Chapter 7


Sunday August 17th, 1997
London, England
Number 12 Grimmauld Place
The Sitting Room
11:39 a.m.

"What in the world…" Ginny trailed off as she put down the book she had been reading when she heard a rather loud ruckus followed by shrieking coming from the other side of the sitting room door. Rising from her spot she made her way over to the door, only to stop short seconds before her hand reached the handle and she stepped back and allowed Bill to open the door and see what was going on.

"Bill!" Molly cried when she spotted him a moment later. "What are you doing here?" she continued, clearly surprised.

"Mum!" Bill replied, just as surprised, hearing Ginny try to muffle her own squeak of surprise behind him.

"Oh," Remus smacked his forehead, "I completely forgot Harry and everyone was coming today..."

"You forgot we were coming?" Harry looked up at Remus surprised. "Really?"

"Last night yes, not prior. We had a bit of a busy night last night, nothing major relating to Voldemort or anything, just a bit of excitement..." Remus looked over at Bill for help before he made things worse.

"I haven't seen Remus or Sirius in months, and I sort of just popped in unexpectedly last night. We talked," Bill shrugged; fighting the urge to look back and check on Ginny who he knew was hiding behind the door. "How are you doing Harry? Ron? Mione?"

"Hey Bill," Ron smiled.

"Hi Bill," Hermione smiled, "How are you and Fleur?"

"We're well, how are you? And Viktor?" he asked with a smile as they all kinda heard a bit of a growl come from Ron's direction before Harry elbowed him in the stomach.

"He's good, he's planning to come to Hogsmeade the day after my birthday and we'll celebrate together," she smiled.

"Well, I hope you have a good time," Bill nodded. "I'll just go back to my reading so you guys can go get unpacked and settled in..."

"Alright, come on guys," Harry looked at Ron and Hermione before he started up the stairs, Ron coming behind them still grumbling to himself as Hermione rolled her eyes and followed after them.

"So..." Molly began as she looked at her eldest child. "How are you? And Fleur?"

"We're both well," he answered with a shrug. "But I'm going to…" he pointed behind him before turning and heading back into the room, leaving a flabbergasted Molly behind him as he carefully shut the door and looked at Ginny. "You okay?" he asked softly.

"I don't know if I can do this Bill, not yet anyway," Ginny admitted.

"Then why don't I apparate both of us upstairs to your room, and you can avoid seeing them until you're ready?"

"Would you mind?"

"Of course not Gin," he rolled his eyes. "And that was a silly question."

"I know but having them all on the other side of the door so suddenly, I just got really nervous," Ginny admitted wringing her hands together.

"Shh, it's okay Gin," Bill whispered as he took her hands in his own, stopping her movements. "Let's get you upstairs and we'll deal with everything that comes as it comes alright?"

"Alright," Ginny agreed as she stepped closer to Bill, wrapping her arms around his waist to allow for easier side along apparition.

"Do you want me to drop down and get something to drink or anything?" Bill asked once they were safely in her room.

"I'll be fine Bill," Ginny said stepping back. "You should go and spend some time with Mum and Dad along with Ron and the others. I'm sure they're all dying to see you and hear about you and Fleur."

"Oh I doubt Mum and Dad are," Bill chuckled humourlessly. "Besides, you think I'm gonna leave you alone?"

"I'm fine Bill. I promise I won't leave the room. You know Mum. She will tear this house down looking for you until you go and talk to her. What good is that going to do me if she comes tearing in here? It would be better for me if you head her off before she tears the house down around us," Ginny argued.

He remained silent for a minute before sighing, "You are evil for using that argument. Fine, I'll go, but you need me, don't hesitate to send a message using the powder," he nodded towards the small pack of powder the Musketeers used to send messages. "I'll claim it's Fleur or something..."

"I promise."

"Good. I'll be back as soon as I can," he smiled softly before apparating away.

As soon as Bill was gone, Ginny's whole frame seemed to deflate as she turned and made her way over to the window seat, where she curled herself up in the corner, gazing blindly out over London as she allowed her grief to overcome her. "Oh Draco…"


Hermione quietly made her way up to the third floor in search of a book Sirius had promised her, that was supposedly in his room. Though honestly she wasn't quite sure what to expect in the room of the older man but... the book was worth whatever she found. The sound of crying drew her attention as she moved down the hall, and she paused next to a closed door before carefully pushing it open, concern about who would be crying, well sobbing actually, when she saw Ginny by the window, Hermione stopped in shock. Wasn't Ginny supposed to be staying with Charlie in Romania? And what in heaven's name had possibly happened to have her so obviously heartbroken...

Before Hermione could go into the room, or do anything really, steps on the stairs drew her attention as she looked over and she saw Molly coming, far from happy if her expression was any indication.

"Hermione Granger I thought you knew better than to skulk around doorways," Molly hissed angrily.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, but..." Hermione began as she glanced back in the room, "it's Ginny," she whispered.

"What are you talking about, Ginny's in Romania with her brother Charlie," countered Molly.

"No she's not," Hermione argued quietly as she looked back in the room, "See for yourself..."

