The Truth Behind The Lies
Chapter Ten
Disclaimer: All this wonderful world was created by JK Rowling. Okay except, the Russian Mafia, COPs, lawyers and of course Patricia, (Rons fiancé).
A/N This is very nearly the last chapter, I figured that the last chapter would be the weddings, Ron and Patricia, Harry and Hermione and Ginny and..... You think I'm giving away all my secrets? Dream on!
Hey, also, the first bit is a dream, its in brackets cos italics never works on my chapters so I gave up trying.
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(Draco stared around in confusion, he was standing in a churchyard, people surrounded him all talking excitedly, patting him on the back and congratulating him. With some surprise he realised that the people were all Gryffindors, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, not a trace of hostility could be seen on their faces, instead they were all smiling. Awkwardly he tried to make his way past them, towards the church, Harry who was wearing formal black dress robes grinned wryly,
"Excited Draco?" Unsure of what he meant Draco could only nod in confusion,
"You'll get used to the large crowds of Gryffindors, especially at reunions. To be honest with you, they have all forgotten your previous shall we say 'high spirits' and are taking on the age old concept of forgive and forget."
"Smile for the camera Draco, Harry, ooh, ohh, Harry, can I get your autograph later?" Rolling his eyes, Harry smoothed his hair down and turned, turning with him Draco came face to face with Colin Creevey, he had a high tech looking camera in his hands and was snapping pictures with rapid succession. Grinning Colin ran off yelling something about developing and potion, near the gates a group of witches shushed him and looked around nervously.
"I can't believe Ginny insisted on a muggle church. Sometimes I think she's as obsessed as her father." Caught by surprise Draco said,
"Ginny? Is she here?" Laughing Harry said with a grin,
"Of course she's here! Who else would you marry?")
Draco woke up with a start, sweat was pouring down his face and neck and sucking in a few deep breaths he flopped back down onto his pillow, he could still hear Harry saying 'Who else would you marry?' Oddly the words didn't terrify him as much as he thought they would. A bright light filled the room and Ginny stood in the doorway, her flame hair dishevelled, she was tying the cord of a fluffy blue bathrobe, as she crossed the room she leant in close to Draco and said in a concerned tone,
"Draco, are you alright? I could hear you tossing and turning from my room." Grinning sheepishly he said with a sigh,
"I guess I am still a bit shell shocked." Ginny nodded in sympathy and sat down on the end of the large double bed, Draco was still unsure how she managed to fit a double bed in the room with all the other furniture but she did, Draco suspected she had been helped by her wand. Shifting over Draco pulled the duvet back and said,
"Better climb in next to me, you'll catch your death." Seeing her raise her eyebrows he smothered a laugh,
"I could really use a sympathetic ear and it could take a while and I wouldn't feel right sitting nice and warm with a hot water bottle while you are shivering at the end of the bed." Shrugging Ginny smiled slightly and climbed in next to him, her small feet wrapped around the hot water bottle and she sighed blissfully.
"Thanks." She murmured awkwardly, Draco smiled, desperately trying to hide his burning cheeks, his smile faded and he started to talk, quietly at first then his voice got louder.
"You know me fairly well don't you?" Without waiting for her to answer he continued.
"I've always been described as evil, the son of a Death Eater, Death Eater in training, smug, sarcastic, a git, heartless, they've used every name under the sun and I always believed they were probably right." Ginny raised a hand to her mouth but remained silent,
"When I was in Hogwarts I always believed that when I graduated I would join Voldemort, and marry a woman who was obedient, quiet, beautiful, somebody who would adore me and would produce an heir to the Malfoy throne, so to speak. When Harry defeated Voldemort in my seventh year I was suddenly lost, I didn't know what to do, Mother thinks I had been saving up all my life to get away from Lucius but the truth is until a few years ago I was preparing to join him. It was when I realised that if I had joined Voldemort I would have been made to kill people I didn't know, and would have most likely been killed along with most of the other remaining Death Eaters. It made me realise that if I would have died, nobody would have missed me, so I emptied my Gringotts vault and to be completely truthful some of Lucius's as well. And bought a large house, away from Malfoy Manor, and away from Lucius and his threats. The best thing I've ever done really."
"Yes it was." Ginny said with a smile, glancing gratefully at her he continued with his story,
"I lived by myself, no women staying the night, no rowdy parties, just me and my two servants, I grew accustomed to people not realising I wasn't around, and not caring much anyway. I obeyed the law and even went as far as hiring squibs so Hermione wouldn't kick my ass if I had gotten House Elves, all in all I was a model citizen.
"When I was arrested I could very easily have used my family connections to get out of jail but I didn't, I knew that for once a Malfoy was innocent, and nothing anybody said or did would change that. You have proved it and when we get them to confess tomorrow I will be able to hold my head up in the wizarding community and not worry about being called a murderer. But Ginny I am a murderer. I know Lucius was a wanted criminal and I killed him to protect mother and your parents, but I still killed him, I feel guilty that I don't feel upset about it, guilty that I didn't do it sooner and guilty that of all the people to kill him, to finally kill that evil, scum sucking bastard it was his own son, his own flesh and blood, I betrayed him and I feel so guilty. The only good thing was I saved your parents and now my mother can live her own life. But the pain won't go away, I can't get it to go away, I don't know what to do." He frowned and was surprised to feel tears flowing down his cheeks, it was the first time he had cried since he was five and now he had started he couldn't stop. As he sobbed he felt Ginny wrap her arms around him, holding him close, and as much as he wanted to push her away, to tell her it was wrong, to prove he didn't love her, he couldn't, and he wouldn't.
"Draco, you had to, you had no choice, to be honest nobody is even going to mention it, Lucius was a wanted criminal, their was a price over his head, he was wanted dead or dead, preferably dead. You got rid of him, the wizarding world owes you, and tomorrow you will be proved innocent and completely free." Sighing she felt the sobs subside, and looking down she realised he had fallen asleep, his pale blonde hair was perfect even as he slept, and a look of peace was on his face. Smiling she moved her arms and felt him tense slightly, realising she had no way to escape, she snuggled down next to him, pulling the duvet over them with her free arm.
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"Morning Ginny, is Draco up yet?" Ginny turned and stifled a yawn, Hermione grinned and poured herself a cup of coffee,
"Late night?" Ginny nodded,
"Draco has major issues, he talked for nearly half an hour, did you know he nearly joined Lucius because he didn't think anybody would care what he did?" Hermione shook her head in surprise,
"He eventually realised he didn't want to live like a criminal when he decided he didn't want to die hated, so he became as near to a model citizen as he could get, yet he was still arrested." Taking a sip of her coffee Ginny grinned,
"He was still asleep when I woke up, I let him sleep, he looked so peaceful, more than he had ever looked when he was awake." Shrugging she glanced at her watch,
"Are we still on for the meeting at nine o'clock? If so, then I suppose I better wake him up, he takes ages getting ready, sharing a shower with Draco is sometimes worse than sharing a shower with four other girls at Hogwarts." Laughing Hermione checked her watch,
"Harry is travelling, Ron is in Diagon Alley, Sirius and Remus are at the Burrow and I'm assuming Patricia is with Ron. These watches are great for keeping an eye on your friends, I hope Draco won't mind but I got a hand for him last night, I thought I better keep an eye on him as well."
