A/N: Thank you SometimeSelkie, especially for the help in some of the phrasing in this chapter.

The Safe House

Chapter Thirty-Five

Harry sat down at the kitchen table of the Burrow. Hermione was sitting next to Molly on the other side of the table, Ron was standing by the back door with his arms crossed stiffly over his chest, and Arthur was leaning against the sink. Earlier that afternoon, Healer Cerletti had found Molly and released her from George's spell. The witch had left the Burrow quickly, promising to review Ginny's memories and write up the report to send to Harry. Molly had promptly found Harry, and he had brought Ron and Hermione with him to the Burrow. The four decided to wait for Arthur to arrive before discussing what was to happen next.

Hermione squeezed Molly's hand before gently saying, "There was no way to know that he was coming. And George has always defended her. Ron just said last night that we would need to talk with him."

Harry cut in, "I checked at the prison. No one has seen her there. I almost went in to speak with Malfoy, but he's too smart. He would have guessed, and I just couldn't stand to see that satisfied smirk on his face."

Ron growled in agreement and then added, "Percy didn't know anything. Said George left with Pansy this afternoon and hadn't returned."

Harry ran his hand through his already messy hair. "Pansy? Dammit, I bet she's involved."

Hermione turned to her friend. "How would she even know to be involved, Harry? No one even knows he's at the prison. And you said she's never there."

"I know, but it makes sense. She moved out last week. I haven't even seen her. I guess it doesn't really matter now anyway. She will know everything soon enough."

Hermione nodded her head in agreement and pursed her lips in thought. "Well, at least the Healer was able to get almost an entire session completed. What set her off, Molly?"

Molly dropped her eyes, Ginny's confession of possibly being pregnant replaying in her head. She had assured Healer Cerletti that Ginny was lying and desperately trying to keep her from proceeding with the tests. She finally cleared her throat and replied, "She was afraid of the shock treatment."

Arthur stepped away from the sink, anger in his voice. "Shock treatment? What exactly were you planning on doing to her?" He looked at Hermione.

"Cerletti is a leader in her field. Muggles have been using shock therapy for decades. It would not have hurt her. No one is trying to hurt her."

Ron chortled. He stepped up behind Hermione and leaned over her chair, staring at Harry. "Just let him have her. He's going to rot in prison for the rest of his life, Harry. We will put him away for betraying the Order, and then everything he ever did as a so-called spy will have been working for Voldemort. That's all that matters."

Harry held Ron's cold gaze for a moment, anger boiling inside of him. "Ginny matters. She matters to me. We have to prove what he has done to her. We have to." He stood up and rubbed his forehead. "I'm going to report him tomorrow. We have to start the proceedings before they get him freed on some technicality. Goodnight. I will talk with you tomorrow." Harry quickly Disapparated from the Burrow.

Molly crossed the kitchen and stood close to Arthur, worry written across her face. She seemed to be struggling with a decision. Finally, she addressed her daughter-in-law. "Hermione, I found something today in the kitchen. I don't know what it is, but I think it may have come from Ginny's wedding vial." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a beautiful red stone.

"Is that a garnet?" Hermione took the stone into her hand and began examining it. "Why do you think it came from the vial?"

"It was under the cabinet along with a shard of the glass. I must have missed it yesterday. Thuban found it whilst the Healer was testing Ginny. I saw the glass and grabbed it before he could get to it. That's when I found the stone."

"Did you show it to Ginny?" Hermione asked, holding the blood red stone up to the light.

"No, I didn't have a chance." She sighed heavily and Arthur put his arm around her shoulders. "Can you look into it? I really don't know that much about those old rituals." She looked to Arthur to see if he had anything to add.

"I'm afraid that I don't know any more about them either. The Weasleys stopped following many of those traditions several generations ago."

"Alright. Well, I wanted to research the ritual anyway, so I'll see what I can find." She pocketed the stone and held her hand out to Ron. "You ready?"

