Dragon and Angel

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

SEND IT BACK

After dinner Narcissa personally saw to the children's baths and prepared them for bed, while they awaited their parents to put in an appearance. They had not long settled in the parlor when Draco and Ginny strolled in, wrapped in each other's arms, both looking exceedingly happy.

"Mother, Father."

"Oh darlings," Narcissa exclaimed as she glided toward the happy couple, hugging them both in turn and whispering into their ears, "I couldn't be happier for you both."

"Thank you, Narcissa." Ginny beamed at her. "I hope the children were no trouble."

"Of course not, dear, they were wonderful."

"Were you shagging?" Drake asked pointblank.

"Drake," Lucius roared.

"We're not at the dinner table," Drake responded petulantly.

Ignoring his son's question, Draco turned his attention to Narcissa.

"Mother, if you don't mind, we're going to take the twins upstairs to my private sitting room and have a talk with them."

"Upstairs? You're most welcome to use the parlor, darling," Narcissa offered optimistically, not that she had any intention of leaving.

"Thank you, Mother, but we're unsure as to how they will react to certain news and we would like to handle it ourselves."

"Oh... of course, dear."

"Narcissa," Lucius intoned deeply. "Draco and Ginevra have to do what they feel is right."

Draco passed a grateful look to his father; the last thing he needed right now was a disagreement with his mother.

"Drake, Angel, let's go upstairs," Draco called.

"But it's not bedtime yet, Daddy," Angel complained.

"We're not putting you to bed, sweetheart. We want to have a talk with both of you," Ginny assured her.

Angel smiled broadly in anticipation. "Oh... about what Grandmother wanted to con... con..."

"Congratulate," Lucius assisted her with the pronunciation.

"Yes! That."

"Yes, Princess, we're going to talk about that," Draco affirmed with good cheer.

"Yay! We get to know!" Angel exclaimed as she bounced on the spot.

"Say goodnight to your Grandmother and Grandfather, because you won't be coming back downstairs," Ginny instructed.

Angel bid Lucius and Narcissa goodnight enthusiastically, she was eager to discover the secret her parents had to tell. Drake said goodnight to Lucius with a great deal of reservation, still feeling angry with him for the earlier scolding. Narcissa held her grandson for the longest time, as if trying to make up for her husbands growling, before releasing him to follow his parents upstairs.

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Draco had the twins sit on the sofa in his sitting room while he moved the two matching chairs closer. Once they were all comfortable, silence fell over the room; Angel looked expectantly at her parents while Drake sat brooding in the corner of the long chair staring intently at anything other than his parents.

Draco took a deep breath and began, "Well... your mother and I have two things to tell you."

Reaching out, he took hold of Ginny's hand and squeezed it; the movement of his hand attracted the attention of Angel and her eyes followed the path of his hand to her mother's, lighting upon the sparkle of a diamond that previously had not been there.

Gasping loudly, Angel began to bounce on the seat; she had seen her Aunt Hermione show off her ring when Uncle Harry had told everyone they were getting married and now Mummy was wearing a new ring on her hand.

"Angel, sweetheart, sit still," Draco said gently, smiling at her enthusiasm; Draco suspected that his daughter had guessed one piece of their news already.

"Your mother and I have decided to get married."

"You've got a ring Mummy," Angel squealed.

"Yes, darling," Ginny answered happily as she extracted her hand from Draco's and held it out for inspection.

"It's so pretty," Angel exclaimed.

"Yes, it is."

"When are you getting married, Mummy?"

"Soon, darling, very soon."

"Can I be flower girl? Like I was for Aunt Hermione."

"Yes, of course you can."

"Is Daddy going to come and live with us?"

"Actually, we're going to come and live with him... here at Malfoy Manor."

"Really?"

"Yes really, sweetheart."

While Ginny and Angel were studying her ring Draco had been watching his son intently. He was desperately trying not to show an interest, still determinedly looking elsewhere, but his eyes had begun to flick towards his mother frequently.

"Drake?" Draco said quietly.

Drake's head came up and he met his father's questioning eyes.

"What do you think?"

"What about?"

"Your mother and I getting married."

"It's okay, I guess."

"It means that we will all be living together, very soon."

"I guess."

"That doesn't make you happy?"

"I suppose."

"Don't you want to live with me?"

"Yeah."

"Your mother and I have some more news for you."

