A/N: So this is the last chapter before I completely lose all focus on where I want the plot to go. I have tried to find the right path, but I'm just not sure. Please read note at end.

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My Big Fat Weasley Wedding

Chapter 15

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The engagement party is in full swing when Draco and I arrive together at The Burrow. We are playing it as being fashionably late, but the truth is that it's been a rough afternoon for us, an afternoon of torture in Draco's bedroom. Yes, torture. Well, not in the strictest meaning of the term or as Draco had so long ago referenced when we first met at that club, but torture in the sense that the more we fool around, the more I want him. I will never admit this to him, but I think my father actually knew what he was doing in enforcing those rules. It was much easier to abstain when you couldn't be alone for five minutes. I thoroughly enjoy everything we have been doing, but as I grow more comfortable with him and his body, all I can think about is actually feeling him inside of me. I am so desperate that I began to beg for him this afternoon. Of course, Draco looks like I just killed his kitten whenever I start talking about taking things just a little bit further. Usually that makes me feel guilty enough to stop things, but today it did nothing. In fact, seeing him struggling to maintain control actually spurred me on. We were only one thrust away of ending everything. If Draco had not had his hands firmly planted on my hips, I know I would have done it. He practically Disapparated from the bed and into a cold shower. He even locked the door to the loo. I know this because I tried every unlocking charm I could think of, but to no avail. I feel like I'm starving, only for him instead of food. Draco returned completely cooled off, both physically and emotionally. In fact, he was pretty upset with me. Needless to say, we are neither in a very good mood upon arrival to our party.

My mother embraces us both as we enter the erect tent in the back yard of The Burrow. (See, I completely have sex on the brain.) Draco smiles and makes all his usual show of gentlemanly behaviour, as my mother likes to call it. Then he quickly drops my hand and heads to his parents, leaving me standing with Mum.

She watches him striding quickly across the tent, not even bothering to wait for me to join him. "Everything okay?"

"Um … yeah. He's just moody tonight. He hates how much the board has interfered with our plans."

"Well, it really is for the best, sweetheart." This, she truly believes since she is getting her fairytale wedding extravaganza. "Did you see the article today?"

"Of course, Mum. We read it together this morning."

It seems Jessica did her research since we met. Not only did she write a detailed account of the Traditional Binding Ritual and Casting, but she also included a short history of both Draco's and my past relationships. There are several old photos of Draco during his partying days to accompany his list of exes. Not that there is much to say about mine, but since it involved Harry and his coming out, she found plenty of old quotes from the days of my being Not The Keeper. Actually, my virginal revelation inspired her to speculate that it was no wonder Harry and I were able to maintain a relationship for as long as we had. She even implies that I had knowingly stayed with Harry until he was ready to come out. Before Draco, I would have hated any positive depiction of my breakup with Harry. I think a part of me wanted the world to know that I was the victim, or maybe I just wanted to be the victim to excuse my poor choices. Now, it's actually nice to think that people may not think so badly about what happened.

Our simple wedding announcement takes up three pages of the Prophet. As upsetting as it is to see our lives turned into the latest bit of juicy gossip, I must admit that I love the photos of us. And Draco surprised me this afternoon with several framed copies that he purchased from the paper. It was my amorous display of gratitude that resulted in the aforementioned cold shower and the currently cold shoulder with which I am dealing.

Mum smiles knowingly at me. "It's only two more months. He will survive."

"Thanks, Mum. But I think he is actually doing better than me," I admit quietly. I can feel my blush spreading down my neck.

She laughs softly and hugs me to her. "You will survive too."

We head to the table of board members, since I figure I should do the polite thing and speak with them. I turn back towards Draco and his parents, but he is facing away from me. Narcissa places her hand on his arm and nods to me. He looks over his shoulder and immediately turns back.

"Trouble in paradise, Miss Weasley?" the ugly and always nasty board member says to me in a syrupy sweet voice. I make a mental note to ask Draco later about this wizard. He is always openly glaring at Draco and me the few times I have seen him. He is also the one who insisted the contract be signed after our ceremony.

