Chapter 3
Children Seldom Misquote You, In Fact They Repeat Word for Word What You Shouldn't Have Said
Summary: Ginny and Draco have to say goodbye to each other for the summer and they both go home to BIG surprises! Draco's got a little one at home and Ginny's got several! At school there's new kid causing some trouble between the lovers, nasty rumors are beginning to spread and it's starting to look like things will never be the same again. Plus Draco and Ginny get paired up for another practical project! And what does a sack of flour have to with it??
PG13 - Just to be on the safe side.
Author's Notes: Okay so this chapter is up! Finally! I'm having problems trying to keep this up in a timely manner because I've taken on a much harder load in school than previously. More advanced classes and things that take up extra time outside of school, but don't worry I will always keep you updated, just not as fast as The Girl All The Bad Guys Want. I'm sorry for that but at least it'll last longer! My AP World History class is killing me. Just this weekend alone I have like 60 pages of reading or more! But I hope that you enjoy this chapter! This is both one of my favorite chapters and my least favorite; I'm torn so when you've read it, tell me what you think please!
Oh yes! And thank everyone so so so so so so so so much for all the wonderful reviews that you've left me so far! I really love reading them! They light up my day! If you want me to send you an email when I update you please leave your email addy or email me at shaunajoy6@hotmail.com if you would rather not display your email address! Thanks!
Enjoy!
Last time: Ginny and Draco both told their families and you got introduced to the new Weasleys and Draco's little sister Bailey!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 3
Children Seldom Misquote You, In Fact They Repeat Word for Word What You Shouldn't Have Said.
"Gin! Wake up sleepy head!" a honey sweet voice called.
When Ginny didn't stir, Chloe decided to try again. This time she wouldn't be so nice about it.
"Hey! Get your lazy butt out of bed! It's evening!" she yelled into the redhead's ear while poking her in the side.
"Wha -?"
"Gin, it's Chloe! Time to get up! You know, this is quite a turn around from what usually happens. I don't believe that I've ever actually woken someone up before - usually I'm being woken up." Chloe rambled.
"Fine, Chloe!" Ginny surrendered loudly.
"So, why are you so snippy at this time of night anyway?" the blonde asked while looking at Ginny's pictures.
"I didn't mean to," Ginny defended, "but, I got another piece of mail at the same time I received your letter and it shocked me. I was stressed out so, I flopped down on my bed and accidentally fell asleep."
"What was it?"
"A letter from Narcissa Malfoy."
"Why?" Chloe gasped.
"She wants to have tea and lunch tomorrow."
"With you?"
"No Chloe, with Fudge, but she thought she'd tell me." Ginny said sarcastically, "Yes with me!"
"Jeez, sorry! So, what are you going to do?" Chloe asked, sitting on Ginny's bed.
"I'll go. Draco and I love each other and we obviously don't have to hide our feelings as we've already told our parents. Well, at least I'm assuming he has," Ginny answered, "I shouldn't be childish and scared about this."
"Good answer."
"What time is it anyway?" the redhead asked curiously.
"Eight o'clock." Chloe replied.
"Oh wow! We have to start babysitting now!"
The girls hurried down the steps to find everyone standing in the kitchen, ready to Apparate.
"We'll be at the musical if you need anything dears; here's a number you can reach us at." Molly assured them, handing Ginny a slip of paper.
"How'd you get tickets to a muggle event like this?" Chloe asked.
"Hermione's parents gave them to us as a thank you for keeping her for a few weeks this summer." Arthur said gleefully.
"So, what do you girls plan on doing tonight?" Bill asked, handing Sophie over to Ginny.
"Maybe we'll try a movie."
"On the felly-fission?" Arthur questioned, looking almost as though he'd rather stay home and watch TV instead of going to the musical. Mrs. Weasley did not allow anyone to watch it more than once every few weeks. She didn't approve of it and thought that it would warp your brain if you watched it too often.
"Television, Dad, and you go to the musical. I'm sure it'll be a million more times exciting as a movie."
"Yeah, I expect we'll get some Krinoculars!" he replied excitedly before hastily Disapparating.
"Bye, dears!" Molly said following Arthur.
After everyone else had left, Sophie spoke up.
"Movie! Movie!" she chanted.
"Yes, Fee, we'll get there. Which one would you like to watch?" Ginny asked.
"That one!" Sophie said pointing to Beauty and the Beast.
"Oh great."
"Watch it often?" Chloe teased.
"That's the only thing every little girl who's been over here wants to watch." Ginny explained. "It's a muggle movie obviously but it does have a bit of magic in it at least."
Ginny popped in the video and hit play. She set her niece down on a fluffy chair in the corner; she and Chloe took the couch next to it.
"So Gin, what are you going to wear tomorrow?" Chloe asked.
"Those really great jeans I bought for the first dance."
"You mean the tight, very low rise ones?" Chloe asked doubtfully.
"Yes - why?"
"Really think Draco's mum will like those?" Chloe asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'll charm them so they don't seem so bad to her." Ginny said with pride in having all of that through already.
"Okay, so what shirt then?"
"I'm not sure yet." Ginny said mentally envisioning all of her shirts before she remembered a shirt she'd never won before. "I know!"
"Which one?"
"Well, it's a dark green tee shirt with a little pocket on the front of it and a V-neck that doesn't dip down very low. It's a small shirt but it covers my stomach for the most part." Ginny described.
"Sounds perfect! It's even a Slytherin color." Chloe said.
"I know, but that's not entirely on purpose. I've been told that that shade of green looks really good on me." Ginny said.
"I'll help you accessorize and do your hair in the morning!" Chloe said excitedly.
"Great!"
"Hey, Gin," Chloe giggled, "Sophie appears to be asleep."
Sure enough, the small blonde girl had her feet hanging off one arm of the chair and her head rested on the other. Her mouth was wide open and she was snoring lightly.
"Not even fifteen minutes into the movie and look what's happened!" Ginny laughed turning off the VCR and TV and scooping Sophie up quietly. "You can stay down here if you like, I'll be right back."
Chloe nodded and awaited Ginny's return patiently as she looked around. When Ginny did reach the bottom of the stairs, she laughed out loud.
"What?' Chloe asked.
"You have this funny look on your face!"
"Gee, thanks."
"No problem." Ginny said as she walked into the living room where Chloe stood.
"I was just thinking about how much I love your house, Gin. It's incredibly warm and cozy. I feel almost more at home here than I do at my house." Chloe said marveling at the clock.
She'd been here many times in the past few years but each time she visited she found something that was even more extraordinary than the last.
"Thanks." Ginny beamed, taking it as a compliment.
Both girls were tired already so after eating the rest of the apple pie, they trudged up the stairs and off to bed, both of them anxiously waiting for the next day.
~*~*~*~*~
"I absolutely cannot believe this! Ginny's my girlfriend and I have had no say whatsoever in her visit." Draco ranted to himself that night on his way to tuck Bailey into bed.
"Drakie!" she squealed, sitting up in her bed and greeting him with a bright smile.
"Bailey!" he shrieked, mocking her tone of voice.
"Will you read me a story?"
"Sure, which one?"
"This one!" his blonde haired sister exclaimed, handing Draco a book with a princess on the front. It was a muggle book, of course, by the name of Cinderella.
"Okay, hop into bed and I'll sit next to you and read until you go to sleep." Draco told her.
Bailey took this order literally and began to bunny-hop across the room and back into her bed. She pulled her covers up to her chin and closed her eyes.
"I'm WAITING, Drakie!"
"Coming, your Highness." Draco said as he jumped onto her bed and settled himself down next to her. He opened the book and began to read, "Once upon a time."
Draco stole a glance at his baby sister before carrying on and saw that the little bugger was already sawing logs.
"There was a princess who lived happily ever after. The end." Draco said hurriedly, closing the book quietly. He set it down on Bailey's nightstand carefully. Draco then gazed at his sister next to him. She looked so innocent and carefree. What he wouldn't have given to have grown up like that.
