Love Comes From Darkness and the Son

~*~*~*~*~*~

Several months had past since the weekend Darcella and Ben had spent with Ginny and Draco at the Manor. It was almost time for the Christmas holidays. Darcella was excited to be going home again. She had come to love her time at Hogwarts but she felt like she needed a little home time with her brother. The morning before they were supposed to leave for home the Great Hall was all a buzz with talk of presents and Christmas. Several more owls swooped in that morning than usual. Darcella saw her brother's Eagle owl soar down towards her with a small box and got excited. The owl dropped the box in her lap, stole a bit of toast off her plate and swept back out all in one movement.

"What's in the box, Darcella?" Ben asked while trying in vain to catch Pigwidgeon who was, at the moment, swarming around his head. "Come here you daft little twit. Give me my letter." Ben stood on the bench and swiped at the owl.

"I don't know," she said as she tore at the brown paper. "It’s from Draco."

Ben caught Pig and pulled the letter off his leg. "No food for you. Go home," he said throwing the small owl into the air, roughly.

"It's a necklace," she said pulling a small silver chain out of the box. At the end of the chain was a cerulean stone in a tear drop shape.

"I know what that is," Ben said eagerly. "That's a Dragon's Tear Stone. They are very rare. They aren't from real dragons though. My Uncle Charlie told me. He said that Dragons don't cry. They’re just called that because of the shape and colour."

"Oh, there's a letter. Let me read it."

Darcella,

I know it is a little early for Christmas presents but I want you to wear this on Christmas Eve to the Christmas Snow Ball. It was Mum's. Your Dad gave it to her on their first Christmas. The Ball is going to be a very special one this year and I want to make sure you have this before then. Can't wait to see you.

I love you.

Draco

"He said this necklace was my Mum's," she said holding up the necklace. "My dad gave it to her. Draco said he wants me to wear it to the Snow Ball we’re having on Christmas Eve. He said it is going to be a special one and he wants me to wear it. I wonder what he meant by special."

"I got a letter from home, too."

Benjamin

I hope you are ready to come home. After I pick you up from the train before we go home, we have to stop at Diagon Alley. We've been invited to Malfoy Manor for Christmas Eve. They are having a Christmas Eve Snow Ball and you need new dress robes. I will see you then.

Love Mum

"I don't know what your brother meant by special but the letter my mum sent me says that we've been invited to your house for the Christmas Eve Snow Ball and I need new dress robes. Maybe the Ball will be special because I'm going to be there."

"That's probably it," Darcella said with a shrug as she put the necklace on. "I've got to go pack. I'll see you later." She got up and went to walk out.

"I've got to pack, too. I'll come with you," Ben said leaping up and following her out of the Great Hall.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The Hogwarts express arrived at Kings Cross Station having brought everyone home for the Christmas holidays. Draco and Ginny were standing together on platform 9 3/4. Draco had his arms around Ginny, who was leaning back against his chest. Her head was leaning on his shoulder. Draco was standing against the wall. He had his head down and was whispering in Ginny's ear.

Ben hopped off the train and ran up to Ginny yelling, "MUM!"

Draco released her from his loving grip.

"Hi Ben. Are you ready to go to Diagon Alley? He needs new dress robes for your ball," she said turning to Draco.

"Do you have enough money to get them? I could give you . . ."

"I have money, Draco," Ginny said interrupting. "I do have a job. I don't need your money."

"I just thought . . ."

"I know," she said giving him a peck on the cheek. "When I was younger we didn't have very much money but I have a good job now so I can take care of us. Thank you, though."

Draco's pale cheeks now had a hint of blush. "Well I bet Darcella can't wait to get home. We better go. I'll see you soon, Ginny," he said giving her a kiss. "You too, Ben." He said clapping the younger boy on the shoulder.

"Mmm," Ben mumbled not really saying anything coherent.

Draco put Darcella's trunk onto a cart. He began to walk away.

"I'll see you at the ball, Ben. I'll be sure to save you a dance," Darcella said then ran off to follow her brother.

Ben looked up at his mother with a thoroughly confused look on his face. "Is it okay that I dance with her even though she is my aunt."

"Yes, Ben," Ginny laughed. " You can dance with her."

~*~*~*~*~*~

On Christmas Eve, Darcella and Draco were both sitting in his study late in the afternoon. Darcella was laying on her stomach on an expansive Oriental rug in front of a large fireplace. She was absentmindedly kicking her stockinged feet in the air. She was working on an assignment she had received in her History of Magic class. Draco was sitting at his desk reading over some papers. He heard a small chime from his wrist. The alarm on his watch was going off.

"Darcella," Draco said looking at his watch, "you better go and start getting ready."

