Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

BAD DREAMS

They looked the perfect picture of young lovers as they strolled along the banks of the tranquil lake on the Malfoy Estate. It was late afternoon and they would soon have to head back to the house to prepare for their evening out. Draco stopped and gently pulled Ginny around to face him. His arms snaked around her body, and she tilted her chin back so she could look into his eyes. They had darkened to slate gray sometime over lunch and had not yet returned to their usual shade of silver. His head lowered slowly until he was kissing her gently.

Despite the overwhelming urge to possess her totally, Draco held back. He had vowed, to himself, he was going to take everything very carefully from now on. He knew, if he were to treat Ginny like any of the other women he had dated over the past years, she would not hesitate in leaving him and he did not think that he could bear to be apart from her again.

Draco rested his forehead on Ginny's when they broke for air. "We should probably head back to the house soon. We have reservations," he uttered in a thick voice.

"Mmm-- I need some time to get ready," Ginny responded softly, not really caring if they headed back to the house. She was quite happy here, in his arms.

"Come on." He lifted his head and grinned cheekily at her. "Before I change my mind."

Ginny sighed as Draco began to lead her in the direction of the house. "All right."

They walked with their arms around one another until they had reached the outer door to Ginny's rooms.

"I'll send Millie in to assist you," Draco offered.

"That's not necessary. I can dress myself."

"I know, but this weekend you are a princess and princesses do not dress themselves or draw their own baths. So go in there, relax and let Millie do everything." Draco punctuated his words with little kisses.

Ginny shook her head in amusement. "If you insist."

"I insist!" He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. "I'll see you soon."

She watched him walk towards his own chambers, then turned and let herself into her rooms. As she entered the bedchamber she heard the distinct pop of Apparation within the room. Millie had arrived and was already making her way to the bathroom.

"Millie will draw young Miss' bath now," the little creature said as she made her way across the room.

"Thank you," Ginny muttered. She still wasn't accustomed to dealing with the servants and had no idea how to respond.

After undressing in the dressing room, she wrapped a bathrobe around her before pinning up her hair. When Ginny entered the bathroom, she was delighted to see the enormous bath full to the brim with hot water and fragrant bubbles. The entire room smelled like a strawberry field. Millie placed fresh towels out for her use and then left her to her privacy.

She slipped the bathrobe off her shoulders and allowed it to spill to the floor. With care she stepped into the bath, immediately relaxing and letting the heat seep into her body.

"Miss-- Miss, must wake up now," Millie called from the side of the tub.

"Oh--I must have drifted off," Ginny muttered as she realized the small elf was talking to her. She had no idea how long she'd been in the bath, but by the look of her skin it had been quite some time.

"It is time to dress, Miss. Millie will help you."

Ginny placed her hands on the side of the tub, ready to lift herself out. "Yes, thank you. I'll be out in a minute."

Millie did not move to leave the bathroom. Instead she picked up a towel and held it out. Ginny quickly raised herself out of the tub and wrapped the proffered towel around her. She felt a little self-conscious standing there, exposed, in front of the small creature.

"Come, come, Miss, we get dressed now," Millie said as she began to pat Ginny down to dry her.

"I can do that-- thanks." Ginny began to move the towel around to dry her body without exposing herself.

Millie's hands dropped to her sides immediately and she left the bathroom, much to the witch's relief. She slipped the bathrobe on and walked through the bedchamber to the dressing room, only to find Millie in there fussing over her clothes.

"Miss will dress now." Millie held up a dress for Ginny.

She frowned. "That is not my dress."

"But-- Little Master told Millie his Miss must wear this dress." The horrified tone in the servants voice was obvious. She could be punished if she did not follow her Little Master's orders.

"Oh?" Ginny watched as the creature in front of her began to shake. It was clearly terrified Ginny would refuse to wear the dress. "Well, we can't disappoint Little Master, can we?"

