. I do have to say that I miss those amazing back rubs though."

"I missed a bit," he conceded, resting his cheek against her hair as they watched the babies sleep. "But, I think I was there for the important moments. As for the back rubs, anytime you want one say so."

"Deal." She snickered. "I did almost break your hand whilst in labour. How you ever forgave me for that, I'll never know."

"Because, darling, you needed me to be there for you and I wasn't going to let you down. Now, go owl your mother and I will promise not to go into Cerridwen's, though if you think I'm allowing you to go completely alone we're going to have a nice screaming match."

She slid off his lap, running her hand over Margot's hair and then Damon's. She kissed Blaise lightly and then hurried over to the desk. He waved over the nanny elf. "Tell Mistress that we're going out and that she and Theo are to come and get the twins."

The elf nodded and disappeared without a word.

Ginny hurried out to find the owl and send off the letter. He had plans to treat her a bit before she met her mother. She was going to need chocolate at the very least, of that much Blaise was certain. He was also certain that the Floo call he was about to make to Anthony Goldstein and Lilis Bletchley would mean that Ginny was as safe at Cerridwen's as she was here.

-ii—

Ginny sat down, nodding in thanks to Lilis and Anthony, who had met her and Blaise at Honeydukes and assured both of them that should it be needed, they would step in and get her away from her mother. Wrapping her hands around her mug of tea, Ginny tried to be calm.

"Ginevra," Molly said accusingly. "Let's go home, now."

"No."

"Young lady, I'll not have your cheek. We shall see about enrolling you late to Hogwarts."

"Do sit, Mother."

Molly's face was bright red as she sat. "I have never been more embarrassed, Ginevra Molly."

"I'd say that I'm sorry, but I'm honestly not." Ginny wasn't about to be cowed. Perhaps it was living with Marguerite for almost a year or that Blaise's attitude was wearing off. Or it could be that she was sick and tired of reading how her family was 'going spare' that she was 'missing'. "I was secreted away almost a year ago, Mother. You knew that. It was my decision to stay secreted away."

"I never," Molly sputtered indignantly. "Harry has been asking after you."

She laughed, really she couldn't help it. "Oh, that ship sailed long ago. I am happy, building the life that I want."

"You are a child, Ginevra."

She sneered over the rim of her mug. "Check your dates again, Mother dearest. I'm of age and have been for months."

She swore she heard twin snickers from the general direction of the seats where Lilis and Anthony were watching, but wasn't certain due to the screech of outrage from Molly.

"You will come home with me right now, young lady. I do not know what has gotten into you, but this is unacceptable."

Ginny utilized a tone that Marguerite had been teaching her. Marguerite said it would serve her well when she finally made her society debut. It sounded all sweet and solicitous, but underneath it was a very slick fuck you right to Tartarus. "I do believe you haven't been listening. I am going to finish my tea, walk out of here, and then find my amazing and gorgeous boyfriend. After he treats me like a princess, he will take me home and we'll shag one another silly. Nowhere in my plans is there time for a stopover at The Burrow."

Molly reached for her wand, only to find four wands pointed at her. Ginny's brows rose and she turned her head just enough to see that Lilis' husband, Miles, had apparently joined the party. "As you can see, I am very well protected. Should you decide that you can treat me respectfully, owl me. Word to the wise though, if you try to breech the wards of my home, whatever happens afterwards is on you. I warned you, that is more than most get."

Molly was still sputtering indignantly as Ginny stood and was escorted out by Anthony. She glanced back just once, noting that Lilis and Miles were keeping Molly in her seat. "Sorry about that."

"Oh please," Anthony replied dryly. "Just be thankful that my other sister wasn't here."

Her eyes widened. "Oh damn, now that would have been a sight to see. I hear tell that Morag's temper makes Lilis' or mine look like nothing."

Anthony led her into the bookstore and to where Blaise was sitting. "Your lady had a bit of a row. I have to say, either she was sorted horribly wrong or you've been wearing off on her."

Blaise shot her a look of concern as he stood. "A bit of both, Goldstein, I owe you."

