Hello again everyone. Sorry this story hasn't been updated for ages, but since I have completed 'Back to the Future' (shameless pun I know) I though i'd revisit this one.
Thanks again to everyone who read my last story and I hope you like this one just as much. It is actually quite sweet if I do say so myself.
Take care everyone and please review. You know I love it when you do!!
xxxxxxx
Christmas morning was very hectic. Patience, as expected was up at the crack of dawn, demanding that both Ginny and Draco get out of bed so she could open her presents.
Ginny, wrapped up in her dressing gown, went off to make tea, while Draco groaned about the early hour and disappeared into the bathroom.
Finally, after much yelling on Patience's part, the three of them sat down in the living room and Patience tore into her gifts one by one.
An hour later, the floor was littered with wrapping paper, and Patience had taken herself off to one corner of the room to play with her new 'Sparkle Eyed Barbie' and Ken.
Ginny yawned and Draco ushered her back up stairs.
"Go back to bed. We don't have to be at Severus's for another few hours."
Ginny merely nodded and without a backward glance, slipped into her room and into bed.
She woke again several hours later. Both Draco and Patience were washed and dressed and sitting at the kitchen table eating pancakes.
"I saved you some" Draco grinned as he took in her bedridden state.
Ginny sat down and tucked in. She grinned as she watched Patience sat next to her playing intently with one of her many new toys.
As she looked across the table to Draco, who was also eating his pancakes, she blushed as she saw a glittering silver chain around his neck. She had bought it for him for Christmas, not entirely sure what to get him. It had a tiny Dragon in the middle of the chain and it complimented his skin perfectly. He suddenly looked up and caught her staring at him. He smiled at her and returned to his pancakes.
Ginny, predictably , blushed.
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The Drive to Snape's house was nice. It appeared he lived out in the country so the journey through the frost covered landscape was rather lovely.
Upon arrival, Ginny stood back as Draco and Patience approached the front door. Looking back, Draco sensed her nerves and, taking her hand in his, he squeezed it and said: "Don't worry. If Sev gives you a hard time I'll hex him"
Ginny forced a laugh. She was sure Draco would not hex Snape, but the thought was appreciated.
The house was beautifully decorated. Ginny was actually rather shocked that her once dark and mysterious Potions teacher had such taste.
"If you're wondering about the décor, it was all Narcissa's idea" Came a stern voice from her past.
Ginny turned around to find Severus Snape, granted a slightly older Severus Snape, peering down at her. Despite the few grey hairs, he still looked as menacing as ever.
"Now don't give the girl a hard time Severus. She's a good nanny, we don't want to scare her off" Came Narcissa's kind voice as she bustled into the room and ushered Ginny into the lounge.
Draco and Patience settled themselves on the sofa, while Ginny stood to one side, not at all sure what to do with herself.
Thankfully, Patience jumped in to help. "Come sit here Ginny, next to me."
Snape entered the room then and began to move their coats onto the stand by the front door. He walked with a slight limp, perhaps a war injury, and now that she could see him in a better light, he was certainly beginning to show his age.
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Dinner was an uncomfortable affair. Ginny had originally been placed next to Snape, but seeing her discomfort, Draco had jumped in front of her and told her to switch seats.
However, through out the meal, Snape kept throwing odd glances in her direction, which unnerved her.
Later on, the 5 of them all sat around the tree in the lounge to open yet more gifts. Granted, most of them were from Snape to Patience.
At this point, Patience was again sat on the floor playing with her toys. Draco was perched on the arm of the sofa talking to his mother. Then suddenly, as if out of a nightmare, Snape began to approach her.
He hobbled over and sat next to her on the large sofa. Clearing his throught, he began.
"I don't think we got off to a good start Miss Weasley." He said in a some what heavy voice. "I am pleased you came; Draco has spoken so fondly of you"
And all of a sudden, he didn't seem at all scary any more. Up close, his face bore plenty of war wounds, as well as many worry lines across his forehead. His eyes were a warm shade of brown, not the black that she remembered from school, and he spoke with a very pleasing manner. He looked at her with such admiration as he then said…
"Draco was a changed man after Pansy died. He got over it with time but he wasn't ever the same. But all of a sudden, that spark that was once there, well it looks as if it is making it was back. What ever you are doing, you're doing a damn good job."
And then he smiled. Really smiled.