Ron took her hand and gave her a small smile. "Yeah." He looked at his parents, holding each other. "She's going to be fine. Ginny is strong. We all know that." Hermione squeezed his hand, appreciating that he was trying to be kind to his parents. They stepped closer, said their goodbyes, and Disapparated.

ooo

George and Pansy finally returned to the Muggle flat, loaded with many boxes and bags of things Pansy had purchased for her new home.

Narcissa stood up, holding the baby, and let them into the flat. "Shh. He just went down."

"Sorry," Pansy whispered with a huge smile on her face. "I've never had so much fun shopping before."

Narcissa took Thuban into the kitchen so the others could bring everything in. Ginny joined George and Pansy and began carrying the things in from the hall. "You don't have to whisper. I don't like him sleeping in complete silence. Draco and I never whispered around him. What did you get?"

George carried in the last of the large boxes. "Everything. We have been Apparating them back to the hallway all night. We didn't want to bother you until we were finished. It's amazing how easy it was to convince the Muggles that we could just carry everything out of the stores. We just used some charms on everything and acted like things were heavy. Once we were hidden, we shrank the furniture and brought it here."

"You bought all of this in the last three hours?" Ginny surveyed the piles of boxes and packages in the sitting room.

Pansy plopped onto the floor and began unloading and unshrinking several items. "Well, we didn't get everything yet. But I, personally, would like to sleep on a bed tonight. I thought you might want to, too. I hope you like it."

"How can you afford this?"

"My parents both died in the war." She saw Ginny's face drop in sympathy. "It's fine. I've dealt with it." She blew out a quick breath and smiled. "Anyway, I inherited everything. Plus, I still own the estate. The Ministry leases the space from me, and I'm kind of like a warden, I guess. That's why I can come and go so easily."

"And Harry still tried to hide Draco there?"

"Well, Azkaban would not have worked - way too much paperwork and guards involved. There would've been no way to keep him a secret. I think he was just counting on me not finding out. And normally, I wouldn't have, but I wasn't sure where I was going to live, so I went by to see if there was a space for me to set up house. I just happened to hear an elf talking about the new 'mystery' inmate."

"Thank God. If you hadn't found him, I don't know how long I would've been stuck at the Burrow."

George joined the two witches on the floor and reached over to grab Ginny's hand. "I still would have eventually found your note. And if not, I would've figured something out soon, Gin. It was just a matter of time before I went to check on Narcissa and see how the reunion was going. Although, I think Ron was going to inform me of their plans. He told me that they didn't trust Draco. I just didn't think that meant they had locked him away and were keeping you trapped at the Burrow."

"Yeah, that was nothing compared to being treated by Healer Cerletti. I don't even want to know what she had planned to do to me." She shuddered at the thought, and George pulled her into a warm embrace.

After unpacking all of the various items, Pansy excitedly started setting up her new place. She ordered George all around the flat, having him enlarge all the furniture items and then move them around the rooms until she was happy with the arrangement. Narcissa agreed to bring Teddy's cot over the next day, and she left after finally giving the baby back to Ginny. Once Ginny's bed was set up, she hugged George and Pansy several times before she retired for the night, still missing Draco, but feeling happier than she had felt for the last couple of days.

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The next morning, Narcissa arrived bright and early and with several bags of food for the new flat mates. She also had brought the cot, as promised, and had it sitting in the front room. It was all she could do to not creep into Ginny's room and hold her grandson again. Instead, she decided to make a large breakfast for her new family members. The smell of food seemed to do the trick, and it wasn't long before the two witches and the little wizard emerged from their rooms.

Ginny walked into the kitchen, holding Thuban. The baby waved to his grandmother and struggled to get down. After he toddled over to Narcissa, Ginny took a seat at the table and leaned her head against her hand. "Good morning, Narcissa. I didn't expect you here so early."

Narcissa was playing with the baby and giggling at him. "I couldn't stay away. I wish Pansy had thought to get a flat with three bedrooms. I would have moved in, too."

