A Life Worth Choosing

Author's Note: sorry it took so long. Here is Chapter 19, I hope it answers a few of your questions. (Sorry I havn't had anytime to answer any of your reviews, but thank you to all who did). As for the rest of your questions, they will be answered in the final chapter, still to come. Enjoy!

Chapter 19: A Nightmare Ends and a Dream Begins

Exhausted, Ginny dropped back onto the bed and stared up into the green canopy above her.

“What a day,” she thought to herself.

She continued to lie there in silence as she heard the door creak open as someone entered before closing it softly.

“I hate work,” Draco announced crashing down on the bed beside Ginny.

“Another bad day?” Ginny asked rolling over onto her side, kissing him on the cheek.

“I can't take it anymore. It's so boring.”

“Boring? You're an auror!”

“Yea, well, the only thing to do now that You-Know-Who is gone, is to track down wizards playing harmless tricks on Muggles. Today we busted someone for vanishing toilets. This whole job, is-”

“Not what you expected?” Ginny asked.

“Exactly.”

“Then what do you want to do? Go back to selling houses to Muggles?”

“Yes! No! I don't know,” Draco said shaking his head. “All I know is that right now, all I want is you,” he smirked as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down on top of him.

“Draco,” Ginny laughed, pushing herself off of him. “Not right now. We have to get ready for dinner.”

“Or, we could skip dinner for the night,” Draco said sitting up, before running kisses down her neckline.

“I would love to, but everyone's coming to dinner.”

“Another dinner party? Don't you Weasley's have anything else to do?”

“It's Penelope's birthday,” Ginny laughed. “Besides, not everyone will be here. Only a few. Besides, there's still after dinner?”

“Promise?” Draco smirked.

“Promise!”

“Fine,” Draco finally gave in. “Then we better get dressed or we're going to be late. Then again we have been late every day this week.”

“Yes, but not today,” Ginny giggled as she pulled Draco to his feet.

________________________________________________________________________

Ginny, Draco, Molly, Penelope, PJ, Hermione, Lily, Pansy, Violet, Luna, Tallulah, Theodore, Bill.

“About time you two showed up,” Bill called out from his place at the table as Draco and Ginny walked into the dinning room to find the appetizers had already been served.

“I had to work late,” Ginny smiled seating herself beside her elder brother, Draco sitting down next to her.

“Same here. Looks like Harry and Ron weren't able to escape the paperwork just yet,” Draco said noticing their absence.

“Where's Fleur and the children?” Ginny asked, pouring herself a glass of wine.

“Visiting her parents in France. I had to stay behind for work. Besides, I wouldn't miss Pen's big day,” Bill said raising a glass to his sister-in-law who sat across from him.

“Yes, not everyday you turn twenty-three,” Penelope smiled.

“Twenty-three? I thought you were only twenty,” Theodore smiled.

“Awe, so Fleur is going to miss the big match tomorrow,” Pansy sighed.

“No she won't. I'll be video-taping it,” Hermione said matter-of-factly.

“Video-what?” Theodore asked.

“It's a Muggle contraption that records a sequence of photographs to be projected onto a screen with sufficient rapidity as to create the illusion of motion and continuity,” PJ answered.

“Bloody hell P, you're almost as annoying as your father was.”

“Fred! George! Which ever one you are- ah hell, I give up,” Molly said unable to keep up with her sons any longer.

“It's Fred, Mum, and nice to see you too,” Fred said kissing his mother's cheek. “Sorry George and the familias couldn't join us, but there's a charming diner at the Appleton's tonight, and Georgie boy forgot his puke pills. Poor chap. I love those Appleton's but Mrs. Appleton's cooking is worst than Ginnys.

“Hey!” Ginny snapped.

“Well you're not the greatest cook in the family, Gin,” Bill smiled.

“Right so, that means?” Theodore asked across the table to Draco.

“It will record the match for Fleur to watch later,” Draco whispered back.

Percy wasn't such a bad cook, though, if my memory serves me,” Bill added. “Hmm.. I could definitely go for a piece of his homemade Pumpkin Pie right now.”

“Ah, your in luck then, Bill,” Penelope gestured towards her son. “PJ made some for dessert.”

“Yes, I found father's recipe last summer while going through some of his old things at the Burrow. I think I finally was able to make it to perfection this time.”

“And I must agree with you on that one.”

“Awe, Fred, don't tell me you made a pit stop into the kitchen before you came in here?” Molly said shaking her head.

“What? I wanted to make sure I came to the right dinner party before I showed myself. Chicken Dumplings, nice choice.”