"Why Hermione, I'm touched," Draco said in his customary slow drawl, he was leaning against the doorway fully dressed and freshly shaved. Crossing the room he sat down at the table and smiled at Hermione, Ginny grinned, she could tell he was becoming fond of Hermione who had believed he was innocent since she first heard he was arrested. Smirking he pulled his own watch out of his pocket,
"Once I'm free, you'll all get a hand." He promised, he smile faded slightly and he said,
"This watch saved my life once. I was in Diagon Alley just minding my own business, I had only been living by myself for a few months and was getting used to buying my own shopping and choosing the food I liked. Well I was about to go into Madame Malkins for a new robe when I happened to glance at my watch and my hand was on mortal danger, I guessed it was Lucius getting his thugs to rough me up a bit so pulled my wand out and apparated home immediately, I hadn't told Lucius where I was living so they couldn't get at me. I always check my watch regularly now." He glanced at it and said with a chuckle,
"Right now my hand is on, safe haven. I'm guessing that's how the watch views this place Gin, my house is always you can run but can't hide."
"That's a nice thought to have." Ginny said pulling her briefcase onto the table, opening it she glanced nervously at her notes,
"I think we have it all here, all we need is a confession. And a plan to get a confession, come on, it's time to go to my office." Pulling a small plastic bag out of her purse Hermione opened it and they each took a pinch of it, Ginny went first, throwing it in her fireplace she stepped into the green flames and said in a clear voice,
"Ginny's Office." Draco and Hermione went next, Hermione went slowly as she was pregnant and Draco insisted he go with her to make sure she didn't hurt herself.
***************
Ron and Patricia were already in the office when they arrived, they were chatting nervously and Patricia was fiddling with her engagement ring.
"Oh thank goodness you arrived safely. Hermione are you alright? You shouldn't be using Floo Powder when you are pregnant." Patricia said anxiously, Hermione smiled weakly and sat next to her,
"I'm fine, Draco went with me to make sure I was alright. Don't worry, I'm just a bit dizzy that's all." The door opened and Harry strode through the door, although he appeared calm Ginny could tell he was nervous as he kept flattening his fringe down.
"Harry? What happened?" Ron asked, Harry grinned sheepishly,
"Was I that obvious?"
"Even I could tell something was wrong, and I've only known you a few days." Patricia said with a smirk, her long blonde hair was tied in a tight bun, and she was still wearing her Quidditch practice robes. Ron sniggered and then gasped, he was staring at his best friends arm, on the sleeve of his Quidditch practice robes a black arm band with red writing was glowing,
"Harry, they made you team captain!" He said with a grin, jumping up he hugged his best friend and Patricia cheered,
"Well done Harry, it's about time to, I've seen you play, and you should have been captain years ago." Harry grinned,
"They called me in for an early practice, it seems Jack Daniels the Keeper and captain was retiring, also his problem with alcohol was affecting his game, and the rest of the team voted me captain, now all I need to do is find a new Keeper, hey Patricia, how would you like to"
"No." She told him bluntly at the same time Ron said,
"Nice try Potter, get your own Keeper." Laughing Harry shrugged,
"It was worth a try, ah well I'll hold a try out in a few weeks. Draco, will you be trying out? You were a good player at Hogwarts." Draco shrugged,
"I'll think about it when Ginny proves my innocence." Ginny sat at her desk and glanced at her watch,
"Once Remus and Sirius arrive we can begin. Where are they anyway?"
"Right here Ginny, hold your horses," Sirius's voice said, looking around she saw Remus and Sirius heads in the fireplace.
"One second, Molly keeps giving us food, we can't get away yet."
"You need fattening up, you are both so skinny." Molly's voice could be heard and laughing Ginny called out,
"Mum, let them go, you can feed them later." A few minutes later Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were standing in the office carrying plastic boxes,
"Molly sent you all toast." Opening the boxes he pulled a few stacks of toast out and handed them around, Hermione groaned as several slices were handed to her,
"I'm only two months pregnant, I don't need so much food yet." Sirius shrugged,
"Sorry kiddo, Molly's orders, she is going to win mum of the year at this rate." Sighing Hermione started on her toast and within a few minutes it was all gone.
"Happy now?" Sirius grinned,
"Yup." Ginny finished her slice and said,
"Alright people, we have a lot of work to do." Pulling her files out of her bag she made copies and passed them around so everybody had a copy,
"We need to get them to confess they did it. It won't be easy, it could be dangerous, and it might take a while, that's why Sirius is going to do it." Sirius looked up sharply,
"Me?"
"Yes you. You my friend is the only person in the room who can change himself into a dog at will." Smiling at him she said pleadingly,
"Come on Sirius, you owe me one, how many times have I helped you when you've had to sue people for defamation of character. You've sued loads of people, including Snape twice, but I think the second time was just for fun wasn't it?" Sirius grinned,
"He had it coming to him, and it was a lot of fun when he was ordered to pay me or spend two months picking up litter on a busy muggle motorway." Laughing he sighed and said,
"Fine I'll do it, but I can't do magic in my dog form so using a truth spell wouldn't work." Hermione smiled and said confidently,
"You won't need to." Pulling a muggle tape recorder out of her bag she pressed a few buttons and Sirius could be heard clearly,
"or spend two months picking up litter on a busy muggle motorway. Fine I'll do it," Grinning she rewound the tape and passed it to Sirius,
"we can get a miniature of this, muggle secret agents use them to record without being obvious. we could attach one to your collar and hide it in your fur, they wouldn't notice it. All you will need to do is get into the house and hopefully they will talk about what they have done, hopefully, if they don't you might have to try to drop a few hints." Sirius nodded and with a pop he had changed into his animagus form, a shaggy black dog, whining slightly he put a paw on Ginnys knee and then rested his head on his paw.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen, we will be watching the house, you will be fine." Sighing he settled down on the floor and spent the next few hours listening as Ginny went over the plan with Hermione, Remus, Harry, Ron, Patricia and Draco, who was absently stroking Sirius on the head.
"Thanks Sirius," He whispered, Sirius woofed and shifted closer to him.
"Okay guys, lets get to it." Ginny finally said, pulling her wand out she apparated to Dracos house.
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Dracos large manor house was surrounded by a gravel walkway that had the protection of several spells and large trees and bushes, the bushes now held Ginny, Draco and Sirius, in the large Oak trees with equally large branches Ron, Harry and Patricia were looking through the windows of the manor using Omnioculars. Patricia suddenly started yelling quietly,
"They are in the kitchen, they are in the kitchen." Ron firmly placed a hand over her mouth and she glared at him, Remus and Hermione were crouched in the bushes on the other side of the tree, it had been agreed that neither of them were going to climb trees, as it was only a few days until the full moon and Hermione was pregnant, much to their disgust of course.
"All right Sirius, I'll switch the recorder on, then you go and scratch on the back door." Ginny said as she pressed the record button, Sirius barked and trotted out into the open, as he reached the back door he scratched and it was opened, glancing behind him Sirius entered the house and the rest of the gang settled down to wait.
