Tree Walking, one-shot, d/g
Pairing: Draco/Ginny
Summary: The 3rd annual Christmas fic! "It wouldn't be a tradition without you."
Rating: G
Author's Note: As always, for my sisters.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Tree Walking
Teddy calls it tree walking. Draco calls it onerous. But if he had to assign a name for their current activity, he would certainly not call it ‘tree walking.’ The tree is not doing any walking. He is the one who is doing all of the work - pulling, dragging, sweating, falling, and of course, cursing in the cold still air. None of it even resembles walking.
Naturally, he blames Potter for this. He had been nice and cozy inside the parlour room when the Bespectacled Wonder’s new eagle owl had swooped in with an announcement that he would just come right on over in a few minutes to spend some time with Teddy. Well, that was tough because Draco was going to spend time with his nephew. Outside. Where Potter could go hunting for them.
He initially had no idea what they would do but he was an inspired thinker. And there were woods surrounding Andromeda’s property. Lots of woods. And Teddy was enthusiastic. “How about we go hunting for a Christmas tree? It’ll be a surprise for your grandmother once she gets back.”
Draco had followed Teddy at a somewhat leisurely pace. They circled trees and went up and down hills. And it was cold and sometimes Teddy would wander off too far but Draco found this was not too bad. He usually stuck Teddy in the corner with some toys whenever he had to stay with him. It felt kind of nice to be outside - he rarely spent any time outdoors anymore.
But while Draco’s mind had wandered away from their supposed purpose, Teddy’s had not. “Dis treeh, dis treeh!” he had shouted from somewhere within the bundle of clothing that surrounded his little body.
He probably should’ve said no and made Teddy choose a smaller tree, but what most people didn’t know - and Teddy had discovered only incidentally - was that Draco actually had a hard time saying no.
So now he is dragging a tree back from what is probably the bottom of Andromeda’s property with nothing but a rope and a hyperactive half-werewolf. He does not understand how he had the foresight to bring a rope and a saw but not his ruddy wand. He grunts as he throws his weight forward. The tree shifts across the snow but it hardly goes in the direction he wants it to. He tries turning around and pulling but he slips on an unseen root and before he knows it, he is flat on his back.
“Uncle Draco, Uncle Draco” Teddy’s voice is saying from somewhere far off. Draco tries to sit up but it makes the world spin white. He settles back down.
Draco doesn’t know when he closed his eyes but when he opens them again, the light is bright off the snow. It creates a halo around the girl bending over him and her hair glows like fire.
“Tell me you’re not some angel,” he breathes.
“Unfortunately, Teddy, Harry, I don’t think he’s dead.” She turns and her hair falls like a curtain over her, and he is able to tell her face is full of freckles.
“Ugh, Weasley,” he spits, disgusted with himself. It must have been the fall.
***
Apparently, Teddy has found tree walking so enjoyable, he wants to do it again a second year. Draco would have groaned but Potter is standing right there, looking more unhappy than Draco feels. Potter’s red-haired girlfriend laughs, at him or at Mr. Worst-Dressed, he’s not sure but he suddenly finds himself smiling. “Want to come along, Potter? You’ll have to leave your wand behind though.”
Potter declines, saying he will come back when Teddy is ready. Draco suddenly has a feeling that this will take all day. He takes Teddy by the hand but before he leaves the parlour, he turns around to look at Potter over his shoulder. He ends up looking at Ginny. And she’s looking at him.
For the second Christmas in a row, Draco finds himself pulling a tree up a hill. He falls too many times to keep count, Teddy is obviously not going to become an award-winning singer but it does not stop him from singing carols, and Draco is still smiling when he greets his mother and aunt on their return.
***
Tree walking has apparently become a tradition. That is, if three years in a row constitutes a tradition. It does for Mr. Hair-of-the-Year who comes early this yuletide season to do his obligatory godfather duty. However, his presence doesn’t bother Draco as much as it did in previous years. With a frown, Draco wonders if this means he is growing up or something.
He finds himself wondering where Potter’s girlfriend is.
“Where’s the redhead?” he asks.
Potter seems to be ignoring him but if Draco is good at anything, it’s being persistent. And probably, annoying.
“She’s not coming.”
“What? Did you have a spat or something?”
Finally, Andromeda shushes him but explains, “They are no longer together.”
Christmas is early this year. But a stab of regret mars Draco’s good cheer. Potter looks really put out and Draco finds himself…understanding. Sweet Merlin, he thinks, being grown up and mature is a killjoy. He pats Teddy on the head as he leaves the room.
Two weeks later he is wrapping layers of wool around Teddy in preparation for their tree walking venture. This year, Teddy has insisted they bring two ropes since he says he is big enough to walk a tree. Draco finds himself unable to argue with him.
“Ima ready,” Teddy says under his wool.
Draco can’t help but laugh and as he does, he breathes in the fresh crisp air. He stands and takes Teddy’s hand. It is starting to snow.
They are making their way down the hill when a voice halts their progress. A familiar face full of freckles with red hair streaming behind it emerges from the white. Ginny Weasley stops before them. “I was…uh, wondering if I could come.”
“I was actually wondering where you were. It wouldn’t be a tradition without you.”
Fin