Ginny sighed. "Well, I'm not really doing much. I'm just… living there. Looking after his daughter. Nothing more"
Snape grinned. "Ah yes. But there is more to it than just that. I know Draco likes you. I'm not sure how much at this stage. But over the last few weeks he's had nothing to say but good words about you. I do hope you'll stick around for a while. Draco's not quite cured yet but he's getting there. Give him time"
And with that, the ageing man stood up and left the room.
Ginny was puzzled. What had that been about? 'Draco likes you. I'm not sure how much at this stage. But over the last few weeks he had nothing to say but good words about you.' What did that mean? Was it simply that she was a good nanny and he liked her for that or… was there more to it?
Looking across the room, Ginny caught Draco watching her. He didn't look away as she caught his eye. Infact, he held the gaze until she felt her usual blush making a reappearance and turned away. That was rather odd. Draco had not given any indication that he like her all that much. Well other than as his daughters nanny. What had Snape meant?
As if to rescue her from her quandary, Patience approached her holding a broom shaped object in her hand wrapped tightly in bright purple paper.
"This one is for you Ginny. It's from daddy."
Ginny's blush crept back into place as she took the offered gift. Draco shifter forward as if to get a better look at her expression. She pulled back the paper and gasped. It was the broom she had been admiring in the shop that time in Diagon Alley. She was rendered speechless. She hadn't ever received such an expensive gift.
She placed the room on the floor in front of her and looked up to meet Draco's gaze. This time, she didn't blush.
"Thank you Draco" She gushed. "Thank you so much"
Draco simply beamed.
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The two Malfoy's and Ginny arrived home at gone midnight, and Patience had fallen asleep in the back of the car. Draco carried her into the house and up to her room.
Ginny made her way into the kitchen and began to make some tea. She was tired but still buzzing from the day and knew that sleep would not come for some time.
Her new broom lay on the kitchen table. It was beautiful. She was certainly going to take it out for a test run tomorrow!
"She's out like a light!" Draco laughed as he bustled into the room, picking up stray toys and blankets that littered the place.
Ginny too laughed and took the toys from him while passing him a cup of tea with three sugars… just the way he liked it. "I'm not surprised. She's had a long day."
"Hmm" Draco sipped his tea and sighed. "It was fun though. You had a good time right?" he suddenly asked, as two worry lines creased his forehead. Ginny noticed he did this when he was worried or deep in thought. She put his mind at rest instantly.
"Oh ofcourse. It was wonderful." She gushed. "And the broom… Draco I cannot thank you enough. I mean I only got you that necklace. It was-"
"It's perfect." Draco smiled as he led the way into the living room. They both sat next to each other on the sofa. "I love it. And any way, I wanted to get you something substantial. You do so much around here. I mean you even get me out of bed in the morning when I've slept through my alarm." He laughed.
"Yeah" Ginny grinned. "I guess"
Silence fell between them suddenly, but unlike many other occasions, it wasn't awkward. It was comfortable, and Ginny suddenly felt her eyelids become heavy.
Draco seemed to notice this, so took her nearly empty cup from her and led her to the stairs.
"Hey how about we take your new broom out tomorrow? The three of us can go up to the woods where no one can see us."
Ginny merely nodded and smiled. Without much thought, she leaned in and gave Draco a peck on the cheek, then bid him goodnight.
As the door to her room closed, Draco sighed heavily. Subconsciously, he had brought the broom, knowing she had wanted it, but also in the hopes it would earn him something special in form of a thanks. A kiss on the cheek was nice, but he was hoping for something a little more in the region of his mouth.
He could not expect too much from her though. She was still getting over her shyness around him, and a kiss on the cheek was still a step in the right direction.
As Draco made his way into his bedroom, he realise suddenly that he may have just crossed the boundary of simply, employee/employer! He suddenly didn't care that Ginny was his daughter's nanny. He was growing to like her more and more with every passing day.
It was a scary thought. He still didn't know how Ginny felt about him. It was true, she had been quite relaxed around him today, but she was still rather skittish, and Draco didn't want to make the mistake of thinking she felt anything at all if, infact, she didn't.
As he pulled back the covers and slipped into bed, he decided that he wouldn't push the issue. He would just have to work out Ginny's feelings for him in time.
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Draco was back at work the day after Boxing Day. He had to admit, he had enjoyed the time at home with Ginny and his daughter. It had been nice, relaxed. It had felt like they were a real family.
Blaise met him in the lift as they made their way up to their floor.
