Draco and Ginny tried using several excuses to get away from Reese. He had been good for a little while, but began bothering them about not being close. They were each forced to choose between spending time together, or taking a chance that Reese would choose the other one to spend time with. Reese thought they should be more affectionate, and Draco made several plans to kill Reese and hide the body.
It was Francis, who saved the day. He pointed out the flaws in every plan that Draco made. He also pointed out how to solve the problem with Reese. "Look," Francis told them, "Reese just wants to see if you two really like each other. He's convinced that you're only pretending, as an excuse to keep him away."
"We are only pretending," Ginny said, "And we are doing it as an excuse to keep him away."
"It isn't working," Francis said, "but I know what will convince him, if both of you are willing to give it a try." He paused and added, "It's a bit dramatic but it will convince Reese to leave the two of you alone. Here's the plan. Tomorrow, the two of you take a walk. . ."
"They fell for it," Reese said, happily, "They really believe I don't know the truth?"
"Completely," Francis said, "Ginny was a bit nervous, but I convinced her it was just a little kiss, but the timing had to be right. Draco thought it was funny."
"Francis, it's great to have you back," Reese said, "I would never have thought of it. What time will that girl be there?"
"Are you nervous?" Draco asked, as they walked down the street, holding hands.
"Only about someone seeing us," Ginny said.
"Isn't that the point?" Draco asked. "Sorry, I know what you mean. I'd never survive the stories of me being seen with a Weasel. Sorry, again, a Weasley."
Ginny laughed at Draco's apology, "Can you guess what they would say if they saw me with you. I think you'd get the better of the deal." She shook her head and muttered, "I don't believe I agreed to do this."
"Here's the spot," Draco said, pointing to a small grove of trees. "Do you think you can kiss me well enough?"
"That won't be a problem," Ginny said, putting her arms around Draco's neck. "The only thing I'll be thinking about is that Malcolm's brother will never bother me again."
"What a beautiful thought," Draco said, with a smile. He put his arms around her, and they touched lips. Almost immediately, they heard Francis tell Reese to leave the lovebirds in peace. Then a voice from the other side of the grove said, "Draco, is that you?"
Draco broke the kiss to turn and look at the new voice. It was Pansy Parkinson. "We were visiting relatives in the States and found out you would be here," she said, babbling, as her parents stood behind her, glaring. "But I didn't expect to find you here with . . . Oh, Mother, He's kissing GINNY WEASLEY."
As Mrs. Parkinson led her tearful daughter away, Mr. Parkinson approach the two students. "This is how you play with my daughter's affections?" He shouted, as a small crowd gathered. "I'll have words with your father, Draco Malfoy. I'll, I'll . . . " Mr. Parkinson stormed off in a rage.
"If it's any help, you are a great kisser," Ginny said, as she removed her arms from his neck.
"I've decided," Draco said, "I want to kill the entire family."
"On Christmas Eve?" asked Ginny.
"No, No," Draco assured her, "I'll wait to see if I get any presents first."
"That . . . was quite . . . a show," Stevie said.
Draco looked down at the small black boy in the wheelchair. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"You . . . go to school . . . with Malcolm," Stevie said, "I thought . . . I . . . could help . . . you." He nodded to an approaching figure.
Christine Miller walked up to them, and asked, in an unkind voice, "What do the two of you think you're doing? Don't you know that you are on school grounds?"
"It's . . . because of . . . me, Miss. . . . Miller," Stevie said. "I asked . . . them . . . to show me . . . how to kiss."
"Oh, that's all right then," Christine said in a voice that said the exact opposite.
"We are sorry to cause any problems," Draco said, his accent drawing attention. "We're only here on a visit."
"Yes, Ma'am," Ginny added, "we go to school with Malcolm. Do you know him?"
"I have to admit," Draco said, as the lady ran away, "That was an odd reaction."
"No," Stevie said, "That was. . .completely. . .normal."
