The Truth - Scrabbers Squeals and More.
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Ginny fell into the chair in the foyer of Black Hall after Apparating home. The voices of her children and her mother floated down the hallway. "I'll bet that is your Grandmother Malfoy now," Molly said.
The young witch tried to collect herself not wanting her children to see her in her present state but before she could Narcissa appeared.
"Oh goodness! Ginevra, what has happened?" the blonde witch gasped. Great concern lined her face.
"Mummy!" Cam cried at the sight in front of him. His mother's clothes were dirty and torn. Her face was pale and lined where her tears of pain had ran. Molly grabbed him and held his two brothers behind her. Narcissa had started to make her way to her daughter in-law when Draco appeared.
"Draco," Ginny whispered and when he was close enough she fell into his arms. He lifted her and started up the stairs.
"Mother, please floo the healer," he softly stated.
"What's wrong with Mummy?" Thuban managed to choke out without letting the tears in his eyes fall onto his face.
"She had a small accident. Go back into the playroom. She'll be fine," Draco firmly yet lovingly stated. His tone clearly informing them to do as they were told. "Tipsy - Nan!" he called and the elves appeared. "Take the boys to the playroom and remain there with them." The elves and the boys left right before Ron appeared.
Fear lined the features of the red haired wizard. Once he saw his sister, he ran after her. "How is she?" he anxiously asked.
"Ron calm down, the boys will hear you," Molly replied walking after them.
Arthur appeared in the foyer at the same time that there was a knock at the front door. An elf opened it revealing Lucius Malfoy and a healer. Draco waved his hand removing the wards allowing the healer and his father entry. Narcissa came from the parlor with another healer and the collection of people made their way to the master bedchamber.
"Mr. Malfoy has informed me of the curses he believes were used," Healer Worcester informed his partner Healer Bailey. The two men had a quiet conversation as the group walked to Black Hall's master bedchamber.
Draco had tenderly laid Ginny down on their bed and was now caressing her arms. Tears filled his eyes and he was shaking. She looked as if she'd been beaten. The fingers of her right hand were strangling a strange wand which upon closer inspection he realized was her old school wand. Draco remembered Lucius advising them years ago to keep the wand, telling them, "It may come in handy one day."
Ginny opened her eyes staring at her husband, "Are the boys safe?"
"Yes, love," he kissed her forehead.
Healer Worcester came forward, "Mrs. Malfoy, can you tell me what happened?"
"Lucius gave me a wand," she stammered breathlessly. "Bellatrix planned it." She closed her eyes and passed out.
"Ginny!" Draco cried out before he could stop himself, the anguish in his heart leaking into that one word. He had never before felt such grief or this helpless. He had thought those days at Hogwarts during which he had struggled to fix the cabinet would be the worst of his life, but this was much worse.
Narcissa took her son into her arms, "Draco, the healers need to examine Ginevra. We must go to the sitting room."
"I can't loss her, Mother. She is my strength," his misery softly rolled off his tongue with each word.
"She'll be fine, Draco," Narcissa walked her son into the sitting area.
Once in there, Draco looked at Lucius and his grief turned to anger. Ron turned to his own father at the same time.
"I'm going after Bellatrix," both men hissed.
Lucius grabbed his son's arm and Arthur did the same to Ron. "Let the Aurors deal with it!"
"Father! Let me go. I must protect my wife," Draco spat.
"You are needed here. Bellatrix is already gone. She is a very clever witch. Surely, she had an escape plan in case of failure. Think Draco. You know your aunt, what is she hoping that you will do?" Lucius softly spoke to his son.
"She wants me to come after her, leaving Ginny unattended."
"Yes. Let the Aurors chase her." Lucius looked at Ron and Arthur. "We need to work out a plan. It would be suicide to run after her. Ginevra will be safer if her family stays close and watches over her."
"I'll stay for now," Draco glared at his father. "What curses did they use on her? How long did they have her?" He shook with concern.
"Calm yourself, son. They did nothing the healers cannot counter," Lucius softly replied before placing a hand on his son's shoulder.
Draco pulled away. "I demand you tell me what those bastards did to my wife!" his voice filled with rage.
"Ginevra is a very strong witch. They tried the Imperius Curse, I believe. However, she fought it off. She endured at least four Cruciatus Curses," Lucius sat his son on the settee, "now calm yourself. You will not be helpful to Ginevra like this."
