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What Is Love?	By : dagforever Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Ginny Views: 8726 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 29
- 30
- 31
The Truth � Scrabbers
Squeals and More.

----------*********----------

Ginny fell into the chair in the foyer
of Black Hall after Apparating home.� The
voices of her children and her mother floated down the hallway.� �I�ll bet that is your Grandmother Malfoy
now,� Molly said.

The young witch tried to collect herself
not wanting her children to see her in her present state but before she could
Narcissa appeared.

�Oh goodness!
Ginevra, what has happened?� the blonde witch gasped.� Great concern lined her face.

�Mummy!�
Cam cried at the sight in front of him.�
His mother�s clothes were dirty and torn.� Her face was pale and lined where her tears
of pain had ran.� Molly grabbed him and
held his two brothers behind her.�
Narcissa had started to make her way to her daughter in-law when Draco
appeared.

�Draco,� Ginny whispered and when he was
close enough she fell into his arms.� He lifted her and started up the stairs.�

�Mother, please floo the healer,� he
softly stated.�

�What�s wrong with Mummy?� Thuban
managed to choke out without letting the tears in his eyes fall onto his face.

�She had a small accident.� Go back into the playroom.� She�ll be fine,� Draco firmly yet lovingly
stated.� His tone clearly informing them to
do as they were told.�
�Tipsy � Nan!� he called and the elves appeared.� �Take the boys to the playroom and remain
there with them.�� The elves and the boys
left right before Ron appeared.

Fear filled the features of the red
haired wizard.� Once he saw his sister,
he ran after her.� �How is she?� he anxiously asked.

�Ron calm down, the boys will hear you,�
Molly replied walking after them.

Arthur appeared in the foyer at the same
time that there was a knock at the front door.�
An elf opened it revealing Lucius Malfoy and a healer.� Draco waved his hand removing the wards
allowing the healer and his father entry.�
Narcissa came from the parlor with another healer and the collection of
people made their way to the master bedchamber.

�Mr. Malfoy has informed me of the
curses he believes were used,� Healer Worcester informed his partner Healer
Bailey.� The two men had a quiet
conversation as the group walked to Black Hall�s master bedchamber.�

Draco had tenderly laid Ginny down on
their bed and was now caressing her arms.�
Tears filled his eyes and he was shaking.� She looked as if she�d
been beaten.� The fingers of her right
hand were strangling a strange wand, which upon closer inspection he realized
was her old school wand.� Draco
remembered Lucius advising them years ago to keep the
wand, telling them, "It may come in handy one day."

Ginny opened her eyes staring at her
husband, �Are the boys safe?�

�Yes, love,�� he kissed her forehead.�

Healer Worcester came forward, �Mrs.
Malfoy, can you tell me what happened?�

�Lucius gave me a wand,� she stammered
breathlessly.� �Bellatrix planned
it.�� She closed her eyes and passed out.

�Ginny!� Draco cried out before he could
stop himself, the anguish in his heart leaking into that one word.� He had never before felt such grief or this
helpless.� He had thought those days at
Hogwarts during which he had struggled to fix the cabinet would be the worst of
his life, but this was much worse.�

Narcissa took her son into her arms,
�Draco, the healers need to examine Ginevra.�
We must go to the sitting room.�

�I can�t loss her, Mother.� She is my strength,� his misery softly rolled
off his tongue with each word.

�She�ll be fine, Draco,� Narcissa walked
her son into the sitting area.

Once in there, Draco looked at Lucius
and his grief turned to anger.� Ron
turned to his own father at the same time.�

�I�m going after Bellatrix,� both men
hissed.

Lucius grabbed his son�s arm and Arthur
did the same to Ron.� �Let the Aurors
deal with it!�

�Father!� Let me go.�
I must protect my wife,� Draco spat.

�You are needed here.� Bellatrix is already gone.� She is a very clever witch.� Surely, she had an escape plan in case of
failure.� Think Draco. You know your
aunt, what is she hoping that you will do?� Lucius softly spoke to his son.

�She wants me to come after her, leaving
Ginny unattended.�

�Yes.�
Let the Aurors chase her.� Lucius looked at Ron and Arthur.� �We need to work out a plan.� It would be suicide to run after her.� Ginevra will be safer if her family stays
close and watches over her.�

�I�ll stay for now,� Draco glared at his
father.� �What curses did they use on
her?� How long did they have her?�� He shook with concern.�

�Calm yourself, son.� They did nothing the healers cannot counter,�
Lucius softly replied before placing a hand on his son�s shoulder.

Draco pulled away. �I demand you tell me
what those bastards did to my wife!� his voice filled with rage.