Bit late for that now, though. He couldn't change what had already happened but he swore to himself at that moment that Bailey would have an amazing childhood and he would make sure of that.
That night, Draco thought about a lot of things as he sat in his little sister's all pink room. Mostly he thought about Ginny. He hoped they would be together forever, no matter what. He was just thinking about all the things he was willing to sacrifice to be with her and when without even realizing where he was, the 16-year-old boy fell fast asleep.
~*~*~*~*~
Ginny woke, at 6 o'clock in the morning on the day of her visit to the Malfoy Manor to the sound of her alarm clock.
"Good morning, all you witches and wizards! This is Charles the Charmer with your 6 o'clock news before you Apparate to work!" came a cheery voice from the small black box next to her bed.
"Oh shove it," the redhead mumbled as she smacked the off button and rolled over to find Chloe was still fast asleep. "Chloe, Get up!" Ginny said, in a zombie-like voice as she hit her friend in the face with a pillow.
"Gin, it's too early."
"I have to start getting read for tea and lunch with Mrs. Malfoy."
"Yeah - in five hours." Chloe mumbled rolling over and closing her eyes, determined to go back to sleep.
"Come on! It's breakfast time!" Ginny bribed.
"Food?" Chloe asked coherently but without moving.
"Yeah."
"How about breakfast in bed?" Chloe bargained.
"That'll cost you about two galleons." Ginny said, holding out her hand.
"It's in my purse."
"No," Ginny demanded hopping out of bed and pulling all the covers to the floor, "Get up!"
"Fine!" Chloe said sitting up huffily, "but you owe me!"
"I know!" Ginny said, walking out the door and down the stairs, a disheveled Chloe right behind her.
The pair entered the kitchen to find that Molly had breakfast already on the table.
"Morning girls, I've got toast, biscuits, eggs, gravy, sausage, pancakes, hash browns and omelets. There's orange juice on the table! Take whatever you want!" she said in an extremely chipper voice.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." Chloe mumbled, trying her best to sound more grateful and less tired.
"What are you two doing up so early, anyway?" Mrs. Weasley questioned, seeing Ginny wipe the sleep from her eyes.
"Ginny got an invitation last night." Chloe said with a mouthful of syrup- covered pancakes.
"From whom?" Molly asked her only daughter curiously, setting down her pan.
"Mrs. Malfoy..." Ginny said cautiously, "She wants me to have tea and lunch with her at the Manor today."
"Oh Ginny, this is so exciting!" her mother gushed, "What time will you be leaving?"
"At eleven." the redheaded girl said, "Chloe and I have to go upstairs so I can get ready."
"Okay, you two have fun!"
The teens ran up the stairs and into Ginny's room. Chloe was complaining that she barely had time to eat one pancake and that Ginny had a one-track mind.
"So, the first thing to do is to get dressed." Chloe said, taking a seat on Ginny's bed as Ginny ran into the bathroom to change.
"How do I look?" Ginny asked, striking a pose in the doorway upon re- entrance.
"Positively stunning!"
"Thank you! Now, we just need some shoes and jewelry." Ginny said, tapping her lips thoughtfully.
"And you still need to do your hair and makeup." Chloe said, eyes moving from her friend's disheveled and frizzy red hair to her puffy sleep-filled brown eyes.
"Oh my gosh! There's too much to do! I can't. Maybe I should just send an owl saying I'm sick! Would you vouch for me?" Ginny was frantic.
"No, I most certainly would not! I would march right over there and tell them you are lying." Chloe told her calmly as she picked at her long nails, "You can do this! It's only like seven! You've still got a good four hours."
"I know, I know." Ginny said, sighing heavily and collapsing on her bed next to Chloe.
"Why are you so nervous anyway? It's just Draco."
"Yeah, and his MOTHER!" Ginny exclaimed.
"She sounds very nice." Chloe said reassuringly.
"Meeting Narcissa Malfoy is already nerve racking being such an influential woman with so much power and wealth and then you go and add that she's my boyfriend's beloved mother!" the brown-eyed girl ranted exasperatedly.
"Listen, Gin, I'm sure she'll love you! Everyone does! Just treat her as though she's a perfectly normal woman interested in her son's well-being." Chloe advised.
"I just know I'll screw something up."
"You won't."
"Chloe, how do you know so much?" Ginny asked curiously.
"I pick up on things other people don't. I'm a people-watcher and I'm your best friend. Plus, I think I want to be the first witch psychiatrist." she added.
"What's that?"
"Don't worry about it. We have things to do." Chloe said jumping up and gathering makeup and hair things.
"Right." Ginny confirmed, following Chloe into the bathroom where Ginny would transform from sleeping beauty to natural beauty.
By 9 o'clock, Ginny's red hair now had redefined platinum highlights and was falling magnificently around her shoulders and down her back in curls. She was also rid of the bags under her eyes (of course that could have been due to the cappuccino Bill had brought in for them) and she had full lashes and green slightly sparkly eye shadow.
"Ta da!" Chloe announced, pushing her in front of the slightly cracked mirror.
"Oh it's really lovely Chloe! Thanks so much! I honestly don't know what I' would have done without you!" Ginny beamed, touching a lock of hair lightly.
"Now for the next task, you need shoes, jewelry, accessories and a manicure." Chloe rattled off.
The blonde grabbed a pair of shoes that had caught her eye earlier that morning.
"Chloe, no!" Ginny argued. "Anything but those wretched shoes."
Chloe was holding Ginny's cork sandals from the dances at Hogwarts during the previous year.
"They'll look positively amazing with your outfit!"
"Fine, but you owe me a foot massage later." Ginny grumbled, taking the God- forsaken shoes and slipping them on.
"Okay, I was thinking that of course you'll wear your promise ring, but you should wear my necklace as well." Chloe insisted, thrusting forward her semi-elegant silver necklace with a small diamond pennant attached.
"Oh Chloe, it's beautiful. Thanks!" Ginny said, taking it gently and examining it before placing it around her neck. They finished everything off with some medium-sized hoop earrings.
The girls giggled and gossiped and before they knew it, ten o'clock was already there.
"We'd better get cracking on those nails." Chloe said suddenly.
And so.
20 mess-ups
15 corny jokes
10 green and white dice painted fingernails
Five reassuring talks
Two threatening comments from Chloe and
One hour later, Ginny was all set and ready to go.
"Do be careful, honey, and have fun! Don't forget to mind your manners there!" Molly said tearfully hugging her daughter. "Meeting his mother. I can't believe it!"
"It's okay, Mum. Really." Ginny reassured her as she got into the car that had been sent for her.
"If I even get wind of your chickening out-" Chloe began.
"You'd have to catch me first." Ginny said winking as the car door slammed and the driver got in.
Ginny waved until her mother and best friend were out of sight. This trip promised to be very boring and lonely but nonetheless nerve racking.
~*~*~*~*~
Draco had awoken that morning at 9:30 to a very nasty surprise. He was laying in a frilly pink canopy, wrapped in princess covers and had bright red lipstick all over his face and even on his arms.
"Bailey Gail Nicole Malfoy!" He boomed, sitting straight up before jumping out of the bed and after the streak of blonde hair that went zipping out the door at the sound of her full name.
Finally, Draco caught up to his little sister and began to tickle her mercilessly.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked using one hand to point to his face and keeping the other holding her around her waist.
"Mommy said you needed some color, so I gave you some." She said very fast in between giggles.
Draco scooped her up into both arms and carried her back into her room.
"Today, someone special is coming. Did you know that?" Draco asked upon setting her down next tom him on her bed.
"It's not that Boldawart guy is it? Daddy brought him once and I didn't like him much." Bailey told him honestly making a scrunched up face at the thought.
"No, it's not him." Draco assured her. "This time, it's a girl."
"Oh yeah! I 'member now! Your girlfriend!" Bailey said excitedly.
"Yes and her name is Ginny Weasley. You need to be nice to her okay?" Draco said, eyebrows shooting up.
"Only if she's pretty. And nice." Bailey haggled, "You can't have an ugly girlfriend. And you ex-pecially can't have one that's mean to me."
