Chapter 12

One year later…

The year had been hard on Ginny. All her hopes and dreams died the day she buried Hope and gave Serena to her brother. She battled everyday against the all-consuming depression that threatened to claim her, the letters from her mystery lover and Harry being the only things to pull her through. Her relationship with her parents had never fully recovered after Tom's downfall; in fact it had only seemed to get worse. They barely spoke these days, oh they were happy for her and Harry but the close relationship they once had was long gone.

As for Draco, it appeared that Lord Malfoy had been right all along as she had neither seen nor heard from him since before they were rescued. The proof that what he had said to her, promised her long ago was indeed nothing more than lies lay in front of her, in that morning's Daily Prophet. In a way she felt sorry for Draco and Pansy, this was their day to be in the spotlight and given the fact that the Malfoy family was almost royalty, their wedding should have been front-page news. Instead they were relegated to a small story at the bottom of page five, her recent engagement to Harry taking up most of the Prophet for the past few days.

Ginny was sitting in her bedroom window in the chambers she now shared with Harry at Hogwarts, the Prophet at her feet, when a familiar owl started tapping on the glass. Ginny leaned over and opened the window, allowing the owl to enter. "Hello Orion," she greeted as she stroked the owl's feathers before removing the letter form his leg, the fact that he did not fly away immediately did not go unnoticed by Ginny as she opened the letter.

My Beautiful Fireling,

I'm sure that you have noticed by now that Orion has not left to return to me. This is because this will be my final letter to you and I am giving him to you. Consider him my wedding present to you. I'm sure you and Mr. Potter will be very happy together.

It is for this reason that this will be my final letter to you. You need to enter into your new life with Mr. Potter free and clear of any past entanglements. You have no idea how much I wish I could be in Mr. Potter's place but alas; it was not meant to be I'm afraid.

My deepest heart felt wishes and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Your Humble Dragon Keeper.

When Ginny was done reading the letter, Ginny picked up the second piece of parchment that was in the envelope and began reading.

You are my everything my beautiful Fireling.

You are the wisest woman I've ever met and the kindest soul I've ever connected with. You have the bravest heart I've ever seen and I've never met anyone as positive as you.

You are the funniest woman I've ever known. You, my Fireling are the most gorgeous woman that I've ever known and I've never met anyone who is everything that you are.

"You, my Fireling, are my everything. You have seen every part of me; all of my light and you even love my dark. You adore everything of which I am ashamed. There is nothing about me to which you cannot relate and I wish you were still here with me.

Ginny put the letter aside and picked up the Prophet, which still lay at her feet, tracing her finger over Draco's picture. As much as it hurt to admit it, her mystery man was right. She needed to move on with her life. But in order to do that there was something she needed to do first. Her mind made up, Ginny rose from her spot in the window and made her way out into the sitting room she shared with Harry.

A little while earlier…

"Harry, you in here?" Hermione called as she entered Harry and Ginny's sitting room. After graduating from Hogwarts and surviving the final battle Hermione had landed a low level job in the Ministry but when Albus offered her a chance to return to Hogwarts as the Muggle Studies professor, she could not find much of a reason not to accept his offer. It had been the final nail in the coffin so to speak in regards to her relationship with Ron, which had been on the rocks ever since she had learned of his role in Voldemort getting his hands on Ginny.

"I'm here, Hermione," Harry said entering the sitting room from his bedroom.

"Harry, I've been thinking…"

"When do you ever not think Hermione," Harry teased as he sat down on the couch.

"Ha ha Harry, very funny," replied Hermione, sarcasm heavy in her voice as she sat down opposite him. "But seriously Harry, I think you should take Ginny to the wedding this afternoon, instead of me."

"And put her in the same room as Draco and his father? Hermione have you forgotten what they put her through?"

"No Harry, I haven't and I'm sure Ginny hasn't either but I still think it would be good for her to go," Hermione argued.

"And why is that Hermione?" demanded Harry. "Hermione, I've had to sit by and watch as the Malfoys have broken her heart time and time again. I've been there every time ready to pick up the pieces. I can't put her through it again, I won't."

"Harry, she needs closure on her relationship with Draco. Taking her to his wedding this afternoon will give her that," Hermione argued.

"She's right Harry," Ginny said from the doorway to her bedroom before Harry could say anything, neither he nor Hermione had heard her enter the room.