�Ginevra is a very strong witch.� They tried the Imperius Curse, I
believe.� However, she fought it
off.� She endured at least four Cruciatus
Curses,� Lucius sat his son on the settee, �now calm yourself.� You will not be helpful to Ginevra like
this.�

Draco put his head in his hands.� �I failed her.� I couldn�t keep her safe,� he murmured
between his sobs, �I should have killed Aunt Bellatrix when I found out about
the cursed dragon charm.�

�You would be in Azkaban if you had,
Draco,� Narcissa replied.

He looked up, his face stained with
tears, his eyes puffy and red, �Maybe so, Mother.� Although my wife would never have been cursed
and my family would be safe.�

Arthur stepped forward, �You don�t know
that, Draco.� We have no idea if the
Carrows and Wormtail were working for Bellatrix.� Even if they were, they might have come after
Ginny without her help.�

The healers walked into the room.� �Mr. Malfoy,� Healer Worcester said to Draco,
�we�d like to speak with you about your wife�s condition.�

Draco looked at his parents and the
Weasleys, �Everyone here is family and is anxious to hear now.�

�Very well.� Your wife's body is healthy.� She needs rest.� The Cruciatus and Imperius curses have the
short-term effect of draining energy but have no long-term physical
effects.� It�s
her emotional and mental well being that we need to keep an eye on for the next
couple of days.� I believe she will be
fine in that regard also.� She�s lucky she was rescued so soon.� Overexposure to the Cruciatus curse causes
insanity.�

Healer Bailey walked forward and handed
Draco two bottles, �Here are some sleeping drafts.� She refused to take them because she�s nursing.� If she
does decide to use them, she can�t nurse for
forty-eight hours.� She must remain in
bed and rest for the remainder of the day.�
I will be back tomorrow to check on her.�

Draco thanked the healers and had Lucius
walk them out. �He asked his mother to take the Weasleys to
the family parlor for tea and once everyone was gone, he quietly walked into
the bedchamber.

Ginny moaned and he hurried to her
side.� He knelt in front of her gazing
with love and concern into her eyes.

�What�s wrong, Ginny?� he asked, his
heart filled with emotion.

�Lonely.�
Cold,� she muttered.� �Hold me
until I fall asleep.�

He crawled into the bed behind her,
pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her, �I love you, Gin.� You�re going to be
fine.� I�ll make sure of that.��

�

----------*********----------

Draco removed the tray from the bed
placing it on the table and then he tucked the covers around his wife.� �Get some sleep, love.�

�I don�t see what all the fuss is
about.� I�m
fine.� It will take more than a couple
Cruciatus curses��

�Ginevra!� You collapsed after Apparating home.� The healers ordered you to rest,� Draco
explained.

�I can�t rest.� I have too many questions that need
answers.� Is Lucius still here?�

�Of course.�

�I want to speak with him, Draco.� I promise to rest once I have.�

�Are you sure, Ginny?�

�Yes.�
Draco, he saved my life.�

He kissed her and walked out of the room
returning a few minutes later with his father.

�Draco, please leave,� Ginny said.

He frowned.� �Are you sure, Love?�

�I�m sure.�

He started out of the room.� �I�ll be in the sitting room,� he said before
closing the door.

�Please sit, Lucius.� I�m hoping after today�s events we can clear
the air between us and you once again will be a welcome guest in our home.�

The older wizard sat in the chair
closest to her.� �I would like that.�

�I won�t pretend that I understand
you.� I don�t
think even Narcissa does.� However, I
would like some answers.� Why did you
allow Draco to marry me?�

He laughed, �Ginevra, after all these
years you should know I have little control over my son in such matters.� We argued when he told me of his plans.� However the more I objected the more determined
he became.� I could only find one fault
with you, Ginevra and that was your last name.�

�That should have been enough,� Ginny
replied.

�Yes!�
Although when I analyzed what I hated about Weasleys, Draco�s choice
seemed perfect.�� Lucius leaned back in
his chair.� �Let me recall my list, shall
we?� Weasleys have more children than
they can afford.� Draco could afford to
have an unlimited amount of children.�
Besides, Narcissa had always wanted a house filled with the laughter of
children.�� He paused.�� Weasleys are dim-witted and magically
untalented.� This was not true about
you.� You are very bright and as for your
magical abilities, the Dark Lord was troubled by your strength.�� He paused again.� �Weasleys are blood traitors.� Well, with the marriage law, Draco could
control the raising of his children not you.�
Lastly, Weasleys have red hair.� A
potion could stop that.�

Ginny exhaled in anger and rolled her
eyes.� �So why did you save me
today?� I mean the reasons you allowed
Draco to marry me were gone. I emptied the Manor of children.� I have a say in the boys� upbringing.� Draco stopped using the potion.� If I were dead he would surely return with
the boys.�

