A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Anna who asked for them to be longer. Hope you like this one, 4544 words!! Don't forget to hit the purple button at the bottom of the screen. Enjoy:

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Above and Beyond

Chapter 7 - Confusion Is Nothing New

Three days later found Ginny lying on her bed watching the approach of dawn. She had quickly discovered that her room afforded an excellent view of the sunrise and she had spent the last two mornings in much the same way. She held her breath as the faintest stirrings of pink began showing themselves through her window. The sight made her feel slightly nostalgic; she could view the sunrise from her room at the Burrow as well. Gradually the sun eased itself up, as if from some long slumber from which it was reluctant to awaken.

Ginny sighed dreamily then got up; she had some owls to send and they were not going to send themselves. The Malfoys of course had their own Owlery and quite a few other luxuries as well. An indoor Quidditch pitch and swimming pool, and the most beautiful indoor garden Ginny had ever seen inside or out. The garden she had been told was Narcissa's pet project. She tended to it every day. Ginny had been startled to discover that Narcissa Black Malfoy lowered herself to something as common as gardening before the housekeeper had clarified that she only supervised the house elves as they weeded and pruned. The garden was truly lovely and Ginny had to give Narcissa credit for even coming up with the idea, even if she didn't personally keep it in shape.

She got out of the bed and walked over to her closet. She had found all her clothes unpacked by the time she had gotten to her room. House elves, she had thought wryly. Now she chose her most comfortable clothes: her handy jeans and a simple black tee. She fingered her short hair again in front of the mirror. It had become something of a habit recently. Her hand would drift almost unconsciously to the choppy ends of the style and fiddle with the curls that hung about her ear. She was almost jealous of Belle's waist length locks before remembering that hers once hung like a red river almost to her bottom. It was a hassle dealing with hair that long, and Ginny didn't regret her decision. Instead she hung gold moon and star earrings (a present from Harry on her seventeenth birthday) from her lobes and after looking in the mirror one last time she left the room and headed to the Owlery with the letters she had written last night.

As she strolled down the semi-lit corridor she reflected on her first few days here. The children had taken to her quickly, now looking to her for advice as often as they looked to Belle. She was getting to know them as well. She'd picked up on the minor details like what breakfast they each preferred, and when exactly to order them to bed to get the best results. She had also discovered that Belle was an exceptionally bright student which was a main factor in her professors' decision to send her home early. The teen could rival Hermione in brains and Ginny was pondering ways to get the two of them talking.

Thoughts of the children naturally led to thoughts of their guardian. Ginny scoffed at the term. He was hardly ever around to do much guarding, or did he think that was her job? Regardless, he was the one who was going to take care of them for the rest of their lives. He should at least make an effort to spend more time with them, Ginny thought. The day she had arrived and seen Adan comfortably sitting in Draco's arms, she had actually thought he cared about them, even a tiny bit. She had been proved wrong the very next day. Draco hadn't even said good morning to the children before leaving for work. In fact he seemed determined to avoid them.

Narcissa spent more time with them than he did. She would sit with Ginny in whatever room they happened to be using, occasionally offering Ginny helpful hints. They had soon found out that Belle, in addition to being an excellent student, was a talented pianist. Narcissa had her practicing for an hour everyday, just to hew the raw talent. She was a quick learner and Narcissa went as far to say that she was delighted with her progress. Still Draco knew none of this and it annoyed Ginny. She vowed that the next time she saw him, she would give him a piece of her mind.

That would prove to be difficult because he seemed to be avoiding her at the moment. Okay, not her specifically, but he really was scarce most of the time. The last she heard, he had attended some party or the other last night. The housekeeper had been told not to expect him back for dinner. No doubt he was out with some society blonde or the other, vacuously clinging to his arm to allow maximum view of her-. Ginny growled. She was working herself up into a fine temper. And over what? Some pathetic excuse for a father figure? Oh, just wait till she got her hands on him. Her hands on him -. Why did that thought sound so enticing? She shook her self mentally; she did not fancy Draco Malfoy, she simply wished he would face his responsibilities instead of shirking them. The man was-

- Right in front of her.

