Secrets and Lies

Harry made his way through the garden path towards the figure stretched out beside the swimming pool. He smiled.

"I'd watch out if I were you," the figure shouted without looking up from a book he was reading. "My son is in the bush on the left."

Harry turned to the left. Almost immediately there was a flash of red hair from his right as a small boy cracked him across the leg with a stick before running off into the bushes.

"My left," Malfoy explained as Harry sat down opposite him. Harry took a look at the front cover.

"Not you too?" he groaned.

"I'm afraid so," Malfoy replied. "It's a thrilling read really. It's all about Granger telling everyone how brave you were against Voldemort. I also note that I have almost finished the book and yet I have not seen my name mentioned once. It is also worthy of note that Creevey is mentioned twice."

"You'll have to take it up with Hermione," Harry chuckled. "So how's Ginny doing?"

"You mean aside from the fact that she has a layabout husband that hasn't done an honest day's work in two years?"

"But you're on the Hogwarts Board of Governors," Harry said. "At your age some people might say that's impressive."

"Some people are idiots," Malfoy mumbled. "Anyway she's fine. She's just inside at the moment having a rest while I watch the kids."

"Where are they?"

"I have no idea," Malfoy said with a smile, and Harry laughed again. "Well, they have ginger hair so they shouldn't be too hard to spot among the bushes. How's the Madam Potter fairing?" he added.

"Oh, you know. Wedding this and wedding that. I'll be glad when it's over."

"Which brings you to why you're here?" Malfoy asked, finally looking up from his book.

"I had to get out of the house," Harry explained.

"Ah," Malfoy replied.

There was a very long an uncomfortable silence as Harry thought for the right words to say.

"Um, I was wondering," he began. "That is to say, Megan thought that... would you like to be one of the groomsmen?"

"So basically I just stand around, make sure Weasley doesn't mess up, not that he will now Granger's got him well trained, and I get a free meal?"

"Yes."

"Excellent," Malfoy said, putting down his book. "But now, Potter, I have a favour to ask you."

"What's that?"

"I'll need backup. My daughter has just climbed the tree again." Malfoy got up and dashed over to the tallest tree in the garden, which Ginny had kept for its "sentimental value." He then began shouting things at his daughter, before attempting to climb it himself.

"Whatever you do," Malfoy called down when he was halfway up. "Don't let Megan get a tree."

"So, basically I just stand here and make sure you don't fall?" Harry called back up.

"No, your job is to distract Mrs Malfoy should she wake up whilst I am rescuing our daughter from herself."

Harry turned back to face the house. And sure enough there was Ginny sprinting out of the house brandishing her wand.

### As the French say... piss off, zis is over! ###