Chapter Seventeen - To be or not to be... happy
He had tried everything, from bribing the Guards, to trying to sneak in the catacombs. He had never succeeded.
Prince Draco was in a profound state of sadness, knowing that his wife must be suffering all alone in such a horrible place. Her confession after her sentence was given made his stomach knot with anxiety. She loved him… When had that happened? Was it for real?
He regretted not having replied to her announcement, but at the time he had been too shocked and emotionally drained to understand what she had said… Even now, one month later, he didn't know what he would have said to her, back then.
Love was a strange feeling, for him, and he had only felt it towards his mother… Sure, he held great respect for Ginevra, after getting to know her better in the last months, he missed their long conversations and cuddling in front of the fireplace… He missed her warm body close to his, in their bed. How could he sleep knowing she was somewhere dark and damp, lying in a small hard cot, eating poorly and having no one to talk to?
Prince Draco was very worried about his wife, and now that his marriage had to be dissolved, he didn't know how to proceed. How could he simply let her go, after spending all these months learning to enjoy their bond?
"Draco, she's out!" Mr. Zabini's voice yelled cheerily, as he entered Prince Draco's office. "She's out!"
Prince Draco snapped out of his thoughts and faced his friend with an incredulous look on his face.
"Are you sure? But, it's too soon; she was sentenced to remain in the catacombs for two months…" the Prince babbled, pacing the room nervously, running his trembling hands through his hair. "Is she alright?"
"I'm surprised, as well, Draco, I don't know why she was released before her time and I don't know how she is, but she's free…" Mr. Zabini replied excitedly, his face shining with happiness that his new friend was out of prison.
"I need to see her, right now!" Prince Draco replied, turning on his feet to leave the room, when a dark figure stepped in front of him.
"Your father has the Weasley's house surrounded by guards and special wards. You'll never be able to enter the area." Mr. Snape explained calmly, crossing his long arms in front of his black clad chest.
Prince Draco sighed tiredly, sitting in front of the fireplace and for the first time in many years he allowed tears to fill his eyes and spill down his cheeks. He made no sound, he did not sob, but the tears still fell.
"I love her, Professor… I need her back."
"Good, I'm glad you feel that way, Draco, because she needs you, as well. Now, more than ever…" the dark wizard replied, placing a comforting hand on his ex-student's shoulder.
"What do you mean with that, Professor?" Prince Draco asked curiously, standing up to face the man he respected so much.
"She has spent the last weeks in a terrible environment… Ginevra slept in a cold, damp cell with no hygiene, where not even the sunlight can reach, she was fed bread and water and she had no visits." Mr. Snape explained furiously, pacing the room. "Your wife, Draco, was treated like the a dangerous criminal!"
"I've tried everything to get her out of there, Professor! I've tried so many things, all of them failed…" Prince Draco whispered in despair. "I'm out of ideas and powers to go on. She's out of my reach…"
"Foolish boy! If you truly love her, you'll keep on fighting. Something happened and that something may help you get her back…" the Potions Master sneered and sat in an armchair, next to a very surprised Blaise Zabini. "She's pregnant."
"What?!" Prince Draco gasped in shock, holding on to a shelve to keep himself standing. "Ginevra's pregnant?"
"Three months pregnant, to be more precise. Breathe Draco..." Mr. Snape rose and led Draco to his seat. "She's in great risk of loosing the child if she doesn't regain her strength and health… I was very surprised to ear the news of her release, from the catacombs. Your father must have discovered, somehow…
"She'll remain confined to her parents' house, you won't be able to get close to her due to the wards and Royal Guards. Your child will only receive the Malfoy name if you fail to impregnate your future wife… Are you willing to live without ever meeting your child?"
"MERLIN, how I hate my father, right now!" the Prince yelled, furiously, throwing a vase against a wall.
"Still, you can change this situation, Draco…" Mr. Snape replied calmly, smirking mischievously.
"Tell me how."
And the three men started plotting a way to win Ginevra back, as a wife, a friend and a student.
