Making Peace
Ginny woke up distressed and unsure of the cause. Was it that damn dream again? she thought to herself. She rolled over onto her right side, trying to get comfortable again. Just as sleep was taking hold of her, two strong arms rolled her back onto her left side. He spooned up behind her and held her tight.
"Damn it, Ginny. You know lying on your right side so late in pregnancy causes your blood pressure to get dangerously high. It's not good for you or the baby."
How the hell did he always know when she rolled over? Damn the bloody prat, he was going to hold her on her left side now. Ginny sighed as he lightly rubbed her right arm with his. She couldn't contain her moans of pleasure as he started to massage her lower back. Merlin's beard, he gives a great massage. She moaned again. Buggers! How can I be mad at him now? He kissed her neck.
"Relax and go back to sleep, love. You need to rest." Ginny closed her eyes as sleep overtook her once again, her dream starting over. She had the same dream every night in the last month of her pregnancy, the dream that explained why she was here with him.
~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~
Ginny's Dream
The Daily Prophet dated May 15th, 1999 lay in the middle of the table. Ginny, her Mom and Dad along with her brother, Ron, and friend, Hermoine, sat at the kitchen table with her at the Burrow.
"How could they, Arthur? That law is over five hundred years old. To reinstate it now is going backwards!" Molly stated with great concern.
"They had to, Molly. It's a peace treaty and what they wanted was the reinstatement of the old Aristocratic Rights Laws," Arthur tried to say calmly.
"They're both ghastly laws, but I understand why they chose to reinstate the Pureblood Marriage Law instead," Hermione stated in her matter-of-fact tone.
Ginny slammed both hands on the table leaning forward with a furious look on her face. "You would say that! You're not a pureblooded witch, so the marriage law doesn't apply to you!"
Hermione stood, her anger equal to Ginny's. "You'd rather see a law that allowed aristocratic pureblooded wizards to rape any witch they want?"
"I'd rather see no law!" Ginny raged.
"So would all of us, Gin Bug, but we had to compromise for peace. If Harry were still around, we'd be in charge. Since both he and the Dark Lord were killed in the final battle, we have had to make concessions," Arthur put forward sadly.
"I don't know what you're worried about, Ginny. The Slytherin purebloods have already petitioned for wives and you weren't on the list," Ron snapped.
"I'm not worried just about myself like some people," Ginny eyed Hermione. "I'm thinking of all the witches who have to marry men they don't love."
~~~~~~~********~~~~~~
Ginny sat outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor eating her lunch when a tall figure moved in front of her and blocked the sunlight. She looked and saw the outline of a very tall, muscular young man, who at first glance was gorgeous. She smiled at him and he smiled back, but when her eyes adjusted to the light, she realized he was none other then Draco Malfoy. Suddenly, he didn't seem so handsome.
"You're blocking my light, Malfoy, move!" she shouted, but he wouldn't budge. "Move, Malfoy, before I hex you!"
He smirked at her. "Be nice, Ginevra. I come bearing gifts." He took a box out of his pocket and got down on one knee. "Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you marry me?" He handed her a beautiful ring. Ginny acted as if a stunning charm had been placed on her. "I'll remind you, Weasley, by law, you can't say no."
"Why me?" she whispered, still stunned.
"You're the most gifted pureblooded witch in England. Actually Ginevra, we're very much alike." He explained with a satisfied smirk.
"I'm nothing like you!" She spat back at him.
"I only see two differences. I am rich. You are poor. You also tolerate Muggles and Mudbloods better than I," He continued.
"I more than just tolerate Muggles, Malfoy!"
Draco arched an eyebrow questioningly at her. "Really? How many Muggles do you have for friends? How many times have you been to Granger's home? How many times have you visited your Squib uncle?" He paused, "None, right? You merely tolerate them. I haven't seen you do anything that marks you as a blood traitor. Your family appears to be a different story, but in the end, look at your brothers' wives. All of them are pureblooded witches. They may have dated mixed bloods but… "
"Fleur is not a pureblood." Ginny interrupted.
Draco laughed, "Right, she's part Veela. Wizards do have a weakness for them."
"I thought you and Parkinson…" Ginny started, just as his eyes flashed with anger.
"What makes you think I would ever want her? She doesn't have a brain in her head. I do not want stupid children." Draco spat. Ginny's eyes widened. "Yes, Ginevra, I want children with you. You are the best breeding stock around. I want four sons. That should be easy for you."
"When will the wedding be?" She asked coldly.
"My mother will be floo yours this evening." He placed a couple scrolls on the table. "Take these to the clothing shops. They will set up accounts for you. We'll be dining together nightly starting tomorrow. Make sure you have the proper attire." He kissed her on the cheek. "Until tomorrow, Ginevra."
