Author's notes: I want to thank my beta reader for a wonderful job, without her this story wouldn't be released. I'd also like to thank everyone who has helped me fix mistakes. Also thanks to all of my reviewers. To my readers, I'd like to say, it's worth your time to look at the reviews once in awhile. Sometimes I give out story clues.
A Storm on The Horizon Part 2
Molly had Serpens show her first to a bathroom, so she could clean him up from his breakfast. The pair then went to the playroom where Thuban was still being a grumpy little wizard. Serpens pulled on his grandmother's robe. "Thuban didn't sleep good last night," Cam said. "Mummy and Daddy had a mighty row. Thuban can't sleep when they row."
"Oh, sometimes that happens, darling. But I'm sure everything is fine between them now," Molly stated. A couple of weeks ago she would have been delighted to hear that her daughter and her son-in-law were fighting, but now it saddened her. Draco was proving to be a fine husband and a great father. And Thuban's happiness depended on his parents staying together. When Thuban growled at his little brother again, Molly went into action.
She gathered the boys together and walked them over in front of the fireplace. After a large amount of coxing and promises of biscuits at teatime, each boy lay at her feet with their head resting on a pillow.
"You need a book to tell us a story, Grandma," Cam stated.
"Oh, I have a number of stories in my head," she told the boy. "Let me see which one to tell. I have it. Once upon a time there was a wizarding family. Their house was filled with many little wizards. Each boy had a very special magical skill and they kept their mummy very busy. But she still longed to have a daughter to spend time with and one day her wish come true. The family was happy with their little princess and at her christening a Seer told them, 'She is a special witch. She will have powers greater than most. She will be fortunate enough to marry her soul mate and her many sons will be the leaders of our world.'"
"Grandma," Thuban growled. "Boys don't like love stories."
Molly giggled at him. "I had six little boys, Thuban. Trust me, I know what types of stories little wizards like to hear. Now may I continue?" Thuban nodded. "The family didn't believe in divination so they thought little of the Seer's prophecy. They lived happily until two months before their daughter's graduation from school. What should have been a very happy time in their lives became sad. For a nasty evil dragon with death tattooed on his left arm come and stole their little princess. They were powerless to stop him."
------******------
Lucius walked into Draco's office. His son exhaled at the sight of him. Draco had been trying to avoid his father all morning but now he was caught. The Malfoy elder was not happy with his son of late. While Lucius agreed that he should keep his marriage together thus keeping control of the children, he didn't agree with how Draco was going about it. And the fact that his son was truly in love with his most hated rival's daughter gave him indigestion to say the least. Add on top of it that Thuban had taken a liking to one Arthur Weasley and that said wizard would be dining with Lucius' most beloved grandson tonight, had him in a right state.
Draco looked over the stack of paperwork on his desk. He would be lucky to get through it by five. "Can this wait, father? I need to get through most of this today. I have meetings all morning tomorrow and I have to go to the Healer's with Ginevra in the afternoon. There are a number of invitations I need to owl by Friday."
"I'll be but a moment, Draco. Are you free Sunday to view jumping ponies?"
"Ginny is going to check our schedule and floo me at noon."
Lucius scowled at his son. "This is important, Draco. Do you not care what pony your heir rides? We will use this horse to teach all of your sons. This is part of your family heritage. Are our family traditions no longer important to you?"
Draco sighed, "Father, I understand how important this is. I fondly remember Grandfather Malfoy teaching me to ride and jump. It was very special and I want all of my children to experience that. And one day I hope to teach my grandchildren how to ride. But your answer can wait until after lunch. If my family is busy this Sunday, we will arrange another time within the week."
"You are the head of your family, Draco. Merely inform Ginevra that we are going Sunday afternoon," Lucius insisted.
"Yes, I'm sure you merely informed Mother of your Sunday afternoon plans. You didn't compromise or check her plans first?" Draco couldn't help but smirk at his father. He knew that Lucius had not only checked with his mother but that he had to use all of his charm and a two thousand galleon shopping trip to get Narcissa to agree that Thuban was old enough to start jumping.
