Ginny was getting ready to move completely out of her flat. She had already moved most of her things into Malfoy manor, even though her mum was against her and Draco living together before they were married, but Ginny didn't see any point in wasting money on a flat she didn't live in.
Ginny loved having a lot of material possessions, but she never forgot what it was like growing up with nothing, and truly thought that she would be just as happy without all of the designer clothes, and bags, and shoes.
She knew that she was about to be catapulted into an even higher class world than the one she lived in now. Draco played it down, but his job was an important one, and he traveled just as much as she did, he entertained Quidditch representatives from all over the world, and as his wife, she was expected to make a good impression. She had attended a few dinners with him, but she had yet to be truly tested yet. No wonder he was so appalled at Baby's being fed from the table! He was probably having heart palpitations, thinking about her sharing her food with the family dog in front of company.
Ginny laughed to herself as she walked down the hall of the almost completely empty flat, the sound of her heels echoing loudly. She hadn't packed her hanging pictures, or her bed and bathroom items yet. She took a picture off the wall of her and Draco at Christmas, in front of the tree at the Burrow. Draco was standing behind her, he had his arms around her waist. They looked so happy. She remembered that Ron had to be cut out; he had his finger down his throat behind them, making a gagging face.
Ginny 'Accioed' a box, and began to pack the photos, she had told her landlord she would be out by tomorrow. She smiled as she stopped to remember the circumstances of each photo, and laughed at the one of Draco and Baby, sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, each looking out of the corner of their eye at the other.
Ginny glanced down at her watch. Draco, Mrs. Linton, and Baby would be with Kirk about now. Kirk McCurry was a nice old man who was a friend of Mrs. Linton's, and he just happened to be a dog breeder. He had fifty years of experience with all sorts of dogs, and agreed to help train Baby.
In exchange, Draco had to endure watching the older 'couple' flirt, in between actually learning something, but it seemed to be working. Baby was stubborn, but between the water bottle, and the soda can with the change in it, (the noise bothered her, when Draco shook it to get her to stop barking) she was making vast improvements.
It bothered Ginny a little to see Baby get sprayed in the face with a water bottle, but Draco was usually aiming for her tail, and she would turn on him. She hated being wet, and would shake the water all over the rugs and furniture. Draco had spray bottles all over the house, and in a few days, all he had to do was grab the bottle, and Baby would stop doing whatever she was doing.
Baby had completely stopped coming in to beg at dinner time, she went to the kitchen, and stayed there to eat as Ginny and Draco had dinner together in the dinning room. This was a new habit for Draco too, he was used to eating at his desk in his office, alone. The only time he ate at a table was at Ginny's, but he liked having dinner's at this table again, he and Ginny.
They sat in the same chairs that his father and mother had sat in, but it was very different. They were not like his parents at all, they talked to each other, and Ginny sat as close to him as she could, smiling, touching him absently as she chatted. She knew that Draco was anxious to get married, to make it official. They were already married in his heart, but he wanted to make it real to the outside world. He knew that it bothered Ginny that her mum didn't approve of their living arrangements, and Draco would have married her yesterday, but Ginny wanted her big wedding, and that's what she was going to get.
Draco would not let Baby sleep on the bed, that bothered Ginny, but she tried not to argue with him. Baby was still in the room with them, and Ginny knew that Draco was thinking about the future.
When they had children, Baby couldn't be on the bed at the same time, it wasn't safe. As much as Ginny loved her, she knew that that was Draco's train of thought. Baby wouldn't intentionally hurt a baby, but she was already jealous of Draco, how would she react to a real baby? Draco had already told her that was why he wanted Mrs. Linton included in Baby's training sessions, so that she would follow her commands as well. He reasoned that once they became parents, Baby would be spending more time with Mrs. Linton, who didn't mind at all, and it was best that Baby learn to obey her now.
Ginny found that Baby was slow to follow her commands, at that did chafe a bit, but she assumed it was because she wasn't there for the training sessions with Kirk, and not because Baby was punishing her. Baby was still affectionate with her, but she did seem to listen to Draco, and want to play with Draco more often than her…When they were relaxing in the study, or the sitting room, or even the tea room, Ginny would be typing on her laptop, working, or looking at dresses and wedding details, and Draco would be trying to work too.
