A/N - warning, 'adult content' near end.
> > > > > > > > > > >
Chapter 61
After the ceremony there was a feast, which the house elves served right in the hall. Draco was so giddy with relief that it was finally done that not much of the meal even registered. Before he knew it, glowing spheres of warm, subdued light were sent up, hovering in the air above the clearing as the tables the elves had conjured were removed, the benches shifted to the sides in order to leave the clearing free as music began pouring from the air again.
Draco and Ginny, of course, shared the first dance. Never had it felt so good just to hold her. He looked down into her beautiful eyes and could not believe his good fortune. He was sure he would wake at any moment and find it had all been yet another blissful dream that only left him feeling empty and alone, as had his dreams over the summer.
And yet he didn't wake. The song ended, but they didn't care. They danced on through several more as others began joining them on the 'dance floor'. He smiled as he saw Snape dancing with Hermione. Their eyes met, and Snape returned the smile without hesitation. Draco could never remember seeing Snape look so... open. Usually he had his stern or sarcastic masks firmly in place, but as he spun Hermione around the dance floor, he looked like a different man.
Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked over to see Arthur standing there with a little smile on his face.
"Mind if I cut in?"
Draco smiled and relinquished her, then watched as they began dancing. He made his way back over to the side where most of the guests had gathered. He smirked as he saw Hagrid. He was sitting a bit behind and to the side of the benches, playing with the gargoyles. For all their age, they were acting like puppies. He had apparently taught them how to fetch, and kept casting a stick for them to fetch... if they could that is. Draco couldn't hold back the little snicker that escaped him as he saw Tiger prancing proudly back, happily dragging the stick that was nearly as long as he was. The Stallion and mares were just watching from where they lay between the bordering trees, looking somewhat bemused.
Draco took a seat next to Blaise. He followed Blaise's already slightly opalescent gaze and saw Ron and Pansy dancing. "Beat you to it, did he?" He asked with a smirk.
"Naw... not that you would have noticed, but I danced with her for the last song." Blaise replied with amusement. "Would have taken Pansy's mum for a spin, but she dragged Charlie off before I had a chance..." He leaned closer, "Check out Molly..."
Draco looked over and spotted Molly. She was watching Breanna and Charlie dancing with great trepidation. All she really knew of the woman was that she had gotten herself pregnant by Snape while she was married to another man... (and had somehow not even known it was Snape that got her that way!) and had just finished getting divorced, so Draco supposed her opinion wasn't the highest at the moment.
"Watch this..." Blaise said, setting down his now empty glass and getting up. He walked a little ways down the row of benches and stopped in front of Bill. "Care to dance?" He asked, bowing his head slightly and holding out his hand.
Bill chuckled, but took his hand and let Blaise lead him off onto the dance floor. Draco savored the shock on Molly's face as she saw them begin to dance. It was a slow dance...
"Oh come on, Harry..."
Draco looked down, spotting Harry and Delse on the other end of the bench. Delse was cuddled up to him, looking up at him hopefully.
Harry's cheeks were a bit pink. "I... I don't really dance... I mean I have once, but it was rather abysmal..."
She sighed, but relented, looking out to watch the others dancing.
She looked up in surprise as Harry rose. He turned to her and smiled warmly, offering her his hand. "Shall we?"
Delse blinked up at him, "I thought you said..."
He smirked. "Harry can't dance. So I say let's leave him out of it..." he said as his eyes began glowing.
"Oh..." She said, then smiled, "As long as he doesn't mind..." She said, taking his hand.
Draco watched as Pax led her onto the 'dance floor' and slipped his arms around her. He was indeed a good dancer, moving with much more grace than Draco had ever seen Harry display. He watched their faces as they danced. Pax's eyes continued glowing, but he wasn't sure it was a conscious effort anymore. If Pax was fooling anyone about his feelings for Delse, it was only himself. Draco wondered if Delse even had a clue. He couldn't help but feel strangely sorry for the demon.
He looked up as his mother came over to sit beside him. "Isn't this lovely?" She sighed happily. He looked her over and sighed. She'd obviously been imbibing. She caught it and gave his arm a playful smack. "It's a party, Draco! And how often will my only little boy be getting married?"
"Only once." He replied immediately.
She chuckled, "See! My point exactly. Besides, there were all those toasts at dinner..."
"You only need to sip for those, you know..." He replied with a grin.
She went on as if she hadn't heard him, "And then after that... well it would be a shame not make use of that after Blaise obviously put so much time into it..."
Draco looked where she was indicating and let out a laugh. At the end of the hall the greenery was broken up by what appeared to be a muggle bar, complete with red topped bar stools. Draco had been rather engrossed in Ginny, but he couldn't believe he'd somehow missed seeing that being erected. It looked authentic as well... he idly wondered if Blaise had somehow gotten it from a real Muggle bar. Knowing Blaise, it was more than likely. He couldn't help but smirk as he looked it over.
Kulia and Dumbledore were sitting on two of the stools, Kulia sipping tea from a delicate tea cup, Dumbledore holding a large glass mug of what appeared to be Muggle beer as they were deeply engrossed in a conversation, tiny fairies flitting around over their heads. The twins were down at the other end of the bar, their wands out. They appeared to have fashioned crude paper dragons out of napkins and had bewitched them to do battle. From their overly boisterous laughter, it was pretty obvious they were doing more than just playing with paper dragons at the bar. The house elves tending the bar left them be, just keeping an eye on them lest they break something. One was occupying itself by wiping down the glasses in an entirely bartender-like fashion. The floor behind the bar had obviously been raised for them, as they were able to walk around freely, while the bar remained at about waist height to them. Dobby was standing on the stool beside Fred, watching the napkin dragon fight with obvious amusement while Winky sat perched on the next stool, nursing a pumpkin juice and staring longingly at the bottles of butterbeer on the shelves around the big mirror behind the bar. Overall, Draco couldn't remember ever seeing a more surrealistic sight.
"Aren't you going to give me a dance, dear?"
He looked back over at her and smirk, "But of course." He said, rising and giving her a hand to her feet (which she needed from the feel of it).