"Okay, it's a deal." Draco said, "She'll be here in about an hour and a half. Let's go see what Mum is doing."
"Alright." Bailey agreed taking his hand and walking to the dining room with him.
"Hello, dears." The tall blonde woman greeted her children.
"Hi, Mum. How is everything?" Draco asked.
"Almost perfect! I've got our best china cups and saucers for tea. Bella prepared a table on the balcony of the third floor for us that overlooks the garden. For lunch, we'll eat in here. You may join us for lunch, which will be promptly at twelve, but not for tea. The same applies for you, Bailey. Virginia seems lovely but I've never met her and I'd like for my first impression to be uninfluenced." Narcissa rattled on.
Draco and Bailey exchanged furtive glances meaning she was crazy before nodding in reluctant agreement.
"Good! Then, I should really go and get ready to meet Virginia!" Narcissa exclaimed, rushing off.
"Nutters that one." Draco mumbled quietly.
"Yeah, nutters." Bailey agreed rolling her eyes. "Drakie, what are we going to do during tea?"
"Do you know how to fly?"
"Drakie, don't be silly! Only birds can fly!" Bailey said laughing.
"I meant on a broomstick." Draco said, taking his turn to roll his eyes.
"Oh! No."
"Then, we'll do that! I'll teach you."
"Okay, Drakie!" Bailey said in concurrence.
"I'm going to go take a shower and get dressed before we go flying and I propose you do the same thing," the tall boy advised, before leaving the pink-clad room once more.
~*~*~*~*~
Draco took as long as possible to get ready that morning, hoping to perhaps catch a glimpse of Ginny before his Mum took over.
He saw the car his mother had sent for Ginny pull up and he dashed down the steps. Upon doing this he came to the realization that he would most definitely not be seeing Ginny before lunch.
His mother had stopped him at the door and simply pointed in the direction from which he had come. Draco scowled before sauntering off to find Bailey.
~*~*~*~*~
Ginny stepped out of the car and took in the beauty of the magnificent house before her. She had never seen such an amazing house before.
Her heart was beating much too fast to be normal as she walked slowly up the path leading to the front door. Before she could even knock, the door flew open.
"Virginia!" a tall blonde woman shrieked, opening her arms and enveloping her in a hug, "How lovely to see you!"
"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy." Ginny smiled, as they pulled apart. She found it almost impossible not to immediately like this woman.
"Oh nonsense! Call me Narcissa! I'm actually not too fond of that name either but it's the lesser of the two evils." the older woman laughed.
Narcissa stood back to get a good look at her son's love interest.
"My, my you ARE a very beautiful girl." she acknowledged.
"Thank you." Ginny said quietly, feeling herself blush.
"But enough small talk. Let's go in for some tea!" Narcissa ordered, closing the door and leading her through the hallways. "The Manor seems far too large nowadays for just the kids and me, but Draco insists we keep it. That is, however, easier said than done as we've got the Ministry in here getting all the dark magic and everything that goes with it out of here. It's far too much of a hassle to remember which rooms have curses when you despise the whole idea to begin with." she said.
"That's understandable, of course." Ginny agreed, gazing around.
"I'd just love to come and see your home someday. The Burrow, isn't it?" she asked. Ginny nodded.
"Lucius always had something bad to say about it, but I think I'd rather enjoy it. I'd love to make the Manor look homey, but it will be difficult." Narcissa babbled, as she led Ginny through two huge glass doors, "Anyway, here's the balcony where we will have our tea because it's such a beautiful day. Come and sit, so we can talk more." Narcissa said gesturing to the chairs pulled up around the small round glass table.
"Thank you." Ginny said nervously, still shocked from the comment about the Burrow.
"So, do tell me, how is it that you and Draco first met?" Narcissa asked, pouring the tea for them.
"We met on the school train. Well, I suppose we've met before, but this was when it all started. Just this past year." Ginny told her, "Before that, we hated each other."
"What brought you together?"
This was the question Ginny had been dreading. She didn't really want to tell Narcissa all about the Colin incident but she, of course, knew that it was to be expected.
"He sort of walked in on something." she began.
"What kind of something?" the older woman questioned, her eyebrows raised skeptically.
"Colin, this boy I know from school, was - uh - forcing himself on me. Well, I mean, in a way." Ginny said, trying to sound respectful, "Anyway, Draco - er - fixed the problem and healed my lip. It surprised me because it was so out of character from every other encounter I'd ever had with him."
"I always knew he could be nice if he wanted to!" Narcissa exclaimed, "So, did you start dating then?"
"No, not for a while. When we finally did, it ended very abruptly."
"Why is that?"
"Colin threatened us. We were trying to keep the whole thing a secret for a little bit and he had incriminating evidence. He said he would show it to the whole school if I didn't break if off with Draco and go out with him instead. It wasn't really what I wanted to do at all, but I did it so Draco wouldn't get into any trouble. I told him the reason I broke up with him was for another guy, only I didn't tell him who it was and under what conditions. As expected, he didn't take it very well and we ended." Ginny explained. "Then horrible things started happening with Colin. He would abuse me in any way you could possibly think. I stopped eating because I was so depressed and it took Draco and my best friend to notice what was going on. Unfortunately, it was a little too late."
"Oh, dear, that's horrid, but you're back together now. Why?" Narcissa asked, "Or rather, how?"
"I was put into the hospital because I fainted from lack of food. That night, Colin came in to my hospital room. He was drunk and angry that I went to the hospital wing when he had left so much proof of physical abuse on my body. He thought I was there to rat him out and he came to kill me. To make sure that didn't happen." Ginny said, "It was a whole bloody scene, but Draco came to my rescue and ended up saving my life. After being friends for a while, we finally started dating again. But this time, we started dating publicly."
"It certainly sounds like you two have had a very rough year. Especially you, dear." Narcissa said, her eyes wide with understanding and sympathy to the younger girl before her.
"Yes, but we both made it out okay in the end."
"True love will always prevail. If you believe that you really are in love, that is."
"I believe so." Ginny smiled honestly.
"Marvelous! I cannot think of anyone I'd rather give up my son to!" Narcissa exclaimed, almost beside herself with delight.
Ginny smiled pleasantly at the thought of being accepted by Narcissa.
The two ladies chatted for a while about small things when Ginny remembered something she had been meaning to ask about for a long time.
"Narcissa, earlier you said that the Manor was a bit too large for you and the kids; what did you mean kids? Who else is here besides you and Draco? If I may ask, of course."
"Certainly!" she answered benignly, "You see, Draco has a younger sister named Bailey."
Ginny remembered him telling her that now.
"She has gone to small private schools elsewhere her whole life and she and Draco rarely get to see each other. After Lucius - may he burn - died, I decided she was not really old enough for school, unless you count kindergarten, so I pulled her out and surprised Draco by bringing her home. He loves her so much. I can tell he'll make a great father someday." Narcissa said with adoration.
Almost as if on cue, Draco went zooming by on his new Firebolt holding a small blonde haired, gray-eyed girl to his chest. The girl seemed to be giggling profusely and, as they passed by, Ginny could just hear the girl squealing.
"Drakie! Do it again! Do it again! Hi, Mommy!"
"Draco Aidan Malfoy! I told you that you were not to come to tea!" Narcissa shouted at his quickly retreating back.
"We're not staying, Mum!" Draco's voice trailed off before he rolled the broomstick once, making Bailey shriek with laughter.
"That boy really needs to grow up. He ACTS dignified enough, but deep inside he's just a little boy." his mother said, half angry, half amused.
"It keeps you guessing." Ginny added in his defense.
"That's for sure. If he drops my little girl, I swear I will strangle him." Narcissa added.
"I'm sure she'll be okay, so long as he doesn't do anything stupid -" Ginny began, but was promptly cut off seeing Bailey slip off the edge of the broom.
Draco was all over it though. He was diving so fast he was sure to have whiplash. He stopped in midair and held out his arms to catch Bailey, who was still squealing in delight. Draco caught her with ease.
"Drakie! Can we do that again? I was flying!"