Ginny stopped short and stared. He looked terrible. As well he should, she thought contemptuously. His eyes were bloodshot and his normally immaculate hair was wildly untamed. He had dark rings under each eye and seemed to be supporting himself only by the good grace of the wall. Damn him, Ginny thought furiously, even foxed the man manages to look like a bloody sex god. Since she had to pass him (he was outside the kitchen) to get to the Owlery, she cleared her throat to get his attention. He looked up suddenly and moved away from the wall to make it look like he was casually observing the stones in front of him. The sharp movement caused him to lose his precarious balance and he fell to the ground. Ginny scoffed and walked forward to help him, stuffing the letters into her back pocket at the same time. He reeked of Firewhisky and she was surprised to find that the Draco Malfoy drank commoners' ale. He also smelled faintly of, she leaned closer, pine tree and-

- What the bloody hell was she doing sniffing her boss? She shook her head angrily and stooped to help him to his feet.

'Mr. Malfoy,' she coaxed, 'You've got to go to bed.'

He leaned heavily on her and mumbled something unintelligible.

'What?' Ginny whispered.

His mouth was ridiculously to her ear when he whispered. It made her tingle.

'I said Draco. Call me Draco.' Despite being drunk his voce wasn't as slurred as Ginny knew her brothers' to be when they snuck home in the night from some wild party.

'I hardly think that's appropriate, Mr. Malfoy.'

Draco shook his head and his nose brushed her cheek. Ginny felt another unfamiliar tingle. She frowned.

'Don't do that.' She said sharply. She had gotten him on his feet now and was half dragging him in the direction she had just come from. Her room was in the east wing with his and the children's. It was advantageous, Narcissa had told her, in case any of the children needed her in the night. She hadn't said anything about them needing Draco, Ginny reflected wryly.

'Can you walk at all?' she asked irritably.

'Of course.' He answered haughtily, trying for some of the notorious Malfoy disdain. Ginny almost laughed at the comical expression it gave to his face. She let out a giggle.

His mouth was once more disturbingly close to her ear.

'Are you laughing at me, Ginny?' he asked in what Ginny assumed must have been his best impression of a seductive voice. Well, if it wasn't for the alcohol on his breath, Ginny would have probably had shivers again. As it was, it only served to get her more annoyed.

'Maybe I am,' she answered defensively. He chuckled, the sound deep and melodious, not what she had expected a Malfoy's voice to sound like.

She felt those tingles again. Damn him, she thought furiously. She shook him, hard, and for a moment he looked unsettled. The look quickly turned to nausea. Oh Merlin, Ginny thought. His room was a few steps away and Ginny wondered if he would make it. She was annoyed to find out that she was a tad remorseful for jostling him in his current state. They reached the door and Ginny tried the knob. It was locked. She swore under her breath. Draco laughed again and she frowned.

'Didn't know you had such a potty mouth, Weasley.' He laughed softly at his own joke. 'Potty mouth.' He said again.

'It's locked, Malfoy.' She ground out.

'Where's your wand? It'll open for an Alohomora.' He said.

'I left it in my room.' Ginny replied irritably. He sighed and his mouth was so close to Ginny's ear that she jumped at the warm breeze that passed it. Draco allowed himself another chuckle and Ginny was annoyed that now he seemed to be laughing at her. He slipped a hand inside his robes and extricated his wand, preparing to perform the charm.

'Oh no, you don't,' Ginny said and took the wand from him. 'In your state, who knows what you'd do to the door.'

He gave it up without protest and Ginny allowed herself one thought about the kind of intimacy the sharing of a wand suggested. She banished the thought from her head and muttered the charm under her breath. The door clicked open and they stepped inside. Ginny almost gasped at the lavish surroundings. A huge double bed stood in the centre of the large room flanked by a plush white rug. On the other side of the bed was a fireplace that was actually bigger than the one they had at the Burrow. He had a bookshelf along one wall of the room, a trophy shelf along another as well as his broomstick, and a closet occupied the third.

She noticed Draco had left her side and was attempting to make his way to the bathroom. She sighed and rushed over to his side before he fell over again. It felt comfortably right she noticed, their bodies fit perfectly. Her thoughts strayed to the other ways they could fit perfectly and she blushed. Draco tried to push her away, muttering that he didn't need any help, but Ginny shushed him. She guided him to the bathroom and washed his face gently. When she was done, she led him back to the bedroom and laid him on the bed. Using his wand she removed his robe then proceeded to remove his boots. Dragonhide, she noted absently. He was wearing a grey silk shirt and black dress pants under the robe and Ginny decide to leave those on.

