This is my longest chapter. Lots of info that will come into play later. Ginny may seem a bit immature now, but keep in mind that although she is physically 29, mentally she is still at age when she succumbed to the coma- 17. On with the chapter.
Chapter 6
"Draco Malfoy assisted the order in the capture of his own father."
How convenient! Ginny fumed at Harry's remarks. The tide of the war had changed and Draco Malfoy decided to see the light. It seemed all too sudden for the boy they had once deemed the King of Slytherin.
"I don't buy it!" Ginny slammed her butterbeer against the bar causing patrons of the Leaky Cauldron to wonder why the pretty redhead was so upset at two of the most popular members of the Chudley Canons.
A weary looking Ron answered, wiping the mud caked away on his uniform from an early morning Quidditch practice session. Ginny noticed for the first time, the tiredness in her brother's eyes that seemed to stem from more than Quidditch. "If it wasn't for Malfoy you'd be dead Ginny. My daughter would never have been born because Padma would have met the same fate. Draco fed us information about the prison camp where Padma and the others were held. He's the one that told us where the deatheaters had taken you."
"Why are you defending him Ron?" Ginny shook her head, beginning to regret meeting Harry and Ron. Rushing to Malfoy's defense were two of the most unlikely people to do so. All she wanted were answers, not a plea of letting bygones be bygones. Ginny had been thankful they had agreed to meet her so early in the morning, before she left for Hogwarts. Now she felt anything but gratitude.
A very matter of fact Harry answered simply, "He's paid his dues Ginny."
"For Merlin's sake Harry! He's a deatheater. You can't let someone like Draco Malfoy roam the streets free when so many people have suffered from the likes of him!" Ginny didn't care that it was only six in the morning. She waved her hand in the air requesting another drink. Unbelievable how things had changed in the men she thought she knew so very well.
Harry gently corrected Ginny trying not to raise the redhead's ire any further. "Draco Malfoy is a former deatheater. He's done nothing but good since his release from Azkaban. Malfoy has even contributed his expertise in catching escaped Deatheaters.We all live in a safer world because of his help."
"Is there a reason for this sudden 180? The last I remember he was threatening to kill us all." Somewhere deep in the recesses of her memory Draco Malfoy had visited her dreams.
In a windowless room she was bound. She was entangled in the arms of a deatheater wondering what his plans for her were. His grip was tight around her, not allowing room for struggle. No words were passed between them, only minutes of silence that seemed to drag on forever. Footsteps. Ginny heard footsteps nearing her cell. That's when the mystery unraveled. His mask was thrown to the ground, the unmistakable sneer of Draco Malfoy staring back at her.
"I am going to kill you Weasley and take great satisfaction in watching your traitorus blood join Potter's."
The other deatheaters joined them in the cell, their laughter rising as Draco Malfoy's hand met the youngest Weasley's face. A harsh slap echoed in the room as she stumbled into the wall.
Harry broke Ginny out of her reverie, "Gin, whatever his reasons, Draco Malfoy has changed."
Touching her cheek, Ginny could still feel the sting Draco had left there. Why had it hurt so much? The slap was only the beginning. He had a job to do. If a mudblood lover was what Ginny was, mudblood torture techniques she would receive. After all these years she could still feel the tears streaming down her face as the deatheaters watched Draco Malfoy beat her. But it wasn't physical pain that was making her cry. It was a feeling she couldn't quite name.
Ginny remembers the black and blue marks that covered her skin, the snap of her wrist when he twisted her arm and her cries for him to stop. "Not so brave now are you, you stupid little Gryffindor!"
Ginny was grateful for the blackness that welcomed her as she slid to the floor. She could barely hear the other deatheaters congratulate Draco Malfoy for a job well done. Hours later the familiar chant of healing spells had awoken her. The grey eyed monster who had left her broken was now trying to undo the damage.
Had he changed? Ginny could only guess he tried to heal her to spare himself further punishment form the Order when they eventually won. Or perhaps he wanted to torture her a bit later and needed a fresh and healed victim so that he could once again gain sadistic satisfaction from her pain.
Ron turned towards his sister, "Too many of us have suffered at Voldemort's hands. He's defeated and gone. I refuse to let his legacy rule my life any longer. Don't live in the past Ginny, you'll miss out on so much."
