Something there that wasn't there before

-30-

-Draco-

Waking up with Ginny tucked into my side is better than anything I have experienced so far. I kissed the top of her head and snuggled tighter to her, just as my eyes were drifting closed again there was a quiet knock at the door. I lifted my head to look at the door "yes?" Hanna peeked around the door and shyly looked at me. I motioned for her to come in but be quiet. Hanna softly padded over to my side of the bed and I lifted her in between Ginny and I. Hanna turned to look at me and laid her small hand against my cheek. "Your eyes are a funny color." I nodded. 'They are like my fathers.' Hanna frowned. "Mama said that your father was a mean man." I took a deep breath and held on to Hanna's hand gently. 'He was a mean man.' Hanna's frown deepened. "Was he mean to you?" I nodded looking into Hanna's eyes. 'He wasn't a very good father. I promise to do better than he did.' Hanna smiled a little. "Your the best one I've ever had." I rested my forehead against Hanna's and smiled at the way she looked at the world. Clearly she hasn't had an easy life up to this point and she's still a kind little girl. Hanna burrowed down under the covers and drifted off to sleep so I gently creeped out of the bed and headed for the shower.
Once I had showered and gotten dressed in Muggle clothes for the day I slipped my robes on and left a note on the kitchen table.

Going to do Head boy rounds, you were both sleeping soundly. I'll be back later. D.M.

The halls were eerily quiet at 7:30 on Sunday morning as I made my way through the castle. I passed a couple of Ravenclaw quidditch players going out for a run, a Hufflepuff headed towards the library and then I walked around the corner and bumped onto someone. I started apologizing as I stepped back, looking up to find red hair that matched my wife's. Ron and I stared at each-other for a long minute before he stuck his hand out for me to shake. I hesitantly put my hand in his and we shook. "I'm sorry for decking you." I shrugged and nodded. 'Nobody can blame you really, I'm sure I deserved it.' Ron slid his hands in the pockets of his jeans. 'So what brings you to Hogwarts?' Ron looked around to make sure we were alone. "I'm going to propose to Hermione and I was hoping for Ginny's help in picking out a ring." I nodded 'I just have a little bit more to go and then we can head back to the heads dorm. Hanna and Gin were sound asleep when I came out to make the rounds.' Ron's face twisted up for a moment. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to meet my niece yesterday." I laughed. 'It's okay, it was a little tense. Charlie was very unhappy.' Ron chuckled uncomfortably. "Yeah, I can see that.. but still.. she's my niece."  I nodded as we rounded the last corridor that headed towards the Slytherin common room. Nobody was out moving around so we headed back towards our dorm. 'She's probably more comfortable meeting you here. Hagrid gave her a cat so I'm sure she'll be excited to show you her.' "A bloody cat, I hope it's friendlier than that furball Hermione had." I laughed remembering the big orange fluffy cat. 'It's just a tiny little thing. I don't think it has bad habits yet.' We rounded the corner leading to the astronomy tower and Hanna launched herself at me. I caught her in my arms and swung her around laughing at her giggling. I finally sat her back on her feet and held her hand, turning to face Ron. 'Hanna this is your uncle Ron, he wasn't able to make it yesterday.' Ron got down to eye level with Hanna and held out his hand. To Ron's surprise and mine too Hanna walked right to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ron looked over at me and I shrugged. Ron stood up holding Hanna and hugged her back. "It's very nice to meet you." Hanna just nodded and laid her head on Ron's shoulder. I started walking again motioning for Ron to follow while Hanna just kept talking and telling him about school and frog and anything else she could come up with. I opened the portrait to our heads dorm and was immediately blasted with an Aerosmith song. "Walk this way" was playing on blast and Ginny was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Ron stepped up beside me. 'She's turning into mum.' I grinned. Ginny finally caught sight of us and yelped waving her wand to silence the music. Ron and Hanna were laughing I shook my head walking over and kissing her cheek and then heading towards our bedroom to hang my robes up.

-Ginny-

I could still feel the heat in my cheeks as Ron sat Hanna down on a barstool and sat on the other one himself. "I uh, didn't know you were visiting." Ron eyed the sausage in the pan and then cleared his throat. 'To be completely honest, I first had auror business here for Headmistress McGonagall. Safety measures for the Yule ball.' I frowned having forgotten about that. 'And then I wanted to meet Hanna, mum told me how lovely she was.' Ron bumped his shoulder into Hanna gently and she giggled. 'And I also wanted to ask for your help.' I dished up a plate with pancakes, eggs, and sausage for Hanna and then Ron sitting them in front of them with the syrup. "And what did you need help with dearest brother?" Ron flushed a little and then tapped his fingers on the counter. 'I was hoping you'd help me pick out a ring for Hermione.' I froze and turned to face my brother to make sure I understood him correctly. "As in.." Ron nodded and I squealed hopping up and down and coming around the counter to hug him.  'So you'll help?' "I would be honored to! When?!" Ron cut a piece of pancake and put it in his mouth. 'Whenever is good for you, I know you have a lot going on but sooner would be better.' Draco made it into the kitchen just as Ron was finishing up. "You can go this afternoon if you want babe, I did rounds this morning so Hanna and I can just chill the rest of the day. We did our homework Friday night." I looked over to Ron and he was looking between Draco and I. 'So this afternoon is good?' Ron nodded and turned back to his plate. I fixed myself and Draco a plate and we ate standing on the back side of the bar.