Chapter 12 - The Magic of Hogwarts
The next morning, Ginevra woke up feeling happy, the morning light bathing her face; a gentle breeze bringing the garden's scents to her nostrils and the feeling of a warm body against her back… her husband.
Thinking back to the previous night, Ginevra felt surprised with the way she had behaved so passionately, so desperately; but the truth was, she had missed Prince Draco, she had missed the new sensations he had made her feel on their first night together and the previous night, all she had wanted was to feel her husband by her side, giving her some kind of emotional response, showing that he felt something for her, if only lust.
She had been so scared when he had acted so furiously and held her forcefully, but still, he had made her so happy when he confessed his impossibility of being with other women. He was hers, now. No other woman would have him, and that made her relieved and more trusting of her husband.
Slowly turning around to face Prince Draco, his face calm and deep in sleep, Ginevra kissed his lips softly and caressed his features. Sighing contentedly, she carefully left the bed and put on her white silk robe, to cover her naked body. Silently, she sat at her desk and picking up some parchment, ink and quills, prepared to write the letters to both Headmaster Dumbledore and her mother. Things had somehow changed last night, between her and her husband, but still they thought differently, and it would be better if he knew nothing about her plans.
`Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
First of all, I would like to thank you for performing my wedding ceremony, it was beautiful and you were very pleasant.
I'm writing you to make a request that may seem strange to you, but have no doubt; it's a very serious one. I'm sure you're a very busy wizard, but I need your counsel and your help. Could we meet for this conversation?
Having you come here at the Palace would be an honour, but I really would love to meet you at Hogwarts School. Do you believe it to be possible?
Please, send me your answer as soon as possible and, please; don't tell of this request to anyone. I will explain better if and when we meet.
Thank you for your time, Ginevra Malfoy.'
Quickly, Ginevra rolled the parchment and tied it with a black velvet ribbon. There was one more letter to write.
`Mother,
Hello, how are you? Forgive me if my letter seems rushed and cold, but I'm just writing you to let you know that I'll be visiting you today. Can you set the table for lunch with two extra plates?
Love, Ginny'
Rolling that one, as well, Ginevra hid both letters in a drawer, for Parvati to help her send them later, by owl.
For now, she removed her robe and returned to bed, snuggling under the covers, closer to her husband to draw his warmth. Unfortunately, her icy cold feet bumped his and he woke up immediately with a surprised gasp, but seeing his wife next to him, Prince Draco smiled and drew her closer until their bodies were touching all over.
"Good morning, wife." He whispered in a sleepy, yet sexy, voice.
"Good morning, Draco. Slept well?" she smiled, running her hands through his silky hair.
"Very well, in fact. I believe it had something to do with the presence of a certain red haired princess…" he joked and then his face became serious and preoccupied. "Did I hurt you last night?"
"Well, it hurt a little when you… you know, against the wall, but then everything became wonderful." She replied, blushing a deep red. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
"Good. What are you doing today?" he asked, sitting up in bed and rubbing his face with his pale hands. The bed sheet fell down to his waist, revealing his gorgeous chest and Ginevra couldn't help but study him attentively.
"I'm going to town with Parvati, to visit my family. Do you want to come?" she asked, sitting up beside him, but keeping the bed sheet over her body. It would be great to go to town with her husband, seeing the old streets with him, telling him about the places she knew so well since she was a little girl, but somehow, she doubted he would accept the invitation. He clearly didn't feel comfortable around her family, and there was nothing she could do to stop that. They were very different.
"I have a meeting with my father in an hour and then there are some businesses I must attend to. I won't be able to join you…" he replied, leaving the bed and walked towards the bathroom.
"That's alright." she replied, just as he was about to close the bathroom door. He looked her way, a small smile gracing his lips and closed the door, shutting her out.
Yes, things between them had changed slightly, last night, but they still had huge barriers between them.
