Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters you may recognize from the wonderful world of Harry Potter, they all belong to the revered JK Rowling; I just like to play with them a little.
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
The Weasley clan began arriving at the Burrow well before 2:00 PM for the twins' birthday celebration; all had been warned that the Malfoys would be attending and any poor behavior would be frowned upon heavily. Draco had arrived before breakfast and had been watching Ginny closely ever since; she had been unable to sit still for more than a few seconds all day and as the time grew closer to his parents expected arrival, her agitation reached a whole new level.
"Gin, calm down," Draco whispered into her ear.
"Oh gods-I can't I just want everything to go well and…"
"Shhh… everything will be fine. Mother and Father are coming to spend the afternoon with the kids for their birthday, not to judge anyone or cause trouble."
"It's not them I'm worried about," she replied as she glanced around at her many brothers.
"Well your mum has warned them-I heard her as each of them walked in; they wouldn't dare put a toe out of line."
Shaking her head, "Oh, Draco, you don't know them like I do."
"Everything is going to be perfect and if it's not, well it doesn't matter-all that matters is that Drake and Angel have fun, it's their day, remember?" Draco said as he looked into her eyes.
Ginny sighed into his chest, "Yes I remember."
"Good girl, now smile."
Looking up into his face, Ginny managed a small smile just before he leant in and kissed her softly.
"Oi, that's enough of that Malfoy-I'll remind you that is my baby sister," Charlie interrupted in good humor.
"If I had a Galleon for every time I've heard that today," Draco muttered into her hair, making her laugh.
"Grandfather-Grandmother," Angel squealed as she ran toward the gate.
The Weasley family in its entirety watched as the little strawberry blonde witch hurtled down the driveway and into the arms of an ex-Death Eater. Many held their breath as he spun her around before holding her close and continuing to the house-others clenched their fists or flexed their wand hands.
"Let's go meet them," Draco said quietly, grabbing hold of Ginny's hand and leading her toward his parents.
Draco and Ginny could hear their daughter talking animatedly to her Grandparent's, as they got closer.
"We're allowed to have our presents today, did you know?" Angel told Lucius and Narcissa excitedly.
"I seem to remember your father mentioning something about gifts-now what was it?" Lucius teased.
Angel's shocked expression was comical. "Grandfather, you did bring our presents?"
"Mmm… Narcissa, do you recall picking up that parcel?" Lucius continued his farce.
"Oh, Lucius, how can you be so cruel?" Narcissa scolded. "Darling, of course we brought your gifts with us."
"Well almost all of your gifts, we have a special one for you at the manor," Lucius added tapping her on the nose with his gloved finger.
"Mother, Father." Draco placed a kiss on his mother's cheek. "Are you right with Angel, Father?"
"I am perfectly capable of carrying my granddaughter," Lucius replied haughtily.
"Narcissa, how are you?" Ginny jumped in before Draco could open his mouth again.
"Ginevra, lovely to see you again dear-you look a little tired, are you feeling well?" Narcissa probed.
"Oh I've just been busy with the preparations for the party," Ginny replied.
"Ginevra," Lucius inclined his head slightly.
"Lucius, I so glad you could come-both of you," Ginny responded, smiling warmly.
"Oh, we wouldn't think of missing the twins' birthday party," Narcissa answered sincerely.
"Well, I guess we should introduce you to everyone," Ginny said somewhat nervously.
Narcissa smiled warmly, "That would be lovely."
Ginny and Draco walked them into the yard where Molly and Arthur were waiting to greet them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, so wonderful of you to come," Molly said cheerfully.
"Mrs. Weasley, it is our pleasure," Narcissa responded in her formally warm voice, honed over years of practice at dinner parties, garden teas and the like.
"Mrs. Weasley," Lucius inclined his head politely.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Arthur intoned evenly with a forced smile. "Mr. Malfoy… we certainly have been lucky with the weather today."
"Quite," Lucius answered, as he glanced around he became aware of the number of eyes that were focused on him.
"Yes, we'd have had a job fitting everyone in the house if the weather had turned on us," Arthur babbled on.
Glancing toward the building that qualified as the house on this property Lucius had to will his features to remain impassive as his trademark smirk threatened to creep across his face. "I should imagine it would have been quite a… challenge."
"Ah… nothing we haven't had to do before, amazing how many we can fit into the kitchen," Arthur continued.
"I'm sure," Lucius answered purely out of politeness.
"Where is Drake? We've not seen him yet," Narcissa asked.
"Oh dear, I think he's still in the field. You know boys always running around," Molly explained to her before turning to the rest of the family. "Ron, would you mind giving Drake a call?"
"On my way, Mum," Ron replied as he took off in the direction of the neighboring field.
"Well, I'd better run through everyone's names for you." Ginny smiled as she spoke knowing full well that they wouldn't remember anyone's name.
"That would be helpful dear," Narcissa said encouragingly.
"This is my oldest brother Bill and his wife Fleur; Charlie and Anya; Percy and Penelope; Fred and Angelina; George and Katie; Ron's gone to fetch Drake and you know Pansy; Harry, of course you know, and his wife Hermione-apart from the kids, that's everyone."
"Please, come and sit down. Would you something to drink-there's tea, Butterbeer, Elderflower wine, pumpkin juice and I think one of the boys has Firewhiskey if that's more to your liking," Molly offered, leading the Malfoy's over to the long garden table.
At that moment, Drake came running into the yard looking very much worse for wear after rough-housing with his cousins.
"Grandfather… Grandmother," Drake exclaimed as he ran up to greet them.
"Drake darling, have you been playing?" Narcissa hugged him quickly.
"Yep, we've been playing Aurors."
"How intriguing," Lucius drawled.
"It's really fun, Grandfather, didn't you ever play Aurors when you were little?"
There were many stifled sniggers, throats that suddenly required clearing and an insurmountable amount of coughing fits going on around the table as everyone desperately tried not to laugh at Drake's innocent question.
