As soon as her mother opened the door, Ginny burst into tears. She blindly moved towards her mother, clutching the front of Draco's robe in one hand and her wand in the other. "Mum!"
"Oh dear." Molly Weasley opened her arms to her youngest child, drawing her into a warm embrace. She kept one arm tightly around Ginny as she led her inside, then closed the front door behind them.
Molly took a moment to place Ginny on the couch, before she disappeared into the kitchen for tea. She reappeared a moment later, her wand tucked into her dress pocket and two steaming cups of tea on a tarnished silver-serving tray. She arranged the tray in front of them, before taking her seat beside Ginny.
And then she waited. The Weasley matron reached forward, taking her teacup and sipped the hot liquid patiently. This was up to Ginny.
For nearly thirty minutes they stayed like that. Both of them drinking their tea and not looking the other in the eye. Finally Ginny said, "Do I have any clothes here?"
"No," Molly answered her. "But I can get you something of Percy's. He still has some things."
"No, I can wear this. It's okay." She tugged tighter on the belt of the black robe
"Nonsense." Her mother stood and put her teacup on the tray. "We'll find you something. Come upstairs."
They did find her some clothes. After rummaging around in the various rooms upstairs, Ginny found a pair of worn blue jeans that once belonged to Ron. She found a leather belt in the closet that helped keep them up, and her Mum brought her one of her father's work shirts. After a quick drying spell on her hair, Ginny followed her mother back down to the living room, where she sat in the chair instead of the couch. Taking a deep breath, she began, "Draco and I are having a disagreement."
"Is everything okay?"
Ginny unconsciously rested her hand against her stomach. "Yes," she answered. A moment later, her face was crumbling again. "No."
Molly went to her daughter then. She got on her knees in front of the chair, and took Ginny's hands in her own. "Ginny, love, tell me what's wrong. What happened with Draco?"
She reached up to wipe her tears with the back of her hand. Damn hormones. "Mum, so much is wrong. I don't know what to do."
"We can't fix it, unless you tell me."
It was now or never, Ginny realized. "I'm pregnant," she whispered.
"Wh-what?"
Ginny closed her eyes and gathered her strength. She had to be brave. This was her Mum, who would likely take the news the best. If she couldn't tell her, then Ginny couldn't imagine telling her brothers. "I'm pregnant."
Molly's eyes widened, but her shock shortly turned to joy. "That's wonderful!" When she saw her daughter didn't share her enthusiasm, she asked, "Isn't it?"
The younger woman shook her head. "It's not wonderful."
"I don't understand, dear."
Ginny looked at her mother, who was sitting at her feet, and tried to smile. She tried to feel happy. But it was hard when she was so confused. It was… "I don't know what to do, Mum."
"Okay," Molly reasoned, "Let's start from the beginning. Tell me the whole story."
So Ginny did. She started with her trip to America, telling her Mum about the suit that didn't fit. How she'd known for twelve days, but didn't dare mention it to Draco. Every night she would talk to him on the phone, but didn't mention he would be a father in a few short months.
She told her mother about her return trip. How she kept turning the possibilities over and over in her head, how Draco had all but forbidden her from getting an abortion, and his insisting he wanted to marry her.
Ginny mentioned her fears that he wouldn't want to marry her otherwise. She felt that someday he might find someone he really loved, someone he couldn't live without, and then he would start to hate her because he'd feel trapped. She wanted her child to grow up with two loving parents; two parents who adored each other. And while she certainly loved Draco, she wasn't sure it was the forever kind of love.
Time stood still as Ginny Weasley poured her heart out to her mother. The older woman just sat at her feet, quiet. She studied her daughter, her heart heavy, unsure of what to tell the younger girl. Molly knew she should insist Ginny marry Draco, because it was really the best solution. But what if it wasn't.
When Ginny finished, Molly looked up at her. "What is this Muggle procedure you mentioned? I don't understand what it is."
"It's horrible," Ginny confessed. "I don't know exactly, but I know the doctor somehow makes you not pregnant anymore. They… they kill the baby."
Molly let out a shocked gasp. "Ginny! You can't let that happen!"
She nodded her head. "I know. But I don't know what to do."
"What did Draco say? How did he act?"
