Unaffected

Draco smoothed out some wrinkles in his pristine black dress robe and appraised himself in the mirror. Behind him, Severus Snape was relaxing in a plush chair, watching the boy he'd considered his son for so long.

"Is it possible that Draco Malfoy is nervous?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his normally austere voice. Draco turned and smirked at him.

"Nervous? Never," Snape answered with a smirk of his own, and Draco sat down in the armchair across from him. "I'm about to get everything I've ever wanted. I would hardly say that I'm nervous."

"I must admit I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be happy about settling down and being tied to one woman."

"She's not just any woman, Professor," he drawled softly. "I've never met another like her. She's kind, forgiving-"

"She's interested in you for more than your money," Snape interrupted, his eyes glittering with humor. "That's a rarity in itself."

"Indeed it is," Draco gave a small chuckle. "But she has money of her own, so I've no doubt that she was never interested in the money, and probably never will be."

"You are enchanted with the creature."

"Simply put, yes. And her daughter as well. Neither of them have ever shown me anything but kindness."

"The woman is carrying your child, Draco. I daresay she has shown you more than kindness." Draco's eyes widened a bit.

"How did you know that?"

"It's not difficult to deduce, from everything that's happened. She was rather squeamish at dinner when you announced your engagement." Draco relaxed visibly.

"I suppose you're right." He paused thoughtfully. "So when are you and my mother going to marry?" Snape didn't look at all surprised by the question.

"I had planned on asking her at the reception," he admitted. Draco grinned.

"Cagey old dog," he laughed. "Have you got a ring, then?" Snape reached inside his voluminous robe and pulled out a small black velvet box, much to Draco's amusement.

"Well, perhaps Ginny did more good by taking the Malfoys into therapy than she had originally intended." Snape's lips curled up in a grin, and Draco stood.

"I would have to agree with you," he said quietly, standing as well. "And for more than just the Malfoys."

**********

Ginny yawned as her mother and Narcissa fussed over her hair. She had endured their attentions with a weak smile, distracted by the fact that in a very short while, she would be Mrs. Draco Malfoy. The thought made her weak at the knees, and she had to sit down.

"Are you all right, darling?" Narcissa asked, concern etched on her face. Ginny nodded.

"Just tired, is all." Narcissa and Molly exchanged knowing looks, and a smile passed between them.

"You should have rested more," Molly scolded gently, working a comb through Ginny's copper locks. "You know that Draco will want to-"

"Mum!" Ginny gasped, looking scandalized. Narcissa giggled, and Ginny's jaw dropped even lower. The older women were acting like giddy schoolgirls.

"She's right," Narcissa said, adjusting a small tiara on top of Lily's raven head. The sunlight pouring into the room made the stones in it sparkle madly, sending small beams of light dancing on the walls. Lily bounced excitedly.

"I get a new Daddy, I get a new Daddy," she sing-songed. Ginny smiled indulgently at her.

"Are you excited, Poppet?" she asked. Lily nodded and gave her mother a broad smile that made her mother's heart ache suddenly. Narcissa saw the sad look on her face and wondered at it.

"Are you still not excited about getting married, Ginny?"

"Oh, it's not that," she said, waving her hand dismissively. Her mother began pinning her hair atop her head. "She just - that smile," she said quietly. "She looked so like Harry just then."

"Stop that this instant," a voice came from the doorway. Ginny closed her eyes and smiled. "Stop thinking about Harry, and think about the man who's going to be waiting for you at the end of the aisle you're about to walk down."

"I was wondering if you were going to show up," she said.

"Of course I wouldn't miss my best friend's wedding," Hermione said, smiling brightly. She handed Ginny a small package, wrapped in metallic green paper. "That's not from me, by the way." Ginny frowned at her, then opened the box.

"Oh," she breathed softly, lifting a silver necklace out. There was a small charm on it in the shape of a heart. She picked up the piece of paper it had been resting on.

Ginny,

A friend told me that there is a custom wherein the bride is to have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue when she weds. I know that your dress is new, you've got something borrowed, and hopefully you already have something blue. I have taken care of the something old requirement with this necklace. It used to belong to my grandmother, who always told me she wanted me to give it to my wife on our wedding day. I know you'll wear it well.

Love,

Draco

Ginny blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, and she looked up at Hermione, who was beaming. "You sneak," she said, half-laughing. "How much did you tell him?"