"What?"

"Let's see if the girls are finished squealing over the ring and I'll tell you," he winked at his son playfully in an attempt to get him to relax a little.

Drake sighed heavily as he rolled his eyes at the antics of his mother and sister.

Draco reached over and tapped Ginny on the arm. "Gin? Are you ready to tell them the rest of our news?"

She took a deep breath and sat back in her chair. "Umm... yes."

Angel immediately tried to climb onto Ginny's lap.

"Good. Angel, come and sit on my knee, sweetheart," Draco instructed her as he held his arms out.

Angel scurried over to Draco and was safely ensconced on his lap within seconds.

"Right, is everyone comfortable again?" Draco asked looking at his family.

"I think we're ready," Ginny responded unevenly.

Angel bounced on his knee. "What is it, Daddy?"

"Sit still and I'll tell you," Draco instructed affably. "Well, you both know that when Mummy was sick this morning I got a Medi Wizard to come and look at her."

Angel nodded solemnly and Drake stared at Ginny from the sofa with fear clearly evident in his silver eyes.

Ginny held her arms out and said, "Drake, come over here."

The little boy wriggled down from the seat and walked the few steps to his mother. Ginny picked him up and placed him on her knee.

"It's all right darling, I'm not sick."

"What did the Medi Wizard say then?" he asked quietly, clearly not convinced.

Ginny looked at Draco and waited for him to continue.

"He gave us some very good news," Draco continued. "Mummy is going to have another baby."

"Really?" Angel squealed in Draco's ear.

Cringing, he replied, "Yeah, really."

Drake slid from Ginny's knee, his face had darkened considerably and he stood facing his father.

"Drake, isn't that great news? You're going to be a big brother, mate," Draco said tentatively.

"No!"

"Drake... darling..." Ginny started.

"No! I don't want a new baby... You weren't meant to be making babies!"

"Listen, mate, we didn't plan to have a baby; it was a surprise."

"Make it go away. We don't want it."

"Well, I'm afraid we can't just make it go away and we do want it," Draco responded, fighting valiantly to keep his voice even.

"No, we don't."

"Drake, why would you think that we wouldn't want the new baby?" Ginny asked, struggling to keep control of her emotions.

"'Cause we don't. You've got me and Angel... That's enough!"

"But... I..." Ginny stuttered as a sob escaped her and tears began to run freely down her face.

"I hate you," Drake spat at her.

"You made Mummy cry," Angel shrieked at her twin.

Drake merely scowled at his mother, who was now sobbing uncontrollably into her hands.

Draco stood, towering over his small son. His expression was dark and his eyes almost black. "Sit and shut it," he snarled pointing to the sofa.

"I don't want to."

"Now!"

Drake had never seen his father lose control of his temper before, and seeing him now, the little boy wondered if his father's temper was anything like his grandfather's. Not willing to take the chance, he sat on the sofa silently as ordered.

Draco gently lifted Angel and placed her on his abandoned chair.

"I'm going to take care of Mummy, Princess. You just wait here until I come back, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

"Good girl."

Draco moved to kneel in front of Ginny and he wrapped his arms around her. Rocking her back and forth, he made soothing sounds that were of no consequence as she continued to sob heart wrenchingly into his shoulder.

"Gin, I'm going to pick you up and get you out of here, okay?"

Not waiting for a reply, Draco stood and scooped her into his arms. He walked into his bedchamber kicked the door closed with his foot and continued to the bed where he sat her down. Sitting as close as he could to her, she collapsed onto his chest, still sobbing heavily. Draco wrapped his arms around her again, holding her as tight as he dared.

After several minutes she lifted her head slightly and looked into Draco's eyes as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Oh gods... what have I done?"

"Shh... love, you haven't done anything."

"My own son hates me."

"No... He doesn't hate you ... He loves you very much ... "

"He said..." She couldn't continue with any coherency.

It was more than ten minutes later that her sobbing began to slow to a level where Draco could talk to her.

"Listen, love," he said as he lifted her head gently from his shoulder. "I'm going to put you into a warm bath and you're going to relax there until I get back."

"Wh--where are..." she hiccupped.

"I'm going to tuck Angel in and slowly torture my son."

"Don't be hard..."

Draco cut her off as soon as he realized what she was about to say. "I'll be as hard as necessary, Gin. I won't let him get away with this; what he said was uncalled for and he will be punished... my way."

