A/N: It's short and probably rough, it's not proofed, but I wanted to give you guys something and I was bored with my finals (#storyofmylife) I love the reviews, keep them coming

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor," Draco said graciously as Bill and Fleur walked through the front door.

"Bonjour," Fleur said with a smile as she greeted Draco with a kiss on both cheeks.

"Hullo Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur, Victoire," Scorpius said politely as he accepted a kiss from Fleur.

"Your mother is just behind us," Fleur said with a smile as she drew back. Scorpius returned her smile happily. He hadn't seen his mother since they'd left Hogwarts – despite promises that he could help in the lab. The day after his arrival he and Draco had left for a vacation in Italy to visit the Zabini's.

"Ginerva," Draco greeted Ginny as she apparated into the Manor. When she had adopted Scorpius she had officially become a part of the Malfoy family and all was granted unlimited access to all the properties the family held. She rarely excercised the power, but she hadn't wanted to get any soot on the dress she was wearing and have to remove her wand to cast a scourgify charm.

"Mom!" Scorpius said happily, jumping in front of Draco to throw his arms around the woman. Ginny laughed as she returned the hug, his head was already up to her chin – he had grown up so fast. Draco watched the exchange before he greeted Ginny with a familiar kiss on the cheek. She offered him a slight smile as he took her cloak.

Draco was as surprised as Scorpius was happy about the dress Ginny had chosen. She had shown him sketches of it at Hogwarts when Narcissa had insisted she attend the Yule Ball. It was a deep hunter green with a fitted corset type bodice but still sported the sweetheart neckline she so favored. She was wearing the simple diamond tear drop Narcissa had given her, but had put on a pair of emerald studs to compliment it. Her hair fell in soft curls down to the small of her back, it had grown at Hogwarts and she hadn't bothered to have it cut – there wasn't as much of a need since she wasn't brewing potions all the time now. The skirts of the dress where inlaid with soft diamonds that made it sparkle. Scorpius knew it had cost her a fortune, not that it mattered, but he had seen how happy she was that she was able to design the dress herself when Narcissa's seamstress had agreed to bring to life whatever she drew.

"Ginerva darling, you look marvelous," Narcissa said with a smile. She pulled the younger woman in a hug and Ginny offered her a genuine smile.

"I'm so glad you like it," Ginny replied. "It took me almost a month to sketch but your seamstress put it together much faster than I thought she'd be able too."

"She's a miracle worker," Narcissa replied with a smile. Ginny nodded her assent and Draco was left to watch as Narcissa led her into the ballroom.

"I think that's everyone dad," Scorpius said. He was poised on the balls of his feet, ready to take off. Draco offered him a slight smile.

"Go have fun. We'll open gifts before you go to the Weasleys tomorrow," Draco said. Scorpius nodded and disappeared into the throng of people in their ballroom. Draco entered slowly behind him. The room was filled with a mix of people he'd never have expected to have in Manor when he was at Hogwarts.

"Remarkable how things have changed," Arthur Weasley said reflectively as he came up next to Draco and surveyed the ballroom. Draco found himself nodding reflexively.

"I would say you played a large part in it," Draco offered finally, after the men stood in thoughtful silence for a while. Arthur did not reply right away and Draco found his head turning to survey the older man. His years as Minister had left his shockingly red hair graying at the roots and the wrinkles in his face more pronounced, but Draco was not surprised to find an amused twinkle in his eye – so similar to Albus Dumbledore's.

"I made a promise to an old friend once that I would work to repair the rifts left after the war," Arthur said finally the twinkle replaced with a serious look. "I would like to think that I have done just that. Now it is up to your generation to continue the work."

"Are you happy to have retired?" Draco asked, finding himself suddenly uncomfortable with where the conversation might be going.

"Yes, despite my initial misgivings Harry is doing an excellent job as Minister," Arthur replied.

"I heard some rumors of an uprising in France," Draco replied. Arthur's look turned pensieve for a moment before he quickly concealed it.

