I highly recommend downloading or listening to Dashboard Confessional-This
Ruined Puzzle. I use their song in this chapter, and would like to say I do
not own it, and am simply using it.
Chapter Eleven
"Stupid idiotic fucking stairs, always moving so you trip!" Draco muttered angrily to himself. He almost smiled when he remembered he wasn't at Hogwarts, leaving him no excuse to trip on stairs. Then again, I said almost.
"Enervate." He said pointing his Dragons Heartstring wand at the reporter, whom was lying stiffly on the entrance floor.
"Oh thank Merlin! I thought you were never going to come back. I was so scared." Robert the reporter sighed in relief as he stood from the hard cold floor. He patted imaginary dust off of his robes and looked at Draco.
"Yes Ralph. You were scared out of your knickers. We have established that." Draco said with a lazy sigh. "Shall we finish our previous conversation from earlier in my office? Good."
Robert huffed at Draco's rudeness.
"Of all the nerve! Bloody prat knows my name is Robert." He muttered to himself. Draco smirked as he overheard him.
"Hannah!" Draco bellowed out, not quiet reaching a yell.
"Yes?" Hannah the house elf asked.
"Tea." Draco said giving the elf a light measuring kick.
He led Robert into another of his many offices, but not the one that he had taken Ginevra in. Robert followed, looking around, taking in the riches of Malfoy Manor. Draco's smirk broadened as he opened the door to his office, leading Robert in.
"Richard, please, have a seat." Draco said sitting in his own large backed chair. "Not literally. I would hate to have to fish things from your thieving pockets again."
Robert sat down scowling at Draco. He winced and shifted positions not able to get comfortable in his low back small chair. Draco smirked and raised his left eye brow.
"Shall we continue? Speak boy."
"First off DALE, MY NAME IS ROBERT!" Robert yelled red faced. Draco waved him off carelessly.
"Yes, fine, whatever you say Roger. Just calm down before I have to hex you." Draco opened a drawer in his desk, pulling out a book. "Begin your questions, I was under the impression you were a reporter."
"That I am Dale. That I am." Robert said pulling out his notepad from his pocket. He looked up only to find Draco pointing his wand in the middle of his forehead.
"Lets get one thing straight Ricky. This is MY home; I know every room and every secret passage. Maybe you didn't investigate Malfoy Palace before you came, or you would watch your tongue. Have you heard of our vast catacombs that run under your very feet, leading on for several miles? It would be very hard to find you if somehow you were to get lost. Do we have an understanding Rufus?" Draco hissed at him. His face was hard and cold. His eyes stared unforgiving at Robert.
"Yes sir. I think we do." Robert whispered quietly. Draco half grinned and pocketed his wand.
"Good! Would you like some tea then?" Draco poured two cups not waiting for an answer.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Robert said taking the tea with a shaking hand. Draco smirked and gestured towards the sugar and creamer.
"Help yourself." He said as he picked up a crumpet.
"Thank you sir." Robert muttered at he fixed his tea to his liking.
"It is my manners Russell." Robert gave Draco a glare but said nothing.
Robert leaned back into his chair and pulled out his quill and ink. He laid them onto the desk's top next to his tea as he began searching for his glasses.
"When did you get back from-" Robert stopped and shifted uneasily in his seat.
"From Azkaban? I do not remember when I got out, I don't remember a lot. It is not an experience I would put on a calendar so it could be remembered." Draco answered as he opened the book and began to read.
"Right." Robert said as he began writing.
"Are you questioning me Ryan?" Draco said lowering the book and glaring.
"No sir simply agreeing with you." Robert said, clearly annoyed at Draco. "Why were you put into Azkaban?"
"Why is anyone put into Azkaban?" Draco retorted as he grabbed another crumpet and sipping his tea happily.
"Good point, sir." Robert said clenching his teeth. "What were you doing the day you were taken to Azkaban?"
"I went through a lot of different modes of muggle transportation; they didn't want to put me near anything magical." Draco took an elegant sip of his tea and continued reading.
"Yes, how interesting. Tell me why you were arrested." Robert looked at Draco almost begging him not to beat around the bush.
"No, you tell me Randall, just what kind of answers are you looking for. Then I could better help you." Draco replied, flipping the page in his book as he spoke.
"I am afraid I don't understand?" Robert answered.
"Would you like me to plead innocent or guilty?" Draco asked as he placed his book carefully down on the desk. He leaned forward and looked Robert in the eye. "I don't do guilty."
"Good! I'm glad we are finally getting somewhere Mr. Malfoy! Tell me what happened!" Robert said enthusiastically.
"Are you sure you can handle this Raymond?" Draco asked as Robert nodded. "I was arrested at Hogsmede by Aurors."
Draco stopped short, taking pleasure in annoying the pesky reporter. Robert quickly wrote that he was arrested at Hogsmede down, and paused, his quill waiting for Draco to continue talking. When Draco didn't he looked up to see the young blonde reading his book again.
"Mr. Malfoy, would you care to elaborate?" Robert asked. Draco looked at him and pretended to think.
"No." He answered, reading again. "Hey, that's bloody brilliant! Did you know that the average life expectancy of a wizard is two hundred and five? Although, if he is actively dueling on a daily basis, it increases his life span by some twelve years?"
"THAT'S IT! Mr. Malfoy, good day. I cannot endure this any longer! I'll just have to explain to Dumbledore how intolerable you are!" Robert said standing and collecting his things. It was the mention, no threat, of Dumbledore that grabbed Draco's attention. He wanted to throttle the reporter for daring to bring him up.
"Merlin. Don't get your knickers in a bunch." Draco said calmly. When the reporter didn't comply, Draco stood. "DAMN IT! SIT DOWN!"
"Are you willing to open up and give me something to write about Mr. Malfoy?" Robert asked as he started walking towards the door.
"If it is Dumbledore's wish, then yes. Now sit." Draco said. Robert turned and sat down.
"Speak." Robert said as Draco sat down as well. Draco pulled his wand out and laid it on the desk, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, Mr. Malfoy, do tell sir."
"Ask a damn question." Draco spat angrily.
"What were you doing when you were arrested?" Robert asked. Draco bit back his sarcastic reply.
"I was at Hogsmede. The seventh years were getting onto the train, but I was on my broom. I kicked off of the ground to run away from my father when Aurors surrounded me. I did not know it at the time but a deatheater camp was set up north of Hogwarts, in the direction I kicked off in. Naturally they thought I was off to Voldemort." Draco said. He rolled his eyes when Robert winced at the name.
"Why were you running away from your father Draco?" Robert asked as he scribbled notes on his notebook.
"He was an abusive man." Draco told him. Robert gazed into the face of Draco and noticed the deadpan look.
"Did he abuse you?"
"Bloody hell! Are you a sodding idiot? Of course he did. That's what makes him abusive."
"Oh, yes. Of course." Robert nodded. "Did he abuse your mother before she died?"
The door opened and closed, but no one was there. Draco glared at offending area and Ginny's head appeared and disappeared a short distance away from the door. Draco sighed and looked back at Robert.
'Figures.' Draco thought.
"Yes. He was the one that killed her. She was raped by every single deatheater, along with Voldemort himself." Draco answered watching as the chaise lounge chair dented in.
"Was your father a deatheater?"
"No, he only held tea parties for them. Sodding idiot! Yes! He was a head deatheater. Don't you read the things you publish!?" Draco groaned in frustration.
"Sorry. Uhm, did you have any romantic interests back in Hogwarts that you didn't get to fulfill because of your arrest?" Robert asked.
Draco almost laughed at the situation. His one interest was sitting in the same room, eavesdropping on his every word. So much for asking the husbands name or for that matter denying a love interest.
"Yes. As a matter of fact I was infatuated with the youngest Weasley. Child number six I believe?" Draco told him. Roberts head shot up and his eyes bugged at Draco.
"Excuse me?" Robert asked.
"Ginevra Weasley, I was very much infatuated by her." Draco repeated.
"Oh. Well. Yes." Robert said.
"She was the only thing that kept me sane while in Azkaban. I know that she is married right now, and I have to say it depresses me. I can only wish for a woman exactly like Ginevra Weasley." Draco said sincerely.
"Would you say that you loved her?" Robert asked with a dreamy sort of look on his face. Draco thought he would die.