"No way. From now on, we'll stay on the ground - at least until you weigh enough to stay on by yourself. And by the way, that was FALLING, not FLYING." Draco told her grinning slightly at the last bit.
"Same difference." the little girl pouted.
"Not exactly." he assured her, flying slowly toward the ground with Bailey secured against his chest.
Ginny then saw Mrs. Malfoy's reaction. She was completely white and almost appeared to have had a heart attack.
"Draco! Bring her here!" she demanded.
"No, Mum! Go back to your tea! You'll see her at lunch!" Draco called back.
"It's nearly lunch time anyway." Narcissa noticed with eagerness to see her baby girl again, "We should go and get washed up."
"Yeah." Ginny agreed.
Both women got gracefully up from the table and walked through the large glass doors again. Narcissa showed Ginny to a bathroom before giving her directions to the dining room and leaving.
"Thank you." Ginny said quietly before closing the door.
She saw that she still looked as she had when she left The Burrow, not a hair out of place.
She washed her hands before exiting the bathroom and abruptly ran into a large, masculine figure.
"Oh wow! Sorry about that!" she apologized, looking down at the man's feet.
"Don't' Weasels ever watch their step?"
"Do ferrets?" she asked, her eyes flicking now up from his feet to the big gray eyes she knew well.
"Gin." he said.
"Draco." She regarded the blonde shortly. By the look on Draco's face, she knew he could hardly contain his elation in seeing her.
Sure enough, seconds later he picked her up and hugged her tightly.
"I missed you, Gin." Draco whispered in the redhead's ear.
"It's only been a day, Draco." she said playfully, "But I missed you, too."
"Good." he told her, setting her back down and lacing his fingers with hers. "Rightfully so."
Ginny snorted with laughter at his haughty remark.
"I don't think I'm supposed to be with you yet." Draco told his girlfriend. "It's like you have to tryout first or something. My mother is very eccentric as you've probably already noticed."
"She just loves you very much and only wants the best for you. I can't really blame her." Ginny said looking up at him.
"It's because I'm so devilishly handsome, isn't it?" he asked.
"What does that have to do with the price of rice in China?"
"Nothing," Draco said, looking slightly dumfounded. "When were we talking about the price of rice in China?"
"It's just a saying. It means, 'what's that got to do with anything'? basically." Ginny explained.
"Oh, well then, my answer remains the same, nothing." Draco said, jovially kissing her nose.
Draco entered the dining room about two minutes ahead of Ginny to remove any suspicion that they were together.
Ginny then walked into the dinging room. She had made it about ten steps when a streak of blonde hair came at her. It was a small gray-eyed girl.
"Hi, I'm Bailey, but Drakie calls me Princess or Lee or sometimes, just as annoying as -"
"Bailey!"
"What's your name?" she asked curiously, her eyes alight with curiosity.
Ginny was holding Bailey now, the small girl straddling her left hip so that they were eye level.
"I'm Ginny Weasley."
"Hi Ginny, I'm Bailey." she told her once more. "Does Drakie have any nicknames for you?"
"Sometimes he calls me Gin or Virginia." Ginny answered.
"Does he ever call you annoying as - "
"Bailey!" Draco said warningly again.
"I wouldn't put it past him." Ginny told Bailey, winking at her.
"Drakie, I like her. Can we keep her?" the blonde girl begged her big brother.
"I don't see why not." Draco said winking at Ginny.
"Yay! Ginny, you can sleep in my room!" Bailey squealed.
"Sit down, Turkey!" Draco said laughing.
"Oh yeah, sometimes Drakie calls me Turkey, so I call him chicken and then he gets mad!" Bailey said for good measure as Ginny set her down and she ran to her seat across the table from Narcissa, who was watching this scene silently, but very happily.
Ginny took her seat between Bailey and Narcissa and across from Draco.
"Bella! We are prepared if you are." Mrs. Malfoy called.
The house elf appeared through the double doors that separated the dining room and the kitchen with trays of food filled with fruits and a large pot containing chicken and dumplings.
"What's to eat, Bella?" Bailey asked eagerly.
"Chicken and dumplings and fruit." she said, setting the food on the table.
"Can I have chocolate?" Bailey asked, her eyes full of sincerity and longing.
"How about some chocolate milk instead?" the house elf reasoned.
"Okay!"
"Bella, this is Ginny." Narcissa introduced gesturing to the redhead who waved.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ginny." Bella bowed.
"The pleasure is mine Bella, I assure you." Ginny told her kindly.
"Okay, everyone, dig in!" Narcissa announced happily.
After they had all eaten as much as they could, Narcissa started a conversation.
"So Draco, Ginny told me how you met. It's quite an interesting story. Why did you not tell me?" she demanded.
"I didn't want Lucius to know." he said simply.
"And after the funeral?"
"I just wanted to keep it quiet for a while."
"Draco, do you know how much this means to me?" Narcissa asked teary-eyed.
Draco nodded guiltily.
"Bailey, please go and take a shower."
"Mum, I don't take showers." Bailey pointed out.
"So, take a bath."
"But-"
"No buts."
"Fine," Bailey said grumpily. She'd never been asked to take a bath after lunch before, but she didn't question it any further.
After Bailey left the room, Narcissa began to explain.
"When Lucius was still alive, I was like his servant. If I messed up, I was punished. Thankfully, I rarely screwed up, but when I did I was beaten. Draco knew this." she said.
"I'm terribly sorry to hear that, Narcissa." Ginny said with every ounce of sincerity and sympathy she possessed.
"Don't' be, dear," Narcissa ordered, "It sounds as though you got it worse than I ever have. You deserved nothing. I feel so bad for you. So close to death."
"Mother-" Draco tried to cut in. It was still a touchy subject with him.
"Draco, don't interrupt me; I have more to say."
"Yes, Mum."
"I thought that Draco would surely turn out just like his father, so cold, ruthless and devoid of love or any feeling like it. I figured that he, too, would beat his wife and serve Voldemort. But this proves those thoughts wrong. He saved a woman from death by beating; he showed emotion. He showed me hatred for Voldemort; but most importantly, he showed me he could love. He loves you, Ginny, or he would not have done those things. You changed him." Narcissa finished.
Ginny was speechless, her eyes flicking in the direction of Draco, who was carefully looking at anything else but Ginny.
"Narcissa, really, I don't deserve all that credit." Ginny said quietly.
"Without you, he would probably still be traveling the wrong path." Narcissa insisted. "I'm going to leave you two alone. I'm really glad you came today, Ginny, and you are welcome back anytime you want." he said before leaving the room.
"Follow me." Draco said to Ginny. They walked towards Draco's room in silence.
Ginny sat on his large bed, clad in dark green.
"Draco, is it true? What she said?" she asked wearily.
"Of course it is." Draco assured her, sitting down next to her.
"I'm sorry about putting you through all that." Ginny apologized suddenly, looking deeply into his eyes.
"All what?"
"I mean, you had to see your mother being abused and then I go and get myself into all that mess." Ginny explained.
"It doesn't matter, Gin. Don't dwell on the past. If I hadn't have met you or helped you on that first day, my life would be empty. You probably would have still found yourself in a predicament of some sort as Creevy would have found something to get you with." he told her softly running one hand through her fiery hair.
"Thank you for doing so much for me."
"Gin, it's not big deal. I love you. I love you so that much I can hardly explain it with words. I've never felt like this before. I, too, thought I was doomed. But you're my angel and I love you." he said caressing her face.
"I love you, too, Draco. You mean the world to me." Ginny said.
"Your car is here." Draco said suddenly, "Your family is waiting for you. Bye!" he told her, kissing her roughly.
"Bye." Ginny said, before leaving his room and making her way back to the car that would take her home.
~*~*~*~*~
There you go! I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry about the abrupt ending, I know some of you were hoping for a little more action probably but that was really kind of a chapter covering background info and introducing! Soon, some bigger things will happen! Anyhoo, leave me a review please and tell me what you like and what you don't and what you'd like to see happen or something you hope you'll never see happen! Thanks!
