Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings from the Harry Potter Universe. And I am not making any money off of this story.
This is where the story truly begins. It occurs almost six years after the Prologue.
"You're flying like a bunch of imbeciles!"
The little girl on the sideline of the Quidditch pitch groaned as, yet again, the chasers dropped the ball. Her hair flew wildly, the soft shade of red and gold lighting up under the sun. Her soft gray eyes were anything but soft at the moment. Instead, they turned dark gray with anger. She flailed her arms about, trying to get the attention of the chasers to tell them what to do. But a loud yell from further down the sideline stopped her from what she was doing.
"Serena Verity!"
"Sorry, Father."
Serena Verity Malfoy folded her arms, kicking the dirt with her trainers. This was her first practice in a week. She was so excited to be off punishment. It wasn't as if the seeker didn't recover. Serena was only trying to show him what a bad job he was doing. It wasn't her fault that he had swerved into the wall, although, the only reason he swerved was because she was jumping up and down yelling at him. He had just missed barreling into her. But that was a detail that the young girl preferred to overlook.
Further down the sideline, her father stood shaking his head. If there was one thing that Serena loved more than her father, it was Quidditch. Her father had no doubt that this was due to both he and her mother's blood. But he liked to think that it was him and him alone. Not only because her mother wasn't around. Rather, because he liked to think that she got all her endearing qualities from him.
"Father, he's doing it all wrong!" The little girl tugged at his shorts.
"Serena, sit on the bench." Draco looked down at her, shaking his head. "If you don't, I'll have your grandmother come and take you dress shopping. Your birthday is a few days away. You need a nice new dress."
The little girl blanched. "That's very wicked, Father."
"You'll behave, now, though."
"I hate going shopping with Grandmother." Serena crossed her arms, scuffing her trainers. "Grandmother tries to do all the things that a mother would do. All the other little girls in the store stare at me."
Draco knelt down, coming face to face with his daughter's gray eyes. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, staring at her. She would turn six soon. His little baby was growing up before his eyes. And every day, she grew to look more and more like her mother, the small nose, the cheekbones, and her skin, which was darker than his pale color.
"Father?"
"They are all jealous of you." Draco patted her shoulder. "You are a Malfoy. Those young girls just wish they were like you."
"Did she like Quidditch?"
"Take a break guys," Draco yelled to the fliers in the air.
"Yes, sir!"
Draco dragged Serena to the bench, sitting her on his lap. "Your mother loved Quidditch. She was one of the most amazing females in the air."
"She was that good?" Serena's eyes lit up as they always did when Draco spoke of her mother. "Would she have been professional?"
"I don't know, Serena." Draco held his daughter against him. "She had the potential. I would have put her on my team."
"Wow," Serena said, amazed. "What else?"
"She was always laughing," Draco said. "Her eyes would sparkle whenever she was up to something. A lot like yours do."
Draco knew that having something in common with her mother meant the world to Serena. When she had turned four, she had finally begun to feel the pressures of not having a mother. She had come running into his room one night, her eyes brimming with tears, questions of her mother falling from her lips. It had been a tiring night, explaining to the young girl that she had no mother.
"Do you miss her?"
He froze. He couldn't tell his daughter that he never had a relationship with her mother. He couldn't explain to a five almost six year old that she was the result of convenient shag. Draco bit his tongue, staring off in space, buying himself some time to think of his answer. The truth was out of the question. But he could never lie outright to his daughter.
"She was good company." Draco was happy with his answer. "Now, what brought this on? You avoid the topic of your mother all the time."
Serena gazed at her feet. "Xavier and I were playing in his tree house last week. And he fell."
"And?"
"Well, Aunt Luna came running out to check if he was alright." Tears came to Serena's eyes. "And that's never happened to me. And she's dead."
Draco hushed his daughter. "It's alright. You have tons of motherly figures, Serena. You have your grandmother. Your Aunt Pansy is more than willing to act like a mother to you. Let's not forget Aunt Luna. She loves you to pieces."
"I know." Serena sniffled. "But none of them have red hair. They don't look like me."
"If you want, I'm sure Aunt Luna or Aunt Pansy would change their hair red," Draco suggested. "It could be their birthday present to you."
"Do you think they would?"
"Aunt Luna definitely would." Draco kissed her forehead. "Are you okay now?"
"Can I go see Aunt Luna?"
Draco patted her knee. "We can go later on."
"But I want to go now."
"Serena, we'll go later."
"Draco!"
