Chapter 18 - The Date
Draco Malfoy rubbed his temples, trying to drown out his brother's cries. He was pretty loud for a one year old. Finally fed up with the insipid sobbing, Draco stalked out of the room and into his little brother's room. "What is it now, Dominic?" Draco asked annoyed.
Dominic looked up at his brother, tears in his eyes. "Blaah," he spat, drooling on his tight little t-shirt. "Blaah."
Draco rolled his eyes and picked him up. "You're lucky Mum is right downstairs," he scolded. "If not .. I'd be forced to shut you up."
"Blaaah." his little brother cooed again.
"Oh, bloody hell," muttered Draco, placing the baby back into the crib. "Sleep. Now." he commanded.
Dominic just smiled at him, his bald head glistening in the sunlight. Draco's gaze softened. "She would of loved you .." he said softly. "She would have been your sister in law .."
Hanging his head down and walking out of the room, Draco heard his mother call him. Taking a deep breath and lifting his chin high, Draco walked down the stairs, making his footsteps very loud. He found his mother sitting in the living room, across from someone. "Yes, Mum?"
Narcissa smiled. "Draco .. Look who's here." She gestured to the blonde girl in front of her. "She came back from France. She was just telling me of her honeymoon."
Draco forced a smile. "Good to see you again, Pansy." he said sincerely.
Pansy got up off the seat and approached her friend. "It's good to see you, too." She embraced him tightly and broke away. "How are you doing?" Although Pansy disliked Ginny, she still cared for Draco and his feelings for the dead girl. He hasn't been out on a date in two whole years, and she felt horrible for that.
"I've been fine." he lied. "How's Marcus?" he asked.
Pansy smiled. "He's a little mad that I left to see you guys. He talked about some always being together nonsense. I don't understand him."
Draco snorted. "How's Andrew been?"
Pansy shrugged. "Well, he and Greg have been alright. They're still in the States, trying to find themselves some American girls. Vinny's trying his best to visit with his new girlfriend, Madelyn."
Narcissa thought best to leave. "I'll be going now. I think Dom needs another changing." she said sweetly, regally striding up the stairs and disappearing into the top landing.
Pansy sat down again and motioned for Draco to sit. "They're having another Order meeting, you know. There's been another raid .."
"I heard. Weasely filled me in on it," he replied.
"How'd he take the news?" asked Pansy.
"What news?"
"The news of you being with his baby sister. You owled me and told me that you finally confessed it all to him," she explained.
Draco sighed. "He was surprised at first, but then .. Well .. He kind of just shrugged it off. He didn't feel like talking about her and neither did I .. So we changed the topic and started arguing."
Pansy snickered. "Keira says her hellos."
"That's nice," Draco said curtly. "Tell her I said hello back."
The blonde girl nodded. "How's Dom been? I hear he's been driving you nutters."
"That's an understatement," responded Draco. "He never shuts up! He's worse than he was before! I can't wait until he gets older and learns to walk. Then I can trip him."
Pansy playfully smacked him on the arm. "Hey! That's not good to say!" she reprimanded. "Especially since you're speaking to a pregnant woman!"
Draco's eyes widened. "You and Marcus?"
"No, me and Greg," she said sardonically. Draco choked on his spit causing him to lunge forward and cough hysterically. Pansy patted his back. "I was bloody kidding, Draco! Yes, it's Marcus' baby!"
Draco calmed down. "I can never see Marcus as a father .."
"Neither can I, but .. I know he'll try his best," said Pansy thoughtfully.
"Good luck with baby Marcus," teased Draco.
"We're naming it after you."
"What if it's a girl?" asked Draco.
"Still naming it after you," joked Pansy.
Draco made a disgusted face. "Why?!"
"Draco's more of a girl's name anyways." said Pansy.
"Pansy," he growled.
"Oh, shut it. If I ever get morning sickness, I'll be forced to vomit on you," she warned.
Draco shut up completely.
Blaise scoffed. "I am not going." he stated.
Felicity frowned. "It took me a lot of time to find this girl for you .. Blaise .. You need to start dating."