Ron, who had wandered back to stand a short distance behind Lucius, mumbled to Harry, "Probably played Death Eaters."
"No, I can honestly say I never did play Aurors," Lucius responded evenly without looking at the other occupants of the table.
"Oh… it's really fun-Grandfather is Uncle Sev coming?"
"No, not today Drake-I believe he is at Hogwarts."
"Uncle Sev-Uncle Sev… What the bloody hell is going on with this family?" Ron muttered in abject horror (albeit a little too loudly considering his proximity to Lucius) before he wandered away shaking his head and throwing his arms in the air. "Why don't we just invite all the bloody Death Eaters that are still walking free?"
Drake looked at his Uncle Ron's departing back, "What's a…"
Charlie walked over and scooped Drake up, effectively silencing him. "Uncle Sev is really busy today, mate, and couldn't make it but he did tell me to say happy birthday to you."
"Oh… okay Uncle Charlie," Drake responded wriggling to get down; he was a big boy now and did not need to be picked up.
As Charlie placed him on the ground again, Drake turned his attention back to Lucius, "Grandfather, what's a Death Eater?"
Lucius' features hardened immediately and he turned his icy gaze toward the retreating redheaded Auror.
"Drake, I think we can save that type of talk for another day-you don't want to take a history lesson at your birthday party, do you?" Harry interjected quickly hoping to diffuse the situation.
"History?"
"Yeah it's a subject you have to take at Hogwarts, dead boring-all about things that happened ages ago."
"Oh… no I don't want a dead boring lesson today," Drake responded seriously. shaking his head to affirm the point.
"Good lad," Harry mussed his godson's hair as he sighed in relief.
Lucius looked at Harry Potter quizzically. The Auror had just given up a prime opportunity to discredit him in front of grandson, but instead, he averted the conversation. He was unsure of what to make of the situation-surely Potter would love to have seen him, in particular, thrown into Azkaban despite the assistance he had finally rendered to the Order of the Phoenix and, thus, being instrumental in bringing down the Dark Lord. Lucius was off-balance-he rather preferred knowing where he stood with others, and Potter's actions had caused him to call into question his opinion of the man.
Holding out a chair for his wife, Lucius muttered, "Dearest."
"Thank you darling," Narcissa responded stiffly.
Narcissa was aware that the details of Lucius' past alliances would come out at sometime, but she was not yet prepared to deal with the possible loss of her only recently found grandchildren. She could only hope to put the ordeal off-for she was positive that it would be an ordeal-until the children were much older and then perhaps they may understand that sometimes people are trapped by the choices they make in their youth.
"Mummy, can we open our presents now?" Angel asked excitedly.
"I think we'll do the cake first, then we can get on with the presents as soon as everyone has finished eating," Ginny responded.
Draco came up behind her and slid his arms around her middle before pleading into her ear, "Aww… come on, Gin, can't we do the presents first?"
Slapping at his hands playfully she responded, "Draco Malfoy, I swear you are more excitable than the children when it comes to presents."
"You should see him on Christmas morning," Narcissa smiled at Ginny knowingly.
"Oh really," Ginny arched an eyebrow at him.
"Mother… please," Draco moaned.
"So, Malfoy, do you run down the stairs in your jammies to see if Santa has left you any pressies?" Harry teased good-naturedly.
"Potter, I'll have you know…"
Hermione slapped Harry's arm as she interrupted the banter, "Really, Harry, you can't talk-you do remember what you knocked back last Christmas morning so you could run downstairs and open your `pressies' in your jammies?"
Draco burst out laughing; the expression on Harry's face was caught between embarrassment and horror. "You do know what they say, Potter?"
"What's that Malfoy?"
"Every shag you give up is one you've lost forever," Draco spluttered
between his laughter, the innuendo Hermione had implied was certainly
not lost on him.
Molly loudly clapped her hands together once. "Well why don't we get everyone to the table so the twins can blow their candles out and open their presents? Bill, call all the children up from the field, Charlie-Percy, see to everyone's drinks. No, Ginny, you sit down dear, Anya and Penelope will help me in the kitchen."
The Malfoy's watched with barely concealed amazement as those with orders from the Weasley matriarch immediately went off to fulfill her wishes.
Soon enough the rest of the Weasley children were running into the yard and taking up positions around the long table in excited anticipation of the promised birthday cake.
Fred and George approached the Malfoy elders with twin expressions of what looked to be sociable.
"Can we get you a drink?" Fred asked lightly.
"Anything at all?" George added.
"We've got loads…" Fred started.
"Of different types," George finished.
Narcissa smiled charmingly, "How kind of you, thank you. I'll have…"
"Charlie is meant to be getting drinks," Ginny cut in quickly; the look in her brothers' eyes could only be described as mischievous and she could envision them turning Lucius into a big white canary or something as equally horrifying.
"Oh we don't mind…" George began.
"Helping out," Fred added.
"Oh, and I'm sure that helping out is your only objective. What are you wanting to test on unsuspecting subjects this time?" Ginny responded acerbically.
"Gin, you're our sister-where has the trust gone?" Fred stared at her with wide eyes, his face showing an expression of innocence-or as close as he could get to it.
"Mortally wounded is what we are-our own sister actually thinks that we would test our products on family." George held his hand over his heart in mock hurt.
"The two of you go now, get down to the other end of the table where you can't do any harm, and if I find that anything has slipped into anyone's food or drink today, you will meet with the pointy end of my wand, I promise," Ginny warned them sternly.
Shaking their heads, the twins wandered away as she had demanded talking loudly to each other in their usual fashion as they went.
"She's getting more…"
"Like mum…"
"Every day…"
"Scary really…"
"Terrifying…"
"Got to feel…"
"Sorry for Malfoy…"
"Poor bugger."
Ginny turned her attention back to Draco's parents. "Sorry about that."
