Chapter 12. Adjustments.

Ron Weasley turned out not to be as dead as Malfoy had first assumed. He was informed of that fact during breakfast, when McGonagall arrived to check on Harry and to give him news on the red-head boy's progress. The problem with that was that such progress was non-existent. Weasley had suffered many wounds and had received massive body trauma that resulted in internal bleeding. The mediwizards had saved his life, barely, but he was now in deep coma and there was no way to know when he would wake. If he waked at all.

Harry was deep in guilt and McGonagall didn't know how to make him feel better. Apparently there had been some sort of trap and antiaparition wards had appeared over the entire battlefield when Potter had arrived. Draco thought that it was hardly Harry's fault that the Dark Lord was so focused in him, but judging from McGonagall's stern glance and the boy's self-deprecating words, he had had no business being in the battle in the first place. But McGonagall didn't want to place the blame entirely on Harry's shoulders, so she pointed out that everyone had been expecting a strong attack and they all had been stupidly taken by surprise, thinking innocently that the Death Eaters could not manage another battle so soon after their most recent attack.

It turned out that while the trio had been chasing dark artefacts the Order had been helping the Ministry Aurors to try and defend Azkaban. The Dementors had attacked the prison en masse with every intention to reduce it to dust and eventually succeeding after tree days of constant siege. The Minister was still baffled at the notion that the Death Eaters had used dragons to aid the Dementors. The Aurors and Order members had barely escaped with their lives. The Ministry had just started to put itself together and wonder what had happened to those prisoners that had been left behind, when the Ministry building had been under attack.

Harry had fallen in the trap, but McGonagall had the theory that the Dark Lord's purpose had been to continue attacking until the boy appeared. Under that view, the Ministry had been the most convenient place for it to happen. Their only consolation was that at least someone had been able to find something that had luckily saved them all.

Harry pressed his lips, unwilling to give his professor's theory much credit. But he didn't want to antagonize her. He was still too immersed in self-guilt and his nocturnal adventure with Draco was not helping. Especially because, after Draco had gone to take his shower, Harry had taken the covers of his bed to put some clean ones and had discovered a stain of blood in them. He had been sick and now was completely convinced that Malfoy was hurting and hiding it. He had no idea of why the blond had denied it or why he would be willing to remain in the same house with someone that had practically raped him. The fact that Malfoy was sitting so near to him without even wincing or showing any kind of discomfort was baffling Harry and serving only to increase his guilt. Between that and the recent disaster in the Ministry the Gryffindor boy was feeling miserable.

McGonagall sensed his mood and tried to utter a few encouraging words. She was interrupted by Moody's arrival, who announced an emergency meeting with the rest of the Order. Draco immediately stood; ready to leave for the sanctuary of his bedroom. Mad Eye took him by the arm when the boy tried to pass by him in his way to the door and looked at him intensely for a few seconds. Harry tensed. He wasn't sure of Moody's intentions but he was not going to let him abuse Malfoy in any way. It was quite enough with what he himself had done. But the old ex-auror only gave Malfoy what could barely pass by a smile and sent him to his room. Harry scowled, sensing something strange happening, and decided to pay more attention to Mad Eye.

&&&&&&&

Draco was sprawled on the bed, partially leaning on Sally's neck, hearing to her soft whispers and letting his mind wander erratically. The dragon was absolutely sure Draco was pregnant and was rejoicing in it. Already much of their combined magic had been used to protect the womb and the foetus and Draco had started to feel unease. What was he going to do when he started showing? He didn't have enough control of wandless magic to cast a glamour, besides, Potter would notice it immediately. He needed a plan and help if he wanted to keep his pregnancy a secret. Though, he wasn't sure if he should keep it a secret. Sooner or later someone was bound to notice something strange in him. And the constant drain in his magic would ensure that he was tired and helpless the majority of the time.

How was he going to survive if the Death Eaters discovered him? No matter that the house was under fidelius as that certainly hadn't stopped the Dark Lord from finding his victims before. The mad man only had to keep trying to get to Potter and someone might do something stupid enough to reveal their location to a spy and then they were going to be under attack. What was Draco to do then? For the moment he was starting to panic for absolutely no reason.