“It was Percy's favorite,” Penelope said quietly.

“Look Pen, Percy was a pain in the arse when he was alive, and I know George and I nark on him constantly still, but it's just our way of remembering him. We did love him, you know and we would trade in out whole business just to have him sitting here with us right now.”

“Thanks, Fred,” Penelope smiled. “That means a lot to us,” she said placing her arm on PJ's shoulder.

“Well-um,” Draco said after a short, uncomfortable silence, “If you would excuse me. I'm not feeling well tonight,” he said bowing out of the dinning room gracefully.

“Draco, wait,” Ginny said catching up to Draco in the foyer.

Draco stopped and turned to her.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yea, I'm fine. Just need some rest.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” she asked concerned.

“No, no. You enjoy your family dinner. I'll be fine,” Draco assured her. “Besides, I think Penelope could use her family right now.”

“Alright,” Ginny said eyeing him curiously. “I'll be up after dinner then.”

“Take your time,” Draco kissed her cheek, before continuing up the staircase.

_______________________________________________________________________

Draco ran furiously through the heavily wooded area, frantically searching. His black robes were torn and his mask was lost several yards away. He had no time to turn back. He must keep searching. Green and red lights flashed just beyond the trees behind him in the clearing he had just fled where the battle was occurring.

Order members as well as Aurors were running passed him in the opposite direction, running to the aid of their fellow allies. Few glanced back at him, merely to make a correct identification that would be used later when recording those who were under the loyalty of the Dark Lord.

Draco no longer cared who saw him, his mind was only focused on one thing, and one thing only. So on he searched, deeper and deeper into the forest. He knew what he had seen and he had to get it back before he lost it forever.

`Draco! Draco!' a familiar voice echoed from not far in front of him.

He quickened his pace, but soon found himself at a divided path. He stopped in hope that the voice would call back to him and it did.

`Draco! Draco!'

On he continued through the heavy brush, towards the voice that called out to him. His legs, heavy from tiredness, his eyes blurry from lack of sleep. The salty mixture of blood and sweat lingered on his lips, but he continued on.

He was horribly out of shape. It had been five years since he last could remember running so long and so fast, but he had to keep running.

Then he saw it. Up ahead was his target. A clear shot.

With his wand raised high, he shut his eyes tight as the words rolled off his tongue:

“Avada Kedavra!”

He heard the unmistakable sound of a corpse fallen to the ground.

“Draco!”

His eyes opened and he caught a glimpse of the red hair and glasses. He had hit the wrong target.

“Draco run!”

Draco looked up to see his missed target slowly advancing on him.

“Awe, what have we here?” the target said.

“It appears to be your son, Lucius,” a second man said.

“My son, I have no son, Goyle! No son of mine would betray the Dark Lord and now to be sure that Draco here, doesn't any longer,” Lucius lifted his wand and pointed it at Draco's heart. Draco froze in fear, his grey eyes locked the speckled orbs at his feet. “Avada-”

“Expelliarmus!” Harry called out causing Lucius' wand to fly from his grasp. “Run Draco!”

Harry grabbed Draco's arm trying to pull him away, but he stood there, starring down at the corpse at his feet.

“Run Draco!”

_________________________________________________________________________

Draco awoke suddenly to the sound of his name.

“Draco, are you alright?” Ginny said tugging on his sleeve.

“I did it! I did it! It's all my fault!” Draco cried, his body shaking uncontrollably.

“Draco what's wrong?”

“I did it. I'm sorry, Ginny. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it.”

“Didn't mean to do what?”

“I was aiming for my father. I didn't mean to. He got in my way!”

“Who?”

“Percy!” Draco sobbed.

“Draco what are you talking about?” Ginny asked confused.

“It was all my fault. The final battle! I was running after a group of death eaters. They had Harry. I tried everything I could to catch up to them. I thought I had a clear shot. He was right in front of me and I said those words. I swear it was the only time I ever said them, and I closed my eyes for that split second. The dreams. The red hair! The glasses! They haunt me almost every night! I did it! I killed Percy!”

“Draco!” Ginny said calmly.

“And that poor boy downstairs is all alone with no father. It's all my fault. It was an accident! I didn't mean to!”

“Draco relax!”

“I'm so sorry,” Draco panted, a stream of tears running down his face.

“Draco, you didn't do it!”

“Yes I did. It was me. He was right there in front of me! The red hair! It had to be him!”

“You said this happened at the last battle?” Ginny questioned. Draco nodded, still shaking. “Draco, Percy was killed three years before the final battle. It couldn't have been him.”

