Chapter 3 - Part Three

Chapter Eleven: Something Real

As Angelina’s eyes slowly fluttered open she became aware that she wasn’t at home, but rather in a hospital bed. Soon a nurse came in on her daily rounds. “Well, good morning, Mrs. Malfoy,” she said cheerfully, as she went about her business. “So glad to see you up this morning.”

“Morning.” Angelina sat up and cleared her throat. “How long have I been here?” she asked.

“Nine days.”

“Nine days!” she shouted.

“Yes,” the nurse confirmed. “Your husband, bless his soul, barely left your side. Nearly ran me crazy, he did, asking for all kinds of silly things for you.”

“That’s a joke right?” Angelina refused to believe that Draco was caring enough to do such a thing.

“No, not at all.” The nurse shook her head. “In fact, he only just left this morning. He got an owl and I guess it was pretty urgent, because he left soon after reading it.” She looked up at the clock on the wall. “Well, I better be on my way. I’ll be sure to tell the Healer of your improvement.” And she was gone.

Angelina wrapped her arms around her stomach. “No doubt he already knows,” she said and looked carefully around the room. She started to get out of bed. “Ow, ow, ow,” she cried as she noticed the needle from the I.V. in her hand, she looked at it curiously. The nurse did say Healer, right? So I must be in a Wizarding hospital, she thought as she slowly pulled I.V. out.

She was heading towards the bathroomwhich was located in the room, when all of sudden she dropped to her knees and started coughing; blood came out of her mouth and splattered on the floor. As she sat on her legs, one hand wiped away the blood around her mouth and the other rested on her stomach. She sighed and picked herself up. She searched for her wand and found it resting on a chair with the rest of her belongings and cleaned the blood off the floor.

Angelina once again headed towards the bathroom where she started the water and took a long shower. When she was finished she came out and saw Draco sitting on the bed with his head down. “Hi,” she said quietly.

He rose his head. “Hey.” Was his response. Angelina noticed he looked tired, as if he hadn’t slept in days. Draco then got up and reached for a white paper bag on the stand next to the bed. “When I first came in you were in the shower, so I figured you might me hungry and I went and got you some lunch.”

“Thank you.” She reached for the bag shyly, not really sure how to act; their last argument was still fresh on her mind.

Draco then asked carefully as he helped her back in bed. “When were you planning on telling me. . . about the baby that is?”

“When was I supposed to? You didn’t want to hear anything I had to say.” She was right and he knew it. He was so caught up and how she had made him feel, that he never took the time to realize how his actions were affecting her. “What?” Angelina heard him murmur something.

“I’m sorry,” he said a bit louder.

Angelina couldn’t believe her ears. It was the first time that she had ever heard him apologize to anyone, nevertheless her. “Are you playing with me, Draco? Because I’m letting you know right now, I am sick and tired of it,” she started to become defensive.

“No, no games.” He shook his head. “I just don’t want to fight anymore. Everything I told you the other day- I shouldn’t have told you that, I was angry and. . . and I’m sorry.”

“So it’s true then? Montague killed George?” she asked in a hushed tone. Draco nodded as he noticed she had finally stopped calling Montague by his first name.

Angelina sighed heavily and they sat in silence for awhile. “Draco,” she finally spoke. “I want to know something. I know it’s probably irrelevant now, but what did you guys have on each other?”

“You’re right, it’s irrelevant.” He took a harder tone then he meant to.

But if Angelina was afraid of anything, it was surely not his bark. “You hold your secrets so close, Draco. You and Montague were very alike in that way. I asked him plenty of times what he had on you and he never said a word about it.”

“That’s because he knew if he did that he would only be exposing himself.”

“What was it, Draco? Do you trust me enough to tell me your secrets?”

Draco finally took a seat in the chair beside the bed. “You should eat. We can’t afford you losing anymore weight.”

“Don’t change the subject,” she said, as she uncovered the plate of food Draco had brought her. For some strange reason she wasn’t hungry, but she forced herself to eat anyway.

“I don’t want you look at me differently,” he told her after awhile.

“Then I won’t.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Was it really that bad?”

“No, just something I didn’t want known,” he said as he watched Angelina eat.

“Fine, I don’t need to know then.”

Draco shifted in his chair uncomfortably. “It was fifth year,” he finally began. “And I guess I went into it trying to figure out who I was, you know, minus the Malfoy.” He then lowered his head as he continued, “I was with Parkinson then, but being with her, I knew something was missing, I just didn’t know what it was. At the time it wasn’t her -she didn’t show her true colors until seventh year- so I had figured the problem was with me.” He shrugged.

“Anyway, it was right after the first Quidditch practice and I was alone in the locker room, or so I thought. I was coming out of one of the showers when I noticed Montague at his locker, I guess he had just taken one too,” Draco’s voice became quieter. “He didn’t see me and I kind of found myself staring at him as he dressed. I then realized I had never looked at a guy like that before.”

Angelina dropped her fork as she realized where Draco’s story was headed. Draco continued as if he didn’t notice her reaction. “When he did see me, he had this smile on his face and he asked me if I liked what I saw. I was a little dumbfounded, but I told him I did. I started to approach him and I don’t know what came over me. . . I just wanted to know what his lips felt like and-”

“Draco you can stop, I get the picture,” Angelina told him quickly, not wanting the image in her mind.

With his head still down, he told her one last thing. “You should also know, we were together more than once.” He then looked up to face her, ready for her judgment. “Well?” he said after a moment.

“Nothing,” she shook her head. “Wait, I do have a question. When did you guys end?”

Draco thought for a moment. “We didn’t,” he answered. “We just stopped.”

“Okay, then when did it stop?” she asked as she put her plate on the stand next to the bed.

Draco then said in a monotone voice. “When I had him killed,” Angelina was speechless. “You would think one of us would have noticed we were sleeping with the same man.” A smile toyed at his lips as he lowered his head.

Angelina looked at him very carefully and then all of sudden yelled. “You sick bastard! Now I know you’re playing with me,” she said angrily.

Draco lifted his head back up. “Of course I am,” he started laughing. “Come on now, do I really seem the type?”

Angelina hit him across the arm and spat. “You’re a moron, you know that?”

“Yeah,” he laid his head on her legs. “But I’m your moron,” he said sweetly, and though Angelina was still quite angry, she couldn’t help but laugh at him. A moment later Draco stood up. “It’s good to hear you laugh.” He told her as he bent down and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to go find the doctor and see how soon I can get you home.”

After he left the room it came to Angelina what had just happened, because she still had no idea what Draco and Montague had on each other, and she was quite certain, she never would.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It had been a few weeks since Angelina’s discharge from the hospital. She had talked to the doctor alone about her coughing up blood and how she didn’t want Draco to know. The doctor told her that was unwise, but she told him she just didn''t want to worry her husband.

So after being discharged, she waited until Draco was at work and went back to the hospital where they ran more tests, but they still found nothing wrong with her and couldn’t explain her recovery.

The doctor could do nothing more than tell her to get plenty of rest and give her some supplementary vitamins along with some other medication to take during the course of her pregnancy so she could build back up her strength after losing so much weight.

Angelina was now at home looking at the freshly fallen snow and marveling at the simple beauty of it all. For a moment it felt as if nothing else existed outside the house. “I can give you the world you know,” Angelina felt the breath of Draco on her neck before he kissed her.

The last few weeks had been wonderful in Angelina’s opinion. Draco had never been so attentive of her before, not even when they were on the best of terms. She also had to acknowledge that she loved how safe and secure she felt when Draco’s arms were around her, because within those moments she knew there was no other place she would rather be.

But then those thoughts would be replaced with troublesome ones because she couldn’t help but think that maybe Draco was just tip-toeing around her because he didn’t want to upset her and, in that, endanger the baby. That’s all I’m good for right, she had thought one night, to give him an heir?

But she wasn’t thinking about that right now because right now all she wanted was to stay in the illusion as long as she could. “I don’t need the world,” she replied.

“Really now?” He took her by the hand and led her to the couch, where he took a seat and pulled Angelina to sit on his lap. “I want you to know something.” He wrapped one of his arms around her midsection and rested the other on her knee.

“Know what?”

“First off, let me have your ring,” he told her.

“Why?” She looked at him curiously.

“Please.” He held out his hand. Angelina took her wedding band off her finger and placed in the palm of Draco’s. Draco then tossed the ring into the fireplace. Angelina was very uncertain where Draco was going with this, but she decided to wait it out. “When you were in the hospital, the doctors had no idea what was wrong with you, and they didn’t know how to help. I honestly thought I was going to lose you and that scared me.” He held her closer. “So I prayed to God,” he continued. “And I asked him not to take you away from me. I told him, that if he saw it fit to keep you here on this earth that I would do right by you.” He then said softly, “So I’m going to give you the choice you never had.”