The following day found Prince Draco entering a bar in town, with his head covered by a hood. This was Ginevra's twin brothers' bar and he needed their help.
"Good morning, mate, what can we do for you?" one of the red-haired twins offered, cleaning a table's surface with an old rag.
"Plenty…" the Prince replied, lowering his hood, revealing his identity to two surprised brothers. "I need to see Ginevra."
The twins just nodded and grinned, ushering the Prince to a room at the back of the pub.
"I know she's back at your house and that she's pregnant with our child… I've tried everything I could to free and visit her, but I was unable to. Ginevra told me about many of your pranks and talents in Charms, that's why I need your help." The Prince explained, facing the two equal faces of his brothers-in-law.
"I believe this situation needs the presence of another two people." One of the twins grinned and exited the room.
By lunchtime, a new plan was put into action. The Weasley twins approached their home in a leisure pace, passing by the Guards, one of them being Ronald Weasley himself. As the twins passed by their brother, he winked at them and nodded, letting them know everything was according to plan.
One of the twins seemed to hold his breath as they entered the house's courtyard, and then released it in relief, when nothing happened. Together, they entered the house and, as soon as the door was closed, they hooted with happiness.
"It worked wonderfully! Very well, mate, you only have to wait five minutes until the Polyjuice wears off…" Fred Weasley explained, leading the Prince, polyjuiced as George Weasley, to the kitchen, where Mrs. Weasley was quickly setting the table for lunch and keeping an eye on a caldron, where something was cooking and releasing a wonderful smell.
"Mum, Ronald won't be coming for lunch until much later… Mr. Jameson, the Royal Guard's chief, as taken ill and Ron's replacing him." Fred lied smoothly, kissing his mother's plump cheek and signalled his `twin' to do the same thing.
"Something smells wonderful… `Mum'." The Prince commented, awkwardly kissing the redheaded woman, as well.
"You never compliment my cooking… What's wrong with you, George Weasley? What have you done?" the elder witch reprimanded, pulling on the polyjuiced man's ear.
"Nothing, he hasn't done nothing, mum… Release him, he's not feeling well today. `George' why don't you go upstairs and lay down for a while?" Fred intervened, winking at his `brother', who immediately obeyed.
As soon as the Prince exited the kitchen, he felt his body change and his face going back to its normal complexion… Pale skin, silver grey eyes and silver blond hair.
He was in his wife's family home. When he had requested the Weasley twins help, he had never expected such a great plan. They had asked Ronald Weasley to replace one of the guards and remove the wards without their knowledge, then, they gave two vials with Polyjuice potion to the Prince, telling him to take one then, and save the other one for when they left the house.
Unbelievably, the plan had worked and now he could see his wife, without a care in the world. Quickly, he climbed the stairs to the first floor and opened the bedroom's doors as he went, until he entered a small white room, with a small bed covered in a pink duvet. Buried in its covers was a pale red haired Ginevra Weasley.
The Prince took careful steps to the bed and realising she was asleep, he sat by her side, caressing her thin face, running his fingers through her fiery tresses and allowing his hand to caress her thin waist, smiling at the thought of his child growing inside of her.
"Ginevra…" he whispered close to her ear, desperate to see her soft brown eyes staring at him with their usual glow.
"Draco? What are you doing here?" she gasped, sitting up in bed to face him better, her eyes wide with shock. "Are they taking me away again? I don't want to go back to that place…"
"You're safe now, my dear, don't you worry…" he whispered soothingly, reaching out a hand to caress her cheek. "Your brothers helped me pass through the wards, so that I could see you… I've missed you so much!"
With a sob, the Prince was holding his wife in his arms, wishing he could keep her next to him, forever more.
"I've missed you too… But, why are you here?" she asked shyly, looking into his sad eyes.
"You've manipulated your way into my life and now I ache without your presence… I've been doing everything I could to set you free, but my father is too strong as a King." The Prince explained, caressing her arms and shoulders. "I don't know if I should call you mad or brave. I admire your strength, your courage… Just like I've said earlier in our marriage, you'd make a fine Gryffindor."
