Something Cannot Emerge From Nothing.

Disclaimer: All these lovely characters and all the Potter universe belong to JKR.

A/N: As always, many thanks to the wonderful Southern_Witch_69 for being a most awesome beta.

This is my response to LOTM's YLC challenge. For rules see the end of chapter one.

Chapter Three

Something Cannot Emerge From Nothing.

Draco vaguely wondered how he was able to fly without his broom. Everything was blurry, and his head was spinning.

Damn Roger Davies! He seemed to have forgotten that this was not Hogwarts any longer, and they were not Slytherin versus Ravenclaw.

Suddenly, he hit the ground, but the blow was not nearly as hard as he felt it should have been. He still had his eyes closed, so he felt, rather than saw, his head being cushioned. He cracked open one eye and realized his head was in Ginny Weasley's lap, and she was looking down at him.

"I must be dreaming if I am on my back with Virginia on top of me," Draco drawled out sarcastically.

"Oh, no!" George bellowed nervously. "He hit his head harder than we thought. He thinks Gin is someone named Virginia!" Turning to Roger, he hissed, "That was uncalled for, Davies!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. She was still highly upset about the altercation that she and Draco had before. She was extremely disappointed in herself. She was not a mean person by nature, but something about Draco just seemed to set her off. And when she'd tried to apologize, he'd laughed in her face. He'd told her he had not given one thought about something a lowly Weasley had said to him and that he could barely even remember the incident. Ginny knew that was not the truth. She remembered the hatred in his eyes after she had said those things about his mother.

She'd instantly regretted it afterwards. That was hitting way below the belt as far as she was concerned, and she felt she had no business saying those things. Just because he would, did not make it right for her to.

And her biggest problem with Draco was that Ginny felt attracted to him, and he was someone she absolutely could not stand. It puzzled her. Ginny knew he was very good-looking, but that was his only asset in her opinion. When he opened his mouth, his looks were ruined. It was just that when they argued, it turned her on.

Sighing, Ginny told her brother, "No, he thinks my name is Virginia."

Fred chuckled. He could sense the sexual tension between those two a mile off and decided to play a bit with his one and only sister. "Now, why would he think that, Ginevra?" Ginny shot daggers at Fred with her eyes.

"Ginevra?" Draco snickered. "No wonder you never bothered to correct me! I wouldn't admit to having a name like that either. You should have stuck with Virginia!"

Growling, Ginny abruptly stood, causing Draco's head to hit the ground. "He's fine," she proclaimed and then added to the twins, "I am off to Hermione's. I will see you guys later." As she walked off, she didn't notice the looks her brothers were giving each other as they rubbed their hands together in glee.

Because Ginny's leaving signaled the end of practice, everyone started heading for the locker rooms. Just before Draco could enter, two sets of arms wrapped themselves across his shoulders. "Malfoy, old chap," evil twin number one started, "we couldn't help but notice you are the only one who has not signed the contract."

"Too right," evil twin two agreed. "So, we have decided to take you to dinner and discuss things."

Draco smirked. He had every intention of signing that contract, but if the evil Weasley wankers wanted to wine and dine him, who was he to refuse? "All right. Just let me get showered and changed."

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

Hermione was vigorously cleaning her flat. Tonight was the welcoming home dinner, and she needed to work off some pent up energy before heading to the Burrow. Ron, Harry, and both of their families would be there. She could handle it. She knew she could.

She was not still in love with Ron...if she ever was. Hermione had been wondering for a while now if she was merely in love with the thought of being in love, and Ron had just been convenient for her. The past caused her to feel... inadequate. She hated feeling inadequate. How could she trust that if she found someone else that he would not leave her for the first pretty face that came along? Not that Hermione considered herself ugly, but she knew her looks were not the first thing that got her noticed.

To top it all off, she had to practically beg Severus Snape to escort her to those ruddy ministry functions! Severus Snape! It upset her more than she was willing to admit. Am I really that bad? I know it has been a while since I have dated, but that was by choice really. It's not that I haven't had offers! Hermione's musings were interrupted by a loud banging on her door.

She opened her door to find an irate looking Ginny Weasley standing there. "I swear someone should put me out of my misery and kill bloody Draco Malfoy!"

Laughing, Hermione told her best friend, "Come on in. Did something else happen?"

