A Life Worth Choosing

Party- Part II

“Girls, that's enough,” Ginny cried as she stood between the two witches.

A red faced Kaeda flailed about trying to escape from Draco's grasp once more while Ara struggled to free herself from Avery.

“Calm down or neither of you will be staying at this party.”

“But Mum, it's my party. She shouldn't even be here,” Kaeda protested.

“You broke my glasses!” Ara called back.

“What- what in the wizarding world is going on here?” McGonagall asked, wondering into the middle of the crowd that had formed around the catting witches.

“She's ruining my party,” Kaeda shouted first.

“She stole my date!” Ara shot back.

“She hit me!”

“She punched me!”

“Enough! My office, now, both of you!” McGonagall said calming.

“Minerva, please, it's just a little argument,” Ginny pleaded with the headmistress.

“Now Miss. Weasley, you know we can not tolerate any form of violence here.”

“But she didn't start this,” Draco argued, releasing Kaeda to join in to Ginny's protest.

As her parents continued to argue with the professor, Kaeda looked to Avery. He had just released Ara, who was now fumbling around the ground in search of her broken glasses, and his eyes were now content on Kaeda.

`We need to talk,' Avery mouthed.

Kaeda looked around. All other eyes were on her parents and the headmistress.

With a quick nod towards the Entrance Hall, Kaeda and Avery easily slipped away unnoticed.

Hand and hand, the young witch and wizard made their way out the front doors of the castle.

“What did you want to tell me?” Kaeda asked as they made their way down the steps.

The sound of voices startled the two. Avery pulled her behind a statue where they sat patiently as Charlie and the boys made their way up to the castle.

“We can't talk here. They will be noticing our absence soon,” Avery said fumbling for his wand. “Accio cloak!” he called out.

A moment later, a silvery material floated through the night sky, landing effortlessly into Avery's outstretched arm.

“What is it?” Kaeda asked, apprehensibly touching the odd device which felt like it was made from water.

“An invisibility cloak,” Avery answered, pulling the cloak over himself and vanishing into thin air. “Come on,” he said holding it open for Kaeda to slip in.

Cautiously, they made their way across the grounds until they found themselves alone at last on the Quidditch pitch.

Without hesitation, Kaeda threw off the invisibility cloak and spun around to face Avery with her hands on her hips.

“Ok, Potter, let's have it!”

“I'm sorry.”

“You're sorry? One day you're my best friend, suddenly you kiss me, then you act as if I don't exist, and now you love me and all you can say is you're sorry?”

“I've always loved you, Kade. It's just- I never thought you felt the same way, until this year, and it's my last year here. I didn't want to start something just to have to say goodbye too soon. That's why it's taken me so long to decide-”

“I'm the reason why you were planning on taking the job here instead of with the Portree, aren't I?” Kaeda asked wide-eyed.

Avery nodded.

“You idiot!” Kaeda burst out. “Playing pro-Quidditch is your dream! I can't let you give up your dream for me,” she said quietly before turning to leave.

“Kaeda,” Avery grabbed a hold of her arm to stop her. “It may have taken me some time to realize it, but I would give up everything to be with you. I said it once, Malfoy and I'll say it again. I love you.”

Kaeda looked up at Avery, tears filling her bright blue eyes, “I'm not going to be the one to be blamed for you not following-”

“But I'm not giving up anything.”

“But Portree is so far away and-”

“I'm not going to Portree.”

“But you have-”

“Thanks to your father, I no longer have to choose between you and Quidditch. Him and Mr. Blinko are forming a team. Here near Hogwarts.”

Tears flowed freely and heavily as Kaeda threw her arms around Avery pulling him straight to her, their lips crashing together with great force.

“I love you, Malfoy,” Avery panted breaking the kiss, his head pressed against her forehead, and her face cupped gently in his hands.

“I love you too, Potter.”

_________________________________________________________________________

“Thank you so much, Minerva. We really appreciate this,” Ginny thanked the headmistress.

“Just see that it doesn't happen again, Miss. Weasley,” McGonagall said, her lips pursed together.

“Actually, Professor,” Ginny said quietly. “It's Mrs. Malfoy.”

“I know,” McGonagall gave a small grin before turning away.

Ginny took a deep breath before turning to Draco.

“That was a close one,” she said.