Sighing sadly, Ginevra got up from bed, put on her robe and a pair of slippers to walk over to the balcony doors, where shattered glass covered the floor. Her husband needed to learn to control his fury or someday he would injury someone. Stepping over the glass on the floor, she opened the balcony doors and stepped outside, taking a deep breath and looking to the distance, where the agglomerate of houses indicated the existence of Birmingham's capitol. Below her, in the gardens, several men waved their wands to charm the bushes to stay in shape; they charmed the roses to stay slightly opened and trimmed the grass with quick spells. Magic really was useful and fascinating…
She forgot about time, as she watched the horses trotting around the garden with total freedom. Only when the clouds uncovered the sun, did she wake up from her reverie, enjoying the warmth on her face.
Prince Draco had just finished his shower and, wearing a towel around his waist, he entered the bedroom to choose his clothes for the day. He hadn't expected to find the bed empty… He knew he had been slightly cold to his wife, after the previous night, but he just felt too out of control when he was close to her. Worried about her, he searched the room for her, finding her in the balcony, leaning over the stone railing, her face raised towards the sun and a smile on her lips, as she enjoyed the sunlight. While he studied her, Prince Draco quickly dressed and combed his wet hair.
She was beautiful… Her red hair shown brightly under the bright light, her skin glowed warmly and it was possible to guess her body curves under the delicate white silk of her robe.
Ready to leave, he stepped over the broken glass on the floor and entered the balcony, surrounding her waist with his arms, bringing her closer to his chest.
"Enjoying the sun?" he whispered on her ear, softly kissing her earlobe.
"Uhm…" she moaned, both as an answer to his question and as an answer to his caress. He smelt divine and felt even better.
"Will you join me for breakfast, downstairs?" he asked, while kissing her neck and caressing her belly.
"In a few moments. First, I need to take a bath and get dressed. I'm sure Parvati will be here, any moment now, to help me… Will you wait for me?" she asked, turning around to face her husband and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I won't promise anything… I have to eat quickly to meet my father on time." He replied with a slight frown and walked back into the bedroom, followed by Ginevra.
"Very well… Have a nice day." She mumbled, kissing his cheek and stepping away to go to the bathroom. She couldn't help but be sad, although she understood that he had other responsibilities and couldn't spend the whole day with her. "By the way… Have you named the colt, yet?"
"Yes, I've named it Firenze." He replied, before leaving the room.
"That's a beautiful name, Draco." She smiled and went back to her daily routine.
As soon as Ginevra finished her bath, Parvati entered her empty bedroom and began preparing her mistress's clothes for the day.
"Good morning, Milady, how are you this morning?" she asked carefully, showing some concern.
"Parvati, I know that last night things looked a bit ugly in this bedroom, but don't worry, everything is fine now. I'm sorry for the way my husband yelled at you." Ginevra apologised with a small smile and then looked around; searching for the owls she had requested the previous night. "Where are the owls?"
"I ordered them to land on the balcony… Do you wish to send the letters now?" Parvati enquired, pointing to the owls resting on the balcony's railing.
A huge smile spread over Ginevra's face and she quickly tied each letter on an owl's leg and gave them their respective orders. As they flew away in different directions, she hoped everything would work out the way she expected.
After getting dressed and allowing her maid to catch her hair in a French twist, Ginevra went down stairs to the dinning room, where only the Queen and Lady Sarah were still eating. Trying to hide her disappointment over her husband's absence, Ginevra ate her breakfast and decided to go to town right away, instead of waiting for lunchtime.
Ginevra and Parvati entered the same carriage in which the new Princess had been brought to the Palace, with the help of a guard, who immediately took his seat next to the carriage driver.
Just like on the day she had been brought to the Palace, Ginevra couldn't help but look out the window with a huge fascinated smile on her face. It was so different to see the places she knew so well, from a moving carriage. Her eyes moved quickly, trying to take all the details at once, but failing to do so. Instead, Ginevra focused her attention on the people that occupied the streets.
