A Little Time Away
------******-------
Ginny come into dining room much to everyone's surprise.
"I thought you were sleeping," Draco said as he helped her into her chair.
"My hunger got the best of me. I didn't have breakfast, remember."
"Are you feeling better, Mummy?" Thuban asked.
"Yes, sweetheart. I'm fine."
"Mummy, Uncle Blaise and Aunt Pansy are coming over after lunch. They have something to show us," Serpens said.
Draco smiled at her. "I flooed Blaise to let him know we would be leaving this afternoon."
"Will you be joining us on our trip, Narcissa? It would be an enormous help and I do so enjoy shopping with you," Ginny added.
Narcissa smiled, "It would be great fun. I think a large shopping spree is in order. Maybe lightening Lucius' Gringotts' vault will wake him up."
"Grandmother's coming with us!" Cam exclaimed. Oh, this would be a wonderful trip. Grandmother was already talking about a shopping spree. The little wizard could see the toys piling up. He and his brothers would have to try on lots of new clothes, but that was a small price for toys. His eyes opened wide as he thought about the pet shops in France. They would have to get Grandmother to take them to one. If things went well this week, they would be coming home with a puppy.
As the little boy plotted, the elves served the family a simple lunch of tomato soup and sandwiches. It was best to travel on a light stomach and Draco wasn't in the mood to deal with food his children would need assistance with. Serpens pushed the bowl of soup away. Cam giggled and Thuban shook his head.
"What's the problem, little man?" his father said lovingly.
"It has tomatoes and it makes me sick."
"You've eaten it before," Draco said puzzled.
"Who told you it had tomatoes in it, darling?" Narcissa questioned.
"Grandfather, last night, and I got so sick I couldn't make it to the bathroom and I threw…" Serpens began.
Draco put his hand up in front of the child's face. "Stop! We do not speak of such things at the table. Don't eat the soup." The blond wizard shook his head. If he and Ginny had twenty children, he would never understand them. They could eat something a hundred times but let them find out what was in it and they'd never eat it again.
The family had completed their soup and sandwich when a Manor house elf appeared and bowed at Draco's side.
"Master Draco. Master send this ice cream for the children."
"Oh, I forgot," Narcissa started, "I sent him for it earlier."
Draco waved his hand at the elf. "Serve it to them."
The elf placed a bowl of very colorful ice cream in front of Serpens. It contained candied dragons that moved. It placed a bowl of chocolate ice cream covered with chocolate syrup and whipped cream in front of Cam. It paused and looked at Narcissa.
"What's the problem?" Draco asked.
"I's forgot, Master Thuban was being punished. There be no ice cream for him."
Serpens stopped greedily filling his mouth with ice cream and tears started down his face. "He went in Zenith's paddock. I thought he would get killed." Ginny leaned over and calmed the boy.
Draco snarled at his eldest son, "You walked across a paddock alone?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Grandmother and Grandfather saved him. He didn't get hurt," Cam announced.
"I got a sore behind," Thuban interjected.
"Your grandfather spanked you?" Ginny asked ready to be angry.
Serpens giggled, "No, Zenith hit him in the bottom with his head."
Draco looked at the elf. "Thuban will do without dessert." The elf served Narcissa, Ginny and Draco a raspberry sherbet. The wizard looked at his eldest sone, "What was your punishment?"
"Grandmother sent me to my chambers." He was having a hard time looking his father's eyes, eyes that clearly showed the wizard's disappointment in his son's actions.
"We will discuss this later, son."
-------*******-------
"So, you decided to have babies?" Cam asked Pansy and Blaise as he looked at the ring on her hand.
Blaise pulled the little wizard onto his lap and chuckled, "We've decided to spend the rest of lives together, little mate."
"And we wanted to tell you before you left," Pansy added.
"If you had a baby now, he could be Leo's friend. He doesn't have any," Serpens supplied.
Thuban rolled his eyes at his brother. "She can't just have it now. They have to get married, then Uncle Blaise has to put the seed inside Aunt Pansy and she has to grown the baby for a long, long time. Remember how long Leo was inside Mummy. It will take at least a year," Thuban informed his little brother.
Thuban kissed Pansy's cheek, "Congratulations. I hope you're happy with him. He's really bossy at times but I like him." He smirked when he looked at Blaise, who removed Cam from his lap and seized Thuban.
He tickled the five year old. "You only like me?"
"And only a little at that," the boy teased while giggling.
"Not a wise thing to say eight weeks before your birthday, Thuban." Blaise continued to tickle him.
"Oh, I forgot. If I said I loved you would I get a bigger gift?" the little wizard threw his arms around his godfather and hugged him. "I do love you." Thuban then started to whisper to Blaise, " I need you to do something for me. I'm really mad at my grandfather but I still love him. Tell him that for me. Make sure he doesn't get too sad while we're gone."
Blaise kissed the boy's cheek, "I'll tell him."
--------********--------
The Weasley boys and their parents sat at the Burrow's kitchen table.
"You spoke with Ginny, Mum?" Bill asked.
"Yes, they arrived at their French Villa at three. She and Draco were going out for the evening. She's calm now. It was wise of them to get away."
"The Prophet isn't going to be nice to her or the Malfoys tomorrow. You didn't tell her about the Jones man, Mum?" Charlie inquired.
