A/N: I am trying to get this done. I know I have lost a lot of you, so thank you very much to the few who are still there. And especially the few who are still reviewing. I do apologize for my very slow posting.

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My Big Fat Weasley Wedding

Chapter 11

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The next afternoon I find myself in the Malfoy Manor family tearoom with my mother and Narcissa. My mum about fainted in her excitement when we arrived by Floo at the large manor. Of course, we had to Floo to dad's office before travelling to Malfoy Manor, as he still refuses to connect The Burrow to Draco's home. Mum is actually in shock, I think, at the home I will be living in and running.

Upon arrival, a small house elf, Glen, who I recognize as Narcissa's personal elf, greets us and takes our hats, scarves, and coats. She leads us through the front of the manor, where the public rooms are located, and down a long hallway that connects to the private quarters of the house. Narcissa welcomes us both warmly and my mother seems to relax a little at the other witch's gracious behaviour. They both give me adoring looks, and I blush under their scrutiny. After several cordial greetings, both women agree to address each other by their given names.

Almost before we are seated at the beautifully dressed, small round table, my mother begins talking about the wedding. Eventually, she turns the conversation towards her favourite new argument with me. The date of the wedding.

"Ginny insists on having the wedding in May, but I think we should push it back to late June or July. The weather will be much nicer by mid-summer. What do you think, Narcissa?"

Narcissa gently sits down her cup of tea without making one small clink against the fine china decorated with delicately painted holly leaves. "I think the children are wanting to marry quickly, Molly, and it will be lovely in May."

I have yet to mention the solarium to my mother. I am hoping that seeing it in person will make a much better argument than I can. "Mum, I told you that I want a May wedding. And Narcissa is right. I would marry Draco tomorrow if I could."

Both witches laugh as if I've said the most absurd thing they have ever heard. Narcissa reaches over and pats my lap. "Ginevra, you should enjoy this time leading up to your wedding. You only get to be the bride once."

"Yes, darling, and I know you think it doesn't take much planning, but a May wedding is in five months. We'll also need the time to get The Burrow ready."

"Mum, I know you really want the wedding to be at home, but … I would like to get married here. There's a –"

"Here?" She turns to me and drops her half-eaten lemon square onto her plate. "Why would you want to do that? Your brothers were all married at The Burrow, and each wedding was beautiful." She gives me a curt nod and smile as if the discussion is finished and picks up her pastry. "You will be married at The Burrow."

"I know their weddings were beautiful, but I really would like to have it here." I glance at Narcissa to see if she is willing to help. Apparently not.

"No, Ginny." She also glances at Narcissa, who remains mute, and then smiles graciously. "You're my only daughter, and I think the wedding really should be at home."

"Mum, it's my only wedding, and I want it here." I can see that I am frustrating her, but I can't keep from pleading. "If you could just look at the solarium, you will fall in love with it. Please."

She frowns at me quickly before plastering another gracious smile on her face. I can tell she is trying to remain polite in front of Narcissa. "Ginny, we will talk more about this later."

"Not until you at least look at it." I hold her gaze, refusing to look away first.

"Narcissa, were you planning on inviting many people to the wedding?" my mother asks, completely dismissing our argument.

"We were planning on inviting the Malfoys, my sister, and some of Draco's friends. We probably will not have many to include."

"Were you not wanting to invite your society friends?" my mother enquires earnestly. She really has no clue about elite wizard society. I cringe whilst I hope Narcissa isn't offended.

"I'm not sure." Narcissa smiles at me, and I'm relieved to see she isn't upset.

"I don't really want a big wedding." I insert happily. "Just our closest friends and family. I would like it to be simple, elegant, understated."

My mother is still ignoring me. "Our family is rather large, but I'm sure we will also include some of our friends. Will that be a problem if the bridal party is much larger than the groom's?"

"No, it's no problem at all. Ginevra, how simple were you wanting it to be?"

"Well, I think the traditional ceremony is my favourite. George and Angelina added a lot to theirs, but I don't think I want to do that. And I would like some music, but not a lot. The solarium has wonderful acoustics." I immediately blush as I recall vividly how I know that bit of information.

