"Harry? Draco? Where are you?" Ginny called after stepping out of the Floo. "Harry? Draco? Hello? Anyone home?"
"Damn Gin, think you're loud enough? Oliver?" Harry stopped dead when he saw the man behind the redhead.
"Hey, Harry. How are you?" Oliver greeted his former teammate with a handshake and a smile.
"Good, mate. How are you? I saw your last match. It was excellent."
"Thanks. You should have let me know you were there. You could have come back to the locker room. I would have introduced you around. The team would love to meet you. I may have told them about a million stories about our matches at school."
Harry shook his head. "I'd enjoy that but I had four of the kids with me. I don't think they need to see the insanity of a winning changing room. Well, that or they'd add to the insanity and you all don't need that."
"Good point. Next time though let me know and I'll get you better seats or if you want to bring some or all of the kids I can get you a box. We can get the kids some swag. I can come visit after the game and the other team members can come up one or two at a time."
"I might take you up on that. The kids would love it. Thank you," Harry responded. "So, what are you two doing here?"
Ginny dusted off her pants. "I need to borrow Draco for a while. So Oliver came with me to help you out."
"Um… what?" Harry's eyes went wide then he shook his head.
"I have something to do I need Draco's help with," Ginny explained. "Oliver and I have plans later so he's going to stay here and be your backup with the kids."
"Umm."
Oliver laughed. "No worries mate. I have an older brother and an older sister. They both have kids now. I've watched all four of them at once by myself. I know you have ten, but I should be capable of helping. Just don't leave me alone with them all at once."
"You have a brother and sister? I don't think I knew that."
"Yeah, Pippa was a Puff, and Charles was in Ravenclaw. Plus they're four and six years older than me, so you wouldn't have met them. I was barely in school at the same time as them, and neither of them had any interest in playing Quidditch. They were much more interested in anything else. Charles likes watching matches now, especially since he can use my connections to get great seats," Oliver responded.
"Draco, there you are," Ginny said as the man in question entered the room. "You're coming with me."
"Oh I am, am I?"
"Yes you are," she replied, taking him by the arm and leading him to the front door. "Don't worry. I promise to bring you back in one piece. It won't take long either. It can't Oliver and I have plans. Besides, you need to get out of the house once in a while."
"Ginevra, I really don't-"
"Have a choice, no you really don't." She grinned. "So you may as well stop complaining and whining.
When they were on the front step she wrapped his hand in her arm and said, "Ready or not, here we go. Hold on."
A twist later and they landed in Diagon Alley. She began to walk down the road pulling him along with her.
"What are we doing here?"
"I need to get a birthday present for Harry and you're the one who spends the most time with him now so I thought you'd be the most helpful."
"His birthday?" Draco muttered. "Damn."
"You need to shop too. See, it's perfect. We can both get something and I can keep yours for you so he doesn't know. You just need to direct me to the best shop. Where should we start? I don't have all night, just an hour or so, and before you scold me for waiting so long you didn't even remember."
Draco shook his head at the barrage of words and looked around warily. "Ginny, being seen with me here is a really bad idea, especially with our arms together. It's an excellent way to end up on the front page."
"Oh just let Skeeter try," she said, but she did drop his arm from hers continuing to walk side by side.
"Is this some plan to catch her?" The blond was suddenly suspicious looking around more furiously.
"No, but I like your thinking. Trust a Slytherin to come up with an idea like baiting her out. We should have asked you to begin with. Well, I'll run it by Hermione and we'll come talk to you again. I really do need help shopping though and I really do think you'd know better than anyone else what he might need or want right now."
"I'm there to help take care of the children, not to study Harry."
"And yet you do it so well. You always have just like Harry was always so good at studying you. I wonder why that would be," she mused.
"So this isn't about shopping, it's an interrogation. I still have no nefarious plans. I promise I'm not just biding my time until I can do something to him."
"Oh, I think you want to do something to him. I don't think it's nefarious, however, and I do think it would be good for both of you." She smiled innocently.
Draco stopped walking. "Ok, I'm going back home."
"Sure and what will you tell Harry to explain why you're back so early?"
"I'll come up with something. Honestly, I could tell him the truth, or maybe I'll go visit my mother. I'm overdue for seeing her."
Ginny shook her head. "You can do that after shopping. I really do need help with that. I wasn't lying. I was just teasing you."
"I find that hard to believe."
"That I would tease you?"
He nodded.
"Look, I'll admit that's odd, for both of us, but you're living in the home of one of my best friends helping to raise his kids. I have to get used to that and so do you, and I tend to tease people I know. Especially when I know they'll react. Honestly, his birthday is in three days. I've been busy with the team. I haven't had time to shop and I have no idea what to get him. All he talks about anymore is the kids," she paused, "and you."