"But..."

"No buts. Now come on into the bath with you."

Draco rose from the bed bringing Ginny with him and then guided her into the bathroom where he immediately set about drawing a bath for her. While the tub was filling, he assisted her in shedding her robes then helped her into the warm water.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, you just relax and don't worry about a thing."

He placed a kiss on her forehead before striding purposefully from the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind him. As he reached the door to his sitting room, he paused to take a deep calming breath--his temper was still raging, and although he had managed to keep it in check while Ginny was present, he was certain his restrain would give out soon. Opening the door, he stepped through making certain the door closed firmly behind him.

Both children were exactly where he had left them. Drake looking sullenly in any direction but that of his father and Angel looked as though she was about to begin crying herself--she was his first priority.

Walking over to her, he knelt in front of the chair. "Sweetheart, how about we get you to bed?"

"Mummy?"

"She's still a bit upset so you can see her in the morning, okay?"

"I want Mummy," she whimpered as two fat tears spilt down her cheeks.

Draco picked up his distressed daughter and walked out of his chambers with her softly crying on his shoulder, cursing under his breath at his current predicament. Not knowing what else to do, he went in search of his parents. At the head of the staircase, he heard the tones of soft conversation coming from the foyer of the Manor. They were drawing closer and when he could see the platinum of his father's head, he made his presence known.

"Father," Draco called tensely.

"Draco... Did it not go well?" Lucius asked mounting the stairs and moving swiftly to his son's side with Narcissa only a step behind.

"That's an understatement."

Lucius quirked an eyebrow at him curiously before enquiring, "Drake?"

"Who else? He managed to upset Gin enough to make her cry and Angel is upset because Ginny's upset."

"He was not in an accommodating mood this evening," Lucius offered.

"Quite frankly, I don't give a damn what mood he was in; it doesn't give him any right to treat his mother poorly."

"Of course..."

"Can you take Angel? See if you can settle her down. She wants Ginny, but she's still upset herself and I have to deal with Drake."

"Do you want any assistance dealing with Drake?"

"No, thank you, Father. I need to do this myself."

"Very well."

"Can I do anything for Ginevra?" Narcissa enquired in a concerned tone.

"Thank you, Mother, but I left her soaking in a bath, and as soon as I've dealt with the little trouble maker, I'll be getting back to her."

"Well if you or she needs me..."

"I know, thank you."

"Father?" Draco intoned as he passed Angel over to Lucius' arms.

"I want Mummy," Angel cried.

"I know, Princess, but Mummy's having a bath right now and then she's going to bed too," Draco assured her, running his hand over her head and down her back.

"In her room?"

"No, she's staying in my room from now on. You go with your grandfather and see if you can get some sleep, all right?"

"Yes, Daddy," Angel replied softly, her tears still silently coursing down her face.

"Good girl." Draco placed a kiss on her wet cheek and gave her half a smile--it was all he could muster at the time.

"Why don't we tuck you into bed and see if we can't think of a story?" Lucius asked, taking control of the situation.

"Okay," she sniffed, allowing her head to drop onto his shoulder.

Lucius set off in the direction of Angel's rooms leaving Draco and Narcissa standing at the top of the stairs.

"Your father will see to Angel, is there anything I can do?"

"No thanks, Mother. I need to deal with Drake myself and I think Gin needs some time alone to collect herself."

"Do encourage her not to get upset; it's not good for the baby."

"It's not good for Drake's health either."

"Draco, don't be too hard on him."

"Mother, he is going to get exactly what he deserves and no less."

"Darling, just remember he is only five years old and..."

"I know, Mother. Goodnight," Draco said, kissing her cheek and walking off before she could respond.

Narcissa followed her son some distance behind, intending on going to her chambers and preparing for bed while Lucius tended to Angelique, but she found herself hovering in the corridor not far from Drake's rooms.

Draco entered his sitting room and looked over to the sofa where he had instructed his son to remain. Drake was not there. Swearing under his breath, Draco entered the bedchamber and looked around quickly before moving to the bathroom door. Trying to be as quiet as he possibly could, Draco turned the doorknob and cracked the door open just a fraction. He saw Ginny lying back, resting her head on the edge of the tub, tears still running down her face, but quite obviously alone. Seeing her like that--so vulnerable--Draco wanted nothing more than to burst in there and take her into his arms, never letting her go, but he had to find and deal with his son first. Silently closing the door and leaving her in relative peace, he left his chambers to check the next most logical place the boy could have gone.

