Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter One: Life at the Malfoy's
Once at Malfoy Manor, Luella Malfoy realized that she and her husband had made a slight mistake.
"Um, dear, we don't have supplies for Ginevra, do we?"
"Actually, I just went out yesterday and bought a new crib, and lots of other new things." Thaddeus informed her.
Luella frowned. "Where did you get said objects? It takes quite a time for these to be custom made, and we only found out about her yesterday..."
Thaddeus raised his eyebrows, surely she knew his policy by now. "Lu, honey, do not ask what you do not want to know."
His wife couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, whatever you bought has her name on them, right?"
"Of course! Granted, it was me who did the spells to put it on, but it just made it easier that way. Now, can I go show you it so I can put her down, or are we going to stand here talking until it is time for dinner?" Thaddeus was not in the mood to be holding the child and diary, which the Minister had insisted on them taking, for a long time.
Luella rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, let's go. Where are the new things currently?"
Thaddeus started walking. "They are currently in Abraxas' closet because I was not sure which would be her new room. Perhaps the one next to it? That one is empty, is it not?"
"Indeed it is. You'll have to use the decorating charm in her room for wallpaper and such."
"And you cannot?" he asked frowning.
"I guess I can. You're just better at it."
They fell into silence for the rest of the short walk. When they reached Abraxas' room, they went in, adoring their little child for a short while before levitating as many of the things belonging to Ginny as they could to the next room.
Once the crib was set down, Ginevra was set inside of it. The rest of the items were put into place, the decorating charm was used. It would let the owner of the room decide how they wanted it to be decorated. Many of the rooms in the Manor ended up being green and silver.
As the couple sat down to rest, they called a house elf for some drinks.
"Now, there are a couple more things we need to address about Ginevra."
Luella nodded. "Indeed. What were you thinking of?"
"First off, we will need to find the ritual that makes a Malfoy look more Malfoy like. Ginevra is already officially and magically a Malfoy, the adoption papers took care of that. However, as you can see by her auburn hair, she looks nothing like one."
"You know that the hair color of babies changes, right?"
"What are the chances of going from that color to the normal Malfoy color? Slim to none. She needs the ritual done. Also, her eye color is probably nothing like the gray and/or light blue that she needs."
"Okay, fine, we can find the ritual. What else were you thinking of?"
"We need to start thinking of marriage contracts for both of the kids. At present, my tentative suggestions are Darius Greengrass for Ginevra, and possibly Walburga Black for Abraxas. We will need to be in contact with many families."
"That is true. I agree that we should definitely attempt to make a contract with the Greengrasses, but I was thinking more of Clarissa Nott to marry Abraxas. We'll have to see what the families think. To the next order of business."
"We need to arrange tutoring for both kids as well."
"Oh, that's not a problem. We already hired some people for Abraxas, we can just tell them that we have a new child and that they will get paid more to teach both of them. Good with you?"
Thaddeus thought about it briefly, before replying "Okay, that will be fine."
~*TRD*~
Over the course of the next couple of days, the family would often find themselves where one parent would watch Abraxas and Ginevra while the other would be searching through some books to find the proper ritual.
The children didn't seem to have a very strong relationship yet. This was probably because while Abraxas was eight months old, Ginevra was only 6 months. So, while they could kind of understand each other, they did not truly understand. Plus, little Ginny was still adjusting to not having her true parents, which she didn't understand at all. Suddenly the red-headed people in her life were blondes? Clearly, she was very confused.
At last, when Luella was searching, she finally found something with the title of "Traditional Malfoy Appearance Spell". Apparently not a ritual. Well, that would be handy. There was a little description. "To be used when one has a child that does not look like a Malfoy, whether it be adoption, affairs, or genes, so that they can attain the proper appearance and bring the family honor." Well, that was certainly something a Malfoy would write.
Luella took the book, and with a tired smile on her face went to the study where Thaddeus was working on files while Abraxas was playing with a block and ...Ginevra was crawling toward the fire?
Quickly, she rushed forward and picked up the little girl that she was only starting to think of as her daughter. "No, Ginevra that is NOT a good idea." Luella gently set her down. "Here, honey, stay away from the fire now."
So, naturally, Ginevra promptly began trying to go back.
"Noooo, dear, not a good idea." she decided to just hold her to prevent further injury.
Thaddeus cleared his throat.
"Yes, Thad?"
"Why are you over here? I was under the impression that our shifts would end at noon and we would eat lunch."
"That was if we didn't find the spell." Luella agreed.
"Spell? Oh, you found it then? Here, let me see."
His wife stood up, still holding the baby and slightly bouncing her, and handed the book over. She noticed Abraxas looking at her with what appeared to be jealousy, so she scooped him up as well and held the two of them.
Thaddeus mumbled to himself as he read through it. "Yes, this should do quite nicely. Shall we do it now?"
A moment's pause before Luella agreed. "Yes, that would be best. Kurby!"
The house elf appeared with a pop, saying "Yes Mistress Luella?"
"Take care of Abraxas while Thaddeus and I use a spell. We will call you when we are done."