As soon as his head hit the pillow Draco had fallen asleep. Ginny smiled as she watched him. He was beautiful. An odd word to describe a man, but Draco Malfoy was. There was simply no other word to describe him. He looked like he was sculpted out of marble by a professional artist. Seeing him now, in repose, without the usual smirk or sneer, made him look almost human, vulnerable even. Ginny's lips quirked as she watched his chest rise and fall with each breath. It had been a long time since she had watched anyone sleep, and certainly no one as stunningly gorgeous as this. She traced a pale, thin eyebrow with her finger and brushed a few gossamer strands out of his face. Then, purely on impulse, she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on his forehead. Blushing she placed his wand on the nightstand beside his bed and hurriedly left the room.

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Draco hadn't fallen asleep. His breathing had evened but it would be a long time before his pounding head gave him any relief. Well, that's what you get for drinking Blaise Zabini under the table at his own bachelor party, he thought to himself. Knowing he was to blame for his own predicament didn't make his head ache any less. His headache wasn't the only thing keeping him awake however. It was the scent of Ginevra Weasley. He had caught a whiff of it as she helped him stand in the hallway. He cringed when he imagined what she must think of him, wasted and no better than some common Muggle.

Her hair smelled flowery, like springtime even though it was the dead of winter. It reminded him of his mother's garden when he would play there as a child, helping his mother give orders to the house elves. He must look a right state. No wonder she was laughing at him. He scowled at the thought. What the devil had Zabini put in that Firewhisky? He was surprised she'd managed to drag him all the way here. She must be stronger than she looks he mused. And she did look a weak little thing; delicate and feminine with small wrists and a petite frame. Sparkling brown eyes and the choppy fountain of red hair that sometimes hung in her eyes, oh he'd noticed her alright. Noticed her everyday for the past three days she was here. He had had a hard time concealing his surprise when she willing touched him, much less restraining the urge to do something when she'd kissed him on his brow.

That was nothing, he tried to convince himself, she'd done it to Lucas and the twins loads of times. Then why did it affect him so? Draco dragged a ragged hand over his face and uttered an oath. He retrieved his wand from the side table and murmured the locking charm for the door. He wasn't as drunk as she thought he was. Malfoy's had a high tolerance for alcohol; a trait Draco had not inherited fully, but he could hold his liquor as well as any other man and certainly better that Nott or Flint, both of whom had lost miserably at the drinking match.

He turned his thoughts reluctantly back to the pretty nanny he had hired. She must think him a monster for taking on these children and not spending any time with them. He groaned and turned over on his bed. Why did he give a damn what the Weaslette thought of him anyways. She was nobody. Then why did it bother him that she thought of him as no better than some society playboy? He punched his pillow angrily and concentrated harder on going to sleep.

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By midday Ginny was still pondering the impulse that had led her to kiss Draco. The thought attacked her in the hours when her mind strayed from what the twins were up to or concentrating on feeding Lucas. As she sat in the formal family room with Narcissa listening to Belle give a near perfect rendition of Musetta's Theme, her thoughts once again involuntarily strayed to her impulsive action. Ginny would hardly consider herself impetuous. She hoped she had left her reckless days behind at Hogwarts. She wasn't that bad girl any more; she didn't go around snogging blokes in deserted corridors to make other guys jealous. She didn't even snog guys anymore. Her last boyfriend ha been Colin Creevey after Harry had dumped her. Well, in reality they had parted by mutual agreement, but most of the Wizarding world seemed to think Harry had 'sacrificed his true love for the greater good of man and Wizarding kind alike' as Witch Weekly had put it. She had shaken her head in distaste over the article and canceled her subscription to the magazine, renewing it a week later, realizing she needed the recipes if she didn't want to starve. She hadn't been in a serious relationship for more than three years.

The owls had been sent successfully and even though it had only been three days, she was beginning to miss her family. Shaking off unsettling thoughts, she resolved to take the twins and Lucas for a walk through Narcissa's garden. She whispered her plans to Narcissa who nodded in acquiescence. She rose to leave the room, pausing while passing the piano.

'Belle, we're going to the garden. Would you like to come?' she asked.

