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 TWO
BIRTHDAY BOY
Ginny went through Angel's closets trying to find something appropriate for her to wear to lunch at the Burrow. Angel had thought a dress worth more than her entire wardrobe had been worth twelve months ago was appropriate for running around with her cousins and getting dirty. Despite the little girl's pleas, Ginny had immediately negated any idea of her wearing anything other than what she chose for her.
Her hand ran over outfit after expensive outfit, dismissing each in order. She suddenly stopped and pulled a dress from the wardrobe. Ginny blinked at it a couple of times before striding purposely from her daughter's rooms.
"Draco, what is this?"
"A dress."
"And what is it doing in Angel's room?"
"Looking at the size, I'd say because it's hers."
"Why?"
Draco eyed his wife cautiously. This had to be a trick question. It couldn't be anything else. He knew instinctively no matter how he answered her query he'd be in the wrong. "Err... because it won't fit you."
"Draco!"
"Ginny, what's the problem?"
"This dress."
"What about it?"
"This is the dress your daughter destroyed the bridal shop for when I wouldn't buy it for her."
"It is?" Draco responded cautiously.
"Draco!"
"Ginny, I've never seen it before."
"Then where did it come from?"
"Maybe..." Draco was loath to finish his thought, but there was only one person who had seen the dress who would have bought it despite Angel's poor behavior that day.
"Maybe what?"
Sorry he'd not stopped himself before giving the impression that he had an idea, Draco cringed. It was too late not to finish his thought. "Mother."
"I told her no!"
"Ginny, she likes to see the kids happy-"
"They don't get to be happy when they behave like that, they get punished."
"Gin, calm down, love. Mother probably thought she was doing the right thing."
"By whom?"
This conversation was going nowhere good and at a rate that made Draco's head spin. He had to put a stop to it now and calm his wife down before she came into contact with his mother or he knew blood would fly. "Look, we'll just take it off of her and I'll have a word to Mother about her purchase later."
"Draco, she deliberately went behind my back."
"I know and I'll deal with her."
Ginny rolled her eyes. She had a fair idea what Draco's idea of dealing with his mother entailed - nothing that would actually change Narcissa's habits. "I'll talk to her."
"Gin, I-"
"I said I would deal with her."
Draco let out a frustrated groan. This could lead nowhere good. His mother was as headstrong, if not more so, than Ginny. If Narcissa thought she was doing the right thing, nothing or no one would be able to convince her otherwise. He debated following Ginny downstairs and being present while she confronted his mother, but thought the better of it - someone had to be around to clean up the mess that would almost surely be made by the two witches. He continued getting dressed and tried not to think about what might be happening on the floor below.
"Daddy?"
Draco looked to the doorway of his dressing room. "Yes, Princess?"
"Mummy was getting me something to wear."
"Oh-umm-I'll help you." He knew Ginny might not be back for a while and even when she did return it would probably be safer to keep her out of her daughter's closets. "Let's see if we can find something Mummy will approve of."
Upon entering his daughter's dressing room, Draco could understand why Ginny might be upset, though the thought that only one dress had set her off was a little disturbing. The closets were almost overflowing with robes and dresses, most of which were yet to be worn. He knew Ginny hadn't purchased much of what now resided in his daughter's room and he had no doubt he'd be hearing from his father sooner or later over the missing Galleons in the vaults.
"We're looking for something that's not too good, yet still looks pretty... Right?"
"Uh huh."
"Okay."
Draco sighed as he reached out and began to move aside dress after dress. All seemed to have been made from the finest of fabrics and he was certain his wife wouldn't deem them appropriate for running around at her parents' property. He finally settled on a pretty pink dress with a large bow on the back. It was made of linen, but it was the only thing he could find that resembled casual wear or at least close to it.
"This one will have to do." Draco passed the dress to Angel, who promptly screwed her little nose up. "Just put it on, Angel."
"Yes, Daddy," the little witch agreed sulkily. She much preferred the dress she already on, it was lilac silk with a lace overlay and Grandfather had told her she looked positively beautiful when she wore it.
"Do you need any help?"
"Millie can help me."
"All right then, when you're ready come to my chambers."
"Okay."
On the way back to his own rooms, Draco checked on Drake's progress. The little boy was almost ready to leave, with only his boots missing from his feet. Draco knew there'd be no problem with whatever his son had chosen to wear, unless being too scruffy was a problem. After leaving Drake with instructions to join him in the master chambers once he was ready, Draco continued to his own rooms.
When he entered their private sitting room, he could hear Ginny moving around the bedchamber and by the sounds of all the slamming down of items she was still irritated. He closed his eyes a moment and took a deep breath. The first thing he had to do was calm her down, and then he'd go looking for his mother's body, if his wife hadn't seen fit to dispose of it before coming back to their chambers.
With reluctance Draco entered the bedchamber. "Gin?"
"She's not here!"
"Who?"
"Narcissa!"
"Oh." Draco silently thanked whoever was watching over them. "Never mind, you can speak to her tonight."
"I wanted to get it settled now."
Even though he could have been risking his life, Draco gathered her in his arms. "Love, she's not here, so is it really worth holding onto all this anger?"
"I just-"
"I know. You wanted to get it sorted and you will, but it's going to have to wait. You can't speak to her if she's not here." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Now, how about giving me a smile?"
"Draco, you're not going to-"
"I'm not doing anything. I just want to see you happy and there's no reason you can't be happy while you're waiting to see Mother."
Ginny rolled her eyes. The way this family could sweep problems under the carpet was astonishing.
"Come on, love. Your family is expecting to see you at least cheerful."
"All right." Ginny smiled briefly.
"Properly," Draco ordered.
She forced a grin again.
"You know, if you don't give me one of your award winning smiles this minute I might just have to snog one out of you."
"Oh?"
"Or better still, there's that little spot that never fails." Draco's mouth trailed down the side of her face to her neck. "It's around about here," he muttered as his mouth descended on the point between her neck and shoulder.
"Okay, you win," Ginny moaned. "I'm smiling."
Draco lifted his head to see if she was telling the truth. A sultry smirk graced her features and her eyes were just beginning to glaze over. "Just how I like to see you."
"Is that so?" Her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Mmm." Draco's head dipped to claim her lips ardently.
"I'm ready to go-ewww."
Draco rested his head on Ginny's forehead. "Drake's ready."
"So he said."
"I'll go check on Angel," Draco offered.
"I was going to find her something suitable to wear."
"All sorted, she was getting changed when I left her."
Ginny quirked an eyebrow at her husband, she had seen his idea of casual wear.
"I think you'll approve." Draco grinned at her. "Mind you, I couldn't find any of the clothes she'd usually wear to your parents' place."
"They're not in her closet?" Ginny hadn't made it all the way through Angel's clothes, and so hadn't noticed anything was missing.
"Nope, I couldn't find them. They could be still in her old room."
"I'll check tomorrow."
"It wouldn't be the end of the world if those clothes didn't show up," Draco ventured bravely. He would've loved to have left the twins' clothes at the Burrow when they moved into the manor and bought them both entirely new wardrobes. After all, neither of them needed to wear shabby hand-me-downs anymore. "Her closets are full to bursting."
