Thank you sooo much to everyone who reviewed! Here's the 10th chapter! Thank God I didn't take half a year to post it, eh?
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Draco woke up, feeling completely happy. He looked at Ginny who was curled against him, her face close to his chest. He could feel her warm breath on his chest. The sun shone through the open window, casting golden highlights on her hair.
He had spent the whole night making love to her. He had not let her fall asleep until the sun was beginning to rise. He knew she was exhausted, but then he had warned her months beforehand about their wedding night. She had firmly insisted that he use protection, since it was dangerous enough that they had made love without using protection. He was aware that she was afraid of becoming pregnant, after all this was only a six month marriage. The thought of Ginny having his children thrilled him, but he was sure she didn't feel the same.
Making love to her was everything he had ever dreamed of and more. He had been fantasizing about making love to her for almost five years. Making love to her was incomparable to making love with other girls. She was inexperienced in some parts of love making, but she was the only one who could arouse such flaming desire in him that only she could fulfill. He felt vulnerable when he thought about this dangerous power that she had over him. He was never known to have a weakness, that was, of course, before Ginny had come into his life. Now every time she looked at him or smiled at him, he felt a slight trembling in his knees.
He knew he did the same to her. Their physical attraction to each other was so strong, it was undeniable. She was like a drug. He was addicted to her. He felt irritable when he wasn not able to feast on her, whether it was by looking or touching.
She stirred in her sleep, snuggling even closer to him. Her lips touched his chest, making his skin hot where her lips came in contact with his skin.
He carefully laid on his back, flinching as his wounds touched the bed sheets. He had teased Ginny last night for at least three hours before he had granted her the release. She had taken her frustration out on his back, digging and raking her nails into every inch of his back. It stung like hell, but he wouldn't cure the scratches for the world. He was hers and he wanted everyone to know that.
* ~ * ~
Ginny was aching. Draco had been wild and passionate last night. He was one stubborn man, and he had a lot of control over himself from what Ginny could see. Even when she had begged him last night, he had refused to posess her until he felt like he was ready to.
She opened her eyes and looked up. Draco leaned down and gave her a slow kiss.
"Was that my good morning kiss?" she murmured.
"More like good afternoon."
Ginny closed her eyes momentarily and groaned. "What time is it?"
He chuckled. "Don't look so distressed. It's our honeymoon. We're suppose to stay in bed and relax and make love," he kissed her again. "It's a little past twelve."
"This is your fault, you know," she playfully accused him. "You wouldn't let me sleep til dawn."
"I wouldn't have let you sleep at all, except for the fact that you started crying."
"Did not," she said.
"Yes I know. But you looked it, and you know I'm a sucker for your tears."
Ginny grinned. "Maybe I should use that to my advantage, eh?"
He lightly caressed her inner thigh. Her eyes widened. "Maybe I should use this to my advantage," he grinned wickedly at her.
She pushed his hand away. "No way. I'm hurting all over from last night," she frowned at him. "I wish you suffered the same thing."
"I am aching... in once particular place and only you can stop it," he smiled suggestively at her.
"Well I won't," she propped herself up on her elbows, her hair falling over her shoulders. "I'm aching too much."
"Maybe I'll be more gentle with you next time," he tucked her hair behind her ear. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he asked, examining her face.
"Yes, at least ten times a day."
"Well, today's a new day," he suddenly grew serious. "Why did you let me make love to you yesterday?"
She bit her lower lip. "Our honeymoon's been wonderful so far, please don't bring that up and ruin it."
He looked at her troubled face. "What are you trying to hide from me?" She remained silent. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me."
"I don't," she said quietly.
He kissed the tip of her nose. "Don't get all gloomy."
That was how their honeymoon went. When they weren't relaxing or swimming, they made love. On Ginny's birthday, Draco had arranged for a port key to take them to Paris where they dined at the finest restaurant there. Afterwards, they toured the enchanting city.
Before Ginny knew it, their honeymoon was over, and they had to return to the Manor. There she received delightful news from her mum. Faye had her baby while Ginny had been on her honeymoon. She had had it the day before Ginny and Draco had returned from their honeymoon. Despite Ginny's insisting that Draco come and see her new baby nephew with her, Draco stayed at the Manor. Ginny gave up on persuading him and went to Percy and Faye's house. Her nephew had the Weasley hair and Faye's dark blue eyes.
"What are you going to name him?" Ginny asked, holding him and cooing at him.
"Aijen," Faye and Percy said together.
Ginny told Draco about little Aijen and how adorable he was. There was a strange look in Draco's eyes as he listened to her. Ginny went back to teaching at the Excellcur School. Summer vacation was approaching, and Ginny wanted to spend as much time as possible with her class before they left for summer vacation. On the last day of school, Ginny had taken her whole class on a picnic. When the school day had ended, each of her students gave her a hug and told her that they'd miss her. Ginny held her tears back until she got to the Manor. The little darlings! she thought as she entered her and Draco's room and collapsed on the couch.
Draco storde in a few minutes later, dressed in a navy blue robe, holding his broom. He stopped walking when he saw Ginny's red eyes. He threw his broom on the bed and went to sit down next to her.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.
Ginny saw his tender concern and was about to burst into tears again because of it.
"It's nothing," she sniffed. "I get like this every year when summer vacation comes and my students aren't my students anymore. Don't worry about me. Where've you been?"
