Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter Universe, no matter how much I wish I did.
This chapter is...well it just is. I kind of took a serious situation and added a bit of humor. I couldn't help myself. You'll see for yourself, though.
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Draco couldn't help but to smile as Serena walked towards him covered in cake batter. He would usually scold her and tell her it wasn't becoming of a Malfoy to be seen in such a state. However, with the bright smile on her face and in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to do so. It would only take away the small joy that she found in running around her mother's bakery.
"Really, how does Ginny do this all day?" Ron groaned at the packed room. "How may I help you?"
"George, we need more sugar cookies," Harry yelled.
"Oi, Malfoy, watch it," George called as he propelled out of the kitchen a tray of sugar cookies in hand. He managed to rest the tray on the counter without an accident. "Angelina, love, will you still love me if I'm fat?"
Angelina poked her head out of the kitchen. "No, I can't say I will. So, keep your bloody hands off my cookies."
Ron snorted. "Angelina, you have Fred. He's already had your cookies."
"Ron, I have a rolling pin and I am not afraid to use it," Angelina yelled from the kitchen.
"Point taken," Ron said as he handed a man a package of cookies. "Charlie, where does your wife get off ordering us here?"
"Well, when you lot decide to bloody your knuckles on walls, she had to do something," Pansy commented dryly. She exited the kitchen, cleaning the flour out of her hair. "I really wish you would do something, Draco."
"I am," Draco drawled. "I'm providing you with customers."
"Arrogant git," Ron muttered.
Though Ron knew that Hermione was looking out for them, he couldn't help but to be a peeved that Hermione had made them all come to the bakery. She had said that Ginny would appreciate if they were to keep the place open. That and all her brothers needed something to keep their minds occupied. So, the Weasleys and Harry, plus Angelina, Pansy, Draco, and Serena, had gathered together and opened the bakery.
It had been chaos at first. No one really knew what to do. Eventually, after turning the flat upside down, Ron and George had found Ginny's recipe book. They had then decided who would do what. Pansy, Angelina, and George were in control of the kitchen. Bill and Charlie were responsible for keeping the place clean. And Ron, Harry, and Draco were in charge of taking orders. As Draco had Serena, he wasn't of much help. Plus, he wasn't a big fan of doing work.
"Serena?" Draco had been staring at Serena, watching her face go pale. "Is something wrong?"
"I feel-"
Serena didn't have time to say anything as she promptly emptied the contents of her stomach onto her father's shoes. Bill, Charlie, George, Ron, Harry, and all the customers looked at him as if expecting him to blow up at his daughter. None of them expected him to gather his daughter in his arms, bite out the words St. Mungo's, and disappear from the room, leaving behind a rather disgusting pile of vomit.
"Where did Draco go?" Pansy wrinkled her nose. "What is that smell?"
George couldn't help his laughter. "Pansy, I think you should clean your shoes."
"Oh, disgusting," Pansy shrieked, realizing she had stepped in a puddle of vomit. After cleaning up the mess, she groaned. "Draco is going to murder me."
"Why?" asked Charlie, curious. "What did you do?"
"Serena loves chocolate," Pansy said. "I may have given her the spoon to lick. But she had on the most adorable face ever. I couldn't very well say no."
Bill stood from the table he had been sitting at. "I'll deliver the news. I know from experience that Draco is probably pacing and yelling. When Jasmine had an upset stomach, I almost hexed the Healer for not paying more attention to her."
Bill disappeared on the spot, reappearing in the waiting room. He easily spotted Draco as he was raising hell in the waiting room. The receptionist looked positively terrified, almost as if she were ready to hide under the desk in fear of the blond man's rage. Bill decided to intervene before she called in Aurors to restrain him.
"Draco," Bill called, walking over to place a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Serena is fine."
"You aren't a Healer," Draco snapped.
"Pansy gave her cake batter," Bill explained. "She'll be fine in a couple of hours."
"How do you know?"
Bill pinched the bridge of his nose, a thought popping in his head. "Hermione is with Ginny. She is a capable Healer. I'm sure she'll look at Serena. It'll be easier and faster than you trying to hex every person in the hospital until they cooperate."
"But it isn't as much fun," Draco muttered before stalking away.
Bill chuckled as he followed behind Draco. He thought of his sister and the man in front of him. At least his sister had chosen to shag a man who would care for her daughter as much as Draco did. She could have picked worse. She could have picked someone who would have carted Serena off to an orphanage. Despite what Draco may have said to Ginny two nights ago, Bill couldn't help but to have a little respect for him. And then something occurred to him.
