Out of Our Control

Chapter 7: Big D

Something akin to affection is now, grudgingly, what Ginny is filled with. It wriggled around inside her, occasionally overwhelming her enough to make her smile. It was new and exciting and a bit scary. She'd replaced all those emotions with hate and anger long ago; she'd shut everything off like a faucet.

It was Draco's fault really, treating her like he did' making her feel like she had every right to feel and act as she had. And yet it was because of him that she didn't hat her son. She actually admitted she had one now. And he wasn't as horrible as she had made it seem.

In all of this her hate always grew for Harry Potter. Ginny wasn't completely sure why to be honest. Truth be told, she didn't concentrate on it long enough to try and figure out why. Since no one was pushing her to do so, Ginny didn't bother.

Still, this love – she hated that word, love, which seems an oxymoron – it had to some familiarity to it from when she was younger. It was different though. Draco drew out a passion, a fire in her that burned so hot it was a surprise he didn't melt under her touch at times. And he's been so good with her too. One year, ten months and three days. That's how long they'd been together. He's done so much for her: reunite with her family – sorta, the truth set Harry Potter right where he belonged and her son almost had an acceptable mother now. He'd been patient and kind and understanding with her all this time. She was still terrified of every little touch and that didn't bother him.

Sure, she'd relaxed around him some and she did trust him, but deep down she did flinch when he came up behind her and she did stiffen when had too much contact. Ginny was just good at covering this up.

She was scared. And she shouldn't be scared. Not of Draco – who'd only done absolutely everything he could to respect her and make her happy. It's not as if she didn't want to get over this trauma. Ginny really, really, did. But every time she'd start to wrap her mind around it, right before she'd get to accepting it, Ginny would have a small panic attack.

Ginny looked at her reflection in the mirror. She didn't look twenty-three. But she was. Her cold expression and thin, white, ghostly features made her look like a ten-year-old; a mad ten-year-old. Her brown eyes were so dark they almost looked black and her long red hair looked like crimson blooded in silky sheets to her elbows. She was stick figure thin, only with hips (thanks to child birth), and her ethereal white skin was splattered with freckles so small they were like grains of sand.

Draco loved this. All of it. Everything she'd just thought about in the last ten minutes he loved. Draco loved all of this about her, Ginny Weasley. But he didn't just love the things about her, he loved her. Yes, he'd said so. Many times in fact.

Ginny thought – no she was sure she loved him too. He was definitely her favorite person followed closely by Daigen. Yes, she said Daigen. It made her want to laugh out loud. And she had when she'd first thought it. Her two favorite people in the whole of the world were two she'd hated from the first second she'd met them. Oh, how things had changed.

Ginny waited on her couch now instead of critiquing her appearance any further. It wasn't really time yet for them to arrive. And although Ginny prided herself on patience, she was feeling quite anxious. Tonight was one of those Weasley dinners. Except tonight Bloody Potter would be attending. Why? It was his birthday.

"He's made progress." Her mum had said, albeit sadly.

There's another thing Ginny didn't do: try to understand her family's actions, their tones or expressions. A lot of times they'd sound cheery but look completely miserable.

So she found herself staring out the window waiting for Draco to arrive with Daigen. He'd met Blaise and Starr and they'd had a play date – and also a fit when Ginny called it that. Ginny giggled at the memory.

Seconds later there was a knock at the door and Ginny heard Daigen and Starr chatting happily. Ginny got up and let them in and was greeted with a large bouquet of flowers from Daigen. He looked up to his mother with a huge smile and held them out to her.

Ginny didn't try to fight the smile that arose. "What are these for?" she asked while accepting them.

"Just because." He said charmingly.

"Thank you." She said ruffling her hand through his hair in affection.

Daigen beamed and let Starr into the flat and to the dining room table where his chess game was still sitting.

Blaise and Draco followed Ginny silently into the kitchen. They stood by the doorway quietly watching her as she placed the flowers in a vase full of water. There was something planned between them, she could tell.

"How was the play date?" Ginny asked innocently, a smile hid by her back still being toward them.

They both immediately guffawed. "We do not date." Blaise huffed.

"Gin, really. Must you call it that?"

"It makes us sound so feminine." Blaise complained.

Ginny turned to see a flushed Draco and a reddened Blaise and they'd instantly put some space between them.

Ginny laughed. "Men."

Draco gave her a small smirk.

