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 FORTY THREE
PEPPERMINT TEA
"Mmm… now this is the way to wake up." Draco mumbled as he rolled over and reached to draw Ginny into his arms.
"No it's not!" Ginny muttered, throwing back the covers and leaping from the bed she ran to the bathroom.
With a heavy sigh Draco rose, picked up his bathrobe from the floor and followed Ginny into the bathroom. She was kneeling in front of the toilet heaving forcefully; grimacing involuntarily, he wrapped the bathrobe around her shoulders.
"I'll just throw some clothes on, love. Do you need anything?"
Ginny responded with a violent shake of her head.
"I'll be right back."
Once in the bedchamber Draco ran his hands over his face, he was wondering just how long morning sickness was meant to last and if his own stomach could handle this every morning when a loud Apparation pop startled him from his thoughts; a house elf had entered the room.
"What are you doing in here? I didn't summon you."
The servant cowered. "Little Master, please be forgiving Millie, Mistress did send Millie with peppermint tea and toast for Miss. Mistress says it will help with baby sickness."
Draco grunted at the creature before striding over to inspect the tea tray she had set on the bedside table. "Leave," he ordered.
The hapless creature did not need to be told twice and popped out of the room immediately.
In the dressing room Draco grabbed boxers and pants; stepping into them quickly he returned to the bedchamber to find Ginny leaning in the bathroom doorway.
"Feeling better?"
"Not really."
"Mother sent up some peppermint tea for you… apparently it helps with morning sickness."
She grimaced. "Sounds good."
"You don't have to drink it if you'd rather not…"
"It's just the thought of trying to swallow anything at the moment, but the tea will help if I can get it down."
"Why don't we tuck you back into bed for now?"
"We have to go to lunch, I should get the children ready for breakfast and …"
Draco draped an arm around her shoulders, leading her in the direction of the bed. "You are going back to bed for now and I'll take care of the twins."
"But I want…"
"When you're feeling well enough you can do whatever you want, but for now you're going to stay in bed and sip your tea," Draco told her firmly as he sat her on the side of the bed and lifted her feet up to the mattress.
After tucking the covers around her, Draco passed her cup of peppermint tea over. "Mother sent some dry toast as well, do you want it?"
Sighing heavily, Ginny looked at him. She knew he was just trying to look after her, but she was accustomed to doing everything for herself-this was going to take some getting used to or they would end up arguing constantly about his fussing. "I'll pick at it, maybe it will help."
"Good," he responded, passing the toast to her. "Now I'll go and organize the kids for breakfast."
"All right."
"And you are not to leave the bed until I get back," he ordered, kissing her forehead before he left to take charge of the children.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco went to Drake's chambers first only to find his son was nowhere to be seen, checking Angel's chambers next he discovered that she too was missing. Not alarmed at this point, Draco assumed that they had already gone down to breakfast.
On his approach to the dining room, he could hear his mother's melodic tone as she spoke to Angel.
"Good morning, Mother," Draco smiled as he entered, noticing the absence of his father and Drake. Placing a kiss on Angel's head. "Good morning, Princess. Did you sleep well?"
"Grandfather fell asleep on my bed," Angel giggled.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her son. "Draco, did it not occur to you to put a shirt on before coming to the table?"
"Sorry, Mother, I just came down to check on the twins. Gin's sick again so I've put her back to bed."
"Did she drink the peppermint tea I sent up?"
"She's drinking it now, but she was already sick before the servant arrived."
"Oh dear… well she'll have to get the tea a lot earlier then. I'll speak with her later about the timing."
"Mother, she's going home today."
"I thought she and the children would move in here given the circumstances."
"I have asked her to, she needs a little time to consider it. Not that it really matters anyway, we're getting married as soon as we can arrange everything so they'll be living here soon enough."
"Well, that is wonderful news."
"Where are Father and Drake this morning?"
"They're in the study," Narcissa responded vaguely.
"What are they doing in the study?"
"They exchanged words this morning. Your Father thought it important to resolve immediately especially after Drake's behavior last night."