"Yes Mistress!" he squeaked and popped off with Abraxas, probably to the nursery.
"This spell is rather long..." Thaddeus murmured, but then turned to his wife, asking "Ready?"
After looking over the spell, she agreed.
They both took a breath in, took their wands out, pointing them at Ginny who was now bouncing in a high chair. Thaddeus then started to say the spell, loud and clear, until it reached the point for the partner to speak. So Luella spoke and let her voice ring until they both were speaking, their voices growing a bit louder throughout. Then, suddenly, they were done.
Ginevra was very clearly asleep. Her hair was slowly gaining streaks that turned her bright red into a dark blonde. When her hair fell out and regrew, it would surely turn into the bright Malfoy blonde. Her eyes were closed, but the parents were sure that her eyes were undergoing such a transformation also, little streaks of color spreading throughout. What color they were turning, they would find out when she woke up.
There didn't seem to be much of a change otherwise, but they wouldn't know for sure until she woke up. Luella picked the sleeping baby up, and whispered softly "She's beautiful."
Thaddeus smiled. "Indeed, she is."
~*TRD*~
Four years later, Ginevra was chasing Abraxas around their wing of the rooms. "Abwaxas! Gimme back my dowll!" as four years old they were just plain adorable.
"Not untiwl you gimme back my moon!" her brother replied, smirking. He had her now!
Or, at least that's what he thought until the horrified voice of his father was heard from a few feet away.
"Children! What are you doing? You know you have your first etiquette lesson today!"
They looked somewhat ashamed, until Ginevra piped up.
"Daddy-"
Thaddeus gave her a look. He hated doing it, but it was much more proper for his kids to call him "father" than "daddy".
"Fine. Fathew, what's ekett?"
Thaddeus saw a chair outside the door of one of the rooms. He took it and sat down and beckoned his children over, sitting on the ground looking up at him.
"Etiquette, my dear children, is convential requirements as to social behavior," Thaddeus explained in what he thought was relatively simple terms.
A slight pause, where Ginevra nodded, then...
"Da- Fathewr, what's cunventwawl?" Abraxas asked with a puzzled frown on his face.
Thaddeus sighed. Not simple enough apparently. "Etiquette is how to behave at events with other people."
"Oh. Father, why do we have to leawrn that?"
Thaddeus was now the one who was puzzled. "Well, don't you want to learn how to act around others?"
Ginny frowned, thinking. "I... I guess..."
"Well, that's why. Now, hurry up and get changed, you two, so you can get a quick snack before the tutor arrives."
"Father, what's a tutowr?"
If Lord Malfoy was not a distinguished pureblood, he would have done a facepalm. This was going to be a long Saturday...
~*TRD*~
After the children's second etiquette lesson, Ginevra received a certain diary in reward for her progress. Her brother got something also, but that wasn't important.
She had also received a quill and some ink, although she didn't know how to write well. She knew the basics, but it didn't flow well. That was probably what the diary was for. Only one way to find out for sure, though.
She opened the diary, dipped her quill in the ink and wrote the date at the top of the page. Very sloppy, and the ink spilled out much too quickly, but oh well. She was still learning. Ginny didn't dotice the numbers disappearing and so continued writing.
She dipped her quill in the inkwell again, and tried to write a phrase.
Deer Diree,
She looked up, proud of herself. When she looked down again, the words were gone and in their place were words saying:
Actually, my name is Vol Gaunt.
Ginny paused, frowning as she tried to read it, eventually deciphering it.
Oh. Hi Vol.
She frowned, trying to remember how he had written the phrase.
My nam is Ginevra Cecilia Malfoy.
Hello Ginevra. May I call you Ginny?
The girl was starting to get better at reading now as well.
Yes, yu can.
Thank you, Ginny. How old are you?
Ime for.
I see. Well, Ginny, I believe you and I are going to be good friends.
Ya, we ar!
~*TRD*~
Three years later, the Malfoy children were well versed in etiquette.
"Abraxas, I would like my dowll back please." Ginevra still had a slight accent when it came to L's, but otherwise she had a completely normal voice.
"Oh, lay off, GINNY, we're at home right now. We don't have to be formal at present." Abraxas shot right back at her.
She grinned, "As you wish!" and hiking up her dress, she quickly ran and tackled him. "Ha! My dowll please?"
"Okay, okay, fine!" he handed her back her doll. "Mother isn't going to be happy, you know...your dress is all mussed and your hair appears to be getting a little frizzy. You know we have history today? And I have quidditch." he said a little snottily.
"Don't rub it in..." Ginny muttered. She had no idea why, but she had always wanted to play quidditch, even though she knew it was a boy's game.
They started to hear steps, sending Ginny scurrying into her room to change her outfit and make her hair appear more normal. She rushed out just in time to see her mother reach the top step.
The children walked up to their mom, saying "Hello, Mother."
"Are you ready for your lesson?" she asked briskly.
"Yes."
"Then let's go." and she led them down the stairs to the lesson room.
~*TRD*~
Following her routine, Ginny opened her diary later that day to talk to Vol. He was quite an interesting person. Also, he was helping her get much better handwriting and improve her spelling.
