Chapter Eight:
Ginny was sitting at the kitchen table at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had made Draco and Ginny breakfast that morning, desperately wanting to know why they had come to stay. When they arrived the night before with luggage in hand, she restrained herself from asking questions, but now that Draco and Mr. Weasley were gone, and it was only Ginny and herself in the kitchen, she couldn't resist.
"Ginny, tell me what happened." Molly had a look of concern on her face that could only be seen on a Mother's.
Ginny was pushing the eggs and ham around on her plate with her fork, refusing to look up. "Mum, I don't feel like talking about it."
"Ginny, I'm your Mother!" Mrs. Weasley knew something terrible must have happened. Ginny used to be able to tell her mum anything.
Mrs. Weasley took Ginny's hand in her own, and that's when Ginny began to cry. Mrs. Weasley quickly rushed over to Ginny's side and held her in her arms, letting Ginny cry out the whole story. Mrs. Weasley would have liked to give a piece of her mind to Lucius, but knew Ginny had to recover from the experience before they took action.
"Oh, mum, what have I done?" Ginny sobbed.
"Ginny, don't you dare think you deserved this in any way! This was completely not your fault." Mrs. Weasley reassured her daughter.
"But if I hadn't married Draco..." Ginny let her sentence hang.
Mrs. Weasley didn't know what to say--so she said nothing. After a long silence, Ginny stood and cleared her plate from the table.
"What will you two do?" Mrs. Weasley asked, following suit.
"Draco said he'd check out some flats in town. We're not sure exactly what we're going to do, and I hope we won't be any trouble."
"My daughter--trouble?" Mrs. Weasley laughed. "Oh, Ginny, you stay as long as you like. We could block off the east portion of the house and it could be a flat for you two."
"Mum! I don't think that would do."
Mrs. Weasley smiled, "Well, it was a good try."
~*~*~
Draco's rage was still boiling over what his Father had done. He found himself clenching and unclenching his fists all day. While he was working on his report he received a notice that his boss would like to see him, a.s.a.p. This can't be good, Draco thought, as he got up and went to his boss's office.
"Mr. Hildebran, you wanted to see me?" Draco asked, standing in the door frame.
"Mr. Malfoy, have a seat!" Mr. Hildebran waved his hand towards a chair in front of his desk.
Draco walked into the office and glanced at the many pictures of his boss shaking important people's hands. His desk was very organized.
"This isn't easy to say..." Mr. Hildebran stroked his graying moustache, and Draco had a funny feeling he knew what was coming.
"Look, Mr. Hildebran, I think I know where this is going." Draco cleared his throat. "My Father and I had a rather heated argument, ending in me walking out on him. Needless to say, he has asked you to take back the position you gave me. I get the picture, thanks." Draco began to get up when Mr. Hildebran asked him to take his seat again.
"Yes, your Father has asked me to fire you...but I don't think I will." Mr. Hildebran began rubbing his hands as if a malicious thought entered his head. "Of course I'll have to make it look like you've been fired. If you can find work in another department, after a month or so I'll hire you back, and you're Father can't call me on anything."
"But what department can I work for? My Father has almost every head under his thumb." Draco's face fell in despair.
"That's not the way Malfoys handle these type of matters!" Mr. Hildebran boomed. "Any department will do...I'm sure you have ties somewhere."
Mr. Hildebran excused Draco, who walked out with a gloomy look on his face. What was he going to tell Ginny? They wouldn't be able to afford a flat if he didn't have a job. Where would they live?
Draco felt like doing something more than just beating his Father, he wanted to see his body six feet under! What right had his Father to ruin his life?
Draco waved his wand at the stuff on his desk, and it disappeared. Since he didn't have the car to drive him back home, he apparated just outside the Burrow. He didn't know whether he should knock or just walk in. He did neither, rather he sat on the porch bench, bending his head into his hands.
A few moments later the door opened. Draco hadn't heard it, but when Ginny saw Draco on the bench, she rushed over.
"Draco! What happened? Why are you home?" Ginny set down the gardning tools she had in her hands and put an arm around Draco's shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I've lost my job." Draco just sat there, pouring over the details of the day. When he was finished, Ginny allowed Draco some time to collect himself.
"Draco, I'm sure you can find a job in another department until your boss can hire you back. My Father will probably be able to pull a few--"
"Work with Muggles?" Draco's head popped up. "I don't think so!"
All sympathy for Draco left her. She took her arm off his shoulder and straightened her back. "Draco, I don't think you have a choice! You have to learn to swallow your pride."