"I know they're full, but she needs some older clothes to play in without fear of ruining them."
"All I'm saying is if they are gone it's nothing to get upset about and if she needs play clothes we can buy some."
Ginny looked at her husband curiously. "Do you know something about the missing clothes?"
"No, love. I was the one who told you, remember?"
"Mmm."
"I just don't want you to upset yourself over some missing secondhand clothes." He placed a small kiss on her nose. "I'll go see if she's ready and then we'll leave."
"All right," Ginny muttered dubiously as Draco hurried from the room.
She wasn't convinced he knew nothing of the missing clothes, but without an admission from him it was unlikely she'd find proof of his guilt. He was right that it wasn't worth getting upset over, but she'd like to know what had happened to them if they were truly gone. Perhaps they had been left in Angel's old suite. Still she didn't have time to go searching now, so it would have to wait until tomorrow.
"Mummy, are we going soon?" Drake was eager to get to the Burrow and play with his cousins, plus there had been talk of a game of Quidditch planned for today.
"Yes, honey, just as soon as Angel is ready."
The little wizard sighed affectedly. "She always takes forever."
"Do not!" Angel protested as she walked in ahead of her father.
"Do too!" Drake countered.
"Enough," Draco snapped. "Are you ready, love?"
Ginny picked up her cloak and handbag. "Yes, let's go before we're late for lunch."
"Right, everyone down to the parlor in the north wing."
"What's wrong with our Floo?"
"It's not connected to the network yet. I'll take care of it first thing tomorrow morning."
"All right."
"Let's go, shall we. I do not want to learn first hand what your mother does to those who dare to be late for lunch."
Ginny laughed as the family walked downstairs. She knew her husband would likely expire where he stood if he ever witnessed Molly Weasley in full flight. Even to those who knew her best, the matriarch was a very frightening sight when she took issue with someone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as Draco stepped out of the hearth in the front room of the Burrow and put Drake on his feet, the little boy took off in the direction of the kitchen without waiting for the customary cleaning charm to be performed to eradicate any soot from his clothes. Before Draco could call him back Ginny stepped out with Angel in her arms.
"Where's Drake?" Ginny asked absently as she drew her wand and allowed it to hover over Angel, cleaning the little girl from tip to toe before she ran off to find her cousins.
"Ran off as soon as we got here and he's got soot all over him."
"Catch up with him after we've said hello to everyone."
"All right, but you know he's going to be even more filthy by then."
"A little bit of dirt never killed anyone." Ginny laughed as her arms wove around his waist.
Draco sighed affectedly. She knew he hated to be dirty and to see his son running about filthy without a care just about drove him nutters. "All right, a little dirt never killed anyone... yet."
"Come on, we'd better go and say hello before Mum comes looking for us."
They knew the short stroll from the hearth to the kitchen would be the last of their peace and quiet until they returned to the manor. Despite wanting it to last for as long as possible, they found themselves standing in the kitchen doorway within seconds. As soon as they stepped over the threshold, Molly flew across the room to the couple.
"Ginny! Draco! Oh it's lovely to see both of you looking so rested."
"Hello, Mum."
"Molly."
"Happy birthday for last week, Draco." Molly placed a wet kiss on his cheek and hugged him tight before stepping back. "Did you have a good time? You must tell us everything."
"We don't want to know everything," Ron grumbled as he stalked into the kitchen.
Draco smirked at his brother-in-law and wrapped his arm possessively around his wife's waist, a move that earned him a seething look of disgust from the redheaded Auror.
"It was fantastic, Mum. We just relaxed most of the time."
"Wonderful! And you're feeling well?"
"Yes, I've been feeling great."
"No morning sickness?"
"Nope."
"With luck that's all behind you now," Molly clucked, patting Ginny's arm.
"I hope so," Draco mumbled.
"You'd best go and say hello to everyone. They're all dying to hear about your honeymoon." Molly bustled back to the hearth and continued with the meal preparations.
Within seconds of entering the yard, the family swallowed Ginny into its depths. Everyone was asking her about the honeymoon and complimenting her on how well she looked. Busy watching his wife interact with her family, Draco failed to notice her two oldest brothers wander over to flank him.
"She looks good," Charlie said quietly.
"Yeah, she needed the break," Draco agreed.
"So the honeymoon was good?" Bill queried.
Before he could stop it a wicked grin crept across Draco's face.
"If it was that good, you can keep the details to yourself," Charlie said quickly.
"We definitely don't want the particulars," Bill assured him seriously.
"If you guys are sure... I don't mind sharing," Draco teased.
Bill stood back and regarded his brother-in-law with mock surprise. "What's this?"
"He's come back all cocky." A dangerous smile had crept across Charlie's face.
"We might just have to remind him of what happens when our baby sister appears unreasonably happy." Bill nodded to himself as if to confirm his words in his own mind.
Draco laughed at the antics of the two wizards. "And risk making her miserable?"
"You see the thing is we'd be happy," Charlie informed him.
"Not for long and you both know it," Draco pointed out.
"I hate to admit it-" Bill dropped his hand onto his brother's shoulder. "But he has a point."
"Bloody hell, we never get to have any fun," Charlie groused with mock disappointment. "Jokes aside, it's great to see her looking so happy."
"I don't know if I can take all the credit. The holiday did her a world of good and her morning sickness seems to have resolved itself," Draco admitted.
Bill slapped Draco's back. "Doesn't matter how it happened, mate. She's looking great."
"Come on, boys. Lunch is on the table," Molly announced.
"Coming, Mum." Bill slapped Draco on the shoulder. "So are you ready for this, birthday boy?"
"My birthday was last week."
"And you were away, so you get to celebrate again," Charlie said with amusement.
"I thought this was just a normal Sunday lunch," Draco said hesitantly.
Charlie sniggered. "That was the day after your stag party. Today is just for you."
"Well aren't I the lucky one?" Draco didn't do a good job of hiding the sarcasm in his tone.
"It's not that bad, mate." Bill chuckled heartily. "You get waited on at lunch and you get to blow the candles out on your cake."
"Then there's presents to open," Charlie added.
Draco's eyes opened wide in horror. What could these people possibly have bought him?
Molly bustled over to the men and attached herself to Draco's arm. "Draco, dear, come and sit down."
Before he could frame a polite reply, Draco found himself being walked to the table. He glanced around for any sign of his wife and possibly a chance of rescue. Ginny was at the other end of the table fussing over the children and not aware of what her mother was subjecting him to or if she was, she was deliberately ignoring his plight.
"Sit down right here, dear," Molly clucked. "I've already served your lunch."
Draco dropped into the chair and stared in scarcely concealed horror at the plate before him. It was overflowing with food. Molly still thought he ate like her sons. If he made it through all of what was on the plate he knew he wouldn't be able to move for a week. "Thank you, Molly," he uttered without conviction.
"Eat up, dear. There's plenty more when you finish that." Molly patted his shoulder before hurrying down to encourage the children to eat heartily.
A few minutes later, Ginny sat in the chair next to Draco and began to serve a plate for herself. Her mother had chastised her thoroughly for fussing over the children and not taking care of herself.
