Disclaimer:
I own none of this Harry Potter and all the other characters are owned by JKRowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, Warner Bros. I make nothing out of this.
Many thanks to all those who have reviewed
From our last chapter:
Voldemort smiled. "Welcome young Malfoy. How goes the battle? You are just about to see the end of the famous Potter and Albus Dumbledore. You will join me and the other death eaters and rid the world of mudbloods and muggle lovers. You will have power, money and fame beyond your wildest dreams. Watch as I finish Potter off."
Harry continued. "If I had thought the situation was hopeless before, I knew that it was now decided."
"Petrificus totalis!" Shouted Malfoy.
Chapter 5 - Draco on top at last.
The look of furious surprise on Voldmort's face as Professor Malfoy's curse hit him, was ludicrous.
The connection to my wand weakened, but did not break though, and the petrifying charm did not work completely, so powerful the dark wizard was. Yet Voldemort did slow down and I was able to stop the curse moving toward me.
Malfoy then pointed his wand at Professor Dumbledore and shouted "Finite incantatem!" Suddenly the headmaster was able to move his limbs. Professor Dumbledore quickly picked up his wand and a small empty vial from a side table.
Voldemort hissed at him. "Three against one? Doesn't seem very fair now does it? Does the great Dumbledore need the help of children to fight me?"
Dumbledore just shook his head and smiled as he pointed the wand at Voldemort. "Sosiouxme!"
Suddenly Voldemort's skin started blistering and a spurt of blood left his body and collected in the glass vial in Dumbledore's hand. In an instant, Voldemort's body seemed to be imploding on itself, getting smaller and weaker. The connection between his wand and mine broke as his wand fell to the floor. Al that was left of Voldemort was a pile of goo on the floor. Dumbledore scooped up the goo, and placed it into a little casket. He then sealed the casket, and with a simple "Adastra" spell sent the casket flying off into space. I should imagine that Voldemort's remains are frying on the surface of the sun as I speak.
Harry paused. "I guess you are thinking, this is all an interesting story, but what has it to do with the power of love?"
Several heads in the class nodded, including the serious Ravenclaw witch.
"Professor Malfoy was the son of a death eater, he was raised to become one himself, and with his family background would have looked forward to power and influence, riches beyond belief had he joined the dark side. It was almost a foregone conclusion that Draco Malfoy would become one of the world's most powerful dark wizards.
Yet something made him give up all that wealth and power. What could that have been, I wonder?"
Harry smiled. "Well, it just so happened that in our sixth year at Hogwarts, Professor Malfoy fell head over heels in love with a little red haired Gryffindor witch," at this he looked significantly at Ginny, "someone who would have been killed by Voldemort had he won. The moment Professor Malfoy fell in love, he was secured for the side of light, and all the power, the riches and all the influence that Voldemort had to offer were as nothing to the power of love."
At this, Harry smiled a little wryly. "In fact, from personal experience, love is sometimes like a cross between the Imperius and Cruciatus curses."
Harry cast another look at Ginny, who suddenly seemed to have developed a keen interest in the class room floor boards.
"After that point," continued Harry, "Professor Malfoy's life was not his own, and Voldemort's fate was sealed. We are all here today, safe and sound because of the power that that Gryffindor witch has over someone who otherwise would have been on the dark side."
"Has?" Asked the studious Ravenclaw. "Don't you mean 'had'? I mean surely they would have married in all this time. I mean he did ask her to marry him didn't he?"
"He certainly did." Replied Harry. "But I believe that she refused."
The witches in the class looked at the handsome, and now revealed to be heroic Malfoy, and then at each other. "He's single? He wouldn't need to ask me twice." Were whispered round the class, and not a few witches started eyeing Malfoy off. Malfoy alternately looked furiously at Potter, and uncharacteristically for him, blushed.
The effect on Ginny, of the obvious lusting by the young witches in the class, was entirely different. Her normally slim hands were now curled like the talons of a bird of prey about to rip its victim apart. Her eyes were wild with jealousy, and her hair seemed to be almost electrified. None of these little &*!!#$# were going to get her wizard. No way!
