Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter related
A/N - The second installment, please enjoy!!!
Chapter One – Welcome Home/Now Leave
"He gets out today", Draco said casually as he picked up his pile of washing that Ginny had folded using her wand.
Ginny was not paying attention; she nodded quickly and continued with the washing she was now hanging.
"He told mum he wants me to come to dinner", Draco continued, knowing soon enough she would hear him and then the argument would begin. When it came to his family, she was never happy.
"Dinner? Where", she was now listening. She had finished the washing and was now standing with her hand on her hip. He loved that she wasn't always dressed up like some other women. She was wearing baggy pants, a tight, slightly stained singlet and a headband in her hair but to him she was still as gorgeous as she was when she dressed up.
"At my house."
Ginny frowned, "And you're going by yourself?"
Draco swallowed nervously, "Well, I thought that would be the case but he's told mum that he needs to meet his son's girlfriend".
"But he's already met me. Remember I nearly died because of him, but I guess that slips your mind", she turned away from him, busying herself with cleaning products and other things in an attempt to hide her anger.
"Yes but he doesn't mean, meet as in see you for the first time. He means it like, you're my son's girlfriend, we should have dinner as you are almost part of the family and we need to get to know you", Draco reasoned in a calm voice. He didn't want her to start yelling because he was yelling.
"Drake, he will just use this as an excuse to treat me like shit and push you towards dumping me." She looked up at him now, watching his face.
"I won't let him", Draco said.
"Drake, I saw you with your father before he went to Azkaban, he is your idol, you do everything he tells you", Ginny said this in a nice voice but Draco did feel resentment towards her comment.
"Ginny, you don't get it. He is important to me, but I'm with you and I love you so he has to accept that".
"Or you will be banished like Tonk's and her family was".
Malfoy pursued his lips, "Ok, look, they are my family and I don't want you to talk about them like that. Please just come, I need you to and my mum likes you. You know that don't you?"
"Yeah, I guess, but your dad's different".
Draco shook his head, walking towards her, then cupping her face with his hands, "No he isn't you are my life now and that's what matters to me, ok?"
Ginny looked at the honesty in his eyes, she had learned to tell when he lied. She forced a weak smile then kissed him gently.
Draco and Ginny lived in a rather large home in the centre of London and though Draco and Ginny were making a lot of money, the house had been a present for Draco from his parents for graduating Hogwarts three years prior. Draco had moved there after graduation and continued seeing Ginny while she lived at her family home with Ron and Hermione. A year down the track, Draco had suggested she move in with him and he would support her while she studied more because he had his trust fund and his fathers connections had got him placed in a rather prestigious job.
Harry Potter lived in a small cottage in Godric's Hollow. He had moved here after selling his godfathers house to a shady looking man after leaving school. The memories there hurt too much for him. Lavender had followed him obediently after leaving school. They never really discussed it but a relationship formed, and a first they both appeared happy. Harry had joined up for Auror training with Ginny and the pair had been hard workers. The course was good for Harry as they had paid him while he studied. Harry had also liked it because the two of them got to hang out a lot and Harry had missed spending time with Ginny, though he had not realised on his return to school. But things turned south from there. A year into his training, Harry left the strenuous course and ended up being unemployed for a long time. It was then that Lavender had to step up and take care of the man she loved. She had moved in with him straight out of school to look after him like he had indicted he had needed. While he had been training she had got a job with the Daily profit doing horoscope type things, which she enjoyed but when Harry had no income she needed a steady job where she worked more often. She was forced to get a job on Diagon alley at Madam Malkin's robe shop, where she worked overtime. No one bothered trying to tell her that Harry was just using her because he didn't know where to go after Sasha's death, so he latched onto the person he knew would have him and take care of him. Recently Harry had got a job and Lavender was able to return to her minor salary, part-time job.
The rest of her time she was running around after Harry.
"Sweetie, what do you want for dinner?"
Harry shrugged, he had had a day off for no reason so he had been home eating all day. He was sitting in his favourite chair in front of a muggle television he had got to kill time when he was unemployed. Lavender was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She had just got home and her first task was to make her man dinner. She saw his shrug and replied, "I'll make you something nice ok?" He didn't reply.
In the kitchen, Lavender sat at the small table of mis-matched chairs and rested her head in her hands, tears welled up but she pushed them away. She didn't know what had happened to her life. Every time her mother saw her, she'd ask Lavender to leave Harry and move home but Lavender wouldn't leave him. It had taken too long to get him. In her mind she only had to soldier through this rut and he would be better again. He had been ok after Sasha died. He had treated her with respect and had been an active member in their relationship. But slowly that changed and he became distant. After falling out of Auror training he was just a shell of himself and though he never hit Lavender or anything like that, he barely showed an interest in her.
"Can you bring me a firewhiskey?" He called from the lounge.
Automatically, Lavender pulled herself together and bustled over to the alcohol cabinet. She poured him a drink and took it into him. He didn't say thank you, leaving Lavender to walk away and return to her solitude which was becoming more and more common in her home, even if Harry was around.
