Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

GOODNIGHT LOVE

Friday afternoon dragged slowly for Draco. He was anxious to pick up Ginny and the twins, because they were coming to spend the entire weekend at the manor. Well, he and Ginny were spending the weekend together. His parents were looking after the children and, as far as he could tell, his mother had planned out just about every minute of their days, with all the things she'd wanted to do with them.

Mid afternoon found Draco poring over some rather boring contracts in his father's office. Lucius noted his distraction and decided it was a waste of time continuing discussions regarding these particular documents.

"Draco, you are not concentrating again," Lucius scolded him, not for the first time that day.

"My apologies, Father."

"What time are you to pick Ginevra and children up?"

"Not until four o'clock."

"Why not collect them earlier?"

"Work, Father."

"Well, I think we could make an exception for today. Do you think that she may be ready?"

Draco grinned broadly. "There's only one way to find out."

"You may leave. We are obviously not going to make any further progress with these contracts this afternoon," Lucius said with false irritation.

"I'll see you at home then?" Draco queried as he rose from his chair.

"Of course," Lucius intoned evenly as he turned his attention back to the parchments in front of him.

Draco left his father's office and returned to his own. He collected his cloak and gave some last minute instructions to his secretary before Disapparating.

Once he had dismissed Draco, Lucius wasted no time in leaving the office. He had been anticipating this weekend all week. Since she had been released from hospital, he had missed not being able to tuck Angelique in every evening and he was looking forward to spending more than just a couple of hours with his beloved granddaughter. Draco had also informed him of Drake's natural talent on a broom and he wanted to take him flying, to see for himself. Narcissa had made many plans for the children, but Lucius had insisted that Sunday afternoon's activities be by his arrangement.

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

When Draco arrived at the Burrow, he let himself in the back door of the house and looked around to see if anyone was there.

"Hello-- Gin," Draco called upon discovering no one in the lower levels of the house.

"Up here." Ginny's voice floated down from the staircase.

Draco climbed the stairs following the direction her voice had come from and found her in her small bedroom, furiously packing.

Draco smiled as he entered the small room. "There you are."

"I've just finished packing-- I think. You're early," Ginny said thoughtfully before she playfully slapped his shoulder.

"Yeah, I couldn't concentrate at work so Father sent me to get you," Draco admitted with a silly grin on his face. "I think he's as excited as Mother about the children coming for the weekend."

"Oh?" Ginny looked at him skeptically.

Draco laughed at her expression. "He can get excited, you know."

Ginny giggled. "I'm just having a hard time visualizing an excited Lucius Malfoy."

"Well, if you hurry, you may just get to see it first hand. I've a feeling he left the office before I did." Draco quirked his eyebrows at her enticingly.

"Looks like we're leaving now then!"

"Daddy!" The twins squealed as they burst into the room.

"Hey, are you guys all ready to go?" Draco squatted to hug both his children at the same time.

"Yep," Drake answered enthusiastically.

"Yes, Daddy. All packed," Angel replied excitedly.

"Good. We're just waiting on Mummy then." Draco gave Ginny a meaningful look.

"Just give me a few minutes," Ginny replied impatiently.

"Why don't we get your bags downstairs and ready to leave?" Draco suggested to the children.

"Okay, Daddy." Drake left the room to get his bag and take it downstairs.

"Princess, what about your bag?" Draco enquired of Angel, who had not left the room.

"Can you help me, Daddy? It's heavy." Angel looked up at him pouting.

"I'll be right there," he grinned at her. "Gin, don't take too long."

"I just need a few minutes and I'll be down." She frowned at the pile of clothes in her suitcase.

Draco went to Angel's room to get her bag and he took it downstairs to where Drake was already waiting, somewhat impatiently.

"Are we going now, Daddy?" Drake asked excitedly.

"We've just got to wait for Mummy. She's not quite ready."

"Can't she meet us there?" Drake whined.

"No, she can't. Where is your Grandma?"

"She's visiting Aunt Angelina cause she's not feeling well," Angel replied, her voice full of concern.

"Okay, I think I'm ready," Ginny announced breathlessly.

"You sure?" Draco asked eying the two bags she had packed for herself.