"You don't understand, do you?" he asked harshly. "What would you do if Dad died?! Huh?! You wouldn't get over that quickly! I am not going on a bloody blind date!"
Felicity stared into his eyes. "Please, Blaise. She's really looking forward to meeting you. She's a nice girl. Her name is Alainna."
"I don't bloody care what her name is." he growled. "I am not going and you can't make me."
Felicity rolled her eyes. "Can you stop acting like such a baby for once?"
"No." he snapped.
"Just go out with her .. Just for tonight and see how it goes. If you don't like her than you don't need to be with her. But, if you do like her .. Then .. That's great!" Felicity clapped her hands together.
Blaise shook his head, remembering the promise he made to Hermione.
"Don't leave me, Blaise .." she whispered, still crying.
"I won't .. I'm right here .." he replied.
"No, I'm not going."
Felicity sighed. "Then, you are dismissed."
Blaise got up off the chair and left the room. He wasn't going to go back on the promise he made to his first love and he never will. His heart was devoted to her and it always will be.
Hermione paced the bedroom, Mack still in her arms. "Mione .. You have to calm down!" scolded Olivia, rocking Lily back and forth. "Ginny will be alright!"
Hermione shook her head. "We can't just stand here, Olly! We need to go down there! What if there is more than one attacker?! Ginny could be hurt!" she yelled, causing Mack to cry. "Sshh .. Baby .. It'll be okay."
Bouncing Mack up and down, Hermione heard a metal clank downstairs. Her head snapped towards the door. "I'm going down there." she stated, placing Mack on the bed and surrounding her with pillows. She looked at Olivia. "You stay here with the twins. I'll be back."
Olivia swallowed, but obeyed her sister. Opening the door slowly, Hermione heard nothing but breathing from downstairs. "Please be okay, Ginny." she whispered, leaning on the wall for support. She peered down the stairs and found Ginny facing her left, the gun on the floor. Hermione gulped. "Ginny!" she yelled, not wanting to go downstairs. Ginny snapped her head back up, tears in her eyes.
No one moved. It was all silence. Hermione took one step down the stairs, holding Ginny's stare. "Ginny, what is it?" she asked. "Who's there?! Oh Merlin .. Ginny are you okay?!"
She saw the look of pain and happiness on Ginny's face, but had no clue to why. "Ginny .. Answer me .." she said through her teeth. She heard a few footsteps and soon found someone walking towards Ginny. When he was in view, Hermione paused. "Ronald .." she said softly, a smile creeping up to her face.
Hermione ran down the stairs with the speed of light and enveloped her friend of seven years in a hug. "I thought I lost you." she whispered. Her eyes were shut, smelling the essence of her best friend.
She felt someone tap her shoulder, so she turned around and faced a shocked Neville. "Nev .." she stated, pulling back from Ron's hug and squeezing Neville tightly.
Ginny stared at her brother and wept a bit. "Ronald Billius Weasely." she mocked, her voice cracking a bit.
A tear fell down Ron's cheek. "Ginny .." He lunged forward and hugged his only sister, not wanting to let her go again. George came running over, also crying his eyes out. Hermione was now hugging Colin, who just started bawling like a baby.
"Colin! Oh Merlin .. I didn't think I'd see you again!" cried Hermione, nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck.
No one heard a small someone creep down the stairs. "Mione? Ginny?" asked a timid voice.
Hermione pulled away from Colin and looked at her sister. "Olly .. Look who's here!" she said excitedly. Olivia was holding Lily, she left Mack upstairs for she couldn't hold the both of them at the same time.
Olivia's eyes widened. "Nevie! Colin! Ronnie! Georgie!" she screamed, causing Lily to cry. Hermione took Lily in her arms and watched as Olivia hugged the four boys. Ginny was still wrapped up in Ron's arms.
Hermione felt someone else tap her shoulder. She turned to the right, and found Harry standing there, his mouth wide open. "Mione .." he said breathlessly. "We .. We thought you died."
"You didn't think I'd leave you all alone that fast, now did you?" she asked amused. Letting out one of her arms, she pulled Harry close and smelled his scent. "I want you to meet someone, Harry." she told him softly.
