Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story line...sadly. JKR owns everything - including the characters, spells, and the entire world of Harry Potter. I wonder if I could buy it from her for a dollar?
Thanks to my wonderful, wonderful beta - dragonsangel68.
P.S. The rating is for later chapters.
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Chapter 3
"Dad, what did you do?" Ginny screeched as she knelt beside Draco. "Draco…baby…are you ok? What did he do? What did you say? What on earth happened?"
Draco's head spun as Ginny's questions came out of her mouth in a rapid-fire fashion. "Gin, love-" He fought the urge to heave again. "Love, your Dad didn't do anything -I just got sick."
The pose she found her father and boyfriend in could have been easily misconstrued by anyone. Mr. Weasley's hand had fallen from Draco's shoulder and was resting at his side while Draco was doubled over above Mr. Weasley's vomit covered shoes.
"Quite right, Ginny. The cigar must have made him a bit ill- all the excitement of the day, probably, already had him on edge." Mr. Weasley covered for Draco, not wanting his new secret to come out prematurely.
Ginny looked suspiciously from her father to her boyfriend as she rose to her full height, her hands molded to her hips. "Well, alright- if you're sure."
She removed her wand from her pocket and both men became wide-eyed, staring warily at Ginny. Draco shut his eyes tightly in anticipation of the hex or charm Ginny might perform on him.
She muttered, "Scourgify." and bent down to help Draco up. "Come on, love, we'll get you inside and put a cool cloth on your forehead. I'm sure that will help you feel, at least, a bit better. Please, for the love of Merlin, just don't breathe on me until you wash out your mouth."
Ginny glared at her father suspiciously when she noticed he had an alarmingly large smile plastered on his face. She took Draco inside, sat him down at a table close the door and asked the barkeep for a clean cloth.
Returning from the loo with a newly moistened cloth, she placed it on Draco's forehead. "So, are you going to tell me what that was about now or later?"
"Later, love. Now is not the time or the place." Draco muttered.
Ginny blanched. "Draco, not to add insult to injury, but I do recall asking you to avoid breathing on me directly."
Draco lifted the cloth from his reclined head and glared at her through his single exposed eye. "Ginny, I wasn't intentionally attempting to give you reason to join me in the hall of fame, dedicated to those without control of their digestive faculties, but as you can see, I am without a toothbrush, mints, or mouth rinse. Why don't you go get that enormously large bag that you insist I hold whenever you are browsing some shop? Could there, possibly, be some sort of remedy within its cavernous pockets to the sour taste in my mouth that has become so offensive to you?"
Ginny couldn't help but laugh. He was such a baby when he was sick, in any way. "I'll be right back. If I don't have something, I'm sure Mum does - she hates Dad's breath after he smokes cigars so she's gotten into the habit of carrying some sort of breath cleansing agent in her bag, since you and Dad have become such good mates."
"Thank you." he managed to strangle out.
Moments later, Ginny returned with something she deemed as a `curiously strong mint.' Draco almost threw up again with the strength of this foul Muggle invention.
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Draco refused to keep the mint in any longer than needed. The thing was awful! Muggles! When Ginny was finally convinced he was well enough to stand, he went back to socializing with the rest of the guests at the party. They parted as Ginny headed to the women and Draco made his way over to the men."Ginny, what happened? I don't think I've ever seen Draco turn that shade of green before." Hermione asked.
"I don't know, `Mione. They were out there, smoking those foul cigars and apparently, Draco got sick on my Father's shoes." She stifled the urge to giggle.
"Was it is the cigar that made him sick? Mind you, I'm glad he didn't smoke it in here, the smell would have made me sick - in fact, there is some smell in here that is making my stomach turn at this very moment."
"'Mione, why don't you go home? I'm sure Harry would be happy to take you. Don't stay on my account. We can get together tomorrow- for lunch maybe?"
"Maybe you're right. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"No, it's fine! My niece and nephew need their rest, and they aren't going to get it while their mother has her knees on the floor of the loo puking in the toilet. Look, there's Harry now." Ginny gave Hermione a reassuring smile and patted her hand.
"What's all this talk of me? `Mione, love, are you feeling alright? You look a little peaked - you are almost the same color as Draco." Harry teased gently.