It was no use asking them any more questions. It was clear where Harry and Ron stood. Still the worry weighed heavily upon her. Draco Malfoy, the brutal man from her dreams was in close contact with her son. She was urged on by an instinct older than time. That of a mother to protect her young. Ginny paused to reflect on all she had gone through. It was nothing less than a miracle that she was able to carry a healthy baby during such difficult times. Unbeknowest to Ginny, a bond ran through her veins to her very soul. A bond that was stronger than any magic - that of a mother and child.
What had Ron said many weeks ago in her hospital room? "Dean and Padma told me what happened. They were imprisoned with you during the last six weeks of the war. I didn't want to believe what was said. But they saw with their own eyes. If I had been there Ginny I could have protected you."
She might not get the answers she sought from her brother and Harry, but perhaps she could find out what she needed from another source. With half hearted thanks and kisses she excused herself from the table.
"Good luck at Hogwarts." they both said before Ginny headed to the fireplace.
She watched them leave wondering where the Harry and Ron of old were. War, what was it good for? It brought her back to a world of strangers. Very soon she would be back at Hogwarts. Ginny looked forward to being in familiar surroundings. Unlike Diagon Alley which had been destroyed and rebuilt, Hogwarts had stood its ground.
Like Hogwarts, Ginny would stand her ground.
***
Slamming the door behind him, Draco headed for the chest at the foot of his bed. "Alohamora." he whispered.
Unopened, the chest revealed unending piles of gifts. Carefully set aside were a broom and book all about the wonders of Monsters. Draco had to shudder at the title. There was only one reason to explain Alex's fascination with creatures of the Wizarding world - Ginny Weasley. The boy may have looked like him but he had the heart of a Weasley. How else to explain why no one had noticed their resemblance?
Draco placed another package atop years of wrapped presents that were never given to their intended recipients. This one had a tag that announced, "Merry Christmas, Alex Malfoy!"
When Alex was still on speaking terms with Draco, he admitted his love for the game of wizarding chess. That very day Draco had ordered the most elaborate wizarding chess set that money could buy. Draco couldn't believe the Gods had given him a son who had so many Weasley traits. Sooner or later he would be punished for the Weasley is Our King song. Yet, he wouldn't have it any other way. Though the Malfoy blood ran through Alex, he was good, pure and all things Draco could never be. Alex was Draco's redemption.
Wasn't this what I wanted? Draco argued with himself. Alex would avoid the taint of being a Malfoy. Avoid the stigma of having the family name together ingrained in the minds of many as being one with the Dark Lord. Despite his misplaced efforts, his son still suffered.
How Draco wanted to choke those who would curse his son! Hexing them wouldn't be punishment enough. Draco had wanted to kill the younger Zabini that very first day in the DADA classroom. He dared call his son a bastard. It took every ounce of Draco's strength not to wring Marcel Zabini's ugly little neck and send his body parts back to Blaise. .
The rumors that would reach Alex's ear had poisoned the boy against him. It was bound to happen. Draco had been expecting it, didn't mean he was prepared. The past three weeks had been the hardest in Draco's teaching career. His son would never meet his eyes. On the chance Alex did, his brown eyes would stare right through his Professor with a face Draco would almost describe as disgust. He was sure the other students had noticed how the boy no longer participated in class and how the professor ceased to call on his prize pupil. Draco had longed to pull him aside and talk to him, tell him the truth no matter what the consequences. Even when Draco had asked Alex to stay after class, his son disobeyed, following the other students out of the classroom.
There was one promise Draco made to himself back in Diagon Alley long ago when he held an infant Alex in his arms. Draco would not be Lucius. Draco would not force Alex to do anything he wasn't ready for. When Alex was ready he would tell him the truth. But there had been too many ears and the opportunity never presented itself.
There was only one person that could make everything right. Draco pulled out a small velvet box from his robe. He had carried it for far too long. Tapping the box with his wand, a diamond ring slowly emerged. The diamond sparkled, casting it's brilliance on the walls of his dungeon bedroom. Draco whispered a spell, for the first time he pleaded with the gods of fate and fortune.
"Please Ginny forgive me. Please Ginny, remember me."
A burst of light surrounded the velvet box .Draco had hoped that one day the ring would grace the hand of a particular redhaired woman. Now beautifully wrapped he added the tag which read, "Merry Christmas Ginny Weasley."