"You're Stevie, then," Draco said, "Malcolm told me about you."
The two shook hands, and Draco introduced Ginny. " My. . .pleasure," Stevie said, "Are you. . .enjoying. . .your stay. . .here?"
Ginny looked at Draco and said, "No. I've just been forced to kiss someone I really can't stand. But at least Reese will leave me alone, now."
"Please. let me apologize," Draco said testily, "I believe you were the one who said it was a good idea."
"If you're so smart," Ginny snapped back, "why didn't you think of a better one?"
"It would be my fault," Draco sneered, "your poor family couldn't afford to take responsibility for anything."
"You hypocritical. . ." Ginny began.
"I see. . .Reese," Stevie called out.
Draco and Ginny stopped arguing and looked around. "Just . . . checking," Stevie said.
The giving of presents was orderly, which was a major surprise. Malcolm's gifts were curiosities from the magical world, with their own surprises. David Winter, from the Department of Magic, made several appearances, when Reese continued to believe his brother that "all the rest of the candies are ordinary toffees." Eventually, he confiscated the remaining Ton-Tongue Toffees, so that he could enjoy the holidays with his own family. Dewey tried out a canary cream, and was delighted. Hal took two of them, and looked at Lois, who said, "No."
"It could be fun," Hal suggested.
"Well, Later," Lois said.
Ginny opened up her present from Draco to find a Silver ring, engraved to look like a serpent. "It was supposed to be a joke," Draco whispered, but it didn't make Ginny feel any better. She put on her happy face and thanked Draco, and put the ring on her finger.
Draco opened his gift with trepidation. Weasley humor tended towards the crude, and he half expected a dung bomb to go off in his face. Instead, he found a picture of Ginny, surrounded by her brothers. She was blowing him a kiss. It was the worst gift he had ever received in his life. Oh, Ginny," he said, "It's such a smashing picture."
"My brothers thought you would like it," Ginny said, with a grin.
Draco cringed as he heard Reese say, "They do make a great couple."
"I've got the perfect frame, Draco," offered Lois, "Let me show it to you."
As they walked into the kitchen, Lois turned around and confronted the boy. "That was a stupid thing you did today. If Reese was bothering you, why didn't you tell me?" Draco tried to mouth a few words, but Lois continued, "Don't give me any lame excuses. I swear to God, you have no more brains in you than any of my own children. Why did the two of you kiss in public like that?"
"Well. . .I thought. . ." Draco said half-heartedly.
"Like I'm going to believe that." Lois said in an angry voice. "Well. Here's your frame, little mister, and before you go to bed tonight, you're taking a long cold shower, and don't even think about touching the hot water."
"Yes, Ma'am," Draco said.
"One more thing, Draco," Lois said, "If you don't like her, why did you kiss her?"
"Uh, I think I'll be looking forward to that cold shower."
Lois grinned broadly as the first beads of sweat appeared on Draco's forehead.
"I'm not done with you yet," she said.
"The fire's ready," Hal said, as he looked into the new fireplace.
"That's good," said Draco, "I'm still cold."
"Reese, Francis, get in here," Lois called.
Everyone, in turn, called out the Longbottom address and stepped into the fireplace. The last two were Lois and Ginny.
"I gave Draco an excuse not to bother you," Lois said to the young girl. "You don't need to pretend about anything, now."
Ginny expressed her thanks and then asked a question of her own. "When Draco kissed me, it felt almost nice. What if I really liked him?"
"That's easy," Lois answered, "beat him down until he'll do anything you want. If you can't get him to do that, he's not worth it."
With a laugh, Ginny leaped into the fireplace. She already knew that Draco wasn't worth it.
"Hello, Love," Draco said when she came out of the fireplace. "Did you know that Neville already knew all about us? It seems almost everyone here knows we are a couple"
"How? Ginny asked, fearful of the answer.