Ginny frowned. "I think so. I just keep getting this feeling like I've forgotten something."

"If you've forgotten anything we'll just buy it, okay?" Draco walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders then allowed them to run down her arms taking the bags in her hands.

"All right, I'm ready," she said smiling at him.

"Yay! We can go," Drake squealed.

"Yes, we can." Draco used a Reducio charm to shrink their bags to fit inside his pockets as Ginny helped the children with their cloaks.

Draco picked up Ginny's cloak. "Milady," he said jokingly before swinging it around her shoulders and planting a light kiss on her nose.

Ginny giggled playfully as she flushed crimson. "Kind sir."

They held each other's eyes for a few moments, unable to tear themselves away before a heavy sigh from Drake interrupted the moment that, otherwise, may have been romantic.

"Okay, we're right to go!" Draco produced an ugly paperweight from his breast pocket. "Right, one finger on the Portkey."

Ginny and the children gathered close to him. Each reached out to touch the portkey. Draco also grabbed hold of Angel's hand and Ginny took Drake's.

They landed in the foyer of Malfoy Manor instantaneously. Draco resized their baggage and off loaded it onto Millie, the house elf, giving her instructions to take it to the rooms his mother had set aside for them.

"Let's go and say hello to my parents before I show you your rooms." Draco placed a hand in the middle of Ginny's back to guide her down the corridor.

"Okay." Ginny allowed herself to be directed to the parlor.

Now familiar with the trek to their grandmother's winter parlor, Drake and Angel ran ahead of their parents.

"Grandmother, we're here," squealed Angel as she entered the room.

"Grandfather, you're home," Drake said in surprise.

Narcissa moved swiftly off the chair she was sitting on and embraced Angel.

"Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling now?" Narcissa asked her sincerely.

"I'm all better," Angel stated confidently.

"That's wonderful," Narcissa said enthusiastically. "Drake come and say hello properly."

"Hello, Grandmother." Drake walked into Narcissa's arms, for a cuddle.

Angelique walked over to Lucius and he picked her up.

"Are you sure you're all right now?" Lucius asked doubtfully.

"Yes, Grandfather." Angelique gave him a small roll of her eyes.

"I am just checking." Lucius tried to sound gruff, but he failed dismally.

Angelique sighed and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Drake wandered over to greet Lucius.

"Drake." Lucius held his hand out.

"Grandfather." Drake responded as he slipped his small hand into Lucius' and shook it.

"Mother. Father," Draco greeted them as he and Ginny walked through the door. "See, I told you he'd be home," he added in a low whisper to Ginny.

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, it's lovely to see you again." Ginny smiled at the older couple.

"Ginevra, thank you so much for coming this weekend and allowing the children to stay." Narcissa came forward and kissed both her cheeks so lightly Ginny hardly felt any contact at all.

"Ginevra, I feel it is high time we put an end to the formal propriety," Lucius began.

Ginny's eyes grew wide. She wasn't sure she liked what he was saying, even if she didn't quite understand.

"I insist that you address us by our given names," Lucius continued smiling at her indulgently.

"Oh-- Of course." Ginny suddenly felt a little silly. "If you wish, Lucius."

"Good," he drawled.

"Why don't we have some afternoon tea before you show Ginevra and the children to their rooms?" Narcissa suggested lightly.

"That would be lovely, Mother," Draco responded warmly.

Narcissa summoned a house elf and ordered afternoon tea to be served immediately. Within minutes the family had settled into chairs and were nibbling on some of the finest sweet pastries available in either the Wizarding or Muggle worlds.

After they had eaten their fill, Draco led them upstairs to their chambers. First they went to Drake's rooms. They entered a small private sitting room that contained a fireplace and some comfortable chairs beyond that was the door to the bedchamber. A large mahogany four-poster bed draped in deep green and silver hangings dominated the room. The other furniture was also made from the dark wood. Despite the rich furniture, which should have called for paneled walls or something similar, Narcissa had decorated the walls in a Quidditch theme, much to Drake's delight. A door on the sidewall of the room led to a beautifully appointed bathroom. The marble bath with would have been large enough for the small child to use as a swimming pool.

"Do you like your room, Drake?" Draco asked.