"Playing Quidditch with Damius and some friends. I'm glad it's summer vacation, because that school's taking you away from me for eight hours a day," he leaned in and kissed her. "The eight hours in the day that I want to spend with you."
Narcissa frequently threw parties for one reason or the other. Draco and Ginny attended at least a party a week.
A month after Aijen's birth, Ginny volunteered to watch the children to give their parents a break. They went on a picnic out in the woods. The twins, as usual, caused a lot of mischief. But they showed an amazing amount of respect to Draco who could charm children as well as he could women.
"Auntie Ginny, are you going to have a baby?" Arianna asked unexpectedly, as she placed a hand on Ginny's flat stomach.
Ginny knew Draco was listening because he had stopped laughing with the twins.
"No," Ginny said in surprise. "Of course not. Why do you ask?"
Arianna withdrew her hand and sighed. "I don't know. All the others have babies except you."
Ginny was aware that everyone was waiting for her to announce that she was pregnant. They had used protection every time they made love. Ginny loved children, but reminded herself that this was just a deal.
Their months together were happy and sometimes Ginny forgot that this was a mere deal. The house elves quickly got used to the idea that Ginny was now Mistress of the Manor, and they were eager to please her. She was much more kinder to them than Draco was. In fact, they had an arguement about a house elf.
Cheak had told Ginny that one of his felllow house elves was heavily pregnant and due any day. Ginny's interest was immediately piqued. She brought up the subject with Draco when they were preparing for bed.
"Cheak's told me one of the house elves is expecting a baby very soon."
"He's informed me," Draco said apathetically.
Ginny was irritated with him for showing his apparent lack of interest. "Well I thought perhaps we could move her somewhere else until she had her child."
"I don't see what's wrong with their living quarters in the basement. Many elves have given birth there in the past."
"The basement? Isn't it cold and damp down there? Those are obviously unhealthy conditions for a baby."
"For Merlin's sake, Weasley," Draco said in exasperation. He only called her by her last name when he was annoyed with her, something Ginny had been quick to notice. "They're only house elves, they'll survive. Others did. If the baby dies, it won't make much of a difference. We still have other house elves."
Shock had entered Ginny's face. "You are cold hearted!" Ginny snapped. "How could you say such a thing? I don't care if we have thousands of other house elves! I want you to put that pregnant house elf somewhere else! They're always eager to please me, and I want to treat them with kindness in return."
"Of couse they want to please you. That's what they're there for. Now stop arguing and come to bed," Draco said as he got under the covers.
"No," Ginny snapped. "I'm sleeping somewhere else."
"Don't be stubborn!" she heard Draco call after her as she grabbed her wand and went out the door. A few turns and a couple of hallways later, Ginny entered the guest room. It was dark. She went and lit the candles with her wand. The room was cast into light, revealing the maroon and gold room.
She got into the king sized bed, still steaming from the arguement. With a wave of her wand, all the candles flickered out. How could Draco say that he didn't care if the baby house elf might die? Ginny thought furiously. He really was cold hearted.
When Ginny was on the verge of sleep, she felt someone get into bed with her. She was lying on her side, her back to Draco.
He kissed her bare shoulder. "You silly red haired witch," he murmured against her skin. "Trying to hide from me." He brushed back her hair which was covering part of her shoulder.
"Draco no," Ginny said, shrugging away from his lips.
He sighed. "Fine, if you want the damn house elf to be moved, I'll move her."
Ginny turned around and hugged him, her voice was very pleased. "I knew you'd do it!"
He frowned at her. "You mean to tell me that you knew all along that you'd get your way?"
She grinned up at him. "I knew you'd give in sooner or later."
"That's the last time I'm giving into you," Draco said, not believe in what he had just said.
"Hmm," Ginny said doubtfully.
"Enough talk. Let's get down to business," Ginny laughed as Draco drew her closer.
* * *
A couple of months after Faye had her baby, Charlotte gave birth to a girl, to the delight of everyone. Ginny could tell Charlotte's baby was going to be a real beauty when she grew up. She had a lot of curly auburn hair when she was born. She had large green eyes and what looked to be a stubborn mouth.
Billy was delighted with her. "We'll call her Samoa," he said, looking down at his new daughter with eyes full of love. (AN: Samoa is pronounced: sam-oh-a)
When Ginny told Draco about Samoa, he grabbed her and held her so close she could barely breath.
"Draco?" she softly said, her voice muffled against his chest.
"Ginny, Ginny, Ginny," he buried his hand in her soft hair. "I can't stand it no more. I want you, I need you."
"You have me," Ginny wrapped her arms around him.
"I want a child," he said quietly. "I want you to have my child."
Ginny's mind went numb, and her body became rigid. "W-what?"
He held her at arm's length and looked down at her startled face. "I want a child, Ginny. It was all I could do to stop myself from throwing myself down and beg you to have my child when you told me about Aijen. But this time, I couldn't control myself."
She stepped back from him. "I-I can't. This is just a-a deal-"
He scowled, and Ginny could've sworn she saw a quick flash of pain in his eyes. "Of course. I apologize for forgetting that," he said quietly. "It won't happen again."
Ginny's heart ached, and she longed to tell him that she would gladly have his child, and they would raise it together. But the memory of the deep pain he had caused her four years ago was still fresh in her heart and mind.
They made love that night like they did every other night, and he was wonderful as always, but Ginny sensed that there was an absent- mindedness way about him. Afterwards he turned his back to her and went to sleep.
