Ginerva,

Despite the fact that our dinner didn't quite go as planned, I can't help but think of you as I'm trying not to pull my hair out with the latest going on here at Malfoy Enterprises. I look forward to Easter Break so that we can spend time together with Scorpius. I've heard from him that there is a Hogsmeade weekend in February (of course, he won't be able to attend), but I was hoping if you were one of the Professors chaperoning down to the village we could meet at the Three Broomsticks for lunch.

How are your classes going? Our son tells me you're still assigning a ton of homework, though from what I've heard – and I know you're going to scoff at this – you're one of the favorite teachers at Hogwarts. Quite a different Professor than Snape I suppose.

Yours Always,

Draco

Ginny did scoff at the letter and tossed it on her desk. Draco's owl hadn't waited for a response so she figured he was giving her time to consider responding. She placed the letter in the second drawer of her desk, on top of all the others, determined not to be pulled into his games. Pulling her grading toward her she tried not to think about the fact that she wasn't chaperoning the Hogsmeade trip and to ignore the twinge of disappointment in her stomach.

Draco chuckled to himself as he scrawled his name at the bottom of his next letter before he turned to a fresh piece of parchment.

Scorpius,

I've sent some sweets from your grandmother and myself, hopefully they will get you through to Easter – though I'm sure your mother is keeping you filled on her chocolate mousse.

I'm glad your classes are going well. I've yet to discuss our vacation plans with your mother, but I believe she plans to spend most of her time in the lab again. Please be honest if you don't want to go to Italy during this break, I know it is a short one – but Blaise did just have the baby so I will have to go at least for a day to attend the naming ceremony, I'm sure you could stay with your Grandmother or your mother.

With love,

Draco

Scorpius read the letter the next morning at breakfast with a sigh. He had noticed that his father's owl had stopped with a letter for his mum before it came to him, but Ginny had tucked the letter into her robes without opening it. He glanced up at the table again and saw her deep in conversation with Professor Longbottom and resolutely avoiding his gaze. He frowned again, determined that he would find out what her plans were at their weekly dinner that night and tucked the letter into his school bag as he joined Violet in departing the Great Hall.

Ginerva,

I hope this letter finds you well. I assume from your lack of response to my previous letter than you are either not chaperoning the Hogsmeade trip or you do not wish to dine with me. Either is fine, obviously, but I hope it is the former and not that you do not want to see me.

I've been named godfather to Blaise's heir and I have to attend the naming ceremony over the break. I'd hoped to ask you to attend with me in person as I know the last time I invited you to Italy I did not do it in the best way. However, I don't think I'll be able to spare any other time from the company before Easter break. I do hope you'll at least consider coming with me. I've told Scorpius that he does not have to attend, I know how dull these events can be for a boy his age. If you choose not to attend perhaps he could stay with you. Otherwise I'm certain Mother would love to spend some time with him.

I hope your classes are going well. I've finally begun the process of trying to find a new Senior Vice President, I've decided to take your advice and search outside of the company – it would be nice to have some fresh blood to help with the new expansion. I was hoping you might be willing to help look over some applications with me – perhaps over Easter break. I'm sure I'm boring you with all this business talk.

Theo sends his regards. He filled those orders you could not and says that you have to hire some new underlings to run the lab for you (he's not as young as he used to be you know).

Yours always,

Draco

Ginny had just placed the letter down on her desk when the portrait to her private chambers swung open. Scorpius entered and immediately slung his bag onto the couch before throwing himself on the opposite end. Ginny offered a small smile as he released a huge sigh.

"Tough week love?"

"Too much homework. Why do you guys always pile it on when you know there's a break on the horizon?"

"Because all of our students seem to forget they're still in school," Ginny said with a laugh. "Come on, I made your favorites."

When they were well into the chocolate mousse Ginny had made Scopius paused and looked over at her. She seemed happier than she had been before Winter break, more put together, and the circles that had existed below her eyes had disappeared. He smiled to himself before speaking.

"I've had a letter from my dad," Scorpius said as he took another bite. Ginny nodded slightly in response.

"Anything interesting?" She asked finally finishing the piece of mousse she had taken for herself and leaning back in her seat to look at him. Scopius nodded.

"He wants me to go to Italy over Easter break, but said I could stay behind if I wanted. I guess Blaise had his baby."

"Yes, they made an announcement in the papers. I didn't think Blaise would move entirely to Italy, but I suppose that's what they've done." Ginny fingered the necklace on her neck, her face thoughtful as Scorpius contemplated her in return. He sighed finally, finishing his mousse in silence.

"I was thinking maybe you could come too?" Scorpius asked finally, looking up hopefully. Ginny opened her mouth to object but he interrupted. "We haven't been to Italy together since before Dad was released…I thought maybe we could go to the Match that weekend. The Harpies are playing."

Scorpius final thoughts came out in a rush. Ginny frowned but quickly masked it.

"I was going to work in the lab, but if you agree to come help me in my lab here the weekend before Easter break then I will try to get us tickets to the match," Ginny said finally. Scorpius' face lit up and Ginny found that she was happy with her decision, if only to see the excitement on her son's face.

"Sure, I'd love to help."

"It's going to be a lot of work, ask the Seventh years we've been discussing hiring for the lab in London as well. I'll make my decisions based on who shows up – but lets keep that between us," Ginny said with a small smile. Scorpius nodded.

"I'm going to do some homework here if you don't mind…Before I go back to the dorms." Ginny nodded and followed him back to the sitting area. He threw himself back onto her overstuffed leather couch and pulled out a textbook to read while she went back to sit at her desk. She pulled a piece of parchment from the top drawer of her desk and dipped her quill in deep purple ink before she leaned back and observed her son. When he was immersed in his reading she bent toward the parchment and began to write.