"Daddy, it's big!" Drake turned around trying to see everything at once.

"Wonderful! I'm so glad you like it, darling," Narcissa exclaimed from the doorway.

"I really do, Grandmother."

"Should we take a look at Angel's rooms now?" Draco asked smiling.

"Yes please," Angel responded happily.

Draco led them back out into the hall and to the very next door along. He opened the door and Angel ran inside to her sitting room. It had been tastefully decorated in a rainbow of pastel colors. Angel fawned over the pretty appointments of the little sitting room for a few minutes, before bursting through to the bedchamber. It was every little girls dream. Decorated tastefully in soft pastel shades, the canopy of the four-poster bed was sheer lace and the bed was scattered with frilly pillows in all different colors. The bathroom was white marble throughout, with an enormous round tub dominating the smaller room.

"Do you like your room, sweetheart?" Narcissa asked Angelique, who was bouncing from one side of the room to the other, trying to inspect everything at once.

"Oh yes, Grandmother. It's so pretty." She stopped briefly to throw her arms briefly around Narcissa's legs.

"I am so glad." Narcissa sighed happily and wore a contented smile.

"Their rooms are truly wonderful, Narcissa." Ginny complimented the older witch.

"Thank you, dear. I enjoyed decorating them immensely."

"Why don't I show you your rooms now, Gin? We can leave the kids to explore," Draco suggested as he came up behind her and slipped his arms around her middle.

"All right."

Draco led Ginny quietly from Angel's room and took her further up the hall, to a set of double doors.

"This is it."

"Well-- open the doors."

Draco opened both doors at once and allowed Ginny to step into the richly decorated sitting room. She glanced around noticing a predominant burgundy color scheme throughout the room. Draco walked through to the door that lead to the bedchamber and opened it for her. As Ginny wandered through her breath seemed to hitch in her throat. The room was beautifully appointed. The burgundy hues from the sitting room had carried through accented perfectly by gold tones.

"Oh-- it's so beautiful."

"Do you really like it?"

"Oh, yes. It's lovely." It was possibly the most beautiful bedroom she had ever seen.

"Your dressing room is through that door and your bathroom is through here," Draco said as he opened the door.

"Oh my!" Ginny exclaimed as she walked into the bathroom. The room itself was larger than her bedroom at the Burrow and was dominated by a large marble tub.

"Big enough for two." Draco gathered her in his arms and quirked his eyebrows suggestively.

Ginny smirked. "I'll take your word for it, shall I?"

"You sure about that?" Draco murmured as he leant in to claim her mouth.

"Draco Malfoy! I would hope that I raised you better than that," Narcissa exclaimed clearly disgusted with her only son.

"Mother, you also taught me it is not polite to eavesdrop," Draco responded sardonically even though the tips of his ears had tinged crimson.

"I was not eavesdropping. I was just coming to see that Ginevra's rooms were acceptable," Narcissa defended her presence. "I certainly did not expect to hear my son making such suggestions to a lady."

"The rooms are wonderful, Narcissa. Thank you," Ginny interjected before Draco could respond again.

"Your welcome, dear." Narcissa smiled condescendingly before turning on her heel and leaving the young couple alone.

"Oh Merlin. Now your mother hates me."

"No, she doesn't. She's upset with me and I'll probably hear all about it later from Father."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope. I'll bet she's already in Father's ear telling him what a bad boy I am," he chuckled. "Now-- where were we?"

Draco's arms drew her in once more as he dipped his head to meet her lips. Ginny's arms drifted around his neck and her hands wove through his hair. As he pulled her closer, one of his hands drifted down to cup her backside.

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

While Ginny and Narcissa were dressing themselves and the children for dinner, Draco was summoned to Lucius' study for a discussion.

Lucius entered his home office ahead of his son, striding straight to the liquor cabinet. "Firewhisky?"

"Thank you, Father." Draco accepted with an inclination of his head as he sat in one of the armchairs near the fire.

"You realize I had your Mother complaining about your behavior this afternoon?" Lucius stated as he passed Draco his drink and took the chair opposite.

"Mother overheard a private conversation between Gin and myself."

"I have no doubt it was a private conversation, however the fact remains that your mother found it distasteful."