"This just arrived for you, from Viktor, I suggest you find some place private to read it before Ron finds out it came," Molly said handing over an envelope and starting to shoo Hermione down the stairs.

"But, Ginny..." Hermione began to argue.

"I'll deal with my wayward daughter. No need to worry about that, Hermione. I have a few choice words for her I'll tell you. Now go," Molly ordered.

"But..." Hermione began as she glanced towards the room, then back at Molly. Sighing heavily she turned and made her way back down the stairs.

Once Hermione was gone from view down the stairs, Molly turned and made her way into the room that she had found Hermione standing outside of moments before, pushing the door open hard enough so that it slammed back against the wall as she stormed into the room, intent on giving her daughter a good piece of her mind for the stunt she had pulled over the summer, only to stumble to a stop when she took in the appearance of the young woman now standing before her.

Hearing the door slam open, Ginny spun around in her seat, practically falling off the window seat in the process before managing to right herself and pull herself together enough to rise as gracefully as she could, wiping away as many tears as possible as she took in the irate form of her mother. "Hello," she greeted her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Ginny..." Molly spoke after a moment, her own voice falling to a whisper as the majority of her anger since learning about her daughter becoming the ward of the Queen of France, dissipated upon seeing how upset her daughter was.

"Hi…" Ginny replied, swallowing nervously as one hand played with the two gold charms, one a gold cross, the other a gold Fleur-di-Lys that hung from a gold chain that now hung regularly around her neck, while the other tried to wipe away more tears. "I…uh…I wasn't expecting any company…"

"Understandable, since no one knew you were here..." Molly nodded. "What are you doing here Ginny? I thought you would still be in France..." she asked, her tone guarded.

"About that…" Ginny began, turning away from Molly slightly and sitting down so she was sitting just on the edge of the window seat, her back straight, her gaze down cast. "I'm sorry I never told you but I was afraid you wouldn't approve."

"You're right, I wouldn't have," she agreed. "Why did you do it Ginny? What was in France that wasn't here in England, with your family..."

"A boy. A boy who I thought loved me. A boy I know you and Dad never would have approved of."

"A boy?" she asked in shock, "A boy... but I thought you loved Harry... How did you even meet a boy who was of the French nobility? Through Fleur?"

"Do you remember last Christmas when I was upstairs taking a bath and all the boys thought I suddenly needed rescuing?"

"Yes..." Molly drew out slowly.

"Something had appeared in the room out of nowhere. It was a parchment and a ring. The heir to the Duchy d'Orléans had named me as his intended bride and the Queen had approved. The ring was my engagement ring. All I had to do was put it on," Ginny said quietly as she played with the ring on her finger.

"And you did!" Molly just stared at her in shock.

"I didn't know it was an engagement ring until after I'd already put it on but by then it was too late and I couldn't take it off. I didn't know what to do so I wrote Bill in a complete panic. He told me not to say anything to anyone and to go to Dumbledore the first day back at school and tell him everything that happened and to do what he told me to so that's what I did," Ginny said, still refusing to look up at her mother, afraid of what she might see.

"What happened when you saw Albus?" she asked quietly, emotionlessly.

"He told me of the Nobles' Suite, which is a room at Hogwarts that is only available to those of the nobility. It works much like the Room of Requirement. He arranged for me to meet my betrothed there one night shortly after school started for the winter term."

"And?"

"The heir was Draco Malfoy…"

"Draco... Malfoy..." Molly stumbled over the name. "You're engaged to Draco Malfoy?"

"Actually…I'm married to Draco Malfoy…since yesterday…" Ginny trailed off, waiting for the imminent explosion of her mother.

"M... married..." Molly stuttered, "You can't possibly be married, you're too young to get married, you're not Catholic and everyone knows the Nobility is Catholic in France. You can't get married, you're in love with Harry..." she began to ramble before sinking down onto the bed, "This isn't happening..."

"I'm sixteen as of six days ago so technically I'm old enough plus the Queen gave her approval of the marriage, I converted a few days before my wedding and I haven't loved Harry for a long time Mum. I love Dra…Draco…" Ginny couldn't hold back the sob that came when she said his name that time and it took her a few minutes to collect herself once more. "I lo…love him, I am married to him and I am the Duchesse d'Orléans, even if he doesn't love me in return," she finished as she broke down once more, practically collapsing in on herself.

Molly stared at her daughter for a few moments, trying to process everything she just heard, before the simple sight of her daughter in pain had her across the room and gathering Ginny into her arms, rocking her like she used to do when Ginny was a little girl.

"How could he be so cruel, Mum? How could he make me love him like that if he never really meant it? If all he wanted was a wife to help him get his family lands and titles back why not just say so, why did he have to make me love him?" questioned Ginny as she clung to her mother.

"I don't know Sweetheart," Molly whispered, her heart breaking for her daughter, all the while she mentally planned the things she would love to do if she got her hands on... yes he was her son-in-law as much as that thought gave her pause. "But he's a fool not to love you."

