A/N Sorry for the long wait but real life got in the way for both me and my beta!

TCOTP

Chapter Four

The Wizengamot

On Monday morning Ginny was sitting at the table when her father came down for breakfast. "Good morning, sweetheart," he greeted as he sat down.

"What time are you going before the Wizengamot?" Ginny asked.

"One o'clock," he replied after taking a sip of the tea Molly had handed him.

"'Kay. I'll come to your office about twelve-thirty," Ginny said.

"Ginny, there's no need. You won't be allowed in; only the heads of each family are allowed in," Molly explained. She had spoken to Arthur the night before about going herself.

"But this will affect the rest of my life!"

"Ginny, I will owl you and your mother as soon as it's done," Arthur reassured her.

"No you won't, I know how things work. It will finish and then on your way back to your office you'll stop and speak to several different people along the way. Perhaps you'll have to run out for an exploding toilet. I could be sitting here until who knows when, never mind waiting for the damn owl to arrive! I'm coming and you can't stop me!"

Molly stood behind Ginny trying hard not to laugh. Ginny had described exactly how things would go. "Arthur, I think it's reasonable for her to go, even if she can't come in. That way she can hear it the minute you're done."

Around ten-thirty Ginny headed upstairs and started getting ready. Her stomach was in knots. No matter what anyone said, she couldn't shake the feeling that this would not be as simple as her father said. She began to wonder why her ancestors would do this to her. Weasleys and Malfoys don't marry, they feud. That was as sure as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

As it was a cool rainy day, Ginny chose to wear a copper brown colored blouse and a tan colored skirt that hugged her well shaped legs. She finished the look with a pair of black high heels. She had her hair styled loosely, but had charmed it so that there was a faltering wave to it. She wore her usual brown eyeliner and mascara, with clear lip gloss. Once she was done she had to admit she was very impressed with how old she looked. She could have been mistaken for at least twenty-five. She Apparated over to the Ministry and had her wand checked, then headed to her father's office. The door was open and he was finishing up with someone she had never met before. He didn't seem impressed and didn't bother to introduce her. She really did not care, she was in no mood to make small talk.

"Ginny, you look very grown up," Arthur admitted.

"Thank you, Daddy – er, Dad." She smiled at him. "Is it too early to head down there?"

"No. Actually, I should speak to Lucius before we head in."

"Why? I thought you said this was simple."

"It is, Ginny, it's just good manners."

"Dad, when did you ever care about manners in regard to Lucius Malfoy?" she questioned as Arthur came around his desk.

He smiled at his daughter. "Since your happiness was on the line." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Let's make our way down there."

"Yes, let's get this over with."

As they walked Ginny asked, "Why is this done in a courtroom?"

"Because it's a legal matter, and they have to be open to listen to testimony if someone believes one of the parties is being forced to reject. Stop worrying; I'm sure no one will doubt that both myself and Lucius are against this. Look, there's Lucius and Draco now."

Lucius and Draco Malfoy noticed Arthur and Ginny at the same moment. "Draco, is that Miss Weasley?" Lucius was surprised to see such a lovely looking young woman coming towards them. She honestly looked out of place walking with Arthur, but Lucius could tell she was nervous. He prided himself on reading people correctly.

Draco glanced at her. "Yes, that's her," he causally replied.

As the two sets of parent and child came within normal speaking range, Arthur spoke first.,"Lucius."

"Arthur, you remember my son Draco?"

"Draco," Arthur nodded. "And this is Ginevra." Normally Arthur would have said more, but he could not figure out how to politely introduce her to a man who tried to kill her at the age of eleven. And he didn't want to be too boastful of her for fear Lucius might change his mind about the rejection.

Lucius, ever the gentleman in public, reached a hand out towards Ginny to shake and she begrudgingly offered hers. "Ginevra."

"Mr. Malfoy," she said coolly, then turned her attention to Draco. A prat and an arse he may be, but she had a greater tolerance for him. "Draco."

"Ginny," Draco greeted.

Just then the door opened and a middle-aged woman entered the room, holding the door open. "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Weasley? They're ready for you now." Ginny and Draco watched as the two adversaries walked through the door and it closed behind them.