"Your mother's and my relationship is not up for discussion," Lucius hissed.
"And neither is mine and Ginny's, father."
"But it is a father's responsibility to inform his son when he is being played the fool by a woman," Lucius answered.
"I'll take your comments under advisement, father. Now if you don't mind, I have work to do."
-------*******-------
As Ginny walked by and into the courtroom, Greg sneered at her. Seeing him sent her mind into motion. Damn, I should have flooed Draco before I left. He needs to hear from me that I'm testifying and not from Greg. Merlin, I hope he doesn't go nutters again. I have to do this. It's for Greggy and Gary. He's their godparent too. He'll understand.
It was the same room her trial had taken place in, but this time there were only two members of the Wizengamot, Marchbanks and Ogden. She walked into the witness stand.
"Good morning, Mrs. Malfoy. We only have a couple of questions for you. Hopefully we won't be long. I'm sure you need to get back to your own children," Ogden started. "How long have you known Mr. and Mrs. Goyle?"
"I've known them since I was eleven. We went to school together. Lavender was in Gryffindor with me. But I didn't get to know them well until I married six and half years ago. Greg is a very close friend of my husband's. Lavender and I become close friends in the last four years. Our boys play together and take ballroom dance classes together."
"Mrs. Malfoy, did you ever see Mr. Goyle strike his wife?" Marchbanks asked.
"I never saw him strike her. But she did come to dance classes a couple of times with bruises. My husband saw her once. He had a discussion with Greg and I never saw a bruise on her again."
"Did she tell you that Mr. Goyle had hit her?" Ogden asked.
"She told me she threw a tea cup at him and he slapped her."
"Do you know if either of them had affairs?"
"I know Lavender hadn't. She was getting ready to. That's why I'm sure she wasn't. She was planning on seeing one of her old Gryffindor boyfriends but she hadn't started to."
"So you weren't watching her children so she could see Mr. Pucey?"
Ginny giggled. "No, I wasn't. Besides if you had ever been around when our sons got together, you'd realize it takes two sets of eyes to watch that lot, sometimes more. Mrs. Mary Goyle and my mother-in-law often helped Lavender and me watch the boys."
"Did Mr. Goyle have affairs?"
"I think so. But I can't be sure. He would never bring a woman other then Lavender around my home or family. My husband wouldn't allow it. Greg did spend a lot of time at the balls with other women, but Lavender seemed to encourage it. Their relationship was strange."
"One last question, Mrs. Malfoy. With whom did the children spend most of their time?"
"Mrs. Mary Goyle. Lavender is a good friend but she never really wanted her boys. She loves them but…" Ginny paused. "I didn't come here for Lavender or Greg. I'm their sons' godmother. I want what's best for these boys. I believe both parents are using their children to hurt one other. Neither really raised their boys. The children lived with Mary who had them most of the time. She missed many of my mother-in-law's garden parties because she had the boys. Lavender and Greg thought nothing of leaving their home without the boys and without asking Mary to watch them. It wasn't until their separation that Lavender asked me how I found sitters. It's a shame you can't give the boys to Mary. Lavender and Greg love their boys. But they need to learn how to be parents slowly." Ginny paused for a couple of minutes. "I can't see how they can do it all at once. My husband and I have recently moved into our own house. We have always parented our children but we are now realizing how much help his parents were. If we had been like Greg and Lavender, there'd be no way one of us could take care of our children without their suffering in some small way."
------******------
Draco Apparated into the foyer of Black Hall at eleven thirty. His morning at the office had been unbearable. Lucius wouldn't give him a second of peace and it had nothing to do with work either. His father knew that Arthur Weasley would be dining at Black Hall and that he was bringing Thuban a gift. Lucius needed to make sure that their plans for the weekend went through. After all, what was a stupid breeding tank compared to a champion jumping pony. Draco was in disbelief over his father's behavior and decided to lunch with his family.