Draco put his head in his hands. "I failed her. I couldn't keep her safe," he murmured between his sobs, "I should have killed Aunt Bellatrix when I found out about the cursed dragon charm."
"You would be in Azkaban if you had, Draco," Narcissa replied.
He looked up, his face stained with tears, his eyes puffy and red, "Maybe so, Mother. Although my wife would never have been cursed and my family would be safe."
Arthur stepped forward, "You don't know that, Draco. We have no idea if the Carrows and Wormtail were working for Bellatrix. Even if they were, they might have come after Ginny without her help."
The healers walked into the room. "Mr. Malfoy," Healer Worcester said to Draco, "we'd like to speak with you about your wife's condition."
Draco looked at his parents and the Weasleys, "Everyone here is family and is anxious to hear now."
"Very well. Your wife's body is healthy. She needs rest. The Cruciatus and Imperius curses have the short-term effect of draining energy but have no long-term physical effects. It's her emotional and mental well being that we need to keep an eye on for the next couple of days. I believe she will be fine in that regard also. She's lucky she was rescued so soon. Overexposure to the Cruciatus curse causes insanity."
Healer Bailey walked forward and handed Draco two bottles, "Here are some sleeping drafts. She refused to take them because she's nursing. If she does decide to use them, she can't nurse for forty-eight hours. She must remain in bed and rest for the remainder of the day. I will be back tomorrow to check on her."
Draco thanked the healers and had Lucius walk them out. He asked his mother to take the Weasleys to the family parlor for tea and once everyone was gone, he quietly walked into the bedchamber.
Ginny moaned and he hurried to her side. He knelt in front of her gazing with love and concern into her eyes.
"What's wrong, Ginny?" he asked, his heart filled with emotion.
"Lonely. Cold," she muttered. "Hold me until I fall asleep."
He crawled into the bed behind her, pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her, "I love you, Gin. You're going to be fine. I'll make sure of that."
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Draco removed the tray from the bed placing it on the table and then he tucked the covers around his wife. "Get some sleep, love."
"I don't see what all the fuss is about. I'm fine. It will take more than a couple Cruciatus curses…"
"Ginevra! You collapsed after Apparating home. The healers ordered you to rest," Draco explained.
"I can't rest. I have too many questions that need answers. Is Lucius still here?"
"Of course."
"I want to speak with him, Draco. I promise to rest once I have."
"Are you sure, Ginny?"
"Yes. Draco, he saved my life."
He kissed her and walked out of the room returning a few minutes later with his father.
"Draco, please leave," Ginny said.
He frowned. "Are you sure, Love?"
"I'm sure."
He started out of the room. "I'll be in the sitting room," he said before closing the door.
"Please sit, Lucius. I'm hoping after today's events we can clear the air between us and you once again will be a welcome guest in our home."
The older wizard sat in the chair closest to her. "I would like that."
"I won't pretend that I understand you. I don't think even Narcissa does. However, I would like some answers. Why did you allow Draco to marry me?"
He laughed, "Ginevra, after all these years you should know I have little control over my son in such matters. We argued when he told me of his plans. However the more I objected the more determined he became. I could only find one fault with you, Ginevra and that was your last name."
"That should have been enough," Ginny replied.
"Yes! Although when I analyzed what I hated about Weasleys, Draco's choice seemed perfect." Lucius leaned back in his chair. "Let me recall my list, shall we? Weasleys have more children than they can afford. Draco could afford to have an unlimited amount of children. Besides, Narcissa had always wanted a house filled with the laughter of children." He paused. "Weasleys are dim-witted and magically untalented. This was not true about you. You are very bright and as for your magical abilities, the Dark Lord was troubled by your strength." He paused again. "Weasleys are blood traitors. Well, with the marriage law, Draco could control the raising of his children not you. Lastly, Weasleys have red hair. A potion could stop that."
Ginny exhaled in anger and rolled her eyes. "So why did you save me today? I mean the reasons you allowed Draco to marry me were gone. I emptied the Manor of children. I have a say in the boys' upbringing. Draco stopped using the potion. If I were dead he would surely return with the boys."