When she woke up in the morning, he was gone. She showered and dressed. Ginny decided to go and visit Tilly, since she hadn't seen that much of her since the wedding. They went out to lunch and shopped. Ginny was troubled, but she couldn't tell Tilly about what Draco had said last night.
Something occured with the house elves when she got home that took her mind off of Draco. Cheak told Ginny that she could come and see the new baby elf. Ginny followed him down to the room where the baby was. It was wrinkled and cute, which was a surpise since most house elves were ugly.
Then Ginny was called to go to London to attend a class for teachers. Draco was not home, and Ginny didn't have time to wait for him so she left him a note and explained that the class would last for a week, and strictly warned him not to visit her since she would be in constant company with muggles. Of course, Draco being Draco, didn't listen to her. He used floo powder to talk to her and was prevented by Ginny from transferring himself bodily to her room in London.
She got home a little past midnight. Draco wasn't in their room, and Ginny couldn't find him. Feeling too exhausted to worry about him, she got into bed and fell asleep.
Ginny woke up, out of breath. Someone was kissing her firmly on her mouth and depriving her of her oxygen. She recognized the blond hair.
"Draco, I can't breath," she gasped.
He stopped kissing her and lifted his head to look down at her. "Why hello, my dear wife," his voice sounded slightly cool. "Thank you for leaving without telling me."
Ginny moved uncomfortably beneath him, realizing with a start that she was naked. "You weren't home, and I was late. I couldn't wait for you."
"The hell you couldn't," he snapped.
Ginny was taken back. "Why are you making a big deal out of this?"
"When I came home and found you were gone, I thought-" he paused.
"What did you think?" Ginny asked gently.
"It doesn't matter. I was relieved when I found your note."
Ginny was puzzled. "Relived? What from?"
"It doesn't matter," he repeated firmly. "All that matters is you're home now. Don't ever leave again without telling me personally," he dropped kisses all over her face. "Oh Ginny, I've missed you so much. if it weren't for your stubborn insistence that I not come and visit you, I would've been with you the moment you arrived in London."
"Yes, I know you would have. But I was suppose to concentrate on my classes and have no distractions. And Merlin knows you would have been a big one."
"Silly rules," he traced her jawline. "Did you know that I know every inch of you? Probably better than you know your own body."
She sighed and ran her hand through his silky hair. "I believe it," she pushed his unbuttoned shirt back from his shoulders, to his arms, and helped him take if off. "I see you already undressed me," she said.
He grinned. "I couldn't help myself. It killed me not to touch you for a whole week. Laying in bed without you was pure hell, so we'll make up for the loss of last week tonight."
Ginny didn't have time to reply as he began to awaken her body and make it burn and yearn for him.
"You weren't lying when you said that you missed me," Ginny said afterwards, her head resting on his chest. She could feel his heart beat going back to normal.
Draco covered them both with the bedsheet. He lightly scratched her back. "You didn't believe me?"
She ran her hand over his chest. "Of course I believed you, but I didn't know how much you missed me."
He sighed but didn't say anything. They laid there in silence.
"Draco?"
"Hmm?"
"You know when you were after me in our sixth year?" (AN: remember, I put Ginny in the same year as Ron)
"Yes."
"Well, why was it that everywhere I went, I saw you? Well not everywhere, but you know what I mean."
"Well, you don't know how much I needed to know if you really hated me, because here I was in love with a girl who hated me."
Ginny remained silent for a while before she spoke. "I did hate you. After all, I had every reason to. You insulted my family constantly, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione hated you, and since they were my best friends, I didn't see why I shouldn't hate you too. You changed that of course."
"I'm glad. I don't know what I would've done if you hated me forever. You were the reason I got up every morning and made myself look irresistible," he grinned.
Ginny laughed. "You always were irresistible, ever since you came to Hogwarts."
"I didn't notice until our fourth year. I noticed you in the beginning of our sixth year, like the rest of the males at Hogwarts."
Ginny remembered all the boys who had stalked her and sighed. "Don't I know it."
"Thank Merlin you didn't return their admiration, or I would've killed them one by one."
"Such passionate words. You know what they say, easier said than done. Enough talk now. I'm too tired," she murmured sleepily, closing her eyes.
* * *
School began again, and Ginny had to go back to teaching.
Towards the end of October, Narcissa threw a costume party. The children were allowed to attend, and they looked adorable in their costumes. By the beginning of the next month, Ginny was all too aware that their deal was coming to an end.
Draco seemed to notice it too, because whenever Ginny was home, he was always with her.
As December approached, Ginny grew more tense whenever Draco was around. Their conversations grew strained. Draco was a lot more energetic in bed than usual, and Ginny got less sleep because of it.
A week was left of their marriage, and during a lunch of soup and sandwiches, Draco brought up the divorce.
"The papers are coming in a couple of weeks. You can start moving out next week if you want," he said in a flat voice. His face was blank, no emotions visible in his gray eyes. "I'll give you some money." (AN: I really don't know how divorce works so bear with me)
Ginny quickly interrupted him. "That won't be necessary."
"It's a part of the divorce," he stated firmly. "Five-thousand galleons. I thought you could use it to buy yourself an apartment."
That sounded like a pretty good idea to Ginny. To get herself away from the uneasy atmosphere at the Manor, Ginny went and looked at some apartments. She found one to her liking. It was one bedroomed, with a kitchen, bathroom, and a living room. It was twenty-five galleons a month and was located by the Excellcur school.