"I think perhaps we should forget politics for a night. Yuletide is about family, and how marvelous it is that we can all be under the same roof for it. Are you going to join us for supper tomorrow? Molly wanted me to ask, that's why I was originally sent over here."

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Draco started, not sure how to decline and unsure that Ginny would want him there.

"Nonsense," Arthur replied. "And truly, Molly wouldn't have it any other way. I suppose she was more inclined to have me order you to the table but I wouldn't want to impose on you. It would make both our lives easier if we just pretend you went along with her request."

Draco chuckled and nodded his assent as Arthur smiled in response and wandered off to speak with Charlie.

"Draco it's time to open the dance floor," Narcissa said. Draco was sipping a firewhiskey at the bar, conversing with Theo and Adrian – happy to have his friends at the Manor. Draco groaned and the other men chuckled in response.

"That's our cue to find our dates," Theo offered as an excuse, feeding Draco to the wolves.

"Yes mother," Draco replied placing his empty glass on the bar. Narcissa allowed him to take her arm and escort her toward the dancefloor but they were interrupted by Counselor Roundtree who had been conversing with Ginny.

"Would you mind if I stole my date," the Counselor asked with a smile. Draco frowned and noticed Ginny doing the same.

"Why don't you two open the floor," Narcissa suggested happily, giving Draco a gentle nudge toward Ginny. She and Roundtree retreated rather quickly for Draco's liking, especially when he heard his mother's quite girlish giggle emanate back toward him.

"I guess we don't have a choice," Ginny said with a frown. "Though I feel like we've been set up."

"I think because neither of us have dates," Draco replied. He offered Ginny his arm and she took it reluctantly, letting him lead her to the center of the floor. Draco removed his wand from his inner pocket, pressing it to his throat as a light illuminated them in the middle of the floor and the rest of the ballroom dimmed.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming to celebrate Yule with my family. I'm sure you all had better things to do tonight," he paused as the room chuckled. "On that note, I hope you are all enjoying the bar and we will start the entertainment for tonight."

A newer band from the mainstream took the stage and began to play a slow ballad. Ginny allowed Draco to gather her up and begin the first dance as other couples quickly followed. It wasn't the usual music they danced to, she was surprised Narcissa hadn't ordered a classical orchestra.

"I took the planning into my own hands this year," Draco said with a smile, noticing Ginny's slight confusion. "Most of my friends are younger, and this band has an interesting sound."

"I like them," Ginny replied quietly, falling silent as she enjoyed the dance Draco moved her through. When the song ended the band began a soft love song, Ginny moved to pull away but Draco tightened his arms around her slightly.

"One more?" he asked softly. Ginny met his eyes, surprised to see the clouds of confusion there and found herself stepping closer, laying her head on his shoulder.

Ginny was surprised when she responded to the unasked question in Draco's eyes by stepping closer and letting herself sink into his embrace. She supposed it was because she was so sick of the aching loneliness she had felt at Hogwarts. Aidan had been terrific shag. Aidan had tried to court her after that, but she hadn't felt her heart in in. He became just one in a trail of disappointing lovers since she'd left Draco and Harry behind. For the first time she had experienced what it was to be just her, not a mother or a girlfriend, but just herself. And she found it rather both freeing and depressing.

"You've ignored most of my letters," Draco said softly, his tone lacking any accusation. Ginny nodded into his chest.

"I needed some time Draco. You really hurt me," she replied honestly.

"I saw you with Harry that night," Draco replied, emotionless. He had spent months seething over the apparent betrayal, but found that maintaining his anger was exhausting.

"I think he was saying goodbye," Ginny replied. "I think he knew that he was going to run for Minister. I think he knew it would change our relationship forever."

"He declined my invitation tonight," Draco replied.

"He's thought we've been a couple this whole time," Ginny said finally. She'd had a couple letters from Harry and every time he had asked how Draco was. She had always replied as though she knew how Draco was doing, despite the fact that they didn't speak.

Draco didn't reply and Ginny felt tears welling in her eyes as the song came to a conclusion. She offered him a weak smile before she bolted from him.