Disclaimer: This is based off of JKR's world. I claim to own nothing, and am making nothing from it.
AN: Yet another Drabble that grew into a one-shot. The prompt was fireworks. Please read the bottom AN; I don't want to ruin the story.
Apprehension is a powerful emotion. It can stop even the most confident wizard in his tracks, reducing him to a ball of nerves. It was very un-Malfoy like to experience such an emotion. Then again, Draco Malfoy was doing a great many uncharacteristic things lately. The gnawing feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach was a result of all the different things he had been doing lately. Six months ago he had begun dating Ginny Weasley. He had only been back in Britain for a few weeks when he ran into the youngest Weasley at a Ministry gala.
After the Dumbledore debacle, Draco had gone into hiding, but not before he surreptitiously informed the Ministry of all information he had on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. When the war ended his name had been cleared. However, Draco felt it best to not rub salt in his or anyone else's wounds by returning too quickly. Even after all those years away, and all the change that had occurred in the magical world, some things stayed the same. If you throw enough money in the right direction, any discretion could be forgiven. This was not to say that Draco was not remorseful for the actions he took, both towards Dumbledore and in his conduct in general. He was simply amazed at the hypocrisy of government and society. The "donation" to the Ministry aside, the Malfoy heir refused to be contrite to those who did not know him. Everyone has their transgressions to answer for. As a Malfoy, he refused to walk the line others thought he should.
That was the mindset he was in as he mingled amongst the many guests at the Ministry event. People regarded him with a mixture of contempt, awe, curiosity, and fear. The narrow minded views of the wizarding "elite" both amused and disgusted him. Draco had made his way out to one of the many balconies off the ballroom. He had spent much of his time away in secluded homes, where the chances of unwanted guests happening upon him were minimal. The quiet solitude became comforting, and presently he needed a bit of it.
"Aren't you an unexpected addition to the evening's events?" A surprisingly confident and almost alluring voice came from behind.
Slightly startled, he turned to see a stunningly beautiful woman staring at him. She was standing in the doorway, and light emanated from the ballroom, shadowing her features. However, Draco could make out a Slytherin-worthy smirk gracing her lovely face. There was something familiar about her that he could not quite place.
"Pardon me?" He asked in a surprisingly pleasant tone.
"I was just commenting on how, shall I say, interesting your presence must be too many here tonight." She explained. There was no hint of disgust, or anything negative for that matter.
"Do I know you?" He questioned, unable to properly place this intriguing woman.
"I believe it is more that you knew of me at Hogwarts." The witch answered, moving closer to him. As she made her way toward him, the moonlight simmered on her flowing red hair, and a dusting of freckles became visible on her porcelain face.
"Weaslette?" He asked in shock.
"I haven't been called that in years," she gently laughed, "but yes, the one and only."
"You've grown up." He responded, inwardly cringing at his lame words.
"We all have to I'm told." She agreed. "You don't appear to be the boy I remember either, time has been good to you it seems."
He could not say if it was the unexpected compliment, her apparent beauty, or the fact that she was the first person to speak to him as a human being since his return. Whatever the cause, Draco found he could not fall back into his normal antagonistic demeanor.
"Why, thank you," he was embarrassed to realize he had no clue what her first name was.
"Ginny," she offered, a smile on he lips.
"Yes, sorry about that." He blushed. Draco could not believe he was blushing. Attempting to recover, he went on, "So, what are you doing here? I mean, do you work at the Ministry?" The confident wizard was befuddled. He could not understand why he was suddenly acting to strangely.
"My father is the Undersecretary to the Minister." Ginny explained nonchalantly. "It's pretty much expected that all his children attend these things if we are available. They can be boring, actually. It is always the same people, taking about the same subjects, and such."
"I know what you mean." He agreed. "Growing up, my parents forced me to go to these events all the time."
"Looks like we have something in common, who would have ever thought?" Ginny joked.
"I guess a great many things have changed." Draco commented amazed at how pleasant he found that thought.
The duo spent the rest of the evening chatting with each other. It was one of the events that none of the Weasley brothers had attended. As a result, the two were able to converse uninterrupted. When the gala inevitably ended, they were loathed to part. That was how it all started. Draco and Ginny spent every moment they could together. Their relationship was a special secret they shared. The desire to develop a bond without the world scrutinizing and interfering was very important. A Malfoy and a Weasley would be big news. Ginny's family, as well as the entire wizarding world, would be all over the two of them. Such interference would not be conducive to a flourishing relationship. And flourish it did.