"I'm sure your sister is glad to have you there. I can't wait to see them." The two witches had discussed Narcissa's family the night before, and Ginny was excited to discover how close they had become. She was thrilled to think that Draco and Thuban were going to have more family.

Pansy stumbled into the room, a walking contradiction with her very dishevelled hair and extremely expensive-looking pyjamas. "Morning. Your brother is the devil." She collapsed into the closest chair.

"What did you two do last night?" Ginny leaned forward, grinning from ear to ear.

Pansy glared at the other witch's tone that implied something was happening between her and George. "Not what you're suggesting."

Narcissa handed Thuban over and began setting the table with the plates of food. "Pansy? Did you get anything for the baby?"

"I bought him some toys and some really cute little outfits." She shook her head as if there was nothing else he would ever need.

Ginny laughed. "I think she means furniture. We need a high chair, a changing table, a playpen, and a rocking chair would be nice."

"Oh. Sorry. I guess that means I get to do more shopping. Ginny, you should come today - that way you can pick out everything."

"Aren't we meeting Luna?" Ginny asked as she fed Thuban from her plate.

"Of course, but she suggested a Muggle restaurant so we will already be in Muggle London."

"Do you really think that I need to keep hiding?"

Narcissa placed the Daily Prophet on the table with Draco's picture on the cover. "Yes. I think your family will probably be livid after this article."

Ginny and Pansy both reached for the paper, and after a moment of tugging, Pansy let go of it. "Really, Narcissa, only one copy? And Ginny, I'm only letting you have it first since he is your husband, and … well, because I was there for the interview. Don't get used to it."

Ginny rolled her eyes at the brunette and began perusing the paper. Draco looked very handsome in the picture, but he also looked angry. The article told his side of the story, that he had been a spy for the Order, and after his cover was blown, he had gone into hiding. He sounded shocked that he had been taken into custody. He made no reference to anything suggesting that he had actually been trapped in the Safe House or that Ginny Weasley had joined him. In fact, the only reference to her was at the end of the article when Luna asked how he could have survived the Curse of the Mark. He simply stated that his wife had saved him. Ginny chuckled at that, picturing the smug look on his face as he said it. Luna had finished the article by stating that he was married to the missing Weasley and that they had a child. There was no mention of any upcoming interview with the new Mrs. Malfoy.

Thuban smacked at the paper in his mother's hand. "Dada!"

All three witches cheered him for being so smart, and he buried his face in Ginny's chest. She kissed his head and tried to hold back the tears that were quickly forming. "Daddy loves you so much, Snitch." She handed the paper to Pansy. "This has less detail than I thought. Was this on purpose?"

Narcissa answered, "Yes. I think Luna wants to draw out the story with several articles. She said we shouldn't give away everything up front. She didn't ask Draco much more than that, and I think she didn't mention your story so when your interview appears, it will be even more newsworthy. Of course, we will find out this afternoon. Are you going to let her photograph the baby?"

"I don't know. Do you think I should? I don't want people to bother us."

Pansy tossed the paper down and took another drink of coffee. "I think you should wait. It's always good to wait and play your hand slowly." Narcissa nodded in agreement. "Your family didn't take any pictures of you this week, did they?"

"No, I don't think they were thinking about creating happy memories. I think they were more focused on getting me to accept the idea that Draco was still a Death Eater and that nothing I remembered was the truth."

Pansy burst out, "That's so fucked up! Oops, sorry. Probably should work on that. He can speak, right?"

Ginny just sat and laughed. "A little. But yeah, I'd appreciate you not swearing in front of him."

ooo

Later that afternoon, Ginny couldn't stop crying as she held on to Luna. The two then spent most of the lunch laughing about all their fun memories from school. Once Harry had placed Ginny in Grimmauld Place, the two had corresponded by owl. When Ginny began her training to be a Healer, she had been able to spend a little more time with the up and coming reporter. It had become difficult to keep up with each other during the war, but the two never felt like their friendship had faded.

