Disclaimer: Anything from the Harry Potter Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, etc.
~~~~~~~
"Morning, Ron." Ginny served her brother a plate of bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast before moving to unpack her cookbooks. "I finished up the living room last night after you went to bed. Do you like it?"
"It's very nice." Ron sat at the dining table, looking at the vase of fresh flowers resting on the table with a smile. "You went out this morning to get flowers?"
Ginny smiled. "I always had fresh flowers around the cottage."
"Do you miss it?"
"I don't think I've spent enough time away." Ginny shrugged. "I miss the privacy, the small town comfort. There were also some very lovely people there."
"Did you have any romantic relations?" Ron grimaced as the question fell out of his mouth. "You don't have to answer that question."
"I haven't shagged anyone since my first time, Ron." Ginny finished with the cookbooks, turning the stove on for the kettle to boil. "There is no better prevention method than a teen pregnancy."
Ron snorted. "I guess so."
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Ginny removed two mugs from the cupboard as Ron gave her a nod. "How goes the Auror business?"
"You've become domesticated," Ron exclaimed. "I've been trying to put my finger on what had changed."
Ginny poured the tea, a scowl on her face. "I am not."
"You made me breakfast, you went out in the morning to get fresh flowers, and you're making me tea." Ron ticked all the things off on his finger. "You're like a mini Mum."
"Speaking of Mum," Ginny said, changing the subject, "I think I may give her a second chance. She's my mother. She cared for me when I was younger. Maybe, just maybe, I should let her try again. But I want to wait and see if perhaps she'll initiate it first."
"Ginny, it's your choice." Ron spelled his dishes into the sink, the sink filling with soap and water, the dishes becoming clean. "The boys and I will back you in whatever decision you make."
Ginny hugged Ron, thanking him. "It means a lot that you're supporting me."
"I better get to work," Ron said. "I usually come home at around five sometimes later, only if the need arises. Tonight, I will be back at five because we only have paperwork to do."
"Okay." Ginny went out into the living room, going to the cloak closet. She gave Ron his cloak, taking out hers as well. "I'll walk you out. I left a batch of scones downstairs. They should be ready in about twenty minutes. I like to be safe rather than sorry."
Ron and Ginny left the flat, the stairs at the side of the building being their means of exit. The metal stairs had a few rust stains on it, which Ron promised to get rid of as well as fixing the metal railing, which had corroded. Ginny didn't say anything, not knowing how Ron was at fixing things. However, she hoped that he was good enough, so she wouldn't have to hire anyone.
"Bye, Ron." Ginny waved as she unlocked the bakery door. "Oh, by the way, Serena and Draco will be stopping by later. Serena wants to see her new room. And Draco would like to speak to me about custodial arrangements."
"Ginny!"
"Grow up, Ron." Ginny rolled her eyes. "He's changed. You have no choice but to get along because I say so."
"Fine," Ron said, throwing his hands up in a surrender motion. "I will be on my best behavior."
"As a reward, I will cook you a fantastic meal."
~~~~~~~~
Ginny looked at herself in the full length mirror. She had spent hours searching through her wardrobe for the right outfit. She had ended up wearing a royal purple dress shirt, a gray belt tied around her waist, gray sandals on her feet. It didn't look like she was trying too hard. On the other hand, it didn't look like she didn't care. It was perfect, especially with her hair curled to the middle of her back.
"Ginny?"
"Ron," Ginny yelled, pushing him out the room. "Hang your cloak in the closet, please."
"Calm down, Ginny." Ron picked his cloak up from the couch, watching as Ginny moved around the room, refolding the throw cover three times. "Why don't you go check on dinner?"
"Okay." Ginny walked into the kitchen, her attention riveted to the food she had laid out on the table, roast beef, pork chops, mashed potatoes, carrots, and rolls. She had gone all out. "Ron, do you think this is enough food?"
"Ginny!"