His home was surprisingly quite for afternoon. There should have been voices coming from the dining room but there weren't. He walked past the room and found it empty. Thuban's tutor would be arriving in an hour and the boy needed to be fed shortly. He continued his walk down the hall to the family parlor. Thuban was sleeping on the settee with a blanket covering him. Draco slowly walked to the door wall and opened it. In the corner of the patio sat Molly Weasley knitting as she watched Serpens and Cam play on the swings.
She looked over at Draco as he stepped onto the patio. "Draco, how nice to see you," she said happily. "Ginny didn't tell me you'd be home for lunch."
"It was unplanned. I had a free hour and thought I'd have lunch with my family. Where's Ginny?"
"She received an Owl from the Ministry early this morning and had to go there. She should be back any minute. I had the elves hold lunch for fifteen minutes. I was hoping Thuban would wake up on his own, the poor dear. He's been sleeping since nine. I do hope he isn't still grumpy when I wake him."
"He was acting like a Horntail with a tree branch stuck in his foot this morning," Draco tried to say warmly. He was having a hard time biting back his anger. For the second day in a row, he had come home to no wife and no idea of what was going on. And to make matters worse, Ginny had left their boys alone with Molly. They had agreed not to leave them with anyone in the Weasley family for at least the next month. He didn't feel safe with it. They might still attempt to steal them.
"Thuban is in a foul mood when he's overly tired," Molly stated. "But after a couple of minutes lying still and listening to a story, he was asleep." She looked down at her watch. "Would you like me to wake him for lunch or would you like to?"
"I'll get Thuban, Molly. You attend to Cam and Serpens." Draco walked back into the parlor and sat on the settee next to his eldest son. He touched the little boy's forehead first making sure it wasn't a fever that was causing him to sleep. After finding none, he patted the boy's arms lightly to wake him. "Thuban. Thuban. Wake up, son."
The little wizard stretched his body and slowly opened his eyes. He awoke smiling lovingly at his father but soon a frown and tears took over his demeanor. "Please, Daddy, I know you're really mad at Mummy for leaving us with Grandma. But she didn't mean too. Everything happened really quick. Please don't row with her. I can't sleep when you fight with her." Thuban started to cry. "I want both of you to tuck me in at night. I don't want you nulled."
Draco collected the boy into his arms and tried his calm him. "Son, sometimes grown-ups argue. You have to get the angry out before you can discuss things. Just because your mummy and I are rowing doesn't mean that we don't love each other or that we don't love you. I won't lie to you, we have a number of things to work out. But I have every intention of tucking you and your brothers into bed every night with your mother at my side."
"You're not going to nulled Mummy?"
"What do you mean by nulled?"
The little boy rolled his eyes at his father, "Nulled, Daddy. Like Uncle Greg and Aunt Lav or Uncle Vincent and Aunt Padma. You know not living together anymore."
Draco cuddled the boy. "The word's annulled, Thuban. And I have no plans to do that. I'm very upset about your mummy's actions of late but I plan on working through our problems." He tapped the little boy's nose. "Now, you stop worrying about me and your mummy."
Ginny stood in the doorway watching and listening to two of the wizards she loved most in the world. Just moments ago she was panicking. It had felt so natural to leave her children with Molly that morning. She didn't give it a second thought until she had gone to Draco's office after testifying. Lucius' simple question of, 'Ginevra, who is watching the children?' made her instantly remember her promise that she wouldn't leave their children alone with her parents. She'd quickly left the office and Apparated home.
Her mind raced. Yesterday, she had meant to be deceitful. She had hidden her training for Quidditch trials from him. And to be truthful, she had been hiding the use of birth control from him as well. She deserved his anger and distrust then, but not today. Today was all a mistake, a lack of forethought on her part. Merlin, she only hoped he'd believe her. After overhearing her husband and son, she calmed down. It seemed that Draco would be willing to listen. She decided it was time to make her presence known, so she walked into the room.
Draco was still soothing Thuban, so she placed one hand on each of their shoulders. "Hush now, Thuban. I promise to try harder. I love you and your father," Ginny whispered and the little wizard dried his eyes with his little fists.