"Which part?" Ron interjected. "The part about Malfoy beating the bloody hell out of the prat with his own hands before coming to the Ministry or the part about the prat not keeping his mouth closed about the hit wizards he worked for in front of the Azkaban prisoners."
"I didn't tell her either," Molly sighed.
Percy leaned forward in his chair. "He would have been a great informant. It's too bad your lot couldn't keep him alive, Ron."
"My lot doesn't work at Azkaban. Besides no one thought he'd be an idiot and tell other prisoners he was going to talk his way to freedom," replied Ron.
"There will be a lot of fallout from this," Arthur added.
"In many ways, Dad. The guards in charge of Jones' safety will likely be demoted. There hasn't been a murder in Azkaban in years. Plus you should see Lucius Malfoy. I've seen pictures of him when he was in Azkaban, he looks worse now." Ron shook his head as if to rid it of a horrible vision.
Arthur nodded. "He truly didn't mean for the wizard to go that far. Dumb aristocratic traditions, Ginny said she loved his son but he had to have proof. Now, he may have lost everything."
"He deserves it," Molly spat.
Bill took a drink of his butterbeer. "You know, Percy, he wouldn't have given you anyone high up in Lucius Malfoy's hit wizard ring. Lucius wouldn't have given the man to Draco if he knew anything."
Percy turned his nose up. "You don't know that for sure, you never know what information can be obtained."
-------*******-------
Ginny couldn't help but smile as she walked to Port Henri IV on her husband's arm. They had taken a dinner cruise on the Seine River on their honeymoon and it had been a beautiful and romantic evening. She could only imagine what the cruise would be like now that they were in love. They had taken the Muggle Les Bateaux Parisiens cruise almost seven years ago. It was a lovely glass enclosed boat that boarded at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. There had been two hundred other couples on that boat and Draco had said he wanted a more private cruise this time.
How private surprised her. Draco and a purser help her onto the large yacht where a table for two sat in a corner of the teakwood stern deck. No other passengers were present there or in the large main cabin. This was a wizard cruise ship and they would be served by elves.
"Draco, are there other guests or have you…" she started.
He guided her to the table. "This is a private cruise." He assisted her into her chair and kissed her hand. "I wish to share you with no one tonight."
"Voulez-vouz que je dise au capitaine que vous êtes prêts à commencer, etque je fasse amener votre vin au garçon, Monsieur?" the purser asked Draco.
(Translation: Shall I tell the captain you're ready to get underway and have your waiter bring your wine, Sir.)
"Oui, merci."
(translation: Yes, Please)
The couple sat and drank a glass of wine as the yacht started down the Seine River. It was dusk and the colors of the setting sun added to the beauty of the ancient city that surrounded them. She stopped herself from giggling as Draco eyed the Muggle buildings and monuments. Despite the Malfoys' natural dislike for all things Muggle, they did appreciate beautiful things. On their first trip to Paris, she was silly enough to question his admiration for the city. He scoffed at her, telling her that most of the city was designed by wizards and merely built with Muggle labor. When she had located a building that didn't have any wizarding connection, he simply replied, "Well even a broken clock is correct twice a day."
He pushed his chair next to hers and drew her into him, whispering, "Listen to the music, my love." She could hear music in the background but the view as they went down the right bank of the river past Hotel de ville, Le Louvre Museum, Grand Palais, and Trocadero had her attention. The first six courses of their meal had been served while cruising this bank. The view was spectacular and the atmosphere was very romantic but something was missing. Ginny was hoping for Draco's normal Saturday night poems between courses but the verses never came. Yet, he did keep looking at her with a 'that's how I feel about you look' which seemed very out of place to her.
Draco asked the waiter to wait before serving dessert. He looked longingly into her eyes. "I wish we had started our relationship differently. I regret forcing you into marriage and into having my children." He smiled at her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "Although it is my favorite regret. Come." Draco took her hand, led her out onto the large deck and with a snap of his fingers the volume of the music increased. He pulled her close and they started to dance. They hadn't been moving together long before he started to sing to her.
"Will you be my favorite regret,
Could I be your sweetest mistake?
Trade one step back for two ahead
Just a little time that's all
Don't be afraid to fall
This catch I won't forget,
My favorite regret."
He softly lifted her chin and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before continuing with the singing.
"Won't you let me chip away the stone
Are you really better off alone?
Won't you let your guard down one more time
Just like I've done mine
We'll look until we find something neither will forget
My favorite regret"
Tears were slowly running down her cheeks. He kissed each away and whispered, "I love you, Ginevra Molly Malfoy. I always will." He finished the last verse.
"Will you be my favorite regret?
Cut the strings attached but save the thread
And I know your feelings are probably right
But just this once tonight
As you lay in your bed
Place a little on this bet
My favorite regret" *
He pulled her lovingly into his arms. "Happy tears, Ginny?" She nodded into his chest as she tried to stop crying. "Good."
When she looked up, the Eiffel Tower was behind him illuminated to intensify its strength and beauty.
"Damn you, Draco Malfoy," she murmured to him before turning his head toward the tower and telling him lovingly, "how am I ever again going to be able to look at that without remembering this moment and our love for one another?"
He turned and smirked at her. "I shall have a photo of it placed in every room in Black Hall then."