"You're right. I need to calm down." Ginny took the cake out of the oven, transferring it to the cake stand and covering it. "I'm done. Would you like a glass of wine or some Firewhisky?"
"I'll take a glass of Firewhisky."
Ginny jumped. "Merlin, you scared me. When did you get here?"
"When you asked if you made enough food," Draco drawled, his eyes falling to the table. "You have enough to feed a small army."
"Mum!"
"Hi, Serena," Ginny replied, hugging her daughter. "How are you?"
"I'm good," Serena said. She held a bouquet of purple orchids in her hand. "Father and I bought these for you."
Ginny took the flowers from her hand, a small smile on her face. "These are beautiful. Thank you."
"Father said that roses were too plain for you," Serena said.
"Is that so?" Ginny put the orchids in a vase, placing them on the window sill. "Well, thank you, Draco. I do prefer these beautiful orchids to roses."
Ron chose that moment to walk in the room, seemingly uncomfortable with having a Malfoy in his presence. That much became more obvious as they sat down to eat dinner, the conversation stilted. They spoke of small things, latest news, a new toy, which Serena really wanted, Ginny's bakery, and, to Serena's delight, her mother and father's shared a love of the Falcons.
"Kevin Broadmoor's son is exactly like him," Ginny said. "All we need now is for you to give his brother's daughter a chance. You can bring back the descendants of two of your greatest Beaters."
"It's risky," Draco said. "I don't know if it's worth it. I heard the two cousins don't even get along."
"Healthy competition," Ginny commented.
"I will think about it." Draco filled Ginny's wine glass for her. "Is that satisfactory?"
"That is all I ask." Ginny sipped her wine, laughter in her eyes.
"I am a Cannons fan, really, I am." Ron sat back in his chair, his glass in hand. "But your Chasers are practically unbeatable. Oh, and don't get me started on the Keeper."
"I will take that compliment and throw it in your face every chance I get," Draco smirked. "Even the Slytherins knew of your undying devotion to the Cannons."
"Did they also know my skill at chess?" Ron raised an eyebrow. "I heard some rumors about late night games in the dungeons."
"I think you're challenging me, Weasley."
Ginny leaned towards Serena, grinning. "How's your dad at chess?"
"Father and Grandfather have a chess game once a week," Serena answered. "They're very good."
"Ginny, Malfoy and I are going to set up a game." Ron stood up, taking the bottle of Firewhisky with him. "Is that alright?"
"I'll be there in a second," Ginny replied. "I'll bring out dessert."
"Mum, can I help?"
Draco was startled, staring in shock as his daughter began helping Ginny with the plates. Serena had never, ever, been inclined to help clean up anything. As a child, she had always been spoilt, having house-elves clean up after her at every turn. To see her stacking plates, laughing as she did, was a shock. He had been learning new things about Serena ever since Ginny Weasley stepped back in his life, such as Serena liking to wear dresses.
"Watch this," Ginny said, waving her wand at the sink, bubbles floating in the air. "It's as easy as pie."
"What do you do with the leftovers?" Serena stared at the dishes of uneaten food. "There's an awful lot of it."
"I package it in these containers." Ginny removed a few containers from the cupboard, packing away the food as she went. "Sometimes, I make weird things like casseroles out of it. I'm an adventurous cook."
Serena giggled. "Father tried to cook once. It didn't turn out so well."
"He doesn't seem like the cooking type." Ginny moved the orchids from the window sill to the table, which had been cleared of everything. "I doubt he's cooked much in his life."
"What kind of cake is that?"
"It is a German chocolate cake." Ginny removed a bucket of icing from the fridge. "I'm about to add a fudge icing. Would you like to help?"
"Yes," Serena said, excited.
"First, you have to put this apron on." Ginny tied the apron around Serena's neck, the tail trailing on the floor. Serena was swimming in the apron but she looked absolutely adorable. Ginny lifted Serena onto the counter, handing her a cake spatula. "Then, you have to spread the icing on the cake evenly."