At this point, Professor Dumbledore thought it wise to interrupt lest mayhem let loose. "I will remind you all, that members of staff and students do not fraternise, and that is a rule enforced most strictly. Mr Malfoy, I shall leave you to continue your class. Professor Weasley, Madam Pomfrey and Mr Potter, I would be pleased if you would join me with Mrs Potter for refreshments in my office." With that, they left Malfoy to finish the class.
Later that night after curfew, in Professor Dumbledore's office, a strange meeting was just concluding. Harry and Hermione had conspiratorial grins on their faces, Draco looked hopeful, and Dumbledore had his usual twinkle in his eye.
"Well Professor," said Hermione, "I never believed you would be part of this, but it sure makes the whole thing a lot more certain."
Dumbledore chuckled. "My dear Mrs Potter. I see this little exercise as just a way of ensuring that Hogwarts gets some good wizarding blood in future generations. All part of a Headmaster's job I can assure you. The fact that it also promises to be fun is an added attraction, of course."
He looked at Draco. "Well now, be off with you!"
Some few minutes later, there was a knock at the door of Prof Weasley's office. She looked up from the next day's lesson plans and called, "Come in."
A blonde head poked round the door. "Am I welcome?"
Ginny smiled. "Of course you are. After all, there is one day left on our original twelve month agreement. I could hardly refuse you could I?" She pointed to a sofa along one wall of the room and when Malfoy had takenn off his invisibility cloak and sat down, she sat down next to him, twining her arms around him, nuzzling her face into his neck.
She undid a couple of buttons of his shirt and slipped her hand in to feel the warmth of his chest. "Was that story Harry told today all true?" She asked.
"Basically yes." He replied.
"And that bit about being in love with a Gryffindor witch? Was that true too?"
Malfoy laughed. "If you remember, when we first entered into our little 'arrangement', I said I was in love with you."
Ginny had the grace to look sheepish. "And I didn't believe you did I?
Malfoy smiled. "Well, I hardly expected you to. I acted like a prat toward you for most of the time at Hogwarts. And the manner of my 'proposal' at the time was rather ungentlemanlike. I was really focussed at that time on getting you to a point where you would have to go out with me and give me a chance to show you that a future with me was possible. I wanted you so badly."
"Wanted?" Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"Want, and now!" Replied Draco, moving a little to place his lips on hers. Suddenly he broke off the kiss and knelt before her. "Ginny, I hope this is the last time a Malfoy has to go to his knees before a Weasley, but you know I love you and want to marry you. My feelings and wishes are the same as they were last month, but if you do not return my love, one word from you will silence me on this matter forever."
Ginny felt the awkwardness of the situation, but in a few nervous words assured Draco that her feelings were now entirely different.
She tried to calm her nervousness by saying jokingly to Draco. "I hope that this is not the last time that a Malfoy goes on his knees to a Weasley. The feeling from up here is quite satisfying."
Draco, with a smile all over his face laughed. "Well, my little goose. If we get married then you will be Virginia Malfoy, and I won't be on my knees to a Weasley at all. That is unless you are proposing that we live together without the benefit of marriage." At this he smirked. "And I know that I can enlist your mother's opposition to that, so you might as well resign yourself to becoming Mrs Malfoy."
Virginia sighed. "Well then, I see I have no option other than to accept. Yes, I shall marry you, Draco. Now get up here and kiss me properly. I am not sure where you are looking when you are down there."
"With pleasure, my dear!"
"Oh!" Said Ginny. "With Pleasure? Now that will cost extra." She giggled mischievously. "You know, I think I am becoming as depraved as you are Draco. If this continues, our children will be sorted into Slytherin!"
"And the problem with that is?" Snorted Malfoy.
"Oh just shut up and kiss me."
With that Malfoy gave up on the arguing and settled down to serious business.
Of course as we all know, there is always something to spoil one's fun, and this is no exception, for not only had they settled down to some serious snogging, there was a knock on the door.
"*#$##@!!!" Cursed Malfoy as Ginny grabbed up her clothes and ducked into the bathroom.
Draco composed himself as best he could, and directed what he hoped was a calm, "Come in!" at the offending doorway.
Professor Dumbledore walked in followed closely by Harry and Hermione Potter.