"I didn't know where to go. I couldn't stay at the Palace, not with him there. I didn't even stay for my own reception. I couldn't bear to see him dance with…with her… Bill thought it best to bring me here because it was the safest place next to Hogwarts… We didn't mean to cause any problems. I'm sure I can go back to France if it's a problem with me being here. I'm sure the Queen could find a way to…"

"No," Molly interrupted quickly. "No Ginny, you don't have to go to France unless you want to. Honestly I'd rather have you here, with your family... if you want, we won't tell Ron about what happened, we'll have to tell your father but... he'll understand. It might not be easy at first, but with time, things will work out. We can't undo what has happened Gin, but the future will be what we make of it... Whatever you want, your father and I will support you."

"Mum the last thing either Dr…" Ginny had to stop and swallow back the tears that wanted to break forth at his name, "Draco or I need is Ron going off on him in the halls over this and it getting back to You-Know-Who that we're married. If word of our relationship gets out, Merlin only knows what will happen. Dra…Draco told me that You-Know-Who expects him to take the mark this Christmas, that's why he was so determined that we marry as soon as I was old enough to do so, so that he was already the Duc d'Orléans before he was supposed to take the Dark Mark because there is no way his father will do to him what Abraxas did to Lucius."

"What did Abraxas do to Lucius?" Molly asked confused. "Ginny... maybe you need to explain everything you know, because it sounds like you know more about Lucius Malfoy than I do, and as far as I knew he was a Death Eater and planned to have Draco be one, and quite enjoyed his occupation so to speak..."

"Lucius never wanted to be a Death Eater Mum, he wasn't given a choice. Abraxas, who at one point in time was the heir to the title of Duc d'Orléans before joining You-Know-Who's ranks, sold his son into You-Know-Who's service when Lucius was an infant. Lucius didn't want that for his son, but knew that while Abraxas lived he couldn't out and out say that so he raised him to be the Death Eater in training that we've always believed him to be but he's never had any intention of taking the Mark. In fact he wants Harry to defeat You-Know-Who so that his father can finally be free of his servitude. Mum do you remember when I was visiting the twins at Easter?"

"Of course," she answered as part of her mind processed what she had just learned about the family she had always thought were Voldemort's most loyal.

"Lucius got me out of Diagon Alley Mum. He got into the twins' store and before either George or I even knew what was going on he had thrust a necklace, much like this one," she said holding her Fleur-di-Lys charm out towards her mother, "into my hand and told me to 'go to Draco' and the next thing I know, George and I are lying in a heap on the floor in some strange room with Bill standing over us. Shortly after that, Bill is taking me to Fleur who is putting me into a ball gown and taking me to Draco and introducing me to the Queen. If it wasn't for Lucius, I could have been killed in the raid on Diagon Alley."

"Merciful heavens," Molly breathed, suddenly wondering if she could convince her husband to actually be nice to Lucius in the future, when it wouldn't effect the other man's reputation and raise suspicion.

"So you see, my relationship with the Malfoys or even Draco's position as the Duc cannot get out, if it does we'll both be in danger and Ron knowing will only make matters worse," Ginny sighed.

"Then we certainly won't tell Ron, though I will mention to him that he needs to stop pushing you towards a relationship with Harry alright?" she asked as she thought of who could be told. "What if we told Hermione, and the rest of your brothers? Then you would have someone at school who cares about you..."

"I would really appreciate it if you would get him to stop pushing me at Harry and I could really use a friend my own age that I don't feel like is just being nice to me because she has to because she's one of the Queen's other ladies. As for telling my other brothers…" Ginny trailed off, biting her lip nervously. "They kinda already know."

"Okay, I'll deal with Ron, and we can tell Hermione, and they do?" she asked surprised.

"Well…Bill is my Musketeer guard so he goes with me everywhere and has been since the attack at Easter. Fred and George had to come and rescue me after I had a melt down after Narcissa refused to let Draco stay in my room after I showed up at the ball after the attack at Easter so they kind of found out about me and Draco that way. Bill also gave me away at my wedding yesterday, Percy, along with Draco's mother, lit the candles for our unity candle, Charlie did a reading and the twins were in attendance. I wish you and Dad could have been there. I wanted so much for Dad to give me away but I so afraid to tell you…"

Molly blinked a few times, before filing away the fact she needed to ask Bill how long he had been a Musketeer as well as interrogate her other sons as to how long they had known, but at the same time she could understand why they all stayed quiet... "It's alright Sweetheart, I understand why you didn't tell us. I'm sorry we couldn't be there for you and that you felt like you couldn't tell us..." she smiled sadly. "And who knows what tomorrow brings, your father may still get the chance to give you away to someone..."

"Give it two years and I'll be a free woman again," Ginny said sadly as she suddenly turned to the window as she tried valiantly to hold back the sob that was fighting for freedom only to lose the fight.

"Oh baby," Molly whispered as she pulled Ginny back towards her and wrapped her arms around her daughter. "I wish I could take this pain from you, I could always go to France and give Draco Malfoy one of my infamous lectures of death as your brothers so lovingly refer to them..."

"I just wish it didn't hurt so much…I feel like my heart is broken into a thousand tiny little pieces and I don't know how to put it back together again."

Before Molly could say anything, there was a knock from the direction of the door, both looking up to see Hermione standing there. "I um... I was worried..." she explained simply.