�Yes, yes, my dear I�m sure in time
Draco would have returned to the Manor.�
However, he would have been a mess.��
Lucius took Ginny's hand.� �Many
things have changed over the years.� I�ve become fond of red hair.� Leo is a handsome lad.� You do make beautiful children,
Ginevra.�� He smirked at the young witch.� �I do not see you as a blood traitor any
longer.� I disagree with some of your
views but they will only broaden my grandsons
knowledge and enable them to make their own choices in time.�� He paused.�
�As for emptying the Manor of children, well I had hoped in time you
would forgive me and allow them to visit.�
I rather like the idea of spoiling the children rotten at the Manor then
sending them back to Black Hall when they are tired and cranky.�

She couldn't help but giggle.� �You would enjoy that.�

He smirked at her again.� �Ginevra, everything I do is to ensure the
happiness of my family.� My son loves you
and he would be heartbroken without you.��
My grandsons love you and would miss you dearly. You are an excellent
mother.� My wife adores you and would
weep for days.� In addition, well, you
have grown on me, too.� Without you,
there would be no cheerfulness.�

�I want to believe you, Lucius, but
you�ve tried to kill me before, with the diary,� she started to weep.

�I never tried to kill you,
Ginevra.� My plan with the diary was
simple.� You were to release the
basilisk.� It would kill a few Muggle borns. �Dumbledore
would learn it was you and shame would befall your family.� I used you as a pawn in my revenge against
your father.� I am sorry for that.�� He looked into her eyes.� �If I had known the diary was a Horcrux and could be used to bring the Dark Lord back to
life, I would have never given it to you.�
I knew many Death Eaters that would have gladly let the diary take their
lives so the Dark Lord could rise again.�

He saw the fear in her eyes and took her
hand.� �I have changed, Ginevra.� After the Dark Lord turned on my family, I
was forced to re-examine my beliefs and values.�
Purity of blood is still important to me, but I no longer wish harm to
those who are not my equal.� As for your
father, brothers and mother, I no longer wish them shame.�

�Your actions once almost killed
me.� They also almost got me raped.�

�Ginevra, I never ordered that man��

��If you hadn�t ordered him to try and seduce
me, it wouldn�t have happened,� she flatly stated and he nodded.� �You saved me from him, so I believe we are
even on that.�� She paused.� �By saving me today, I think that evens your
debt to me for the Chamber of Secrets.��
She looked into his eyes.� �You
could have easily let me die today.�
However, you risked your life for mine.�
I have to believe you will not harm my children or me.� I will never totally trust you.� Never the less, because of your actions
today, I can no longer deny my children your love and your presence in their
lives.� Are you busy this evening?�

�No.�

She turned to the door, �Draco.�

�Yes, Gin?� Draco asked as he walked
through the door.

�I would like to rest, in quiet, that
is.� What do you say to having your
parents watch the boys at the Manor this evening?�

Lucius smiled brightly.� Draco beamed at his father and smirked.� �They may be busy, Gin.�

----------*********----------

�I know who killed Potter!� I know who killed Potter!� Wormtail screeched
as the Aurors walked him to his cell in Azkaban.� �I will take Veritaserum and tell you
everything.�� He reached out and grabbed Ron�s
robes.� �Listen, boy.� Kind boy.�
I was your pet.� Your sister is my
family, too.� She won�t be safe until
they are all caught.� There are others
who will still try to kill her, I will give you names if you spare my life.�

�Let me go,� Ron commanded.

�Listen boy!� The killers and plotters are high up in the
ministry.� They will have me murdered
before I can talk,� Wormtail pleaded.

Lupin stepped forward.� �He may be correct, Ron.� We know someone in the ministry had to have
told Harry where to find Voldemort.�

�You want to set him free?� Ron hissed.

�Of course not, but we can hold him
somewhere else.� Let�s take him to
Hogwarts.� Snape has the Veritaserum and
McGonagall will know what to do with the information he provides,� Lupin
stated.

----------*********----------

Thuban quickly entered Ginny�s bedroom
and when he caught her eye she smiled at him.�
�I thought you would be at the Manor already.�

He beamed at her.� �It�s true then, Grandfather is allowed in
our house again and we can go to the Manor?�

�Yes.�

He walked over to her and took her
hand.� �You�re going to be fine, aren�t
you, Mummy?�

�The healer said I only needed
rest.� I�ll be up and around tomorrow
morning if not sooner.�

�I heard that Uncle Ron caught his old
rat.� Will things get back to normal
now?�

�I believe so, Thuban.� Don�t you worry yourself.� Now run off and have fun at the Manor.�

The little blond boy hugged her.� �I love you, Mummy.�

Draco walked in the room with Cam and
Serpens.� The boys crawled onto the bed
next to their mother.� Cam cuddled into
her chest and Serpens sat next to him.