Belle nodded demurely and Ginny wondered if the girl had always been this docile. She hoped not, it was depressing seeing a sixteen year old without any spirit. Ginny decided se would coax the girl into some semblance of a normal life. She left the room and headed towards the nursery where Adan and Adelaide played in the days. A house elf usually sat with them, making sure they kept out of mischief and keeping Lucas content. She walked up to the slightly ajar door and raised a hand to push it open but paused on hearing a familiar voice.

'And the wolf said "Little pig, little pig let me come in." And the second pig said "No, no, no not by the hair of my chinny chin chin you will not come in." Then the wolf got very angry and said "Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down." And he huffed and he puffed and the second pig's house of sticks fell to the ground. Then the wolf gobbled up the second pig. Gobble, gobble, gobble.'

Ginny heard sounds of squealing and giggling and guessed Draco must have tickle Adelaide, she was more ticklish than Adan.

'Oh no- ' she heard him say but the rest was cut off, she guessed Adan must have jumped on him, to defend his sister.

She had learned the boy was fiercely protective of his siblings. Deciding she had better intervene before they did Draco any permanent damage, as if that would happen, she opened the door. As she had guessed Draco was flat on his back on the floor with a very smug looking Adan sitting on his torso. It took her a while to remember where she had seen that smirk before. Of course, Draco had that same smirk every time he would do something evil at school. It looked comical to see that expression reproduced on the infant's face.

She noticed that Adan had planted himself very firmly Draco's chest and Draco was making no immediate attempt to move him, though that could also have been due to the fact that Adelaide was sitting on his arms. Adan got a wicked gleam in his eye, similar to the one Draco got when he thought of some particularly vengeful idea and the boy began tickling Draco's sides. It was Draco's turn to laugh. He wriggled in an attempt to unseat Adan but it was to no avail. The toddler tickled on. Ginny stood staring at the unusual scene. It was weird to imagine that Draco Malfoy could be so carefree, so natural. Without the mean smirk or nefarious plans he was almost- nice. He had a nice laugh as well. Ginny had time to listen to it now that Adan was tickling him mercilessly.

She licked her lips subconsciously. Merlin, Draco Malfoy was handsome. How could she not have noticed before? Even without the perfect hair and the pristine robes. In fact, he looked more appealing like this: being crawled over by children, children who bore a very strong resemblance to him. Uh, oh! Since when had she found Draco Malfoy appealing? No, all it was was sheer- animal magnetism? Aargh, this could not be happening. Then Adan noticed her. He launched himself off Draco's chest and clung to her legs.

'Ginny!' he squealed.

Ginny had given the children leave to refer to her as they wanted. Only Belle still called her Ms. Weasley, retaining a formal relationship between them. Adelaide and Adan called her variations of Aunty Ginny and simple Ginny.

'Hallo there, Adan.' She said warmly, lifting him up to sit on her waist.

'What's going on?' she asked, indicating Draco and Adelaide.

'Uncle Drake came in to read us a story and he sent the scary elf out.' He pouted here and Ginny guessed the scary elf must have been Ellie, the Malfoy's nanny. 'He said- he said he wanted to spend more time with us.'

Ginny looked to Draco to check the veracity of this statement. He nodded, looking sheepish and Ginny could barely restrain a grin. Draco had stood up and was now holding Addie who was squirming in an effort to get closer to Ginny. His hair was mussed from rolling on the ground and he was out of breath from laughing so hard with forty pounds of four year old squashing his lungs. He bore the effects of a hangover and Ginny wondered why he was in here with screaming children and bright sunlight rather than in his darker, quiet room recuperating. He seemed to sense her thoughts because he stepped closer.

'I wanted to spend the day with them.' Ginny began getting distracted from him standing so close. All she could do was nod.

'Is that okay?' he added, a little uncertain. That blew her mind. That Draco Malfoy was asking her if it was okay for him to spend time with his children. Unbelievable. She nodded again.

'Shall we switch?' He asked suddenly.

Ginny was caught off guard. She had been staring at his lips, perfect like the rest of him and she found herself wondering just what they would feel like on her own. She was confused by his question and pulled herself out of her daydream guiltily.

'Switch children.' He clarified.

