A Life Worth Choosing

Authors Note: Oki here's what I've done. I figured out how to fix the chapters so that the italics finally work (YAY!) So I went back and replaced all of the chapters. I also added a Character page to help those of you who are confussed. It includes family trees, Character careers, Children at Hogwarts, and In-depth profiles for the Original characters. Hope everything makes your reading easier. If there are any problems please let me know.

Chapter 9:Unpleasent Encounter

“Mum?” Junior asked as he knocked on the door to Ginny's room.

“Come on in!” Ginny called out.

Junior walked into the room just as Ginny walked out of the closet with her arms full of clothing. She dropped them all onto the bed and started to arrange them into outfits. Her hair was in curlers and her makeup already applied.

“What are you doing?” Junior asked.

“Looking for something to wear, hun,” Ginny said holding up a pair of purple dress robes. “Oh, Draco dear, you're not wearing that are you?”

Junior glanced down at his Muggle jeans and black turtleneck sweater.

“But this is usually what I where to Diagon Alley.”

“Yes, but hun, this is not, well, a normal shopping trip. There's going to be reporters and who knows what else there trying to get a story about your father.”

“So we have to where dress robes just because he's back?”

“Only until the media dies down. Now what do you think of this one?” she asked holding up a set of golden robes.

Junior shook his head.

“Mum, do you think we can stop in Muggle London? I'm doing a report in Muggle Studies about toasters so I thought I would pick one up for my collection.”

“Of course, hun.”

“Well, I'll go tell Kade to dress up,” Junior said heading for the door.

“Don't bother. You know she doesn't go anywhere in public without a proper Malfoy style that even your Nana Cissy would aprove.”

“Ok, then I guess I'll go change,” Junior said annoyed.

“Drae,” Ginny called out before he reached the door. “Just throw on some Muggle dress pants and your Hogwarts cloak. That should suffice.”

“Thanks mum, and may I make a suggestion?”

“Mmm?”

“The emerald green Muggle dress.”

“Don't you think that's a little too fancy?”

“No, it's perfect. It accents your hair beautifully. Besides, it's father's house color isn't it?”

“I suppose your right,” Ginny said holding the robes up to herself in the mirror. “I'm so not ready for this,” she sighed. “The things your sister and you get me into.”

“It was all Kaeda this time. Don't worry I'll be there with you, Mum.”

“Thanks Draco.”

Ginny walked back into her closet as Junior left, to locate the dress. After slipping on the dress and using her wand to straighten out the wrinkles, Ginny sat at her vanity and began to remove her curlers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you look in curls?” a voice called out from behind her.

Ginny looked up into the mirror to see a set of pale blue eyes looking back at her.

“When did you get here?” she asked turning to face him.

“I slipped in a few moments ago,” Arthur smiled holding out his hand to help her from her chair. “My, you've gotten big. Have I been gone that long?”

“Only about a week,” Ginny said looking down at her enlarged stomach.

Well it seems like you've doubled in size. I don't recall Fleur even coming close to that size.”

“Yea, well Marcel was just one. I have two.”

“Right you are, baby girl. You look just like your mother did right before she had Fred and George.”

“Daddy, can you just do me a favor and see if my shoes match?”

Arthur laughed as his gaze fell to her feet.

“Yes they do, but tell me,” Arthur chuckled. “Do you normally where purple shoes with green robes?”

“What?” Ginny shrieked waddling towards the full length mirror. “What are you talking about, they're both green.”

“I'm sorry Gin, just teasing you there. You look absolutely beautiful in green. It accents your hair beautifully.”

“Thanks Daddy,” Ginny said hugging him.

“Well, you ready to go down to the party? Sounds like your brothers' already started celebrating the new year.”

Both father and daughter remained silent for a moment as they listened to the commotion provided from the members of the Order of the Phoenix on the floor beneath them.

“May I?” Arthur asked offering his arm to his daughter.

Ginny took his arm and began to walk, but as she did, a sharp pain ran through her and she stopped, clenching her stomach with her free hand.

“Are you alright, Gin?” Arthur asked.