I turn back to the small group of board members and give them all my brightest smile. "Draco's just a bit upset with me. You see, I almost forced him to have se–"

"Tea with her brothers this afternoon," my mother interrupts and throws me an exasperated look. "She almost forced him to have se.. se. … several of her brothers to tea at the Manor." Her shoulders drop the tiniest amount in relief for her quick save.

I scan the table of witches and wizards and notice many confused faces, but Mr. Nasty has narrowed his eyes. I look right at him and continue with a slight laugh, "Oh yes, I thought it would be nice for them to have a practice session before this evening. You see, they don't really know each other that well. And my brother Ron and Draco had a bit of a rivalry during Hogwarts."

"We are well aware of your fiancé's activities during his school days, Miss Weasley," he retorts with a smug grin. "Are you telling us that he is not willing to make amends with your family?"

This is why I was simply going to tell them the truth. It would have shut them up and allowed me a quick getaway. I take a calming breath and reply, "No-o, no, no, no. It's my brothers who do not want to make peace with him. Some people," I give him pointed look, "simply cannot let go of the past. I think, however, that my brothers are all intelligent enough to know that forgiveness is a choice made out of wisdom and not weakness."

I turn back to the rest of the table. "In fact, I know that with time, Draco will be embraced by all of my brothers – even Ron." They all smile and bob their heads in approval, but Mr. Nasty simply glares at me. Which I am used to.

My mother makes some more chitchat with them about enjoying the party before she whisks me away with a firm grip on my elbow. Once we have crossed the tent, she instructs me to stop being so stroppy. Now, I just need to find Ron and make some kind of trade with him for his good behaviour for the rest of the evening. Maybe I can convince Hermione to let him back in their bed. I think he is out again after another stupid comment about her gaining more weight in this pregnancy.

It is in my search for Ron that I find myself with probably the only other person at the party, besides my fiancé, who would rather avoid me. Lucius does his usual smirk and ignore reaction to my presence, but then he shocks the both of us by suddenly turning back to me and pulling me forward into a conversation with a witch I have never seen before. I can tell immediately that she is there for the groom. No one in my family has enough money to own even one-tenth of the jewellery she is wearing. Nor would anyone in my family consider wearing so many ornate and gaudy pieces at once.

Lucius smiles at me and introduces me to his cousin, Lady Drucella Something or Other Twice Removed from Some Other Royal Person Malfoy.

"It's so nice to meet you, Ginerrrva," Cousin Drucella says, rolling the misplaced R's. "Is that your natural hair colour? It's simply beautiful."

I decide to ignore the name. She will only be here for tonight and the wedding. I can deal with it. Besides, she seems the kind to be easily offended. "Well, actually, all the Weasleys have red hair. And my mum was a Prewitt, but she happens to have red hair as well."

"Your entire family have red hair?" she asks with a mixture of awe and possibly a slight revulsion. She turns to Lucius and smirks. "It looks like you may have a ginger grandchild, Luci."

I bite my lip for two reasons. One, I am offended by the ginger comment and tone of voice that accompanied it. Two, I am trying desperately hard to not laugh at her version of Lucius's name.

"Drucy," he states with a smile, and I notice she flinches a little. "I'm sure the Malfoy genes will dominate, and if they don't, there's always charms to ensure they do."

I am just about to respond to that when Draco appears at my side and pinches my arm to keep me quiet. I look at him and he shakes his head subtly.

"Luci, you are going to offend the poor girl with such talk," she admonishes him although she had happily nodded along with his idea of using charms. She turns back to me. "So is Ginerva a family name? I have never heard it before."

Me either. "Well, I actually prefer to go by Ginny."

"Nonsense. That is such a pedestrian name. Ginerrrrrva has a nice ring to it. I much prefer it."

I do my best not to cringe as she continues to butcher my name.