�I never want to see Bellatrix Lestrange
again.� I wish I had a wand.� Nobody hexes my mummy and lives to tell the
tale for long,� Cam growled.

�Cammy, you need to let go of your
anger.� I�m alright.� It is the Aurors job to take care of the
criminals.�� Ginny kissed the boy�s
cheek.� She had thought he was one
hundred percent Black but right now he sounded like Lucius.

�Kiss your mother good-bye, boys.� Tipsy has your things packed and your
grandparents are waiting.�

They hugged and kissed her then Draco
shooed them out of the room.� �Sorry,
Ginny.� Cam overheard Ron talking.� He
exhaled.� �He ordered the house elves to
remove every present she ever brought him from his room.� He was going to throw the chess set into the
fireplace until I reminded him it was his Great Grandfather�s, not hers.�

�It�s not normal.� He shouldn�t be so angry, Draco.�

�She betrayed him, Ginny.� She promised him she wouldn�t do anything to
harm you.�

�Maybe he should stay at home and we can
talk to him?�

�You need to rest.� He�ll be fine with Mother.� She is feeling the same way about Bellatrix
right now.�

�I�ll trust you.��

��Thank you.�
I�ve decided to keep Leo with us.�
The older boys want to go riding.��
He smirked at her.� �By the way,
Father has offered to watch the children Friday night until Saturday afternoon
so we may have sometime alone.�

Ginny giggled, �Well it didn�t take him
long to offer now did it?�

----------*********----------

Wormtail sat in McGonagall�s office at
Hogwarts, along with two Aurors, Snape, Lupin, Ron and Arthur.� Snape handed Peter the potion and he slowly
drank it.

�Who
killed Harry Potter and why?� McGonagall asked.

�Before Lucius called the meeting in
1999, Cornelius Fudge and his wife, Rufus Scrimgeour, William Rosier, Tiberius
Ogden, Griselda Marchbanks, Sara Yaxley, Owen Carrows and Bellatrix wanted the
marriage law.� They had met a number of
times to discuss it.� They all wanted the
law for the same reason, the prophecies about the Weasley girl.� Although some believed if Draco married her,
the prophecy would be fulfilled while others believed it would be stopped.�

�The prophecy that she would marry her
soul mate and her powerful sons would lead our world was well known.� However, Bellatrix knew of others.� She believed Potter needed to die.� She could not risk him leaving his Mudblood
wife and returning to the Weasley girl.�
Divorce is allowed in our world if one party is a Mudblood.� Owen Carrows helped Bellatrix.� He made sure Harry Potter went to the forest
the night of the final battle.�

�Who impersonated Remus that night?�

�Bellatrix.� She recast the slashing spell after Potter
healed himself.� She enjoyed watching him
bleed to death.�

�How did you, Alecto and Amycus escape?�

�I had overheard Bellatrix�s plans.� I knew when they were coming, so we killed
three little known Death Eaters and burned their bodies, leaving clues so
everyone believed it was us.� Then we
hid.�

�Why did you return?�

�Alecto saw the Daily Prophet.� It was clear Draco was not controlling the
Weasley girl.� She was surely raising her
sons to be Muggle loving fools like her.�
Alecto and Amycus wanted her dead, so we contacted Bellatrix.� She developed a number of plans but Draco was
having her watched too closely.�

�When Cygnus rejected Bellatrix at his
birthday party, she decided we could wait no longer.� We went to Mary Goyle�s house two days
later.� Bellatrix placed sleeping potion
in her tea.� Once she fell asleep, we
locked her in a room.� Alecto, Amycus and
myself used Polyjuice to impersonate Mary and the Goyle children.� We had hoped the Weasley girl would bring the
boys, but she brought her bodyguard instead.

It was easy to give them both sleeping
potion.� We confined the bodyguard in a
dungeon cell while the Weasley girl was tortured in hopes of learning the spell
to remove the wards around Black Hall so we could get Cygnus.� She would do nothing but scream.� We were discussing what else to try when
Lucius arrived.� He acted as if he were
on our side but he released the girl.�

�Were all the wizards you mentioned
involved in the plot to kill Potter and/or Ginny Malfoy?�

�Owen Carrows was involved in Potter�s
murder.� I�m not sure if Cornelius Fudge,
Scrimgeour, Rosier, Ogden, Griselda Marchbanks or Sara Yaxley were.� Although I know seven years ago Bellatrix had
quite a laugh when she heard Victoria Fudge, Griselda Marchbanks and Sara
Yaxley believed that Draco and the Weasley girl were soul mates.�� Wormtail laughed.� �The joke was on Bella.� Only someone in love would protect their wife
so closely.�

Minerva pointed to the Aurors.� �Take him and lock him in the prison
tower.�� Once the guards were gone, she
looked at the others.� �I believe the
others conspired to pass the Marriage law.�
It�s likely that they planned for Draco to take Ginny as his bride.� Victoria has been able to see auras for
years.� At a Ministry event in the late
eighties, she stated that Draco's and Ginny's auras favored one another.� I will talk to Griselda about her part.� They broke no law with their actions.� As for Bellatrix and Owen Carrows, we have
enough information now to arrest them.�

�Bellatrix is already gone,� Ron
stated.� �I�ll take this new information
to the Ministry and get warrants for their arrest.�

�While you are doing that, Arthur, Remus
and I will visit Lucius and Narcissa. They may be able to help us locate
Bellatrix,� Snape stated.