"Bloody brilliant," Draco exclaimed, running a hand through his hair.
"Daddy!" Angel stared at her father wide-eyed.
"Draco!" Narcissa admonished.
"Sorry ladies. I'd better go and see what's left of my son. Is Angel right with you, Mother?"
"Of course, darling. Are you still going to the Weasley's for lunch?"
"Yes, we have to tell them our news."
"Well I'll help Angelique get ready to go then."
"Thank you, Mother. Angel you be good for Grandmother and I'll find you later."
"I will, Daddy. Can I see Mummy?"
"She's not feeling very well at the moment, sweetheart. When she's feeling better, I'll come and get you so you can say hello."
"Okay, Daddy."
Worried by what he might find when he got there, Draco went directly to his father's study. Knocking sharply on the door, he didn't wait for a response before letting himself into his father's sanctum.
"Father?" Draco surveyed the scene hastily; Drake was standing in front of his Lucius' desk looking very sullen and Lucius was reclining in his chair looking somewhat irritated.
"Draco, I was just having a chat with Drake about his behavior."
"Something I was planning to do myself this morning."
"Well as you were not available this morning when your son decided to shoot his mouth off again I felt it necessary to intervene immediately."
"What did he do?"
"He made some inappropriate comments concerning your relationship with his mother. Apparently, whatever you said to him last night had absolutely no effect what-so-ever."
Draco took a deep breath, meant to calm him; it had no effect at all. "I'll take it from here, Father. I apologize for the trouble this morning."
"Not at all, Draco. I'd rather stay until this is sorted out, if you don't mind."
"Fine stay."
"Now where were we?"
"Father, if you don't mind I am going to handle this," Draco reminded him evenly.
"Very well," Lucius smirked. Thus far Drake had been less than receptive to anything Lucius had told him, he was interested to see how Draco would handle his son when in this mood.
Draco sat in one of the visitors' chairs opposite Lucius' desk. "Drake, turn around and face me."
Drake shuffled his feet around to face his father and sneered at him.
He could feel his temper beginning to rise; only the thought that Ginny would frown upon it stopped Draco from throttling the child standing before him. It seemed that nothing he had said to his son the night before had had any affect on him. It was apparent he had risen this morning with exactly the same attitude he had sported when Draco first confronted him in his chambers.
Draco fixed him with a piercing look. "It seems you still have a problem dealing with the reality of what is happening, Drake."
His son merely lifted his chin at him and Draco wondered when his son had become so very like his own father.
"As I told you last night your mother and I are getting married, and we're having another baby. This is happening whether you like it or not. Now you are not to utter another word on the subject unless it is of positive nature. Do you understand?"
Drake regarded his father's stoic features before replying, "I want to see my Mummy."
"You will be able to see her a little later, she's not feeling well at the moment and I won't have you upsetting her like you did last night."
"I want to see her now."
"I said no and I meant it. She will be feeling better soon then you can see her and when you do you will apologize for your behavior last night."
"It's all your fault Mummy's sick."
Here we go with the accusations again, Draco thought impatiently. "Is it now?"
"You shagged her, now she's sick!"
"A fair assessment," Lucius mused aloud.
Draco shot a dark look at his father, he was not being any help at all but Draco was loathe to ask him to leave at the same time, this was his study after all.
"Drake, we covered this last night and really, at your age you shouldn't even have knowledge of certain adult activities." Draco sighed heavily. "Yes your mother is sick because of the baby, apparently morning sickness is part of pregnancy."
"I know that!"
"I'm sure you do especially with the rate at which your uncles breed," Draco muttered. "There isn't a lot we can do about Mummy feeling sick each morning except make her comfortable and hope that it doesn't last too long."
"It's still your…"
"Yes, all right, I'll admit it… it's my god damned fault your mother is pregnant!" Draco exploded, getting to his feet to tower above his son. "But it's not going to go away no matter how much you bloody well whine about it! The baby is here to stay and I will not continue to justify myself to a bloody child. This is the end of the matter. I do not want to hear another word on the subject from you. Do you understand?"