"Mother, I'm a bit busy." Draco looked up to see his mother calmly walking across the Quidditch pitch. "Is it important?"
"Yes." Narcissa Malfoy was known for her regal appearance. However, one look into her granddaughter's eyes, and the cold woman vanished. Replacing her was a woman filled with warmth and love. "It's concerning Serena's party."
"I don't want a party," Serena said. She pouted. "Why should I have to dress up in frilly gown? It is my birthday. Shouldn't I be able to wear what I want?"
"No." Narcissa immediately became stern. "You will wear your gown. You will like your gown. And you will not complain the entire night about how your evil grandmother forced you to wear it."
Serena smiled cheekily. "Can I still call you my evil grandmother?"
"Of course," Narcissa said. The older woman opened her arms. "Come and give your evil grandmother a hug."
"Hello." Serena ran into Narcissa's arms, grabbing her about the waist. "How has your day been?"
"Perfectly fine," Narcissa replied. She held Serena away at arm's length. "You are positively filthy."
"Mother, what is it that you want?"
"I was speaking with Zoe, Blaise's mother. And I was asking her about the cake they had." Narcissa wrapped an arm around Serena's shoulder. "They got an order from this bakery in America. The bakery's name is Buttercup, which seems fitting as they make this lovely buttercup colored icing."
"Mother," Draco said, warningly.
"I was thinking that we should go to the same place." Narcissa beamed at her son. "You know my penchant for sweets rivals that of Serena."
"You interrupted my practice to ask me something that you're already planning on doing?"
"Yes. I didn't want you to feel as if you weren't involved in planning your daughter's party." Narcissa's face was impassive. But her tone was that of someone who was speaking the obvious. "It would have been rude for me to hop on the next Portkey to Pennsylvania without telling you."
Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Not only was it childish, but Malfoys never rolled their eyes. "Fine, you may get the cake from Buttercup. Make sure that you order other sweets. I'd like to send home sugar rushed children. You know how I love to irritate parents."
"I will see you this evening at dinner," Narcissa said. "I don't suspect that it should take too long for me to arrange things. I've arranged for a private Portkey. A car will be waiting for me as well. No sense in Apparating in a country that I am not familiar with."
"Bye, Mother." Draco gave his mother a peck on the cheek. "Serena, tell your grandmother goodbye."
"Goodbye, Grandmother," Serena said, hugging Narcissa once more. "I like chocolate."
Draco's eyes clouded over at the admission from his daughter. It was natural for children to like chocolate. However, that was one of the things he remembered about Ginny Weasley. She liked chocolate. That wasn't what she wanted that night. But she liked it. He ran a hand through his hair, remembering the way she had gripped it as she received her first orgasm ever. His scalp tingled as he remembered her touch. Draco closed his eyes, knowing the day had been shot.
"Mother, we'll be going home," Draco said.
"What about practice?"
"It's over." Draco ruffled Serena's hair. "Go get your things."
"Draco, I think you and Serena should come with me."
"Why would we do that Mother?" Draco crossed his arms. "I don't see the need to traipse across the ocean for a bakery."
"Daddy, can we go?" Serena did her best impression of a puppy dog face. "Please? I want to go to the bakery. You never take me to bakeries. You always take me to ice cream parlors."
Draco sighed, rubbing his eyes.
"Can we go see Uncle Blaise first?"
"Aunt Luna," Serena yelled.
"Oh, hello," the blonde woman said, greeting them at the door. "I'm surprised to see you. But come on in. Blaise and Xavier are in the sitting room, discussing Quidditch."
"I hope it's talking about the Falcons winning the next game." Draco kissed Luna's cheek. "You look well."
"So do you," Luna said. She noticed Narcissa standing behind Draco. "How rude of me, come in. Narcissa, excuse my manners. How are you doing?"
"It's fine dear." Narcissa stepped into the entrance room of the Zabini Manor, kissing Luna's cheek. "Is Zoe around?"
"She's in the sitting room. Ever since Xavier turned five, she's been clinging to him." Luna closed the door. "I think she's afraid he's growing too fast."
"Well, you have another one on the way," Narcissa said, eyeing her small bump. "How far along are you?"
"Three months," Luna said. She held her hands to her stomach. "I'm starting to get huge already."
"You're never huge, love."
Draco observed the married couple. It had come as a surprise to Draco that Blaise married Luna Lovegood a year out of Hogwarts. She was pregnant a month after their wedding. There had been a few suspicions about the wedding and the early birth of the baby. But anyone who hung around the Zabini couple knew they were disgustingly in love.