“Yes, but did you have to agree to such a horrible punishment?” Draco asked.

“Oh, I'm sorry Draco. Would you rather have your daughter expelled?” Ginny said sarcastically.

“No, but banning her from Quidditch matches for the rest of the year? Couldn't we just `donate' some galleons or something.”

“We are not going to buy our daughter's way through school like your father did for you.”

“But this is a really important year for her.”

“She's a fifth year. It's not like there will be scouts from the pro teams watching her.”

“No, but they'll remember her next year when they start watching her.”

“What makes you think she'll be wanting to go pro anyway?”

“Well I- you're right,” Draco gave in.

“Draco, she's only banned from the matches. She's still part of the team,” Ginny said wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Right again,” Draco said kissing the tip of her nose.

“Looks like someone trying to make up for loss time,” Ron joked as he, Harry, and the girls walked by. “You two finally dating again?”

“Don't be silly Uncle Ron,” Lily said. “They're married.

“Isn't it amazing what comes out of a young witches mouth,” Harry grinned as he put his hand over his daughters mouth to stop her from saying more, only to pull it away in surprise as she licked his palm.

“But it's true. I got to wear my new dress,” Lily added.

“Come on, Lil. Let's go see if the children found Avery and Kaeda yet,” Harry said lifting her onto his shoulders. “Come on Vi, you can come to.”

“Is this true, baby sis?” Ron asked.

Without a word, Ginny just nodded her head.

Ron scowled at her for a moment, “Hey Bill, Char, come and hear what our baby sister did,” he called out to his older brothers, his gaze still focused on Ginny.

“What's going on,” Bill said merrily as he and Charlie joined them.

“Seems that Ginny got married and didn't bother to inform us.”

“Really?” Charlie asked, a scowl forming in his brow as well. “Fred! George! Come here a moment.”

“Yes, we have some news that may be of interest of you,” Bill added with a frustrated look as well.

Ginny felt Draco's hand find hers as her brothers encircled them.

“What's all this excitement about?” the twins asked in unison.

“Our baby sister's married,” Ron explained.

“Really?” Fred smirked.

“Perhaps we should `welcome' him to the family,” George added with an identical smirk.

“Boys come on. It's not Draco's fault. He wanted you all to be there. I was the one who didn't want to wait.”

“Likely story,” said Fred.

“Ok, men. On three!” Bill called out.

“One,” said Charlie as they all took out their wands.

“Two,” said Ron as they pointed their wands directly at Draco.

“Three!” said Fred and George as the Weasley brother's held their wands high into the air as burst of confetti, loud horns, streamers, and a few fireworks burst out above them in celebration.

“Welcome to the Weasley Family,” Charlie said shaking Draco's hand.

“Didn't mean to scare you like that,” Bill added, shaking hands with Draco as well.

“It's all in fun,” Fred and George said patting Draco on the back.

“Now who's going to tell mum?” Ron asked smirked.

“Yes, she's been planning Ginny's wedding since the day she was born,” Bill shook his head.

“I will!” Fred and George called out together.

“I'm the oldest, I'll do it!” Bill called out.

“Well I'm Mum's favourite, I'll do it,” Ron called.

“Now hands in everyone. We'll do `Every Little Wizard',” Charlie announced.

The Weasley boys all put their fist into a circle.

“Boys!” Ginny called out loud. “We are going to tell mum and the children ourselves,” Ginny said pointing to Draco and herself.

The Weasley wizards all looked to their little sister before bursting out into laughter.

“Sure you are Gin,” George laughed.

“That's if you win!” Fred added.

Frustrated, of always being outnumbered as the only girl, Ginny added her fist into the circle.

“Come on, Draco,” she insisted, dragging Draco into the circle with them. “That way we'll have a better chance of winning.”

With everyone all set, Charlie took out his wand and pointed to everyone's fist as he went around the circle...

“Every little wizard knows,

To catch a dragon by it's toes,

You must hold it's fiery nose,

Or into his stomach you will go.”

“George, you're out!” Bill said.

George stepped out form the circle as Charlie continued.

“Every witch knows if she,

Is helped by a wizard when in need,

That she must award his bravery,

With a kiss for his good deed.”

“Draco, you're out,” Fred said.

“That's fine. I'm going to go find Harry and see if they've located the children yet,” Draco said before waling away allowing Charlie to continue.