"I'm feeling a little queasy. I think I'd like to go home as soon as I finish my drink."
Harry sat down next to Hermione, resting his hand on her knee. "Ginny, what exactly happened with Draco? I don't think I've ever seen him that shade of green."
"That's exactly what Hermione said. I don't know what's going on, but, when I went outside, it looked as if though Dad had punched him in the stomach. They both said nothing happened. Draco is supposed to let me in on the `secret' later." Ginny replied with a slight edge in her voice.
"If I'm not mistaken, he's just nervous. It's a big day for you, Gin. He's very wrapped up in you- so- maybe, he's just nervous on your behalf."
"Maybe-" Ginny muttered pensively. Her intuitive mind was already working in overdrive. It wasn't like Draco to be nervous about his own life, let alone hers. "Intriguing," she thought to herself.
"I wasn't even that nervous when I was facing Voldemort. Actually, the only time I was that nervous was when I went to talk to Hermione's- OH!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione and Ginny's head both snapped towards Harry. "When you went to talk to Hermione's what?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, Harry, finish your thought. We're all interested to know how the always composed, Draco Malfoy, managed to lose his lunch."
Harry gave Hermione a poignant look and begged her to drop it with his gaze. He pinched her side for emphasis. "Ouch, Harry that hurt! Why did you pinch me? I was just asking- oh." She stopped, mid-sentence, as the `light bulb' above her head illuminated.
"What?" Ginny exclaimed.
"Nothing." Harry and Hermione said in unison, a little too quickly for Ginny's tastes.
"Fine." Ginny said. "Hermione will tell me tomorrow at lunch anyway."
Harry looked at Hermione. "Come on, love, let's get you home into a warm bed. How does hot cocoa and a foot massage sound?" Harry said soothingly as he gently rubbed his wife's stomach.
"Heavenly. Is there any way I can manage to get a warm bath before bed?" Hermione asked giving Harry her best puppy dog eyes.
"Sure, love, anything you want."
"Well, in that case- I'd like three chocolate croissants, a helping of black pudding, and two blueberry scones- and I'd also like some biscuits and tea. You know, the biscuits you brought me home yesterday?" Hermione was licking her lips in anticipation.
"Love, you made me toss those biscuits in the bin right after I opened them. You said the smell made you nauseous."
"I know, but now I want some." Hermione pleaded.
"Alright, love. I'll get you in the bath at home then I'll go out and get you take away. I'll also go to the grocer and get you anything else you want."
"Yay. That makes me happy. Love you." Hermione said in a sickeningly sweet way.
The exchange made Ginny felt the need to grimace, but it also made her heart warm. It wasn't that she wished Draco would dote on her, because he already did - Ginny just looked forward to the point in her life when she was pregnant, married, and had a disgustingly handsome, doting husband. It would be wonderful.
"Alright, 'Mione, I'll owl you tomorrow morning and see if you're up to lunch and light spot of shopping. If not, we'll plan something else. There are tons of things we can do at the house if you aren't feeling up to it." Ginny told her friend.
Hermione was bouncing internally. Draco was going to propose! She couldn't wait. "Ok, we'll talk tomorrow. Ready, Harry?"
"Yes, love. Let's say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley then we'll head home."
Both said their goodbyes to Ginny and the rest of the room beforemaking their leave.
Soon after, many of the people in the room began making their excuses and leaving. Ginny had a wonderful day filled with family, friends, and laughter, but she was glad it was coming to an end.
Draco found her side and wrapped his arm comfortably around her shoulders. She leaned into his side and he gave her a kiss on top of her head.
"Love you." Ginny said as she engulfed him in a hug.
"Love you more, Gin-Gin." She smiled at the name he had for her, but rarely used. "Fancy a walk in the park after everyone leaves?"
"Sure. I've hardly had time to talk to you all day. You'll hold my hand and give me some sugar, right?" she said with a smirk. She loved American slang. He loved American slang when she said it, but he'd never admit it.
"Whatever you want."
"Mmm…whatever I want?" Ginny said mischievously.
"Sure." Draco said into her hair dryly.
"Alright, let's go chase the rest of these people out of here." Ginny began tugging his hand towards the group of people still remaining from the group.
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