Several men and women stopped their shopping or their activities to stare at the carriage, with fascination, and seeing their new Princess' face, they all smiled and waved enthusiastically. All Ginevra could do was smile back and wave, as well. Oh, how things had changed… from a bare footed and poor unmarried young woman to a fashionable Princess. This was the fairytale her father had told her about so many times, for sure.
Upon arriving at her childhood home, nothing, not even etiquette, could stop Ginevra from jumping out of the carriage and running to her house's front door, calling for her mother. All that noise resulted in a bright eyed and flushed red Molly Weasley running out the door, to gather her daughter in short chubby arms. After Mrs. Weasley came Mr. Weasley and six red haired boys. All her family would be present for this special lunch. And special it was…
The sun was starting to set when Ginevra finally entered the carriage to go back home, a very embarrassed Parvati following her inside the comfortable space. Lunch had been noisy, as it usually was at the Weasley home, Ginevra's beautiful dress of full of stains because she had insisted in helping in the kitchen (Parvati had almost had an heart attack), Ronald and Parvati had spent the entire time looking at each other with bright red faces and the twins had kept on making fun of the young couple. After lunch Ginevra had sat in front of the lit fireplace, next to her father, her head on his shoulder, inhaling his familiar scent that always soothed her.
He had asked her only one question: `Are you happy?' All that she had been able to reply was: `I'm on the right path to be it…'
Just as they said their goodbyes to the Weasley family, Ronald had whispered something in Parvati's ear and she had nodded. She had been bright red in the face since then. But now, with only the two young women in the carriage, Ginevra decided to find out what was going on.
"Ron is a wonderful young man, isn't he?" she asked carefully. Parvati nodded in agreement, but said nothing. "He looked like he was very taken with you…"
"You think so?" Parvati whispered breathlessly, her big eyes pleading for Ginevra to tell her it was true.
"Yes, I think so, and I believe you like him as well… He is a gorgeous Weasley." Ginevra replied with a mischievous smile. "What did he tell you before we came, that made you so embarrassed?"
"He enquired if he was allowed to court me." The maid mumbled with a happy twinkle in her eyes.
"You did well in accepting, Parvati. You make a beautiful couple and I would love to have you as a sister-in-law." Ginevra replied warmly, hugging her maid and friend. "We're here…"
Indeed, they had arrived at the Palace just as the last rays of sunshine disappeared in the horizon. Both young women chatted happily about the day's events as they went to Ginevra's bedroom, ignoring the surprise on the other maid's faces. Was it illegal to be friends with your personal maid and hopefully, future sister-in-law?
Upon arriving to her bedroom, Ginevra immediately noticed an owl perched on her vanity table's chair. Squealing happily, she quickly walked to the bird and removed the parchment from its leg.
`Dear Princess Ginevra,
It was a pleasure to receive your lovely letter and it was even better to find it mysterious. You have a big secret and you want to make me part of it…
I believe you should know that I can't refuse challenges. I love them and I really want to help you in everything I can. There will be a ball at Hogwarts, in two days. We'll be able to speak privately then.
Bring your husband and prepare to enter the magical world that is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Attentively, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore'
"I'm going to Hogwarts…" Ginevra gasped happily, jumping up and down, causing some tendrils to escape her hair-do. "I'm going to Hogwarts and I'll win Headmaster's Dumbledore support…"
Her happiness didn't go unnoticed at dinner.
"Ginevra, dear, you are looking very happy today…" Queen Narcissa commented, unable to keep a smile away from her own face. It was contagious.
"I've spent the day with my family and that made me very happy, Mother." Ginevra replied, saying half the truth. "Do you know if Draco will be coming for dinner, My King?"
King Lucius just scowled at the plebeian that was now his daughter-in-law and grunted: `I suspect he will.'
Ginevra was telling to the Queen about the events of the day when a very tired looking Prince Draco entered the dinning room, kissed his mother's forehead and his wife's hand, before he sat next to the latter and began eating dinner.
"Are you alright?" Ginevra whispered concernedly, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
"Yes, I just had a rough day, that's all. How was your family?" he enquired politely, not bothering to look at her.
