"Kensington, McKenna!" Dumbledore's voice boomed over the excited whispers of Hogwarts's 7th year class. The platform had been erected right below the Whomping Willow… who was actually waving quite amicably in the light June winds. Parents, siblings, assorted family and friends had gathered to watch their loved ones graduate.
"Liu, Liam!" In the front row, center, Narcissa Malfoy sat eagerly awaiting the procession of her son and her daughter in law. Lucius Malfoy sat beside her solemnly. His face was stone cold, and he wore the bitter, disgusted look he always did.
Draco looked over the sea of faces to scope out who was there. The Parkinson's hadn't come… he could be sure of that; Daisy would've sat next to Narcissa. He could see the Flints sitting way in the back near Mathilda Bulstrode. Down even further there was a shock of red hair… the Weasleys were here.
Ginny fought back tears as she looked out over the crowd. Her mother and father were there with all of her brothers… but these were not happy tears. She could see them but she could not touch them and they couldn't hug her or congratulate her… it was all because of this damn war.
"Loren, Latria!" He boomed, handing the small girl a heavy silver medal and a wooden plaque proclaiming her a graduate from the house of Hufflepuff. Thunderous applause sounded from the crowd, as with each graduate.
"Malfoy, Draco and Ginerva!"
Draco gently helped Ginny from her seat. "Come on…don't worry." He whispered soothingly as they walked toward the front of the podium.
Ginny nodded, feeling fear coursing through her veins. Everyone was staring at her, judging her…she couldn't breathe as she walked up to Dumbledore.
"These two students have been some of the finest to ever attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He looked down at them over his half moon spectacles. "Mr and Mrs. Malfoy have certainly earned their positions here: Draco as our premier seeker for Slytherin and Ginny as an early graduate." Smiling, he noted that Ginny was blushing furiously and Draco seemed uncomfortable as well. "Therefore, I would like to present both of you with the Crest of Nicolas Flamel; an award specifically intended to recognize students of the highest academic order and courageous standing. Congratulations."
Carefully, he placed an intricate gold crest on a thick black velvet strap over each of their necks. From there, he handed them the silver medals proclaiming they were both Slytherin (except Ginny's had a distinctly Gryffindor-ish air) and matching plaques. A spattering of applause came from where the Slytherin parents were sitting…
Ginny looked up to see that none of her family was clapping. After moving off stage, she broke down sobbing. "They hate me…"
Draco pulled her off to the side and held her tightly. "Shh, I'm here now. It's all over, you've graduated and we can start our life together." He felt a wave of sadness wash over him; she didn't deserve this. "Come on, we've got to meet my parents before flooing back to the manor."
"I thought we were flooing with Pansy." She said, wiping her face gently. "At least that's what she told me."
Draco smirked. "We are; she's meeting us at the floo." He was so tempted to tell her about the baby shower, but though better of it. His mother would KILL him if she found out he had told Ginny.
"Oh… alright, I guess we should head there now." The ceremony was ending and soon the floo network would be extremely busy plus it would take her a while to get up there. Madame Pomfrey had told her that she was now to be on bed rest for at least 6 hours every day in addition to 8 hours at night. She knew by the end of the pregnancy, she was going to be out of her mind.
"Good idea." He followed after her… a good distance behind but still near enough to make sure she didn't fall or stumble. After a solid 15 minutes, they made it to the floo. Pansy, Goyle, Faye and the elder Malfoys were already there.
Narcissa immediately rushed over. "Oh Ginny, you're just glowing! How do you feel?" she gushed excitedly.
"Fat." Ginny answered with a slight smile. "And I can't wait to go back to the manor and put my feet up."
Pansy stepped forward with a small girl in her arms; she had golden blonde hair and deep chocolate brown eyes. "Ginny, I'd like you to meet my sister Faye." She whispered something in the girl's ear and the little girl giggled. "Hiya, I'm Faye and I'm this many!" She held up two fingers.
"Wow, you're such a big girl, Faye. It's nice to meet you!" Ginny put her arm around Draco and smiled up at him. "This is my husband Draco."
