Chapter 19

Oddly enough, friendship worked well for Ginny and Draco. They could meet at different times of the day, in different parts of London and enjoy each other's company. It was different for them. Usually their relationship was based on their sexual connection, but now they could really get to know each other. Yes, they had known each other before, but this was different. Ginny was amazed at how easily he could make her laugh and what a great father he was. The few times she saw him with Scorpius, her heart would nearly explode from how cute they were together.

Five days before Albus' first birthday found Ginny waiting outside a little boutique in London. For the first time in months the weather had finally risen over ten degrees, giving Ginny the opportunity to leave her winter coat at home. The sun was just topping the roofs when a voice behind her said, "You're early."

The smile seemed to have taken permanent residence on his lips. He had changed drastically over the past few months. When they had first decided to try being friends, it had been awkward, but after a few months they had been able to overlook their history together.

Ginny smiled back up at him and asked, "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine," they slowly started meandering down the street. "Work is getting really busy, and Scorpius is getting to be a handful, but I'm doing really well." His smile widened into a grin, "But Scorpius loved his birthday. You were right about the party; it was a great idea to have it at my house."

"I'm glad it went well," said Ginny.

"Yeah," he smiled down at her again before saying, "How are you?"

She shrugged, "I'm ok."

He waited for a minute, thinking she would continue, but when she didn't he said, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," she said hesitantly.

"Tell me," he said softly. He watched her carefully out of the corner of his eye. Her face was blank, but her eyes gave her away. "Ginny," he stopped walking and grabbed her shoulders to make her face him. "I know you better than anyone so don't tell me nothing's wrong."

A soft sigh escaped her lips and she said, "I'm just really overwhelmed, you know?" He nodded, but didn't say anything, inviting her to continue. "Don't get me wrong, I love my children with my entire heart and soul, and I love Harry and my family but sometimes I feel like," she paused, stumbling for words, "I feel like," she looked up at him, "I feel like my family is taking advantage of me."

"How so?" he let go of her shoulders and they fell back into a relaxed walk down the street.

"Well, it's like, they don't understand anything," Ginny said quietly, "I mean, yes, my father is the only one who knows about my relationship with you, and he's always been great to me, but the rest of them," she sighed. "The rest of my family can't seem to stay out of my life!" she exclaimed, "And, honestly, I don't think it's normal. It irritates the shit out of me! Yes, I know it's hard for parents to let go of their children but my mum," Ginny groaned, "She owls me about everything! She wants to know 'How's Harry?' and 'How are the boys?' But it's not just that it's, 'You shouldn't spoil James like that,' and 'You should do it my way, it's better." Ginny slapped her hands to her face, "I'm just so tired of it."

"Your mum has been criticizing how you raise your children," Draco said, "Is that all?"

"No," Ginny sighed, "But I don't want to bore you."

"Tell me," Draco repeated.

"Are you sure?" asked Ginny, cautiously. He nodded and Ginny said, "It's also Ron and Hermione, they can't stay out of my life either. They're constantly stealing Harry to go play super heroes and leaving me at home with all the children. When they actually come over for dinner Ron lectures me about how much stress I put on my mum while Hermione tries to give me tips on being a good wife to Harry."

"Hermione thinks she can help you be a better wife?" Draco asked, surprised, "How?"

"You know," said Ginny, "Ways to support him at work, like bringing him cookies and giving him massages and ways to start my children's education early. She's even given me tips on how to 'pleasure' Harry."

"Maybe she has some good advice," Draco said optimistically.

"There is no way Hermione knows more about sex than I do," Ginny snapped. Draco put a hand over his mouth, obviously trying to hide his laughter. "What's so funny?" asked Ginny, offended. Laughter took over Draco, disabling him from answering. "Do you actually think she knows more than me?"

"No," Draco finally got out, "No, it's not that."

"Than what's so funny?" she snapped.

"It's your life," he chuckled.

"Excuse me?" she asked, shock crossing her face.

"That's not what I meant," Draco said, finally getting a hold on his laughter, "It's just that your life is completely opposite from my life?"

"How so?" Ginny asked.

"Firstly, my mother loves to spoil my son. She actually believes I'm being too strict with Scorpius, but she doesn't want to say anything because she feels that I should decide how to raise my son. And the few friends I have don't care about the woman I'm dating."

"You're dating someone?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah," Draco said awkwardly. "I've been seeing her for a few months."

"What's her name?"

"Gwyneth." Draco stopped walking so he could look at her. "Ginny, we don't have to talk about this if you don't want to."

"No, it's fine," Ginny assured him, "You just caught me off guard." They walked in silence for a while. The streets had slowly become busier and now people pushed past them in their haste to get to work. They stopped and picked up coffee from a small sidewalk stand and after they paid Ginny asked, "Has she met Scorpius?"