Lunch passed in its usual noisy fashion with many loud conversations going on around the table as the family ate. The children ate quickly under grandma's watchful gaze and then ran off to continue playing.
"Draco, are you up for a game of Quidditch?"
One of the twins was leaning across the table waiting for his reply. Draco still couldn't tell them apart. "Umm-sure, why not."
"Excellent!"
Charlie leaned over the table. "What are you up to, Fred?"
"Just seeing if Draco was up to a spot of flying."
"He's not on your team, so leave him alone," Bill said seriously.
"Why can't he be on our team?" George demanded.
"With Draco on our team we can at least have even numbers again. He can take Ginny's old position," Charlie informed them. "But if you want to discuss a trade we're willing to offer Percy for anyone else."
"No thanks," the twins answered in unison.
Draco observed the men debating his place on a team. The identical expressions of horror on the twins' faces stirred his curiosity and he leaned closer to Harry. "What's wrong with Percy?"
"Flying isn't exactly his forte," Harry whispered.
"What position do you play, Draco?" Charlie asked.
"Seeker."
Charlie's eyes narrowed a little. "Are you any good as a Chaser or Beater?"
"I've never really played either position."
"There's no time like the present." Charlie grinned.
"All right," Draco agreed hesitantly. He wasn't overly enamored with the idea of playing a different position, but he wouldn't argue with the point this time. "Whom am I playing with?"
"I'm the Seeker, Bill and you will be our Chasers and Beaters, and Percy can play keeper with back up from you and Bill."
Draco nodded thoughtfully. This was certainly going to be an interesting experience. "And our opposition?"
"Harry is Seeker, Ron is keeper and the twins are the Chasers and Beaters," Charlie informed him quickly. "I'd better get myself changed. Anya will hex me if I get dirty, we're going out to dinner later."
Draco smiled at his brother-in-law knowingly. It seemed all of the men had vanished inside to change into their Quidditch gear.
Ginny placed a bag on the table in front of Draco. "Your Quidditch gear."
"You knew?"
"I had a feeling the boys would want to get into the air today."
"My broom?"
"It's still in the broom shed."
"Of course."
"So you're taking my old position?"
"Sounds like it, but I've never played either position before."
"You'll be fine." Ginny lowered her voice before continuing, "Just keep a close eye on the goals as well, Percy can barely fly."
"What about the others?" Draco wasn't accustomed to losing and he wasn't about to get used to the idea either.
"They can play. Charlie was on the house team at Hogwarts."
"Really? How does he go against Potter?"
"He wins about half the time."
"Good." Draco smirked. "Well, I should go change."
"Need a hand?"
"As tempting as your offer is, your brothers would probably come looking for me when they noticed I wasn't in the air."
After placing a soft kiss on his wife's mouth, Draco entered the house. He passed Bill and Charlie in the doorway; both were already dressed in their Quidditch gear. The two wizards went directly to the broom shed, where they'd placed their respective rides as soon as they'd arrived that morning. With their boys getting older, it was perilous to leave broomsticks unattended for any length of time.
Draco made his way up to Ginny's old room quickly and changed into his Quidditch britches, jumper and boots. He left the room with his guards in hand. As odd as the four-against-four game sounded to him, he was looking forward to getting in the air and he had no doubt that most up there with him would be competitive.
He walked back through the kitchen, receiving a few more-than-appreciative glances from some of his sister-in-laws. Draco didn't miss the looks and all but ran through the back door with amused giggles following him into the yard. Ginny was busy clearing the table, so he headed for the broom shed first. He'd talk to her before he took to the air, and hopefully not in the presence of any other witches with roaming eyes.
"Draco, we got your broom," Bill told him as he approached.
"Everything all right, mate?" Charlie asked.
Draco threw a quick look over his shoulder to see if any eyes or worse, women, had followed him. "Yeah, everything is fine."
Charlie looked at him dubiously. "If you say so, but I've got to say I don't believe you. You look like you've seen a Dementor."
"I'm fine," Draco responded tightly. God only knew what the other men would do to him if they knew the way their wives were looking at him, not to mention how his own wife would react.
"Enough of this. He said he was fine." Bill passed Draco his broom. "We have to work out a plan of attack or they'll kill us up there."
Their heads came together as the three men began to talk tactics seriously. In five minutes Draco learned the weaknesses of the four opposing wizards. If only he'd been in possession of such titillating facts while at Hogwarts, the outcome of many games could have been vastly different.
"There's just something about men in Quidditch britches that makes my stomach flutter," Fleur whispered in Ginny's ear.
Ginny smiled knowingly as she glanced over at the men. There was something about the way Quidditch britches sat snuggly on their derrieres and defined their thighs that did something for her as well. She leaned against the table and appreciated the view until it was interrupted. Percy had walked over to the group of men and had stopped just behind Draco. There was nothing in the way his pants hung loosely from his backside that was in the least bit appealing.
The two women returned to clearing the table. They wanted to get the chores done as quickly as possible so they could watch the game.
"Ginny, dear, we'll have Draco's cake for afternoon tea," Molly said as she came out to collect more dirty dishes.
"That's fine, Mum. The boys are more interested in getting in the air at the moment and you know they'll be ravenous after the game."
"There's nothing like a bit of flying to give their appetites a healthy nudge," Molly agreed happily.
Ginny balanced a high stack of dirty dishes in her hands and walked into the house. Though there was a lot of cleaning still to be done with all the women pitching in everything would be back to normal in no time. She placed the stack on the sideboard for Anya, who was up to her elbows in suds.
"Is there much more?" Fleur asked.
"Just the serving dishes," Ginny answered.
"We should get you to bring a house elf with you," Angelina said half seriously.
"Don't let Draco hear you say that!" Ginny glanced out the kitchen window to make sure her husband was still near the broom shed and not within earshot. "All he'd need is a feasible excuse to not leave the house without an entourage of servants."
"You should let him bring as many as he wanted. It would save my hands." Anya held up her soapy, pruning hands.
While it was possible to charm the dishes to wash, with so many to do it was quicker to clean them manually, especially when there were so many hands around to help.
"You know we should make Ginny wash up," Fleur suggested cheekily. "Otherwise she might forget how."
"Once a month sounds fair," Anya agreed, drying her hands on a towel. "Sorry, Gin, I am going to have to get you to take over. My fingers are actually starting to hurt."
"All right, but someone will have to give Mum a hand with what's left on the table."
"Consider it done," Pansy responded on her way out the back door. She didn't mind helping with the post-lunch clean up as long as she didn't have to wash. There was no way she was gong to willingly damage her hands. "Molly, is this all that's left?"
"Yes, dear. What happened to Ginny?"
"Anya's hands are getting all wrinkly so Ginny's washing."
Molly tutted loudly to herself. Women these days didn't know the meaning of hard work. Not that she had any genuine complaints about her sons' wives, the girls always helped to clear the mess following a family meal.
Pansy picked up the stack of serving platters and returned to the kitchen. She didn't want to know what Molly was muttering about, because her opinion would have most probably been very different to that of the older witch.
"This is everything," Pansy announced as she unloaded the dishes on the table.
"Thank goodness," Ginny exclaimed. "One of these days we're going to sit out there with our feet up, belching and scratching our bits while the boys wash up."