Draco stuck out his hand cordially and shook hers. "Good to finally meet you Faye… now should we floo back or are we going to stare at each other all day?"
The floo roared to life and soon all 7 of them (9 including the babies) were back in the Manor. Narcissa hurried away, telling them that she had to find a house elf to bring them tea. Lucius, Draco and Goyle were ushered away by Pansy who declared it was time for 'girl talk'. Soon Ginny, Faye and Pansy were sitting in the dining room with tea.
Ginny smiled. "Pansy, you must give me all the details on your wedding! I'm sorry we couldn't come…I already know why it would've been a bad idea."
"I know, I really wanted you there… but it was a nice ceremony. We did it in the Astronomy Tower with Dumbledore presiding. We got Professors Snape and Flitwick too. I thought it was just hilarious when Snape caught the bouquet." She giggled, hugging Faye closer to her. "And then I flooed back to Parkinson Manor…I packed all of my things, all of Faye's things and I took her right out from under their noses."
"My god…" Ginny breathed. She couldn't believe that all this had happened. "What did they do when they found out?"
Pansy sniggered. "It took them a while to find out that Faye was gone… but they DID know immediately after Goyle and I were married. They threw a fit, really, but my parents don't have legal authority over me now."
"And Faye? Don't they have legal authority over her?" Ginny asked, worriedly. The small girl's eyes had drooped and she was nearly sound asleep right there in Pansy's arms.
"It was actually quite funny… Dumbledore counseled me on this before he married Goyle and me. Since my father forced me to abort my baby in my 6th year, it's under a wizard's debt that I should get to kill a child of his as well." She explained. "Instead of killing Faye, I took her as my own."
Ginny let out a laugh. "Well that's great! These stupid wizarding laws worked in our benefit for once!"
Pansy nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it all turned out well this time. We all got what we wanted: you got Draco and your children, I have Goyle and my sister and, from the looks of things, Lucius and Narcissa seemed to have patched things up as well."
"Indeed we have!" Narcissa exclaimed as she bustled in. "I hope you ladies will join me in the sitting room for some scones. You must be hungry, Ginny?"
"I'm pregnant…I'm always hungry." Ginny said with a laugh. It was difficult, but she managed to waddle down to the sitting room. She was shocked when 9 voices chorused: SURPRISE! She clasped her hand over her mouth in shock.
The room was decorated tastefully with large bouquets of white and yellow daisies along with the finest bone china Ginny had ever seen. On top of that there was a large food table with scores of little sandwiches, scones and pastries; beside that were a pile of gifts.
"It's only fitting that you have a baby shower!" Pansy said with a smile. "Now you sit down and let us fuss." She said with a smile.
"Pansy…" a dripping voice echoed from the back of the room. A woman with the same pug nose as Pansy strutted forward. "Let the girl breathe, please."
Ginny had no doubt that this was Daisy Parkinson. Swallowing angry words, she feigned a smile. "Don't worry about her, she hasn't smothered me yet. Please, sit next to me Pansy." She said in a disgustingly sweet voice.
Pansy had never been more grateful in her life. She shifted Faye and took a seat on a pink loveseat across the way from Magdalena Flint (who seemed to be nursing something stronger than tea). "Narcissa, is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Pansy, don't be an insulting twit! Narcissa Malfoy would not need the kind of help you offer." The woman snarled. Her teeth were large and made her face protrude out like a snout.
Ginny was starting to lose it. "Pansy you can help me to that food table. I haven't eaten since breakfast and I'm starved." With infinite care, she managed to get a plate and a cup of tea. "I'm so glad you organized this Narcissa, it is so sweet of you!"