"Hi Hermione," Ginny sniffled as she wiped her eyes only to find a handkerchief suddenly in front of her thanks to her mother, which she gratefully took and started using to wipe her eyes.

"Hi Ginny," Hermione spoke softly as she came into the room. "I'd ask if you were okay, but that would be rather silly wouldn't it... Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Be my friend?"

"Always," Hermione smiled before sitting down by Molly and Ginny. "So, wanna talk? I got this whole slew of Cadbury chocolate that I brought from home in my room, I can get it and we can have a girl's night..."

"I could so go for some chocolate," Ginny said. "Mum would you let Bill know what's going on?"

"Sure," Molly agreed as she carefully pulled herself away from Ginny and stood up. "Do you guys want anything? How does cottage pie sound for dinner?"

"Wonderful. I've missed your cottage pie so much," Ginny admitted.

"Then cottage pie it shall be," Molly smiled. "Which I better send someone out to get the supplies," she laughed, "I think I'll drag Ron and Harry to the market with me, get Remus to come along,"

"Thanks Mum…"

"You're welcome. Have fun girls," Molly smiled before turning and making her way from the room.

"So," Hermione began. "Want me to run downstairs, get the chocolate and something to drink, and then come back up?"

"Would you mind? I don't really want to run into Sirius or even Ron or Harry right now and Bill will just get upset if sees that I've been crying," Ginny said. "He worries about me enough as it is."

"Not a problem," she smiled, "Be right back," she continued before quickly making her way out of the room, returning not a minute later actually. "I love being able to apparate."

"You're as bad as the twins you know that right," Ginny giggled.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Hermione giggled. "So, we have chocolate," she held up a bag, "And I brought soda from home..."

"The two things that are a girl's best friend and yet play havoc with her figure," Ginny mused.

"That is true," Hermione nodded, "So we'll moan about our figures later," she laughed as she sat down and handed a soda to Ginny.

"I have to admit that is one thing about Hogwarts robes and the Queen's preferred style of dress. They both tend to hide one's figure quite nicely so one doesn't have to worry if you're not the ideal body type since with typical wizards robes they hide everything from the shoulders down and these dresses tend to hide everything from the chest down," Ginny observed.

"That is true," Hermione nodded, "Which reminds me, you look great, and really comfortable."

"Thank you. We had the choice of what we wanted to wear. We could dress like this or we could wear Muggle clothes, whichever we felt more comfortable in," Ginny shrugged.

"Nice," Hermione nodded. "Were they Muggle style like you see here in England, where the wizards seem to have no idea what fashion is?"

"No the ladies in waiting all had a decent sense of style if they chose to wear Muggle attire it was fashionable French attire but we usually stuck to the simple dresses unless we were actually going out into Paris or something which honestly didn't happen all that often."

"I've always wanted to go to France," Hermione confided. "I mean, I was there for Bill and Fleur's wedding with Viktor, but that's not quite the same you know?

"Well, maybe if Harry manages to kill off the Dark Lord in the next couple of years you'll get your wish," Ginny said quietly.

"Maybe," Hermione nodded. "So... what's going on?" she asked after a moment.

"I need your help Hermione."

"You always have it."

"What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room. You can't speak of it to anyone other than me. If word of what I'm about to tell you got to the Dark Lord…more than just my life would be in danger."

"Okay," she nodded. "Not a word to anyone."

"I'm married to Draco Malfoy. I'm the Duchesse d'Orléans…"

"Draco's nobility? Draco's your husband?" Hermione shook her head slightly. "Merciful Merlin, your brother would have a heart attack if he knew, but I'm so not telling him..."

"Yes well, turns out he's also the lying bastard we always thought he was and was just using me to get what he wanted and plans to set me aside in two years when Fleur's younger sister is old enough to marry," Ginny said, determinedly wiping away a tear, she was not going to cry anymore damn it. "I need you to help me avoid him as much as possible."

"Okay," Hermione agreed quickly, "Does this mean I can hit him again?"

"If he does something to deserve it then by all means. We need to act as if nothing has changed Hermione. The Dark Lord can not find out that Draco is not a faithful servant," Ginny said.

"Alright," Hermione nodded. "So... what happens now? I mean we keep everything quiet, but what happens in regards to the fact you're married and a duchesse and everything, do you know?"

"Well, I'm still going to be living in Gryffindor Tower, much to Bill's annoyance but if I suddenly up and move out of the Tower and into private rooms that's just going to raise far too many questions and Professor Dumbledore agrees, even though Bill doesn't. I've told Bill to tell Queen Louise that I'll be at all the functions required of me as the Duchesse d'Orléans but as far as my marriage goes, it ended before it ever began. Draco saw to that when he gave Gabrielle the lock of his hair," Ginny shrugged.

"Bastard," Hermione muttered. "Well, if you want, if you teach me I'd be glad to come to any functions you have to attend so you're not alone... And Bill will learn to deal."

"I would so appreciate it if you would Hermione. I could have used you at Easter when I got thrust into a Ball after barely surviving a Death Eater attack in Diagon Alley. And it's Bill's job to worry about me and he shouldn't have to deal as you put it. Didn't you wonder even the tiniest bit about his wedding?"