This year Santa wouldn't forget Ginny and Alex Weasley.
***
A tray of samosas and chutney greeted Ginny upon flooing to Ron's London flat. The spicy aroma of Indian cooking was strangely comforting. Watching Padma at work in the kitchen, Ginny had images of her own mother ensuring her seven children were well fed. It was still hard to believe that Padma and Ron were parents with a life of their own.
"Thanks for seeing me so early in the morning Padma. I hope I didn't inconvenience you" Ginny said as she took a seat at the dining room table.
"On the contrary, I love company. Ron's an early riser, what with Quidditich practice and all." Padma answered pointing to pile of dirty breakfast dishes that lay in the sink, "I'm up before the sun rises making sure that husband of mine is fed properly. He eats like a growing boy!"
Ginny had to stifle a laugh, the amount of dishes was evidence to the fact that some things never changed. Ron still had an enormous appetite.
"Aunt Ginny!" Anjali squealed in delight jumping up on Ginny's lap. " Can I show you my pictures?" Without waiting for her aunt's response Anjali had already opened her coloring book filled with moving pictures of scribbled animals and what Ginny guessed were supposed to represent people.
"You have quite the artist on your hands Padma. She certainly didn't get this talent from Ron."
"No, but she did get his penchant for leaving things a mess………..Anjali, did you clean up your room yet?" Padma asked while brewing tea on the stove.
"Later Mummy…….."
"No, not later Anjali Vanhi Weasley. Now!"
Ginny had to suppress her laughter at the now pouting four year old who was climbing off her lap. "Sorry Mummy."
"While you're in your room I want those walls wiped down and no magic! Understand?"
Even in giving orders like a general, Padma was nothing if not motherly. Could Ginny even be this way with Alex? He didn't seem like the type of boy she'd ever have to order about twice. Not that she would ever want to tell him what to do. But wasn't that what mother's were supposed to do? How in the world could she even hope to step into Molly Weasley's shoes?
"Can you believe Anjali painted, or shall I say scribbled her room exactly like the quidditch pitch! Ron thought it was, in his words -Bloody Brilliant!" Padma shook her head with what seemed like frustration as she set down two mugs of tea, joining her sister in law at the table. A smile broke upon her lips after taking a sip, " He's lucky I'm in love with him."
A thought flitted across Ginny's mind. It hadn't seemed appropriate to bring up and doubted she ever would. The need to know why was still there. Before the war Ron had been engaged to Luna Lovegood. Padma was simply a girl he had taken to the Yule Ball many moons before. Ginny would never have guessed, not in a million years that Ron would have married Padma Patil. Hermione maybe, Luna, most definitely. Padma? Not once had the idea ever crossed her. Then again, being a mother never crossed Ginny's mind either.
Funny really, as Ginny's eyes came to rest on a moving portrait of Luna Lovegood on the mantle of the fireplace. Why would Ron keep a picture of his ex-fiancee?
Pouring some cream into her tea, Ginny wondered why Padma didn't object to Luna Lovegood's picture so blatantly displayed. Ginny could only imagine the hurt she would feel. As if reading her thoughts Padma answered.
"Luna Lovegood died during the war Ginny."
Ginny's mug shook with Padma's words. Luna Lovegood was dead. "How?" Ginny knew too well, the horrors of those captured by deatheaters.
"The war was nearing the end. Everyone could see that the Order was winning. Right before our prison was liberated, the deatheaters rounded the prisoners. They meant to kill every last one of us. Seamus, Neville, and so many others…….they killed them all. Luna……." Padma paused taking a controlled breath before weeping, "Luna took an Avada Kedavra for me."
Ginny had come here to be comforted but soon found herself giving what she was seeking. She put an arm around Padma's shoulders. Ron had not only lost Percy and Charlie but Luna as well. Everything Ron had said started to make sense.
"I'm so sorry." Ginny said holding onto her sister in law. She repeated it for her brother hoping that he could feel her sorrow as well. "I'm so sorry." Silently Ginny floated a box of tissues towards Padma. Padma took one and scrubbed at her cheeks with the crumpled tissue.
Ginny hadn't been expecting the question that followed. She was supposed to be asking the questions and receiving the answers that would unlock the past. What about the deatheater that had taken her nightly? Why wasn't she killed with the rest of the prisoners? All questions were forgotten at the sound of Padma's voice.
