This Pain is Nothing

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Chapter Three: The Only Way

Draco Malfoy glared at his watch as he realized how much time had passed. Since ten o'clock that morning he and Hermione had been going through store after store in search of the perfect furniture for their newly bought house. Ever since Draco had proposed to Hermione after graduation, she had insisted that he participated completely in preparing for their upcoming life together.

"Hermione, why can't you just order whatever you like out of a catalogue, it would be much less tiring," Draco stated impatiently as Hermione sat on a burgundy sofa to try it out.

Hermione grimaced. Draco had been complaining ever since they had disapparated from the Manor.

"Draco, you'll appreciate the furniture much more if you helped try and pick it out in person! Besides, nothing ever looks exactly like it does in the catalogue. There is only one more store left to check out, and then we can go get something to eat."

Draco smiled in spite of himself as Hermione led him out onto the street. Even though she was ridiculously insistent on some issues, that was just one more thing that he loved about her. He couldn't believe how much he had missed out on by being such a jerk to Hermione and her friends for over five out of seven years at Hogwarts.

Two hours and one dinette set later, Draco and Hermione were sitting outside at a local café.

Hermione sat down her cup of tea. "Now, see how much we got done together?"

Draco smiled, rolling his eyes. "At this rate, our house will be furnished two months after the wedding."

"Don't be silly," Hermione said, swatting Draco with a random furniture brochure.

As Draco was about to remark on the inefficiency of their waiter, he felt a warm feeling emanating from his robe pocket. Dumbledore had been so impressed with Hermione's idea of communicating D.A. meetings by charmed Galleons, that he had decided to start using them for the Order of the Phoenix gatherings as well.

Another Order Meeting so soon? Draco was confused; the Order had met just last Wednesday for Draco and Snape's report on Death Eater movements.

Draco turned to Hermione. "Did your Galleon heat up too?"

"No, but that's strange that only yours did, maybe we should both go and see what's happening." Hermione said worriedly.

Draco shook his head, "No you go on home, and I'll catch up later. Dumbledore probably just wants to confirm something I reported the other day."

Hermione looked doubtful, but acquiesced, "Alright, tell me about it when you get home."

"You've got it," Draco said, kissing her on the cheek before disapparating.

Ginny frowned as she fixed drinks in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. What idea could Dumbledore have that would require such a small gathering of people? Ginny didn't even know who was coming, just that it wouldn't be many.

Ginny gasped as Harry snuck up behind her and placed a kiss on the back of her neck.

"Don't do that, you almost made me drop the drinks!"

"Someone's a little tense, don't you think?" Harry said, as he took the drinks and set them on the table.

Ginny sighed. "I'm sorry, Harry, but I'm nervous about what Dumbledore's plan is. What could be so secretive that he won't even tell us who's coming to the meeting?"

"I don't know Ginny, but –a knock was heard at the door—I guess we'll just have to hear him out, won't we?"

"I suppose you're right Harry," Ginny said before opening the door. When she did the only people she saw were Professor Dumbledore and Draco Malfoy.

"Hello Professor, Draco. Is any one else coming today?" Ginny asked, showing the two men into the living room.

Dumbledore gave a small smile. "No I think this will do for today, thank you Ginny."

As the four sat around the table Draco thought to himself, At least I know that Hermione and I will have better furniture than this. Out loud he asked, "Why have you called just Harry, Ginny, and I here, Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore's eyes dimmed. "It has come to my attention that Ms. Weasley and Mr. Potter are expecting their first child. As you have told me just this past Wednesday, Voldemort has been actively searching for new ways to harm Harry."

Draco glared. "Nice going, Potter."

Dumbledore cleared his throat, and continued. "Since secret-keepers have proven to be unreliable in the past, I have devised a different way to conceal the true identity of the unborn child Ginevra is carrying."

Harry grasped Ginny's hand impulsively, now they would finally know.

"Since the child can obviously not be known as Harry's I feel there is only one reasonable option. As of tomorrow morning, Ginny will be officially engaged to Mr. Malfoy, the wedding, if necessary, will take place three months from now."

After the initial silence that took hold of the room, Draco, Harry, and Ginny began speaking all at once.

"I will NOT marry—

"Are you mad? People will surely—

"There is no way I will go through with—

Dumbledore raised his hand, effectively silencing the group.

"Now I know that you are all bound to be very upset about this, but it does not have to be a permanent thing. Once Voldemort is defeated, the engagement, or marriage, can be dissolved. However, it must all be as authentic as possible for the time being, so that no doubt will be in anyone's mind of who the baby belongs to now."

Draco glared furiously at his former professor.

"What am I supposed to tell Hermione? I refuse to tell her that I slept with Ginny!"

Dumbledore sighed in a tired way. "I did not include Ms. Granger today for a reason. The more upset she seems about this, the more truthful it will appear to society, and Voldemort. If she seemed to not be bothered at all, suspicions would undoubtedly arise."

Draco rose from his chair. "If we told her the truth, she would understand; she's smart, she could act the part without giving anything away!"

"I will consider this, Draco. However, you must still tell her that the child is yours, and break your engagement, for now. I will talk to Hermione later, if necessary. Remember, this is only a temporary thing, but we must make it look as real as possible to preserve the safety of Ginny and the baby. Will you do this Draco?" The professor asked.

Draco nodded curtly before disapparating. Dumbledore smiled sadly and turned to the stunned young couple.

"I am sorry about this, but it is what must be done. I suggest you two spend the rest of your day together, but Ginny needs to be at the Malfoy Manor at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning."

Harry nodded weakly as Dumbledore let himself out of the house.

"I'm so sorry, Ginny; we'll find a way to"—but before Harry could say anything more, Ginny burst into tears and buried her face into his chest. Harry rubbed her back gently, wishing more than anything that he could turn back time.