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Who Needs a Reason by Renei

1. Scene 1 by Renei

2. Scene 2 by Renei

3. Scene 3 by Renei

4. Scene 4 by Renei

5. Scene 5 by Renei

Scene 1 by Renei
Author's Notes:
The beginning.
It happened in the middle of my seventh year. The Dark Lord was gone, destroyed by my own rival, Harry Potter, and I was free. I had escaped the fate planned by my father, going into hiding rather than take the mark. I know everyone believed Snape was working against the Order, but things were much more complicated.

My mother was safe, or as safe as she’d ever been with Lucius, and Snape had hidden me away. When Voldemort fell, Snape went to the Ministry and voluntarily took Veritaserum. He told them of the UnbreakableVow he’d made to my mother and he revealed where I was hiding.

I, too, took Veritaserum and told of my role in the attack on Hogwarts. While under the potion’s influence, I described the threats I’d been faced with. A few others came forward to support my tale, including Saint Potter himself. He told them how I hesitated in the tower that night; how Dumbledore had promised sanctuary for my mother, as well as myself, if I would just accept. And he told them all that I’d not had the chance to make that choice.

That was enough to get me off of the most serious charges, but one other came forward who surprised me most of all. The youngest Weasley stood before the full court and said that she had seen me in the bathrooms, struggling with the task Voldemort had appointed me long before the night everything came to a head.

She then went on to remind people what a powerful motivator fear could be and how well the Dark Lord could exploit those fears. She reminded the court that stronger wizards, wiser wizards, had fallen prey to that fear. When she said that, her eyes went directly to Cornelius Fudge, the former Minister of Magic, and to his favorite underling, Dolores Umbridge.

It was her testimony that saved me. Her testimony that got me re-admitted to school and allowed me to be here for the announcement about to be made. I just wasn’t sure why she’d done it.

Headmistress McGonagall stood at the front of the Great Hall, arms raised for silence.

“Welcome back to Hogwarts! It is my pleasure to see so many of you returned to our halls after the events that took place this Christmas. We still mourn those we’ve lost to war, but now we can rejoice that it is over.

“You seventh years who missed the start of term,” Here, she glanced at me and then over to the Gryffindor Wonder Trio, “will find this half of term useful in preparing for your your N.E.W.T.S., which will be delayed until next spring. You will take them with the sixth years. Those of you who have been here the entire term will also be offered the chance to delay your N.E.W.T.S.”

So, now I had an extra half-term to prepare for my final examinations. This was probably a good thing, as the foundations of my world were still rather shaky from the last year and a half.

I turned my attention back to McGonagall as she began to speak about those of us who’d been cleared or who had fought.

“Some of you may believe the Ministry has cleared people who you think are guilty. I will take this chance to warn you all that there are NO students here who were Death Eaters. There is no one here who has not suffered during this war and none of us have the right to judge each other’s choices until we have been in their shoes.”

I knew she was speaking of me, one of the handful of Slytherins left. Whispers began to flow as soon as she sat, despite the disapproving glare she showed. I did not look up, merely sat and ate quietly. None of my housemates had sat near me, which didn’t surprise me, but there was nothing to shield me from the speculative stares of other houses.

What did surprise me was the hush that spread across the room as Ginevra Weasley rose from her seat, slapped her brother across his freckled face, and then came to sit beside me. I raised one eyebrow in question as I dared to look at her and smiled tentatively in response to the smile she gave me.

“You don’t have to do this, Weasley.”

“It’s Ginny. And yes, Draco, I do. I know how it is to have no choices and I will not tolerate anyone judging you for something beyond your control. That includes my own family. I know we’ve never been friends, but if you need anything, let me know.”

I was stunned. Here was this girl who I’d never been anything but horrid towards, and she was standing up for me a second time.

“Weas…” I paused at her look. “Ginny.” She smiled. “Thank you. I don’t understand this, but thanks.”

We ate in silence before she pulled out her potions book.