Sighing, Ginny told her, "No. I tried to apologize for the things I said about his mother, and he brushed me off by insulting me. The day just went down hill after that. And now, we have about two hours before the dinner," she said, as she shuddered drastically.

"I know. It will be fine though." Looking at Ginny's disbelieving face, she asked, "You are over Harry, aren't you?"

"Yes, and I have been for quite some time. It's just... uncomfortable. You know? And do you know what I think it is that bothers me the most?" Hermione shook her head that she didn't. "It's the fact that I feel like he dismissed me. Threw me over. It's more of a pride thing."

"Yes, I know exactly how you feel there, but it's fine. We are both intelligent, beautiful, strong witches. Any man would be lucky to have either one of us!"

"You're absolutely right, Mione. And enough! I don't need a pep talk over Harry! It's Ferret Boy that has me all mixed up!"

"Oh? How so?"

"Well, I can't explain it really. He is horrid, evil, arrogant, and loathsome! However, when we argue, it really does something to me. Turns me on, sort of. That repulses me."

Oh, I can relate there! Bantering with Severus Snape really got my juices flowing! "Maybe what you are feeling is just the heat of the moment. It's been so long since anyone has gotten any kind of rise out of you. You may just seem to transfer that into... What is the word? Lust?"

"Perhaps. It's just so infuriating! I don't like anything about him, personality wise, but when we start arguing, I just want to grab his face in my hands and lay one on him to shut him up!"

Laughing, Hermione told her, "Try it. It may render him speechless for once. It only took slapping him for me, but then, I never had the urge to do anything else."

"Oh, hush you! Let's get ready for the dinner and knock 'em dead! What say you?"

"I'm with you. Let's go."

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

Hermione and Ginny opted to Apparate rather than Floo. Hermione hated Floo travel and avoided it as much as possible. Once inside, Hermione went to the kitchen to see if Mrs. Weasley wanted her to do anything while Ginny went to the sitting room. She wanted to say hello to her dad before going to see if her mum needed any help.

When she got to the sitting room door, she stopped in her tracks.

"Oh, hi, Mummy! Come wead wif daddy and me." The little boy shook his head. "Oh, you're not my mummy!"

Ginny looked into the bright green eyes of a red-haired little boy. Something in her chest constricted. She slowly looked to Harry. He smiled slightly. "Hello, Ginny. I would like to introduce my son, James."

Ginny looked at James. "Hello, James. It's very nice to meet you." She was proud that her voice did not crack and remained relatively steady.

"Hewwo. You wook wike my mummy," the two and a half year old informed her. "Are you my aunt Ginny?"

Ginny smiled softly. "You're right. I am. Thank you. I need to go see if my mum needs any help. It was nice meeting you, James." And with that, before Harry could say anything, she turned and left, never even noticing Ron and his daughter by the fireplace. Ron decided not to speak to her, as Ginny seemed to be upset. He hoped she was all right, but instinctively, he knew that she would not want him to follow her.

It was so confusing to Ginny. She did not love Harry anymore, but... That was supposed to have been her green-eyed, red-haired boy! The one she'd always dreamed of having. It's not like I didn't know his wife was pregnant, but I never expected him to look like that! And when he called me mummy, it broke my heart. Oh, well, it doesn't matter, she convinced herself. No better way to truly move on than to be slapped in the face with reality!

Hermione had walked into the kitchen to try and help Mrs. Weasley. She never accepted help, but Hermione thought it polite to offer at least. She was taken aback at the sight she saw before her.

There stood Samantha, Ron's beautiful wife, baking a cake in Mrs. Weasley's kitchen. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes! Mrs. Weasley never let anyone in her kitchen!

"Oh, hello, Hermione, dear! Nice to see you've made it. Dinner should be ready soon. Why don't you go have a visit with Ron and Harry? I daresay that you should meet little James and Grace! Off with you now."

Hermione stood there gobsmacked, gaping at Mrs. Weasley. Samantha had not spoken a word. Perhaps she now knows of my past with her Ron.

"Um, okay. I will be just out in the sitting room then." When Hermione walked to the sitting room door, the first thing she saw was Harry reading to a little boy that was obviously his son. This must be James. The sight made her smile. He looked happy.

Not having been noticed yet, she looked around the room. When she looked by the fireplace, she saw Ronald teaching his young daughter how to play chess. Figures! How typical of him.