Ten minutes later, both Serena and Ginny were covered in chocolate icing, the room filled with boisterous laughter. They had managed to spread the icing on the cake, smoothly. But they had encountered an icing fight, splattering the chocolate flavored confection on cupboards, walls, and the counter. But the room was filled with giggles, nonetheless, and the cake was finished.
"What do we have here?" Draco walked in the room, a smirk on his face. "Are you showing my daughter how to be dirty?"
"Funny," Ginny said wryly, cleaning herself and Serena with a flick of her wand. "If you must know, we were finishing up the cake."
"Mum says I can come help her at the bakery." Serena found herself hoisted into her father's arms, the room becoming a blur as her father spun her around. "Stop, Daddy."
Ginny couldn't help but to laugh. She had never pegged Draco for the fatherly type. However, he certainly did a fantastic job with Serena. The little girl was enraptured with her father and vice versa. It seemed like Serena had Draco wrapped around her finger, her every wish his command. She could ask for a house and Draco would give it to her, unless, maybe, she already had one.
"Who wants cake?"
Draco and Serena went into the living room while Ginny served dessert, compliments falling from their lips as they received the slices of cake. The atmosphere was more comfortable than it had been at the table, Ron and Draco playing a chess game, which started to put Serena to sleep. The little girl had taken up a spot on the couch, the throw cover covering her, her head dropping to her chest as she began to fall asleep.
"If you're staying much longer, I can put her in her room." Ginny picked up the empty plates and glasses. "Or you can."
"I'm going to head to bed," Ron said. The chess game had just ended. "Good game, Malfoy."
"Next time, I'll win." Draco shook Ron's hand. "I promise."
Ron laughed. "You're on."
Draco moved Serena into the room, which Ginny had decorated, while Ginny went to put the plates and glasses in the kitchen. She poured herself another glass of wine, waiting for Draco to join her in the kitchen. He had said they would talk now. Ginny hoped that he would allow Serena to come and spend some weekends. She really wanted to spend more time with the young girl.
"She liked her room." Draco entered the kitchen, leaning against the counter.
"I'm glad." Ginny took a sip of her wine. "You've done a fantastic job with her. I don't think anyone could be more in love with their father."
"I was all she had." Upon seeing Ginny's face fall, he sighed. "I didn't mean it like that."
"I know. It's the truth of the matter, though," Ginny said. "I wish I was there. Was it difficult?"
"I don't think any baby cries as much as she did." A small smile appeared on his face. "At times, I wanted to jump off a high tower. She was a handful. Luckily, Mother and Father were more than willing to step in and help. Though, they weren't talking to me. They couldn't believe I had made such a big mistake."
"I'm sorry." Ginny, instinctively, reached out to touch him, resting her hand on his. She quickly pulled away as if burned, blushing. She decided a safer subject was needed. "What about her likes and dislikes, other from Quidditch and chocolate?"
"She loves shepherd's pie." Draco chuckled. "She's spent years buttering up to the house-elves so that she could get every food item she wanted. Mother started to become curious when shepherd's pie was served three times a week. She, after many weeks, finally found out why."
Ginny smiled. "When I was pregnant, I craved shepherd's pie. I used to make one at least once a day, until I was too fat to bend over."
"The only pregnant woman I've been around has been Luna. She was heinous during her pregnancy." Draco poured himself a glass of Firewhisky, taking a seat around the dining table. "She made Blaise and me go out and buy everything she needed. I don't think she left the house much after her seventh month."
"You two seem like really good friends." Ginny didn't join him at the table, preferring to keep her distance. "How did that happen?"
"She's my best friend's wife. Serena thinks of her like a mother. It's hard not to be close to her. She's one of my closest confidants, next to Blaise and Pansy."
Ginny didn't miss the fact that he hadn't said Tracey. "It's funny how life works. My best friend is your best friend. And your best friend has taken interest in my brother."