"You can come out of there Professor Weasley." He announced toward the bathroom.
Draco stood up in embarrassment. "Professor, I can explain..."
"I sincerely hope that you can Professor Malfoy. I expect the highest moral standards from my teaching staff. No exceptions." Was the stern reply.
Draco drew breath. "Professor, Harry, Hermione...I am happy to tell you that Virginia has consented to be my wife -- we are engaged."
"May I offer my congratulations then."
"And ours too." Added Harry and Hermione.
"However," continued the headmaster "engaged is not the same as married and I desire to know what it is you are going to do about it!"
Ginny's face dropped. This looked as though she was going to have the shortest teaching career in the world.
"Um, well, headmaster," said Malfoy in his usual drawl, "what if Professor Weasley and I were to marry immediately?"
Dumbledore gave the impression of pondering this for a minute, and after casting a sly look at Harry and Hermione said. "And how do you propose doing that, Professor Malfoy? There are no marriage celebrants at Hogwarts and at this time of night either."
Draco smiled. "True enough, but this isn't the only time zone in the world, nor the only place where we could marry. I think I can find a suitable portkey."
"I am all astonishment Professor Malfoy. This should be interesting."
Draco ducked out of the room, and in five minutes he was back with what appeared to be a tattered copy of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen grasped triumphantly in his hand. "The portkey." He announced.
Dumbledore looked at Harry and Hermione again. "In that case, let us proceed."
They all grasped the tattered paperback, and in an instant were in bright sunlight in a very garish landscape.
"Where are we?" Gasped Ginny.
"The one place in the world where you can get married at any time of the day, and with any theme you want...LAS VEGAS!" Announced Draco with a bow. "Look here, there are about six wedding chapels with all the costumes and themes you can think of for hire." Draco looked at Ginny. "Guess we should have a look at what's on offer."
Ginny looked about hesitantly. Finally, she gathered her wits and headed toward the first chapel. "Ugh! An 'Elvis' wedding...blecchuu!" She headed toward the next one. "Blimey...I didn't know that 'Playwizard' had a franchise here!" She fixed Draco with a steely gaze. "If you think I am getting married without my clothes, you have another think coming Buster!"
"But Ginny! No problems with ill fitting hired suits."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I am not even going to dignify that statement by making a reply."
"Ginny!" Exclaimed Hermione. "Come over here! Look at this one. It has an early nineteenth century British wedding theme. You know, like the characters out of 'Pride and Prejudice'. And, look at the costumes in the window Ginny."
Ginny went to the window, and just stared at the wedding dress. It was her dream wedding dress right there, cream with a small amount of lace and puff sleeves with a high waist.
Hermione gave her a nudge. "Looks pretty good from here. Do you want to try it?"
"Oh yes," breathed Ginny, "it's perfect."
With that, she dragged Hermione inside, followed by a very smug looking Draco.
When Draco, Harry and Dumbledore got inside, Ginny was already trying on the dress. "It fits! It fits! It fits perfectly!" She shouted.
"Well, what are you three looking at?" Said Hermione, "You had better try on the bridegroom's costume Draco, and you, Harry Potter can be the best man, so you had better tog up as well."
"Yes Ma'am!" They both stood to attention and saluted before scuttling off to try on some 19th century costume.
"You know Hermione," confided Ginny twenty minutes later, "I still can't believe how well it all fits. This is the first store I have been in where the shoes are actually comfortable, and stylish. It's almost like they knew I was coming."
This reverie was broken by the arrival of the celebrant, a portly rosy cheeked happy looking soul.
"Are we all ready?" He addressed the group vaguely.
"Um, yes." Squeaked Ginny and Draco together, much to the amusement of the Potters and Dumbledore.
The celebrant raised his eyebrows. "And you have a ring?"
Ginny panicked as she thought to herself, that there hadn't been any time for picking rings.
However, Draco appeared nonchalant. "Yes, indeed I do." He whispered to Ginny. "Relax. It will do for the ceremony, and if you don't like it, we can get another afterward."
"Well," said the celebrant. "About the charges and payment terms..."
Draco took out his Gringotts' Ultra-superior-platinum card and handed it to the celebrant who went a mild shade of purple.