She took a closer look at his daughter. And here is Grace. How beautiful! She had long, strawberry-blonde hair and clear blue eyes. At the moment, those eyes were narrowed in concentration. Just like her father, Hermione mused.

Quietly, Hermione backed out of the room before she was noticed. She was not ready to face them just yet. She decided to go upstairs and look for Ginny.

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

Severus Snape was not a happy Potions master. This was his first Sunday off in two months, and instead of working on his potion, as he wished to be doing, he had to go to the bloody Burrow and speak with Molly Weasley, as per Minerva McGonagall's orders.

What kind of name is the Burrow for a home? If my surname were Weasley, I would most assuredly not call my home the Burrow!

Severus did not blame Poppy for taking a three-month leave. Her sister was very sick, but he didn't understand why he had to be the one to go speak to Molly about replacing her until the mediwitch returned. Molly had insisted, much to his displeasure, that he come to dinner. Blasted woman!

Why could Ginevra not have been available? Minerva said she has taken a job as a traveling Healer with that new Quidditch team Draco tried out for. Well, bully for her! I just resent the fact I have to be the one to ruin my day off to go there! Hell, I don't even see why she would allow Molly to take over Pomfrey's duties, seeing as she's not a qualified Healer! He shrugged. "I guess the work she did with her daughter and Poppy during the war and battle counts for something." He nodded to himself, moving towards the house. Poppy had said she'd Floo in each week to go over things and wouldn't mind being contacted in emergencies. That would be enough, I suppose. Smirking, he said aloud, "If the governors' do not care, why should I?"

So, here he was in the last place he wanted to be with the most annoying people he could imagine about to eat...no doubt disgusting...food whilst convincing Molly and Authur to go to Hogwarts for three months. Bloody terrific.

As soon as he knocked on the door, Molly came rushing to greet him. "Oh, Hello! Come in! Come in! It's so good to see you, Severus," she said a little too brightly. He knew he made most people, especially the Order members, uncomfortable. He reveled in that fact.

"Molly," he said in way of greeting. "I really don't need to dine. I just wanted to..."

"Oh, nonsense! We have plenty! Just have that seat there, and tuck in with the rest of us."

Merlin, spare me! I don't know if I can bear an afternoon of Weasleys!

Severus sat and then looked around to see who else occupied seats at the table. He noticed Weasley and Potter with their brood. How lovely. A dinner with two-thirds of the trio! Now, my day is complete.

Continuing his survey, he noticed Hermione and Ginevra. There is the missing one-third! He almost laughed. Hermione would not even look at him. Now, this could be interesting. Could she be regretting forcing me to attend those functions with her?

Just when Severus thought the day couldn't get any worse, in walked the twins with a very disgruntled Draco Malfoy between them. Better and better, I say. St. Potter and his little sidekick should love this!

Draco huffed indignantly, "What is the meaning of bringing me to this... hovel? You led me to believe I was to be dining in one of the finer restaurants in London!"

"And so you are, mate!" George told him.

"That's right. Me mum's food is the best, if I do say so meself," Fred agreed.

"I highly doubt that! Why, the people alone are revolting. What makes you think I would lower myself to dine here? You people can't even afford a house-elf!"

"THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH!" Ginny yelled. Everyone at the table turned to look at her. Draco smirked. It made her blood boil. "Why, in the name of all that's holy, did you bring Draco bloody Malfoy into my home?" she asked Fred and George. "I get enough of him as it is during practice."

"Oh, Ginevra, you haven't even begun to get enough of me. One time and you will be addicted for life," Draco drawled.

Ginny, red-faced, started to stutter. Harry silenced her with a raise of his hand. Rising, he told Draco, "That will do. You will not come into this house and disrespect the people here."

Draco looked Harry up and down. "ME disrespect them? Oh, forgive me. Is that something only you can do?" Looking towards Severus, Draco said, "It seems I have overstepped my bounds, eh? Once again, I am stepping on Potter's toes."

Severus smirked.

Arthur decided to stop things before they got out of hand. "Enough. Boys, what is the meaning of this?"

"Well," George started, "we need him to sign his contract, so we thought to plow him with good food and bad firewhisky. No better place than a Burrow Sunday dinner, I say!"