Draco raised an eyebrow, needing further explanation.
"Ron and Pansy shared a moment," Ginny said.
"The sky must be falling," Draco mused.
"We had a daughter together," Ginny pointed out. "Nothing can beat that."
Draco shifted in his seat. "Perhaps, Serena can spend the night tonight. She's already asleep. I can pick her up in the morning. I have practice at nine."
Ginny resisted the urge to jump in excitement. "I can save you the trouble and drop her off. I don't open the bakery until ten, weekend hours."
"I will see you in the morning, then." Draco stood from the table. "I'm going to say goodnight to Serena."
"Alright," Ginny said as she cleaned his glass, setting it back in the cupboard.
By the time she turned around, Draco was gone. She walked into the living room, folding the throw cover that Serena had been using. A small giggle caught her attention, and though she thought it an intrusion on his privacy, she couldn't help but to go stand in the doorway of Serena's room. The glowing specks in the ceiling shone down on father and daughter, their smiles gleaming in the darkness.
"Mum, can you come and lay with me?"
Ginny was startled. "Sure, would you like something to change into first?"
"Yes, please."
Ginny walked over to the vanity, rifling through one of the drawers. She had stocked the drawers with a few casual clothes, pajamas, and underwear. And she had also placed some dresses in the closet. She couldn't resist after seeing the clothes in the store window. She also couldn't resist buying Serena shoes, robes, and a toy or two, well ten.
"Here we are." Ginny placed the nightgown into Draco's outstretched hand. "I took the liberty of buying Serena clothes. I didn't want her to have to pack a bag every time she was coming here."
Draco nodded in agreement, helping Serena into her nightgown. At first, the two adults thought the young girl would forget all about wanting Ginny to lay in bed with her. However, she did not. Serena demanded that Ginny come and lay with her, and that her father stay by her side. It wasn't until after Ginny and Draco were lying on either side of her that Serena finally gave into sleep, her eyes closing, a satisfied smile on her face.
But she didn't fall asleep without whispering, "I always dreamt about having my mum and dad putting me to sleep."
~~~~~~~~
"Oh for Merlin's sake!"
The shout from Ron startled Ginny, causing her to fall off the bed and roll onto the floor. The next few moments were pure and utter chaos. Ginny jumped up, a string of curses leaving her mouth. Serena squealed from the bed, yelling about how her mother had a potty mouth. Draco was trying to figure out how he had woken up with two Weasleys and Serena in his room. All the while, Ron watched the scene with hidden amusement, a mask of anger, indifference, and surprise on his face.
"Was that absolutely necessary, Ronald?"
"Well, when I wake up to find you and Malfoy in the bed, yes," Ron replied truthfully. "At least I didn't hex him."
"There's a child between us," Ginny exclaimed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, hands flying to her hair to try and tame the frizzy curls, a consequence of sleep. "What could we have possibly done?"
"I'd prefer if you don't answer that question in front of my daughter, Weasley." Draco had finally managed to get his bearings straight, realizing that he and Ginny had fallen asleep along with Serena. "Who knows what kind of perverted mind you have?"
Serena sat up, a satisfied smile on her face. "I slept well last night."
"She gets her sneaky ways from you," Ginny said, glaring at Draco.
"Serena, did you plan last night?" Draco stared at Serena, half angry, half proud.
"Would I do something like that, Father?" Serena quickly decided to change the subject before she was punished. "I'm awfully hungry."
"I'm off," Ron said cheerily from the doorway. "I've got some paperwork to do."
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"I'm a big boy, Ginny," Ron said mockingly. "I can take care of myself."
Ginny refrained from saying a few choice words. "I'll see you later then." As Ron left the room, she turned to Serena. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"I have practice in twenty minutes. We don't have time to eat." Draco was helping Serena out of the bed. "Let's go."
