Author's Note: This is my longest chapter so far and it is rated R for language and sexual situations. This chapter in particular applies so if you're not of age, you shouldn't be reading this.

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Under the harvest moon
When the soft silver
Drips shimmering
Over garden nights,
Death, the gray mocker
Comes and whispers to you
As a beautiful friend
Who remembers.

Under the summer roses
When the flagrant crimson
Lurks in the dusk
Of the wild red leaves,
Love, with the little hands
Comes and touches you
With a thousand memories,
And asks you
Beautiful, unanswerable questions.

From the poem, "Under the Harvest Moon" by Carl Sandburg

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Chapter 3: Love

He liked the stillness.

"Life is too bloody busy," he thought, as he held himself completely motionless.

In years past, under the scornful, yet watchful eye of Lucius, he'd known no place to hide from his father's relentless expectations. Even now, in unguarded moments, he could still hear that contemptuous drawl running interference in his head and giving him nowhere to escape. As a child, he'd taught himself to play a solitary game . . . a game where, if he held himself completely still, no one saw that he even existed.

And for a brief flash of time, he would be at peace.

Draco let out a quiet huff and rolled on his back, the setting sunlight splashing across his sharp features. He remembered those rare, blissful moments of his lonely childhood when, embroiled in whatever activity was taking his fancy, he would suddenly stop as if struck by Merlin himself.

He would become as still as the rocks in Malfoy Gardens and his consciousness would simply disappear. No more hate or anger . . . no more yearnings, no shame, nor petty jealousies.

And no more feeling like he wasn't good enough.

As an adult, the only other times that he'd ever felt that peaceful was when he was in Ginny Weasley's embrace and the impact of that revelation was just starting to hit home

It was, quite frankly, scaring the living shit out of him.

Ginny shook him out of his contemplation, before he could take his thoughts further. They were seated on a bluff near a narrow rushing brook and the water raced by, tumbling over the cliff to create the waterfall he'd previously shown her. His second surprise of the evening had been a resplendent picnic feast, laid out on a soft cashmere blanket. Ginny had been delighted and had kissed him senseless before diving into the rosemary lamb.

"Do you remember the first time we met?"

He turned to her and was galvanized at seeing her smiling so lovingly at him. He wasn't sure he was ever going to get used to it.

"Erm . . . well . . ." he stumbled for words.

"I didn't think so," said Ginny, her voice imbued with satisfaction. "I knew that I'd made absolutely no impression."

He grinned apologetically.

"To be fair, I believe I was only about five or six at the time, but I don't remember exactly," he said. "I do know that Lucius complained about you lot for the better part of my childhood . . . and then some.

Ginny gave him an astute look. "I remember it very clearly," she said firmly. " I thought you were a pointy-faced brat. We were in Diagon Alley and you were holding your mum's hand. When I accidentally touched you as I walked by, you recoiled as if I was a piece of ghoul dung." It sounded like she was trying to keep her voice casual, but Draco wasn't fooled.

He was surprised that she seemed so . . . hurt by it, after all these years. He sat up and brought his hand to her cheek, brushing her face with a gentle touch.

"Ginny . . . why bring that up now?" he asked quietly. " Remember, I was taught that all things Weasley were beneath me, it was ingrained in my childhood. Of course, right now I only wish that one thing Weasley was beneath me, but she's too busy feeding her face," he added in a saucy tone.

He was watching her closely now.

"You Weasleys eat with disturbing gusto," he observed. Old habits were such that he gave her a half-disdainful look, but his heart really wasn't in it. For a moment she reminded him of her brother, sitting at the Gryffindor table, happily shoveling cauldron cakes into his gob. Draco mentally shook himself at the thought before being distracted once again by Ginny's eating habits.

He leaned in to kiss her on the bridge of her nose.

"Besides, I'm not recoiling now," he murmured. " In fact, I'm rather coiling at the sight of you licking that carrot. It's very arousing." He let out an exaggerated growl.

She ran her tongue sensuously over the carrot before giving it a savage bite. He shuddered.

"Sadistic witch," he mumbled as she pecked him on the cheek.