"You mean the fact your parents and Ron weren't there?"

"There are things about Bill that my parents didn't know until today, his marriage to Fleur being one of them. Fleur is the daughter of the Vicomté de Chagny and one of the Queen's Ladies in Waiting. Bill is also one of her most trusted and faithful guards. For your sake, so that you wouldn't have to carry around the burden of keeping such a secret, Bill chose to marry in a simple suit instead of his uniform."

"Oh," Hermione nodded slowly, "Wow... I'll have to thank them I guess for thinking of that. Viktor did mention something about nobility but Fred and George were distracting me from paying complete attention at the time..."

"Bill will be returning to Hogwarts with me Hermione…"

"Okay then," she nodded. "I'm assuming we won't see him all that much..."

"You won't see him but he'll be there. Wherever I am, he'll be. Think of him as my shadow."

Hermione smiled, nodding slowly, "I had this song pop into my head called 'Me and My Shadow'," she giggled.

"Want to come shopping with me when we go to Diagon Alley after we get our letters?" asked Ginny hoping to change the subject. "I've suddenly got an urge to spend my husband's money."

"Sure," Hermione grinned as she laughed. "Besides it would be fun to do shopping just us girls for once."

"Yes it would and it will be nice to have new robes and books for once as well. Add to that the look on Ron's face when he sees them," Ginny giggled.

"That will be priceless, I'll have to have Colin nearby," Hermione agreed. "Do you know what your O.W.L.s were yet?"

"I got an O in Arithmancy, Herbology, Charms and Transfiguration, and an E in Ancient Runes, Potions and History of Magic."

"Nice," Hermione nodded. "Do you know which ones you want to study for your N.E.W.T.s?"

"I was thinking of focusing on Herbology, Charms and Potions. Before the chaos of my last year I was thinking of going to medical school and since I don't see my marriage continuing past my graduation from Hogwarts I don't see why I can't still work towards that."

"That makes sense. And you would be a wonderful Medi-Witch," she smiled at her friend.

"Well I have to do something with my life right? Not everyone's lucky enough to be gifted with a life of luxury and leisure like the Malfoys."

"Very true," Hermione nodded. "Though I'm sure that you're going to get some sort of settlement in the divorce so... you might have a life of luxury and leisure if you wanted it," she pointed out gently.

"I don't want anything more from the Malfoys quite honestly Hermione. I think the heartache Draco's caused me is more than enough."

"I'm sorry Gin," Hermione whispered. "More chocolate?" she offered, really having no idea how to help her friend.

"Thanks," Ginny said reaching out and taking the offered chocolate.


Sunday August 17th, 1997
Versailles, France
Château de Versailles
The South Wing – Appartement du Duc d'Orléans
2:47 p.m.

Sighing softly, Louise made her way down the halls of the South Wing towards the apartment belonging to her cousin, and his new wife who was apparently in London. Looking up at André as he walked beside her, she sighed once more before looking the way they were going.

After receiving the letter from Bill the day before, André had ordered Étienne to keep Draco in the château no matter what, which apparently had led to Draco being locked in his apartments, while André had come to inform her of what had happened, arriving just before Fleur, who had told her tale about Gabrielle and her time with Bill. Since then, Louise had been spending her time trying to figure out what exactly was going on with the Vicomté de Chagny and his youngest daughter, as well as contacting Albus Dumbledore to discuss the protection of Ginny once the school year started, as well as any requests the older wizard had. Fortunately, surprisingly, Dumbledore had very few. The main one being that she speak with Draco about not pressing Ginny or harassing her after he had already caused her so much pain, which was going to be quite the conversation with her cousin she knew... Finally though, she knew she had just about put it off as long as possible, and made her way to Draco.

When they reached the doors of the apartment, André reached up and rapped his knuckled against the door twice, before it opened to reveal Étienne.

"My Queen," he bowed as she inclined her head in response. "He's in the salon."

"Thank you," she replied before moving past him, leaving André to speak with Étienne as she moved to the salon.

When she entered the doorway of the salon, Louise smiled sadly at the sight of Draco pacing the room, very much like one of the tigers tended to do when it was agitated about something... shaking her head to rid herself of that particular image, she focused solely on her cousin. "Drac?"

"Dora?" Draco said spinning to face her. "What the hell is going on? Where's Ginny?"

"Why don't we sit down Drac," she countered softly as she moved towards one of the couches.

"I don't want to sit down Dora, I want to know where my wife is," Draco growled in frustration.

"Sit down Draconis," she ordered in her 'no nonsense, don't make me cut off your head' voice, and waited until Draco reluctantly sat down. "Now then," she continued softly. "I'd rather not have you ready to race towards that door until I'm finished alright?" she asked, but continued on before giving him a chance to actually respond. "Ginny is in London."

"What?" he demanded.

"That would be my initial thought as well," she agreed, keeping the chuckle to herself. "First though, does anyone have a lock of your hair? Anyone at all? And is there any way someone could have gotten a lock of your hair?"

"A lock of my hair?" asked Draco in confusion. "The only person I could think of would be my mother from when I was a baby, you know the whole first hair cut business you women have, other than that, whenever I get my haircut I burn what's cut off. I know what can be done with a person's cast off hair remember. Why?"

