Saving Souls

Chapter 14

Ginny looked up at Severus, who was holding Draco. "He left?"

Severus nodded. "Ginevra, there's a lot you still don't know, and it's Lucius' place to tell you about it."

Ginny started laughing a very sad type of laugh. "Funny, at the beginning of all this I could not have cared how he felt about all this. Now that's all that matters to me."

There was a knock at the front door. Lily went to answer it. "Ginevra, he needs time, but he's not going to try to take Draco from you," Severus explained to her.

"He seemed pretty upset. I remember once asking him if he would take part in the punishment of someone who was a spy. He said he would if they put him or his family in danger. Did I not do that?"

"He won't hurt you, at least not intentionally," Severus reassured.

"Ginny, your mother is here," Lily said as she held the door open.

Molly was happy to have Ginny back, and in true mother form all she really cared about was if Ginny was happy. And if Lucius had treated her well. And, of course, she wanted to know all about Draco. When Ginny told Molly about Scarlett, mother held daughter as they both wept. "Have you seen Lucius yet?"

"He left just before you came by. I don't think Dad has to worry about Lucius touching me."

"It went that well, did it?" Molly and Ginny were sitting in the back garden while Draco played.

"Worse!" Ginny said miserably.

"It will all work out for the best, Ginny. I know it feels horrible right now, but it will get better one way or another."

"Mummy," Ginny began to sob again, "I missed you so much!"

"I know, honey, I know." Then in an attempt to cheer Ginny up, she asked, "So tell me, is he a good kisser?"

Without thinking, Ginny replied, "Very good!" which was followed by a gasp and, "Mum!"

"Oh Ginny, come on! He is an attractive man, and after years of marriage it's normal, even healthy, to wonder," Molly stated, grinning.

"Mum, he's my husband!" Ginny pretended to be shocked.

"Yes, and I'm your mother, who loves your father with all my heart. I would never do anything to hurt either of you. I just wondered, and if I can't ask you, who can I?" Both laughed. "So do you think you're going to come to the Burrow soon? Your brothers all want to see you, and your father is hurting. He just wants to find someone to be upset with. This second, Lucius is the best and clearest target."

"Maybe I'll come round tomorrow evening. Draco is going to spend the night with Lucius."

The next moring Ginny was in the shower and Lily was out with Seth and Laura picking up some groceries. Severus was watching Draco, but he left him in the sitting room for a second to go to the kitchen for something. The front door opened and Harry Potter walked in. He noticed he small child sitting on the floor. Harry dropped his knapsack and entered the room. He watched as the baby took joy in putting the blocks in the box and then pulling them back out. "Harry! You're back!" came the voice of his stepfather.

"Hey, Severus. Yes, we got back last night and we all slept at the Grangers. Who's the kid?"

Severus raised an eyebrow, he had hoped he would not be around for this. "Harry, you remember your mother and I telling you about the night James died? How a friend of mine, Lucius' wife, came with her son? That's her son. Over the last couple of days, quite a few questions have finally been answered. Voldemort vanished because his Avada Kedavra curse hit the effects of a time turner. For this boy and his mother, it's only been three days since that night."

Harry continued to watch Draco play. "Where is his mother? I would like to thank her." Harry moved farther into the room, closer to little Draco.

"She should be out of the shower in a few minutes."

Harry looked around. "Oh. Where's Mum?"

"She took your brother and sister shopping. I take it you found the know-it-all's parents."

"Yeah, but I don't think we should let Hermione do any more memory charms."

"You mean there's something she can't do?" came Ginny's voice from the doorway. Harry's head popped up and a huge smile appeared on his face.

"Ginny!!"

"Mum Mum Mum!" Draco said as he saw his mother. He then took the fastest way to Ginny; crawling.

"What?" Harry looked at the tot, who was climbing up Ginny.

Severus seemed to have vanished from the room. Ginny picked up Draco and then said, "Harry, this is my son."

Harry looked around the room for Severus. "No, Severus said that this is Lucius Malfoy's son."

"Harry, a lot happened while you were away."

"Gin, I was gone three weeks! This kid is over a year old!"

"As I said, a lot has happened, but this is mine and Lucius' son, who we both love with all our hearts."