Hi Vol. How are you today?
I'm doing fine, thank you, how are you?
Fairly well. We had anuther history leson. And Abraxas is off learning how to play quidditch right now.
Another, Ginny dear, not anuther. And lesson, not lesson.
I wish I culd learn quidditch also. It seems like fun.
Could, not culd.
Can you stop corecting my spelling and say something?
Quidditch does sound like a lot of fun. But if you could be with Abraxas right now, you wouldn't be able to learn things from me. Speaking of which, correcting has two r's.
Are we learning somthing nuw today?
Well, it looks like we're continuing spelling until you can write a sentence without misspelling anything. Something has an e and new does not have a u.
My name is Ginevra Cecilia Malfoy and my brother is Abraxas Thaddeus Malfoy. There. Can we learn somEthing nEw now?
Very Slytherin of you, Ginny. Yes, I suppose we can learn new things. What do you want to learn?
Well, I was thinking maybe that writing where the letters luk cuol…
Look, not luk and cool not cuol. Calligraphy? You aren't serious are you?
No, I was making a jok. I actually wanted to learn some basic magic.
Well, first off, joke, not jok. Next, we can't go too far in, that's for Hogwarts, but I can teach you some basic theory principles…
~*TRD*~
A couple of years later, the Malfoy children were done with etiquette and history lessons. They "passed" with flying colors- a Malfoy couldn't have anything less, after all. They only had a few more pre-Hogwarts classes before they would go off to the legendary school itself. These included basic magic lessons to give them the Malfoy and/or wealthy pureblood edge compared to the rest of the students. They also had ballroom dancing, which seemed rather pointless to the children, but they didn't realize how beneficial it could become.
"Hey Abraxas. I'd like my doll back now," Ginevra smirked as she tapped her newly acquired practice wand, made specially by purebloods for purebloods, on her hand.
Abraxas mirrored her actions, replying "You need to give me my broom polishing kit first."
Ginny thought about it for a second, devising a quick master plan, before suggesting "How about we each go and get the other's object then meet out here to give them back?"
Abraxas hid his surprise at her suggestion of such a plan well. "Agreed."
They both ran into their rooms and grabbed said objects, or at least one of them did. Anticipating this, Ginny took a box that looked a little like the kit and walked out with it behind her back. Her brother was outside waiting for her.
"You have it, I trust?" Ginny directed towards Abraxas.
"Yes, you have mine?" his sister grinned and through it down the hall as hard and far as she could away from his room.
"Not anymore I don't!"
"What? No! Don't hurt it!" he ran off to go check on it, while Ginny quickly ran into his room and found the doll with little trouble. She ran out and threw it in her room and waited for Abraxas to get back. 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…here he was.
"Where is my polishing kit?" he growled through his teeth.
"I don't know, where's my doll?"
Her brother finally realized what had happened. "You….you have it. You win, I admit it! Can I have my kit back now?"
"Yes, of course. That was the point of this game."
The sound of a pop alerted the two children of Kurby arriving.
"What do you need us for Kurby?" Abraxas attempted to drawl, but only half succeeding.
"Mister Tutor wishes young Master and Mistress to know that he is here for magic lessons!" he squeakily replied.
As one, boy and girl turned to look at each other in panic. "Uh oh."
They raced downstairs.
~*TRD*~
As was her custom, Ginevra took up her diary when she had time
Hey Vol. How are you today?
No different than yesterday, or the day before, but thanks for asking. How are you?
Well, in a challenge between me and Abraxas to see who could be cleverer to get a missing object that we took from the other, I won. And he still hasn't figured out what his other missing object is, since I took two instead of one.
Abraxas and I. More clever. But as to the situation, very good. You are definitely becoming more of a Slytherin every day.
Why, thank you. I'm glad you think so. They are by far the best house. I don't think I could stand being in any of the other houses, especially Gryffindor.
Hmm…that's ironic.
Ironic? How so? All Malfoys have been sorted into Slytherin. Well, except a few but they were disowned.
Well, you were adopted, you know…
Yes, but I don't remember anything of my old life or my parents or anything. All I know is that originally my middle name was Molly and that I am a pureblood. Naturally. I mean, my parents were purebloods. It isn't because of the adoption that I'm pureblood.
I understand what you mean. But still, you never know…
~*TRD*~
AN: This isn't the best ending, I know, but I couldn't think of a convenient place to stop further on. So, here is the second chapter. Do you guys like the chapter length? Thanks to all my reviewers, readers, people who put this on alert, and all that jazz. XD
Oh, in case you were wondering, I failed at NaNoWriMo, but I'm okay with that. It gave me the chance to work on plots and stuff for all my upcoming stories, so I actually have a rough guide to the whole plot for this, thank goodness. If you have suggestions, however, they are welcome.
One more thing. Yesterday I got cast in the winter play at my school, which is Senior Directed One-Act Plays. I am Rose in Candid…yeah. Rehearsals go later earlier on in the schedule so I have no promises as to when I will be updating. I will be aiming for sometime in between one to two weeks though. :)
Thanks for reading, and please review! :D