Ginny slipped the dress over her head. It was made, from what felt like, the finest black silk Ginny had ever encountered. The dress hung to trail on the floor at the back in a small semi circle. Over one shoulder ran a thin strap of encrusted diamonds, it fastened just under her arm with another strap of encrusted diamonds coming from the first at the top of the shoulder to attach to the opposite shoulder strap of gathered silk from the bodice swept up across the shoulder. As it reached the pinnacle of her shoulder it hung loosely, exposing the milky skin of her back to her waistline and sweeping up again to attach just under her arm. The dress had been exquisitely tailored to cling to her curves in all the right places. The matching wrap was also fringed with encrusted diamonds. She could only think that Draco must have spent a small fortune on this single garment.

"Millie will do Miss' hair now. Miss will sit here."

Ginny sat obediently in the chair Millie had indicated and she couldn't help but think about just how pushy this house elf was. From what she knew of house elves, they were meant to be acquiescent creatures -- apparently this was not so, for the house elves at Malfoy Manor, at least.

Forty minutes later Ginny was ready for her dinner date. Her hair had been expertly twisted into a French roll with long tendrils left to flow around her face and down her neck. Her makeup looked as though a professional had spent hours meticulously applying it. Throughout the preparations for the evening, Ginny learned that Millie often assisted Narcissa prepare for special events.

"Little Master will be most pleased," Millie announced before popping out of the room.

Ginny sat in the dressing room for a while gathering her thoughts, before Draco called for her. She hoped he would be most pleased.

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

Upon their return to the Manor late in the afternoon, Narcissa decided it would be best if the children were bathed before dinner rather than after. They'd had a full day and were very tired. While a house elf herded the children upstairs for a bath, Narcissa proceeded to her own chambers to dress for dinner. Lucius followed her up, after checking his study for any owls that may have arrived during his absence. On his way up the staircase he came across a very happy Draco.

"I trust your day has gone well." It was more of a statement than a question, given Draco's current demeanor.

"Excellent, Father!"

"I take it then, that you had an opportunity to sort out your grievances with Ginevra?"

"Yes, Father. We had a long talk this morning and I feel that we have achieved somewhat of an understanding."

Lucius smirked. "Good."

"Did you have a pleasant day with the children?"

"Yes, quite entertaining. I believe they are bathing at the moment, if you wanted to say hello." Lucius quite deliberately omitted the fact that Drake had vanished that morning.

"I think I'll resist the urge." Draco gave him a cheeky grin. "We're about to head out for the evening."

"Ah-- do enjoy yourselves and do not worry about the children."

"Thank you, Father." Draco inclined his head in acknowledgement.

Both men continued in the respective directions. Lucius stopped in Angelique's chambers to check on the children and instructed the house elf to escort Drake to his study, once he was dressed for dinner. He then continued to the Master chamber, to prepare for the evening meal himself before returning to his study.

Lucius had only been waiting a few moments in his study, before the house elf made an appearance, followed by a very sullen Drake. After dismissing the creature, Lucius regarded his grandson for a long while before sitting forward on his chair and resting his forearms on his wide desk, clasping his hands together.

"Come forward, Drake."

Drake shuffled forward as slowly as he dared. Something told him this would not be like the talks he usually had to endure from his Uncle Harry when he wandered from his mum. He had already come to the conclusion that his grandfather was not a man to be trifled with. He stopped a few feet in front of the large desk, with his hands hanging by his sides and his eyes downcast.

"Drake, look at me."

Drake's eyes flicked upwards to meet a pair of cold gray orbs. Unable to prevent it, he visibly shuddered.

"Are you cold, boy?"

"No, Grandfather."

"Why are you shaking?"

Drake lifted his chin defiantly. "I'm not."

"Oh-- my mistake." Lucius smirked. "I presume I do not have to explain why you find yourself once again standing in front of my desk?"

"No, Grandfather."

"I have a question for you and I expect an honest answer. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Why did you leave the robe shop?"

"It was boring in there," Drake admitted resentfully.

"Really? Did it not occur to you that your grandmother would be worried?"

"No."

"She was beside herself. I do not think I have ever seen her in such a state," Lucius growled, his voice beginning to rise.

"I'm sorry, Grandfather," Drake spluttered as tears began to roll down his cheeks.

"Stop your sniveling immediately! I will not abide such behavior while I am speaking to you."

Drake tried to ebb the flow of his tears, but it was to no avail. The more he tried, the louder he became.

