Here's Draco
"How about it, Gin? Dinner and a movie this Friday?" asked Draco Malfoy.
Ginny rolled her eyes and said, "That sounds amazingly funny coming from the Prince of the Royal House of Malfoy, Draco. Look, I love you, you arrogant prat, but not that way. You're one of my best friends and I don't want to spoil that."
"You aren't still holding out for Potter, are you?" he asked, more kindly than she'd thought he would. "He's gone, we haven't seen him in months, and I haven't heard from him either. I dunno what his problem is, but we're not stupid kids any more."
"He's back," she said softly, looking reluctantly into his eyes. "I've seen him and I can't say how he feels, but I still care."
"When?" asked Draco, his grey eyes narrowing speculatively.
"Over the weekend. I saw him at the Snapes' house."
"He would go there first… I wonder if he plans to get in touch with all of us. Mike and Kingsley will torture him if he doesn't. But seriously, is he okay?"
"In some ways I'd say better than he's ever been, but in others, I don't know. We babysat the kids on Saturday night and he was lovely with them, but avoided talking seriously with me about anything."
"He probably told you not to tell us," said Draco shrewdly.
Ginny nodded.
"Well, I hope Mike gets his hands on Potter, but I don't see why you shouldn't have a bit of fun. No pressure, Ginny. I'm not looking for a quick shag, I like you a lot and we'd be great together."
He was a stunning guy, she thought almost against her will. Which was cool, but more important was that he was clever, funny and much kinder than all the Malfoys in history rolled together.
"I don't know, Draco," she said irritably. "Zelda says I should relax and have fun."
"She's a smart lady. What if we do it together?" he asked, a hint of a drawl in his voice.
She frowned and said, "Drop it for now, please."
"D' you have plans for tonight?"
"Zelda invited me for dinner," she said defensively.
"Invite me along. She won't mind, you know," he said confidently.
"But Harry…" her voice died away.
"Being a true Slytherin, I won't mention that you told me he's back, but I want to see what we're getting into. He's my friend, Weasley. I don't want any of us to lose anything through some stupid misunderstanding."
"Will you behave yourself?" she asked.
"We Malfoys pride ourselves on our impeccable manners," he said, mocking Lucius's arrogance perfectly. "Besides, I love to watch old Severus acting all human. When Zelda teases him he tries to keep the stone-face on, but he can't. It's hilariously funny."
Ginny chuckled reminiscently. "They have a secret life, you know."
"Tell me," he said, leaning forward with sparkling eyes.
"Professor Snape asked us to watch the kids on Saturday night. I'm sure he knew Zelda wanted Harry and me left alone, but he took her out on a Muggle date, Draco!" she said, laughing. "He went and got theatre tickets in London, put on this incredible Muggle suit and looked hot!"
Draco's comical expression made her giggle harder.
"I don't believe it," he said. "Professor Severus Snape carousing in Muggle London?"
"People would've noticed them too," she said. "Zelda had this incredible vintage dress. I put up her hair, she wore her sapphire jewelry and looked gorgeous, and you know that kind of energy they've got between them? They looked like… Muggle celebrities or something."
"What if we try to catch them at it sometime?" he said.
"You're not in the same league as those two," she said, amused. "Besides, they deserve an occasional break."
"Forget it then, but I'm coming to dinner with you. What time?" he asked.
"Half past six," she said in resignation.
&&&&&&&&&
Harry Potter spent the morning in a meeting room in the Department of Mysteries with a dozen wizards. All of them except Sol Davis were at least eighty-five. Harry had learned from knowing Dumbledore that age often accompanied great knowledge, but on this lovely spring day he was fidgeting. There were no windows, but he knew he was wasting a glorious day and he twitched impatiently.
"Thank you for your initial report, Mr. Potter," quavered the head Unspeakable. "Now, often when we return from such an arduous research mission, we require time off. Perhaps you're not aware, but you're entitled to two weeks, so you can get your life organized here at home. Paid, of course."
"Uh… I um, thanks, but I don't need it," he said, surprised.
"Harry, it's been the better part of a year," said Solomon, his mentor. "At least take the rest of the week."
Realizing that he could use the time to get started on Professor Snape's grimoire, he accepted the offer and ten minutes later found himself walking along the London street on a warm day in late May. Taking a deep breath, he thought impulsively that he'd go to St. Mungo's and see if Ginny was coming to the Snapes' for dinner.
He Apparated to the corner near St. Mungo's and headed for the entrance. But he stopped dead when he saw two very familiar people about to enter. Ginny, wearing green Healer robes, was walking side by side with Draco Malfoy, his friend, Draco. She was holding his arm and laughing. When they reached the entrance, he ushered her forward and then turned away.