"No, no you don't," the quiet man insisted before hurrying back out.

"So," she said, leaning into his chest. "I distinctly remember something about treating me like a princess."

"As you wish."

-ii—

It was three weeks after her row with Molly when Ginny jumped about a foot in the air as the wards screeched. Theo raced into the room and helped her calm the crying babies. "What is going on?"

He shook his head, leaning in so he didn't have to yell. "If I had to guess, your family stopped by for a visit. Go, I'll take the twins into the passages."

Nodding, she kissed her babies and ran out and down the corridors, twisting and turning with the ease of long practice to get to the entrance hall quickly. She slid to a halt on the landing, gaping at the sight of Harry, Ron, and her mother standing there with wands trained on Marguerite and Blaise down below. "Stop!"

"We're here to take you home and arrest these two," Ron said haughtily.

"The hell you are," she returned angrily. "You just broke into their home and are now threatening them."

"You know," Marguerite said calmly, "My husband is going to really enjoy sacking you two."

"Your husband? You mean one survived?" Harry said, raising his wand to focus on Marguerite's face. "I still think we should take another look at all those mysterious deaths."

Blaise laughed. "You mean you three don't know? Oh dear gods, this is going to be good!"

"If you don't consent to be taken in, we will use force." Ron looked pleased with his threat. "Whatever you have done to my sister will be taken care of when she goes to St Mungo's."

Ginny froze, her eyes wide and the old terror she'd not felt in months, since the death of that madman, came back far quicker than she thought it would.

"You will not be taking my fiancée anywhere."

Blaise was livid, even through the terror Ginny could tell that. She wished she could find it in her to speak, but she couldn't.

"She is my girlfriend!"

"Potter," Marguerite said, tipping her head towards the door. "Meet my husband. You know him best as the Minister for Magic."

"Mr Potter and Mr Weasley, I do hope you have a reasonable explanation for illegally entering my home," Kingsley drawled, stepping into the house. "Mrs Weasley, I do believe my future daughter-in-law warned you weeks ago that breeching the wards here had many painful implications. It is a pity none of you listened to her."

Blaise raced up the stairs and pulled her into his arms. "Remember, love, I won't let them take you. Please, remember that."

She simply laid her head on his chest and cried, wrapping her arms around him and holding on as if he would disappear at any moment. She needed him to hold her whilst she pushed away the terror. Kingsley had said that the Muggles called it post-traumatic stress disorder, but that the wizarding world had nothing to help with it. She had assured him that so long as she had Blaise, she didn't need anything else. It was the truth. Once she was steady, she turned in Blaise's arms and looked down over the three gaping fools in the entrance hall. "I never thought I would be saying this, even after that horrid meeting with Molly. But, I am saying it now, with the Minister as a witness. Do not contact me unless you are fully prepared to accept my life and my choices."

Kingsley shooed them out a moment later, giving her a reassuring look before he closed the doors.

"Well, I'll set the wards to rights," Marguerite called up. "You two go kiss those babies of yours and tell Theo that we're all going on holiday starting tomorrow and that any refusals will be ignored completely."

Ginny just shook her head. One of these days she was going to master that tone as well. It sure got anyone that heard it running to do as they were bidden. But, she could admit that a holiday did sound lovely.

-ii—

Ginny laughed as she watched Margot and Damon blew out the birthday candles, cradling her six week old son, Brais, in her arms. In the five years since the twins' birth, so much had changed and yet stayed the same. "Good job, loves!"

Blaise grinned at her over the twins heads, mouthing, "I Iove you."

She blew him a kiss and passed Brais to George, the first of her brothers to contact them not two weeks after returning from that six month long holiday after Ron, Harry, and Molly had broken into Valhalla. Bill and Charlie had contacted them not long after. All three had been a bit taken aback by the twins, but that hadn't lasted long. They knew the same story that had been sold to the world; the twins were Blaise's. If any of them thought differently, they kept it to themselves. Smiling, she kissed Brais' chocolate brown curls before skirting the table to help cut the cakes.