Hermione stepped out of the fireplace into her small cottage. She could tell Ron wasn't home immediately because his broomstick was not in its case on the wall. No doubt he'd gone to vent his frustrations with Harry again by playing a little one on one Quidditch. She sighed as she placed her bag down on a chair and took off her coat. He was hardly ever home these days. If he wasn't off with Harry, he was at his parents being looked after by his mother, because in her eyes Hermione wasn't doing a good enough job. Molly expected her to drop her career and be a good little housewife like Penny and Fleur were. But anyone who knew Hermione understood she was a smart, independent woman and she would never be a housewife. Her cooking indicted that much.
She did feel lonely a lot in her home, so she'd often visit Ginny but she knew Ginny wouldn't be home as she had the family dinner. Hermione shuddered at the thought. At least Ron's family wasn't that bad.
Hermione decided to make a quick dinner for one and curled up on the couch with a book. Ron would have to make something for himself when he got home. After half an hour of solitude, there was banging in the hallway and heavy foot steps.
"What's for dinner?" Ron called, not knowing where his girlfriend was.
"I've already eaten, you'll have to make something for yourself", Hermione called back, not lifting her eyes from the book in her hands.
"What?" Ron popped his head through to the lounge; his voice had a demanding tone.
Hermione sighed, put down her book and looked at Ron, "Ron, I'm sick of making dinner for us and you are never home, and when you do come home you never want it".
"Because its cold".
"Well heat it up, then", Hermione said loudly, picking up her book again as if the conversation was over.
Ron growled, "At least Lavender cooks Harry dinner".
Hermione felt her face redden with anger, she roughly put the book back down, "Then why don't you piss off and go live with them. Then you can have a good little housewife like Lavender. Because that's all you want isn't it? Some to replace your mother? You don't actually want a girlfriend do you?" Her voice was raised and her breathing had become heavy.
"Don't be silly, Hermione. I love you, I don't want a housewife", Ron said a little aggressively.
This got Hermione back up, "I'm not silly. Everyone but you can see it! If things don't change soon Ronald, I... well, I don't want to get to that point". She sighed as she picked up her book, "I'm going to bed". And without a good night, she wandered off to their bed.
Ginny had put on her favourite black dress. She loved this one because it was long and elegant but still made her look smoking hot. She needed a dress like this if she were to see Lucius again. The last time she had seen him was the war. He had been picked up after that and charged with murder, conspiring against the government, use of the unforgivable curses and many more things. Draco had told her that if Snape hadn't saved a written copy of the agreement between him and Draco (which was accompanied by a vouch for Draco's father's change of heart) then his father would have spend life in Azkaban. Lucky for Lucius there was no hard evidence of his crimes, other than Snape's Testimony that Lucius was still an active death eater. The fact that he had been wandless and locked in his own home was nothing against what Snape had to say.
It made Ginny so mad that a man who had been a criminal all his life (as far as she knew) could judge her and make her feel like she wasn't worth being in their family. She didn't truly know if he would act that way, but none of their previous encounters had given her hope that he would remain civil.
"You ready?" Draco knocked lightly on their bedroom door.
"Does he know that I'm living with you in the house they paid for?" she asked anxiously.
"What? Yes of course they do. And if they didn't it wouldn't matter, they bought the house for me and I choose who I live with".
Ginny nodded, checking herself one last time in the long mirror. "You look amazing", Draco said from behind her. Ginny blushed and giggled. He always made her feel beautiful.
"Ok", she said finally, "Lets head to the snake pitt". Making Draco frown.
The couple made their way out the front door of the house and once outside the gate, the grasped hands and disappeared with a small pop.
The couple reappeared outside large white gates that swung open just after they had arrived. Inside the gate, pure white peacocks were strutting the yards majestically. Ginny felt overwhelmed by the beauty and wondered how Lucius had managed to keep his home and his wealth after his imprisonment.
As if reading her mind Draco said aloud, "Father was very good at hiding money. The Ministry doesn't even know how much money we have".
Ginny did not approve but she keeps quiet for the sake of the man she loved and continued to walk up the path that was glowing in the moonlight. Once up at the front of the house, the large front doors swung open welcomingly. Inside stood Narcissa, a small smile playing across her face, "Welcome home, Draco", she said, holding her arms out for her son to hug her. Draco approached her and held her limply for a moment saying, "Hello Mother", he then looked at Ginny, indicating for her to greet his mother.
"Hello Mrs Malfoy", Ginny smiled kindly which Draco's mother returned.
"Hello dear", she did not open her arms for Ginny, "Lucius is in the sitting room. Come along".
The walked down a long hallway that Ginny had only once been down and turned left at the very end. Here sat Draco's father. Her had amazing long blonde hair that came down to his elbows and his clothes were very neat. Ginny noticed however that his face was sunken as if he had not eaten in months, or worse as if all happiness had been sucked from his body.
"Draco", he said curtly, standing to shake his son's hand, "Any you brought your.... friend".
"Girlfriend", Draco corrected him, but he didn't need correcting, he just wasn't going to call her that.
"Hello, Mr Malfoy", Ginny said politely, but Lucius just nodded stiffly.