"See you this evening, Gin," he called, looking obnoxiously smug.
She waved and went inside. Harry realized Draco was heading toward him, so he ducked back around the corner and Apparated home. He felt more wretched than he had any right to feel, he thought. Storming into the house, he flung himself on the couch. Ginny wouldn't be coming to dinner.
&&&&&&&&&
Zelda noticed the difference in Harry the minute he walked in that afternoon, but said nothing. He'd been quiet but content during the weekend, but now she saw sadness in his eyes before he averted his gaze. But when Alaric appeared at the top of the stairs after his nap, calling for her, Harry brightened up.
"I'll get him," he said with a weak smile.
They returned a moment later, Alaric riding on Harry's back and giggling wildly.
"Thanks, Harry. Emmie should sleep a little longer, unless her brother woke her up with all the noise."
"Want to go swing?" Alaric asked Harry.
"Sure," Harry said, taking the hand the boy offered to him. "Zelda, if I can help with dinner or something, let me know."
"Run away, boys. I like to see you have fun," she said fondly.
So Harry went out to the swings he'd built and tried to teach Alaric how to pump with his legs. The child took it seriously, watching Harry and screwing up his face with effort, but he lacked the coordination and finally burst into frustrated tears, stamping his feet.
"Hey! Alaric, it's okay. Come here, buddy," said Harry, holding out his hand.
"I watched and I thought I could do it," sobbed the boy, burying his face against Harry's shoulder. "Why can't I do it?"
"I dunno," said Harry honestly. "But maybe you need to be older to learn it. I don't remember how old I was when I learned it, but I was much older. Maybe five or six."
"Really?"
Alaric raised his head and looked up hopefully. "Do you think I can learn it tomorrow?"
Harry hugged him and said, "Maybe tomorrow or maybe some other day. But you'll learn it. Anyway, I'll push you now, if you like."
As he pushed Alaric on the swing, Harry reflected that somehow he'd managed that right. Maybe he loved this kid too much, though. Professor Snape's son, no less, and he'd do anything for him. Since he'd probably never have a wife, this was as close as he'd come to having a kid.
"Stop, Harry!" shrieked Alaric suddenly.
When the swing was still, Alaric said seriously, "It's your turn. I'll push you."
So Harry sat on the swing and Alaric pushed on his back as hard as he could, moving him gently.
"Having fun, Harry?" asked Ginny, coming up behind them.
"Ginny!" he exclaimed, his heart pounding.
"Why are you so surprised? We just saw each other yesterday," she said, heartened by his hopeful smile.
"Yeah, but…"
He stood up hastily and said, "Shall we give Ginny a turn?"
"It's your turn, Ginny," Alaric exclaimed, patting the seat of the swing.
So she sat down and let Alaric push, giving Harry the chance to gaze at her. She was wearing jeans and a tank top that drew his attention to her breasts. She wasn't fifteen any more, he thought longingly.
"Potter, I challenge you to a duel, you wanker," said a mocking voice from behind him.
"Draco," said Harry, his heart sinking as he turned to face his friend. "How've I offended your pureblood majesty?"
"An owl or two, is that too much to ask? You might've come home for Christmas, for that matter. Michael and Zelda whinged incessantly about how much they missed you and I swear old Severus almost burst into tears on Christmas Eve."
Reluctantly Harry laughed. The idea of Professor Snape missing him was hilarious.
They shook hands warmly and Harry realized that he couldn't even hate Malfoy for winning Ginny. The guy was his friend.
"Your owls must've been eaten by Albanian Thestrals," he observed snidely.
"Yeah, well whatever. But you didn't tell us you were back, did you?"
"I was whistling for Hedwig when you showed up," said Harry smoothly.
Zelda came outside with Emelie toddling by her side. When the little girl saw Ginny and Harry she began to run toward them.
"Harry, Harry, Harry!" she called, and then tripped and fell down hard.
"Emmie!" said Harry, hurrying to pick her up, horrified.
There was a terrible short silence and then Emmie screamed so loud that she sounded like a de-potted mandrake.
"Zelda, she's hurt! What can I do?" he asked frantically.
Zelda examined her daughter with professional aplomb.
"Let me see your face, sweetie," she murmured.
Blood was running down from her mouth and Zelda sighed.
"She bit her lip and skinned her knees, but she's okay. Shall I take her?"
But Emmie clung to Harry, so he carried her into the house and held her while Zelda gave her a drink of cold water and mopped blood. The knees were next, and after they were cleaned and bandaged the little girl sat quietly in Harry's lap.