As he entered the corridor that served the children's rooms, Draco noticed his mother lingering just past Drake's doorway. He smirked, despite his mood, and approached her. Draco knew what she was doing hovering in the hall; it was the same whenever he had displeased his father as a child. She would wait in the corridor outside his father's study or outside his chambers while his father dealt him the punishment he felt was deserved then she would gather him in her arms and erase the humiliation of the reprimand.

"Mother, what are you doing?" He knew the question was pointless--she would never admit the truth.

"I was just on my way to my chambers ... I was considering checking on Angelique, just to ensure she was calm now."

"Mother, go to bed. I'm going to deal with my son and you are not going to comfort him when I leave."

"Draco, I wouldn't dream of interfering..."

"Mother, I think we both know that is exactly what you are here for. Go to bed! I do not want him comforted after I leave; you have no idea what he did tonight so please let me deal with him in my own way," Draco explained attempting to keep control of his temper. "I want him to think about his behavior before he sees his mother again."

"I..."

"Mother."

"All right, good night, dear," Narcissa said in a snooty tone.

Draco stood watching his mother glide down the corridor until she was out of sight, then he turned and walked back to Drake's door. Entering the sitting room, Draco noted that the door to the bedchamber was ajar; this could only mean that someone was in there. The servants would never leave a door in that position, for fear of punishment from his mother; it either had to be closed or open all the way.

Draco crossed the sitting room, placed his hand on the door and sent it crashing into the wall loudly as he pushed it open with much more force than was necessary. Scanning the room he spied his son sitting on his bed, wide eyed staring at the door and at him.

"I told you to remain in my sitting room," Draco snarled, watching in unseen amazement as Drake schooled his features perfectly to appear impassive. Father would be proud, Draco mused sourly to himself.

"I got bored waiting for you."

Striding purposefully into the room to stand directly in front of him, Draco gazed down at the small boy with disdain. He was having some trouble fathoming when things had gone wrong today.

"Stand."

Drake remained seated as if he hadn't heard the command from his father.

"Now!"

Still there was no reaction from the little boy to even show that he had heard.

Draco grabbed him just above his elbow and pulled him off the bed to his feet. He led him into the adjacent sitting room. Taking a seat in one of the plush chairs, Draco stood his son directly in front of him; it was only then that he released the tight grip on his arm.

Drake had now lost his composure and was staring, once again, wide eyed at his father, his fear clearly evident in his mercury eyes.

"Right, you and I are going to sort this out tonight, because I will not tolerate you speaking to your mother like that, ever!"

Drake nodded mutely.

"Why, Drake? Why would you say such hateful things?"

Watching his son's eyes closely, he was astounded to see the fear clearly evident only seconds ago slip to the rear as anger began to fill his gaze.

"You weren't meant to make a baby," he yelled into Draco's face.

Willing himself to keep his tone even and unaffected, Draco replied, "Well we didn't plan to, it just happened and we're not sorry it did."

"You shouldn't have been shagging my mummy."

Raising his eyebrows, Draco was flabbergasted at his statement and it took him a few seconds to retaliate. "Who says your mother and I shouldn't be... shagging, as you so eloquently put it?"

"Grandfather said it was naughty before you're married."

"He did, didn't he?" Draco sighed heavily, privately promising to hex his father for supplying that particular snippet of information to his son.

"If you were good, there wouldn't be a baby."

"That is true, but your mother and I want this baby. We had hoped you and Angel would want it too."

"I don't!"

"Well there is nothing we can do about that now, is there?"

"Send it back."

"Nope, can't do that."

"Yes you can, you just won't."

"Even if I could, which I can't, because it doesn't work like that, I wouldn't."

"I hate you!"

"I've had enough of this! Now I'm going to explain to you just once how things are going to be and if you don't like it, too bad." He paused for a moment to catch his breath and continued in a dangerously low voice, "Your mother and I are getting married, we are having another baby, and we are likely to have more children in the future, whether you like it or not. Do you understand, Drake?"

Drake turned his back to his father and flippantly announced, "I'm tired, I'm going to bed."