Amused laughter filled the room.
"You do know we'd have to re-wash everything after they'd finished, because nothing would be clean enough," Katie said through her giggles.
"Not to mention how many Reparo charms we'd have to cast," Angelina scoffed.
"Our wands would be worn out," Fleur added.
Ginny continued to wash while Hermione, Katie, Anya and Angelina dried, and Fleur, Penelope and Pansy put away. The women worked well together and in no time the kitchen was put back to rights. Molly flitted between the kitchen and the front room where the youngest members of the clan had been deposited while their mothers cleaned up and their fathers prepared for the Quidditch game.
When the Weasley matriarch declared all had been done, the girls made their way down to the field. Their husbands had wandered down sometime before them and were already in the air getting a feel for their brooms. The women settled on blankets at the edge of the field with the older children playing nearby. Molly had remained in the house with the babies and smaller children who were napping in various locations around the ramshackle house.
"So was Narcissa glad to see you?" Pansy asked curiously. She'd ran into the older witch in Diagon Alley one afternoon and noticed that the blonde didn't appear to be her usual poised self.
"She was yesterday, but the next time she sees me could very well change her mind."
Hermione leaned forward, concern clearly evident in her eyes. "Why? What happened?"
"Do you remember that dress Angel threw a tantrum over in the bridal shop?"
"Yes," Hermione replied cautiously, averting her gaze from her friend.
"I found it in Angel's closet this morning."
"Really?" Pansy exclaimed loudly. She hoped Ginny wouldn't look directly at Hermione until the woman had made some attempt to adjust her expression.
Ginny frowned at her friend's over exuberance. "Yeah," she muttered distractedly.
Hermione was looking anywhere but at her friend. The secret of the purchase had been nagging at her conscience for a long time. Now that Ginny had discovered the dress, she was caught between wanting to confess her prior knowledge and hoping her friend didn't find out that she was present when Narcissa bought the dress.
"So what are you going to do about the dress?" Pansy asked when Ginny's gazed began to wander in Hermione's direction.
"I'm going to tell Narcissa to return it," Ginny responded resolutely.
Pansy snorted with laughter. "Good luck!"
"If she doesn't, then I will."
"So when are you planning to go to Muggle London?"
"I might go- Hermione, are you all right?"
"Umm-I-err-You see-"
Pansy shook her head ever so slightly at the brown haired woman. "Hermione."
Ginny threw a hard look at Pansy that clearly conveyed an unveiled warning. "Hermione, what do you know about the dress?"
"You know-"
Pansy moved to block Hermione's view of Ginny. "Hermione, we don't need to get involved," she hissed.
"But we were there," Hermione replied none too quietly in a distressed tone.
"What?" Ginny's eyes were just about bulging they were open so wide. "You were there when Narcissa bought the dress?"
Pansy closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. This was not going to be pleasant. She turned to face a furious Ginny. "Yes, we were there. Narcissa bought the dress after you left the shop and had it delivered to the manor."
"And it never occurred to either of you to say anything?"
"I think she felt guilty for all the damage Angel caused," Hermione offered meekly.
"Guilty? Bollocks! Narcissa Malfoy wouldn't recognize the feeling."
"Ginny, it's between you and Narcissa," Pansy said calmly. "We didn't feel it was appropriate to interfere."
"Pray tell, what is appropriate about buying a dress for a little girl when she throws a tantrum?"
Pansy's gaze dropped into her lap and Hermione concentrated her eyes on the men in the air. Neither witch could justify Narcissa's purchase or their silence for that matter.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Ginny muttered sardonically after a prolonged silence.
"We're really sorry, Ginny," Hermione said softly. "We should have told you."
Pansy stared in horror at Hermione. The woman just couldn't keep her mouth shut. They had nothing to apologize for, they hadn't gone against Ginny's wishes, and they hadn't even lied for Narcissa, because Ginny had never posed the question. Now she felt obliged to say something. "It was wrong of us not to say something, but Narcissa requested our confidence."
"So, despite knowing my feelings on the matter, you agreed to keep her secret?"
Pansy cringed. Ginny's tone was dangerously accusatory and she knew it was with good reason.
"It was a difficult situation," Hermione reminded her friend. "All I wanted to do was get out of the shop."
"If it was such a difficult situation, how is it Narcissa had time to do a spot of shopping?" Ginny asked venomously.
"That's not fair," Pansy responded evenly. "We didn't buy the dress. We simply minded our own business. If you want to have a go at someone then Narcissa is your target. Not Hermione and not me."
Ginny watched as her friend and soon to be sister-in-law strode off towards the house. Shame filled her. Pansy was right; she had no business being angry with either of them. Narcissa was the one at fault.
Anya slid over to sit close to her youngest sister-in-law. "She's right you know."
"I know," Ginny admitted softly. "Hermione, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have-"
"It's okay. I knew you'd be furious when you found out," Hermione admitted. "I did think Narcissa might save the dress for a special occasion or something and not just give it to her."
Ginny sighed heavily. "That's not how she thinks. You should see Angel's closets; they're full of new clothes that weren't there two weeks ago."
"She doesn't strike me as the type to mind what she's spending," Anya observed.
"No, but Draco did tell me Lucius does pull her into line if he feels she's spent too much."
Hermione laughed. "I'd love to see that."
"Yeah, I still haven't figured out who'd win that battle," Ginny admitted.
"Do you have the same arrangement with Draco?" Anya enquired.
Ginny nodded. "Pretty much, but I can't bring myself to just buy things for the sake of it."
"Well at least he'll never have a reason to tell you off," Hermione pointed out.
"Unless it's for not spending enough." Ginny laughed. "When we went shopping in Saint Tropez, he was always on at me to just buy something if I wanted it, but I couldn't get anything without weighing whether or not I actually needed it."
"Old habits die hard," Anya said quietly.
"He ended up doing most of the buying. In the end, if I looked mildly interested at something, he bought it before I could protest. So now I have all these things I don't really need."
"You should enjoy it. You've struggled forever and now is your time to just enjoy what money can buy without thinking twice about whether or not you can afford it," Anya assured her.
"I know and Draco tells me that all the time." Ginny sighed thoughtfully. It just wasn't in her makeup to spend frivolously. "I should go see Pansy. I need to apologize."
"For what?"
The voice from behind her made Ginny jump. "Oh, Pansy, I'm sorry for having a go at you. You were right, Narcissa is whom I'm angry with and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. Will you come back and sit with us?"
Pansy frowned in confusion. "I was coming back to sit down."
"I thought you went back to the house, because you were upset with me," Ginny admitted softly.
Pansy laughed lightly. "No, silly, you know I can't go longer than five minutes without visiting the lavatory."
"Oh, of course." Ginny didn't know whether to feel relieved or embarrassed. She should have remembered it took a lot more than just a few words to offend the black haired witch.
The women settled back to watch to remains of the game being played above their heads. Before long the Snitch appeared. Ginny caught sight of it seconds before either of the Seekers. She yearned to be up there handling the Quaffle, flying like her life depended upon the win. Of course there was no way the family would let her near a broom stick, let alone to play in a game and Draco would more than likely throw one of his infamous Malfoy tantrums at the mere suggestion. She was pulled from her thoughts by the shrieks of encouragement the women were sending to the men.