It was a good idea. Addie was basically fighting to get out of Draco's arms and into Ginny's and Adan was more than willing to let Draco hold him. He stepped closer to make it easier for them to exchange infants. Ginny sucked in a breath as he drew nearer and inhaled the same pine scent she had smelled on him earlier. His soap, she wondered idly. Their hands brushed as they reached for either twin and Ginny felt a tingle run down her spine again from the contact. Draco's eyes met hers and they widened a fraction before hastily looking away. Ginny's heart sped up. Addie threw her arms around Ginny's neck suddenly, pulling her forward. Ginny gave a startled cry and pitched forward, the added weight of the child making it harder for her to retain her balance. She fell against something warm and solid and it wasn't until she felt a strong arm encircle her that she realized she was leaning against Draco's chest with Addie stuck between them.

She was pressed close enough to hear the erratic beating of his heart and somewhere in the back of her mind she registered this reaction. She would have stayed leaning against him longer inhaling his scent hungrily if not for Addie's squirming to get free. Her eyes flew open and she blushed furiously at allowing herself to remain in such a position, with such a man. But what kind of man was he? The ruthless character he presented to the world or the man who snuck behind her back to spend time with his adopted children? She shook her head, her pulse rate slowing and her blush residing. Balancing Addie more firmly on her waist she ruffled the little girl's hair with her fingers.

'Not hurt, are you, love?' she asked, tweaking her nose.

The girl grinned and shook her head. Ginny was careful to avoid looking at Draco.

'Do you and Addie want to go for a walk in Aunty Cissy's garden?' she asked, fixing her eyes firmly on Adan's.

Both twins nodded vigorously. Ginny smiled.

'You should do that more.' Draco commented and her eyes automatically flew to his face. He was hiding behind his usual mask of indifference and for some reason this irritated Ginny. She scowled.

'I do,' she responded 'You're just never here to notice.' The words were out before she could stop them, underplayed with venom.

Thankfully no one but the two adults was able to sense the tension in the room. It was Draco's turn to scowl and Ginny smiled secretly. Round one to the nanny, she thought with wicked glee.

'I'll dress Adan.' Draco said tersely. Ginny nodded again. She had begun to regret that she'd gotten him mad. The children obviously liked him, and he was spending time with them now. Why should she throw it in his face that he was never here? He was already over by the cot getting Adan into some more formal looking play clothes. Wizarding play clothes, Ginny noted. She sighed and walked over to him, seating Addie beside her brother.

'I'm sorry.' She said softly to Draco, placing a hand on his arm. He tensed at her touch 'I shouldn't have thrown that in your face. It's not your fault you're- '

He had turned to face her, grey eyes boring into brown. Ginny's gaze turned wary but she didn't back down. After a few moments he nodded sharply and Ginny exhaled in relief. Draco's eyes dipped to where her and still lay on his arm and he smirked. Ginny removed her hand quickly, blushing again. She concentrated on dressing Addie, sneaking surreptitious glances at Draco and noticing with an unidentifiable pang that he was concentrating solely on dressing Adan. Finished with both twins they lifted them to the floor and turned to get Lucas from his crib.

He was wide awake and stared up at them with big grey eyes. Ginny thought he looked so adorable with those piercing grey eyes fringed by messy black hair the same constituency of Draco's. He almost reminded her of Harry. Gorgeous, she thought again as Draco reached in to collect him. What a pair they made. She looked away quickly before Draco caught her staring and got Lucas' clothes from the closet.

When they were finished dressing Lucas, the mock family headed back into family room to rescue Belle from Narcissa's overbearing clutches. The gods must be taunting me, Ginny thought sardonically. She had all the appearance of a mother and wife right now and none of the benefits. But would she want to be a mother to these children? Of course! A wife to this man? Seven years ago she would have declared a vehement no, but time and maturity had filtered in and obscured childhood grudges. Now she wasn't so sure. Either way it wasn't a decision she would ever have to make. A Malfoy would never demean himself to marry a blood traitor like one of the Weasleys. She felt a fresh wave of righteous indignation and was relieved that it got rid of, even temporarily, her confusing feelings regarding the man striding beside her.

She bounced Lucas gently in her arms and he gurgled, making Ginny smile as she looked down at him. He is so precious, she thought. Who would be trying to hurt him or any of them?

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A/N: Yup, that's it for this chapter. Thank you again to all my reviewers. You are the fuel in this engine. Next chapter we find out just who is so bent on harming the Cabrera orphans. Stay tuned and REVIEW )