�It will only take me a moment at the
Ministry.� I will meet you at Malfoy
Manor,� Ron flatly stated.

----------**********----------

Sumtin, the eldest of the Malfoy Manor
house elves, answered the door.� �How may
Sumtin help you sirs?�

Arthur Weasley walked forward.� �We need to speak to your Master.�� Children�s laughter was heard coming down the
hall and before the elf could answer Cam and Serpens came running into the
foyer.

�Grandpa!� Uncle Ron!��
Serpens ran into Arthur�s arms.�
�What are you doing here?�

Cam stayed next to Narcissa who entered
the foyer after the boys.

�Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy,� the four
wizards said.

Severus Snape stepped forward and kissed
Narcissa�s hand.� �We�ve come to see
Lucius.� Wormtail has told us many
things.� He agreed to take Veritaserum.�

She held Cam close to her and whispered
with fear, �Lucius is not wanted��

�No, Mrs. Malfoy, he did nothing
wrong.� We merely wish to inform and
confirm some things with him,� Lupin stated.

�Thank Merlin,� the witch exhaled.�

�May we see him?� Arthur asked.

�Or course, he is in his potion's
lab.� Severus knows the way.�

The men inclined their heads and Arthur
placed Serpens on the floor after kissing his forehead.� The group walked down the hallway then down
the stairs to the dungeon room.� Severus
knocked.

�Enter,� Lucius stated.

The blond wizard paid no mind to the
group as they entered.� He was standing
behind Thuban with a hand resting on each side of the boy.� He spoke when Thuban looked at the other
wizards.�

�Focus on your task, Thuban.� Your grandmother and mother will hex me into
next week if you cut yourself.�

The small wizard returned to cutting the
flobberworm into equal pieces.� Lucius
closely watched and instructed the boy.�
When he completed his work with the knife, the older wizard patted the
boy�s back. �Very nicely done.� Clean
your knife and sheath it.� Place your
cuttings in the container, son.� We may
have to finish our potion at a later time.�

The boy nodded.� Once the worm parts where put away, he turned
and smiled at the other wizards.� �We�re
working on a Swelling Solution.� Grandfather
says it�s a second year potion but he believes I�m more then capable of making
it.�� The little wizard beamed with great
pride.

�I�m sure you will do well,� Severus
stated.� �Lucius, we need to discuss a
number of things with you.�

�Will you be staying after your talk
with Grandfather, Professor?� I want to
hear about your new potion.� Daddy said
you would be working at our new company for the summer.� I�m sure Grandmother wouldn�t mind if you
stayed for dinner.�

Lucius took a cleansing breath.� �Thuban, are you the master of this manor?�

�Not yet.� The boy smirked.

The older wizard disregarded the boy�s
cheek.� �We agree that you are not
master?�� Thuban nodded.� �Do you think it�s appropriate to invite
someone to dinner at another man�s house?�

�No.��
The boy wrinkled up his face.� �It
was also impolite to ask him in front of others and not also invite them,� he
looked around at the group.� �I�m sorry
for being rude.�

The wizards nodded their acceptance as
Lucius usher them out of the room.� �We
shall go to my study.� Come, Thuban.� We will finish our potion later.��

�May I floo Daddy and see if I can stay
the night?� That will insure us enough
time to finish.�� Thuban looked hopefully
at his grandfather.

�If it�s alright with your Grandmother.�� Thuban ran out up the stairs quickly.

�Sumtin!�
Sumtin!� Where is Grandmother?� he
hollered

Lucius bit back his need to correct the
child.�

Snape patted his old friend on the
back.� �Going soft in your old age, I
see.�

�Simply saving my breath for later,�
Lucius replied.� However, the truth was
it had been so long since he was allowed time with the boy that small behavior
problems would be over looked for the time being.

------------************------------

�I thought Bellatrix had killed the
Potter boy.� She was never the same after
Azkaban, dangerous combination intelligence and madness.�� Lucius handed each man a glass of fire
whiskey.� �She�ll be hard to locate.� We will have to keep a close eye on
Cygnus.��

�What makes you think Ginny is safe?�
Arthur asked.

