Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER TWELVE

GOOD MORNING

Draco awoke at five the next morning with a bubble of excitement brewing in his stomach. He was spending the day with Drake and Angel. Although it was far too early to rise he did anyway, as trying to get back to sleep would have proven fruitless. His day began with his usual morning ritual of showering, shaving and dressing. When he was ready, he ventured downstairs for breakfast. Given the extremely early hour, his parents were not yet about. The house elves, though startled by the appearance of their young master so early, were already preparing breakfast.

While eating breakfast he realized there was so much he didn't know about his children. Things like, exactly how old they were, when their birthday was, and what were their favorite things were. He knew they liked flying, from their recital to Molly yesterday, but there had to be other pastimes they enjoyed. Draco made a conscious decision to ask Ginny all of those things, plus anymore he thought of along the way.

Lucius and Narcissa had still not risen by the time Draco had finished eating. Anxious to return to the Burrow as soon as he was ready, Draco didn't think about the early hour. He sought a piece of parchment and a quill to scribble a quick missive to his parents.

Dearest Mother and Father,

I've gone to spend the day with Drake and Angel. Do not wait

dinner for me this evening as I do not know what time I will be home.

Draco

With the note on the dining table, in front of his father's chair, Draco strode to the foyer where Millie was waiting with his cloak. After securing the garment around his shoulders he Disapparated to the Burrow.

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Poised to knock on the back door of Ginny's home, Draco suddenly realized it was still extremely early. A quick glance at his pocket-watch established that it was only six-thirty and far too early to be calling upon the Weasley's. Not knowing what else to do, he crossed the yard and sat on the stonewall surrounding it. From this position he could clearly see the kitchen window and would be able to tell when someone had risen.

A short time later, Molly Weasley made her way into the kitchen. As she came into view, Draco quickly made his way to the kitchen door. He prepared to knock upon the worn door, but hesitated when he heard the conversation coming from within.

"Ron, what time did you get in last night?" Molly asked her youngest son.

Ron sat at the kitchen table to wait for his breakfast. "Late, Mum."

"Where were you? What were you doing? Did you eat?" Molly fired off the questions one after another.

"I was at Pansy's, she umm-- well-- she needed me to do something and yes, we ate." Ron turned scarlet, all the way to the tips of his ears. He wasn't about to tell his mother what he and Pansy had been up to the evening before. He could already imagine the berating he would get, if she had any idea -- something along the lines of 'but you're not married yet!'

Draco took this lull in the conversation to knock softly on the door.

"Ron, dear is Harry coming by before work?" Molly asked her youngest son as she was fussing over the pan on the fire.

"Didn't say. Wouldn't surprise me though, I don't think Mione cooks breakfast all that often," Ron answered walking towards the door. It wasn't unusual for his best friend to show up at the Burrow in time for breakfast, before they both headed into the Ministry for work.

"Morning, mate." Ron opened the door and began to move back towards the seat he had abandoned. Not thinking for a moment that it would be anyone but Harry, he didn't pay much attention to the man standing on the doorstep.

Draco cleared this throat. This reception was unexpected from Ron and it threw him off balance a little. He had been prepared for an argument at the very least.

"Mione not cook breakfast again, mate?" Ron said turning around to face the door as he reached his chair. "What-- what the bloody hell are you doing here?" Ron yelled as his long legs carried him back to the door in mere seconds.

As Ron arrived in front of Draco, he drew his arm back and his fist connected solidly with Draco's jaw. Draco stumbled backwards bringing his hands to his face. He had no time to react.

"Ronald Weasley! What do you think you're doing?" shrieked Molly.

"But, Mum, it's him -- ferret face."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, I am ashamed of you! Treating poor Draco like that," Molly said furiously. Then turning to Draco she immediately changed her whole manner. "Draco, dear are you all right? Come in and I'll have a look at it. Come on, dear," she said in a concerned tone while motioning for him to come forward.

Draco could not help the smirk that rose on his face as he strode past an astonished Ron and into the circle of Molly Weasley's arm. He allowed her to guide him to a chair.

Ron watched on in horror as his mother tended to Draco's now bruising face. He simply could not believe it. This was the man who had abandoned his sister, when she was pregnant and his mother was treating him like he was Harry. The whole Wizarding world knew Molly Weasley thought the sun shone out of Harry Potter's backside. He was perfect as far as she was concerned and Merlin help anyone who had the courage to disagree.

"There now that's better. Would you like some breakfast, dear?" Molly asked having finished charming away any evidence of Ron's temper from his face.

"Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Weasley, but I ate breakfast before I came," Draco replied politely.

"Well then, a cup of tea?"

"Thank you, that would be nice." Draco smiled pleasantly, maintaining his polite demeanor. What he would have liked to do was have a poke back at Ron, but for now he would bide his time. He would get his opportunity sooner or later, knowing the redhead and his inability to control his temper.

"Mum, what's going on?" Ron asked clearly confused. She should be hexing his butt to Hades, but instead she was making him tea.

"Ron, Draco came by yesterday and spoke to Ginny. He is welcome here and I won't have you making things difficult for him. Is that understood?" Molly retorted in a manner that left little room for argument.

"But Mum--"

"No, Ronald."

"Yes, Mum." His unhappy resignation was displayed through his whole form, as he slumped into a chair.

"Right now, eat your breakfast," Molly said as she placed an overflowing plate in front on Ron. "Draco, are you sure you wouldn't like something more to eat?"