"I can see him in the kitchen, he is drinking water from a bowl, Marianna is fussing him, her mother is talking, I wonder what they are saying?" Ron said as he peered through his Omnioculars, Harry shrugged and Hermione glanced up,
"We'll find out soon, and keep your voices down, they might hear you." After half an hour of waiting Sirius suddenly reappeared, they waited until he was close enough and holding onto his collar Ginny apparated back to her office.
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"Well, did you get it?" Ginny asked, Sirius shook himself and with a pop he was back to his usual form,
"Got it, it wasn't easy though, they kept discussing food. So I looked around until I found a pile of old newspapers, on the front page was a lovely picture of Lucius Malfoy, and an article saying he was killed by an anonymous person who was protecting the Weasley family from Lucius. I picked it up dropped it on Mariannas knee and their conversation is on the tape." Cheering Hermione threw her arms around Sirius neck hugging him tight,
"Sirius you are fantastic, do you know that?" Kissing him on the cheek she laughed as he reddened,
"Well, all in a days work, isn't it." He said embarrassed. Ginny attached the tape recorder to a set of speakers and pressed play, Marianna was heard talking.
Marianna: Mother, look, Lucius Malfoy has been killed.
Katarina: Its about time to, vengeance has been sweet for what he did to my poor husband.
Marianna: And soon Draco Malfoy will be sent to Azkaban.
Katarina: And nobody suspects his squib servants.
Marianna: All it took was a little polyjuice potion, a few hairs from his hairbrush, and few from my head and some illegal spells. Easy. You did well mother making that stupid man believe you didn't leave the house.
Katarina: He was an idiot. And nobody suspects that it was me they saw in Diagon Alley, not you.
Marianna: We can't do magic though can we? They fell for it hook, line and sinker.
Katarina: Those bastards will pay, we have made sure of that.
Switching the tape off Ginny laughed,
"And they said we were stupid, they just admitted on tape what they did." Laughing Ginny threw some Floo Powder in the fire,
"Come on Draco, we need to pay a visit to Neville. Guys meet us in The Leaky Cauldron in about half an hour." Together they stepped in the fire and called out,
"Police Chief Neville Longbottoms office." Ron smirked and said with a grin,
"We rule."
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"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" Neville growled standing up from his desk he kept his wand aimed at Draco.
"Relax Neville, he's here with me." Ginny said stepping out from the fireplace, brushing her clothes down she handed the tape to Neville and a pair of headphones from her bag.
"Play this, you will see that it gives absolute proof that my client Draco Malfoy is innocent." Winking at Draco she could hear him sniggering at the look of disbelief on Nevilles face,
"You have got to be joking?"
"Sorry Neville, just play the tape." She said grinning, Sitting down he stuck the headphones in the small tape recorder and pressed play, after a few minutes he sighed,
"Alright Malfoy, it looks as if you are free to go, I also have to say on behalf of the Ministry Police Department..." His voice lowered too slightly higher than a whisper,
"Sorry," Draco frowned and was about to say something when he glanced at Ginny who gave him a look that clearly said, 'leave it.'
"No problem. Just contact the Ministry officials and declare me innocent, I don't want to be bothered again, ya hear me?" Neville nodded, smirking he said,
"Don't worry Malfoy, you're defence attorney is to good, I couldn't get you arrested if you committed a crime in broad daylight with a hundred witnesses all saying it was you." Smirking Draco shook Nevilles hand and turned to leave,
"Coming Gin?" He asked as he reached the door, grinning Ginny nodded and followed him, as they got outside the building she said with a smile,
"I'm proud of you Draco." Draco glanced at her in confusion,
"What for?"
"You handled it very well in there and even shook hands with a Gryffindor." Shrugging Draco rolled his eyes,
"I had to be the bigger man." After a moment he said with a snigger,
"At least we know now how he got into Gryffindor now, I was beginning to think he would have been better in Hufflepuff." Laughing Ginny had to admit most Gryffindors had had the same thought. As they walked along the main street of Diagon Alley Ginny reflected on how little it had changed, children peered in the window of the Quidditch Supply shop and woman argued over the price of potion ingredients. Madame Malkin was sweeping the snow away from the front step of her shop and she waved as Ginny walked past,
"Ginny dear, your order has come in."
"I'll pick it up when I get paid later today." She called back with a wave, as they reached The Leaky Cauldron she could see Sirius looking out the window,
"I ordered hot Butterbeer, get in here and drink it." He called before Hermione and Ron pulled him away from the window and slammed it shut.
"That was odd, Sirius never orders the drinks, he always makes us pay for him." Draco just shrugged and opened the door,
"After you," glancing at him Ginny raised her eyebrows but eagerly moved into the warmth of the Cauldron, inside Harry and Hermione were just carrying a tray loaded with Butterbeers to the table, the drinks were smoking slightly and dropping down next to Ron Ginny picked hers up and said cheerfully,
"It all went according to plan, Draco is now a free man, and he will be getting my legal fees soon." Draco looked at her with a pained expression,
"Must you mention legal fees so soon after you prove my innocence, I'm going to be paying you for years." Sniggering Patricia said with a cheeky grin,
"And that's a bad thing?" Remus sipped his drink quietly, a sombre expression on his face, finally he spoke, his voice so quiet that his former students, best friend and former students fiancé had to strain to hear him,
"You know what I have regretted since I left Hogwarts?"
"Moony old pal, what's wrong? What regrets have you got?" Remus/Moony smiled a sad smile,
"I regret many things, being bitten, almost letting it prevent me from being friends with you and James, almost believing that rat bastard Pettigrew that you killed them, but mostly I regret never marrying, I was so sure women could never accept me for who I was that I let them slip away from me. That is my biggest regret, letting love get away from me, let that be a lesson to you kids, don't let love get away." He looked directly at Draco as he said this and then surprisingly he looked at Ginny and winked at her,
"I think we should toast the best lawyer Diagon Alley has ever seen," Raising his glass he said with a proud smile,
"To Ginny," Raising their glasses Ginny's friends all toasted her and Ginny could feel a lump in her throat,
"Thanks guys, I couldn't have done it without you though."
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In the Burrow Molly and Narcissa were cooking up a storm, every pan Molly owned was filled with food, and a sponge pudding was steaming away in a corner, magic Molly thought, as she looked at all the pans and dishes filled with food, was a very useful thing to have. Bill and Charlie had come home for the celebration meal and even Percy and Penelope had taken time out of their busy careers to eat with the family. Fred and George had brought their partners with them, and the whole house was filled with laughter, as Angelina made attempts so guess the sex of Hermiones baby.
"Okay, let me see, female, bright blue, eight legs, four eyes, all of them green and a small scar on her forehead which will be hidden by bushy brown hair." Hermione laughed and held a hand over her stomach,
"Stop please, I'll have it right now if you make me laugh." Angelina grinned and then said,
"Male, scarlet and gold, he's going to be a Gryffindor then, brown eyes all nine of them, one leg but lots of feet, six fingers on each hand and some on the feet, oh yeah and of course long arms for when he catches the snitch." Harry smiled proudly,
"He's bound to be a great Quidditch player, it runs in the family,"
"I thought we agreed it was a she?" Harry shook his head stubbornly,
"You agreed it was a girl, anyway, whatever it is, It'll love Quidditch."