Eventually, the time to tell the Weasleys of their relationship arrived. Ginny had been spending all her free time with Draco, and her absence did not go unnoticed by her mother. Molly, ever hopeful that her daughter would end up with Harry, thought that Ginny was not attending as many family functions because her daughter was upset that the dark-haired wizard was currently dating Hermione. In a fit over her mother's constant pushing, Ginny let her temper get the best of her. She explained to Molly that past months had been spent with the wonderful new man in her life. As soon as the words were out of her mouth Ginny knew she had opened Pandora's Box. Her mother insisted that Ginny bring this great guy to the Weasley Reunion.
Despite protesting, Ginny knew that she had little choice than to bring Draco. Molly was quick to point out that if her daughter had indeed been spending so much of the past six months with a boyfriend, then it was high time the family met him. There was no way the reunion would take place without him being there. As she listened to her mother's demand, a voice in Ginny's head worried that once Draco did show, the party might be over. She may have accepted the reformed Malfoy, but she was not sure the rest of her family would.
This was the cause of the great apprehension Draco Malfoy was experiencing the morning of the Weasley Reunion. From what Ginny had told him, this was going to be the largest get together the Weasley clan ever had. If he remembered correctly, around three hundred relatives were gong to be there. The number was staggering to the handsome wizard. He grew up attending large, over the top parties full of people. However, they were all just acquaintances. He could not fathom how many generations would need to be included to have three hundred Malfoys. As overwhelmed as he was considering the vast number of Weasley relatives there were, he was truly worried about eight specific Weasleys. Yes, Draco Malfoy was afraid, and of Weasleys no less; another new emotion for him to struggle with.
Draco Malfoy was certain that he loved Ginny Weasley. The fact that he was willing to go to a Weasley function was proof that he loved her. Over the past six months he had discovered that she was the perfect witch for him. Draco wanted to prove himself worthy of her to her family, and that was a whole other level of devotion. Malfoy wanted Ginny to be his wife, of this he was sure. If he planned to make that desire reality, he was going to have to win over her family. These facts made the apprehension toward he day that much more intense.
"Draco, calm down, it's not going to be that bad." Ginny's voice broke his contemplation. The pair was sitting in the breakfast nook of his home where they had finished a scrumptious meal.
"What, sorry," he muttered, realizing she had once again caught him dwelling on the subject. "I was just thinking about how large your family was compared to mine." He half lied. He may be having a crisis of courage, but he'd be damned if he would let on.
"Yeah, I guess the numbers are a bit staggering." She answered, a large grin gracing her face at the thought of her whole family. "We should get going, you know. It is already close to eleven. I am sure many relative have already arrived. The last thing we need is for my family to start looking for me."
"I suppose you're right." He agreed.
"Listen, Draco, no matter how my family reacts, remember, I love you," Ginny reassured him, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a kiss.
"I love you, too, Gin." He answered, delighted at her touch. "Alright, my lady, lead the way." Draco steadied his resolve, and prepared to be assaulted, more physically and metaphorically by the Weasley family.
Ginny Apparated them to a point just outside the Burrow grounds. She could have gotten them closer, but the redhead did not think it wise to just pop into the living room with Draco at her side. With the way the wards were set up, Ginny knew that her family would already know that she was near. This way they were expecting her, if not who she was with. Taking a deep breath, and giving her gorgeous wizard a reassuring squeeze of the hand, she began toward the Burrow.
The Burrow was both exactly as Ginny had described it, and nothing like she had at the same time. There was an intriguing and inviting aura about the haphazard building that was Ginny's childhood home. Draco was surprised, though he could not say why, to see that the Weasley's had a great deal of land. That land was currently covered with picnic tables, chairs, barbeque pits, badminton nets, and other game supplies, and people; hoards of Weasleys were scattered everywhere. Draco had expected the extended family to be a sea of red haired individuals. Instead, it was obvious that despite what his father told him, Weasleys had every hair color imaginable. Slowly, the couple weaved their way through the mass of humanity toward the house. Ginny would greet individuals know and then with a small smile or waive. Draco could tell that she was determined to get inside the house quickly, while drawing as little attention as possible to them.
"Ginny, dear, I wasn't sure you would ever make it!" A female voice greeted as soon as Ginny stepped foot in the Burrow. Draco saw his petite girlfriend enveloped into a firm hug by an equally short, but far plumper witch he knew to be Molly Weasley. She had not yet noticed his presence, and the wizard took the moment to see just how much the woman adored her child. Draco felt a pang of jealousy as he thought of the lack of emotion his parents showed him. Feeling his stare, Molly looked up to be greeted by his steel gray eyes.
"This must be your new someone," Molly began, and then realizing who Ginny was dating, added, "That would explain the secrecy."
"Mum, this is Draco Malfoy. We have been seeing each other for half a year now." Ginny explained, mustering all her courage. "Draco, this is my mother, Molly Weasley."