“Draco wait, I don’t understand.”

“If you make the choice to leave, I won’t stop you,” he told her. “I’ll get you set up wherever you want to live. And I’ll take care of all the money matters; you would never have to worry about a thing. I’ll even deal with my father and allow you equal time with our child. But-” He snapped his fingers and a little red ring box appeared and Draco took a hold of it. “-If you decide to stay, it will be because you want to and not because you have to.” He handed her the box. “Open it.”

Angelina took a breath as she opened the box and her eyes laid upon a new wedding band and the 1.5ct Princess Cut diamond set in white gold. Angelina''s dream ring. “Draco, it’s beautiful.” She looked into Draco’s warming eyes.

“I’m offering you something real,” he told her. “So if you decide to stay- no more affairs, no more sleeping in separate bedrooms, no more-” He paused. “Okay, I can’t promise you no more arguments, but I promise less of them.” He smiled, but only for a moment. “I should let you know that. . . I can tell you Fred where is, if you want.”

“Fred?” she said, almost in a whisper, she had to admit, it had been awhile since she had thought about him, but the possibility of being with him again excited her. “Why tell me something like that?” she asked.

“Because I need to know where you stand, when it comes to us. I can offer you many things you know that, but if what you need is somewhere else out there in the world, take it and take it now.” He explained softly.

Angelina looked down as she seriously debated the matter at hand. Something real. This was not the illusion that she had convinced herself that it was. And then she realized that she had never thought about it before, because it was too much of a depressing thought then, but could she really see herself growing old. . . with Draco? Or should she just take him up on his offer and run while she still had the chance? Go and find Fred and finally have the happy ending she had always dreamed.

After much thought, Angelina nodded to herself and looked back at her husband. “Like I told you before, Draco.” And she slipped the rings onto her finger. “I don’t need the world.”

“Are you sure?” He didn’t want to get his hopes up too soon.

“Yes,” she replied with only a slight hesitation. Angelina then watched as Draco began to stare into the fireplace and his facial features harden. She watched as the reflection of the flames danced in his ice like eyes.

“Angelina?” His voice was serious as he continued to stare into the fire.

“Yes?” she asked shyly.

His gray eyes then stared pensively into hers. “Tulip, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to say. . .” Angelina felt his body become stiff as his breathing became labored. He stared at her for a long time, before he just put his head down and shook his head. As he tilted his head back up a small grin appeared across his face and he put his hand on her stomach. “What do you think of the name, Damien?”

“Damien?” She smiled politely and then arched an eyebrow. “What makes you so certain it’ll be a boy?”

The smile on Draco’s face faded. “Malfoys have always had a male as a firstborn.”

“Always? How is that possible?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he said softly. “And also, that firstborn is usually the only child.”

“Well,” Angelina wrapped her arms around Draco’s neck as she straddled him. She then kissed him before saying. “I think we may be able to do something about that one.”

A devilish look came over Draco’s features. “Yeah?” he asked, looking upat her as he rubbed her thighs.

“Yeah,” she confirmed, and kissed him again.

“Angelina?” he managed to say in between kisses.

“Hmm?”

“I’d die for you,” she barely heard him say. She then pulled away and looked into his fear ridden eyes; uncertainty plastered all over his face.

Angelina couldn’t do anything but stare at him for a moment. The significance of his words, stopped her breath in her throat, but then slowly a smile appeared on her lips as she deciphered his words, and she told him, “Likewise.”

Draco then laughed joyously in relief as he pulled Angelina closer and hugged her. He knew they were now embarking on something new, on something real, but no matter how happy he wanted to feel, he couldn’t ignore that nagging thought in the back of his mind asking, How long can this last?

 

 
 

 
Chapter Thirteen: The Attachment of Solum

Angelina was in the living room decorating a seven foot Christmas tree with the help of several of the House Elves. Grayson had bought in the tree the night before, knowing Angelina would want to put up Christmas decorations right away. Grayson was now sitting on the couch with Rosalina in his arms. “How old is she now?” he asked Angelina.

She smiled as Darcy handed her another ornament for the tree. “Well, she was born September fifth, so in four days she’ll be three months.”

“Master Malfoy really adores her, it’s quite surprising,” Grayson commented.

Angelina turned to him. “Why wouldn’t he adore his own daughter?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend.” His eyes were a bit wide as he shook his head. “It’s just my father was the Groundskeeper for Master Malfoy’s father, so I was there quite a lot. I was about ten years old when your husband was born, but I don’t recall any moment where I saw him being held by his father. That’s all I meant, Madam.”

Angelina focused her attention back on the tree. “Well, sometimes you just have to remember that Draco is not his father. He’s a kinder man than that.”

Then, as if on cue, they heard the front door open and loudly slam shut. “Tulip!” Draco yelled. “I need you in my study in five minutes!”

Grayson turned a skeptical eye towards Angelina. “Most of time anyway,” she said to him as she looked at the clock on the wall.

Draco quickly made it to his study where he began writing a letter just as quickly, but still remarkably neat. He had just sealed it and attached it to their family owl when Angelina lightly knocked on the door and stepped inside. Draco opened a window and the owl flew off.

“You wanted to see me?” she asked, as she closed and leaned on the door with her hand still on the knob.

She was surprised as he pounced on her and roughly claimed her lips with his own. His tongue was probing, searching, as if looking for something he wanted to find within her. Being caught off guard it took Angelina a moment before she responded. Her hands then went around his back and she started to pull his shirt out his pants. “Draco,” she breathed, as he moved from her lips, to her cheek, and down to her neck.

“Don''t speak,” he told her as he unbuttoned and then unzipped her pants. He didn''t like for her to speak during love making. . . it only brought up troublesome thoughts.

“Take them off,” he demanded, as he pulled away and undid his own pants. Within moments Draco had Angelina’s legs wrapped around his body. He carried her over to his desk where he pushed everything off of it before setting her down.

As he did this an unfamiliar scent came across Angelina’s nose. “Draco, what’s that smell?”

Draco, who had been nibbling on her neck, froze immediately at the question. “Nothing.” He then continued what he was doing.

“Draco you smell like perfume,” she said in a tiny voice.

With his hands planted firmly on the desk, Draco pulled away and looked into his wife’s eyes. “Are you accusing me of something?” His forehead creased as he asked, and Angelina shook her head. “Do you not want to make love to me?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what’s wrong?” He seemed annoyed.

“Nothing,” she said, and drew him back to her. Draco then violently penetrated Angelina''s body before she was ready to receive him. She bit her lip as she tired not to cry out at the pain coursing throughout her body.

Each rhythmic thrust was more painful then the last and Angelina soon felt her nails sinking into Draco’s back as they broke through the skin. Blood slowly began to immerse from the small crescent cuts. Draco had never been this rough or this forceful with her before; he had always been a, surprisingly, gentle lover. So Angelina knew something was wrong and that he was desperately trying to escape his pain by sharing it with her.

A few minutes later, a burst of ecstasy screamed throughout both of their bodies, and though their love making was finished, they stayed connected for a few moments more. Draco then gradually pulled away and Angelina could read the look of guilt and concern written on his face.

He then slowly slipped his fingers around Angelina’s neck and started to kiss away the tears Angelina didn’t know she had shed. He then proceeded to lick the blood off her lips. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” His voice was calm as he put his arms around her again.

Angelina rested her head on his shoulder. “Only a little,” she lied.

Draco sighed. “Come on.” He helped her off the desk and they walked over to the couch and they laid on it lengthwise. Their naked bodies melted into one another. “Tulip, I know I don’t really say it, but you know that I- that I um-”

“It''s okay, baby, I know,” Angelina didn''t have to hear those words to know she was loved by her husband.

“Tulip, I''m going to have to send you and Rose away.”

Angelina’s head snapped up. “What? Why?”

“I messed up today, baby. I messed up bad and I don’t know if it’s all going to work out.”

“Tell me what happened.”

Draco closed his eyes. “I can’t really get into it and you know why.”

“Yes. The less I know, the safer I am. You’ve been pedaling that crap since I found out you''re not loyal to the Dark Lord. So do what needs to be done, Draco, but I’m telling you, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Don’t fight me on this, Tulip.”

“Why not?” She rested her head back on his chest. “A wife’s place is by her husband’s side.”

“Yes, but not in battle.” He tightened his hold around her. “Tulip, understand that I have no doubts in your abilities, but I can not lose you or Rose. I will not lose my family. So you’re leaving England and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You hear me?”

“Yes,” Angelina knew better than to argue anymore about the matter. “So when are we leaving?”

“As soon as I get confirmation on the arrangements.”

“Draco?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m scared.”

“I know, baby, I know.”