Draco rubbed his nose against his son's and rested his forehead on the boy's. "That's better, Thuban. It's time for you to wash up for lunch. Your mother and I will meet you in the dining room." He helped the little wizard to his feet and smiled at the boy as he left the room.
He seemed happy as the boy left the room but once Thuban was out of sight, Draco turned to Ginny. He made no attempt to hide his outrage at her.
"I'm sorry…" she started but he cut her off.
"Save it for later, Ginevra," he hissed quietly. "My father has been annoying me all morning. I had hoped to come home and be comforted by my wife. But instead I find that once again she has deceived me." He sneered at her, his eyes full of frustration. "We had an agreement not to leave the children with your parents for the time being."
"I know, honey," she started again but Draco glared at her when she called him honey. She shook her head and exhaled. "Oh, have it your way. I was trying to be nice," she paused then started over. "We do have an agreement. I'm so sorry that it happened. I won't do it again. I wasn't trying to deceive you. Things just happened very fast today, and it seemed so natural and right to leave the children with my mum." Ginny's eyes teared. "I didn't mean to anger or hurt you, Draco. Merlin, Draco honey, I love you. Please forgive me."
Tears were running down her cheeks and her face displayed her heartfelt sorrow. He couldn't help but wrap her into his arms. "I love you too, Gin. We're going to be fine." He removed his handkerchief, dried her tears and then placed soft kisses where the tears had been. He chuckled a bit as he held her. "What have you done to me, witch? What incredibility strong spell do you have me under? Why am I compelled to hold you close and never let you go when your behavior and actions infuriate me so, my love?"
She giggled into his chest. "I believe that's love, Draco. You do the same to me."
"Well, that may be. But you will still be getting an earful from me after the children are in bed this evening. Plus I will be working from home the rest of the day."
She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. How dare he, she thought. She didn't need to be watched.
"I'll be damned if I'm going back to the office. I don't need anymore of my father's crap today. Besides I need to be pampered this afternoon. You see, I came home to get comfort from my family but instead I had to provide it to two of you. My selfish side needs some attention."
Ginny smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "I'm sure I can take care of your selfish side this afternoon along with the children." She prodded him into walking towards the dining room. "We should be getting to lunch."
------******------
Molly was sitting next to Thuban when Draco and Ginny entered the dining room. The table was set but the food hadn't been placed on the table.
"Thuban, Grandma's really good at Gobstones. She showed me a new way to shoot," Cam excitedly told his older brother.
"She's really fun to play with. She knows lots of fun games," Serpens added before noticing his parents. Neither he nor Cam had seen Draco and the little boy jumped out of his seat and jumped into his father's arms. "Daddy, you're home! Are you staying?"
"I plan on working from home for the rest of the day."
Serpens kissed his father's cheek and climbed out of his arms. "We need to eat fast so I can help you work."
Draco helped Ginny to her chair and then sat himself. His bottom had just touched the chair when three elves appeared to serve them lunch. Their plates were filled quickly. After a couple of bites Cam focused his gaze on his father.
"Are you and Mummy still rowing from yesterday or did she do something else wrong today?" he asked before turning to Molly. "They were rowing about some potion Mummy got from the midwitch and a ring. Maybe they're rowing now because Mummy went to Quidditch trials without telling Daddy."
"Cam," Ginny stated. "How many times do I have to explain to you not to discuss our rows with others? It's impolite."
Molly stared at angrily at her daughter then looked at her son-in-law. "Well, I hope you gave her a good talking to for that, Draco." She turned her attention back to her daughter. "Merlin, Ginevra, you're still recovering from childbirth. And you're eating so poorly your Healer has you on a potion. Sometimes you act as dimwitted as Ron."
Draco did his best to contain his mirth. It appeared to him that informing Molly on the sly about some of her daughter's decisions would be better than addressing the subject directly with his wife. Yes, his mother-in-law would be quit helpful in this area, but when it became apparent that Molly wasn't going to stop scolding Ginny anytime soon, he did step in and stop her.