"And she be super intelligent, like you Herm." Draco said with a grin, surprisingly, once people found out he was totally innocent they had grown accustomed to him being around. Hermione blushed,
"I wouldn't say I was super intelligent," she said modestly,
"I would." Everybody else said. Molly wandered into the living room with Narcissa, they both looked tired but happy, and standing up Draco hugged his mum, and led her to a chair then he pulled one of the twins out of a chair and let Molly sit down.
"Fred or George, let your mum sit down." He said with a laugh, knowing full well that it annoyed Fred and George if people didn't know which was which.
"Hey." Fred and George said in unison, laughing Ginny shifted up on the chair she was sitting in and pulled Draco so he was sitting next to her.
"Behave yourself." She said with a laugh. Draco stuck his tongue out at her and Harry laughed,
"Draco, did you grow up at all after Hogwarts?" Shaking his head Draco said with a mouth full of chocolate,
"Nope." Molly smiled and then said to Bill and Charlie,
"Bill, Charlie, would you set the table, I think you better take it outside, use a heating spell to keep the area warm, and don't break any of the tables this time." Looking sheepish Bill grabbed his brother by the collar and dragged him outside, within a few minutes the sound of tables crashing together was heard and rolling her eyes Molly muttered,
"Well, I tried."
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Dinner was a marvellous affair, easily beating Hogwarts for the amount of food on the table, there was potatoes, mashed, boiled, roasted and new in bowls with butter or gravy, pork, lamb and beef, apple sauce, stuffing, mint sauce, peas, carrots, broccoli, Yorkshire puddings. Everybody had seconds and then the pudding, which consisted of a large steamed jam pudding with custard. Finally the table was empty apart from the plates and glasses with wine in them, at Hermiones insistence she had been given a glass of wine,
"It won't affect the baby if I have just one small glass." She said helping herself to more. the conversation turned to weddings and Molly said with her usual bluntness,
"Harry Potter, are you and Hermione going to get married?" Hermione shrugged,
"We hadn't discussed it, and he hasn't asked me." Harry an unusual act of understanding pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket,
"Hermione, my love," He said going down on one knee,
"Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife." Hermione gave a shriek and hugged him,
"Of course I will, oh Harry I love you so much." Kissing him she let him slip the diamond ring on her finger, Ron and Patricia cheered and Bill and Charlie fetched more wine, Percy could be seen wiping a tear from his eye and Penelope hugged Sirius and Remus,
"This reminds me of the day Percy proposed," she said with a smile, Remus smiled,
"What did he do?" He asked, Penelope smiled,
"Organised a boat ride, on a lake surrounded by sparkling fire flies, then he gave me a dozen red roses and we had a wonderful meal with champagne, then he got down on one knee and gave me an engagement ring. It was so beautiful." Sighing she hugged Hermione,
"Congratulations dear, oh you will be a beautiful bride."
"I'll be a fat one." Penelope laughed,
"Dear, I was five months pregnant with Alexia when I got married, and the dress Madame Malkin designed made me look as slim as a school girl. They can do wonderful things with magic nowadays." Draco and Ginny watched the newly engaged couple with mixed feelings, Draco glanced at Ginny, she was smiling and tears were pouring down her face, sliding his hand onto hers he gave it a squeeze and gratefully she squeezed it back.
"Mum, me and Draco will do the washing up, come on Draco, we have a lot of dishes to wash." Draco sighed and stood up, as they began to collect the dirty dishes Draco became aware of a light hissing from Harry, Ron, Hermione and Patricia.
"Tell her."
"Confess your feelings you git."
"What are you waiting for? Christmas?"
"You have the perfect opportunity, now be brave and tell her." Confused he just stared at them then headed into the kitchen; at the same time they all groaned and slapped their heads.
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"You wash I'll dry," Ginny ordered tossing an apron to Draco and putting one on herself. Smirking Draco put it on and filled the sink with hot soapy water,
"It's hard to believe that until a few months ago I couldn't even wash a plate. I was such a spoilt brat." Laughing Ginny said,
"You said it not me." Laughing Draco blew soap bubbles at her and she giggled as she dodged them, picking up a handful of soap she rubbed it on his face, she could feel her cheeks burn and looking down she pulled her hand away from his cheek. Draco grabbed hold of it and time seemed to freeze as she stood with her soap covered hand in his, a small smile made him seem vulnerable and lowering his head to hers he kissed her gently. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around his neck pressing against him, she could feel his heart beat and felt it beat faster as the kiss became more passionate, almost as soon as it started the kiss stopped and she pulled away from him feeling guilty yet not knowing why.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that." Ginny said pulling her hands away from his and dropping them to her side, for lack of anything to do she picked up a cup and started drying it furiously,
"Why not?" Draco asked,
"Because... I don't know. You're my friend and it would complicate things, and you only kissed me because you are grateful for me proving you innocent and because, because..."
"Because I love you." Startled Ginny dropped the cup and it smashed on the floor, she expected somebody to come in and investigate but time passed and nobody came in, finally she said in a voice that was barely a whisper,
"What, what did you say?" Draco ran a hand through her red hair with a smile, finally his hand came to rest on her cheek and Ginny put hers over it,
"I love you Ginny. Everything about you, even when you were threatening me with a stiletto I loved you and when we argued I felt terrible afterwards, I just wanted to keep things the way they should have been, you the lawyer, me the client. But I found myself falling in love with you and I tried to stop it but I couldn't, before you walked into my cell I was as low as I could get, then you came in and made everything better." He paused and Ginny let her breath out, surprised to find she had been holding it in she just looked at him, finally she let out a choked sob and instantly Draco was pulling her towards him, holding her in his arms like a father would a child,
"Draco, I love you to. I can't believe I'm saying this, you are a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor and we shouldn't be falling in love but I do I love you." Draco stared down at her a puzzled frown on his face,
"What was that, it was a bit muffled." Half-laughing and half-crying Ginny punched him on the arm playfully,
"I love you, you daft git." Kissing him she held him with all the strength she had and then said with a laugh,
"How are we going to tell the others?" Glancing at the window where Hermione, Harry, Ron, Patricia, Remus and Sirius were standing grinning madly he said with a laugh,
"They already know." Turning Ginny blushed at the sight of her brother and closest friends all watching her,
"You might as well come in now." She called, she felt Dracos arm slip around her waist and she leant against him for support,
"I knew you had it in you." Patricia said as she came bouncing in, the energetic young woman hugged Draco and then hugged Ginny,
"You guys are so sweet, where's my camera?" Ron wrapped his arms around Patricia's waist and she stopped moving,
"Patricia, honey, calm down." Hermione smiled and said with a hint of sadness in her voice,
"What now, it seems so finished yet, there's something missing, something we haven't done, its not complete, oh I don't know, there's something missing though." Harry shrugged and Remus glanced at Sirius,
"Padfoot old chum, I really do think three weddings is going to be awfully expensive."
The End
A/N, there is just the epilogue to go, and well as I already said, that's the weddings. And they won't be having a triple wedding, its three weddings, all within a few weeks of each other, I suppose they might have a triple honeymoon, but I seriously doubt it, who would want to be having sex whilst their brother is in the next room. Ewwwwwwwww.
