Draco had fallen asleep with Ginny and his new daughter Sabrina. He awoke to find Mr. and Mrs. Weasley waiting for him in the kitchen. It was half past noon and the smell of coffee permeated the air. Mrs. Weasley wasn't entirely sure what to say, but as usual started in anyway. "Mr. Malfoy, what have you done to my precious little daughter! You come from a long line of evil and I want to know what hex you have over Ginny!"
She had seemed so nice earlier Draco was instantly taken aback. "I won't be accused of casting any schoolgirl hexes. What Ginny and I have found in each other is real."
Ginny came slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen. "I just got the baby back to sleep and I can't rest because of all the yelling."
Mrs. Weasley smiled at her, "My baby is a mother now and I'm a grandmother. I can't help being upset, the Malfoy's have been hateful and arrogant to the Weasley's
for several decades. What am I supposed to say?" and she burst into tears. Mr. Weasley put his arm around her. He shook his head at the couple standing before him, and said with a half smile. "I never thought I'd ever see a Malfoy here, but if you intend on being with my daughter I say bless you. It takes an uncommon man to put up with a woman like her mother." Mrs. Weasley slapped him playfully and laughed, "Well, I don't suppose I have any choice. Mr. Malfoy, you may stay here if you wish."
Draco said, "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley, but before I can pledge myself to Ginny there are some things I must do. Don't worry, Ginny, I'll return tonight to see how you and Sabrina are doing, but I'll be staying in my quarters at Hogwart's until we are properly married."
Ginny was so stunned that she couldn't even reply. He was really going to marry her. All she could do was wave as he left the kitchen and disappeared into the fireplace.
He returned to his family home and birthplace to find his mother holding a letter. She looked quite surprise to see him. "Draco, what do you think you are doing? I just came home to find this letter from Hogwart's saying you haven't been to work in days and Snape has just fallen ill again."
Draco took the letter and said quickly, "Sorry, Mum, I'll have to explain later. I must get to Hogwart's at once" He grabbed his robe and ran back into the fireplace threw in a small hadful of floo powder and was once again gone.
Draco dashed into a classroom filled with first year Gryffindors and Slytherins. He adjusted his robes and took on a cold expression not unlike Snape's. "Class, you will be making up for my delay by writing a four page essay on the topic of infusions with wormwood."
The class soon ended and as it was the last class of the day he decided he'd better visit Dumbledore. He had a feeling he would have very little explaining to do.
He came up to the headmaster's gargoyle and muttered "Hot fudge sundae". As the gargole slid aside revealing the familiar stone stairway, he thought Dumbledore had the stupidest passwords. Must not be too worried about someone breaking into his office. The stairs took him up and he stood before the headmaster for what must have been the millionth time.
Albus Dumbledore smiled his noble, but warm smile and said with twinkling eyes. "So I hear congratulations are an order."
Draco wasn't expecting anyone to congratulate him for becoming a father, "Um, well, Ginny did all the work."
Dumbledore's smile grew larger. "Ah, then you will understand if I don't send you a box of chocolates as well. "
Draco's face hinted at a smile.
"Is Professor Snape alright?" Draco asked.
Dumbledore lost his smile, "I'm afraid it is worse than before."
Draco sighed, "May I use your fire to go to St. Mungo's"
Dumbledore spoke in his usual unwavering tone, "Yes, but you will not find Snape there. He is in his quarters. He is somewhat sedated, but he can speak briefly."
Draco bowed lightly as a sign of his new found respect in the man and said, "Thank you, Sir, if you'll excuse me."
Dumbldore nodded and Draco moved quickly down the stairs.
Snape's quarters were down several flights of stairs, but it took only a few seconds for Draco to be standing at his door. He murmured the password and traced his finger down the center of the door, which recognized him as Slytherin and allowed him to enter. The room was very dark. It was usually not well lit, but with the flickering of only one candle for three rooms it had an eerie glow that would make even a Gryffindor nervous. An angry voice called from the back room, "I am in need of nothing and I wish no company so you blasted house elves may leave at once!"
Draco coughed, it was strange of Snape to forget anything, "The spell you recently put on your door will let none but Slytherins enter, Sir."
"Yes, Malfoy. I trust you have a reason for disturbing me."
"Ginny Weasley just had her baby." Draco spoke softly.
"Well, I daresay if you intend on announcing the births of all Weasley children you will be very busy indeed." Snape snickered.
"It's my baby." Draco confessed.
"Boy, are you mad? You couldn't have! With a Weasley?" He sneered at the thought of a Weasley with one of his Slytherins, especially Malfoy.
Draco finally looked him in the eyes and said, "This is as true as anything ever has been, and I am going to marry Ginny Weasley."
With that announcement Snape passed out in his bed. Draco sat with him for a few moments. Snape was a ghostly shade of white. He had once again transformed into a white lion. The irony had not been lost, but Snape's temperment would not allow him to laugh at his predicament. It was definitely worse than last time. Snape not only had a long tail swishing out from the edge of his cover, but he had a full mane encircling his face and a flat pink nose rather than his long, crooked one. Only he, Dumbledore, and Madame Pomfrey knew what Snape's "illness" was. Snape had begrudgingly recanted his tale to Draco one night. Snape was working in his laboratory and he was certain he had stumbled on the cure for werewolves. The galleons would be rolling his way if it were true. Remus Lupin refused to test it, but agreed to bite Snape so he could test it on himself. Snape never became a werewolf so his potion was a success, but it was slowly coming to the point where he would become a full fledged white lion during every full moon. Losing his body was terrible, but losing his mind was by far worse.