Harry and Charlie were streaking through the air at break neck speed, bumping each other in an attempt to unseat the other and gain the lead.
Hermione gasped loudly as Charlie sideswiped her husband hard enough to throw him several meters off course. While Harry was still recovering, Charlie's gloved hand closed around the Snitch and he let out a triumphant roar.
While the men were collecting the balls and returning to the ground, the women charmed their blankets to fold and waited for their partners to join them.
As soon as Charlie's feet touched the ground, Matthew was jumping all over him. The excited little boy was squealing with delight over his father's win. When Bill and Draco hit the ground they both congratulated Charlie on securing victory with a slap on the back before walking in the direction of their wives.
Percy came down and limped over to Penelope. He'd done little more than get a few blisters on his backside during the game. This was one of the few times he looked forward to his nephews growing up. Once the boys were old enough to mix it with the men, perhaps his brothers would stop insisting he play the ridiculous game.
Draco strutted over to Ginny with a big grin on his face. She was smiling softly at him and could tell, without asking, that he'd enjoyed the game. "Feel good?"
"Oh yeah, there's nothing quite like a good win." Draco draped an arm around her shoulder and leaned in close before adding in a whisper, "Especially when Potter is on the losing team."
"Draco!" Ginny slapped his chest playfully. "You're so wicked."
"And you love it," he growled softly.
Ginny's arm snaked around his waist, her hand settling on his backside. "It's a good thing I'm distracted at the moment."
"How so?"
"Do you think you can parade around here dressed like that and have me able to concentrate on anything other than how edible your arse looks?"
"Well I-" Draco paused and looked curiously at his wife. "What is it that turns usually respectable women into drooling, touchy, feely creatures the moment a pair of Quidditch britches appears?"
"I'm not sure, there's just something about them," Ginny admitted in a silky voice as her hand stroked his tight arse. "They drive me crazy."
"You and all the other women," Draco mumbled.
"What's that?"
"Nothing," Draco responded a little too quickly.
Ginny moved away a little so she could make eye contact. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Draco?"
"There were some looks when I first came downstairs," he admitted reluctantly. The notion that he could be opening a nasty can of worms if he said much more occurred to him as the words left his mouth.
"From who?"
Draco weighed up whether or not he should respond honestly. This whole situation could get ugly, very ugly.
"Draco?"
"Sister-in-laws," he uttered almost inaudibly.
Ginny arched an eyebrow at him and a cheeky smirk curled her lips. She suspected they'd done something due to his odd expression when he'd exited the house. "Well you are a sexy beast," she purred.
Loud laughter erupted from behind them and startled the couple. They spun around to find Harry and Ron just about doubled over. Draco sneered at them and they laughed even harder. Fred and George were standing just a short distance away, chuckling between themselves - something Draco had figured out was dangerous to anyone in the immediate vicinity.
"Oh, Fred, you're such a sexy beast," George said in a high-pitched voice.
"Don't be silly, you're far sexier than me," Fred insisted as he squeezed his twin's backside in an exaggerated parody of their sister's actions.
Harry and Ron were in hysterics, barely able to stand without assistance.
Ginny rolled her eyes at her brothers and took Draco's hand, leading him in the direction of the house. "I can't believe them!"
The expression on his wife's face stilled his lips. Draco knew just one wrong word would see him directly in the firing line of her temper. It was much better to let her fume about her relatives and not respond, even if the situation was tempting.
Upon entering the yard, the couple noticed the children were scattered throughout and Ginny calmed her ranting down to a dull roar. It seemed, with the promise of the birthday cake soon to be served none of the pint-sized witches or wizards were game enough to stray far from the kitchen, lest they miss out. Draco dropped his tall frame into a garden chair and pulled Ginny into his lap. He desperately wanted to have a quick shower and clean up, but Percy had beaten everyone to the bathroom with the help of Penelope.
"Ginny, dear, is everyone coming back to the house?" Molly asked as she placed a stack of sandwich plates on the table.
"Yes, Mum. The boys were just collecting the balls." She knew there was no point in mentioning the antics of her brothers. Her mother wouldn't see anything wrong with what they'd done and it would just serve to exasperate her further.
"Wonderful! When they get back we'll have Draco's cake."
"I'll give you a hand," Ginny offered.
"Everything is ready, dear. You stay with Draco and relax for a bit."
"If you're sure."
"Yes, yes, I've got everything ready," Molly assured her as she bustled back to the kitchen.
Soon enough bodies began to fill the yard again. The Quidditch equipment was dutifully put away in the broom shed and the men immediately began proclaiming their hunger. Their wait for afternoon tea was short lived as Molly appeared with Draco's birthday cake only moments later. With her grandchildren surrounding her, the journey to the table was slow.
"Gather around the table everyone," Molly called as she placed the cake in front of Draco. "Ginny told me you like chocolate cake, dear."
"Err- yes." Draco stared at the enormous slab cake. Any hint to the flavor was lost under a thick layer of bright green icing, so Draco had no choice but to take her word for it. Large uneven grayish script spelled out "Happy Birthday Draco" across the cake and the outer edges held twenty-five candles that were yet to be lit.
The family gathered around the end of the table where Draco and Ginny were sitting. Amused sniggers bounced around the group; all the men understood how embarrassing this ritual was, but none had ever plucked up the courage to complain to their mother. When Molly lit the candles, a discordant chorus of "Happy Birthday" was struck up somewhere in the crowd.
Draco could do nothing more than sit in his chair hoping his utter mortification wasn't glaringly obvious and wait for this latest Weasley family torture to be over. Ginny had slid off his knee at some point to stand just behind him. As the last strains of the traditional tune assaulted his ears, Draco leaned forward and began to blow out the candles. Three breaths later the last flame was extinguished and the family cheered. Draco sat back in his chair and tried not to make eye contact with anyone - it was one thing to do this as a child, but quite another when one turned twenty-five.
"Draco, dear, you must make a wish," Molly said as she passed him a long knife.
It seemed the torture was not yet over. He accepted the utensil and quickly plunged it into the cake, not bothering about whether he touched the bottom or not. Draco forced a smile for his mother-in-law's sake as more cheers filled the yard.
Before the noise had fully abated, Molly moved the cake over and began to cut large chunks off for everyone. The first piece went straight to Draco, much to his horror and the disgust of the children waiting impatiently by Molly's side.
"All of you can go and sit down or you won't be getting any of Uncle Draco's cake," Molly instructed firmly.
The children quickly parked their bottoms in the chairs closest to their grandma and unfortunately for Draco, he found himself surrounded by miniature Weasleys. The children watched every move Molly made with wide hungry eyes, but it wasn't until after the adults had been served that they got their cake.
"Uncle Draco?"
Draco blinked at the little redheaded witch for a moment. He was still getting accustomed to being called Uncle. While he had realized he would inherit various in-laws through his marriage, he forgotten that he'd also become an instant uncle many times over. "Yes- err."
"Britany," Angel whispered.
"Yes, Britany," he responded confidently.
"How old are you?"