"You've nothing to be sorry dear, they were only trying to be helpful," Narcissa assured her, although she was a little confused.
"Umm… I forgot to warn you not to accept anything in the way of food or drink from those two, they have a really bad habit of testing their latest products on the family before putting them on the shelf," Ginny explained.
"Oh, I see-well at least you caught them before any harm could be done," Narcissa responded looking a trifle worried.
"Their pranks are usually harmless enough, but can be embarrassing for the victim, and I just didn't want any of that today," Ginny explained further, feeling as though she should assure them that the twins' practical jokes weren't dangerous.
"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, can I get you something to drink?" Charlie enquired pleasantly.
Narcissa looked at the Hogwarts Professor suspiciously, not entirely sure whether she should trust him after what Ginevra had just told her about her twin brothers.
"I'm quite safe, unless I offer to show you a magical creature," Charlie winked at Narcissa with a big grin.
"Charlie, stop teasing," Ginny chided lightly.
"Sorry sis, couldn't help myself, by the way, the twins' are mortified that you don't trust them," Charlie laughed.
"And when have they ever given me a reason to trust them?" Ginny retorted sharply.
"Hey settle girl-don't hex the messenger," Charlie backed up holding his hands in front of him.
Ginny sighed heavily; she was aware that she was snapping at her brother unnecessarily but she was wound so tightly that she felt unable to control it. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Narcissa, Lucius what would you like to drink? I assure you that Charlie is perfectly trustworthy."
"Well in that case I believe your mother mentioned something of a bottle of Firewhiskey-I trust it is Odgen's?"
"Of course-there is no other," Charlie grinned at the older wizard.
"In that case, I'll take the Firewhiskey," Lucius smirked.
"Lucius," Narcissa warned.
"Now dear, one drink is not going to hurt," Lucius responded.
"It is your grandchildren's birthday party," Narcissa informed him.
"I am well aware of why we are… here," Lucius rejoined.
Charlie cleared his throat, "So Mrs. Malfoy, what can I get you?"
"A cup of tea would be lovely, thank you," Narcissa responded affectedly.
Charlie smiled broadly at her even though he felt perhaps she was not all that happy with him for mentioning the alcohol. "I'll be right back."
Bill had started helping with the drinks as soon as he returned from calling the children. "What are the Malfoy's having then?"
"A cup of tea and a Firewhiskey," Charlie responded looking down the table at the affluent couple.
"What's wrong mate?" Bill whispered.
"You know, they're just like Mum and Dad," Charlie said softly, nodding his head toward Lucius and Narcissa.
"What do you mean?"
"When old Lucius asked for the Firewhiskey, Narcissa reacted exactly like Mum would, then he said to her, `Now dear, one drink is not going to hurt.' That's just what Dad would say."
Bill chuckled, "Now that's scary-just think they're like normal people."
"You know what I mean, the similarities are scary."
"Here, take their drinks and watch that cup of tea-it's Mum's best china."
Charlie slowly made his way back to the end of the table to deliver the drinks.
"Here we go… one tea and one Firewhiskey," he announced grinning broadly at Lucius. If Narcissa followed Molly's pattern, he thought that old Lucius was in for an even bigger telling off when he got home.
"Thank you," Narcissa said softly.
Lucius inclined his head in Charlie's direction.
Molly, Anya and Penelope had brought plates, cake forks and two large knives out to the table along with two large birthday cakes-one with purple frosting and the other one with blue. Angel's cake had small white candy rose's spelling out her name and Drake's had miniature chocolate snitches spelling out his; both, of course, had five candles that had yet to be lit.
"All right, everyone sit down. Drake, Angel, come over to the middle of the table-that's it, right in front of your cakes," Molly instructed. "Ginny, Draco, are you going to come up here?"
"We're coming, Mum," Ginny replied as she stood up.
Suddenly, Angel appeared at the end of the table, "Grandfather, you come too; if you sit all the way down here, you won't be able to see us blow out the candles."
"Well, we can not have that, can we?" Lucius responded warmly to the little girl. "Narcissa, shall we?"
Lucius rose; offering his hand to Narcissa, he assisted her to standing position and placed her hand on his arm. They made their way to stand closer to the center of the table and the children.
"Are we all ready now?" Molly asked looking around at everyone. "Good, Harry would you light the candles?"
"Umm… I think it's Draco's job now," Harry responded, looking directly at the blonde wizard.
"Oh yes, of course, sorry Draco dear-it is your job," Molly flushed red.
Draco frowned lightly, "My job?"
"Yes dear… to light the candles on your children's birthday cakes, a family tradition," Molly explained.
"Of course," Draco smiled as he withdrew his wand and expertly lit the ten candles.
"Remember to make your wish before you blow the candles out," Ginny reminded them.
A loud off-key chorus of `Happy Birthday' was struck up somewhere within the family and the rest followed suit. As the song came to the end, Drake and Angel both leaned forward and blew out the candles on their cakes. Ginny stepped forward and handed each of them a large knife.
"Now remember, carefully cut the cake but don't touch the bottom or your wish won't come true," Ginny said to them softly.
The twins looked at each other and grinned before slowly plunging their knives into the cakes, holding them in place they beamed broadly at the family surrounding the table. Everyone applauded loudly and their aunts moved in to start cutting the cakes for one and all to enjoy.
"Come on you two, lets go sit you down," Ginny said to them as she moved them out of her sister-in-laws' way.
"Mummy, we get the first pieces, right?" Drake asked urgently.
"Yes, darling, you get the first pieces," Ginny confirmed. "Now where do you want to sit?"
"With you," Drake answered.
"With Grandfather," Angel replied.
Ginny smiled down at them, "Right then lets go down to the end of the table."
Sitting the twins down with their grandparents, she turned to return to the cakes when Fleur walked up with two special pieces of cake for the twins.
"I had to bring them now before Fred and George made off with them," Fleur said with a light giggle.
"Fleur, you should be resting not running around after everyone," Ginny admonished.