“Yes. I'm fine. Just a little cramp. I've had them off and on all day,” Ginny said straightening up. She took one more step and the pain rushed back to her. “Ouch,” she cried, this time with tears in her eyes.

“Molly! Molly!” Arthur called down the stairs.

Arthur helped Ginny over to the bed before running out to the hall.

“Molly!” he shouted from the banister. “Molly come quick!”

Ginny could hear the footsteps running up the stairs.

“Arthur, what's wrong?” Molly's voice carried in through the door.

“It's Ginny,” Arthur's voice sank low. “I think it's time.”

Molly let out a loud shriek as order started issuing from her mouth.

“Charlie, floo Poppy, get her here immediately. Bill, I need blankets. Percy, towels. Ron, we need water. Fred, George, Harry, I need you to go home to the burrow and bring all the baby things back here. Hermione, you take care of Marcel. Remus, I need a calming drought and a pain potion if you don't mind. Fleur and Arthur, come with me.”

“Anything we can do, Molly?” Tonks asked: the others all nodded in agreement.

“Just keep it quiet and help the others.”

Molly, Arthur, and Fleur entered into the room where Ginny was resting on the bed.

“Are you alright, Ginny dear?” Molly asked brushing her hair from her face.

Arthur sat in a chair beside the bed and grabbed her hand.

“Everything is going to be fine, baby doll. Don't worry. I'll be right here with you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ginny snapped out of her day dream just as she finished her hair. She grabbed her cloak, her hat, gloves, and scarf, and headed down to the foyer to meet everyone before the departure. Halfway down the hall, Ginny ran into Addison and Nate heading the opposite direction.

“Good morning,” Ginny greeted.

“Morning,” Addison greeted back. “Off on the shopping trip too?”

“Yes, the children forced me to go, then again who can refuse shopping? So what do you two have planned for today?”

“Uncle Charlie is taken Trevor, Travis, and me to the zoo,” Nate answered excitedly.

“Really?” Ginny said excitedly. “Make sure you see a unicorn. They are beautiful creatures.”

“Unicorns are not real,” said Nate. “Are they, Mom?”

Addison looked down at her son.

“I really dunno what is and what's isn't anymore,” she answered. “You'll just have ter see when ya get there.”

“And be sure to ask Uncle Charlie about Dragons. He use to work with them in Romania.”

“Nah uh!”

“Uh, huh!” Ginny nodded.

“Cool!”

“You're going to love the zoo,” Ginny said this time addressing Addison.

“Oh, I'm not going. I'm just going ter hang out here.”

“Really? Then you should come with us.”

“Oh I couldn't.”

“Please. I insist. I can use someone to go with who won't spend the entire day inside Quality Quidditch or in Florish Blotts.

“Ya sure the youngings won't mind?”

“Of course not.”

“Alright then. I'll meet ya in a few minutes then. I just have ter get him ready ter go with Charlie and the boys.”

Ginny walked out into the foyer to find Draco, Junior, and Kaeda already waiting for her along with Narcissa, Charlie and the boys.

Kaeda was dressed in her silver dress robes, her hair pulled back into a french twist with curls hanging around her face. Earmuffs were worn in place of a hat so that she wouldn't mess her hair, and she was bundled up in a white fur coat and white gloves.

Junior still wore his black turtleneck sweater, this time with a pair of grey slacks. His Hogwarts cloak covered up his Muggle clothes as matching gloves and scarf in Gryffindor colors kept him warm. On top of his blond locks, he wore a fur hat with flaps that hid his ears from the blistering cold.

Draco stood beside them arguing with his mother over his attire. He wore jeans with a green hooded sweatshirt and work boots. Ginny stood on the stairs listening in to the argument.

“Draco Abraxas Malfoy, I encourage you to go up stairs right this instant and change. You look ridiculous. Doesn't he look ridiculous, children?”

“Mother please, I look fine. It's not like we're going anywhere fancy. You couldn't honestly think Ginny Weasley would be wearing dress robes out shopping do you?” Draco argued back.

“Ginevra might not have been raised as a Malfoy, but she certainly respect our families reputation. Look at your children. Are they dressed as preposterous as you?”