“But the hair, and the glasses!”

“Draco, there are plenty of people with red hair and glasses. It could of been anyone.”

“No it was him, I know it was him!” Draco insisted.

Ginny shook her head, before getting up and walking to the door.

“Where are you going?” Draco asked frantically. “Please don't leave me. I'm sorry! It was an accident!” he pleaded.

“I'm going to get Harry and settle this once and for all!”

Draco sat up against the back of the bed, with his legs pulled up around to chest and rocked back and forth, waiting for Ginny to return. Finally, she did, with Harry, dressed in his night wear, trailing behind her.

Ginny sat down on the bed beside Draco and handed him a vial.

“Here, take this,” she insisted. “It's a calming potion.”

Draco drank the liquid. Immediately, his muscles began to relax, his shaking subsided, and his fears disappeared.

“Now, Harry, please explain to Draco about what happened to Percy.”

“Percy was killed in a battle in December of 2001. The one I told you about that took down half of the Forbidden Forest. He was fighting for the Ministry when he was attacked by a centaur. Unfortunately, the Death Eaters, got to his body before we could, and took his hair, as they did with many of the victims. They used the hairs for Poly Juice Potions to infiltrate our inner circles including the Ministry of Magic itself. Everything was in such chaos, and our communications at that point were all intercepted, so we had no way to communicate to the rest of the Wizarding world, the fatalities.

“The Percy you believed to have killed was actually Thorfinn Rowle. He had been portraying Percy for the years after his death, of course, only the Order had known the truth until the potion ran out after you killed Rowle,” Harry explained.

“So I killed Percy, only it wasn't really him,” Draco stated taking a big breath.

“Are you alright, now Draco?” Ginny asked, rubbing his back.

“All these years, I thought I had done it. All the nightmares. And you!” he said looking at Ginny. “All these years, I was afraid to tell you. That's why I never even tried to attempt to contact you. Why didn't you tell me?” he said raising his voice as he turned to Harry.

“I thought you knew! His name was on the list of casualties I gave to you the first time I visited you. Didn't you read it?”

Draco shook his head, “I was afraid of what I would read and let's face it, I wasn't exactly in the best shape back then,” he said remembering back to Harry's visit all those years ago.

“Is everything clear now?” Ginny asked smiling. “Any more questions before Harry leaves?”

“Yes, just one!” Draco said getting to his feet.

He disappeared for a moment into closet, making a racket of noise as he tore through his belongings. Ginny sat patiently on the side of the bed, watching as clothing and other object were thrown from the closet, in Draco search. Harry sat quietly in an armchair, trying his best to keep his eyes was fluttering close.

“Is this going to take much longer? I'm sure Hermione's up waiting for me,” Harry said annoyed.

“I'm ready!” Draco said running from the closet, tripping over a random shoe, landing just at the foot of the bed, in front of Ginny.

Without even attempting to get to his feet, Draco stayed there for a moment fumbling with something in his hands before he looked up at Ginny who was watching him with curiosity.

Harry watched for a moment, until a thought struck him, bringing him to his feet for a better view.

Draco took a hold of Ginny's hand, and cleared his throat,” Ginevra Weasley,” he said confidently.

Ginny let out a small gasp as she realized what was coming next.

“Will you marry me?” Draco finished.

Ginny jumped to her feet with a loud squeal, tears forming in her eyes. She looked over to Harry for a moment who threw his arms in the air.

“Don't look at me!” he smiled. “I can't help you with this answer.”

Ginny turned back to Draco and threw her arms around him so fast that she knocked him over as her lips crashed to his.

“Is that a yes?” Draco asked finally breaking free from the kiss.

Without a word, Ginny just nodded her head.

Draco smiled out as held out his hand to reveal what he had been looking for in the closet. A small box, which he opened to reveal a ring, laced with emeralds around the band and a large diamond in the center.

“That's great!” Harry said, now feeling a bit awkward still standing there. “I'm going to leave now, so just let me know when the big day is,” he said slowly backing out of the room.

“How about now?” Ginny asked suddenly, causing Draco and Harry to just dead in their tracks.

“Now?” they both asked.

“Do you have any idea how long I've already waited?” Ginny said, her hands on her hips.

“Now sounds good,” Draco smiled.

“Great!” Ginny said jumping to her feet. “Harry, would you and Hermione mind being our witnesses?”

“We would love to,” Harry smiled.

“Great! We'll get everything ready here, while you go get Hermione and Lily. She can be our flower girl.”

“Wait! Where do you expect me to get a minister this time at night?” Draco asked.