She paused, spotting Diamond sitting in the grass a little ways back, watching the dancers and swaying slightly to the music. She then started looking around. Draco caught hold of her arm to steady her as she spun around a little too quick, searching the area with her eyes. She spotted Vincent going down the row of benches on the other side of the clearing, gathering up some empty glasses.
She snapped her fingers to gain his attention as he started towards the bar with the glasses. He saw her and hurried over, setting the glasses down on the bench and clasping his hands in front of him. "Is you wanting something from the bar, ma'am?" He asked helpfully.
"You're this Vinny I've been hearing about, right?" She asked, looking him over.
His ears dipped slightly in embarrassment. "Vincent. But you can be calling me anything you like!" He quickly added, feeling correcting her may have been construed as rude.
She smiled at him. "Vincent. You helped Diamond with the clothes?"
He quickly nodded, "For the last few."
"You're the one who figured out how to work in that little borrowed item of Draco's, weren't you?"
Vincent blushed and nodded bashfully.
"Borrowed item?" Draco asked, confused.
Narcissa looked over at him, "It's some Muggle rhyme... or tradition.. some such. The bride has to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Whatever. I was willing to humor her. It's her wedding day after all. I gave her grandmother's blue diamond, so that was old and blue in one... then the dress was new... and of course what she borrowed from you took care of the last requirement.
Draco looked over to where Ginny was, watching her as she danced and trying to fathom what he was missing. He knew from his mother's mischievous smirk that she wasn't going to tell him. He let his eyes trail down her searchingly. After a moment, his eyes widened. "You didn't..." Then he started laughing. He would never have even imagined it without the hints... it was right there in front of him, in the exquisite embroidery...
...the golden snitch wing.
He just stared at it, still chuckling. It had been worked in with such skill that it was almost completely unrecognizable. It was the long thin paisley shaped center, the embroidery radiating out from it elegantly, incorporating it seamlessly. "You did that?"
"Vincent is just having the idea... Diamond is being much better at embroidery than Vincent." he said demurely.
Draco looked down at him and smirked, "You really are an imaginative little thing, aren't you?"
"Yes... you certainly are... wonderful job, dear." Narcissa said, smiling at the elf warmly, "I was just curious... what exactly were the orders your master gave you when he left you with Diamond?"
Vincent blinked. "He is saying that Vincent is to be helping Diamond with whatever Diamond is needing."
Narcissa nodded. "Did he tell you to stop?"
Vincent shifted uneasily. "No..."
"Good. Right now I believe Diamond 'needs' to dance."
Vincent's eyes went wide, darting over to Diamond. Diamond had heard the conversation as well, and was now staring at her mistress in shock.
Narcissa saw the stare and gave a little amused snort. "Oh come along! You've both been working your little fingers to the bone. Go. Dance. Share a butterbeer. Whatever. Have some fun! I think you both deserve it."
Diamond got up, looking between Narcissa and Vincent uncertainly.
Narcissa sighed impatiently, "I command you to have fun!" She said imperiously, but with a grin.
Diamond rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation, then walked over and grabbed ahold of Vincent's hand, dragging the startled elf off towards the dance floor.
"Well, that's taken care of, let's dance!" She said negligently.
Draco chuckled, offering her his arm and leading her over. As they started to dance, he managed to catch a glimpse of the elves. Neither looked like they had danced much before (unsurprisingly) but it was another slow song so they were able to hold their own relatively well, though they were both blushing.
Narcissa sighed wistfully. "I wish I could have known love like that..." She said with a little smile.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked, pulling his eyes back to her.
She smiled. "The love you feel for Ginny... and she for you. During the ceremony I felt it... we all did. I've never felt its like. Well, obviously I love you, but that's not the same kind of love, now is it?" She sighed again and rested her head on his shoulder, "What I would have given to marry for love..."
Draco smiled, giving her a little squeeze. "Oh come now. You're still young. You can still do that."
A fleeting smile drifted over her lips. "I just... try as I might, I can't really imagine it actually happening... I mean... I can't help but believe deep down that I'll never be free of Lucius... he'll never allow it, no matter what the Ministry says about our marriage being dissolved."
Draco smiled, "I'll tell you what... I'll kill him, then you go find your love. Deal?"
She giggled, but held him tighter. "I'm definitely willing to give that idea a go. You go kill him off and we'll see if it'll work. Even if it's in the stars that I have to spend the rest of my days alone, it'd be better than with him at my side!"
"It's a deal then." He said, smiling.
"Hmm..." She murmured in soft contemplation.
"What?" Draco asked, feeling her head shifting.
"In the mean time, you suppose Molly would mind if I borrowed one of her boys? Just for the night?" She asked mischievously.
Draco looked over, following her gaze. Bill was still dancing with Blaise. They both appeared to be quite enjoying Molly's shocked stare. As they watched, Bill slipped his hands a bit lower, letting them rest squarely on Blaise's bum. Molly went pink and Bill and Blaise were barely concealing their snickers.
Draco couldn't help but chuckle. "Um... I think perhaps she would mind actually..."
She sighed, but it was with a smile on her lips. "You're probably right..." She glanced over, then giggled softly, "Good thing Blaise's keeping her attention on them..." She whispered conspiratously.
Draco glanced over and smirked. Charlie and Breanna were looking very... chummy. They were dancing a lot closer than really called for by the music, and both of them looked slightly flush... though somehow Draco doubted it was from alcohol. His smirk widened as Charlie whispered something in her ear. She giggled, her cheeks getting much darker, but her body pressing noticeably closer.
"Now what is that little cheeky chappy up to?" Narcissa mused softly.
Draco turned a bit, following her gaze. Blaise had stopped dancing with Bill, who was making his way towards the bar. Blaise was now heading unmistakably for where Ginny and Arthur were dancing. Draco shifted his mother around some so that he could watch him without being too obvious. Blaise spoke to Arthur briefly, both looking in the direction of Molly, who's gaze had shifted to Breanna and Charlie. Arthur looked back at Blaise, shot him a smile, then gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead and hurried off towards his wife. Blaise then bowed to Ginny, and took Arthur's place.
"Well hopefully that will calm her down a bit..." Narcissa said softly as Arthur led Molly onto the dance floor and they began to dance.