Sally, sensing his increasing nervousness, purred some comforting words and reassurances of safety. Sally was certain that they would be all right. Somehow she had gotten the idea that the boy with emerald eyes will protect them. Draco wondered why Sally believed that Potter would want to have anything to do with him now. There was nothing to attract the boy's attention anymore. No lust spell and no duty on the blonde's part to get laid. Strictly speaking, Draco no longer had any reason to seek Potter's company. Sure, the friendship would be nice and he had to do something besides potions and reading to not die of boredom, but he doubted that Potter would give him the time of day, much less his undivided attention. Even if Draco managed to retain the boy's friendship, he certainly wouldn't become Draco's protector. Especially when he didn't have an idea of what exactly he would be protecting.

The blond sighed and started a circling rubbing motion over his stomach. He was already carrying a life. He was pregnant with Potter's child. He wondered for the first time why he couldn't just go and confess that delicate fact to the Gryffindor. Surely the boy would listen to his explanation. In fact, Draco felt that Potter was owed one. He had seen the Potter's coat of arms in the magical chamber, which meant that the Gryffindor was entitled to know about the Dragons. Besides, he had the right to know that he was fathering a child. Draco didn't know why, but he felt as if it was a crime to hide the child from Potter. Maybe he was developing a conscience after all that had happened?

Draco's thoughts were already going down the path of philosophical consideration over the state of his soul when the door to his room opened and Mad Eye entered. The ex-auror gave him a terrifying grin and took two steps inside the room before Draco had the wits to sit up on the side of the bed. Sally had tensed at the intrusion, but she had quickly recognized Moody and considered he was not a threat. Therefore she retreated into the back of Draco's mind and stayed hovering over the boy's awareness as a reassurance.

Moody didn't waste time in getting his wand out and casting a series of diagnostic spells on Draco. His face becoming curiously brighter as he finished.

"I wondered why the house felt strange, now I know. It's rejoicing. Same as your Dragon."

He said those words almost reverently. Draco blinked in bafflement until he understood what Mad Eye was talking about. The house must be singing again. He shuddered and thanked the Gods that his magic was dampened enough to not hear it. Alastor continued his speech in his regular voice.

"We must call a meeting immediately. There are many things that you should learn at once. And we have to consider the possibility of getting you out of here. Changing your location could be wise..."

"No!"

Draco was surprised to see Harry Potter standing on the doorframe, an angry scowl fixed in Mad Eye. The blond didn't know how to react. He never expected to see the confrontation that followed.

&&&&&&&

Harry had been in the meeting, forgetting his personal dilemma for a moment to pay a minimum of attention on the reports from the captured Death Eaters. Obviously, Voldemort had escaped and The Order had not been able to track him down. They still had no idea of the damage caused to Voldemort's forces or how long would it be before they were ready to attack again.

Harry was feeling restless and uncomfortable. At first he had thought that it was because of the guilt he felt every time he saw Mrs. Weasley and Hermione, but after he had talked briefly with both of them and the meeting continued its course, he had decided that it was something else. He was anxious and felt an inexplicable need to get everyone out of the house.

He felt so out of place that he tried to hide in the background when the Order started to talk about the arrangements for the deceased's funerals. The guilt assaulted him again and for the first time in the meeting he wondered where Remus was. Suddenly he felt the wards around Malfoy's room alert him that someone other than the blond had entered the bedroom. Harry frowned and quickly scanned the Kitchen. Moody's absence was noticed after a few moments and Harry cursed himself for being distracted and scurried from the meeting as quietly and quickly as possible.

He hurried upstairs and came to a halt before Draco's door, just in time to overhear Moody talking about moving Malfoy away. He opened the door without ceremony and interrupted the old ex-auror with a loud "No", getting the immediate attention of the other two occupants of the room.

The Gryffindor quickly analyzed the situation. Malfoy was sitting on the side of his bed, evidently surprised by Harry's arrival, but otherwise apparently unharmed. Moody was looking at him suspiciously, his wand halfway rose towards him. Harry took a deep breath and strode towards them, thinking that Moody was seeing Draco as a liability.

"I promised he'll be safe, and there's no other place in Britain where he would be..."

"That's not necessarily truth Potter." Alastor interrupted. "The same fidelius that keeps this place safe can be performed in another location. There are other safe-houses where some people are already hiding..."