The sun was beginning to set and Draco gazed wistfully at the ocean, the whitecaps scattered out in imitation of the food spread before them. The air was starting to cool somewhat and it was very beautiful . . . in a rather tranquil sort of way. He was mesmerized for a few moments, before Ginny asked the inevitable.

"What are you thinking about right now?"

Draco gave her an impertinent look.

"Why do girls always ask that? What if I was thinking about something horrible like Dumbledore and McGonagall doing it doggie style? Would you really want to know that?" He shook his head violently. "Gah, what a beastly thought. I'll just think of them as being completely celibate so that I can sleep at night."

"I'm serious, Draco. You had a rather blank look on your face . . . one I know very well from school. I used to wonder what was going on behind your vapid mask. I rather fancied that the more tormented you were, the more bland your facial expressions would become. I was right, wasn't I?"

"Thought about me a lot, did you?" He took note of her expression.

"Ah ha! I knew it."

Ginny harrumphed. "You're not answering my question," she pointed out.

He gave her that familiar closed look, before catching himself and relenting.

"Alright, if you must know, I was thinking that being the Prince of Avalon is not all it's cracked up to be," he confessed unexpectedly.

Ginny was startled. Of all the things for him to be thinking, that certainly was not one that had occurred to her. "And just what is being the Prince of Avalon cracked up to be, if may I ask?"

"Oh well . . . the usual stuff . . . you know, supreme power, total control, untold riches, women fawning all over you, the adulation of the masses. Did I mention supreme power?"

"I can see why you're so disturbed," she said dryly.

"Ah . . . but there's always a price to be paid for everything," he explained. "In this case the price is a total lack of freedom, unbelievable responsibility, boring State dinners, dealing with jealous enemies, stupid political intrigue, an intrusive press and keeping secrets . . . in my case, lots and lots of secrets."

Ginny sat up abruptly. "What kind of secrets?"

"I'm not telling . . . that's why they call them secrets, you silly girl." Draco gave her an incredulous look that clearly betrayed that he couldn't believe she was that naive.

"She obviously needs an explanation," he thought.

"Think about it, just what is a secret?" he asked, before answering his own question. "It's something that others don't know. And that, which you don't know, makes you weak, Ginny. I want all my enemies to remain weak. Hence, the secrecy."

"That's just the Slytherin in you talking."

Draco shook his head. "No, it's actually a Muggle concept. It's another way of saying, "Knowledge is Power," which is something that a Muggle fellow once said . . . and for the life of me I can't keep some of those Muggle sayings straight. I do know a few, though: In for a penny, is good for the gander . . . A bird in the hand is worth two on your feet . . . a stitch in time does something or other' . . ." He knitted his brow in concentration.

"Draco, focus here for a minute."

He gave her a distracted look. "Hmmm?"

"You don't have to do this."

"Do what?"

"Be the Prince of Avalon."

Draco snorted. "Yeah right. Just like you don't have to be an annoying little Weaslette."

Ginny's face immediately flushed. "And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?" She sounded aghast that he would say such a thing.

"Well, really . . . we can't help who we are. And what do you know about being rich and powerful? Your family . . ." He squirmed uncomfortably.

"Is what? Poor and ignorant and from the wrong side of town?"

"Erm . . . well yes. I mean, sort of. It's not that you're all completely ignorant. You just can't help it," he said condescendingly.

The insult hung in the air, yet Draco was oblivious to it. He was so oblivious that he was actually surprised when she got mad.

Really mad.

She stood up abruptly, hands on her hips as she looked down at him. Her voice dripped with quiet rage. "I've said this before and I imagine I'll say it again. Fuck off, Ferret Boy!"

"Ginny, you're overreacting. I didn't mean anything by it."

"No, I think you meant every word of it. I think that you believe that just because you have 'royal blood' you're better than everyone else is. Well, I have news for you. You're just the same ill-mannered prat that you always were. You may have money, but you're distinctly lacking in class," she said scornfully, her voice was beginning to rise. "And you weren't the only one to defeat Voldemort, Mr. Hero. You had plenty of help in that department, so don't think I'm impressed where you're concerned. If anyone is ignorant, it's you and I'm beginning to wonder why I bother."