"Ginevra," Draco warned. "Besides the fact that you're making an inferential leap that has little to do with reality. Even if I were interested in Harry or he in me, rather and he in me, that has to be one of the worst ideas ever. No one in our world would ever accept it. They'd find a way to actually send me to Azkaban if they had to frame me for something."
"Well that answered that question," Ginny muttered and thought for a moment before continuing. "Did you really not know when his birthday is?"
"No, I knew. I mean I know. I just forgot. Things are a bit hectic. I'll have to find a time to have the kids make cards or something in the next few days. I also need to talk to Kreacher and Winky and plan a special dinner. Throw him a party like he insists on throwing for the children."
"Like he threw for you?"
"You heard about that?"
"The kids told me everything when I was over two weeks ago. I think it was the first time any of them had seen a balloon or had cake. Conor's birthday is in two weeks isn't it? Have you got that one planned?"
"We do. Harry's done most of the planning. He seems to really enjoy it. He's ordered presents and decorations and party favors so the others don't feel totally left out though I insisted it wasn't necessary."
"And I'd imagine his idea of a birthday party is quite a bit different than yours, or at least the type you were raised to have."
"You would be correct. While I had friends over and we played games and they brought presents there was no crepe paper or balloons. That would be too gauche. I can't even tell you the last time I had a cake and I'd never blown out candles before. My mother planned my parties and there was never a theme. Conor will be having a pirate party as they've become his favorite thing to read about. Reading… books. I know Harry mentioned wanting to have more books to read just for himself and not to the kids. I have no idea when he thinks he'll have time to read but I certainly can't blame him for wanting to. I enjoy it myself especially at night though lately I fall asleep nearly as soon as I get in bed."
"Death Eater Lover," someone shouted at Ginny who whipped around trying to find the speaker.
"I told you this was a bad idea," Draco grumbled. "I never come to Diagon anymore. I shop by owl when necessary."
"People need to stop being cowards," Ginny growled, then challenged, "if you've got something to say, say it to my face. Don't hide."
Draco took a half step back looking around.
A man stepped from the crowd that stood in a long line outside Fortescue's.
"Was it you?" Ginny accused.
"No, but I agree with whomever said it."
"And what do you care?"
"What do I care?" the man shouted. "He should be in Azkaban for what he did. My sister is dead because of people like him?"
"So is my brother," she snapped, "but that wasn't Draco. He never killed anyone. That was proven in court. He's served his time. Where were you? Were you there fighting the battle because I don't remember seeing you and I was there? Were you out there risking your life to save others? "
As the man stepped closer to Ginny, Draco slowly and as discreetly as possible pulled his wand out, keeping it aimed at the ground for the moment, but ready to move with any provocation.
"What does it matter where I was?"
"It matters because if you weren't actively in danger and having to fight for your life for either side you can never understand what any of us, including Draco went through. He was there. Even if you don't agree with him, and obviously I don't. Then again neither does he now. Draco was trying to save his family. If you think Voldemort was any better to his followers than the rest of the world you are terribly naive. If you think they were spared being tortured or threatened, or their loveds ones being tortured or killed to make sure they did what he wanted them to you're just dumb. I see all of you cringing at the name. Get over it! He's gone! Voldemort! Voldemort! Voldemort!"
"You're defending him? You really are a Death Eater lover. Fine I know what to do with you," the man spat.
Draco whipped his wand in Ginny's direction and yelled, "Protego."
The shield formed in front of her just in time to send sparks flying back at the man. Out of the corner of his eye Draco spotted another man with a raised wand aiming at Ginny. He threw himself in front of her, saw more sparks, and the world faded to black
He was surrounded by sounds of people moving, muttering, and the smell of something he couldn't identify but it was dark.
My eyes, there's something wrong with my eyes. No, wait, they're just closed. What's wrong with me? My head feels fuzzy. I'm in bed but not my bed. Where am I?
He opened his eyes slowly. The room was blurry at first then came into focus slowly. Ginny jumped up from the chair next to the bed and rushed to the door talking to someone outside then back to the bed.
"You're awake."
"Obviously," Draco rasped.
"Ever the smart arse," Harry intoned from the other side of the bed. "You've been out for over an hour. The healers aren't sure what curse you were hit with. They tried a number of spells and potions when they brought you in, nothing seemed to work. Finally they decided to just wait and see. I guess that's what it took."
Draco nodded slowly then inquired, "Ginevra, you're alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Though if you insist on continuing to call me that I'll give you another reason to be in that bed."