"He said he was happy," Ginny answered. "He thought we were being more careful, but he seemed happy."
"Do you believe him?"
She nodded her head. "I think so. Draco isn't one to lie, especially not to me. And about this, he really has nothing to lose, you know?"
Molly did know. She also knew Draco Malfoy loved her daughter. She suspected he didn't say it very often, being one to believe that his actions spoke louder than his words, but Molly knew better. When Ginny started bringing him around to family gatherings, she'd watched the young man a lot. There were times when he barely restrained his temper because Ron or one of the others was taunting him. But with one look at Ginny, Draco simply sat down and shut up. He never seemed to rise to the bait the others held out for him. "He does, though, Virginia. Draco has a lot to lose."
"What do you mean?"
"He has you. And that would probably break him."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Draco doesn't see me that way. He loves me, but it's never been…"
"Never been what?" her mother prompted. "It's never been like you loved him?"
"Well, yes," the daughter admitted, "But I always loved him enough for the both of us. But now, a baby, Mum?"
"Why don't you at least give him chance, dear? Before you count him out, let him at least have a shot at proving to you that he can do this."
The youngest Weasley nodded once, then settled back into the chair. Her right arm folded across her stomach protectively. Molly studied her carefully, trying to decipher her actions and get a clue as to what her decision might be. When the clock chimed six, Molly got up off the floor and went into the kitchen. "Will you be staying for dinner, dear?"
Ginny stood and followed her mother then. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
Her mother studied her from the stove, eyeing her carefully. "Have I ever minded?"
"No," Ginny grinned. "Of course I'll stay. What're we having?"
The older woman used her wand to heat a pot of water and smiled at her daughter. "Your favorite. Spaghetti."
Ginny sat at the table while her mother busied herself around the kitchen. After asking if she could help a few times, Molly finally sat a bowl and some items for a salad in front of them. Her only instructions were, "Don't make the tomatoes too big, you know your father doesn't like that." Ginny only nodded and went about making the salad.
A little while later, both Weasley women heard Author Apparating into the living room. "We're in the kitchen," Molly called to her husband.
They heard him rustle about in the living room for a moment, hanging his coat and storing his briefcase, before he made his way to the kitchen. "What're we having?" he asked his wife.
"Spaghetti. Say hello to Ginny."
Author Weasley looked up, pleased to see his youngest child sitting at the table, chopping carrots and tomatoes for a salad. "'Ello Gin, it's been awhile. How was America?"
She smiled up at her father, raising her head to receive the kiss he planted on her forehead. "It was fine. It's good to be home, though."
Her father nodded, then looked around the kitchen. "Where's Draco?"
Ginny's face immediately fell. It was Molly who answered, "They're having a bit of a misunderstanding right now, Author. Ginny is going to stay for dinner, then-"
"And then I'm going home, Mum." She looked up at her mother and nodded. "I need to speak with Draco before I make any decisions."
Her mother only nodded, but her father looked very confused. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
Ginny shook her head. She realized she wanted to tell him, wanted to tell her entire family, but really she needed to speak with Draco first. And she needed to extract a promise from them to not try and kill Draco. "I'm fine," she assured him. Ginny rubbed her stomach when her mother brought the steaming pot of spaghetti to the table. "Finally. I'm starving."
***
Draco Apparated to the front door of Malfoy Manor. He rang the bell, not wanting to barge in on his mother, and was greeted a moment later by their ghost butler, William.
"Master Draco," William announced him when they arrived at the dining room. "Will young Master be eating?"
Draco nodded his head.
Narcissa Malfoy was sitting at the head of the table, by herself, sipping her soup. "Draco!" she exclaimed, pleased. Her face fell when she realized he was alone. "Where's Virginia?"
He took the seat to his mother's right, putting the linen napkin in his lap. William reappeared with a bowl of soup in one hand and glass of wine in the other. He waited until the ghost was gone before speaking to his mother. "Hello Mum. How've you been?"
She eyed him warily. "What happened?"
Draco twirled his soup with the spoon, not eating it. Even though he said he'd be eating, he knew he wouldn't. In fact, he was sure the dinner he'd ordered for him and Ginny was outside the flat door at the moment. Getting cold. "Everything's fine, Mum. Don't worry."