Chapter Ten
Disclaimer: All this wonderful world was created by JK Rowling. Okay except, the Russian Mafia, COPs, lawyers and of course Patricia, (Rons fiancé).
A/N This is very nearly the last chapter, I figured that the last chapter would be the weddings, Ron and Patricia, Harry and Hermione and Ginny and..... You think I'm giving away all my secrets? Dream on!
Hey, also, the first bit is a dream, its in brackets cos italics never works on my chapters so I gave up trying.
***************
(Draco stared around in confusion, he was standing in a churchyard, people surrounded him all talking excitedly, patting him on the back and congratulating him. With some surprise he realised that the people were all Gryffindors, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, not a trace of hostility could be seen on their faces, instead they were all smiling. Awkwardly he tried to make his way past them, towards the church, Harry who was wearing formal black dress robes grinned wryly,
"Excited Draco?" Unsure of what he meant Draco could only nod in confusion,
"You'll get used to the large crowds of Gryffindors, especially at reunions. To be honest with you, they have all forgotten your previous shall we say 'high spirits' and are taking on the age old concept of forgive and forget."
"Smile for the camera Draco, Harry, ooh, ohh, Harry, can I get your autograph later?" Rolling his eyes, Harry smoothed his hair down and turned, turning with him Draco came face to face with Colin Creevey, he had a high tech looking camera in his hands and was snapping pictures with rapid succession. Grinning Colin ran off yelling something about developing and potion, near the gates a group of witches shushed him and looked around nervously.
"I can't believe Ginny insisted on a muggle church. Sometimes I think she's as obsessed as her father." Caught by surprise Draco said,
"Ginny? Is she here?" Laughing Harry said with a grin,
"Of course she's here! Who else would you marry?")
Draco woke up with a start, sweat was pouring down his face and neck and sucking in a few deep breaths he flopped back down onto his pillow, he could still hear Harry saying 'Who else would you marry?' Oddly the words didn't terrify him as much as he thought they would. A bright light filled the room and Ginny stood in the doorway, her flame hair dishevelled, she was tying the cord of a fluffy blue bathrobe, as she crossed the room she leant in close to Draco and said in a concerned tone,
"Draco, are you alright? I could hear you tossing and turning from my room." Grinning sheepishly he said with a sigh,
"I guess I am still a bit shell shocked." Ginny nodded in sympathy and sat down on the end of the large double bed, Draco was still unsure how she managed to fit a double bed in the room with all the other furniture but she did, Draco suspected she had been helped by her wand. Shifting over Draco pulled the duvet back and said,
"Better climb in next to me, you'll catch your death." Seeing her raise her eyebrows he smothered a laugh,
"I could really use a sympathetic ear and it could take a while and I wouldn't feel right sitting nice and warm with a hot water bottle while you are shivering at the end of the bed." Shrugging Ginny smiled slightly and climbed in next to him, her small feet wrapped around the hot water bottle and she sighed blissfully.
"Thanks." She murmured awkwardly, Draco smiled, desperately trying to hide his burning cheeks, his smile faded and he started to talk, quietly at first then his voice got louder.
"You know me fairly well don't you?" Without waiting for her to answer he continued.
"I've always been described as evil, the son of a Death Eater, Death Eater in training, smug, sarcastic, a git, heartless, they've used every name under the sun and I always believed they were probably right." Ginny raised a hand to her mouth but remained silent,
"When I was in Hogwarts I always believed that when I graduated I would join Voldemort, and marry a woman who was obedient, quiet, beautiful, somebody who would adore me and would produce an heir to the Malfoy throne, so to speak. When Harry defeated Voldemort in my seventh year I was suddenly lost, I didn't know what to do, Mother thinks I had been saving up all my life to get away from Lucius but the truth is until a few years ago I was preparing to join him. It was when I realised that if I had joined Voldemort I would have been made to kill people I didn't know, and would have most likely been killed along with most of the other remaining Death Eaters. It made me realise that if I would have died, nobody would have missed me, so I emptied my Gringotts vault and to be completely truthful some of Lucius's as well. And bought a large house, away from Malfoy Manor, and away from Lucius and his threats. The best thing I've ever done really."
"Yes it was." Ginny said with a smile, glancing gratefully at her he continued with his story,
"I lived by myself, no women staying the night, no rowdy parties, just me and my two servants, I grew accustomed to people not realising I wasn't around, and not caring much anyway. I obeyed the law and even went as far as hiring squibs so Hermione wouldn't kick my ass if I had gotten House Elves, all in all I was a model citizen.
"When I was arrested I could very easily have used my family connections to get out of jail but I didn't, I knew that for once a Malfoy was innocent, and nothing anybody said or did would change that. You have proved it and when we get them to confess tomorrow I will be able to hold my head up in the wizarding community and not worry about being called a murderer. But Ginny I am a murderer. I know Lucius was a wanted criminal and I killed him to protect mother and your parents, but I still killed him, I feel guilty that I don't feel upset about it, guilty that I didn't do it sooner and guilty that of all the people to kill him, to finally kill that evil, scum sucking bastard it was his own son, his own flesh and blood, I betrayed him and I feel so guilty. The only good thing was I saved your parents and now my mother can live her own life. But the pain won't go away, I can't get it to go away, I don't know what to do." He frowned and was surprised to feel tears flowing down his cheeks, it was the first time he had cried since he was five and now he had started he couldn't stop. As he sobbed he felt Ginny wrap her arms around him, holding him close, and as much as he wanted to push her away, to tell her it was wrong, to prove he didn't love her, he couldn't, and he wouldn't.
"Draco, you had to, you had no choice, to be honest nobody is even going to mention it, Lucius was a wanted criminal, their was a price over his head, he was wanted dead or dead, preferably dead. You got rid of him, the wizarding world owes you, and tomorrow you will be proved innocent and completely free." Sighing she felt the sobs subside, and looking down she realised he had fallen asleep, his pale blonde hair was perfect even as he slept, and a look of peace was on his face. Smiling she moved her arms and felt him tense slightly, realising she had no way to escape, she snuggled down next to him, pulling the duvet over them with her free arm.
****************
"Morning Ginny, is Draco up yet?" Ginny turned and stifled a yawn, Hermione grinned and poured herself a cup of coffee,
"Late night?" Ginny nodded,
"Draco has major issues, he talked for nearly half an hour, did you know he nearly joined Lucius because he didn't think anybody would care what he did?" Hermione shook her head in surprise,
"He eventually realised he didn't want to live like a criminal when he decided he didn't want to die hated, so he became as near to a model citizen as he could get, yet he was still arrested." Taking a sip of her coffee Ginny grinned,
"He was still asleep when I woke up, I let him sleep, he looked so peaceful, more than he had ever looked when he was awake." Shrugging she glanced at her watch,
"Are we still on for the meeting at nine o'clock? If so, then I suppose I better wake him up, he takes ages getting ready, sharing a shower with Draco is sometimes worse than sharing a shower with four other girls at Hogwarts." Laughing Hermione checked her watch,
"Harry is travelling, Ron is in Diagon Alley, Sirius and Remus are at the Burrow and I'm assuming Patricia is with Ron. These watches are great for keeping an eye on your friends, I hope Draco won't mind but I got a hand for him last night, I thought I better keep an eye on him as well."
