Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

PEPPERUP POTION

Lucius awoke on Sunday morning feeling somewhat stiff and uncomfortable. He had not slept well at all; Angel had tossed and turned all night, often throwing her legs or arms across his body. At the moment she had one leg strewn across his stomach and a fisted hand in his face. Attempting to disentangle himself from the bedclothes and his granddaughter without disturbing her, he gently slid out of the bed and hobbled to the bathroom.

Closing the door behind him Lucius lent over the sink and examined his reflection in the mirror for any damage from Angelique's thrashing around during the night. He winced at his image; deciding firmly that sharing his bed with a four year old no longer agreed with him, he moved to the toilet and proceeded to relieve himself. Lost in his own thoughts, Lucius did not hear the bathroom door open.

"There you are, Grandfather," Angelique chimed from the now open doorway.

Lucius jerked as he heard her voice, hastily finishing his business and adjusting his pajama pants to cover himself; he turned to see Angelique standing just inside the doorway smiling at him.

"Angelique, did your mother not teach you to knock?" Lucius growled.

The little girl pouted, "I was just looking for you."

"Yes, yes just knock before entering the bathroom," he replied hastily, hoping she would not begin to cry; he did not think that he could handle a crying little girl at this hour of the morning.

"Yes, Grandfather," Angelique smiled at him.

"Is there anything you wanted?"

"I need to..."

Further explanation was unnecessary as she crossed her legs and bounced a little on the spot.

"Very well," Lucius frowned as he made his way out of the bathroom.

Angelique walked over to the toilet, abruptly turned around and walked out of the bathroom.

"Grandfather, you made a mess," Angelique stated in a disgusted tone.

"What?"

Narcissa sat up in the bed. "Angelique, darling what is troubling you?"

"Grandfather made a mess of the toilet and I need to go."

"Lucius?" Narcissa looked askance at her husband.

"She startled me," Lucius responded through gritted teeth.

Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Narcissa summoned a house elf immediately and ordered that the bathroom be cleaned thoroughly.

"The elf will be finished shortly darling, can you wait?" Narcissa asked Angel.

"I don't know," Angel whimpered.

It was more than obvious that the little girl could not hold on until the elf had completed cleaning the bathroom. Leaving the bed, Narcissa donned her bathrobe and held her hand out to her granddaughter.

"Come sweetheart, we will find you a bathroom that your grandfather has not messed up," Narcissa said pompously.

Lucius watched in disbelief as the two witches he cared most about left the master chamber hand in hand.

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

As the sun filtered through the drapes, Draco began to stir; his eyelids fluttered open and, without moving his eyes, took in the sight of a mass of red hair belonging to the witch who was still sleeping soundly on his chest. Sighing contentedly, he allowed his eyes to close as he possessively tightened his grip around Ginny's shoulders.

Ginny's eyes opened slowly as she felt Draco's arm pull her further into his body. Smiling into his chest, she wondered if she had ever felt happier than she did right now. Moving her hand ever so slowly, she ran her fingernails down his side; as she made contact, she heard sharp intake of breathe from the blond wizard.

"No fair, Gin."

She giggled into his chest before finding his nipple and giving it a sharp tug between her teeth.

A smug grin crept across Draco's features. "Oh so that's the game you want to play, is it?"

He tightened his grip around her shoulders, slipped his large hand under her arm and gently pulled her upwards. His reward for such a gesture was a face full of fiery red hair, causing him to choke as he breathed in the strands. Ginny brought her hand around to the front of her face and swept her long hair backwards, greeting his spluttering with an amused smile.

"Good morning," Ginny purred.

"Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?"

Cocking her head to side, as if in deep thought, she said, "Mmm... I think so, but I've awoken with this itch."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "An itch?"

"Yes and it really needs scratching," she replied with a wanton look.

Draco smirked confidently, "Really and where might this itch be?"

"Here I'll show you," Ginny said as she took one of his hands below the blankets and ran it close to body stopping between her legs.

"Is that the spot?"

"Oh yes, right there."

Draco brought his other hand up and tangled it through her hair; pulling her down, he ran his tongue around her lips. Not to be outdone she opened her mouth and began to taste him with her own tongue. Draco pulled her in further for a crushing kiss, all the while his fingers danced between her legs.

So entranced with each other, they did not hear the Apparition pop beside the bed.