Courtney began to giggle loudly. "He's old!"
Draco stared at the pint-sized witch. He wasn't old - far from it in fact. He was only twenty-five.
"Well, Uncle Draco?" Britany persisted seriously.
"I-err- Didn't your parents ever teach you that it's rude to talk about the age of others?"
"It's only rude to ask ladies," Angel pointed out. "Grandmother told me."
"She would see the difference," Draco mumbled. "Britany, why don't you finish your cake?"
"But aren't you going to answer me?"
"I really don't think it's an appropriate time to be discussing my age."
The little girl sighed heavily and returned to eating her cake.
Angel leaned over to Britany and whispered loud enough for all to hear, "Daddy's twenty-five."
Britany gasped. "That's old."
Angel nodded her acquiescence.
"I am not," Draco responded indignantly.
"Leave it, mate. You'll never convince them," Bill said as he rested a hand on Draco's shoulder. "They think I'm ancient."
"Ancient?"
"Yeah, so think yourself lucky you were just labeled old." Bill chuckled. "Interested in toasting your birthday with something a little more appealing than tea?"
"What did you have in mind?"
Bill leaned close to Draco's ear so Molly wouldn't overhear. "Drop or two of Odgen's."
"Now that does sound appealing."
"Thought it might. Come on, we'll put some distance between us and mum."
Draco frowned at his brother-in-law quizzically.
"Don't worry, she'll say something, she always does, but she doesn't really begrudge us a drink."
"You're sure?" Draco didn't relish finding himself on the wrong side of his mother-in-law again.
"Absolutely, come on."
At the other end of the table the men of the family had set themselves up nicely. The teacups the women had put in front of them were pushed aside to make way for tumblers of Firewhisky and the large bottle sitting in the middle of the men.
"Have fun with the kids?" Charlie asked.
"Oh yeah," Draco answered sarcastically.
George sniggered openly. "It's almost tradition that the birthday boy sits with the kids for cake."
"More like the kids sit with the cake and Mum never moves it far enough so they'll go away," Fred pointed out.
"So what were you dubbed?" Harry enquired with an amused smirk.
"Dubbed?" Draco gave the raven-haired wizard a perplexed look as he sat down.
"Old or ancient?"
"Old," Draco muttered into his tumbler.
"You got off lightly then," Ron suggested. "My last birthday they told me I was too old to get married and have kids now."
The men laughed loudly at the previous antics of the children. Over the last year they'd all fallen victim to being labeled old or similar.
"What are you lot doing?" Molly shrieked. "Draco has presents to open!"
"We're just toasting his birthday, Mum," Bill responded bravely.
"It's only polite," Fred pointed out.
Molly shook her head as she walked away. "Any excuse to bend your elbows."
The boys sat swapping slightly guilty glances with one another in silence until George poked his tongue at Harry. Laughter once again filled the yard and not even a hard look from Molly settled the din.
Conversation eventually turned to the Quidditch season, as it always did when the men got together. Spirited debate grew ever louder as Draco disputed every positive claim concerning the Chudley Cannons. His refusal to consider the team capable of occupying anything other than the bottom rung on the ladder incensed Ron to the point where the redhead was almost incapable of coherent speech. Draco was having a wonderful time watching his brother-in-laws try to defend their beloved team and he was practically disappointed when Molly interrupted them.
"Before you boys have any more to drink, Draco has gifts to open," Molly told them in a tone that brokered no argument.
"Doesn't mean we can't enjoy a few during the unwrapping."
Whether the alcohol fueled his courage or he'd taken temporary leave of his senses, no one quite knew, but when Charlie dared to respond they all cringed.
Molly singled her second son out with a particularly dangerous look. Upon feeling his mother's eyes boring into him, Charlie had the good sense to lower his glass to the table and look sheepish.
Molly gave him a disgusted snort before softening her expression and looking at Draco. "The girls will bring your presents down here, dear."
"Thank you, Molly," Draco responded quickly with hardly a glance at the witch. He wasn't game enough to meet her eyes lest she vent her anger at him.
Ginny and Fleur brought Draco's gifts down to the end of the table and placed them beside him. He looked at the brightly wrapped packages dubiously. The thought of what these people could have bought still worried him.
"Draco, what did Ginny get you for your birthday?" Charlie asked. He knew his sister had spent a fair amount of time stressing over the perfect gift for her new husband.
"I-err-You really don't want to know," Draco stammered.
"It can't have been that bad," Ron said.
"I didn't say it was bad."
"Tell us then," Harry pressed.
Draco considered his options for a moment. He knew if he tried to tell them they wouldn't let him get far before complaining profusely. Before he opened his mouth, Draco had a quick look around for his wife. There was no doubt in his mind that she wouldn't want her brothers to suspect her capable of giving such a gift. Ginny had wandered back to the other end of the table to help the children. "All right, I'll tell you if you really want to know."
"We want to know," many voices confirmed.
"Okay." Draco leaned closer to the table, and in doing so, the other men followed. "I woke up on my birthday to an empty bed. Ginny had gone somewhere and left a note saying she'd be back soon, so I decided to get up. The moment my feet hit the floor 'Happy Birthday' started playing throughout the suite and this rose comes to sit right in my face. I grabbed the rose to get it out of my face - it's a Portkey."
The men were enraptured with the recount of his birthday thus far.
"Where did it take you?" Bill asked.
"I land on a beach. At first there's no one around... something I was thankful for."
"Why?" Ron enquired.
"Think about it... I'm on my honeymoon, I've just gotten out of bed." The confused look on Ron's face prompted Draco to continue. "Let's just say I wasn't exactly dressed to be in public."
Ron's face screwed up in revulsion as comprehension dawned on him.
"Anyway this place is perfect. The water is clear blue, the sand is flawlessly white, there's a small hut and cliffs or ocean surround it entirely. I hear laughing behind me... I turn around to see my beautiful wife standing there in the tiniest black bikini and wrap."
"Yeah?" The twins were so enthralled by the tale they couldn't see what was about to come.
"So Ginny offers me-err, breakfast."
"Breakfast?" Ron repeated, clearly a bit confused.
Draco smirked wickedly. He couldn't believe how easy this was; surely they could see what he was about to say. "Yeah, you know... the best way to start the day."
Ron grinned broadly and nodded. "Bacon, eggs, sausages, maybe a bit of tomato."
Draco stared at the man who seemed to be just about to drown in his own bodily fluids. He couldn't understand what Pansy saw in the wizard, the man didn't appear to have an active brain cell in his head. "Umm- No."
"Don't tell me you prefer kippers and French toast," Ron said disgustedly.
Draco couldn't help but frown deeply at his brother in-law. The other men seemed to have caught on to the subtle hints, but still Ron was oblivious.
"You're going to have to spell it out for him," George advised.
Fred snorted with laughter. "Go on. I can't wait to see his face."
Draco looked to the other men and each nodded in turn. While he wasn't certain that such an open admission was good for his health, he did have to admit the expression on Ron's face was going to be priceless. "How do I put this? Your sister offered herself as breakfast."
"What? How can Ginny be break-" Ron stopped speaking abruptly. His eyes opened wide and his face went from red to purple instantaneously. "I-you-how-oh-" he spluttered.