It had been shocking to Draco, especially that his best friend had married the resident Hogwart's loony. But sometime between the wedding and the announcement of her pregnancy, she had changed. She had dropped the talk of strange creatures. And in doing so, she had become one of the few people who Draco trusted around Serena. Though, Draco knew it had a lot to do with Luna being one of Ginny's closest friends.
Luna, much like him, had been shocked to hear about Ginny's passing. She had also been devastated to know that the family had not announced it. Nor had they invited anyone to a funeral. It was enough to plant a seed of doubt in both Draco and Luna. However, as time passed and Ginny did not surface to claim her daughter, the two knew that she was indeed dead.
Draco would never forget the day Luna had appeared on his doorstep. It was the day Luna had changed. It had been a few days before she announced her pregnancy. Draco supposed it had been frightening to her. Her best friend had died during child birth. And she herself was now pregnant.
Her face had been covered in tears, her hands shaking. Draco had immediately sent Serena to bed, taking the shaken girl into his home. He had sent a missive to Blaise, not wanting Blaise to think that something bad had happened to Luna. And in that moment, Draco too had broken down. Serena was one at the time. He was trying his best with her. But it would have been easier with help.
The two had bonded that night. Ever since then, Draco trusted Luna as much as he did Blaise or Pansy. Those three had become his closest companions. They helped him with everything. If Serena was sick, one of the three, if not all of them, would show up with some helpful advice. When Serena had her Little League Quidditch matches, they would all show up, cheering for both Serena and now Xavier. They had become his support team his family.
"Is something wrong, Draco?" Luna watched him staring at Blaise and Serena run around the foyer. "You have that look on your face."
"She brought her mother up." Draco sighed.
Luna wrapped an arm around Draco, feeling him stiffen. "Five years later and you still freeze up like an ice cube. Honestly, Draco, you should be used to it by now."
"I don't like hugs."
"Too bad," Luna said. "What happened this time?"
"She said that you, my mother, and Pansy don't have red hair." Draco smirked. "I told her one of you would change your hair red for her birthday."
"Git," Luna muttered.
"You don't have to," Draco said, softly. "She'll more than likely forget soon."
"No. I'll do it," Luna exclaimed.
"Draco, we should get going." Narcissa took a peek at her watch. "Pennsylvania is a far way off."
"Alright," Draco said. He shook hands with Blaise, giving him a manly hug. "Your mother had to go to Pennsylvania for a cake."
"She likes the best," Blaise said, wryly.
The smell of freshly baked cakes permeated the air in the small bakery. A few customers sat at the small tables provided, cupcakes and other delectable treats in their plates, a side of coffee or tea with it. Ambient lighting shone down on them, providing the perfect mood for a small lunch date or for reading the latest news while snacking on a scrumptious muffin. The glass display provided a colorful view of an array of sweet treats, enough to make a young child squeal with delight.
Behind the counter, a red-head worked diligently on a four layer cake. "Mr. Simmons, I am almost done."
"You don't know how much this means to me." The elderly man clasped his hands together, rimmed glasses sliding down his nose. "I don't know why Marilyn would put me in charge of the cake."
"Because all you had to do was place the order with me." Ginny smiled, observing the four layered wedding cake. With a quick spell, she boxed the cake, levitating it onto the counter. "Here you are. Tell Eva I am so happy for her."
Mr. Simmons dropped the money on the counter. "What would I do without you, Ms. Weasley?"
"Marilyn would have your head." Ginny wiped the icing onto her apron. "Now, go on. And don't ruin the cake."
"Have a good day, Ms. Weasley."
Ginny didn't hear what he had said, too caught up in watching the young child running into the bakery. It would soon be six years since the day she had lost her child. The little girl giggled, hiding behind her mother's leg as she saw the multitude of strangers in the small bakery. The sight brought sadness into Ginny's heart, which was soon put to rest as the mother of the child approached the counter.
"Hi, how may I help you?"
"I'll have a blueberry muffin," the lady said.
"And what would you like, sweetie?" asked Ginny, smiling at the young girl.
"A double fudge chocolate cupcake."
"That's a lot of chocolate. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Yes," the little girl said, proudly.
Ginny packaged the two orders, collecting the money. Once the little girl walked away, she slumped down to the counter, a feeling of remorse filling her. Almost six years had passed and she couldn't get over the fact that her child had died. A hand reached to her stomach as she thought of what she had heard in the hospital room. She was sure there was a cry. But according to her mother, she was hearing what she wanted to hear.
