***Just a little tidbit but I got the title from one of the chapters in the last story. In it Draco made promises to Gin about things that would happen...after the war. So here we are now. After The War. Okay and now I have to say thank you! I'm so happy that everyone has welcomed the sequel. Well it's not really in full swing yet but I've always been able to write the second one better than the first. It's easier I assume. All the characters are already built and established. So thank you again and here is another chapter.***
He forced a smile at all the familiar faces around him. Everyone was in the holiday spirit. Well everyone but the blonde sitting between his cousin's fiancee and one of his once upon a time enemies. They were all focused on their significant other. Something he doesn't have.
He's tried to date before. Well a few woman were pushed on him by his "friend." They were either air heads or way too focused on his celebrity. He did after all beat the dark lord. That was the only one that didn't get away. Out of all the people he wanted to rip into tiny pieces and send home in little boxes Voldermort was certainly low on his priority list.
How could he move on though? He didn't even get a proper goodbye. Not that he ever wanted to tell her bye. If they were to ever break up he wanted it to be done properly. With things thrown at his head and vulgar words dripping from her lips instead of because a sword impaling her. It's not a proper or fair ending. He doesn't know if they could have made it work. What if they could have and had made a Weasley record with all their offsprings? Or maybe she couldn't handle his protectiveness and family history. His father is after all evil.
At least he got to tell her what he really felt. She had said it back too. He could live a thousand years and never hear anything that sounded even half as good. Nothing is ever going to be the same. Those words are not to be duplicated.
"Uncle Draco," the tiny girl cried pulling on his sleeve earning his attention.
"Tory," he said giving her a weak smile and pulling the child up to his lap. "Happy Thanksgiving."
"Happy Thanksgiving," she whispered back before peeking him on the cheek. His smile grew a little as the little girl hopped down and ran back to her parents.
Ron didn't seem to mind at all today. Nothing seemed to get under his skin. Even his brothers jokes and experiments slipped into his food. Draco didn't mind it at all. More attention and glares off of him the better. He feels welcomed and relieved.
Molly smiled at the blonde at the table watching the others. She heard about him and watched him grow and mature. Now the young man is a part of her family. He is one of her sons even though Ronald may not like that thought. She lost her baby girl and gained another son.
"Happy Thanksgiving Draco." He looked up to the mother figure of this large group.
"Happy Thanksgiving Molly."
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Dumbledore kept his back to the bed. He couldn't make himself look at the young woman lying there. It was too hard. His chest would tighten and his eyes would water. This woman came to him as a girl and he's watched her grow up. Now she's as close to dead as can be while still breathing.
"I think it'll work." Dumbledore shook his head.
"I can't let them know if you think at best. I need to know Severus."
"Albus," he sighed. "This is the best we can do. It has to work. It's the only option we have." The older wizard sighed and dropped his head.
"Inform the Weasleys first. I don't want Mr. Malfoy to know yet. This is their discussion."
"They're going to want to do anything to bring back their daughter and sister." Dumbledore turned to the potions master.
"Yes but like everything this is not fail poof. I hate to see their hopes up to see them all die again inside." He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She's stuck in a place where no one else has ever been."
Severus walked to the door and paused when he had the handle in his hand. He's been working for years searching for any sort of spell. This is as close as his come to anything of the sort. Virginia Weasley is stuck in her own mind. She's alive but not conscious. Somewhere she's living in her own world afraid to come out.
"Draco can do it," he said softly just before he let himself.
"If anyone can," Dumbeldore mumbled to himself still not be able to look at the unmoving redhead.