------******------
Serpens napped on the couch in Draco's study. The little boy had fallen asleep while sitting on his father's lap. Draco's mood had greatly improved in the last hour. Serpens would never stop amazing him. The little wizard had sat quietly and still on his lap for thirty minutes while Draco read through a business contract. They both soaked in the love they shared for each other during these moments, each taking and giving in the silence. The rhythm of Draco's breathing soothed the boy to sleep. He hated moving his son to the couch but he needed to free his arm for work.
Ginny walked quietly into the room with a tea tray and Draco looked up at her. "Did you want me to take him upstairs?" she whispered.
"No, love. He's fine. In fact, I enjoy watching him."
"Would you like me to join you for tea?" she asked smiling sweetly at him.
"I'd love it, but I don't have time." He pointed to a stack of owls at the top center of his desk. "I was hoping you could help me with those. Most are business dinner invitations. Some are ideas for new product lines."
She placed the tray on his desk and picked on the stack. "I'll do that for you. The French businesses are still getting priority?"
"Yes, love. Thank you."
"Draco! Draco!" Lucius' voice came from the fireplace.
Draco groaned then turned. "Yes, father?"
"I needed to know about Sunday so I can make arrangements."
Draco turned to Ginny. "I need to go to Burrow, Sunday. I'm helping Mum and Luna with her wedding planning. We need to find someone to watch the children."
"We can bring the older boys with us," Lucius informed her. "Narcissa will be happy to watch the baby. So it is settled. I'll inform your mother."
"Father, the boys and I will be accompanying you Sunday. Ginevra will floo Mother if she needs her to watch Leo."
"Draco! She can't take him to the Burrow with those…" Lucius started angrily in a raised voice.
"Father," Draco cut him off. "Serpens is sleeping in my study. If you can not keep your…"
"We have important issues to discuss, Draco. I will be expecting your floo call around three o'clock." Lucius' head disappeared from the fire.
"Love, we'll discuss where to leave Leo on Sunday tonight. I'm not sure how I feel about your taking him to the Burrow." He kissed her cheek.
"That will be fine, hon. I'll let you get back to work. And I'll go through these." She returned his kiss before leaving the office.
------******------
Ginny sat on the patio with the owls in front of her along with her personal engagement book, her personal stationary, and Draco's business stationary. She worked her way through the stack while chatting with her mother.
"How long has he been letting you go through and reply to his business mail?" Molly inquired.
"These are only business dinner invitations and new product line ideas, Mum. I've been doing it since Serpens was born, but only when Draco is too busy."
"You get to decide which new products they develop?" Molly said with great shock.
"Draco trusts me to eliminate lines that he shouldn't waste his time looking at. He says I have an eye for it. I help him with product lines a lot."
"And you decide which invitations to accept or reject?" Molly asked.
"Yes, Mum. I've learned over the years whom we have to dine with and whom we can avoid. A number of wizards send requests for business dinners and for social parties the same week." She hissed after reading an owl. "Merlin, I hate having dinner with the LaVines. They have the biggest brats for children. Thuban punched their little girl a year ago after she bit him multiple times. Mrs. LaVine tried to make Thuban out as the problem…" Ginny giggled. "Oh, good. They want Lucius and Narcissa to attend also. Narcissa will keep that bat's mouth closed about it."
Molly called at her daughter. "Why on Magical Earth would you have dinner with someone you don't like?"
"His parents own a company we wish to partner with. But Narcissa is wonderful at handling people, Mum. I really do need to learn that skill from her."
Molly drank her tea and watched her daughter work. She mulled her daughter's words went over in her head. We wish to partner with. Ginny looked at herself as part of the Malfoy family business. She was making decisions about product lines to a small degree and had been for almost three years. Molly realized that she had been wrong about her daughter's relationship with Draco. Her daughter had been more to the wizard than the mother of his children for at least three years if not more. Molly decided that she would do her best to support Ginny and Draco and their effort to keep their family together. She still believed Draco was a controlling spoilt rotten prat but he did seem to truly love and care for her daughter.
-------*******-------
Arthur Weasley knelt on the floor in Thuban's sitting room with two fish tanks in front of him. Ginny's three oldest boys were standing around him asking questions.