"Love is a very strong word. It has powers that are unimaginable. Hell, look at Harry Potter. Did I love Ginevra Weasley? I guess you could say I did." Draco nodded. Robert sighed happily and nodded also.
"What did you expect to get out of Ms. Weasley at the time, had you not been arrested?"
"If I had not the situation of join the Deatheaters or die, then I think our relationship as friends would have happened back in my sixth year. From there I would have made her mine. I would have married her and had a bunch of kids that would have made any Weasley proud." Draco said. Robert was aghast now.
"You don't hate the Weasley's?" Robert asked. Draco laughed.
"Now I never said that! I really like Molly Weasley. She's the nicest of the lot; very motherly and loving. If I could have had a real mother, it would have been her. Hell, to be honest I'm jealous of the Weasley clan, having a mother like that!
"Arthur Weasley though is a pain in the arse! He loves muggles, but he is also a great parent. I wish I had him as a father as well.
"The rest of the family is nutters. The entire bloody lot of them! One working with dragons, the other Gringots, I mean honestly. It doesn't get much worse. The Twins were always really cool. I loved the pranks, even when they were pulled on me. Then there is Ronald Weasley. He is the worst brother. He is the only Weasley that I truly hate." Draco finished. Robert was stunned.
"Yes. Well. OK. Uhm, so." Robert said. Draco laughed and smirked. "What is your passion?"
"My what? Oh dear Merlin help me!" Draco said leaning back in his chair.
"Some of the ladies at the office wanted to know. You know like football or something?"
"I like the piano, guitar, and I really like to sing." Draco answered sheepishly.
"Could I record you singing?" Robert asked. Draco smirked.
"Perhaps. That all depends on how this article turns out, and I presume that this is front page, so I want to chose the picture and edit the article."
"DEAL!" Robert said shoving his hand forward. Draco shook it unsure.
"What are you going to do with the recording anyways?" Draco asked.
"Just charm it to every addition." Robert said. Draco rolled his eyes as Robert pulled out a recorder.
"I'm ready." Robert said eagerly as if Christmas was coming early.
"Hannah?" Draco called. The elf popped up and smiled at Draco.
"Would you get, I mean, fetch my guitar!" Draco spat. Robert smiled.
"What do you think about house elves?" Robert asked.
"If my own elves wanted to go, I would let them. If they wanted pay, I would pay them. Just don't tell Hermione Granger or she'll attack me with SPEW pens." Draco said winking. Hannah appeared back and handed Draco his guitar.
"Prove it." Robert said gesturing towards the elf.
"I have nothing to prove to you Rex." Draco told him playing on the strings of his guitar.
"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy." Robert said embarrassed. Draco nodded and waved it off.
"Hannah!" Draco yelled.
"Yes Mister Draco?" The happy elf reappeared.
"Get me a camera." Draco said smoothly.
"Yes Sir. Hannah gets it for you!" Hannah disappeared for a second reappearing with a camera.
"Give it to Roland." Draco said as he set the guitar down and took off his shirt.
"Alright Draco, ready?"
"You owe me one. I intend on collecting one day." Draco said glaring as he picked up the guitar.
Draco cleared his throat and gingerly posed on the edge of the desk. He strummed the guitar a few times.
"Yeah. Ok. I'm ready." He nodded at the recorder, which Robert turned on.
Draco opened his mouth and suddenly the words were flowing out and his hands were moving to their own accord.
"This ruined puzzle is beige with the pieces all face down.
So the placing goes slowly. The pictures of anything other than it's meant to be.
But the hours they creep The patterns repeat Don't be concerned You know I'll be fine on my own. I never said "Don't Go" (don't go)
But I've hidden a note It's pressed between pages that you've marked to find your way back. It says......
"Does he ever get the girl? "
But what if the pages stay pressed The chapters unfinished The stories too dull to unfold? Does he ever get the girl?
This basement's a coffin I'm buried alive I'll die in here just to be safe. I'll die in here just to be safe.
'Cause you're gone I get nothing and you're off with barely a sigh I never said goodbye.
But I've hidden a note It's pressed between pages That you've marked to find your way back It says...
"Does he ever get the girl?"
But I've hidden a note That's pressed between pages That you'll read if you're so inclined
Does he ever get the girl?
But the hours they creep The patterns repeat Don't be concerned I know I'll be fine on my own. I never said "Don't Go" (don't go)
Does he ever get the girl?" Draco looked over at the reporter and gestured towards the recorder with his eyes.
Robert stopped the recording and looked in amazement at Draco.
"Did you write that?" Robert asked.
"Yes. I did; while in Azkaban although I didn't have my guitar." Draco smiled. "I think it's about time you left Robert."
"The front page picture?" Robert asked. Draco nodded and fixed his hair quickly, licking his lips. "Tuck! BRANDY!" Draco yelled. A circular glass filled half way suddenly appeared in his hand and Draco grinned.
He walked over to the fireplace and leaned an arm on the mantel. He looked into the camera then back at the fire. That is how the picture would come out. One hand a half empty glass of brandy, the other leaning on the mantle of a dim fire. Draco smiled for one of the pictures, positive it would never be seen.
"Thank you for you time Mr. Malfoy." Robert said as he left.
"Anytime." Draco said with a glare.
"One more thing. You were innocent then?"
"Yes." Draco said shaking his head in remembrance.
"You were in the far part of Azkaban?"
"Yes. The worst part, where they drive information by any means. Leave please." Draco whispered. Robert nodded and quietly left.
"Tuck, follow him." Draco spoke to the invisible elf.
.
A/n- This is where I WOULD end it, BUT damn me and my, you'll know who Ginny's husband is in two flipping chapters. Get your popcorn (EW) cause I gotta get there in two chapters people.
.
"Ginevra?" Draco asked as he poked the chaise lounge chair. He felt the silky material of his invisibility cloak and pulled it back.
"Yes?" She asked smiling.
"What's gotten into you?" He asked uncertainly. Ginny just smiled as she winked at him.
Draco sighed out the word 'women' as she walked out of the room. An uneventful week full with bills followed Draco. The only thing that had been worth any of his time was the owl delivering his article proof. He smiled as he looked over it. The cover had his smiling face on the front, along with a brief summary and a picture of him playing the guitar. He opened it up only to be met by himself singing his song.
"Merlin! The whole world will go deaf!" he yelled. He sent the owl back without reading it, as his voice singing was too loud. The note attached said to tune down his voice, and the article was ok.
.
Draco yawned as he walked to breakfast the next morning.
"Stay up late fixing everything again?" Ginny asked. Draco nodded yes, not looking at her. "Too damn bad. Banishment! Your five minutes late."
Draco's eyes snapped open as he heard this. She was seated at the head seat, perfectly dressed in layers for snow, and had already eaten judging by the empty plate and coffee cup in front of her. Draco sat in the seat to her right, ignoring the banishment comment, and ate slowly as she tried to hurry him. Finally he asked what she wanted.
"Let's go shopping! Christmas is so soon and I really want to get everyone presents!" Ginny said as he ate as slow as possible to annoy her.
"I don't want to." Draco said.
"DRACO MALFOY! I have been patiently waiting for a WHOLE WEEK! I WANT to go shopping and get out of this house and DAMN IT YOUR GOING TO TAKE ME! I'll go get your clothes." Ginny stood angrily and Draco was taken back.
He watched amused as she slammed the door to the dining room and stomped up the stairs. 'Fine! I'll go bloody shopping.' Draco thought.
Ginny stomped up to his room and opened his dresser. She blushed as she came upon his boxers. He could get those if he needed them.
"Miss? Can Hannah help you?" Hannah said from behind her. Ginny jumped and turned around.
"Yes thank you. Where does he keep his shirts?" Ginny was lead to an armor and she looked through out it, pulling out a grey dress shirt.
"Pants?" Ginny asked.
"Dress or casual?"
"Casual." Ginny answered. Hannah took her hand and led her to the dresser.
"He hardly ever wears them." Hannah pulled the drawer open for Ginny.
Ginny looked in the drawer, pulling out a pair of blue jeans.
"Socks and shoes." Hannah opened another drawer, closing the last. Ginny grabbed an ankle pair and then headed towards the closet where Hannah was pointing.
Ginny looked at the assortment of shoes. He was worse than a girl. She settled on a pair and headed down the stairs.
Draco was still eating breakfast when she entered. He looked mildly surprised.
"How did you get past my wards?"
