Draco woke up to an empty bed and a massive headache the next morning. He groaned as the light that peeked through the curtains in their room hit his eyes and he threw up his arms to ward it off. He threw the blanket up over his head and continued his act of groaning. "Well, I see that you are finally awake." Rachel came into the room with a tray, which she set on his bedside table. "Ah... do you have to speak so LOUDLY?" He didn't get out from under the blanket. "I was whispering, Sweetie. Sit up and drink this." She sat on the edge of the bed, a cup or nasty looking brown liquid in her hand. "What is it?" Draco frowned at the cup as he took it into his own hand, where he analyzed the cup from different angles. "It'll make you feel better," She cooed to him. "Now drink it all up like a good boy." Draco glared at her and drunk it all down with a look of disgust. "Yuck! What is that filth!" He gagged. "It's a hangover remedy potion." She took the glass from him and put it back on the tray. "And it's SUPPOSED to taste nasty to discourage you from drinking so much." She handed him a croissant. "Now eat." "Yes, Mother." He rolled his eyes at her. "Why are you being so nice?" "What do you mean?" She raised her brow at him. "You never play the happy housewife unless you want something." He gave her a stubborn look as he swallowed a bite of croissant. "I feel bad, that's all..." She looked away from him and busied herself fixing the blankets at the corner of the bed. "Why do YOU feel bad?" Draco's eyes were a warm gray, although they were lined with red to show how irritated his body was. "As I recollect, it was all MY fault, our argument." "I told you that we should just forget about that." She frowned. "And I feel bad that I made you so upset that you felt the need to drink an entire bottle of 100 proof fire whiskey!" Draco winced. "The whole bottle really?" "Every last drop." She nodded. "No wonder my head hurts so badly..." He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Poor baby," She stroked his forehead. "That reminds me," He straightened. "What have you decided to do about the baby situation?" Rachel stopped massaging his shoulders and her eyes grew fearful. "Draco, were only 19..." Her voice sounded uncomfortable. "It's WAY too soon to be thinking about having a baby." "I was just asking." He swallowed the last bite of his breakfast and blinked a few times. "Hey, that stuff you gave me works pretty well." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm glad." Her shoulders were still very tense as she rose from the bed. "I have work to do, Darling. I will speak with you later." "Alright, then." He frowned, pulling the covers off of his body. Rachel had stripped him down to his boxers, knowing he would be warm and uncomfortable in the morning. "Is there anything I can help you with, Honey?" He asked meekly as he got up from the bed. "No, thanks, She smiled. I just need some alone time to..." Her sentence was cut off by the sound of a horn coming from their fireplace.
" Sirius Black. " The fireplace said. "" "Thank you, I will accept." Rachel nodded at the fireplace. "Hullo, Uncle. What seems to be the matter?" "Is he there?" Sirius head had appeared in the fireplace. "Is who here, and what business do you have calling on my wife?" Draco came up behind Rachel, putting his hand on her shoulder in a protective move. "Draco, Darling," Rachel turned to him with a smirk. "Would you be a dear and go put on some pants?" "I would, but it would spoil the moment." He smirked back, not to be outdone for tact. "The moment was ruined when you got your ass drunk last night." She said firmly. "Now leave me to speak to my Uncle." Draco walked off to the bureau, muttering to himself. "Sorry, Uncle, do go on." "Has he arrived yet?" Sirius looked pale. "Has who arrived yet?" She raised her brow. "Harry." "What in Merlin's name would Harry be coming to see ME for?" She crossed her white arms and pouted her cherry-toned lips. "There has been a complication with Ginny..." Sirius bit his lip. "And he is seeing me WHY?" Rachel's voice dripped with boredom. She did NOT like Harry Potter much at all and felt that any progress in her day would be ruined by his visit. "I should really let Harry explain..." Sirius frowned. "Just, dont attack him, please. He wont harm you if you hear him out." "I don't see why I should suffer his company for the life of wizarding trash, Uncle." Rachel sounded very much the noble witch she was at that moment and it made Sirius heart fall. "For me, Rachel," His voice pleaded with her. "Do it for me." Rachel bit her lip as she felt her heart grow heavy. "Alright." She sighed. "I shall listen to what he has to say. Neither Draco or I shall attack first." "Thank you, Rachel." Sirius smiled at her. "You don't know what this means to me." The bell signaling that someone was at the front gate chimed through the manor. "That must be him." She took a deep breath. "I must leave, Uncle. Until later."
Rachel made her way down the stairs and out to the grounds, where she proceeded to walk to the gate. She took a deep breath when she saw her visitor and opened the gate slowly. "Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Harry Potter." She gave him a wicked smile. "This way." "I haven't come for pleasantries, Malfoy." He sneered. "You do understand, I cannot allow you to enter our home." She ignored his tone and gestured to a decadent iron gazebo. "But I think this shall suit the purpose you came for, dont you think?" "Where's your husband?" Harry bit his lip, trying with all his might not to reach over and hit her. "He is inside taking care of some personal business," She answered. "Would you like some tea?" She gestured to a tray that was held up by a house-elf at their feet. "We have the most scrumptious pastries, ported in from France just this morning." "Uh, sure. Thanks." He hesitantly took a pastry from the tray, waiting for Rachel to take a bite of hers before taking one himself. "These are wonderful!" "I thank you." She nodded, sipping her tea elegantly with her pinky extended. "Now, what is the means of your business?" "Ginny," His face sank. "She's not, shes not getting much better..." The words were hard to get out. "And?" She drawled. "Take the spell off." His hand shook with rage and he had to put the cup down. "You can't keep letting her suffer like this!" "I can, and I will." She said with nonchalance. "What! You cant just- why the bloody hell NOT!" He stood up, his fists balled and his face turning hot. "Why should I?" She stirred another cup of tea. "She lost, I won. Youre lucky she is even ALIVE." "How can you be so heartless!" Harry spat. "Have you never cared for anyone? How would you feel if it were DRACO lying in the hospital, slowly wasting away like that? How could you go on with your life seeing his face twisted in pain like that!" Harry held back his frustrated tears. He vowed he would not leave until he got help for Ginny. He had already come this far, begging someone he couldn't stand to even think about. Rachel bit her lip and looked down into her glass. His words had created a mental picture for her, seeing Draco as Harry had described. "Alright," She sighed. "I will see what I can do for her. It was a VERY complicated spell, you know. A personal favorite of mine." "You-you're going to help her?" Harry was quite surprised that she had agreed so readily. "Wait here, I have to get a few things from my home, not to mention tell Draco I will be out." She rose, placing the cup down on the tray and turning towards the house. "And do not think that you may look around our grounds for anything useful to your little Phoenix Club. This gazebo is so well charmed you wouldn't have the faintest idea where to begin." She gave him a twisted sort of smile and exited.