“Junior's in Muggle clothing as well.”

“But he's in nice Muggle clothing. Look at you! You look like you're the one going to the zoo. In fact look at Charlie and they boys. Even they are in nicer clothing than you.”

“What's going on?” Addison asked as she walked to where Ginny was standing on the steps of the grand staircase.

She was dressed in a pink Muggle sun dress, a long over coat draped over her arm.

“Look at your wife,” Narcissa continued noticing the two woman standing side by side on the stair case. “She's not even going anywhere and she's dressed properly.”

Draco looked up noticing the two for the first time. His eyes immediately focused on Ginny in her emerald dress and red curls.

“I'll go change,” Draco smiled not taking his eyes off Ginny as he walked up the stairs. “I'll be right back,” he said as he passed, turning back once more to watch them walk down the stairs.

“Why are you so dressed up?” Kaeda asked Addison as she began to pull her jacket on over her dress.

“I invited Addison to come along with us,” Ginny informed.

“You did?” Junior and Kaeda both said at once.

“Ya don't mind do ya?” Addison asked. “I can just stay here if ya don't want me ter come along.”

“Of course they do,” Ginny said starring at her children. “Don't you?”

Kaeda's eyes darted to the floor as she mumbled something under her breath. Junior nearly nodded his head in agreement.

“Great, so how about we all meet at the Leaky Cauldron for dinner then?” Charlie suggested. “Say around five?”

“Sounds great,” Ginny answered.

“What sounds great?” Draco asked bouncing down the stairs this time dressed in a pair of black slacks, a black sweater, his traveling cloak and a matching set of Slytherin gloves, hat, and scarf.

“Dinner, Leaky Cauldron, five o'clock,” Ginny summed up. “Oh and Addison's coming with us.”

“She is?” Draco asked wide eyed. “Ok, then. Addy,” Draco said walking over to the closet by the door. He pulled out one of his mother's traveling cloaks. “Why don't you wear this. It has a warming charm to keep you warm.”

“Oh, alright,” Addison agreed, confused as she began to strip herself of her Muggle overcoat..

“Yea, we wouldn't want to be seen with a Muggle step mum or anything,” Kaeda mumbled to her brother. “Can we go already?”

________________________________________________________________________

The streets of Diagon Alley were full of bustle as shoppers gathered throughout the Alley spending their Christmas money and returning unwanted gifts. Children gathered around windows showing their friends what they received the previous day while the adults gathered around to check out the fresh merchandised that hit the shelves only hours before hand.

Draco, Addison, Ginny, Junior, and Kaeda all huddled together to avoid separation as they wove their way through the crowded streets, Kaeda leading the way towards Quality Quidditch. As they reached the doors of the small shop, Ginny stopped to protest. After a moment of discussion, they divided into two groups. Addison and Ginny headed off to Madam Malkins while Draco and the children entered the shop.

“Well, well, isn't it the Malfoy family,” the shop keeper greeted enthusiastically.

“Hello Mr. Blinko,” Kaeda greeted. “We're here to purchase another Nebula.”

“Another one?” Blinko asked wide-eyed.

“Yes, in Slytherin colors if you don't mind,” Draco answered. “They were so great, Kaeda decided Avery Potter needed one as well.”

“Well I don't blame her. The Nebula is the best broom by far. I even decided to release it early. I've already sold two just this morning. To your cousins I do believe. Marcel and Aimon. Hufflepuffs if I recall correctly. They spent all the Christmas money they received to buy the brooms.”

“That's going to make for an interesting match then. Slytherins versus Hufflepuffs,” Junior laughed as his sister smacked his arm.

“I'll be right back,” Mr. Blinko said before disappearing into the back room.

Kaeda and Junior both disappeared into the store to look around while they were waiting, leaving Draco alone at the front of the store.

“My, my, my. What have we here?” a familiar voice sounded from the other side of the store. “Out shopping with Daddy are we?”

Draco looked across the store to see a blonde woman with rigid curls addressing his children. Parchment in her hand and a quill floating beside her.

“Tell me dears, what was it like to meet your father for the first time?”

