Chapter 6

Draco appeared just seconds before the meal was served. He gave both his daughters a kiss before sitting down. Cookie came in with the meal. Minutes later, Rebecca started to talk nonstop about her day with Ginny.

"And we went outside to see the pretty Sakura trees," she said.

"That's nice," answered Draco, "And what did you do today Aislin?"

"The usual. Horseback riding, dancing, and staying up in my room doing homework."

"I see." There was a moment of silence between the family. Ginny felt uncomfortable, and therefore started a new conversation.

"Mr. Malfoy, is it okay if Aislin and Rebecca come with me into the garden," she asked.

"Yes, that is fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do." He put down his napkin, kissed his youngest on the head and his oldest on the cheek before leaving for his office.

"Well girls, what do you say," Ginny asked.

"Yeah," cheered Rebecca. Aislin just nodded.

"Come here and look what I made Ginny," shouted Rebecca. The young girl gave her governess the bracelet, which was made out of flowers. A matching headdress was also given to Ginny.

"Oh there beautiful," commented Ginny, " Thank you." Rebecca ran off again; she wanted to gather more flowers so that she can make a bouquet for her sister. Ginny turned to check up on Aislin, and saw her sitting on a bench, writing in her notebook. Curious, Ginny walked over.

"Hey," she greeted. Aislin looked up, gave her a quick smile, and went back to what she was doing before.

"Can I see," asked Ginny. Aislin gave her the book, and Ginny saw a poem in a different language.

"Is this Chinese?"

"Yes. Father thought that it'd be a good idea to learn and keep in touch with our mother's culture. Mother agreed after hearing about it from father."

"That's nice. Can you translate this for me?"

"Hmm… It's sort of private. I'd rather not read it."

"I understand."

"Aislin," yelled Rebecca as she ran over to her sister, giving her the flower bracelet and headdress that the little girl made.

"Did you take these from the Sakura trees," asked Aislin. Rebecca nodded, knowing that Sakuras were Aislin's favorite flowers, not to mention that it was her middle name.

"Thank you little sister." Ginny smiled at the two sisters. Looking at the sky, Ginny began to notice that it was getting late.

"We better get inside," she suggested.

"But it's only 8," whined Rebecca.

"How do you know?" Rebecca held up Aislin's hand, revealing a watch.

"Father charmed the house so that certain Muggle appliances will work in the mansion," answered Aislin after seeing Ginny's confused face.

"Still, it's getting close to your bedtime. We better head inside." Ginny picked up the little girl, and began to walk inside when she noticed that Aislin wasn't following.

"Aislin," asked Ginny.

"I'll be in a minute," she answered. Once she heard the back door closed, she quickly took out three candles, said a prayer, put the candles out, and walked inside.

"I see that my daughter has given you her traditional bracelet and headdress," came a voice. Ginny turned towards where it was coming from, and saw that it was Draco.

"Mr. Malfoy," she started when Draco held up his hand.

"Please, I hate formalities. Call me Draco, or even Malfoy if you wish." Ginny smiled at his comment, knowing perfectly well about all the insults thrown between him and her family.

"As you wish Draco," she answered with a smile on her face.

"Daddy, will you tell me a story," asked Rebecca.

"Sure. Which one would you like to hear," he asked when he sat down on her bed and Ginny in a nearby chair.

"The one about the witch and wizard," answered Rebecca.

"Okay. Once upon a time, there was a powerful witch who didn't need a wand to do magic. She and her sisters came to England to stop an evil force. But in order to do so, she and her sisters had to go undercover as teachers in a magic school. She met the powerful wizard in one of her classes, since he was her student. She and he didn't like each other very much. Eventually, she fell in love with him after he saved her from drowning in the lake. Thus, they were inseparable. They went everywhere together, did everything together. However, she, her sisters and her friends had to go and fight the leader of the evil force. She told the wizard not to go, but he didn't listen. He followed her, and fought the leader at her side. The fight ended, and she and her friends were victorious. And yet, another fight broke out. She gave birth to a baby girl, and many demons were after her baby, simply because the baby was powerful. She went into hiding, and had to leave the wizard behind. After many months of fighting, the evil was defeated, and the witch and wizard were reunited."

"Then they lived happily ever after, right daddy," asked Rebecca.

"Right. Now, go to sleep," Draco commanded in a soft voice. His daughter snuggled into bed, and fell asleep. Ginny sat through the entire story, pondering on a thought that entered her mind during the story.

"Draco. Was that story about--"

"Kathleen and me? Yeah. I changed the story a little."

" I can tell. From what I remembered, it was Voldemort who was defeated. The Source wasn't, and Kathleen and the others had to leave England immediately."

"You're right. I told the original version before, but it seemed that Becky here didn't like it. So, Aislin and I changed the story a little. But, I only left out the part about the Source. Aislin was powerful for a baby. The Source thought that if he killed her, then Kathleen would be weak and wouldn't be able to fight. But, Kathleen defeated the Source, and came back here with me."

"Now I understand and know who the mother is."

"I better go and check up on Aislin."

"No, I should. It's my job after all."

"No. It'll be better if I do it." Draco got up from where he was sitting, and existed the room. Two doors down, he came upon his eldest child's room. Not bothering to knock, he entered, and found his daughter sleeping over her homework.

"Aislin, Aislin wake up," whispered Draco as he shook her awake.

"Sorry father," replied Aislin. Draco noticed that she wasn't doing her homework, but rather looking at pictures of her mother. He also saw tear stains on her face, knowing perfectly well that she had been crying again.

"You okay," he asked. Tears began to gather in her eyes, as she shook her head.

"I miss her," she exclaimed as she gave her father a hug, crying into his shirt. Draco rubbed his daughter's back in small circles, trying to calm her down.

"I know sweetie, I know." He kept on rubbing her back, and just letting her sob.

A.N.: Well, it's been revealed. You all now know who the mother is. By the way, the prequel to this story is called Dearest, and it's up. Read it to get a better understanding of this story. I basically gave away a BIG spoiler, as I'm only on chapter 2 in Dearest. Well, read and review.

Phoenix-dancer22