Harry laughed. "She's not kidding."
"I'm not in the mood right now to have bat bogeys, so fine then Ginny," he said putting extra emphasis on her name. Draco pushed himself up into a sitting position wincing as he moved. "Who's with the kids?"
"Oliver, Hermione, and Elaine," Harry answered. "Ron and Addie went into the office to see what they could find out."
"Mum went over as well, to the house I mean, when she knew I was okay. She may send some of the others home."
"When can I leave?"
Harry shrugged. "The healer should be back shortly to check you over."
"They're talking about keeping you overnight," Ginny warned.
"The hell they will," Draco insisted. "I have to get home. I don't want to worry the kids, and please tell me no one told my mother what happened."
"Of course we told your mother," Harry replied. "I went to see her before coming here. It's going to be in the paper tomorrow. She'll see it."
"She doesn't read the Prophet."
"She does. She just doesn't want you to worry about her and how she'll react to anything in it so she lets you think she doesn't, And, now I've spilled that little secret. Try to pretend you don't know next time you talk to her."
"Damn it!"
"Settle down Mr. Malfoy."
"Call me Draco, please."
The healer nodded. "Draco, I need to examine you so that we can plan further treatment."
"I'm fine, just tired," he responded, attempting to stand up and struggling. "I need to get home."
"That may not be the best place for you," the healer said gently. "Let me examine you first and then we can discuss. Why don't you two wait outside?"
Harry and Ginny nodded and left the room.
"The kids will be worrying. I need to go home and assure them I'm alright," Draco insisted.
"Then let's be sure you truly are. Otherwise, it's better to stay here. I can't imagine a home with ten children will be very restful for recuperation."
"I'm more worried about them than I am about myself."
"While I find that admirable, you won't do them any good if you relapse."
"Is that possible?"
"It could be so sit down and let's see what we can find out."
"Who are you?" Draco inquired as he sat back down on the bed.
"Oh, I apologize. I should have introduced myself when I came in."
"It's okay. I imagine you had already introduced yourself to the others while I was unconscious."
"Yes, yes I did. My name is Charles Markin. I am an emergency healer. We always assess anyone who is first brought in for emergency treatment. If we decide you truly need to stay, you'll be transferred out of the ED department and upstairs to the appropriate department, most likely spell damage."
"So what happened to me?"
Charles held up his wand and began casting diagnostic spells. "I'll tell you what I know in a moment. Right now I need you to sit still and just breathe like normal so I can get an accurate diagnostic reading."
Draco sat fighting impatience. Finally, the healer was done and stepped back, picking up a chart from the end of the bed he made several notes.
"From what I understand you were hit with at least two spells simultaneously. We don't know what the spells were as the casters didn't speak and managed to disappear before they could be captured though from what I understand the Aurors are on the hunt right now."
"At least two?"
"Miss Weasley could verify two different wizards cast spells. When you were brought in we couldn't identify them and we believe there may have been a third as well. When you arrived, you were unconscious and your limbs were petrified though the counterspell for petrificus didn't work. Frequently we find when we treat Aurors who've been in a fight that if two or more spells hit at once they can not be treated as they would usually be. Something about the combination changes their usual results. This was the case for you. You weren't in any immediate danger as you were still able to obtain enough oxygen. Waiting seems to have been the solution as it surprisingly often is. The spell does wear off if not a higher level spell not known by anyone outside the Aurors or Unspeakables."
Before the healer could say anymore there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Charles called.
"Don't mean to interrupt," Ron said as he entered. "The head Auror sent me to tell you there were three spells so far as we can assess: a total body bind, a stunner, and a throwback. We believe it's also likely he was hit by something deflected from the shield spell he cast, but that we've been unable to identify as of yet.."
"Thank you, that is quite helpful. I'm going to do another round of diagnostics if you'll step outside please."
"Actually, unless you need more information I'll be leaving."
"If I need anything more, I can contact your office. Thank you again."
Ron nodded and moved back to the door, then stopped and turned again. "Malfoy, um, thank you for…for…"
"You're welcome, Weasley," Draco replied. "Now, please do go. I'd like to be done and be able to go home."
Again Ron nodded. This time he left.
"Do you really need to check me again? Haven't you done enough?"
Charles didn't answer, just raised his wand again and began casting several spells.