"So, Cousin Drucella, how are your gardens doing this year?" Draco asks, clearly wanting to change the subject.

She begins describing her superior plants and flowers, lamenting that Narcissa has not sought her advice in planning the flowers at Malfoy Manor - especially considering their prominent aspect in the wedding. I only have to stay for a few minutes of her rambling before Draco announces that his mother needs our attention. He smirks at his father as he takes my elbow and leads me away.

As soon as we arrive at the table with Narcissa, Draco once again abandons me. Narcissa arches one brow and then pats the seat next to her. It isn't until after I am seated that I realize that I don't know any of the other people at the table. Great. More Malfoys.

"I am so glad you made it over here, Ginevra," Narcissa says sweetly. "I would like you to meet a few of Lucius's family members." She gestures to the man sitting just to her right. "This is Armand."

"A pleasure to meet the lovely bride," he simpers as his eyes dip down to my chest.

"Thank you." I look to Narcissa to see if she noticed his wandering eyes, but she is already looking to the next person.

"And this is Annette. She is Armand's sister – oh, I forgot to tell you that they are Lucius's second cousins. I believe you met their mother, Drucella."

I give them both a tight smile and nod and then turn to the other witch. "Annette, I am so glad to meet some of Draco's family."

She drains the rest of her champagne flute and plops it back on the table. She looks around the tent and shrugs. "I'm sure you are, Ginerva."

What the Chang! "It's Gineeevra."

"It's really not my concern. Armand, I'm going to get another drink. Apparently they can't afford to have wait staff. Clearly, I didn't expect house elves, but to not even hire someone for the party..."

Narcissa's eyes widen almost comically, but she says nothing in my defence. Surprisingly, it is Armand who speaks up – only after his sister has sauntered away.

"Ginevra, ignore her. She's just angry that Draco is marrying you. Not that I could blame him. You're quite … delectable."

Eww. Who are these people? "Wait, what? Why would that even bother her?"

"Well, she always has fancied him. And mother has put it in her head that he was meant to be hers."

"But you're family?"

Narcissa leans closer to me. "Unfortunately," she whispers. Then she turns back to Armand. "Your sister doesn't even know Draco. It's just a fantasy that your mother has indulged."

"Well, we all have fantasies to indulge." He leers at me once more. I feel my mouth gape open in disgust. "Looks like Annette and I will both be missing out."

I look back at Narcissa, who is breathing slowly through her nose with her eyes shut. She takes one particularly deep breath and then exhales slowly as she turns back to Armand. "Draco would not appreciate your less than subtle attempt to flirt with his fiancée. I suggest –"

Armand places his hand over hers. "I suggest he pay more attention to his lovely fiancée if he doesn't want other men to tempt her away." He winks at me.

I glare at Armand. "I'm not so easily tempted. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening." I quickly leave the table to continue my search for Ron.

Before I can find my brother, I run into Blaise and Luna, Neville and Pansy. I take in the picture of the four of them for a moment. It's kind of surreal, seeing these two couples together.

"Quite the soiree, Ginny," Blaise says happily, his arm casually across Luna's shoulders.

"Thanks. Have you seen Ron?"

"How does Granger put up with him?" Pansy interrupts, and then gives me a small smile when Neville nudges her. "I mean, Hermione."

Neville shakes his head at her. "Not that there is anything wrong with Ron. They just always seemed so different."

"You know? I'm not sure, to be honest." I look over to my right and see Hermione and my mother pouring over her latest sonograms. A novelty to my family since wizarding families do not use that type of Muggle technology. I think it's due to the low rate of risk in most magical pregnancies. A magical baby is typically very strong, and rarely are any problems due to the baby and not the mother. "Have you seen the pictures she has?"

"No, we haven't," Neville answers.

"It's her baby," Luna supplies. "She gets them from a Muggle doctor. Stay away from her unless you want to talk baby the whole time." She and Blaise share a look of mild disgust. They really are perfect for each other.