"Gin…"

"No Harry," Ginny said cutting him off as he made his way over to her. "I need to do this. As much as Lord Malfoy and the Ministry may think otherwise, I was married to Draco and because of the way we were separated; I've never really had the chance for closure. I want to move on with my life, with you, but I can't do that if I can't put closure to my life with Draco. Being witness to his marriage to Pansy will do that for me."

"I still don't like it Gin," Harry grumbled.

"I know Harry, and quite honestly I don't either but it's something that I need to do. We'll go to the service only and skip the reception, that way there is less chance of actually having to talk to anyone," Ginny suggested.

"Fine, but we're coming back here the minute the service is over," Harry said pulling Ginny close.

"Thank you," Ginny said holding Harry tightly.

"Come on Ginny, I'll help you get dressed," Hermione offered as she rose from the couch and walked over to where Harry and Ginny were standing.

"Thanks Hermione," Ginny said stepping back from Harry before leading the other girl into her room.

A few hours later found Harry pacing in his sitting room as he waited for Ginny to emerge from her room. When she finally appeared he nearly tripped over his own two feet when he stopped too suddenly. "Gin, you look …"

"I told you he'd be speechless," Hermione smirked.

"I still feel overdressed," Ginny mumble self-consciously. She was wearing an emerald green satin ball gown that had a single strap over her right shoulder that broke into three smaller straps down her back and the entire bodice was beaded and covered in sequins. Her jewellery was very simple due to the elegance of her gown. She wore a single diamond solitaire necklace with a single strand diamond bracelet, diamond stud earrings and her engagement ring. Her hair was pulled up into a sophisticated looking French twist.

Standing there taking in Ginny's appearance Harry could not understand why Lucius Malfoy could ever think that Ginny did not belong amongst the women of society because she was one of the most stunningly beautiful women he had ever seen. "I don't think I've ever seen you look more beautiful than you look at this moment," he finally managed to say as he walked over and gave Ginny a kiss on the cheek.

"We should go," Ginny said quietly, her nervousness evident in her voice. We don't want to be late after all."

"No we don't," Harry agreed as he took Ginny's hand.

After getting her wrap from Hermione, Ginny let Harry escort her from their rooms, turning numerous heads, as they made their way through the castle and out onto the grounds. Once they passed through the wards protecting the castle and its grounds, Ginny stepped into Harry's arms as he activated the portkey.

By the time they reached Malfoy Manor, they were some of the last guests to arrive so they were seated near the back of the room, much to Ginny's and Harry's relief, neither one wanting to draw more attention than necessary, although the fact that Harry Potter was in attendance at a Malfoy wedding did cause quite a stir in the guests seated nearby as whispers and murmurs made their way through those in attendance. They even made it to where Lucius was sitting at the front, causing him to smirk in satisfaction at the thought of giving Ginny the ultimate reminder of her place in society.

The whispers soon died off as Draco entered the room at the front and the doors opened to admit the bridal party. As the service got underway, Ginny took the time to take a look at Draco, or at least as good a one as her seat would allow. He was still as handsome as ever but there seemed to be a sadness about him that had never been there before.

"I'm sorry Harry, but I can't do this anymore," Ginny said quietly, her desperation evident in her voice as Pansy started her vows.

"Gin wait!" Harry hissed quietly as Ginny started making her way along the row, much to the chagrin of the other guests, catching the attention of those at the front of the room.

"Mr. Malfoy, if you'll repeat after me," the wizard officiating the service said trying to draw the attention back to the couple before him as Ginny made her way towards the door, Harry hot on her heels. "I, Draconis Abraxas Malfoy…"

Draco stood there trying to decide which path to take. He could take the one chosen for him by his father and marry the girl standing beside him and lock away his heart for the rest of his life or he could go after the girl of his dreams, who had just walked back into his life after more than a year. A girl who was never far from his thoughts and who haunted his dreams at night.

"Draco!" Pansy hissed impatiently when Draco failed to say anything.

"You are my everything," Draco said suddenly, his voice quiet yet still echoing through the room.

Ginny stopped struggling with the door when she heard Draco's words.

"Draco, what has gotten into you?" demanded Pansy as Draco turned and stepped away from her.

"You have seen every part of me, all of my light and you even love my dark," Draco continued as he slowly made his way from Pansy and towards Ginny.

Ginny slowly turned away from the door, turning to face Draco as he approached her.