"They are well." She replied and went back to eating, knowing that she wouldn't be able to get anything else from his mouth, for now. Across the table, Queen Narcissa studied the newly wed couple attentively and when she caught Ginevra's eyes, she raised an eyebrow in question, but the young woman just shook her head, as if saying that nothing was wrong. Things just weren't… right, that's all.
"This afternoon I've received an invitation to attend a ball at Hogwarts School. I won't be going, of course, but I want you represent me, Draco." The King said in a cold tone of voice. While Ginevra tried to hide her happiness from the others, Prince Draco just groaned unhappily.
"Just what I needed… A long, boring ball, with hundreds of boring people dying to talk with Birmingham's Prince." He complained, shoving his empty plate aside.
"You'll have your wife to accompany you, and if you wish to avoid all those people, you just have to keep on dancing with her. No one would dare to interrupt you two." Queen Narcissa offered, smiling at her son.
"As if that made me feel better… Dancing all night, uh?" Prince Draco groaned, staring sideways to his wife, noticing the small smile on her face. "You're dying to go to this party, aren't you?"
"Your choice is my choice. If you want to stay here, we'll stay here, I don't mind." Ginevra lied once again, and placed a spoon full of pudding inside her mouth, to keep her from saying any more lies.
"Fine, we'll go, but I'm not happy about it."
`One more victory to me…' Ginevra thought happily.
When the King and the Prince retired to the office, Ginevra and the Queen went to the sitting room and sat in front of the fireplace, on comfortable chaise-longs, reading their favourite books.
"What happened this last week? I barely saw you and Draco…" the Queen asked concernedly, at last.
"We had a few problems but everything's fine, now, don't worry, Mother. We just need some time to get used to the other and this situation." Ginevra replied gently, closing her book and placing it on the floor next to her.
"Milady, the owls you asked for are already waiting in your bedroom…" Lady Sarah said, entering the sitting room and bowing slightly.
"Of course. I need to send those letters today. Goodnight, my dear." The Queen whispered, kissing Ginevra's forehead and then, left the room.
The sitting room was in a very comfortable temperature, making its only occupant very drowsy; the only sounds were that of the logs being consumed by the fire and the only light in the room came from the fireplace. Ginevra was asleep when she felt a slightly cold hand caressing her cheeks.
"Ginevra?" a soft male voice called from far away, drawing her closer to consciousness.
"Draco?" she replied, opening her eyes to find her husband sitting next to her, facing her with a small smile on his lips. "I fell asleep, I'm sorry."
"It's fine. You probably had a tiring day, today…" he replied, sitting against the chaise-long's headboard and drawing his wife's body in front of his, resting her back against his chest and sitting her between his legs. Slowly, Prince Draco snaked his arms around her waist, holding her in place, and buried his face on her neck, enjoying her unique scent.
"Not as tiring as your day. You should be sleeping…" she warned gently, turning her neck to look him in the eye. His silver grey eyes were now the colour of light blue, due to the glow of the fireplace, and his lips looked as soft as ever, calling to her.
"In a few moments… Let's just stay here for a little while. I'm very comfortable." He replied and with a hand, pressed her head against his chest, running his fingers up and down her neck, in slow, gentle moves, until she fell asleep once more.
^^~~**~~^^
Ginevra was furious, although she tried to hide it. Why couldn't women Apparate, like their husbands did? It was such a quick and clean means of transportation… but no, Merlin forbade if women actually used magic or touched someone using it. So, it was decided that Ginevra would use the Floo Network to arrive at Hogwarts, while Prince Draco would Apparate there.
"Why don't you use the Floo Network as well?" a frustrated Ginevra asked her husband, the day before the ball, while they ate dinner.
"I don't like it, it leaves soot all over my skin and my robes, and I can Apparate." Prince Draco replied with an evil grin and proceeded to take a mouthful of apple pie. In a few seconds his wife would start showing her frustration. He loved to see her upset.