War may have been approaching sooner than Draco had expected, and it was his fault. He had let Her break him down. Then there was the fact that he didn’t know how long he had until everything came to the surface, or how long he had until she would come after him or worse, his family. Draco then held Angelina painfully tight, but he knew she would not complain. He closed his eyes as he thought about what occurred only a few hours ago.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

After being summoned Draco Apparated into the Dark Lord’s castle and made his way down the stone halls to the thrown room. “Hello, Malfoy,” came a woman’s voice out of the darkness. Draco turned around to face her and bowed his head. “Lady Dark Lord.”

“Now, now, Draco. How many times must I ask you to call me Ginny?” She approached him and lifted his bowed head.

Draco looked into her piercing hazel eyes. “Ginny, I’ve been summoned. I-”

“You’ve been summon by me.”

Draco looked confused. He didn’t know she had that power.She had never used it before, but then again, it was she that Voldemort trusted the most.

Ginevra Weasley: you could describe her as sweet, kind, and innocence, but you would all be wrong. Ginny, as she was known, had pledged her allegiance to the Dark Lord when she was merely a child of eleven years old. But of course, when she met him, he went by the name of Tom Riddle. Riddle told her of a world where he would one day be King, and if she vowed to stand by him through all of her days, then she would be his Queen.

Ginny had grown up the last of seven children, and though she knew her parents loved her, there was never any time for her. So when she found the diary of Riddle and was showered with his attention, she knew there was no way she could ever go back to a life of being ignored.

So Ginny bought her time and she played her part, until the day she knew she could be back with her beloved Riddle. So they faked her death, and though she was greatly sadden by her brothers’ deaths, she would not let it defer her from taking her rightful place as Queen, her rightful place as Lady Dark Lord.

“It’s been months since you have come to see me. If I didn’t know better I would think you were trying to avoid me.” She smiled seductively, placing her hand on his chest and standing on her toes to give him a kiss on his chin.

“Lady-”

“Ginny,” she spat angrily, before her doll-like smile reappeared on her face.

“Ginny.” Draco removed her hand from his chest and took a small step back. “I haven’t been avoiding you. It’s just. . . my wife and I are finally seeing eye to eye and I promised her no more affairs.”

“Well then, you shouldn’t have made promises you knew you couldn’t keep.” Ginny wrapped her free arm around Draco. “Now follow me to my bedchamber.” She released him and started down the hall when she realized, she only heard her own footsteps. She turned her head slightly with her back still towards him. “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like to see me angry.” She soon heard his footstep behind her and she continued on her way.

Ginny entered her bedchamber and with the flick of her wrist the room lit as if the sun had risen. She then heard a thump from behind her and turned around to see Draco on his butt outside her door. A look of confusion came across her face as Draco stood up and put his arm out, he couldn’t cross into her bedroom.

“That’s funny,” Ginny gathered as she walked back towards the door. “This ward only comes up if someone wishes to harm someone in this room.” She looked dangerously at Draco.

Draco laughed and a brash smile came across his face. “What can I say? You did always like it rough.”

Ginny’s smile returned as she relaxed at his comment. “Now that sounds more like my lovable boy toy.” She raised her hands and traced the invisible wall that stood between her and Draco with her elegantly long fingers and whispered a chant he did not recognize. Ginny had long ago learned wandless magic and had become a very powerful witch in her time with Voldemort. “Try it now,” she said after a minute.

Draco was now able to enter the room. Ginny took his hand and lead him to the bed.

“Be gentle with me now,” she teased.

About two hours later, Draco sat up next to a sleeping Ginny. With his face in one of his hands, he took a deep breath and wondered why he could never resist this red headed woman next to him. Sure, she was powerful and maybe getting one up on Voldemort wasn’t too bad either, but all he could think was: I promised her no more affairs.

Then as Draco sat there he realized that no one knew that he was here. I could kill her in her sleep, he thought, who would know? Draco slowly leaned over the edge of the bed and reached for his cloak, which had been discarded on the floor, and reached for his wand inside of it. He turned to Ginny and placed a gentle kiss on her temple and then pointed his wand towards her. “Avada Keda-”

All of sudden, Ginny’s eyes snapped opened and Draco’s wand flew out of his hand and landed clear across the room. Ginny growled and bared her teeth. “You insolent fool!” She rose her hand and Draco flew out of the bed and hit the wall with impeccable force and there he stayed, glued against the wall. “How dare you attack your Queen!” She levitated out of the bed and a sheet wrapped itself around her body. Her feet then gently landed upon the floor. “Answer me!” she demanded as she marched towards him.

Draco felt as if a stone, the weight of a ton, was sitting upon his chest. “frack you!” his voice was forced, for it was hard to breathe. Ginny placed her hand on Draco’s chest, right above his heart and a rush of pain poured throughout his body, from his head all the way down to his toes. He gritted his teeth, but soon yelled out in pain.

“Ah, music to my ears.” Ginny then pulled her hand away and the screaming ceased. Draco breathed heavily trying to catch his breath. “Why do you wish to harm me? And do you wish to harm my Dark Lord?” Draco still did not answer. “Fine, I’ll do it myself then.” She placed her hands on either side on this face looking into his cold gray eyes. “Tell me your secrets.”

Draco felt a tingling in his throat, words were beginning to rise, he fought them back, but with no success. “I plan to destroy you, you and your Dark Lord.”

“Why, when your family has been loyal to us for years?”

“Because I am sick and tired of following the Dark Lord’s orders. People have feared him far too long, but soon that won’t be a problem. It is time for the Malfoy line to rise above the ranks and take their rightful place, which has been foreseen long before Voldemort existed. I will one day -and one day soon- reign over, not only the Wizarding world, but the Muggle world alike. It will be my name that you fear and I will be a God and my wife. . . a Goddess.”

Draco smiled evilly. “Those who stand with me, think I want to see you go down because of what you represent, and as long as I play my part, people will fight and die, not knowing that each life that they take from Voldemort’s army gets me one step closer to ruling over them all.”

Ginny only laughed. “Quite ambitious, Malfoy. Too bad you’ll never see that happen, because when I''m done with you, you''ll be ready to go six feet under. Then I''ll finish the job by taking out your disloyal family.”

“Fine. Do what you will to me, but if you dare go after my wife and child, I will haunt you from the grave until the day you die.”

A smile that sent chills down Draco''s spine came across Ginny’s face. “You please me Malfoy, so let’s make a deal and I''ll spare your meaningless life.”

“Deal?”

“Yes. Now tell me, your child- boy or girl?”

“Girl.”

“Age?”

“Almost three months.”

“I want her-”

“Never!” Draco yelled furiously.

“You didn’t let me finish!” she spat and then shook her red hair out of face. “I want the child or your wife’s life. Give me one or my Dark Lord will know of your disloyalty.”

“You can’t ask me to choose something like that.”

“I can do whatever I want. So choose, who do you love more?” she asked.

With Draco still under the truth spell, he had no choice but to answer truthfully. He closed his eyes and whispered his answer.

“Huh?” Ginny was confused and asked her question again. And again, Draco repeated his answer just as soft.

“Well, it doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. “Bring me the child or I’ll kill your wife. It’s as simply as that.” Ginny then released him and he dropped to the floor like a bag of rocks. He put his hand over his heart and slumped over. “Get dressed and get out.” She flopped back onto her bed casually and watched Draco dress with lustful eyes. “Next time I summon you, that is when you will bring the child.”

“Whatever, Ginny.” He didn’t make eye contact.

“You no longer have the privilege of calling me Ginny. Now get out of sight.”

Draco started towards the door, but stopped and turned back around with a sexy smirk on his face. “Lady Dark Lord, would it be to much to ask for a kiss before I go?”

Ginny looked at him strangely, but then genuinely smiled at him. “You''re an arse, Malfoy, but you never could resist me, could you?”

“You know I couldn’t.” His eyes racked her body.

“Alright, but discard your wand to the floor. I don’t want any surprises.” Draco did as he was told. Ginny got out of bed and strode towards him. “Let’s make this good, huh? It just may be your last.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Ginny stood before him and coiled her arms around his back. Draco wrapped his arms her and kissed her passionately. His arms then felt up her back and he placed his hands on either side of her face. He then tilted his head up as he heard Ginny gasp.

He then looked down upon the pained expression on her face. “I may be an @$$, but at least I''m not a stupid dog.” Draco’s eyes were colder than any winter’s night. “I''m a Malfoy, did you really believe my line was not capable of wandless magic?”

“Draco.” Her voice was shrilled and panicked as she was unable to move.

“No one threatens my family.” His voice seeped with hatred, but then his eyes soften and he leaned down and kissed Ginny’s forehead tenderly. “I’m truly sorry it had to end this way.” Ginny’s eyes were filled with fear as she frantically searched his. “Good night, sweet Ginny. Avada Kedavra.” A green light glowed around his hands.