"Mudpuppies are in the salamander family right, Grandpa?" Cam asked.
"That's right, son. They're the only ones that never develop lungs. They only have gills."
"So, they have to live in the water forever," Thuban stated.
"You're right also. You boys know a lot about animals," Arthur said with pride.
"We only now lots about animals that are used in potions. Mudpuppies and salamanders work best in potions when they're fresh," Thuban added.
Serpens looked at his grandfather. "Fresh means you kill them right before you cut them up for your potion." The youngest wizard shook his head. "I don't like killing animals. Killing's not nice."
"Don't you dare start crying, Serpens," Thuban said.
"I'm not going to cry. I'm just being sad for them."
"I hope Leo isn't like you. No crybaby…" Cam started but stopped when he heard the clearing of his father's throat.
The boys turned and looked at Draco who was entering the room. Serpens walked over and took his father's hand. "I can't wait until Leo gets bigger cause they're mean to me."
Draco walked with the little wizard over to the tank. He knelt in front of it so that he could place Serpens on his knee. He hugged the boy and kissed his cheek.
Cam moved over to Thuban and elbowed his brother. Both boys looked at the pair. "Serpens is a Daddy hogger," Cam whispered in Thuban's ear.
"Daddy favors him," Thuban answered.
"Doesn't it make you mad?" Cam asked.
"No, because Grandfather favors me. And both Auntie Bella and Grandmother favor you so it shouldn't make you mad," Thuban answered before handing a couple of flat rocks to Arthur. "The Mummy mudpuppy will lay her eggs under the rocks won't she, Grandpa?"
"Yes, she will."
"And once we see the eggs we need to move the mudpuppies out of that tank and into another, right?" Cam asked.
Arthur messed the boy's hair. "That's how it works, mate."
"Well, it appears you blokes are finished," Draco said. "Thuban. You and your grandfather can clean up in your bathroom. I'll take your brothers to the other room. Be quick about it, Mummy and Grandma are waiting for us."
The five wizards collected the witches from the family parlor before proceeding into the informal dining room.
Arthur looked around at the lavishly decorated room and couldn't stop himself from commenting. "This is your informal dining room?" he said as he held out Molly's chair.
"Yes, you should see the formal dining room. The chairs are… " Cam started but Thuban stopped him.
"It was a retourical question, Cam."
Draco finished helping Ginny into her chair before turning to Thuban. "What did you just say, son?"
"I said that Grandpa's question was retourical. You know Daddy. That's something said in question form that you really aren't looking to be answered."
Draco smiled at the boy. He was quite smart. "The word is rhetorical."
Thuban looked at Arthur. "It was a rhetorical question wasn't it, Grandpa?"
"Yes, it was Thuban."
Cam gave his grandfather a perplexed gaze. "Were you trying to be funny?"
Arthur looked at the questioning child with great seriousness. "I has trying to be but it appears I totally missed the mark."
The boys giggled briefly but stopped quickly as if they had done something wrong. Molly and Arthur looked on in puzzlement. Draco smiled at his sons. "You've done nothing wrong." He looked at his in-laws. "They're still getting to know you. They were merely concerned that you would view their laughter as being rude."
"Oh, that's nonsense. Your grandpa is used to being laughed at," Molly stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Draco put his napkin to his mouth to conceal his mirth.
"Although, I prefer that others laugh with me, dear," Arthur added.
Molly giggled, "Oh, my mistake, darling." And with that the other occupants of the dining room could no longer contain their laughter.
Dinner progressed nicely. Her parents helped tuck in the children and the group retired to the parlor where they were having a nice glass of wine when the conversation changed to Ministry events. Ginny couldn't manage to change the subject, so she could only hope that the Goyle case wouldn't come up.
"Things at the Ministry are going wonderfully. New changes everyday, you know," Arthur informed Draco. "Today's was quite shocking, don't you think so, Ginny?"
"The Ministry shocks me a lot, Dad."
"Yes, but tomorrow it will be front page news. And the Minister stated that your testimony had a lot to do with it."