"Why Hermione, I'm touched," Draco said in his customary slow drawl, he was leaning against the doorway fully dressed and freshly shaved. Crossing the room he sat down at the table and smiled at Hermione, Ginny grinned, she could tell he was becoming fond of Hermione who had believed he was innocent since she first heard he was arrested. Smirking he pulled his own watch out of his pocket,
"Once I'm free, you'll all get a hand." He promised, he smile faded slightly and he said,
"This watch saved my life once. I was in Diagon Alley just minding my own business, I had only been living by myself for a few months and was getting used to buying my own shopping and choosing the food I liked. Well I was about to go into Madame Malkins for a new robe when I happened to glance at my watch and my hand was on mortal danger, I guessed it was Lucius getting his thugs to rough me up a bit so pulled my wand out and apparated home immediately, I hadn't told Lucius where I was living so they couldn't get at me. I always check my watch regularly now." He glanced at it and said with a chuckle,
"Right now my hand is on, safe haven. I'm guessing that's how the watch views this place Gin, my house is always you can run but can't hide."
"That's a nice thought to have." Ginny said pulling her briefcase onto the table, opening it she glanced nervously at her notes,
"I think we have it all here, all we need is a confession. And a plan to get a confession, come on, it's time to go to my office." Pulling a small plastic bag out of her purse Hermione opened it and they each took a pinch of it, Ginny went first, throwing it in her fireplace she stepped into the green flames and said in a clear voice,
"Ginny's Office." Draco and Hermione went next, Hermione went slowly as she was pregnant and Draco insisted he go with her to make sure she didn't hurt herself.
***************
Ron and Patricia were already in the office when they arrived, they were chatting nervously and Patricia was fiddling with her engagement ring.
"Oh thank goodness you arrived safely. Hermione are you alright? You shouldn't be using Floo Powder when you are pregnant." Patricia said anxiously, Hermione smiled weakly and sat next to her,
"I'm fine, Draco went with me to make sure I was alright. Don't worry, I'm just a bit dizzy that's all." The door opened and Harry strode through the door, although he appeared calm Ginny could tell he was nervous as he kept flattening his fringe down.
"Harry? What happened?" Ron asked, Harry grinned sheepishly,
"Was I that obvious?"
"Even I could tell something was wrong, and I've only known you a few days." Patricia said with a smirk, her long blonde hair was tied in a tight bun, and she was still wearing her Quidditch practice robes. Ron sniggered and then gasped, he was staring at his best friends arm, on the sleeve of his Quidditch practice robes a black arm band with red writing was glowing,
"Harry, they made you team captain!" He said with a grin, jumping up he hugged his best friend and Patricia cheered,
"Well done Harry, it's about time to, I've seen you play, and you should have been captain years ago." Harry grinned,
"They called me in for an early practice, it seems Jack Daniels the Keeper and captain was retiring, also his problem with alcohol was affecting his game, and the rest of the team voted me captain, now all I need to do is find a new Keeper, hey Patricia, how would you like to"
"No." She told him bluntly at the same time Ron said,
"Nice try Potter, get your own Keeper." Laughing Harry shrugged,
"It was worth a try, ah well I'll hold a try out in a few weeks. Draco, will you be trying out? You were a good player at Hogwarts." Draco shrugged,
"I'll think about it when Ginny proves my innocence." Ginny sat at her desk and glanced at her watch,
"Once Remus and Sirius arrive we can begin. Where are they anyway?"
"Right here Ginny, hold your horses," Sirius's voice said, looking around she saw Remus and Sirius heads in the fireplace.
"One second, Molly keeps giving us food, we can't get away yet."
"You need fattening up, you are both so skinny." Molly's voice could be heard and laughing Ginny called out,
"Mum, let them go, you can feed them later." A few minutes later Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were standing in the office carrying plastic boxes,
"Molly sent you all toast." Opening the boxes he pulled a few stacks of toast out and handed them around, Hermione groaned as several slices were handed to her,
"I'm only two months pregnant, I don't need so much food yet." Sirius shrugged,
"Sorry kiddo, Molly's orders, she is going to win mum of the year at this rate." Sighing Hermione started on her toast and within a few minutes it was all gone.
"Happy now?" Sirius grinned,
"Yup." Ginny finished her slice and said,
"Alright people, we have a lot of work to do." Pulling her files out of her bag she made copies and passed them around so everybody had a copy,
"We need to get them to confess they did it. It won't be easy, it could be dangerous, and it might take a while, that's why Sirius is going to do it." Sirius looked up sharply,
"Me?"
"Yes you. You my friend is the only person in the room who can change himself into a dog at will." Smiling at him she said pleadingly,
"Come on Sirius, you owe me one, how many times have I helped you when you've had to sue people for defamation of character. You've sued loads of people, including Snape twice, but I think the second time was just for fun wasn't it?" Sirius grinned,
"He had it coming to him, and it was a lot of fun when he was ordered to pay me or spend two months picking up litter on a busy muggle motorway." Laughing he sighed and said,
"Fine I'll do it, but I can't do magic in my dog form so using a truth spell wouldn't work." Hermione smiled and said confidently,
"You won't need to." Pulling a muggle tape recorder out of her bag she pressed a few buttons and Sirius could be heard clearly,
"or spend two months picking up litter on a busy muggle motorway. Fine I'll do it," Grinning she rewound the tape and passed it to Sirius,
"we can get a miniature of this, muggle secret agents use them to record without being obvious. we could attach one to your collar and hide it in your fur, they wouldn't notice it. All you will need to do is get into the house and hopefully they will talk about what they have done, hopefully, if they don't you might have to try to drop a few hints." Sirius nodded and with a pop he had changed into his animagus form, a shaggy black dog, whining slightly he put a paw on Ginnys knee and then rested his head on his paw.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen, we will be watching the house, you will be fine." Sighing he settled down on the floor and spent the next few hours listening as Ginny went over the plan with Hermione, Remus, Harry, Ron, Patricia and Draco, who was absently stroking Sirius on the head.
"Thanks Sirius," He whispered, Sirius woofed and shifted closer to him.
"Okay guys, lets get to it." Ginny finally said, pulling her wand out she apparated to Dracos house.
************
Dracos large manor house was surrounded by a gravel walkway that had the protection of several spells and large trees and bushes, the bushes now held Ginny, Draco and Sirius, in the large Oak trees with equally large branches Ron, Harry and Patricia were looking through the windows of the manor using Omnioculars. Patricia suddenly started yelling quietly,
"They are in the kitchen, they are in the kitchen." Ron firmly placed a hand over her mouth and she glared at him, Remus and Hermione were crouched in the bushes on the other side of the tree, it had been agreed that neither of them were going to climb trees, as it was only a few days until the full moon and Hermione was pregnant, much to their disgust of course.
"All right Sirius, I'll switch the recorder on, then you go and scratch on the back door." Ginny said as she pressed the record button, Sirius barked and trotted out into the open, as he reached the back door he scratched and it was opened, glancing behind him Sirius entered the house and the rest of the gang settled down to wait.