Ginny’s eyes soon closed and her lifeless body dropped to the floor. Then Draco surprisingly heard this gut-wrenching, ear-piercing scream from a man echoing throughout the castle. “The Attachment of Solum? Impossible.” Draco eyes grew wide and he quickly picked up his wand off the floor.

The Attachment of Solum was one of the oldest and most powerful of enchantments. It was the closest thing to immortality that one could achieve, which was probably why some people would find it alluring, but many would not have the guts to use it because in time it caused severe insanity. T.A.S. which it was commonly known as, was a spell that bound two souls who dearly loved each other, together for life, which meant to kill one, you had to kill both within a certain time period. The knowledge of that time period had been lost along the ages.

“Just my luck,” Draco whispered to himself. He knew that Voldemort must have been able to sense Ginny’s pain and he and the in-house Death Eaters would be coming to investigate. Ginny would awaken from her death and be able to tell him whom had betrayed them.

Draco had to think quickly. He was no good at memory charms -they had always been a bit lacking- but he had to give it a try. “To the Queen’s bedchamber!” Draco heard Voldemort roar.

Draco pointed his wand towards Ginny. “Obliviate!” She would have no memory of this incident, but then again, her memory would one day come back. It could be as long as ten years from now or even as soon as a few weeks.

Draco then heard the approaching steps of Voldemort and his small army of men, so he Apparated, and not a moment too soon, because as soon as he left, Voldemort entered the door. He was 5’10” with jet black hair and emerald green eyes. He looked as if he was only twenty-three years old, but then again, that was how old his body was.

The first time Voldemort tried to take over Harry’s body, he could not, because he was filled with a love that Voldemort could not understand. But then Ginny came back to him, and she loved him in a way that no one had ever loved him in his life. So when Harry was defeated during the Final Battle, Voldemort had no problem occupying his body as if it were his own.

Voldemort stopped cold in his tracks when he saw his beloved Ginny on the floor. “Fan out.Find the person who did this and you will be greatly rewarded. Go now!”

When the men were gone, Voldemort dropped to his knees beside Ginny and gathered her in his arms. “Come now love, wake for me.” His voice was calm and gentle.

“Beloved?” Ginny’s voice was tiny and weak.

“Yes, my Queen, I am here. Tell me, who has come and disrespected us and our own home?”

“It was. . .” She concentrated hard. “It was. . .” She sighed in disappointment. “My King, forgive me, for I can not remember.”

“It’s alright,” he told her, as he tenderly held her in his arms and embraced her. “Have no fear my Queen. I will find the one who did this and their punishment will be so great that they will pray for death.” Voldemort’s eyes were a blazed with fire.

“Tom?” Ginny pulled away and her innocent like smile crept onto her lips.

“Yes?”

“When that time comes," her eyes sparkled. "May I watch?”

Voldemort laughed a deep and hardy laugh. “Of course, my love. Of course.”

 
Chapter Fourteen: The Meaning of Life

Draco was out for the day, leaving Angelina at home with the baby. Rosalina was sleeping soundly in her playpen while Angelina was under the tree, like a child, shaking a present and wondering what was inside.

There soon came a knock at the door and Angelina went to open it. Whom she saw was someone she had not seen in months. “Hello, Lucius.” She stood in front of the door way.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked in his aristocratic voice.

Wasn’t thinking about it, Angelina thought. “Of course, come in.” She stepped out of the way.

Lucius looked around as he took off his scarf and gloves then handed them to Angelina to hang up as if she were a servant girl. “Where is my boy?”

“He’s out for the day,” she said. “I’ll tell him you came by.” She was about to hand him back his things.

“No need, I’ll wait.” He made his way to the living room where he caught a glimpse of the playpen and walked towards it. He then looked upon Rosalina who was beginning to wake. Lucius shook his head. “I should have chosen for him. Parkinson would have given him an heir.”

Angelina stepped passed Lucius and picked up her child. “I have given your son a strong, healthy daughter.” She was offended by his comment. “And I would appreciate it if every time I saw you, you didn’t mention Parkinson, or Moon, or whatever her damn name is now. If you disapprove so much of his decision, then maybe I shouldn’t I have been a choice.”

“In my research, it never occurred to me that-” he paused. “You’ll break his heart you know,” Lucius said out of nowhere.

“Excuse me?”

“No matter how much you think you love him, you will eventually leave him and break not only his heart, but his spirit,” he said matter-of-factly.

Angelina was not pleased that Lucius had come into her home and had started criticizing her. “You are very well entitled to your opinions, but just so you know, I don’t plan of leaving Draco.”

“Of course not.” Angelina watched as Lucius’ bored silver eyes, which looked so much like her husband’s, racked her standing form. “Are you hungry?” he suddenly asked.

Angelina looked at him oddly. “Actually, I was about to make lunch before you came.” Then without thinking she asked, “Would you like to join me?”

A small smile rested on Lucius’ lips. “You are far too kind for this family, Angelina.”

“Thank you,” she smiled.

He shook his head. “It wasn’t a compliment. Now gather you and the child’s things. We’re going out for lunch.”

“I think not. I don’t want Draco to come home and wonder where we are.”

Lucius gave a soft chuckle. “That would be a first, you doing something my son actually told you to do. Besides, my boy will do fine without his family for a few hours, trust me.”

Angelina honestly didn’t want to go, but she had to admit, she was still very young and longed for the father figure she once had. Angelina’s parents had died on a trip to South America several years ago while visiting her sick aunt. In her years with Draco she had learn to deal with lost, especially after Montague, so when the news came of her parents, she was frightened with herself, because all she could manage were a few tears.

Besides, Angelina no longer wanted to have the strain relationship she had with Lucius. She didn’t like disliking him, though he had given her plenty of reason to. So maybe going to lunch was the opportunity that they needed. “Fine,” she answered. “I’ll get Rosalina’s things.” She then went to put Rosalina back in the playpen.

“I’ll hold her,” Lucius told her. It took Angelina by surprise and she was hesitant, but she smiled and handed her daughter over. Lucius was a bit awkward with her at first, holding her out at arms length.

“No, no, you have to hold her closer and support her head.” Angelina could plainly see that he had never held a baby in his life.

“Like this?” Lucius cradled his granddaughter in his arms. Angelina nodded as she took a step back, noting she had never seen Lucius look so angelic. The thought frighten her.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ginny was walking towards her beloved’s bedchamber to wait for him; as she walked, she hummed a nameless tune while smiling happily eating a bright red apple. Her hair and apple seemed to be the only spark of color around her in the dark, shadowy castle.

All of a sudden, the half eaten apple fell from Ginny’s hand. I plan to destroy you, you and your Dark Lord. Ginny swiftly turned around to see where the distorted voice was coming from, but saw no one. “What in the world?” she spoke to herself as her eyes darted around suspiciously, but knew she was perfectly safe within the castle, so she shrugged it off and continued on her way.

But as she entered the bedchamber, she put her hand to her head; it was pounding painfully. I will one day and one day soon, reign over not only the Wizarding world, but the Muggle world alike. It will be my name that you fear. . . “Those eyes,” she whispered to herself and then gasped. “Malfoy.”

She then broke into a run down the hall towards her beloved’s meeting room, which you could not Apparate in or out of it. She pushed the door opened and panting heavily yelled, “It was Malfoy!”

Voldemort stood up from the head of the table he was sitting at with a small group of his Death Eaters. “My Lady, what do you mean?”

“Malfoy came into our home and attacked me. No one but their line has those cold silver eyes.”

“I knew Lucius Malfoy could not be trusted. He has always been too hungry for power.” He looked to his Death Eaters he was meeting with that week. “I want him found, but bring him to me alive. I will see to his demise myself.” He could see Ginny’s bright smile from the corner of his eye.

He then saw one of his Death Eaters lower his mask. “My Lord-” Draco began, but Voldemort held out his hand and Draco fell silent.

“I understand your situation. He is your father, but this is not the first time he has gone against me. Foolishly I forgave him before, because he is the best, but there will be no forgiveness for attacking my Queen,” he paused. “Fear not, your father’s betrayal will have no bearing on you or those who follow you in your line.” Draco merely bowed his head. “Go now and remember, I want him alive.”

Draco stood up and followed his fellow Death Eaters out of the room. As soon as it was clear, he apparated outside his home and walked through the doors. “Tulip!” he yelled. “I need you!” He ran up the stairs into the bedroom. Then with a swish of his wand clothes flew around the room folding and placing themselves into a suitcase. He cursed at himself for not sending them away the day he had gotten confirmation. He had been selfish wanting his family close to him.