Baby would come in and bring a tennis ball or a squeaky toy and drop it at Draco's feet. Ginny would call to Baby and try to get her to bring the toy to her, but she would want Draco to throw it, and would look at Ginny when she would call to her, but continue to stare at Draco, waiting. Draco would pick up the toy and throw it, and end up having his work interrupted as he played fetch with Baby.
Ginny tried to act like it didn't bother her, but Baby's shift in loyalty did hurt. She still barked at Draco when Ginny was holding Baby and he kissed her goodbye in the morning, but most of the time, they got on great. Yes, Ginny decided, she was glad that Baby and Draco were getting along…
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It was a rare occasion when the entire Weasley clan was able to get together at the Burrow, but Molly made it a point to request that on all holidays and birthdays, everyone make the effort to come home.
Tonight was Arthur's birthday, and Draco checked the wall clock, to make sure he was running late. He was always punctual, but when it came to going to the Burrow, and having the entire Weasley family there, he preferred to be there with Ginny, and Ginny always ran late.
He had Miss Heywood pick up a very nice, expensive watch for his future father in law, and put the box in his pocket. He better wait another half hour. Ginny had moved into the manor over the weekend, and he wasn't looking forward to this dinner. He was sure that his future family would have something to say about there new living arrangements, Molly had already expressed her displeasure by floo, he didn't know if he could tolerate an entire evening of her brother's and her mum's lectures.
He had his own problem with a member of the Weasley family, namely Ron. He had sent out a general memo to the departments that he knew were using the nickname 'Pinky.' Now that he knew about the ridiculous, insulting, name he realized that he had heard it, but he had never connected it with himself.
Draco bristled inside just thinking about how much he wanted to hurt Ron…He hoped that Ron would say something about the living arrangements…
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Ginny arrived at the Burrow and was welcomed by her nieces and nephews, running and throwing themselves at her. "Where's Baby?" they asked.
Ginny smiled, and explained that Baby was home, at her new home, where she and Baby would be living with Uncle Draco. They gave a collective sigh of disappointment; they liked to play with Baby, though Ginny knew that Baby would be glad to have a break from so many tiny hands.
Ginny said hello to everyone, and finally asked the room in general, "Where is Draco?"
Molly wiped her hands on a towel, and ushered her oldest grandson away from the birthday cake. "He's probably just working late, don't worry dear. Ron and Harry were telling Hermione something about an important memo he sent to them earlier, there's probably some to do at work."
Ginny found that odd. Draco's department would have nothing to do with the Auror division…She had noticed when she greeted the three of them they were acting odd, like they were hiding something. Ginny headed back to Harry Ron and Hermione and tapped her foot.
"Well?" she asked.
Ron tried to hide his smile, but couldn't quite manage. He glanced at the door, Draco still wasn't here, might as well show her.
Ginny followed Ron's glance to the door, and repeated her question.
Ron showed Ginny the memo, as Harry and Hermione tried to cover their smiles. Ginny read the document and even she had trouble hiding her smile.
To whom it may concern, and you Weasley:
A horrid rumor has caught my attention, about a certain nickname, bestowed upon me, from a pathetic, low-life, that is not worthy to lick the bottom of my boots. This outrageous name will not be tolerated.
I will personally jinx the person using it pink, permanently, then you will see what it is like to bear the burden of this nickname.
If this does not cease, I will personally raise the price of Quidditch tickets by two knuts a seat, so that you Weasley will not be able to afford it.
Regards,
Draco Malfoy,
Head of Magical Games and Sports
"Oh, my poor Darling! You are too awful! I told you to stop calling him that!" Ginny socked Ron on the arm as hard as she could.
Ron made a face and rubbed his arm, as Charlie's son Shawn yelled, "Uncle Draco's here, we can eat?!"