"Mmhmm..." Draco said distractedly. Blaise had started whispering in Ginny's ear. Her eyes suddenly shot wide, her cheeks blushing. She looked over at her father quickly, biting her bottom lip and looking distinctly apprehensive, then whispered in Blaise's ear. He nodded and they started dancing over towards the far end of the hall.
Now this definitely bore investigation. Draco started moving in that direction as Ginny and Blaise reached the edge and stopped dancing. Blaise glanced around and caught his eye. He subtly tilted his head towards the trees, then led Ginny in that direction, disappearing from sight.
"Something's up..." Draco whispered softly to his mother.
She nodded, looking towards where the two had gone worriedly. They did as Blaise and Ginny had, dancing over to the edge, then slipping out of sight when no one was looking.
"Right over there..."
He heard Blaise's low voice and followed it. He spotted them despite the darkness. They were next to the window and Ginny was craning around to see something through it.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked as he came to a stop near her.
She turned, grabbing ahold of his hand. "It's Percy!"
Draco let out a sigh of relief, having feared much worse. "Is that all? What's he doing outside?"
She looked back over at him, letting out a frustrated sound, "You don't understand... if he comes in here dad will go spare! Not to mention my brothers! How did he even get on the grounds?"
"Same way the rest of them did I imagine." Narcissa replied, "Carriage from the gate."
"But... but I mean how could he get on the grounds in the first place? How did he even know where we were?" Ginny asked plaintively.
"Well it was pretty clear in the invitation, dear." Narcissa replied, looking at her as if that should have been blatantly apparent.
Ginny's eyes, if possible, got even wider. "You invited him?" she asked, shocked.
"He's your brother. Of course I invited him. Really! I'm having a hard time seeing the problem here." Narcissa said, furrowing her brow.
Ginny was rubbing her temples, "He's been on the outs with the family for well over a year now... they won't even talk to him. I can't believe he actually came!"
"Sorry I didn't spot him earlier... guess I should have hit the bottle right from the off, eh?" Blaise asked, smirking. "It's still bizarre when my eyes do this... bad enough telling what's what when I'm sober! Liquor me up and then let me see both ways at once? It's just slightly difficult telling what I'm seeing sometimes." He said with a smirk.
Narcissa was looking back and forth between them, obviously wondering if she'd done something wrong.
"It's ok, mother." Draco said quickly when he saw the look on her face. He took ahold of her gently and turned her, moving her back towards the clearing, "Do me a favor and go and very quietly get me some wards for the grounds and send them back with one of the house elves. Some kind of distraction once I have them might be nice as well. I certainly don't want anyone coming to investigate if they notice we're gone."
Blaise went over, offering Narcissa his arm. "I'll walk you, m'lady. Wouldn't do to go wandering around without an escort."
She took his arm, smiling at him as he led her off.
Once they were gone, Draco moved over to take Blaise's place near the window. He peered out into the sparsely lit grounds. He could indeed make out someone a little ways down, sitting at the base of a tree at the edge of the cobblestone walkway that ran around the hall. He appeared to be just sitting there, watching his family through the window.
"So what's the problem with Percy?" Draco asked curiously, "I know he was a bit of a prat in school, but that hardly sounds like why his presence is upsetting you. Can't he just come in and see you and leave? I mean he obviously came for the wedding..."
Ginny sighed, leaning against the window sill. "Summer before last Percy got this big promotion and became Fudge's personal assistant... when he told dad, dad said it sounded like Fudge just wanted a way to keep tabs on the family... Percy lost his nut and really weighed into him. Left in a right huff. Dad disowned him and you can't even mention his name around dad now. Mum either really, but that's because she usually starts crying." She said with a note of sadness in her voice.
"How do you feel about him now?" Draco asked gently.
Ginny sighed, dropping her eyes. "He may be a prat, and he drove me straight around the twist all the time even before that... but... he's still my brother... just don't tell dad I said that." She said with a wane smile. She looked out into the darkness again, resting her forehead on the glass. "I still can't believe he actually came..."
Draco slipped his arms around her and held her, nuzzling up to her comfortingly. She turned and slipped her arms around him and they just stood there, holding eachother for a time. Finally they looked over, hearing something scurrying towards them. The size alone revealed it to be Diamond before she was even close enough for the exterior lighting to reach her from the window.
"There is only being two here." She panted, holding up the wards, "They is looking for more, but Mr. Zabini is saying you had best be hurrying. He is saying 'Spyke is taking an interest', but Diamond is not knowing who Spyke is being..."
Draco's eyes widened slightly and he quickly stooped down, grabbing the wards and slipping one over his head. "You stay here and keep an eye on the others. I'll go have a word with him. Warn me if anyone comes to investigate."
"But..." She started, but he stifled it with a kiss.
"No time for argument. There's only two wards and he'll need the other one if he's going to make it off the grounds alive." Without further preamble, he reached up, flicking the latch on the window and pushing it open. He stepped out, glad the nearly full length windows started barely two feet off the ground. He pulled his robes closed as he shut the window behind him, thankful for Diamond's foresight in charming the clothing to block cold as well.
He made his way over towards Percy, hoping he wouldn't try to take off. Not that he couldn't catch him easily enough, but he'd rather not have to take too long at this, as the others were bound to notice his absence sooner or later.
Percy didn't run. He didn't even look away from the window, though Draco was sure he knew he was there. He just took a swig from a half empty bottle.
"You really shouldn't be out here..." Draco said, his voice kept low though he truly doubted it would carry into the hall. "There are dragons and such about, and that invitation's powers are very limited."
"I've noticed." Percy replied, his voice sounding almost bored. He reached over with the bottle, spilling out about a cup of the contents onto a slightly concave cobblestone where it settled into a little pool.
Before Draco could even ask him what he was doing, something large in the bushes shifted. Draco just stared as a Peruvian Vipertooth stuck it's head out, quickly lapping up the liquor with obvious relish, leaving no more than the slight dampness of it's saliva on the stone, then the head disappeared back into the shrub.
Draco was slightly stunned. That species was known for its viciousness, especially towards humans, and he knew for a fact that Spyke was no exception. "How'd you do that?"