"Really?" Pansy asks me excitedly. "I've heard of those. I wanted to do them too, but I wasn't sure how to do it and not see any Muggles." She colours slightly. "I'm not quite comfortable in their world."

The picture of them is starting to look less strange. It suddenly reminds me of that day in the alley with Draco. The day I decided to really start my life over. I remember being oddly comforted by Draco's familiar smirk. Of course, now I recognize all the layers beneath his go-to expression. I can also now see that Pansy is sincere. She's not being the bigot she was raised to be. It's the first time I have felt like maybe we will be real friends. I kind of like that we can all be trying to be better and still be ourselves.

I give her a genuine smile and laugh lightly. "It's fine, Pansy. I doubt I will do it either."

"Neville," Pansy says sweetly.

"Yes, my love," he takes her arm. "Congratulations, Ginny!" And they walk over to Hermione.

"So I saw you with Draco's cousins." Blaise gives me an evil grin. "They're lovely people."

"Oh, you've met?"

He laughs loudly. "Once. I think Draco used me as a shield from ... maybe both of them."

"I wouldn't be surprised."

"I did think I saw Ron running off with George a bit ago." Luna points to the corner of the house. "They looked like they were up to something. You don't think they are going to ruin your party, do you?"

"I think they would," I answer thoughtfully, "if their wives wouldn't hex them, never mind what Mum would do."

"Not that they need to do much," Blaise inserts, "with Draco acting like a poncy git." He winks at me. "What did you do to him?"

Morgana's Minions! Is it that obvious we are fighting?

"You don't want to know," I mutter. "Thanks, Luna. I think I'll go find Ron now."

Finally, after meeting a few more Malfoys who Drucella has apparently already convinced that my name is Ginerva, I find my brother hiding behind the shed with George. Smoking.

"Hermione, he's right over here," I call over my shoulder as I head towards them. It is worth potentially sabotaging my whole reason for seeking him out, just to see him almost ingest the cigarette in an attempt to hide it.

George shakes his head at me whilst taking a long drag off of his cigarette. "Oy, Ronald. Are you or are you not a wizard? Banish it, you stupid prat."

Ron frowns at George and then pulls out his wand, pointing directly at George's mouth. "Maybe I'll start with yours."

George quickly smacks Ron's wand away from him. "She's just teasing, you idiot. Your wife is busy telling Mum about her last Healer's appointment."

"Oh, right." Ron smiles as he turns back to me and then suddenly realizes what I have done. "You made me ruin a perfectly good ciggie. What's that all about?" He holds up the broken cigarette in demonstration.

"Seriously, Ron. I don't know how she puts up with you." I smile to myself for repeating Pansy, aim my wand at his hand, and Reparo the cigarette. "All better. Now, I wanted to talk to you about Draco."

"You mean the Dark Lord?" he asks, barely able to contain his snickering.

I sigh heavily. "About that. Can you please, just for tonight, stop calling him that?"

"Does he prefer He-Who-Cannot-Get-Laid?" They both laugh at that one.

I give them my best impression of Mum, but it doesn't work.

"Or maybe he prefers Palm Diddle," Ron adds with a laugh. "You know, like Tom Riddle?"

I roll my eyes. "No. I had no idea," I reply sarcastically.

George pats Ron on the back. "That's a good one. What about Lord Void-de-Petite-Mort?" he says slowly, clearly amused by his own cleverness.

I cross my arms and shift to one foot, taking the stance of thoroughly pissed off. "Ron doesn't even get that," I point out.

Ron frowns at me, but then laughs. "At least I get it. Get it?"

"I can't believe you are actually making fun of this. Would you rather I go shag him silly right now and put an end to it? You do realize that me, your baby sister, is the one who will be having sex with him?" They both grimace. "And by the way, just because I'm still a virgin doesn't mean Draco is not getting his petite mort, George."

George tosses his cigarette to the ground before stating, "Please, Gin, we don't want to know."

