I am special

Part III - Christmas at the Burrow

"Pardon? I think I've gone temporarily deaf. WHO exactly invited me?"

Draco stared at Ginny.

"MUM did, you understood quite well. You just have to convince Professor Snape to let you go."

"You aren't serious, are you? Ron will skin me alive, and I don't even want to think about what the rest of your older brothers will do."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"They're not even at the Burrow, you ninny. They're all going to Romania, to visit Charlie."

Draco considered this.

"And why, pray tell, is your mother inviting me, anyway?"

She told him about the letter.

"Risky, Weasley. What would you have done if she had told you to stay the hell away from me?"

Ginny shrugged.

"The same, I think. But I feel better about the whole thing knowing Mum is okay with it. You're right, I don't even want to imagine how the others will react. I don't want to become a double of Nearly Headless Nick, thank you very much."

"Me neither," Draco growled, feeling quite uncomfortable. Then he shrugged. "I'll ask Severus. The worst he can say is no."

***

Severus Snape wasn't too happy about the new development in Draco's life. But, after a heated discussion with Dumbledore, he told them the arrangements for the Christmas visit with a stern face.

Ginny and Draco were brought by Professor McGonagall and himself to Hogsmeade the day after the term ended. Almost everyone had already gone, and nobody saw them.

They travelled to the Burrow by floo, and Molly Weasley and her husband were waiting for the two of them.

"Ginny darling, Happy Christmas!" Molly hugged her daughter.

Arthur was observing Draco, who switched from one foot to the other, visibly nervous. The elder man extended his hand in an offer of kindness to the younger, who took it gratefully.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better now, Draco," he said and smiled warmly.

"Um...thank you, Sir. For the invitation, too. I...um...I mean, after all that has happened."

He was deadly embarrassed.

"Sometimes you have to leave the past in the past," Arthur Weasley said in a quiet voice.

Draco just nodded. There was nothing he could say to that.

Mrs. Weasley had finished hugging her daughter and turned to the Slytherin.

"Welcome to the Burrow," she said cordially and giving him her hand, too.

Draco suddenly wished that he was far away - the moon, maybe. Then he became aware of Ginny, who was looking at him nervously.

"I'm okay, Gin." But his smile was a little strained.

"Ginny, show Draco to his room. Now that Percy and the twins have left, we finally have enough space. And then come back to dinner."

Later that evening, after they had eaten, Arthur Weasley talked with his daughter, while Molly tried to make Draco feel more comfortable. She cautiously gave him her sympathy about his mother's death. Draco thanked her, but it was obviously a topic he tried to avoid at all costs. She could see the pain in his eyes, and therefore decided to drop the subject.

"Would you two look at the time! It's quite late, and you should be getting to bed," Molly stated some time later.

Ginny was yawning every minute, and Draco looked exhausted.

"Good idea, Mum," murmured Ginny, yawned again and rose. "Are you coming, Draco?"

"Go on, I'll follow you shortly." His gaze softened as he watched her retreating form.

Then he turned to the Weasleys again.

"I just wanted to thank you, for giving Ginny and me a chance," he murmured, staring at the floor. "You know who my father is, and what he has done."

Bloody hell, I swear I'm going to emigrate. The moon sounds really nice.

The Weasleys exchanged a glance.

"I think you can imagine that we weren't too exited about the news at first," answered Molly after some time.

Draco swallowed audibly.

"I can," he said quietly, not looking up. "But believe me, I would never harm Ginny in any way."

Again the Weasleys looked at each other.

"We believe you, Draco," said Arthur slowly. "But, if I may give you some advice ... don't rush things. You are both still very young, and you will have a lot of trouble when your ... relationship comes out in the open. Molly and I, we will support you as much as we can, but most of the battle you will have to fight at Hogwarts alone. And not everybody will try to give you and Ginny a chance. And You-know ... I mean Voldemort ..."

Draco just nodded.

"Go to sleep, Draco," Molly said softly.

He rose.

"Good night."

After he vanished, Molly looked at her husband, who sighed dramatically.

"All these difficult relationships ..."

He twinkled at his wife, while Molly laughed.

"Things could be worse, Arthur. And the boy has changed, for his own advantage. Who knows what, or who, it will prove to be good for?"

"And we need every advantage we can get in the fight against Voldemort," he said quietly, but firm. All laughter had vanished from his face.

