Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER TWENTY

HORSES AND ROSES

Once outside, they strolled towards the stables. Angel holding Lucius' gloved hand and Narcissa beside Lucius, with her hand tucked into the crook of his elbow, expertly avoiding his snakehead cane. Ginny and Draco were side by side a short distance behind, and Drake was running ahead of everyone, very glad to be outdoors.

"So how did the 'Secret Wizards Business' go?" Ginny asked quietly, smiling at him cheekily.

"Well, between Father and myself, I think we managed to answer all his questions, but I should warn you, Drake now thinks we're naughty," Draco replied smirking.

"Oh gods. How did that happen?"

"Father, actually. He told him it wasn't morally correct to share a bedroom before you were married and so Drake ascertained that we're naughty."

"I can see Drake slipping that little morsel into a conversation, at the most inopportune time for me," Ginny groaned.

"Oh, that wasn't the worst of it," Draco said in a low voice as he crept a little closer to her. He desperately wanted to touch her in some way, his need for contact was growing by the minute and it was driving him crazy.

"Oh, do tell?" Ginny arched an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

"He wanted to know how." Draco tried, with all his might, to keep a straight face.

"How? How what?" A confused frown creased Ginny's brow.

"How babies are made." Draco laughed at the astonished look on Ginny's face and reached for her hand, almost unconsciously, at the same time.

"Oh. My. God. You didn't tell him! Did you? I mean-- he's only four, Draco!" Ginny was appalled that such a question had come from her innocent baby's mouth.

"Hey, calm down, Gin. We talked about it in a round about way. You know special hugs and all that. Absolutely no details," Draco assured her with a squeeze of her hand. She had made no move to pull away and he took this as an encouraging sign.

"Oh, I guess that's okay."

"The funny thing was, once we'd gotten through with that, he was worried about witch germs."

"They're a big thing in his life at the moment," Ginny said giggling. "I'm hoping he might hang onto that notion until he's at least, oh, thirty or so."

Draco laughed out loud at Ginny's idea. He knew full well Drake would overcome his fear of witch germs by the time he was twelve or thirteen and would develop the courage to follow his hormones into battle with the witches by fourteen at the most, if not sooner.

They were nearing the large stables that housed the many Malfoy horses. Drake was still running ahead of the group and had almost reached the stable doors.

"Drake, you can't just go barreling into the stables. You'll startle the horses," Draco called out.

"Okay, Daddy. I'll wait here," Drake replied with impatience edging into his voice.

"Good boy." Draco smiled at him, ignoring his subtle tone.

When everyone had caught up to Drake, Lucius felt it necessary to speak with the children before entering the stables. "Drake, Angelique, you can't make any loud or sudden noises while we're inside the stables."

"Why, Grandfather?" Angel asked gazing up at him with the most innocent of expressions on her face.

"If you do, you may frighten the horses."

"We'll be quiet. We promise. Don't we, Drake?" Angel answered earnestly nodding her head to reinforce her agreement.

"Yes, Grandfather. Can we go in now?" Drake said eagerly.

Lucius smiled at their eagerness. "Certainly."

The family entered the stables to a chorus of ooh's and aah's from Angel. The little girl loved all types of creatures, and horses were no exception. The Malfoy stables housed four mares, a gelding and one black stallion. One of the mares belonged to Narcissa, the gelding was Draco's and the stallion was Lucius' mount -- he was the only person who could control this particular beast.

"Grandfather, may we pat them?" Angel asked longingly.

"Of course. Just rub your hand down the nose," Lucius instructed as he strolled through inspecting the horse's as he passed.

"Grandfather, I can't reach," Angel complained as she tried to stretch up to one of the mares.

"Come here and I'll lift you up," Lucius said with his arms outstretched, his cane momentarily discarded to allow him to hold his granddaughter comfortably.

Angel ran to Lucius' arms and he hoisted her onto his hip then walked her over to the stall that housed his great stallion.

"This is my horse," Lucius said as Angel reached out to stroke the massive beast's nose.

"What's her name?" Angel asked as the horse snorted.

"He's a stallion and his name is Donal which means 'Proud Chief'," Lucius explained to her.

"He's really big, Grandfather. Can you ride him?" Angel asked with a tinge of awe in her tone.

"Yes, Angelique, I can ride him."

"Can we go for a ride?" Angel asked excitedly.

Upon entering the stable, Draco had quickly directed Ginny to the far end, where his own horse resided. As he told her all about his mount, he managed to keep an ear on the conversations his parents were having with the children.

"Angel, remember what I said? Not today," Draco firmly reminded her.

"Yes, Daddy," Angel replied, disappointment ringing in her tone.

"Now there's no need for a sad face. I will take you riding, just not today," Draco told her gently, hoping she wouldn't cry. He didn't think he'd be able to refuse her if she did.

"You can't very well go riding in your pretty dress robes, can you?" Lucius asked her.

