What Is Love?

Making Peace

Ginny woke up distressed and unsure of the cause. Was it that damn dream again? She rolled over onto her right side, trying to get comfortable. Just as sleep was taking hold of her, two strong arms rolled her back onto her left side. He spooned up behind her and held her tight. "Damn it, Ginny. You know laying on your right side so late in pregnancy causes your blood pressure to get dangerously high. It's not good for you or the baby."

How the hell did he always know when she rolled over? she thought. Damn the bloody prat, he was going to hold her on her left side now. She sighed as he lightly rubbed her right arm with his, then she moaned with pleasure as he started to massage her lower back. Merlin's beard, he gives a great massage. She moaned again. Buggers! How can I be mad at him now? He kissed her neck. "Relax, and go back to sleep, Luv. You need to rest." Her eyes closed and her dream started over again. She had the dream every night in her last month of pregnancy, the dream that explained why she was here with him.

~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~

Ginny's Dream

The Daily Prophet dated 5/15/99 laid on the middle of the table. Molly, Arthur, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione sat at the kitchen table in the Burrow.

"How could they Arthur? That law is over 500 years old. To reinstate it now is going backwards," Molly said, shaking.

"They had to Molly. It's a peace treaty. They wanted to reinstate the old aristocratic rights laws," Arthur tried to say calmly.

"They're both ghastly laws. But I understand why they chose to reinstate the Pureblood marriage law instead," Hermione stated in her matter-of-fact tone.

Ginny placed both hands on the table leaning forward with a furious look on her face. "You would say that! You're not a pure blooded witch so the marriage law doesn't apply to you!"

Hermione stood in anger. "You'd rather see a law that allowed aristocratic pure blooded wizards to legally rape any witch they want?"

"I'd rather see no law," Ginny stated.

"So would all of us Gin Bug. But we had to compromise for peace. If Harry was still around we would be in charge but with both him and the Dark Lord having been killed in the final battle we have to make concessions," Arthur put forward sadly.

"I don't know what you're worried about, Ginny. All the Slytherin pure bloods have already petitioned for wives, and you weren't on the list," Ron snapped.

"I'm not worried just about myself like some people," Ginny eyed Hermione. "I'm thinking about all the witches who have to marry a man they don't love."

~~~~~~~********~~~~~~

Ginny sat outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor eating her lunch, when a tall figure moved in front of her, blocking the sunlight. She looked and saw the outline of a very tall, muscular young man, who at first glance was gorgeous. She smiled at him. He smiled back. But when her eyes adjusted to the light she realized that the man was none other than Draco Malfoy. Suddenly he didn't seem so handsome. "You're blocking my light, Malfoy. Move!" she shouted, but he didn't move. "Move Malfoy, before I hex you!"

He smirked at her. "Be nice Ginevra, I come bearing gifts." He took a box out of his pocket and got down on one knee. "Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you marry me?" He handed her a ring and put it on her finger. Ginny didn't move. She looked as if a stunning charm had been placed on her. "I'll remind you Weasley, by law you can't say no."

"Why?" she asked in a whisper.

"You're the most gifted pure blooded witch in England. Actually, Ginny, we're very much alike."

"I'm nothing like you," she whispered.

"I only see two differences. I'm rich. You're poor. And you tolerate Muggles and Mudbloods better than I."

"I more than tolerate Muggles."

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Really? And how many Muggles are you friends with? How many times have you been to Granger's parents' home? How many times have you visited your Squib uncle?" He paused. "None, right? You merely tolerate them being around. I haven't seen you do anything that marks you as a blood traitor. Your family is a different story but in the end look whom your brothers have married. All of them are pure blood witches. They may have dated mixed bloods but..."

Ginny interrupted him. "Fleur is not a Pureblood."

Draco laughed. "Right, she's part veela. Wizards do have a weakness for them."

"I thought you and Parkinson..."

His eyes flashed with anger. "What makes you think I'd want her? She doesn't have a brain in her head. I don't want stupid children." Ginny's eyes widened. "Yes, Ginevra I want children with you. You're the best breeding stock around. I'll be wanting four sons; that should be easy for you."

"When will the wedding be?" she asked.

"My mother will be flooing you and your mother this evening." He placed a couple scrolls on the table. "Take these to the robe and clothing shops and they'll set up accounts for you. We will be dining together nightly at the Manor starting tomorrow; make sure you have the proper attire." He kissed her on the cheek. "Until tomorrow Ginevra."