Percy drug his eyes off the window, looking up at him, his eyes a bit glazed. "They only eat people if they're frightened. It's human adrenaline that they love so much. Without it, we don't hold much interest for them. It's not like we have enough meat on us to make up for all the irritating clothing and bones they have to deal with. We're simply not worth their while."
"I see..." Draco said slowly, "Still..." He reached over, slipping the ward over Percy's head. Percy didn't pay it any attention, his eyes going back to the window.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on trying to go in." he said in a soft, utterly sad voice, taking another swig and setting the bottle down.
A long slender tail slipped out of the bush, wrapping around the bottle and snatching it back quickly. Percy smirked as he heard lapping sounds.
"Great." Draco said, smirking as well, "That's all we need, a drunk Vipertooth wandering the grounds."
Percy let out a little snort of laughter, but his amusement quickly waned. "Treat her right, Malfoy." He said, his voice serious though he still wasn't looking at Draco.
Draco took a seat next to him. "I intend to."
Percy just gave a little nod. After a long moment of silence, he sighed. "You have no idea how lucky you are." He said softly, "That there is the best family in the entire bloody universe, and you've managed to join it. For that, I envy you. Just wish I'd gotten my head out of my arse before I went and fucked up and lost that."
Draco dropped his eyes. It was almost painful to see the slightly deadened look in the young man's eyes. It was as if he could see the void that the loss of his family had left in his heart. It was something he could empathize with all too well. The thought of feeling like that again, as alone as he had been before Ginny, was terrifying.
"What happened?" he asked softly, unable to contain his curiosity. He knew the little bit Ginny had told him couldn't be the whole of it. He couldn't imagine something so simple as a spat could tear apart such a close knit family like that.
Percy looked over at him. He stared at him in silence for a long moment before replying, "Do you really want to know?"
Draco gave him a little smile. "Ya. I mean if nothing else, it would be good to know what to avoid..." He said, trying to lighten the mood.
Percy afforded him a little smile, then gave a slight nod. He took a deep breath and sighed it out. "It all started with a girl..." He said sadly. "Not that they know that. After the fight they never bothered to ask... and I was in no mood to inform them."
"A girl?" Draco asked dubiously.
Percy nodded. "Penelope."
"Clearwater? The Head Girl when you were Head Boy?"
Percy nodded. "I'm not saying it's her fault... the fault's all mine, I know that. She's just where it started..."
"Ok..."
"Her parents didn't really care for me... and her father made no secret that it was because of who I was. Told me straight to my face that he didn't want his only daughter marrying some 'dirt poor Weasley'. Told her she'd just wind up working the rest of her life trying to scrimp up enough money just to put a couple dozen kids through school..." He said softly, dropping his eyes. "We just wanted to get married and start a family... but we couldn't afford to, and her father cut her off completely when she wouldn't give me the boot, so she could barely afford food and the room she was renting. After that mess with Crouch, I was afraid I'd never be able to afford to give her a proper life. When Fudge offered me a promotion it was all I could ever have hoped for. With what it paid I could marry Penelope, give her a proper home and she could stay home and just worry about raising our kids... and our kids wouldn't have to grow up poor... wearing hand-me-downs and getting ridiculed..."
Percy took a deep breath and sighed it out, his voice hardening a bit, "Then I go home to tell my family and dad says Fudge is just using me... says I should turn it down. It was like a slap in the face. He wanted me to give up my only chance for a happy life with the woman I love! He wanted me to stay poor like he did, to make her live in a little hovel somewhere and have to scrimp and save every knut... just like her father said she would. I couldn't bear the thought. I lashed out. I admit the things I said to father were terrible, unfounded and hurtful... I don't blame him for reacting the way he did... well ok, admittedly I did blame him for quite a while there... but not now. I was a bit of an idiot before, I'll be the first to admit it."
"Is that why?"
They both started as part of a shadow separated from the rest and moved forward.
Draco let out a sigh of relief as it moved out where he could see it. "Bloody Hell, Potter! Don't do that!" He took a deep breath, slowing his racing heart. "You shouldn't be out here anyway... you don't have a ward."
Even as he said it, they heard movement in the shrubbery behind them. Spyke stuck his head out, sniffing curiously in Harry's direction. Harry let out an inhuman growl, his eyes suddenly glowing brightly. Spyke let out a hiss, jerking back. Draco smirked as he heard Spyke crashing through the underbrush as it fled, sounding a bit less than sure footed.
"I'm not all that concerned about the local wildlife." Pax said calmly, looking down at them, his eyes still glowing.
"Huh." Percy said as if noting something mildly interesting. "Guess they were right about where you stashed that demon."
"Yep." Pax said, crouching down in front of him, "So... is that why?"
"Why what?" Percy asked, the alcohol he'd managed to consume before Spyke had absconded with the bottle obviously enough to cloud his thinking a bit.
"Why you wrote those articles." Pax replied evenly.
Draco's eyes darted to Percy. Percy was staring at Pax, not denying it. After a moment, he asked, "How did you know it was me?"
Pax flashed him a little smile, "Well, other than the fact that you were the only one in that room who had any chance of growing a conscious? I'd have to say Harry first figured it out when he read that little quote in the article about Hogsmeade. 'It is making me completely reevaluate my work, my life and my family.' It was the family part that gave you away."
Percy groaned and scrubbed his hand over his face. "I was afraid someone would pick up on that. Thought nothing of it at the time, but afterwards I thought better of it, but that Skeeter cow refused to let me change it."
"And of course you were the only one who would have had a copy of the notes from the testing. You were the one they brought in to take the official notes in the first place after all. Arthur probably would have figured it out as well if he'd seen you come in. And since you wrote the notes, Harry knew you had to have a rough draft laying about somewhere. You never even wrote a note to put on the ice box for your mum without a rough draft."