"Well, you can't get all dirty, but I can, is that it? Fine… I'll use the damn Floo, but you're coming with me." She replied angrily and muttering a quick `Excuse me' to the King and the Queen, Ginevra exited the dinning room, mid-dinner.
When would these wizards understand how favourable it was for women to be able to use magic? Still angry, she went to her bedroom and lied in her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow… She just had to wait until the next day to start her fight.
Exhaling softly, she heard someone entering the bedroom and sitting on the edge of the bed. A warm masculine hand touched her foot and tickled slightly.
"Are you still upset?" Prince Draco's gentle voice whispered, causing a shiver to run down Ginevra's spine. All he had to do was say something, anything, in that voice to make her shiver and swoon at his feet.
"I'm not just upset, Draco, I'm frustrated… Why can't women Apparate, as well? It would be so much easier for everyone! Their husbands wouldn't have to worry about having expensive carriage's and servants to allow their wives to move from place to place; when there was an emergency, women could Apparate to a Healer, or to a safe place… Everything would be so much easier!" Ginevra replied with conviction and then sat up, to look at her husband, who was staring at her with a raised eyebrow. "You're considering what I said, aren't you?"
"I'll think about it… It's unfair to have you arrive at Hogwarts by Floo, on your first visit to the castle. We will arrive by carriage, and you have a wonderful view of the school as we approach. Do you agree?" he proposed, running his hand on her bare leg.
"Yes, I agree, and thank you for re-considering it." She smiled widely and softly kissed her husband. It was wonderful to finally starting to communicate and achieve agreement. "But, isn't Scotland to far away? We'll never get there by carriage…"
"There are a few things you still don't know about magic, Ginevra… We'll be at Hogwarts right on time, don't you worry…" Prince Draco chuckled, before kissing his wife once more.
He had been correct… There was a lot Ginevra didn't know about magic, specially that it was possible to charm the horses to run so quickly that it almost seemed like the carriage was flying.
With Parvati's help, Ginevra had chosen to wear a beige dress, the cut was similar to her wedding dress' one, excluding the train and the silver embroidering. The corset was very tight, making her waist look thin and her hips curvy, the dress was long sleeved due to Scotland's weather and her shoes were made of the same fabric as the dress. Parvati had caught her hair in an elaborate bun, and on top of Ginevra's head sat her Princess' crown, matching her set of earrings and necklace.
Her husband had complimented her on her beauty and she had returned the complement. As always, Prince Draco was wearing black robes with an intrinsic silvery pattern on the edges of the sleeves and of the robe, his blond hair was shiny and his posture very correct. He was a true aristocrat.
The carriage ride to Hogwarts took no longer than one hour, with the charmed horses, and as they approached a small town, Prince Draco opened the drapes covering the carriage's windows.
"Ginevra, take a look out the window. This village is called Hogsmead, I'm sure your brothers told you much about it." The Prince chuckled, watching the dark streets, illuminated only by the oil lamps. "And in a few seconds you should be able to see Hogwarts. Ah, there it is!"
Ginevra gasped and stopped breathing altogether. There, right in front of her, was a huge castle, candles' light illuminating its thousands of windows and there was a lake with its water looking very dark, now that the night had fallen.
"It's beautiful…" she gasped at last, reaching for her husband's hand to give a squeeze.
"Yes, it is, but I'm sure you'll prefer the interior. It's full of moving paintings and staircases, secret rooms, charmed ceilings… It's magical." The Prince replied gently just as the carriage came to a halt in front of the castle's double doors. It was possible to ear the chattering of hundreds of people coming from inside the castle and Ginevra became nervous. The last ball she had been at hadn't gone very well. She could only hope this one would go better.
Holding her husband's arm, they entered the stonewalls of Hogwarts and then they entered the huge room where the ball was being held. As soon as people saw them entering, they curtseyed and stopped talking.
"Welcome back at Hogwarts, Prince Draco, and it's a pleasure to see you again, Princess Ginevra." Headmaster Dumbledore said happily, his voice echoing in the now silent hall, as he approached the couple.
