Chapter 9 - The Newspaper
"Mom, Blondie, we're home!" Ginny called, when they Apparated in the Burrow's empty living room.
"In the kitchen!" Molly yelled back.
"Hmm… It smells great in here!" Draco sniffed the air around him. "I've missed the smell of your mother's home made cookies!"
"I hope you've missed the taste, as well, because we've backed dozens of chocolate chips cookies!" Molly smiled, as the couple entered the kitchen.
"I've helped Granny! She let me make those!" Cassie said, pointing to a tray on the counter, full of heart shaped cookies.
"Really? WOW! They look fantastic, honey…" Draco smiled, watching her little face smile with pride for her work. "Can I have one, please?"
"They're hot, and you'll burn your mouth!" Cassie said, with her hands on her waist, in a perfect imitation of Molly Weasley and Ginny.
"Well, would you look at that! She looks and sounds like you, Mom!" Ginny laughed.
"Let's not forget that you do that, as well, Ginny!" Molly laughed as well. "Draco, you'll have a cookie later… For now, I want the three of you out of my kitchen, while I clean this mess! Go to the garden and enjoy the warm sun!"
The little family obeyed and laid down on the warm grass, under the shadow of a huge tree, near the pound, where white ducks swam.
"Where did you go, Daddy?" Cassie asked, sitting on his stomach.
"I went to a shop, and bought you a present…" he smiled at her surprised face. "Do you want it?"
"Yes! Give me! Give me!" she screamed excitedly, jumping up and down on his stomach.
"Hey, calm down!" he laughed, trying to protect his belly from her jumps. "Ginny, can we do magic in front of her?"
"Yes, you can, Draco!" Ginny smiled. Draco had a lot to learn about his family.
He took a little object from his pocket and with a tap of his wand, he made it return to its normal size.
Ginny sat in Draco's arms, as they both watched Cassie unwrap the gift… Finally, all the wrapping paper was shredded into pieces, and the box was opened.
As she opened the box, Cassie jumped in surprise and screamed loudly in a high pitched tone, until she ran out of air.
"Daddy! I love it! Thank you!" the girl screamed over and over again, hugging both of her parents with her little arms, and kissing Draco's cheek repeatedly.
"You're welcome! Now, get on it and show me what you can do!" Draco smiled lovingly, as Cassie held a little pink broom, especially made for kids and bewitched to fly low and avoid obstacles.
Cassie started to fly around the garden, giggling happily, while both her parents watched her, proudly.
"She loved your present! Well done!" Ginny smiled at his happy face.
"It's so good to be here and be a part of her life…" he sighed. "There can't be anything better in the world than being with the woman you love in your arms, and your child giggling on a broom!"
Ginny laughed and kissed his cheek, slowly kissing her way to his lips.
Someone cleared its throat and they broke the kiss to find Hermione looking at them.
"Hello, Mione! Sit down, we're watching Cassie fly on her new broom!" Ginny smiled.
"She has shown me the broom already! Maybe now Ron will stop trying to kill her on his broom!" Hermione laughed, sitting next to them. "When Fred and George see that broom, they're going to remove all the protection charms, you know that, don't you?"
"Oh, we'll see about that!" Draco smiled, sounding mysterious. "Don't forget to come to our house today, after dinner, ok?"
"Yes, we'll be there, Draco! We're dying to know what's going on…" she confessed. "You're both looking extremely happy. It's great to see you two together again!"
"I totally agree!" Ginny and Draco said at the same time, breaking into a fit of laughter.
Later that night, the Malfoy's house became full with family. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley; Charlie, Bill and their wives; the twins; Ron and Hermione; Percy and his wife; Harry and Joanne; Julie and Mark…
Draco explained them what had happened to him, then Ginny told them their plan and their conversation with Padma Patil. After answering all the answers from their family, it was way past 1 a.m..
"Well, you've both been through a lot, and deserve to have revenge… You may count on all of us!" Mr. Weasley said sincerely, and all the others nodded their heads in agreement.
"Thank you, all of you… Your support means everything to us!" Draco smiled, placing an arm around Ginny's shoulders.
"Hey, Draco, there's an owl on your window!" Harry warned, pointing to the little brown owl.
In a few minutes, Draco sat back on the couch, next to his wife.
"Parvati Patil as sent us a letter saying that she supports our fight, and that she's sending us the first copy of the Daily Prophet, printed a few moments ago." he explained, opening the newspaper, and starting to read for everyone to hear.
`Fudge Destroys Family
Two years ago, Draco and Virginia Malfoy were newlyweds, with a little adopted child, Draco's sister, Cassandra Malfoy, and they were expecting a baby. The couple lived happy, with Virginia working as an Healer, and Draco as an Auror, until the day Draco and his colleagues had to invade a Manor full of Death Eaters.
Draco Malfoy was imprisoned in a trap, and was able to get out of it due to pure luck, although all his body was broken and bruised, as the fall was extremely high. The Ministry found out that Draco Malfoy was alive, but didn't reveal this fact to anyone.
Virginia Malfoy was told that her husband had been killed and with the shock, she ended up miscarrying, being in come for 2 days.
Draco was visited be the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, who menaced the young Auror. Whether he kept working under cover, in the middle of the Death Eaters, or he would be sent to Azkaban. Draco Malfoy wanted to go back home, to his wife and daughter, but unable to do so, he chose to go undercover.
For 2 years he lived under someone else's image, until, recently, he and the other Aurors destroyed the group of Dark wizards, and Draco was able to come back to life…
Virginia Malfoy and her family had the shock of their lives with Draco's return, but are doing their best to accept the situation.
But, a lot of damage has been done: Virginia lost her baby due to a fake death, made up by Cornelius Fudge; the couple was unhappy for two years; little Cassandra lost her father on the most important times of her life…
None of this can be replaced, so, Draco and Virginia Malfoy are now seeking justice. The couple wants Fudge to go on court and answer for his actions.
We can only hope that this couple's suffer isn't forgotten, and we hope that justice will be done.
Parvati Patil, for the Daily Prophet'
"Well, she was loyal to the story!" everyone sighed in relief.
"Tomorrow, the reporters won't leave your door!" Julie said, worried.
"No, don't forget that they can't do much in the Muggle London!" Ginny smiled. "And, I went to St. Mungos today and told them I'll stay at home for a month, just to take care of this case!"
"Very well, take care, the three of you, and we'll see you soon!" Mrs. Weasley kissed her daughter and they all Disapparated.
"I hope we win this fight!" Ginny sighed, in Draco's arms.
"If love wins at all the times, then, we will win, because I love you more than anything in the world!" Draco replied, as they lost themselves in a kiss full of tenderness and love.