"Father, she was eavesdropping," Draco reiterated forcefully.

"Be that as it may, it does not alter the fact that I've had to endure a good portion of the afternoon having my ear chewed off because of your private conversation," Lucius grumbled lightly.

"How can I be held responsible for that?"

"I am not assigning blame, Draco. I simply wish to remind you that it would be wise to ensure your mother is in a different country before holding a conversation of that nature with the mother of her grandchildren."

"Yes, Father. I'll be more careful in the future -- if only to save your ears." Draco grinned at Lucius cheekily.

"Good and for your information, the tub-- very comfortable for two regardless of the activity," Lucius said with a nefarious smirk.

"Thought it might be." Draco's smile broadened.

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

Dinner was a sumptuous affair in the formal dining room. Narcissa had, once again, insisted on having the children close to her so she could assist them throughout the meal.

"Draco, I presume you've made plans for the weekend?" Lucius enquired.

"Some," Draco replied ambiguously.

"And?"

"Tomorrow evening Ginny and I will be eating out," Draco informed him grudgingly.

"I'll alert the kitchen then," Narcissa said curtly.

"I've taken care of that, Mother." Draco offered Narcissa a small smile across the table.

"Very well," Narcissa replied coolly. She was still quite upset with Draco's earlier behavior and, even though Lucius had spoken to him, she was not quite ready to absolve him yet.

"I understand you have made plans to keep the children entertained?" Draco enquired of both his parents.

"Yes. Your mother has quite a weekend planned. Shopping in the morning, lunch, perhaps a visit to the park. Sunday, if the weather holds, we may take the brooms out and perhaps some horse riding for Angelique." Lucius smiled at his granddaughter as he voiced the last activity.

"Drake cannot go flying," Draco informed him firmly.

"And why not?" Lucius asked unperturbed.

"Drake?" Draco looked at his son.

"Daddy grounded me from flying for a whole month," Drake told Lucius in a small sulky voice.

"Oh-- and why did your Father ground you?"

"'Cause it's my fault Angel got hurt," Drake mumbled into his lap.

"Drake you must look at the person you are addressing, otherwise it is very difficult to hear what you are saying, especially when you are mumbling."

"I got Daddy's broom out of the shed and Angel fell off and got hurt so it was my fault," Drake told Lucius in a clear, but heartrending voice.

"I see," Lucius replied. "Well, as that is the case, perhaps after you have served your punishment I will take you flying."

Drake's face fell. He had hoped his grandfather might lift the flying ban for the weekend, but it was not to be.

"Drake, why the long face?" Lucius asked austerely.

"Nothing, Grandfather." A fat tear coursed down his cheek.

"Do you often cry over nothing, young man?"

"N--no." Drake hiccupped.

"Well, I suggest you tell us why you are crying at the dinner table."

"I-- I-- want to go flying." Drake managed to say through the tears that were now flowing unchecked, down his face.

"Did we not just discuss the punishment you are currently serving?"

"Yes, Grandfather."

"And?" Lucius probed impatiently.

"Daddy won't let me go flying," Drake said in an unmistakably accusatory tone.

At this last comment Draco looked across the table in astonishment at his son. He could not believe Drake had just blamed him for his predicament. He was about to formulate a defensive response when he heard Ginny giggling lightly beside him.

"What?" Draco asked the amused witch.

"Oh-- your face. You should see it."

"Well-- he blamed me. I didn't do anything wrong, he did." Draco pointed across the table at Drake.

Ginny was lost in laughter by this time. The scandalized expression on Draco's face was quite familiar; Drake was known to pull the same face when trying to pin the blame on someone else.

Lucius cleared his throat loudly. "Draco, surely I do not need to remind you that it is rude to point?"

Draco's arm came back in and he looked around the table. The other adults appeared to be highly amused.

"What is so entertaining?" Draco demanded.

"I fear we may have three children in the manor this weekend," Lucius muttered.

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

After the evening meal was finished the family retired to the parlor to spend the remainder of the evening together.

"Drake. Angel. You will behave for your grandparents, won't you?" Ginny felt the need to remind the children of what was expected of them, before they became too sleepy.