Her friends and family were surprised when they learned of the divorce.
"I thought your marriage was going very well," Hermione said, when she was visiting the Manor.
"It was," Ginny agreed. "It was only a six month deal."
Hermione looked at Ginny in amazement. "A deal?"
Ginny nodded and explained to Hermione about her and Draco's deal. Hermione was still silent after Ginny got done.
"Everybody seemed to think that you two were in love," Hermione said.
"I might be, but not him."
Hermione stared at Ginny as if she were stupid. "Everyone seems to know, but you two, that you and Draco love each other."
"He's a good actor," Ginny said, stubbornly refusing to believe Hermione.
"But you love him, don't you?" Hermione persisted.
Ginny bit her lip. "Yes Hermione, I do," she said softly.
"Well, then why do you want to divorce him?"
"Because Hermione! He doesn't love me! He's not the marrying type. If we stayed married, he'd be sure to take mistresses. I just think that divorcing him is the right thing to do."
Hermione sighed. "I just hope you know what you're doing. I better get home to fix Ron and Arianna some dinner," she walked to the door and opened it. "Tell me, did Draco take any lovers while you two were married?'
Ginny was thoughtful. "No, I don't think so."
Hermioned smiled and left, closing the door behind her, leaving Ginny alone to drown herself in her own thoughts.
* * *
Their last night together arrived. Ginny had already moved most of her things to her new apartment. Ginny's discomfort around Draco increased as she got ready for bed. He took her to new heights that night. Ginny was so overwhelmed, she thought she might've blacked out for a few moments.
When Ginny woke up the next morning, Draco was no where in sigh. She finished moving the rest of her things to her apartment. As she was making her way to say good-bye to Cheak, she met Narcissa.
Narcissa had been more cold than usual when she spoke to Ginny, and this case was no different.
"Where are you going, Miss Weasley?" she asked coldly.
"I was going down to say good-bye to Cheak."
"How kind of you, but you shall not bother my house elves. Please leave my house," she said.
Ginny had no choice but to leave. Trying to hold back her tears so Narcissa wouldn't see her cry, Ginny left by floo powder to her apartment, knowing that life was going to get a bit unsettled.
A week later, the divorce papers came. Ginny signed them, ignoring the ache in her heart. She didn't take them to Draco to sign until a couple of days later.
She walked down the familiar corridors to his room. She knocked but received no answer. She entered but found no one there. Ginny went and sat on the bed to wait for him. She waited for nearly an hour, yet he still didn't show up. Just when she was about to leave, he came walking into the room. He spotted her, and an unreadable emotion flickered across his eyes.
Ginny caught her breath. God how she missed him! Not being with him was pure torture for her. She hadn't seen him in almost two weeks, and she missed him so much.
She forced herself to remain emotionless. "I brought the papers over for you to sign."
"Did you?" he sneered.
She flinched. She set them on the table and walked towards the door, keeping her eyes away from him. She walked by him, expecting him to stop her, but he remained motionless. As she took a few steps past him, he reached out and took her arm. Her skin immediately began to burn.
"Yes?" she asked coldly to hide the way she still reacted to his touch.
"Let me make love to you one last time," he said quietly.
Ginny had never been so tempted to say yes. "No, it's over," she said.
He pulled her into his arms. Ginny forced herself not to mold her body into his warm muscular one.
"Yes, our marriage may be over, but our attraction to each other isn't."
"Let me go," she struggled.
His arms tightened. "Stop," he lifted her face. Ginny stopped struggling. He kissed her.
"No," she said. She tried vainly to make the familiar feelings rising in her disappear. She knew that if she remained in his arms any longer, all her reasonable thoughts would disappear and she would be lost. She again tried to break loose.
Draco easily contained her in his arms. He again kissed her, and this time Ginny knew for sure that she was lost. She surrendered her body to him.
* * *
Ginny thought she would never be able to stop crying. Her body was still humming with Draco's lovemaking. After they had been done, Draco had gotten dressed and left without a word. Ginny had done the same thing, feeling helpless and miserable. She left the papers with him, trusting him to sign and turn them in.
Tilly came over a few hours later to see if Ginny wanted to go see a movie, but she had second thoughts when she saw the state that Ginny was in.
"My God Ginny," Tilly exclaimed, her eyes scanning over her best friend's wrinkled clothing and her tangled hair. "Are you all right?"
Ginny looked at Tilly through her tear-filled eyes. "Yes, but I can't stop crying."
Tilly came and sat down next to Ginny on her couch and embraced her. "Of course you're not all right," she pulled back and held Ginny at arm's length, looking into her red-rimmed eyes. "You really don't want to divorce him, do you?"
Ginny shook her head. "I don't know what I want anymore."
"You love him, don't you?"
"Yes," Ginny choked out.
"Then why are you going along with this divorce?"
Ginny told Tilly the same thing she had told Hermione.
"That's rubbish Ginny," Tilly said. "Anybody can tell Draco's head over heels in love with you."
But Ginny couldn't tell Tilly or Hermione of that constant fear of heartache that lurked in her heart.
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Yay! I'm done typing the 10th chapter! It was 13 written pages, and trust me, I write tiny. It took me forever to type this! Well enjoy and please review! I'm working on my 11th one right now, so maybe as my birthday present (my b-day's the 3rd of February) to you from me, I'll have it out on, before, a little after my b-day! super-sailor-saturn39
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Draco woke up, feeling completely happy. He looked at Ginny who was curled against him, her face close to his chest. He could feel her warm breath on his chest. The sun shone through the open window, casting golden highlights on her hair.