She turned away from him, angrily wiping tears from her eyes. She refused to look at him.

"Oh for bloody sakes," he thought frantically. "I'm mucking everything up. If I'm not careful, I'm going to lose her.

He stood up and reached for her arm, twirling her around so that she was pushed up against his body. She tried to fight him off but he clamped onto her tightly.

"Oh no . . . you're very wrong, Ginny," he said vehemently. His eyes gazed at her searchingly before he continued. "I couldn't possibly love a girl that I think isn't good enough for me. And I do love you, you idiot. If that makes me ignorant, then so be it."

Ginny stared at him in astonishment, looking as if she thought she hadn't heard him correctly. "Did you just tell me you love me?"

He nodded. "Right before I called you an idiot," he said helpfully.

"I . . erm . . ."

She was briefly at a loss for words. "OH!" she finally exclaimed, stamping her foot. "You make me so mad, Draco Malfoy!"

"Telling you I love you makes you mad? Honestly! I'll never understand women."

"Yes! I mean no! Oh for the love of . . . !" Her tears were falling in earnest now. "Telling me you love me in the middle of an argument makes me mad, you git. This isn't how I pictured it."

He pulled her down with him so they were kneeling, facing each other. He continued to hold her closely, brushing her tears away with light touches of his fingertips. His face was very close to hers.

"Picture this then," he said softly. "I love you, Ginny Weasley. And I'm truly sorry for what I said . . . I didn't mean to hurt you. If anything, I'm the one who isn't good enough for you, that's painfully obvious. I've loved you since that second Sunday after the Final Battle and we were eating dinner at the Burrow. Fred called you an insulting name and later, as he walked by your chair, you stuck your foot out so that he tripped and fell flat on his face. I was instantly smitten, not to mention, greatly amused."

"You fell in love with me because I tripped my stupid sod of a brother?"

"No . . . I fell in love with you because you have spirit and fire. You never back down from a fight and you're stronger than Hercules. I love you because your skin is soft and your kisses are intoxicating. When you look at me, your eyes light up and I'm amazed that I can put that incredible expression on your face. And I don't ever want you to look at me the way you did a moment ago."

His face softened. "Simply put, you are the most beautiful girl I've ever known. That's why I love you."

He ended his pretty speech by reaching down and brushing his lips against hers and he knew in an instant that he'd dispelled most of her anger and hurt. Oh, it was true that he was an insensitive prat, but she'd cure him of it, he was very sure on that score. As she wrapped her arms around him and pressed closer, he could feel the familiar tingling in his body as every nerve ending was sensitized to her very touch. She kissed him with enthusiasm, her tongue parting his soft lips and they moved against each with the surety of passion.

Draco let out a quiet moan as he pressed his pelvis against hers and his body betrayed the pleasure that was yet to come.

After all, the night was only beginning.

She broke away suddenly, leaning her temple against his cheek as her breath came in short gasps. When her breathing calmed, she finally spoke.

"Oh!" she sighed. "I love you too, Lord Dicksplat. Very much."

Draco smiled in smug satisfaction as he reached in to claim her lips again.

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"Severus, could you please stop pacing? You're making me a nervous wreck."

Snape paused to look at his wife as she sat placidly on the couch, a pair of knitting needles clicking away in the air in front of her. Hermione was quite skilled at multi-tasking and she was currently knitting, reading a Healer's journal and eating a bowl of ice cream at the same time.

"You're going to be the size of an Erumpet, before this pregnancy's over," he commented.

She gave him a scathing look.

"Thanks for the support, you irritating git. Besides, I'm having cravings . . . not that you'd know anything about that. And the baby loves ice cream . . . I don't know how I know that, but I do."

He smiled at her indulgently.

"I was only teasing, love. You look beautiful."

She contemplated him, standing so ramrod straight in the middle of their living room. Despite his playful tone, a nervous energy seemed to crackle around him. Something was obviously really bothering him.

"So what's got you so tied up in knots?" she asked curiously.