"Yes, yes, my dear I'm sure in time Draco would have returned to the Manor. However, he would have been a mess." Lucius took Ginny's hand. "Many things have changed over the years. I've become fond of red hair. Leo is a handsome lad. You do make beautiful children, Ginevra." He smirked at the young witch. "I do not see you as a blood traitor any longer. I disagree with some of your views but they will only broaden my grandsons knowledge and enable them to make their own choices in time." He paused. "As for emptying the Manor of children, well I had hoped in time you would forgive me and allow them to visit. I rather like the idea of spoiling the children rotten at the Manor then sending them back to Black Hall when they are tired and cranky."
She couldn't help but giggle. "You would enjoy that."
He smirked at her again. "Ginevra, everything I do is to ensure the happiness of my family. My son loves you and he would be heartbroken without you. My grandsons love you and would miss you dearly. You are an excellent mother. My wife adores you and would weep for days. In addition, well, you have grown on me, too. Without you, there would be no cheerfulness."
"I want to believe you, Lucius, but you've tried to kill me before, with the diary," she started to weep.
"I never tried to kill you, Ginevra. My plan with the diary was simple. You were to release the basilisk. It would kill a few Muggle borns. Dumbledore would learn it was you and shame would befall your family. I used you as a pawn in my revenge against your father. I am sorry for that." He looked into her eyes. "If I had known the diary was a Horcrux and could be used to bring the Dark Lord back to life, I would have never given it to you. I knew many Death Eaters that would have gladly let the diary take their lives so the Dark Lord could rise again."
He saw the fear in her eyes and took her hand. "I have changed, Ginevra. After the Dark Lord turned on my family, I was forced to re-examine my beliefs and values. Purity of blood is still important to me, but I no longer wish harm to those who are not my equal. As for your father, brothers and mother, I no longer wish them shame."
"Your actions once almost killed me. They also almost got me raped."
"Ginevra, I never ordered that man…"
"If you hadn't ordered him to try and seduce me, it wouldn't have happened," she flatly stated and he nodded. "You saved me from him, so I believe we are even on that." She paused. "By saving me today, I think that evens your debt to me for the Chamber of Secrets." She looked into his eyes. "You could have easily let me die today. However, you risked your life for mine. I have to believe you will not harm my children or me. I will never totally trust you. Never the less, because of your actions today, I can no longer deny my children your love and your presence in their lives. Are you busy this evening?"
"No."
She turned to the door, "Draco."
"Yes, Gin?" Draco asked as he walked through the door.
"I would like to rest, in quiet, that is. What do you say to having your parents watch the boys at the Manor this evening?"
Lucius smiled brightly. Draco beamed at his father and smirked. "They may be busy, Gin."
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"I know who killed Potter! I know who killed Potter!" Wormtail screeched as the Aurors walked him to his cell in Azkaban. "I will take Veritaserum and tell you everything." He reached out and grabbed Ron's robes. "Listen, boy. Kind boy. I was your pet. Your sister is my family, too. She won't be safe until they are all caught. There are others who will still try to kill her, I will give you names if you spare my life."
"Let me go," Ron commanded.
"Listen boy! The killers and plotters are high up in the ministry. They will have me murdered before I can talk," Wormtail pleaded.
Lupin stepped forward. "He may be correct, Ron. We know someone in the ministry had to have told Harry where to find Voldemort."
"You want to set him free?" Ron hissed.
"Of course not, but we can hold him somewhere else. Let's take him to Hogwarts. Snape has the Veritaserum and McGonagall will know what to do with the information he provides," Lupin stated.
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Thuban quickly entered Ginny's bedroom and when he caught her eye she smiled at him. "I thought you would be at the Manor already."
He beamed at her. "It's true then, Grandfather is allowed in our house again and we can go to the Manor?"
"Yes."
He walked over to her and took her hand. "You're going to be fine, aren't you, Mummy?"
"The healer said I only needed rest. I'll be up and around tomorrow morning if not sooner."
"I heard that Uncle Ron caught his old rat. Will things get back to normal now?"
"I believe so, Thuban. Don't you worry yourself. Now run off and have fun at the Manor."
The little blond boy hugged her. "I love you, Mummy."
Draco walked in the room with Cam and Serpens. The boys crawled onto the bed next to their mother. Cam cuddled into her chest and Serpens sat next to him.
