A/N Sorry for the delayed update. I'm having a bit of trouble with this story at the moment, but I think the writers block is finally going away. Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews.
Chapter 11
Draco hadn't been this nervous in a long time. He was standing in the atrium of the ministry with Harry and Ginny on his right and Hermione on his left listening to Kingsley's speech
"…It has been an honor serving as Minister of Magic for the past few years. Together we have created a world where we don't have to fear for those we love. Now that things have settled down, I have decided to retire and spend more time with my family. It gives me great pleasure to introduce my successor, Mr. Harry Potter"
Harry walked to the podium to tumultuous applause.
"Thank you everyone. I remember as a Hogwarts student finishing my education after the war, contemplating my future. I knew I would become an auror. It was always the plan. Serving as Head Auror has been an honor and I wouldn't change a moment of it, But when Kingsley approached me a few weeks ago asking me to be his successor, I knew this was the real path my life was meant to take. I've never been a fan of the limelight, but this is different. I will spend every day making a difference. It will be difficult to replace Kingsley, but I promise to fill the position with as much grace and dignity as he has." Harry smiled as the audience broke into applause "Now for the person who will take over the auror department…"
"Draco, stop fidgeting!" Hermione whispered in his ear "You seriously need to calm down."
"Hermione, Malfoy's don't fidget. And I'm sorry, I'm nervous!"
"….I thought about this long and hard. I knew this person would ultimately be the head of my security team, and while I would trust my life to all my men, there is one person I knew would be the best for the job, Not only for mine and my families protection, but for the good of the entire department. He may not have been an auror for long, in fact many people may not know he ever was one, but in the time he worked undercover for us he was instrumental in catching no less that 20 of Voldemort's followers. And now I introduce the new head of the auror office, Mr. Draco Malfoy"
Draco nervously walked to the podium surprised to hear the applause.
"Thank you Harry. I'm sure that many of you are surprised to see me in this position. I have spent the past few years working very hard to improve the Malfoy name. I hope that I have succeeded at least a bit. I'm sure marrying Hermione Granger didn't hurt" Draco laughed "I know my past will always haunt me. I can't change the decisions I made as a child, but I do control the ones I make as an adult. I promise to each and every one of you, to work with Harry in keeping this world safe for our children. I have learned from my mistakes and instead of being ashamed of them, I am using the knowledge I gained as a tool to help take down the bad. I appreciate the faith you have in me Harry, and I will spend the rest of my life proving to you and everyone here that I deserve it. Thank you."
Draco walked back to Hermione. "Did I do okay?"
"You did wonderful" She said wiping a couple of tears away and kissing him on the cheek "I'm so proud of you"
"Draco, your speech was fantastic" Ginny said hugging him
"Great job mate" Harry said "Now we'll see what the next few days bring"
What it brought was a hailstorm of owls
"Today's haul is a request for interviews from Witch Weekly, 2 from the daily prophet, and a personal request from Rita Skeeter for an interview with both of us" Harry told Draco when they took a break for lunch. "It seems to be slowing down on my side"
Every day in the week following the press conference it was the same thing. He'd have at least 10 letters waiting on his desk, and at least 2 requests for interviews. Draco knew that he'd have to give at least one interview and soon, but he was seriously dreading it
"Maybe we could just do one together for the daily prophet, not with Skeeter of course, but at least that way we can get it over with." Harry said taking a bite of his sandwich
"You're probably right" Draco sighed "I can't avoid it forever"
"You know, maybe we could do it at your house, with the girls and the kids. You know, make it a real fluff piece. That way they could see a bit into our lives. You think Mione would go for that?"
"Probably, you know Potter, that's not a half bad idea. Maybe it could make me seem more normal as well, and less like the reformed death eater." Draco said finishing his sandwich. "I'll check with her then have my assistant get it scheduled if she's good with it"
"I can't believe that in two weeks I'll be Minister of Magic" Harry said
"Hermione, I'm freaking out!" Ginny said to Hermione. They were sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee. "I knew when I married him that this would be a possibility someday but I thought I'd have a bit more time."
"What are you so worried about?" Hermione asked
"Well, we were so young when we got married, and I have no idea how to be a minister's wife. What if he decides I'm not good enough?" Ginny whispered "I've loved him since I was ten years old, I don't know what I'd do without him"
"Ginny, where is this coming from? Harry loves you more than anything. He'd never leave you. And besides, what is there to being a minister's wife? You just be you, and Harry will just be Harry. He will leave the title of Minister at work I'm sure."
Ginny wiped away a tear "I don't know, I guess I'm just being silly. He knows something is wrong with me, but I just can't tell him how worried I am. At least I can feel a bit better knowing that Draco is in charge of security for the family. I know he'll be honest with me."