Draco bit his lip to keep from speaking again. The last thing he wanted to do was annoy the healer enough that the man said he had to stay just to get back at him. While healers weren't supposed to react that way, he didn't trust anyone to be objective when it came to his care, or his mother's. There were too many people still so angry at what he and his family had done. He couldn't blame them, so he avoided needing help as much as possible. His mother had a personal healer she'd had for years, a woman who could be absolutely trusted as though she hadn't taken a side in the war, she had family that had supported the Dark Lord. She wouldn't judge Draco or Narcissa.
The door opened quietly and someone slipped in. The blond couldn't see who it was without moving and he didn't dare do that just yet. It seemed to be forever before the healer dropped his wand and stepped back again. Draco rolled his shoulders and leaned to the side a bit.
"Anara?" his voice rang with shock.
"Healer Bennett?"
"Healer Markin, hello."
"Did someone call you down? We don't currently have any pediatric patients."
Anara smiled. "No, I came to see Draco, to check on him. I see you've completed your diagnostic spells."
"That's the second set, he's done," Draco complained.
"I was about to give him his results," Charles hesitated.
"She can stay. Is Harry still out there?"
"With Ginny Weasley," Anara responded.
"Let them both in. They can hear whatever you have to say," the blond reassured his healer.
Charles shrugged and Anara opened the door allowing Harry and Ginny to come in.
"So can he go home?" Harry asked.
"He appears to be fine other than some bruising. Nothing is broken or torn, but I think a night of observation is advisable. We've not seen this particular combination of spells before. I don't know what lasting effects there might be."
The blond stood, with less struggle this time, and began shaking his head. "No, give me whatever you need to give me to cover your arse, that says I understand your recommendation and reject it. I'm going home. Just give me my clothes. I'm going home."
"I must protest Mr. Malfoy."
"I'll watch him," Ginny announced.
"As will I," Harry put in.
"I don't need watching. I'm fine. Gine- Ginny you have your own home to go to. You do not need to stay and take care of me."
"If it weren't for you, I'd be the one in that bed," she argued. "I'm staying the night to keep an eye on you whether you like it or not."
He looked to Harry who shook his head and held his hands up in front of him.
"Fine, whatever, as long as I get to go home. Can I have my clothes now?"
"Mr. Mal-" the healer began, stopping when Draco shot him a glare.
"Go ahead and get the release paperwork," Anara said. "I'll sign it. Don't worry if anyone questions it, I'll take the heat. I don't think you have anything to worry about though."
Charles looked around the room, shook his head, and left.
"Thank you."
"Go home and go to bed," Anara told the blond. "Take it easy for at least a day. Harry, be sure you have pain reliever potions on hand."
"Always," he replied. "Of varying strengths."
"The sooner you all leave the room, the sooner I can get dressed and we can go home."
Anara and Harry turned and walked out. Ginny followed and stopped at the door much as her brother had done earlier. "Thank you, Draco."
"It's nothing. I know you could have handled it, but the whole reason they were attacking you was because of me."
"Thank you anyway."
"You're welcome, now get out please."
When the door closed behind her, Draco reached for his pants and then sank back to the bed with a muffled groan. It took him several minutes to get dressed. By the time he stepped into the hallway Anara was holding completed release paperwork for him to sign. He did so, took his copy, and began walking to the hospital floos. There was a slight hitch in his step.
Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance as they watched him walk.
The children came running when he stepped out of the Floo. They ran straight up to him and stopped. None of them actually touched him until Caela very gently hugged his leg. Then each one took a turn hugging him one at a time.
Molly stood at the doorway taking in the scene. Ginny slipped around the side of the room and the crowd of children to whisper in her mother's ear. Molly nodded and stepped away.
"Auntie El said you saved Ginny," Freya told the man.
"No, I really didn't."
"Yes, he did," Ginny proclaimed. "I would have been hurt if he didn't protect me."
"You're a hero, like Harry," Conor said.
"Oh no, no I'm not. Harry is-"
"Harry is hungry," the man in question said to change the subject, "and I'm sure Draco is too so we should go eat."
"Dinner is waiting in the kitchen though if either of you would rather you can eat in your room," Molly said. "Ginny and I can put the children to bed, and we can bring the food to you or send Kreacher up with it."
Harry looked to Draco who straightened his shoulders just barely concealing a wince.
"I think the kitchen will be fine, thank you."
The kids moved aside to allow Draco and Harry to pass through the room and followed along all trooping down the stairs and taking their seats at the table.
Draco looked at the small flask beside his glass, frowned, but picked it up and drained it without comment. It was better not to be in pain, and it was better to set a good precedent for the children about taking their medicine.
"What was that?" Marcus asked.
"It was a small pain potion," Ginny replied. "The healer said Draco had some bruises. You know when you fell and hit your knee on that rock a few weeks ago and had that small bruise?"