Children Seldom Misquote You, In Fact They Repeat Word for Word What You Shouldn't Have Said
Summary: Ginny and Draco have to say goodbye to each other for the summer and they both go home to BIG surprises! Draco's got a little one at home and Ginny's got several! At school there's new kid causing some trouble between the lovers, nasty rumors are beginning to spread and it's starting to look like things will never be the same again. Plus Draco and Ginny get paired up for another practical project! And what does a sack of flour have to with it??
PG13 - Just to be on the safe side.
Author's Notes: Okay so this chapter is up! Finally! I'm having problems trying to keep this up in a timely manner because I've taken on a much harder load in school than previously. More advanced classes and things that take up extra time outside of school, but don't worry I will always keep you updated, just not as fast as The Girl All The Bad Guys Want. I'm sorry for that but at least it'll last longer! My AP World History class is killing me. Just this weekend alone I have like 60 pages of reading or more! But I hope that you enjoy this chapter! This is both one of my favorite chapters and my least favorite; I'm torn so when you've read it, tell me what you think please!
Oh yes! And thank everyone so so so so so so so so much for all the wonderful reviews that you've left me so far! I really love reading them! They light up my day! If you want me to send you an email when I update you please leave your email addy or email me at shaunajoy6@hotmail.com if you would rather not display your email address! Thanks!
Enjoy!
Last time: Ginny and Draco both told their families and you got introduced to the new Weasleys and Draco's little sister Bailey!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 3
Children Seldom Misquote You, In Fact They Repeat Word for Word What You Shouldn't Have Said.
"Gin! Wake up sleepy head!" a honey sweet voice called.
When Ginny didn't stir, Chloe decided to try again. This time she wouldn't be so nice about it.
"Hey! Get your lazy butt out of bed! It's evening!" she yelled into the redhead's ear while poking her in the side.
"Wha -?"
"Gin, it's Chloe! Time to get up! You know, this is quite a turn around from what usually happens. I don't believe that I've ever actually woken someone up before - usually I'm being woken up." Chloe rambled.
"Fine, Chloe!" Ginny surrendered loudly.
"So, why are you so snippy at this time of night anyway?" the blonde asked while looking at Ginny's pictures.
"I didn't mean to," Ginny defended, "but, I got another piece of mail at the same time I received your letter and it shocked me. I was stressed out so, I flopped down on my bed and accidentally fell asleep."
"What was it?"
"A letter from Narcissa Malfoy."
"Why?" Chloe gasped.
"She wants to have tea and lunch tomorrow."
"With you?"
"No Chloe, with Fudge, but she thought she'd tell me." Ginny said sarcastically, "Yes with me!"
"Jeez, sorry! So, what are you going to do?" Chloe asked, sitting on Ginny's bed.
"I'll go. Draco and I love each other and we obviously don't have to hide our feelings as we've already told our parents. Well, at least I'm assuming he has," Ginny answered, "I shouldn't be childish and scared about this."
"Good answer."
"What time is it anyway?" the redhead asked curiously.
"Eight o'clock." Chloe replied.
"Oh wow! We have to start babysitting now!"
The girls hurried down the steps to find everyone standing in the kitchen, ready to Apparate.
"We'll be at the musical if you need anything dears; here's a number you can reach us at." Molly assured them, handing Ginny a slip of paper.
"How'd you get tickets to a muggle event like this?" Chloe asked.
"Hermione's parents gave them to us as a thank you for keeping her for a few weeks this summer." Arthur said gleefully.
"So, what do you girls plan on doing tonight?" Bill asked, handing Sophie over to Ginny.
"Maybe we'll try a movie."
"On the felly-fission?" Arthur questioned, looking almost as though he'd rather stay home and watch TV instead of going to the musical. Mrs. Weasley did not allow anyone to watch it more than once every few weeks. She didn't approve of it and thought that it would warp your brain if you watched it too often.
"Television, Dad, and you go to the musical. I'm sure it'll be a million more times exciting as a movie."
"Yeah, I expect we'll get some Krinoculars!" he replied excitedly before hastily Disapparating.
"Bye, dears!" Molly said following Arthur.
After everyone else had left, Sophie spoke up.
"Movie! Movie!" she chanted.
"Yes, Fee, we'll get there. Which one would you like to watch?" Ginny asked.
"That one!" Sophie said pointing to Beauty and the Beast.
"Oh great."
"Watch it often?" Chloe teased.
"That's the only thing every little girl who's been over here wants to watch." Ginny explained. "It's a muggle movie obviously but it does have a bit of magic in it at least."
Ginny popped in the video and hit play. She set her niece down on a fluffy chair in the corner; she and Chloe took the couch next to it.
"So Gin, what are you going to wear tomorrow?" Chloe asked.
"Those really great jeans I bought for the first dance."
"You mean the tight, very low rise ones?" Chloe asked doubtfully.
"Yes - why?"
"Really think Draco's mum will like those?" Chloe asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'll charm them so they don't seem so bad to her." Ginny said with pride in having all of that through already.
"Okay, so what shirt then?"
"I'm not sure yet." Ginny said mentally envisioning all of her shirts before she remembered a shirt she'd never won before. "I know!"
"Which one?"
"Well, it's a dark green tee shirt with a little pocket on the front of it and a V-neck that doesn't dip down very low. It's a small shirt but it covers my stomach for the most part." Ginny described.
"Sounds perfect! It's even a Slytherin color." Chloe said.
"I know, but that's not entirely on purpose. I've been told that that shade of green looks really good on me." Ginny said.
"I'll help you accessorize and do your hair in the morning!" Chloe said excitedly.
"Great!"
"Hey, Gin," Chloe giggled, "Sophie appears to be asleep."
Sure enough, the small blonde girl had her feet hanging off one arm of the chair and her head rested on the other. Her mouth was wide open and she was snoring lightly.
"Not even fifteen minutes into the movie and look what's happened!" Ginny laughed turning off the VCR and TV and scooping Sophie up quietly. "You can stay down here if you like, I'll be right back."
Chloe nodded and awaited Ginny's return patiently as she looked around. When Ginny did reach the bottom of the stairs, she laughed out loud.
"What?' Chloe asked.
"You have this funny look on your face!"
"Gee, thanks."
"No problem." Ginny said as she walked into the living room where Chloe stood.
"I was just thinking about how much I love your house, Gin. It's incredibly warm and cozy. I feel almost more at home here than I do at my house." Chloe said marveling at the clock.
She'd been here many times in the past few years but each time she visited she found something that was even more extraordinary than the last.
"Thanks." Ginny beamed, taking it as a compliment.
Both girls were tired already so after eating the rest of the apple pie, they trudged up the stairs and off to bed, both of them anxiously waiting for the next day.
~*~*~*~*~
"I absolutely cannot believe this! Ginny's my girlfriend and I have had no say whatsoever in her visit." Draco ranted to himself that night on his way to tuck Bailey into bed.
"Drakie!" she squealed, sitting up in her bed and greeting him with a bright smile.
"Bailey!" he shrieked, mocking her tone of voice.
"Will you read me a story?"
"Sure, which one?"
"This one!" his blonde haired sister exclaimed, handing Draco a book with a princess on the front. It was a muggle book, of course, by the name of Cinderella.
"Okay, hop into bed and I'll sit next to you and read until you go to sleep." Draco told her.
Bailey took this order literally and began to bunny-hop across the room and back into her bed. She pulled her covers up to her chin and closed her eyes.
"I'm WAITING, Drakie!"
"Coming, your Highness." Draco said as he jumped onto her bed and settled himself down next to her. He opened the book and began to read, "Once upon a time."
Draco stole a glance at his baby sister before carrying on and saw that the little bugger was already sawing logs.
"There was a princess who lived happily ever after. The end." Draco said hurriedly, closing the book quietly. He set it down on Bailey's nightstand carefully. Draco then gazed at his sister next to him. She looked so innocent and carefree. What he wouldn't have given to have grown up like that.
Bit late for that now, though. He couldn't change what had already happened but he swore to himself at that moment that Bailey would have an amazing childhood and he would make sure of that.