"Thank you for inviting us, Headmaster. My father was unable to attend, so please, allow me to represent him." Prince Draco said in a very formal voice, surprising Ginevra, but she remained silent. "Shall we continue the ball?"
"Of course." The Headmaster replied, looking at Ginevra over his half-moon shaped glasses, his blue eyes twinkling madly. With a nod from his head, the music re-started and the guests went back to dancing.
The Prince and his wife walked around the huge hall, saying their hellos to several people. As they left yet another group of people, Ginevra looked up for the first time and gasped loudly, drawing her husband's attention.
"I was wondering when would you notice the ceiling." He chuckled, placing an arm around her waist and looking up as well. "It's charmed to show the sky, as it is outside. Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is…" she replied, but instead of looking at the ceiling, she was looking at his jaw and bare neck, wishing she could kiss that skin right now. She was woken from her reverie by the arrival of Mr. Zabini.
"Draco, I wasn't expecting to find you here. Milady, it's wonderful to see you, once again." Mr. Zabini smiled, bowing slightly to kiss Ginevra's hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Zabini. Are you enjoying the ball?" Ginevra replied warmly. She had enjoyed the young man's company at her previous ball, despite the situation she had lived, at the time.
"Not really. How can my parents expect me to find a bride, if there are no young women a these parties?" Mr. Zabini replied with a chuckle and stared at the dancing couples. "Why aren't the two of you dancing?"
"Because you won't stop talking, that's why, Blaise." Prince Draco replied coldly and proceeded to take his wife to the dance floor. As they started a slow waltz, he kept an extremely tight hold on his wife's waist and glaring over her shoulder, in Mr. Zabini's direction.
"I'm already wearing a corset, Draco. You don't have to hold my waist so tightly… I can hardly breath!" Ginevra complained in a low whisper. Her husband realised his actions and loosened his grip. "Why are they staring at us?"
Only then did Prince Draco notice that, indeed, everyone was staring at them with expectation. But, why expectation? His question was answered as soon as he saw Pansy Parkinson dancing with a young man and directing her partner towards Prince Draco and his wife. Couldn't she just stay away?
"Hello, Draco! I'm glad you came…" Miss Parkinson said in an overly sweet tone of voice, making Ginevra want to vomit.
"Pansy, nice to see you." Prince Draco replied in a cold tone that made Ginevra grin. Her husband wasn't encouraging Miss Parkinson, which was wonderful.
"Hello, Miss Parkinson. Wonderful ball, isn't it?" Ginevra said sweetly, pressing herself closer to her husband and running her hand over his chest. "Won't you present us your dancing partner?"
"When will you come to the Manor, for a visit? It's been such a long time…" Miss Parkinson continued addressing the Prince, deciding to ignore his wife.
"I have no reasons to visit, Pansy. Have a pleasant evening…" the Prince replied and taking his wife's hand, they walked away, but Ginevra turned her head around and sneered at Miss Parkinson. "He's mine."
"Why did you say that?" Prince Draco whispered, a small smile on his lips.
"Just wanted to make it clear for her. You are my husband, Draco, and I don't share." Ginevra chuckled and kissed his cheek lovingly, ignoring the gasps of the other guests.
"Princess Ginevra, could I have the honour of introducing you to Hogwarts?" Headmaster Dumbledore enquired with a small smile on his lips, as he ran his hands down his long white beard.
"I would love to. Draco, may I?" she asked sweetly at her husband.
"I could do that, Headmaster. You don't have to leave the party because of us." The Prince offered, tightening his grip on his wife's hand, as if afraid to let her go.
"It's no problem, Milord. In fact, Professor Snape asked to talk with you in his private office, and I thought I could keep your lovely wife occupied with our lovely school." Professor Dumbledore replied with a smirk and, at last, Prince Draco agreed to the arrangements. Quickly, he took his wife a few steps away from the Headmaster and held her against his chest, tipping up her face to kiss her lips softly.
"Don't touch anything you shouldn't and make sure you follow the Headmaster, wherever he goes. It's very easy to get lost in this castle. Make sure you…" he started babbling and Ginevra kissed him again.