"Uh, what wards?" Ginny asked. Draco eyed her suspiciously as he grabbed for the clothes. He put the grey dress shirt over the white undershirt he had already been wearing. Ginny left the room to get his cloak.
"Jeans! To go out in public in. I can't believe I am allowing this!" Draco muttered as he slipped off his pajama bottoms and the jeans on. He grabbed the socks angrily and shoved them on along with his shoes.
Ginny came back in and gasped at the sight of him.
"What?" Draco said looking on his shirt for anything embarrassing.
"Nothing." Ginny's eyes went back to their normal size and she appraised what the jeans did for him. She smiled as she walked over to him, slipping on a matching grey knit hat and scarf on him. Draco grinned and looked at them.
"These are really nice." He told her.
"I had a full week. I got bored." Ginny told him slipping on her colorful hat and scarf as well.
Draco eyed her. 'Yes lots of time.' He thought as he grabbed his grey cloak.
.
"Ginny, before we go, you have your wand?" Draco asked.
"Yes. I'm my sleeve." Ginny answered smiling as the carriage began to move.
"When was the last time you used a wand?" Draco looked at her happy face and waited. When she didn't answer he moved to take his wand out, but she was too quick while he was sitting.
"Accio." Ginny muttered, still looking out of the window. Draco growled and snatched his wand from her.
"Don't do that." He said frowning.
"Don't draw your wand at me then." She replied still happily staring out of the window.
"If you could do that so easily then why in the hell was it so hard for you to escape from madman prison?" Draco asked.
Ginny winced and glared at him.
"Quit being an arrogant prick or I'll take a swing at the perfect nose of yours."
"Sorry Ms. Prissy." Draco muttered. Ginny glared at him and looked at her wand carefully.
"During school, he threatened to kill Ron or Harry. That worked until my sixth year. Then he threatened to kill me. It wasn't like I cared too much about that until you came along, telling me I had a choice. You fought him and so, I started fighting back, and he stopped for a while in fear of the both of us.
"Then I got a pregnancy scare and I told him. He beat my stomach until I had a miscarriage. I went home that summer and never was the same. He asked me to marry him in the same summer. I denied him; lying in my bed barely breathing. I couldn't live with what I had let happen. My child was dead because I couldn't fight. So I chose to fight.
"Harry came to me and kissed my cheek telling me he was leaving for the war. He held my hand and whispered comforting things, but I can't remember exactly what happened. He told me that he loved me. I don't remember what I said but I remember him telling me he would come back and protect me from the world. Then he left me, along with Ron. Ron didn't even say goodbye.
"Harry was gone, Ron was gone, Dad was gone, and it got quiet really. I enjoyed myself. I did nothing but stare at the ceiling. One day, mum thought that it would be a good idea for me to see a familiar face. She wasn't sure what had happened earlier that summer, so I don't blame her. He came into my room, and raped me continuously until I was sure to be pregnant. Then he left me in pieces again.
"Mom got an owl from Dumbledore of bad news. Harry attacked and in the war's starting, they were beginning to be out numbered, too many deaths on our side. So, there was a draft that any unmarried people entering seventh year and exiting school, they would fight in the war. I was not quick on my feet and best at potions. I could be of no help. I owled Madam Pomfrey but I had waited too long into the summer and previous years to get a medical license. It was fight in the war, or fight a husband.
"The war had a cause, and damn it I went to join it. I had a choice and I went to take it. I went to Dumbledore before I could be drafted and signed myself into the Order of the Phoenix. He agreed to it seeing as he said 'Passion in a young heart'. My passion was to live. So I had found my way out. I would die on a battle field with my child.
"Lucky me, my dear husband had connections, and on the same day that I was put battle, Ministry Officials showed up. They did a pregnancy test, that I passed, and I was taken away from the war. I did manage to kill four Deatheaters that came at me. I have never seen men cower like the ministry officials did at my anger.
"Mum found out I was pregnant, he proposed to me in front of mum, and she lectured me until I was nothing. He kept saying that he really liked my mum and that it was a shame that she was always alone in a big house to herself. He was right. With Fred and George married but fighting in Hogsmede, Bill and Charlie fighting where ever they were, dad gone with Ron, and Ron with Harry, there was no one but me. Lot of help I was. He promised it would stop if I married him, so I did.
"He forced himself on me on our wedding night. He was drunk. Then he beat me, and broke my wand. After that beating, I knew that I couldn't bring a child up with him. He would hold the child over my head like he had my mom. So, I poisoned myself and killed the baby. I nearly killed myself, but it would have been alright with me. The baby was a miscarriage and safe again. I started taking potions to stop my reproductive organs. They worked till the day I escaped." Ginny finished still looking out of the window.
Draco looked as if he were going to be sick.
"Well there ya go." Draco muttered uncomfortably. "He killed your child?"
"Yes." Ginny answered. She instinctively put a hand to her lower stomach and closed her eyes facing the window.
"I thought that by now you would have had at least six kids." Draco said moving to sit next to her.
He slowly grabbed her hand and squeezed softly, unsure of how to comfort her. Ginny looked at him and the tears that had been threatening to fall came. They started down her pale face gradually at first, until she became a fountain. Ginny leaned into Draco until head rested on his chest. Draco put an arm around her back and stiffly tried to comfort her.
"Hold me Draco." Ginny sobbed out. Draco put two arms around her pulling Ginny to him.
"Its all going to be ok now Ginny. I'm here and it will never happen again." Draco whispered.
The buggy stopped and they sat in the carriage until Ginny was calm. Draco wiped her face off with the inside of his cloak, kissing her nose softly. Ginny just laughed saying what an emotional cow she was. Draco laughed and nodded, which earned him a punch in the arm.
"Ready?" Draco asked as he got out of the carriage, holding out a hand for Ginny.
"Yeah." She jumped from the carriage not paying attention to his hand. Draco rolled his eyes and pulled the hood of her red cloak up and over her face.
"OH MY GOODNESS! IT'S DRACO MALFOY!" A girl screamed running towards him. Draco looked behind him at Ginny, who shrugged at him.
The girl held out a copy of the Daily Prophet, his smiling face winking at him. Draco sighed.
"What do you want?" He asked her.
"Will you sign that please?" The girl asked. Draco nodded taking the pen and signing the front page by his picture.
"And sign this?" The girl opened her cloak and pulled her V neck shirt down, exposing a fair amount of cleavage.
Draco heard a snort behind him and turned glaring. He signed her chest, careful not to touch her in any way.
"Thank you Draco!" the girl said leaning forward and kissing his cheek before running off.
"We better go before the crowds of hormonal teenage girls come over here trying to get a piece of the elusive Draco Malfoy." Ginny said sarcastically.
"That's enough of that you!" Draco said pulling his hood up. Ginny laughed and grabbed his arm, heading into the book store.
"Book store?" Draco asked quietly.
Ginny nodded grabbing the newest Quiddich book 'Keeping your Keeper', and one of the many books on Harry Potter. Ginny laughed as she opened the book reading the first page.
'The boy of wonder, the one who saved us all twice from the dark lord, can only be described as smashing. From his brilliant white teeth to his sparkling green eyes, he's drop dead sexy as he saves us all. As we read along, we will go into depth of the very soul of the boy who lived.'
Ginny nodded at the book still laughing. Harry would get a kick out of the book. She got in line behind a tall man and waited impatiently, Draco behind her. Once at the counter she laid the books down and smiled at the cashier.
"I want a fifteen galleon certificate and put it on account 763." Ginny told him. The cashier smiled at her and looked down at the vault guide.
"Your Mrs.-"
"Ginevra Weasley, I left my husband and now is stalking me. I can't seem to get away from him! I figured that I could still use our joint account. I mean it's my only money. Oh no? Has he been here?" Ginny asked faking a scared look. The man nodded but smiled at her anyways.
"I tell you what, I'll put it on his account anyways, he'll probably never notice anyways. Ms. Weasley, are you here with anyone?" He asked. Ginny nodded and gestured around the store.
"My friend? Somewhere.."
"Ah," He said smiling at her as he rung up her order and signed her off. Ginny grinned at him and winked.
"What time do you get off?" Ginny asked.
"Five." The cashier said leaning forward.
"Maybe we'll run into each other then." Ginny said as she gathered her stuff to leave. She turned and smirked in Draco's face. He was looking shocked.
After he was done he tapped her arm discreetly telling her time to go, and walking ahead of her. Once out side Draco turned on her.
