Matters of Blood and Connection

Chapter 28: Forever And Always

Ginny's eyes widened slightly as she looked around. She said nothing for a few minutes as Draco wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. She could hear his heartbeat when she rested her head against his chest.

"You're afraid," she mumbled, staring into his face. When she reached up to move a strand of hair from his eyes, he gripped her hand, staring down at her.

"This isn't good," he said softly. "Not at all. With my father here that means he can get to you and no one can stop him. Oh, believe me, they would try, but he has influence over so many people in this school."

"Then we'll leave," suggested Ginny, suddenly more nervous than before. "We'll go somewhere no one can find us, and get married without anyone agreeing or disagreeing that it's wrong."

"You'll do no such thing!" came a discontented voice from behind them. Molly came forward and practically yanked Ginny back. She looked at her daughter sternly. "Look at what he has done to you already, and now you want to abandon your friends and family for him, too?"

"Mum, stop it," said Ginny, her eyes narrowing. "You sound like Dad."

"Is that such a bad thing?" Arthur muttered as he came out of the infirmary, frowning. "I love you, Ginny, too much to see you carry on with this mistake. I'm sure by now Draco has told you that Lucius is here."

"You knew?" Draco asked, tilting his head.

"Yes," said Arthur quietly. "I called him. We don't agree on much, Lucius and I, but we do know that this is wrong."

"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked, bewildered. "This is crazy. Dad, you would never call Lucius Malfoy for anything."

"I know what I'm doing, Ginevra," her father said sharply.

"No you don't," said Ginny as she stared at him. "Don't you see that I love him? This has nothing to do with Harry, so don't go thinking that, because he and I are over. We've both moved on, and you need to accept that."

Arthur's face fell slightly, but he kept his composure. The hallway had grown quiet, save for the sudden noise of footsteps and something else hitting the floor. When he appeared before them, he merely stared around before speaking, raising his cane slightly as he did.

"It seems we have a problem," Lucius said snidely. His eyes landed on Ginny and he smirked. "However are we going to take care of this?"

"There is no problem," Arthur said as he placed his hand on Ginny's shoulder. "I'm very sorry to disrupt your day, Lucius. Let's go, Molly."

Lucius held his cane out to block their path, his eyes hard, lip curling. "Do not play games with me, Weasley. You know, as well as I, that our children do not belong together. This is an atrocity."

"My being happy is an atrocity?" Draco muttered bitterly to his father. "Is that how your parents were when you met mother? They hated her and you didn't care, because you loved her and would have done anything for her, which is how I feel about Ginny."

"That is completely different!" Lucius shouted. "Your mother was never poor!"

"Excuse me?" Molly said hotly, shifting in front of her husband. "Who do you think you are talking about my family like that? Your son has shown extreme courage in coming to us with this, and you stand there and belittle the woman that means more to him than anyone? What kind of father are you?"

"Mum," Ginny whispered. "I don't think that was a good idea."

"Quiet," said Molly as she stepped in front of Lucius.

Lucius chuckled softly, but stopped when she shoved her finger against his chest.

"What are you doing?" he asked, annoyed.

"You are the most arrogant, horrible human being I have ever come in contact with, and you have no right to say what is good for your son if you're never there for him."

"He's made his choice," said Arthur, glaring.

"Clearly," Lucius said softly, sneering. "Expect a letter from your mother in a few days, then, boy."

"Sure," mumbled Draco as his father disappeared.

"Molly, that was very foolish of you; he could have cursed you," Arthur said as he came forward. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking his mother probably didn't yell at him too much as a boy," said Molly, shrugging. "Besides, no one talks about our family that way and leaves without a word from me."

"Mrs. Weasley, that was a very brave thing you did. Thank you," Draco said gently. "I am grateful for everything you have done today."

"Do you think your mother will be hard on you, dear?" asked Molly.

"No, but she'll have a few choice words for my father," said Draco as he smirked. He grabbed Ginny's hand and stared at her father. "May we go now?"

"I-" Arthur started, his eyes soft, and he nodded. "I'm glad you're all right, Gin."

"Over the summer you must come to our home for dinner," Molly said, grinning at the idea.

"By then I may already be in the family," he whispered to Ginny. "That'll be nice," he said to Molly. "Thank you." Once they left, but not without a mutual understanding, Draco brushed his knuckles against Ginny's cheek. "See? I told you they would love me."