That night, Draco thought about a lot of things as he sat in his little sister's all pink room. Mostly he thought about Ginny. He hoped they would be together forever, no matter what. He was just thinking about all the things he was willing to sacrifice to be with her and when without even realizing where he was, the 16-year-old boy fell fast asleep.
~*~*~*~*~
Ginny woke, at 6 o'clock in the morning on the day of her visit to the Malfoy Manor to the sound of her alarm clock.
"Good morning, all you witches and wizards! This is Charles the Charmer with your 6 o'clock news before you Apparate to work!" came a cheery voice from the small black box next to her bed.
"Oh shove it," the redhead mumbled as she smacked the off button and rolled over to find Chloe was still fast asleep. "Chloe, Get up!" Ginny said, in a zombie-like voice as she hit her friend in the face with a pillow.
"Gin, it's too early."
"I have to start getting read for tea and lunch with Mrs. Malfoy."
"Yeah - in five hours." Chloe mumbled rolling over and closing her eyes, determined to go back to sleep.
"Come on! It's breakfast time!" Ginny bribed.
"Food?" Chloe asked coherently but without moving.
"Yeah."
"How about breakfast in bed?" Chloe bargained.
"That'll cost you about two galleons." Ginny said, holding out her hand.
"It's in my purse."
"No," Ginny demanded hopping out of bed and pulling all the covers to the floor, "Get up!"
"Fine!" Chloe said sitting up huffily, "but you owe me!"
"I know!" Ginny said, walking out the door and down the stairs, a disheveled Chloe right behind her.
The pair entered the kitchen to find that Molly had breakfast already on the table.
"Morning girls, I've got toast, biscuits, eggs, gravy, sausage, pancakes, hash browns and omelets. There's orange juice on the table! Take whatever you want!" she said in an extremely chipper voice.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." Chloe mumbled, trying her best to sound more grateful and less tired.
"What are you two doing up so early, anyway?" Mrs. Weasley questioned, seeing Ginny wipe the sleep from her eyes.
"Ginny got an invitation last night." Chloe said with a mouthful of syrup- covered pancakes.
"From whom?" Molly asked her only daughter curiously, setting down her pan.
"Mrs. Malfoy..." Ginny said cautiously, "She wants me to have tea and lunch with her at the Manor today."
"Oh Ginny, this is so exciting!" her mother gushed, "What time will you be leaving?"
"At eleven." the redheaded girl said, "Chloe and I have to go upstairs so I can get ready."
"Okay, you two have fun!"
The teens ran up the stairs and into Ginny's room. Chloe was complaining that she barely had time to eat one pancake and that Ginny had a one-track mind.
"So, the first thing to do is to get dressed." Chloe said, taking a seat on Ginny's bed as Ginny ran into the bathroom to change.
"How do I look?" Ginny asked, striking a pose in the doorway upon re- entrance.
"Positively stunning!"
"Thank you! Now, we just need some shoes and jewelry." Ginny said, tapping her lips thoughtfully.
"And you still need to do your hair and makeup." Chloe said, eyes moving from her friend's disheveled and frizzy red hair to her puffy sleep-filled brown eyes.
"Oh my gosh! There's too much to do! I can't. Maybe I should just send an owl saying I'm sick! Would you vouch for me?" Ginny was frantic.
"No, I most certainly would not! I would march right over there and tell them you are lying." Chloe told her calmly as she picked at her long nails, "You can do this! It's only like seven! You've still got a good four hours."
"I know, I know." Ginny said, sighing heavily and collapsing on her bed next to Chloe.
"Why are you so nervous anyway? It's just Draco."
"Yeah, and his MOTHER!" Ginny exclaimed.
"She sounds very nice." Chloe said reassuringly.
"Meeting Narcissa Malfoy is already nerve racking being such an influential woman with so much power and wealth and then you go and add that she's my boyfriend's beloved mother!" the brown-eyed girl ranted exasperatedly.
"Listen, Gin, I'm sure she'll love you! Everyone does! Just treat her as though she's a perfectly normal woman interested in her son's well-being." Chloe advised.
"I just know I'll screw something up."
"You won't."
"Chloe, how do you know so much?" Ginny asked curiously.
"I pick up on things other people don't. I'm a people-watcher and I'm your best friend. Plus, I think I want to be the first witch psychiatrist." she added.
"What's that?"
"Don't worry about it. We have things to do." Chloe said jumping up and gathering makeup and hair things.
"Right." Ginny confirmed, following Chloe into the bathroom where Ginny would transform from sleeping beauty to natural beauty.
By 9 o'clock, Ginny's red hair now had redefined platinum highlights and was falling magnificently around her shoulders and down her back in curls. She was also rid of the bags under her eyes (of course that could have been due to the cappuccino Bill had brought in for them) and she had full lashes and green slightly sparkly eye shadow.
"Ta da!" Chloe announced, pushing her in front of the slightly cracked mirror.
"Oh it's really lovely Chloe! Thanks so much! I honestly don't know what I' would have done without you!" Ginny beamed, touching a lock of hair lightly.
"Now for the next task, you need shoes, jewelry, accessories and a manicure." Chloe rattled off.
The blonde grabbed a pair of shoes that had caught her eye earlier that morning.
"Chloe, no!" Ginny argued. "Anything but those wretched shoes."
Chloe was holding Ginny's cork sandals from the dances at Hogwarts during the previous year.
"They'll look positively amazing with your outfit!"
"Fine, but you owe me a foot massage later." Ginny grumbled, taking the God- forsaken shoes and slipping them on.
"Okay, I was thinking that of course you'll wear your promise ring, but you should wear my necklace as well." Chloe insisted, thrusting forward her semi-elegant silver necklace with a small diamond pennant attached.
"Oh Chloe, it's beautiful. Thanks!" Ginny said, taking it gently and examining it before placing it around her neck. They finished everything off with some medium-sized hoop earrings.
The girls giggled and gossiped and before they knew it, ten o'clock was already there.
"We'd better get cracking on those nails." Chloe said suddenly.
And so.
20 mess-ups
15 corny jokes
10 green and white dice painted fingernails
Five reassuring talks
Two threatening comments from Chloe and
One hour later, Ginny was all set and ready to go.
"Do be careful, honey, and have fun! Don't forget to mind your manners there!" Molly said tearfully hugging her daughter. "Meeting his mother. I can't believe it!"
"It's okay, Mum. Really." Ginny reassured her as she got into the car that had been sent for her.
"If I even get wind of your chickening out-" Chloe began.
"You'd have to catch me first." Ginny said winking as the car door slammed and the driver got in.
Ginny waved until her mother and best friend were out of sight. This trip promised to be very boring and lonely but nonetheless nerve racking.
~*~*~*~*~
Draco had awoken that morning at 9:30 to a very nasty surprise. He was laying in a frilly pink canopy, wrapped in princess covers and had bright red lipstick all over his face and even on his arms.
"Bailey Gail Nicole Malfoy!" He boomed, sitting straight up before jumping out of the bed and after the streak of blonde hair that went zipping out the door at the sound of her full name.
Finally, Draco caught up to his little sister and began to tickle her mercilessly.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked using one hand to point to his face and keeping the other holding her around her waist.
"Mommy said you needed some color, so I gave you some." She said very fast in between giggles.
Draco scooped her up into both arms and carried her back into her room.
"Today, someone special is coming. Did you know that?" Draco asked upon setting her down next tom him on her bed.
"It's not that Boldawart guy is it? Daddy brought him once and I didn't like him much." Bailey told him honestly making a scrunched up face at the thought.
"No, it's not him." Draco assured her. "This time, it's a girl."
"Oh yeah! I 'member now! Your girlfriend!" Bailey said excitedly.
"Yes and her name is Ginny Weasley. You need to be nice to her okay?" Draco said, eyebrows shooting up.
"Only if she's pretty. And nice." Bailey haggled, "You can't have an ugly girlfriend. And you ex-pecially can't have one that's mean to me."