"Uh-huh."
"Draco fell further and hit his back on the street so he has more bruises that are probably bigger and hurt more."
"So, I'm taking my potion to make sure they heal quickly and feel better fast," Draco finished. He sat down in his chair and sent a quizzical look at the older woman bustling around the room. She had clearly cast a cushioning charm on his seat. He wasn't complaining, but he was surprised.
"Here you go," Molly said, placing a bowl of soup in front of each of the men. "I know it's warm out to be having soup, but chicken soup always helped my children feel better when they were ill or injured. I also have rolls and butter. I'll get those to the table in just a moment."
Draco looked across the table to Harry and raised an eyebrow but still said nothing.
The older woman set down the rolls and butter then stood and said, "Ok it's time to get ready for bed. You've all seen Draco and made sure he's ok. Go get in your pajamas and brush your teeth."
"Night Draco. Night, Harry."
"We'll check in on you after we eat," Harry told the kids.
"Draco," Molly said softly, "We'd like it very much if you would join us for Sunday dinner tomorrow."
She didn't wait for a response before she went up the stairs.
"If you don't feel up to it," Ginny added, "you can always come next week."
"Draco, aren't you ready to go yet?" Harry called from the hallway.
"I don't know what to wear."
"It's not a big deal, just throw on anything. It's not like it's some big formal event for the Minister. It's just a family dinner."
"Not a big deal he says," Draco muttered to himself. "I've been summoned by the family matriarch herself, the one who could barely stand to be in the same room with me until yesterday. Now, I have to go and play nice and not insult her in any way including underdressing or overdressing. Just throw on anything he says. I don't have just anything. Well, I suppose I do these days but I hardly think that's appropriate for a Sunday dinner. It's just a family dinner he says. My family dinners were formally dressed occasions, every day. Why does he think I always dressed that way at school?"
The blond tore through his drawers and the wardrobe, finally settling on a pair of very dark denims Harry had recommended for him that he'd found surprisingly comfortable and a short-sleeved maroon collared shirt.
"Ok, I'm ready," he said, opening the door.
"Good, the kids are getting restless. Everybody line up at the front door," Harry called down the stairs.
The children had done exactly that, though there was a bit of jostling in the line.
"Ok then, two at a time I'll take you to Grandma and Grandpa's then at the end I'll come back for you Draco."
Draco nodded and stood watching over the group of children that diminished each time the front door opened and closed. Each time the door opened and closed his nerves grew.
"Ok, let's go," Harry said, holding the door open.
Draco moved out onto the front step and took Harry's arm. One familiar twisting sensation later and they landed in a garden filled with running and laughing children.
"And now I need to sit down," Harry commented weakly.
"Well, no wonder, no one should apparate that many times that quickly," Draco replied. "Why didn't you use the floo again?"
"It's better not to get in Molly's way when she's cooking, especially when she's cooking for a crowd. We'd have to go through the kitchen to go out back or go out the front but then she'd still be coming in from the kitchen to see who's popping out. It's just easier this way."
"Ah."
"Next week we'll just have Winky wait with the kids and we can both apparate with them, or take turns waiting and apparating."
"Next week?" Draco's eyes went wide. "You think she's going to want me to come again next week?"
"I'm pretty sure she's going to expect you to be here, next week, and every week unless you're having dinner with your own mother."
"I think I need to sit down now."
Harry chuckled, "Come on. Let's go find our seats at the table. We can sit there and relax while the kids play."
"Don't we need to watch them?"
"We can do that from there?" Harry pointed.
"Is that a tent?"
"Yes. They borrowed or rented one for Bill and Fleur's wedding. I don't remember which. That's what gave me the idea."
"You bought this," Draco said as they stepped into the cover of the tent."
Harry nodded. "It's smaller than the wedding tent but we just won't fit inside the Burrow with all of the kids now and since I'm the reason we don't fit I gifted it to Molly and Arthur. It has sides that can be added when the weather cools off then we can use charms to keep it warm just like we do to light it as it gets dark. They already had an assortment of tables and chairs. We just needed a place to put them."
"How many people will be here?"
"Well Molly and Arthur obviously, the twelve of us, Bill, Fleur, their daughter Victoire, Percy, George, and I think he's bringing Angelina. Then Ron and Hermione of course. The only one missing will be Charlie. He's just a bit too far away. He's only here for the holidays. Occasionally Addie and Elaine come over. When Molly heard that Elaine doesn't have a good relationship with her parents and that Addie's folks travel much of the year now she immediately invited them. I'm pretty sure they are at Addie's this weekend though."
"She's okay with their relationship?"