Draco glanced at her. "It could be awhile; do you care to sit down?" He indicated to a few chairs that sat against the wall.

Ginny nodded and headed for the chairs. "This is ridiculous; they're in there talking about our lives and we can't even be in there?"

"I agree."

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"This hearing is in respect to the matter of a betrothal between the Weasley and Malfoy families," a plump wizard said, calling the hearing to order. "In attendance we have?" He looked at Arthur.

"Arthur Weasley, The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole."

"Lucius Malfoy, Malfoy Manor, Wilshire." Lucius declared.

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Outside, Draco and Ginny kept eyeballing each other. "I'm sorry about your mother's passing," Ginny politely offered.

"Thanks. At least she went doing something she loved. There must have been quite the reaction when you got the letter about this."

"Not really. I thought it was a joke at first."

"Have you thought about what you will do if for some reason this doesn't work?" he asked.

She looked at him. "Why do you ask?"

"I worried that it might not work." Draco finally met her eyes.

"Me too."

He waited for more, but it didn't come easily.

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"Mr. Weasley, please state your reasons for coming before us today," the plump wizard said.

"I have come to reject the betrothal of my daughter," Arthur responded.

A voice from the Wizengamot caucus spoke, "Is it possible that we are about to witness history? A Weasley and a Malfoy agreeing on something?" There was a snicker from the crowd.

"I assure you it is not only possible, but I guarantee that it is happening." Lucius commented in response. "I also have come to reject this matter."

"Well, if both parties are in agreement and there are no other witnesses, it will be recorded in the books as rejected and any curse will therefore be lifted," the chief warlock stated. However, before his gavel hit the desk, a man with glasses who looked very frazzled rushed in. "I'm sorry I'm late!"

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"Well, Weaslette, what will you do?"

She looked at him again. "I will accept my fate and do what is best for my family."

Draco rolled his eyes. "I guess you would, I am a great catch."

"I never said I would be happy about it," she grumbled.

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"Good day, Mr. Alfred Jefferson. Do you have anything to add to these proceedings?"

"A-a-add? No," stuttered the man.

"Then this-"

"However, Mr. M-Malfoy cannot reject this."

"What are you talking about?" Lucius growled before anyone else could speak.

"TH-th-the magic evoked in betrothals is very clear; those to whom a betrothal is about cannot reject it. Only the head of the party's family can."

"That's what I am."

"Mr Malfoy, pl-please! Your wife passed away when?"

"August 11 of this year," Lucius replied.

"And the time of day?" Mr. Jefferson asked.

"9:30 in the morning," Lucius ground out.

Mr. Jefferson turned towards Arthur. "Mr. Weasley, please inform the court of the time of day your daughter was born."

"Ginevra was born at 5:42 pm"

"Then according to the agreement, Mr. Lucius Malfoy was the first unmarried Malfoy under the age of fifty. He cannot reject his own betrothal. Only Abraxas Malfoy could."

"This is preposterous! He's been dead for twenty years!" Lucius exclaimed. The fact then hit Arthur that his daughter would have to marry the man who tried to kill her or let her family die out.

The chief wizard spoke, "Seeing as how there is only one party who can reject, our hands are tied. There is nothing we can do. The betrothal stands and this matter is closed." The gavel hit the desk with a thunderous bang.

Lucius and Arthur looked at each other; both men's eyes were wide open with shock. They then turned to head out of the courtroom. Arthur commented, "Be thankful you don't have to be the one to tell her."

Draco and Ginny both rose as the doors opened Ginny rushed to her father's side as Lucius and Draco moved in the opposite direction from the doorway. "Well, Daddy?" It killed Arthur to do this, she looked so hopeful. Over his shoulder she could see relief wash over Draco's face. "It's done!"

Draco looked at his father as Lucius began, "Draco, you don't have to worry, you will not be required to marry Miss Weasley." Draco instantly felt relief.

Arthur took Ginny's face in his hands. "Ginny, Draco is not the first unmarried Malfoy. It's Lucius, and there is no one on their side alive who can reject the match."