She giggled, "You would do that." She placed her hand over her mouth and once again tears fell down her face. "You told me to listen to the music. You were using the music instead of poems. I didn't listen."
Draco hugged her and chuckled. "I thought my selection of songs was lacking. It is Muggle music after all."
She had taken a liking to Muggle music in her seventh year at Hogwarts. To Lucius' dismay, she introduced Narcissa to it. Draco listened to it with her but he said he didn't understand it.
"I'll play them for you again." He snapped his fingers a couple of times. The music started playing as they cruised up the left bank past the Eiffel Tower and Invalides. He placed his hands on her hips, looked into her eyes and started singing again.
"I see the questions in your eyes
know what's weighing on your mind
You can be sure I know my part
Cause I'll stand beside you through the years
You'll only cry those happy tears
And though I make mistakes
I'll never break your heart
And I swear by the moon and the stars in the skies
I'll be there
I swear like a shadow that's by your side
I'll be there
For better or worse,
Till death do us part,
I'll love you with every beat of my heart
And I swear
Ooo...
I'll give you every thing I can
I'll build your dreams with these two hands
We'll hang some memories on the walls
And when (and when) just the two of us are there
You won't have to ask if I still care
Cause as the time turns the page,
My love won't age at all" **
Ginny was in tears again. He stopped singing and held her close. "I want you, Ginerva, forever." He walked her to the side of the boat. She leaned back against him and he held her tight around the waist as they passed Pont Neuf. Another slow song started but he snapped his fingers skipping to a faster one.
"And I would do anything for love, I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love, I'll never lie to you and that's a fact
But I'll never forget the way you feel right now, oh no, no way
And I would do anything for love, but I won't do that, I won't do that
Anything for love, oh I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love, but I won't do that, oh I won't do that
Some days it don't come easy, and some days it don't come hard
Some days it don't come at all, and these are the days that never end
Some nights you're breathing fire, and some nights you're carved in ice
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before or will again
Maybe I'm crazy, but it's crazy and it's true
I know you can save me, no one else can save me now but you
As long as the planets are turning, as long as the stars are burning
As long as your dreams are coming true, you better believe it
That I would do anything for love, and I'll be there til the final act
I would do anything for love, and I'll take a vow and seal a pact" ***
The rest of the song was lost to her as he turned her head and kissed her passionately a number of times. Somehow, he turned her or she turned and their snogging only ended when a group of twenty-something males on the bank started cat calling.
When they looked back at the bank, they were going past d'Orsay Museum. They listened to a number of other songs drifting by, Saint Germain des Pres, Saint Michel and Notre Dame Cathedral. The docks were empty when they returned.
Kissing Ginny lovingly on the lips, Draco then whispered, "Would you like a romantic walk or…" A boat filled with young American Muggles pulled into the dock next to them at that moment interrupting with blaring music. "Damn Muggles!"
She pulled him into a very passionate kiss when she pushed away they were both breathless. "I disagree, Draco. Their song is very fitting for this moment."
He raised a brow to his wife and listened to the lyrics.
"It's like a dream
Although I'm not asleep
I never want to wake up
Don't lose it
Don't leave it
So go on, go on
Come on leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me
'Till I can't deny this
Loving feeling
Let me long for your kiss
Go on, go on
Yeah come on" ****
He pulled her close. "I think I can do that."
-------********--------
Narcissa and Ginny sat at the small iron table on the villa's terrace finishing their tea while Draco stood on the edge watching the boys merrily running through the vineyards. "I said no hiding, Cam," he bellowed when the little wizard snuck behind a large collection of vines.
"Draco, let them play. Come and have some tea. Tipsy and Nan are in the vineyard with them," Ginny said softly.
"Come, Draco," Narcissa added and the wizard reluctantly sat down next to his wife. "Here you go, darling," she said after pouring him a cup of tea. "Your father owled me last evening. He sent thirty thousand galleons to the Paris Gringotts branch for my shopping. Ginevra and I were discussing spending the day in wizarding Paris."
"That sounds fine, Mother. We'll go do a little shopping, have a nice lunch, then I'll take the boys to the park and you ladies can finish your shopping," he smirked at them, "for the day that is."
"We have our plans for the day," Ginny walked to the terrace edge, "Thuban, Cam, Serpens. You have ten more minutes before you need to clean-up to leave."
Thirty minutes later four grumpy wizards, two happy witches and a gurgling babe walked up to Luxembourg Palace. Draco tapped the bricks. He touched the wall and his hand went through. The wizarding family hurried through the port to wizarding Paris, closing it behind them. The wizarding version of Luxembourg garden looked very much lile the Muggle one with a couple of exceptions. The old wizards were playing wizards chess. Children were playing Gobstones. People were playing Swivenhodge, not tennis. In addition, the puppets had no strings.
"I want to see the puppet show," Cam said.
"I want to ride the ponies," Serpens added.
Thuban rolled his eyed. "Stop being dim-witted, those ponies only go in circles. Your pony at home is better than those old nags."
Draco growled at the boy. "Thuban, where are your manners?"
"I left them at the villa," he said under his breath.
"Repeat that louder, please," Draco hissed.
"I'm sorry, Serpens."
Draco whispered to the boy, "One more mistake and you will be back at the villa with your manners." Thuban nodded. The blond wizard put his arm around his wife's waist and softly growled in her ear.