"All my brothers were Gryffindor, so its only natural I would be one, as well." She chuckled and then turned serious, once again. "I have something to tell you, but I'm scared of your reaction…"
"I already know of our child and I'm feeling the happiest man alive… Don't worry, I won't take it away from you, because you'll stay close to me, forever more." He replied seriously, but with a smile gracing his lips. "We have a plan to make things go back to the way they were, but I can't tell you how… Soon, you'll be back to the Palace, to our bed, to our marriage."
Ginevra's face changed as she smiled widely, her eyes regaining their shine and her arms wrapped around her husbands neck, pulling him close for a soft kiss on the lips.
"Which do you prefer? Boy or girl?" she chuckled, nipping his lips.
"Girl… That way we would have to keep on trying until we had a boy. I want us to form a big family… the family I never had and I could only find by your side." The Prince replied, kissing his wife more passionately. "That day, at your trial, you said you loved me… Thank you for letting me know, thank you for being so generous. I love you, as well."
Ginevra let out a sob and allowed her tears to fall down her face, as she hugged him once again and kissed him with all the passion she felt for him.
"How much longer will you be able to stay here?" she whispered against the hollow of his neck.
"A few more hours… Fred said he would bring you your lunch, so that your mother doesn't find out about my presence."
"Good. I need to explain what happened, throughout these last months, so that you can understand what I did and how I did it." Ginevra sighed and allowed him to lye next her, under the covers, their bodies touching in all places giving them the comfort they had missed for the last month. "I was the one who convinced Professor Dumbledore to delay the beginning of the school year and with his help convinced Professor McGonagall to teach at Hogwarts. During that month of delay, I formed a class of women from high-class families, and a few teachers taught them. I won't reveal the names of those teachers, so please, don't ask. Those women excelled their magical subjects and they graduated after the month was over…
"I saw how worried you were about my safety, but my plans were already in action… I never expected to be caught this way. Someone must have betrayed the Confidentiality charm, but it doesn't matter anymore… They are not to blame for this situation." She concluded, placing her head on his chest, over his softly beating heart.
"I was furious that you had placed yourself in such a dangerous situation, Ginevra… I was furious with myself for not being able to help you, but when I heard you had been released and that you were pregnant I just couldn't wait any longer to see you and hold you, once again." The Prince explained passionately. "Soon, we'll be together once again, you'll see…"
"Just be careful, my love… By the way, who released me?" she mumbled, half-asleep.
"It could only have been my father, but why I do not know… Soon, I'll have the answers, my darling. Now, sleep and re-gain your strengths." He whispered, caressing her face until her breathing evened out.
"Is she alright?" a voice whispered, coming from the doorway. It was Fred Weasley, carrying two plates full of food, for both Ginevra and `George'.
"Yes, she's just sleeping a little…" the Prince replied with a small smile. "When she wakes up I'll make sure she eats, don't worry. Is Mrs. Weasley suspecting anything?"
"You can never tell with Mum… It almost as if she has a sixth sense." Fred replied with a chuckle. "We have to leave in one hour, so, make sure you make the best of the time you have left."
With a wink, the red-haired young man left the room, silently closing the door behind himself. Prince Draco grinned and placed a Stasis charm on the food, to keep it warm for later.
Ginevra slept for the next half-hour, while her husband kept on studying her, noticing the differences in his wife. The catacombs had changed her, profoundly, but he was certain that with some rich food and some sunlight she would return to normal… externally. Internally, she was still the same woman he had come to love and respect, and for that he was grateful.
As soon as she woke up, the Prince made sure she ate her lunch while he did the same, enjoying his mother-in-law's cooking talents.
"This is wonderful… Can you cook, as well?" he asked with a large grin, as he finished his plate.
"Yes, I can… One of these days I'll make you dinner, what do you think of that?" Ginevra grinned, putting away her empty plate.
"I hold you to that promise… And now, I must leave or the Guards will suspect something's wrong." The Prince replied, embracing his wife as he saw the sadness and fear creep back into her eyes and face. "Soon, we'll be together again, don't worry."