The men fell about laughing raucously at Ron's expense, much to the wizard's utter disgust. Quizzical looks from the women and children were ignored as they fought to regain their composure.
"Thank Merlin you finally caught on, little brother," Bill choked out.
"We'd have had to kill him if he said much more," Charlie added.
"Deserves to die anyway," Ron muttered discordantly.
Fred slapped his youngest brother on the back. "Don't fret, mate, we'll get him... it's only a matter of time."
"What's only a matter of time?" Ginny demanded to know as she approached. She knew Fred was responding to something Ron had mumbled and gut instinct told her it concerned her husband.
"Nothing," Fred responded with as much innocence as he could muster.
"And why don't I believe you?"
"Because you never believe me," Fred countered.
Ginny rolled her eyes at him. She was getting nowhere fast with him and wasn't likely to discover the truth anytime soon. "I wonder why?" she mused aloud.
"Draco was just telling us about his birthday," Bill informed her.
"Oh-oh." Ginny flushed bright crimson even though her mind was screaming at her that her brothers couldn't possibly know, because Draco was still breathing.
"Private beach... very nice," Charlie commented. "So how long did the two of you spend there?"
"Umm-err-the day," Ginny stammered.
Bill nodded thoughtfully and grinned at his sister. "Draco said something about a black bikini."
"I-err-I bought it in Saint Tropez."
"Really?" Charlie said with ill-disguised amusement.
Ginny lifted her chin. She knew exactly what they were up to and she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of humiliating her. "Yes, really. It was terribly overpriced for what it was and of course it never stayed on for long, but it was such a turn on to watch Draco's eyes glaze over just before he started tugging at the ties - I just couldn't help myself."
The boys looked awkwardly at each other and then to a very smug Draco. Not one of them could look at their sister. It wasn't that they didn't believe she was capable of deliberately conducting herself in a nefarious manner; just that if they thought on it for too long they'd lose their minds and blood would most definitely be spilled.
Ginny watched her brothers' reactions for a while. Pleased with their obvious discomfort, she turned her attention to Draco. "Mum said to go ahead and open your presents, love."
"Yeah, of course. I almost forgot about them," Draco admitted. He reached for the parcel on the top of the pile. "Are you staying here, Gin?"
"Yes, I'm staying." She sat in the chair next to him.
Draco smiled at his wife as he removed the card attached to the gift. It was from Percy and Penelope. Confident that nothing would harm him, Draco tore the paper off to reveal a leather bound book. As he turned it over in his hands several Ministry pamphlets fell to the ground. Ginny bent down to retrieve the brochures from under the table while Draco examined the book. It was titled "Cataclysmic Cauldrons ". Draco forced a smile in Percy's direction.
"There's some very useful information about the right cauldron to use for specific potions in that volume," Percy pompously informed everyone within earshot.
Draco nodded at him curtly, not quite able to force himself to say thank you. As if he required advice on cauldrons or potions. His eyes almost left his head when Ginny passed the Ministry brochures back to him. While he couldn't have predicted what they may have contained, he certainly didn't expect what they were about - at least not for a gift. The uppermost brochure was titled "Restricted Potion Ingredients - Are They Worth the Trouble?".
"Just smile," Ginny urged almost silently.
Draco shook his head in a barely conceivable move. There was no way he was going to even acknowledge such a 'gift'.
"There's been quite a few additions to the banned ingredients register of late," Percy announced. "The least I can do is make sure all family members comply."
Unable to ignore the man any longer, Draco turned his icy gaze on Percy. "I am aware of the recent changes to the Potions Register. My godfather keeps me fully informed. You remember him, don't you? He's a Potions Master and a Hogwarts Professor, no less."
"Draco, why don't you open this one next?" Ginny shoved another gift in his hands hoping it would deter him from saying anything more. "Here, Draco, open it."
He took the gift and removed the card with more force than was entirely necessary. This one was from Bill and Fleur. As he began to tear the paper away, he hoped it wouldn't be anything similar to Percy's effort. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when the paper fell away to reveal a box containing a bottle of two-hundred-year aged Odgen's Old Firewhisky.
"Thank you," Draco expressed genuinely.
"You're welcome," Bill responded.
"We'll have to get together one night and open this," Draco suggested, holding the bottle up.
Bill grinned broadly. "I was hoping you might say that."
"We'll have dinner or something, then relax and enjoy this drop of heaven."
"You're on, just let me know when."
"I'll do that," Draco confirmed. "Which one is next, Gin?"
Ginny passed him another brightly wrapped gift. "This one."
With his confidence now high, Draco opened the card eagerly. "It's from your parents."
"Open it! I've no idea what anyone got you," Ginny urged.
Draco tore the paper off to uncover a photograph in a large wooden frame. His eyes bulged as he took in the subjects waving at him-the entire Weasley clan. Unable to think of a single thing to say without the use of a few choice expletives, he wisely kept his mouth closed.
"That's for your desk at the office, dear," Molly said over his shoulder. "It's important to keep your family close."
Draco schooled his features quickly and ran several responses though his head before turning to face his mother in-law. "Thank you, I have the perfect place for it."
Molly smiled happily at him. His response had pleased her and for that he was grateful. He did have the perfect place for the frame-the bottom drawer of his desk was reserved for items he wasn't courageous enough to permanently dispose of for one reason or another. There wasn't that much difference between on and in; was there? After all she did say it was for his desk.
Ginny held another gift out for him. "Open this one next. It's from Ron and Pansy."
"Thanks," he uttered, accepting the heavy parcel. He could only hope Pansy had done the shopping, because he shuddered to think what might be waiting for him if Ron had bothered.
Relief flooded through him when he saw the box under the paper: a desk set. He lifted the lid off carefully to reveal gleaming brass. It was tastefully done in a Quidditch theme with a paper weight in an oversized Snitch, quills shaped to look like broomsticks in a stand, ink wells that resembled hollowed out miniature Bludgers and his initials were engraved on each piece.
"Thank you, Pansy... Ron."
"You're welcome," Pansy smiled warmly at him from the comfort of her fiancé's lap.
"Yeah, enjoy," Ron muttered.
"It's going to look great on my desk," Draco continued as he examined the paperweight closely.
"At work?" Pansy asked.
"No, no at home. I've taken my grandfather's old study as a home office. I haven't had a chance to personalize any of the accessories in the room yet, so this is a brilliant start."
"I'm glad you like it so much," Pansy said feeling rather pleased with herself. "Because you know how difficult you are to buy for."
"Me?" Draco feigned innocence.
"Yes, you! You're bloody impossible."
"You must have me mixed up with someone else."
Pansy rolled her eyes at her old friend good-naturedly. "Open another present before I'm forced to tell you what I really think."
"Pushy bloody witch," Draco griped. "Who's next?"
"This one," Ginny announced as she passed the gift over.
Draco opened the card from Charlie and Anya, then the present. He was surprised to find a copy of "Delve into Antediluvian Potions". It was a volume he'd wanted for some time, but had been unable to locate in London. "How did you know?"
"We were a bit stuck for ideas so Anya asked Severus what he thought and he told her you'd been trying to find that book," Charlie admitted.