"You shouldn't have stopped me from spanking him for his cheek at the villa."
Ginny paused before she responded. Draco and Lucius thought spankings were the solution to every problem with the boys. Many times, there wasn't even a problem. Malfoy men merely loved to set rules, and stupid ones at that. The vineyards seemed a lovely place for a game of hide and seek; they could see a great distance from the terrace, nothing would happen to the boys. Yet, Draco had to be able to see them at all times. In her opinion, he deserved to be called an old fuddy duddy. That's what he was acting like. Thuban had whispered it after all.
"He'll be fine, Draco." She looked at each of her sons. Serpens had his hand holding tight onto Draco's free one. In mere minutes, the boy would be riding on his father's hip. Cam was holding tight to Narcissa's hand and Thuban was holding onto the pram. "We're going to Gringotts then shopping. Only if you're good will we go to the park. If you misbehave your father will take you back to the villa." The boys nodded and as if on cue, Serpens tugged on Draco's trousers to be carried.
The Paris branch of Gringotts was a double of the London one. Both Draco and Narcissa acquired galleons and euros for their shopping needs while Ginny watched the children. Thuban stepped up to a goblin's desk. "Parlez-vous français ou anglais?"
(Translation: Do you speak French or English?)
"I speak both as do you, young Master Malfoy," the goblin snarled.
Thuban moved behind his mother and peeked around her at the goblin. "Goblins are so mean. How can Uncle Bill stand to work with them?"
"They are not mean, Thuban. They are merely impersonal," Ginny replied.
"Oh." Thuban approached the goblin again. "Do you speak Gobbledegook?"
"A little."
"Is it hard to learn?" the little wizard inquired.
"Not for goblins."
Thuban saw his father coming. "Well it was a pleasure talking with you."
----------***********-----------
Draco placed his dressing robe on the chair revealing his bare chest and silk pajama bottoms. Ginny was engrossed in her book so he cleared his throat. When she still didn't respond he walked around and sat on her side of the bed looking at the title of the tome. 'Greatest Quidditch Pranks and Blunders'
"Ginevra, what is your wicked mind planning?"
She kept her eyes on the pages of the book. "Nothing to worry your pretty little head about."
"I beg to differ with you, darling," he said over-sweetly. "I've had to stop your wand play two too many times lately."
She closed the book and placed it on table next to the bed without looking at him. "Fine! I'll merely remove the cushioning charm from my brothers' brooms." She finally looked at her husband and smiled. "Did you have something in mind?"
He answered by leaning into her and kissing her very passionately. She managed to push him away.
"Slow down a little," she giggled. "I'm willing, although I would like to discuss a couple of topics we've been avoiding."
He rolled to his side of the bed and pulled her onto his chest holding her by her shoulders. "I haven't been avoiding things, Ginny. I wanted you to feel safe before addressing them. Here is my view on my father and our family. He is not welcome in our home. The boys will not be going to the Manor. I will continue to work with him. The boys will be allowed to owl him and you or I will read his owls before they are given to the children. Tomorrow I want to read his owl to Thuban."
"Well, we agree on most things. Your father will never be allowed visits with our children again."
"Ginny, I didn't say never. I think if the boys decide they want to visit Lucius when they are eleven they should be allowed." He saw his wife start to fume so quickly added, "but that's five years off and we don't need to argue about that now."
"I don't want him communicating with my sons," she snapped at her husband.
"Explain to me what problems you see arising from it? We will read the letters before they go to the boys. If there is anything in the letter we don't want them to see, they don't get it," he calmly said.
"I want to read them," she demanded.
"I see no problem with that." He handed her a letter. "This is the letter I'd like to read to Thuban tomorrow. Ginny removed it from the envelope and read it.
My dearest Thuban,
I cannot find the words to express the overwhelming remorse I feel. My actions set in motion events that almost caused your mother irreversible harm. Only by the grace of all that's magic, did I happen by her and her attack and put a stop to it.
I am a flawed man in many ways but my actions were never meant to cause you or your father pain. In my own foolish way, I was trying to save you from it.
From this moment on, I promise to help protect your mother and your entire family from harm. My actions were unforgivable, although I hope one day that we can work past them.
I love you with all my heart. Look after your grandmother for me. She is also hurting deeply.
Love always,
Grandfather
"A Slytherin to the end?" she questioned. "He called himself foolish and flawed."
"In that part he was being loving, apologetic and truthful, where he reminded us that it was he who stopped the attack, that was the Slytherin in him." He kissed her cheek. "Thuban gets it tomorrow?"
"Yes." She turned to her husband. "I need the truth. Did you have anything to do with Daniel Jones' murder in Azkaban?"
"No." He looked at the two small bruises on his right hand and showed them to her. "But his face did cause the bruising on my hand."
"Draco!"
"If you can bat boogey a bint for patting my bottom, I can throw my fist into a bloke's face after he assaults you."
She pulled him on top of her, not that it took her much effort. He was very willing to move. He rested most of his weight on his elbows and his knees, which were in-between her legs, and smirked at her. She placed an open hand on his bum and patted it lightly.
"That was a pat, Draco. She did this." Ginny opened her hand wide and grabbed as much of his left bum cheek as she could and gave it a very firm squeeze. "Which we both know, my husband, means she wants to do this." She placed a hand on each of his bum cheeks firmly squeezed them while pulling his hips into hers.