"I'll hold you to that promise, as well…" she mumbled and kissed him urgently, passionately, letting him know just how much she would miss him. "Be safe."
"I will…" he replied with one last kiss and drank the last vial of Polyjuice potion, preparing to leave the room.
"I love you." She whispered, watching him opening the door and he turned around, giving her a bright smile before his face turned into that of her brother George. There was no need to repeat the same words… He knew she was aware of his feelings, and that was all that mattered.
Downstairs, Fred was already waiting for `George' to leave and when the Prince joined his `twin', Mrs. Weasley came out of the kitchen to join them.
"We have to go, mum. We'll see you later…" Fred told her, giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Stay out of trouble, Fred." She warned him with a waving finger and a serious frown.
"He will, `mum'." `George' replied, hugging the small woman and kissing her cheek.
"Thank you for visiting, My Prince… She really needed to see you." The plump woman replied knowingly, with tears filling her eyes.
The Prince was surprised that the woman seemed to know what was going on, but he smiled and nodded his head before leaving the house, accompanied by Fred. As soon as they left the house's perimeter, Ronald replaced the wards, without anyone noticing and winked at them. Everything had worked out wonderfully; this time… The Prince could only hope everything would go this well with his next plan.
"Good morning, father." The Prince greeted as he entered the Dinning Room, where his parents were already having breakfast. "There's something I need to talk about, with you."
"What is it?" the King replied coldly, not even raising his eyes to look at his son.
"Why did you release Ginevra?" Prince Draco asked, curious to know his father's reasons.
"That's no business of yours. Forget about her, Draco, and focus on finding a new wife so that you can have an heir to the throne." The King replied angrily, his hands clenching into fists.
"Why should I have any other children, when I already have an heir, and a wife?" the younger man replied furiously.
"Ah, so you already know… That child won't be a Malfoy unless you marry another woman and produce another child." The King hissed in a low tone, his eyes looking as menacing as his voice.
"I won't be a Malfoy unless you allow my wife to return to the Palace with our child. Is that what you want, father? To lose your only heir?" he knew he was playing dirty, but, as Mr. Snape had said, the King's weak spot was his family's name. It would be the end of the Malfoy line if Prince Draco died or gave up on his title.
"What do you think you're doing, boy? You are my heir, and you will be king of this Kingdom… Don't you dare blackmail me." The King yelled angrily, throwing the table's contents to the floor with one hard pull on the white table towel.
"But I am blackmailing you, father. I give you two days to make your decision…" Draco yelled, standing up from his seat. "If you deny my request, I'll deny my name and title… If you allow Ginevra back where she belongs, by my side, I'll continue to be your son, your heir and the future king of this Kingdom. Decide well, father, for you have much to lose."
With that said Draco walked around the table to kiss his, shocked into silence, mother and then, left the room with a huge grin on his lips. He had the winning hand.
"Damn!" the King yelled, slamming his fists on the table, scaring his wife who immediately rose from her seat.
"Lucius, calm down, please." She whispered calmly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, feeling the soft strands of his long hair caress her skin. She had missed the feel of his hair…
"I don't want that girl to be this kingdom's Queen! She's a bloody traitor." he groaned, leaning into his wife's touch. "What can I do?"
"Accept her as the woman your son loves, as the mother of your grandchildren, as the future Queen of this Kingdom." Queen Narcissa replied in a gentle tone, bringing her body closer to his back, until she was able to place both arms around him in a comforting hug. "I've missed this…"
He knew what she was referring to… There had been a time when they had been almost happy, enjoying each other.
When he had found out that his parents had chosen a bride for him to marry, Lucius Malfoy had been furious. He was then introduced to a young blond girl; with bright blue eyes and angelic face… her name was Narcissa.
For the next weeks, they were required to getting to know each other, but Lucius had been so dismayed, so furious that he kept on ignoring her and treating her coldly. Narcissa had always accepted his insults and his actions, never arguing with him, never scolding him…
When they got married, they spent their wedding night together, but from that moment on, they only had sex when he felt like it and called her to his bedchambers. Usually the bedmaids provided better company and demanded fewer feelings from him.