Draco stood up and looked down at Ginny. "My pride is all I have! I'm not about to give that up as well!"
Draco saw tears begin to form in Ginny's eyes. I hurt her! Draco yelled at himself. He quickly knelt in front of her and grasped at her hands.
"You don't know what it's like! All I have is my pride and my name, and soon I'm not sure I'll have even that." Draco took a big gulp, then added. "But, if it would make you happy, I'll do what you think is best."
"I really do think it'll be for the best. Maybe my Dad can get you an office job or something." Ginny smiled, causing Draco to smile as well.
"I'll ask him tonight, then." Draco took Ginny's head in his hands and kissed the top of her head, then entered the house.
Ginny sat there, thinking over what had just taken place. He took her advice and kissed her. This was definitely not the Draco she knew at Hogwarts. He was changing a lot, and a little too quickly for Ginny's taste.
After dinner, Draco asked to see Mr. Weasley alone. Arthur ushered Draco into a small sitting room, and waited.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm sure you must have heard that I've lost my job. Ginny and I planned on moving out as soon as possible, but now I won't be able to afford it. She tells me that you have high connections in your department and I was wondering-"
"The job is yours," Arthur smiled, not letting Draco continue. "It doesn't pay a lot, but from what Ginny has told me, you'll only be at it for a month."
Draco's expression was that of surprise. A man who's children he had insulted all his school career was giving him a job! It was as if everything was forgotten.
"Thank you." Draco whispered.
"Draco, you're family," Arthur laughed. "Family is the most important thing in the world. I'd gladly do a lot more than just give you a job."
"Thank you, but a job is all I'm wanting." Draco was about to get up but Arthur stood and blocked his way.
"Draco, I know you're feelings for my daughter before the marriage were of indifference, but..." Arthur paused, sorting out his thoughts. "I saw the way you stole glances at her throughout dinner. Tell me something-- have you grown feelings for her?"
Draco's heart began to beat as he thought about Ginny. "I'm not going to lie to you." Draco started. "I don't know what I feel, but I know that I'd do anything for her...I'll never hurt her or let anyone else hurt her."
"That's all I ask." Arthur clapped a hand on Draco's shoulder, and with the other he shook Draco's hand.
~*~*~
Draco and Ginny were both laying in bed. Ginny's old room had been made to hold a husband and wife. A queen-sized bed lay in the place of her day bed, and another dresser stood alongside her old one. The lights had long ago been turned off, but neither of them could find sleep.
"Are you asleep," Ginny whispered, facing Draco. The only thing she could see was the back of his head. He turned to face her.
"No. Can't sleep?" He asked.
"No. You?" Ginny replied.
"No." A short pause. "I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier."
"It's ok, I forgive you." Ginny smiled. It was almost as if she was having a slumber party, the way she was conversing in the dark.
"Gee, thanks!" Draco began to laugh, shaking the bed.
"Stop that, you're causing the bed to creak!" Ginny's voice sounded worried.
"What? Like this?" Draco began wiggling around in the bed, causing the old frame to creak and moan under the weight.
"Yes, that!" Ginny hissed.
"What, afraid you're parents will think we're doing something other than laughing?" Draco could almost feel the blush that came over Ginny's face.
"No." Ginny tried lying.
"Come on, Ginny. Admit it!"
"Admit to what?"
"Oh, you don't want me to force it out of you."
"Oh yeah, what are you going to do, Mr. Draco Malfoy?"
"Well, Mrs. Draco Malfoy, I'll just have to...tickle you."
In an instant, Draco was on top of Ginny, his fingers wriggling up and down her sides. Ginny tried pushing him off her, but her laughing caused her to become weak. She was so worried her parents would barge in and demand to know what all the commotion was about.
"Stop!" Ginny managed to get out, between laughs.
"Admit it!" Draco was having too much fun.
"Ok! Ok! I admit it!" Ginny would have said anything to get him to stop tickling her.
Draco stopped, and looked down at Ginny. Her hair formed a halo around her face, and Draco swore he saw her eyes sparkle. He leaned in quickly and kissed her. She responded with equal enthusiasm, causing Draco to deepen the kiss. Ginny let Draco take over. She had never felt this feeling before, and willed it to last forever. Draco was so gentle, his hands inching along her body, causing sounds of delight to exit her mouth.
Later, Ginny lay sleeping, Draco watching over her. He was propped up on his arm, and whispered, "I love you, Ginny Malfoy."