The same house elf that had served breakfast the morning before appeared. "Master and little Miss are ready for breakfast?"

"Merlin I swear someone hates me," Draco mumbled as he withdrew his mouth from Ginny's.

Ginny could only laugh; it did seem as though every time they got intimate some one would disturb them.

"Get out," Draco bellowed at the hapless creature.

"Master, Izzy is sorry, Master."

"Oh, Draco, don't be cruel," Ginny gently chastised before turning to the quaking elf. "Yes we will have breakfast now, thank you."

The house elf looked to Draco for confirmation before popping out of the room.

"Come on," Ginny said as she disentangled herself from the bedclothes.

"But..."

"Let's eat first, I'm starving."

Draco sat himself up, threw the blankets back and left the bed. As he stalked naked across the room, Ginny could hear him muttering about bloody house elves and witches who were going to get what was coming to them. She couldn't help but laugh at the handsome man.

"What?" Draco scowled at her.

"Oh you are so adorable when you're frustrated."

As he pulled on his bathrobe, she could hear him muttering again about bloody cheeky witches and what he wanted to serve them for breakfast. Walking over to him, she threaded her arms around his waist and laid her head on his bare chest.

"Aren't you hungry?"

"I was quite happy with what was on offer already," he replied petulantly.

Ginny looked up at Draco to see him pouting. "Oh my poor baby."

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

After breakfast, Lucius led the children down to the dungeon with Narcissa bringing up the rear. He had not yet informed them of what they could expect today, but he was sure that they would enjoy the plans he had made.

"Grandfather, why are we going down here?" Angelique asked curiously.

"This is where my potions laboratory is located."

"Are we going to brew a potion?" Drake asked his eyes wide in anticipation.

"Do you think yourself capable of brewing a potion?" Lucius asked his grandson with a smirk.

"Yes, Grandfather, I can brew potions," the little boy assured him.

Lucius looked upon Drake with pride. "I thought you might be up to the task."

As they entered Lucius' potions laboratory, Drake looked around in awe. He had never been in a real potions laboratory before, and he thought that this must be a real one; there were lots of different size cauldrons and lots of jars containing very strange things indeed. Lucius cast an illuminating charm on the wall torches as he crossed the room.

"Do not touch anything unless I direct you to," Lucius instructed firmly as he moved about the room gathering the ingredients and tools required for preparing the potion he had in mind.

Drake had walked over to the workbench where Lucius was placing all that he collected. He was examining each object in front of him as thoroughly as he could without picking anything up.

"Grandmother, I don't like it down here," Angel whimpered as she clung to Narcissa's hand.

"It is perfectly safe darling," Narcissa soothed.

Angel wrinkled her nose, not unlike her grandmother was seen to do from time to time, "But it smells funny."

"Lucius, perhaps Angelique and I could entertain ourselves elsewhere." Narcissa's melodic tone echoed through the dungeon.

Lucius looked over to his granddaughter and took in the dismayed expression on her face with some disappointment.

"Very well," he agreed. Then, in the hope that it would entice her to change her mind, added, "It truly is not a place for little girls anyway."

"We will see you later then," Narcissa smiled before leading Angelique back up the stairs to the main house.

Lucius watched the two witches leave, feeling somewhat saddened that Angelique had not risen to his challenge, perhaps she was more like Narcissa than like her mother; he had a feeling that Ginevra would have not let the challenge lie unanswered.

"Grandfather, what are we going to brew?"

"I thought we might start with a sleeping draught."

Drake scrambled up onto a stool near the bench. "Can I help?"

"Of course, I expect you to do most of the brewing."

"Really?"

"If you are anything like your father you will possess a natural flair for the delicate art of potion making."

Drake watched and listened very carefully to Lucius as he chopped and ground the ingredients they required to perfection, at the same time explaining exactly what he was doing and why.

"Now the cauldron is ready for the first ingredient, do you remember what that was?"

"Yes, Grandfather, it's asphodel," Drake replied reaching over the tabletop for the correct ingredient.

"Very good."

They worked until the potion was complete, Lucius instructing his more than willing student the entire time. He was very pleased by the end of the morning with Drake's progress in potions.

"It is almost noon. As soon as we have finished cleaning up here, we will locate your grandmother and see what arrangements she has made for lunch."

"Why don't you get a house elf to clean up?"

"Potions are very volatile and their ingredients even more; so, it would be quite dangerous to have an imbecilic creature anywhere near such things."