“Come on Kade, lets get out of here,” Junior whispered, taking his sister's hand to lead her away.

“Why would I tell an old hag like you anything,” Kaeda called out, standing her ground.

“My, aren't we a little rude. I suppose that comes from the Weasel side? Surely your grandmother would have taught you better manners.”

“It's Weasley! My manners are just fine thank you. I suppose you could take a few notes yourself.”

“Dear, Kaeda is it? Tell me, this hostility, does it come from the fact that you spent the beginning of your life locked up from the world? Or is it because your father was never around to see you grow up?”

“Kade, come on,” Junior urged, but Kaeda still wouldn't budge.

“Tell me young Draco, what is it like growing up a Death Eater's son?”

Junior's face grew red, as did his hair.

“Don't you ever call him that again!” Junior said through gritted teeth, his wand now out and pointed at the witch, his other arm holding his sister behind him.

“I'll take it from here, Junior,” Draco said stepping in between the journalist and his son.

“He takes after his father I presume?” the witch's eyes gleamed through her jeweled glasses.

“Kaeda, Junior, why don't you two go on ahead to your Uncles' shop. I'll wait for the broom,” he said to the children who obeyed apprehensively before turning back to the witch. “I would appreciate it, Skeeter, if you leave my family alone and let us shop in peace.”

“Ah, but Mr. Malfoy, the world is dying to hear your story. It's not everyday an ex- Death Eater returns from hiding to find he's left more than a few mistakes behind if you know what I mean.”

“You'll get your story the same time everyone else does. Now if you excuse me, we have things to do.”

Draco walked away from the witch and headed for the front counter.

“Is everything alright, Mr. Malfoy?” Blinko asked.

“Yes thank you,” Draco said with a weak smile.

“Well the broom is gift wrapped per Miss. Kaeda's request. Would you like me to Floo it to the Manor?”

“No thank you, Mr. Blinko, I'll take it from here,” Draco paid the shop keeper. “Have a nice day,” henodded.

“You have a nice day as well, and do tell your mother I said hi.”

As Draco walked out into the cold air of the crowded streets, his anger only seemed to grow as he knew Rita Skeeter was still watching him. Though the tips of his ears still tinged pink, he did his best to hide his anger.

“You alright there, Draco?” someone called from behind him.

Draco turned to see Harry and Ron walking towards him.

“You look a little flustered there, Malfoy,” Ron said holding out a hand to greet him.

“That wretched Skeeter woman,” Draco said glaring in the direction of the witch. “She was just hustling Kaeda and Junior about me.”

“How did that go?” Harry asked slightly cringing at the thought of what he imagined occurred.

“Well I prevented Junior from being expelled, but I'm sure you can count on a nasty story in the morning.”

“I wish we could help you, but the only blackmail we had on her was thrown away when she registered herself as an animangus,” Harry sighed.

“Yea, if you see a beetle, be sure to squash it,” Ron laughed. “So where are my niece and nephew. You didn't manage to loose them already did you now, Malfoy?”

“I sent them ahead to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Gin and Addy were meeting us there.”

“That's where we are off to,” Ron said. “Katie is meeting me there with the twins. She had them yesterday for Christmas so I get them for the rest of the week before they return to Hogwarts.”

“You two witch-less?” asked Draco.

“Yes, Pansy and Hermione are at my house with the Vi and Lil. What do you got there?” Harry asked noticing the package in Draco's arms.

“A present Kaeda got for Avery.”

“It's not a Nimbus is it?” Harry laughed.

“Afraid so, why?”

“I owe you big time. He's been bugging us for one ever since he saw Kaedas. I told him he could borrow mine, but he doesn't like the idea of riding Gryffindor colors at a Slytherin match.”

“Yea, that wouldn't go so well with the Slytherins,” Draco laughed.

“Well he and James are somewhere around here looking for the perfect gift for Kaeda's birthday next week. Bet you're excited about that. I'm sure Cissy will out do herself this year with you back. I already got my invitation this morning.”

The three continued on in conversation as they walked through the streets of Diagon Alley on their way to the world's most famous wizarding joke shop.

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