Drake looked up at his father with wide eyes; his nod of understanding was almost unperceivable. He had once again pushed Draco over the edge and it was only when it was too late did he realize.
"Drake, find your grandmother and have her see to your breakfast," Lucius told him evenly.
Not needing to be told twice, Drake ran from study as fast as his legs could carry him without even a glance back at his father.
Unable to keep still with his temper raging, Draco began to pace the area in front of Lucius' desk, running his hands continually through his hair and admonishing himself mentally for his lack of control. He knew Drake was baiting him deliberately, trying to push him as far as he could but he couldn't help biting and losing control.
"Well, that went well," Lucius smirked sarcastically.
"Thank you, Father," Draco grunted through gritted teeth. "I am fully aware that I just made the situation even worse."
"He's very much like you, you know."
"What?"
"Drake is like you," Lucius almost laughed at the disbelief scripted across his son's face. "You were fiercely protective of your Mother too. That is all the boy is doing, protecting Ginevra."
"He needs to realize I'm meant to do that, not him."
"Same thoughts I had when you were a small boy."
"I put you through this hell."
"To a point, yes, but there are significant differences between the two scenarios. I was there from the beginning, granted I worked long hours, but never the less I was apparent in your life. You have not been around for almost five years and Drake has been his mother's unchallenged protector, now you come along and virtually shove him aside, of course he's going to rebel."
"So how do I handle him?"
"I'm not entirely sure I know."
"How did you handle me then?"
Lucius smirked. "I put you over my knee each and every time you gave me a mouth full of cheek."
"I can't do that to Drake."
"No, it wouldn't be a wise move at this stage, he's angry and I feel that any physical punishment from you would only inflame his ire."
"Any suggestions, Father?"
"Keep talking to the boy, include him in decisions you're making concerning his mother."
"He doesn't seem to want to listen at the moment."
"Regardless, keep talking to him. If he feels that you are seeking his advice, he may not react as harshly to your authority."
"And if he continues to anyway."
"Don't loose your temper."
"If only it was that easy."
"Draco, you are a Malfoy, you should be able to control your emotions."
"I don't usually have a problem, but Drake has just pushed the limit this weekend."
"In time he will settle down, until then maintain your decorum."
"Yeah, I'll try."
"Good. Will you join me for breakfast?"
"I should check on Ginny."
"She's resting, isn't she?"
"Yeah, she should be."
"Have breakfast with me then check on her."
"Okay, Father."
As the men entered the dining room Narcissa and the children were just leaving. Draco noticed as soon as Drake sighted, him he moved to Narcissa's side and grasped her hand tightly.
"Draco, I was just going to dress the children for lunch at the Weasley's," Narcissa said lightly.
"Thank you, Mother. That would be a great help."
"Are you going to have breakfast now?"
"Yes, Mother. I'm eating with Father then I'll check on Gin."
"Perhaps you could put a shirt and shoes on before you sit down, darling."
"Mother, I'm just eating a quick breakfast."
"Very well," Narcissa sighed in disgust.
Throughout the exchange with his mother, Draco noticed that his son was shooting barely noticeable glances at him. He did not know exactly what the glances were for, but he hoped Drake was feeling a little remorseful and it was an indication of submission.
"Drake, you're to stay in your chambers until I come for you. It would be an idea to give some thought as to what you're going to say to your mother," Draco informed him calmly.
The little boy nodded without looking at him again before starting to walk from the room taking Narcissa with him.
"He seems agreeable enough at the moment."
"Don't be fooled, Father. He might just be catching his breath. I made the same mistake last night, however, I do hope he's given some thought to his behavior."
As Narcissa was not at the table the two men took the opportunity to discuss business while they ate their breakfast. Narcissa always frowned upon conversation during meals pertaining to the company. She had told both of them more than once that their offices were for such discussions and she had no desire to be privy to their tedious issues.