He had spent the whole night making love to her. He had not let her fall asleep until the sun was beginning to rise. He knew she was exhausted, but then he had warned her months beforehand about their wedding night. She had firmly insisted that he use protection, since it was dangerous enough that they had made love without using protection. He was aware that she was afraid of becoming pregnant, after all this was only a six month marriage. The thought of Ginny having his children thrilled him, but he was sure she didn't feel the same.
Making love to her was everything he had ever dreamed of and more. He had been fantasizing about making love to her for almost five years. Making love to her was incomparable to making love with other girls. She was inexperienced in some parts of love making, but she was the only one who could arouse such flaming desire in him that only she could fulfill. He felt vulnerable when he thought about this dangerous power that she had over him. He was never known to have a weakness, that was, of course, before Ginny had come into his life. Now every time she looked at him or smiled at him, he felt a slight trembling in his knees.
He knew he did the same to her. Their physical attraction to each other was so strong, it was undeniable. She was like a drug. He was addicted to her. He felt irritable when he wasn not able to feast on her, whether it was by looking or touching.
She stirred in her sleep, snuggling even closer to him. Her lips touched his chest, making his skin hot where her lips came in contact with his skin.
He carefully laid on his back, flinching as his wounds touched the bed sheets. He had teased Ginny last night for at least three hours before he had granted her the release. She had taken her frustration out on his back, digging and raking her nails into every inch of his back. It stung like hell, but he wouldn't cure the scratches for the world. He was hers and he wanted everyone to know that.
* ~ * ~
Ginny was aching. Draco had been wild and passionate last night. He was one stubborn man, and he had a lot of control over himself from what Ginny could see. Even when she had begged him last night, he had refused to posess her until he felt like he was ready to.
She opened her eyes and looked up. Draco leaned down and gave her a slow kiss.
"Was that my good morning kiss?" she murmured.
"More like good afternoon."
Ginny closed her eyes momentarily and groaned. "What time is it?"
He chuckled. "Don't look so distressed. It's our honeymoon. We're suppose to stay in bed and relax and make love," he kissed her again. "It's a little past twelve."
"This is your fault, you know," she playfully accused him. "You wouldn't let me sleep til dawn."
"I wouldn't have let you sleep at all, except for the fact that you started crying."
"Did not," she said.
"Yes I know. But you looked it, and you know I'm a sucker for your tears."
Ginny grinned. "Maybe I should use that to my advantage, eh?"
He lightly caressed her inner thigh. Her eyes widened. "Maybe I should use this to my advantage," he grinned wickedly at her.
She pushed his hand away. "No way. I'm hurting all over from last night," she frowned at him. "I wish you suffered the same thing."
"I am aching... in once particular place and only you can stop it," he smiled suggestively at her.
"Well I won't," she propped herself up on her elbows, her hair falling over her shoulders. "I'm aching too much."
"Maybe I'll be more gentle with you next time," he tucked her hair behind her ear. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he asked, examining her face.
"Yes, at least ten times a day."
"Well, today's a new day," he suddenly grew serious. "Why did you let me make love to you yesterday?"
She bit her lower lip. "Our honeymoon's been wonderful so far, please don't bring that up and ruin it."
He looked at her troubled face. "What are you trying to hide from me?" She remained silent. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me."
"I don't," she said quietly.
He kissed the tip of her nose. "Don't get all gloomy."
That was how their honeymoon went. When they weren't relaxing or swimming, they made love. On Ginny's birthday, Draco had arranged for a port key to take them to Paris where they dined at the finest restaurant there. Afterwards, they toured the enchanting city.
Before Ginny knew it, their honeymoon was over, and they had to return to the Manor. There she received delightful news from her mum. Faye had her baby while Ginny had been on her honeymoon. She had had it the day before Ginny and Draco had returned from their honeymoon. Despite Ginny's insisting that Draco come and see her new baby nephew with her, Draco stayed at the Manor. Ginny gave up on persuading him and went to Percy and Faye's house. Her nephew had the Weasley hair and Faye's dark blue eyes.
"What are you going to name him?" Ginny asked, holding him and cooing at him.
"Aijen," Faye and Percy said together.
Ginny told Draco about little Aijen and how adorable he was. There was a strange look in Draco's eyes as he listened to her. Ginny went back to teaching at the Excellcur School. Summer vacation was approaching, and Ginny wanted to spend as much time as possible with her class before they left for summer vacation. On the last day of school, Ginny had taken her whole class on a picnic. When the school day had ended, each of her students gave her a hug and told her that they'd miss her. Ginny held her tears back until she got to the Manor. The little darlings! she thought as she entered her and Draco's room and collapsed on the couch.
Draco storde in a few minutes later, dressed in a navy blue robe, holding his broom. He stopped walking when he saw Ginny's red eyes. He threw his broom on the bed and went to sit down next to her.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.
Ginny saw his tender concern and was about to burst into tears again because of it.
"It's nothing," she sniffed. "I get like this every year when summer vacation comes and my students aren't my students anymore. Don't worry about me. Where've you been?"
"Playing Quidditch with Damius and some friends. I'm glad it's summer vacation, because that school's taking you away from me for eight hours a day," he leaned in and kissed her. "The eight hours in the day that I want to spend with you."