"So you always clean up yourself?"

"Always," Lucius smirked at the shocked expression on the boys face.

Cleaning his laboratory was the one thing that Lucius Malfoy always did himself, not trusting the house elves to store his ingredients correctly or to clean the cauldron thoroughly.

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

A romantic walk by the lake sounded lovely when Draco had first suggested it. Apparently he had arranged with Lucius to have the grounds at his disposal this morning without fear of interruption from the children.

They walked along admiring the beauty of nature, occasionally stopping to examine a plant or flower more closely or just pausing to take in the breath-taking view. Comfortable with each other like never before, they did not need constant conversation to fill the void. Coming upon an old pier jutting out onto the lake, Draco steered Ginny on to it, walking to its very end.

"I used to play on here when I was little."

"Did you?"

"Mmm... at least until Mother would see me, she would have a panic attack whenever she caught me out here."

"Really?" Ginny responded as she threaded her arms around his middle.

Draco smiled with the fondness of the memory. "Yes really, she was always terrified I would fall in."

He dipped his head and caught her mouth softly, running his hands slowly down her back to cup her bottom.

"And did you ever fall in?"

Placing a kiss on her nose. "Once."

"What happened?"

Draco chuckled, "I got wet."

Ginny laughed lightly at the thought of Narcissa's reaction to her only son falling into the lake.

"It's almost lunch time," Draco said softly.

"Mmm... and what do you have planned for lunch?"

Looking positively pleased with himself, "A picnic."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that is so."

Keeping her in his arms, they walked back to the shore and towards a nearby grove of trees, where house elves were laying out a gourmet picnic for two.

"My goodness, it's beautiful," Ginny exclaimed at the lavish spread.

Draco placed a kiss on her temple, "Only the best for my love."

They sat on a thick blanket, which had been charmed not to let the cold from the ground seep through. Ginny began to fill two plates from the many different dishes available to them. Passing one to Draco and sitting back properly herself, they ate in silence. For dessert there was a selection of fresh fruit and whipped cream.

"Strawberries, how on earth did you get strawberries at this time of the year?"

"I am a Malfoy," Draco replied as if the mere mention of his name explained everything.

Rolling her eyes at him and she laughed, "Never mind."

Ginny picked a strawberry off the silver platter and scooped some cream onto it before offering the treat to Draco. Opening his mouth, he bit the red berry in half managing to smear some of the cream over the side of his mouth. Ginny leaned forward and licked the errant cream from his face before kissing him soundly. They continued to feed each other until most of the fruit was gone. Picking up the last strawberry, Ginny dragged it through the cream and managed to pick up a large dollop of the sweet white treat. Bringing the fruit to Draco's open mouth, she suddenly swept it up over his nose leaving cream smeared across his face. Draco lent forward to grab her hand and thus gain control of the creamy berry, but she was too quick for him, leaping to her feet and taking off in the direction of the lake, squealing all the way.

Jumping to his feet and giving chase, Draco had no doubt that his much longer legs would catch the fiery witch. "Do you really think you can out run me?"

He had her trapped at the entrance to the pier. It did not matter which way she ran now; he would be able to cut her off and give her a share of the cream that adorned his face. Ginny began to back onto the wooden structure one step at a time. She knew he would ensnare her now, it was only a matter of time, but she was doing everything in her power to delay her punishment for such a brazen act.

Draco took a step toward her retreating form, an evil grin on his face. "Gin, come here."

"I don't think so," she replied, giggling nervously while still retreating one step at a time.

With Ginny's every backward step, Draco matched it with a step forward; although, he was still some meters away from her. Her nervous giggling had almost become uncontrollable as she continued to slowly back her way down the pier never taking her eyes off of the blond wizard in front of her, lest he should pounce.

"Come on, Gin, give up now and I might show you some mercy."

"Never!"

"Silly Gryffindor courage," he scoffed.

Ginny continued to edge backwards a little at a time; she knew that she would soon run out of pier, and then she would be done for.

"Gin, you're running out of room."

She knew she was nearing the end of her run rapidly, while she would not look down to check her progress, she also knew the end of the pier must be extremely close. This fact was confirmed when Draco took a large step forward smirking nefariously at her, making him look highly ridiculous with cream dripping down his face. He suddenly lunged at her and Ginny instinctively stepped backwards, her arms pin wheeling in front of her; Draco tried in vain to grab hold of her, but she fell ungracefully into the freezing water of the lake.