"I never want to see Bellatrix Lestrange again. I wish I had a wand. Nobody hexes my mummy and lives to tell the tale for long," Cam growled.
"Cammy, you need to let go of your anger. I'm alright. It is the Aurors job to take care of the criminals." Ginny kissed the boy's cheek. She had thought he was one hundred percent Black but right now he sounded like Lucius.
"Kiss your mother good-bye, boys. Tipsy has your things packed and your grandparents are waiting."
They hugged and kissed her then Draco shooed them out of the room. "Sorry, Ginny. Cam overheard Ron talking." He exhaled. "He ordered the house elves to remove every present she ever brought him from his room. He was going to throw the chess set into the fireplace until I reminded him it was his Great Grandfather's, not hers."
"It's not normal. He shouldn't be so angry, Draco."
"She betrayed him, Ginny. She promised him she wouldn't do anything to harm you."
"Maybe he should stay at home and we can talk to him?"
"You need to rest. He'll be fine with Mother. She is feeling the same way about Bellatrix right now."
"I'll trust you."
"Thank you. I've decided to keep Leo with us. The older boys want to go riding." He smirked at her. "By the way, Father has offered to watch the children Friday night until Saturday afternoon so we may have sometime alone."
Ginny giggled, "Well it didn't take him long to offer now did it?"
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Wormtail sat in McGonagall's office at Hogwarts, along with two Aurors, Snape, Lupin, Ron and Arthur. Snape handed Peter the potion and he slowly drank it.
"Who killed Harry Potter and why?" McGonagall asked.
"Before Lucius called the meeting in 1999, Cornelius Fudge and his wife, Rufus Scrimgeour, William Rosier, Tiberius Ogden, Griselda Marchbanks, Sara Yaxley, Owen Carrows and Bellatrix wanted the marriage law. They had met a number of times to discuss it. They all wanted the law for the same reason, the prophecies about the Weasley girl. Although some believed if Draco married her, the prophecy would be fulfilled while others believed it would be stopped.
"The prophecy that she would marry her soul mate and her powerful sons would lead our world was well known. However, Bellatrix knew of others. She believed Potter needed to die. She could not risk him leaving his Mudblood wife and returning to the Weasley girl. Divorce is allowed in our world if one party is a Mudblood. Owen Carrows helped Bellatrix. He made sure Harry Potter went to the forest the night of the final battle."
"Who impersonated Remus that night?"
"Bellatrix. She recast the slashing spell after Potter healed himself. She enjoyed watching him bleed to death."
"How did you, Alecto and Amycus escape?"
"I had overheard Bellatrix's plans. I knew when they were coming, so we killed three little known Death Eaters and burned their bodies, leaving clues so everyone believed it was us. Then we hid."
"Why did you return?"
"Alecto saw the Daily Prophet. It was clear Draco was not controlling the Weasley girl. She was surely raising her sons to be Muggle loving fools like her. Alecto and Amycus wanted her dead, so we contacted Bellatrix. She developed a number of plans but Draco was having her watched too closely.
"When Cygnus rejected Bellatrix at his birthday party, she decided we could wait no longer. We went to Mary Goyle's house two days later. Bellatrix placed sleeping potion in her tea. Once she fell asleep, we locked her in a room. Alecto, Amycus and myself used Polyjuice to impersonate Mary and the Goyle children. We had hoped the Weasley girl would bring the boys, but she brought her bodyguard instead.
It was easy to give them both sleeping potion. We confined the bodyguard in a dungeon cell while the Weasley girl was tortured in hopes of learning the spell to remove the wards around Black Hall so we could get Cygnus. She would do nothing but scream. We were discussing what else to try when Lucius arrived. He acted as if he were on our side but he released the girl."
"Were all the wizards you mentioned involved in the plot to kill Potter and/or Ginny Malfoy?"
"Owen Carrows was involved in Potter's murder. I'm not sure if Cornelius Fudge, Scrimgeour, Rosier, Ogden, Griselda Marchbanks or Sara Yaxley were. Although I know seven years ago Bellatrix had quite a laugh when she heard Victoria Fudge, Griselda Marchbanks and Sara Yaxley believed that Draco and the Weasley girl were soul mates." Wormtail laughed. "The joke was on Bella. Only someone in love would protect their wife so closely."