"Ginny, do you believe that good can come from evil?"
Nothing good had come from all those who died except that the living still had to endure pain and suffering. Broken spirits were left behind in the wake of war. No one seemed the same, especially her own family. Always full of energy, Ron had been much more subdued. George and Fred weren't as jovial as before. Bill had come back missing not only the warmness that once graced his eyes but also a limb as well.
Ginny had to be honest with herself, "I don't believe so."
"Before Luna died she had only one request. She asked me to look after Ron. In the midst of all that darkness and ugliness she gave me a future. You do understand, don't you? Don't dwell on the past Gin. It's not healthy for you or for………….. "
Like a broken record were the words that met Ginny's ears The anger of a seventeen year old trapped in a twenty-nine year old's body threatened to spill. "Don't dwell on the past?? I've forgotten enough as it is Padma! Is this a wasted trip? Will you tell me nothing?" Rising abruptly, Ginny pushed in her chair. She had been so close to finding out what happened. The last thing she wanted was a fight with her sister in law.
Ginny strode over to the fireplace ready to make the last leg of her final connection to Hogwarts . Dissappointed at Harry, Ron and her sister in law, Ginny was sure Hermione would probably be the same. Telling her as did everyone else, to get on with her life. Wasn't that what she was doing? Teaching at Hogwarts would be a new beginning for not only her but Alex.
Taking out the picture in her cloak pocket of Alex and Draco Malfoy, Ginny couldn't help but notice the look of absolute admiration from student to teacher. She would not have Alex Weasley under the influence of a man who was in league with murderers. For the protection her brothers had lacked, she would give back to Alex tenfold.
Deep inside something else was eating at her. She had answered Padma honestly about good evolving from evil. Now it was time to be honest with herself. It should have been Alex, and only Alex that urged her on towards Hogwarts.
Partly -yes. Entirely - no.
Hate was a strong word, at one time only belonging to the original owner of the diary that almost took her life. The new honor now belonged to none other than Draco Malfoy.
***
The Buzz around Hogwarts was centered on the new and very pretty flying instructor. Alex rolled his eyes at 5th year Gryffindors Lawrence Andrews and Samuel Li who were doing nothing but making foul gestures about what exactly they would like to do to this new teacher.
They had met her after breakfast, being sent to the Headmistress' office by Filch who had caught them both vandalizing a portrait of Salazar Slytherin. Upon arriving they found the office already occupied with, in their own words, an "oh so drop dead beautiful creature." A beauty about which they were discussing their wretched fantasies out loud, in the middle of Hogwarts courtyard to a laughing all male audience.
"That talk isn't appropriate!"
All eyes turned to the blond boy sitting on a bench with his two dreadlocked cousins. Lawrence and Samuel were disgusting, really. The pair of them. Had they no respect for their fellow female students and teachers? It was clear they did not. Alex didn't like it when people would talk about him behind his back, he would not stand to hear such talk about others.
"No wonder they can't get dates." Alex muttered under his breath trying to get back to reading his Care of Magical Creatures book.
Edmund and Everett looked wide-eyed at their once quiet cousin. Since when did he develop such a mouth?? They were dying to tell him the secret their Mum and Dad owled that morning, but were immediately hit by a silencing charm as soon as they opened the letter. Dinner couldn't come fast enough.
"Sod-off Weasley." Came the familiar voice of Lawrence Andrews. In a mock baby voice he added, "Did Granny Molly tell you it wasn't nice to talk about girls?" As a beater for The Gryffindor team he commanded respect and fear. None of which Alex had for him.
"Yes! My Grandma Molly said exactly that! It's not respectful!" Alex slammed the cover of his book no longer interested in reading. Laughter erupted around him at his admission followed by remarks akin to whether he still wore diapers.
Alex sighed now wishing he kept quiet. He'd have to walk straight past Lawrence and Samuel to get back to class. With his head held high and his legs moving at a very brisk pace for an 11 year old , Alex walked towards the corridor.
He should have seen it coming, should have known that Lawrence and Samuel wouldn't let him get away without punishing him. Simple really what they did but embarrassing nonetheless. Samuel casually left his foot out at just the moment Alex crossed him. Before Alex knew it, he had landed on the ground with a harsh crack.