"I can see him in the kitchen, he is drinking water from a bowl, Marianna is fussing him, her mother is talking, I wonder what they are saying?" Ron said as he peered through his Omnioculars, Harry shrugged and Hermione glanced up,
"We'll find out soon, and keep your voices down, they might hear you." After half an hour of waiting Sirius suddenly reappeared, they waited until he was close enough and holding onto his collar Ginny apparated back to her office.
**************
"Well, did you get it?" Ginny asked, Sirius shook himself and with a pop he was back to his usual form,
"Got it, it wasn't easy though, they kept discussing food. So I looked around until I found a pile of old newspapers, on the front page was a lovely picture of Lucius Malfoy, and an article saying he was killed by an anonymous person who was protecting the Weasley family from Lucius. I picked it up dropped it on Mariannas knee and their conversation is on the tape." Cheering Hermione threw her arms around Sirius neck hugging him tight,
"Sirius you are fantastic, do you know that?" Kissing him on the cheek she laughed as he reddened,
"Well, all in a days work, isn't it." He said embarrassed. Ginny attached the tape recorder to a set of speakers and pressed play, Marianna was heard talking.
Marianna: Mother, look, Lucius Malfoy has been killed.
Katarina: Its about time to, vengeance has been sweet for what he did to my poor husband.
Marianna: And soon Draco Malfoy will be sent to Azkaban.
Katarina: And nobody suspects his squib servants.
Marianna: All it took was a little polyjuice potion, a few hairs from his hairbrush, and few from my head and some illegal spells. Easy. You did well mother making that stupid man believe you didn't leave the house.
Katarina: He was an idiot. And nobody suspects that it was me they saw in Diagon Alley, not you.
Marianna: We can't do magic though can we? They fell for it hook, line and sinker.
Katarina: Those bastards will pay, we have made sure of that.
Switching the tape off Ginny laughed,
"And they said we were stupid, they just admitted on tape what they did." Laughing Ginny threw some Floo Powder in the fire,
"Come on Draco, we need to pay a visit to Neville. Guys meet us in The Leaky Cauldron in about half an hour." Together they stepped in the fire and called out,
"Police Chief Neville Longbottoms office." Ron smirked and said with a grin,
"We rule."
***************
"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" Neville growled standing up from his desk he kept his wand aimed at Draco.
"Relax Neville, he's here with me." Ginny said stepping out from the fireplace, brushing her clothes down she handed the tape to Neville and a pair of headphones from her bag.
"Play this, you will see that it gives absolute proof that my client Draco Malfoy is innocent." Winking at Draco she could hear him sniggering at the look of disbelief on Nevilles face,
"You have got to be joking?"
"Sorry Neville, just play the tape." She said grinning, Sitting down he stuck the headphones in the small tape recorder and pressed play, after a few minutes he sighed,
"Alright Malfoy, it looks as if you are free to go, I also have to say on behalf of the Ministry Police Department..." His voice lowered too slightly higher than a whisper,
"Sorry," Draco frowned and was about to say something when he glanced at Ginny who gave him a look that clearly said, 'leave it.'
"No problem. Just contact the Ministry officials and declare me innocent, I don't want to be bothered again, ya hear me?" Neville nodded, smirking he said,
"Don't worry Malfoy, you're defence attorney is to good, I couldn't get you arrested if you committed a crime in broad daylight with a hundred witnesses all saying it was you." Smirking Draco shook Nevilles hand and turned to leave,
"Coming Gin?" He asked as he reached the door, grinning Ginny nodded and followed him, as they got outside the building she said with a smile,
"I'm proud of you Draco." Draco glanced at her in confusion,
"What for?"
"You handled it very well in there and even shook hands with a Gryffindor." Shrugging Draco rolled his eyes,
"I had to be the bigger man." After a moment he said with a snigger,
"At least we know now how he got into Gryffindor now, I was beginning to think he would have been better in Hufflepuff." Laughing Ginny had to admit most Gryffindors had had the same thought. As they walked along the main street of Diagon Alley Ginny reflected on how little it had changed, children peered in the window of the Quidditch Supply shop and woman argued over the price of potion ingredients. Madame Malkin was sweeping the snow away from the front step of her shop and she waved as Ginny walked past,
"Ginny dear, your order has come in."
"I'll pick it up when I get paid later today." She called back with a wave, as they reached The Leaky Cauldron she could see Sirius looking out the window,
"I ordered hot Butterbeer, get in here and drink it." He called before Hermione and Ron pulled him away from the window and slammed it shut.
"That was odd, Sirius never orders the drinks, he always makes us pay for him." Draco just shrugged and opened the door,
"After you," glancing at him Ginny raised her eyebrows but eagerly moved into the warmth of the Cauldron, inside Harry and Hermione were just carrying a tray loaded with Butterbeers to the table, the drinks were smoking slightly and dropping down next to Ron Ginny picked hers up and said cheerfully,
"It all went according to plan, Draco is now a free man, and he will be getting my legal fees soon." Draco looked at her with a pained expression,
"Must you mention legal fees so soon after you prove my innocence, I'm going to be paying you for years." Sniggering Patricia said with a cheeky grin,
"And that's a bad thing?" Remus sipped his drink quietly, a sombre expression on his face, finally he spoke, his voice so quiet that his former students, best friend and former students fiancé had to strain to hear him,
"You know what I have regretted since I left Hogwarts?"
"Moony old pal, what's wrong? What regrets have you got?" Remus/Moony smiled a sad smile,
"I regret many things, being bitten, almost letting it prevent me from being friends with you and James, almost believing that rat bastard Pettigrew that you killed them, but mostly I regret never marrying, I was so sure women could never accept me for who I was that I let them slip away from me. That is my biggest regret, letting love get away from me, let that be a lesson to you kids, don't let love get away." He looked directly at Draco as he said this and then surprisingly he looked at Ginny and winked at her,
"I think we should toast the best lawyer Diagon Alley has ever seen," Raising his glass he said with a proud smile,
"To Ginny," Raising their glasses Ginny's friends all toasted her and Ginny could feel a lump in her throat,
"Thanks guys, I couldn't have done it without you though."
**************
In the Burrow Molly and Narcissa were cooking up a storm, every pan Molly owned was filled with food, and a sponge pudding was steaming away in a corner, magic Molly thought, as she looked at all the pans and dishes filled with food, was a very useful thing to have. Bill and Charlie had come home for the celebration meal and even Percy and Penelope had taken time out of their busy careers to eat with the family. Fred and George had brought their partners with them, and the whole house was filled with laughter, as Angelina made attempts so guess the sex of Hermiones baby.
"Okay, let me see, female, bright blue, eight legs, four eyes, all of them green and a small scar on her forehead which will be hidden by bushy brown hair." Hermione laughed and held a hand over her stomach,
"Stop please, I'll have it right now if you make me laugh." Angelina grinned and then said,
"Male, scarlet and gold, he's going to be a Gryffindor then, brown eyes all nine of them, one leg but lots of feet, six fingers on each hand and some on the feet, oh yeah and of course long arms for when he catches the snitch." Harry smiled proudly,
"He's bound to be a great Quidditch player, it runs in the family,"
"I thought we agreed it was a she?" Harry shook his head stubbornly,
"You agreed it was a girl, anyway, whatever it is, It'll love Quidditch."