End of dream
~~~~~~~********~~~~~~
Ginny woke with Draco still holding her. The magical calendar had changed to Wednesday, March 1st , 2006. Her fourth son was due in four weeks. In July, she would have her seven-year wedding anniversary. Her son kicked very hard. She ran her hand over her belly.
"You must be the one waking me up. Well, it's time to sleep young man," she said playfully. Draco's hand came down and felt the baby kicking. He moved and kissed her belly.
"You heard your mother, son. It's time to sleep."
She giggled then gasped in pain, "Oh god." It seemed that this fourth son was impatient and did not feel the need to wait four more weeks.
"Breathe, Gin… Try to relax. That seemed like a strong one to me, how many have you had?"
"First one, I think. I woke… Oh god… My water..." Ginny was barely able to string words together to form a sentence. Draco jumped out of the bed and ran into his dressing room.
"I'll get dressed and retrieve your mid-witch. Relax, breathe and use your focal point to keep your mind off the pain."
She moaned again. "Wanker, he was a bloody idiot when it came to labor, even after attending the births of his three, soon to be four, sons. Keep her mind off of the bloody pain! Men should have to go through childbirth. Maybe she should create a curse." She smiled at the thought. The picture on Draco's nightstand caught her eye, she never understood why he liked it. He had a copy of it here, in his study, in his Diagon Alley office and in his wallet. In the photo, she was sitting in the rose garden, rubbing her seven-month pregnant belly which would become Thuban, their first son. She remembered that day well.
-------- Flashback ----------
Ginny sat in the rose garden, she had always loved it there. The roses were charmed to bloom year round and the temperature was always pleasant. She couldn't help but smile when she looked at the parchment in her hand. He had told her to pick three names of stars or constellations for the child, and he would choose one of them. Today, the mid-witch confirmed the child was male and Ginny had started looking for names. This baby's name needed to be special; she wanted to ensure that his father and grandparents loved him. It didn't take her long to find it; THUBAN, the Alpha star of the DRACO constellation. It was the North Star from 2700 BC to 1900 BC. Many of the ancient Egyptian pyramids pointed to Thuban; it was also called the "snake" star. To be certain that Draco would select Thuban, she added two names that she knew he would never choose.
Draco entered the garden still in his business robes. "Mother said you have news for me."
She looked up and handed him the parchment. "Your son will be arriving in late May, my early birthday gift to you."
His smile changed to a smirk when he read her list of names. "You are a brilliant witch, Ginevra. What middle name do you wish?"
"Charles; might as well stay with the dragon theme," she giggled.
He kissed her and then her belly. "I can't wait to meet you, Thuban Charles Malfoy." He looked Ginny in the eye. "You will never again place the name of a Black Family traitor on your list. If you do, you will no longer be involved in naming our children." His eyes had hardened as he spoke.
-------- End of flashback ----------
A long and painful contraction brought Ginny out of her daydream. She screamed loudly, "Draco! Get your bloody arse to the midwitch, so I can get some pain relief!"
"On my way!" he blurted as he ran from the room. She couldn't help but focus on his voice. His panic was obvious as he ordered the house-elves around. "No, damn it! Get everything ready, now. Her water has broken. She's always delivered within an hour of that. Go now! Get my mother. You, stay outside the door until she arrives. I have to get her midwitch."
She heard him Disapparate, then felt a very strong contraction as it went through her and she screamed. Why couldn't the childbirth pain relief charm be easier to perform without danger to the baby? Because most charms were developed by wizards, the wankers… She focused on the picture on her nightstand. The Draco in the photo was looking down at his jumper with great disdain. He kept pulling at the orange Chudley Cannons jumper as if it were burning his skin. When the photo noticed Ginny looking at him, he winked and smirked.
-------- Flash back ----------
Ginny cheered loudly when the wizard on the wireless announced another Cannons goal. Greg, Crabbe, Blaise and Draco stared at her.
"Sorry boys, but your precious Falcons are going to lose today," she giggled.
"Malfoy, does she have to be here?" Crabbe hissed.
"Can't you keep her quiet?" Goyle groaned.
"I want her to stay," Blaise added, "She brightens up the room." He smiled and winked at her.
"Stop flirting with my wife, Zabini!" Draco growled as the announcer told of another Cannons' goal. Ginny cheered again. Draco sneered at her, "If you weren't due any day now, I'd send you upstairs."
Getting to his feet, Blaise walked over to Ginny. "I'll help you to your private chambers if you like, Ginny. We don't need to be around these poor losers. They're a bad influence on your little one here." Blaise touched Ginny's very pregnant belly.
"Get away from my wife, Blaise." Draco got out of his chair and sat on the couch next to Ginny. He placed his arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him. Before long, she was laying on the couch with her head in his lap. When the Falcons scored he sneered, "The Falcons are leading now, Luv."