"Ginny!"

Draco could just make out her form flailing under the dark water. When her head broke the surface, he noticed that her face had gone a sickly gray color. She tried desperately to keep her head out of the murky water as she sputtered for air, but sank back under swiftly. Merlin she can't swim, Draco thought just before he dove into the icy lake.

The first thing that struck him was how very cold the water was; it felt like a million pins were piercing his skin at once. He tried to see through the foggy water, desperately looking for any sign of Ginny, at the same time moving his arms out to feel for her. Without warning she bolted straight into his arms; her movements felt lethargic as he held her tight, and made his way back to the lake's edge.

Dragging her up onto the bank, he laid her gently on the ground and put his hand into his robes to extract his wand. It was not there. Patting down his robes, he could not feel the familiar sixteen inches of black walnut. Looking toward the dark water, he knew immediately what had happened.

"Bloody hell."

"Draco?"

"Gin, are you all right?"

"Cold, very cold."

"I'll get the blanket."

Draco did not wait for her to reply but took off at a sprint toward their picnic, grabbing the blanket without worrying about the dishes resting upon it. He tore back to Ginny and wrapped it around her.

"We're going to have to walk back to the house."

"Apparate?"

"My wand is in the lake."

Ginny tried to lift herself to a standing position but sagged back to the ground; her muscles simply would not co-operate. Placing an arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees, Draco picked her up and began to stride toward the house in a great hurry. He could feel her quivering as he cradled her, totally oblivious to the fact that he was trembling with cold as well.

Entering the house, Draco began to yell for the house elves to pour a hot bath for Ginny before he got to her chambers. All his noise attracted the attention of his parents and children.

"Draco, what in Merlin's name are you raising your voice for?" Narcissa enquired as she exited the library.

"Gin fell in the lake."

"Oh my goodness - a hot bath immediately," Narcissa instructed, going from a shocked to an authoritative tone in an instant.

Draco began to move again in the direction of Ginny's chambers. "I've already ordered the elves to draw one."

Narcissa turned back into the library. "Lucius, stay with the children -- I will assist Draco with Ginevra."

Without waiting for a response from her husband, she turned on her heel and left the room in a swirl of robes.

Draco had taken Ginny directly into her bathroom, placing her on her unsteady legs where she could lean against the vanity. He began to undo her robes as quickly as his own numb shaking hands would allow.

Narcissa walked into the bathroom and surveyed the scene before taking over. "Draco moved aside, you are going to take forever."

Draco immediately moved to allow his mother to take over the disrobing of Ginny without argument.

"You need to get into a hot bath yourself," Narcissa addressed Draco.

"I'm fine for now, just take care of Gin."

Ginny was helpless to do anything, so cold she could not even talk anymore, and shaking so violently she felt as though her brain were becoming rattled. Narcissa made quick work of Ginny's robes, discarding the heavy garments and helping the younger witch out of her underwear. Draco stepped forward to help her into the bath; lowering her gently into the hot water he, could see her face contort in pain as it made contact with her freezing flesh.

Sinking beneath the hot water, Ginny felt as though her body was being pricked all over by long needles. She could not calm the tremors running through her system even with the addition of warmth.

Narcissa eyed her son's dripping form in trepidation; she knew by the set expression on his face it would not be easy to convince him to leave Ginevra and take care of himself.

"Draco, you need to have a hot bath yourself and remove those soaking clothes before you catch your death," Narcissa said firmly.

Not taking his eyes from Ginny he replied, "Mother, I am perfectly fine. I'm staying here."

"Very well, I shall check on the children."

"Could you ask Father to retrieve my wand from the lake, it should be somewhere just off the pier?"

"What is your wand doing in the lake?"

"I had it in my robes when I went in after Gin, it must have dislodged somehow."

"Very well."

Narcissa left the two alone in the bathroom and headed back to the library with the full intention of informing Lucius of his son's failure to comply with her suggestion.

"Are you starting to warm up?"

"Not really."

"Is the water hot enough?"

"I can't really tell."

Draco knelt by the side of the enormous marble tub and sunk his hand under the water. He hissed in pain as the water made contact with his now blue skin, and Ginny's features moved into a concerned frown.

"You need to get warm too."

"I'm all right."