"That is only for you, my love," he replied before cheekly adding, "Would you like to spend the next twenty or thirty minutes doing that?"
The sound of a small fist knocking on the door stopped her reply. "Daddy, there are funny noises in my room. Can I sleep with you and Mummy?"
"Bloody hell," he whispered to his wife before rolling out of the bed and placing on his dressing robe.
"What do you say to leaving the older ones home when you go to Spain?"
------******-------
Ginny fell onto the sofa after having had the day from hell. Serpens walked into the room. She sat up and glared at the little wizard. "Get to your bedchamber now or I'll take my wand to your bottom," she bellowed at the boy. He turned tail and ran out of the room moments before a loud Apparation pop was heard. Draco walked into the room, assessing his wife's mood he tried to leave her in peace and see to his children. By the looks of her, he wasn't sure if they were still alive.
"Wait!" she said. "You need to redden three little wizards' bottoms."
Well, they're still alive, he thought as he walked into the room. He sat down pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "What did they do?"
"They unleashed their magic all over Muggle Paris that's all!" She pointed to the Pensieve on the table. "It's all in there see for yourself."
_________The first Pensieve memory___________
Ginny walked down the busy Paris street towards the Eiffel Tower pushing Leo's pram. Serpens was standing on a step on the pram, Thuban and Cam were holding onto either side.
"We're going to the Tower and then the park while Grandmother is shopping?" Thuban asked.
"Yes, sweetheart," Ginny replied.
French women past the family and looked into the pram. Many saying, "Votre bébé est beau, finalement l'un d'entre eux a votre cheveux."
(Translation: Your baby is beautiful, finally one of them had your hair.)
Other said, "Que ces enfants-là sont obéissants!" or, "Votre bébé est adorable."
(Translation: How well behaved those children are! Or, Your baby is adorable)
Ginny beamed and nodded at most of them not knowing what they were saying but knowing by her sons' reactions, that it must be praise. She stopped before crossing the street. Serpens jumped off the step and ran to the grass area. He turned around with a stick in his hand.
"I've found a wand!" he spouted proudly.
"It's a stick," Cam informed him.
"I'm a wizard. I know a wand when I see one," Serpens retorted.
"Que mignon," a French woman said. "Il joue au magicien."
(Translation: How cute, a French woman said. He's pretending he's a wizard.)
"Si, je suis magicien," Serpens replied. "Je ne m'habille que comme un Moldu à être en harmonie avec vous."
(Translation: I am a wizard, Serpens replied. I'm only dressed as a Muggle to fit in.)
Thuban walked over to his little boy and pulled him back to the pram. He whispered, "Telling the Muggles you're a wizard isn't fitting in."
Serpens put a hand over his mouth. "I'm sorry, Mummy." He showed Ginny the stick. "Isn't this a nice wand?"
"Yes, sweetheart. What do all good wizards do with their wands?"
"They sheath their wands," he answered and put the stick in his pocket.
"Que c'est precieux, les enfants et ses jeux de faire semblant," giggled a young French woman as she walked by.
(Translation: That's just precious, children and their games of make believe)
Serpens pulled the stick out of his pocket and pointed it at the woman's foot. "Je suis un vrai magicien et ceux-ci, c'est une baguette authentique."
(Translation: I am a real wizard and this is a real wand.)
The woman tripped, her friend barely caught her before her fall.
"Je vous ai donné un croc-en-jambe. Je suis un vrai magicien," he spat.
(Translation: I made you trip. I am a real wizard)
The Muggle women stared at Serpens.
"Thuban, what did he say?" Ginny hurriedly asked.
"He said he was a real wizard and it was a real wand."
She retrieved her young son and removed the stick from his hand. "Thuban apologize for me, please. Tell her, I'm very sorry for Serpens' behavior. It won't happen again."
"Ma mère veux s'excuser de la conduit de mon frère cadet. Elle regrette infinitement et voudrait vous assurer de cela n'arrive plus.," Thuban said.
(Translation: My mother wishes to apologize for my little brother's behavior. She is deeply sorry and will make sure it doesn't happen again)
Ginny turned Serpens toward the women. "Je suis désolé."
(Translation: I'm sorry.)
"Je t'excuse," the woman replied before walking off.
(Translation: Apology accepted.)
"I'm sorry, Mummy," Serpens said.
She pointed the stick at him. "You're lucky I don't take this to your bottom right now. If you can't behave we will have to go back to the villa."
------******------
Draco smiled at his wife. She elbowed him. "It wasn't funny."
"I'm sure it wasn't at the time but look at it in a couple of weeks and you'll feel different. Where's the stick?"
She giggled, "You can't see it."
"It was a very old wand wasn't it?" He smirked.
"Yes, it was."
"That's my boy!" He hugged his wife. "Although he was a bad boy for using it."
_________The second Pensieve memory___________
Serpens, Thuban and Cam sat on the lawn watching the Muggle magician in the Park.
"J'ai besoin d'un assistant pour ma levée prochaine," he said.
(Translation: I need an assistant for the next trick)
All the children raised their hands. The man called on Thuban and he walked up to him.
"Comment tu t'appelle?" the magician asked.
(Translation: What is your name?)
"Thuban."