“Every warlock who casts a spell,

Knows that he must know it well,

Or he could cause a tale to tell,

And no longer will he excel.”

“I'm out,” Charlie announced as Bill continued on with the rhyme until only Ron and Ginny remained.

“Inside every witch and wizard's heart,

Is the key which sets them apart,

From every creature dumb or smart,

For magic is the greatest art.”

“And we have a winner!” Fred called out lifting Ron's arm high into the air.

“Sorry, Gin. Ron won fair and square,” Bill said.

“Not if I get their first!” Ginny said before making a dash across the room where Molly sat enjoying a cup of tea, with Narcissa, Severus, and a few Hogwart's professors.

Ron, though a late start, was able to catch up to her quickly with his long legs.

“Mum,” Ginny panted, holding herself up with the table. “I'm, I'm-”

“She's married!” Ron said breathlessly as he caught up to Ginny.

Ginny smacked him across the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

“Draco and I were married last night- It was a spur of the moment thing- The only ones there were Remus- Tonks- Harry- Hermione- and Lily- We wanted everyone to be there but I was tired of waiting so please don't blame Draco-We're going to have a wedding later this year after the children come home for holiday- I'm sorry I didn't tell you first,” Ginny said all in one breath.

“We know!” Molly smiled.

“What?” Ginny asked confused.

“We know!” Molly said again.

“You two couldn't honestly think you could do something like that and we wouldn't know about it, would you?” Narcissa smirked, sipping from her tea cup.

“You're not mad?” Ginny asked.

“Of course not, dear. We couldn't be happier,” Molly said getting up and giving her daughter a hug.

“Wait, how did you know?” Ron asked. “We only just found out because of Lily.”

Narcissa and Molly exchanged looks.

“Harry told you didn't he?” Ginny asked, her hands on her hip.

“Now, dear, you know Harry is like a son to me. He's just as afraid of hiding something from me as you children are,” said Molly.

“Harry told you? And he didn't tell me?” Ron said in amazement. “I'm his best friend!”

“Doesn't mean he has to tell you everything,” said Ginny.

“So, at least Hermione could have said something to me.”

“Hermione?” Ginny raised and eyebrow.

“We're best friends too,” Ron declared.

“Face it, Ron. You two haven't been the same since she caught you cheating on her with Katie.”

“Sure, bring that up again.”

“Besides, even before that you two were constantly arguing. If it wasn't for Harry, you two wouldn't have even been friends!”

“You're just mad because Harry left you for Hermione!” Ron said raising his voice.

“Harry didn't leave me. I left him,” Ginny argued back, matching her voice to his.

“Ginny, dear,” Molly said stepping in between her bickering children. “How did Junior and Kaeda take the news?”

“We haven't told them yet,” Ginny said quietly.

“Don't you think you should?” Molly asked.

“Of course we should,” Draco answered showing up at last. “That is of course, once we locate them,” he said looking around.

_________________________________________________________________________

Junior and Talon stood at the top of the steps of the Hogwarts castle waiting patiently as they scanned the Hogwarts grounds from their post.

“See anything?” Junior asked.

“Only Ted and Zeph,” Talon pointed to the approaching shadows.

“Did you find them?” Junior called out to them.

“No!” Zephron called back.

“We checked along the forest, your uncle Charlie's cabin, and the front gates. There is no sign of them,” Teddy said as he climbed the stairs to where Junior was standing.

“Did you guys have any luck?” Zephron asked.

Junior shook his head.

“We checked around the lake and the Quidditch pitch.”

“Nothing!” Talon added.

“Here comes Cel and Hayde. Maybe they found something,” Junior said running down the steps towards them.

“We checked the gardens, the greenhouses, and the part of the forest,” Marcel explained. “No sign at all.”

“You don't think they went into the forest did you?” Hayden asked wide-eyed. “I hear there are still bodies of Death Eaters in their that they just left to rot. That's why we can't go in there.”

“I hear that some of the Death Eaters that they didn't catch still live in there, surviving off the flesh of the dead ones,” Zephron added.

“Would you two listen to yourselves?” Marcel asked. “There are no Death Eaters left. All the survivors were put on trial, then sent to Azkaban.”

“Yes, and all the dead ones were buried in that grave yard in Knockturn Alley,” Teddy added.