"Oh nonsense, I get much too uncomfortable if I sit for too long; it does me good to walk around occasionally," Fleur brushed off the scolding from her younger sister-in-law.
"When are you due dear?" Narcissa enquired politely.
"Any day now," Fleur responded happily.
Narcissa smiled warmly, "Is this your first baby?"
Fleur laughed, "Oh no this is our fourth; we have a boy and two girls already."
Narcissa looked slightly shocked, "My goodness, that is a lot to handle."
"Bill helps a lot when he gets home from work each evening and his family is wonderful-we all help each other," Fleur explained graciously.
"That is lovely dear."
"If you will excuse me, I need to check on Eloise-she is only 2 years old and is still not quite adept at feeding herself without getting it everywhere," Fleur excused herself.
"My goodness, you have a lot of nieces and nephews, Ginevra," Narcissa stated as she looked up the table.
"Yes, and they're still arriving. Mum and dad have sixteen grandchildren; Fleur is due any day and Angelina is pregnant as well," Ginny told her.
"Drake mentioned that he had some new cousins earlier in the week," Narcissa stated lightly.
"Yes, George and Katie had twin girls… and if you'll excuse me a moment, Katie's helping with the cake when she should be sitting down," Ginny replied as she rose and moved to where Katie was cutting the cakes.
A few minutes later, Katie wandered down and sat herself in Ginny's abandoned chair, looking decidedly guilty.
"She tell you off?" Draco asked, tossing his head toward Ginny.
Sighing, Katie looked at him with exasperation clearly flashing in her eyes. "Yeah, I swear if one more person tells me to take it easy, I'll hex them seven ways to next Sunday."
Draco quirked an eyebrow and did not quite smothered the chuckle which escaped him. "Pushy lot, aren't they?"
"Oh, you'd better believe it, but… you won't find a more loving family anywhere," Katie said affectionately.
"Yeah, I noticed that," Draco muttered as he watched the Weasley siblings interact with each other.
Molly walked toward them with a small bundle of blankets in her arms, "Katie, Pippa has woken up; I think she may be hungry."
"I swear this one is my little piggy, all she does is feed," Katie exclaimed good naturedly as Molly handed her the baby.
Catching just a glimpse of the baby, Narcissa smiled dreamily, "She's very beautiful; you're very lucky."
"Thank you," Katie smiled at the older witch in return.
Lucius watched in astonishment as Katie commenced breastfeeding her small baby right where she was sitting, still talking animatedly to Draco about the Weasley family as she saw them. Trying to avert his gaze to anywhere but the young mother across the table was proving more difficult than it ought to have.
Ginny brought down four pieces of birthday cake for them, and Arthur wandered down to check that their drinks were all right, bringing with him a large glass of water for Katie.
Placing it in front of her, Arthur said, "Molly told me that you have to drink all of it, something about the milk supply."
"Thanks, Arthur, tell her I will," Katie responded.
"Good. Now is everyone right for a drink?" Arthur looked around the end of the table.
Lucius looked sideways at Narcissa before quietly making his request, "Another Firewhiskey perhaps."
Narcissa spun in her chair to face her husband, "Lucius!"
"Now dearest, you do not want to cause a scene," he responded calmly. "Would you like another cup of tea?"
Narcissa turned to Arthur, "Thank you, Mr. Weasley, another cup of tea would be splendid."
"Lovely… Draco?" Arthur intoned.
"I'll give you a hand and grab a Butterbeer while I'm at it," Draco stated as he rose from the chair.
"All right. Katie-cup of tea love?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, please," she responded absently while fussing with the baby at her breast.
Draco and Arthur made their way to where the drinks were stored.
Arthur looked at the young blonde man intently before commenting. "I've a feeling your dad is going to be in some bother when he gets home."
"Yeah, Mother isn't very happy with him at the moment," Draco replied grinning.
"Should I give him the Firewhiskey?" Arthur enquired hesitantly.
"It's his problem to sort out-he knows she's not happy with him drinking today, but he asked for it anyway," Draco assured him.
"Okay, I just didn't want to make it worse," Arthur informed him.
"Don't worry, he's going to cop it for the first one he had anyway so he may as well have another and make the scolding worthwhile," Draco laughed.
Just as they returned with the drinks, Molly walked out of the house with another little bundle of blankets for Katie.
"Scarlett has just woken up dear, she's not fussing yet, but I thought it might be nice to show her off," Molly informed her.
"Thanks, Molly, by the time she starts, Pippa should be finished," Katie said.
"Draco, could you take Scarlett for me, I'm not quite finished in the kitchen," Molly asked as she held the baby toward him.
Draco looked at the innocent bundle as if it were a Acromantula, "Umm… I don't really think… I…"
"I would love to hold her until Katie is ready for her," Narcissa cut in to save her son.
Molly walked around to the other woman, "Lovely, here you go, she's such a quite one, hardly ever cries."
"She's so beautiful," Narcissa exclaimed, clearly delighted with the little girl.
"Well I must get back to the kitchen," Molly announced.
Draco watched his mother fussing over the little baby closely; she was mesmerized with the tiny girl.
"You know I'd like to hold my own grandchildren like this one day," Narcissa said quietly.
"Is that a hint, Mother," Draco asked cheekily.
"Think of it as an order, Draco," Narcissa responded in a serious tone that belied her warm smile.
"An order-and how many would you like to order?" Draco continued cockily.
"At least another two, and then we shall see after that," Narcissa answered pensively.
Katie brought Pippa on her knee to burp her just as the twins finished their cake.
"Daddy, can we open our presents now?" Drake asked impatiently.
Draco wasn't about to mess with Ginny's plans for the day, "You'll have to ask your mother."
Drake got down from his chair and ran up to Ginny. "Mummy, can we open our presents now-please?"
Looking around, Ginny saw that most had finished their cake. "Yes all right, go and get Angel."
