Chapter Nine

Draco took a small moment to simply close off his ears and ignore Severus Snape. His potion's mentor had been going on and on about something -- or rather someone -- that had nothing to do with him, and nothing to do with the potion they were working on. With a heavy, dramatic sigh, Draco plucked a bottle of troll wart off the shelf and uncapped it. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Severus.

"The stupid... Lupin has no idea the trouble I must go through for him month after month." Severus was insisting, his dark hair hanging forward in order to cover his face. Draco had a small suspicion his was blushing. "And what does the wolf do? Gives me that... Disrespectful smile and walks away! You can't even call it walking. More like sauntering..."

"I really do think you protest too much, Severus." Draco commented, measuring out a tablespoon of troll wart.

"Pardon?" Severus sputtered. "How dare you insinuate... No. That's just the sort of thing you would say, isn't it? After all, you're married to that... Weasley boy. By the way, how is that whole baby business going?"

"Don't try to change the subject." Draco replied. "You like Lupin. Admit it." Draco watched in amusement as Severus' movements became jerky, as though he was trying not to throw something against the wall. "He's a bastard that you hate with all your being, but when he smiles at you, even just a little bit, it's like you'd give your whole world just for time to stop so you can see that smile for eternity. Admit it."

"I will do no such thing." Severus told him. Draco smirked and added his troll wart, watching as the potion turned yellow.

"It was just like me and Ron, you know." Draco said in a conversation-like tone. He heard Severus mutter something foul under his breath. "I hated that boy. Ron was so... Annoying. With his red hair and bright freckles and the way he would smile like the world was this wonderful place when Potter was about, but with me? Oh, no. Not a smile, but the most fierce look a boy that age could create. Left me wanting him more than I could ever imagine."

"Lovely." Severus said sarcastically.

"Don't be so immature, Severus." Draco smiled as brightly as he could. It was enough to make Severus growl slightly. Hiding another smirk, Draco continued. "Do you know what is absolutely dreadful?"

"One can only imagine." Was Severus' dry response.

"I actually like his family." Draco announced, turning down the fire to his potion. "In fact, we're having a dinner tonight at the Burrow. I do believe Molly invited Lupin. She told me to invite you, but Salazar forbid you do something even slightly social." Draco sighed. "But she will be so disappointed that you couldn't make it. Lupin as well, I can imagine. The poor wolf. He truly enjoys your company."

"Your sarcasm is not at all up to its usual standards." Severus informed him.

"Hmm. Shall I tell her you are not coming, then?" Draco asked, turning away from Severus in order hide his snicker. Severus growled under his breath once again. "Now, now. None of that, Severus. Leave that sort of thing for your wolf." Draco grinned as Severus sputtered. "Should I save some leftovers for you? Molly is constantly talking about how you need more... Meat."

"I have one thing to say to you. Bugger off." Severus informed him.

"How rude." Draco commented.

"Draco, you are dismissed." Severus said, stiffly, before turning on his heel and leaving the workroom with a twirl of his robes.

The rest of the day went by rather smoothly, which Draco was thankful. The past week or so had been enough to send him onto the edge, along with those around him. He was actually looking forward to an evening with Ron's family. The Weasley's were always good for a laugh. So, Draco left Hogwarts and took the Floo to the Ministry in order to meet Ron.

The Ministry was the worst place in the world, as far as Draco was concerned. It was like the wizarding community gathered up all of the most boring, most annoying, and most disrespectful people of all of Britain and disposed of them in one place. It was no wonder Ron was usually in such a bad mood after work, having to deal with these people day in and day out.

Draco simply ignored the other wizards in the elevator as he made his way to Ron's floor. It was easy enough to do, Draco was used to dirty looks and hushed mutters following him in public. That was the side effect of having the traditional Malfoy hair and face. He couldn't seem to shake the shadow of his family.

"Ah, if it isn't Draco Malfoy." Mr. Rockton greeted at the door to the Experimentation of Magical Transport Center.

"Mr. Rockton." Draco nodded. "Have you seen my husband?"

"Eh, he's in there somewhere." Mr. Rockton waved toward the large room. Draco gave a pinched look, before stepping carefully into the room. The room smelt like rubber and plastic, along with a strange thing called gasoline. He could hear clinking behind one of the many cars. Carefully darting around greasy items, Draco finally spotted his husband.

The only benefit Draco could see in Ron working at the Ministry was the fact that he did hard labor. Hard, sweaty, greasy labor. Now, a lot of people would not find this arousing and would send their partners straight to a shower once they got home. Draco, however, was not most people. With a small smile on his face, Draco watched as Ron hunched over the engine of what muggles called a truck. Sweat trickled down his face. His muscles could easily be seen under his thin t-shirt. A bit of grease had been wiped across his cheek.

"My, my, my. Who is this sexy man I see before me?" Draco literally purred. Ron's head shot up, hitting against the hood with a loud bang. Draco fought down a wince. "Bloody hell, sorry about that."

"You scared the crap out of me." Ron exclaimed, tossing his wrench into the toolbox sitting on the floor. With a sigh, he lifted his hands into the air in a long stretch, causing his shirt to ride up and reveal a muscular stomach.

"You should be so happy Mr. Rockton is watching us." Draco said simply. Ron raised a red eyebrow.

"Is that so?" Ron asked, amused.

"Mmm-Hmm." Draco's eyes trailed down Ron's body, before darting back up to meet his eyes. "Pity we have to go to your parent's house."