Ron huffs. "What's a pit-eat-more?"

I smirk at him. "It's an orgasm. You know that thing you're supposed to give Hermione?"

"Funny."

"Why do you think we enjoy making fun of the poor bastard?" George continues, ignoring Ron. "It's not like we will ever get to joke around with him about it after the wedding."

"You think it's been so much fun for me to have to listen to your wives talk about you?"

"What does Hermione say?" Ron asks excitedly. "Does she talk about when I –"

"RON! Shut it! I don't listen. Are you kidding me?"

He comes over and drapes an arm across my shoulder. "Just getting even. So why is it that I need to stop calling the Dark Lord his rightful name?"

"There's still a few members of the board that don't want Draco to take over the company. And I sort of told them that you were all making an effort to get to know him better and to get along with him. Particularly you."

He swings his head back and forth, making a whinging noise. "Gi-iiin. You know the only pleasure I get out of these stupid things –"

"My engagement party is stupid?" He doesn't need to know that I agree.

"No, but … fine. I'll call him Draco."

"Thank you," I say sweetly, and lean up and kiss his cheek. "I'll tell Hermione to forgive you."

"Really?"

"Of course. Just don't say anything at all about her size. Ever."

"I was thinking I'd tell her she looked like she was smaller –"

"No! Nothing. Not one word. Not even that. Especially not that. Besides it not being true, she'll just think you're commenting on her not eating enough for the baby."

"She's right," George agrees. "It's best to just stay quiet. And apologize whenever you can."

Derrick eventually notices the constant distance that Draco is keeping between us, and he drags my fiancé to my side.

"Ginevra, darling! You should keep better tabs on your wizard!" he reprimands me playfully and then leans closer to whisper into my ear. "I'll give you ten minutes to take him in the house and put a smile on that handsome face." He purses his lips at Draco and shakes his head in disappointment whilst Draco openly glares at the two of us. He leans back to me and continues, "Make it fifteen."

"I don't think that's going to help, Derrick." I eye Draco with a smile on my face. "He's upset with me."

Derrick sighs dramatically. "Upset?" He leans over and whispers into Draco's ear something about my lips around … well, I can't hear the rest but I'm pretty sure based on the tinge of pink spreading across Draco's cheeks that Derrick is describing a blow job.

Draco eventually shoves Derrick away from him and grabs my arm. "We need to talk."

Derrick laughs to himself. "Maybe five minutes, Ginevra, if you're as good as I say you are!"

"Maybe never, if I can't erase the last two minutes from my memory," Draco retorts angrily as he pulls me towards The Burrow.

Once inside my room, I sit on the bed and watch Draco pacing back and forth for a couple of minutes.

"Are you done?"

He stops his pacing and squints at me. "Done?"

"Being an arse. In front of our families. And of course, giving your doubters plenty to speculate about."

"I'm being an arse?" he asks incredulously. "Tell me, Ginevra, darling," he smirks, "was it you or that idiot that thought all I needed was to hear some particularly smutty sex talk from said idiot in order to improve my mood?"

"I have no control over Derrick, as you well know. If I did, this party wouldn't even be taking place." I stand up and walk over to him, taking his arms and uncrossing them. "Besides you always like a little dirty talk." I smile at him, but his face remains frozen.

"Ginny, you can't possibly imagine that flirting with me after today's … after the spectacle you made of yourself this afternoon would be the solution to this disagreement?"

"Okay, I'm going to ignore that little part about the spectacle since I know you do love me and are under a lot of pressure at work right now. But what exactly are we disagreeing about? Your right to ruin our engagement party? Because I can certainly find fault with that way of thinking."

"I'm talking about how you always leave it to me to stop." He takes a step away from me, causing my hands to drop from his arms.

"What?"