"I don't trust other people with the knowledge of Malfoy's whereabouts! I don't trust anyone outside the ones who already know to not betray the information to the Ministry or even the Death Eaters out of spite! If we move Draco he would be alone and the risk would be greater! He's safer here, the house is never entirely alone and I already compromised to train here! I'm taking care of Draco's safety and I don't want him somewhere far away where I can't be sure if he's all right and..."

Suddenly Harry stopped. He was now standing beside Malfoy, a bit ahead of him because of the bed and he couldn't see the blonde's expression, but Moody's was not very reassuring. The ex-auror was looking at him as if doubting his identity.

"Curious... I didn't think that you Potter would ever display such an interest for Malfoy's well being."

Harry blushed and straightened, trying to maintain some composure.

"We-we have come to an understanding... we have been getting along nicely these past days and... well... he had been helping me with the training and all..."

Harry fervently wished he knew what had gotten into him. He prayed that Malfoy didn't decide that he had been wronged enough to justify turning his back on the boy-who-lived at that precise moment. Harry hardly needed that in top of the stern and suspicious look Moody was giving him.

"Very strange Potter... Has something happened...?"

"No!" Harry almost yelled in a bit of panic. "There's nothing wrong! Nothing bad had happened! I only...!" He could feel his embarrassment shine red in his face. The guilt he felt towards what had happened between him and Malfoy returned with a vengeance. How dare he say that nothing bad had happened? Surely the blond Slytherin felt very differently. The sudden onslaught of guilt nearly made him confess what he had done, but was saved by Malfoy.

The blond couldn't help but feel utterly surprised when Harry stood up to Mad Eye in his defence. Apparently the boy had spoken the truth when he had told the Slytherin that he still wanted to be his friend. Draco was glad about that. His hopes about retaining Harry's friendship increased and a warm feeling filled his chest. Maybe the awkward mood he had noticed in Harry during breakfast had been due to McGonagall's presence and the news about Weasley.

Draco felt the insecurity in Harry when Alastor started pressing about possible strange occurrences and decided to help the Gryffindor.

"We just did a bit of bonding last night. With the attack and everything that happened I guess we both needed some comfort."

Harry nodded in agreement at Draco's words, relaxing only a little. Moody eyed both boys curiously and finally his mouth twitched as if in a smirk.

"I suppose there's no immediate danger to headquarters. And the brat can still be useful."

"He is." Said Harry with a fierce scowl. "He has been helping me, and he manages the potions pretty well."

"Mmmph, as you wish Potter. As long as you don't forget that he's your responsibility now."

Moody turned around and took his leave without waiting for a proper answer. Draco gaped at his back. What the hell? He suddenly felt like a child being put into the care of his older brother. He was unsure of how Potter would take that final instruction. Then he remembered that the Gryffindor knew nothing about the pregnancy and relaxed a bit.

Harry sighed when Mad Eye got out of the bedroom and turned to face an incredulous looking blond.

"You ok?"

Malfoy looked at him and blinked in confusion.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Whatever you thought Mad Eye would do?"

"I don't know I just..."

Harry didn't know what to say. He was still feeling guilty and a bit miffed that Malfoy wouldn't accept to be hurt when Harry had seen the blood in the sheets. Granted it wasn't such a big patch of blood, Malfoy surely wasn't going to die from blood loss or something equally gruesome, but still he must be hurting. The Gryffindor didn't know why he felt so worried, and he was starting to feel uncomfortable.

"I just wanted to be sure that you're ok that's all."

He sighed and tried to make some sense of what exactly he was feeling.

"I'll make sure that he doesn't think about moving you out of here again. That's it if you still want to stay here..."

Draco blinked, more confused now.

"Well I don't exactly have anywhere else to go. Why I wouldn't want to be here...?" The blond noticed then the guilty look Harry was giving him and huffed in annoyance.

"Potter, we spent a good part of the morning stating that you're not to blame for what happened. I think that we agreed to not talk about it anymore!"

"I know!" Harry stood and one hand went through his hair in agitation. "I know you said you were fine, but..."

He was interrupted by Moody opening the door again.

"Let the chat for latter Potter! The meeting will finish soon and you need to be there to see everyone out of the house!"

Harry sighed and glared at Moody, but went with him anyway. He still needed to know where Remus was and to make sure that Mrs. Weasley and Hermione would be ok. He could deal with Malfoy later.