Minerva pointed to the Aurors. "Take him and lock him in the prison tower." Once the guards were gone, she looked at the others. "I believe the others conspired to pass the Marriage law. It's likely that they planned for Draco to take Ginny as his bride. Victoria has been able to see auras for years. At a Ministry event in the late eighties, she stated that Draco's and Ginny's auras favored one another. I will talk to Griselda about her part. They broke no law with their actions. As for Bellatrix and Owen Carrows, we have enough information now to arrest them."
"Bellatrix is already gone," Ron stated. "I'll take this new information to the Ministry and get warrants for their arrest."
"While you are doing that, Arthur, Remus and I will visit Lucius and Narcissa. They may be able to help us locate Bellatrix," Snape stated.
"It will only take me a moment at the Ministry. I will meet you at Malfoy Manor," Ron flatly stated.
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Sumtin, the eldest of the Malfoy Manor house elves, answered the door. "How may Sumtin help you sirs?"
Arthur Weasley walked forward. "We need to speak to your Master." Children's laughter was heard coming down the hall and before the elf could answer Cam and Serpens came running into the foyer.
"Grandpa! Uncle Ron!" Serpens ran into Arthur's arms. "What are you doing here?"
Cam stayed next to Narcissa who entered the foyer after the boys.
"Good evening, Mrs. Malfoy," the four wizards said.
Severus Snape stepped forward and kissed Narcissa's hand. "You've come to see Lucius. Wormtail has told us many things. He agreed to take Veritaserum."
She held Cam close to her and whispered with fear, "Lucius is not wanted…"
"No, Mrs. Malfoy, he did nothing wrong. We merely wish to inform and confirm some things with him," Lupin stated.
"Thank Merlin," the witch exhaled.
"May we see him?" Arthur asked.
"Or course, he is in his potion's lab. Severus knows the way."
The men inclined their heads and Arthur placed Serpens on the floor after kissing his forehead. The group walked down the hallway then down the stairs to the dungeon room. Severus knocked.
"Enter," Lucius stated.
The blond wizard paid no mind to the group as they entered. He was standing behind Thuban with a hand resting on each side of the boy. He spoke when Thuban looked at the other wizards.
"Focus on your task, Thuban. Your grandmother and mother will hex me into next week if you cut yourself."
The small wizard returned to cutting the flobberworm into equal pieces. Lucius closely watched and instructed the boy. When he completed his work with the knife, the older wizard patted the boy's back. "Very nicely done. Clean your knife and sheath it. Place your cuttings in the container, son. We may have to finish our potion at a later time."
The boy nodded. Once the worm parts where put away, he turned and smiled at the other wizards. "We're working on a Swelling Solution. Grandfather says it's a second year potion but he believes I'm more then capable of making it." The little wizard beamed with great pride.
"I'm sure you will do well," Severus stated. "Lucius, we need to discuss a number of things with you."
"Will you be staying after your talk with Grandfather, Professor? I want to hear about your new potion. Daddy said you would be working at our new company for the summer. I'm sure Grandmother wouldn't mind if you stayed for dinner."
Lucius took a cleansing breath. "Thuban, are you the master of this manor?"
"Not yet." The boy smirked.
The older wizard disregarded the boy's cheek. "We agree that you are not master?" Thuban nodded. "Do you think it's appropriate to invite someone to dinner at another man's house?"
"No." The boy wrinkled up his face. "It was also impolite to ask him in front of others and not also invite them," he looked around at the group. "I'm sorry for being rude."
The wizards nodded their acceptance as Lucius usher them out of the room. "We shall go to my study. Come, Thuban. We will finish our potion later."
"May I floo Daddy and see if I can stay the night? That will insure us enough time to finish." Thuban looked hopefully at his grandfather.
"If it's alright with your Grandmother." Thuban ran out up the stairs quickly.
"Sumtin! Sumtin! Where is Grandmother?" he hollered
Lucius bit back his need to correct the child.
Snape patted his old friend on the back. "Going soft in your old age, I see."
"Simply saving my breath for later," Lucius replied. However, the truth was it had been so long since he was allowed time with the boy that small behavior problems would be over looked for the time being.
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"I thought Bellatrix had killed the Potter boy. She was never the same after Azkaban, dangerous combination intelligence and madness." Lucius handed each man a glass of fire whiskey. "She'll be hard to locate. We will have to keep a close eye on Cygnus."