"But," she said rolling onto her side and looking over at her brother at his desk, "it's so early. My watch says," she sat up and looked at her wrist watch, "I've got time." She pointed at it. "See the hand is only on 'You have time yet'"

"Darcella, I'm telling you, you don’t. You need to go get ready. Go."

Darcella looked at her watch again and the hand moved quickly 'You have to get ready.'

"Stupid watch," she mumbled. "Alright, I'll go and get ready but I don't see why I have to get ready so early," she huffed turning on her heels and heading towards the door.

"Don't forget to wear your necklace. I want everything to be perfect tonight. It's going to be a special night," he called to her as she walked out.

Darcella poked her head back in the door and smiled widely at him then went upstairs to her room.

Darcella's dress robes were laid out for her on her bed. They were made of blue black velvet with small silver sparkles that looked like stars in the midnight sky. She put on the flowing fabric of her robes over a simple black lace dress with thick straps and sat down at her vanity table to do her hair. It took nearly 45 minutes to do her hair because she didn't use magic. She put the front of her long dark hair up in a twist and let the back cascade down her back in soft curls. She was just finishing her hair when there was a knock at her door.

"Come in," Darcella said putting down her brush down.

"Miss, your brother wants you to finish quickly and join him in the ball room," said the servant at the door. Darcella didn't turn around.

She looked at the servant through in the mirror and said, "the ball isn't for another hour. I'm not ready yet," in quite an angry tone.

"I am just telling you what your brother said, Miss. He wants you downstairs as soon as possible."

"Fine," Darcella huffed. "Tell Draco I'll be right down."

"Yes, Miss," the servant said leaving the doorway.

"Why does he want me downstairs nearly an hour early?" She wondered to herself aloud. She stood and walked towards the door with one last look in her full-length mirror.

"Beautiful," the mirror whispered. "Just like your mother."

"I know," Darcella said smugly, going out the door with a smile. She headed down the main staircase to the hallway that led to the ballroom. When she reached the large black walnut double doors that led into the ballroom she paused. She smoothed out her robes and her hair, looked around for someone standing in the hall. Seeing no one she decided she only had one thing to do.

She took a deep breath and yelled, "Is someone going to open the doors for me?"

The doors suddenly burst open. Draco was standing there dressed impeccably. He was wearing a white tuxedo type shirt and smooth, black, leather trousers, underneath open robes of black velvet. The silver clasps of the robe shone, reflecting the candlelight.

"Why are you screaming, Darcella?" Draco asked calmly.

"No one was there to open the ballroom doors," Darcella said walking into the ballroom. It was decorated beautifully. There was red and green tinsel and silver and gold enchanted stars floating near the ceiling. The stars shone brightly. There were candles lining the walls of the room making small flickers of light on the walls around the room.

"The ball doesn't start for nearly an hour. Why would someone be there to open the door for you?" Draco said turning his back, walking over to a table and grabbing a glass of champagne.

"Wait, If they ball doesn't start for an hour why did you want me to come down so early?" She walked over to where he brother was standing.

"Because," He paused and took a sip of his champagne, "I want you to be down here when Ben and Ginny show up."

"Aren't they coming with the rest of the guests?"

"No, they're not. I told you tonight is going to be a special one. They are coming earlier so we can have some time, just us, before the rest of the guests get here." Draco downed the rest of the glass of champagne.

Darcella had never seen him drink like this. He downed another glass of champagne before she even ended her thoughts.

"Why are you drinking so much?" She questioned.

Draco was about to pick up a third glass, but put it down with Darcella's question.

"Nerves," he answered quietly. Draco quickly changed the subject. "You look very pretty, Darcella. Waiting on anyone special tonight? Like Geoffrey Wood?"

"No Draco," Darcella said with a shock. "Geoff is just a friend."

"Okay, good," he declared with slight laugh. "I don't want to have to talk to Oliver about his son staying away from my little sister." He put his arm around Darcella and pulled her into a hug.

"Ugh, Draco. You are going to mess up my hair," Darcella said trying to escape his brotherly grip.

Just then the ballroom doors opened again and a disembodied voice announced "Ms. Virginia Weasley and Master Benjamin Weasley."

Draco let go of Darcella and they both smoothed out their clothes. Draco attempted to close all the clasps on his robes as Ginny and Ben walked in. Ben with his mouth gaping at the sight of the ballroom and Ginny with a small smile and a slight blush.

"You look beautiful, Ginny," Draco said as Ginny walked up to him. She was dressed in baby blue robes of satin over a white linen dress with small, light blue flowers.

"Thank you," she said giving him a kiss on the cheek. "You look very handsome." She stood on her toes. "And extremely sexy." She whispered in his ear.

A light blush crept up his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around Ginny and lifted her up. He kissed her as she slid down his body and stood again on her own feet

"Honestly, Mother, Draco. Get a room," Ben said.