"Why wouldn't she be? I told you she and Arthur were supportive of me."
Draco shook his head and then shrugged. "You did. It's just sometimes it's different in practice than in theory, you know?"
"While I get what you mean, fortunately, I don't know. At least not personally."
"Hey Harry," Hermione said as she dropped into a seat next to him. "Hello, Draco. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," he replied, eyes darting back and forth at the children in the garden and the table awaiting the others.
"You seem a bit overwhelmed."
"This is a rather large crowd."
"I'd think you'd be used to that," she said. "Didn't your parents host huge balls?"
"I can handle myself in large crowds, but most of this large crowd doesn't like me or trust me, with good reason. It's also a much more personal crowd. This isn't a bunch of people schmoozing and trying to make points with someone, or trying to backstab someone."
Harry shook his head. "Do you think they're going to gang up on you and hurt you in front of the kids?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Then why are you so nervous?"
"I'm not."
"Draco, there you are," Arthur called as he crossed the back garden before Harry could point out that Draco was indeed acting very nervous. "Would you like to see my collection?"
The blond hesitated only a moment before he replied, "Certainly, sir."
"Now, I have to ask you to keep what you see in here quiet," Arthur said conspiratorially as he led the way. "Molly knows about some of the things but not all of them. Harry and Hermione both have permission to apparate straight in to give me new things. Keeping secrets isn't a good idea in a marriage, but we have a bit of an unspoken agreement, Molly doesn't ask about my Muggle collection and I pretend not to notice her ever growing collection of cookbooks. Of course, it helps that I haven't done anything that would get us in trouble. The new car was the last thing I modified. Everything else is just as it is in the Muggle world. What do you know about Muggles?"
Arthur opened the door to the shed and stepped inside. Draco followed the man in and stood gazing at shelf after shelf of things he couldn't identify.
"I don't know anything, or at least very little. I don't recognize anything in here. Is this what it's like for a Muggleborn to step into our world? They're suddenly surrounded by things they don't recognize, words that make it like learning a new language, and ways of doing things that are completely different. There's no beginner class to help them get acclimated. They're just dumped in. It's a wonder they ever survive."
"It truly is. It's a shame that there isn't a beginner-level class to get to know the wizarding world. Something they could attend before going to Hogwarts would be good," Arthur said. "They have to just learn like being thrown in a lake and having to learn to swim to survive. Go ahead, take a look around. Ask about anything and I'll tell you what I know. I can't promise everything I know is accurate. Harry likes to tease me and give me false information once in a while and Hermione doesn't always catch on to correct it. I still have to get them to show me a movie. I know Ron has seen them with Hermione. Molly has no interest but I do. Have you seen a movie yet?"
"No, electronics don't work at Harry's either. He's talked about buying one of the houses on either side of us to use for that kind of thing to help the children acclimate to Muggle life as well so they can move back and forth between the worlds more easily. That hasn't been an option yet. He'd like to show the children a movie, something about one made from drawings, animated I think he said. They're not ready to go out in public yet and while Hermione has said her parents are more than willing for us all to come over, Harry doesn't want to overwhelm them. Is this that duck thing you were telling me about?" Draco inquired as he pulled the small yellow rubber toy from a shelf.
They spoke about the items in the shed for several minutes before Draco sat with a ballpoint pen drawing on a piece of paper.
"Draco," Arthur started, "We can't thank you enough for what you did for Ginny. Just the thought of something happening to her… it's just too much. Molly's been beside herself with fear over Gin playing Quidditch professionally. Now, this."
Draco raised a hand. "There's no need to thank me. She wouldn't have been attacked if it weren't for me."
"From the way she tells it, she didn't give you a choice. We all know how stubborn she can be when she sets her mind to something."
"She could have handled it herself. She'd have stopped them and if not she'd have recovered as I did. I just reacted."
"Exactly as I'd expect a friend to react, or a father."
The blond's eyes went wide.
"Being a parent makes you much more aware of your surroundings, at least most of the time. You find yourself more reactive. Combine that with you already being on edge for fear of what people might do to you and it makes sense. It doesn't mean we're not going to say thank you."
"You really don't need to."
"If something like this happened to one of your kids," Arthur said and raised a finger, "don't tell me they're just Harry's if something like this happened with one of them, how would you feel about the person who took the hit instead?"
Draco thought of the children, thought of what he knew of how they had been treated, of what he'd like to do to the people who'd kidnapped them. Then he thought about someone casting spells at them to harm them. "I'd want to thank them, over and over again."
"So you understand."
The blond head nodded.
"Then let me tell you more about these pens."