"Thanks, Ginny."
"See you at lunch, Marla." Ginny waved to the brown haired girl, noticing the bakery was empty.
Ginny waved her wand at the tables in the room, watching as they sparkled and shined. Not having much to do, she took a seat at one of the tables, opening the latest copy of the Daily Prophet, which she had special ordered. She saw another announcement for Draco Malfoy's daughter's birthday. The sight of him with the small girl caused a small pang in her chest. Whoever the woman was that got him to consent to having a child, she certainly must have been something wonderful. He had never responded to her letter about having a child.
She wished the pictures would be in color just so she could see what the girl looked like. The little girl looked to be about five or six years old. Maybe he had gotten someone else pregnant as well. She wished she knew who the mother of the child was. But according to the earlier reports in the Daily Prophet. The mother had passed on while giving birth. The story had brought tears to Ginny's eyes the morning she read it. She had not had a job at that time. So, she wallowed in her own self-pity, drinking bottles of wine and Firewhisky.
She turned the page, seeing a picture of Harry. He had gone on to marry Cho Chang. She had been surprised to receive the invitation. However, she had not gone. Relations between her and Harry were strained at best. When he had found out about the pregnancy, he had pulled away from her completely. He, along with her family, had practically disowned her, refusing to speak with her. She had even missed their weddings, Ron to Lavender, Charlie to Hermione, surprisingly, George to Angelina, and Percy to Penelope.
Of course, over the years her relationship had improved immensely with her family. All her brothers were speaking to her once again. She would never forget the night they had all come to her cottage. It had been a stormy night. And she was up repairing the leaky holes in the roof. They had all tumbled out her fireplace, guilty expressions on their face. She knew they must have been feeling guilt over the way they treated her. So, she made up with them. The only people she couldn't make up with were her friends.
Her mother had told her that it would be best for her to start over completely. She had been cut off from her friends for such a long time. That she doubted they would accept her back in her life. Another day of wallowing in self-pity had been when she saw the wedding announcement for Luna Lovegood and Blaise Zabini, which had come as a complete and total shock to Ginny.
Contrary to popular belief, she hadn't thought Luna was crazy. Luna happened to be her only other true friend outside of the trio. Her life before moving to Pennsylvania had been truly sad and depressing. Perhaps she had made the right decision leaving it all behind, although, it still hurt when she had seen the birthing announcement for Xavier Zabini.
"Ms. Weasley?"
"That's me." Ginny looked up from her paper. "Can I help you?"
"My name is Healer Jenkins." The woman stepped into the bakery, a look of curiosity on her face. "You sent a letter to me a few years ago. I was sorting through some mail from years back and came across it."
"Yes," Ginny said, furrowing her eyebrows. "I had to thank you for what you had done. No matter what the outcome was. I still had to thank you."
"Right, but-"
"I hope this isn't rude. But I really am in no mood to talk about that time in my life." Ginny sighed, her eyes landing on the picture of Draco with his daughter. "It brings up too many old memories."
"But, Ms. Weasley," Healer Jenkins began.
Ginny held her hand up, moving behind the counter. "Here. Have a cake for your troubles. It's a town favorite, pineapple upside down cake."
"Thank you." Healer Jenkins took the neatly wrapped box, a pained expression on her face. "Ms. Weasley, you must listen."
"I'm sorry, Healer Jenkins." Ginny closed her eyes, opening them once more. "I hope the cake makes up for your long journey. If you would excuse me, I have a lot of work to get to."
"Of course, Ms. Weasley," Healer Jenkins said, turning away. Before she walked out the door, she looked back at the red-head. "I will be staying at the Sunshine Inn down the road. If you become curious, I beg that you come and see me."
"Have a safe trip back, Healer Jenkins."
Ginny watched as the woman exited the bakery, curiosity overtaking her. Perhaps she should have listened to the Healer. There had to be a reason why the Healer came halfway across the world to see her. It couldn't just be to apologize or show concern for Ginny's situation. There was some underlying reason, which far excelled any of that. Ginny bit her lip.
Finally deciding, Ginny removed her apron, taking her handbag from the cupboard in the back. She stuck her arms in her coat, thinking that she could catch the Healer before she got too far. She slung her handbag strap over her shoulder, buttoning the buttons on her coat as she did. She waved the wand at the room, making sure the counters sparkled before moving towards the door.
However, as she did, the door opened. "I'm sorry. I'm closing early for today."
"Weasley?"