Harry looked stunned. "This is just fucking great! While I was off trying to save the world my girlfriend was out screwing a Death Eater! What happened to you waiting for me? No, wait... you must have been with him long before that! I mean the kid is a year old! You were carrying his child while seeing me?" Harry pushed past her in a fit of rage, walking back out of the house and slamming the door behind him.

"That did not go well," Severus said from behind Ginny.

She shrugged her shoulders. "No matter how it happened it was going to be bad. What happened with you and him? You were beyond civil to each other."

"I have loved his mother most of my life, and for a long time he has been a part of that life. I know that in your past I seemed to only hold him in contempt. I do love him as if he was my own. And yes, at times, you would think we hate each other, but that's only when he behaves like his father. And sometimes like his stepfather." The last part was said much quieter.

"What else am I going to find has changed?"

"A lot," Snape replied.

Before dinner Lucius arrived to pick up Draco. Ginny was on the floor with him in the sitting room playing, much like she did in his nursery. Lucius stood in the entrance watching the two of them, like he had longed to do so many times in the past. He would never try to claim that Ginny wasn't a wonderful mother. Once she had gotten over the passing of Scarlette, she devoted herself to Draco without question.

Lucius cleared his throat. "Ginevra, I'm here for Draco." He did not want to sound hard, but he could not help it.

She turned and gave him a warm smile, then slowly got up, lifting Draco with her. "Uhm, 'kay. He was just changed and he still hasn't had dinner, but he should be hungry very soon."

"It's been a long time. I don't remember, does he still take a nap in the morning?" Lucius asked.

"Yeah, normally about two and a half hours after he wakes up." All she wanted was for Lucius to pull her into his arms and tell her he understood why she did what she did. Her eyes conveyed that as she continued, "I'll get his diaper bag."

"I think I have everything he needs at the Manor. I assume that all you have is the clothing on your back. The accounts still have you name on them."

She nodded. Before handing Draco to Lucius, she hugged and kissed their son. "Mummy loves you, honey."

"He'll be back after supper tomorrow, Kitten," Lucius reminded her in a reassuring way.

"Thanks," she said sadly. "Have a good night."

"Good night." Lucius turned and left. Severus had stayed in the hall listening to the whole thing. Once Lucius and Draco were gone, Severus came into the living room as Ginny tried to hide the fact that she was crying.

"Ginevra, can I make a suggestion?"

She took a moment before turning to face him. "Sure."

Severus walked up to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "If you want him back, I would suggest you remind him of why he was so attracted to you in the first place."

"What?"

"Get busy, get a life beyond him. Yes, for the last couple of years you had to be very careful, but Voldemort is gone and you're still young. Get a job, find a place to live. Move on. He fell for you because of how you treated him. I think if you show him you don't need him to continue living, his desire to have you back will overtake him. Men need a challenge. Start with putting some of that Malfoy money to use; go out tomorrow and get some clothing."

"What am I going to do for a job?" she questioned.

"Didn't you learn how to plan a party? Use what you know; our world is a happier place now that Death Eaters aren't a threat. People are always having parties and I think your skills could take you a long way."

"You're right," she sighed. "I'll head out tomorrow for some new things."

"And I will make a few inquiries for you," Severus offered.

"Thanks, Severus. What would I do without you?"

That evening Ginny headed over to the Burrow. When she arrived she stood in the yard for awhile, just looking at her childhood home. After having lived at Malfoy Manor for three years she understood the comment Lucius had made about the Weasley home. But at the same time, even he could never deny that the home was filled with love. She heard a couple of pops behind her and turned to see Bill and his wife Fleur.

"Ginny!" Bill said as he pulled her into a hug and lifting her off the ground. "How are you doing? Mum told us what you have been through."

She closed her eyes to keep from crying. "Good, I guess. The last few days have been hard."

He finally put her down and took her hand in his, looking her over. "Mum said you have a son! Where is he?"

"Lucius has him this evening." They dropped hands

"Well, I don't think anyone would have guessed you would produce the first grandchild."

She smiled, then commented, "And he was born before me!" They were now walking toward the back door of the house.

"Ginny, we were all very worried about you," Fleur finally spoke.

