A Life Worth Choosing

Authors note: Oki, as all of you know, Draco has that big interview coming up, so I thought I would let you be the reporters. If you have any questions reguarding what happened to Draco during the sixteen years he has been gone, please write all your questions in the review section or you can send them to me at Lunajay7@hotmail.com and they will be answered.

Chapter 11: Xavier Bryce

“What in the bloody hell is that thing?” Draco asked starring at the device.

“A Mugg-O-Meter,” Holden said proudly.

“It detects magical abilities and such,” Fred said rushing over, taking the device from his son. “He's right, it's undecided.”

“That's odd,” George said joining them. “That's usually for younger children who haven't expressed their magical ability just yet. Malfoy, do something.”

Draco took out is wand, a little annoyed:

“Lumos!” he said as his wand tip lit up.

“Still undecided,” Fred said.

“Must be faulty. Lyndon come here,” George called for his son.

He held the second device up to Draco.

“This one says the same,” George said. “Maybe they need some more adjusting.”

“Sorry everyone, the Mugg-O-Matic won't be available for at least another week,” Fred called out to his customers who groaned at the announcement.

“Anyone interested can put their names on a waiting list and we will Owl them to you as soon as they are tested thoroughly,” George added.

“Draco!” Addison squealed, waving her arms for him to come join her. “Ya gonna love my dress. It's my favorite color. Ya gonna love it! Oh, what's that?” she asked easily distracted, walking over to a shelf to examine the object further.

Draco leaned against the counter to talk to Ginny.

“What color would that be?” he asked quietly.

“You don't even know your wife's favorite color?” Ginny whispered back, while ringing out a customer. “Pink!”

“Pink?” Draco said astonished. “Mother's going to curse me! Pink with her hair. How could you let her-”

“Look, Draco, I just agreed to take her shopping to find a dress. I never said I would train her in the Malfoy ways. Hell I'm still learning your ways.”

“Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. Maybe we can convince her in some way to exchange it.”

“We? Since when did this become a we? Besides, if you only saw how happy she was. You can't make her exchange it.”

“Fine. I'll just have to deal with my mother then.”

“Mummy,” a little curly hair boy came out from the backroom. “Is it lunch time yet, we're hungry.”

“One moment, Perry. Mummy's a little busy right now,” Kayla said handing bags to a customer and preparing for another. “See if one of the older children can get you something.”

“But they're all playing Gobstones and won't help,” Perry whined.

“Here, I'll take over,” Draco insisted, allowing Kayla to step away for the first time all morning.

“Oh, no Draco, you wouldn't be able to handle it,” Kayla declined.

“No, go. I'll be alright.”

Draco took over the register. Kayla stood and watched him ring out a few customers. When she was finally convinced that he was fully capable of handling the job, she disappeared behind the curtains into the backroom.

_____________________________________________________________________

Draco, Ginny, Addison, and the children spent the remainder of the day at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. The children all hanging out in the backroom, every once in a while venturing out to a nearby store, while the adults remained in the front store holding conversations during the down time. Before they knew it, it was time to make their way down the Alley towards the Leaky Cauldron, Harry and Ron deciding to join them as well.

“So will Pansy and Hermione be joining us?” Ginny asked as they all sat down at a long table in the back of the Leaky Cauldron.

“Lily's not feeling well, so I'll be bringing them home some take out,” Harry answered from the end of the table.

“What about Pansy?” Draco asked hoping to spend some time with his old Slytherin friend.

“Nah, her and Vi are going to dinner at her parents house,” Ron answered stuffing his face with the pre-meal appetizer that appeared when they sat down.

“Why ain't ya going too then?” Addison asked.

“Because Dad's afraid of Mrs. Parkinson,” Aiden said ducking down behind his sister, to hide from his father.

“Oh, come off it Ron. She's not scarey,” Ginny said trying to suppress a giggle.

