My Mate

Chapter 34: Preparations


“We’d better get back.”

Draco groaned and shook his head, tightening his grip. We don’t have to go anywhere. Let’s just stay here until it’s time for the wedding. “

Ginny savored his hard chest and heat, wishing they could do as he suggested. Drat it! “Your mother will be wondering where we are. She’ll be frantic.”

He sighed. “You’re probably right. I hope you don’t make a habit of it.”

His grumbling was somehow sexy and made her want him all over again. She stood, pulling him up with her. “Come on, lazy bones.”

“Malfoy’s are never lazy.” He said haughtily. “We just enjoy leisure time.” Not even his arrogantly raised eyebrow could quell his mate’s helpless laughter. After a minute he said, “I can see that you’re not going to be very good for my dignity.”

That earned him a quick kiss. “We have a lot to do before tomorrow.” She paled. “Tomorrow! We’re getting married tomorrow? I’ll never be ready! Bill was in charge. Bill!” She grabbed his hand. “Hurry up!” The enormity of it seemed to have finally caught up with her.

They quickly apparated back to Hogwarts, Draco smiling smugly.


DGDGDGDGDGDGDG

“So….this is the fiancé?” was the first thing they heard when they got back to Hogwarts. When Draco turned, he saw a little blonde, not any taller than Ginny. She stood there, arms folded across her chest and a Slytherinish smirk on her face that contrasted with the obvious temper flashing in her green eyes and when she spoke again, it confirmed his suspicions that she was indeed an American, though he could hear some slight instances of English influences in her speech.

“I have to admit being pretty pissed when I had to find out from Olivia that you’re the mate of a Veela and getting married tomorrow!” Her eyes narrowed, her tone oddly dangerous for such a little woman. “I really don’t appreciate that Virginia Weasley.”

Ginny winced. “I’m sorry! It’s been hectic and everything happened so fast.” Ginny said, with an apologetic smile, and misery in her eyes. Draco stepped up and slid his arm around her waist in a possessive gesture and fixed the girl with a serious look. He’d be damned if he let the little wench upset his mate. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her.

“Hectic?” The girl cocked a disbelieving eyebrow at Ginny while tapping her foot. She spared a narrow eyed glance for him and he got the impression that she was sizing him up he got the uncomfortable feeling that she was seeing right through his usual veneer.

“Yes! And I didn’t want to disrupt your vacation with your family. You haven’t seen them in years!” Ginny said desperately and Draco could tell she was getting really upset.

The blonde took a deep breath, but Draco cut her off.

“I think you’ve heard enough to realize that Virginia did not keep this from you on purpose. I would appreciate it if you would not hassle my fiancé any further.” He used his most haughty aristocratic tone and the blonde suddenly laughed.

“I think I like you Draco Malfoy.” Then, releasing her stern visage, she threw her arms around Ginny. “I can’t believe you’re getting married!”

A little taken aback by her abrupt turn around, Draco blinked. Suddenly he realized who she was. Daphne Parker. She’d been a year behind Ginny, he thought and in Slytherin, no less. A smirk pulled at his lips. He found it rather amusing that her two best friends were a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin.

The two women started to walk away, chattering like magpies but Ginny quickly stopped and turned back to him. “Straight back to the Hospital Wing and I’ll check with Poppy in a few minutes to make sure you got there. Nurses orders!” She said sternly, but with a smile in her eyes. Then they were gone.

Growling, Draco stalked up the stairs. He’d have to do something about her penchant for giving him orders. She couldn’t be allowed to have all the control. But that could wait until after the wedding. Right now he had a mother to calm and he steeled himself for a lecture from Madame Pompfrey. And sure enough, as soon as he pushed open the door, she launched into a tirade at full volume. Draco grimaced.

DGDGDGDGDGDGDGDGDG

“What about this one?”

“No, this one.”

“Oh wait! Look at this!”

“No. This one is much better.”

“Are you kidding. This is ten times better than that!”

“Girls!” Ginny exclaimed, exasperated. “Aren’t I the one who is supposed to decide if I like something or not?” Daphne, Olivia, Hermione, and Michelle blushed and exchanged sheepish glances.

“Sorry.” They all each held up their favorite, hopefully waiting for her to choose.

Ginny stared thoughtfully for long moments before her face brightened. “I like that one!” But she wasn’t pointing at any of their dresses, instead over their heads at a beautiful off-the-shoulder gown that was stunning in its simplicity.

Her friends all waited outside while she went into the dressing room to try it on. The fabric slid over her with a silky swish. Adjusting the bodice, Ginny stepped opened to door and stepped out, catching her breath at her reflection in the mirrors and from the “oohs” and “ahhs” of the other women, they were as awed as she was.

She couldn’t quite believe that was her staring back at her. She looked so different from her usual appearance.

“You look stunning.”

“I love it!”

“It’s perfect.”

“Yes.” Ginny said thoughtfully. “Perfect.”


DGDGDGDGDGDGDG

After pacifying Madame Pompfrey and checking on his mother who was looking better, but still weak, Draco snuck out to the dungeons. He’d been rather preoccupied with Lucius and Ginny, but now he intended to have a chat with Severus.