"Do you think it's fair that I always have to be the one to be responsible? Isn't it enough that this whole mess is my fault? That my own board members are actively looking for any reason to keep my family's company from me? And yes, on top of all that, I'm fucking frustrated as hell!" He drops his hands from his head and pinches the bridge of his nose, looking very much like his father. "I'm doing all of this for you … because I do fucking love you. More than I thought I was capable of loving someone. You've turned me into a stupid, fucking, lovesick fool who the whole wizarding world knows is being led around by his enormous fucking blue balls!"

I try. I really do try not to laugh, but …

"Enormous blue balls?" I choke out and then fold over in laughter.

"Enormous fucking blue balls," he says bitingly, but I can hear a hint of amusement in his voice.

I feel his arms pull me up as he embraces me. I bite my lip to stifle my laughter, but a few giggles escape. He shakes his head in amusement and glances at my door. "Do you think Derrick is timing us?"

"Oh no! I bet he'll give me pointers if we don't come back out soon."

"You know, I think you just found the quickest way to dampen the mood. Just mention Derrick and that pretty much makes- "

"Those enormous blue balls disappear?" I laugh again and he joins me.

"You're not going to let that go, are you?"

I shake my head no and answer, "Never." Wrapping my arms around his neck, I lean up to kiss him. "I love you. And you're right. I shouldn't always expect you to be the responsible one. I was really awful this afternoon. Forgive me?"

"Forgiven." He kisses his spot. "Do we have to go back?"

"Yes, but we can face them all together now. It won't be so bad."

The rest of the party is indeed better together. My brothers all make a show to speak with the Malfoys. I appreciate the effort, but I know that Ron is doing it since he will be sleeping with his wife again. The others, thankfully, are actually trying.

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Draco and I manage to leave the party before my mum ropes us into helping clean up. We escape back to the Manor, disapparating straight to his room to avoid seeing any of the Malfoy guests. That's something I am learning to appreciate about the large Manor and staff of elves. You pretty much can avoid anyone else without much effort.

I quickly change into a comfy shirt and shorts and hop onto Draco's bed.

"Ginny, let's not have a repeat of this afternoon."

"I swear I'll be good. I just want to hang out for a little while and avoid my family until they all leave the Burrow."

"Ah yes." He leans over me and kisses his spot. "Can't say I blame you there." He laughs softly as he quickly steps away, avoiding any physical retaliation I may throw at him.

"My family was super nice to you, thank you very much." I get slightly distracted with his flick-of-a-wand nakedness. Another flick and he's in his pyjamas. I frown, but I'm determined to be a good girl. "Your family are ..." I pause with my mouth agape, wondering how offended Draco might be if I'm completely honest.

"Horrible? Elitist?" he supplies as he crosses the room back to me. He leans down to my face with a smirk. "Incestuous?"

"Ugh! Those cousins! They were disgusting! Annette actually thinks she should be marrying you."

"Yes, well, they aren't first cousins. I don't have any first cousins." He frowns suddenly and plops down next to me. "Not anymore."

"She would have been the first to forgive you." The mood has suddenly shifted, but I rarely hear Draco talk about his family so I won't interrupt.

"Andromeda doesn't really talk to mum much. I've talked to her a few times. Seen Teddy a few times. He's seems to be a great kid."

"He is. He's so funny. And he's done so well without them. I will give Harry that. He's been a great father figure for Teddy. And Andromeda has just become the most amazing grandmother ever. She lives and breathes for that boy."

He gives me half a smile. "My mum misses her a lot. She won't push her into having a real relationship because she doesn't think she deserves it."

"I invited them." I lean over, resting my head against his shoulder. "I thought they would come. But she didn't even reply to my owl." I take a deep breath, unsure of how much to say. Maybe another time. I want this to stay about him, not my visit.

"Thanks, Ginny. I'm not surprised she didn't. I think she would be there for my mum, but I don't think she would ever want to be around my father. Or me."

"Draco, you have done some bad things. I'm not in denial about that. But why is everyone so convinced you are worse than Lucius ever was?"

He kisses my temple and then lies back on the bed, rubbing his eyes with his palms. "Sometimes I can't believe you are real, Ginny. How did I end up here? How is it that you and your family have somehow found a way to forgive me?"