“I'm not scared of her. She just doesn't like me,” Ron blushed slightly, glaring at his son, who was now hiding behind a menu.

“Come on now, Weasel, she's like that to everyone,” said Draco from the other side of Ginny. “She acts like she hates everyone, but she'll ease off after a few years.”

“Few years? It's been six! How much longer does she need?” Ron insisted. “So, Avery, given any thought to joining Portree?” he said quickly trying to change the subject. “Should be hard to refuse with that new Nebula you got there.”

Avery looked up from the menu and shook his head:

“Still thinking about it.”

“What's to think about? It's a great team and you're a great player. What else would you do?”

“Well, Mrs. McGonagall has offered me a teaching position at Hogwarts.”

“Teaching? What would you want to do that for?” Ron asked surprised.

Avery just shrugged.

“Is it Madam Hooch's position?” Teddy asked, accidently spilling his water as he reached for an appetizer.

Ginny whipped out her wand to perform a cleaning spell.

“Sorry,” he blushed.

“Yes, she's retiring this year so I would be giving Flying lessons and refereeing the Quidditch house matches,” Avery explained. “But I don't know which one just yet.”

“I'm not too late, am I?” Tonks asked as she pulled up a chair from another table, settling herself at the end between Harry and Avery..

“Not at all,” Ginny smiled. “We were just about to order.”

Draco looked over to Addison:

“Don't you want to look at the menu before we order?”

“Naw, I'll just have my usual,” Addison answered.

“Right, chicken?” Draco asked, unsure what her usual was.

“No silly, steak,” she laughed assuming Draco was joking as well.

The group all order their meals and carried on conversations throughout dinner and desert. Their conversations continuing even after the waiter had cleared their table.

“So, Charlie. How did ya come ter be single?” Addison asked from across the table where she sat positioned between Draco and Nate.

Charlie took a sip from his tea before answering:

“She died about two years ago.”

“Oh, I'm sorry ter heard that,” Addison sighed, wishing she never brought up the subject with the children present, but they seemed to only brighten with the mention of her.

“Mum was beautiful,” Trevor acknowledged.

“Daddy, show her the picture,” Travis encouraged.

Charlie pulled out his wallet from inside of his robes and pulled out a picture.

“Her name was Madlaina,” he said passing Addison a photo of a witch with sandy brown hair, bright green eyes, and the most beautiful smile you would ever see.

“Daddy met her when he worked in Romania,” Travis said excitingly.

“He use to work with dragons,” Trevor added.

“She is very perty,” Addison smiled handing the photo back to Charlie. “You two have her eyes,” she said to the twins who beamed even more.

At the other end of the table, where Kaeda sat between Avery and Teddy, she began a giggle fit.

“What's so funny?” Ginny smiled across down the table at her daughter.

“Tickle charm,” Teddy began to laugh as well, his eyes turning a dark shade of purple.

“Avery, put the wand away,” Harry instructed.

“I did like two minutes ago, but she hasn't stopped,” Avery smiled.

“She could go on for days, if you let her,” Junior chimed in from the other side of Teddy, where he and James were going through the new chocolate frog cards they had just received.

“I got Dad, again,” James shrugged opening up a new package, letting the frog hop down the table towards Trevor and Travis who were explaining to Nate, that they weren't real frogs.

“I think he's in every other batch, nowadays,” Ron laughed.

“I got quite a few of you too, Uncle Ron,” said Junior sorting through his card. “Just can't seem to find the card I want, though.”

“Which card would that be?” Draco asked.

“Only the rarest card of all,” Jacey answered. “I only know one person who has it, and he won't even sell it to Junior.”

“Well they say that only about fifty were printed to begin with,” Teddy informed Jacey who sat directly across from him.

“Well who is it?” Draco asked.

“You, of course, Daddy,” Kaeda said matter-of-factly.

Draco gulped.

“Me? Why me?”