�Bellatrix is really after Cygnus!� Didn�t Wormtail tell you as much?� She believes in the prophecy which states he
will be the most powerful of the boys.�
Since I helped Ginevra escape today, she now knows Narcissa, Draco and I
will not hand him over to her.� She�ll be
planning on stealing the boy and making a quick getaway.�� She won�t risk losing her chance to get the
boy merely to harm or kill Ginevra.��
Lucius sat down at his desk, �It will take her time to develop a plan
but I have no doubt she will be back.�

�You seem very serene for a grandfather
whose grandson could be kidnapped at anytime.�
Would you be so calm if it was the Malfoy heir she was after?� Ron
hissed.

�Young Mister Weasley, I cannot lie, I
do favor Thuban.� I love my grandsons
equally and protect them all with the same force.� When you are a wealthy family there is always
someone looking to make an easy galleon.�
Kidnapping of any of the children is always a possibility.�� The blond wizard looked at Lupin.� �The Ministry will be looking for Bellatrix?�

�Yes, we are looking for her and Owen
Carrows,� Lupin replied.� �Do you know
where Bellatrix may have run off too?�

�I will need to think about this.� I have already had my private guards check
her normal haunts and she was not seen.�
My wife may be of more assistance.�

�I was hoping to speak with both of you,
but I see you have the boys.� It can wait
until tomorrow morning.�

A knock on the door stopped the wizards�
conversation.� Lucius waved his right
hand and the door opened.� Thuban walked
up to the front of the desk.�

�I�m very sorry to interrupt,
Grandfather, but Daddy needs Grandpa�s help.��
The little blond turned to face Arthur.�
�Mummy won't stay in bed.� She�s
being abstinent.�� Daddy needs you or
Grandma to talk to her so she'll stop being abstinent and get back into bed.�

Ron mumbled, �When it comes to Malfoy
and my little sister, I think abstinence is a good thing.�

The wizards in the room chuckled and
Thuban looked at Lucius.� �Thuban, did your
father say your mother was being obstinate?� �

�Oh, yes.� That�s what he said.� The healer told her to stay in bed but she
won�t.� She�s not listening to Daddy or
Grandmother.� They thought she would
listen to Grandma but Daddy said she�s not at the Burrow.�

�Your grandma is at Uncle Bill�s.�� Arthur stood.�
�If you gentlemen will excuse me, it appears I should go collect my wife
and help her deal with our obstinate
daughter.��

�Daddy�s still on the floo in
Grandmother�s parlor.� You should go there
first.� Serpens wants to go home but Cam
and I are staying the night.�

----------**********----------

Draco left his study with a smirk on his
face.� Molly and Arthur would be there
shortly.� They would make his wife listen
to the healers and rest. �Moreover, even
if they didn�t they could argue with her for the next three hours.� A noise in the library caught his attention
and he walked in to find his wife at the top of an eight foot ladder reaching
for a book.�� He went and stood at the
bottom of it.�

�Ginevra!� he growled.� �Get down now.�

She pulled the book out of its place and
climbed down the ladder.� He scooped her
into his arms before her feet could touch the floor.

�What in bloody hell am I going to do
with you?� You�re to be resting, not
climbing around the library,� he growled as he carried her to their
bedchambers.

�Really, Draco, I�m fine.� I need to research tracking charms.� I�m not going to let that bitch get away with
this,� Ginny hissed.

�Damn it!� She won�t.�
You need to rest.� Let the Aurors
track her for now.�� He laid her on their
bed and she sat up instantly.

�I can take care of her!�

�Like you took care of her at the
Ministry in your fourth year?� he spat.�
�This isn�t a game, Ginny.�
Bellatrix is well trained in the art of tracking and being
tracked.�� He ran his fingers through his
hair.� �Shit, Ginny.� I want to go after her and kill her too.� However, revenge is not what is important
now.� If we go after her, she will take
us on a wild dragon chase.� While we are
looking for her in a dark cave, she�ll be here stealing Cam from us.�

�So, we�re going to sit here and wait
for her?� she raged.

�No.�
You�re going to rest and get your full strength back.� Tomorrow evening our families are coming over
and we will develop a plan.�

She looked sheepishly at her
husband.� �Oh, sorry.�� Ginny lay down in the bed then smiled
wickedly at her husband.� The red haired
beauty patted the bed.� �Why don�t you
take a nap with me?��

She smiled at him seductively and
wiggled her index finger asking him to come.�
He smirked, walked over and sat next to her on the bed.� Her hands swiftly went to caress his legs,
but before she could get close to his package, he took her hands in his.� �You will keep your hands to yourself until
you are well rested.�

Ginny sat up and kissed the nape of his
neck.�� I always sleep well after,� she
whispered pulling away when there was a knock on the door.