"A drink is order I think", he said, making his way to the alcohol cabinet and removing a bottle which he poured into three glasses. Ginny instantly felt insulted, would he not even pour her a drink? But it soon became apparent that she was not to miss out on a drink because she received one as did Draco and his father, "Narcissa is not much of a drinker, she very rarely has a drink".
"Yes, I was a bit of trouble as a teenager. Alcohol is not very becoming of me".
Ginny wanted to laugh. The idea of Draco's mother being a fun, drunken teenage was farfetched in her book.
"So father, how does it feel?" Draco asked with a big grin.
"As it should feel. I was surprised that it took this long to process the release", He looked grimly at his wife then took a seat by the fireplace where he had been earlier. Draco followed his lead, grasping Ginny's hand as he did and pulling her with him.
"Yes, well, unfortunately the law enforcer working on your case may have had a little person knowledge into the crime and was fighting hard to disprove Snape's testimony", Draco replied, Ginny gulped. Snape's new testimony had not come to light until a year ago when McGonagall had properly emptied the last of his stuff. She immediately approached Draco who took the case forward. By this time Hermione had done her years training and had a years experience in the Magical Law Office and as the numbers were limited and she was so well educated, she was approached to take on the Ministry representative in the trail. She knew from her own experience that Lucius was bad but she could not gain enough evidence to win the appeal and Lucius was granted his freedom. But this was not instant as Hermione had held up the processing from the Law end and he was not released until 6 months after the case.
"Yes, I'm well aware of your friends grudge against our family", Lucius hissed, he was speaking to Draco by his eyes were on Ginny.
There was silence for a long time when Ginny looked at Lucius and he returned that with a hard glare.
"Ok, well, you were right on time, Dinner will be served now", Narcissa interrupted.
"Right", Draco stood, again he grabbed his partners hand and pulled her towards the dining room.
"I'll be right in, start without me", Lucius said, standing from his chair, watching them leave.
"What is his problem", Ginny hissed quietly through her teeth when her and Draco were alone in the dining room. His mother had gone to organised the house elf to serve dinner.
"Nothing", he said quietly, "Come on Gin, we just got here".
"I'm not the one doing anything!"
"Neither is he, your just so negative that everything he does seems to be a shot at you", Draco replied, frustrated.
"I do not think-".
"Dinner", Narcissa said, walking out from the doorway to the kitchen, "I hope your hungry".
"Yes", Draco replied smiling fakely, "I'm quite hungry".
Ginny nodded. To be honest she wasn't hungry. She could never eat when she was anxious, sad or angry and at the moment she was feeling all three. It would be hard work to eat.
The three of them sat down and began eating, there was polite dinner chatter that Ginny participated in but her mind was on Lucius. He had not returned in nearly 15 minutes she had calculated.
"Where's your father?" Ginny asked during a story that Draco had been telling his mother.
"I'm not sure", Draco replied. Ginny hated it when he came to his house. He put on that rich voice that made her think of him as some want to be 1600's royalty. He had gotten it from both his parents as they talked the same.
"I'm here", his voice started Ginny, she had been looking at the door that led to the sitting room. Lucius had appeared on the other side, "And I went to get the present that I have for Draco". He pulled out a small box and handed it to his son.
Draco took it with wonder in his eyes, "Open it now". Draco automatically obeyed and gently began to open the box. Lucius took a seat comfortably opposite Ginny.
"Father", Draco exclaimed, Ginny looked next to her at what Draco held. It was a necklace that was gold and was like a very small oval plate with the initials DM carved in them.
"It's a family heirloom. I found it the other day when I first got home and was checking my... things", he hesitated but continued, "It was your grandfathers, and so if you have a son, you know what he will be called, im sure".
"Dromino", Draco said absent-mindedly, still looking intently at the necklace.
"Yes, but of course children are not on the cards yet. You have so much potential and any child of your will of course be brought up the same way you were", he eyed Ginny with a disgusted look, "Not to have no respect for their pureblood heritage". Draco was not aware of the evil looks that were now being shared across the table.
"Draco knows these things, dear. This may not be a good time", Narcissa interjected.
"It's the perfect time. If he were married to a nice pureblood girl we would know he was on the right track, but he testing the waters, being adventurous, I do not want him to forget his values".
Ginny gapped, tears began to well, she was not directly being attacked but she felt every word he said as a blow to her heart.
"I'm not testing the waters father", Draco said, finally acknowledging the conversation occurring, "I know what I want".
Lucius snarled, "I did not raise you to bring dirt into our family", he said in a low growling voice.
"Ginny is not dirt", Draco replied strongly.
"She's dirt and you know it. She will never be welcome into my family", Lucius replied with malice, he was on his feet.
This was all Ginny could take, she got up and rushed from the room crying, Draco watched her go, waiting until she was gone.
He turned to his father, "She is not dirt and she will be part of this family when I marry her".
"You will not marry her", there was a pause and Lucius sat back down calmly, "Do what you want with her then get rid of her. She will only bring you down".
"No, she wont", Draco began to walk away, but then stopped and added, "And if you don't accept her, I no longer will be part of this family", he placed the necklace on the table and walked out.