"I can't believe you did that?!" Draco said incredulously.
"Why? It was rather easy." Ginny said shrinking her bags and putting them into her pocket. Draco laughed and grabbed her arm.
"Where to next?" Draco said leading her.
.
After hours of shopping Ginny's pockets were getting heavy and Draco was getting irritable.
"Draco please? Just for a few minutes?" Ginny asked. Draco shook his head no. "I don't want to get you something and you see it!" Draco sighed.
"I don't want a present! I just want to go home! I'm tired of signing boobs, books, papers, hell. I JUST WANT-"
"Good! I'll be right back!" Ginny said as she went through the Leaky Cauldron and out into muggle London. She smiled walking over to the music store, pulling the hood of her cloak down. She looked around for a few moments before seeing her friend that worked there.
"Ginny!" the girl screamed, running over to her and engulfing her in a hug.
"Hey Jane!" Ginny hugged her back. They had met in Hogsmede one day as Ginny was shopping, becoming good friends. Jane was a squib.
"OH MY! Do you know everyone is looking for you?" Ginny nodded. "DID YOU READ THE DAILY PROPHET?!" Jane said pulling out the article with Draco's face on it.
"No, not yet. What about it?" Ginny asked, taking the article and looking over it.
"Open it up!" Jane whispered. Ginny opened it and her breath stopped as Draco's voice sounded out of it. "Isn't it great? And that article, it's mostly about how he lost you." Ginny looked up stunned.
"Jane, can you promise to keep a secret?" Ginny asked. Jane nodded and leaned in. "I need to buy him a Christmas present. I'm staying at his house."
Jane squeaked and smiled broadly. Ginny went to give her the paper back but Jane pushed it back.
"Keep the paper!" Jane said leading Ginny over to the newest guitar.
"Wow. It's gorgeous." Ginny whispered stroking the black paint on the guitar.
"Take it. I'll put it on my account here, and you can pay me back later." Jane said hugging Ginny. Ginny smiled and hugged her friend.
"Thank you Jane. I'll pay you pack when I can."
"Come visit me sometimes." Jane said.
"I will. Later love!" Ginny said as she left the store. She walked back into the Leaky Caldron and pulled her hood back up. After shrinking the guitar she placed it carefully into her pocket and made for the exit.
"PST!" Tom said. Ginny turned and looked. Tom was wiping the counter and on it was a shot of whiskey. Ginny laughed and walked over to the counter. She downed it and pulled out the article.
'Draco Malfoy Uncovered, the man you never knew.
Draco Malfoy, recently excused from his life sentence at Azkaban, is a sad story waiting to be told. His days at home as a child were spent with an abusive father and careless mother, his days at Hogwarts pressured with threats. This story is anything but a story. His life, his pain, becomes known to you now. The truth is coming out about this innocent man. Open to page five to read.'
Ginny laughed as the picture was grinning at her and winking. She opened the article and heard his singing. She sighed happily and started reading.
'When you hear the name Draco Malfoy, I know what you're thinking. Probably the same thing that I thought when I was assigned this scoop, what an arrogant deatheater prick! Who would ever want to read about him? I have to say, I'm sorry for this assumption. In fact, I'm sorry for ever thinking this about him.
Once I got him talking, I was saddened at his story. His father, Lucius Malfoy, beat him while he was young along with his mother, Narcissa Malfoy.
If you read the article a while back on the arrest of Lucius, you remember it was on account of being a deatheater that he was arrested for Azkaban. Could you imagine having a deatheater for a father? How cruel he must have been, and he was. He told Draco that if he didn't join the Deatheaters, the he would kill him, his own son.
Then there was the article announcing Narcissa's mysterious death. But as I spoke to Draco he told me it was no mystery. His father allowed her to be raped by all of the Deatheaters and even Voldemort.
Draco had nothing going for him. There was nothing. How he lived, is unknown to me. I had to wonder, what kept this boy going. And then he told me. Hold your breath; you're in for a shock. I quote,
"Ginevra Weasley" He paused and blushed here, "I was very much infatuated by her."
So now, we have a Malfoy in LOVE with a Weasley!? I couldn't stand it and asked what he thought of the Weasley family.
"I really like Molly Weasley. She's the nicest of the lot; very motherly and loving. If I could have had a real mother, it would have been her. Hell, to be honest I'm jealous of the Weasley clan, having a mother like that. Arthur Weasley is also a great parent. I wish I had him as a father as well. The sons don't bother me much, except Ron Weasley."
Does that sound like the boy you knew? Speaking highly of Molly and Arthur Weasley? I then asked if he loved Ginevra Weasley. He began to cry softly and nodded.
"I would have made her mine. I would have married her and had a bunch of kids that would have made any Weasley proud."
But he couldn't, because he was arrested, she married. Funny story how he was arrested, his father threatened him, join or die. He tries to run away and his direction coincidently is facing a secret deatheater camp. Aurors charge him and take him to Azkaban. He never got to live and love, as he was taken at the end of his seventh year. Taken to a place where they beat the information out of you.
His only passion, singing, and the thought of Ginevra Weasley kept him alive in the hell hole. So now I ask you: "Is this the boy you knew?"
He wrote this song that you're hearing, and is even singing it for you. Could you prosecute this man that only wants his true love? This innocent man? If you answer yes then you should be exiled from the wizarding world. I say give him a break and get over quarrels. Draco Malfoy is a changed man.
Does he ever get the girl?
Robert Timing'
Ginny wiped a tear from her cheek and pocketed the article. Robert Timing was going to get a big bonus being the only one with an interview with Draco Malfoy, and it selling out as well.
Ginny smiled at Tom and he nodded as she made to leave. Once she was back into Diagon Alley she started searching for Draco. It was almost impossible as the streets were so crowded. She felt a hand slip around her waist and grinned.
"I wondered where you went." The voice whispered. Ginny laughed.
"I had to get your present you git!" she whispered back loudly.
"It took too long princess."
Ginny stiffened and the smile faded from her lips. She took a deep breath and slowly made turned around. Her husband stood close to her, grinning like a mad man. His dark hair fell in his face, brushing the creases of his dark eyes. He could be handsome if he tried. Oh, and stopped being an abusive asshole.
"Thought you could escape did you? Thought you could run away and I wouldn't come? You were wrong." He grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her towards the back of Diagon alley.
Ginny was momentarily stunned. She thought about going back to the house and being forced to have sex with him. She understood she couldn't make it in that house with him. Suddenly a fire built in her and she knew that she had to fight for her life, for Draco.
She slipped out her wand and hexed him with a jelly leg curse. His own wand was already drawn and he blocked the curse. Ginny's eyes widened and she ran through the crowds.
"DRACO!" she yelled. She turned and looked back; her husband was gaining ground on her.
"Silencio!" He muttered. Ginny was voiceless. She cursed and pulled out a pen and paper writing her husbands name on it. She stuck the paper through her wand like a spike and threw the wand down sure that Draco would find it.
She stopped running and turned. She kicked him in the shin and then punched him.
"Fighting are we? You'll pay for that bitch." He said as he lunged at her and appeariating to his house with her.
.....
Draco sat on the bench outside of the ice cream shop pissed off. He had a crowd of girls and guys around him asking for him to sign things.
"Where is SHE!?" he muttered to himself signing someone's shoe.
"DRACO!" he heard yelled. He stood and looked around, but couldn't see anything but the crowd around him.
"MOVE!" Draco yelled.
The crowd didn't listen and tightened around him. He started pushing his way out, being stopped by fans trying to get his autograph. When he got out of the circle he started running towards where the noise came from.
"Ginny!?" He screamed loudly. He saw a man lunging at her and then apparating. Draco yelled in frustration.
"That was Ginevra Weasley?" A man asked as Draco ran over to where they had apparated.
"Yes." Draco said unsteadily, his voice cracking.
"She dropped this Mr. Malfoy." The man held out the wand to Draco.
Draco took the paper off and read the messy jumpy writing. A mans name, written on the paper. Draco growled knowing exactly who ugly brute was. And he would be damned if he let him have her.
"Thanks." Draco told the man.
"No, thank you Mr. Malfoy. I'm sorry for calling you a deatheater, and I hope you find your love." The man said before walking back over to his stand. Draco wrinkled his nose and looked clearly disgusted.
"Sure." Draco said, leaving to get Ginny.