"It is a pleasure, indeed, ma'am." Draco responded, while taking the elder witch's hand, and placing a small kiss on it.
"Oh," Molly was startled by his action. This as not what she would have expected from a Malfoy. "Yes, dear, it is lovely to meet you as well. I was not trying to be rude; I just could not understand why Ginny had not mentioned you before."
"I wanted to get to know him before my family got in the way." Despite the importance of this meeting, Ginny could not stand it when her mother nagged about her love life.
"Ginevra Weasley, honestly," Molly chided. "You act as if you were raised in a family of heathens!"
As if on cue, a loud boom sounded from upstairs. Ginny was sure that the twins were trying out a new product for their store on a guinea pig, she meant relative. Rolling her eyes, she answered, "Well, if the shoe fits."
"Those brothers of yours! I swear, if they do not behave themselves today, I will turn them into toads." Mrs. Weasley promised "Anyway, I need to go see what they are doing now. They already gave poor cousin Jonas a Canary Cream. It is lovely to have you here, Draco. I am well aware that the Ministry cleared you of any wrong doing." Another boom erupted. "I would love to speak with you more, but right now I have two young men to sort out. If you'll excuse me, please." With that she began up the stairs, wand at the ready. Draco did not envy the twins at this moment.
He was beginning to feel some relief. Molly Weasley had welcomed him. In all honesty, he was very concerned about her. Draco was well aware that Ginny had inherited her temper from the woman, and was not looking forward to being on her bad side. One down! He thought to himself. Experience told him that if he could get in good with Molly, he had won part of the battle. Being the reunion's hostess, Draco was certain Molly wanted all to go smoothly. If she was on his side, to any extent, he knew the witch would ensure he was treated civilly. Perhaps meeting her family on the reunion day wasn't as bad as he thought.
All hope in that concept died the moment he followed his girlfriend into the living room.
"What the bloody hell is he doing in my house?" The all too familiar voice of Ron Weasley echoed in Draco's ears. Ron had stood up from his place on the sofa, and was pointing incredulously at his childhood nemesis.
"It is lovely to see you as well, Ronald" Ginny answered in a saccharine laced voice. "Everyone, I am sure you remember Draco Malfoy. He is the wonderful man I have been dating for the past six months." She announced to the room. Now that he looked, he was a bit intimidated by the crowd she had led him into. Four redheaded men were in various areas with their respective companions.
"Dating Draco Malfoy," Ron said, beginning to laugh. He had this odd look on his face, as if he just realized something. "Oh, Gin, you really had me going there for a minute! Wow, talk about over reacting! I am sure the look on my face was priceless!" He continued, now seated again, and doubled over in laughter. "Is that one of the twins' new products? I heard the sounds of their handy work from upstairs earlier. What did they come up with, is it a pill or something that turns you into someone else? Alright, you've had your fun, who is it you turned into Malfoy, anyway? I hope the spell wears off soon, I mean can you imagine spending time looking life Malfoy?" The wizard babbled on. Obviously, he could not wrap his mind around the idea of Draco Malfoy dating his sister. The other people in the room just looked back and forth between him and Malfoy.
"It's actually not so bad being me, Weasley." Draco spoke up in his characteristic arrogant drawl.
That was what brought reality crashing down. No spell or potion, no matter how well made, could reproduce that distinctly Malfoy tone. The color drained from Ron's face as he stared openmouthed at his sister. Seizing the chance to speak before Ron found his voice, Bill spoke up.
"So, Ginny, he's the big secret you've been keeping." His voice held no malice or anger. "I have to say that I am surprised. After hearing all of the stories about him over the years, I am impressed that you gave him a chance at all. I never went to school with him, but I do have this to thank him for." Bill stated, indicating the large scar he had.
"Yeah, about that," Ginny stuttered for words. She knew that Ron, the twins, and possibly even Percy would have gripes about her choice, but admittedly she forgot that Draco was responsible for letting Greyback into Hogwarts.
"I was wrong, and I apologize." Draco quickly spoke up. Astonishment graced the faces of everyone in the room; Malfoy just apologized. "I made many choices and actions in my youth that I am not proud of." He was telling the truth. Despite his policy of not apologizing to those who did not know him, Draco knew this admission was a necessary first step in being accepted by Ginny's family. That was the ultimate goal. He loved Ginny too much to put her in the position to have to choose between him and her family. "I never took into consideration how far-reaching my actions would go."
"Obviously not, you only ever think about yourself! You just wanted to be Voldemort's little henchman, his favorite Death Eater." Ron had found his voice.
"You don't know everything about it, Ron!" Ginny protested. This was not going well at all.
"Ginny, it is okay." Draco reassured her, placing his arm around her waist. "I was between a rock and a hard place, I either followed orders, or my parents would have died. My parents may have not been the greatest people, but I cannot think of anyone who would want to be the cause of their parent's death."