Blaise wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. "Bill and Charlie look like they are having fun."

She grinned as Bill teased Margot and Charlie charmed the dragons on Damon's cake to march off the cake and onto the table. "I wish Fleur wasn't so adamant about staying away."

"She'll come around sometime," Theo said as he joined them. "Though, these three do keep me on my toes to stay the most favoured uncle."

Blaise laughed. "Oh please, they don't remember a time when you weren't around, Theo. There are days Margot runs for you instead of me. I need to start hexing you when she does that."

"Boys," Ginny said, trying to sound serious and failing. She remembered the twins first birthday and a similar discussion, which had been celebrated in Greece whilst on the holiday that had turned into a honeymoon when Marguerite suggested that they get married then and there. Not wanting the fuss and fanfare, Ginny had agreed the moment Blaise declared it a brilliant idea. Kingsley had left for home the day after the wedding, unable to leave his position for months on end.

"You know," Theo said petulantly, nodding towards Brais. "If I am the favourite uncle, why did that one not get named after me?"

"Oh dear," Kingsley said, barely muffling his laughter. "This again?"

"Theodore, the next one will be named after you," Ginny said with a dramatic sigh.

"Really?"

"Yes," Blaise replied, not bothering to hide his amusement at Theo's hopeful tone.

"Well, it took you two long enough to get with the baby making the second time around."

"Mother!" Blaise smirked, shaking his head at her audacity.

"No talk of that where I can hear," George teased.

"Presents!" Damon declared.

"Presents, now, please!" Margot added, smiling sweetly.

Ginny just shared a knowing look with Marguerite as every last man in the room scrambled to do the princess' bidding. They had long ago given up on stopping them. In fact, Marguerite was almost as bad. Ginny just sat back and waited for the day that they all were bitten in their arses for letting the twins run amok.

She really did love her life.

-ii—

"Margot Mira Zabini! Damon Tyl Zabini!" Ginny was exasperated. They were sixteen and not six and should remember that. You'd think they would have some sense of decorum after Marguerite's tutelage and then sorting Slytherin.

"I'll catch them," eleven year old Brais said gleefully, only to be pulled gently back by Ginny before he could disappear into the crowd of students like his siblings had. She laid her hands on his shoulders to keep him with them.

"No you will not. I'll not have my youngest son run down on the platform," Ginny said decisively.

"Oh now," Theo teased, pushing the trolley with the three trunks and owl cages. "You know those two; they'll be back in a heartbeat."

"Yes, Mummy, a heartbeat," eight year old Theodora said from her perch on Blaise's hip.

Ginny rolled her eyes, knowing she was beat. Marguerite and Kingsley were following close behind, rounding out their little family. She knew the twins would be back quickly, but it had been way too much fun to use their full names. She still had a mean streak after all and she'd not missed who was bringing his son, who was Brais' age, to the platform. It was with more than a little vindictive pleasure that she saw his eyes widen. Good, she decided, serves him right. They had told the twins this summer about the truth of their parentage. Well, not the who since she has still yet to actually admit that aloud. But, they did know that Blaise was their Daddy in all ways except one. Her babies had glared; saying that Daddy was Daddy. They went on to say that should anyone say different, the idiot would be met with the most painful hexes that they could come up with. Knowing the twins and who had taught them a wide variety of hexes, she didn't doubt anyone foolish enough to inquire would find themselves in the hospital wing.

Margot was back at her side a moment later. "One of them, the Mean One, is here. We overheard him being awful."

Damon appeared out of the crowd, looking more than a bit upset. Blaise passed Theodora to Theo and stepped over to the side with Ginny, who handed Brais over to Marguerite to watch over, and the twins. "What is wrong, Damon?"

"There is a blond kid over there," he said tipping his head to the right. "He looks a lot like me. He is the one the mean person Margot mentioned was being awful to."

"Ahh," Ginny said with a wince. "About that…"

Margot slapped her twin upside his head. "We'll be decent to him and nothing more, Dame."

"Fine fine." Damon pouted.

