Raise the roof, my homie G's.
That's right. Due to popular demand (over 70 reviews, baby!), I'm back with a sequel to Taken. Oh baby. And please ignore my choice of songs. Really, it's only the song that's playing when I start typing out the chapter. Sometimes I get lucky and it means something. But not usually.
4AnJ
Chapter 1: Home
It's lightning in London(It's lightning in London)
There's shit on the telly
(There's shit on TV)
You're pushing my buttons
(Pushing my buttons)
You know how to touch me
Veruca Salt – ShutterbugGinny smiled, leaning in to kiss her mother on the cheek.
"Hi, Mum. Miss us much?" Molly Weasley's eyes filled with tears, and she sniffled forlornly, tugging her two youngest children in for a hug.
"Oh, you two are growing up too quickly… I remember when you were still in nappies, playing in your little playpen…" Ron's ears turned an interesting shade of red, and he tried to pull away.
"Mum, could we please not discuss my being in nappies?" he hissed out behind clenched teeth, casting a nervous glance towards Hermione to make sure she hadn't heard. She had, of course, but for Ron's sake, she pretended she hadn't.
Molly dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief, waving dismissingly at her son. "Oh Ron, everyone was in nappies at one point. But I'll be sure to contain myself until we get back to the Burrow. Then I'm fussing over you all I want, because I'm your mother and I'm allowed." While Ron attempted to escape his mother's clutches, Ginny slipped off to say goodbye to a certain someone.
Draco Malfoy leaned against one of the non-transporting barriers, giving Ginny the closest he ever got to a smile. When she got close enough, he planted a kiss on the corner of her mouth, twirling a strand of her hair around his index finger.
"So what are your plans now that you've graduated?" Ginny asked quietly, settling herself next to him against the barrier. Draco shrugged casually, glancing towards the Hogwarts Express. That was his last time riding the huge locomotive…
"I haven't the slightest. Maybe get a job at the Ministry." Ginny stole a look towards her family to make sure they weren't leaving without her, and then laced her fingers with Draco's.
"What about during this summer? Just loafing around your manor?" Draco chuckled, smirking a little.
"No. Not around the manor, at least. The summer home, maybe. But not the manor." Ginny scoffed.
"Well, then. If you ever get bored, stop by the Burrow, alright? After all, I won't get to see you during school next year."
"Don't remind me," Draco groaned a bit, stealing a kiss. "…I'll be sure to remember your offer. …I think you're about to be left behind." Another stolen kiss, and he nudged her towards her family. "Bye."
"Bye…" Ginny gave a somewhat depressed wave, made her way back over to where her mother, brother, future sister-in-law, and Harry stood. The latter shot her an unreadable look before he stepped through the barrier. He would be spending a couple weeks at the Burrow, but when Sirius returned from France, he would depart to his godfather's cabin not far from Hogsmeade.
Molly was also sending Ginny a look, but this one was perfectly understandable. It was her as-soon-as-we-get-home-we-have-to-talk look. Ginny was very good at ignoring it. So she did.
"Ginny, might I have a word?" Molly had finally cornered her in her bedroom when they got home, and it looked like there was no escape…
"…Of course, Mum. What about?" Ginny sat on the edge of her bed, and her mother joined her after a moment.
"About that Malfoy boy. How long have you two been…?"
"Snogging?" Ginny supplied, earning herself a stern look.
"Together?"
"…Since mid-September." Molly nearly choked.
"And you didn't tell me?" Ginny lowered her head. Her mother had this uncanny knack for making her feel guilty about anything. Even something as silly as forgetting to say 'please.'
"I knew what you would say. Besides, I didn't think it was anyone's business but mine and Draco's…" Molly paused, catching sight of a glitter around Ginny's neck. She reached for the chain, examining the rings silently for a moment.
"These are lovely… He gave them to you?"
"Yes. And…don't be angry with me. But I gave him the dragon." Molly's eyes almost immediately filled with tears.
"And he accepted it? Why would that make me angry, love?"
"Well, because it belonged to Grandmum, and I gave it to a Malfoy…" Molly took Ginny's face in her hands, forcing her to look her in the eye.
"Honey, if he accepted, and he knows what it means, I couldn't be happier. No matter how young you are, or who he is." Ginny sniffled and threw her arms around her mother in a bear hug.
"Oh, thank you, Mum. Believe me, he's nothing like his father. Not a thing. He's sweet and gentle and soso tender. You would hardly believe they're even related." Molly grinned at her daughter's enthusiasm, patting her head as she stood.
"I'm glad, Gin. Now finish unpacking so your robes don't get wrinkled. Then come down and help me with supper. We're feeding a houseful tonight, with everyone coming home." Ginny grinned and nodded, setting to work on unpacking her trunk. Now if Draco would only come, it would be a glorious summer.
Ron scowled as he sprawled out on his bed, glaring at the ceiling. Hermione plopped down next to him, watching Harry unpack. He seemed to be slamming things a bit more often than usual.
"I don't see what the big problem is. She loves him, he loves her, they live happily ever after, the end." Ron skillfully whacked his fiancé with his pillow, drawing a squeak from her.
"That's not going to happen. This is Malfoy we're talking about. Happily ever after does not apply to the spawn of Satan."
"Ron, honestly. He isn't that horrible when you get to know him." That little comment earned Hermione a look of disbelief from Ron.
"Get to know him? How many years were we are school with him? How many times did he insult you? How many times did he make you cry?"
"Not as many times as you did." Harry was beginning to sense a little hostility in the room, since Hermione and Ron were now glaring daggers at each other. He cleared his throat, catching both of his friends' attention.
"Maybe we should give him a chance."
"What?" Ron nearly exploded, and Hermione got a smug look on her face. Harry continued his explanation quickly, leaning against Ron's dresser.
"Well, if she really loves him, we should at least give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Hermione's right. Maybe he's not really that bad once you get to know him." Ron shook his head, rubbing his temples.
"I can't believe we're even having this conversation." He pushed himself up on his elbows, looking more serious than he had ever. "Listen. I'm not giving that wanker a chance, whether he deserves it or not. He will always be a Malfoy in my mind, and nothing you say or do will change my mind. So forget it. …I'm going to see if Mum needs any help with supper." The redhead pushed himself off the bed and brushed past Hermione, heading downstairs. She frowned, glancing at Harry, who shrugged absently.
"…We can't make him accept it. He will eventually. …How 'bout a game of chess until supper?"