“For your effort in the war,” answered Harry. “Without you, we would have lost. You were added a sort time after you were proven innocent, but they stopped the printing, because of the protesters.”

“Protesters?” Draco asked, confused.

“Like I told you before Draco. There are still many people out there who believe you to be a Death Eater,” said Harry who went further into an explanation as to why that was.

“Hey Teddy, I got your father's card, think he'll sign it for me?” Junior teased.

“Do any of you have an extra Neville Longbottom?” Kaeda asked. “I haven't got any of him yet.”

“I have a few. You can have one,” Avery smiled.

“Thanks Ave,” Kaeda smiled back, but her smile quickly faded. “Oh, no. What's he doing here?” she whispered to Avery.

Avery looked up to see a man with perfect blonde hair, brown eyes, and bright white teeth heading towards the table. The man wore a Muggle suit and looked oddly out of place, like he had wondered in by accident.

“Who's that?” Avery asked, never seeing the man before.

“Xavier Bryce,” Kaeda said with a snotty tone. “Mum's boyfriend.”

“What's with the suit?” Teddy asked leaning over to join the private conversation.

“He's a squib! Works somewhere in Muggle London,” Junior answered.

“Hello everyone,” Xavier smiled brightly as he approached the end of the table where Ginny sat between Aiden and Draco.

“Xavier, what are you doing here?” Ginny asked jumping to her feet.

“I was just passing through to Diagon Alley and I noticed your beautiful smile from across the room, and I thought I'd stop and say, hi.”

“I thought you were on business in Paris?” Ginny asked, her voice low.

“I got back early. I flooed you yesterday. Didn't your mother tell you?”

“Oh, I haven't been to the Burrow. I'm staying with the children at the Manor while they are on Holiday.”

“I'm not interrupting anything important am I?”

“No, not at all,” Charlie said standing up to shake his hand. “We're just finishing up a family dinner.”

“My, your family just keeps growing, doesn't it?” Xavier said noticing Draco and Addison.

“Oh, um- this is Draco. The twins' father,” Ginny stuttered slightly. “This is his wife Addison and her son Nate.”

“Nice to meet you,” Xavier said shaking their hands. “I'm Xavier Bryce. Ginny's boyfriend.”

Draco's grip tightened slightly:

“Pleasure's all mine,” he said forcing a smirk.

“Care to join us?” Charlie asked trying to be polite.

“Of course!” he answered without hesitation as he pulled over a chair from another table, forcing himself in between Draco and Ginny. “Junior, my boy, how's it going?” he called down the table.

Junior gave a short wave and looked away quickly.

“That's a lovely dress you have there, Kade,” Xavier smiled down the table at the witch.

Kaeda looked away quickly.

“So, Ginny, have you told everyone the great news?” Xavier asked breaking the awkward silence.

“Xavier, I don't think now is such-”

“Ah, don't be silly Ginny. Why not make the announcement while everyone's here to hear it,” he interrupted her. “

”Now, it not a goo-”

“We're getting married!” Xavier announced.

The whole table grew silent.

“Since when?” Ron blurted out.

“Since last week,” Xavier answered. “I asked her before I left for Paris and she said yes!”

The group remained silent until Charlie finally spoke:

“Congratulations!” he said holding out his hand.

Harry, Ron, and Tonks followed suit.

“Father may we be excused?” Kaeda said ignoring everyone else and looking directly at Draco.

Draco looked up surprised. He gave a short glance towards Ginny who nodded.

“Yes, you may.”

Kaeda and Junior both stood up and walked away back towards Diagon Alley. With permission, Avery and Teddy followed them out.

_______________________________________________________________________

Kaeda threw on her coat as the wall split open, revealing Diagon Alley. Junior trudged out into the snow before her, stopping to kick a lamp post, causing a few angry fairies to come flying out after him.

Kaeda continued passed, ignoring her, now redheaded brother who continued swatting away the angered fairies, until she threw herself into an empty bench just outside Flourish and Blotts.