Narcissa smirks at me with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "It does, doesn't it?"

I try not to choke on my pastry with the mental image of my future in-laws enjoying the solarium they way Draco and I had.

My mother frowns at me briefly as I cough quietly before continuing her conversation. "Well, of course, you will use the traditional ceremony, Ginny. And I think we should have lots of flowers. I'm sure by June we can have almost any flower of your choosing."

I glare at her. "The Malfoy gardens are absolutely beautiful in the spring and will be on full display in the solarium." I, of course, have never seen the gardens in full bloom, but I think Narcissa said something like that to me on Saturday.

Narcissa abruptly stands. "Maybe we should just take a tour of the solarium, and then, Molly, you can better understand why Ginevra wants to have the wedding there."

My mum smiles tightly as she rises from her chair. She won't even look at me as we walk back along the hall. We turn down a side hall, and I feel my smile growing as I remember the last time I had been in this part of the house.

Narcissa opens the doors and gestures for my mother to enter first. She flashes me a sly grin and a wink as I pass by her.

I gasp when I enter the room. It was beautiful before, but since Saturday, it has been decorated with a large Christmas tree and with fairy lights and garland strung around the room. It looks magical. Well, it probably is. I finally manage to look over at my mum. She looks around the room with pursed lips. I know this is probably her fighting the need to gush over the festive display.

Narcissa looks between us and, seeing my mother's unpleasant face, decides to go in for the kill. "I know Ginevra is your only daughter, Molly. But you have already had," she looks at me and I mouth 'five'. She continues, "five weddings at The Burrow. Draco is my only child. I have always dreamed of having his wedding here. You can't imagine how happy I was when Ginevra told me she had fallen in love with the room."

My mum frowns more deeply, and I know we are close. I walk in front of her and take her hand. "And think of how much less stress it will be on you. You can really enjoy this wedding, more than the others. You will be free to just focus on being the mother of the bride. You will have more time to be with me."

Narcissa walks over to the other side of the room and opens a set of double doors. "And the ballroom is adjoined through these doors and the doors at the other end of the room. It will be perfect for the reception."

My mum's eyes betray her. They gleam at the mention of an actual ballroom. She casually walks over to Narcissa and peers into the large hall. "So the wedding ceremony would be in here and then everyone could move to the ballroom?"

Narcissa flashes me a winning smile. "Yes, and there are kitchens located on the other side of the ballroom. We can arrange tables around the perimeter for the dinner and leave the floor open for dancing."

My mum looks back at me. "Am I still going to be involved in planning this wedding?"

"Of course, Mum!" I rush to her and mentally scold myself for making her feel unwanted. "I couldn't do it without you. I wouldn't want to."

She finally relaxes. "Let me tell your father about this."

I sigh in relief and hug her. "Thanks, Mum."

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If I had known that she would be telling my dad about the wedding location on Christmas day in front of our entire family, I may have reconsidered letting her have the honour. She thinks that adding that little gem of information whilst my brothers are still sputtering in shock over the revelation of my fiancé will somehow be the best method. I think she decided that she wants the wedding at The Burrow anyway and hopes I will, caving under all the pressure, consent to relocate the wedding. Draco and I had planned on telling everyone together the news of our engagement after I gave them a long speech about how happy I am and how they should trust me. I was also counting on Christmas being a motivation for my brothers to keep the peace.

Instead, my mum drags Draco, without my knowledge, from hiding in my father's office and thrusts him into the crowded sitting room. I jump up from the sofa and run to stand in front of him whilst my mother shares our happy announcement.

"Everyone! I have the best news. An extra special Christmas gift! Ginny is getting married to Draco Malfoy. Isn't that lovely? And the wedding will be…" She looks at me and smiles extra wide, ignoring the flames that are surely coming from my ears. Then to my stunned family, she continues, "This summer at Malfoy Manor!"

Draco stands just behind me, absolutely still, as if afraid any sudden movement would unfreeze the group of angry wizards in front of him.

"Mum! What are you thinking?" I scream, breaking the silence. "Ginny is getting married to Draco Malfoy. Isn't that lovely?" I mimic her. "Seriously! What the Chang?"