�Master, Misses' parents has arrived,�
the elf said.

She pushed her husband away.� �You don�t play fair, Draco.�

�I never will when your health is
concerned.�

----------**********----------

Ron kissed his sister�s cheek when he
walked into her family parlor.� �You look
wonderful tonight Ginny.� I think
abstinence agrees with you,� he chuckled.

�What?� Ginny, shocked, replied.

�Yesterday, Thuban told us Draco was
upset because you were being abstinent.�
You wouldn�t stay in bed?� he raised a brow at her.

Ginny blushed.� �For Merlin�s sake.� She rolled her eyes at
him before turning to greet Luna, his fianc�e.

�He�s holding onto the hope that Thuban
didn�t get the word abstinent confused with obstinate,� Luna giggled.� �You are looking well, Ginny.�

�It�s takes more than a couple Crucios to get a Weasley down.� Lucius showed up before any lasting damage
could be done.�

�How did he manage to get you a wand
without the Death Eaters knowing?� Luna asked.

Ginny blushed and giggled.� �He pretended to be on their side.�� Draco had asked the same question last night
and she had avoided it.� She needed to figure
out a good way to explain it to her overly jealous husband.� The statement, your father rubbed his pelvis into me seductively, wouldn�t go over
well.� Moreover, saying she could tell
the action didn�t arouse him would only lead to more questions.

�But why did they let him get that close
to you?� Ron asked.

�Excuse me, Ron.� Mum and Dad are here.�� Ginny went to greet her parents.

�Ginny, you look well.� Arthur kissed
her cheek.

�Thanks Dad.� Draco stayed home and watched the boys
today.� The Healer came this afternoon
and informed me that my health and powers are normal.�

�That�s wonderful sweetheart,� Molly
added.� �Who have you invited this
evening?�

�Our family, along with Hermione and her
children, Blaise and Pansy, Professor Snape and of course Lucius and
Narcissa.� We�ll have dinner shortly then
the elves will watch the children while we discuss our plans.�

The sound of the sliding door being
flung open drew everyone�s attention.�
Harriet and Brittany came running inside followed by a large foam
Bludger.

�Help!�
It�s after us!� Stop it!� Stop it!� the girls screamed.�

Thuban, Cam and Gabe ran in after them
trying to catch the flying ball.�

�Run this way Brit and I�ll get it,�
Gabe yelled.

The little witch turned towards her
brother while the Bludger went straight knocking a lamp to the ground and
shattering it into very small pieces.�
Draco stepped forward and grabbed the foam Bludger.� He raised it into the air and eyed his
sons.� The sound of the breaking lamp had
stopped all of the children and they stared at the blond wizard.

Draco coldly stared at his eldest son.�
The boys sadly looked at each other.�
They knew that look in their father�s eyes to well.� Clearly, whoever had disobeyed him and let
that Bludger out would have a sore bottom very shortly.

�Don�t look at me, Thuban.� I didn�t let it out,� Cam whispered.�

�I didn�t either,� Thuban whispered
back.

�Thuban! Cygnus!� Draco hissed.� �Who is behind this?�

�I didn�t let it out, Daddy.� You told us not too.� I wouldn�t misbehave when we have guests,�
Cam answered.

Thuban shook his head.� �It wasn�t me either, Daddy.� You said if we were good you�d let the elves
shoot off the fireworks Uncle Fred and George brought.� You know I wouldn�t risk that.�

�Boys!� Draco growled.

Brittany stepped forward.� �Serpens did it, Uncle Draco.�

�Serpens?� he questioned and Brittany
nodded.�

His anger seemed to disappear.� He cast a Reparo on the lamp and headed for
the door.� Moments later, he appeared
with Serpens on his hip.� He seemed to be
speaking very calmly to the little wizard.�
When he opened the door, their conversation was audible.

�This is your last reminder,
Serpens.� I�ll have to punish you next
time,� Draco softly said.

�I�m sorry, Daddy,� the three year old
kissed his father�s cheek.

Draco placed the boy on the floor and
patted his bottom.� �Dinner will be ready
soon.� Boys, show the other children
where they can wash their hands.�

�Yes, Daddy,� Thuban mumbled as he
walked from the room.

�Is he always like that with Serpens?� I mean, he didn�t punish him,� Gabe
whispered.

�Serpens gets away with everything
around Daddy,� Cam stated.

�Well, almost anything.� He got spanked for hurting Leo and saying Leo
wasn�t a Malfoy,� Thuban added.

�He is only three,� Sirius offered.