"No, I guess not."

"Would you like to feed Donal a carrot?" Lucius asked her in the hope that it may cheer her up.

"Yes please, Grandfather," Angel responded, instantly forgetting her disappointment.

"Narcissa, dear I wonder, would you mind passing a carrot to Angelique?" Lucius said to his wife who was with Drake near one of the mares.

"Of course not. Here you are, sweetheart," Narcissa responded smiling warmly at Angel.

"Thank you, Grandmother," Angel said. "Grandfather, how do I feed him?"

"You don't know?" Lucius asked a little shocked.

"No." Angel replied innocently.

"I thought you did. It was you who suggested the carrots and sugar, was it not?" Lucius enquired rather sternly.

"Yes, but I just know they like them. I don't know how to feed them," Angel explained, disregarding the tone Lucius had used with her. She was used to that type of tone from her Uncle Percy and it did nothing to upset her disposition.

"I see. Well, I'll have to put you down for now, so I can show you." He placed Angel on her feet and as he did so his childhood memories came flooding back.

As a boy he had been intent on feeding his horse a carrot, unfortunately for Lucius he held the vegetable incorrectly and did not move his fingers out of the way before the small mare bit him. While not a lot of damage was caused to his fingers, his confidence around the creature had been rattled somewhat and was not restored, even when his father had insisted on showing him the correct way to feed the animal. He had vowed never to place a part of his body close to a horse's mouth again.

"That's okay." Angel smiled at him as she passed him the carrot.

He hesitantly prepared to feed Donal the carrot. "Angelique, are you watching?" Lucius stalled knowing full well that the little girl had not taken her eyes from him.

"Yes, Grandfather. I'm watching."

"Good. Now you hold the carrot like this and offer it to the horse. As it's getting closer to your hand you flatten it, like so." Lucius needed all his willpower not to pull his hand away from the feeding animal.

"Can I try now?" Angel asked with excitement bubbling through her voice.

"Of course. Why don't you run and get another carrot?" Lucius replied, relieved that he would not have to repeat the performance. He quickly whipped out his wand and performed a quick Scourgify charm to his gloved hand, to remove any remnants of horse drool and carrot.

"Here, Grandfather, I've got another carrot."

"Good." Lucius said as he lifted her back up to feed the horse. "Now, remember how I held the carrot."

"Like this?"

"Yes, that's it. All right, now move your hand Angelique. Lay it flat." Lucius sounded a little nervous, but only those who know him well would have picked up on it.

"It feels funny," Angel giggled, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Does it now?" Lucius smiled at her happiness.

"Can we get some sugar cubes now grandfather?" Angel asked eager to keep feeding the horse.

"Perhaps we can feed the sugar to your grandmothers mount. I don't really think Donal needs anymore after two carrots," Lucius suggested, opting to feed Narcissa's much gentler mare the smaller food.

"Ooh-- Which one is it?" Angel asked trying to turn in Lucius' arms to capture a glance of the other horses.

Lucius turned and walked over to the stall where Narcissa was stroking and whispering to an elegant brown mare.

"Has she answered you back yet, dear?" Lucius teased his wife gently.

"Oh, if only you knew of the secrets she shares with me, darling," Narcissa returned in good humor. It was an ongoing family joke; Narcissa had always spoken to her horses, almost holding conversations with them at times. Something Lucius found highly amusing. He had never, as an adult, felt the need to converse with an animal.

"What's her name, Grandmother?" Angel enquired as she stroked the mare's long nose.

"Her name is Ona. It means 'Graceful One'," Narcissa replied. "Isn't she lovely?"

"Oh, yes. She's beautiful," Angel agreed. "Do you think she would like some sugar?"

"I'm sure she would."

"Angelique, remember to hold your hand perfectly flat all the time," Lucius reminded her.

Angel flattened her hand away from the horse for Lucius' approval. "Like this grandfather?"

"Yes, just like that."

Before long Angel was giggling again as the gentle mare ate from her hand. "It tickles."

After they had patted and fed each horse in the stable, it was time to make their way back to the house for lunch.

"I suggest we all freshen up a little before we eat," Narcissa proposed as they entered the manor.

"Absolutely! I know two children who desperately need to wash their hands," Ginny agreed.

Narcissa summoned Millie to show Ginny and the children to a bathroom so they could clean up, and instructed her to lead them back to the dining room when they were ready.

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Upon entering the elegant dining room, Ginny was surprised when Draco and Lucius immediately got to their feet, and moved forward to meet her. Draco assisted her into the chair next to his and Lucius took the children around the table to sit opposite their parents, next to Narcissa. Lucius, of course, sat at the head of the great table.

"It may be better if the children were seated closer to me," Ginny suggested hesitantly. She knew how messy they could be during a meal.

"Nonsense! Dear, I can deal with the children. You enjoy your meal," Narcissa told her smiling.