"Ginny, calm down. And please stop using that poor girl's name that way. Now everyone knows everything, and we can all move forward." She rolls her eyes at me and then crosses the room to sit next to Fleur, as if nothing has happened.

I glance around the room, taking in the varying degrees of shock and anger on my brothers' faces. Charlie looks the least concerned, but he probably doesn't know the sordid details of my fiancé's past. Even my nieces and nephews seem to understand that the time for Christmas cheer has come to an abrupt end. They keep looking back and forth between their parents and me and Draco, waiting for someone to explain to them what is wrong. My sisters-in-law don't appear to be as upset. Fleur and Marika are actually smiling at us, along with my mum of course. Angelina and Audrey share a worried look but then keep their eyes on their husbands. Hermione pinches her lips and seems to be struggling with looking angry and amused.

Ron finally finds his voice and charges across the room, yelling, "I'll kill you before you touch her!"

Just as he knocks Draco down, Bill jumps forward and pulls them apart. "Ron! Stop it!" Bill commands. I sigh in relief and start to bend down to Draco on the floor when two hands pull me back. Bill gives me a wicked grin. "Besides, I'm the oldest, if anyone gets to pummel the little git, I do." He grabs Draco and pulls him up. He hauls his fist back, and Draco shoots me a look that clearly says, 'you owe me'.

Struggling against, I assume, George's tight grip, I scream, "Bill! Please, I love him!" He looks back at me, but he keeps his fist lifted in the air.

Percy calmly steps between us, and I feel a moment of gratitude for his level headedness. "Before we can continue this, brothers, I think it would be wise to let the children leave the room."

Wait, what? Who are you and what have you done to my brother?

The children start to protest along with their mothers, but Percy is not finished. "Audrey, I know you would not want Molly or Lucy to have to witness this." He gives her a stern look, and she quickly ushers her children to the kitchen.

Hermione hands two-year-old Rose to Victoire, but she clearly has no intention of leaving. Soon enough, the rest of the children and my traitor mother have vacated the room. The older kids are grumbling about missing all the fun as my mother shuts the door connecting the rooms. Angelina, Marika, and Fleur join Hermione on the long sofa.

So much for solidarity. I can't believe my 'sisters' are just going to sit and watch my idiot brothers tear apart the man I love.

George clutches me closer to him and huffs loudly. "I knew that stupid ferret was up to no good. I can't believe you lied to me, Ginny. Is that what he has done to you? Made you a liar?"

I wrench free from him and take a step closer to Draco, but Bill pulls him further away. "Let go of him, Bill. Let him go right now!" I give him my most threatening glare, one I have learned from my mother. I guess those years of slowly becoming her clone are paying off because he actually looks slightly frightened of me. He lowers his fist, but he still holds tightly onto Draco's expensive jumper.

My father coughs quietly, causing everyone to turn towards him. "I would like to think that my children would respect my ability to choose well for my only daughter." Four red heads bow in shame. Charlie stands behind Dad and flashes me a grin. Dad continues, "Thank you, Percy, for clearing out the room. Hermione, Marika, Angelina, Fleur. I think you should attend to your children and send my wife back in here to deal with hers."

I smirk at the witches as they pass by. They should have known better. My dad is as traditional as they come, and there is no way he would continue this discussion with spectators. Don't get me wrong. He loves his daughters-in-law. But as far as he is concerned, this is not their business.

My dad crosses the room and stands in front of his oldest child. "If anyone needed to 'pummel the little git', I would have taken care of it. This is my house, and he is my guest."

Bill immediately lets go of Draco. "I'm sorry, Dad."

"Let's all have a seat and discuss this like the men I raised you to be."

Dad sits down in his chair and everyone takes a seat except Draco and me. I'm not sure what to do. I have normally not been allowed in these types of family discussions. Even when they had one about Harry and I breaking up. I'm not sure what they had to discuss about my ended relationship since I never told them what had happened, but they sat around the table and did their manly duty anyway. So barbaric, but so my family. Draco is probably already rethinking his decision to marry me.