"You have a lot of nerve telling us what to do Deatheater spawn!" Lawrence spat enjoying the site of Alex and his now bleeding nose. "Just the thought of you being here disgraces all of Gryffindor!"
"Leave him alone!" mouthed Everett and Edmund who were immediately binded when they attempted to jump into the fray.
The taste of coppery blood trickling down his throat made him nauseous. His face was wet with not just tears but blood that was slowly dripping from his pained nose onto the courtyard. Not one person, save for Everett and Edmund who were incapacitated at the moment, tried to help him. Why were his own housemates laughing? He never felt more alone than at this moment. Alex could deal with the Slytherins dislike for him. But his fellow Gryffindors were his friends. Weren't they? Had they all hated him from the very beginning? Why? Why him?
Pointing fingers shook with laughter as Alex struggled to his feet, feeling a bit woozy at the sight of his own blood. Alex could feel his nose throbbing as he applied pressure hoping to stop what seemed like an endless flow of blood.
"Your deatheater father killed my uncles!" Lawrence said shoving Alex back to the ground and punching him hard in the head.
Stars, Alex could see stars as he instinctively brought his arms up to his face. Alex would prove to them all that he was a Gryffindor. Although his tears betrayed him Alex refused to beg Lawrence to stop. Begging would mark him as a coward. Uncle Percy and Uncle Charlie had died. His own mum was almost killed. Couldn't they see he was as much of a Gryffindor as them?
He needed to get away. Run to his room and hide. But his body was too weak and frail. Alex tried in vain to grab his wand that was only an arm's length away.
Snap.
The 5th year stepped harshly on the wand sending splinters in Alex's face.
"Um….Lawrence...I think that's enough." Samuel pulled Lawrence away afraid that a bit of what he thought was goodnatured ribbing was going into a territory he did not want.
"No, that little dark wizard is going to get what's coming to him!" Cheers went up in the courtyard as Lawrence wretched himself free and landed a kick to Alex's stomach.
They were clapping their hands at the sight of a bleeding and sobbing first year. Why did Grandma and Grandpa Weasley send him here? He hated Hogwarts and most of all he hated Professor Malfoy.
"You're hurting him! Leave him alone!" came the shrill cry of Casey Wood.
"Hey Weasley, it's your girlfriend to the rescue!" Lawrence chuckled emptying Alex's school bag and throwing the books forcefully at Alex Weasley's head.
Alex was much to dizzy to focus but he could make out the familiar shape of Casey Wood running back into the school. Alex cried with disappointment, but not from the throbbing pain. Alex cried realizing that he indeed was alone.
No mother.
No father.
No friends.
To prevent any further blows Alex tried to curl himself into a ball, but found he was being held down by three other Gryffindors who decided to join in. Their malicious grins accompanied the many fists that landed on his face, chest and stomach. The pain became too much as Alex finally broke down, crying for them to stop.
"Please, no more!" at his plea, the beatings suddenly stopped.
A sudden chill swept through the courtyard as a ferocious growl reached Alex's ears. "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!"
With much effort, Alex opened a swollen eye finding himself now surrounded by the familiar faces of Casey Wood and a now unbound Edmund and Everett. Casey took out a handkerchief and pressed it against his bleeding nose, "I went to get help."
Alex followed her gaze to Professor Malfoy. To his surprise the Dada Professor was flinging the offending students against the wall, promising each and every last one of them that they would never set foot in Hogwarts again.
Ordering two prefects and a head girl to deliver the rest of the students to the Headmistress, Draco saved a shaking and cowering Lawrence all to himself. "Have to pick on someone smaller than you, do you?" Draco's hands were upon the 5th years neck banging his head with each word against the courtyard wall.
"If you hurt a student professor, you'll be out of a job!" Lawrence managed to say as Draco's hands tightened around his neck.
"DON'T YOU EVER LAY A HAND ON ALEX. YOU AREN'T FIT TO WIPE HIS BOOTS. IF I SEE YOU SO MUCH AS LOOK HIS WAY, I PROMISE YOU, I SINCERELY PROMISE, THAT YOU WON'T LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE ANOTHER DAY!"