“This doesn’t mean I have to like your brother? Or his friends, right?”

She laughed then.

“Of course not. Ron’s a prat most of the time, and Harry is almost as bad. As if six brothers weren’t enough, I had to get a seventh, in Harry-Bloody-Potter. As for Hermione? She has to be cracked after spending so much time with them.”

I smiled then, not a smirk, a real smile. “Want some help with that?” I asked quietly, gesturing towards her potions book.

She grinned playfully. “Actually, I’m the only Gryffindor in years to ace potions. Even Snape was impressed by my grades. But it can’t hurt to add an extra pair of eyes. You probably need to review though, right?”

And that is how I wound up sitting with Ginevra Weasley, working on potions essays. Still not sure how I wound up holding her hand though. Doesn’t mean I want to stop either.

Scene 2 by Renei
Author's Notes:
Friends?
It was an idea that could only have come from a Gryffindor. Ginny was all smiles when she told me about Granger’s idea to promote Inter-House Unity.

“Come on, Draco, it’ll be fun. All the sixth and seventh years, the Room of Requirement turned into an underground club, with karaoke. All four houses, no wands allowed.”

“Granger added that for me, didn’t she?”

“Actually, I think it was more for Ron and Harry. Even Hermione doesn’t think you’ve been a prat lately.”

“Well, that’s a relief…” My sarcasm wasn’t lost on the one who was quickly becoming my best friend, and perhaps a bit more than that. We were known to hold hands, but we’d never really talked about being more.

“Oh, Gin, I almost forgot to tell you. The Ministry’s released the family assets to me. Everything’s been changed so my father can’t touch it, if he is alive.” She looked at me, as if knowing there was more to come. “Happy late birthday, Gin.” I handed her the box that had arrived by owl that morning.

“Oh, Draco, you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to; it’s not much, just a small token, to remind you that I care.”

She smiled as she opened the box to reveal a stuffed dragon charmed to respond to his owner. And underneath, a cloak to keep her warm. I’d noticed hers was rather worn, and it was such a small thing to do for her. She’d done so much for me.

“So, when’s this party of Granger’s anyway?” I had to ask, and that was light enough to keep things from getting too complicated.

“Two weeks, right after Hogsmeade weekend.” Gin was still holding her dragon as I tucked one of her long, red curls behind her ear.

“That reminds me, did you have a date for that yet?” I wanted to ask her myself, but I was strangely lacking in confidence when it came to her. Not to mention, this whole friendship thing was so new to me, I didn’t want to screw it up.

“Eh, I had a few offers, including Harry, but no one I really wanted to go with.”

“You turned down the savior of the wizarding world? What will your mum say?” I laughed as I spoke, a sound I was definitely getting used to since this unlikely friendship had begun.

“I imagine she’ll ask if it has anything to do with ‘that poor Malfoy boy’ I’ve befriended. She’s quite taken with the idea of us beating the odds at being friends. I think she’d even encourage more, if it didn’t mean giving up on the whole 'Harry marrying into the family' thing.”

“Well, what would you think about more, Ginevra?”

Her eyes widened with shock, and a bit of joy, if I wasn’t mistaken. “I think that if we became more, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.” She’d worked her face into a mask worthy of a Slytherin by the time she spoke. “I won’t deny the attraction, Merlin knows you’re definitely worthy of that Slytherin Sex God nickname I’ve heard you described as, but I don’t want to rush anything. I like being your friend.”

I smiled at her and tugged a curl.

“I like being your friend too. And if I denied the attraction, you’d know I was lying. So no pressure? We’ll just keep on as we have?”

“That works for me. Besides, half the school thinks we’re involved anyways. They’re just too afraid to say it around the Wonder Trio.”

I smirked at that. “Well, now that we’ve got that settled, will you go to Hogsmeade with me? And to Granger’s little party too?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”
Scene 3 by Renei
Author's Notes:
Brothers
The morning dawned clear and bright as we headed to the Hall for breakfast. We would be heading into the village immediately after eating. Ginny and I had plans to meet early, wanting to avoid her brother.