Percy chuckled. "Had two for that, actually. Wrote down everything the first time... but then looking it over later I knew they would have expected me to leave some things out to protect the Ministry. Wouldn't want written records of their disparaging remarks and such... so I made a second draft, omitting those things, and handed it over as the rough for it to be entered into the official books as usual. Never could quite make myself throw the originals away though... The memo about the Erumpent tail came to me accidentally. Friend of mine from shipping and receiving grabbed it out of the refuse bin to write something down for me. Handed it right to me without even realizing it. The minute I read that memo... Fudge would have killed that boy." He said in a near whisper, shaking his head incredulously. "I trusted him implicitly... I was such a fool..."
"Can't disagree with you on that count." Pax said softly. He eyed him in silence for a moment before speaking again, his voice even softer, "You know what's coming, don't you?"
Percy sighed and nodded. "I've learned a lot since those tests. Far too much..."
"Why'd you do it if you knew?" Pax asked curiously.
Percy looked up at him, staring back into his glowing eyes without flinching. "Knowingly or not, I played a role in what is happening. I have to try to put it to rights. No matter what."
"Come inside." Draco said softly, "Explain all this to them. They'll..."
"No." Percy said immediately, "No reason to it. It's best they remain mad at me. I've already sent Penelope off to her mums. I doubt she knows why, and she was upset, but she went."
"So you and Penelope...?" Draco asked.
Percy gave a little ghost of a smile. "Got married, yes. We got a flat together as soon as I left home... got married a couple weeks later... I love that woman with all my heart... I just hope they leave her out of this. I sent her off just in time actually... our flat's gone. Another convenient 'random act of terrorism'." He said with a humorless laugh.
Draco's eyes widened, "The Ministry destroyed your home?"
Percy looked over at Pax, "You're his demon and he doesn't even have a clue yet?" he asked with a hint of amusement.
Pax rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it! Been dropping hints like crazy, even planting them directly in his loaf... he's just being a bit thick on the subject." He said with a shrug.
Percy gave a little snort of amusement and started to struggle to his feet. Pax rose, giving him a hand. When Percy was up, Pax continued to hold onto him. Percy looked at him a bit uneasily now that he was up close.
"I make you nervous." Pax said, amused.
"You're a demon. It's not that unexpected, is it?" Percy replied evenly.
"Point taken." Pax replied with amusement, then he leaned closer, dropping his voice as his amusement faded. "You may fear me now, but some time soon you may find yourself praying to have me there." he said softly.
Percy gave him a little smile. "I know..." He looked him in the eye. "If I ever ask you to... do it." he said evenly.
Pax gave a curt nod. "You have my oath."
"Why is this sounding so grim?" Draco asked, his eyes darting back and forth between the two.
Percy clapped him on the back, "You'll figure it out sooner or later. Until then..." He reached into his robes and pulled out a large, thick envelope. He stared down at it for a moment, then sighed, handing it to Draco. "This is for Ginny. I'd really appreciate it if you'd give it to her, but not tonight. And don't let dad see it. He'd probably burn it or whatever he does with all the letters I've sent him. I know the invitation was probably a mistake, but I... I'm really glad I came. It's good to see them again, even from a distance. And it was good to meet you... this you. You're not the same boy I knew in school anymore. That boy could never have loved my sister like you do. If I can't be there to watch over her, at least I know there is someone else who will. Take care of her. Take care of all of them. They're going to need it, especially now that you've pissed off your father."
Draco dropped his eyes, staring at the plain envelope. "That's why I kept them all here until the wedding. Even sent half a dozen house elves over to help with the Christmas rush over at the twins' shop so they would agree to stay. I knew no Weasley was safe out there until the wedding was over... but now hopefully he will just focus his wrath on me. Had a couple of men looking for you to bring you here as well..."
Percy chuckled, "Ya. Saw them. They're good, but I was able to evade them."
"But why?" Draco asked, puzzled.
"Because my troubles are of my own creation and I refuse to put my family in danger because of them. I shouldn't even be here, but I couldn't resist one last look..." He looked over at the window again and sighed, "I wish they all knew how much I love them... but, as I said, it's best this way."
Draco was taken by surprise when Percy wrapped him in a hug. "Good luck." He said a bit gruffly. Then he released him and started away. He paused a couple meters away. "By the way, I'm glad the ceremony was a magically binding one." He said, not turning, "Not even the Ministry can dissolve that. One last little leak for you... Fudge changed the laws a couple of days ago... though through an 'office mix-up' it won't be reported to the public until New Years day... marriages alone no longer override previously arranged betrothals. Unless there is a verified pregnancy before the regular deadline, the marriage is annulled and the betrothal takes legal precedence. Just his little wedding present to you."
"That bastard!" Draco said, taken aback despite all the duplicity he'd already witnessed in the pompous man.
"You don't know the half of it!" Percy said with a chuckle, "But as I said... you'll figure it out. For now I have an appointment to keep. I'm sure my friend Warner Ross is expecting me."
He left without another word, walking towards the silently waiting coach in the lane.
Pax turned and started back towards the back of the hall.
"What the bloody Hell was all that about?" Draco asked crossly as he caught up to him. He didn't like feeling left out of the loop.
"All what?" Pax asked innocently.
"What don't I know?"
Pax let out a laugh, "That is an amazingly broad subject... I think you're going to have to narrow your question down quite a bit before I can answer you in a single lifetime."
Draco growled, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around. "What have you been hinting at that I'm 'being thick' about?"
"Hmm... I can't tell you." Pax replied evenly.
"What can't you tell me?" Draco persisted angrily.
Pax's face lit up. "Very good question, master! Let's just think about this, shall we? What can't I tell you about, master?" He purred significantly with a smirk, then turned and continued along his way.
"Are you saying my father would have something to do with terrorizing someone who made the Ministry look bad?"
"I'm not saying a bloody thing." Pax said mirthfully, "I is a good shadow demon! I is keeping my master's secrets!" He said in a squeaky imitation of a house elf.
Draco followed him, his mind spinning as that processed. Why was his father looking out for the interests of the Ministry? Or was it just Fudge he was covering up for? He knew Fudge was a real arse, but could he actually still have ties with his father? The implications were deeply disturbing. He looked up as Pax staggered slightly, stopping and resting his shoulder heavily against a stone column.
Draco hurried up to him. Pax had his eyes clinched shut, his breath panting in his chest and seemed to have a pained edge to it. "What's wrong?"