When he had finished eating, Draco excused himself immediately to check on Ginny. Upon entering his chambers he could hear her soft voice floating into the sitting room, as if she were comforting someone. He stood in the doorway with barely controlled rage as he surveyed the scene before him.
Ginny was sitting up in bed, tears running freely down her face and cradled in her arms was Drake-a very smug looking Drake.
"Drake?"
"Hello, Daddy."
Draco was astounded, not only was Drake smiling brightly at him, he was acting as if they had not even seen each other this morning and even more astoundingly had had harsh words.
"Drake, I told you to wait in your chambers. Now you've upset your mother again." Draco forced himself to maintain a calm demeanor, but in truth he wanted nothing more than to rage at his disobedient son.
"It's okay. Drake just apologized for his behavior last night," Ginny sniffed through her tears.
"I see. He apologizes and you end up in tears again?"
"Draco, I'm fine it's just my hormones are all over the place at the moment and I can't seem to help but cry."
"You are meant to be resting."
"I feel a lot better now, the tea did wonders for my nausea."
"Good. Drake, why don't we go and get you dressed for lunch?" Draco said giving his son a pointed look.
"I want to stay with Mummy."
Draco picked his son up, holding him firmly, ready for a physical struggle. "You need to get dressed so we won't be late for lunch and Mummy needs to have a shower."
"I want Mummy to help me."
"Mummy is going to get dressed herself and I am going to help you. Say bye to Mummy," Draco instructed as he strode toward the door. "I'll be back soon, love."
"Okay, I'll have a quick shower while you're with Drake. Is Angel all right?"
"Angel is fine, Mother is dressing her," he called over his shoulder as he left the room, hoping that his mother was dressing Angel.
Once he had reached the corridor, Draco closed the door and placed Drake on his feet. So he wouldn't run off, Draco took hold of his hand, leading him toward his own chambers.
"You and I are going to have another chat."
Drake kept his silence; he was too busy trying to keep up with his irate father.
Striding into the corridor where the children's rooms were located Draco spied his mother coming from Angel's suite.
"Mother?"
"Oh Draco dear, Angel is ready to leave. I was just coming to get Drake."
"He was with Ginny."
"I know dear, he asked if he could visit her briefly."
"Mother, you distinctly heard me tell him to stay in his chambers until I came for him."
"Now darling, there's no harm done. Every little boy has a right to see his mother."
"He used you to help him deliberately disobey me!"
"Nonsense, Draco. You're making far more out of this than necessary. Drake simply wanted to see Ginevra."
"Mother…" Draco took a calming breath. It wouldn't do to yell at Narcissa, none of this was truly her fault. "Don't worry about it. I'm going to get Drake ready. Could you possibly keep an eye on Angel for a while longer?"
"I can help Drake if you like dear."
"No thank you, Mother. I'll attend to him myself."
"As you wish, dear."
Draco smirked down at his son. "Drake, lets get you ready."
Just one glance at his father's expression told Drake that changing to go to the Burrow for lunch was the last thing on his mind. He was in trouble yet again, but for some reason he was waiting until they were alone.
Once they had entered Drake's bedchamber, Draco slammed the door with more force than necessary. By the time the echo of the crashing door faded Drake was already half way across the room on his way to the dressing room.
"Get back here now!"
Drake stopped in his tracks and turned to face his father.
"How dare you disobey me? I told you to remain in your chambers until I came for you. Your mother was resting and you disturbed her."
"Grandmother said I could."
"I don't care what your grandmother said-I am your father and you will mind me or you will face the consequences!"
"But…"
"There are no buts, Drake. My word is law and every time you question it we will have problems. Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, Daddy," he whimpered.
"Good. Now what are you wearing today?"
"Play clothes."
"All right, go get them and I'll help you get dressed."
"I can do it myself."
"Fine, I just sit down here and wait for you then."
Drake wandered into the dressing room and emerged a short time later dressed in what had to be his oldest clothes. His expression was defiant as he met his father's eyes.