That didn’t quite work as planned. Ron barged into the Great Hall, stopping in front of the Slytherin table.

“Ginny, how could you turn Harry down? He loves you!”

“No, Ron, he loves the idea of me. Before last year, he hardly even saw me. Then yes, we had a few great weeks, but when it was all over, Harry could barely talk to me. If he loved me, he’d have tried sooner.”

Ginny was calm, but the tips of her ears had turned pink, a sure sign of her temper starting to flare up. It was really quite cute on her. As well as an interesting contrast to Ron, who was nearly purple with fury. She looked up and continued calmly, “Besides, I’m going with a friend.”

“And I suppose Ferret boy here is your idea of a friend? Merlin, Gin, he’s a bloody Death Eater.”

“No, I’m not.” I was quiet when I spoke, pulling up the sleeves of my robes to display my arms and the lack of a dark mark.

“Ronald Weasley! How dare you?! That was completely uncalled for. Even without Harry’s testimony at the trials, you knew everything. I know Harry told you and Hermione everything.”

Her ears were bright red now, and I was half expecting flames to shoot from her eyes. I stood and reached for the cloaks we had laid beside us.

“Come on, Gin, let’s just go.” I really didn’t want to cause more trouble with her family, not after everything. But this was beyond my control.

“You’re not going, Ginny.”

“Ron, back off.” Her wand was out now, and she was fuming. When he opened his mouth to speak again, she cast a bat-bogey hex and turned to me, taking my arm as the tables around, which had slowly filled, broke into applause.

When McGonagall met us outside, she was doing her best to keep a straight face.

“Under ordinary circumstances, Miss Weasley, that would have earned you a detention as well as cost your house points. However, you did not act without provocation, and you did attempt to leave without any trouble. So, you will actually gain five points for your defense of a student from another house. Enjoy your day in Hogsmeade.”

“Yes, Headmistress.”

Ginny looked at me and grinned as the headmistress swept into the Great Hall. We could hear her speaking as she entered, and somehow, it seemed we were meant to.

“Mister Weasley! What ever did you do to provoke your sister into such a temper?” We did not hear his response, but it must not have satisfied McGonagall. “Did you not hear me say that I will not tolerate judging the actions of another? Did you think your role in the Order exempted you from that? Or did you think that you could judge Mr. Malfoy because you are Mr. Potter’s best friend?”

We left the entrance hall then, slowly making our way across the grounds and into the village.

“Gin, you should have seen the look he gave you as we left. I’m worried you’re going to suffer because of me.”

“Stop, Draco. I’ve already owled my other brothers. Bill and Charlie think its admirable how much you’ve tried to grow out of your father’s shadow. Percy is too busy to care who I’m friends with, so long as the Ministry says they’re clear. And the twins, well, they’re so much more reasonable than Ron about this, despite how much they didn’t like you before. They are at least willing to give you a chance. Mum and Dad are much the same, wary but willing to trust my judgement.”

“You’ve talked to them about this?”

“Of course. If I hadn’t, they’d have all taken Ron’s side. Hearing my side as soon as, if not before, they heard his, gives me an advantage. Plus, I am the only girl, I usually get my way.”

“Are you sure you’re really a Gryffindor and not a Slytherin in disguise?”

She laughed and slipped her arm through mine.

“Fred and George are supposed to be opening a store here in the village. I think they said they’d be here this weekend. Would you like to meet them properly?

“They’re the ones who created that swamp, right?”

“Yeah, that’s them. Look, there’s the new location.” She was already dragging me closer to the spot where two red-headed males were attempting to level out a sign.

“Fred! George!”

“Ginny!” The two spoke in unison. I hung back as she ran to hug one and then the other.
“So, it’s true then? You turned Harry down for Malfoy?”

“I see you’ve heard from Ron. He must’ve owled you before I told him off…”

“Actually, we just got an owl from Harry. Said they were staying behind today. Something about Ron having detention after the hex wears off.”