"Okay, it's a deal." Draco said, "She'll be here in about an hour and a half. Let's go see what Mum is doing."
"Alright." Bailey agreed taking his hand and walking to the dining room with him.
"Hello, dears." The tall blonde woman greeted her children.
"Hi, Mum. How is everything?" Draco asked.
"Almost perfect! I've got our best china cups and saucers for tea. Bella prepared a table on the balcony of the third floor for us that overlooks the garden. For lunch, we'll eat in here. You may join us for lunch, which will be promptly at twelve, but not for tea. The same applies for you, Bailey. Virginia seems lovely but I've never met her and I'd like for my first impression to be uninfluenced." Narcissa rattled on.
Draco and Bailey exchanged furtive glances meaning she was crazy before nodding in reluctant agreement.
"Good! Then, I should really go and get ready to meet Virginia!" Narcissa exclaimed, rushing off.
"Nutters that one." Draco mumbled quietly.
"Yeah, nutters." Bailey agreed rolling her eyes. "Drakie, what are we going to do during tea?"
"Do you know how to fly?"
"Drakie, don't be silly! Only birds can fly!" Bailey said laughing.
"I meant on a broomstick." Draco said, taking his turn to roll his eyes.
"Oh! No."
"Then, we'll do that! I'll teach you."
"Okay, Drakie!" Bailey said in concurrence.
"I'm going to go take a shower and get dressed before we go flying and I propose you do the same thing," the tall boy advised, before leaving the pink-clad room once more.
~*~*~*~*~
Draco took as long as possible to get ready that morning, hoping to perhaps catch a glimpse of Ginny before his Mum took over.
He saw the car his mother had sent for Ginny pull up and he dashed down the steps. Upon doing this he came to the realization that he would most definitely not be seeing Ginny before lunch.
His mother had stopped him at the door and simply pointed in the direction from which he had come. Draco scowled before sauntering off to find Bailey.
~*~*~*~*~
Ginny stepped out of the car and took in the beauty of the magnificent house before her. She had never seen such an amazing house before.
Her heart was beating much too fast to be normal as she walked slowly up the path leading to the front door. Before she could even knock, the door flew open.
"Virginia!" a tall blonde woman shrieked, opening her arms and enveloping her in a hug, "How lovely to see you!"
"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy." Ginny smiled, as they pulled apart. She found it almost impossible not to immediately like this woman.
"Oh nonsense! Call me Narcissa! I'm actually not too fond of that name either but it's the lesser of the two evils." the older woman laughed.
Narcissa stood back to get a good look at her son's love interest.
"My, my you ARE a very beautiful girl." she acknowledged.
"Thank you." Ginny said quietly, feeling herself blush.
"But enough small talk. Let's go in for some tea!" Narcissa ordered, closing the door and leading her through the hallways. "The Manor seems far too large nowadays for just the kids and me, but Draco insists we keep it. That is, however, easier said than done as we've got the Ministry in here getting all the dark magic and everything that goes with it out of here. It's far too much of a hassle to remember which rooms have curses when you despise the whole idea to begin with." she said.
"That's understandable, of course." Ginny agreed, gazing around.
"I'd just love to come and see your home someday. The Burrow, isn't it?" she asked. Ginny nodded.
"Lucius always had something bad to say about it, but I think I'd rather enjoy it. I'd love to make the Manor look homey, but it will be difficult." Narcissa babbled, as she led Ginny through two huge glass doors, "Anyway, here's the balcony where we will have our tea because it's such a beautiful day. Come and sit, so we can talk more." Narcissa said gesturing to the chairs pulled up around the small round glass table.
"Thank you." Ginny said nervously, still shocked from the comment about the Burrow.
"So, do tell me, how is it that you and Draco first met?" Narcissa asked, pouring the tea for them.
"We met on the school train. Well, I suppose we've met before, but this was when it all started. Just this past year." Ginny told her, "Before that, we hated each other."
"What brought you together?"
This was the question Ginny had been dreading. She didn't really want to tell Narcissa all about the Colin incident but she, of course, knew that it was to be expected.
"He sort of walked in on something." she began.
"What kind of something?" the older woman questioned, her eyebrows raised skeptically.
"Colin, this boy I know from school, was - uh - forcing himself on me. Well, I mean, in a way." Ginny said, trying to sound respectful, "Anyway, Draco - er - fixed the problem and healed my lip. It surprised me because it was so out of character from every other encounter I'd ever had with him."
"I always knew he could be nice if he wanted to!" Narcissa exclaimed, "So, did you start dating then?"
"No, not for a while. When we finally did, it ended very abruptly."
"Why is that?"
"Colin threatened us. We were trying to keep the whole thing a secret for a little bit and he had incriminating evidence. He said he would show it to the whole school if I didn't break if off with Draco and go out with him instead. It wasn't really what I wanted to do at all, but I did it so Draco wouldn't get into any trouble. I told him the reason I broke up with him was for another guy, only I didn't tell him who it was and under what conditions. As expected, he didn't take it very well and we ended." Ginny explained. "Then horrible things started happening with Colin. He would abuse me in any way you could possibly think. I stopped eating because I was so depressed and it took Draco and my best friend to notice what was going on. Unfortunately, it was a little too late."
"Oh, dear, that's horrid, but you're back together now. Why?" Narcissa asked, "Or rather, how?"
"I was put into the hospital because I fainted from lack of food. That night, Colin came in to my hospital room. He was drunk and angry that I went to the hospital wing when he had left so much proof of physical abuse on my body. He thought I was there to rat him out and he came to kill me. To make sure that didn't happen." Ginny said, "It was a whole bloody scene, but Draco came to my rescue and ended up saving my life. After being friends for a while, we finally started dating again. But this time, we started dating publicly."
"It certainly sounds like you two have had a very rough year. Especially you, dear." Narcissa said, her eyes wide with understanding and sympathy to the younger girl before her.
"Yes, but we both made it out okay in the end."
"True love will always prevail. If you believe that you really are in love, that is."
"I believe so." Ginny smiled honestly.
"Marvelous! I cannot think of anyone I'd rather give up my son to!" Narcissa exclaimed, almost beside herself with delight.
Ginny smiled pleasantly at the thought of being accepted by Narcissa.
The two ladies chatted for a while about small things when Ginny remembered something she had been meaning to ask about for a long time.
"Narcissa, earlier you said that the Manor was a bit too large for you and the kids; what did you mean kids? Who else is here besides you and Draco? If I may ask, of course."
"Certainly!" she answered benignly, "You see, Draco has a younger sister named Bailey."
Ginny remembered him telling her that now.
"She has gone to small private schools elsewhere her whole life and she and Draco rarely get to see each other. After Lucius - may he burn - died, I decided she was not really old enough for school, unless you count kindergarten, so I pulled her out and surprised Draco by bringing her home. He loves her so much. I can tell he'll make a great father someday." Narcissa said with adoration.
Almost as if on cue, Draco went zooming by on his new Firebolt holding a small blonde haired, gray-eyed girl to his chest. The girl seemed to be giggling profusely and, as they passed by, Ginny could just hear the girl squealing.
"Drakie! Do it again! Do it again! Hi, Mommy!"
"Draco Aidan Malfoy! I told you that you were not to come to tea!" Narcissa shouted at his quickly retreating back.
"We're not staying, Mum!" Draco's voice trailed off before he rolled the broomstick once, making Bailey shriek with laughter.
"That boy really needs to grow up. He ACTS dignified enough, but deep inside he's just a little boy." his mother said, half angry, half amused.
"It keeps you guessing." Ginny added in his defense.
"That's for sure. If he drops my little girl, I swear I will strangle him." Narcissa added.
"I'm sure she'll be okay, so long as he doesn't do anything stupid -" Ginny began, but was promptly cut off seeing Bailey slip off the edge of the broom.
Draco was all over it though. He was diving so fast he was sure to have whiplash. He stopped in midair and held out his arms to catch Bailey, who was still squealing in delight. Draco caught her with ease.
"Drakie! Can we do that again? I was flying!"