Lucius was not at all impressed and was on his feet the minute Draco had turned from Pansy.

"You adore everything of which I am ashamed. There is nothing about me to which you cannot relate," Draco said as he closed the distance between him and Ginny, Harry having stepped back from Ginny slightly when she had turned around. "And I wish you were still here with me," he finished as he stopped about a foot away from Ginny.

"It was you?" asked Ginny quietly in disbelief. "All this time it's been you?"

"Yes," replied Draco just as quietly, not sure how Ginny might react.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" wondered Ginny.

"Would you have believed me if I had? Besides the way in which we came together was not the most ideal of situations and I didn't want to put any more pressure on you than you were already dealing with," Draco explained.

"Draco, what in Merlin's name is going on here?" snarled Lucius as he stalked up the aisle towards his son, causing Ginny to back into the door in fear.

"Stay out of this Lord Malfoy," Harry ordered as he drew his wand and stepped between Lucius and Draco and Ginny.

"Or what Potter," sneered Lucius in disdain.

"Or I'll do the same to you as I did to your Lord and Master," Harry threatened.

"Avada…"

"Impedimenta!" Harry cried, cutting Lucius off before he could finish his curse.

Draco had instinctively stepped in front of Ginny when he heard his father start the curse.

"Ginny, I never wanted to leave you, you have to believe that. After my father took me from Riddle House I spent the next two months in the dungeons. Halloween was the first day he let me out, that's why it took me so long to start writing you again," Draco said.

"Oh Gods Draco this is all my fault. I should have pushed you away sooner. I never should have let you stay that first morning…"

"No Ginny, it's not your fault," Draco argued. "Don't you see the reason I was in the dungeons in the first place was because I was trying to get to you, to return to you and our child. How is our baby Ginny? Was it a boy or a girl?"

"Oh Draco," sighed Ginny sadly as she dropped her gaze.

"Fireling, what is it?" asked Draco in concern as he cupped her cheek in one hand and brought her gaze back to his, her tears wet on his hand.

"Your father…"

"What about my father Ginny," Draco pressed.

"Oh Gods Draco," Ginny cried. "He sent me a letter a year ago today. The letter turned to smoke…"

"Ginny what are you saying?"

"The smoke, it…it…"

"It what?" demanded Draco.

"It killed one of your daughters Draco," Ginny wept as Draco pulled her into his arms.

"Potter," Draco called getting Harry's attention. "Get the Aurors. I want my father charged with attempted murder at least for his attempt on Ginny's life just now."

"You got it," Harry said as Severus made his way over to take over guard duty on Lucius.

"Wait a minute," Draco said stepping back from Ginny slightly as her words from earlier finally sunk in. "Did you say one of my daughters?"

"Yes," replied Ginny as she tried to wipe away her tears with her hands, until Draco gave her his handkerchief. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now what do you mean one?" Draco pressed.

"Your father succeeded in killing one of your daughters. Hope died before she was even born. She's buried near the Hogwarts lake. His spell failed to kill Hope's twin Serena," Ginny said sadly.

"Ginny, what aren't you telling me," Draco asked, sensing there was more going on.

"Even though I had no proof that your father was involved, I knew he was responsible for what happened to Hope and I was afraid of what he would do to Serena if he found out about her…"

"I would have killed the brat, just like I did the other one," Lucius snarled as he tried to lunge past Severus as the impediment jinx wore off, causing Ginny to flinch and Severus to use a body bond and a silencing spell on Lucius.

"Fireling, look at me," Draco said drawing Ginny's attention away from his father. "What happened to Serena? Where's my daughter?"

"I was afraid of what he'd do so I…I gave her to my brother Bill and his wife Fleur to raise," Ginny said quietly.

"Oh my Fireling," Draco sighed as he pulled Ginny into his arms once more.

"Can you ever forgive me?" pleaded Ginny.

"Ginny, you have nothing to apologize for. If anyone should be apologizing it's me. I should have fought harder for you but when I thought I lost you forever…"

"You haven't lost me," Ginny said. "You never did lose me Draco, never."

"Come away with me," Draco said suddenly, stepping back from Ginny and holding her at arms length.

"Draco, what are you talking about?" Go where?" asked Ginny in confusion.

"Anywhere, I don't care, just as long as it's just you, me and our daughter," Draco said.

"DRACO!" Pansy shrieked as she finally came out of her shock.