A/n- LONG CHAPTER! Goodness. NEXT CHAPTER UGLY BRUTE REVEALED!
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Chapter Eleven
"Stupid idiotic fucking stairs, always moving so you trip!" Draco muttered angrily to himself. He almost smiled when he remembered he wasn't at Hogwarts, leaving him no excuse to trip on stairs. Then again, I said almost.
"Enervate." He said pointing his Dragons Heartstring wand at the reporter, whom was lying stiffly on the entrance floor.
"Oh thank Merlin! I thought you were never going to come back. I was so scared." Robert the reporter sighed in relief as he stood from the hard cold floor. He patted imaginary dust off of his robes and looked at Draco.
"Yes Ralph. You were scared out of your knickers. We have established that." Draco said with a lazy sigh. "Shall we finish our previous conversation from earlier in my office? Good."
Robert huffed at Draco's rudeness.
"Of all the nerve! Bloody prat knows my name is Robert." He muttered to himself. Draco smirked as he overheard him.
"Hannah!" Draco bellowed out, not quiet reaching a yell.
"Yes?" Hannah the house elf asked.
"Tea." Draco said giving the elf a light measuring kick.
He led Robert into another of his many offices, but not the one that he had taken Ginevra in. Robert followed, looking around, taking in the riches of Malfoy Manor. Draco's smirk broadened as he opened the door to his office, leading Robert in.
"Richard, please, have a seat." Draco said sitting in his own large backed chair. "Not literally. I would hate to have to fish things from your thieving pockets again."
Robert sat down scowling at Draco. He winced and shifted positions not able to get comfortable in his low back small chair. Draco smirked and raised his left eye brow.
"Shall we continue? Speak boy."
"First off DALE, MY NAME IS ROBERT!" Robert yelled red faced. Draco waved him off carelessly.
"Yes, fine, whatever you say Roger. Just calm down before I have to hex you." Draco opened a drawer in his desk, pulling out a book. "Begin your questions, I was under the impression you were a reporter."
"That I am Dale. That I am." Robert said pulling out his notepad from his pocket. He looked up only to find Draco pointing his wand in the middle of his forehead.
"Lets get one thing straight Ricky. This is MY home; I know every room and every secret passage. Maybe you didn't investigate Malfoy Palace before you came, or you would watch your tongue. Have you heard of our vast catacombs that run under your very feet, leading on for several miles? It would be very hard to find you if somehow you were to get lost. Do we have an understanding Rufus?" Draco hissed at him. His face was hard and cold. His eyes stared unforgiving at Robert.
"Yes sir. I think we do." Robert whispered quietly. Draco half grinned and pocketed his wand.
"Good! Would you like some tea then?" Draco poured two cups not waiting for an answer.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Robert said taking the tea with a shaking hand. Draco smirked and gestured towards the sugar and creamer.
"Help yourself." He said as he picked up a crumpet.
"Thank you sir." Robert muttered at he fixed his tea to his liking.
"It is my manners Russell." Robert gave Draco a glare but said nothing.
Robert leaned back into his chair and pulled out his quill and ink. He laid them onto the desk's top next to his tea as he began searching for his glasses.
"When did you get back from-" Robert stopped and shifted uneasily in his seat.
"From Azkaban? I do not remember when I got out, I don't remember a lot. It is not an experience I would put on a calendar so it could be remembered." Draco answered as he opened the book and began to read.
"Right." Robert said as he began writing.
"Are you questioning me Ryan?" Draco said lowering the book and glaring.
"No sir simply agreeing with you." Robert said, clearly annoyed at Draco. "Why were you put into Azkaban?"
"Why is anyone put into Azkaban?" Draco retorted as he grabbed another crumpet and sipping his tea happily.
"Good point, sir." Robert said clenching his teeth. "What were you doing the day you were taken to Azkaban?"
"I went through a lot of different modes of muggle transportation; they didn't want to put me near anything magical." Draco took an elegant sip of his tea and continued reading.
"Yes, how interesting. Tell me why you were arrested." Robert looked at Draco almost begging him not to beat around the bush.
"No, you tell me Randall, just what kind of answers are you looking for. Then I could better help you." Draco replied, flipping the page in his book as he spoke.
"I am afraid I don't understand?" Robert answered.
"Would you like me to plead innocent or guilty?" Draco asked as he placed his book carefully down on the desk. He leaned forward and looked Robert in the eye. "I don't do guilty."
"Good! I'm glad we are finally getting somewhere Mr. Malfoy! Tell me what happened!" Robert said enthusiastically.
"Are you sure you can handle this Raymond?" Draco asked as Robert nodded. "I was arrested at Hogsmede by Aurors."
Draco stopped short, taking pleasure in annoying the pesky reporter. Robert quickly wrote that he was arrested at Hogsmede down, and paused, his quill waiting for Draco to continue talking. When Draco didn't he looked up to see the young blonde reading his book again.
"Mr. Malfoy, would you care to elaborate?" Robert asked. Draco looked at him and pretended to think.
"No." He answered, reading again. "Hey, that's bloody brilliant! Did you know that the average life expectancy of a wizard is two hundred and five? Although, if he is actively dueling on a daily basis, it increases his life span by some twelve years?"
"THAT'S IT! Mr. Malfoy, good day. I cannot endure this any longer! I'll just have to explain to Dumbledore how intolerable you are!" Robert said standing and collecting his things. It was the mention, no threat, of Dumbledore that grabbed Draco's attention. He wanted to throttle the reporter for daring to bring him up.
"Merlin. Don't get your knickers in a bunch." Draco said calmly. When the reporter didn't comply, Draco stood. "DAMN IT! SIT DOWN!"
"Are you willing to open up and give me something to write about Mr. Malfoy?" Robert asked as he started walking towards the door.
"If it is Dumbledore's wish, then yes. Now sit." Draco said. Robert turned and sat down.
"Speak." Robert said as Draco sat down as well. Draco pulled his wand out and laid it on the desk, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, Mr. Malfoy, do tell sir."
"Ask a damn question." Draco spat angrily.
"What were you doing when you were arrested?" Robert asked. Draco bit back his sarcastic reply.
"I was at Hogsmede. The seventh years were getting onto the train, but I was on my broom. I kicked off of the ground to run away from my father when Aurors surrounded me. I did not know it at the time but a deatheater camp was set up north of Hogwarts, in the direction I kicked off in. Naturally they thought I was off to Voldemort." Draco said. He rolled his eyes when Robert winced at the name.
"Why were you running away from your father Draco?" Robert asked as he scribbled notes on his notebook.
"He was an abusive man." Draco told him. Robert gazed into the face of Draco and noticed the deadpan look.
"Did he abuse you?"
"Bloody hell! Are you a sodding idiot? Of course he did. That's what makes him abusive."
"Oh, yes. Of course." Robert nodded. "Did he abuse your mother before she died?"
The door opened and closed, but no one was there. Draco glared at offending area and Ginny's head appeared and disappeared a short distance away from the door. Draco sighed and looked back at Robert.
'Figures.' Draco thought.
"Yes. He was the one that killed her. She was raped by every single deatheater, along with Voldemort himself." Draco answered watching as the chaise lounge chair dented in.
"Was your father a deatheater?"
"No, he only held tea parties for them. Sodding idiot! Yes! He was a head deatheater. Don't you read the things you publish!?" Draco groaned in frustration.
"Sorry. Uhm, did you have any romantic interests back in Hogwarts that you didn't get to fulfill because of your arrest?" Robert asked.
Draco almost laughed at the situation. His one interest was sitting in the same room, eavesdropping on his every word. So much for asking the husbands name or for that matter denying a love interest.
"Yes. As a matter of fact I was infatuated with the youngest Weasley. Child number six I believe?" Draco told him. Roberts head shot up and his eyes bugged at Draco.
"Excuse me?" Robert asked.
"Ginevra Weasley, I was very much infatuated by her." Draco repeated.
"Oh. Well. Yes." Robert said.
"She was the only thing that kept me sane while in Azkaban. I know that she is married right now, and I have to say it depresses me. I can only wish for a woman exactly like Ginevra Weasley." Draco said sincerely.
"Would you say that you loved her?" Robert asked with a dreamy sort of look on his face. Draco thought he would die.
"Love is a very strong word. It has powers that are unimaginable. Hell, look at Harry Potter. Did I love Ginevra Weasley? I guess you could say I did." Draco nodded. Robert sighed happily and nodded also.