Draco let go of Ginny. They walked over to the table where the drinks were.

"Are we the first ones here?" Ben asked Darcella as he looked around the room.

"Yes. Draco said that you and your mum would come before everyone so we could have some time with just the four of us." She said with a shrug.

"Oh, I wonder why."

"Darcella, Ben, come here. We’re going to go into the other room for a little bit," Draco called to them. They all followed him through the doors of the ballroom, and down the hall. He stopped before the doors that Darcella knew led into a small living room. "Okay everyone close your eyes."

"Why?" Darcella asked. "This is my house. I know what's inside. That’s the living room. I’m not closing my eyes."

"Darcella please."

"Fine," she sighed closing her eyes.

"Alright? Ginny give me your hand," Draco said taking her hand.

They all heard the doors of the living room open and Draco lead Ginny inside. Darcella and Ben each took a step into the room.

"Open your eyes."

They all did as they were told and gasped. The room was filled will fairies that were shining in a multitude of colors.

"Oh, it's beautiful. What's all this about, Draco?" Ginny asked with a giggle in her voice.

"Come sit down, everyone." Was his only answer as he motioned to the chairs in the center of the room. Everyone went in and sat down in the chairs, except Draco. He stood in front of Ginny.

"What's going on, Draco?" She asked looking around, getting slightly nervous.

"Well First I have a question to ask Benjamin," he said turning his attention to Ben. "Benjamin, how do you feel about your mother and father being together?"

"It's fine I guess. As long as my Mum is happy," Ben said with a shrug, he had no idea what was going on.

"Good," Draco said turning his attention back to Ginny.

"Virginia Weasley, I have loved you ever since I first saw you, even though I was quite a little prat when I was younger. I could never tell you how I felt because of who I was and what my father would do. It took me five years to build up the nerve to go against my father and talk to you. I am glad that you chose to hear me out back then and I hope you will hear me out now. I still love you, even though we've only been together again for a short time in eleven years. I want us to be together for the rest of our lives." He sank down to one knee and removed a small box from inside his robes. "Ginny, will you marry me?" He opened the box and showed Ginny the contents. It was a large diamond in a white gold ring.

Ginny let out a small gasp and put her hand over her mouth in shock. Darcella was giggling, excitedly. Ben just smiled and stood up.

"Well?" Draco asked impatiently.

She shook her head yes, unable to speak. She wrapped her arms around his neck as tears of joy leaked down her face. Draco stood up, pulling him up with him and hugged Ginny back, holding her close to him.

Ben turned to Darcella who was now standing next to him. "My Mother and Father are getting married," he said, thrilled as he threw his arms around her giving her a huge friendly hug.

"I know," she replied grinning widely and hugging him back.

Draco pulled away from Ginny, took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. He leaned in and kissed her. Draco broke their kiss and turned to Ben.

"Benjamin," he said, causing Ben to jump.

"What?" He said quizzically.

"I want you to be a big part of the wedding since you are our son. Do you think you can handle having a big responsibility?" He asked clapping his hand on Ben's shoulder.

"Sure." Ben nodded.

"Good, then you will be my best man," Draco said pulling Ben in for a quick manly hug.

Ginny and Draco each had a glass of champagne to celebrate. Darcella and Ben each had a glass of sparkling cider, since they weren't old enough to drink.

Ginny was showing her ring to Darcella when Ben walked up to Draco who was across the room refilling his and Ginny's glasses.

"Draco?" Ben said quietly standing behind him.

"Yes, Benjamin?" Draco said turning to face the boy.

"Would it be…I mean…Is it okay if…I mean… Can I call you Dad?" He asked shyly looking up at the taller man.

"Of course you can, son," Draco said with a smile as he put his arm around the younger boy's shoulder.

Ben smiled, too. "I don't have to call Darcella ‘Aunt Darcella’, do I?

"No," Draco laughed

"Good, because that would be weird."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Soon the rest of the guests started to arrive and were announced. Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the Weasleys came. The Woods arrived a short time after some of the other guests. Draco had asked Ginny and the children not to tell anyone about their engagement. They would tell everyone at dinner.

Darcella and Ben ran up to Geoff as soon as he walked into the ballroom.

"C'mon Geoff. We're going up to my room, quickly," Darcella said grabbing Geoff's arm.

"Ben too?" Geoff laughed. "I didn't know you were into that kind of thing, Darcella"

"Eww Geoff. That's gross," Darcella said scrunching her nose and giggling. "We have something to tell you."

Ben rolled his eyes at Geoff, who laughed. Darcella walked out of the ballroom and the boys followed her. She raced up the stairs to her bedroom. She walked to her room and opened the door. Ben stepped inside. Geoff held the door and motioned for Darcella to go in first. Darcella smiled and walked in. Geoff followed.