"Then where is Virginia? She returned from her trip today, didn't she? That's what you said last week. I would have thought you'd be with her."
"We had an argument." Draco took a sip of his wine. "I didn't realize you cared for Ginny so much. You turn your nose up each time she comes to visit."
"Well," Narcissa began, "I did think she would be gone by now. But it's your life, Draco, not mine."
His fingers flexed on the stem of the wine glass, but otherwise he showed no reaction. "Do you really dislike her that much?"
"I don't dislike her," his mother told him, "I just don't always like her."
"Just what is wrong with her then, Mum?"
"She's too tall for a woman, she has that awful red hair, and those freckles-"
"You don't like her because of her appearance?" His eyes widened in anger at his mother. Maybe he shouldn't have come here.
"That and she completely stole my only son from me."
Draco shook his head at her claim. "I'm still here, Mum. I'm just busy."
"Your father was busy too."
"Please don't compare me to that man. I'm busy with my company, you know. Virginia and I are both working very hard to make it a success."
Narcissa laid a perfectly manicured hand against his sleeve, offering him an odd form of comfort. "What happened with Virginia?"
"She-I… She's pregnant, Mum."
"Pregnant?" the Malfoy matriarch repeated.
Draco nodded once in confirmation. He drained the rest of his wine next and raised it, signaling for another. William immediately reappeared with the wine bottle in hand. Draco drained that one too.
"I don't understand. Isn't a baby good news?"
"I thought so too. Virginia, however, doesn't agree."
"What do you mean?"
"There's this Muggle procedure-"
"An abortion," his mother finished. "Yes, I know what it is. She wants to have one?"
Draco didn't ask his mother how she knew what an abortion was, he merely let that topic drop. He didn't think he could take any more shocks in one night. "She mentioned it, yes. I've already conveyed to her my dislike for the idea."
"Oh, Draco, tell me you didn't forbid her?"
He shifted in the chair. "I might have. Why do you ask?"
Narcissa stood, pushing the chair back as she did. "Is she at your flat now? Perhaps I should go talk with her."
"She went to her Mum's. She… she left me."
She sat back down, and studied her son. "You don't want me to talk to her, do you?"
"I want you to stay with me," he confessed. "I need you to stay with me."
Narcissa nodded. When William reappeared with the serving tray, she shook her head to send him away. "Let's go into the sitting room, then. Come Draco." She stood and held her hand out to him, like she had when he was a child. He blindly took it and allowed his mother to lead him out of the dining area.
Draco arranged himself on the smaller couch, while his mother took the stuffed armchair. A house elf stirred up the fire, as to make them more comfortable, and then disappeared, shutting the door. He shifted his attention to his mother. "I don't know what to do."
She nodded. "Do you love her?"
"Of course."
"Does she know that, Draco?"
"Yes," he answered. "Or at least I think she does."
"Do you tell her you love her, dear? Or is she just supposed to know?"
Draco sighed heavily. In the three years they'd been together, he could remember saying the words to her maybe two times. Or three. It was really unclear. She never asked him to say it all the time, and it was easier for him in some ways. "She knows I love her, Mum."
His mother accepted his answer for what it was. Virginia knew, but it never hurt to tell a woman you loved her. Of course, Narcissa knew Draco hadn't had a father to guide him. She'd never fooled herself into believing Lucius Malfoy loved her. At least not after Draco was born. In the beginning, perhaps. But afterwards, he merely tolerated her. Divorce was looked down upon in wizarding society, and Lucius was always worried about what others might think. "What do you think of this child, then?"
He took a deep breath before looking up at his mother. "I… Three hours ago I never thought of being a father, but now-"
"Now you can't imagine not being a father?" Narcissa finished for him. At his nod, she asked, "What does Virginia say?"
"I think she feels like she's ruining my plans, Mum. Except I don't have any plans. Not any that don't involve her, anyway."
"And you've told her that?"
"Yes. I told her I wanted to marry her."
His mother lifted her brow. "You told her, Draco, or you asked her?"
"I told her-" Draco cursed softly. "Bloody hell, I've made a mess of this, haven't I?"
She nodded, but didn't say anything.
