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 SEVEN
MRS WEASLEY
Draco and Pansy apparated into a small grove of trees a little distance from the Burrow. Pansy wasn't entirely sure she was doing the right thing bringing Draco here, but he was her oldest friend and he needed to see his children.
"Look, you stay here and I'll go up to the house on my own, for now," Pansy said apprehensively.
"Why?"
"Draco, do you think you're going to get a warm reception? What if Ron's here? He'd kill you this time for sure, you've no idea just how protective he is of Ginny, not to mention her other five brothers."
"Alright, point taken." Draco hadn't thought of the type of reception the rest of the family might give him, his thoughts were only going to his little family. I like the sound of that, he smiled to himself.
"Right, I'll go and see who is home. Stay here until I come back for you. Okay?"
"Fine. I said I'd stay, didn't I? Just go." Draco was getting anxious.
Pansy walked up the dirt road in the direction of the house. Draco watched her all the way from his position in the trees. Then he sat at the base of one of the trees and began to think. Of course, she would want to see me, wouldn't she? What if she didn't? I haven't really thought about anything more than what I want. A strange feeling began to brew in his stomach; it felt like hundreds of tiny snitches flying around in there. He realized he was nervous - very nervous. Will she be happy to see me or would it be better if I stayed away? Maybe I should just go - his thoughts were in turmoil.
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Pansy knocked at the back door. Not that it was necessary, the top half of the door was open and Molly Weasley could be seen bustling around in her cozy kitchen.
"Pansy, dear! You know you don't need to knock - you're family," Molly exclaimed. Even though Ron had not ever mentioned marriage, Molly hoped one day, in the not too distant future, her youngest son might settle down - she had grown rather fond of Pansy.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. How are you?" Pansy smiled as she walked into the house.
"I'm very well, thank you dear. Ron isn't here right now. I thought he was with you."
"Umm- Yes, he was with me but he had to leave. I actually came to see Ginny. If she's here."
"Ginny took the twins to see Harry and Hermione, they won't be back till later."
"Oh." Pansy hadn't thought about what to do if Ginny wasn't home. She wasn't sure whether she should tell Molly about Draco.
"Is there a problem, Pansy?" Molly asked, motherly concern showing in her face.
"Well no, not really. It's just … umm-" Pansy still wasn't sure she wanted to be the one tell the older woman. Ron and Ginny got their tempers from Molly, and while she'd never seen her in full flight, she was positive she didn't want to.
"Come and take a seat. I'll make us a spot of tea and you can tell me all about it," Molly said leading Pansy to a chair at the large kitchen table.
Once the two women were seated Molly looked to Pansy, "Well dear what seems to be the problem."
Pansy wasn't sure where to start, she didn't even know if Molly was aware that Draco was a friend of hers.
"Did you know that I was a Slytherin at Hogwarts?"
"No, dear I didn't know. Is that the problem, because it shouldn't matter what house you were in at school?"
"No, that's not the problem. Actually, it's not really a problem, it's well … I'm not sure what it is."
"Why don't you just tell me everything and we'll see if we can't work it out together?" Molly said as she patted Pansy's hand.
Yes that's what I'll do. I'll tell Mrs Weasley everything, she'll know what to do, Pansy thought. She took a deep breath and began…
"Draco Malfoy is a friend of mine. We've known each other all our lives. I hadn't seen him for over five years until today. Ron and I were having coffee in a little café in Diagon Alley and Draco walked in. Ron, of course, lost his temper and I sent him for a walk to calm down - that's why he's not with me. Anyway, Draco and I talked. He didn't know why Ron was so angry with him, it's not like they ever got on but Ron was enraged, so I told him Ron was furious because he'd abandoned Ginny when she was pregnant. Mrs Weasley, Draco never knew Ginny was pregnant. He only found out about Drake and Angel last night when his father told him about seeing Ginny in Diagon Alley. He didn't have a clue before then. He wants to talk to Ginny and see the twins." Pansy wasn't sure if Molly would believe her but it did feel good to share the information.
Molly hadn't once interrupted Pansy as she told her about Draco; she sat and waited till she had finished. "If he wants to see them so much, why has he not shown up here yet?"
"He hasn't been here yet because he didn't know where to come. Apparently, his father is making some discreet enquiries at the Ministry to find out where Ginny lives and well- He's outside now."
"He's outside? Where exactly?"
"Down the road a little in the tree grove. I told him not to move."
"Alright, you'd better go and find Ron, but don't bring him back here. Merlin only knows what would happen to Draco if Ron got hold of him." Molly wagged her finger at the younger woman. "I'll take care of Draco."
Pansy's eyes widened at Molly, oh gods what have I got him into, she thought.
"It's alright dear, I only intend to talk to him. Now off you go." Molly laughed at Pansy's reaction. Really, what did she think she would do to him - well, there was a time when she would have cursed his very manhood from his body but that was a long time ago.
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Merlin Pansy is taking a long time. Just how long does it take to see who's home, thought Draco. He'd been sitting in the cold for over an hour when he finally heard footsteps coming closer; as he looked up he realized it wasn't Pansy.
"Mrs. Weasley." Draco got to his feet immediately.
"I believe we need to talk," Molly said sternly. "Shall we go up to the house?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Oh, don't thank me yet young man." Molly turned and began to walk back to her home.
As they entered the kitchen Molly broke the silence. "Have a seat Mr. Malfoy. I'll put some tea on," she said, indicating he should sit at the kitchen table.
Molly watched him as she made the tea - he kept looking around sharply as if he expected someone to jump out at him. He was nervous - she could understand that.
As Molly set a cup of steaming tea in front of Draco she spoke again, "Don't worry I'm the only one home - at the moment."
"Thank you for-"
Molly held a hand up to stop him. "There's no need for thanks."
"But-"
"No, Mr. Malfoy. Now, I need to ask you some questions and I want truthful answers from you before we take this any further."
Merlin this woman is a control freak, Draco thought to himself. "Of course."
"Right then, when was the last time you saw Ginny?"
"The night she graduated from Hogwarts."
"Did she ever tell you she was pregnant?" Molly was watching him carefully.
"No. I only found out yesterday that I might be a father." Draco kept his voice as even as possible.
"I presume your father told you?"
"Yes, last night."
"And you never knew beforehand?"
"No. Look, Mrs. Weasley, I know you all think I abandoned her or something but I wouldn't do something like that," Draco said quietly with a hint of desperation slipping into his tone.
"How do you feel about being a father?"
"I don't know. I think - I'm a little scared. I'm not sure what sort of father I'll make but I do want to be part of their lives. I'm still in love with your daughter, Mrs. Weasley."
Molly smiled at Draco for the first time. He hadn't been at fault, in her opinion, and from the way he spoke he certainly wasn't going to shirk off his responsibilities, now that he knew.
"Well, Ginny should be home soon. I strongly suggest you wait," Molly said still smiling. Reaching over to pat his hand, she added, "Everything will work out, you'll see."
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