"It changes nothing," Blaise said, hugging Damon despite the firm rule that he was too old for public hugs. For once, Damon didn't complain. In fact, he hugged Blaise tightly.

"No, Daddy, it doesn't," Damon said, stepping back so Margot, who had no such qualms about hugging in public, launched herself into Blaise's arms.

"I love you, Daddy," she said with a sniffle. "I hate being away for months and months."

Ginny smiled wryly. "We know, darling girl. You tell us every year."

"You can Floo every night if you want to," Blaise assured Margot, kissing her forehead. "Now, we should get your brother on the train. Please, dear gods please, make sure whatever George slipped him earlier is not set off on the train."

Damon grinned cheekily. "Aww, Daddy dearest, would we do that?"

Blaise just lifted a brow. "Your grandfather may be the Minister, but that doesn't mean you can't be put in detention the entire year. How would you keep that Chaser position on the Slytherin team if that happened?"

Damon whirled around, scooping up Brais and ruffling his dark curls. "Listen here, brother mine, we need to have a talk about where is appropriate to try out Uncle George's gifts."

Ginny and Margot shared a look and laughed.

"I want to go!"

Ginny turned to see Theodora pouting from where she'd climbed up to sit on Theo's shoulders after he'd taken the trunks to the train and likely done something at Margot's behest as he usually did. He doted on his very dainty namesake even more so than the other three, which was quite a feat. He'd never married, saying he was content to spoil their kids rotten.

"You can't yet, baby," Blaise said, taking her from Theo and holding her close. "What would Daddy do without a princess to spoil?"

Ginny didn't miss that a certain blond was still listening in to their conversation, the look of shock not having left his face as of yet. Ah well, it would be interesting to see what, if anything he dared do about his suspicions.

"Silly Daddy," Theodora exclaimed, making a show of rolling her eyes. "You have Mummy too and she is a princess!"

"Too true," Blaise replied, smiling widely. "Why don't we get your brothers and sister on the train and then we can go for ice cream?"

"You know," Margot said, stepping away from where she had been saying goodbye to Marguerite and Kingsley. "I think I want to stay here and go for ice cream."

"How about I have Eris make up a batch of your favourite chocolate and butterscotch ice cream and have it waiting when you Floo?" Marguerite kissed Margot, hugging her one last time.

"I want blueberry, Grand," Damon requested, batting his eyelashes at Marguerite.

"Me me!" Brais said, bouncing on Damon's hip. "Can I have strawberry?"

"Of course, darlings. Now give us all a kiss, Brais, so you don't miss the train," Kingsley said with a chuckle.

Brais scrambled down and over to make the rounds. He saved Ginny for last and she held him a bit tighter than she needed to. "You'll be fine, baby. I love you."

"I love you too, Mummy," he said with a bright smile. He turned and all but dived into the crowd.

"Seriously!" Damon exclaimed, racing after his brother. "Bye all!"

Ginny didn't miss the conversation she was certain no one else could hear. "Excuse me," an unfamiliar voice said.

"Yes?" Brais replied his tone curious.

"Why does your brother look like me?"

Ginny closed her eyes and counted to five. Luckily, Damon reached the younger boys. "Come on, Brais, Margot will pout if you don't sit with us." There was a slight pause and a, "Do you want to sit with us?"

"Sure, I guess," the unfamiliar voice said, sounding a bit shaky.

"I'm Damon and this is my brother, Brais."

"I'm Scorpius."

"Well, Scorpius, we should go, my twin has a killer pout."

Margot's voice joined the mix. "Come on, I talked Uncle Theo into warding the compartment we want…and I want to see what happens if someone tries to get through it."

Their voices drifted away after that. Ginny turned to see Blaise watching her curiously. So she smiled. "It seems Brais made a new friend."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Oh?"

They both turned to watch for the kids to appear in the windows, surrounded by Marguerite, Theo, and Kingsley. "Yes, apparently his name is Scorpius."

Blaise leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You know it will be fine, love."

She waved when Margot and Brais appeared in the window. They waved and stepped back so Damon and Scorpius could take their turn. She waved to both of them, more than a bit shocked at how similar they looked only their hair colour and height being different. "Damn."