Ginny and Draco had followed with Alaric, who clung to the witch's hand nervously.
"Is Emmie hurt?" he asked anxiously. "Can I see her?"
"She's here, buddy," said Harry, holding out a hand to him.
Alaric went to Harry and held his hand, looking at his sister. He brushed the bandages on her knees with a tentative finger.
"She's okay," he pronounced. "Now will you hold me?"
Harry laughed with relief, scooping the boy onto his other knee. Draco smirked obnoxiously at the sight.
"Shut up, Malfoy," said Harry softly.
"Shut up, Malfoy," echoed Alaric, a feisty gleam in his eyes.
"Alaric!" said Zelda. "That's rude."
"Harry said it," replied the boy firmly, leaning confidently back on Harry's shoulder.
Zelda sighed and prepared a motherly lecture that she never delivered because Harry, Draco and Ginny were all convulsed with laughter. The children were startled at first, but joined in, screaming with laughter. At that precise moment, Severus arrived home.
"Cease this vile noise at once," he snapped, shocking them all into silence.
"Daddy?" asked Alaric anxiously, looking stricken.
His head was throbbing, but that was no excuse for upsetting the children. Severus held out his arms and Alaric ran to him and kissed his thin cheek.
"I'm sorry, Alaric, that was uncalled for. You didn't tell me you'd be having a party," said Severus softly, scooping up his son.
"Emmie fell down and had blood and Harry got her and Mummy fixed her with bandages. Then Harry said shut up, Malfoy, and I said it too and Mummy said not to and everybody laughed," reported the boy earnestly.
His lips twitching reluctantly, Severus said, "Thank you. Now I understand. Is supper ready yet? I'll change clothes now and I hope we can eat soon. I'm hungry."
He kissed Alaric and set him down, then eyed his wife quizzically. Her rueful smirk was a promise of good things to come, so he left the kitchen feeling slightly better. Once upstairs he took two of Zelda's orange Muggle headache pills and threw off his Hogwarts robes. Pointing his wand he hung the robes and then magically undid his clothes. He reached for his black jeans, deciding to wear a long sleeved shirt. All he wanted was a quick meal and a long cuddle with his family, so he hoped the others would leave soon after dinner.
&&&&&&&&&
Severus was almost sorry the pills had worked, since he found himself paying attention during dinner. Because he wasn't feeling well he was allowed to eat in peace, while conversations buzzed around him. Malfoy exerted himself to charm and amuse Zelda, making Ginny laugh a great deal in the process. Both of the children were revoltingly infatuated with Potter. It irritated him that his wife and children found Potter the most endearing pest on the planet. However…
Potter watched Ginny Weasley laugh and talk with Malfoy without the slightest effort to join in. The bloody boy was a depressed, pathetic mess and Severus squirmed inside at the sight. The sorrowful green eyes were Lily's, yet he realized that Potter was on his way to emulating the Snape incompetence with women. The annoying thing was that Zelda assured him that the girl still cared for the idiot boy. He rolled his eyes and wished his headache hadn't eased.
"Would anyone like to help clean up?" asked Zelda, grinning at Draco.
"With my bare hands?" he drawled in mock horror.
"Malfoy, Weasley, help Zelda. Since my children have developed an unhealthy infatuation with Potter, he'll take them outside for a short time before bedtime," hissed Severus, daring any of them to protest.
Zelda looked curiously at him and got the raised eyebrow in return, and a slight shrug.
"What will you do?" she demanded.
"Daddy, come with me!" commanded Alaric, pulling on his hand. "Push me on the swing."
"I'm going outside with Alaric," he told Zelda, smirking insufferably.
Potter was attentive to Emmie, but rather listless as he helped her into the swing and gave it a gentle push.
"Do you plan to say something to Miss Weasley or simply wilt pathetically while she chooses Malfoy?" demanded Severus nastily, glaring at Harry.
"What?" asked Harry, staring in shock at Professor Snape.
"I despise involving myself in other people's petty affairs, so I'll say this once. Tonight you'll ask that girl out on a bloody date. Ask her to marry you, in fact."
"I can't! She doesn't want me and even if she did…"
"Potter, you've managed a small degree of competence in your professional life, now deal with your personal life," Severus advised harshly.
Emotions bubbled up in Harry, rage, confusion and terror. He glared at Professor Snape in silence, then turned and stalked toward the house.
"Where's Harry going?" asked Alaric, looking anxious.
"Inside, but he'll be back," replied his father absently, watching Potter march into the house with some interest.