"Thuban va m'aider executer une levée simple de cartes. Choisis une carte, s'il-te plait." Thuban did and the magician said, "Montre-la à tout le monde."
(Translation: "Thuban is going to help me perform a simple card trick. Pick a card, please." Thuban did and the magician said, "Show it to everyone.")
Thuban showed the crowd the seven of hearts from left to right. Ginny saw him smirk. When he showed the card from right to left, it was the king of spades. The audience clapped.
"Mais je n'ai pas fait la levée.," magician said in puzzlement. Thuban placed the card in the deck.
(Translation: I haven't done the trick)
"Maintenant, je vais rendre la carte quitter le jeu de cartes." The magician placed his hand over the deck and tried to make the card rise but couldn't, a perplexed look appeared on his face. Thuban giggled on the stage and then placed his hand out. Both the king of spades and seven of hearts flew into his hand. He showed them to the crowd and they clapped.
(Translation: I will now made the card rise from the deck.")
_________The third Pensieve memory___________
The boys sat in another area of a park watching a Muggle puppet show.
Serpens pointed to the puppets. "Why do they have strings?"
"Muggles need strings to make puppets work," Thuban said.
Ginny whispered to the boys, "Behave yourselves. I'm going to sit on the bench with Leo." The boys nodded and she walked away. Three women walked over and chatted with her.
"How old is he?" asked a woman in blue.
"Six weeks."
"He is so lovely," said another.
"Thank you."
Leo opened his eyes wide. The women sighed. The women in blue said, "What dazzling gray eyes he has!"
"He has his father's eyes," Ginny said proudly.
The women talked and goggled over Leo for a couple more minutes. Ginny tried to keep any eye on her other sons and talk with the women. Serpens seemed to be paying more attention to the women around his little brother than the show. Ginny noticed strange things happening to the puppets. They appeared to be moving on their own and going in different places then the puppet masters were directing. Before two of these strange events, she saw Cam elbow Thuban. Her two little wizards were laughing too much.
Leo started to cry and she looked down. His pacifier was floating towards Serpens, luckily she was able to catch it.
"I can't believe he spit it that far," said the woman in blue.
"He's full of surprises. It was nice speaking with you ladies but it's time for us to leave," Ginny said
before she placed Leo in his pram and collected her older sons. She walked the group away from others.
"I don't know what has gotten into you today but it stops now. Do you hear me?"
"I didn't do anything, Mummy," Thuban said.
"These puppets were moving on their own, Thuban."
"It wasn't me."
"Was it your brother then?" Ginny asked.
Thuban looked at the ground.
"Answer me young man?"
"Yes."
She looked at all three. "You know better than to use magic in front of Muggles. First Serpens in the street, then Thuban at the magic show, now Cam at the puppet show, plus Serpens Accioed Leo's pacifier, do I need to take you back to the villa?"
"No, Mummy," all three answered.
______ The forth and last Pensieve memory ______
Thuban and Cam sat by the fountain's side at Luxembourg garden. Serpens sat next to Ginny on a bench. Many children had rented sailboats that operated by remote control. The two older boys approached their mother.
"Mummy, may we please rent a sailboat to play with while we wait for Grandmother?" Cam sweetly pleaded.
"No, we haven't behaved well enough. If you behave at dinner tonight we'll come back Friday and rent a sailboat for each of you."
Both boys frowned and walked away quietly back to the fountain. All was peaceful as Ginny read a book to Serpens when she put it down she noticed a large number of the Muggle children looking at their remotes.
"Cela tombait en panne." a number of boys, said.
(Translation: It's not working)
"Mommy," said a little boy in a Dallas Cowboy shirt. "Something's wrong. When I tell it to go left the boat goes right sometimes."
Ginny looked for her older boys, she saw Thuban focusing on a boat with blue sails and Cam on a boat with red sails. Moments later, the boats collided. Two Muggle boys cried while her two giggled madly. She walked over and took them by the arm leaving Serpens and the pram at the bench.
"That's it," she whispered. "You're staying at the villa this evening and maybe the rest of the trip." They were steps away from the pram when Leo started to cry. She ran to him only to find his pacifier missing.
She eyed Serpens and put out her hand. "Give it back," she hissed lightly.
------******------
Draco leaned back on the sofa and pulled his wife close. "I'm so sorry they were being devilish today." He kissed her forehead. "I was hoping not to go through the jealousy bit with Serpens but we know how to handle that."
Ginny stared at him. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go upstairs and spank some bottoms!"
He kissed her forehead again. "I don't want to quarrel but if you believe so strong that they need to be spanked, why didn't you do it? If I recall correctly, I wanted to spank them Sunday for not listening to you or me and you told me I spank too much."
She pulled away from him and walked angrily across the room. "This is different. They were Muggle baiting today and I don't want to raise a pack of Death Eaters!" she hissed.
"Ginevra!" he growled. "Think before you speak. I would never allow my sons to do the things my father and aunt have done and you know that. I saw three little wizards being very mischievous. It was far from Muggle baiting. Cam has tried to do the same thing at wizarding puppet shows."
Ginny walked over and hugged him. "You're right. I'm very sorry. I'm just at the end of my wand."
"That is because they wouldn't listen to you today, correct?" he asked and she nodded. He walked her over to the sofa and started to snuggle her. "I believe the first order of business should be making you feel better. It will do them good to wait and worry a little longer."