He waited for Draco to hand Serena over to Hermione before tapping him on the shoulder. "Draco?"
"What?" Draco didn't want to deal with any Weasleys right now. He was concentrating on Hermione waving her wand over Serena. "I'm busy."
"Serena is fine," Bill said. "My sister wrote to you."
"What?" Draco's attention was drawn to Bill, Serena being cared for by Hermione. "I assure you, Ginny never wrote me."
"I saw Ginny writing letters," Bill said, shaking his head.
"I would have gone to her," Draco said, his face blank but his insides in turmoil. Surely, he would have remembered getting a letter. "She wouldn't be in the hospital if she had."
"I highly doubt Ginny being around would have stopped your girlfriend from attacking her when you broke up," Bill pointed out. "It would have probably been worse if she had been around all along."
"I think you know your sister better. But I don't think she would have appreciated me having a girlfriend," Draco drawled.
Bill frowned. "How would it have-" And then it dawned on him. "You would have married her?"
Draco stiffened. "I may have hated her. I may have despised your family back then. None of that would have mattered if she told me. Even if I did hate her, I don't think she would have deserved the ridicule she had gotten if your family-your parents had let her out of the house."
"I doubt you would have gone that far," Bill said. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around the young Malfoy's announcement.
"I am a Malfoy." Draco didn't think there was much more to explain. He was a Malfoy and as a Malfoy he had a duty to his heir, to his family. He turned his attention back to Serena. "Better?"
"She's okay, Ma-Draco," Hermione said. "She had too much chocolate is all."
Serena stood up and tugged on her father's trousers. Draco knew this to be a sign that his daughter wanted comfort. He scooped her in his arms, holding her close to him and nodding towards Hermione. It wasn't until Serena began sniffling in his arms that Draco realized there was something wrong, something besides the fact that she had an upset stomach.
"Serena?"
"Is-is-" Tears were falling down her face at a rapid pace.
Draco looked up at Bill and Hermione, both staring at him with curiosity. The glare on his face clearly showed that he wanted to be alone with his daughter. Bill excused himself, citing that he would be heading back to the bakery. And Hermione said she would be in Ginny's room if she was needed. Draco doubted he would need her help.
"Okay, we're alone," Draco said, speaking in hushed tones. "What's wrong?"
"Is Mum going to die?"
As sobs wracked her body, Draco was stunned. He knew that if something were to happen to Ginny, Serena would be devastated. He hadn't known that it would be so bad, though. Ginny had only been in her life for about a month. And though he knew Serena's attachment had been profound, he hadn't expected that Serena would be as upset over Ginny being incapacitated for a few days.
"She's fine," Draco murmured.
Serena wiped her tears on the back of her sleeve. "Can I see her?"
"I'm not certain," Draco said hesitantly.
"So, she is dying," Serena wailed.
Agitated, Draco picked her up and knocked on the door to Ginny's room. Hermione had obviously been listening through the door as she opened the door immediately and beckoned them in. And when Draco raised his eyebrow, a blush stained her cheeks. But none of that mattered because there in front of him, was Ginny Weasley, pale and lifeless. The only sign of her being alive was the slow rise and fall of her chest.
Serena squirmed in his arms until he let her down. As soon as he did, she climbed up onto her mother's bed and lay next to her. Draco moved to get her but Hermione stopped him. She shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. Draco didn't understand the tears. But he did leave Serena on the bed with Ginny as the little girl seemed quite content to cuddle up to her mother.
Draco sneered as he heard Hermione sniffling. "Pull it together, woman."
"Stop being a git," Hermione said with a glare.
"The effect is ruined by tears," Draco pointed out.
"You are so frustrating," Hermione whispered furiously. "One minute you're an amazing father and sweet person. The next minute you're an evil git."
"Sweet? Did you just call me sweet?"
"Yes," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "I called you sweet. Get over it."
Draco didn't bother to dignify her statement with a response, more because he was speechless than anything else. In school, the two had not get along. It was strange to hear her say anything nice about him, especially since he had never said anything of the sort towards her. It was all a bit too uncomfortable for Draco, too emotional. He didn't work well with emotions.
"Aunt Pansy gave me lots of chocolate cake batter, except now I'm sick," Serena mumbled to her mother. "Aunt Hermione said I'll be fine, though. And Daddy says you'll be fine."
Draco wanted to go hold her and hit something for her as she began to cry. Instead, he listened.