"Morning mate." He grinned. "Have a good one"
Draco grinned. "Yeah. It was wonderful"
Later that day, as the two men sat in the cafeteria at lunch, Blaise shocked him by saying:
"You know that girl, the one from the floor above who works in the 'Misuse of muggle artefacts' office, Mandy or something, the blond one you know?"
Draco nodded. He knew where this was going.
"Well I heard she broke up with her boyfriend over Christmas. She's always had a bit of a crush on you. Want me to set up a date for you guys?"
No! "Blaise, why do you feel the need to interfere with my love life?" Draco grinned, although there was a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.
"You mean lack of" he laughed. Draco rolled his eyes as his friend continued. "Draco, I know you've been seeing women since coming back to work, but nothing has come of it. I mean don't you want to settle down, find a new mother for Patience"
Draco suddenly snapped to attention. A new mother for Patience. He didn't want to find a woman just to become a new mother for his daughter. And besides, Patience was so fond of Ginny. It would crush her to take Ginny away now that she was becoming so fond of her.
Thoughts of Ginny led Draco to think of the day before. The three of them had taken Ginny's new broom out for a test run, and Draco had the opportunity to watch Ginny fly. It had secured any ideas that Draco had that he was starting to fall for the red head. She truly was a beautiful flyer. The way her hair wiped her face as a large gust of wind blew. And the way her cheeks had a sort of, reddish glow to them when-
"Draco! Are you listening mate. You zoned out there for a moment."
Draco shook himself and smiled. "Sorry mate. I don't need you to set me up with Mandy. I kind of like someone else any way"
Blaise smirked. "Oh really? You hid that one quite well."
"Yeah well I only really realised over the Christmas holiday. And it's not really the easiest of circumstances"
"Married?" Blaise nodded.
"No! She's my nanny" Draco laughed.
"Oh." Blaise suddenly grinned. "The hired help. I like that Draco. Very Slytherin of you. Have you slept with her yet?"
Draco actually choked on his coffee. "No I haven't. And like I said, it's awkward. I don't know how she feels about me and I don't want to push her."
"So just ask her. Or, I dunno, take her out to dinner and try and weasel it out of her."
Draco laughed. "I don't want to weasel anything out of her. She's so sweet and kind, but I think she's scared of me. She was fine over Christmas, but before that she kept shying away from me, like she was scared I would pounce on her or something."
"She probably likes you too mate. When I met my wife, she was so shy it took me months to discover that she had feelings for me. It was just hard for her to admit it."
Draco looked puzzled as he chewed on the end of his plastic spoon. "You think so. You think she might like me too"
"Who knows mate. You don't know 'till you ask"
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Lunch with Blaise had been an eye opener. Maybe Ginny did really like him, and was just trying to hide her feelings. Either way, he knew he would have to find out soon. It was starting to drive him crazy. So much so that when he went to make himself a coffee mid after noon, he came back and couldn't find the report he had been working on. It took him over an hour to remember that he had taken it to the coffee machine and left it there by mistake. It was covered in coffee and he had to rewrite everything again so it was readable.
As he arrived home that night, he found his beloved daughter, Ginny and his mother all sat around the dinning table eating take away curry. He grinned as he dropped his bag and coat on the stairs and took a pew between Patience and Ginny.
"You're home late dear" Narcissa smiled. "Hard day?"
"Not really" Draco said as he picked at some of his daughters naan bread. "Just lots of paper work. Very dull"
Ginny had said nothing and hadn't even looked up when he walked into the room. Draco tried not to look too much into it. His mother however, seemed to pick up on the strange vibes. She said nothing, but vowed to talk to Draco about it later.
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As Ginny put Patience to bed that night, Narcissa and Draco took a turn in the garden.
"Is something wrong with Ginny dear?" She asked.
Draco started. "I don't think so. Why? Has she said anything?"
"No no. But she seems to be acting rather odd around you. Have you had a fight?"
Draco laughed. "No mother. Far from it. Actually we've been getting on rather well the last few days."
"So what is the problem?"
Draco sighed. He would tell his mother. She would know what to do.
"Mum.." he began. "I think I am falling for her."
Narcissa was not at all shocked to hear this revelation. She had her suspicions.
She smiled at her son and pulled him into a hug.
"I think she may like you too Draco."
Draco pulled back. "You do! How?! Why?!"
Narcissa laughed.
"Oh you know. The way she doesn't look at you as if she is trying to hide her feelings. The way she blushes all the time. And at Severus's she kept glancing at you then looking away suddenly."
Draco was gob smacked. First Blaise's revelation, now this. He was starting to think maybe there was something between them.