"It's just-- they can get a little messy," Ginny stressed. The truth was they could get a lot messy.

"Nothing I haven't dealt with before. We all make a mess when we're just learning our table manners," Narcissa chided gently.

"If you're sure--" Ginny was still not entirely happy with the seating arrangements.

"Positively!" Narcissa said with finality, thus effectively closing the subject in her mind.

Lunch was an extravagant spread with pork, beef and lamb served with many different types of vegetables, prepared in ways Ginny had not seen before plus dessert.

"Merlin, do you eat like this everyday?" Ginny leaned over and whispered to Draco.

"No. This is special, because you're here," he whispered back smiling at her and because you are special, he added silently. The need to spend some time alone with her was growing more and more by the minute. He constantly had to hold himself back from touching her, reminding himself that it had been a long time since they were intimate and she may take offence if he were to cross certain social boundaries.

Throughout the meal, Ginny often offered her assistance with Drake or Angel only to be hushed by Narcissa. She looked to be having the time of her life, assisting them with cutting their meat, tempting them to try something new and instantly cleaning any accidental spills with a flick of her wand.

After they had eaten their fill, though Ginny doubted that Narcissa had eaten much at all with her fussing over the children, Lucius suggested taking the children on a tour of the manor. When the group left the dining room to embark on their tour, Angel had attached herself to Lucius' hand and Drake to Narcissa's. Draco and Ginny brought up the rear, a short distance behind. As they walked down the hall toward the foyer, Ginny felt Draco's arm wind around her waist and tug her into a darkened room.

"Come in here," Draco whispered into her ear as he pulled her sideways into one of his mother's formal parlors.

"Draco, what are you doing?" Ginny asked as she twisted out of his grasp.

"Shh--" He placed a finger across her lips. "Just wanted to talk, that's all."

"The children--"

"Will be fine." Draco finished for her.

"But--"

"You still don't trust him do you?"

"I-- well-- It's complicated and I'm confused about what I feel right now."

"The kids trust him. Isn't that enough?"

"Maybe-- I don't know." A worried frown creased Ginny's brow. The children generally took to everyone they met. Always Angel first, without any reservations, and then Drake, after observing the newcomer for a while.

"Let my parents spend some time alone with the kids. They'll be fine," Draco assured her gently. "He's not a monster, Gin."

"You're his son. You see him differently," Ginny responded. "I'm not saying I don't trust him, after what I've seen today, but I do still have reservations, and think, after everything I suffered because of him, I'm entitled to be at least a little wary."

"Okay, but at least give him a chance."

"Alright, I'll give him a chance."

"Good. Now why don't I show you mother's rose garden? It's so much more interesting than some dusty library or empty ballroom," Draco suggested grinning at her.

Ginny smiled warmly at him. "Alright, show me the rose garden."

Draco summoned Millie to fetch their cloaks and gloves for another walk outside. As soon as they were ready, Draco led her through the house to a side door off one of the parlors. He explained, as they passed through the darkened room, that it was the summer parlor and it lead almost directly to the rose garden.

"Oh, they're so beautiful and at this time of the year," Ginny exclaimed as she admired the blooms.

"Yeah magic, isn't it?" Draco smirked at her enthusiasm. Every year the roses were charmed to bloom in the coldest of conditions so his mother could have fresh flowers to place in the parlors.

As they walked through the expansive garden beds, Draco slipped his arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip. They'd been walking for quite sometime, in comfortable silence, when they approached a large gazebo situated in the middle of the rose gardens.

"It's so beautiful," Ginny sighed as she admired the intricate detail of the fairy carvings in the wood.

"Mother often holds tea parties out here just to show it off to her friends."

"Well, if I had such a beautiful gazebo, I think I should like to show it off too." Ginny laughed at her own folly before wandering to the edge to admire a climbing rose that had attached itself to one of the supporting poles.

Draco watched her bend over and carefully cup a small bloom in her gloved hand to inhale its scent. Before he really understood what he was doing, he had removed his gloves and was standing directly behind her, with his hands hovering over her hips. When Ginny stood up, she pressed back into Draco's waiting hands. She managed to suppress a gasp that had threatened to burst forth and turned to face him.

"Umm-- Draco, don't you--" Ginny started only to trail off as his head was slowly lowering towards hers.

"Shh--" Draco uttered as one of his hands traveled to the small of her back and the other, all the way up her back to tangle in her hair at the base of her neck, before his lips met hers in the most tender of kisses. When he broke their union briefly, Ginny almost groaned in frustration.

"Okay?" Draco barely whispered the question of permission.

"Yes," Ginny breathed in response.

He captured her lips with the passion he'd felt building all day. In a bid to deepen their union, he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips. He wasn't denied access as her mouth drifted open and her tongue glided over his.

Unbeknown to the couple they were being observed, from high above.

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