Lucius sighed heavily from the other side of the desk. At this point he had no choice but to press forward, regardless of the boy's emotional state. Otherwise he may think he can blubber every time he finds himself in trouble, to cease any reprimand he may receive.

"Drake, we will continue."

"Y--yes, Gr--grand--father," Drake sniffed.

"This habit you have of wandering off whenever you feel like it ceases right now. You are never to leave the side of the person you are with for any reason. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Grand--father."

"At this point I am undecided on an appropriate punishment for your crime, but be assured you will atone for your violation of my trust."

"Yes--s, Grandfather."

"And I will be informing your father tomorrow evening of your behavior," Lucius told him with a sneer.

"Angel will anyway," Drake retorted quickly, without thinking of the consequences.

Lucius rose in fluid motion and rounded the desk before Drake could blink. He was standing directly in front of him now. "Merlin knows, if you were my son, I would have already wrapped my cane around your backside," Lucius snarled as he leaned down to look Drake in the eye. He sneered as his grandson's bottom lip quivered.

Drake broke down into loud sobbing. "S--sorry, Gr--and--father."

Lucius gave Drake some time to shed a few more tears, before growing impatient. "Drake, pull yourself together right now! We are expected in the dining room," Lucius growled lightly so as not to induce more tears. "I will advise you of your punishment, once I have spoken to your father."

"Yes--s, Grand--father," Drake responded unevenly as he attempted to wipe his face dry.

"You will not speak of this conversation to your Grandmother. I will not have her upset again. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Grandfather," Drake responded with a hiccup.

"Very well. Shall we?" Lucius indicated that Drake should move toward the door.

Drake walked slightly ahead of Lucius down the long corridor that lead back to the main area of the house. He was trying his best to ignore the nasty comments the portraits of his ancestors were making. Several were commenting that they had heard the boy crying. Some even asked him if Lucius had beaten him. Then others would add their Knut's worth, saying that there was nothing wrong with a good beating and if that didn't work, then 'Crucio' was certainly an option for wayward little boys in their day.

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

The restaurant in Muggle London that Draco had chosen for the evening was exceptional. The atmosphere was wonderful. The food was excellent and of course the company, unsurpassed.

After they had finished their dessert and coffee, Draco had suggested a stroll through Saint James' Park -- the perfect way to finish the evening. They entered through Queen Anne's Gate and walked toward the lake, keeping to the path closest to the shore. They were so wrapped up in each other as they strolled along it was as if no one else on earth existed.

As they neared the children's playground Draco slowed his pace. He drew Ginny even closer to him and began to place kisses at the top of her head, running a trail down one side of her face as she turned fully into him. He nipped gently at the corner of her mouth, before claiming it in a hot passion filled kiss. His arms ran up her back. One hand threaded though her hair and held her at the base of her neck. The other began to descend stopping only when it had cupped one cheek of her bottom.

Ginny's loose arm went around his neck to thread through his long hair. As his tongue entered her mouth, she felt as though her skin was on fire. A heat was building between her thighs that only the man in front of her would be able to douse. As Draco pulled her further into him, she could feel his desire firmly prodding her in the stomach. His mouth began a hot trail down the side of her neck, stopping to suckle upon the pulse point, bringing forth a throaty moan from her.

"I do hope that is not your wand I can feel, Mr. Malfoy." Ginny's throaty whisper alerted him to her mutual desire.

"I believe it's time to return to the Manor." Draco smirked before withdrawing his wand and swiftly Apparating them back to the entrance of Malfoy Manor.

Letting themselves in hurriedly, they all but ran up the stairs, stopping only once they had reached Ginny's rooms. Draco reached out and held both her hands in his. He placed a kiss on each before sighing and resting his forehead on her upheld hands. When he raised his head she could see lingering doubt shadowing the lust in his eyes.

"Are you sure you want this?" Draco whispered, not daring to think what would happen if she said no.

"Draco." Ginny loosened one of her hands from his grasp and snaked it around the back of his neck, pulling him down sharply and meeting his lips with undeniable need.