It took them several years to finally conceive a child… When he found out he would be a father, Prince Lucius was so excited that he started spending more time with his wife. They started spending their days together, reading in the Sitting room, taking long walks in the garden, playing chess games… Prince Lucius learned to enjoy Narcissa's presence, personality and beauty, until she gave birth. When he saw his small baby boy, the Prince wept with happiness and promised to himself that he would cherish his family and protect them from all hurt.
However, things changed when he became King, six months later, and the couple grew apart, once again. Since then, the King had not called his wife to his bedchambers, he had not spent any time talking or doing anything with her… and she accepted his decision, like a proper high-class woman would.
For many years he wondered that if Narcissa had argued with him, showed a little more feeling for him, maybe he would have remained with her, trying to improve their relationship. But he knew she wasn't the only one to fault. He had been too emotionally unstable to remain loyal to one woman, no matter if she was the mother of his child.
"Are you calmer, now?" Queen Narcissa asked gently, rubbing his chest with her hands, enjoying the feeling of having her husband back in her arms, after so many years apart.
"Yes, I am…" he replied, releasing his body from her hold and turned around to face her. "I have a meeting to attend."
"Lucius… can you postpone that meeting and spend some time with me?" the Queen asked, shyly, certain that he would refuse.
The King stared at his wife for a few moments, studying the red spots on her cheeks and he down turned eyes. It had been a long time since they had had an honest conversation… Maybe it was time to change a few things about his life.
"Of course."
Together they walked to the Sitting room and sat, side by side, on a sofa. At first, neither knew what to say and a heavy silence settled in the room. Sighing, the Queen sat, sideways on the sofa to face her husband.
"What has happened to us, Lucius? Why couldn't we be happy?" she whispered, sadly, holding his hand in hers.
"We were too young to understand the meaning of a marriage and I was too scared to become emotionally attached." The King replied truthfully, caressing her hand with his thumb. "There was a period of time when we managed to be happy, but then, everything went back to the way it was initially."
"I blame myself for our unhappy marriage… I never had Ginevra's backbone or her temper. If I had been that fiery, I would have made you swallow your childish temper, your sarcastic insults, your bad treatment of my person…" the Queen replied, lowering her gaze to their hands. "I believe that's one of the reasons why I chose Ginevra to be Draco's bride."
"What are you trying to do, Narcissa? Are you trying to make sure our son has everything we failed to obtain?" the King asked with confusion. "Are you trying to live a dream through him?"
"Not only, but yes. Ginevra fell in love with our son, she kept him away from the bedmaids, and she embarrassed Pansy Parkinson, our son's known mistress… She made our son fall in love, for the first time. Haven't you noticed his distress throughout this last month he spent apart from her?" the Queen insisted, trying to make her husband see the truth before his eyes. "And now, they are having a child, yet you are denying him the chance to see his child grow up, to educate his child with the best teachers… to spend his days and nights with his wife. Please, don't deny him the chance to have everything we could not achieve."
"What about the things she has done to our Kingdom? The treason? You know I could have sentenced her to spend the rest of her life in jail! Still, I gave her a light sentence…" the King replied angrily, standing up to pace the room. "I heard Severus telling you about her pregnancy, that's why I sent her to her family's home. Not even I am that black hearted."
"She was fighting for something she believed in. And she succeeded… Young girls are now attending Hogwarts, preparing themselves to a new life full of magic." The Queen replied seriously. "I believe that's something we should admire, not something we should condone."
"Are you sure the right path is to allow her back?" he asked with his back facing his wife.
"Are you asking my opinion?" she gasped in surprise. He had never asked her opinion on anything…
"Yes, I believe I am."
"Then, yes, she must come back to the Palace and be happy with our son and grandchild." Queen Narcissa replied gently, feeling a prickling sensation in her eyes, as the tears gathered. "Draco is the only thing linking us and I don't want to lose him."