"No," Draco said quietly. He was hiding something from Ginny and she could tell. She stared up at him, trying to guilt him into telling her his secret. Inevitably it worked and he sighed, "She doesn't like babies."

"And you're considering marrying her?" asked Ginny. Draco had always put Scorpius first over work, over travel and over social events.

"Ginny, she's really a great woman," Draco insisted, "It's just that she doesn't really want to have kids. And it's hard for her to even consider marrying a single father."

"Draco, how can you consider marrying a woman who doesn't want children?" Ginny asked.

"You don't understand Ginny," Draco said, sighing. "Can we stop talking about this?"

"Fine." They went back to walking in silence. Finally Ginny sighed and said, "Draco, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be bothering you about it. Who you date is none of my business." A soft smile crossed his lips, accepting the apology and Ginny asked, "How's work?"

By the end of the day they had walked through most of downtown London and laughed the whole time. He had shown her different cafés and shops that she'd never seen before and she had taught him how to play poker during lunch.

When the sun had started to fade over the horizon Ginny said, "I should probably get home soon. I have to start making dinner."

"Yeah," Draco said quietly, "I have dinner plans with Gwyneth tonight." He watched her as he said this, noticing how she flinched at the sound of the other woman's name. "Do you want me to apparate you home?"

"That would be great," Ginny said, smiling. She still hated apparition and still refused to learn how, relying mostly on the floo network. He laced his fingers with hers and within moments they were standing on her front porch. "Thanks," she smiled up at him.

"Anytime," he said.

After a moment of awkward silence Ginny wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, "I had a lot of fun today. I'll see you next week for lunch?"

"Yeah," he hugged her back, "I'll owl you."

"Great," she gave him a small wave before walking into the house and shutting the door. Seconds later when she looked out the living room window, he had already apparated away. Ginny sighed and leaned against the wall. Suddenly the door opened again, surprising Ginny.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked, confused.

"Um, nothing," said Ginny from behind the door.

Harry shut the door, freeing her and asked, "Where are the boys?"

"Luna took them to Diagon Ally for the afternoon," Ginny said. She glanced at the clock on the wall, "They should be home in about an hour."

"Great," Harry grabbed his brief case and said, "I have to finish up some work, but it won't take long." He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her gently, "Do you want to meet me upstairs in, say, a half an hour?"

Ginny grinned and kissed him back, "Definitely."

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Only a few months later an owl arrived in the mail:

You are invited to celebrate the marriage of

Draco Malfoy

And

Gwyneth Pierce

On

August, 17th

At the Malfoy Estates

Ginny put a hand to her mouth and tried to hold back tears. Harry walked into the kitchen and said, "Gin, love, what's wrong?"

Ginny shook her head, "It's nothing," but Harry took the invitation from her and scanned it quickly.

"I know," Harry sighed, "I read about the engagement in the Daily Prophet a few weeks ago. Gwyneth works in my department. She's a brilliant young witch. It's sad that she's marrying a prat like Malfoy." Obviously Harry thought she was crying because 'poor' Gwyneth was marrying Draco. "Do you want to attend the wedding?"

Surprised, Ginny looked up at him and said, "You want to go?"

Harry shrugged, "I wouldn't mind going. Gwyneth is a good friend."

"Ok," said Ginny, "I'll RSVP."

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"God Luna, I can't handle it anymore! I never realized how much I missed him or how much I still care about him and now he's all I can think about! Harry and I went to his wedding and I couldn't stop daydreaming about how I wished I was the bride!" Ginny threw herself on Luna's couch and buried her head in her hands before mumbling, "I just don't get it! I thought I was over him, I thought that I had closed that chapter in my life, but I haven't."

"It's ok Ginny," Luna rubbed her back gently, "It's completely normal for someone to still have feelings for another person after many years. You can't just forget about what you had with Draco. It's ok."

"No, it's not ok!" Ginny sobbed, "I'm married! I should have moved on with my life! But now," she took a deep breath. "Now everything's changed." She looked up at Luna, "I dream about him. Constantly."

"How so?" Luna asked cautiously.

"It's strange," Ginny said slowly. "I had a dream that we were both counselors at some summer camp and we kept running into each other and," she sighed, "nothing happened." Luna stared at her, confused and Ginny groaned, "I just can't explain it! It's like suddenly I'm back in my sixth year at Hogwarts and I feel like a giddy teenager again."

"Please, calm down Ginny!" Luna said, "You're starting to make me panic too!" She took a deep breath, "Seriously, it's not that big of a deal if you are still attracted to Draco. Honestly, occasionally I have vivid dreams about George or I'll see him and my stomach jumps, but I'm in love with Howard."

"You really think this is ok?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Yes, it's fine," Luna assured.

"Ok," Ginny sighed, relieved. "Thanks Luna."

"Anytime," Luna smiled, "Now, tell me more about your dreams."

The women giggled and started gossiping.

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