While still snogging each other senseless in the corridor, Draco tried to blindly reach for the door handle to her rooms and thus privacy. He was still fumbling around behind her back, when her hands slipped under his jacket and begun to pull his shirt from his pants, until she had created an opening large enough to slip her hands under and caress his back.

As her cold hands made direct contact with his back, Draco stumbled forward, crashing both of them into the door with a resounding thud. Draco was still trying to get the door to open when they heard another door open, not too far away. They parted abruptly as Narcissa came into view. Draco pulled Ginny around to stand in front of him, covering his more than obvious arousal from his mother's view.

"Draco. Ginevra. I thought I heard something."

"Sorry, Mother. I stumbled into the door." Draco prayed she would go away very quickly.

"It is not like you to be clumsy, dear. Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, Mother. I feel fine." Draco sighed. At least I will when you go away, he added mentally.

"If you are sure. I trust you enjoyed your evening?"

Ginny smiled at the older witch. "Thank you, Narcissa. It was wonderful."

"Wonderful! Well, I'll just check on the children."

"Goodnight, Mother." Draco sighed mentally, in relief. He thought she'd never leave.

"Goodnight, Narcissa." Ginny's smile hadn't faltered, though she was very nearly close to laughing. She could feel Draco twitching behind her.

"Draco, perhaps you can escort me?" Narcissa asked nonchalantly.

His effort to smile pleasantly failed as he grimaced. "Of course, Mother. I'll just bid Ginny goodnight."

"I'll wait, darling."

"I'll see you in the morning then."

"Yes. Thank you for tonight," Ginny replied stiffly. She tried to read his expression, but it was impossible to know what he was thinking at this point, his features were perfectly schooled.

Draco placed a light kiss on her cheek. He turned toward his mother, at the same time thanking the gods that her presence had somewhat of a deflating effect on him.

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

Lucius entered the bedchamber from the bathroom, with a towel wrapped around his narrow hips. Despite his forty-nine years he took great pride in keeping his body in perfect shape. Narcissa was going through her usual nighttime hair brushing ritual at her vanity when he approached her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and allowed them to drift down her arms to her elbows, then leaned down to place a lingering kiss on the top of her head. His right hand reached further down to her hand and gently removed the hairbrush from her grasp.

"Lucius?"

"Come to bed, love," Lucius cajoled gently, placing a soft kiss on the tip of each of her fingers.

"Lucius, are you not exhausted after spending all day with the children?"

He grinned nefariously at her. "Not at all, my love. I feel rather invigorated."

"Really?" Narcissa turned in her seat and arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at her husband.

"Really," Lucius purred as he raised Narcissa's hand to coax her to standing position.

As Narcissa's soft curves met the hard planes of his body, Lucius captured her mouth forcibly, driving it open to allow him access. His erection drove hard into her stomach as he held her tightly.

Lucius broke the union of their lips abruptly and leaned down to scoop her into his arms. He carried Narcissa to the ornate four-poster bed that graced their chambers and carefully laid her down. With one sharp movement Lucius had ripped the towel from his body. He immediately stretched out on top of her, claiming her mouth again before trailing light nips down her neck. One of his hands had run down her leg to pull her nightgown up, bunching it in his hand he tugged at it violently until it reached her thighs. He lost patience with the garment and slid his hand underneath it, continuing his upward pursuit. His other hand had busied itself trying to pull her bodice down over her breasts to expose the milky white flesh with little success.

"Oh-- Lucius," Narcissa moaned thickly into his hair as his mouth reached her pulse point.

"Cissa, I need you now."

A high pitch ringing suddenly filled their chambers, startling the couple.

"What is that?" Narcissa asked sharply.

"Ward," Lucius ground out.

"The children!" Narcissa began to disentangle herself from her husband.

Narcissa reached for her robe, hastily throwing it around her as she strode from the room, on her way to the children's chambers.

"Bloody hell!" Lucius growled as he threw himself onto his back and began to bemoan his predicament to the empty room, before rising himself.

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

As Ginny prepared for bed she considered her nightwear meticulously. If Narcissa had not interrupted them she had no doubt they would be making love right now, thus making the need for nightwear superfluous. She carefully selected a filmy black nightgown that hung almost indecently low over her breasts and brushed the floor at the hem with a split up the left leg to her hip. Settling herself in the center of the large bed, she was confident he would come to her tonight.