"No you'll get sick; you need to get out of those sodden clothes."

"I'm not leaving you, Gin."

"Well... the tub is big enough for two."

Draco did not need to be told twice; he discarded his waterlogged clothes in a flash and maneuvered himself to sit behind Ginny. She lent back into his chest, relaxing fully in his embrace as they slowly warmed their frozen bodies.

Draco gently pushed her hair over one shoulder so he could access the creamy flesh of her neck. Running his tongue from her shoulder to her ear prompted a shudder from her that had little to do with the cold. Continuing to nip and kiss the entire area accessible to his mouth, it did not take long for Ginny to start responding with little encouraging groans. Reaching over her shoulder, she threaded her hand around the back of his neck. Draco's hands had been resting on her flat stomach until now, when they began to gently explore further.

"Draco," Narcissa shrieked as she re-entered the bathroom, her expression displaying the shock that resonated through her voice.

Ginny sat forward in a great splash bringing her arms around to cover herself subconsciously and blushing furiously.

"Mother!"

"Draco, you should have gone to your own rooms," Narcissa admonished harshly.

Ginny took a deep breath; she could not let Narcissa believe that Draco had taken liberties against her will, "Narcissa... I - I invited Draco to join me."

"I see," Narcissa responded in a clipped tone.

"Cissa, is there a problem dearest?" Lucius' voice floated through from the bedchamber.

Narcissa threw another appalled look toward the bath and it's occupants before stalking out of the room to talk with her husband.

"Oh, Draco..."

"Shhh... listen."

Draco stilled all Ginny's movements in the water so they could hear the conversation taking place in the adjoining room.

"Your son is in that bath tub."

"And?"

"With Ginevra!"

Draco could visualize the wicked smirk that would now be gracing his father's features.

"Lucius!"

Draco stifled a snort of laughter -- his father had definitely been smirking.

"Cissa, he is a grown man."

"I am aware of that."

"Good, then we do not need to make a scene."

"It does not do a mother's heart any good to witness such behavior from her son."

"Perhaps not, now come we will leave them be so your heart remains as it is."

"I will arrange for some hot tea to be brought up first."

"Draco can make his own arrangements for tea when they are finished in the bathroom."

"They will need to get straight into bed and perhaps a Pepperup Potion as a preventative."

"Very well I will check my store room for the potion. If I have none, I will Floo Severus. Draco, you did hear your Mother - straight into bed when you are finished in the bathroom."

Draco's cheeky grin could have been larger, "Yes, Father."

"Fully dressed, Draco," Narcissa added austerely.

"Of course, Mother."

Draco and Ginny sat quietly until they were sure his parents had left the bedchamber.

"Hey come back here," Draco crooned as he attempted to pull Ginny back into his arms.

"Oh, Draco, why does this keep happening?"

"Maybe the gods are testing us, now come here."

"Your mother..."

Pulling her back into his arms and placing small kisses over her neck, "Shhh... my Mother will recover."

Ginny relaxed into his chest once more and began to enjoy his attentions.

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

SOMETIME LATER

When they had both spent themselves, Ginny literally collapsed onto Draco's chest, having used the little energy she had acquired since her impromptu swim in the lake.

Draco frowned in concern at her limp form, "I think we'd better get you out of here and into a warm bed, love."

"Mmm... can't I just sleep here?"

"Come on, water's getting cold anyway."

She lifted herself off of his legs and allowed Draco to stand first; reaching for her hands, he gently brought Ginny to her feet. Stepping out of the tub he quickly wrapped a towel around his hips and assisted her over the rim wrapping a fluffy towel around her body immediately.

Rubbing his hands over her towel to help dry her he asked, "Did you bring any warm pajamas?"

"No just frilly stuff."

"I'll have an elf bring you a pair of mine," he replied, chuckling.

As soon as she was dry, he assisted her into a warm bathrobe while an elf was sent to fetch two pairs of warm pajamas from his chambers. When the elf returned, Ginny took the nightwear to the dressing room and put them on. Walking back into the bedchamber, she noticed Draco had already made himself comfortable in the bed.

Draco burst out laughing at the sight of her in the obviously too large pajamas; she had rolled the legs and arms up, and Merlin only knew how she was keeping the pants at her hips.

He quickly brought his amusement under control when he saw her sulky expression. "At least they're warm," she pouted.