Severus looked towards Hermione to see her reaction to Draco because she had not said one word. He noticed she was studying Weasley's wife intently as she chewed her bottom lip. He shook his head. How could Hermione compare herself to that witch?

"Please, have a seat, boys. Dinner is getting cold." Molly turned towards Severus. "So, Professor, what can I do for you?"

As the boys took seats at the table and glared at one another, Severus replied to Molly. "I am not sure if you are aware, but Poppy Pomfrey's sister is very ill. Poppy is taking a three-month leave of absence, and Minerva has asked that you fill in for her whilst she is away. Poppy would be in touch weekly and could come through the Floo for emergencies. Would you be interested?" Please say yes now so that I may leave here as quickly as possible.

"Well, I'm not sure! That is a huge responsibility. Would I be required to live at Hogwarts?"

Just then, before Severus could answer, Charlie and Tonks Weasley came crashing in. "Sorry we're late, Mum! A herd of Hippogriffs got loose, and we had to round them up." Charlie had taken on Hagrid's job when the gentle half-giant fell during the war. Tonks was the current Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Hermione became very uncomfortable. Although Tonks was married to Charlie now, she knew that her first choice had been Remus Lupin. After the war, Tonks had really wanted to marry Remus. Although he loved her, Remus did not want to marry because of his affliction. Tonks had insisted they take the YLC compatibility test, just to see, and was highly disappointed when the results showed them to only be thirty-three percent compatible.

However, surprising everyone, her and Charlie turned out to be ninety-one percent compatible. Nobody in the family had even known that Charlie had filled out the forms. Remus decided to break things off with her because he knew of her desire to wed. She started dating Charlie, and Remus began to keep company with Hermione's mum, Jane Granger.

It seemed that after Remus had escorted Hermione to the hospital when her dad died, he'd gotten to know her mother. Afterwards, they kept in touch. Because neither of them ever wanted to get married, they kept each other company at times.

Hermione wouldn't call it dating, per se, but occasionally, they went to the Muggle theater or out to eat. Jane had even attended a Ministry function with Remus once. Even though Tonks had told Hermione repeatedly that she was not bothered by this, Hermione still felt weird around her.

After they settled, Molly turned to Severus. "So, would I be required to live there these three months? What of Arthur?"

"You would need to be there in case of emergencies. There are quarters the both of you would stay in."

"Well, Arthur and I will have to discuss it. This is too big a decision to make lightly. Tell Minnie I will let her know before Poppy leaves."

Severus nodded and looked towards Hermione again. It was as if he couldn't keep his eyes off the little witch. She is not that bad looking if you really look at her. Her hair seems more manageable now, and she has certainly grown into her body. My own body seems to respond to hers readily enough, much to my displeasure. I suppose those Muggle jeans she is wearing are to make a point to Weasley, but I believe he is too dense to realize it or even notice her.

Taking his eyes off of Hermione because his body was starting to respond, he looked towards Draco, who in turn was watching Ginevra. What is this? An attraction or is the boy just taunting Potter? Indeed, Potter was turning all kinds of red watching the two of them. The sexual tension between Draco and Ginevra was extremely thick. Interesting...

As soon as dinner was over, Hermione said her goodbyes and walked out the door. She had had enough. The way Snape kept watching her during the meal made her feel lacking in some way. She knew everyone thought she was pining over Ron, but in reality, she was getting funny feelings in the pit of her stomach from her ex-Potions master...feelings she really did not want to think on at the moment.

Before she could get away, Ron stopped her. "It's good to see you, Mione, though you are alone. Are you not dating anyone?"

"Ron, I really don't feel that my personal life is your business. You have enough to be getting on with." She turned to leave, but she added, "Your daughter is lovely."

"Don't be that way. I was just making friendly conversation, is all. We are friends, aren't we? I just want to see you be as happy as I am. I don't want you growing old alone."

What the hell? "Oh, there are no worries there. I have been dating plenty," she lied. She would not let this arsehole stand here and be so damn condescending to her. "I daresay, you will be very surprised when you see my date for the five-year anniversary ball."

Ron eyed her speculatively. "I am glad for you then. Oh, and Mione? Don't let Samantha's beauty get to you. She just has more beauty than most. You are very pretty, too."