Draco,

Scorpius has convinced me to come to Italy over the break. I'm assuming, because you are after all a Malfoy, that you already have an itinerary in mind – however, you'll need to add the Harpies match into it.

I would offer to take care of my own arrangments but I feel that you would probably object to that. I will come to the Manor Friday. I've written Narcissa to ask her to join us for dinner, and to ask if she has any interest in attending our Holiday to Italy – she used to Holiday with us all the time.

I'm glad that you took my suggestion to heart. I'm not sure how much help I'll be fielding resumes (I've been avoiding doing just that for the lab) but would be willing to help if you really think I can.

Please thank Theo for me and tell him I will buy him a drink the next time we are all together. Give your mother my regards.

Yours truly,

Ginny

Ginny folded the parchment easily and pressed her personal seal into the hot wax she placed on the fold. She made a note to herself that she would have to tell Molly that she wouldn't be attending the dinner that weekend before she reached for another piece of parchment.

Georgina,

I know I've been awful at replying to your owls. I hope you haven't taken it personally, the new job at Hogwarts has kept me pretty preoccupied.

I haven't been able to catch many of the matches, but I've been following the stats in the papers. The team you've built appears to have been quite successful this year. I've authorized the transfer we spoke about over Yule with Gringotts, it should be in the team's vault any day now.

I'll be in attendance for the match in Italy, I think I will have three guests (most certainly I will have two – to be safe please set aside a box for me). You know if I had any complaints about your coaching ability I would have written long before now. I may not be the most active of owners, but I trust in your ability – stop writing me just to stroke your ego, you pain in my ass.

Give all the girls my love, I will try to make a practice after this break – but don't tell them I don't want to mess up their flying.

I look forward to sharing a drink with you to toast our victory against the Italians.

-G

Ginny sealed this letter in much the same fashion. Standing to stretch she smiled at her son who had fallen asleep, his textbook open in his lab. She tied the two letters to her owl's leg, a tawny barn owl she had bought several years ago.

"To Draco first please, Pietry, then to Georgina," she offered the owl a treat that he accepted before taking flight out her open window. She watched him disappear before she made her way over the couch. Taking Scorpius' book from his lap she shook out a nearby blanket and threw it over him. Steeping the fire she went into her bedroom and climbed into bed, leaving the door open should Scorpius need her that night.

Ginny arrived at Malfoy Manor before Draco had arrived home with Scorpius from the train station. She had done herself, and her students, a favor by extending the due date on their latest essay until after the Holiday. She knew that Minerva didn't necessarily agree with her but the other witch had yet to vocalize her opinion on the matter – it seemed Minerva knew more of Ginny's life than she had let on to the public but chose not to voice any opinions on the matter, and this suited Ginny just fine.

"Ginerva is that you?" she heard Narcissa call from the living room. Ginny smiled as she placed her cloak on the rack and made her way to the Malfoy matriarch. Narcissa was sitting in one of the wingbacked chairs sipping a cup of tea, a slew of parchments spread out on the coffee table in front of her.

"Of course," Ginny said as she entered. She bent down to kiss Narcissa's cheek before pouring herself a glass of tea and sitting on the couch across from her. Narcissa didn't speak right away, focused on the parchments in front of her. Ginny noted that at least one concerned the Black estate before she turned her attention to the large French doors to look out at the Gardens beyond. Narcissa finally sighed, waving her wand at the mess and sending them to wherever she stored her documents.

"It's lovely to see you again dear, I'm afraid we didn't get much alone time during Yule."

"I was so busy with the lab. I meant to owl you but life got in the way," Ginny replied with a sigh. Narcissa frowned at her but quickly replaced it with a light smile.

"I've missed your company. Even when you first started that lab you always made time for Scorpius and I."

"It was easier when I wasn't teaching," Ginny said wistfully. Narcissa nodded leaning back in the chair.

"Have you considered resigning your post at Hogwarts?" she asked finally. Ginny looked startled for a moment, and then thoughtful as she drew her legs up under her on the couch.

"Minerva asked me recently if I was going to continue on next year. I haven't really given it much thought. I think I've found who I'd like to hire but they'll need to study extensively for a year with a potions master before they'll have the skill to work alone in the lab."

"Why don't you oversee the training yourself?" Narcissa asked. Ginny looked away from her, lost in thought for some time. Narcissa merely sat and sipped her tea. It was not the first time either of the two woman had lost themselves in thought while in the midst of a conversation.

"I've considered it. Please don't mention anything to anyone. I'm not sure what I want to do yet. I love teaching, but it's not the same. I have enjoyed being so close to Scorpius though."

"Ginerva you have been an excellent mother to Scorpius. But you might find he flourishes away from your care," Naricssa offered a rare insight into some of Ginny's own thoughts. "Speaking of Scorpius, Draco has had some news regarding the events that placed him in the hospital."

"He didn't mention that to me," Ginny said with a frown.

"I think he meant to discuss it with you in person. I haven't seen much of him myself these past few months. He's been so busy head hunting and running the company. I just hope once he squares away this new position he'll be away from the office a bit more."

"I think he hopes that too," Ginny said with a laugh. "He mentioned that he hasn't been able to harass his coaching staff as much as he used to."

"His favorite pastime," Narcissa said with her own small smile. "Some owners act differently than others."

Ginny met Narcissa's knowing glance with a wane smile and a soft nod as they heard the floo roar to life in the front hall.

"I expect that will be our boys," she said standing. Ginny joined her and the two went to greet Draco and Scorpius together.