"Angel… Angel, we can open our presents," Drake yelled as he ran back to his sister.
"Can we really, did Mummy say yes?" Angel squealed excitedly.
"Yep-come on," Drake said as he grabbed his sister's hand and started to drag her toward the mountain of presents awaiting their attention.
Ginny walked over to Draco, "Well are you ready for this?"
"Do I need to do something?"
"They will need some help and I was thinking that it would be nice if you and I…" Ginny's voice drifted off.
"Let's go help them, love." Draco grabbed Ginny's hand and they walked over to the children who had already begun to divest some of their gifts of the colorful wrapping paper.
Slowly, much of the family drifted over to watch the expressions of delight light up the children's faces as they discovered what was hidden under the wrapping.
Draco picked up a long package and held it out. "Here, Drake, this one's for you."
"Who's it from, Daddy?"
"Me."
Drake quickly tore into the paper to reveal a full size `Lightning Bolt 5000'.
"Oh… wow… thanks, Daddy, this is the best birthday present ever."
"You're welcome, mate-but you do know that you can't ride it for another two and a half weeks-until you've finished your grounding," Draco explained carefully.
"Yeah I know… but I got my birthday wish."
"Draco?" Ginny had been watching the interaction between father and son carefully.
"Yes, Gin."
"That's not what you said you were getting Drake."
"I changed my mind," Draco responded with a sheepish shrug.
"Why do I think that you had planned to give him a broom all along?"
"Umm… well I…"
"Draco?"
"Yes, love?"
"We will discuss this later," Ginny told him, her voice dripping with poison honey.
"Yes, dear."
"Mummy… look at what Uncle Harry got me," Angel tugged urgently at Ginny's robes.
"Oh how wonderful-a dragon and it's your favorite color."
"And it blows real fire… look," Angel squeezed the purple dragon and it flew around the yard breathing fire every few feet then returned to her hands.
"That's wonderful darling, what else have you got there?"
"Umm… I think I'll open the big one next. Who's it from, Mummy?"
Ginny walked over to a large box beside the table and read the tag, "It's from Daddy."
"Really?"
"Really, are you going to open it?"
"Yes right now," Angel exclaimed as she approached the box; it was as tall as she and quite long. Carefully peeling the expensive wrapping off, she revealed a large white box with a lid. "Mummy, look…"
"Do you need some help?"
"Yes, please."
"Draco, can you help Angel with your present?" Ginny asked quietly.
Draco moved over to where Angel was struggling with the lid of the box, "Here Princess, let me help you."
Lifting the lid off with ease, Draco stood back as Angel stood on her tiptoes and tried to peer into the box.
"Would you like me to get it out?"
"Yes please, Daddy."
Leaning in, Draco lifted the gift out of the confines of the box and placed it on the ground in front of his excited daughter.
"Oh, Daddy, a unicorn."
"Stroke its nose and see what it can do, Angel."
She leant forward and gently ran her hand down the giant toy's nose, giggling as the charmed unicorn tossed its head and trotted around in a circle.
"Do you like it?" Draco asked softly.
Angel threw her arms around his neck, "Oh thank you, Daddy! I love my unicorn and I love you too."
"I love you, Angel," Draco told her as he held her tightly.
"Hey, are we opening presents here or what?" Charlie asked as he wandered up.
"I am," Drake announced pulling a face at his sister.
"Great, who's that one from?" Charlie enquired enthusiastically.
Drake shrugged, "Don't know."
"Well let's read the card shall we?" Charlie suggested gently.
Drake ripped the card from the box and passed it to his uncle, "Okay, what does it say?"
"It says, `To Drake Love from Grandfather'."
"Can I open it now?" Drake asked impatiently.
"Go ahead, mate."
Drake attacked the box, ripping it open with no decorum; inside he found a cauldron, potion utensils and potion ingredients.
"Wow… I've got my own cauldron; Daddy, look at all these ingredients," Drake said excitedly as he sifted through the contents.
"Yeah, that's really great we'll be able to brew something."
Ginny looked over Drake's shoulder with concern, "Umm… Draco those ingredients, none of those are…"
"I assure you, Ginevra, there is nothing dangerous in Drake's supplies-merely a few basic ingredients," Lucius interjected calmly.
"All right," Ginny responded hesitantly, making a mental note to have Hermione check the ingredients later.
Drake looked to the other unopened parcels, "Can I open another one?"
"Sure-how about this one?" Draco asked. "It's from Uncle Harry."
Drake tore into the parcel quickly and pulled out a full Chudley Cannons uniform in his size complete with Quidditich pads.
"Wow! Thanks Uncle Harry. Mummy, can I put them on now?"
"Why don't you finish opening your other gifts first and then you can put it on," Ginny suggested lightly.
Draco looked at the Quidditch uniform with disgust then to Harry, "Chudley Cannons? You got him a Cannons uniform?"
"Yeah, you said you'd take care of the broom and I can get the uniform-you didn't say what uniform to buy him," Harry defended his purchase.
"What's wrong with the Cannons?" Ron demanded.
Draco sneered at the pair, "Where do you want me to start?"
"Go on, Draco…" George started.
"Tell us all about…" Fred continued.
"What's wrong with…" George took a step closer.
"The Cannons," Fred followed his twin brother.
Draco looked around cautiously, "You obviously follow the Cannons?"
"Whatever gave you that idea-mate?" Bill made his presence known.
Ginny walked over to stand between her brothers and Draco, "All right you lot, back off-now."
"Aww-Gin, we were just having some fun," Bill complained.
"Yes, well you're meant to be watching your niece and nephew open their presents," Ginny reminded them. "Not talking about Quidditch."
"But…"
"No `buts' Ron."
"Mummy, look at what Grandfather gave me," Angel called.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"It's horse riding clothes."
"Really, aren't they beautiful? What's that picture?"
"It's a horse and it's got some writing on it; can you read it, Mummy?"
