Draco's Redemption

Disclaimer:  Since she beat me to it, the Harry Potter universe belongs to JK Rowling, and JK Rowling only.

Chapter 3

Draco amazingly didn't feel the slightest bit out of place at the Weasley's.  Arthur and Molly ruled their household with a firm hand, but they never used violence.  It was only a certain look from Molly that got any of the Weasley children to behave—even Draco.

Because of the Fidelius charm, Draco and Ron couldn't be more than 2 kilometers away from each other.  This almost became too much for the boys.  Ron had started a relationship with Lavender Brown the past school year, and she lived 5 kilometers from the Burrow.  To top it off, Draco found himself starting to have some thoughts about Ginny.  It would be impossible to even attempt a relationship with her brother hanging around—then again, there was a 2-kilometer limit.

One balmy afternoon, Draco was out de-gnoming the garden.  He actually liked this task.  All he had to do was imagine the face of his father on the bodies of the gnomes.  He had just sent one gnome flying about 100 meters when he was surprised at a voice behind him.

"Nice throw.  Even Bill and Charlie never got one to fly further than 50 meters."

Draco turned around and smiled.  "It helps to put Lucius Malfoy's face on the gnomes."

Ginny watched silently as Draco tossed several more gnomes.  He'd removed his shirt and Ginny could see the muscles in his back and arms ripple as he wound up and threw.  Gods, he's gotten so much sexier than when he was 12.   "Draco"

Draco threw the last gnome then turned to Ginny.  "What?"

Ginny was nearly tongue-tied.  Draco was breathing heavily from his workout, and beads of sweat covered his body.  "Umm  I was wondering if you'd like to, umm take a walk?"

Draco smiled at Ginny.  Here was his chance to get to know her like he wanted to.  "Where's Ron?"

"He's taking a nap.  We won't go far."  Ginny looked down at her feet.  The sight of Draco's sweaty chest was making her blush.

Draco laughed to himself at Ginny's sudden shyness.  She wasn't normally this shy, unless she had a crush.  He knew Ginny held a secret crush for him since her first year.  She covered it up well, making everybody think she was still pining for Harry Potter, even stooping to arrive at the Yule Ball with Neville Longbottom.

"Sure.  Give me a few minutes to shower though.  I'm sure I smell like 'eau de garden gnome' right now."

Ginny blushed deeper red, if that was possible.  Draco smelled heavenly, but she wasn't going to say that out loud.  "You don't have to de-gnome the garden.  That's Ron's job."

"I don't mind.  Besides, your mother refuses to take any money.  I should do my fair share of the chores."

"Mum would never take one knut from Harry either.  Every year he offers, and every year she tells him that she isn't a boarding house, she's not going to take money for being neighborly."

Draco looked deep in thought.  "That's one thing I just can't understand.  It's obvious that you need the money, and really can't afford the extra mouths to feed, yet your mother won't take any money."

Ginny narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.  "We may not have the Malfoy millions, but we have something much more valuable.  Each other."  She turned and started to walk away when she felt a strong hand on her arm.

Draco turned her around.  He was surprised to see a tear slowly making it's way down her cheek.  Before he knew what he was doing, his thumb was on Ginny's cheek, wiping the tear away.  "I'm sorry Ginny.  I didn't mean to insult you."  Draco looked into Ginny's eyes.  He saw pain.  He'd always picked fun at the Weasley's for their lack of money, but he never realized that, well, that it hurt.  "Stay here, I'll clean up and we can walk."  With very slight movement, Draco very slightly caressed Ginny's cheek, and then walked into The Burrow through the back door.

Ginny watched, her hand touching her cheek where Draco touched her.  It's warm.  No doubt my blush has camouflaged my freckles.

Ginny jumped when she heard footsteps behind her.  She turned around to see Ron walking up the driveway.  "I thought you were taking a nap."

Ron shrugged, "Not really that tired.  Who de-gnomed the garden?"

"Draco did.  We might not see gnomes for a while."

Ron smiled, "Let me guess, he put Lucius Malfoy's face on the gnomes?"

Ginny nodded.

"I always used Professor Snape."

Ginny laughed.  "Don't let Hermione hear you say that.  She's taken a liking to Snape."

Ron grunted in a sneer.  "I don't see what in the world she sees in him.  I don't think he's ever been nice to a Gryffindor.  Hermione could have done her independent study project in Charms rather than Potions."

"But she couldn't do in Charms what she wanted to do.  Last year she developed pain-free Skele-Gro and is close to developing a potion to block the unforgivable curses." Ginny reminded her brother.  "You can't do that with a Charm."

"I know you can't, but the thought of Hermione with Snape makes me want to vomit.  He's got to be at least 20 years older than her."

"Ron, I really doubt it's a romantic relationship.  They just work well together.  They're the two most brilliant minds Hogwarts has ever seen."  Ginny said.  "By the way, I'm sure you didn't come out here to discuss Hermione's love life."

Ron started to turn slightly pink (Weasley family trait, you know)  "Well, yeah.  I saw you and Draco talking.  Is there ummm, anything going on I should know about?"

Now Ginny started to turn slightly pink.  "Actually I only asked him out for a walk. I'm not asking him to move into my bedroom or anything."  Yet.

Ron put an arm on Ginny's shoulders.  "Just be careful.  I know you've had a crush on him since your first year, but he has a reputation for being, well, a bad boy."

"Don't worry, oh overprotective big brother.  I'm fully able to take care of myself.  Besides, if he tries anything, I'll hit him with a full body bind."

Ron was about to say something when they heard the door open.  Draco appeared, freshly washed and dressed.  He had his cloak on, and had Ginny's cloak over his arm.

"Ginny, your mother said to wear your cloak, it's getting chilly."

Ginny took her cloak and rolled her eyes.  "You'd think that at 16 years old I'd know the difference between hot and cold."  She looked over at her brother.  "Don't worry Ron, we won't be gone long."

"And Weasel, if she tries anything, I'll hit her with a full body bind."

Ginny took Draco's arm and they both laughed as they walked down the driveway.

Ron was about to follow when Molly yelled from the window.  "Ron, Lavender wants you on the floo."

Ron watched the retreating couple for a second before going inside.

A/N:  Shorter than I'd hoped, but the toils and tribulations of real life keep getting in the way.  I'll try not to be so long between updates now.  Also, I'm American trying to write British…so excuse me if I slip up on words or phrases (or slipping in English measurement rather than Metric).  Just kindly let me know, and I'll fix it.  If I've made any major goofs, drop me an email.