Harry pulled back and looked at the baby in Hermione's arms. "This is my daughter." she said loud enough to catch everyone's attention. "Lily Alexa Zabini. She's named after your mother."
Harry smiled. "She's beautiful." he whispered. "Is she .. Is she Zabini's?" he asked.
Hermione nodded and looked around the room. "Blaise isn't here?" she asked quietly.
"He wasn't coming on the Order mission." stated Charlie, going over to Hermione and hugging her from the side. "I can't believe it's you, Herms."
He then walked over to Ginny and embraced her tightly. "They said you died, Ginny. We couldn't find your bodies. Two years, Gin .. Two years."
Ginny sniffled and hugged her brother back. "I've missed you guys so much."
Molly Weasely awoke to the sound of laughter and giggles downstairs. Arthur left very early for work, so it would be just her and her boys. Thinking of her children, she cried a little. Her darling baby Ginny was now gone.
For the last two years, Molly has been thinking. Thinking about maybe having another child or adopting. Life without Ginny was incomplete and she knew she didn't want an incomplete life.
She walked out of her room and bustled down the stairs, tightening the bath robe she had on. She stumbled into the kitchen and sighed. The last two years have been great and saddening all at the same time.
Charlie and his wife, Madison, had their first child, Duncan. He was now one year old and the most sneaky little boy you would ever meet.
George and his pregnant wife, Alicia, were expecting twin girls. Fred, on the other hand, was still trying to figure out a way to propose to the love of his life, Katie.
Bill and Fleur had their three month old baby girl, Cherry. Cherry had beautiful strawberry blonde hair and dark brown eyes. She was a mixture of her father and her mother. Fleur has recently gotten English lessons and improved dramatically. It didn't even seem like she was French anymore.
Percy, at the moment, had a two year old daughter, Alexa, that he's been raising all on his own. Alexa's mother, who no one knew of, fled from England right after Alexa was born. Percy, who didn't care much, loved his daughter dearly. She had beautiful red hair and wonderful hazel eyes.
Molly turned the faucet on, unaware of a few noises that came from the living room. Upon hearing a few voices, Molly turned it back off and listened carefully.
"We didn't have any floo powder .." said a female voice.
"We didn't have our wands .." said another.
She then heard someone sigh. "Well, as long as your back. Mum's going to go bonkers."
Molly recognized that voice. "Percy!" she yelled. "Alexa needs tending to!" she shrieked. Percy always had a way of leaving and doing all his work, while his baby girl was at home asking for him.
Not hearing a response, Molly rolled her eyes and walked over to the kitchen entrance. Going through the door, she entered the living room. She stared right at Percy and pointed a finger. "Percival Weasely! Your daughter is waiting for you upstairs!" she reprimanded, jabbing the stubby finger onto his chest. "What on earth was so important that you had to leave her all on her own!"
Percy smiled gaily. "There was something very important," he said cheekily.
Molly gritted her teeth. "And what would that be?"
Olivia squealed. "Gramsy! Gramsy!" The eight year old ran over to Molly, both arms opened widely.
Molly stood there, staring down at the bushy haired girl. "Is this some sort of joke?" she asked disbelievingly.
"I would never play a joke on you, Mum." someone whispered.
Molly looked up and found her youngest daughter, holding a small baby girl in her arms. "Ginny?" she asked, her voice cracking a bit.
Ginny nodded and gave Mack to Percy. "Ginevra?" she asked, taking her arms and hugging her tightly. "They said .. They said .."
Ginny pulled back, tears in her eyes. "I'd never leave you without saying goodbye," she said quietly, pulling her mother back and hugging her once more.
As soon as everyone saw this gesture, they ran over and had a huge group hug.
Ginny, Hermione, and Olivia knew there was a lot of explaining to do.
Blaise scowled at his mother, who was at the moment, straitening his tie. He was clad in a black tuxedo, for he was going out on a "special" date. His mother began to bicker and banter at him, so finally, he gave up. He figured he would just go to the dinner, dump the girl, and go on moping as he has done for two years. "Mum .. Will you bloody stop?!" he asked, rather annoyed.
"Don't take that tone with me, Blaise," she hissed. "You are nearly twenty years old and you have yet to find a wife. You are lucky that I'm helping you."