"Need you ask? It's that annoying, irresponsible, impossible boy."

"You're either talking about Harry or Draco and given that we haven't seen Harry since the wedding, my money is on Draco. What has he done now?"

Severus began his compulsive pacing again. "Again I can't believe you even have to ask. His actions with the press were completely inappropriate; not to mention ill advised. It's clear that molding him into a proper monarch is going to be an uphill battle and I don't know if I have the energy for this. I had to issue an apology to the press and I am quite certain that he would have insisted on saying something insolent. I could clearly hear his excuse in my head, so I just wrote the damned thing and owled The Daily Prophet."

"Perhaps I should just let him deal with his own fall-out, from now on," he added with a sneer.

"Come here," Hermione commanded as she set aside her bowl and patted the couch next to her.

He sat down heavily and she snuggled close to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He ran his hand through her thick hair and she could feel him struggling to relax.

"Severus, you must know by now that you can't control Draco Malfoy. That's like trying to control the weather." She tried hard not to laugh.

"It's not funny, dear wife . . . I'm quite sure that I could control the weather, however Malfoy is another story. I just can't get him to see the seriousness of his situation. This isn't a game, you know. He's got the destiny of the wizarding world in the palm of his hand, yet he seems insistent upon wanking it away."

Hermione erupted in a bark of laughter.

"Interesting choice of words, but I can certainly see your point. Maybe you ought to let him make his own mistakes, Severus. He is a quick learner, you've said so yourself. He'll figure things out soon enough."

"He'd better, Hermione. Becoming the first Prince of Avalon in three hundred years is a serious business. I've underestimated him before and he turned out to be smarter, braver and more cunning than I could ever have imagined. He quite literally saved us. It's true that he had a lot of help, but in the end, it was all up to him and he came through. If he can just apply that single-mindedness to ruling this country, he'll be the best king Britain has ever seen. "

She leaned back and looked at him soberly. "You're proud of him, aren't you?"

"If you ever tell him I said this, I'll deny it, but I love him like my own son. And I'm very worried about him. I don't know if he's fully aware of the dangers that he faces. He's going to have to work hard to gain the trust of the people and there will be many who want to see him fail. If he fails, it could cost him everything. I'm starting to think that the best thing I could do would be to talk him out of this."

Hermione's arms tightened around him. "Draco's very lucky to have you, Severus, and so am I. But you're making a mistake by treating him like a child . . . it's a very bad habit of yours, by the way," she said accusingly. "Sometimes you do it to me."

He leaned in to rub his formidable nose in her hair. "You're quite mistaken, my love. I could never think of you as a child. I'm not that perverse."

"You're perverse enough, but don't ever change that."

"Not on your life," he answered, as he kissed her affectionately. The settled in together, a contented silence between them before he finally stirred.

"I must tend to the fire," he said quietly, but his expression betrayed that he was still thinking about his nephew.

"He'll do fine, Severus, you'll see," Hermione soothed. "With your guidance, taking only his best interests at heart, he can't help but be a success, whatever life path he chooses."

He sighed. "You're probably right." But he couldn't help feeling uneasy where Draco Malfoy was concerned.

Just when the hell did he become such a worrywart?

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KAAAAABOOOOOM!

Ginny waved the smoke away from her face as Draco whooped in triumph.

"That's the second game in a row you've lost! You know the rules, Weasley . . . you must remove an article of clothing!" He reached up under her skirt in an apparent attempt to pull off her knickers. She slapped his hand away.

He'd already removed her blouse and she was clad only in her ivory lace bra and her skirt. Oh, and she still had her knickers, but he'd been trying to get those off for the last five games.

"I don't know why I agreed to play Strip Exploding Snap with you, you're an insufferable cheater!" she whined at him.

"Oh quit pouting and let me collect my reward. And I'm not cheating! I'm winning."

"That's an interesting observation coming from a wizard who is wearing nothing but his boxers." He arched an arrogant eyebrow.

"Well, if we end up naked, I'd say we both win in the end."

Ginny most heartily agreed.

They were seated cross-legged on a bed, a deck of shredded cards scattered between them. The night sky was clear and the moon sent sharp beams of light through the trees above them, accentuating the otherworldly feel of their location.