"Hmm," she mused, more to herself as a thought entered her head. "Alright, I'm going to ask you something flat out, and just so you know, I don't believe this. But..." she shrugged slightly. "Have you been using Ginny merely to obtain the title, and plan to divorce her and marry Gabrielle Delacour when she is sixteen? Did you give her a lock of your hair as proof of your promise?" she asked, rather bluntly she knew.

"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that because I don't think I heard you correctly the first time," countered Draco in disbelief.

"Oh, I'm afraid you did," she answered, having no desire to repeat it again. She'd done it enough times in disbelief that morning to Aleksander, André, and later Nikolay when he had popped in for a few minutes to see what was going on.

"There is no way in hell I would ever, ever do that to Ginny. When I named her as my intended it was with the purest of intentions Dora. I have been in love with Ginny for as long as I can remember, Blaise can attest to that fact, and I would in no way use her in the fashion in which you describe. I would sooner give up everything I have than hurt her like that and there is no way I would ever even conceive of leaving her for that no good, conniving little, backstabbing social climber and there is no way this is side of heaven or hell I would have given her a lock of my hair."

"That's kind of what I figured," she smiled, before leaning forward slightly, "And unfortunately, that is what Ginny believes."

"What? How? How in the world would she get a stupid notion like that?"

"Gabrielle managed to get into her rooms before the wedding and informed Fleur of that information, and went on to say I approved of it," Louise began.

"Bloody fucking hell!" Draco cursed as he practically leapt from his spot, his fist suddenly flying through the French doors that separated the sitting room he was currently in with another smaller room before he seemed to deflate in on himself as he collapsed to the floor in amongst the glass debris, his back to the wall. "That would explain why she suddenly showed up at the reception and why after Ginny vanished she was practically hanging off me all night."

Louise remained silent through his outburst; save for waving her hand to indicate everything was fine when André and Étienne appeared in the doorway, then both quickly disappeared. "Yes, it most certainly would," she agreed softly. "Ginny left for London, William escorted her to somewhere safe and has been with her since except for a brief period of time when he returned here for a change of clothes for both of them for last night. Fleur and the other girls are gathering some things for Ginny and Fleur is going to take them to her later, wherever they are she has access as William's wife. I'm sorry I didn't come speak to you sooner, but I was busy trying to get things arranged in regards to her detail, discussions with Dumbledore, and trying to figure out exactly what was going on..."

"I want to see her… I need to see her to…to explain…"

"Unfortunately, I don't see how that will even be possible until you are both at Hogwarts. And I have already had a request from Dumbledore that I speak to you in regards to your time at Hogwarts."

"Dumbledore cannot prevent me from seeing my wife Dora," Draco argued.

"He asked that you avoid purposely seeking her out," she spoke as if she hadn't heard him. "For her sake Drac. She's got her heart broken, seeing you constantly will only make it worse. And right now, I don't think there is any way you can just walk up to her and convince her that none of what she believes is true... I'm not saying give up on her, I'm just saying..." she paused as she thought, "Try writing her, not constantly but regularly, and let her set the pace. She loves you, I know she does, and that is what is killing her so much, if I know her at all..."

"She loves me so much she could think so little of me that I would purposely do something so cruel to her?"

"I don't know Drac," Louise answered honestly. "She's young, so are you... People make mistakes when they are young... and if you point out the fact you're two months older than me, I'll hit you."

"I finally had her," he laughed derisively, "The girl of my dreams. And thanks to my mother, my wife hates me," he said, throwing a shard of glass against the opposite wall, not even feeling it when it sliced into his hand.

"Draconis," Louise hissed when she immediately saw the blood, quickly rising and hurrying towards him as she reached down and tore the bottom of her skirt. "This isn't doing anyone any good," she continued as she grabbed his wrist and wrapped the cloth around his hand a few times.

"Well, what exactly would you like me to do Dora? I'm supposed to be enjoying my honeymoon with my wife on our estates and yet that's not exactly possible since she's thousands of miles away across the English Channel," Draco growled.

"You let it go," she countered softly. "You can't change things Draco, what's done is done. Let me try to contact her, let me start and I'll try to make her understand I knew nothing about this, put at least part of Gabrielle's story to its timely end. And once you're back at Hogwarts, you don't follow her, don't press her, but you can write her. Let her come to you... right now she's too lost in her own pain to believe anything you might say. She'll hear what you say and not believe it because Gabrielle has her so confused and lost that she probably doesn't even know up from down, left from right. She's agreed to come back to France for any official purpose; she's not cutting off all ties... that's cause for hope..."

"And her parents? I'm sure once they find out they'll poison her against me…"

"Then that will be one more hurdle we may have to cross," she nodded, "But if you truly love her Drac, you have to try, no matter what lies in your path. Don't give upon love, you have a chance to have what every noble dreams of, to marry the person they love, and you have done that... don't let it go without a fight."

"I make no promises Dora other than I will try," Draco sighed.

"That's all anyone can ask," she nodded before stepping back. "If you want to talk, or simply need a distraction, you know where to find me... something tells me that you would rather be alone right now..."