A short while later as they snuggled in the large bed, Ginny sighed contentedly as Draco spooned her body, sharing his heat. Unable to resist the urge, she closed her eyes and drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

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

Sometime later Ginny was disturbed from her nap. She could still feel the comforting warmth coming from Draco, but she could also hear voices in the room; Narcissa, Lucius, Draco and another that sounded familiar, but she could not quite remember who it was. Opening her eyes slowly she turned her head in the direction that the voices had come from.

"Hello there, you're awake," Draco murmured in her ear.

Ginny wasn't paying attention; she had finally identified the familiar voice that she had been unable to put a name to before.

"Ah, Miss Weasley, I understand you are in need of a Pepperup Potion," the wizard drawled in his oily tone.

Ginny recoiled as if he had physically touched her; she was staring with eyes as wide as they could be at her old Potions Professor.

"Gin, are you okay?" Draco moved himself to block her line of vision.

"Um... that's Prof..."

"That's my godfather."

"Oh... I..."

"Shh... it's all right. Father didn't have any Pepperup so Uncle Sev brought some from Hogwarts for you."

"Draco, is everything all right?" Narcissa asked tentatively.

"Yes, Mother. I think Gin is just surprised to see Uncle Sev."

"Foolish Gryffindor mentality," Severus mumbled not-quite-under his breath.

"Lucius, please escort Severus to the sitting room; I can administer the potion," Narcissa said in a tone that did not bear arguing with.

"Certainly dearest."

Narcissa waited until Lucius and Severus had closed the door behind them before turning back to Ginny.

"I am so sorry, dear. Severus is like a member of the family and it did not occur to me that he might make you uncomfortable."

"He doesn't generally, but I'm in bed and..."

"It is perfectly understandable. Now the potion."

Narcissa picked a small bottle from the bedside table and passed it to Ginny. "It is a single measure."

Ginny looked at the bottle and grimaced; she detested Pepperup Potion and the thought of steam coming from her ears for the next fifteen minutes or so in front of Draco did not appeal to her.

Narcissa read Ginny's expression well and interrupted her thoughts hastily. "All of it, Ginevra," she instructed in an unassailable tone which would have done Molly Weasley proud.

Hearing the immovable tone in Narcissa's voice Ginny decided it would be easier to swallow the potion as instructed and bear the embarrassment, than what it would be to argue.

"I already had mine," Draco told her.

Sighing heavily, Ginny removed the cork and tipped the phial down her throat in one motion. Swallowing strongly she only had to wait a moment or two before the customary steam started to pour from her ears.

Narcissa gave her a fond smile, "Now you will not get sick."

"Thank you Narcissa."

"No need, dear. Will you both be joining us for dinner?"

Draco looked to Ginny who nodded ever so slightly. "Yes, Mother, we will join you."

"Well I will leave you to rest a little more."

When Narcissa left the room, they could hear the murmur of a conversation from the sitting room before the outer door to Ginny's chambers closed behind the group, once again leaving the couple totally alone.

"Come here beautiful."

"What was Professor Snape doing in here?"

"When he arrived Mother was up here and Father just showed him in. I'm sorry he made you uncomfortable."

"It just surprised me, that's all."

They burrowed down under the covers and once again relaxed with each other.

"Have you had a good time this weekend?" Draco asked hesitantly. He knew that the events of the last few hours didn't exactly measure high on the fun scale, and he hoped it would not have cast a shadow over the entire weekend.

"Yes, I've had a wonderful time."

"I'm glad, because I've loved having you here."

"It has been nice not to have to say goodbye each night."

"Yeah I've liked that too. You know we could make it a permanent thing - not having to say goodbye each night."

"What?"

"You and the kids could move in," Draco said nervously, they had not discussed anything of the sort, but he had been thinking about it for a while and now seemed like a good time to make the offer.

"What in here?"

"Yes. You could move into Malfoy Manor, we could take the southern wing."

"Draco, I don't think that I'm ready to..."

He could see what was coming and cut her short before the words could fall from her mouth, "It's all right, just an idea that's all."

"I just need some time."

"Well, you've got all the time you need, because I'm not going anywhere," he smiled down at her.

"I'm glad."

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

When Draco and Ginny arrived in the dining room for dinner, the rest of the family were already seated along with Severus Snape, and, much to Ginny's surprise, the man was actually laughing at something Lucius had just told him.