The King turned around to face his now crying wife and nodded his agreement. He had loved his son from the moment he had found out his wife was pregnant… He didn't want to lose him, either.
"Very well, I'll remove my sentence and she'll come back home." King Lucius sighed, removing his long hair from his face.
"Thank you!" the Queen gasped, throwing her arms around her husband's neck and pecked his lips, her eyes dancing with happiness.
King Lucius just smiled and kissed her back, with more passion, surrounding her waist with his long arms. Maybe it wasn't too late to start a new life with his wife.
"Daddy, I'm tired…" a small girl with long, curly blond hair complained, climbing her father's legs to sit on his lap. "Where's mommy?"
"Mommy's getting dressed for the party, darling." Prince Draco explained, caressing his daughter's angelic face, smiling as the five-year-old girl rested her body against his chest, ready to fall asleep.
"I want mommy to read a story…" she mumbled, her warm brown eyes already closing, heavy with sleep.
The Prince just chuckled and kissed his daughter's forehead. This girl held the key to his heart, just like her mother and brother.
"Draco, do you want me to take Victoria to her bedroom?" Queen Narcissa whispered, approaching her son, who was sitting on a sofa, in the sitting room.
"Thank you, mother, but I want to have her close to me, right now… It brings memories of when she was born." He replied with a smile. "Do you remember how small she was, waving her arms in search of Ginevra's heat?"
"Of course I remember, Draco… She was a gorgeous baby. Ginevra was so upset that you had won the bet about the baby's gender…" the Queen chuckled, sitting on a sofa, in front of her son and granddaughter and next to her husband.
"Will Victoria attend the party?" the King asked with a small smile, looking at his granddaughter.
"We were planning to have her there, but she's very tired… I think she'll stay in her bed." The Prince replied caressing his daughter's long hair.
"No, Daddy, I want to go to the Party…" she complained, trying hard to keep her eyes open, but loosing that fight.
"You'll be going straight to bed, Victoria. You'll go to the next party…" Ginevra replied, entering the Sitting Room with her 6 months-old baby boy in her arms.
The girl fell asleep, once again and, surprisingly; the King took the girl from his son's arms and took her upstairs, to her bedroom.
Five years ago, King Lucius had allowed Ginevra to return to the Palace and had begun a new relationship with his wife. The changes in him were small, but important.
When Victoria was born the King surprised everyone by actually visiting Ginevra and asking to hold his granddaughter. Since then, Victoria had become the King's weak spot… Whenever he had a free time, he would pick up the blond girl and take her for a horseback ride, or a walk in the garden. It was almost as if he was making up for the time he had lost with his son.
While the King was absent, Prince Draco studied his wife. She was astounding, tonight. After two pregnancies her body was fuller and curvier; her breasts were swollen from breast-feeding Edward, their baby boy, and her face glowed with happiness. Tonight was a very important occasion and she wore a white gown, the corset was embodied with small diamonds and on her neck she wore an emeralds' necklace… She was breathtaking, especially with their child sleeping in her arms, his small chubby hands gripping his mother's necklace and his curly strawberry blond hair mussed up from sleep.
"You look wonderful, my love." He whispered, approaching his wife and kissing her lightly. Seeing her smile so brightly always left him breathless. Looking down, he saw his son's full lips open and close in a sucking motion, although he was not being fed. Chuckling, Prince Draco leaned down to kiss his son's forehead. "Is he staying behind, as well?"
"I would prefer to have our children with us, but there will be too much noise and confusion… It's best if they stay in bed with Parvati watching over them." Ginevra replied sadly, passing her son to the maid's arms. "If they wake up, please let me know…"
Parvati, who had married Ginevra's brother a few years ago, nodded and took baby Edward upstairs.
"Are you ready for the new weight that we're going to place on your shoulders, tonight?" Queen Narcissa asked in a teasing tone of voice.
"With Draco by my side I will succeed, Mother." Ginevra replied with a smile, as she embraced her husband around his waist and softly kissed his jaw.
"It is time." The King said, standing in the doorway.