"We used to have sex in my room all the time, that shouldn't change just because I don't live there anymore." Ron commented, gathering his things.

"I'm not going to have sex during a family dinner. That's so... Rude." Draco replied, giving Mr. Rockton a wave as they left. The old man raised an eyebrow at their conversation, but didn't comment.

"Rude? You think that's rude?" Ron asked as they entered the elevator. "What happened to the Draco I love and adore? He'd have sex just about anywhere."

"I'd have sex just about anywhere if it meant tormenting those I abhor." Draco corrected. "There is a difference."

"Of course there is." Ron smirked.

"So..." Draco's eyes darted to the other elevator patrons. "Elevator sex?"

"Hmm, there's a good idea." Ron grinned. A little old lady the corner gasped in shock, while the other's watched on with dirty looks. Ron rolled his eyes. "Maybe we should wait."

By the time they got home, changed their clothes, and made it to The Burrow, they were nearly late. Thankfully, Harry was the last to arrive as usual, so that didn't put them in the spotlight. Weasley dinners were always a strange affair, as far as Draco was concerned. In the Malfoy family, you were quiet and respectable during dinner. You only had dinner together, and the other meals were usually eaten separately. The Weasleys were one of the few families that Draco knew of that had every meal together, when able to.

"So, Draco, how is Severus doing?" Molly asked, piling salad onto his plate.

"Oh, just fine, Mrs. Weasley." Draco replied politely.

"How many times to have to say it, dear? Call me Mom." Molly insisted.

"Right. Mom, then." Draco felt his face blush slightly. Calling Molly 'mom' was a rather strange experience. He often forgot that it was allowed here.

"Mum, he's not starving." Ron insisted as Molly gave Draco two slices of steak, as compared to everyone else's single slice.

"He might as well be!" Molly exclaimed. "Look at him! He's practically skin and bones." Molly tsked. "If I can put some meat on Harry's bones, then I can surely put some on Draco's."

"Mmm, and a good job you did, Mom." Harry informed her, before returning to stuffing his face.

"You know Draco doesn't gain weight. He's just... Slender." Ron informed her, rolling his eyes as more food was placed on his husband's plate. "And I feed him all the time. You should see him eat breakfast."

"Yes, I know dear. I did teach you how to cook, after all." Molly said in that sort of voice parents often got. It was the voice that claimed to be understanding you, but was really just pretending to pay attention. Ron shook his head in exasperation.

"Draco, tell Mum that I do feed you." Ron ordered.

"I will not tell a lie." Draco said in a pathetic voice. Ron narrowed his eyes as Molly gave a little noise and put more food onto Draco's plate.

"You're doing this on purpose." Ron hissed into Draco's ear. His husband didn't reply, but there was a slight glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Draco, dear, when do you suppose Severus will be out to visit us?" Molly suddenly asked.

"Oh, well, I'm not sure. You know how he is. He has his mind on rather important matters at the moment." Draco glanced over at Remus Lupin, who was discussing some new Ministry treaty with Arthur. Molly followed his line of sight and a speculative looked appeared in her eyes.

"Ah, yes, Severus is like that." Molly replied with a secretive smile. "Tell me Ron, when will I be getting grandchildren out of you two?"

"Mum!" Ron exclaimed.

"What? It was just a question." Molly said, looking innocent.

"Draco should be knocked up sometime this month." Ginny informed her mother. "In fact, I'd say he'll go into labor around the same time as Percy will."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Molly gushed. "They'll be able to grow up together."

"Joy." Draco muttered under his breath.

"I can't believe our-" Fred started.

"Perfect Percy is going to-" George continued.

"Have babies." Fred finished. Draco rolled his eyes. Even in their late twenties, the twins acted like the prank wielding children they were in Hogwarts. A person would think that a war would change even the twins, but Fred and George seemed immune to the depression that usually followed a veteran. Perhaps it was the benefit of owning a joke shop, perhaps not. Draco, for one, didn't really care.

Dinner continued on like it usually did. Small talk and chatter filling the table. As usual, the Weasley children tended to talk over one another. Draco spoke only when asked a question. Even after four years of spending time with this family, he still wasn't comfortable with the wild dinner settings. They remained at the table long after the food was ingested, merely enjoying each other's company.

"We should be going." Ron announced after a while. "Work tomorrow, after all."

"Ron, you should join me for lunch sometime this week." Arthur offered. Ron stared at his father a moment, shocked by the offer, before breaking into a wide smile.

"Sure. I'd like that." Ron replied.

"Oh, Draco darling, take some food for Severus tomorrow, will you?" Molly asked, producing a large covered plate.

"Certainly, Mrs. Weasley -- Mom, I mean." Draco said, smiling softly.

"Tell him I'll be by at the end of the week to pick up this month's Wolfsbane." Remus piped up.

"Oh, yes." Draco leered. "I'll tell him."

Remus merely smiled. Draco quickly hugged Molly, before waiting next to the fireplace as Ron hugged the rest of his family. Ginny bounced over to him, a perky grin on her face. "Friday's the day, right?"

"Yes." Draco replied simply.

"Well, good luck and all." Ginny patted him on the shoulder, hard. Draco caught himself before he could topple over.

"You know, just because you're turning into a man, doesn't mean you have to start lifting weights." Draco commented, rubbing his shoulder. Ginny chuckled.