Draco knew it would not be long before Ginny’s memory became clear and she had a face to go along with those silver eyes. He also knew that Voldemort automatically thought that the act of betrayal was done by Malfoy Sr. because of past history. Besides, if he did think it was Draco, he would have thought Draco smart enough not to come back after committing such a high crime. Therefore, in Voldemort’s mind, it could have only been Lucius.

“Tulip!” Draco yelled again when he realized she was not on her way. He then started down the staircase in search of his non-compliant wife. He stepped into the living room where he saw a house elf cleaning up Rosalina’s toys off the floor. “You,” he called. “Where is my wife?”

“Madam went out to lunch, Master,” said the timid elf.

“With Grayson?” Which Draco found odd.

“No Master, your father,” the House Elf informed him.

Draco’s shoulders fell. “Where did they go?”

“Naru does not know, sir,” he answered.

Draco growled angrily before heading out the door in his search of his family. He would not have them pay for his crimes, not even his father.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“You seem tired,” Lucius remarked as he and Angelina took their seats at Lucius’ favorite restaurant. Amazing enough to Angelina, it was a Muggle restaurant on the far side of town. She had wondered before why they had taken the Towncar.

Angelina gently set Rosalina’s carrying seat on the chair as she smiled. “I’m fine, really. It’s just the new baby and all.”

Lucius picked up his menu and set it in front of himself. “You haven’t told him, have you?”

“What do you mean?” Angelina asked him.

“You’re still very ill, Angelina, and you have been so for over a year now. One may not be able to tell by looking at you -you see to that well- but you cannot hide the weariness in your voice. It doesn’t go away,” he spoke from behind his menu.

“The doctors say I’m fine,” she told him. “I’m perfectly healthy.” Angelina didn’t like discussing her health, especially when she thought she was doing a good job of hiding it.

“What do Healers know?” he asked stressing the word ''Healer'' as he laid down his menu. She had lived in the Muggle world far too long, using their terminology annoyed him. “Do you know why you’re ill, Angelina?” She said nothing. “It’s not because you''re not strong. You are, that''s why I chose you. But it seems you are not strong enough to endure my son. You see, Draco is like quicksand. He engulfs your entire being, bring you down into him, unaware that he’s drowning you, and the more you struggle the more he pulls. Face it, you’re sinking and no one is going to be able to pull you out.” He licked his lips. “So I’ll tell you what-”

“Stop right there,” Angelina interrupted him and he looked put out. “Whatever you’re going to say, whatever you’re going to offer, save it because I don’t want to hear it. I love your son, that is the honest truth, and no matter what you believe, I have, can, and will endure,” Angelina explained calmly. “Now please, a change of subject.”

“I’m not done yet,” he told her. “There’s also one other. . . variable to your illness.”

Angelina narrowed her eyes and studied his face closely; she then felt her stomach drop. “You know, don’t you?” she asked.

Lucius smiled. “You mean about your. . . how do I put it delicately? Your ‘complication’ when you were younger?”

“How do know about that?” she whispered. “Nobody knew, nobody but. . .” she took an unsteady breath.

“Don’t worry yourself, child, it’s not good for you. Besides, I know what lengths you went through to keep it all quiet. It was quite impressive, even if I do say so myself.”

“Are you trying to blackmail me?” she inquired angrily. “Because know, if I have to, I’ll tell Draco myself. I won’t let you hang this over my head.”

“Do you really think he’ll want to keep you then?” His question, made Angelina look down at her daughter as she realized she didn’t have the answer. “I know what you have promised him and you know very well you can’t deliver. And because of your lies he thinks he can break the curse.” Lucius stated as he signaled the waiter over.

“Curse? What curse?” Lucius’ statement had rattled her a bit.

“Yes, I will have the shrimp and crab pasta along with the veal. The lady will have the same. We’ll also have that with a bottle of white wine,” Lucius ignored Angelina’s question. “And for the appetizer we will have the calamari,” but then continued as if never interrupted as he shooed the waiter. “And because he thinks he can, he has given you everything right down to his very soul and that has left him vulnerable.”

“Are you telling me, I''m Draco''s weakness?”

Lucius made eye contact. “Yes,” and then looked down at his grandchild. “And her, of course.”

“Well, then you’re wrong. Your son’s love for me, for his family, which includes you, isn''t a weakness, but a strength,” Angelina said, not for Lucius, but for herself.

Lucius smirked. “Must be blissful to be that naive.”

Angelina sighed in agitation. Maybe lunch with Lucius wasn’t a good idea. “Excuse me, will you?” She rose from her seat and headed towards the restroom.

Lucius turned Rosalina towards him and chuckled. “You’re not what I expected,” he told her. “But you will do. . . for now.” The waiter then appeared by Lucius’ side and placed the bottle of chilled white wine on the table. When the waiter was gone, Lucius poured himself and Angelina a glass.

He then checked to make sure Angelina was not coming back. He snapped his fingers below the table and a vial was soon in his hand. “The doctors say I’m fine. I’m perfectly healthy,” Lucius said to himself with a smile and then looked to Rosalina as he poured a portion of the vial’s content into Angelina’s glass. “First lesson, child: if you want something done right, never rely on your father to do it.”

He closed the bottle. “Half a vial, once a year, so not to be detected by any known charm.” He then sighed. “I fear, either way this goes, it will not turn out well.” He confided in Rosalina as he looked at her. “You, your mother’s ghost child,” he shook his head as he looked at the vial in his hand. “It’s only a matter of time.”

With the vial being small, it was easy for Lucius to slip it into his pocket as he saw Angelina approach the table and sit down. He then picked up his glass of wine and sipped it with a satisfied expression on his face as he watched Angelina drank her own.

They continued to speak and disagree as they waited for their food. When it did arrived Angelina found herself on her third glass of wine. "Quite a drinker, aren''t we?" Lucius commented.

She smiled. "Just trying to suppress my urge to stab you with my fork."

"Then by all means," he filled her glass, "have another." The waiter then walked away, but not without thinking the pair dysfunctional.

A few minutes later, Draco came through the doors of the restaurant. “Excuse me, sir, do you have a reservation?” asked the host behind the podium.

“Get out of my way.” Draco shoved the host to the floor when he spotted his father and Angelina across the restaurant.

“Draco.” Angelina looked up from her meal, which she had barely touched, as she saw her husband approach.

“Hello, son,” Lucius drawled.

“Angelina, take Rose and go home now,” he demanded loudly. People were starting to look at the young man that had pushed his way in. “You know where to go. Don’t wait for me. The Portkey is in the dresser.”

“Draco surely you don’t mean-”

“Yes, now go.” Angelina gathered her daughter and started to walk out of the restaurant. “Damn woman, what are you doing? I meant right now.”

“Draco,” she looked around; she was already being stared at. “Do you see where we are?”

“I. Don’t. Care. Home now!” he growled.

Angelina huffed loudly and then Apparated. “My God, did you see that?” yelled some man.

“Check please,” said a woman.

“Father,” Draco turned to Lucius. “The Dark Lord thinks you have attacked Gin- the Queen. He has sent a group after you. We have to put you in hiding.”

“Nonsense boy. I have done no such thing.”

“I know,” Draco cast his eyes away, “because it was me.”

“You attacked the Queen and she’s still alive?” Lucius was astonished. “Can you do nothing right?” He stood and scowled. But had time to say no more as they heard a scream and the sound of shattering dishes. Death Eaters seem to emerge from every corner of the restaurant.

Draco and Lucius pulled out their wands and stood back to back in a defense position. “Only twelve of them?” Lucius asked. “Hardly seems fair.”

“For us?”

“No boy, for them.” Draco couldn’t help but smile at his father’s cockiness. He then noticed the muggles exiting the building.

“Step down, Draco,” said one of the Death Eaters. “We are only here to retrieve your father.”

Draco shook his head. “Sorry, can’t allow you to do that.”

“Step down now or be known as a traitor,” the Death Eater continued.

“Then so be it,” Draco said with narrowed eyes and swung this wand toward the man. “Avada Kedavra!”

At the murder of their fellow Death Eater, the others readied their wands, but it was already too late, because if they were going to go after a pair of Malfoys their attacks should have been twice as powerful and three times the speed of light.

So by the time their wands were pointed towards the Malfoys, only four of them remained. “Maxima Expelliarmus!” yelled one quickly and both Lucius and Draco''s wands went flying out of their hands. “Let’s see what you can do without your wands!” He spat.

Lucius and his son simultaneously pulled out a dagger from their holster located above the boots that they wore. “Always liked the sight of blood.” Lucius’ eyes sparkled with delight. He then took off with a cheetah like speed and slit the throat of the closest Death Eater, spattering blood as he did so. As he was doing that, Draco threw his blade at the one aiming his wand towards his father.