~~~~~~~********~~~~~~

Ginny woke with Draco still holding her on her left side. The magic calendar changed to Wednesday, March 1^st 2006. Her fourth son was due in four weeks and in July she would have her seventh year wedding anniversary. Her son kicked her very hard. She ran her hand over her belly. "You must be the one waking me up. Well, it's time to sleep young man," she said playfully. Draco's hand came down and felt the baby kicking. He moved and kissed her belly. "You heard your mother son. It's time to sleep."

She giggled then gasped. "Oh God."

"Breath, Gin... Try to relax. That felt like a strong one to me. How many have you had?"

"First one, I think. I woke..... Oh god.... My water...."

Draco jumped out of the bed, and went into his dressing room. "I'll get dressed and retrieve your mid-witch. Relax, breath, and use your focal point to keep your mind off of it."

She moaned again. Wanker, she thought. He was a bloody idiot when it came to labor, even after attending the births of his three - soon to be four - sons. Keep her mind off of the bloody pain! Men should have to go through childbirth. Maybe she should create a curse. She smiled at the thought. The picture on Draco's nightstand caught her eye. She never understood why he liked it. He had a copy of it here, in his study, in his Diagon Alley office and in his wallet. In the photo she was sitting in the rose garden rubbing her seven-month pregnant belly of what would become Thuban, their first son. She remembered that day well.

-------- Flash back ----------

Ginny sat in the rose garden. She loved it here. The roses were charmed to bloom year round, and the temperature was always pleasant. She couldn't help but smile when she looked at the parchment in her hand. He had told her to pick three names of stars or constellations for the child and he would choose between them. Today, the midwitch confirmed the child was male, and she started looking for names. His name needed to be special; she wanted to ensure that his father and grandparents loved him. It didn't take her long to find it; THUBAN, the Alpha star of the DRACO constellation. It was the North Star from 2700 BC to 1900 BC. Many of the ancient Egyptian pyramids pointed to Thuban; it was also called the "snake" star. To be sure that Draco would select Thuban, she added two names that she knew he would never select.

Draco entered the garden still in his business robes. "Mother said you have news for me."

She looked up and handed him the parchment. "Your SON will be arriving in late May, my early birthday present to you."

His smile changed to a smirk when he read her list of names. "You are a brilliant witch, Ginevra. What middle name do you wish?"

"Charles; might as well stay with the dragon theme," she giggled.

He kissed her, and then her belly. "I can't wait to meet you, Thuban Charles Malfoy." He looked Ginny in the eye. "You will never again place the name of a Black Family traitor on your list. If you do you will no longer be involved in naming our children." His eyes had hardened as he talked.

-------- End of flash back ----------

A painful and long contraction brought Ginny back to the present. She screamed loudly. "Draco! Get your bloody arse to the mid-witch, so I can get some pain relief."

"On my way!" he said as he ran out of the room. She couldn't help but focus on his voice from the hallway. His panic was obvious as he ordered the house elves around. "NO, damn it! Get everything ready now. Her water has broken. She's always delivered within an hour of that. Go now! Get my mother. You stay outside the door until she arrives. I have to get her mid-witch." She heard him disapparate, then a very strong contraction went through her and she screamed. Why couldn't the childbirth pain relief charm be easier to perform without danger to the baby, she thought. Because wizards the wankers developed most charms, she answered herself. She focused on the picture on her nightstand. The Draco in the photo was looking down at the jumper he was wearing with disdain. It was an orange Chudley Cannons jumper, which he kept pulling at as if it was burning his skin. When the photo noticed Ginny looking at him, he winked and half smiled.

-------- Flash back ----------

Ginny cheered loudly when the wizard on the wireless announced another Cannons goal. Greg, Crabbe, Blaise, and Draco stared at her. "Sorry, boys but your precious Falcons are going to lose today," she giggled at them.

"Malfoy does she have to be here?" Crabbe asked.

"Can't you keep her quiet?" Goyle groaned.

"I want her to stay," Blaise added. "She brightens up the room." He smiled and winked at her.

"Stop flirting with my wife, Zabini!" Draco chuckled just as the announcer told of another Cannons goal. Ginny cheered again. Draco sneered at her. "If you weren't due any day now, I'd send you upstairs."

Getting to his feet Blaise walked over to Ginny. "I'll help you to your private chambers if you like Ginny. We don't need to be around these poor losers. They're a bad influence on your little one here." Blaise touched Ginny's very pregnant belly.