After his declaration of love, he'd murmured to her that he had another surprise for her, if she could take it. Still pie-eyed, she'd allowed him to lead her down the path to the base of the waterfall, where, to her immense surprise, a large, beautiful brass bed had been magically placed next to the large pool of water. Two little faeries were circling overhead and as they observed their arrival, each grasped a corner of the green velvet blanket to gracefully turn it down. There were red rose petals on the bed.

Ginny began to sputter. It was so . . . so . . .

Sappy. Pretty soon, she let out a loud guffaw.

Behind her, Draco was frantically gesturing to the faeries, using a slashing motion across his throat, trying to get them to stop. This was obviously not the reaction he had been hoping for. They got the message and flew off, but not before one of the enchanting creatures darted over to him as he extended his cheek so she could kiss it. She gave him a noisy peck, then paused to shake a disapproving finger at Ginny before flitting off to join her companion.

Ginny noticed the injured look on Draco's face and immediately regretted her reaction.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Draco! This is truly wonderful! You must be the most romantic wizard on Earth. I just wasn't expecting you to be so . . . "

"Imaginative? Thoughtful? Sensitive?"

She sighed. "I'm a bitch," she said with resignation. "I don't know why I reacted like that . . . I think I'm nervous. I've been dreaming of this night for months, after all. Please forgive me?"

He paused as if he was considering letting her stew. She gave him her best crestfallen look, which seemed to do the trick.

"Of course I forgive you," he finally said, magnanimously. "But it's going to cost you. I haven't figured out what, but I'll think of something. In the meantime, since you've been dreaming of this, what would you suggest? Shall we tear each other's clothing off? Or should we take our time and peel them off slowly? You decide."

"I'd rather you decide. You have more experience in this arena, I'm sure," she said. "Not that I'm complaining . . . in fact, I'm counting on your skill."

That's when he came up with the idea of Strip Exploding Snap. She'd been reluctant at first, but now she had to admit that it had been just the thing to break the ice.

She looked him over, admiring his slender form glowing in the May moonlight. He truly was the most magnificent looking wizard she'd ever seen. He seemed completely comfortable in his half-nakedness, as if he knew that he presented quite a tasty picture. His muscles were lean and his skin looked infinitely smooth in the shimmer of the light.

She was just itching to touch him.

Noticing her frank appraisal, he leaned back against the pillows at the headboard and stretched seductively.

That's when Ginny dove for him.

"Enough," she murmured against his ear. "Enough Exploding Foreplay. I love you and tonight I intend to show you just how much."

He purred in delight. "Now you're talking. Finally." He waved his wand and cleared the bed of the cards before tucking it in under the pillow.

"Now, where were we?" he asked huskily.

In answer, she ran her fingers lightly over his chest, pinching at his nipples as he arched his head back, his fine hair spread over the pillow. Ginny could hear his breath hitch and he let out a soft whimper as his hands tentatively brushed across the small of her back and down to the round curve of her hip. She continued to run her hands over the tightly corded muscles of his abdomen, and then reached up to plant firm kisses on his neck and jaw. Draco impatiently turned his head, hitting her with a bruising kiss and she happily opened her mouth to him. He pulled against her tightly and she could feel every hard ridge of his body.

He felt so good she thought she was going to faint.

With a growl, he rolled her over so that he was lying on top of her. Their hands were flying as their tongues worked feverishly against each other, prompting desperate moans from Ginny. He bit her gently on her lower lip before withdrawing reluctantly.

"You're annoyingly overdressed," he muttered, as he sat up and grabbed the string of her wrap-around skirt. "Nice choice of outfits, it's like opening a Christmas present." He pulled the string and unwrapped her quickly, revealing long tapered legs.

"This is better than a Christmas present," he breathed.

Looking at her hungrily, he reached to touch her breasts before he suddenly stopped. "This bra won't bite me, will it?" he asked, remembering the twins' favorite Scanty Charm.

"I'm keeping my underwear under lock and key," she answered, as she leaned up to swipe an impertinent tongue down the base of his throat. "You are officially the only man who gets to touch them."