He still had mixed emotions about his mother but he knew that she loved him and she’d protected him at all costs and he did not like Severus’ attitude towards her. He had no idea what had transpired between them except for the obvious but he could not let the Potions Master cause his mother more pain. She’d already had enough for a lifetime.

A sharp “Enter!” rang out when Draco pounded on the door to the Potions classroom. Shoving it open, he strode in towards his godfather, trying to keep his face neutral, not wanting to set off the older man before he had to.

Severus did not look very pleased at the interruption. His desk was buried under stacks of papers and he was currently slashing furiously at one with a green pen.

“What is it Draco?” His voice was sharp, but Draco could see the weariness reflected in his face. Severus always did snap more when he was tired.

“I want to talk too you about my mother.” He said firmly.

Snape’s eyes shot up with a glare. “I am disinclined to discuss her with you.” He turned back to his papers but jerked his head up again when Draco’s hand slammed onto the desk.

“Too bad, because I have some things to say to you whether you like them or not.” Draco snarled.

Severus stood abruptly, his face flushed. “Why you…”

“She’s my mother, Severus and she’s been through hell.” He ran a hand through his hair in a frustrated gesture.

“You’ve been…well you’ve been more of a father to me than my own ever was and I…” He paused and swallowed. “…and I respect you deeply, but you don’t seem to be very rational where my mother is concerned and Severus if you hurt my mother I’ll come after you.”

Severus could sense the raw magical power coursing through the younger man’s body and was momentarily taken aback by it and the vehemence in his voice. Shaking it off, he snarled back.

“What goes on between your mother and me is none of your concern.”

“Anything concerning my mother is bloody well my concern!” Draco shouted, glaring at his godfather.

“She will be my wife and I’ll not abuse her.” Severus said grudgingly. “Satisfied?” The familiar sneer didn’t help matters.

“Verbal abuse is just as bad as physical abuse. Lucius was horrific to her and I want her to be happy.” Draco shot back.

“Narcissa and I have to work this out between ourselves. I will not promise not to get angry or lose my temper, since it would obviously be a lie.” Snape walked to the door of the classroom and pointedly opened it.

“Rest assured, Draco, you’ve delivered your warning quite adequately.” His voice was as cold as his eyes.

Draco paused next to the older man. “Just remember. I won’t hesitate to curse you into oblivion if you hurt her and I expect you to do everything you can to ensure her happiness.”

He ignored the Potion Master’s snarl as he brushed past.

DGDGDGDGDGDGDGDGDGDG

“I am officially resigning!”

Ginny’s head shot up at Bill’s outburst. She was finishing up her lesson plans for the substitute that would be taking over while she and Draco were on their honeymoon. Her brother looked a little wild-eyed and his face was an alarming shade of red as he stomped into her room.

“What is wrong with you?” She jumped up to make sure he wasn’t sick with a fever or anything, but rather annoyed with the interruption. She had a billion things to do it seemed like and this was not on her list.

“Decorations, guest lists, food! This is more than any red blooded wizard should have to deal with!” He flung up his hands, looking harangued.

“It can’t be that bad Bill.”

“Oh no? I can’t believe I agreed to it in the first place! No man should be subjected to this.”

“You’ll have to excuse him. He’s fearing for his masculinity when Fred and George find out.” Michelle said breezily, ignoring the darkening of her husband’s eyes as she sailed into the room.

“I’m not a bloody wedding planner!” He paced. “I just spent two hours with an insipid little ponce trying to figure out the type of cake you should have. Two hours over a bloody dessert and why in the name of Merlin do there have to be so many choices? There were practically hundreds of different types and whenever I tried to pick one, he kept trying to show me another one!”

Ginny and Michelle tried to keep from snickering.

“How hard is it to just pick one? And that was just dessert! I had to endure the main course, and appetizers, and drinks, and salads and I’m bloody well about to lose my mind! And then there’s the flowers, and decorations. Do you know how many different types of doilies there are out there? Doilies! I’ve been picking out doilies! Me! A Wraith! I’ll never live this down…”

Finally Ginny broke in with, “Well, you didn’t have to do it you know!”

“Oh for heaven’s sake!” Michelle grabbed the list out of Bill’s hand. “There’s plenty of women here now to do this, so we’ll take over. Between Hermione, Olivia, Daphne, and myself, there shouldn’t be a problem.” She said briskly.

Ginny smiled gratefully at her sister-in-law. She was already completely stressed out over everything else, and glad this wasn’t going to get dumped on her plate as well. She rubbed her neck, trying to massage the stiffness away.


Author’s Notes:

I’m sorry there wasn’t more D/G in this part, but I wanted to get something up for you guys. The next chapter should have a S/N scene and include some more of the Slytherins as well. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. It definitely motivates me to write faster! I’m anxious to wrap this one up so I can start on the other’s stories. It seems to drag itself out longer every time I think I’m getting close to the end! Right now I’m estimating another two or three chapters, but we’ll see.

Have a great day!
Pegasus7