***

Draco was lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Forgetting the embarrassing moments, it had been a peaceful and nice evening, but he still couldn't sleep.

Admittedly, he liked Molly and Arthur Weasley. He thought about all the times he had mocked them, saying cruel things, repeating his father.

He turned restlessly to the other side. His leg ached again, but he didn't want to take any more of the potion.

Finally, he thought about Ginny, and drifted to sleep.

Voldemort was standing in front of the small cell. The body of his mother was still lying on the floor in the other one.

Draco himself was tied up and gagged, barely able to breath.

"So," came the hissing voice. "You are young, Draco. Your father was one of my most obedient servants, and I am sure, you want to be as helpful as him." He let out his cruel laugh.

Draco wasn't able to let out more than a tiny sound behind the gag.

Voldemort laughed again.

"We wanted your mother. Poor thing preferred to die instead. Too bad."

A Death Eater appeared at his side. Draco recognized his father's eyes behind the mask, staring coldly at him. He tried to yell, begging Lucius to free him, and let him out of this nightmare. The cold grey eyes, so similar to his own, didn't even blink.

"Lucius," began Voldemort again. "Prove you are my loyal servant. Bring me two fingers of his right hand."

Lucius Malfoy wasn't hesitating one second. He took the sharp ritual knife, took Draco's hand, and then ...

"No!" Draco yelled at the top of his lungs, waking up. For a moment, he thought he was still in that cell again. With a heavily shaking hand, he pushed some sweaty hair off his forehead.

From the next room, he could hear Ginny jumping out of her bed and running to his.

"Draco? Are you okay?"

"It was just a nightmare. Go to bed again." He tried to sound emotionless, but his voice was shaking audibly.

Ginny didn't go; instead, she sat down at the edge of his bed. She looked very worried as she stared into his deadly pale face.

"Don't you want to tell me?" she asked softly and stroked lightly over his hand.

"I was back, and Voldemort ... he ... he ordered my father to cut my fingers off again, and he didn't hesitate ... Ginny, he is my own father, and he didn't even hesitate!"

He pressed both hands over his eyes. To his shock, tears were starting to run down his cheeks.

Ginny hesitated a moment, and then lay down at his side, taking him in her arms. It was the very first time she saw Draco Malfoy cry. Silent sobs were racking his body, and his grip around her arms was almost painful.

She began to stroke the silver hair, murmuring soft words in his ear. It seemed to help, because after some time, the terrible sobs softened and he began to doze in her arms.

"Your Mum will kill me if she finds you here with me," he murmured sometime later, but didn't let her go.

Ginny smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll leave in time."

"Okay." His breathing became more and more regular. And then, almost too quiet to hear: "I love you."

"What?" With a bolt, Ginny was once again wide awake.

But he didn't answer anymore.

***

Christmas was a peaceful event.

Ginny got a new broom from her parents and, as a result, was in a very happy mood.

Draco, used to having a lot of money, and now almost out of it, had worked on a picture of his girlfriend, and turned a fiery red as all of the family (Molly, Arthur and Ginny) admired it loudly.

Snape had sent him an owl. At the last day of the holidays, he would take Draco - and even Ginny, if she wanted to - to Diagon Alley, to buy a new wand for the Slytherin. In the letter, there was also a key.

This is the key to your mother's vault. She had given it to me before she died, and it's your heritage. You will learn more when we arrive at Diagon Alley.

Draco hadn't even known that his mother owned her own vault. Lucius Malfoy had always pointed out that they all had lived off Malfoy wealth.

He had silently decided never to touch even a knut that had belonged to his father.

Ginny had given him two of her own books, muggle novels, and had laughed about his perplexed face.

"Read first, mock later!" she had teased. He had decided to drop the subject, but against his will, he found the books altogether quite interesting.

Ginny and Arthur had fun explaining various muggle things to the Slytherin, and were often discussing in front of the fireplace. Molly Weasley quite frequently shook her head in disbelief - Draco Malfoy, of all people!

During the day, Ginny and Draco went outside for long walks. He wanted to exercise his leg, and to be alone with Ginny as much as possible.

Draco had asked Snape for his broom, and it arrived a few days later. They started to train for Quidditch - though not with a real snitch or bludger, instead using everything one could use as a ball. Draco's muscles finally began to build up again, and he was glad for it.