"What did you expect to get out of Ms. Weasley at the time, had you not been arrested?"
"If I had not the situation of join the Deatheaters or die, then I think our relationship as friends would have happened back in my sixth year. From there I would have made her mine. I would have married her and had a bunch of kids that would have made any Weasley proud." Draco said. Robert was aghast now.
"You don't hate the Weasley's?" Robert asked. Draco laughed.
"Now I never said that! I really like Molly Weasley. She's the nicest of the lot; very motherly and loving. If I could have had a real mother, it would have been her. Hell, to be honest I'm jealous of the Weasley clan, having a mother like that!
"Arthur Weasley though is a pain in the arse! He loves muggles, but he is also a great parent. I wish I had him as a father as well.
"The rest of the family is nutters. The entire bloody lot of them! One working with dragons, the other Gringots, I mean honestly. It doesn't get much worse. The Twins were always really cool. I loved the pranks, even when they were pulled on me. Then there is Ronald Weasley. He is the worst brother. He is the only Weasley that I truly hate." Draco finished. Robert was stunned.
"Yes. Well. OK. Uhm, so." Robert said. Draco laughed and smirked. "What is your passion?"
"My what? Oh dear Merlin help me!" Draco said leaning back in his chair.
"Some of the ladies at the office wanted to know. You know like football or something?"
"I like the piano, guitar, and I really like to sing." Draco answered sheepishly.
"Could I record you singing?" Robert asked. Draco smirked.
"Perhaps. That all depends on how this article turns out, and I presume that this is front page, so I want to chose the picture and edit the article."
"DEAL!" Robert said shoving his hand forward. Draco shook it unsure.
"What are you going to do with the recording anyways?" Draco asked.
"Just charm it to every addition." Robert said. Draco rolled his eyes as Robert pulled out a recorder.
"I'm ready." Robert said eagerly as if Christmas was coming early.
"Hannah?" Draco called. The elf popped up and smiled at Draco.
"Would you get, I mean, fetch my guitar!" Draco spat. Robert smiled.
"What do you think about house elves?" Robert asked.
"If my own elves wanted to go, I would let them. If they wanted pay, I would pay them. Just don't tell Hermione Granger or she'll attack me with SPEW pens." Draco said winking. Hannah appeared back and handed Draco his guitar.
"Prove it." Robert said gesturing towards the elf.
"I have nothing to prove to you Rex." Draco told him playing on the strings of his guitar.
"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy." Robert said embarrassed. Draco nodded and waved it off.
"Hannah!" Draco yelled.
"Yes Mister Draco?" The happy elf reappeared.
"Get me a camera." Draco said smoothly.
"Yes Sir. Hannah gets it for you!" Hannah disappeared for a second reappearing with a camera.
"Give it to Roland." Draco said as he set the guitar down and took off his shirt.
"Alright Draco, ready?"
"You owe me one. I intend on collecting one day." Draco said glaring as he picked up the guitar.
Draco cleared his throat and gingerly posed on the edge of the desk. He strummed the guitar a few times.
"Yeah. Ok. I'm ready." He nodded at the recorder, which Robert turned on.
Draco opened his mouth and suddenly the words were flowing out and his hands were moving to their own accord.
"This ruined puzzle is beige with the pieces all face down.
So the placing goes slowly. The pictures of anything other than it's meant to be.
But the hours they creep The patterns repeat Don't be concerned You know I'll be fine on my own. I never said "Don't Go" (don't go)
But I've hidden a note It's pressed between pages that you've marked to find your way back. It says......
"Does he ever get the girl? "
But what if the pages stay pressed The chapters unfinished The stories too dull to unfold? Does he ever get the girl?
This basement's a coffin I'm buried alive I'll die in here just to be safe. I'll die in here just to be safe.
'Cause you're gone I get nothing and you're off with barely a sigh I never said goodbye.
But I've hidden a note It's pressed between pages That you've marked to find your way back It says...
"Does he ever get the girl?"
But I've hidden a note That's pressed between pages That you'll read if you're so inclined
Does he ever get the girl?
But the hours they creep The patterns repeat Don't be concerned I know I'll be fine on my own. I never said "Don't Go" (don't go)
Does he ever get the girl?" Draco looked over at the reporter and gestured towards the recorder with his eyes.
Robert stopped the recording and looked in amazement at Draco.
"Did you write that?" Robert asked.
"Yes. I did; while in Azkaban although I didn't have my guitar." Draco smiled. "I think it's about time you left Robert."
"The front page picture?" Robert asked. Draco nodded and fixed his hair quickly, licking his lips. "Tuck! BRANDY!" Draco yelled. A circular glass filled half way suddenly appeared in his hand and Draco grinned.
He walked over to the fireplace and leaned an arm on the mantel. He looked into the camera then back at the fire. That is how the picture would come out. One hand a half empty glass of brandy, the other leaning on the mantle of a dim fire. Draco smiled for one of the pictures, positive it would never be seen.
"Thank you for you time Mr. Malfoy." Robert said as he left.
"Anytime." Draco said with a glare.
"One more thing. You were innocent then?"
"Yes." Draco said shaking his head in remembrance.
"You were in the far part of Azkaban?"
"Yes. The worst part, where they drive information by any means. Leave please." Draco whispered. Robert nodded and quietly left.
"Tuck, follow him." Draco spoke to the invisible elf.
.
A/n- This is where I WOULD end it, BUT damn me and my, you'll know who Ginny's husband is in two flipping chapters. Get your popcorn (EW) cause I gotta get there in two chapters people.
.
"Ginevra?" Draco asked as he poked the chaise lounge chair. He felt the silky material of his invisibility cloak and pulled it back.
"Yes?" She asked smiling.
"What's gotten into you?" He asked uncertainly. Ginny just smiled as she winked at him.
Draco sighed out the word 'women' as she walked out of the room. An uneventful week full with bills followed Draco. The only thing that had been worth any of his time was the owl delivering his article proof. He smiled as he looked over it. The cover had his smiling face on the front, along with a brief summary and a picture of him playing the guitar. He opened it up only to be met by himself singing his song.
"Merlin! The whole world will go deaf!" he yelled. He sent the owl back without reading it, as his voice singing was too loud. The note attached said to tune down his voice, and the article was ok.
.
Draco yawned as he walked to breakfast the next morning.
"Stay up late fixing everything again?" Ginny asked. Draco nodded yes, not looking at her. "Too damn bad. Banishment! Your five minutes late."
Draco's eyes snapped open as he heard this. She was seated at the head seat, perfectly dressed in layers for snow, and had already eaten judging by the empty plate and coffee cup in front of her. Draco sat in the seat to her right, ignoring the banishment comment, and ate slowly as she tried to hurry him. Finally he asked what she wanted.
"Let's go shopping! Christmas is so soon and I really want to get everyone presents!" Ginny said as he ate as slow as possible to annoy her.
"I don't want to." Draco said.
"DRACO MALFOY! I have been patiently waiting for a WHOLE WEEK! I WANT to go shopping and get out of this house and DAMN IT YOUR GOING TO TAKE ME! I'll go get your clothes." Ginny stood angrily and Draco was taken back.
He watched amused as she slammed the door to the dining room and stomped up the stairs. 'Fine! I'll go bloody shopping.' Draco thought.
Ginny stomped up to his room and opened his dresser. She blushed as she came upon his boxers. He could get those if he needed them.
"Miss? Can Hannah help you?" Hannah said from behind her. Ginny jumped and turned around.
"Yes thank you. Where does he keep his shirts?" Ginny was lead to an armor and she looked through out it, pulling out a grey dress shirt.
"Pants?" Ginny asked.
"Dress or casual?"
"Casual." Ginny answered. Hannah took her hand and led her to the dresser.
"He hardly ever wears them." Hannah pulled the drawer open for Ginny.
Ginny looked in the drawer, pulling out a pair of blue jeans.
"Socks and shoes." Hannah opened another drawer, closing the last. Ginny grabbed an ankle pair and then headed towards the closet where Hannah was pointing.
Ginny looked at the assortment of shoes. He was worse than a girl. She settled on a pair and headed down the stairs.
Draco was still eating breakfast when she entered. He looked mildly surprised.
"How did you get past my wards?"
"Uh, what wards?" Ginny asked. Draco eyed her suspiciously as he grabbed for the clothes. He put the grey dress shirt over the white undershirt he had already been wearing. Ginny left the room to get his cloak.