“He tried to forbid me to come with Draco.” She took my hand and pulled me closer to her. “Fred, George, you remember Draco, I’m sure?”

“Naturally. They ever find your father?” I think it was Fred who asked.

“Not a trace. But everything the Ministry hasn’t confiscated is mine now, and I’m no longer considered Lucius’ child. My mother is also legally freed from him, but she’s still in hiding.”

“That’s good to hear, that you’re both safe from him…” This time I think it was George, but it was hard to tell.

“So, you two want to help? And maybe tell us what hex that was, Gin-blossom?”

“Bat-bogey, of course. The only one none of you have figured out a counter to. If Ron had been a bit nicer, you know, not accusing Draco of being a Death Eater, I might have just slapped him. But he crossed a line.”

Both twins looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

“Alright, he started last night. Accusing me of trying to make Harry jealous by spending time with Draco.” They each nodded as she glanced at me. “Not everything in my life revolves around Harry-Bloody-Potter. He’s like another brother to me, for Merlin’s sake. Draco needed a friend and I know what it was like to need a friend and not have one. That’s what drove me to Voldemort’s diary in first year. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially not on someone who doesn’t know any way other than Lucius Malfoy’s way.”

There were tears in her eyes and I had to wonder what that ache in my chest was before I squeezed her hand.

The twins looked at each other and then at me. I met each gaze and then shifted my arms, sliding the sleeves up to show that I bore no mark. They nodded as Ginny glared at them both, but I understood. They wanted her safe.

We wound up staying to help, earning free merchandise for setting up the store. By the time we needed to head back to school, the twins and I were fast friends, and they were offering to take care of Ron, but Ginny refused, telling them that we could handle it.

We made it back to the castle in time for dinner. Fred and George accompanied us, nearly giving Filch a heart attack. Peeves was dancing in delight as the brothers joined Ginny and I at the Slytherin table.

Ron’s gasp of shock could be heard over the chattering students, but he wisely stayed seated. Fred looked over at the Gryffindor table and waved before he looked at Ginny.

“So, why did you turn Harry down?”

“Because he doesn’t love me. He just thinks he’s supposed to marry me so he’ll really be part of the family. He didn’t think of me at all, other than those few weeks last year, until now, never really talking to me about anything at all before three days ago. He never even knew I spoke at Draco’s trial, though he was there for it. I had to tell him. Ron and Hermione probably know more about his reasons for asking me than I do, but I won’t be second to them.

“If I thought for a second that they’d let me into their little circle, it might be different. But I know better. They are the Trio, first and foremost. And I deserve to be more than an afterthought.”

I smiled at her as her brothers applauded. Then I leaned over and whispered, “I always knew Potter was blind. No wonder I don’t like him.”

She smiled and clasped my hand with hers. The twins took their leave as I escorted Ginny to her common room, bowing over her hand to make her smile.

And that is how Ron Weasley came back to find his sister staring after me as I turned to wink while walking away.

Scene 4 by Renei
Author's Notes:
This could be the final chapter. If you want more, you'll have to tell me, otherwise, I will leave it as it stands.
Granger’s “Brilliant Idea”, as I’d taken to calling it, had snuck up on us after the Hogsmeade visit. Ginny and I had worked extra hard to get all of our homework done, leaving us a weekend to just enjoy. We had been using our free time to just talk, or sit quietly, sketching in Ginny’s case, and reading in mine. She had an amazing gift for capturing the world around her, showing the way she saw the world.

Sometimes we’d talk about our childhoods. She knew how Lucius had done everything to destroy my childhood, trying to mold me into his idea of a strong wizard. And she told me of always being the afterthought, of being the adored baby, yet also, according to her brothers, the family pest.

She also talked to me about what it was like for her in the Chamber of Secrets. I’d never really understood how badly Lucius’ scheme had scarred her. It only made me more aware of how precious she was, how amazing her friendship and her loyalty were. And more treasured still that she’d give them to the son of the man who had done so much to ruin her life. This made me more determined to be worthy of her.