�Daddy spanked us for disobeying him
when we were only three,� Cam interjected.�
�He favors Serpens.�

Once the children were out of the room
Ginny approached her husband.� �Draco,
what was that about?�

�Sorry Love, I don�t understand quite
what you are asking?�

The red-haired witch told a deep breath
to relax.� �I could tell by the look on
your face you would have spanked Thuban and Cam if they had released that
Bludger.� However, when you found out it
was Serpens, you did nothing.�

Draco sighed loudly.

Ginny continued angrily, �Don�t give me
that.� Serpens should have been
spanked.� He�s released those Bludgers
more than the other two combined.�

Draco stared back at her, �Bloody hell,
witch, make up your mind.� One moment
you�re telling me I�m too firm with the children, the next, I�m too yielding.�

�I�ve never changed my mind.� You don�t listen.� You�re always too firm with Thuban.� You�re sometimes too firm with Cygnus but
you�re soft when it comes to Serpens.� He
is becoming a little brat.�

�He�s only three!� Draco hissed back.

�He bites his brothers!� Ginny growled
back.

�He has never bitten Leo.� Cam and Thuban provoke him.�

Ginny stamped her foot and shook her
head.� �Open your eyes, Draco.� The boy has you hoodwinked.�

�I�m not!� Draco replied, although he
quickly turned to his father having heard Lucius clear his throat.

�Normally, I would advise you and
Ginevra that this is an inappropriate time and place for this discussion.� However, we are all family here with the
boys� best interest at heart.� You need
to take a firmer hand with Serpens.�

�So you agree with Ginny?� Draco scoffed
at Lucius.

�As far as your lack of chastisement
where Serpens is concerned.�

�I�s sorry to trouble you, Master.� But�s dinner is
ready,� the house elf said from the doorway.

----------**********----------

��

Ron sat on the sofa at the Burrow and
looked at his parents.� �I have to agree
with Lucius, it's best to let the more experienced Aurors look for Bellatrix,
Owen, Rodolphus and Rabastan.� However, am I the only one who noticed how
much Draco and Ginny were fighting tonight?�
I don�t understand why she is staying with him.� I bet he used the binding rituals on her on
their wedding night.�

Luna rolled her eyes.� �Well, he could have done the rituals but he
didn�t.� That�s likely one of many
reasons why she stays with him.�

�Besides the fact that she loves him,�
Hermione added.

�They didn�t sound in love to me.� Arguing about disciplining the children,
Ginny not looking after herself, Draco being too commanding and other things,�
Ron added.� �I think Malfoy�s
been acting and tonight he came up short.�

�I think tonight proves he hasn�t been
acting, little brother,� Bill put his arm around Ron�s shoulder.� �I�ve been going to Ministry and other social
events for years and they never argued.�
Back then he was acting.� He had
the control.� Now, the poor prat is in
love.� Merlin, help him.� I love our little sister but the man has his
hands full right now.�

�Ginny isn�t one to mess with when she
wants revenge,� George said.

�He�s likely to get bat-bogeyed
tonight.� She wasn�t happy when he tried
to order her to remain at Black Hall
for the next two days,� Fred added.

�They are both going to stay put until
the Aurors have a clue as to where Bellatrix is.� It�s the safe thing
to do,� Molly interjected.� �Ginny
understood that before we left.�

�I still don�t think Malfoy�s
safe.�� Fred shook his head.

�I wouldn�t trade places with the bloke
tonight.� George agreed.�

�

Ron chuckled, �Ginny hexing him is a cheerful
thought but,� his smile fell, �Thuban said they don�t hex each other.�

----------**********----------

Draco carried
Serpens to the boy�s bedchamber.� His
three year old had his favorite blanket tucked in the left hand and his
favorite stuffed dragon in his right.�
The boy�s face appeared puffy and a single tear ran down his face.� The older wizard pulled back the covers and
placed his son in the bed.� He then
kissed the boy�s cheek.

�I love you
very much, Serpens.� Sleep tight.�

�I want to
sleep in you and Mummy�s room just like Leo,� he pleaded.

�Leo sleeps in
the nursery next to our bedchambers.�
You�re a big boy.� Big boys sleep
in their own chambers.�

Ami, Serpens'
enchanted dragon, walked into the room and laid himself down at the foot of the
bed.�

�Don�t want to
be a big boy.� Want to sleep with you and
Mummy.�

Draco looked
at the dragon.� �Alright then you can be
a baby again, although baby�s can�t have enchanted dragons.�� So which of your brothers gets Ami?�

�What?�
Serpens yelled.

�You heard
me.� Big boy�s have dragons and don�t
sleep with their parents.�

The three year
old huffed and rolled over.� �I�ll stay
here!�

�I�ll see you
in the morning, son.�� Draco grinned as
he closed the door.� �Well, that dragon
is good for something,� he mumbled.� The
blond wizard had plans for his wife tonight, plans that required them to be
alone.
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