(A/N: Ok, I know that my little "love" scenes aren't long, but hey, that's one area in which I dare not delve into....i have my reasons... ;-)
Ginny was sitting at the kitchen table at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had made Draco and Ginny breakfast that morning, desperately wanting to know why they had come to stay. When they arrived the night before with luggage in hand, she restrained herself from asking questions, but now that Draco and Mr. Weasley were gone, and it was only Ginny and herself in the kitchen, she couldn't resist.
"Ginny, tell me what happened." Molly had a look of concern on her face that could only be seen on a Mother's.
Ginny was pushing the eggs and ham around on her plate with her fork, refusing to look up. "Mum, I don't feel like talking about it."
"Ginny, I'm your Mother!" Mrs. Weasley knew something terrible must have happened. Ginny used to be able to tell her mum anything.
Mrs. Weasley took Ginny's hand in her own, and that's when Ginny began to cry. Mrs. Weasley quickly rushed over to Ginny's side and held her in her arms, letting Ginny cry out the whole story. Mrs. Weasley would have liked to give a piece of her mind to Lucius, but knew Ginny had to recover from the experience before they took action.
"Oh, mum, what have I done?" Ginny sobbed.
"Ginny, don't you dare think you deserved this in any way! This was completely not your fault." Mrs. Weasley reassured her daughter.
"But if I hadn't married Draco..." Ginny let her sentence hang.
Mrs. Weasley didn't know what to say--so she said nothing. After a long silence, Ginny stood and cleared her plate from the table.
"What will you two do?" Mrs. Weasley asked, following suit.
"Draco said he'd check out some flats in town. We're not sure exactly what we're going to do, and I hope we won't be any trouble."
"My daughter--trouble?" Mrs. Weasley laughed. "Oh, Ginny, you stay as long as you like. We could block off the east portion of the house and it could be a flat for you two."
"Mum! I don't think that would do."
Mrs. Weasley smiled, "Well, it was a good try."
~*~*~
Draco's rage was still boiling over what his Father had done. He found himself clenching and unclenching his fists all day. While he was working on his report he received a notice that his boss would like to see him, a.s.a.p. This can't be good, Draco thought, as he got up and went to his boss's office.
"Mr. Hildebran, you wanted to see me?" Draco asked, standing in the door frame.
"Mr. Malfoy, have a seat!" Mr. Hildebran waved his hand towards a chair in front of his desk.
Draco walked into the office and glanced at the many pictures of his boss shaking important people's hands. His desk was very organized.
"This isn't easy to say..." Mr. Hildebran stroked his graying moustache, and Draco had a funny feeling he knew what was coming.
"Look, Mr. Hildebran, I think I know where this is going." Draco cleared his throat. "My Father and I had a rather heated argument, ending in me walking out on him. Needless to say, he has asked you to take back the position you gave me. I get the picture, thanks." Draco began to get up when Mr. Hildebran asked him to take his seat again.
"Yes, your Father has asked me to fire you...but I don't think I will." Mr. Hildebran began rubbing his hands as if a malicious thought entered his head. "Of course I'll have to make it look like you've been fired. If you can find work in another department, after a month or so I'll hire you back, and you're Father can't call me on anything."
"But what department can I work for? My Father has almost every head under his thumb." Draco's face fell in despair.
"That's not the way Malfoys handle these type of matters!" Mr. Hildebran boomed. "Any department will do...I'm sure you have ties somewhere."
Mr. Hildebran excused Draco, who walked out with a gloomy look on his face. What was he going to tell Ginny? They wouldn't be able to afford a flat if he didn't have a job. Where would they live?
Draco felt like doing something more than just beating his Father, he wanted to see his body six feet under! What right had his Father to ruin his life?
Draco waved his wand at the stuff on his desk, and it disappeared. Since he didn't have the car to drive him back home, he apparated just outside the Burrow. He didn't know whether he should knock or just walk in. He did neither, rather he sat on the porch bench, bending his head into his hands.
A few moments later the door opened. Draco hadn't heard it, but when Ginny saw Draco on the bench, she rushed over.
"Draco! What happened? Why are you home?" Ginny set down the gardning tools she had in her hands and put an arm around Draco's shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I've lost my job." Draco just sat there, pouring over the details of the day. When he was finished, Ginny allowed Draco some time to collect himself.
"Draco, I'm sure you can find a job in another department until your boss can hire you back. My Father will probably be able to pull a few--"
"Work with Muggles?" Draco's head popped up. "I don't think so!"
All sympathy for Draco left her. She took her arm off his shoulder and straightened her back. "Draco, I don't think you have a choice! You have to learn to swallow your pride."