Draco lay in his bed unable to settle. All he could think about was the flame-haired witch just a short stroll down the corridor. After much tossing and turning he came to a firm decision.

Ginny lay wide-awake in the massive bed. He would surely not slight her two nights in succession, especially after the day they had shared. The more she thought about him the hotter she got. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, feeling thoroughly impetuous.

Draco pulled his bathrobe over his boxers and left his chambers quietly, so as not to alert any of the other occupants of the house. He strode purposefully down the corridor, but froze as he heard the unmistakable click of a door opening. All he could do was pray to Merlin it was not his mother again.

Without thinking to grab the matching negligee to her nightgown, Ginny stepped out of her bedchamber. She crossed the sitting room swiftly and stepped out into the corridor. She turned in the direction of Draco's rooms and she began to move towards her goal. However, her motion halted when she noticed Draco standing in the corridor, clad in only boxers and an open bathrobe, looking completely edible.

It was as if time stopped for both parties. They stood devouring each other with their eyes. Then Draco was moving toward her, closing the distance with great speed. Ginny could see the hunger burning in his eyes. Her breathing began to grow shallow as the distance between them lessened.

Ginny stepped forward to meet him. Her hands ran over his shoulders and pushed the bathrobe down, as he possessed her mouth with such force it drove her backwards, into the wall. Without breaking contact he dropped the robe from his arms. Draco began to walk Ginny backwards through her sitting room and into her bedchamber. As soon as he had kicked the door closed, her hands went straight to the waistband of his boxers, pushing them down over his hips impatiently. As he continued walking her toward the bed he gracefully stepped out his underwear when it pooled around his ankles. At the same time he began to push the straps of her nightgown down her arms. Ginny dropped her arms to her sides to enable the smooth passage of the garment from her body. As his hands ran up her body he was pleased to find she hadn't bothered with knickers this evening.

When they reached the bed, Draco broke all physical contact with her, and looked at her intently, with eyes the color of slate. "Are you positive?"

Ginny didn't respond verbally. Instead she climbed into the bed and held her hand out, in invitation to him. Draco could not help but grin smugly as he joined her under the covers. He leant over her and continued his assault on her mouth, as his hands roamed her body, caressing fervently as they went.

"Mummy?"

Ginny and Draco sprung apart and turned in the direction of the door, where a very sleepy Angel was standing rubbing an eye with her fist.

"What is it, honey?" Ginny asked gently, hoping her voice sounded normal.

"I had a bad dream," Angel said fretfully.

"Oh-- sweetheart, come here." Ginny she sat up, carefully bringing the blankets with her to cover her state of undress.

Angel walked to the side of the bed and seemed to notice Draco for the first time. "Did you have a bad dream too, Daddy?"

"I-- uh--"

"I always sleep with Mummy when I have bad dreams. She makes me feel better," Angel explained with empathy.

Draco nearly bit through his lip in the effort not to reply. He felt that telling Angel that there was no bloody way that she was sleeping with her mother tonight was not going to be particularly helpful at this point. He would lie there, keep his mouth shut and let Ginny handle her.

"Angel?" A voice drifted in from the corridor.

"Oh Merlin! Someone hates me," Draco grumbled as he ducked under the covers.

"Angel! There you are, darling. Why are you in here?" Narcissa crooned as she glided into the room looking incredibly disheveled.

"She had a bad dream," Ginny volunteered.

Narcissa looked at Ginny, noticing her naked shoulders and the lump in the bed beside her. "Draco!"

"Hello, Mother." Draco looked sheepish as his head appeared from under the covers.

"What are you doing in here?"

"Daddy had a bad dream too," Angel informed Narcissa.

"Oh he did, did he?" Lucius responded with a smirk as he entered the room wearing only a bathrobe. He was carrying Draco's bathrobe, which had been left in the corridor, on one finger.

"Father," Draco pleaded.

"Very well. Narcissa, I suggest you take Angelique back to her rooms and tuck her in." Lucius picked up Draco's boxers that were left where he had stepped out of them.