I gently pull his hands away from his face and lean over him with a smile. "Because I love you. Because you are the exception; you have learned from your past and become a better man for it. And my family sees that as well." I kiss him, holding my lips to his until he relaxes enough to kiss me more deeply. I pull back up and give him another soft smile. "And you love me."

"That I most certainly do."

I snuggle into him, curled up to his side. "I'm glad that our wedding may help repair your name. I personally don't care at all about that society stuff, but maybe my family can help reconnect your mum with her family."

"That would be nice. But I only hope that our reputation doesn't tarnish yours."

"Are you kidding? The Weasleys are untouchable." I giggle. "That sounds really arrogant, but I think we're pretty safe. And the public loves our forbidden romance. I think we're good. As long as we get Malfoy Enterprises back to you, we can just live our lives."

"Well, if Mr. Densworth has anything to with it, that will never happen."

"That's the wizard always giving me the evil eye?"

"Yes. He hates me..." He pulls his head back to meet my gaze before laying back and closing his eyes. "He thinks that I killed his niece."

"Um, what?" I quickly sit up. "You killed his niece?"

"Thanks, Ginny. So glad you think I am capable of murder," he responds dryly as he pulls me back down.

"Morgana's Minions! Draco, you can't just tell me something like that without explaining it. I need details. Why would anyone think you killed anyone?"

"It's complicated."

"What the Chang, Draco." I pull his face towards mine. "What happened to 'no more secrets'? Spill. Now."

"His niece was in a bad way whilst I knew her. Her family has always blamed me for what happened."

I glare at him.

"Not enough?"

"Seriously. Why are you even trying to get out of this? You know your mother will tell me."

"I knew I should have been wary of you two bonding." He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Ginny, I'm not proud of who I used to be. I don't like reminding you of how horrible a person I once was. I still worry I won't be who you think I am."

"Draco, I know exactly who you are. Even when you were a right git in school, you had your reasons. We forgave each other, remember? Didn't I just point this out? You have changed. I know you have. You know this too."

He smiles genuinely this time and kisses me lightly on the lips. "Yes. And this was the beginning of that for me. This is what made me 'the exception', as you said." He takes a deep breath and then looks me straight in the eyes. "All right. Well, it started when Lexi, that was the niece, became pregnant."

My eyes widen and I bite my lip to keep quiet.

Draco shakes his head. "You already think it was mine."

"No. Of course not," I lie. "Finish your story."

He takes a deep breath. "It was not mine. I never forget the charm, Ginny. Never."

"You almost forgot it at the cottage."

"Well, maybe I want to get you pregnant."

"Do you?"

"Yes." He smiles mischievously. "But not yet."

He takes another deep breath. It makes me realize that whatever he is going to tell me is more serious than I originally expected.

"So, Lexi got pregnant by some Muggle from the States. They were in a car accident, and he left her at the hospital when she miscarried. In fact, I believe he left the hospital as soon as he was released and then immediately returned to the States."

"Oh, that's awful."

"Yes, it was. So awful that Lexi began to drown her sorrows in alcohol. And when that wasn't enough, she started using Muggle drugs." I gasp, and he grimaces guiltily. "When I met her, she was already partying very hard. We eventually decided to combine our interests when no one else was around."

I frown. "'I don't understand."

"For about six months, we … honestly, we just used each other."

"For what?"

"You're so sweet, Ginny. I forget how sheltered you have been." He kisses his spot and then quickly adds, "I love that about you."

"Oh!" I interject, finally catching on. "You were friends with benefits."

"Well, I wouldn't say we were friends. And not really too many benefits."

"No benefits?" I can't keep the hint of hopefulness out of my voice.

"Yes, but none you want to hear me describe. We were more like acquaintances who shagged."

"You're right. I don't want to know any details."