Draco cocked his arm back and for the first time struck a student, square in the jaw. "NOW GO SEE HEADMISTRESS POTTER! WE"LL SEE WHICH ONE OF US WILL BE PACKING OUR BAGS TONIGHT!
With a shove and a kick, he sent a scared and running 5th year to the Headmistress. Cries of "I'll have your job!." didn't seem to faze the Professor one bit.
Alex was in too much pain to protest when the Professor knelt next to him. As the Professor cradled him in his arms, confusion filled Alex . How could this be the same man that hurt his mother? This man that was now whispering how sorry he was had rescued him again. Alex burrowed into Draco's chest letting the tears and blood stain his father's robe.
"Will he be ok Professor?" Casey Wood asked,a bit frightened at the look of worry on the Dada teacher's face.
"Madame Pomfrey will make him as good as new." Alex could hear the wavering voice of his father and wondered if he was telling the truth. Draco continued, "I have an assignment for the three of you." he said addressing Casey and the Weasley twins, " Tell Headmistress to meet me straight away in the infirmary."
"Yes Professor!" three pairs of scurried feet ran off leaving Alex alone with the Professsor.
Alex should've been scared after all he heard about the former deatheater. The funny thing was he never felt more safe and secure in his life. Before he knew it Alex was laying on a hospital cot being fussed over by Madame Pomfrey. Everything was a bit hazy as Madame Pomfrey got him into a hospital gown and started repairing his injuries. His head ached something fierce and there was a constant ringing in his ear, not to mention the all over body aches that were now beginning to numb thanks to Madame Pomfrey.
She lifted a bitter smelling concoction to his lips and he pushed it away.
"No! It's going to taste horrible!"
With a stern voice she brought the cup again to Alex's lips, "Mr. Weasley you have a concussion, not to mention various broken bones."
There had to be a better way. Wasn't there some spell she could cast? " No!" he repeated.
"Alex," came the commanding voice of Professor Malfoy, "You will drink this potion and you will drink it now." Professor Malfoy was still here! He hadn't left! Alex turned over to meet the fuzzy image of his father. Alex felt the professor wrap an arm around him, slowly but carefully raising him up to a sitting position. Taking the cup from Madame Pomfrey, Professor Malfoy lifted it to Alex's mouth again. This time Alex did not refuse.
"He'll need to be observed for the next 24 hours."
Alex felt a slight smile at Professor's words, although it disappeared with the first signs of nausea, the potion was absolutely horrible!
"I'd like to keep him company for a bit if you don't mind."
Madame Pomfrey smiled, "Not at all Professor." Stepping out she closed the curtain allowing a son and father a moment alone. She may have only been a school nurse but it was her skills of assesment that made her a competent healer. Observing student injuries wasn't the only thing she was good at.
Alex allowed Professor to sit next him on the cot as he rested his head against his shoulder. Alex refused to believe this man had raped his mother. The ugly rumors couldn't be true. But what if they were? Should he even ask?
A Gryffindor would face the truth. Am I not a true Gryffindor?
"Professor, can I ask you a question?" his voice shook. What if the answer wasn't what he wanted?
Alex wondered if perhaps Professor Malfoy hadn't heard. After a long pause he answered, "You can ask me anything."
Knowing the answer, Alex asked anyway, "Are you my father, Professor?"
***
Alex knew! Draco had given him physical attributes, the hair, his face save for the brown eyes. But nothing else. He missed so much. He never changed a diaper, never saw Alex take his first step or fly his first broom. But he wanted to make it up to him. There were too many things he ought to have done in Alex's life.
His answer was surrounded by rumors of a beaten and raped Ginny Weasley. Draco couldn't get the harsh image that kept him in nightmares and filled him with guilt. They were coming to take her. Avery and Mcnair were going to torture the woman he had just made love to. The fear of what else they might do added to the despair of the decision he had to make.
Alex sprang from love.
Then everything went horribly wrong.
So he beat her himself while hiding his tears from Avery and Mcnair. Draco fooled himself into thinking he could keep Ginny safe. Better him than another deatheater who would leave her for dead. Ginny's battered face haunted him till this day. Instead it now took the form of a bruised and innocent young boy. Alex was being punished for all the sins he had committed.