"What makes you think it was me?" she asked, batting her eyes innocently. Ginny laughed.

"Who else would tell him about a muggle custom?" Hermione shrugged and blushed.

"All right, so it was me," she said, smiling. "I told him you'd borrowed one of my silver hair clips, but that's all he knows. Do you have something blue?"

Ginny began to blush profusely, and the older women giggled madly.

"Once again, too much information," Hermione laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Where is Alice?"

"She's with Remus, already seated. They're waiting for me, so I have to go. You look beautiful," she said, tears rising in her eyes. "You fit so well together." Before a very surprised Ginny could answer, Hermione kissed her cheek and left the room.

"Shall I help you with it?" Narcissa asked. Ginny nodded and handed her the necklace, which she fastened behind her neck. Molly had finished pinning her hair up, and began pulling tendrils down to curl around her face. They sat in silence as she worked, and Ginny began fingering the heart charm absentmindedly.

"There, all done," Molly announced, pulling away. Ginny stood and went to the mirror, where she smiled at herself. She turned to the women.

"You've done a lovely job," she whispered gratefully. "I don't even look like myself." Her copper hair was piled loosely on top of her head, with curled tendrils framing her delicate face. The gown was the picture of simplicity, and reflected Ginny's easygoing personality. It had a neckline low enough to show a bit of cleavage, but the rest of it was demure. Molly thought it the perfect gown for her daughter.

"You're the picture of loveliness, my dear," Molly said, embracing her tightly before letting her go. "Are we ready, then?" She watched as Ginny fingered the necklace one more time before releasing it and smiling at Lily.

"We're ready."

************

Draco was fidgeting. He couldn't remember a time in his life when he'd ever fidgeted so much. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. He'd only been standing at the altar for two minutes, but he was already beginning to wonder if she'd changed her mind about marrying him.

When the music that signaled her entrance began playing and everyone present stood, his doubts vanished. The double doors at the back of the church opened, and he felt his breath being stolen away. Little Lily practically skipped down the aisle as she dropped rose petals, but his attention was focused behind her, where her mother stood.

She began walking slowly down the aisle, clutching the arm of her brother, Ron. She smiled at people on either side of her as she walked. The bouquet of roses that she was clutching in her hand was shaking slightly, indicating that she was nervous.

When she lifted her eyes to meet his, his heart very nearly stopped beating.

Ron escorted her to Draco's side, then stepped away as the couple faced each other. Draco stared into her eyes, and everything around them fell away until it was time for them to recite their vows. Ginny gave him a dazed look as he took her hands in his, and he smiled at her. Dumbledore smiled as he began to read.

"Ginny, would you please repeat after me," Dumbledore said gently. She nodded and turned to face Draco, her entire attention focused on his silver eyes as she automatically repeated the words Dumbledore said.

"I choose you in strength and in weakness," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I choose you in health and in sickness; in joy and in sorrow." Dumbledore held a golden circlet out to her, and she took it. She slid the band on Draco's finger as she spoke.

"Draco, I will choose you above all others, every day, for all the days of my life." Her cheeks flushed, and he gave her a gentle smile.

Draco recited his vows slowly, and slid the golden band on Ginny's finger. When he had finished, Dumbledore gave them a pleasant smile.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Draco smirked at her before pulling her close and brushing his lips against hers. When he pulled away, she gave him a dazed look. The ceremony had gone by much quicker than she'd thought it would. "And now I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy." The crowd applauded, and the newlyweds made their way down the aisle together.

Once they were outside the church, they disappeared with two loud cracks, and reapparated inside a small room with armchairs. Draco crushed her in his arms, then covered her mouth with his in a fevered kiss. When he pulled away, they were both breathing rapidly.

"Now that I've kissed you properly, let's go and enjoy our party," he smirked. She smiled.

He led her into a larger room, where guests were already starting to fill the tables. She saw Molly carrying Lily, who was waving madly at them. She grinned and waved back, and Molly put her down. Raven curls bounced as Lily ran towards them at breakneck speed, then propelled herself towards Draco. He picked her up and laughed as she threw her arms around his neck.

"Let's go and have a seat at the table, shall we?" Ginny asked, pointing to a long table covered with a silver tablecloth. "These heels are killing my feet." Draco nodded and led them to the table, helping Lily into a seat when they reached it. Ginny sat down and sighed as she kicked her shoes off beneath the table.