"Get away from my wife, Blaise." Draco got out of his chair and sat on the couch next to Ginny. He placed his arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him. Before long she was laying on the couch with her head in his lap. When the Falcons scored he sneered, "The Falcons are leading now, Luv."

"Bet you, the Cannons win."

He smirked, "I'll take that bet. Let's see, what can we bet?"

"If the Cannons win you'll wear a Cannons jumper to Blaise's Pro Cup party," she giggled. "I'll wear a Falcons jumper."

"If I'm going to risk wearing a Cannons jumper. I want more." A sinful smile crossed his face and he whispered into her ear. "If the Falcons win," he slightly thrust his hips, "you'll do what I've be asking for months." She looked at him in shock. "Just once, and if the Cannons win I'll wear the jumper plus I'll never ask for that again." She still had a blank look on her face. "Many women enjoy it. I don't understand why you are so against something you've never done. You enjoy it when I do it to you." She stared at him. He changed tactics. "I understand you're scared. Your Cannons can't be trusted."

"You're on Malfoy."

-------- End of flash back ----------

Another contraction hit and she screamed again. Noises from the doorway got her attention. Draco had forgotten to perform a silencing charm on their room and now two very frightened little boys stood in her doorway. The oldest was 5 ½ year old Thuban. He was 10 days over due, which caused him to be born on June 5^th. Narcissa joked that Thuban was sent to teach Draco to share. Thuban's white blonde hair was cut short. He had Ginny's nose and mouth. But the rest of him was all Draco. The other boy was 4 ½ year old Cam; he also had Ginny's nose and mouth. His hair color was in-between Draco's and Narcissa's, his eye's were a beautiful blue like Narcissa and he had the twin's mischievous smile. He was a handful; leave a wand unattended and he would have it in moments, performing all types of unknown magic.

Ginny tried to collect herself. "Sweethearts, it's very late and you need to go back to bed." She looked away as another contraction hit her. "You're hurt," Thuban said as he walked into her room and touched her cheek. Cam sat on the right side of the bed and held Ginny's hand. Thuban sat on the bed and wiped the sweat from Ginny's forehead with his pajama top sleeve. "You'll be OK, Mummy," he said trying to sound brave. "I'll take care of you." He sang to her as she did to them when they were ill or hurt.

"Lavender's blue, Diddle diddle, Lavender's green,
When I am king, Diddle diddle, You shall be queen.

Call up your men, Diddle diddle, Set them to work,
Some to the plow, Diddle diddle, Some to the cart.

Some to make hay, Diddle diddle, Some to cut corn,
While you and I, Diddle diddle, keep ourselves warm.

Lavender's green, Diddle diddle, Lavender's blue,
If you love me, Diddle diddle, I will love you."

"Thuban. Cam. Come here boys," Draco called. He, Narcissa, and the midwitch walked into the room.

Narcissa rolled her eyes and Ginny smiled at Draco.

"The child's name is CYGNUS," Narcissa stated firmly.

"Yes, Mother. I know. I named him. Cygnus Abraxas Malfoy after my grandfather's. But CAM is easier for his brothers to say." He smiled and winked at Ginny while motioning for the boys to come to him. Cam ran to his side clinging to his leg while Thuban remained next to his mother. "Come along, Thuban," he said gently to his son.

"But Daddy, I need to make Mummy feel better. She's hurt."

Narcissa went to the little boy. "She's not hurt darling. Your new brother is coming. The mid-witch is here to help her." She walked the boy to Draco.

Ginny tried to smile but another contraction came. "Hurry, back. I feel like pushing.'

He closed the door. Narcissa cast a silencing charm. The mid-witch checked Ginny. "We're crowning." She busied herself and then looked at Ginny. "Go ahead and push, Mrs. Malfoy." Narcissa helped Ginny sit up while she pushed and laid her back to rest in-between. It seemed like she'd been pushing for hours when Draco reentered the room. The mid-witch smiled at him. "Just in time, Mr. Malfoy." He crossed the room in two steps and his new son was born. The baby screamed instantly. The mid-witch wrapped him and placed him on Ginny's chest. Draco kissed Ginny on the forehead. "Marvelous job as always, Princess." She fed her new son while the mid-witch finished her work.

"Draco. How are Thuban and Cammy?"

He chuckled at her. "They're fine Gin. Cam was sleeping before I closed his door. Father is reading Thuban a story." He sat on the bed next to Ginny and touched his son's face. He kissed Ginny softly on the mouth. "Are you doing well?" She nodded. "Thank you, Gin. He's beautiful."