Draco could feel himself begin to shake with rage; he doubted he'd ever been quite this angry before--it was as if the child were trying to push him over the edge deliberately.

Draco placed a hand on each of Drake's arms holding him securely in front of him. "How dare you," Draco hissed at him.

Control of his temper was slipping through his fingers with increasing velocity.

"Your mother is just about inconsolable--you have upset her that much... She hasn't stopped crying yet; what you said to her was inexcusable. I will not tolerate you treating her this way... EVER," Draco yelled into his son's face at close proximity, the last strands of his control slipping away.

Drake stared mutely into his father's almost black eyes--his misplaced courage and arrogance seemingly to have abandoned him for the time being.

"I swear if you ever talk to your mother like that again, you will become very familiar with the Cruciatus Curse," Draco whispered in a way that could only be described as dangerous. The notion that he was threatening his son with the same punishment he used to be threatened with time and again, for severe misdemeanors, didn't occur to him at the time.

Trembling in fear Drake swallowed hard and willed himself not to let the tears he could feel forming in his eyes spill--he knew he had pushed his father too far.

"You will apologise to your mother in the morning."

Despite the terror he was now feeling, Drake could not help but blurt out, "She'll be too busy being sick 'cause of the baby!"

"You will apologise anyway," Draco screamed. Unable to stop himself, Draco gave his son a short, sharp tug to make him stand even closer, close enough that he was now able to feel his erratic breath on his face.

Draco stared at his son, breathing raggedly, with the vein in his temple twitching apoplectically. Releasing his grip on Drake's arms, he sighed heavily and wondered not for the first time how this had all come about.

"We'll talk more in the morning. Go to bed," he muttered disgustedly.

Not needing to be told twice, Drake scampered from the room as fast as he could, slamming the door to the bedchamber behind him just as his tears finally came coursing down his face.

Draco sat in the chair cradling his head in his hands for a several minutes, trying to calm himself and regain some perspective on the situation. He had a gnawing feeling that he hadn't conveyed his disapproval of Drake's actions very well and seriously doubted any of the yelling he had done this evening would have a positive effect.

Draco left his son's rooms, stepped into the corridor and paused, sensing he was not alone.

"Mother, leave him be... go to bed," he uttered tiredly before continuing down the hall.

Stopping outside Angel's door, he quietly opened it and stepped in, wanting to check that Lucius had been able to calm her down enough to sleep at the very least. He entered the bedchamber and was surprised to see his father still in the room.

Lucius had tucked Angel into bed then had lain beside her, on top of the covers, holding her gently. Both were sound asleep. Smiling to himself, Draco walked across to the blanket box at the end of her bed, withdrew a heavy blanket and gently spread it over his father. He saw no point in attempting to wake Lucius; the older wizard looked perfectly comfortable where he was and Draco did not wish to chance awakening Angel by accident.

Draco returned to his own rooms and upon entering the bathroom, he noted that Ginny was still in the same position he had left her in; thankfully, it looked as though her tears had ceased. Approaching the tub slowly so he didn't startle her, Draco knelt down beside it, gently taking her hand into his as her eye's fluttered open.

"Hey... feeling better?"

"A little."

"Good. I'm just going to have a quick shower then we'll see about getting you into bed, okay?"

"Mmm..."

Draco undressed quietly; stepping into the shower stall, he turned the water on and washed quickly, all the while keeping a close watch on the woman in the bathtub.

Drying himself off and wrapping a bathrobe around his body, Draco approached Ginny again; she appeared to have fallen asleep.

"Gin?"

"Mmm..." she murmured without opening her eyes.

"Come on, love, let's get you to bed."

She lifted her hands for him to take hold.

"Feeling a little lazy, I see." Draco took hold of her outstretched arms and gently pulled her to a standing position.

She stepped out of the tub with Draco's assistance, and he wrapped a large fluffy towel around her. While she was drying herself, Draco retrieved her bathrobe from the bedchamber and ensured she was enveloped in its warm folds the moment the towel dropped.

"Bedtime, my love," Draco announced once he had cast a drying charm on her hair.

"Yes, it will be nice to snuggle up."

"Would you like a cup of tea before you go to sleep?"

"No thanks, I think I just want to get into bed."

They walked from the bathroom together and into the bedchamber. Draco made to lead her to the dressing room, but Ginny forged ahead to the bed.

"You want to put some nightclothes on?"