"Quite sure. Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

Arthur Weasley entered the kitchen dressed for work and greeted everyone with his usual morning cheer. "Good morning all! Ah, Draco, you're here early."

"Yes sir, umm-- Sorry if it's inconvenient," Draco stumbled. He hadn't thought that he might actually be disturbing the family's morning routine until this moment.

Molly smiled broadly at him. "Of course it's not inconvenient, dear."

"Not at all," Arthur responded. "Does Ginny know he's here?"

"She's still asleep, Arthur," Molly answered.

Just then the twins stumbled into the kitchen. Still in their pajamas and half asleep, they were clinging to one another. Surveying the kitchen, they immediately noticed Draco sitting at the table.

"Daddy, you're still here," Angel exclaimed excitedly. "You weren't a dream!" She threw herself into his open arms and flung her little arms around his neck.

"'Course he isn't a dream, silly," Drake said rolling his eyes.

"More like a bloody nightmare," a disgruntled Ron mumbled.

"Ronald," Molly warned.

"I'm going to work," Ron growled as he stood up glaring at Draco. "If you so much as hurt one hair on either of their heads, Malfoy -- I'll kill you!"

"Ron, enough," Molly said angrily as her youngest son stalked out of the house.

"Ron, wait up! I'll come with you. We've had so many extra raids recently, the paperwork is piling up a bit," Arthur explained before standing and making his way around the kitchen to kiss Molly and the twin's goodbye.

"What about breakfast, Arthur? You have to eat." Molly didn't like the idea of anyone in her house going hungry.

"I'll grab something at work," Arthur replied before lowering his voice and adding, "Just want to make sure Ron goes straight to work. He's a bit worked up and the last thing Ginny needs is the rest of the boys showing up." Without waiting for a reply he hurried after his son.

"Were you bad, Daddy?" Angel asked innocently.

Draco frowned slightly. He was a little confused as to where the question had come from. "Why?"

"Uncle Ron was awfully angry with you," Angel said seriously. "When I'm bad he gets growlly with me too." She nodded her head so her strawberry blonde curls bounced.

"Oh, does he now? Well, your Uncle Ron and I have never really gotten along, so I should imagine he's not very happy to see me."

"Why?" Drake interjected.

"Why what, Drake?"

"Why doesn't Uncle Ron like you?" Drake said getting straight to the point. He was a bright little boy and he knew by his uncle's attitude that he didn't like his dad.

"Well, your Uncle Ron and I were at school together, but we were in different houses."

"All Weasley's are in Gryffindor," Angel said proudly. "That's what I'm going to be."

"What house were you in, Daddy?" Drake asked.

"I was in Slytherin." Draco watched his children's eyes grow as wide as they possibly could. They had obviously heard about Slytherin house and, by the looks none of it was good.

"Well that's why Uncle Ron doesn't like you!" Drake came to his own conclusion. "He doesn't like anyone that was in Slytherin."

"Oh really," Draco said, trying not to laugh as he thought of Pansy. "And how do you know that?"

"Uncle Ron told us, tons of times, that all Slytherins are slimy little gits and bouncing ferrets," Drake said with confidence.

"Drake, that's enough of that talk," Molly admonished lightly. She had been silently watching the exchange between Draco and the children.

"But Uncle Ron says its true," Drake insisted.

"Well does Uncle Ron say it to Pansy?" Draco tried hard to contain his smile.

"Why? Aunt Pansy was a Gryffindor." Drake was getting a little confused. Uncle Ron wouldn't be with Aunt Pansy if she weren't a Gryffindor, surely.

"Well, I think that maybe you should inform Aunt Pansy of your Uncle Ron's view on Slytherins and, perhaps, you should ask her yourself what house she was in, because I'm pretty sure she wasn't a Gryffindor." There's more than one way to get pay back, Draco thought smirking to himself. I just hope I'm there to see him fall.

"What house was Aunt Pansy in?" Angel asked from her position on Draco's knee.

"Why don't you ask her or your Uncle Ron?"

"Come on you two, time for breakfast," Molly said as she placed their plates on the table. "Angel, honey hop off of Daddy's knee and come sit over here."

"I want to stay here with Daddy," Angel whined tightening her grip around Draco's neck.

"Angel, you have to eat your breakfast before it goes cold now come and sit over here," Molly said patiently.

"No!" Angel stated before turning to Draco and putting on her sweetest face. "Daddy, I want to stay with you. Please can I?"

"Of course, you can sit up here and eat your breakfast." How was he supposed to say no to that face, but as he looked to Molly he realized he had, perhaps, just made a mistake. "That's if your grandmother doesn't mind," he added quickly.

"Just this once," Molly said grudgingly. "But don't think this will be happening every meal," she continued making it very clear that she was speaking to both Draco and Angel.

Drake took the seat next to his father and Molly moved their meals over to them.

"Mum, are the kids up yet?" Ginny called from the staircase while stifling a yawn.

"Yes dear, they're having breakfast," Molly replied noticing that Draco's attention was now firmly focused on the doorway.

A very sleepy Ginny wandered into the kitchen. She was dressed in what seemed to be a pair of men's pajamas and an old faded dressing gown. Her flaming red hair was wild and still messed from sleep. She had never looked more beautiful to Draco. She looked over to the twins and only then did she notice Draco sitting at the table, blatantly committing every inch of her to memory.

Draco smiled and quirked his eyebrows at her. "Good look, Gin."

"Oh god!" Ginny looked down the length of her body to what she was wearing. "Oh--"

With that she fled back upstairs--

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