Narcissa frequently threw parties for one reason or the other. Draco and Ginny attended at least a party a week.
A month after Aijen's birth, Ginny volunteered to watch the children to give their parents a break. They went on a picnic out in the woods. The twins, as usual, caused a lot of mischief. But they showed an amazing amount of respect to Draco who could charm children as well as he could women.
"Auntie Ginny, are you going to have a baby?" Arianna asked unexpectedly, as she placed a hand on Ginny's flat stomach.
Ginny knew Draco was listening because he had stopped laughing with the twins.
"No," Ginny said in surprise. "Of course not. Why do you ask?"
Arianna withdrew her hand and sighed. "I don't know. All the others have babies except you."
Ginny was aware that everyone was waiting for her to announce that she was pregnant. They had used protection every time they made love. Ginny loved children, but reminded herself that this was just a deal.
Their months together were happy and sometimes Ginny forgot that this was a mere deal. The house elves quickly got used to the idea that Ginny was now Mistress of the Manor, and they were eager to please her. She was much more kinder to them than Draco was. In fact, they had an arguement about a house elf.
Cheak had told Ginny that one of his felllow house elves was heavily pregnant and due any day. Ginny's interest was immediately piqued. She brought up the subject with Draco when they were preparing for bed.
"Cheak's told me one of the house elves is expecting a baby very soon."
"He's informed me," Draco said apathetically.
Ginny was irritated with him for showing his apparent lack of interest. "Well I thought perhaps we could move her somewhere else until she had her child."
"I don't see what's wrong with their living quarters in the basement. Many elves have given birth there in the past."
"The basement? Isn't it cold and damp down there? Those are obviously unhealthy conditions for a baby."
"For Merlin's sake, Weasley," Draco said in exasperation. He only called her by her last name when he was annoyed with her, something Ginny had been quick to notice. "They're only house elves, they'll survive. Others did. If the baby dies, it won't make much of a difference. We still have other house elves."
Shock had entered Ginny's face. "You are cold hearted!" Ginny snapped. "How could you say such a thing? I don't care if we have thousands of other house elves! I want you to put that pregnant house elf somewhere else! They're always eager to please me, and I want to treat them with kindness in return."
"Of couse they want to please you. That's what they're there for. Now stop arguing and come to bed," Draco said as he got under the covers.
"No," Ginny snapped. "I'm sleeping somewhere else."
"Don't be stubborn!" she heard Draco call after her as she grabbed her wand and went out the door. A few turns and a couple of hallways later, Ginny entered the guest room. It was dark. She went and lit the candles with her wand. The room was cast into light, revealing the maroon and gold room.
She got into the king sized bed, still steaming from the arguement. With a wave of her wand, all the candles flickered out. How could Draco say that he didn't care if the baby house elf might die? Ginny thought furiously. He really was cold hearted.
When Ginny was on the verge of sleep, she felt someone get into bed with her. She was lying on her side, her back to Draco.
He kissed her bare shoulder. "You silly red haired witch," he murmured against her skin. "Trying to hide from me." He brushed back her hair which was covering part of her shoulder.
"Draco no," Ginny said, shrugging away from his lips.
He sighed. "Fine, if you want the damn house elf to be moved, I'll move her."
Ginny turned around and hugged him, her voice was very pleased. "I knew you'd do it!"
He frowned at her. "You mean to tell me that you knew all along that you'd get your way?"
She grinned up at him. "I knew you'd give in sooner or later."
"That's the last time I'm giving into you," Draco said, not believe in what he had just said.
"Hmm," Ginny said doubtfully.
"Enough talk. Let's get down to business," Ginny laughed as Draco drew her closer.
* * *
A couple of months after Faye had her baby, Charlotte gave birth to a girl, to the delight of everyone. Ginny could tell Charlotte's baby was going to be a real beauty when she grew up. She had a lot of curly auburn hair when she was born. She had large green eyes and what looked to be a stubborn mouth.
Billy was delighted with her. "We'll call her Samoa," he said, looking down at his new daughter with eyes full of love. (AN: Samoa is pronounced: sam-oh-a)
When Ginny told Draco about Samoa, he grabbed her and held her so close she could barely breath.
"Draco?" she softly said, her voice muffled against his chest.
"Ginny, Ginny, Ginny," he buried his hand in her soft hair. "I can't stand it no more. I want you, I need you."
"You have me," Ginny wrapped her arms around him.
"I want a child," he said quietly. "I want you to have my child."
Ginny's mind went numb, and her body became rigid. "W-what?"
He held her at arm's length and looked down at her startled face. "I want a child, Ginny. It was all I could do to stop myself from throwing myself down and beg you to have my child when you told me about Aijen. But this time, I couldn't control myself."
She stepped back from him. "I-I can't. This is just a-a deal-"
He scowled, and Ginny could've sworn she saw a quick flash of pain in his eyes. "Of course. I apologize for forgetting that," he said quietly. "It won't happen again."
Ginny's heart ached, and she longed to tell him that she would gladly have his child, and they would raise it together. But the memory of the deep pain he had caused her four years ago was still fresh in her heart and mind.
They made love that night like they did every other night, and he was wonderful as always, but Ginny sensed that there was an absent- mindedness way about him. Afterwards he turned his back to her and went to sleep.
