A/N: To everyone who called me out for the abrupt sentence that didn't have an ending - I had originally cut that chunk out to put in this chapter...Then apparently didn't save the file. So, it's here with it's conclusion and I've removed it from the old chapter sorry about that. I hope you approve, I love the reviews so keep them coming. I'm finally graduated so hopefully I'll be able to finish up this story this summer. This and the last chapter should be one long chapter, but as I think I mentioned I wanted to give you something before, so they're split. I promise the next chapters will be back to their normal longer length. Enjoy.

Draco watched Ginny flee in confusion. He'd thought their conversation had been pleasant enough, he hadn't meant to bring up anything that would upset her.

"You should go and make her feel better," Scorpius said bluntly as Draco stepped off the dance floor. He eyed his son, noting the anger in Scorpius' eyes.

"I don't know what I did to upset her."

"Did you mention Harry?" Scorpius demanded. Draco found himself nodding, though internally he wondered why he was responding to his son's inquisition. "Well that's why. It's a really touchy subject for her still."

Draco frowned and wandered away from his son. Scorpius scowled and then went the opposite direction to find his mother. She was standing out on the balcony, an owl was perched on the rail and Ginny was stroking the bird's chin thoughtfully as she read the parchment in her hand. Scorpius hung back as she snapped a twig from the nearest tree and transfigured it into a muggle pen. She wrote a hasty response to the letter and gave it to the owl who flew off after nuzzling Ginny's hand.

"Everything alright mum?" he asked, revealing his presence as Ginny watched the bird fly off.

"Yes, of course," she said with a soft smile. She gestured for him to join her and wrapped her arm around his shoulders as they watched the snowfall outside the protective charms of the balcony. "I just needed some air."

"Who was that letter from?" Scorpius prodded carefully. Ginny's smile wavered slightly, replaced again with a thoughtful look.

"Harry asked if I would come for tea before Christmas dinner tomorrow, he said he has something he'd like to talk to me about before he comes to the Burrow."

"Oh," Scorpius said trying to hide his frown. Ginny chuckled pulling him closer.

"I'm fairly certain he's not going to propose again hun, you don't have to worry about losing me to the green-eyed monster."

"If you say so," Scorpius muttered. Ginny laughed out loud at this and turned to her son.

"Even if I did end up with Harry, and I'm sure that that's not going to happen, I would always have room for you in my heart, you know that right?" Scorpius found himself nodding at the heartfelt sound of his mother's words. He could smell the firewhiskey on her breath but she didn't look or sound drunk at all. She pulled him into her and gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "You'll always be my little boy, that little three year old who fought so hard to stay miserable but captured my heart nonetheless."

Scorpius smiled at this and gave Ginny a quick kiss on the cheek before looking around to make sure no one had seen.

"Will you stay tonight and have breakfast with us tomorrow before you go see him?" Scorpius asked, looking up through his long lashes at her.

Ginny sighed as she looked at her son but found herself nodding, how could she say no to such a simple request.

"I was going to come for breakfast anyway, but I suppose it makes more sense to just stay here – especially since your grandmother will be so pleased thinking it was her doing. She didn't put you up to this did she?" Scorpius shook his head, though in truth Narcissa had planted the idea in his head. Ginny chuckled and made a shooing motion. "Go enjoy the party, I'll be back in in a minute."

Ginny watched as Scorpius disappeared through the French doors and then turned to look out at the horizon again. It wasn't long before Narcissa found her there still deep in thought.

"You're missing all the dancing dear," Narcissa said, looping an arm through Ginny's. Ginny was surprised that it was Narcissa and not her own mother who had come to find her.

"I was just reflecting on the past year," Ginny said softly. Narcissa patted her arm and looked out at the snow with her.

"It is a beautiful view from up here isn't it?"

"The Malfoy's have beautiful properties," Ginny replied with a smile, turning her face to look at the older woman. Narcissa looked much healthier than the last Christmas Ginny had spent with her. She was happy the potion seemed to be finally, permanently, counteracting the effects of the curse.