"What makes you think Ginny is safe?" Arthur asked.
"Bellatrix is really after Cygnus! Didn't Wormtail tell you as much? She believes in the prophecy which states he will be the most powerful of the boys. Since I helped Ginevra escape today, she now knows Narcissa, Draco and I will not hand him over to her. She'll be planning on stealing the boy and making a quick getaway. She won't risk losing her chance to get the boy merely to harm or kill Ginevra." Lucius sat down at his desk, "It will take her time to develop a plan but I have no doubt she will be back."
"You seem very serene for a grandfather whose grandson could be kidnapped at anytime. Would you be so calm if it was the Malfoy heir she was after?" Ron hissed.
"Young Mister Weasley, I cannot lie, I do favor Thuban. I love my grandsons equally and protect them all with the same force. When you are a wealthy family there is always someone looking to make an easy galleon. Kidnapping of any of the children is always a possibility." The blond wizard looked at Lupin. "The Ministry will be looking for Bellatrix?"
"Yes, we are looking for her and Owen Carrows," Lupin replied. "Do you know where Bellatrix may have run off too?"
"I will need to think about this. I have already had my private guards check her normal haunts and she was not seen. My wife may be of more assistance."
"I was hoping to speak with both of you, but I see you have the boys. It can wait until tomorrow morning."
A knock on the door stopped the wizards' conversation. Lucius waved his right hand and the door opened. Thuban walked up to the front of the desk.
"I'm very sorry to interrupt, Grandfather, but Daddy needs Grandpa's help." The little blond turned to face Arthur. "Mummy won't stay in bed. She's being abstinent. Daddy needs you or Grandma to talk to her so she'll stop being abstinent and get back into bed."
Ron mumbled, "When it comes to Malfoy and my little sister, I think abstinence is a good thing."
The wizards in the room chuckled and Thuban looked at Lucius. "Thuban, did your father say your mother was being obstinate?"
"Oh, yes. That's what he said. The healer told her to stay in bed but she won't. She's not listening to Daddy or Grandmother. They thought she would listen to Grandma but Daddy said she's not at the Burrow."
"Your grandma is at Uncle Bill's." Arthur stood. "If you gentlemen will excuse me, it appears I should go collect my wife and help her deal with our obstinate daughter."
"Daddy's still on the floo in Grandmother's parlor. You should go there first. Serpens wants to go home but Cam and I are staying the night."
----------**********----------
Draco left his study with a smirk on his face. Molly and Arthur would be there shortly. They would make his wife listen to the healers and rest. Moreover, even if they didn't they could argue with her for the next three hours. A noise in the library caught his attention and he walked in to find his wife at the top of an eight foot ladder reaching for a book. He went and stood at the bottom of it.
"Ginevra!" he growled. "Get down now."
She pulled the book out of its place and climbed down the ladder. He scooped her into his arms before her feet could touch the floor.
"What in bloody hell am I going to do with you? You're to be resting, not climbing around the library," he growled as he carried her to their bedchambers.
"Really, Draco, I'm fine. I need to research tracking charms. I'm not going to let that bitch get away with this," Ginny hissed.
"Damn it! She won't. You need to rest. Let the Aurors track her for now." He laid her on their bed and she sat up instantly.
"I can take care of her!"
"Like you took care of her at the Ministry in your fourth year?" he spat. "This isn't a game, Ginny. Bellatrix is well trained in the art of tracking and being tracked." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Shit, Ginny. I want to go after her and kill her too. However, revenge is not what is important now. If we go after her, she will take us on a wild dragon chase. While we are looking for her in a dark cave, she'll be here stealing Cam from us."
"So, we're going to sit here and wait for her?" she raged.
"No. You're going to rest and get your full strength back. Tomorrow evening our families are coming over and we will develop a plan."
She looked sheepishly at her husband. "Oh, sorry." Ginny lay down in the bed then smiled wickedly at her husband. The red haired beauty patted the bed. "Why don't you take a nap with me?"
She smiled at him seductively and wiggled her index finger asking him to come. He smirked, walked over and sat next to her on the bed. Her hands swiftly went to caress his legs, but before she could get close to his package, he took her hands in his. "You will keep your hands to yourself until you are well rested."