"I'm really sorry about what I said, Mum." Serena wrapped her arms around her mother's still form, large tears wetting Ginny's hospital gown. "I don't hate you. I really don't. I never meant to say those mean words. And I promise I'll be a really good girl if you wake up. Please, wake up, Mum. Wake up."
"Serena, it's not your fault," Draco said, walking up to the bed. He ran a hand through his daughter's silky tresses, so much like her mother's. "Her being here has nothing to do with you."
"Yes it does," Serena cried. "If I hadn't acted the way I did, the two of you would have never fought. She wouldn't be here right now."
"We would have probably fought anyways," Draco said. "Your mother and I tend to argue a lot. We don't exactly love each other."
"But you have to," Serena said, the tears never stopping. "If you don't love her, then why am I here? Babies are made out of love, Daddy. That is how I know you and Mum love each other."
Behind him, Hermione gasped in part shock and part sadness. Draco didn't hear it though. He felt as if his heart was breaking. Serena not only felt guilt about causing the argument between the two. But she also had these deluded, in Draco's opinion, thoughts on his relationship with Ginny. On one hand, he could break her heart and try and explain to a six-year-old that not all babies are conceived out of love. That, however, seemed unnecessary. On the other, he could say nothing and let her keep her fantasies. After all, wasn't that was being a child was all about, having fantasies.
"You have to wake up now, Mum," Serena said gently. Her tears had slowed down, one every minute instead of every second. "You've been asleep for a long time."
"Serena," Draco called softly. Yet again, he felt helpless. "She isn't going to wake up."
Draco was taken aback at the smile that graced his daughter's face. "Of course she isn't going to wake up. I'm so stupid." Draco was about to say not to call herself stupid, but then she said, "You have to kiss her."
"What?" The voice did not belong to Draco but rather Hermione.
"Well, in Sleeping Beauty, the prince gives her a kiss to wake her up," Serena explained, her voice implying that Hermione was stupid to not know this. "So, Daddy has to kiss her."
Hermione coughed to cover her giggles. "I think your father would have to be a prince."
"He is," Serena said excitedly. She was now sitting up with a grin on her face. "Aunt Luna, Uncle Blaise, and Aunt Pansy always talk about how he was the Prince of Slytherin. See, he is a prince."
"Serena," Draco growled. "I will not kiss her."
Serena's lip trembled. "But if you don't kiss her, she'll die. Why do you want my mum to die?"
"Bugger," Draco muttered. He couldn't see a way out of it. "Gra-Hermione, a little help would be nice."
"Sure, now you want me to be nice," Hermione grumbled. She put on a smile for Serena, thinking back on the story of Sleeping Beauty. "Sweetie, in the story, Sleeping Beauty had to be kissed by her true love."
Serena rolled her eyes. "I know. Father is Mother's true love, aren't you? You had me."
"Sticky situation," Hermione murmured so only Draco could hear.
"Serena, I wouldn't exactly say I'm your mother's true love," Draco began.
"You have to be," Serena shouted. "You had babies. Grandfather and Grandmother said that only people in love have babies."
"Did they now?" Draco reminded himself to thank his parents.
"If you love her, why would you want her to die?"
"I don't want her to die." Draco clenched his jaw. He couldn't stand to see the broken look on his daughter's face. "I just don't want to kiss her."
"Do it already. One peck on the lips and Serena will be fine. Of course, she'll no longer believe in fairytales. But at least she won't bother you anymore." Draco was about to reply but Hermione continued in a softer tone as Serena cried on the bed. "She may not believe in love after that either. And you may just run the risk of letting her in on the secret of how she was conceived. Oh and there is always the chance that she may run off and shag someone when she's Ginny's age, get pregnant, and say you can't blame her."
"Were you going somewhere with this?" Draco glared at Hermione. "Or were you going to try and not convince me to kiss her."
"But I was trying to convince you," Hermione said, slightly confused.
"It didn't sound that way," Draco griped.
Hermione thought back on her words. "Huh, well, I suppose not."
As Serena let out a long wail, Draco muttered under his breath about killing his parents and whoever told her about Sleeping Beauty, slowly, very slowly. "Fine, I'll do it."
"Yay," Serena said perkily.
"She's going to be in Slytherin," Hermione said, shaking her head.
Draco had to stamp down the urge to yell at Serena, knowing full well she would go back into a crying fit if he said no. His thoughts were jumbling together, becoming very incoherent. Some of his thoughts revolved around how wrong it was for him to kiss Ginny. The other thoughts were about not spoiling Serena as much. And the most surprising thoughts were the ones reminding him how nice it felt to kiss Ginny back at school. Though, there was the fact that she was unconscious, ergo unresponsive.