When she woke up in the morning, he was gone. She showered and dressed. Ginny decided to go and visit Tilly, since she hadn't seen that much of her since the wedding. They went out to lunch and shopped. Ginny was troubled, but she couldn't tell Tilly about what Draco had said last night.
Something occured with the house elves when she got home that took her mind off of Draco. Cheak told Ginny that she could come and see the new baby elf. Ginny followed him down to the room where the baby was. It was wrinkled and cute, which was a surpise since most house elves were ugly.
Then Ginny was called to go to London to attend a class for teachers. Draco was not home, and Ginny didn't have time to wait for him so she left him a note and explained that the class would last for a week, and strictly warned him not to visit her since she would be in constant company with muggles. Of course, Draco being Draco, didn't listen to her. He used floo powder to talk to her and was prevented by Ginny from transferring himself bodily to her room in London.
She got home a little past midnight. Draco wasn't in their room, and Ginny couldn't find him. Feeling too exhausted to worry about him, she got into bed and fell asleep.
Ginny woke up, out of breath. Someone was kissing her firmly on her mouth and depriving her of her oxygen. She recognized the blond hair.
"Draco, I can't breath," she gasped.
He stopped kissing her and lifted his head to look down at her. "Why hello, my dear wife," his voice sounded slightly cool. "Thank you for leaving without telling me."
Ginny moved uncomfortably beneath him, realizing with a start that she was naked. "You weren't home, and I was late. I couldn't wait for you."
"The hell you couldn't," he snapped.
Ginny was taken back. "Why are you making a big deal out of this?"
"When I came home and found you were gone, I thought-" he paused.
"What did you think?" Ginny asked gently.
"It doesn't matter. I was relieved when I found your note."
Ginny was puzzled. "Relived? What from?"
"It doesn't matter," he repeated firmly. "All that matters is you're home now. Don't ever leave again without telling me personally," he dropped kisses all over her face. "Oh Ginny, I've missed you so much. if it weren't for your stubborn insistence that I not come and visit you, I would've been with you the moment you arrived in London."
"Yes, I know you would have. But I was suppose to concentrate on my classes and have no distractions. And Merlin knows you would have been a big one."
"Silly rules," he traced her jawline. "Did you know that I know every inch of you? Probably better than you know your own body."
She sighed and ran her hand through his silky hair. "I believe it," she pushed his unbuttoned shirt back from his shoulders, to his arms, and helped him take if off. "I see you already undressed me," she said.
He grinned. "I couldn't help myself. It killed me not to touch you for a whole week. Laying in bed without you was pure hell, so we'll make up for the loss of last week tonight."
Ginny didn't have time to reply as he began to awaken her body and make it burn and yearn for him.
"You weren't lying when you said that you missed me," Ginny said afterwards, her head resting on his chest. She could feel his heart beat going back to normal.
Draco covered them both with the bedsheet. He lightly scratched her back. "You didn't believe me?"
She ran her hand over his chest. "Of course I believed you, but I didn't know how much you missed me."
He sighed but didn't say anything. They laid there in silence.
"Draco?"
"Hmm?"
"You know when you were after me in our sixth year?" (AN: remember, I put Ginny in the same year as Ron)
"Yes."
"Well, why was it that everywhere I went, I saw you? Well not everywhere, but you know what I mean."
"Well, you don't know how much I needed to know if you really hated me, because here I was in love with a girl who hated me."
Ginny remained silent for a while before she spoke. "I did hate you. After all, I had every reason to. You insulted my family constantly, and Ron, Harry, and Hermione hated you, and since they were my best friends, I didn't see why I shouldn't hate you too. You changed that of course."
"I'm glad. I don't know what I would've done if you hated me forever. You were the reason I got up every morning and made myself look irresistible," he grinned.
Ginny laughed. "You always were irresistible, ever since you came to Hogwarts."
"I didn't notice until our fourth year. I noticed you in the beginning of our sixth year, like the rest of the males at Hogwarts."
Ginny remembered all the boys who had stalked her and sighed. "Don't I know it."
"Thank Merlin you didn't return their admiration, or I would've killed them one by one."
"Such passionate words. You know what they say, easier said than done. Enough talk now. I'm too tired," she murmured sleepily, closing her eyes.
* * *
School began again, and Ginny had to go back to teaching.
Towards the end of October, Narcissa threw a costume party. The children were allowed to attend, and they looked adorable in their costumes. By the beginning of the next month, Ginny was all too aware that their deal was coming to an end.
Draco seemed to notice it too, because whenever Ginny was home, he was always with her.
As December approached, Ginny grew more tense whenever Draco was around. Their conversations grew strained. Draco was a lot more energetic in bed than usual, and Ginny got less sleep because of it.
A week was left of their marriage, and during a lunch of soup and sandwiches, Draco brought up the divorce.
"The papers are coming in a couple of weeks. You can start moving out next week if you want," he said in a flat voice. His face was blank, no emotions visible in his gray eyes. "I'll give you some money." (AN: I really don't know how divorce works so bear with me)
Ginny quickly interrupted him. "That won't be necessary."
"It's a part of the divorce," he stated firmly. "Five-thousand galleons. I thought you could use it to buy yourself an apartment."
That sounded like a pretty good idea to Ginny. To get herself away from the uneasy atmosphere at the Manor, Ginny went and looked at some apartments. She found one to her liking. It was one bedroomed, with a kitchen, bathroom, and a living room. It was twenty-five galleons a month and was located by the Excellcur school.
