Thanking her luck, Ginny was never questioned further on her relationship with Draco. Though the other order members were not exactly welcoming of Draco, Ginny refused to let her family's distain for the Malfoy family tarnish Draco. Limiting their time together, Mrs. Weasley kept Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco and Ginny separated whenever possible. It was hardly necessary for Draco, however, since Remus and Tonks kept Draco training constantly, but he always made sure to help Mrs. Weasley whenever possible. At moments, Ginny would despise everyone from keeping Draco from her, but at those moments, Draco would always consul her by telling her this was necessary.
So while the golden trio snuck around to plan their leave, and Flur planed her wedding, Draco slowly grew a substantial amount of muscle as well as dark circles under his eyes. His daily routine would consist of waking at 5 a.m. sharp, taking a four-mile run, then at 6:30 Remus would pick him up for training until 5 p.m. Then Draco would return to the Burrow, provide Mrs. Weasley with whatever needs she requested of him, and then around 9:30, Draco would retire to his room and study potions, spells, counter-curses and try his best not to fall sleep during his small chats with Ginny via his invention. Though he struggled, and his body often begging him to quit, Draco's determination won each small battle with himself.
June 5th was never a day to be extra joyous for Draco. Throughout all his childhood, his mother and Ginny, with the occasion of Snape or Bellatrix, were the only people to acknowledge his birthday. His father would make the annual lecture about his age required more responsibility to truly become a Malfoy. So when he woke at his usual time on his birthday, Draco gleefully muttered his present position to his father, as if Lucius stood in front of him or ran beside him.
"You should see me now, Father. I'm in love with a blood-traitor, living with a whole household of redheads and training to kill you." It was only until Draco reached the quiet house that he realized how similar he was to his father. In comparing, Draco's looks were a perfect replica of his father. They were each driven by revenge and murder, and their willingness to abandon their families were exact. By the time he had reached the back door that opened to the kitchen he was almost fuming.
"Oh! You're early. Well, happy 17th!" Ginny greeted Draco brightly, startling him for a moment.
"I thought everyone was still sleeping." Draco answered now noticing the pancakes, sausage and eggs that was carefully arranged on the kitchen table. As she began flipping pancakes again, Draco moved behind her, and wrapped his sweaty arms around her. Per his usual running clothes, a white undershirt and black shorts, Draco became quite obvious of the black ink that ran up his left forearm, and rotated it so it was against Ginny's stomach instead of directly visible to her. When he was not running or working out with Tonks and Remus, Draco would always be seen wearing long sleeve shirts despite the summer weather.
"Thank you, love." Draco whispered into her ear.
"You deserve it." Ginny answered. Part of him wanted to tell her she was wrong, he did not deserve anything like this. But he knew she had put much time and energy into this breakfast, so kissed her neck instead.
"Mmm. I should make you breakfast more often." Ginny sighed bearing her neck to his exploring lips.
"Maybe we can make this our time, we could take a run together, then eat breakfast together and won't have to sneak around any longer." Draco suggested.
"I could handle that." Ginny replied turning her body to press her lips against Draco's. In the midst of their display of affection, the two left the remaining pancakes to burn on the stove.
"Merlin!" Ginny cursed when she realized her mistake. Hurriedly, Ginny flicked off the stove, and tried to selvage the black circles. Being a graceful gentleman, Draco removed the smoke from the house with a small flick of his wand, and then another to the very burnt pancakes turning them into perfect fluffy pancakes.
"Thanks." Ginny muttered embarrassed by her lack of cooking skills.
"Let's eat, and forget those stupid pancakes." Draco told her lightly.
"Yes." Ginny smiled sliding into the bench seat followed by Draco.
Neither Draco nor Ginny had eaten much before their mouths found each other's again. In one swift motion, Draco pulled Ginny onto his lap, their kiss unharmed by the sudden movement.
"Tonks and Remus- have worked- you hard." Ginny commented in between kisses.