We spent that morning in an empty classroom, with Ginny sketching as I read aloud from a muggle book she was especially fond of. A few times, I saw professors wander by, usually smiling at the unlikely pair we made. Two students who should have been the bitterest enemies, now the best of friends.

We parted for a few hours, Ginny wanting to surprise me. After dinner, we’d wandered off to our common rooms, though I had quickly enough wound up outside of hers, waiting. I’d dressed simply, a pair of black trousers and a deep green button down shirt.

When she came out of the portrait, I couldn’t help but smile. She’d chosen a simple black miniskirt and a silver tank top with some sort of sheer black jacket.

“Wow.”

“I take it you approve?”

“Definitely. You look stunning.”

She smiled and took my hand as her eyes traveled up and down my body.

“You look pretty great yourself. Green is definitely your color.”

I could hear other students coming, so we started walking towards the Room of Requirement, stealing glances every now and then. We took the long way there, nerves getting a hold of us, for some unknown reason.

“Ready?” I ask her quietly. She nods as I open the door. Though we could hear nothing on the outside, inside the music was loud. Small groups were clustered around the room, talking and laughing.

We could see Harry, Ron and Hermione talking to Lavender, Parvati and Seamus, three other Gryffindor seventh years. Parvati had lost her twin sister during the final battle. This was the first she’d been seen socially since then.

“It’s good to see her out. Remembrance is good, but we need to keep living, too.” I barely heard her over the noise. We made our way closer to the refreshments, and I opted to brave the crowds to get two glasses of punch.

I was only away from her for a moment, but that was all it took for Harry to rush to her side. She caught my eye, and I raised an eyebrow, standing back to see what she would do.

The entire room picked up on the tension as the music came to a close. The band stopped playing, caught up in watching the drama around the Boy Who Lived.

“Ginny, would you just answer my question?”

She sighed and met his green-eyed gaze.

“I really did not want to discuss this here, but no, my choosing to come with Draco had nothing to do with trying to make you jealous. In fact, it has nothing to do with you at all.

“Draco and I are friends. Maybe that’s all we are, or maybe there’s more, I’m not sure yet. It’s hard enough to be friends, let alone date, when I’m constantly answering owls from five overprotective brothers, getting death glares from the sixth, along with his best friend, and basically providing entertaining drama for the entire school. Merlin, Harry, I think I preferred it when I was an afterthought to you. Now that I’m not, I find myself not really caring what you think.

“You need to back off of this, and get Ron to back off too. It’s hard enough to be your friend, and his sister, without the two of you bloody complicating things further.”

When she finished, Harry’s jaw was open and he was staring like she’d grown a second head. I was seriously tempted to applaud, but I resisted the impulse in favor of quietly speaking as I reached her side.

“Now, Potter, if you’re done realizing what a colossal prat you are, I’d like to reclaim my date.”

He didn’t answer, just glared at me as he turned and walked away, back to Ron and Hermione. A glare from Granger had the band playing again, and conversations slowly started to pick up again.

“Are you sure you still want to stay, Gin? We don’t have to.”

“It’s okay, Draco. I will not give them the satisfaction of leaving now. Let them handle it, it’s their problem, not ours.”

I smiled then, that smile that only she seems to draw out of me. And then we were dancing, the lessons Mother had insisted on finally paying off. Of course, the added perks of showing Ron up, and driving both he and Potter apoplectic were just bonus. The real benefit was just getting to hold Ginny close.

“Did you mean it, Gin? About not knowing if we’d be more?” I’d figured we were already halfway to more before tonight. I wasn’t even sure she heard me until she tugged me closer, so her mouth was brushing against my ear.

“I still don’t want to rush anything, but you know I’m curious.”

I pulled back, just enough to look into her eyes, searching to see if there might be more of a clue in the brown depths. She was searching mine as well. And then I couldn’t help it, I had to taste her lips.