"Draco, don't push her, but maybe try and let her know how you're feeling. You never know. It could be this start of something good"
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Over the next few days, Draco watched Ginny closely to see if he could find out any more about her feelings towards him. For the most part, she gave nothing away, but he did catch her staring at him a couple of times, but pretended not to notice.
He decided to take Blaise's advice and take her out for dinner. Ginny was shocked when he mentioned it, but actually, she hadn't had the chance to dress up for months and was quite looking forward to a night out.
Draco took her to a small restaurant in Diagon Alley. It was very secluded and the waiter showed them to a small table, well hidden by an array of flowers.
Draco didn't want to make Ginny feel uncomfortable, nor to give her the impression he was trying to woo her. He simply made light conversation and they joked about nothing in particular.
They walked along Diagon Alley afterwards, taking in the night air. Draco didn't spend a lot of time amongst wizards other than his work colleagues, and it was nice to be around them once again. It felt nice with Ginny at his side too. Maybe people were looking at them as if they were a couple. Something crossed his mind suddenly. Ginny was standing so close, their hands were brushing. He reached across and took her cold hand in his. She tensed at first, but soon relaxed, and even gave him a sweet smile as, together they made their way up the street towards the Leaky Cauldron to floo back to Draco's house.
However, they made it as far as the door to the pub, when Draco suddenly heard someone yelling his name. He turned around and saw Blaise sprinting towards them.
"Draco mate. Fancy seeing you here" He suddenly noticed their clasped hands and grinned. "Oh you told her! Great. I'm so pleased for you." He turned to Ginny. "He really likes you you know, I'm so glad you got it together you two. Hey give me a bell and the four of us will go have dinner some time"
He suddenly turned around and ran back in the direction he came in. Draco, mouth hanging open, could not believe his friends nerve. He suddenly dropped Ginny's hand and stormed into the pub. Ginny stayed where she was. What had that been about? Together?
She followed Draco into the pub, but she only saw the back of him as he flooed home. She followed him, and when they were safely back home, she found him sulking in the kitchen.
"What was that about?" She asked. Narcissa, who had been looking after Patience, was sat in the dinning room. She had seen Draco storm in and thought better than to go and pry.
Draco growled. "Nothing just forget it"
Ginny huffed. "I don't want to forget it. What did Blaise mean?"
Draco sighed. "Really Ginny. It's nothing. Just a joke between two friends. Drop it" And with that, he slid past the puzzled girl and went in search of his daughter.
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Ginny did drop it, and for the next few days the topic didn't come up again, but the Ginny that Draco had gotten to know over the Christmas period, had gone, and was replaced by the timid, shy one once again.
It bothered Draco to the core, but he wasn't about to push the issue. He had given Blaise a piece of his mind and was currently ignoring him at every turn.
He knew deep down that it wasn't really Blaise's fault. He wasn't to know, but being angry at some one gave him something else to feel other than the regret that Ginny had gone back to her old self.
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One morning in late January, Draco had called in sick. He had come down with the flu the day before and was bed ridden.
However, he suddenly had the horrible urge to throw up last night's spaghetti, so rushed out of his room into the adjoining bathroom. He threw up so violently that he was sure the only other thing that could possibly come up was his actual stomach.
He sat back on his haunches and listened as the front door closed. Ginny was back from taking Patience to school. He listened for a while as she bustled around downstairs, then came in search of him.
It had actually been her that had called in sick for Draco, as he was too sick to get to the phone.
"Draco? Are you ok?" She peered into his room, and when she didn't see him, headed for the bathroom.
She found him huddled on the floor looking awful. His hair was sticking out in every direction, and he was wrapped up in a sheet from his bed. He was sweating all over, but also appeared to be shivering. He looked nothing like the confident man she was used to seeing.
She ran to his side. "Come on" she cooed, and helped him to stand. "Let's get you back to bed."
She helped him to lie down and then she spelled all of his sheets clean, as most of them were covered in his sweat from the night before.
He snuggled down into the fresh sheets and gave a sigh. Ginny brushed the hair back from his head, then headed into the bathroom.
She came back with a cold flannel and placed it on his forehead. This seemed to have the right effect, as Draco gave a sigh and a weak smile "Thank you" he managed.
Despite herself, Ginny smiled and perched herself on the end of the bed. She reached for his hand and linked their fingers. Draco gave them a quick squeeze, before pulling away and saying: "You should leave or you'll come down with it too"
Smiling sweetly, she reached for his hand again and replied, "Well who would look after you if I left?"