Oh. My. God! That arrogant prat! "Trust me, Ronald, your wife possesses nothing that I want. Beauty or otherwise. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to be off. I have an engagement I am going to be late for!" With that, she turned on her heels and walked towards the front gate to Apparate home.

Severus had been hiding in the shadows. When Hermione had left, he followed her out. He couldn't say why, but when Weasley had stopped her, he wanted to hear what they said to each other. He especially wanted to see her reaction to him.

As he listened to the boy dig himself in a hole, he thought, What a prat he is! How in the devil did Hermione put up with that little bugger as long as she did? She is far too intellectual for the likes of a Weasley at any rate. I say he did her a favor by marrying another. As she started walking away and Ron went back into the house, he came out of the shadows.

Suddenly, Hermione heard a familiar voice calling her. "Miss Granger!"

Swearing softly and turning around to face Snape, she asked, "Yes?" God, I cannot deal with him now!

"Quickly, name the twelve uses of Dragon's Blood!" he commanded in his best teacher's voice.

Confused, Hermione rolled them off. "Oven cleaner..." After she had named all twelve, she continued, "...and a possible thirteenth that I read about in Potions Today is it could possibly prevent scarring when added to burn-healing paste.

Smirking, Severus told her, "See? That is why you cannot compare yourself to Samantha Weasley. There is no comparison, really." With that, he Disapparated.

Well, what was that supposed to mean? That I am too bookish and boring to compete with her beauty, or she is too... simple to compete with my knowledge? Damn that wizard!

After Hermione left, Ginny had wandered behind the shed for a fag. It was the only thing that would calm her nerves, and she didn't feel like hearing a lecture from her mother right now. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Those things will kill you," Draco said as he took the cigarette from her mouth and put it between his lips.

"Oh, please, help yourself," Ginny told him sarcastically.

"Your Harry seems to have himself a nice little family there," he told her to gauge her reaction.

"He is not my Harry! I got over him some time ago!"

"Really?" he asked disbelievingly. "Prove it. Kiss me." Draco had no idea what made him dare her to do such a thing; he only knew he had wanted to taste her since dinner.

"I don't have to prove anything to you. I don't care if you believe me or not." She started to walk away and felt herself being pulled back and pushed against the shed.

"Well, I do care," he whispered as he brought his mouth to hers. She resisted, but only for a moment. She groaned as she opened her mouth, and his tongue invaded it. Just as she was really getting into it, a voice interrupted her pleasure.

"Don't let me interrupt," Harry sarcastically said.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Draco replied and tried to continue their kiss, but Ginny gently pushed Draco away.

"What is it that you need, Harry?"

"I need nothing. Your mum was looking for you."

Ginny turned and walked away, leaving the two wizards to watch her go.

"Stay away from her, Malfoy!" Harry demanded.

"A little late to stake your claim, isn't it?"

"She is only doing this to make me mad. How does that make you feel? Second to Potter as usual? Or are you used to that feeling by now?"

Draco smirked. "You were nowhere in sight, Scarhead, while we were kissing. In fact, you never even entered either of our minds. And when she screams my name in pleasure, because trust me, it's only a matter of time, she won't even remember you exist."

Before Harry could reply, Draco Disapparated.

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

It was not unusual for Luna to find herself at The Quibbler on a Sunday. She was working extremely hard to make her paper a reputable one. No more Crumple-Horned Snorkacks for her, even if they do exist! She was trying to think of a story that no paper has done yet. Suddenly, an idea came to her.

That's it! I could interview the guards and prisoners at Azkaban! With the five-year anniversary coming up, I could write about the changes and regrets and how the guards are faring now that the dementors have been vanished. Everyone else will be breaking their wands trying to get interviews with Harry and the other Order members. Nobody will think of the guards and prisoners!

Gaining her second wind, Luna quickly sent an owl to Kingsley Shacklebolt, asking him to help her set everything up. This could be the break I am looking for! I hope the Ministry approves and keeps this quiet!

The next owl she sent was to Colin Creevey. Although he was a freelance photographer, Luna liked to use him as much as possible. With a newfound vigor, Luna began writing down interview questions. She wanted to be prepared as soon as she was approved.

Christy's Notes Well, that was some dinner, eh? Let me know what you think!

Southern's Notes: I love the Draco and Ginny interaction here! Woohoo! All I can say to Harry is that it's his fault that she's not his.