Theo leaned in, not taking his eyes off of the train. "So, I was right. Fancy that. Trouble?"

She glanced over to see that a certain blond was staring at them. She just raised a brow as if to say 'what are you staring at?' and turned to her youngest child, picking her up. "Here, lovie, wave to them before they have to go."

Theodora waved until the train was out of sight, turning to tuck her face in the crook of Ginny's neck. "I want them here, Mummy," she sobbed.

Rubbing her back, Ginny leaned back into Blaise, knowing that he was more than happy to hold them both. "Oh, baby, we will see about going to see Dame and Margot play in the first match, okay?"

"How about I take my favourite girl for that ice cream now?" Theo suggested lightly.

Ginny kissed the red curls that never seemed to stay in their ties and smiled. "Dora, baby, do you want to go with Uncle Theo?"

"Uh huh."

She made a show of kissing everyone before letting Theo take her from Ginny, her brown eyes red-rimmed. "Who will read me The Little Prince? Who will tell me the story of The Princess and the Frog? Who will scare away the boggarts in my closet?"

"Baby girl." Blaise looked more than a bit heartbroken. "Are Margot, Brais, and Dame better at all that than I am? What about Grand? She surely can scare the boggarts away."

"Or Mummy," Ginny said, trying not to smile at the yearly fit Theodora threw.

"I think I am qualified as well," Kingsley said gently. "How about I scare the boggarts away whilst Uncle Theo gets you that ice cream?"

"Hey," Marguerite said playfully. "I get to help."

"Grand," Theodora said with a giggle. "You have to read to me, pretty please."

"Of course, darling." Marguerite turned to Theo. "Do not bring home any pets, Theodore, no matter how much she pouts."

"Hey!" Theo exclaimed. "It was once and the kneazle is cute, you have to admit."

"Once?" Ginny laughed. "Once per kid perhaps…"

"They've got you there." Blaise sounded quite smug.

"Shoo," Ginny said before there was fits thrown by the alleged adults.

Theodora shot them a smug grin over Theo's shoulder, knowing that she would be coming home with stacks of presents. She certainly took advantage of being the baby and Uncle Theo's favourite.

"You know," Blaise said musingly. "We could see about having another."

"Bite your tongue," Ginny said, slapping his arm playfully. "You'd think me nearly breaking your hand three times would be enough for you, you masochist."

Marguerite and Kingsley rushed away, which had both Ginny and Blaise chuckling.

"Excuse me."

Ginny had known the prat couldn't leave it be. "Yes, Malfoy?"

"Could I have a moment of your time?"

Blaise was sneering; she knew he was without having to look. "You had one once before."

Ginny bit back the urge to laugh until she cried at the look of outrage on Malfoy's face. "No worries, if you were concerned your son is in good hands."

"We raised our children properly," Blaise added.

Ginny tipped her head back to see that yes, he was still sneering. Shaking her head, she wondered what age boys actually grew up. "Is that all?"

Malfoy stared at them a moment longer. "Interesting choice of names."

Ginny just shook her head when Blaise drawled, in a close mimic of what Malfoy had been known for in school, "Well, my vote was for Deimos, but Gin said no. Margot was all her, though having two of my mother running about Valhalla has made it an interesting sixteen years."

Ginny stepped out of Blaise's arms, taking her hand in hers. "We should get going, darling, I do believe you were going to convince me to add to our brood. I think a Lyra or Etamin would be a nice addition."

"How about Deimos? You've been shooting that one down for years," Blaise returned, smiling smugly, "Though I'm willing to barter for an Athena as well."

They walked away, teasing each other leaving a gobsmacked Draco Malfoy standing on the empty platform. Ginny turned to Blaise, just before he Apparated them home. "That was slightly evil of us, you know that right?"

He kissed her lightly, laughing all the while. "Didn't I tell you? That mile wide evil streak of yours is what attracted me to you in the first place, love."

She was laughing as they Apparated, deliriously happy with her life.