“My hand!” The blade was protruding out of it.

Draco made his way towards him and yanked it out unforgivingly. “I’ll see you in hell.” He then stabbed the man in the chest with more force than necessary.

“Stupefy!” Draco heard behind him, but it wasn’t his father’s voice. He whipped his head around to see that his father had been seized by the remaining two men. “Drop it, Malfoy.”

“You won’t kill him,” Draco stated, his blade still firmly in hand. “You have orders.”

“Yes, but we can always say there was an ‘accident’ trying to bring him in.” The other Death Eater catching the hint, pointed his wand towards Lucius. Draco sighed and dropped the soiled blade to the ground. “And since you are a traitor to our Dark Lord, killing you will bring us an even greater reward.” Draco could sense that the man was smiling underneath his mask as he aimed his wand towards Draco’s chest.

Draco’s brow furrowed as a dark figure slid behind where his father was being held. “Avada Kedavra!” came the spell and Draco immediately dropped to one knee, grabbed his blade, and threw it into the heart of the Death Eater aiming his wand towards his father. He then watched as both men crumbled to the floor.

“I thought I told you to stay home!” Draco yelled at Angelina as he walked over, pulled his dagger out of the man, wiped it on the his robe, and placed it back into its holster. Angelina stood, with her hand over her mouth, over the fallen man she had just attacked. Draco’s anger slipped away as he saw the horrid look on his wife’s face. He realized it was the first time she had ever killed anyone. “It’s okay, Tulip.” He pulled her into his arms and comforted her. “You did well. You did very well.”

 
Chapter Fifteen: The Fire: Spark
(Before being Ignited there is always and foremost the Spark)

Draco had driven his stupefied father and his too-calm-for-comfort wife home. He had gotten out of his blood-splattered clothes and then watched as his father was starting to stir from the spell in the living room. Grayson soon came in carrying a smiling Rosalina and handed her over to her father before leaving for his cabin. Angelina was nowhere to be seen; she was in the downstairs bathroom being violently sick.

Lucius started to stretch his body as the last of the spell finally wore off. "She’s still very disobedient I see."

"Father, not now I don’t want to hear it." A House Elf handed him a warm bottle and he fed Rosalina. "Because if it weren’t for her, we both may be dead right now."

"Yes, but maybe she would not of had to do anything, if you weren’t a screw up!" Lucius yelled. "If you’re going to kill someone, do it right!"

"They had T.A.S. father, what could I have done?"

Lucius looked surprised. "The Attachment of Solum?"

"Yes. Believe me, she would have been dead otherwise."

Lucius shook his head as he took a seat on the couch. "Alright, fine. And I’m not even going to ask how she had mistaken you for me."

"Bad memory charm," he confessed quietly.

"Did you learn anything in school?" Lucius asked and then mumbled something that Draco couldn’t quite hear.

"I’m sorry if school wasn’t the only thing on my mind," he replied. Rose was starting to fuss in his arms. "You wanted me to take The Mark, though we weren’t even loyal to the Dark Lord. You wanted me to take a wife and Pansy was surely out of the question. She only wanted to be with me because of who I was and what that would mean for the status of her family. That and her family was too loyal to the Dark Lord. So then, by my last year I was engaged, before the holiday break, to a girl I barely knew. Plus I was preparing for a war I really didn''t want to fight," his voice had been rising throughout the ordeal. "So I’m sorry, that a stupid memory charm, was the least of my worries!"

"Draco!" Angelina yelled. "What the hell is going on?" She walked over to him and took her crying baby who was reaching out for her.

"Nothing!" He allowed Rosalina to be taken out of his arms. "Look we only have a few hours, tops, before the Dark Lord realizes that his Death Eaters aren’t coming back," he told her. "I already have you and Rose’s bags pack. Rest for a little while, but then I need you to go to the address I told you to go to."

"Fine."

Draco looked to his father and started to say something before being cut off. "Don’t worry, boy, I can take care of myself."

Draco nodded and then made his way upstairs where he collapsed on his bed. "Why can’t this be easy?"

"Because then you wouldn’t learn anything." Draco looked up and saw Angelina walk into the room.

He sat up and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her legs and resting his head against her chest. "I’d die for you."

Angelina ran her finger through his almost shoulder length hair. "Why do you always say that?"

"Because I would."

"But what if I don’t want you to die for me?"

"What do you mean?" He looked up at her.

Angelina slid down to her knees in front of him. "What I mean is, I''m not asking you to die for me, because that was never the question. The real question is: will you live for me Draco?" She held him close. "When I killed that man earlier, I wasn’t upset because he had died at my hands, but because I could have lost you today. I just keep on thinking, what if I had come too late? What if you were killed today? What if. . ." her voice trailed off. "Draco," she cried softly.

"It’s okay baby," he kissed the top of her head, "it’s all going to be okay." Angelina began to sob loudly realizing it had been a long time since she had just completely broken down.

Draco had seen tears run down her face before, but he had never had to deal with the sound of her crying. And though the sound made his heart ache, deep down within him, he was happy, because he knew he had something, that none of the men in his family had before him, a wife that cried for him and not because of him. After a few minutes Angelina was able to calm herself down. "You must think me foolish," she said as she wiped away the last of her tears.

"Of course I don’t." He pulled her up to him and had her lay down on the bed. Propping himself on his side he took his free hand and caressed her damp face. "You are so beautiful."

Angelina’s smile was small. "I don’t think you’ve ever said that to me before." She took his hand and held it close to her chest as she started to massage it.

Draco appreciated the gesture, his hand was quite sore, it had been awhile since he had thrown his dagger with such intensity. "No need in stating the obvious," he replied.

"Doesn’t mean it’s not nice to hear," she said as she concentrated on his hand.

"You’re right," he agreed as he slowly slipped his hand out of hers.

"What?" She looked at him thinking maybe she wasn’t doing a good job. She then noticed that familiar look in his eyes, deep and pensive, as if debating something, just like the night he had given her, her new wedding rings.

"Nothing," he then sat up and after a moment said. "Tulip, when this is all over, I want to have more children. I want to have a big family, one full of love, like I didn’t have."

Angelina frowned and then sat up. "Aren’t you happy with what we have?" she asked.

He turned to her and smiled. "I am, very. I just want to share that. Don’t you?"

She rested her head on his shoulder. "Yeah."

"Besides, we still must produce a male heir."

Angelina scoffed quietly to herself and whispered, "Of course."

"You should rest now, I’ll wake you later." He went to kiss her forehead, but she pulled away before giving him the chance. He gave her an odd look as she reached for her pillow and rested her head, but said nothing. He shook his head and told himself it didn’t mean anything as he leaned over, kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, before leaving the room. "Sleep well, my flower."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Tulip," Angelina heard the voice of Draco trying to wake her. "Tulip, wake up." He shook her with one hand.

"What?" She opened her eyes and sat up. Draco was holding Rosalina. He had her bundled up in her winter clothing and a thick coat. He had placed her and his wife’s things on the bed next to Angelina while she was sleeping.

"It’s time for you and Rose to go. Are you ready?" Draco asked her.

"No, not really." She stood up, feeling a little lightheaded, but showed no signs. "Where exactly are you sending us?"

"Just go to the address. You’ll be in good hands."

"Where’s your father?"

"Gone." He then sung to his daughter as he waited for Angelina to prepare herself to go. When she was ready, Draco kissed Rosalina and handed her over. He then placed both of his hands on either side on Angelina’s face. "Tell me you love me."

"I love you." She didn’t make eye contact, but Draco was a little too distracted to notice.

"Good." He then walked away from her. "You remember the address right?" He opened a dresser drawer.

"Yes, you made me memorize it." She walked over to him to see him pulling out what looked like a music box. "Is that the Portkey?" she asked.

Draco nodded his head. "Be careful okay? And hold Rosalina close, the feeling of going through a Portkey isn’t pleasant." Angelina nodded and allowed herself to be kissed. "I’ll come and check on you as soon as I can." She nodded again, the gentleness in his voice stirred something in her and she found herself fighting back tears. That’s when she noticed Draco’s own face. "Go, now." He turned away from her, hoping she had not caught his falling tear. When he turned back around they were gone. He wrapped his arms around himself and then for the second time in his life, he prayed for his family.

Angelina soon arrived in a rural area out of a Portkey she couldn’t quite manage to see under the snow. With her and her daughter’s things floating low towards the ground behind her, she headed, as she was told, to the address Draco had made her memorize.

She could see that it was a one floor tan house as she approached it. The house was also covered in snow and decorated for the holidays. She knocked on the door urgently as Rosalina was starting to cry in her arms. And as the door opened she couldn’t believe who she saw. She would have been sure that of all the people on Draco''s list that he could have sent her to, he would have been one of the last.