"Mum, I… I don't know how to be a father," he admitted. "And the thought terrifies me. But the thought of that child, the little human being Ginny is carrying, the baby that we made together, not being born terrifies me more. I just know I don't want to be like him, like Lucius. But what if I am?"
"You'll never be like your father, Draco. Trust me."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I spent almost thirty years with your father. I saw him every day for those thirty years, and he never looked at me the way you look at Virginia. He never told me he loved me, never said a kind thing to me, never bothered to see if something bothered me. I was a decoration, and after I'd produced an heir I wasn't even a decoration. After you were born, Lucius only brought me out for extremely special occasions. He threw money at me, and only asked that I look the other way. He promised to keep his indiscretions discrete if I did the same.
"Your father never loved me, Draco. I'd even say he didn't know how to love. But I was determined that you would. From all the women in the world, I would have never picked Virginia Weasley for you, but you do seem to love her. And I know she loves me. Don't be a fool, Draco. From the sound of it, she's only gone to her Mum for advice. She hasn't left you. Yet. Don't let her go."
Draco understood his mother's meaning perfectly. "So what do I do?"
His mother stood, and beckoned for him to follow her. He trailed her silently up the stairs until they came to her living suite. "Sit there," she motioned to a chair when she went to her wardrobe. He followed her instructions, and watched as she rummaged through her drawers, muttering to herself. Draco strained to see what she was looking for, curiosity getting the best of him.
"Finally!" Narcissa exclaimed. She turned to find her son sitting where she left him. Holding out a black jewelry box, she said, "You can give this to her."
"When?"
"Well, when you ask her to marry her, one would think." His mother stopped, eyeing him carefully. "You do plan on asking her, don't you?"
"Mum-"
"Draco Black Malfoy!" her tone was scandalized. "Of course you're going to ask her!"
"Mum, I don't think Gin wants to marry me, honestly."
"Who wouldn't want to marry you, dear? You are a Malfoy, after all."
Draco did not respond to her last comment. He took the black jewelry box and opened it. Nestled in its satin bed, sat a platinum engagement ring. He closed his eyes momentarily, trying to picture the ring on her finger. It would be perfect with the platinum band she already wore. "Mum, I can't take this. After thirty years with him, you should have something to show for it."
"Your father didn't give me that ring."
His head shot up, his eyes wide. "You mean-some other man gave you this. Mother!"
"Your Grandfather Black gave that ring to my mother, Draco. She gave it to me. It's a Black family heirloom, you could say. When I married your father, I thought I might give it to our daughter. Except there was only you."
"Do you regret it, then?" he asked. "Marrying him, only having me? You could have had a life, Mum. One that wasn't balls and society, or worshipping the Dark Lord."
She reached out to touch his cheek. "I've never regretted a moment spent with you, love. You're the best part of me."
"I love you, Mum," Draco admitted. "I know I never say it, and I've never been very good at showing it, but I do."
Narcissa nodded. "I've always known, Draco. But Virginia, maybe she needs to hear it sometimes. Maybe she doesn't know." She was quiet for a moment, and then she asked, "Do you want to lose her?"
"No."
"Do you want to marry her?"
Draco nodded silently.
His mother closed his hand around the jewelry box. "Then ask her," she insisted. "She'll say yes."
"How can you be so sure?"
"She loves you, Draco. In fact, I think she might be doing this all for you."
He nodded again. "I think… I think I should go now." He stood, and hugged his mother tightly. "Thanks Mum."
Narcissa kissed his cheek, and then wiped her lipstick from his pale skin. "Wouldn't want her to think you were seeing some other woman."
"Thank you," he said again.
Turning, he went to the fireplace in her chambers. On the mantle sat a jar of Floo powder. Taking a handful, he tossed it inside and the flames began to glow green. With one last look back, he shouted, "Home!" and then disappeared.
Narcissa sat in the chair then, staring into the fire. Draco was going to ask Virginia to marry him. And that made her happy. No, she hadn't always been fair to the youngest Weasley, but she'd never been convinced the girl loved her son. But the last two years proved otherwise.
Virginia was there when Draco needed her. She did almost anything he asked, and for that Narcissa was grateful. Draco needed someone like Virginia in his life. And now… with a little luck, she'd agree to marry him. Narcissa could only hope.