"You may have been joking last night but I think we should find someone to watch the older boys when we go to Spain. I need some real time away."
"You want to bring Leo with us, Ginny?"
"Yes, Draco. He's too young to be left and he isn't a problem," she replied then kissed him.
"I say we do that, Ginny." He hugged her. "I do have a small break planned for you tomorrow. The Paris director offered his nanny's services to us from nine to four tomorrow. I'll have everything I need completed by three. You and my mother can go shopping all day and evening if you like. Friday, I'm free to explore Paris with my family."
-------*******--------
"Daddy," Serpens said as Draco carried him down the Muggle street towards the Louvre. "Do the paintings really not move at the Louvre?"
"It's a museum of Muggle artwork. It has some of the best works of their kind. You'll enjoy viewing them."
"Daddy, look!" Cam pointed to a lamp in a window. "That plug is different. Can we get it for Grandpa? He collects plugs you know."
"He collects batteries too," Serpens added. "I've seen lots of them around."
"I think we should get him that book about how Muggle airplanes fly," Thuban interjected.
"Your grandpa can't read French, sweetheart," Ginny added.
"They had an English one too, Mummy."
Draco rolled his eyes. He wasn't about to buy Arthur Weasley a plug or batteries. The man had no use for them and he didn't want to promote collecting useless items. The book, he didn't mind, knowledge was never useless even if it was knowledge about Muggle items.
"We'll see about getting the book after the museum." He smirked at his wife. "If we have the money that is, Mummy may have spent it all yesterday."
Cam turned and looked at his mother in horror. "If you spent it all, I hope you got my birthday present already."
The blond wizard chuckled. "I believe that's the Black in him talking, Mother."
Narcissa snorted, "Your father was merely joking, Cygnus. Your mother's spending yesterday didn't even put a dent in his vault."
The little wizard glared at his father. "I was joking, Cam. Although, you haven't been behaving like a child whose birthday is only weeks away."
"I'll be really good today, Daddy." The blond, blue-eyed boy made an 'x' with his hand in front of his chest. "Cross my heart."
As the family walked through Tuileries Garden, the boys spotted the wonderful playground and asked to play for a bit. Draco knew that viewing the museum would not be peaceful with the three boys. He handed each of them money so they could jump on the trampolines.
"Ginny, I've got an idea. Why don't you and mother stay here with the younger ones and I'll take Thuban into the Louvre. I'll meet you in front of the pyramid in two hours. Then I'll watch all the boys while you and Mother view the museum?"
The women looked at each other and smiled. "That's a wonderful idea, Draco. Thuban's going." She pointed to the trampoline where their eldest was speaking with the worker.
"Je ne veux pas faire les astuces. Je ne veux que sauter haut," the little wizard said.
(Translation: I don't want to do tricks. I just want to jump high)
""Est-ce que tu sais sauter haut du sol?" the worker asked and the boy nodded. "Essaie derester
au centre, et saute comme tu essaies de sauter du sol. Fléchis tes genous avant de retomber, et quand le trampolino te
repousser, saute encore une fois. Tiens tes bras à s'equilibrer. S'amuse bien!"
(Translation: You know how to jump high from the ground?" the worker asked and the boy nodded. "Try to stay
in the center, jump as if you're trying to jump high on the ground. Bent your knees before you land, when the
trampoline pushes you back up jump again. Hold you arms out for balance. Have fun.")
Thuban walked over to the center and started to jump. His first three jumps didn't get him very high and on the next one he jumped at the wrong time and landed on his bottom. He stood back up and tried again. After a dozen jumps, the little wizard got the timing down and was soaring quite high.
Draco tried his best to contain his mirth at his wife's and Mother's actions with each jump the little boy propelled himself higher into the sky and the women's gasps increased in volume. It wasn't long before they both turned to him.
"Draco, he's going too high," Ginny said with great worry.
"He's fine, Ginny," Draco replied calmly. The boy propelled himself even higher with the next bounce and the witches on each side of him gasped and grabbed his arms in fear.
"Draco darling, stop him. He's going to get hurt," Narcissa begged.
He broke himself free of the witches and headed for the trampoline. "He's fine but I'll stop him before you two die of fright."
Thuban looked at his father approaching and then his mother and grandmother. The boy ceased jumping and sighed in disgust. Once he stopped, he walked to the edge. He looked at his father then the witches in his life. "They didn't like me jumping so high did they?" Draco nodded. "Witches always spoil the fun," he whispered to his father.
"What's why you're coming with me," Draco whispered back. He turned to Cam and Serpens. "If you two can be good boys and not jump high like Thuban, you may stay in the garden with Mummy and Grandmother. Can you do that?" Both boys nodded. "Good lads."
Cam climbed onto the equipment and kept his jumps low. Draco and Thuban said good-bye to the witches and headed for the Louvre were Thuban spotted a carnival just beyond the Pavillon de Marsan.
"Daddy, if I'm really good can we go after the museum, please? I want to ride on the big Ferris wheel."
Draco took the boy's hand as they approached the crowded entry to the museum. "If you're good and we have time, we'll go. You do still want to go to the Eiffel Tower and ride in the glass lift at the Grande Arche de la Defense?"