Angel handed the wizarding photograph to her mother and waited patiently as Ginny examined the picture. It was of a small white horse prancing around in a paddock that looked vaguely familiar.
Ginny read the note on the photograph aloud, "Dearest Angelique, Happy birthday. Love Grandfather."
Lucius cleared his throat lightly before addressing Ginny and Angel. "I could hardly bring the horse with me-it awaits you at the Manor stables."
Angel looked a trifle confused, "Mummy?"
"Umm… I think your grandfather bought you the horse in the photograph darling," Ginny responded hesitantly, looking to Lucius for confirmation and receiving an almost unperceivable nod.
"You bought me my own horse?" Angel shrieked as she got to her feet.
"Yes-it's at the manor for you to ride whenever you want."
"Oh… Grandfather, thank you," Angel exclaimed as she threw herself at Lucius making every effort to pull him down into an embrace.
"It is quite all right, Angelique-my only wish is that you enjoy her."
"Oh I will, Grandfather. When can we go riding?"
"Perhaps you can come to the manor one afternoon, and I will take you out."
"Oh can I please, Mummy, can I go riding this week?"
"Yes we'll arrange it later."
The twins finished opening all of their presents and soon had a large pile each of new toys, robes and other more extraordinary gifts. All the children wandered off to play away from the table where the adults had once again made themselves comfortable.
"I think it's time we started to clear away these dishes," Molly announced as she stood up bringing with her several of her daughter-in-laws to their feet as well.
"Molly, leave them a while, sit and enjoy the afternoon," Arthur told her. "Girls, sit back down; the plates will still be there in an hour."
The women all sat back in their seats and resumed their conversations.
Harry cleared his throat as he stood up, "Before everyone does wander off, can I have your attention for just a moment?"
The table fell silent once more and all eyes fell upon Harry.
"I… that is Mione and I have some news," Harry started.
A loud excited gasp from Molly made Harry chuckle nervously as he looked toward the woman he considered to be the best surrogate mother a man could have.
"Umm…"
"Harry, it's not that hard just spit it out," Bill cut in humorously.
"Hermione is pregnant-I'm going to be a dad!" His smile could not possibly have been broader as the family descended on him and Hermione, hugging and kissing them.
Soon enough, Molly and the rest of the Weasley women were bombarding Hermione with advice on one side of the table as the men dragged Harry to the other and were clapping him on the back, expressing their congratulations.
The one person who neither had seen yet was their best friend, Ron. Harry looked over the heads of the other men just in time to watch Pansy run into the house with Ron in pursuit-neither looked happy. Not wanting to interfere in their private affairs and knowing full well that Ron would inform him in graphic detail of the drama later, Harry turned his attention back to the other men.
"Potter," Draco stood in front of Harry with his hand extended, "Congratulations."
Taking his old adversary's hand Harry smiled, "Thanks, Malfoy."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sometime later, quite obviously in a hurry, Drake ran toward the back door of the house, stopping short when Ginny called to him.
"Drake, you can't go inside; Aunt Katie is trying to get the twins to sleep," Ginny reminded him gently.
A pained expression passed across his little face, "But, Mummy, I need to go."
"All right, but be very quiet."
"Yes, Mummy."
Drake walked into the house and made his way to the upstairs bathroom. As he reached for the door handle, he heard some muffled noises coming from inside the small room. Sighing in resignation he leant against the wall to wait his turn.
The noises from the bathroom were getting louder, and he realized that there were two people in there. Curiosity getting the better of the little boy, he pressed his ear up against the door to hear more. Screwing his face up in disgust, he recognized the voices that were coming from behind the door and quickly realized just what it was they were doing to create such sounds.
Sighing and shaking his head in disgust, Drake made his way back outside. Sneaking around the side of the house, he decided to relieve himself in the garden bed, knowing full well that the bathroom was going to be occupied for quite some time.
"Drake-what are you doing?"
The little boy turned to see his Grandma standing at the corner of the house, hands on hips and very obviously not happy.
Wandering towards her, he started to explain, "I had to go."
"Drake, you are supposed to use the bathroom inside," Molly admonished as she walked him around to the party.
"But it was full," Drake protested.
"Well, I'm sure you could have held on until whomever was in there had finished."
"No, I couldn't-Uncle Ron and Aunt Pansy sounded like they were going to be a long time."
"Ron and Pansy were in the bathroom together?"
"Uh huh, they're shagging," Drake announced nonchalantly.
"They're what?" Molly shrieked. "Just wait till I get my hands on him-he's going to regret the day he was born."
Molly stormed off toward the house with everyone in attendance watching her.
"Drake, come over here mate," Draco called to his son.
"Yes, Daddy."
"What's going on?"
Drake rolled his eyes. "Uncle Ron and Aunt Pansy are shagging in the bathroom."
A gasp from Narcissa silenced any further questions Draco had of his son.
George leaned over the table with a large grin plastered on his face, "Shhh… listen, I love it when Mum's yelling at someone else."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley," Molly's voice drifted down from the upper levels of the house. "You get yourself out here this instant."
"Haha… got to love this," Fred spluttered through his laughter.
"You had better have a good explanation for doing… doing that in my bathroom," Molly's voice floated into the yard again.
Everyone in the yard waited with baited breath, trying in vain to hear Ron's reply.
"Are you telling me Drake's lying?" Molly yelled again. "Ronald… Ronald come back here I am not finished with you yet."
Within seconds the back door of the house flew open and an infuriated Ron Weasley stood looking around. Detecting his target, he immediately stalked over to Drake.
"What in the bloody hell is wrong with you? Why on earth would you tell mum that we were shagging?" Ron yelled at the little boy.
Draco stood up and moved himself between his son and the angry redhead. "Rather than yell at my son, perhaps you should learn to control those urges, Weasley," he growled between his teeth.
"We weren't doing anything," Ron screamed in retaliation.
Draco smirked and willed himself to remain calm, "Not what Drake heard."