Suddenly there were just two days of the holidays left. The Weasleys were invited out with some friends, and Ginny and Draco had decided to stay home.

Molly Weasley didn't object, but she wasn't all too pleased with it. She had seen the glances the pair had thrown at each other if they thought nobody was looking. She only hoped they would be sensible.

***

Ginny and Draco were lying in front of the fireplace. He was painting while she read.

"What are you painting?"

"Trying a dragon. Doesn't look like it, though." He looked at the picture critically.

Ginny glanced over his shoulder. "Nonsense. That is ... hey, that's the Chinese-what's-his-name Krum was fighting at the Triwizard Tournament!"

"You see that?"

"One really have to be blind not to see it," she answered dryly. "It's very good."

"Well, Mum taught..." He silenced abruptly.

"Oh, okay," she said hastily, not wanting to ruin the evening.

"Never mind. You want to lose a chess game?"

"Lose?? Did you just say LOSE? I'll show you who's the loser!" She knew exactly where he was ticklish and began to attack him.

"Hey, stop! Stop that, Ginny!" He tried to seize her wrists, but wasn't fast enough.

"If you don't stop that right this second..."

"What?" she asked, grinning.

He took her head in a firm grip and kissed her.

"I should do that more often. I like the punishment," she murmured, her hands travelling under his shirt.

He pulled her on his lap and began to kiss her in earnest. His fingers unbuttoned her blouse, and he licked down her neck, suckling at the base.

Ginny pulled the shirt over his head and stroked his chest with her fingertips.

He moaned, and started to kiss her breasts while he gripped her buttocks, pressing her firmly against his crotch.

Both were too busy to hear the opening front door, neither did they hear the footsteps and voices coming closer.

They were abruptly disturbed by a horrified gasp, followed by a bloodcurdling "GINNY!"

They hastily flew apart, Ginny using her blouse to hide her naked chest. Draco softly but firmly pushed her behind his body.

Ron Weasley was standing in the door. Next to him, Fred and Weasley were appearing, and footsteps revealed more people in the house.

"Weasley, it's not what you ..." Draco was stopped in mid-sentence as Ron grabbed his arm with sheer fury and pulled him away from Ginny. Then he punched the Slytherin in the face before he even had the chance to react. Draco's head was slammed back against the wall, and his lips started to bleed.

"You better shut up, Malfoy!" Ron said with menace in his voice. The he turned in his sister's direction. "*Do you have anything to say, Virginia Weasley? Has he hexed you?"

Ginny had finished buttoning up her blouse, and her eyes were spitting fire.

"You don't know anything, Ron Weasley! You will leave my boyfriend alone immediately!"

"Your ... WHAT?? Ginny, he DID hex you!"

"He - did - not!" she yelled. "Mum knows, ask her!"

"You've gone insane!" He took a step closer, his eyes blazing, too.

Draco had enough, and stepped between his fuming girlfriend and her raging brother. He watched Ron with a challenging smirk, but he had the sinking feeling just who would be the loser in this fight.

But George - or was it Fred? - decided to interrupt the approaching argument. "Time-out. Ron, stop it. Let's find out what's going on here." He threw Draco, who was still shirtless, a disgusted glance. "And you, Malfoy, put on your clothes!"

He pulled his reluctant brother, who was still glaring at the Slytherin, out of the room.

Ginny and Draco exchanged a look.

"Well done, you two," came a new voice from the doorways, sounding slightly amused.

It was Sirius Black, next to him stood Hermione and Harry, who gaped at the scene in front of them.

"Mr Black ..."

"Sirius ..."

"Sirius?" Harry turned to his godfather. "Since when does Malfoy call you 'Sirius'?!"

"It's my name, you know," stated Sirius dryly. "Anyway, I would greatly appreciate if someone would enlighten me as to what happened here."

Once again, he saw Ginny and Draco exchanging a guilty look.

"Wait a minute," Hermione joined in, addressing Draco. "I thought you were dead!"

"Well, Granger, obviously I'm not!" he snarled, but he finally pulled on his shirt again. Then he started to examine his still bleeding lip and his face, which he could feel starting to swell.

"What are you doing here anyway? Thought you weren't arriving until tomorrow."

"Seems we got here at the perfect moment!" said Harry sharply.