"I think you did wonderfully," Ginny said, curling her arms around his neck and bringing his face closer. "I think congratulations are in order," she murmured as she brushed her lips against his.

***

His fingers tightened on her bare shoulders, trying to undo the knotted muscles, and occasionally brushing his lips against her ear or throat, just because she hardly minded.

"That was incredible," he whispered into her hair. "Potter really didn't know what he was missing out on."

"Look, I know you pride yourself on how much sex you have and with whom, but I don't think Harry swings that way." Ginny sighed, taking a breath as his touch relaxed her. "Besides, he's with Pansy now."

"Is Lovegood seeing anyone?" Draco wondered.

"Are you going to ask her to join us or something?" Ginny asked, turning around. She rolled her eyes when his roamed down her bare form, and she grabbed his white shirt and put it on. "She's not that weird."

"No, I was just going to suggest that maybe her and Zabini..."

"Excuse me? Did you just say what I thought you said?" Ginny asked. "Zabini - your best friend kisses your fiancée and you want to set him up with someone? That's not like you at all."

Draco grinned slightly and laced his hands with hers. "Stranger things have happened."

***

"Ginny! Did you hear?" Luna shouted happily.

The Burrow had been quietly, more or less, until she had arrived.

"What's going on?" the redhead asked as she came out of the kitchen holding a pot.

Luna shoved her hand in Ginny's face.

The pot fell to the floor and all of its contents with it.

"He didn't?" Ginny muttered. Suddenly, she turned around. "Draco Malfoy, get in here this instant!"

He appeared, frowning, and then his eyes widened as he spotted Luna. Two pink patches formed on his cheeks and he muttered, "Oh, Luna, err, I can explain."

"Did you tell Blaise to propose to her?" Ginny asked sweetly.

Draco sighed with relief. "I might have mentioned it."

"And you didn't tell me?" she said. "We're going to be married in less than a week and you're keeping secrets?"

"It's Luna's secret not mine!" he shouted. "She's the bride!"

A small smile crossed Ginny's face as she used her wand to clean the mess she made, then shouted, "Mum, Draco spilled your food!" She grinned wickedly at him as she passed.

Luna stopped in front of him and said dreamily, "Oh! I love your pink apron."

Draco wondered if this day could have gotten any worse. His question was answered, however, when the front door to the Burrow opened once more and Pansy stepped inside, followed closely by Harry.

Oh God.

Before Draco could even remove what he had been forced to wear, he heard a chuckle from beside him and a voice whispered, "Very manly, Malfoy."

"Draco Malfoy!" Molly Weasley screeched as she came into view, huffing slightly until she saw Harry and Pansy. "Oh, hello, you two."

Draco took a step sideways and sat down on the sofa, putting his head in his hands. "Why did your mother make me wear this? I look ridiculous."

"You do not," said Ginny as she sat down.

"What happened to you?" he asked as he looked at her face.

"Oh, this?" Ginny said, indicating the black eye. "Um, well, we were working so closely in the kitchen that Luna accidentally elbowed me."

Draco did nothing as he got up and vanished. He reappeared in seconds holding a few ice cubes. Carefully, he pressed one against the bruise. Ginny winced.

"Baby," he commented. "You play Quidditch, and you can't handle a little ice on a wound?"

Ginny mumbled something that sounded very foul.

"Language," Draco warned. "Maybe I'll have to teach you a lesson." He grinned and pulled her toward him, his lips inches from hers. He took the ice from her and set it down, letting it melt. "Maybe we'll use some later."

Ginny closed her eyes and waited. She could feel his breath against her face. His hand slid against her cheek softly and she felt him lean in closer.

"Dinner!"

He sighed and laid his head against her shoulder.

"Well, at least no one can stop me from kissing you in a few days," Draco said as they walked outside to where several tables were set up.

Just as he sat down, Fred and George came wondering over.

"We got you a present," said Fred.

"You know, since you're going to be family soon," replied George.

He shoved the parcel into Draco's hand and waited. Throwing a curious look around, he slowly opened it, and growled softly.

"What the hell is this?" he asked.

"Well, we thought you could use another one since you're so fondly attached to this one," Fred said as he tugged on the pink apron Draco wore. "I think this purple one suits you well. Don't you, George?"

"Oh yeah," he said and laughed.

Draco tossed the material in his face as everyone around him burst into laughter. He chuckled lightly at his own expense and wondered if he was really going to survive the stay here until the wedding.