"Jeans! To go out in public in. I can't believe I am allowing this!" Draco muttered as he slipped off his pajama bottoms and the jeans on. He grabbed the socks angrily and shoved them on along with his shoes.
Ginny came back in and gasped at the sight of him.
"What?" Draco said looking on his shirt for anything embarrassing.
"Nothing." Ginny's eyes went back to their normal size and she appraised what the jeans did for him. She smiled as she walked over to him, slipping on a matching grey knit hat and scarf on him. Draco grinned and looked at them.
"These are really nice." He told her.
"I had a full week. I got bored." Ginny told him slipping on her colorful hat and scarf as well.
Draco eyed her. 'Yes lots of time.' He thought as he grabbed his grey cloak.
.
"Ginny, before we go, you have your wand?" Draco asked.
"Yes. I'm my sleeve." Ginny answered smiling as the carriage began to move.
"When was the last time you used a wand?" Draco looked at her happy face and waited. When she didn't answer he moved to take his wand out, but she was too quick while he was sitting.
"Accio." Ginny muttered, still looking out of the window. Draco growled and snatched his wand from her.
"Don't do that." He said frowning.
"Don't draw your wand at me then." She replied still happily staring out of the window.
"If you could do that so easily then why in the hell was it so hard for you to escape from madman prison?" Draco asked.
Ginny winced and glared at him.
"Quit being an arrogant prick or I'll take a swing at the perfect nose of yours."
"Sorry Ms. Prissy." Draco muttered. Ginny glared at him and looked at her wand carefully.
"During school, he threatened to kill Ron or Harry. That worked until my sixth year. Then he threatened to kill me. It wasn't like I cared too much about that until you came along, telling me I had a choice. You fought him and so, I started fighting back, and he stopped for a while in fear of the both of us.
"Then I got a pregnancy scare and I told him. He beat my stomach until I had a miscarriage. I went home that summer and never was the same. He asked me to marry him in the same summer. I denied him; lying in my bed barely breathing. I couldn't live with what I had let happen. My child was dead because I couldn't fight. So I chose to fight.
"Harry came to me and kissed my cheek telling me he was leaving for the war. He held my hand and whispered comforting things, but I can't remember exactly what happened. He told me that he loved me. I don't remember what I said but I remember him telling me he would come back and protect me from the world. Then he left me, along with Ron. Ron didn't even say goodbye.
"Harry was gone, Ron was gone, Dad was gone, and it got quiet really. I enjoyed myself. I did nothing but stare at the ceiling. One day, mum thought that it would be a good idea for me to see a familiar face. She wasn't sure what had happened earlier that summer, so I don't blame her. He came into my room, and raped me continuously until I was sure to be pregnant. Then he left me in pieces again.
"Mom got an owl from Dumbledore of bad news. Harry attacked and in the war's starting, they were beginning to be out numbered, too many deaths on our side. So, there was a draft that any unmarried people entering seventh year and exiting school, they would fight in the war. I was not quick on my feet and best at potions. I could be of no help. I owled Madam Pomfrey but I had waited too long into the summer and previous years to get a medical license. It was fight in the war, or fight a husband.
"The war had a cause, and damn it I went to join it. I had a choice and I went to take it. I went to Dumbledore before I could be drafted and signed myself into the Order of the Phoenix. He agreed to it seeing as he said 'Passion in a young heart'. My passion was to live. So I had found my way out. I would die on a battle field with my child.
"Lucky me, my dear husband had connections, and on the same day that I was put battle, Ministry Officials showed up. They did a pregnancy test, that I passed, and I was taken away from the war. I did manage to kill four Deatheaters that came at me. I have never seen men cower like the ministry officials did at my anger.
"Mum found out I was pregnant, he proposed to me in front of mum, and she lectured me until I was nothing. He kept saying that he really liked my mum and that it was a shame that she was always alone in a big house to herself. He was right. With Fred and George married but fighting in Hogsmede, Bill and Charlie fighting where ever they were, dad gone with Ron, and Ron with Harry, there was no one but me. Lot of help I was. He promised it would stop if I married him, so I did.
"He forced himself on me on our wedding night. He was drunk. Then he beat me, and broke my wand. After that beating, I knew that I couldn't bring a child up with him. He would hold the child over my head like he had my mom. So, I poisoned myself and killed the baby. I nearly killed myself, but it would have been alright with me. The baby was a miscarriage and safe again. I started taking potions to stop my reproductive organs. They worked till the day I escaped." Ginny finished still looking out of the window.
Draco looked as if he were going to be sick.
"Well there ya go." Draco muttered uncomfortably. "He killed your child?"
"Yes." Ginny answered. She instinctively put a hand to her lower stomach and closed her eyes facing the window.
"I thought that by now you would have had at least six kids." Draco said moving to sit next to her.
He slowly grabbed her hand and squeezed softly, unsure of how to comfort her. Ginny looked at him and the tears that had been threatening to fall came. They started down her pale face gradually at first, until she became a fountain. Ginny leaned into Draco until head rested on his chest. Draco put an arm around her back and stiffly tried to comfort her.
"Hold me Draco." Ginny sobbed out. Draco put two arms around her pulling Ginny to him.
"Its all going to be ok now Ginny. I'm here and it will never happen again." Draco whispered.
The buggy stopped and they sat in the carriage until Ginny was calm. Draco wiped her face off with the inside of his cloak, kissing her nose softly. Ginny just laughed saying what an emotional cow she was. Draco laughed and nodded, which earned him a punch in the arm.
"Ready?" Draco asked as he got out of the carriage, holding out a hand for Ginny.
"Yeah." She jumped from the carriage not paying attention to his hand. Draco rolled his eyes and pulled the hood of her red cloak up and over her face.
"OH MY GOODNESS! IT'S DRACO MALFOY!" A girl screamed running towards him. Draco looked behind him at Ginny, who shrugged at him.
The girl held out a copy of the Daily Prophet, his smiling face winking at him. Draco sighed.
"What do you want?" He asked her.
"Will you sign that please?" The girl asked. Draco nodded taking the pen and signing the front page by his picture.
"And sign this?" The girl opened her cloak and pulled her V neck shirt down, exposing a fair amount of cleavage.
Draco heard a snort behind him and turned glaring. He signed her chest, careful not to touch her in any way.
"Thank you Draco!" the girl said leaning forward and kissing his cheek before running off.
"We better go before the crowds of hormonal teenage girls come over here trying to get a piece of the elusive Draco Malfoy." Ginny said sarcastically.
"That's enough of that you!" Draco said pulling his hood up. Ginny laughed and grabbed his arm, heading into the book store.
"Book store?" Draco asked quietly.
Ginny nodded grabbing the newest Quiddich book 'Keeping your Keeper', and one of the many books on Harry Potter. Ginny laughed as she opened the book reading the first page.
'The boy of wonder, the one who saved us all twice from the dark lord, can only be described as smashing. From his brilliant white teeth to his sparkling green eyes, he's drop dead sexy as he saves us all. As we read along, we will go into depth of the very soul of the boy who lived.'
Ginny nodded at the book still laughing. Harry would get a kick out of the book. She got in line behind a tall man and waited impatiently, Draco behind her. Once at the counter she laid the books down and smiled at the cashier.
"I want a fifteen galleon certificate and put it on account 763." Ginny told him. The cashier smiled at her and looked down at the vault guide.
"Your Mrs.-"
"Ginevra Weasley, I left my husband and now is stalking me. I can't seem to get away from him! I figured that I could still use our joint account. I mean it's my only money. Oh no? Has he been here?" Ginny asked faking a scared look. The man nodded but smiled at her anyways.
"I tell you what, I'll put it on his account anyways, he'll probably never notice anyways. Ms. Weasley, are you here with anyone?" He asked. Ginny nodded and gestured around the store.
"My friend? Somewhere.."
"Ah," He said smiling at her as he rung up her order and signed her off. Ginny grinned at him and winked.
"What time do you get off?" Ginny asked.
"Five." The cashier said leaning forward.
"Maybe we'll run into each other then." Ginny said as she gathered her stuff to leave. She turned and smirked in Draco's face. He was looking shocked.
After he was done he tapped her arm discreetly telling her time to go, and walking ahead of her. Once out side Draco turned on her.
"I can't believe you did that?!" Draco said incredulously.