"Aah. Then you'll be wanting our superior service. The ceremony faithfully follows the early nineteenth century wording. There will be cards in the chapel with the exact wording of your responses on them. All you have to do is come with me with your best man, and take your place by the altar. And your bride can come in..."
"...any time she wants." Finished Draco, waving the card in front of the celebrant.
"Indeed." The man bowed so that his face almost touched his knees. "Let us proceed." And with that he showed Draco and Harry toward the side entrance and pointed Ginny and Matron of honour Hermione to the large oak main doors. Then he was gone.
"Oh. But I need to have someone to give me away." Said Ginny.
"Perhaps I can help with that for the time being?" Said Dumbledore with a mysterious smile. "Shall we proceed?"
Ginny gulped. "I guess so." With that, the doors to the chapel opened and Ginny walked through.
And stopped!
For inside the chapel, with huge grins on their faces were all her family and friends from work and Hogwarts. There must have been a hundred people there at least. "Surprise!" They all shouted!
Her father came up and said to Prof Dumbledore, who also had smile from ear to ear. "I think I should do the traditional march up the aisle with my daughter don't you think, Albus?"
Ginny looked at the smirking faces of Draco, Harry and Hermione. "You planned this all didn't you!" She mouthed at them.
"Hello Aunty Dinny!" Cried Charlie's little three year old daughter with a bouquet and little dress to match Ginny's. "I'se your flower dirl!" She announced proudly.
Suddenly, the music for the bridal march struck up. Ginny frowned, it was not the usual music, but it was familiar. Suddenly it came to her. It was 'The Entrance of the Queen of Sheba' from the Muggle oratorio 'Solomon'. She looked at Draco and shook her head in amazement as she made her way down the aisle.
Finally, she stopped before the celebrant and moved next to Draco. Draco smiled at her, and then at the celebrant, signalling him to start.
The celebrant coughed and intoned. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in...."
It all passed in a whirl before Ginny -- this surprise was all too much. All she remembered was Draco looking at her as he made his vows.
"I Draco, take thee Virginia to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
She didn't even remember making her own vows, although as Draco reminded her many times during their long marriage, that she had in fact not only made the vows, but had agreed "...to love, cherish, and obey..." And since all her friends and family who were at the wedding heard it, there was no denying it.
After the ceremony, the bridal party and guests portkeyed back to Hogwarts for the wedding feast.
"Even the house elves were in on this." Ginny muttered darkly at one point during the midnight feast.
Draco only smirked and squeezed her hand under the table. "You wait till we get back to Malfoy Manor. The house elves there are beside themselves with happiness I am told."
Ginny wrinkled her brow. "I would hope they would be happy, but why would they be, er, 'beside themselves'?"
"Ah," said Malfoy, "Well, they like you already from what they have seen of you in your visits there over the past year. Dobby has also told them that you come from a family that has lots of children. Children make house elves very happy, so lots of children make them...." Draco waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Ginny looked at her plate and blushed.
"Speaking of children, Mrs Malfoy, reminds me of something. Shall we leave these revellers to their own devices? We have a marriage to start." He breathed slyly in her ear.
Epilogue
Albus Dumbledore sat himself down on the fireside chair in his office. The multi-colour, multi-dimensional chess set that his mother and father had given him for his own graduation from Hogwarts those many years ago, sat on a small table just in front of him. This version of chess was so difficult that it was said that it took a lifetime to complete, and Albus Dumbledore wryly contemplated that fact as he looked at the last two pieces on the board; the red queen and the white king. "She has held you in check for long enough, my friend," said Dumbledore to the white king. "The end game is often the hardest. But now she has finally come within range."
With that, Dumbledore motioned with his wand at the figures on the board. Slowly, gently, the white king moved and took the red queen. Mate.
Dumbledore closed his eyes, and as he slipped into oblivion, he dreamed of the next generations of wide eyed wizard children facing the sorting hat.
"Hermione Malfoy, Ron Malfoy, Virginia Potter, Draco Weasley, Harry Weasley," he could hear it in his head. An impish smile of satisfaction briefly crossed his face as he imagined the mischief to be wrought by the latest set of Weasley twins...and with that, Albus Dumbledore was gone.