Draco stood up and looked down at Ginny. "My pride is all I have! I'm not about to give that up as well!"
Draco saw tears begin to form in Ginny's eyes. I hurt her! Draco yelled at himself. He quickly knelt in front of her and grasped at her hands.
"You don't know what it's like! All I have is my pride and my name, and soon I'm not sure I'll have even that." Draco took a big gulp, then added. "But, if it would make you happy, I'll do what you think is best."
"I really do think it'll be for the best. Maybe my Dad can get you an office job or something." Ginny smiled, causing Draco to smile as well.
"I'll ask him tonight, then." Draco took Ginny's head in his hands and kissed the top of her head, then entered the house.
Ginny sat there, thinking over what had just taken place. He took her advice and kissed her. This was definitely not the Draco she knew at Hogwarts. He was changing a lot, and a little too quickly for Ginny's taste.
After dinner, Draco asked to see Mr. Weasley alone. Arthur ushered Draco into a small sitting room, and waited.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm sure you must have heard that I've lost my job. Ginny and I planned on moving out as soon as possible, but now I won't be able to afford it. She tells me that you have high connections in your department and I was wondering-"
"The job is yours," Arthur smiled, not letting Draco continue. "It doesn't pay a lot, but from what Ginny has told me, you'll only be at it for a month."
Draco's expression was that of surprise. A man who's children he had insulted all his school career was giving him a job! It was as if everything was forgotten.
"Thank you." Draco whispered.
"Draco, you're family," Arthur laughed. "Family is the most important thing in the world. I'd gladly do a lot more than just give you a job."
"Thank you, but a job is all I'm wanting." Draco was about to get up but Arthur stood and blocked his way.
"Draco, I know you're feelings for my daughter before the marriage were of indifference, but..." Arthur paused, sorting out his thoughts. "I saw the way you stole glances at her throughout dinner. Tell me something-- have you grown feelings for her?"
Draco's heart began to beat as he thought about Ginny. "I'm not going to lie to you." Draco started. "I don't know what I feel, but I know that I'd do anything for her...I'll never hurt her or let anyone else hurt her."
"That's all I ask." Arthur clapped a hand on Draco's shoulder, and with the other he shook Draco's hand.
~*~*~
Draco and Ginny were both laying in bed. Ginny's old room had been made to hold a husband and wife. A queen-sized bed lay in the place of her day bed, and another dresser stood alongside her old one. The lights had long ago been turned off, but neither of them could find sleep.
"Are you asleep," Ginny whispered, facing Draco. The only thing she could see was the back of his head. He turned to face her.
"No. Can't sleep?" He asked.
"No. You?" Ginny replied.
"No." A short pause. "I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier."
"It's ok, I forgive you." Ginny smiled. It was almost as if she was having a slumber party, the way she was conversing in the dark.
"Gee, thanks!" Draco began to laugh, shaking the bed.
"Stop that, you're causing the bed to creak!" Ginny's voice sounded worried.
"What? Like this?" Draco began wiggling around in the bed, causing the old frame to creak and moan under the weight.
"Yes, that!" Ginny hissed.
"What, afraid you're parents will think we're doing something other than laughing?" Draco could almost feel the blush that came over Ginny's face.
"No." Ginny tried lying.
"Come on, Ginny. Admit it!"
"Admit to what?"
"Oh, you don't want me to force it out of you."
"Oh yeah, what are you going to do, Mr. Draco Malfoy?"
"Well, Mrs. Draco Malfoy, I'll just have to...tickle you."
In an instant, Draco was on top of Ginny, his fingers wriggling up and down her sides. Ginny tried pushing him off her, but her laughing caused her to become weak. She was so worried her parents would barge in and demand to know what all the commotion was about.
"Stop!" Ginny managed to get out, between laughs.
"Admit it!" Draco was having too much fun.
"Ok! Ok! I admit it!" Ginny would have said anything to get him to stop tickling her.
Draco stopped, and looked down at Ginny. Her hair formed a halo around her face, and Draco swore he saw her eyes sparkle. He leaned in quickly and kissed her. She responded with equal enthusiasm, causing Draco to deepen the kiss. Ginny let Draco take over. She had never felt this feeling before, and willed it to last forever. Draco was so gentle, his hands inching along her body, causing sounds of delight to exit her mouth.
Later, Ginny lay sleeping, Draco watching over her. He was propped up on his arm, and whispered, "I love you, Ginny Malfoy."
(A/N: Ok, I know that my little "love" scenes aren't long, but hey, that's one area in which I dare not delve into....i have my reasons... ;-)