Draco eyed his wife. "What testimony, Ginevra? Whose trial?"
Arthur gave his daughter an apologetic look.
"I was going to discuss it with you tonight," Ginny started but Tipsy popped into the room.
"Excuses me, Misses, but the baby is crying."
------******------
Ginny placed a sleeping Leo into his cradle in her bedchamber. She moved slowly to the sitting room she shared with her husband. He was already in there waiting for her and she wasn't looking forward to this conversation. For the first time in many years, she felt like a poorly behaved child trying to avoid a well-deserved scolding. Her actions of that day were explainable but when compiled with her actions of the day before, they weren't. If he had done the same things to her, she wouldn't have been able to hold her tongue. She would have raged at him, packed the children and headed for the Burrow. She exhaled as she touched the doorknob and walked into the next room.
Draco was furiously poking at the fire. She sat down on the settee and cleared her voice to get his attention. His normal evening glass of red wine was not to be seen and he cast a charm on the room so they could not be heard outside of it. When he turned to face her she couldn't tell which emotion wore heavier on him, anger or hurt.
"I don't know where to start, Ginny. I want to keep our family together. I love you with all of my heart. But in the last couple of days, it doesn't seem like you want the same thing," Draco started with a great deal of hurt in his voice.
"What?" Ginny replied in shock.
"I can understand, Gin," he said as he walked away from her and poked at the fire again. "I made you marry me. I made you have my children. You were so young. We were so young. I can see why you want your freedom now. You don't have to be tied to me anymore."
"What are you on about, Draco Malfoy?"
"You've made it clear, Ginevra. You don't care about my wants, my fears or my feelings. You are going to do whatever you wish."
Ginny walked over to him and looked him in the eye. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"
"What do you want me to do, Ginny?" he said raising his voice. "Scream at you. Ask you why in the hell you left our children alone with a person who less than three weeks ago held them captive?" he yelled. "My worst nightmare is that I lose you all again. Do you have any idea what I went through for the week an a half you were gone?" His face was filled with anguish as he spoke. "Damn it, witch! I don't know what I'd do without you. But I can't live this way either. I can't sustain this emotional nightmare. I'll give you a partnership but I won't have my feelings ignored."
"I'm sorry, Draco," she whispered through her tears. "I should have told you about the birth control ring and about Quidditch yesterday. And I didn't realize you were concerned about my family taking the boys and me away from you again. If it makes you feel more at ease place as many bodyguards as you wish on us. I won't leave the children with my parents again until you agree. I am so sorry." She stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed him and then took his hand and led him over to the settee.
When he refused to sit with her, she exhaled and shook her hand. "Damn it! I said I was sorry," she shouted.
"I need to see actions not just words, Ginevra," he hissed back. "We had agreed to stay out of Lavender and Greg's fight, also."
"We agreed not to support Lavender or Greg and I didn't," she yelled.
"Stop lying to me, you stupid cunt!" he screamed.
Ginny stood up and slapped him. "Clear off. You arse!"
The sound of little fists on the door stopped them. "I know you're rowing in there 'cause I've knocked a long time," Cam screamed through the door.
Draco took several deep breaths to calm himself. "I'm sorry, Ginny. Please sit." She glared at him but did as he asked. He walked to the door and let the little wizard in. "What's the problem, son?"
"What are you rowing about tonight?"
"You didn't hear us row," Draco declared.
"You used a silencing charm so I couldn't hear anything," Cam stated. "That's how I knew you were rowing."
"Why are you out of bed, Cygnus?" his father asked firmly.
Cam wasn't a fool, once his father or mother used that name, he knew one wrong word would cause him a sore bottom. "It's really windy and the branch keeps hitting my window. It's really really really scary. Can you please stop it?"
Draco picked up the little wizard and placed him on his hip. "Sure, let's go trim some branches, mate. I'll be back shortly, Ginny. Please wait here for me."
He made quick work of trimming the branch and tucked Cam back into bed.
"Daddy, wouldn't you be happier if you and Mummy didn't argue?" the little boy asked.