"Nonsense, you can't work on an empty stomach." Ginny pointed towards a door next to the closet. "The bathroom is through there. By the time you've freshened up, I will have breakfast ready for you."
True to her word, Ginny had showered, changed, made breakfast, and packed dessert within fifteen minutes. Draco gladly took everything to go. He couldn't afford to be late. It would set a bad example for his team. Besides, he had a reputation of being early. The awkwardness came when it was time to go. Ginny unconsciously hugged Draco right after she hugged Serena, creating quite an embarrassing scene between the two adults.
"So, uhm, I will see you when I see you," Ginny stuttered.
Draco cleared his throat. "Yes."
"Bye, Mum," Serena said, laughing. "I really enjoyed spending the night. Hopefully, Father will allow me to come and spend more time."
"That will all be discussed at a later date, Serena," Draco warned. "Now, we really must get going."
"Have a nice day," Ginny said, closing the door behind them. It wasn't until after she had collapsed against the door that she said, "Bloody hell, I am domesticated."
~~~~~~~~
"Morning, Ginny," Luna said, breezing into the bakery. "How are you doing on this glorious morning?"
Ginny looked up from where she had been calculating her profits from the past week. "Someone is having a fantastic morning. What has you in such a good mood?"
"No morning sickness," Luna practically shouted. "Oh, and I heard a little bit of news about you and a certain Malfoy, whom you procreated with."
"How could you possibly know anything about it? It happened this morning." Ginny stared at her old friend in disbelief. "Are you a Seer?"
"No," Luna answered. "Tracey popped in this morning to rant on and on about how Draco wasn't at his house last night. Apparently, Serena asked her to come over, which is odd. Serena hates Tracey. Tracey then proceeded to Floo Draco at the stadium, have him come to our house, and made him explain what happened. Draco, not liking the fact that Tracey was ordering him around, explained with no details that he slept at your flat last night. A fight of all fights went down and they are now officially over. Of course, Blaise and I had to deal with a weeping ditz. But it is a small price to pay for having her out of our lives."
"Wow," Ginny muttered. "Serena is far more devious than I thought."
"So she did hatch a plan." Pansy walked into the bakery, smiling from ear to ear. "I was so happy to hear that Tracey and Draco are done."
"How did you hear?" asked Ginny.
"I know everything," Pansy said. "Oh, and Blaise told me when I Flooed to find out where Luna was."
"No one should condone Serena's behavior. I may have thought the woman to be a harpy. But it is none of anyone's business who Draco dates," Ginny said, batting Pansy's hand away from her hair. "Draco is old enough to know who to date and who not to date."
"Have you ever thought of getting a hair cut?" Pansy tilted her head to the side. "I think you would look lovely with shorter hair."
"You really do go off on tangents, Pansy," Luna commented. "I always thought Draco and Blaise were a little barmy for thinking so."
Pansy ignored the blonde woman. "Is your brother around?"
"He is at work," Ginny replied, tying her apron around her waist. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to open shop."
"Oh, can I have a blueberry muffin?"
"On the house, Luna," Ginny said, taking one of the muffins from the glass case. "Pansy, would you like anything?"
"Your brother on a platter," Pansy said. "What's his favorite dessert?"
"Fudge," Ginny said offhandedly. "Why?"
"I will have a dozen of your fudge bars to go," Pansy said. "He's an Auror right?"
Ginny shook her head in disbelief, packaging the fudge despite her brain telling her not to. Perhaps, Pansy was the perfect woman for Ron to get involved with, the whole opposites attract business. In any case, Ginny was sure that she could not stop Pansy from whatever idea had possessed her. In fact, Ginny was starting to believe that Serena had picked up some of her devious traits from being around Pansy. With Slytherins, it was hard to tell.
As Pansy left with the box of fudge, Luna said, "I don't want to even imagine where that fudge will be in an hour."
Ginny grimaced as images of melted fudge and her naked brother wandered into her mind. "Merlin, scour those images from my mind."