"Yes, Mummy," Angel replied from her position of Lucius' lap.

Drake rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mummy."

"Drake," Draco warned.

"Sorry," Drake mumbled. He was well aware of what the reprimand was for.

"Once you go to bed, you are not to leave your rooms. Okay? I don't want you to get lost in the house." This was one thing Ginny had been very concerned about. It was quite possible to get lost in this mansion.

"Yes, Mummy," the twins answered in unison.

"Lucius is going to cast a ward on each of their rooms." Narcissa paused noticing Ginny's horrified expression. It took no time for her to work out the problem. "Oh, not to keep them in, but to alert us if they leave the boundaries of their room. We used such wards when Draco was a child."

"If they walk into the corridor a ward will go off in the master chamber, this parlor and kitchen," Lucius explained.

"The kitchen?" In all her visits, she had not known any of them to enter the kitchen.

"Yes, to alert the servants. If we need to mount a search they can be useful."

Ginny's face contorted into an expression of horror. "A search?"

"Yes. Draco would disappear so quickly that we formulated a procedure for searching the Manor," Lucius explained, noticing Ginny's appearance. "You're not to worry, we always found him."

"It's the exact reason Lucius developed the ward," Narcissa informed her. "Do not worry, dear. They will not be able to get far in the time it takes us to get to their rooms."

"If you say so." Ginny's tone was anything but confident.

"Honestly, Gin, they'll be fine," Draco tried to quietly reassure her.

"I think it's about time for their bath," Ginny announced trying to change the subject. She did not want to think about how one of her babies could very well get lost in this sprawling house.

"Millie can see to their bath," Narcissa offered.

"Really I don't mind," Ginny told her with a smile.

"Nonsense, you are supposed to be handing care over to us for the entire weekend. Millie is quite experienced. She cared for Draco a great deal when he was a child," Lucius informed her.

With that Narcissa summoned the small house elf and gave instructions to take the children, bathe them and prepared them for bed.

The twins reappeared an hour later, escorted by Millie. They were both dressed in their pajamas, slippers and bathrobes.

"I think it's time for you two to go to bed," Ginny said to the twins.

"Just a little while longer, Mummy," pleaded Drake.

"Please, Mummy," Angel joined her brother.

"No, it's late enough," Ginny said firmly. "Now say goodnight."

Both children began to bemoan their fate, pleading to anyone who would listen.

"Drake. Angel. Mummy said bed, now," Draco said sternly.

"Yes, Daddy," Angel whispered.

Drake merely glowered at Draco.

"Grandfather, can you please tell me a story?" Angel asked sweetly as she clambered onto his knee.

"If you go up to bed now, I will come up shortly and tell you a story."

"Thank you, Grandfather," Angel squealed before hopping off his knee and walking over to Narcissa. "Goodnight, Grandmother."

"Goodnight, darling." Narcissa leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

Drake walked slowly over to Lucius. "Goodnight, Grandfather," he grumbled.

"Goodnight, Drake," Lucius responded. "Would you like to hear the story?"

"No thank you, Grandfather," Drake answered flatly.

"Very well. We will see you in the morning then."

Drake wandered over to Narcissa and bid her goodnight.

"Are you feeling unwell, Drake?" Narcissa frowned lightly at him.

"I feel fine."

"Are you sure, dear? You don't sound terribly happy."

"I'm fine!"

"Very well. If you need anything during the night, just come to my chambers, darling."

Drake sighed heavily. "Yes, Grandmother."

Draco and Ginny escorted the children upstairs. Before tucking them in they reminded both of them where everyone's chambers were, should they need anything throughout the night.

"Is Drake truly all right?" Narcissa asked Ginny upon their return to the parlor.

"Yes, he's fine."

"He's been so quiet since dinner."

"He's sulking. Really, he's fine, Narcissa." Ginny smiled at the older woman.

"Why would he be sulking?"

"His flying ban," Ginny informed her. "Since Monday, every time his punishment is brought up he sulks for a while afterwards."

"I see. We shall make an effort to avoid that subject then."

"What ever for, dearest?" Lucius asked in an amused tone.

"It obviously upsets the boy."

"Ah-- but it would be just like reliving Draco's childhood."