Her friends and family were surprised when they learned of the divorce.
"I thought your marriage was going very well," Hermione said, when she was visiting the Manor.
"It was," Ginny agreed. "It was only a six month deal."
Hermione looked at Ginny in amazement. "A deal?"
Ginny nodded and explained to Hermione about her and Draco's deal. Hermione was still silent after Ginny got done.
"Everybody seemed to think that you two were in love," Hermione said.
"I might be, but not him."
Hermione stared at Ginny as if she were stupid. "Everyone seems to know, but you two, that you and Draco love each other."
"He's a good actor," Ginny said, stubbornly refusing to believe Hermione.
"But you love him, don't you?" Hermione persisted.
Ginny bit her lip. "Yes Hermione, I do," she said softly.
"Well, then why do you want to divorce him?"
"Because Hermione! He doesn't love me! He's not the marrying type. If we stayed married, he'd be sure to take mistresses. I just think that divorcing him is the right thing to do."
Hermione sighed. "I just hope you know what you're doing. I better get home to fix Ron and Arianna some dinner," she walked to the door and opened it. "Tell me, did Draco take any lovers while you two were married?'
Ginny was thoughtful. "No, I don't think so."
Hermioned smiled and left, closing the door behind her, leaving Ginny alone to drown herself in her own thoughts.
* * *
Their last night together arrived. Ginny had already moved most of her things to her new apartment. Ginny's discomfort around Draco increased as she got ready for bed. He took her to new heights that night. Ginny was so overwhelmed, she thought she might've blacked out for a few moments.
When Ginny woke up the next morning, Draco was no where in sigh. She finished moving the rest of her things to her apartment. As she was making her way to say good-bye to Cheak, she met Narcissa.
Narcissa had been more cold than usual when she spoke to Ginny, and this case was no different.
"Where are you going, Miss Weasley?" she asked coldly.
"I was going down to say good-bye to Cheak."
"How kind of you, but you shall not bother my house elves. Please leave my house," she said.
Ginny had no choice but to leave. Trying to hold back her tears so Narcissa wouldn't see her cry, Ginny left by floo powder to her apartment, knowing that life was going to get a bit unsettled.
A week later, the divorce papers came. Ginny signed them, ignoring the ache in her heart. She didn't take them to Draco to sign until a couple of days later.
She walked down the familiar corridors to his room. She knocked but received no answer. She entered but found no one there. Ginny went and sat on the bed to wait for him. She waited for nearly an hour, yet he still didn't show up. Just when she was about to leave, he came walking into the room. He spotted her, and an unreadable emotion flickered across his eyes.
Ginny caught her breath. God how she missed him! Not being with him was pure torture for her. She hadn't seen him in almost two weeks, and she missed him so much.
She forced herself to remain emotionless. "I brought the papers over for you to sign."
"Did you?" he sneered.
She flinched. She set them on the table and walked towards the door, keeping her eyes away from him. She walked by him, expecting him to stop her, but he remained motionless. As she took a few steps past him, he reached out and took her arm. Her skin immediately began to burn.
"Yes?" she asked coldly to hide the way she still reacted to his touch.
"Let me make love to you one last time," he said quietly.
Ginny had never been so tempted to say yes. "No, it's over," she said.
He pulled her into his arms. Ginny forced herself not to mold her body into his warm muscular one.
"Yes, our marriage may be over, but our attraction to each other isn't."
"Let me go," she struggled.
His arms tightened. "Stop," he lifted her face. Ginny stopped struggling. He kissed her.
"No," she said. She tried vainly to make the familiar feelings rising in her disappear. She knew that if she remained in his arms any longer, all her reasonable thoughts would disappear and she would be lost. She again tried to break loose.
Draco easily contained her in his arms. He again kissed her, and this time Ginny knew for sure that she was lost. She surrendered her body to him.
* * *
Ginny thought she would never be able to stop crying. Her body was still humming with Draco's lovemaking. After they had been done, Draco had gotten dressed and left without a word. Ginny had done the same thing, feeling helpless and miserable. She left the papers with him, trusting him to sign and turn them in.
Tilly came over a few hours later to see if Ginny wanted to go see a movie, but she had second thoughts when she saw the state that Ginny was in.
"My God Ginny," Tilly exclaimed, her eyes scanning over her best friend's wrinkled clothing and her tangled hair. "Are you all right?"
Ginny looked at Tilly through her tear-filled eyes. "Yes, but I can't stop crying."
Tilly came and sat down next to Ginny on her couch and embraced her. "Of course you're not all right," she pulled back and held Ginny at arm's length, looking into her red-rimmed eyes. "You really don't want to divorce him, do you?"
Ginny shook her head. "I don't know what I want anymore."
"You love him, don't you?"
"Yes," Ginny choked out.
"Then why are you going along with this divorce?"
Ginny told Tilly the same thing she had told Hermione.
"That's rubbish Ginny," Tilly said. "Anybody can tell Draco's head over heels in love with you."
But Ginny couldn't tell Tilly or Hermione of that constant fear of heartache that lurked in her heart.
___________________________________
Yay! I'm done typing the 10th chapter! It was 13 written pages, and trust me, I write tiny. It took me forever to type this! Well enjoy and please review! I'm working on my 11th one right now, so maybe as my birthday present (my b-day's the 3rd of February) to you from me, I'll have it out on, before, a little after my b-day! super-sailor-saturn39