Draco sighed with relief, before turning his attention to the soft unblemished skin around her belly button. He ran his lips up the center of her body, to the valley between her breasts.

"Your skin turns pink where I kiss it," he murmured, sounding intoxicated. "It's like magic." He removed her bra and seemed delighted to feel her shifting his boxers down his hips. Later, she couldn't remember how he got her panties off, but it didn't matter as they were finally and fully naked.

He leaned back and lifted her right leg, kissing and licking his way up. She could see him gauging her reaction as she let out quiet little moans. He reached up and ran his hands up and down her torso, flicking his fingers over her breasts before lowering his hands even further.

"Gods, I love you so much," he groaned.

"Please," she begged. "I don't think I can take this anymore."

In answer, he swooped over her with his hips poised at the ready. "I've never felt this way about anyone before," he breathed. "I think I've been waiting for you forever." He slowly settled himself within her body and Ginny let out a sharp cry.

She closed her eyes and knew that she'd only previously had an inkling of what intense pleasure felt like.

There was nothing to compare to this.

He kissed her eyelids and her cheeks and her nose before capturing her lips and beginning to move. She clutched at him frantically, breaking their kiss to call to him as her body matched his insistent rhythm. Her consciousness was centered on their place of joining, so everything sounded distant to her ears . . . the rush of the waterfall, the songs of crickets. Electric shivers ran through her and they were bucking and clutching and the forest echoed with their cries of pleasure. When she finally reached her peak, she could feel him shuddering above her and it was as if he was pouring his very soul into hers.

She screamed her delight and he answered her back. Repeatedly.

Ginny wasn't sure how long they laid there, but her next memory was of his full weight on top of her, where she could feel his heart pounding against hers as he held her closely.

"That was definitely worth the wait," she said breathlessly.

He lifted his head to look at her, his eyes shining in amusement. "You play your cards right and you won't have to wait again much longer."

"No! No more cards!" she exclaimed. "Besides, I'll never be able to play a game of Exploding Snap without getting horny and it's all your fault!"

Draco laughed heartily as he fully lifted himself and rocked back on his knees. Her eyes ran down his body and she noticed that he was pointing insistently at her once again. She raised an eyebrow. " This is a good sign," thought Ginny. "A very good sign. I'm going to have to learn to keep up with him." Despite what had just transpired, she blushed.

"Take a good look, Weasley," he said arrogantly. "This is all yours from now on."

At the moment he bent his body down for another kiss, a bright red light flashed where his head had previously been. It was apparently coming from behind one of the trees and in quick succession, two other flashes of magic shot toward the same spot.

If Draco hadn't just moved, he'd have been hit in the head with the unknown spell.

"Holy Fuck!" he yelled, diving for his wand under the pillow. "We're under attack!"

Ginny had never seen anything happen so fast in her life. Before she could take in another breath, Draco grabbed her and they Apparated off the bed.

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They landed heavily on the floor, Draco's arms and legs tangled around hers. Instinctively, she pulled herself up, wildly checking their surroundings. Draco was looking around too, but she could see that he was not surprised at where they'd landed.

He'd targeted it after all.

She noticed the large, familiar fireplace and let out a startled, "Oh shit," before rolling off of him, and pulling her legs up to her chest. Losing her balance, she fell backwards again, then struggled to stand up.

She could hear two loud simultaneous gasps behind them.

By this time, Draco was already on his feet, pulling at her until she stood next to him. Whirling, she turned around to find the source of those gasps.

Severus and Hermione Snape were seated on their couch, both absolutely round-eyed with surprise. In fact, they looked like a pair of twin post owls. Ginny quickly tried to cover herself, but found to her dismay that she didn't have enough hands.

Draco, on the other hand, just stood there proudly, hands on his hips.

In an instant, the Potions Master found his voice.

"Merlin strike me dead!" he roared. "And cover yourselves before I go blind! This isn't the Garden of Eden!"

Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "This ought to be good," she murmured.

To be continued . . .

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Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and of course, thanks to my beta, Elizabeth. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it.