"I would rather be with my wife but since I have no say in the matter…"

"I'm sorry Drac, but we don't even honestly know where she is at..." Louise sighed. "Merely that she is in London and safe, I imagine it is some place that is part of Dumbledore's Order..."

"If you don't mind Dora, I think I'm going to lie down for a while. I barely got any sleep for worrying last night," Draco said as he pushed himself to his feet, using the wall for support.

"Of course," she nodded. "I'm here if you need me Drac," she continued softly before turning and heading towards the doorway, 'sleep well' was definitely not the sentiment for the occasion...


Wednesday August 20th, 1997
London, England
Diagon Alley
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour
3:21 p.m.

"So did you enjoy yourself?" asked Ginny as she and Hermione waited for their sundaes to be delivered.

"You have no idea," Hermione laughed. "I can't believe you just spent all that on me! I can't believe I have so many books that are just begging to be read, and paper and the outfit, Merlin's blood Ginny, I can't believe you actually bought some of those, did you even notice how much they cost? Although I am so planning on wearing that pink one for my birthday dinner with Viktor, it kind of reminds me of the dress I wore to the Yule Ball," she smiled to herself. "And I can't wait to see Ron's face when he see it," she laughed.

"Are you forgetting what I told you a few days ago Mione? You saw the way they acted in Gringotts, not to mention the vault itself. Believe it or not, that's only a part of the money, the rest of it's in France, and that money is only meant for D and I, not even his parents are allowed to touch it because of the fact that D is the rightful heir by law and my connection to him. If you think that dress was nice, just wait until you see what I have planned for you yet…" countered Ginny, her words trailing off as their sundaes arrived.

"Suddenly I'm wondering if I should be afraid," Hermione giggled before taking a bite of her sundae once their deliverer was gone.

"Well, you're not going back on your word are you? You are still going to come with me to any balls or anything that I may have to attend right?" asked Ginny worriedly, afraid that Hermione might have changed her mind.

"Of course I am," Hermione countered. "No panicking about things like that, I'll be forced to smack you with this spoon," she threatened as she waved the spoon.

"Okay…good because I've already got your dress picked out and it's being made for you for the winter ball. I am not having done to you what happened to me at Easter. And Viktor is just going to die when he sees you. If he isn't down on his knees proposing to you I'm going to have to smack him senseless," commented Ginny.

"Ginny!" Hermione gasped. "But... we're not ready for that step; I want to go to do further education if I can... which reminds me have you ever noticed how few colleges there are in the wizarding world? And he's busy with Quidditch..." she trailed off. "Now you've got me thinking about marriage! You evil, evil, girl."

"And who said you can't have a long engagement?" asked Ginny. "Trust me I know all about the dangers of rushing into things…"

"True," Hermione nodded. "Okay, new topic! So... what should we do when we get back to the house to torture Ron?"

"Unshrink all our stuff?" giggled Ginny. "That will annoy him for sure. Not to mention the fact that just seeing Artemis here will annoy him. I wonder what Artemis will make of Pig? Dinner most likely," she laughed as she stroked the feathers of her new owl.

"Oh that's the truth; I think Crookshanks has often wondered if Pig wasn't dinner..." Hermione laughed.

"It'll be nice to ride the Express back to school. I missed riding it home last year," Ginny mused as she noticed an owl make its way towards her brother who was sitting at the table just beside them.

"It was lonely without you," Hermione nodded. "Ron was pissed that you got to do the whole trip with all your brothers and he wasn't invited, I sort of accidentally hit him with my bag when I was getting up at one point."

"If only that were the case. I actually went straight from the castle to the palace believe it or not. Except for Bill, the only time I saw any of my brothers was when they came to visit me," Ginny shrugged.

"That stinks," she smiled sadly. "Maybe this year you can do that, if things haven't gotten out of hand or something you know?"

"Ginny," Bill appeared next to them, glancing towards Hermione before focusing solely on his sister. "A letter just arrived for you, not from him," he added quickly.

"Then who…"

"Isidora," he answered, mentally frowning over calling the Queen by her birth name, but it was the best way to refer to her without drawing undo attention.

"Oh…"

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked concerned, having no clue who 'Isidora' was since Ginny hadn't spoken of anyone really except Draco, the Queen, and mention of other Ladies but never by name; and of course Gabrielle.

"Bill…I don't know if I can read this…not here at any rate…"

"Then it can wait until we're back," he nodded, "I just wanted to let you know, in case you had wanted to read it right away," he explained softly.

"And find out she hates me? I'd rather do that in private, Bill," commented Ginny.

"She doesn't hate you, Gin," he countered gently.

"We should probably head back anyway," Ginny said. "Mum will probably be worried sick."

"Alright," Bill nodded as he glanced at Hermione, the other girl already gathering her stuff before moving around to link her arm with Ginny's once she was standing as well, but she otherwise remained quiet, there as support, but obviously really having no idea exactly how she could help.

"Okay, I'm ready," Ginny sighed."

Bill nodded before the trio quietly made their way to the Leaky Cauldron and he asked Tom for a private room with a Floo access, then using the same powder they had used to come from France, he led the three of them back to Grimmauld Place.