Everyone made their way to the table that had been magically enhanced to accommodate all the adults, while the children occupied a smaller table right behind them. Ginny greeted Draco at the door with a kiss. "Hey you. Work alright?"
Draco lifted her off the floor and held her close. He wasn't sure if she needed the support, or if it was for himself. He kept his face buried in the crook of her neck, her hair was down, and it felt silky against his cheek.
The children gave a loud, "Eeeewwww!" And he reluctantly let her slide to the floor.
Draco wished Mr. Weasley a happy birthday, and greeted everyone, taking his seat at the table next to Ginny. He hadn't said hello to Harry, Ron, or Hermione directly, which was awkward, as he was sitting directly across from all three of them.
Ginny and Draco were quietly talking when Ron said, "Hermione, that's a lovely pink sweater, did I tell you? You always look nice in pink."
Ginny looked up, wide eyed at her brother. Draco was about to say something, but Ginny put her hand on his thigh under the table. "Draco, don't. He's just being obnoxious; he showed me your…um, memo."
"What is so amusing? I have never written anything so eloquent! That was some of my best work! I haven't written such a fine document since Grangers…I mean Hermione's letter!"
'Oh wonderful,' Ginny thought.
Hermione gave Draco her dirtiest look, "For your information, I am the prettiest peach in the barrel! Pinky!"
"How dare you? You should hold your tongue!" Draco stood up as he yelled, and Hermione did the same.
Harry and Ginny stood at the same time, trying to defend their respective partners. Ron, on the other hand, was trying to aggravate the situation. "Hermione, are you going to let the ferret talk to you like that?!"
"No, I'm not!" Hermione shouted. "Maybe I'll find my apology letter in your little pink bag!"
The room was completely silent, watching the shouting match between Hermione and Draco.
Molly was standing now, and raised her voice, yelling, "Can we please-"
"You better apologize, right now, Malfoy!" Harry shouted.
Draco had had it! He was frustrated with Baby, he was pissed off about that stupid nickname, and now, he had blown it in front of his family. He really should apologize.
He wasn't going to though. "I have your apology right here, Potter!" Draco pulled his wand.
Ginny grabbed his arm, and tried to get his wand away from him, but he pushed her behind his back, as Harry drew his wand.
"Let's clear off the table!" George said, drawing his own wand.
Fred wiped his eyes, "Reminds me of the dueling club, back at old Hogwart's…"
Fred and George both cleared their throats and began to sing, "Hogwart's, Hogwart's, Hoggy Warty Hogwart's, Teach us something please…"
The children were jumping up and down, screaming and laughing, as Uncle Harry and Uncle Draco were going to duel!
Molly shouted at the top of her voice, "Children! Children! Stop!"
All of the grandchildren responded, "Yes, grandmum?"
Molly shook her head, "No, not you! The grown up children! The one's that should no better! Goodness, even the little ones no better!"
Everyone froze and looked over at Mrs. Weasley. Draco felt horrible. Mr. Weasley was sitting at the head of the table, in that absurd birthday hat that one of the children had made, and here they were, fighting.
"I apologize, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, forgive me." Draco said, still angry.
Ron sat down and muttered, "Kiss ass."
Luna looked up at Draco, who held his wand in a threatening way towards her husband, and smiled, rubbing her swollen stomach. She was due in three months; surely Draco would let her husband live long enough to meet his child.
Draco reluctantly sat down, with Ginny's urging, and gave Ron a dirty look, tapping his wand on the table.
Everyone was now seated again, except Molly, who asked, "Can we have a nice, calm, family dinner now?!"
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A/N: Since wedding invitations go out months in advance, here is your invite to Draco & Ginny's wedding! (Although, you only have to wait one chap…I think) I saved this and it is centered, but when it gets converted for Portkey, it gets moved, (like Baby's collar inscription) so if this invite is not centered, I apologize, but hope that it works, anyway, hope to see you there!
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Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weasley
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Ginevra Molly
To
Mr. Draco Malfoy
on Saturday, the twenty-second of May
at six o'clock in the evening
Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Reception
immediately following the ceremony
Malfoy Manor