"Potter's fighting..." Pax gasped.
Draco's eyes widened, "Fighting? You mean you don't have permission to take over?"
"I did..." Pax said, "But... he... he doesn't like my respecting Percy's wishes..." He gasped, then fell to his knees, still obviously fighting an internal struggle.
"Let him go, demon." Draco demanded.
Pax shot him an angry look, but then the red fled from his eyes. Harry immediately got to his feet and started running back the direction they'd come. Surprised, Draco ran after him. He caught up to him as Harry came to a stop, his eyes searching the dark lane for Percy. The carriage had already gone and was well out of sight.
"We have to stop him! We have to get him back!" Harry gasped desperately, still winded from the run.
"What's your problem, Potter?"
Harry spun around to face him. "If we don't get him back here he'll be dead by morning! He knows it as well at the demon does! He as much as told us! He said he's going to meet Warner Ross! Warner Ross was killed yesterday when Death Eaters destroyed the building he lived in! He worked in shipping and receiving at the Ministry! It was in the Daily Prophet this morning!"
Draco shot a worried glance at the darkened lane. "And the demon respected his acceptance of his own death..."
"He may have, but I sure as Hell don't! Percy's may have been a prat, but he's still a Weasley!" Harry said vehemently.
"But we can't just chain him up in the dungeon to keep him safe... and I'm pretty sure that's what it'd take. He avoided my men, which believe me is not an easy task... We'll just have to find guardians he can't evade..." He said thoughtfully, then smacked him on the arm and starting back for the window. "Come on. Let's get back in before someone notices."
"But..." Harry said, staring at the darkened lane and feeling utterly frustrated.
Draco stopped and carefully tempered his anger before turning back to him. "I'm not just going to dismiss him out of hand, Potter." He growled. "But running after him isn't going to do any good, so let's get back inside so I can get him some help. I don't have time to stand here listening to you whining. Now why don't you just let the demon take over again if you can't control yourself properly, because right now you're looking far too emotional. I do not want the Weasleys finding out about this tonight. No use ruining their holiday with something they have no power to change. Understand?"
Harry glowered at him irritably. "Fine." He growled, "But if something happens to him..."
"It will be because you took too bloody long standing here bitching!" Draco snapped, then turned and stormed away.
It took Draco some deep breathing exorcises and a whole lot of willpower to let him smile convincingly as he slipped in the window.
Ginny was standing there, waiting tensely for his report.
"Anyone notice I'd gone?" He asked, keeping his voice low.
Ginny shook her head. "I don't think so. Fred and George cast an engorgement spell on some paper dragons and Kulia's gargoyles were on them almost immediately. Looked like a snowstorm!" She said with a little smirk. "Everyone got a bit of a laugh out of it. The house elves are having a time cleaning it up... the gargoyles are still romping around through the shreds, pouncing on the bits that are still wriggling. Tiger's helping too of course..." Her smile slipped, "So...?"
"He just wanted to... well... see you. Make sure you were happy. He's left now..."
They looked over at Diamond made a little warning sound, ducking behind a large tree trunk. Draco took ahold of Ginny and kissed her passionately.
The feel of her lips and warm tongue pushed all other thoughts from his mind as the kiss deepened.
After a moment, he broke off, blushing as he heard a throat being cleared nearby. They looked over.
Arthur Weasley was standing there, a somewhat bemused look on his face. "I was wondering where you two got off to. If you're going to disappear, you should probably bid your guests farewell first..."
Draco's pale cheeks warmed more, "Sorry sir..." He said, properly abashed.
> > > > > > > > > > >
Harry settled down at the base of a tree at the edge of the 'clearing', watching everyone. He had to smirk as the little Thestral rolled in the copious amounts of shredded napkin, kicking his little paws in the air and stirring it up. When he righted himself again, he stuck out his little wings and gave them a good strong flap, making swirls of paper fly out and up into the air like a strange dust cloud. It let out an excited trill and sprang after the largest pieces, rearing and slashing at them with his talons.
Most of the others were sitting around the bar, laughing as they watched Tiger frolicking. He carefully peeled his eyes away from Snape and Hermione. Snape was standing behind her, his arms around her, fingers entwined over her stomach. She was leaning back against him is if it were the most natural thing on earth. Harry still had a hard time excepting that particular couple, despite his own peculiar match. Delse, at least, had not been the bane of their existence for the past several years.
He spotted Draco over near Kulia. Harry could see that he was talking to her in a low voice, but they both kept watching Tiger and had smiles on their faces, though upon closer inspection their expressions appeared more like masks than sincere amusement. He saw Draco hand her something, but couldn't see what it was at that angle.
As if hearing a silent call, both Gargoyles lifted their heads and looked at Kulia. Their stances betrayed no urgency, but they both began sidling over to her. No one seemed to notice. Tiger had been trying for a particularly elusive shred of paper and had beat his wings hard, actually managing to get nearly a meter into the air before dropping back down. They all applauded him.
Harry watched as Kulia knelt down, her Gargoyles nuzzling up to her. She slipped her arm around the neck of the larger one, pressing her forehead against his. When she lifted her head again, she held something out, which they both sniffed intently. After that, she gave them each a little hug and rose, slipping the item back to Draco. Harry was finally able to get a good look at it. It was the envelope Percy had given Draco for Ginny. Draco made it disappear back into his robes.
Harry glanced back at the gargoyles and blinked. They were gone. He looked around, sure the departure of two such large beasts couldn't have possibly passed his notice, but they were nowhere in sight. The seething worry inside him eased a bit. If the gargoyles were going to watch over Percy, he had a chance at least.
As his anxiety eased a bit he felt a wave of exhaustion come over him. It had been an arduous Quidditch match earlier. He was sure by now that Blaise had been messing about with his golden snitches. He'd never had to pursue such an elusive, almost intelligent snitch. Not to mention it should never have been fast enough to out fly his new broom. He probably could have caught it in the end with just a tiny bit more effort, but he'd let Draco beat him to it. He liked to consider it the one and only wedding present he had any intention of giving.
Why did you just let Percy walk away like that? Harry asked the demon silently.