Ginny sat up and kissed the nape of his neck. "I always sleep well after," she whispered pulling away when there was a knock on the door.
"Master, Misses' parents has arrived," the elf said.
She pushed her husband away. "You don't play fair, Draco."
"I never will when your health is concerned."
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Ron kissed his sister's cheek when he walked into her family parlor. "You look wonderful tonight Ginny. I think abstinence agrees with you," he chuckled.
"What?" Ginny, shocked, replied.
"Yesterday, Thuban told us Draco was upset because you were being abstinent. You wouldn't stay in bed?" he raised a brow at her.
Ginny blushed. "For Merlin's sake." She rolled her eyes at him before turning to greet Luna, his fiancée.
"He's holding onto the hope that Thuban didn't get the word abstinent confused with obstinate," Luna giggled. "You are looking well, Ginny."
"It's takes more than a couple Crucios to get a Weasley down. Lucius showed up before any lasting damage could be done."
"How did he manage to get you a wand without the Death Eaters knowing?" Luna asked.
Ginny blushed and giggled. "He pretended to be on their side." Draco had asked the same question last night and she had avoided it. She needed to figure out a good way to explain it to her overly jealous husband. The statement, your father rubbed his pelvis into me seductively, wouldn't go over well. Moreover, saying she could tell the action didn't arouse him would only lead to more questions.
"But why did they let him get that close to you?" Ron asked.
"Excuse me, Ron. Mum and Dad are here." Ginny went to greet her parents.
"Ginny, you look well." Arthur kissed her cheek.
"Thanks Dad. Draco stayed home and watched the boys today. The Healer came this afternoon and informed me that my health and powers are normal."
"That's wonderful sweetheart," Molly added. "Who have you invited this evening?"
"Our family, along with Hermione and her children, Blaise and Pansy, Professor Snape and of course Lucius and Narcissa. We'll have dinner shortly then the elves will watch the children while we discuss our plans."
The sound of the sliding door being flung open drew everyone's attention. Harriet and Brittany came running inside followed by a large foam Bludger.
"Help! It's after us! Stop it! Stop it!" the girls screamed.
Thuban, Cam and Gabe ran in after them trying to catch the flying ball.
"Run this way Brit and I'll get it," Gabe yelled.
The little witch turned towards her brother while the Bludger went straight knocking a lamp to the ground and shattering it into very small pieces. Draco stepped forward and grabbed the foam Bludger. He raised it into the air and eyed his sons. The sound of the breaking lamp had stopped all of the children and they stared at the blond wizard.
Draco coldly stared at his eldest son. The boys sadly looked at each other. They knew that look in their father's eyes to well. Clearly, whoever had disobeyed him and let that Bludger out would have a sore bottom very shortly.
"Don't look at me, Thuban. I didn't let it out," Cam whispered.
"I didn't either," Thuban whispered back.
"Thuban! Cygnus!" Draco hissed. "Who is behind this?"
"I didn't let it out, Daddy. You told us not too. I wouldn't misbehave when we have guests," Cam answered.
Thuban shook his head. "It wasn't me either, Daddy. You said if we were good you'd let the elves shoot off the fireworks Uncle Fred and George brought. You know I wouldn't risk that."
"Boys!" Draco growled.
Brittany stepped forward. "Serpens did it, Uncle Draco."
"Serpens?" he questioned and Brittany nodded.
His anger seemed to disappear. He cast a Reparo on the lamp and headed for the door. Moments later, he appeared with Serpens on his hip. He seemed to be speaking very calmly to the little wizard. When he opened the door, their conversation was audible.
"This is your last reminder, Serpens. I'll have to punish you next time," Draco softly said.
"I'm sorry, Daddy," the three year old kissed his father's cheek.
Draco placed the boy on the floor and patted his bottom. "Dinner will be ready soon. Boys, show the other children where they can wash their hands."
"Yes, Daddy," Thuban mumbled as he walked from the room.
"Is he always like that with Serpens? I mean, he didn't punish him," Gabe whispered.
"Serpens gets away with everything around Daddy," Cam stated.
"Well, almost anything. He got spanked for hurting Leo and saying Leo wasn't a Malfoy," Thuban added.
"He is only three," Sirius offered.
"Daddy spanked us for disobeying him when we were only three," Cam interjected. "He favors Serpens."