Together, the four of them entered the Ballroom full of guests and waited until all of them were curtseying. King Lucius surrounded his wife's waist with one arm and led her to the front of the room and Prince Draco did the same to his wife.
"Are you nervous?" Ginevra whispered in her husband's ear.
"Yes."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attending such an important occasion. As you all must know, by now, my son and his wife gave life to a baby boy, Edward Lucius Malfoy. For the last six months we waited to see how the child would progress and today, Prince Draco will become a King and his wife will become a Queen." King Lucius explained to the crowd. "Step forward, Prince Draco."
The Prince joined his father and kneeled on one knee, waiting for the Oath Ceremony to begin.
"Prince Draco, do you promise to be a good King, to respect your people, fight for your people, protect it from
harm and keep it strong?" the King asked the ceremonial questions.
"I promise." The Prince answered and then felt a heavy weight being placed on his head.
"Raise your wand."
As the Prince's wand touched his father's, a bright light filled the room and everyone gasped in surprise.
"I give you my title, my trust and my love. Use them well." King Lucius told his son with a smile on his lips, looking him in the eye.
"I will."
Prince Draco rose to his feet and, surprising everyone, he hugged his father, while the crowd applauded. The Queen joined them, at the front of the room and called Ginevra to her side. Ginevra kneeled in front of Queen Narcissa and took a deep breath.
"Princess Ginevra, do you promise to be a good Queen, to respect your people, fight for your people, help your King rule so that peace can be maintained?" the Queen asked with a smile.
"I promise."
A small crown was placed on top of Ginevra's red hair and she rose to her feet, to face her mother-in-law.
"I give you my title, my trust, my respect, my love, my dreams… May you use them well." Queen Narcissa told the younger girl, the tears falling down her face.
Ginevra hugged her mother-in-law and then her father-in-law, who seemed to be surprised with her gesture.
"I respect you, sir, although I betrayed you… I'm sorry for that and I hope one day you'll come to forgive me. Thank you for being a wonderful grandfather to my children and for giving a second chance on your marriage." She whispered in his ear and stepped back.
King Draco placed his wife's hand on his bent arm and they faced the crowd, which immediately bowed before their new King and Queen.
"My first orders as a King will be the following:
- Apprenticeships will be created in the fields of Healing, Defence, Potions and Charms;
- We will create a Health House where people can find several Healers, willing to help them, no matter the person's social standing. No money will be required for those services;
- The wizards and witches who graduate in Charms will be asked to develop good security wards and apply them to the Kingdom's houses;
- The ones who graduated in Potions will manufacture potions for the Health House and research new potions for different purposes;
- Those who graduate in Defence will join the Royal Guard and train them for serious situations, as well as, increase security in the whole Kingdom;
- Young girls will keep on attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and small classes will be formed throughout the Kingdom to teach grown up women on how to use their magical powers.
It is time to change our Kingdom, we must form the basis for a grand future and together, I'm sure we'll succeed." King Draco said in a proud tone of voice, seeing the pleased smile on his wife's face.
She had never expected for things to work this well, five years ago. The month she had spent in the catacombs had been very traumatic for her, and five years later, she still had nightmares, every now and then.
Her pregnancy had been like a ray of light in the dark, damp cell, giving her the will to keep on living in those conditions, until she could be released. When she had been released one month before the sentenced date, Ginevra had been satisfied to be going back home, to her warm family… But her family's house was no longer her home. Her home was wherever her husband was… the Palace.
Her husband's visit had been everything she needed at the time and as soon as King Lucius allowed her to return to the Palace, Ginevra had promised to never do illegal gatherings, again… For the last five years she had maintained her promise and there was no reason to keep on fighting. Her husband had heard her side, he had talked with his people and made an important decision… the Kingdom would suffer a great change, for the better. Much better.
The night when Victoria was born, Ginevra had been at the Potter's, visiting Mrs. Potter and her new baby boy, James. When the first pain seared through her body she had wanted to go back to the Palace, to have Prince Draco by her side, supporting her, but it was too dangerous… She ended up giving birth to her baby girl in a guest room, being helped by Mrs. Potter and a maid, while her husband continued his daily routine, knowing nothing of what was going on.