My dad looks over to the two of us and gestures for us to sit. My mum comes in the room and sits on the arm of my dad's chair. I feel like a kid again, seeing them together like that with all of us anxiously waiting. Draco takes my hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze. I relax with his gesture, but I notice Ron turning ten shades of red as he glares at us.

After both of my parents reprimand my brothers again for resorting to violence and not trusting their judgement, they finally allow Draco to speak. He gives the same edited version of our relationship to them that I have given my parents (also leaving out the contract), and all except Ron come a little closer to accepting my decision.

The rest of the evening is typical Weasley Christmas chaos, which for some reason actually helps me relax. I keep Draco close to my side at all times, but I don't think he wants to be far from me anyway. By the time we finish eating and return to the sitting room to open gifts, the children and the women seem to accept Draco's presence. Hermione keeps her distance, but I think mostly so she can keep tabs on Ron. Fleur hands four-month old Louis, her surprise baby, to Draco at one point while she fusses over her daughters' gifts. He starts to protest, but Louis seems to like his new uncle and grabs tightly onto Draco's jumper.

I coo at the baby and tickle his tummy, earning a few precious giggles that can barely be heard over the loud celebrations in the room. "Louis, you're getting so big! That's your Uncle Draco." I look up into Draco's grey eyes and smile.

He bounces the baby in his arms and leans over. "Our babies could look like him."

My heart flutters in my chest, and I recall my fantasies from the night we were engaged of him holding our baby. Could it really have only been six days since that evening? "He does have the loveliest shade of strawberry blond hair, doesn't he?"

"He does. But I think he also has his Aunt Ginny's pretty brown eyes."

"I hope our children have your eyes."

"Well, we will have to agree to disagree on that point." He kisses me gently on the lips and then turns back to the baby. "So, Louis, how long do you think we should wait before we give you another cousin?"

We have yet to talk about children, and I'm not sure how to respond to his question. Since he asked Louis, I choose to remain silent.

"What was that?" he asks the baby as if he hadn't understood him. He flashes me a smile and leans over as if Louis is whispering in his ear. He tugs at Draco's hair, and I gently pull his little fingers from the silky blond locks. Draco chuckles at the baby, but keeps his head a safe distance from Louis's little hands. "He says he could wait a year or so. What do you think Aunt Ginny?"

"A year from now? Or a year from the wedding? A year to have a baby? Or a year to start trying?" I sound nervous. It isn't that I am afraid to have children. I want them desperately. But I had almost resigned myself to a life of solitude before this past summer. The fact that I will be a wife is still overwhelming to me. The possibility that I could soon be a mother completely blows me away.

Draco smiles at my rambling, but he doesn't answer any of my questions.

"I think Louis should be more specific with his requests," I say, hoping Draco will tell me his own thoughts first.

Draco smirks and then looks back at the baby, nodding his head as if they are in conversation. "He says, 'Nice try, Aunt Ginny.' I think he wants to know what you think."

"Oh."

That's my brilliant response. I take the baby from Draco, ready to pretend my own little conversation. He snuggles into my chest, and I sigh. I stroke his hair back and gaze at him for a moment before looking back up at Draco. He is looking at me with the same expression he had when he found me holding Violet.

Draco wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses his spot. "I want you to myself for a little while, Ginny. But then I can't wait to share this with you."

It is very difficult to say goodbye to him that night. Both literally and figuratively. I want nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms, well, maybe a little more than that. But my brothers and father have made it clear that no one is leaving the house until Draco has Apparated away. They also stand guard over me as he gives me a chaste kiss goodbye. He still has to leave from just past the shed, like any stranger. I can't believe my dad has still not added him to the wards.

I head back into the house and decide to ignore Ron's attempt at scolding me. Charlie, Marika, and their boys hug me goodbye since they will be returning to their home in Hungary in the morning. I hate that I'm losing the one brother willing to really give Draco a fair chance, but Charlie promises to keep in touch more often. I wish everyone a happy Christmas and go straight to my room.