I believe he has the right to decide when it's time to just except the inevitable. He made decisions. He knew the consequences, and he accepted them. Pax whispered softly in his mind, It would be disrespectful to completely disregard his decisions just because they don't set well with you. He's right, his presence here would endanger everyone. His decision was tantamount to suicide and he knew it. In fact, I would probably recommend he does finish it himself. There are painless ways. That's more consideration than he'll find in the hands of others.
"There you are..." Delse said with a smirk, coming over and sitting next to him. "Was wondering where you'd gotten off to. Something wrong?" She asked, looking over more closely, his smile obviously not completely convincing.
Harry quickly shook his head, but she didn't look convinced.
Stop being such a worrier. Smile, take this lovely woman to her room and give her a good shag or two. Pax whispered in exasperation.
I'm not sure I can... Harry replied as he looked Delse over, trying to make his smile more convincing. I'm just too tired and emotionally drained right now. Think I should just go to bed.
Oh you've got to be joking! Look at her. She's just been to a wedding and is bound to want to at least imagine that she could be loved as much as Draco loves Ginny. She's probably been dying to drag you away and shag you all evening! You can't just go to sleep!
Harry gave a mental sigh. Fine. I'll shag her then. He said, a bit irritated to have the demon chastising him on issues of sensitivity again.
Oh yeah. I'm sure you'll make it memorable too! Pax sneered sarcastically. There was a slight pause, then he went on, his voice taking on a speculative tone, Of course... if you wanted, I could take over for a bit... I, for one, am not tired in the least... and I guarantee it will be VERY enjoyable for her. I'll even let you watch if you'd like... he said coaxingly.
Harry hated to admit it, but the idea had some merit. He really hated the idea of leaving Delse unsatisfied. He also couldn't help but wonder what the demon did to Delse when he had free reign. The demon was always so confident he could do it so much better... But who says she'd even want to shag YOU?
Let's just see then, shall we? I think this should really be her decision after all. She says no and I'll shut up and we'll go with your plan and I'll just let you rut at her a few minutes and fall asleep. Pax said with a bit of mirthful sarcasm.
"Harry?" Delse asked, starting to look worried.
He looked up, his eyes starting to glow as his smile became genuine. He reached over, gently taking ahold of her and pulling her into his lap. "Sorry... we were just having a little conversation... see Harry really wants to make this night special for you... but he's really done in from the Quidditch and all... he's afraid you'd be disappointed... so... he said... if you wouldn't mind... he'd let me do a proper job of it and just watch..." He smirked, nuzzling up to her and nibbling on her neck in a way he knew drove her to distraction.
"He... he's really ok with that?" She asked, trying to keep her mind on track as she shivered with pleasure.
Pax lifted his head and looked her in the eyes. "I could never lie to you, even if I wanted to. You know that." he said softly.
She looked at him for a long moment, then a little smirk pulled at the side of her mouth. "Ok then. If Harry wants you to show me a good time, who am I to argue?"
Pax let out a little moan of longing, capturing her lips and giving her a dizzying kiss before leaning back and smirking at her. "We'd better leave soon if you want time for a little nap before breakfast then..."
> > > > > > > > > > >
Draco tried to put worries about Percy, the Ministry and his father out of his mind as they followed the house elf back towards their room. They had bid everyone a good night of course. Many of them had stayed, continuing the party despite their absence. Dumbledore and McGonagall had taken their leave as well, Dumbledore having 'things to attend to' as usual, and McGonagall not wanting to take up a room for the night. Hagrid was staying the night, using Dumbledore's suite undoubtedly. He would be leaving after the festivities the next day, and taking Tiger with him. Draco had grudgingly agreed that trying to make their way back to Hogwarts on Thestral again would be just plain daft, and besides, the Thestrals should be getting back to their families anyway. Hagrid, unable to Apparate, would be taking him back on the huge, enchanted motorcycle he'd rode there as soon as it was dark, the adult Thestrals flying with him.
So it was the Thestrals' last night there... and they weren't flying... but, all in all, there was one thing he loved even more than flying... and she was walking at his side. He looked over at her and smiled, giving her hand a squeeze. She smiled back at him, almost seeming to glow with anticipation.
He released her hand and slipped his arm around her back as the elf opened the door to their room for them. "Well... here we are..." He said, smiling at her warmly.
She let out a little surprised sound and then giggled as he swept her up in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as he carried her into the room. The elf quickly exited, locking the door behind it, but they hardly noticed. He set her down, not breaking the kiss.
After a long, sensuous snogging session, he shifted back slightly. "You should probably get out of that dress... I wouldn't want to wrinkle it..." He said with a little smirk.
She grinned and turned around, letting him unfasten the back. He worked his way slowly down, unhooking the tiny hooks that let the material hug her form so perfectly. When the last one was undone, he slipped her gown down and she stepped out of it. He picked it up and laid it gingerly across the back of a chair.
His eyes trailed down her body hungrily. As stiff as the top of her dress had been she hadn't needed a bra. Her cheeks tinged pink self-consciously as she stood there wearing only a half slip. She kicked off her shoes and bit her bottom lip. He stepped up to her, running his hands down her sides and easily brushing the slip down. As it pooled around her feet, he smiled at her, then leaned closer, kissing his way down her body. He knelt on the floor before her as he kissed her stomach. He looked up into her eyes as he slipped his finger in the top of one of the thigh high silk stockings, releasing the holding spell. His teased her flesh with feather light touches as he pushed the stocking down, then slipped it off entirely as she lifted her foot obligingly. He then moved his hands over, doing the same to the other stocking, moving slowly and making her quiver with desire. Then he moved his hands around, stroking his fingers down her bum as he pulled her dainty lace knickers down. They slipped down to the floor as well. She stepped out of them automatically, then gasped as he took the opening, shifting his head down and darting his tongue in to taste her.
She trembled as he held her to him, his tongue exploring her until her knees threatened to buckle. He relented, smirking up at her, then licked and kissed his way back up her body. "Let's move this to the bed..." He suggested softly.
She grinned and hurried over, getting on the bed. She smirked, looking over at him as she settled on the bed. He was still completely dressed. He set about fixing that, but in a slow, methodical way that quickly had her squirming with anticipation. As he set his robes on the chair he'd chosen for his clothes, he took something out of one of the inside pockets. "Hold this..." He said, handing her the unicorn horn carving.