"Why? It was rather easy." Ginny said shrinking her bags and putting them into her pocket. Draco laughed and grabbed her arm.
"Where to next?" Draco said leading her.
.
After hours of shopping Ginny's pockets were getting heavy and Draco was getting irritable.
"Draco please? Just for a few minutes?" Ginny asked. Draco shook his head no. "I don't want to get you something and you see it!" Draco sighed.
"I don't want a present! I just want to go home! I'm tired of signing boobs, books, papers, hell. I JUST WANT-"
"Good! I'll be right back!" Ginny said as she went through the Leaky Cauldron and out into muggle London. She smiled walking over to the music store, pulling the hood of her cloak down. She looked around for a few moments before seeing her friend that worked there.
"Ginny!" the girl screamed, running over to her and engulfing her in a hug.
"Hey Jane!" Ginny hugged her back. They had met in Hogsmede one day as Ginny was shopping, becoming good friends. Jane was a squib.
"OH MY! Do you know everyone is looking for you?" Ginny nodded. "DID YOU READ THE DAILY PROPHET?!" Jane said pulling out the article with Draco's face on it.
"No, not yet. What about it?" Ginny asked, taking the article and looking over it.
"Open it up!" Jane whispered. Ginny opened it and her breath stopped as Draco's voice sounded out of it. "Isn't it great? And that article, it's mostly about how he lost you." Ginny looked up stunned.
"Jane, can you promise to keep a secret?" Ginny asked. Jane nodded and leaned in. "I need to buy him a Christmas present. I'm staying at his house."
Jane squeaked and smiled broadly. Ginny went to give her the paper back but Jane pushed it back.
"Keep the paper!" Jane said leading Ginny over to the newest guitar.
"Wow. It's gorgeous." Ginny whispered stroking the black paint on the guitar.
"Take it. I'll put it on my account here, and you can pay me back later." Jane said hugging Ginny. Ginny smiled and hugged her friend.
"Thank you Jane. I'll pay you pack when I can."
"Come visit me sometimes." Jane said.
"I will. Later love!" Ginny said as she left the store. She walked back into the Leaky Caldron and pulled her hood back up. After shrinking the guitar she placed it carefully into her pocket and made for the exit.
"PST!" Tom said. Ginny turned and looked. Tom was wiping the counter and on it was a shot of whiskey. Ginny laughed and walked over to the counter. She downed it and pulled out the article.
'Draco Malfoy Uncovered, the man you never knew.
Draco Malfoy, recently excused from his life sentence at Azkaban, is a sad story waiting to be told. His days at home as a child were spent with an abusive father and careless mother, his days at Hogwarts pressured with threats. This story is anything but a story. His life, his pain, becomes known to you now. The truth is coming out about this innocent man. Open to page five to read.'
Ginny laughed as the picture was grinning at her and winking. She opened the article and heard his singing. She sighed happily and started reading.
'When you hear the name Draco Malfoy, I know what you're thinking. Probably the same thing that I thought when I was assigned this scoop, what an arrogant deatheater prick! Who would ever want to read about him? I have to say, I'm sorry for this assumption. In fact, I'm sorry for ever thinking this about him.
Once I got him talking, I was saddened at his story. His father, Lucius Malfoy, beat him while he was young along with his mother, Narcissa Malfoy.
If you read the article a while back on the arrest of Lucius, you remember it was on account of being a deatheater that he was arrested for Azkaban. Could you imagine having a deatheater for a father? How cruel he must have been, and he was. He told Draco that if he didn't join the Deatheaters, the he would kill him, his own son.
Then there was the article announcing Narcissa's mysterious death. But as I spoke to Draco he told me it was no mystery. His father allowed her to be raped by all of the Deatheaters and even Voldemort.
Draco had nothing going for him. There was nothing. How he lived, is unknown to me. I had to wonder, what kept this boy going. And then he told me. Hold your breath; you're in for a shock. I quote,
"Ginevra Weasley" He paused and blushed here, "I was very much infatuated by her."
So now, we have a Malfoy in LOVE with a Weasley!? I couldn't stand it and asked what he thought of the Weasley family.
"I really like Molly Weasley. She's the nicest of the lot; very motherly and loving. If I could have had a real mother, it would have been her. Hell, to be honest I'm jealous of the Weasley clan, having a mother like that. Arthur Weasley is also a great parent. I wish I had him as a father as well. The sons don't bother me much, except Ron Weasley."
Does that sound like the boy you knew? Speaking highly of Molly and Arthur Weasley? I then asked if he loved Ginevra Weasley. He began to cry softly and nodded.
"I would have made her mine. I would have married her and had a bunch of kids that would have made any Weasley proud."
But he couldn't, because he was arrested, she married. Funny story how he was arrested, his father threatened him, join or die. He tries to run away and his direction coincidently is facing a secret deatheater camp. Aurors charge him and take him to Azkaban. He never got to live and love, as he was taken at the end of his seventh year. Taken to a place where they beat the information out of you.
His only passion, singing, and the thought of Ginevra Weasley kept him alive in the hell hole. So now I ask you: "Is this the boy you knew?"
He wrote this song that you're hearing, and is even singing it for you. Could you prosecute this man that only wants his true love? This innocent man? If you answer yes then you should be exiled from the wizarding world. I say give him a break and get over quarrels. Draco Malfoy is a changed man.
Does he ever get the girl?
Robert Timing'
Ginny wiped a tear from her cheek and pocketed the article. Robert Timing was going to get a big bonus being the only one with an interview with Draco Malfoy, and it selling out as well.
Ginny smiled at Tom and he nodded as she made to leave. Once she was back into Diagon Alley she started searching for Draco. It was almost impossible as the streets were so crowded. She felt a hand slip around her waist and grinned.
"I wondered where you went." The voice whispered. Ginny laughed.
"I had to get your present you git!" she whispered back loudly.
"It took too long princess."
Ginny stiffened and the smile faded from her lips. She took a deep breath and slowly made turned around. Her husband stood close to her, grinning like a mad man. His dark hair fell in his face, brushing the creases of his dark eyes. He could be handsome if he tried. Oh, and stopped being an abusive asshole.
"Thought you could escape did you? Thought you could run away and I wouldn't come? You were wrong." He grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her towards the back of Diagon alley.
Ginny was momentarily stunned. She thought about going back to the house and being forced to have sex with him. She understood she couldn't make it in that house with him. Suddenly a fire built in her and she knew that she had to fight for her life, for Draco.
She slipped out her wand and hexed him with a jelly leg curse. His own wand was already drawn and he blocked the curse. Ginny's eyes widened and she ran through the crowds.
"DRACO!" she yelled. She turned and looked back; her husband was gaining ground on her.
"Silencio!" He muttered. Ginny was voiceless. She cursed and pulled out a pen and paper writing her husbands name on it. She stuck the paper through her wand like a spike and threw the wand down sure that Draco would find it.
She stopped running and turned. She kicked him in the shin and then punched him.
"Fighting are we? You'll pay for that bitch." He said as he lunged at her and appeariating to his house with her.
.....
Draco sat on the bench outside of the ice cream shop pissed off. He had a crowd of girls and guys around him asking for him to sign things.
"Where is SHE!?" he muttered to himself signing someone's shoe.
"DRACO!" he heard yelled. He stood and looked around, but couldn't see anything but the crowd around him.
"MOVE!" Draco yelled.
The crowd didn't listen and tightened around him. He started pushing his way out, being stopped by fans trying to get his autograph. When he got out of the circle he started running towards where the noise came from.
"Ginny!?" He screamed loudly. He saw a man lunging at her and then apparating. Draco yelled in frustration.
"That was Ginevra Weasley?" A man asked as Draco ran over to where they had apparated.
"Yes." Draco said unsteadily, his voice cracking.
"She dropped this Mr. Malfoy." The man held out the wand to Draco.
Draco took the paper off and read the messy jumpy writing. A mans name, written on the paper. Draco growled knowing exactly who ugly brute was. And he would be damned if he let him have her.
"Thanks." Draco told the man.
"No, thank you Mr. Malfoy. I'm sorry for calling you a deatheater, and I hope you find your love." The man said before walking back over to his stand. Draco wrinkled his nose and looked clearly disgusted.
"Sure." Draco said, leaving to get Ginny.
A/n- LONG CHAPTER! Goodness. NEXT CHAPTER UGLY BRUTE REVEALED!
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