Draco eyed his son carefully before smirking at him. "You do realize your grandmother is going to have a fit when she sees you dressed like that."
"I like my clothes."
"Yeah, but she's going to hate them," Draco sighed heavily. "Let's go find her, I still have to shower myself and it's getting late."
Walking down the corridor Draco could hear his mother's melodic tones coming from Angel's sitting room. He opened the door quietly to see Angel sat upon Narcissa's knee paying close attention to the book she was reading from.
"Mother?"
"Yes, darling?"
"I need to get ready myself, would you mind keeping an eye on Drake as well?"
"Of course not. Come in here, Drake. Angelique and I were reading a story together."
Drake slid around his father and entered the sitting room, a gasp from Narcissa made him stop in his tracks.
"Surely you are not wearing that to lunch?" Narcissa waved her hand at Drake.
"Mother, what he has on is fine. He'll be running around with his cousin's and getting dirty."
"Draco, I'm surprised at you. Honestly some would think you hadn't been brought up properly."
"Mother, I'm going to get ready myself before it gets any later."
A smirk crept across Draco's features as he strode from the room, he could hear Narcissa telling Drake how he should be dressing.
"Really, Drake, you should dress according to your station. You are a Malfoy after all…"
Draco walked away from the door shaking his head. He had heard variations of the same speech as a child whenever his parents were of the opinion that he had done something considered to be beneath him. While he could have rescued Drake from his mother's tirade he wasn't inclined to do so at this juncture, especially after the morning he had endured. Eager to stand under a hot shower and, hopefully wash away some of the tension from the morning, Draco hurried to his chambers.
"Gin, I'm back," Draco called as he entered the bedchamber.
"I'm in here." Her voice floated out from the dressing room.
"I'll just grab a quick shower."
"Okay, no need to hurry."
As soon as the bathroom door closed behind him, Draco shed his pants and boxers. Stepping into the shower he allowed the hot water to cascade over his body. The effect was instant relaxation, something he knew would not last, but at the moment he was grateful for any measure of relief he could find. When he had finished washing himself, Draco reluctantly stepped out and dried off.
He left the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his hips. Ginny was seated before the hearth, seemingly waiting for him to emerge. Her expression was tense.
"Everything all right, love?"
"Umm… yes … you know we don't have to go today…"
"I thought you said we have to go because we missed last month's family lunch."
"Well we don't really have to… it's only lunch. We could take the twins flying or on a picnic."
Draco squatted in front of her. He suspected he knew where this conversation was going. "Or we could have lunch with your family."
Ginny tried to smile at him, but failed dismally. She didn't want to go, if they attended then they would have to tell them about the engagement, not that she minded telling them that, but she doubted very much that any of her brothers would react well to her pregnancy.
"Gin, we have to go. I told your father we would be there."
"You told Dad? When did you see Dad?"
"Yesterday."
"When?"
"When you were having your nap."
"Why?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow at her, "I thought it would be impolite to ask his daughter to marry me without first asking his permission."
"Oh."
"And he knows about the baby."
"You told him?"
"No, he already suspected. I simply confirmed it."
"Oh gods!"
"He was fine about it, Gin. Stop worrying, everything is going to be great."
"Yeah, everything will be wonderful especially when my brothers find out I'm pregnant."
"They'll be fine, your Mum will see to them. Now I'm going to get dressed. You are all ready to go, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I'm ready."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The minute they arrived at the Burrow. Drake detached himself from his father's hand and disappeared into the multitude of family members. He was happy to be home. Narcissa had lectured him for over half an hour on his clothing and what was expected of him as a Malfoy-it had done nothing to alleviate his foul mood.
Molly stood waiting well clear of the family as Draco and Ginny walked toward the house. Arthur had confirmed Ginny was indeed expecting another child and she was bursting to congratulate them, but for now would hold her tongue, not wanting to alert her sons to their sister's news until she was ready for them to know.
Angel ran straight to Molly's waiting arms. "Grandma."
"Hello, sweetheart. Did you have fun at Daddy's?"