"Ah, here they are," Lucius said as he raised himself off his chair.

Severus followed suit, as did Drake, who at sometime over the last forty-eight hours had taken to mimicking Lucius' every move. As soon as Ginny's chair had been pushed in for her, Lucius and Drake took their seats again, but Severus remained standing to greet Draco.

"Draco, how are you?" Severus enquired as he shook his hand.

"Well thank you, Uncle Sev. Yourself?"

"As can be expected."

The two men took their seats and dinner was served immediately. Conversation started on the goings on at Hogwarts this semester; Ginny did not think that she had ever seen the austere wizard this animated before.

"Drake, have you informed your father of your prowess in the field of potion making?" Lucius asked with pride.

"What's this?" Draco smiled.

"Grandfather let me brew a sleeping draught almost on my own, and Uncle Sev tested it, and he said it was really good," Drake informed the whole table in a booming voice.

Ginny's eyes widened ever so slightly upon hearing her son call the Potions Master Uncle Sev.

Draco was impressed; his son had obviously inherited his natural talent for the refined art of brewing. "Is that so?"

"Actually I would have given the potion an 'O'," Severus informed him.

"Is that good?"

Lucius smiled broadly at the little boy, "Yes, Drake, that is a perfect score."

Drake beamed across the table at Severus, deciding he liked the man very much.

Ginny looked around the table and wondered if she should wait to ask her question until after Professor Snape had left, but if he stayed late she would not have the opportunity.

"Ginevra, is there something on your mind?" Narcissa enquired.

Ginny decided quickly to ask now, lest she not have the chance later. "I was just wondering if the children behaved all weekend?"

Drake went perfectly still; surely his grandfather would not say anything to his father now, not after he was so good at potions.

"We only have one issue to discuss with you," Lucius looked pointedly at Draco. "I was going to do it this afternoon, but given the day's events, I think it best left for sometime during the week, besides we have company."

Lucius raised his goblet to Severus and took a good mouthful.

Severus pinned Drake with his eyes. "I am certain I can guess which one of them is the mischievous one."

"You would remember the irritating habit Draco had when ever Narcissa took the boy shopping," Lucius addressed Severus, who nodded as he recollected the memory. "It seems the apple does not fall far from the tree."

Severus turned his steely gaze back to Drake. "I see well that is something that should not be tolerated."

Dinner continued with mostly pleasant conversation circulating the table. Ginny was amazed at the relaxed behavior the dark haired wizard was exhibiting.

After dinner they all moved into the parlor for a short time before Draco reluctantly announced it was time to get the children home.

The house elves had packed their luggage and it had been left in the entrance hall. Amidst all the goodbyes, Ginny found herself face to face with Lucius.

"Draco did speak with you regarding making Malfoy Manor your permanent home?"

"Briefly... but..."

Draco moved behind Ginny and threaded his arms around her waist. "Father, we will discuss this later."

"Very well, I simply wanted to inform Ginevra that Narcissa and I would not be opposed to the idea."

Narcissa drifted over and threaded her arm through her husbands. "Quite the opposite in fact, we would love to have you and the children come and live with us."

"Mother, we agreed it would be Ginny's decision," Draco reminded her firmly.

"Yes, yes, but it does not hurt to have her know how much we would adore having them live with us," Narcissa replied in her melodic tones.

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

"It has been a wonderful weekend, has it not dear?" Narcissa asked as they entered their chambers later that evening.

"Yes it has. Quite an experience to have little ones around again."

Narcissa made her way to her dressing room to prepare for bed; she did not bother to close the door leading to the bedchamber. Reaching her drawers, she extracted a suitable nightgown and began to loosen her robes allowing them to fall to the floor.

"I do believe we have some unfinished business to attend, Mrs. Malfoy."

She turned to see her handsome husband leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe, lust clearly visible in his gray orbs.

Gliding across to him Narcissa ran her hands over his chest. "I do not recall, perhaps a reminder."

Weaving his arm around her tiny waist he pulled her to his hard body and plundered her mouth with a sensuous kiss. His need had been building throughout the day and he was not in the mood to wait much longer. Bending slightly, without breaking contact with her mouth, Lucius reached down and placed his other arm behind her knees. Picking up his wife, he carried her to the bed.

Gazing upon her near naked form with lust-darkened eyes, he whispered, "I am sure we can do without nightclothes for this evening."

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