"Lexi was a pureblood witch, and this was during my less than honourable days of only shagging pureblood witches. There are only so many, as you know, and some I just didn't want to bother with. Lexi was available and there were no strings attached with her. She never expected more from me than a physical release, which was all I wanted."

"I kind of hate thinking about you with other women."

"I know." He gives me a gentle squeeze. "Whilst we were … seeing each other, I had no idea that she was getting more and more depressed and more and more dependent on the drugs she was using. I should have known when she started bringing her stash to my flat."

I blink a few times. "Were drugs a part of these benefits?"

He frowns while nodding subtly. "Yes. I tried whatever she brought with her. I guess that's why I wasn't noticing any changes in her, not that we really talked that much. Anyway, about six months into our arrangement, she was found dead in her flat. She had overdosed. It was the anniversary of her miscarriage. I didn't even know about the baby or the American until after her death."

"That's so tragic. That poor girl. I bet she just wanted to disappear." I sigh in sympathy. I can relate to that feeling, but I have never wanted to act on it like that. "She must have been so depressed."

He holds me to him tightly for a minute. "What I also had no idea about was that she had told her family that I was her boyfriend, that I was helping her move on from what's-his-name. I didn't know that she had stopped seeing all her friends the last month or so that she was alive. I was the only person she ever saw besides her dealer. Her family was convinced that I had introduced her to the drugs. It didn't help that I had been with her the night before. In fact, when she had been over that night, I hadn't felt well and didn't take anything with her. I remember watching her get high and thinking I didn't want to be that person."

"But why would they blame you at all if she had told them you were helping her?"

"I think it was just easier to think an evil Malfoy had corrupted their little girl than to think that she had slowly killed herself right under their noses."

"So Mr. Densworth still wants you to pay then?"

"Yes. He has been the one who has fought my changing the contract. Well, he and a few others who aren't my fans. He's convinced them that I played a part in Lexi's death." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Maybe I did. I shouldn't have been with her like that. I should have seen what was happening to her."

"Draco, you can't be responsible for someone else's choices. Addicts are very clever at covering things up. She didn't want you to stop her."

"Well, the irony is that whilst they blame me for her death, she is the one who saved me. I just couldn't return to that life after knowing what happened to her. I knew that I was using alcohol and sex the way she was using drugs. Fuck, I was using the drugs too. I realized that I was tired of my life. I hated it, and I wanted to start over. That's when I decided to make something of myself, without my father's help. So I worked for the Ministry. I wanted to stand on my own two feet for a while before I would have to join Malfoy Enterprises."

"And the drugs? You stopped?"

"Yes, Ginevra. I was lucky that I was only experimenting. I never became dependent. I only used with Lexi and I haven't touched anything since before she died."

I take a few deep breaths, nervous to ask him the next question. "And the sex? Is that still a problem?"

"Well, I do enjoy it. But, no, I don't use it anymore to escape." He tilts his head down towards me and smiles. "Obviously. As difficult as it has been to wait for you. I would wait years as long as we were together."

"I don't think that will be a problem." I give him a small smile, but there is still a whisper of doubt in my mind. "Will I be enough for you, Draco?"

He freezes for a split second and then wraps me tightly in his arms, cradling my head against his chest. "Ginny, I know I'm not perfect, far from it. But I would never do that to you. Never. I'm not a cheater. I've never cheated on any of my girlfriends. And you, you are so much more to me than anyone else has ever been. You will always be everything to me. You are my life."

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A/N: So there you have it. Now let me know what you think. And let me know if you want the longer, more angsty version of a conclusion or a shorter, sweeter version. I have a lot written for the angst, but I'm fine with throwing it out. I believe in editing. And I believe that at this point, I'm really not sure what will serve this story overall. And that's what I want most, for this to be a good read start to finish. I worked so hard on the first half and then fell into this fork in the road and never figured it out. I also lost my betas and my drive, muse, groove, whatever. So ... please give me some feedback. I can honestly say that I will read every word you give me and consider all your thoughts.

Thank you!