"Potter, suck my ..."

"Enough!" Sirius said in a firm voice. "Into the kitchen with all of you! It feels like I'm on a bloody battlefield!"

Draco moved to the left, but Harry stepped in his way.

"The kitchen, dearest Malfoy, is to the right."

"And I need my crutch, and it's over here, you idiot!" Draco snapped.

Hermione rolled her eyes. True, she was as shocked as anybody else, but the behaviour of the others was too childish for her. With one glance, she could see that Ginny was near tears, and Harry and Draco, despite Sirius' words of warning, were about to start fighting again. She took the role of Fred upon herself, taking Harry's arm, and pulling him out of the living room. He was protesting all the way to the kitchen.

Draco took his crutch, and together with Ginny he followed Sirius Black silently.

She took his hand, squeezing lightly.

***

"What the hell is going on?" George looked from one to the other.

Ginny was suddenly very interested in the table, while Draco tried to stare holes in the ceiling.

"So, you're together now?" asked Hermione, ignoring the flinching boys around her.

"For a couple of weeks now, yes," admitted Ginny softly.

"I, for one, would like to know when you returned to Hogwarts, Draco," asked Sirius while stirring his cup of tea.

"Summer holidays," the Slytherin answered shortly.

"You were allowed to leave St Mungos?"

"Professor Dumbledore helped me."

"And the first thing you had to do was pounce on my sister?" Ron hissed.

Draco glared at him, but kept quiet.

But Ginny saw how much self-control it took for him not to yell back, and she took his hand under the table. A thankful glance was the answer.

The small gesture wasn't lost on Harry, who sighed, and ruffled his hand through his black hair.

Hermione had just spotted Draco's missing fingers.

"What happened to your hand?"

"Voldemort, what else?" he answered grumpily.

"And your leg?" This was Black again.

"Still healing."

Sirius nodded.

"You're in Snape's custody now, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

For a long time a deathly silence hung in the kitchen. Ron's eyes were still filled with loathing.

It was the perfect time for Arthur and Molly Weasley to come home, and they did. They looked questioningly from one scowling teenager to another.

"You're already here?" asked Molly.

"And just in time, too!" Ron spat out. "You'll never guess what happened! Ginny had ..."

"You had better shut your bloody trap!" Draco yelled suddenly, jumping up so fast that his chair crashed to the floor.

Ron jerked back as if he had been bitten by something.

"It's not her fault, it's mine! You want to attack someone, I'm standing right in front of you, but don't you DARE start on my girlfriend!"

He stood, seething, in front of Ron, with both fists raised for a moment. Then he abruptly turned around and stomped out of the kitchen. They could all hear the front door slam closed.

Ron shut his mouth with a loud clap.

Ginny jumped up, but Molly seized her arm.

"Let him alone for a moment, darling. He'll come back."

"But ... it's snowing outside, and he's out there wearing just a thin shirt ..."

George sighed, but stood up.

"I'll take care of it, Mum."

Molly looked at her son thankfully.

"So," she said, looking around. "Does anybody care to tell me what happened?"

***

Draco stomped through the snow. He was still so full of rage he didn't even realize he was almost running, and it was icy outside.

He let himself fall in the snow and began to kick the ground mercilessly.

"To be honest, I really don't think that will change anything," a voice came from behind.

Draco hastily turned around. He suddenly became aware of his carelessness. Sitting here now, away from the Burrow, without a wand, and what if...

George appeared, shoving Draco's jacket in his face.

"Take it, or you'll freeze to death."

"Wouldn't that be a happy moment for all of you," Draco murmured sullenly, but took it anyway.

George shook his head, but offered Draco his hand, pulling him out of the snow.

"Let's get back," he simply said.

Draco limped badly. During the argument with Ron, while being smashed against the wall, his leg had been strained very much. And now, without his crutch, it had to put up with almost his whole weight.

Neither boy talked. Halfway back, Fred joined them, making no attempt at conversation, merely accompanying the boys back. The twins exchanged a look over Draco's lowered head.

The blond Slytherin was suddenly tired and just wished he was back in his bed, pulling the cover over his head. Longingly, he thought back to some hours ago, all alone with Ginny ... not that that would happen again anytime soon, he was sure.

Shortly before the Burrow both twins stopped simultaneously, and Fred turned to Draco.