Angel's bottom lip began to quiver. "But I always sleep with Mummy when I have a bad dream."

"Darling, would you like to sleep with Grandfather and I?" Narcissa asked softly.

"Yes please, Grandmother," Angel answered forlornly.

"Narcissa, do you think it is quite necessary for Angelique to join us in our chambers?" The look on Lucius' face was comical. He was obviously undecided as to whether he was exasperated or appalled at the thought of his granddaughter spending the night in the same bed as he and his wife, especially considering the activity they had just been pursuing.

"Of course, dear. She is quite obviously upset and she would usually spend the night with her mother. Now, we have promised to take care of the children for the weekend, therefore it is our duty to comfort her in the most appropriate way."

During Narcissa's little harangue no one had noticed that Drake had slipped into the room.

"Your shagging Mummy!" Drake bellowed accusingly. His glare firmly fixed on the naked torso of Draco.

"Drake," Draco roared.

He couldn't leap from the bed, having already been expertly divested of what little clothing he had been wearing when he left his own chambers. Though, it was probably a good thing for Drake that his father was unwilling to expose himself for the time being. However, Draco did make a promise to himself to put an end to this farce once and for, all as soon as he was dressed appropriately.

Lucius could not suppress a snigger at the murderous look on Draco's face. He did, however, decide to remove the source of his son's antagonism post haste. "Narcissa, I strongly suggest we return to our chambers immediately. Children, come along," he said in a tone that did not bear contradicting.

"Angel, Drake. Come along now. We will leave your parent's in peace," Narcissa said quietly.

"Thank you," Draco grunted.

"I do hope you recover from your night terrors soon, son," Narcissa said with sarcasm running thickly through her voice.

Narcissa walked the children out of the room. Lucius entered the room a little further, scooping up Ginny's discarded nightgown and he placed the collection of clothing on a nearby chair quite deliberately.

"Goodnight." Lucius walked out the door and closed it firmly behind him.

"Thank Merlin! I thought they'd never leave," Draco moaned.

"Oh my god! I am so embarrassed," Ginny groaned into her hands.

"Hey, it's all right."

"No, Draco. It's not! Your mother thinks I'm a--" Ginny whimpered.

"She thinks nothing of the sort."

"She does."

"No, she doesn't. She insisted I behave myself because you had requested separate chambers." Draco tried to peer through her fingers.

"What? So if I had decided to stay in your chambers, there wouldn't have been a problem?"

"No, there wouldn't have been a problem, but because you insisted, Mother didn't want to think that I might force you into something you didn't want to do."

"Why would she think that? I mean it's not like we haven't--"

"Yeah, I know, but that was before Angel was hurt and she knew things had been tense between us."

"Oh--"

"She was looking out for you."

"That's really lovely."

"Shh, enough of this talk about my mother. It's doing nothing for me," Draco growled lowly.

"Pardon?"

"Where were we?" Draco muttered as he leaned into her.

"Oh-- oh--"

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

Lucius escorted Drake back to his chambers and ensured that the little boy was safely in bed before returning to his own rooms for the evening. He decided not to say anything about the accusation the boy had flung at his father; it would be up to Draco to discipline his son for that indiscretion. Upon entering the master chamber he noted that Angelique was firmly ensconced in the center of his bed.

"Cissa," Lucius pleaded.

"Now darling, Angelique is frightened. The least we can do if offer her some comfort," Narcissa scolded him lightly for daring to complain.

"But, Cissa," Lucius tried again.

"No, Lucius. Now are you joining us or not?"

Lucius sighed heavily as he walked to his dressing room he seized a pair of pajamas from his drawers. Upon reentering the bedchamber he observed that Angelique looked to be asleep already.

"Cissa, is she asleep?" he whispered.

"Yes, shh--" Narcissa responded in a barely audible voice.

"Do you think we may return her to her own rooms?"

"Of course not! What if she were to awaken again?"

Lucius muttered to himself as he rounded the bed and climbed in.

"Goodnight, dear," Narcissa whispered across to him.

Snorting in disgust, Lucius turned onto his side, facing away from her.

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