"Come with me?" asked Ginny quietly once they were back inside the house.

"Of course," Hermione agreed.

Ginny made her way upstairs to her room, Hermione not that far behind her and closing the door behind them, as Ginny removed her summer cloak and laid it and her purchases on her bed before pulling her wand out and quickly casting a spell so that her empire waist top quickly lengthened out into the full length dress it normally was and Ginny stepped out of her jeans before she retrieved her letter from the pocket of her summer cloak. Walking over to the window seat she curled up in the corner and began to read.

Dearest Ginny,

I'm sorry this has taken a few days to get to you, but I did not want to put pressure on you by sending you a letter when you had only just arrived and everything had just happened. I know, I'm probably the last person that you want to be hearing from, save perhaps for your husband, but I thought it best that I write to you. I want you to know a few things, and I understand that you might not believe them at first, if I were in your place I would be doubtful as well.

My dearest girl, I did not know anything in regards to Gabrielle's claims. Yes, I know of them now, from Fleur telling me what happened in your chambers before the wedding, but I did not know prior. Her claim that her father had come to me and I had verified this story that Draco was marrying you simply for the title, and he planned to marry Gabrielle later… it is merely a story. I would never have agreed to Draco's pledge for your hand if I had known. I will not deny that the Vicomté de Chagny came to me following Draco's announcement and tried to convince me to take away my approval, but he failed. I have never believed that Gabrielle deserved to become the Duchesse d'Orléans, or that she would be a good match for Draco, and to be honest, I would have been hard pressed to give my support had it been her that he requested my approval of so many months ago.

I will not try to persuade you that he did not do the things you believe of him; for I know that it is likely my word would not be enough to persuade you. I can merely tell you that I never lied to you my dear friend, I believed, as did you, that he loves you and not Gabrielle, that he chose you because he loves you. And I believe that Gabrielle is lost, she wants him and would do anything to get him, even if it meant lying. But again, I know that my word will not be enough to convince you, nor do I expect it to be. I merely hope that with time, you and I might be able to be friends as we had become. I miss you Ginny, all of us do, and no I'm not talking about Draco, I'm talking about Fleur, Bella, Anastasie, Rina, Rose, and Marie. You were one of us, not because of your place as the future Duchesse, but because of who you are, we all love you like a sister, and when you're ready, if you are ready, we shall be here waiting with open arms, not for the Duchesse d'Orléans, but for Ginny, our Ginny who would sit with us in the Ménagerie with a lioness cub in her lap without fear, who would put up with Rose's incessant desire to play card games and sit for Rina's pictures, taking Anastasie's teasing and yes, giving back just as good whenever the mood struck you. No matter what tomorrow brings, know that the seven of us will always be there if you need us, do not hesitate to contact one or all of us, and we'll be there.

I will not ramble on; I know that you are no doubt very busy getting ready for your return to Hogwarts, and settling back in. I just... I wanted to write at least once, whatever happens now will be in your hands, but please, do not hesitate to write to me or any of the other girls if you want to. While Draco is 'my cousin' you are my friend and companion first, you know more about me than even he.

I pray that you are well, and if not happy per se, you are at least working towards your happiness.

Yours always

Isidora

When Ginny finished reading she let her hand with the letter fall to her lap.

"Gin?" Hermione asked softly, "You okay?"

"I'm fine Hermione, I'm just not quite sure what to make of this letter is all," Ginny sighed.

"Want to talk about it? Or just have a distraction and say go pick on the youngest of your brothers?"

"Here," Ginny said holding out the letter towards Hermione.

Hermione took it and quickly read the letter over before setting it aside as she looked back up at Ginny, "She seems to really care about you... I take it she's France's queen?"

"Yes. She's the Queen I've been referring to."

"Do you believe her?" she asked softly.

"About what? About Draco? About Gabrielle's claims being nothing more than a lie and her not knowing about it? About me still being welcome there?"

"Any, all," Hermione shrugged.

"A part of me wants to believe her about Draco not being involved with Gabrielle because he seemed so genuine all the time we spent together but Gabrielle was so convincing and sure of herself. As for whether the Queen knew, I believe her when she says she knew nothing of this. If she approved of Gabrielle she would have her as one of her own Ladies in Waiting. I know she says I'm still welcome at Court but honestly I don't know if I'd feel comfortable being there. Too many memories of me and Draco."

"Then you don't have to go to the Court," Hermione nodded, "I also didn't get the impression she was insisting on you coming, merely asking that you keep in touch when you're ready... As for everything with Draco and Gabrielle, right now it's still new Gin, maybe down the road you'll be able to look at everything with eyes not so clouded by hurt and see things that you aren't seeing. But no matter what happens, I'm here for you, okay?"

"Okay. Let's go pester Ron and Harry," Ginny suggested, changing the subject.

"Deal," Hermione grinned, "So how should we pester them? Have a fashion show and you can purposely mention how Viktor is going to propose?"

"Deal," Ginny smiled.

"So, pick an outfit my dear co-conspirator, and we can have fun."

"Go with the pink…" Ginny trailed off as she stood up.