"All the more to carry you with, my dear." Draco responded chivalrously, causing a rare giggle to emerge from Ginny.
"Tonks'll be coming soon." Ginny told him after a while.
"Until then, I think I still have birthday kisses from you I have yet to receive." Draco answered.
"Hold that thought." Ginny told him pulling away from his body slightly. Upon her return, Ginny held out a small, and carefully wrapped package.
"Happy 17th, Draco." Ginny smiled handing him the gift.
"Gin, you shouldn't have." Draco told her, though accepting the present nonetheless.
"Just open it." Ginny told him impatiently. Laughing softly, he carefully opened the package, so slowly it made Ginny want to rip her perfect wrapping job apart. Inside the black velvet case, a wizard's watch laid. With dragon leather straps, the silver watch glistened in the early morning sunlight.
"It's not new, but it is in really good condition and-" But Ginny was cut off by Draco's mouth softly grazing her lips.
"It's perfect. Thank you." Draco told her sincerely when they parted.
"You didn't let me finish," Ginny answered blushing, "When you leave for whatever assignments Remus gives you, this watch will always lead you back to me. This hand," Ginny pointed to the thin hand which pointed towards her stomach, "will always point to me, no matter where in the world you are."
"How was I lucky enough to land such a smart witch?" Draco asked as he pulled the watch out of its case and connected it to his wrist.
"Looks amazing on you." Ginny complemented.
"Sweetheart, everything looks good on me." Draco joked.
"You're such a prat." Ginny shook her head, smiling.
"Mm, but I'm a loveable prat." Draco answered giving Ginny one last lingering kiss.
"I'm just curious, how do you get a loveable part?" A female voice asked from the doorway. As if shocked, the two leaped apart, Ginny landing on the opposite side of the bench that she had originally sat on and Draco the far end of bench. Nervously, the couple glanced at the doorway to see Nympadora Tonks watching them with amusement.
"I can explain." Draco told Tonks referring to his relationship with Ginny.
"Oh, I'm sure you can." Tonks answered smiling brightly.
"Please don't tell Mum and Dad. They'll explode." Ginny pleaded.
"I won't, but sooner or later they'll find out. Especially if you keep making out like that." Tonks answered, then burst excitedly, "I knew it! I knew you two were an item."
"Come again?" Draco asked eying Ginny, though she looked as confused as he did.
"Scoot over." Tonks told Ginny sliding into the small bench so Ginny was forced into contact with the left side of Draco's body. Before continuing on, Tonks looked between the confused and nervous couple smiling broadly. Unfazed by their shock, Tonks grabbed one of Ginny's pancakes and ripped of a large bit with her teeth before answering. "Remus and I were trying to figure out the motive behind Draco's betrayal to his family and You-Know-Who shortly after Dumbledoor told us. Anyway, he thought that you realized the kind of person he is, and didn't want to be affiliated with it. But I thought it was because of someone, and I was right! How long have you guys been going out?"
"We haven't really been on a date yet, trying to keep it undisclosed." Draco answered.
"Well when did you guys become a couple?" Tonks asked clearly impatient with their answer.
"October 15th of this year." Ginny answered.
"Damn. Could you tell Remus it was early November? Otherwise I owe him five sickles." Tonks pleaded.
"As long as this doesn't go outside of the four of us." Draco agreed while Ginny nodded her consent.
"Perfect! Well we should be heading off, Draco. See you tonight, Ginny!" Tonks stood up from the bench and moved to the door.
"See you later, love." Draco whispered to Ginny's cheek before getting up.
"Have fun." Ginny responded.
"Oh for Merlin's sake, give the girl a kiss." Tonks told Draco before walking out the open kitchen door.
"We should probably listen to her, you know." Draco told Ginny his hands wrapping around her jaw gently.
"Wouldn't want to not follow her directions." Ginny agreed moments before Draco pressed his lips to hers softly.
"Happy birthday, Draco." Ginny whispered when they broke apart.
"Thank you, Ginevra." Draco replied repeating her tone.