"I want to go to both those places more than ride that old Ferris wheel. The Grade Arche is one hundred and ten meters high and we can go up two hundred and seventy-six meters in the tower. I like going up high. My broom only goes six meters high and Mummy won't let us go higher than twenty meters with an adult." He smiled at his father. "Witches are so silly when it comes to height."
"They sure are, mate."
Draco and Thuban entered the museum via the courtyard in front of the pyramid. Their tickets were pre-purchased so the two wizards made straight for the security and the metal detectors. The little boy looked strangely at the white tall doorframe that seemed out of place that the Muggle guards were making everyone walk through. He remained quiet as he went through followed by his father.
"Daddy, why'd we have to walk through that?"
"It makes sure we don't have any Muggle weapons, Thuban."
"Oh. Are we going to see the picture of the smiling lady?" Thuban asked and Draco nodded
They headed for the Denon wing, where the Mona Lisa hangs. On their way, they looked at the Greek statues. The little wizard was most interested in the Borghese Gladiator.
He lost interest in the statues quickly, so Draco turned into the Italian paintings room. The boy wasn't very interested in them either. He complained a number of times about the pictures not moving. Draco tried to show his son the great detail that went into each painting. He explained how in wizard paintings the artist focused on the people and animals and many times forgot about plants and trees. He pointed out the detail in the leaves, chairs and table, but it don't work.
Acting quickly so his son wouldn't lose all interest, Draco made the turn into Salle d'état, where the Mona Lisa presides. There was a crowd around the small portrait, so he placed Thuban on his shoulders.
"Daddy, she looks plump like Grandma. She's not that cute and her painting is so small. What's so great about her?"
The blond wizard sighed, "Professor Milken said it was his favorite Muggle painting, correct?"
"Yes."
"Ask him that question. Please be still, I wish to look at it for a few more seconds. " Draco smirked. He was paying the boy's tutor a large amount of galleons. Let him try to explain the beauty of this piece of art to the boy!
The little wizard remained on his father's shoulders as they made their way to the French painting wing. The blond wizard was only allowed a short time viewing the paintings before his son whispered that nature was calling. After the trip to the bathroom, Draco noticed their time was up and headed to meet the rest of his family.
---------*********---------
Narcissa had been instructing the servants on which items went in each trunk as they packed her things. Even with the use of shrinking charms, she had to obtain two new trunks for all of her shopping trip purchases. When the Lucius' owl flew in the room, she shooed the servants out. She opened the small package to find her favorite Muggle item; she believed it was called an IPod. Ginevra had gotten it for her last birthday. It played the Muggle music she had come to love. Lucius hated it and Narcissa, who had been missing her husband, now started to rage inside.
Damn prat, couldn't stand having a Muggle item in his house, she thought. A small note caught her attention:
My Dearest Narcissa
Please listen to your Muggle item.
All my love,
Lucius
She placed the headset on, pushed the play button and listened. She hadn't placed this song on the device so she listened intently as the music played.
"Lost and all alone
I always thought that I could make it on my own
Since you left I hardly make it through the day
My tears get in the way
And I need you back to stay"
Disbelief raced through her. Lucius couldn't have placed this song on the machine. He didn't know how.
"I wander through the night
And search the world to find
the words to make it right
All I want is just the way it used to be
With you here close to me
I've got to make you see"
However, it had to have been him. It must have taken him days to find this song. A single tear ran down her face.
"That I'm lost without your love
Life without you isn't worth the trouble of
I'm as helpless as a ship without a wheel
A touch without a feel
I can't believe it's real...
And someday soon I'll wake
And find my heart won't have to break"
She lay on the bed and started to weep as the instrumental part of the song played. He had to miss and love her dearly to overcome his dislike for Muggle items and not only learn to place the song on her device but he had to locate this special song too. He had to be working on this for days.
"Yes I'm lost without your love
Life without you isn't worth the trouble of
All I want is just the way it used to be
I need you here with me
Oh darlin' can't you see...
If we had love before
We can have it back once more" *****
Narcissa's weeping increased when the next song began, another song from him. She was so torn. He had been a great arse but he was the love of her life. He was telling her that she was the love of his also.
Hearing their grandmother's cries, Thuban and Cam came into her room. Cam climbed onto the bed and into her arms. He kissed her cheeks and wiped her tears away with his shirtsleeve.
"Grandmother, what's wrong?" Cam asked.
Narcissa shook her head unable to form any words.
"I'll go get Daddy!" Thuban stated and he hurried out of the room. "Daddy! Daddy! Come quick! Some things wrong with Grandmother!"
--------*******---------
Author's notes: I hadn't planned on writing this chapter but a number of my readers wanted to see their trips. Because they take the time every week to review my story, writing this chapter was the least I could do for them. My muses weren't being very helpful and I started watching music videos on the internet to inspire me thus came the songs on the boat and the IPod idea.
The songs on the boat were, "My Favorite Regret" by Gigolo Aunts, "I Swear" by All-for-one, "I would do anything for love" by Meatloaf, and "Breathless" by the Corrs.
The first song on Narcissa's IPod was, "Lost Without Your Love" by Bread.
The complete lists of songs played on the cruise and placed on the IPod can be found on my website. www.geocities.com/dagforever01. If you click on them, it will play a music video.
Special thanks to Lorelei for the French translations and kiera14 for the Paris information.