"I'm sorry for any worry I caused." As she walked into the house, Ginny felt as if she stepped back in time. Molly was cooking in the kitchen, Arthur was talking to Charlie, and Ron and Harry were playing wizard chess in the living room. Then from up the stairs Fred came. Ginny could always tell the difference between her twin brothers. As soon as she saw him she began to cry.

"Hey, Ginny!" Fred said warmly. Ginny threw herself into his arms as she sobbed. After giving her a hug, Fred began to look unsure of what to do as she continued to sob and cling to him.

"Geez, I thought I was her favorite brother," Bill teased both of his siblings.

Over dinner Ginny told her family about what had all happened to her over her last few years, and about Draco. She also detailed the things she already knew she changed, but she felt that Harry had the right to he by himself to hear about the changes that affected him alone.

Lucius had placed a Floo call to the Snape residence. He was having a hard time with Draco and was hoping that Ginny would be willing to come to the Manor, at least until Draco settled down. He realized that Draco, in the last few months, had spent very little time with him. Also, after sixteen years, he was not the same to a small child, and Lucius would need a little time getting to the point of being completely confident in a routine with Draco. Snape informed Lucius that Ginny had gone to the Burrow for the evening. Lucius decided that it might be better to ask her face to face. So he took Draco and Apparated to the Apparition point just beyond Weasley property. As he made his way to the backyard, he spotted his wife sitting on a bench in the overgrown garden with Harry Potter. They were sitting too close for his liking.

"Look Harry, I'm sorry if I hurt you! That was never my plan." She paused, looking into his eyes. "Do you realize how different your life was before I went back? You were raised in the home of your Muggle Aunt and Uncle! I remember you telling me that until you got your letter to Hogwarts that you slept in a cupboard under the stairs and didn't even know you were a wizard until your eleventh birthday!! The night that Voldemort came for you, you lost both your parents! You spent most of your school life loathing Severus and only found out that he loved your mother, and knew her very well, after he died. I remember one of the last things you told me was that he knew her and could have told you so much about her. Harry, because of what I did you had your mother and Severus both in your life. You had a pretty normal wizard childhood."

Harry reached out and tucked a piece of Ginny's hair behind her ear. "But you're with Malfoy! I know he turned spy for us in the end, but Ginny..."

She sighed heavily. "Harry, I tried, but he would not give up. One minute it was a case of my spending time with him to stay informed and the next I knew I had fallen for him."

Ginny, he's-"

"Harry, listen. He was someone who took an interest in me and he treated me as if I was the only woman around that mattered. He made time for me and he never treated me like someone's annoying little sister. I was doing something dangerous, and had I told anyone about doing it beforehand, they would have told me that I was too young and to let someone else do it. I'm sorry if I hurt you!" She leaned in and kissed Harry on the cheek, then continued. "But I will never be sorry for loving him."

Lucius turned away and Disapparated as she was leaning in.

Ginny spent the earlier part of the day on Diagon Alley buying new things for herself and Draco. She was not worried about what Lucius would say because she knew if he was concerned he would not have told her that the accounts still bore her name. She bought a lot for Draco and a few things for herself; it did not make sense to spend a lot on herself when she would soon need new things to accommodate her changing size.

She headed back to the Snape home where she found Lily sitting at the kitchen table waiting for her. "Ginny, you need to sit down." As she took her seat, Lily continued. "Sev told me about his – suggestions that he made yesterday, about you finding a place of your own. I'm not happy with him, though. Your family has been like a second family to Harry. What I mean to say is, the war may be over, but for you and Draco... well, because of the things that have come out about Lucius in recent weeks there could be those who would be out to hurt him. You and Draco would be good targets for that. I want you to to stay here for as long as you need."

"Lily, that's really sweet, but-"

"Ginny, in September we will all be heading to Hogwarts and the house will sit here completely empty. Stay. It's already one of the most protected places around and, hopefully in that time, your husband will come to his senses."

"I won't start looking for a place until things are settled between Lucius and myself," Ginny said.

"Good. Have you told Lucius about the baby yet?"

"No. I was hoping to do that tonight."

Lily looked at the younger woman. "I'll take care of Draco when you do that. Have you seen a healer yet?"

"Not yet."

"Go lay down. I'll grab my things and check you over," Lily offered and Ginny did as she was told.