“Finite incantetum!” Avery pointed his wand, causing the fairies to freeze in midair.

Avery continued on down the road, leaving Teddy to help Junior place the fairies back into the lamp.

“What do you want?” she sniffed quietly, tears trickling down her face.

“To see if you're alright,” Avery said sitting down next to her.

“I'm fine, just leave me alone,” she cried, turning away from him.

“No you're not. You're upset.”

“It's not supposed to be this way.”

“What's not?”

“First father and Addison, now Mum and Xavier,” she continued to sob. “It's not supposed to end like this.”

“Well how is it supposed to end?”

“The handsome Prince Draco is suppose to return to the kingdom after fighting the evil monsters and marry the beautiful princess. Together they are supposed to live happily ever after.”

“Kaeda, that's just a fairy tale your mother use to tell to you when you were little. Life's not a fairy tale. If it was, don't you think my parents would still be alive? If they never died, Harry would have never adopted me and I would never have gotten to know you as well as I have.”

“You mean you'd rather be here with me than have your parents alive?”

“That's not what I'm saying. It's just, everything has to happen for a reason. My parents died fighting in this war so I could live a normal and happy life and I have. I couldn't ask for a better family or friends. Maybe it's a good thing your parents will never be together again. Maybe it's just not meant to be. Besides, we're going back to Hogwarts in less than a week, so you won't have to be around Xavier, and your father lives so far away that you'll never have to seen Addison.”

“But, we're supposed to be a family.”

“Kaeda, look at me.”

Kaeda looked up for the first time. Her dark blue eyes locking with his green eyes, as Avery placed his hand on her cheek.

“You are a family and nothing's going to change that. I promise.”

With one swift movement, Avery pressed his lips against hers. They locked for only a moment, Avery being the first to pull away.

“I- um- I should go,” he said standing up, running his fingers through his hair. “Thanks for the broom.”

Kaeda sat in shock as she watched Avery walk briskly back towards the Leaky Cauldron, glancing back towards the witch every few feet.

________________________________________________________________________

Ginny sat quietly starring at nothing in particular while conversations were carried on around her. Xavier along with Charlie and Ron were engaged in a conversation about possible wedding locations. Jacey, James, and Aiden were in the midst of trading chocolate frog cards while Trevor, Travis, and Nate were attempting to get their frogs to jump.

The conversation, however, that intrigued her the most was the one between Harry, Draco, and Addison. Harry was asking them questions about their life back home in Texas. What caught Ginny's attention most, was how little Draco knew about Addison. Her favorite color, her favorite meal, the type of car she drove. He didn't even know her maiden name. Then it occurred to her. She had in fact had been dating Xavier for quite some time, but there was little she knew about him. How much did he know about her?

“What's my favorite color?” she blurted out.

Everyone stopped in mid-conversation to look at her.

“Gin?” Xavier asked in confusion.

“What's my favorite color?” she urged.

“It's red,” Xavier answered quickly.

“What's my middle name?”

“Ginevra! Ginny Ginevra Weasley.”

“Where is my favorite place in the world to be?”

“Venice. You loved Venice.”

“That's what I thought,” Ginny sighed. “I'm going to go check on the children,” she smiled weakly before leaving the table.

“What was that all about?” Xavier looked around the table, giving a small laugh.

“Orange!” Draco broke the silence.

“Excuse me?” Xavier asked.

“Orange. Her favorite color is orange. It's the combination of the Gryffindor colors red and gold. Her middle name is Molly. Her name is Ginevra Molly Weasley. Her favorite place in the world to be is down by the stream at the Burrow. Her favorite animal is a cat. Her favorite class at school was charms. Her least favorite was astronomy. Her favorite candy are chocolate frogs. She's afraid of thunderstorms.”

Draco looked around the table at everyone before getting up himself.

“I think the children need both their parents at the moment,” he said before getting up himself and walking out.

-->