"Father," Draco protested.

"Best I see to this story then." Lucius rose with a self satisfied grin and made his way upstairs to Angel's chambers.

While Lucius was upstairs, the occupants of the parlor discussed the arrangements Ginny had made for the twins fifth birthday gathering, which was scheduled for the following weekend. Ginny explained that the entire family would be present, plus the children's godparents and that the family had a tradition of giving gifts at the official family gathering, rather than on the actual birthday.

Lucius returned, after some time upstairs, looking rather tired.

"Dear, is everything all right?" Narcissa asked as Lucius took his seat.

"Yes, yes-- I was beginning to wonder just who would fall asleep first though, Angel or myself," he replied with a tired smile.

"Oh dear-- you did remember to set the wards?" Narcissa enquired.

"Yes, darling. Thankfully, I attended to that before I began the story."

"Perhaps we should retire for the evening? You do look weary."

"I assure you, my dear, I am fine."

"If you are quite sure then. However I must warn you, if you fall asleep in your chair again, I will leave you to snore the night away down here," Narcissa said audaciously.

"I do not fall asleep in my chair and, furthermore, Malfoy's do not snore," Lucius stated ostentatiously.

"Of course not, dear. I must have you confused with the portrait of Merlin in our chambers," Narcissa said sarcastically.

Lucius frowned at his wife. "We have no portrait of Merlin in our chambers."

Narcissa smirked at her husband. No matter how often she mentioned it, Lucius refused to believe that he snored. She had even resorted to ordering a house elf to testify to the noise she endured night after night. Lucius had the house elf punished severely and no others would speak up against their master following that.

"Come now, darling. We have a busy day scheduled with the children tomorrow." Narcissa rose gracefully from her chair.

Of course, this action brought both Lucius and Draco instantly to their feet.

"Good. Now that you are on your feet you can escort me upstairs," Narcissa said to Lucius.

"Very well, dear," Lucius agreed begrudgingly.

"Goodnight, Draco." Narcissa paused for Draco to place a kiss on her cheek and while she had him at close quarters she added quietly, "I do hope you plan to respect Ginevra while she is staying at the Manor."

Since Ginny had requested separate chambers for this weekend stay, Narcissa had been insistent that Draco respect her request and remain in his own chambers each night. She had no doubt he would attempt to convince the pretty young witch otherwise, but she would not tolerate him forcing her into a situation she was not comfortable with.

"Goodnight, Mother, Father." Draco tried to ignore his mother's statement.

"Draco," Narcissa urged.

"Of course, Mother." Draco knew it was better to appease her, than to argue the point. Besides, what she did not know wouldn't hurt her.

"Goodnight, Ginevra. Sleep well, dear." Narcissa smiled pleasantly at her.

"Thank you. Goodnight, Narcissa."

"Ginevra. Draco." Lucius inclined his head toward the two.

"Goodnight, Lucius," Ginny responded.

Draco and Ginny watched as the older Malfoy's made their way out of the parlor.

"Alone at last," Draco sighed as he sat down next to Ginny and draped an arm around her shoulders.

"Yes."

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Perhaps we should retire for the evening too."

She stifled a yawn. "Mmm-- perhaps it would be a good idea."

Draco assisted Ginny to standing position and then escorted her upstairs. They checked on both children before finding themselves standing outside the doors leading to Ginny's chambers.

"So-- I'll see you in the morning then," Ginny said.

"What? No night cap?" Draco grinned cheekily at her.

"Draco," Ginny warned playfully.

Draco shrugged. "Can't blame a man for trying?"

"Goodnight, Draco."

"Don't I at least warrant a kiss?"

"All right." It wasn't as though she could deny him when he pouted like a little boy.

Draco's arms encircled her as he leaned in to capture her mouth. Ginny felt her eyelids flutter closed as he drew her flush against his body. His lips grazed hers lightly and then he withdrew.

"Goodnight love," he whispered before releasing her and walking off in the direction of his own rooms.

Left standing in the corridor, Ginny was unsure of what she felt. On one hand, she was glad he hadn't pursued her to spend the night with him. But on the other, she was disappointed and perhaps a little insulted that he had not put any effort in, at all, to change her mind.

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