My mother enters my room as I am getting settled into bed. She shakes her head and tells me what I missed downstairs. I didn't consider that my early retirement would allow my brothers the perfect opportunity to convince my father that Draco and I should only have supervised dates and that I should be forced to follow a strict curfew. Thankfully, my mum was able to undo most of their meddling, but my father is adamant that we continue to follow his previously stated rules concerning our overnight stays, Floo connections between homes, and open wards. Basically, that there would be none of those allowed.

"Ginny, you know they mean well. You have to understand that it's just a little bit overwhelming to them. Draco Malfoy was someone that Ron despised in school. He was a Death Eater, Ginny. Don't forget that. We all need some time to adjust."

I sit up in bed and frown at her. "I know who he is and what he has done. I also know why he has that Mark on his arm. But that's not the point. He is a good man. He loves me and treats me better than I deserve."

"Stop that nonsense. You deserve the best!"

"Thanks, Mum," I sigh. "Then I deserve him, and I deserve to have my family support us."

"I know that, sweetheart, that's why it was best to just get it all out tonight."

"Thanks, by the way, for going against the plan."

"Your plan would have given them time to worry about your announcement. I know my boys. It's best to just rip the bandage off with them. They might explode at first, but then it passes. And I was able to throw in the part about the wedding being at the Manor." She smiles, looking very pleased with herself.

"The summer wedding? It's still in May, Mum. Besides, I don't even think they heard that part."

"No, but your father did. And later when he hears us discussing the plans and remembers to question me about it, I will have already told him. Arrangements will have been made, and it will be too late to change it."

"Mum, that's positively wicked!"

"Where do you think Fred and George got it from? Your father? He's about as sneaky as a troll." She crosses over to me and sits on the side of my bed. She gives me a sweet smile, stroking my hair back from my forehead like when I was a little girl. "Ginny, the wizard may hold the wand, but the witch holds the spell book. You will have a much easier marriage if you keep that in mind. Draco will want to make the decisions, but you will give him the choices. And in the end, you both will be happier for it."

"That sounds ... I'm not sure if I can do that."

"Of course you can! You've been watching me do it your whole life. Now get some sleep. Happy Christmas."

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Draco and I spend our evenings together as much as possible. Most of the time, he dines at The Burrow, as this is more comfortable for everyone involved. I pretty much avoid Lucius, and I think he is avoiding me too. Narcissa makes a few little comments about the families getting together before the big day, but Draco and I quickly change the subject each time. Draco, of course, sees his father every day at work, but they are still awaiting the board's decision to approve changing the contract. It is very stressful to Draco, and I can only imagine what his father is thinking as the days slowly pass and the board still cannot agree whether they will hand back over Malfoy Enterprises to its rightful owners. I still struggle with guilt over what is happening at the company, but Draco constantly reassures me that his decision is made whether he loses the business or not. Still, Lucius has convinced Draco to refrain from announcing our engagement to the press until the board has made its decision. I don't really need the fanfare, and I know the board will have to reach a decision by the end of January.

My father has kept his word and continues to enforce his rules. Contrary to my father's intentions, each stolen kiss and touch are creating the sweetest yet most agonizing anticipation of being with Draco. My fears of intimacy are slowly being burnt away by the fire of desire that is building between us. Draco actually looks physically pained the few times we have a moment to ourselves only to be interrupted by my mother … or a house-elf.

I can't believe she did it, but my mum actually convinced Narcissa to help enforce our chaste relationship. Narcissa and Lucius have told Draco to 'keep it together' until the contract is signed. My parents would have just said to 'keep it in your trousers', but then again, I can't imagine the Malfoys being so blunt. I think Mum used the "Weasley fertility curse" and the bad press an unplanned pregnancy would cause as a scare tactic, which obviously worked, even though there is no curse. The sad truth is that my parents were too poor for contraception potion, forgetful with the charm, and horny. Gross, but true. That and my mother desperately wanted a girl. So I guess in some really twisted way, it's my fault that I can't have sex with my hot fiancé.