"He will" Hermione said sitting next to her and putting her arm around her shoulders. "And I'm always here. How about we go to your mom's and take my kids. Molly hasn't seen them for a while. I bet she'd even watch all four of them and we can go shopping for inaugural ball dresses."
"Well nothing cheers a girl up more than shopping." Ginny laughed
"Why don't you go ahead and head to the burrow. I'll get the kids ready and meet you there in 15 minutes"
"Sure" Ginny said "I'll grab their bags for you"
"Thanks"
Hermione walked to the nursery pulling out her mobile phone. Ginny might not be comfortable telling Harry her fears, but Hermione knew he would want to know.
Harry and Draco were just heading back to the ministry when he heard his mobile phone ringing.
"It's Mione" Harry said looking confused. "Hey, what's going on? Is everything alright"
"I'm good, Ginny is really upset though. I'll let her tell you what's going on, but the gist of it is she's worried about not being good enough for you now that you're going to be minister."
"You have to be kidding!" Harry exclaimed "I wouldn't survive a single day without her"
"I know that, but I think you need to talk to her. Ginny and I are getting ready to go to Gladrags to look for inaugural ball dresses. Meet us there about 4:30. Draco and I will take the kids for the night so you guys can talk." Hermione said "And please try to be patient with her. She didn't want you to know, but I have a feeling this is going to eat away at her if she doesn't talk about it."
"I will. And thanks Mione."
"You're welcome. And can you fill my husband in on the plan as well"
Ginny and Hermione were looking at dresses "how about yellow?" Ginny asked holding it up to herself
"Hmmm, I don't think it would work so well with your complexion." Hermione said, looking up from the rack of gowns. She had already pulled 5 for herself and 6 for Ginny. "How do you feel about purple?"
"I've never worn purple, it could work" Ginny said taking the dress from Hermione. "You go first. I want to see what you picked"
"Okay"
Hermione stepped out of the dressing room in a fluffy pink strapless dress and laughed in the mirror "This is Horrible!"
Ginny laughed "wow, pink is really not your color"
"I don't think I like all of this glitter and poofiness either. I feel like a cupcake" Hermione said turning to see the back "The next one is black"
Hermione tried on the black one, a gray one, and a green one with the same results. Finally she came to the last one. It was navy blue. She zipped it up and walked out to the mirror
"Wow, that dress is amazing"
The dress was taffeta with a strapless sweetheart neckline and a beaded, fitted waist. It fell draped in a bit of a ruffle onto the ball gown skirt. The tail of the skirt had embroidered flowers on it.
"It's beautiful, but it's a lot of dress!" Hermione laughed "But why not. You only live once right."
After Hermione changed out of the dress and had the sales lady hold onto it for her she went back into the sitting area. "Your turn"
Ginny walked into the dressing room loaded down with dresses to try "I want to see them all!" Hermione yelled
"Of course" Ginny muttered
After changing into all of the dresses, Ginny was torn between 2. One was a form fitting black knee length dress, the other, to both of their surprise was the purple one.
Ginny was standing in front of the mirror in the purple dress. "I'm leaning towards this one. I mean your dress is so dramatic, I need something outstanding. I think this is it."
The dress was spaghetti strapped with a sweetheart neckline, and a floor length ruffled skirt. The neckline and waist were beaded in a flower design
"Well, If I get a vote I'm all for that one"
Ginny was shocked to see her husband leaning against the doorway with a smirk on his face
"Harry! What are you doing here?"
"Taking the most beautiful woman in the world to dinner" He replied walking over to give her a hug "A little birdie told me that someone was feeling a little overwhelmed"
"No! I'm fine really." Ginny replied shooting a glare at Hermione
"Ginny, I know something is bothering you. Hermione and Draco offered to take the kids for the night. We're going to go to dinner then go home and talk about everything that's bothering you." He pulled her tighter and whispered in her ear "You have to talk to me. I love you and I don't like you being scared"
Ginny nodded "Okay, I'm going to go take this off and get ready. Hermione can you come help me?"
"Sure Gin" Hermione said standing up. "Give me just a sec"
Ginny walked into the fitting room and Hermione gave Harry a hug "Where's Draco?"
"We went ahead to the burrow and picked up the kids so Ginny couldn't get out of going to dinner. He's at your house with them."
"All 4, he is a brave man. Why don't you run over and tell the sales girl Ginny is going to take the purple one while I help her get ready."
"You got it"
"You okay Gin?" Hermione asked tentatively "I know you're mad"
Ginny let her into the changing room while she hung up the dress "I'm not mad. Thank you for telling him. It's probably better If talk to him anyway."
"I didn't tell him everything. Just that you are worried and he needed to talk to you. I'm going to apparate home; Draco is by himself with all 4 kids. Have a good evening with Harry and we'll see you tomorrow. No hurry either. We'll be fine"
"Thanks Mione" Ginny said hugging her "We owe you one"