"Bet ya the Cannons win,"she replied with much confidence.
He smirked, "I'll take that bet. Let's see, what can we wager?"
"If the Cannons win, you'll wear a Cannons' jumper to Blaise's Pro Cup party," she giggled, "I'll wear a Falcons' jumper."
"If I'm going to risk wearing a Cannons' jumper, I want more." A sinful smile crossed his face and he whispered into her ear, "If the Falcons win," he slightly thrust his hips, "you'll do what I've be asking for months." She looked at him in shock. "Just once, and if the Cannons win, I'll wear the jumper, plus I'll never ask for that again." She still had a blank look on her face. "Many women enjoy it. I don't understand why you are so against something you've never tried. You enjoy it when I do it to you." She stared at him, he changed tactics. "I understand you're scared. Your Cannons cannot be trusted."
"You're on Malfoy."
-------- End of flash back ----------
Another contraction hit and she screamed again. Noise from the doorway got her attention. It seemed that Draco had forgotten to perform a silencing charm on their room and now two very frightened little boys stood in her doorway. The oldest was five and a half year old Thuban. He had been ten days over due, born on June fifth. Narcissa had joked that Thuban was sent to teach Draco to share. Thuban's white blonde hair was cut short, he had Ginny's nose and mouth but the rest of him was all Draco. The other boy was four and a half year old Cam and he also had Ginny's nose and mouth. His hair color was in-between Draco's and Narcissa's, his eyes were Narcissa's beautiful blue, but he had the twins' mischievous smile. He was quite a handful. Leave a wand unattended and he would have it in moments, performing all types of unknown magic.
Ginny tried to collect herself. "Sweethearts, it's very late. You need to go back to bed." She looked away as another contraction hit her.
"You're hurt," Thuban said as he walked into her room and touched her cheek. Cam sat on the right side of the bed and held Ginny's hand. Thuban also sat on the bed and wiped the sweat from Ginny's forehead with his pajama top sleeve. "You'll be okay, Mummy," he said, trying to sound brave. "I'll take care of you." He sang to her as she did for them.
"Lavender's blue, Diddle diddle, Lavender's green,
When I am king, Diddle diddle, You shall be queen.
Call up your men, Diddle diddle, Set them to work,
Some to the plow, Diddle diddle, Some to the cart.
Some to make hay, Diddle diddle, Some to cut corn,
While you and I, Diddle diddle, keep ourselves warm.
Lavender's green, Diddle diddle, Lavender's blue,
If you love me, Diddle diddle, I will love you."
"Thuban, Cam, come here boys," Draco called, as he, Narcissa and the midwitch entered the room. Narcissa rolled her eyes and Ginny smiled at Draco.
"The child's name is Cygnus," Narcissa stated firmly.
"Yes, Mother, I know. I named him. Cygnus Abraxas Malfoy, after my grandfathers, but Cam is easier for his brothers to say." He smiled and winked at Ginny while motioning for the boys to come to him. Cam ran to his side clinging to his leg, while Thuban remained next to his mother. "Come along, Thuban," he said gently to his son.
"But Daddy, I need to make Mummy feel better. She's hurt."
Narcissa went to the little boy. "She's not hurt darling. Your new brother is coming. The midwitch is here to help her." She walked the boy to Draco.
Ginny tried to smile, but another contraction came. "Hurry back. I feel like pushing."
After Draco closed the door, Narcissa cast a silencing charm.
"She's crowning," the midwitch informed Narcissa. She placed a number of clean sheets and towels by Ginny's bottom then placed a hand on Ginny's abdomen. "Go ahead and push, Ginevra," she instructed.
Narcissa helped Ginny up into a semi-sitting position and encouraged her to push. After a minute or two, Ginny took a deep breath and started to push again. Narcissa and the midwitch encouraged and praised her for her effort the entire time. It seemed like hours before Draco re-entered the room, but it had been only twenty minutes.
"Just in time, Mr. Malfoy," the midwitch confirmed with a smile. He crossed the room in two steps as his new son entered the world with a beautifully loud cry. After a cleaning charm was performed, he was wrapped and placed on his mother's chest.
"Hello, Son," Draco whispered lovingly after placing a kiss on the baby's forehead. "Marvelous job as always, Princess," he finished, kissing her first on the cheek and then placing a soft kiss on her lips.
"Draco, how are Thuban and Cammy?" she asked with concern in her voice.
He chuckled at her. "They're fine, Gin. Cam was sleeping before I closed his door. Father is reading Thuban a story." He sat on the bed next to Ginny and touched his son's face. He kissed Ginny softly on the mouth, "Are you doing well?" She nodded.
"Thank you, Gin. He's beautiful."