Draco couldn't change what happened. The guilt of all the mistakes he made weighed heavily on Draco, he was afraid he couldn't move. But Alex, he wasn't a mistake.One fact remained. Alex Weasley was his son and he deserved to know the truth. Alex's brown eyes searched his grey ones waiting for the answer that would either damn Draco in his sons eyes or bring them closer. Could his son see beyond what everyone else deemed fact? If Alex did believe him, would he hate Draco for not telling him sooner?
"I loved your mummy so very much." Draco held back the tears that threatened to overflow and managed to croak out, " You're my son Alex and I love you."
Instead of pushing him away Draco felt his son's arms wrap around him. Draco finally let go, tears cascading down his cheeks, over his nose, into his mouth and off his chin. Father and son held each other. For the first time Draco felt forgiveness.
***
Arriving at the school Hermione had given Ginny the grand tour of Hogwarts. Not that it was needed. Mostly it was a nostalgic trip back to the past. She was introduced to the new staff and reacquainted with the old. The only staff member she hadn't met was Draco Malfoy. The time would come. Sooner rather than later when she realized her bedroom was next door to none other than Draco Malfoy's.
"There must be some other accommodations!" Ginny protested. The room itself was in excellent condition. The man Ginny wanted to keep far from her son would now be in close proximity to her.
"Unless you want to rent a room in Hogsmeade, this is it."
Ginny reluctantly agreed to the room, dropping off her bags and books. It was a far cry from her room in the Burrow , not as warm and welcoming but clean nonetheless. She would have to make it more accommodating for Alex to visit.
"I have a few papers left for you to sign in my office Ginny. Afterwards we'll head to dinner. Alex will be so happy to see you."
And surprised. Ginny wondered how Alex would respond to the fact that she was teaching at Hogwarts. Would Alex accept her after hearing his own mum refuse him ? Ginny knew that she already had his love, love that she didn't rightly deserve. The big question was - Could she accept him? Lost in her thoughts Ginny didn't realize that they were now standing in front of the entrance that used to belong to Dumbledore.
"Muggle-Born." Hermione chanted sharing a smile with Ginny. Ginny had to hold back a laugh, Salazar Slytherin was probably rolling over in his grave. Once inside, the wooden spiral staircase slowly carried its occupants upward.
Ginny had always been in awe of this particular office. She wondered what interesting objects Hermione had added to the collections of the Headmasters of old. Ginny had been so busy that morning that she hadn't bothered taking a look. With a few minutes to spare, perhaps she could take a tour before dinner. What she didn't expect to find was a room filled with students including her two nephews, Edmund and Edwin. They ran to her immediately, followed by a young black haired girl who reminded Ginny of Cho Chang.
"What is the meaning of this!" Hermione directed her question to Ravenclaw Head Girl Lisa McDougal and Hufflepuff prefect Zacharias Smith Jr. The Head girl looked around nervously at the angry looks cast upon her by the other students. Whispering in Hermione's ear, Ginny could see her face fall.
"Is there something I can do?" Ginny offered wondering what these Gryffindors had done that had half of her old house sent to the Headmisstress office.
"Lisa, Zacharias continue watching these students." Hermione glared at each of the Gryffindors, her voice uncharacteristically rising. "NONE OF YOU WILL LEAVE THIS ROOM UNTIL I GET BACK! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"
The students nodded flinching at the harshness that had escaped Hermione's mouth. Turning to the twins she saw as her own nephews, her voice became gentle. "Edmund, Everett you can come along to the infirmary with me and Aunt Ginny." Hermione patted the black haired girl on the head, "You can come too Casey."
Infirmary? Ginny creased her eyebrow in confusion as she followed Hermione outside the office and down the hallway. "What's going on Mione?" Her question was soon answered.
"Alex is injured."
Ginny's breath caught in her throat, "What? How?"
"They beat him up Miss Weasley." Casey offered
Fingering the wand between her hands, Ginny's anger grew. One against many. Sparks shot from Ginny's wand, tempting her to turn around and hex them all. How long had he been in pain? She was here to protect Alex from the likes of Draco Malfoy. Not once did she think he would suffer at the hands of his own house.
"He was bleeding really bad….." Casey added.
"Ssh!" Hermione said trying to lessen the worry she knew Ginny felt.
Without a look back Ginny raced towards the hospital wing, leaving Hermione and the children behind. Wild with fear and regret that she had pushed Alex away, Ginny only hoped it wasn't too late to make amends. Alex had heard the hateful words come from her mouth.