Moments later, the champagne flutes on the table filled with sparkling liquid. Ginny watched with apprehension as Fred stood and tapped the side of his glass with a fork. The room quieted, and he shot her a wicked grin before speaking.

"There have been a number of rumors about this wedding printed in some of our finer trashy news outlets, as well as the more traditional network of housewives and gossip, of which our own Mum is a charter member," began Fred, ignoring his mother's outraged squawk.

"I'd like to take a minute to confirm that yes, Draco Malfoy bought our sister for the astonishing bargain price of 500 galleons, as I needed a new broom. Also, Ginny is currently pregnant with triplets, who will be named Larry, Curly, and Moe, after respected geniuses of the muggle world. The couple will be living at the Burrow, as the real reason Draco wishes to marry Ginny is that he's carrying on torrid, shameful affairs with my mother, my brother, and also the family ghoul. Those who have bandied about the opinion that my new brother should be ashamed of his past should be aware that, upon due consideration, we have decided to all of us have the Dark Mark tattooed on our left arms, and a picture of Harry on the right."

Ginny dropped her face into her hands, while the room fell deathly silent. In the next moment, however, a booming laughter filled the room and startled Ginny. She looked up to see her new husband red in the face with laughter, and she grinned stupidly at him. Once the guests saw that the newlyweds were laughing, they began to join in. Draco wiped a tear from his eye as Fred held up his champagne flute in a toast, then drank. Ginny reached for her glass, but Draco promptly moved it out of her reach. When she frowned at him, he arched an eyebrow at her.

"You've got to be a bit more watchful about what you consume," he drawled softly. She sighed and nodded, reaching for a glass of pumpkin juice instead. Dinner appeared on the tables, and Ginny was extremely thankful that her morning sickness hadn't been as bad for the last week or so. The thought struck her as odd, that she should be so sick and then not be sick at all so suddenly, but she dismissed it, intent on enjoying the party.

After everyone had eaten their fill and the food was gone, Dumbledore rose from his seat and waited while the conversations in the room died. He surveyed the guests over his half-moon spectacles and smiled.

"And now it is time for the couple to share their first dance." Draco stood and held his hand out to Ginny to help her from her seat, then led her onto the part of the floor that had been cleared for dancing. He slid his arms around her waist and gave her a small grin before the soft strains of music began. She rested her hands on his shoulders as they began to move, swaying slowly together.

"You look beautiful," he whispered. Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she teased. She was becoming very distracted by the sensation of his thumbs rubbing against the small of her back.

"How does it feel, being Mrs. Draco Malfoy?"

"I should be asking you how it feels to be married," she laughed. He grinned impishly at her.

"I can feel my stomach expanding already," he said. "Soon I'll be spending all day Sunday in front of the crystal while you bring me butterbeers." She giggled.

"Yes, well," she said, trying to look serious. "You and I will have expanding stomachs together, then." His expression turned serious.

"I've been meaning to ask you," he said, his arms tightening around her. "How you've been feeling? Last weekend at the Manor, you couldn't stand to be anywhere near food, but last night and today you seem perfectly fine. Is that normal?"

"To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure."

"Did that happen when you were pregnant with Lily?"

"No," she said, furrowing her brow as she tried to remember. "I was sick with her until about my fourth month, and it leveled off. It never really went away, but it wasn't nearly as bad." He frowned at her.

"Perhaps we should postpone the honeymoon for a day so you can go see the Mediwitch tomorrow." She stared at him.

"I don't think that's necessary," she said quietly. "I have another appointment next month, and I can tell the MediWitch when she examines me then."

"Don't be ridiculous," he said. "If something is wrong, I want to know immediately. One day isn't going to affect our plans."

"It's my body, you know," she said, her words clipped. "If there was something wrong, I think I'd know about it."

"Perhaps you would rather leave now to go see the MediWitch?" he asked, his eyes hardening. "Because I assure you, that can be arranged."

"Draco, this is our wedding day. We're in the middle of enjoying a lovely dance together, and you're ruining it with talk of things going wrong with the baby," she hissed. "Can we please discuss this later?"

"I won't bring the baby up again tonight if you'll promise me that we'll go to the MediWitch first thing tomorrow morning," he said. She could tell that he was worried and trying not to show it too much, and she softened a bit towards him.

"All right," she conceded, sighing. He gathered her close and buried his face in her shoulder, dropping tiny kisses on her bared skin. The music ended, and the guests broke into applause. He led her off of the dance floor as a pumping beat filled the room and couples began to dance.