"Come now, Ginny! You deserve it! Now, I want to start off by introducing you to everyone. To your left is Cynthia Crabbe." She pointed to a heavily obese woman who was DEFINETLY the mother of Vincent Crabbe. "Sitting next to her you know Millie Bulstrode and beside her, her mother Mathilda." Mathilda was the exact antithesis of Millicent; she was pencil thin, severely proportioned and sat up rod straight. She inclined her head warmly to Ginny as she was introduced. "I'm sure you know my niece Tonks…if only by reputation." Today she was sporting emerald green hair and hazel eyes; she waved excitedly as she was introduced and, true to form, knocked her tea cozy over. "Magdalena Flint." The tall woman warmly smiled and took a long sip of her tea. "And last but not least, Daisy Parkinson."
"It's nice of you all to come. I'm pleased to meet you." Ginny said with a smile.
"Wotcher Daisy, could ya pass me them scones?" Tonks said cordially, pointing a tray beside the rude woman.
"Mrs. Parkinson!" She spat caustically.
"I don' think ya popped outta yer mama with the name Mrs. Parkinson, now pass me the scones." Her voice dripped with cool fire.
Ginny and Pansy exchanged a furtive glance before dissolving into giggles. Narcissa smiled as well, "Well I'd like to make a toast! To my beautiful daughter in law and the babies she is carrying… may they be boys."
Glasses were clinked and Ginny was left with an uneasy feeling. Boys… she was expected to pop out a boy for the sake of an heir. Truly, she knew that Narcissa didn't feel that way (they had discussed boys AND girls names) but kept it up for the sake of appearances.
Magdalena Flint stood up. "Well I think Ginny should open her presents." Picking up a large pink, frilly package she handed it to her. "Open mine first!"
"Oh thank you Magdalena." Ginny said, taking the package from her. After much pulling, she managed to get the box open. "Oh I-I—what is it?"
Grabbing the box from her, she opened it up. "I tell you dear; when Marcus was a child he would just never shut up! This music box got him to sleep in an instant." The notes tinkled out in a seductive melody that threatened to put even Ginny to sleep.
"I love it, thank you so much! That's so thoughtful!" Ginny smiled broadly and set it down next to her on the coffee table.
Tonks stood up and took a messily wrapped package out of the pile. "Yer gunna love this, Gin! I made it myself."
Nervously, she pulled the purple, red and green wrapping paper off to reveal a perfect glass statuette. "Tonks, this is beautiful! How did you make it?"
Chuckling, she shrugged. "Well I put these metal rods on the beach and when lightning strikes, they make their own design! I thought this one was pretty." Her cheeks tinged pink as Ginny began passing it around.
Pansy took a small package from her pocket. "I got you this Ginny…I hope you like it."
"How disgusting to get such a small present for a baby shower." Daisy Parkinson sneered under her breath.
Ginny glared at her and pulled open the box to find a necklace. "Oh my god, Pansy this is too much! It's beautiful."
"I picked the stones myself." She said, pointing to a bloodstone. "This one means courage." Next was Rose Quartz. "This one means serenity, which I sincerely wish you after those babies are born." Finally, there was a ruby in the center. "And this one means wisdom, so you can guide your babies with what you've learned."
"Thank you!" Ginny sniffled; tears slipped down her cheek as she hugged Pansy close to her.
"I got a present too!" Faye shrieked and pulled out a drawing of a stick woman with (what looked like) two babies, a tall blonde man beside them and a little girl waving madly. "That's me!" She said pointing excitedly.
Ginny laughed. "I love it Faye, in fact I think I'm going to buy a nice frame and put it up on the wall."
"That's silly; it's just an ugly drawing." Daisy huffed with a turn of her head.
Narcissa cut in. "Now I know I gave you the family cradle already, but I just couldn't help myself! These two are from me."
Ginny bit back anger one more time and opened the long boxes. Inside were tiny baby clothes. "Awww, these are so cute!" One was a light purple and the other yellow, perfect for either a boy or a girl. She stood and embraced Narcissa. "Thank you."
Cynthia Crabbe handed her an envelope. "I know it's not much but I think every expecting mother needs one. And Jean-Paul will come right to your house, he's great."
Ginny opened the envelope and laughed. "Oh thank you! I do need a massage…I've had such back pain." Setting it aside she found that there were only a few left. After opening Mathilda and Millicent's presents, she had gotten some more baby clothes, a book to record her babies' big moments and a bookmark.