After supper, Lucius arrived with Draco. He was very happy to see his mother again. As Lucius was about to leave, Ginny handed Draco to Lily and headed after him. "Lucius, there's something I need to talk to you about."

He glanced at her almost as though he was scared to look into her eyes. His jaw twitched. "What?"

"Lucius, please, I don't think this is something to talk about in someone's front hall."

"Fine. Come with me to the Manor?"

She gave him a small smile."Sure." After Apparating, she was pleased to see the wards still allowed her access to the house itself.

"To the parlor," Lucius offered. Ginny nodded and they walked in silence. It did bother her to see that the house had been updated with more recent furnishings, and she wondered what lover he had allowed to do that. She took a seat. "You're the one who had something to talk about," he pointed out.

"Yes. Lucius, do you remember the day I vanished?"

He was pouring himself a drink, but he turned and looked at her. "I have every second of that day committed to memory."

"I was trying to tell you something."

"After sixteen years, I don't think it matters anymore." There was no softness to his voice.

She shifted uncomfortably. "But it does, Lucius. I was -am, umm... I'm pregnant."

Lucius' face cracked into a smile."You are?!"

"Yes. As near as I can figure it, it happened that day in your office. You were working from home that day," Ginny informed him.

He smirked as he remembered the encounter, then his face grew hard again. "Then you risked even more that day."

"I know. I am sorry."

"You and Draco should come back to the Manor."

"No, Lucius. If you had asked me back when you first found out I had returned or even yesterday, it might have been different. To be honest, you haven't even touched me in any way, and we both know right now you're only asking me back because of this baby. Lucius, for you it's been sixteen years! You have gotten older, and you have had other lovers."

"Not lovers, but bed mates, yes," he interrupted.

It hurt to hear him admit it. "I won't come back to you just because of a child. Look, I love you. Or at least, the you I remember. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this. If we just moved back in together, for all we know we could find out we hate each other now. You're older and more mature with totally different life experiences than me. I'm still only twenty-one and now you may find I'm too immature. My family is insisting we wait until my birthday, so let's take that time to find out if we still even like each other."

"What about your feelings for Potter?"

"What feelings for Potter?" She looked confused.

"I stopped by the Burrow last night and I saw you kiss him." He took a large gulp of his drink.

"Harry asked me to date him again when he got back. For me that was four years ago, but for him it was three weeks ago. He was hurt by the things he found changed upon returning. I did kiss him, but only on the cheek."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"All of it." He finally came over and sat next to her, his forearms resting on his knees.

"For those I love. To be somebody. To prove something. And I'm glad I did it because I got the chance to know you and I have a beautiful son," she explained.

He looked back at her. "I never stopped loving you."

"I hope we will find we can still love each other."

He moved to face her. "The last few years were the hardest, but this last one was the worst. You were so close I could almost taste you."

She looked confused, again. "How?"

"I spent the last year as Headmaster at Hogwarts. I watched your young self pine for Potter."

"I'm sorry."

He reached out and touched her face. "Stay. Stay the night."

"I want to, but for Draco and this baby we have to make sure that we are together because it's right, not because the sex is good."

He knew she was right. "Tomorrow is Draco's birthday."

Her eyebrows almost reached her hairline with surprise. "Is it really? I mean, to me he's still only seventeen months old."

"Still, we should do something. Come to dinner tomorrow night."

"Sure," she said and looked into his eyes. Tears welled up in them. "I'm so sorry." A sob escaped. Lucius reached out and pulled his wife close to his chest. She fit exactly in his arms as he remembered.

As she wrapped her arms around him, he realized that this had been his dream for years now. For Ginevra to just return. For him to have not missed a thing in Draco's life. For her to still love him. Lucius, too, began crying. They both just held each other for a long time. "Ginevra, I don't fully understand your reasons, but I'm just relieved both of you are back and fine. But I want the truth; when did it change for you? When did I go from being a way to remain informed to someone you care about?"

She pulled away so she could look into his eyes. "When? Well, I don't really know for sure when it changed, but I know I first realized that I cared the night Nathan Nott was killed. And I knew I loved you when you went missing."

He nodded and seemed satisfied with her answer.

A/N – Sorry for the delay in updating, but sometimes true life gets in the way of fiction. And I would love to know what everyone thinks of Harry and Severus' changed relationship!