Blaise grinned. "Speaking of med. Seems Draco is spending quite a bit of time with your son."

Ginny raised a brow waiting for his point.

"His charm and style is rubbing off. He's now engaged to my daughter at barely five-years-old."

Draco chuckled.

"Oh really?" Ginny asked curious.

"We'd stopped at MalCorp so Draco could pick up some paper work. Next door is a muggle candy shop that the kids wanted to go in. there are machines that you put – what are they? Porkers?" he looked to Draco.

"Quarters." He answered.

"Yes, quarters." Blaise said looking back to Ginny. "He'd been aiming for a small ball but seven quarters later he had almost everything but. He gave up and started opening all the little covers to the whole line of machines when he found a ring in one. He'd examined it and walked right over to Starr and put it on the correct finger." He laughed. "Smart kid. But when she asked what it was for he said, quite confidently in a way I've heard Draco talk several times, 'Now all the other boys will know you're mine.'"

Ginny chuckled. "And Starr said?"

"She almost kissed him." Draco laughed.

At quarter to eight, Ginny, Daigen and Draco headed down through London, to a grand restaurant named The Knightsbridge Lounge. It was a muggle restaurant but had one of the better menus.

Draco hugged Ginny and gave her a lingering kiss. "I'll be back in half an hour, forty-five minutes at the most. Pansy doesn't live that far from here."

"I'll be fine, Draco. I can handle the Great Harry Potter." She said with a smirk.

Daigen's bright green eyes flashed up to his mother. His one hand was being held by Draco and then he glared into the restaurant.

Draco grinned. "Oh I have no doubt. I'd still like to be here for… emotional support."

Ginny laughed quietly and kissed him. "You're the best."

"Yes, well." He drawled, attempting to hide his smile. "Don't tell my ego."

Ginny held out her hand to Daigen and the boy changed adults. They watched Draco walk away before entering the restaurant.

It was a fairly elegant place. Ginny had been there twice before: once for a company party and another on a date with Draco. Most of everybody was already there. Mr. Weasley was the head of the table with Mrs. Weasley to his right. There three empty chairs followed by Hermione, then Harry. At the other end was Fleur and to her right Bill, their daughter Victoire, and empty chair, Ron and two more empty chairs. Ginny and Daigen took these. Daigen loved to sit next to Ron who used to tell him great stories about Quidditch.

Harry eyes them as they walked in. Hermione was the only one really willing to talk to him. A few moments later the remaining four of the Weasley party entered. Fred and George with their girlfriends Padma and Pavarti. Yes, everyone thought it was strange that the twins found another set of twins to date.

The dinner went on as usual but with a cold air among them. Fred and George entertained Victoire quite thoroughly, causing huge gales of laughter to break conversation every now and then. Padma and Pavarti chatted with Ginny and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ron talked quietly to Daigen and Hermione and Fleur were talking with attempts to include Harry.

Meals with fourteen people always took a while, especially in a muggle restaurant. Today it was ok though. With Potter at the other end of the table, it was as if he wasn't there. Ginny quite enjoyed herself. She'd never admit it, not even to herself, but she had missed them. Her family.

Ginny was speaking to Pavarti across the table when she glanced at Daigen. He was kneeling in his chair, eyes locked on something across the room.

"What is it?" Ginny asked him.

Daigen looked to her and gave a small smile. "D's here." He whispered.

Ginny looked over to find Draco and Pansy dining a ways away. She looked back to her son who watched longingly.

After a few moments he asked, eyes still locked on Draco, "Can I go say hi, mum?"

"OK." She smiled.

Daigen climbed down from the chair.

"Be polite." Ginny said as he rounded the table.

He walked slowly. Ginny hadn't noticed before but Daigen was wearing his MalCorp robes. The fire light hit the green and blue MC on his back just right. It made her smile further.

Daigen stopped just off to the side of the table. Pansy caught sight of him first. She smiled politely. The Draco turned. When his eyes landed on him he gave a full out smile and pushed his chair back so Daigen could climb onto his lap.

Ginny grinned approvingly. Daigen reached across the table to shake Pansy's hand. It was cute.

Ginny went back to the dinner. No one said anything although everyone's eyes flickered to Daigen and Draco periodically. Harry looked livid but didn't say a word.

