Begin Again (George Weasley/Draco Malfoy)

Thirty-Four.

It was mid August when I got the news that I had been made Hufflepuff Head Girl for my final year at Hogwarts. I was excited, but at the same time I wasn't. My mum invited my dad and Tonks over for dinner to celebrate, but only my dad showed up.

He gave me a big hug, he held onto me for longer than he usually does when we hug. I figured it was just because he was happy for me for making Head Girl. When we sat at the table, I couldn't avoid the question anymore. I had to ask him what was up.

"Dad, where is Tonks? Is she doing work for the Order?"

"No," he answers, shaking his head, "Dora isn't speaking to me at the moment."

"What?" I ask, confused, "Why?"

"What happened, Remus?" My mum asks.

"I was an idiot," he says, not sounding happy at all to be talking. "She's pregnant, and I nearly did the same thing that I did to you two to her and the baby."

My mum looked down at her food, she was obviously so disappointed. "Remus," my mum says, and I know she's about to use her stern parent voice on him. "Has having our daughter in your life the past four years taught you anything? You have what it takes to be a good father. I've seen it."

"I know," he says, trying to stay calm, "I know. I realized my mistake nearly as soon as I left, but now she won't speak to me. And I don't blame her. Now I'll just have two cursed children to deal with."

"Cursed?" I repeat the word, "Dad. I'm not a werewolf like you. You didn't curse me."

"Tell that to people like Umbridge," he says sternly. I knew what he meant. "I hate that I'm the reason that you're treated the way that you are. And now I'll have two children that will be treated that way. I never wanted that for my kids."

"I know you don't," I say, "I know, dad. And don't worry about me. You never know what will happen to me. I could marry a rich man and never have to work again."

"What like Draco Malfoy?" my dad scoffs.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"Don't play dumb, Adelaide, we know," my dad says, "We've known the entire time."

"How exactly?" I ask, totally confused. "We didn't tell anyone."

My dad starts spilling everything, "Madam Pomfrey told me all about how you came to visit him when he provoked Buckbeak. And Madam Pince told me you two were always in the back of the library together, even saw you kissing a few times. As your father, they assumed that I already knew."

Why was my dad acting like this? Then it hit me. It was nearing the full moon. He was just getting irritable because of the moon. He didn't mean to be so rude, it was just his condition. I just had to be calm with him.

"Well, dad, mum, I will tell you anything you want to know about mine and Draco's relationship that you want to know. But you must know that it's all behind me now. It's ancient history to me. He means nothing to me. I am in love with George now. I was 13 and an idiot when I dated Draco. I thought he was different, but he proved he wasn't."

"Of course, sweetie," my mum says, softly.

"Were you ever going to tell us?" My dad asks, "or were you going to keep it from us forever."

"Remus, she doesn't owe us an explanation." My mum says, her voice slightly stern, "She was 13 and a boy she liked was giving her attention. I remember when I was not much older when you started giving me attention."

"Actually, dad, you owe Draco more than you think," I say, looking right at him, "he's the one who told me to give you a chance and let you into my life. I was still unsure and we talked about it."

There's a knock on the front door then, I know it's George.

"That's George, I'll be right back." I stand then and head to the front door. I opened it quickly and saw my boyfriend smiling very happily at me. I start before he can say anything. "My dad is losing his mind."

"What?" He asks as I move out of the way so he can enter the house.

"It's nearly the full moon," I explain. "He's not himself. He's acting like a right prat. So just prepare yourself for that."

"Alright," he says, taking it all in.

"Oh, and apparently he knew about Draco and I this entire time and never said anything to me but he told my mum. So there's that."

"Oh wow," he says, sounding shocked.

"There's more," I say, "Tonks isn't here, because she's not speaking to him right now because he tried to do the same thing to her that he did to my mum when she was pregnant with me."

This one takes a second to click in his brain. "Tonks is pregnant?"

I nod, "She is. And he tried to leave her. But then he changed his mind and tried to go back to her and she won't speak to him."

"This is insane."

"I know," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. "Tonight was about celebrating me getting made Head Girl and he's ruining it. I need you to help me just keep the conversation light in there, okay?"

"Of course, darling," he says, nodding and he places a kiss onto my forehead. "Here, I brought these for you." He holds out a lovely bouquet of flowers. I hadn't even noticed he was holding them. It makes me smile.

"Thank you, darling. They're beautiful."

"You deserve it. Congratulations baby girl."

I wrap my arms around him and I hug him tight. He was so sweet. I was so lucky to have him as my boyfriend again. This time I wasn't going to mess it up. We shared a quick kiss before we headed into the dining room where my parents looked like they were not having that pleasant of a conversation. My mum was probably just telling my dad to get a grip on himself. I conjured up a vase and some for the flowers while George said hello to my parents.

"That bouquet is beautiful. Did you bring that George?" My mum asks, examining the flowers.

"He did," I answered for him, "Isn't he the sweetest?"

George smiles proudly, "I had to bring something for my girl. We are celebrating her tonight after all."

"That we are," my mum says, smiling.

"Fred sends his congratulations, too, Addie," says George as I sit next to him.

"Well tell him I said thank you," I say, smiling.

"Well, I can't say it's exactly a shock," my dad says, his tone was actually pleasant again. "I was your professor for a year and even then I could tell you were on your way to being Head Girl when the day came."

"Thank you, dad," I say, smiling at me. "I really wish you could have stayed my professor."

"You were the best Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor we had," says George.

"I'm just nervous to see who it's going to be this year," I say, not liking the thought. The other day we learned that Snape was going to be Headmaster of the school now. I could only imagine who he was going to put in charge of his favorite subject.

"Whoever it is you're still going to get top marks like you always do," says George, sounding very certain about this. Sometimes he's just too sweet for his own good. Seriously so sweet. I don't know what I did to deserve him. I really didn't.

The rest of the dinner went well. My dad was able to control his mood. Whatever my mum said to him while I was with George must have worked. When George left he thanked my mum for the dinner, said goodbye to my dad, and then kissed me before he left.

"I'm sorry for my mood earlier, Adelaide," my dad said to me.

"It's okay," I say, folding my arms over my chest. "The full moon is coming up. You're not yourself."

"I just haven't felt like myself since I left Dora, and now she won't speak to me. I feel awful."

"I know you do," I say, "Give her some time to calm down. She's seen how you are with me, she knows you're a great father. She's going to come around. She's just angry right now."

"Remus," my mother said, "You're staying here until your wife allows you to come home. I'm not letting you stay with those werewolves when we have more than enough room here. I'm not taking no for an answer."

My dad looks at my mum now, "Thank you, Lilah, really, but do you think that it's safe."

"The full moon isn't for a few more days," she assures him, "You'll be just fine. I'll make sure one of the rooms are ready for you," she says and walks towards the bedrooms upstairs.

"You know I love you, right dad?" I say, kind of out of the blue.

"I know," he says, nodding, "You know I love you, too?"

"I know," I say, nodding. "I'm really glad that I got to know you. Even if it took you 13 years to want to be in my life."

He looks off past me, not looking directly, "I was young, and terrified. Your mother was so excited, but I couldn't hide how scared I was. I was terrified you'd have my condition. You have no idea how relieved I was when you told me you didn't. But now there's another chance with this new baby. I don't want that baby to end up like me. Poor, nearly homeless, can't keep a job. It's not something I'd wish on my worst enemy."

I wipe some tears out of my eyes. "You don't deserve that. None of you do. I just wish people could see that."

"You and me both, kid, he says, looking at me now, a slight smirk on his lips.

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Here's part 34!

Remus is losing his mind. Bro needs to take a chill pill.

-Emily Winchester.