"And she be super intelligent, like you Herm." Draco said with a grin, surprisingly, once people found out he was totally innocent they had grown accustomed to him being around. Hermione blushed,
"I wouldn't say I was super intelligent," she said modestly,
"I would." Everybody else said. Molly wandered into the living room with Narcissa, they both looked tired but happy, and standing up Draco hugged his mum, and led her to a chair then he pulled one of the twins out of a chair and let Molly sit down.
"Fred or George, let your mum sit down." He said with a laugh, knowing full well that it annoyed Fred and George if people didn't know which was which.
"Hey." Fred and George said in unison, laughing Ginny shifted up on the chair she was sitting in and pulled Draco so he was sitting next to her.
"Behave yourself." She said with a laugh. Draco stuck his tongue out at her and Harry laughed,
"Draco, did you grow up at all after Hogwarts?" Shaking his head Draco said with a mouth full of chocolate,
"Nope." Molly smiled and then said to Bill and Charlie,
"Bill, Charlie, would you set the table, I think you better take it outside, use a heating spell to keep the area warm, and don't break any of the tables this time." Looking sheepish Bill grabbed his brother by the collar and dragged him outside, within a few minutes the sound of tables crashing together was heard and rolling her eyes Molly muttered,
"Well, I tried."
**************
Dinner was a marvellous affair, easily beating Hogwarts for the amount of food on the table, there was potatoes, mashed, boiled, roasted and new in bowls with butter or gravy, pork, lamb and beef, apple sauce, stuffing, mint sauce, peas, carrots, broccoli, Yorkshire puddings. Everybody had seconds and then the pudding, which consisted of a large steamed jam pudding with custard. Finally the table was empty apart from the plates and glasses with wine in them, at Hermiones insistence she had been given a glass of wine,
"It won't affect the baby if I have just one small glass." She said helping herself to more. the conversation turned to weddings and Molly said with her usual bluntness,
"Harry Potter, are you and Hermione going to get married?" Hermione shrugged,
"We hadn't discussed it, and he hasn't asked me." Harry an unusual act of understanding pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket,
"Hermione, my love," He said going down on one knee,
"Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife." Hermione gave a shriek and hugged him,
"Of course I will, oh Harry I love you so much." Kissing him she let him slip the diamond ring on her finger, Ron and Patricia cheered and Bill and Charlie fetched more wine, Percy could be seen wiping a tear from his eye and Penelope hugged Sirius and Remus,
"This reminds me of the day Percy proposed," she said with a smile, Remus smiled,
"What did he do?" He asked, Penelope smiled,
"Organised a boat ride, on a lake surrounded by sparkling fire flies, then he gave me a dozen red roses and we had a wonderful meal with champagne, then he got down on one knee and gave me an engagement ring. It was so beautiful." Sighing she hugged Hermione,
"Congratulations dear, oh you will be a beautiful bride."
"I'll be a fat one." Penelope laughed,
"Dear, I was five months pregnant with Alexia when I got married, and the dress Madame Malkin designed made me look as slim as a school girl. They can do wonderful things with magic nowadays." Draco and Ginny watched the newly engaged couple with mixed feelings, Draco glanced at Ginny, she was smiling and tears were pouring down her face, sliding his hand onto hers he gave it a squeeze and gratefully she squeezed it back.
"Mum, me and Draco will do the washing up, come on Draco, we have a lot of dishes to wash." Draco sighed and stood up, as they began to collect the dirty dishes Draco became aware of a light hissing from Harry, Ron, Hermione and Patricia.
"Tell her."
"Confess your feelings you git."
"What are you waiting for? Christmas?"
"You have the perfect opportunity, now be brave and tell her." Confused he just stared at them then headed into the kitchen; at the same time they all groaned and slapped their heads.
**************
"You wash I'll dry," Ginny ordered tossing an apron to Draco and putting one on herself. Smirking Draco put it on and filled the sink with hot soapy water,
"It's hard to believe that until a few months ago I couldn't even wash a plate. I was such a spoilt brat." Laughing Ginny said,
"You said it not me." Laughing Draco blew soap bubbles at her and she giggled as she dodged them, picking up a handful of soap she rubbed it on his face, she could feel her cheeks burn and looking down she pulled her hand away from his cheek. Draco grabbed hold of it and time seemed to freeze as she stood with her soap covered hand in his, a small smile made him seem vulnerable and lowering his head to hers he kissed her gently. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around his neck pressing against him, she could feel his heart beat and felt it beat faster as the kiss became more passionate, almost as soon as it started the kiss stopped and she pulled away from him feeling guilty yet not knowing why.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that." Ginny said pulling her hands away from his and dropping them to her side, for lack of anything to do she picked up a cup and started drying it furiously,
"Why not?" Draco asked,
"Because... I don't know. You're my friend and it would complicate things, and you only kissed me because you are grateful for me proving you innocent and because, because..."
"Because I love you." Startled Ginny dropped the cup and it smashed on the floor, she expected somebody to come in and investigate but time passed and nobody came in, finally she said in a voice that was barely a whisper,
"What, what did you say?" Draco ran a hand through her red hair with a smile, finally his hand came to rest on her cheek and Ginny put hers over it,
"I love you Ginny. Everything about you, even when you were threatening me with a stiletto I loved you and when we argued I felt terrible afterwards, I just wanted to keep things the way they should have been, you the lawyer, me the client. But I found myself falling in love with you and I tried to stop it but I couldn't, before you walked into my cell I was as low as I could get, then you came in and made everything better." He paused and Ginny let her breath out, surprised to find she had been holding it in she just looked at him, finally she let out a choked sob and instantly Draco was pulling her towards him, holding her in his arms like a father would a child,
"Draco, I love you to. I can't believe I'm saying this, you are a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor and we shouldn't be falling in love but I do I love you." Draco stared down at her a puzzled frown on his face,
"What was that, it was a bit muffled." Half-laughing and half-crying Ginny punched him on the arm playfully,
"I love you, you daft git." Kissing him she held him with all the strength she had and then said with a laugh,
"How are we going to tell the others?" Glancing at the window where Hermione, Harry, Ron, Patricia, Remus and Sirius were standing grinning madly he said with a laugh,
"They already know." Turning Ginny blushed at the sight of her brother and closest friends all watching her,
"You might as well come in now." She called, she felt Dracos arm slip around her waist and she leant against him for support,
"I knew you had it in you." Patricia said as she came bouncing in, the energetic young woman hugged Draco and then hugged Ginny,
"You guys are so sweet, where's my camera?" Ron wrapped his arms around Patricia's waist and she stopped moving,
"Patricia, honey, calm down." Hermione smiled and said with a hint of sadness in her voice,
"What now, it seems so finished yet, there's something missing, something we haven't done, its not complete, oh I don't know, there's something missing though." Harry shrugged and Remus glanced at Sirius,
"Padfoot old chum, I really do think three weddings is going to be awfully expensive."
The End
A/N, there is just the epilogue to go, and well as I already said, that's the weddings. And they won't be having a triple wedding, its three weddings, all within a few weeks of each other, I suppose they might have a triple honeymoon, but I seriously doubt it, who would want to be having sex whilst their brother is in the next room. Ewwwwwwwww.