Once the children were out of the room Ginny approached her husband. "Draco, what was that about?"
"Sorry Love, I don't understand quite what you are asking?"
The red-haired witch told a deep breath to relax. "I could tell by the look on your face you would have spanked Thuban and Cam if they had released that Bludger. However, when you found out it was Serpens, you did nothing."
Draco sighed loudly.
Ginny continued angrily, "Don't give me that. Serpens should have been spanked. He's released those Bludgers more than the other two combined."
Draco stared back at her, "Bloody hell, witch, make up your mind. One moment you're telling me I'm too firm with the children, the next, I'm too yielding."
"I've never changed my mind. You don't listen. You're always too firm with Thuban. You're sometimes too firm with Cygnus but you're soft when it comes to Serpens. He is becoming a little brat."
"He's only three!" Draco hissed back.
"He bites his brothers!" Ginny growled back.
"He has never bitten Leo. Cam and Thuban provoke him."
Ginny stamped her foot and shook her head. "Open your eyes, Draco. The boy has you hoodwinked."
"I'm not!" Draco replied, although he quickly turned to his father having heard Lucius clear his throat.
"Normally, I would advise you and Ginevra that this is an inappropriate time and place for this discussion. However, we are all family here with the boys' best interest at heart. You need to take a firmer hand with Serpens."
"So you agree with Ginny?" Draco scoffed at Lucius.
"As far as your lack of chastisement where Serpens is concerned."
"I's sorry to trouble you, Master. But's dinner is ready," the house elf said from the doorway.
----------**********----------
Ron sat on the sofa at the Burrow and looked at his parents. "I have to agree with Lucius, it's best to let the more experienced Aurors look for Bellatrix, Owen, Rodolphus and Rabastan. However, am I the only one who noticed how much Draco and Ginny were fighting tonight? I don't understand why she is staying with him. I bet he used the binding rituals on her on their wedding night."
Luna rolled her eyes. "Well, he could have done the rituals but he didn't. That's likely one of many reasons why she stays with him."
"Besides the fact that she loves him," Hermione added.
"They didn't sound in love to me. Arguing about disciplining the children, Ginny not looking after herself, Draco being too commanding and other things," Ron added. "I think Malfoy's been acting and tonight he came up short."
"I think tonight proves he hasn't been acting, little brother," Bill put his arm around Ron's shoulder. "I've been going to Ministry and other social events for years and they never argued. Back then he was acting. He had the control. Now, the poor prat is in love. Merlin, help him. I love our little sister but the man has his hands full right now."
"Ginny isn't one to mess with when she wants revenge," George said.
"He's likely to get bat-bogeyed tonight. She wasn't happy when he tried to order her to remain at Black Hall for the next two days," Fred added.
"They are both going to stay put until the Aurors have a clue as to where Bellatrix is. It's the safe thing to do," Molly interjected. "Ginny understood that before we left."
"I still don't think Malfoy's safe." Fred shook his head.
"I wouldn't trade places with the bloke tonight." George agreed.
Ron chuckled, "Ginny hexing him is a cheerful thought but," his smile fell, "Thuban said they don't hex each other."
----------**********----------
Draco carried Serpens to the boy's bedchamber. His three year old had his favorite blanket tucked in the left hand and his favorite stuffed dragon in his right. The boy's face appeared puffy and a single tear ran down his face. The older wizard pulled back the covers and placed his son in the bed. He then kissed the boy's cheek.
"I love you very much, Serpens. Sleep tight."
"I want to sleep in you and Mummy's room just like Leo," he pleaded.
"Leo sleeps in the nursery next to our bedchambers. You're a big boy. Big boys sleep in their own chambers."
Ami, Serpens' enchanted dragon, walked into the room and laid himself down at the foot of the bed.
"Don't want to be a big boy. Want to sleep with you and Mummy."
Draco looked at the dragon. "Alright then you can be a baby again, although baby's can't have enchanted dragons. So which of your brothers gets Ami?"
"What?" Serpens yelled.
"You heard me. Big boy's have dragons and don't sleep with their parents."
The three year old huffed and rolled over. "I'll stay here!"
"I'll see you in the morning, son." Draco grinned as he closed the door. "Well, that dragon is good for something," he mumbled. The blond wizard had plans for his wife tonight, plans that required them to be alone.