"I don't want that boy near me!"
"I'll make it up to you Alex, I sware on Percy and Charlie's graves. I will make it up to you."
Catching her breath she arrived at the infirmary greeted by Madame Pomfrey. She promised Ginny that although Alex had a concussion , multiple bruises and broken bones he would be fine.
He's going to be fine. He's going to be fine, she repeated. The assurance she received from Madame Pomfrey did nothing to quell the ache Ginny carried in her heart. Ginny squeezed her eyes shut feeling pinpricks of tears at the thought of the suffering he had to have endured.
"He's a strong boy Miss Weasley. He's already on the road to recovery. I daresay that in a week's time, he'll be to back to normal running around with those rambunctious cousins of his."
Ginny sighed with relief, "Where is he?"
Madame Pomfrey led her to a a cot with drapes drawn around, If Professor Malfoy habn't gotten to him in time, I'm afraid…….."
Ginny didn't let Pomfrey continue, opening the curtains with such force she almost ripped them from their hangings. Touching was what she might have described it. Propped up by pillows, Alex was resting his his head against Malfoy's chest snoring softly. A sleeping Malfoy, held Alex with what Ginny might describe as protective possessiveness.
What game Malfoy was playing at, she didn't know. Finishing the job he started with her brothers? Trying to make up for the past? Possibly. But he wouldn't do it through Alex.Ginny would make sure of that.
She wanted to tell Malfoy to leave, yet she couldn't bring herself to wake him. Alex looked content and happy with Malfoy. Now that she wanted to make a new beginning for her and Alex, the last thing she wanted was for him to be upset with her.
Carefully Ginny sat on the cot, with Alex between her and Malfoy. Ginny trembled as she tried to keep her tears at bay. She placed a kiss on each of his swollen eyes. The sight of Alex wrapped in bandages caused her heart to wrench.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again." Ginny whispered
Ginny kissed the bruise on his cheek willing him to heal. Small brown eyes fluttered open meeting Ginny's own. "I came back for you Alex." Ginny waited, hoping against hope that Alex still wanted her as much as she now realized she loved and wanted him.
His voice held a note of disbelief, "M-Mummy?"
Mummy. Alex had called her mummy. Tears flooded her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. "Yes Alex, Mummy is here."
"All my dreams are coming true." Alex yawned with a lazy smile before turning once again to his professor and drifting off to sleep.
She smoothed Alex's hair back gazing at the wonderment that this particular angel was her son. Oh how Ginny wished she could turn back the clock. She had missed out on singing him lullabies, his first birthday and seeing him off to his first day of school.
"I'll never leave you again." She said softly to Alex not realizing another blonde had awoken to her promise.
"Ginny?"
She stiffened at his voice. The same voice that threatened to kill her so long ago. Here he was holding her son. The one thing she could call her very own. She brought up her eyes to meet his.
"Ginny?" he repeated.
How dare he talk to her as if he knew her! How dare Draco Malfoy try to gain her son's affections! Ginny's lips tightened and she was silent for a moment, studying the man before her.
"Professor Weasley to you. I'm the new flying instructor."
Draco straightened up, lowering Alex gently back into bed. "W-Welcome to Hogwarts." Ginny had never heard Malfoy sound so nervous. Maybe he was afraid she knew too much. He held out his hand which Ginny refused to take.
"I remember you Malfoy. Don't think I haven't forgotten how cruel you were." Ginny said through clenched teeth.
"Ginny, I can exp…………."
Ginny cut him off, pointing towards the door, "Leave Malfoy! I don't want to hear you, I don't want to talk to you and I don't want you near my son!" she said in a raised whisper.
Malfoy stood there frozen, his face unreadable to Ginny.
"I said go!"
Malfoy's hands shook as it gripped onto the curtains that surrounded Alex's bed. Finishing what Ginny started, he tore the curtains from their hangings, tossing them to the floor. Ginny stared at him in shock as he strode out the infirmary . With one last look Draco Malfoy locked his gaze with Ginny's, slamming the doors behind him.
A flash of memory flickered before her. Hungry kisses, the feel of hands on bare skin and the irresistible burn of pleasure and excitement as she looked into her lover's grey eyes. Trying to hold onto the memory, it slipped from her grasp and was gone
TBC
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