"Come with me," Draco said holding his hand out towards Ginny.

"Draco are you insane?" demanded Pansy as she stalked angrily down the aisle.

Ginny stood there for a moment, looking deep into Draco's eyes. Seeing them full of his love and the sincerity of his words, Ginny reached out and took his hand, allowing him to lead her from the room, only to stop short when they came face to face with Harry and a number of Aurors, who quickly made their way into the room where Severus still stood guard over Lucius.

"Harry, I…"

"It's okay Gin, I always knew the snake came first in your heart," Harry said. "If he makes you happy Gin, then you have my blessing."

"Thank you," Ginny said walking over to Harry and giving him a kiss on the cheek as she placed her engagement ring in his hand.

"As for you Malfoy, if I find out you've hurt her and have left me to pick up the pieces once more…"

"I know Potter," Draco said, cutting Harry off. "I have no intention of ever hurting Ginny again. And it's Draco," he said holding his hand out towards Harry.

"Harry," replied Harry, shaking Draco's hand before heading back to the room the wedding had been in. "Oh and one more thing," he said stopping just outside the door.

"And what's that?" asked Draco.

"Turn around," Harry replied cryptically before slipping through the door.

Draco and Ginny shared a confused look before doing as Harry suggested.

"Hey Gin," greeted Bill as he stepped out of the shadows. "I believe I have something that belongs to you."

"Oh Gods," Ginny cried quietly as she and Draco made their way over to where Bill stood with Serena in his arms.

"Bill how…"

"Harry called. Said it looked like you two were about to work everything out so I believe this little one should be with her mommy and daddy," Bill said holding Serena out towards Ginny.

Ginny started to reach out towards her baby, her actions tentative before stopping and wrapping her arms around her middle, Draco stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders offering her his unconditional support. "Bill are you sure? You and Fleur have raised her for the past year. Serena thinks of you as her parents."

"Gin, after Fleur and I brought Serena home, we had a long talk and agreed that we were only her temporary guardians. That one day we'd give her back to you. We made sure that she knew you as her mother. We put a picture of you by her bed and we talked to her about you constantly. Gin, you are her mother. She belongs with you, with both of you," Bill said putting Serena in Ginny's arms.

"Thank you," Ginny said quietly.

"Yes thank you," Draco said holding his hand out towards Bill.

"You're welcome," Bill said shaking Draco's hand. "The only thing Fleur and I ask is that the three of you visit often."

"We will," Ginny said before Draco led her and their baby girl from the room.

Hogwarts, sometime in the future…

"Harry!"

"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked as he stepped into the sitting room.

"There's a letter here for you, it's from Bill," Hermione said handing him the letter. "So what does it say?" she asked a short while later after Harry had finished reading it.

"He says the estate at the edge of the town he and Fleur live in in Provence, has finally been sold," replied Harry.

"The one at the south end of town?"

"Yeah the one with the gardens you fell in love with a few months ago when we went to visit," Harry said.

"Does he say who bought it or what they plan on doing with it?" Hermione asked curiously as she leant over the back of the couch Harry had seated himself in.

"He says they plan on fixing it up and raising their family there," Harry said.

"Well that's good I guess," admitted Hermione. "It's too bad I won't be able to visit the gardens anymore though."

"Don't be too sure about that Hermione. I have a feeling the new owners will let you visit anytime you want," Harry told her.

"Harry what…"

"It appears that the Malfoy's have bought the estate," Harry continued. "Draco and Ginny Malfoy that is," he smiled.

"They're married?"

"Bill says they wed yesterday in a small private ceremony. Only he, Fleur and Draco's mother Narcissa were in attendance. Apparently the estate was Draco's wedding gift to Ginny."

"How could Draco afford it though?" wondered Hermione. "I mean his father may be in Azkaban but he's still head of the family and we both know how Lord Malfoy feels about Ginny."

"Well from what Bill says, it appears that Draco has his own money. Apparently his grandfather left him a small fortune when he died which Draco gained access to when he turned eighteen. Plus his mother is a member of the Black family so she would have her own money and from what Ginny told me, Narcissa was always very kind to her," Harry said.

"Well I'm happy for them. Ginny deserves to be happy and so does Draco," Hermione commented. "They deserve to be as happy as we are Mr. Potter.

"That they do Mrs. Potter, that they do," Harry agreed as he leant over and kissed his wife.

The End.