A/N: well, I don't really have an excuse as to why this took so long to post. I guess I'm running out of ideas. Seriously, even if you think your idea is the lamest thing on the planet, don't hesitate to tell me. I'm fresh out. I always now how to end my stories, but in between is a little more difficult. Well, enjoy!
The next few months passed in almost the same mundane way. However, the rocky relationship with Emily was much better. They chatted like old friends now. And well they should, considering they spent so much time forced on each other. Mrs. Weasley was ecstatic when Ron told her about Emily, Harry visited Hermione every single day, Harry's parents were getting to know him better, and Lupin and Tonks announced their engagement. The only person, other than Hermione showing improvement was Draco Malfoy. He was still at the Burrow, but he still hadn't said a word since the day he came back. He stuck close to Ginny at all times but refused to utter anything, only nodding and shaking his head. Mrs. Weasley was frustrated, but the Potters and the rest of the family were worried. Harry and his parents went to visit Hermione every day, and they often discussed Malfoy. Hermione thought it was psychological, and Harry thought that it was spawned from his obvious encounter with Voldemort. Harry's parents didn't really know what to think. Everyone else had turned out fine, even Bertha Jorkins was okay. Draco Malfoy was the only one that hadn't returned to normal. Ginny, who he followed everywhere, said that he didn't even talk to her.
Ron often came with Harry and his parents to visit Hermione, but mostly it was to visit with Emily. Their relationship had matured over the past months, and Ron invited her to supper one night. Emily liked the family, and had a very pleasant evening. That same evening, Draco pulled Ginny out after supper. Ginny was kind of confused. He never did this. Her confusion turned to surprise when he kissed her. "I love you" he murmured. Ginny nearly fainted. First, he kissed her, then he spoke! It was amazing. Draco grabbed her by the hand and pulled her outside. He didn't let go of her hand either. They walked around the garden, and Draco told her his story. "You know that my parents were Death Eaters, right?" Ginny nodded. "Well, it was because of them that I had to try and kill Dumbledore." Ginny squealed. "Yeah, I was supposed to be the one to kill him. But I couldn't. I just couldn't, Ginny. So Snape killed him for me. He had taken an Unbreakable Vow with my mother to help me, but seeing as I failed, he turned me into him." Draco shuddered at the thought. Ginny squeezed his hand. "I was in Madam Malkin's getting a new robe and Snape Apparated in and grabbed me. He took me via Side-Along Apparation. I had no choice. He took me to his house, where You-Know-Who was waiting for me. He looked at me with his horrible red eyes, then he laughed and said, 'I expected more from you, young Malfoy. Your father was one of my greatest supporters.' Then h...he killed me." Draco began sobbing uncontrollably. Ginny pulled him onto a bench and comforted him until he stopped. She dried his tears and hugged him tight. Then she grabbed his hand and told him that it was time to go back to the Burrow. Reluctantly, he agreed. "Does this mean I have to tell that whole story over again?"
"If you don't want to, I can. I'm not mean enough to force you to tell it all over again. You've been through an ordeal, and I won't make you tell that whole thing again." They walked silently back to the Burrow, and went into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was cleaning up and was startled when they walked in.
"When did you two leave?" The question was directed at Ginny, but Draco answered.
"We left just as soon as dinner was over."
Mrs. Weasley looked shocked. "Did…Draco…say that?" Ginny nodded and broke into a grin. "Welcome back, Draco! Now, I'm not trying to be rude, but why exactly were you killed by You-Know-Who?" Ginny looked witheringly at her mother.
"Draco's just been through an ordeal mum! Can't you see that it's a little unkind to ask that right away? Anyway, Draco told me the whole story, but he doesn't want to have to do it again, so I get to tell you." Mrs. Weasley looked somewhat ashamed of herself, and rightly so. She listened with fascination as Ginny recounted Draco's tale of horror.
"Well I never! Severus turned you in! He was in the Order…never mind. I shouldn't have said that.
"Mum!" said Ginny exasperatedly. "Draco's been murdered by You-Know-Who! Do you really think that he's going to turn around and tell him all about the Order of the Phoenix? Right, Draco?" Draco nodded. Mrs. Weasley sighed.