“I know just the Wizard!” Harry said before walking out the door.

“What about the kids?” Draco continued to question.

“The kids have a big day tomorrow, and they'll be ecstatic just to hear the news.”

“Our families?”

“Your Mother and Severus are in Hogsmead already and it would take much too long for my family to get here. I know! We could have a real wedding some time over the summer for the family to attend,” Ginny said searching through her closet. “What should I wear?” she said going through the mess of the closet.

“Something white!” Draco called to her. “It's supposed to bring good luck to the marriage.”

“Did Addison wear white?” Ginny smiled as she peered out through the door.

“No, it was more of an eggshell,” Draco said as he began putting on his best set of dress robes.

“Knock, knock!” someone called out from the doorway.

Hermione stood there in a long pink chiffon cocktail dress, her hair pulled up neatly in a fancy french twist design and a wide smile on her face.

“Hermione!” Ginny said running of the closet into her friends awaiting arms.

“I am so happy for you!” Hermione said as Ginny showed off her engagement ring. “I got here as fast as I could. Harry and Lily had to make a stop before coming here, but I wanted to bring you this!” she said revealing a Muggle dress bag.

She unzip it, causing Ginny to squeal with delight.

“Hermione, this is your wedding dress,” Ginny said looking over the beautiful Muggle gown that Hermione had worn almost thirteen years ago when her and Harry were married.

Ginny smiled enthusiastically as she examined the velvet heart shaped crisscross top, magnificently decorated in a simple design of rhinestone and a chiffon drapery that hung loosely on each shoulder. The skirt was silk and tiered down diagonally into a short trained that flowed to the side.

“I couldn't let you get married in just any old dress robes,” Hermione smiled. “Now you'll need a marriage licence and a minister, which Harry is taking care of. You have us for witnesses. Obviously, you already have a ring. Now all you need are your divorce papers from Addison,” Hermione said matter-of-factly.

“Oh, no the divorce papers,” Draco said completely forgetting about that little detail.

“Right here!” Ginny grinned. “Addison and Charlie stopped by after you went to bed. I was going to wait until the morning to give them to you. She said all you have to do is sign under her name and it will all be taken care of.”

Draco took the papers, and flipped through the papers, signing his name below each Addison Snow Malfoy that he came to.

“Great! Now let's get you ready and Draco, why don't you go do something. Harry should be arriving shortly,” Hermione said shooing him out of the room.

Draco paced back and forth down the hallway, thinking of what to do next.

“Kiaree!” he called out as a thought entered his mind.

“Yes, Master, Draco, sir,” the small elf appeared with a `pop'.

“Go to the garden room and see to it that the gazebo is cleared off and add some more pixie lantern around the room. Also gather a few bouquets of flowers.”

With a short bow, the elf disappeared in another `pop', just as Harry appeared from the stairwell, a tiered Lily in his arms, followed by Remus and Tonks. Harry and Remus in their dress robes, Lily in a soft pink Muggle summer dress, and Tonks in a bright purple Muggle dress.

“I found a minister,” Harry smiled pointed to Remus. “This Minister of Magic can do just about anything in the wizarding world.”

“Thank you so much for doing this on such late notice, Minister,” Draco said shaking Remus's hand.

“It's no problem at all,” Remus smiled.

“And thank you for coming as well, Tonks,” Draco said holding his hand out to Tonks.

Tonks grabbed a hold of Draco's hand and pulled him into a giant hug, “We've waited fifteen years for this. I wouldn't miss this for the world, dear cousin.”

“Great, so where are we doing this?” Remus asked.

“Right, follow me.”

Draco lead them through the mansion until they came to the garden room where Draco had first learned that he was a father. The room was now dark, lit only by the hundreds of pixies and fireflies that flew through the hair. Kiaree worked effortlessly in the middle of the gazebo, gathering together the freshly picked flowers into bouquets. As she finished, she turned to Draco.

“Will there be anything else Kiaree can do for Master Draco, sir?” she asked.

“Yes,” Draco smiled. “Please stay and attend my wedding.”

The little elf's eyes weld up with tears, “Master wants Kiaree to stay?” she asked.

“Yes, it would be an honor to have you,” Draco answered.

“Thank you Master, sir,” the elf said throwing her arms around Draco. “Kiaree will never forget this.”

“Thank you for doing such a wonderful job in here,” Draco nodded to the elf. “It's perfect. Now, all we need is Ginny,” Draco said looking around.

“Kiaree will retrieve Miss Ginny,” the elf bowed before disappearing with a `pop'.

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