&&&&&&&

Over the next few days, life resulted to be a bit difficult for Draco. Molly, Ginny and the twins had finally took permanent residence in the house, which injected more life to it, but presented a problem for the blond to sneak out of his room at night to go to the magical chamber. The boy didn't know what he'd had done without the house-elves. The creatures were pretty helpful and made sure that no one discovered Draco's escapades. It annoyed him though that Severus had insisted to meet him for at least an hour every night.

Moody of course had wasted no time in informing the rest of the dragon-bonded of Draco's pregnancy and the boy had been informed of the joy and hopes that the news had brought with them. Severus had also saw fit to tell him that some of the other wizards had not been entirely happy with him staying in Grimmauld Place. Draco's situation was very delicate and the dragon-bonded would have preferred him to be under their care. Draco had adamantly refused. As much as he had understood that Severus and the others would be more help than the people at Order's headquarters he hadn't wanted to be apart from Harry.

Surprisingly, Salamanca had been on his side. She had explained that Potter, as the other father of his child, would be required to stay near to him. It was a thing that came from the Rainbow Dragons. The magical creatures mated for life. They only hatch one egg every two-hundred or so years and both parents merged their magic to protect and raise the hatchling. Since Draco's pregnancy was only possible because of his dragon, the ancient magic would need the magic signature of the other parent to be close by to help stabilize it. That fact made moving Draco away from the Black's house not recommendable, so Severus had insisted in Draco learning and perfecting the necessary charms for him to be safe and his secret undiscovered. The blond would need to borrow a bit of extra magic from the elves and the house, seeing that the drain on his own core was already too much to allow effective casting of powerful spells.

The training always left Malfoy exhausted and had resulted in him been always late for breakfast and to be forced to take naps along the day. If someone in the house had found his behaviour strange, no one had mentioned it, but Mrs. Weasley had taken to be concerned about him and had often inquired about his health. That attitude irked Malfoy a bit. He was not used to have someone that wasn't his mother coddling him and wasn't comfortable with it. He supposed that Molly was trying to compensate for her son Ron, but it was still making him nervous. However, he couldn't do anything about it as the Weasley matriarch seemed to be everywhere and was almost impossible to avoid, so the blond simply tried to tolerate her.

In addition, Draco didn't need his enhanced "magical sense" to notice the tense atmosphere in the house. The still recent attack at the Ministry had everyone on edge, particularly Harry. It didn't help that the senior members of the Order had decided that the youngsters shouldn't be allowed at the victims' funerals, fearing that You-Know-Who would be able to attack again. Harry had protested against the injustice of such decision, saying that it was him the one Voldemort wanted and only him should be left behind, there was no reason to forbid the Weasley children from bury their father. The Order members however had declared in no uncertain terms that they were not going to take the risk. So, the day that the funerals took place there were a few sulking teenagers in their rooms. With the exception of the twins, that had threatened bloody murder if they weren't allowed to go. Molly had caved and they attended the funerals under glamour.

The day of the sad event, Draco woke up quite late. The house felt so quiet that he thought for a moment that everyone had gone. He was disabused of that notion when he got down to the kitchen and found Hermione, holding a tea cup between her hands and evidently sobbing. The boy debated for a moment if it would be best to leave her with her sorrow. He didn't want to intrude, but he was hungry. He decided to be civil and perhaps left as soon as possible. So, he entered and nodded at the girl in greeting before going and fix himself a sandwich. Then he sat at the table and proceeded to eat it in awkward silence, hearing the quiet sobs of the Gryffindor girl.

He didn't know if he should say something to her. He had no practice comforting people and he didn't want to screw tings up. He had started to like Hermione's personality, even if he found some of her ideas a bit bizarre. She was an interesting and powerful witch and he had been learning to appreciate her many quirks. He felt uncomfortable seeing her cry. Like he was imposing on a private moment. He needed to at least try and make peace with her. Maybe she'd appreciate the intention.

He debated what to say while he finished his sandwich and poured some tea. Then he looked at her and coughed slightly to get her attention. She turned with a sad look in her eyes.

"I... I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry. You know for you and Potter. Both of you miss Weasley so much..."

He bit his lip. He didn't know if he was saying the right words. Hermione had narrowed her eyes curiously at him. He sighed and tried to continue.