"Go on, Father," Serena urged, climbing off the bed.
"Serena, this isn't going to work," Draco warned. "I don't want you to start crying over it."
"It has to, Father," Serena said earnestly. "It just has to."
Draco stood next to Ginny's bed, eyes wandering to her face. Her long hair was still in the loose curls it had been in at the ball. Though, it was slightly ruffled and the clip was out, resting on the side table along with her jewellery. He frowned as he saw the laceration on her cheek, his thoughts moving to Tracey Davis. Those were quickly locked away as he heard a disgruntled sigh from Serena. She was becoming impatient.
His hand moved to her face, brushing back the wisps of hair the fell in it. Her skin was pale, paler than usual. His frown deepened as the thoughts of Tracey Davis came rushing back into his head. He would have to take care of her very soon. In the meantime, he had a daughter to placate. He leaned down towards Ginny, his lips hovering above her own, his hand still in her hair. And with gentleness he didn't know he possessed, his lips brushed over her own, barely touching them.
The rest happened so suddenly. A feeling like an electric shock ran through him before Ginny jolted on the bed, crashing her lips on his. Her eyes widened and she pulled back, letting out a terrified scream, her legs thrashing about on the bed. Draco jumped back in shock, his mind reeling. And Hermione stared at Ginny's struggling form in disbelief. Serena, in the meantime, had a happy grin on her face.
"Oh bloody hell," Draco shouted. "Weasley, now look. Every time you fall unconscious or go into a deep sleep, I'm going to have to kiss you. You just had to go and wake up."
"Malfoy," Hermione screamed. Draco's comment had woken her senses and she scrambled over to Ginny. "It's okay. You're alright. Are you in pain?"
Ginny's mouth moved but no sound came out. Her eyes went wild with panic.
"It's okay. Calm down." Hermione placed her hand in Ginny's. "Squeeze once if you're in pain."
Ginny didn't squeeze her hand.
"Well, that's good," Hermione remarked. She helped Ginny in a sitting position before handing her a glass of water. "I think you should be fine. The potion was to keep you asleep until fully healed and out of pain. I'm going to stay with you for the next hour. If you're still okay then, I'll get your brothers."
Ginny seemed to have regained her bearings because she glared at Draco. "Why the bloody hell were you kissing me?" Her voice didn't quite come out as a yell, more like a raspy sound. "Can you only get kisses when someone's unconscious?"
These words, of course, set Serena in a mild panic. She hurriedly came to her father's rescue. "No, Mum. He kissed you because I told him to. He's your true love. Only your true love can wake you up with a kiss."
Ginny was flabbergasted at Serena's statement. "What?"
"Someone told her about Sleeping Beauty," Hermione said quickly. She was still astonished that Ginny had woken up with the kiss. Though, Hermione was sure that it had been a very large coincidence and not the kiss. "And since babies are only made when two people love each other, she thinks Malfoy is your true love. Hence, his kiss would wake you up."
"You are really something," Ginny muttered. She shrugged in Draco's direction. "I suppose I can't really be mad at you over it. And before you go looking all smug, I haven't forgotten what happened before this incident. My anger has been channelled towards you ex-girlfriend for now, however."
"It will be taken care of," Draco said stiffly.
"I can fight my own battles." Ginny was going to glare but couldn't as Serena had climbed onto the bed, in her lap, and wrapped her arms around Ginny, tears soaking through her hospital gown once more. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"
"I don't hate you," Serena cried.
"Oh, I know that. No one could hate me," Ginny teased. Serena sniffled but broke out in a smile. "There's that beautiful smile."
"I'm really sorry for what I said," Serena mumbled. "I didn't mean it."
"It's okay," Ginny said, hugging her daughter.
Serena pulled away from Ginny, turning to look at Draco. "And I'm sorry for making the two of you fight. I'm also sorry for ruining things with that-that woman."
"You're forgiven," Draco responded. "However, I expect for you to behave yourself from now on, young lady."
"Yes, Father," Serena grumbled.
"Would you like to stay with your mother while I go and take care of some things?"
Serena cheered up a great deal. "Yes, please."
"Do you mind?" Draco raised an eyebrow at both Hermione and Ginny.
"Of course not," Ginny said. She looked at him. "I meant what I said. I can take care of myself."
"I meant what I said." Draco opened the door, his gaze hardened as he stared back at her. "It will be taken care of."