"He's really worried about what's going to happen isn't he?" Hermione said when the blond was out of hearing range.
"I think so. It took him forever to find an outfit he was happy with. He's usually so confident."
"He's also usually at home. He hasn't ever been here before. This can be a lot to take in for anyone, much less someone who isn't liked, though I think that may be changing."
"I still don't like him," Ron said, taking his seat next to Hermione. "He may have taken a hit for Ginny, but I still don't like him."
"Do you still think he has some secret hidden agenda?" Harry asked.
"If he does, he's gotten better at hiding than he was in sixth year," Ron replied. "No, I guess not. I don't know. I still feel like we shouldn't trust him."
"I wouldn't expect any different from you. How's work?" inquired Harry as Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Do you really want to know?"
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"Not much going on right now. We're still doing a lot of research through the records and interviewing people again to prepare the charges for the Death Eaters. We can't hold them much longer without charging them with something other than the kidnapping."
"When will the trials start?"
"By the end of next month, I think," Ron said. "Will you be there?"
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Hermione put in before Harry could answer.
He nodded once. "I don't think I'll go to the trials for Rodolphus, Mulciber, and Avery, though I'd like to be there when they're sentenced. I will be there for the others, except Draco may want to be at Thoros's. I have a feeling Theo will want to go though he says he won't."
"Talk to him often do you?"
"He's been over a few times. Caela took to him on sight, no shock there. He took a bit to warm up to her, but strangely he seemed to connect with her though he's actually gotten closer to Marcus and Liam. I think he sees a bit of himself and his neglect from Thoros in them. He and Blaise come together. Blaise is a complete clown, which I never expected. The kids love him, and it's all because he may as well be one of them. He's just an overgrown child. I'd never trust him to babysit, at least not alone, but he's a better person than I expected too."
"It's strange that Draco who was so into being a Death Eater is friends with two men who didn't want anything to do with the fight," Hermione commented.
"They were just cowards," Ron argued.
"I don't know if I'd call them cowards. I think like some others they didn't feel strongly one way or the other. They were raised to believe like Draco but for their own reasons-"
"Parental alienation," Hermione said.
"Yes," Harry agreed. "They chose not to fight at all rather than take up against their family and friends. It was not an easy position to be in. No matter what decision they made, no matter if they supported one side or the other, or did as they did and didn't choose, they're vilified by someone. This might be the worst because now they're vilified by everyone. Though not making that choice has made it easier for them to move on than Draco."
"Has he invited everyone over to the house?"
"No, he doesn't talk to Goyle anymore. He's gone out with Theo and Blaise once, somewhere, and they met up with Pansy but he hasn't invited her over."
"I should hope not."
"I don't think she's into kids from what he's said. Her parents are pressuring her to find a husband and settle down and she wants nothing to do with it. Maybe I should go rescue him from Arthur, or see if Molly needs help."
Ron shook his head. "I think you may have to rescue Dad from Malfoy."
Hermione smacked him on the arm then turned back to Harry. "Molly will just kick you right back out of the kitchen, and let Arthur talk to someone new for a while. He enjoys it. Everyone else is tired of hearing about his Muggle things."
"It's been worse with you two encouraging him and bringing him things," Ron grumbled.
Ginny lightly smacked her brother on the back of his head. "You love that stuff just as much as Dad does so hush."
"I do not," he protested.
"Yes you do," Harry and Hermione said in unison.
Ron continued to grumble as Ginny laughed.
"I'll go get Draco and Dad," she volunteered. "Mum's almost done."
Harry stood up. "Then I should round up the children and get them to wash their hands."
"We'll help Molly bring the food out then," Hermione said.
"We will?"
"Yes, we will."
Ron sighed and stood.
Ginny crossed the back garden to her father's shed and knocked before opening the door.
"Dinner time, it should be on the table by the time we get back over there."
"Well let's go then. You can spend more time in here next week if you'd like Draco," offered Arthur.
Draco put down the top he had been spinning and headed to the door.
"It's going to be okay, you know," Ginny whispered to him as he held the door for her.
"Uh-huh."
They arrived at the tent to find the table filled with food and the children were sitting in seats that had been raised. The seats alternated so that none of the children was side by side. There was an adult beside each one to help them as needed. Unlike dinners held at the Manor where his parents sat at either end of the large table, here Molly and Arthur sat right across from each other. He found his spot and discovered he was between Caela and Conor with Harry directly across from him.
When everyone was settled the food was passed from adult to adult with the older children being allowed to help fill their own plates. Draco took in the scene as conversations flowed between the others. He cut the meat on Caela's plate and watched over Conor as he insisted on cutting his own with the dull knife he'd been given.