"No... can't be bothered."

"Okay." His casual tone belied the wicked grin gracing his features as he walked to his side of the bed.

Each discarded their robe and crawled into the bed from opposing sides, wriggling their way over to meet each other in the middle. Lying on his back, Draco wrapped an arm around Ginny's shoulders and her head came to rest on his chest.

Her fingers began to absently trace the sensitive skin of his nipple. Bringing his hand to hers, he gently held it, stilling its motion. For quite some time the two lay together, holding each other without speaking. Draco thought Ginny might have finally drifted off to sleep when he realized his chest was becoming wet--she was crying silently.

"Hey..." he said gently as he rolled carefully onto his side, placing her on her back.

His fingers gently removed the tears that had trailed down her cheeks.

"What's all this about?"

"I... Drake... I..." Any hope of coherency was lost until she calmed herself.

"Shh..." he intoned softly, bringing his forehead down to meet hers.

As more tears flowed from her eyes, Draco began to kiss them away tenderly until his mouth roamed over her lips, and she kissed him back, almost hesitantly. He continued to place small loving kisses over her face, along her jaw line and every so often would return to her mouth; each time that he ventured back to her lips, the kisses deepened until he felt her hand run up his back and into his hair, effectively holding him in place.

Draco ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, and as her mouth drifted open, he began to explore with ever increasingly intensity. Running his hand from her face down the side of her body to her hip, he gently pulled her closer to him before allowing his hand to drift a little further to massage the creamy flesh of her thigh.

Feeling his hardened length pressing into her thigh, she slid her hand down his chest and wrapped her fingers around his silky flesh. Feeling rather than hearing his moan as it reverberated through her mouth served only to increase the aching need to be closer to him. She needed to feel him, to have him as close as possible, to truly connect.

Draco's hand drifted from her thigh, his fingers now delving between her legs to where she so desperately craved attention. She arched into him as his fingers roamed further and began to move her hips against the teasing length of his talented fingers.

He stiffened. Pulling back to a position where he was no longer in contact with her flesh, Draco sat up, running his hands through his hair and muttering under his breath.

"Shit! What was I thinking?"

Ginny sat up and tried to move closer to him, but he moved away.

"Draco?"

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..."

"Shouldn't have what?"

"I don't want to hurt you or the baby... I'm sorry."

Reaching out, she held his arm so he couldn't move away. "Draco, you won't hurt either of us. What on earth gave you the idea that you would?" As the words left her mouth realization dawned upon her--Narcissa. "Oh god, this has to do with what your mother said!"

"Gin, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything should..."

"Draco, you can't hurt either of us. The baby is well protected and I am able to let you know if you're hurting me, not that you ever have."

"But Father..."

Sighing heavily, Ginny moved herself to kneel in front of Draco, between his legs. "You didn't hurt us this morning, did you? Believe me you can't hurt either of us, I think your mother was just a little shocked and it's her way of ensuring she doesn't see it again. She knows it not dangerous."

"You're sure?"

"Draco, I know my body and right now my body wants you. You can't leave me this worked up..." Ginny leaned down and began to trail small kisses over his face, down his neck, and over his chest.

"So do you still want to say ... no?" she purred, picking his hands up in hers and bringing them to her breasts, assisting him to knead the creamy mounds.

"You don't play fair..." Draco managed to utter.

"Oh, I haven't begun to play unfair ... yet."

"I still don't ... oh fuck!"

In one swift movement, Draco had unseated her, laid her on her back and was now hovering predatorily over her flushed body. He attacked her mouth as he coaxed her legs apart and slid up to her entrance.

Raising his head, Draco looked deep into her cinnamon eyes. "I'll be gentle," he whispered the promise almost to himself.

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

Embracing each other tightly, their orgasms still echoing distantly through their bodies and their breathing not yet under control, neither felt the urge to move apart.

Draco whispered into her hair, "I love you so much..."

"I love you too..."

Lifting himself off her body with care, Draco allowed himself to fall flat on his back, his head only just meeting his pillows.

"Come over here, love."

Ginny rolled over into the comfort of his arms and laid her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat slow gradually back to normal. Within minutes she had fallen asleep--exhausted from the evening's events.

Draco carefully reached for the blankets, pulling them over their naked forms.

Placing a kiss on the top of her head he murmured, "I will never let you go."

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