"I'm not a child, Draco. Go meet your old Professor." She smiled and then watched him leave the room, with quick and graceful steps. "Thank you for all of your trouble, Headmaster Dumbledore. This is very important to me: both the conversation and the visit to the castle."
Two hours later a very happy Ginevra walked side by side with the old Headmaster. They had just finished their visit to the school and their conversation.
Meeting all those places she had heard her brothers talking about had been so wonderful, so special… She would never forget the smell of the school's library, or the view of the Astronomy Tower. She had felt happiness about many things, but this… this was larger than life.
Her conversation with Headmaster Dumbledore had been well succeeded and soon, her plans would be set into action. Finally, her wishes and dreams would come true…
As they started descending the stairs that led back to the Great Hall, Prince Draco showed up at the base with a small grin on his lips, as he watched his obviously happy and beautiful wife.
Ginevra's chest felt like it would burst any moment now and throwing etiquette to the wind, she quickly descended the huge staircase, gathering her skirts in her hands to avoid tripping, and threw herself on her husband's arms.
"What is it? Why are you so happy?" he chuckled, holding her tightly as she kissed his cheek.
"I've just visited the most magical place I've ever been at and I'm a newly-wed. Why shouldn't I be happy?" she explained with a big smile. "Can we visit Hogwarts, sometime soon?"
"It would be an honour to have both of you visiting us. Perhaps for a few days or weeks? That way, you could show your wife all your favourite places in this school, as well as show her your flying techniques." Headmaster Dumbledore offered with a knowing smirk.
"We'll see… Now, let's go back to the Great Hall and say our goodbyes. It's getting late." Prince Draco replied, avoiding a definite answer.
After respectfully announcing their leaving, Prince Draco and his wife entered their carriage, and soon, they were crossing the country, on their way to Birmingham's Kingdom.
"How was Mr. Snape? I didn't see him at the ball." Ginevra enquired with curiosity.
"He hates these social events and never attends them. Professor Snape was feeling well, as he usually does when he's alone and reading a book." Prince Draco replied with a smirk and then became serious. "He wanted to talk with me about your Potions Lessons."
Ginevra went pale, her hands tightly gripping her dress and her mouth slightly open. Had her classes been cancelled?
"He told me you were a bright and talented student in Potions, although you needed to learn how to control your enthusiasm… I told him you should stop your classes." The Prince explained gently, taking one of her hands in his, and caressed it slowly. "You should, but you won't. I know how much this means for you… I saw the way you were smiling after your visit to Hogwarts, and I had never seen you so happy. Like you said, Potions can be a non-magical art, and there's no problem in learning how to brew a few simple potions…"
"Thank you, Draco. I lo… Thank you." Ginevra cried, placing her arms around her husband's neck to hug him and kissed him passionately. She had almost revealed the way she felt about him, but it was too soon. He needed to learn how to like her out of the bedroom, before she allowed herself to bare her feelings to him. He was slowly starting to understand her ideals and he was trying to accept them, although he was taught otherwise.
`Everything's working out wonderfully…' she thought as she laid her head against her husband's chest, listening to his heartbeat.
^^~~**~~^^
I apologise for not updating sooner, but:
1 - I have been catching up on the time I lost during exams, so I've been going out with my friends at night, during the day I've been going to the gym (exams made me very hungry which equals = fat), and I've been checking out the new collections at clothes stores.
2 - My muse is currently on vacations at the other end of the Galaxy, meaning: every sentence that comes out of my fingers is utter bullshit. This chapter is awful, but consider it a transition to what's happening next.
3 - Sunday was emergency election's day, and right now my country is in a tight hole, but everything will be better soon.
Good news: It's raining again, after almost 6 dry months. Still, it's very cold.
Well, prepare yourselves to the next chapters… I won't say anything else.
I'll try to update faster, now that I'm at home for a while, but first, I need my Muse to come back.
Love, Carina
(Thank you for your lovely reviews.)
-->