"Wizards and witches don't always agree, Cam."
"But you're happier when you're not rowing with Mummy, right?"
"Yes, we're happier when you're not arguing. But even when we disagree we still love each other and we love you and your brothers."
"Okay, Daddy. I love you. Good night."
Draco kissed his son's forehead. "I love you too, mate. Sleep tight."
On his walk back to his sitting room, Draco checked on Thuban and Serpens. Both we're still sleeping peacefully but Serpens had kicked off his blankets. He summoned a house elf and stationed it in the boy's room to replace the cover the boy if the blankets were moved and to keep the warming charm refreshed. The simple sight of his children warmed his heart. He was reminded that they were only in this house because of Ginny's willingness to give him and their marriage another chance.
He walked back into their sitting room calm and remorseful. He pulled Ginny off of the settee, sat himself down and then placed her on his lap. "We're damn lucky, witch," he hissed.
"And how are we lucky?" she asked. As she tried to wiggle free from him. She was still very upset and didn't want to be charmed out of her mood just yet.
He held tight not allowing her to escape. "Well, you had just kicked me out and I was getting ready to pack and head to the Manor. But one of our precious children stopped us by chance before we both completed our idiotic actions. I tucked him in and checked on two of the other beautiful children we've created. This caused me to think of how important my family is to me and reminded me that you decided to stay instead of leave." He kissed her cheek. "So, I've resolved to sit here and lovingly hold you while you explain your actions." He kissed her neck. "Seeing how you have already admitted you were in error, this can be your penitence," he said as he ran his hand up her inner thigh.
She relaxed in his arms. "Draco, a little slap and tickle isn't going to fix our problems," she proclaimed.
"I know, love. But if we snoggle while you're explaining, I'll remain calm," he responded cheekily.
As his hand moved over her body freely, she collected her thoughts. "Draco, you can continue what you're doing but I'm only explaining my actions once so listen up!"
"I can listen and snoggle at the same time," he said before starting to nibble on her earlobe.
"I got an owl this morning from the Ministry. I felt I needed to go. I remembered our agreement not to take Greg or Lavender's side at their annulment trial and I didn't. I went for Greggy and Gary. I felt no one was looking out for them. We are their godparents, after all."
Draco stopped snuggling her. "So, why didn't you floo and inform me of your decision?"
"I only had thirty minutes to get to the Ministry and just didn't think about flooing you until I saw Greg. He wasn't happy to see me there."
"That's because I had told him we were staying out of it. You knew I had refused to testify on his behalf?"
"I know, Draco. And I didn't testify on Lavender's behalf. I know neither will be happy if they hear what I said. But I told the truth. It was making me sick seeing them use the children in their little fight for power. I think in the long run their annulment will be best for their boys. But," Ginny paused. "You've seen it, Draco. Pansy spent more time with Greggy and Gary then Greg did Tuesday night."
"I have to agree, love. I've spent hours lately arguing with Greg about doing what's right for the boys. He's a great mate but he's not a good father," Draco replied. "So, what did you say? And what is the Ministry doing that's new?"
"I told the truth. That Greg's mother was the only real parent the boys had. And that I believed the boys should be with her until Lav and Greg learned how to parent."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You didn't?"
"I did. And according to my father, tomorrow the Ministry will announce that Mrs. Mary Goyle will be given temporary custody of the boys. Lav and Greg will have visitations. Also from this point forward, custody will be based on the best interest of the children."
He hugged his wife. "My father is going to have a fit. You're going to be the talk of every garden party." He chuckled. "You know, Gin. I don't think you're going to have a problem with those old bats anymore. They'll love what you did."
She giggled back. "That may be, but Greg is going to be angry with you for not controlling me."
"Greg will get over it. Their boys have spent most of their life with Mary anyway. Maybe this will make Greg and Lav grow-up," Draco stated. "But remember to floo before you do something like this again."
"I will. I Apparated to your office after I testified. I was going to tell you then but you had already come home. I'm sorry, honey. But being partners is new to both of us," she said before kissing him soundly.