"Well," Draco drawled, "Father has already talked with Mr. Parkinson, and we may have made the gossip column of the Daily Prophet. But, according to Neville, our mutual friend Malcolm decided to start rumors before we ever left school. They've even arranged for us to be seated together."
"Isn't this a wonderful place?" Malcolm asked as he approached his former friends.
"We're going to kill you, Malcolm," Ginny said, "Neville let slip about your rumors."
"I was only having fun," Malcolm said defensively. "I never told the two of you to attack each others tonsils."
"That is not true," Ginny shouted, "Draco did not stick his tongue in my mouth."
She paused as the room became silent. Ginny realized that everyone in the room, and possibly the entire house, had heard her shout. Glaring at her fellow Gryffindor, she said, in frustration, "I hate you, Malcolm." She began to cry, and turned around, falling onto the shoulder of the person nearest her. Draco put his arms around the sobbing girl, trying to make himself invisible, while everyone around him politely turned away. If only he could think of a diversion. But he didn't have to. Reese was there.
"You sure have a nice place," Reese said to Gran, "most old people I know live in dumps."
"Thank you, Reese," Gran said, "for that kind remark."
[I know what you're thinking but, for Reese, that is a compliment.]
"Hi," Francis said, "I'm new here, and I could use some help."
A girl his age turned around and said, "You are kind of cute. Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Hopefully," Francis said, as they walked off together.
"Malcolm, how serious are Ginny and Draco," Neville asked. "I've heard my uncles talking about them. I thought it was a joke at first, but now I don't know."
"It was a joke at first," Malcolm said, "They told me they still hate each other, but then they got caught near my old school, kissing. Look at them. She's still wearing the ring he gave her."
"At least she stopped crying," Neville said, "I've never seen Draco so rattled. I almost feel sorry for him." He paused to watch Malfoy kiss Ginny on the cheek, then added, hastily, "Would you like to meet my relatives? I can introduce you to my great-uncle. He accidently dropped me out of a second story window, once."
"I wouldn't brag about that," Malcolm said.
"It's all right, I bounced all the way down the driveway," Neville said, with a laugh, "I was literally a bouncing baby boy."
"Are you feeling better?" Draco asked.
"Yes, but I wish I could get this ring off," Ginny said, "As long as I wear it, people will believe those rumors."
"I told you it was only stuck," Draco said, "the only spell on it is to repel magic spells. Did you try using soap?"
"Yes, I did," Ginny said, "but thanks to you, I had to take a cold shower, and it didn't help at all. What should I do?"
Draco sighed, "Why don't we make a deal. Everyone already thinks we're dating. So why don't we go along with it. For the rest of the night, we'll be a couple."
"Why?" Ginny asked, warily.
"Because I'm tired of all this fighting and pretending, and, here, I'm a fish out of water." Draco answered, "For one night, I would like to put aside all of our differences, and try to have a good time. I promised you before, I would be the perfect gentleman. And I promise never to tell anyone."
"I should walk away, and let you founder on your own," Ginny said, then stopped to look at Draco. He looked to her like a lost puppy dog. "Okay," Ginny said, "but how far do we go with this?"
"What would annoy Malcolm the most?" Draco said, cheering up.
"Then we agree," Ginny said as they both laughed.
"I know a perfect way to start," Draco said, and whispered something.
"That was clever," Ginny said, smiling,"and what made you think of that?"
"Neville and Malcolm are watching us," Draco said, "and I think you scared them with your crying fit." He then gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Malcolm," Reese called as his brother walked past, "This is Steve, he lives only five miles from us. Do you believe that?"
"Hello, Malcolm," Steve said, "My cousin, Neville, tells me that you go to Hogwarts. How did you manage that? I thought you would have gone to Brentwood, since we live in the same neighborhood."
"It was Reese," Malcolm said, unsure of what was going on. "He found some tickets to the Hogwarts express, and insisted we check it out. That's how we met Gran, your Aunt. . ."
"My Great Aunt, actually," Steve corrected.