"No way. From now on, we'll stay on the ground - at least until you weigh enough to stay on by yourself. And by the way, that was FALLING, not FLYING." Draco told her grinning slightly at the last bit.
"Same difference." the little girl pouted.
"Not exactly." he assured her, flying slowly toward the ground with Bailey secured against his chest.
Ginny then saw Mrs. Malfoy's reaction. She was completely white and almost appeared to have had a heart attack.
"Draco! Bring her here!" she demanded.
"No, Mum! Go back to your tea! You'll see her at lunch!" Draco called back.
"It's nearly lunch time anyway." Narcissa noticed with eagerness to see her baby girl again, "We should go and get washed up."
"Yeah." Ginny agreed.
Both women got gracefully up from the table and walked through the large glass doors again. Narcissa showed Ginny to a bathroom before giving her directions to the dining room and leaving.
"Thank you." Ginny said quietly before closing the door.
She saw that she still looked as she had when she left The Burrow, not a hair out of place.
She washed her hands before exiting the bathroom and abruptly ran into a large, masculine figure.
"Oh wow! Sorry about that!" she apologized, looking down at the man's feet.
"Don't' Weasels ever watch their step?"
"Do ferrets?" she asked, her eyes flicking now up from his feet to the big gray eyes she knew well.
"Gin." he said.
"Draco." She regarded the blonde shortly. By the look on Draco's face, she knew he could hardly contain his elation in seeing her.
Sure enough, seconds later he picked her up and hugged her tightly.
"I missed you, Gin." Draco whispered in the redhead's ear.
"It's only been a day, Draco." she said playfully, "But I missed you, too."
"Good." he told her, setting her back down and lacing his fingers with hers. "Rightfully so."
Ginny snorted with laughter at his haughty remark.
"I don't think I'm supposed to be with you yet." Draco told his girlfriend. "It's like you have to tryout first or something. My mother is very eccentric as you've probably already noticed."
"She just loves you very much and only wants the best for you. I can't really blame her." Ginny said looking up at him.
"It's because I'm so devilishly handsome, isn't it?" he asked.
"What does that have to do with the price of rice in China?"
"Nothing," Draco said, looking slightly dumfounded. "When were we talking about the price of rice in China?"
"It's just a saying. It means, 'what's that got to do with anything'? basically." Ginny explained.
"Oh, well then, my answer remains the same, nothing." Draco said, jovially kissing her nose.
Draco entered the dining room about two minutes ahead of Ginny to remove any suspicion that they were together.
Ginny then walked into the dinging room. She had made it about ten steps when a streak of blonde hair came at her. It was a small gray-eyed girl.
"Hi, I'm Bailey, but Drakie calls me Princess or Lee or sometimes, just as annoying as -"
"Bailey!"
"What's your name?" she asked curiously, her eyes alight with curiosity.
Ginny was holding Bailey now, the small girl straddling her left hip so that they were eye level.
"I'm Ginny Weasley."
"Hi Ginny, I'm Bailey." she told her once more. "Does Drakie have any nicknames for you?"
"Sometimes he calls me Gin or Virginia." Ginny answered.
"Does he ever call you annoying as - "
"Bailey!" Draco said warningly again.
"I wouldn't put it past him." Ginny told Bailey, winking at her.
"Drakie, I like her. Can we keep her?" the blonde girl begged her big brother.
"I don't see why not." Draco said winking at Ginny.
"Yay! Ginny, you can sleep in my room!" Bailey squealed.
"Sit down, Turkey!" Draco said laughing.
"Oh yeah, sometimes Drakie calls me Turkey, so I call him chicken and then he gets mad!" Bailey said for good measure as Ginny set her down and she ran to her seat across the table from Narcissa, who was watching this scene silently, but very happily.
Ginny took her seat between Bailey and Narcissa and across from Draco.
"Bella! We are prepared if you are." Mrs. Malfoy called.
The house elf appeared through the double doors that separated the dining room and the kitchen with trays of food filled with fruits and a large pot containing chicken and dumplings.
"What's to eat, Bella?" Bailey asked eagerly.
"Chicken and dumplings and fruit." she said, setting the food on the table.
"Can I have chocolate?" Bailey asked, her eyes full of sincerity and longing.
"How about some chocolate milk instead?" the house elf reasoned.
"Okay!"
"Bella, this is Ginny." Narcissa introduced gesturing to the redhead who waved.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ginny." Bella bowed.
"The pleasure is mine Bella, I assure you." Ginny told her kindly.
"Okay, everyone, dig in!" Narcissa announced happily.
After they had all eaten as much as they could, Narcissa started a conversation.
"So Draco, Ginny told me how you met. It's quite an interesting story. Why did you not tell me?" she demanded.
"I didn't want Lucius to know." he said simply.
"And after the funeral?"
"I just wanted to keep it quiet for a while."
"Draco, do you know how much this means to me?" Narcissa asked teary-eyed.
Draco nodded guiltily.
"Bailey, please go and take a shower."
"Mum, I don't take showers." Bailey pointed out.
"So, take a bath."
"But-"
"No buts."
"Fine," Bailey said grumpily. She'd never been asked to take a bath after lunch before, but she didn't question it any further.
After Bailey left the room, Narcissa began to explain.
"When Lucius was still alive, I was like his servant. If I messed up, I was punished. Thankfully, I rarely screwed up, but when I did I was beaten. Draco knew this." she said.
"I'm terribly sorry to hear that, Narcissa." Ginny said with every ounce of sincerity and sympathy she possessed.
"Don't' be, dear," Narcissa ordered, "It sounds as though you got it worse than I ever have. You deserved nothing. I feel so bad for you. So close to death."
"Mother-" Draco tried to cut in. It was still a touchy subject with him.
"Draco, don't interrupt me; I have more to say."
"Yes, Mum."
"I thought that Draco would surely turn out just like his father, so cold, ruthless and devoid of love or any feeling like it. I figured that he, too, would beat his wife and serve Voldemort. But this proves those thoughts wrong. He saved a woman from death by beating; he showed emotion. He showed me hatred for Voldemort; but most importantly, he showed me he could love. He loves you, Ginny, or he would not have done those things. You changed him." Narcissa finished.
Ginny was speechless, her eyes flicking in the direction of Draco, who was carefully looking at anything else but Ginny.
"Narcissa, really, I don't deserve all that credit." Ginny said quietly.
"Without you, he would probably still be traveling the wrong path." Narcissa insisted. "I'm going to leave you two alone. I'm really glad you came today, Ginny, and you are welcome back anytime you want." he said before leaving the room.
"Follow me." Draco said to Ginny. They walked towards Draco's room in silence.
Ginny sat on his large bed, clad in dark green.
"Draco, is it true? What she said?" she asked wearily.
"Of course it is." Draco assured her, sitting down next to her.
"I'm sorry about putting you through all that." Ginny apologized suddenly, looking deeply into his eyes.
"All what?"
"I mean, you had to see your mother being abused and then I go and get myself into all that mess." Ginny explained.
"It doesn't matter, Gin. Don't dwell on the past. If I hadn't have met you or helped you on that first day, my life would be empty. You probably would have still found yourself in a predicament of some sort as Creevy would have found something to get you with." he told her softly running one hand through her fiery hair.
"Thank you for doing so much for me."
"Gin, it's not big deal. I love you. I love you so that much I can hardly explain it with words. I've never felt like this before. I, too, thought I was doomed. But you're my angel and I love you." he said caressing her face.
"I love you, too, Draco. You mean the world to me." Ginny said.
"Your car is here." Draco said suddenly, "Your family is waiting for you. Bye!" he told her, kissing her roughly.
"Bye." Ginny said, before leaving his room and making her way back to the car that would take her home.
~*~*~*~*~
There you go! I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry about the abrupt ending, I know some of you were hoping for a little more action probably but that was really kind of a chapter covering background info and introducing! Soon, some bigger things will happen! Anyhoo, leave me a review please and tell me what you like and what you don't and what you'd like to see happen or something you hope you'll never see happen! Thanks!