NUMB WITHOUT YOU | Draco Malfoy

| 17

Harry got over his frustrations with Draco Malfoy quicker than I had ever anticipated. All it took was a little persuasion from Ginny. I didn't want or need to know the details of how she convinced him to let go of years of animosity. Whatever she did, it worked better than any spell could have.

It took a few days longer for Ron to not want to rip Draco's throat out. Draco was so good at getting under his skin that even the slightest glance in his direction would set Ron off. Hermione kept having to remind him that he was being a Grinch. Even though I had no idea what that meant, Ron seemed to get the point and started acting friendlier.

"Grand-mère, Grand-père! We 'ave arrived! 'Appy Christmas!" Fleur's smooth voice floated into the room before she did. She was carrying her beautiful daughter on her hip. They looked practically identical and the Veela genes were undeniable.

"There she is! My Victoire!" Molly squealed as she jumped up from the table to snatch her granddaughter into her arms. The toddler cooed and grabbed at her grandmother's red curls holding her hair by the fistful.

"She's beautiful, Fleur." I smiled as I got up to greet the woman. She kissed me on both cheeks with delight.

"Ah Rory, I was 'oping to see you again soon!" She smiled widely, "Bill ees 'ere too somewhere. I know you are 'oping to speak to 'im today."

"After Christmas." Molly said sternly, "There's no point in ruining a perfectly good holiday with all kinds of dark magic. It can wait." Her words were firm. Nobody was going to ruin Molly Weasley's Christmas plans.

Fleur looked at her mother-in-law and smirked before linking her arm with mine and whispering in my ear, "Perhaps we won't have to wait that long, no?"

"Thank you, Fleur." I whispered back graciously.

"Morning." Draco said as he walked into the room. He was wearing his black, perfectly tailored suit and it made him look very out of place amongst the Weasley clan.

"That's not very Christmassy." I chastised him, "It is very Malfoy though."

Draco glared at me and a blush crept up his jaw again, "I'm not sure flannel would suit me very much." His eyes flickered judgementally to the various members of the Weasley family who were all dressed very casually, mostly in old flannel shirts.

"Victoire! You're very squirmy today, dear!" Molly laughed as she tried to manage the baby in her arms.

"Oncle!" The girl cried out in French. "Oncle!" The baby reached out towards Draco.

"I'm not your uncle, kid." Draco frowned at the toddler, but she didn't recoil. He had really tried to intimidate a toddler... and he had failed miserably. The girl held out her arms and reached for him. Her chubby fingers narrowly missing him each time. Draco took a step back in shock. He looked at me for help and I laughed softly.

"Your boyfriend can 'old 'er." Fleur cooed while looking at her baby adoringly, "I don't mind."

"We're not-"

"It's not-"

"No."

I blushed and looked away. "I'm his sponsor in the death eater program at the ministry. You and I talked about it before briefly that night I came to your family dinner at George's." I explained to Fleur. "We're kind of stuck with one another for the time being. The Weasleys were nice enough to let him stay for the holidays."

"Oh." She batted her eyelashes innocently, but her smile told another story, "I did not remember, zat was so long ago. My meestake."

"Oncle!" Victoire called out again. I turned to see her now reaching for Harry who readily took the girl into his arms and spun her around while she squealed in delight. Draco stared at the two of them and his eyes flickered with some emotion. He blinked and the moment was gone.