"So, why did we leave the ball? You look very pretty tonight, by the way Darcella," Geoff said with a wink.

"Thank you, Geoff," Darcella replied blushing, lowering her head.

"My Gods, will you stop flirting with her, Geoff?" Ben said flopping down on Darcella's bed. "Or at least don't do it front of me," he said picking up her stuffed dragon by its foot and swinging it. "It’s making me ill."

"Ben, put down Puffy," she said grabbing the doll from him, hugging it, and sitting down on the bed next to Ben. "Geoff," she said turning her attention back to him, "Ben and I have something very exciting to tell you..."

"But we aren't really supposed to," Ben said with a smile, interrupting her.

"Yeah, we aren't supposed to say anything, yet. So you can't tell anyone that you know."

Geoff stood in front of his two friends and looked at them. They looked as if they were about to explode with excitement. If they didn't tell him what their secret was soon they probably would.

"So what is it?" Geoff asked. "I promise I won't tell."

Darcella smiled brightly. "Tell him Ben." She said nudging him with her arm.

"Well, My Mum and Dad . . .they're…they're…they're getting married," Ben said standing up suddenly causing Darcella to fall over and lay down on the bed. "He proposed to her before the ball."

"It was so romantic," Darcella said in a dreamy tone as she lay on the bed hugging Puffy.

"He gave her a really big ring and he asked me to be the best man," Ben said.

Geoff sat down on the bed next to where Darcella was lying. He looked down at her as she held the stuffed dragon over her head making like it was flying over her.

"Wicked. So when's the wedding?" Geoff said staring down at Darcella.

Darcella sat up suddenly.

"When IS the wedding, Ben? Did they tell us?" Darcella questioned.

"No, Darcella I don't think they did. I mean, I think I would have remembered the date my Mum and Dad are getting married, right?"

"Right. We had better get back down stairs. We don't want to miss anything." Darcella said walking towards the door.

Geoff and Ben were about to follow her out the door when Geoff stopped Ben.

"Ben, Would you be mad if I danced with Darcella?" Geoff asked.

"No. Why would I be?"

"I don't know; because she was your friend first?"

"I know she was my friend first but she's my aunt. It's kind of nasty to think I would be jealous of you and her, but you better watch out for my dad." Ben laughed.

"Oh yeah, I will."

"What’s taking you two so long?" Darcella said walking back into the room. "I mean my bedroom’s not that interesting. Unless you’re trying to find my knickers, Geoff, in which case, good luck. They're hidden," she laughed.

Geoff turned six shades of red. Ben rolled his eyes.

"Let's go," Ben said as he walked over to the door.

The trio went back downstairs and into the ballroom where the rest of the guests were. The large black walnut doors opened and they stepped inside the room. Darcella scanned for Draco and Ginny. Ben saw his Uncle Charlie as soon as he walked in and he ran over to him. Geoff took full advantage of this moment alone with Darcella.

"Darcella."

"Yes?" She said turning her attention back to the boy at her side.

The candlelight behind him illuminated him, making him look like he was glowing. Darcella had never seen him look so handsome. His light brown hair glistening from the candlelight. His brown eyes glimmering as he smiled at her.

"What am I thinking?" she thought to herself. "He's not handsome, he's Geoff. No," she corrected herself, "he really is handsome." She smiled at the realization. She liked Geoff. She liked when he flirted with her. She liked spending time with him. He was more than just her best friend; he was her first crush.

"Are you okay, Darcella?" Geoff asked pulling Darcella out of her own thoughts.

"Yes, Geoff. I'm fine. Actually, I am better than fine," she said with a bright smile.

"Good. Then," he bowed to her, took her hand and kissed it, "may I have this dance, m'lady?" he asked.

Darcella blushed and giggled. "Yes, kind sir," she said bowing her head.

He held out his arm to her. She took it and they moved to the dance floor. Neither saw Draco and Oliver standing near the bar. The two men watched them as they began to dance.

"You better watch your boy around my sister, Wood," Draco said flatly taking a sip of his drink.

"You better watch your sister around my son, Malfoy," Oliver said with a laugh, pointing at Darcella who had just moved in closer to Geoff and put her head down on his shoulder as Geoff wrapped his arms around her tighter.

Draco was about to go and put a stop to them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't, Draco. It's cute."

He turned around to see Ginny standing behind him.

"They're so young. They’re only 11."

"How old were you when you fell in love with me?"

Draco looked down. He knew Ginny had a point. Oliver stood next to them holding in a laugh.

"How old were you when you fell in love with her, Malfoy?"

Draco looked up at Oliver and sneered.

"Well?"

"Twelve." Draco said quietly as he took Ginny's hand and led her away.

~*~*~*~*~*~