The rest of the reception passed quickly, a blur of music and laughter and dancing. Hermione caught Ginny's bouquet, thanks to the bride's many years of putting a Quaffle precisely where she wanted it. The garter was caught by Remus Lupin, who had moved with unaccustomed haste to snatch it before it fell into the hands of a tall, handsome man whose name he didn't know. Draco had behaved himself during the cake cutting, but Ginny hadn't, leaving her groom to glare at her from under a layer of icing before he kissed her and rubbed his cheek against hers. Finally, after one last waltz, it was time for them to leave.

Ginny kissed Lily goodbye and watched as Draco did the same, then handed her over to Molly, who was going to watch her while they were away. Draco put his hand at the small of her back and guided her out of the room amid the cheers and shouts of "Congratulations!" Once they were back at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Ginny began packing. Draco stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as he nibbled on her earlobe.

"Do you have to do that right now?" he asked huskily. "This is our wedding night, after all. Why don't we get out of these clothes and relax a bit?" She turned to him and laughed.

"And I'm sure that you'll want to be relaxing in bed, right?" He raised his eyebrows at her.

"As if there were any other place to truly relax?" She laughed again.

"Of course," she said, pulling away. She turned her back to him, and looked over her shoulder. "Unzip me?"

"My pleasure," he said, tugging down on the zipper. She felt his fingertips on her back and shuddered before turning around and letting the gown fall to the floor with a soft whoosh of fabric.

Draco smirked at her, then let his eyes travel down her body languidly. When his eyes fell on her knickers, however, his face paled considerably. Without a word, he took his robe off and wrapped it around her shoulders, then held her tight as they disappeared. When she opened her eyes, they were inside St. Mungo's. She turned and glared at him.

"And just what the hell are we doing here?" she snapped. He ignored her and dragged her to the receptionist's desk. The petite woman looked up from her magazine.

"May I help you?"

"My wife is pregnant and bleeding. I want a MediWitch now." Draco's voice was authoritative, and neither Ginny nor the receptionist had any doubt that he meant business. The receptionist scurried away with a nod of her head, and Ginny stared at him.

"I'm what?" she asked incredulously.

"Bleeding," he said, without looking at her. The receptionist approached them and waved them through a door.

"Healer Smythe is waiting for you in room two," she said. Draco gave her a curt nod and pulled Ginny behind him as he went. When they entered the room, the woman who had initially examined Ginny smiled at them.

"Ah, Ms. Potter," she said pleasantly. Draco stiffened.

"As of this evening, she is Mrs. Malfoy," he snapped. The healer paled a bit and forced her smile back on her face.

"Well, then," she said, clearing her throat. "What seems to be the trouble?"

"The trouble is that she's bleeding," he said angrily, removing his robe from her body. The healer gasped and pushed Ginny backwards onto the examining table. Thirty minutes later, she removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose tightly. Draco wrapped the robe around his wife and waited impatiently for the healer to speak.

"Well?" Ginny asked, her heart pounding painfully against her ribcage. The healer looked up at her and shook her head.

"I'm sorry," was all she said. Ginny felt as though she'd been hit by a ton of bricks. After the initial shock of the healer's words, she burst into tears, sobbing so hard that she was shaking. The healer stood and left the room after whispering a few quiet words to Draco, who was deathly pale.

"Let's go home," he said quietly. She looked up at him with teary eyes.

"No," she said simply. He stared.

"What do you mean, no?"

"I mean, no," she sniffed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "The baby is gone. You have no reason to stay with me now. I'm going to go home, and I suggest you do the same. We'll sort everything out later." She stood and headed towards the door, but he didn't move out of her way.

"What in the bloody hell are you on about?" he snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You are my wife, and you're coming home with me."

"I'm going to my home," she snapped back, fresh tears making their way down her cheeks. "And you can go to yours. I can't deal with this right now. I need some time alone to think."

"To think about what?" he raged. "We're married, and you're coming home with me, to our home. There is nothing to think about!"

"We got married because I was pregnant," she said angrily. "And since the reason for our marriage is now gone, I am going home to rest!"

"You are the biggest bloody fool that I have ever met," he said, half amazed. "Is that really the only reason that you married me?" She raised her chin defiantly.

"Yes," she lied. Without another word, she brushed past him and out into the hallway.