"What Drake heard was Pansy crying," Ron stated impatiently.
"Sure, Weasley, and why would Pansy be crying-she break a nail?" Draco goaded.
"She's upset, that's all," Ron muttered as the anger in his voice suddenly dissipating.
Draco was curious; Pansy was one of his oldest friends and if she was upset about anything, he wanted to know. "Why is she upset?" he demanded.
"She just is, that's all," Ron replied dejectedly running a hand through his hair.
"Weasley, spill it now-why is Pansy crying?" Draco's voice was very low and serious.
"She… oh, fuck. She's pregnant all right. Are you happy now? Everyone may as well know," Ron spat the words at him.
Apart from a few gasps by the others present, not another sound could be heard-the statement hung in the air like a dark storm cloud.
"Does she need any…" Draco started.
"No-nothing from you." Ron snarled before he turned and stalked back into the house.
Slowly the conversations started up again between the family members; of course, there was only one topic-Ron and Pansy.
Harry wandered over and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Let him sort it out."
"If she needs anything, I just want…"
"Yeah, I know but Ron needs to deal with this himself."
"I appreciate that, but if he does anything…"
"He's not going to do anything to Pansy-he loves her and he'll do the right thing eventually. He's in shock at the moment; a baby right now wasn't in the plan. You of all people should understand that."
Draco ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah, that I understand. I'm just worried about Pansy."
"Ron will look after her and Molly is in there at the moment-she won't let anything happen to her."
"Yeah, I suppose."
"No supposing about it; Molly loves Pansy and the fact that she's pregnant with another grandchild for her is just going to endear her even more-you've seen the way this family reacts to news of a new baby. There's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah… yeah, you're right."
Harry grinned broadly at him, "I know. Come on lets just sit back and let it all unfold before us."
Taking their seats at the end of the table, Draco looked curiously at Harry. "Do you think there might be some more… drama this afternoon."
"There will be something more today, I just don't know what."
"Draco, is there anything I can do? Perhaps I could talk to Pansy," Narcissa suggested, light concern tainting her tone.
"No, Mother, I think it would be better if you just stayed out of it, and for Merlin's sake, don't mention any of this to the Parkinson's-let Pansy tell them herself," Draco responded strongly. He was only too aware of his mother's penchant for gossip, and now, of course, she had come into the knowledge of some rather important news about one of her closest friends daughter.
Narcissa looked affronted, "I would never."
"Mother I would not have mentioned it if I thought that," Draco replied arrogantly.
As Lucius sat forward in his chair, his eyes darkened to slate gray, "Draco."
Sighing heavily, Draco looked at Lucius. "Father, you know as well as I that if given half a chance, mother would be on the floo network right now sharing that little piece of news with her friends."
Smirking at his son's brazen honesty, Lucius could only incline his head in consensus.
Draco took a long swig of his Butterbeer and was contemplating Harry's last comment when the back door swung open. Ron took two steps out of the house, stopped, looked around at all the eyes fixed on him, walked calmly to the table with the drinks, grabbed a couple of bottles, and promptly stalked across the yard into the field.
Just as Ron's form disappeared into the field, Ginny slipped into the house briefly before returning to yard and making her way directly to Draco's side.
Draco smiled up at her from his chair and curled an arm around her waist.
"Hey, love."
Ginny gave him a small smile in return, "I just went in to see Pansy."
"And?"
"She wants Ron."
"Oh?"
"I was wondering if maybe you'd go and talk to him; maybe convince him to come back to the house."
"Me?" Draco wondered briefly if perhaps she had taken leave of her senses; in his opinion, he was possibly be the worst person to go after her brother and talk to him.
"Yes."
"Wouldn't it be better if Potter or one of your other brothers went?"
"I think that maybe you would be more successful in convincing him to come back."
Frowning comically, he asked, "You mind explaining how you came to that conclusion?"
"You and Ron don't like each other."
"No arguments there."
"Well, he wouldn't expect you to respect his need to be alone right now."
"I don't understand." She has lost her mind, he added mentally.
"Notice how no-one has gone after him?"
"Yeah."
"That's because Ron always needs time to calm down a bit, get his temper under control before continuing," Ginny explained slowly.
"Well, wouldn't it be better to leave him be until he has himself under control?"
"Pansy needs him now. Please, love, go and see if he will come up to the house," Ginny beseeched.
"I don't believe this-all right, I'm going, but I swear if he so much as looks like he's reaching for his wand…"
"Thank you, I'll make it up to you later-I promise."
"Yeah, you better believe you will, witch."
Striding over to the drinks table, Draco grabbed a couple of Butterbeers and walked off in the same direction they had watched Ron go only ten or so minutes before.
It wasn't long before Draco spotted the redheaded wizard sitting by a stream and wandered over to him quietly.
Raising an eyebrow at the despondent man, Draco noticed that he appeared to be trying to drown his sorrows in pumpkin juice, "Mind if I sit?"
"Whatever," Ron growled without looking at him.
"So I don't get it," Draco started lightly.
"Don't get what, Malfoy?"
"Why would Pansy be upset if she's pregnant?"
Ron turned to face Draco, confusion clear on his face, "What?"
"Well, your family love babies, so why the upset?"
"We're not married, everyone else is," Ron replied wryly.
"Gin and I aren't."
"Yeah, but that's different; you weren't around."
"Well, if anything that's worse."
"Maybe… I don't know-all I know is that Pansy is upset. She doesn't feel she can celebrate like Hermione."
"Why not? She's having a baby, your baby; she deserves to celebrate-it's a big deal."
"Yeah, I know, but it's not how she feels."
"Well, marry the woman," Draco suggested.
"I want to, but it's not that easy."
"Why the bloody hell not?"
"Mr. Parkinson," Ron muttered.
"Doesn't he like you?" Draco tried hard to suppress the smirk threatening to creep across his face.