"I suppose you're right, dear. It will take getting used to think of Draco Malfoy as on our side. All those summers of Ron coming home and complaining about how mean you were to him are hard to put behind me."
"Let me tell you, I'm dreadfully sorry about that. Growing up with parents like mine, it's hard not to act like them. Until You-Know-Who took me into his ranks, I thought it was almost fun to be mean to people. When I became a Death Eater, I realized how horrible it was, how horrible my parents were. I can tell you I regret everything I did during my Hogwarts years. I've totally changed my perspective." Draco confessed. Mrs. Weasley was in shock.
"Are you the real Draco Malfoy?" asked Mrs. Weasley, scrutinizing him. He spread out his arms.
"Yep. This is it. I'm me. Don't worry. Oh yeah, thanks for taking care of me for the past few months. I really appreciate it." Draco felt relieved somehow, like a weight had been lifted off of him. He hated taking other people's charity. He was a Malfoy after all, and used to the best money could buy and more. However, he did deeply appreciate Mrs. Weasley's care over the last three months. Mrs. Weasley suddenly engulfed Draco in a huge motherly hug.
"Welcome home. If you're afraid of going home, you can live with us for as long as you want." Mrs. Weasley felt some pity for Draco, having never been raised by decent people. She had always prided herself on the way she raised her children. They had had the best of life. She had been raised like that when she was little, so she had no experience of a bad parent. She could well imagine how the Malfoys had treated their son, however. Passing on their evil nature through the generation, all of them submitting, until now. Draco was the missing link. His conversion would transform the Malfoy clan. Now, the Malfoys wouldn't have to strike fear into the hearts of other witches and wizards. Mrs. Weasley was amazed at how quickly Draco had changed, but most surprised of all was Draco. He had gone from a tyrant to a genuinely nice person in a relatively short amount of time. "Well, I'm off to share the good news! See you two later!"
Mrs. Weasley meant what she said, and yet she didn't see them later. In fact, no one saw them later, because they were snogging in a closet. Mrs. Weasley had one less child to worry about. Emily was due to come for supper the next day, and with Malfoy talking again, she hoped that Emily would feel more comfortable. She was right, in a way. Fred and George, who loved teasing Ron at every moment they could, or anyone for that matter, teased him to no end. They dined on roast beast and smashed potatoes, smothered in thick, rich gravy. Mrs. Weasley was excellent at making gravy. It was smooth and luscious, full of rich meaty goodness. The potatoes were home grown in the garden and incorporated the country fresh flavour of corn. The roast beast was done to perfection, slow cooked for many hours until it was tender and juicy. Couldn't have been more perfect, but it left something to be desired. As in no Fred and George.
Most of the time, Fred and George could behave themselves, but as Ron couldn't shut up about Emily, tonight was drastically different. Of course, it started out totally fine, but deteriorated within about five minutes. "So, when's the wedding?" began George totally innocently. When Emily looked shocked and glanced at Ron, George and Fred exchanged menacing grins. Ron was already blushing. At the moment, he was about the shade of a pink sunset, but Fred and George weren't done yet.
"Wouldn't be surprised if Ron popped the question soon, the way he's been going on about you." added Fred seriously. Ron was slowly reddening. He was about the shade of red pencil crayon now.
"'Ooh Emily! She's soo nice and pretty and lovely and fun and good and nice and…'" George, who had imitating Ron, was cut off by Fred, who was laughing at Ron's tomato-red face. Mrs. Weasley, who had been in the kitchen, came back to find Ron sinking slowly down in his chair, face as red as a pomegranate. She told Fred and George off, and went back into the kitchen. She had forgotten the gravy boat. Fred and George were laughing uproariously, and Emily looked uncomfortable. Later on, the twins apologized, and then she was in a good mood for the rest of the meal.
Meanwhile, Hermione was lying in her quiet hospital room, waiting for her dinner. Emily wasn't on duty tonight. She was feeling fine, although she was fed up of staying in bed all day long. The pile of tiny knitted socks and sweaters on her dresser grew larger everyday. At the moment, she was embroidering a yellow baby blanket with tiny flowers. Life wasn't bad here, just boring.
A/N:I thought the part with Malfoy was pretty sweet. Personally, I'm glad he's back to normal. I mean, I did write this thing, so it's my idea, but I'm still happy. I hope you are too!