"Ginerva, despite the events of the past years, I am thankful your father brought you into our lives and I hope you know that," Narcissa said, her voice slightly wistful. Ginny nodded.

"Scorpius convinced me to spend the night – even though I was planning on coming for breakfast anyway." Narcissa smiled broadly at this, the smile she reserved for only her family and it didn't escape Ginny's notice.

"Wonderful, I'll have the elves prepare your old room for you. Now let's go back inside." Ginny found she couldn't object at the older woman steered her back into the party and deposited her into the arms of some eligible bachelor – but she wasn't surprised. Naricssa Malfoy might be less obvious in achieving her ends than Molly Weasley, but she was just at good at getting what she wanted.

"Goodnight mum," Ginny said kissing Molly on the cheek. "I'll see you for supper tomorrow."

"Are you sure you don't mind moving it to your house dear," Molly asked looking concerned. Ginny shook her head.

"I just have to go for that tea I told you about – but let yourself in, I know you have a lot of cooking to do. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Okay love, we'll see you tomorrow then," Molly said with another smile. Ginny gave her father a kiss on the cheek and the two disappeared. She turned to return to the ballroom and found Draco almost directly behind her.

"I'm sorry," he said suddenly, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Ginny almost laughed at the way he was rocking on his feet, it was so like Scorpius when he was in trouble.

"What for?" She asked instead.

"For bringing up Harry, for ruining our peace…"

"It's fine," Ginny replied. She knew it was difficult for him to apologize for anything, and it was so out of character for him that she thought it might be a Christmas miracle.

"Will you dance with me again?" he asked, breaking her train of thought. She took his offered hand and let him lead her back onto the dance floor.

"Our son convinced me that I need to stay here tonight, I hope you don't mind."

"I think Mother probably played a part in that too," Draco said thoughtfully. Ginny nodded as she let him lead her across the dance floor.

"I thought as much, but it was a simple request from him. I couldn't really say no."

"I heard your moving dinner to the farm house again," Draco said after a few moments of silence. Ginny nodded.

"You are going to come aren't you?" she asked finally, lifting her eyes to meet his. He paused before answering and then with a heavy sigh she knew his answer before he spoke.

"I wasn't planning on it. I thought maybe you'd like some time with Scorpius and your family."

"Sure," Ginny replied her voice even to mask her disappointment.

Draco finished saying goodbye to his guests and wearily climbed the stairs to their living area. He was exhausted and had forgotten how tiresome it was to host one of these events. He hadn't had the pleasure since Astoria had passed away, and now he was quite certain he might never go through the effort and expense again. He paused outside the open door to Ginny's chambers and observed her pulling pins from where she had pinned her hair back from her face. He knocked softly on the frame and she turned toward him.

"I was hoping to catch you. Do you think you could undo the zipper for me?" She asked. Draco nodded and stepped into the room, he undid the zipper to a level she could reach it herself and stepped back. She turned to face him, one arm supporting the front of the dress.

"I'm glad you came and decided to stay," Draco said softly. Ginny nodded and made her way past him to the bathroom. She reemerged in a pair of shorts and a tank top, her loose hair falling wildly around her face. Draco loosened his tie as he made his way back to the door.

"Draco," Ginny said softly. She was sitting in front of the vanity now, removing the necklace and laying it on the velvet box in front of her. She met his eyes as he turned back around. "I'm sorry too."

"What for," he asked, confusion echoing the tone of his voice in the depths of his eyes.

"For running away," she turned away then, abruptly ending the conversation. Draco turned, still confused and shut the door behind him.

The next morning Ginny departed right after breakfast, promising Scorpius she would give him her gift later when he joined the Weasleys for Christmas supper. She arrived at the Minister's mansion in an instant but presenting her wand and being admitted to the property took far longer than when her father had reigned. She finally made her way up the steps to the sprawling estate and was admitted into the house by the same elf who had served her family when her parents were supposed to have lived there.