"Yeah, she is great," Reese agreed.
Malcolm watched as the two shared a laugh, then continued, "Well, Gran pulled a few strings, and by the time I arrived at the school they had already agreed to let me stay."
"That's wonderful, Reese," Steve said, "Malcolm must be proud to have a brother like you. Let me introduce you to some of my other cousins."
[Is it me? He makes Reese sound intelligent. I must be losing it.]
As Malcolm walked away, he passed by his father, who was talking to some wizards about sports, saying, ". . .My experience is mostly with stock cars, a muggle sport, but the principle is the same, you have to hang low, to eliminate as much air resistance as possible. If you wear a cap or a rounded helmet, it cuts down on air resistance, and you can fly faster."
"Exactly my point," said one of the wizards, "and that is what Periwinkle is doing. He'll revolutionize racing. A fast broom won't be enough anymore."
"But, honestly," another wizard said., "The pointed hat is racing normal. Changing headgear is not proper form."
"Well, Cosgrove tried the new hat," the first wizard said, "and won his race, even though he had the lowest rated broom in the pack."
"You see," Hal said, "in a couple of years, everyone will be changing, and racing will get better. . ."
Malcolm walked away, shaking his head in amazement.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Malcolm," Gran asked as he walked by
"I'm confused, Gran," he admitted, "Reese is walking around acting like he has a brain. My dad is talking sports as though he's known those people for years, and my mom is acting happy. It's like we were a normal family. Even Ginny and Draco are having a good time together,"
Malcolm pointed, just as someone told the couple that they were standing under some mistletoe. They laughed and gave each other a quick kiss, as someone took their picture.
"They hate each other," Malcolm said. "They shouldn't be acting like that."
Gran smiled, and said, "Maybe they decided to have a good time in spite of their differences. I know Draco's family and, while I don't like them, they have always been socially proper. Don't worry about them. After all, this dinner party is for you."
"Me?" Malcolm asked in a confused voice.
"Yes, Dear," I admit I took a liking to your family at once, even Reese. I decided to use this occasion to invite the entire Longbottom clan, and give you a good view of what life will be like for you in the future." Gran smiled slightly, and said, "I did it for myself, to be honest. I used you as the excuse. We haven't had a reunion like this since. . .Neville was a baby."
Gran led Malcolm to a small group of children his age and introduced him. She then left to circulate among the guests.
"I'm ten," one girl said, "I'll be going to Hogwarts next year. Neville told me I have to face down a troll in order to get in. Is that true."
Malcolm smiled and told her no. "It changes every year. I had to confront a wild hippogryph. I almost didn't get in."
"What will they make us do?" a boy asked.
"I'm not sure," Malcolm said, "I heard rumors about having you sail across a lake where a giant squid lives."
"I go to Beauxbatons," another girl said, "and we don't have such ridiculous tests. I did have to create a rhyming spell, though. That was much more difficult."
"Are you ready to go," Francis asked as he, and a young lady, walked up.
"You must be Malcolm," the lady said. "Francis told me how proud he is of you."
"Thank You," Malcolm said politely.
"Those are wonderful robes you have, Malcolm," the lady said, "Where did you get them?"
"They were a gift," Malcolm said carefully.
She turned to Francis, and said, "You really are a generous soul. I may take you up on that ride in your airplane, after all."
"Any time," said Francis, "just send me an owl, and I'll pick you up."
As the young lady left, Malcolm asked, "What are you going to do if she writes you."
"They never write, Malcolm," Francis told him, "They just want something to talk about to their friends."
[At least Francis is still normal.]
"Where's Dewey?"
"He fell asleep playing with the house gnome. Mom already took him home."
"And Draco and Ginny?"
"They're telling stories to each other about their childhoods. Reese is right. They are a couple of cute kids. Oh, and an owl came for you. Here's the letter."
Malcolm opened the letter and read, "Happy Holidays. 215 and counting down." It was signed, "Camilla."