"I think he's gonna make it. He's so stubborn he'll probably refuse to let both of you behind. All you had to do is mention that I'm still here in the house the next time you visit him and he'll wake only for making sure that I'm not causing you troubles."

Hermione blinked at him and then smiled sadly. He didn't know what else to say, so he sat down again and sipped at his tea. After a short while, the girl talked to him.

"Thank you Malfoy."

"You're welcome."

She was still smiling and the tears had stopped. The blond felt like he had achieved a small victory.

"You know, I think Harry's right. There is something different in you."

Draco was about to answer when the kitchen door opened and Ginny Weasley entered. The red-head stopped dead upon discovering Malfoy and gave him a venomous glare.

"What are you doing here?"

Malfoy sneered at her, immediately replacing his relaxed posture with his usual cold façade. In the five days that the Weasleys had been living in the house he and the weaselette had been avoiding each other like the plague and he had been quite content with that. He didn't want to even look at the girl if he could help it.

"Until now Weasley I was enjoying a cup of tea in acceptable company. Too bad all good things must come to an end."

Ginny looked furious and she actually took out her wand. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and she stayed frozen in shock while the red-headed girl threatened the Slytherin boy.

"Go away Malfoy! MY friend and I want to talk in peace!"

"Ginny! What are you doing?"

The girl ignored Hermione, her attention for the moment only directed at Malfoy. The blond made a sound of disgust and stood up. He had no wish to confront a volatile Weasley when his magic was so low.

"Don't waste your breath Granger. Some people are not worth it."

He abandoned the kitchen with as much dignity as he could muster in the circumstances. Ginny growled at the kitchen door when the boy had disappeared.

"The big prick! I wish he rots in hell!"

"Ginny what's gotten into you? That was incredibly rude and absolutely unnecessary!"

The Weasley girl rounded on Hermione with a perplexed look on her face.

"Rude? Unnecessary? Don't tell me you were capable of enjoying your tea with that perv in the same room!"

"As a matter of fact, we were having a civil conversation! And he's not some depraved character from a TV-show or anything equally ridiculous!"

"From a what?"

Hermione huffed in annoyance and rubbed her eyes. She felt so tired and didn't want to discuss with the other girl.

"Just forget it would you? Seriously Ginny, you need to at least try and be more tolerant! For your own good."

"Oh, please Hermione! It's nothing less than the faggot deserves! Let's not talk about that prat anymore; I need to tell you something."

Ginny sat on a chair beside Hermione, not noticing the angry scowl that her friend had in her face. The bushy-haired girl was mentally counting to ten, trying to remember that Ginny was a friend and that Malfoy after all had still six years of nastiness to answer for.

"Ok. What do you want to talk about?"

The girl rubbed her hands a bit in nervousness, not so sure that confide in Hermione was a good idea, but aware that there was no one else she could get counsel from.

"Well, you see, I'm not happy at all with the breaking up with Harry. And to be frank, the way he has been acting scares me. I don't want to lose him Hermione. I need to get him to stay with me. I don't care about the supposed danger from You-Know-Who; we are all in danger anyway! But he insisted in keeping me apart, and since we got stuck with Malfoy the situation went from bad to worse!"

'Duh, maybe that's because your attitude has been bordering in psychotic?' Thought Hermione with acidity, but she remained silent and let Ginny continue.

"I had a plan you know? To get Harry to acknowledge our love and to show him that I won't let him push me away. I was waiting for a chance to implement my plan, and then the attack happened and... well, Harry has been supportive and more attentive, and now that we are living in the same house again I can make sure that Malfoy stays well away from him. So far it seems that he finally feels uncomfortable in the prat's presence."

Hermione scowled in curiosity. She had not been paying much attention to her surroundings the last couple of days and hadn't noticed any change on Harry's behaviour. She had been vaguely aware of the blond not been present at breakfast, but frankly she had not cared as long as everybody had left her alone to be miserable in peace. She bit her lip and decided that it was time to start observing her friends again.

"So, what do you need of me Ginny?"

"Well, things seem to be getting back to what they should be by themselves, but maybe if I put my plan into action I could give them a push? What do you think? I need to get Harry back to me and the sooner the better."

"Mmm, well, what is your plan?"

"I prepared a vial of lust potion and spiked a bottle of firewhiskey with it..."

"You what?"

Hermione widened her eyes in shock, not quite believing what Ginny was telling her. The red-head turned to her with a condescending look.