As their eyes met, he pushed his vibrant red hair out of his face. Angelina smiled as she stared into his calm, ocean deep, blue orbs. She meant to say ‘hi’ but what she said was, "You still have the most beautiful blue eyes."

"Hello, Angelina," he spoke.

"Hello, Percival." And he allowed her to come into his home. Percy, like all of his siblings, shared in having bright red hair, but when it came to eyes, Percy stood alone. Because while the others either had eyes that looked between brown and hazel like their father''s, Percy took after their mother and inherited a pair of forget-me-not blue.

Percy was actually the first Weasley that Angelina hadmet when she boarded the train to Hogwarts for her first year. She had beenwalking down the aisle looking for a compartment that wasn’t full when she spotted one that only had one boy inside. "Hi. Do you mind if I sit with you? The others seem to be full."

"No, I don’t mind, come on in." He told her as he looked up from his book. "I’m Percy Weasley," he said proudly as he offered his hand.

She took it and they shook hands. "Your eyes are really pretty." Percy chuckled as he blushed. Angelina’s eyes grew wide. "Did I say that out loud?"

Percy shook his head. "I’m afraid you did Ms. . . I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name."

"Maybe because I didn''t throw it," she replied. "It’s Angelina. Angelina Johnson." She took a seat across from him and stared out the window for a while before she spoke again. "Are you not well liked?"

"Excuse me?" He looked at her quizzically.

"Well, there must be a reason you were sitting alone?" she said quite rudely.

"I don’t think that’s any of your business." He went back to his book.

"Is it because you’re an only child? Like me," she asked.

"Ha! I wish." He laughed. "I have two older brothers, three younger brothers, and a younger sister."

"Wow, that’s a lot of people. You’re house must really be fun."

"Fun isn’t how I would describe it. More like chaos, if you will." He put his book aside and took off his glasses. "So what’s it like to be an only child?"

Angelina shrugged. "It’s okay, I guess." Her eyes then snapped up. "Want to play some cards?" she asked excitedly.

"Sure."

Angelina reached for her bag. "They’re the muggle kind, is that okay?"

Percy smiled and nodded. "Should we play on the floor?"

And so the two young students played and talked all the way to Hogwarts. "Your siblings sound like very interesting people." Angelina stated as they headed off the train. "Especially those twins."

"Oh, don’t worry, you’ll meet them soon enough. Did I forget to mention they’re in the same year as you?"

"Oh yeah, now I’m excited," she stated sarcastically and Percy laughed. "Are we friends?" she suddenly asked him. Percy looked at her strangely; he had never been asked that question before. "I mean, I don’t have a lot of them and. . ." She was unable to finish as a crowd of students pushed through them separating them from each other.

She wasn’t able to find him outside as all the first years were being called by a giant of a man. She soon found herself, along with the other first years, in the Great Hall, being sorted into the different houses. When her name was called, she walked up to the Sorting Hat with her head held high. She was under the hat for only a few moments before it yelled out, "Gryffindor!"

She smiled happily and made her way to the Gryffindor table. As she sat to watch the rest of the sorting, she felt someone gently tug at the sleeve of her robe. She turned to have a piece of parchment placed in her hands. She opened the letter and it read, ‘I would very much enjoy being your friend.’ She looked up and saw Percy down the table smiling, which made her smile too.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As Angelina sat on the couch getting Rosalina out of her coat, she noticed Percy walked with a limp. "Are you injured?"

"What?" he asked, but then realized what she meant. "Oh this," he rubbed his leg, "this is nothing," he told her. "I’ll show you to your room when you’re ready."

"Thank you, Percy."

"No problem, Lina."

The day was coming to an end and Percy and Angelina rested on the floor in front of the fire. Percy was on his back with a pillow under his head as Rosalina lay sleeping on his chest. Angelina was beside him on her stomach, propped up on her elbows, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. "Honestly, I was surprised when you opened the door."

"Why?"

"Didn’t think Draco was fond of you Weasleys."

"That’s probably because he doesn’t see me as a Weasley. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to my family."

Angelina turned from her warm drink and then for the first time noticed his wedding band. "You must think me rude, how is Penelope? Will she be arriving home soon?"

Percy lifted his hand and twirled his wedding band around his finger with his thumb. "I wouldn’t know." His expression became sad. "She walked out on me a while back. She said I cared more about work than I did her."

Angelina reached for his hand. "You’re still that thirteen year old boy I met, sitting all alone."

"Maybe, but I wasn’t alone for long. Now was I?" Percy’s smile returned to his face. "Do you know you were my first friend? Outside my family that is."

"I kind of got that. I considered you my first real friend too."

"We had a lot of firsts together, didn’t we?"

Angelina stared into the fire as if reminiscing. "Yeah," her voice was low, "you were my first kiss and my first love." She took back her hand and took a hold of her drink. She then blew on it before taking a sip.

"Aren’t you forgetting something, Lina?" He asked not looking at her as he pulled Rosalina’s thumb out of her mouth and replaced it with a pacifier. "I was definitely more than your first love."

Angelina sighed heavily. "That was a mistake, Percy."

"Maybe, but don''t you ever wonder what life would have been like," he stroked the top of Rosalina’s head, trying to push down an unruly curl, "if. . . you know. . . we had gone the other way?"

"No," she said without hesitation.

"Eight."

"Huh?"

"If things had gone the other way. . . eight, next month."

She then realized what he meant. "Why are you hurting yourself Percy? It was a mistake. Come on now, who would have believed we were friends, let alone lovers? Besides you were head-over-heels in love with that Clearwater girl then. I was only sixteen and going into my sixth year, you had already graduated and had your life all planned out with Penelope."

"No, no. You know very well I would have left Penelope. I would have stepped up, I would have been a father to my child," he explained. "But you took that away from me Lina and then if that wasn’t bad enough, you started dating my brother," he scoffed. "Fred of all people. And you thought people couldn''t see us together? Like you cared what people thought anyway."

Angelina’s face was cold as she turned to him. "I just didn’t want to be a mother and tied down at sixteen, okay? And dating Fred. . . well, if you really want know the truth, it was George I fancied, but Fred asked me out first, so I figured what the hell? Besides, no matter which one I dated, they would have been nothing more than a poor replacement for you."

"So you used Fred?"

Angelina rubbed the bridge of her nose, something hadshe picked up from Draco when he was stressed, before turning back to Percy. "At first yes, to help me get over you and for other reasons, but know that I did grow to love him."

"And me?" Percy looked into her round eyes, which were as dark and rich as the chocolate she held in her hands.

She sighed quietly. "You were my first love, Percy," she stated. "You never really get over those." She smiled warmly as she reached and pushed a stray lock of hair out of his face. She meant to take back her hand, but instead it rested on his cheek. Percy’s hand then came up to rest on top of hers. She gasped, yanked away her hand, and cast her eyes downward. "I’m sorry, I- I don’t know what came over me."

"It’s okay," Percy said as he supported Rosalina’s body against him as he sat up. "I’m just going to put her to bed and then head in myself. I’ll see you in the morning."

"Okay, good night." Angelina then put her cup aside, laid on her back, and stole the pillow Percy had his head rested on. She sighed as an old feeling returned to her, that one in the pit of her stomach, that feeling that told her, that not all of this would go well. And she hoped, for once, it was wrong.

To Be Continued. . .

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Preview of Next Chapter:

Angelina soon found herself kissing him back, until she realized what she was doing, so rather slowly she pulled away from his inviting mouth. "Stop Percy," she shook her head. "No."

Percy was flushed with embarrassment as he nodded in understanding, but it appeared that his hands had a mind of their own as they reached for Angelina once more and pulled her to him.

Chapter Twelve: A Strong Family Front

Draco hated traveling by Portkey, but it was necessary when traveling long distances. He had finally gone to Iceland to put the final touches of his plan into action. He would have sent Crabbe, like he always had, but something told him that he should do it in person.

While there, he met up with Fred Weasley, where he promptly told him he couldn’t stay longer than a few days, because his wife was expecting him home in time for the birth of their first child, which they were both very excited about. Fred had managed a forced smile and congratulated him.

But they soon had to put their differences aside, because if things went well on both fronts, within a year’s time Voldemort would be nothing more than a few pages in The History of Magic. Draco already knew that he had plenty of support, that the people that were in hiding wanted to take down the Dark Lord more than anything. But somehow, Draco knew he wanted to see that happen more than anyone else. Draco wanted to make sure that his son grew up in a world were he wasn’t forced to do things merely to survive.

Draco was determined to have his son grow up feeling loved and safe, the way he never had. And of course, he was going to love his son’s mother to the best of his ability. He didn’t really have a great example of what love was growing up, but somehow Draco knew that it didn’t matter because Angelina was always patient and understanding. . . okay, most of the time she was patient and understanding.