Luna was completely taken with Thuban, and she held him throughout the meal. Once the plates were taken away, Luna handed Narcissa her grandson and pulled out her notebook to begin the interview.

"Ginny, I haven't heard from Harry … yet. But I wouldn't be surprised if I do hear from him or someone in your family today. Is there anything you want me to say to them?" She smiled at her friend. "Oh, this is off the record. I just wanted to ask."

Ginny looked at her son and reached over to stroke his pale hair. "No. I have nothing to say to them." She looked back at Luna. "They know what they have done, and I'm not ready to deal with them."

"Of course. Are you ready to tell me your story? I think that we should just begin with your role in the war and what led to you being in hiding with Draco, maybe a little on your relationship. His case probably won't make it to court for a couple of months – "

"A couple of months?" Ginny interrupted loudly.

"I'm sorry, but yes, it could be December before they even schedule it. And that's if things go according to plan. If we get the public behind the two of you, then the Ministry will feel the pressure to move things along."

Ginny glanced at Narcissa and Pansy, who were nodding in agreement. "And how do we do that?"

"We need to keep you in their minds, keep reminding them of your love story, make you the victims."

"We are the victims."

"I know. But by keeping them hooked on your story, you will have more power when you do go to court. The Ministry is in a precarious position right now. The war is over, which is wonderful, but that means everything is shifting. No one will want the Ministry to look as if they have knowingly arrested and locked up an innocent man who was acting as a spy for the Order. Add in his beautiful wife, also part of the Order, and his perfect little baby, who happens to look just like him, and it could be a publicity nightmare."

"When did you get so shrewd?" Pansy asked, looking impressed.

"I'm a Ravenclaw. Everyone seems to always forget that." She shrugged. "Well, let's get started."

ooo

Harry angrily threw the paper from his desk and placed his head in his hands. He was gripping at his hair when Ron entered.

"So you read the article?" Ron smirked at Harry as he sat across from him.

"You think if we kill him, we can blame it on another prisoner?"

"Don't tempt me."

"Shacklebolt practically ripped my head off this morning. Apparently, I do not have the authority to take in wanted Death Eaters without checking in with him first. And it's not like I could tell him that I just needed the extra time to convince my ex-girlfriend to come back to me."

"True, but did you tell him that he has messed with her head? That he forced her to marry him and have his child?"

"Yeah, I did. He said that unless we have her admitting to it at the trial, then we can forget that ever holding up in court."

"Thanks, George," Ron grumbled. "I haven't seen him, by the way. Went by his flat last night, and he still wasn't there. I think you're going to have to go to Pansy. She's going to know where he is."

"I know. Trust me, I know," Harry groaned as he once again grabbed at his hair.

"At least we know he's going to go down for betraying the Order." He watched Harry grimace as if in pain. "Look, when he is rotting away in prison, you'll have plenty of time to work on Ginny. Once he's convicted, she'll have to admit that he wasn't being honest with her."

"Damn! I wish that Healer could have worked with her more. She sent me her report today. Pretty much states that," he paused and picked up a paper from his desk. He began reading, "Although subject presents the traits of someone who suffers from PTSD, there was no conclusive evidence of manipulations, modifications, or alterations of memories or mental state."

"Will that be enough to demand further testing?"

"You're bloody brilliant! That's perfect. I'm sure we can have the court request for Ginny to be tested before she can testify."

"I try," Ron stated smugly, happy at being helpful but still a bit frustrated from being removed from the case.

Harry leaned forward and grinned. "Maybe she will recover her memories in time for his court date."

"Which is?"

"Don't know yet. He was officially charged this morning. It will be a couple of days before they set a date."

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A/N: So amazed at the generous response from everyone. Thank you so much!

Please tell me what you think. Do you mind not actually reading the article? I wasn't sure if it was really necessary to move the plot along. Basically, it would just be a recap of Part One. Oh yes, no cliffie this time! Finally, right?