She shivered as she took it. It felt warm, as if it were a living thing. "He let us keep it?" She asked happily.
Draco chuckled. "It's ours. It was custom made for us and will work for no other. Besides, the ceremony isn't over yet."
Her eyes darted up to him. "What?" She asked, shocked.
He smirked. "The last bit is usually done in private..." He said, leaving her wondering. He slipped off his shirt and she forgot about it for the moment, watching as he removed his shoes and socks before finally undoing his pants and taking them off, followed by his boxers. Her whole body seemed to twinge with longing as he deposited the boxers on the pile of clothing and walked over to her, his madly swirling eyes burning with desire.
He crawled up onto the bed and lay down at her side, gently taking the carving. "Now... what do you say we get back to the ceremony... we'll need this of course..."
Her eyes darted to the carving as he put his thumb on a delicately drawn symbol on the back of the little 'Draco' and his forefinger on the one on the back of the little 'Ginny'. He appeared to squeeze it slightly and it suddenly glowed and expanded. It was still a depiction of them embracing of course, but just quite a bit larger than it had been. Now she could see more detail as well. The resemblance was indeed amazing. The figures were wearing robes, the liquid lines of them flowing down, appearing to drift around and merge towards the bottom. The carving was roughly cylindrical in shape, owing to what it was made of, now perhaps two inches in diameter at it's widest point and about seven inches tall. "Umm... just what exactly are you planning on doing with that?" She asked with trepidation.
A wicked smirk flitted over his lips as he easily figured out what she was thinking. "Perhaps later, love..." He said wriggling his eyebrows. "For now, this goes here..." He said, laying the carving sideways across her belly.
She looked down at it, feeling a warm pulsing of power radiating from it. "And what do we do now?" She asked curiously.
"Now..." Draco said softly, moving her legs apart and shifting over between them. "We consummate our union."
Ginny's heart gave a flutter, then she cried out in bliss as he pressed into her. Once he had buried himself in her completely, he settled down on top of her, resting on his elbows and trapping the carving between them. He kissed her deeply as he started moving in her. The carving rolled against their stomachs with his movements, but stayed studiously between them, undoubtedly spelled against being dislodged.
They both let out moans as waves of pleasure seemed to radiate from the carving. Draco quickly picked up the pace as she wrapped her legs around him. She twinned her fingers in his hair and pulled him closer, kissing him deeply.
He moaned into her kiss, trying to drive himself deeper. Never had he felt so aroused, his body so attuned to hers. The feel of her beneath him at this moment was more exquisite than anything he had ever even imagined. Making love to her had always been more intense than it was with anyone else, but this left all previous experiences far behind. He didn't know if it was the carving or just the knowledge that he was making her his once and for all. Whatever it was, he never wanted it to end.
It had to end though, as all things must... but as he felt the pleasure grow and sharpen he lost all desire to fight it. He pressed down against her as he drove himself into her. She cried out loudly, jerking up against him as her body seized him. A rush of pure ecstasy flowed through him and he tensed, spending himself with a deep, shuddering groan.
The room seemed to grow suddenly brighter as the carving between them let out another surge of power. The air shimmered and coursed around them for a moment before slowly settling down. They lay there, just panting and holding eachother for a while as the light faded. After a minute, Ginny blinked her eyes open, then let out a little laugh.
"Stars..." she giggled.
Draco looked up and chuckled. Above them, hovering in the air and drifting around in a swirling motion ever so slowly were little pinpoints of light that did indeed resemble stars. He shifted up some, looking down between them.
Her eyes widened as the candlelight caught on something. On his stomach, just below his navel, was a strange symbol that seemed to be painted on with some kind of shimmering paint. It was almost as if some of the unicorn horn had rubbed off on his skin. He braced himself on one arm and reached down, feeling the mark with a smile on his face.
"What's that?" Ginny asked in shock.
He looked up at her, then back at the mark, smirking. "This says I'm yours..." He picked up the carving and set it to the side, then brushed his fingers over the mirror image of the mark that now appeared on her own belly. "And this says you're mine..."
Ginny felt the mark on her belly. It tingled against her fingers.
Draco chuckled, then settled back down on top of her. The marks sent sparks of pleasure though them as they rubbed together. "At last..." he sighed, then kissed her deeply.
> > > > > > > > > > >
A/N - I will end this chapter here cause it's getting rather long, though the night is not quite over yet. Um... I guess I'm posting more. Not making guarantees, but since I've received like 130 reviews since my last chapter less than a week ago... to be honest, I'm... well I think I'm getting a much better idea how Ginny felt when she saw that picture of herself hanging in the Slytherin Common Room... (grins) I think I got more reviews on the last chapter in one day than I have for any previous chapter, even if it had a week or so to gather them before the next was posted. Normally I get maybe two dozen or so reviews for a decent chapter... usually the same people (not that I'm complaining if you're a repeat reviewer!)... it almost gets to feeling like they're the only ones out there... it never really seems like there are that many people actually reading this... just a little shocking when that many more suddenly popped up...
Oh... um... and someone apparently someone nominated this story for the Draco/Ginny awards (awards dot magicaltheory dot com in case you wanna look at it). It doesn't appear to be very big... not many fics signed up yet and they still appear to be looking for most of their judges... but I figured I'd go ahead and give it a go anyhow. My only problem is that I'm a bit indecisive, and I have to decide if it should go into the category of "novel-length" or "original". Yes, I know it's more than novel length... in fact by their standards it's like four or five times that already... but I don't think its length should be my sole basis for where to submit it. I mean I'd rather have my work considered original that simply long... (shrugs) anyway, I was wondering what you all thought about where it should go?
I'm thinkin I had best at least try to finish this before the judging... not only would it most definitely help, but if I lose and there's only like one other fic I'm competing against, I'm likely to get really depressed. Can we say 'writer's block'? ;P Don't get me wrong, this story still has a bit left in it (no, I don't have an exact chapter count!), but I'm just hoping I don't lose steam again so I can get it out within the next couple weeks or so.