Draco beamed.
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The next few days were a nightmare. Patience was sent away to live with Narcissa as Ginny could barely manage to see to both her needs and the needs of Draco. Draco got worse before he got better, and his moods swings changed more than a hormonal women.
Some times he was sweet to her, thanking her for everything that she did. Other days, he would yell and moan at her, even once making her cry.
She knew it was the flu making him act this way though, so smiled sweetly when he apologised and told him not to worry about it.
By day five, Draco was up and about and, though he was still walking round the house wrapped up in his dressing gown and thick woolly socks, he seemed to be on the mend. Thanks to Ginny.
Patience came home the following day, and was ecstatic to be back with Ginny and Draco. She was still told not to get too close to Draco just in case she caught anything.
The following week Draco was back at work, however, despite thinking she may infact have avoided it, Ginny began to show signs that she too was coming down with something.
Draco returned home from work to find a frantic Patience crying her eyes out in the living room while Ginny lay sprawled on the sofa, a cold flannel over her face and sweating.
Rational thought evaded Draco's mind as he dropped his coat and bag, rushed across the room and lifted Ginny effortlessly into his arms. He made his way up the stairs, Patience hot on his tail.
He didn't take Ginny to her own room; he hadn't been in there once since Ginny had moved in, instead deciding to take her into his own room.
He placed her on top of the duvet and then told Patience to fetch him some sheets from the cupboard.
Placing a hand on her brow, Draco hissed as he felt her continue to burn up. He unbuttoned her cardigan and managed to pull it off. He left her other clothes for the sake of her dignity, but knew that she may need to take them off later.
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Like Draco, Ginny seemed to get worse, and that night, Draco was scared to leave her, so he crawled into the bed next to her and, at a safe distance, kept a close eye on her through out the night.
Narcissa took Patience to school the next day, while Draco rang into work, saying he couldn't come in again. He felt bad about taking so much time off work, but, like Ginny had said to him, who would look after her if he left?
Infact, Ginny's bout of the flu seemed almost twice as bad as Draco's was, and he even woke up in the middle of the night to find her hallucinating.
As the girl seemed to be showing no signs of improving, Draco called upon a medi-witch to come and check on her.
The old women who came told Draco that he was doing everything right, and that it would simply be a matter of time before she got better. Draco sighed with relief, but it didn't stop him sleeping in the same bed, night after night, watching her. Keeping an eye on her breathing habits and soothing her if she woke up in the night in a hot sweat.
It was several days later, and Draco was sat up against the head board, reading, when he heard a sigh come from the girl next to him. Ginny had opened her eyes and was trying to sit up. This was a good sign. For the last few days Ginny had done little but sleep, so this was good.
He helped her sit up and she reached for a glass of water.
"How're you feeling?" He asked. He felt awful. It was entirely his fault that she was ill, not to mention that she had come down worse than Draco.
Ginny laughed. "Better. Much better. I feel like I'm getting some of my energy back. But I still have a way to go"
Draco nodded and took the glass of water from her. "I'm sorry."
"S'not your fault. I offered to look after you. I didn't have to stay." The girl said, as she turned and looked Draco directly in the eye, as if daring him to contradict her.
"I know" Draco grinned. "But still"
There was a silence that fell between them. Draco was quite used to it after sitting for hours in her presence and not saying anything. But now she was awake, he wished she would say something.
Infact, she did. "Thank you. For looking after me"
Draco caught her eye and reached over to grab her hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed the back of it. "I was just returning the favour."
And in that moment, despite the fact that Ginny was still sick, and actually looked rather worse for wear, Draco knew it was now or never.
As he began to lean forward, he was surprised when she did the same.
They both gasped when their lips met for the first time. It was gentle, barely more than a touch, but it was perfect.
They both pulled back, sighing, and got lost in each others eyes. The second time, it was Ginny who made the first move, as she began to lean back in. Their lips met, but this time, it was with an intensity that the previous kiss lacked.
"Hmm, maybe we should stop" Draco mumbled against her mouth, instantly regretting it when Ginny moved away, and the warmth of her touch was sorely missed. "I mean you're still sick and probably shouldn't be kissing any one"
Ginny shocked Draco by laughing. "I guess" But she leant in one more time, gave a gentle peck to the corner of Draco's mouth, then lay back down as if to go to sleep.
As she drifted off, Draco could not help but think… we're making progress.