He took his first bite of the roast on his plate and nearly moaned in satisfaction.
Harry caught the look on Draco's face at that first bite and grinned.
"See what you've been missing."
"Mother's cook house elf is good but this is amazing. Kreacher's got nothing on this, but don't you dare tell him I said that," the blond said pointing his fork at Harry.
"Never, he's liable to hurt the messenger. Try the potatoes," Harry suggested.
Draco focused on his plate and the children on either side of him, keeping an ear on the various conversations, but didn't say much. Soon his plate was cleared and Molly smiled.
"Draco would you like seconds?"
"Oh, well, I suppose if there is enough."
"When Mum cooks there's always enough," Ginny said from the other side of Caela. "She considers dinner a failure if everyone doesn't have seconds and takes some home."
"Oh, Ginny, I do not," Molly scolded gently floating plates and bowls down the table.
Draco looked across to Harry as he filled his plate again and saw the raised eyebrow and Harry mouthing. "Yes, she does." He stifled a chuckle by shoving a bite in his mouth.
"This is simply excellent, Mrs. Weasley."
"You really must call me Molly, Draco dear."
Draco dear? "Um, uh, okay Mrs, uh Molly."
"Mum, I've never seen Malfoy speechless," Ron commented. "That's amazing."
"Ron wouldn't know how to be speechless," George put in. "He talks in his sleep."
"I do not!"
"He actually does," Harry said.
"No, I don't."
Draco laughed and turned to Hermione sitting to Conor's left. "Well, does he?"
"A lady would never say," she replied, then winked. The table erupted in laughter.
"Grandma, can we have dessert now?" Fiona asked.
"Please," pleaded the other children, including Victoire.
"Have you all cleared your plates?"
"Yes," came an equal chorus of replies.
"Well then, I suppose we can clear away and get the dessert."
George and Angelina stood. "It's our turn to clean away Mum."
"You just sit and relax Molly, cooking for this crowd must be exhausting."
"I shall get ze dessert," Fleur said.
"Do you need any help with anything? I can do whatever needs to be done," Draco offered.
"Not this time, you and Harry are up next week," answered George. "We have a chart to keep track."
"We do not," Ginny said and rolled her eyes.
"Only because you have one in your head so we don't need a real one," Ron muttered.
"You just hate that I always remember when it's your turn. By the way, Michael and Riordan I believe it's your turn to help."
"Ok Aunt Ginny," Michael said and scrambled down from his chair.
Riordan scowled but climbed down and began helping his brother carry dishes to the kitchen.
"Mum always insisted on us doing chores," Ginny told Draco. "She said it was good for us to learn how to take care of things, that we'd appreciate the work she did for us more."
"I'd imagine you probably do. I had a governess who made me clean up after myself."
"I'd bet you hated that didn't you?" George said as he took the plates from in front of Draco and Harry passed them off to the two boys.
"Of course I did. I was raised to have others clean for me, and as soon as my parents found out they fired her. They'd been gone for a month on a trip however so I'd learned a lot by then. Now, I can say it was a good thing."
"You didn't send your parents a letter?" Ginny asked.
"I tried. She stopped the owls."
"Smart woman," noted Hermione. "She had to have known she was going to get fired."
"I'm sure she did. I've often wondered what happened to her."
"You probably could find her."
"I doubt she'd want to hear from me."
"If she reads the Prophet she knows what you're doing now. She'd probably love to hear from you," Harry said.
"Maybe in the future, but we're a bit busy still right now."
"Dessert is here," Molly called, floating a platter above everyone's heads and landing it gently down in front of Draco in the middle of the table.
He looked down to see a large cake with 'Thank you Draco' written on the top. He could feel his face flame.
Ginny giggled and leaned over Caela carefully to whisper, "Did you know that even your ears turn red when you blush?"
He dropped his head into his hands as the others chuckled.
"Molly, you really shouldn't have."
"Nonsense, of course I did," she insisted. "I wanted you to know just how grateful we are for what you did."
"It really wasn't that-"
Harry shook his head. "It's really not worth arguing, besides the rest of us want cake."
"Ok then. You're welcome."
Molly beamed. "You'll have to tell me your favorite dessert so I can make it next time. Harry'd told me you love roast and potatoes, but he wasn't sure on sweets."
"I don't eat many sweets. I'll have to think about it and let you know at some point later."
"If you send an owl this week I can be sure to have it next Sunday."
I really have to keep doing this. Why does that sound like a good idea?
"I'll do my best."
"Well then, why don't you cut the cake," Molly said and handed him the knife.