If my brothers knew that Draco and I were in a forced abstention, maybe they would like him a little bit more. But that is not something I ever want to tell them. So as it stands, they avoid him and question my sanity at every chance. They have made it abundantly clear that they do not trust him and have no intentions of ever liking him. To make matters even worse, Mum has begun doting on Draco like he's her favourite son. I have absolutely no understanding of this except the fact that my fiancé continually compliments her cooking and her clothing (with a straight face) and, in general, butters her up at every chance. He has wisely chosen to not attempt this with my dad. Unfortunately, Mum has taken to encouraging the boys to learn from Draco's manners since she clearly has failed to instil any in them – well, except Percy.

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About a month into our engagement, Draco is invited to attend the Sunday family dinner. Dad and Mum have decided that we all need to start interacting. Dad is afraid he will never see me after the wedding if my husband doesn't feel welcome at The Burrow. At a family meeting the night before, Mum points out to my brothers that they would improve upon following Draco's example. That comment does not go over well, but Ron finally stops the grumbling by agreeing he will do his part to make "the git feel welcome".

The evening starts out well enough, with Bill and Percy leading the way in being polite. Ron, Hermione, and Rose show up a little late since Hermione is suffering from a lot of nausea with her pregnancy, something they announced the week before. Upon entering the sitting room, Ron sticks his hand straight towards Draco, ready to shake hands.

"Thank you ..." Draco starts and then his face changes from hopeful to stoic.

"Ron," I prompt him in a teasing voice.

"Just wanted you to feel at home," Ron says cruelly.

I look down to his arm, still extended and unshaken. There is a fake Dark Mark on it.

"Ronald Weasley!" I scream. "What is your problem?" I attempt to move my rigid fiancé to the other side of the room. "I'm so sorry, Draco. I promise the others are really trying."

Draco remains immovable, but he crosses his arms and looks down at my stupid brother. "You have it too low. It should be about another inch up your arm."

Hermione and I share a bewildered look, both unsure where Draco will take this.

Ron smiles slowly. "You would know."

"Yes. I do." Draco's eyes have hardened. "I know exactly how it felt to stare into those soulless eyes, feel his wand burn into my flesh, and pray the whole time he would not still kill my mother who was cursed to the ground right next to me."

Ron's evil smile falters, and I have the tiniest bit of hope that he may apologize. Hermione quickly grabs her husband by the elbow and yanks him away. Unfortunately we can still hear him refer to Draco as 'too sensitive to take a joke'.

During dinner, Ron remains relatively quiet, something with which I am crediting Hermione. George also remains somewhat withdrawn, and it is kind of strange to see him that way. Percy and Audrey are the friendliest to Draco and even ask both of us about the wedding. I can tell that, other than Mum, no one else really wants to talk about it. Fleur does her best to get Bill to talk with Draco, but he spends most of his time focusing on their children. Although he does let Draco hold Louis again and then laughs as the baby spits up on his expensive shirt. That also seems to break George out of his bad mood. Draco takes it pretty well, and I'm so relieved that he has not let that disastrous moment with Ron ruin the evening.

I should have known better. Just when I think my brother cannot be more stupid, he outdoes himself. Draco and I have volunteered to clean up and are doing dishes together. It's quite a funny sight to see my spoiled fiancé standing at a sink. I'm teasing him about not calling Miffy to come help when Ron enters the kitchen.

"You know, Ginny, if you married a Mudblood like me, you wouldn't have to teach him to do these kinds of things." He must be drinking. "It's too bad my kids won't be pure, though. That's the trade off I guess, right, Malfoy?"

Draco tosses a towel over his shoulder and smirks at my brother. "Kids? Ginny didn't tell me you were expecting. Congratulations, Hermione."

It is almost worth the whole evening to watch Ron's face as he realizes his dearly beloved has entered the room behind him. And although I know Hermione is well aware of Ron's sarcasm, and thoroughly embarrassed by his attempt to upset Draco, she does not find any humour in his joke. None at all.

"Ronald, your impure spawn is making me tired. I'm leaving with your half-blood daughter. I wouldn't recommend entering our bedroom this evening."

Fleur informs me later that week that Ron ignored his wife's warning and has yet to be able to sit without cushioning charms. And I'm not sure if he has yet to be allowed back in his bed.

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