Her arms slid up to rest behind my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair as I slid my hands around to her back, holding on like I was drowning in her. And perhaps I was.

That first kiss lasted for ages. I lost track of how long we stood in the very center of the dance floor, lost in each other. When we finally separated, our eyes opening slowly, we smiled at each other, the small, intimate smiles meant only for each other.

And then the death glares set in. I’m sure Hermione had her hands full, but the unmistakable sound of the Weasley twins, who’d received a special invitation from McGonagall, saved us. I rather suspected the invitation was in appreciation of the swamp they’d created two years previously, before they left school.

They were the first to approach us.

“Hurt her,” the one, I think it was Fred, began.

“And we’ll all kill you,” the other finished.

With that, they held out their hands, clapped me on the back, and basically gave their approval.

And that is how a Malfoy got permission to date the Gryffindor Princess.
Scene 5 by Renei
Author's Notes:
Ok, you asked for more, so here you go, Scene 5, with at least one or two more now... Gotta sneak meeting Arthur, and the rest of the boys in, plus the big ball.
It didn’t take long for the rumors to start racing through the Hogwarts’ corridors the morning after the dance. I had escorted Ginny back to her common room at the end of the evening, after dancing and talking with Fred, George, and a few others who had the nerve to approach us. Leaving her with a kiss, I planned to meet her early for breakfast and then we could spend the day together. The Headmistress had given the sixth and seventh years a day off from classes, to make Granger’s idea a bit more feasible.

By the time I met Ginny outside her common room, the younger students were already staring and whispering. Of course, as I approached the portrait, I understood why. Ginny’s voice was muffled, but I could hear Ron as clear as day.

“Ginevera Molly Weasley, what were you thinking letting that scum put his hands on you?”

“Ron, my love life is none of your business. I told Harry last night, and I’m telling you now, sod off and stay out of it. And good luck getting any support from Mum or Dad, or Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred or George either. Fred and George have accepted him, and the others are all for letting me make my own choices. Mum even owled me yesterday, asking me if I wanted to bring Draco home for dinner over summer hols.”

Ron just sputtered as the portrait swung open and Ginny stepped out. She turned and waved merrily, smiling as she said, “Ronniekins, I suggest you start being nicer before I’m forced to ask Mum if Draco can spend the entire summer with us.”

I smiled as she slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow and pretended to ponder the idea for a moment. “I have a better idea, Gin, why don’t we invite your family to the Manor to stay for the summer? Then I’d get to spend the whole summer with you, and we could give your Mum a bit of a vacation.”

“Oh, Draco, that’s a lovely idea. Let’s head up to the owlery right after breakfast, but let’s start with a week or so rather than the whole summer. I’m not sure how Mum’d feel about living in someone else’s home for three months.”

We grinned and headed down to breakfast, where she joined me at the Slytherin table. More and more of my housemates had been moving closer to us, and now, Ginny had practically been adopted by the remaining Slytherins. We only stayed long enough to eat, and to make a little small talk with Zabini, one of the first who’d accepted both my return and Ginny’s presence.

“You know, Gin, I’ve been thinking…”

“Now that’s dangerous,” she deadpanned.

“I’m being serious. My mother always used to throw a ball at the beginning of the summer hols. What if I hosted one this year, as a victory ball? Do you think that might entice your mum to come stay at the Manor? I don’t think I could do it without you and her to help me.”

“It’s a great idea, Draco, why don’t we owl her and ask? Or perhaps we could use Headmistress McGonagall’s office and floo her?”

When I smiled and kissed her in appreciation, there were a few whistles and the sound of money changing hands, as apparently a few folks were betting that the rumors weren’t true. And then Ginny was running up to the head table, speaking quietly with the headmistress. When the older woman nodded, Gin smiled and ran back to my side.

“It’s all set, we can go to her office this afternoon and floo my house. I don’t really know anything about balls though, Draco, are you sure you want my help?”

