Disclaimer: I own nothing of the HP universe, because I am not JKR.

This drabble was written for Sinistra Black's challenge on Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges forum titled The Sheherazade Challenge Second Edition.

I had 24 hours to complete the drabble.

I hope you enjoy.

I've Got You Under My Skin

Learned By Heart

He tapped the cool droplets off his umbrella and entered the door, the lock flicking open with a swish from his wand. Inside was warm and musty, like an old attic. He wiped his well-worn leather loafers on the dusty Persian rug in the corner and unlaced them. Next to be removed was his hat, its gray rim speckled like an egg from the rain. His black coat was studiously unbuttoned and hung on a hook.

He padded into the tiny kitchen, his socks muffling the creaking of the floorboards, and noted the rusty pot bubbling merrily on the stove. He inhaled deeply, smelling the oregano blending nicely with the sauce.

"Right where I left you," he murmured softly, pleased. A stirring came from the bedroom, and he froze. He knew better than to make loud noises before she was fully awake, because he would startle her.

He silently pulled out a handful of crumpled pages out of his pocket, being careful not to crinkle them too loudly. He wanted to get rid of them before she saw.

The first was written in smooth, elegant handwriting, and he can tell the writer is truly sorry.

Dear Draco,

I am very sorry to tell you that Bill and I will not be able to come tonight. We had everything all ready but Bill simply refused. I hope you know that I hold no ill feelings against you, but it would just be impossible and perhaps a little dangerous for us to come, considering Bill's temper. Give our love to Ginny.

Fleur

He quietly threw the note in the fireplace, and with a twitch of his wand, the paper was consumed in white flame.

The second was very much like the first, with just a hint of unfriendliness tingeing the otherwise genial tone.

Dear Draco,

I'm really sorry, but George and I won't be able to be there tonight. George wants me to tell you that his hand caught on fire and he's staying at St. Mungo's for the night, but the real reason is that he just doesn't want to come. I hope you understand. Wish Ginny a happy birthday from us.

Angelina Weasley

This letter was also destroyed in the white flame.

He rose from his crouched position, listening for a disturbance. She seemed to have gone back to sleep. He was walking towards the open bedroom door when a faint knocking came from the living room window.

He hurried back, almost bumping into a table leg, and unlatched the window to allow the owl in. When he had untied the message it carried, it nipped him and sailed off.

Unfolding the rain-splattered page, he read:

Dear Draco,

Sorry for sending this on such short notice, but we won't be able to come to Ginny's party tonight. Ron has been furious all day, and I just think it would be easier on everyone if he weren't there to ruin the festivities. Please tell Ginny that we are really sad we missed her birthday, but I'm sure she'll have a great time without us.

Hermione

He angrily crushed the note in his hand, smearing the wet ink.

"Merlin," he hissed. "I knew it. I should have known."

When he had gotten control of his temper, he entered the bedroom. Ginny was curled in the blankets, and all he could see of her was her fingertips, clenching the comforter.

He strode over to the closet and placed the red dress in the back of the closet, arranging her shiny new shoes (that he had bought for her) behind a box on the closet floor where she wouldn't find them. Pajamas were fine for him; he didn't need a fancy dress. He was loosening his tie when a small sound came from the bed. He perched on the edge, waiting for her head to peek up.

She looked confused, her long red hair in a haphazard, messy knot. Her lips were puckered and he smiled as he saw his favorite wrinkle appear between her eyebrows.

"What?" she whispered, a little frightened. "Who…"

He scooted over closer, taking a small blue veined hand in his fist.

"I'm Draco Malfoy," he soothed. "I'm Draco, your husband."

Her clouded eyes seemed to focus a little more.

"Oh," she mumbled. "Okay." She leaned on his shoulder.

"How about some dinner, Ginny?" he asked gently. "I made your favorite ravioli."

When they had eaten the pasta, Draco stood and removed the cake from the shelf. Lighting a single candle, he sang a hushed version of 'Happy Birthday'. With a small kiss placed on her graying hair, he breathed, "Happy 65th, my sweet."

Ginny was bewildered but looked happy. After she had eaten half a piece of chocolate cake, Draco led her to the couch in the living room and poured her a glass of champagne.

"Dra-Draco?" Ginny asked, testing out the unfamiliar name. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, my darling. How about a toast?"

He guided her shaking hands up so that their glasses clinked.

"To everlasting love."

He swallowed a large mouthful and helped her tip her glass to her lips. He stretched his shoulder around her small bony one, and fingered a bit of hair that had escaped from her bun.

"I love you," he reminded her.

"Thanks," was her perplexed reply.

When he had brushed her hair and buttoned up her fresh nightgown, he pulled the covers back.

"I love you," he whispered again. "I love you with all my heart."

He reminded her of this fact multiple times a day. She didn't understand it or know what it meant, but he still liked to say it into her ear. Her mind forgot but her heart remembered, and so he made sure that her heart would always know.

A/N: So there, quite sad, at least I like to think that.

My prompt for Day 8 was: "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."- Jessica, age 8. (Such insight!) I'm not sure if I used the prompt completely right, but when I read it I had an instant plot bunny and this is the result. Please review, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.