Daisy Parkinson stood up. "This is from me. I believe you'll get some use out of it."
A pin dropping could be heard as Ginny opened the gift. For a moment she just stared at the open package. "Daisy, is this a girdle?"
"Of course!" She smiled coldly. "Your husband would leave you if you didn't get your shape back."
Ginny tried to hold it in… she breathed deeply, she counted to ten and EXPLODED. "YOU EVIL BITCH! HOW DARE YOU!" She screamed. In a very unladylike fashion she advanced on her and posed to strike. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Ginny, no!" A voice yelled and pulled her back in a very tender, gentle movement. Gregory Goyle held her to his chest, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Get out… NOW, Daisy, before you end up as tomorrow's news."
The shocked woman half stalked, half fled from the room and apparated with a rude explication on hormones.
Ginny let out a growl and turned around to face him. "Why did you do that? She deserved a good beating!"
"Ginny, you've got to relax… it's bad for the babies." Pansy said gently. "Come on now, she's gone and she won't be back." She took her mother's gift and tossed it into the fire without care.
The other women watched in mild amusement as Ginny was subdued. Magdalena stood. "I believe it's been a long time in the coming… myself, dear? I would've decked her when she walked in the room had I thought it would do some good."
Tonks nodded in agreement. "Yeh, I was sicka' her before I even showed up. Spot on Ginny."
Goyle was hurried from the room; men weren't allowed at baby showers. Narcissa passed around the trays of food and carried on polite conversation like the good hostess she was. Ginny got loads of motherly advice and tips about everything from birth to finding a good nanny to discipline and sending them off to Hogwarts.
By the end of the shower, Ginny felt as if she could do it all. With promises to keep in touch, they all left. Narcissa fell down on the sofa and breathed deeply. "Well that was a disaster!"
"No! I had fun… it was great." Ginny reassured her. "Most of your friends are so nice. I even got an idea about decorating the nursery from Cynthia."
Faye was out cold at this point and Pansy was trying to keep it that way. "Ginny, I'm going to floo over to Goyle Manor. I hope you'll join us soon." With that, she threw a pinch into the flames and was gone in a flash.
Draco walked in next, trying not to laugh. "I heard you attacked Daisy Parkinson." He said nonchalantly.
Ginny frowned. "That condescending slut had NO RIGHT to say those things to me or Pansy. Too bad Goyle stopped me; I would've wrecked those ugly teeth of hers."
"Oh well excuse me for making sure you didn't hurt yourself." Goyle said sounding mildly offended. "I just wanted to make sure my godchildren were safe; there's nothing wrong with that. Besides, Daisy Parkinson isn't worth the shit of a house elf."
"Gregory Goyle!" Narcissa bit out. "Watch your language around ladies."
Goyle hung his head. "Excuse me ma'am…I'm sorry Ginny."
Draco smirked. "Oh but I heard that Ginny had some choice words for old Daisy."
Narcissa shot him a withering look before hugging Ginny. "Now you owl me whenever you want! If my son is being a bully you just owl me and I'll set him straight." With a smile she handed her a piece of parchment with the name of a midwife on it. "This woman is great, she even delivered Draco. I'll come for the delivery if you want. Don't worry about a thing."
"Thank you so much for all of this, really." After breaking apart, Narcissa left the room and Ginny was left alone with her two handsome escorts. "Are we all packed and ready?"
Draco nodded. "I had our things flooed over while you were still munching on finger sandwiches and tea." He smirked and threw a pinch into the fire. "Ladies first."
Ginny threw a pinch of floo powder into the fire and yelled, "GOYLE MANOR!" She stepped out of the fire and took several seconds to regain her balance. She looked up and was shocked by the man standing in front of her. "What the hell are you doing here!"
Thank you so much for reviews! I really really appreciate it! Here's the update! I know things are at a lull but I'm working on getting it more interesting for you all. The battle with Voldemort is coming up really soon. Hang onto your hats and drop a few more reviews! I'll try to have an update up tomorrow; I'll really try my best.