"I want him to make love to me Hermione. I want him to see how much I love him and to feel my passion. I need him to realize how perfect we are for each other, to convince him that we can't live apart!"

"And you decided that drugging him was the way to do that? No Ginny! It's not going to work that way! Harry would hate it!"

"Why? He loves me Hermione! And a lust potion is not a drug; it'll only help him to ignore his ridicule rationalizations...!"

"And take away his self-control! Ginny do you know how much Harry hates to be manipulated and lied to?"

"I'll do no such thing!"

"Oh, so you're going to politely ask him if you can serve him a spiked drink?"

"No, but..."

"The lust potion is a restricted product for a reason Ginny! I can't believe you seriously thought to do this to Harry! Did you leave the bottle in the Burrow?"

"Well, no. Actually I left it here in the kitchen."

"Here?"

Hermione was alarmed now. Ginny didn't seem to understand what exactly the problem was. It was such a simple and good plan for her.

"Yes, in that empty cabinet." The girl signalled to her hiding place, a bit confused at her friend's reaction. She had expected Hermione to reassure her that her plan wasn't necessary after all, and that Harry would return to her without prompting. She hadn't expected the brunette to be so flustered. Ginny didn't quite understand what was so bad about her plan. Hermione stood and walked decidedly to the cabinet, intent on getting rid of the nasty beverage.

"That's the stupidest and most irresponsible thing to do Ginny! What if someone had drank it?"

"Relax Hermione, I warded the cabinet... oh."

Ginny interrupted herself when Hermione yanked open the cabinet door without problem.

"So much for wards! Where is it Ginny?"

The red-haired witch ran to her friend's side, looking wide-eyed at the very empty cabinet. She even reached over and ran her hand a couple of times along the shelves.

"It... It's gone!"

"Gone! Are you sure you left it here?"

"Of course I'm sure! I wanted to have it at hand and Harry gets into the kitchen sometimes for a midnight snack! I had hoped to intercept him here!"

"Oh God!"

Hermione wriggled her hands and started pacing back and fort.

"Where could it be...? Wait, we can ask! Dobby!"

The house-elf popped into existence and grinned exuberantly at Hermione.

"Dobby here misses. How can Dobby help misses?"

"Dobby, there was a bottle of firewhiskey in this cabinet. You don't happen to know who took it, do you?"

Ginny stood at Hermione's side, watching the elf anxiously. She didn't like the idea of someone discovering her. Dobby straightened and flapped his ears a few times.

"Elder Ma'am Weasley ordered no alcohol in house! None for young masters and misses! Master Harry Potter ordered elves was to follow Ma'am Weasley orders! She telling us elves to rid house of liquor!"

"Molly?"

The elf nodded enthusiastically. Hermione thought for a minute and then relaxed. She remembered Molly Weasley giving that instruction some months ago. Surely the house-elves had continued obeying to it, since no one had told them otherwise.

"So, you disposed of it?"

"You throw it away? All of it?" Said Ginny, a bit upset that her potion had been wasted. Dobby looked indignant.

"We elves always do duty. Duty is most important!"

"It's all right Dobby. You did well. Thank you."

The elf nodded and disappeared. Hermione sighed in relief and turned to look at the Weasley girl, who had sat again and had crossed her arms, sulking.

"I'm glad that no one had taken the firewhiskey, who knows what could have happened Ginny?"

"It was perfectly safe from others."

"Whatever." Hermione walked to her chair again and sat, facing Ginny's direction. She took a deep breath and tried to get her sulking friend into a better mood. "Look, I know that it's difficult. Harry has not been the boyfriend you would expect, but you can hardly blame him for that. After all, neither of us has lived with a madman trying to murder us."

Ginny sighed in resignation and relaxed her arms.

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am. Don't get desperate Ginny, everything will sort itself. You'll see. Besides, it's no use pushing Harry. If you do it he'll get all defensive and will block you out. Believe me, that's what he always do."

"Fine. I won't push him. But I don't want him to forget that I'm here for him. I'll just make sure to be around whenever he needs me."

"Don't worry Ginny. He won't forget. Well, I'm going to take a bath. Surely your mom and the others will be here shortly. I'll see you later."

The bushy-haired girl got up and abandoned the kitchen, leaving Ginny behind to sulk a bit and to think.