White Wedding

Chapter 1
Beginnings and Ends


"Ginny, get your coat!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, grabbing her daughter's black wool robe off a nearby chair and placing it on top of the large cardboard box Ginny carried in her arms. Ginny smiled at her mother, in a horrifyingly adult way. Her baby was going off into that world. The world that couldn't be trusted, even with Voldemort done and gone.

"That's everything," Ginny declared, glancing around the familiar image of the Burrow, now eerily empty. All of the family, even Ron, had already now moved out. She watched as her eyes deceived her with images of the twins hexing Ron to a chair in the kitchen, Bill chasing Charlie around the living room with his wand after he caught Charlie dying his robes pink, and Ginny herself helping make Christmas dinner with her mother, teaching Ginny the proper way to enchant bowls to stir themselves.

She jumped, startled, when she felt a palm resting on her shoulder. It was none other than Draco Malfoy, her new fiancée. She had almost forgotten he was there, alongside her. Her mind floated back to when Draco was fighting against the righteous cause Ginny supported, until he watched Voldemort betray their trust. And now Lucius was dead, and Draco had changed his mind. He was a different person, but so few people believed that.

"You alright?" Draco asked, snapping Ginny out of her vivid memories once again. She just nodded, but continued to stare at the nearby wall, not noticing the looks of worry her parents were sharing.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I just want to go." She turned to him and forced a smile, trying to ignore the constant worries that flooded her mind. Was she making the right decision? Was marrying him so quickly a good idea? She knew it would be months before they married, but she was still shaken that everything had happen so fast. When he asked her, he was holding her so closely. She didn't know weather to scream in happiness or fear. She loved him, she really did, or at least wanted to dearly, but this was all so real now. She could no longer lie to herself. She was going to be Mrs. Draco Malfoy, along with every rumor and story that went along with it.

She turned to him, heavy box still in her hands and smiled. He smiled back at her as he watched her eyes desperately stare at a lone strand of silver-blonde hair hanging down in his eyes. He knew if she hadn't had the package in her hands she would move it out of his face carefully, with so much love and care. He always liked how he treated her so well. She would do anything for him, and he needed that.

They both turned, Draco moved the strand out of his hair as he did so, and looked at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley one last time. A jolt went through Ginny's stomach. She wasn't sure if it was of guilt, fear, or surprise. Life was staring at her, saying goodbye and hello at the same moment. Mrs. Weasley was sobbing, and Mr. Weasley had his arm lovingly placed around her waist.

Draco took the box, filled with Ginny's old stuffed animals, pictures and childhood trinkets, out of her hands and nodded to her. Ginny nodded with a smile and gave her mother a hug, then whispered in her ear. "I love you, mummy." She didn't want to say goodbye; she would see them at the wedding, if not before. This was her time to fly away, to be alone with her love. To begin to put the pieces together to start a family of her own, just like her own parents did years before.

She retreated from her mother's arms and turned to her father, looking very gentleman-like. His fatherly stature was still intact, but somewhat broken by the tears forming in his eyes.

"Good luck," he said to her, before glancing back towards Draco, who looked very annoyed at the situation. If he could of had it his way, they would have been gone hours before. He didn't see what she would do with all of those girly stuffed, matted creatures in their new home together. If there was one thing Draco didn't like, it was letting the past creep back into the future.

Ginny gave her father a hug and they both whispered something private to each other. Draco cleared his throat during their long period of togetherness, in a very annoyed manner. Mrs. Weasley glared at him, but he tended to ignore her. Ginny finally took her place beside Ginny and smiled at her teary parents, giving them a little wave. Neither of her parents said goodbye, and Ginny was grateful. She knew if they had, she would have broke down in tears. Instead, she was able to exit quietly out the door, and disapparate off to her new home.

**************

Ginny looked around their new kitchen, being violently scrubbed by a dozen enchanted mops, from her comfy red couch near their fireplace. Their new home was moderately-sized; unlike the towering Malfoy Manor, since his widowed mother Narcissa cut him out of his inheritance. It was seemingly becoming more human, with portraits of the two of them together hanging around their house, along with monstrous-sized paintings of Draco he was able to salvage before leaving -- or, rather, being kicked out of -- his parent's Manor.

Ginny sighed and let her pale, bony fingers trickle through her bright red tresses, her mind spinning. It seemed like she was looking at her life from outside herself. This wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to be furiously in love, have someone that you made your heart stop every time you saw him. Draco was not that person. But why had she said yes? There was nothing in her heart for him, other than longing. She knew he loved her; he was on the brink of obsession. But she had said yes, and the plans had been made. So this was her life.

Draco came into the living room, his body adorned with a new white shirt and slacks with a few stains of alcohol and blood. Being a bartender and sometimes bouncer for the Hog's Head, was a bit trying on a sexy man's wardrobe. The Hog's Head was even more rowdy and unfriendly than it had been when Ginny was in Hogwarts. Every night, Draco would come home with at least one new stain or rip on his clothes, and Ginny would have to get the bucket, washing stick and soap enchanted in time for them to be clean and dried for the next day's wearing. It was not one of the most enjoyable parts of Ginny's day.

"I'm off to work," Draco mumbled, leaning over towards Ginny, whom was curled up on the couch and giving her a quick peck. He never gave her more than a peck for some reason. Not that she minded much. She gave him a nod, then took an old copy of "Witch's Weekly" off their coffee table and flipped through the pages. Draco stood near the door, looking a bit worried. "Have any plans today? I mean, we'll finish the packing tonight, I'll help you."

Ginny let out a small laugh, then bit her lip so hard she felt blood drip onto her try tongue. "Sure you will. Just leave your clothes by the bed tonight. I'll get them done tomorrow." Draco stared at her, and Ginny could feel the dagger she had put in his heart.

"Gin," Draco started, but Ginny put a hand up as though telling him "stop."

"No, just go." Draco stood there for a few moments, watching Ginny flip through the pages of her periodical like nothing she said meant a thing. He opened the door, went through it, then slammed it shut. Ginny looked up at painting of Draco in a manly stance that hung over the fireplace. It was swinging from the force of the door. She stood up, adjusted it, then laid back down on the fluffy throw pillows that adorned the couch and wept.