And after what they had been through in their first five years of marriage, they knew they could rough any storm. And as the months few by, doubt had pushed itself out of Draco’s mind and he was beyond sure, that nothing would be able to break down what they had started to build, nothing. . .

Except maybe missing their son’s birth. “Her name is Angelina Malfoy,” Draco told the man behind the nurse’s counter. “She’s just had a baby, just tell me what room!” Draco was getting upset.

“Your father’s a moron, yes he is,” Angelina said playfully in a singsong voice as she held her firstborn. “I told him whatever he had to do could wait, especially since my due date was so close, but did he listen, no he didn’t.” Angelina lifted her head as her hospital room door opened.

“Tulip, you don’t know what I just had to go through,” Draco said as he entered the room.

“What you just had to go through?” She cocked an eyebrow.

Draco leaned on the back on the door and smiled as he put his hands in his pockets. “That’s a beautiful sight right there.” He took in the image of Angelina holding their child. He then pushed himself off the door and walked towards them. “So how’s little Damien?”

“Fine, except for the name Damien,” she stated.

“What do you mean?” He leaned over the bed and moved the bit of blanket that blocked his sleeping child’s face and smiled. “I thought we agreed on Damien?”

“I know, but I didn’t think that was proper for a little girl.”

Draco’s brow furrowed as he looked to Angelina. “Little girl?” He shook his head slightly. “You mean this baby isn’t mine?”

“Not yours?” Angelina was a bit confused. “Of course this baby is yours don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not being ridiculous,” his voice became cold and flat. “So who does this child belong to?" Noting to himself he would kill any man who touched his wife. "I assure you, I’m not angry,” but his tone begged to differ, “I know you had lovers after Montague.”

“I had no one after Montague!” she said heatedly, but then whispered. “I was afraid of what would happen if I did.”

“You’re lying to me.”

“No, I’m not,” she was starting to get upset. “What would make you think she wasn’t yours?” The anxiety Angelina was feeling could be sensed by the baby and she started to stir.

“I told you. Malfoys have always had males as firstborns. It’s been that way since-” he stopped when he heard the baby cry.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Angelina cooed as she rocked the baby. She then looked back up at Draco with determination in her eyes. “If you don’t believe me, than see for yourself. I want you to hold her and after you really look at her, I want you to try to tell me she isn’t yours.”

Draco took the crying child in his arms. She had fair brown skin and matted down curly brown hair. Draco imitated Angelina by rocking her. Then as her crying slowly ceased and her eyes began to open, a smile spread across Draco’s face. His daughter had big, bright slate gray eyes.

Draco laughed in relief, feeling like a fool, as he sat on the bed. He felt the hand of Angelina on his back and then a kiss on his cheek. “I forgive you, but next time I tell you I''m not lying, don’t question me.” She said harsher then she intended to.

But Draco didn’t seem to notice the harshness in her voice. “I’m sorry love, you’re right. I’ll never doubt you again,” he promised her. “Have you chosen a name already?”

“Yes, Rosalina. Rosalina Draconna Malfoy.”

“Little Rose,” Draco whispered. “And all that once used to taste so sour, will be made sweet, with the gift of a flower’s flower.”

“What was that?” Angelina asked.

“Nothing, Tulip,” he told her. “Just something I never understood till now.” He turned his head towards her and gave her a quick kiss. “Now tell me you love me.”

“You’ve been a jerk, why should I?” she asked.

“Because you do,” he told her.

Angelina narrowed her eyes. “I hate it when you’re right.” She then whispered sweetly in his ear, “I love you.”

“Always?” he whispered back.

“Till the end of time.”

Time. The word seem to resound in his head.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“I have come to a very important decision. One I have agonized over, because it will tie us in a way that should never be broken.”

“Draco, what the hell are you talking about?” Goyle asked as the two of them sat on the porch of Draco’s Manor.

“How long have we know each other, Gregory?”

“To long, if you ask me.”

Draco smiled. “Right, right you are.”

Just then Angelina came out onto the porch and handed Draco and Goyle each a glass of pumpkin juice. She then went and stood behind Draco and leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Have you asked him yet?”

“Ask me what?” Goyle pondered.

Draco sighed. “Goyle, we have known each other since childhood and you have always been there for me. I didn’t realize how much that meant to me until recently. I used to think-”

“Goyle would you like to be the godfather of our daughter?” Draco looked up at her. “What? You were taking too long.” Angelina then looked back over at Goyle, who had a blank look on his face.

“Why not ask Crabbe?” he asked.

“Well, I thought about him too, but then I realized it’s you I’ve always considered my brother. I mean, we sure do dog like we are. Besides, next to my wife, I trust you the most,” Draco explain.

“You trust me?” Goyle was amazed that Draco had even used the word as a smile came across his face.

“Not only with my life,” Draco told him, "but also with my family''s."

Goyle nodded his head. “Then I would be honored to be Rosalina’s godfather, brother.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Angelina had waken up to see that it was still very dark outside. She turned her head towards the night stand to see that it was nearly six o’clock in the morning. She went to reach for Draco when she became aware that he wasn’t there. A bit alarmed she sat up, but immediately calmed down when she heard a soft voice come from the darkness.

“Some say love it is a river, that drowns the tender reed.”At first, still half sleep, Angelina thought it was an angel. “Some say love it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed.” She had never heard anything like it before. “Some say love it is hunger, an endless, aching need.” She then gasped, when she realized it was Draco singing. “I say love, it is a flower and you its only seed.” The singing was coming from the baby monitor on Draco’s night stand.

Angelina then heard Rosalina cooing as Draco spoke, “My precious Little Rose, you and your mother mean so much to me. One may not be able to tell if they looked at us now, but that woman used to drive me insane. I guess, because in a way, I’ve always loved her, just never wanted to see it I suppose. I lied to her that day she learned we were to be married. I told her I had never loved her, but I had at one time. We were merely children when I met her for the first time -I was only eight- but she left such an impression on me.”

Angelina listened hard, thinking maybe Draco had been mistaken, because she didn’t remember meeting him until she was a fourth year when he joined his house’s Quidditch team.

“I was on the swings, playing by myself, like I normally did, when this older girl came up to me and told me I was stupid, because apparently I was swinging wrong. So I told her- Shi- Dang,” Draco didn’t want to curse in front of his daughter. “Looks like daddy is needed at work and you need rest.” Angelina then heard him say, “Sweet dreams, Little Rose.”

A few moments later, he was back in his own bedroom getting dressed. “Draco?”

He turned around. “Oh, I didn’t know you were awake,” he said and went back to dressing. “I fed Rose, but you may want to check on her in a little bit.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “Have any idea when you’ll be home?”

“Don’t ask, you know I don’t,” he was short with her. He sighed. “Baby,” he said softly turning around and making his way to the bed. He then climbed in and rested his head on her lap looking up at her.

“It’s okay. I know you’re tired," she spoke, running her fingers through his hair. "You''ll be careful, won''t you?"

Draco closed his eyes for a moment and felt her touch. “You worry too much. I’ve got everything under control,” was his answer to her.

“I know, it’s just," she put her hand on her stomach. "I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“You know what?It’s December first, way don’t you get the house elves to help you put up the Christmas tree, huh? That always seems to cheer you up.”

“Yes, but I don’t want to do it alone.”

“Get Dick to help you. I’m sure he’ll be happy to.”

“Dick?” Angelina shook her head.

“Grayson. His first name is Dick. For crying out loud, Tulip. How long have you known the man and never knew his first name?”

“I thought Grayson was his first name,” she told him. “Wait a second. His name is Dick Grayson?”

“Yeah, what about it?” Draco was confused.

“Dick Grayson?” she repeated. “As in like, Robin?”

“Who the hell is Robin?” he asked with a bit of jealousy in voice.

“You know - Robin. Batman’s sidekick,” she explained. “You know, from the Muggle comic books. Batman is this dark superhero and Robin is - Never mind, Draco.” She shoved him away.

“Hey, don’t get angry at me over some stupid Muggle comic book.” He quickly turned over and started tickling Angelina.

She giggled and fought his hands away. “Stop!” she yelled lightheartedly.

He continued to tickle her. “Not until you tell me who loves you,” he demanded.

She finally managed to grab his hands and panting heavily said, “You, my dragon.”

“Damn right,” he looked at her seriously before smiling and kissing her on the forehead. Angelina then saw him look down at his arm. “I really have to go. I’ll be home as soon as I can.” He got up out of bed and was out the door.

Please be careful, was Angelina''s final thought before she went to check on Rosalina who was already fast asleep.

You are not authorized to comment here. Your must be registered and logged in to comment