However, as soon as Mr. Potter arrived at his Manor he realised what was going on and went in search of Prince Draco. Both arrived immediately after and the Prince remained by his wife's side as she went through the last stages of giving birth. Usually men weren't allowed to witness such moment, but he had insisted to remain… and she was thankful for it.
Her husband had been the first person to hold Victoria and, crying, he passed her to a very tired Ginevra.
"She's beautiful, Ginevra… I love you both."
For the next years, Ginevra and her husband found how wonderful it was to have a piece of yourself running around, laughing, screaming, crying, babbling… It was such a miracle to give life to another.
Almost four years later, Edward was born and welcomed with wide-open arms by the whole family, ensuring that Prince Draco won the right to become King. And here they were now, together, happy, forming a family and giving a chance to the entire Kingdom of being as happy as they were.
Couple by couple approached the new King and Queen, congratulating them on their new titles. Every time an ex-alumni of the clandestine class approached the couple, Ginevra winked and smiled, making small enquires about their magic, making sure no one heard. She was happy to realise every woman had kept on performing magic, keeping their knowledge fresh in their minds.
Much later, Ginevra felt a prickling sensation in her breasts… It was feeding time.
She and her husband retired for the night and as they slowly walked through the deserted hallways of the Palace, hand in hand, the new King sighed happily.
"What are you so happy about?" Ginevra whispered, stopping in front of him to study his smiling face.
"I have everything, right now. A woman I love, two beautiful children, even though one of them is red-haired, I'm leading my Kingdom into a much better situation, my parents are finally starting to enjoy each other… Why shouldn't I be happy?" he replied, gathering his wife in his arms and buried his hands in her hair, removing the hairpins holding it up. "Well, there's still one thing missing..."
"And what is that? A brain in that beautiful blond head of yours?" she teased, kissing the tip of his nose.
"Ah ah, very funny. No, I meant another child…" he replied, running his fingers through her long tresses.
"Yeah right… Consider yourself satisfied with the ones you've got." Ginevra replied, turning her back on him and started walking down the corridor.
"That's what you said after we had Victoria and now we have Edward… I'm sure I can convince you to try one more baby." He said with a mischievous smirk, surrounding her waist with his arms and kissing her passionately, grinding his body against hers in a rhythmic movement.
"You are a spoiled brat, you know that? Fine, now let me feed my child before I stain the dress with my milk…" she chuckled, entering Edward's nursery, smiling sweetly as she saw her baby boy starting to wake up. "Hello darling, Mommy, the milk carrier has arrived."
Behind her she heard her husband chuckle and sat on an armchair, with Edward in her arms. With a wave of his wand King Draco removed her corset and dress, leaving her wearing only an under dress, her breast bared as she began to feed the baby.
For the new King this had become a ritual. He would always be present to witness his children feeding on their mother's breast… It made them feel closer, still.
Yes, there had been a time when they had almost lost it all, but now, they were the luckiest couple on earth and nothing could change that, anymore.
And They Lived Happily Ever After
****///***///
Very well, this is it.
This last chapter was a way of letting you know of the changes that occurred.
Ginevra was released, Lucius and Narcissa are starting a new relationship, Draco and Ginevra love each other and are forming a new family.
I know this is a typical ending, but remember, this was a happily ever after kind of story, so it is only natural that they ended up this way.
Thank you to all of you who kept on coming back to read this story, thank you for the wonderful reviews that kept me going, even when I felt completely tired of this fic.
Like I always said, I've never abandoned a fic, and I wouldn't do that now.
I won't be coming back to the fic world for a few months, probably years, who knows… Right now, I'll focus on my Psychology College, make sure I achieve all of my aims and I'll start writing a long HG/SS story.
I'll still be around to read Fanfiction, so, maybe I'll still read one of yours and leave a review… Who knows?
Once again, Thank you for all of your support.
The greatest of loves,
Carina (aka Silverbutterfly)
You shall be missed
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