“I couldn’t have anyone else as my hostess. Besides, Zabini will help, between our mums, they hosted five balls a season I think. And Pansy’s accepted you quite well, I’m sure she can help. But your mum was a Prewett, so I’m sure she knows quite a bit about hosting balls. The Prewett balls were apparently all the rage when our mums were young.”

We left breakfast, and headed off to the private room the headmistress had granted me when I returned to school. She realized there would likely be some tension between my housemates and myself after the events of my sixth year, as well as my own tendency to be a loner after my time in hiding. We had often studied together here on weekends, when the library was too crowded or when we just wanted to avoid the stares we still got.

This time, we asked the painting to let the twins or Granger in if either of them came looking, but to ask before allowing Ron or Potter into the room. I would play nice when they would, until then, I would rub their noses in it whenever I could. The two of us sat on the couch, in the sitting room, lists of paper spread out in front of us. The floo in my room was set up to only reach McGonagall’s office, the infirmary or my own home, so I’d used that to floo the manor, asking one of the house elves to fetch mother’s planning books, full of color schemes she’d used in the past and ideas she’d toyed around with.

When the time was right, we headed up to the Headmistress’ office, Ginny whispering the password to the gargoyles and leading me up the stairs. The headmistress herself was there, talking with the portrait of Headmaster Dumbledore, who smiled at our approach.

“Ahh, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Weasley, it is good to see you living up to the potential I saw in you both.” I simply nodded, more used to the talking portraits in the Manor and their insane ramblings than the coherent thoughts of someone I was supposed to kill.

McGonagall smiled. “Ginny, the floo powder is on top of the mantle. Draco, I’m quite pleased with your idea. It’ll be a nice time to really celebrate the end of the war.”

I smiled as Ginny went to the fireplace to get her Mum. “I do hope you’ll make time to attend, Headmistress? I’m hoping Ginny and her mother will hostess for me, as I’m really rather lost without my mother.”

She nodded briefly, a hint of a smile showing before Ginny called me to the floo.

“Mum, this is Draco. Draco, this is my mum.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Weasley. It’s easy to see where Ginny gets her great looks from.” When the older witch smiled, I returned it as Ginny squeezed my hand.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Draco. I’ve heard so much about you from Ginny, as well as Ron and the twins. I put more stock in what I hear from Ginny and the twins though.”

“Now that’s a relief. I’m sure Ron hasn’t been very complimentary towards me, and I can’t really blame him. I was quite horrid to him for years.”

“Ah, yes, but people do change and Ron struggles with that. Now, Ginny tells me you’ve had a brilliant idea and you’d like my assistance?”

“Well, yes. See, Mother always hosted a ball at the beginning of the summer holidays. I’d like to continue the tradition this year, but with Mum in hiding, I’m rather at a loss. But I remember my mother telling me how your family always threw such wonderful parties when you two were young, and I was hoping you might be willing to help. I’d like you and Ginny to hostess for me as well, as there are those who will be more likely to attend a ball hosted by the Weasleys than by the Malfoys after what my father has done.”

Mrs. Weasley smiled. “I’ve not thought about the balls my mother used to throw in years. But I would be happy to help. Perhaps, if it’s ok with you, Minerva,” here, the disembodied head in the fire looked to the Headmistress for approval, “we could hook up a direct floo so we could discuss it when necessary?”

With the Headmistress’ approval, the two of us chatted for a few more moments with Mrs. Weasley, and then we said our goodbyes, heading down to the Great Hall for dinner. We avoided the Trio as we ate, and headed back to my room to gather up Ginny’s belongings so she could return to her common room. She took a few of mother’s books with her, and we planned to meet up over breakfast before classes. I kissed her goodnight, a sweet, light kiss, and headed back down to my own room.

And that is how I managed to not only be hosting a celebratory ball for the Order of the Phoenix and the crème of the nobility of the wizarding world, or those who weren’t dead anyways. And also how I managed to have my incredibly talented girlfriend playing hostess for me, and her mother’s approval to boot.



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