"The Minister is in the living room," the elf said. Ginny nodded to show she remembered where it was and the elf disappeared with a pop. She made her way quickly to the parlor, shedding her cloak and carrying it easily over her arm as she entered the open living room. Harry was sitting in a chair near the fire, looking into the flames pensively. Ginny was surprised at how old her looked.

"Hullo Harry," she said to announce her presence. She tossed her cloak on one of the chairs near the door and then took the seat next to him. Harry smiled at her, drawn from his thoughts and leaned forward to pour them tea.

"Thanks for coming Gin," he said easily. Ginny took a sip of her tea and looked at him expectantly.

"I'm assuming it's important and top secret if you didn't want the whole family part of the conversation." Harry looked at her sheepishly and Ginny's guard immediately went up.

"I kind of just wanted a minute alone with you, I've been trying for months Gin," Harry offered seeing the look in her eyes change. Her eyes hardened further and he put his hands up quickly. "I don't want to fight or anything…I just…I miss you."

Ginny drew in a sharp breath and was about to launch into a tirade when he interrupted her.

"Not like that. We used to be, I mean a long time ago, we used to be friends." Ginny released a breath and took several deep ones before she responded.

"Yes, a long time ago I suppose we were."

"I was hoping…after we talked at the Debutante ball that we might…go back to that. I mean, we seem to be able to carry on as friends through letters." Ginny nodded, what he said was true. They had exchanged many owls that year, with far more substantive conversations that she had had with Draco. Harry had even asked her advice on several things after the election.

"How is being Minister," she asked, showing her assent to their truce by changing the subject. Harry smiled in response.

"It's good. I feel like I'm making a difference, really connecting us with other country's ministries. I want to make sure there's never a threat like Voldermort again. I really feel like I'm getting somewhere…I suppose it doesn't really make any sense, it just feels right."

"It makes sense," Ginny said softly. "Do you remember when I starting brewing the improved Wolfsbane potion and you were so angry that I was working with werewolves…it was the only time you ever used my relationship with Scorpius…"

Harry frowned in response and Ginny laughed.

"I'm not trying to start a fight either. I suppose it wasn't one of your more brilliant moments though. But I told you that I wasn't going to stop because I was making a difference, and I used the exact same words. It just felt right."

The two fell into a companionable silence then until Harry interrupted it again.

"Are you happy Gin, with where your life has brought you?" Ginny nodded and he looked down at the tea in his hand for a minute before he plunged on. "I really asked you here today because I wanted you to know that I'm going to propose to someone."

"This seems…fast," Ginny, said carefully, she tried to ignore the slight twinge in her heart. She had come to terms with the end of her relationship long ago, but she knew Harry would always be her first love.

"I've been seeing her for almost a year…Out of the papers…I just…I wanted you to know beforehand. I didn't want you swarmed with press without warning. Gin, I'll always care for you – but I meant what I said. I think we're so much more without each other."

"I think we were a wartime love Harry, when we met we were so afraid that there might not be a tomorrow…I don't think our love was meant for peace," Ginny replied. She looked thoughtfully for him for a long moment before she continued. "We didn't know how to love each other without a threat. And I think…I think you loved my family so much you just wanted to be a real part of it – and there's nothing wrong with that. Just at some point we stopped being in love and we started trying to spell all the problems away, and that's when it stopped working. We stopped talking and just started being together… I'm happy you've found someone to spend forever with. Who is she?"

Harry chuckled at this.

"Well, maybe you're right about your family. Gabriella Delacour, Fleur's younger sister. Her father is their Ambassador here."

"I suppose we'll be family after all then, just not the way we originally intended," Ginny said with a small smile.

"I really hope things work out with you and Draco if that's who you want to be with," Harry said softly. He reached over to take Ginny's hand and she chuckled.

"I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth. I hope you at least bought her a different ring." Harry laughed for real this time, as the two stood to depart for her farmhouse and Christmas dinner. Ginny forced herself to quell the tears that had threatened her when he mentioned Draco, determined not to mention that the two were on outs again. She supposed it would be abundantly clear when Draco didn't come for Christmas dinner.