A while later, Draco appeared at the table with a chatting Daigen in his arms. Draco whispered something in his ear and Daigen nodded with a smile. Draco set him down and Daigen returned to his seat. Draco made eyes with Ginny and then turned to walk away. Daigen pulled frantically on sleeve. "Mum." He said panicked. "I forgot to hug D."

Ginny chuckled. "Then go."

Daigen climbed down again and ran to Draco. When he'd gathered his attention, Daigen beckoned him down to his level and launched into his arms.

There were many 'awes' from the Weasley crew and Victoire clapping.

"That's it!" Harry stormed to his feet surprising everyone. "He is not Daigen's father. It's not a wonder I can't bond with my son if I'm not allowed to have time with him, but Malfoy can?

All eyes went to Ginny. Daigen pulled out of Draco's arms and Draco stands. Pansy positioned herself close by too; hand lightly on her wand under her robes.

"Alright." Ginny said after a minute. "I suppose he's old enough to make his own decisions on who he'd like to spend time with."

At this, Harry marched over and grabbed Daigen's hand and pulled him away from Draco. Draco's fists clenched, his mouth drawn into a tight line and his eyes spitting venom.

Harry began to drag a fighting boy toward the door.

"I said," Ginny began, causing Harry to stop and turn. "He's old enough to make his own decisions on who he'd like to spend time with. That means you may ask him."

"Fine." Harry said and looked down to Daigen. "Would you like to come with me for the night?"

Daigen looked back to Draco.

Draco tried to give the boy a smile, though it was very strained. "Your choice."

Daigen looked to his mother who repeated the same words, only with a calmer demeanor.

But Daigen puckered his face and pulled his arm back. "No." he growled.

"Don't be ridiculous." Harry said reaching for his hand again. Daigen pulled away. "I'm your father. Of course you want to spend time with me."

"I don't." Daigen said with narrowed eyes as he took a step back. "I want to go with Mum and D."

Ginny could see Harry's anger rising. "You're only five. And I say we spend time together." And he grabbed Daigen's hand again.

Draco had reached for his wand. Many of the Weasleys had stood. Ginny recognized immediately the Weasley temper flair in Daigen as he pulled away harshly.

"I hate you!" He yelled to Harry. "I hate you! Everything is your fault. I don't need a father. I got mum and D and grand mum and grandfather and all my uncles. I don't need you! I hate you!"

To this, Harry continued his yelling back at Daigen. Draco pulled the boy away and behind him, his chest rising and falling with rage.

Ginny stands and raises her voice above his. "I swear I will curse you in front of all these muggles if you don't shut your mouth, Harry Potter."

Everyone was silent.

"Serves you right." Ron said darkly, hands in pockets.

There was a quiet that fell over the entire restaurant.

"This isn't right." Harry breathed hoarsely. "Whatever you've all been telling him… I'm his father… I have a right…"

Ginny pulled out the enchanted locket and tossed it at him. "Have a look, Potter. Even before everyone else knew, he didn't much care for you."

"We've never spoken against you, Harry." Mrs. Weasley. "I'm hurt that you'd even think that."

Harry watched all the saved holographs. From the time Daigen was an infant, he'd hated to be in Harry's company, never mind his arms. And it wasn't all that long ago that Ginny would have nothing to do with Daigen. Harry looked up.

"You ignored him for almost four years." He said in a whisper. "I was there almost every day of his life. Why does he love you and hate me?"

"Children are smart." Bill said. "They don't understand the issues but their intuition tells them when something's not right. He knew you were lying about his mother from the beginning. Even when we didn't. He blames you for his mother's absence."

"As he's got every right to." George interjected.

"It was your fault. All of it." Fred said.

"And now that he knows what he was missing, he's not willing to forgive. At least not yet." Bill said.

"I do believe it's time we make a change in lifestyle." Ginny said calmly. "Daigen and I will be getting our own place.

Daigen peeked around Draco to his mother with wide eyes.

"I will be by tomorrow, Mum, for his things." Then she turned to Harry. "You may forward and further contact with Daigen to Malfoy Manor. Draco will see that we receive your letters. It will be on Daigen's circumstances for your visitations."

Ginny rounded and took Daigen's hand and headed for the door. Draco dropped a galleon and three knuts onto their table to cover Ginny and Daigen and four sickles and eighteen knuts onto the table he and Pansy shared before following them out, Pansy on his arm glaring back at Harry.

It had been a good dinner, Ginny decided as the four of them walked down the street.