"Yep, loads of fun and guess what?"
"What?"
"Mummy's going to have a baby!"
"Really, that's wonderful."
"And Mummy and Daddy are getting married and I get to be flower girl just like at Aunt Hermione's and Uncle Harry's wedding."
"Well, I'm sure you'll look just lovely."
"Grandmother is going to take me shopping for a dress!"
"Is she now?"
"Angel?"
"Yes, Mummy."
"How about we don't tell anyone else our special news until Daddy does it properly?"
"Okay, I'll try not to tell."
"No, you won't tell."
"All right, Mummy. I won't tell anyone."
"Good girl, as soon as Daddy tells everyone you can talk about it as much as you want, okay?"
"Okay."
Molly put Angel on her feet and waited until she had joined the rest of the family. "Ginny, dear I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Mum." Ginny embraced her mother tightly.
"And you're feeling well?"
"Apart from morning sickness."
"Yes, I suspected that was what you were suffering from."
"You knew?"
"After six pregnancies I think I would recognize the signs."
"Yeah, I didn't think."
Molly released her hold on Ginny and turned her attention to Draco.
"Draco, dear I'm so happy for both of you," she told him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
"You call me Molly, after all you're one of the family."
"Thanks."
"Well, we'd better join the rest of the family or they'll wonder what's going on."
"Yeah, I don't want any questions before Draco's ready to tell them," Ginny said, eyeing her brothers cautiously.
"I wouldn't leave it too long, Draco. Angel won't be able to contain herself forever," Molly advised.
"I know, we forgot to tell the kids not to say anything."
"Well, Angel knows now. If you pull Drake aside and tell him straight away we should be okay," Ginny suggested.
"I'll do that as soon as I've said hello to everyone."
"Draco." Arthur approached with a broad smile.
Draco shook the older wizards hand. "Mr. Weasley."
"I trust everything went to plan last night?" Arthur asked carefully.
"Yes, sir."
"Wonderful! So you're ready to make a few announcements?"
"As I'll ever be, sir."
"You know the boys will give you a bit of a hard time, they're all very protective of Ginny."
"I'd be surprised if they weren't."
Arthur turned to his only daughter. "Ginny, love… I couldn't be happier for you."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Well, best you two go and say hello before the boys get suspicious."
Amid greeting the rest of the family, Draco managed to grab hold of Drake's hand, making his way clear of the crowd was proving to be difficult as all of Ginny's brothers bar Ron stopped him to talk. He had almost made it back to Ginny's side when Bill and Charlie stopped him for a chat about Quidditch.
Ron had edged his way to Ginny's side and slung his arm around her shoulders. "What's going on, Gin? Mum's acting like she hasn't seen you for a month."
"Nothing."
"Grandma's probably happy about the baby," Drake announced resentfully.
He couldn't have opened his mouth at a more inopportune moment, there was an unnatural lull in conversation around them and everyone heard Drake's offhand announcement.
An almost collective chorus of "What?" reverberated through the yard. Standing next to her two eldest brothers, Draco suddenly felt vulnerable. All eyes had turned to him and at least half were none too friendly.
"Drake, not now," Draco whispered, urgently giving his hand a little squeeze to gain his full attention.
Drake looked at Draco almost innocently. "Why?"
"Now is not the time."
"So… umm… are we having lunch?" Ginny attempted to avert everyone's attention.
"I'm suddenly not hungry though I might be persuaded to eat something once my curiosity is sated," Bill claimed seriously.
Charlie took a knee before Drake. "What were you saying about a baby, mate?"
"Grandma is always happy when another baby is coming."
"And who's going to have a baby?" Charlie pressed.
"Drake," Draco growled softly.
The little boy glanced at his father then at his Uncle Charlie, who winked encouragingly at him. "Mummy!"
Before Draco could even let his breath out he felt a hand land heavily on his shoulder.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AUTHORS NOTES
Hugs to rainpuddle13 for her fantastic beta skills!!
Thanks to all who took the time to review -
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