"I cannot, either." Bill answered. He had things to say, and he was not going to let his youngest brother rob him of the chance. "I spent time hating you, Malfoy. However, being attacked brought me a great gift. Most everyone was sure that Fleur did not really love me; that I was a passing fancy for her. Few would have faulted her leaving me. Physical attributes aside, there was no telling how I would be affected. She never left my side after being maimed. Despite the scars and potential danger she married me, and as a result gained much due respect from my family."
The room was quiet, taking in Bill's words. No one, Malfoy included could have ever imagined that response. Hope began to build in Ginny. If Bill could forgive Draco there was hope yet.
"I don't care what anyone else thinks. A hippogriff never changes its feathers Malfoy cannot be trusted." Ron broke the silence. Obviously, years of childhood differences could not easily be forgotten.
"The Ministry cleared him; doesn't that mean anything to you?" Ginny pleaded.
"The same Ministry that denied Voldemort's return, which sent Umbridge to teach us? You know as well as I do that they make mistakes." Ron answered.
"You are correct, son." Arthur Weasley chimed in. Unbeknownst to all in the room, he had been listening for quite some time. "What you do not know is that I was the one who gathered the evidence that cleared young Malfoy, and stood for him in front of the Wizengamot."
"How could you?" Ron asked bewildered. "He's a Malfoy!"
"His name makes little difference to me; he was a young man in a terrible position." His father reasoned.
"Thank you sir, I had no idea." Draco sincerely thanked the wizard responsible for his second chance.
"Quite alright, Mr. Malfoy." Arthur answered. "Once I saw the truth of your situation, I had to do the right thing. Now, if you don't mind, tell me of your intention toward m daughter."
"His intentions, I'll tell you his intentions." Ron broke into the conversation. "He is having a good time with my sister, and when he tires he'll cast her aside, broken hearted." His rage was growing with every word.
"No he won't Ron, he loves me." Ginny vehemently responded.
"Open your eyes, Ginny. You are being as stupid as you were your first year at Hogwarts." Ron chided. That was it. Ron picked the one issue that would set everyone in the room off.
"I suppose you would have been able to fend off Voldemort's efforts to penetrate your mind at eleven years old?" Percy defended his sister.
"You claim to love Ginny, that I am no good for her. I assure you I never throw that incident in her face." Draco turned on Ron, incensed that he would treat Ginny that way.
"Shove it, Malfoy. Everyone knows I have her best interests at heart." Ron yelled pulling his wand. "Malfoy just wants a good time, and then go on his way."
"If all I wanted was a good time, do you think I would risk coming here?" Malfoy asked, attempting to keep his cool, mindful of the wand pointed in his direction.
"You'd do anything to stay in her good graces until you're done with her." The enraged Weasley countered.
"As I see it, you are the only one being disrespectful toward Ginny." Malfoy pointed out.
"Why you…" Ron started, and then pointed his wand at Draco. As he muttered a spell, Ginny pushed him aside. A jet of light shot across the room and hit a portrait on the wall.
"Ronald! How could you? What does he have to do to prove himself?" Ginny was near tears. She wanted her brother to see how much she and Draco loved each other.
"Ginny," Draco began, this wasn't how he intended, but now seemed like the perfect time. "I love you and am thankful you gave me a chance to show you that I have grown. Will you marry me?"
"Oh, yes, Draco, yes!" Ginny answered, running to him, wrapping her arms around him.
"That is, of course, if it is alright with your father." Draco turned to Mr. Weasley.
"If you are wiling to ask in front of the entire Weasley family, I am sure your intentions are good. You have my permission." Arthur explained.
"Over my dead body!" Ron yelled. He began to raise his wand for another attempt at his soon to be brother-in-law. Ron stopped mid-spell, and fell to the ground.
"I think we've heard enough from him." Charlie explained. "Next, time you're on your own with him, though, Malfoy."
The twins spoke up at that moment. Like Arthur, they'd been watching the scene unfold quietly.
"I thought the fireworks we were working on upstairs were entertaining, Forge, but the show down here puts our efforts to shame." Fred chimed in.
"Too true, Gred, just think, a Weasley- Malfoy wedding; we'll have to be on top of our game for that one." George agreed.
Although in the back of his mind a hint of worry developed, Draco was far too happy at that moment to care. He may not have looked forward to meeting Ginny's family, or planned to ask her in such a haphazard way, but somehow everything was perfect.
FIN
AN: I will probably write other versions of proposals, this wasn't my favorite method, but it fit well with the prompt. Send me some love, y'all, and as always, if you have an idea or prompt, send it in a review, and I'll write just for you!