"He thinks I'm a passing phase she's going to grow out of," he answered flatly.
Draco had to suppress a chuckle. "Well, you know I've known the Parkinsons practically all my life-I could put in a good word or two for you."
"Why would you do that for me?"
"You're Gin's brother and we will be family one day."
"What? You said yourself not five minutes ago that you and Gin weren't married."
"Not yet anyway."
"Malfoy…"
"Weasley, I have every intention of marrying your baby sister, so I suggest you get used to the idea," Draco responded smugly.
"Why do you want to marry her?"
"I love her."
"That's it?"
"Pretty much, the twins are an added bonus, but I wouldn't get married just for their sake,; I love your sister and I fully intend on making her my wife-it's just a matter of time."
"Does she know this?"
"No, and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep it to yourself until I get around to asking her."
"When might that be?"
"I don't know yet, when it feels right-I've already commissioned her ring so maybe soon."
"You know you're going to have to ask Dad."
"Yeah, that part I'm not looking forward to, seems stupid I know but…"
"I hear you…"
"So, are you coming back to the house?"
"Who sent you?"
"Gin."
"Figures."
"Well, you know what she'll do to me if I come back without you."
"Mmm… tempted to stay just to see you suffer."
"Weasley, Gin asked me to come talk to you because Pansy wants you."
"Really?"
"Yeah-don't understand why myself, but she does," sarcasm oozed from his voice.
"All right, I guess I'd better get back to her then."
"Good… come on."
Draco stood, waited for Ron to get to his feet, and they walked back toward the house together in silence. Separating when they reached the yard, Ron headed straight inside and Draco went to Ginny, who had taken his seat beside his parents.
"You got him to come back, thank you," Ginny smiled warmly at him.
"Yeah, we had a little talk," Draco responded jadedly as he sat next her.
"I do appreciate it."
"I know; I just hope he doesn't make a mess of it with Pansy."
"He won't. I know him and even if he stumbles in the beginning, he'll make it right by the end."
Molly emerged from the house looking concerned. She walked over to where Ginny and Draco were sitting.
"Draco, thank you for talking to Ron; he can be very pig-headed at times and… Well, he's not the easiest to talk around, but Pansy seems to be very upset and she needs him," Molly said.
"Anytime, Mrs. Weasley."
Their discussion was cut short as Ron and Pansy appeared it the doorway. Ron appeared to be talking quietly to Pansy who did not seem to want to step out of the house. As all eyes fell on the pair, she reluctantly stepped over the threshold, clinging to Ron's arm desperately as he led her to the table.
Ron cleared his throat and spoke clearly, "If I could have everyone's attention for a minute."
The only noise that could be heard was from the children playing at the back of the yard.
"Umm… I wanted to do this properly so…"
"It's not that hard Ron, spit it out," Harry called from the end of the table, a playful smirk on his face. He couldn't resist the urge to interrupt as Bill had when he had made his announcement earlier in the afternoon.
"Harry," Hermione scolded harshly. "Go on, Ron."
"Well… I… that is Pansy and I are having a baby."
"Another baby… Oh my goodness, we are blessed," Molly exclaimed as tears pricked her eyes. "Oh, Pansy, thank you, this is why you were upset before?"
Pansy nodded, "I thought you might not be happy about it because we're not married."
"Nonsense, a baby is to be celebrated; of course, it would be better if you were married…" Molly trailed off giving Ron a hard look.
"Mum, that's for Pansy and I to decide when we get around to discussing it," Ron retorted carefully.
"All right, I just thought that… well with a baby on the way you might consider getting married."
"Mum-I'm sure we will consider it, but we don't want anyone else's opinion; we'll do what's right for us and our baby."
"Of course dear, come here," Molly said as she pulled her youngest son into a tight embrace. "I am so very happy."
"I'm glad, Mum; you deserve to be," Ron whispered in his mother's ear as the rest of the family engulfed both Ron and Pansy in well wishes and advice.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was quite late when Draco and Ginny finally tucked the twins into bed; they had been excitable all evening and were proving more than a little difficult to settle down.
Angel had insisted on having her horse's photograph with her all evening and it now resided on her bedside table so she could see it as she fell asleep. Draco had actually been driven to growl at her when she had insisted on sleeping with all her new toys; this triggered a fountain of tears from the tired little girl. In an effort to placate his daughter, Draco spent a lot of time positioning all her birthday presents around her small bedroom to her liking.
Drake had been somewhat easier to tuck into bed. Exhausted from much running around with his cousins, the little wizard could barely keep his eyes open as he climbed under the covers. He was asleep before his parents had the chance to kiss him goodnight.
Draco and Ginny collapsed onto the couch in the front room. Draco rested his back against the arm of the chair, placed his arms around Ginny and pulled her back to his chest-both felt pleasantly tired.
"Did you have a good time today?" Ginny asked.
"Mmm… yeah, it was great. The kids' faces when they opened their gifts were something else."
"I'm glad you were here," Ginny said softly.
"So am I," Draco whispered.
Something wet dropped onto Draco's hand and he leaned forward trying to look at her face.
"Gin what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry… I just-you've missed so much and it's all my fault."
"Shh… I'm here now and that's all that counts. I thought we had this sorted?"
"I'm just being silly, I know, but I can't seem to help it."
"It's all right-turn around and come up here."
Ginny turned to face him, raising herself so their faces were level.
Draco lovingly ran his hands over her face, wiping away the tears that had streaked her cheeks. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too Draco."
Gently bringing her toward him, Draco placed small kisses randomly over her face before claiming her lips tenderly as her arms wove around his neck and her fingers played in his hair.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AUTHORS NOTES
Big hugs to my wonderful beta gianfared.
Also I was very spoiled to have some artwork done by cupid12203 again, this time it's a drawing of Drake and Angel! It can be found here - http://www.livejournal.com/users/cupid12203/2004/10/05/ or at The Duck Pond.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed -
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