Blaise felt his heart go weak. "I was going to have a wife .." he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.
Felicity heard. "Darling, it's been two years. Just move on and marry. Hermione would have been proud of you no matter what .."
Blaise shook his head. "She was the only one for me, Mum. She understood me. She loved me. I'm not giving my heart to someone else .. It'll always belong to her," he declared.
Felicity sighed, but said nothing, for the doorbell rang. Blaise stood lazily by the stairs, staring at the door. He couldn't believe he was doing this.
Blaise watched as his mother opened the door and revealed a very attractive woman. Blaise's eyes widened. She looked just like Hermione.
Her brown hair was set in wavy curls and her eyes were a dark hazel. His eyes now bugging out, he looked her up and down. The dress she wore was dark purple v-neck, that stopped right above her knees. His breath quickened. "Hi," he said nervously.
Alainna smiled broadly and walked up to him. "Hello," she whispered.
Felicity grinned like mad. "Well, you two should be off," she said in a sickly sweet voice. She shoved two out of the house and onto the footpath just outside.
Blaise kept staring at the beauty beside him. "Uh .."
Alainna giggled. "Your Mum's given us reservations for La'Clair," she told him.
"Do you mind if we portkey?" he asked, taking out a box and opening it. Inside lay a ring, identical to the one ha gave Hermione.
"Not at all," replied Alainna.
They both touched the ring, that same feeling from their bellybuttons being pulled in. They soon landed in a lavish restaurant, candles lit everywhere. Classical music was playing, making the place seem very elegant. Blaise approached a tall, thin man and smiled. "I have a reservation," he said clearly.
Alainna stood right beside him. "Your name, Sir?"
"Blaise Zabini," Blaise replied.
The man nodded and led them to a private room, covered with thick velvet curtains. "There is a silencing spell around this area .. If you two need to .." The man cleared his throat and threw them a wink.
Alainna giggled, while Blaise laughed nervously.
He gave them two menus and left them sitting on the very large booth. Blaise sat on the other side of the booth, as far away from Alainna as possible.
Before they can do anything, a cell phone rang. Blaise looked at her in surprise. "A cell phone?" he asked curiously.
Alainna fumbled into her purse and replied, "Can't live without these in the muggle world." She grasped her cell phone and flipped it open. "Hello?" she asked.
Blaise sat quietly on his side of the table, looking at the area around them. He didn't want to stare at Alainna any longer, for all he saw was Hermione.
"Jordan .. I told you .. I'll be home later .." he heard Alainna say.
Blaise figured it was her little brother. Felicity told him that she had a younger brother and sister.
"Alright, alright. But, Jordan, this is my job .." he heard her plead.
Blaise took a deep breath and continued to observe the things around him. They were in a big space, with that same curtain around them. There was a single rose in the middle of the table, and two glasses filled with ice cold water.
"Whatever .. I'll be home when I get home .." Blaise heard Alainna say angrily.
She snapped the cell phone shut and threw it in her purse. "I'm sorry about that."
Blaise nodded and refrained from asking who it was. "So .. Uh .. Why do you have a cell phone?"
Alainna laughed. "Every muggle has one," she responded.
Blaise stared at her. "What?"
"I'm a muggle born," she said, a bright smile on her face. "And a very smart witch," she added.
"Oh .." Blaise said sullenly. She was exactly like Hermione, almost like a duplicate.
"Well, I've been meaning to ask you .." said Alainna. "What's your middle name?" she asked curiously.
Blaise took a sip of water and replied, "Derek. It's my father's first name. And yours?"
"Olivia."
Blaise nearly choked on the water.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked in a sweet voice.
Blaise took calming breaths and mumbled, "This is going to be a long date."
Author's Note: Finally, chapter eighteen ..
Did you like? I know there wasn't much in here, but if you read carefully, you can pick up on a few clues that I left out in the open. I'm sorry that I was late in bringing in this chapter, but school's been a bitch and things have been happening. Can you believe that i got a D in Biology?! I can't even believe it ..
Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.
Believe me, there will be more to come.
as always - fawning over cheese,
chalk & gatorade :)