"Thank you," Draco said sincerely as he flick through the first few pages.
"You're welcome," Charlie assured him. "Anya, it was the right one."
"Good, I was a bit worried I'd ordered the wrong book," Anya said as she wandered down.
"You can't read it now, Draco," Ginny chided when she noticed her husband had become somewhat absorbed in the book. "You've got two more presents to open."
"Okay." Draco placed the tome on the table. He'd love to spend the rest of the afternoon with his nose buried in the book, analyzing the earliest of potions, but that would be considered rude.
Ginny passed him a brightly wrapped box. "Here, this is from the twins, Angelina and Katie."
"You're going to love this," George assured him.
"It's the ultimate gift! No wizard should be without this little box of pleasure," Fred announced.
Given all the warnings Ginny had voiced about accepting anything from her twin brothers, Draco unwrapped the box with a great deal of reservation. He was waiting for something to jump out at him or attack or something just as silly, but nothing happened. A wooden box sat on the table, looking innocent enough, but still Draco hesitated before lifting the lid. Six small bottles were nestled on a velvet cushion within the box.
"What do you think?" George asked eagerly.
Draco frowned and looked up at the twins. Their expressions were a mixture of excitement and humor. "What is it?"
"Mate, you're now the proud owner of a 'Weasley's Surefire Rumpie Pumpie Kit'," Fred declared.
"You're getting on now and we didn't want to think you might be missing out." George winked.
Draco gaped at the pair with open horror. What on earth made them think he, of all people, needed help in that department?
"Take that first little bottle of gold, the 'Split Second Stiffy'. One swig of that and you're rock hard, raring to go in seconds without worrying about all that silly foreplay stuff. It lasts anything from fifteen to forty-five minutes, depending on how good she is."
"The one next to it is 'Overtime On the Job'. Just a couple of drops will keep you going all night long with no down time."
"'Sleepy Schlong' is a particularly useful one. We've all had those times when she feels too good and we're reminded of our earliest experiences. This bottle dulls the sensation a bit and you can last heaps longer."
"Of course, there are blokes who suffer the opposite problem, so we developed the 'Todger Tonic'. Mate, this makes a breath of air feel like a randy tart's mouth."
"We're particularly proud of the next bottle. You know it's impossible to use Engorgio on a human - well we've developed a potion that will just target a selected area of the body. So for those blokes who weren't blessed with ample wands or who experience shrinkage with age, there's a self- improvement option."
"The last bottle is a 'Revitalization Tonic'. After spending all night going at it you're going to need a helping hand to get through the work day."
"There's also a book underneath, written by us, outlining our success in the bedroom and giving some handy hints so you can reach the same level we have."
Draco had listened to the two men prattling on with ever increasing horror, disgust and shock. He was speechless. There were no words to express what he was feeling. His wife, however, appeared to be overly amused with the gift.
Ginny reached forward and plucked the 'Overtime On the Job' from its velvety surrounds. "We'll have to try this one."
The twins swapped concerned glances. "There's just one other thing, because you're married to our sister and we have that no shagging her policy we'll be checking your supplies from time to time just to make sure none is missing."
Ginny snorted with laughter in a most unladylike fashion. "It's okay, darling, it's not like you need any of that rubbish, especially the 'Whopping Willy'- Good Merlin! What would I do with you if you took that?"
Draco was caught between utter mortification and amusement as he took in the expressions of those sitting closest. While her brothers were trying to come to terms with what she'd said and form appropriate responses, Ginny shoved the last gift into his hands.
"Here open that while their brains are still calling their ears liars."
Draco accepted the parcel, grateful for the distraction. By the feel of it Harry and Hermione had bought him a book, not something that greatly surprised him. When the paper fell away, he was astounded not to see some academic tome that would gather dust on his shelves for the next hundred years, but a book titled 'Raising Magical Children Without Evoking Merlin's Wrath'.
"It was Hermione's idea, but we both thought you might like a bit of unbiased advice," Harry said.
"Thanks," Draco mumbled as he began to scan the chapter titles.
"It takes you from birth to adulthood," Harry continued.
"It's great, thank you."
Ginny leaned over. She'd known it was a book, but the subject was a mystery. "What's it about?"
Draco held the tome up for his wife with a large grin. "It's an instruction manual for the twins."
She laughed lightly at him. "And what are you going to do when they do something that's not in the book."
Draco opened the book to a random page and pretended to read for a moment. "Ah, it says right here... in the event that your offspring commits an offence we have not provided a detailed scenario for, the matter should be referred to their mother post haste for her determination."
Ginny rolled her eyes at him and shook her head. She had a feeling there would be more than a few referrals to her in the coming years or at least until Draco found his confidence. "I'll put your presents inside."
"Just leave them there, love. They're not in anyone's way."
The family relaxed around the table for the remainder of the afternoon, while the children made the most of the opportunity to play with their cousins. When the sun began to dip low on the horizon the families began to say their goodbyes and disperse to their own homes.
Draco had just finished shaking hands with most of the men when Courtney appeared in front of him.
"Uncle Draco?"
"Yes." Draco bent down closer to the little girl. A move he questioned the moment he saw both her hands behind her back.
"I've got a present for you," Courtney whispered.
"Oh-umm-thank you."
As the little witch moved her hands around to the front, Draco fought the urge to cringe or run away. He could only imagine what she had in store for him.
Courtney held out a white daisy in her hand.
He stared at the innocent bloom momentarily before taking it. A smile had only just begun to curl the corners of his mouth when the little girl flung her arms around his neck.
"I still love you, Uncle Draco, even if you are old." Courtney placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek and returned to squeezing him to death.
Unsure as to what the appropriate response would be in such a situation, Draco squeaked out a thank you and waited for Bill to claim his daughter. The thought that Bill would be plucking his daughter from Draco's unconscious form did cross his mind as the little girl's grip tightened even more around his neck.
"Come on, Courtney. Say goodbye to Uncle Draco," Bill said.
"Bye, Uncle Draco," Courtney said obediently.
"See you next time, little one," Draco responded.
Bill waited until his daughter had joined his wife before turning back to Draco. "I think you've got a fan there."
"Yeah, I'm buggered if I know why."
"Kids give unconditionally, mate. You'll learn. Think about giving that book Harry and Hermione gave you a serious look."
"I intend to."
Bill nodded. "I guess we'll see you in a few weeks."
"If not before. You have to help me open that bottle of Odgen's," Draco reminded him.
"Of course, just let me know when and where. I'll make sure I'm there."
"I will," Draco promised as he shook Bill's hand.
Draco leaned back against the table and watched as Bill picked up Courtney on his way into the house to Floo home. Apart from a few forgettable moments, he'd enjoyed the day immensely. Most of the gifts he'd received weren't nearly as horrid as he'd imagined and some were quite exceptional. He looked at the daisy still in his hand. It was such a simple gesture from a small child, yet it warmed his heart in a way he'd never knew was possible. Although he'd never admit it openly, he was learning something new every day about his wife, children, being a family or being a member of a large family. Life was certainly going to be an interesting journey from here on.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Thanks to Rainpuddle13 for her amazing beta skills and plot discussions.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to review!
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