“Now I bet that is definitely hunted,” said Talon. “We should so check it out next time we're in Diagon Alley.

“I'm not going anywhere near that Grave Yard,” Junior said. “My grandfather's buried there. It's bad enough his portrait still hangs in the Manor. His eyes follow you where ever you go and he's always cursing us as we walk past.”

“Why don't you take the portrait down?” Talon asked.

“We tried. He put on a permanent stick charm on it.”

“Should we go see if the girls had better luck searching the castle?” Marcel asked.

The boys walked inside to find the girls already gathered in the in the Entrance Hall.

“Any luck?” Junior asked.

“Nothing,” Katrina answered. “Ella and I checked the dungeons as well as the Slytherin common room, the kitchens, and the prefect's bathroom.”

“Jaylee and I searched the seventh floor and the towers,” Tiegra explained.

“Me and Micole searched the floors one through three,” Briar added.

“What about four, five and six?” Junior asked.

“Completely empty,” James said as he appeared walking down the stairs, Aiden and Jacey not far behind.

“What about Hogsmead?” Jacey asked.

“They wouldn't have gotten passed the gargoyles,” said Micole.

Suddenly the double doors to the Great Hall opened, revealing a loud mixture of music and commotion.

“How's the search going?” Harry asked as he, Violet, and Lily walked out to join them in the Entrance Hall.

“It's over,” Junior said taking a seat on the staircase.

“What's going on in there?” Aiden asked referring to the shouts that filled the air as the doors opened.

“Daddy and Auntie Ginny are fighting again,” Violet answered.

“He found out they're married?” Junior asked.

“Yes, and you know your uncle, he- wait! You know that they're married?” Harry asked.

“Teddy told me.”

Harry looked to Teddy.

“Mum told me,” Teddy shrugged.

“Well then, just act surprise when they tell you themselves,” Harry winked

“You must feel relieved, JR” Talon said patting him on the back.

“What do you mean?” Junior asked.

“You're always complaining how you have to do everything for your sister and look after her. Now you don't have to,” Talon explained.

“You're no longer the head of the family,” said Marcel.

“Now that your Dad's back, let him do all the work of running around after Kaeda,” Zephron added.

“Yes, you're right,” Junior smiled as the doors opened once again.

“I thought the party was in there,” Draco pointed behind him as he entered the hall. “Any news on Kaeda?”

“No,” Junior said getting up. “And I'm done looking for her,” he smiled. “This is my party too and I'm going to enjoy it. I've spent the last sixteen years watching out for her and doing what's best for her. This time. I'm going to do what I want to do. If you're looking for us, we'll be on the pitch,” Junior announced before exiting out of the castle, his friends filing out behind him.

“What was that all about?” Draco asked.

“Sounds like he's tired of taking care of his sister,” Harry shrugged. “That boy has sacrificed a lot for her.”

“He has?” Draco asked. “Like what?”

“Well, Quidditch for one,” answered Harry.

“Quidditch? He hates Quidditch.”

“He just says that to hide the truth. He is the best Quidditch player I've seen in a long time. Far more better than Avery and Marcel combined.”

“Then why doesn't he try out for the team?” Draco asked confused.

“He did. Every year since he started Hogwarts, except this year that is.”

“Then why hasn't he made the team.”

“He has every year. Even his first year, however, his sister didn't,” Harry shook his head. “Kaeda was so upset that he couldn't bare to play if she wasn't, so he told her that he didn't make the team either. Every day during the summer those two were always flying around the Manor training for the following year, but Kaeda never made it until this year.”

“So why didn't Junior join this year.”

“He never even tried out. He gave up and said that he wasn't interested in playing anymore.”

“Why didn't anyone ever stop him from quitting?”

“Charlie and I both tried to talk to him when we found out what he was doing, but he always put his sister before himself,” Harry answered. “I suppose that since you're back, he must feel that he could let go some and that you will pick up where he left off.”

“How do you know all this?” Draco asked impressed by Harry insight of Junior.

“Well, these things you just know when you're a parent,” Harry smirked. “And the fact that they were just discussing it before you walked out here.”

Harry patted Draco on the back, “Let's go make sure your wife hasn't killed her brother, yet. I'm sure Avery and Kaeda will show themselves sooner or later. It's not like they're going to run off and get married or something like that.”

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